Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/18/2022 – InsiderNJ

Read Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down to see where the players stand over the past week in Jersey politics.

Reeling from legislative losses, South Jersey powerbroker George Norcross summoned Camden party insiders to recalibrate, telling them that a ‘new direction’ is needed, or ‘a lot of you in public service are going to be retired’, as Democrats head into a likely rough weather election season.

NJDSC Chairman Jones galvanized North Jersey Democrats, determined to spur enthusiasm among the party heading into the midterms.

In CD2, Democratic primary candidate Tim Alexander was endorsed by AC Sheriff Scheffler. Democratic primary candidate Carolyn Rush may continue to use her slogan despite a challenge from the Atlantic County Democrats, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In CD3, GOP primary candidate Bob Healey’s warchest is 10x bigger than candidate Ian Smith’s, according to SaveJersey.

In CD4, GOP primary candidate Mike Crispi drew Column A on the primary ballot. Rep. Smith raised $264k in the first quarter, according to SaveJersey.

In CD5, GOP primary candidate Frank Pallotta drew Column 1 on the primary ballot. Primary candidate Nick DeGregorio is leading the field in fundraising, according to SaveJersey.

In CD7, Rep. Malinowski filed 10x more petitions than former Senator Kean, and hauled in over $1M in the first quarter, while Kean raised $850k in the first quarter. GOP primary candidate Phil Rizzo raised $215k in the past quarter. GOP primary candidate John Flora slammed the process, saying that party bosses are trying to ‘clear the field for favorite sons’, while calling Kean a ‘three-time loser’.

In CD8, Hudson County Democrats challenged petition signatures of Democratic primary candidate Brian Varela, with many of the signatures being tossed; ahead of a formal court ruling, Varela withdrew his candidacy, with the final tally of valid signatures being less than the required 200.

In CD10, Rep. Payne raised $390k in the first quarter.

Cape May County Democrats are backing Julia Hankerson for county commissioner.

South Jersey Progressive Democrats successfully ousted ‘phantom’ candidates from the Camden County ballot.

Kivvit was ranked among the top 20 independent PR firms in the nation by O’Dwyer’s.

ICYMI: 2022 primary primer; Garces hosting ‘Discussion on Empowering Different Abilities‘ summit; appeals court reinstated bribery charges against O’Donnell; filing deadline brings candidates, and also candidate slogans; Cabana asks Mastrangelo to refrain using name on campaign lit

Governor Murphy took action on legislation.

Governor Murphy delivered the keynote address at the NJ Chamber of Commerce’s ‘ReNew Jersey Business Summit’.

The Treasury reported that March revenue collections were up over 25% from last March.

Preethy Thangjarag will serve as a policy adviser to Governor Murphy on energy and the environment.

The NJEDA approved the creation of the NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund.

Isabel Kasdin was appointed Executive Director of the NJ Cultural Trust.

Everytown tapped Murphy communications director Mahen Gunaratna as their Chief Public Affairs Office.

The NJDHS awarded grants to improve county services access for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

Senate Republicans called on Governor Murphy and Senate President Scutari to halt the implementation of new sex education curriculum in schools and hold public hearings, arguing that ‘the public uproar continues to grow as more parents learn the extreme nature of the lessons that would be taught to children as young as first and second grade’. Senator Bramnick said its a ‘complicated subject‘ that would be ‘very confusing to young children’. Senator Doherty said that parents should be the ‘ultimate authority‘ on their children’s education. Senator Schepisi slammed an NJEA ‘disinformation alert’ on the topic, calling it a ‘disingenuous attempt to dismiss’ parental concerns. Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen McGuckin and Catalano slammed it as the ‘woke agenda’ to ‘manipulate the minds of even the youngest children’. Senator Pennacchio called it ‘extreme curriculum plans’. Senator O’Scanlon said that the curriculum standards ‘must be reevaluated‘. Responding to the criticism, Governor Murphy said that parents ‘always have and always will have a say’ in education, and that the curriculum standards ‘have been intentionally misrepresented‘ to score political points. Murphy said that ‘proposed educational content that is not age-appropriate should be immediately revised by local officials’, adding that he directed the NJDOE to ‘review the standards and provide further clarification on what age-appropriate guidelines look like for our students’. Over 30 organization and leaders announced their support for the curriculum standards. Senator Pennacchio fired back, saying ‘we haven’t misrepresented anything’ and that the Administration is ‘trying to sugar-coat this agenda, but parents can see right through it, and they aren’t happy’.

