POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Sweeney frustrated by Callahan but votes to confirm him

Matt Friedman's must-read briefing on the Garden State's important news of the day

Dec 17, 2021 View in browser   By Matt Friedman Good Friday morning! After four years in acting status, State Police Superintendent Superintendent Patrick Callahan appears on his way to confirmation. But the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of his nomination yesterday came only after Senate President Steve Sweeney, whose house has held it up for so long, took some verbal flesh. The Senate president aggressively questioned Callahan over his refusal to say whether Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck talked with him over State Police's lack of enforcement of the Statehouse vaccine or test mandate earlier this month. Citing an internal investigation that the governor recently announced, Callahan stonewalled. "With all due respect Colonel, I think you're stonewalling us," Sweeney said. Hmmm… A public official refusing to answer valid questions by citing an internal investigation. I think Sweeney just got a hint of what it feels like to be a New Jersey state government reporter. Read more about it here. WHERE'S MURPHY ? At the port in Newark at 11 a.m. to "highlight New Jersey's supply chain infrastructure" QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I've read it … It's not something that I would foresee." — Gov. Phil Murphy on whether the state should follow New York City's lead on allowing non-U.S. citizens, like green card holders and DREAMers, to vote in local elections PROGRAMMING NOTE — NJ Playbook will take a two-week holiday hiatus beginning Monday. I'll be back in your inbox on Jan. 3. But I'll still be reporting. Keep sending tips. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — My mother-in-law Pat (who will never see this), U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., former Menendez aide Paul Brubaker, former GOP staffer Abraham Lopez, former pensions director Fred Beaver, Princeton University's Jacqueline Sikoff and everyone else whose birthday falls in the next two weeks. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com COVID SCORE — Nearly two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, we're beginning to get enough data to evaluate how well states handled the crisis. Each state shaped its own response differently, and you can see the results in POLITICO's State Pandemic Scorecard. See how New Jersey and other states fared here. WHAT TRENTON MADE THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS — "New proof Atlantic City casinos doing well; tax breaks near," by The AP's Wayne Parry: "With New Jersey lawmakers just days away from considering big tax breaks for Atlantic City's casinos, saying that as many as four are in danger of closing, state regulators released the latest evidence Thursday that the casinos appear to be doing just fine. Figures released Thursday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement show the total gaming revenue of the nine casinos, along with online gaming and sports betting, was nearly $440 million in November, up more than 52% from a year ago … The casino industry instead uses 2019 — the year before the pandemic — as its reference point. And even that comparison shows the casinos doing much better this year, bolstered by sports betting and internet gambling winnings. The $4.3 billion won so far this year is still more than 34% better than the amount they won over the first 11 months of 2019 … New Jersey's outgoing state Senate president, Steve Sweeney, has said that if the tax break bill does not pass, as many as four of the nine casinos would be in danger of shutting down. He has offered little evidence to back up that statement, and no casino has publicly made that claim." —@AcEconPolicy : "Casino Lobbyist have done an amazing job. They have positioned their casino clients to obtain $350+ million in tax relief. A portion of the tax burden shift actually coming at the expense of the elderly & handicapped. Moving the legislation in weeks, w/ virtually no debate." ON THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION — "Murphy pushes nominee on Waterfront Commission as N.J. seeks to kill it," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: " It's no secret that New Jersey wants to kill the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. And the U.S. Supreme Court recently decided it would not stand in the way of the state's withdrawal from the interstate compact that led to the creation of the watchdog agency more than 65 years ago. So why is the Murphy Administration now nominating a new state representative to the commission that it is looking to eliminate? For that matter, why did it nominate Joseph M. Sanzari, who has boasted of his friendship with Harrold Daggett, international president of the International Longshoremen's Association — and an ardent foe of the Waterfront Commission, who has chafed at its enforcement efforts over the years? Administration officials defended the nomination, which [was approved] on Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. A spokesman for the governor's office said Michael Murphy, an attorney and former Morris County prosecutor who now represents the state's interests on the commission, had conflicts that prevented him from continuing