Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/1/2020 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 9/1/2020:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The governor just went a little too far and the faces of the Democrats, they were shocked too.” – Assembly Minority Leader Bramnick on Governor Murphy’s ‘baby bonds’ proposal
TOP STORY: Politics and the Next Morris County Prosecutor
Follow Insider NJ’s COVID-19 Information Update Center and Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.
The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 191,960 cases and 14,165 fatalities (and 1,780 probable fatalities) as of Monday. The viral transmission rate is 0.9. Governor Murphy and state officials held their COVID-19 briefing, during which the Governor announced that indoor dining can resume on Friday, at 252% capacity (iLine post). Movie theaters and indoor performance venues can also reopen, with limited capacity (iLine post).
Reacting to the indoor dining reopening, Senate President Sweeney welcomed the reopening, but urged the Governor to sign legislation to reimburse restaurants for costs associated with the delay. Senator O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman DiMaso welcomed the reopening, but criticized the delay and the restrictive 25% capacity limit. Senator Bucco said indoor dining ‘could be salvation’ for struggling restaurants, but urged an increase in the 25% capacity. The NJBIA said the indoor dining announcement was ‘appreciated, but unfortunately long overdue‘ and ‘hope its not too little, too late’ for restaurants. NFIB welcomed the decision, but said the 25% capacity will impede restaurants’ ability to make a profit. The NJ Chamber said its a ‘positive step‘ that restaurants and movie theaters will be allowed to reopen.
Governor Murphy directed flags to half-staff in honor of Staff Sergeant Vincent Marketta, who was killed in a training accident.
The NJDHS announced $40.3M in additional SNAP benefits for New Jersey families in September.
Cape May County freeholders approved a plan to spend millions to rebuild bridges, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Morris County observed International Overdose Awareness Day.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Vicari urged Governor Murphy to revoke the upcoming gas tax increase.
In Salem County, the New Jersey Wind Port project is the county’s ‘next big thing‘, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Somerset County is still deciding how to hold their 9/11 ceremony, according to MyCentralJersey.
Warren County will hold a 9/11 ceremony.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center was named a LGBTQ healthcare quality leader.
NJTV’s Michael Hill was named substitute anchor for PBS’ Newshour.
ICYMI: Gyms can reopen (iLine post), Murphy won’t compromise on pension payment; Treasury announced gas tax hike of nearly 10 cents per gallon; Murphy extends public health state of emergency; Murphy’s revised budget address yesterday (view proposal); leaders react; state joined lawsuit challenging USPS policy changes; Murphy signed legislation changing ‘freeholder’ to ‘commissioner’
Politics and law enforcement mix as Morris County prosecutor Knapp heads towards retirement.
NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt slammed Governor Murphy over the 9.3 cent gas tax hike, calling on him to suspend the increase.
In CD2, a Van Drew official mailer is raising eyebrows in South Jersey, according to Politico NJ.
In CD4, Rep. Smith touted his NJSPBA endorsement.
In LD25, Democratic challenger Rupande Mehta slammed Senator Bucco over his opposition to several election-related bills.
In CD7, GOP candidate Senator Kean held a Montville HQ opening (iLine post).
Atlantic County GOP freeholder candidates Risley and Toto held a campaign event on Sunday evening.
ICYMI: Van Drew addressed the RNCt, describing path to GOP, symbolizing his complete transformation; NY Post’s VBM piece (iLine post); Palatucci joining McCarter and English; Sloan interviews Kennedy (video); in CD7, dueling Malinowski and Kean ads (iLine post); Sciarra, Casey call on Murphy to allow indoor dining; Wowkanech blisters Ciattarelli (iLine post); Union’s Estrada retiring (iLine post); Georgia Scott passed away (iLine post); GOP suing over VBM order, Murphy savaged lawsuit; NJSPBA endorsements
Governor Murphy signed legislation allowing towns and counties to issue COVID-19 relief bonds and signed legislation criminalizing making a false 9-1-1 call and filing a false police report as a form of bias intimidation. He signed a resolution designating August 31st of each year ‘Overdose Awareness Day’.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sarlo released the schedule of hearings for the FY2021 revised budget.
Senator Beach introduced legislation to improve legal guardianship.
Assemblywoman Quijano introduced legislation addressing teacher diversity in schools.
The CIANJ called on the Legislature to introduce an amendment to the motor fuels tax law to provide relief from the gas tax increase.
Plaintiffs in the LWV NJ v. Way lawsuit applauded the Legislature’s passage of and Governor’s signing of the Ballot Cure Act.
The NJ League of Municipalities applauded the signing of legislation for towns and counties to issue COVID-19 relief bonds.
