Murphy won’t rule out raising taxes again – Politico

Good Thursday morning!

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo now wants to legalize recreational marijuana. What does that mean for plans to grow and sell it recreationally in the Garden State?

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“What New York does has no bearing on what we do in New Jersey,” Gov. Phl Murphy said at a press conference yesterday.

Really? Murphy went into how this is about social justice for him and the unequal arrest and incarceration rates of blacks vs. whites. But is he really saying revenue isn’t a consideration?

If New Jersey legalizes before New York, it’s hard to imagine there won’t be a steady stream of customers driving across the border and, for that matter, smelling up the PATH on their way back. That’s revenue that you’re not going to see if New Yorkers are able to get it at home.

So while I understand it’s politically expedient to pretend revenue isn’t a consideration, I don’t think anyone buys that.

WHERE’S MURPHY? In Summit for a 10:30 a.m. NJ Transit reform bill signing

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, NJ Spotlight’s John Reitmeyer, Hughes Center’s John Froonjian

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Legalizing weed has become a race between lame dads” — Vice headline referring to Murphy and Cuomo

PROGRAMMING NOTE: It’s almost that time. New Jersey Playbook will not publish from Dec. 24 to Jan 1. I’ll be back in your inbox Jan. 2.

AND THAT’S NO DAD JOKE — Murphy won’t rule out tax hikes, by POLITICO’s Ryan Hutchins: Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday he may propose new tax increases when he unveils his budget in March, saying he’s worried that the state has not done enough to achieve what he called “tax fairness.” “It’s too early to tell,” Murphy said during a press conference in Newark when asked directly about potential tax hikes. “But it’s not too early to talk about principles — things that we care about. And tax fairness is on that list.” The governor, a liberal Democrat who took office in January, had sought some $1.7 billion in new taxes earlier this year, calling on lawmakers to generate more revenue off the paychecks of millionaires and to roll back a recent cut in the sales tax. Murphy was met with fierce resistance from fellow Democrats in the Legislature, who said they feared many well-heeled people would leave New Jersey if the governor’s proposal were implemented. Murphy ultimately agreed to a $37.4 billion budget that raised taxes on business and those earning more than $5 million per year, providing some $1.6 billion in annual revenue. But a quarter of it will be gone by next summer and half of it will disappear by July 2022. Read more here

—Stile: “Phil Murphy hiring investigation: Sexual assault probe raises more questions than answers” Read more here

—“Murphy: Platkin urged me to delegate issues like Brennan’s” Read more here

—“Murphy in 2019: marijuana, minimum wage … and more taxes?” Read more here

—”Should Alvarez have been hired in first place? Workplace lawyer explains how N.J. could have been liable if it didn’t hire him because of assault allegation” Read more here

REDISTRICTING PLAN B — “Jones mulls bid for Democratic State chairman,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones says he is willing to run for Democratic State Chairman in 2020 if support emerges for his candidacy. ‘I am interested,’ Jones told the New Jersey Globe. ‘I’d be honored to serve if drafted.’ Jones’ potential candidacy sets up a possible fight with the incumbent, John Currie. Currie’s term expires in thirteen months and he has not yet announced if he will seek re-election. ‘It’s a year away,’ Jones, a former four-term assemblyman, said. ‘Certainly, I would be interested.’ A contested race for state chairman could set up a proxy battle between Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic leaders who have been fighting with the first-year governor.” Read more here

—“Murphy backs Currie re-election” Read more here

HEALTH CARE — Despite Murphy’s push, state’s Obamacare enrollment falls by 8 percent, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: Sign-ups for health care plans offered through the Obamacare exchange surged in the final week of New Jersey’s enrollment period, but an early tally suggests total enrollment declined by around 8 percent compared with last year. More than 138,500 New Jersey residents signed up for coverage as the clock ticked down to the exchange’s Dec. 15 enrollment deadline, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data. The tally for 2019 plans, 256,674 sign-ups, falls well short of the 278,881 residents who enrolled after seven weeks last year, according to CMS data. Read more here

OUT OF COMPTROLL — Comptroller: Hundreds of firefighter organizations formed under archaic law are sitting on nearly $250M, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Under a law dating back more than 130 years, hundreds of obscure organizations formed to help needy firefighters and their families have accumulated nearly a quarter billion dollars — far more than they’ve needed to pay out, according to a report released Wednesday by the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller. The review found that even when New Jersey’s 538 firefighter “local relief organizations“ did provide benefits to members — both paid and volunteer — it was often for expenses that shouldn’t have qualified, like helping a firefighter who was “having trouble making ends meet owning two homes” and sending funds to the spouse of a deceased firefighter who owned a $625,000 home and had a quarter million dollars in savings. All told, the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association [NJSFA] and the local relief organizations it oversees have accumulated $245 million. Read more here

