Soon, no more Covid briefings- POLITICO – Politico
Good Thursday morning!
After two years, Gov. Murphy is stopping his daily coronavirus press conferences.
Murphy announced Wednesday that the final briefing will be Friday, March 4 — the two-year anniversary of the first announced New Jersey case of Covid-19 (but certainly not the actual first case).
“With the omicron tsunami continuing to swiftly recede, the case numbers continuing to fall, and our hospital metrics continue to improve, and with vaccination numbers among the highest in the nation … We believe now is the time to end these briefings,” he said during Wednesday’s briefing.
I’m sure New Jerseyans will miss the regular cast of characters they’ve grown accustomed to, like Dr. Ed Lipschitz and Col. Pat Callahan. And once she’s out of the regular spotlight, will Health Commissioner Judy Persichelli once again need an introduction?
I hope the governor’s regular question and answer sessions with the press are moved to a different venue rather than discarded.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Vladimir Putin is a thug. He runs a kleptocracy. This is a bad, bad, bad dude who has no right whatsoever deciding about somebody else’s borders.” — Gov. Phil Murphy
DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 10
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Jon Bramnick, Lobbyist/sandwich salesman Dale Florio, lobbyist Trish Zita, freelance TV journalist Laura Lindsey Jones
WHERE’S MURPHY? In cyberspace for a 10 a.m. winter weather briefing
TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at [email protected]
GOING SOUTH — For battered South Jersey Democrats, there’s little to love in the new legislative district map, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: The boundaries of former Senate President Steve Sweeney’s old district didn’t change much under the new legislative district map adopted last Friday in an unprecedented compromise between Democrats and Republicans. But a few minor tweaks — most notably the removal of the heavily-Democratic city of Bridgeton in Cumberland County and the addition of several conservative rural towns in the county — will make it harder for the Democrat to make a comeback in 2023, two years after his shocking loss to Republican Ed Durr in the November election. “Redistricting will not deter me,” Sweeney, who has privately said he plans to run for governor in 2025 but also hasn’t ruled out an attempt to reclaim his Senate seat next year, said in a phone interview. The new map of New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts presents a difficult challenge for Sweeney and his fellow South Jersey Democrats who, between Sweeney’s political acumen and the fundraising prowess of power broker George Norcross, had dominated the region for years — voting in lock-step in the Legislature and parlaying that unanimity into out-sized influence over the state Democratic Party.
SALARY CRAP —Salary caps fueling teacher shortage at New Jersey’s private schools for students with disabilities, advocates say, by POLITICO Carly Sitrin: Five years ago, some of the top administrators at New Jersey’s private schools for students with disabilities came under heavy criticism for driving expensive cars, hiring family members and bloating their pensions with taxpayer money. Former Gov. Chris Christie’s administration responded by instituting salary caps and hundreds of pages of intricate regulatory code to keep these directors and top earners in line. Now, in the midst of a teacher shortage that’s been compounded by a global pandemic, regulations that were supposed to curtail bad behavior at the top are having unintended consequences — driving rank-and-file teachers out of the schools that educate some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable students. “Government has a responsibility to taxpayers to demonstrate good stewardship over public funds, but this is a case where that effort has overstepped,” Brenda Considine, coordinator of the New Jersey Coalition for Special Education Funding Reform, said in an interview. “It’s doing more harm than good.”
BUT IT WILL SEEM MUCH LONGER — “Murphy says legal weed sales could start within weeks at N.J. medical dispensaries,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson and Susan K. Livio: “After missing a self-imposed Tuesday deadline to open the state for legal marijuana sales, Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday night New Jersey is ‘within weeks’ of having existing medical weed dispensaries sell recreational cannabis to adults 21 and older. ‘If I had to predict, we are within weeks — I would hope in March — you would see implicit movement on the medical dispensaries, some of them being able to sell recreational,’ Murphy said during his radio show.”
SOMETHING ABOUT ELECTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES — “N.J. immigrant relief program about to end just as it’s gaining steam. Insiders doubt it will be revived,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “Nearly a month after the Murphy administration was criticized for an initially sluggish launch, the Excluded Fund, for people who do not qualify for unemployment or stimulus checks, is hitting its stride. After simplifying the application process and extending the deadline to Feb. 28, the state had received 21,500 applicants and approved payment of $9.5 million in federal money to 4,100 households, Human Services spokeswoman Eva Loayza-McBride said Friday. If the remaining 15,249 applications awaiting review are approved, the entire $40 million will be spent, the Department of Human Services announced last week … Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, a member of the Legislative Latino Caucus asks why the program — which offers grants of $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families that earn $55,000 or less — must end this month just as word is spreading about an opportunity so many need … But political insiders say the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund program is destined to die just as it is finding its intended beneficiaries. Those close to the situation don’t want to publicly say why. Privately, they say the answer can be found in the results of the closer-than-expected re-election of Gov. Phil Murphy and the loss of seven Democrats in the state Legislature on Nov. 2.”
