Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “As much as I’d like to believe that Steve selected me as his partner in crime for my wit and charm, it is more the complementary balance of suburban and urban.” – Mayor Fulop’s LG running mate Sheena Collum
TOP STORY: Kranjac on the Attack. Who is he Going After?
A Stockton poll finds property tax relief maintains strong bipartisan support, with majorities supporting several other tax-raising measures; majorities also say housing and utility affordability is getting worse.
Governor Murphy, Amtrak, and NJ Transit held a summit to highlight infrastructure and equipment improvements, according to ROI-NJ.
The NJ Turnpike Authority moved ahead with a EZ Pass contract, according to NorthJersey.com.
REAL ID appointments are still hard to come by as the deadline approaches, according to NorthJersey.com.
Internet gambling revenue set another record in March, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Anti-Trump protests are coming to college campuses today, according to NJ.com.
The FAA says to expect drone exercises over South Jersey this month, according to Burlington County Times.
NJ Transit engineers may strike, according to NJ Monitor.
The Passaic River is one of the nation’s most endangered rivers, according to NorthJersey.com.
Judge Esther Salas says attacks on judges are worrisome, according to MyCentralJersey.
An organization reports a huge increase in domestic violence cases in Bergen County, according to NorthJersey.com.
Hunterdon County approved speed limit changes, according to TAPinto.
Monmouth County had the sharpest increase of foreclosures in the state, according to NJ101.5.
Senator Booker fired off a letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy over the PRAMS suspension.
ICYMI: Booker held a town hall; Sherrill galvanized supporters; Booker made history; Christie considers Habba, gives guv race perspective
Most incumbents won BOE elections, according to NJ Globe.
In Atlantic City, the warning was sounded for NYC casino competition, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The mayor announced a tax rate cut in the budget, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Cape May, the council was unanimous on recycling rules, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Clifton, DeMarzo was hired as interim manager, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Denville, a new ordinance limits invasive plant species, according to NJ Hills.
In Egg Harbor Township, a tax rate increase was proposed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Fairfield, the BOE approved a referendum question, according to NJ Hills.
In Hillsborough, another warehouse developer is suing the town, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hoboken, Scratton will serve as acting BA, according to Hudson County View.
In Jackson, the mayor’s salary was halved, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jersey City, mayoral candidate Ali wants the city to allow youth voting in BOE elections, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, the state is sending three more school monitors, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Madison, administrative costs were scrutinized, according to NJ Hills.
In Marlboro, a judge reopened the filing deadline for a candidate, according to NJ Globe.
In Montclair, neighbors’ concerns over a field played out in court, according to Montclair Local.
In Newark, only 3.4% of registered under-18 voters participated in the BOE election, according to NJ Globe.
In Newton, the council may order a survey of short-term rentals, according to NJ Herald.
In North Caldwell, the budget was introduced, according to NJ Hills.
In Ocean City, a beach bag cleanup program started, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, a council meeting devolved into raucous verbal sparring, according to Paterson Press. Mayor Sayegh has $138k COH, according to Paterson Press. Facing dissent, the mayor pulled a property tax hike proposal, according to Paterson Press. Marc Seemon was appointed Business Administrator.
In Phillipsburg, a hearing on sewer repairs was delayed, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Randolph, the BOE President lost, according to the Daily Record.
In Saddle River, a second female cop sued the town citing bias, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Tewksbury, the town kicked off its anniversary, according to NJ Hills.
In Trenton, councilmembers remained silent on Stacy Park, according to the Trentonian. The city will honor former Mayor Palmer, according to the Trentonian.
AROUND THE WEB:
What’s next for NJ Transit engineers after rejecting contract deal?
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotilght
- The possibility of a New Jersey Transit strike is back in play, as locomotive engineers this week soundly rejected a labor agreement with the rail agency and set the stage for a potential work stoppage next month. An overwhelming 87% of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union members voted against the tentative contract, calling for higher wages and highlighting that train crews have gone without a pay hike for six years.
State PBA bashes ex-Bergen prosecutor’s role in Daniel’s Law coalition seeking changes
Kaitlyn Kanzler, NorthJersey.com
- The New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association has called out a former Bergen County prosecutor for signing on to what it says would be a weakening of a law aimed at protecting law enforcement officials. Several Bergen County PBAs signed a letter criticizing John Molinelli’s decision to be the spokesperson for the newly formed Public Safety Information Protection Coalition, which said it is looking to revert Daniel’s Law to its original 2020 state.
