| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind | Good Wednesday morning! The county line may have its work cut out for it in 2024. You should never make too much out of one poll, let alone an internal poll. But a survey released by Andy Kim’s campaign Tuesday that shows him with a 23-point lead over First Lady Tammy Murphy can’t just be dismissed. It fits a pattern. Other pro-Kim released polls earlier showing Kim with a strong lead over the yet-to-be-declared Tammy Murphy. And a Monmouth County straw poll of local Democratic officials also showed Kim leading Murphy 2-1. From my experience talking to Democrats in New Jersey there’s an enthusiasm gap. Kim has to have real enthusiasm behind his campaign. Even the Democrats I’ve talked to who have endorsed Murphy aren’t really thrilled about her candidacy, particularly the nepotism angle. Still, it’s six months out. Murphy has plenty of time to make up the gap and can raise a lot of money to do it. She’ll also likely have the bulk of the country organization lines, which should give her a significant advantage come primary day in June. But looking at this situation, if anyone is positioned to beat the line, or form his own, it’s Kim. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Shama Haider, Holly Schepisi, Ryan Berger, Mike Frassinelli, John Froonjian, Cyndy Gallenthin, Jennifer Vail QUOTE OF THE DAY — ”These types of shenanigans are detrimental to our democracy and totally unacceptable.” — Antoinette Miles of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance on the shadowy super PAC Jersey Freedom, which promoted alleged “phantom candidates” WHERE’S MURPHY? — Nothing on his public schedule
| | | | 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. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
JERSEY FIEFDOM — ELEC votes to intervene in Republicans’ ‘Jersey Freedom’ lawsuit, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: New Jersey’s campaign finance watchdog on Tuesday said it plans to intervene in a Republican lawsuit against a shadowy Democratic super PAC that promoted alleged “phantom candidates” in South Jersey. “We’ve been concerned with recent allegations and issues that have come up with novel interpretations of this nascent law," Election Law Enforcement Commission Chair Tom Prol said, referring to the new NJ A4372 (22R). "As a commission we intend to be out front on these issues …" … Prol announced that ELEC would seek to file an amicus brief in the lawsuit against the group, Jersey Freedom, to “offer the court guidance with our experience, our knowledge.” While ELEC will not formally take sides in the lawsuit, its involvement is a blow to Jersey Freedom’s attempt to get the lawsuit dismissed. Its attorney, Bill Tambussi — who frequently represents South Jersey Democrats, including power broker George Norcross — had argued that ELEC was the proper venue to hear the GOP’s challenge to the organization.
FULBOCOP — Fulop targets bail reform, police oversight and repeat offenders in criminal justice plan, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop would crack down on repeat criminals, tweak the state's bail system and allow civilian oversight of police departments across New Jersey if elected governor, according to a public safety and criminal justice plan he released Tuesday. … Fulop supports the reforms of 2014 that all but eliminated cash bail in New Jersey but said it has led to unintended consequences that have allowed repeat offenders to brazenly commit more crimes knowing they will most likely be released from jail. He proposes increasing resources to county prosecutors and getting "serious" about increasing the number of judges in the state, which has faced a massive shortage the last several years. HOUSING — “Evictions drive homelessness in NJ. Here's how a new state office is tackling that,” by The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak: “A new office designed to prevent evictions in New Jersey — one of the top drivers of homelessness in the state — has reached more than 20,000 families in its first two years, providing legal counsel, help with access to government aid and financial assistance, or guidance in navigating the court process. Formed as part of the August 2021 legislation that wound down the state’s nearly two-year ban on evictions, the state Office of Eviction Prevention oversees a statewide operation of 48 people from 16 social services and legal agencies led by director Dean Dafis, who is also the mayor of Maplewood.” BUT HE DOES KNOW THAT HE LOVES YOU — Murphy’s BPU nominee says he doesn’t know much about offshore wind, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominee to join the state’s Board of Public Utilities, Michael Bange, said he needs more background before forming an opinion about offshore wind. Bange said he has a “strong water background” after a career at New Jersey American Water but was unable to give any details about the energy industry in response to a pair of questions Monday from Sen. Michael Testa … Testa pressed Bange on whether he’d read any stories or seen anything about offshore wind on social media. Bange instead said he’d seen wind farms on mountains during a visit to Portugal. He was referring to land-based wind energy that is a significant source of clean energy in that country but is not offshore wind.” —“Wind farm off New Jersey likely to ‘adversely affect’ but not kill whales, feds say,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry “In a biological opinion issued Monday night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the Atlantic Shores project, to be built off the state’s southern coast, is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species of endangered whales, sea turtles, or fish. Nor is it anticipated to destroy or adversely modify any designated critical habitat, the agency said. The ruling is nearly identical to one the agency issued in April for the now-canceled Ocean Wind I and II projects, which would have been built in the same general area … With proposed protective measures in place for the project, NOAA predicted that ‘all effects to North Atlantic right whales will be limited to temporary behavioral disturbance.’”
