Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 8/1/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If this is going to be allowed to continue, we’re going to have state officials coercing local officials because they disagree with what they feel and their opinions? This has to stop. This is ridiculous.” – Assemblyman McGuckin calling for an investigation into the DOE over an alleged threat to the Toms River Regional School District
TOP STORY: Putting the Brakes on Google Porn
A federal court ruled that the state’s ban on AR-15 rifles is unconstitutional, according to NJ.com.
The state Supreme Court ruled that expunged records can be used in child abuse proceedings, according to NJ Monitor.
Some NJ officials reap hefty benefits, despite tiny salaries, according to NJ.com.
Undocumented immigrants in the state pay $1.3B in state and local taxes according to a ITEP report, according to NJ Monitor.
NYC officials are suing to start congestion pricing, according to NJ.com.
Environmentalists are fighting to keep the bald eagle on the state’s endangered species list, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
While on trial, Senator Menendez stayed at a luxury hotel in NYC and charged it to his campaign, according to NJ Globe.
Centenary University is freezing tuitions after financial aid chaos left families hanging, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
Rep. Sherrill called for the passage of the ‘Kids Online Safety Act’ and ‘Teens Online Privacy Protection Act’.
ICYMI: Menendez plans to resign, Governor will appoint placeholder; 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 Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw was endorsed by the National Association of Police.
The state has ties to the controversial Project 2025 plan, according to the Bergen Record.
Barriers still stand in the way of women in politics, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ Citizen Action endorsed VP Harris for president.
In CD2, Democratic candidate Joe Salerno was endorsed by Rep. Watson Coleman.
Only five of the state’s 21 counties have voted for presidential candidates of both parties in this century, according to SaveJersey.
Bramnick seeks to position himself as trusted GOP candidate; Freeman will run in LD8 w/ Fulop; VP contenders have Jersey ties; Ciattarelli, Spadea spoke at the NJHSR brunch; Baraka came out swinging for Harris; Menendez seat raises questions; NJSPBA endorsed Bashaw; Spadea launched ad hitting Ciattarelli; Bashaw slammed Kim; Sette planned, cancelled fundraiser for commissioner candidates; 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
Civic leader Ingrid Reed passed away, according to NJ Spotlight.
Joan Batory, an original NJ Pinelands Commission member, passed away, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Assemblyman Danielsen is mulling a ban on single-use water bottles, according to Politico NJ.
ABC-NJ welcomed Amanda Milewski as Executive Vice President.
The Quality Institute’s Mayors Wellness Campaign launched a second year of mental health funding.
The ATRA put the state on its ‘heat watch’ in a new legislative report.
ICYMI: Lawmakers heard calls to restrict pornography access
A recent political chronology of Garden State politics.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Legal publication.
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Former Senator Bob Gordon discusses his career and insights on current events.
In Jersey City, mayoral candidate O’Dea led a rally demanding elevator repair at 630 Bergen Ave.
In Bayonne, Alonso is eying a BOE comeback, according to Hudson County View.
In Berkeley Township, a court ruled the town can’t restrict housing ownership by age, according to NJ Monitor.
In Caldwell, the borough approved salaries, according to TAPinto.
In Camden, the city’s ride-share service costs $2 per ride and has completed over 46,000 trips, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Freehold, schools are investigating a cyberattack, according to NJ101.5.
In Galloway, a plan crashed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hoboken, the PBA President is retiring, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, a money laundering case against Rabbi Eisemann was tossed, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Long Hill, an audit comes with two recommendations, according to NJ Hills.
In Morristown, a lawsuit alleges a bar removed a man for wearing a turban, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Paterson, two BOE incumbents won’t run, according to Paterson Press.
In Ridgewood, water testing results were released, according to TAPinto.
In Roxbury, a warehouse plan for the Hercules tract was scrapped, according to the Daily Record.
In South Brunswick, the town is looking to develop 160 acres on Route 1, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South Orange, the town will put a question on the ballot about selling the water utility, according to TAPinto.
In Stafford, voters will decide on a $75M improvement plan for schools, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Toms River, GOP lawmakers are seeking a probe over a school funding tiff, according to NJ Monitor.
In Trenton, the DOE found that the school district didn’t comply with disability regulations, according to the Trentonian.
In Union City, the Hudson County counsel questioned why Leroy Truth was part of a clerk’s meeting in North Bergen, according to Hudson County View.
In Wayne, a new master plan could shape the town’s future, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Union City, an ongoing battle; in Union City, residents reacted to Menendez conviction; in Newark, Speight announced candidacy for Central Ward; in Wayne, debate popped up
In a guest column on Insider NJ, former Senator Kenny writes ‘‘A Republic — if You can Keep it’‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Christina Christodoulou writes ‘To Preserve Social Unity, Stop Dehumanizing Others‘
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‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Harris ballot shake-up energizes young voters
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- The Kamala Harris campaign is targeting a demographic she needs to mobilize: younger voters and minority voters. Polls showed those groups have felt apathetic about this election. Harris, 59, rushed to reengage them, taking the torch Joe Biden passed her and sprinting straight to social media to connect with young voters. She’s all over TikTok, which hailed her as “brat” — a description coined by a British pop musician — meaning edgy.
Aftershocks continue as 2.2-magnitude earthquake shakes up NJ early Wednesday
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- A 2.2-magnitude earthquake shook up part of New Jersey early Wednesday morning, the strongest tremor to hit the state in the last 30 days and one of numerous aftershocks that have taken place since the 4.8-magnitude quake which rattled residents all over the region earlier this year.
