Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 3/29/2024

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I contend that Matt Platkin’s takeover is unlawful, it’s undemocratic, and quite frankly it’s un-American. The attorney general can’t make the law, fake the law, or break the law.” – Paterson Mayor Sayegh on the AG’s Office takeover of the city’s police department

 

TOP STORY: There’s Something Maga about Mary

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Governors Murphy and Hochul say the Port Authority can take on additional cargo to minimize supply chain disruptions due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

 

The state is raising gas taxes and adding a new electric vehicle fee to pay for road repairs and infrastructure, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

The state’s food pantries are on the front lines of relief, according to NJ Spotlight.

 

Senator Menendez opted against delaying his May trial, according to NJ101.5.

 

Cape May County officials want the Parkway rest stop named after a veteran, not Bruce Willis, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

 

Passaic County taxes will increase for the first time in years, according to NorthJersey.com.

 

Rep. Sherrill will introduce the ‘GUARD Act’.

 

Rep. Pascrell released a previously secret report detailing rampant abuse in Ticketmaster’s ticketing practices.

 

ICYMI: Following Murphy departure, frontrunner Kim refrained from spiking the football; Murphy Senate exit ends counterproductive feud; Menendez may pursue independent re-election; insiders assess line implications, insiders scramble to assess potential line ruling, as behind-the-scenes questions abound, legislative leaders pledged to begin a ‘public process on ballot design’; establishment chokes down potential ‘line’ ruling

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

In CD5, the general election battle is underway between Rep. Gottheimer and challenger Mary Jo Guinchard.

 

MAD Global Strategies welcomed Murphy Administration official Nancy Santarsiero to the firm.

 

Three are seeking voter support to be the next Passaic County sheriff, according to TAPinto.

 

Somerset County GOP Chair Howes praised county committee filings for reaching an all-time high.

 

ICYMI: Quraishi instructed on line lawsuit; Zdan says unity beckons for Republicans; Kim’s delicate balancing act as he forges forward w/ line suit; GOP interest in toppling Sherrill waned; Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; Murphy-Kim had all the drama of a food fight; GOP Senate hopefuls celebrated Menendez independent candidacy; Gottheimer wasted no time attacking Guinchard; Campos Medina’s defining image; Stack, Sacco unleash with renewed vigor; Baraka says ballot reform is ‘long overdue’; insiders absorbed contributions of Platkin, Fulop; BurlCo GOP endorsed candidates; in CD7, Kean v. Altman showcases a stark contrast in style; Devine indicted; Fulop rescinded Murphy endorsement; Campos-Medina blistered Camden Dems; in CD9, Pascrell fundraised amid party drama

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Governor Murphy says the proposed business tax won’t be permanent, according to NJ Monitor.

 

Business leaders say the state needs a Commissioner of Commerce, according to ROI-NJ.

 

ICYMI: LGBTQ businesses got a boost; Murphy appointed Chaly as HESAA ED; Fight of the Week; Coughlin pulled OPRA bill; ELEC’s top ten lobbying firms; OPRA reform advancing amid much opposition; Murphy promoted Hamilton to press secretary; McGreevey, Bramnick exchange; Bramnick says one-party rule diminishes checks and balances

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Download and read Insider NJ’s annual Irish American New Jersey leaders list in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, compiled by Tom Barrett.

 

Insider NJ legal analyst Joe Hayden breaks down the legal issues of the day on the Julie Frees Show.

 

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 Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

In Atlantic City, search warrants were served at the mayor’s home, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

 

In Bradley Beach, there’s a shadow of impropriety over a campaign contribution from the embattled police chief to the mayor, according to TAPinto.

 

In Camden, schools are offering huge signing bonuses to new teachers, according to NJ101.5.

 

In Chatham Township, the budget was introduced, according to NJ Hills.

 

In Clinton Township, a iconic playground will be removed but not without controversy, according to TAPinto.

 

In Cinnaminson, coaches claim district rules are unfair to women, according to the Daily Journal.

 

In East Brunswick, the mayor says development brings improvement to a neglected section, according to TAPinto.

 

In Edgewater, the town rejected a big box store on River Road, according to the Bergen Record.

 

In Flemington, redevelopment for Liberty Village cleared a key hurdle, according to MyCentralJersey.

 

In Jersey City, the BOE continued its game of musical chairs, according to Hudson County View.

 

In Lakewood, the teachers union says morale is at an all-time low, according to the Asbury Park Press.

 

In Montclair, the council will revisit the Lackawanna Plaza proposal amid controversy, according to TAPinto.

 

In Morristown, a developer told a jury that the mayor killed his ‘prize’, according to Morristown Green.

 

In North Wildwood, the dunes are washing away, according to NJ.com.

 

In Old Bridge, schools continued to fight to reverse aid cuts, according to MyCentralJersey.

 

In Paterson, proposals for restaurants near the Great Falls are making progress, according to the Paterson Press. Reactions are varied a year after the state takeover of the police, according to NJ Spotlight.

 

In Perth Amboy, three Democrats and one Republican filed to run for mayor, according to MyCentralJersey. A police officer is suing alleging religious discrimination over a beard, according to MyCentralJersey.

 

In Phillipsburg, councilmembers proposed a ‘freeze’ amid a 11% tax hike, according to TAPinto.

 

In Spotswood, the mayor threatened to fire whistleblower cops, according to MyCentralJersey.

 

In Toms River, the mayor says he won’t be forced to bring back police captain jobs, according to the Asbury Park Press.

 

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

 

 

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 Bob Hennelly writes ‘Vietnam 1968 Gaza 2024?

 

In a guest column on Insider NJ, Senator Timberlake writes ‘New Jersey, It’s Time to Go to Block Design Ballots

 

In a guest column on Insider NJ, Denise Rachel writes ‘It’s Time for LGBTQ Allies in Trenton to Walk the Walk, My Kid’s Life is at Stake

 

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:

 

 

How Andy Kim Took on New Jersey’s Political Machine

  1. Tammy Kim, New Yorker

 

  • Last September, when Bob Menendez, the senior senator from New Jersey, was indicted—along with his wife, Nadine—in a garish bribery scheme involving gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz, one of the first elected officials to call for his resignation was Andy Kim, a congressman who represents the state’s Third District. The next day, Kim announced that he was running to replace Menendez in the U.S. Senate, anticipating a head-to-head challenge in the Democratic primary. But then, several weeks later, Tammy Murphy, the wife of Governor Phil Murphy and the most powerful woman in the state, announced her own candidacy for Senate.

 

NJ Transit board recommends a candidate for long vacant customer advocate role

Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com

 

  • At long last, NJ Transit’s board has recommended an individual to be the agency’s customer advocate, a legally required role that has been vacant for more than three years. Shanti Narra, a board member who has led the most recent effort to fill the vaunted position, provided the update on the interviewing process during a committee meeting Wednesday.

 

Sunbathers might be booted off Jersey Shore beach in proposal to protect birds

Eric Conklin, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

 

  • It can be tough to get a good spot at the beach.

 

Downbeach towns await notificiation about upcoming beach replenishment projects

Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, Down Beach

 

  • Downbeach towns are awaiting news about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s plans to replenish sand on their beaches later this year. At this time, only Ventnor has confirmed that its beaches will be replenished this year. According to local public officials in Margate and Longport, replenishments may not happen this year, they said at recent public meetings.

 

House committee asks Rutgers for numerous records, correspondences related to antisemitism on its 3 campuses

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

 

  • The chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce sent a strongly worded 14-page letter to the top officials at all three campuses of Rutgers University, saying she had “grave concerns” regarding what she called the school’s inadequate response to antisemitism on its campuses and its failure to protect Jewish students.

 

Recalls aren’t enough to fight ‘gas station heroin,’ NJ lawmaker Pallone insists

Ilana Keller, Asbury Park Press

 

  • Despite a voluntary recall on “gas station heroin,” one New Jersey lawmaker says more must be done to protect Garden State residents from the potentially harmful supplement. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., held a press conference on Thursday at JFK Medical Center in Edison to call for action against tianeptine, which often is sold under the label “Neptune’s Fix.”

 

This is New Jersey’s most interesting Democrat — and he’s not a candidate | Mike Kelly

Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com

 

  • The most consequential Democrat in New Jersey right now is not one of the usual suspects. It’s definitely not Gov. Phil Murphy. Or Sen. Cory Booker. Or Rep. Andy Kim. Or even other boldface Democratic names like Reps Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherill. It’s Matthew Platkin. Who?

 

There is a solution to N.J.’s affordable housing crisis. This new law isn’t it | Opinion

Robert H. Conley

 

  • One of the greatest challenges facing New Jersey is housing affordability — homes for frontline workers, laborers, starting teachers, and many others who we count on. For at least five years, mayors, including myself, have been asking the state Legislature to take action to remove the process from the courts.

 

Congestion pricing lawsuits test limits of New York’s ‘green amendment’

Ry Rivard, Politico

 

  • Two of New York’s biggest environmental policies are on a collision course. Foes of congestion pricing, the long-awaited plan to reduce traffic in Manhattan by charging drivers, are aiming to block the tolls using a constitutional amendment designed to protect the environment.

 

How New Jerseyans want the state to spend a social equity cannabis tax

Sophie Nieto-Munoz, NJ Monitor

 

  • As the state mulls how to spend the revenue generated from a social equity tax on cannabis, marijuana advocates say they want more funding for business programs, investments in communities hurt by the war on drugs, and access to legal counsel, both for entrepreneurs and people leaving prison.

 

Making it easier to do business in New Jersey — the ultimate ask

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

 

  • Chris Abruzzo, the vice president of business development at New Jersey American Water, got straight to the point Wednesday — because that’s the kind of event the ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo was. “The state of New Jersey needs to make doing business with the state of New Jersey easier for the business community and even residents,” he said.

 

Agency tasked with saving lives of mothers, babies is launched

Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight

 

  • As the board of New Jersey’s new Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority sat down for its inaugural meeting Wednesday morning in Trenton, social media was buzzing with the story. Another educated, well-off Black woman had lost her life to childbirth: former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader Krystal Anderson had died of sepsis days after delivering a stillborn baby, according to multiple news outlets.

 

Parking problems present a challenge getting a quick coffee in downtown Trenton

LA Parker, The Trentonian

 

  • Leela Rose, an employee at Slammin’ Brew, a new coffee shop on South Warren St., jumpstarted Tuesday morning with wonderful news. “We now have pork roll for our breakfast sandwiches,” the part-time employee, full-time student at The College of New Jersey, advised. Sold. Pork roll, egg and cheese. Cup of coffee. Seated myself near a window that faces out toward South Warren St. — perfect for people and world watching.

 

Battleship New Jersey docks in Philly for repairs

Rob Tornoe, Philadelphia Inquirer

 

  • The Battleship New Jersey was on the move again Wednesday. After heading from its dock in Camden to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal last week to prepare for dry docking, the decorated battleship trekked across the river to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
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30 responses to “Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 3/29/2024”

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. Neurosurgery is a complex and demanding medical specialty that requires an exceptional level of skill and experience. Dr. Shiau is undoubtedly one of the best neurosurgeons in New Jersey, and patients in Jersey City, Maplewood, Holmdel, Paramus, and Bergen County can rest assured that they are receiving the best possible care under his expertise. Neurosurgeon nj

  5. Meet Dr. John Shiau, the leading neurosurgeon in NJ, at Complete Medical Wellness. Discover his expertise and how he can help you with your neurological conditions. Check out this article for more information. neurosurgeon NJ

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. Teaneck property taxes pays for the school budget. Teaneck High School students walk out. Is a Hamas military shuffle march property tax bill included?

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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?

  15. 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.

  16. 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..

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