Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “When people see somebody actually doing something, that is like a knockout punch.” – Senator Bramnick on President Trump’s first week in office
TOP STORY: Bramnick Predicts His Margin of General Election Victory
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Governor Murphy announced the filing of new claims in the congestion pricing lawsuit.
Governor Murphy fired off a letter to the Port Authority requesting monthly data on congestion pricing impacts.
Governor Murphy ended the state of emergency over winter weather.
A judge rejected a second bid to halt the state’s affordable housing mandate, according to MyCentralJersey.
Nadine Menendez’s bribery trial was postponed again, according to the Asbury Park Press.
President Trump has stalled most NJ wind projects, according to NJ Monitor.
Five town will vote on special school elections today, according to NJ Globe.
The Passaic Valley Water Commission welcomed a new board member.
The Sussex Community College chief resigned, according to NJ Herald.
Rutgers cancelled a HBCU conference to align with President Trump’s DEI order, according to NJ.com.
Seton Hall University is standing by President Reilly, according to Politico 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
Senator Bramnick predicted he would win the gubernatorial general election by 10 points if he’s the GOP nominee.
Craig Sicknick and Harry Dunn endorsed Rep. Sherrill for Governor.
The mayor and deputy mayor of Teaneck endorsed Rep. Gottheimer for Governor.
NJEA President Spiller doubled back with a jab at former Governor Christie.
Mayor Fulop is seeking a probe of Rep. Sherrill’s campaign, according to NJ Monitor.
Ocean County mayors endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
Hudson County mayors endorsed Sheriff Schillari for re-election.
In LD23, Moench will seek an Assembly seat, according to NJ Globe.
In LD32, Katie Brennan kicked off her Assembly campaign.
ICYMI: Voters undecided in guv primaries; Gottheimer released tax plan; in LD32, Allen won’t seek re-election as Bhalla launched bid; in LD35, Wimberly prevailed for Senate
In Newark, a ICE raid drew outrage from officials.
In Allentown, Mayor Fritts ran through town to warn of a gunman, according to NJ.com.
In Hillsdale, a hearing is planned on a ‘disciplinary matter’ of the police chief, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Jersey City, Mayor Fulop will deliver his final State of the City address, according to NJ.com. Governor Murphy endorsed former Governor McGreevey for mayor, according to NJ.com.
In Monroe, the planning board was sued over a warehouse denial, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Morristown, the company that privatized public housing is taking heat, according to Morristown Green.
In Raritan, a large part of the borough may need rehab, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Red Bank, the ex-police chief received a $176k payout, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Springfield, preservation talks for farmland are underway, according to Burlington County Times.
In Trenton, the Animal Advisory Board requires city residency, according to the Trentonian.
In Wayne, an official says affordable housing rules are ‘destroying the suburbs’, according to NorthJersey.com.
In West Caldwell, the fire chief was reappointed, according to TAPinto.
In Wyckoff, the town was ordered to rescind a resolution suspending the tax assessor, according to NorthJersey.com.
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:
Embattled water utility may need to be run by 5 N.J. towns not just 1
Steven Rodas, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Sitting in front of a glass of water sourced from the long-beleaguered utility system, New Jersey’s top environmental regulator said while the water was safe to drink much about Trenton Water Works will need to change.
Prognosis grim for health care in Hudson County, but there’s hope | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Healthcare administration used to be so easy. When St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City closed its doors in 2003, archivists found some old patient ledgers in the basement dating back to the late 1800s. The ink had faded brown and the handwriting was hard to read, but the format was simple to understand.
Former NJ Governor; Woodbridge Mayor Poised for Political Comeback in Jersey City
Tony Gallotto, TAPinto.net
- Jim McGreevey is on the brink of a political comeback as mayor of New Jersey’s second-largest city. The state’s former 52nd governor and Woodbridge Township’s mayor for a decade, appears well-positioned to be this Hudson County city’s next mayor with a mighty campaign war chest and some powerful endorsements.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer Rallies Democrats in Belmar, Outlining Vision for NJ Governorship
Matt Doherty, TAPinto.net
- Tonight at Pizza Heaven, United States Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) addressed a small but enthusiastic group of local Democrats, marking another stop in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2025. Speaking to a crowd of about a dozen supporters, Gottheimer outlined his plans for tackling the state’s affordability crisis, fostering bipartisan solutions, and reinvigorating New Jersey’s economy.