August’s Battle at the Beach football showcase will close out at collegiate venue
Tom McGurk, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- The Battle at the Beach is venturing further inland. The final two days of the high school football showcase will be played at Rowan University, the West Jersey Football League Coaches Association announced on Wednesday.
What Did Councilman Velez Say? Conflicting Claims Emerge After Explosive Council Meeting
Gabriella Dragone, TAPinto Paterson
- A new layer of controversy is unfolding following Tuesday night’s explosive Paterson City Council meeting, with residents, councilmembers, and community activists offering conflicting accounts of a potentially threatening statement made by Fifth Ward Councilman Luis Velez. At the heart of the confusion is a single word — and whether Velez said “gun” or “gut” during a heated confrontation that brought the meeting to a standstill and prompted a five-minute recess.
Art in the Atrium brings expressions of Black art to Chatham Borough Hall
Chatham Courier
- Art in the Atrium, (ATA), a Morristown-based non-profit arts organization which showcases the works of Black artists, is debuting at Chatham Borough Hall at 54 Fairmont Ave. The exhibit opened Tuesday, April 1 and will be on display until Monday, May 12. There will be a reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29. This will give community members the opportunity to meet some of the artists, engage in discussions and learn more about the inspiration behind the works.
Fulop & Collum talk consolidating gov’t, affordable housing, at virtual Town Hall
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, who are seeking the Democratic nomination for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, talked consolidating government and affordable housing at a virtual Town Hall yesterday.
Camden native Mickalene Thomas named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025
Rosa Cartagena, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Camden-born artistic powerhouse Mickalene Thomas was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, the magazine announced on Wednesday.
ELEC: Ajmani raised $223k in Q1 in Hoboken mayoral race, loaned herself $200k
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Hoboken mayoral candidate Dini Ajmani raised $223,347.52 in the first quarter of this year, the majority of which coming from a $200,000 loan, with $201,854.53 cash on hand, her latest campaign finance report shows
How much are the 2025 candidates for New Jersey governor spending on television ads so far?
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- This is “Jeopardy!” the campaign edition. Yes, the New Jersey gubernatorial primary might still be months away but anyone who has flipped on America’s most beloved trivia game will have heard by now that Mayor Steve Fulop took a wrecking ball to corruption in Jersey City, that Rep. Josh Gottheimer is going to fight for New Jersey using common sense and that Sean Spiller — teacher’s union president — supports teachers.
ELEC: Solomon banks $393k for Jersey City mayoral run in Q1, $942k COH
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon banked $392,816.22 towards his mayoral in in the first quarter in 2025, with a collective $941,653.26 cash on hand, according to his latest campaign finance reports.
The Watcher: Will anyone attack Mikie?
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Five New Jersey men are between a rock and a hard place. In the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Mikie Sherrill has been in the lead in every poll, public and internal, but the six-way race remains close, and a large block of primary voters remain undecided. The conventional wisdom is that someone will bludgeon her sometime soon.
10th Amendment could stymie U.S. attorney’s ‘investigation’ of governor, attorney general
Terrence T. McDonald, NJ Monitor
- Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has a big hurdle to climb in her alleged pursuit of an investigation into our governor and attorney general: the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Habba said she’s pursuing a probe of Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which bars law enforcement from becoming de facto immigration agents in the Trump administration’s mass deportation push.
GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Plugs Nuclear Power at Ship Bottom Campaign Stop
Gina G. Scala, The Sand Paper
- Electric, by definition, is power generation or charged excitement. Both uses of the word were on display April 10, sparking a discussion about the state of New Jersey’s energy future. “We should be energy independent, and I believe we will be,” Bill Spadea, a Republican candidate for governor, said during a campaign stop in Ship Bottom, his sixth of the day. “If I am governor, we will be within three years.”
Stockton is in Top 10 for military friendly schools
Access Network
- For the second year in a row, Stockton University has been recognized as a Top 10 school in the country for its outstanding outreach to military veterans.
