Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 10/1/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Probably not in its present form, but we’re always open to discussions. I haven’t ruled it out completely.” – Senate President Scutari on the casino smoking ban bill
TOP STORY: Gottheimer Wants to Strengthen Poll Worker Protections
AG Platkin launched a statewide campaign to combat and raise awareness about bias incidents.
Citing aid cuts, North Jersey BOEs are calling for reform, according to the Bergen Record.
The state is in the middle of the pack in average salary hikes, according to the Bergen Record.
Longshoremen are planning to strike next week, according to NJ Spotlight.
Ocean County’s vo-tech is tackling the nurse shortage, according to NJ Spotlight.
Senator Helmy introduced legislation to raise the SALT deductions cap.
Rep. Gottheimer wants to strengthen protections for poll workers.
Rep. Van Drew dissented on the stopgap spending bill, according to NJ Spotlight.
Archer and Greiner welcomed six new associates, according to ROI-NJ.
ICYMI: Legislation pending to honor Pascrell; funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos
Somerset County Democrats held their annual gala.
Gubernatorial primary candidate Mayor Baraka released his housing platform.
Five mayors pledged to support Rep. Gottheimer for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
In CD7, Altman released a new ad.
ICYMI: Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; Kim campaigned in Bergen;
Bashaw positioned as centrist; Gopal raised $200k; NJCA released endorsements; Pennacchio hosted successful fundraiser; Kim launched ad; Bramnick held fundraiser; Sumter, Wimberly poised for Senate showdown ; NJYD endorsements; Altman took aim at Kean; State Troopers PAC released endorsements; NJLCV released endorsements; Altman picking up tempo; Fulop guv candidacy sets up HCDO civil war scenario; America 1st GOP moving ahead w/’Too Big To Rig’ tour; McIver won CD10 election; Kim, Ciattarelli crisscrossed campaign trail
The Senate confirmed John Hoffman to the state Supreme Court, according to NJ Monitor.
The ‘Freedom To Read Act’ is poised for final passage, according to Politico NJ.
A new law would boost penalties for assaulting law enforcement, according to the Bergen Record.
Lawmakers will hold a hearing on rising electric bills, according to NJ Monitor.
Lawmakers are planning to correct imbalances in state contracting, according to NJ Spotlight.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Labor publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Policymakers publication.
Compliance Corner: Why Every Business Needs a Political-Activity Policy
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Legal publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Lobbyist publication.
In Asbury Park, schools cut the per-pupil cost, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Bernardsville, the future of the rejected Palmer project is uncertain, according to NJ Hills.
In Caldwell, the first police director was named, according to NJ Hills.
In Chatham Borough, Penn ended his independent council candidacy, according to TAPinto.
In East Brunswick, the town may condem and redevelop Route 18 sites by eminent domain, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Edison, the council is rethinking shortening public comment time, according to MyCentralJersey. The Amboy Ave redevelopment plan was changed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Glassboro, Rowan University is supporting police hires amid a flurry of party offenses, according to Burlington County Times.
In Hackensack, the city added to its affordable housing plan, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, a union is suing the city alleging a contract violation, according to Hudson County View.
In Newark, there’s a hearing today on hotly contested gas power plant plans, according to TAPinto.
In Ocean City, a bond was approved for boardwalk work, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, lawyers are at odds over Councilman Jackson’s phone passcode, according to Paterson Press.
In Princeton, the council voted to seek ownership of Westminster Choir College, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Raritan Township, the first reading of prohibiting shipping containers was passed, according to TAPinto.
In Somerville, a developer proposed a hotel and food court downtown, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Springfield, the committee approved the purchase of new gear for firefighters, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, the mayor wants to use affordable housing funds to help the homeless, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Wildwood, the former mayor pleaded guilty to fraud, according to NJ101.5.
