Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/2/2020 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 9/2/2020:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We have to have conversations about that. You can’t just continue to govern by state of emergency.” – Senate President Sweeney on Governor Murphy’s continued extensions of the public health state of emergency
TOP STORY: Rice Demands Movement on Marijuana Decrim. Bill
Follow Insider NJ’s COVID-19 Information Update Center and Insider NJ’s County COVID-19 Data Center.
The Morning Intelligence Briefing will be on break for the Labor Day weekend, starting tomorrow through Monday. We’ll return on Tuesday. Insider NJ wishes all of our readers an enjoyable Labor Day.
The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 192,290 cases and 14,170 fatalities (and 1,780 probable fatalities) as of Tuesday. The viral transmission rate is 0.92.
Governor Murphy signed an executive allowing indoor dining to resume on Friday, as well as movie theaters and indoor performance venues, with safety protocols and limited capacity.
Governor Murphy signed legislation prohibiting lawful presence as a qualifier for professional and occupational licenses, allowing undocumented immigrants to be eligible for them.
The state’s travel quarantine advisory was updated to add Alaska and Montana, bringing the total back up to 33 states and territories.
The state was awarded $7.1M to address the overdose epidemic.
A Gloucester County metal finishing company site is being considered by the EPA as a Superfund site, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Robert Carroll is in line to be the interim prosecutor in Morris County, as Robert Knapp retires next month. A county OEM employee is alleging misconduct in the agency, according to the Daily Record.
Rep. Malinowski held a virtual town hall yesterday.
Rep. Gottheimer requested school superintendents share plans for school breakfast and lunch children.
Kean University President Repollet delivered his first opening day address.
Insurers are denying NJ small businesses’ COVID-19 claims, according to the Bergen Record.
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’
Army v. Navy: Assemblyman Peters will shave the head of Assemblyman Bergen following a bet between the two regarding Bergen’s bill to limit the Governor’s executive authority.
In CD3, Rep. Kim was endorsed by the US Chamber of Commerce.
In CD4, Mercer County Democratic leaders endorsed Stephanie Schmid.
In CD5, GOP candidate Frank Pallotta released a statement calling on Democrats to ‘reassert democracy’.
In CD7, a DCCC ad slammed GOP candidate Senator Kean as ‘beholden to special interests’. The Congressional Leadership Fund blistered Rep. Malinowski over a suspending license charge (he pleaded it down) , while Malinowski’s campaign took aim at a Garwood council candidate’s fundraiser with Kean; the candidate had previously shared ‘white supremacist’ social media posts.
In CD11, GOP candidate Rosemary Becchi is holding a community blood drive with IBEW 102 and Vitalant.
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
Senator Rice decried the ‘deliberate stalling’ of the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance the recreational marijuana decriminalization bill.
Educators say that proposed cuts to school-based mental health services are ‘unconscionable’, according to Politico NJ.
A provision in a recently enacted law allows for the early counting of VBMs, according to Politico NJ.
Unions and progressive will hold their own public budget hearings, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy’s boat tax increase proposal faces opposition in South Jersey, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Scutari lauded the swearing-in of Justice Fabiana Pierre-Louis.
The LD1 legislators are opening their district office computers for use by residents in need of filing unemployment claims.
Assemblywoman DeCroce urged Governor Murphy to find other options to increasing the gas tax.
Advocacy groups filed a motion to intervene in the federal lawsuit against the state’s VBM general election plan.
The NJ Apartment Association applauded the CDC’s moratorium on evictions through the end of the year, and urged Congress to enact rental assistance.
The NJBIA honored 5 college students with their Rising Star Awards at their Women Business Leaders Forum.
ICYMI: Murphy signed town/county COVID-19 relief bond bill; Sarlo released schedule of budget hearings; 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
In Robbinsville and Hamilton, the towns are requesting a BPU investigation of Optimum and Altice regarding poor customer service and unfair consumer pricing.
In Perth Amboy, its a six-way race for mayor, according to MyCentralJersey. Mayoral candidate Joe Vas Jr. panned the field, and saying the race comes to incumbent Diaz and her slate versus his slate.
In Toms River, the Regional School District is cutting 240 jobs, including bus drivers and aides, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Paramus, schools are delaying in-person instruction until they can fully reopen in November, according to the Bergen Record.
In Paterson, several Ward 2 special election candidates filed to file ELEC reports, according to the Paterson Press. The city donated Chromebooks to impoverished students starting school remotely. 78% of school staff showed up for work despite a COVID-19 dispute, according to the Paterson PRess.
In Ocean Gate, the school district paid a superintendent $90k to stay home as he faces child sex abuse lawsuits, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In South Plainfield, Mayor Anesh tapped Faustini and White as his council running mates, according to TAPinto.
