| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | | Good Friday morning! Legislation to raise the salaries of top officials and staff in all three branches of government advanced yesterday in what so far has been a relatively uneventful lame duck session. The bill didn’t have much trouble making it through Senate and Assembly committees, though it got no support from Republicans, who in the Assembly spoke out strongly against it. Retiring state Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) noted lawmakers haven’t had a raise in more than 20 years, and that if their salaries had been adjusted for inflation would have been $86,000 today — more than the $82,000 the bill proposes for lawmakers' salaries. Those new salaries will take effect in 2026. Under the bill, the next governor’s salary would be $210,000 — an amount cabinet members would immediately earn, along with the four legislative executive directors. Legislators would have $150,000 to pay their office staff, a modest increase. And the consumer price index adjustment for judicial salaries, set to end in 2025, would be extended to 2027. This is one of the most high-profile bills that appears poised to make it through barring any surprise legislation, along with a paid family leave expansion and very limited liquor license reform. Affordable housing reform, while it continues to advance in the Assembly, hasn’t moved in the Senate. If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have been confident that lawmakers would try to shove a bill overhauling the Open Public Records Act through lame duck. But it’s clear now that it will be pushed off to the next legislative session. When I called a lawmaker about it yesterday, he teased me for not being able to write a story complaining that they rushed it through. But hey, I’ll gladly trade that for a more transparent legislative process. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Amanda Gasperino De Palma, Jeff Hauser. QUOTE OF THE DAY #1 — “If you think people in Legislature are struggling, you need not go further than the Legislature’s parking lot to see the vehicles with Assembly plates on them and be assured you’re doing quite well.” — Assemblymember Brian Bergen (R-Morris) during the Appropriations Committee debate over the pay raise bill. QUOTE OF THE DAY #2 — "For the record, I drive a 2007 Camry.” — Assemblymember Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer). WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Somerville at 3 p.m. for a swearing-in ceremony |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
MISSED THE BUS — New Jersey considered $5 million to handle migrant influx but didn’t follow through, records show, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration considered setting aside $5 million in federal Covid-19 aid for a “rapid response plan” for migrants coming into the state from the southern border last summer but the plan never came to fruition, according to records and his office. That proposal, mentioned in a June application to use relief funds and obtained by POLITICO through a public records request, was in anticipation of “an influx” of migrants with the lifting of so-called Title 42 restrictions a month earlier … Murphy spokesperson Tyler Jones, referring to the $5 million requested by Human Services, said in a statement to POLITICO that “to date, no American Rescue Plan funds have been distributed for this purpose … Murphy’s office declined to comment on whether such a proposal could come back or if it has resurfaced due to migrants passing through the state en route to New York City.
—Eric Adams sues for $700 million from Texas bus companies in latest move against Gov. Abbott —“Hundreds of migrants continue to be dropped off at New Jersey train stations” —“Four N.J. House Democrats seek to meet with Murphy about migrant arrivals” —“Photos show NJ cops putting migrants on NYC-bound trains as beef between the states heats up” CRIME — “Gun violence continues to drop in New Jersey, state officials say. These are the stats,” by The Record’s Amanda Wallace: “Gun violence continues to drop in New Jersey with a record low number of shootings in 2023 since comprehensive tracking began, state officials said at a Thursday press conference. ‘Today we mark a great achievement for public safety in New Jersey as we report the lowest number of shootings in nearly 15 years,’ Gov. Phil Murphy said. In 2023 there were 924 people shot, down 13% from 2022. Out of that 924, 191 people were killed which is down 8% from 2022. Comprehensive tracking began in 2009 … These numbers have been trending down for multiple years as there was also a decrease of 25% in shooting victims from 2021 to 2022 statewide.” SOMEONE’S JEALOUS OF THE MTA’S FUNDRAISING PROWESS — Gottheimer: New York planning to collect way more congestion tolls than needed, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: New York could end up collecting billions more in tolls than the state has previously said from its congestion pricing plan, one of the plan’s chief critics, New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, said Thursday. Gottheimer said math done by his staff — and strongly disputed by his critics — shows New York could rake in $3.4 billion a year in revenue from tolls. That’s far more than the $1 billion estimate New York