| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by McDonald's | Good Thursday morning! New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination includes a lot of protected classes, barring discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, sexuality, general identity, disability military veteran status, etc. State Sen. Troy Singleton is proposing one more category: Labor union members. It’s in a bill he introduced this week. There are already protections in place for organizing at a workplace. But Singleton said he wants to go further, stopping companies from discouraging union activity, or as he put it, employers that “get in the way of individuals who are seeking to unionize worker groups for better wages and benefits.” (Under this bill, unions would also be barred from discriminating against union membership, which would be weird.) Since this bill is in the very earliest stages, I can’t tell you what its chances are — though New Jersey is a very labor-friendly state. The business community isn’t thrilled with the idea. “We already have one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the nation, which includes union protection,” New Jersey Business and Industry Association spokesperson Bob Considine said. “It is already established what employers can and cannot do. Upon first glance of the bill, it just seems like something that might complicate an existing system.” TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “To combat COVID-19, people wear it (a mask) to curb the spread of an airborne disease. Skeptics are free to – and did – voice their opposition through multiple means, but disobeying a masking requirement is not one of them. One could not, for example, refuse to pay taxes to express the belief that 'taxes are theft.' Nor could one refuse to wear a motorcycle helmet as a symbolic protest against a state law requiring them." — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals on a lawsuit field by a woman faced a charge after repeatedly refusing to wear a mask at Cranford school board meetings HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Hira Shaikh WHERE’S MURPHY? — In New Brunswick at 5:45 p.m. to speak at BioNJ’s dinner meeting
| | | | 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 | |
THE DEBT PENALTY — Debt defeasance, an issue few understand, causes Republicans to question Murphy’s spending, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: “New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration may have left about $300 million on the table in a recent series of deals to lower the state’s outstanding debt, according to an analysis by the Office of Legislative Services. The analysis, requested by state Senate Republicans and obtained by POLITICO, looked at a corner of the law that only municipal finance geeks can love: the state’s debt reduction program …
Senate Republicans who have been questioning Murphy and state Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio about the state’s reduction strategies, asked OLS to do a what-if: What if instead of retiring old debt the state had instead simply avoided issuing new debt. Specifically, what if the state had instead used the $500 million to reduce the $1.25 billion it borrowed in November to get more money to the state Transportation Trust Fund? According to a Jan. 29 memo from Thomas Koenig, the nonpartisan office’s legislative budget and finance officer, a simple analysis shows the state might have saved nearly $460 million by avoiding debt payments in future years — a $300 million better deal than what Murphy got. THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO ‘HMMM’ — The Camden Redevelopment Agency last night at it caucus meeting voted to accept a resolution taking on attorney Robert R. Simons for “special counsel services.” The agenda said nothing about a reason for the hiring, and the resolution was discussed in closed-door executive session, but Simons, who worked for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office in the 1990s, specializes in two types of law: Criminal defense and personal injury. At this point there’s no way to tell if these things are linked, but last year NJ Advance Media and the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office — and the FBI, according to the Inky — were looking into waterfront real estate deals tied to Democratic power broker George Norcross. The Inquirer noted that in June the Camden Redevelopment Agency hired a different lawyer who once worked in the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office to “assist with a required document production project.” The CRA’s role in relinquishing its interest in a parking lot that was purchased by an investor group that included Norcross was, according to the Inquirer, was one of the real estate deals investigators were focused on. ONLY SEVEN YEARS AFTER MURPHY FIRST PROPOSED THE IDEA — “NJ public bank board releases recommendations,” by NJBIZ’s Matthew Fazelpooler: “A board tasked with overseeing the development and implementation of the long-anticipated New Jersey public bank submitted its final recommendations to Gov. Phil Murphy Feb. 6. The Public Bank Implementation Board was created by Murphy via Executive Order No. 91 in November 2019. The core mission of the public bank should be to work through and with existing financial institutions as much as possible, the report states.”
