Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 3/22/2023
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The only change in our waters recently has been the start of survey work for the construction of offshore wind farms—which seems like an awfully big coincidence to ignore.” – Assemblyman Simonsen calling for a suspension of offshore wind activity amid whale and dolphin deaths
TOP STORY: Now or Never: NJ Nurses and NJ AFL-CIO Issue Code Red
State healthcare unions are warning that without a legally enforceable nurse-to-patient ratio, nurses will continue to leave hospitals and the nursing shortage will worsen.
A Monmouth University poll finds President Biden garnering a 41% approval rating and VP Harris garnering a 36% approval rating.
Governor Murphy signed legislation aiming to assist small businesses.
Choose New Jersey opened a new office in Israel.
A judge dismissed a complaint accusing a ferry operator of illegally dumping in the Hudson River, according to NJ Monitor.
Atlantic County introduced a budget with a 2.2 cent drop in the tax rate, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
30 Bergen County towns will celebrate Ramadan this year, according to the Bergen Record. The county digitized millions of documents, according to the Bergen Record.
Camden County and local officials want an exit added to Exit 3 of the Turnpike, according to NJ.com.
Cumberland County received $1M for a no-cost summer camp, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Senator Booker joined the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Booker reintroduced the ‘Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act’.
Rutgers is building a $537M new medical school and research facility, according to Burlington County Times.
Malamut and Associates announced Sandra Guage as a new member of the Workers Compensation Department.
A WalletHub study finds New Jersey has the 3rd lowest job resignation rate in the nation.
ICYMI: Murphy announced school funding legislation; Murphy ordered flags to half-staff in honor of Rice, who passed away; Marte sworn-in as Bergen commissioner; Murphy defended CBT decision; Agr. Sec. Fisher retiring; Murphy announced SVB support package; school aid numbers show increases, cuts; Murphy at epicenter of nat. politics; Kean joining ‘Problem Solvers Caucus’
In LD11, former LG Guadagno is the featured speaker at a Women’s History Month event being held by Senator Gopal, according to SaveJersey.
In LD24, former Parsippany Councilman Peluso is poised to enter the GOP Assembly primary, teaming up with former Assemblywoman DeCroce and Senate primary candidate Tom Mastrangelo.
In LD26, the main focus now turns to the GOP Assembly primary as Steve Lonegan ended his Senate primary candidacy.
In LD28, Garnet Hall announced her Assembly candidacy.
ICYMI: Signorello discusses primary challenge to Menendez; in CD9, Pascrell punched back at retirement rumors; in LD3, Dems poised to select Burzichelli, who’s seeking comeback; in LD4,Moriarty will seek the Senate seat; in LD8, Cooper will run for Senate; Middlesex GOP endorsed candidates; Mercer GOP endorsed candidates; AC Dems endorsed candidates; Kean addressed Morris GOP; in LD11, GOP unveiled slate; candidates made the rounds at Gannon event; in LD3, Burzichelli will take on Durr; in LD4, Madden won’t seek re-elec; primary battle btwn Benson, Hughes resolved itself, with some significant ramifications; Middlesex Dems oxygenated; Benson blowout as Hughes withdraws; in LD24, gas tax grabs attention
Here’s what happened in Trenton on Monday.
The first budget hearing was marked by various calls for extra funding, according to NJ Spotlight.
ELEC Executive Director Brindle will face a public hearing next week, according to NJ Monitor.
The LD1 legislators urged the suspension of offshore wind activities due to recent whale and dolphin deaths.
Assemblywomen Eulner and Piperno criticized the fourth year of the Strong Start testing.
The NJBIA testified on the FY2024 budget proposal, saying its a ‘down payment’ toward greater economic competitiveness, but that more must be done for businesses.
ICYMI: Murphy promoted Brophy; Murphy took action on bills; lobbying efforts spent over $285M since 2000; PPAG top lobbying firm in 2022; Murphy made appointments to NJEDA board; Senate Ed Cmte held hearing on student mental health; ; Senate Ed Cmte advanced legislation to incorporate grief instruction; CBT impending lapse sparks debate
Download Tom Barrett’s New Jersey Irish American Leaders 2023 list.
Somerset County Commissioner Robinson reflects on her public service career.
Read Insider NJ’s 2023 African-American Power List in honor of Black History Month.
Download and read Senator Weinberg’s 2023 Women’s Power List publication, Insider NJ’s 2023 Advance publication, and Insider NJ’s 2022 Retrospective publication (PDF).
In West New York, mayoral candidate Cosmo Cirillo and his slate say that addressing parking issues will be a top priority. Mayoral candidate Albio Sires and his slate committed to moving ahead with building a new school with the state.
In Atlantic City, cannabis consumption lounges and dispensaries will open, according to NJ Spotlight. Mayor Small hit back at a councilman’s call for the county to help run the city, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Buena, the GOP club endorsed former Mayor Baruffi amidst the firefighting row, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Boonton, details emerged for an apartment complex proposal, according to NJ Hills.
