Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for September 18, 2024

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing for September 18, 2024

Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Let me tell you, it’s the first time in six years that I don’t even have to prepare for an election or have an election coming up. There were a couple of years when the Democrats really thought they were going to take me out.” – Senate Minority Leader Bucco at his annual golf event in competitive Morris County

TOP STORY: Ciattarelli and Kim Crisscross Competitive Morris County

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

A Monmouth University poll finds small movement post-debate in the presidential election.

Experts say the state’s ports must change to keep the cost of goods down, according to the Bergen Record.

The DCF awarded funding to expand the universal home visiting initiative.

The Murphy Administration will award $180M in grants towards lead remediation.

The Murphy Administration announced the opening of the income-based Charge Up+ EV incentive.

NJ Transit and the Army Reserve are joining forces to create employment opportunities for soldiers.

NJ farms are saving crops and seeds from war-torn countries, according to the Bergen Record.

Rutgers President Holloway says toxic politics drove his decision to leave, according to NJ.com.

2024 marked the second-worst summer for NJ Transit under Governor Murphy, according to NJ Monitor.

NJ internet gaming set a new record in August, according to NJ Biz.

NJ electric bills skyrocketed during the summer heat wave, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

The new Hudson County courthouse is nearly done, according to Hudson County View.

Senator Booker introduced the ‘Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act’.

Rep. Sherrill tore into Republicans following the second assassination attempt on former President Trump, according to NJ.com.

ICYMI: Legislation pending to honor Pascrell; funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos; Kelly may have helped torpedo Mastro

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

The state will give $20M a year to subsidize horse racing purses, according to the Bergen Record.

ICYMI: Scutari announced bid for another term as Senate President

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

In Parsippany, the state comptroller says the golf course’s $1.3M renovation violated procurement laws.

In Atlantic City, the CRDA approved a settlement of the ‘road diet’ lawsuit, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Bernards, student phone ‘strife and turmoil’ is being probed, according to NJ Hills.

In Chatham, parents asked for community input on accepting Harding students, according to NJ Hills.

In Collingswood, voters decided on the fate of two schools, according to Burlington County Times.

In Hackensack, the city is creating pocket parks with pollinator gardens, according to the Bergen Record.

In Hanover, the engineering department will outsource some functions, according to NJ Hills.

In Harrison (Gloucester), residents blame town leaders for enabling a warehouse proposal, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In Hillsborough, a warehouse proposal was rejected, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Morris Plans, there was a tense planning board meeting over a proposed McDonald’s, according to Morristown Green.

In Neptune, the fired DPW head filed suit against the town, according to TAPinto.

In Newark, monitoring of the schools is ending, according to NJ Spotlight.

In Paterson, three council winners are months late on campaign finance reports, according to Paterson Press.

In Phillipsburg, land was rezoned to fit a developer’s warehouse needs, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

In Secaucus, a fired DPW worker filed a lawsuit, according to Hudson County View.

In South Hackensack, a crowd protested West Bank land sales, according to the Bergen Record.

In Upper Saddle River, the town brought back USR Day, according to the Bergen Record.

In West Orange, an ordinance allows police to stop public alcohol consumption, according to TAPinto.

In Westfield, Councilwoman Mackey resigned, according to TAPinto.

In Willingboro, the town is considering joining the county library system, according to Burlington County Times.

In Woodbine, the town celebrated $1M to clean up a factory and other sites, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

AROUND THE WEB:

NJ proposals for Haitian migrants draws focus of 2024 election

Erin Vogt, NJ1015

  • A measure aimed at providing free contraceptives to Haitian immigrants in New Jersey has been seized upon by conservative blogs — at the same time migrants from the island nation have been maligned by fake stories amplified by former President Donald Trump and his running mate. The “Reproductive Health Access for Haitian Migrants Act” was introduced last week by state Sen. Renee Burgess, D-Essex.

Trump is a threat to democracy. That’s not rhetoric, it’s verifiable fact | Editorial

Star-Ledger Editorial Board

  • The notion that Americans should dial down their incendiary rhetoric is undeniable, but that message cannot be delivered credibly by the person who literally sent a mob to the US Capitol, and then sat back and cheered the thugs who assaulted cops for three hours.

Atlantic Shores CEO: We plan for success

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

  • The state’s leading offshore wind developer — the one that already has key federal approvals for two projects, the one that is already working with some of the top construction and development teams in the state, the one that has continued to push forward even after others have pulled out or asked for a pause — is eager to be the poster child the industry so desperately needs in the state.

A focus on ‘housing first’ approach to homelessness in NJ

Bobby Brier, NJ Spotilght

  • In 2011, Rebecca Deo of Quakertown, Pa. tried a small amount of Suboxone for the first time, the drug given to her by her then-boyfriend, she said. Weeks later, he introduced her to heroin, which she began using regularly with him, she said.

Sixers’ $1.5B arena plan stokes ‘rendering wars’ across New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania

Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, NJ Spotlight

  • It’s no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team owners have been dribbling around for a new home for several years. And the way competition is mounting among suitors, the team could score its new home anywhere in the tri-state region: Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware.

