Sweeney gets mad but skips profanity-laden phone call to columnist – Politico

Good Monday morning!

I wonder if the appellate court knew how many headlines it would make when it slapped down a lower court’s decision to not try an accused rapist as an adult.

The story, which began with a New Jersey 101.5 report last week and has since spread after the New York Times picked it up, should make you really angry. I won’t recount the details in this case, but suffice it to say they’re brutal.

Two years ago, Judge James Toriano opted not to charge the 16-year-old as an adult, citing the fact that he’s an Eagle Scout, that he comes from a “good family” and goes to an “excellent school.” If it’s possible to be more outrageous than that, Toriano also said the victim should have been made aware of just how big an impact pursuing the case that way would have on the alleged rapist’s life. (Yes, he said a rape victim should have been made aware of how damaging this could be for the kid who allegedly raped her).

But let’s not forget that Judge Toriano got slapped down by the appellate court. Very publicly.

In other news, Jeffrey Epstein — the millionaire sex offender who was cut a sweetheart deal more than 10 years ago by the man who is now the Secretary of Labor — was arrested at Teterboro on sex trafficking charges.

On Twitter, I’ve seen a lot of discussion focusing on how Epstein is friends with President Trump and former President Clinton. It’s being used as a political bludgeon. But that’s missing the point, just as it would be if we were arguing about the Judge Toriano case . This is about whether the rich and powerful — or their children — are held to the same standards as everyone else. And whether their victims get justice.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY-ALIGNED GROUP INTENTIONALLY BLEW OFF SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE TO DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 188

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The argument of the past number of months has been, do you believe in Camden or not? Are you with Camden or not? That’s not the question. We’re all in with Camden. The question is, what type of Camden do you believe in?” — Gov. Phil Murphy during a visit to Camden, which he was told to stay away from by local officials because he’s been going after the George Norcross-linked tax incentives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mercury’s Mo Butler

WHERE’S MURPHY? — At the Empty Sky Memorial to sign two first responder bills

26.1 MASTROS — Murphy freezes $235M in spending, including $100M for struggling cities, by POLITICO’s Ryan Hutchins and Katherine Landergan: Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has frozen $235 million in proposed spending — nearly half of which would take the form of aid to struggling cities — and will only fund these initiatives if enough revenues arrives. Murphy is locking the money away for fear certain savings assumed in the new state budget might not materialize, as well as what his administration says are initiatives the Legislature added but failed to adequately fund. The Department of Treasury said it had placed 64 line items in the lockbox, with costs ranging from more than $100 million to as little at $50,000. The single largest item is $105 million in transitional aid to municipalities. See the full impoundment list here

—Cooper Health blasts Murphy on freezing funding for cancer program

GEORGE NORCROSS JUST CHANGED HIS NAME TO ‘EVERYONE’ — “Gov. Murphy supported the unions, fringe groups. The Legislature worked for everyone,” by Stephen Sweeney for The Star-Ledger: “During the closing days of the state’s budget battle, the governor asked ‘whose side are you on?’ He did not ask this question in front of the general public, but time and time again he asked it in front of the state’s public union leaders and others who represent the fringes of New Jersey. Unlike the administration, the Legislature chose to forge a path of unity over division. For decades, while Washington has become more divided, the Legislature forged ahead in an effort to work together with people from all walks of life. While the administration may approach the state budget as a way to settle political scores, our Legislature uses it to lay out specific priorities. That is why for the second year in a row, the New Jersey Legislature voted on a budget that was not an ideological manifesto, but a practical document that reflects the varied needs and priorities of more than 9 million residents.“

— “Top Dem Sweeney says Murphy’s spending freeze is worse than anything Christie did. ‘Bridgegate on steroids!’”

—“Taxpayers just got handed a behemoth of a budget. Come November, give Republicans a chance to do better, state GOP chairman says.”

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PIC OF MURPHY AND DON NORCROSS — “As tax-credit controversy rages on, Gov. Murphy tours Camden businesses,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Catherine Dunn: “By the time Murphy got to First Refuge Baptist Church, he was already talking about his next visit to Camden – the red-hot center of an ongoing controversy over state tax breaks and the home base for South Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III, who also happens to be suing Murphy over an investigation into the multibillion-dollar tax-credit programs. ‘Not enough residents in this community are partaking of any successes in this community,’ Murphy said, seated in front of the church, in front of a crowd of a few dozen people. ‘When there are jobs that are created – and that’s a good thing – too often it’s leaving out the folks who live here, the folks who have fought and stayed. … We have to turn that around.’”

NO SILVA LINING — “Middlesex Dem Senators file complaint against Silva,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A Superior Court Judge under fire for her handling of a rape case is now facing an misconduct complaint. Four state senators from Middlesex County – Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield), Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro), Robert Smith (D-Piscataway) and Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge) – today asked the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct to launch an immediate investigation into Judge Marcia Silva. The senators also called for Silva’s immediate removal from the bench. An appellate court overturned an earlier ruling by Silva that prevented prosecutors from charging an alleged 16-year-old rapist as an adult. Silva ruled that ‘beyond losing her virginity,’ the State did not claim that the victim suffered any further injuries, either physical, mental or emotional.””

