Governor Phil Murphy this afternoon celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the DACA program.

“I cannot put it any more clearly,” Murphy said. “Our DREAMers are every bit as American as our four kids. I am proud the court saw the administration’s efforts to dismantle the program as the unlawful step that it was. …I am hopeful that Congress will further support our DREAMers with a path to citizenship.”

From USA Today:

In a deeply divided 5-4 opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court ruled that the Department of Homeland Security’s “arbitrary and capricious” process to end DACA was unlawful. That means that the Deferred Action for Childhood Protection (DACA) program created by President Barack Obama in 2012 will endure, allowing more than 650,000 DACA recipients to continue legally living and working in the U.S.

Read Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/18/2020

Declaring that these types of cases “could chill access to the courts,” Mercer County Assignment Judge May C. Jacobson rejected an attempt by the George Norcross-controlled South Jersey political machine to force progressives to pay six-figure attorney costs in election litigation.

New Jersey Working Families State Director Sue Altman released the following statement in response to Judge Jacobson’s ruling:

Today’s ruling is a resounding victory for ordinary citizens who, for too long, have been shut out of local politics by George Norcross’ political machine and its heavy-handed tactics.

Norcross’ political allies, including his personal attorney Bill Tambussi (previously Donald Trump’s attorney) went into today’s hearing trying to send a message that anyone daring to run against the machine could be liable for six-figure damages.

New Jersey Working Families and our allies refuse to be intimidated by these tactics. This extraordinary effort led by Tambussi and his colleagues to seek revenge against those daring to run for office was advanced by lawyers and paid for by South Jersey taxpayers and designed to chill political activity. But we will not back down — not today, not ever.

Judge Jacobson’s decision sends a message that these types of tactics won’t hold up in court. In fact, these proceedings will undoubtedly inspire more candidates to run for office, so that we can, once and for all, ensure there is opportunity for anyone seeking to get involved in the political process in South Jersey. It’s a tragedy we even need to state this as an aspiration, but it is clear times are changing in New Jersey and today was a win for democracy and the progressive movement.

Running for mayor of Atlantic City, Pamela Thomas-Fields had this to say today in response to Governor Phil Murphy backing Marty Small for mayor:

“I maintain my commitment to the people of Atlantic City as the best candidate in this race to move our city forward with accountability and transparency that works for all residents. My grassroots support continues to reaffirm that I am the unbossed voice of the people and that will be clear on July 7. My campaign is not some of the same old same old and the establishment is clearly shaken.

“The truth is this is not personal, this is business. You only need to take a drive through the city to see that the status quo has not served the residents. I am the independent voice for change that will work to make Atlantic City healthy, wealthy and wise by bringing all stakeholders to the table to participate in our rebirth. If the voters are ready to take part in the wholesale initiative to improve our city then I am ready to be the voice that rights the ship. I urge voters to think forward for Atlantic City when completing their ballots, and to not cling to the complacency and corruption that has held us back for so long.”

Read Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/17/2020

From Ted Sherman at NJ.com: “A high-ranking state Health Department official mysteriously let go at the height of the pandemic alleges the real reason he was fired was because he pushed back on a request to test relatives of Gov. Phil Murphy’s top aide for coronavirus, calling it a “complete waste of his time.”

According to a newly filed whistleblower lawsuit obtained by NJ Advance Media, Christopher Neuwirth — who served as assistant commissioner for the Division of Public Health, Infrastructure, Laboratories and Emergency Preparedness — claimed that he was ordered in late April to provide test kits to family members of George Helmy, the governor’s chief of staff, for COVID-19.”

Contributors to candidates for governor will be able to give up to $4,900 per election in 2021 under new inflation-adjusted limits and thresholds set by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

In another change required by law every four years, gubernatorial candidates who qualify for public funding can spend a maximum of $7.3 million in primary elections and $15.6 million in general elections.

They can receive up to $4.6 million in public funds during the primary election, and $10.5 million during the general election. New Jersey in 1974 was the first state in the nation to approve the use of public matching funds for gubernatorial elections.

“Our program, which has won national acclaim, is a relative bargain. The average of $4.18 per taxpayer spent in 2017 to pay for the program helped free up gubernatorial candidates to focus more on issues that matter most to voters while exposing them to less direct influence by special interest groups,’’ said Jeff Brindle, ELEC’s Executive Director.

The table below shows the adjusted limits and thresholds under the Gubernatorial Public Financing Program. The adjustments apply to 2021 gubernatorial campaigns already underway (one person has declared his candidacy for the 2021 primary), or candidates who declare later for next year’s election.

Table 1
2021 Gubernatorial Cost Index Adjustments
LIMIT/THRESHOLD 2017 AMOUNT 2021 AMOUNT
Contribution Limit $ 4,300 $ 4,900
Qualification Threshold $ 430,000 $ 490,000
Amount Not Matched $ 138,000 $ 156,000
Primary Public Fund Cap $ 4,000,000 $ 4,600,000
Primary Expenditure Limit $ 6,400,000 $ 7,300,000
General Public Fund Cap $ 9,300,000 $10,500,000
General Expenditure Limit $13,800,000 $15,600,000

The bi-partisan Commission approved 3-0 the 2021 Cost Index Report at today’s meeting. Following a public hearing October 20, 2020, the Commission must by December adopt rules implementing the changes.

Since its inception, the Gubernatorial Public Financing program has provided funds to 37 Republican candidates, 36 Democrats and three independents.

“One purpose of the program is to help persons of limited financial means seek election to the state’s highest office,” said Brindle. “In other states with no contribution limits or public funding, candidates are more likely to have to depend on large checks from special interest donors.”

“It is fine for interest groups to seek government policies that favor their interests. Public financing and
contribution limits simply ensure that no one donor has too much direct leverage over candidates,” he said.

One reason for the gubernatorial financing program’s success is the fact that contribution limits and other thresholds are adjusted regularly to offset inflation.

New Jersey is believed to be the only state that factors in the cost of advertising as a major part of its
inflation formula. “Media inflation generally is higher than general inflation. New Jersey’s method adjusts for this disparity better than relying solely on the consumer price index,” said Brindle, who developed the unique index.

Revised fines and reporting thresholds for non-gubernatorial candidates are listed on the following page.
They apply to any candidates or committees intending to take part in 2021 elections.

On Monday, Republican Whip and Select Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Scalise, along with the other four Republican members of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, sent letters to the governors of five states that forced nursing homes to take in COVID-positive patients as part of their pandemic response.  Read the release here, and the letter below to Governor Murphy:

Read Insider NJ‘s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/16/2020

By a vote of 6-3, the US Supreme Court Ruled that workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

This is consequential because in many states (including neighboring Pennsylvania) you can lose you job for being gay LGBTQ.

Brian McGinnis is a long time LGBTQ activist and an employment lawyer at Fox Rothchild LLP.

“Today, the Court decided that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Ms McGinnis told InsiderNJ. “In one sense, it’s a routine and obvious application of the law’s plain text. Even so, it’s a monumental victory for LGBTQ people and their loved ones, in a time when so many reject the notion of our humanity and existence.”

Justices appointed by President Donald Trump were split on the issue. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, who aligned with Chief Justice John Roberts and the court’s four liberals, wrote the majority opinion.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined fellow Justices Samuel Alito (of New Jersey) and Clarence Thomas in the dissent. Time to kill? Check out Justice Alito’s embittered dissent here.

“If applying the law’s clear text was the only consideration, this result is not a surprise,” Mr McGinnis added. “But it’s surprising in this political moment given some other decisions of this court.”