Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 5/14/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Secrecy and evading accountability, I guess, has turned bipartisan.” – Former Senator Weinberg on the passage of OPRA overhaul legislation
TOP STORY: InsiderNJ Voter Guide for the May 14th Elections
Senator Menendez’s corruption trial begins with jury selection, according to the Bergen Record. Menendez’s Senate colleagues don’t want to talk about his trial, according to the Bergen Record. 45% of Menendez’s legal defense fund donors come from outside the state, according to NJ Spotlight.
Experts assess the upcoming 2024 Jersey Shore tourist season, according to NJ Spotlight.
An ambulance chief warns that the state’s EMS system is ‘close to collapsing’ without funding, according to the Daily Record.
Morris County is using ‘spike strips’ to stop criminals in motion, according to NJ101.5. FEMA updated Morris County flood insurance maps, according to the Daily Record.
Sussex County Commissioner Hayden’s Navy SEALS claim may violate the NJ Stolen Valor law, according to NJ Herald.
Union County will honor first responders, according to MyCentralJersey.
A former Warren County trash incinerator was demolished to make way for a food processing facility, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
NJ House Republicans voted to stop the census from counting non-citizens, according to NJ Spotlight.
ICYMI: Thousands gathered for Trump rally, Van Drew welcomed Trump, who said ‘we’re going to win’ NJ, will ‘shut down deadly sanctuary cities‘ made endorsement of Serrano Glassner; Fulop celebrates reservoir trail
The Democratic Senate primary candidates debated last night.
Ocean County Republicans are backing Curtis Bashaw in the GOP Senate primary.
Rep. Kim was endorsed for Senate by the NJ Council of Machinists. 32BJ endorsed Kim. Kim is taking heat from the left, according to Politico NJ.
In CD3, 32BJ endorsed Assemblyman Conaway in the primary.
In CD10, McIver beat Armstead by one vote for the support of the Union County Democrats, according to NJ Globe.
In CD11, the GOP candidates will debate, according to Morristown Green.
‘America First Republicans’ Chair Crispi touted his speech at the Trump rally on Saturday.
Newark Mayor Baraka went to Jersey City as part of his gubernatorial candidacy, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: Sherrill took aggressive approach to Trump rally; in CD10, contenders filed to run; CD10 names, Armstead collecting signatures; Vainieri endorsed Guy for HCDO chair; Fulop held town hall; Glassner looking to pull Bashaw into fight; as Passaic intensifies, Speziale endorsed by Fulop; Murphy addressed campus unrest; Malinowski eying chair of Hunterdon Dems; Fulop launching down-ballot effort
The Senate passed legislation overhauling OPRA. Boos and jeers greeted the vote.
The Eagleton Institute announced Ginger Gold Schnitzer as Director of Initiatives and Strategic Engagement.
Thousands of ANCHOR property tax applications are in limbo as StayNJ questions heat up, according to NJ.com.
Lawmakers are preparing for the final votes on the OPRA overhaul legislation, according to NJ Monitor.
College presidents pleaded to rethink budget cuts, according to NJ Spotlight.
Assemblywomen Dunn and Matsikoudis will be honored with the ‘Millicent Fenwick Award for Public Service’.
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
Insider NJ’s guide to the municipal elections occurring today in several key towns and cities.
In Paterson, the CWA endorsed incumbent Councilmembers Cotton, Velez, and Abdelaziz in today’s municipal ward council elections.
In Howell, the former police chief pleaded guilty to obstructing the administration of law in connection with the cover-up of a sexual affair.
In Bernardsville, the Palmer project returned with revisions, according to NJ Hills.
In Camden, Rutgers is planning a project in the Cooper Street historic district, according to the Daily Journal.
In Clifton, longtime Councilman Eagler passed away, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Clinton, a stormwater ordinance was passed, according to NJ Hills.
In Egg Harbor, the Cardiff fire chief passed away, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Flemington, the town is considering revising the stormwater management ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In High Bridge, the budget includes a tax decrease, according to NJ Hills.
In Manalapan, warehouses and a ice rink could replace a farm, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Montclair, municipal elections will be held today, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Mount Olive, Roman remains an outlier when it comes to raising the Pride flag, according to NJ Hills.
In Morristown, the gas leaf blower ban faces its first big test, according to the Daily Record.
In North Bergen, the commissioners passed a resolution supporting healthcare workers, according to Hudson County View.
In Orange, municipal elections are held today, according to TAPinto.
In Plainfield, Councilman McRae declined to participate in a debate, according to TAPinto. The administration pulled a bar closing time ordinance from the council agenda, according to TAPinto.
In Spotswood, a judge will decide this week if bodycam footage will be released, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Stanhope, the town will decide on whether to demolish the Stanhope House, according to NJ Herald.
In Summit, the council adopted the budget, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, the BOE approved the budget, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Annandale, the book battle is ongoing.
ICYMI: In New Brunswick, freedom of press case may go to state SC; in Roxbury, BOE decision to rescind transgender protections
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘Wildwood Proves Trump Maga Fever Still Raging‘ and ‘Gaza’s Fate Looms Large in NJ Dems June Primary Debate‘
Insider NJ columnist Carl Golden writes ‘‘Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game!?’‘
Insider NJ columnist former Senator Bernard Kenny writes ‘America 2024: A Matter of Life and Death‘
AROUND THE WEB:
No, Roger Stone’s crowd photo isn’t from Trump’s Wildwood rally. It’s from a Rod Stewart concert.
Alfred Lubrano, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Once again, crowd size at a gathering for former President Donald Trump has become an matter of intense debate. On Sunday, Republican political operative Roger Stone posted an image of a huge throng gathered on a beach, representing it as a photo of the crowd that had been listening to former President Donald Trump’s rally in Wildwood on Saturday — a group estimated as numbering between 40,000 to 100,000, according to differing reports.