In Chatham, the BOE introduced a $86M budget, according to NJ Hills.
In Clifton, thieves scammed the city out of nearly $600k, according to NorthJersey.com.
In East Brunswick, the BOE challenged the mayor’s ‘nonsense’ over a new high school, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hamilton (Mercer), Mayor Martin looks to continue as mayor; challenger Flynn looks to cap off his public service career as mayor, according to the Trentonian.
In Hanover, the township changed polling locations, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla delivered the State of the City address, according to Hudson County View.
In Flemington, the mayor says Councilman Johnston can’t be removed by the council following drug charges, according to NJ.com.
In Jersey City, the BOE approved a preliminary $1B budget, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, the school budget has a tax increase and a loan request, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Mahwah, affordable housing was approved over residents’ objections, according to the Bergen Record.
In Millville, a judge who accused the municipal court of discrimination says he’s been removed from the bench, according to NJ.com.
In Mine Hill, a lawsuit alleges sexual harassment at a school, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Olive, the GOP primary sees candidates but no contests, according to NJ Hills. It may be the last year for no tax increase in the town, according to NJ Hills.
In Old Bridge, a landfill may be designated a redevelopment area, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Parsippany, Democrats hope to break the GOP’s lock on the council after the tax increase, according to the Daily Record.
In Paterson, the mayor wants the feds to stay out of the police department, according to the Paterson Press.
In Sea Isle City, 8 stranded dolphins died, according to NJ101.5.
In Sparta, the school budget includes a $238M tax hike but no spending cuts, according to NJ Herald.
ICYMI: In Roselle, Holley, running for mayor, announced running mates, Dems backed Shaw; in AC, Morshed charged; in Maplewood, trouble abounds; in Parsippany, Dems announced council candidates; in Berkeley, Central Regional implemented anti-bullying measures; in South Orange, Collum announced re-election; in Dover, the mayoral race crowded, Dodd announced candidacy; in East Hanover, GOP council faced public for first time since party switch
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘Regulatory Capture: Murphy’s Crew Targets NJ ELEC Chief‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘Nondystopian: The Ciattarelli message advantage over Spadea- but not over Testa‘
Insider NJ columnist Carl Golden writes ‘In Brindle v. Murphy, Independence Is On Trial‘ and ‘ELEC Ain’t Broke; Don’t Try To Fix It‘
Insider NJ columnist Jay Lassiter writes ‘NJ Medical Cannabis ID is more Accessible than Ever‘
Insider NJ editor Max Pizarro writes ‘Justice in the Case of Adriana Kuch‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Why does poverty exist? Because America allows it to exist, author says
Taylor Jung, NJ Spotlight
- In the opening pages of Princeton University sociologist Matthew Desmond’s new book, “Poverty, by America,” he writes that books about poverty are often about poor people. But they don’t answer one critical question. “…These kinds of books help us understand the nature of poverty. They are vital. But they do not — and in fact cannot — answer the most fundamental question, which is: Why? Why all this American poverty?”
As the climate fight reaches a turning point, Republicans stick to tired excuses | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- In a rational world, Monday’s sobering report from the United Nations on climate change would shake skeptics out of their stupor, and turbo-charge efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
Egenton: $10B surplus should only be used to help business
ROI-NJ Staff
- Michael Egenton, the longtime head of government affairs at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said the brewing bank crisis — which has developed after Gov. Phil Murphy gave his budget address — should impact how the state moves forward. Speaking at Ramapo College of New Jersey on Tuesday morning at a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Egenton told Senate Budget and Appropriations Chair Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) that the state needs to prepare for a recession — and that the $10 billion budget surplus should be reserved for business issues.
Feds sue Roosevelt Care Centers over not accommodating worker with disability
Suzanne Russell, MyCentralJersey.com
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Monday it has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that Roosevelt Care Centers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by firing a worker whose disability kept her from lifting heavy objects. According to the lawsuit, Roosevelt Care Center, a long-term care facility with locations in Edison and Old Bridge and operated by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, unlawfully fired a kitchen worker whose wrist and elbow were injured while using a broken dishwasher at the Old Bridge location.
‘Washington Crossing the Delaware,’ reimagined, at Montclair Art Museum
Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com
- While The Father of Our Country was crossing the Delaware on a frigid night in December, 1776, making history as the savior of the U.S.A., what was the mother of our country doing?
The pride of Delaware? Springsteen receives National Medal of Arts from President Biden
Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
- Is Bruce Springsteen the pride of Delaware? President Joe Biden made the case during the Tuesday, March 21, National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Biden spoke about Springsteen, 73, after remarks on fellow recipient Gladys Knight. The event was livestreamed.
Traffic law enforcement isn’t what it once was | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- “Live with it. Get used to it. We can’t fix it.” They said it more subtly and politely, but that was the message Jersey City Police gave a group of mostly senior citizens who were complaining about reckless bike riders and speeding scooters in their neighborhood.
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
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So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
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.
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