Murphy sounds fiscal alarm – POLITICO – Politico
Good Tuesday morning!
Gov. Phil Murphy took office in 2018 amid a booming economy and a plan for more programs that would depend on new spending.
Now, he’s reprising the budget role that former Govs. Chris Christie and Jon Corzine played during the first years of the Great Recession: Finding ways to deal with billions in revenue shortfalls. Over the weekend he warned of cuts to come without billions in additional federal aid. How he plans to do that without alienating the public sector unions will be interesting to watch.
The Treasury Department is predicting a $10 billion shortfall through the end of the next fiscal year. The state is seeking federal funds and the Murphy administration — now backed by state Speaker Craig Coughlin — wants to borrow billions. But nobody expects that to be enough. And once the hard fiscal reality really sets in, don’t expect to see the governor’s approval rating in the 70s.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “People’s medical information should not be shared on the cyberweb.” — Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Union), who sits on the health committee, taking a skeptical view of contact tracing on the live stream of an anti-vaccine activist/conspiracy theorist.
WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Trenton for his daily press conference at 11 a.m.
CORONAVIRUS TRACKER — 965 newly-diagnosed cases for a total of 155,092. Sixteen more deaths attributed to the virus for a total of 11,144.
THE CORONITTEE — State Senate leaders announce committee to investigate New Jersey’s response to Covid-19, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: New Jersey Senate leaders announced Friday they would form a special committee to conduct a wide-ranging investigation of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean announced the formation of the committee in a joint statement released by the Senate Republicans. A resolution to form the committee will see a vote in the coming weeks. Though the release makes no mention of Gov. Phil Murphy, the arrival of an investigative committee comes as the popular Democratic governor faces mounting scrutiny over his administration’s inability to contain outbreaks within more than 500 of the state’s long-term care facilities.
—Murphy administration outlines plan for extended fiscal year, by POLITICO’s Katherine Landergan: The Murphy administration released its fiscal plan through the end of June, as well as a $7.7 billion budget proposal for the next quarter that defers payments and draws heavily from the state surplus, leaving razor-thin margins as the state navigates the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. The plan, which had to be submitted to the Legislature by Friday, outlines how the state will continue to cover its finances until the end of June and provides additional details of the state’s dire financial situation.
—Murphy expands outdoor gatherings to 25 people, reopens campgrounds
HOME RULE — “In hard-hit New Jersey, COVID-19 saddles some small health departments with crushing workload,” by ProPublica’s : “The beaches of the Jersey Shore are set to reopen on Friday. But in a state where nearly 11,000 people have been killed by COVID-19, the same public health system that struggled to implement widespread testing faces what could be an even larger challenge: preventing a second wave of infection that experts say is almost inevitable without coordinated, aggressive efforts. And more than almost any state in the country, New Jersey relies on small, local health departments, which have found themselves stretched far beyond their missions by the pandemic. In Kearny, a town of 41,000 where the coronavirus has killed more people than in eight states, the Health Department has four full-time workers … The town of Princeton had one of the state’s first ‘superspreading events,’ a dinner party in February that would be linked to at least 15 infections. When Dr. George DiFerdinando Jr., chair of the town’s Board of Health, contacted the state for help investigating the incident, he said he was told the town was on its own.”
RANDY MASTRO COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED — “COVID-19 long-term care calamity warrants 9/11-style probe as NJ’s readiness questioned,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Now that the virus has abated — or taken a pause, as many public health experts predict — the drumbeat for legislative investigations has intensified in Trenton. It’s being fueled by alarming published reports of detailing a state Department of Health that was overwhelmed, unprepared and failed to heed warnings to the looming virus threat and the dangers it posed to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities … Yet, some veteran observers and lawmakers say the conventional legislative probe with its predictable trajectory — the shocking disclosures and testimony, followed by lengthy reports and reform legislation that gets watered down and forgotten after the crisis fades from view — may not be sufficient enough this time around. Given the enormity of the catastrophe and the deep flaws in New Jersey’s ability to respond and protect its most vulnerable, some are endorsing a leave-no-stone-unturned investigation, modeled after the 9/11 study, the gold standard of post-mortem reports.”
DOWN THE SHORE — “At the Jersey Shore, brisk winds, sparse crowds, and worry for what’s ahead,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff Gammage, Erin Arvedlund and Pranshu Verma: “It felt like fall at the Jersey Shore on Sunday, but the clouds and cool weather did more than chase away beach-goers during the traditional start of the summer season. They underscored the sudden fragility of a Shore economy that’s been pounded by pandemic-driven store closings, hotel-room cancellations, and dining limits. On Sunday, as some hardy ocean-lovers set out towels on beaches, and others on benches snuggled inside down coats, the boom of Memorial Day weekend turned quiet. ‘Our business is down 70% over last year,’ said Bill Bumbernick, owner of the Surfing Pig marina, bar and restaurant in North Wildwood. ‘That’s partly due to the weather. But we’re very concerned. Our customers are great, they really get it. But 70% just doesn’t cut it.’ Frustration among business owners was as thick as the salt air, with restaurateurs and others warning of financial calamity if Shore merchants must stay closed.”
