Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/24/2020 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 6/24/2020:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t anticipate any problems. I certainly hope not, but you never know. We’re in a strange place, and we’ve never been in this position before.” – Senate President Sweeney on the upcoming short-term budget vote
TOP STORY: Kennedy v. Harrison and the Deals of Yesteryear Amid a 2020 Tempest
Follow Insider NJ’s COVID-19 Information Update Center and Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.
The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 169,734 cases and 12,949 fatalities as of Tuesday. Governor Murphy and state officials held their daily COVID-19 briefing, during which the Governor announced that amusement parks and playgrounds will reopen ahead of July 4th, with specific guidance to come. The Governor urged residents to continue wearing face coverings and observe social distancing as the state continues its reopening steps. NJDOH Commissioner Persichilli said that a growing number of new COVID-19 cases are younger people. The Governor defended the VBM primary following NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt’s criticism that is ‘risks disenfranchisement’, saying that is a ‘political talking point’ and ‘ridiculous’, adding that ‘that’s not to say that the vote by mail has been a clean shot, perfect because we know that it hasn’t’, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy announced an agreement with the CWA to include employee furloughs to avert state layoffs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Trump will likely return to Bedminster this weekend, according to NJ.com.
The Bergen County prosecutor says police departments must list officers who have faced discipline in the last 20 years, according to the Bergen Record.
Camden County Clerk Ripa announced VBM drop-off locations.
The Monmouth County Freeholders announced $10M from CARES Act funding to the small business community.
Passaic County launched a mapping tool for businesses to locate local resources.
Somerset County freeholders adopted the 2020 budget with a slight tax decrease, according to TAPinto.
Warren County announced two COVID-19 testing dates.
Union County announced VBM drop-off locations.
Senator Booker and several colleagues sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader McConnell blasting the GOP policing bill and calling for bipartisan talks as a starting point.
Rep. Sherrill introduced the ‘COVID-19 Stop Calling Americans Maliciously Act’.
Rep. Kim will hold a tele-town hall on issues affecting the black community on Sunday. Kim was awarded the ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ award by the US Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Norcross delivered opening remarks during the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee hearing on the NDAA mark-up.
Stockton University researchers are seeking participants for an online COVID-19 study.
The NJBIA formed a partnership with the NJ Reentry Corporation.
ICYMI: Murphy announced increase of capacity limits for gatherings; indoor dining, casinos reopen next week (iLine post); personal care services resumed with restrictions; next Monday, indoor shopping malls can reopen; outdoor visitation at LTCs began; Murphy delivered remarks on BLM; Persichilli announced Adinaro to succeed Neuwirth; 28% of labor force applied for UE; Grewal guidance on COVID prosecutions; NJDOL guidance on unemployment; NJDOH guidance for sports; Grewal ordered identifying officers w/ violations; judge granted request to stop AP from allowing indoor dining, Murphy hammered council; Grewal to revise ‘use of force’ policy
In CD2, the Harrison v. Kennedy battle heads toward the July primary against a volatile national and local backdrop. Former Democratic primary candidate Tanzie Youngblood endorsed Amy Kennedy.
In CD4, the Asbury Park Press is hosting a Democratic primary candidate forum.
In CD8, Rep. Sires touted his endorsement from the CWA. Sires and primary challenger Hector Oseguera traded punches over former GOP affiliations, according to Hudson County View.
Bill Palatucci and Ginny Haines were re-elected NJGOP State Committeemembers, according to MoreMonmouthMusings.
Three Cumberland County officials filed a defamation suit against Freeholder Surrency, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Surrency blasted the suit as a ‘desperate Hail Mary’ attempt.
A federal grand jury indicted Tommy Bertoli on tax charges, according to Hudson County View.
James Sanford announced a write-in campaign for Hudson County freeholder.
The Hispanic Republicans of North Jersey held their first summer cookout event.
ICYMI: Christie says Murphy made ‘awful awful mistake‘ by marching in protest; state police unions blast public naming of officers (iLine post); NJ CAN 2020 announced Axel Owen referendum campaign manager; Sussex Dems ED aims to bring the party back together following leadership battle
Senate President Sweeney says there’s ‘going to be a lot of cutting‘ as the Legislature considers a short-term budget, according to NJ.com.
Senate Republicans criticized Governor Murphy’s CWA agreement as ‘3 months late’ and ‘$100M short’.
Senator Ruiz introduced legislation to protect farmworkers during COVID-19.
The Assembly Women and Children Committee will meet today to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on children.
The NJ Utilities Association named Christina Farrell as their new Government Affairs Director.
