Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 8/28/2024
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Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “In any budget, especially the way that we do them, they’re either in the form of an omnibus or a minibus, there are lots of things in there. Some of them are good, and some of them are not good, so you either have a choice for voting for all of it, including things that you totally philosophically [disagree] with and may do harm to your district, or you have the choice of voting to get things that are good but that you know that are going to happen anyhow.” – Rep. Van Drew on voting against budget legislation that includes his earmarks
TOP STORY: Guv Prospect Sherrill Fields Questions about State Issues
The Morning Intelligence Briefing will be off on Thursday, Friday, and Monday for the Labor Day weekend, and will return on Tuesday.
Passengers are savoring the brief NJ Transit fare holiday, according to NJ Spotlight.
Five school districts are considering mergers, according to NJ.com.
Bergen County wants to regionalize 911 services for free for towns, according to the Bergen Record.
Changes are coming to the Cumberland County ballot design, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
The National Park Service will decide the future of the Middlesex County park plan, according to MyCentralJersey.
Two Passaic County Jail officers were indicted over a 2021 assault, according to NorthJersey.com.
Rep. Gottheimer introduced the ‘Elder Care Pride Act’.
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
Potential gubernatorial candidate Rep. Sherrill fielded questions on state issues.
In CD9, the IBEW Local 102 endorsed Assemblyman Wimberly for the vacant seat.
ICYMI: NJGOP going all in on RFK; in CD9, Dem chairs jointly endorsed Pou, who launched candidacy last week, Sayegh dropped bid, Sumter suspended campaign; 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
Rate hikes are looming for public health plan premiums, according to NJ Monitor.
Senator Steinhardt will lead a roundtable on presidential security.
Senator Gopal warned that the state’s public health system is seriously underfunded, according to NJ Spotlight.
In looking at the career of the late Rep. Pascrell, its instructive to consider the 2012 primary battle as a stand-out race.
ICYMI: Lawmakers heard calls to restrict pornography access
Behind the Ballot: Getting on – and off – the Ballot for President in NJ
Al Sullivan’s memories of Rep. Pascrell.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Policymakers publication.
Compliance Corner: Navigating ELEC Investigations and Complaints
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Legal publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Lobbyist publication.
In Vineland, Mayor Fannucci announced his re-election plans.
In Princeton, an ordinance for ranked choice voting was passed.
In Bedminster, a retired police sergeant is suing over promotion denials, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Bordentown, the former police chief is suing after mistrials, according to Burlington County Times.
In Chatham Township, candidate Alperowitz blasted opponent Lois for a debate falling through, according to NJ Hills.
In Edison, the town is looking to expand the community center to boost senior programs, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Harding, the BOE heard a resounding ‘no’ about yanking high schoolers from Madison, according to NJ Hills.
In Hillsdale, Councilwoman Lundy resigned after being charged with stealing from a charity, according to NJ101.5.
In Hoboken, the council voted to change a ‘misleading’ statement on the rent control ballot question, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, Ambrossi announced his candidacy for Ward D council, according to Hudson County View. The BOE approved a three-year contract for the superintendent, according to Hudson County View.
In Linden, the town is overseeing $120M on a mixed-use development, according to TAPinto.
In Madison, summer referendum school projects are almost finished, according to NJ Hills.
In Middle, the town is considering a sewer rate hike, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Newark, library workers will rally for a funding boost, according to TAPinto.
In Newton, two incumbents and one challenger filed for council, according to NJ Herald.
In Ocean City, a council member sees progress on the gull issue, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Phillipsburg, the administrator serving as clerk resigned, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Point Pleasant Beach, it may be too late for the town do anything about eyesore 5G poles, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Red Bank, the town is considering a new historic district, according to TAPinto.
In Warren, officials addressed public concern over the community center, according to NJ Hills.
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 Andrew Leven writes ‘An Intersection of Antisemitism and the War in Gaza That You Can Live With, and By‘
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‘
AROUND THE WEB:
American Dream mall interest payments to be made after years of delays
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- Bondholders on roughly $287 million of municipal bonds sold to finance the construction of American Dream will see their interest payments after more than two years of waiting. The bonds are backed by grants from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. U.S Bank, which is making the payments, had to skip the payments after problems with the necessary documentation.
