Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/8/2022 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “New Jersey is fundamentally a blue state. The fact that Biden is doing so poorly here suggests he has lost enthusiasm among core constituencies in his own base.” – Monmouth Polling Director Patrick Murray
TOP STORY: Primary Elections 2022: Where Things Stand Right NOW (an InsiderNJ Primer)
The Morning Intelligence Briefing will be on break starting Tuesday, April 12th through Friday, April 15th, and will be back on Monday, April 18th.
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 1,907,030 cases and 30,283 confirmed fatalities (and 303,197 probable cases and 3,006 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 1,710 confirmed cases, 488 probable cases, 11 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 1 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.13. There are 393 total hospitalizations, with 49 in intensive care units. There are 6,828,376 people fully vaccinated.
Governor Murphy and the NJ State Police confirmed a shooting incident at American Dream Mall last night; shortly after 8:15pm, the State Police tweeted that the incident was deemed not to be an active shooter and the mall remained closed but secured. The State Police released a statement late last night that it is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the public, and the mall will be open today.
A Stockton University poll finds that New Jersey minority voters are more moderate on a host of issues than Democrats overall.
A Monmouth University poll finds New Jerseyans generally prefer to keep Democrats in control of Congress, but its not a large enough edge to avoid possibly close contests in the midterm elections. President Biden continues to be underwater in the state, with a net negative job rating of 45-50%.
A Former SDA worker recanted and apologized for criminal allegations made against an executive in 2019, according to the Bergen Record.
Bergen County announced the winners of the 2022 Historic Preservation Awards.
Middlesex County’s Commission Director delivered the State of the County address, according to MyCentralJersey.
The Asbury Park Press takes a look at the behind-the-scenes maneuvers to replace County Administrator Block. Former Ocean County GOP Chairman Gilmore questioned the county commissioners, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Sussex County is opposing the Delaware Water Gap area designation change, according to NJ Herald.
Senator Booker applauded the confirmation of Ketanji Jackson Brown as the first black female Supreme Court Justice, saying he feels ‘immense pride and so much joy at this historic occasion’. Booker introduced legislation reforming Opportunity Zones.
Rep. Malinowski says Ukraine has ‘won the first phase of this war‘, according to NJ Spotlight News.
The US Attorney announced that a convicted felon admitted to trying to bring a loaded gun onto a plane at Newark Liberty Airport.
New Jersey City University announced a historic scholarship gift from Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault.
ICYMI: Murphy earns majority approval rating but most say he wouldn’t make a good Prez; Murphy delivered the keynote address at St. Peter’s; state launches NJ FinLit; NJOHSP unveiled disinformation portal; Bon Jovi and Murphys joining forces to help Ukraine; Menendez rallied with local leaders in Hillside for Brown Jackson; Booker defended Brown Jackson; Kim connects with key constituency; Sherrill visited Picatinny; Essex’s Richardson discusses labor movement, Newark politics; US Atty announced Civil Rights Division; Rutgers-Eagleton poll finds 1/3 want to leave state; Van Drew upbraided Murphy over early prison releases; NJ filed legal brief opposing Waterfront Commission; majority of residents aren’t happy w/ direction of the state
Read Insider NJ’s 2022 primary elections primer to see where things stand right now in the primary season.
Activist Priscilla Garces wants to keep people connected worldwide, and is hosting a with representatives from different groups for a ‘Discussion on Empowering Different Abilities‘.
ELEC reports that public contractor contributions increased 12% during last year’s gubernatorial and legislative elections.
In CD3, police dash cam video during his DWI arrest shows GOP primary candidate Ian Smith’s truck swerving and losing balance during a field sobriety test, seeming to contradict his claim that he passed it, according to Politico NJ.
In CD10, Florida Rep. Demings endorsed Rep. Payne.
In Ocean County, Ashley Lamb and Sergio Fossa will challenge GOP incumbent Commissioners Kelly and Gaines in the primary.