to serve. The spokesman, Michael Zhadanovsky, said a new commissioner needed to be in place to make sure there was continued representation of New Jersey, while the agency was being dissolved." NOT GREAT — "N.J. reports big spike to 6,271 COVID cases, the most positive tests since last winter's peak day," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson: "New Jersey on Thursday reported another 16 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 6,271 confirmed cases — the state's highest one-day total for confirmed positive tests since Jan. 13, the peak day from last winter's pandemic surge. The state has had just five days this year with more than 6,000 cases, including the 6,922 reported on Jan. 13. New Jersey had two days in December 2020 with more than 6,000 cases … There were 1,756 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases across New Jersey's 71 hospitals as of Wednesday night. That's 26 more than the night before, despite 225 patients being discharged in the same 24-hour span. It's also highest number of patients since April 27." —"NJ school COVID cases have reached their highest levels since September" MURDER PAROLE — "Black police groups will argue before N.J. Supreme Court to grant parole to man convicted of killing trooper ," by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: "The New Jersey Supreme Court has granted requests from 10 organizations to file legal briefs or make oral arguments when it hears the parole case of Sundiata Acoli, who's been imprisoned for 48 years for the killing of a state trooper. Four of the groups are organizations of Blacks in law enforcement, and seven will argue that Acoli, now 84, is being unjustly barred from parole for the 1973 killing of Trooper Werner Foerster and wounding of another trooper on the New Jersey Turnpike, lawyers for the organizations say. A core issue issue is whether Acoli, who was known as Clark Squire in the early 1970s, is likely to commit another crime if set free. The New Jersey Parole Board has argued recently he is likely to do so. Lawyers for Acoli's cause say it's preposterous. He's an 84-year-old man in the early stages of dementia who still suffers from a serious case of COVID-19 last year for which he was hospitalized. The board wants to keep punishing Acoli, they argue." WHERE IN NEW JERSEY IS THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA LOCATED? — "Republican lawmakers cite UPenn swimmer in latest push for trans-athlete bill ," by The Press of Atlantic City's Eric Conklin: "First Legislative District Republicans on Tuesday continued to press the state Legislature to vote on a student-athletics bill pertaining to transgender athletes. The lawmakers have sponsored a bill that would bar student-athletes from competing in sports based on gender identity. They cited recent developments from the University of Pennsylvania women's swimming team for the push. Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, recently broke university and college swimming records at a recent meet, yielding praise for equality and criticism for her perceived advantage despite saying she's taken testosterone blockers for more than a year. 'We cannot allow those pushing this agenda to negatively affect women and their ability to participate safely in school-sanctioned sports,' Assemblyman Erik Simonsen … said in a statement." DON'T BASE YOUR DINING PLANS ON PROJECT VERITAS VIDEOS — "We're done with dining out in New Jersey," by Jennifer Moses for The Star-Ledger: "Dear New Jersey: Why haven't you instituted a state-wide VAX pass for restaurants? I ask because my husband and I, now well into our empty nest years, love nothing better than dining out, trying new restaurants, seeing one another as if anew in the glow of candlelight and red wine. And yet, as of last week, we're done dining out, or at least we're done dining out in New Jersey." IN SINGAPORE THEY HAVE GUM CONTROL — Senate committee advances one bill in Murphy-backed gun control package, by POLITICO's Daniel Han : Just one piece of an eight-bill gun control package backed by Gov. Phil Murphy advanced in the Senate on Thursday. The chamber's Law And Public Safety Committee released NJ S372 (20R), which would require new residents to register certain guns and obtain a firearm purchaser identification card when moving into New Jersey — something they're currently not required to do. No other measures from Murphy's gun control package were posted in the committee. All eight bills cleared the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday. 26 AND 6.6: THE DEVIL'S NUMBER IS STARING YOU IN THE FACE, FOLKS — New Jersey added nearly 26K jobs in November; unemployment rate drops to 6.6 percent, by POLITICO's Katherine Landergan: New Jersey added 25,800 jobs in November and the state's unemployment rate dipped to 6.6 percent, according to preliminary data the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released Thursday. New Jersey's unemployment rate has been stubbornly high compared to other states, but the unemployment rate trended in a good direction in November, dropping by 0.4 percentage points. The state added a net of 25,800 jobs, driven by growth in the private sector. The state has now recovered 548,500 jobs, or about 76 percent of the number lost in March and April 2020 at the start of the pandemic. The state's unemployment rate peaked at 16.6 percent