—“‘Close your legs.’ He’s ’from a good family.’ Making bad judges accountable is just the beginning of addressing sexual violence, group says”

*AND POTENTIALLY FORCE PEOPLE INTO DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR SMOKING A LITTLE WEED — “Sen. Rice’s Fourth of July message: Let’s decriminalize marijuana now,” by state Sen. Ronald Rice for The Star-Ledger: “It is legislation that will help correct New Jersey’s record for the worst adult and youth incarceration racial disparities in the nation. It will restore social justice and favorably impact black and brown people and all those who have gotten entangled in unfair drug arrests, convictions and incarcerations. It also will save our state the $140 million we spend each year on unnecessary court and incarceration costs.”

VERY EXPENSIVE BRICK CITY — “Cost of Building Schools in Newark Far Exceeded Limits Set by Legislature,” By TAPIntoNewark’s Mark Bonamo: “Over the past decade, the state agency responsible for building schools in 31 former Abbott districts has spent more than $263 million to build five schools in Newark at a cost that far exceeded the limits set by the Legislature. The Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, which was enacted in 2000, set a limit of $143 per square foot, which was to include the costs of construction, site development, land acquisition and professional service fees. But the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) has spent an average $424 per square foot to build the five schools in Newark, nearly three times the limit set by the Legislature.”

ELNAHAL — As Elnahal departs for University Hospital, challenges with funding, ER await, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: As a safety net hospital, University is the primary access point for hundreds of thousands of residents in Newark, Essex County and North Jersey’s ever-widening urban sprawl. But patient traffic — more than a quarter of a million people were seen in the hospital’s ER or outpatient facilities last year — hasn’t translated into financial security. The hospital closed 2018 with an operating loss of more than $100 million, not including its appropriations from the state government. Quality of care also remains a problem.

—CarePoint employees brace for layoffs at 2 hospitals

R.I.P. —“Salena Lesniak, civil rights champion, dies,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstien: “Salena Carroll Lesniak, a well-liked and prominent social justice activist, has died. She was 43 and died at her shore home in Ocean County. She was the wife of former State Sen. Raymond Lesniak. The two were partners for two decades before marrying in 2018.”

—“Murphy Signs Linda’s Law one year after Newark resident died when electricity was shut off”

—Mulshine: “Medicinal marijuana: The beginning of the end of the ‘government knows best’ era?”

—“Republican primary cost candidates close to $300,000”

—“Why the ‘Bridgegate’ scandal could backfire on prosecutors”

CARTOON BREAK “800-pound metaphor spotted off Cape May,” by Drew Sheneman

HUGE DEPARTURE FROM THE BOOKER WE KNOW — “Cory Booker’s brand of advocacy: show up. cameras often follow,” by The New York Times’ Nick Corasaniti: “Throughout his political career, which began on the Newark City Council in 1998, Mr. Booker has expressed clear political principles — a desire to fight for equality and fairness — and he has made those principles clear in the usual ways politicians do: speeches, slogans and policy proposals. He has also moved into a decrepit housing complex, staged a 10-day fast and slept in a tent near a popular spot for drug dealers, a tactic of physical advocacy that emphasizes showing up and being present for the issues he’s fighting for. This style has led to change, from improvements to public housing in Newark to migrant women being granted the opportunity to remain in the United States while pursuing asylum claims. The Booker-accelerated change, of course, often starts with the media coverage he commands. As he becomes a part of the story, he elevates both the issue and his own visibility.”

MAN WHO’S FOLLOWED EVERYWHERE BY CAMERAS CHOOSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PRIVATELY — “Booker answers questions about fundraiser with Essex executive,” by NJTV’s David Cruz: “We asked Booker if he regretted going to the fundraiser and accepting the contributions, if he’d give them back, or of he would ask Essex County to get out of the immigrant detention business. ‘I’m proud of my many years’ relationship with County Executive Joe D. We’ve partnered to do extraordinary things in Newark, as you know,’ Booker said. ‘When you have friends, you bring issues to them, and I’ve brought this issue to him, not just this year. This is a facility I’ve visited in the past. I brought these issues forward, and I will continue to advocate for making sure that we are a nation that does right by immigrants. I just unveiled a plan that literally would phase out programs like this, detention almost as a whole. We can do this process in a way that affirms the dignity and the humanity of migrants.’”

BOOKER: ‘OK, I TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT. AND THANKS FOR THE CHECK?’ — “Shortcomings at our ICE detention center were an anomaly and quickly fixed, Essex County executive says,” by Joe DiVincenzo for The Star-Ledger: “I don’t deny the concerns raised during the July 2018 inspection by the Homeland Security Office of Inspector General existed. However, my administration has been attentive to the facility’s operations and we quickly and decisively respond when issues arise. I believe the shortcomings were outliers and are not indicative of regular conditions at the facility … the concerns, even before the inspectors left the site, and the facility meets current operating standards required by ICE.”

