| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! In May, a bill targeting Monmouth County Sheriff/GOP Chair Shaun Golden was on the fast track. The legislation would bar constitutional officers — sheriffs, county clerks and surrogates — from also serving as county political party chairs. Golden is the only person that would apply to, and the bill was sponsored by state Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), who Golden is targeting in this year’s election. But even though the bill cleared Senate and Assembly committees in a single day, it didn’t get a vote before the Legislature broke for the summer. I’m not sure exactly why the bill ran out of steam, but Gopal told me that the extensive discussion it generated in committee will inform changes to the bill. “Everything’s on the table. Maybe we grandfather existing folks. We have to look at all ends. But I think the concept in theory works, about constitutional officers,” Gopal said. “We haven’t had much discussion since that week, and we will absolutely go through it in detail.” If the bill is indeed amended to grandfather people in, it would certainly be a lot less controversial, as it wouldn’t be seen as a shot at one of Gopal’s political opponents. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We’re sure you’ll notice the dangerous odor of cigarette smoke when you walk inside the casino.” — Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects’ letter to First Lady Jill Biden ahead of her attendance at the NGA conference Thursday HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Sheila Oliver, Vicky Flynn, Sarah Steward. Saturday for Raj Mukherji, Michael Shapiro, Tom Bonier. Sunday for David Danzis, Stephen De Luca, Leonard Zax. WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Atlantic City for the NGA. Media: CSPAN at 8 a.m. |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
MEET THE NEW BOSS, SON OF THE OLD BOSS — “Joe Egan won’t seek re-election to State Assembly,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Assemblyman Joseph Egan (D-New Brunswick) has changed his mind and won’t seek re-election after 22 years in the legislature, triggering a special meeting of the Democratic county committee in the 17th district to pick a replacement on the general election ballot. The leading candidate to fill his spot on the ticket is his son, Kevin Egan, a New Brunswick city councilman … The 85-year-old Egan had been on retirement watch for the last two years, but chose to pursue a twelfth term in the Assembly. He was unopposed in the June 6 Democratic primary. Egan will complete his current term and retire on January 9, 2024. His departure from the legislature is not expected to impact his post as business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 456, where he has been business manager since 1986.”
DORK MONEY — “Here's a glimpse at how Murphy dark money group spent millions,” by The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak: “The political nonprofit run by the wife and close allies of Gov. Phil Murphy declined to disclose who bankrolled the group and filled its coffers with nearly $2.9 million in the first half of last year to boost the governor’s political agenda. Stronger Fairer Forward collected 33 large checks ranging from $7,500 to $1.5 million during the period covering January through July 2022, according to its first tax filing with the IRS last month. It is possible to work backward to unearth donors who would prefer to stay hidden. In March, NorthJersey.com uncovered $1,975,000 worth of donations to Stronger Fairer Forward by examining IRS and U.S. Department of Labor filings in which a handful of groups are required to report their political spending. They include: New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union: $1.5 million International Longshoremen’s Association Committee on Political Education: $100,000 American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO teachers union: $100,000 Service Employees Local 32, a property service workers labor union: $25,000 International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825: $150,000. The remaining $911,000 the nonprofit raised through last July — and anything collected since — remains shrouded in secrecy.” IF IT’S GOT TO BE CLEAN ENERGY, IT’S GOT TO BE TIDES — “New Jersey to explore tides as a power source,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “With wind generated electricity on its way to New Jersey, unless shore community critics manage to derail the state and federal plans soon, New Jersey is starting to look at the another potential source of coastal energy: Tides. On Wednesday, the Board of Public Utilities tapped Rutgers University to evaluate the potential to use the power of tides to generate electricity, using current literature to evaluate the feasibility and create a recommendation, to include potential location for tidal power plants … The potential to generate power is enormous, Kevin Nedza, director of special projects for the BPU, told the board at the Wednesday meeting. ‘However, the industry itself and the technologies available for harnessing this energy are rather immature and are not currently capable of supplying energy at grid scale,’ he said at the meeting.” MURPHY COMES OUT AGAINST THE PARTY LINE — “Murphy presses states to attack crisis that ‘transcends party lines’ as governors gather in A.C.