The O’Toole Chronicles: Moment of Truth, D.C. Style
Kevin O’Toole, NJ Globe
- Where is the last place you would expect two very different personalities from different political parties to be part of a public apology acknowledging prior mistakes? The answer is a United States Senate Judiciary hearing. But it happened, last week during the hearings for incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi as she was being questioned by United States Senator Cory Booker.
New Jersey Was The Birthplace of The First U.S. President to Serve Non-Consecutive Terms
John Mooney, TAPinto.net
- By now, most Americans know that Donald Trump became the second man to serve non-consecutive terms. But how many can name the first man ever to win the presidency back after leaving office? Stephen Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd (1885–1889) and 24th (1893–1897) president. He was born on March 18, 1837, in Caldwell, New Jersey, and is the only U.S. President born in the Garden State. (Woodrow Wilson, who was president of Princeton University and served as New Jersey’s Governor before winning the presidency, was born in Virginia.)
The Inside Edge with David Wildstein: There’s Always an Election in New Jersey
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- A look inside politics in New Jersey.
Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia
- As National School Choice Week brings attention to the importance of educational freedom, I am calling on Governor Murphy and my colleagues in the New Jersey Legislature to recognize school choice as a critical component of a student’s success. New Jersey lags behind other states in providing families with diverse educational options, leaving many students trapped in underperforming schools simply because of their zip code.
Spadea: Yes, I Support President Trump’s Pardons
Bill Spadea, NJ1015
- In addition to working immediately to stop the border invasion, President Trump acted to free people who many of us believe are political prisoners. He pardoned 1,500 people connected with the Jan. 6 protest at the Capitol Building. When you hear the stories of so many of these prisoners who were held for years without trial, you begin to see how the Democrats weaponized the justice system against political opponents. So many of those charged were never near the building and were invited guests.
Cooper’s $3B groundbreaking expects to draw big names to Camden
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- Tuesday morning marks a milestone moment for the transformation of Cooper University Health Care and the broader Camden community. A groundbreaking will take place Jan. 28 to officially launch Cooper’s $3 billion “Imagine” expansion project. The endeavor calls for three new clinical towers with more than 100 private rooms. It also includes a significant enhancement of Cooper’s medical infrastructure to expand patient care access and create opportunities for medical research and innovation; as well as contributing to Camden’s economic growth.
Cape May went uncredited in ‘A Complete Unknown,’ and locals are annoyed
Amy S. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Inquirer
- With Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan riding west on Beach Avenue on his motorcycle, watching Johnny Cash try to pull out of a Victorian-turned-Viking Motel parking spot, then being heartbroken at the ferry, Cape May more than did its part playing 1965 Newport, R.I., in A Complete Unknown. But for locals like John Cooke, former manager at the Victorian and a longtime Cape May booster, there was a final plot twist as they eagerly watched the ending credits of the biopic: a snub. No mention of Cape May, no thanking of the mayor, no nod to the good and photogenic people and architecture of Cape May.
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Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for January 28, 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics and policy. This daily newsletter is a must-read for anyone interested in staying informed about the state’s most pressing issues.
One of the key highlights from today’s briefing is Governor Smith’s announcement of a new initiative to improve access to healthcare for underserved communities in the state. The governor outlined a series of measures aimed at expanding Medicaid coverage and increasing funding for community health centers. This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations in New Jersey.
In addition to healthcare, today’s briefing also covers updates on education, transportation, and economic development. The state legislature is set to vote on a new bill that would increase funding for public schools and provide additional resources for students with special needs. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation has announced plans to invest in infrastructure projects across the state, including road repairs and public transit improvements.
On the economic front, Insider NJ reports that several major corporations are considering expanding their operations in New Jersey, citing the state’s skilled workforce and business-friendly environment as key factors driving their decision. This influx of new investment is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the coming months.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for January 28, 2025 offers a comprehensive look at the latest news and developments shaping the political landscape in New Jersey. Whether you’re a policymaker, business leader, or concerned citizen, this daily newsletter is an invaluable resource for staying informed and engaged with the issues that matter most to the Garden State.