COMMA, HALF STOP —“Phil Murphy remains quiet as opposition grows toward Meadowlands power plant,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon and Megan Burrow: “Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration made some key moves this week to lower carbon footprint of New Jersey by announcing steps to return to a multi-state greenhouse gas pact, developing a key funding mechanism for off-shore wind and joining an effort to reduce transportation emissions. But Murphy has remained steadfastly poker-faced when it comes to a proposal to build a controversial power plant in the Meadowlands that would be one of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters in the state even as dozens of nearby towns voice opposition.” Read more here

— “NJ police fatal encounters: Who should investigate?” Read more here

—“New Jersey Gov. Murphy calls for expanding voter access“ Read more here

—US Wind sells New Jersey offshore lease to new developers Read more here

—Environmental advocates concerned over New York’s absence from transportation initiative Read more here.

—”NJDOT, Turnpike Authority to invest $1.1B on transportation infrastructure” Read more here

—Cuomo will take ‘best experts ever assembled’ on cross-Hudson tunnel tour Read more here

2020 — “Criminal justice bill a major marker for Cory Booker as 2020 announcement looms,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tamari: “For Cory Booker, the Senate’s approval of a landmark criminal justice reform bill Tuesday night is perhaps his most significant policy achievement in Washington — and a well-timed one. The vote comes as Booker nears a decision on whether he will run for president in 2020, and after the New Jersey Democrat has made criminal justice reform one of the central causes of his time in Congress. If he chooses to run, as expected, Booker could point to momentum on an issue that has become a priority for many liberal voters, but one with broad appeal. Along with being one of the effort’s most visible supporters, Booker pushed to ensure that the final bill included a virtual ban on solitary confinement for juveniles in federal prisons.” Read more here

ANYONE WHO FOLLOWED THE WATERSHED SCANDAL KNOWS ABOUT BOOKER’S ATTENTION TO DETAIL — “In ways subtle and loud, the presidential contest is already underway in Iowa,” by The Washington Post’s Matt Viser: “When New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) came here two months ago, he lingered long after events ended to talk to the curious, posing for selfies with anyone who wanted one. After the photos blanketed the social media accounts of Iowa Democrats, Booker’s staff had them printed out, signed and mailed with a personal letter — an added touch still being talked about long after he left. When the son of Jerry Crawford — a prominent Democratic activist who escorted Booker around the state — got married, Booker was there again, offering his congratulations in a phone call to the younger Crawford. In ways quiet and loud, the Iowa presidential contest is already underway, 14 months before the caucuses mark the official start of the 2020 race. Candidates are lining up state directors, planning a flurry of trips in January and jump-starting the fight for an extraordinarily small slice of voters who play one of the most outsize roles in American politics.” Read more here

—“What do voters think of Cory Booker taking on Trump for president? Many ask: Cory Who?” Read more here

HEY IF MY HOUSE JUST GOT RAIDED BY THE FBI, WHY NOT? — “The police tried to close a market down over drug distribution, then the mayor stepped in,” by Route 40’s Bill Sprouse: “How much confidence do Atlantic City City Council members have in Mayor Frank Gilliam? Last week, a group of councilmen proposed restricting the mayor’s authority over city mercantile licenses, hinting they thought Gilliam acted improperly when he intervened to restore the mercantile license of a shop on Atlantic Avenue that had been closed down after the clerk was arrested on drug distribution charges … After the merc was pulled, an appeals hearing was held in the office of Dale Finch, who is the Director of Licensing & Inspections. At the meeting was the owner of the market, the owner’s lawyer and officers from the ACPD. Finch, in an interview, said after this appeals hearing he upheld his own decision to revoke the mercantile license and kept the market closed, but at some point after that, Mayor Gilliam, who is facing a variety of legal entanglements of his own, indicated in Finch’s word, that the mercantile license should be given back, so it was reinstated, Finch said, ‘based upon that request.’” Read more here

IT TURNS OUT NUMBNUTS CAN FEEL POLITICAL PAIN — “Mayor yanks acting police director’s nomination,” by The Trentonian’s Isaac Avilucea: “Literally penning his own ending to a political drama that has gripped the city for months, Mayor Reed Gusciora decided it was time to pull the plug on his once-historic nomination of Carol Russell as acting police director. The decision came a day after the council refused to hold a confirmation vote despite the mayor’s in-person plea, the final chapter in Russell’s transformation from political first to “political football.” The retired 20-year Trenton Police veteran was informed of the administration’s decision to pull her nomination Wednesday night during a meeting at City Hall, bringing a definitive end to her short stay as head of TPD, which officially began Nov. 5” Read more here

