Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 9/18/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Let me tell you, it’s the first time in six years that I don’t even have to prepare for an election or have an election coming up. There were a couple of years when the Democrats really thought they were going to take me out.” – Senate Minority Leader Bucco at his annual golf event in competitive Morris County
TOP STORY: Ciattarelli and Kim Crisscross Competitive Morris County
A Monmouth University poll finds small movement post-debate in the presidential election.
Experts say the state’s ports must change to keep the cost of goods down, according to the Bergen Record.
The DCF awarded funding to expand the universal home visiting initiative.
The Murphy Administration will award $180M in grants towards lead remediation.
The Murphy Administration announced the opening of the income-based Charge Up+ EV incentive.
NJ Transit and the Army Reserve are joining forces to create employment opportunities for soldiers.
NJ farms are saving crops and seeds from war-torn countries, according to the Bergen Record.
Rutgers President Holloway says toxic politics drove his decision to leave, according to NJ.com.
2024 marked the second-worst summer for NJ Transit under Governor Murphy, according to NJ Monitor.
NJ internet gaming set a new record in August, according to NJ Biz.
NJ electric bills skyrocketed during the summer heat wave, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
The new Hudson County courthouse is nearly done, according to Hudson County View.
Senator Booker introduced the ‘Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act’.
Rep. Sherrill tore into Republicans following the second assassination attempt on former President Trump, according to NJ.com.
ICYMI: Legislation pending to honor Pascrell; funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos; Kelly may have helped torpedo Mastro
Rep. Kim and Jack Ciattarelli crisscrossed the campaign trail in competitive Morris County.
In CD2, Joe Salerno bolstered his campaign team, adding Rep. Van Drew’s 2018 campaign manager.
In CD10, EMILY’s List endorsed McIver. McIver is stepping down as Newark Council President.
Ocean County GOP Chair Gilmore will cohost a fundraiser for Jersey City mayoral candidate McGreevey, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: NJEA released endorsements; Kennedy lent support to Pou; Sayegh fundraised for McIver; Trump drama roiling Christie-Ciattarelli feud; Altman zeroed in on working class voters; Schaffer impressed by Harris; GSE Action Fund released endorsements; abortion flashpoint issue; Bramnick to fundraise w/ Boehner; 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
The state will give $20M a year to subsidize horse racing purses, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: Scutari announced bid for another term as Senate President
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Labor publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Policymakers publication.
Compliance Corner: Why Every Business Needs a Political-Activity Policy
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Legal publication.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Lobbyist publication.
In Parsippany, the state comptroller says the golf course’s $1.3M renovation violated procurement laws.
In Atlantic City, the CRDA approved a settlement of the ‘road diet’ lawsuit, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bernards, student phone ‘strife and turmoil’ is being probed, according to NJ Hills.
In Chatham, parents asked for community input on accepting Harding students, according to NJ Hills.
In Collingswood, voters decided on the fate of two schools, according to Burlington County Times.
In Hackensack, the city is creating pocket parks with pollinator gardens, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hanover, the engineering department will outsource some functions, according to NJ Hills.
In Harrison (Gloucester), residents blame town leaders for enabling a warehouse proposal, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Hillsborough, a warehouse proposal was rejected, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Morris Plans, there was a tense planning board meeting over a proposed McDonald’s, according to Morristown Green.
In Neptune, the fired DPW head filed suit against the town, according to TAPinto.
In Newark, monitoring of the schools is ending, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Paterson, three council winners are months late on campaign finance reports, according to Paterson Press.
In Phillipsburg, land was rezoned to fit a developer’s warehouse needs, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Secaucus, a fired DPW worker filed a lawsuit, according to Hudson County View.
In South Hackensack, a crowd protested West Bank land sales, according to the Bergen Record.
In Upper Saddle River, the town brought back USR Day, according to the Bergen Record.
In West Orange, an ordinance allows police to stop public alcohol consumption, according to TAPinto.
In Westfield, Councilwoman Mackey resigned, according to TAPinto.
In Willingboro, the town is considering joining the county library system, according to Burlington County Times.
In Woodbine, the town celebrated $1M to clean up a factory and other sites, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘An Informed Public is the Best Civil Defense‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Archange Antoine writes ‘NJ Silent as Trump, Vance, and GOP Target Haitian Community‘
Insider NJ columnist George Ball writes ‘This Emperor Has No Clothes‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg writes ‘The Post-2024 Election NJGOP Gubernatorial Civil War: Reaganism (Bramnick) versus Trumpism (Ciattarelli)‘
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:
NJ proposals for Haitian migrants draws focus of 2024 election
Erin Vogt, NJ1015
- A measure aimed at providing free contraceptives to Haitian immigrants in New Jersey has been seized upon by conservative blogs — at the same time migrants from the island nation have been maligned by fake stories amplified by former President Donald Trump and his running mate. The “Reproductive Health Access for Haitian Migrants Act” was introduced last week by state Sen. Renee Burgess, D-Essex.
Trump is a threat to democracy. That’s not rhetoric, it’s verifiable fact | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- The notion that Americans should dial down their incendiary rhetoric is undeniable, but that message cannot be delivered credibly by the person who literally sent a mob to the US Capitol, and then sat back and cheered the thugs who assaulted cops for three hours.
