| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | | Good Friday morning! Gov. Murphy yesterday announced a 90-member coalition of New Jersey mayors to push for liquor license reform with the creative moniker “Mayors for Liquor License Reform”. “From quaint Woodbine in southern Cape May County, to historic Clinton in northwest Hunterdon County, to the shore region of Bay Head, and the booming northern urban center of Newark, the growing list of mayors echoed Governor Murphy’s sentiment that liquor license reform will not only ‘create greater equity across the board, it will also serve as a major catalyst to spur economic development and strengthen and revitalize downtowns throughout New Jersey,’” read a Murphy administration press release that also quoted his remarks. Ninety mayors looks pretty impressive, but they represent about one-sixth of the towns in the state. The fact is, Murphy’s overhaul of New Jersey’s antiquated liquor license system has hit trouble in the Legislature, and it’s hard to see anything as radical as what he proposed in his State of the State address — a gradual lifting of the liquor license population caps until they’re gone entirely — getting through. Already, lawmakers are breaking up the bill that came out of the governor’s recommendations so the less controversial parts have a better chance of making it. I’m sure the governor and his staff were under no illusion that the Legislature would readily blow up New Jersey’s liquor license system. Starting off with a big proposal with the expectation of getting something much less is a classic legislative strategy. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “What is there to debate? … As far as I know, she agrees with everything I said” State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Gloucester) on refusing to debate his primary challenger, erstwhile running mate Assemblymember Beth Sawyer (R-Gloucester) HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Barry “Dad” Friedman, Michael Donohue, Sarah Geiger, Bianca Jerez. Saturday for Kim Eulener. Saturday for Rick DeMichele, Juliet Fletcher, Howard Kleinhendler. Sunday for Lisa Swain, Patricia Sebold. Missed yesterday: Chrissy Buteas WHERE’S MURPHY? Media: CNBC at 2:30 p.m. | | A message from Alibaba: New Jersey businesses, like local beauty brand Nuria, are among thousands of American companies that sell their products to one billion consumers in China on Alibaba. These sales added $1.2 billion to New Jersey’s GDP and supported over 10,000 jobs and $694 million in wages for New Jersey residents. “We’re very excited about the results we’re seeing in China,” said Josh Ghaim, CEO of Nuria. Learn more about Alibaba’s impact on the U.S. economy. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
ENOUGH LEFT FOR 78,311 MORE SUVS — Auditor: $1.1 billion of American Rescue Plan funds spent by state so far, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The state has spent approximately $1.1 billion in American Rescue Plan funds since receiving them from the federal government in 2021, according to a new report from the State Auditor. The figure — contained in an “informational report” from the auditor — shows that while approximately $5.1 billion of the federal pandemic relief funds have been allocated, much of it still remains in the state’s coffers. New Jersey state government received $6.2 billion from the federal government in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act — a wide-ranging Covid-19 stimulus bill — which sent billions to states and local governments to fight Covid-19 and recover from impacts of the pandemic. Governments have been given broad latitude on how to spend the funds.
