Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/14/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “My nose is pressed against the New Jersey glass.” – Governor Murphy swatting away speculation about potential presidential aspirations
TOP STORY: The Ominous Currents Running through 2021 Redistricting
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 1,131,424 cases and 25,746 confirmed fatalities (and 175,298 probable cases and 2,835 probable fatalities) as of Monday (an increase of 2,968 confirmed cases, 513 probable cases, and 11 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.41. There are 6,332,849 people fully vaccinated.
The NJDOH identified an additional omicron COVID-19 case on Friday, bringing the state total of two cases of the variant.
Governor Murphy says 70% of the state’s workforce has been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Politico NJ.
A Monmouth University poll finds inflation and supply chain issues are impacting holiday shopping.
Recreation for inmates is being debated as Cumberland County Jail drama continues, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Hunterdon County received welcome news that the PennEast pipeline saga is over, according to TAPinto.
Senators Menendez and Booker urged the Biden Administration to ensure all eligible NJ same-sex couples receive pension survivor benefits.
Senator Booker and Rep. Norcross celebrated the expansion of the Enterprise Center into the state.
The state is moving closer to declaring racism a public-health crisis, according to NJ Spotlight.
ICYMI: Murphy decried the ‘idiocy of these ringleaders‘ of GOP COVID protest at Statehouse;; state identifies first omicron case; GOP lawmakers entered Capitol flouting mandate, Coughlin expressed outrage; Menendez, Booker, Salas laud markup of Anderle Act’; Sherrill wants SALT deduction
Governor Murphy huddled with Democratic operative James Carville at a dinner recently, stoking speculation about potential presidential aspirations; when asked, Murphy didn’t directly respond, saying he was just ‘getting a sense of how he sees things’ following the 2021 election.
A Bergen County judge ruled that the June BCRO election was illegal, and must hold a new election, according to the Bergen Record.
In CD6, Monmouth County GOP Commissioner Sue Kiley is considering challenging Rep. Pallone next year.
TC McCourt announced support among municipal chairs for his state committee candidacy.
The Carpenter Contractor Trust appointed Cyndie Williams as its new executive director.
Morris County Commissioner Mastrangelo blasted an ethics probe launched by his fellow GOP commissioners as a ‘witch hunt’, according to NJ Hills.
Governor Murphy will serve as DGA Vice Chair in 2022, according to Politico NJ.
Senator Booker is headlining a party fundraiser in New Hampshire, according to the AP.
ICYMI: Robinson in hot seat again over the pro-life stance of Oliver; in CD5, Flora announced candidacy in GOP primary; in CD11, Casha launched campaign, Rizzo announced candidacy; Akhter reflects on his tenure in county government; Malinowski allies rushed to his aid for redistricting; Weinberg’s Women’s Power List; Ciattarelli says GOP will ‘take back seats‘ in midterms; Sweeney ‘will be back, probably sooner than you think‘
Governor Murphy reiterated his vow of no new taxes in the first budget of his second term, according to NJ Biz.
The Treasury announced that November revenue collections were up 13.5% from last November.
Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald outlined his legislative priorities, according to NJ Spotlight.
The LD10 legislators decried the automatic toll hikes by the Turnpike Authority as a tax on drivers.
Ethan Andersen rejoined Princeton Strategic Communications as a partner.
The NJ Realtors announced their 2022 leadership team.
The NJBIA and NJ Chamber of Commerce will hold a virtual ‘Defining Affordability’ press conference today.
Business and consumer groups urged the Assembly to advance legislation to end discrimination in auto insurance rates.
ICYMI: Durr shares thoughts on victory; Sarlo named Deputy Majority Leader; Coughlin announced Hahn to succeed retiring Cimino as AMO ED; Sierra Club welcomed new director; Scutari named Pou to leadership; Conaway promoted Zupko to COS; GOP collision course over vax mandate; Dems’ difficulty w/ RFA
The ominous currents running through the 2021 congressional redistricting process – especially for CD7, CD10, and CD11.
Former Assemblyman, NJ Democratic State Party Chairman, and influential attorney James P. Dugan passed away at age 92 over the weekend.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2021 Insider 100: Power publication.
In Belmar, Republican Kinney’s win for a council seat was upheld after a recount, according to TAPinto.
In Bridgewater, residents are expressing concern over ‘violent shaking’ during quarry blasts, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla and his council allies are supporting the BOE’s $241M referendum, according to Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, Mayor Fulop announced a new solid waste fee structure, according to TAPinto.
In Lopatcong, a fight is escalating between the Education Association and schools superintendent, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Madison, the library will embark on a $2.9M renovation, according to NJ Hills.
In Morris Plains, an off-duty police contract was approved, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, the city is adding 400 more residents to its guaranteed income pilot program, according to ROI-NJ.
In Pennsauaken, an audit found the school district could have saved $1.6M, according to the Courier Post.
In Princeton, school officials held a press conference on the $17.5M bond referendum, according to Planet Princeton.
In Rutherford, a property owner is suing to stop a redevelopment deal, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: In Bayonne, heading into volatile election year, Ashe Nadrowski launched campaign for mayor as insiders brace for battle; in Newark, East Ward prepares for three-way election with impending retirement of Amador; Silva has backing of Amador, and Weber has ally in Baraka; in Newark, ELEC finalized decision on Baraka case; in Belleville, Melham announced re-election; in Newark, Bridgeforth considers the terrain, political establishment attention on West Ward; in Paterson, Sayegh’s interview, w/ Insider NJ; in Paterson, Torres imbroglio; in Newark, Montague will run for mayor, heading into election year, including politically volatile Central Ward
AROUND THE WEB:
Lessons were learned in the pandemic. How will NJ apply them?
