Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s going to be a long 18 months for Murphy. He has no capital, no pull. The only thing he can do now is raise money, which is how he got into this in the first place.” – A Democratic state lawmaker on Governor Murphy following the First Lady’s exit from the Senate primary
TOP STORY: Kim, the Line, and the Aftermath: Now What???
Following the stunning departure of First Lady Tammy Murphy from the Democratic Senate primary, Rep. Kim – now the frontrunner and the presumptive nominee – refrained from spiking the football, calling it a ‘very dynamic day’ in a Sunday evening press conference. Kim noted that he had a ‘good conversation’ with Murphy and expressed his ‘respect and appreciation’.
Murphy’s exit from the primary reshapes the legal battle over the ‘line’, according to Politico NJ.
A final vote on congestion pricing could happen this week, according to NJ.com.
Bergen County clergy seek to bridge the Israel-Gaza divide, according o the Bergen Record. Bergen Community College asked the state to reconsider a funding cut, according to the Bergen Record.
Ocean County Commissioner Kelly says the county was ‘better‘ in the 1950s, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Former NJPBS executive Steve Priolo is taking on a business development role with Marketsmith, according to ROI-NJ.
PEM Law announced their launch.
ICYMI: Murphy Senate exit ends counterproductive feud; Menendez may pursue independent re-election; insiders assess line implications, insiders scramble to assess potential line ruling, as behind-the-scenes questions abound, legislative leaders pledged to begin a ‘public process on ballot design’; establishment chokes down potential ‘line’ ruling
Rep. Kim has a delicate balancing act with the departure of First Lady Tammy Murphy from the Senate primary, as he forges forward with the lawsuit to abolish the county party line while also standing to receive the line in counties previously awarded to Murphy.
First Lady Tammy Murphy’s exit from the Senate primary ended the prospect of a Murphy dynasty, according to Politico NJ.
GOP Senate primary candidate Fred Schneiderman will end his bid. Alex Zdan will end his bid.
Senator Stack and North Bergen Mayor Sacco upped the ante in their reanimated war, according to Hudson County View.
Morris County Democrats announced their commissioner candidates.
Somerset County Democratic Chair Schaffer expressed support for Rep. Kim’s Senate candidacy.
In CD2, Salem County Democrats endorsed Tim Alexander. Stafford Democrats endorsed Alexander.
In CD7, the SEIU endorsed Sue Altman.
In CD8, Hoboken Councilman Ramos endorsed Rep. Menendez. Mayor Bhalla filed over 1,200 petitions to be on the ballot. Hoboken Councilman Quintero endorsed Bhalla. Hoboken Councilwoman Fisher endorsed Menendez.
In CD11, GOP interest in toppling popular incumbent Rep. Sherrill seems to have waned over the years.
Primary season is officially underway in Hudson County, according to NJ.com.
ICYMI: Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; Murphy-Kim had all the drama of a food fight; GOP Senate hopefuls celebrated Menendez independent candidacy; Gottheimer wasted no time attacking Guinchard; Campos Medina’s defining image; Stack, Sacco unleash with renewed vigor; Baraka says ballot reform is ‘long overdue’; insiders absorbed contributions of Platkin, Fulop; BurlCo GOP endorsed candidates; in CD7, Kean v. Altman showcases a stark contrast in style; Devine indicted; Fulop rescinded Murphy endorsement; Campos-Medina blistered Camden Dems; in CD9, Pascrell fundraised amid building party drama
In Little Falls, Mayor Damiano and his council running mates filed petitions for re-election.
In North Arlington, Democrats filed petitions to challenge the GOP incumbents.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small will outline the budget, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The police chief and AC Sheriff have different ideas on helping the city, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bayonne, the council agreed to a rent control study, according to TAPinto.
In Bernardsville, the town moved forward on the sewer plant sale, according to NJ Hills.
In Clark, the embattled mayor is seeking re-election, according to NJ.com.
In Evesham, the township plans to take back Evans Elementary School, according to Burlington County Times. The Lenape regional district warned of higher taxes for all but one town, according to Burlington County Times.
In Hillsborough, Britting and Lipani announced their candidacies for committee, according to TAPinto.
In Longport, the post office building met its demise, according to Downbeach.
In Madison, Councilmembers Honahan and Range will run unopposed for re-election, according to NJ Hills.
In Mendham Borough, there will be a GOP primary, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Olive, the town will draw up a third-party utility plan, according to NJ Hills.
In Ocean Grove, the pier remains indefinitely closed, according to TAPinto.
In Paterson, the council meeting room ceiling collapsed, according to Paterson Press.
In Paramus, the town saved $2M on new police communications, according to TAPinto.
In Randolph, school taxes will rise, according to NJ Hills.
In Raritan Borough, the budget was introduced with no tax increase, according to TAPinto.
In Ringwood, schools will cut 30 jobs due to a budget shortfall, according to NorthJersey.com.
In South Bound Brook, the deputy fire chief died after responding to a crash, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Toms River, the regional school district is driving up taxes in four towns, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Wayne, a resolution was passed opposing affordable housing legislation, according to NorthJersey.com.
