Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 3/23/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “When Democrats are fighting with each other, I tend not to pile on. The Democrats have milked the Callaway machine from one cycle to the next. I don’t see the need to get into the middle of a party squabble.” – Atlantic County GOP Chairman Davis
TOP STORY: In Softball-Aplenty Virtual Townhall, Murphy Hits Back at GOP’s Core Argument
The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 767,583 cases and 21,666 fatalities (and 101,454 probable cases and 2,515 probable fatalities) as of Monday (an increase of 2,608 cases and 28 fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.09. There have been 3,510,311 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (2,333,719 first doses and 1,240,282 second doses). Follow Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.
Governor Murphy and state officials held their COVID-19 briefing yesterday, during which the Governor said that the primary will be mostly in-person in June. The Governor said yesterday morning that he doesn’t think there will be further reopenings for the time being due to COVID-19 case loads, according to NJ101.5.
Governor Murphy held a virtual town hall last night, hitting back at GOP arguments that taxes are driving people away from the state.
Bergen County Sheriff Cureton held a pre-Passover security briefing with community leaders. Cureton announced the start of COVID-19 vaccinations for jail inmates. The county announced that seniors can now make COVID-19 vaccination appointments by phone.
Mercer County Executive Hughes provided a COVID-19 update.
Ocean County is spending $1.1M on a COVID-19 call center, according to the Asbury Park Press. The County Health Department highlighted its response to COVID-19 over the past year.
The Somerset County Parks Commission reopened the Green Park and Colonial Park tennis courts.
Rep. Watson Coleman reintroduced the CROWN Act.
Rep. Kim introduced legislation to help states lower health care costs.
Rep. Sherrill introduced legislation to provide benefits to veterans with children with special needs. Sherrill introduced a resolution highlighting the need to reopen schools and in-person instruction.
Stockton University launched a new program to cover tuition costs and fees for eligible first-year students. The university is planning a return to normal operations in the fall.
Ramapo College received a $25k grant from Orange and Rockland for its mobile food lab.
The Hispanic Bar Association condemned violence, racism, and intolerance against Asian-Americans.
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ICYMI: ICYMI: Murphy announced the extension of tax filing deadline; NJDOL distributed total of $24.8B in benefits; Grewal announced charges against Edna Mahan officers; Dougherty sentenced to probation; Murphy says ‘time to move forward‘ on schools reopening; state’s unemployment rate increased to 7.9%; Van Drew death threat; Sussex grapples with ‘pro-respect’ resolution
Atlantic County GOP Chairman Davis says he’s enlivened by Saturday’s convention and what it portends for this year elections; Davis criticized the presence of Senate primary candidate Seth Grossman, but says that Vince Polistina is well-positioned to defeat the movement conservative.
In LD2, AC Councilman Kurtz says he looks forward to working with the GOP ticket following his loss at the Saturday convention, noting that the presence of former AC Mayor Guardian on the Assembly ticket is a ‘huge opportunity‘ for the gaming resort city.
In LD15, the Hunterdon and Mercer Democrats endorsed Assemblymembers Verrelli and Reynolds-Jackson.
In LD20, Senator Booker endorsed incumbent Senator Cryan and Assemblywoman Quijano and runningmate Reginald Atkins for Assembly.
In LD37, Bergen County Clerk Hogan endorsed Assemblyman Johnson for Senate and his Assembly runningmates.
Working Families launched a ad campaign slamming Rep. Van Drew and other Republicans who voted against the ‘For The People Act’. Van Drew’s team fired back at the ad.
Republicans are alleging a cover-up of Mercer County Executive Hughes’ encounter with PA Troopers, according to the Trentonian.
ICYMI: Ehret will lead CWA-NJ; in LD25, Bergen ordered to pay Penna bonus; in battleground LD37, Murphy, Weinberg endorsed Johnson, Mimms issued support for Johnson, Johnson’s slate scored BCDO backing while Huttle launched campaign; continued targeting of DeCroce, second such letter
Senator Gopal called for further explanation regarding a racial slur used with a photo caption in an Asbury Park Press gallery.
Senators O’Scanlon and Bucco introduced legislation to protect police officers from criminal prosecution when encountering underage individuals in possession of marijuana or alcohol.
Senate Republicans say they will continue to challenge Democrats to investigate COVID-19 nursing home fatalities.