Commuters will see 3 huge arches for the new Portal Bridge floating up the river this winter
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- If the news wasn’t enough that the $2 billion Portal Bridge North project to replace the cranky 114-year-old bridge that carries the busy Northeast Corridor rail line over the Hackensack River in Kearny is 50% finished, commuters will see a real show this winter, officials said.
Did Trump make up another ‘Sir’ story about Chris Christie’s weight?
Matt Arco, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Donald Trump was at it again Saturday at his New Jersey rally mocking Chris Christie over his weight in the former governor’s home state. And how’d he go about it? Trump used a tried and true method he deployed on the campaign trail in New Hampshire by calling Christie “a fat pig” by telling people not to call Christie a “fat pig.”
‘Stop the Bans,’ Says Resident Suing Newark Over Prohibition From Public Meetings
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark
- A resident who is suing the City Council over being banned from two council meetings after she publicly interrupted the business administrator will have the opportunity to respond to the city’s arguments against her case.
NJ casino workers say smoking creating a ‘poisonous’ workplace
Associated Press
- A group of Atlantic City casino workers asked a judge Monday to ban smoking in the gambling halls, citing the toxic effects of working in a “poisonous” atmosphere, while the state said ending smoking could jeopardize a half-billion-dollar pot of money for senior citizens and the disabled. Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels did not issue a ruling after both sides presented their case but said he aims to do so “as quickly as possible.”
Princeton encampment protesters say president won’t negotiate
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- Organizers of the two-week-old at Princeton Gaza Solidarity Encampment issued a statement Saturday blasting Princeton University administrators for “stonewalling” negotiations with encampment representatives about divestment from Israel and four other demands. The university has “backpedaled” on its initial discussions and instead pointed to existing institutional processes the representatives “disregards the urgency of the genocide in Gaza,” according to the protesters.
For Kushner, another big moment for $500M Monmouth Square project in Eatontown
Linda Lindner, roi-nj.com
- Bye-bye, Monmouth Mall, and hello, Monmouth Square. On Friday, real estate developer Kushner officially broke ground on a transformative $500 million-plus project that will turn the old Monmouth Mall in Eatontown into a modern, open-air town center that will redefine the area. When all is said and done, Monmouth Square will boast 900,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space — including a Whole Foods Market — an expansive public green, a network of pedestrian pathways, 1,000 residential units and medical office space.
Only 1 Hudson County legislator votes no on OPRA bill; passage is panned back home
Hudson County View
- Only one Hudson County legislator voted no on a bill in Trenton that many advocates have said will significantly hinder the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), where the passage of the legislation was panned back home to some extent.
‘Fumor’ aka fact and rumor liven police sergeant suspension
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- A police story moves toward full circulation in back channels of the City of Trenton. It’s a cross between fact and rumor aka fumor that connects to the suspension of police Sgt. Noel Santiago. Should the non-fiction part of this incident connect with any portion of the rumor, then the Trenton Police Department faces another inglorious scandal.
Trenton Democrats gamble with democracy — as NJ voters rage. It’s not worth it | Stile
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- Lost amid Thursday’s policy debate and protest at the Statehouse over the latest push to limit the power of New Jersey’s public records law was a political warning. “Democrats and Never Trump Republicans are fighting for Democracy,” testified David Pringle, an environmental and public advocacy consultant. “And this bill undermines that effort and is being led by New Jersey Democrats.”
Meet Bob Menendez and his co-defendants
POLITICO New Jersey Staff
- When Sen. Bob Menendez proposed to Nadine Arslanian in fall 2019, he burst into song with a show tune about how “towers of gold are still too little.” Three years later, when federal investigators searched the couple’s New Jersey home, they would find gold bars, a bounty prosecutors allege the couple collected as part of an audacious scheme to trade the senator’s power for personal fortune.
Al Sullivan, TAPinto Jersey City
- A delegation of Ukrainian Americans from Jersey City had some reason to celebrate recently after the United States Congress passed legislation to help provide funding in support of efforts to support Ukraine’s efforts in the ongoing war against Russia.
Gov. Murphy’s choice on public records bill: Mimic Michigan Dems, or the Louisiana GOP
Terrence T. McDonald, NJ Monitor
- As the Legislature considers a newly revised bill that would revamp our state’s public records law, the choice for Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democrats who rule Trenton is clear: They can emulate Democrats in Michigan, or Republicans in Louisiana.
The Secret Behind Trump’s Mass Message Appeal
Dan Cirucci, Save Jersey
- The estimated turnout for the Trump rally in nearby Wildwood, NJ yesterday was 80,000 to 100,000 people! Many of those people camped out over night, in the cold sea air to get into the rally, and once admitted nearly everyone waited hours outdoors (most in standing room only) for the Star of the Show to appear. Set to arrive at 5 pm, he didn’t start speaking till 6:20. But they all waited and greeted him with unabashed glee.
Bold educational ideas, not excuses, needed in Jersey City | Jersey Journal editorial
Jersey Journal Editorial
- An opinion piece in The Jersey Journal last month by Jersey City mayoral hopeful Jim McGreevey, a former governor, created a tempest of pushback in part because it pointed to state report card figures showing the city’s public school students lagging behind their peers in several cities and statewide.
Will Murphy stain his legacy with this bipartisan sin? | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- When two legislative committees approved a fast-tracked bill last week to restrict access to government records, it was to a chorus of boos, shouts of “shame” and people angrily storming out. A room full of outraged citizens had lined up to shake their fists at this rank proposal, and the Legislature showed its disdain for public input by ramming it through in a rush.
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.
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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.
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.