In West Caldwell, the budget will be introduced, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Jefferson, AFP, Jersey 1st held an event; in Hoboken, Dems endorsed Kim and Bhalla, Chair Hodes resigned; in Trenton, officials hoping for Starbucks change of heart
AROUND THE WEB:
Friendly Fire Special: The surrender of Tammy Murphy
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we prove it every week. Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends. Here, they discuss the week’s events with editorial page editor Tom Moran.
N.J.’s price tag for infrastructure: $10 Billion. Do We Get Our Money’s Worth? | Opinion
Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff
- Typical Trenton. After months of backroom lobbying and horse trading, our state Legislature unveiled, debated, and passed a massive bill to reauthorize the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) over the course of just a few days.
The Withum Way: Jersey firm celebrates its 50th anniversary as model of excellence
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Ivan Brown, one of the original partners of Withum Smith + Brown back in 1974, said he’s not sure when the firm he created with Fred Withum and Len Smith established what has become known as the Withum Way — an iconic business model based on three principles: Serving our people, our clients and our communities.
Six indicted for allegedly stealing $700K from NJ’s brain injury fund
Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com
- The New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Fund was created in 2001 by the state Legislature with the best of intentions: to pay for treatment and equipment for middle- and working-class state residents that insurance does not pick up. And while thousands of New Jerseyans in dire situations have received help for more than 20 years, the fund has apparently become the target of people allegedly trying to scam taxpayer money.
Buc-ee’s in NJ? If it’s coming to the land of Wawa and QuickChek, here’s what must change
David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press
- Just what are your intentions, Buc-ee’s? You put up a billboard on the New Jersey Turnpike advertising that the nearest Buc-ee’s is just 581 miles away. Are you teasing us by floating the prospect that Buc-ee’s, which has 48 stores across Texas and the South — and a recent addition in Colorado — may one day come to the Garden State?
Tammy is out. Now let’s go for the machines. | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Hours before First Lady Tammy Murphy announced her decision to quit the Senate race, she met with a handful of the most powerful county bosses in Newark on a Sunday morning. And that raises a question: Did the bosses press her to quit? Or did she do this on her own initiative, knowing she was likely to lose?
All the president’s men attest: Trump is dangerous | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Mike Pence announced last week that he would not endorse Donald Trump for president, which is probably not a surprise, because even the most cloying devotion tends to ebb when somebody sends an armed mob to your office to hang you.
Why did Tammy Murphy drop out of the U.S. Senate race?
Brent Johnson, Ted Sherman, Susan K. Livio, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The writing had been on the wall for weeks. The campaign itself had become a national issue.
Tammy Murphy’s exit will not slow Kim’s commitment to N.J. ballot reform
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The surprise announcement by New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy that she is ending her U.S. Senate campaign should not slow down efforts to reform the state’s primary ballot system that awards prime locations to candidates backed by county committees of both parties, a political observer said.
Court fight reveals absurdity behind claims about our public records law
Terrence T. McDonald, NJ Monitor
- As New Jersey lawmakers prepare to gut our Open Public Records Act, it would be helpful for them to understand the kinds of roadblocks we already see when using the law before deciding to add more. A recent court battle between the New Jersey Monitor and the state Attorney General’s Office illustrates how the law is misused even now — before those proposed new roadblocks become law.
Presenting the 2024 NJBIZ Health Care Power 50
Jeffrey Kanige, NJBIZ
- Technological advances are reshaping most industries and health care is no exception. In fact, health care providers had been moving steadily in the direction employing new technologies before the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health crisis only accelerated that shift.
We’re suing for the ‘racially charged’ Spotswood bodycam footage the mayor wants destroyed
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- Mayor Jackie Palmer and the borough are arguing that police bodycam footage of a meeting between her and police officers about an incident at Borough Hall should be destroyed because she was “surreptitiously” recorded in violation of state law. The mayor, through her attorney Matthew Moench, also contends in legal papers that she was “intentionally recorded by the police department in the hopes they would be able to obtain something useful to use against her.”
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Good morning, New Jersey! It’s time for another edition of Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for March 26, 2024. Let’s dive into the latest news and updates happening in the Garden State today.
1. COVID-19 Updates: As the pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, it’s important to stay informed on the latest developments. New Jersey has seen a decrease in cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks, but health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and continue following safety guidelines. Vaccination efforts are also ongoing, with more and more residents getting vaccinated each day.
2. Legislative Updates: The New Jersey legislature is back in session, with lawmakers working on a variety of bills and initiatives. From healthcare to education to infrastructure, there are many important issues being discussed and debated. Stay tuned for updates on key legislation that could impact your community.
3. Local News: From city council meetings to community events, there’s always something happening in New Jersey’s towns and cities. Keep an eye out for local news stories that affect you and your neighbors, whether it’s a new development project or a local charity event.
4. Weather Forecast: As we head into spring, the weather in New Jersey can be unpredictable. Be sure to check the forecast before heading out for the day, as rain showers or sunny skies could be in store. Stay prepared with an umbrella or sunglasses, depending on what Mother Nature has in store.
5. Business News: New Jersey is home to a thriving business community, with companies big and small making their mark in the state. Keep an eye out for news on new businesses opening, expansions, and economic trends that could impact the local economy.
Overall, staying informed on the latest news and updates in New Jersey is crucial for being an engaged citizen and member of your community. Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing is a great resource for staying up-to-date on all things happening in the Garden State. Stay tuned for more updates and information as we navigate through 2024 together.
