Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 1/23/2025
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m hoping that will help people who are here to stay here and afford to not go to places like North Carolina or Florida or, God forbid, New York, by bringing in new residents and keeping our older ones here.” – Rep. Gottheimer on his proposal for property tax cuts for people who move into the state
TOP STORY: Gottheimer’s Plan
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The plastic bag ban left the state with 65k extra reusable bags, according to NJ.com.
President Trump nominated Senator Steinhardt to be US Attorney, according to NJ Globe.
NJ schools are looking to aid immigrant students who may face deportation, according to NJ Herald.
Superintendents warn that education cuts under President Trump could hurt NJ students, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ Transit asked the engineers union to negotiate a a strike looms, according to NorthJersey.com.
A judge denied former Senator Menendez’s effort to get a new trial, according to NJ Globe.
George Norcross’ attorneys are back in court in the racketeering case, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. A judge questioned prosecutors as the defense requested the case be tossed, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The state may ask the Miss America pageant to return to Atlantic City, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Atlantic County will freeze hiring and seek a tax rate cut in the budget, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Middlesex College started a $126M campus project, according to NJ Biz.
A Monmouth County airport owner says greed over a Netflix studio is behind the county’s bid to take over, according to NJ Monitor.
Reps. Van Drew and Smith signaled support for President Trump’s birthright citizenship order, according to NJ Globe.
Mercury’s Mo Butler was appointed to NRS Board, according to ROI-NJ.
ICYMI: Murphy delivered SOS address, mentioned ‘elephant not in the room‘, laid out priorities including removing cellphones from classrooms; NJDOL reported NJ leads Northeast population growth; state announced a historic low in gun violence
A Emerson poll shows a majority of Democrats and a plurality of Republicans are undecided six months away from the gubernatorial primaries; on the Democratic side, all candidates are within 3-points of each other, as Rep. Sherrill leads with 10%, with Rep. Gottheimer and former Senate President Sweeney tied with 7%; on the GOP side, Jack Ciattarelli garners 26% while Bill Spadea has 13%.
Rep. Gottheimer released his tax plan, with several tax cut and incentive proposals.
In LD23, Senator Steinhardt’s potential move to US Attorney would trigger a special election, according to NJ Globe.
In LD32, high-profile names are lining up in the primary, according to NJ Spotlight.
ICYMI: In LD32, Allen won’t seek re-election as Bhalla launched bid; in LD35, Wimberly prevailed for Senate; Sumter, Wimberly collision course; Insider NJ sits down w/ Spiller; Sweeney announced campaign manager; Fulop released primary education video; look ahead at guv race; NJGOP announced Gonzalez as ED; Bramnick made reorg rounds
Providers complain there are too many obstacles to private pre-K in the state program, according to NJ Spotlight.
Governor Murphy is seeking to lock in a key clean energy goal, according to NJ Spotlight.
Assembly Speaker Coughlin announced committee leadership changes.
Steve Adubato examines the challenges facing older residents (video).
Senator Bramnick criticized President Trump’s pardons of January 6th participants who assaulted police officers.
Ethan Andersen will serve as Managing Partner of Princeton Strategic Communications.
ICYMI: Curtis behind farmland push; Scutari announced committee leadership changes
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In Atlantic City, Mayor Small announced his re-election bid, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Camden, the city’ oldest house of worship faces an uncertain future, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The city continues to attack illegal parking, according to TAPinto.
In Franklin, two warehouses were proposed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Lakewood, the BOE attorney wants in on the funding lawsuit, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Mendham, voters will decide on a $20M school referendum, according to the Daily Record.
In Morristown, Lekberg is running for mayor, according to Morristown Green. Mayor Dougherty announced his re-election bid.
