| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind | Good Thursday morning! It’s a Jersey thing. ProPublica yesterday published an expose on how Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, a Hamilton native, accepted a luxury fishing vacation and private jet flight from billionaire Paul Singer, whose hedge fund had business before the court at least 10 times. And Alito never disclosed it. Does this sound familiar? Yes, there’s the Clarence Thomas controversy. But he’s not from New Jersey so let’s just ignore that. Of course I’m thinking of New Jersey’s senior senator, Bob Menendez. Menendez accepted lavish vacations from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen, who’s not as rich as Paul Singer but still rich enough to afford the private jet that he used to fly the senator down to the Dominican Republic on several occasions. Menendez also attempted to intervene with officials on Melgen’s behalf during, among other things, his disputes with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Menendez was indicted for his actions. Now, of course, two situations are never the same. And there are some big differences between these two. Menendez wasn’t a judge hearing a case, and it looked like he went out of his way to provide aid to Melgen. But then again, we know that in part because researchers and federal authorities investigated Menendez. Will Alito receive the same kind of scrutiny? Ultimately, Menendez beat the case, largely because Alito and his fellow justices have in have made it much harder to convict officials of corruption. We’ll see what comes of the new investigation of Menendez. I won’t hold my breath for federal authorities to investigate a Supreme Court justice. But regardless of your ideological bent, it should trouble you when powerful rich people are doing special favors for powerful public officials, and the officials aren't even disclosing them. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Recent social media posts have a great many people wondering about my family and our personal lives. The sad news is that Melinda and I have separated earlier this year. I am very proud of the job we did raising our four adult children who are all very successful and whom we both love very much. While there are those who will seek to exploit this news for their own political gain — some going so far as to spread the ugliest of rumors, all of which are untrue — that says more about them than anyone else. I will continue to treat this for what it is, a personal and private family matter.” — 2021 Republican gubernatorial nominee and likely 2025 candidate Jack Ciattarelli. The Gloucester County GOP posted photos of Melinda Ciattarelli at an event for potential Ciattarelli 2025 rival Bill Spadea. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Chris Jones, John Mulholland, Jill Colvin, Ravi Varma WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule
| | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Offshore wind will play a major role in New Jersey’s clean energy future — while creating jobs and boosting the economy. At Atlantic Shores, we’re dedicated to making that future a reality by developing a portfolio of wind projects off the coasts of NJ and NY. Atlantic Shores Project 1 will create thousands of family-sustaining jobs and bring $848M in guaranteed local economic benefits and have an overall economic impact of $1.9B for NJ. Learn more. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
WILL UNITED VAN LINES LOBBY AGAINST IT? —Democratic leaders formally announce senior property tax relief program, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders on Thursday officially announced a deal on senior property tax relief — solving the most contentious part of budget negotiations ahead of next week’s budget deadline. Murphy made the announcement alongside Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin — who spearheaded the senior relief proposal, dubbed “Stay NJ” — and Senate President Nick Scutari. Under the new plan, property tax bills for seniors would be cut in half with tax credits up to a $6,500 benefit with a $500,000 income threshold. Benefits for the new program will begin to go out in 2026 with the state setting aside funds every year until then to support it.
MURPHY SUCCESSFULLY EXEMPTS HIMSELF FROM TAX BREAK — “StayNJ survived with Phil Murphy's input. Will it ever be a reality? We'll see,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “To some in Trenton, Gov. Phil Murphy is a hobbled lame duck, flying around the country boosting the fortunes of Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. New Jersey, it seemed, was in the rearview mirror. But, last month, when Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, unveiled StayNJ, an expensive and ambitious property-tax credit that would benefit New Jersey seniors who own homes, Murphy jumped back into the Trenton trenches and started playing hardball. And, as a compromise plan took shape in recent days, Murphy's return to the Statehouse fray proved effective. … Although an improvement over the original plan, those changes still are not likely to satisfy progressives, for whom the fundamental inequity of the StayNJ remains: most of the benefit will flow to wealthier New Jersey homeowners, who are more likely to reap the full $6,500 payout.” —“Senate GOP’s stance on StayNJ: We don’t like it, but we’d probably vote for it” —Moran: “In Trenton, Democrats call Murphy’s bluff. Tequila shots all around!” FOR JOURNALISTS AND TRANSPARENCY ADVOCATES, OPRA PROPOSAL IS WIN-FREE — “‘Secretive’ N.J. governments would be even less transparent under proposed laws, some say,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan and Brent Johnson: “[CJ] Griffin, the records attorney, said the fee-shifting provision is a crucial part of OPRA, one that allows attorneys like her to take on cases when governments try to hide information without charging the citizen or news outlet. “The only reason we have access to (records detailing) use of force, dash cam videos or body cam videos is because we had an attorney willing to say, ‘I will represent you and not charge you, Griffin said. ‘It’s a big risk if I will go all the way to (state) Supreme Court and lose. No one will be able to do that anymore.’ The irony, Griffin added, is that ‘now only commercial businesses are the ones who (could afford) to pay.’ … Among its peer states, New Jersey ranks relatively low. The Center for Public Integrity gave New Jersey an ‘F’ for public access to information in a 2015 report, noting the law largely exempts state lawmakers from open records requests. … On the other hand, John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties, said his group supports the provision to curb commercial requests because record custodians have been ‘inundated,’ as well as the push to change fee-shifting because local governments face sizable attorney fees. [Marc] Pfeiffer said changes to OPRA are ‘long overdue.’ He said he hoped the new legislation would spark debate in Trenton over problems with the law that its creators never anticipated. ‘We need to turn down the volume of critics and advocates on either side and have a more informed conversation,’ he said.” —“Court ruling in police disciplinary records battle a blow for transparency, critics warn,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “People who sue for public records under New Jersey’s common law right of access have to pay for their own attorneys, win or lose, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The decision was a disappointment for public-interest and transparency advocates, who had argued that losers of such lawsuits should foot the costs of litigation, as now happens under the state’s Open Public Records Act.”
