Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/13/2021 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We need to renounce the conspiracy theorists and truth deniers, the ones who know better and the ones who are just plain nuts.” – Former Governor Christie during a speech at the Reagan Library
TOP STORY: NJ Politicians Want to Talk about ‘Climate Change’, While Not Revising Land Use
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 972,729 cases and 24,309 confirmed fatalities (and 144,777 probable cases and 2,749 probable fatalities) as of Sunday (an increase of 1,744 confirmed cases, 337 probable cases, and 4 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.04. There have been 11,746,177 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 5,695,968 people fully vaccinated).
Download and read Insider NJ’s ‘Let’s Get To Work!’: The State Of New Jersey Labor’ power list and publication.
Governor Murphy reported two additional fatalities due to Tropical Storm Ida, bringing the statewide total to 29.
Governor Murphy announced that the federal government signed off on disaster relief for four additional counties: Essex, Hudson, Union, and Mercer.
Governor Murphy announced $76.5M in grant applications to enhance CTE education at VOTECH high schools and county colleges.
The NJDHS announced hot food and replacement benefits assistance for SNAP recipients in six counties affected by Ida.
HUD announced waivers to accelerate the recovery from Hurricane Ida for NY and NJ.
More than 11,000 called Bergen County’s 911 system for aid during Tropical Storm Ida, according to the Bergen Record.
Hudson County is seeking to sever its ICE contract after years of protests, according to NJ Monitor.
Warren County Commissioners expressed support for having a local meat processing facility within the county.
Inspira Health appointed Julie Ellis as Vice President of Human Resources.
ICYMI: Malinowski says ‘make or break moment‘ for climate; Kim discusses the Capitol riot; Biden landed in NJ in hard-hit Manville, as some welcomed him, while others rallied against him; Murphy directed flags to half-staff thru Friday for Ida victims; residents of 6 counties can apply for FEMA aid; more voters think domestic terror greater threat than foreign terror; Murphy announced $10M in Ida aid, toured damage from storm; Murphy declared emergency due to Ida; Murphy: school mask mandate isn’t ‘polite suggestion’
The issue of land use is unlikely to be discussed on the gubernatorial campaign trail.
Raymond Pocino resigned from the Boards of the Port Authority and Turnpike Authority.
Bar notes: a redistricting scenario relating to CD7 and Senate President Sweeney.
LD1’s Vince Polistina won’t pursue court action over his swearing-in, according to Politico NJ.
The NJ Legislative Black Caucus held its annual retreat.
SmartHeatNJ launched a campaign across the state to educate consumers about the state’s energy master plan.
The FocusNJ Task Force released recommendations and strategies for rehiring and reskilling workforce.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2021 Insider 100: Policymakers publication.
ICYMI: Timberlake appointed Stephens COS; Dem Senators pushing Murphy to offset UI tax increase; Murphy took action on legislation
In Newark, South Ward Councilman James, a veteran, considers the impact of the extraction of troops from Afghanistan (video).
In North Arlington, former Mayor Kaiser passed away at age 73.
In Montclair, Mayor Spiller announced a COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirement for all municipal employees.
In Raritan Township, residents honored those who perished due to Tropical Storm Ida.
In Englewood Cliffs, a lawsuit is targeting the town after a councilman’s resignation date change, according to the Bergen Record.
In Jersey City, Councilman Lavarro tried to move his colleagues to advance affordable housing legislation but was rebuffed, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Mine Hill, a school construction referendum will bring zero tax increase, according to NJ Hills.
In Nutley, the ambulance squad is now operating under the township, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Parsippany, the town will honor former councilmembers with plaques in town hall, according to TAPinto.
In Phillipsburg, police officers are now wearing body cameras, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Warren, the mayor and deputy mayor addressed development concerns, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Paterson, officials toured Ida shelter; in Penns Grove, former councilman charged w/ underreporting income; in Newark, DOJ reached settlement with schools; in Hoboken, workers rallied for benefits; in Chatham, key issue revolves around Nazis and Elie Wiesel.
AROUND THE WEB:
Hypocrisy of Ciattarelli attack on Murphy’s record on women visible from Pennsylvania
Phil Gianficaro, Burlington County Times
- Riley McGlone recognizes the hypocrisy as clearly as he sees the sun come up while heading to work each morning. Mike Kupchik, Joseph Franchetti and Brent Pohlman, not so much. “Couldn’t agree more with your column about Trump supporters Jack Ciattarelli and Diane Allen taking Gov. (Phil) Murphy to task on women’s issues,” said McGlone, of Cinnaminson.
NJ’s heat exemption for masking in schools raises questions
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey’s children have returned to school and they are required to wear masks. But some school districts have already made mask-wearing optional after Gov. Phil Murphy said children do not have to adhere to the mask mandate in extreme heat.
Have you noticed more dead deer piling up on NJ roadsides? Here’s why
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
- A disease outbreak affecting the deer population may be why New Jersey motorists are seeing more carcasses on New Jersey roadsides ahead of the annual migration season. State officials say outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease are common, but Morris County officials say the company contracted to remove roadside deer carcasses has “never seen this many service calls in their 20-plus years in the business.”
The Old Farmer’s Almanac says NJ is going to have a brutal winter
Bill Doyle, NJ1015
- The 230th edition of the Old Farmer’s Almanac has been released and it says that the US, New Jersey included, is going to have a particularly cold winter. The venerable publication warns of a “season of shivers” throughout the country, calling for “positively bone-chilling, below-average temperatures.” “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years,” says Janice Stillman, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
GOP gubernatorial nominee Ciattarelli to fundraise at the W Hotel in Hoboken next week
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli is set to fundraise at the W Hotel in Hoboken next week in an event co-hosted by the county and municipal GOP.
Are those UFO crop circles in North Jersey cornfields? Nope, just damage from bears
Bruce A. Scruton, New Jersey Herald
- The spot in the middle of the cornfield was just right, so the big bear sat down and enjoyed some corn on the cob. He rolled around a bit and flattened some plants, leaving a “crop circle” behind. The farmer who planted the corn, Phil Brodhecker, said the bear, and others like it, are literally eating his profits.
How we did it: Uncovering $265M in Rutgers athletics debt
Jean Rimbach and Abbott Koloff, NorthJersey.com
- When the internal debt for the athletics program at Rutgers University jumped from $40 million to $120 million in one year, it raised a red flag — and plenty of questions. Our research ultimately led to a story revealing that Rutgers athletics has quietly racked up $265 million in debt, much of it to cover regular yearly operating expenses, not capital construction projects.
COVID-19 hospitalizations still manageable amid new wave, health systems say
Ahmad Austin Jr., Burlington County Times
- Some hospitals in the region have had it easier than easier than others dealing with the latest wave of COVID-19. Fortunately, it’s still a far cry from the previous waves that brought about field hospitals and ICU bed shortages. The emergence of new variants of the coronavirus, primarily delta, have had daily case numbers and hospitalizations back on the rise over the last few weeks.
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