—“Jersey Shore beach shops see ‘horrible’ drop on Memorial Day weekend Sunday”
—“At the Jersey Shore, confusion and indifference toward the potential spread of COVID-19”
IMMIGRATION — “NJ should provide COVID-19 aid to undocumented immigrants who pay income tax, advocates say,” by The Record’s Monsy Alvarado: Earlier this month, state Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) were among Democratic lawmakers who introduced a bill to set aside $35 million for one time payments to undocumented immigrants who file state and federal income taxes. The payments would range from $1,000 for a family with dependent children, $700 for married couples without children and $500 for a single filer. ‘It is in the State’s best interest to ensure that all State taxpayers, regardless of immigration status, receive some form of relief to help the State’s economy recover from the current economic crisis and to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases,’ reads the bill, introduced on May 11. Some members of the public have already attacked the bill, saying New Jersey can’t afford to pay undocumented residents when it is facing a fiscal crisis from lost revenue and increased spending related to the outbreak.
GOD — “After Trump labels religion ‘essential,’ more clergy take NJ to court,” by NJ 101.5’s Sergio Bichao: “As President Donald Trump declared religious services ‘essential,’ calling on the nation’s governors to allow house of worship to reopen this weekend, several churches in New Jersey joined a growing number of religious leaders suing Gov. Phil Murphy over his executive orders. The pastors of four Protestant evangelical churches in South Jersey on Friday filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeking to overturn Murphy’s order treating churches like a non-essential business. The lawsuit is backed by the Center for American Liberty, whose founder and CEO, Harmeet K. Dhillon, a former Republican Party official in California, said that ‘criminalizing religious expression is really the antithesis of the First Amendment.’”
—“South Jersey church bucks coronavirus closure orders and holds Sunday service”
—“Church welcomes faithful back to Mass, with a dashboard view”
CORRECTIONS — “Time for NJ Corrections commissioner to go,” by state Sen. Michael Testa for The Asbury Park Press: “Marcus Hicks should step down as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, and if he doesn’t, Gov. Murphy should fire him. The commissioner has lost the confidence of corrections officers across the state, and his ineffective leadership during the pandemic created unnecessary risk to the health and lives of inmates, guards and other employees, as well as the families they go home to.”
—“NJ GOP lawmaker [Doherty]: Gov. Phil Murphy is ‘eviscerating’ the Constitution”
—“N.J. is hiring an army to try to stop the coronavirus. Here’s how it will work”
—“NJ relaxes civil service rules to allow for public worker furloughs”
—“Saying They’ve Been Ignored, Nursing Homes Lay Claim to Latest Federal COVID-19 Funding”
—“A hundred flags placed at NJ Veterans Home in Paramus to honor coronavirus victims”
—“Sweeney: Murphy should allow ‘unconventional’ Class of 2020 graduations”
—“Memorial Day commemorated by Gov. Murphy in solemn, masked ceremony at N.J. cemetery for veterans”
—EDA approves $50M program for small businesses
—Tittel: “New Jersey’s reopening plan should be green”
GOTTAPLEASEEVERYONEHEIMER — “Are you for or against Trump? These N.J. representatives work with both sides,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jonathan D. Salant: “No House Democrat, for example, worked with Republicans on legislation more often than North Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer. Just three Republicans worked with Democrats more often than Rep. Chris Smith. And 2nd District Rep. Jeff Van Drew was the 20th most bipartisan lawmaker as a Democrat before switching parties after opposing Trump’s impeachment. That’s according to the annual report on bipartisanship recently released by the Lugar Center, a public policy group headed by former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and by Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.”
—Could a second wave of coronavirus trigger new stay-at-home orders? States can’t agree
BEST BEHAVIOR — “Tense phone call seemingly sparked freeholder’s social media attack on Paterson mayor,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico and The Record’s Rich Cowen: “Political and community leaders said they don’t expect any long-range fallout from Passaic County Freeholder Theodore ‘TJ’ Best’s social media attack on Mayor Andre Sayegh, largely because the two men have managed to co-exist in local leadership roles despite their longstanding animosity. Despite their enmity, Best and Sayegh share many political allies and friends. Paterson Press contacted six of those individuals on Friday morning, but none of them were willing to comment publicly about the situation. In a Facebook comments he post on Thursday night, Best had called Sayegh a ‘slimy coward’ and a ‘punk.’ He later removed that post. On the morning after the attack, Best issued a 631-word statement Friday that apologized for his “outburst” but also aimed criticism at the mayor’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis.”
