Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 10/3/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This consent decree will address the unconstitutional conditions at the veterans homes detailed in the complaint we filed today, including the poor infection-control practices and deficient clinical care. These conditions were compounded by a lack of effective management and oversight. Such deficiencies exposed residents to uncontrolled serious and deadly infections and resulted in the veterans homes suffering among the highest number of resident deaths of all similarly sized facilities in the region.” – US Attorney Sellinger on the proposed consent decree to compel reforms at state veterans homes
TOP STORY: The Great Trenton Book Battle
LG Way and AG Platkin issued guidance on how to identify political ‘deepfakes’.
The feds say the state can’t take care of its veterans, according to NJ.com. Veterans homes are expected to get monitors, according to Politico NJ.
Philly Democrats are in gear for VP Harris.
Dockworkers were back on picket lines for Day 2, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ offshore wind farms face pushback as the feds give the green light, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Hudson County will spend $3M to improve bike lanes in North Hudson on River Road, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: Murphy discussed lowering voting age
In CD7, Sue Altman raised over $2M in the third quarter.
Morris GOP Chair Ali was picked to preside over the 21 county GOP chairs.
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 ‘Freedom To Read Act’ advanced in the Legislature.
Assemblywoman Ramirez introduced the ‘Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act’.
Lawmakers were advised at a hearing on how to keep energy bills down, according to NJ Monitor.
ICYMI: Insiders consider Scutari future
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 Bordentown, committee candidate Eric Holliday was endorsed by the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
In Atlantic City, a historic building is the site of a $22M apartment project, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The AC Aquarium will reopen in the coming months, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Branchburg, the town is looking to create a ‘much more efficient’ form of government, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Essex Fells, a bond ordinance was introduced for water treatment systems improvement, according to NJ Hills.
In Ocean City, vacationers say goodbye to Gillian’s, according to Burlington County Times.
In Perth Amboy, the town is looking to revitalize downtown, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Phillipsburg, parents called for more to be done about reckless driving near buses, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Raritan, the borough introduced an ordinance to provide more for veterans, according to TAPinto.
In Roselle Park, a new noise ordinance will be adopted, according to TAPinto.
In Sparta, political signs got picked up by the town, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, an ordinance was introduced setting a general development plan for the Toys R Us property, according to TAPinto.
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:
Finally, action on N.J. electric bill spike | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- Several weeks after Atlantic City Electric Co. customers complained about ridiculously high recent bills, it appears that U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., has found a pair of big-boy consumer advocate shoes to try on.
Melania Trump in new memoir calls abortion a ‘woman’s fundamental right’: Report
Judy Kurtz, The Hill
- Melania Trump is reportedly set to voice strong support for reproductive rights, writing in her new memoir that a “woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty” grants her “the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.” In a copy of “Melania” obtained by The Guardian’s Martin Pengelly ahead of its release next Tuesday, the former first lady writes, “Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body. I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”
Record demand, increased energy supply prices contributed to higher Atlantic City Electric bills
Michelle Brunetti Post, Press of Atlantic City
- A combination of increased energy supply prices, rising distribution rates and record demand during a particularly hot, humid summer drove spiking electric bills that caused a customer outcry, Atlantic City Electric told a state legislative committee Wednesday. “It was the second hottest June with an eight-degree increase (over last June) … and July was the seventh hottest (on record),” said Phil Vavala, region president for Atlantic City Electric and Delmarva Power, during an Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee hearing. “Residents continued to use more electricity than ever before.”
NJ teens amplify right to vote at 16 in some races
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- An effort in New Jersey to lower the voting age for certain races is about to get an army of supporters. Gov. Phil Murphy and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka will be on hand for a Saturday event that’s rallying youth to advocate for a lower voting age in New Jersey school board elections. Advocates want the legal voting age to be lowered from 18 to 16. The aim is to give teens more of a voice in deciding who gets to make moves that directly impact them.