Ambreen Ali, NJ Spotlight
- The lessons from New Jersey’s last two years in the COVID-19 pandemic are many, from the economic impact and learning loss to the isolation and emotional disruption to, of course, the devastation in public health. What the state does next with those lessons was the focus of a conference on Friday hosted by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and attended by health care, education, nonprofit and other professionals.
Will N.J. follow N.Y. with new indoor mask rules? Here’s what Murphy just said.
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- As a new indoor vaccine-or-mask mandate takes effect in New York state to battle upticks in COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy suggested Monday that neighboring New Jersey does not plan to order a similar policy, though he also didn’t rule it out.
Cream cheese shortage creates stress for NJ cheesecake makers
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- The Great Cream Cheese Shortage will not get in the hold up the delivery of New Jersey bakers Junior’s Cheesecakes or Maddalena’s in time for the holidays. Junior’s, the Brooklyn born cheesecake baker that makes its treats in Burlington Township, had to shut down production for two days after their supply of Philadelphia brand cream cheese ran low, according to Alan Rosen, third-generation owner of Junior’s.
n-school COVID transmission high amid state’s winter surge
Eric Conklin, Press of Atlantic City
- New Jersey’s schools, in the past weeks, are contributing more to the state’s latest surge in COVID-19 cases. State officials Monday reported rising caseloads at schools, particularly among students. From Nov. 8-Dec. 5, students have contributed 1,159 cases to the state’s recent increasing totals.
$80M in school district projects on ballots in Camden County
Carly Q. Romalino, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Voters in five Camden County towns will determine the future of $80 million in proposed school district projects in Tuesday’s special school district elections. Eastern Camden County Regional, Pennsauken and Audubon school districts are asking for approvals on HVAC upgrades, building additions and athletic field work.
Steve Sweeney rushes to codify gay marriage. Abortion? Not so fast — so far | Stile
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- Like many Democrats, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney was alarmed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent debate over the fate of abortion rights in the United States. So much so, in fact, that he wants to fast-track legislation that would ensure that legal guarantees are protected — for same sex marriages.
After ‘red wave,’ NJ Democrats said they’ll focus on affordability. These are their plans
Dustin Racioppi, Trenton Bureau
- The so-called red wave that rolled through New Jersey in last month’s election suddenly churned up a top policy priority among Democrats: Making New Jersey more affordable. Gov. Phil Murphy, having narrowly avoiding defeat, spent the days after the election repeatedly saying the results showed “there’s a lot of hurt out there” and “we need to get at more kitchen tables.”
NYT seemingly confirms Murphy is exploring a presidential run
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- With his poll numbers circling the toilet bowl and his mental prowess (which wasn’t too impressive to begin with) in serious doubt, Save Jerseyans, Democrats are actively debating their “Plan B” in the event that 2024 turns into another open primary. Kamala increasingly looks like a losing option. What about… Phil Murphy?
‘Fight to the death.’ Political correctness and cancel culture stifle speech, ban books
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- The fear of being “canceled,” called out or ridiculed has led to a chilling effect on speech. Many either tip-toe around “taboo” or controversial issues, or avoid them altogether. “Political correctness,” which gained popularity in the 1990s, has seen a resurgence in the last few years, and perhaps, experts say, reaching unprecedented levels that have led to changes to existing laws.
More brutality at Essex Jail: Will the feds come to the rescue? | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- At Essex County Jail earlier this month, a 27-year-old pretrial detainee was stabbed by a fellow inmate with a sharpened metal rod, sent back to his cell – not to a hospital – and died the next day.
New Jersey Congressional battle is on for 2022
Bill Spadea, NJ1015
- NJ business leader and former candidate for governor, Phil Rizzo, made an important announcement on our morning show Thursday. He’s decided to take the momentum he gained from coming in second after only a brief campaign for governor and jump into one of the races that promises to be close in New Jersey.
Presenting the 2021 Manufacturing Power 50
Jeffrey Kanige, NJBIZ
- The past 12 months were a strange mix of positive developments and significant setbacks for the state’s manufacturing industry. The COVID-19 pandemic began to ebb and operations started to return to normal. Demand picked up as businesses reopened and projects moved forward again. The economy as a whole demonstrated strength and resilience, leading business owners and executives to express confidence about the future.
N.J. Assembly to consider gun violence prevention bills
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- Lawmakers in the New Jersey Assembly’s Judiciary Committee will discuss a package of gun-safety bills Monday, including measures that would set penalties for unsafe firearm storage and require dealers to keep detailed electronic records of ammunition sales. The most sweeping bill — the New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act — would establish requirements and penalties for gun storage. There are none in place now, outside of a law setting penalties when a child accesses improperly stored loaded guns.
Atilis Gym Bellmawr dealt another defeat in court
Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- A Bellmawr gym that defied pandemic restrictions has lost another court fight. A state judge on Dec. 9 dismissed a lawsuit brought by the operators of Atilis Gym Bellmawr, who were challenging the borough’s revocation of their mercantile license.
What state ads would mean for New Jersey’s ethnic press | Opinion
Phillip Sungyong Han, Clyde Hughes and Aleksandra Słabisz
- Ethnic and community media are critical lifelines of information for tens of thousands of people in New Jersey. Immigrants and people of color have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and are often the first to suffer the brunt of economic and natural disasters — and ethnic media outlets are their most trusted and first-hand sources of news and information.
Caren Bateman, following dad’s footsteps, is board chair of Raritan Valley Community College
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- Caren Bateman, daughter of the late State Sen. Ray Bateman, has been named chair of the Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Board of Trustees. Bateman, elected to the post at the board’s reorganization meeting on Dec. 7, succeeds Robert P. Wise, who served as chair since November 2015.
(Visited 370,722 times, 18 visits today)