Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/11/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“They can’t declare yet. They don’t want to declare. They don’t want to get into this situation where they’ve got expenses for the House race that’d come up against their cap in the governor’s race. So they are trying to keep that line of separation between their two campaigns.” – Rider University’s Micah Rasmussen on potential gubernatorial candidates Reps. Sherrill and Gottheimer
TOP STORY: The Pascrell Legacy: Enshrining the Great Falls of Paterson
Legislation is pending to honor the late Rep. Pascrell and his work on making Paterson’s Great Falls a national park.
Some school districts are going virtual to fill the teacher shortage, according to NJ Spotlight.
A judge will consider a bid to dismiss the Norcross indictment, according to NJ Globe.
A study will collect data on pavement conditions on South Jersey roads, according to Downbeach.
Hunterdon County awarded $1M in infrastructure grants to towns, according to NJ Hills.
Ocean County Sheriff Mastronardy went undercover in a sweepstake scam, according to the Asbury Park Press. Crews at battling an ‘erratic’ wildfire, according to NJ Spotlight.
Senator Helmy introduced his first piece of legislation.
Reps. Sherrill and Gottheimer sometimes side with Republicans on certain votes, according to NJ Spotlight.
A WalletHub study ranks the state 9th among states with the highest credit debt increases.
ICYMI: Funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos; Kelly may have helped torpedo Mastro
Abortion is becoming a flashpoint issue in the Senate race, despite not much difference in the two candidates’ views.
GOP Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw demanded the resignations of Rutgers RAs who walked out of a anti-Semitism training.
GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Senator Bramnick will hold a fundraiser with former House Speaker Boehner.
The Democratic Senate campaign chair says he’s not worried about the state’s Senate race, according to NJ Globe.
Reps. Sherrill and Gottheimer could be preparing to launch gubernatorial candidacies, according to NJ Spotlight.
In CD7, Sue Altman launched her first TV ad.
In CD11, the ATU endorsed Rep. Sherrill.
Warren RMC Treasurer Mehul Desai launched the SCRIO coalition.
ICYMI: Dems crammed BBQ; Bashaw’s campaign highlighted polling data; Elect Women NJ announced endorsements; PAM’s List endorsed candidates; NJGOP wants real race in the state; Gottheimer’s road to Guv goes through Middlesex; Pou by acclamation
NJ environmentalists could next target plastic water bottles, according to NJ101.5.
Senator Steinhardt urged action on legislation to reimburse governments for presidential visits.
Senator Pennaccio criticized the state’s COVID response.
NJAMHAA honored individuals in recovery.
Behind the Ballot: Getting on – and off – the Ballot for President in NJ
In looking at the career of the late Rep. Pascrell, its instructive to consider the 2012 primary battle as a stand-out race.
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.
Municipalities are debating privatizing water supplies, according to NJ Spotlight.
In West Orange, a judge denied Councilman Rutherford’s candidacy.
In Teaneck, Jenni Levy kicked off her BOE campaign.
In Atlantic City, police will be stationed at schools, according to Downbeach.
In Bedminster, Trump supporters’ behavior was chastised, according to NJ Hills.
In Bernards, solutions were discussed as school bullying worsens, according to NJ Hills.
In Bloomfield, the town received a $3.2M reimbursement for Lion Gate Park.
In Bridgewater, a tobacco shop owner is suing the town over a permit denial, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Essex Fells, the BOE approved a new teacher contract, according to NJ Hills.
In Harding, salary ranges were set, according to NJ Hills.
In Madison, the town made a $61M final offer for Drew Forest, according to NJ Hills.
In Morris, the township says DOT grants paves the way for community center design work, according to Morristown Green.
In Ocean City, the town could reiterate opposition to out-of-town sewage, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Old Bridge, the town may owe $21M as its share of a Superfund cleanup, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Paterson, chaos ensued after the Dominican parade, according to Paterson Press.
In Prospect Park, a school is cracking down on cell phone use, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Randolph, the town is a new swing town with council control up this year, according to NJ Globe.
In Red Bank, the council will discuss rental property lead paint inspections, according to TAPinto.
In Roxbury, new phases of the Stone Water housing development were approved, according to TAPinto.
In Sayreville, the defense questioned if two gunmen were involved in the murder of Councilwoman Dwumfour, according to MyCentralJersey. A mosque proposal was downsized, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Toms River, a church wants to open a homeless shelter, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Warren, remaining balances were packaged into one general bond obligation, according to NJ Hills.
In Wayne, an ordinance was introduced to require officers be licensed, according to TAPinto. YMCA members will pay less when the town takes over, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI: In Bedminster, debate prompted ‘kindergarten behavior’
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘Pa.: A Tom Kean Sr. Endorsement of Harris could Make the Difference‘
Insider NJ reporter Fred Snowflack writes ‘The New Reagan Movie and the MAGA Crowd‘
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven writes ‘An Intersection of Antisemitism and the War in Gaza That You Can Live With, and By‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Charlie Wowkanech writes ‘Labor Day: It’s Better in a Union‘
AROUND THE WEB:
When is early voting in NJ for the 2024 election? Can I mail my ballot? Am I registered?
