| | | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Anbaric Development Partners | Good Wednesday morning! Could we all be mercifully spared another 11-hour Assembly session next week? From what I've gathered, probably. Assembly Democrats and Republicans are nearing a compromise to head off a repeat of the Dec. 20 legislative session, when a group of six Republicans engaged in a quasi-filibuster that dragged on the session and exhausted pretty much everybody. The compromise, incoming Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio said, would probably involve a change to the Statehouse vaccine or test mandate. What that change is, he declined to say. I have a guess, but really, it's only a guess: Make rapid testing available not just to legislators but to anyone entering the Statehouse. One of the six, Brian Bergen (R-Morris) has been pushing for that. Read more about it here. WHERE'S MURPHY? In Hackensack to swear in Bergen County Surrogate Michael Dressler at 2 p.m., then in cyberspace for Essex County's virtual reorganizational meeting at 5 p.m. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I had forgotten how much I hate virtual learning." — An unnamed 14-year-old from Hamilton, as quoted by his mother in the New York Times. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com | | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners: It's a New Year and the need for swift action to address climate change is clearer now than ever. Anbaric believes in New Jersey's clean energy goals and stands ready to work together to accelerate the growth of the state's offshore wind industry. That's why we were thrilled to submit a robust bid package to deliver an efficient, cost-effective transmission system that protects the environment and the ratepayer. Learn more. | | |
|  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLACE? — New Jersey Supreme Court asks Wallace to elaborate on redistricting decision, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: The New Jersey Supreme Court, in the wake of a Republican challenge, has asked for a more thorough explanation from congressional redistricting tiebreaker John Wallace Jr. as to why he selected the Democrats' map. Wallace, a former state Supreme Court justice and registered Democrat, sided with Democratic redistricting commissioners on Dec. 22, saying he ultimately went with their map "simply because in the last redistricting map, it was drawn by the Republicans. In an order issued Tuesday afternoon, the state's highest court said "a more detailed statement of reasons would assist the Court" and that a rule "allows a trial judge or agency head to submit 'an amplification of a prior [oral] statement [or] opinion' when an appeal is taken." "[T]he Court respectfully requests that the Chairperson of the Redistricting Commission amplify the grounds for his decision," the order states.
—GOP redistricting chair Doug Steinhardt: "Today, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued an unprecedented order confirming that our Republican lawsuit is meritorious and that Justice Wallace's selection of the Democratic map failed to contain any reasoning that the Court could possibly affirm. We are committed to continuing our fight for a fair and equitable map for the people of New Jersey with further discussion in the Court." —"Democrats were huge contributors to campaign of redistricting tiebreaker's wife " HOSPITALS — "COVID hospitalizations surpass 5,100 in New Jersey, stressing health care facilities," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "New Jersey's already stressed hospitals saw the number of COVID patients surpass 5,000 for the first time since early in the pandemic, data released Tuesday shows. The surge is projected to peak between 6,000 and 9,000 hospitalizations later this month and is being driven in part by the spread of the omicron variant. It comes at a time of staff shortages during what is traditionally a hospital's busiest time of year with seasonal ailments from the flu — which is particularly bad this year — to injuries such as slipping on ice. New Jersey officials called for federal reinforcements to make up for depletion in hospital staff as the virus continues to infect more of them. More than 4,000 employees have tested positive since Dec. 27, with another 575 new infections reported on Tuesday, state data shows." SOUTH JERSEY'S CLOUT GOES… SOUTH — "Sweeney looks to future, reflects on two decades of service in State House," by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "Sweeney's loss means a South Jersey lawmaker will no longer control the agenda in the Senate. It also means the region's clout will undoubtedly take a hit after years of either Sweeney or former Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden) holding one of the top positions on State Street. 