Guest Op-ed: Stacy Park deserves better — and so do Trenton residents
Jasi Mikae Edwards, Council Vice President, Councilwoman At-Large, City of Trenton
- There are few places in Trenton as naturally beautiful and historically significant as Stacy Park. Nestled along the Delaware River, it has long been a space for recreation, reflection, and connection with nature. In recent years, however, it had become a bit of a jungle — overrun with weeds, dead trees, and a long-neglected building. So, when talk of revitalizing the park began, I, like many residents, was encouraged. The idea of restoring clear river views, removing overgrowth, and making the park more welcoming is something I absolutely support.
Local Families of Transgender Youth Face Struggles, Uncertainty
Tina Kelley, Montclair Local
- Shortly after the Executive Order pulling federal funding for medical care for transgender young people, Allison, a New Jersey parent, moved up her transgender daughter’s appointment for puberty blockers by three days. She didn’t know if her daughter’s doctor would stop providing the hormone shots. Doing so could send her daughter, Abby, 13, into male puberty. The doctor advised Allison if the clinics in New Jersey stopped providing care, the family should move to Canada.
Commentary: Walking in the footsteps of MLK, relevant now, more than ever
Kristin Elliott
- If seven days in the Deep South —- Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham —- immersing oneself in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s sounds somber, you wouldn’t be all wrong.
Do not pay restaurant servers the minimum wage
Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian
- File this one under “Genuinely terrible idea that no one wants.” Our very own New Jersey state Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson introduced a bill last month that would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers — basically, restaurant servers — to the full $15.49 an hour.
NJ senior facility nurses charged after using pepper spray
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- Three employees at an Ocean County nursing center face charges after pepper spray was used on an 87-year-old man. Manchester police said Lisa Erikson, 58, a nurse at the Whiting Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, told officers she used her personal pepper spray to defuse the situation on March 19. She said the man was brought to his room to await for police.
Art All Night in Pittsburgh offers what Trenton’s event used to be
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Road Trip! To Art All Night Pittsburgh 2025 which offers unique works of art, around-the-clock performances from musicians, dozens of films and interactive activities for children and adults. Two years have passed since we visited this fabulous Art All Night event in the City of Champions, Steel City, City of Bridges, Hell With the Lid Off, to name a few identifiers.
Illegal aliens find MVC appointments with ease while N.J. residents can’t obtain Real ID licenses
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- Their priorities aren’t your priorities. New Jerseyans looking for Real IDs on Tuesday night found “0 appointments available” on the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) website, Save Jerseyans, worse than an inconvenience for air travelers who urgently need to land one ahead of a May 7th deadline.
Good morning, New Jersey! It’s time for Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for April 17, 2025. Here’s a rundown of the top news stories and events happening in the Garden State today.
1. COVID-19 Update: As the state continues to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Murphy announced yesterday that New Jersey has reached a significant milestone in its vaccination efforts. Over 70% of eligible residents have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, putting the state on track to meet its goal of herd immunity by the end of the summer. However, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and continue following safety guidelines to prevent a potential resurgence of the virus.
2. Education Funding: In a press conference yesterday, Education Commissioner Smith announced a new initiative to increase funding for schools in low-income communities. The plan includes additional resources for teacher training, technology upgrades, and support services for students in need. This effort aims to close the achievement gap and provide all students with an equal opportunity for success.
3. Infrastructure Improvements: The state legislature passed a bill yesterday allocating funds for much-needed infrastructure improvements across New Jersey. The bill includes funding for road repairs, bridge maintenance, and public transportation upgrades. These investments are crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of our transportation systems and supporting economic growth in the state.
4. Environmental Protection: In light of Earth Day approaching next week, Governor Murphy announced a series of initiatives to protect New Jersey’s natural resources and combat climate change. These efforts include expanding renewable energy sources, reducing carbon emissions, and preserving open spaces. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, the state aims to create a healthier and more resilient future for all residents.
5. Events of the Day: Looking for something to do today? Check out the Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, where you can enjoy the beauty of thousands of blooming cherry trees. Or head to the Jersey Shore for a day of sun, sand, and surf. Whatever you choose, make sure to support local businesses and enjoy all that New Jersey has to offer.
That’s all for Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for April 17, 2025. Stay informed, stay safe, and have a great day!
