Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 5/8/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Originally they painted this bill as cracking down on data brokers, but now those limits are gone. [It] exposes that this was really about gutting OPRA all along.” – Attorney CJ Griffin on amended OPRA legislation
TOP STORY: Linden Mayor Armstead Making a Move in CD-10
The Murphy Administration announced free 24/7 digital mental health services for state college students.
Governor Murphy criticized Rutgers and lamented missed opportunities with protests, according to ROI-NJ.
Data shows that North Jersey is leading the regional pandemic jobs recovery, according to NJ Biz.
Former President Trump is returning to the state for a Saturday rally in Wildwood, according to NJ.com. Rep. Sherrill plans to lead a day of action to counter Trump’s visit.
A summer surge of gas prices is coming, according to the Bergen Record.
NJ Transit is looking to transform agency operations, according to the Daily Record.
More NJ counties are launching special needs registries for drivers, according to NJ101.5.
Rutgers’ president will testify before Congress on student protests, according to the Bergen Record.
Offshore wind opponents again pressed Atlantic County commissioners to pick sides, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Bergen County Commissioner Zur was honored as the ‘Maurice Fitzgibbons Commissioner of the Year’.
Burlington County commissioners mourned the passing of Trooper Marcellus Bethea.
The ACLU-NJ says Camden County’s criticism of a protest undermined free speech.
Hudson County Executive Guy delivered his first State of the County address, according to Hudson County View.
Raising Cane’s continue to spread in South Jersey, according to the Daily Journal.
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 CD2, the CWA endorsed Tim Alexander.
In CD8, Rep. Menendez launched his first TV ad in English and Spanish. Menendez faces a tight race, according to NJ Spotlight. The CWA endorsed Menendez.
In CD10, allies of Linden Mayor Armstead are collecting signatures to get him on the ballot for the June primary for the late Rep. Payne’s seat. Irvington Mayor Vauss endorsed Councilwoman McIver for the late Rep. Payne’s seat. Essex County Commissioner Richardson endorsed McIver, who formally announced her candidacy earlier this week. Essex County is uniting around the councilwoman for the special election, amid many moving parts and potential contenders.
Democratic Senate primary candidate Patricia Campos Medina was endorsed by CoLaPa.
The Monmouth County Young Democrats elected their 2024 executive board.
ICYMI: 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 chairmanship of Hunterdon Dems; Fulop launching down-ballot effort; in CD8, Menendez slammed Bhalla; Passaic’s intense primary battle; 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
The state’s cannabis czar is departing, according to NJ.com.
Lawmakers are pushing to help school districts with state aid reductions, according to NJ Spotlight.
Legislation would give towns that embrace affordable housing more aid, according to NJ.com.
A stillbirth awareness campaign was launched, according to NJ Spotlight.
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 Belleville, Mayor Melham delivered the State of the Township address.
In Perth Amboy, mayoral candidate Jsoeph Vas and his slate endorsed Patricia Campos Medina in the Democratic Senate primary.
In Bridgewater, the Bridgewater-Raritan $183M school budget includes a ‘huge deal’ for families, according to MyCentralJersey.
In East Hanover, a housing lottery is planned as a new development debuts, according to the Daily Record. A refurbished council hall was debuted, according to NJ Hills.
In Eatontown, a planned Netflix studio spurs more downtown changes, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Edison, a cop lamented migrant buses, saying its an ‘actual invasion’, according to NJ101.5.
In Hoboken, former HHS Director Pellegrini alleged retaliation and defamation in a lawsuit, according to Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, the council wants more transparency from the public safety department prior to the budget vote, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, a schools consultant tore into a recent state report, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Little Falls, residents are bracing for home renovation rule changes after floods, according to TAPinto.
In Long Hill, officials joined a regionalization study advisory committee, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Laurel, there’s no tax increase, according to TAPinto.
In Newark, speculation is starting over the Central Ward council seat, according to TAPinto. Rough roads and potholes are causing grumbles at City Hall, according to TAPinto. OVer 7,000 AI cameras will be installed in schools, according to NJ Spotlight.
In North Wildwood, beach work is expected to cost $10M, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Raritan Township, a councilman is seeking to put a rent stabilization ordinance in place, according to TAPinto.
In Springfield, the town fined the Gomes site developer, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, homeless explain how they got packed deep in the woods, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Warren, Ferreiro was sworn-in as police chief, according to NJ Hills.
In Washington Township, the BOE adopted the budget, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In New Brunswick, freedom of press case may go to state SC; in Roxbury, BOE decision to rescind transgender protections
Insider NJ columnist Carl Golden writes ‘‘Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game!?’‘
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘Gaza’s Fate Looms Large in NJ Dems June Primary Debate‘
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.‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Who are the top paid employees on New Jersey public payroll? Find out here
Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press
- There are more than 200,000 on the New Jersey state payroll, from doctors and politicians to road crew workers, clerks and hundreds of other jobs. In 2023, Phil Murphy’s salary as governor was $174,639, according to state payroll data. Not bad, but that made him just the 886th highest-paid state employee.
