| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Tuesday morning! Gov. Phil Murphy was loudly booed last weekend at a Red Bank bar during a concert by Brian Kirk & the Jirks, with Kirk scolding the crowd for booing his friend. After the video was posted by conservative blogger Matt Rooney, several news outlets, at least early on mostly right-leaning, picked it up. Some speculated about the reasons for the boos. “With a widely unpopular plan in place to install hundreds of wind turbines, Murphy’s popularity has taken a nose dive among New Jersey residents,” NJ 101.5 wrote. (Murphy’s popularity has fallen according to one recent poll, but it’s what anyone should call a “nose dive” and there’s no reason to believe it’s related to windmills, which according to the one recent poll on the subject isn’t “widely unpopular” but arguably slightly unpopular). Fox News in their headline mentioned the chorus of boos in a “deep blue state,” suggesting that Murphy is very unpopular even with Democrats. Should Democratic state Sen. Vin Gopal, a top Republican target who represents Red Bank, be worried? Is this a sign of a red wave this November, notwithstanding Murphy’s claim that the booing wasn’t all that bad? Polls, while often flawed, are a more reliable way to measure a politician’s popularity than a single negative public reception. But that doesn’t mean the latter should be ignored entirely. In the run up to the 2021 election, there were signs of an enthusiasm gap favoring the Republicans that probably augured the GOP’s better-than-expected showing at the polls. If Murphy continues to be met with hostile crowds s, that could be a sign of something to come. But you really shouldn’t read much into one incident. This is Monmouth County, after all. Red Bank is a blue town, but Monmouth County at large is and has long been red, and it seems unlikely that most of the crowd came from Red Bank itself. Murphy was also reportedly booed at a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship event at Newark. That’s not exactly surprising, considering the political leanings of that fandom’s demographic. So if this is any sign of things to come, you’ll see more of it. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “ I was born here … I guess I had a really good time; I don't remember the exact moment. But I've been here before, visited the place. I've probably had splinters taken out here." — Danny DeVito after donating $500,000 to Jersey Shore Medical Center HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Missed yesterday: Lori Ciesla WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule
| | | | JOIN 7/11 FOR A TALK ON THE FAA’S FUTURE: Congress is making moves to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act, laying the groundwork for the FAA’s long-term agenda to modernize the aviation sector to meet the challenges of today and innovate for tomorrow. Join POLITICO on July 11 to discuss what will make it into the final reauthorization bill and examine how reauthorization will reshape FAA’s priorities and authorities. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | DON’T PANIC! THE FOOTBALL COACH WILL STILL MAKE MILLIONS — Rutgers University to raise costs for tuition, fees, meals and housing, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: "Rutgers University on Monday approved increasing student tuition and fees by 6 percent each. The university’s Board of Governors also approved raising meal plans by 7 percent and student housing by 5 percent. That means the typical in-state arts and sciences undergraduate will pay an average of $387 more per semester for tuition, from $6,450 to $6,837. Mandatory fees will increase about $100 per semester for those students, according to the university. … The rising costs to students and families follows a large infusion of state aid approved by state lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy to help pay for new four-year faculty contracts and other costs. The contracts will cost $184 million over that period, which includes retroactive payments for the 2023 fiscal year that just ended." —Rutgers approves medical school merger HE’S THE ONE THEY CALL DR. FEELBAD (ABOUT THE BOOING) — Murphy signs long-awaited prescription drug package, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signed prescription drug legislation he'd called for since early in his second term. The three bills Murphy signed: — Caps out of pocket costs for insulin, epinephrine auto-injectors and prescription asthma inhalers — Creates a new council to study prescription drug pricing — Requires data reporting from businesses across the prescription drug supply chain — And requires licensure and tighter regulations on pharmacy benefits managers, who are often referred to as the middlemen of the prescription drug supply chain. The prescription drug package was