Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The boss system will never be the same in New Jersey. And some people are reluctant to accept this, but that’s just the truth — that the damage has been done. What you’re going to see is a cleansing of the system of elected officials over the next two, three years.” – Jersey City Mayor Fulop
TOP STORY: Who’s Up and Who’s Down: Week of the NJ Primary
NJ Transit and Amtrak met to avoid a summer of commuting hell, according to NJ.com.
Senator Menendez’s defense team blasted the prosecution’s star witness as a ‘very good liar’, according to NJ Monitor. The defense tried to undercut a ‘weird story’ about a bell and his wife, according to Politico NJ. The US Attorney took the witness stand, according to NJ Spotlight, and testified on a soured relationship with the Senator, according to Politico NJ.
NYC congestion pricing advocates are planning a lawsuit, according to the Bergen Record.
Big businesses say heat relief for NJ workers will slow them down, according to NJ.com.
An invasive species of spider is making its way towards South Jersey, according to the Daily Journal.
A judge approved warrantless searches of locked glove boxes, according to NJ Monitor.
Hudson County approved their budget, according to NJ.com.
Hunterdon County commissioners approved a grant to the Cultural and Heritage Commission, according to TAPinto.
A lawsuit alleges that Middlesex County turned a blind eye to juvenile detention sex abuse, according to MyCentralJersey.
Somerset County named Zachary Berliner as the new Human Services Director.
Senator Booker introduced a resolution recognizing African American contributions to music. Booker introduced a resolution commemorating Women Veterans Appreciation Day.
Rep. Sherrill will introduce a new federal proposal for gun storage, according to NJ.com.
Rep. Pallone is targeting big oil companies over alleged collusion to raise gas prices, according to NJ Spotlight.
ICYMI: Former Essex Freeholder Cavanaugh passed away; Murphy’s approval rating 46%; Gottheimer touted high-speed internet; thousands gathered for Trump rally, Van Drew welcomed Trump, who said ‘we’re going to win’ NJ, will ‘shut down deadly sanctuary cities‘ made endorsement of Serrano Glassner; Fulop celebrates reservoir trail
Facing hefty fines, companies asked a judge to declare Daniel’s Law unconstitutional, according to NJ Monitor.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on juvenile crime concerns.
Senator Gopal wants all rape kits that are turned over to law enforcement to be tested, according to News12.
Assembly GOP Leader DiMaio slammed talk of a potential sales tax increase.
The NJBIA released a infographic detailing the consequences of the $1B proposed corporate transit tax.
ICYMI: Murphy nominated Hoffman for Supreme Court; NJSBA president condemned judge’s remarks; Senate passed OPRA legislation, boos and jeers greeted vote
In Atlantic City, South Jersey Forward released a report on food insecurity in the city. The city will break ground on Pop Lloyd Stadium, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hoboken, the council adopted a ‘skip the stuff’ ordinance.
In Camden, the law for reporting illegal dumpsters was strengthened, according to TAPinto.
In Edison, not everyone is happy with the mayor’s budget address, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hillsborough, schools may walk back some budget cuts, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Holmdel, the environmental commission expressed concern about a housing plan, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, the council is poised to ask the Governor and Legislature for help enforcing the payroll tax, according to Hudson County View.
In Keyport, the town is partnering with Middletown to share court services, according to TAPinto.
In Lakewood, the town is looking for solutions to tractor trailer-clogged roads, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Little Falls, residents’ parking concerns were addressed in a pedestrian plaza plan, according to TAPinto.
In Madison, the fire chief says the department’s absorbing of ambulatory services is going smoothly, according to NJ Hills.
In Mahwah, a pedestrian safety solution is sought for a busy intersection, according to the Bergen Record.
In Mendham, GOP challengers are thrilled with victory, according to NJ Hills.
In Monroe, taxes are increasing, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Neptune, the police have made changes since George Floyd, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Newark, the teachers union approved the contract, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Newton, the town may force property owners to replace lead pipes, according to NJ Herald.
In Paterson, mall owners evicted IHOP over $1M in unpaid rent, according to Paterson Press. Five council incumbents didn’t file ELEC reports, according to Paterson Press.
In Peapack-Gladstone, officials could bring charges as geese support turns ugly, according to NJ Hills.
In Plainfield, Mayor Mapp and Councilor Wyatt argued over a tax exemption, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, the mayor temporarily shut the animal shelter despite a repeal push, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Wildwood, police say they shut down an unsanctioned beach party planned for this weekend, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Bloomfield, Mundell prevailed; in Perth Amboy, Caba prevailed; in White, warehouse five-year fight over; in Paterson, Mendez declared victory; Velez won; Abdelaziz won; in Montclair, Baskerville won mayoralty; in Orange, Mayor Warren secured re-election; in Irvington, Vauss’ allies swept; guide to municipal elections; in Annandale, ongoing book battle; in New Brunswick, freedom of press case may go to state SC; in Roxbury, BOE decision to rescind transgender protections
AROUND THE WEB:
Mikie Sherrill on the Supreme Court’s ethical mess: A Q&A
Julie O’Connor, Star-Ledger
- Justice Samuel Alito is refusing to recuse himself from upcoming Supreme Court cases related to Jan. 6th, after flags carried by the mob that attacked our Capitol were flown outside two of his private homes. Justice Clarence Thomas is also facing calls to step aside, because his wife actively supported the effort to overturn the 2020 election.
These states have the highest, and lowest, housing expenses in 2024. See where NJ stands
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com
- Buying a home isn’t just about the down payment, mortgage and closing costs. It also involves utilities, WiFi, property taxes, homeowners insurance, unexpected repairs and other home maintenance. In fact, these additional costs add up to about $18,118 a year, or $1,510 per month, for a typical single-family home valued at $436,291 across the nation, according to Bankrate’s Hidden Costs of Homeownership study. These same expenses were $14,428 annually, or $1,202 per month, in 2020.
N.J. town fined us $1K for political signs on our lawns, lawsuit says
Anthony G. Attrino, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Four Bergen County residents have filed a lawsuit against the Borough of Lodi claiming their constitutional rights were violated when they were ticketed $1,000 or more for posting large political signs on their front lawns. George Panagiotou, Joan Mastrofilipo, Bernard Guarino, and Joao Mendes, all received summonses for violating the borough’s sign ordinance, which the residents claim violates their civil rights, according to court documents,
New Jersey Budget Deadline Looms: Democrats Push for More Spending
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- It is funny how the math works in Trenton. Gov. Phil Murphy is asking his Democratic colleagues in the legislature to approve a nearly $56 billion budget, which would be another record. The problem is that is nearly $2 billion more than the state has.
Trump’s company: NJ gold club liquor license probe doesn’t apply
Associated Press
- Former president Donald Trump is not the holder of liquor licenses at his three New Jersey golf clubs, his company said Tuesday in response to an inquiry by the New Jersey attorney general’s office into whether his convictions in a New York case might affect those licenses. The Trump Organization issued a statement Tuesday saying the former president is not an officer or director of any entity that holds a liquor license in New Jersey, or anywhere in the United States.
Time to dig: Gateway Tunnel project gets full-funding grant ($6.8B) from federal government
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- It’s time to dig the tunnels. Finally. The $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project received a $6.8 billion full-funding grant from the federal government Tuesday — a celebratory moment for those who have spent more than a decade working to secure the funding on the largest infrastructure project in U.S. history. While work on major infrastructure updates on both sides of the Hudson River already has begun, this grant will begin the process of hiring crews to start the dig that will lead to two much-needed tunnels.
Dispute over control threatens public health initiative
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- A potential battle over control of New Jersey’s nascent public health institute is raising questions about the future of an entity decades in the making and designed to strengthen public health infrastructure, fill gaps in care and reduce disparities. Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), a physician and head of his county health program, said legislation to codify the institute’s structure in state law must be adopted by June 30 for the state to receive $5 million in federal funds that would be directed to the institute.
8 N.J. parents groups labeled ‘anti-government’ on new list by hate watchdog organization
Tina Kelley, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Eight New Jersey parents groups are on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s new listing of anti-government organizations. The parents groups — the New Jersey Project, New Jersey Parents Involved in Education, and six county chapters of Moms for Liberty — were listed in an annual report released last week by the civil rights organization, which tracks extremist organizations.
NJ officials on unruly teens: Parents are part of the problem
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- Just this Monday night, two weeks removed from the holiday weekend, authorities in Wildwood had to respond to a rental property that had countless minors crammed inside, drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. And when the crackdown occurred, the partiers were unfazed. “They’re just so brazen, it’s hard to comprehend,” said Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano.
NJ Shore’s rowdiness gets a hearing
David Cruz, NJ Spotlight
- On a virtual public hearing organized by Republican state Sen. Mike Testa, officials from several Jersey Shore towns on Wednesday vented their frustrations with teen rowdiness on their beaches and boardwalks. Dramatic social media clips from the Memorial Day weekend especially illustrated the worst fears of residents and law enforcement in these towns, where tourism is a $50 billion industry and scenes of violence and chaos are clearly not good for business.
The Battleship New Jersey begins its trip home on Friday. What you should know
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- The Battleship New Jersey will begin its two-part trip home on Friday, June 14. This first trip comes nearly three months after the ship made its historic move to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for drydock and repairs — the first time the vessel left Camden’s Waterfront in more than two decades.
TAPinto Staff
- The MonmouthNJ250 Committee has announced an advisory board to provide historical insight and direction in the county’s efforts to educate the public about Monmouth County’s rich Revolutionary history as part of the county’s commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial, which will take place in 2026.
NJ district partly blames Jewish group for yearbook erasure
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- The schools superintendent believes it was a mistake — not an antisemitic intent — that was to blame for the names of Jewish students being left of the yearbook and their organization’s photo replaced with one of Muslim students. The yearbook included a listing for the Jewish Student Union with a picture of Muslim students. Unlike other club listings, member names were not included.
What’s to blame for NJ Transit train delays? It’s complicated
Benjamin J. Hulac, John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- When a train delay marooned Philip Plotch’s wife at New York Penn Station in late May, she called him, frustrated with the scant information from New Jersey Transit about how it was going to work around the delay. “If you Googled it, it would just tell you to take the train,” Plotch said. Not helpful. Instead, Plotch’s wife rode the subway north to the 96th Street station in Manhattan, where Plotch, a transportation expert who lives in Fair Lawn, picked her up by car.
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Good morning, New Jersey! It’s time to start your day off right with Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for June 13, 2024. Here are the top stories you need to know to stay informed and ahead of the game:
1. Governor Murphy Announces New Education Initiative: Governor Phil Murphy has unveiled a new education initiative aimed at improving student outcomes and closing the achievement gap in New Jersey schools. The program, called “Education for All,” will focus on providing additional resources and support to underperforming schools and districts.
2. State Legislature Passes Climate Change Bill: The New Jersey State Legislature has passed a landmark climate change bill that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy sources. The bill, which was signed into law by Governor Murphy, sets ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of clean energy in the state.
3. NJ Transit Announces Fare Hike: NJ Transit has announced a fare hike for bus and rail passengers, citing rising operating costs and the need for infrastructure improvements. The fare increase, which will go into effect next month, has sparked backlash from commuters who are already frustrated with the quality of service provided by the transit agency.
4. New Jersey Hits Record High Temperatures: The Garden State is experiencing record high temperatures this week, with temperatures soaring into the 90s in many parts of the state. Residents are being advised to stay hydrated, seek shade, and take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
5. Local Elections Heat Up: With local elections just around the corner, candidates across the state are ramping up their campaigns and vying for voter support. From mayoral races to city council contests, New Jersey residents have a lot to consider as they head to the polls in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more updates and breaking news throughout the day. And remember, knowledge is power – so start your day off right with Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing.
