Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/15/2020 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 9/15/2020:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We live in unprecedented times, and 2020 provides very few opportunities for elected officials in my position to make a statement. This is an event at which we were talking about law enforcement and I felt it important to let them know that there is someone who supports them.” – Senator Mike Doherty defending his comments at a 9/11 ceremony that the BLM movement is ‘Marxist’ and systemic racism is an ‘evil lie’
TOP STORY: Big Pharma Fight Perks Up Overall Droopy Malinowski v. Kean
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 196,968 cases and 14,245 fatalities (and 1,789 probable fatalities) as of Monday. The viral transmission rate is 1.06. Governor Murphy and state officials held their COVID-19 briefing, The Governor condemned remarks made by Senator Doherty that systemic racism is an ‘evil lie’ during a 9/11 ceremony, saying it ‘just takes your breath away’ and that racism ‘exists very much in our country and in our state’ (iLine post). Doherty doubled-down on his comments yesterday, according to NJTV, saying ‘occasionally you’re going to have bad actors’ and that the culprit is the ‘breakdown of the family structure‘ which ‘leads to direct problems.
The Essex County Freeholder Board passed a resolution in support of Medicare For All.
Somerset County’s Commission on the Status of Women is presenting a personal development webinar.
Nearly 1,700 VBMs remained uncounted for over two months in Sussex County, following the July primary, according to Politico NJ.
Amazon is hiring 6,900 new employees in New Jersey, according to the Courier Post.
Rep. Kim’s ‘Microloan Improvement Act’ passed the House.
New Jersey is the nation’s 3rd least-vaccinated state, according to WalletHub.
The Corporation For New Jersey Local Media will host a webinar today on the future of commuter rail.
Bertone Piccini LLP launched a family law division.
ICYMI: New unemployment claims rose 12.5%; Murphy touts baby bonds; Vannozzi will take the helm of NJTV News; Murphy says ‘very few reported cases of knucklehead behavior‘ over weekend; state launches online voter registration (iLine post); administrative order clarifying health club reopenings; travel quarantine advisory updated; administrative order prohibits smoking in casinos; Murphy signs order allowing indoor dining to resume; Carroll in line to be the interim prosecutor in Morris, as Knapp retires; Malinowski’s town hall
Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Suleiman says he’s mobilizing the party’s legal team to consider litigation to force a special election for the freeholder seat vacated by Frank Formica, who resigned last week.
Former Governor Christie will be the keynote speaker at the 2021 Northeast Regional Carwash Convention in Atlantic City, according to Carwash.com.
In CD2, the Tea Party Express endorsed GOP Rep. Van Drew. Democratic candidate Amy Kennedy slammed Van Drew for being the only member of the state’s congressional delegation not to sign a letter calling on FEMA to fund PPE for schools.
In CD3, GOP candidate David Richter advanced to the NRCC’s ‘Young Guns’ program (iLine post).
In CD7, Rep. Malinowski and GOP challenger Senator Kean wage battle over big pharma and drug prices.
In CD11, ‘Veterans for Mikie’ launched a community roundtable.
Hudson County GOP Chairman Arango says Democrats are using COVID-19 as leverage in the 2020 elections, speaking at a pro-police rally in Jersey City over the weekend, according to Hudson County View.
The Warren County Young Democrats condemned Senator Doherty’s comments that the Black Lives Matter movement is ‘Marxist’ and systemic racism is an ‘evil lie’.
NJ 11th For Change endorsed candidates in Morris County, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: Rutgers College Dems announced their departure from CDNJ, CDNJ responded; Fitzherbert announced candidacy for AC freeholder; Murphys observe Biden, Pence (iLine); Murphy helps raise $2M for Biden (iLine post); Baptiste to lead Biden NJ campaign (iLine); Gottheimer fired back at challenger Pallotta; Malinowski fielded socialism question (iLine); Becchi’s first TV ad (iLine); Ali says GOP should ‘stop complaining’ about VBM (iLine); Biden leads Trump in NJ (iLine); Booker leads Mehta (iLine); in CD7, Kean taking heat over Garwood council candidate; James elected head of DMO NJ; judge ruled Middlesex must allow non-gender specific party county committee seats; following loss of a bet, Peters shaves Bergen (iLine); CD11 contest kicks off
Governor Murphy signed legislation into law.
