Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/22/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Anybody can steer a ship in calm waters. I want to navigate Republicans through the storm.” – Assemblyman Bergen joining the contest to lead the Assembly GOP caucus next year
TOP STORY: The Supposedly Tightening Race Between Murphy and Ciattarelli
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 988,710 cases and 24,467 confirmed fatalities (and 148,306 probable cases and 2,773 probable fatalities) as of Tuesday (an increase of 1,822 confirmed cases, 583 probable cases, and 38 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.06. There have been 11,922,226 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 5,784,689 people fully vaccinated).
The NJDOL reported it has paid out over $35B in unemployment benefits to 1.6M claimants since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
The Cumberland County Utilities Authority vice chair and solicitor clashed over opinions and texting at a meeting, according to Burlington County Times.
NJ State Troopers who oversee the diversity unit are alleging anti-gay bias in a lawsuit, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Senators Booker and Menendez urged ICE to end the transfer of detainees out of NJ.
Archdiocese of Newark Archbishop Tobin will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a special Mass.
ICYMI: Murphy signed an executive order requiring masks in child care settings; Watson Colemans’ in-depth interview; protesters rallied Gottheimer’s office; Pascrell on SALT: ‘we’re taking the gloves off, I’m telling you‘; Murphy announced Pre-K commitment;Murphy established the ‘Wealth Disparity Task Force’; Payne confident on infrastructure bill; Murphy thinks post-mortem warranted on Ida; feds sign off on disaster relief; Malinowski says ‘make or break moment‘ for climate; Kim discusses Capitol riot; Biden lands in NJ in hard-hit Manville, as some welcomed him, others rallied against
In Chesilhurst, a police officer was indicted on an official misconduct charge.
In Hoboken, Team Bhalla council candidate Joe Quintera released a plan to combat flooding.
In Hamilton (Mercer), the township is using ARP funds to offer families reimbursement for youth recreation league enrollment.
In Camden, police and peer recovery specialists are teaming up on the streets, according to the Courier Post.
In Egg Harbor Township, the state comptroller raised concerns over the sale of the water system, according to Politico NJ.
In Englewood Cliffs, the mayor and council are at odds over lawsuits against attorneys, according to the Bergen Record.
In Jersey City, the council is mulling an audit to decide if trash services should be brought in-house, according to the Hudson County View. Councilman Solomon’s campaign touted a poll showing a big lead over challenger Jake Hudnut, according to Hudson County View.
In Madison, the BOE discussed a busing shortage, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Olive, a police officer’s lawsuit says his firing was unlawful, according to the Daily Record.
In Ocean City, a councilman says a bank project’s temporary sidewalks are too narrow, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Peapack-Gladstone, borough hall was briefly shut down, according to NJ Hills.
In Plainfield, a court restored a police officer’s age discrimination lawsuit, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South Amboy, a wind energy project could power up to 1.4M homes, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Washington Township, the school district won a tenure fight against an ‘intolerant’ teacher, according to Burlington County Times
In Westfield, a plan for turf fields was cut in half, according to TAPinto. The council plans to ban pool rentals, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Newark, city unveiled a statue of history-making former Mayor Kenneth Gibson; in Newark, no clear alternative to Baraka, sources say Amador won’t seek re-election; in Newark, James considers the impact of the extraction of troops; in North Arlington, former Mayor Kaiser passed away; in Paterson, officials toured Ida shelter; in Penns Grove, former councilman charged w/ underreporting income; in Newark, DOJ reached settlement with schools; in Hoboken, workers rallied for benefits; in Chatham, key issue revolves around Nazis and Elie Wiesel.
AROUND THE WEB:
With cannabis now legal, ’NJ Weedman’ prepares to go legitgate incident during Ida, legislators say
Matt Friedman, Politico
- Ed Forchion, better known as “NJ Weedman,” has proudly flouted cannabis prohibition for years. By his own count, he has between 1,100 and 1,200 days of incarceration to show for it. But now, he may be ready to go legit.
Homelessness highest in Essex County, annual count finds
Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor
- Nearly 8,100 people experienced homelessness on a single January night this year in New Jersey, with nearly a quarter of them living in Essex County, according to a new report on the federally mandated annual enumeration known as the Point in Time Count.
Ciattarelli plans to dramatically restructure N.J. government (starting with the MVC)
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- The usual fall campaign debate goes something like this: Democrats promise more spending, and Republicans promise less and/or lower taxes. And on and on it goes. We’ve heard it all before. This season, Jack Ciattarelli – the GOP nominee taking on Governor Phil Murphy – is hoping to take the conversation in a new direction over the final several weeks of the race. To begin with: what government do we actually need? And for the stuff we do need, is there a better way to get it done?
Hoboken BOE renews Superintendent Johnson’s contract through June 30, 2026
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- The Hoboken Board of Education renewed Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson’s contract through June 30th, 2026, approving a five-year deal that could max out her annual salary at $264,890 if quantitative and qualitative merit goals are met.
Murphy, Ciattarelli lack school desegregation plans
David Cruz, NJ Spotlight
- For decades, lawmakers and education advocates have looked at ways to correct school-funding inequities. But even with those attempts, new reports show Black and brown students still aren’t getting the same resources for equal education opportunities as their white peers.
‘Things are dire’: $16B bay flood plan for worst NJ storms
Wayne Parry, Associated Press
- Federal officials on Tuesday warned of a “dire” situation that is likely to get worse as they explained details of a $16 billion plan to lessen back bay flooding, one of the major sources of storm damage at the Jersey Shore.
Business owner can get names, addresses of dog owners, N.J. top court rules
Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor
- In a win for advocates of governmental transparency, the New Jersey Supreme Court on Monday sided with a dog-fence vendor who fought for the names and addresses of Jersey City dog owners, declaring such information is public record regardless of who asks and why.
Thomas Ficarra appointed interim Morris School District superintendent
New Jersey Hills
- The K-12 Morris School District Board of Education appointed former District Superintendent Thomas Ficarra as the interim superintendent at its Monday, Sept. 20 public meeting.
Afghans at South Jersey base helped by Air National Guard personnel from many states
Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Afghan refugees aren’t the only ones coming to a military base here. Air National Guard members, reservists and active-duty personnel from across the country have arrived to help evacuees adjust to a new life here. The deployed forces are helping an evacuee population that’s reached 95% capacity at two of three planned communities at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, according to an account released Monday.
Lawmakers must smarten up on cannabis: A Q&A with Sen. Vin Gopal
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Marijuana is legal in New Jersey, but if you get caught with a single plant on a windowsill in your flat, it’s still a third-degree crime that can earn you a 3- to 5-year residency in the crowbar hotel. This makes no sense, of course, since the guy on the other side of your living room wall is probably smoking the same plant.
Murphy Not Getting the Endorsement of Police Union is Telling
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- Most police officers that we know in New Jersey don’t think Murphy has their backs. That’s putting it mildly. The New Jersey FOP, the second largest police union in the state is not endorsing Murphy. They’re not endorsing his Republican candidate either. Check it out HERE. At least not outwardly.
Following COVID deaths at NJ veterans homes, new laws make sweeping changes
NJ Herald
- Gov. Phil Murphy last week signed into law an eight-bill package designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of New Jersey veterans and those who care for them during a public health crisis. The laws range from increased communications and transparency to new health care qualifications for key leadership positions at three state-run veterans homes where at least 205 have died from COVID-19 in one of the nation’s worst nursing home death tolls.
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