Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/22/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We have to subsidize transit. If it could make money on its own, Pennsylvania Railroad and New York Central would still be in business.” – Senator Burzichelli
TOP STORY: ‘Civil War’ – An InsiderNJ Movie Review
Senator Menendez’s trial has been delayed to mid-May, according to NJ.com.
A domestic violence survey details the extensive scope of the problem in the state, according to NJ Spotlight.
A NJ Transit study targets $600M in budget cuts, expansion, and reform, according to NJ.com.
Jersey Shore beaches are getting smaller due to erosion, according to NJ.com.
A judge ruled that 8 shore towns have no standing to bring a lawsuit against Atlantic Shores, according to Downbeach.
Sussex Tech critics blasted proposed cuts at a marathon meeting, according to NJ Herald.
Members of the state’s congressional delegation voted in favor of the Ukraine aid package.
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
In CD8, Kyle Jasey is pursuing a candidacy in the Democratic primary, according to the Jersey Journal.
In CD9, Democratic primary candidate Mayor Khairullah criticized the military aid package to Israel.
Senator Stack put Rep, Gottheimer front and center at his fundraiser, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: 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
Advocates say thousands of disabled kids and adults are denied ‘life-altering’ help in the budget, according to NJ.com.
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 Roxbury, students protested the BOE’s decision to rescind transgender student protections.
In Fair Lawn, former Democratic Chair Barry Winston passed away.
In Boonton, the fight over the Pride flag ended with strict new rules, according to NJ.com.
In Hoboken, Councilman Russo leads all potential mayoral candidates with $220k COH, according to Hudson County View. The council rejected a measure denouncing alleged anti-rent control referendum tactics, according to Hudson County View.
In Monroe, a self-storage facility was proposed near a solar farm, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Mount Olive, the BOE hired a new law firm in a split vote, according to NJ Hills.
In Morris Township, Committeeman Grayzel says the Red Bulls project will move forward, according to Morristown Green.
In Newark, a private prison company is eying the city for a new ICE jail, according to NJ Monitor.
In Paterson, the police department is seeing a surge in applicants, according to Paterson Press. Two candidates are vying to unseat Ward 3 Councilman Mendez, according to Paterson Press.
In Parsippany, Thomas Bushnauskas was appointed Executive Director of the PAL, according to Parsippany Focus.
In Totowa, Palazza won a BOE seat, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Jefferson, AFP, Jersey 1st held an event; in Hoboken, Dems endorsed Kim and Bhalla, Chair Hodes resigned; in Trenton, officials hoping for Starbucks change of heart
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.‘
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘Immigrants: New Jersey’s Secret Sauce‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, CD3 Democratic primary candidate Sarah Schoengood writes ‘Time for a Comprehensive Political Reform: The Unwanted Gatekeepers of New Jersey‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Griselda Camacho writes ‘We Need Latina Representation in New Jersey‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Bertin Lefkovic writes ‘A Progressive’s Defense of the Party Line Ballot‘
Insider NJ columnist Jay Lassiter writes ‘Tammy Murphy Dismisses Concern of her GOP Backstory: “I have a lot of friends in the LGBTQIA+ community”‘ and ‘Diving into Andy Kim’s BurlCo Drubbing of Tammy Murphy‘
AROUND THE WEB:
N.J. paid family leave put on the hot seat | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- Coming from the political party that unabashedly backs tax cuts for billionaires, hearing Republicans attack a tax as “regressive” is like that old joke about a youth who murders his parents, then asks the court for clemency because he is an orphan.
Three years after it was destroyed by fire, Atlantic Coast Recycling reopens in Passaic
Matt Fagan, NorthJersey.com
- More than three years after a fire burned it to the ground in January 2021, Atlantic Coast Recycling is officially back in business. The “state-of-the-art” $20 million, 128,000-square-foot recycling center on the banks of the Passaic River reopened on Friday to much fanfare, with many officials representing the city, area and state on hand.
Which N.J. counties have the most weed stores? Here’s the list.
Jelani Gibson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The international counterculture weed holiday — 4/20 — is fast approaching — and New Jersey has made progress in opening up dispensaries across the state. Whether it’s the state’s first legal pot brownie or more stores, customers have additional shopping options this year.
Making New Jersey a real democracy | Opinion
Julia Sass Rubin
- New Jersey is at an inflection point. For most of the past century, we have been a political machine state, controlled by a handful of men who run our largest county party organizations. The political machines have stayed in power with the help of New Jersey’s unique county line primary ballot.
Rutgers U. grad who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies
Rick Rickman, Contributing Authors: Associated Press
- A man who received his master’s degree from Rutgers University has died after he shockingly set himself ablaze in public view outside a Manhattan courthouse. Max Azzarello, 37, died at the hospital after dousing himself in an accelerant and lighting himself on fire, the New York City police said to the Associated Press.
Why HMH’s big move on solar could be (and should be) beginning of big push in New Jersey
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The numbers surrounding Hackensack Meridian Health’s transformative renewable energy partnership that it announced with Bernhard on Friday morning are incredible. Consider this about the 30-year Energy-as-a-Service project.
It’s back to the auction block for one Revolutionary War-era home in Phillipsburg
Glenn Epps, For lehighvalleylive.com
- The shingle roof covering the historic Roseberry House in Phillipsburg has seen better days. But through a tax fund, the Warren County Board of Commissioners said it is looking to put the Revolutionary War-era home’s best days ahead of it. Now, the Phillipsburg Area Historical Society only needs to find a qualified contractor.
Judge Shipp sentences Trenton city employees in time theft case
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- You be the judge. In this case, Michael A. Shipp, United States District Judge for the U.S. District Court for New Jersey, charged with sentencing William Kreiss and Michael Ingram, former City of Trenton employees. The former Bureau of Environmental Health workers admitted participation in a conspiracy to obtain overtime payments from the city of Trenton for work they did not perform by fraudulently inflating the overtime hours they claimed to have worked conducting residential lead inspections, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Trenton public and officials give more attention to pets in need than people in need
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Mayor Reed Gusciora offered these insights about the city’s animal crisis in a recent press release from the City of Trenton. “The welfare of our city’s animals is a priority,” Mayor Gusciora stated. “We owe it to our residents and our furry companions to provide a shelter environment that upholds standards of care, public safety, and animal welfare.”
We read 564 town ordinances to find everywhere NJ legal weed business is allowed.
Mike Davis, Asbury Park Press
- With every day that goes by, New Jersey is – slowly, but surely – becoming a little greener. Two years after the first legal weed sales began, 42% of all municipalities in New Jersey have opted into the cannabis industry in some shape or form, according to an Asbury Park Press analysis of municipal ordinances in all 564 towns across the state. It’s a slight uptick from April 2022, when just 38% of municipalities had opted in, buoyed by a spike of interest in retail dispensaries.
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
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keeping up with the news
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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.
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
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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.