| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Thursday morning! A few years ago, officials’ conversations with George Norcross — the powerful and feared South Jersey Democratic power broker — generally didn’t make it back to me. But now, after Norcross’ vaunted political machine has suffered a series of setbacks, these conversations increasingly do. And the latest is probably the most explosive one yet. About two weeks ago, Norcross and Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), an erstwhile ally, had a phone call about funding for state legislative races. Norcross, I’m told, asked for $500,000 for each of four competitive races in South Jersey: Districts, 2, 3, 4 and 8. Scutari was non-committal, in part because Democrats had yet to settle on candidates for those districts. That’s approximately where the conversation took a turn, with Norcross letting loose on the senate president. The Democrats who told me about this had slightly different recollections of exactly what Norcross said. One said ‘Go f–-k yourself’ was in the tirade, while another said Norcross called Scutari a ‘traitor.’” Those insults, of course, aren’t mutually exclusive. But suffice it to say, it wasn’t very nice. Read more about it here. Norcross didn’t respond to my request for comment. But he gave his version of events to David Wildstein, and threw in some shots at “Little Nicky Scutari” who counted on Steve Sweeney for support to help his “ambulance chasing practice.” Of all the movies in Adam Sandler’s catalog, I’m surprised Nocross chose Little Nicky. But at least it’s better than “Jack & Jill.” (Unless, of course, Norcross was alluding to someone a bit less funny.)
TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “You have a very significant figure in the state taking a set of facts off the table … Maybe they should be, but we don’t know that. So nobody should say, ‘Don’t look at this.’” — Former Assemblymember John Wisniewski criticizing Gov. Murphy for ruling out a political motive in the murder of Sayreville Councilmember Eunice Dwumfour, whose family has hired Wisniewski as an attorney. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Lew Candura, Lisa Morina, Kathleen O’Brien WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
A BUILDING AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE DEALS CUT INSIDE IT — “$300M N.J. statehouse renovation wraps up as governor moves in,” by The AP’s Michael Catalini: “New Jersey’s statehouse building, part of which dates to the 1700s and was called a fire trap, is once again open after a renovation spanning almost six years and nearly $300 million in taxpayer money. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration began moving back into the building last week, and work remains to be done on the building's façade. It's unclear when exactly the public will once again have access to the building. That work revealed giant skylights that were entombed under years’ worth of added plaster ceilings, with huge nets to catch falling pieces of debris and garbage bins to capture leaks from rainwater. The skylights have been restored to functional use, and the building made to adhere to how it looked in the early 1900s, when the last major addition was made. Other changes include the addition of modern sprinkler and fire alarm systems, new heating and air conditioning, a hand-dug foundation that the building previously lacked, internal fire escape stairwells to replace exterior versions that were falling down, new windows and numerous cosmetic changes.’
THE DUPES OF HAZARDS — “What hazardous materials travel on trains around New Jersey? It’s a secret,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Dana DiFlippo: “More than 1,000 miles of rail freight lines crisscross New Jersey, with countless cars full of hazardous materials hurtling daily past homes, schools, stores, and more. But you’d be hard-pressed to find out exactly what those cars carry and where, because both federal and state authorities don’t publicly disclose the routes trains carrying toxic substances travel. That’s by design. Homeland Security authorities guard such information closely in the name of public safety, especially since 9/11, warning of all the ways terrorists and troublemakers could wreak havoc. ‘If we make this stuff available to everybody, you know it, I know it: There’s going to be some kook out there with a gun who’s going to see a car with a certain number on it, and he’s going to take a shot at it,’ said John McCreavy of the New Jersey Railroad Association … But environmentalists who have long lobbied for more public disclosure renewed their calls in the wake of last month’s catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. “Because we have so many freight trains and railways and we’re so densely populated, we have a heightened danger here in New Jersey than in a more open or rural area,” said Tracy Carluccio, deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. “If the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment had happened in New Jersey, it wouldn’t have been 4,800 or 5,000 people impacted. It would be hundreds of thousands of people.’”
