Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/4/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m not a bureaucrat. I am for better or worse a populist conservative politician. I am. I’m not afraid to say politician. I like people. I like to campaign. I would miss the campaigns. I’d miss going out there.” – Rep. Van Drew on not wanting to serve in the Trump Administration
TOP STORY: New Ballot Design Questions Dog Assembly Committee
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Power publication.
Senator Helmy is stepping down on Sunday to make way for Senator-elect Kim.
The drought has silver linings for the state’s wineries, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Delaware River salt line is 20 miles north of where it should be this time of year, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The FBI is probing mystery drone and aircraft sightings over the Raritan River, according to MyCentralJersey.
Atlantic County Central Municipal Court members will save 45% in the new year, according to Downbeach.
Monmouth County road deaths are up 45%, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Senator Booker was elevated to the #4 position in Senate Democratic leadership, according to NJ Globe.
Rep. Van Drew is in line for influence in the incoming Trump Administration, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Gottheimer announced a ‘Lower Utility Prices Plan’.
ICYMI: Gas tax increase; Gottheimer launched campaign for Governor; Sherrill launched candidacy for Governor; Democrats lost strength
Dunellen Mayor Cilento endorsed Senator Bramnick for Governor.
8 House members endorsed Rep. Gottheimer for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
Former Senator and GOP gubernatorial candidate Durr wants to eliminate sales and property taxes, according to Politico NJ.
In LD21, four GOP county chairs endorsed Assemblywomen Munoz and Matsikoudis, according to NJ Globe.
Bayonne Mayor Davis is mulling a run for Hudson County Sheriff, according to Hudson County View.
‘America First Republicans’ NJ Chair Crispi is exploring entry in the GOP gubernatorial primary, according to SaveJersey.
ICYMI: Hudson eyes turn to guv; Bramnick puts punches together; Sumter confident of resolution to Senate collision; Pallotta eying Assembly; Fulop’s moves; insiders make sense of election; Auth playing long game; guv candidates converged at League, Sherrill made rounds, Sweeney flexed muscle; Bergen shifted more red
Questions on new ballot design dogged the Assembly Select Committee on the issue.
With three legislators leaving, the jockeying begins for seats and leadership posts, according to NJ Globe.
Governor Murphy is expected to sign the ‘Freedom To Read Act’ next week, according to Politico NJ.
Senator Steinhardt introduced legislation to strengthen state and federal coordination on immigration.
ICYMI: State preparing to defend against deportation; guv candidates converged at conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked party
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Out 100: Power List by Jay Lassiter.
Download and read Insider NJ’s New Jersey History and Heritage Spotlight 2024 publication.
In Bayonne, a grant to fight food insecurity would bring a new pantry to the city, according to TAPinto.
In Clifton, a communications manager was hired, according to NorthJersey.com.
In East Rutherford, American Dream mall says the town owes it $183M, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Edison, the council adopted an ordinance banning ‘props’ and establishing decorum in the council chambers, according to TAPinto.
In Egg Harbor Township, the rec department has a wish list for park improvements, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hanover, an audit shows schools are in OK financial health, according to NJ Hills.
In Jersey City, Team O’Dea donated nearly 4000 turkeys over Thanksgiving, according to Hudson County View.
In Madison, 2025 climate goals were approved, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Oliver, the new BOE BA’s contract was made official, according to NJ Hills.
In Newton, the town is requiring salt and deicer to be stored under cover, according to TAPinto.
In North Wildwood, the town says a bigger beach and new sea wall is closer to reality, according to NJ.com.
In Ocean City, the Wonderland developer seeks to win over skeptics, according to the Press of Atlantic City. A report says a condo complex should be redeveloped, not repaired, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, the feds say schools failed to protect students from sex abuse, according to Paterson Press. Moody’s says the city will keep its higher credit rating, according to Paterson Press.
In Randolph, the mayor addressed recent drone sightings, according to TAPinto.
In Raritan, a shopping center redevelopment plan was approved, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Trenton, water woes are boiling over, according to NJ Monitor.
In Woodbridge, the town got new electric senior shuttle buses, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Newark, Crump passed away; in Morristown, familiar name resurfacing; in Marlboro, sign-stealing an issue; in Howell, GOP won election; in Marlboro, voters elected split BOE ticket; in Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away; in Howell, little unity w/in GOP
Insider NJ reporter John Van Vliet writes ‘The League of Municipalities, the Aesthetics of Power, and Our Civic Destiny‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg ‘The Gaetz Appointment – What it Portends for the Forthcoming Trump appointed New Jersey US Attorney‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Does new whistleblower program have any takers? Officials are mum | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Is it an exercise in unwarranted optimism or do they think it’ll really work? No one from the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Jersey would talk with me about it, so the only information I have is their news release.
The O’Toole Chronicles: 40 Years
Kevin O’Toole, NJ Globe
- I recently hit a milestone in my life and, frankly, I am grateful and humbled by hitting this milestone— 40 years in politics and public service. I happened to turn 60 years of age when I also celebrated my 40-year anniversary in politics and public service, and it got me thinking about the road that I have taken. I never ever thought that I would spend four decades in this profession – modern-day Romans fighting in the Coliseum – but here I am.
