Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 1/4/2021 – InsiderNJ

Follow Insider NJ’s COVID-19 Information Update Center and Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.

Read and download Insider NJ’s 2020 Retrospective publication.

The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 492,042 cases and 17,187 fatalities (and 2,021 probable fatalities) as of Sunday; the viral transmission rate is .92.

Governor Murphy and NJDOH Commissioner Persichilli marked the launch of the state’s vaccination effort at the end of 2020.

Governor Murphy and State Police Superintendent Colonel Callahan clarified that indoor sports practices and competitions are subject to indoor gathering limits.

Governor Murphy announced that NJDHS Commissioner Johnson will depart on January 15th to join the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 response team; Sarah Adelman will become the Acting NJDHS Commissioner.

The NJDOL reported that the total unemployment benefit claims are nearing 1.9M with total payments of $20.5B since the beginning the pandemic. The department announced that the maximum benefits rates increased as of January 1st. The department is awaiting guidance on the implementation of the federal unemployment benefits extension. The department received nearly 1,200 complaints of workplace violations of the Governor’s COVID-19 protections order.

The Governors of NJ, RI, NH, CT, ME, VT, and MA announced the extension of the suspension of interstate youth hockey competitions through the end of January.

The AG’s Office announced charges seeking to revoke the liquor licenses of 12 bars and restaurants that have been accused of violating COVID-19 orders.

The NJDMAVA announced the beginning of COVID-19 vaccinations at the state’s three veterans nursing homes.

The NJDHS announced the expansion of COVID-19 childcare assistance programs through the end of January.

The NJ Treasury extended the deadline to apply for the Senior Freeze Property Tax reimbursement program.

NJ SNAP recipients will receive a 15% increase in food assistance benefits.

NJ’s COVID-19 vaccination distribution is progressing, but slowly, according to Politico NJ.

Atlantic County will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations tomorrow.

Bergen County announced that 1,000 Moderna vaccines arrived in the county at the end of 2020; the first vaccinations began last Monday. The county announced the January dates for drive-thru COVID-19 testing.

Burlington County is resuming its COVID-19 testing program at Rowan University and began administering the COVID-19 vaccine to EMS workers.

Camden County swore-in Gabe Rodriguez as the new County Police Chief.

Cape May County plans to administer COVID-19 vaccines to first responders early this month. Crest Haven Nursing Home will receive its first vaccines tomorrow. The county announced long-range planning for COVID-19 testing.

Cumberland County Freeholder Surrency called for the resignation of County Jail Warden Smith.

Essex County began administering the COVID-19 vaccine last Saturday.

Gloucester County is continuing its COVID-19 testing through February.

Hudson County opened its COVID-19 vaccination distribution center on December 23rd. 17 inmates at the Hudson County Jail tested positive for COVID-19, including 8 on Christmas Eve, according to Hudson County View.

A source says Mercer County Freeholder Frisby is being investigated by the state for allegedly delivering a VBM to a dead man, according to NJ.com.

Middlesex County launched mobile COVID-19 testing clinics.

modified its COVID-19 testing plan to focus on the County College of Morris.

Monmouth County began administering its first round of COVID-19 vaccines.

Morris County modified its COVID-19 testing plan.

Passaic County is offering its first round of COVID-19 vaccines.

Salem County anticipates the arrival of its first COVID-19 vaccine shipment early this month.

Somerset County released its COVID-19 vaccination plan overview.

Sussex County is preparing for the administering of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Union County’s Commissioner Board selected Al Mirabella as Board Chairman, and announced the ‘Union Rising’ initiative.

Warren County received the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccination at the end of the year. COVID-19 underscored the first county commissioners’ meeting of 2021, according to Lehigh Valley Live. Lori Ciesla was sworn-in as a commissioner; James Kern was named Board Director.

Rep. Sherrill voted ‘present’ during yesterday’s House speakership vote (iLine post), one of five Democrats to refrain from voting for Speaker Pelosi.

Rep. Payne’s ‘Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act’ was signed into law by President Trump.

Reps. Kim and Sires expressed support for President-elect Biden’s nomination of General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense.

Rep. Smith’s anti-Semitism bill passed the House.

Rep. Pascrell sent a letter to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration requesting a review of faulty or erroneous notices sent out by the IRS.

Caesars Entertainment and MGM workers approved a contract.

Police are alarmed over a new NJ motorcycle gang, according to NJ Herald.

