| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Monday morning! Murphy today formally picks a Supreme Court nominee and the Menendez investigation is expanding. More on that below. But something this weekend caught my eye: Far-right radio personality and potential 2025 candidate for governor Bill Spadea shilling for a Democratic bill that was written to target Monmouth County Republican Chair Shaun Golden. Spadea went at potential 2025 Republican gubernatorial rival Jack Ciattarelli for criticizing the legislation, which would force Golden to either give up his job as GOP chair or sheriff. It’s expected to get an Assembly committee hearing hearing this week. “It’s US versus THEM,” tweeted Spadea, in typically caustic and divisive style, before writing without a hint of irony in the same tweet that it’s time to “unite the party.” I’ve heard complaints about how Golden wields his influence, kicking sitting politicians like former Assemblymember Serena DiMaso off the “party line” without public justification. But it's strange to see one of New Jersey’s loudest right-wing personalities — someone increasingly welcomed into the mainstream of New Jersey GOP politics despite his embrace of extremist positions and election and vaccine lies (Republican Sen. Holly Schepisi is listed as a speaker for a Spadea women's luncheon next month) — effectively backing a Democratic power play against a Republican leader. To use a cliche, it’s "the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Spadea and Ocean GOP Chair George Gilmore are allies. Gilmore is no fan of Golden, who’s aligned with Ciattarelli. State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), also no fan of his county's GOP boss, is a top target of Republicans in this year’s election. and is the Senate sponsor of the anti-Golden legislation. Gopal held a meet-and-greet with Spadea earlier this year, which came after Gilmore met at a diner with Gopal, Gov. Murphy and George Helmy. In other words, Spadea, a potential Republican candidate for governor in 2025, is effectively taking the side of one of the Democrats . This brings up the question: Who exactly is Spadea’s “us” and who is his “them”? TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He’s a vicious human being.” — State Sen. Dick Codey on George Norcross HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Rebecca Perkin, Frank X. Balles, Sarah Kan, Brian Levine, Karlito Almeda. Missed Sunday: Deb Penn Joren WHERE’S MURPHY? In the Statehouse Rotunda at 11:45 a.m. for a “major announcement” that’s presumably about his Supreme Court nominee. Media: “Ask Governor Murphy” on News 12 at 4 p.m. |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | |
SUPREME COURT NOMINEE WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN VOTE — “Michael Noriega Is Murphy’s pick for N.J. Supreme Court,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Michael Noriega, a former public defender and immigration rights advocate who handled litigation for the American Civil Liberties Union, is Gov. Phil Murphy’s choice to serve as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, giving the top court Hispanic representation, New Jersey Globe has confirmed. Murphy will announce his intent to nominate Noriega on Monday. If confirmed by the State Senate, the 45-year-old Union County Democrat would replace Barry Albin, the court’s liberal lion who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in July 2022 after 19 years on the state’s highest court. Noriega is a partner at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, the Scotch Plains law firm headed by State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield). He specializes in immigration and criminal law.”
