| | | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey | Good Wednesday morning! The Election Law Enforcement Commission held the first meeting under its new leadership on Tuesday, and Executive Director Jeff Brindle, under fire by the Murphy administration for an allegedly anti-gay email, is still in his job. It’s the first time the agency has had a full complement of commissioners in years — since one meeting in 2017 and, other than that, since 2011. The new commissioners didn’t do all that much at their first meeting. Following an executive session, they dismissed 107 “matters” — presumably campaign finance complaints rendered moot by the Elections Transparency Act’s two-year statute of limitations, including major complaints against three Democratic PACS, because transparency. But we already knew those complaints would have to be dismissed. But Chairman Thomas Prol’s remarks could possibly be read as a hint that the Brindle matter is not settled. Or at least that’s how I heard them. When ELEC met in March under its previous leadership, two leaders of Garden State Equality sought to speak against Brindle but weren’t permitted to by the agency’s previous commissioner, despite a press release for the meeting that had invited public testimony. They spoke anyway, having a heated argument with the commissioners. Now Prol — an executive board member of Garden State Equality — is in charge of the agency. And on Tuesday, he said this: “Above all else, we will be transparent and fair and respect the dignity of all … I was surprised at the prior meeting at some of the treatment the public received when they were given notice of the opportunity to speak and turned away.” Prol’s statement may not have addressed the Brindle controversy directly, but it does make me doubt the Brindle matter is settled. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Hoboken cheerleading programs are bleeding. 100 grand is what they will be needing. Essex County Zoo needs remodeling. These are a few of the excessive things.” — The first verse of Assembly Republicans’ parody of the budget’s Christmas Tree items to the tune of “My Favorite Things” HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Steve Oroho, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Newark for an 11 a.m. announcement and discussion with NJ Chamber of Commerce President Tom Bracken.
| | | | A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey: When it comes to your health, seeing the doctors and hospitals you know and trust matters. At Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, our members come first - which is why every hospital in the state is in our network. We’re partnering with doctors and hospitals to improve care quality, affordability and convenience. Better access and better care means better health. Horizon, here when you need us most. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
AN INTRODUCTION — Murphy announces DOH commissioner pick to replace Persichilli, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Gov. Phil Murphy plans to nominate a physician from Cooper University Health Care to be the next commissioner of the Department of Health, his office announced Tuesday. The pending nomination of Kaitlan Baston follows the reported retirement of current Commissioner Judith Persichilli later this summer … Baston is the division head of addiction medicine and medical director of the Center for Healing, an addiction treatment center at Cooper, and is medical director of government relations at Cooper … Voter records indicate that Baston is a Philadelphia resident, making it unclear which lawmakers will have senatorial courtesy over her nomination when she is expected to move to New Jersey. —“Why health commissioner Persichilli is ready to step down” MUST HAVE BEEN A HELL OF A TRAFFIC JAM — “N.J. Turnpike Authority gets a new boss who’s spent his entire career on Jersey highways,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “James Carone, who spent his entire 46-year career in New Jersey, starting on the Garden State Parkway, will be the boss of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority that runs the state’s two largest toll roads. Carone was named executive director of the Turnpike Authority on Tuesday at the board of commissioners meeting after serving for two months as acting director following the retirement of his predecessor, John Keller. He’s served as deputy director since 2018 … A salary for his new position was not immediately available. Carone has worked for toll road agencies in the state for 46 years, starting in 1977 when he went to work as a staff auditor for the former New Jersey Highway Authority, which ran the Parkway.” —“Toll cheats stiffed N.J. for $117M last year and the bill keeps growing” ADULTS TOTALLY UNAFFECTED — “How much does social media impact children? NJ creates commission to find answers,” by The Record’s Gene Myers: “Gov. Phil Murphy, state education leaders and lawmakers are looking to get a handle on how much damage social media is doing to the mental health of New Jersey’s children. In yet another response to the mental health crises that have plagued American youth since the pandemic, Murphy announced Monday that he had signed legislation (S-715/A-1992) creating a commission to study social media’s impact on adolescents in the state.” SCHOOL SEGREGATION — “What the lawsuit