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAULSBORO — Offshore wind bill would boost South Jersey port, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: A bill to save the state’s first offshore wind farm from financial uncertainty has a South Jersey sweetener — $200 million for a port facility in Paulsboro. The Paulsboro Marine Terminal in Gloucester County is supposed to be a manufacturing hub for the giant underwater foundations that offshore wind turbines sit atop. But the facility is behind schedule. A big boost would come from a bill, NJ A5651 (22R), introduced Tuesday in the Assembly by Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) with a Senate companion expected to be backed by Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex). The bill is mainly needed to save what would be the first offshore wind project in the state, known as Ocean Wind 1— energy company Orsted’s plan to put 100 turbines 15 miles off the South Jersey coast to generate power for 500,000 homes. In exchange for letting the company keep hundreds of millions of dollars in new federal tax credits that would otherwise be passed on to state utility customers, the bill would require Orsted to set aside $200 million that could be used at Paulsboro. FLORIDA MAN INSPIRES N.J. BILL —DeSantis inspires New Jersey 'academic freedom' bill, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: In a move inspired by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a trio of New Jersey Democrats have proposed mandating that state colleges and universities appoint an “academic freedom advocate.” “Across the nation, there has been an increase in recent years in efforts to stifle ideas, silence debate, and limit the autonomy of institutions of higher education whose faculty, staff, or students may disagree with political officials,” states the bill, which was introduced Tuesday by Assemblymembers Reginald Atkins (D-Union), Mila Jasey and Shanique Speight (both D-Essex). Jasey chairs the Assembly Higher Education Committee. DeSantis’ efforts to reshape Florida’s higher education institutions and rid them of “woke” policies have made national headlines. That includes diversity initiatives often characterized by DeSantis and other critics as Critical Race Theory. —“Hoboken councilwoman sends up distress signal over Trenton transparency assault” —“N.J. reports nearly $180M in legal weed sales this year ahead of legislative hearing” —Snowflack:“Freed of GOP primary battle, Pennacchio targets ‘cartoonish’ Dems” —“NJ journalists, lawyers raise red flags about proposed changes to state open records law” | | BIDEN TIME | |
—“Businessman caught in Bob Menendez probe has mob ties”
—“Justice Department, Union County agree to provide election materials in Spanish”
| | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Offshore wind will play a major role in New Jersey’s clean energy future — while creating jobs and generating economic opportunities. Now is the time to accelerate the transition.
At Atlantic Shores, we’re making that future a reality by developing a portfolio of offshore wind projects to serve New Jersey. Not only will we help meet the state’s ambitious target of 100% clean energy by 2035, Atlantic Shores is also driving New Jersey’s clean energy economy through job creation and workforce development.
Atlantic Shores Project 1 will create thousands of family-sustaining jobs for unionized professionals. Plus, it will bring $848M in guaranteed local economic benefits and have an overall economic impact of $1.9B for the state — and we’re just getting started.
We’re proud of our work to create jobs and boost economic development in New Jersey, all while building a future that’s better for our health and the environment. Learn more. | | | | | LOCAL | |
THOMAS TO FOUND IN PRISON’S NOOKS AND CRANNIES — “Ex-Jersey City BOE pres., JCETP acting ED, Sudhan Thomas admits embezzlement & fraud,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas, also an ex-acting executive director of the now defunct employment and training agency, has pleaded guilty to embezzlement and wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced. … Thomas served as JCETP’s acting executive director from January 2019 until his resignation in July 2019. JCETP was a nonprofit organization that operated to assist Jersey City residents to prepare for and enter the workforce. Using his access to JCETP funds and control of JCETP’s bank accounts, from March 2019 through July 2019, Thomas embezzled more than $45,000 from JCETP, as federal prosecutors charged in January 2020.”
