| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Tuesday morning! There’s been a small hiccup in the ongoing effort to chip away at government transparency. Governor Murphy yesterday conditionally vetoed legislation that would no longer require local elected officials to disclose the addresses of their primary or secondary residences that they own on financial disclosure forms, unless they’re earning income on them. The bill followed state lawmakers changing their own forms to do the same, which didn’t require the governor’s approval. But Murphy’s objection was purely technical. The bill was passed March 30, but he waited about six weeks to sign it. By the time he did, the April 30 filing deadline for the disclosure forms had passed. And while the law gave the Local Finance Board the authority to push back the deadline by 60 days, Murphy said that was too burdensome. So he’s sent the bill back to the Legislature with the recommendations to move the deadline to 2024. But practically, this really doesn’t matter. If you look up a local official’s form in the state database, you’ll almost certainly find that the addresses of their properties are already “temporarily redacted to ensure compliance with Daniel's Law” — the 2020 law Murphy signed that is supposed to apply only to judges, law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The addresses of their jobs are also redacted, even if it's the town hall where a mayor works. I understand that public officials sometimes face threats. But I and others also have concerns about sacrificing transparency for vague privacy concerns. Won’t this make it more difficult for candidates to challenge others’ residency? What about reporters investigating, say, whether an official is violating building codes in their towns? And based what appears to be the broad application of Daniel’s Law just to be safe, are lawmakers and the governor are moving a little fast? TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We all know the 11th District is a target for both parties that could help deliver a Republican majority for the first time in over two decades. Given the obvious narrow political goals of the bill for Democrats, it’s ridiculous that any Republican would be helping him to the detriment of a solid Republican candidate in Steve Dnistrian.” — Incoming Senate Majority Leader Anthony Bucco in response to my question about far-right radio host and potential Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea defending a Democratic bill targeting the Monmouth GOP chair HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Brian Stack, Jay Lassiter, Mark Natale, Michele Liebtag WHERE’S MURPHY? In New Brunswick at 11 a.m. to speak at the Middlesex County Mental Health Forum, then in West New York at 2 p.m. to swear-in Albio Sires | | | | 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. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SUPREME COURT — Murphy nominates Michael Noriega, a former public defender, to the Supreme Court, by POLITICO’s Caroline Petrow-Cohen: Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday named Michael Noriega, a former public defender who focuses on immigration, to serve as an associate justice for the New Jersey Supreme Court. Noriega would be the first former public defender to serve on the top court. A partner at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan law firm, Noriega would also bring Hispanic representation to the Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, Noriega would replace Barry Albin, a liberal justice who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in July 2022.
BECAUSE NJ IS KNOWN FOR ITS LACK OF CONGESTION — “New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy attempts to woo New Yorkers in retaliation for congestion tax,” by The New York Post’s Carl Campanile: “The grass is greener in the Garden State? New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sure wants you to think so! Murphy is taking aim at neighboring Gov. Kathy Hochul over New York’s congestion pricing program — with an ad campaign aimed at wooing Big Apple residents and businesses into relocating to his state, The Post has learned. … Starting Monday, Choose NJ — New Jersey’s not-for-profit economic development arm allied with Murphy — will run digital ads at key strategic crossings on the New York side of the Hudson entering or leaving Manhattan. One ad reads: 'PAY A CONGESTION TAX TO SIT IN NYC TRAFFIC? GET OUTTA HERE. Move your business to New Jersey.’ A similar second ad states: ‘LESS CONGESTION. NO CONGESTION TAX. Move your business to New Jersey.’” IN HONOR OF BRIDGEGATE’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY —“Could GW Bridge traffic increase from congestion pricing? Here's what one report said,” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “Traffic on the George Washington Bridge and the eastern spur of the New Jersey Turnpike in North Jersey could increase under some Manhattan congestion pricing scenarios studied, but such tolling would have a minimal impact on mass transit options from New Jersey into Manhattan, according to the latest report on the potential impact of the policy … In terms of overall traffic, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels are expected to see decreases under all seven tolling scenarios studied. But the I-95 eastern spur of the turnpike in New Jersey, the George Washington Bridge and the Bayonne Bridge could see increases in traffic in some scenarios as a result of the congestion pricing program.” —“‘We are not their piggy bank.’ Sen. Menendez announces bill that would prevent congestion pricing in NYC” —Opinion: “Congestion pricing: cleaner air and safer streets for New Jersey” —“Congestion pricing is close to approval. Here’s what it could cost N.J. drivers” TAYLOR SHAM — “As pandemic dollars flow from Trenton, is there a whiff of pork? Of course,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “the Prudential Center is expected to receive $3.5 million from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, a stockpile of COVID-19 relief, to help underwrite the May 6 mixed martial arts event. Nearly everyone who had a hand in greenlighting the corporate welfare is cheering the decision … The UFC event was hardly the only head-scratching cut of New Jersey’s $6 billion sent to bolster schools, government services and businesses blighted by the pandemic. Last Friday, a state legislative committee dispatched $12 million to underwrite the construction of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment and Learning Center, planned for American Dream. It should be fun — someday — to gaze at exhibits on notables ranging from Albert Einstein to the “Nutty Professor” Jerry Lewis. But the Hall wasn’t shuttered during the pandemic. It’s far from being built … Then there’s the financing for state government SUVs, and the $10 million to finance the construction of the planned Centre Pompidou x Jersey City, a satellite of the famed French museum that was also on the drawing boards when COVID victims were cramming hospitals and school kids were sheltered at home. The list of projects that will see COVID-19 relief dollars is a dead ringer for a late-June menu of Trenton pork — a litany of spoils handed out by Democratic Party leaders mostly to the benefit of Democratic towns and officials.” WHEN ‘EXPEDITE’ ACTUALLY MEANS ‘DELAY’ — “In lengthy case on Lakewood schools, N.J. education chief requests another report,” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley: “Responding to an appellate court order to decide if Lakewood public schools are funded fairly, the head of New Jersey’s education department has instead called for an ‘expedited comprehensive study’ of the district. Angelica Allen-McMillan, the state’s acting education commissioner, on Friday said the department would expedite its examination of Lakewood’s operations. She called “outdated” the 2014-19 data amassed in a longstanding lawsuit filed on behalf of Lakewood’s 5,500 mostly Hispanic, Black, and economically disadvantaged public school students. In her statement, she said because ‘there have been unprecedented changes in the field of education as a byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic, an updated record is required in order to make an appropriately informed decision about the [state school funding formula] and its application to Lakewood.’ The move came as part of the nine-year-old case questioning the constitutionality of the school funding formula as it applies to the Ocean County district, which has a 9:1 ratio of private to public school students.” MURPHY'S DEFENSE — “Murphy defends first lady against claim she denied N.J. trooper from breast pumping at family carriage house,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson and Matt Arco: “Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday defended his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy, after a lawsuit accused her of denying a member of the governor’s security detail to pump breast milk in the family’s carriage house on their Monmouth County property “because of optics.” Murphy was asked about the issue during an appearance on his call-in TV show on News 12 New Jersey a week and a half after The Star-Ledger published an editorial revealing the claims. … ‘We don’t talk about litigation, we don’t talk about personnel matters,’ Murphy said. … But the Democratic governor added: ‘Anybody who knows my wife, knows her values, knows what she believes in and stands for, would just hear what’s been said, alleged, and, I don’t know what the reaction is, they would probably find it outrageous — that would be a word I’d use — and completely untrue.’” — Nurses union looks to loop in protections for ‘ancillary’ staff in ratio bill—Profile: “NJ’s attorney general confronts gun violence, corruption, police reform — and a paradox” —“With an unpaid parking ticket, Christie is officially a scofflaw” —“Senate takes first step to end New Jersey’s yuletide bonfire ban” —Snowflack: “‘Do not let this scare you’” —“Dear Trenton: Please stop raiding the Clean Energy Fund | Opinion” —“‘Seinfeld bill’ requiring telemarketers to tell you more becomes law in N.J.”
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— “U.S. Supreme Court declines case, so Hoboken climate lawsuit against Big Oil to remain in state court”
—“Jan. 6 rioter who contacted FBI prior to arrest gets 3 months in prison” | | LOCAL | |
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT — “Lawsuits, accusations and investigations: Here's the story behind Edgewater's troubles,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “The New Jersey State Commission of Investigation report outlined how many Edgewater officials had connections to Fred Daibes, a local developer with property along the Hudson River, and that some of the ties included business contracts and, in one case, discounted rent for a luxury apartment. Accusations, lawsuits and the most recent investigation have tied up the borough and its officials for years. Why and when did the trouble start? In 2017, 615 River Road Partners, LLC, filed a complaint in federal court against the borough, claiming officials had blocked it from building on its site on River Road because of the influence exerted by Daibes. … Court documents showed that in 2017, zoning board member Jeffrey Mathieu sent an email to Daibes asking for his opinion on the rival development, which was due before the board. “I would like to know your take on the Hess application coming before us on September 12,” Mathieu wrote. Daibes replied: “I’m not in favor of the project at all.””
