Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is not power people are just going to give up voluntarily. This is something that is so entrenched in our politics in New Jersey. They’re not going to change this unless the courts tell them to.” – Rep. Kim on his lawsuit challenging the county line ballot system
TOP STORY: 2024 InsiderNJ African American List in Honor of Black History Month
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Advance publication.
Governor Murphy will deliver the FY2025 budget address today. NJPBS will broadcast and livestream the address.
Governor Murphy expressed unwavering support for Ukraine on the second anniversary of the war.
A Monmouth poll finds 6 in 10 Americans see illegal immigration as a serious problem.
The USDA is partnering with the state to award over $3M in grants to strengthen food supply chain infrastructure.
The state is getting its own professional pickleball team, according to NJ Biz.
Senator Menendez is discrediting search warrants in his corruption case, according to the Bergen Record.
Burlington County has the lowest tax rate, according to Burlington County Times.
Hunterdon County received a grant for a 911 system, according to NJ Hills.
Rep. Menendez joined the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Rep. Sherrill announced funding to boost the state’s manufacturing sector.
ICYMI: Sherrill made case for Ukraine aid; Murphy addressed Drumthwacket confrontation; Murphy’s approval 46%; FIFA coming to MetLife; NYC unions opposing congestion pricing plan; Rutgers poll on state outlook; Kuch family suing schools
Read Insider NJ’s 2024 African-American List in honor of Black History Month.
Rep. Kim and others filed a lawsuit challenging the ballot design in NJ counties where the ‘line’ is awarded, according to Politico NJ.
First Lady and Senate candidate Tammy Murphy has done a 180 on dark money now that she’s running, according to Politico NJ.
Democratic Senate primary candidate Patricia Campos Medina rolled out her campaign leadership team.
Ocean County Commissioners Quinn and Crea won’t seek re-election, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Warren County Democrats will hold their convention on Saturday.
In CD7, Democratic candidate Sue Altman was endorsed by ‘Patriotic Millionaires’.
In CD8, Hoboken Councilwoman Fisher says she can’t support Mayor Bhalla for Congress, according to Patch.
ICYMI: Kim overwhelmingly won the BurlCo Dems convention and secured the backing of Hunterdon Dems after chaotic start giving him three-convention winning streak; Baraka guv candidacy implications and reverberations; Glass departed as Murphy manager; in CD2, Alexander wants another crack at Van Drew; in CD7, Kean strategy contextualized; Kean held fundraiser; Baraka enters guv race; in CD8, dueling polls; Murphy, Kim debated: takeaways and themes; Sacco cleared up intentions w/ developing JC mayoral contest as Hudson politicos key in; in CD8, Menendez released poll showing large lead; Kim’s upset win over Murphy at Monmouth convention; Murphy secured Passaic Dems backing and shows no signs bowing out; Zdan formally kicked off GOP Senate bid; challenge for Somerset GOP, Vice Chair will ‘continue my conversations‘; Pascrell maintained backing of Passaic Dems, Sumter made late play; Speziale putting out feelers
In Bradley Beach, the police chief will resign after a ‘drunk’ incident, according to NJ101.5.
In Caldwell, residents objected to the proposed police headquarters, according to TAPinto.
In Chatham Borough, the council introduced a four-minute public comment limit, according to NJ Hills.
In Edison, a bond ordinance for water meter replacement was approved, according to TAPinto.
In Flemington, the town is seeking a loan to cover sewer repair costs, according to TAPinto.
In Hackensack, the city is appealing to the AG as tensions with police grow, according to the Bergen Record.
In High Bridge, tax assessments caused chaos at a council meeting, according to NJ Hills.
In Jackson, schools forged a deal with the Lakewood busing consortium, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Lake Como, the town is considering the sale of water and sewer utilities, according to TAPinto.
In Lakewood, an audit found the budget is balanced well, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Mount Olive, a comment about artificial turf is stirring debate, according to NJ Hills.
In Paramus, the town is reviewing limits on pet ownership, according to the Bergen Record.
In Somerville, the school district faces a sexual harassment lawsuit, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Sparta, the council rejected a megawarehouse water quality management plan, according to TAPinto.
