| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Monday morning! You might’ve missed it, but the Murphy administration and legislative Democrats late last week reached a deal on $102 million in supplemental school aid. Many New Jersey districts are more than a little unhappy that despite $20.5 billion in Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed FY2024 budget for pre-k to 12 education — over $1 billion from the previous year — some districts are seeing larger-than-expected state aid cuts. While over 400 districts stood to see state aid increases, over 150 would have seen cuts. And will you look at that, two Democratic senators who represent swing legislative districts who represent a lot of those losing schools — Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex) — are behind the plan, POLITICO’s Daniel Han reports. I’m guessing the idea of giving two potentially-vulnerable Democrats the kind of win that they can happily tout to their constituents in November at least greased the dealmaking gears. The bill’s moving extremely fast, with a vote in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the full Senate scheduled for later today. But while that’s a big deal, I’ll spend today focusing on the fate of a bill that would defang the Election Law Enforcement Commission, also scheduled for a vote in the Senate. The bill’s been altered somewhat from the last time it stalled in the upper house, but it would still effectively oust Jeff Brindle as executive director. And while much of the attention has been on the Murphy administration’s attempt to oust Brindle, the part of the bill that would hurt ELEC the most would be the retroactive two-year statute of limitations it would place on the agency — something that would get the state’s three biggest official Democratic PACs out of paying tens of thousands of dollars in likely fines over ELEC’s pending complaints against them.. Since Citizens United, we’ve been in the Wild West of campaign finance. The governor and Legislature are looking to fire the sheriff and handcuff his successor. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “She means beer. She means beer. Guys! She means beer. Don’t put me on YouTube. My God.” — ABC 6’s Jessica Boyton, after meteorologist Karen Rogers introduced her with some, uh, awkward language. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Adam Silverstein, Jeremy Feigenbaum, Victor Cirilo WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SCHOOL FUNDING — Legislative Democrats put school aid relief bill on fast-track for Monday, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Legislative Democrats are poised to fast-track legislation to restore $102 million in aid to school districts that would have seen cuts under Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed FY2024 budget plan. The bill, S3732, is sponsored by state Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex), both Democrats in competitive districts this fall which would have seen large cuts to schools they represent. The bill is scheduled to be in the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee Monday and will be voted on by the full Senate later that day. The fast-moving pace of the legislation requires bipartisan support — 30 senators must approve an “emergency” motion to have bills go from first passing committee to a floor vote on the same day — although Senate Republicans have indicated support for such a measure … Many of the school districts are also in areas represented by Republicans, like Toms River and Wildwood. Voting against school aid in an election year could have also proven unpopular.
MURPHY INSULTS 225 WEST STATE STREET, A TRIUMPH OF WHATEVER ARCHITECTURAL STYLE THAT IS — “Your newly renovated N.J. Statehouse,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Arco: “It took nearly six years, spanned the administrations of two governors, and cost taxpayers $283 million. But this week, the executive branch of the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton will reopen after a massive renovation that kept the historic facade of the 231-year-old building long covered in scaffolding. Crews are nearing the end of the renovation that’s expected to be fully finished by April. But state workers have gradually started to pull up to their desks inside. That includes Gov. Phil Murphy, who will finally work from the official governor’s office for the first time since he was sworn in back in 2018. ‘You have no idea how good it feels to say, ‘Statehouse,’ and actually mean, ‘Statehouse,’ as opposed to meaning, ‘generic state government office building on the other end of the block!’’ Murphy quipped at a speech last week he gave to the business community in Atlantic City.” NECESSARY POLITICAL PANDERING PAYS OFF — “You know who had Princeton, FDU upsets on his NCAA bracket? N.J.’s governor,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “We know at least one person who didn’t have their bracket busted by Princeton or Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this week: the top elected official in the schools’ home state of New Jersey. When Gov. Phil Murphy, an avid sports fan, filled out his March Madness forecast, his picks included that the only two entries from the Garden State this year would pull off improbable victories at the start of the national college men’s basketball tournament. That proved prophetic. No. 15 seed Princeton shocked No. 2 seed Arizona on Thursday and No. 16 seed FDU stunned No. 1 seed Purdue on Friday — a double dose of headline-grabbing Jersey upsets that left a sea of broken brackets across America. (Ironically, Murphy’s bracket was among those upended by a separate, non-Jersey upset in the opening round …)” —“F.D.-Who? A commuter school hopes to be a March Madness fairy tale”
