Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 4/30/2020 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 5/1/2020:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I have to speak as President but I also speak as somebody that is in New Jersey a lot. It’s a great place. It’s a beautiful state. People don’t understand New Jersey quite. But it’s a beautiful — it’s a beautiful state.” – President Trump during his sit-down with Governor Murphy at the White House
TOP STORY: Murphy and Trump: The Politics of the Pandemic
The statewide COVID-19 count grew by 2,633 cases and 460 deaths for a statewide total of 118,652 cases and 7,228 fatalities as of Thursday, April 30th.
Governor Murphy headed to the White House for a public meeting with President Trump yesteray. Murphy praised the federal government’s ‘spectacular job‘, while the President complimented Murphy for reopening parks, but didn’t commit to more federal funding for the state (read the remarks here). Ahead of the meeting, NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt urged the Governor to make the meeting ‘substantive, not symbolic‘ and to ‘come home with a plan’ to save the state’s economy.
At the daily COVID-19 briefing yesterday, the Governor said the conversation with the President was ‘very good and productive‘, announcing the federal government will give the state 550,000 test kits and 750,000 swabs and that 358 nursing homes will receive shipments of PPE. Addressing the viral rate, the Governor said it ‘continues slowing’, as new hospitalizations dropped 15% and ventilator use is at its lowest level since April 4th.
The NJDOL announced that over 930,000 new unemployment applications have been filed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; over the last week, over 71,000 claims were filed, the lowest weekly number since the pandemic’s start in mid-March.
The Murphy Administration announced the securing of the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System for N95 ventilators.
First Lady Tammy Murphy will join the COVID-19 volunteer effort at various sites across the state.
NJ Transit announced access to COVID-19 testing for employees.
Atlantic County reported 57 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
Bergen County will reopen parks and golf courses on Saturday.
Burlington County will reopen parks with restrictions on Saturday.
Camden County surpassed 3,000 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday. The county’s waterfront COVID-19 testing site will cease operations today. The county announced mental health resources for youth.
Cumberland County surpassed 700 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday.
Essex County reported 13,829 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday. The county will reopen parks and golf courses on Saturday.
Gloucester County reported a total of 1,239 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday.
Hudson County reported 15,458 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday.
Hunterdon County reported 593 COVID-19 cases total as of Wednesday.
Mercer County reported 3,937 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday. The county will reopen county parks and golf courses on Saturday.
Middlesex County reported 11,898 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday.
Morris County reported a total of 5,298 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday. The county approved an aggressive contact tracing program. A Clerk staffer is the first county employee to pass away due to COVID-19, according to Daily Record.
Ocean County reported a total of 6,373 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday. The county will gradually reopen its parks on Saturday.
Passaic County reported a total of 13,259 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday.
Salem County reported 230 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday.
Somerset County reported 3,099 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday. The county will reopen parks and golf courses on Saturda, according to NJ Hills.
Sussex County reported a total of 935 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday.
Warren County reported 914 COVID-19 cases total as of Thursday. The county will reopen county parks on Saturday.
Reps. Gottheimer and Pascrell announced that infectious disease doctors from Bergen hospitals will be sent to the Paramus Veterans’ Home.
Rep. Norcross announced a $3.3M grant for Acenda Health for behavorial health.
Rep. Pascrell introduced a resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month.
NJTV will air a ‘Computer-side Chat’ with NJDOH Commissioner Persichilli this evening.
WalletHub released a study finding New Jersey has the smallest increase in unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis of any state in the nation.
ICYMI: Murphy says rate of doubling of new cases is slowing, defiantly pushed back against critics of park closings and offered a warning; Camden to reopen parks on Saturday; Monmouth to reopen parks; Union to reopen parks; Guv named members of restart commission; Malinowski excoriated McConnell; Murphy issued a clarification on essential businesses; Camden opening two new test sites; Middlesex first walk-up COVID-19 testing site using saliva-based tests; Murphy pushed back against lockdown critics; Murphy again slapped at McConnell following excoriation over ‘blue state bailouts’ comment; Murphy steps up criticism of feds, slams Treasury’s guidance on CARES funding; saliva-based test being developed; $1B in UE benefits distributed; Burlington jails resolved PPE issues; NJ ‘fourth highest tested state‘; COVID affects 1% of the state’s 9M pop; Murphy cautioned against ‘claiming victory’, pushed back against quick re-opening
A Pennsylvania doctor filed a lawsuit challenging Governor Murphy’s stay-at-home order, according to Politico NJ.
Princeton Public Affairs’ Bill Pascrell III is joining Gamban’s Advisory Board.
