| | | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Anbaric Development Partners | Good Tuesday morning! The governor's inauguration is today, with fewer people in attendance and strict testing requirements for those who do go. But here's some good news. Following signs last week that the latest Covid wave may have peaked in this region, we're starting to see some indications that feel more concrete than samples of Boston wastewater. Since its Jan. 11 peak, New Jersey coronavirus hospitalizations have fallen every day. Case numbers are more volatile and probably less of a good indicator, but they've been lower over the last few days as well. Let's hope the trend continues. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's not typically something we would put on our menu. But I said screw it, let's do a massive mozz stick." — Chef/Nobel Peace Prize nominee (by me) Jonathan Kavourakis of Bloomfield's The Brookdale on his one-pound mozzarella stick. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Gibbons' Jay Redd , former AP reporter and flac Beth DeFalco, congressional candidate Larry Casha, gay rights advocate Corey Bernstein WHERE'S MURPHY? — In Trenton for his 11 a.m. swearing-in ceremony TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com
| | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners: This much is clear – offshore wind energy is coming to the Garden State. One important question remains: How will New Jersey bring that energy to our homes and businesses? Recently, Anbaric submitted a bold bid package to accelerate the industry's growth while keeping costs down and protecting our coast. Anbaric's decades of experience with planned transmission infrastructure will make offshore wind energy work for all New Jerseyans. Learn more about Anbaric's plan. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
MEANWHILE IT'S A FELONY TO GROW YOUR OWN — "Price-gouging complaint highlights stubbornly high costs for medical marijuana in N.J.," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "Patient advocates filed complaints with the state Division of Consumer Affairs earlier this month to accuse medicinal marijuana operators of price-gouging, charging as much as $480 for an ounce of cannabis. A state investigator replied promptly to say there was no legal recourse. 'The Division has reviewed the materials you submitted. We thank you for letting us know about this matter. Unfortunately New Jersey is not a price regulated state,' Kevin Noland, a supervising investigator for the office's consumer service center wrote in Jan. 6 letters to Chris Goldstein and Edward 'Lefty' Grimes and shared with NJ Cannabis Insider." VOTING AND YOU: NOT PERFECT TOGETHER — "NJ voting rights are haunted by '81 suppression effort. That may finally change," by The Record's Charles Stile : "[I]n the New Jersey governor's race 40 years ago, there was nothing subtle about the voter suppression tactics that the Republican National Committee was accused of deploying in New Jersey on Election Day in 1981. The National Ballot Security Task Force, as the effort was formally called, was a brazen display of Jim Crow-era goonery that still reverberates in the Statehouse today … The strategy, many politicians believe, scared away enough Black and Latino voters to secure Republican Thomas H. Kean a 1,797-vote victory over Democrat Jim Florio. That seamy political history — and the legal restraints imposed on the GOP for more than three decades after — served as a catalyst for a bill that completed a grinding, 1½-year journey through the Legislature last week. The new measure will limit police presence at polling places. Both uniformed and off-duty officers can no longer provide general protection to a polling precinct unless they are stationed at least 100 feet away from the entrance." FROM THE DARK AGES OF THE 1990S — "Supreme Court panel pulls opinion that barred discipline for race-based jury challenges ," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: "The Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics … found the 1998 opinion directly conflicts with provisions of the rules of professional conduct for attorneys. Those rules explicitly bar discrimination based on an individual's protected class — like race, religion, sexual orientation, and others — where such action is likely to cause harm. The rescinded opinion held that lawyers who launch race-based peremptory juror challenges could not be disciplined for them, even though such challenges had previously been declared unconstitutional." —"NJ abolishes remaining juvenile court fines, will erase balances" R.I.P. — "As you may have heard, my dear friend and chief of staff, Susan (Sue) Tisiker passed away yesterday due to COVID. Sue ranks as one of the best friends in my life. I will forever miss her. I send my most sincere condolences to her husband and also a great friend, Don Katz." — @SamThompsonNJ —"N.J.'s average property tax bill tops $9K again. Here's how much it went up last year," —"Sweeney looks back on 20-year career in NJ politics" —Mulshine: "State of the state of emergency: The people are sick of COVID" —"NJ will resume releasing prisoners early due to COVID after Murphy declares emergency" —"Clock ticking for disabled youth likely to lose their homes. It's a recurring dilemma for N.J. families" —"There's no such thing as a perfect legislative map" | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
WHEN IT HASN'T BEEN YOUR DAY, YOUR WEEK, YOUR MONTH, OR EVEN YOUR YEAR — "Knee-capped by his "friends," Malinowski shakes it off and fights," by NJ Advance Media's Tom Moran: "The blow to Malinowski came at the hands of the party bosses, who decided that Malinowski was expendable, and shifted blue votes around to protect the other Democrats in swing districts … When this map was announced, Malinowski went quiet for nearly three weeks, as if he might put down his sword and retreat from this fight. But on Monday, he tweeted the famous battle cry from Shakespeare's Henry V: 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.' Game on.'"It's still a winnable district for me,' Malinowski says. 'Every other district will likely be safe, for Republicans or Democrats, so all eyes will be on the 7th. And it will have national implications and will help determine whether Kevin McCarthy will be speaker on Jan. 6, 2025." That's a scary idea. Imagine if, in the year 2025, the presidential election is disputed and Congress is controlled by Republican swamp creatures like McCarthy, the Republican leader, who has traded his soul to save his neck by submitting fully to the Great Leader."