A NJ lab is being sued for allegedly selling bogus COVID-19 tests, according to the Daily Record.

Morris County Republicans are considering adopting the ‘county line’ for primaries, a move that would have real-world ramifications for elections, both in the county and statewide.

Former Somerset County GOP Freeholder Levine launched an exploratory committee to examine a run for governor in the GOP primary this year. Insider NJ’s Max Pizarro interviewed Levine, who says ‘I get a little frustrated with how I see things happening in the state and I think it needs a fix’ (video).

Union County Commissioner Garretson celebrated the end of the ‘freeholder era’, and discussed the implications of the name change to ‘county commissioners’ with Insider NJ.

GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Jack Ciattarelli rolled out endorsements in Hunterdon County.

Jersey native Jennifer Holdsworth and Stuart Karp were married on New Year’s Eve.

Republican Guglielmello wants to run for LD25 Assembly (iLine post).

Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Suleiman slammed GOP Rep. Van Drew’s announcement he will object to the Electoral College count.

The NJ Federation of Democratic Women announced 2021 leadership.

PA State Senator Sharif Street opened an exploratory committee to gauge a US Senate candidacy in 2022.

Former Cumberland County Democratic Chairman Riley passed away (iLine post). LD1 Senator Testa offered his condolences to the Riley family.

In LD15, Michael Silvestri announced his primary candidacy for Assembly.

President Trump pardoned Charles Kushner (iLine post).

New Direction NJ voluntarily released its donor list for the second year.

The NJ State AFL-CIO released its 2020 Labor Year-in-Review.

Former Atlantic County Clerk Garvin passed away, according to Downbeach.

Governor Murphy took action on legislation and took action on legislation at the end of December, including signing the Horizon corporate restructure bill. Move Healthcare Forward NJ President Bone applauded the bill signing.

Senator Doherty discusses the Trump era, VBM elections, the 2021 gubernatorial election, and more with Insider NJ editor Max Pizarro (video).

The NJMVC is delaying implementation of driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants (iLine post). Make The Road NJ denounced the delay.

Newark Mayor Baraka came to the defense of Senator Rice against Senator Scutari’s ‘you haven’t done a thing’ comments directed at Rice last year, saying Rice has his ‘unwavering support‘ and is a ‘true hero’. Rice himself called on Scutari to apologize to the ‘people of New Jersey’, saying the ‘voices of the disadvantaged and disenfranchised will not be silenced‘; Rice’s districtmate, Assemblyman Caputo had called on Scutari to resign and face Senate censure.

The NJ Treasury announced several initiatives to advance businesses owner by minorities, women, and veterans.

Speaker Coughlin applauded the minimum wage increase to $12/hour, which went into effect on January 1st.

Senator O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman DiMaso condemned the minimum wage increase as ‘ill-advised’ and counter-productive’.

Senators Pennacchio and Doherty cited studies to counteract Governor Murphy’s ‘aggressive stranglehold’ on the economy via his COVID-19 orders.

Senator Testa called for an investigation into the state’s handling of COVID-19 in state veterans homes.

Assemblyman Holley, a member of the Assembly Health Committee, boasted of ignoring the state COVID-19 travel advisory, according to Politico NJ.

Assemblyman Bergen released a PSA on children suicide.

Assemblywoman Tucker introduced legislation requiring additional reporting information on state veterans memorial homes.

The NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice announced Amy Torres as their new Director.

The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program applauded $10M in the 2021 federal budget included for Delaware River conservation.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency-NJ is changing its name to the National Center for Advocacy and Recovery for Behavioral Health.

Empower NJ and 100 groups sent a letter to Governor Murphy requesting he stop the Gibbstown LNG Port project.

The NJ AFL-CIO condemned the loss of prevailing wage protections for building trades.

In Jersey City, the Boggiano-Fulop alliance seemed to come as a political earthquake, but the two appear to have more in common than most would expect.

In Sea Bright, Jeffrey Booker made history as the first African-American man on the town council; Booker told Insider NJ that ‘we still live in a country where opportunity exists for people who want to take advantage of it’.

In Monroe, Mayor Tamburro passed away; first elected to the council in 2001, Tamburro became mayor in 2016. Middlesex County Democratic Chairman McCabe mourned Tamburro, calling him a ‘consummate professional’. Rep. Watson Coleman said Tamburro ‘fiercely fought for his constituents’. Senate President Sweeney praised Tamburro as a ‘selfless public servant’. Speaker Coughlin said Tamburro was a ‘tireless advocate‘ for Monroe. The LD14 legislators hailed Tamburro as a ‘devoted public servant’.