| | | | 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. | | | | | DON’T BAIL ON IT — “Christie defends bail reform, says New Jersey did it ‘the right way’,” by NJ Spotlight New’ David Cruz: “When it passed in 2014, bail reform was among New Jersey’s bipartisan crowning achievements. Bail reform was the topic at the Christie Institute for Public Policy at Seton Hall University Tuesday night, where former Gov. Chris Christie had lined up some of the people who were closest to him back then to discuss a policy that has become a political football of sorts, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers pointing to bail reform as either the cause or solution to rising crime in the state. ‘I understand we’re in an election year here in the state and the whole Legislature is up and people are going to try to play politics. My only point is like, I’m sure there are changes that can be made — small ones — to make it better, but the results speak for themselves,’ said Christie, who also cautioned, ‘Let’s just not do something for short-term political gain that will really end up injuring people in the state in a big way.’” OFFICIALS ALSO REMOVE ‘TRANS’ FROM SYSTEM’S NAME IN PREPARATION FOR PRESIDENT DESANTIS — “Commuters get relief as 9-car PATH trains debut on the Newark-World Trade Center line,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “The first nine-car train in the PATH’s 100-year history will start rolling on the busy Newark-World Trade Center line Thursday morning, Gov. Phil Murphy and Port Authority officials announced Wednesday. Murphy and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials made the announcement Wednesday at the Harrison station that spells relief for commuters who’ve coped with crowded trains and platforms. The longer trains will be phased in gradually during the next 12 months, with a goal for nearly all trains on the NWK-WTC line at peak times to be nine-car trains by the beginning of 2024, officials said.” I REACHED FOR THE STARS BUT THEY TURNED OUT TO BE A BUG ZAPPER — “Attieh launches bid to unseat Lagana In 38th District Senate race,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A Paramus businesswoman who helped the local Republican party take control of the local government over the last few years has emerged as the GOP candidate for State Senate in the 38th district, where three-term Democrat Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus) is seeking re-election. Micheline Attieh told the New Jersey Globe that she would file her petitions before Monday’s deadline, stepping up to run for a seat Republicans think could be competitive in a district that Gov. Phil Murphy carried by five percentage points in 2021. ‘If you don’t reach for the stars, how would you know if it’s possible,’ Attieh said.” — “Lawmakers seek change after Ticketmaster fiascos” —“Azzariti beats Caliguire for Bergen GOP line in 39th District; Schepisi, Auth win easily” —“Dolphin deaths spur calls for wind power halt in New Jersey” —“Caputo resigns Assembly seat, nearly 56 years after his first election” | | BIDEN TIME | |
—“'Delirious and disoriented': Navy releases report of Manalapan man's SEALs Hell Week death”
—“Van Drew introduces offshore wind moratorium after Sea Isle City dolphin deaths” | | LOCAL | |
EUNICE DWUMFOUR — “Slain NJ councilwoman's family: No one asked if we knew why she was killed,” by Gothamist’s Louis C. Hochman: “Family members of slain Sayreville, New Jersey Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour say they’ve only spoken twice to the authorities investigating her death — nearly two months after she was shot and killed in front of her home. “The fact is we haven't had much interaction with them,” a pastor to the family, Karl Badu of the Church of Pentecost, said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference alongside Dwumfour’s parents and husband at Sayreville Borough Hall. Badu said that Dwumfour’s parents, Newark residents Prince and Mary Dwumfour, were first called by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office on Feb. 7 — six days after the shooting. It would be another month before they met with the prosecutor’s office for an in-person sit-down arranged by former assemblyman and attorney John Wisniewski, in hopes of receiving an update on the investigation. Prince Dwumfour said no one in law enforcement asked family members if they knew why someone would kill Eunice Dwumfour. … Prosecutors took the unusual step of filing a lawsuit to block the release of certain public records in the case, but dropped the suit within a day of filing it. The prosecutor’s office had cited a desire to protect the family’s privacy in the filing. ‘I don't care if they can bring everything out,’ Prince Dwumfour said on Wednesday.”