ICYMI: In Jersey City, Gilmore fundraising presence causes havoc; Solomon slapped at McGreevey as he kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race; in Paterson, oral arguments set to begin over takeover; in AC, Small, wife indicted
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven ‘An Aspect of the Harris/Trump Economic Plans That Isn’t Being Discussed, But Should Be‘
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘Adams’ Municipal Version of Trump’s Attack on ‘the Deep State’‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Archange Antoine writes ‘NJ Silent as Trump, Vance, and GOP Target Haitian Community‘
Insider NJ columnist George Ball writes ‘This Emperor Has No Clothes‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘The Post-2024 Election NJGOP Gubernatorial Civil War: Reaganism (Bramnick) versus Trumpism (Ciattarelli)‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Vance’s new bromance: A ‘prophet’ who thinks Harris practices witchcraft | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- When Donald Trump or JD Vance try to deny their extremist ties, judge them not only by their longtime allies – like the authors of Project 2025 – but by the people they openly embrace today. Like the Trump devotee who organized the campaign event in Pennsylvania where JD Vance was the starring guest last weekend: Lance Wallnau, a far-right Christian and self-declared prophet, has called Kamala Harris “Jezebel,” described her debate performance as “witchcraft,” and defended the violence on Jan. 6th as justified.
Climate activists urge fines for fossil fuel producers
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- A coalition of climate groups rallied in Trenton Monday to urge the passage of a bill that would require companies that have produced fossil fuels since 1995 to pay for economic damages borne of climate change. They said investment is needed to ensure the state reaches its ambitious climate goals of drawing 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2035 as storm systems grow more severe — and more economically damaging.
Andy Kim George Norcross NJ irony
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- Rep. Andy Kim’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate is an attempt to turn the page from machine politics like those of George Norcross III.
Restored Revolutionary War cannon unveiled in ribbon cutting ceremony
Andrew Dutton, NJ Hills
- A nearly two-year project to faithfully restore a replica Revolutionary War cannon at the intersection of Morris Avenue and Lafayette Avenue is officially complete.
Op-Ed: NJ could have the world’s cleanest AI
Ed Potosnak
- New Jersey recently rolled out a $500 million tax incentive to make the Garden State a leader in the artificial intelligence industry. This tax credit is the centerpiece of an effort by Gov. Murphy to leverage the tremendous economic potential of this growing technology. While we applaud the governor’s efforts to position New Jersey at the forefront of technological change, the energy-intensive nature of this industry demands we couple AI advancements and infrastructure with Gov. Murphy’s 100% clean-electricity economy, creating the cleanest AI in perhaps the world.
N.J. State Police’s toxic culture is a failure of leadership (cont.) | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Stop us if you’ve heard this before: The New Jersey State Police have been mishandling internal affairs cases and subjecting officers to racial and gender discrimination, and this pattern of misconduct has become so systemic that Attorney General Matt Platkin has embedded his own team to oversee complaints made to the agency’s IA unit and taken over its human resources department.
When will NJ taxpayers start receiving ANCHOR rebate checks?
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- Eligible New Jersey residents will soon see the latest round of ANCHOR property tax relief payouts hit their bank accounts or their mailboxes. The state’s Treasury Department confirmed that payments will start being sent out in the middle of October and that most eligible applicants will get theirs about 90 days after filing, unless the state needs more information.
Opinion: On World Heart Day, I’m fighting for a healthier future for women
Mikie Sherrill
- A few years ago, I was speaking with a medical professional who told me that we know what a heart attack looks like for men: tingling in the left arm or pain in the chest. And then he asked me if I knew what the first sign of a heart attack was for women. I didn’t. His answer? Sudden death.
These are five of the richest people currently residing in New Jersey
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- In April, Forbes released its annual list of the richest people in the world. This year, there were more billionaires than ever on the list, and they were richer than ever before. In 2024, according to Forbes, the United States is home to a record 813 billionaires, several of which reside in the Garden State. Throughout the year, Forbes keeps a running list of real-time billionaires, which reflect changes in net worth since 5 p.m. EST of the prior trading day.
