Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/24/2022 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Let there be no mistake – this dangerous decision will make America a less safe country. ” – Governor Murphy on the SCOTUS decision in the NY State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case
TOP STORY: Can Murphy Surf Labor’s Big Wave into the White House?
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 2,112,475 cases and 30,893 confirmed fatalities (and 354,957 probable cases and 3,087 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 2,604 confirmed cases, 723 probable cases, 14 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 6 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .82. There are 736 total hospitalizations, with 99 in intensive care units, and 120 discharges in the past day. There are 6,938,942 people fully vaccinated.
Murphy Administration officials allowed Horizon to keep $34M after a whistleblower claimed the insurer failed to deliver on a contract, according to NJ.com.
Despite a good harvest, NJ wineries are struggling to bottle wine, according to Burlington County Times.
United Airlines will cancel 50 flights out of Newark Airport, according to the Bergen Record.
A lawsuit alleges that a black Mercer County analyst was treated worse than white workers, and had to clean up his boss’ fecal, according to the Trentonian.
ICYMI: Leaders announced an agreement school supplies tax holiday; Labor hitting the bricks for hazard pay; Murphy, legislative leaders announced ANCHOR expansion; Giuliani struck back at Stepien’s recorded testimony; primary key takeaways and post-election considerations; Booker takes aim at nation’s gun ‘moral paralysis’
The NJDSC made its pitch to the DNC to make New Jersey an early primary state.
The Somerset County Democrats re-elected Peg Schaffer and Zenon Christodoulou as chair and vice chair.
Publitics ramped up their DC presence with a new hire.
ICYMI: Ciattarelli launched ‘Mainstream Majority’; AFL-CIO released endorsements; Passaic GOP unanimously re-elected Murphy; in CD5, Gottheimer collected the endorsements of police orgs; Murphy PAC launched ad buy; Building Trades released endorsements; following DeGroot’s wresting of nomination, Ali seeking party unity; in CD11, Sherrill, DeGroot hitting ground running; Vainieri elected HCDO chair; Dimaio says NJGOP recruiting candidates for ’23 elections; Chapparo responded to rumors about future; Morris GOP suffered a double blow in primary; in CD5, DeGregorio conceded to Pallotta; in CD11, Selen dealt blow by DeGroot; in CD1, Norcross wo nomination, Gustafson won; in CD2, Van Drew won, Alexander defeated Rush; in CD3, Healey defeated Smith, Kim defeated Hendler; in CD4, Smith won over Crispi, who plans on rematch; in CD5, Pallotta defeated DeGregorio in dogfight race after snubbed Bergen line; in CD6, Kiley victorious; in CD7, Kean wins; in CD8, Menendez wins; in CD10, Payne wins, w/reliable support; in CD11, DeGroot wins in a dogfight race; Mastrangelo took lead w/ 1,000+ vote advantage; the primary increasingly ugly, w/Mastrangelo taking aim at Neibart; in Bergen, Caliguire defeated Barba
The Supreme Court’s gun ruling will have an impact on state regulations.
Senator Bucco discusses affordability and the state’s child care crisis with Steve Adubato.
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee advanced seven gun safety bills.
Senator Testa and Assemblyman Barranco introduced the ‘Parent’s Bill of Rights’.
Senator Polistina introduced legislation to help injured police and firefighters who can no longer do their jobs.
Senator Durr testified against several gun control measures, saying they wouldn’t stop violent crime or prevent schools. Durr urged passage of his legislation allowing concealed carry.
Campaign finance reform legislation would double the donor contribution limit, according to NJ Monitor.
ICYMI: Schepisi experiences lending her a voice on the gun control discussion; DiMaio criticized school supplies sales tax holiday as ‘gimmick’; voting bills inched closer to reality; Murphy announced Zeveloff as Chief Policy Advisor; Baraz will serve as NJDOT Asst. Commissioner; Martes announced Governor’s Leg. Office aide; Murphy appoints Moscowitz Acting OAL Director
In Jersey City, the Coalition For Progress raised $150k at a fundraiser.
In Bernards, vacancies were filled on the planning and library boards, according to NJ Hills.
In Bridgewater, the mayor took aim at the superintendent over armed guards in schools, according to NJ101.5.