HE PLANS TO RUN AS A MODERATE DEM — A PURPLE HAYES, IF YOU WILL — “Hayes bucking for a comeback – as a Democrat,” by InsiderNJ’s Max Pizarro: “A proud Republican leader of a sprawling GOP town, former Bridgewater Mayor Dan Hayes will try to return to his throne of power. As a Democrat … Word is that Hayes — defeated in his quest for a third term (2,769 to 1,606, a 27-percent margin) by rival Republican Matt Moench — could be on the prowl for a comeback next year — as a Democrat.” WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT? — “'We thought Nestlé would have some compassion': Freehold plant looks doomed,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Michael L. Diamond: “Nestle and its labor union here failed to agree on a package of concessions from employees on Tuesday, putting the company a step closer to closing the landmark manufacturing facility. After meeting with the company for a little more than an hour, Michael Curcio, president of Teamsters Local 11, said he had little hope that Nestle would keep the plant open. He instead will set his sights on trying to limit the pain of an upcoming closure. "It's a real sad day," Curcio told about a dozen workers who waited outside the plant for an update. ‘We tried. We thought Nestle would have some compassion, some feeling for the 200-plus people that are here.’ Switzerland-based Nestle manufactures instant coffee at the 500,000-square-foot plant, where it employs about 227. The facility, straddling the Freehold and Freehold Township border, has been a fixture in the region since it opened in 1948.” MIDDLETOWN TO CHANGE NAME TO RIGHTTOWN — “N.J. school board meeting erupts as district votes to change transgender student guidelines,” by NJ Advance Media’s Deion Johnson: “The Middletown School Board on Tuesday night adopted a controversial parent notification policy that sources said would require schools to notify parents if a gender nonconforming student wants to be addressed by an alternative name or pronoun, inquires about participating on a different sports team or wants to use a different restroom. The amendment was to Middletown’s policy 5756, which requires districts to accept a student’s asserted gender identity without the consent of a parent. It passed by a vote of 8 to 1, with member Deborah Wright voting no after the board fielded criticism from dozens of students and other attendees crammed inside Middletown High School North library who vehemently opposed the move.” JUST HOW MANY CASINOS DOES ATLANTIC CITY NEED? — “CRDA members start to question just how many weed places Atlantic City needs,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “As the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved more cannabis businesses for Atlantic City, and with more likely on the way, members at the Tuesday meeting of the Board of Directors asked when enough will be enough. The board gave unanimous approval to five planned cannabis businesses in the city, in its role as the planning authority within the city’s Tourism District. … So far, the CRDA has approved 16 or 17 weed businesses. … Board member Mike Beson questioned the number of cannabis businesses that have already come for approval. He mentioned that the CRDA’s role should be to improve the quality of life for residents. ‘At some point, is it too much?’ he said.” STUDENTS TOLD TO SPEAK AMERICAN, DAMNIT — “N.J. school district may cut foreign language teachers to save money,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brianna Kudisch: “A small Sussex County school district is considering eliminating positions from its world language department — which currently has three teachers — as its state funding continues to shrink, officials said. The Wallkill Valley Regional High School school board is expected to discuss cuts to its world language department during its meeting Wednesday, said Superintendent and Principal David Carr.” AYLA WOLF TO LEAD MINI JANUARY 6 IN ROSELLE — “Holley wants recount In Roselle primary,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Jamel Holley is seeking a recount after losing the Democratic primary for mayor of Roselle by 76 votes to incumbent Donald Shaw. Shaw won 1,484 to 1,408, a margin of two percentage points. The Holley campaign said the primary ‘has been plagued with irregularities that have cast doubt on the legitimacy of the result.’”
| | | | 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. | | | | | —“Montclair Township files unredacted documents in CFO whistleblower case” —“Calm weekend in Ocean City after new rules to combat rowdy juveniles enacted” —“Paterson schools investigating after student with autism comes home with marks on her neck” —“Future of [East Point] lighthouse in doubt as keepers battle state officials, erosion” —“Pennacchio takes sides in Parsippany GOP chair fight” —“Quigley is likely casualty in North Hudson realignment” —“[Beachwood] bans swimming all summer due to lack of lifeguards” —“‘Is this for Jews’ sprayed on Jackson, NJ development site” —“7 swastikas spray painted throughout [Clifton] park, police say”
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“Two New Jersey men struck by lightning days apart. How often do strikes happen?”
—“Murphy asks NJ to conserve water as reservoir levels drop”
| | | | 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