Senate Majority Leader Ruiz, Senator Bucco, and Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald and Assemblywoman Dunn will co-chair the Legislative Disabilities Caucus.

Senator Durr will introduce legislation prohibiting K-6 classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Senator Corrado will reintroduce the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’.

Senator Testa demanded scrutiny of the ‘unprecedented amount of pork’ in Governor Murphy’s proposed FY2023 budget.

Assemblyman Peterson is introducing legislation to protect parental rights.

Assemblyman Moriarty sent a letter to the NJDOE requesting they revist the 2022 learning standards.

Assemblyman Umba called for the updating of the schools funding formula.

Assemblyman Barranco called on the BPU to disclose the cost of the Governor’s energy master plan.

Assemblywoman McKnight called for mental health counseling for youth tormented by a Jersey City teacher’s racist rant.

The NJGCA touted the Monmouth poll showing residents approve of self-serve gas if the full option is also retained, saying it proves residents want a choice.

The NJ Pride Chamber of Commerce appointed Victor Peter Rodriguez to its Board of Directors.

The NJ Shield Program marked its 1-year anniversary.

The State Troopers Fraternal Order and Senator Sarlo highlighted the state’s ‘Move Over’ law.

ICYMI: Murphy nominated Christodoulou, Rodriguez-Gregg to BPU; Murphy nominated Fais as Consumer Affairs Director; Muoio announced departure of Keyes-Maloney; state created telework program for state employees; Scutari appointed Accettola as SMO ED: Durr slammed Murphy’s April Fools’ joke

In Bloomfield, local legend and former Democratic Chairman Peter Strumolo passed away last week.

In Paterson, the heated mayoral race continues, as important endorsements come in for incumbent Mayor Sayegh (Governor Murphy) and Councilman Mendez (former Mayor Torres). Senator Menendez endorsed Mayor Sayegh, and Eli Burgos also endorsed Sayegh. A judge ruled that Councilman Mendez can remain on the ballot after a petitions challenge, according to Paterson Times. Former Councilman Goow won a residency challenge, according to Paterson Times. Elections lawsuits are delaying vote-by-mail ballots, according to Paterson Press.

In Newark, the South Ward candidates clashed in a forum, with the hardening rivalry between Terrance Bankston and Pat Council forming the dramatic centerpiece. South Ward candidate Christine Cherry hopes to use her own story of financial freedom to help others do the same. Senator Ron Rice endorsed Dupre Kelly for West Ward council. All eyes are on Kelly’s first submitted ELEC report, filed late, with observers close to the election – and Team Baraka – curious about his fundraising haul. NYC Mayor Adams fundraised for Mayor Baraka. The Essex County Building Trades made endorsements for mayor and council, while staying out of the West Ward race. Mayor Baraka and officials launched upgrades at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. The Laundry, Distribution, and Food Service Joint Board endorsed Baraka. Mayoral candidate Sheila Montague has an uphill climb in her quest to take on City Hall as she runs against Mayor Baraka.

In Bayonne, the Education Association endorsed Team Davis. Team Davis vowed to oppose Council President Ashe Nadrowski on the attempt to stop the city’s sale agreement of the former Military Ocean Terminal.

In Eatontown, former Councilwoman Story filed a lawsuit to be on the primary ballot.

In Edison, the AG’s Office is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting. A Revolutionary War battlefield will become a park, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Fair Haven, Mayor Halpern announced his re-election bid, with Kristin Hoey and Andrew LaBarbera running for council.

In Boonton, the town approved a plan for the Main Street Neighborhood Program.

In Roselle, local Democrats are backing Councilwomen Wilkerson and Thomas for re-election.

In Trenton, Mayor Gusciora requested that the state intervene and assist in animal shelter understaffing. Councilman Muschal alleged backroom-dealing by the council on the shelter, according to the Trentonian. The Fire Department issued an initial report on the fatal April fire. As the election nears, there’s still no mayoral challenger to Mayor Guscioa, according to the Trentonian.

