POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Ed Durr's shift on Islam

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

Feb 16, 2022 View in browser   By Matt Friedman Good Wednesday morning! In an effort to appear balanced, I think the media overlooks or downplays the fact that anti-Islamic bigotry is accepted and sometimes encouraged in Republican base politics. How else would you describe the former president's call for temporarily banning Muslims from even entering the country? And here in New Jersey, which according to one study has the highest concentration of Muslims in the country, a county GOP Twitter account retweeted a meme calling to "Eradicate Islam from every town, city, county and state in our homeland." It's easier to hate groups of people when they're abstract. But after Sen. Ed Durr's anti-Islam tweet surfaced, he didn't just apologize — he met with representatives of New Jersey's Islamic community. And then, without being asked, he introduced a resolution calling for the state to recognize two Islamic holidays. The resolution doesn't go as far as a Democratic one to make the two Eid holidays official, with paid days off for state workers. But Selaedin Maksut, executive director of CAIR-NJ, said that proposal wouldn't pass anyway. Durr's might, he said, and would help his organization's effort to get these holidays officially recognized in schools — especially those with a significant number of Muslim students. I think we should call bigotry what it is. I also recognize that most people, including myself, are susceptible to it. So when a public figure turns it around, it's nice to write about that, too. Read more about it here. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "[Both parties] kind of stick it to me, but I'm not worried." — State Sen. Sam Thompson (R-Middlesex) on redistricting FUN FACT OF THE DAY: "One of my feet is almost a whole shoe size smaller than the other." — POLITICO New Jersey intern @ItsDanOconnor DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Hudson Democrats' Raine Cusgelio   WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com WHAT TRENTON MADE YES! I MEAN NO! — "Did Murphy's office order corruption probe into fired official? State says yes, then no, lawyer alleges," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman :"A former high-ranking Health Department official who took New Jersey to court after he was fired at the height of the pandemic says lawyers for the state revealed 'someone in the Governor's Office' ordered a corruption investigation targeting him. But a lawyer for the former official said that admission was allegedly retracted just after Gov. Phil Murphy's former chief counsel, Matt Platkin, became acting attorney general this week." PUTTING THE HIGHER IN EDUCATION — " Rutgers releases first-of-its-kind report on impact of weed legalization in N.J.," by NJ Advance Media's Suzette Parmley: "A first-of-its-kind study made public on Monday by the New Jersey State Policy Lab at Rutgers University hopes to answer such questions and provide a starting point for cannabis research. A first-of-its-kind study made public on Monday by the New Jersey State Policy Lab at Rutgers University hopes to answer such questions and provide a starting point for cannabis research … The data includes a hard look at cannabis legalization's impact on law enforcement patterns. The study shows a snapshot of present-day usage and law-enforcement measures across age, racial, and gender lines. Some of the most glaring racial disparities occurred within the legal system, according to the study. The number of Black residents arrested for selling marijuana was more than five times higher than white residents. Black residents were four times as likely to be arrested for possession … The Rutgers study also gauges youth attitudes toward marijuana — from medical and behavioral health factors to learning and social adjustment. Among the issues being examined include suicide rates, number of people entering treatment facilities for marijuana addiction, and graduation and college matriculation rates in light of cannabis legalization." LEGALIZE DOGS! — "Service dogs are allowed everywhere disabled people go. N.J. lawmakers want to make sure everyone knows," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "A legally blind man walked into a deli in Essex County to buy a sandwich in 2013, only to be told by an employee that the customer's service dog wasn't allowed. The man sued for discrimination, and in a settlement negotiated by the state Division on Civil Rights, the customer received $1,500. The restaurant owner, while not admitting to any wrongdoing, was ordered to train employees on the legal acceptance of guide dogs. The unfortunate episode is part of the inspiration behind a bill that a state Assembly committee approved Monday that would require employers in New Jersey to train their workers on the legal rights of people with disabilities who rely on service dogs. 