Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 7/6/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The whole thing is criminal, the whole thing is designed be a criminal organization.” – Edna Mahan Correctional Facility assault survivor Theresa Afdahl
TOP STORY: Murphy Test Drives a Campaign Stop in the Arms of Political Behemoth Essex
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 893,890 cases and 23,774 confirmed fatalities (and 130,421 probable cases and 2,703 probable fatalities) as of Monday (an increase of 137 confirmed cases, 51 probable cases, and 4 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is .97. There have been 10,380,358 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 5,049,580 people fully vaccinated).
Five major towns in Ocean County are undervaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Somerset County surpassed its COVID-19 vaccination goal ahead of its July 4th deadline, according to MyCentralJersey.
Sussex County hired former NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt as the county attorney, according to NJ Herald.
Rep. Pascrell chaired a Ways and Means Committee subcommittee hearing on expanding higher education access. Pascrell announced $14M in funding from the INVEST In America Act for CD9 infrastructure projects. Pascrell applauded the announcement of a global minimum tax agreement.
ICYMI: Murphy announced Andrew Bruck as Acting AG following impending departure of Grewal; AG’s Office released video footage of Edna Mahan assaults; Murphy signed FY2022 budget (watch here), touting it as ‘progressive’ and ‘responsible’; state park officer charged with theft from unions; state announced coordinated recommendations and guidance for new school year; Murphy signed legislative package for small business relief; Sherrill vowed to continue SALT efforts
In Hillside, the Union County Democrats endorsed Nancy Mondella for mayor.
In Blairstown, Democrats organized the first Pride Flag raising in Warren County history.
In Newton, the AG’s Office is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting.
In Newark, Mayor Baraka announced that lead levels have fallen below federal benchmark levels.
In Atlantic City, advocates will rally today to support the needle exchange program in the city, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bayonne, BOE Trustee Finnerty passed away following a long fight with cancer, according to Hudson County View.
In Belleville, the town’s first Latina deputy mayor was sworn-in, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Branchburg, the town settled a lawsuit with a developer over the warehouse ban, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Caldwell, the council approved 2 developer agreements, according to NJ Hills.
In Colts Neck, the town broke ground on a new municipal complex, according to TAPinto.
In Edison, residents are fighting a plan for the former Charlie Brown’s site, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Garfield, BOE Trustee Barber is stepping down, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, City Hall will reopen to the public, according to Hudson County View.
In Monroe, seniors say the community’s COVID-19 restrictions are ‘drastic and ludicrous’, according to MyCentralJersey. The council passed an ordinance banning marijuana sales, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Morristown, the town provided an affordable housing report, according to Morristown Green. The BOE has a vacant seat, according to Morristown Green.
In Paterson, Councilwoman Davila was elected to serve as Council President, according to Paterson Press. Election fraud charges against Councilmen Mendez and Jackson are unresolved one year following the election, according to Paterson Press.
In Phillipsburg, a police officer was cleared of charges in a sexual misconduct probe, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Randolph, a new police chief was appointed, according to NJ Hills.
In Seaside Heights, the town toughened its smoking rules, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Secaucus, a DPW worker was arrested on charges of sexual crimes against an underage girl, according to Hudson County View.
In Tenafly, the borough is launching a Holocaust education program, according to the Bergen Record.
In Wildwood, Governor Murphy pledged millions to repair the boardwalk, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Linden, WFNJ filed an ethics complaint against Scutari; in Washington, Juneteenth resolution triggered mayhem; in Randolph, rowdy BOE meeting on controversial decision to remove holidays ends with BOE voting to revert calendar back
AROUND THE WEB:
Erase the ‘Pink Tax’ on Products, Services for Women State Senators Say
Elizabeth Meyers, TAPinto.net
- New Jersey State Senators Nia Gill (D-Essex/Passaic), Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer), and Nellie Pou (Passaic/Begen) are pushing to erase the so-called “Pink Tax” associated with inflated prices of feminine products. Under the measure, “Prohibition Against Gender-Based Pricing Discrimination Act,” charging higher prices based on the gender of the user would be prohibited.
