Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 2/25/2022 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We are very comfortable with the map and are confident of picking up the Senate and Assembly seats in LD 2 and 3 (where we lost narrowly in a very difficult year for Democrats) and maintain districts 4, 5, 6, 7. We will be very well funded to protect the interests of South Jersey.” – George Norcross on the new legislative map
TOP STORY: Sacco to Retire from Senate, Backs Stack
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 1,867,368 cases and 29,866 confirmed fatalities (and 294,121 probable cases and 2,960 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 1,459 confirmed cases, 348 probable cases, 35 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 11 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .71. There are 865 total hospitalizations, with 151 in intensive care units. There are 6,712,399 people fully vaccinated.
Read Insider NJ’s 2022 African-American Power List in honor of Black History Month.
Governor Murphy and DOBI Commissioner Caride announced record health insurance sign-ups during the open enrollment period.
The NJMVC expanded their online services.
Governor Murphy says legal weed sales could start within weeks, according to NJ.com.
Burlington County announced close to $200k in grant awards for local arts and history groups.
A hiring change is intended to address an officer shortage at the Camden County Jail, according to the Courier Post.
Cumberland County Commissioners are weighing alternatives to the county jail’s closure, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Middlesex County hosted the Educators’ Summit on Partnerships for School Safety. The DCF is partnering with the county to support community public health.
Monmouth ACTS announced the next phase to better meet residents’ needs.
Morris County added $5M to its Small Business Grant Program.
Passaic County Commissioners honored five local black leaders, according to NorthJersey.com.
Senator Menendez welcomed the additional round of sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, saying the ‘world must do more to stop the brutality and horror unfolding’ in the country.
Senator Booker blistered Russian President Putin’s ‘illegal and unprovoked invasion‘ of Ukraine and said ‘we will hold Putin and the Kremlin accountable’.
Rep. Sherrill said at a press conference yesterday that NATO and US gave Russian President Putin every opportunity to change course, and that ‘we need to show Putin just how damaging this aggression will be to his country and his allies’.
Rep. Malinowski spoke with Insider NJ about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying ‘I think we’ve been naive about Russia under Putin for many years’. He called for the immediate seizure of yachts, jets, villas, and secret bank accounts belonging to cronies of Russian President Putin.
Rep. Smith slammed the Russian invasion of Ukraine as ‘hostile’ and ‘unprovoked’ and a ‘horrific affront to the county’s sovereignty’.
Rep. Pascrell demanded ‘absolute punishment‘ and increased sanctions for Russia over the Ukrainian invasion.
Rep. Sires slammed Russia’s invasion as ‘blatant disregard’ for Ukraine’s sovereignty
Rep. Payne is pushing for quicker federal funding for the Gateway project.
Newark Archdiocese Cardinal Tobin urged prayers for the Ukrainian people, saying ‘we must always reject war as a political solution’.
NJ PBS announced the addition of Ted Goldberg as a new correspondent.
Felician University announced Jim D’Agostino as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
ICYMI: Murphy will end regular COVID briefings; Commission approved the new legislative map, Carchman applauded bipartisan vote: ‘different parties, but the same fight‘, Jones, Barlas say map is ‘historic‘, Jones noted ‘difficult choices’ (Codey and Gill, Stack and Sacco); commission reached deal
In the newly-redrawn LD33, Senator Sacco announced his retirement next year and won’t seek election in the district that enjoins him with Senator Stack, following the brokering of a deal between the two that includes Stack’s support for Sacco’s re-election a North Bergen Mayor, Assemblymembers from West New York and North Bergen, and the ascension of Commissioner Vainieri as HCDO Chair. Hudson County Executive DeGise’s Chief of Staff Craig Guy is in the mix for Executive if DeGise opts against seeking re-election next year, according to Hudson County View. Governor Murphy praised Sacco, and endorsed Stack.
