Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “(The Democrats) forgot what President Bill Clinton taught us in 1992 — ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ We forgot that lesson and hopefully we’ll learn it very quickly.” – Assemblyman Marenco
TOP STORY: The ABCs of PBA Cards
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Rising Generations publication.
The NJDOL reported that the state’s labor market remained steady in November.
Law enforcement ‘courtesy cards’ are under the microscope by the OSC.
NY Governor Hocul accused Governor Murphy of bargaining in ‘bad faith’ over the congestion pricing lawsuit, according to NJ.com.
The FAA has banned flying drones in several towns, according to NorthJersey.com.
The state’s 2025 balloon festival was grounded again, according to MyCentralJersey.
The state has a new portal to allow for self-banning from gaming sites, according to NJ Herald.
The state is readying schools for Trump immigration changes, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Pallone discusses the current Congress, and the future, according to NJ Globe.
Rep. Gotthiemer called for the FAA to immediately brief the public on the decision to ban drones over some towns.
ICYMI: Murphy announced commutations, pardons; officials demand answers on drones; Murphy signed ‘Freedom To Read Act’, Hickson lead-off speaker; Corbett will depart NJT; Assad’s fall sparked celebration; no landing in sight in Monmouth Airport battle; Pfeiffer will serve as Kim COS
Legislation to reschedule the June 2025 primary is on the Governor’s desk, according to NJ Monitor.
Two state lawmakers set for Congress bid farewell, according to NJ Monitor.
Senate Majority Leader Ruiz is the favorite to lead the Legislative Latino Caucus, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Assembly passed a resolution urging the federal government to investigate drone sightings.
Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson introduced legislation to restore fairness in the state’s pension system.
The Healthcare Institute of NJ announced Kyle Sullender as Director of Government and External Relations.
ICYMI: Legislature moves towards ending legal notices requirement; Assembly cmte advanced ballot legislation; Assembly cmte heard ballot bill testimony; ballot questions dogged committee; state preparing to defend against deportation; guv candidates converged at conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked party
In Allentown, the town will sue after Upper Freehold approved warehouses, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small plans to run for re-election, according to NJ Globe. The council approved easements for a offshore wind cable route, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Berkeley, a farm animal rescue was threatened with a nearly $10,000 tax bill, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Denville, the BOE proposed a town-wide ‘book study’ to address mental health issues, according to NJ Hills.
In Dover, a former health employee is suing the mayor and town for alleged unlawful acts, according to NJ Herald.
In Flemington, Liberty Village redevelopment was approved, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Freehold, a Hail Mary idea emerged to save the Raceway, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hawthorne, Council President Matthews was honored for 20 years of service, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, the council voted down a measure prohibiting ‘unconscionable’ rent hikes, according to Hudson County View.
In Morristown, a dispensary is bidding to regain a lost license, according to Morristown Green.
In Ocean City, the council backed off a construction plan, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, former BOE member Torres passed away, according to Paterson Press.
In Princeton, the BOE President called on the council to share PILOT money with schools, according to PlanetPrinceton.
In Roxbury, Holland took the helm of the chief’s job, according to NJ Hills.
In Somerville, a $44M school referendum will be held in March, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South River, a apartment plan hearing was delayed until next year, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Trenton, the police director is opting for a rice hearing in private with the council, according to the Trentonian.
In Wayne, the BOE set dates for the superintendent search, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI n Dover, Ruiz urged disempower ‘party puppeteers’; in Edison, apologies and retractions; in Newark, Crump passed away; in Morristown, familiar name resurfacing; in Marlboro, sign-stealing an issue; in Howell, GOP won election; in Marlboro, voters elected split BOE ticket; in Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away
AROUND THE WEB:
Rep. Menendez: GOP will shut down our gov’t ‘because Elon Musk told them to’
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) is taking aim at his Republican colleagues as a potential government shutdown looms this week “because Elon Musk told them to.” “House Democrats have and always will put the American people first. We negotiated a bipartisan agreement in good faith that would fund the government and support communities across the country, including those ravaged by natural disasters. House Republicans, on the other hand, backed away from their obligations to their constituents because Elon Musk told them to,” he said in a statement.
Addressing the ‘mass panic’ around NJ drones
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- On Monday, four federal agencies — the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Authority — put out a joint statement that 5,000 total reports of drones in New Jersey over the last month have led to 100 investigative leads for the agencies and no detection of abnormal activity.