In Cherry Hill, schools will start virtually, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Montague, schools will reopen remotely, according to NJ Herald.
In Longport, five candidates filed to run against incumbents in the commissioners’ race, according to Downbeach.
In Bayonne, locals are hopeful that Council Gullace will be released from the hospital this week, according to TAPinto.
In Absecon, the hearing dates are set for 2021 for the petition to leave Pleasantville High School, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Long Branch, Kushner Cos. is suing a developer over the dead lower Broadway project, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Madison, the GOP is encouraging voters to track their VBMs, according to NJ Hills.
In Lakewood, the school district is considering hybrid learning at its most-crowded school, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Cranford, a committee candidate forum will be held on September 26th, according to TAPinto.
In Watchung, the BOE adopted a hybrid schools reopening plan, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, WalletHub study ranks the city among the worst to drive in.
In Bridgewater, Mayor Moench and the Bridgewater Commons management released a statement on the closing of Lord and Taylor’s.
In Trenton, Mayor Gusciora signed onto a Supreme Court brief supporting the upholding of nondiscrimination protections.
ICYMI: In Egg Harbor City, PBA Local 77 endorsed Ricci; in Trenton, city considering 5G; 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:
When it comes to the 2020 election … it’s (still) the economy, stupid
Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian
- On May 28, 2019 – you know, about 479 years ago – I wrote the following: “So who will win in 2020? It’s still a long way away, so much can happen, but if I had to bet? I’d say Trump.” As it turns out, “so much can happen” happened, and so here we are. The election is 62 days away, and it’s been decades since an incumbent faced worse odds. As for me? I hope the odds get even worse. As far as I’m concerned, this country needs to move on from Donald Trump.
Trump, in campaign against mail-in voting, targets Paterson. Is it a fair example?
Terrence T. McDonald, NorthJersey.com
- President Donald Trump set his sights on Jersey City during his first run for the White House, sharing the lie that he saw thousands of people there cheering the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Now seeking reelection, Trump has another New Jersey city in his crosshairs: Paterson.
New Jerseyans on parole and probation can register to vote in November election
Ashley Balcerzak, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey’s Nov. 3 mostly mail-in election will be historic for many reasons. Among them: 83,000 people convicted of crimes will be able to vote in a general election, a right lost to them for more than a century.
N.J. now has 1st Black woman on state Supreme Court. Fabiana Pierre-Louis was just sworn in.
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Fabiana Pierre-Louis was sworn in Tuesday as the newest member of the New Jersey Supreme Court, officially becoming the first Black female justice in the state’s 224-year history.
Trump keeps claiming Biden will bring crime to the suburbs and Cory Booker will lead the way
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- President Donald Trump keeps telling suburban women that Joe Biden will bring low-income housing, and “a lot of other problems, including crime,” to their currently peaceful neighborhoods. And he said Cory Booker, New Jersey’s first African-American U.S. senator, will lead the effort.
Postal service changes brings protest to Convent Station
Brett Friedensohn, New Jersey Hills
- Dozens showed up to the Convent Station Post Office on Friday, Aug. 21 to protest the Trump Administration’s handling of United States Postal Service (USPS) funding.
Democrats Point to Sustainable Infrastructure Investment
David B. Luber, TAPinto.net
- In a joint prepared statement, Democratic candidates for the Madison Borough Council, Councilman John Hoover of Overhill Drive and former Councilman Bob Landrigan of Green Village Road point to the borough’s program of sustainable infrastructure investment, which continues to be a major win for Madison residents.
Menendez, Sweeney, and Coughlin highlight NJ Together’s social justice discussion
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- New Jersey Together was joined by a number of guests for a social justice Zoom discussion last night highlighted by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), state Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3), and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19).
Trump admin rolls out $17M of COVID-19 business relief for NJ
Daniel J. Munoz, njbiz.com
- The Trump administration said Tuesday it is pumping $17.4 million of federal COVID-relief aid to the state, most of it for small business assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and a smaller chunk specifically for Atlantic City. “These investments come at a crucial time to help New Jersey’s and our nation’s economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” reads a Tuesday morning statement from Dana Gartzke, an economic development official at the Department of Commerce.
New Jersey: State of emergency; when will Phil Murphy’s one-man rule end? | Mulshine
Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger
- At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy was asked by Tucker Carlson of Fox News about whether the powers he had awarded himself under a state of emergency might conflict with the Bill of Rights. “That’s above my pay grade,” Murphy famously replied. Well, it’s not above Steve Sweeney’s pay grade.
Biden nails it on looting: “It’s wrong in every way.” | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- Joe Biden on Monday reminded us what it felt like to have a real president in the White House, giving a speech in Pittsburgh that offered fresh hope of national unity after four years of Donald’s Trump’s vandalism.
