| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind | Good Friday morning! Yesterday I wrote on the ongoing trend to reduce in-person work requirements for workers of companies that got big tax credits. What I didn’t anticipate was the kind of reception the bill got in Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. What had been legislation to make permanent a temporary measure that would require workers to only spend 10 percent of their time in the office — down from 60 percent, which itself was down from 80 percent — has been pared down to a three-month extension. That effectively punted the question of what to do about it to lame duck. But during the committee meeting Thursday, two powerful senators strongly suggested they have no appetite to make the exemption permanent next year. “We did this once before. I’m glad that it’s down to 3 months. I would like to see it expire in its totality,” said Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), who called the policy “counter-intuitive.” “There are unintended consequences when we just evacuate office buildings and keep them empty. So just put up or show up,” she said. Committee chair Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) also said people “need to get back to work.” Meanwhile, the short extension bill passed the Assembly 67-4 with 1 abstention. Anyway, have a good Christmas or holiday of your choice. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com PROGRAMMING NOTE — There will be no New Jersey Playbook next week. I’ll be back in your inboxes Jan. 2. Thanks for reading! HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Mark Di Ionno, Tom Moran, Adam Malamut, Udi Ofer. QUOTE OF THE DAY — “The past year I spent more time blocking and defending for pure nonsense than adding value to our schools … I'm not here to play games and be forced to endure political theater." — Former Barnegat Board of Education President Sean O'Brien, who resigned Tuesday WHERE’S MURPHY? — Out of state “on personal travel” until Jan. 1. |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SOUTH JERSEY TEENS CAN’T WAIT TO VOTE FOR PHANTOM CANDIDATES — Some 17-year-olds likely to be able to vote in 2026 primary, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Legislation to allow some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections has reached Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk. But the “New Voter Empowerment Act,” if signed by the governor, won’t take effect until 2026, when Murphy leaves office … 17-year-olds would be able to vote in a primary if they turn 18 by the general election once the bill takes effect … The Legislature also passed the measure in 2016, but then-Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it … Unlike Christie, the Murphy administration is supportive of the measure
AIN’T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD? — “NJSEA will once again fund an MMA event at Prudential Center. Price tag? $5M,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “For the second time this year, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority seems poised to dedicate millions of dollars to an event at Prudential Center. A resolution the board of commissioners was expected to approve Thursday morning would allocate $5 million to the Newark arena for a mixed martial arts event next summer … The Devils and the Seton Hall men's basketball team are the arena's sole home teams. It also placed fifth for total gross revenues in Pollstar's 2022 annual rankings, topping $85 million. A spokesperson for the Devils said the venue set revenue records in ticketing, sponsorship, groups, entertainment, and food and beverage sales during the 2022-23 season.” CORPORATE TAX BREAKS — “Some businesses got tax credits they didn’t deserve. Why can’t N.J. get the money back?” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Nearly a decade ago, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority awarded Holtec International — a national company that builds nuclear fuel storage systems — $260 million in economic incentives to do business in Camden … But after the state agency tried to withhold Holtec’s credit, alleging that it misrepresented facts in its application for the incentives under the Grow NJ program, the company challenged the decision in court and won. A judge ultimately concluded that Holtec did not mislead the state … The agency has had little apparent success in clawing back funding to companies that have been challenged over the award of millions in grants. ‘The EDA needs to be holding the feet of these people to the fire,’ said Peter Chen, a senior policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective, a progressive think tank long-opposed to tax incentives for corporations. ‘There needs to be more accountability.’” LIQUOR LICENSE REFORM — Liquor license compromise could still come for lame duck, lawmakers say, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Legislation on liquor license reform, as well as lifting restrictions for the state’s breweries, could still emerge during the Legislature’s lame duck period, according to Democratic lawmakers. Negotiations are ongoing that could include a new bill lifting restrictions on breweries and narrowly opening up liquor licenses available in the state, according to two Senate Democrats — and could come by the end of the legislative session in early January. Senate President Nick Scutari told reporters on Thursday that he was looking to address the issue, although a compromise with the governor's office would have to be “narrow.” FAMILY LEAVE — Assembly passes Coughlin-backed family leave expansion but Scutari has concerns, by Daniel: The Assembly on Thursday passed a bill that would expand job-protected family leave to employees at some of the state’s smallest employers, although it faces skepticism from the Senate’s top lawmaker. The Assembly passed the bill, A5166 (22R), along party lines. The New Jersey Family Leave Act requires employers with at least 30 employees to provide 12 weeks of job-protected family leave in a 24-month period. The bill that passed Thursday — and has the backing of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin — would gradually lower that threshold to employers with five or more employees … Senate President Nick Scutari on Thursday expressed skepticism of the proposal. "I think small businesses have a lot to be concerned about with the version of the bill that I saw," he said. —Telehealth pay parity bill heads to Murphy's desk ahead of expiration
THE CANADIAN VERSION IS CALLED ‘SD EH?’ — Assembly overwhelmingly passes bill to overhaul SDA, by POLITICO’s Lawrence Ukenye: The state Assembly on Thursday passed a bill that would reform the New Jersey Schools Development Authority — an agency mired with millions of dollars in backlogged maintenance for the state’s urban, low-income schools and no money for new projects. The bill, A-4496, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, advanced on a 68-6 margin. It would require SDA-funded projects to meet certain specifications and provide loans to aging charter and renaissance school facilities, new additions to how the state funds the agency.
