Impeachment inquiry vote just days before N.J. election – Politico
I think it’s pretty clear that this year’s Assembly races are the most nationalized they’ve been in years — at least since I’ve been covering New Jersey politics, and probably since the Watergate era.
So the newly-announced Thursday vote on the House impeachment inquiry probably works out pretty well for “Team Van Drew” down in the 1st District.
Van Drew is one of just a few Democrats against impeachment. So his expected vote against this resolution would come just five days before the election. In most of New Jersey, that would be a liability. But in a state where Trump is deeply unpopular, this South Jersey area is one where he seems to be relatively popular. And even though Van Drew is in Congress, the three Democratic incumbent legislators are running as “Team Van Drew.”
But there is one data point that suggests Trump isn’t as popular in the district as most of us have assumed him to be. Last week, Stockton released a poll of the district that showed Democratic state Sen. Bob Andrzejczak ahead of Republican challenger Mike Testa by 14 points. Now, taken with the caveat that Andrzejczak’s margin over Testa in that poll is bigger than most people would expect in such a competitive district, the poll showed Trump’s approval rating there at just 38 percent, while 50 percent disapprove. And the district was split pretty much down the middle on impeachment.
But we can’t base much off just one poll. And the candidates, of course, have their own polls. Based on their political rhetoric, I’m guessing they may look different than the Stockton one.
QUOTE OF THE DAY — “Where are you today? … Seriously. This is a major national crisis.” — Cory Booker, who has ducked questions about Essex County Correctional Facility, at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia for a criminal justice town hall. Most of Booker’s 2020 rivals were not there. (Eastern State is a great museum, by the way)
WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Hoboken for an 11 a.m. announcement on “climate resiliency”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Robert Singer, Jamestown’s Tony Sayegh, NJSEA’s Steve Cattuna (had him listed prematurely yesterday. Sorry!)
HOW DID MASTRO COST MORE THAN THIS? — “Taxpayers face $6.5M tab for tax break investigation,” by The AP’s Michael Catalini: “Gov. Phil Murphy’s investigation into corporate tax breaks has so far cost New Jersey taxpayers $6.5 million, according to invoices obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request. Murphy, a Democrat, set up a task force early this year after separate state auditor and comptroller reports raised questions about how billions of dollars in awards to corporations were being doled out. New York-based firms Walden Macht & Haran and Quinones Law are conducting the investigation on behalf of Ronald Chen, a former Rutgers Law School dean, who chairs the task force. So far, the firms have billed a combined $6.5 million.”
DISCLOSURE — “It’s very hard for NJ voters to find out how much lawmakers make from outside jobs. How we did it,” by The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak: “New Jersey lawmakers, some in critical leadership positions, pull in millions of dollars from public contracts every year. But for the public to find out if their elected representatives and the private businesses they work for are collecting public money, voters must navigate a complicated maze of documents, incomplete data and records requests. At least seven legislators work at companies that held government contracts in 2018, the latest data available … combined, the six firms won $74.4 million in public contracts and donated at least $148,100 to candidates and both political parties in 2018, a non-election year for state government, according to NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission data. But that only captures a fraction of contracts linked to lawmakers … The ELEC database only includes firms that win contracts and make political contributions.”
SOMEONE TELL SECAUCUS STATION ‘DE-ESCALATION’ DOESN’T MEAN THIS — “NJ Transit’s angry riders prompt crew training to stem assaults,” by Bloomberg’s Elise Young: “A soaring number of physical assaults on New Jersey Transit employees have led the agency to step up anti-violence training as bus and train riders vent about crowding and cancellations. Twenty-seven personnel have reported assaults either on board trains or on NJ Transit rail property from January through July, according to Federal Railroad Administration data. That’s four more than for calendar years 2016-2018 combined … Bus and rail employees and NJ Transit police now will get ‘conflict de-escalation’ training from Rutgers University’s National Transit Institute, to supplement existing coursework, according to an agency news release. ‘The best way to help employees at risk of on-the-job assaults is to help them prevent the assault,’ Michael Rubin, an NJ Transit employee court advocate, said in a statement”
SANDY FUNDS — “More than 800 Sandy victims still waiting for grant money to rebuild homes,” by News 12’s Walt Kane: “Seven years after Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey, more than 800 grant recipients still have not completed construction and returned home. Supplemental funding announced last year by Gov. Phil Murphy could make a huge difference, but it has yet to be distributed. Robin Buck of Long Branch is one of the hundreds of Sandy grant recipients inching, slowly and painfully, toward the finish line. His home was badly damaged in the storm. His state-approved contractor then caused irreversible foundation damage, and Buck was left with a vacant lot and not enough money to rebuild.”
