Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 5/2/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “No one likes secrecy, whether you’re a MAGA Republican or a Bernie fan.” – Attorney CJ Griffin on OPRA reform legislation
TOP STORY: There’s Not a New Sheriff in Town – Yet…
The judge in Senator Menendez’s trial warned lawyers to stop wasting time with motions, according to the Bergen Record.
More NJ children are being tested for lead, according to NJ Spotlight.
Anti-Muslim bias incidents have doubled in the state amid the Israel-Gaza war, according to NJ.com.
Anti-Semitism monitors could be coming to NJ campuses under a new plan, according to NJ.com.
Bergen County renamed two children’s resource offices to avoid confusion, according to the Bergen Record.
Monmouth County launched a free wellness transportation program, according to TAPinto.
Passaic County Sheriff’s Office layoffs are expected in July, according to NorthJersey.com. The county will unveil a Vietnam War Memorial Wall, according to TAPinto.
Senator Booker reintroduced the ‘Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act’. Booker reintroduced the ‘Access to Birth Control Act’. Booker introduced the ‘CROWN Act’.
Rep. Sherrill remembered the late Rep. Payne on the House floor.
Genova Burns LLC welcomed Jaclynn McDonnell and Edward Bonnett.
The NJ Pride Chamber of Commerce touted its first quarter of 2024.
Kean University received a $800k award to increase diversity in computing.
ICYMI: Fulop celebrates reservoir trail; Kim leading in Senate race; Murphy addressed the First Lady’s Senate exit; majority reject OPRA changes; animosity growing around Sussex’s Hayden; as state wrestles with ballot decision, appeals rejected stay request, Republicans filed lawsuit to expand ruling to GOP ballots; ballot system brought to electoral maturity; poll shows Dems support Rep. Kim; Quraishi ruled county line unconstitutional
As Passaic County’s Democratic primary intensifies, former Sheriff Speziale was endorsed by Jersey City Mayor Fulop, while county leaders and officials close ranks around party choice Chief Adamo.
Senator Bramnick discusses his gubernatorial run with Steve Adubato (video).
In CD7, Rep. Kean criticized challenger Altman over the Columbia riots, according to SaveJersey.
Palmieri will step down as Warren County Democratic chair, according to NJ Globe.
The Somerset County GOP faces an ELEC complaint, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: Murphy addressed campus unrest; Malinowski eying chairmanship of Hunterdon Dems; Fulop launching down-ballot effort; in CD8, Menendez slammed Bhalla; Passaic’s intense primary battle; Moran launched Moxie; Murphy became factor in end of line; Menendez independent candidacy could give GOP best shot; line impact less seismic; Bhalla is going for broke in primary challenge; Sherrill trouncing other 2025 guv Dems; Zisa stepping down; Ciattarelli launched guv candidacy; Bramnick has question for Ciattarelli, Spadea; Bashaw declined to participate in debate; in CD3, Conaway, Murphy battle energized; don’t count out party boss influence just yet
Governor Murphy signed legislation codifying the state certification program for LGBTQ+ businesses.
ELEC urged the Legislature to resolve the conflict between ELEC law and Daniel’s Law.
Governor Murphy wants formerly incarcerated residents to serve on juries, according to the Bergen Record.
Lincoln University will honor the late LG Oliver.
Former Senator Laskin passed away, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Murphy Administration says a funding shift means more money to hospitals, according to NJ Spotlight.
Republican Budget Committee members called on LG Way to redirect funding for the Pompidou museum project.
Senator Pennacchio renewed his call for a full investigation into the state’s COVID-19 policies.
Senator Pou will deliver William Paterson University’s commencement address.
ICYMI: Lawsuit filed alleging state ‘knowingly’ forced casino workers to work in second-hand smoke
An Insider NJ movie review of ‘Civil War’.
Veteran defense attorney Joe Hayden shared his personal recounting of the Bill Musto trial.
Leonard Lance discusses former President Trump on the Julie Briggs Show.
Beware the Ides of March: New Jersey and Rome.
Former Senator and Governor Richard J. Codey shares this thoughts on this year’s presidential race.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Advance and Insider NJ’s 2024 African-American List
In Montclair, Latina Civic PAC endorsed council candidate Wendy Tiburcio.
In Keansburg, the NJLCV endorsed council candidates.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small says Blatstein plans to build 1,000 units of housing, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Time will tell if the Housing Authority can turn around its troubles, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Police responded to a family dispute at the mayor’s home, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bernards, school busing costs are coming down, according to NJ Hills.
In Bernardsville, the tax rate is dropping, according to NJ Hills.
In Bridgewater, the township is looking to replace turf fields, according to TAPinto.
