SWEENEY wants to tax United to pay for airport PATH extension — WEBBER to get fundraising help from PENCE …

By Matt Friedman (mfriedman@politico.com; @mattfriedmannj):

Good Thursday morning!

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Jon Corzine, a Democrat who put tens of millions of dollars into his three statewide races, gave hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to county Democratic parties. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who spent millions on his own campaign In the run-up to his election, also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to county Democratic organizations.

The New Jersey GOP local organizations have not been so fortunate, despite Republican Senate nominee Bob Hugin so far spending $15.5 million on his campaign. Although Hugin gave $25,000 to the Republican State Committee and $5,000 to the Union County GOP — also in February — he’s not sharing much money with local GOP organizations. At least not yet.

GOP county parties could use it. According to an ELEC analysis released yesterday, Democrats have nearly $2.2 million on hand to Republicans’ $641,000. Then again, it might be a blessing in disguise. Democrats 10 years ago found themselves so dependent on Corzine’s largesse that it took them some time to recover once he left the scene after his 2009 defeat by former Gov. Chris Christie.

WHERE’S MURPHY? Italy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Town of Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, Camden Councilman Angel Fuentes, Bergen County Surrogate Michael Dressler, Assembly Dem staffer Kaylee McGuire lobbyist Tim Martin

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I have very thick skin. I’ve developed that over the years, so there’s nothing personal that I’ve take from any of this. It’s more about others.” — Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on the Dennis & Judi apology for making fun of him for wearing a turban

WHAT TRENTON MADE

PATH EXTENSION TO RUN TO AIKEN, S.C. — New Jersey bill would hike taxes on United Airlines to help fund PATH extension, by POLITICO’s Ryan Hutchins and Katherine Landergan: New Jersey’s top state lawmaker wants to raise taxes on United Airlines to help pay for a controversial, $1.7 billion extension of the Port Authority’s PATH train service to Newark Liberty International Airport. The legislation from Senate President Steve Sweeney would also force the bi-state agency to add an additional train stop in Newark’s East Ward neighborhood, a component of the project that had been scrapped because of logistical and cost concerns. The measure would significantly expand the state’s taxes on aviation fuel, requiring United and its regional contractors to pay 4 cents per gallon on all fuel purchased in New Jersey. Under existing law, the state only collects taxes on fuel used during taxiing and takeoff, and not during actual flight time. “Removing the exemption that effectively limits surcharges on fuel used for takeoffs and landings will bring New Jersey in line with the practices of most other states,” Sweeney said in a statement to POLITICO. “This is a legitimate and effective means of funding upgrades and improvements to a system that provides direct services to the airport.” Read the report

SO ABOUT THAT EXXON SETTLEMENT… — “Grewal files 6 lawsuits to recover damages from polluters,” by POLITICO’s Danielle Muoio: Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, declaring a “new day” for environmental enforcement in New Jersey, announced Wednesday that his office has filed six lawsuits aimed at recovering damages from polluters who have failed to clean up contamination caused by their facilities. The lawsuits, all filed in state Superior Court, target sites in Warren County, Newark, Woodbridge and Atlantic City. Three of the lawsuits are natural resource damage cases, which often seek millions of dollars for the loss of value and use of natural resources due to contamination. They are the first such suits the state has filed in a decade, Grewal said, highlighting the Christie administration’s failure to go after polluters. The other three lawsuits are less aggressive, only seeking compensation for taxpayer money that had been spent to clean up pollution. “Throughout the eight years of the last administration, these cases and this tool, was all but ignored,” Grewal said. “But Gov. Murphy and acting Gov. Oliver have said repeatedly how important it is to clean up our environment and make polluters pay.” Read the report here

PIC OF THE DAY: “Chivalry is not dead” — @dracioppi, along with pic of Attorney General Gurbir Grewal holding a massive umbrella at press conference

