Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/15/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There may be more Democrats than Republicans, but they are not stupid. Murphy’s record has failed us. But know this, over the last four decades Republicans have won six of the last 10 gubernatorial elections in this state. When it comes to gubernatorial elections, we’re really a purple state with a tint of red.” – GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli
TOP STORY: Murphy: ‘A Pandemic of Un-vaccinated Individuals’
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 890,232 cases and 23,637 fatalities (and 129,562 probable cases and 2,649 probable fatalities) as of Monday (an increase of 163 confirmed cases, 122 probable cases, and 5 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .9. There have been 9,550,612 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 4,564,662 people fully vaccinated).
Governor Murphy touted the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, saying there’s no doubt the state would reach its end-of-June goal of 4.7M vaccinated people; he noted that some aren’t getting vaccinated, remarking that ‘this is becoming a pandemic of un-vaccinated individuals’.
Governor Murphy signed an executive order ending the utility shutoff moratorium and establishing a six month grace period for all customers.
The NJDHS announced $15M in grants for summer youth camps.
Atlantic County earned top credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P.
Bergen County opened its application portal for its rental assistance program.
Hunterdon County Commissioners honored retired Prosecutor Michael Williams, according to TAPinto.
The fate of the NJ Schools Development Authority is in doubt, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: Duch appointed Bergen administrator; Hicks resigning; poll shows Murphy’s clear path to re-election; Murphy’s once-skyrocketing ratings returned to pre-pandemic levels
Senate President Sweeney says the state shouldn’t be frivolous with its unexpected $10B surplus, according to ROI-NJ.
Senators Testa and Gopal introduced a resolution commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA.
The NJ Apartment Association urged the posting of legislation to end the state’s eviction moratorium and provide tenant protections and assistance.
The Civil Service Commission is launching virtual information sessions to reach the Hispanic heritage communities in the state.
The NJ AFL-CIO applauded the signing of legislation upholding collective bargaining agreements.
Governor Murphy took action on legislation; Porzio welcomed Lubot and Huch to its team; Murphy signed legislation enabling end of COVID emergency; Sellinger leading US Attorney candidate (iLine post); pressure building on Murphy to drop student mask requirement; Coughlin postponed public health emergency vote; Codey’s Insider NJ interview
In Randolph, the normally tranquil Morris town is exploding with controversy over the BOE’s decision to strip holiday references from the calendar.
In Bloomfield, Mayor Venezia was re-elected Chair of the local Democrats.
In Paterson, the city is partnering with the United Way to launch a financial empowerment center.
In Atlantic City, bars say the open container law helped them during the pandemic, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Clinton, the township approved a new affordable housing mixed-use district, according to NJ Hills.
In Denville, the council plans to ban all cannabis businesses, according to NJ Hills.
In Hanover, the township welcomed Bruneo as its new administrator, according to NJ Hills.
In Livingston, an energy consultant explained the discrepancies in recent PSE&G bills to residents, according to TAPinto.
In Medford, the LGBTQ community wants the town recognize Pride Month, according to Burlington County Times.
In Middle, the township is eyeing affordable housing steps, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Montclair, hazardous conditions were ignored at schools, according to a whistleblower, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Morristown, a developer is asking a court to approve an apartment plan nixed by the zoning board, according to NJ Spotlight.
In North Plainfield, a cop who was fired for having sex with a homeless woman won’t get his job back, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Piscataway, the town banned all marijuana businesses, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Rahway, the town plans to limit cannabis businesses, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Readington, the town approved a settlement with Solberg Airport, according to NJ Hills.
In South Orange, three more victims are suing the schools for $50M alleging sexual abuse, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Toms River, the council is divided over whether a campaign mailer was anti-Semitic, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Trenton, Parking Authority commissioners say they were defamed over the ethics leak, according to the Trentonian.
ICYMI: In Trenton, Coley terminated; in Camden, Carstarphen won mayoral primary; in Edison, Joshi won handily over Bhagia, Lankey, who lost Dem backing, filed to run for re-election as an independent, Brescher also filed to run as independent; in Morristown, incumbent Mayor Dougherty defeated challenger; in Plainfield, Mapp declared victory; Oliver says ‘ultimate goal‘ is local control in Camden
AROUND THE WEB:
Though mask mandate optional for schools, confusion and controversy linger
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- Gov. Phil Murphy last week gave school officials flexibility in the rules they would adopt for mask-wearing. Some superintendents, like Jersey City’s Franklin Walker, maintained their mask mandate. In some districts, like the Jackson Public Schools, the rules were relaxed and masks made optional for the remainder of the school year. But many parents remain confused, or dissatisfied, over the decisions being made.
Conditions remain bad at veterans homes, residents say, as Assembly panel takes up reform
Susan K. Livio, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- In the wake of the pandemic that claimed the lives of 204 people at New Jersey’s three veterans homes, an Assembly panel Monday approved a package of bills that would require senior managers to have clinical experience, give residents and their families more of a say in the supervision of their care and allow residents to leave the home with a guarantee they could return.
North Caldwell teen elected to Essex County Democratic Committee
Kathy Shwiff, New Jersey Hills
- Evie Klein, 19, was elected to represent the borough’s District 2 on the Essex County Democratic Committee in the primary election Tuesday, June 8.
NJ’s top Republican holds mask mandate hearing
Steve Trevelise, NJ1015
- If you’re going to have mask mandates for the children of New Jersey, why not at least get the opinions of the parents and teachers involved? That’s exactly what New Jersey’s top Republican, Assembly Minority leader Jon Bramnick, did last Friday morning.
Wearing the wire: Matt O’Donnell, Morristown man at center of bribery sting, facing jail time
Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green
- The Morristown lawyer who allegedly donned a wire and offered bribes to public figures is facing eight years in jail when the pay-to-play sting is over. Matt O’Donnell will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct by a corporate official, according to an agreement he signed with the state Attorney General’s Office on July 30, 2018.
Jersey City Council hears from Fulop on Centre Pompidou, $620M budget during caucus
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- The Jersey City Council heard Mayor Steven Fulop weigh in on the Centre Pompidou project, as well as his proposed $620 million budget that comes with a tax decrease during today’s caucus meeting.
Thomas Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Plenty of employees think their boss is a clown. At the Delaware River Port Authority, there’s a smidgen of truth to it.
As demand for vaccine changes, so does delivery system
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey is using EMS teams to pack up and bring COVID-19 vaccines across the state as focus shifts from mega-sites to community centers and doctor’s offices.
Every city has its own skyline. In Newark, it’s all about the flags
Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com
- Each city has its distinctive skyline. New York: a jagged-tooth comb. Paris: a gameboard, flat, with a single token — the Eiffel Tower — sticking up out of the middle. And Newark? Newark has flags.
More math, less Latin in Bernardsville schools
New Jersey Hills
- Plans for more instruction in math but less in Latin, the hiring of a new subject supervisor, and a need for technological upgrades were among the topics at the Somerset Hills Regional Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, June 9.
Murphy’s approval ratings are slipping, but can we trust polls?
Judi Franco, NJ1015
- The majority of us trust polls even if we say we don’t. And pollsters know this. That’s why, even though political polling is far from an exact science and polling companies are aware of this, they continue to act as though all results are true predictors. Because there is a psychology to poll numbers.
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