The Chemistry Council of NJ elected BASF’s Michael Heltzer as their new board chairman.
The NJ Business Coalition urged a safe reopening for all remaining businesses that are closed.
Advocated urged legislators to prioritize the needs of working and low-income families as part of COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.
ICYMI: Coughlin appointed Nara to NJT Board; NJEA named Beaver Gov’t Affairs Director; SLP first hearing on police reform 7/15; Murphy signed bills; Sweeney, Codey clashed over casino bill
In Newark, Gibbons PC employees raised $40k for the Newark Fresh Air Fund.
In Hoboken, the Hoboken Business Alliance announced a ‘Summer Streets’ pilot program. An executive order requires dining patrons to be seated in order to be served, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Paramus, the town won’t pay the legal bills of council members involved in a lawsuit with the mayor’s son, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hackensack, the BOE voted in favor of an anti-racism resolution, according to the Bergen Record.
In Princeton, a controversy is brewing over COVID-19 savings, according to Planet Princeton.
In Byram, a police officer was suspended for an allegedly disparaging social media post about Black Lives Matter protests, according to NJ Herald.
In New Brunswick, the schools security chief was ousted, according to New Brunswick Today.
In Camden, the July 4th fireworks display is cancelled, according to TAPinto.
In Paterson, Mayor Sayegh’s controversial non-profit is holding a $1,000/person fundraiser next month, according to Paterson Times. Sayegh will announce UEZ street sale permits today.
In Warren Township, the committee is now livestreaming meetings, according to NJ Hills.
In Bloomfield, the council adopted a $90M budget, according to TAPinto.
In Chatham, the police chief says officers are ‘guardians’, not ‘warriors’, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Boonton, over 1,000 protesters marched; in Paterson, the Ward 2 race tied (iLine post); in JC, de-escalation training for officers; in Perth Amboy, Caba announced mayoral candidacy; in Morristown, first day of outdoor dining; in Paterson, McKoy filed to invalidate election; in Denville, hundreds attended rally; in Newark, history-making generation looks toward living history
AROUND THE WEB:
Towns anticipate deep COVID-19 revenue losses in coming months
Michelle Brunetti Post, Press of Atlantic City
- Financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic have hit municipalities that rely on construction, parking and other fees hardest so far, but mayors from small towns to big cities anticipate losses will deepen for everyone in the coming months.
Three seek Republican nod in 7th District congressional race
Alex Parker-Magyar, New Jersey Hills
- Two first-time congressional candidates and a household name in New Jersey politics will vie for the chance to unseat Democrat Rep. Tom Malinowski in the Tuesday, July 7, Republican Primary.
Students, alumni protest alleged discrimination, racism at Rancocas Valley Regional
David Levinsky, Burlington County Times
- More than a hundred past and present students, staff and other supporters participated in the protest, which the organizers said was held to bring attention to racism and discrimination within the building’s halls and to demand changes to make the school more inclusive and safe for minority students and staff.
Extra state aid for Pinelands towns could be axed due to coronavirus
David Levinsky, Burlington County Times
- Gov. Phil Murphy’s original budget called for the PILOT funds to be restored to the $10 million total distributed in 2009, but his three-month proposal culls the funding back to $6.5 million.
What happened when I went into a New Jersey store without a mask
Judi Franco, NJ1015
- It was something I had to do, not something I wanted to do. I had to visit the local home-improvement store. Normally, I actually enjoy a trip to the huge home improvement store. I love to browse the aisles just thinking about stuff I’d love to buy and things I’d like to do around my home. I can spend an hour, sometimes even two, just roaming around the kitchen section and fantasizing into a frenzy about which tiles I’d buy if I ever had the money to redo my master bathroom. But since the mask rules came to be, it’s obviously less enjoyable to browse. So now it’s in and out as quickly as possible.
Ventnor Planning Board approves minor subdivision of beachfront home to the stars
Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, Down Beach
- The stately brick beachfront house Frank Sinatra called home when he performed in Atlantic City could be torn down and replaced by three new houses…someday.
Great Falls developer paid $60,000 to Paterson mayor Sayegh ally’s lobbying firm
Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times
- Mayor Andre Sayegh’s handpicked developer, New Brunswick Development Corporation (DevCo), for three Great Falls development projects paid $60,097 to his ally’s lobbying firm. DevCo paid the funds to Bill Pascrell, III’s lobbying firm Princeton Public Affairs, according to state lobbying records. Pascrell, who is the son of Rep. Bill Pascrell, is a close friend and ally of the mayor. He also heads the mayor’s nonprofit group, One Paterson.
