Food at funerals! – Politico

Good Friday morning!

Great news: We’re just a couple steps away from being allowed to eat at funeral homes.

Yesterday, the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee approved a bill (S2807) that would allow funeral homes to serve food. Apparently, New Jersey is one of the only — if not the only — state that doesn’t allow this. The bill just needs to pass the Assembly (and the Senate once again because it was amended) to reach the governor.

Getting this bill signed soon is key. If Gov. Murphy vetoes the budget because it doesn’t include the millionaire’s tax, the Statehouse press corps would be able to hold a mock funeral for it while we eat finger foods and watch the government shut down.

So at least there’s that.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY-ALIGNED GROUP INTENTIONALLY BLEW OFF SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE TO DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 157

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I believe that the team in my office did what they believed was the right thing, and I stand behind them.” — Gov. Phil Murphy on how his top staffers handled the Alvarez scandal More here

WHERE’S MURPHY?: No public schedule

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: State Sen. Linda Greenstein, Burlington County Times reporter Gianluca D’Elia. Saturday for DHS spokesman Tom Hester Jr. Sunday for state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, Burlington County Freeholder Tom Pullion, Jersey City BOE President Suzanne Mack

NOTHING TO HIDE — Norcross asks judge to block task force’s report on tax incentives, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross wants a state judge to stop the task force investigating New Jersey’s tax incentive programs from issuing a report next week and holding another hearing. The request for a preliminary injunction by Norcross and several companies he’s linked to would bar the task force from operating until the outcome of a lawsuit Norcross and the companies filed against the task force is determined. The request was filed Thursday in Superior Court in Mercer County. The task force, which was appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy, has a hearing scheduled for Tuesday at which it plans to release a report ahead of the expiration of the state’s corporate tax incentive programs at the end of the month. Read more here

WANAQUE — “After viral outbreak that killed 11 kids, state vows to make big changes,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio and Ted Sherman: “The Department of Health is putting forth a series of requirements for nursing homes, including one that says parents or guardians must be contacted ‘immediately, following an event of significance.’ Many parents of children being cared for at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell said they did not learn of the outbreak until reading about it in media accounts. And the state itself did not publicly acknowledge there was an outbreak until contacted by NJ Advance Media, nearly two weeks after kids started dying. Many of the same proposals are reflected in a new bill that was introduced and unanimously passed by the Assembly Health Committee on Thursday. ‘Parents weren’t notified until children were very sick and died, and that cannot happen,’ said Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, a prime sponsor of the bill with Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, the health committee chairman. ‘They have to be told as soon as possible.’” Read more here

‘TONE’S FINE’ — Murphy meets with Sweeney, Coughlin as budget deadline looms, by POLITICO’s Ryan Hutchins: Gov. Phil Murphy met Thursday afternoon with legislative leaders less than four weeks before the state budget deadline, as the two sides remain bitterly divided over the governor’s proposed millionaire’s tax. Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin emerged from the governor’s office in Trenton saying little about how things went during the meeting with Murphy, which was said to have lasted less than an hour. “Tone’s fine,” Sweeney said as he climbed into the passenger seat of his state SUV. Asked about the process to get a budget done, he said, “We talk. We talk.” Read more here

WHO SAYS THE ‘POLLINATOR PATHWAY’ IS NOT URGENT? — “Legislature set to override Murphy dark money veto, maybe on Monday,’ by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Sources with direct knowledge of the legislative leadership’s plans said that Sweeney and Coughlin have agreed to hold a vote. Another source said that preparations for the vote are being made, but that a deal with Murphy is still possible. The Legislature has a voting session on Monday that Sweeney and Coughlin added to the calendar just recently, despite having other sessions scheduled this month to coincide with budget season. Legislation scheduled to be considered in both houses lack the substance and urgency that would typically cause legislative leaders to bring their members to Trenton — almost as if Sweeney and Coughlin needed an excuse to ensure legislators will be around if they need them. The Assembly Agriculture Committee is set to consider fast-tracked legislation introduced today that creates a ‘Pollinator Pathway’ designation for municipalities, and allows for the collection of seeds from wild native plants.” Read more here

—“No signs of GOP unity in 8th district” Read more here

— “State lawmakers seek to improve drug-pricing transparency” Read more here

— “Senate committee advances bill offering disability benefits to 9/11 first responders” Read more here

—“Owners of summer cottage rentals seek hotel and sales tax exemption that realtors enjoy” Read more here