Want to Weigh In on Murphy’s Budget? Write It Down
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- Here’s yet-another change brought about by COVID-19: New Jerseyans who want to comment on Gov. Phil Murphy’s latest budget proposal — for, against or somewhere in between — will get to do so only via email or snail mail. Lawmakers have announced that instead of holding a round of in-person or virtual public hearings to gather comments on the revised fiscal year 2021 budget that Murphy proposed last week, they will instead be using the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services to collect written feedback.
Lacey diner owner, who defied Murphy, feels ‘really good’ that indoor dining is back
Alex N. Gecan, Asbury Park Press
- The owner of the Lakeside Diner, the focus of so much police activity and social media mayhem, is glad he’ll be able to get back to work legally after months of running his indoor dining room in defiance of the state’s ban on indoor dining, a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
Here are New Jersey election officials’ biggest fears, concerns leading up to Nov. 3
Ashley Balcerzak, Terrence T. McDonald, Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- Election officials across New Jersey have many concerns about the upcoming general election, but their biggest fear: that voters won’t understand the mostly vote-by-mail process. All registered voters should receive ballots in the mail for the Nov. 3 general election, Gov. Phil Murphy announced in mid-August, and can submit their votes by mail, a secure drop box, or polling place. Instead of casting votes on traditional voting machines, if New Jerseyans visit a polling place on Election Day, they’ll be filling out a paper ballot.
Platforms haven’t changed much in the conventions few watched | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Did you watch the conventions? Few did. They ran four nights each week, roughly from 8:30 to 11 Eastern time, although the major news channels only showed the last half of each evening. They started out exciting enough, but by the time they showcased big names after 10 p.m., some of us in the audience were dragging.
Essex advocate says clip of her with Trump was misused by Republican National Convention
Julia Martin, NorthJersey.com
- On Thursday evening, Lezli Baskerville watched part of the Republican National Convention from her home in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, but turned it off early. When she woke the next morning, she found her phone alight with texts from friends asking why she had appeared in a video during the virtual convention, applauding President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, along with other people of color.
The worst politician in NJ is not Murphy, at least for today (Opinion)
Bill Spadea, NJ1015
- It’s really hard to knock Gov. Phil Murphy out of the top spot as the worst politician in our state. But If you try hard enough, and the corrupt pols in Trenton often do, you can get there. Today’s “Worst NJ Politician” is none other than the guy who championed the “gas tax” a few years ago to provide cover for tax-raising Gov. Chris Christie: State Senator Steve Oroho.
Morristown’s nourish.NJ is moving, in expansion geared to post-COVID world
Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green
- The aftermath of the coronavirus is likely to be felt long after a vaccine is perfected. Anticipating a surge in demand for its food-, housing-, employment- and mental health services, nourish.NJ is moving from downtown Morristown after 36 years, as part of an expansion into northern and northwestern Morris County.
Why we still support the gas tax — even with the latest increase
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The rise in the state’s gas tax continues to be a topic of conversation — which continues to be a surprise. After all, fewer people are driving — so the state has to raise the tax to make up the money it’s required to contributed to the Transportation Trust Fund ($16 billion over eight years). And that money — in theory — goes to support infrastructure projects, which is one of the most vital things the state needs to invest in.
Murphy’s paper ballot election could make Chris Smith Speaker of the House and acting President
Art Gallagher, More Monmouth Musings
- Governor Murphy’s election rules have the real potential to make him and New Jersey the laughing stock of the nation and cause constitutional chaos. It is very possible that Jersey ballots will not be tabulated before the Electoral College meets on December 14 or when the President is to be inaugurated on January 20.
Daniel J. Munoz, njbiz.com
- Lawmakers in New Jersey are trying to sort out which agencies should be responsible for protecting workers from COVID-19, while employers make the case for liability limits.
A place to remember those lost to opioids
Tom Gralish, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Families visited the Remembrance and Hope Memorial at Timber Creek Park in Blackwood during an unveiling and vigil ceremony on Monday. Camden County dedicated the memorial as a place of reflection and hope to recognize the thousands of county residents who have died due to opioid use, and to let their families honor them.
NJ liquor stores, wholesalers face $10M penalty over unfair practices
Nick Muscavage, Bridgewater Courier News
- Two Central Jersey-based wine and spirits retailers agreed to pay a combined $180,000 in penalties to settle findings they engaged in discriminatory trade practices, the state attorney general announced Tuesday.
Lakewood considers hybrid learning at most-crowded school; teachers still unhappy
Gustavo Martínez Contreras, Asbury Park Press
- Three days before Friday’s start to the new school year, a township Board of Education official said the district would consider instituting a hybrid reopening plan for its most-crowded school.
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