| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by McDonald's | Good Monday morning! The sun is often a metaphor for knowledge and truth. The Sun is a dodgy British tabloid whose article claiming Texas would host the World Cup Final instead of New Jersey, I’m sorry to say, I mentioned in this spot last month. In fact, almost 10 years to the day that New Jersey hosted the biggest event in American football at The Meadowlands, FIFA announced that New Jersey will in fact host the biggest event in what the rest of the world calls football — the 2026 World Cup final. Actually, according to FIFA, the game will be played in “New York New Jersey” at “New York New Jersey Stadium”. Gov. Phil Murphy is a huge soccer aficionado, so this has got to be a sweet political win for him made only better by the fact that New Jersey beat out Texas in the middle of tension over migrant policy between the two states’ governors. The game will be played during the next governor’s administration, but it’s going to be up to Murphy to avoid the embarrassment that was the state of NJ Transit during the Super Bowl — service so bad it caused game-goer to chant “New Jersey sucks!” All while much of the marketing for that game and most ancillary events centered on New York. Add to that the fact that this is a far bigger event outside of the United States. The Super Bowl in 2023 had 115 million viewers. The 2022 men’s World Cup final had 1.5 billion. Not to mention that many of those attending will be from countries with far better-developed mass transit systems. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: “In Race for Menendez’s Senate Seat, N.J. Governor’s Wife Lags Behind” — The initial New York Times headline on article about the Friday FDU poll QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: “In Race for Menendez’s Senate Seat, New Jersey’s First Lady Lags Behind” — Updated New York Times headline HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Jason Carty, Jim Carroll, Joe Crifasi, Derek Roseman
| | | | 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 | |
A DEHMER FUTURE — “Teacher shortage, school funding will be new NJ education commissioner's top challenges,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “Advocates are praising Gov. Phil Murphy's pick to lead the state Department of Education, Kevin Dehmer, a former interim commissioner and 15-year department veteran known for his expertise in school finance and funding … Insiders say [Angelica] Allen-McMillan was sometimes difficult for department employees to reach, though external K-12 groups have said she was accessible. Allen-McMillan almost never directly addressed the press after taking over in 2020, even as schools made unprecedented and now controversial changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring some combination of masks, social distancing and remote learning until the public health emergency was lifted two years later. … The state's teacher shortage and school funding solutions to address inflation — and rising costs linked to staff shortages, violence and cybersecurity threats, mental health, transportation, learning loss remediation and the expiration of federal COVID-relief funds later this year — are among key issues advocates are hoping will receive more attention under Dehmer.”
A KINDLY BRAMPA — “The political fight in Jon Bramnick, or the art of outer peace,” by InsiderNJ’s Max Pizarro: “Years ago, a colleague of Bramnick’s, in the midst of a political fight, hovered at the edge of tears. Eyes twinkling, not unkindly, by way of seeking an explanation for why the other man’s condition should not cause alarm or even casual concern, Bramnick said, happily and with a shrug, ‘It’s politics.’ In other words, it’s supposed to be fun. That’s not to say it’s unimportant. But it should not put us at the precipice of life, and it should not catapult us into a civil war. ‘It’s not first and foremost of everything I do,’ Bramnick told InsiderNJ.” CLUB MED — “NJ is making medical marijuana registration free — for the shrinking group that wants it,” by WNYC’s Caroline Lewis: “New Jersey is making it free to sign up for its medical marijuana program, following a drop in enrollment. The Garden State is eliminating signup fees for people who register online for a new digital patient card. Anyone who still wants a physical medical marijuana card will have to pay just $10 every two years, down from the previous $50 fee, according to an announcement this week from the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission. New Jersey follows in the footsteps of New York, which waived its $50 medical marijuana fee in 2022. Patient advocates say reducing fees is a step in the right direction but that more can be done to make cannabis affordable for New Jerseyans who use it medicinally, as insurance generally doesn't cover the drug.” CARTOON BREAK— “Billionaire infestation at Liberty State Park,” by Drew Sheneman
| | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
WHAT ABOUT BOB?— “Secret details in Menendez court filings are made public,” by The New York Times’ Tracey Tully and Benjamin Weiser: “When Senator Robert Menendez was indicted in September, prosecutors accused him of twice calling a senior federal law enforcement official in New Jersey in an effort to halt a criminal investigation involving an ally. But the official had previously told the authorities that he had no memory of ever discussing ‘particular cases’ with the senator, according to a court document made public for the first time on Friday. The official’s recollection is contained in a legal brief filed last month by Mr. Menendez’s lawyers seeking dismissal of the indictment against the senator. Until now, that detail and other portions of the brief were redacted. … On Thursday, a Manhattan judge, at the request of The New York Times and two other news outlets, ordered some of those redactions removed, making it possible to get a fuller picture of the evidence Mr. Menendez’s lawyers are citing to bolster their argument that the indictment against the senator should be dismissed.”
