| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by AARP | Good Thursday morning! You may have heard the phrase “The South shall rise again,” usually from people who seek to downplay or deny slavery’s role as the primary cause of the Civil War. Well, the South has risen again — as a campaign issue in the 24th District Republican primary, in northwestern New Jersey, where voters will be replacing state Senate Minority Leader Steve Oroho. Candidate Steve Lonegan is going after rival Parker Space over his arm tattoo of the confederate battle flag, which I wrote about in this publication over five years ago. In 2017, Space Chief of Staff Lou Crescitelli told me that the tattoo was a reference to the Dukes of Hazzard. Lonegan, in a lengthy campaign statement Wednesday, said that was a lie concocted by Space’s team for damage control. And Lonegan claims Space got the tattoo after a white supremacist in 2015 murdered nine Black parishioners in a South Carolina church, and that Space later considered getting a tattoo of the General Lee — the famous Dukes of Hazard car, not the actual general — to back up the lie. Lonegan claims this is all in writing. "I’ve seen an inventory of his tattoos, made by Commissioner Jill Space, and she clearly states what it is …. This was all brought up at a meeting of Sussex County GOP leaders and elected officials held on March 18th of last year. After that meeting, Parker Space agreed to not run for re-election,” Lonegan wrote. I reached out to Space’s team by email and to Lonegan to see if he can produce this paper evidence. I’ve also reached out to a couple Sussex County GOP officials who haven’t taken sides in this fight, but both said they were not at the meeting, or weren’t there the entire time. Two small observations: This primary just started and it’s already incredibly ugly, and the next senator from the 24th District is going to sound very different from the comparatively statesmanlike Oroho. And just in case this wasn't clear to anyone: The South seceded from the union mainly to preserve and expand slavery, and the Confederate battle flag can’t be dissociated from that fact. Anyone who takes an honest look at the historical record knows it. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “No one is coming for anyone’s gas stove.” — Gov. Phil Murphy WHERE’S MURPHY? In Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference and presumably brush up on his German HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Eash Haughton, Steven Nagel, Raine Cusgelio PROGRAMMING NOTE — NJ Playbook will be off Monday for Presidents Day. | | | | A message from AARP: Many family caregivers in New Jersey struggle to keep their older loved ones at home – and out of costly, taxpayer-funded nursing homes – often sacrificing their jobs and tapping into their savings to make it work. Now increases in the cost of gas, food, and housing are making it even more difficult. We need to give family caregivers financial relief. Tell your state lawmakers to pass the Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) now. We need it. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
CALIFORNIA OF THE EAST — New Jersey governor to set leading clean power target and follow California ban on gas-powered cars, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The two boldest would transform state energy use by 2035, in homes and on the road. By then, Murphy wants the state to get 100 percent of its power from clean energy sources. Murphy plans to start New Jersey on the path pioneered by California with a requirement that all new cars sold in the state have zero emissions by 2035. The governor is also directing the state Board of Public Utilities to open a proceeding on “the future of the natural gas utility.” It would be similar to other states looking for an orderly way to reduce the burning of natural gas … The governor will also: — Set a target to electrify 400,000 residential buildings and 20,000 commercial buildings by 2030, which generally means retrofitting them to switch from natural gas to electric heat. — Spend $70 million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to help companies and local governments buy electric medium and heavy duty trucks, a category that includes school buses, semi-trucks and heavy duty loaders. — Move forward on the next phase of climate changed-related rules, particularly ones related to flooding known as the "resilient environments and landscapes" or REAL.