In CD3, Democrat Rueven Hendler announced his candidacy in the primary. GOP primary candidate Bob Healey called for ‘unity and swift action’ against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In CD10, the Elect Black Women PAC endorsed Democratic primary candidate Imani Oakley. Mayor Fulop endorsed Rep. Payne.
For South Jersey Democrats, there’s little to love in the new legislative district map, according to Politico NJ.
Former Governor Christie blamed Democrat state courts for GOP redistricting troubles, according to SaveJersey.
Insider NJ Poll: Who Would Win a 2022 Rematch Between Malinowski and Kean?
ICYMI: In CD2, Kennedy endorsed Alexander; in CD7, Malinowski held ‘Tom’s In Town’ event; in CD8, Varela entered Dem primary;n LD23, Peterson lamented Hunterdon cut-up; in LD27, Codey, Gill appear intent on running, McKeon could make a play; in LD32, Mukherji announced Sen. candidacy; in reconfigured LD33, HCDO express outrage, as rumblings of coming eruption quiet down; Kean, Malinowski dead heat; in CD11, GOP primary candidates discussed affordability, taxes, and SALT, Dunn won’t run; in CD7, IUOE endorsed Kean, Malinowski touts poll; in CD1, Norcross kicked-off re-election, Murphy appearing with him, Gustafson delighted in their embrace; in CD3, primary candidate Smith sent cease-and-desist to Healey over false statements, Healey secured Monmouth backing
In Jersey City, Mayor Fulop announced the expansion of the new Bergen-Lafayette Park.
In West Orange, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 13th.
In Middle Township, Mayor Donohue will deliver the State of the Township address today.
In Bayonne, the council approved wage increases for city workers, according to TAPinto.
In Belmar, the St. Patrick’s Day parade will ban businesses with racy products, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Brick, officials closed a meeting on church property redevelopment due to crowd size, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Bridgewater, the mayor and police chief will meet with black community leaders, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Franklin (Sussex), the town will seek a ‘multiyear reassessment’ of properties, according to NJ Herald.
In Madison, the planning board will begin hearing affordable housing plans, according to NJ Hills.
In Mahwah, the mayor says the deadly Route 287 flyover has ‘poor design‘, according to the Bergen Record.
In Manalapan, a warehouse could be built next door to Monmouth Battlefield, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In New Providence, the council remembered the late former Councilman Galluccio, according to TAPinto.
In Newton, senior housing residents took their complaints to county officials, according to NJ Herald.
In Paterson, an ex-firefighter wants his job back after murder charges were dismissed, according to Paterson Press.
In Peapack-Gladstone, the mayor won’t seek re-election, according to NJ Hills.
In Randolph, the BOE denied requests for information on its decision to remove the second day day of Rosh Hashanah from the school holiday calendar, according to NJ Hills.
In Ridgewood, the pickleball solution stalled, according to TAPinto.
In Somerville, a developer detailed plans for apartments on an industrial site, according to TAPinto. The apartment boom continues, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Wayne, a judge approved the affordable housing deal, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI: In Newark, Baraka aims to inject new energy with slate; in Randolph, Smith expressed outrage over removal of Rosh Hashana second day from school holiday calendar; in Piscataway, redistricting causes intra-party strife; in Newark, Campos nabbed law enforcement support; in Bayonne, Ashe-Nadrowski announced campaign team
AROUND THE WEB:
Hudson’s Ukrainian community: ‘Unspeakable terrifying feeling’ for families still in their homeland
Joshua Rosario and Teri West, The Jersey Journal
- It was a long night for Jersey City residents Mariya Soroka and Olga Melnyk, who hardly slept wondering if their families still in Ukraine were safe from the bombings that signaled the start of a Russian invasion.
For North Jersey Ukrainians, anxious hours follow a sleepless night as Russia invades
Matt Fagan, NorthJersey.com
- For many Ukrainians in North Jersey, a sleepless Wednesday night stretched well into Thursday afternoon as Russia’s invasion of their homeland unfolded, the largest invasion in Europe since World War II. The seven-hour time difference meant that when Russian bombs and missiles began raining down on the former Soviet republic, cellphones and social media’s klaxons began ringing out after 10 p.m.