In Florham Park, the council campaign season is starting, according to NJ Hills.
In Harding, an in-depth report details how officers spend their time, according to NJ Hills.
In Hillsborough, schools are facing ‘draconian cuts’, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hoboken, three councilmembers called for the return of the Housing Authority police precinct in the wake of a murder, according to Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, the BOE will meet over a trustee’s alleged remark, according to Hudson County View.
In Linden, Mayor Armstead called for ‘Daniel’s Law’ to include elected officials, according to TAPinto.
In Marlboro, the BOE is considering an investigation after a student was touched, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Ocean City, a landmark was demolished, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Old Bridge, an arrested BOE member attended a meeting, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Randolph, the BOE approved the budget, according to NJ Hills.
In Red Bank, a court called for answers on a charter school’s racial impact, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Spotswood, a judge will decide whether recordings of the mayor will be made public, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Toms River, petitioners think the mayor can be beat over the animal shelter, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Warren, a new police chief was appointed, according to TAPinto.
In Westfield, the budget was approved with no tax increase, according to TAPinto.
In Wildwood, the first female police chief was sworn-in, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Ventnor, $17M in bond ordinances were introduced, according to Downbeach.
In Vineland, a farm was chosen to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Jersey Fresh’, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In New Brunswick, freedom of press case may go to state SC; in Roxbury, BOE decision to rescind transgender protections
Insider NJ columnist Carl Golden writes ‘‘Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game!?’‘
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘Gaza’s Fate Looms Large in NJ Dems June Primary Debate‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson writes ‘Health Care Access: We Need to do Better‘
Insider NJ columnist former Senator Bernard Kenny writes ‘America 2024: A Matter of Life and Death‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Senator Timberlake writes ‘Heroes Who Walk Beside Us: Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.‘
AROUND THE WEB:
New Jersey mourns congressman Donald Payne Jr. as he lies in state
Steve Strunsk, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps in death as he had in life, lying in state in the Essex County Historic Courthouse in Newark on Wednesday. Payne Jr., a father of three, and a former Newark city council president and Essex County freeholder — just as his father had been — died April 24 following what his congressional office said was cardiorespiratory arrest linked to diabetes and high blood pressure. He was 65.
For 700,000 NJ workers who face barriers to jobless benefits, activists propose a bridge
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- Despite improvements in the state’s beleaguered unemployment system, over 700,000 New Jerseyans still face barriers to jobless benefits, a new report says. Now several activist groups including Make the Road New Jersey — emphasizing the results of that report — are putting forward several solutions it says could close that gap. Those groups hosted a rally Wednesday at Military Park in Newark’s business district.
Newark Mayor’s Brother Received $77K in Consulting Payments for 2022 Mayoral Campaign
Mark J. Bonamo and Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark
- Reports filed by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s political campaign with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) show that more than $77,000 in payments to Amiri ‘Middy’ Baraka’s political consulting film, Bottom Up, were made after the 2022 mayoral election.
Rutgers-Newark encampment becomes third in NJ calling for Israel divestment
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- Three New Jersey colleges have pro-divestment encampments after Rutgers-Newark joined the cause Wednesday. A little after noon, students, professors and community members put up tents outside the Law School at Rutgers-Newark and joined their sister school in New Brunswick in demanding Rutgers divest from companies associating with Israel. Protesters at Princeton University have also called for their school to divest.
Latest aftershock hits New Jersey after April earthquake, measuring 2.6
Kyle Morel, NorthJersey.com
- It seems New Jersey is not quite done feeling the effects of last month’s earthquake. The state experienced a 2.6-magnitude aftershock near Gladstone at 7:01 a.m. Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey website. The event joined a 2.9-magnitude quake recorded at 9:49 a.m. Saturday as the largest seismic events in the past three weeks.
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- The money is running out for one of the only successful tools we have to fight learning loss: High-impact tutoring. There isn’t more in the governor’s latest budget, and the truth is, kids are not nearly caught up yet.
Who owns Miss America? A former Atlantic City casino owner is suing for $20 million.
Nick Vadala, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Will the real owner of Miss America please stand up? A dispute over the ownership of the long-running beauty pageant is taking center stage after former Atlantic City casino owner Glenn F. Straub last week sued Miss America’s CEO for $20 million in Palm Beach County, Fla.
Legislation would unfairly target delivery cyclists
NJ Monitor
- It’s not every day that you get to decide the condom a couple will be using, but if you are a delivery worker, it can happen (for the curious, I chose Trojan Her Pleasure since the one they requested was out of stock). If you work making deliveries for, say, Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub, you can end up making medicine runs or dropping off food for a disabled grandma, which makes our work seem meaningful and appreciated.