—“NJ groups fight power plants, wait for environmental law” DON’T BLET ON IT — “NJ Transit engineers are ready to strike over their wages, union says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “Locomotive engineers, who were a hot commodity for NJ Transit to hire four years ago, are upset with a salary offer from NJ Transit and may start voting with their feet, either by taking jobs with other commuter railroads that pay more, or going on strike, union leaders said. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen officials said the union could strike over negotiations that have dragged on for three years. ‘We are at a de facto impasse,” said James P, Brown, BLET general chairman. ‘The major sticking point is the hourly wage. We make significantly less than the Long Island Rail Road, Metro North or Amtrak.’ A BLET comparison of eight northeast commuter railroads and Amtrak showed NJ Transit engineers had the second lowest hourly rate of $39.78. SEPTA rates are lowest at $39.74. PATH. Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak all have higher hourly rates for engineers. “We can walk across the platform and get a $15 dollar an hour raise,” he said.” TOUGH ON CRIME (EXCEPT OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT) — “New wave of crime bills in N.J. raise concerns about progress of justice reform,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “As the state Senate Judiciary committee prepared to vote on a bill Monday, the chair called first for the testimony of supporters, but no one came forward. The measure, which upped penalties for heroin and fentanyl crimes in New Jersey, might have passed to fanfare a decade or more ago. But Monday, dozens crowded into a Trenton hearing room urging lawmakers not to further “criminalize” the possession and sale of drugs in the state. The bill passed in committee anyway. The legislation (S3096) was one of at least eight measures advanced by committees in the state Assembly and Senate this week that stiffened penalties or tightened restrictions for crimes including drug dealing, burglary and car theft. The proposals moved over objections from justice reform advocates, who said they fear a turning of the tide against New Jersey’s historic bail reform and other efforts amid amped-up rhetoric over crime.” | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
HE’S JUST CONVERTING TO DEMOCRAT FOR THE JOKES — “Orthodox Jewish leader might run as a Democrat for Assembly against Kean, Thomson,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “hugely influential member of the Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood is exploring a run for State Assembly in the 30th district as a Democrat against Republican incumbents Sean Kean (R-Wall) and Ned Thomson (R-Wall). Avi Schnall, the director of the New Jersey office of Agudath Israel of America and a staunch advocate for non-public school students, is preparing to take a leave of absence from his post in advance of the March 27 filing deadline to see if he can flip an Ocean/Monmouth legislative district that has been solidly Republican since its origin in 1991. The 38-year-old Orthodox activist is a registered Republican who backed Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021 and would switch parties to make the run.”
GUBERHEIMER — “Gottheimer looks gubernatorial at State of CD-5 Address,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “During a ‘state of the 5th District’ address Wednesday, Gottheimer stressed the need to seek bipartisan consensus. In fact, he said that just about all he has accomplished in Washington since being elected in 2016 stems from his work with the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of moderate House members. He’s convinced his stance resonates with the people even if it does not with the extremes of both parties. ‘People just want us to talk to each other – to be reasonable,’ he said.” IS THERE ANY OTHER DESANTIS? — “Mario DeSantis files for LD3 Senate seat, becoming first Democrat to enter race,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Mario DeSantis, a Glassboro teacher who has repeatedly challenged the South Jersey Democratic machine from the left, filed his candidacy with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission yesterday to run for the State Senate in the 3rd legislative district. DeSantis is the first Democrat to enter the race for the district, which is currently held by State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Logan), but he won’t be the last. South Jersey Democrats are still sorting out their party-endorsed slate, with the biggest question mark being whether former Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) tries to reclaim the seat he shockingly lost in 2021.” DESIGNING DRUG DELTA-BURKE STILL UNADDRESSED — Senator's effort to regulate Delta-8 THC gets key ally, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: “A Republican state senator’s effort to regulate Delta-8 THC — a hemp-derived product that produces a similar high to the naturally-occurring Delta-9 THC found in marijuana — has found an important ally in the Legislature. State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) has been raising concerns about Delta-8 products, which unlike their most potent cousins are widely available and unregulated by the state or federal government, calling them the “the bathtub gin of the cannabis space.” In January, O’Scanlon introduced legislation, NJ S3470, that would put Delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids under the purview of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission … On Monday, Assembly Health Committee Chair Herb Conaway (D-Burlington) took on the sponsorship of the bill in the lower house. —“9th dead whale in region could have been killed by vessel near Jersey Shore, early tests show” —“Majority of N.J. residents want plastic bag ban tweaked or overturned completely, poll says” —“NJ lawmakers want to expand tax exemptions for retirement plans” —“Polistina to Murphy: Time to pause offshore wind work, probe whale deaths” | | BIDEN TIME | | THE GUNDEN STATE — “N.J. has very tough gun laws. Here’s how it ranks in gun deaths, according to new report,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jonathan D. Salant: “N.J. has very tough gun laws. Here’s how it ranks in gun deaths, according to new reNew Jersey’s rate of 5.13 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2021 was the third lowest in the U.S., behind only Massachusetts and Hawaii, and was slightly less than one-third of the national rate of 14.71, the report said. On the other hand, Mississippi saw 32.61 people killed by weapons per 100,000 population — which means people were about six times more likely to die by guns there than in New Jersey. Louisiana was second, with 28.42 gun deaths per 100,000.”