—“COVID hospitalizations in New Jersey fall below 1,000 for first time in 3 months”
—“N.J. spent more than $90M on COVID vaccine hotline in 2021, records show”
PLATCATED — “Black activists say they’re pleased with acting AG’s response to Bridgewater police incident,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ande Richard: “Several community activists said they met with acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin on Monday and they are generally pleased with how he is handling the community’s response to how two Bridgewater officers wrestled a Black teen to the ground and handcuffed him in a local mall. They said they’re relieved that Platkin is looking at this incident as police use of excessive force and they took away from the 30-minute Zoom call that Platkin’s office is involved in the investigation of the incident in which the Black teen was treated much differently than a lighter-skinned teen. ‘I’m glad he was upfront with us,’ said Reva Foster, chairwoman of the New Jersey Black Issues Convention. … Platkin, however, would not confirm that the meeting took place, or if his office was investigating the incident.”
FEAR OF A BLACK PLANT — “Fears grow that Black businesses will be left out of recreational marijuana market,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo and Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “Jersey City plant shop owner Shayla Cabrera has eyed the cannabis industry for years, dreaming of growing and selling her own cannabis crop in a market where sales are expected to top one billion dollars the first year. As a Black woman, Cabrera has an edge in the highly competitive race to snag the limited number of cultivator licenses. New Jersey has pledged to prioritize applicants from marginalized populations, as it looks to atone for a war on drugs that ravaged communities of color. That laudable goal has created a problem: Some established operators are trying to enter the industry through the diversity door. A California cultivator found Cabrera on a directory of diverse business owners and wooed her with a flight to their West Coast farm and an attractive business deal. Cabrera turned them down. ‘It’s a predatory practice that’s happening in multiple states, under the guise of social equity,’ she said.”
POLITICO REPORTER LEARNS HOW TO TYPE THE DANISH SLASHED O — Ørsted clash with Ocean City tests law designed to ease offshore wind headaches, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: A stalemate between Ørsted and Ocean City officials will test a New Jersey law that allows offshore wind developers to build power lines despite local objections. The law, approved last summer, takes away local officials’ ability to block transmission lines necessary for offshore wind companies to bring power ashore. If wind developers and local governments can’t reach a deal over rights-of-way for these lines, the law gives companies a path to proceed anyway. Ørsted says it now needs to use the law because of an impasse with Ocean City. The company is asking the state Board of Public Utilities to help break the stalemate. The board discussed the matter publicly for the first time on Wednesday and will schedule another hearing about it. Ørsted said it’s asking utility regulators for guidance because going around the city will involve using the law for the first time.
—“‘NJWeedman’ challenge to legal pot effort meets skepticism”
—Brindle: ‘We the people’ Deserve to know ‘who pays’ for elections”
—New Jersey schools could return to pre-pandemic operations under updated recommendations
—Murphy hints at legislative fix to keep some public health emergency measures in place
—“New Jersey has struggled for centuries to talk about reparations, can that change in 2022?”
—“NJ Transit needs stable funding so our future will be electric and equitable | Opinion”
—“New Jersey lawmakers propose IT modernization”
—“Kearny mayor wants a say in 31st District delegation”
—“Murphy’s office taps 4 new economic advisors”
—“Groups call for new NJ child tax credit”
IS THAT A SELLING POINT? — “Former Christie staffer enters the fray for Dem nomination in 8th District congressional race,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Brian Varela, a former staffer for Gov. Chris Christie (R), is entering the fray to seek the Democratic nomination in the 8th District congressional race. ‘Brian knows he faces a great challenge, where party leaders have already chosen a candidate to fill the seat,’ his campaign said in a statement [Wednesday] … Varela worked in Christie’s communications office in 2010 and has owned the North Bergen-based Varemar Digital Marketing firm since October 2016.”
