Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/3/2019 – InsiderNJ

Read Insider NJ’s guide to primary day ahead of tomorrow’s elections, and the political torque points as the state heads into budget season.

Insider NJ editor Max Pizarro appeared on News 12’s Power and Politics this weekend.

The NJEDA has been served at least one subpoena by a grand jury looking into the tax incentive controversy, according to Politico NJ. The subpoena seeks documents relating to the EDA’s policies and procedures as well as related to several companies that have received tax incentives.

Governor Murphy signed a resolution designating May as ‘Small Business Month‘ in the state.

Ex-Ocean County GOP chair Gilmore lost his acquittal motion of his conviction, and will appeal, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Capital Health Systems was selected as a satellite emergency department partner at Deborah Heart and Lung Center; both hospitals announced a strategic partnership.

An Experian report shows NJ has the 2nd highest rate of credit card debt in Q1 of 2019.

In Fanwood, Phyllis Mirabella fired back at Rep. Watson Coleman denial of an endorsement of the Column A Democrats, saying that she ‘heard verification of the endorsement with my own ears’ according to TAPinto. Earlier, UCDC Chair Scutari fired back, saying ‘it appears what we have here is a typical Washington game being played out where a politician, or her staff, told both parties she was with them’. On Friday, Watson Coleman issued a statement saying in part ‘you cannot call me a liar’ and doubling-down on her support for Mayor Mahr and her slate.

In Linden, Democratic Chair Scutari and council candidate Brown called for an investigation into the removal of lawn signs allegedly by city workers, and sent a letter to the Attorney General.

In Bridgewater, PBA Local 174 endorsed Council President Monech in his primary battle with incumbent Mayor Hayes.

In Plainfield, Freeholder Jalloh will return as the city’s clerk after submitting his resignation as Rahway’s business administrator, according to TAPinto.

In Harrison, Elks Club secretary Marilyn Perfeito is running for the Ward 1 Council seat in tomorrow’ primary.

In Salem City, errors were found on mail-in-ballots sent out to voters, according to NJ.com.

In Mullica, the police chief’s potential departure stirs controversy, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Ridgewood, Rep. Gottheimer spoke at the LGBT Pride ceremony on Saturday.

In Tenafly, Councilman Park released a statement calling for the resignation of Councilman Basch over a Facebook post.

In Paterson, a school bus company owned by the brother of Councilman Khalique was raided by the Essex prosecutor’s office, according to Paterson Times.

In Trenton, the Newark FOP president shut down rumors of an undercover deployment, according to the Trentonian. Mayor Gusciora outlined the progress of Trenton Water Works.

In Princeton, the public sewer department was allegedly used for private gain, according to PlanetPrinceton.

In Middlesex Borough, Frederick Williams was named the new schools superintendent, according to MyCentralJersey.

A Line in the Sand will be No Day at the Beach for Governor Murphy

Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger

• Judging from the comments I see on the internet, I must conclude that few of the common people in this great state are capable of figuring out just what is going on in Trenton of late.

Primary day not as boring as usual this year, especially in Hamilton

Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian

• Primary day is Tuesday, and it’s usually a big ol’ yawner. Honestly, I can’t remember the last big primary around here. There may have been one, but it’s not sticking out, ergo, no big primaries. This year, there’s some juice. I have a feeling we’ll be remembering Primary Day 2019, especially in Hamilton, where incumbent and embattled Mayor Kelly Yaede takes on noted rabble rouser David Henderson in the main event.

‘Sanctuary’ ballot issue stirs up county officials

Bruce A. Scruton, New Jersey Herald

• The rhetoric over a proposed November ballot question ratcheted up this past week as the county sheriff, then the county prosecutor and the county freeholders put in their requests/reminders/demands relating to the New Jersey attorney general’s directive regarding limiting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Several Bergen County towns have contested municipal primary races Tuesday

Katie Sobko, North Jersey Record

• While many candidates already have their sights set on November, there are eight municipalities in Bergen County that have contested primaries on Tuesday. Only in the Rutherford mayoral race are there multiple candidates from both parties as two Republicans and two Democrats each try to earn the mantle that Mayor Joseph DeSalvo has held for more than a decade.

Murphy gave $40M in tax credits to this company. Now they’re accused of generic drug price-fixing.

Save Jersey Staff

• Pharmaceutical giant Teva is in trouble after a multi-million dollar opioid settlement with the state of Oklahoma; it also stands accused of participating in an alleged generic drug price-fixing conspiracy. The Israeli-based company – whose U.S. home base is located in North Jersey – is facing possible legal peril in dozens of other states.

