Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/6/2019 – InsiderNJ
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for 9/6/2019:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I appreciate the speaker’s willingness to try to find a solution, but what he’s presented is really, really off the mark. I respect Craig and I like him, but I’m not even going to consider this.” – Senate President Sweeney on Speaker Coughlin’s pension-benefits legislation
TOP STORY: Insider NJ’s Who’s Up and Who’s Down: Week of the Barclay Debacle
Read Insider NJ’s Who’s Up and Who’s Down: Week of the Barclay Debacle to see where the players stand over the past week in Jersey politics.
The Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies held a hearing yesterday (watch here) on the state’s tax incentives against the backdrop of state scrutiny of the NJEDA programs. Jackson Brainard of the National Conference of Legislatures testified that there’s no evidence that tax incentive programs provide long-term economic benefit, to which Chairman Smith replied ‘You just provided the headline for today’s meeting. Thank you for blowing up the hearing. Appreciate it very much’. Following the hearing, Smith told Insider NJ that while the programs can be improved, a unilateral disarmament isn’t an option: ‘you need them as a tool in the toolkit’, he said, adding that he’s ‘leaning toward a better tax incentive program’. NJ Citizen Action released a statement saying the Legislature has ‘has finally joined the discussion about meaningful, comprehensive reforms’, while NJ Policy Perspective released a statement saying that the experts’ testimony proved the state ‘must rein in and reform its tax credit programs with hard caps and stronger oversight’. The Select Committee will hold its next hearing on September 23rd.
The NJ Treasury announced that the state commissions overseeing the State and School Employees’ Health Benefit Programs signed off on new health care and prescription premium rates, saying that costs will be lower in the coming year and will provide property tax relief.
The NJDOH announced a $54M investment in the state’s child care subsidy program.
The NJ Department of Banking and Insurance fined Lockheed Affinity $1M for administering carry guard insurance in violation of state law.
Rep. Norcross announced $2.6M in funding for South Jersey research centers.
ICYMI: Murphy says it’s ‘above my paygrade‘ if Booker should return to Newark; Menendez demanded action on gun legislation; Stack offered praise for Murphy; amid power dynamics, DiVincezno announced Essex will bond $120M for Newark pipes at press conference, Caputo applauded leaders; Murphy, leaders made the case for Portal Bridge funding; 32BJ launched contract campaign for building cleaners; Sherrill’s town hall; Kim’s town hall; Malinowski chided Trump’s Greenland proposal
Vote in the Insider NJ Poll: What’s the Most Competitive Legislative District in the 2019 General Election?
Here’s what’s on tap under the Gold Dome on Tuesday.
Senate President Sweeney says Speaker Coughlin’s pension-benefits bill is a nonstarter and there’s ‘zero chance‘ it gets posted in the Senate, according to NJ.com. Calling the bill ‘really, really off the mark‘, he said ‘it’s frustrating, but elections sometimes make you make some decisions that might not be as good as they need to be’. Governor Murphy, meanwhile, voiced his support for the proposal, according to NJ.com.
Senator Oroho said that the state’s school funding formula remains vulnerable to external manipulation following the charging of four individuals who scammed the free school lunch program in Elizabeth; Oroho called for action on the Senate GOP’s ‘Every Child Counts’ funding reform plan.
Assemblymembers Tully and Swain released a statement urging communities to be vigilant regarding vaping devices and illnesses.
Over 100 Dreamers, immigrant, and youth leaders urged state leadership to expand access to drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants.
ICYMI: Adubato and Drazin discuss sports betting; on same week as NJEA endorsements, Speaker Coughlin introduced legislation on pen-ben; battleground Peters announced NJEDA reform bill package; Pennacchio blistered NJDEP OPRA denial; Senate passed VBM bill, Assembly passed it, despite criticism from DiMaso and Bucco, who said ‘we essentially came down here to make the beds while the house is on fire‘, Murphy signed the bill; Murphy took action on bills, conditionally vetoing NJEDA extension; Murphy announced Highlands noms
In Hamilton, following the charges relating to her alleged role in disclosing her former opponent’s expunged record, Mayor Yaede’s attorney demanded evidence in the case, according to the Trentonian, while Yaede’s campaign manager denied knowingly releasing the expunged records. Yaede’s attorney, Robin Lord, ripped the charges as ‘playing politics’, according to NJ.com, while the case has been transferred to Ewing’s court. Council President and mayoral candidate Jeff Martin earlier this week released a statement calling on the mayor to ‘take a leave of absence‘, while a majority of the council called on herto resign, according to TAPinto. Hamilton GOP Chairman Dennis Pone is ‘sticking with‘ Yaede, likening the charge to a ‘traffic ticket’, according to the Trentonian.