one of Murphy’s first major policy initiatives he announced at the start of his second term SO MUCH PORK THAT IS-EG HALAL’S CONTRACT WITH EGYPT COULD BE IN JEOPARDY — “In a last-minute budget, we find NJ Democrats' real priority: Retaining power,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “How does a New Jersey state budget grow from $53 billion to more than $54 billion virtually overnight, with no public input or debate? By restocking the Democratic Party's Reelection Protection Fund — the assortment of line items added to the budget at the last minute that could help Trenton's ruling-party incumbents as they hit the campaign trail. Come November, they will be trying to defend their majorities in both the state Senate and the Assembly, as all 120 seats in the Legislature are on the ballot. The budget became bloated with an extra $1.27 billion in spending last week, after the Democrats running the table in Trenton approved a spending plan without actually having the bill ready. Party leaders shrugged off the complaints, yawned and went about business as usual by including the ‘legislative grants’ or ‘add-ons,’ which are just euphemisms for pork barrel spending. … There is the $10 million chunk of no-strings-attached ‘operating’ aid sent to North Bergen, the fief of state Sen. Nicholas Sacco, a North Jersey power broker for decades … Another big winner in the pork sweepstakes is Cliffside Park, which nabbed $15 million for a library and recreation annex project. Certainly, a nice election-year prize for Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, the Democrat from Cliffside Park.” —“With 2024 spending plan in place, Trenton turns attention to 2025” EDUCATION — “New Jersey charter schools seek equal treatment to fund their buildings,” by WHYY’s P. Kenneth Burns: “If a pipe bursts at one of the two locations that Foundation Academies operates in Trenton, they will have to pay for it. … The school is also responsible for larger building needs such as a roof replacement or classroom renovations. They get no help from the state … New Jersey law prevents charter schools such as Foundation Academies from accessing state funds to address capital needs. [School COO Andre] Moore said the situation is ‘frustrating and unfair’ because the money they currently receive could be allocated to enhance the education of their students. … A bill in the Legislature, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, seeks to provide a lane for charter and renaissance schools to get funding for buildings. Assembly Bill 4496 would allow charter and renaissance schools to compete for a portion of the school construction budget from the state.” —“All accounts considered, Jersey City Mayor Fulop has raised over $13M for gov’s race” —“Bucco objects to governor’s energy plan”
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KIND OF LIKE DAVID SAMSON’S BRIBERY PLEA DEAL? — ”Chris Christie says he has doubts over Hunter Biden investigation: Either 'a lie' or 'incompetent',” by The Asbury Park Press’ Ken Tran: “Former New Jersey Governor and Republican presidential hopeful Chris Christie in an interview raised questions about Hunter Biden’s plea deal and went after the five-year criminal investigation into him. ‘U.S. attorney (David) Weiss has to explain himself, and he has to explain himself in public,’ Christie said on ‘Fox News Sunday,’ alleging ‘this investigation into Hunter Biden in Delaware is either a lie or is incompetent.’ President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, agreed to plead guilty to two counts of tax evasion and a pretrial program for a gun offense, which could see a separate gun charge dismissed. The plea deal was the culmination of a five-year criminal investigation – a result Christie said he had serious doubts about.”
—“The Right Whale: Do politics trump extinction for NJ delegation? | Opinion” —: “Gottheimer: ‘I don’t like to lose to the moochers’” —Signorello will announce change of plans, drop Menendez challenge on Thursday | | LOCAL | |
CANNON RELOADED — “Why Red Bank borough attorney was rehired one year after firing,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Olivia Liu: “Nearly a year after his termination, Gregory Cannon was reappointed Red Bank’s borough attorney. His confirmation helped mark a transition from the borough form of government to the new council-manager system. Councilwoman Kate Triggiano called the reappointment “a wrong righted.” In July 2022, Cannon was fired by the previous council majority — a move that blind-sided former Mayor Pasquale Menna, who was informed of the decision shortly before that July council meeting. Former councilmember Edward Zipprich, who headed the former majority, declined to state his reason for firing Cannon at the time, but said, ‘I lost full faith and confidence in Greg’s ability to perform his duties.’”
