Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 8/8/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He’s my father. Obviously it’s been a challenging couple of months, but as I’ve talked about before … and especially during the primary, my focus was always on what I can control.” – Rep. Menendez on the strain of his father’s corruption case
TOP STORY: VP Musings
The state was awarded a $72M grant to fight climate change, according to NJ Biz.
North Jersey voters share their choice for president, according to NJ Herald.
Trucking magnate Sid Brown, a co-defendant in the Norcross racketeering case, pleaded not guilty, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Meadowlands towns say American Dream still owes them $13M, according to the Bergen Record.
Mainland towns are getting popular with second-home owners, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The spotted lanternfly concentration is mostly in North Jersey this year, according to the Daily Record.
Many Central Jersey nursing homes get a low federal rating, according to MyCentralJersey.
South Jersey is getting inclusive playgrounds thanks to Jake’s Law, according to Burlington County Times.
The Jersey Shore will get stricter building codes for stronger storms, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Vandals set fire to an entrance of the Atlantic County office building, according to Downbeach.
Camden County will build a $900k skatepark in Cooper River Park, according to Burlington County Times.
The state comptroller is suing Hudson County over a jail contract, according to Politico NJ.
A Monmouth County commissioner was caught on tape berating a SPCA employee, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Northern Ocean County towns need new beach sand, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Senator Booker launched his 2024 Jersey Road Trip tour.
Rep. Menendez discussed the strain of his father’s corruption case, according to NJ Spotlight.
Reps. Kim and Menendez visited the Gateway project sites and highlighted infrastructure investments.
Rep. Kim introduced the ‘Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act of 2024’.
Rep. Pascrell was discharged from the hospital after a month, according to Politico NJ.
Rider University cut 31 non-faculty jobs, according to NJ Biz (Correction: yesterday’s MIB wrote ‘Rutgers’ instead of ‘Rider’)
ICYMI: Harris/Walz kicked off their debut; Gottheimer wants action on gun bills; 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
Allies urged Governor Murphy to appoint Patricia Campos Medina to the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Menendez.
Rep. Kim was endorsed for Senate by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Former Assemblyman Ciattarelli discusses his gubernatorial candidacy with Steve Adubato (video).
GOP gubernatorial primary candidate former Senator Durr laced into former Governor Whitman and her endorsement of VP Harris, saying she ‘got her wish, a raging team of liberals to face off against’ Trump.
Young Republicans say economic issues are attracting voters to the GOP, according to NJ Spotlight.
Indivisible NJ endorsed VP Harris.
Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz is familiar with New Jersey, thanks to Springsteen, according to NJ101.5.
A judge says RFK Jr. should stay on the New Jersey ballot, according to NJ Monitor.
ICYMI: Kim, Dems mobilized; Bashaw touts himself as centrist; in CD10, district has some of state’s poorest zip codes; Fulop campaign announced two Assembly candidates; Whitman endorsing VP Harris; PFANJ endorsed candidates; 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
Critics blasted hundreds of budget add-ons as pet projects of powerful pols, according to NJ Monitor.
The NJEA congratulated the 2024-2025 County Teachers of the Year.
Senator McKeon wants big oil companies to pay for climate damage, according to NJ.com.
The Chemistry Council of NJ appointed two new associate member representatives.
NJ Car tapped Lauren Perotta to succeed retiring Executive Director Jim Appleton.
ICYMI: Lawmakers heard calls to restrict pornography access
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 Atlantic City, the Atlantic Ave ‘road diet’ agreement calls for repaving and 4 vehicle travel lanes for now, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bernards, BOE candidates outlined their issues, according to NJ Hills.
In Brigantine, Rep. Van Drew will discuss offshore wind next week, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Cedar Grove, the feds say a school district survey violated the law, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Englewood, flooding is the latest problem for the animal shelter, according to the Bergen Record.
In Fort Lee, the family of a woman killed by police shared their story, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla and Hudson Executive Guy sparred over a contractor paving over storm drains, according to Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, Mayor Fulop says he’s ‘certain’ that firing aide Jonathan Gomez was the ‘right call’, though ‘bittersweet’, according to Hudson County View. McGreevey added Walton to his council slate, according to Hudson County View. Council hopeful Zadroga-Hart hit McGreevey over Kushner, according to Hudson County View. Johnson is joining O’Dea’s council slate.
In Lakewood, the BOE could see changes, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Mahwah, plans for the Sheraton Crossroads property were amended, according to the Bergen Record.
In Maplewood, a PILOT was approved for a affordable housing project, according to TAPinto.
In Middle, the township joined calls to ease DEP flood zone proposals, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Oakland, the Ramapo Indian Hills BOE made a third attempt to hire a superintendent, according to the Bergen Record.
In Trenton, the Junior High One demolition is underway, according to the Trentonian.