in April 2020. AN EDUCATION — An enticement to recruit young poll workers: College credit, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Facing a post-pandemic shortage of poll workers and new, more technologically-advanced voting systems, New Jersey has twice raised wages to attract more workers on Election Day. Now, a powerful state lawmaker is proposing another form of compensation to both attract more poll workers and reduce their average age: College credit. Senate Judiciary Chair Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), who will become Senate president next month, has introduced legislation, NJ S4261 (20R), that would direct the Secretary of Higher Education to create guidelines for colleges and universities to award a single credit for each full day a student works the polls. "The importance of elections and especially the increasing use of technology in elections might bode well for younger folks to work the polls," Scutari said in a phone interview. QUARANTINE — "N.J. schools can cut quarantines to as few as 7 days for students exposed to COVID, new guidelines say," by NJ Advance Media's Kelly Heyboer : "New Jersey students who come in close contact with classmates who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer need to stay out of school for 14 days, under new guidelines released Thursday by state health officials. Students who are 'close contacts' — meaning they spent more than 15 minutes within three feet of a classmate or teacher who tested positive — will now only need to quarantine for seven days if they test negative or 10 days if they don't get a test, the new guidelines say." —" Acting Attorney General announces racial justice efforts, anti-discrimination policy for 720K workers" —Moran: "The automatic tax hike that comes with inflation" —Pizarro: " Who will be the Next Goldman Sachs Guy to Break Sweeney's and Fulop's Hearts?" —"Why didn't the Port Authority hike your tolls this year while N.J. toll roads did?" —" Same-sex marriage codification clears senate committee" —"Wallace adjourns for [Thursday] without sharing maps with both parties"   JOIN TODAY FOR A WOMEN RULE 2021 REWIND AND A LOOK AHEAD AT 2022: Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year that has major implications for women's rights. Join Women Rule editor Elizabeth Ralph and POLITICO journalists Laura Barrón-López, Eleanor Mueller, Elena Schneider and Elana Schor for a virtual roundtable that will explore the biggest legislative and policy shifts in 2021 affecting women and what lies ahead in 2022. REGISTER HERE.     BIDEN TIME —"Philip Sellinger, Morristown lawyer, sworn in as U.S. Attorney for NJ" PINOS — " National progressive group labels six lawmakers 'progressive in name only' in new report" —"Parties have still not seen each other's submissions of N.J. congressional map" LOCAL 'OK, YOU'RE NOT IN TROUBLE. JUST PROMISE NOT TO COMMIT BLATANT ELECTION FRAUD EVER AGAIN' — "Paterson Councilman Alex Mendez seeks pre-trial intervention in election fraud case," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Councilman Alex Mendez is asking that his pending election fraud indictment be resolved through pre-trial intervention, a program that would wipe away his criminal charges if he completes it. The New Jersey Attorney General's Office previously rejected Mendez' application, an action that was not made public until Thursday. But the councilman has appealed the AG's decision. The two sides on Thursday morning argued their cases regarding Mendez' PTI application before Judge Soleil Mohammed in Superior Court in Paterson. The judge said he would render a decision by Jan. 18. During the hearing, none of the lawyers who spoke addressed whether acceptance into PTI would allow Mendez to continue serving on the council, or how it would affect his announced plan to run for mayor next May … But Mendez' lawyer, Paul Brickfield, said in an interview after the hearing that he would not accept a PTI package that barred his client from staying on the council." —"Luis Velez joins race to take on incumbent Andre Sayegh for Paterson mayor" FOOD FOR THOUGHT — "Gross school lunch photos went viral. Who in NJ is responsible for serving healthy meals?" by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Some New Jersey schools serve healthy, organic meals full of leafy greens and whole grains. Others serve food that's almost inedible. In the middle are schools serving over-processed chicken fingers and sugary bottles of iced tea — nothing horrendous, but not exactly healthy. And these lunches are sometimes the only meal a child eats in a day … Schools can take advantage of the National School Lunch Program, in which the federal government reimburses them for meals. And schools with an active Parent-Teacher Association can supplement what's provided with food from a school garden or a local restaurant … But ultimately, in New Jersey, the task of making sure that local school districts' breakfast and lunch programs adhere to 306 pages of federal regulations falls upon 10 full-time field workers in the state Agriculture Department. Those 10 people must conduct on-site compliance reviews of almost 800 local entities — called School Food Authorities (SFAs) — that oversee close to 2,500 New Jersey schools with about 1.3 million students." III ON IV — "Bergen County executive praises how his son's arrest was handled by Florida officer ," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "As he was being arrested in Florida last month, James Tedesco IV appeared to try to avoid repercussions for his actions by mentioning … his father, County Executive James Tedesco III. Tedesco the elder said he found out only after video of the traffic stop and subsequent arrest became publicized. 