trying to desegregate NJ’s schools could mean for students,” by WNYC’s Karen Yi: “Education advocates and school districts across New Jersey are awaiting a court ruling that could ultimately overhaul how the state determines where students attend public school. A Mercer County judge is expected to decide soon whether the state is responsible for having some of the most segregated schools in the U.S. The case was filed by the Latino Action Network, the NAACP New Jersey State Conference and other nonprofits in 2018. The parties were last in court in March 2022, and while a ruling could come at any time, the court hasn't set any official timetable. … If a judge grants partial summary judgment to the plaintiffs, that would kick off a conversation about what the state needs to do to fix the problem. Finding liability is only the first step, as plaintiffs want to force the state to come up with a plan to fix it” AT LEAST WE CAN AGREE IT’S NOT A UNIVERSITY — Is University Hospital a state agency? State Supreme Court could decide novel question, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: University Hospital in Newark is New Jersey's only public acute care hospital and receives millions every year in state funding. But is it a “state administrative agency”? That’s the key question in a lawsuit the state Supreme court announced last week it would take on. The case could have implications for how legal challenges to University Hospital are handled, with challengers suggesting it could also impact whether the hospital is subject to public procurement laws. The case stems from a dispute in which a pharmacy lost a bid for a University Hospital contract and then challenged the case before a state appellate panel, where decisions from state agencies are typically handled. University Hospital has argued that it does not meet the definition of a “state administrative agency.” Therefore, the hospital argues, the legal challenge is not in the correct venue. — “Does involuntary servitude still exist in NJ? For now, it does — in prisons” —“New Jersey should celebrate the lapse of the corporate business tax” —“Ratepayers remain on hook for nuclear subsidies — for now” | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. 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A WHALE OF A PROBLEM — Offshore wind power woes threaten Biden’s climate goals, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard and Marie French: A grim financial outlook for the country’s offshore wind power industry is threatening President Joe Biden’s most important energy plans. The administration is counting on offshore wind farms to produce at least enough power for 10 million American homes by the end of the decade. Up and down the Northeast — the center of the burgeoning industry — however, energy companies have struggled to finance their projects, going hat in hand to governors and utility regulators asking for more money so they can start building the turbines they have already promised to deliver. The energy developers’ requests have caused unrest in statehouses and among a public wary of already-rising power bills. But without a dramatic increase in offshore wind capacity, there is no way Biden or two of the nation’s greenest Democratic governors — New York’s Kathy Hochul and New Jersey’s Phil Murphy — can hope to meet their climate change goals.
WHO WILL BE CHRISTIE’S RUBIO? — The first GOP debate is Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Who's in so far? By POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro and Steven Shepard: Here's what we know: A number of Republican presidential candidates will debate. Here's what we don't: Which candidates will show up (looking at you, Donald Trump), and which will even qualify to participate. Consider us your guide to the biggest event of the primary so far — one with the power to make or break a GOP hopeful. POLITICO has sorted through the Republican National Committee's complicated set of polling and donation thresholds to give you real-time updates on who will be on stage — and who will be watching from home. —“No jail for N.J. man who watched rioters break into Pelosi’s office on Jan. 6” | | | | A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
SAYREVILLE — “'Sayreville's Tony Soprano': Explosive lawsuit alleges deep political corruption,” by MyCentralJersey’s Suzanne Russell: “former captain in the Sayreville Police Department has sued the borough, alleging his involvement in the case that resulted in bribery and other charges against former Sayreville Democratic Chairman Thomas Pollando led to his being passed over for promotion to police chief last year. Retired Capt. John "Jack" Fitzsimmons has filed suit in Superior Court against the borough and unnamed others … Much of the lawsuit centers around Pollando, 73, the former Sayreville Democratic chairman who has been indicted on bribery, official misconduct and other charges … The lawsuit says Kennedy O'Brien, the former Republican mayor who is running for election this year, referred to Pollando in a June 2023 interview as ‘Sayreville's’ Tony Soprano … Pollando allegedly said he "controls" the Borough Council and regularly meets with Councilwoman Donna Roberts and Sayreville Republican Chairwoman Karen Bailey-Bebert, who served as the campaign manager for slain Borough Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour.”
