Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 8/23/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Our judges and county prosecutors work extremely hard every day to ensure justice is served at the highest level and quality here in New Jersey. The enactment of this bill allows us to maintain competitive salaries and retirement compensation for these officials.”” – Acting Governor Scutari on signing legislation increasing pay for prosecutors and some judges
TOP STORY: ‘Yeah, I Live in Paterson. You want to Make Something of it?’
Governor Murphy will make an economic mission trip to Canada next month.
The state is home to two of the nation’s ‘hottest’ zip codes, according to NJ Biz.
The state is now part of the Mississippi Freedom Trail, according to the Asbury Park Press.
More NJ towns are saying no to plasticware and condiments packets, according to NJ101.5.
ICYMI: Pascrell Jr. passed away; NJ Transit fare holiday; Murphy selected Helmy for Senate, Nov. election winner will be appointed after certification; Aron passed away, was dean of press corps
In looking at the career of the late Rep. Pascrell, its instructive to consider the 2012 primary battle as a stand-out race.
In CD9, Assemblywoman Sumter is seeking the vacant seat left by the late Rep. Pascrell, according to Politico NJ. Assemblyman Wimberly is seeking the seat, according to Politico NJ. Senator Pou is also seeking the seat, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Ciattarelli held town hall; Shapiro addressed NJ delegation; Booker memorialized Pascrell; Murphy addressed NJ delegation at DNC; Jones led delegation in casting votes for Harris; Emhoff shout out to NJ; Dems enthused; Kim revved up campaign; Kim, Bashaw to participate in three debates; Sacco slammed Stack, who fired back
Senator Steinhardt will introduce legislation to fight human trafficking.
ICYMI: Lawmakers heard calls to restrict pornography access
Al Sullivan’s memories of Rep. Pascrell.
Former Rep. Rothman released his autobiography.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Policymakers publication.
Compliance Corner: Navigating ELEC Investigations and Complaints
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.
In Absecon, the lighthouse won a grant for restoration, according to Downbeach.
In Atlantic City, snakes on the boardwalk may soon be a thing of the past, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Fair Lawn, the town reached a settlement in a police lawsuit, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, the budget was approved, according to Hudson County View. The council failed to override the mayor’s veto on eliminating non-profit permit fees, according to Hudson County View.
In Little Falls, the town isn’t happy that MSU bought a townhouse, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Newark, pubic safety spending increased, according to TAPinto.
In Paterson, the council is backing a $50M bond for a new parking garage, according to Paterson Press.
In Perth Amboy, the police are being sued over a false arrest, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Prospect Park, the town mutually split from its manager, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Summit, a task force is tackling homelessness, according to TAPinto.
In Teaneck, the BOE is attempting to fix court-ordered deficiencies, according to the Bergen Record.
In Toms River, the mayor says a critic should pay the legal fees in the animal shelter fight, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Wildwood, pretrial conferences were set for officials charged in a benefits scheme, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
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
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘America’s ER Code Blue‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘Hubert Humphrey: The creator of the Harris-Walz “Politics of Joy.” The lead Jersey practitioner: former Governor Dick Hughes‘
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 Tom Barrett writes ‘Mikie Sherrill is Right‘
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven writes ‘The Wrong Questions Are Providing the Wrong Answers‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Susan K. Livio, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- More than two decades have passed since 4-year-old Tyrone Hill Jr. and his 7-year-old brother were at the center of an unimaginable horror that shocked New Jersey and reverberated around the nation.
Become a Poll Worker- Earn $300 on Election Day
TAPinto.net
- Poll Workers are needed for the upcoming election. Interested? You could earn $300 on Election Day and $21.43 a hour for in-person Early Voting Days. Poll Workers are trained to aid voters on Election Day. Poll workers guide voters through the voting process, and answer any questions voters have.
State to require mental health experts to accompany cops in barricade situations
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin issued a new directive Thursday intended to “slow and stabilize” encounters between New Jersey police and barricaded people. Under the new directive, police will be required to bring a mental health professional when they respond to barricaded people, wait instead of forcing their way inside, bring less lethal weapons like Tasers to such calls, and immediately involve a supervisor.
These are the 12 best employers in New Jersey in 2024
Erin Vogt, NJ1015
- The latest roundup of New Jersey’s favorite employers is out — and among the top 10 companies, three are also headquartered in New Jersey. For a sixth year, Forbes created its annual list, in partnership with market research firm Statista. More than 160,000 U.S. employees were surveyed, among companies that each have at least 500 workers.
Meet the 2024 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business
NJBIZ Staff
- Formerly known as the NJBIZ Best Fifty Women in Business, this program has been expanded for 2024 to allow us to honor even more of the state’s top leaders. In fact, this year we are recognizing 60 professionals with our Leading Women in Business awards. These are the women who have made a significant impact on business in New Jersey as well as in their communities.