Commander of Domestic Violence Unit Used NBPD Phone to Stalk Woman
Charlie Kratovil, New Brunswick Today
- The police lieutenant in charge of handling domestic violence and school matters used a city-owned cell phone to stalk and harass a young woman, sending her lewd pictures taken at police headquarters.Text messages reviewed by New Brunswick Today show Lt. Raymond Trigg admitting to calling the woman 43 times in a single day. The lieutenant also sent images to the woman showing himself in his underwear and in the nude, including at least one shot of his penis.
Bruce Springsteen: Freehold and Asbury Park are part of the powerful American story
Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
- Bruce Springsteen was famously “Born to Run,” but he didn’t get far. The Boss lives in Colts Neck, “20 minutes away from Asbury, 10 minutes from Freehold,” he says in a new interview with conservative commentator David Brooks in The Atlantic. The piece focuses primarily on Springsteen’s new “From My Home to Yours” deejay show on SiriusXM’s E Street Radio, and also the tumultuous times of George Floyd awakening.
Christie’s unseemly defense of Trump’s corrupt attack on federal prosecutor | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- One day, long ago, Gov. Chris Christie was the kind of Republican who built bridges with Democrats to pass bipartisan legislation, some of it quite progressive. His bail reform freed thousands of criminal suspects held in our jails only because they couldn’t afford bail.
A freeholder nominated to NJ Transit’s board could represent a voiceless bus commuter group
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin nominated a Middlesex County freeholder who commutes by bus to NJ Transit’s board of directors on Monday, while two of Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominations still remain open.
The Jersey Shore’s Latest Reopening Hurdle? Overflowing Trash
Andrew S. Lewis, NJ Spotlight
- Since Memorial Day, the Jersey Shore has been grinding back to life. But after Gov. Phil Murphy lifted his stay-at-home order on June 9, the influx of visitors has, in some towns, been even greater than normal for this time of year. Lines of sun-dazed tourists snake outside the doors of pizza parlors and seafood dives. Supermarket staff are locked in a perpetual battle of shelf restocking. Souvenir and clothing shop workers are hustling to fill a deluge of curbside pick-up orders. The common denominator among nearly all of them?
Thank Hudson County reps for help coming for renters impacted by the coronavirus: | Quigley
Joan Quigley, Jersey Journal
- You won’t be surprised that I always see legislators’ points of view. They get an idea how to solve a problem, then arrange for a bill to be legally prepared, find dedicated co-sponsors, shepherd it through two or more committee hearings, debate it on the floor of one House or another, and watch it sent off to the governor’s office for signature.
What AC casinos will likely do to protect you and themselves
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- What exactly the casino floors will look like, and how easy they’ll be to access, we don’t yet know, but Atlantic City gaming halls will be able to begin wheeling and dealing on July 2. Properties are waiting on health and safety guidelines from the state, and may be for another few days. In the meantime, industry experts suggest, Atlantic City casinos can look to other states, also attempting to rebound from the COVID-19 public health crisis, that have already reopened casinos to the public.
Ending racism: ‘All you need to do is be nice,’ grade-schoolers tell Morris District teachers
Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green
- Can elementary school children handle a subject like anti-racism? They probably can teach it, staffers from the Alfred Vail School told the Morris School District board on Monday. Describing a Day of Difference conducted virtually last week, teachers said they were moved, sometimes to tears, by how K-5 pupils responded to daylong discussions about race.
Mail-in ballot errors, shenanigans threaten integrity of N.J. primary election
Save Jersey Staff
- A remarkable 1-in-10 New Jersey ballots weren’t counted in May’s local vote-by-mail elections. The problems weren’t isolated to one or two towns, and the culprits appeared to range from carrier error to computer problems.
Linda Lindner, njbiz.com
- Stuck in small apartments during the pandemic, Manhattan city dwellers are looking for more space in the Garden State.
Casinos in Atlantic City and outside Philly are poised to reopen in the next few days
Andrew Maykuth and Amy S. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Casinos around Philadelphia will begin reopening Friday following more than three months of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic, and almost every one in the region — including in Atlantic City — should be open by July 2.
Traumatized by the amount of death, some NJ nurses unsure they can face another COVID-19 wave
Lindy Washburn, NorthJersey.com
- The lawn signs call them heroes. And like veterans of any war, many nurses who have fought COVID-19 in North Jersey’s hospitals dwell less on their heroism than on the trauma they have witnessed. They appreciate the signs, but they don’t think you know how it felt.
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