Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/20/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The challenges facing our nation are many. But that means, so too, are the opportunities. And I am going to lean into these opportunities so that, while my time here may be short, my impact may be lasting. So I intend to be focused. And I intend to be busy. And I intend to make every single day count for the people of New Jersey.” – Senator Helmy in his maiden Senate floor speech
TOP STORY: Altman Picks up Tempo in CD-7 Against Reliably Invisible Kean
There’s been a rash of online threats against NJ schools, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Fed’s interest rate cuts will have ‘immediate benefit‘ in the state, according to NJ Spotlight.
Prosecutors urged a judge to reject former Senator Menendez’s attempts to get jury verdicts tossed, according to Politico NJ.
Garden State Equality opened a new headquarters, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Pricing and smaller crowds fuel the off-season at the Jersey Shore, according to the Daily Journal.
Monmouth County will add a new phase to the landfill, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Warren County police will construct a K-9 training facility, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
Senator Helmy delivered his maiden floor speech.
Senator Booker introduced the ‘Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act’.
Rep. Kim will hold his 79th town hall.
Workers are trying to unionize and clashing with employers at American Dream, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: Legislation pending to honor Pascrell; funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos; Kelly may have helped torpedo Mastro
The NJ State Troopers PAC released endorsements.
The NJLCV released endorsements.
In CD2, the Committee to Protect Healthcare endorsed Joe Salerno.
In CD7, Sue Altman is picking up the tempo as the general election heads into the final months.
In CD9, CHC BOLD PAC endorsed Senator Pou.
In CD10, End Citizens United endorsed McIver. McIver may be sworn-in next week, according to NJ Globe.
In CD11, Morristown Mayor Dougherty endorsed Rep. Sherrill.
Rep. Kim was endorsed by Rutgers AAUP-AFT and PTLFC-AAUP-AFT for Senate.
ICYMI: Fulop guv candidacy sets up HCDO civil war scenario; ‘America First Republicans of NJ’ moving ahead w/’Too Big To Rig’ tour; McIver won CD10 election; Kim, Ciattarelli crisscrossed campaign trail; NJEA released endorsements; Kennedy lent support to Pou; Sayegh fundraised for McIver; Trump drama roiling Christie-Ciattarelli feud; Altman zeroed in on working class voters; Schaffer impressed by Harris; GSE Action Fund released endorsements; abortion flashpoint issue; Bramnick to fundraise w/ Boehner; Dems crammed BBQ; Bashaw’s campaign highlighted polling data; Elect Women NJ announced endorsements; PAM’s List endorsed candidates; NJGOP wants real race in the state; Gottheimer’s road to Guv goes through Middlesex; Pou by acclamation
Steve Adubato discusses bridge safety and infrastructure with Professor Bandelt (video).
Assemblyman Danielsen introduced a plastic water bottle procurement ban bill.
Public health advocates urged a study between problem gambling in casinos and indoor smoking in casinos.
NJ Wind Works hailed Atlantic City’s approval of the Atlantic Shores project.
ICYMI: Scutari announced bid for another term as Senate President
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Labor publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Policymakers publication.
Compliance Corner: Why Every Business Needs a Political-Activity Policy
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Legal publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Lobbyist publication.
In Paterson, oral arguments are set to begin next week in the city’s lawsuit to prevent the AG’s takeover of the police department.
In Jersey City, Councilman Solomon kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race.
In Hamilton (Mercer), a contract was awarded for the new municipal building.
In Garfield, Bergen County presented $197k in open space funding to the city.
In Atlantic City, the council approved the ‘road diet’ lawsuit settlement, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Carteret, the fire department is diversifying its ranks, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Glen Rock, a public forum discussed the fate of basketball courts, according to TAPinto.
In Passaic, apartment tenants united against rent hikes, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Madison, the town and Drew are at odds over a $65M plan to preserve the forest, according to the Daily Record.
In Mount Laurel, the council revisited the stormwater control ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In Randolph, two educators hope to win BOE seats, according to NJ Hills.
In Ridgewood, the town garage must be torn down immediately, according to the Bergen Record.
