| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind | Good Thursday morning! It’s a sign of a smaller press corps when nobody noticed, or at least decided to print, that Assemblymember Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), who’s also Passaic council president was hired for a third public job: executive director of the Passaic County Improvement Authority back in January and started in late March. It’s not a secret or anything. Schaer is listed as such on the authority’s website, and Daniel Han — whose idea of fun, fortunately for us, is combing through government websites — noticed that Schaer had disclosed he took a new job on a state disclosure. Unlike some government hires, it’s pretty clear Schaer has deep qualifications for the job. The authority arranges finances for public projects. Schaer has a background the private sector finance industry and was a well-regarded budget chair for three years until his support for former Speaker Vincent Prieto cost him that role. According to state pension records, Schaer’s got 27 years in the system based on his roughly $30,000 council salary (Schaer entered the Legislature in 2006, over a year before incoming lawmakers were barred from the Public Employees Retirement System, but his $49,000 legislator salary doesn’t show up in the pension system for some reason). By my calculations, if Schaer stays in this new job for three years while continuing to serve on the council, his pension upon retirement will go from about $16,000 a year to about $98,000. “I haven’t spent a lot of time looking at that, frankly,” Schaer told me. “I know it is pensionable, and what it turns out to be I don’t really know.” Whether he thought about it or not, it turns out Passaic County won’t be the only thing Schaer is working to improve in his new job. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: “I finagled, and Ponzied, and lied to people to cover us.” — Eliyahu “Eli” Weinstein, allegedly in a secretly recorded meeting. Federal authorities yesterday charged Weinstein with running a $35 million Ponzi scheme he started after former President Donald Trump let him out of prison 16 years early. He was convicted for a previous Ponzi scheme and additional fraud he committed on pretrial release. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — David Giambusso Gary Stein, Danielle Jones WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule.
| | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: At Atlantic Shores, we’re more than a renewable energy company. We’re a team of purpose-driven professionals who are committed to providing a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come. Our organization is guided by four core values that our team lives and breathes each day: to be safe, a good neighbor, a good steward of the environment and to lead with science. Learn more. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
OFF THE WATERFRONT — New Jersey's Phil Murphy keeps his campaign promise: the old Waterfront Commission is no more, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The fabled commission — a bi-state police agency created to solve the crimes immortalized in the 1954 Marlon Brando movie “On The Waterfront” — was something both the dockworkers union and shipping industry wanted rid of, arguing it was outdated and cumbersome to commerce. Now forces on both sides of New York Harbor will fill a hole left by its collapse, which began thanks to a 2018 law signed by then-Gov. Chris Christie on his last day in office. But the breakup happened on Murphy’s watch because of years of legal wrangling that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which unanimously upheld New Jersey’s plan to leave the commission and turn enforcement powers over to the New Jersey State Police.
—“IUOE Local 825 files labor practice charges against ILA in Port Newark dispute” CORRECTIONS — “No job, no IDs, no housing: People struggle to move on after incarceration in NJ prisons,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko and Michael Karas: “ When Sam Quiles was first incarcerated, he was 16 years old … In February, Quiles was released from the New Jersey prison system. He’s been attending college and working toward a degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University. … Fast-forward 30 years. In February, Quiles was released from the New Jersey prison system. He’s been attending college and working toward a degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University. … Quiles said that what he really needed when he was first released — and now as he continues to reintegrate — Quiles said that when he participated in the “Successful Transition and Reentry Series” — or STARS — program offered by the the Department of Corrections, it assisted him by running a credit check, despite the fact that he had been incarcerated since he was a teen and had no way to build credit. The program also had trouble securing his birth certificate, because he was born in Puerto Rico. … But Quiles isn’t the only one to struggle to adjust to life after prison. He’s also not alone in having trouble finding resources that are supposed to help him do just that.” CANTABIS — Cannabis commission reverses course on social equity license plan, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission on Tuesday reversed course on an initiative to make certain cannabis licenses available exclusively for one year to those in economically disadvantaged areas or with prior marijuana convictions. Some wondered if the proposal would actually snub minority applicants from the opportunity to participate in the cannabis industry — the opposite of the commission's intentions. —New Jersey's cannabis regulator pushes back against Curaleaf claim that market is ‘struggling’