The migrant rapist who got away | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- In New Jersey, local police are banned from joining federal immigration raids, and for good reason. To protect public safety, police need undocumented residents to report crimes and serve as witnesses, and they won’t do that if speaking up can lead to their deportation.
Chance for Change: Why NJ Transit is joining partnership led by Bon Jovi to help those in need
ROI-NJ Staff
- Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Foundation, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey and Volunteers of America Delaware Valley announced Monday they have launched an innovative new program called “Chance for Change” that provides a digital avenue for customers to donate safely and effectively to help those in need. They also announced a new partner in their longstanding effort: New Jersey Transit.
Landfill garbage leaching in P’burg park. $2.4M in federal funds sought for fix.
Glenn Epps, For lehighvalleylive.com
- The former Phillipsburg town dump turned public park and soon-to-be trailway may get some TLC next year courtesy of U.S. Rep. Tom Kean. Kean outlined his 2024 earmark agenda in August. It includes 15 community projects in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District that will each share a portion of a nearly $20 million allocation.
Nasty battle over marijuana farm in Hunterdon heading back to court
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- The ongoing lengthy and complex legal fight over a proposed cannabis farm has entered a new chapter with the developer suing the township over a delay in granting construction permits. The NAR Group filed the lawsuit in Hunterdon County Superior Court on Aug. 21, alleging that the Township Committee has “concocted a plan to thwart NASR’s hemp operation.”
Opponents ask why the N.J. Turnpike is spending $142M for a bridge the hasn’t been approved yet
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Opponents of New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s plans to build twin $6.2 billion bridges to replace the existing Newark Bay bridge criticized the agency for spending $142 million on the project that hasn’t received a key federal approval.
NJ Fathers of 7 Drowns While Saving Kids at Delaware Water Gap
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- A father of seven who drowned at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Monday is the second Ocean County resident this summer to die in the river. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spokeswoman Kathleen Sandt said rescue teams were dispatched around 1:45 p.m. for the report of a 39-year-old Lakewood man drowned near Bushkill Access in Pennsylvania.
Increased bills spark backlash for Atlantic City Electric
Linda Cohen, Down Beach
- Increased electricity bills for local residents sparked a petition and a call for an investigation into provider Atlantic City Electric. A petition started by weatherman Nick Pittman — better known to his legion of fans as “Nor’easter Nick” — was nearing his goal of 25,000 signatures just more than 24 hours after he began his campaign Monday. “Atlantic City Electric bill rates have inconveniently skyrocketed in a matter that doesn’t align with what the utility company originally claimed,” Pittman wrote on the petition on change.org.
Learning about revitalization with a quick NJ Transit ride to New Brunswick
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- (The NJ Transit Fare Holiday Tuesday delivered me to New Brunswick). Step out of the New Brunswick Train Station onto Easton Avenue and sounds overwhelm listeners. Hear that! That’s the construction tones associated with development as HELIX, a $731 million, three-building complex with 1.5 million square feet of laboratory, office and residential space rises on the New Brunswick skyline.
NJ Transit launches QR codes for Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, charities to aid homeless
Olivia Liu, Asbury Park Press
- Lasheema Edwards had gotten her bachelor’s, master’s and was in the process of getting her Ph.D. in psychology at Grand Canyon University. But then she found herself homeless in Penn Station. “Every person’s situation is different. For me it was untreated mental illness that I didn’t know I had,” she said.
Murphy celebrates “a full week of declining numbers” then says “status quo of lockdown will remain until new cases and fatalities decrease.” So, which of Murphy’s statements is accurate? He said 2 opposite things in a single paragraph of speaking.
He;s “vacationing” at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by “remote work”…………translation: NO WORK
That is what happens in practicality when they are “suspending their disbelief” (HR Clinton) in real numbers and going on predictive models to make decisions. And then after doing that, they vote with “feelings.”
lmao imagine supporting lockdowns after the largest mass death event in american history and calling that a feeling driven conclusion? maga chuds never fail to disappoint
keeping up with the news
OK
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keeping up with the news
Longmont Tree Service
Roofing In Brighton
Roofing Colorado Springs
So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
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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!!