Former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer has submitted a notice of intent to the Republican committees in Somerset and Hunterdon to screen for the LD16 senate seat.

New Jersey’s Democratic House members voted tonight in favor of HR 72 to remove controversial GA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee assignments. The resolution removes Greene from the House Committee on the Budget and the House Committee on Education and Labor.  GOP Rep. Van Drew voted against the resolution; GOP Rep. Smith voted in favor of it.

From the House Clerk’s Office:

The resolution ultimately passed the House, 230-199

Note: An earlier version of this post listed Rep. Smith as a ‘NAY’ vote; he voted in favor of the resolution.

Governor Murphy announced that he’s signing an Executive Order to:

Expand indoor dining capacity to 35% and lift the statewide 10:00 PM restaurant indoor service limit; local restrictions may remain in place

This order will take effect Friday, February 5th. Public health protocols must be adhered to.

The prohibition on seating at indoor bar areas will remain in effect, as it creates the danger of close and prolonged proximity between patrons, bartenders, and servers.

Also effective Friday, February 5th, the following may operate at 35% capacity – with a MAXIMUM of 150 individuals:

Indoor performance venues

Indoor gatherings that are religious ceremonies/services, wedding ceremonies, political activities, and memorial services/funerals

He tweeted that ‘we are able to take steps forward today because of the millions of you who have taken responsibility for ending this pandemic to heart – through constant social distancing, wearing your face masks, and exercising common sense.’

Analilia Mejia, formerly head of NJ Working Families and the political director of the 2020 Bernie Sanders Presidential Campaign, is heading to the U.S. Department of Labor.

“Today Senator Tom Kean Jr. made the decision not to seek re-election to the State Senate. I was proud to support him in 2020 and if he seeks higher office, I will be proud to support him again. The 7th Congressional District desperately needs new leadership as the incumbent shifts hastily to the middle in a superficial attempt to align with the commonsense conservative values of the district.

“As I affirmed in my January 3, 2021 campaign kickoff, I am dedicated to running in and ultimately serving the 21st Legislative District in the Assembly as a commonsense conservative – honest, pragmatic, and positive. I look forward to continuing to make my case directly to elected officials and committee members throughout our district ahead of the fast approaching Morris, Union, and Somerset County Republican conventions.”

Steve Spurr Candidate for State Assembly 21st Legislative District

“Hurley in the Morning” has learned and confirmed that Atlantic County Commissioner John Risley will be running for the New Jersey General Assembly this year. Read Hurley’s exclusive coverage here.

Dear Sisters and Brothers: As your President, you’ve heard me say before that every benefit we attain from salaries, to healthcare and pensions, to job safety comes from shared ideologies with our elected officials. Unfortunately, at times, the benefits we’ve lost have also been taken away by our elected officials. More than any other union, the NJFMBA has been on the playing field. When these highly important issues come up, whether at the local, state, or federal level, thanks to all of you, we’ve played more offense than defense. As many of you may have heard, I’m considering taking another step by running for the Senate seat in New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District. This district includes Chatham, Long Hill, Bernards Twp, Far Hills, Warren Twp, Watchung, Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Garwood, Kenilworth, Mountainside, New Providence, Roselle Park, Springfield, Summit, and Westfield.  We need someone representing this key district who is a friend to New Jersey’s firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers. I see a real opportunity to raise our voices in the Statehouse during these difficult times. You can be assured that my success will be your success. If I am afforded the privilege to serve in this new capacity, I will not waiver from the awesome responsibility you have given me to lead our great union. I cannot be successful without your support and before I make a final decision about my candidacy, I am asking you for just that. In the coming months, we will be canvassing all the towns in the District with literature drops and phone banks. While this won’t be easy, I look no further than our success at transferring our pension into the hands of the stakeholders to demonstrate that there is nothing we can’t accomplish together. As you know, a campaign like this will be expensive and engaging the voters in one of the most competitive contests in 2021 will not be easy. However, I am up to the task and I am respectfully asking for your support through a contribution of $500 or $1,000 from our locals to my campaign fund. Checks can be sent to Donnelly for Senate – 13 Arnet Place, Cranford, NJ 07016. Be assured, I am not going anywhere.  My passion is to serve as your President. We currently have Union leaders in our legislature.  It’s time to have a voice for public safety in the NJ Senate. I look forward to your support and continuing to serve all of you. Sincerely, Eddie Donnelly http://www.njfmba.org/

Former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian has made it official. He will be running for the New Jersey General Assembly in Atlantic County’s District 2, according to Harry Hurley.

In an interview yesterday, state Senator Chris Brown (R-2) told Hurley he may not pursue reelection this year.

Fellow Republican Guardian, a source told InsiderNJ, appears to be angling for the senate seat in the event of a Brown retirement.

Candidates seeking endorsement for Mayor:

Mahesh Bhagia
Richard Brescher
Samip Joshi
Sapana Shah

Incumbent Democratic Mayor Tom Lankey is not seeking the nomination from the Edison Democratic Organization. He apparently is considering an off the line challenge or an independent challenge.

Candidates seeking endorsement for 3 Council Seats:

Sheila Angalet
Samip Joshi
Tom McCann
Yash Pandya
Sparshil Patel
Shannon Peng
Dr. Nimisha Shukla

You can’t blame the average pot smoker for wondering what’s going on.

It was almost three months ago now that voters rather overwhelmingly backed legalizing recreational marijuana.

But not much has happened since, save for the failure of legislative leaders and the governor, all of whom come from the same party, to put the public’s desire into action.

The topic of legal pot was raised today at the governor’s COVID-19 briefing.

Gov. Phil Murphy, who made legalizing marijuana a campaign issue in 2017, didn’t have all that much to say.

He spoke of two issues that remain outstanding.

One is the premise that, like alcohol, marijuana would be legal for adults only – those at least 21.

“That’s always been the case,” Murphy said.

Second is how to penalize those under 21 who get caught indulging. The governor said it’s important not to put those individuals into the criminal justice system.

He said marrying those two points is “not an easy process.”

Apparently not, although we certainly have laws regulating the underage consumption of alcohol. which in themselves do not make offenders “criminals.”

An immediate concern is that people are still getting arrested for using marijuana,  some more than others depending on the jurisdiction.

Murphy said prosecuting those arrested has been “stayed” by the state Attorney General through March.

That presumes an agreement on fully legalizing marijuana will be done by then.

“I remain an optimist,” the governor said.