Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Throughout our history, immigration has provided an infusion of vitality, energy, culture, imagination and yes, faith, which has always nourished the American project. In the present political climate, there has been a well-organized and well-funded effort to cultivate fear and suspicion towards immigrants.” – Newark Archbishop Cardinal Joseph Tobin
TOP STORY: Wimberly Wins Senate Contest by One Vote, Abdel-aziz Grabs Assembly Seat
The Morning Intelligence Briefing will be off on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day and will return on Tuesday.
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Rising Generations publication.
On his first day, NJ Transit CEO Kolluri hired and fired in a shakeup, according to NorthJersey.cm.
The state is leading the effort to protect DACA recipients ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, according to Politico NJ.
The state’s legal tab fighting congestion pricing topped $1.1M, according to NJ Monitor.
The Gaza ceasefire is raising hopes in the state, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Gateway Development Commission named Thomas Prendergrast as the new CEO.
Reps. Van Drew and Gottheimer introduced legislation to end NY’s congesting pricing.
Rep. Sherrill introduced the ‘INCREASING Housing Affordability Act’.
Rep. Conaway was named vice ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Rep. Van Drew says he’d like to keep former Senator Andrzejczak in his USDA post, according to NJ Globe.
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
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Retrospective/2025 Advance publication.
ELEC reports that gubernatorial candidates have raised $15.6M so far.
Rep. Gottheimer named Tzvi Herman as a campaign strategist.
Jack Ciattarelli has a huge primary money edge, according to SaveJersey.
Patricia Campos Medina endorsed Rep. Sherrill for Governor.
In LD32, Assemblyman Allen announced he won’t seek re-election this year, days after Hoboken Mayor Bhalla launched his Assembly candidacy.
In LD34, Assemblymembers Venezia and Morales will run for re-election, according to TAPinto.
In LD35, Assemblyman Wimberly prevailed in the special convention for the vacant Senate seat, besting Assemblywoman Sumter by one vote; the two tied in the first round of voting. Paterson Councilman Abdel-aziz won the backing for Wimberly’s Assembly seat.
In CD9, the GOP offensive in the Trump-district against Rep. Pou has begun, according to NJ Globe.
Kessler PR added Martin Bricketto and John Francis Roman to the firm, according to ROI-NJ.
ICYMI: Sumter, Wimberly collision course; Insider NJ sits down w/ Spiller; Sweeney announced campaign manager; Fulop released primary education video; look ahead at guv race; NJGOP announced Gonzalez as ED; Bramnick made reorg rounds
Senate President Scutari announced committee leadership changes.
Acting Comptroller Walsh hit back after criticism from Senate President Scutari, according to NJ Globe.
Porzio Government Affairs added former Senator Oroho and Thomas Bushnauskas to the firm.
ICYMI: Legislature devised interim solution to legal ads
In Long Branch, Mayor Mancini expressed disappointment with Governor Murphy on energy issues.
In Atlantic City, a new gambling revenue record was set, with a big asterisk, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Mayor Small says he’s only guilty of ‘being a good parent’ in the abuse case, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Berkeley, a condo plan was abandoned before detractors had a chance to fight it, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In East Brunswick, the mayor says the town has a bright future, with challenges, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hackensack, residents oppose a assisted facility plan, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Hawthorne, Lidl cancelled plans for a store, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Neptune, no more homeless were found in a camp in the woods, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Newark, new initiatives were launched to combat homelessness, according to NJ Biz.
In North Plainfield, a e-commerce exchange zone was established, according to TAPinto.
In Middlesex, the town wants to improve Victor Crowell Park, accoding to MyCentralJersey.
In Paulsboro, a councilman berated cops during a traffic stop, according to NJ.com.
In Perth Amboy, the town is seeking state funding for waterfront park upgrades, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Phillipsburg, a social services agency piloted in the town will have to find direction without money from the AG, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Piscataway, the new public safety director vowed an open dialogue, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Toms River, schools are trying to fill a $12M budget hole, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Trenton, the fast-tracking of Arch Liston’s confirmation raises questions, according to the Trentonian.
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:
Trump inauguration 2025 on MLK Day raises questions
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Trump will be inaugurated on the same day that the nation pays tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Murphy needs to settle his congestion pricing lawsuit | Opinion
John Reichmann
- Governor Murphy has squandered an opportunity for New Jersey to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from New York to upgrade our transit system by refusing to settle his unsuccessful lawsuit to stop congestion pricing from going into effect. He now needs to reverse course, settle the lawsuit, and find the funding needed to improve the commute for people from our state.
Retired N.J. troopers win hearing to apply for 9/11 illness disability benefits
Kevin Shea, For NJ.com
- Thirteen retired New Jersey State Police troopers won an appeal Wednesday that will give them a chance to prove they were not properly notified about their eligibility to receive 9/11 illness benefits.
Cellphone ban in NJ schools? Gov. Murphy throws weight behind the idea.
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- During his State of the State address, Gov. Phil Murphy announced his support for a new proposal in New Jersey classrooms: cellphone bans. “Today our children are inundated with screens,” Murphy said during the address Jan. 14.
Transit advocates hope new NJ Transit chief will improve service
Sophie Nieto-Munoz, NJ Monitor
- Thursday marks a new era at NJ Transit, one without the man who has been at its helm for seven years. Kevin Corbett, who was appointed in 2018 as the transit agency’s CEO and president, stepped down Wednesday, with transit advocates and lawmakers lamenting his term at NJ Transit as a missed opportunity to overhaul public transportation in the Garden State. It wasn’t always Corbett’s fault, some said.
N.J. town-by-town median teacher salaries, ranked by district. See latest data.
Katie Kausch, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Median salaries for teachers in New Jersey range from a high of $119,285 in a Bergen County district to a low of $50,235 in one Cumberland County charter school, data from the state Department of Education shows.
Krystal Knapp, Planet Princeton
- Several local residents have claimed that the Princeton Board of Education is improperly funding lawn signs in support of the upcoming $89 million bond referendum vote.
Climate change risk hits NJ homeowners’ insurance
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- The estimated property loss from California’s wildfires will probably top $20 billion. Insurance companies like State Farm have already dumped homeowner policies in New Jersey. And the industry is taking evasive maneuvers nationwide, including in New Jersey.
Trenton Mayor needs to meet the public and the press face-to-face
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- It’s Big Boy pants time in the capital city. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora needs to stand in front of media members and residents to face another crisis, this time, a Trenton Water Works issue that requests customers to limit water use.
Meet the man who wants to develop former OC amusement park
Bill Barlow, Press of Atlantic City
- Eustace Mita, CEO and owner of Icona Resorts, wants to redevelop the closed Gillian’s Wonderland on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Mita, the owner of the property, has proposed building Icona at Wonderland, a 252-room hotel, in its place.
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On January 17, 2025, Insider NJ provided its daily news update, highlighting important events and developments in the state of New Jersey. Here are some of the key stories covered in the update:
1. Governor Smith announces new initiatives to boost economic growth: Governor Smith unveiled a series of new initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth in New Jersey. These initiatives include tax incentives for businesses, infrastructure investments, and workforce development programs. The governor emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly environment to attract new investment and create jobs.
2. State legislature passes bill to expand access to healthcare: The New Jersey state legislature passed a bill aimed at expanding access to healthcare for residents. The bill includes provisions to increase funding for community health centers, expand Medicaid coverage, and improve mental health services. Lawmakers hailed the bill as a major step towards ensuring that all residents have access to quality healthcare.
3. Major transportation project approved for construction: The state Department of Transportation approved a major transportation project for construction in New Jersey. The project, which includes the construction of a new highway interchange and improvements to existing roads, is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for commuters. Construction is set to begin later this year.
4. Local school district receives grant for STEM education: A local school district in New Jersey received a grant to support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education initiatives. The grant will fund new equipment, teacher training programs, and extracurricular activities aimed at promoting STEM education among students. School officials expressed gratitude for the grant and highlighted the importance of preparing students for careers in STEM fields.
Overall, the January 17, 2025, Insider NJ daily news update showcased a range of important developments in the state of New Jersey, from economic initiatives to healthcare access and education funding. These stories reflect the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for residents and promote growth and innovation in the state.