NJ’s economy runs on rails. Zero-emissions rules for locomotives may devastate that
Ray Cantor, Special to the USA TODAY Network
- Railroads play a vital role in New Jersey’s economy and regional industrial advancement. Our location, population density, and vast transportation assets — including seaports, airports and highways — make railroads indispensable for the movement of goods, and a key driver of regional economic growth.
N.J.’s prisons and state parole board are breaking the law | Opinion
Alexis Karteron and Claude Caroline Heffron
- This month marks 34 years since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which seeks to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Few systems fail to meet the ADA’s mandate as spectacularly as the criminal legal system, particularly in New Jersey.
Trump’s ‘Cat lady’ VP will punish your private choices | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- That scornful remark about “childless cat ladies” with “no direct stake” in America’s future has exploded in Donald Trump’s face with dramatic flair: Welcome to the ticket, JD Vance! What he said manages to insult an enormous range of people – the cool aunts, the loving stepmothers, the adoptive parents, the folks desperately trying to have kids who can’t. Now, suddenly, they’re all “miserable,” childless cat ladies.
This is why E-Zpass transponders could stop working in New Jersey
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- You go through the E-ZPass lane and out of the corner of your eye you see the message “Call E-ZPass” or “Toll Not Paid.” Day ruined. That almost certainly means a violation is coming in the mail. Even if you think your E-ZPass account is in good standing and your transponder is linked to the correct vehicle, there are sometimes glitches.
Rising heat leads to greater health risks. Who’s most vulnerable?
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotilght
- When people take a ski trip, they wrap themselves in warm layers, secure special socks and gloves and plan breaks for hot chocolate. Dr. Nicole Henry-Dindial, a family physician in Union County, wishes more people planned this carefully for hot weather, which can be even more dangerous than cold.
Are we in the midst of the most extraordinary series of events in American politics?
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- The summer of 2024 has brought an extraordinary series of events in American politics. The turmoil started around the June 27 presidential debate as people began loudly questioning the ability of the sitting president, Joe Biden, to effectively serve in a second term.
Cape May zoo reports death of Buju the cheetah
Press of Atlantic City
- The Cape May County Zoo on Monday announced the death of its 12-year-old cheetah, Buju, due to kidney disease. Buju’s favorite activity was lying in the shade in the middle of the yard with his brother, Beenie, the zoo said on Facebook. As the bolder brother, Buju would often be first to investigate new items in and around their habitat. In their younger days, they often let ducks live in their habitat for days before they would start stalking and hunting them.
Bruce Springsteen Archives Outpost is the new must-see spot for Boss fans in Asbury Park
Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
- Attention Bruce Springsteen fans, there’s a new must-see stop in Asbury Park. The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University Outpost in Asbury Park, inside Convention Hall, is open for business. “A lot of Bruce fans stop by because they’re visiting Asbury Park because of him and they’re stopping by the Stone Pony and they’re traveling through Bruce’s legacy on their own,” said Annalaan LeMay, administrative assistant at the Springsteen Archives.
Harris nails Trump: “Say it to my face!” | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- If you are among the millions of Americans who remain terrified that Donald Trump could win in November, take a look at the video of Kamala Harris’s joyful romp at a packed basketball arena in Atlanta on Tuesday. It’ll put some spring in your step.
Judge throws out corruption case against N.J. rabbi before jurors begin to deliberate
Ted Sherman, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The case never even got to the jury. In a surprise move that called into question a nearly decade-long pursuit by the state Attorney General’s office of Osher Eisemann — charged with pocketing funds from his private school for children with developmental disabilities — a Superior Court judge on Wednesday tossed out all charges against the Lakewood rabbi before his lawyers began their defense.
This N.J. highway became a traffic nightmare when a road project stalled. Now, work resumes.
Larry Higg, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Work on a $41 million project to widen a section of Route 206 is expected to resume after state Transportation Department officials said a contractor has been named to complete the work.
Past PSU frat president, VP plead guilty for hazing of NJ student
Jill Croce, NJ1015
- Two former Penn State Beta Theta Pi leaders are in trouble with the law because of their roles in hazing in 2017 that led to the death of a New Jersey student. Brendan Young, the fraternity president at the time, and Daniel Casey, the pledge master and vice president, pleaded guilty to a single count of reckless endangerment and 14 counts of hazing, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. A total of 14 pledges were at the event that night.
Paramus Plaza sells for $36.8M
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Paramus Plaza, a 153,494-square-foot retail center located on Route 17 South, has been sold for $36.8 million to DRA Advisors and First Mile, an affiliate of Crown Acquisitions, Cushman & Wakefield announced Wednesday. The Cushman & Wakefield Tri-State Capital Markets team of Frank DiTommaso, Gary Gabriel, David Bernhaut, Andy Merin and Max Helfman partnered with the firm’s head of Retail Capital Markets, Mark Gilbert, to represent the seller, a partnership of Acadia Realty Trust and Fortress Investment Group, in the transaction.
How Andy Kim could get a boost from getting into the Senate early
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight
- After he was appointed to the Senate in early 2006, Bob Menendez did what successful politicians do — win elections and gain legislative power. He won a full term that November, then again in 2012 and 2018. Over the years, Menendez inched his way up the table of Senate seniority, climbing to higher committee posts.
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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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.
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.