Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 1/27/2021 – InsiderNJ

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 606,492 cases and 19,091 fatalities (and 70,045 probable cases and 2,121 probable fatalities) as of Wednesday; the viral transmission rate is .91. There have been 642,613COVID-19 vaccinations administered.

A Monmouth University poll finds President Biden begins his presidency with a 54% approval rating and 30% disapproval rating; Congress has a 35% approval rating and 51% disapproval rating.

The NJEA is defending teachers opposed to in-school reopenings due to safety concerns, according to Politico NJ.

A South Jersey woman is the first to lead ABC’s 20/20, according to the Burlington County Times.

NJ is among the top states for COVID-19 workplace lawsuits, according to the Bergen Record.

Burlington County Commissioners approved HELP loans for small businesses.

Mercer County Commissioner Cimino will serve as the NJ Association of Counties’ 80th President. County prosecutors are being accused of ‘misconduct’ and losing evidence by a Lawrence officer, according to the Trentonian.

Rep. Pascrell is quarantining following a family member’s testing positive COVID-19.

Rep. Sires was appointed to the House Committee on the Budget.

Reps. Gottheimer and Pascrell requested that congressional leadership include the repeal of the SALT tax deduction cap in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

The NJSIAA entered into a sponsorship agreement with PSE&G.

The Community Foundation of NJ announced PSE&G’s Linda Tamare as its Board of Trustee’s Chair.

A Burlington County man admitted to interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder in Trenton last year.

Rep. Payne was voted Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Newark Airport took a 66% air travel hit in 2020 due to COVID-19, according to NJ Biz.

ICYMI: Murphy says over 2M residents signed up for vacc; Malinowski addressed Capitol desecration; Pascrell wants USPS Governors fired; Murphy addresses imbalance between vaccine supply and demand; lawmakers want crackdown on QAnon; Biden assumed oath, as the Biden era begins; Menendez on Melgen pardon: ‘no expectation that he [Trump] would act‘; Rodriguez will depart to Biden Admin; Murphy extends SOS (iLine post); NJDOL processed 533k supplemental UE benefits; Trump pardons Gilmore

Governor Murphy announced that former State Comptroller Matt Boxer will lead an independent investigation of abuse allegations at Edna Mahan Correctional facility, and that ‘any individual who acted improperly will be held fully accountable’. Speaker Coughlin announced hearings will be conducted by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on the reported abuse. All seven GOP Assemblywomen called for the replacement of DOC Commissioner Hicks. Senator Corrado slammed Governor Murphy over the issue, saying he’s ‘circling the wagons again’ and ‘has turned a blind eye as women that he had a responsibility to protect were sexually and physically abused’.

Governor Murphy addressed the ongoing legislative challenges for marijuana legalization, saying its ‘not an easy process (iLine post).

LD18 Assemblyman Sterley Stanley was sworn-in yesterday.

Senator Pennacchio questioned whether COVID-19 fatalities could have been reduced if hydroxychloroquine hadn’t been blocked as a treatment.

Assemblyman Scharfenberger introduced a resolution to designate May as ‘Law Enforcement and Correctional Officer Appreciation Month’.

Assemblyman Houghtaling introduced legislation to ensure electric vehicle drivers are charged fairly for charging services.

Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle introduced legislation to address the state’s response to COVID-19 in schools.

Assemblyman Rooney sounded the alarm over the state’s small business health insurance crisis induced by COVID-19.

The NJ Treasury’s Division of Investment announced two key hires to its senior investment team.

NJ Policy Perspective added two new board members.

The NJ Association of Health Plans announced new board members.

The NJ Association of State Colleges and Universities announced Morganne Dudzinski as associate director.

ICYMI: Murphy, Cryan, Scutari praise Union judicial nominees; Grewal appointed Bonsper as Victims of Crime Compensation director; Singleton received COVID vacc; Patel named NJRHA Chair; Turner discusses civics importance (video); Singleton considers impact of the Capitol riot

In Paterson, Mayor Sayegh rolled out the city’s COVID-19 vaccination effort, with city Health Director Persaud dubbing him the ‘Vaccination Mayor’.

In Roselle, a state comptroller report found that the borough had over $1.4M in improper expenditures (iLine post).

In Newark, Public Safety Director Ambrose will retire at the end of March.

In Hoboken, Councilman Cohen filed a complaint with ELEC alleging Councilwoman Fisher failed to file required reports.

In Jersey City, a former Recreation Department payroll clerk pleaded guilty to stealing $80k by falsely inflating payroll hours for relatives and associates.

In Creskill, the local Democrats will support Gordon Johnson for the LD37 Senate seat (iLine post).

In Tenafly, Councilwoman Dayton endorsed Valerie Vainieri Huttle for LD37 Senate.

In Vineland, Mayor Fanucci delivered his State of the City address.

In Atlantic City, the council will vote on restricting short-term rentals in the Chelsea neighborhood, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Asbury Park, voters will decide on rent control is a deal isn’t reached, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Bedminster, the town will review internet and cable services, according to NJ Hills.

In Bloomfield, the formation of the Cultural Preservation Utility sparked opposition from the Oakside Center Board, according to TAPinto.

In Bordentown, the town is considering rezoning of a Route 18 site, according to Burlington County Times.

In Byram, a police officer fired after Facebook comments is suing to get his job back, according to NJ Herald.

In Edison, five are seeking the Democratic endorsement for mayor, according to TAPinto.

In Flemington, the downtown revitalization is nearing the finish line, according to MyCentralJersey. The town pledged continued community-police dialogue, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Jackson, a BOE member had COVID-19 and a forced retirement on his birthday, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Montclair, the rent control statute is on hold, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Morristown, a judge slapped a $25k fine on a ‘sober living’ home, according to Morristown Green.

In Newark, Councilwoman McIver was appointed to the National League of Cities’ Large Cities Council, according to TAPinto.

In Paramus, a councilman is suing the mayor, alleging the mayor’s son isn’t eligible to become a police officer, according to the Bergen Record.

In Ocean City, the council is skeptical of wind energy, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Oceanport, the town got a new municipal complex eight years after Superstorm Sandy destruction, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Saddle River, attorneys squared off over affordable housing, according to the Bergen Record.

In Trenton, a law firm recommends disciplinary action for Clerk Conlon, according to the Trentonian.

In Wayne, parents will rally for in-person school, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Woodbridge, Mayor MacCormac outlined his 2021 goals, according to MyCentralJersey.

ICYMI: In Princeton, Democrats voted in favor of abolishing county primary lines; in Hackensack, Mayor Labrosse endorsed Johnson for Senate; in Jersey City, Hudson County Black Caucus endorsed Fulop and slate; in Monroe Township, Dalina appointed interim mayor; in Bogota, Dems endorsed Johnson for Senate; in Newark, COO Rogers stepping down; in Trenton, Gusciora to veto leg. counsel position ordinance; in AC, Langford may primary Small (iLine post); in Parsippany, Soriano heads in a re-election year