Your town can opt in to NJ’s marijuana market at any time
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- Like most New Jersey municipalities, Englishtown decided ahead of an August 2021 deadline to not get involved with New Jersey’s adult-use cannabis market … for the time being. Fast forward to 2024, and officials in the Monmouth County borough are counting on a couple retail dispensaries to open their doors to the public by early summer.
Protests continue at Princeton, Rutgers, broken up at Columbia
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- As the NYPD arrested nearly 300 protesters at Columbia University and the City College of New York, the pro-Palestine sit-in at Princeton University and the encampment at Rutgers University continued on Tuesday. Administrators in Princeton promised severe consequences against protesters affiliated with the university.
30 NJ hospitals earn A grades for patient safety in spring Leapfrog report
Jessica Perry, NJBIZ
- The last time The Leapfrog Group released its hospital safety grades, nearly 20 from the Garden State recorded losses. But in the most recent assessment, New Jersey facilities made gains. More than 80% of the state’s hospitals earned A or B scores in the Spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades revealed May 1. Altogether, 67 acute care Garden State facilities participated. New Jersey ranked No. 3 in the nation for the number of As — a 10 spot jump from the fall.
NJIT signs 74,356 sq. ft. office lease at Fidelco’s Broad St. property in Newark
ROI-NJ Staff
- In what is deemed the largest office transaction in the Newark submarket to date in 2024, New Jersey Institute of Technology has signed a long-term sublease for a 74,356-square-foot space at 494 Broad St. The deal was arranged by Avison Young on behalf of sublandlord Altice USA.
Jersey City Town Hall series for U.S. Senate race comes to a close with Larry Hamm
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor, held his third U.S. Senate Town Hall with civil rights advocate Larry Hamm at the Zeppelin Hall Biergarten last night.
NJ high school students claim censorship after protest canceled
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- Several students at Eastern Regional High School in Camden County were suspended late last week after a walkout to protest Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza was canceled by school administrators.
Dogs’ lives are on the line at Trenton Animal Shelter
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- The lives of seven dogs housed inside Trenton Animal Shelter hang in the balance as city officials plan their death unless someone adopts them by May 6. Lt. Alexis Durlacher, chief of the city’s Bureau of Animal Control, described a bleak situation inside the Escher St. facility as officials plan to put down dogs for creation of space, an act that will terminate the Shelter’s “no kill” designation.
An urgent call to preserve half of New Jersey’s land
Jay Watson
- New Jersey is not only the nation’s most densely populated state, it’s also predicted to be the first to reach full build-out – the point where all land has been either developed or preserved. If current trends continue, full build-out could occur by the middle of this century.
Murphy celebrates “a full week of declining numbers” then says “status quo of lockdown will remain until new cases and fatalities decrease.” So, which of Murphy’s statements is accurate? He said 2 opposite things in a single paragraph of speaking.
He;s “vacationing” at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by “remote work”…………translation: NO WORK
That is what happens in practicality when they are “suspending their disbelief” (HR Clinton) in real numbers and going on predictive models to make decisions. And then after doing that, they vote with “feelings.”
lmao imagine supporting lockdowns after the largest mass death event in american history and calling that a feeling driven conclusion? maga chuds never fail to disappoint
keeping up with the news
OK
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keeping up with the news
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Roofing In Brighton
Roofing Colorado Springs
So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
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Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
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lETS NOT FORGET that during the pandemic Donald Trump sent the MERCY, a fully equipped, COVID prepared Hospital ship to save lives of victims and healthcare workers . But Murphy in his wisdom would rather send Patients back to nursing homes that were ill-equipped to treat these patients so they could die , rather than utilize a life-saving gift and be like NY governor Cuomo, another anti-Trump
tool.
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Gun owners don’t have to talk about guns because they know that they have to come out and vote to protect their constitutional right to bear arms. The Supreme court decision has affirmed that right and somehow our “leaders” haven’t learned how to read.
NJ is one of the most corrupt and racist places to live. There’s “0” accountability for the criminal acts, corruption, and unfair treatment of the people of this state. It starts with our governor who cares less for truth and honesty. Continue to ruin the lives of the citizens of this state.
How about those unintended consequences.
New Jersey mandating that all cars being sold by 2035 be electric is telling us what we can or cannot buy with our own money. There will always be gasoline powered vehicles because of the power produced by internal combustion compared to the power produced by batteries; which is to say the more power the bigger the battery to the point of rediculousness. My thought is that if the state wants fewer gas powered vehicles on the road it should create a mass transit electric powered system that would emphasize convenience for commuters and everyday shoppers. Of course that would mean vehicles weighing tons more because of the size of batteries and that creates a whole other question of where to dispose of them (also for elelectric car batteries), since they are composed of highly toxic materials that can’t be burnt or buried. These are unintended consequences no- one is willing to grapple with until its too late. I think by 2035 th he electric car fantasy will go the same way the offshore wind farm has gone.