The Senate Budget Committee will hold a budget hearing today.
Senate President Sweeney and Assemblyman DeAngelo introduced legislation to ensure the right to display American flags over NJ Turnpike and South Jersey Transportation Authority highway overpasses.
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson introduced legislation that aims to protect voters from intimidation.
Senator Pennacchio condemned the NJEDA’s award of a $21M tax credit to Netflix.
Assemblywoman Quijano called on the US Treasury to immediately release funds withheld from the WTC Health Program.
AFL-CIO President Wowkaneck thanked Governor Murphy for signing legislation reforming worker’s comp for essential workers who contracted COVID-19. The NJBIA criticized the bill as ‘misguided’.
The NJ State School Nurses Association applauded Governor Murphy’s signing of legislation to create the School Nurse Consultant position in the NJDOE.
ICYMI: Murphy signed MVC legislation and signed legislation designating Juneteenth holiday (iLine post); Bramnick wants special session to curb executive authority; Pennacchio challenged Murphy on Trump criticism; Sweeney wants Orsted suspended (iLine post); Appolon joining PPAG; Brennan serving Gopal DCOS; Rice requests removal of Scutari as SJU chair; Rice decried ‘deliberate stalling’ of marijuana decrim bill
In Newark, Mayor Baraka and officials announced that the Prudential Center will serve as a ‘super polling site’ for the November general election.
In Eatontown, the NJDOH announced the approval of a permit for Garden State Dispensary to open a satellite dispensary.
In West New York, the township is rebranding and considering an ordinance to prevent non-official use, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Middletown, a mother is appealing to Governor Murphy for clemency for a 23-year old crime, with prominent backing, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Mountain Lakes, the GOP council candidates declined a debate invitation from the League of Women Voters.
In Englewood, lawsuits accuse police of threats and bias, according to the Bergen Record.
In Seaside Heights, the police were called in as Youtubers ‘Nelk Boys’ held a massive party, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Montclair, Councilor Yacobellis launched an online fundraiser for the Human Needs Food Pantry.
In Long Valley, a COVID-19 positive case closed the doors of the Middle School, according to NJ Hills.
In Princeton, the BOE voted to allow high school fall varsity sports to begin, according to Planet Princeton.
In Lakewood, teachers are chafing over the school board attorney’s ‘dangerous actions’, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Vorhees, the planning board rejected a shopping center proposal, according to the Burlington County Times.
In West Milford, the former 27-year police chief passed away, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Old Bridge, the town tapped the Milltown Borough clerk for township clerk, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Trenton, a resident filed a lawsuit against the council over the Wire Works deal, according to the Trentonian.
In Mullica River, a Trump boat parade brought out the President’s supporters, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Edison, a teacher filed a lawsuit against the school district over social media posts mistaking her identity with a sex offender, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Fair Lawn, four were charged from a video showing a disabled boy being ‘pantsed’, according to the Bergen Record. Mayor Peluso ordered police to remove their ‘Thin Blue Line’ masks prior to the 9/11 ceremony, according to NJ101.5.
In South Plainfield, a massive warehouse distribution center was proposed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Bogota, Rep. Gottheimer announced a $277k grant for school safety, security, and law enforcement.
ICYMI: In Somerville, Black Lives Matter rally; in Roselle, a judge ordered a new meeting of Dems to select mayoral candidate; in Parsippany, Trump supporters held two rallies; in Dover, Bennett approved as administrator
AROUND THE WEB:
Trump campaign changes strategy in mail-in ballot lawsuit against New Jersey
Matt Friedman, Politico
- The Trump campaign has filed new arguments in its lawsuit to stop New Jersey from having a mostly mail-in election this November, but did nothing to hasten the lawsuit’s conclusion. The campaign late Friday filed an amended complaint against the state, claiming a law New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed late last month violates the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes pertaining to Election Day.