NJ Transit’s free travel week has critics, but should encourage exploration of New Jersey
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- In the memorable lyrics pulsed by The Edgar Winter Group — Come on, take a free ride! Governor Phil Murphy announced a transit holiday for all NJ Transit modes of travel, train, light rail and bus from August 26 through September 2, should inspire Trenton residents to make plans for a major getaway.
Tom Kean Jr.’s phony claims on IVF | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Republicans running for Congress in swing districts, like Tom Kean Jr., are in a real bind over in vitro fertilization. They know most voters don’t think the government should stand in the way of couples desperate to have children. But House leadership and many of their donors have launched a full-scale assault on women’s reproductive rights – including IVF treatment.
New Jerseyans, know your Fair Housing disability rights
Joseph Batista, NJ Monitor
- Everyone should be treated fairly by housing providers, whether you’re seeking to rent, lease, or purchase a property. But the sad fact remains that housing discrimination does occur. Anyone who has been discriminated against because of their race, color, familial status, disability, national origin, religion, sex, or other protected class under federal and state fair housing laws is entitled to help.
President Trump’s daughter-in-law talks Jersey with Spadea
Bill Spadea, NJ1015
- Watching the Democrat National Convention in Chicago, you’d think that everything is great and Kamala and Tim will make it even better. Meanwhile, 8 million illegals have crossed the Southern border since they took office, putting our communities in danger, taking jobs, and costing taxpayers, in New Jersey alone, more than $7 BILLION a year.
Shore town scorecard | Down the Shore
Amy S. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Are you better off than you were Memorial Day weekend? How about your favorite Jersey Shore town? As this summer rushes to its traditional Labor Day end, and it’s an early one this year, Sept. 2, we took a look at how some of our favorite towns fared, north to south.
Which cops in Central Jersey make the most DUI arrests? We have the numbers
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- Which Central Jersey towns have the most arrests for drunken driving? These numbers, compiled by the New Jersey Judiciary, show the number of DUI arrests in the court year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. In all, there were 26,447 DUI arrests in New Jersey.
Army major from Colts Neck gets prison term for defrauding Gold Star families
Erik Larsen, Asbury Park Press
- An Army major from Colts Neck who provided financial advice to the families of fallen soldiers but then defrauded them, was sentenced Wednesday to 12½-years in federal prison, said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Neptune’s Move for Hunger has saved 40 million meals from getting trashed by movers
Olivia Liu, Asbury Park Press
- To Adam Lowy of Ocean Township, the most egregious things people have thrown out when moving aren’t antique furnishings or expensive décor, but the “sheer quantity” of food being left behind. “People would leave an entire pantry full of food. You would have thought they were on the run,” Lowy said. “Now that’s not the norm, that doesn’t happen with everyone. Usually it’s a few items.”
Mayor’s opposition to cops using weed is ‘ruse’ to boost campaign for governor, lawsuit says
Sophie Nieto-Munoz, NJ Monitor
- A lawyer is accusing Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop of terminating cops for their off-duty cannabis consumption so he can get attention for his campaign for governor. In a new legal filing, attorney Michael Rubas said Fulop’s move to fire cops for using legal cannabis in defiance of state law is a “ruse done solely to bring attention to him and to assist his gubernatorial campaign to the detriment of Jersey City employees as well as taxpayers who are now footing the bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay awards and attorney fees.”
Morristown board sends storage/arts proposal packing
Michael Lovito
- Months of testimony culminated in disappointment Wednesday for the would-be builders of a mixed-use self-storage and arts facility at One Lafayette Ave., as they saw their application denied by a 4-3 vote of the Morristown zoning board. Board members expressed concerns about the project’s reliance on vehicle traffic. One Lafayette Ave. is in Morristown’s Transit Overlay District, which is meant to increase pedestrian access to and from the train station and the historic Morristown Green.
Murphy celebrates “a full week of declining numbers” then says “status quo of lockdown will remain until new cases and fatalities decrease.” So, which of Murphy’s statements is accurate? He said 2 opposite things in a single paragraph of speaking.
He;s “vacationing” at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by “remote work”…………translation: NO WORK
That is what happens in practicality when they are “suspending their disbelief” (HR Clinton) in real numbers and going on predictive models to make decisions. And then after doing that, they vote with “feelings.”
lmao imagine supporting lockdowns after the largest mass death event in american history and calling that a feeling driven conclusion? maga chuds never fail to disappoint
keeping up with the news
OK
What I — and most of the women I know who are passionate about cosmetics —like about make up isn’t that the right gloss can make your lips poutier or that false lashes can make your eyes more doe-like. Rather, it’s how women can communicate messages and express ourselves through makeup. Certainly it’s not our single factor of communication, but it’s one of many forms of expression that allow us to showcase our individual styles.
keeping up with the news
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!!