Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 7/24/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I think I know how to conduct myself in public office. If you look at polling data, there’s only one other politician that ranks with the public above me and that’s Governor Kean. I don’t think Governor Murphy would appoint him. But it wouldn’t be a bad choice.” – Former Governor and Senator Codey on the soon-to-be-vacated seat held by Senator Menendez
TOP STORY: Menendez Resigning
Senator Menendez plans to resign on August 20th following his conviction on corruption charges, sending a letter to Governor Murphy announcing his decision. The Governor will appoint a temporary successor to the seat. First Lady Tammy Murphy took herself out of the running for the seat, according to NJ.com. There are several potential candidates, according to Politico NJ.
The global outage revealed the world’s economic vulnerabilities, according to NJ Spotlight.
Bergen County launched a tourism website.
Cape May County has a new OEM coordinator, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Rep. Watson Coleman won’t attend Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
A Monmouth University lockdown was lifted after a probe found no gunman, according to the Asbury Park Press.
A new Rutgers program helps adults with autism, according to the Asbury Park Press.
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
GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Bill Spadea launched a new ad hitting Jack Ciattarelli over his anti-Trump history.
GOP Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw slammed Rep. Kim as ‘hypocritical’ and accused him of ‘asking Governor Murphy for a backroom deal to be appointed’ to Senator Menendez’s soon-to-be-vacated seat.
Senate Minority Leader Bucco urged Governor Murphy to appoint a ‘trusted and respected’ leader as a placeholder for Menendez seat,
Former Morris County GOP Chairman Sette planned and then cancelled a fundraiser for the GOP commissioner candidates, amid intra-party unease between he and current Chair Ali.
A judge will hear arguments on RFK’s ballot eligibility in the state, according to NJ Monitor.
In CD10, Democratic picked McIver for the full term, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: NJ delegates endorse Harris; Sherrill ahead of the game; SEUI endorsed congressional candidates; 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
Former Senator Weinberg called for Senator Menendez to resign, according to the Bergen Record.
Speaker Coughlin visited a Buena farm co-op, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Senate Minority Leader Bucco led a discussion on access to dental care for DID individuals.
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 Randolph, the Democrats announced their council candidates.
In Asbury Park, the schools chief is shaking up the district, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Edison, the school district is probing an alleged threat against Muslim students, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Gloucester City, a court ruled that residents can’t sue over ‘forever chemicals’ in municipal water, according to Burlington County Times.
In Hawthorne, store owners are offered up to $10k to fix facades, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Jersey City, Councilman Rivera will run for a fourth term with mayoral candidate O’Dea, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, the fire department is on a hiring spree as volunteers dwindle, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Lebanon, garbage collection and infrastructure were discussed, according to NJ Hills.
In Long Hill, a tax levy increase was adopted, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, two are seeking the Central Ward council seat, according to TAPinto.
In Oakland, the Ramapo Indian Hills BOE chose a superintendent candidate, according to the Bergen Record.
In Parsippany, a warehouse project was approved but neighbors vow to fight it, according to the Daily Record.
In Saddle River, the superintendent is fighting a certificates suspension, according to the Bergen Record.
In Spotswood, charges were thrown out against the police chief and acting captain, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Warren, a PILOT revenue sharing agreement was reached with schools, according to NJ Hills. A ballot question on a community center will be voted on, according to NJ Hills.
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:
Finally, Bob Menendez has done the right thing. He will resign as NJ’s senior senator
USA TODAY Network New Jersey Editorial Board
- Finally, it comes to an end. Sen. Bob Menendez — who remained defiant even after he was convicted on 16 federal felony counts related to a bribery — will resign. Menendez had faced calls to resign for months. Gov. Phil Murphy said last week that if he didn’t resign, the Senate should expel him. Sen. Cory Booker, speaking on MSNBC after Menendez’s conviction, said he would proudly lead such an effort.
An all-female Democratic ticket is the shake-up America needs | Mike Kelly
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- In the coming days, Kamala Harris will make a momentous decision. Who will she choose as her vice presidential running mate? My choice: Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan. Yes, that would be an all-female ticket. Why not?