Nation’s First Muslim General, a Scotch Plains Resident, Honored at Township Council Meeting
Charlie Cangialosi III and John Mooney, TAPinto.net
- Brigadier General Cindy M. Saladin-Muhammad was honored at the Oct. 1 Scotch Plains Township Council meeting. Brig. Gen. Saladin-Muhammad is the first Muslim and the fifth African-American woman in the history of the United States to be promoted to the rank of general. The general and her husband, Sayyed Muhammad, have lived in Scotch Plains for over 20 years, and, along with their son Reshard, have a combined 75 years of U.S. military service.
Dionne Warwick getting NJ street named after her
Jeff Deminski, NJ1015
- “You can take the guy out of the neighborhood, but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the guy.” It’s a favorite phrase of Frankie Valli’s. It was never truer than last year when, right there in his old neighborhood in Newark, a street was named after him. Frankie Valli Way. He was there last April for the ceremony. Apparently, Dionne Warwick said, “Hold My Beer.”
ILA boss uses Norcross attorney to threaten NY Post for revealing 7,000+ square-foot N.J. mansion
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- The head of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) says his striking members are underpaid, Save Jerseyans, but while his union’s workers allegedly suffer from inadequate compensation, the NY Post reports that Harold Daggett is living in an objectively huge and luxurious mansion in Sparta, New Jersey. And by huge, we mean over 7,000 square feet.
EPA removes NJ landfill from Superfund list
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- The Lipari Landfill, a six-acre chemical cauldron in Gloucester County, topped the nation’s Superfund site list some 40 years ago after companies had dumped 155 carcinogens, heavy metals, pesticide residues and benzene. But alarmed Pitman residents organized and fought back, and on Tuesday, after decades of work and a $300 million price tag, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Lipari was being removed from the Superfund National Priorities List.
Paterson neighbors challenged to end gun violence
Bobby Brier, NJ Spotlight
- Anti-violence advocates and city leaders gathered last week throughout Paterson to acknowledge and celebrate community members who helped to lower the rates of gun violence in their neighborhoods this summer. The event, hosted by the Paterson Healing Collective and co-sponsored by 1st Ward Councilman Michael Jackson, aimed to recognize the residents of blocks in the first, fourth and fifth wards. They participated in and won the collective’s “Summer Peace Challenge,” according to Liza Chowdhury, the executive director of the Paterson Healing Collective and Reimagining Justice Inc.
Judge denies plea deal for Princeton students arrested during pro-Gaza protests
Mary Ann Koruth, NorthJersey.com
- A judge has denied a plea deal for six of 13 Princeton University students arrested and charged with trespassing into a university administrative suite during last spring’s pro-Gaza protests. The court hearing adjourned Tuesday over an open question — whether the protesters gave university staff a 60 second countdown to empty their offices.
Trenton playground updates are great, but where is the city’s discussion on cleaning up lead?
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora recently joined interim Recreation Director Paul Harris and his team to provide a construction update for Villa Park Playground. A City of Trenton press release noted demolition on the current playground began on Monday, September 9th, and was completed within twenty-four hours. The installation of playground equipment includes features for ages two through twelve.
Abraham Gutman, Philadelphia Inquirer
- A Voorhees man who became quadriplegic after he was allegedly shot by an off-duty New York City police officer in May is seeking $300 million in a federal lawsuit filed against the city and its mayor, alleging that the police department allowed an officer with known alcohol addiction to carry a gun.
Jon Bon Jovi goes home to Sayreville with stirring message: ‘Opportunity to make a memory’
Cheryl Makin, MyCentralJersey.com
- Jon Bon Jovi quoted himself, speaking about his Sayreville Bomber pride. “If you remember one thing from our meeting today, know this, you are writing the story of your life,” the iconic Jersey rocker told students and staff at his alma mater Sayreville War Memorial High School. “Make it a great one, so that one day you can say, ‘Who says you can’t go home? There’s only one place they call me one of their own.'”
NJ rabbis expect bigger crowds at high holidays. What’s fueling the Jewish ‘awakening?’
Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com
- Growing up in a secular Jewish family on Staten Island, Rosh Hashana never held much meaning For Erik Kukin. My family celebrated by eating Chinese food because it was the Jewish New Year, but that was about it,” said Kukin, 36. But after the last year, Kukin has a newfound desire to embrace his faith.
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
Longmont Tree Service
Roofing In Brighton
Roofing Colorado Springs
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!