'I was unaware that JJ mentioned my name and position during the traffic stop,' Tedesco said in a statement released to NorthJersey.com on Wednesday. 'I applaud the Indian River sheriff's officer for giving it no consideration and conducting himself professionally — he very well may have saved JJ's life.' James Tedesco IV was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. He was released after posting $26,000 in bond. He was initially stopped for allegedly speeding and displaying blue and red lights in his vehicle, similar to the lights on a police car. The county executive said that 'far too often, those most in need of help do not recognize it until after a self-destructive event' and that the 'outcome for my son JJ could have been much worse, and I am grateful that he is now receiving the treatment he desperately needed.'" SUPER PACS LAUGH — " Despite public outcry, Hoboken council narrowly raises local union donation limit to $7,200," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Despite a public outcry, the Hoboken City Council narrowly approved an ordinance that will raise the local union donation limit to $7,200, the amount state [guidelines] allow, rescinding the prior $500 maximum contribution locally … 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, a primary sponsor of the legislation along with Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, has argued that the current campaign finance laws — often referred to as pay-to-play — are broken, citing 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco's 2019 re-election bid. He accepted roughly $90,000 over the city's limits, going by the state guideline of $7,200 for union contributions, as opposed to the $500 limit in the Mile Square City. While there is a court filing related to this matter, it's been in court for roughly 26 months and doesn't appear to be making much headway. Conversely, Stronger Foundations, the super PAC Fallick alluded to, spent $70,000 on then-Councilman-at-Large Ravi Bhalla's mayoral bid in 2017, which is legal though some argue is still against the spirit of the law on the books." SANTACONSERVATIVES PISSED — "Hoboken orders last minute COVID vaccine mandate for SantaCon ," by The Record's Nicholas Katzban: "Less than two full days before the return of SantaCon, Hoboken issued an executive order Thursday requiring all participating bars to check the vaccination status of their patrons. The policy may be a relief to anyone concerned the event could prove to be a superspreader event, as COVID-19 cases continue to climb, but it leaves bar staff scrambling to coordinate compliance ahead of the massive event. 'I think it's crazy to give people two days to figure out how to organize this, because it's already a lot to organize,' said Gail Ellisse, a manager at Willie McBrides … But city officials saw a much more pressing issue looming with positive COVID-19 cases on the rise ... Last week, Marilyn Baer, a spokesperson for the city, said it was 'unfortunate and, frankly, irresponsible' for SantaCon's organizers to bring the event back, after they had cancelled the pub crawl last year due to the pandemic." —"West New York raises minimum wage for town employees to $15 an hour" —" Jersey City Council votes 8-1 to implement new inclusionary zoning ordinance" —"Ocean County officials: Stop Jan. 1 toll hikes on Garden State Parkway, AC Expressway" —" Former Hackensack employee files lawsuit, alleges sanitation trucks pose danger to public" —"Novartis HQ tower in East Hanover to be demolished; developer will build industrial space" —" Wayne teachers secure raises of up to 3% in new contract with school board" —"Quinn declines Millville commission seat, citing personal reasons" —" Passaic County in talks to reopen COVID vaccine, booster megasite in the area" —"Willingboro officials say their water is safe after a well tainted with 'forever chemical' is closed"   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     EVERYTHING ELSE THE HOLY-HOLLY SCHEPISI WING —"Holy Name seeks zoning changes from Teaneck for major expansion of hospital facilities," by The Record's Katie Sobko and Lindy Washburn: " Holy Name Medical Center is seeking zoning changes from the planning board so it can embark on a 10- to 20-year long expansion of its facilities that would include three nine-story hospital buildings near the existing hospital, three medical office buildings and other changes." $500M = 1 MAESTRO — "Bruce Springsteen sells entire music catalog for $500 million," by The AV Club's Gabriel Sanchez: "Bruce Springsteen, apparently learning nothing from Taylor Swift, has reportedly sold the master recordings and publishing rights to the entirety of his music catalog to Sony for a whopping $500 million. The company now owns 20 of the iconic artist's work, including famed works Born To Run, The River, and Born In The U.S.A."   Follow us on Twitter Matt Friedman @mattfriedmannj   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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