POLITICAL SUPPORT IS MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF TRUMP FLAGS ON VEHICLES — “State Police prep ‘heavy wreckers’ to tow convoy truckers if they stop on N.J. highways,” by NJ Advance Media’s Kevin Shea: “The head of the New Jersey State Police said Wednesday that if trucks convoying on Garden State highways next weekend purposely stop, they could be towed from interstate roads. Truckers protesting COVID vaccine mandates, inspired by the recent truck protest gridlock in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, are planning to travel through New Jersey on March 5 and 6, on their way to Washington, D.C. for a national trucker rally. Organizers in New Jersey plan their own rallys each day, in Plumsted and Woodstown, to welcome and send off the truckers. State Police Col. Patrick Callahan said the agency does not want slow moving vehicles, but if truckers come to a complete stop, that presents a ‘different scenario.’”
—“N.J. National Guard to help secure D.C. during protests, possible trucker convoy for Biden speech”
REMINDER TO CANDIDATES: YOU CAN’T STUFF MAILBOXES FULL OF FAKE PETITION SIGNATURES — “Field in Paterson mayor’s election uncertain with two weeks before deadline,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “With the deadline looming for candidates in Paterson’s May mayoral election, only two people — incumbent Andre Sayegh and Councilman Alex Mendez — have submitted signed petitions to run. The other nine men who picked up blank petitions have less than two weeks to return them to the city clerk’s office with signatures from 867 registered Paterson voters. That group includes former Mayors Joey Torres and Jeffery Jones, Councilmen Michael Jackson and Luis Velez and former Councilman Aslon Goow. The deadline is March 7. Jackson and Velez said they would be filing their petitions within a week, Torres declined to comment on his candidacy, Jones could not be reached for comment and Goow said he was having reservations about running.”
—“Paterson eliminates weeknight COVID-19 vaccine program”
—“Paterson council axes $15M from mayor’s American Rescue Plan spending proposals”
CONTINUOUS CASH FLOW — “Jersey City City Council members mull raising their salaries by 29%” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “The Jersey City City Council is looking to give itself a 29% pay hike, a second major increase in less than three years. In 2019, the city council agreed to amend an ordinance and nearly doubled their wage from $36,180 to $60,000. The legislation increased their salaries up to $50,000 at the time and included gradual increases to $60,000 by 2021. On Thursday, the city council will introduce amendment that would raise their salary from $60,000 to $85,000, a 29% increase. The council president would earn $5,000 more than the other council members. Council President Joyce Watterman said council members are looking to increase their salary because of the large increase in the population of the city — 292,000 according to the 2020 Census, up from 247,000 in 2010. She said meeting residents’ needs requires council members to be ‘on call 24 hours a day.’ … Watterman said she doesn’t have another job because she ‘doesn’t have the time,’ but she and her husband are pastors of Continuous Flow Christian Center in Jersey City. Most of the city council have other jobs.”
—L.A. Parker: “Love will triumph over hate, even in Trenton”
—“Latest legal salvos are troubling sign for Palisades Park police. Experts explain why”
—“Major expansion of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck one step closer to becoming reality”
—“[Sussex] community college president changes mind on requiring masks into May”
—“Trenton clerk Matthew Conlon, under investigation, could have [clerk certificate] revoked”
BESIDES, A TOBACCO INDUSTRY STUDY SAYS THERE’S NO PROOF CIGARETTES CAUSE CANCER — “Report: Atlantic City casino smoking ban may cost 2,500 jobs,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “Amid a renewed push to ban smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos, a new report released Wednesday predicts that doing so could cost up to 2,500 casino jobs and nearly 11% of casinos’ revenue as they struggle to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. The independent gambling research firm Spectrum Gaming Group compiled the report that supports casinos’ longstanding contention that eliminating smoking would hurt their business, deprive New Jersey of tax revenue and put thousands of people out of work. The Casino Association of New Jersey commissioned the report, which did not recommend whether smoking should be banned, an option that is gaining renewed support in the state Legislature … Among other findings, it determined that smokers, who account for 21% of Atlantic City gamblers, are worth more to casinos than non-smokers in that they tend to lose more money and spend more on non-gambling items … The group Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights cited a July tribal gambling conference in Las Vegas at which panelists reported that revenue lost during the first year of smoking bans rebounded in subsequent years to higher than what it was before the bans.”
— “George Norcross v. Vernon Hill: Onetime allies fight over Philly’s Republic Bank”
—“Atlantic City High School teacher turns 80; no plans to retire anytime soon”
—“I wanted American Dream to be a good mall. But it’s just a disappointment. | Opinion”
—“11 reasons why North Jersey is better than South Jersey”
