Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m excited for Sherrill and Gottheimer to enter the race for governor as clearly they intend on doing. I think there is lots to discuss around New Jersey and records overall, but as a starting point, just imagine being so insincere and disingenuous with your constituents that you outright mislead them on your intentions to serve in Congress.” – Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial primary candidate Steve Fulop
TOP STORY: As Pa. Beckons, will Anyone Still be in Jersey for Kim v. Bashaw?
The state declared a drought watch, according to NJ.com.
Early voting opens this weekend, according to NJ101.5.
The VBM return rate in the state broke 50%, according to NJ Globe.
Enthusiastic NJ Indian-Americans are promoting VP Harris in swing states, according to the Bergen Record.
NJ Transit and Amtrak say they need more funding to prevent another ‘summer of hell’, according to NJ.com.
NJ Transit blames the hot weather for some of the River Line troubles, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
PATH ridership surged in September to pre-pandemic levels, according to NJ Biz.
Clerks in Atlantic, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties agreed to settle the line lawsuit, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Monmouth Airport issue up in air; Insider NJ’s Who’s And Who’s Down; labor hit Philly streets as PA Dems build Harris coalition; Philly Dems in gear for Harris; Murphy discussed lowering voting age
2025 gubernatorial drama continues to simmer under the surface of the 2024 election.
Jersey City Mayor Fulop swiped at Reps. Gottheimer and Sherrill, according to NJ Globe.
In LD32, Katie Brennan launched her bid for Assembly, according to NJ Globe.
In CD2, the candidates debated.
In CD7, the Kean-Altman race carries national significance, according to MyCentralJersey. OPEIU Local 32 endorsed Altman. Altman and Rep. Kim will hold a rally with former Senator Bill Bradley.
In CD9, Senator Pou faces off against GOP candidate Prempeh, according to NJ Spotlight.
GOP Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw addressed the Essex GOP. Bashaw released a new TV ad.
Essex GOP Chairman Barlas touted ‘incredible turnout’ at an event following a last-minute location change after a bakery owner cancelled the venue, according to SaveJersey.
The NJEA has spent $600k to boost Harris, Kim, and Spiller, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Sarlo outlined Trump opposition; Van Drew wants to beat back Salerno challenge; Kean in negative overdrive against Altman, Malinowski jumped feet first for Altman; Kim phonebanked; Prempeh faced off against Pou; Kim, Bashaw clashed ; former Guv Kean endorsed Bashaw; CD7 2-point race; Essex Assembly races intensifying; Jones made the case for Harris; Kean, Altman debated, Altman touted poll; Morris’ Ali has had enough of Crispi; Golden touted Monmouth GOP numbers; Bramnick has new argument; NJGOP working to increase VBM returns; Altman poll shows 2-point race
In Atlantic City, the CRDA is asking again when the city will approve enough marijuana stores, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Camden, the city launched the Buy Camden 1st initiative, according to ROI-NJ.
In East Orange, the school district was accused of violating state regulations, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Edison, environmental oversight continues at the former Camp Kilmer, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Flemington, a sign ordinance was approved, according to TAPinto.
In Galloway, the town paused new cannabis applications, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Jersey City, Zuppa made a Ward D rematch official with Boggiano, according to Hudson County View.
In Long Branch, BOE candidates faced tough questions at a forum, according to TAPinto.
In Morristown, a hospital expansion plan met friction from town hall, according to Morristown Green.
In Neptune Township, a candidate was selected for the committee vacancy, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In North Haledon, voters will decide on funding for cops in schools, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Ocean City, input is sought on use for a former car lot, according to the Press of Arlantic City.
In Phillipsburg, frustration is growing over the lack of crossing guards, according to TAPinto.
In Pohatcong, a warehouse plan was denied by the Highlands Council, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Scotch Plains, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood district scaled back a January referendum, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Sparta, a cannabis ordinance was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In West Windsor, voters may ditch non-partisan elections, according to NJ Globe.
In Wildwood, the voice behind the iconic tram car phrase is suing over lack of compensation, according to the Asbury Park Press.
ICYMI: In Somerville, JFK is on the ballot; in Randolph, council control at stake with huge significance; in Marlboro, BOE race polarized; in Jersey City, Gilmore fundraising presence causes havoc; Solomon slapped at McGreevey as he kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race
AROUND THE WEB:
Vote for Dems as GOP extremism threatens American way of life | Jersey Journal endorsements
Jersey Journal Editorial
- As Election Day nears and the campaign devolve into a nonstop barrage of he said-she said TV ads, one constant should resound in voters’ minds: Conservative hard-liners present a clear danger to the American way of life.
Presentation on New Jersey’s state parks scheduled for Nov. 24
NJ Hills
- The Chatham Township Historical Society will present a hybrid program featuring a talk by Kevin Woyce on New Jersey’s state parks at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Library of the Chathams.
Opinion: New Jersey’s housing industry is broken. This is how we fix it.
Murray Sabrin
- The Assembly Housing Committee met in late September to discuss the state’s unaffordable housing market. The committee’s hearing couldn’t have come at a better time to sort out the issues contributing to housing and rental price inflation. The Garden State has some of the highest housing costs in the nation, and residents have seen their real incomes shrink because housing prices and rents have accelerated markedly in recent years.
NJ’s rape-kit backlog to be cleared?
