| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by McDonald's | Good Tuesday morning! A few weeks ago I wrote that the Murphy administration has been “taking the Legislature’s temperature on types of revenue options for NJ Transit” as the agency faces a nearly $1 billion fiscal cliff. One of those options was to slightly increase the sales tax, which the governor has since said he’s “loath to” do without ruling it out entirely. The governor is still opposed to re-raising the Corporation Business Tax, but with the Senate president calling for this I could see a scenario in which that opposition softens. And there has been talk of some kind of gas tax hike beyond indexing regarding the Transportation Trust Fund. We’ll see how that all works out. What’s clear is with some revenue warnings on the horizon, and with the budget speech coming this month, the Murphy administration sooner or later is going to look at raising some taxes. But do you remember the 2021 gubernatorial debate? Daniel Han did, and he reminded me. “I pledge to not raise taxes,” Murphy said at the debate. Then he doubled down at a press conference. A year later, Murphy went on Bloomberg TV to tout “absolutely no new taxes” in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Now, the governor doesn’t have another race to run and the Legislature is still firmly in Democratic control. But tax hikes are definitely on the table. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. It’s just worth remembering how much to value these types of pledges when you hear them. I asked the Murphy administration about the pledge and they declined to comment. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We keep politics at the door. We don’t get into any of that. If someone comes to us, we’re going to help them.” — Rev. Timothy Graff of the Archdiocese of Newark on recent migrant arrivals HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Dov Ben-Shimon, David Cohen, Charles Barkley WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule.
| | | | 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 | |
NEEDS SALT — “Average annual property-tax bill tops $9,800,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “The average New Jersey property-tax bill increased by more than $300 last year and now tops $9,800, according to the latest data from the state … The annual rate of growth was largely in line with the rate of inflation for the country as a whole over the same period. But it was also the highest annual rate of growth in average New Jersey property-tax bills in more than a decade, according to an NJ Spotlight News analysis. … At the county level, the average property-tax bill in more than a third of New Jersey’s 21 counties totals more than $10,000. That’s a key threshold for federal tax purposes after the move by former President Donald Trump in 2017 to cap what had been an unlimited federal income-tax deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000.”
— “Should NJ lift the property tax cap to help schools facing aid cuts? What bill proposes,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-Somerset, has a proposal to help those districts meet rising costs without cutting programs: End the 2% property tax levy cap for districts experiencing funding cuts. … Half of the state’s public school students attend districts that don't cover their local share of expenses, school funding expert and advocate Danielle Farrie of the Education Law Center told senators Thursday. The S2 amendment was “explicitly designed” to cut aid to some districts, by doing away with a provision that gave aid in excess of the formula’s calculation and then redistributing it to other districts, Farrie said.” SHORE OF HIMSELF — “New legislator vows to be loud on wind, crime, and other issues impacting the Shore and beyond,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “A week after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, Paul Kanitra left New Jersey to help Ukrainian refugees at the Poland border. As war casualties in Gaza mount, he headed to Israel last month to tour a kibbutz, school, and hospital. And with Texas busing undocumented immigrants to New Jersey and New York, he’s making plans to visit the southern border. Some might wonder why Kanitra — a new state assemblyman and former mayor of a seaside borough — is such a busy globetrotter. More cynical observers might dismiss the trips as political stunts. But Kanitra said he’s always been the sort who needs to see how things started. ‘You can’t fully understand an issue unless you understand the root cause of it, and having a global understanding for where things start just makes you informed to make stronger decisions,’ he said.” BAD APPLE — “New Jersey to re-train police officers who attended Street Cop Training instruction,” by CBS Philadelphia’s Liz Crawford: “It all started last year when an investigation by the New Jersey State Comptroller found hundreds of police officers went to a training in Atlantic City that glorified violence and taught discriminatory practices. At least 15 police departments from South Jersey sent officers to this training, and now, they might all have to be re-trained. … CBS News Philadelphia discovered the founder of Street Cop, Dennis Benigno, was a street cop himself in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. Public records revealed Benigno was disciplined by the department three times in five years. In 2015, three women accused Benigno of using excessive force and racial bias. … Woodbridge Township paid $50,000 to settle before it went to trial. Benigno never admitted wrongdoing. Woodbridge police say he retired from the department at age 33, weeks after that lawsuit was filed. Then, he went on to create Steet Cop Training.” —“Phasing out gas-powered vehicles in NJ? Most NJ residents vote no, according to a poll” —“NJ considering bill requiring electric scooter and bike riders to register, pay insurance” | | | | A message from McDonald's:   | | |
MANY MINDS WERE CHANGED THAT NIGHT — Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy spar over qualifications in first NJ Senate debate, by POLITICO’s Katherine Dailey: Over 90 minutes in the primary's first debate, Rep. Andy Kim and first lady Tammy Murphy shared common ideas, including supporting a national right to abortion, increased gun safety laws and fighting to combat the effects of climate change. They disagreed on implementation for certain issues — Murphy, for example, cited Kim’s lack of support for Medicare for All legislation as a red flag, though Kim affirmed his support for universal healthcare through other methods. … Kim heavily criticized Tammy Murphy’s history of donating to Republican candidates — including George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush — and remaining a registered Republican after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. He questioned Murphy’s loyalty to voting with the Democratic coalition in the Senate. She responded with her work re-building the Democratic Party since 2017, when her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, was the nominee. “I haven't voted for a Republican in a general election in more than two decades. And you know, I've been a Democrat for 10 years,” she said.