THE DO NOT GARDEN STATE — “NJ marijuana legalization: Why NJ cops are the nation’s toughest weed enforcers,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike David and Ken Serrano: “Marijuana users in New Jersey — which is on the verge of legalizing weed — are arrested at the highest rate in the nation by local police departments, some of which report that more than a third of their arrests were for pot, a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey investigation found. There were 32,279 marijuana possession arrests in 2016 — more than murder, rape, assault or any type of theft, according to the latest data available from the FBI’s Uniform Criminal Reporting program. The FBI tracks nearly all arrests across the nation. More than one-third — 36 percent — of the weed possession arrests were of African Americans, although blacks comprise just 13 percent of the state’s population. There was no breakdown in the data on the arrest of Hispanic suspects. Statewide, marijuana possession accounted for 10.6 percent of all arrests made by local, state and federal law enforcement officers — about one arrest for every 187 adult residents. It was the highest percentage in the United States, the Network found. The next closest state was South Carolina at 9.9 percent of all arrests. … Consider former Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s hometown of Mendham Township, Morris County, population 5,846. In the 18-square-mile town, marijuana possession accounts for nearly two-thirds of the 266 arrests made by police in 2016. The 64 percent pot possession arrest rate is the highest in the state, the Network found.” Read the report

GONNA GET FLORIOED — “Former N.J. governor just joined up with company that makes edible chocolate marijuana,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “Former Democratic Gov. Jim Florio is adding a new title to his resume: adviser to a cannabis edibles manufacturing company. Nuka Enterprises of Colorado is expected to announce Thursday that Florio will be joining the company’s advisory board, and “will be supporting Nuka’s expansion initiatives into New Jersey through his law firm, Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Capelli.” Read the report

HEALTH CARE — Financing agency, New Jersey Hospital Association to partner on housing projects, by Sam Sutton: The New Jersey Hospital Association and New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency have agreed to a partnership under which three supportive housing projects will be constructed near hospitals. As part of the agreement, participating hospitals will match investments from the financing agency. The size of the agency’s investment will depend upon the scope of the housing projects, according to a press release. The projects could include affordable housing with units allocated for frequent users of emergency services or mixed-use properties with space community health services. Read the report

EDUCATION — State BOE fails to reach consensus on frequency of standardized testing, by POLITICO’s Linh Tat: State Board of Education members debated for another two and a half hours Wednesday about how New Jersey should handle student assessments, but the discussion ended with no clear consensus about how often students should be given standardized tests. Under current regulations, students in the class of 2020 and beyond must take additional PARCC exams if they don’t pass Algebra I and the 10th-grade English exams. This subjects students who struggle the most with testing, and have already been identified as at-risk, to additional testing that does not provide much new insight for educators, said DOE Assistant Commissioner Linda Eno. Board member Andrew Mulvihill challenged the notion that a student who didn’t test well in the eighth grade should not be given more tests in the future. “It seems to me we’re giving up on him,” Mulvihill said. But board member Joseph Ricca Jr., a superintendent in New York, said he saw no point in retesting a child who is struggling. “If I give you 50 math problems and after the first two, you’re in tears at the kitchen table, if I continue to make you do the rest of the 48, that’s like abuse,” he said. Read the report

BETTER LUCK TODAY! — “Cancelled trains snarl morning commute for NJ Transit riders,” by The AP: “At least four New Jersey Transit trains were cancelled Wednesday morning, snarling the commute for rail riders. By 7:30 a.m., one train each had been cancelled on the Raritan Valley, Montclair Boonton and Pascack Valley lines. Two had been cancelled on the Morris and Essex line. NJ Transit said Wednesday that several factors are contributing to recent train cancellations. The installation of a federally mandated emergency braking system is requiring train crews to perform testing, causing higher than usual crew absences. Additional locomotive engineers are being recruited and trained to address the shortages.” Read the report

—Hackensack Meridian finalizes plans for merger with Carrier Clinic Read the report

—”Oliver: Essex ICE contract wasn’t my department Read the report

—“The Latest: 2 firms OK’d for Jersey online sports betting” Read the report

—“NJ could give you $1,000 to pay off your mortgage” Read the report

TRUMP ERA

DOLLARS AND PENCE — “Vice President Pence coming to North Jersey to raise money for GOP House candidate,” by The Record’s Herb Jackson: “Vice President Mike Pence plans to be in North Jersey on Aug. 10 to headline a fundraiser for Jay Webber, the Republican battling Democrat Mikie Sherrill for the open House seat in North Jersey’s competitive 11th District, Webber’s campaign said Wednesday. It is the first fundraising appearance for a New Jersey candidate by Pence, who is aggressively working to bolster the party’s efforts to keep its majorities in Congress. Last month alone, Pence campaigned for House and Senate candidates in Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia.” Read the report