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | THE ONLY WAY TO KILL BENJAMIN FRANKLIN — “Franklinite designated as official New Jersey State Mineral,” by TAPInto: “Franklinite, a mineral found in the northwest portion of New Jersey is now the official mineral of the state. Gov. Phil Murphy signed bills S1727/A3393 into law on Wednesday. ‘Franklinite represents an important part of New Jersey’s history for the role it played in helping to industrialize our state,’ Sen. Steven Oroho (R -District 24), one of the sponsors of the bill, said in a news release.” —Fulop gains three more mayor endorsements in his 2025 run for governor —“Murphy moves to halt new gasoline car sales in NJ by 2035. Can it really happen?” —“Keeping ‘Senior Freeze’ participants from ending up out in the cold” —“Family wants to know how N.J. man wound up dead after police say he assaulted state trooper” —“Keeping ‘Senior Freeze’ participants from ending up out in the cold”
| | | | JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 to explore the effectiveness of consumer-targeted policies to boost sustainability and create clean energy jobs. How are the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions faring? Which strategies truly sway consumer behavior? Hear from featured speaker, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), among other experts. Don't miss this insightful event — register today and be part of the conversation driving America's clean energy future! REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
HE'S DAMAGING THE NAME WEINSTEIN — “Trump let this N.J. con man out of prison. Now the guy is charged yet again in another massive scam,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Eliyahu “Eli” Weinstein first got into big trouble more than a decade ago after he got caught in a $200 million Ponzi scheme involving a portfolio of fake real estate investments and land deals that targeted members of his tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community. While out on bail awaiting trial, the former used car salesman from Lakewood was then charged in 2013 in a new con game. Federal authorities said in that second case, he duped an investor in a $6.7 million scam involving claims he had the inside track on hard-to-get shares of the Facebook initial public offering that did not exist. Weinstein pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced in December 2014 to 24 years in prison. He would remain there until January 2021, when then-President Donald Trump, in his final days in office, commuted his sentence to time served and immediately freed him. But not long after he was released, say federal authorities, Weinstein, 48, began orchestrating yet another Ponzi scheme.”
IMMIGRATION — “Biden administration says closure of ICE detention center in N.J. would be ‘catastrophic’,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “The Biden administration is siding with a private prison corporation’s legal effort to keep an immigration detention center in Elizabeth from shuttering, claiming its impending closure would be “catastrophic” to federal immigration efforts. The U.S. Department of Justice in a Wednesday legal filing calls New Jersey’s 2021 law banning all immigration detention contracts — the agency refers to the law as AB 5207 — unconstitutional and says closing the Elizabeth facility would harm the federal government amid an influx of migrants and closures of other detention centers around the nation.”
| | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: At Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, we’re more than a renewable energy company. We’re a team of purpose-driven professionals committed to providing a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come.
We’re guided by four core values that our team lives and breathes each day:
· Be safe — If we can’t do our jobs safely, we can’t do them well. We prioritize the safety of our teams on the job, as well as the safety of our communities.
· Be a good neighbor — We interact and engage with the communities we serve to understand their point of view and bring their perspectives to the work we do.
· Be a good steward of the environment — We make sure our energy solutions are in harmony with the environment and nature around us.
· Lead with science — Data speaks the truth. Using science to inform our decisions makes us more environmentally and socially responsible.
Learn more. | | | | | LOCAL | |
SOUTH BROWNFIELD — “EPA holding meeting in South Plainfield after cost of wildlife preserve cleanup skyrockets,” by MyCentralJersey’s Susan Loyer: “The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public input on the cleanup of contaminated soil and debris in South Plainfield after the estimated cost of the project has skyrocketed. The Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund site, once a dump in two properties at the south end of Woodbrook Road near the Edison border, is a 70-acre wooded site largely within the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve. The estimated cost of the cleanup rose from $45.4 million in 2018 to $70 million in 2023, due in part to inflation and increased construction costs, according to the EPA.”
ABHORIST — “Trial date set for man in Kinnelon tree-removal case that blew up internet,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: “A borough man who allegedly hired landscapers to cut down 32 of his neighbor's trees appeared in municipal court on Tuesday, in a dispute that has drawn "national and international" attention to the normally quiet Morris County town, according to the judge in the case. With a discovery deadline of Aug. 31, Judge Andrew Wubbenhorst set a trial date of Sept. 22 for Denise Drive resident Grant Haber, who faces a trove of local ordinance violations for each of the trees cut down on the property of his next-door neighbor, Samih Shinway. … Only one of the charges is considered a criminal offense. … Haber and the landscapers each face up to a $1,000 fine per tree. The additional cost to clear, replant and fully rehabilitate the land was reportedly estimated by a local tree expert to possibly be more than $1 million. Both the Haber and Shinway properties include luxury homes on seven-acre, mostly wooded lots where trees limit backyard views of the New York City skyline and a nearby reservoir. Shinway speculated the motivation for the tree-culling may have been for ‘a better view.’” CANNABIS DISPENSARY THREATENS TO RUIN