Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 7/23/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Whether it’s politics, money, picking up lunch, we’ll do whatever it takes.” – Governor Murphy pledging support to VP Harris in the presidential election
TOP STORY: Sherrill Ahead of the Game
NJ Democrats praised President Biden for his ‘devotion’ and ‘selflessness’ in opting against seek re-election, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy endorsed VP Harris for President, according to the Bergen Record.
Black female leaders in the state participated in a Zoom call with Vice President Harris, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy says the conversation is serious with the Sixers about relocating to NJ, according to NJ.com.
Latinos want to move on from Senator Menendez, according to NJ Monitor.
The Menendez conviction raises questions about benefits for corrupt officials, according to NJ Spotlight. The Senate’s ethics panel will review alleged rules violations by Senator Menendez, according to NJ Monitor.
There’s a fight to save the state’s cedar forests, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
A Camden County animal shelter is overcapacity, according to Burlington County Times.
Hunterdon County unveiled a new public health nursing facility, according to NJ Hills.
Ocean County halted foreclosure sales over fears of phony non-profits, according to the Asbury Park Press.
A WalletHub survey ranks New Jersey as having the nation’s 4th best school system.
ICYMI: Biden withdrawing, and endorsed Harris, Dems scrambling to advance potential VP picks; Menendez saga still unfolding, Senator says there ‘seems to be an effort to force me into a statement‘, Murphy in position to appoint, Booker would lead expulsion effort; Menendez found guilty and faces a reckoning; Trump injured in assassination attempt; Norcross pleaded not guilty; Sherrill doesn’t want President Biden to run; Menendez verdict will come soon; Murphy signed budget; courts shaping political developments; Critchley, Marino statement on Norcross
NJ delegates voted to endorse VP Harris for President.
Rep. Sherrill appeared to be ahead of the game following her early July call for President Biden to end his re-election bid.
The Murphys poured big money into Middlesex County for the fight to preserve the county line, according to Politico NJ.
Governor Murphy met in person with former President Trump after the assassination attempt, according to Politico NJ.
Rep. Gottheimer joked that Hudson County is his ‘second home’, while staying mum on a potential gubernatorial candidacy, according to Hudson County View.
The SEUI NJ State Council endorsed congressional candidates.
Jersey City Mayor and guv primary candidate Fulop says VP Harris will be an ‘outstanding candidate‘, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: Kim tapped Bustamante as political director; Bashaw recommended Menendez replacements; McIver victorious in CD10 primary, eleven were vying; crazy rhetoric very bipartisan; Bramnick visited GW Bush; Jones says ‘coalesce‘ around Biden; HCDO tapped Wyche as ED; Ciattarelli unperturbed by Spadea; Wisniewski says Democrats should rally around Biden; Jones tells Dems ‘work harder’, ‘worry less’ as Dems fret over optics while considering options amid serious doubts; Davis elected Monmouth Dems chair; Bashaw poll shows close race; Spadea’s early win; Durr participated in a FDU forum
Governor Murphy signed the ‘Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act’.
The Murphy Administration released a plan to better protect residents from the effects of extreme heat.
Assemblywoman Quijano expressed concern with ongoing NJ Amtrak delays.
The UTCA praised outgoing Gateway Development Commission leader Kris Kolluri.
A report finds chronic neglect and inaction in state disability services, according to NJ Herald.
ICYMI: Way appointed Wolkenberg NJDOS COS; Murphy announced departure of Gutierrez-Scacetti; Murphy says he doesn’t think about his legacy; Murphy announced promotions
A recent political chronology of Garden State politics.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Legal publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Lobbyist publication.
Former Senator Bob Gordon discusses his career and insights on current events.
In Atlantic City, the city launched a first-time homebuyer lottery program.
In Jersey City, the city unveiled the newly revitalized Bergen Square.
In Bedminster, a new public works head was named, according to NJ Hills.