—“Judge Ernest Caposela recalled to help ease backlog as he retires from Passaic Vicinage” 0.55555… MASTROS — Law firm to pay consultants $5 million for Murphy's Covid-19 postmortem, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: A law firm leading an independent review of the Murphy administration's handling of the pandemic will pay a consulting firm $5 million for services related to the governor's long-promised postmortem, according to a contract obtained by POLITICO. The newly revealed figures are detailed in the contract between the Boston Consulting Group and law firm Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, both of whom the governor’s office announced last fall will conduct the review. The $5 million, while not a direct charge to the state, could be an early indication of how much the investigation could cost taxpayers. The contract, signed in mid-April, does not detail what the state may pay. IF NJ PASSES THIS, SCOTUS WILL LEGALIZE MUMMY, FRANKENSTEIN AND COUNT CHOCULA ACCOUNTS — Senate proposes ending 'zombie' campaign accounts, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: New Jersey politicians who no longer run for office but keep campaign accounts open would have to eventually close them under new state legislation or see their campaign funds made property of the people of New Jersey. State Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union) said he introduced the bill to require politicians close what are known as “zombie” accounts, S3287, after reading POLITICO’s reporting on the issue. “Candidates’ money shouldn’t sit around forever,” Cryan said in a phone interview. Under Cryan’s bill, former elected officials would be required to close their accounts within seven years of leaving office. Those who ran unsuccessfully for office would be given seven years to close them following their election loss. And politicians who have already exceeded those time frames would have one year to wrap their accounts up. NORTH JERSEY DEMOCRATS STILL JEALOUS OF NORCROSS’ PERFECT HAIR — “Norcross retiring? Don’t believe it. It’s a trick,” by The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “Don’t believe it, not for a minute. This is a Norcross trick, probably designed to help Steve Sweeney, the former Senate president who wants to be governor, a childhood friend and lifelong political ally of Norcross. Because the last time Sweeney ran, in 2017, his close ties to Norcross were radioactive to Democratic leaders outside Norcross’ kingdom in South Jersey, many of whom hate Norcross’ guts, and resent his ferocious and combative style of politics. … Even senior players in the Norcross machine concede that outside the South, Sweeney paid a price for his ties to Norcross. ‘That chatter was pretty loud,’ says former Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Sweeney’s running mate when both lost to the red wave in 2021. ‘When you’re a strong leader, you’re going to accumulate people who aren’t fond of you over time. It just happens. Powerful people accumulate powerful enemies.’” CRAIG’S INCOMPLETE LIST — “Top NJ legislators failed to disclose campaign spending. They still haven't fixed reports,” by The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak: “New Jersey’s most powerful legislators, Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, have not filed amended reports to the state watchdog agency nearly a month after NorthJersey.com reported they failed to properly disclose certain campaign spending. Scutari recorded expenses as “reimbursements” to himself or staff for close to $600,000 worth of spending — out of a total $1.8 million over the past 15 years — without naming the vendors or businesses the campaign had compensated, which is required. … Coughlin, D-Middlesex, failed to itemize $41,000 worth of credit card charges between 2019 and 2021. ‘Speaker Coughlin is in the process of reviewing and amending his past reports, and he expects to refile the amended reports soon,’ said Iris Delgado, executive director of the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee.” PORTAL TO HELL — “Portal bridge signal fixed, expect a normal Monday commute on NJ Transit, Amtrak,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “NJ Transit and Amtrak rail passengers who were plagued by two days of delayed and canceled trains last week, will have a normal rush hour on Monday after signal repairs were completed on the Portal Bridge that carries the Northeast Corridor line over the Hackensack River in Kearny. The signal problem affected the two-track, 112-year-old swing bridge for all New Jersey rail traffic to and from New York Penn Station. It was repaired Saturday night, and normal train service resumed Sunday.” —Mulshine: “Conservatism goes down the hatch at radio station NJ 101.5" —“Misinformation about dead whales shouldn’t distract us from our need for offshore wind farms | Opinion” — Hospital association wants state to pay $400 million for worker bonuses —“Lawmakers eye new rules for election results reporting”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
THE WATCHDOG CAUGHT DAIBES. WILL IT BITE MENENDEZ? — “Investigation into Menendez widens, with new subpoenas and questions about N.J. developer,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “New subpoenas have been served in connection with an ongoing federal criminal probe of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez — including the office of state Sen. Nicholas Sacco, who confirmed Friday that he was the recipient of one. The scope of the probe involving Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, remains unknown. But two sources with knowledge of the latest subpoenas say that some of the questions now being raised by investigators relate to Fred Daibes, an Edgewater-based developer whose high-end projects transformed the Hudson River waterfront. Daibes pleaded guilty last year to taking part in an insider loan scam at Mariner’s Bank, the financial institution that he founded and where he served as chairman of the board of directors. His sentencing in the matter, though, has been repeatedly adjourned, which is often an indication that someone may be cooperating with investigators. His plea deal calls for a sentence of probation. … NJ Advance Media learned that some of the questions raised by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan in the subpoenas served this week focused on proposed legislation in Trenton regarding development along the Palisades that could have had an impact on Daibes’ business. It was not known how this might be connected to any investigation of Menendez.”