Oil tanker caught illegally dumping ‘oily waste’ in NJ waters
Rick Rickman, NJ1015
- Two head engineers of an oil tanker flying under the flag of Greece have admitted to dumping oily waste into the waters off the New Jersey coast and trying to cover it up. The Kriti Ruby, a 30,000-ton oil tanker owned by a Greek shipping company, discharged oily waste while near a petroleum terminal in Sewaren on Sept. 14, 2022.
Rutgers president defends agreement with encampment
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway remains confident of his handling of the pro-Palestinian encampment at Rutgers despite detractors characterizing the university as caving into the demonstrator’s demands. At Princeton University, meanwhile, pro-Palestine protesters remain frustrated with the Ivy League school’s response.
Town can’t silence cop who ripped ‘good ol’ boys’ PD after her lawsuit, N.J. Supreme Court rules
S.P. Sullivan, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- A female New Jersey police sergeant should not face legal sanctions for publicly criticizing her former department as a “good ol’ boy” club after settling a discrimination suit, the state’s highest court ruled Tuesday.
N.J. hospital in financial distress was just ordered to draw up ‘disaster plan’
Susan K. Livio, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The state Health Department is so concerned with the financial stability of CareWell Health Medical Center that on Monday it ordered the owners to submit a “disaster plan” identifying where patients and staff may be transferred in the event the East Orange hospital abruptly closes, NJ Advance Media has learned.
Op-Ed: Lawmakers must step up and save the New Jersey School of Conservation
Bob Locantore
- I have taught health and physical education for 35 years at Wenonah Middle School. For 27 of those years, I have brought our sixth grade students to the New Jersey School of Conservation on a field trip that is always highly anticipated and one that delivers uniquely important lessons, experiences, and growth for all of our kids.
NJ Transit one-way tickets will expire after 30 days starting this summer
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey Transit will be implementing a new policy regarding one-way tickets and Flexpass effective July 1, according to an announcement from the company. Here are the details of the updated policy.
ExxonMobil to close NJ campus after Clinton Township balks at redevelopment plan
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- ExxonMobil announced it will close its Hunterdon County research facility to consolidate its corporate research operations at its headquarters in Houston. The decision by one of the world’s largest corporations, with a valuation of $460 billion, will result in most of the jobs on the 757-acre campus at the intersection of Route 22 and Interstate 78 in Clinton Township being offered the opportunity to relocate to Houston.
End crazy zoning rules that block out even granny | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- In the face of an affordable housing crisis, municipal laws forbid you from letting your granny live in your backyard. That’s right, you can’t even build a stand-alone unit on your own property.
How do teacher salaries in New Jersey compare with other states? See the list
Kyle Morel, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey teachers had the seventh-highest average salary in the country during the 2022-23 school year, data from the National Education Association shows. The average teacher in the Garden State made $81,102 last year, a 3.5% increase from $78,387 in 2021-22. That figure is more than $10,000 higher than the national average of $69,544.
Preservation group cites threats to sites in Cherry Hill, Camden
Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Two South Jersey properties are on a preservation group’s list of most endangered historic places in New Jersey. The local sites include a Route 70 gatehouse that served the long-demolished Garden State Park racetrack in Cherry Hill. Preservation New Jersey also cited a house in Camden City that was intermittently used by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Let’s rebuild New Jersey infrastructure
Bill Spadea, NJ1015
- Had a great meeting this week with a group called New Jersey Alliance for Action. We were joined at dinner with President Gerry Keenan and Sr. VP Chris Hartman to discuss the future of our great state.
Teachers in NJ must live in NJ – should that rule be eliminated?
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- If you want to be a teacher in a New Jersey school, you must also be a resident of the Garden State. A bill advanced on Monday by the Senate Education Committee would scrap the residency requirement — at least temporarily — as a potential way to address a shortfall of quality teachers.
Five years and 1,000 dogs later: Benefactor revisits the Seeing Eye in Morris Township
Golden Dome Foundation
- No question, all dogs go to heaven. For a select few, they spend some time on earth being trained at The Seeing Eye for a lifetime of service to people who are blind or with low vision. As a nonprofit supported solely by donations, The Seeing Eye relies on the kindness of strangers, as well as long-time friends, such as the Golden Dome Foundation of Holmdel.
New fintech innovation hub launches at Stevens Institute (updated)
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJ BIZ
- Officials will gather Tuesday in Hoboken to launch of the New Jersey Fintech Accelerator at Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ FAST). NJ FAST, the state’s fourth Strategic Innovation Center, will serve as a hub for financial technology and insurance technology startups.
DaleGlading.com
- On March 31, 1968, Lyndon Baines Johnson shocked the nation by ending his televised speech with the following words: “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.” For a sitting president, who just four years earlier had won a landslide victory, to make such a decision and issue such a statement meant that there were forces at play behind the scenes to which the average American was not privy.
Trenton needs to upgrade Unity Park and concern for children
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Occasionally my girlfriend joins me for dinner in Princeton where we buy several food items at Olives then put a blanket down in Greenway Meadows Park. This environmental escape includes 43 acres of beautiful landscape and 12 acres of playing fields on Rosedale Road, across from the entrance to Johnson Park Elementary School. An online description notes the park contains athletic fields, walking/biking trails, playground, swings, restroom building and picnic tables.
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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Roofing In Brighton
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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.