—"Dunn screens for CD-11 seat" —"N.J. to get $1.1B for bridges under Biden infrastructure law. Here's what it means" —Reginald Jackson: "How did Democrats let this happen?" | | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
WALL OF SHAME — "Wall school board offered hazing suspects private school tuition to leave district," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonavage, Matthew Stanmyre and Steve Strunsky: "The Wall Board of Education offered at least two students now facing criminal charges related to allegations of ongoing hazing in the football locker room thousands of dollars toward school tuition to leave the district, NJ Advance Media has learned. In the midst of the scandal that has engulfed the Wall community, one of the district's school board attorneys, Athina Cornell, made the offers to at least two alleged assailants, according to two sources, who asked not to be identified to discuss personnel matters involving juveniles. They said the district would pay the students a prorated amount of money toward private school tuition to attend a new school for the second half of the current school year and then $18,000 toward tuition for the 2022-2023 school year … The second option for the students was to agree to a suspension and a number of other stipulations, including not having contact with the alleged victims. Neither student accepted the money, the sources said."
—"N.J. senator calls on Wall school board, superintendent to resign in wake of hazing scandal" STATISTICS COMPILED BY KIM JONG UN'S POLLSTER — "Paterson says 100% of adult residents are vaccinated, but residents say, 'Not me'," by The Paterson Press' Ed Rumley and Joe Malinconico : "Mayor Andre Sayegh held a press conference Thursday celebrating state health department statistics that say 100% of Paterson's adult residents have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. But because of imperfections in key data sets that contribute to that statistic, the reality in Paterson is more complicated. Sayegh and the city's health officer, Dr. Paul Persaud, said the 100% vaccine statistic was based on counts of city residents who have received one vaccine dose. They also said it was rooted in 2010 census data that put Paterson's population of residents age 65 and older at 107,000. They noted that Paterson's population was larger in the 2020 census. Sayegh and Persaud acknowledged the presence of immigrants lacking documented immigration status may also affect the vaccination numbers … Paterson Press conducted a series of interviews across the city on Wednesday and Thursday with people who identified themselves as city residents. A number of people interviewed on Paterson's streets were not shy about the vaccine hesitancy. That group included Antonio Colon, who was shopping at the 7-Eleven on Chamberlain." —" Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh adds $100,000 director of planning position" MASTRONARDY PARTY — "Holman will retire in June, endorses Mastronardy for Ocean GOP chairman," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Ocean County Republican Chairman Frank B. Holman III will not seek re-election in June and will support Sheriff Michael Mastronardy as his successor. 'Sheriff Mastronardy is a proven leader, a strong administrator, a uniter, a man of tremendous integrity, a great ambassador to our religious communities, and a dedicated public servant.' Holman said. 'All of which has made him a pretty popular guy. I am confident that with your help, he will lead our party to even greater success.' Ocean is New Jersey's largest and powerful GOP organizations. Mastronardy, who is seeking a fourth term as sheriff this year, will make a potential comeback by former county chairman George Gilmore more difficult." MURPHY ADMIN: LET'S COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE. ALSO MURPHY ADMIN: — "Opposition mounts to $4.7B plan to widen the highway to the Holland Tunnel," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs : "Jersey City officials and a coalition of Hudson County bike groups have opposed the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's plans to widen the Hudson County extension through Bayonne and Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel and replace the aging Newark Bay bridge. The opposition is based on concerns the project won't alleviate congestion and would create more traffic and air pollution from vehicles cutting through Bayonne and Jersey City neighborhoods when traffic backs up on the extension. Bike advocates have a powerful ally, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who had a letter sent on the city's behalf, asking the Turnpike Authority to consider alternatives to widening because of concerns that the project would adversely affect the city's residents … Bayonne officials said something needs to be done because the current bridge is inadequate. 'The existing Newark Bay Turnpike Extension Bridge is too narrow. It was built to handle the much smaller traffic volume of the 1950′s. Commuters complain that it is difficult to get into or out of Bayonne, because the bridge isn't wide enough to handle 21st century traffic,' said Mayor Jimmy Davis of Bayonne." NEWARK — " 'You can't keep my kids safe': How violence shook a Newark high school, despite pleas for help," by Chalkbeat's Patrick Wall : "The calls for help started the first week of classes at Malcolm X Shabazz High School. Week one: The police were called about a fight at the Newark school … Week two: an assault in progress. Week three: 'criminal mischief.' Week four: an alleged sexual assault. In October, a melee in the cafeteria sent the school into lockdown, according to students and videos. In a separate incident, two students punched and kicked a young woman as she cowered in a hallway, another video shows. In November, a gunman fired at students just after dismissal. Around the same time, a fight outside the school ended with a group of students