Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/2/2026
Below is Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "If you think we’ve made some bad decisions, then tell me where we’ve made the bad decisions, but also tell me how we are going to continue to drive down costs." - Governor Sherrill
TOP STORY: Hathaway Debates Mejia in CD-11
The Morning Intelligence Briefing will be off tomorrow, and will return on Monday.
Governor Sherrill slammed President Trump's executive order cracking down on mail-in voting as 'designed to make it harder for eligible citizens to vote'.
Electricity rates are set to soar again this summer, according to NJ101.5.
The driver of the car that killed former Assemblyman Coutinho will be charged with vehicular homicide, according to NJ Globe.
The DHS will 'scrutinize' the purchase of a Roxbury facility, according to NJ.com.
Atlantic County reported zero homicides in the first quarter of the year, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The county's budget proposal includes higher spending and a lower rate, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
The Cape May Coast Guard cancelled its annual festival due to the shutdown, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: FDU poll finds 58% approve of Sherrill; 'No Kings' rallies held; Sherrill kicked off Princeton rally
Democrats added more voters than Republicans in March, according to NJ Globe.
In CD2, a phantom petition objector has ties to a challenger, according to NJ Globe.
In CD7, Bennett raised $700k in the first quarter.
In CD11, Mejia and Hathaway clashed in a debate.
In CD12, Hamawy may be the best-funded candidate, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: In CD12, Altman survived challenge; in CD11, Mejia sparred with Musella; in CD12, a judge examined Altman petitions, circulator statute pivotal role, Altman hanging on; in CD11, June primary set; CD7 race crystallized; in CD11, Mejia faces June primary; in CD11, LWV cancel debate, no agreement w/ Mejia; Essex Dems back four commission candidates; Morris Dems remove Dover committee
Governor Sherrill is proposing record spending, with planned cuts, according to NJ Spotlight.
Legislative Democrats appear warm to the idea of a World Cup tax hike, according to Politico NJ.
The NJDOC published a recidivism outcome report.
Assemblywomen Dunn and Sweeney discussed progress and sexism at a forum, according to Morristown Green.
The Brain Injury Alliance of NJ joined the BIAA as a national affiliate.
In Allendale, a new affordable housing overlay zone was approved, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Beach Haven, the town is tackling mental illness stigma, according to the Sandpaper.
In Caldwell, Councilman Jurgensen is running for mayor, according to NJ Hills.
In Cherry Hill, the schools' tentative budget includes tax increases, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Cliffside Park, two employees are suing the school district, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Clifton, the longtime attorney is suing the council, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Collingswood, schools discussed budget challenges, according to NJ Pen.
In East Brunswick, school taxes could rise, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Glen Rock, the police chief retired, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Kearny, the BOE held a strategic meeting on the district's future, according to Hudson County View.
In Little Egg Harbor, a BOE meeting crowd appealed for teacher aides, according to the Sandpaper.
In Livingston, Abenstein and Kahn filed petitions, according to NJ Hills.
In Manasquan, the town approved $1M for borough hall exterior work, according to TAPinto.
In Montclair, residents pushed for street safety, according to Montclair Local.
In Morris Township, the DOJ is suing the town over its all-electric apartment complex ordinance, according to NJ Globe.
In New Brunswick, the same two candidates are running for mayor, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Newark, Mayor Baraka delivered the State of the City address. A new state mental health center is set to open, according to NJ Monitor.
In Orange, parking, taxes, and quality of life highlight a Ward 3 meeting, according to TAPinto.
In Parsippany, the BOE proposed increasing the tax levy, according to NJ Hills.
In Paterson, an outspoken critic of the mayor has gone silent, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Readington, residents and officials clashed over affordable housing, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Ship Bottom, the town is seeking funding for beach projects, according to the Sandpaper.
In Stafford, the BOE approved a preliminary budget, according to the Sandpaper.
In Summit, Councilmen Pawlowski and Boyer launched their re-election bids, according to TAPinto.
In Trenton, Mayor Gusciora is running for a third term, according to the Trentonian.
In Watchung, a councilwoman is headed to court over electioneering allegations, according to NJ Hills.
In Wayne, the town is halting future development, according to TAPinto. The Ward 5 council vacancy was filled, according to NorthJersey.com.
AROUND THE WEB:
Downbeach towns shun newly adopted REAL rules
Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, Downbeach
- All three Downbeach towns have passed resolutions opposing implementation of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Environments and Landscape (REAL) rules, adopted Jan. 20 as then-Governor Phil Murphy was leaving office.
