Weinberg out – POLITICO – Politico
Good snowy Friday morning!
State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, who’s been the most prominent “good government” reform champion in the Legislature, resigns today — a few days ahead of schedule. And there’s something a little ironic about her departure.
The purpose of this early departure is so that Senate President Steve Sweeney, who will be out the door on Tuesday, can appoint Weinberg to a paid position on the Horizon board — something there’s no guarantee Sweeney’s successor as Senate president, Nick Scutari, will do. Scutari at times had strained relationship with Weinberg.
Weinberg’s impending appointment has been an open secret in Trenton at least since last year, when Gov. Murphy signed a bill to overhaul Horizon that expanded the board, allowing the governor and legislative leaders to get more appointments. But nobody would confirm it, forcing me to only hint at it in Monday’s edition. I expect we’ll see other familiar faces appointed to the board later on.
So this is how the legislative career of the biggest champion for open government ends: An early resignation and quick appointment to a plum paid position. That’s not to say Weinberg, who was long the chair of the health committee, isn’t qualified.
“It’s furthering my ability to serve good government,” Weinberg told me yesterday. “ Since it’s a direct appointment of the Senate president and he has the confidence in me, the timing is the timing.”
Added Weinberg: “I think that I have a lot to add to the Horizon board and have heard from several of my good government advocate friends that they are very happy that I’m going to be there.”
WHERE’S MURPHY? In Branchburg for Somerset County’s 3 p.m. reorganizational meeting
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m going to do something I never thought I’d do. I’m going to congratulate Jay Lassiter.” — Senate President Steve Sweeney after an HIV spread decriminalization bill cleared committee
TWEET OF THE DAY: “At the very last minute, NJ Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee adds S4250 to today’s meeting agenda. This bill ‘changes PERS membership eligibility for certain elected public officials and provides for PERS reenrollment.’” —@johnreitmeyer (Read my story on the bill here, and I’ll have more on this later)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Saturday for progressive activist Bertin Lefkovic, Covenant House’s Kevin Ryan. Sunday for filmmaker Daniel Goodman.
TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at [email protected]
POWERING DOWN — Lawmakers advance resolution to extend some of Murphy’s emergency powers, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman and Daniel Han: Two legislative committees on Thursday approved a resolution that would extend for 45 days some of the administrative orders, directives and waivers Gov. Phil Murphy issued in response to the pandemic. Murphy, citing the surge in coronavirus cases, had asked the Democrat-controlled Legislature to extend those powers for 90 days. The resolution was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee. It now advances to the full Legislature on Monday, the final day of the legislative session. Earlier Thursday, before the committees voted, Senate President Steve Sweeney said he would not agree to renew all the emergency powers Murphy requested. “We’re not renewing everything he asked for,” Sweeney, who‘s leaving office next week, said in a brief Statehouse interview. “We’re moving some of the requested issues for hospitals to be able to function during the emergencies. A lot of these other issues, I have to look at them to tell you.”
—“Murphy’s extended pandemic powers will cover far more than masks”
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE — Education advocates demand Murphy administration create statewide school recovery plan, by POLITICO’s Carly Sitrin: New Jersey teachers, administrators, school nurses and lawmakers are once again demanding stronger leadership from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration to combat the educational “crisis” facing the state because of the pandemic. Representatives from many of the state’s educational organizations met virtually Thursday to demand a statewide plan to address the pressing staffing shortages, unclear health guidance and widening achievement gaps between students. The frustration is growing among educators and lawmakers as schools across the state continue to close and switch to remote learning due to Covid outbreaks, despite the governor’s urging that buildings remain open. Senate Education Chair Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), who convened Thursday’s legislative committee hearing, said the state Department of Education declined her invitation to attend. “There is no plan currently to deal with the educational pandemic that has been looming and … coming to a crash here in the state of New Jersey,” Ruiz said, referring to the latest data from DOE showing New Jersey’s underserved students are in “strong” need of educational support.
—“Parents confused, angry over school disruptions”
—“NJ lawsuit seeks to block remote learning on behalf of special-education students”
— Murphy deploying National Guard troops to help long-term care facilities with pandemic
—“N.J. reports 106 COVID deaths, 27,404 cases. Hospitalizations increase to nearly 5,600”
WALLACE AND (WORD) VOMIT — Republicans: Wallace shouldn’t get a do-over on redistricting rationale, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Republicans who lost the congressional redistricting process last month say the state Supreme Court should not give the redistricting commission’s tiebreaker, former Justice John Wallace Jr., another chance to explain his rationale for siding with Democrats. “I don’t think Justice Wallace can paint himself out of the corner that he painted himself into,” Doug Steinhardt, chair of the GOP redistricting team, said during a virtual press conference Thursday morning. Wallace voted with Democrats on Dec. 22, choosing their map over the Republican proposal. The new map will most likely result in a New Jersey House delegation of nine Democrats and three Republicans. Democrats now hold a 10-2 majority in the delegation. During that December meeting, Wallace, a registered Democrat, shocked observers when he said the two proposed maps largely met his standards, but that ultimately he went with Democrats “simply because in the last redistricting map, it was drawn by the Republicans.”