In West Deptford, the ‘Field of Dreams’ will be dismantled, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: In Paterson, Cotton in gear for re-election; in Parsippany, Musella held fundraiser; in Perth Amboy, Vas announced candidacy, Gonzalez announced candidacy, Pabon endorsed Gonzalez; in Edison, Joshi raised $200k; in AC, Callaway arrested; in Annandale, the continued battle over books; in Annandale, librarian at center of controversy
AROUND THE WEB:
A Progressive Perspective: Hopeful Signs – Andy Kim, Tom Malinowski and John Bramnick
Irwin Stoolmacher, The Trentonian
- I’m a pessimist. I generally see the glass as half-empty rather than half-filled. I’m deeply concerned that there is a real possibility that Donald Trump could get re-elected in 2024. A second unfettered Trump term frightens me.
Community leaders take a deep dive into issues influencing the Black vote
Ande Richards, For Mosaic
- Issues confronting Black voters should not be ignored this election season and we should all recognize that there is some disenchantment among young voters, a handful of experts and community leaders said during a recent panel on New Jersey’s Black voters and the upcoming 2024 elections.
Major Netflix studio complex gets key approval
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- A defunct New Jersey military base is a step closer to becoming a home for Netflix after the video-on-demand and entertainment giant received a key approval to build a massive film production complex at Fort Monmouth, the former army base in Ocean County.
One way to stop illegal immigration: Punish the people who employ them | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- The hard arithmetic related to the border crisis is painful to reconcile, but here are just two numbers that lawmakers should be forced to explain about the hot mess that is U.S. immigration policy: If there were thousands of migrants prosecuted for entering the country illegally last year, why was there a total of 7 prosecutions of employers that hired immigrants without proper documentation?
In hotel franchise fight, both sides warn of impact on World Cup readiness
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- Debate about how prepared New Jersey is for the 2026 World Cup final has focused on the beleaguered NJ Transit and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where the match will take place. No one’s paying attention to the thread counts of sheets and softness of toilet paper at the state’s hotels — but they should be, say industry groups that are fighting legislation in Trenton that would retool hotel franchise agreements statewide.
NJ municipalities with shrinking populations, 2012-2022
Jen Ursillo, NJ 1015
- New Jersey’s population may have grown by 4% over a decade but not these towns, where the population keeps getting smaller. About a third of municipalities in New Jersey, or 187 of them, lost population from 2012 to 2022. Of those, 32 lost more than 10% of their population while 17 lost more than 20%, according to American Community Survey 5-year estimates analyzed by New Jersey 101.5.
NJBIZ unveils 2024 Leaders in Finance honorees
NJBIZ Staff
- The NJBIZ Leaders in Finance awards celebrate New Jersey’s financial executives at all levels who contribute to the success of their companies as well as their communities. And the 2024 honorees are prime examples of leadership in the industry.
Through online ads and murky funding, group targets NJ judicial pick
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight
- A New Jersey trial attorney nominated for a seat on the federal appellate bench has become the target of a new campaign from a right-leaning group critical of his Rutgers Law School past.
Teachers are willing to talk about race, survey finds. LGBTQ issues? Not so much
Charles Daye, Asbury Park Press
- According to a Pew Research Center report, schoolteachers are more comfortable discussing the issues of race and history of slavery than sexual orientation and gender issues. In survey results recently released by Pew, 64% of public K-12 teachers said students should be taught that the legacy of slavery still affects Black Americans today, while 23% said it should be taught as a part of American history that does not affect Black Americans today and 8% should not be taught about it in school at all.
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Good morning, New Jersey! Today is February 27, 2024, and Insider NJ has released its daily Morning Intelligence Briefing to keep you informed on the latest news and developments in the Garden State.
The briefing covers a wide range of topics, including politics, business, and current events. Here are some highlights from today’s briefing:
1. Governor’s Race Heats Up: The race for Governor of New Jersey is heating up, with several candidates vying for the Democratic and Republican nominations. Insider NJ provides updates on the latest campaign developments and polling data.
2. Economic Outlook: The briefing also includes an analysis of the state’s economic outlook, including job growth, unemployment rates, and business trends. This information is crucial for businesses and investors looking to make informed decisions about the New Jersey market.
3. Legislative Updates: Insider NJ keeps readers informed about the latest legislative developments in Trenton, including pending bills, committee hearings, and key votes. This information is essential for residents who want to stay informed about the state’s laws and policies.
4. Local News: The briefing also includes updates on local news and events happening across New Jersey, from community events to school board meetings. This information helps residents stay connected to their communities and stay informed about important local issues.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey, helping residents stay informed and engaged in their state. Be sure to check out the briefing for yourself to stay up-to-date on all things New Jersey!