ELECTRIC CARS — “Picking up the Pace on Electric Vehicles — and Charging Stations — in NJ,” by NJ Spotlight’s Tom Johnson: “A new consensus bill to accelerate adoption of plug-in electric vehicles could end gridlock over how to electrify the transportation sector in the state, a step most view as critical to New Jersey achieving its goals to combat global warming. With backing from Gov. Phil Murphy’s office, key legislators and a wide coalition of business and clean energy interests, prospects have improved for the new version of the legislation (S-2252) to win passage in the lame duck Legislature, which begins after next month’s statewide elections. The comprehensive bill establishes lofty goals for increasing the number of public charging stations for electric vehicles in New Jersey, and proposes funneling up to $30 million in rebates to incent motorists to abandon gasoline-fueled cars for plug-in or battery electric vehicles.”
DID YOU KNOW RAY LESNIAK IS PRO-INCENTIVE? — “This bill will give N.J. the most powerful economic development tools in America,” by Raymond Lesniak for The Star-Ledger: “Our draft legislation will produce the most robust tax incentives in America. Our legislation creates public-private partnerships that would attract business investment and development in growth industries like biotechnology, life sciences, clean energy, information technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence. It will attract and retain jobs that would otherwise go out of state and take their businesses’ tax dollars with them. These companies would provide health insurance for New Jersey residents and pay prevailing wages to construction workers and building services employees.”
GILMORE — Gilmore sentencing scheduled for January by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Former Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore will be sentenced in January for his tax-related criminal convictions, according to court filings. U.S. District Court Judge Anne Thompson last week scheduled Gilmore’s sentencing for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9. Sentencing had initially been planned for July 2019, but Thompson delayed it and ordered Gilmore to undergo a psychological evaluation.
—“Getting to American Dream could be a nightmare. This expert has 3 better ideas”
—“N.J. judges get schooled on rape, domestic violence cases after comments landed some in hot water”
—“Panel to probe NJ Transit’s problems starts next month and Murphy says he’s on board”
BUT THE CAMPAIGN ISSUE IS UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO GREW UP HERE GETTING STATE FINANCIAL AID— Number of uninsured Asian American, Hispanic children growing, new report finds, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: A growing number of Asian American and Hispanic children in New Jersey are no longer covered by health insurance, a development progressive activists say is linked to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. A new report from the left-leaning think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective found that the number of uninsured Asian American and Hispanic children grew by 6.5 percent between 2017 and 2018, rising to almost 43,000. Asian Americans and Hispanics represent around 85 percent of New Jersey’s immigrant population. During the same period, which coincided with a steady decline in the state’s unemployment rate — which often correlates to the percentage of the population that’s uninsured — the number of white and African American children living in New Jersey without health coverage shrunk by roughly 3,600, according to NJPP’s analysis of U.S. census data.
ALSO KNOWN AS ‘TRUCKS’ — “Bill would prevent potential killers from renting ‘terror trucks,’ says N.J. congressman,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Arco: “U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer wants to prevent would-be killers from renting ‘terror trucks’ and other vehicles that could be used in deadly attacks, such as the rampage in Lower Manhattan two years ago in which eight people were killed, including a 32-year-old New Jersey man. The bi-partisan legislation would ask federal authorities to identify ‘red flags’ of possible terrorists and then share that information with car rental companies. ‘They represent a new weapon of mass destruction,’ Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., said at an event in New Milford, referring to rented trucks used in terrorist attacks to mow down bystanders here and in Europe.”
—“‘Finally taking this seriously.’ On chronic Lyme disease, a government breakthrough”
—“Cory Booker has raised $18M for his presidential campaign. Here’s where it came from”
—“SJ manufacturers tell lawmakers they need pipeline to skilled labor”
ANNUAL BUDGET IS ALMOST DOUBLE DANA REDD’S SALARY (PRE-BENEFITS) — “Camden Works, announced in September 2018, launches,” by The Courier-Post’s Phaedra Trethan: “Camden Works, a program meant to connect city residents with jobs that was first announced more than a year ago and originally slated to be up and running by the beginning of 2019, is now a reality … Camden Works’ financial partners — involved with fundraising and financing, but not with its operations — will include George E. Norcross III, Cooper University Hospital and MD Anderson at Cooper; Susan Story, American Water; United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey; The Michaels Organization; NFI; Conner Strong & Buckelew (Norcross’ insurance firm); Wells Fargo; Investors Bank; and EMR … ‘The financial partners are guaranteeing four years of financing,’ Norcross told the Courier Post … Camden Works’ budget will be $500,000 per year, Kolluri and Norcross both said.”
BLUE ACRES IS THE PLACE TO LEAVE — “In two small South Jersey towns, 63 homeowners will leave their flooded homes — if the state’s offer makes financial sense,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Ellie Rushing: “53 Southampton and 10 Pemberton Township homeowners [have been] accepted by Blue Acres, according to a DEP spokesperson. The June flooding has prompted one of the largest community buyouts that the program has had since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The buyout process typically takes two to three years, officials said, but in an effort to help homeowners and save the government money, Blue Acres officials hope to close on properties as early as possible next year.”