—“Op-Ed by Trenton mayor: Carol Russell deserved better” Read more here

ONCE AGAIN PROUD TO BE A MERRIKEN — “‘They were all ridiculous.’ Drug charges dismissed yet again for GOP councilman,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Strunsky: “For the second time in three months, drug charges stemming from a motor vehicle stop were dismissed against an embattled elected official in Monmouth County, he and his lawyer said Tuesday. Charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia against Spring Lake Heights Borough Councilman Robert Merriken were dismissed in Brielle Municipal Court on Tuesday, Merriken and his lawyer, Charles Shaw, said late Tuesday afternoon. ‘They were all ridiculous,’ Merriken said of the charges.” Read more here

PRA-SAD — “Town’s Democrats vote to censure one of their own, citing laundry list of questionable actions,” by NJ Advance Media’s Olivia Rizzo: “The future of a Franklin Township Councilman remains unclear after the council voted to censure him after he ‘engaged in multiple actions in his official capacity as an elected official that are improper for a person in his position.’ The Somerset County township voted to take this action at last week’s council meeting after tension over Councilman Rajiv Prasad’s actions came to a head. After the censure was unanimously passed by the all Democratic council, Franklin Township Mayor Philip Kramer read a statement that outlined some of accusations against Prasad including: Calling the FBI to ‘intimidate’ people for their Facebook posts. Instructing a defendant to visit a judge in his private office to influence the outcome of the case. Attempting to alter the outcome of parking tickets. Attempting to circumvent the protocol in order to avoid public scrutiny on a project by ‘repeatedly calling for votes while omitting them from the agenda.’” Read more here

GOING O.Z. AT OPPORTUNITY ZONE — “Newark’s (next) big opportunity,” by RIO-NJ’s Tom Bergeron: “After it was over — after Newark learned it was not going to get a part of Amazon’s second headquarters (and the way things are going in Long Island City, we’re still not convinced the game is actually over) — the biggest question for Newark was simple: Will there ever be another big opportunity? The answer not only is a resounding, ‘Yes.’ It appears it already has arrived. The LOCUS National Opportunity Zone Ranking Report concluded that the Opportunity Zone tract in downtown Newark is one of the seven best in the country for Smart Growth Potential. That’s one of the seven best of the nearly 8,000 tracts the study group analyzed.’” Read more here

ROBERT BYRNE DAY — Almost all members of the Jersey City council last night wore Amy WIlson’s patch of City Clerk Robert Byrne See here

—“PennEast pipeline: Malinowski, Coleman join homeowners in opposition” Read more here

—“Hamilton mayor sued for censoring critic about state animal shelter report” Read more here

—“Newfield police department was disbanded illegally, lawsuit claims” Read more here

—“Fifth Paterson cop arrested in FBI probe, charged with making illegal traffic stop” Read more here

—“First revaluation in 30 years may hit Hawthorne hard” Read more here

—“AtlantiCare proposes $38M health facility in Atlantic City” Read more here

—“Paterson school chief’s contract includes full-pay termination clause” Read more here

THE MOST POWERFUL OF THEM ALL WAS GEORGE NORCROSSTODON — “Mastodons once lorded over New Jersey, report says,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Colt Shaw: “Mastodons, mammoth beasts with tusks, once called New Jersey home. And fossilized remains of the ancient animals have been found in all corners of the state. A report released Tuesday, ‘Garden State Mastodons,; details the extent of the [mastodons‘] former reign over the state. Researchers with Department of Environmental Protection’s New Jersey Geological and Water Survey and the State Museum authored the report.” Read more here

MAY THE SCHWARTZ BE WITH YOU — “’A Christmas Story’ actor reveals secret behind famous tongue-on-flagpole scene,” by The Record’s Owen Proctor: “New Jersey native Scott Schwartz will always be known for putting his tongue where it didn’t belong. In the 1983 holiday classic ‘A Christmas Story,’ his character, Flick, acted on a triple-dog dare, sticking his tongue to the school flagpole. Fortunately, the 14-year-old actor’s tongue wasn’t really ‘thtuck,’ and no children were harmed filming the scene. The prop people painted the pole to appear old and rusty, and masked a piece of plastic wrapped around it, according to Schwartz. A hole in the plastic connected to a suction tube, which ran to a motorized vacuum hidden below in the snow. ‘Think of a vacuum cleaner, but the hole [in the plastic] was the size of a pinky nail,’ Schwartz said.” Read more here

— “Google explains why it chose Princeton for its newest AI lab” Read more here

—“Work on the underground highway to the Holland Tunnel should have been finished last year. What’s the delay?” Read more here