This in this morning from The Daily Journal:
Federal investigators are collecting five years worth of documents from the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and the school district that operates the technical education center.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in early August served grand jury subpoenas on both the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and the Cumberland County Board of Vocational Education.
Governor Phil Murphy reported 561 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 204,107.
“The numbers over the weekend were quite high,” Murphy told reporters today at the War Memorial. “The statewide number is being driven by significant cases [242 of the 561, or or 40%] from Ocean County.
Fity-four new cases were in Middlesex and 35 or fewer in the state’s other counties.
New Jersey this weekend requested rapid COVD-19 testing resources from the White House, according to Governor Phil Murphy.
The state will get 2.6 million of buy next now rapid tests.
These are tests that yield results in 15-minutes.
“It’s just shy of doubling our testing capacity,” said Murphy.
BREAKING: A federal judge just issued an order in our case halting the Trump Administration’s efforts to interfere with mail delivery in advance of the election. We WILL have a free and fair election. pic.twitter.com/DdWUqcDYzD
— AG Gurbir Grewal (@NewJerseyOAG) September 27, 2020
Local volunteers in Hoboken this weekend scoured Hamilton Cove in the vicinity of the Weehawken border.
Thank you, ladies.
The Senate this afternoon passed Senator Addiego’s legislation to provide $500 tax rebates to nearly 800k New Jersey families, with 26 yes votes and 13 no votes.
Here’s the SMO’s release on the bill:
Trenton – Acting to provide middle class families with additional financial support, the Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Dawn Marie Addiego that will deliver tax breaks of $500 to low- and middle-income families in New Jersey. The rebate program will reach an estimated 800,000 families, providing much-needed financial relief at a time of economic distress and uncertainty.
“Families are struggling with financial challenges and uncertainty at a time of economic upheaval,” said Senator Addiego (Atlantic/Burlington/Camden). “This will help New Jersey move forward through a time of crisis and provide middle class families additional support with a lasting tax cut. It will put money into the pockets of working families so they can support themselves and their children at the same time it puts money into the economy, helping generate jobs and business activity in communities throughout the state.”
Under the plan, S-2949, rebates will go to single-parent families with incomes up to $75,000 and to two-parent households earning up to $150,000. An estimated $335 million would be distributed next year, when the program is in place.
Approved earlier by the Assembly, the bill now goes to the governor.
The program would be funded by a “millionaires’ tax,” with an increase of less than 2 percent only on income between $1 million and $5 million. The rate would go from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent, matching the current rate paid on income of over $5 million. The increase is expected to raise about $390 million.
“I believe that taxes should only be enacted when they are desperately needed and only when the revenue will be used responsibly and effectively,” said Senator Addiego, who serves on the Budget Committee. “The pandemic has caused a wholesale economic upheaval, the lives and livelihoods of so many have been disrupted and, for some, all but destroyed. We are asking those who can most afford it to contribute a bit more in a time of crisis to help those in need.”
To provide additional support for middle class homeowners and seniors, the new budget includes the restoration of funding for Homestead Rebates and the Senior Freeze Program, said Senator Addiego, who fought to include the $495 million in property tax relief in the state spending plan. It also continues the tax exemption for retirement income under $100,000.
“This is property tax relief that is needed by middle income families and senior citizens living on fixed incomes,” said Senator Addiego. “I made the restoration of funding a legislative priority because it is a financial priority for New Jersey residents.”
The Senate vote was 25-14.
Here is another look at Tuesday’s rally and counter rally in Smithville:
CD2 Democratic candidate Amy Kennedy’s campaign sent out an email missive to supporters touting a poll showing her with a 5-point lead over incumbent GOP Rep. Van Drew.
According to the campaign’s email, Kennedy is polling at 48% while Van Drew is at 43%, with 9% not sure. The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling.
The campaign released the following:
Amy Kennedy Campaign Poll Shows Her Leading Jeff Van Drew by 5 Points in Race for Congress in NJ2
Brigantine, NJ- The Amy Kennedy for Congress campaign released a new poll today that mirrored the results of the poll released yesterday by House Majority PAC. The results of the campaign’s poll has Kennedy leading Van Drew by five points (49% Kennedy / 44% Van Drew).
The poll was conducted by ALG Research and was in the field September 14-17, 2020.
The HMP poll released yesterday showed Amy Kennedy leading Jeff Van Drew by a margin of 48-43 with Joe Biden leading Donald Trump in the district by a margin of 50-46.
Kennedy clearly has the momentum coming into the final 6 weeks of the race with voting having already begun in Ocean and Camden counties and ballots soon to arrive in mailboxes in all of the other counties in NJ2.
Josh Roesch, Amy Kennedy for Congress campaign manager said, “The only polls that really matter are on election day, but what these numbers show is the same thing we have been hearing from people across the district– they feel betrayed and abandoned by Jeff Van Drew and they want change. They want a representative who will fight for working families and small businesses and who won’t ever pledge their undying support to anyone other than the people of South Jersey.”
More information about the ALG poll can be found here.
President Trump tweeted out his endorsement of CD3 GOP candidate David Richter this afternoon:
David Richter (@DavidRichterNJ) will be a tremendous Congressman for New Jersey! He is a successful Businessman and Job Creator, will protect our Seniors and Healthcare, and supports our Law Enforcement and #2A. David has my Complete and Total Endorsement! https://t.co/RorFhKKleN
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2020