2024 People To Watch in Finance
NJBIZ
- NJBIZ once again presents our list of business people who are doing great work without making a lot of news. The individuals profiled have either completed difficult tasks, are creating game-changing innovations or leading others in those endeavors. The common thread is that you, the reader, might never have heard of them. But you will. The NJBIZ Power lists recognize the most influential business leaders in the state. Many of those folks have spent their entire careers building businesses, ascending the ranks of corporate management, training new generations or in some other way making New Jersey a better place to live, work and do business.
NJPAC celebrates its past, present and future at annual gala
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The annual N.J. Performing Arts Center Gala Saturday night in Newark did what it always does — serve as the unofficial opening to the gala season while raising millions for new and innovative programs that make NJPAC not only a jewel for the arts in the state but a model for the nation. Indeed, the money raised this year will help support NJPAC’s greatest initiative yet, a $336 million renovation of its 12-acre campus.
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- When Inspira Health moved its hospital from Woodbury to Mullica Hill in the fall of 2019, it knew it had a big, glorious facility that could comfortably serve the community. It soon will be getting even bigger – and even more glorious. On Monday, the system will break ground on a $240 million expansion that includes a new 150,000-square-foot 5-story wing that will extend out toward Rt. 55, an overbuild to the right of the hospital’s main entrance, the renovation of various clinical and non-clinical spaces on the first floor.
Murphy celebrates “a full week of declining numbers” then says “status quo of lockdown will remain until new cases and fatalities decrease.” So, which of Murphy’s statements is accurate? He said 2 opposite things in a single paragraph of speaking.
He;s “vacationing” at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by “remote work”…………translation: NO WORK
That is what happens in practicality when they are “suspending their disbelief” (HR Clinton) in real numbers and going on predictive models to make decisions. And then after doing that, they vote with “feelings.”
lmao imagine supporting lockdowns after the largest mass death event in american history and calling that a feeling driven conclusion? maga chuds never fail to disappoint
keeping up with the news
OK
What I — and most of the women I know who are passionate about cosmetics —like about make up isn’t that the right gloss can make your lips poutier or that false lashes can make your eyes more doe-like. Rather, it’s how women can communicate messages and express ourselves through makeup. Certainly it’s not our single factor of communication, but it’s one of many forms of expression that allow us to showcase our individual styles.
keeping up with the news
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Roofing In Brighton
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So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
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Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
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lETS NOT FORGET that during the pandemic Donald Trump sent the MERCY, a fully equipped, COVID prepared Hospital ship to save lives of victims and healthcare workers . But Murphy in his wisdom would rather send Patients back to nursing homes that were ill-equipped to treat these patients so they could die , rather than utilize a life-saving gift and be like NY governor Cuomo, another anti-Trump
tool.
Your blog is a haven of positivity in a sometimes chaotic online world.
Your exquisitely curated blog epitomizes erudition, captivating readers with its intellectually stimulating content and profound philosophical insights.
Gun owners don’t have to talk about guns because they know that they have to come out and vote to protect their constitutional right to bear arms. The Supreme court decision has affirmed that right and somehow our “leaders” haven’t learned how to read.
NJ is one of the most corrupt and racist places to live. There’s “0” accountability for the criminal acts, corruption, and unfair treatment of the people of this state. It starts with our governor who cares less for truth and honesty. Continue to ruin the lives of the citizens of this state.
How about those unintended consequences.
New Jersey mandating that all cars being sold by 2035 be electric is telling us what we can or cannot buy with our own money. There will always be gasoline powered vehicles because of the power produced by internal combustion compared to the power produced by batteries; which is to say the more power the bigger the battery to the point of rediculousness. My thought is that if the state wants fewer gas powered vehicles on the road it should create a mass transit electric powered system that would emphasize convenience for commuters and everyday shoppers. Of course that would mean vehicles weighing tons more because of the size of batteries and that creates a whole other question of where to dispose of them (also for elelectric car batteries), since they are composed of highly toxic materials that can’t be burnt or buried. These are unintended consequences no- one is willing to grapple with until its too late. I think by 2035 th he electric car fantasy will go the same way the offshore wind farm has gone.