Senator O’Scanlon accused Democrats of ‘dragging their feet’ on legislation to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 and government restrictions.
Senator Testa and Assemblymen Simonsen and McLellan urged the Murphy Administration to relax restrictions and allow spouses or partners to join expectant mothers at prenatal ultrasound of OBGYN appointments.
Assemblyman Bergen called on Governor Murphy to adopt new CDC guidelines and reopen schools.
Assemblywoman Murphy launched a new website for constituents.
Assemblyman Scharfenberger introduced legislation to create a voter issue and complaint database.
A diverse group of state bar associations expressed support for Governor Murphy’s nomination of Rachel Wainter Apter for the state Supreme Court.
The NJLOM League Foundation announced a partnership with Walmart.
The NJBIA testified in support of legislation to provide COVID-19 relief to struggling businesses.
The African-American Chamber of Commerce of NJ and the ABC expressed opposition to S3414/A5378.
ICYMI: Murphy nominated Wainer Apter to Supreme Court; Pennacchio fired off a letter to the state epidemiologist; Coughlin appointed Brown AMO General Counsel; Lobbying hit record $105M last year
In Jersey City, the city and Uber expanded support for vulnerable populations with $100k in grants to support education efforts.
In Lakewood, GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Jack Ciattarelli visited the Ocean Academy charter school.
In Moorestown, the GOP endorsed Vick Bobadilla for a special council election.
In Newark, the University of Chicago’s My Very Own Library program will donate 240k books to Newark public school students.
In Neptune City, Councilman Thomas will host a blood drive.
In Trenton, the Police Department arrested an alleged heroin dealer.
In Watching Borough, John Malchow will run for council.
In Bedminster, the town is pondering its marijuana law options, according to NJ Hills.
In Boonton, the mayor is eying a return to in-person meetings, according to NJ Hills.
In Bridgewater, 4 marijuana prohibition ordinances were introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Essex Fells, the BOE is proposing a $6.2M budget, according to NJ Hills.
In Howell, a proposal for $300 ‘nuisance fines’ are up for a vote today, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jackson, an owner wants to turn his house into a synagogue, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Morris Township, taxes will increase due to the impact of COVID-19, according to NJ Hills.
In Newton, the Medical Center was briefly locked down after a report of a man with a rifle, according to NJ Herald.
In Nutley, a budget workshop revealed an increase in 2021 taxes, according to TAPinto.
In Old Bridge, a racist email sent to the lone black councilmember is under investigation, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Paterson, the school budget increases taxes an average of $155, according to the Paterson Press.
In Randolph, the budget has no tax increase, according to NJ Hills.
In Ringwood, a cell tower generator is ruining residents’ peace, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Scotch Plains, Democrats selected Adam Mathews to run for council, according to TAPinto.
In Summit, the council is moving forward with a proposed three month leaf-blower ban, according to TAPinto.
In Tenafly, a rally was held calling for an end to Asian-American hate crimes, according to the Bergen Record.
In Wayne, newcomers entered the council race, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Edison, Bhagia raised $100k (iLine post); in Roselle, Dems awarded line to Bernier and Fortuna; in Hamilton, Martin announced Peddicord as CFO
AROUND THE WEB:
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Gov. Phil Murphy has exploited and betrayed “the Black community that elected him” in New Jersey, devalued women and other minorities, and needs to be held accountable by leaders of the Democratic Party, the pastor of a Newark church wrote in a new letter to national and local officials in the party.
Stack talks Jersey City BOE funding, Palisades Cliffs Protection Act, and HCDO party line
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- State Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack discussed prioritizing funding for the Jersey City Board of Education, the rationale of the Palisades Cliffs Protection Act, and his feelings on the Hudson County Democratic Organization party line during an interview with HCV.
Sayegh tries, again, to undo City Council’s repeal of his botched sewer reforms
Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times
- Mayor Andre Sayegh is attempting – again — to undo the repeal of his botched sewer reforms that lead to massive increases in sewer fees for residents and businesses. Sayegh wants the City Council to reconsider the repeal on Tuesday. Council members repealed his sewer reforms last month, citing his failure to rectify problems such as failure to bill big users like the school district and sending incorrect bills to residents. He had more than a year to address the problem, but has not, said council members. He later vetoed the council’s repeal. Council members overrode his veto two weeks ago.
