| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Monday morning! I’m back from vacation. I read a lot and spent a day in Montreal, where I had just enough time to eat poutine while watching a Canadiens game. I intentionally didn’t follow much New Jersey news — I barely even heard about the drones — but on Sunday read this fascinating piece about an attorney general investigation into whether State Police intentionally and dramatically reduced traffic violation enforcement in response to an AG-sponsored report that found continuing racial bias in traffic stops. According to the Times, citations for violations — some as serious as drunken driving — went down by 81 percent during an eight-month period beginning in July 2023. That “coincided with an almost immediate uptick in motor vehicle crashes.” Read more about it here. It’s becoming increasingly clear that there is some kind of power struggle, or at least deep tension, between the Attorney General’s Office and the State Police that the AG ultimately oversees. Still, when this report first came out, State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan said the force would “readily accept and embrace the scrutiny and oversight that comes with serving our communities.” But a 2023 memo from Troopers union head Wayne Blanchard spoke of “internal and external entities who seemingly wish to see us fail” and reminded his members that “every stop and enforcement action you take will be highly scrutinized,” according to the report. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “So it’s true that our country and our society now has been broken up into segments. We have this group, we have that group, and certain groups have more pull than others in the media, and what have you.” — Imam Kevin Dawud Amin’s allegedly anti-semitic comment at a Montclair council meeting that, along with social media posts, led to the town disbanding its police chaplain program TIPS? FEEDBACK Email us at dracioppi@politico.com and rrivard@politico.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Marilyn Piperno, Micah Rasmussen, John Carroll, Tricia Enright WHERE’S MURPHY?: In Princeton at 11 a.m. to sign the "Freedom to Read Act" | | A message from Alibaba: U.S. businesses are growing global sales on Alibaba’s online marketplace. In just one year American businesses sold billions of dollars worth of goods internationally on Alibaba. These U.S. global sales also supported hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and billions in U.S. wages. Learn how U.S. global sales on Alibaba support the U.S. economy. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
IF ONLY THERE WERE MULTIPLE METHODS AVAILABLE TO VOTE EARLY — Murphy ‘open’ to shifting 2025 primary for Jewish holiday observation, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Gov. Phil Murphy is “open” to shifting the date of the 2025 primary election so it does not interfere with a Jewish holiday, a spokesperson said. Next year’s June 3 primary will overlap with the holiday of Shavuot, where observant Jews cannot work, write, drive or use electronics. Jewish advocacy leaders are asking to change the primary day, Jewish Insider reported. The holiday has coincided with primary election days most recently in 2011 and 2014 … “The Governor is open to working with the Legislature to shift the date of the June 3, 2025 primary election due to overlap with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, recognizing that many Orthodox Jewish voters are not able to work, travel, write, or use electronics that day,” Murphy spokesperson Kiran Sheth said in a statement.
AN INCUMBERANCE — “Incumbency label on primary ballots appears doomed,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A fissure among some lawmakers over the option of labeling incumbents on the primary election ballot appears to doom the option, several individuals with knowledge of the proposed ballot design legislation told the New Jersey Globe on Saturday. Draft legislation included an option for a candidate to request that the word 'incumbent' be placed adjacent to their name on the ballot. Each incumbent would make that decision independently. The labeling of incumbents came from members of the Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design, which includes requirements for office block ballots, candidate bracketing, slogan sharing, and an option to rotate the names of candidates on different ballots. There is a concern that special designations on a ballot not equally available to all candidates might not be upheld in court.” CHURCH V. STATE — “Two North Jersey churches win round in religious discrimination suit over historic grants,” by The Record’s Deena Yellin: “Two North Jersey churches have won a preliminary injunction against a policy barring them from historic preservation grants, in a