—It’s now up to Murphy whether teens should face fines for drinking —“N.J. Legislature approves a bill that would require schools to teach a class about grief, loss, and coping” —“Bill requiring union notification in fatal police encounters draws reformers’ ire” —“NJEA push to change how and when teachers are evaluated gets pushback” —“Assembly approves expanding family leave law to all but N.J.’s smallest businesses” | | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Atlantic Shores is generating cleaner air, cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, and a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Jerseyans. Led by a team with deep roots in environmental science, the company's first project will decrease polluting greenhouse gases by 4 million tons every year. Plus, Atlantic Shores is investing $50 million in community partnerships like New Jersey's Research and Monitoring Initiative to support the responsible management of marine and coastal resources. Learn more. | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
WOMP WOMP, THAT’S THE SOUND OF DA POLICE — “Most people call the police once or twice in their lives. Not when you're Nadine Menendez,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko and Kristie Cattafi: “She has called or visited her local Englewood Cliffs Police Department at least 18 times in the past 14 years, according to records obtained by NorthJersey.com. The behavior started before — and continued after — she dated and married Sen. Bob Menendez. She contacted the police when a neighbor ran over the cement flower pot at the end of her driveway. She contacted the police when she saw suspicious cars on her street. She contacted the police when she received annoying texts. She contacted the police when she received a flurry of calls from blocked numbers. She contacted the police to allege a former boyfriend cut the cable wire to her home. She even contacted the Englewood Cliffs police when she was driving in other North Jersey towns to say she thought she was being followed … Among the items Arslanian Menendez allegedly received in the bribery scheme was a 2019 Mercedes-Benz. She had totaled her previous car when — while she was behind the wheel — her vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian. In that instance, it took her five minutes to call the police, records show.”
SURELY THE BOSS SYSTEM SHE’S RELYING ON PLAYED NO PART IN THE LACK OF FEMALE SENATORS — “Tammy Murphy leans heavily on ‘history’-making message,” by InsiderNJ: “History. That’s the Tammy Murphy hook, at least by the reckoning of sources who showed up at Joe Jacobs’ house Tuesday night for a gander at the First Lady, while chipping in some dollars to her United States Senate campaign. Criticized by fellow Democrats as an example of nepotism and hardly an inspiring replacement for the infernally jammed-up Bob Menendez, Murphy nonetheless pressed forward with what Democrats in her inner circle see as a slam dunk message. It’s this: If elected, she would be the first woman from New Jersey in the United States Senate. She pointed that out, and Jacobs doubled down. Isn’t it disgraceful, ladies and gentlemen, he said, to think that it’s only happening now.” ECO-FRIENDLY NEW BOOK IS MADE OF RECYCLED PULP FROM UNSOLD COPIES OF CHRISTIE'S PREVIOUS BOOK — “Chris Christie’s next book, coming in February, asks ‘What Would Reagan Do?’” by The AP: “Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a candidate for the Republican nomination for president, has a book coming out next year on the legacy of a GOP hero — former President Ronald Reagan. Threshold Editions, a conservative imprint at Simon & Schuster, announced Tuesday that it will publish 'What Would Reagan Do?: Life Lessons from the Last Great President' on Feb. 6.” REVENGEZ— Sen. Menendez blocks two ag-related nominees at 11th hour, by POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) prevented the Senate confirmation of two ag-related nominees this week. The two fairly non-controversial nominations were set to be confirmed by voice vote in the Senate Wednesday afternoon, but Menendez objected just beforehand, derailing the effort to fast-track the confirmations and leaving senators and aides no time to reorganize before lawmakers left for the holidays … A spokesperson for Menendez confirmed the senator blocked the nominations of Basil Gooden for USDA undersecretary of rural development and Summer Mersinger, who was renominated for a commissioner role the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The spokesperson said the senator did so in protest of the Biden administration’s “lack of responsiveness” to Menendez and other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during the ongoing talks with Republicans to pass a supplemental spending bill for Ukraine aide in exchange for border security funding. —“Menendez seeks delay of corruption trial” —“Chris Smith’s 2022 Democratic opponent will run again” | | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
NO SAL-VATION — “N.J. opens civil rights probe after Clark racism scandal,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “Rocked by a racism scandal and criminal charges against its sitting mayor, the Union County township of Clark now faces a fresh probe by the state Division on Civil Rights into whether town officials did enough to fix problems highlighted in a scathing grand jury report. State civil rights investigators formally notified the township of their inquiry on Thursday … Both inquiries stem from secret recordings made by a police lieutenant capturing longtime Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, the police chief and other officers using racial slurs and making other discriminatory statements … Among the issues being probed is the pattern of traffic stops and arrests in Clark, a suburb that has long held a reputation as a “sundown town” where minorities aren’t welcome after dark. The state report found 44% of people arrested in Clark were Black, even though the township is 93% white”