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | MESSING WITH TEXAS — “The inside story of how N.J. landed the World Cup final, the globe’s biggest sporting event,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “The stunning announcement was the culmination of an aggressive, 2 1/2-year collaborative push from Murphy, New York City’s last two mayors, and other local dignitaries and organizations to bring the event here. … Local officials also stressed New York and New Jersey’s ‘values,’ coming at a time when the political divide between red Texas and the blue Northeast is sharper than ever. At least one political operative in Texas questioned whether politics played a role. FIFA has not fully detailed the reason for the pick, though the organization’s president, Gianni Infantino, said. … ‘Being in New York, which is such a cosmopolitan city, where you have between New York and New Jersey over 200 nationalities already there, celebrating and uniting the world, (it) is really something unique.” … The region had another weapon: Murphy, a former banking executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany whose family loves the game so much they installed a field — ahem, pitch — at their mansion in Middletown. He and First Lady Tammy Murphy also co-own a professional women’s soccer team, NJ/NY Gotham FC.” CARPENTER BECOMES TRAINPENTER — ‘Meet the carpenters union executive who has been nominated to the NJ Transit board,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “A carpenters union executive has been nominated to NJ Transit’s board of directors by State Senate President Nick Scutari, replacing board member Sangeeta Doshi of Cherry Hill. Scutari nominated Anthony N. Abrantes, Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters assistant executive secretary-treasurer, who, pending approval by Gov. Phil Murphy, would replace Doshi, who completed her first term on the board last month.” —“NJ Transit says it is ready for World Cup fans” —“N.J.’s 1,200 public defenders have a new leader. You’ll be hearing from her, she promises” —“NJ legislator proposes bills to define antisemitism, criminalize swatting and doxxing” —“NJ reaches deal to let JCP&L raise your electricity rates. Here's what you'll pay”
| | | | 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. | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
THEY WOULDN’T HAVE PASSED MURPHY OVER IF HER NAME WAS ‘TOMMY’ — The National Organization for Women of New Jersey (NOW-NJ) PAC voted to back U.S. Rep. Andy Kim in the Democratic Senate primary, passing over women candidates Tammy Murphy and Patricia Campos-Medina. “While NOW-NJ PAC would prefer to endorse women candidates, in this case, NOW-NJ PAC strongly believes that Congressman Andy Kim has demonstrated his commitment to the core issues espoused by NOW and is the best Senatorial candidate,” NOW-NJ PAC said in a press release. “Andy has worked tirelessly for pay equity and reproductive rights, as well as for affordable and equitable health care.” New Jersey has never had a woman senator and only one woman elected to statewide office: former Gov. Christie Whitman. Tammy Murphy has argued that some of her critics’ attacks against her for nepotism are really motivated by sexism. The state organization will recommend Kim’s endorsement to NOW’s national PAC.
LIVIN’ ON A PAYER — Tammy Murphy’s N.J. Senate campaign built on huge donor network, Andy Kim’s on small donations, by POLITICO’s Katherine Dailey: Tammy Murphy raised $3.2 million since entering the race on Nov. 15. Kim raised $1.7 million for the full fourth quarter, on top of $1 million in the last week of the third quarter, in September. Notable donors to Tammy Murphy include former Vice President Al Gore — who also gave to Phil Murphy’s gubernatorial campaign in 2021 — and Dorothea Bongiovi, wife of musician Jon Bon Jovi. … Kim’s campaign, on the other hand, saw its strength in numbers — receiving donations from 15,179 separate donors, while 1,987 people gave to Murphy. Ninety-two percent of his donations were $100 or less, while only around half of Murphy’s were. About a quarter of Murphy’s donations were over $3,000. AKA THE HUDSON COUNTY BROADCASTING SYSTEM — “Informant in Menendez bribery investigation made secret recordings,” by The New York Times’ Tracey Tully and Benjamin Weiser: “When Senator Robert Menendez was charged with conspiring to act as an agent of Egypt, prosecutors included a photograph of a small dinner meeting he held with his soon-to-be wife and three people with ties to Egypt at a steakhouse in Washington, D.C. The indictment quoted Nadine Menendez, who married the senator in 2020, asking one of their dinner companions: ‘What else can the love of my life do for you?’ Left unexplained was how prosecutors learned of Ms. Menendez’s comment. A new court document filed late Monday by federal prosecutors in Manhattan offers a possible explanation. For the first time, the prosecutors disclosed that a confidential informant had made recordings of conversations and shared details about the case with investigators.” —“Passaic County judicial package in place” —“Insider NJ Special Edition: The 2025 Gubernatorial Race ”
