Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/20/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “(The Democrats) forgot what President Bill Clinton taught us in 1992 — ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ We forgot that lesson and hopefully we’ll learn it very quickly.” – Assemblyman Marenco
TOP STORY: The ABCs of PBA Cards
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The NJDOL reported that the state’s labor market remained steady in November.
Law enforcement ‘courtesy cards’ are under the microscope by the OSC.
NY Governor Hocul accused Governor Murphy of bargaining in ‘bad faith’ over the congestion pricing lawsuit, according to NJ.com.
The FAA has banned flying drones in several towns, according to NorthJersey.com.
The state’s 2025 balloon festival was grounded again, according to MyCentralJersey.
The state has a new portal to allow for self-banning from gaming sites, according to NJ Herald.
The state is readying schools for Trump immigration changes, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Pallone discusses the current Congress, and the future, according to NJ Globe.
Rep. Gotthiemer called for the FAA to immediately brief the public on the decision to ban drones over some towns.
ICYMI: Murphy announced commutations, pardons; officials demand answers on drones; Murphy signed ‘Freedom To Read Act’, Hickson lead-off speaker; Corbett will depart NJT; Assad’s fall sparked celebration; no landing in sight in Monmouth Airport battle; Pfeiffer will serve as Kim COS
The final election results show the scope of Trump’s success with the state’s Latino community, according to NJ Monitor.
Elected officials in Lacey Township endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for Governor.
In LD28, Senator Burgess says legislators ‘are a team‘ as a potentially fractious primary emerges, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: NJLC announced fellows; guv candidates urge primary rescheduling; Crispi exploring a guv run; guv candidates converged; Hudson eyes turn to guv; Bramnick puts punches together; Sumter confident of resolution to Senate collision
Legislation to reschedule the June 2025 primary is on the Governor’s desk, according to NJ Monitor.
Two state lawmakers set for Congress bid farewell, according to NJ Monitor.
Senate Majority Leader Ruiz is the favorite to lead the Legislative Latino Caucus, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Assembly passed a resolution urging the federal government to investigate drone sightings.
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson introduced legislation to restore fairness in the state’s pension system.
The Healthcare Institute of NJ announced Kyle Sullender as Director of Government and External Relations.
ICYMI: Legislature moves towards ending legal notices requirement; Assembly cmte advanced ballot legislation; Assembly cmte heard ballot bill testimony; ballot questions dogged committee; state preparing to defend against deportation; guv candidates converged at conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked party
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In Allentown, the town will sue after Upper Freehold approved warehouses, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small plans to run for re-election, according to NJ Globe. The council approved easements for a offshore wind cable route, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Berkeley, a farm animal rescue was threatened with a nearly $10,000 tax bill, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Denville, the BOE proposed a town-wide ‘book study’ to address mental health issues, according to NJ Hills.
In Dover, a former health employee is suing the mayor and town for alleged unlawful acts, according to NJ Herald.
In Flemington, Liberty Village redevelopment was approved, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Freehold, a Hail Mary idea emerged to save the Raceway, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hawthorne, Council President Matthews was honored for 20 years of service, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, the council voted down a measure prohibiting ‘unconscionable’ rent hikes, according to Hudson County View.
In Morristown, a dispensary is bidding to regain a lost license, according to Morristown Green.
In Ocean City, the council backed off a construction plan, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, former BOE member Torres passed away, according to Paterson Press.
In Princeton, the BOE President called on the council to share PILOT money with schools, according to PlanetPrinceton.
In Roxbury, Holland took the helm of the chief’s job, according to NJ Hills.
In Somerville, a $44M school referendum will be held in March, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South River, a apartment plan hearing was delayed until next year, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Trenton, the police director is opting for a rice hearing in private with the council, according to the Trentonian.