Can New York’s Eric Adams be a new voice for Democrats? | Mike Kelly
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Just in time for the Fourth of July and the spate of annual reminders that our nation began with a revolution against the status quo, Democrats have a nightmare on their hands. His name is Eric Adams. He’s definitely not part of the new status quo. Expect fireworks to explode any day now in the Democratic Party.
Sunny skies and crowded beaches signal a Jersey Shore comeback
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- After a rainy start to the summer and the July Fourth weekend, the sun finally came out — and so did the people. Shore businesses saw near pre-pandemic crowds this weekend on beaches, in restaurants and at amusement parks. Experts say it points to a comeback at the Shore.
A return to ‘normal’ at the Jersey Shore for July 4th
David Gambacorta, Philadelphia Inquirer
- In any other summer, what happened in Wildwood on Sunday wouldn’t have seemed all that remarkable. A blue-and-yellow tram car trundled over knotty boardwalk planks, hauling passengers who looked grateful to be off their feet.
East Brunswick-based Muslims promote sustainability with new project
Cheryl Makin, MyCentralJersey.com
- The Dawoodi Bohras of New Jersey are spearheading a range of sustainability initiatives under the banner of Project Rise. Recently, the state passed a joint legislative resolution to recognize the efforts of the Dawoodi Bohra community toward environmental responsibility and sustainability initiatives that benefit their neighbors and the community at large, said Murtaza Khomusi, spokesperson for the community.
A parade on mute; South Jersey July 4 celebration goes silent for noise sensitive
Joseph P. Smith, Vineland Daily Journal
- The 2021 Independence Day Parade here came with the equivalent of a mute button, creating for a single block along North Broadway a comfort zone for parade-goers for whom loud noises can be distressing.
Bias-crime suspect and police are pelted with bottles in Mount Laurel
Nicolette White and Jim Walsh, Burlington County Times
- A bias-crime suspect — arrested at his home after an hours-long protest by anti-racism demonstrators — was pelted with bottles as police removed him from his home Monday.
Passaic County Dem Gathering Shows Party Unity is Strong, Host Robert Artis Says
Steve Lenox, TAPinto.net
- Despite what appeared to be recent efforts by some to foster disunity among New Jersey Democratic leaders, the former and current chairs of the Party have worked to disprove critics and make history through their tenures.
Public attendance of municipal meetings is a sign of a post-pandemic return to normalcy
Vincent Jackson, Press of Atlantic City
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Galloway Township Mayor Jim Gorman would sit on the dais with his fellow councilpersons and listen as political battles played out during the public comment portion of their meetings for two hours.
N.J. towns wonder how to handle legal weed now that they won’t get more time to decide
Amanda Hoover, NJ Advance Media For NJ.com
- The state Legislature is out for the summer, and its members left without touching a bill that would have extended the deadlines for municipalities to act on cannabis.
NJ spending billions on health care. Is it enough to deal with the next pandemic?
Michael L. Diamond, Asbury Park Press
- New Jersey’s budget includes $450 million for three hospitals to strengthen emergency preparedness. It includes $20 million to expand health insurance coverage for children. There’s $5.5 million for the state’s public health response to COVID-19.
Didn’t States Say They Were Broke?
Wall Street Journal
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy last spring was projecting a $10 billion budget shortfall due to the pandemic. Now the state boasts a $10 billion surplus. Perhaps politicians in Trenton can now fund the new Hudson River train tunnel project? Nope. They’ll leave most of that to Congress.
When an NJ school district pulled Columbus Day, they spoke up
Colleen O’Dea, NJ Spotlight
- Last month’s action by the Randolph Board of Education to replace Columbus Day — a federal holiday since 1934 observed on the second Monday in October — with Indigenous People’s Day upset Italians and others in the town and across the state. That prompted the Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition to get involved. The group, based in the Bloomfield hometown of its New Jersey founder, has been taking an active role in the continuing controversy over the 15th century explorer’s legacy.
Meet the new chairman of the Middlesex County GOP
Susan Loyer, MyCentralJersey.com
- The Middlesex County Republican Organization has a new leader. South Plainfield Councilman Robert Bengivenga Jr. has taken over as chairman, replacing Lucille Panos. Bengivenga, 38, a five-term councilman, defeated Perth Amboy Republican Chair Sharon Hubberman by a 191-79 vote during the June 22 reorganization meeting.
(Visited 334,699 times, 41 visits today)