Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/5/2019 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 9/5/2019:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Down south.” – LD13 Senator O’Scanlon on where the GOP can pick up Assembly seats
Governor Murphy says it’s ‘above my paygrade‘ whether or not Senator Booker should return to Newark amid the lead contamination crisis, adding that ‘when folks want to make political hay, they’ll do it’ and that he believes Booker will ‘make a great president’.
The NJDHS announced that the WorkFirst NJ cash assistance program is increasing benefits 20%.
Warren County is backing Ocean County’s legal challenge to the state’s sanctuary state directive, according to SaveJersey.
AG Grewal sent a letter to ICE and USCIS calling for the protection of immigrants with life-threatening illnesses.
Christopher Kuburiet was sworn-in as acting Middlesex County prosecutor, according to MyCentralJersey.
Senator Menendez demanded action on gun safety, calling on Senate Majority Leader McConnell to move legislation in the Senate.
Reps. Norcross, Sherrill, and Kim (Armed Services Committee members) released a statement condemning President Trump’s move to fund the border wall with military funds. Senator Menendez called the move a ‘slap in the face’ to servicemembers.
Rep. Norcross called on Congress to pass the Working Families Tax Relief Act.
The Arc of Warren County celebrated their 12th Annual Prom for their members.
ICYMI: Stack offered praise for Murphy; amid power dynamics, DiVincezno announced Essex will bond $120M for Newark pipes at press conference, Caputo applauded leaders; Murphy, leaders made the case for Portal Bridge funding; 32BJ launched contract campaign for building cleaners; Sherrill’s town hall; Kim’s town hall; Malinowski chided Trump’s Greenland proposal
Vote in the Insider NJ Poll: What’s the Most Competitive Legislative District in the 2019 General Election?
LD13 Senator O’Scanlon discusses where the NJGOP can pick up Assembly seats in the fall general election, and how the party can best capitalize on Democratic weaknesses.
CD5 GOP candidate Montvale Mayor Ghassali held a fundraiser in Michigan Rep. Tlaib’s district.
LD21 Democratic Assembly candidates Mandelblatt and Gunderman blasted their GOP opponent’s voting record on women’s health funding as ‘abysmal’.
LD39 Democratic Assembly candidates Birkner and Faltico touted their NJEA PAC endorsement.
The Ocean County Democratic Women’s Caucus endorsed several female candidates.
The Essex County Freeholder Board unveiled a new website.
ICYMI: Essex Dems Chair Jones offers game plan advice and assessment for Murphy; LD25 candidates campaigning hard already; LD16’s Freiman discusses election; Altman won’t rule out a future CD1 bid; CD7’s Jacob won’t challenge Malinowski; Insider NJ’s Pic of the Week; Booker’s 28-1 chance of winning; Fischer’s Biden buttons; NJEA PAC endorsed 59 leg. candidates, amid member frustration; ACYD announced Charity Jeffries as new prez
The Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies will hold two hearings this month, one tomorrow and another on Sept. 23rd. NJ Citizen Action released a statement bemoaning legislative inaction.
Steve Adubato and Monmouth Park CEO Dennis Drazin discuss the impact of legal sports betting in the state (video).
Senator Singleton will lead a team of volunteers to clean the premises of the Masonic Village in Burlington.
JerseyCAN and Better Education For Kids released a statement questioning the DOE’s plan to request an RFP for a ‘next generation’ standardized test. We Raise NJ released a statement that ‘we must build upon what is working within the current system’.
ICYMI: On same week as NJEA endorsements, Speaker Coughlin introduced legislation on pen-ben; battleground Peters announced NJEDA reform bill package; Pennacchio blistered NJDEP OPRA denial; Senate passed VBM bill, Assembly passed it, despite criticism from DiMaso and Bucco, who said ‘we essentially came down here to make the beds while the house is on fire‘, Murphy signed the bill; Murphy took action on bills, conditionally vetoing NJEDA extension; Murphy announced Highlands noms
In Summit, Stephanie Gould was sworn-in to the council to serve the remainder of the term of her late husband Matt Gould, according to TAPinto.
In Hamilton, following being charged with her alleged role in disclosing her former opponent’s expunged record, Mayor Yaede hired defense attorney Robin Lord, who ripped the charges as ‘playing politics’, according to NJ.com. A police source in Hamilton described the mayor as ‘corrupt‘, according to the Trentonian. Council President and mayoral candidate Jeff Martin released a statement saying ‘enough is enough’ and calling on Yaede to ‘take a leave of absence pending the result of the criminal charges filed against her’. A majority of the council called on the mayor to resign, according to TAPinto, while Hamilton GOP Chairman Dennis Pone says the party is ‘sticking with‘ Yaede against the ‘traffic ticket’ charge, according to the Trentonian.
In Camden, the council pulled the resolution that would have named former Assemblyman Barclay to a Parking Authority job, according to TAPinto; Barclay recently met with South Jersey powerbroker Nocross, ‘a clear indication he remains in South Jersey Democrats’ good graces’, according to Politico NJ.
In Trenton, Water Works Director Hseuh will step down at the end of the week. Reacting to a proposal to increase the council’s salary by $10k/year, Councilman Blakely says he doesn’t know how the council ‘sleeps at night’, according to the Trentonian.