In Wayne, the BOE set dates for the superintendent search, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI n Dover, Ruiz urged disempower ‘party puppeteers’; in Edison, apologies and retractions; 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
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven ‘The Other America‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg ‘Ciattarelli Wrong to Support for Kash Patel as FBI Director‘
Insider NJ reporter John Van Vliet writes ‘The League of Municipalities, the Aesthetics of Power, and Our Civic Destiny‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Rep. Menendez: GOP will shut down our gov’t ‘because Elon Musk told them to’
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) is taking aim at his Republican colleagues as a potential government shutdown looms this week “because Elon Musk told them to.” “House Democrats have and always will put the American people first. We negotiated a bipartisan agreement in good faith that would fund the government and support communities across the country, including those ravaged by natural disasters. House Republicans, on the other hand, backed away from their obligations to their constituents because Elon Musk told them to,” he said in a statement.
Addressing the ‘mass panic’ around NJ drones
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- On Monday, four federal agencies — the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Authority — put out a joint statement that 5,000 total reports of drones in New Jersey over the last month have led to 100 investigative leads for the agencies and no detection of abnormal activity.
Scarinci: New Jersey Judges Subject to New Social Media Rules
Donald Scarinci
- Parents of teens are likely familiar with the lecture that everything you post on social media lasts indefinitely and could come back to haunt you. New Jersey judges just got a similar schooling from the New Jersey Supreme Court. On October 24, 2024, the state’s highest court issued a new policy on judges’ use of social media. It comes as a Bergen County Superior Court Judge was recently disciplined for posting TikTok videos in which he lip-synced songs with “references to violence, sex, and misogyny.” Several posts were made in the judge’s chambers and in the courthouse
TikTok and NJ’s small businesses
Raven Santana, NJ Spotlight
- Millions of small business owners — including those in New Jersey — could see their livelihoods in peril now that the popular TikTok app could be banned in the U.S. next month.
Weird sights in the sky not new for NJ. Here is the story of Solomon Andrews’ Aereon ship
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- For all the buzz about drones zipping over New Jersey, the Garden State is no stranger to odd sights in its skies. The drone phenomenon has captured imaginations worldwide, dominating headlines and sparking countless theories.
Luigi Mangione probably used a ghost gun. Why aren’t we outraged? | Opinion
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Just in time for Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and the winter solstice and New Year’s, Republicans and Democrats find themselves face-to-face with a problem they can actually solve together. They can outlaw so-called “ghost guns” like the one used to kill a health care executive recently in New York City.
Guest Oped: Mayor Reed Gusciora ‘sets the record straight’ about Trenton’s housing efforts
Medianews Group
- As President Reagan famously quipped in the 1984 presidential debate, “There you go again.” Once again, L.A. Parker has used the pages of The Trentonian to present a one-sided narrative, neglecting to seek comment or clarification from the City’s Administration. His articles continue to reflect a narrow perspective that misrepresents the ongoing efforts to revitalize our city and support those facing housing challenges.
Biden administration’s drone solution? A commission on ‘congestion’
Oriana Pawlyk, Politico
- The Biden administration is still struggling to offer a coherent response to concerns about drone sightings that have cropped up across the Northeast. For days, the president’s appointees kept silent as buzz about alleged mystery drones escalated. Then they offered vague assurances that whatever the lights in the sky are, there is no sign that they are dangerous or operating illegally — and that many aren’t drones at all, but rather just planes and helicopters.
Netflix at Fort Monmouth approved for $387M in Aspire tax credits
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- The proposed project to bring Netflix’s East Coast production hub to Fort Monmouth took a major step forward. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board approved an award of $387 million in Aspire tax credits Dec. 19 for the more than $900 million proposed studio campus project. The hub will feature over 1 million square feet, sitting on a 292-acre parcel at Fort Monmouth. The campus will include 12 soundstages, backlot areas, an office building and other production support facilities.
Legal battle continues over control of Paterson Police Department
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- “Confusion is the biggest feeling out here right now, because people are just trying to figure out what’s going on,” said activist Corey Teague, as Paterson residents wondered who will be running the city’s police department.
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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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!
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.
The selling off the wall piecemeal by Biden’s administration was not addressed, but it has to be looked at as a huge black eye for Biden. To counter this it seems prudent to advise those companies that bought in to the “Great American Fraud” that returning their purchase is a most patriotic act, even if there is a monetary reward of maybe 25 cents on the dollar, as well as not being seen to be in collusion with the deep state.in this fraudulent act. Remembering that American taxpayers already paid millions for the wall and would very much appreciate getting it back to increase Homeland Security, which was its purpose in the first place.