—“Webber and Sherrill spar over three issues in 11th CD race” Read the report

—“NJ dairy farms fighting for survival against milk price control” Read the report

—“Obama just endorsed these N.J. candidates. Here’s why he has a special interest in them.” Read the report

—“Man charged with making online threat against U.S. Rep Chris Smith” Read the report

LOCAL

TRAIN SAFETY — “Are NJ communities prepared for the worst when a train derails?” by The Record’s Curtis Tate: “Every week, millions of gallons of crude oil and ethanol traverse Bergen County, winding through residential neighborhoods as they head to northeastern refineries. Along the way, they cross some of the oldest rail bridges in the nation — a fact underscored just last week when a span in Ridgefield Park partially collapsed under a moving train. And while the possibility of a derailment is statistically unlikely, there is a heightened awareness among local residents and officials about the danger and increased the demand for new training opportunities to respond to a disaster. ‘If it happens, it’s not going to be an easy event,’ said Jordan Zaretsky, Teaneck’s fire chief. ‘We train for it, and we do our best.’ Though railroads have faced increased scrutiny in recent years over the safety of transporting flammable liquids such as crude oil and ethanol, less attention has been focused on other hazardous materials. In November 2012, a train derailed on a moveable bridge in Paulsboro, releasing 23,000 gallons of toxic and flammable vinyl chloride into a creek, exposing emergency responders and residents to potentially grave health consequences.” Read the report

SCHOOL AID — “Layoffs at Jersey City schools planned to offset state aid cut,” by The Jersey Journal’s Terrence T. McDonald: “The school district plans to lay off 25 people and slash $500,000 from its budget in an effort to offset unexpected cuts in state aid. The changes were proposed by the district to account for a loss of $5.3 million in state funding the district had been expecting in May when it adopted its $600 million budget for the 2018-19 school year. The school board voted 6-1 to approve the changes at a special meeting on Tuesday night. The approved plan was one of three scenarios pitched by district officials. The most drastic called for more than 70 layoffs. It’s not clear yet what the district plans to slash to make up for the $500,000 in cuts to its operational budget.” Read the report

DOES JUST BLAZE HAVE A MESSAGE FOR NJ LEGISLATORS ON ANY IMPORTANT POLICY TOPICS? — “Oh boy: Just Blaze gets key to Paterson, recognition for ‘outstanding cultural contribution’,” by NJ Advance Media’s Amy Kuperinsky: “The music producer Just Blaze has been the pride of Paterson for a while, but now he has the key to the city. Blaze, aka Justin Smith, has collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and music at large, including Jay-Z, Beyonce, Eminem, Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and Jersey City’s Joe Budden.” Read the report

CAKE BUST — “’Cake Boss’ bakery closes shop at two N.J. locations,” by NJ Advance Media’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “In the span of five months, a famous bakery chain has put the piping bags away at two New Jersey stores for the last time. In April, Carlo’s Bake Shop, featured on the TLC show ‘Cake Boss,’ shut down its Westfield location. The company closed its Red Bank location Tuesday night, after five years of business. But fear not, cake lovers and “Cake Boss” fans — the iconic bakery has plans for another store in New Jersey.” Read the report

ENVIROS: FREEHOLDERS SO OCCUPIED WITH WHETHER THEY COULD, THEY DID NOT STOP TO THINK IF THEY SHOULD — “Birders, environmentalists protest Bergen County’s Overpeck dinosaur plan,” by The Record’s Steve Janoski: Angry birdwatchers, naturalists and environmentalists protested Wednesday night Bergen County’s decision to lease a wooded chunk of county land to a private attraction, the building of which they say will harm sensitive wildlife habitat and strip from the public one of southern Bergen’s few remaining pieces of open space. County officials have said Field Station: Dinosaurs, an interactive exhibit made up of dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, will add a unique and educational element to an undeveloped 75-acre lot south of Degraw Avenue in Teaneck. But many residents passionately objected to the plan at Wednesday’s county freeholder meeting, saying the exhibit and its 300-car parking lot would devastate local fauna. “Our wildlife needs places that are not destroyed,” Don Torino, head of the Bergen County Audubon Society, told the freeholders. ‘Though it may seem harmless … between the parking lot and the dinosaur park, it will limit the number of species that will use that area.” Read the report