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- Though Election Day is still two months away, the wheels are already in motion to make sure New Jersey voters can perform their civic duty with no problems. As of Sept. 1, state officials said, 6,621,933 residents of New Jersey were registered to vote. The general election, which will include this year’s presidential vote, the election for one of New Jersey’s U.S. Senate seats and voting for each of New Jersey’s 12 congressional seats, will be held on Nov. 5. In addition, county and local races will be on ballots across the state.
Sen. Weinberg: Revisiting the shape-shifters of Bridgegate | Opinion
Loretta Weinberg
- When toll lanes leading up to the busiest bridge in the world, the George Washington Bridge, were mysteriously closed for five long days, causing massive traffic delays, the Bridgegate scandal was born. Because then-Governor Chris Christie did whatever he could to be an obstacle to the truth, we were left with more questions than answers, and a story that keeps on re-emerging — even all these years later.
Immigration rule change prompts federal suit by Paterson diocese | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- It’s not unusual these days for employers to lose sleep over staffing shortages, worrying they won’t be able to continue serving their clients, patients or customers. Religious organizations have had that problem for years and their solution to it is now threatened by a rule change that has caused one clergyman to sue the U.S. government.
Bittersweet announcement from Johnny Gaudreau’s wife at funeral
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- At the funeral of hockey player Johnny Gaudreau on Monday, his wife revealed that she is pregnant with their third child. Johnny and his brother Matthew were laid to rest Monday during a funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Media, Pennsylvania. The service was live-streamed by Johnny’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Buses brought players and others to the church and a crowd of hundreds walked in for the service, including several children wearing Johnny’s No. 13 jerseys. Known to fans as “Johnny Hockey.”
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- As the longtime chairman of Choose New Jersey, Public Service Enterprise Group Chair and CEO Ralph LaRossa has sat through more speeches on economic development than he can count. He’s just never been the surprising center of attention. That changed Monday afternoon in Toronto at an event that detailed why RxSource decided to stay in New Jersey. Aziz Hirji, the company’s chief financial officer, said the decision was due in part to the reliability of energy service — something vital to their business.
UAW to pull out of AFL-CIO over NJ casino smoking loophole
- Kenneth Burns, WHYY News
- United Auto Workers will be pulling out of the New Jersey chapter of the AFL-CIO. Daniel Vicente Jr., director of Region 9 — which covers New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — said it wasn’t public knowledge yet, but he was comfortable sharing about the organization’s plans. He said the intended departure stems from the lack of support from other unions in the fight to ban indoor smoking at Atlantic City casinos.
NJ: $20 devices turn pistols into machine guns but aren’t illegal
Rick Rickman, NJ1015
- New Jersey needs to crack down on criminals who use new technology to get around gun laws, according to a new report from the NJ State Commission of Investigation. Loopholes allow criminals to get illicit ghost guns and turn them into automatic weapons, the SCI report said.
Rutgers site still healing physical, mental ailments of 9/11
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- Decades after the deadliest terror attack on American soil, medical issues among those who survived 9/11 and responded to Ground Zero in Manhattan remain a daily top priority at a handful of operations in the region, including a center in New Jersey. Rutgers University is home to one of the sites of the World Trade Center Health Program, which delivers free care to those who were impacted by the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Major Changes to NJ Flood Zones – What Spring Lake and all Jersey Shore Homeowners Need to Know
Jim Lonergan, TAPinto Gold Coast
- At the last council meeting, the Spring Lake Mayor and Council sought an update from Borough Engineer Sam Avakian on proposed flood zoning changes from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Set to take effect in summer/fall 2025, these changes will significantly impact insurance rates and expand the coastal flood zone to tens of thousands of additional homes along the coast. They will also impose new requirements for redevelopment and new construction that will clearly have an adverse visual impact on neighborhoods.
More NJ schools receive online threats, one district closes
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- At least three more districts received alarming threats on Tuesday, a day after two South Jersey districts had to close for the day. Schools in the Deptford and Woodbury reopened Tuesday after a threat led to the arrests of several teens. Both districts along with Glassboro said there would be an increased police presence at schools on Tuesday.
Kevin Riordan, Philadelphia Inquirer
- The National Park Service has turned down the Camden County Historical Society’s request for $686,000 to help transform Camden’s Benjamin Cooper Tavern into the American Revolution Museum of South Jersey.
A closer look at Monmouth Park development lease: 298 rental units, hotel, a future for racing?
Stephen Edelson, Asbury Park Press
- The new 85-year lease on Monmouth Park provides a path forward for the development of 80 acres on the property, part of a plan to maintain horse racing at the site. The principals are the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which owns Monmouth Park, and Darby Development LLC.
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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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!!