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | THE ELECTION’S OVER. THEY CAN PASS IT —“NJ Turnpike Authority has no budget heading into 2024. Will toll hike veto stick?” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is hurtling toward 2024 without a budget. The tolling authority has not revisited the budget two months after Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed the item from the October minutes — a version that included a 3% toll increase. Murphy said he issued the veto because he needed more information about the toll increases — even though his new chief of staff is also chair of the turnpike board. The veto was widely criticized as a political maneuver before the November election. "The current budget remains in effect into next year until a new budget is adopted," Tom Feeney, a Turnpike Authority spokesman, said Tuesday … The absence of toll increases could affect the authority's credit rating” ENVIRONMENT — Paper giant Marcal wants out of N.J.'s clean energy requirement, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Marcal Paper Products, one of New Jersey's oldest manufacturers, is asking lawmakers to exempt the company from state clean energy standards. A bill to grant the exemption, NJ A5813 (22R), is up for a vote Thursday on the Assembly floor and is drawing criticism from state environmental groups, setting up another clash between union jobs and environmental groups. Opponents said the bill applies specifically to Marcal and is "unnecessary and self-serving." … The bill would allow the company to buy power that doesn’t subsidize clean energy projects by exempting it from the state's renewable portfolio standard. MAY THE SCHWARTZ BE AGAINST YOU — “N.J. Turnpike Authority OKs $149M for design of bridges that are part of controversial widening project,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “The controversial $10.6 billion project to widen the New Jersey Turnpike extension through Hudson County took a big step forward Tuesday with approval of a $149.6 million contract to do final designs on the twin bridges that would replace the aging span over Newark Bay. … The contract with Parsons is for final design and preparation of construction documents for the Newark Bay bridge replacement and several approach structures. … Before the vote, commissioners heard from opponents who urged them to put off the vote until hearing from the public. ‘We have a lot of congestion. I’m a driver and we know the highway brought more congestion,’ said Tania Schwartz of Jersey City. ‘The bridge will add more cars and lanes.’ Schwartz questioned the need for the plan when New York City is trying to limit traffic to lower Manhattan through its congestion pricing plan.” — “Bar part-time officials from full-time perks, incoming N.J. lawmaker says” —“Senate panel delays vote on bill to allow ex-offenders to sit on juries” —“Clearing up the confusion around fusion” —“CarePoint says they will need $130M in state funding to operate ‘at an optimal pace’” —“NJ Transit bought 53 acres in North Jersey for a huge bus garage. Where do things stand?” —“Maisha Moore named CRDA interim executive director”
| | | | 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. | | | | | LOCAL | |
SILENCING THE LAMB — “Ocean County Prosecutor survives attempt to kill his reappointment in NJ Senate,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “A last-minute effort by critics of Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer to torpedo his reappointment before the state Senate Judiciary Committee has failed, with the panel voting unanimously on Monday to release his nomination to the full upper chamber of the Legislature …Ashley Lamb accused Billhimer of ‘stalking’ her on Facebook … by periodically looking at content she posted there. ‘On Oct. 6, 2022, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office came to our home to interview our roommate,’ Lamb said. ‘On this very morning, Prosecutor Billhimer was on my Facebook page.’ … In his rebuttal to Lamb, Billhimer said: ‘I don’t even know what that means, ‘stalking’ somebody on social media. I’ve never stalked anyone in person or on social media, in my life. Apparently, we are friends on social media. I’m sure we won’t be after today, and that’s fine.’ Rhetorically, Billhimer questioned how simply seeing content posted publicly on social media could be considered stalking in the first place.”