CARELESS POINT — “Hudson County, prosecutor probing how $970K in checks to CarePoint Foundation ended up in wrong hospital account,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “Nearly $1 million in federal checks dedicated to a program that provides care for HIV/AIDS patients who can’t afford it was reported stolen from the CarePoint Foundation Inc., the charitable arm of CarePoint Health System. But the $970,000 in Ryan White HIV/AIDS program money that was cashed without foundation officials’ knowledge, apparently didn’t travel far. Hudson County Department of Finance officials say it was deposited in an account belonging to the hospital chain, said Bill O’Dea, a member of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners. … Officials with CarePoint Health System, which was recently approved for conversion from a for-profit to a nonprofit but is still officially a for-profit, denied that the money was placed in a hospital account.”
| | | | 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. | | | | | TWITTER USER SO CONFIDENT IN OPINIONS THEY DELETED THEIR ACCOUNT — “N.J. school will investigate transphobic Twitter account allegedly run by board member,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “By Jackie Roman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The school board of Hunterdon Central Regional High School is launching an investigation into a Twitter account with transphobic content reportedly owned by one of its board members, the regional school district announced Wednesday. The announcement comes two days after a member of Flemington QTs, a group that supports the local queer and trans community and youth from surrounding towns, raised concerns about the account and its owner at a board of education meeting. Neither the school board nor the group that raised the issue during Monday’s board meeting said who the account belongs to. … The content on the Twitter account may run afoul of the School Ethics Act, which governs the activity of New Jersey school board members. IT’S LIKE HIS NAME IS WOODROW WILSON — “N.J. high school principal replaced with no explanation, angering parents and students,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brianna Kudisch: “The principal of Princeton High School says he was placed on paid administrative leave, but neither he nor the school district have disclosed the reasons why he was suddenly replaced as head of the 1,500-student public school. Some parents and students are fighting for Principal Frank Chmiel to get his job back. Over the last few days, supporters have staged a rally, started a petition, raised more than $15,000 in a GoFundMe campaign for the principal’s ‘legal defense’ and called for his reinstatement at a local meeting.” —“Mystery PBA bulletin centered on police director drama in [Prospect Park]” —“Hackensack hires five firefighters after being criticized for rejecting grant to hire more” —“Jeff Martin looks to continue what he started in Hamilton” —“Marty Flynn looking to cap off a career in public service as Hamilton Mayor” —“Lakewood Cheder OK'd for 3-school campus in Jackson” —“[Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office] detective suffering from panic attacks was denied promotions, stripped of his gun, lawsuit says” —“Mahwah OK's Ridge Road affordable housing site over residents' objections” —“Former Palisades Park attorney fills Bergen County Board of Elections vacancy” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE FLEEING THE STATE — “'Well-heeled renters' make North Jersey rental market the most competitive in US: Study,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “High home prices, tight housing supply and inflation have made North Jersey the most competitive rental market in the nation at the start of 2023, according to a study released last week. RentCafe, in its recent Rental Competitivity Report, showed North Jersey, which includes Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties, even outdoing Manhattan and Brooklyn in terms of how tough it is to find an apartment. ‘Aspiring homebuyers continue to rent in North Jersey while enjoying a relatively affordable cost of living for the tri-state area,’ the study reads. ‘This allows renters to save for down payments until the housing market cools down enough that they can fulfill their dream of owning a home. Accordingly, North Jersey became the hottest renting spot in the country at the beginning of 2023.’”
KEEPING ABREAST ON POLLUTION — “Breast implant, unopened birthday cake and Legos littered N.J. beaches in 2022. Here’s what else was found,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “Where can you find a sword sheath, a crack pipe and a silicone breast implant littering the ground? Those were some of the odd — and sometimes eye-popping — debris found on New Jersey’s beaches last year, according to the Beach Sweeps Report released Wednesday by the environmental nonprofit Clean Ocean Action.” OY, POPPY — “Poppy seed bagels lead to false-positive drug tests — and a civil rights fight,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Two women have filed civil rights complaints against hospitals in Hackensack and Voorhees, alleging workers drug-tested them without their knowledge or consent after they went there to give birth. The tests resulted in false positives that prompted both hospitals to alert child welfare authorities, who then monitored each family for months even though there was no evidence of drug use or other wrongdoing, according to separate complaints filed last week. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey represents both women in the complaints filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights against Hackensack University Medical Center and Virtua Voorhees Hospital.” —“Feds sue Roosevelt Care Centers over not accommodating worker with disability” —“Governor to give commencement speech at Stevens” —“'Why shouldn't I adopt?': NJ surgeon, Virginia teen become family off patient's social post”
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