Stephen Brickman
206 Stonehenge Dr
Phillipsburg,NJ 08865
Stephen.Brickman@gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone
The military serving in the Middle East represents every state in the Union. Those are our sons and daughters, Moms and Dads and yet we are very little to protect them, or REALLY retaliate when they’re attacked. Governor Murphy is the Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, and past chair of the National Governors Association and yet you never hear him mention about any requests either organization makes to Biden to be more aggressive about protecting our kids in harms way. It’s as though it doesn’t seem to matter to them. No wonder we look so weak to the rest of the world.
Teaneck property taxes pays for the school budget. Teaneck High School students walk out. Is a Hamas military shuffle march property tax bill included?
I’m a conservative and I do believe life begins at conception but the problem is that each mother is responsible for that life and it is in the realm of her mental and physical health that she will either bring it to term or abort it. This should not be a political decision and should not be be dictated by thousand of strangers. The Supreme Court turned it over to the states but it still remains personal for the mother and her family.
I don’t think it should be an “agenda item” for any political party. A state medical society may want to impose a time frame within which an abortion can occur but even that may be subject to the mother’s doctor’s discretion.
I say just quit discussing it and leave it up to the mother a father.
Voting should be based on understanding what’s actually happening and knowing who would make life safer and more livable. The only way to do that is to get both sides of the information remembering there are always two sides to a story. Mainstream media in my area includes the Star Ledger and the Easton Express. If you look at the bylines of the opinions you will find writers from the Washington Post and Bloomberg, both notoriously on the left. Even the political cartoons are a dead giveaway. CNN and CNBC are also left leaning. So what are the options for getting opinions and news from the right? Fortunately cable news has Fox, which is near center, and Newsmax, and NewsNation which are full right. Watching these even just occasionally will show a much broader picture and give the reader more information with which to make an informed voting decision. And remember you DONT have to vote party if you feel there’s a wiser choice.
The governor signed off on having Narcan available in all schools grades 9 through 12. But what about the idea
of having Narcan available in ALL SCHOOLS in New Jersey?
How’s his for an idea? Uncover the identities of the un-elected advisors to Pres. Biden, and publish their names. That way there is actually someone to blame when we lose valuable lives from unanswered attacks by terrorist organizations. We know Biden isn’t making these decisions on his own. My guess is that these advisors will quit the team rather than take the heat for poor decisions, revealing a big weakness in this administration. It might lead to improvements to the decision-making process.
Note to Concealed Carry permit holders: make sure you subscribe to one of the insurance companies that specialize in CCP, ie: US LAW SHIELD. If you ever have to fire your weapon , that has to be the first phone call you make. The second is 911, the third is your family. With so many new permit holders there will probably be an increase in discharges until word gets out that it’s actually unsafe for criminals to be in New Jersey and crime will take a nosedive.
Now unless you have a conviction in your background you can get that CCP and really defend yourself and your family. And more women are applying which is great for family defense. The stats that record gun violence will have to be re-organized into guns used for crime and guns used to prevent crime. A lot of get-always here because sometimes just brandishing a firearm is enough to stop a crime. But it should be reported anyway..
The liability limits for taxi cabs are extreme starting July 1. It was a plan in place through the insurance banking committee and it was abruptly changed with an amendment. The guys are barely making a living today and you’ve increased their insurance. What’s fair is fair and this is not it was an incremental increase, which was fair, and was removed by the governor please refer back to the original plan
Iowa gets it right. What better school security is there than trained, armed teachers with concealed carry permits. You wonder what parents and local government officials when they oppose this idea. Apparently they would rather wait for some demented individual, either a student or maybe an ex student pulls out a handgun of his backpack , or a long gun out of a duffel and starts firing do they can call it in and wait for help to show up. This move would save many lives and I would heartily endorse this idea nationwide. Of course I’m just an average gun owner who believes that our kids are our most valuable asset and need real protection.
The problem with the Line is that there is no vetting process. Whoever pays the most and/or is specifically unqualified and therefore relegated to the status of puppet is who the county bosses support and threaten the committee members to support. My opponent said on-air that he will do whatever they tell him. What kind of leadership is that. I have 8-10 organizations endorsing me to his zero. I have served many statewide for almost 4 years while he has never helped anyone but himself. No-brainer who is qualified, and they know it. That’s why they are getting nasty and vile while I continue to take the high road.