Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 5/16/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “She kept him in the dark about what she was asking others to give her. She wasn’t going to let Bob know that she had financial problems.” – Senator Menendez’s defense attorney referring to the Senator’s wife
TOP STORY: When One Durr Closes, Another One Opens
As Senator Menendez’s trial starts, the prosecution labeled the Senator corrupt and that he traded power for gold and cash, according to NJ.com.
NJ Transit will refund old unused tickets after a backlash from customers, according to NJ.com.
Four years after being banned, illegal vape products still reach NJ teens, according to the Bergen Record.
Netflix will land a huge tax deal if it keeps a huge studio in the state for ten years, according to NJ.com.
Princeton University’s president ordered protesters to end their encampment, according to NJ Spotlight.
Jersey Shore ‘weedtrepreneurs’ are cultivating a beachfront cannabis culture, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Essex County unveiled a bronze bust of the late LG Oliver.
Middlesex County unveiled a plan to transform its college into a regional hub, according to MyCentralJersey.
Sussex County’s Board of Elections chair resigned, according to TAPinto.
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
Former Senator Durr is looking to recapture the magic of his 2021 victory in LD3 as he seeks the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
In CD3, the Democratic primary candidates debated on Tuesday night.
Morris County is one of the key areas for GOP victory statewide, according to NJ101.5.
The Atlantic County GOP claims that 2,700 VBMs were opened prematurely and demanded a criminal probe, according to SaveJersey.
ICYMI: 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 Treasury delivered updated revenue projections.
The state’s revenue outlook brightens, but questions loom over the proposed budget, according to NJ Spotlight.
Senator Ruiz discussed literacy rates and achievement gaps in NJ schools with Steve Adubato (video).
Senator Singleton wants to allow the state to cap medical marijuana prices, according to NJ Monitor.
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, the casino industry generated $467M in tax revenue last year.
In Caldwell, $2.7M was approved for a new borough hall, according to TAPinto.
In Chatham, the BOE heard from middle schoolers about grade reconfigurations, according to NJ Hills.
In Jersey City, the BOE approved ethics charges against a member over a pro-Palestinian slogan, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Madison, the town applied for another $5M for the Drew Forest purchase, according to NJ Hills.
In Merchantville, the town is celebrating 150 years, according to Burlington County Times.
In Montclair, there will be new faces on the council, according to TAPinto.
In Morristown, the budget was introduced, according to Morristown Green.
In North Bergen, a new municipal judge was appointed, according to Hudson County View.
In Nutley, the incumbents are ready to serve another term, according to TAPinto.
In Ocean County, municipal elections were held, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, the Ward 1 council race could hinge on VBMs and provisionals, according to Paterson Press. Councilman Jackson turned over his cellphone passcode in the election fraud case, according to Paterson Press. The city received a credit rating upgrade from Moody’s.
In Pleasantville, the BOE faces new conflict over superintendent plans, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Ramsey, the town hired a consultant for property revaluations, according to the Bergen Record.
In Springfield, local taxes will rise, according to TAPinto.
In Stanhope, the Stanhope House got a reprieve, according to NJ Herald.
In Toms River, animal shelter backers say they have signatures to stop the mayor, according to the Asbury Park Press.
ICYMI: 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:
Three GOP challengers debate Trump, Ukraine and flooding in bid to oppose Mikie Sherrill
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
- Three Republicans hoping to unseat Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District offered a sharp conservative contrast to the three-term Democrat during an online debate Tuesday presented by the Morristown Area League of Women Voters.
Weakening N.J. public records law was so unpopular, these lawmakers changed their vote
Jelani Gibson, Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- One of the most controversial bills New Jersey lawmakers have taken up in recent years — a plan to drastically overhaul the state’s 20-year-old public records law — narrowly passed the state Legislature on Monday.
Battleship New Jersey eyes late June return date
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- The Camden waterfront has had an empty space since the end of March, when the 887-foot Battleship New Jersey was tugged down the Delaware for drydock maintenance. Now, the ship is eyeing an end-of-June return to the dock it’s called home for over two decades.
ROI-NJ presents the ROI Influencers: Higher Education 2024
ROI-NJ Staff
- Higher education not only is big business — it’s big for business. Working in concert with the private and public sectors, it is teaching the students of today the skills they will need to lead the workforce of tomorrow. Here’s our annual look at the most impactful figures in the sector.
Highlighting disparities in state contracting
Raven Santana, NJ Spotlight
- “At the end of the day, this is defining moment … because Black people are tired of being at the bottom,” said John Harmon, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. Harmon, speaking before a legislative committee Monday, was referring to the “New Jersey Disparity Study,” which was released in January.
Just how Durr-able is this ex-N.J. senator? | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- Just like an overloaded tractor-trailer, an accident waiting to happen is back: “Ed the Trucker,” aka former state Sen. Edward Durr, is running for governor next year.
Senate dysfunction handicaps our judiciary. Why add to the load? | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- For the past few years, thousands of people in New Jersey couldn’t get a divorce, see their kids, win a restraining order or get compensated for crushing medical bills, all because there weren’t enough trial judges.
NJ curfew and other laws for minors at the Jersey Shore
Philadelphia Inquirer
- These towns have laws for minors out past curfew, backpack bans, and earlier beach closures at the Jersey Shore.
The demand is high for organic blueberries in NJ in 2024
Jen Ursillo, NJ1015
- New Jersey is about a month away from the beginning of its blueberry harvest season. Mid-June to mid-July is the primary blueberry season in the Garden State and farmers are getting excited for it. There is always a demand for blueberries since it is the state fruit, but in 2024, there is an even bigger demand for organic blueberries, said Joshua Minton, sales manager for Frank Donio in Hammonton, the largest distributor, and grower of blueberries in New Jersey.
New Jersey, particularly Gen Z, has an unread email problem
Mike Brant, NJ1015
- Older generations will remember when it was a joy to receive an email. Millennials in particular since they grew up during the rise of the digital era. It was a time for dial-up modems and tying up the phone line just to have a chance to get online. Sometimes, depending on the time of way, it was tough to be able to get on. But after all that modem noise you had to hear with the computer, you finally heard those wonderful words, “Welcome!” And if you were lucky enough, you’d also hear “You got mail” right afterward.
Tiger Woods visits Trout National in Vineland as work continues in preparation for opening
Nicolas Huba, Press of Atlantic City
- Tiger Woods visited Trout National — The Reserve last week as work continues in preparation for the opening of the golf club in 2025. The project is a collaboration between golf legend Woods and Millville baseball icon Mike Trout, as well as local developer John Ruga.
Book-banning advocates seek elected power as book challenges near fever pitch
Virginia Annable, Press of Atlantic City
- n 2022, a grandmother in Catawba County, North Carolina, asked the county’s school board to remove 24 books from the district’s libraries. Her request was part of a wave of book challenges across the country. Michelle Teague said she wanted the books removed for explicit content to which she felt children should not be exposed. Four months after instigating the book challenges and an ensuing debate, Teague filed for election to the Catawba County School Board. By the end of the year, she was sitting on the board that would vote on whether the school should ban the very books she challenged — or change the process by which those books were reviewed.
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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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
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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.
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.