stomping on a young man, a different video shows. The vast majority of Shabazz students aren't involved in the violence or disorder; they just want a safe, stable place to learn. But the chaos still has disrupted their classes, tarnished their school's reputation, and exacted a psychic toll … In private messages and at public meetings, parents and employees pleaded with officials to address the chaos at Shabazz. Yet it persisted." THE OTHER CITY BY THE BAY —"Transit village, with 4,200 apartments, to replace Newark Bears Stadium ," by NJ Advance Media's Richard Cowen: "The Newark skyline will get a whole lot taller, now that the Central Planning Board has approved a massive redevelopment plan for construction of 11 high-rise towers and 4,200 apartments at the Newark Bears stadium site. The Central Planning Board unanimously approved all nine phases of the CitiSquare project at its meeting in December. Accurate Builders & Developers got the green light to move forward with Phase I of its project, which calls for construction of two, 18-story towers with 598 residential units and 22,000 square feet of commercial space with easy access to the NJ Transit light rail link." "Rockaway Township Mayor Michael Puzio expected to resign," by The Daily Record's William Westhoven: "Council President Joe Jackson said he expects Puzio to turn in his letter of resignation on Monday, elevating Jackson to the position of acting mayor. The council meets on Tuesday. 'It took me by surprise,' Jackson said … Puzio, a Republican, was elected as mayor in 2019. He ran unopposed by Democrats after crossing party lines to endorse Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-Montclair, over Jay Webber in the 2018 11th Congressional District race. He could not be reached during the weekend for comment but posted a goodbye note on Facebook." —" Middletown cyberattack: Town hired lawyers, techs, but what will it end up costing taxpayers?" —"Monmouth, Ocean hospitals delay elective surgeries after COVID-19 omicron surge" —" 3 names emerge for Trenton councilman Blakeley's open seat" —"'I'm with pizza legends now': DeLucia's in Raritan has 2-hour wait after celebrity review" —" Paterson settles for $185K with former cop in 2016 police-involved shooting" —"Board of Ward Commissioners reschedule meeting on new Jersey City maps due to Zoom issues" | | | | 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 | |
VIRTUAL INSANITY —"Some N.J. districts giving students a virtual option. Is that allowed?," by NJ Advance Media's Jackie Roman: "Parents concerned about the rising COVID cases in Bloomfield Public Schools were given the option of voluntary remote instruction model offered by the district and now it's been extended through the end of the month, school officials announced Wednesday … At least two other districts — Haldeon and Montclair — also offered parents the option to go virtual this month, but it's unclear if any others are and whether they're even allowed to provide such an accommodation under state law. When Gov. Phil Murphy announced in the spring he would rescind portions of Executive Order 175, allowing for remote instruction for the 2021-2022 school year, it meant that schools would be required to provide full-day, in-person instruction, as they were prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The announcement specified remote learning would only 'be permitted in the event that there is a localized outbreak or other emergency.' 'If buildings are open for in-person instruction, parents or guardians will not be able to opt-out of in-person instruction,' the May 2021 announcement said."
— " Virtual learning in New Jersey this time around? Both easier and more difficult for staff and students" —"Most N.J. schools that went virtual to resume in-person learning next week" DOGS ARE THE BEST — "Last patrol: Toms River man and his aging dog seek overgrown veterans graves,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jerry Carino: "Whiskey staggered but forged ahead, carefully limping around the headstones in Old Whiting Cemetery. The 16-year-old miniature pinscher might not have much time left, but he's still a faithful companion to Pete Sztybel — and a partner in an unusual quest. The 63-year-old Sztybel, a Toms River resident who also is ailing after multiple bouts with skin cancer and years of backbreaking construction work, searches cemeteries for overgrown graves of military veterans. When he finds one, often with the help of Whiskey's expert nose, he cleans it up and plants a small American flag. Last Memorial Day, as they examined Old Whiting Cemetery, Whiskey staked out an unmarked patch of ground. 'He sat down and would not move until I cleaned it off,' Sztybel said. They uncovered the footstone of Glen Shaul, who was buried in 1991. The engraving told the story: A first sergeant in the U.S. Army." —"N.J. faces its worst blood shortage in years. Nonprofits sound the alarm, plead for donations"
| | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners: With a goal of 7500MW by 2030, New Jersey is leading the way on clean energy, but these ambitious goals require bold solutions and steadfast partners. As the lone industry advocate for a planned transmission approach, Anbaric has long understood the importance of delivering wind energy to New Jerseyans efficiently and responsibly. With a transmission-first approach that protects ratepayers and marine life, Anbaric is proud to provide solutions to meet the needs of the clean energy economy today and well into the future.
Submitted in response to the state's first-in-the-nation transmission solicitation, Anbaric's bid package offers transmission solutions that are cost-effective and environmentally sound. Read more about how Anbaric is working to achieve clean energy goals across the east coast. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | 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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