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
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Rising Generations publication.
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
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
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.
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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for January 23, 2025 is a comprehensive daily news roundup that provides readers with the latest updates on politics, business, and current events in New Jersey. This briefing is designed to keep readers informed and up-to-date on the most important news stories of the day.
One of the top stories in today’s briefing is the announcement of a new initiative by Governor John Smith to improve education in the state. The governor has proposed a new funding plan that would allocate more resources to schools in low-income areas, with the goal of reducing achievement gaps and improving outcomes for all students. This initiative has received praise from education advocates and lawmakers alike, who see it as a positive step towards ensuring that all children in New Jersey have access to a quality education.
In addition to education news, today’s briefing also covers updates on the state’s economy and business sector. The briefing reports on a new partnership between a local tech company and a major corporation, which is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the state. This development is seen as a positive sign for New Jersey’s economy, which has been struggling in recent years due to a decline in manufacturing and other industries.
The briefing also includes updates on political developments in the state, including the latest polling data for upcoming elections and analysis of key legislative issues. Readers can stay informed on the latest debates and decisions being made by lawmakers in Trenton, as well as get a sense of the political landscape leading up to the next election cycle.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for January 23, 2025 provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the most important news stories happening in New Jersey. Whether you are a resident of the state or simply interested in staying informed on regional news, this briefing is a valuable resource for anyone looking to stay up-to-date on current events in New Jersey.
