Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/11/2020 – InsiderNJ

Everyone deserves health care that is more convenient, more connected and more affordable. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey calls Newark home and for nearly 90-years has created and maintained relationships benefiting our state and their members that no other health insurer can claim. New Jersey is who Horizon is and will always be. S3218/A5119 would create a process where Horizon could apply to the state to become a not-for-profit mutual. This change means removing restrictions placed only on Horizon so that it can better meet the needs of its 3.6 million members: so that Horizon can create more affordable, high-quality, convenient health care options with better health care outcomes.  When this idea was first proposed, Horizon heard your concerns. That’s why S3218 does not allow for the conversion of the company to a for-profit: in fact, it expressly prohibits it. S3218 does not allow for the creation of stockholders, keeps Horizon’s charitable and benevolent status and amends current law rather than creating a new one. It also maintains a system of oversight from the Department of Banking and Insurance, the Attorney General and the State Legislature.  No conversion. No stockholders. The same charitable and benevolent status. Amending the law instead of creating a new one. The same state oversight. S3218/A5119 means the same Horizon, only better!

Follow Insider NJ’s COVID-19 Information Update Center and Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.

The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 386,606 cases and 15,7740 fatalities (and 1,868 probable fatalities) as of Thursday; the viral transmission rate is 1.12.

The NJDOL reported that unemployment benefit payments have nearly reached $20B since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A woman was murdered on the Hunterdon estate owned by former Senator Torricelli, who was in Florida at the time; Brandon Peterson was charged (iLine post).

Essex County is considering the Livingston Sears as a potential COVID-19 vaccine distribution center, according to TAPinto.

The 2021 Middlesex County reorganization will be held virtually in January. The county awarded $4.2M in relief grants to small businesses.

Morris County distributed over 400 emergency kits to seniors and people with disabilities, according to NJ Hills. The county freeholders approved $26M to upgrade emergency communications.

Ocean County named an architect for the $50M justice complex addition, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Senator Booker met with Dr. Cecilia Rouse, President-elect Biden’s Council of Economic Advisors chair nominee. Booker reintroduced legislation to combat child obesity.

Rep. Kim expressed support for President-elect Biden’s nomination of Denis McDonough for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Rep. Kim announced federal housing aid for Little Ferry and Teaneck.

Stockton University will delay the start of the spring semester by one week.

Brookdale College and Rider University are partnering on a program-to-program transfer agreement.

NJ has the 3rd smallest increase in unemployment claims in the US, according to a WalletHub study.

ICYMI: Murphy presented two projection models; NJHRA discuss the importance of restaurants; Murphy talks with Biden (iLine post); Governor to COVID violators: ‘we will shut you down‘; Sunday record of 6k C-19 cases (iLine post); Murphy took aim at NY Young GOP, FL Rep. Gaetz; Murphy signed bill expanding eligibility for extended UE; Murphy signed an executive order on COVID vaccine enrollment; NJDOL: 10% increase in UE claims during Thanksgiving; Murphy announced new restrictions and pushed back against shutdown rumors

The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee held a hearing on the Horizon restructure bill yesterday morning (watch the hearing here), bringing the ever-evolving plan one step closer to reality. Lawmakers had been reviewing several amendments to the legislation, which has taken center stage in Trenton. Early in the hearing, Assemblyman Danielsen objected to the process, noting having only the weekend to review amendments ahead of a Monday vote, saying ‘the timing here is really painful’; Assemblyman DePhillips expressed skepticism about transparency. Following the hearing, Chairman McKeon said that the goal of the legislation to put Horizon on an ‘equal playing field‘ and ‘specifically prevents conversion to a private for-profit company’. The committee will hold a vote on the bill on Monday.

A source says Melanie Walter will succeed retiring Charles Richman as head of the NJHFMA (iLine post).

The Senate Energy and Environment Committee advanced several farmland preservation bills.