In Newark, Mayor Baraka announced Captain Lee Douglas as the new Acting Police Chief, effective January 1st. The AG’s Office is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting.

In Paterson, the city began administering COVID-19 vaccines at the end of 2020. A vendor is suing the Sayegh Administration for non-payment, according to Paterson Times. Assemblymembers Sumter and Wimberly mourned the passing of former Eastside High Principal Joe Clark. The Sayegh Administration bungled an initiative to charge developers to review their development plans, according to Paterson Times. Alex Mendez won the Ward 3 recount, according to Paterson Times.

In Hoboken, the city and Riverside Medical Group partnered to administer COVID-19 vaccines to Hudson County healthcare workers. Mayor Bhalla and Councilman DeFusco announced the expansion of the availability of HIV prevention drug PrEP to city employees.

In Trenton, Councilwoman Vaughn sent a letter to Governor Murphy and AG Grewal calling on them to stop the rehiring of a ‘bad apple’ police officer. Clerk Conlon’s past includes a nolled felony charge and workplace complaints, according to the Trentonian.

In Hamilton (Mercer), the GOP is seeking candidates for council. The township swore-in the inaugural members of the Fire Division. The school district’s new business leader signed a contract for $188k, according to the Trentonian.

In Carteret, former Mayor Failace passed away.

In Clifton, the AG’s Office is investigating a non-fatal police shooting.

In Parsippany, Councilmembers McCarthy and Peterson announced they won’t seek re-election this year. Mayor Soriano announced his re-election bid.

In Livingston, Shawn Klein was sworn-in as mayor (iLine post).

In Hawthorne, Rep. Gottheimer swore-in councilmembers.

In Bergenfield, a COVID-19 testing site will open today.

In Bridgewater, the township launched a new roads improvement website.

In Pompton Lakes, Rep. Sherrill announced $340k for drug prevention programs.

In Red Bank, the AG’s Office announced further action against a now-defunct securities company that defrauded unsuspecting investors. Councilman Yassin was chosen as Council President for the year.

In Bernardsville, the BOE is seeking applicants to fill a vacant seat, according to NJ Hills.

In Boonton, the state is targeting a former garment manufacturer with an environmental cleanup lawsuit, according to NJ Hills.

In Caldwell, a judge reversed a ruling against a fired police lieutenant, according to NJ Hills; the town is appealing the decision.

In Chatham Township, the outgoing mayor reflected on the past year, according to NJ Hills.

In Clark, Mayor Bonaccorso was sworn-in for a sixth term, according to TAPinto.

In Collinsgwood, the school district settled a lawsuit for $950k, according to the Courier Post.

In Colts Neck, Committeeman Viola was sworn-in by Jack Ciattarelli, according to TAPinto.

In Freehold, the Regional school district rescheduled the leaked voided exam, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Garfield, the council reorganized, according to the Bergen Record.

In Howell, a lawsuit alleges that police pinned a mother on top of her dead son, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Long Branch, a land swap could mean more affordable housing, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Longport, the town will hire an engineer to review the effect of Margate’s Amherst Avenue project, according to Downbeach. The township committee reorganized, according to Downbeach.

In Mount Laurel, a controversial Wawa was approved, according to Burlington County Times.

In Neptune City, the Democrats prevailed in a recount, according to MoreMonmouthMusings.

In Nutley, the ON3 legal battle as begun, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Rochelle Park, Committeewoman Artola was selected to serve as mayor, according to the Bergen Record.

In Sandyston, a record was set with over $12,000 raised for local families, according to NJ Herald.

In Tewskbury, outgoing BOE members were honored, according to NJ Hills.

In Vernon, the town nixed a deal with the former Playboy Club owner, according to NJ Herald.

In Wall, a lawsuit targets ‘glue factory’ fumes from a home builder, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Warren Township, the master plan was amended to reduce potential development, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

In West Milford, a gas project is under fire, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Westwood, a popular mailman retired after 50 years, according to the Bergen Record.

In Woodbridge, the boat slip expansion began with the purchase of a Sewaren marina, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Vineland, Governor Murphy says the veterans home is ‘getting crushed‘ by a COVID-19 outbreak, according to Politico NJ.