Jill Biden visit to Burlington City school a morale boost, educators say
George Woolston, Burlington County Times
- Samuel Smith Elementary School is still buzzing days after the First Lady of the United States walked through its halls. Jill Biden toured the elementary school on Monday as part of the first stop on the Help is Here tour, President Joe Biden’s nationwide effort to tout the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act.
No shaking it: Atlantic’s Gragnolati says system is seeing long-haul COVID cases
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Brian Gragnolati acknowledges that we are in a vaccine race against the variants of COVID-19. We’re also in a race against warmer weather — which could bring groups of unvaccinated people together. But, when you talk about the challenges of batting COVID-19 going forward, Gragnolati — the CEO of Atlantic Health System — said people are overlooking the long-haul implications of the virus.
Why is Hudson County at bottom for vaccines but near top for COVID-19 rate?
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- Hudson County has the second-highest rate of COVID-19 cases among New Jersey’s 21 counties and currently ranks third when it comes to the rate of new cases weekly, according to state data. But despite this — and the potential for the disease to spread among its densely packed residents — Hudson County comes in last for the number of COVID-19 vaccinations per person. It also has one of the state’s highest percentages of Black and Hispanic residents, populations at higher risk than others for infection, hospitalization and death from the coronavirus.
Jersey City police unions holding up plans to introduce CCRB ordinance, officials say
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Jersey City’s two police unions are holding up plans to introduce an ordinance that would ultimately lead to the creation of local civilian complaint review board, officials said at today’s council caucus meeting.
Cape May to curtail open alcohol containers
Bill Barlow, Press of Atlantic City
- The city officials of this historic town have spent a surprising amount of time lately talking about marijuana and alcohol. The city has introduced an ordinance banning smoking cannabis in public — a step they see as necessary to keep the stuff off the Washington Street Mall — and officials plan to limit public consumption of alcohol.
After early stumbles, state hotline delivers more vaccination appointments for seniors
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- Workers at New Jersey’s coronavirus vaccination hotline made tens of thousands of calls to elderly residents and scheduled more than 6,000 appointments as part of a recent targeted effort to connect members of this vulnerable age group with COVID-19 vaccines.
Kim: ‘I’ll never forget the feeling when I learned that my own government questioned my loyalty’
ROI-NJ Staff
- With the spotlight turned to anti-Asian hate and violence, New Jersey’s U.S. Rep. Andy Kim spoke out about his experiences with bias over Twitter this weekend. Kim, a Democrat who represents New Jersey’s 3rd District, used Twitter to retell a story of how he faced anti-Asian bias from the U.S. government — and how he plans to fix it, now that he is on the Foreign Affairs committee. The tweet, which was posted at around noon Saturday, had more than 24,000 likes and 6,000 retweets in less than 24 hours.
Bill linking state’s Black heritage has South Jersey lawmaker’s backing
Joseph P. Smith, Vineland Daily Journal
- New Jersey is a few votes and pen strokes away from a project linking centuries of local traditions, scattered sites, and forgotten people into an accessible, comprehensive take on African American history in the state. Black history isn’t exactly unpublished, but is far from voluminous and with annoying omissions according to some who make private efforts to preserve it. Some of the best recollections are preserved in family or church histories, though often even those are not in wide use.
First lady Tammy Murphy details pandemic relief fund spending
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- Shortly after the coronavirus took hold in the state, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund was launched to respond to urgent needs caused by the public health crisis. More than $65 million from over 62,000 donors has been raised to date. First lady Tammy Murphy has details of where and how that money is being spent.
Volunteers help salamanders cross NJ roadways
Bruce A. Scruton, New Jersey Herald
- It’s time for the salamander migration, a seasonal event most people never see because it takes place under cover of darkness on warm, rainy nights. But in a handful of select places, human volunteers organized by Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, will be giving these foot-long amphibians a helping hand to cross the road.
General manager of Tropicana one of three women running casinos in Atlantic City
Molly Shelly, Press of Atlantic City
- Jacqueline Grace is breaking barriers as the senior vice president and general manager of Tropicana Atlantic City. And the advice she gives to others: Just do it. “(For) women trying to work in male-dominated industries, I’d say don’t let that discourage you,” Grace said in a recent interview. “Believe in your capabilities, believe that there are going to be people there to support you.”
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