In CD2, the New Jersey Right to Life PAC endorsed GOP primary candidate Bob Patterson.
In CD3, former GOP primary candidate Tony Porto endorsed primary candidate David Richter. Watch Jared Mello’s interview with Richter.
In CD7, Rep. Malinowski held a tele-town hall on COVID-19 on Wednesday night, saying he’s more optimistic that states and local governments may receive federal funding in the next relief package.
ICYMI Sussex’s Fantasia takes aim at Trenton Democrats; Williams stepping down from NJTV; NJEA endorsed CD2’s Kennedy; Monmouth poll shows competitive House races; Monmouth Poll shows Murphy at 71% approval
Former Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi is taking the helm of the Associated Builders and Contractors of NJ.
Senate President Sweeney welcomed the announcement that direct support professionals who care for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities will receive a temporary wage increase.
Senator Gopal expressed ‘serious concerns’ about continued issues at state-run veterans nursing homes.
Senator Testa applauded the recreational fishing industry’s plan to reopen their industry with safety precautions. Testa blasted the NJDOC’s COVID-19 response as ‘beyond negligent’ and reiterated his call for an investigation into the department’s handling of the crisis.
Senator Pennacchio called for the lifting of the ban on elective surgeries.
Assemblyman Bergen will introduce legislation to restrict the Governor’s ability to enact emergency executive orders.
Assemblyman Dancer urged the NJ Turnpike Authority to seek federal funding, rather than pushing for toll hikes.
The NJ Law Enforcement Officers Association called on the state to pay its police sergeants hazard pay during the COVID-19 crisis.
The NJ Society of CPAs commended the Governor’s roadmap to reopening the state economy.
ICYMI: Treasury mourned passing of Chief Economist Dr. Madhusudhan; protestors demand end to shutdown; GOP Senators request Jersey Shore reopening plan; Sweeney appointed Ruiz and Singleton to fiscal recovery team; Coughlin announces new advisory panel; Scharfenberger requested salary withheld; Doherty launched petition for resuming religious services, says he no longer supports ‘draconian shut down measures’; NJOA slammed Assembly shut-down of Webber park closure challenge, blistered Murphy amid growing backlash; Senate’s rough virtual voting session
In Jersey City, COVID-19 testing is now open to all city residents. The council appointed Yousef Saleh to the Ward D council seat, according to Hudson County View.
In Union Beach, Mayor Smith passed away.
In Bridgewater, Mayor Moench announced a partnership between the township and Boxcar Groceries.
In Bergenfield, municipal parks will remain closed this weekend as the town evaluates COVID-19 data.
In Paterson, the all-VBM election means that ‘every day is election day‘, according to TAPinto.
In Englewood, the police union wants the police chief to resign, according to the Bergen Record.
In Trenton, the city reported inaccurate crime statistics regarding the 8pm curfew, according to the Trentonian.
In Bernards Township, property taxes are still due in May, according to NJ Hills.
In Belleville, Mayor Melham believes he had COVID-19 a month ago and has coronavirus antibodies, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Berkeley Heights, the council is considering a ‘no-knock’ ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In Chatham Township, the township is raising taxes by 3%, according to NJ Hills.
In Hamilton (Atlantic), the BOE budget shows a slight tax increase, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Toms River, the BOE is cutting 37 jobs and raising taxes, but keeping sports and clubs, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Denville, the town is using COVID-19 downtime to its advantage, according to the Daily Record.
In Ocean Gove, the town hasn’t closed its boardwalk nor canceled summer events, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Hoboken, Councilmembers Giattino and DeFusco proposed a legislative package to expand the use of sidewalk cafes and to cap profit-sharing from third party companies.
ICYMI: North Hudson parks to remain closed; in Atlantic City, barreling towards a contentious change of government referendum; in Teaneck, the politically divided town looks to all-VBM municipal election; in Jersey City, phased-in reopening of parks; in Paterson, councilmembers urge establishment of testing site in one of densest cities in the state
AROUND THE WEB:
How New Jersey is reading news and what it says about us
Laura Matos
- Since the arrival of COVID-19, we are hungrier for information than ever. That is why Kivvit is teaming with NJ.com to understand how New Jerseyans are staying informed during the pandemic and using data insights to help governments and organizations communicate with state residents in the age of COVID-19.
Murphy Takes Heat Even as NJ Edges Toward Cautious Reopening
John Mooney, NJ Spotlight
- Before his high-profile Restart and Recovery Commission even gets a chance to meet, Gov. Phil Murphy is starting to feel the heat from other folks with plenty of their own advice — solicited or not — about when and how to reopen the state. Murphy yesterday took his first substantive steps toward loosening restrictions with his announcement that state and county parks could reopen this weekend, under certain conditions, particularly that social-distancing rules remain in place.