In Warren, an improvement plan is being mulled for Greenwood Meadows Park, 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 Bob Hennelly writes ‘America’s ER Code Blue‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘While Harris hires the best message team in politics, Jim Margolis and David Plouffe, three core issues are causing a Trump-Vance meltdown‘
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:
What the term ‘Thin Blue Line’ really means | Opinion
Dennis Miller
- On July 30, a column by former Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Jersey City), who is the current president and CEO of the North Hudson Community Action Corp. In her column (”As ‘Thin Blue Line’ frays, ‘Thin Red Line’ envelops Supreme Court”), which was clearly intended to criticize a certain faction of U.S. Supreme Court justices, she made derogatory and misrepresenting assumptions about the term “Thin Blue Line” to further a political agenda.
The Push to Recognize Lifeguards as First Responders
Jim Lonergan, TAPinto.net
- A nationwide movement is gaining momentum to reclassify open-water lifeguards as first responders, granting them the same benefits and recognition as other emergency personnel. This initiative was started by NJ lifeguard, EMT, and Monmouth County resident Mathew Giachetti. On Monday, Giachetti launched a national campaign in partnership with the United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) and Fox Entertainment at the Manasquan, NJ Lifeguard Tournament.
A bigot lost her election and her brother lost his job. I’m not shedding any tears.
Terrence T. McDonald, NJ Monitor
- Praise gay Jesus, Valentina Gomez has fallen. Gomez, whose quest to become Missouri’s new secretary of state centered around saying nasty things about Black and queer people, bombed at the polls Tuesday, coming in sixth in the state’s GOP primary and not cracking 8% of the vote. Yes, Gomez’s viral campaign videos, which featured language that would make all but the most virulent homophobe cringe, seemed largely performative, and there appeared to be no chance she could actually win the primary, let alone the general election.
‘My son was tortured and didn’t get help’: Manalapan Navy SEAL death hearing to start
Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
- Regina Mullen’s two-and-a-half year quest for justice after her son’s death as a Navy SEAL trainee is taking a key step forward — even as the emotional toll over the tragedy continues to mount. The Navy is convening administrative hearings to determine the fate of two officers who have been accused of dereliction of duty in the February 2022 death of Manalapan High School grad Kyle Mullen.
Time to lose ‘Armpit of America’ nickname | Opinion
Jack Nacht
- As much as I love my home state of New Jersey, there is one dire problem in cities across the state that politicians have failed to solve: filth.
He prayed, he played: NJ drummer-turned-rabbi helped change tune of Jewish worship
Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com
- Some rabbis inspire their worshippers with fiery sermons. Fred Pomerantz played the congas. Pomerantz — a trained musician before he began his religious career — was spiritual leader for 32 years of one of Bergen County’s biggest Reform congregations, Temple Beth El of Northern Valley.
The Fort Lee tragedy is another reminder: Expand ARRIVE Together now | Opinion
Angela McKnight
- As a Black woman representing an urban district, I am deeply committed to addressing the excessive use of force by police officers, particularly toward those experiencing a mental health crisis in minority and underserved communities. Every resident must receive the care, treatment, and respect they deserve, especially during mental health crises, when they are most vulnerable.
It took almost 3 hours to rescue passengers on stranded NJ Transit train. What went wrong?
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- An NJ Transit commuter train lost power and was stuck in the Hudson River tunnel for almost three hours on July 31. A week later, officials from NJ Transit and Amtrak — which owns the tracks — are disagreeing about why it took so long for riders to be rescued.
TAPinto the 2025 Race to Drumthwacket (the NJ Governor’s Mansion)
John Lee, TAPinto.net
- While all eyes are on the big election taking place in November 2024, the TAPinto team has been following the NJ gubernatorial race. Several candidates have already set their intentions to run and TAPinto team across the state were there. So who wants to be the next governor of New Jersey?
Tree lands on Assemblywoman Dunn’s unoccupied car in Madison
Brett Friedensohn, NJ Hills
- A tree landed on the unoccupied car of state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris, in the parking lot of the Madison Fire Department during a heavy thunder and rain storm on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
Commentary: Imagining future forums in Morristown’s public square
Linda Stamato
- When it comes to major projects, local governments are wise to share proposed plans with residents before the plans start winding their way through planning and zoning boards. Citizen input at an early stage can lead to better outcomes. Objections are less likely if concerns are raised and addressed up front.
Rowan names Sarkees new dean of Rohrer College of Business
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- He’s a professor of marketing – with an expertise in pharma and health care. He’s a proven commodity when it comes to faculty recruitment and research support. He’s prioritized mentoring, experiential learning and curriculum innovations – all while fostering career opportunities for students through community outreach.
Op-Ed: The system that evaluates NJ public school operations needs an overhaul
Joseph Isola
- The New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC), which dates back almost two decades, aims to monitor and systematically evaluate all areas of public school operations, specifically in the areas of instruction and program, governance, fiscal management, operations and personnel.
Walz works, but Shapiro would’ve been a better VP choice
Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian
- So Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — who, I will freely admit, I had never heard of until like two weeks ago — is Kamala Harris’ choice for vice-president. And uh … I kind of wish she went with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. I’ll get to Walz in a minute, but let’s start with what Harris and the Democrats lose by not picking Shapiro.
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
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Roofing In Brighton
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So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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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!!