Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 10/29/2019 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 10/29/2019:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We’re in the stupid, silly season now.” – LD39 Assemblywoman Schepisi one week out before Election Day
TOP STORY: Battleground NJ: Andrzejczak and Testa Collide in LD1 Debate
Join Insider NJ at our Power Party (Part III) during the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City on Tuesday, November 19th.
In battleground LD1, Senator Andrzejczak and challenger Testa collided in a debate last night, along with the Assembly candidates. NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt rallied the GOP beforehand (video) ahead of the debate; among the attendees were Senator Minority Leader Kean and the 2020 CD2 GOP primary candidates. Watch Testa at the courthouse (video) and watch Andrzejczak arrive for the debate (video). Last week, a Stockton poll showed Andrezjczak beating Testa by double digits, Testa’s team brushed aside the poll, saying they expect to win.
In LD25, now-Senator Bucco and his Assembly runningmate Bergen clashed in a debate last night with Democratic challengers Bhimani and Draeger.
In LD39, Democratic Assembly candidates Birkner and Falotico released a video showing an altercation between Birkner and a GOP worker, whom Birkner accused of stealing signs; Schepisi and Auth fired back at their opponents, claiming that Birkner placed the signs on GOP campaign HQ property and ‘verbally assaulted of our several campaign volunteers’. Schepisi called it ‘bizarre’ and said ‘were in the stupid, silly season now‘.
In LD26, Democratic Assembly candidate Laura Fortgang touted her endorsement from BlueWaveNJ. Our Revolution Essex County slammed Assemblyman Webber for a photoshopped depiction of a sign-holding Assembly candidate Christine Clark.
In LD14, independent Assembly candidate Michael Bollentin released a statement saying he wants to ‘start bridging the gaps between the two parties, so the State can get back to working for the People, not their parties’.
The Burlington County GOP is outspending the Burlington County Democrats, but by a smaller margin than last year, according to the Burlington County Times.
Mercer County GOP Chairwoman Richford accused the party’s former treasurer of misappropriating funds, according to the Trentonian.
The Mercer County Federation of Democratic Women endorsed 10 female candidates in Mercer County.
ICYMI: Murphy, Coughlin, take coaster ride; in battleground LD8, Giangiulio running as ‘MAGA conservative’; in Morris post-primary legal battle, a court hearing cancelled; BurlCo sheriff candidates mobilized from within department; in Somerset, Pino endorsed Russo, Provenzano blistered Pino, Gaburo fired back at Pino, Pino shot back at Gaburo; LD11 GOP endorsed by APP; Murphy rallied Democrats at packed HCDO gala; LD8 GOP hits Natale on pooch problem; 32BJ SEIU endorsements; GOP fundraiser; DACC event; Doherty applauds Trump-Testa choice; battleground LD1 heads into its final weeks; in battleground LD8, Peters, Muller, Murphy war of words
The NJPP released a report highlighting the status of insurance coverage of Asian and Hispanic children.
The NJBIA will host its annual Awards For Excellence today.
ICYMI: Murphy doubled-down on ‘one-issue voter’ comment and the millionaire’s tax
In Morris Township, lone GOP Committeeman Mancuso is seeking re-election, as the local political landscape has been shifting from solidly Republican to Democrat over the past few years.
In Hoboken, the Team Bhalla council slate proposed term limits for council members. Housing Authority Vice Chair Sanford called on the five incumbent council members to sign onto the ‘Election Integrity’ pledge.
In Jersey City, GOP Committeeman Sotomayer Einstein released a statement blasting Hudson County GOP Chairman Arango for sending out a mailer endorsing BOE candidates, bemoaning the lack of resources being spent on behalf of the party’s county executive and Assembly candidates.
In Bedminster, the Forbes family is donating the original charter back to the township, according to TAPinto.
In Phillipsburg, the GOP released a statement saying BOE Member Scerbo switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, following a switch last week by Councilman Lutz.
In North Arlington, the Democrats accused the GOP of pulling the plug on a debate.
In Fair Lawn, a WalletHub study ranks the town 9th in the nation among best small cities.
In Wildwood, Business Improvement District President Donio received the ‘Individual of Excellent Award’ from Downtown New Jersey.
In Egg Harbor Township, a redevelopment plan for the Margate Causeway is moving forward, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In South Plainfield, council candidates debated, according to TAPinto.
In Watchung, the mayor presented his traffic safety concerns to the freeholder board, according to NJ Hills.
In Deptford, a police officer is facing an excessive-force lawsuit, according to the Courier Post.
In Metuchen, the schools are looking to expand their mental health services, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Atlantic City, the CRDA plans to improve the boardwalk bathrooms, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Linden, Armstead/Scutari battle spilled over into a party breakfast fundraiser; in Middletown, Sager bemoans lawn sign on school grounds; in Newark, protesters block Route 21; in Hamilton, mayoral collision played out in debate, Yaede says ‘Hamilton can’t be bought and sold by external forces‘; in JC, short-term rental campaign heads into its final weeks
AROUND THE WEB:
This bill will give N.J. the most powerful economic development tools in America: Lesniak
Raymond Lesniak
- Former Senator Joe Kyrillos and I have drafted new legislation that combines the best proposals of Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senators and Assembly members, the business community, organized labor and social justice organizations.