| | | | 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. | | | | | MORIARTY BETTER HOPE REPUBLICANS DON’T RUN SHERLOCK HOLMES — “Moriarty will seek Madden’s Senate seat; Mosquera will not seek re-election to state Assembly,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “South Jersey Democrats have tapped a proven vote-getter, nine-term Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, as the organization candidate for an open State Senate seat in a swing South Jersey district, while his running mate, Gabriela Mosquera, will not seek re-election to a seventh term to her fourth district seat, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. Democrats are planning to run Monroe school board member Cody Miller, the director of the Rowan College Foundation, and Gloucester Township Councilman Dan Hutchison for the two open State Assembly seats in the 4th district. Moriarty, 66, wants to succeed Fred Madden (D-Washington Township), who announced this month that he would not seek re-election after 20 years in the State Senate.” —“It looks like A Republican primary for Madden’s seat, as intra-party strife continues” TRANS HEALTH CARE — “Could N.J. become a haven for transgender health care?” by New Jersey Globe’s Joy Fox: “Over the last year, one of the major focuses for Republican-led state governments across the country has been to restrict gender-affirming care, a broad term for medical care for transgender people. Many states have instituted bans on medical transitioning for minors, and some have even proposed doing the same for adults. State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick), alongside a few of his Democratic colleagues, wants New Jersey to go in the opposite direction. Under a bill Zwicker introduced in the State Senate last month, transgender health care performed in New Jersey would gain a number of new protections. The bill prohibits New Jersey’s officials from cooperating with other states’ anti-transgender laws – preventing extradition, cooperation with subpoenas, and the sharing of medical records – and also gives state courts increased powers over child custody when gender-affirming care is involved.” THIS IS THE KIND OF S— WHERE MOTHERF—RS GO TO TRENTON— “With new look, Hudson political power aims to regain statewide influence, get Fulop elected governor,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “The Hudson County machine, with a new power dynamic, is trying to resurrect its influence statewide in time to get Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop into the governor’s seat. Some sources familiar with the HCDO spoke with The Jersey Journal on the condition of anonymity. … . Enter Craig Guy, chief of staff to retiring Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, and the favorite to win the seat in November …While insiders are already referring to Guy as the county executive, the HCDO is taking the primary election against Eleana Little seriously. Fliers touting county initiatives feature Guy, not DeGise, as the administration deftly skirts illegally using taxpayer dollars to promote a candidate. ‘Get in touch with Chief of Staff to County Executive Tom DeGise Craig Guy and his team for help,” one flier said” —“In challenge to N.J.’s new gun law, hearing brings more debate — but no decision” —“N.J. sent out 675K free COVID tests, only 113K were used. It cost the state $75M” —“We lost our children to the overdose crisis. To save lives, we must stop punishing those who use drugs. | Opinion” —Baraka: “Why Newark — and New Jersey — needs Medicare for all” —“Pleasantville councilman getting Dem Senate nod vs. Polistina” | | BIDEN TIME | |
VAN DREW WANTS TO BREAK WIND…. INDUSTRY — “The perverse use of dead whales to kneecap the climate fight,” by the Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “About 400 people came to Wildwood on Thursday to hear the messiah of this movement, GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew, and to whoop and holler as the cast of witnesses he assembled pointed to the dead whales over and over. ‘Dozens have died, and there’s just no interest in that,’ Van Drew said. No interest? It is an odd claim, because the deaths of these majestic creatures are horrifying to everyone, and when they wash up on the shore, each of them is examined by marine scientists to decipher the cause of death. Their conclusion is unsparing: There is no evidence pointing to offshore wind as the villain. Not a scrap. From the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration: ‘No whale mortality has been attributed to offshore wind activities.’ From the Marine Mammal Commission: ‘Despite several reports in the media, there is no evidence to link these strandings to offshore wind energy development.’ The leading cause, when it can be determined, is ship collisions. And that makes perfect sense”
—“Freshman Congressman Kean’s first bill tackles an issue that frustrates N.J. commuters” —Mulshine: “Chris Christie carves out a neocon niche for a possible presidential run” | | LOCAL | |
THE MAN WHO CLAIMED HE WAS BEATEN FOR OPPOSING THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE — “Atlantic City councilmember charged with voter fraud, lying to the FBI, and stealing pandemic benefits,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Robert Moran: “An Atlantic City councilmember has been charged with voter fraud, lying to the FBI about the alleged voter fraud, and falsely collecting nearly $40,000 in pandemic benefits for the unemployed while he was working for Atlantic City, federal prosecutors announced Friday. MD Hossain Morshed, 49, a Democrat who serves in the city’s 4th Ward, was accused in a 15-page criminal complaint unsealed Friday in federal court in Camden with persuading a resident of Galloway Township in 2019 to register to vote from an Atlantic City address, then later to apply to vote by mail. The fraudulent vote was cast during the 2019 primary election. Morshed was first elected to the council that year. … In April 2020, Morshed applied for pandemic unemployment assistance in New Jersey and listed his “main occupation” under the category of “taxi drivers and chauffeurs,” according to the criminal complaint. He had created accounts with two ride-sharing companies in February and March of that year, the complaint states. Meanwhile, he was collecting $1,068.90 twice a month as an Atlantic City councilperson.”