South Jersey Progressive Democrats head Kate Delany submitted a petition challenge to several ‘phantom’ Camden County commission candidates.
ICYMI: Appeals court reinstated bribery charges against O’Donnell; ELEC reprimanded and fined Muniz; filing deadline brings candidates, and also candidate slogans; Cabana asks Mastrangelo to refrain using name on campaign lit; Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; in CD11, Sherrill formally launched campaign, Bramnick is all in with Selen, DeGroot filed petitions for primary; Hunterdon GOP endorsed Rich, Lanza, Brown’; Morris Dems selected candidates for commissioner; in CD4, Francisco dropped out and joined forces with Crispi; in CD5, at least 2 will remain in primary; in CD3, Hendler filed lawsuit against Mercer Dems alleging convention denial; in CD7, Malinowski held a town hall; Bratsenis pleaded guilty in murder-for-hire case; in CD5, Pallotta soldiering on, despite losing Bergen convention; in CD11, Casha ended bid, following loss at Morris convention
Governor Murphy nominated Cari Fais as Director of the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.
Education officials say absenteeism grew during the last school year, according to NJ Monitor.
Treasurer Muoio announced the upcoming departure of Assistant Treasurer Jennifer Keyes-Maloney.
The NJDHS awarded grants to create additional addiction recovery centers.
Assemblyman Rumpf criticized Governor Murphy’s proposed budget, saying it will leave the state vulnerable if a recession hits.
The NJ Public Charter Schools Association say that state assessments show charter schools accelerated student learning during the pandemic.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater NJ will host a virtual State Advocacy Day.
ICYMI: State created telework pilot program for state employees; Scutari appointed Accettola as SMO ED: Durr slammed Governor Murphy’s April Fools’ joke; Sweeney Center launched multi-year budget project; HSG announced Couch as VP; Mir joined NJPP; Scutari will form committee on cannabis delays; Coughlin, Gopal introduced legislation to delay school start times; Assembly Budget Committee held hearing on budget; Rooney announced Conlon as COS; Murphy: self-serve gas ‘third rail’ of state politics
In Paterson, Governor Murphy endorsed Mayor Sayegh for re-election. The city’s hearing officer ruled that Community Improvement Director Gilmore should be fired following sexual harassment accusations by a subordinate, according to Paterson Times. 350 petitions are being challenged as the election lawsuit begins, according to Paterson Press.
In Mount Laurel, Mayor Pritchett and Deputy Mayor Steglik filed over 200 petition signatures to run for re-election. The council passed a budget with no tax increase, according to TAPinto.
In Piscataway, Staci Berger was endorsed by Our Revolution Middlesex and Our Revolution NJ.
In Newark, 32BJ applauded the passage of a resolution supporting the ‘Good Jobs, Good Airports’ pledge.
In Bernardsville, student data was ‘removed‘ in a 2021 school network attack, according to NJ Hills.
In Colonia, the high school will begin air testing amid brain cancer concerns, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Deal, the town agreed to build stairs as part of a beach access settlement, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Dover, the mayor and former mayors are embroiled in a Democratic Party primary squabble, according to the Daily Record.
In East Hanover, Mayor Pannullo promised transparency after the coming feral cat court ruling, according to TAPinto.
In Fair Lawn, the council is considering a bike pilot program, according to TAPinto.
In Flemington, there will be a contested GOP mayoral primary, according to TAPinto.
In Hackensack, a court approved the city’s affordable housing plan, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hanover, the township acquired Horse Hill, according to NJ Hills.
In Hawthorne, taxes will increase 3.5% in the proposed budget, the second time in 12 years that have taxes will have increased, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, the council passed a second reading of cannabis reforms, according to Hudson County View. The council confirmed Ken Ferrante as Public Safety Director, according to TAPinto. Councilmembers Ramos and Giattino say the Bhalla Administration tried to horse trade for municipal complex votes, according to Hudson County View.