Atlantic Shores CEO: We plan for success
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The state’s leading offshore wind developer — the one that already has key federal approvals for two projects, the one that is already working with some of the top construction and development teams in the state, the one that has continued to push forward even after others have pulled out or asked for a pause — is eager to be the poster child the industry so desperately needs in the state.
A focus on ‘housing first’ approach to homelessness in NJ
Bobby Brier, NJ Spotilght
- In 2011, Rebecca Deo of Quakertown, Pa. tried a small amount of Suboxone for the first time, the drug given to her by her then-boyfriend, she said. Weeks later, he introduced her to heroin, which she began using regularly with him, she said.
Sixers’ $1.5B arena plan stokes ‘rendering wars’ across New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania
Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, NJ Spotlight
- It’s no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team owners have been dribbling around for a new home for several years. And the way competition is mounting among suitors, the team could score its new home anywhere in the tri-state region: Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware.
Donald Trump: A method to his madness? Or just madness? | Mulshine
Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger Columnist
- In politics, the term “dog whistle” is used to connote a message the speaker wants to send without stating it outright. Until Donald Trump came along. Last week the Donald took that figurative dog and put him on a literal barbecue spit.
Astronauts have taken 1,000 photos of NJ from space. Check out the stunning images
Lori Comstock, NorthJersey.com
- After New Jersey-born billionaire Jared Isaacman performed the first spacewalk by a private citizen early Thursday, and with future SpaceX missions capable of carrying astronauts between Earth, the moon and Mars, a question arises: What do astronauts see from space?
Gopal, Lesniak: N.J. must expand its recovery high school network | Opinion
Ray Lesniak and Vin Gopal
- Teens struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) face steep academic challenges. They lose crucial learning time because of health setbacks, absenteeism, suspensions, or time spent in treatment.
Tariffs are just another form of sales tax for consumers | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- A manufacturer makes gizmos in his factory in China for about $5. They’ve been promoted on TikTok and demand for them is rising all over the world. Since the gizmos cost $29.99 over here, you’d think the manufacturer was making a fortune, but he’s earning only a few cents each.
120 New Voters Registered at East Brunswick High School
Maureen Berzok, TAPinto East Brunswick
- Hey! National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, September 17, 2024. As usual, East Brunswick is ahead of the curve. On Friday, September 13, the League of Women Voters of the Greater New Brunswick Area conducted a voter registration drive at East Brunswick High School. “There was an excellent turnout, resulting in the applications of approximately 120 new voters,” says East Brunswick Social Studies Supervisor Dan Moran.
Abortion an ‘urgent’ mobilizer to the polls as candidates seek middle ground
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- Dr. Kristyn Brandi was a regular voter who otherwise wasn’t particularly politically active until 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down abortion rights in a landmark decision known as Dobbs. Since then, as states have increasingly restricted or even banned the procedure, Brandi — an Englewood obstetrician-gynecologist who provides abortions — has testified before Congress, opined in the press and on podcasts about reproductive rights, joined like-minded politicians at rallies, and even stocked her waiting room with voter registration forms.
Pro Palestinian protesters return to Rutgers New Brunswick
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- A pro-Palestinian group held a rally at Rutgers University Monday despite being banned from campus. Students for Justice in Palestine Rutgers University is the group that held an encampment at the end of the spring semester. It ended when Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway agreed to eight of the group’s ten demands except their two biggest: Rutgers divestment from Israel and and end to the university’s partnership with Tel Aviv University.
Wells’ Dontas confident rate cut is coming — and that N.J. is in position to take advantage
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Like most people in the financial sector, Pete Dontas, New Jersey market executive at Wells Fargo, expects that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for the first time since 2020 — perhaps as soon as this week, as the Fed will meet Tuesday and Wednesday. The cut, which figures to be anywhere from 25 to 50 basis points, will provide some relief to the business community, especially those looking to borrow money sooner rather than later.
Trenton’s Guatemalan Parade needs rethinking and reconfiguration
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Pandemonium. Bedlam. Mayhem.Those words described the Guatemalan Parade during several tense moments before two city police officers atop motorcycles gained control.The chaotic scene at Division St. and Hamilton Ave. warranted control. One person came to mind when that first police officer arrived via Hamilton Ave. — Joseph Santiago.The former Trenton police director headed the reintroduction
Who is on the ballot in Cape May County?
Nicholas Huba, Press of Atlantic City
- Below is a list of local candidates in elections in Cape May County.
New Jersey beaches are clear as needles and trash wash ashore in Delaware and Maryland
Jason Nark, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Officials in New Jersey say there have been no reports of used hypodermic needles or other garbage washing up on local beaches after incidents in Delaware and Maryland over the weekend.
If Virginia is for lovers, New Jersey is for haters
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- So what if Virginia is for lovers. A curious exchange on X that began on Sunday has millions ready to embrace the hate in the Garden State. It began when @sorkincel posted, “I respect Virginia is for lovers, but we need a state for haters.” That prompted a response from the official NJ X account that read simply, “You called?”
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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Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
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lETS NOT FORGET that during the pandemic Donald Trump sent the MERCY, a fully equipped, COVID prepared Hospital ship to save lives of victims and healthcare workers . But Murphy in his wisdom would rather send Patients back to nursing homes that were ill-equipped to treat these patients so they could die , rather than utilize a life-saving gift and be like NY governor Cuomo, another anti-Trump
tool.
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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!!
Great article, thanks for keeping us informed!