ICYMI: Quigley departing AMO; Rice upbraided Murphy’s policy team; Senate affirmed Pierre-Louis; SJU affirmed Pierre-Louis; DeLamater ‘pissed off’ at Ocean sheriff office (iLine post); Murphy filed nominations; Bergen crossing state lines for workouts; COVID-19 exposes educational inequities
Some NJ beach towns are extending their season, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Newark, Mayor Baraka’s history of political activism was shaped by his experiences on the streets and his family’s role in political protest, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Atlantic City, Borgata will lay off 2,000 workers as COVID-19 hurts the casino industry, according to NJ Biz.
In Perth Amboy, mayoral candidate Joel Pabon and his running mates filed petitions.
In Egg Harbor City, PBA Local 77 endorsed Councilman Ricci for mayor.
In Trenton, the city is considering rolling out 5G small cell networks.
In Clinton, councilwomen have started a petition urging the Governor to reopen restaurants, according to NJ Hills.
In Parsippany, teachers voted ‘no confidence’ in the superintendent and reopening plan, according to the Daily Record.
In Paterson, the Housing Authority gave 5% bonuses to employees with COVID-19 relief funds, according to the Paterson Press. The schools district gave Assemblywoman Sumter’s husband a 13% raise, according to Paterson Times. Five candidates are running in Ward 2’s special election, according to Paterson Times.
In Jersey City, black leaders say an arrest made on Neptune Avenue was ‘excessive and aggressive’, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Lakewood, overcrowding at the middle school will test the district’s reopening plan, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Sparta, there’s petition confusion for four council candidates, according to TAPinto.
In Frankford, the town registered opposition to vote-by-mail, according to NJ Herald.
In Somers Point, the school district is laying off some aides and reducing hours for others, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Newton, schools scrapped their plan for in-person learning, according to NJ Herald.
In Chatham Township, rough seas are forecasted for the next municipal budget, according to NJ Hills. The township is determined to acquire Charlie Brown’s despite hints of litigation, according to NJ Hills.
In Fair Lawn, a parent alleges a trustee came to her home after a complaint, according to the Bergen Record.
In Newark, Baraka released a statement in response to COVID vaccine trial;in Roselle, Dems backing Shaw for mayor; in Paterson, Witherspoon passed away; in Newark, Mayor Baraka blistered court decision limiting Civilian Complaint Review Board, Fulop blistered Trenton lawmakers; in Lumberton, LaPlaca seeking a committee seat (iLine post)
AROUND THE WEB:
Murphy is trying, again, to tax the super-rich. This is no time to stand in his way | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- If the Legislature blocks Gov. Phil Murphy’s plan to raise taxes on the super-rich again, for the third year in a row, then they really should hand in their membership cards to the Democratic Party.
The new election battleground? Trump and Biden will fight for America’s suburbs | Mike Kelly
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Behold the suburbs. Behold all those rolling lawns and stately trees lining all those quiet streets. Behold all those endless parks and swimming pools and malls and soccer and baseball fields. Now behold something else — America’s suburbs as the brutal battleground for this year’s presidential election.
Murphy isn’t serious. Here’s my plan to modernize New Jersey elections. | Ciattarelli
Jack Ciattarelli
- Prohibiting voters from choosing how to cast their ballots in this year’s general election isn’t just the latest example of Governor Phil Murphy’s push for increased government control of our lives, or his continued abuse of my-way-or-the-highway Executive Orders. No, it’s more than that. It’s proof that the science he cares most about is his political science.
LGBTQ activist Marsha P. Johnson to get monument in hometown of Elizabeth
Suzanne Russell and Alex Biese, Bridgewater Courier News
- A public monument honoring Elizabeth native and LGBTQ+ Civil Rights activist Marsha P. Johnson is planned for along the Freedom Trail in the city. Members of Johnson’s family joined by Union County Freeholders and LGBTQ+ advocates recently gathered at the site, which is expected to be the first public monument in New Jersey honoring an LGBTQ+ person and trangendered woman of color.
‘A Whole-Body Rehab Process’: COVID Battle Doesn’t End at the Hospital Door
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- Hospital “clap-out” ceremonies are filled with of hope, as doctors, nurses and other caregivers line the hallways to cheer for a coronavirus patient heading home, into the loving arms of family and friends. But these joyous events are not the end of the struggle for many COVID-19 patients in New Jersey and elsewhere, experts have learned.
NJ schools reopening Q&A: Who decides if a school shuts down? What if a child gets COVID?
Lindy Washburn, NorthJersey.com
- As some school districts prepare for a return to in-person instruction, families have many questions about how administrators will decide whether to quarantine students or shut down a school building if cases of COVID-19 develop. Here are some answers.