lawsuit testing the bounds of the separation of church and state mandated by the U.S. Constitution. U.S. District Court Judge Evelyn Padin ruled last week in favor of the two Morris County churches, which sued after county officials adopted a policy excluding religious entities from consideration for grants. The plaintiffs said the policy, which was prompted by a state court ruling, amounted to religious discrimination and violated their First Amendment rights … The ruling means that the Morris County churches can, while the lawsuit proceeds, request historic funding … Padin found that it was ‘likely’ the churches would win their argument that their right to freely exercise their faith had been violated.” — Opinion: “Sherrill’s run for governor: ‘Lead, follow or get out of the way’” — “What can 2024 results tell us about 2025’s legislative races?” — “The 10 members of the Assembly least likely to return after 2025 election” — “PATH fare hike must come with more service, coalition says” | | | | REGISTER NOW: As the 118th Congress ends, major decisions loom, including healthcare appropriations. Key focus: site neutrality. Can aligning hospital and clinic costs cut federal spending, reflect physician costs, and lower patient expenses? Join policymakers and providers to discuss. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
THE KIMPOSSIBLE DREAM — New Jersey’s Andy Kim is named to the Senate early, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Andy Kim, a three-term congressmember who upended New Jersey’s political landscape in his quest for higher office, was appointed to the U.S. Senate Sunday. Kim, 42, takes office following the resignation of interim Sen. George Helmy, who had long said he would leave office once the results of the 2024 election were certified. Kim will fill the seat vacated by Bob Menendez this summer following his federal conviction … “It’s an honor to get to represent the state that gave my family a chance at the American Dream in the U.S. Senate,” Kim said in a statement. “It’s a dream that remains out of reach for too many of our neighbors, and one that I’m ready on day one to fight for. I want to thank Governor Murphy and Senator Helmy for ensuring that New Jersey was well represented during this transition, and look forward to getting to work for the people.” A Moorestown resident who lives with his wife and two young children, Kim ran a campaign heavily focused on ethics following the indictment of longtime senator Menendez, who resigned in August following his July conviction on 16 corruption counts.
TURNOUT FOR WHAT? — “N.J. voters set a record this election. But not in a good way,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “For months, it was billed as the most important election of our lives — a presidential battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump that would determine the future of our divided country and maybe even the fate of democracy itself. But in New Jersey, many voters responded with a great big, historic shrug. About 4.3 million of the Garden State’s 6.6 million registered voters cast ballots in the election, or about 65% of those eligible to vote, according to the final results certified by state officials this week. That’s the lowest turnout the state has ever seen in a presidential election year, an NJ Advance Media analysis found. … The number is 2 percentage points lower than the previous mark, set 12 years ago.” — “Pallone calls for federal ban on Red Dye 3 in food” — “How many people from New Jersey will get Trump pardons in Capitol riot case?” | | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
SHE SAID ‘BABY, IT’S 3AM, IT MUST BE STOLEN’ — “‘Massive breach’: Social security numbers, health info and much more stolen in Hoboken cyberattack,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “Social security numbers, driver’s licenses, payroll, health and other personal information of Hoboken workers and residents ― including dozens who applied for rental assistance during the pandemic ― was among the data stolen in the cyberattack last month, The Jersey Journal has confirmed. The Russia-linked ransomware group ThreeAM (also known as 3AM) has claimed responsibility for the attack, two cybersecurity experts told the Journal, although the group has not made its demands from the city public. Hoboken officials have not released any information on how much personal identifying information (PII) and personal health information (PHI) was stolen in the Nov. 27 cyberattack that forced the closure of City Hall and have affected city services and the municipal court. An extensive summary list of the thousands of files stolen, obtained by The Jersey Journal, shows the ransomware group hit every department in the city, from payroll to construction to health and animal control. The files go as far back as 1987.”
