| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by McDonald's | Good Wednesday morning! Newark Mayor Ras Baraka made it all but official Monday in a speech at a Black history event at the Trenton War Memorial. Baraka joins Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Senate President Steve Sweeney in seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, with more almost certainly to come before we even get into the Republican field. “All of the work we do in the cities around the state, working so other people can be the governor, other people can represent us ... usually picked by four or five white guys who make a decision about who’s going to be governor. That needs to be broken up,” Baraka said in a phone interview. (I think it’s actually four white guys and LeRoy Jones, but whatever.) Baraka beat some big Democratic players like Joe DiVincenzo and George Norcross when he won his first election over Shavar Jeffries in 2014 in a race that was in part a proxy war between teachers unions and charter schools. But Baraka quickly made nice with the machine players who considered him a radical and hasn’t publicly tangled with them much since then. Baraka got a lot of credit for quickly replacing more than 20,000 of the city’s lead pipes, though his recent unintentionally public disclosure that an audit revealed a contractor left some lead components behind threatens to tarnish that. He mentioned his administration’s “creativity” on housing policy and dropping crime rate. Now Baraka, the mayor of New Jersey’s largest city, is rivals with Fulop, the mayor of the second largest city. Fulop welcomed Baraka into the race, and Baraka didn’t have anything negative to say about Fulop, though he noted his city’s recovery started in a more difficult place. “A lot of times people give credit to folks for getting home runs, but at the end of the day we’re starting on first base, they’re starting on third,” he said. Baraka’s unlikely to have the Essex County Democratic establishment behind him, as Chair LeRoy Jones is close to yet-to-be-declared candidate Mikie Sherrill. But Max Pizarro notes Baraka’s supporters are hopeful about the current political environment based on how Andy Kim’s Senate campaign is going. With so many potential candidates, this race is unlikely to come down to just Baraka against one candidate who represents the Democratic machine the way Tammy Murphy has come to. Oh, and Baraka will indeed be seeking county lines. “If we’re in the middle of the game, we can’t change the game while it’s being played,” he said. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Chief, get out of here, or you are going to get locked up!” — Bradley Beach Police Sergeant William Major to Chief Leonard Guida, according to body cam footage of a “drunk again” Guida allegedly interfering in a DWI investigation. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Sean Sullivan. WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Washington until Sunday for the National Governors Association. | | | | A message from McDonald's: From 2021 to 2022, the McDonald’s System contributed over $830 million to New Jersey’s economy, supporting over 17,000 jobs statewide. McDonald’s presence in local communities throughout New Jersey generated nearly $150 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, providing funding for public schools, infrastructure, parks and more. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in New Jersey and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/nj. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
CLOSE TO POWER — NJ's Tammy Murphy turns on her governor husband over a power plant, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: One of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s most controversial projects — a gas-fired power plant inside the state’s largest city — has a new critic: his wife. Tammy Murphy, who is running to replace Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, came out against a new plant planned for Newark to provide backup power to a state-run sewer agency that serves much of North Jersey. She said Newark already has three gas-fired power plants, plus an incinerator and lots of diesel truck traffic, so the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission should not build a new plant there … Yet, the issue is not new. And if she opposes the plant, why not take it up with her husband — who is surely her closest political ally and the person who can most likely kill the project? “I’ve been talking to other people about this,” she told reporters. “I’m not here to stand up and speak for the administration. That’s not my role here today.” … The first lady's opposition does seem like a possible death knell for the project, though. Long-time critics of the plant hailed her opposition to the project.
PERMISSION NOT GRANTED — “Court staffer ordered judges to ignore new law,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A law passed unanimously by the legislature and signed by Gov. Phil Murphy has effectively been upturned by a judiciary staff member who ordered municipal court judges to ignore it. Glenn A. Grant, the acting director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, instructed judges to disregard a new statute permitting plea bargaining to allow for ignition interlock devices in minor drunk driving cases. Grant sent a memorandum last week to assignment judges and municipal court presiding judges, saying that the old rules remain in effect. ‘If a challenge to Guideline 4 is raised in any municipal court case, please immediately bring that to my attention,’ Grant said … The guideline prevents plea bargaining on DWI charges and other non-indictable offenses.” —“Who is in the running to lead the CRDA?” —“Are home visits by nurses the key to better maternal and infant health?” | | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
MCCARTHYISM — Mia McCarthy is joining the POLITICO’s States team as its new delegation reporter on Capitol Hill, covering New Jersey, California, Florida and New York aka The Big Appleton. Get in touch with her at mmccarthy@politico.com (and say hi if you see her up on the Hill, if you have a sense of decency!).