—“Andy Kim crushes Tammy Murphy in their first debate,” by The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “Kim charged that Gov. Murphy, who promised ‘I am not making any deals’ to advance Tammy’s campaign, has been calling Democratic delegates and pressuring them to support the First Lady, Kim says. I asked Kim after the debate if he considered that to be bullying. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I have numerous people tell me the governor called them directly.’” —Stile: “Is abortion really a sleeper issue in the NJ Senate primary? Murphy, Kim spar” —“Watch the New Jersey Senate debate: Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy” CROSSING A LINE — Assemblymember Herb Conaway, who is running for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), told POLITICO on Monday that he is opposed to any deal that would share the so-called party line in Burlington County. Such a deal — which has reportedly been considered by party leaders there for the House and Senate races — would place Conaway and Assemblymember Carol Murphy on the same column on the primary ballot, negating any benefit that winning the line at the county convention would ordinarily have. Burlington County represents most of the third congressional district, which both Conaway and Murphy are competing to represent. Conaway said that he was opposed to “extreme” changes to the endorsement process. Conaway, who is Black, emphasized that he is not accusing anyone of racism, but said that “historically, and even present day, whenever persons of color assert political power, there are forces out there that want to change the rules. He added: “There’s a historic pattern to, all of the sudden, wanting changes when persons of color — myself, Andy Kim — seek higher office." The Burlington County Democratic Convention is this Saturday. — Daniel Han —“'Call for a permanent cease-fire': In Paterson, an appeal to Biden on Presidents' Day” CARTOON BREAK — ”Tammy Murphy’s Senate win delayed by pesky primary”
| | | | 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 | |
WEST MILFORD — “West Milford councilman fondled sleeping man's genitals 'skin to skin', affidavit says,” by The Record’s Kyle Morel: “A West Milford councilman is facing a pair of charges after allegedly touching a 20-year-old man's genitals while the man slept earlier this month, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by NorthJersey.com Friday afternoon. Matthew Conlon, 32, was arrested this week after the 20-year-old, whose name was redacted from the affidavit, told police the councilman ‘sexually violated’ him at a friend's house on Feb. 4. … The man's friend, whose name was also redacted, told police he had gone to his bedroom but was awoken by the alleged victim screaming at Conlon. The friend said it was ‘out of character"’for him to act this way. … The friend's mother told police she was in the kitchen drinking coffee when the commotion started and saw a ‘little brawl’ when she went to investigate, the affidavit stated. She then drove Conlon home following the alleged incident.”