Raven Santana, NJ Spotlight
- State Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union) knows firsthand how the evidence from rape kits is vital to catching sexual predators or even freeing those wrongly convicted. “I saw firsthand victims in their most vulnerable moments. That never leaves you,” said Cryan, who is pushing legislation to clear the state’s rape kit backlog and make sure all collection kits are tested.
Funeral for self-exiled Turkish cleric leads to large crowd, traffic in Sussex County
Lori Comstock, Newton New Jersey Herald
- Hundreds and potentially thousands of mourners grieving the death of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen gathered at Skylands Stadium in Augusta Thursday afternoon, leading to traffic congestion and causing major delays in the area. Residents enrolled in the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office alert system were notified of a “large scale event” via phone call and text message and were urged to avoid the roadways near the ballpark, including Route 15, Route 206 and Route 565.
New Jersey loves the money from online sports betting, but fears addictive consequences
Wayne Parry, The Associated Press
- Online sports betting is reaping new revenue for New Jersey but also raising concerns about gambling addiction and potential harm to the finances of Atlantic City’s casinos that depend on in-person gamblers, sports books and problem gambling treatment workers testified Thursday.
Frank Kummer, Philadelphia Inquirer
- With fire danger at an “extreme,” New Jersey officials have enacted a statewide mandatory ban on wood and charcoal fires, whether on public or private property. “We are currently experiencing some of the driest conditions ever, making our forests, in particular the sprawling Pinelands region of southern New Jersey, especially vulnerable to wildfires that could spread very quickly and threaten property,” New Jersey Department of Environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said in a statement this week.
Are campus protests being silenced? Colleges, students spar over new rules
Hannan Adely, NorthJersey.com
- With banging drums and chants of “Palestine will be free,” rallies and sit-ins at universities in spring 2024 harked back to the tumultuous days of the Vietnam War protests, when students defied administrations and protests sometimes ended in fierce police crackdowns.
Appellate court allows rapacious new judge to double dip
David Wildstein, New Jersey Globe
- A panel of state appellate court judges will allow Jill Mayer to keep her $127,000 annual state pension while earning $211,00-per-year as a Superior Court Judge. The State Senate confirmed Mayer, a former Camden County Prosecutor and deputy attorney general, to her judgeship in January 2022, but she has delayed taking the oath of office for 33 months while she mounted a legal battle to double dip.
Meet the Candidates: Darius Mayfield
David Wildstein, New Jersey Globe
- Watch Darius Mayfield, Republican candidate for the 12th Congressional District.
Cryptocurrency industry pours money into federal races
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight
- Political advocacy groups linked to the cryptocurrency industry are spending roughly $250 million on campaigns this election cycle to buoy their allies and defeat critics, especially those in Congress. A trio of cryptocurrency super PACs — outside political groups permitted under federal law to spend unlimited sums of money on politics — has flooded airwaves and websites nationwide and in New Jersey with campaign ads.
Fall trout stocking to be limited by low rainfall and stream flows
Bruce A Scruton, Newton New Jersey Herald
- New Jersey will cancel or curtail trout stocking in some of the state’s rivers and streams, the latest casualty of what’s shaping up to be a historically dry fall in the Garden State. Fall stocking scheduled for this week will go on, but crews will have the option of not leaving fish if flows in the particular spot appear to be low, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife said on its website on Wednesday.
Fall foliage in Mercer County evokes reflection on life
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- I love trees. There. It’s been said without pause or silhouetted embarrassment and with a realization that these feelings nurtured under beautiful limbs and atop copper colored needles of pine trees that stood tall in forests located in Winslow, Camden County.
Central Jersey oceanographer’s groundbreaking research helps predict monster storms
Margaret McHugh, Special to MyCentralJersey.com
- Central Jersey native Joe Gradone grew up less than 40 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, but his fascination with oceanography first surged while studying geology as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado. “It took me going to a land-locked state to realize I want to study the ocean,” said Gradone, who earned his doctorate in oceanography at Rutgers University in September.
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Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing for October 25, 2024, is packed with the latest news and updates from the world of New Jersey politics and beyond. From important legislative developments to key appointments and events, here’s a rundown of what you need to know from today’s briefing.
One of the top stories from today’s briefing is the announcement of a new initiative by Governor Murphy to expand access to affordable housing in New Jersey. The governor unveiled a plan to invest $100 million in state funding to support the construction of new affordable housing units across the state. This move comes as part of the administration’s efforts to address the ongoing housing crisis in New Jersey and ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable housing options.
In other news, the state legislature passed a bill today that will provide additional funding for mental health services in New Jersey. The bill, which was supported by both Democrats and Republicans, will allocate $50 million in state funding to support mental health programs and services for residents in need. This bipartisan effort reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mental health care in New Jersey and the need to invest in resources to support those struggling with mental health issues.
On the political front, Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing also reported on a key endorsement in the upcoming gubernatorial race. Former Governor Chris Christie announced his support for candidate Jack Johnson, citing Johnson’s strong record on economic development and job creation. This endorsement is expected to give Johnson a significant boost in the race and could help solidify his position as a frontrunner in the upcoming election.
Overall, today’s briefing from Insider NJ provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics. From important policy initiatives to key endorsements and legislative actions, there is no shortage of important updates for residents to stay informed about. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more updates from Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing.