FEARING DEATH, MURPHY ABANDONS FIXING NJ TRANSIT — “Faux outrage over congestion tolls may be good politics. NJ Transit is still a mess,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Yes, New York’s congestion pricing plan isn’t solely about climate change. It is about plugging up deficits to the cash-challenged MTA as part of an array of stable, dedicated streams of cash. The MTA took a proactive approach to reversing its pandemic-era deficits: It enacted a payroll tax on large businesses that depend on city transit, it will receive portions of new casino tax revenues, and it enacted modest fare increases across its train and subway lines. NJ Transit is also facing a $917 million deficit in 2025, which could prompt layoffs, service cuts and fare increases. So what’s the plan beyond the same-old patchwork funding — and fare-hike avoidance? Not much. ‘We’ll fix it,’ Murphy pledged without elaborating … But the Fort Lee event had really another purpose. It was less about the long-term air quality in the traffic-clogged New York metro region than about clearing a political path for Democrats running for the Legislature this fall with a neurotic fear of losing majority control of both houses.” WELL THERE GO MY VACATION PLANS — “Bridgewater looks to crack down on Airbnb, short-term rentals after house party complaints,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: "If you want to rent a home for a break or vacation in Bridgewater, you may have to stay for a minimum of 30 days. The township is considering an ordinance to require Airbnb and other short-term rental websites to offer rentals for no less than 30 days, Township Administrator Michael Pappas said at the July 20 Township Council meeting. The township's action was prompted by neighborhood complaints about short-term rentals of a house on Gateshead Drive off Papen Road. Neighbors told the Township Council they call the house the ‘Gateshead Hotel.’” IN HUDSON COUNTY POLITICS THIS USUALLY MEANS CHECKING PEOPLE FOR WIRES — “Hoboken 1st Ward council candidate Paul Presinzano rolls out rat control platform,” by POLITICO’s John Heinis: "Hoboken 1st Ward council candidate Paul Presinzano is rolling out his rat control platform, citing public education, waste management, and pest control measures. ‘We have been working together on our block to fix the problem, and it’s working. The problem is not solved house by house but block by block,’ Presinzano said in a statement … Via city ordinance, Presinzano is calling for city-issued, rat-proof garage cans to be distributed to residents and business owners at a reduced cost. Last night, the city council approved a measure allowing the city to provide notice to any property owner in writing that rodent baiting/pest control services are required within seven business days, instead of 14.” —“How many more warehouses will try to make South Jersey home?” —Scarinci: “Ras Baraka’s campaign for NJ Governor will resonate across America” —“Bob Menendez talks Patients Before Middlemen Act in front of Union City pharmacy” | | | | 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 | |
R.I.P. — “Legendary N.J. attorney who defended mobsters, TV stars dies at 82,” by NJ Advance Media’s Richard Cowen: “Miles Feinstein, the flamboyant defense attorney who worked New Jersey courtrooms for nearly 60 years on behalf of accused mobsters, movie stars, and everyday folks accused of breaking the law, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Feinstein, whose client list over the years included the actor Troy Donohue, the reality TV star Joe Guidice, and Philadelphia mob boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo, combined a sharp legal mind with a flair for courtroom theatrics. He kept working until he died Saturday at Morristown Memorial Hospital at the age of 82.”
— “Waiting to cash in those Playboy Casino chips? Well, it's too late now!” —Nurses union strike sends notice to RWJ University Hospital —“Severe thunderstorms hit North Jersey, knocking out power for thousands” —“Grand jury indicts Paterson trio in shooting of state trooper” —“Seton Hall quickly names interim leader after president resigns” —“Harmful algal blooms are back in NJ lakes” | | | | A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey: For more than 90 years, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has been helping make New Jersey healthier by building stronger communities and improving health equity, quality, affordability, and convenience. Horizon is the only health insurer with a dedicated charitable foundation for New Jersey, focused exclusively on partnering with and investing in local organizations that make a difference. We have contributed more than $125 million across New Jersey since 2004 and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has awarded more than 1,800 grants across the state. We are New Jersey’s health solutions leader and the top choice of our state’s businesses and consumers. We are all one community - we care because we are New Jersey. | | | | | | | 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 | | | | |
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