POLL POSITION — ”Bhalla v. Menendez: Beauty in the eye of the pollster,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “[T]he Bhalla campaign is highlighting the aforementioned poll. ‘A recent survey of 403 likely primary voters in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District shows Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla well positioned to beat incumbent Congressman Rob Menendez. The trial heat is statistically tied with Bhalla receiving 41 percent to Menendez’s 44 percent of the vote with 15 percent undecided.’ … The Menendez campaign did a poll earlier this month and found that the congressman had a whopping, 46 to 24 percent lead over Bhalla. What gives?” KIM WOULD RATHER INDIVISIBLE BE INVISIBLE ON THIS ONE — “Rep. Andy Kim keeps his distance from some progressive backers,” by Jewish Insider’s Matthew Kassel: “Even as he stressed that Hamas ‘cannot be trusted,’ Kim expressed hope that an eventual cessation of hostilities could be realized with the help of regional allies while ensuring that Israel ‘has the resources it needs to be able to defend itself.’ … ‘It can’t be something that’s just unilateral on either side,’ he clarified. ‘Otherwise it wouldn’t be an actual cease-fire.’ In drawing such distinctions, Kim, 41, was tacitly distancing himself from some of his progressive backers calling for a unilateral cease-fire, most notably including the left-wing advocacy group Indivisible, which endorsed his campaign earlier this month.” IT ONLY TOOK THEM A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS TO CHARGE HIM — “A N.J. man wore a jacket with his name and phone number to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. FBI agents used it to track him down,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeremy Roebuck: “As FBI agents zeroed in on their latest suspect in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, he certainly didn’t make it too difficult for them to find him. Robert Coppotelli, 27, showed up to the riot wearing a jacket embroidered with his name and phone number. That contact info — flagged for investigators in a photo from that day provided by an anonymous tipster — led agents to the Toms River man’s eponymously named business, Coppotelli Heavy Equipment Sales & Service. On Tuesday, he became the 39th New Jersey resident charged in connection with the historic attack … Investigators believe Coppotelli spent less than 15 minutes inside the building. And unlike others who have been charged, he is not accused of attacking officers or destroying property … Reached Tuesday at the phone number printed on the back of his jacket, Cappotelli declined to comment … He faces four misdemeanor counts.” HAPPENING TOMORROW – POLITICO’s Governors Summit convenes Thurs., Feb. 22, at Washington’s The Wharf, featuring exclusive live conversations with the leaders of six key states. As the Biden administration and Congress struggle to move legislation, America’s governors are wielding more power, advancing policy more quickly, and breaking from national party lines. Catch Playbooker Eugene Daniels interviewing Gov. CHRIS SUNUNU (R-N.H.), along with other POLITICOs sitting with Govs. BRIAN KEMP (R-Ga.), KATHY HOCHUL (D-N.Y.), KEVIN STITT (R-Okla.), JARED POLIS (R-Colo.), and BILL LEE (R-Tenn.). We expect those interviews to touch on border security and migrants, energy and climate policy, health care and abortion, education and religion, even how challenges to NATO and the cease-fire movement are impacting state politics and policy. Register to join or watch live here. —“This judicial nominee faced 'hate and bigotry.' Will he make history?” —“NJ Ukrainian Americans to attend DC rally to pressure Congress for war aid” | | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
SOAKED — “How Ocean City’s taxpayers paid $20 million for vacant lots that were supposed to cost $9 million,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg: “Are the Klause brothers Ocean City royalty — Harry grinding it out every day selling cars from his desk inside a trailer, bicycle stashed nearby; Jerry presiding over his ever-expanding Peace Pies empire — or are they now its villains? Late last year, a Cape May County jury decided the empty lots in the center of town that the brothers were originally willing to sell to the city for $9 million in the summer of 2018 were worth $17.8 million, an amount that has ballooned to $20 million with interest. Taxpayers are left holding the bag. But it was a taxpayers group, Fairness in Taxes (FIT), that revolted and helped scuttle the original $9 million agreement, believing it was overpriced and concerned that there could have been some deal between the Klause brothers, whose grandparents moved to Ocean City in 1919, and the city’s elected officials. To say the FIT strategy backfired on Ocean City’s taxpayers is an understatement.”