IT’S 5 A.M. SOMEWHERE — “Hoboken council to consider hiking max salaries for police and fire chiefs, and 5 a.m. opening for bars,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “A Hoboken police chief earning $290,000 annually? A fire chief collecting $260,000 per year? It could happen some day if the Hoboken City Council approves an ordinance that would make the maximum salary for police chief nearly $300,000 and the raise the maximum fire chief salary by $61,000. … Also up for introduction would be an expansion on how early bars and restaurants can sell alcohol during the FIFA World Cup, similar to last year’s men’s World Cup tournament, when the city allowed establishments to open as early as 8 a.m. … Establishments would be allowed sell as early as 5 a.m., but the city administration and police department would recommend to the board what the extended hours should be on a year by year basis, as well as other rules 'to ensure public safety and minimize disruptions during this time.'” WARREN — “Warren teacher sent afro wig, white face paint to multiracial student's home, suit says,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: “The parents of a Woodland School student have filed suit against the Warren school district alleging that a teacher sent a black Afro-style wig and white face paint to the student who is multiracial. … On July 9, 2021, the lawsuit contends, the 7-year-old student received an Amazon package containing the wig and white face paint. When the package did not have a return address, the student’s mother contacted Amazon which confirmed the teacher had sent it, the lawsuit alleges. …The parents also notified the school administration and school board about the incident, but no investigation was conducted in what the parents claim was a violation of the state's Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) laws, the lawsuit says." PENNSVILLE— “Did South Jersey police ignore cries to help dying man? Lawsuit could seek answer,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “Police officers ignored cries to help a man who was fighting for breath in a holding cell and later died, says an attorney for the man’s estate. Walter S. Zilinski Jr. was the victim of multiple civil rights violations before his death on Feb. 10, according to a tort claim notice filed by attorney Jeffrey Puff of Woodbury. The notice indicates the estate may seek damages of $2 million. …According to the Attorney General's Office, a state law requires an investigation into the death of someone in police custody. The agency has not announced an investigation in this case, and did not respond to requests for information. Zilinski and [two] women were taken to Pennsville’s police department, where he struggled to breathe. According to the notice, “The women were yelling, 'Oh my god, somebody help him. You guys have got to help him!'” It contends no police officer came to Zilinski’s aid in response to the women’s statements, and that one Pennsville police officer said Zilinski ‘probably swallowed drugs or was faking in order to go to the hospital instead of prison.’” — “Toms River's likely next mayor doesn't want downtown apartments. But can he stop them?” —“Ocean County GOP commissioner takes heat for backing Democratic prosecutor” —“Point Pleasant's detective commander caught on surveillance shoplifting at Walmart: cops” —“Drinking water source for South Jersey grows from Green Acres purchase” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
COMPANY ACCUSED OF ACTING LIKE THE THING ITS NAME IS A EUPHEMISM FOR — “Johnson and Johnson bankruptcy claim is a ruse to limit liability, cancer victims say,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Critics say the company — worth over $400 billion — is far from bankrupt and instead just wants to keep their cases from being heard by juries. Maryland-based attorney Jonathan Ruckdeschel, who has filed several lawsuits against J&J, said such a strategy forces plaintiffs into a collectively negotiated, judicially enforced settlement and removes their Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. ‘What they’re trying to do is cram everybody into a one-size-fits-all mandatory settlement that nobody has the choice to opt in or out of, and if you dissent, too bad. And they can bind all the future plaintiffs as well,’ said Ruckdeschel …
"J&J has denied its products are harmful but quit selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 ‘because of changes in consumer habit’ that were ‘fueled by misinformation.’ Erik Haas, J&J’s worldwide vice president of litigation, said in April the cancer claims ‘are specious and lack scientific merit’ Haas told the New Jersey Monitor through a spokesman that the bankruptcy approach has the support of attorneys representing the vast majority of claimants and would allow them to be fairly compensated in a timely manner.” HEALTH — “Rate of NJ Black women dying during pregnancy, childbirth doubled. Here's why,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “Data published last week in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that the maternal mortality rate among Black women increased to 110 per 100,000 births between 2010 and 2019, compared with 54.5 between 1999 and 2009 …Black and Native American maternity deaths rose 102%, followed by white women at 95%, Hispanics by 66% and Asians by 39%, confirming that New Jersey has had one of the country's worst overall maternal mortality rates despite ranking high nationally in income level, education and health care. … Gov. Phil Murphy's administration and the New Jersey Hospital Association have focused on reducing the rate. Some progress has been made.” —“NJCU kills plans for $90 million Guarini Performing Arts Center — ‘budget realities’ cited” —“How a tree dispute between New Jersey neighbors took over the internet” —“New Jersey Jackals attendance has fallen since moving to Hinchliffe. What's being said”
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