'Unfortunately, some businesses remain unclear about state regulations protecting New Jersey's disabled residents who require service dogs. These animals are not pets,' Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, D-Essex, one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement after the vote Monday." PORT DOESN'T RESPECT BOLLWAGE'S AUTHORITY — Bollwage, Cryan join forum protesting Port Authority deal with Amazon, by POLITICO's Daniel O'Connor: Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage joined officials from several community organizations at an online forum Tuesday to criticize a deal between Amazon and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that would allow the company to build a shipping hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Bollwage said he was not made aware of the plans for the airport, part of which is located in Elizabeth, until after the Port Authority had voted to approve the deal. The Port Authority operates the airport. "I have a problem whenever the Port Authority decides to build on property and then not provide tax rebates to the surrounding communities," Bollwage said. CIATTA-REALLY, JACK? — "81% turnout! But, no women or blacks need vote," by Anjali Mehrotra for InsiderNJ: "Jack Ciattarelli would like the modern election system to take inspiration from the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln. The failed 2021 GOP gubernatorial candidate's (extremely) hot take that the 81% turnout achieved in 1860 holds valuable lessons for today's legislators is egregious. It overlooks the fact over half the voting age population — women or people of color — did not even factor into that calculation. While I feel his pain regarding voter turnout in 2021, he also ignores what political insiders know well — that turnout in a presidential election year is always higher than off years." HOUSING — "New Jersey courts 'struggling' to fairly apply eviction law, advocates claim," by NJ Spotlight News' Brenda Flanagan: "A coalition of 20 advocates has filed an amicus legal brief that argues many New Jersey courts are making mistakes in eviction cases, because they're 'struggling to understand' a new statute, said attorney Catherine Weiss of the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. The statute was designed to protect tenants who fell behind on rent during the pandemic. 'If a court doesn't pay attention, then the tenant stands at very great risk of eviction whether or not the papers that were filed meet legal standards,' Weiss said. The brief states, '…the number of procedural mistakes in this case could lead litigants to assume that evictions can and will go forward regardless of the rules.'" —"Decades-old racist covenants on property deeds have lasting effect in New Jersey," by News 12 New Jersey's Brian Donohue : "Occasionally, New Jersey residents who attempt to sell their homes make a surprising discovery in the deeds and paperwork filed decades ago — a disturbing reminder of the history of discrimination faced by African Americans and other minorities. In 1940, former River Edge Mayor John Pell Zabrisek and his brother were selling a large section of their 100-acre family farm to home developers. In the paperwork for the sale, a clause reads: 'No person of any race other than the Caucasian race shall use or occupy any building or lot' except domestic servants." THEY'RE ALL RIGGED IF THE CANDIDATE YOU SUPPORT DOESN'T WIN — "N.J. could have 15 Election Days this year," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein : "The number of Election Days in New Jersey is astonishing: it could be fifteen this year, more or less, depending on the circumstances. Elections in 2022 started on January 25 when nine school districts across the state held special school referendums to approve capital project and improvement spending. That's one of four special school board Election Days throughout the year, along with March 8, October 4 — the Commissioner of Education approved moving the September election to October this year — and December 13." —Lisa Swain: " We cheapen the grief of the Holocaust by conjuring Nazi tyranny — it must stop"  —Roy Freiman: "Assemblyman: Here's how $600M will benefit the taxpayer"  —Pizarro: "Phil Murphy and Platkin factor"  —"'A real crisis': License backlogs in some states are preventing health care workers from seeing patients"   —"NJ sees holiday tax collection surge ahead of potential spring slump" —" Who is responsible when a nursing home is providing poor care? Sometimes it's hard to find out" —"The O'Toole Chronicles: In the tank"     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 CRYPTOHEIMER — Gottheimer releases draft stablecoin bill to set up regulatory regime, by POLITICO's Zachary Warmbrodt : Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Tuesday released draft text of a bill that would set up a new regulatory structure for certain stablecoins, including government-backed insurance akin to what's in place for bank deposits. The New Jersey Democrat circulated the discussion draft as lawmakers and regulators ramp up scrutiny of stablecoins, a form of cryptocurrency whose value is tied