—“How NJ high school graduation requirements have changed — again” Read more here

—“Highest-ranking female lawmaker calls Murphy’s defense of aides’ handling of rape allegation ‘a disservice to the women of New Jersey’” Read more here

A ZUCKY SITUATION — “Democrats take aim at Silicon Valley. They take its cash, too,” by The New York Times’ Shane Goldmacher and Stephanie Saul: “Three of the most aggressive candidates chasing Silicon Valley money have been Mr. Booker, Mr. Buttigieg and Ms. Harris, according to interviews with donors and event invitations obtained by The New York Times. All three have substantial ties to the Valley. Mr. Booker attended Stanford and once was an investor in an internet start-up (another investor, the billionaire LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, recently hosted a fund-raiser for Mr. Booker). Mr. Booker also worked closely with Mark Zuckerberg when the Facebook founder donated $100 million to revamp Newark schools, an undertaking that got mixed reviews … Matt Stoller, a fellow at the Open Market Institute and an outspoken critic of the consolidation of power in the tech industry, said there were clear differences in the deference that candidates gave to Silicon Valley leaders. ‘Buttigieg and Harris treat them like they’re special,”’Mr. Stoller said. ‘Warren treats them as they’re just citizens. Booker goes back and forth.’” Read more here

—“Spezakis launches primary challenge against Pascrell” Read more here

SOMEHOW I DOUBT THIS WILL MEAN ANY LESS MONEY FOR LAKEWOOD BUSING — “A school bus company with a troubling safety record is transporting thousands of kids each day,” by NJ Advance Media’s Erin Petenko: “On a cloudy November morning in 2015, a school bus packed with children darted out of a side street in Lakewood and plowed into the front of Jose Osorio’s 2001 Honda Civic, exploding into flames, according to a police report … This was not the first time a school bus operated by Jay’s Bus Service — a Lakewood-based company that operates in two counties — had been involved in a dangerous crash with children aboard. In fact, Jay’s buses have been in 78 accidents since November 2015 — the highest crash total of any private bus company in New Jersey. The company has double the average crash rate of all bus companies that operate in the state, transportation records show … Yet despite a torrent of complaints against the company, Jay’s continues shuttling thousands of kids to and from school each day in 20 public districts all over Monmouth and Ocean counties. All told, public districts have contracted with the company for at least $6.5 million per year, state records show — and that total is going up. In February, Lakewood’s school board expanded its contract with Jay’s, giving the company $2.4 million to transport public school children.” Read more here

SPARTA — “Police say convicted former NJ cop, Sparta mayor sent suicide note to family,” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “The former Sparta mayor and police captain who went missing in Vermont last week sent a suicide note and personal items to family after leaving New Jersey, local police said. Brian Brady, 57, was reported missing on May 30, the day before Vermont State Police found his rental car in a parking lot near the Champlain Bridge in Addison, Vermont, police said. Police divers subsequently and unsuccessfully searched Lake Champlain for two days. Ringwood Police Chief Joseph Walker said authorities suspected suicide after Brady sent a suicide note along with his keys, his cellphone and a will to his brother on May 24. The package was mailed from a post office in Jeffersonville, Vermont, north of South Cambridge, where Brady owns a condo, Walker said.” Read more here

PUBLISHER OF ‘SPOTLIGHT’ BLOG HIDES IN SHADOWS — “Hamilton Spotlight blog that published gadfly’s expunged records goes dark after Republican primary,” by The Trentonian’s Isaac Avilucea: “The Hamilton Spotlight blog that published GOP challenger David Henderson’s expunged criminal records is no more. At least it appears that way. The Trentonian attempted to access the blog the day after the Republican primary and got an odd ‘permission denied’ message … The Trentonian, despite extensive efforts, has been unable to determine the author of the Hamilton Spotlight blog. However, Hamilton Township Republican chairman Dennis Pone facilitated a $300 payout to Hamilton Pulse publisher Michael Sabo to resolve a copyright infringement claim that arose over the blog site’s use of one of Sabo’s photos.” Read more here

SURVIVING THE GILMORE PURGE — “Ocean County Administrator Carl W. Block to remain in office until 2022,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “Ocean County Administrator Carl W. Block is expected to remain in his job until July 2022, after the Board of Freeholders approved a new three-year contract for him Wednesday. Block, 67, of Stafford, will receive an annual base salary of $189,500, and his hours will be extended from 35 hours per week to 40 hours per week under the agreement that goes into effect on July 1. According to Data Universe, the online public database of the Asbury Park Press, Block received a total salary of $191,820 in 2018.” Read more here