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BULLYING CENTRAL — “'It's a disaster': Bullying was on the rise at Central Regional before student's death,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “When Jayla Hahn was attacked by two girls at Central Regional High School last year, video of the assault spread quickly on social media. She now goes to another school in another district. When Olivia O’Dea told school officials last year she was being stalked and threatened online, they did nothing, her mother claims. When she was later attacked by two girls, she ended up in the hospital with a concussion. She started at another school last fall and her family is suing the district. Then there’s Michael Strick, a 21-year-old senior who had dropped out for several years and returned to classes in 2022 to begin rebuilding his education. He said his time at Central Regional has included harassment from students who targeted him in his home, sent messages threatening gun violence and berated him to others … State data shows the Central Regional School district was dealing with a potentially growing problem of violence and bullying for several years, with dozens of incidents reported before the COVID-19 pandemic scrambled data collection in 2020. The claims have new urgency. A 14 year-old student died by suicide earlier this month, two days after being attacked at Central Regional High School”
—“[Berkeley Township] comes together after 14-year-old’s suicide for conversation on bullying and mental health” DWUMFOUR — “'Nothing makes sense:' Sayreville mayor speaks on death of councilwoman for first time,” by News 12’s Alex Zdan: “Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick … says she has shared information with investigators, including a letter she received from the Sayreville Police Union that previously objected to Dwumfour's appointment to a town committee. ‘When I received that letter, I was concerned,’ Mayor Kilpatrick said … The head of the police union, David Sivilli, told News 12 that his union simply believed another councilman would have been a better fit for the position. He referred further questions to the PBA's attorney.” COMMISSION LOSES BEST COMMISSIONER — “Passaic County commissioner resigns to spend more time with his children,” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “Theodore ‘T.J.’ Best's absence from Tuesday night's Passaic County Board of Commissioners meeting will soon become permanent. Effective March 1, the Paterson native will resign from the board. In a statement released prior to the meeting, Best said his two children ‘deserve to have their dad around a little more.’ First elected in 2010 and sworn in the following January at 29 years old, Best has spent most of his adult life as a Passaic County commissioner.” —“Video allegedly shows Midland Park gym owner stealing from vehicles while clients worked out” —“Month later, no arrests made in baseball bat attack on former Paterson councilman” | | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
BUT BANNING SMOKING WILL RUIN THEM — “Atlantic City casino revenue soared last year thanks to online bets and end of COVID restrictions,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jonathan D. Salant: “Atlantic City casino revenue rose 10% to match a record high last year as the coronavirus pandemic receded and more New Jerseyans bet online, according to new figures released Wednesday by the industry’s trade group. Total casino revenue rose to $5.2 billion compared to $4.7 billion in 2021, according to the American Gaming Association. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported similar numbers last month. Casino revenue also hit $5.2 billion in 2006 … S’imply put, American adults are choosing casino gaming for entertainment in record numbers, benefitting communities, and taking market share from the predatory, illegal marketplace,’ said said Bill Miller, the association’s president and chief executive.
BIRD NEWS — “This tiny songbird is the polar bear of the Delaware Bayshore,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Andrew S. Lewis: “Just as the polar bear’s story is emblematic of the devastating ecological impacts of accelerating ice melt in the Arctic, so too does one tiny bird’s story illustrate the rapid degradation of salt marshes in the U.S. Northeast. Climate change, among other stressors, is altering the landscape at a pace that is proving impossible for the saltmarsh sparrow to keep up with. ‘It’s one of the few species that has evolved to only nest in salt marshes; they get flooded, and flooding is a big driver of nest failure, which is a big driver of population decline,’ said Greg Shriver, a University of Delaware professor of wildlife ecology who has studied the saltmarsh sparrow since the 1990s.” —“A river of contradictions: See how the Passaic can be both life-giver and destroyer” —“Jersey Shore operator banned after boardwalk games found to be rigged, N.J. says”
| | | | A message from AARP: Every day, thousands of people in New Jersey care for their spouses, aging parents, or other loved ones – helping them live at home instead of costly nursing homes. This saves New Jersey – and taxpayers – money since nursing home care is mostly paid for by the state, through Medicaid; yet, family caregivers pay out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends 26% of their income on caregiving activities, assisting with everything from bathing and dressing to medical appointments and transportation – often while juggling a job too. With inflation making everything more expensive, too many families are struggling to make it all work. That’s why we need state legislators to make family caregiving more affordable in New Jersey. The Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) would provide a modest tax credit for families who take on caregiving expenses. It’s crucial financial relief that family caregivers have earned. Tell state lawmakers, support (A1802/S2021). | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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