In Paterson, four black BOE members were ignored for key spots, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Plainfield, the council held a contentious January business meeting, according to TAPinto. The council moved toward rent control, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, the BOE is pressing the state for extra aid for special education, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Wildwood, barricades are being installed on the Boardwalk according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Parsippany, Bergen endorsed Barberio, in primary w/ Mussella; in Hoboken, Jabbour announced for mayor as Bhalla won’t seek re-election; in Jersey City, Akaezuwa announced council candidacy
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven ‘The Other America‘
Insider NJ columnist Alan Joel Steinberg ‘Ciattarelli Wrong to Support for Kash Patel as FBI Director‘
Insider NJ reporter John Van Vliet writes ‘The League of Municipalities, the Aesthetics of Power, and Our Civic Destiny‘
AROUND THE WEB:
How the most prominent state officials celebrated (or mourned) Trump’s inauguration
Politico
- Democratic state officials were largely subdued in their response to Donald Trump’s return to the White House, marking a stark contrast from eight years earlier when many were already stoking the resistance as he took office. But there’s little doubt that Democrats across the country will soon be fighting the new administration’s aggressive policy agenda on multiple fronts, most notably immigration and energy, sparking confrontations in the courts and beyond.
Six Flags NJ hints at potential new identity in 2025
Mike Brant, NJ1015
- Six Flags Great Adventure has officially announced its plans for the upcoming 2025 season. Among those plans is the anticipated opening of their newest roller coaster, “THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity.”
Brian Sicknick’s family ‘angered’ after Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioters
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including the man convicted of assaulting fallen New Jersey native Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Julian Khater will be released from federal prison after he was sentenced to 80 months. Khater plead guilty to multiple charges of assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to injure an officer, among others. Prosecutors say Khater pepper sprayed multiple officers including Sicknick, who then died a day later.
Op-ed: National economic discussions should resonate with New Jersey’s leaders
Tom Bracken, ROI-NJ
- As a new presidential administration takes the helm in Washington, the nation finds itself at a pivotal economic juncture. The priorities emerging in federal discussions – supporting innovation and artificial intelligence, lowering taxes for businesses, reducing burdensome regulations, bolstering energy independence and supporting small businesses – should resonate deeply with New Jersey’s leaders. These initiatives are not partisan rallying cries; they are pragmatic solutions to the challenges that hinder economic growth and opportunity in the Garden State.
Despite governor’s order, U.S. flag in Phil Murphy’s town raised to full-staff for inauguration day
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- Most American flags in New Jersey remained at half-staff on Monday as President Trump took the oath of office for an historic second non-consecutive term owing to the recent passing of former President Jimmy Carter; the flags remained at half-staff despite calls from Republicans to return the state’s flags to full-staff for at least Inauguration Day.
As the SCI scandal swirls, Scutari says NJ needs fewer watchdogs. Is he serious? | Editorial
USA TODAY Network New Jersey Editorial Board, Asbury Park Press
- History will look back on this era in Trenton as one in which the ruling Democrats decided that New Jersey’s bulwarks of transparency were of little consequence. Indeed, on the watch of Gov. Phil Murphy and his colleagues Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, we have seen a growing culture of indifference when it comes to preserving the institutions and mechanisms that provide the public with tools and access to the workings of their government at the municipal, county and statewide levels.
A blizzard in Texas? Perfect! Make them dance for help. | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Columnist
- The whacky climate news continues with word that a winter storm has hit Red America, and it’s expected to dump heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from Texas to Florida, where they have no idea how to cope. They’re going to need help. So, I have a modest proposal: Democrats should oppose all aid to the affected region, unless the Republicans running those states change their policies. This is the new America.
Crack down on N.J.’s corrupt landlords, close their legal loopholes | Opinion
Jake Hudnut and Ryan Spain
- The primary goal of a prosecutor is to bring offenders to justice. This work begins when a defendant makes his first appearance in court to hear the charges against him. But this process is frustrated when a defendant skips court.
Former NJ rioter among Jan. 6 convicts with commuted sentences
Erin Vogt, NJ1015
- Sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump called convicted Jan. 6 rioters “hostages” as he signed a sweeping pardon for 1,500 protesters, as well as commuted sentences for 14 convicts still in federal prison. Among those being released early, former New Jersey resident Roberto Minuta, a member of far-right group the Oath Keepers, who was convicted for his activities during the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Inauguration Day in pictures: Outside the inner circle
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight
- Most of my workdays, I roam around the Capitol and congressional office buildings, interviewing members of Congress who represent New Jersey, talking with sources, and reporting and writing stories. Monday was not like most days. The man of the hour, of course, was now-President Donald Trump, sworn in for the second time in eight years to the nation’s highest office, and I was credentialed press for the inauguration.
