Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/3/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He’s a very different animal privately than he is publicly, which is fascinating to us.” – Governor Murphy on President-elect Trump, describing the two as ‘really good friends’
TOP STORY: As GOP Contest Intensifies, Bramnick puts His Punches Together
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Power publication.
The Treasury announced the gas tax will increase 2.6 cents on January 1st.
AG Platkin panned President Biden’s pardon of his son.
Witnesses and experts are weighing in on a growing North Jersey drone mystery, according to NJ Herald.
Rising sea levels could bring worse problems for NJ cities than flooding, according to NJ.com.
Food insecurity is growing concern in South Jersey, according to Burlington County Times.
SEPTA fares increased, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Atlantic County election results were certified, with Trump winning 50.6% of the vote, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Rep. Sherrill launched the ‘2024 Heroes’ program.
ICYMI: Gottheimer launched campaign for Governor; Sherrill launched candidacy for Governor; Democrats lost strength; voters aren’t familiar w/ guv candidates; Murphy addressed the loss of Democratic strength
Rep. Gottheimer continued his 21-county diner tour.
Assemblyman Auth endorsed Senator Bramnick for Governor.
Rep. McIver endorsed Mayor Baraka for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
Voter registration slowed after the election, but the GOP retained its edge, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Hudson eyes turn to guv; Bramnick putting punches together; Sumter confident of resolution to LD35 Senate collision course; Pallotta eying Assembly candidacy; Fulop’s palpitating moves; insiders tried to make sense of the presidential election; Auth playing long game; guv candidates converged at League, Sherrill made the rounds, Sweeney flexed political muscle; Bergen shifted more red; more Assembly candidates joined Fulop slate; Sweeney allies see path to victory; guv race taking shape; Baraka allies energized; firefighter unions split over guv race; Dems ready to find themselves; Hispanic Democratic dissatisfaction has grown; Bramnick faces difficult path; Ciattarelli sees advantages; Duarte looking ahead to 2025
Vacancies and diminished duties of prison oversight boards are spurring demands for change, according to NJ Monitor.
Awilda Pomales-Diaz was named the new Executive Director of the NJ Puerto Rico Commission.
The NJBIA released a business ‘wish list’ for the next Governor.
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.
North Jersey towns are due in court to fight the affordable housing mandate, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small waived the first reading on witness tampering charges, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bayonne, an ex-rec employee is suing alleging the city wouldn’t accommodate her after 2 strokes, according to Hudson County View.
In Bernards, sewer and golf fees will remain flat next year, according to NJ Hills.
In Carteret, the town is reaping liquor sales profits, according to TAPinto.
In Deptford, a hotel proposal is still facing headwinds, according to Burlington County Times.
In Dunellen, a restored firehouse will be unveiled, according to MyCentralJersey.
In East Brunswick, a senior community may help the affordable housing goal, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hanover, the BOE attorney argued in favor of the parental notification policy, according to NJ Hills.
In Hillsborough, a warehouse decision will be put off until next year, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hoboken, municipal services are being restored after a cyberattack, according to TAPinto.
In Longport, the administrator passed away, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Madison, the council will support expanding immigrant protections ahead of Trump taking office, according to NJ Hills.
In Millville, a redevelopment plan could bring 1,700 jobs, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Oceanport, Netflix’s first four studios were approved, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Oradell, an officer alleges a superior tried to sabotage his career, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Phillipsburg, a rent intervention method was adopted, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Pitman, voters will decide on school upgrades, according to Burlington County Times.
In Trenton, the South Ward runoff election is today, according to the Trentonian.
In Warren, mail-in master plan surveys will be sent to residents, according to NJ Hills.
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:
Menendez evidence error at center of appeal
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotilght
- Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has asked a federal judge to throw out his corruption conviction and grant him a new trial after it was discovered that jurors were accidentally shown improper evidence. Menendez’s request came two weeks after government prosecutors alerted Judge Sidney H. Stein and Menendez’s defense attorneys that they mistakenly uploaded nine documents to a laptop used by the jury to review thousands of pieces of evidence. That contained fewer redactions than initially ordered by the judge.
Replacing all 592 George Washington Bridge steel suspender ropes is 95% done
James M. O’Neill, NorthJersey.com
- Efforts to replace all 592 steel suspender ropes that support the roadway on the George Washington Bridge are now 95% finished, and just 24 of the ropes are left to be replaced, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Monday. The rope replacement, which should be completed by the end of 2026, is part of an 11-project, $2 billion effort called Restoring the George that began in 2016.
Marin Resnick, NJ Hills
- Doug Eaton, husband of former North Hunterdon High School librarian Martha Hickson, served a copy of a lawsuit by Louisiana librarian Amanda Jones on Dan Kleinman, of SafeLibraries in Chatham, during the Tuesday, Nov. 26, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School Board of Education meeting.
Mega-warehouses spur air pollution across North Jersey. Lawmakers must act | Opinion
Uyen “Winn” Khuong
- In November, Marjory Murphy and Rick Scott were elected to the township council of Sparta, New Jersey, handily defeating two incumbents and two other candidates. Their platform? “Protect Sparta’s Future — No Mega-Warehouses.” All across New Jersey, and especially in counties like Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon, residents are standing up to major corporations to oppose the development of sprawling warehouse projects that are changing the way of life in their communities — and not for the better.
Josh Gottheimer pledges tax cuts | Opinion
NorthJersey.com
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer pledged to cut income taxes alongside property taxes. New Jersey history shows that’s likely a tall proposition.
Why New Jersey must lead on reproductive health access | Opinion
Lisa Harrison Gulla and Becky Ofrane
- As a new government that is decidedly anti-choice returns to Washington in January, it is clear that reproductive health access is at extreme risk in the U.S.
FBI probes New Jersey drove mystery – what we know
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- As mysterious drone sightings continue over parts of Morris County, the FBI has begun an investigation. The most recent videos posted to social media were from late Sunday night. A video posted by @MendhamMike on X shows a drone moving over the trees. Colored lights blink and flash in a triangle pattern as the drone moves.
These survivors represent 12% of NJ’s homeless population
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- Sometimes escaping an abusive relationship means entering a scenario involving limited options and financial means. According to advocates, survivors of domestic violence make up nearly 12% of New Jersey’s homeless population, which is counted each year through an in-depth survey of shelters and streets.
For business leaders from Mexico, a chance to look past rhetoric and see reality of N.J.
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- On the day that President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo had their first phone call – and first disagreement about what was actually said about immigration and the border – a more genial conversation was taking place in a meeting hall in Passaic.
Edison NJ unlikely to meet its affordable housing obligation
MyCentralJersey
- Edison has the third highest affordable housing obligation in Middlesex County behind South Brunswick and Monroe.
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
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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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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!
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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.