—“Assemblyman’s vote among 3,200 voided in messy Paterson City Council elections,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Passaic County officials have released the names of about 3,200 people whose ballots were disqualified in Paterson’s controversy-plagued City Council elections – a list that includes Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly as well as various community leaders and their family members. What election officials have not yet disclosed is exactly why each person’s vote was not counted in the results of the six ward council races, which were conducted entirely through vote-by-mail ballots because of the coronavirus crisis … Wimberly, the Assembly’s deputy Speaker, expressed shock on Friday night when Paterson Press informed him that his ballot was among the roughly 3,200 that were not counted in the city’s election. The votes cast by his wife and two sons also were disqualified, according to the county’s list. ‘I mailed them at the downtown post office,’ said Wimberly. ‘I will investigate.’”
—“Councilman trailing in Paterson election files for recount”
HOW DARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL BE RECORDED AT A PUBLIC MEETING? — “Audio shows Robin Vaughn asked Trenton officials not to record closed censure hearing, violate ‘Sunshine Law’,” by The Trentonian’s Isaac Avilucea: “West Ward councilwoman Robin Vaughn has been accused of being anti-Semitic, and anti-gay over comments she has made publicly. Add anti-public access to the list. Vaughn didn’t want her executive-session censure hearing recorded so she could avoid more embarrassment from the fallout after she called openly gay Mayor Reed Gusciora a ‘pedophile,’ during a coronavirus call this month … ‘Could I ask that the attorney give a statement that this session is not being recorded?’ Vaughn said during the nearly 26-minute closed-door session. ‘Because that’s what is sounds like. It’s being recorded.’”
SUSSEX COUNTY — “High noon in Sussex County: Rowe calls out controversial Rotondi,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “It’s been about a year since Katie Rotondi was elected chair of the Sussex County Democrats, bringing a youthful voice to a party severely outnumbered in what probably is the most “red” county in the state. Now, Rotondi is being challenged for chair by a group of Democrats, some of whom sought her resignation a few months ago. And to spice things up a bit, Rotondi a few days ago publicly charged a political neighbor – Warren County Democratic Chair Tom Palmieri – with making improper, sexual comments to her. Palmieri calls the accusation ‘false and baseless.’”
—“Activist says Trenton headed for ‘historic bloodshed’ after 12th killing of 2020”
—“What’s going on in Trenton? Mayor, 2 on council face recall in midst of coronavirus pandemic”
—“More NJ GOP mayors join alliance pressing Murphy for quicker business reopening”
—“‘Every day is a challenge’: After 12 weeks, Clifton councilman still battling with COVID-19”
—“Beaches, boats and business: Lake Hopatcong hoping for a better year”
—“Shore towns in desperate need for Special Police Officers for summer patrol”
—“Hudson County roads inspector charged with taking bribe from construction site”
R.I.P. — “Little Ferry CFO killed in ATV accident in Moonachie”
I GUESS THAT PROTESTER’S OPINION IS AS VALID AS VIRTUALLY EVERY SCIENTIST AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL — “‘The economy needs to reopen’: Hundreds protest Murphy’s shutdown at Point Pleasant Beach,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “A crowd of more than 200 people chanted ‘Open New Jersey Now’ as ‘Born in the USA” blared over the speakers at what those gathered described as a ‘freedom rally’ Monday morning … Murphy addressed the rally in a CNN interview on Monday, saying that he doesn’t begrudge their right to protest, but that protests don’t sway him because he bases the reopening decisions on data and the science … . Tracey Lore drove from New Brunswick because she wanted to ‘stand for freedom.’ … Lore said that … the data has been manipulated and that mortality, death and case rates aren’t accurate. ‘They are saying that this is deadly but we don’t know that,’ she said. ‘We didn’t need to shut down before. [President Barack] Obama didn’t shut down for Ebola and now businesses are being destroyed.’ … Among the speakers was State Sen. Joe Pennacchio”
FANS OF STONEWALL JACKSON THE GROUNDHOG FLOCK TO SEE ROBERT E. LEMUR, JELLYFISH DAVIS AND JOHN C. COWHOUN — “Visitors flock to see bears, tigers at Space Farms’ drive-thru zoo”, by The New Jersey Herald’s Lori Comsock: “It may have seemed unusual just a few months ago that the Wantage-based zoo would open for their 93rd season as a drive-thru, but as the state slowly begins to piece back together from the coronavirus pandemic, many local businesses are trying to do the same. While the zoo’s owner, Parker Space, said it was certainly not an ideal way to open their season, a steady stream of vehicles, with visitors near and far, were happy to toss pieces of corn, that can be purchased at the entrance, to the zoo’s lions, tigers, foxes, deer, buffalo and alpacas, among others … Space, who is also a Republican assemblyman from the 24th District, has expressed his grief with Murphy’s decision to open some businesses but keep closed others, noting that he doesn’t understand why a zoo, where visitors can be distanced by nearly 30 feet or more, would not be allowed to operate. ‘There is really no rhyme or reason, I think it’s a control thing (with Murphy),’ Space said. ‘He has essentially held our property hostage.’”
—“Getting back: New Jersey employers grapple with worker protections and benefits as businesses reopen”
—“Jersey Shore banner planes troll N.J. and Pa. governors as beaches open from coronavirus closures”