TRUE TO NJ TRANSIT FORM, IT STALLED — “As Weinberg nears retirement, NJ Transit reform bill 2.0 is unlikely to pass this session,” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “Despite compromise and a year and a half of work, Sen. Loretta Weinberg’s last-ditch effort to secure additional reform and accountability for NJ Transit appears unlikely to pass before her term ends next week. Weinberg, D-Teaneck, who is retiring from public office after 28 years in the state Legislature, said she is not optimistic the Assembly will pass a bill she introduced in June 2020 … ‘I have not received a lot of encouragement from the Assembly side, and they’ve had time to at least post this in committee,’ Weinberg said. ‘It went through the Senate fairly, somewhat, easily — at least with enough votes and not a lot of debate — so I’m disappointed that the Assembly didn’t take action.’”
—New Jersey lawmakers advance legislation to preserve abortion rights
—“Appropriations committee affirms $2M for NAACP convention in AC”
—“Another daily jump in COVID cases among staff and patients keeps pressure on NJ hospitals”
—“Murphy endorses Hochul in N.Y. governor’s race”
—“Sacco, Stack announce deal on turnpike toll relief”
—“Buses, trains canceled as COVID-19 sidelines 900 NJ Transit staffers”
IT IS ME. IT IS ME. I AM A SENATOR’S SON — Menendez Jr. formally announces candidacy for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th District, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: More than two weeks after Hudson County politicos lined up behind his candidacy for Congress, Robert Menendez Jr. has made it official. The Democratic attorney and recently-appointed board member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey formally announced his candidacy on Thursday, making him the overwhelming favorite to replace retiring Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) in New Jersey’s heavily Democratic 8th District. The 36-year-old Menendez Jr. is the son of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who held the House seat before Sires. “This is a generation defining moment. How we move forward in a time of insurrection, global pandemic, and economic uncertainty will define the America we leave for our children to inherit and will take all of us working together to succeed,” Menendez Jr. said in a statement.
ALL SUSPECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN STUPID — “A year later, most of the 2 dozen N.J. residents charged in Capitol attack await trial,” by NJ Advance Media’s Kevin Shea: “When the smoke from the tear gas cleared and police had restored order inside the U.S. Capitol on the evening of Jan. 6, 2021, New Jersey’s fingerprints were all over the marauding riot that some would call an insurrection, others an attempted overthrow of our democracy. In the year since, the FBI has arrested and charged over two dozen suspects from New Jersey, or with strong connections to the Garden State, with federal crimes related to Capitol attack. Two have since pleaded guilty and been sentenced; the rest await trial. Some of the suspects are accused of violence or assaulting police, but the bulk are charged with illegally entering the historic home of Congress in a menacing attempt to halt the certification of President Joe Biden’s win.”
—“Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick’s memory preserved in NJ hometown”
—John Farmer Jr.: “Our democracy remains in peril”
—Pascrell: “Jan. 6: We cannot cease our defense of American democracy”
—“Rep. Norcross: I heard glass break, saw guns drawn on Jan. 6. The danger is not over”
—“Military helicopter crashes near N.J. base, officials say”
HOW CUNVENIENT — “State senator’s DWI case remains stalled by delays in acquiring discovery evidence,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “The DWI charges against state Sen. Sandra Cunningham are no closer to getting resolved, and the prosecuting attorneys told a judge Thursday morning that the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is to blame for the delay … On Thursday, Bergen County Municipal Court Judge Anthony Gallina noted that DWI cases are supposed to be adjudicated within 60 days and asked Prosecutor Linda Schwager the reasons for the ongoing delays. ‘I am dealing with the prosecutor’s office in Hudson County and … there are different departments that handle different things and different areas of a case, Schwager said. ‘Every time I have spoken to (Michael Rubas, Cunningham’s attorney) and he has asked me for something I contact the prosecutor’s office.’ … The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it ‘has been fully cooperative with the Bergen County Municipal Court throughout the entirety of the case and has already fulfilled a lengthy request for discovery.’ … Rubas said he may file a Holup motion, which asks the judge to dismiss the charges on the basis that discovery evidence necessary for a proper defense was not provided. At a July status hearing, Rubas told the court that he was still awaiting “voluminous” amounts of discovery.”