In Somers Point, a new councilmember was sworn-in, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Summit, a task force is tackling homelessness, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, schools will sue the state for more money, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In West Milford, a lawsuit seeks to reverse the switch to a full-time mayor, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Willingboro, residents and officials weighed in on the library’s future, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: In AC, Small, wife indicted
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘An Informed Public is the Best Civil Defense‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Archange Antoine writes ‘NJ Silent as Trump, Vance, and GOP Target Haitian Community‘
Insider NJ columnist George Ball writes ‘This Emperor Has No Clothes‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘The Post-2024 Election NJGOP Gubernatorial Civil War: Reaganism (Bramnick) versus Trumpism (Ciattarelli)‘
Insider NJ reporter Fred Snowflack writes ‘The New Reagan Movie and the MAGA Crowd‘
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven writes ‘An Intersection of Antisemitism and the War in Gaza That You Can Live With, and By‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Charlie Wowkanech writes ‘Labor Day: It’s Better in a Union‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Marker to honor 60th anniversary of Teaneck’s school integration unveiled at ceremony
Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
- Sixty years after the township’s school district became the first in the country to voluntarily integrate its schools, a blue and white historic marker honoring the event was unveiled at William Cullen Bryant School.
You can now check the status of your ANCHOR benefit. Here’s how.
Karin Price Mueller, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- At the start of the season for this year’s ANCHOR property benefit, some residents learned their applications would be filed automatically. Others had to file their own applications and go through an identity verification process with ID.me.
DEP Permit Hearing Set on Newark Gas Plant Plans as Opposition Mounts
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark
- Residents who attended a meeting of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission on Thursday to oppose the agency’s plans to build a natural gas power plant in the Ironbound learned a public hearing on state permits for the plant is scheduled for Oct. 1.
Assembly panel approves bill allowing mental health referrals by school counselors
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- Assembly lawmakers advanced legislation Thursday that would allow school counselors to refer students to outside mental health practitioners. Lawmakers pitched the bill, which cleared the chamber’s education committee in a 7-2 vote, as a means of connecting students who need behavioral health services beyond what school districts can provide on their own.
Lawmakers move to limit police use of DNA from babies and crime victims
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- New Jersey lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday that would limit law enforcement’s use of DNA samples taken from newborns and crime victims. The bill comes two years after the state Office of the Public Defender discovered that state police had used a baby’s blood sample taken as part of New Jersey’s mandatory newborn disease-screening program to charge the child’s father with a crime.
CarePoint warns 2,600 potential layoffs could hit Hudson County hospitals
Kimberly Redmond, NJBIZ
- CarePoint Health, the largest hospital system in Hudson County, could lay off more than 2,600 employees as it works to shore up its finances.
Food Donations at All-Time Low, Martha’s Pantry Appeals for Help
John Van Vliet, TAPinto Hawthorne
- Martha’s Pantry at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church has helped thousands of people over the five years it has been serving the community. But, owing to a severe drop in nonperishable food donations and money, the volunteers who run the operation are worried about how they will be able to carry on their mission.
Hoboken City Council OKs building $250k statue of LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- The Hoboken City Council approved building a $250,000 statue of LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson, which will be displayed at Stevens Park, at last night’s meeting.
Atlantic City mayor, school superintendent to be arraigned Oct. 10 in child abuse case
John O’Connor, Press of Atlantic City
- The city’s mayor and schools superintendent accused of abusing their teenage daughter are set to be arraigned next month, court officials said Thursday. Marty Small Sr., 50, and his wife, La’Quetta Small, 47, are scheduled to appear in front of Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury at 9 a.m. Oct. 10.
Landmark Freehold Raceway to cease operations at end of year; no word on future plans for site
Stephen Edelson, Asbury Park Press
- Officials at Freehold Raceway, where harness racing has been conducted since the mid-1800s, say they plan to cease all live racing and simulcast operations by the end of the year, citing unprofitable operations that “cannot continue under existing conditions.”
Rutgers president joins wave of college presidents calling it quits after year of tumult
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- When Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway steps down next summer at the end of his five-year contract, he’ll join a national wave of college presidents who have surrendered their posts amid controversy over campus protests. Campus unrest and activism, particularly over the war in Gaza, have driven several college presidents to resign in recent years, including Columbia University’s Minouche Shafik, University of Pennsylvania’s Liz Magill, and Harvard’s Claudine Gay.
NJ seniors may get a tax break if this congresman gets his way
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- You work all of your life and pay into Social Security, thinking you’ll at least be able to get some of your tax money back when you retire. Then you find out, you get taxes on that money, too. Not too many seniors are happy about that and could use a break right about now. Well, don’t hold your breath, but someone in Congress from our state is working on letting you keep your whole S.S. check.
$336M NJPAC redevelopment breaks ground in Newark
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- Wednesday was a day many years in the making for the City of Newark – as leaders, officials and stakeholders gathered to break ground on a $336 million project to redevelop the New Jersey Performing Arts Center‘s (NJPAC) downtown campus.