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson and Adam Clark: "With nearly two dozen of his fellow governors from across the country gathered in Atlantic City, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday unveiled a playbook that states can use to combat what experts say is a dangerous mental health crisis among young people in the U.S. ‘This topic transcends party lines,’ Murphy said in a speech during the opening session of the annual meeting of the National Governors Association, which he chairs, at the Hard Rock hotel and casino … The plan has four pillars: building prevention and resilience; increasing awareness and reducing stigma; access and affordability of quality treatment and care; and caregiver and educator training and support.” WINDMILLS OF THE GROUND — “Turbulence as state agency rejects solar projects,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Tom Johnson: “It wasn’t a good day Wednesday for advancing clean-energy goals at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The state agency rejected proposed solar projects that would have generated more than 300 megawatts of electricity and it postponed action on a much-touted plan to begin electrifying buildings, the second-biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey. The twin setbacks marked the latest turbulence encountered by the Murphy administration in aggressively pushing its goal to shift to a 100% clean-energy economy, an issue now facing the most sustained opposition of Gov. Phil Murphy’s first six years in office.” —“'I didn’t feel protected at all': Students worry about bill to police anti-Israel speech” —“Vote for black bear hunt in 2023 possible after State Game Council OKs population plan” | | | | 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. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
SWITCHORELLO — “N.J. mayor ditches plan to challenge powerful Senator, jumps into battle for Republican’s House seat,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “A few months ago, Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello III declared he would challenge U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez in next year’s Democratic primary. But Signorello announced Thursday he is now dropping that plan and switching races, entering one of the most closely watched U.S. House contests in the country instead — for freshman Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s seat … The 35-year-old small-town mayor will be the second candidate to join the primary for the 2024 Democratic nomination to challenge Kean for the seat he flipped last year in New Jersey’s battleground 7th district. The first was Sue Altman, a progressive activist who announced her candidacy in May with the support of top Democratic figures in the state … At least one other Democrat has considered entering the race: former state Sen. Ray Lesniak of Union County, who has said he will make a decision after this November’s elections. Signorello’s announcement Thursday included a quote from Lesniak saying 'I welcome Joe Signorello’s entry' into the primary. Lesniak added that some of Altman’s stances would 'hand over the election to Kean and hurt Democrats up and down the district.'”
ENEMY AT THE GAETZ — “Van Drew votes for amendment cutting off aid to Ukraine,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “An amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) cutting off all military assistance to Ukraine failed overwhelmingly today, but it picked up one vote from a New Jersey congressman: Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis). The amendment, which says in one simple sentence that ‘no Federal funds may be made available to provide security assistance to Ukraine,’ was authored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a famously right-wing Republican from Florida … The amendment failed on a vote of 70-358, and a related amendment striking Ukraine funding from the NDAA specifically failed on a similar vote of 89-341. In both cases, all of the no votes came from Republicans, and most of them from the rightmost side of the party like the House Freedom Caucus.” A MELEE WITH MELE — “Maia-Cusick to kick off U.S. Senate bid against Menendez,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Shirley Maia-Cusick, an immigration consultant from Bethlehem Township, wants to take on incumbent Bob Menendez in 2024. Gloucester County GOP Chair Jacci Vigilante, Cape May GOP Vice Chair Melanie Colette, and Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry will be on hand for her kickoff, along with two 2022 congressional candidates, Darius Mayfield and Billy Prempeh. The 62-year-old Maia-Cusick earned a law degree in Brazil before immigrating to the U.S. in the 1990s. ‘New Jersey gave me everything,’ she said. ‘I want my America back.’ … Two other Republicans are seeking the U.S. Senate nomination: Daniel Cruz, a former member of the Andover Regional School District Board of Education; and perennial candidate Gregg Mele.” —Mulshine: “Chris Christie says Donald Trump is big-league afraid of going to the Big House” —“Malinowski takes post at law firm specializing in global issues” | | LOCAL | |
R.I.P. — “Firefighter killed in Port Newark ship blaze recalled for kindness, life of service,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “Hundreds of uniformed firefighters and law enforcement officers from throughout New Jersey somberly gathered at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Thursday to recall the life of city native and firefighter Augusto ‘Augie’ Domingos Acabou … Inside the church, a livestream showed hundreds more mourners. Acabou’s firefighting uniform, a reminder of his service and ultimate sacrifice, was displayed at the front of the church. ‘Our city mourns grievously for one of our heroes — a Newark boy that made his way here with a proud and close-knit family and found a noble and honorable profession,’ said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during Thursday’s funeral service.”