Rancor intrudes into calls for anti-racist education in the Chathams
Garry Herzog, New Jersey Hills
- Rancor intruded itself into the issue of anti-racist education in the School District of the Chathams in the form of emails to the Board of Education at its meeting Monday, Aug. 24.
At Rutgers, with fears of arrest and COVID-19, hundreds of students party — quietly
Christopher Maag, NorthJersey.com
- It was only 10:30 at night, but Miranda Jones was already late for the party. She arrived at the white town house on Mine Street, then checked the address on her phone. From the back patio, she heard dozens of people shouting over pop music. She heard someone open a beer can, its metallic click-shushhh softened by the night’s wet air.
NJ community colleges face 31% cut in state opening aid
Michael Symons, NJ1015
- When Gov. Phil Murphy said last week he’d put a “ring fence” around public education to protect against spending cuts, he included a significant qualifier: pre-K through 12. Community colleges are in line for a different experience. Between a de-appropriation of nearly $10 million in the spring, a reduction in the current temporary three-month budget and then a planned cut in the upcoming nine-month budget, they’re in line for nearly $52 million in cuts.
Long-awaited Cheesequake Creek dredging begins
Susan Loyer, Bridgewater Courier News
- The long-awaited dredging of Cheesquake Creek has begun. “I’m very excited,” said Theresa Lockwood, who along with her nine siblings, owns Lockwood Boat Works in Sayreville. “It’s been 10 years in the making.”
Jersey’s top Republican goes on rant about Murphy’s “Baby Bonds”
Steve Trevelise, NJ1015
- I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when Gov. Phil Murphy announced his “Baby Bonds” program in his budget address. That’s where he would deposit $1,000 dollars for every child born in 2021 whose parents make less than $131,000 per family of four. In my head I’m hearing parents singing, “I want my baby bonds baby bonds, baby bonds, I want my baby bonds, baby bonds baby bonds,” like the Chili’s song. Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick was at the budget address and came on my show Tuesday night to talk about it:
Murphy administration will pay $35M to one consulting firm. What does NJ get out of it?
Dustin Racioppi, Trenton Bureau
- The Murphy administration will pay nearly $35 million in taxpayer money over four years to a global consulting firm to supplement the work of several state agencies, including NJ Transit, the Economic Development Authority and the state’s response to COVID-19.
MVC has served 1M customers since reopening, but drivers still in long line at agencies
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- State Motor Vehicle Commission employees are making headway clearing the backlog of business that piled up after the coronavirus forced facilities to close for three months. But even though almost two months have passed since agencies reopened, that process hasn’t prevented drivers from having to line up early in the morning to get inside an agency to do their business.
Superintendent, Paterson teachers clash over COVID safety during reopening of schools
Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press
- The dispute over workplace COVID-19 safety between Paterson’s schools superintendent and its teachers’ union has escalated through dueling letters that seemed to put the two sides on a collision course.
Latest long-term care bill would provide for in-facility visits
Michael Symons, NJ1015
- More than a dozen long-term care reform bills have now been proposed in the Legislature since the coronavirus outbreak began, with the latest coming from one of the loudest critics of how the Murphy administration handled the deadly outbreak. Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris, along with Sen. Anthony Bucco, introduced legislation that focuses on visits inside of facilities, weekly testing and employment restrictions for staff members. He called the proposed “Sally’s Law” “a common-sense piece of legislation.”
Teacher shortages force school districts to go virtual
Joanna Gagis, NJTV
- With just days to go, it’s a race to the starting line for school districts getting ready to reopen. But a race can’t start without runners, and many districts are finding they have teachers and staff not willing to come back to the classroom. “We surveyed all the staff in July. Less than 3% said they were not coming back. The union yesterday, less than two days before the opening of school, after being asked for several months, said, reluctantly, do a hybrid,” said Lakewood School District attorney Michael Inzelbuch.
Jersey City MUA tight-lipped over $11M advance franchise payment to the city
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority doesn’t seem interested in talking about an $11 million advance franchise payment to the city that was approved last month prior to the council passing the city’s $658 million budget.
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- University Hospital CEO Shereef Elnahal and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka both attempted to quell fears of the Black community in Newark regarding the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial that will take place at the hospital in the city. Both made it clear: The trial is voluntary. No one can be forced to participate. Elnahal, in fact, has signed up to participate himself.
South Jersey residents uncertain about returning to indoor dining
Jarrad Daniel Saffren, Deborah M. Marko, Celeste E. Whittaker, Burlington County Times
- Indoor dining is set to return Friday, just in time for Labor Day weekend, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday. Indoor dining has been barred since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Murphy walked back a plan to allow dining rooms to reopen in July, but diners may not be as eager to make dinner plans now.
(Visited 227,824 times, 65 visits today)