State: Bald Eagle Nests Experience Slight Decline, Likely Due to Avian Flu
The Sand Paper
- New Jersey’s bald eagle population experienced a slight decline in active nests last year, likely due to the impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the annual New Jersey Bald Eagle Project Report released last week. The report, developed by the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, identified 251 nests that produced eggs in 2025, a 5% decrease from 2024, when a record 264 active nests were documented.
Results over rhetoric: Caldwell tells business crowd it’s all about getting things done
Tom Bergeron, BINJE
- Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell has a simple test for whether government is working: Did anything actually get done? “One of the things that frustrates me is the allegiance to a process,” he said. “The governor and I are 100% in agreement. It’s about getting stuff done. You don’t get rewarded for process.”
Trenton conversation about blight is long overdue
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- At-Large Councilwoman Jasi Mikae Edwards begins a series of community conversations on Thursday, April 2. The first, “Trenton, Let’s Talk: Blight & Abandoned Properties,” is being held at the MCCC James Kerney Campus in Kerney Hall at 6 p.m. Edwards, a Trenton mayoral candidate, described this first of numerous conversations leading up to the November election as a working session focused on understanding the challenges, identifying solutions, and building a path forward together.
NJ population is spiking; only one county is shrinking
Juan Carlos Castillo, USA TODAY NETWORK
- The U.S. Census Bureau just published an assesment of populations shifts in U.S. counties. Overall, population in New Jersey grew slightly. Between 2020 and 2025, the number of residents in the Garden State increased 3% to 9,548,215.
Wrecked boat gets hauled away from Jersey Shore 6 months later. The captain is nowhere in sight.
Steven Rodas, NJ.com
- It’s not an April Fools’ joke. With the sun peaking over the horizon and waves washing up against the frothy shore, beachgoers in one small town witnessed what has felt impossible for months.
With suburban living becoming as expensive as NYC, where does NJ fall?
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com
- The suburbs were once the place where you could get more space for your money within close distance of the city. But over the last decade, some of North Jersey's communities have become just as expensive, or even more expensive, than New York City's neighborhoods.
Home insurance rate increases far outpacing inflation. Where NJ stands
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com
- If you think your budget has been hard to make lately, you might look at your insurance bill. A 45.8% increase in regulator-approved home insurance rates is one that's severely impacting housing affordability.
Ilmar Vanderer, TAPinto.net
- “The debates I went through actually helped me to be a better president,” former U.S. President Bill Clinton once said — a reflection of a long-standing belief that such exchanges of views are not merely campaign rituals, but essential tests of leadership.
As Local Taxes Are Set to Rise, New Jersey’s ‘Tax Burden’ Falls Slightly
Jersey City Times
- With Jersey City residents facing the unpleasant prospect of substantial hikes in their municipal and school taxes, they can take some solace in a recent study from WalletHub.
United CEO Kirby: I Think Newark Is the Crown Jewel for United Airlines
Tom Bergeron, BINJE
- In a refreshingly candid conversation before hundreds of attendees at the ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo in Atlantic City, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby detailed the challenges, opportunities, setbacks — and successes — for the carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Amid economic hurdles, NJ business leaders say this about Sherrill
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey faces steep economic hurdles — from high taxes to a shrinking workforce and lagging GDP — but at least according to some of the state’s top business lobbyists and other executives, the newly-inaugurated Gov. Mikie Sherrill is off to a good start trying to do something about it.
as the upcoming audit of the Department of Education approaches it would wise to consider the amount of money going into education is not producing the results one would hope for. US is on the bottom of the list for the number of our kids falling below in their education levels. I think the states would beach be more efficient in that area as the parents receive the power to demand what the kids are taught and have the ability to vote on who serves as Principal, and can fire teachers that are judged ineffective, as the rule of tenure is eliminated as proposed by the President. If the Department of Education is too large and too frivolous with OUR money is should be gone, and I"m sure Mrs. McMahon would sure of that, after the DOGE audit.
Bravo to New Secretary of Homeland Security Norm for deputizing the national guard to give them the power to arrest illegals attempting to enter our country illegally. That same idea might work in sanctuary states by deputization of police to be able to bypass governors another elected officials, such as mayors and city and county commissioners. Deputization is a weapon not often used but in this instance it would work to accomplish the mission of Homeland Security. On another note the overt anger shown towards Kash Patel by the Democratic senators is telling. His confirmation will mean the entire mission of the Democratic Party will be deep sixed by the cleansing of the FBI’s weaponization. It means our country will be back to Constitutional Republic. Of course if the mainstream media media wants its audience back it might want to go along with Constitutionality also.