REPUBLICAN VICKERING — “‘It’s a disgrace’: Ocean County commissioner accuses colleagues of trying to silence him,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “In an unprecedented display of political disagreement on the all-Republican Ocean County Board of Commissioners, an angry Joseph H. Vicari claimed that his colleagues were trying to silence him as they moved to strip him of several of his longtime responsibilities on Wednesday. ‘You say this is good government?’ Vicari asked. ‘It’s a disgrace. It’s a disgrace. (In) 40 years, I have never seen this.’ A majority of the five-member board voted at Wednesday’s organizational meeting to make several major changes to individual commissioner assignments, which included removing Vicari as liaison to the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District, the Department of Employee Relations and the Surrogate’s Office.”
—“Year after Capitol riot, NJ Homeland Security chief concerned over rising online recruitment”
PATERSON — “Should Paterson give residents power to vote on school budgets?” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “With Paterson facing a major increase in school taxes for the fourth consecutive year, the City Council is considering a measure that would give residents the authority to vote on school budgets. The public would gain the power to vote on school district budgets if the council adopts a proposed resolution switching the timing from Board of Education elections from November to April. That change would take place as soon as this year if the council approves the measure before Jan. 24, officials said. ‘We need to put up the fight for the taxpayers,’ said City Council Finance Committee Chairman Flavio Rivera, during the governing body’s meeting last week.”
—“Paterson BOE weighs legal action in battle with council over school election date”
DOVER — “‘Hit list’: Dover police captain denied promotion for supporting ex-mayor, lawsuit says,” by The Daily Record’s Jessie Gomez: “The town’s police captain claims he was denied a promotion to chief due to his support of former Mayor James Dodd during the 2019 mayoral elections. Prior to his retirement in 2019, Chief Anthony Smith designated Capt. William Newton as the next chief. After current Mayor Carolyn Blackman won the 2019 elections, Newton was denied the promotion, according to the lawsuit filed by Newton against Blackman and the town. Jonathan Delaney was appointed chief last year. ‘[Newton] has several more years of experience and training in the Police Department than Delaney and is better qualified to be the Chief of Police,’ reads the lawsuit … According to the lawsuit, Newton was removed from the position of chief law enforcement in February 2020 ‘with no explanation or rationale’ from town officials. In 2018, Newton and Delaney were promoted to police captain and first on the civil service promotional list. Delaney supported Blackman and her slate of political candidates during the 2019 elections, the lawsuit read.”
—“Keansburg police officer injured; attacker fatally shot by police, official says”
—“Paramus mayor says schools made poor decision amid dangerous wintry weather”
—“Commission will look at citizen’s proposal for new Atlantic City wards”
—“Anthony Fasano selected as youngest ever director of Sussex County commissioners board”
—“Cumberland jail COVID reappearance, but judge told there are no hospital cases”
—“Hunterdon’s new top official touts county’s fiscal and physical health”
—“Northern Ocean County beach replenishment delayed, with no money assigned”
—“Judge sets new Old Bridge election for March 22”
—“Bayonne 3rd Ward Councilman La Pelusa unveiled as 1st running mate on Mayor Davis’ slate”
STRANGER DANGER — “Viral social media story of attempted child luring turns out to be nothing,” by Reason’s Lenore Skenazy: “’Child luring incident!’ read the warning that appeared last Friday on several Teaneck, New Jersey, social media pages. ‘A man in a car pulled up and tried to get a child in around 11 am on 12/31/21,’ it said. ‘You can clearly hear the child say, ‘I do not accept rides from strangers,’ and ‘no’ several times before walking away. Then the driver laughed and said, ‘I will follow you then’. Teaneck police have already been informed and are looking for any information on identifying the child, so please reach out to Teaneck police asap with any information.’ The post was accompanied by footage from a Ring camera … ‘I said, ‘Don’t put it on the site! I bet you a dollar it’s nothing,’ recalls Keith Kaplan, a Teaneck town councilman who runs the Teaneck Today website in an unofficial capacity. But another one of the site’s administrators, his friend, Deputy Mayor Mark J. Schwartz, pressed publish — and the news went viral … But it took a few days for Debra Passner to notice it — and gasp. ‘Oh my God, oh my God!’ she recalls telling her husband. ‘Because there was a video of our car and our son!’ The Passners had been at a family celebration with their 14-year-old, who wanted to leave early …. He started walking home, with his parents’ blessing. Later, when they were driving home themselves, they saw him on the street and slowed down to offer him a ride. ‘My son, being a wiseass, says, ‘I don’t take rides from strangers,’ Debra Passner recalls.”
—“Trinitas merges with RWJBarnabas, which now has 12 N.J. hospitals”