The Assembly Health Committee advanced legislation to make most documents related to the Emergency Health Powers Act subject to OPRA discolsure.

Senator Pennacchio called on the state to revise laboratory reporting of positive COVID-19 cases.

40 groups sent a letter to Governor Murphy and legislative leaders expressing concern with the Horizon restructuring legislation.

Uber’s CEO sent a letter to Governor Murphy requesting that platform drivers get priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Local elected officials urged the Legislature to approve COVID-19 aid to taxpaying immigrants.

ICYMI: Murphy, lawmakers agree on incentive caps (iLine post); several stumbling blocks with marijuana legalization; Rutgers professors filed pay equity lawsuit; Ruiz, Doherty clashed over diversity legislation; Latinx community called for the inclusion of a Latinx appointee to redistricting commission; Murphy, legislative leaders announced agreement on adult-use cannabis legislation; Pou, Sarlo, Sweeney announced introduction of Horizon reorganization bill; orgs released statements of support; Steinhagen says it ‘implicates major issues‘; McKeon makes point about adaptation, Conlin says will create a ‘better Horizon‘; NJCBA announced leadership changes; NJDEP’s McCabe will retire; legislators introduced const. amendment to dedicate cannabis revenue to ‘impacted communities’

In Perth Amboy, Mayor Diaz rolled out endorsements from several mayors across the state ahead of the December 15th mayoral runoff election. Candidate Helmin Caba committed to a post-pandemic recovery plan for the city. Former mayoral candidate Vas’ campaign committee urged voters to oppose Caba in the runoff. Here’s what’s at stake in the Tuedsay runoff, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Camden, the city released its first-ever parks and open space plan.

In Jersey City, the 2019 shooting haunts those who lived through it, a year later, according to the Bergen record.

In Collingswood, Democratic Chair Kate Delany plans to announce her candidacy for mayor, according to NJ Spotlight.

In Brick, the BOE recount sees a new winner, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Califon, residents want solutions to backyard and basement flooding, according to NJ Hills.

In Trenton, Clerk Conlon survived a Rice vote, and the residency requirement was waived, according to the Trentonian.

In Paterson, Oasis is starting a major expansion of its charity programs, according to Paterson Press. Schools will continue all-virtual learning through February, according to Paterson Times. The state says the city hired a zoning officer who lacked the proper requirements, according to Paterson Times.

In Howell, the GOP filed a complaint alleging improper conduct by a Democratic Board of Elections member, according to MoreMonmouthMusings. Deputy Mayor O’Donnell increased her margin in the recount, according to MoreMonmouthMusings.

In Edison, land targeted for a warehouse could become open space, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Red Bank, a high-rise proposal will be scaled back, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Nutley, ON3 called the town’s effort to block traffic from Clifton ‘silly’, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Berkeley Heights, the council will vote on a ‘pay-to-play’ ordinance, according to TAPinto.

In Parsippany, a developer is playing hardball with redevelopment revisions, according to the Daily Record.

In Long Hill, Millington residents vented frustrations and concerns over an apartment complex proposal, according to NJ HIlls.

ICYMI: In Newark, $190M commitment to renovate Penn Station; in Perth Amboy, Diaz rolled out endorsements; in Englewood Cliffs, Councilman Song resigned (iLine post); in Hammonton, GOP Club endorses Ciattarelli (iLine post); in Edison, Joshi raised $71k (iLine post); in Hillside, judge ruled in favor of Garretson (iLine post); in Jersey City, city shut down Maritime Parc following NY Young GOP event, Maritime Parc spokesperson released statement that guidelines were followed; in Trenton, bus. restrictions remain in place until Jan. 3rd; in Jersey City, Fulop announced plans to turn landfill into park; in Clifton, AG’s Office released recording of fatal accident; in Paterson, Teague gearing up for council run (iLine), Ward 3 recount (iLine); in Morris, marchers protested lockdown measures