In Bridgewater, the budget increases spending by 8.9%, according to MyCentralJersey. A shared services agreement was reached with Raritan to share municipal court services.
In Flemington, the town is moving forward with a system to improve sewer facilities at the police station, according to TAPinto.
In Howell, the former police chief was sentenced for a workplace affair coverup, according to NJ101.5.
In Keyport, an investigation was launched into lead found on the shore, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Monroe, another massive warehouse was proposed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Ocean City, Vaules dropped a challenge in a council race, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, an activist was involved in an assault, according to Paterson Press.
In Phillipsburg, the town welcomed its first female police officer, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Riverside, a long-vacant landmark could become apartments if the plan isn’t derailed, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Scotch Plains, homeowners associations say the town hasn’t reimbursed them for snow removal costs, according to TAPinto.
In Union City, a gonzo journalist is suing the mayor and city over an arrest, according to the Jersey Journal. Senator Menendez’s hometown says he needs to go, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Voorhees, a court fight was ended over a planned Wawa on Route 73, according to Burlington County Times.
In Woodbridge, a plan aims to divert freight trains from idling in town, according to MyCentralJersey. Records show 100 animals dead at SeaQuest since 2019, according to MyCentralJersey.
ICYMI: In Union City, residents reacted to Menendez conviction; in Newark, Speight announced candidacy for Central Ward; in Wayne, debate popped up; in Parsippany, Musella kicked off mayoral campaign; in Dover, bumpy transition
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘Yes, I will Continue to Call Trump a Fascist Threat to Democracy. Because He is.‘
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘An RNC Field Guide from Inside and Outside the Armed Compound‘
Insider NJ columnist Tom Barrett writes ‘Mikie Sherrill is Right‘
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven writes ‘The Wrong Questions Are Providing the Wrong Answers‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Senator Timberlake writes ‘A Call for Democratic Unity‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Newark Councilman Quintana writes ‘The Court has Transformed a President into a King‘
AROUND THE WEB:
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s allies push him for VP pick
Daniel Han, Politico
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s allies are floating the possibility of the governor being a vice presidential pick after President Joe Biden abruptly exited the presidential race Sunday. Three people close to the governor granted anonymity to speak candidly underscored Murphy’s experience in state and national politics as qualifications. One person close to the governor said that Murphy would not be a contender for the top slot as president but said there is “chatter” around Murphy being a contender.
Handicapping Phil Murphy’s Veep Chances
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- It’s probably a fool’s errand to assume ANYTHING in this wacky present political climate, Save Jerseyans, but as of Monday morning, it looks like Kamala Harris is the frontrunner to succeed Joe Biden as the Democrat presidential nominee in August.
NJ leaders react to Biden’s decision and what’s next
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- A Sunday afternoon bombshell from President Joe Biden reverberated around the world, the country — and, of course, here in the great Garden State. Following a brutal debate performance last month, Biden has faced increasing calls from within his party to step aside, citing concerns over age and fitness to serve another four years. Drips over recent weeks include polls trending in the wrong direction, donor money drying up and key support eroding. That’s punctuated further as more Democratic lawmakers call on the president to pass the torch in the 2024 race to the party’s next generation of leaders.
Norcross details growth plan for Cooper in Cape May, Atlantic counties
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Cooper University Health Care Chairman George Norcross offered his long-term vision for the Camden-based health system — something that has been expected since the system acquired Cape Regional Health 18 months ago. The goals are extensive, including an expansion of a number of specialty care ambulatory offices throughout Cape May and Atlantic counties — as well as the likely development of large, multispecialty campus in the Shore region, similar to the recently opened Moorestown Campus.
Curbing Legionnaires’ disease in NJ
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- Seven years ago, Morristown resident Kevin Hanlon, then 47, was recovering from lung cancer when he encountered something in a Manhattan office building that proved even more deadly: Legionella. The bacteria, spread through water droplets propelled by powerful commercial air conditioners, resulted in Legionnaires’ disease, a serious pneumonia that is particularly dangerous to people with preexisting health conditions. Ten months later he was dead.