BAD LIEUTENANT — “Lieutenant for Bergen prosecutor faces multiple charges for removal of narcotics evidence,” by The Record’s Lucas Frau: “A lieutenant from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office is being accused of removing narcotics evidence, including cocaine and fentanyl, from storage without lawful authorization and later returning the drugs but in "substantially different" conditions, officials said. Kevin T. Matthew, 47, of Cedar Grove, has been charged with official misconduct, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and structuring financial transactions according to authorities, the Attorney General announced Tuesday.” NEWARK — “At five Newark schools, only one third grader passed the state reading exam,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Therese Jacob: “At Hawkins Street School 64 third graders took the state reading exam last Spring. Just one passed. It wasn’t any better at Quitman Street School, where one out of 53 third graders passed the exam. Same at George Washington Carver, where out of the 50 third graders, only one passed. Out of 39 students tested in third grade at Alma Flagg School, one passed. Similarly, one out of 14 students passed at Ironbound Academy, a new school in the East Ward. … In September, the Newark district revealed that overall, 19% of third graders in Newark passed the reading exam, unchanged from the year before. Hidden in averages, however, is the fact that some schools are far above 19% and some schools are far below.” ANYONE KNOW A GOOD CARPENTER? — “Controversial cross-shaped pier at Jersey Shore closed for safety inspection,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rob Jennings: “A new $2 million pier on the Jersey Shore that drew controversy after it was built in the shape of a Christian cross has been temporarily closed due to a loose piling, local officials said. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which opened the 500-foot-long pier in April, announced the closure last week, but has not specified a reopening date. ‘The construction company and the engineers have been made aware that a single piling is loose,’ the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association posted on Facebook. … The cross-shaped design of the pier has drawn criticism from some residents who say the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has inserted too much religious symbolism into spaces used by the public in the seaside resort.” —“State pledges $19 million in redevelopment funding to Atlantic City” —“Wayne declares state of emergency with many streets flooded and impassable” —“CRDA approves subsidy for Atlantic City food store” —“Senate panel delays vote on bill to allow ex-offenders to sit on juries” —“Neptune to choose new committeeman from these three, including one fired from school job” —“State helps Atlantic City buy property insurance on time, after council can't get quorum” —“Saddle River Board of Education appoints defeated incumbent to unexpired term” —“Perth Amboy man sues over prison time for crime he didn't commit” —[Newark] settles false arrest suit for $800K”
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EL NIÑO — “Why did this week's rainstorm hit North Jersey so hard? It could be El Niño,” by The Record’s Manahil Ahmad: “In the aftermath of this week's storm that dumped 4 to 5 inches of rain across North Jersey, some meteorological experts attribute its intensity to a distinctive El Niño pattern. El Niño, characterized by a split jet stream with northern and southern branches, played a pivotal role in shaping the weather conditions during this event. According to Bob Ziff of North Jersey Weather Observers, the northern branch of the jet stream acted as a barrier, keeping cold air at bay. Simultaneously, the active southern branch funneled mild air and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico up the East Coast, contributing to the substantial rainfall in Morris County.”
DEATH CAP FOR CUTIE — “Poisonous mushrooms sickened 159 in N.J. this year amid foraging renaissance,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “This year saw 159 people exposed to poisonous wild mushrooms in the Garden State, according to the latest data from New Jersey Poison Control Center. That’s up 22% from last year, which had 130 reported cases of exposure to poisonous mushrooms. But, the increase is not considered alarming, said Dr. Bruce Ruck, managing director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. ‘The number bounces around every year,’ said Ruck.” —“NJ's 2023 bear hunt totals rank among the highest in the past decade —“Fire destroys house surrounded by floodwater in Lincoln Park; woman rescued”
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