THE KIMPOSSIBLE DREAM — “In Senate race, a brewing revolt against the machine,” by The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “And at a candidate forum at Monmouth University Saturday, the crowd of about 150 gave Kim a standing ovation at the end of his talk. Murphy got tepid applause. ‘People are very excited about Andy Kim,’ said Deb Turi-Smiht of Freehold, who said she’ll vote for Kim at next week’s convention in Monmouth. ‘We are filling up rooms at every event.’ This is starting to look like a grassroots revolt, coming from every point in the party’s ideological spectrum. … The county machines, many led by lobbyists and lawyers with a financial stake in maintaining good relations with Gov. Phil Murphy, also protect bad actors, as they did with Sen. Robert Menendez for years, even after he was 'severely admonished' by the Senate in 2018 on ethics charges. ‘People are fed up with it, and I hear that at every event, and even from people who stop me in the grocery store,”’Kim says. ‘They want to move beyond this system, the one that protected Sen. Menendez all these years. Murphy’s history as a registered Republican until 2014 is generating distrust as well, Kim says.”
| | | | 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. | | | | | — “Pro-Israel group says it never endorsed Blazakis, but emails refute that” —“An interview with Rob Menendez” — “Nine candidates file to run for U.S. Senate at Bergen GOP convention, including Zdan, Schneiderman” —“Where do NJ Republicans, Democrats stand on border security bill? A vote could come soon” —“Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik left $310K in his campaign fund”
| | | | 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. | | | | | LOCAL | |
LEAVE BRITNEE ALONE! — “Amid scrutiny, N.J. county will no longer cover benefits for elected board,” by NJ Advance Media’s Riley Yates: “Essex County said it will stop providing health insurance to its elected commissioners, a controversial perk that has cost taxpayers more than $730,000 over the past seven years. Though the commissioners largely have other full-time careers, 10 current and former board members accepted insurance coverage or payments for declining it since 2017, county documents obtained through a public records request show. They did so even as state law required all but one of those commissioners to work at least 35 hours a week to be eligible. But Adam Tucker, a spokesman for the nine-member board, said those benefits will cease March 31 after the county reexamined its policies and determined that it should not offer them. … In disclosing the coverage Thursday, Essex County represented just the latest of more than a dozen governments to acknowledge they have provided state health benefits to their elected boards …
Commissioner Brendan Gill … runs a public affairs firm. Gill received family coverage that cost taxpayers more than $223,000 over the seven years, including $37,500 in 2023. Former Commissioner Britnee Timberlake also accepted insurance while serving on the county’s board, at a cost of more than $12,300 from 2017 until she resigned in January 2018 to join the state Legislature.” ‘CAUSE THIS IS SPILLER, SPILLER PLIGHT — “Gov. Sean Spiller? Not until he explains all this,” by The Star-Ledger Editorial Board: “The head of New Jersey’s largest teachers’ union is making noises about running for governor in 2025, testing the waters with a dark money group funding digital ads and a vow to fight for working class people. But right at the starting gate, Sean Spiller needs to address the many legitimate concerns about his ethics, both as mayor of Montclair, and president of the New Jersey Education Association. He could start by explaining why he is invoking the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to avoid answering charges that he took health benefits in Montclair that he was not entitled to, an allegation that is reportedly under criminal investigation. And why is he fighting the release of the transcript from that interview, which would tell voters exactly which questions he’s refusing to answer?”
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | FORGIVE AND FUGNIT — “Ridgefield must reinstate fired cop and pay him over $500,000, court rules,” by The Record’s Kaitlyn Kanzler: “Ridgefield must reinstate a fired police officer and give him over half a million dollars in 3½ years of back pay, attorneys' fees and pension contributions, under an order by the Superior Court of New Jersey. Daniel Fugnitti was fired in January 2022 on three disciplinary violations: conduct not in accord with high ethical standards, withholding information concerning expected criminal activity and engaging in prohibited activity on duty. Fugnitti was accused by a woman of sexually assaulting her, and she said he paid her $2,000 not to report it. … Fugnitti was never charged with a crime. … According to the order, filed Jan. 29, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office found that the sexual relations between the woman and Fugnitti were consensual and that "the extortion could be equally construed as go-away money in light of the fact that [the woman] 'reported' Office Fugnitti prior to his payment of money.” TOMS RIVEN — “'Fools go it alone': Two of new Toms River mayor's appointees quit after month on the job,”by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “Toms River's new business administrator, as well as his assistant, have both resigned after just a month on the job, Mayor Daniel Rodrick confirmed, and the assistant's departure comes with bitter words from both sides. Jon Salonis, a political consultant who had been serving as communications director in Carteret, has become acting business administrator. … Salonis replaces Scott Tirella, a former Lacey police lieutenant, who had been hired Jan. 1 at a $165,000 salary. Tirella's assistant, former Toms River police Lt. Loring Dunton, also resigned, saying in a Facebook post that during his time in town hall, he ‘witnessed a scorched earth campaign unlike anything I have ever seen.’” WINKLE WINKLE NOT A STAR — “Earl Schick elected Sussex County commissioner,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “In a win for the faction of the Sussex County Republicans allied with Jill and Parker Space, Earl Schick defeated Alan Henderson to capture the county commissioner seat left vacant last month after Dawn Fantasia (R-Franklin) resigned to become Sussex’s new assemblywoman. Schick, a county committeeman from Newton, defeated Lafayette Councilman Alan Henderson, 71-52. … The Sussex GOP has been sharply divided in recent years .. The results represent another setback for controversial political consultant Bill Winkler. [Sussex GOP Chair Joseph] LaBarbera appears to have distanced himself from Winkler, who backed his county chair bid last year. In comments made at this morning’s meeting, LaBarbera told GOP county committee members that he will not be using Winkler. ‘Consultants will no longer run the party,’ LaBarbera said. ‘The party will run the party.’” —“Passaic County settles lawsuit with builder of new DPW depot in Wayne” —“Passaic County inmate suing county, Sheriff's Office, jail over crushed finger” —L.A. Parker: “Trenton Police swing and a miss on building diversity with new class of mostly white men” —“Felix DeJesus’ family clings to hope, 2 years after he encountered [Paterson] cops and vanished” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
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