THE BIGGEST ASTROTURFING EFFORT SINCE PAUL FIREMAN’S LIBERTY STATE PARK PLANS — “Artificial turf war divides Montclair, NJ,” by WNYC’s Rosemary Misdary: “A turf war is spreading across New Jersey. A contentious dispute over a plan to install artificial turf in an athletic field at Montclair has become the latest example of growing concern on both sides of the Hudson River about the environmental and health effects of the material. Critics of artificial grass say it creates heat islands, and worry that the “crumb rubber” used in the subsurface is toxic. Supporters of the turf say it requires less maintenance and is easier on young athletes’ bodies. But the debate over plans for an $8 million synthetic turf varsity baseball field with batting cages, bullpens and more at Woodman Field has devolved to an unusual degree. ‘They’re taking the garden out of the Garden State, everywhere,’ said Montclair resident Anna Grossman.” WILD WESTWOOD — “Westwood school board moves to revive gender policy. Critics call it 'parental exclusion',” by The Record’s Stephanie Noda: “Tensions flared again at Thursday's Westwood Regional school board meeting, as a new board majority moved to undo two changes adopted by a "parental rights" slate last year. The Board of Education voted to reinstate a rule on how to treat transgender children that last year's majority dropped. And it also moved to scrap a parental notification policy adopted last year. Both measures advanced by a 5-3 vote but must still survive a final vote and a public comment session at next month's meeting before they become official. Thursday's nearly three-hour meeting at Westwood Regional High School grew heated, as holdovers from last year's more conservative board objected to efforts to undo their work.” LITERAL NANNY STATE — “You’re locked out of your laptops after bedtime, N.J. school district tells kids,” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley: “Students in a Gloucester County school district will no longer be doing homework, studying or playing on their school-issued computers late into the night under a new policy issued Friday. Starting March 1, Chromebooks given to the Deptford Township School District students will be ‘inoperative’ late at night, Superintendent Kevin Kanauss said in a message sent to families. After the district’s technology team saw an increase in computer use “well past midnight” in some cases, the district decided to pull the plug and give students more sleep, according to the message. The school-issued laptops will stop working at 8 p.m. for elementary students, at 9 p.m. for middle schoolers and at 10 p.m. for high school students, the superintendent said.”
| | | | 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. | | | | | SAVED MONEY TO PAY FOR SECURITY AT CHILDREN’S WRESTLING MATCHES — “N.J. mayor proposes $15K cut to his salary,” by LehighValleyLive’s Glen Epps: “After weeks of speculation, lawmakers in Phillipsburg finally settled the terms of a contract to employ Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. on Wednesday. At its regular meeting, Town Council voted 3-2 to set the mayor’s annual salary at $50,000 — a $15,000 reduction from last year’s proposed amount — and to forfeit some of his benefits, including his medical insurance coverage. The salary reduction will see Piazza paid less than his predecessor, Todd Tersigni. Piazza requested the salary decrease himself, in front of council on Feb. 14. This could be the first time the town has seen a mayor choose to cut their own salary, some reports speculate.” —“Father of Linden football player who died after brain injury files wrongful death suit” —“Sayreville residents want 'fair shake' in Ernston Road mosque proposal” —“Mountain Lakes, Boonton Township hit an impasse over high school tuition hike” —“Paterson in-focus: Councilwoman Ruby Cotton runs for a 4th term” —“Toms River-Seaside Heights school merger vote may be delayed because NJ hasn't acted” —“[Winslow Township] district settles sex abuse lawsuit involving former teacher for $6 million” —“Why are Paterson schools seeing an influx of non-English-speaking students?”
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NO SUB WITHOUT DOM — “Where did the 'submarine sandwich' name come from? Some say it originated in Paterson,” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “Though the genesis of the term "submarine sandwich" remains in dispute, the sub's Paterson-based story starts with Dominic Conti. Conti, a turn-of-the-century immigrant from Montella, Italy, owned and operated a self-named Paterson grocery store in the early- to mid-1900s. … There, Conti, born Domenico Conte circa 1875, sold sandwiches on long and crusty Italian rolls … As the oft-cited family lore goes, the name came to Conti when he first set eyes on one of John P. Holland's submarines. Holland, an Irish-born teacher at St. John's Catholic School in Paterson, launched his first large-scale submarine on the Passaic River above the Great Falls in 1878, the year Conti was born.”
WE MUST REINSTATE THE ‘CHAIRMAN’S FLIGHT’ — “Is a beloved Southern convenience store finally coming to N.J.? Here’s what we know,” by NJ Advance Media’s Adam Clark: “Buc-ee’s, a Texas-based chain that brags of 120 gas pumps, gourmet food and a destination experience, recently debuted a billboard on the New Jersey Turnpike — the company’s northernmost advertisement on the East Coast. The ad, just past Exit 8 on the northbound side in South Brunswick, features a curved yellow arrow suggesting drivers turn around and go ‘581 miles,’ the distance to Buc-ee’s nearest travel center in Florence, South Carolina. But is it merely a joke? … ‘We typically will, years in advance, start putting billboards in locations where we think our future customers will be,’ said Jeff Nadalo, the company spokesman and legal counsel.” —“Challenge to Rutgers vaccine rules fails on appeal” —“Part of Jersey Shore’s legendary ‘ghost tracks’ to be removed in big project” —“Persistent NJ 5th grader adds new feature at Newark Airport — a children's lending library”
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