| | | | 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. | | | | | NEWARK — “N.J. city requires nonprofit to pay $500 for permit to feed the hungry,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Strunsky: “Kendall Stevenson was at Peter Francisco Park outside Newark Penn Station last Sunday morning when the nonprofit Angels on the Ground made its weekly stop, handing out instant coffee and noodle soup and providing hot water for eating on the spot … But after four years of distributing food outside the station, Angels on the Ground founder Jessica Perez says last month, a city code enforcement officer told her she had to apply for an ‘event’ permit, at a cost of several hundred dollars. Perez, 45, an Essex County probation officer who lives in Newark, said she was confused and outraged that she was being asked to pay for the privilege of collecting and distributing free food to people eager to get it. ‘I’m not selling anything,’ said Perez, who suspects the city is trying to make her and the park’s homeless people go away.” ANNOYED PALMER — “N.J. mayor asks AG to intervene after police chief, 6 cops file multiple lawsuits,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “The mayor of Spotswood has asked the state’s Attorney General’s Office for help managing the town’s police department after the chief and six officers filed lawsuits and other court papers alleging mistreatment, retaliation, harassment and corruption. ‘The internal affairs operation is broken in Spotswood. Police leadership in the department is broken. It should not be used to target and intimidate borough police officers, borough employees and public officials,’ Mayor Jackie Palmer said in statement Thursday. … The mayor’s comments came a day after four Spotswood police officers … filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation, reprisal, and violations of state laws against discrimination. Specifically, the officers claim Police Chief Philip Corbisiero and Patrolman Richard Sasso have violated the civil rights of any police officer who does not support their efforts to oust the mayor, who took office on Jan. 6, 2021. … Sasso also claims that Palmer wanted a Black man removed from the municipal building because of his race.’ GUNERSET COUNTY — “Somerville 'recklessly permitted' gun shop near elementary school, lawsuit says,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: “A borough resident has gone to Superior Court to stop a gun shop from opening at the corner of Union and Gaston avenues less than a quarter mile from Van Derveer Elementary School. Superior Court Judge Kevin Shanahan will rule March 7 on the complaint filed Jan. 31 by Megan Andrews that seeks an order not allowing a gun shop.. … In her complaint, Andrews charged that the borough ‘recklessly permitted’ a gun shop in the neighborhood within 1,000 feet of a gun-free school zone. … [Mayor Brian Gallagher] explained that the Borough Council and other municipal boards do not have the power to control what businesses can open in the county seat if they meet zoning regulations.” —“Atlantic County sheriff appoints son as chief officer” —“School bus crash [in Ocean City] injures 2 students” —“Will education commissioner resignation delay new Lakewood schools funding plan?” —“Hoboken BA: ‘The fear of deportation” is a serious obstacle for e-bike delivery licenses” —“Union City Board of Commissioners approves resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza” R.I.P. — “Jersey City teacher, union president for paraprofessionals, dies at age 37” R.I.P. — “'Awe-inspiring' cancer fight: Wayne Police Department mourning loss of detective”
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PORT FIRE — “Ship mate says he saw vehicle smoking hours before it caught fire, killing 2 New Jersey firefighters,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “New testimony in the case of a fatal cargo ship fire in New Jersey sheds some light on whether it could have been prevented. A crew member says he saw smoke coming from a seaport vehicle being used to push inoperative cars onto a cargo ship at least nine hours before it caught fire on board the vessel, touching off a blaze that killed two Newark firefighters. In online testimony at a joint Coast Guard-National Transportation Safety Board hearing Friday, Marian Ciumala, third mate of the Italian-owned Grande Costa D’Avorio, said he saw a Jeep Wrangler being used to push cars onto the cargo ship begin to emit smoke on July 5, 2023, while docked in Port Newark. His testimony represented potential support to the contention by the families of the dead firefighters that the blaze could have been prevented had the vehicle’s use been discontinued.”
EXCOMMUNICATED — “We cover accidents, not hidden sexual abuse, insurance carrier tells N.J. diocese,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “The Diocese of Trenton, which has been sued by more than 500 people alleging they were sexually abused by members of the clergy as children, is now being sued by the insurance company that provides its liability coverage. With potentially millions in damages at stake, Century Indemnity Co., which wrote the insurance policies for the diocese years ago, filed a declaratory judgment action in U.S. District Court claiming that it is being stonewalled in its quest for information on the cases being litigated. ‘The Century insurance policies cover accidents, not conduct that was tolerated or hidden,’ said the company in a statement.” —“NJ’s American Dream Mall Sees Sales Slow in Final Months of 2023” —“Hey Gov. Murphy, the time has come to reimagine the Meadowlands Arena | Cooper” —“Advocates line up for and against road use plan for Wharton State Forest”
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