| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by NJ Cannabis Trade Association | Good Thursday morning! It's official: On Monday, you'll get to see the legislative maps the Democratic and Republican redistricting teams have proposed. The trick: You won't be told is which party proposed which map. You'll have to just look at the maps for about 10 seconds to figure that part out. Redistricting tiebreaker Phil Carchman, who so far has led what I believe to be the most transparent redistricting process New Jersey has seen, announced during a hearing yesterday that the maps will be posted online Monday. Carchman said it was his idea to not label the maps by party in order to "eliminate any bias." PR guy Aaron Hyndman on Twitter compared it to the Pepsi Challenge. As a Pepsi Challenge alum (SplashDown Waterpark Class of 1992, with honors), I think this will be even easier. For the record, I prefer Coke. Read about this and more redistricting stuff here. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "You immediately think, holy crap, this is it. You sit there, and you're looking at it, and you say, Wow, this could actually be the answer. … At some point in time, you give up, you almost say, I don't expect this ever to be done, and then you have a moment where you see something like that in writing." — Mark Sheridan HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen, Uncle Bill (the Chatham one), former Riverside committeeman Michael Miller WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for an 11 a.m. announcement. Presumably about his nominee for attorney general (below) and without any fire alarms. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com
| | | | A message from NJ Cannabis Trade Association: The New Jersey Cannabis Trade association and its 10 New Jersey's Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) have been working non-stop to prepare for adult-use cannabis sales. NJCTA member ATCs have invested substantial time, money and resources into expanding operations by: hiring more staff, securing supply chains, and expanding cultivation sites. Our ATCs have ample supply to service adult-use consumers now without harming access for medical cannabis patients, who always come first.
Open the rec market. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | PLATT MATKIN TO BE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S ALTER EGO — " Murphy to name Platkin as attorney general ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Gov. Phil Murphy will announce the nomination of Matthew J. Platkin, his former chief counsel and a close confidante, to serve as the next Attorney General on Thursday, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. Platkin will succeed Andrew Bruck, who became acting attorney general last July after Gurbir Grewal resigned to join the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Bruck had been a finalist for the post, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamel Semper and Assemblyman John F. McKeon (D-West Orange). Four others had received some consideration: former acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig; former First Assistant Attorney General Ricardo Solano; Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes; and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Vartan. Since late 2020, Platkin has been a partner at Lowenstein Sandler, a major North Jersey zlaw firm … At age 35, Platkin would become the youngest attorney general since Gov. Brendan Byrne nominated 33-year-old John Degnan in 1978." NURSING GRUDGES — State's 15 worst nursing homes need to improve care or risk loss of Medicaid funding, report says, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Fifteen of the lowest rated nursing homes in New Jersey have received an average of $100 million a year in Medicaid funding, according to a new report from the Office of the State Comptroller which said the facilities should be barred from future funding if they don't improve their quality of care. The long-term care facilities, which have consistently received a "one-star" rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, received a total of $310 million in Medicaid funding from 2017 to 2019, a lucrative revenue stream that has subsidized substandard care, according to the report. "For too long, facilities have gotten away with widespread and uncorrected problems that have put people in harm's way," acting State Comptroller Kevin D. Walsh said in a statement that accompanied the report. "New Jersey should simply refuse to pay for substandard care. It's time that we use taxpayer funds to demand better. Any nursing home that year after year gets the lowest rating should not get public funds." HE CAN DELIVER ALL THE INVOCATION PRAYERS — " Fueled by faith, new Assemblyman [Atkins] vows to 'keep God first ,'" by New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: "The Rev. Reginald W. Atkins' roots in religion run deep. In Newark, where he grew up, he bought a bar and turned it into a church, becoming its senior pastor at age 28 … And a church 'flavor' is what he said he hopes to bring to the New Jersey Assembly, where he was sworn in last month as one of 17 newcomers to the state Legislature. He's believed to be the only ordained clergy in the 120-member body, where he will represent the 20th District, a heavily Democratic area that includes four Union County towns. 'I'm bringing an interesting flavor to the Legislature,' Atkins said. "I'm going to represent the church world, the kingdom, however you want to coin it. We need to keep God first in everything that we do. If we keep God first, we will always be successful. … Atkins said his spiritual beliefs may inform his views, but they won't dictate his actions. 'I'm a little different from other pastors. I believe that we need to have the whole story,' he said. 'I can't force my beliefs on anyone. At the end of the day, we have to listen to people. I don't want to be siloed.' Try to nail him down on any polarizing issue where churches have traditionally held strong views, and he's as slippery as any veteran politician." — New Jersey's school funding formula should be recalibrated, NJPP report concludes — New Jersey environmental group calls for Murphy to match Biden on clean power goal — Baraka and Altman: " In the fight to protect our democracy, voters must believe their voices matter" — Steinberg: " Why not more discussion of Ras Baraka for governor? " — "Omicron's deadly toll: NJ reports 2,381 COVID deaths in January at height of surge"
| | | | 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 | | — " N.J. Sen. Menendez rips Biden for deporting Venezuelan immigrants" — " Top Senate foreign relations Democrat Robert Menendez signals trouble for Biden's Iran plans" — " N.J. congressman who switched parties to support Trump raised lots of cash at Mar-a-Lago"
| | | | A message from NJ Cannabis Trade Association:   | | | | | LOCAL | | HOMELESSNESS — "" Living outside in the cold: NJ counties try to count, help those experiencing homelessness," by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "The first person they found wasn't even on their list. A woman huddled at a bus stop in the biting, 20-degree morning air, seated next to a shopping cart stuffed with bursting garbage bags … The woman refused the help they offered, shook her head at the ShopRite gift card they held. She said she didn't think she was allowed to stay at the county shelter because she wasn't a Bergen County resident. 'It's Code Blue, ma'am. Anyone can go,' Shaun Hutchinson told her. Hutchinson has been on the job for three months as Bergen County's acting director of veteran services, and this was his first time counting New Jersey's homeless for the annual point-in-time survey required by the federal government. Hutchinson's was one of 12 teams that fanned out across Bergen County at 5 a.m. on Jan. 26, scouring the streets for people living or sleeping in places not meant for human habitation, relying on a list of tips from local police and community members. … The answers they received — along with a count of people in shelters, transitional housing and hotels paid for by agencies — will determine how much money the federal government will pass out to communities to address homelessness and housing insecurity." PROSECUTORS PROD CADDLE — " Herding Caddle: How top consultant-turned-killer climbed the political ranks in Hudson County," by Hudson County View's John Heini s: "According to his bio on a defunct website for his consulting firm, Arkady LLC, Caddle first got involved as a volunteer on political campaigns in the late 90s and eventually began working as a field organizer for late Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham. He then served as the Hudson County field director for Jim McGreevey's successful 2001 gubernatorial campaign before then-U.S. Rep. Bob Menendez (D-13), also the chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, named Caddle their executive director. … He left that post after two-and-a-half years to run Menendez's re-election campaign against a relatively unknown challenger that had the support of Cunningham, who was also the state senator of the 31st Legislative District and a fierce political nemesis of the congressman. 'Sean left the organization after 2 1/2 years to run the ground operation in the 13th Congressional District when the Congressman received a challenge from a young upstart Steven Fulop,' Caddle's bio on the Arkady website said. He was compensated well for the June 8th, 2004 primary race where Menendez cruised to victory by a margin of about 87-13." BIGOTRY REWARDED?— " Trenton activist who called mayor 'f**got' running for North Ward seat," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avllucea: "Turn down the music blaring through the speakers of that red Bumpboxx, and one might be able to hear city activist Divine Allah's message. It was best conveyed by lyrics blaring through that boombox: 'You see the system, it ain't meant for us to rise.' But will that message be drowned out by Allah's past transgressions? It's a fair question, and one that New Black Panther Party leader wasn't willing to answer Tuesday, after shouting out many powerful Black leaders, from Trenton and beyond, who came before him while speaking about unity as he stood next to a man he savaged with a homophobic slur nearly a year ago. 'I'm a different type of leader, man. I'm a different type of representation,' said Allah .. On those same steps during a rally for council president Kathy McBride, Allah raised the ire of residents when he derided the city's first openly gay mayor as a 'little f**got.' He also made remarks that many interpreted as anti-Jewish." SECOND FELON BARRED FROM HOLDING OFFICE CONSIDERS SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE — " Sharpe James mulls run for Newark City Council ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, who served 18 months in federal prison after his conviction on fraud charges, has taken out nominating petitions to run for an at-large city council seat in the May non-partisan elections, the New Jersey Globe has learned. James, 85, served as mayor of Newark from 1986 to 2006. Despite his criminal conviction and the 20 years that have passed since he last ran for office, James he has remained popular among some groups of Newark voters. It's still not immediately clear whether James, a convicted felon, is eligible to seek public office. Last month, former Paterson Mayor Joey Torres, who was convicted in 2017 for using city employees to do renovations at his home, was told by the municipal clerk that he is ineligible to run for office again." 