Developers of Atlantic City shipping container park seeking tenants
Buzz Keough, Press of Atlantic City
- Prospective tenants of a proposed beach-block shipping container park received an onsite tour of the $2.5 million project site Tuesday. Organizers said interest is high for the 22 available spaces that would become part of the entertainment, shopping and dining complex envisioned there.
Lawsuits buffet US offshore wind projects, seeking to end or delay them
Wayne Parry, Associated Press
- Opponents of offshore wind around the U.S. are pelting projects with lawsuits seeking to cancel them or tie them up for years in costly litigation. The court cases represent another hurdle the nascent industry must overcome, particularly along the East Coast where opposition to offshore wind farms is vocal and well-organized.
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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Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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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.
Your blog is a haven of positivity in a sometimes chaotic online world.
Your exquisitely curated blog epitomizes erudition, captivating readers with its intellectually stimulating content and profound philosophical insights.
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.
With the mainstream media touting the current president and suddenly discovers he’s been lying to us all about how supportive he is of Israel when it is reported he is receiving BIG donations from Soros and Rockefellers , both proven anti-American donors, to become pro Palestinian and Pro Hamas and Anti Israel by holding up ammunition shipments to Israel. And solidly answering the question of why he never goes directly against Iran. Is the MSM party to this also. How can the general public now know who and what to trust. They warn us how terrible a trump administration will be as if they have totally forgotten how good we had it under Trump. All I can say is put on your big boy pants and tell us how it really is.
Studies show that recreational cannabis is responsible a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. These studies show that cannabis impairs driving ability and driving while high is common among regular users. Since cannabis is still an illegal drug, insurance companies are within their rights to deny coverage in for an accident ruled a DUI due to cannabis. However a state that approved its recreational use should be held accountable for any and all the consequences of that DUI. States are more interested in the money they make but they should accept the responsibility for having approved the use of recreational cannabis.
Could you please fix your “bay blood spots “ typo. It sounds like a horror movie. Although “baby blood spots” isn’t much better. Maybe there’s a clearer and less distressing turn of phrase for all of our sensitive readers, lol. Please and thank you.
Reclassifying marihuana from CI to any other category will involve Pharmacy because by law only a Pharmacist with a DEA license can purchase or sell any drug with a CII to CV
Classification. (CI is exempt because it’s heroine or any other drug with no medical purpose). This is a National problem because it is all under the DEA. And since marihuana is a hallucinogen among other things it requires control. The whole weed issue has put the cart before the horse and really requires reining in to have it conform
to the legal requirements. (Sorry Mr. Weedman). And recreational use will get the biggest hit because it will require a prescription
for medicinal use, but that cuts out the recreational aspect. Maybe in the future Pharmacists may be able to prescribe it but not yet. And how many physicians and Nurse Practitioners will want to be involved in the weed industry, I wonder? Lots of questions and few answers so far.
Changing the regulations to allow Optometrists to perform surgery is foolhardy and dangerous. Their training is doing vision tests and prescribing the correct glasses to improve vision. Only an MD in ophthalmology should be the one to do eye surgery.
That’s like asking the fellow filling your gas tank to fix a ball joint suspension.
This is not the answer to a shortage of ophthalmologists
Can’t seem to access the Steinberg column on Sam Alito, Sr. on your website. Suggestions?
Stop complaining about taxes ,our schools , our crime, ,after all folks we keep voting in the same Democrat party politicians each time .
For instance who would think that every Democrat who represents us in congress would vote for men playing in woman sports ,but they did , ask yourself are you the kind of a person who would kill ( sorry to use that word kill but hard not to since the law is that is a human being and if the mother is murdered it’s a double homicide ) a baby up to the moment of birth sorry to tell you that is the law in New Jersey.
So stop complaining your part of the problem.
NOTE TO SENIORS
I was 85 when I got my Carry permit. If you want to protect yourself and your family you are never too old to carry. As log as you can pass the test at the range, which is pretty simple, and you have a handgun you can handle (which is why I purchased a Walther CCP M2 PLUS which is easy to rack) and you have no police record or mental health problems, you can qualify. Of course you need to get a Federal weapons ID card, if you don’t already have one. We are targets because we are older and look easy. Well surprise , surprise. The more folks that are carrying the less crime because the bad guys wont know if you are armed and might not try something. By the way
it doesn’t matter- male or female!!
Great article, thanks for keeping us informed!