| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Thursday morning! Just how long does it take to set up a blind trust? Much of Tom Kean Jr.’s successful 2022 campaign against then-Rep. Tom Malinowski focused on Malinowski’s late reporting of dozens of stock trades. Then, just in January 2023 — just a day before being sworn in — Kean said he would place his assets in a blind trust. It hasn’t happened yet. Kean’s campaign says the reason for the delay is his blind trust proposal was initially rejected by the House Ethics Committee because he wanted it designed such that his investments could not be placed in places that would benefit foreign adversaries. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who Axios once ranked as the House’s top trader, also said he would set up a blind trust, back in February of 2022. That also hasn’t happened. Gottheimer’s office says that he’s been back-and-forth with the House Ethics Committee since then in an effort to get it done. Malinowski said it took him several months to set up a blind trust. U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota told me it took him about a year, and that seemed long. Gottheimer and Kean are both quite wealthy, so perhaps their portfolios are a bit more complicated. The House Ethics Committee declined to comment. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Jennifer Lehman, Josh Welle QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Congressman Van Drew has literally hundreds of active death threats against him, so for the safety and security of the congressman and his opponent as well as the university’s students and faculty, this is the most appropriate setup.” — Jeff Van Drew Campaign Manager Ron Filan on the congressman’s demand that there be no audience at his Oct. 24 debate with challenger Joe Salerno WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule. |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
VETERANS HOMES — New Jersey’s veterans homes expected to get monitor for pandemic response, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced it filed a complaint against New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration over allegations that the state delivered poor quality of care at its state-run veterans homes, where hundreds of residents died of Covid-19 throughout the pandemic. The complaint was also followed by a proposed consent decree between federal officials and the state. The proposal, which must be approved by a judge to take effect, would set up specific criteria for care and an overhaul of infection control and emergency response practices. An independent monitor will be brought in to make sure the terms of the consent decree are being followed … In New Jersey, the DOJ last September released a bombshell report that said the quality of care was so poor at veterans homes in Menlo Park and Paramus — well after the height of the pandemic — that it violated the resident’s constitutional rights. State lawmakers have since pledged reforms to how veterans homes are operated, including the creation of a new state agency that would oversee the facilities and other veterans services. The veterans homes in New Jersey consistently saw some of the highest Covid-19 death rates compared to other long-term care facilities in the state. Covid-19 killed more than 200 residents at the veterans homes — including a third home in Vineland — although federal officials say those deaths were likely under counted.
BREEDERS SUE RACEWAY YOU PASS DRIVIN’ ON 9 — “N.J. horse owners sue Freehold Raceway for ‘broken promises’ leading to shutdown,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brianna Kudisch: “The group representing New Jersey horse drivers, breeders and owners is suing Freehold Raceway and an online betting company for breach of contract as the track prepares to close down. The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit last week against the historic racetrack in Monmouth County and PlayUp Interactive, the raceway’s sports wagering partner … Raceway officials breached a revenue sharing agreement, which runs through 2029, when it moved its online sports wagering operations to a casino partner to avoid sharing revenue with the association, the lawsuit alleges. Officials also allowed the raceway to ‘fall into a state of dangerous disrepair,’ which violates the operations agreement, the lawsuit said.” | | | | A message from WorkingNJ: Sean Spiller’s mom was a teacher, his dad worked at the Port Authority. As the son of immigrants, Sean Spiller knows real change and strong communities are worth fighting for. An educator, union leader, and former Montclair Mayor, he’s fought for fair pay, affordable housing, and quality education. He has a plan to make New Jersey stronger by building an economy that works for every New Jerseyan. Sean Spiller for Governor. Learn more about Sean. | | |
CWAZY FINE — CWA PAC pays $75K fine for alleged campaign finance violations, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: A PAC for New Jersey's largest state workers union has agreed to pay one of the biggest fines ever issued by the state’s campaign finance watchdog agency for allegedly failing to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenditures during the 2021 election. The Communications Workers of America’s NJ Political Education Committee was initially fined almost $94,000 by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, which ultimately reduced the penalty to just under $75,000.