BOLD STRATEGY — “Bergen County GOP plans to highlight taxes in campaign against Democratic freeholders,” by The Record’s Terrence T. McDonald: “Bergen County Republicans are planning a classic ‘tax and spend’ attack line against Democratic freeholders in hopes of loosening the Democratic Party’s grip on the county in November. Citing a 2017 hike in the open space tax and $21 million spike in debt service costs since 2014, the campaign for the trio of GOP freeholder candidates say the Democratic freeholders running for re-election this fall cannot be trusted with another term. The Republican hopefuls — Woodcliff Lake Councilman Corrado Belgiovine, Kathleen Cericola and Alyssa Dawson — are also tying their rivals to Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. A June 3 press release from the trio said Bergen’s freeholders and Murphy don’t ‘understand who the middle class are and how much they are suffering.’” Read more here

E-L-E-C. EASY AS ONE, TWO THREE. OR SIMPLE AS DO RE MI —“Bogota candidates cited for election violations, five years after campaign,” by The Record’s Megan Burrow: “Former Mayor Tito Jackson, two former Borough Council candidates and their campaign treasurer have been cited for election law violations dating back to a political campaign they ran five years ago. Jackson, his Democratic running mates Lisa Kohles and Ingrid Brito, and their treasurer Robert Ferro were cited by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, or ELEC, based on 12 counts of election law violations, including filing forms late, not reporting donors’ employer names and addresses and failing to file a final report during their 2014 campaign. The former candidates and treasurer responded to the ELEC complaint this week and provided the missing information, Jackson said.” Read more here

$30K ISN’T EVEN A LUNCH STIPEND FOR A NJ PUBLIC OFFICIAL — “President led troubled N.J. college for a year and only earned $30K. He fought for more and lost,” by NJ Advance Media’s Karen Yi: “A state appeals court has ruled that a retired college president, who returned to lead the institution as it surfaced from scandal, cannot earn a salary and collect his pension at the same time — no matter how desperate the situation. A. Zachary Yamba, who served as president of Essex County College for 29 years before retiring in 2010, was brought back as interim president in 2016. At the time, the institution was reeling from a series of high-profile ousters, including the suspension, and eventual firing, of its former president.” Read more here

—Murphy administration rejects Williams pipeline Read more here

—Murphy highlights pre-K investments in pitch for millionaire’s tax Read more here

—“Sticky-fingered judge who helped himself to DWI money kicked off the bench for good” Read more here

—“Elementary school was ‘abusive and hostile’ racist hellscape for one of its only black teachers, suit alleges” Read more here

—“East Rutherford Republicans get second chance with write-in campaign” Read more here

—“Burlington County school officials take funding fight to legislators’ offices” Read more here

—“NJ’s incinerators are spewing toxins in already polluted low-income communities” Read more here

—“Sources: Ex-Hoboken tax collector who pleaded guilty to tax evasion was Raia’s accountant” Read more here

—“Hoboken mayor chides council members after budget approval” Read more here

—“Essex prosecutor investigating Cedar Grove vote-by-mail ballots” Read more here

TOMS RIVER— “Danny DeVito options film rights for Toms River cancer cluster story,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Amanda Oglesby: “A film company owned by actor Danny DeVito has optioned the screen rights of an award-winning book about a Toms River chemical spill and cancer cluster. Author Dan Fagin — whose book ‘Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation’ won the Pulitzer Prize in 2014 for general non-fiction — confirmed DeVito’s involvement in a Tweet on Wednesday.” Read more here

THE PRICE DIDN’T WANNA GO UP — “Toys R Us headquarters in Wayne sold for $19M, worth $94M,” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: “It could take months, if not more than a year, before a plan to redevelop the former Toys R Us headquarters is hammered out, the new property owner said. The 193-acre site was purchased by Point View Wayne Properties, a limited liability company, for $19 million through a bankruptcy proceeding in Richmond, Virginia, in February and finalized a month later.” Read more here

— “CBD in NJ: Magical cure for aches and anxieties or just marijuana hype?” Read more here

—“Man charged in killing of defrocked NJ priest” Read more here

—“Barclays moving 500 jobs to N.J. from Delaware” Read more here

—“We’re from New Jersey. And yes, most of us are happy, new poll shows” Read more here