| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Editor's Note: We're resending today's newsletter after technical issues inserted code and made our earlier version generally hard to read. We apologize for any inconvenience. Good Thursday morning! Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso has acknowledged that it was indeed him on tape four years ago casually tossing around racial slurs, including the N-word. He apologized. This brings us to a point of clarity in New Jersey politics. It's been more than a week since NJ Advance Media first published the tape, which was kept secret through hush money that the town council authorized. Now, the mayor has removed the last tiny bit of plausible deniability that he said those slurs. Can this guy really stay in office? GOP congressional candidate Tom Kean now thinks he should resign, according to his campaign. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who like Kean, condemned the statement after the story was published but stopped short of calling for his resignation, has now done so in a statement to Playbook. New Jersey GOP Chair Bob Hugin called on Bonaccorso to resign in a statement that also said President Joe Biden should step down because of Hunter Biden and Murphy should resign because of Covid nursing home deaths. I lost my voice yesterday, so I didn't press the question as aggressively as I normally would. Still, I expected more of an outcry over this type of thing. It seems open and shut. Are we really that desensitized? I can't see into Sal Bonaccorso's soul. But I'd be a lot more convinced his apology was sincere if he had made it before he knew his statements had been recorded, before the town paid the cop who recorded them to hush it up and before the most-trafficked New Jersey news website posted the recordings online. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NONPROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 51 WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: "People didn't move into a party zone. They moved into a residential neighborhood. This is going to attract those 25- to 35-year-olds who want to get high and go to the bars. I personally think that's not great for Hoboken, and it's going to accentuate that area as party central." — Hoboken Councilmember Tiffanie Fisher on restricting cannabis dispensaries in… (checks article again)... Hoboken HAPPY BIRTHDAY — NJ Agriculture Dept. staffer Rob Vivian and political operative Bill Killion (mistakenly included him yesterday) TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | DRENNAN OUT — As I hinted in January , Kevin Drennan, who was executive director of the Senate Democrats most of the time that Steve Sweeney was Senate president — i.e. most of the last decade — is leaving. Taking the job on April 19: Senate Democratic general counsel Alison Accetolla, who was Senate President Nick Scutari's top aide when he chaired the Judiciary Committee and who in a statement he called an "attorney who possesses a strong understanding of the Legislature." Also Scutari: "Kevin Drennan has served as Executive Director with integrity and steadfast commitment to the Legislature, gaining the trust of the Senators, the respect of those who interacted with the Senate and the allegiance of the staff." My comment: It's impossible to do this job and not develop relationships with sources like Drennan. He was always to willing to talk to me during busy Senate sessions to explain obscure procedures or fill me in on the status of a bill. We had some scrapes. But he had a job to do but he understood mine. I enjoyed dealing with him. LOWER ED — Mercer County schools superintendent says her firing was 'political', by POLITICO's Carly Sitrin: Yasmin Hernández, who had served as executive county superintendent for Mercer County for 5 1/2 years, was terminated this week in what she said was 'almost a personal vendetta' against her by the Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan. "This has nothing to do with my job performance. This is politics and this is personal," Hernández told POLITICO in an interview Wednesday. She said that as the only Latina executive superintendent in the state, she believes "I'm being discriminated against as a Hispanic woman." "It was totally disrespectful. It's unethical and unprofessional," she said. THE GLASS ALLBIRD — "At St. Peter's, Murphy grabs hold of obvious national Cinderella symbols," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "Governor Phil Murphy today took a turn at palming the old basketball in the aftermath of St. Peter's University's unprecedented March Madness run. This morning, the jubilant (but masked, he tested positive for COVID-19 last week) Murphy delivered the Keynote Address at St. Peter's University's 150th Anniversary Founders' Week Celebration. 'It's a Cinderella Story,' the Governor gushed, 'and it's even more special when Cinderella lives right here in Jersey City.' … Amid Democratic Party consternation over polling that shows President Joe Biden struggling to connect with American voters, Murphy allies continue to gently assert the New Jersey governor as a national option if the party finds itself flummoxed come 2024. Their reasoning, at least today, contained the following rapids navigation: He wears a mask (uncool, but responsible). He's a basketball fan. (cool). The team he roots for is in New Jersey (uncool). But maybe people should rethink the 'New Jersey is uncool' charge after St. Peter's miraculous run (cool)." — " Murphy's spending plan has at least one big fan: Wall Street" — CRC will again consider allowing medical cannabis operators to expanding to recreational market — "'It's barbaric' — big rally to put an end to smoking in Atlantic City, NJ casinos" — " State moves to make controversial civil forfeiture more transparent" — New poll puts Murphy's approval at 57 percent — BPU chides lawmakers for burdening small water districts
| | BIDEN TIME | | TRANSIT — New Jersey set to get $834M from feds for public transit, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: "The U.S. Department of Transportation said last year's bipartisan infrastructure bill will provide New Jersey with $834 million for public transit. The figure came as out as the White House announced $20 billion in transit apportionments, amounting to a 58 percent increase in transit funding for fiscal year 2022 that the Biden administration said was the 'largest ever"' or transit. New Jersey's award is the fourth largest, behind New York, California and Illinois."