CAMDEN COMPLYING — “Camden School District to hire compliance officer as part of settlement with NJSIAA,” by The Courier-Post’s Josh Friedman: “The Camden City School District has agreed to install a compliance officer to oversee its NJSIAA-sanctioned activities as part of a settlement with New Jersey’s governing body of scholastic sports earlier this week. The NJSIAA had convened its Controversies Committee Tuesday to review whether Camden High School violated the association’s athletic recruitment rules during the Panthers’ run to a state boys’ basketball championship in 2022, the program’s first since 2000 … Reports following the title run alleged Wagner, the reigning three-time Gatorade New Jersey and Courier-Post South Jersey Player of the Year, Bradshaw and others were illegally recruited to play for the Panthers … The 2022 championship will stay in Camden. The 2023 squad looked poised to repeat as state champs, but the district removed Camden and neighboring Eastside from postseason play after the programs got into a fight during the final of the Camden County Tournament.” DEFIANCE OF THE LAMBS — “'Residents don’t want these apartments': Toms River NJ OKs towers despite election results,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “A revised plan for a pair of six-story apartment buildings in Toms River's downtown moved forward Wednesday when a Township Council majority voted to approve an agreement with developer Capodagli Property Co. to build the newest version of the project. The council voted 5 to 2 to revise a redevelopment agreement between Toms River and Capodagli which would lower the height of the apartments from 10 to 6 stories. The favorable vote came in spite of the objections of Councilmen Daniel Rodrick and Justin D. Lamb; Rodrick moved twice to table the resolution approving the revision, and Lamb seconded his motions. But in each case, the council majority voted against the motions to table, and eventually they approved the amendment.” — “'PTI is a longshot' for ex-Sayreville Democratic leader charged with bribery: prosecutors” —“Upcoming Coach USA bus service cuts concern Jersey Gardens workers, [Newark] official” —“[Point Pleasant Beach] fire department treasurer stole $100K, authorities say” —“Jersey City Council votes unanimously to preserve childhood home of trans icon” —“5 o’clock somewhere? Hoboken council fast-tracks ordinance for pre-sunrise World Cup alcohol sales” | | | | UNLEASH THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE WITH POLITICO, A 7/20 INTERACTIVE EVENT: Imagine a future where rare genetic diseases are not only treatable, but potentially curable. Where our approach to chronic illness takes a monumental leap forward. That future is already taking shape in the form of next-generation health care treatments such as gene therapy. Join POLITICO on Thursday, July 20 and delve into the burgeoning field of gene therapies, which hold the power to redefine our health care landscape. Are you ready to explore this new frontier in health care? Don't miss this chance to be part of the conversation. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
WARYHOUSES — “As warehouses proliferate across NJ, concerns rise over health impact for nearby residents,” by The Record’s Sammy Gibbons: “There's the growth in packaging. There's the increased traffic. There's lost habitat. And there's the freight truck emissions that spew harmful particulates and gases into the air, sometimes very close to neighborhoods already overburdened with environmental and health problems. New Jersey’s 1,777 warehouses lie within a half mile from about 1.9 million residents throughout the state, according to a recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund. The report analyzed New Jersey and nine other states where warehouse development increased rapidly in recent years.”
PIZZAWA — “What's new on the Wawa menu? Pizza coming to all stores by the end of July,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “Wawa is quietly rolling out a major menu expansion — pizza. The convenience-store chain, which recently opened its 1,000th store, is currently baking pies at about half of its locations. The goal is to reach all Wawa sites by the end of this month, said spokeswoman Lori Bruce. Until then, Wawa isn’t saying much about its entry into the country’s $46 billion pizza trade.” DONUTS FOUND RIDDLED WITH HOLES — “Clifton Dunkin' Donuts hit by bullet, but no one injured,” by The Record’s Liam Quinn: “The shots were reported at about 9 p.m. at the Dunkin' on Van Houten Avenue. Police said the window was damaged, as was the menu screen inside. Dunkin' is open until 10 p.m., its listed hours show. No suspects had been identified as of Thursday morning.” — “Man steals NJ police vehicle with K9 [named Dunkin] inside” —“Why the overhead wires powering NJ Transit, Amtrak trains keep breaking”
| | | | 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