PUMPKIN SPICE LEVANTEE — ”Police call vandalization of Starbucks sign in Glen Rock a 'bias incident',” by The Record’s Lucas Frau: “The Starbucks sign located on Rock Road in Glen Rock’s Central Business District was vandalized with red paint and stickers early on Monday morning in what Glen Rock police department are calling a ‘bias incident.’ Glen Rock Chief of Police Dean Ackerman says the stickers that were located on the sides of the logo read: ‘From the U.S. to Palestine, abolish the settler state’ and ‘There was never a land without people.’ Ackerman said the ‘Jewish community of Glen Rock takes the message as anti-Semitic and threatening.’ … Boycotts against the coffee chain emerged a few months ago after the corporations stated that they disagree with the statements and sentiments of their union, referring to a tweet put out by Starbucks Workers United saying: ‘Solidarity with Palestine!’” MURPHY’S LAW … SUIT — “Atlantic Highlands voters taken to court by mayor candidate who won't concede 5-vote loss,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jerry Carino: “Frank Allsman and Michael Ferguson have lived together in Atlantic Highlands since 2014. They’ve immersed themselves in local activities and have gotten to know plenty of folks around town. So they were floored by what happened earlier this month. ‘We had a constable coming to our house, serving us subpoenas like criminals, banging on our door, in front of all of our neighbors,’ Allsman said. The subpoenas ordered them to appear before a judge Tuesday, Feb. 20, in state Superior Court in Monmouth County to prove that their Atlantic Highlands home is their full-time residence. Dozens of others have been ordered to do the same as part of a lawsuit filed by James Murphy, who lost November’s mayoral election by five votes.” — “N.J. prosecutor’s office hostile to women, LBGTQ staff, lawsuit says” —“Paterson schools mull changing employee health plan. Could that worsen teacher shortage?” —“[Trenton] paid police supervisor $190K to settle discrimination lawsuit” —“Edison council advances measure expanding marijuana business. Not everyone is happy” —“Charges dropped against Paterson cop in excessive force case” —“Hudson County fired 3 corrections officers last year, 1 kept job despite domestic charge” —“Garfield teacher arrested and accused of sexual conduct with student” —“Proposed ordinance aims to loosen location restrictions for Hoboken cannabis dispensaries” —“Jersey City Council to consider e-bike delivery licensing after pivotal Hoboken vote” | | | | A message from McDonald's: McDonald’s is an economic engine for the state of New Jersey, contributing over $830 million to our state’s economy, directly employing nearly 13,800 New Jerseyans and supporting an additional 3,200 jobs statewide. It’s also an engine of opportunity: 1 in 8 independent McDonald’s operators in New Jersey began their careers as restaurant crew members, generating wealth for their families and local communities. We are proud to support New Jersey through public schools, parks and more from the nearly $150 million in federal, state and local tax revenue generated by the McDonald’s System’s activities. And thanks to the generosity of McDonald’s customers and owner/operators, the $660,000 raised through Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2022 provided over 6,600 overnight stays for families with children receiving medical care in New Jersey. Learn more about McDonald’s impact on local communities in New Jersey and nationally by visiting https://www.mcdeconomicimpact.com/state-impacts/nj. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
WHAT WOULD THE HOSPITAL’S NAMESAKE DO? — “This NJ woman spent 6 years fighting a $225K hospital bill. Here's how it ended,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “When Seiko Bando was taken to Christ Hospital in Jersey City in 2016 after an exam revealed heart problems, she received both a pacemaker and a bill that is the stuff of health care nightmares: $225,187. The 65-year-old accountant spent almost seven years fighting the bill with a financially strapped hospital chain that for years had some of the highest charges in the nation and had focused on out-of-network bills as a business strategy. On Friday, after NorthJersey.com contacted the hospital for comment, Christ Hospital administrators told Bando that her bill was waived … Despite the happy outcome, Bando's case represents a perfect storm of everything that can go wrong with health care finances: an under-insured patient who doesn't qualify for Medicaid or charity care getting emergency treatment at a hospital that at the time was part of a for-profit chain that charged extraordinarily high prices … Phil Swibinski, a spokesman for CarePoint Health … said the chain has undergone ‘a significant transformation,’ since it is now a nonprofit enterprise and an in-network provider with all major insurance carriers.”
—“Transgender swimmer at Ramapo College faces more criticism after breaking school record”
— “U.S. casinos won $66.5B in 2023, their best year ever as gamblers showed no economic fear” —“NJ Army veteran with a single lung scaled Kilimanjaro. What's his next challenge?” —“Finback whales thriving in waters from NY to Cape May” CORRECTIONS: I cited the wrong person in Tuesday’s quote of the day. It was Cheryl Riley, director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Mercy House. And a separate item by Daniel Han misquoted Assemblymember Herb Conaway. He said he is opposed to a deal that would share the so-called party line in Burlington County “midstream” in the process. He did not describe proposed changes as “extreme.” | | | | Don’t sleep on it. Get breaking New York policy from POLITICO Pro—the platform that never sleeps—and use our Legislative Tracker to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. | | | | | | | | | 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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