to other assets like the U.S. dollar. The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on the issue Tuesday after the House held a hearing last week. —Steinberg: " Kean's Abortion and Guns Record: Its impact on women voters"  LOCAL UNION COUNTY  — "Court halts Union County government project, ruling no-bid $123.8M contract violated N.J. law," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "Union County's long-planned $123.8 million government complex that opponents claimed had illegally skirted state public bidding laws was halted by a state appeals court Tuesday, which rejected arguments that any delay in the construction project would only incur more costs to taxpayers. The three-judge panel found that the procurement process used by Union County violated New Jersey's Local Public Contracts Law, and the next phase of the project had to be publicly bid … The court battle over the deal began last year after Dobco, a Wayne-based construction and development company vying for the Union County project as well as a major $80 million renovation of the historic Bergen County Justice Center, filed lawsuits in both counties after the firm was passed over for consideration before the contracts were awarded. Lawyers for Dobco charged that Bergen and Union illegally circumvented state public contracts law by using their respective improvement authorities to get around New Jersey's Local Public Contracts Law." I REALLY PREFER THE TV SHOW 'FRAZIER' — "Atlantic County commissioners to consider resolution on Kayan Frazier sex abuse case ," by The Press of Atlantic City's Michelle Brunetti Post: "Atlantic County commissioners will consider a resolution Tuesday asking the state to investigate how its Division of Child Protection and Permanency hired Kayan Frazier after Frazier was fired by Atlantic City schools for inappropriate behavior with students. Frazier pleaded guilty in February 2021 to one federal count of child exploitation involving sexual abuse and child pornography, and in July was sentenced to 20 years and one month in federal prison. A group of mostly Atlantic City residents has been attending meetings recently, asking the board to pass an even stronger resolution. Among other things, the group wants the county to demand state charges be brought against Frazier to keep him in prison longer." LIKE A BRIDGE OVER RACIALLY TROUBLED WATER — "N.J. mall fight ends with cops cuffing Black teen as white teen watches from couch. Police investigating," by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: "The response by two police officers to a fight on Saturday at the Bridgewater Commons Mall is under an internal police investigation after video of the altercation shows the officers pinning a Black teenager to the ground and handcuffing him, while the white teen involved in the fight was allowed to sit on a couch. The video … shows a white teen and a Black teen arguing before the fight breaks out … The two teens traded blows, scuffled and fell over mall furniture before two Bridgewater police officers intervened. The white teen is seen over top of the Black teen, who is on the floor, when police pull them apart. Each officer grabbed a teen. The Black teen was taken to the ground while the white teen was pulled to a couch, where he remained seated as both officers focused on the Black teen on the ground. One officer placed a knee on his upper back while the other officer knelt on his lower back and handcuffed him, the video shows. 'It's cause he's Black. Racially motivated,' a bystander says off camera." —" May election raised at [Atlantic] City Council meeting"  —" Hillsborough school board ends meeting because of maskless attendees"  —"Making it through the pandemic | A Q&A with Ras Baraka" —" Haworth mayor steps down to recover from triple heart valve surgery"  —"Davis calls for halt on large projects, asks Bayonne council to oppose PILOT for 18-story high rise"  —"Jersey City's mayor: We're running out of time. We need to pass Biden's climate plan"    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 FAME! I'M GONNA TAKE FOREVER! —"N.J. Hall of Fame to break ground at American Dream after long delay," by NJ Advance Media's Amy Kuperinsky: "The New Jersey Hall of Fame announced in 2018 that it would open its first static physical home at the American Dream mega mall in East Rutherford. There was even a groundbreaking ceremony that September. More than three years later, the Meadowlands project is still not ready, but the hall says it will be making progress this year … The hall says the planned 10,000-square-foot 'interactive entertainment and learning center' will have its actual groundbreaking this spring and a ribbon-cutting this fall. The attraction will be located next to Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream." —"He received 75 years for murder but hopes to be freed under new sentencing rules for juvenile lifers"  —"Local YouTube star pleads guilty in large-scale cable piracy case "   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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