NEW JERSEY POLITICIANS PREFER PANDORA’S PAPER BAG OR COFFEE CUP — “Using state aid to end Rutgers strike could be ‘Pandora’s box,’ lawmakers warn,” by New Jersey Minotir’s Dana DiFilippo: “[W]ith Gov. Phil Murphy’s suggestion on Tuesday that state funding could help Rutgers University end its ongoing faculty strike, some lawmakers warn of the message any potential bailout might send to other cash-strapped schools. ‘This is one state school. We have multiple state schools. Is this going to happen every time there is a labor dispute, where the governor comes in with taxpayer dollars to settle it? You can really open up a Pandora’s box here,’ said Assemblyman Gerald Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) … Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex), who chairs the Assembly’s budget committee, pointed to existential crises at other New Jersey schools that make her question using state funds to end Rutgers’ strike … ‘How do you start picking one over the other? How do you make it that one deserves more attention than the other? Because obviously, they’re very different in everything that they do and the populations that they serve,’ Pintor Marin said.” —“On Rutgers smaller campuses, striking faculty cite ‘inequities we’re constantly battling’” CHRIS CIVILITIE — “Christie and Booker just had a night filled with stories, laughs -- and yes, a heckler,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Arco: “Republican former Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker shared laughs, heaped praise on each other and talked of how to bring civility back to politics. And the latest installment of the Christie’s talk with political leaders at his Institute for Public Policy also saw the brash former governor shouting down a protester who yelled at Booker about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, nuclear proliferation and inflation. “I love it,” Christie said as the man lobbed criticisms over jeers from the crowd before he was escorted out of the event in Newark. Interruptions aside, the Booker-Christie kumbaya centered largely on how political leaders must build personal relationships despite philosophical disagreements, something that’s been missing in today’s ultra-partisan era of anger and culture wars.” MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT FOUR SEASONS TOTAL LANDSCAPING — “Govs. Josh Shapiro and Phil Murphy announce interstate partnership to protect workers from misclassification,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Gillian McGoldrick: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a new interstate task force Thursday to help the states protect workers and address misclassifications. Shapiro and Murphy, both Democrats, appeared together after touring the Finishing Trades Institute in Northeast Philadelphia, a training site for industrial and commercial painters, glazers, drywall finishers, and others. President Joe Biden made his budget address at the same facility last month. When workers get misclassified by their contractor bosses, taxes aren’t collected correctly, Shapiro said. ‘You know who gets shortchanged? Our local police, our local parks,’ Shapiro added. ‘Then the commonwealth has to come up with the difference.’” —“Lawsuit targeting new severance pay law is dismissed by judge” —“Electric tolling system on Atlantic City Expressway moves ahead” —“Fulop secures Hudson endorsements and the organization line for governor in key N.J. county” —“Judge should be reprimanded for remarks, refusing to wear robes, committee finds” | | | | 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. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
—“[Trenton-Mercer] airport needs new terminal, [Watson-Coleman] tell feds”
—“Mayor Reed Gusciora and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg talk new projects” —“N.J. lawmakers try — again — to restore the SALT tax break” | | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
TRENTON — “Trenton to pay $1.9 million to settle police wrongful death suit,” by NJ Advance Media’ Riley Yates and Kevin Shea: “Trenton will pay $1.9 million to the estate of a 29-year-old man who died following a struggle with police officers in which they restrained him facedown in the dirt of a parking lot median. Stephen Dolceamore’s family sued the city for wrongful death, charging that officers used excessive force and ignored his pleas for help as they took him into custody after responding to a call reporting he was acting erratically and walking in traffic. The settlement, passed last Thursday by the City Council in a 7-0 vote, came four months after the Attorney General’s Office announced a grand jury had cleared the officers of criminal wrongdoing, though Dolceamore’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner’s office.”