EVERY CLUB IS OWNED BY A PRESIDENT WHO HAS MADE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION HIS MAIN ISSUE — “Trump on reports of unauthorized immigrants working at his N.J. golf club. ‘Every club’ did this,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jonathan D. Salant: “‘Probably every club in the United States has that because it seems to be, from what I understand, a way that people did business,”’Trump told reporters at the White House Friday before departing for his first weekend in Bedminster this year. ‘But we’ve ended — whatever they did, we have a very strict rule that — those rules are very strict. But it seems that every club, practically, in the United States — that’s the way they did business“

WILL THIS OFFICE BE HEADQUARTERED IN BEDMISTER? — “Gov. Murphy to open statewide Office of New Americans to help immigrants, refugees integrate,” by The Record’s Monsy Alvarado: “Governor Phil Murphy marked Independence Day Thursday by signing an executive order thsat will establish an Office of New Americans, which aims to advance immigrant and refugee integration initiatives, his office announced. In addition, the governor’s office also announced that the Murphy administration has submitted its intent to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement to regain the state’s role in overseeing New Jersey’s resettlement program. In 2016, Governor Chris Christie ceded the state’s role to the federal government, and since then, the International Rescue Committee, or IRC, has been running the refugee resettlement program in the state.”

CAMPAIGN CASH — GOP Congressional candidate Tom Kean Jr. announced in a press release this morning that he’s raised $500,000 for his campaign. Kean is running in the GOP primary to take on Tom Malinowski. No one else has announced their second quarter fundraising numbers so far.

NOW SCOOT — “Hoboken city council says ‘no’ to e-scooter November ballot referendum,” by NJ Advance Media’s Joshua Rosario: “Thanks to a vote of Hoboken city council members, residents will not be voting on whether electric scooter ride-sharing companies should operate in the city. The City Council voted 5-2 Thursday on an ordinance to place a non-binding referendum on the ballot in November, which would have asked residents to give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on the controversial scooters. ‘I strongly believe we should be governing by listening to the voices of more residents, not stifling an opportunity to gather input on an issue through a fair and democratic method,’ said Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.”

R.I.P. — “Grandson of Camden’s council president found dead hours after man is charged in his kidnapping,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rebecca Everett: “The 20-year-old grandson of Camden’s city council president was found dead overnight, hours after a man was charged with kidnapping him in what authorities described as a targeted abduction. Curtis Jenkins III, who had been missing since Sunday, was found dead around 11 p.m. Tuesday on the 1100 block of Liberty Street in Camden, county spokesman Dan Keashen said. Jenkins is the grandson of Camden City Council President Curtis Jenkins Sr.”

MEDICAL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO GAMBLE TO PAY OFF DEBT — “Geisinger’s medical school opening Atlantic City campus,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Harold Brubaker: “The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, of Scranton, is opening a regional campus at AtlantiCare, the southern New Jersey health system Geisinger acquired in 2015. A group of 18 third-year medical students will start receiving clinical instruction at AtlantiCare’s campuses in Atlantic City and Pomona on July 15, AtlantiCare said. The students will also rotate through other AtlantiCare outpatient, primary, and specialty care sites throughout southern New Jersey.”

SOMETHING’S GOING ON — New super PAC formed by Democrats in Union County, but its mission still vague, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: A group of Democrats from Union County, including the son of a powerful late assemblyman, has launched a super PAC, but they’ve been vague so far on what, exactly, Union County United is for. “We’re very new. We’re in our infancy,” said former Roselle Councilman Sam Bishop, who founded Union County United in April and is co-chairing it with Sheldon Green. “I’m passionate about politics. … So while we might not be able to be specific, it’s very important to be prepared. And this is really about being prepared.” Green’s father, the late Assemblyman Jerry Green, was the Union County Democratic chairman.

R.I.P. — “Well-known LGBTQ activist dies in South Orange house fire”

—“Trenton law director says city ‘not in a good place’ after outside legal contracts expire”

—“Vernon’s Shortway won’t seek re-election as mayor; will run for council instead”

—“Hudnut re-appointed as leader of state’s ‘strongest’ municipal prosecutor’s office: mayor”

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO DOUBT THIS — “It’s finally happening: American Dream mall will open Oct. 25,” by The Record’s Melanie Anzidei: “It’s finally happening. American Dream, the mega retail and entertainment center that has been sitting in the Meadowlands for over a decade, will open Oct. 25, officials said Wednesday. The 3 million-square-foot center was previously set to open this past spring, then late summer. Officials in May announced a fall opening, and this is the first time a specific date for that opening has been announced. ‘We know that the community has been eagerly awaiting the launch of this incredible global destination,’ Don Ghermezian, American Dream’s president, said in a statement”

ON BROADERWAY — “A new $172M theater is opening in N.J. and will bring ‘bigger, broader’ live shows,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brianna Kudisch: “Theatre, dance, and opera lovers alike will have a new place to enjoy the arts, thanks to a $172 million project, known as the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, set to open this fall. Overseen by the New Brunswick Development Corporation, or Devco, this 450,000-square-foot project will be located on the site of the former George Street Playhouse and Crossroads Theater on Livingston Avenue in downtown New Brunswick.”