Stephen Brickman
206 Stonehenge Dr
Phillipsburg,NJ 08865
Stephen.Brickman@gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone
The military serving in the Middle East represents every state in the Union. Those are our sons and daughters, Moms and Dads and yet we are very little to protect them, or REALLY retaliate when they’re attacked. Governor Murphy is the Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, and past chair of the National Governors Association and yet you never hear him mention about any requests either organization makes to Biden to be more aggressive about protecting our kids in harms way. It’s as though it doesn’t seem to matter to them. No wonder we look so weak to the rest of the world.
Teaneck property taxes pays for the school budget. Teaneck High School students walk out. Is a Hamas military shuffle march property tax bill included?
I’m a conservative and I do believe life begins at conception but the problem is that each mother is responsible for that life and it is in the realm of her mental and physical health that she will either bring it to term or abort it. This should not be a political decision and should not be be dictated by thousand of strangers. The Supreme Court turned it over to the states but it still remains personal for the mother and her family.
I don’t think it should be an “agenda item” for any political party. A state medical society may want to impose a time frame within which an abortion can occur but even that may be subject to the mother’s doctor’s discretion.
I say just quit discussing it and leave it up to the mother a father.
Voting should be based on understanding what’s actually happening and knowing who would make life safer and more livable. The only way to do that is to get both sides of the information remembering there are always two sides to a story. Mainstream media in my area includes the Star Ledger and the Easton Express. If you look at the bylines of the opinions you will find writers from the Washington Post and Bloomberg, both notoriously on the left. Even the political cartoons are a dead giveaway. CNN and CNBC are also left leaning. So what are the options for getting opinions and news from the right? Fortunately cable news has Fox, which is near center, and Newsmax, and NewsNation which are full right. Watching these even just occasionally will show a much broader picture and give the reader more information with which to make an informed voting decision. And remember you DONT have to vote party if you feel there’s a wiser choice.
The governor signed off on having Narcan available in all schools grades 9 through 12. But what about the idea
of having Narcan available in ALL SCHOOLS in New Jersey?
How’s his for an idea? Uncover the identities of the un-elected advisors to Pres. Biden, and publish their names. That way there is actually someone to blame when we lose valuable lives from unanswered attacks by terrorist organizations. We know Biden isn’t making these decisions on his own. My guess is that these advisors will quit the team rather than take the heat for poor decisions, revealing a big weakness in this administration. It might lead to improvements to the decision-making process.
Note to Concealed Carry permit holders: make sure you subscribe to one of the insurance companies that specialize in CCP, ie: US LAW SHIELD. If you ever have to fire your weapon , that has to be the first phone call you make. The second is 911, the third is your family. With so many new permit holders there will probably be an increase in discharges until word gets out that it’s actually unsafe for criminals to be in New Jersey and crime will take a nosedive.
Now unless you have a conviction in your background you can get that CCP and really defend yourself and your family. And more women are applying which is great for family defense. The stats that record gun violence will have to be re-organized into guns used for crime and guns used to prevent crime. A lot of get-always here because sometimes just brandishing a firearm is enough to stop a crime. But it should be reported anyway..
The liability limits for taxi cabs are extreme starting July 1. It was a plan in place through the insurance banking committee and it was abruptly changed with an amendment. The guys are barely making a living today and you’ve increased their insurance. What’s fair is fair and this is not it was an incremental increase, which was fair, and was removed by the governor please refer back to the original plan
Iowa gets it right. What better school security is there than trained, armed teachers with concealed carry permits. You wonder what parents and local government officials when they oppose this idea. Apparently they would rather wait for some demented individual, either a student or maybe an ex student pulls out a handgun of his backpack , or a long gun out of a duffel and starts firing do they can call it in and wait for help to show up. This move would save many lives and I would heartily endorse this idea nationwide. Of course I’m just an average gun owner who believes that our kids are our most valuable asset and need real protection.