Paterson naming McBride Avenue Extension after longtime former mayor Kramer

Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times

• Municipal officials will name the McBride Avenue Extension at the heart of the Great Falls Historic District after longtime former mayor Lawrence “Pat” Kramer. In 1967, Kramer became the city’s youngest-ever elected mayor. Kramer served as mayor from 1967-71 and 1974-82, according to a resolution additionally naming the McBride Avenue Extension between Spruce and Mill Streets as “Pat Kramer Way.”

Why protesters suspect New Jersey plans to build youth prisons

Michael Hill, NJTV

• Protesters locked arms by the hundreds around the old Pabst Blue Ribbon site on Newark’s South Orange Avenue where Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration had planned to build a youth residential treatment facility. The administration insists it was never going to be, as protesters put it, a jail or prison.

Rodrick jokes about shooting women. His wife apologizes for him

Art Gallagher, More Monmouth Musings

• Toms River Councilman Dan Rodrick, a teacher at Thorne Middle School in Middletown and a candidate for the Republican nomination for Toms River Mayor in the June 4 primary, joked about violence towards women and freely used scatological language while visiting a resident in the Silverton section of Toms River during his 2017 campaign. The encounter was partially captured on video via Ring.com.

This Republican lost party support. Now he’s embracing Trump. Say hello to N.J.’s craziest primary battle.

Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

• A few months ago, two-term Republican state Assemblyman Joe Howarth suddenly lost the backing of local party leaders amid whispers he was considering becoming a Democrat. But Howarth — who denied the rumors — didn’t drop his re-election bid. Quite the opposite, actually.

Lyndhurst BOE decision not to renew guidance counselor’s contract appealed

Nicholas Katzban and Hannan Adely, North Jersey Record

• A former guidance counselor for Lyndhurst High School, Jaime Truncellito, lost her job last year along with 14 other staffers after the district discovered a deficit, totaling more than $1 million at the time.

Solar farm developer sues Hamilton Township, demands fast planning board approval

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman, The Trentonian

• Lights, camera and legal action. A developer that wants to uproot hundreds of trees and install thousands of ground-mounted solar panels near the flood-prone Cornell Heights neighborhood is suing Hamilton Township.

Candidates meet the public in Hopatcong

Jennifer Jean Miller, New Jersey Herald

• Four candidates met with the public during two sessions of a “Meet the Candidates Night” on Friday at the Northwood Firehouse. The event was coordinated by two Republican candidates for Hopatcong Borough Council, Jennifer Johnson and Heather Fiore. Democratic candidate for Hopatcong mayor Mara Modes and Republican candidate for Sussex County sheriff Andy Boden also attended.

Van Drew wants end to Mueller Report bickering, talk of impeachment

Michelle Brunetti Post, Press of Atlantic City

• Congressman Jeff Van Drew this week called for Congress to move on from investigations around the Mueller Report and talk of impeaching President Donald Trump, and begin doing the nation’s business.

Vernon wants state environmental chief, 2 top deputies gone

Eric Obernauer, New Jersey Herald

• With a judge’s order on the remediation of a Silver Spruce Drive dump site expected in a matter of days, the Vernon Township Council is now officially calling for the head of the state Department of Environmental Protection and two other DEP officials to resign for allowing the problem to fester as long as it did.

Njswim, legislators lobby for water-safety curriculum in NJ schools

Susan Bloom, Daily Record

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day in the U.S., two of them children 14 and younger. It’s a tragic reality that Joe Oehme, founder/owner of Njswim, a provider of year-round swim lessons for all ages and abilities, is working tirelessly to address.

Shutdown looks increasingly likely as top Democrats continue feuding

Brenda Flanagan, NJTV

• Another day, another disagreement for New Jersey’s top Democrats. Gov. Phil Murphy held a roundtable at St. Joseph’s Hospital on his administration’s effort to preserve Obamacare by creating a state-run health care exchange. But afterward he took time to snap back at Senate President Steve Sweeney for suggesting the governor would shut down state government if he didn’t get a budget with a boosted millionaire’s tax.

Marijuana legalization: Cannabis expo tells NJ, NY what comes next

Michael L. Diamond, Asbury Park Press

• With the road to legal weed in New York and New Jersey slow and winding, cannabis advocates they would continue to chip away at the negative public perception and hope lawmakers will come around.

It takes multiple strategies to keep felons from returning to prison, new parole board chairman says

Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr.

• Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of hosting a visit from Canadian Parole Board Chairwoman Jennifer Oades. We had the opportunity to discuss best practices, compare our different parole processes, and share some important common ground about our collective goal — striking a decisive balance between protecting our society through public safety supervision, while fostering the successful rehabilitation of offenders through the implementation of rehabilitative programs that work.

Sex Offender Attempts To Revive Brandt’s Little Silver Campaign

Art Gallagher, More Monmouth Musings

• A registered sex offender and his spouse recorded video of Little Silver Republican Chairman Stuart Van Winkle asking them if they had granted Rick Brandt permission to put campaign signs at their business. They then spun the encounter as illegal harassment and posted the video on YouTube.

Jersey City BOE responds to criticisms for missing city council budget hearing

Marc Bussanich, Hudson County View

• Jersey City Board of Education trustees took the opportunity at last night’s BOE marathon meeting to respond to criticism over why they didn’t appear before the city council on Wednesday to discuss the BOE budget in light of their request for funds to shore up the budget.

8th District GOP primary race could come down to Trump

David Levinsky, Burlington County Times

• The contest features incumbent assemblymen Ryan Peters and Joe Howarth on opposing sides, as well as retired Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield and little-known Lumberton attorney Jason Huf in a race for the GOP nominations for the district’s two state Assembly seats.

Soap is next weapon in war against human trafficking in NJ

Matt Fagan, North Jersey Record

• The local volunteers who are fighting the war against human sex trafficking have chosen their next weapon — soap. Bars of hotel-size soap with red stickers that contain information and the national human trafficking hotline phone number 1 (888) 373-7888 aimed at adolescents forced into prostitution, will be distributed to every hotel and motel in New Jersey on June 15.

Opioid treatment ‘badly broken,’ survivors tell Andy Kim

Shannon Mullen, Asbury Park Press

• New Jersey and the nation as a whole have gone to extraordinary lengths to halt the opioid epidemic, yet it continues to claim more lives every day. On Saturday, about 100 people gathered at the Ocean County Library here to discuss what more needs to be done.

Battle over New Jersey’s tax incentive program spreads to Congress

Matt Friedman, Politico

• New Jersey Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross is trying to downplay his role in creating a controversial tax incentive program that is roiling state politics — a program that benefited a company and nonprofit run by and tied to his brother, South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross, and that generated business for a law firm run by his other brother, Philip.

A Longer Wait For Expansion Of Medical Marijuana Program

Carly Sitrin, NJ Spotlight

• With plans to legalize marijuana in New Jersey in limbo, the already long road to expansion of the state’s medical-pot program just got longer.

Sweeney slams Murphy over ‘excessive vetoing’

Daniel J. Munoz, NJBIZ.com

• The state Legislature’s top elected official lambasted Gov. Phil Murphy over what he said was an excessive habit of vetoing legislation, rather than working with lawmakers.

N.J. still arrests more people for pot than almost any other state. A lot more.

Payton Guion and Erin Petenko, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

• As Phil Murphy swept the governor’s race in 2017 on a promise to legalize marijuana and clear pot convictions, New Jersey was arresting tens of thousands of people for marijuana offenses.

2019 Rutherford Primary

NorthJersey.com

• Four people will be on the Rutherford mayoral primary.

Four seek GOP nomination for two Hopatcong Council seats

New Jersey Herald

• Republicans Heather Fiore, William Hirschfeld, Bradley Hoferkamp and Jennifer Johnson are seeking the GOP nomination to two, three-year terms on the Hopatcong Borough Council in Tuesday’s primary election. Hoferkamp is an incumbent, having served on the council since January 2017. Hirschfeld, Fiore and Johnson are newcomers. Fiore and Johnson are running as a team. Incumbent Republican Frank Padula is not seeking re-election.

3 Jersey Shore towns ban plastic bags starting this weekend

Joseph A. Gambardello, inquirer.com

• Three more Jersey Shore towns formally join a growing movement this weekend by banning plastic bags in an effort to reduce pollution on beaches and in the ocean. The bag bans go into effect Saturday in Brigantine, Avalon, and Stone Harbor, and repeat violators face fines of up to $500 in the three towns.

NJ Medicaid decision forcing disabled student to drop out of Georgetown

Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press

• Through two years at Georgetown University, Anna Landre has posted a 3.9 grade point average, completed a prestigious internship and become a columnist for the student newspaper. The Lacey resident and former Freehold Township High School valedictorian has done all this with spinal muscular atrophy type 2, a progressive muscle weakening that requires the use of a motorized wheelchair.