New Details on NJ Borrowing Plan as Fight Looms Over Tax Estimates
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- Just how much New Jersey will borrow to prop up the next state budget remains uncertain, but some important details about how new debt would be issued — and paid back by taxpayers — are beginning to emerge. According to budget documents and recent testimony during hearings before lawmakers, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration is planning to use a 10-year repayment schedule for a total of $4 billion in new debt to help fund a nine-month budget he put forward last month.
NJ budget: Taxes, more debt, ballooning pensions and more undesirable choices on the table
Ashley Balcerzak, Asbury Park Press
- New Jersey is in an economic recession, short billions of dollars in revenue and planning to cut more than $1 billion worth of programs in spending compared with past years. Despite that, if Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed 12-month budget is enacted as is, it will be the largest spending plan New Jersey has ever put in place: nearly $40.1 billion.
Ledyard King and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY
- It’s 50 days until voters cast their ballots for president, and Americans are on edge. It’s not just that they have been cooped up at home to avoid a deadly contagion. Or that some downtown areas have been wracked with unrest fueled by protests over police violence and racism. Or that Americans are facing financial hardships because of the pandemic.
Three men fled war-torn Syria. Now they are running a restaurant in Paterson.
Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times
- Mohammad Hlal, Diyaa Khatib, and Samir Alkhawalvan, who fled war-torn Syria and made it to the United States as refugees, opened their restaurant in South Paterson on Monday morning. Their restaurant Nour Al-Sham has Middle Eastern favorites like shish taouk and shawarma. It also has French fries and burgers. None of them ever imagined owning a restaurant in the United States.
Meet the people shaping N.J.’s cannabis industry – The CannaInfluencers.
NJ Cannabis Insider Staff
- They’re the family whose name became synonymous with New Jersey’s expansive medical marijuana program. She’s the health department regulator-turned-entrepreneur, seeking better ways to serve patients.
Sophie Nieto-Munoz, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Six months ago, as the pandemic forced parts of the economy to shut down, companies started laying off and furloughing workers. In the months since, some of the state’s 9 million residents received a $1,200 stimulus check, applied for expanded unemployment benefits, and sought opportunities for aid through the federal Paycheck Protection Program or small business loans.
PPE vending machines are being places at some NJ train stations
Steve Trevelise, NJ1015
- How many times have you run to make your train and then realize you forgot your mask? Well, if you’re at Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal, you can simply buy one from their new PPE vending machines that are being installed on a pilot basis. They will also be selling hand sanitizer, sanitized wipes, and disposable gloves. According to Patch.com, the machines will be rolled out to other terminals in the coming weeks. The Kinks once did an album called “Give The People What They Want” In New Jersey. We give the people what they need or at least think they need, depending on who you ask.
(VIDEO) Randolph Dem – again – seeks to bust GOP hold on county dais
PC Robinson, New Jersey Hills
- For the second time, township resident Cary Amaro wants to do what no Democrat has done in the past 47 years: Upend the all-Republican, seven-member Morris County freeholder dais.
Persichilli (accidentally) admits Murphy Administration is making this up and it goes along
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- The woman who needs an introduction Judy Persichelli was back in the news today, Save Jerseyans, and if you’ve been following the Murphy Administration’s handling of COVID-19, then you probably felt like your head exploded at one point during Monday’s committee testimony.
CentraState, Atlantic Health System seek expanded partnership
Linda Lindner, njbiz.com
- CentraState Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System said Monday they signed a letter of intent to create a unique model for health system co-ownership. Upon completion of this expanded partnership, Atlantic Health will become the majority corporate member in CentraState and CentraState will join the Atlantic Health System network of care. Under the new model, both systems will hold seats on a single CentraState governing board, each with specific rights and responsibilities.
Hunterdon County towns grab the spotlight with new website
Mike Deak, Bridgewater Courier News
- The small towns of Hunterdon County and their Main Streets are among the county’s most valuable assets. But they’ve been a hidden treasure. County residents take these towns for granted and don’t realize how special these towns are. A new website wants to change that.
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