Deep freeze: From homeless advocates to ice boaters, how Jersey Shore is handling the cold
Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
- How cold is it along the Jersey Shore this week? So cold that the Navesink River is freezing over. “So far this month it’s the coldest the January we’ve had since 2015,” said Mike Lee, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office, whose focus area covers most of New Jersey. “And it’s probably going to get colder.”
Ruling to come about Drew Forest lawsuit Jan. 29
Brett Friedensohn, NJ Hills
- A ruling will be issued about Drew University’s challenge to Madison’s affordable housing plan Thursday, Jan. 29, according to Friends of the Drew Forest Co-chair Lydia Chambers.
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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So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
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Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
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very informative thank you so much
Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
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lETS NOT FORGET that during the pandemic Donald Trump sent the MERCY, a fully equipped, COVID prepared Hospital ship to save lives of victims and healthcare workers . But Murphy in his wisdom would rather send Patients back to nursing homes that were ill-equipped to treat these patients so they could die , rather than utilize a life-saving gift and be like NY governor Cuomo, another anti-Trump
tool.
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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!
Assemblyman Schaer’s Bill to define antisemitism for New Jersey residents and to be able to react to it is great. But what about our kids going off to college, especially the Jewish kids. They should have a means to know what schools have active anti-Jewish protests, and/or pro-Palestinian demonstration allowed on and off campus. They should be able to feel safe wherever they go, and not have their studies interrupted by what I consider this unlawful activity. Are there websites with this kind of information posted?
Concerns about Jan 6 violence
The simple solution to allay the concerns of the Jan.6 violence happening again is to make sure the election is run in an honest and above board manner, which must include voter I.D. via a totally transparent system. Otherwise I’m betting all bets are off.
(The state’s voting system is secure, according to NJ Spotlight.)
This was without doubt one of the most farcical articles perhaps ever written. To give you an idea just how corrupt and lawless the voting system is, in 2021 Governor Murphy deviously ousted the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections with over 30+ years of experience (coerced and strongarmed into early retirement) in order to then deliberately and deviously insert Loretta Weinberg’s Chief of Staff who, had absolutely NO previous election experience whatsoever.
This was all masterfully formulated and then executed just several weeks prior to the Gubernatorial primary. But of course there was nothing nefarious regarding such an abrupt change.
Although Bergen County is not the largest County in New Jersey it is however home to the most registered voters of which the vast majority are also Democrats.
Keep in mind The Superintendent of Elections Office is also in charge of voter “registrations” – polls books, voting machines and of course – investigating any and all reports of voter fraud.
Murphy’s intentions had been to leave the position vacant until “after” the Gubernatorial Election in November but the media exposed his chicanery and he was forced to fill and announce his personal “appointment” immediately and how all of this came to light.
The former Superintendent of Elections was also a Republican and certainly would’ve never voluntarily retired “prematurely” but just prior to a major election. Her integrity was legendary throughout the entire County.
But of course there was nothing to Murphy’s sudden lead change “in the middle of the night” in Bergen County after the polls had already closed.
Murphy was and still remains loathed and despised by all because of his despotic actions and stance on the Covid lockdowns. He knew there was no other way he could ever beat Ciattarelli and never did. But certainly not legally nor ever legitimately. But keep believing “the voting system in NJ” is actually secure.
Once Trump pardons the Jan 6 participants they should immediately begin Class Action suit against Nancy Pelosi who was instrumental in conducting a huge Political Kangaroo Court unfairly sending hundreds of of participants to jail. They should seek 200 million dollars for redress as well as compensation for Ashley Babbit’s shooting for being unarmed and unthreatening and totally not deserving of a death sentence. And it should cover the medical needs of those jailed who were denied adequate medical care. This was a total abuse of politely power and a Class Action suit is needed to clear the air.
The selling off the wall piecemeal by Biden’s administration was not addressed, but it has to be looked at as a huge black eye for Biden. To counter this it seems prudent to advise those companies that bought in to the “Great American Fraud” that returning their purchase is a most patriotic act, even if there is a monetary reward of maybe 25 cents on the dollar, as well as not being seen to be in collusion with the deep state.in this fraudulent act. Remembering that American taxpayers already paid millions for the wall and would very much appreciate getting it back to increase Homeland Security, which was its purpose in the first place.