125 INZELBUCKS OF DEBT — " Lakewood schools get new state monitor. Can he fix district that is $125M in debt?" by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: "A new state-appointed fiscal monitor — the third in nearly eight years — has been appointed to the financially strapped school district at a time when the schools have been found to provide inadequate education to many students, remain more than $125 million in debt, and received criticism for paying its attorney more than $1 million per year. Ronald Fisher, a veteran education administrator who most recently served as an assistant state monitor in Atlantic City, replaces David Shafter, who held the post since 2018. 'I wanted to retire,' said Shafter, 71. 'I am traveling a lot, and I just wanted to spend more time doing leisure activities. I agreed to work as a consultant on an as needed basis.' Shafter will continue as a Lakewood schools consultant, a post that received board approval last week and could pay him up to $10,000." WARY HOUSES —" Latest warehouse fight [in North Bergen] is a question of taxes," by NJ Spotlight News' John Hurdle: "New Jersey's warehouse boom is being fueled by cash windfalls that proponents say will go to towns that host these projects. And in some cases, this building rush is being helped by local commercial zoning which makes it hard for towns to deny permits even if officials have concerns that the developments will boost truck traffic or erode open space. West Windsor, which is considering a major warehouse development, is one of many towns where such plans are being proposed — and opposed by some residents. A private developer is looking to build nine warehouses covering a total of 5.5 million square feet on a 650-acre former industrial site; the development would raise about $14 million a year for the Mercer County township from real estate taxes, according to West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe." — " Hoboken 2nd Ward Councilwoman Fisher sues city to nullify measure that raised union donation limit" — Burlington County Democrats pay major fine to ELEC — " 'It's turned very political': Howell Township Council decides not to raise their own pay" — " Judge to decide whether to bar Englewood Cliffs from paying its legal bills" — " Woodcliff Lake has long tried to leave Pascack Valley district. Now it has a new idea" — " Manchester school chief targets COVID learning gaps: 'We need our students to be in school'" — " Westfield students go to school at former Lord & Taylor after flooding " — " Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilman Gullace won't seek re-election: 'I will always be involved with my community'
| | | | 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 WASTE HAS BEEN MANAGED — " Why not more discussion of REmployee in video where plow tossed snow onto Orthodox Jews is fired, company says," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "One of the two men heard laughing in a video that shows a plow being used to throw snow onto two Orthodox Jewish pedestrians Saturday in Lakewood has been fired from his job with Waste Management. 'While the incident did not involve a company vehicle or company equipment, the employee associated with this social media post is no longer employed with Waste Management,' the company said in a statement Tuesday evening. 'The conduct of this former employee is unacceptable and not in accordance with WM's code of conduct, commitments and values.'" SOMEHOW THIS ISN'T LAKEWOOD — " N.J. school bus driver was drunk with children on board, authorities allege," by NJ Advance Media's Steven Rodas: "A New Jersey school bus driver was arrested Friday evening in Frankford for allegedly driving drunk with students on board, authorities confirmed to NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. Colleen Eutermarks, 49, of Wantage, was seen 'driving erratically' on County Road 565 in Frankford just after 5 p.m., said New Jersey State Police spokesman Sgt. Alejandro Goez. … Eutermarks was charged with being under the influence, endangering the welfare of a child, possession of prescription legend drugs and driving while intoxicated, state police said. Goez said while no children were on board at the time of the arrest, it was determined that based on her state that she had been dropping off students while under the influence." — " Accused arsonist started at least 6 forest fires in N.J., authorities say" | | | | A message from NJ Cannabis Trade Association: In November 2020, 67% of New Jerseyans voted in favor of legalizing cannabis, paving the way for adult-use sales. The August passing of CRC regulations for adult-use cannabis sales signaled progress; however, as of today, New Jersey citizens still do not have a safe and lawful place to purchase cannabis.
State law had the first day of adult sales as Feb. 22. However, we now know that will not happen.
The Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) – the majority of which comprise the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association -- have been working non-stop to prepare for adult-use cannabis sales, investing substantial time, money and resources into expanding their operations, hiring more staff, securing supply chains, and expanding cultivation sites.
It cannot be emphasized enough that New Jersey's ATCs have ample supply now to service adult-use consumers without harming access for medical cannabis patients, who always come first.
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