TWO VOTES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE — “Ocean County to replace all its Dominion voting machines with ES&S, despite Monmouth double-counts,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “Ocean County will spend $9.4 million this year to replace its Dominion voting machines with ones from Election Systems and Software, despite a double-counting error by the machines in six Monmouth County polling districts last year. Without comment on Wednesday, the county Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to ES&S for the purchase of voting systems, including all ancillary equipment, software, licensing, maintenance and post warranty maintenance costs and support fees — not to exceed $9,845,175 over the next two years. The county is purchasing 850 voting machines for use on election days only and 72 machines for early voting use only. George R. Gilmore, chairman of the bipartisan county Board of Elections, had enthusiastically advocated for the ES&S machines and discounted concerns raised about a problem with ES&S machines in Monmouth County that caused the double-count in six polling districts in 2022.” SEABROOKS FUNERAL — “Paterson says good-bye to Najee Seabrooks, activist killed in police shooting,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “PATERSON — Hundreds of mourners paid tribute to Najee Seabrooks on Saturday morning at a funeral for the 31-year-old man whom activists hailed as a peacemaker killed by gunfire from Paterson police after a lengthy standoff. ‘Justice for Najee,’ onlookers chanted as pallbearers hoisted Seabrooks' black coffin through the open glass door of a wooden, horse-drawn hearse for the procession from the church to the cemetery. Seabrooks' death has shaken Paterson for two weeks with protests of anger and outrage, but during Saturday’s services, people mostly set aside their sour feelings and focused on the legacy of Seabrooks’ work to stop street violence in a city plagued by shootings."
| | | | 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. | | | | | VROOM AC — “DEEM Enterprises' 'car-centric' plan for Bader Field on AC City Council's Wednesday agenda,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: A Memorandum of Agreement with DEEM enterprises to move forward with a $2.7 billion car-centric development at Bader Field is on City Council's agenda for Wednesday, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said Sunday. Small has supported the plan to build about 4,000 units of housing, retail and other space plus a 2.7-mile raceway for high-powered cars owned by those who would live there. The developers have said they would pay the city $115 million for the site, and Small has said — when fully built out — the plan would cut the local tax rate in half by bringing in owners of high value real estate to share the tax burden … Bart Blatstein had proposed building 10,000 rental units there, along with a hotel, parks and more; and former state Sen. Bill Gormley had floated making it a city park. DAMAGING THE DEEP, ENDURING LEGACY OF TOWN NAMESAKE WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON — “We need to allow warehouse development to keep down property taxes, N.J. town says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “Harrison Township will continue to allow warehouse development despite vocal opposition from some Gloucester County residents and legal action aimed at preventing future mega warehouses, local officials say. Township officials were considering a total ban on warehouses after a proposed 2.1 million-square-foot mega warehouse project on vacant land near a daycare drew ire from some residents. But, Mayor Lou Manzo and the Harrison Township Committee have decided to ‘stay the course’ and continue to allow warehousing in the areas where zoning permits it, according to a March 1 email.” —“Shore schools could receive nearly $40 million more in aid under new deal, Senator says” —“Westfield finalizes tax agreements for $440 million downtown redevelopment” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“Teaneck swelling with pride after FDU’s historic upset over Purdue”
—“Boy, 2, with leukemia to be featured as a superhero on pizza boxes at N.J. pizzeria”
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