'I tell people, 'Forget about me for a second, we just gave away the Senate presidency.' It's going to hurt South Jersey. Without question it's going to hurt South Jersey. But elections have consequences,' Sweeney said. As for what's next, in addition to confirming plans to launch a think tank, Sweeney did not rule out a future run for governor, which is something many have already begun to pencil in as a strong likelihood for 2025. Under constitutional term limits, Murphy cannot seek a third term and Sweeney is not declaring his candidacy, something that would trigger formal campaign-finance laws." COMPANY CHARGED WITH NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL HAS TROUBLE ANSWERING SIMPLE QUESTIONS — "Judge says EDA cannot withhold Holtec's disputed $260M tax credit," by ROI-NJ's Linda Lidner: "A Superior Court judge in Mercer County has ruled the New Jersey Economic Development Authority cannot freeze or withhold portions of the $260 million tax credit that was awarded to Holtec International. The ruling, issued by Judge Robert Lougy on Dec. 30, pertains only to the potential award for calendar year 2018. Lougy ruled the state must issue a letter of compliance for the full $26 million annual amount within 30 days of his order … In June 2019, the state put a hold on the award to Holtec, while investigators examined details of the application. Among the issues was Holtec's sworn answer to questions regarding whether the company had ever been barred from doing business with a state or federal agency. The company, as reported by ProPublica, had been barred in 2010 from doing business for 60 days due to an issue with its contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Lougy found the EDA's questionnaire on the debarment issue to be ambiguous and, as a consequence, found that Holtec's response does not disqualify it from receiving the tax credit payment. A spokesperson at the EDA said the organization is considering an appeal." CIATTA-REALLY? — " Assembly Republicans push back on Murphy's emergency extension," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "After Gov. Phil Murphy announced [Monday] that he would seek a 90-day extension of his Covid-related emergency powers at next week's legislative voting session, a number of Assembly Republicans are saying they won't support the measure … But not every New Jersey Republican is automatically opposed to Murphy's request. Jack Ciattarelli, who lost last year's race for governor but arguably remains the state's Republican standard-bearer, said that Murphy was not necessarily wrong to seek an extension. 'Given where we are with the virus right now, with our hospitals and ICU units nearing capacity, it's understandable, especially with regard to vaccine distribution and testing,' Ciattarelli said. Ciattarelli clarified, however, that the powers should not be used to enable state government overreach, something the former assemblyman sharply criticized Murphy for during the gubernatorial campaign." ABORTION RIGHTS — "N.J. Democrats in talks to protect abortion rights but can't agree on what that should mean," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio and Brent Johnson: "On Monday, outgoing state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, told NJ Advance Media he was 'hopeful' a deal could be reached before the two-year legislative session ends Tuesday at noon. 'We've got to get an agreement,' Sweeney said. 'We're trying to get that done. Neither house could pass the original bill.' Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, the bill's prime sponsor who is retiring after nearly 30 years in the Legislature, declined to discuss how the legislation might change. But they are making progress, she said. 'I have been the lone optimist is the room, but now I feel a few more have joined me,' Weinberg said. But even Murphy is prepared to accept an incremental victory, according to a source close to the negotiations who was not authorized to speak publicly. The source said there is a '50-50' chance of getting a bill introduced and approved by a committee Thursday for a vote in both houses of the Legislature on Monday. The current two-year legislative session ends next Tuesday at noon. 'If we don't get it this session, it's fine. We would rather wait to get it right,' said the source." — Sweeney on abortion bill: 'We're trying to get it done' in lame duck —Choose New Jersey names new president —" N.J. courts chip away at backlog, but COVID surge could imperil efforts" —"'Test to stay' program begins in New Jersey as students return to schools across the state" —" Animal cruelty bill advances despite opposition from pet advocates" —"Have you had trouble ordering N.J.'s free at-home COVID test? Here's why" | | | | 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 | |
—"Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection a year later: Congress members reveal details of their escape"
—" Parler users tipped off FBI about latest N.J. man charged in U.S. Capitol riot" —Video: "Rep. Josh Gottheimer talks about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot" —" Friscia joins race for GOP nod to take on Sherrill" | | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners:   | | |
| | LOCAL | |
PATERSON FAILS — "Paterson clerk tells Joey Torres he can't file for mayor because of criminal record," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Joey Torres, the convicted former mayor, need not bother collecting voters' signatures for another run for the city's top job. That was the message in a Dec. 28 email that Paterson City Clerk Sonia Gordon sent to Torres, telling him the municipal Law Department advised her that the ex-mayor's criminal background barred him from getting on the ballot. Gordon told Torres the city lawyers said that not only is he banned from submitting nominating petitions for the mayor's election, but her office is prohibited from accepting them from him. Paterson Press obtained a copy of that email on Monday through a public records request. 'Obviously, my potential candidacy poses a threat to this administration,' Torres said, referring to his rival, Paterson's current Mayor Andre Sayegh. 'My attorneys will be addressing this correspondence accordingly.' Torres spent about 13 months in state prison after being convicted in September 2017 of using municipal employees to perform renovations on a family business while they were paid overtime with taxpayers' money."
