Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/25/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
TOP STORY: Congressman Payne has Died
Congressman Donald Payne Jr. passed away yesterday after suffering a cardiac episode several weeks ago. A Newark resident who succeeded his father in the CD10 seat, Payne was a former city councilman and Essex County freeholder. He was 65. The Governor mourned the Congressman, saying he ’embodied the very best of public service’. Newark Mayor Baraka praised Payne’s commitment to the city, saying he had ‘leadership and love for Newark in his DNA’.
Air quality in NJ has improved in recent years, according to NorthJersey.com.
Middlesex County presented the 2024 State of the County.
Morris County memorialized Civil War soldiers, according to NJ Hills.
Passaic County will unveil a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in May. Millions in Passaic County sheriff surveillance equipment is stuck in limbo, according to NorthJersey.com.
Somerset County introduced the 2024 budget.
Union County launched a pedestrian safety initiative, according to TAPinto.
Senator Booker urged the CFPB to finalize the rule limiting overdraft fees.
Senator Booker and Reps. Sherrill and Kean welcomed a new Vet Resources Center in Morris County.
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
Gubernatorial primary candidate Steve Fulop is launching a down-ballot effort to recruit candidates for next year’s primary, saying he wants to ‘disrupt the state’s party boss politics’ and pledged to put $10M behind Assembly, county, and local candidates.
In CD8, Rep. Menendez slammed Mayor Bhalla as an opportunist seeking to capitalize on his father’s troubles, saying the mayor is ‘no kniht in shining armor’.
In the intense primary battle in Passaic County, Reps. Pascrell, Sherrill, and Gottheimer endorsed Chief Adamo for Sheriff and Lazzara, Bartlett, and De Vore for commissioner.
ICYMI: Moran launched Moxie; 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
Assembly Speaker Coughlin’s law firm has made millions since he took power, according to NJ.com.
County governments want the Legislature to investigate the comptroller, according to Politico NJ.
The ACLU-NJ and Garden State Equality urged school districts to readopt transgender student policies.
The state’s disability pension fund is still recovering from pandemic ‘shock’, according to NJ Spotlight.
The NJBIA clarified that they are not calling for a sales tax increase while expressing opposition to the proposed corporate transit tax.
The NJ Chamber of Commerce elected four new board members.
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 Tabernacle, 19-year old Patrick Lee announced his candidacy for BOE.
In Atlantic City, the BOE declined to publicly address child abuse allegations against the superintendent, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Branchburg, the town is jammed up as the budget looms, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Bound Brook, school taxes will decrease, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Chatham Township, the budget was adopted, according to TAPinto.
In Galloway, the council proposed regulations on the use of municipal parks, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hawthorne, the Democratic Club elected new leadership, according to TAPinto.
In Madison, the council adopted the budget, according to TAPinto. Police officers expressed concern as arbitration talks loom, according to NJ Hills.
In Margate, the town will switch health insurance, according to Downbeach.
In Morristown, the Housing Authority is dogged by no-shows, according to Morristown Green.
In Oakland, the GOP will have a council primary, according to the Bergen Record.
In Washington, a mayoral candidate was kicked off the ballot after a residency investigation, according to NJ.com.
ICYMI: In Roxbury, BOE decision to rescind transgender protections
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson writes ‘Health Care Access: We Need to do Better‘
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‘
AROUND THE WEB:
N.J. GOP needs a state convention for federal and gubernatorial candidates | Opinion
Alex Zdan
- Like many other candidates for federal office this year, I was honored to compete in a vigorous county party convention process. From the beginning of February through the end of March, I barnstormed the state as a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
Watchdog demands fraud probe of anti-abortion centers over privacy concerns
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- A watchdog group has asked the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to investigate a Sussex County anti-abortion pregnancy center for fraud, saying the center misleads patients by assuring them it complies with medical privacy laws even though it’s not subject to such laws.
The 30 worst New Jersey schools are shockingly bad
Rick Rickman, NJ1015
- Dozens of schools in New Jersey are failing their students, according to new data from the state Department of Education. Each year, the state releases “report cards” for public and charter schools called New Jersey School Performance Reports. The latest report released earlier this month covers the 2022-2023 school year. The numbers reveal the worst 30 performing schools in the entire state.