Donald Trump: A method to his madness? Or just madness? | Mulshine

Paul Mulshine, Star-Ledger Columnist

  • In politics, the term “dog whistle” is used to connote a message the speaker wants to send without stating it outright. Until Donald Trump came along. Last week the Donald took that figurative dog and put him on a literal barbecue spit.

Astronauts have taken 1,000 photos of NJ from space. Check out the stunning images

Lori Comstock, NorthJersey.com

  • After New Jersey-born billionaire Jared Isaacman performed the first spacewalk by a private citizen early Thursday, and with future SpaceX missions capable of carrying astronauts between Earth, the moon and Mars, a question arises: What do astronauts see from space?

Gopal, Lesniak: N.J. must expand its recovery high school network | Opinion

Ray Lesniak and Vin Gopal

  • Teens struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) face steep academic challenges. They lose crucial learning time because of health setbacks, absenteeism, suspensions, or time spent in treatment.

Tariffs are just another form of sales tax for consumers | Quigley

Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal

  • A manufacturer makes gizmos in his factory in China for about $5. They’ve been promoted on TikTok and demand for them is rising all over the world. Since the gizmos cost $29.99 over here, you’d think the manufacturer was making a fortune, but he’s earning only a few cents each.

120 New Voters Registered at East Brunswick High School

Maureen Berzok, TAPinto East Brunswick

  • Hey! National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, September 17, 2024. As usual, East Brunswick is ahead of the curve. On Friday, September 13, the League of Women Voters of the Greater New Brunswick Area conducted a voter registration drive at East Brunswick High School. “There was an excellent turnout, resulting in the applications of approximately 120 new voters,” says East Brunswick Social Studies Supervisor Dan Moran.

Abortion an ‘urgent’ mobilizer to the polls as candidates seek middle ground

Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor

  • Dr. Kristyn Brandi was a regular voter who otherwise wasn’t particularly politically active until 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down abortion rights in a landmark decision known as Dobbs. Since then, as states have increasingly restricted or even banned the procedure, Brandi — an Englewood obstetrician-gynecologist who provides abortions — has testified before Congress, opined in the press and on podcasts about reproductive rights, joined like-minded politicians at rallies, and even stocked her waiting room with voter registration forms.

Pro Palestinian protesters return to Rutgers New Brunswick

Dan Alexander, NJ1015

  • A pro-Palestinian group held a rally at Rutgers University Monday despite being banned from campus. Students for Justice in Palestine Rutgers University is the group that held an encampment at the end of the spring semester. It ended when Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway agreed to eight of the group’s ten demands except their two biggest: Rutgers divestment from Israel and and end to the university’s partnership with Tel Aviv University.

Wells’ Dontas confident rate cut is coming — and that N.J. is in position to take advantage

Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com

  • Like most people in the financial sector, Pete Dontas, New Jersey market executive at Wells Fargo, expects that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for the first time since 2020 — perhaps as soon as this week, as the Fed will meet Tuesday and Wednesday. The cut, which figures to be anywhere from 25 to 50 basis points, will provide some relief to the business community, especially those looking to borrow money sooner rather than later.

Trenton’s Guatemalan Parade needs rethinking and reconfiguration

LA Parker, The Trentonian

  • Pandemonium. Bedlam. Mayhem.Those words described the Guatemalan Parade during several tense moments before two city police officers atop motorcycles gained control.The chaotic scene at Division St. and Hamilton Ave. warranted control. One person came to mind when that first police officer arrived via Hamilton Ave. — Joseph Santiago.The former Trenton police director headed the reintroduction

Who is on the ballot in Cape May County?

Nicholas Huba, Press of Atlantic City

  • Below is a list of local candidates in elections in Cape May County.

New Jersey beaches are clear as needles and trash wash ashore in Delaware and Maryland

Jason Nark, Philadelphia Inquirer

  • Officials in New Jersey say there have been no reports of used hypodermic needles or other garbage washing up on local beaches after incidents in Delaware and Maryland over the weekend.

If Virginia is for lovers, New Jersey is for haters

Eric Scott, NJ1015

  • So what if Virginia is for lovers. A curious exchange on X that began on Sunday has millions ready to embrace the hate in the Garden State. It began when @sorkincel posted, “I respect Virginia is for lovers, but we need a state for haters.” That prompted a response from the official NJ X account that read simply, “You called?”

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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for September 18, 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics and beyond. This daily newsletter is a valuable resource for those looking to stay informed on the most important issues facing the state.

One of the key highlights from today’s briefing is the ongoing debate over a proposed bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey. The bill has been a hot topic of discussion among lawmakers and advocates, with supporters arguing that it would generate significant revenue for the state and provide much-needed relief for those suffering from chronic pain and other medical conditions. However, opponents have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of legalizing marijuana, including increased rates of addiction and impaired driving.

In addition to the marijuana legalization debate, today’s briefing also covers a range of other important topics, including updates on the state budget, upcoming elections, and recent legislation passed by the New Jersey legislature. Readers can also expect to find analysis and commentary from Insider NJ’s team of expert political analysts, providing valuable insights into the implications of these developments for the state and its residents.

Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for September 18, 2024 offers a comprehensive and insightful look at the latest news and events shaping the political landscape in New Jersey. Whether you’re a seasoned political junkie or just looking to stay informed on the issues that matter most to you, this daily newsletter is a must-read for anyone interested in New Jersey politics.