Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 10/7/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “New Jersey is about loyalty, family, and it’s about sticking up for one another. It’s about pushing back on BS, it’s about telling the truth, and it’s about being there for each other.” – Second Gentleman and Jersey native Doug Emhoff on a campaign visit in the state
TOP STORY: Pennsylvania Democrats Build a New Harris Coalition
Read Insider NJ’s Who’s And Who’s Down over the past week.
Building Trades hit the streets of Philly with urgency ahead of the presidential election, as PA Democrats look to build a new coalition for Harris.
The state is speeding up ANCHOR payments, according to NJ Spotlight.
Port operations are resuming after the end of the strike, according to NJ Biz.
There’s a desperate attempt to save the Jersey Shore’s drowning marshes, according to NJ.com.
A company that lost the NJ EZ-Pass contract questioned why it went to a rival, according to NJ.com.
Deer are increasing around the state as the fall months return, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Young NJ voters weighed in on climate change, according to NJ Spotlight.
The NJ NAACP called on State Police Superintendent Colonel Callahan to step down, according to the Trentonian.
Rep. Gottheimer urged university presidents to outline plans to combat anti-Semitism.
ICYMI: Philly Dems in gear for Harris; Murphy discussed lowering voting age
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff campaigned in the state over the weekend.
GOP Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw launched the ‘RealAndyKim’ website. Rep. Kim was endorsed by NASW-PACE. Kim and Bashaw debated last night, with Kim’s campaign declaring ‘decisive victory’ and Bashaw’s campaign saying he exposed Kim’s ‘disastrous voting record’.
In CD7, Sue Altman held her fourth campaign town hall event. Altman released an ad slamming Rep. Kean for avoiding press questions. Republicans are returning VBMs at a slightly higher rate than Democrats, according to SaveJersey.
NOW-NJ released endorsements.
There’s frustration over stolen lawn signs this campaign season.
ICYMI: Delgado will serve as the Harris-Walz state director; Ali to preside over GOP county chairs; Kim campaigned in Bergen; Bashaw positioned as centrist
Governor Murphy took action on legislation.
Senator Polistina introduced legislation to exempt taxes on tips.
ICYMI: ‘Freedom To Read Act’ advanced;; 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 Bayonne, former schools Superintendent McGeehan passed away, according to Hudson County View.
In Bernards, the town is making staffing changes, according to TAPinto.
In Camden, there’s free lead testing for children, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Edison, critics say the school district dropped the transgender policy with no public debate, according to NJ.com.
In Elizabeth, a municipal judge was removed, according to NJ101.5.
In Englewood Cliffs, an affordable housing lawsuit was settled, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, the rent control referendum is a month away, according to NJ.com.
In Newark, prosecutors alleged that a company lied about removing lead pipes, according to NJ Monitor. The council held off on approving a housing project, according to TAPinto.
In Pitman, a landfill is off the top-hazard list after 41 years, according to Burlington County Times.
In Roselle Park, the town is seeking to modernize ordinances, according to TAPinto.
In Spotswood, a mayoral debate will be held, according to TAPinto.
In Trenton, a women’s leadership conference highlighted representation, according to the Trentonian.
In Union City, the town is suing Hoboken, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: In Marlboro, BOE race polarized; 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:
Star-Ledger endorsement: Andy Kim for U.S. Senate
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- The race for New Jersey’s open Senate seat presents a simple choice: For most voters in New Jersey, Donald Trump looms like a shadow over this year’s race for the U.S. Senate. Curtis Bashaw has endorsed Trump and would strengthen the Republican hold on the Senate if he were to win. If Bashaw takes a blue state like this, Republicans will surely take control, putting a MAGA conservative back in power, and giving Trump a stronger hand to do his mischief.
Tom Kean Jr., a foot soldier for Trump, is the extremist in District 7 | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Columnist
- The battle lines in the race between Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and his Democratic challenger, Sue Altman, are taking clear shape with a month to go. Kean is the one who won’t talk to the press, and rarely emerges from his cave to hold events. If you haven’t seen the recent video of him stuck in an elevator with a reporter, it is must-see viewing for anyone in the 7th District.