TOMS RIVEN — "Toms River Republicans take total control of council, but remain split themselves ," by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: "Republicans took total control of Toms River's Township Council Monday as GOP newcomers David Ciccozzi, Justin Lamb and James Quinlisk were sworn in to four-year terms on the governing body. Also sworn in was Republican Councilman Daniel Rodrick, who will be serving his second term. Councilman Kevin M. Geoghegan was selected council president for the second straight year; Rodrick and Lamb voted 'no' on Geoghegan's appointment, but it was supported by the other five councilmen. … Toms River's GOP remains divided. Rodrick and Lamb ran as a two-person ticket in the general election; they were supported by the Toms River Regular Republican Club, which for 35 years was recognized as the township's official GOP organization. But in March, the county's Republican organization voted to strip the club of its credentials, in favor of a new organization, Republicans for Toms River. The new club endorsed Ciccozzi and Quinlisk and is supported by Mayor Maurice B. 'Mo' Hill Jr., Council President Geoghegan, Vice President Lotano and Councilman Josh Kopp." WALL OF SHAME — "Wall OKs $1M settlement over deceased police dispatcher's discrimination lawsuit ," by The Asbury Park Press' Mike Davis: "The estate of a former police dispatcher will receive $1 million as part of a settlement with the township over alleged racist discrimination he faced within the Wall Police Department. The township will pay $500,000 to the estate of Nicholas Curcio, who spent 22 years as a police dispatcher and was promoted to the rank of communications supervisor before he charged with official misconduct and placed on unpaid leave. He was eventually acquitted of all charges. The other half of the settlement sum will be covered by the town's insurance carrier. Curcio, 51, died earlier this year. An obituary and court records did not detail his cause of death. Curcio, who started as a police dispatcher in 1994, has a 'darker-skinned, Italian-American complexion.' In his lawsuit, he accused coworkers of making racist remarks and posting offensive cards and clippings comparing his skin tone to Black people, as well as monkeys, apes and gorillas … Since 2018, Wall Township has agreed to nearly $3 million in settlements with township employees who alleged discriminatory behavior by their coworkers." WHY SO CROSS? — " Wall write-in school board candidate declines seat, saying she won't give up lawsuit," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: "Betsy Cross, the longtime Wall Township Board of Education critic who won a write-in campaign for the board, says she will not take her seat when the board reconvenes at Tuesday night's reorganization meeting. Cross, one of two candidates who won a write-in vote during November's election, said her pending lawsuit against the board forbids her from serving … But Wall School District Business Administrator Brian Smyth said that the litigation would not preclude Cross from joining the board, citing an opinion from the district's legal counsel … Cross's lawsuit, filed in June 2021 in state Superior Court in Monmouth County, relates to public documents she had requested through the state's Open Public Records Act, or OPRA. The documents included invoices for legal services performed by outside attorneys for the school district and school board meeting minutes." HIS GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN? — "Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop looks to finish what he's started," by TAPIntoJerseyCity's Steve Lenox: "In an interview with TAPinto Jersey City this week, Fulop said he has laid the groundwork for many major projects, his job as mayor will be to see them to completion. 'We have a lot on our plate, a number of major transformative projects, such as in Journal Square, the Bayfront project, SciTech SCity,' he said. 'We have more going on than any other city in the region and my focus will be on getting them done.'" —"Trenton officials ring in 2022 by fighting over payroll " —"Plainfield mayor didn't discriminate against former public defender, appeals court rules" —"Staff shortages, COVID-19 issues force Vineland schools online" —"10 Englewood Cliffs residents sue town over hiring of law firm unlicensed in NJ" —"Vainieri, Romano re-elected to top spots on Hudson County Board of Commissioners" —"Burlington commissioner fast-tracked for judgeship; Eckel is front runner to replace Hynes" —"Republican in Palisades Park survives challenge and is sworn in to council" —"NJ DOE docs show itemized costs, early plans, for $241M Hoboken school referendum" —"Jersey City BOE raises the minimum wage to $17 an hour for all district employees" | | | | 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 | |
BOOSTERISM — "Rutgers to require booster shots for all students, faculty and staff," by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Rutgers University announced Tuesday that it is requiring all students and employees on its three campuses to get Covid-19 booster shots, making it the first public college in New Jersey to issue such a directive. The new requirement comes as New Jersey is continuing to see a dramatic increase in Covid cases and hospitalizations. The state on Tuesday reported another 25,277 newly confirmed PCR tests and 5,155 hospitalizations.
R.I.P. — "' Sesame Street' composer Stephen J. Lawrence, 82, dies in N.J." —"NJ American Water asks customers to conserve water due to system issue. Are you affected?" —" Do cops actually issue tickets to drivers in N.J. who don't clean snow off their cars? We got the stats" —"Elderly woman and her dog attacked by bear in Sparta, NJ, police say" | | | | A message from Anbaric Development Partners: Anbaric is proud to be a leading developer of electric transmission projects and the primary advocate for a transmission-first approach to offshore wind – in New Jersey and across the east coast. Anbaric has the experience needed to deliver offshore wind energy across New Jersey with an efficient, cost-effective transmission system.
That's why Anbaric was thrilled to submit a robust portfolio of projects to achieve New Jersey's clean energy goals in response to New Jersey's first-in-the-nation solicitation for offshore wind transmission. Anbaric's proposal will efficiently deliver wind power to shore, protect the environment, coastal communities, and the ratepayer, and can be developed to accompany the growth of the offshore industry. Anbaric is proud to be working with incredible partners, including Ferreira Construction, a seasoned New Jersey utility and civil contractor, to make this vision a reality.
Read more about what Anbaric's bid package means for the future of clean energy. | | | | | | | 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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