DO NOTHING AC — “Public housing tenants beg City Council for action on Atlantic City Housing Authority,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Stanley Holmes Village tenants and advocates jeered and argued with City Council Wednesday night over its refusal to hold hearings about the lack of heat and other poor conditions in Atlantic City Housing Authority projects … Council President Aaron ‘Sporty’ Randolph has said at past meetings he will not bring the board members council appointed to the Housing Authority board in to answer questions under oath. ‘We'll do the same thing we’ve been doing,’ Randolph said again Wednesday … ‘Nothing!’ hollered some in the audience.” JACKSON — “Bias or vandalism? 'War zone' damage at Jackson Messianic Jewish congregation building,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “When Rabbi Jan Rosenberg was called to check out vandalism at his congregation's property on West Veterans Highway, he expected the usual. There would likely be some physical damage, even the possibility of objectionable graffiti. What he encountered was a ‘war zone,’ with as many as 60 broken windows, including the front door, and the distinct smell of fireworks someone had shot off indoors … What remains unclear are the motivations that led to the incident, far from the first time vandals have defaced a building that the congregation, called Beth Zion, has long hoped to convert into a synagogue … While Jackson has a growing Orthodox Jewish community, Beth Zion is a Messianic Jewish congregation. Messianic Judaism teaches Jewish law but also regards Jesus Christ as the Messiah.” FINCH OUT OF THE CAGE — “Jury acquits fired Paterson cop Spencer Finch; lawyer calls him a 'hero',’ by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Minutes after a Passaic County jury acquitted Spencer Finch on Thursday afternoon, his lawyer called the former Paterson police officer 'a hero … who saved lives' by intervening in a volatile domestic dispute. ‘This is exactly what innocence looks like,’ Finch’s lawyer, Eric Kleiner, said outside the courtroom … Kleiner said Capt. Susan Bonds in the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office should be fired for her role in the case against Finch and that Mayor Andre Sayegh 'should be impeached' for terminating the 17-year veteran officer before the case went to trial … The recordings showed Finch intervene while the other officer was talking to the man, who was screaming in the hallway, arguing over the phone with the mother of his two children who was inside one of the apartments. The videos showed Finch slap the man, after which a fight ensued. Finch has testified he hit the man, Brandon Cosby, because Cosby made a fist and seemed ready to strike him.” WOULDN’T CHICK-FIL-A CAUSE HARM TO THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY? — “Cinnaminson business owner wins court fight to keep her properties,” by WHYY’s P. Kenneth Burns: “A property must not only appear in poor condition to be deemed blighted; it must also significantly harm the community. This, from the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, which ruled in favor of Thao Le. The court reversed the eminent domain order by Cinnaminson Township … For more than a year, the township has been trying to take control of the parcels next door to her cabinetry business to aid in building a Chick-Fil-A restaurant and small plaza … Timothy Duggan, chairman of the eminent domain and property valuation group at the law firm Stark and Stark, said the decision affirms that even if buildings are vacant and not in good shape, municipalities will have to show that they are ‘causing harm to the safety, health, morals, and welfare of the community.’” —“Newark Considers Lowering Voting Age for School Board Elections to 16” —“[Penns Grove] cop indicted on charges he severely injured 2-year-old at his home” —“Fired [Camden] teacher will get $175K settlement after claiming age discrimination” —“Paterson schools remain closed after storm, flooding; will reopen in January” | | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is generating cleaner air, cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, and a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Jerseyans.
Led by a team of purpose-driven professionals with deep roots in environmental science, the company's first project will result in a reduction of 4 million tons of greenhouse gases every year, which is equivalent to pulling 770,000 cars off the road.
Plus, Atlantic Shores is investing $50 million in community development partnerships like New Jersey's Research and Monitoring Initiative to support the responsible management of marine and coastal resources.
The Atlantic Shores team is committed to helping New Jersey reach its clean energy goals and improving the environment for communities throughout the state. Learn more about the current project, which is just the first phase of a long-term commitment to making New Jersey a national leader in clean energy. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
I SUPPORT A FIRST AMENDMENT EXEMPTION TO BAN THE JINGLE — “Kars4Kids facing $7 million infringement ruling,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “Most people know the jingle right away. And the name, Kars4Kids, has become both the object of support from the charities receiving its financial donations, as well as scorn, from those sick of hearing that musical pitch. What few may know, however, is that the name, Kars4Kids (with a K), has been the subject of a bitter legal battle for nearly a decade involving a Texas-based charity using a similar name, Cars For Kids (with a C). But a solution may finally be at hand after a recent court hearing offered hope for a conclusion to what observers see as a test case for copyright law and charitable fundraising.”
—“Designing the future of NJ’s flood-prone lands”
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