Scarinci: New Jersey Judges Subject to New Social Media Rules
Donald Scarinci
- Parents of teens are likely familiar with the lecture that everything you post on social media lasts indefinitely and could come back to haunt you. New Jersey judges just got a similar schooling from the New Jersey Supreme Court. On October 24, 2024, the state’s highest court issued a new policy on judges’ use of social media. It comes as a Bergen County Superior Court Judge was recently disciplined for posting TikTok videos in which he lip-synced songs with “references to violence, sex, and misogyny.” Several posts were made in the judge’s chambers and in the courthouse
TikTok and NJ’s small businesses
Raven Santana, NJ Spotlight
- Millions of small business owners — including those in New Jersey — could see their livelihoods in peril now that the popular TikTok app could be banned in the U.S. next month.
Weird sights in the sky not new for NJ. Here is the story of Solomon Andrews’ Aereon ship
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- For all the buzz about drones zipping over New Jersey, the Garden State is no stranger to odd sights in its skies. The drone phenomenon has captured imaginations worldwide, dominating headlines and sparking countless theories.
Luigi Mangione probably used a ghost gun. Why aren’t we outraged? | Opinion
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Just in time for Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and the winter solstice and New Year’s, Republicans and Democrats find themselves face-to-face with a problem they can actually solve together. They can outlaw so-called “ghost guns” like the one used to kill a health care executive recently in New York City.
Guest Oped: Mayor Reed Gusciora ‘sets the record straight’ about Trenton’s housing efforts
Medianews Group
- As President Reagan famously quipped in the 1984 presidential debate, “There you go again.” Once again, L.A. Parker has used the pages of The Trentonian to present a one-sided narrative, neglecting to seek comment or clarification from the City’s Administration. His articles continue to reflect a narrow perspective that misrepresents the ongoing efforts to revitalize our city and support those facing housing challenges.
Biden administration’s drone solution? A commission on ‘congestion’
Oriana Pawlyk, Politico
- The Biden administration is still struggling to offer a coherent response to concerns about drone sightings that have cropped up across the Northeast. For days, the president’s appointees kept silent as buzz about alleged mystery drones escalated. Then they offered vague assurances that whatever the lights in the sky are, there is no sign that they are dangerous or operating illegally — and that many aren’t drones at all, but rather just planes and helicopters.
Netflix at Fort Monmouth approved for $387M in Aspire tax credits
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- The proposed project to bring Netflix’s East Coast production hub to Fort Monmouth took a major step forward. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board approved an award of $387 million in Aspire tax credits Dec. 19 for the more than $900 million proposed studio campus project. The hub will feature over 1 million square feet, sitting on a 292-acre parcel at Fort Monmouth. The campus will include 12 soundstages, backlot areas, an office building and other production support facilities.
Legal battle continues over control of Paterson Police Department
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- “Confusion is the biggest feeling out here right now, because people are just trying to figure out what’s going on,” said activist Corey Teague, as Paterson residents wondered who will be running the city’s police department.
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Insider NJ is a popular news source that provides daily updates on various topics, including politics, business, and current events in New Jersey. On December 20, 2024, Insider NJ released their daily news update, covering a range of important stories happening in the state.
One of the top stories featured in the update was about a new bill that had been introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature. The bill aimed to increase funding for public schools in the state, particularly in low-income areas. This news was met with mixed reactions from lawmakers and residents alike, with some praising the initiative as a much-needed investment in education, while others expressed concerns about the potential impact on taxpayers.
Another key story highlighted in the update was a report on the state’s economy. According to the latest data, New Jersey had seen a slight increase in job growth and a decrease in unemployment rates. This positive trend was attributed to various factors, including a strong housing market and increased consumer spending. However, experts warned that the state still faced challenges in terms of income inequality and affordable housing.
In addition to these stories, Insider NJ’s daily news update also covered a range of other topics, such as updates on ongoing political campaigns, local events, and community initiatives. The update provided readers with a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey, helping them stay informed and engaged with their state.
Overall, Insider NJ’s daily news update on December 20, 2024, offered a valuable insight into the current affairs of New Jersey. By providing up-to-date information on a variety of topics, the news source helped readers stay informed and educated about important issues affecting their state. Whether it’s politics, business, or community news, Insider NJ continues to be a trusted source for reliable and timely updates on all things New Jersey.