THE TOWN HAS EATON ITSELF FROM WITHIN — “Three officials resign from Eatontown, another to leave amid unstable council,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Dan Radel: “As in three key borough professionals — Administrator Cherron Rountree, Public Works Director Spencer Carpenter and Zoning Officer Erik Brachman — all submitted their resignations this month. Another key official, Borough Attorney Gene Anthony, said he wouldn’t seek reappointment or accept it when his contract ends in December. There’s more. A revolving door of a council has seen four members — all Democrats — resign in the last year. Only three members have been replaced, so the six-member council is operating with just five. What explains all the upheaval? Some officials point to antipathy among the officials or economic and professional opportunism.”
TERROR ALERT SET TO YELLOW — “Seaside Heights bomb scare triggered by urine-filled bottle: police,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Amanda Oglesby: “A 911 caller standing on the boardwalk had reported an object located in the middle of the beach near Carteret Avenue, Seaside Heights Police Detective Steve Korman said. What authorities discovered when they arrived at the scene was not an explosive; rather, they found a plastic water bottle wrapped in duct tape and filled with urine.”
WILL THE POLL WORKERS BE PAID IN SINGLES? — “Want to earn $200? Wayne, other Passaic County towns really need poll workers,” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: “A possible reason for that, according to Kenneth Hirmann, who heads the office of the Passaic County Board of Elections, could be the $200 wage for the day, which has not risen in 18 years … Hirmann said the dearth of poll workers is a county-wide problem, noting that Clifton, Hawthorne and Passaic also are experiencing shortages … The number of poll workers necessary for elections in the county is 1,424, and Hirmann said, his office is shy by about 225… A bipartisan bill … would increase the wage for poll workers to $300 per day.”
THE MACK CALI WILL MAKE YOU JUMP, JUMP —“Hoboken-linked super PAC gets $30k from Mack-Cali, set to spend $19k in 1st Ward,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “NJ Community Initiatives received a $30,000 contribution from Mack-Cali on October 18th, according to an October 25th filing with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission … The PAC, chaired by Louis Venezia, the chief of the Bloomfield Fire Department and the mayor’s brother, then paid $19,420 to the Belmar-based firm Real World Consulting, the report says. That money has been earmarked for direct mail, printing and postage, for Migdalia Pagan-Milano, who is seeking to unseat 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco.”
— “Non-Establishment Democrats Want State to Monitor Elections in Piscataway”
—“Paterson parents shocked by sexual harassment probe that prompted principal’s resignation”
—“Kushner Cos. files new suit against Jersey City claiming unfair dealings due to Trump ties”
—“Burlington County collision: Dems threaten GOP power at the sheriff’s office”
—Snowflack: “Morris under a microscope in Morris Twp.”
UNIDENTIFIED F___ING OBJECTS — “PA, NJ ranked among UFO hot spots,” by The Burlington County Times’ James McGinnis: “Just in time for Halloween, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were ranked among the most likely places in the U.S. to see a UFO. Pennsylvania ranked seventh and New Jersey 14th as states with the most reported UFOs, according to an analysis of reports collected by the National UFO Center based in Washington state.”
MOSCOW MULE — “NJ woman caught with pot at Russian airport faces 7 years in prison,” by The New York Post’s Doree Lewak: “When Naama Issachar was caught with 9.5 grams of marijuana at a Moscow airport in April, the 26-year-old’s expectation of a wrist slap turned into a nightmare. Earlier this month, she was sentenced to seven and a half years for drug smuggling after the charges were upgraded from possession. Now her sister, Liad Goldberg of Williamsburg, is claiming that Issachar is a victim of government maneuvering. ‘My sister is being used as a political pawn,’ said Goldberg, 32. It’s been reported that Russia is angling for a swap between Issachar and the Russian hacker Alexei Burkov, who was arrested and jailed in Israel in 2015, and who is awaiting extradition to the US.”
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT N.J. STEPHEN KING MOVIE: ‘CURRIE’ — “Stephen King miniseries films in NJ,” by The Courier-News’ Jenna Intersimone: “The Garden State is known for its strange sites, ghostly stories and supposedly haunted houses, and apparently those vibes have attracted the king of horror himself – Stephen King. Filming for an eight-episode miniseries on Apple TV starring Julianne Moore which is based on King’s 2006 novel ‘Lisey’s Story’ took place at the historic Van Liew-Suydam house this week.”
—“Judge: Killer can’t inherit ex-girlfriend’s retirement savings”
—“A beloved N.J. fish is in big trouble. What’s next for striper fishing?”
