Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/29/2021 – InsiderNJ

The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 869,344 cases and 22,884 fatalities (and 123,779 probable cases and 2,625 probable fatalities) as of Wednesday (an increase of 1,838 cases and 35 fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .8. There have been 6,834,212 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 2,915,754 people fully vaccinated). Follow Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.

Governor Murphy signed an executive order permitting summer youth overnight and day camps for the 2021 season.

Governor Murphy announced the ‘Your Voice, Your Shot’ video contest.

Governor Murphy says masks will be required at polling places for the June primary, according to NJ101.5.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office opened applications for its Citizen’s Police Academy. Several Bergen elections officials are retiring after 25 years, according to the Bergen Record.

Essex County Commissioner Gill applauded the county’s cancellation of its contract with ICE.

Governor Murphy nominated Renee Robeson for Hunterdon County prosecutor, according to MyCentralJersey.

The NJSIAA initiated a sponsorship agreement with Mercer County.

The County College of Morris’ faculty union is citing college union-busting, according to the Daily Record.

Senators Menendez and Booker applauded the Biden Administration’s declaration of a major disaster area for 5 counties due to the nor’easter earlier this year.

Senator Menendez urged the swift confirmation of judicial nominees Julien Neals and Zahid Quraishi for the District of NJ.

Senator Booker reintroduced ‘The Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act’.

Rep. Pascrell requested an increase in police funding and requested increased funding to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Princeton University students held a protest in support of the MOVE community, according to Planet Princeton.

ICYMI: Murphy announced increase in indoor capacity; Menendez says SALT non-negotiable; Booker heralded Biden’s 100 days; Menendez eviscerated Hudson critics; Grewal directive on mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses; Murphy CVed mandatory minimum legislation, Sacco slammed Murphy; Murphy extended emergency; Murphy unveiled gun violence package; Menendez, Pascrell want Biden to move on student loan forgiveness

Rep. Gottheimer and Senator Oroho joined together to denounce the way New York taxes New Jersey residents who work in the state.

Assembly Minority Leader Bramnick discusses the FY2022 budget season with Steve Adubato (video).

Senator Vitale wants to decriminalize spreading HIV/AIDS, according to Politico NJ.

Senator Weinberg questioned NJ Transit’s budget, saying there are ‘still vital long-term concerns to be addressed’.

The NJHMFA celebrated the groundbreaking of supportive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Focus NJ released its 2020 Economic Review.

The Housing and Community Development Network of NJ hosted their Healthy Homes and Communities Summit.

Advocates and legislators urged the Assembly to pass the ‘Fair Auto Insurance Rates Act’.

The CIANJ and Commerce Magazine honored environmental leaders.

An employee at the AG’s Office is suing the state and IBEW to stop union dues deductions from their paychecks.

ICYMI: Murphy took action on legislation; Turner pressed for posting of the CCRB bill; Thompson, Oliver clashed; Rice says state should ‘get its act together’; Big Six fundraising hits highest mark in decade; Murphy announced appointments to State Ethics Commission

In Camden, mayoral candidate Felisha Reyes-Morton says that the Camden County Democrats disrespected her and the process following the retirement announcement by incumbent Mayor Moran, as the party quickly lined up behind Councilman Carstaphen. Mayoral candidate Elton Custis claimed that the ‘Camden Experiment’ has been a ‘failure’, pointing to the city’s unemployment and poverty rate.

In Morristown, the mayoral Facebook war is heating up in the primary, as an anonymous page has appeared with the apparent goal of denying Mayor Dougherty a second term. Senator Booker endorsed Mayor Dougherty for re-election.

In Plainfield, mayoral primary candidate Richard Wyatt was hit with an ethics complaint, as the State School Ethics Committee found probably cause regarding nepotism allegations.

In Atlantic City, the BOE will allow conflicted members to vote to suspend and restart the superintendent search, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Bayonne, the BOE approved a $154M budget with a 1% tax increase, according to Hudson County View.

In Brick, the council blocked marijuana businesses for five years, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Bridgewater, the council questioned the need for an increase in county recycling fees, according to TAPinto.

In Cherry Hill, the BOE voted to rename a building for a local black pioneer – but not everyone is happy, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In Corbin City, the council will discuss marijuana regulations, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Delran, the search has begun for the next police chief, according to Burlington County Times.

In East Newark, the BOE referendum won’t be on the ballot this year, according to Hudson County View.

In Fairfield, the town pool will stay closed this year, according to TAPinto.

In Franklin (Sussex), the proposed $7.3M budget includes a tax increase, according to NJ Herald.

In Hamilton (Mercer), the BOE passed a budget with increased taxes, according to the Trentonian.

In Hasbrouck Heights, the council voted not to raise the Gay Pride flag, according to TAPinto.

In Lambertville, a mayoral forum will be held on May 13th, according to TAPinto.

In Long Hill, the BOE adopted a $22M budget, according to NJ Hills.

In Longport, commissioners will hold a special meeting to discuss time sensitive matters tonight, according to Downbeach.

In Madison, Mischia was named acting police chief, according to NJ Hills.

In Mendham Township, an ex-official who called immigrants ‘noxious vermin’ was named to a township post, according to NJ Hills.

In Metuchen, businesses are clashing over a partial street closure, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Morris Township, a $38M budget was adopted, according to NJ Hills.

In Morristown, the council is moving to ban marijuana businesses for now, according to Morristown Green.

In Palisades Park, the ex-police chief received a $850k settlement, according to the Bergen Record.

In Point Pleasant Beach, Jenkinson’s lawsuit against the town was dismissed, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Pompton Lakes, officials will debate marijuana regulations, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Old Bridge, a man was charged with sending a racist email to Councilwoman Brown, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Red Bank, the senior center is one step closer to rebuilding, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Roxbury, Shawn Potillo was sworn-in to the council, succeeding the late Councilman Zoschak, according to TAPinto.

In Scotch Plains, the council approved the 2021 budget, according to TAPinto.

In Trenton, Ames-Lopez was unanimously confirmed as health director, according to the Trentonian.

In West Milford, the school district settled a former student’s discrimination claim for $1M, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Wildwood, the proposed budget includes a 1.9 cent tax rate increase, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

ICYMI: In Parsippany, Valori’s ticket held a fundraiser; in Bloomfield, Menendez made infrastructure case; in Irvington, Vauss discusses COVID impact; in Plainfield, Wyatt says he’s in touch w/ community; in Camden, Quinones launched mayoral bid; in Edison, Bhagia says county party overreached; in Camden, mayoral candidate Custis warned of ‘food desert’ crisis; in Edison, amid Dem war in which line rescinded from Bhagia, rival Joshi discusses candidacy, as battle intensified while Lankey weighs options and Hahn hopes to be last man standing