Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Those political concerns, however important they may be to you, have absolutely no bearing on [my] ultimate decision in this case.” – Judge Quraishi acknowledging the political ramifications of the ballot lawsuit
TOP STORY: Coughlin Watches for the Payoff Quraishi Pitch
Insiders absorbed the public political contributions of Matt Platkin and Steve Fulop this week with an admixture of disgust, and self-regret and recrimination.
The Burlington County GOP endorsed candidates.
Gloucester County Republican backed Curtis Bashaw for Senate and Claire Gustafson in CD1, according to Burlington County Times.
In CD7, Kean v. Altman showcases a stark contrast in leadership styles.
Political consultant James Devine was indicted for allegedly fraudulently attempting to place a 2021 Democratic gubernatorial primary candidate on the ballot.
GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Bill Spadea rolled out a 10-point immigration enforcement plan, according to SaveJersey.
ICYMI: Fulop rescinded Murphy endorsement; Campos-Medina blistered Camden Dems; in CD9, Pascrell fundraised amid building party drama; Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; HCDO awarded line to Murphy, Camden Dems endorsed Murphy, Kim secured backing of AC Dems, Morris Dems endorsed Kim; MCDO announced candidates; Poll: Who will win the Dem Senate primary; Murphy secured the backing of MCDO; Murphy unleashed on Kim over TikTok; allies joined line lawsuit; Kim won Mercer Dems backing, won Ocean Dems backing, Murphy’s convention victory in Bergen, convention win in Somerset; Speziale blasted Adamo; Passaic Dems selected Adamo for sheriff, against off-the-line candidate Speziale; Fulop sees a ‘clear lane’; Murphy plans to ‘be everywhere’; Passaic GOP announced candidates
Governor Murphy appointed Margaret Chaly as HESAA Executive Director.
Governor Murphy plans to divert nearly $600M from the state’s debt-relief account, according to NJ Spotlight.
Senate President Scutari says an amended OPRA reform bill may come in April, according to the Bergen Record.
Senate Minority Leader Bucco unleashed on AG Platkin following his letter to Judge Quraishi, slamming Platkin for ‘pursuing his own political agenda’.
Senator Singleton introduced legislation to address school funding cuts.
GOP Assemblymen sparred over the LGBTQ business certification bill, according to NJ Monitor.
The group ‘Patients Come First’ was launched.
ICYMI: Fight of the Week; Coughlin pulled OPRA bill; ELEC’s top ten lobbying firms; OPRA reform advancing amid much opposition; Murphy promoted Hamilton to press secretary; McGreevey, Bramnick exchange; Bramnick says one-party rule diminishes checks and balances
In Bloomingdale, the mayor and Democratic councilmembers endorsed Chief Adamo for Passaic County Sheriff.
In Atlantic City, beach erosion has casinos desperately seeking sand, according to NJ101.5.
In Bernardsville, an employee cited ‘intolerable’ work conditions, according to NJ Hills. The GOP backed Riberio and Zazzarino in the primary, according to NJ Hills.
In Chatham, the BOE introduced the budget, according to NJ Hills.
In Clark, three police officers filed a suit to keep their positions, according to UC Hawk.
In Jersey City, the council is considering amending or reintroducing the e-bike delivery ordinance, according to Hudson County View.
In Long Hill, police security and a metal detector were authorized at public meetings, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Olive, the BOE may raise taxes, according to NJ Hills.
In Ocean City, the mayor says the town remains the best investment, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Phillipsburg, the town is considering a 11% tax increase, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Sayreville, voters may decide the fate of the Old Fire House, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Ventnor, a polling location was changed, according to Downbeach.
In Hoboken, Dems endorsed Kim and Bhalla, Chair Hodes resigned; in Trenton, officials hoping for Starbucks change of heart
AROUND THE WEB:
Unilever announces plans to spin off ice cream unit, cut 7.5K jobs
Kimberly Redmond, NJBIZ
- As part of a company-wide restructuring effort, London-based Unilever unveiled plans to spin off its ice cream division into a standalone business. In a March 19 announcement, the consumer goods giant – which has its U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs – said it believes the separation will enable it to become “a simpler, more focused company.” Unilever will now have four distinct divisions across beauty & well-being, personal care, home care and nutrition.
EV group: ‘State’s aggressive EV mandates are on collision course with our fiscal realities’
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The arguments are simple: For those looking to maintain the state’s roads and bridges, it goes like this: Increasing the gas tax and placing a tax on electric vehicle owners is the best way to ensure that those who use them help care for them.
Feds seek input on 157-wind turbine project off Long Beach Island
Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press
- A federal agency is seeking public input starting this week on a wind energy array containing as many as 157 turbines off Long Beach Island. The Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project would stretch from Atlantic City to Barnegat Light and at its closest approach, be 8.4 miles offshore, according to documents released by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM. The project is expected to power about 700,000 homes, according to the company’s website.
NJ’s Democratic Senate primary chaos went to federal court Monday. What’s next? | Stile
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- The chaos of the Democratic U.S. Senate primary moved into a federal courtroom Monday in a case that could very well strip away from New Jersey’s county bosses the most powerful tool at their disposal: the use of the county line on primary ballots.
Court hearing exposes silliness behind fight to protect the county line
Terrence T. McDonald, NJ Monitor
- I was hoping for a knockout punch during Monday’s court hearing in Rep. Andy Kim’s push to abolish the county line. Alas, both sides made some good arguments, so it’s still a mystery which way U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi will decide as he mulls whether county-line ballots are an unconstitutional affront to democracy, as Kim argues. Though I think Quraishi’s courtroom comments indicate he’s at least a smidge sympathetic with Kim’s arguments.
Huge fight that could slam N.J.’s boss-driven politics rages in federal court
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- A long-simmering fight over New Jersey’s unique primary ballot design reached a federal courtroom Monday in a case that has the potential to upend not only the state’s tense U.S. Senate race but Garden State politics in general.
Here are the Republicans that voted to raise New Jersey’s gas tax
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- Democrats muscled through a hike in the gas tax on Monday, rejecting attempts by Republican lawmakers to delay the bill and potentially soften the blow to New Jersey drivers. Both the Senate and Assembly approved a 1.9 cents per gallon increase in the gas tax every year for five years as well as new fees for owners of electric vehicles.
Will Murphy sign bill to raise gas tax, collect registration fees on zero-emission vehicles?
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- It’s now up to Gov. Phil Murphy to determine whether motorists who drive electric vehicles will be charged a fee for the first time to help fund the maintenance of the state’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure. Legislation that calls for a new registration fee for zero-emission vehicles as part of efforts to renew New Jersey’s expiring Transportation Trust Fund cleared the Legislature on Monday.
Affordable-Housing Changes Could Boost Local Obligations
Katie Moen, Union County Hawk
- Proposed amendments to New Jersey’s affordablehousing laws could spell trouble for land-poor communities like Westfield, Mayor Shelley Brindle said Tuesday. “Last month, the Assembly passed an affordable-housing bill, and now it is barreling through for a full vote by the Senate on Monday,” Mayor Brindle said. “I speak to other mayors very regularly, and there are alarm bells going off all over the state. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat.”
Trenton needs to be more open and transparent about crimes, not just Starbucks
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- The manhunt for alleged murder suspect Andre Gordon, accused of killing three family members Saturday morning in Bucks County, produced various sights and circumstances as the search ended in the City of Trenton. First, the bad news. After blocking off numerous roadways and blocks with police, trucks, police cars and other machinery, the arrest of Gordon came blocks away and more than five hours after he landed in the capital city.
Industrial buildings OK’d across from Monmouth Battlefield, but developer must do this
Olivia Liu, Asbury Park Press
- Plans for four 48,140-square-foot industrial buildings sitting directly across from the Route 33 entrance to Monmouth Battlefield State Park were conditionally approved by a 5-to-3 vote after a combative planning board meeting. Board chairwoman Kathy Kwaak and board planner Jennifer Beahm said the board’s hands at Thursday night’s meeting were tied in favor of approval and argued that the board could not take into consideration a number of factors.
How much tax revenue could Somerville make from its first marijuana dispensary?
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- A proposal for the county seat’s first marijuana dispensary is scheduled to be heard by the borough Planning Board on March 27. Root 22 Dispensary is proposing to convert the Sunoco gas station at the corner of Route 22 and Gaston Avenue, in the borough’s far northeastern corner on the Bridgewater border, into a recreational marijuana store.
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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for March 20, 2024
Insider NJ is a leading source of news and information for New Jersey residents, providing in-depth coverage of politics, policy, and current events. Their Morning Intelligence Briefing is a daily email newsletter that delivers the latest news and analysis straight to your inbox each morning.
In the March 20, 2024 edition of the Morning Intelligence Briefing, Insider NJ covered a wide range of topics that are of interest to New Jersey residents. One of the key stories featured in the briefing was the upcoming gubernatorial election, which is set to take place later in the year. The briefing provided an overview of the candidates who are running for governor, as well as their platforms and key policy positions.
In addition to political news, the Morning Intelligence Briefing also covered other important issues facing New Jersey, such as the state’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing included updates on vaccination efforts, case numbers, and any new public health measures that were being implemented to curb the spread of the virus.
Another key topic covered in the briefing was the state budget, with Insider NJ providing analysis of Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The briefing outlined key spending priorities, revenue projections, and any potential areas of contention between the governor and the state legislature.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for March 20, 2024 provided New Jersey residents with a comprehensive overview of the most important news and events happening in their state. By delivering this information directly to their inbox each morning, Insider NJ helps residents stay informed and engaged with the issues that matter most to them.