In Fair Lawn, the town is making moves to add a designated bike route, according to TAPinto.
In Margate, a multi-year project is planned to replace water meters, according to Downbeach.
In Montgomery, the long wait is almost over for the new municipal and library complex, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Montclair, residents and businesses blasted the council for failing to open the midtown deck, according to TAPinto. A lawsuit alleges more than 50 instances of racist incidents at a school, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Neptune Township, a recreational marijuana sales application was approved, according to NJ.com.
In Ocean Gate, an ’emergent condition’ was declared over the town’s fiscal state, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Paterson, political rivals are sparring over security at the Jamaican festival, according to Paterson Press.
In Pleasantville, the sewer concession was rescinded, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Randolph, a BOE member rebuffed the state’s new sex ed standards, according to NJ Hills.
In Raritan, the borough approved a medical marijuana dispensary, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Roseland, the mayor responded to the Caldwell BA’s claims, saying ‘we will prevail in court’, according to TAPinto.
In Wall, the schools hired the first female athletics director, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Warren, the township is being sued over killing a warehouse redevelopment plan, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Washington Township, the clerk was honored for 15 years of service, according to NJ Hills.
In West Caldwell, the council will vote on $4.7M in bond ordinances, according to NJ Hills.
In Woodbridge, brain tumor scans were stopped due to a permit, according to MyCentralJersey.
ICYMI: In Washington Township, not all are happy with Oborn resignation timing; in Mount Holly, Dems announced new leadership; in Newark, runoffs served to fortify Baraka; in JC, Fulop announced an increase in wage for city employees; in Newark, Kelly emerged victorious in West Ward race that featured late-game controversy, Silva defeated Campos in East Ward, Council defeated Bankston in South; in Newark, Baraka enlists hometown hero Shaq; in Mountain Lakes, the school district being sued; in WNY, a potential Sires v. Rodriguez matchup; in Paterson, Sayegh optimistic for cooperation
AROUND THE WEB:
Are Chris Christie’s presidential hopes fading?
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- When Chris Christie ran for president in 2016, he focused a lot time and effort on primary voters in New Hampshire. The return on that investment netted him only 7% of the vote, and ultimately signaled his campaign would be short lived.
Jan. 6 and Fox News: We recall a town meeting tradition began in Bergen County | Opinion
Rick Hampson and Stephen Taylor, Special to the USA TODAY Network
- Fox News’ decision not to air the first House Jan. 6 Committee hearing reminds us of a very different broadcast tradition – one represented by “America’s Town Meeting of the Air,” a program from the Golden Age of Radio.
Why high gas prices might actually be good for Jersey Shore tourism business
Michael L. Diamond and Shaun Chornobroff, Asbury Park Press
- Ramon Santiago had planned a trip to Puerto Rico this summer, but with expenses skyrocketing, he made the disappointing decision to sacrifice his vacation.
Healthiest places to live: 4 N.J. counties make U.S. News ranking
Linda Lindner, ROI-NJ
- Four New Jersey counties are among the Healthiest Communities in the United States in the fifth annual U.S. News & World Report Healthiest Communities list, which was released Wednesday morning.
Arthur Lang’s fight against the ‘decimation’ of Lakewood’s public schools
Ian T. Shearn, NJ Spotlight
- Arthur Lang pulled into Lakewood behind the wheel of his souped-up 1974 Camaro coupe in the summer of 1985 eager to immerse himself in the study of the Torah, find a wife and raise a family that would be tethered by deep faith and the strict customs of Orthodox Judaism.
Hudson County Community College hosts ‘Cannademix’ cannabis conference
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- Hudson County Community College (HCCC) hosted their “Cannademix” cannabis conference in Journal Square that included former Gov. Jim McGreevey (D) and Jersey City Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh as panelists.
Kearny Police Department names Officer Nicole Cain as 1st LGBTQ+ liaison
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- In honor and recognition of Pride Month, the Kearny Police Department has appointed Patrol Officer Nicole Cain (she/her) as their first LGBTQ+ liaison.
Parents call for reinstatement of popular Middle Township lacrosse coach after blowup with ref
Bill Barlow, Press of Atlantic City
- Some parents and players want to see Middle Township High School’s ousted head lacrosse coach reinstated, bringing their case to the Board of Education this month.
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