officials have previously said is their goal to collect from commuters going into Manhattan’s central business district. The MTA, which has been sparring with Gottheimer for years, called his numbers "a joke" and for the first time released its own projections based on a tolling plan it advanced late last year. "The bottom line is math is the math and congestion pricing is projected to deliver just under $1 billion per year to investments in mass transit infrastructure," MTA spokesperson John J. McCarthy said in a statement … Still, the agency did not release its own calculations. SO THAT’S WHAT THAT WINGER SONG WAS ABOUT — New Jersey expands primary voting age to 17-year-olds, by POLITICO’s Lawrence Ukenye: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday signed a law that will allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they are set to turn 18 by the general election. “Across government, we see how the decisions we make today impact future generations,” Murphy said in a statement. “I am proud to sign legislation that expands access to the ballot box while engaging and empowering a new generation of voters.” —Stile: “While Trenton lawmakers pine for raises, NJ public retirees see 'slap in the face'” —“Nursing leaders want Senate committee to do more than talk about staffing ratios” —“State Board of Ed nominee: ‘I think we’re going to see less issues” —“Najee Seabrooks bill: NJ legislation to create crisis response teams moves ahead” —“ELEC fines 10 Building Trades unions for missing 48-hour notices in 2021” | | | | A message from AARP: New Jersey’s older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home. But too many can’t afford to pay out of pocket, and they’re left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes which costs taxpayers more money. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can’t afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495. | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
0.31 MASTROS — “Andy Kim has raised a massive $2.75 million for his U.S. Senate bid,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Continuing to demonstrate fundraising prowess, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) has raised a mammoth $2.75 million since announcing his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in New Jersey after raising $1.75 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Kim, a three-term congressman, has an impressive $2.6 million cash-on-hand as he seeks the seat of indicted three-term incumbent Bob Menendez.”
MURPHMENTUM — “Tammy Murphy barnstorms Passaic County,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “Tammy Murphy didn’t come to Passaic County’s reorganization ceremony Wednesday night to campaign for the U.S. Senate. But John Currie was there to do it for her. The Passaic County Democratic Chair introduced First Lady Murphy to a crowd of a few hundred people at the county’s Technical Institute. The First Lady and the governor are making the rounds this week to annual reorganization meetings occurring all over the state. After highlighting Murphy’s work as First Lady, Currie got right to the point. He said he’s going to do all that he can to make Tammy Murphy New Jersey’s first woman U.S. Senator. And he urged the crowd to do the same. There was applause to be sure, but it was not overwhelming … Murphy’s appearance had to do with her role as First Lady, not a Senate candidate. However, there is obvious overlap here.” I THINK WE ALREADY GOT THAT IMPRESSION— Christie: Endorsing Trump in 2016 was a mistake, by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier: In a new campaign ad released Thursday, Christie talks directly to the camera and admits that he regrets endorsing Trump for president in 2016 … "Eight years ago when I decided to endorse Donald Trump for president, I did it because he was winning, and I did it because I thought I could make him a better candidate and a better president,” Christie said in the ad. “Well, I was wrong, I made a mistake.” Christie goes on to say that while critics advise low-polling candidates to drop out and set up a 2020 rematch of Trump versus Joe Biden, this notion shouldn’t be “acceptable” to voters. —“Fetterman again calls for Menendez to be expelled” | | | | A message from AARP:   | | | | | LOCAL | | WHAT DID MAHONEY DO THIS TIME? — “Claims of misconduct at Bergen County Police Academy under investigation,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi and Kyle Morel: “Future classes of the Bergen County Police Academy — where hundreds of future law enforcement officers are trained every six months — are suspended until further notice pending an investigation. The New Jersey Police Training Commission received information regarding alleged rule violations occurring at the Bergen County Police Academy. It's unclear when, and what the rule violations include … Any delay in the next police academy class will have a ‘significant impact’ on small police departments throughout the county, said Brian Higgins, a former chief of the Bergen County police and an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.” —“[Bergen] prosecutor investigates police academy after state cites offensive training tactics at conference” NEWARK —“Murder of NJ imam puts Muslim community on edge,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “The fatal shooting remains under investigation, and authorities say they have no evidence of a hate crime at this point. Yet some Muslim community groups are questioning the early assertions from police and prosecutors, especially at a time with hate crimes are on the rise. Dina Sayedahmed, the communications manager for CAIR New Jersey, said on Thursday that the comments from officials feel dismissive, like a rush to chalk up the death to urban violence before the investigation is complete.” ALSO NEWARK — “N.J. school district added to federal discrimination investigations,” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley and Steve Strunsky: “Newark Public Schools have been added to a growing list of universities and districts that federal officials are investigating for discrimination based on ancestry. On Dec. 21, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a probe into the state’s largest district, according to its online list of schools under investigation. Neither DOE nor Newark officials provided information about what concerns prompted the probe” —“New Ocean County commissioner disagrees with colleagues on his first day on the job” —“Cumberland County seats first all-Republican board” —“Former Haledon administrator comes out of retirement as officials continue investigation” —“‘We don’t need anybody here.’ Skeptics say Jersey City shouldn’t embrace migrants” —“Troiano once again mayor of Wildwood” | | | | A message from AARP: New Jersey’s long-term care system is broken.
Older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home—where they want to be. But too many can’t afford to pay out of pocket for this care, and they’re left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes, which costs taxpayers more money.
AARP is fighting for legislation that allows residents who are likely to qualify for Medicaid to begin receiving services in their homes when they need them. It’s time to transform our long-term care system and make it easier for New Jerseyans to age in their homes and communities. Seniors who need care should not be forced from their homes because Medicaid approval takes too long. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can’t afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NURSING HOMES — “They ran the ‘worst’ nursing home in N.J. until it was shut down. Owners are under fire again for running another unsafe facility,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “The owners of what was once New Jersey’s largest nursing home before the state made the extraordinary move to shut it down in 2022 are once again being investigated for running another nursing home where residents are not safe. The Office of the State Comptroller, which investigates Medicaid fraud, confirmed Wednesday it had given the owners of Limecrest Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in Sussex County 100 days notice last month to cut their ties from the company that controls the nursing home or face suspension from New Jersey’s Medicaid program. Losing Medicaid funding, even temporarily, would threaten the livelihood of the facility … Meanwhile, health department officials have recommended the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services impose a $1 million fine on Alliance Holdings after an inspection revealed safety violations that posed an ‘immediate jeopardy to the health and safety” of its residents, according to a letter obtained by NJ Advance Media.’”
AND THE COMMERCIALS ARE ANNOYING — “Gambling boom detrimental to New Jersey economy, report says,” by The Guardian’s Callum Jones: “A promised economic boom from online gambling’s rapid expansion across the United States may be a mirage, according to new research … New Jersey, which led the charge for mobile sports betting’s legalization, has received hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes from the sector. But economists cautioned that the cost of higher problem gambling rates could be ‘roughly equal’ to the state’s takings … The research, commissioned by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, found that $2.4bn spent by people gambling online in New Jersey in 2022 ‘decreased New Jersey’s economic activity by about $180m.’” CAN’T MAKE THIS SCANDAL DISAPPEAR — “New Jersey magician David Copperfield named in Epstein unsealed documents,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Juan Carlos Castillo and Chris Jordan: “New Jersey magician David Copperfield, described by Forbes as the most commercially successful illusionist in history, was revealed as one of about 170 people associated with famed Jeffrey Epstein in newly unsealed court documents. According to Epstein accuser, Johanna Sjoberg, Copperfield used to do magic tricks at Epstein’s Palm Beach Mansion and was aware that some of the females in Epstein's circle were paid to recruit others. Epstein, a former financier, committed suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges. Sjoberg met Copperfield at a dinner party with the lure of seeing Copperfield magic tricks.” —“MetLife Stadium to remove 1,740 seats for 2026 World Cup, officials hoping to host final” —“Flu season 2024: Some NJ hospitals divert patients as COVID-19, RSV cases surge”
| | | | 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 | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment