Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 5/20/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Anytime that a Republican in New Jersey gets into a position where they are identified solely by the national brand, it just doesn’t go well.” – GOP strategist Chris Russell
TOP STORY: With Trump, the Glassner is Half Full
All eyes are on gold bars in the early days of Senator Menendez’s corruption trial, according to NJ Spotlight. Prosecutors say Senator Menendez was behind the creation of a meat-export monopoly as partial payback for bribes he received, according to NJ.com.
NJ workers are demanding more protections as a scorching summer approaches, according to NJ.com.
The Coast Guard will likely approve a controversial NJ Turnpike Extension bridge, according to NJ.com.
Passaic County unveiled their Vietnam War Wall Memorial, according to NorthJersey.com.
Rep. Pascrell expressed relief that a Paterson doctor trapped in Gaza was evacuated.
Kean University held their commencement ceremony.
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
NJ Republicans want Senator Menendez’s Senate seat, but Trump devotion is getting in the way, according to Politico NJ.
In CD8, the Latino Victory Fund endorsed Rep. Menendez.
In CD10, McIver survived a petition challenge, according to TAPinto.
Paterson Councilman Uddin endorsed Chief Adamo for Passaic County Sheriff; Councilman Abdelaziz endorsed Adamo. Adamo’s campaign slammed former Sheriff Speziale.
GOP Senate primary candidate Curtis Bashaw visited the border, according to SaveJersey.
ICYMI: Durr looks to recapture magic; in CD3, Dems debated; Crispi’s star rising; Dem Senate candidates debated; Ocean GOP backing Bashaw; 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 Governor faces competing interests as he considers whether to sign the OPRA overhaul bill, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ Supreme Court Chief Justice Rabner argued against giving the Senate the power to appoint appellate judges, according to NJ Monitor.
A new one-year law allows some school districts to exceed the 2% tax levy cap, according to the Bergen Record.
The LD9 legislators proposed legislation to provide property tax exemptions for surviving spoused of first responders who died in the line of duty.
ICYMI: Senate passed OPRA legislation, boos and jeers greeted vote
An Insider NJ movie review of ‘Civil War’.
Veteran defense attorney Joe Hayden shared his personal recounting of the Bill Musto trial.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Advance and Insider NJ’s 2024 African-American List
In Atlantic City, Councilman Tibbett apologized for telling city workers to ‘spit’ on the mayor, according to NJ.com.
In Bernards, more police officers will be added, according to NJ Hills.
In Hackensack, a project was approved for the former YMCA, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, a judge awarded a developer $45k in a OPRA lawsuit, according to Hudson County View.
In Long Hill, a tax abatement agreement was entered into with Lounsberry Meadows, according to NJ Hills.
In Madison, the BOE reaffirmed the dedication to keeping the Harding send-receive agreement, according to NJ Hills.
In North Wildwood, the mayor sort of regrets spending $39M to save the beach, according to NJ.com.
In Phillipsburg, the mayor is changing jobs, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Roxbury, the housing market is still sizzling, according to NJ Hills.
In Union City, clergy say the city has gotten stronger under Mayor Stack, according to NJ.com.
In Wayne, the mayor and a councilman say sheriff’s campaign signs are a ‘blight‘, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In White, warehouse five-year fight over; in Paterson, Mendez declared victory; Velez won; Abdelaziz won; in Montclair, Baskerville won mayoralty; in Orange, Mayor Warren secured re-election; in Irvington, Vauss’ allies swept; guide to municipal elections; in Annandale, ongoing book battle; 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 ‘Afghani Family Who Helped U.S. Uplifted by FDU’s Global Reach‘ and ‘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:
OPRA ‘reform’ would badly damage access to public records in New Jersey
Ed Forbes, NorthJersey.com
- The New Jersey Legislature gutted the Open Public Records Act this week, rolling back decades of progress in providing access to records on the local, county and state levels, even as members of the public and the press raised objections and warned of government overreach.
Rep. Payne’s passing leaves a seat in Congress vacant for 5 months. Let’s fix that | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- New Jersey has been shy one member of Congress since the passing of Rep. Donald Payne in April, and by the time the 10th District chooses his successor in a special election in September, the Newark lawmaker’s seat will have been empty for five months.
After Rutgers protests, cheap shots at President Holloway | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- On Thursday, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway will travel to Washington to face an inquisition in Congress led by a fire-breathing Republican who has already decided that he’s a monster.
Jose Uribe flipped. Here’s why he bribed Bob Menendez with a new Mercedes
Jean Rimbach, NorthJersey.com
- It’s one of the more startling accusations in the federal bribery case against Sen. Bob Menendez — that he traded his influence for a new Mercedes-Benz convertible for his wife after she totaled her own Mercedes in a crash that killed a pedestrian.
Why every American needs to see ‘Civil War’ | Opinion
Andrew J. Donnelly
- Every American needs to see the current movie “Civil War.” It is very rare that a film sticks with you after seeing it in theaters. It is also very rare that a director, in this case Alex Garland, can portray this kind of story in a way that neither bends one way or the other in terms of politics. Garland, who also wrote the film, does this brilliantly by telling a dystopian narrative through the eyes of photojournalists played by Kirsten Dunst, along with Wagner Moura, Cailey Spaeney and Stephen McKinley.
Voice your opinion on LSP revitalization | Jersey Journal editorial
Jersey Journal Editorial
- It’s time once again to let your voice be heard on the future of Liberty State Park.
6 most senior-friendly towns in New Jersey range from beach bliss to big-city feels
Ilana Keller, Asbury Park Press
- Whether you’re looking for small-town calm, a place to enjoy the beauty of nature or the hustle and bustle of a vibrant community in retirement, New Jersey has areas that suit all needs. World Atlas took a look at the most senior-friendly towns in the Garden State, and came up with a list of the top six, including nature-centric communities, small cities and metropolitan areas.
This story is copyrighted by Genova Burns … or maybe not
William Heller, Genova Burns
- As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize content creation, questions surrounding intellectual property rights have become increasingly complex. One of the key dilemmas centers around ownership: Who rightfully possesses the content generated by AI systems? Is it the user who inputs the initial data and parameters, or does ownership lie with the AI itself, as the creator of the output?
How much do middle class people make in New Jersey and other states?
Tamara Walker, Asbury Park Press
- Income ranges for the middle class has seen significant changes over the years. And depending on where you live and how much you make can determine which income class your household falls into. So what salary qualifies as “middle class”?
VIDEO: Christie, Scaramucci kiss on the mouth
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- Chris Christie and ex-Trump adviser-turned-hater Anthony Scaramucci shared a passionate moment that’s gone viral on X, Save Jerseyans. Or was Christie trying to eat him?
One man’s journey out of homelessness
Bobby Brier, NJ Spotlight
- Tag us using #ChangeProjectNJ on social media and stay tuned for live events. As the disease progressed, Cress was strung out and on the verge of a breakdown, he said, before being admitted to a nearby hospital. It was there, during his eight-day stay, that he met workers from the Camden Coalition, a nonprofit located in the city, who asked him if he wanted any sort of help.
‘I cannot have lost my son for nothing’: Films share stories of those left behind by suicides
Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
- Danny Sanchez was mourning the loss of his wife Mary Yahara, who took her own life in 2020. He began attending a bereavement support group at Stephy’s Place, a nonprofit haven in Red Bank for people who are grieving.
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
Longmont Tree Service
Roofing In Brighton
Roofing Colorado Springs
So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
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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.
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.