DOUBLE-DIP DON JUAN — A Hudson County operative's retaliation lawsuit reveals long-running affair with his boss, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: An influential Hudson County political operative filed a lawsuit on Friday alleging he was the victim of retaliation by his boss at work — the local school board superintendent— who he claimed to have an extramarital affair with for nearly two decades. In the lawsuit filed in Hudson County Superior Court, Joseph “Joey” Muniz claims he was suspended with pay from his job late last month by Hudson County Schools of Technology Superintendent Amy Lin-Rodriguez, claiming the two had an extramarital affair since 2006. Muniz, who was employed as board secretary and oversaw human resources, according to the lawsuit, is not just any school board employee. He has been a key player in Hudson County Democratic politics for years. He served as a political adviser to former Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Nick Sacco, a former state senator and the incumbent mayor of North Bergen. Muniz remains active in county politics. CHASING WATER FAILS — “Worker collected OT while home faking water samples for testing, records show,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “The Trenton water utility worker fired for fudging drinking water data for over a year in New Jersey’s capital and its suburbs collected about 125 hours in overtime and double-time pay during his 14 months on the job, payroll records show. Cesar Lugo submitted water for testing from his faucets at home instead of the eight to 11 locations where he was supposed to collect samples for Trenton Water Works, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora told the New Jersey Monitor. The utility serves almost 220,000 people in Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence. Lugo is now under investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office after state environmental and city officials determined he falsified drinking water data from November 2022, when he began the job, through December 2023. He was fired in January, and the utility notified customers of the monitoring failures last week.” | | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | |
ATLANTIC COUNTY — “We have too many kids in juvenile detention and it’s getting dangerous, N.J. county says,” by Matt Gray for NJ.com: “As it struggles with a recent spike in serious crimes committed by juveniles, Atlantic County has gone to court to address what it deems a crisis in the housing of young people charged with criminal offenses. County officials argue the state Juvenile Justice Commission has ignored its responsibility to manage the statewide housing of juveniles charged with crimes and instead ordered the counties to figure it out. That has led to overcrowding, riots, juveniles held at police stations in violation of federal and state law, and mental health emergencies, Atlantic County officials say. The county wants a Superior Court judge to clarify whether the state commission or counties are responsible for placements in detention facilities and ensuring that a bed can be found for each young person held statewide. Atlantic County officials are asking a judge to issue an injunction ordering the state agency to take over responsibility.”
— “Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita” — “Jersey City BOE president aims for vote on students’ cellphone ban Monday” — “Child identified [Paterson] cop as man who exposed himself on street, authorities say” — “Newark schools get spanked over waste | Editorial” — "NJ legislators should not slow Jersey City’s future growth | Opinion" | | A message from Alibaba: New Jersey-based businesses are growing globally on Alibaba’s online marketplace. Dr. Eddie Omar, CEO of New Jersey-based Phyto-C, said that his company “experienced a 600% increase in revenue since selling globally on Alibaba.” According to NDP Analytics research company, those sales contributed millions to New Jersey’s GDP, and supported thousands of local jobs in just one year.
Learn how global sales by New Jersey-based businesses are supporting the local economy in our state. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
THE MOST DRONING IN N.J. SINCE THE LAST LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING — “Unidentified Drones Light Up New Jersey’s Skies, Baffling Residents,” by The New York Times’ Alyce McFadden: “Drone sightings have been reported in at least 10 New Jersey counties since mid-November. They have been spotted flying over important infrastructure, like reservoirs, power lines and railroads, in people’s backyards and above highways. They often fly in groups and emit a loud humming noise that [Nick] Dunbar, 39, described as similar to the sounds made by electric cars. The drones appear to be significantly larger than those widely available to hobbyists. The sightings have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily ban drones from flying over a military base in Morris County and a golf club owned and frequented by President-elect Donald J. Trump. On Nov. 26, drones flying near a landing zone prevented a medical helicopter from picking up a person injured in a car crash in Somerset County, according to NJ.com. State leaders and elected officials have said the drones do not pose any threat to the public. But they have yet to provide any information about who might be operating them, or why.” — “Drones spotted over N.J.’s largest reservoir, worrying local officials” — “NJ drone sightings have residents watching the skies. Should you believe social media?” STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW SCHOOL — “University’s ex-assistant dean sentenced to prison in $1.3M embezzlement scheme,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matthew Enuco: “A former Assistant Dean at Seton Hall Law School was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty earlier this year to her role in a $1.3 million embezzlement scheme that lasted more than a decade, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday. Teresina DeAlmeida, 59, of Warren previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud earlier this year along with two co-conspirators, officials said.” R.I.P. — “Christy Davis Jackson mixed politics and religion with grace” R.I.P. — “N.J. school crossing guard dies after being hit by car while walking kids across street” | | | | 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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