The problem with the Line is that there is no vetting process. Whoever pays the most and/or is specifically unqualified and therefore relegated to the status of puppet is who the county bosses support and threaten the committee members to support. My opponent said on-air that he will do whatever they tell him. What kind of leadership is that. I have 8-10 organizations endorsing me to his zero. I have served many statewide for almost 4 years while he has never helped anyone but himself. No-brainer who is qualified, and they know it. That’s why they are getting nasty and vile while I continue to take the high road.
With the mainstream media touting the current president and suddenly discovers he’s been lying to us all about how supportive he is of Israel when it is reported he is receiving BIG donations from Soros and Rockefellers , both proven anti-American donors, to become pro Palestinian and Pro Hamas and Anti Israel by holding up ammunition shipments to Israel. And solidly answering the question of why he never goes directly against Iran. Is the MSM party to this also. How can the general public now know who and what to trust. They warn us how terrible a trump administration will be as if they have totally forgotten how good we had it under Trump. All I can say is put on your big boy pants and tell us how it really is.
Studies show that recreational cannabis is responsible a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. These studies show that cannabis impairs driving ability and driving while high is common among regular users. Since cannabis is still an illegal drug, insurance companies are within their rights to deny coverage in for an accident ruled a DUI due to cannabis. However a state that approved its recreational use should be held accountable for any and all the consequences of that DUI. States are more interested in the money they make but they should accept the responsibility for having approved the use of recreational cannabis.
Could you please fix your “bay blood spots “ typo. It sounds like a horror movie. Although “baby blood spots” isn’t much better. Maybe there’s a clearer and less distressing turn of phrase for all of our sensitive readers, lol. Please and thank you.
Reclassifying marihuana from CI to any other category will involve Pharmacy because by law only a Pharmacist with a DEA license can purchase or sell any drug with a CII to CV
Classification. (CI is exempt because it’s heroine or any other drug with no medical purpose). This is a National problem because it is all under the DEA. And since marihuana is a hallucinogen among other things it requires control. The whole weed issue has put the cart before the horse and really requires reining in to have it conform
to the legal requirements. (Sorry Mr. Weedman). And recreational use will get the biggest hit because it will require a prescription
for medicinal use, but that cuts out the recreational aspect. Maybe in the future Pharmacists may be able to prescribe it but not yet. And how many physicians and Nurse Practitioners will want to be involved in the weed industry, I wonder? Lots of questions and few answers so far.
Changing the regulations to allow Optometrists to perform surgery is foolhardy and dangerous. Their training is doing vision tests and prescribing the correct glasses to improve vision. Only an MD in ophthalmology should be the one to do eye surgery.
That’s like asking the fellow filling your gas tank to fix a ball joint suspension.
This is not the answer to a shortage of ophthalmologists
Can’t seem to access the Steinberg column on Sam Alito, Sr. on your website. Suggestions?
Stop complaining about taxes ,our schools , our crime, ,after all folks we keep voting in the same Democrat party politicians each time .
For instance who would think that every Democrat who represents us in congress would vote for men playing in woman sports ,but they did , ask yourself are you the kind of a person who would kill ( sorry to use that word kill but hard not to since the law is that is a human being and if the mother is murdered it’s a double homicide ) a baby up to the moment of birth sorry to tell you that is the law in New Jersey.
So stop complaining your part of the problem.
NOTE TO SENIORS
I was 85 when I got my Carry permit. If you want to protect yourself and your family you are never too old to carry. As log as you can pass the test at the range, which is pretty simple, and you have a handgun you can handle (which is why I purchased a Walther CCP M2 PLUS which is easy to rack) and you have no police record or mental health problems, you can qualify. Of course you need to get a Federal weapons ID card, if you don’t already have one. We are targets because we are older and look easy. Well surprise , surprise. The more folks that are carrying the less crime because the bad guys wont know if you are armed and might not try something. By the way
it doesn’t matter- male or female!!
Great article, thanks for keeping us informed!