Booker says Kamala Harris’ top challenge is to show voters who she is
Steve Strunsky, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said the biggest challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris in her abbreviated presidential campaign will be to ensure voters know who she is and what she stands for by Election Day.
Dangerous lead chunks may have been dumped on purpose along Jersey Shore bay
Steven Rodas, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Lumps of lead found along a Jersey Shore bay in June may not have gotten there by accident.
Inmate kiss warrants jail guard’s removal, New Jersey Supreme Court rules
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- The New Jersey Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a recommendation by the Department of Corrections that a jail guard be fired over his admission that he kissed an inmate, rejecting a decision by the Civil Service Commission that he face a six-month suspension instead. The justices found the lesser punishment for senior correctional police officer Brian Ambroise was insufficient in light of the department’s stance that he could no longer be trusted as a corrections officer.
All about NJ roots of Douglas Emhoff, spouse of VP Kamala Harris
Erin Vogt, NJ1015
- The nation’s first “second gentleman” could soon become the first “first gentleman.” And just like Woodrow Wilson, Grover Cleveland, Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris (now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president), has strong ties to the Garden State.
Volunteers lining up, as NJ delegates back Kamala Harris
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- Riding a new blue wave of party enthusiasm, Kamala Harris campaigned in swing state Wisconsin on Tuesday as the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee. At that point, she was backed by 33 state delegations and counting, including all of New Jersey’s pledged delegates.
Fish falls from sky in New Jersey, smashes windshield
Brian Niemietz New York Daily News
- A one-pound bluefish fell from the sky and smashed a car’s windshield in New Jersey, according to the Tesla’s shocked owners. Cynthia and Jeff Levine told the Asbury Park Press they had no idea what happened when they stepped outside to hear their car alarm screaming and saw the windshield on their 2023 Tesla Y was destroyed.
Donald Trump goes viral with 1 million new social media followers
Joe Mason, Asbury Park Press
- It’s numbers like you’ve never seen before! OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but former President Donald Trump is gaining momentum on social media. Trump, the Republican nominee for president, gained 1,097,256 Instagram followers since an assassination attempt in late July, according to research by social media marketing experts at Viralyft.com using Social Blade and TikTok Creative Center to analyze the social media follower increase and engagement.
They called for voters to ‘abandon Biden’ over Gaza. Now what?
Hannan Adely, NorthJersey.com
- More than 700,000 Americans in states across the country cast Democratic primary votes for “uncommitted” or its equivalent, including 47,000 in New Jersey, some of whom used their ballots to protest President Joe Biden over his support for war in Gaza. After calling for voters to “abandon Biden,” organizers are now shifting their attention to the next potential Democratic nominee. Biden might be out, they say, but their agenda is unchanged.
Will the real JD Vance please stand up? | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- The movie “Hillbilly Elegy” about the growing-up of JD Vance isn’t quite the same as the autobiographical book he wrote a few years earlier. And the man we’ve watched as senator from Ohio for the past few years isn’t quite the same as the guy who charmed attendees at the Republican National Convention.
A delegate dance: Who gets to decide if Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee?
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight
- Vice President Kamala Harris could be officially picked as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate by the first week of August, capping a period that has elevated the status and roles of political delegates. Before President Joe Biden announced Sunday he would not run for reelection and ended weeks of speculation about his fitness as a candidate and leader, delegates were obscure figures. But following Biden’s decision not to run, delegates have taken on an outsize focus.
U.S. Senate begins process of expelling Bob Menendez
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- Step #1 to expelling Bob Menendez from the United States Senate following his federal corruption conviction runs through the Senate Ethics Committee, Save Jerseyans. The cooling saucer never moves quickly.
Betty Holland celebrated her 90th birthday Sunday amid friends, family members and memories.
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- The former First Lady of the City of Trenton, as wife to Mayor Arthur Holland, enjoyed a party inside The Refectory Restaurant on the campus of Villanova University. Hundreds of displayed photos captured Holland’s life as First Lady, mother, wife and friend. Nonagenarians show vast accumulation of material, memories and minutiae.
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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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.
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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.