Why national solar CEO says New Jersey does it right
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Bernhard’s Ed Tinsley brings the Southern style and charm you’d expect from a CEO who works out of Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s a personality that has helped him quickly embrace John Calipari, the formerly hated Kentucky men’s basketball coach who is now viewed as a savior for the state’s flagship university.
LETTER: ‘I know what it is like to grow up poor & truly struggle,’ GOP candidate says
Hudson County View
- In a letter to the editor, Republican 8th District congressional candidate Anthony Valdes gives his point of view on why the New Jersey delegation has failed residents.
Whistleblower Appreciation Day should be every day
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Happy Whistleblower Appreciation Day aka National Whistleblower Day. Pardon the premature celebration for an event that occurs on July 30 when world organizations commemorate the contributions of whistleblowers who have bravely stepped forward to expose waste, fraud, abuse and malfeasance.
Atlantic City High School principal charged with official misconduct waives first court appearance
John O’Connor, Press of Atlantic City
- The city’s high school principal, who is facing official misconduct charges after allegedly failing to report child abuse, waived her first court appearance Tuesday. Constance Days-Chapman is now scheduled to appear in front of Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury at 9 a.m. May 20 for a pre-indictment conference.
State aid plunges, tax hikes capped: Big layoffs might be forced on Jersey Shore schools
Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press
- Lacey Township Public Schools officials are facing hard questions. Do they wipe out entire programs and cut integral student services to make up a $7 million gap in a school budget?
Has it gotten windier in New Jersey? We asked the state climatologist
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- Do you feel as if you have been picking up a lot more branches from your backyard recently? Waking up more often in the middle of the night to the sound of howling wind? If so, you are not alone. So far in 2024, New Jersey has been hit with lots of rain, wind and overall dreary days.
Van Drew’s shameless embrace of Vladimir Putin | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- Rep. Jeff Van Drew has now established himself as Vladimir Putin’s best friend in New Jersey, the lone member of our Congressional delegation who just voted to cut off all military aid for Ukraine. His support for the world’s most aggressive dictator is a new low, even for Van Drew, an opportunist whose convictions flip with the latest political breeze.
Experts tell lawmakers about harmful effects of microplastics
Sophie Nieto Munoz, NJ Monitor
- Microplastics can be found virtually anywhere, from the bristles of a toothbrush to packaged food, and experts who study the harmful effects plastic has on people’s bodies want lawmakers to consider legislation to mitigate their spread. “There’s only so much we can do as individuals, so we need the state of New Jersey to act,” Bennington College professor Judith Enck told lawmakers Monday.
Risk of harm enough to grant sex assault victims stay-away orders, N.J.’s top court says
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- Sexual assault survivors will be able to more easily obtain protection orders against their attackers under a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling issued Monday. Survivors seeking temporary or final restraining orders against their abusers can do so under the 2015 Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act or the 1991 Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. The 1991 law requires survivors to have had some relationship with their abuser and sets a stronger standard that requires judges mulling final restraining orders to consider six factors, including “the existence of immediate danger to person or property.”
Morristown Administrator Jillian Barrick recognized for public service by state association
Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green
- For years, Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty has hailed Jillian Barrick as the top municipal administrator in the state. Turns out Barrick’s peers have a similar opinion. The Morristown administrator will receive the Distinguished Public Service Award by from New Jersey Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) next month.
NJ’s county line ballots must be eliminated — in every primary contest
Harold B. Shill
- It appears that U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi’s ruling in the party line ballot case is, at best, a limited, short-term victory for Democratic Party voters desiring fair and open primary elections. He has provided “relief” for Rep. Andy Kim against Tammy Murphy, who has now withdrawn from the Senate race. However, the judge’s ruling applies only to the 2024 Democratic primary. It does not affect this year’s Republican primary or future primaries for either party. Unless a broader ruling affecting all New Jersey primaries is issued, the Republicans can use the party line ballot this year and both parties can revert to it in the future.
How do disabled people find housing? Long Branch fair aims for answers to many questions
Olivia Liu, Asbury Park Press
- When Amanda Chirelli of Little Egg Harbor first started working at MOCEANS Center for Independent Living in 2020, one of her duties was to call apartment buildings to find housing for people with disabilities. “Alongside transportation, (housing is) really a big issue for people with disabilities,” Chirelli said.
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
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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.