George Norcross is guilty of dropping F-bombs. And that’s about it | Opinion
James Burnham
- Extortion is a crime of force, threats, violence, and coercion through unlawful means. It is not a crime of hard bargaining, aggressive business practices, or foul language. This is an obvious, intuitive legal line – and one the prosecutors pursuing George Norcross seek to obliterate.
‘Oct. 7 changed everything’ for an Israeli orphan and an NJ counselor. How they’ll move on
Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com
- Hadar Zak clenched the phone tightly as his mother tried to reassure him. Zak’s mother, Eti, was hiding in the safe room of their home in southern Israel, along with his father, Itay, and his 14-year-old brother, Sagi. “We are OK,” his mother repeated, over and over.
NJ Transit justified in firing of cop for CBD use, appeals court rules
Richard Cowen, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The firing of a New Jersey Transit police officer in 2022 for using legal, over-the-counter cannabidiol products was justified, a state appeals court ruled Friday.
Alice and Joe Small
- We have lived at our current address, located on a prominent corner in town, for over 51 years. Last week, we purchased a lawn sign, in support of the presidential candidacy of Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. And we placed it on our property. Yesterday, we discovered that the sign had been stolen, although a sign in support of Andy Kim for United States Senator remained, untouched.
How many EVs are being sold in NJ?
Genesis Obando, NJ Spotlight
- Each year more and more New Jersey residents are buying and registering electric vehicles. As of June 2024, there are about 184,000 electric vehicles registered in the state – almost 30,000 more than last year, according to data from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Family of late Gaudreau brothers fight to block public release of accident records
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- The family of late NHL hockey star and New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have sought to block the public release of records and footage of the fatal bicycle crash in late August. The brothers were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while they were riding their bikes on a rural road in South Jersey. Johnny Gaudreau had two children, and both brothers’ wives are currently pregnant.
High heat means high electricity bills, lawmakers told
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- While inflation is beginning to ease in many categories, electricity costs remain high, including in New Jersey. The reasons for these increases in electricity costs was the focus of a lengthy hearing convened by state lawmakers Wednesday. The hearing — which featured hours of testimony from utility company officials, regulators and consumer advocates — came on the heels of what federal officials have called one of the hottest summers on record.
Send us your 2nd Congressional District debate questions
Nicholas Huba, Pres of Atlantic City
- The Press of Atlantic City and the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University are co-sponsoring a 2nd Congressional District debate Oct. 24. As part of the debate, candidates will answer questions from moderators.
Andrew Seidman and Jeremy Roebuck, Philadelphia Inquirer
- To hear prosecutors tell it, perhaps no single person faced greater harm from the decade-long criminal enterprise they say South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III led than Philadelphia developer Carl Dranoff.
Central Jersey public radio station launching fundraiser to stay on the air
Brad Wadlow, MyCentralJersey.com
- Having grown from the original 500-watt standalone terrestrial station to an operation that now includes internet broadcasting along with several satellite-FM transmitters in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the costs to run the community-funded WDVR radio station and off-site infrastructure have continued to spiral. In response, WDVR is kicking off a fundraising drive on Oct. 14 to continue to grow the Sergeantsville-based station through listener support.
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??
What a fantastic post! This blog is so full of useful information I can’t wait to dig deep and start utilizing the resources you have given me. I have a similar article that will surely help.
Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
great article, very informative thanks for sharing
very informative thank you so much
Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
Neurosurgery is a complex and demanding medical specialty that requires an exceptional level of skill and experience. Dr. Shiau is undoubtedly one of the best neurosurgeons in New Jersey, and patients in Jersey City, Maplewood, Holmdel, Paramus, and Bergen County can rest assured that they are receiving the best possible care under his expertise. Neurosurgeon nj
Meet Dr. John Shiau, the leading neurosurgeon in NJ, at Complete Medical Wellness. Discover his expertise and how he can help you with your neurological conditions. Check out this article for more information. neurosurgeon NJ
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!