In Newark, Mayor Baraka introduced an ordinance to mandate the replacement of all lead service lines. The council delayed a vote on the plastic bag ban, according to TAPinto. The mayor’s executive orders will be published online, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, the FairerNJ PAC released its firs digital ad, ‘Storm’, in the BOE race, focusing on the schools’ financial crisis. The Employment and Training Program welcomed new executive director Katrice Thomas. Councilman Robinson is advocating for a new 10-story public safety building on MLK Drive.
In Camden, GOP Chairman Ambrosino reacted to a Politico NJ report that former Assemblyman Barclay met with George Norcross recently, saying ‘just wow!’ and questioning Barclay’s county job.
In Manalapan, a BOE member was charged with sexually assaulting a teenager, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Atlantic City, the first annual NJ Cannabis Convention will be held Sept. 14th-15th.
In Rahway, the local Democrats endorsed Cory Booker’s presidential campaign.
In Montclair, the GOP Club wants a gun rights mural opposite an anti-gun violence mural, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Lakewood, BOE member Rodriguez resigned, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Cherry Hill, residents expressed concern over the opening of a new Shake Shack, according to the Courier Post.
In Paterson, Mayor Sayegh hired Harsha Mallajosyula as the chief data officer, according to the Paterson Times.
In West Wildwood, three candidates are running for an open commissioner seat, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In West New York, the commissioners followed through on their campaign promise to dissolve the parking authority, according to Hudson County View.
In Byram, the town is forgoing exploring shared services with Andover, according to NJ Herald.
In Phillipsburg, the police department may get out of their current moldy headquarters by the end of the year, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Elmwood Park, a lawsuit is adding to the town’s political turmoil, according to the Bergen Record.
In Trenton, Mayor Gusciora is ready to ‘take gloves off‘ with the council, according to the Trentonian.
In Moorestown, the town is delaying a $25M bond referendum vote as officials revise it, according to the Burlington County Times.
In Frenchtown, the town approved new zoning laws to encourage economic development, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Middle Township, residents are battling development at the golf course, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Marlton, a defense contractor was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the DOD.
In New Brunswick, Senate President Sweeney spoke at the opening night celebration of the new Performing Arts Center.
In Englewood, the Bergen Sheriff’s Department will hold a bookbag drive tomorrow.
In Cinnaminson, Senator Singleton will partner with the American Cancer Society for the ‘Relay For Life’ event.
ICYMI: In Trenton, Hseuh will step down from Water Works; in Hoboken, council voted to move forward with Bhalla Union Dry Dock plan; in Rutherford, candidates made their cases at Labor Day festival; in Montclair, Jackson appointed Gonzalez to BOE; in Paterson, a West Side Story reboot; in Hamilton, the town sues Robbinsville
Vote in Insider NJ Poll: Who Will Win the Hamilton Mayor’s Contest?
AROUND THE WEB:
Will ‘Expungegate’ be the end of Kelly Yaede?
Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian
- After a quiet summer, silly season in Hamilton is off and running post-Labor Day, with Mayor Kelly Yaede facing criminal charges. Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you … Expungegate. It sounds pretty bad – and really, if you’re an elected official in the middle of a campaign, there’s no such thing as “good” criminal charges – but in the grand scheme of things, Yaede’s troubles are small potatoes. And also confusing. They’re confusing potatoes.