TOMS RIVER? YOU’RE RAS’S RIVER NOW — Baraka attacks ‘home rule’ in housing plan, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka — who is running to be New Jersey’s next governor — says that the state’s tradition of allowing municipalities to operate in a home rule fashion is quashing affordable housing efforts across the state. Now, Baraka is stepping on a political third-rail, saying that home rule needs to be curtailed with more statewide policies to proliferate more affordable housing in the state. “Home rule, a once-cherished system that allowed towns to control their own destiny, has become the roadblock preventing the comprehensive, regional approach we desperately need,” Baraka said in his newly announced housing plan, attacking what he described as “not in my back yard” policies … Baraka is proposing putting billions aside for affordable housing production and a statewide rent increase cap for two years, which would be at unspecified cost-of-living adjustments. —“Manalapan charity left scrambling after NJDOT mix-up nixes Route 9 half-marathon plans” —“N.J. trooper avoids jail time for punching handcuffed woman in the face” —“At energy hearing, lawmakers advised how to keep electric bills from soaring” —Snowflack: “The Great Trenton Book Battle” —Ed Stier: “Hold off on dismissing Norcross indictment” | | BIDEN TIME | |
AMERICA FIRST (IN LINE FOR FOREIGN GOODS) — Harris, Trump take an America First tone on dockworkers’ strike, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are so far taking the same side in the strike by East and Gulf Coast longshoremen — speaking up for the American workers against the foreign-owned shipping companies that control ports in the U.S. The fact that major political leaders from both parties are taking aim at the European- and Asian-based shipping companies represents an early political victory for the dockworkers. Their union has portrayed the strike that began this week as a necessary step to get better wages from exploitative conglomerates that bring goods in and out of the country. The messaging is also just the latest sign that both parties see the support of blue-collar workers as crucial to the outcome of November's elections … Striking dockworkers are enjoying the confluence of a labor-friendly Democratic White House and a GOP nominee trying to court union voters weeks before an election. Trump’s support for this strike contrasts with his suggestion in August, during an interview on X with Elon Musk, that striking employees should be fired. Harris also sounded a message sympathetic to the port workers on Wednesday, despite the risk that an extended strike could trigger price spikes and commodity shortages that would imperil her chances of defeating Trump.
OLD MCDONALD HAD A CELL — “N.J. farmer reports to prison for Jan. 6 sentence after growing season delay,” by Kevin Shea for NJ.com: “A South Jersey farmer sentenced to prison in January for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021 rioting at the U.S. Capitol is now behind bars. Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Stecher, 50, started his 60-day term at a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, federal Bureau of Prisons records show. After his sentencing in January, a judge granted Stecher’s request to push his report date until Oct. 1 so he could plant crops and tend to his family farm in Mantua Township in Gloucester County. His lawyers said in court filings earlier this year that Stecher risked losing his farm, Stecher Farms on Route 45, if he had to surrender in January, but they did not explain why a two-month absence then would put the farm in danger.” —“Altman raises whopping $2.1 million in three months for campaign against Kean” —“For Latinos who support Trump, the economy is the main thing” —“Central Jersey man sentenced for aiding Hamas, threatening to kill pro-Israelis” | | LOCAL | |
TEACHERS HAVE NO MONEY LEFT AFTER SPENDING IT ON SEAN SPILLER’S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN — “Toms River teacher paycheck deductions funding lawsuit against NJ,” by NJ 101.5’s Dan Alexander: “Faculty and staff are being asked to help with the district's legal battle against the state over school funding. The Toms River Regional School District Board of Education announced in July it would file a lawsuit after a $137 million cut for the 2024-25 academic year left the district with a $26.5 million deficit. According to an email obtained by New Jersey 101.5, schools Superintendent Michael Citta asked district employees at the beginning of the school year to help ‘fund the quest for fair funding.’ The email does not mention any kind of legal action … In a statement district spokesman Michael Kenny said that the donation form was the result of staff inquiries. The ‘voluntary deduction form,’ in which employees indicate the amount they want deducted per paycheck, says their contributions would go to ‘Fair Funding for Students,’ described as a ‘New Jersey non-profit corporation.’ … ‘Fair Funding For Students is a community-based (not district) non-profit (not charity) 501(c)(4). It's newly formed so there's no web presence yet, but I understand that is in the works,’ Kenny said.”