I have relatives that live in Texas, they have to live in fear? I don't think so.I don't hear any Democrats having any spine to challenge Biden.Who did he let skate? If they were so innocent he wouldn't have to pardon them would he
The selling off the wall piecemeal by Biden's administration was not addressed, but it has to be looked at as a huge black eye for Biden. To counter this it seems prudent to advise those companies that bought in to the "Great American Fraud" that returning their purchase is a most patriotic act, even if there is a monetary reward of maybe 25 cents on the dollar, as well as not being seen to be in collusion with the deep state.in this fraudulent act. Remembering that American taxpayers already paid millions for the wall and would very much appreciate getting it back to increase Homeland Security, which was its purpose in the first place.
Once Trump pardons the Jan 6 participants they should immediately begin Class Action suit against Nancy Pelosi who was instrumental in conducting a huge Political Kangaroo Court unfairly sending hundreds of of participants to jail. They should seek 200 million dollars for redress as well as compensation for Ashley Babbit’s shooting for being unarmed and unthreatening and totally not deserving of a death sentence. And it should cover the medical needs of those jailed who were denied adequate medical care. This was a total abuse of politely power and a Class Action suit is needed to clear the air.
(The state’s voting system is secure, according to NJ Spotlight.) This was without doubt one of the most farcical articles perhaps ever written. To give you an idea just how corrupt and lawless the voting system is, in 2021 Governor Murphy deviously ousted the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections with over 30+ years of experience (coerced and strongarmed into early retirement) in order to then deliberately and deviously insert Loretta Weinberg's Chief of Staff who, had absolutely NO previous election experience whatsoever. This was all masterfully formulated and then executed just several weeks prior to the Gubernatorial primary. But of course there was nothing nefarious regarding such an abrupt change. Although Bergen County is not the largest County in New Jersey it is however home to the most registered voters of which the vast majority are also Democrats. Keep in mind The Superintendent of Elections Office is also in charge of voter "registrations" - polls books, voting machines and of course - investigating any and all reports of voter fraud. Murphy's intentions had been to leave the position vacant until "after" the Gubernatorial Election in November but the media exposed his chicanery and he was forced to fill and announce his personal "appointment" immediately and how all of this came to light. The former Superintendent of Elections was also a Republican and certainly would've never voluntarily retired "prematurely" but just prior to a major election. Her integrity was legendary throughout the entire County. But of course there was nothing to Murphy's sudden lead change "in the middle of the night" in Bergen County after the polls had already closed. Murphy was and still remains loathed and despised by all because of his despotic actions and stance on the Covid lockdowns. He knew there was no other way he could ever beat Ciattarelli and never did. But certainly not legally nor ever legitimately. But keep believing "the voting system in NJ" is actually secure.
Concerns about Jan 6 violence The simple solution to allay the concerns of the Jan.6 violence happening again is to make sure the election is run in an honest and above board manner, which must include voter I.D. via a totally transparent system. Otherwise I’m betting all bets are off.
Assemblyman Schaer's Bill to define antisemitism for New Jersey residents and to be able to react to it is great. But what about our kids going off to college, especially the Jewish kids. They should have a means to know what schools have active anti-Jewish protests, and/or pro-Palestinian demonstration allowed on and off campus. They should be able to feel safe wherever they go, and not have their studies interrupted by what I consider this unlawful activity. Are there websites with this kind of information posted?
Great article, thanks for keeping us informed!
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!!
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.
Can't seem to access the Steinberg column on Sam Alito, Sr. on your website. Suggestions?
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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..
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.
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?
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.
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.
Teaneck property taxes pays for the school budget. Teaneck High School students walk out. Is a Hamas military shuffle march property tax bill included?
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.
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
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.
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.
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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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Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
very informative thank you so much
great article, very informative thanks for sharing
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Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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
So....about those 56 machines in Bergen... <<>>
He;s "vacationing" at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by "remote work"............translation: NO WORK
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What I — and most of the women I know who are passionate about cosmetics —like about make up isn't that the right gloss can make your lips poutier or that false lashes can make your eyes more doe-like. Rather, it's how women can communicate messages and express ourselves through makeup. Certainly it's not our single factor of communication, but it's one of many forms of expression that allow us to showcase our individual styles.
OK
keeping up with the news
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."
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.