What CEOs know but Murphy doesn’t | Wirths
Assemblyman Hal Wirths
- Gov. Murphy penned an editorial this past Sunday in the Star-Ledger celebrating the Business Roundtable, a group comprised of CEOs of the nation’s major companies, after they changed their mission statement to focus on the betterment of employees. The Business Roundtable was right to take that new stance, a company can only be as productive as its workers – and their well-being should be a primary focus so they can be the best and most personally satisfied employees and citizens possible.
Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger
- After the 9/11 attacks, we began to hear that cliche about how “the terrorists will have won” if we let ourselves become so consumed with fear that we no longer act rationally. Well, the future is now.
Is Texas’s 2020 shaping up like New Jersey’s 2018?
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- If you’re interested? There are plenty of articles out there in which liberal journalists greedily explore the tea leaves and wax glowing about the potential for Texas to transform into a genuine battleground state after decades of Republican ascendancy.
What President Trump Understands that Democrats Don’t
Adam Geller, More Monmouth Musings
- As a practitioner of public opinion polling, I’ve studied, poked and analyzed opinions for more than 25 years. I’ve learned and grown to appreciate how fickle and malleable opinions can be. I’ve also come to understand through opinion research, why President Trump is playing a winning hand going into 2020 and why he is better positioned for victory than you might think.
Facebook still a gray area in transparency of public officials
Meghan Grant, North Jersey Record
- Should elected officials block members of the public from their social media accounts? More and more, citizens are relying on social media for information, and municipal officials are attempting to find a balance between privacy and transparency.
Lawsuit Says Westfield Failed to Maintain Tree That Fell, Seriously Hurt Man
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Westfield
- A tree crushed a local man’s car and knocked him unconscious, causing permanent injuries, because the town and property owners failed to maintain that tree properly, a lawsuit filed last month claims.
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- It was a statement said often Wednesday — but one worth repeating on the night the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center opened. “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the emergence of New Brunswick has run in parallel with the emergence and the growth of our arts community,” New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill said. “The arts have been a transformative force, serving as an economic engine fueling the heart and soul of our community.
Low-income Jersey City tenants make demands in wake of new Holland Gardens plans
Corey McDonald, Hudson County View
- For years, tenants of the Holland Gardens public housing complex in Jersey City, located just north of the Holland Tunnel entrance, have said dilapidated conditions were common place: work orders being ignored, holes left in ceilings and mold was left to fester, residents alleged last night.
Rev. Buster Soaries to step down from First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens
Bob Makin, Bridgewater Courier News
- A search is underway for the next senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens after the Rev. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. announced his planned retirement after 30 years of service. Soaries, who’ll retire on Nov. 15, 2020, remains at the helm of FBCLG and plans to mentor his successor to create a productive transition for the church.
State, federal plan to widen bridge in Harding is opposed locally
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
- Dickson’s Mill Road gently winds a narrow, mile-long path through green fields and historic estate properties that comes to an end near the spill over the Silver Lake dam. Along the way, the historic two-lane road, which carried travelers before the American Revolution, crosses over the scenic Silver Brook and passes by a 40-acre preserve purchased with state Green Acres funds.
The number of low-income children served after-school food in New Jersey is rising
Alfred Lubrano, Philadelphia Inquirer
- As part of an unending campaign to battle childhood hunger, federally funded programs that provide after-school suppers and snacks are apparently succeeding in New Jersey. Between 2016 and March of this year, the number of children ages 18 and younger throughout the state who were served after-school snacks or suppers rose 21%, to an average of 70,000 per day, according to a report being released Thursday by Hunger Free New Jersey, a Bergen County-based nonprofit.
Nuke Subsidies Under Review Just Months After Contentious Approval
Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight
- Less than half a year after the state awarded lucrative ratepayer subsidies to keep three nuclear power plants from closing, regulatory officials are beginning to explore whether the subsidies should be extended, or perhaps reduced.
Freeholders to look at Scanlan, trustees issue
Bruce A. Scruton, New Jersey Herald
- Acting as a citizen, Freeholder Director Herb Yardley said he has asked the Sussex County Community College Board of Trustees for records of their investigation of board member and former vice chairman Jerry Scanlan. In a weekend e-mail, Yardley said the trustees “sent over a copy of their resolution, which we already knew about from the newspaper reports. They did not forward their promised investigation.”
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