Spotlight Review: NJ moves to defend against book bans
Hannah Gross, NJ Spotlight
- A bill that would help protect access to diverse books in New Jersey schools is awaiting the governor’s signature. The Freedom to Read Act would establish requirements for library materials in schools and public libraries and protect library staff from harassment. Only people with a “vested interest,” such as school staff, students and parents, would have grounds to challenge a book. The bill passed the Legislature as of Oct. 28 and Murphy has 45 days to sign or veto the bill following its passage or else it will become law automatically.
Where is Trenton’s next Shelley Zeiger?
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- If eyes identify as the most important sensory organs in our bodies then imagine power associated with our minds’ eyes. Successful dreamers, visionaries, and doers hold an innate ability to transform cockamamie and convolution into concrete creation, the type of mixture poured atop reinforcement bars while building bridges and in the construction of hotels or large buildings.
Another year, another gas tax increase for NJ
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey’s per-gallon gas tax will increase by 2.6 cents, starting on Jan. 1, according to officials from the state Department of the Treasury. The rate hike will bring the state’s per-gallon levy to 44.9 cents for gasoline, and 51.9 cents for diesel fuel, Treasury officials said.
Andy Kim will become New Jersey’s 11th appointed U.S. Senator
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- When Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) takes the oath of office as the U.S. Senator on Monday, he will become the 11th appointed senator from New Jersey since the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1913. Kim, a former White House staffer, succeeds George Helmy, a former U.S. Senate staffer and chief of staff to Gov. Phil Murphy, who was appointed to the Senate seat after Bob Menendez resigned. Murphy will sign a letter appointing Kim after Helmy’s resignation takes effect on Sunday.
Gragnolati to retire as CEO of Atlantic Health
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Brian Gragnolati, who has helped Atlantic Health System to unprecedented levels of recognition in quality of care while positioning the system to future success through timely expansion measures, has announced his intention to retire, the system’s Board of Trustees said Tuesday. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Gragnolati will continue in his current role until the board finds his successor – a process that will begin in the coming weeks. When a successor is found, Gragnolati will transition to a role as a special advisor to the board.
A 20-foot whale appeared on a beach near Cape May
Robert Moran, Philadelphia Inquirer
- A live 20-foot minke whale was stranded on a beach near Cape May on Tuesday, drawing a response from police and firefighters as well as curious onlookers for a short time before it died.
Here’s what Trump’s deportation plan could mean for you and New Jersey
Ricardo Kaulessar, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey residents could forfeit constitutional rights, the state could lose $1.3 billion in taxes and more than 470,000 people could be sent to detention centers if President-elect Donald Trump makes good on his promise of mass deportation. Or the plan could be too difficult and expensive to execute in full. Either way, undocumented immigrants and their advocates are preparing for the worst.
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!
Assemblyman Schaer’s Bill to define antisemitism for New Jersey residents and to be able to react to it is great. But what about our kids going off to college, especially the Jewish kids. They should have a means to know what schools have active anti-Jewish protests, and/or pro-Palestinian demonstration allowed on and off campus. They should be able to feel safe wherever they go, and not have their studies interrupted by what I consider this unlawful activity. Are there websites with this kind of information posted?
Concerns about Jan 6 violence
The simple solution to allay the concerns of the Jan.6 violence happening again is to make sure the election is run in an honest and above board manner, which must include voter I.D. via a totally transparent system. Otherwise I’m betting all bets are off.
(The state’s voting system is secure, according to NJ Spotlight.)
This was without doubt one of the most farcical articles perhaps ever written. To give you an idea just how corrupt and lawless the voting system is, in 2021 Governor Murphy deviously ousted the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections with over 30+ years of experience (coerced and strongarmed into early retirement) in order to then deliberately and deviously insert Loretta Weinberg’s Chief of Staff who, had absolutely NO previous election experience whatsoever.
This was all masterfully formulated and then executed just several weeks prior to the Gubernatorial primary. But of course there was nothing nefarious regarding such an abrupt change.
Although Bergen County is not the largest County in New Jersey it is however home to the most registered voters of which the vast majority are also Democrats.
Keep in mind The Superintendent of Elections Office is also in charge of voter “registrations” – polls books, voting machines and of course – investigating any and all reports of voter fraud.
Murphy’s intentions had been to leave the position vacant until “after” the Gubernatorial Election in November but the media exposed his chicanery and he was forced to fill and announce his personal “appointment” immediately and how all of this came to light.
The former Superintendent of Elections was also a Republican and certainly would’ve never voluntarily retired “prematurely” but just prior to a major election. Her integrity was legendary throughout the entire County.
But of course there was nothing to Murphy’s sudden lead change “in the middle of the night” in Bergen County after the polls had already closed.
Murphy was and still remains loathed and despised by all because of his despotic actions and stance on the Covid lockdowns. He knew there was no other way he could ever beat Ciattarelli and never did. But certainly not legally nor ever legitimately. But keep believing “the voting system in NJ” is actually secure.
Once Trump pardons the Jan 6 participants they should immediately begin Class Action suit against Nancy Pelosi who was instrumental in conducting a huge Political Kangaroo Court unfairly sending hundreds of of participants to jail. They should seek 200 million dollars for redress as well as compensation for Ashley Babbit’s shooting for being unarmed and unthreatening and totally not deserving of a death sentence. And it should cover the medical needs of those jailed who were denied adequate medical care. This was a total abuse of politely power and a Class Action suit is needed to clear the air.