Non-Establishment Democrats Want State to Monitor Elections in Piscataway
Colleen O’Dea, NJ Spotlight
- Members of the Central Jersey Progressive Democrats (CJPD) sent letters last week to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and to Secretary of State Tahesha Way, whose office oversees elections, alleging that infringements of voting rights — including a polling place judge telling workers not to offer provisional ballots when a person’s ability to vote is in question — occurred in the June 4 primary in Piscataway.
Ellie Rushing, Philadelphia Inquirer
- As about 100 South Jersey residents gathered inside a Southampton Township school gymnasium to learn the potential fate of their homes, ravaged by a June flood, an intense rainfall was thrumming from above, muffling the presenter’s words and unsettling residents’ stomachs.
SJ manufacturers tell lawmakers they need pipeline to skilled labor
David Levinsky, Burlington County Times
- Held at Rowan College at Burlington County, the hearing featured testimony from several manufacturing companies in the region, as well as leaders from the New Jersey Breweries Association and the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools.
Emanuel Capers seeking second term on Paterson school board
Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times
- School board member Emanuel Capers, who has built up a laundry list of accomplishments over the past three years, is seeking a second term on the Board of Education. “My record speaks for itself,” said Capers, 34. “I’m a fighter for our children. I believe in public education.”
Bayonne without a hospital would be a very different Bayonne, officials say
Teri West, The Jersey Journal
- Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis remembers driving his mother to Bayonne Medical Center nine years ago when she was struggling to breathe. As soon as she got into a bed in the emergency room she went into cardiac arrest.
Introducing the 2019 NJBIZ Fast 50
NJBIZ Staff
- On Nov. 14, NJBIZ, with the support of Mazars USA LLP and Sterling National Bank, will host an event at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset to celebrate the 2019 fastest growing companies in New Jersey.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame: But not in New Jersey?
John Wisniewski & Jack Ciattarelli, TAPinto.net
- The baseball game long recognized as the first officially recorded baseball game in U.S. history took place on June 19, 1846, in Hoboken, New Jersey: the “New York Nine” defeated the Knickerbockers, 23–1, in four innings. As you can see, even though the game was played in New Jersey—neither of those teams bore Jersey in their name.
Panel to probe NJ Transit’s problems starts next month and Murphy says he’s on board
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- A special panel convened by State Senate President Steve Sweeney will start its work probing NJ Transit’s problems next month and Gov. Phil Murphy pledged his administration’s full cooperation. The hearings also will tackle the sticky issue of how to fund NJ Transit’s operating budget, Sweeney said.
Hoboken’s Second, Fourth, and Sixth Ward races pit challengers against 3 incumbents
Teri West, The Jersey Journal
- Despite the rhetoric, Hoboken City Council members are in alignment with the mayor more than you might think. The council unanimously supported a bold move seize the Union Dry Dock through eminent domain, which Mayor Ravi Bhalla wants to complete a public and contiguous waterfront. Council members also approved a settlement that will prevent two 11-story buildings from being developed on the northern waterfront.
Hoboken-linked super PAC gets $30k from Mack-Cali, set to spend $19k in 1st Ward
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Real estate tycoon Mack-Cali Property Trust has spent $30,000 to bolster a super PAC getting involved in at least one Hoboken City Council race, poised to spend at least $19,420 to aide the challenger in the 1st Ward.
Burlington County cranberries still a top crop
George Woolston, Burlington County Times
- New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher visited the Cutts Brothers Cranberry Farm Monday to witness how the family-owned farm harvests its cranberries each October across 29 bogs that cover almost 130 acres.
Jersey City Freeholder O’Dea, Councilman Rivera, back ‘Education Matters’ BOE team
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Jersey City Freeholder Bill O’Dea and Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera are throwing their support behind the “Education Matters” board of education ticket, the team backed by the local teachers union.
Meg Fry, roi-nj.com
- “I see amazing women — women who have left their comfort zones and their native homelands to start new lives in the U.S., having to adapt to a new culture and language; female executives who, after hitting a broken rung while climbing the career ladder, started their own businesses; women empowering women through public service and socially responsible entrepreneurship; Berkeley College faculty educating the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs; and students with boundless possibilities,” Harrington, vice president of communications and external relations at Berkeley College, said.
Fact vs. Rumor: Cockroaches, Influenza, Candidate Forum Shenanigans and more
TAPinto Nutley Staff
- As rumors continue to spread throughout across social media, in local morning hang outs, and across the community about Nutley Public Schools, safety in the community, elections, and health issues, the TAPinto Nutley team hit the pavement, made the phone calls, and did the research to separate the facts from rumors.
Gov. Murphy Stresses Census 2020 During Hispanic State Resource Fair
Chuck O’Donnell, TAPinto New Brunswick
- Gov. Phil Murphy told an audience of statewide leaders attending the first Hispanic State Resource Fair that there is a lot riding on the 2020 census for the state in general and for the Hispanic community in particular.
No Santa on Borough Property? Not New in Glen Rock, Officials Say
Rebecca Greene, TAPinto Fair Lawn/Glen Rock
- No Santa will be allowed on borough property this holiday season, but this exclusion is not new, nor is it exclusive to Santa.
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