CARTOON BREAK — “Use the force, Tom Kean Jr.,” by Drew Sheneman
| | LOCAL | |
NEWARK — “Critics say new member’s charter ties should keep her from leading Newark school board,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Strunsky: “Having noted that he was the high vote-getter in last month’s race, [Hasani] Council expressed his disappointment at being passed over for a leadership post by abstaining from an otherwise unanimous vote for Asia Norton as the board’s new president. Council attracted 3,435 votes in an election with a 3.1% turnout. … Council was not the only one unhappy with the board’s choice of leadership, though other objections were based on Norton’s affiliations with the local charter school community. She has taught or worked at the North Star Academy, KIPP NJ, and the Marion P. Thomas charter schools, ties that raised concerns among those who believe that growing enrollment of the Newark’s publicly funded, privately operated, and typically non-union charter schools pose a threat to the student makeup, per-pupil funding, staffing and overall health of the city’s regular public schools. Charter school supporters say they provide families an alternative to heavily regulated, under-performing regular public schools.”
A FIGHT AT THE ROXBURY — “Bonfire of the Inanities,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “Republicans used to talk about low taxes and too much regulation. That’s still a big part of the GOP’s campaign arsenal, but balanced budgets are – if you excuse the pun – not very sexy. But books can be and as Republican primary battles ensue in ‘red’ northwest Jersey, books are on the table, or perhaps chopping block. And that explains why a number of Republican candidates are jumping into a legal battle involving the Roxbury High School librarian and four residents.” —“Inside look at historic [Paterson] ballpark’s $100M revival as monument to Negro Leagues” —“Pandemic took a social and emotion toll on students. Here’s what Jersey City is doing to put it right” —“'Not nice': Ramapo Indian Hills school board members fill meeting with arguments”
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
COUNTERPOINT: RIGHT-SIZED HOSPITAL STAFFS ARE REFOCUSING THEIR SYNERGIES TO DISRUPT THE STATUS QUO AND DO MORE WITH LESS TO SHIFT THE HEALTH CARE PARADIGM — “How understaffed are NJ hospitals? Nurses say they are stretched thin — and care suffers,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “Three years since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted scores of health care workers to leave their profession, nurses say New Jersey hospitals continue to be critically understaffed and therefore less safe, with far fewer medical professionals to attend to patients. Hundreds of nurses and union leaders rallied outside the Statehouse in Trenton on Thursday, chanting 'Safe staffing saves lives!' in support of legislation that would establish staffing ratios at hospitals and other medical facilities. Nearly a third of nurses have left direct patient care at hospitals over the past three years, according to the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union."
SATAN IS OFTEN DEPICTED AS A GOAT FOR A REASON — “NJ town searching for runaway goat that's been caught peeping into houses,” by NBC New York: “This escapee is one baaaaad boy. Police in a New Jersey town are telling residents to give them a call if they spot a certain peeper looking into their homes. No, it's not a person. It's a goat. In Chatham Township, police said that a goat got loose and has been peeking into homes throughout the area, as the curious creature roams around. The goat escaped a nearby farm, but so far police and authorities haven't been able to catch it.” #JERSEYPRIDE — “NJ company awarded license to build private nuclear waste dump in U.S.,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Michael Sol Warren: “Holtec International, the Camden-based company at the center of controversies in New Jersey and elsewhere, now has federal approval to build a nuclear waste dump in a secluded part of New Mexico. If the project is completed, it could be the first private nuclear waste facility to operate in the nation. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday issued Holtec a license for the project, which the company calls the HI-STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility. …. Holtec has said it intends to eventually store 10,000 cannisters at the site, which would mean nearly 175,000 metric tons of nuclear waste warehoused in the New Mexican desert.” —“Refund woes persist after Bamboozle's cancellation in Atlantic City” —“Police wrongly arrested hospital worker for assault, recorded her naked on bodycam, suit says”
| | | | 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 | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment