Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The point was whether the exchange of money is before or after. ‘Afterwards, it’s just a payoff. Before it’s a bribe.’ It’s the same! It’s: ‘I’ll pay you later.’ It’s a joke! To hide behind that as a defense is stupid.” – Senator Vitale on legislation to tighten the state’s anti-bribery law
TOP STORY: Sarlo on Trump: “I Don’t Want My Kids to Act This Way’
Early voting in the state starts this week, according to the Bergen Record.
Over 500,000 VBMs have been cast in the state, according to NJ Globe.
Homelessness continues to climb in the state, according to NJ Monitor.
The state released new affordable housing requirements through 2035, according to NJ.com.
A solution is in sight for foggy NJ Transit train windows, according to the Bergen Record.
NJ veterans may finally get their own advocate, according to NJ.com.
A Hughes Center poll finds offshore wind is not a high priority for NJ voters, according to Downbeach.
Jersey Shore voters are more likely to consider a candidate’s stance on offshore wind, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The SCI says hundreds of illicit massage businesses operate in the state including some that have been involved in human trafficking, according to NJ.com.
Hudson County officials and CarePoint workers say the hospital must stay open, with some calling for a probe, according to Hudson County View.
The Monmouth Airport issue is up in the air.
ICYMI: Insider NJ’s Who’s And Who’s Down; labor hit Philly streets as PA Dems build Harris coalition; Philly Dems in gear for Harris; Murphy discussed lowering voting age
Senator Sarlo outlined his opposition to former President Trump.
Rep. Kim and Curtis Bashaw faced off in the News12 debate, according to NJ Globe.
Unopposed, Desiderio is ready for another round on the Cape May County Commission, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Bergen County Sheriff Cureton and GOP candidate Kugler will participate in a forum, according to TAPinto.
In CD3, the House Majority PAC cancelled planned spending in support of Assemblyman Conaway, according to NJ Globe.
In CD5, the State Troopers Fraternal Association endorsed Rep. Gottheimer.
Mayor Fulop is embracing the ‘untested lane’ as the gubernatorial race gains steam, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Van Drew wants to beat back Salerno challenge; Kean in negative overdrive against Altman, Malinowski jumped feet first for Altman; Kim phonebanked; Prempeh faced off against Pou; Kim, Bashaw clashed ; former Guv Kean endorsed Bashaw; CD7 2-point race; Essex Assembly races intensifying; Jones made the case for Harris; Kean, Altman debated, Altman touted poll; Morris’ Ali has had enough of Crispi; Golden touted Monmouth GOP numbers; Bramnick has new argument; NJGOP working to increase VBM returns; Altman poll shows 2-point race
The Senate moved to shield to-be-expunged criminal records from background checks, according to NJ Monitor.
The state Supreme Court declined to examine tax incentives awarded to Holtec, according to NJ Monitor.
Senator Bramnick proposed a task force on civility, according to NJ Globe.
Assemblywoman Stamato introduced legislation to waive sales tax on pet medication, according to Hudson County View.
The Highlands Council approved the 2025 budget, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: Coughlin, DiMaio announced ballot committee; ‘Freedom To Read Act’ advanced; insiders consider Scutari future
Municipalities claim the state’s affordable housing obligations are unconstitutional, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Atlantic City, an appeals court sent the casino PILOT case back to Superior Court, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bedminster, the town was hit with utility ‘mishaps’, according to NJ Hills.
In Bernardsville, candidates differ in the council race, according to NJ Hills.
In Caldwell, the administrator says the town has met ‘difficult challenges’, according to TAPinto.
In Collingswood, youth fights and chaos caused weekend disruptions, according to Burlington County Times.
In East Orange, Governor Murphy will speak with school leaders over the deficit, according to NJ101.5.
In Harding, a student representative says ending the send-to-receive with Madison students would be a ‘shame’, according to NJ Hills.
In Hoboken, the Western Edge fallout with Union City continues, according to Hudson County View.
In Lebanon, residents are concerned with a possible halfway house, according to NJ Hills.
In Millburn, residents suggested delaying the town hall renovation, according to TAPinto.
In Moorestown, a GOP candidate’s real estate firm entered into a judgement with the DOJ, according to NJ Globe.
In Morris Plains, skepticism still simmers over a McDonald’s hearing, according to Morristown Green.
In Ocean City, sex ed rules are at issue again, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, a court rejected the city’s bid to fire a blind city planner, according to Paterson Press.
In Raritan Township, a strip mall may be sold, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Roseland, the GOP endorsed council candidates, according to NJ Hills.
In South Brunswick, a farm may be replaced by a downsized warehouse plan, according to MyCentralJersey.
ICYMI: In Somerville, JFK is on the ballot; in Randolph, council control at stake with huge significance; in Marlboro, BOE race polarized; in Jersey City, Gilmore fundraising presence causes havoc; Solomon slapped at McGreevey as he kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race
AROUND THE WEB:
Kean meets his voters — and shuts down | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- Jack Curtis, a retired school principal from Mendham and a registered Republican for most of his life, was at the local King’s Food Market on Saturday when he saw Rep. Tom Kean Jr. shaking hands in the parking lot. Curtis, now 78, jumped on the rare chance to speak with the secretive Congressman, who has held no public town halls and runs from the press if he sees them coming. Curtis follows the news, so he had seen the viral video of Kean trapped in an elevator at the Capitol, refusing to respond to a reporter’s questions, even on what he had for lunch.
How many people are expected to vote in Bergen County? What to know
Kristie Cattafi, NorthJersey.com
- Bergen County — New Jersey’s most populous county — is expecting more than 500,000 residents to come out to vote on Nov. 5. The county superintendent of elections, Board of Elections and clerk’s office are the three divisions that work together to run every election, from voter registration, ballots and voting to poll worker training and mail-in ballots.
N.J. will cancel up to $150K in student loans for these 9 jobs
Tina Kelley, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- New Jersey residents who work in mental health fields can apply for state help this month to pay up to $150,000 per person in student loans.
Baltimore bridge disaster was ‘entirely avoidable’ | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- “On March 26, 2024, the containership M/V DALI crashed into and toppled the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Tragically, this event took the lives of six construction workers on the bridge and injured two others. In addition, the wreck of the DALI and the remnants of the Bridge obstructed the Fort McHenry Channel, blocking access to the Port of Baltimore and severing key links in the Nation’s transportation and defense infrastructure.
Seeing smoke, South Jersey? Wildland fire at an area military base may be the explanation.
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Officials have warned residents in Burlington and Ocean counties about increased smoke as crews fight a wildland fire within the confines of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The warning was issued to residents via Facebook over the weekend. It was noted that crews could be operating near roadways.
The O’Toole Chronicles: T-Minus 14 Days
Kevin O’Toole, New Jersey Globe
- T-Minus 14 days. Those who don’t care about the mechanics of an election can tune out now and move along to more interesting reading. For those who live and die by the results of elections, I hope this column adds some value. There are essentially two weeks to go before the all-important election. For those of us who have worked on a campaign, served as a campaign manager or was a candidate, you know these last 14 days can make or break you – in more ways than one.
Rockaway wildfire now 85% contained after three days
John Connolly NorthJersey.com
- Firefighters made more progress Monday on a Morris County wildfire in Rockaway Township, authorities said. The “Microwave Wildfire” is now 85% contained and has affected 77 acres after three days, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service posted on social media Monday night. This is an improvement from the 70% containment on Sunday evening. There are now only three threatened structures, down from the 13 that were threatened as of Sunday’s update.
New Jersey drought fuels wildfires and ‘unhealthy’ air quality. Calls to cut water use
Amanda Oglesby, Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press
- As wildfires burn across New Jersey, environmental officials urged residents to conserve water due to months of dry weather that have parched forests and dwindled drinking water supplies. A significant wildfire has been burning at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County since Friday, spreading smoke to surrounding areas, including Ocean County, according to state fire officials.
Democrat McIver looks to lead 10th Congressional District into the future
Claudia Ceva, NJ Hills
- Newark’s LaMonica McIver may be the newest representative of the 10th Congressional District, but she is not a novice to the political scene.
NJ State Police welcome a new employee with an important role
Jen Ursillo, NJ1015
- A Burlington County Animal Shelter dog is lucky to have a new home and a new job. Ace, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt. Christopher Salvato to serve as a station dog for the New Jersey State Police’s Red Lion barracks in Southampton.
Opinion: Why Hispanic businesses choose New Jersey
Wes Mathews, Choose New Jersey
- Behind the doors of family-owned corner shops, high-tech startups, and big businesses, Hispanic entrepreneurs are shaping the fabric of New Jersey. Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to recognize how these business owners, through their passion and persistence, are fueling New Jersey’s economy and adding to the state’s already vibrant communities. New Jersey’s commitment to inclusivity, its thriving economy, and international connections make it the perfect place for Hispanic businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed.
Gender gap in Trump vs. Harris
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- Whether it’s Kamala Harris cracking open a Miller beer on late-night TV or Donald Trump — with muscles added — in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform, the candidates’ are buffing up their macho bona fides to prove they deserve the Oval Office. This presidential election features a giant-sized gender gap between the two, and Harris is seeking to crack the widening share of males backing Trump. Meanwhile, traditional masculinity is a critical issue for Trump, said Dan Cassino, the Fairleigh Dickinson University pollster who has surveyed the issue.
Push for anonymous reporting of threats to schools
Hannah Gross, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey lawmakers are moving to allow anyone to anonymously report possible threats or dangerous behavior to improve school safety following a rash of threats at the start of the school year. The bill, which advanced out of the Assembly Education Committee unanimously on Monday, directs the attorney general to create a program that lets members of the public anonymously report information about “potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities in schools or the threat of those activities” via a telephone tip line or mobile app.
Do NJ’s mental health emergency-response programs work together?
Taylor Jung, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey now has several programs in place to respond to emergency calls to help people experiencing a mental health crisis. The question now is, how do these programs work together? These programs were launched after several separate incidents where police shot and killed people in crisis, often after family members called for help.
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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for October 23, 2024
Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing is a daily newsletter that provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics and government. The briefing covers a wide range of topics, including legislative updates, campaign news, and analysis of key issues facing the state.
In the October 23, 2024 edition of the Morning Intelligence Briefing, readers were greeted with a detailed analysis of the upcoming gubernatorial election in New Jersey. The newsletter highlighted the latest polling data, campaign strategies, and key endorsements that could impact the outcome of the race.
Additionally, the briefing provided readers with updates on key legislative initiatives, including efforts to address climate change, improve healthcare access, and support small businesses in the state. The newsletter also featured analysis of recent court rulings and their potential impact on New Jersey residents.
One of the standout features of Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing is its in-depth coverage of local politics and government. The newsletter regularly highlights important developments at the county and municipal levels, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the issues that matter most to their communities.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing is a valuable resource for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics. With its comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis, the newsletter provides readers with the information they need to stay engaged and informed about the issues that matter most to them.
