Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/25/2021 – InsiderNJ

The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 892,027 cases and 23,718 fatalities (and 130,067 probable cases and 2,698 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 210 confirmed cases, 99 probable cases, and 6 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .97. There have been 10,103,410 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 4,863,135 people fully vaccinated).

The Legislature passed the FY2022 budget yesterday, with Senate President Sweeney saying it shows the state is ‘primed and ready to rebound from the pandemic‘. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sarlo praised its as a ‘smart and responsible budget’. Speaker Coughlin hailed it as ‘fair and responsible’. GOP legislators slammed the budget: Senator Oroho decried it as a ‘wasted opportunity‘ and denounced ‘pork projects’ for Democrats in an election year. Senator Corrado slammed it as the ‘epitome of opaque government’. Senator Oroho said it has too many ‘missed opportunities‘.

First Lady Tammy Murphy is launching a mini family festival series to address the maternal and infant health crisis.

Bergen County is beginning another round of COVID-related bonuses for employees, according to the Bergen Record.

An independent overseer recommended a written COVID-19 policy and a wristband system at the Cumberland County Jail, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

Essex County held its annual Meet The Mayors event, according to TAPinto.

Morris County was honored by the US Census for its top response rate of any county in the state.

Senator Booker reintroduced the ‘Break The Cycle Of Violence Act’.

Rep. Kim’s efforts to expand military health care were applauded by Defense Secretary Austin.

ICYMI: Murphy signed legislative package for small business relief; Sherrill vowed to continue SALT efforts; Governor announced leadership of Wealth Disparity Task Force; NJDOH HQ to be named in honor of Persichilli; Murphy touted the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rate

Governor Murphy took action on legislation.

Governor Murphy named Mo Butler as Chairman of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

After a year of protests, police unions’ clout in Trenton remains strong, according to Politico NJ.

Official say Governor Murphy will once again veto mandatory minimum legislation over weaker penalties for public corruption, according to NJ.com.

The NJ Farmland Preservation Program is seeking applications from farm owners who wish to permanently preserve their land.

The For The Many Coalition condemned the budget process as ‘anti-Democratic’ and ‘opaque’.

NJ Policy Perspective applauded the passage of legislation to expand children’s health insurance access.

ANJEC applauded the passage of legislation to establish requirements for recycled content.

The NJ Apartment Association applauded the passage of S3691.

NJ Realtors released May housing data.

ACS CAN applauded the budget’s inclusion of cancer research funding.

ICYMI: Murphy, leaders ‘look to restructure‘ SDA; Rice requested $1B for inner-city recreation; Murphy signed the ‘Fair Chance in Housing Act’; Schaer discusses his lead poisoning elimination legislation

In Washington, a Juneteenth resolution triggered mayhem in the borough.

In Newark, Mayor Baraka launched a two-year economic recovery plan.

In Piscataway, several groups filed opposition papers in BOE Member Patel’s ethics case.

In Trenton, Mayor Gusciora announced an American Rescue Plan funds proposal.

In Tinton Falls, Michael Miles announced his mayoral candidacy.

In Caldwell, the town will pay $375k to a fired police lieutenant, according to NJ Hills.

In Camden, teachers will get a 15% raise in their new contract, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In Egg Harbor, the township vowed to move forward with allowing recreational cannabis businesses, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Linwood, the town will hold a town hall on cannabis retail next week, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Livingston, the council voted to temporarily prohibit cannabis sales, according to TAPinto.

In Madison, opponents criticized plans for the former movie theater site, according to NJ Hills.

In Mendham Township, a new planning document says up to 281 new homes can be built, according to NJ Hills.

In Montclair, a lawsuit alleges that a district had 0 GOP votes in it, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Neptune, there’s an impasse as the teachers’ contract is set to expire, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In North Caldwell, the council approved a $1.7M bond ordinance, according to NJ Hills.

In Oakland, the council overrode the mayor’s veto and banned all marijuana businesses, according to the Bergen Record.

In Princeton, a Zoom bomber disrupted a Cannabis Task Force meeting, according to Planet Princeton.

In Voorhees, a high school valedictorian says her speech was cut short by school officials while talking about coming out as a freshman, according to NJ101.5.

ICYMI: In Paterson, PEA slammed BOE members; in Randolph, rowdy BOE meeting on controversial decision to remove holidays ends with BOE voting to revert calendar back; in Morristown, Cresitello hit roadblock in mayoral bid; in Montclair, Gill re-elected local Dem chair; in Hanover, Bruneo imbroglio ends; in Newark, a 700-lb statue of George Floyd was unveiled