Will an ‘unprecedented decline’ in carbon emissions help limit climate change?
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY
- The coronavirus pandemic has led to an “unprecedented decline” in global carbon emissions, a new report says. Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide – the greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming – are forecast to drop about 8% in 2020, a record annual decline that’s due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
High wind knocks out power for thousands in North Jersey, flood watch until Friday
Nicholas Katzban, NorthJersey.com
- More than 1,000 PSE&G customers lost power during Thursday’s storm, which brought high winds and rain through the area well into the evening. In River Edge, three homes lost power when a tree toppled a utility pole on Midland Avenue and emergency workers scrambled to remove the tree and PSE&G worked to restore service to the area, said Chief Thomas Cariddi.
NJ Undercounting COVID 19? Dramatic Rise in Excess Deaths
Sergio Bichao, NJ1015
- In January, just under 6,700 people died in New Jersey. That was a low number compared to recent years. In February, another 6,000 residents died. Again, a relatively low number compared with previous February months on record. But then in March, monthly deaths shot up to 7,600 — the most of any month in recent years and 955 more than last March.
Somerset County’s $239 million budget raises tax on average home by $28
Mike Deak, Bridgewater Courier News
- The county share of property tax bills is expected to rise by 2.04% under the budget introduced by the Somerset County freeholders on Tuesday. The county portion of a tax bill on the average Somerset County home assessed at $439,592 is expected to rise $28.60 from $1,405 to $1,434, the county’s Chief Financial Officer Nick Trasente told the freeholders.
Ex-head of coronavirus-ravaged veterans homes to run against Gottheimer over perceived slight
Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com
- The commissioner who oversaw the New Jersey veterans homes where 105 people died from coronavirus complications and where more than 400 have been infected with the virus said he resigned this week because he plans to run for Congress.
Ex-head of coronavirus-ravaged veterans homes to run against Gottheimer over perceived slight
Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com
- The commissioner who oversaw the New Jersey veterans homes where 105 people died from coronavirus complications and where more than 400 have been infected with the virus said he resigned this week because he plans to run for Congress.
Ted Sherman, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The grim accounting in New Jersey’s long-term care facilities continues to only get worse with the state reporting 3,247 deaths as of Wednesday. That number includes both lab-confirmed and suspected coronavirus deaths in nursing homes, but the state only includes the lab-confirmed cases in its overall count of COVID-19 deaths in N.J., state officials said.
‘We’re forgotten.’ Struggling N.J. small businesses frustrated again in search of federal loans.
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- When Congress first allocated money to help small businesses cope with the coronavirus, John Monaco sought a loan for his Nutley florist shop. He’s still waiting, even after a second round of aid became available.
Kate Gibbs Paid McGuckin, Catalano, Connors, Rumpf and Gove, Received Endorsement Days Later
Shore News Network
- As the 2020 Ocean County Republican primary election approached, a bombshell news story in the Asbury Park Press revealed that former Burlington County Freeholder Kate Gibbs had a criminal rap sheet. That story turned out to be a Valentine’s Day massacre for Gibbs, published on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. The next day, the Ocean County GOP leadership committee endorsed Gibbs for Congress.
What it will take to do COVID-19 contact tracing
Michael Hill, NJTV
- The keys to preventing a second surge of the coronavirus: testing and contact tracing. They’re used to determine who’s COVID-positive, who’s been around them, potentially exposed or even infected.
Murphy talks commission: ‘We need folks who have seen it all, done it all, from a different angle’
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- When the state comes out of this — when it recovers from the health emergency that only a pandemic can cause — Gov. Phil Murphy wants to make sure all aspects of economic, cultural and social life in New Jersey have been thought through.
Ex-head of coronavirus-ravaged veterans homes to run against Gottheimer over perceived slight
Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com
- The commissioner who oversaw the New Jersey veterans homes where 105 people died from coronavirus complications and where more than 400 have been infected with the virus said he resigned this week because he plans to run for Congress.
Will Cunningham wins progressive endorsement
Michelle Brunetti Post, Press of Atlantic City
- The Democracy for America political action committee has endorsed Will Cunningham, of Vineland, in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District race. The winner of July 7’s primary will run against U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, who switched parties to Republican in December after one year in Congress.
250th patient treated for COVID-19 goes home from Ocean Medical Center
Thomas P. Costello, Asbury Park Press
- Another best day for the staff at Ocean Medical Center as the 250th patient treated for COVID-19 goes home.
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