TOTALLY TAYLOR HAM TUBULAR — “NJ History: new clue may prove Asbury Park was East Coast’s first surf spot,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Dan Radel: “Did a Sandwich Island Girl surf Asbury Park the summer of 1888? The mystery, which started in 2006 when a wood-cut illustration of her was found, is still unsolved but a recently found personal ad placed in the The Daily Press, the predecessor of the Asbury Park Press, may lend more credence to her being historical fact rather than fiction. If the Sandwich Island Girl is real, she would turn surfing history upside down because it would mean Asbury Park is the first spot where surfing occurred on the East Coast, not Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.” Read the report

—“Attorney for Justice family says they complained of problems before deadly house collapse in Hamilton” Read the report

—“Mayor Reed Gusciora to councilwoman: Take me to court over DEP agreement” Read the report

—“In wake of McCarrick sex scandal, NJ woman recounts alleged abuse by another former Metuchen Diocese priest” Read the report

—“National regulations set back Jersey City NAACP’s efforts to purchase building for HQ” Read the report

—“Civil rights group to Cumberland prosecutor: Leave shooting probes to state” Read the report

—“Mercedes site in Montvale could include 44 affordable housing units among 300 apartments” Read the report

—“A key to the city for Camden’s favorite sandwich stop” Read the report

—“New Bayonne police chief will waive portion of his annual salary — at least for his 1st year” Read the report

—“Franklin flap over beach breastfeeding” Read the report

EVERYTHING ELSE

“Ex-Rutgers swim coach: I wouldn’t have been fired if I were a man,” by NJ Advance Media’s Keith Sargent: “Petra Martin wants to coach again. Nine months after an NJ Advance Media investigation revealed allegations of abuse in the Rutgers women’s swimming and diving program, Martin proclaims her innocence and insists she’s not the bullying coach that was ousted following a meeting with university officials last November. She hired an Iowa-based labor attorney who has successfully sued other universities in wrongful termination cases. ‘I did try to get my job back in the days after and the last several months as well,’’ Martin told NJ Advance Media in a lengthy interview, her first public comments since her ouster on Nov. 16, 2017. ‘That was our priority in what we were trying to do. Our biggest goal is to get my job back.’” Read the report

NOBODY COMES HERE ANYMORE. IT’S TOO CROWDED — “People are moving out of New Jersey — But is that a good thing?” by News 12’s Brian Donohue: “Several studies have shown that many New Jersey residents are moving out of the state at a high rate. New Jerseyans say that the high cost of living in the state is forcing them to move to Pennsylvania and elsewhere. But as a state with an already high population, and not much open land left, News 12’s Brian Donohue wonders if maybe it’s a good thing. Donohue spoke with James Hughes of the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. Hughes is the top expert on all things demographic. Donohue asked if there is downside to a decreasing population. Hughes said that yes, there can be. Tax bases shrink and banks and hospitals may close. But he says that this mostly applies to local areas losing population, which is what is happening in the rural counties like Sussex and Hunterdon. ‘The state overall — it’s not a major factor right now,’ Hughes says.” Watch the video

BUT CAN HE COMPETE WITH NORCROSS’ POLITICAL CHESS? — “Checkmate! New Jersey boy knighted as youngest U.S. chess master,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Avalon R. Zoppo: “In April, at age 9 years, 2 months and 17 days old, Mishra snagged the title of youngest U.S. chess master during a tournament at the South Jersey Innovation Center, a non-profit that promotes STEM learning and is home to the South Jersey Chess Club. He’s also the highest rated nine-year-old player in the world. ‘I was excited… I was hoping it was going to happen, and I ended up winning the game,’ he said of beating a record once held by Bobby Fischer, the American grandmaster who famously beat Russian grandmaster Boris Spassky in the 1972 World Chess Championship.” Read the report

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