Man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly decapitating seagull in Wildwood
Milan Varia, Philadelphia Inquirer
- A man was arrested and charged in Wildwood this month after allegedly decapitating a seagull at a boardwalk amusement park, police said Monday. Franklin Zeigler, 29, of Cape May, was arrested on July 6 after witnesses told police that he had beheaded a seagull at Morey’s Pier, according to a statement from the North Wildwood Police Department.
On Admiral Wilson Boulevard, a colorful look at East Camden
Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- The walls can’t talk but they do tell a story at a building here. A recently completed mural presents the story of East Camden on donated space at the headquarters of Bush Refrigeration on Admiral Wilson Boulevard. The images of people and places reflect a neighborhood that’s likely unknown to many motorists speeding past.
LBI offshore wind critics sound alarm after Massachusetts turbine breaks
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- A Long Beach Island-based group critical of offshore wind development is calling for a moratorium on additional New Jersey’s wind projects following the failure of a turbine off the coast of Massachusetts this month. “Save LBI” called for the moratorium from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Monday, citing the impacts from a broken turbine at the Vineyard Wind project off Martha’s Vineyard. After a blade broke off the turbine, beaches in the region were littered with debris and shards of fiberglass.
Biden gets it half right | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- There will be time to argue about Kamala Harris, an average politician at best, a woman who Americans know well and don’t much like, giving her a 39 percent approval rating on average, the same as President Biden’s.
Are New Jersey’s colleges and universities worth it? Lawmakers propose bill to cap tuition
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- Higher education is a hot topic these days, and with the fall semester quickly approaching, college students likely have quite a few questions that they need to answer. Where am I going to live? What classes do I want to take? Which books do I need to buy? How am I going to afford this?
Biden is out, but with Harris, Trump, GOP won’t have to change their message
Dace Potas, USA TODAY
- President Joe Biden has proved that, for the first time in years, the GOP is the more organized political party in our country. Over the past month, while Republicans were putting the finishing touches on their Trumped-up party platform and campaign ticket, Democrats were debating whether the man who has been running the country for four years was capable of running for reelection. The infighting and public conversation from Democrats made it clear. They were losing faith in their leader. Now that Biden has dropped out, that debate is over.
Democratic delegates face big decisions on a presidential nominee
Jacob Fischler and Ariana Figueroa, NJ Monitor
- Democratic National Convention delegates from across the country praised President Joe Biden’s decision Sunday to end his reelection bid, and a few state party leaders followed Biden’s endorsement and immediately threw their support to Vice President Kamala Harris. Delegates are scheduled to hold a virtual roll call vote early next month to officially select the party’s pick to face Republican Donald Trump in November, with the nominee to accept the nod at the party’s convention on August 22.
EPA opens public comment period on air quality for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project
Down Beach
- Supporters and opponents of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project have until Aug. 13 to comment on their views of the wind energy program’s effect on air quality. The Atlantic Shores project will include up to 200 offshore wind turbines, up to 17 small-to-large substations to collect electricity produced, and underground cables to transport the energy to substations on the mainland.
Counties with the worst droughts in New Jersey
Stacker, Down Beach
- About one-fifth of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Storms during this past winter brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. West Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering 90.5% of the state’s area.
Presenting the 2024 NJBIZ Law Power 50
Jeffrey Kanige, NJBIZ
- In recent years, the NJBIZ editorial staff has taken steps to transform these power lists. The lists once included dozens of government bureaucrats and elected officials alongside company founders, CEOs and other business leaders. That seemed incongruous for a couple of reasons.
New academy for adults with autism to open at Brookdale
Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press
- Eileen Shaklee knows how difficult it can be for young adults with autism to transition out of school at age 21. On the brink of adulthood, they lose school-provided services like speech therapy, occupational therapy and life skills training. The routine of the school day and socialization with peers come to an end.
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
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Roofing In Brighton
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So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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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.
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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.