In Hoboken, the Wards 5 and 6 council races feature three candidates each, pushing the possibility of the first-ever December runoffs, according to Hudson County View. The council voted to move forward with Mayor Bhalla’s plan to acquire the Union Dry Dock to create a public park.
In Lake Como, Nicholas DeMauro was sworn-in to the council, replacing John Corvelli, who resigned last month, according to TAPinto.
In Elizabeth, four people were charged with scamming the schools free lunch program, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Bayonne, Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez announced her candidacy for BOE.
In West New York, recent Roque ally Alex Navas dropped out of the BOE race, according to Hudson County View.
In Holmdel, Councilman Buontempo is requesting a special meeting and asking about ‘subpoena power’ to look into professional services invoices for recreational fields, according to TAPinto.
In Tinton Falls, the ‘Taxpayer Team For Tinton Falls’ announced their borough council slate. An independent slate also announced their candidacies for council.
In Barnegat, a large crowd challenged the mayor over his anti-LGBT comments, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Mount Holly, Burlington County said a harmful algae bloom was found at Amico Island Park.
In Rockaway, the council president was ousted and the vice president resigned, according to the Daily Record.
In Jersey City, the city unveiled a protected bike lanes network.
In Millville, a man was charged with conspiracy to defraud 30 people in a romance fraud scheme.
In Englewood Cliffs, the town lost an affordable housing lawsuit, according to NJTV.
In Palisades Park, police chief Jackson will receive a $115k payout, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: In Rutherford, candidates made their cases at Labor Day festival; in Montclair, Jackson appointed Gonzalez to BOE; in Paterson, a West Side Story reboot; in Hamilton, the town sues Robbinsville
Vote in Insider NJ Poll: Who Will Win the Hamilton Mayor’s Contest?
AROUND THE WEB:
N.J.’s economic reality vs. Gov. Murphy’s rhetoric
Regina M. Egea
- Delivering on campaign promises is a noble endeavor and something every voter ought to expect from elected officials. It requires removing any rose-colored glasses and assessing where reality has met intent.
The Bahamas is paying for our sins | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- The people of the Bahamas have a moral right, if not a legal one, to demand damages from the United States for our leading role in the ruination of the planet’s weather systems. They are paying a steep price today for our sins as Hurricane Dorian pounds them, leaving death and ruin in its wake.
At Start Of School Year, An ‘Incomplete’ On Report Card For Murphy
John Mooney, NJ Spotlight
- When Gov. Phil Murphy stepped to the podium Tuesday at a Union City preschool center for New Jersey’s unofficial first day of school, he brought nothing but good news.
Catholic demonstrators form human cross in Newark to protest separation of immigrant families
Monsy Alvarado, North Jersey Record
- Cardinal Joseph Tobin, leader of the Newark Archdiocese, joined Catholics from several states on Wednesday in Newark to call for an end to the separation of immigrant families across the country. More than 100 people gathered at the St. Mary’s Parish Newark Abbey Church for a morning service, many clutching signs that bore the images of children who have died after crossing the southern border.
In Bergen, critics push back hard against governor’s Energy Master Plan
Brenda Flanagan, NJTV
- A chorus of dissent is building over Gov. Phil Murphy’s master plan for New Jersey’s energy future, with advocates and some lawmakers saying it doesn’t go far enough to wean the state from the fossil fuels that have been linked to global warming.
Vernon BOE member addresses conflict
Eric Obernauer, New Jersey Herald
- The Board of Education’s 23-year-old vice president has acknowledged a potential conflict of interest involving the employment of his girlfriend as a district teacher.However, he says he’ll continue to abstain from participating or voting on all matters where his influence could be perceived as crossing any ethical lines — something he said he’s been doing since last year.
N.J. gun owners are storing ‘thousands and thousands’ of banned gun magazines in a steel vault
Joe Atmonavage, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- When New Jersey’s ban on large-capacity gun magazines went into effect last December, it forced gun owners to make a decision. Should they turn the magazines over to law enforcement? Should they modify them into compliance? Should they sell them to authorized owners or store them in another state? Or simply ignore the law which banned magazines that have more than 10 rounds?
UPDATED: Union City High School security guard hanged herself on school property
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- A Union City High School security guard was found dead on the premises earlier today, with the preliminary investigation pointing to a suicide by hanging, sources told Hudson County View.
Evesham, Southern BurlCo NAACP to collect water for Newark
George Woolston, Burlington County Times
- Township officials announced today that Evesham Township Municipal Building, located at 984 Tuckerton Road, and the Evesham MUA offices, at 100 Sharp Road, will serve as drop-off locations for anyone who also wants also donate cases of bottled water to help the residents of Newark.
Booker’s history with DeVos under scrutiny as Democrats invoke her on the trail
Carol E. Lee and Josh Lederman, NBC News
- As the Democratic presidential candidates pile on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, one is facing new scrutiny over his past ties to her: Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.
Raising the curtain on NBPAC — and new era for arts in New Brunswick
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- As the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center prepares for its soft opening Wednesday night, the benefits it will bring to the arts community in Middlesex County cannot be overstated. The two theaters — the Elizabeth Ross Johnson Theater, which seats 463 and has an 86-foot stage, and the Arthur Laurents Theater, which seats 252 for its 60-foot stage — are as state of the art as they come.
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