In Howell, property taxes will increase $58 per household, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jackson, the BOE VP was indicted on cyberstalking charges, according to NJ101.5.
In Lakewood, domestic workers protested unfair working conditions, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Lambertville, two councilmembers won’t seek re-election, according to TAPinto.
In Little Falls, a roundabout was proposed for an intersection, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Marlboro, the French government bestowed its highest honor to a WWII veteran from the town, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Montclair, the council advanced the rent control ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In New Brunswick, the council set the tax rate for marijuana businesses, according to TAPinto.
In Paramus, Jorge Quintana was sworn-in to the council, according to TAPinto.
In Red Bank, the charter study commission launched Phase 2, according to TAPinto.
In Roseland, two council incumbents will face election challenges, according to TAPinto.
In Seaside Park, planners approved the rebuilding of the Sandy-damaged and fire-damaged pier, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Sparta, residents packed a meeting to oppose a warehouse plan, according to NJ Herald.
In Trenton, Councilman Harrison says Councilwoman Vaughn should shut up with the ‘racist diatribes’, according to the Trentonian. The council passed a free speech clap-back aimed at bloggers, according to the Trentonian.
In West Orange, the council rejected digital billboards on Route 280, according to TAPinto.
In Westfield, the schools sent out layoff notices, with parents calling the losses ‘devastating’, according to TAPinto. The council approved an ‘open container’ drinking law for downtown, according to TAPinto.
In Wildwood, Governor Murphy included $4M in his proposed budget for the boardwalk, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Woolwich, parking restrictions were never enacted and now residents are upset, according to the Courier Post.
ICYMI: In Newark, the Firefighters issued endorsements, West Ward council candidates Kelly and Onyema tangled over mayor’s affections, James and Kelly continued to clash following forum, Booker endorsed McIver; in Red Bank, Dem committee being challenged; in Paterson, Torres’ endorsement of Mendez solidifies alliance; in Dover, Correa filed petitions after Dems pulled support, fielding commission challengers; in Rahway, Scutari endorsed Giaccobe; in Englewood Cliffs, borough will accept Ukrainian refugees; in Rahway, upswing could be lifeline for Malinowski; in Newark, Crump running unopposed for a full term, John Sharpe James offered his thoughts on city politics; in Newark, Rountree rallied with airport workers; in Newark, White’s South Ward candidacy tossed on challenge, East Ward’s Campos says he has key factor that rivals lack; in Dover, Robinson supports Ruiz over Correa in Ward 3 primary; in Newark, Bankston says ‘we need a political beast‘ in South Ward; in Newark, Jones pursuing South Ward candidacy; in Newark, James seeking comeback in West Ward; in Newark, McCray seeking Central Ward seat
AROUND THE WEB:
Murphy vs. Christie: Presidential ambitions of NJ governors
David Matthau, NJ1015
- What is New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy more focused on: running the Garden State or planning for his own political future? A just-released survey finds a significant difference of opinion on the issue.
For GOP candidates, fringe fearmongering now mainstream
Jeff Pillets, NJ Spotlight
- John Barker, a U.S. Army veteran running for the Republican nomination in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, wants you to believe what would be shocking news: Vladimir Putin’s bombing targets in Ukraine are really money-laundering sites used by Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden. Barker also endorses the idea that global warming is a fraud and that the Super Bowl’s rap-heavy half-time show is proof of America’s decline.
Anjalee Khemlani, roi-nj.com
- Paulette Brown, who recently retired as the chief diversity officer at Locke Lord LLP and is the past president of several organizations, including the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, took in all of the confirmation hearings of Ketanji Brown Jackson for a spot on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Gilmore wants NJ Treasury to find out revenue generated for Jersey City BOE with up to 1% income tax
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Jersey City Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore plans on introducing a resolution next week asking the New Jersey Department of the Treasury to find out how much revenue a one percent local income tax would generate for the board of education.