‘Day of infamy’: NJ Ukrainians ask for help as Russia invades their homeland
Cheryl Makin, MyCentralJersey.com
- The Central Jersey Ukrainian community is horrified and dismayed, but not surprised, that Russia has mounted a full-scale invasion of their homeland. “I called the events of last night (Wednesday) a ‘day of infamy’ for Ukraine, just like experienced in the United States with Pearl Harbor,” said Archbishop Daniel Zelinsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, headquartered on Easton Avenue at the Franklin and South Bound Brook border. “We are experiencing that in Ukraine.”
Passaic County introduces new budget. Here’s what it means for residents
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- Passaic County commissioners late Tuesday introduced a fourth consecutive budget with no net increase in taxes. The $464 million spending plan proposed for 2022 maintains a $348 million tax levy and critical investments in infrastructure and the Passaic County Park System, said Commissioner Pat Lepore.
Teachers ask legislators for solutions on short staffing
Sophie Nieto-Munoz, NJ Monitor
- For two years, school officials have sounded the alarm over veteran teachers burning out because of short staffing, the impact on education when teachers have more than 20 students in one classroom, and the plummeting number of college graduates pursuing a career in education. On Tuesday, educators met again with lawmakers on the Committee for Public Schools for a two-and-a-half-hour discussion of these problems — and more — that have plagued New Jersey’s classrooms.
Rocco Commisso: How N.J.’s richest person helped his company reach incredible milestone
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The secret to his success? The secret to how Rocco Commisso became the richest person in New Jersey while leading one of the most successful companies in the country? That can be summed up with one amazing statistic: When the latest Mediacom earnings came out Wednesday, the company reported that it had grown — for the 100th consecutive quarter. That’s right: Mediacom, now a private company, has had 100 consecutive quarters of growth.
New Jersey officials: Be prepared for wildfires
Eric Conklin, Press of Atlantic City
- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and state forestry service are telling the public that 2022 is the year to be better prepared for wildfires, as they pose an increased risk due to climate change.
Cape May County Zoo temporarily closes aviary as precaution against avian flu
John Russo, Press of Atlantic City
- The Cape May County Park & Zoo said Thursday it is temporarily closing its “World of Birds” aviary to protect the zoo’s bird population against avian flu.
Legal battle over South Hunterdon school referendum heats up
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- More than three months after the election, the legal battle over the hotly contested referendum over a $33.4 million bond for the South Hunterdon Regional School District is still being fought in court.
Why is the price of wine going up? NJ wineries say cork, glass are factors
Carol Comegno, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- A premium cabernet sauvignon is ready for bottling but still sits in aging in oak barrels at Tomasello Winery in Hammonton in Atlantic County. A county away along the Jersey Shore, a white port fortified with brandy at Cape May Winery is ready to leave its steel tank, but it can’t be bottled yet either.
Online child porn, already increasing in NJ, has spiked during COVID
Dustin Racioppi, Trenton Bureau
- Reports of online child pornography increased 21% in New Jersey last year, according to the state Attorney General’s Office, following a broader pattern of explosive growth in sexual images circulating on the internet.
North and South Jersey speak different languages (Opinion)
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- Ask someone from South Jersey if they want an “Italian hot dog” and they’ll probably pause and say “whaaa?!” They might expect it to come with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. They’ve more than likely never heard of it unless they are regular listeners to New Jersey 101.5 and may have caught someone from another part of the state making reference to it on the air.
Republicans say good riddance to State House COVID-19 vaccination requirement
David Cruz, NJ Spotlight
- State lawmakers in Trenton will go to work under looser COVID-19 safety policies starting on Friday. A policy that required all people entering the State House to show proof of vaccination or a negative test has been dropped.
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