A RARE BLEMISH ON THE PATERSON PD — “N.J. cop drove drunk with stolen gun after conspiring to assault bar patron, police say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A Paterson police officer was arrested Wednesday on weapons and assault charges after police say he had a stolen gun and conspired with another to assault a bar patron in August. Valentin Torres, 33, is accused of conspiring to commit an aggravated assault while he was off duty about 2 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Mancora Lounge in Paterson, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes. A man handed Torres a 9mm handgun that had been reported stolen from North Carolina.” | | | | A message from WorkingNJ:   | | |
REPEAL AND REPLACE WITH STATE POLICY 69 — “Edison Board of Education repeals State Policy 5756,” by The Edison Reporter: “In a contentious and closely watched meeting last night, the Edison Board of Education voted to repeal state policy 5756. This decision marks a significant shift for the district, as Edison now becomes the largest, most diverse and most Democratic municipality in New Jersey to reject the policy. Parental right advocates will clearly point to Edison as the turning point in statewide policy heading into next years gubernatorial elections as Edison is New Jersey’s sixth largest town, Democratic voters out number Republicans voters 4-1 and minorities comprise 75 percent of the population. Policy 5756 was designed to create a more inclusive environment for transgender and gender-nonconforming students in New Jersey schools. However, it has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate about parental rights and the role of schools in addressing issues of gender identity.”
—“Jon Bon Jovi goes home to Sayreville with stirring message: ‘Opportunity to make a memory',” —“A closing date is set for Gillian's Wonderland Pier on the Ocean City boardwalk” —“Monmouth County residents fight offshore wind connection as feds approve wind farm” —“Deputy police chief’s discrimination lawsuit called ‘frivolous’ by [Bergenfield] officials” —“Budget shortfall, council division key issues in Stone Harbor mayor's race” —“Carmelo Garcia briber pleads guilty, faces possible jail term” —“Murphy on Pompidou: ‘We love the project,’ but we can’t commit to a ‘significant loss’” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
77ERS — “A strike has shut the NY-NJ ports over pay and tech — just as in 1977,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “Thousands of dockworkers went on strike demanding higher pay and assurances that new port technology would not put them out of a job. The year was 1977 — but the same themes ring true in the first dockworkers' strike to hit since then, as more than 47,000 members of the International Longshoremen's Association walked off the job Tuesday at 36 ports along the East and Gulf coasts, including the Port of New York and New Jersey, affecting key facilities in Newark and Elizabeth … The 1977 strike lasted 44 days, said Will Brucher, a labor historian at Rutgers University in New Brunswick .. In the 1950s, before containerization, the New York-New Jersey ports employed more than 55,000 longshore workers. Now it’s down to about 4,000 … Containerization ‘allowed much larger volumes of cargo to be traded through the ports,’ Brucher said. ‘How to preserve jobs in the teeth of the container revolution is the question that haunts the waterfronts not only of the United States, but also of the world,’ Anthony Scotto, then vice president of the ILA, said in 1977, The New York Times reported.”
| | | | A message from WorkingNJ: Sean Spiller’s mom was a teacher, his dad worked at the Port Authority. As the son of immigrants, Sean Spiller knows real change and strong communities are worth fighting for.
An educator, union leader, and former Montclair Mayor, he’s fought for fair pay, affordable housing, and quality education. He has a plan to make New Jersey stronger by building an economy that works for every New Jerseyan.
Sean Spiller for Governor.
Learn more about Sean. | | |
COURTESY, PROFESSIONALISM, ROAD RAGE — “South Jersey man allegedly shot by off-duty NYPD officer in ‘random act of violence’ sues NYC for $300 million,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Abraham Gutman: “A Voorhees man who became quadriplegic after he was allegedly shot by an off-duty New York City police officer in May is seeking $300 million in a federal lawsuit filed against the city and its mayor, alleging that the police department allowed an officer with known alcohol addiction to carry a gun. Kishan Patel, 30, suffered a severe brain injury after Hieu Tran, an off-duty NYPD officer working in the public information unit, allegedly shot him in Camden County. Tran, 27, was arrested in June and charged with attempted murder and other counts.”
—“Judge denies plea deal for Princeton students arrested during pro-Gaza protests” —“These Penn Station expansion plans should be rejected, study says” —“Family of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau seeks order barring release of fatal accident records”
| | | | 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