Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 7/22/2022 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There shouldn’t be secrecy when it comes to such generous gifts. This isn’t Santa’s workshop, it’s the Statehouse.” – Assemblywoman Dunn pushing for timely publication of budget resolutions
TOP STORY: America: A Jump Ball
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 2,185,151 cases and 31,103 confirmed fatalities (and 375,690 probable cases and 3,093 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 3,836 confirmed cases, 820 probable cases, 7 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 8 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.09. There are 1,046 total hospitalizations, with 113 in intensive care units, and 1225 discharges in the past day. There are 6,976,367 people fully vaccinated.
President Biden tested positive for COVID-19, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy signed legislation establishing a police licensure program for all state law enforcement officers.
The NJDOL reported that private sector employment in the state now exceeds the pre-pandemic level in February 2020.
Former NJDOH Commissioner Elnahal was confirmed as USDVA Undersecretary, according to NJ.com.
Ocean County GOP leaders and the public protested the ouster of Administrator Block, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Senator Booker introduced the ‘Cannabis Administration And Opportunity Act’.
Rep. Pascrell blasted Ticketmaster after fans experienced wildly surprising prices for tickets for Bruce Springsteen’s upcoming tour.
JerseyArts.com released an online road trip guide to Garden State destinations.
ICYMI: Watson Coleman arrested at protest; state outlined monkeypox vaccine eligibility; Murphy elected NGA chair; at NAACP convention, Harris urged a sense of urgency ahead of the midterm elections, Baraka delivered remarks; Pascrell confident in Jan. 6th hearings; Platkin announced ‘Reproductive Rights Strike Force’; Menendez hosted a conference; public trust in government declined significantly; Murphy signed gun safety bills at press conference
The NJ Lottery announced their financial results for FY2022.
Senate President Scutari and Senators Sarlo and Ruiz challenged the double-digit health insurance premium increases for public employees.
The Senate GOP called for a special legislative session to investigate health insurance premium increases for active and retired public employees.
Assemblywoman Dunn is drafting legislation to require budget resolutions be made public by June 1st of each year.
The NJ Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers named Meg Stagliano as President.
ICYMI: Murphy, Way announced Marelyn Rivera as CHPRD ED; NJDHS announced additions; Whitman backing disclosure
In Old Bridge, a non-profit launched a website with archives spanning 23 years of government activity.
In Caldwell, the council approved the demolition of the library and Boro Hall, according to NJ Hills.
In Califon, Weiss Mill Dam may soon belong to the town rather than to Hunterdon County, according to NJ Hills.
In Camden, Janelle Simpson was promoted to deputy chief, becoming the first Latina in the position, according to the Courier Post.
In Chatham Township, thirteen streets are set for milling and paving this summer, according to NJ Hills.
In Delran, most EMS ambulances have been repaired after they all broke down on the same day, according to Burlington County Times.
In Franklin (Sussex), an officer lost a bid at suing the Sussex Prosecutor’s office, according to NJ Herald.
In Hoboken, officials want to consider a Monroe Street site for the city’s first public pool, according to TAPinto. The city is ramping up its battle against rats, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, the FBI found no evidence of Jimmy Hoffa under a bridge after a search, according to Burlington County Times.
In Longport, the town is considering a daily beach fee, according to Downbeach.
In Paterson, the city’s budget was boosted with $46M in COVID relief, according to Paterson Press.
In Parsippany, Mayor Barberio introduced a budget with a 3.3% tax increase, according to TAPinto.
In Raritan, the downtown is being revamped, according to MyCentralJersey.
In the Wildwoods, Jitney is nixing weekday shuttles, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Paterson, Sayegh’s potential future aspirations; in Newark, Laborers 55 graduated ‘Pathway To Apprenticeship’ class; in Newark, Baraka heralded graduating class of Laborer’s ‘Pathway To Apprenticeship’ program
AROUND THE WEB:
Port Authority chairman accused by sister of keeping her from Cedar Grove police chief job
Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com
- Eileen O’Toole — sister of Kevin O’Toole, the influential former lawmaker and current chairman of the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey — has sued the township of Cedar Grove and its manager, council and police department, accusing them of denying her the police chief position because of her brother’s intervention and gender discrimination.
Pandemic overdose deaths took heaviest toll on Black, Hispanic communities
Lilo H. Stainton, Genesis Obando, NJ Spotlight
- While it is well known that drug overdose deaths increased during the start of the pandemic — prompting an unprecedented rise in stress and anxiety nationwide — new data shows how the growth was greatest within Black and Hispanic communities, particularly among Black teens and young adults.
Integration advocates consider filing federal complaint against New Jersey
Christopher Doyle, Press of Atlantic City
- A coalition campaigning against school segregation in New Jersey is now threatening to file a federal complaint against the state. Building One America and its affiliate New Jersey Coalition Against Racial Exclusion, or NJ-CARE, said in a letter dated Monday they intend to file a complaint against New Jersey with the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Mental health, aging, cancer, obesity ranked as top health concerns in Essex County
Kathy Shwiff, NJ Hills
- Residents rated mental health; aging issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease; cancer; and obesity/overweight as the most important health issues facing Essex County in the Community Health Needs Assessment Survey distributed earlier this year.
Is the economic outlook for New Jersey as bad as we think?
David Matthau, NJ1015
- What’s in store for the New Jersey economy for the rest of this year? It turns out nobody is quite sure because right now there’s a hodgepodge of different economic signals. Rutgers University economist James Hughes said as is often the case, “we have really conflicting indicators, where some are improving, some are still deteriorating.”
N.J. Republicans go different ways over federal gay marriage bill
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- It’s one of those issues which elicited different substantive opinions (or at least different strategic considerations) inside the Republican Party, Save Jerseyans. This week, 47 Republicans – including New Jersey’s Jeff Van Drew – joined the Democrat majority to pass the “Respect for Marriage Act” by a 267-157 margin. The majority of the GOP caucus (including Chris Smith of NJ-04) voted against it.
Over 200 new N.J. legal weed businesses are vying to open, and this ‘bootcamp’ event can help
NJ Cannabis Insider staff
- The state has issued temporary permits to some 230 new cannabis businesses since early spring as New Jersey’s nascent legal weed market begins to expand. Already 16 dispensaries are now serving medical patients and adult recreational cannabis throughout the state — and that number is expected to increase in the coming months.
Safe Streets JC & Bike JC on Amy DeGise: ‘It is never acceptable to leave the scene of a crash’
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Advocacy groups Safe Streets JC and Bike JC are reacting to a hit-and-run incident involving Jersey City Councilwoman-at-Large Amy DeGise: “It is never acceptable to leave the scene of a crash.”
A devastating trend: Local newspapers are shrinking or disappearing. Congress must act.
The Editorial Board, USA TODAY
- Did you hear about the rape – and subsequent arrest in the case – of a 10-year old Ohio girl? Did you see the stunning failure of police – who ran away as children were being killed – in the hallway of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas? What about the harrowing details of Jayland Walker’s death in Akron, Ohio, where officers fired 90 or more rounds at the 25-year-old Black man? Do you know why you’re aware of these stories? Local journalists. Men and women who live and work in the communities they cover.
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