CHARACTER OF NEIGHBORING ALCOHOL DISPENSARY —”Some Buena Vista Township residents don't want pot business on Union Avenue,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Vincent Jackson: “The Township Committee voted in December to allow the municipality to receive proposals for retail sales of cannabis. Now that a business, New Frontier Solutions LLC, is interested in setting up shop in the township, some residents are not happy about it. ‘We thought they (the Township Committee) had our best interests at heart. That was a big mistake,’ said Sharon Corsiglia. … St. Mary's School, at 735 Union Road, may be just beyond 1,000 feet away, but it is within a half mile of the proposed marijuana shop. ‘It's just too close,’ [Donna Casazza] Virunurm said. There is a NJ Transit bus stop at the location, which will lead to a great deal of foot traffic, and Merighi's Savoy Inn and Luna's Outdoor Bar & Grill are across the street. It is a main attraction and is well known for weddings, children's parties and other events, Virunurm said.” NO, IT WASN’T AMY DEGISE — “E-scooterist receives summons in Hoboken after striking SUV where Fulop was passenger,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “A man riding an electric scooter received a summons in Hoboken last week after striking an SUV where Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop was riding as a passenger, documents obtained by HCV show. … The e-scooterist, a 23-year-old Jersey City resident, was issued a summons for riding his electric scooter on the sidewalk.” —“Fired Hillsborough DPW worker sues township for alleged discrimination” —Snowflack: “Post GOP primary Aikens and pains” —Baraka: “Progressive zoning changes will benefit all of Newark's neighborhoods. This is how”
| | | | JOIN 7/27 FOR A TALK ON WOMEN LEADERS IN THE NEW WORKPLACE: In the wake of the pandemic, U.S. lawmakers saw a unique opportunity to address the current childcare system, which has become increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, but the initial proposals went nowhere. With the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus in May, there may be a path to make childcare more affordable. Join Women Rule on July 27 to dive into this timely topic and more with featured speakers Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Founder of Girls Who Code. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
CASINOS — “Atlantic City’s main casino union, where most workers are women, is finally led by one,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “Most of the Atlantic City casino workers who clean hotel rooms, serve drinks and tidy up public areas are women. For the first time in 107 years, the union that represents them is now being led by a woman. Donna DeCaprio is one of the most influential people in Atlantic City as president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union, which has about 10,000 members and has repeatedly brought the casino industry to its knees during labor disputes. But there will be labor peace in Atlantic City for at least three more years following the adoption of landmark contracts last summer, which gave workers the biggest raises they’ve ever had. DeCaprio was the lead negotiator of those contracts, filling in for then-president Bob McDevitt who was still recovering from an illness that led to the amputation of one of his feet.”
TONY FINALLY CONVINCED HESH TO GIVE UP HIS SALE-SHARE TO FRAN FELSTEIN — “What happened to Atco raceway? New Jersey's oldest dragstrip closes abruptly,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “Atco Dragway has announced its closing, ending a high-octane run that had lasted for 63 years. ‘Effective immediately: Atco Dragway is permanently closed,’ a post at the track's Facebook page said Tuesday. … The post gave no reason for the abrupt shutdown … One day earlier, the track's Facebook page had thanked participants in the track's 29th annual Pan American Nationals, a July 13-16 event that offered drag races, an auto show and food trucks. ‘We'll see you all next year for the 30th,’ it said.” THIS IS WHY WE NEED TORTA REFORM — “Taco John’s, Taco Bell terminate ‘Taco Tuesday’ trademark tussle,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Joseph De Avila: “There’s a truce in the ‘Taco Tuesday’ wars. Restaurant chain Taco John’s said Tuesday it is giving up its fight defending its trademark of the phrase ‘Taco Tuesday.’ Fast-food giant Taco Bell filed a petition in May with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office seeking to cancel the trademark. … ‘It’s just not worth the amount of money it would take to defend it,’ [Taco John’s CEO Jim] Creel said. … Taco John’s has owned the trademark on Taco Tuesday since 1989 in every state except New Jersey. Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar, a restaurant in the Jersey Shore city of Somers Point, owns the trademark in New Jersey. Taco Bell filed a separate petition in May seeking to cancel Gregory’s trademark as well. Greg Gregory, whose family owns Gregory’s, said in June the restaurant would attempt to defend its trademark.” NOTHING SAYS SUSTAINABILITY LIKE A SINGLE GUY CHARGING HIS 3 ELECTRIC CARS WHILE THEY TAKE UP STREET SPACES — “Here's how 1 man is charging 3 electric cars from his Jersey City kitchen,” by WNYC’s David Brand: “[Sal] Cameli, 51, charges his fleet of three electric cars from a wall outlet in the kitchen of his ground-floor apartment. He stretches a custom-made 34-foot cord through an air conditioner sleeve above his window, pulls it high above the sidewalk, yanks it down a street sign and plugs it into a cherry red Tesla, as well as a pair of decade-old Nissan Leafs. After a divorce forced Cameli to downsize from his suburban home, he had to develop a strategy to secure the coveted spots outside his apartment and charge his electric cars. He spaces them apart just so, and works with a neighbor to hold down the spots on alternate side parking days." —“Dolphin found in Barnegat Bay is 40th death this year in N.J.” —“Otter-ly adorable: Otters surprise onlookers in Belmar”
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