In Red Bank, a court ruled that Democratic Councilwoman Mirandi can remain on the council. Democrats touted Councilwoman Sturdivant’s first 100 days in office.

In Hoboken, several councilmembers called for a proposed dispensary in a densely populated residential neighborhood to withdraw its application.

In Pleasantville, AC Dems Chair Suleiman slammed Republicans for opposing an early voting site in the town.

In Burlington City, First Lady Tammy Murphy hosted a NJ Family Mini-Festival to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week.

In Moorestown, Governor Murphy, LG Oliver, and Rep. Kim highlighted the $355M proposed Affordable Housing Production Fund.

In Dunellen, the town amended its industrial zone to permit film studios and production facilities.

In Mahwah, the GOP is sponsoring an essay contest.

In Atlantic City, casinos are using new tactics to hire workers, according to NJ101.5. The city is attempting to foster a ‘gayborhood’ and the city’s LGBTQ community, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In Belleville, an expert says the Planning Board made illegal appointments, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Belmar, Mayor Walsifer and Council President McCracken are running for re-election, according to TAPinto.

In Branchburg, a new vision is being considered for the Route 22 corridor, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Bridgewater, the town is being sued for ignoring a public records request about the police, according to MyCentralJersey. Residents are calling for increased traffic safety after a fatality, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Cliffside Park, a pandemic journal project is going statewide, according to the Bergen Record.

In Colonia, experts say its too soon to tell whether the high school is a ‘cancer cluster’, according to NJ Spotlight.

In Essex Fells, the first female police sergeant was appointed, according to NJ Hills.

In Ewing, a police officers wants the ‘head-stomping’ case dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct, according to the Trentonian.

In Fanwood, the Democrats announced their council candidates, according to TAPinto.

In Hackensack, school secretaries say they were stripped of longevity pay, according to the Bergen Record.

In Hawthorne, Mayor Lane looked back on his first 100 days in office, according to TAPinto.

In Hillsborough, a report says a warehouse proposal will ‘exacerbate flooding’, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Holmdel, the charter study commission proposed a new form of government, shifting control from elected officials to a hired manager, according to TAPinto.

In Lakewood, protesters demanded affordable housing and livable wages, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Logan, a review of a Texas’ developer’s warehouse proposal was pushed back, according to Burlington County Times.

In Longport, residents want outdoor dining and a new fire truck, according to Downbeach.

In Madison, the tree protection ordinance will be beefed up, according to NJ Hills.

In Manalapan, talks about home expansions are dominated by environmental issues, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Marlboro, a self-storage facility plan was rejected, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Mullica, an Atlantic County authority will bond for a revamped borough hall, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In New Brunswick, GOP mayoral candidate Maria Powell has a wide-ranging political resume, according to TAPinto.

In Ocean City, the council discussed litigation involving a former car lot, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Palisades Park, the Democratic mayoral primary is ‘splitting‘ the Korean community, according to the Bergen Record.

In Paramus, town residents and Washington Township residents are angered by a proposal to bring a DPW building to the former Charlie Brown’s site, according to the Bergen Record.

In Perth Amboy, the city took a big step in the $283M high school project, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Readington, there will be a GOP primary for a committee seat, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Ridgewood, the council approved $28k to fix Maple Park Field, according to TAPinto.

In Saddle River, an affordable housing project was dismissed, according to the Bergen Record.

In Scotch Plains, the incumbent Democratic councilmembers are running for re-election, according to TAPinto. The GOP announced their council candidates, according to TAPinto.

In Wall, two principals were placed on leave without explanation, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Watchung, the fall political contests are taking shape, according to NJ Hills.

In Warren, warehouse rezoning was rejected, according to NJ Hills.

In Wayne, a judge ruled that a court master doesn’t have a conflict in a housing case, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Wood-Ridge, a lawsuit says the town took a building for the DPW without paying for it, according to the Bergen Record.

ICYMI: In Mendham, the culture wars descended; in Bayonne, Nadrowski fired another salvo at Davis; 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