—“U.S. Attorney’s Office reviewing 2021 [Newark] police killing of N.J. man on New Year’s Day” TOMS NIMBY — “Could 10-story apartment towers turn Toms River into a city? Issue key in GOP primary,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “A debate over the future of downtown Toms River seems likely to play out in the June 6 GOP primary, as three mayoral candidates challenge Mayor Maurice B. ‘Mo’ Hill Jr. and redevelopment plans that some claim will turn the historic village area into a city. Councilman Daniel Rodrick and Geri Ambrosio, both of whom are running against Hill in the primary, have been critical of the plans, with Rodrick voting against measures related to redevelopment while on the council … ‘Frankly, if you want to put a stop to the apartments, you'll have to elect a new mayor and council,’ he said. Hill has championed redevelopment as the last, best chance for Toms River's long-dormant downtown to finally be reborn. He said he understands residents' concern about the 10-story height of two apartment towers planned for the site” PATERSON— “Why did a Montclair nonprofit group receive $8M for the Hinchliffe Stadium project?” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “When the cost of rebuilding Hinchliffe Stadium increased beyond the funding available for the project, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration and the New Jersey Legislature came up with an $8 million grant to cover the gap. The state in January gave that $8 million to Life Management Inc., a Montclair-based nonprofit organization that officials said provides quality-of-life services to people who live in affordable housing complexes. Why would a nonprofit social service provider get $8 million for the reconstruction of a sports stadium? Mayor Andre Sayegh’s economic development director, Michael Powell, said Life Management simply served as the ‘pass-through entity’ for the state to provide the $8 million in construction money to the developers. Powell said such ‘pass-through’ relationships between nonprofit groups and for-profit developers were commonplace … Paterson Press tried to contact Life Management to learn more about the nonprofit’s role in the stadium construction. But the Life Management phone number listed on the $8 million state grant sends callers to a recording that says, ‘The person you have tried to reach is not accepting calls at this time.’” DON’T TRY TO KEEP UP WITH JONES —“N.J. town approves legal weed business represented by state Democratic chair’s lobbying firm,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jelani Gibson: “East Orange City Council has approved a legal weed dispensary applicant represented by a lobbying firm belonging to New Jersey’s state Democratic Chair Leroy Jones Jr. while rejecting a local applicant who had pointed out that connection, a move that drew scorn from residents at a council meeting … Precious Osagie-Erese, co-founder of the local applicant for a dispensary, Roll-Up Life, had been critical of Nimbus Holdings being represented in the municipality’s selection process by Jones’ lobbying firm, 1868 Public Affairs … Osagie-Erese said that even though her team had the top scoring application, the municipality still went in the opposite direction. ‘This is terrible and it’s going to be etched into my heart because those who know me, know how much I love the city,’ she said at the meeting. ‘I will remember that the city doesn’t always love you back.’ Council Chair Christopher Awe, who also serves in the same Second Ward as Claybrooks, previously asserted in another interview that there was no influence from Jones and defended the municipality’s decision.” NO COUNTRY LIFE FOR OLDMANS —“This small South Jersey town already has 20 warehouses. Residents are pushing back on a proposal for 9 more,’ by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Kevin Riordan: “Keith Walton’s backyard offers postcard-worthy views of Oldmans Creek. But if a proposal before the planning board in Oldmans Township, Salem County, becomes a reality, the farm fields across from the home Walton built for his family 20 years ago could be replaced by warehouses. ‘This is what’s really at stake,’ he said. Knight Owl Holdings, a group of six limited-liability corporations based in Clarksboro, Gloucester County, seeks approval to construct nine warehouses totaling 5.3 million square feet on 574 acres of mostly agricultural Oldmans Township land … Walton and other Oldmans Township residents are alarmed at the prospect of familiar landscapes giving way to more clusters of enormous boxy buildings and parking lots for about 3,600 vehicles and 2,100 tractor-trailers. The township already has more than 20 warehouses” —“These four people will have big say over who can sell legal marijuana in Red Bank” —“Edison schools begins search for new superintendent. Here's what we know” —“Newark Public Schools plans to install over 7,000 new security cameras districtwide” —“Newark board of ed race pits incumbents against challengers with charter school ties” | | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“NJCU signs agreement with teachers’ union, promising they’ll get through financial crisis by working together”
—“Another dead dolphin washes ashore on N.J. beach, 26th stranding over last 4 months” —“Ex-Olympian files new lawsuit after Morris County shooting trial found him not guilty” “Under 18? You’ll need an adult chaperone on weekend evenings at the Garden State Plaza” | | A message from Alibaba: Alibaba helps American businesses succeed globally. In 2022, $66 billion worth of U.S. products were sold on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, a nearly 10% increase over 2021. From household names to emerging small businesses, thousands of American companies sell products to over one billion consumers in China on Alibaba.
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