Atlantic City hosts summit on human trafficking
Bill Barlow, Press of Atlantic City
- “I frankly do not say that lightly,” the Moorestown Democrat and Senate majority whip said at the event, where he was the keynote speaker. “Although it’s been 400 years since the first slaves were forcibly brought to America and nearly 160 years since President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, slavery in the form of human trafficking is still alive.”
Nonprofit news media? Concept is now reality in N.J.
ROI NJ Staff
- Liz Parker and Steve Parker, co-owners of the New Jersey Hills Media Group, always have been concerned about the long-term viability of their company, which produces 14 weekly newspapers in Morris, Somerset, Essex and Hunterdon counties. Better said, the pair knew what they did not want to have happen to the 65-year-old family business: a dismantling that has occurred whenever a large corporation takes over a local news operation.
Friends say Eric Boehlert had a ‘beautiful life’ in Montclair, and his death is a shock
Julia Martin, NorthJersey.com
- Eric Boehlert’s adopted hometown of Montclair is mourning the media critic, who was struck and killed by an NJ Transit train while biking Monday. Boehlert and his wife, Tracy Breslin, moved to town in 1998 and raised two children, Jane and Ben, in their Montclair Avenue home. Along the way Boehlert touched many lives, coaching Bulldogs baseball; playing on town basketball and softball leagues; bowling at the Commonwealth Club and hanging out at Tierney’s Tavern.
NJSIAA needs to explore how later school start times would affect HS sports
Darren Cooper, NorthJersey.com
- High school sporting events in New Jersey all have one thing in common. They don’t start on time.
David Crenshaw and Rory Diamond
- New Jersey Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex County) has introduced legislation that would require employees of any public place in the state to undergo specific training on how to treat people with disabilities and their service animals.
NJ needs to stop spending our money on people’s personal problems (Opinion)
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- A group of Democratic legislators is proposing to spend $350 million on improving childcare. It’s not their job to improve childcare. It’s the personal responsibility of the people who had the child. If someone dies or runs off, then community groups or charities can help. We have to ween people off of depending on government for life choices they made. But this is what many New Jersey politicians, especially Democrats do. They get people hooked on government goodies and they become addicted to them like drug addicts.
Will new FTA funds renew fight over splitting the money among NY, NJ, CT?
Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey is eligible to receive about $834.5 million that could give a needed boost to its public transportation network of bus, light rail and train systems, according to an announcement Wednesday by the Federal Transit Administration.
Joseph Albright, For The Jersey Journal
- There was nothing pretentious about Michael P. Esposito, a Jersey City Democrat who served in the state Assembly from 1968 to 1978. He was backboned by the Great Depression in the 1930s, having been born in Jersey City in 1913.
A N.J. bill is proposing later start times for high schools. Will it make a difference?
Melanie Burney, Philadelphia Inquirer
- New Jersey lawmakers have reignited the debate over whether high schools should begin later to allow students more sleep before starting their day. If approved, a bill recently introduced in the state Legislature would push back the start time for most high schoolers to no earlier than 8:30 a.m. beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
Shore businesses optimistic for return of ‘small-but-mighty’ foreign student workforce
Aedy Miller, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Heading into the summer, tourist destinations along the southern Jersey Shore are cautiously optimistic they will meet their hiring needs this year — thanks in large part to the appreciable return of international student workers.
NJ congressional candidate can’t use ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ on ballot
Patrick Lavery, NJ1015
- In what appears to be a swift resolution of a pending primary ballot concern, a Republican challenger to longtime New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith cannot use a catchphrase derogatory to President Joe Biden as his campaign slogan at the polls in June.
NJ jobs: In-person job fairs make a comeback. Can they fix the labor shortage?
Michael L. Diamond, Asbury Park Press
- Recruiters for Merri-Makers Caterers set out pamphlets and a basket filled with Reese’s candy at Ocean County College one day this week, hoping to convince students to come and work for them.
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