IT MAKES YOU WANNA HURL…EY — “TikTok raps, boxer endorsements and claims of racism: Group uses social media to drive home LSP message,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “The social media campaign ramped up almost immediately after the state commissioner presiding over the future of Liberty State Park emphatically rejected the idea of oversized stadiums and arenas at the state park. In an effort to rally support, the People’s Park Foundation (PPF), a group in favor of large-scale recreational development and funded by the billionaire owner of Liberty National Golf Club, focused on two hot-button issues on its Twitter, TikTok and Instagram accounts: Racism and lost opportunities for youth. ‘Liberty park for all call it the peoples’ park, Sam Pesin don’t want it because the people dark’ a man says in a rap posted on PPF’s TikTok page In op-eds … Jersey City high school coaches and athletic directors bemoaned the lack of and condition of their playing fields. The theme? Student-athletes deserve new fields at the state park. Critics have pointed out that the multiple videos and op-eds never call out city or school district officials for not doing enough to create new playing fields.” FANNY PACKS MORE POPULAR WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ANYWAY — “Jersey Shore town’s late night backpack ban, youth curfew starts today,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jeff Goldman: “A nighttime backpack ban in a popular Jersey Shore town that takes effect today sounds more ominous that it really is, the mayor said. While a new ordinance in Sea Isle City prohibits backpacks on the city’s promenade, beaches and beach street-ends between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. starting Monday and running until Sept. 15, Mayor Leonard Desiderio said police aren’t looking to hassle residents or the thousands of visitors that descend on the Cape May County community each summer.” HARD TO SEE WHY ANYONE WANTS LIQUOR LICENSE REFORM — “Toms River sells liquor license for record price of $1.6 million,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “A company that runs a kosher liquor store in New York City has purchased a liquor distribution license in Toms River for a record-breaking $1.6 million. The Township Council awarded the license to MB Vineyards, which operates a discount liquor store on Avenue J in Brooklyn. The license is a new one; the township was allowed to sell one new distribution license and two new consumption licenses after Toms River's population increased in the 2020 U.S. Census.” DR. FEELSBAD — “Hoboken schools superintendent didn’t receive doctorate until Aug. ’22, records show,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “For at least 14 years, the current Hoboken Superintendent of Schools Christine Johnson went by Dr. Johnson, however, she did not receive her doctorate until August 2022, according to public records. Until that point, documents and publications such as annual financial reports, minutes of school board meetings and yearbooks routinely referred to her as Dr. Johnson — the same way she would sign letters to parents and what her nameplate at school board meetings said. … Responding to an inquiry from HCV, Johnson said the course work was completed years ago and that “unforeseen personal circumstances” prevented her from receiving her degree.” —“Pleasantville school board member resigns: 'It was just too much drama'” —“EPA proposes $29M settlement for [Wall Township] superfund site cleanup” —“Sires to be sworn in as West New York mayor by Gov. Murphy” —“'New town': What's up with the $2.5B waterfront development off the Garden State Parkway?” —“Jackson mayor gets $13K raise, attributes to cost of living” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
FORMULA SHORTAGE COULD BE SOLVED IN HUDSON COUNTY — “Amid surging U.S. popularity, there’s a renewed push for Formula One race on Hudson River waterfront,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “It’s an image many local residents, Formula One fans and race officials envisioned more than a decade ago: an F1 race on Hudson County’s waterfront. But while those plans ultimately never came to fruition due to financial and contractual issues, some F1 personalities have proposed revisiting the race amid the sport’s growing popularity in the United States. … There has not been any word from F1 officials on a potential return … Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner noted that revisiting the original plans would be difficult because of development on the waterfront over the past decade — the site of the planned garage and paddock, for example, is now a residential complex.”
—“Teaching kids about climate change is something most in N.J. - even Republicans - agree on”
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