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | | A LITTORAL DEAL IN DEAL — "A 'deal' is reached to allow beachfront access in Deal," by NJ Advance Media's Richard Cowen: "The prospective owner of a small strip of oceanfront property in Deal has agreed to build a staircase to allow public access to the beach, ending a three-year legal battle in this tiny Monmouth County borough. Isaac Chera wants to buy the strip of borough-owned land at the end of Neptune Avenue for $1 million. But he's been opposed by the American Littoral Society, which filed a lawsuit in 2019 to block the sale. This week, the American Littoral Society announced it has reached a settlement with Chera and the borough that will allow the sale to go through. The borough will design a staircase onto the beach and Chera will pay for it, thereby guaranteeing public access 'in perpetuity,' according to the agreement." PAYING LAWYERS: THE UNIVERSAL SOLUTION TO ALL NEW JERSEY PROBLEMS — "Bridgewater taps former prosecutor to handle fallout from viral mall arrest," by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "The township has hired former Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson as a special counsel to help address any legal issues that may arise from a February incident at the Bridgewater Commons that raised allegations of police misconduct. The township will pay Robertson, who resigned as prosecutor earlier this year near the end of his five-year term, no more than $25,000, according to a resolution unanimously approved Monday by the Township Council. The resolution states Robertson will assist in "interacting" with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General and other government entities reviewing the Feb. 12 incident at the mall." WOUNDED MCPRIDE — "Trenton Police director Wilson survives removal effort, 'humbled' by support," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea: "Friends of 'Officer Friendly' saved him from certain doom. Council tabled a resolution calling for removal of Trenton police director Steven Wilson after residents and community leaders flocked to Tuesday's virtual meeting to speak against the 'politically motivated' hit job. 'Ya'll want this city to be better?' Pastor John Harris asked legislators. 'You got a good man. Let's not destroy him with all the political agendas.' Council president Kathy McBride demanded Wilson resign last week during a rally over Trenton Police's shooting of Jajuan Henderson, an unarmed Black man shot by Officer Michael Gettler during a harrowing encounter on Centre Street in February. … In an unexpected move that stunned members of the mayoral administration, at-large councilman Santiago Rodriguez encouraged colleagues to put off a vote on Wilson's future, saying "99 percent" who spoke during the meeting supported the police director. The motion to table the disciplinary action, seconded by East Ward councilman Joe Harrison, passed 4-3. McBride and council members Robin Vaughn and Sonya Wilkins voted to move forward with discipline." BLOOD BANK — " 'Things have gotten out of hand': Red Bank mayor, councilwoman skip race after party split," by The Asbury Park Press' Olivia Liu: "Councilwoman Kathy Horgan said when her late husband Drew passed away, someone told her, 'Doors will open for you, walk through them.' Horgan is now walking through another one. Horgan and Mayor Pat Menna have declined to run for reelection, citing power issues within the local Democratic Municipal Committee, run by Councilman Edward Zipprich. With their pending departure, he appears to have solidified control of the local Democrats, the dominant party in Red Bank politics. … 'I've served for 15 years. After a certain time, new blood is important so other people need to step up to the plate and run,' Horgan said MONTCLAIR PURPORTS TO BE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY BUT IT'S ACTUALLY NATIVIST — "Montclair proposes 'one-of-a-kind' law to slow the alarming decline of pollinator insects," by The Record's Julia Martin: "Montclair may soon approve a 'one-of-a-kind' ordinance mandating that only native species be planted on town property. The Jose German-Gomez Native Species Act, named for a town environmentalist, would 'will put Montclair at the forefront of communities working hard to re-populate our local environments with native vegetation so that we can support insects, butterflies, birds and other creatures reliant on a healthy, native ecosystem.' said Councilor Peter Yacobellis. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the importance of native plants, and alarm at the decline of the pollinator populations that depend on them." ME EVERY TIME I GET A PARKING TICKET — "Why is this Paterson councilman fighting a 2-year-old garbage ticket? Blame city politics," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Mayoral candidate and city Councilman Alex Mendez was in Clifton Municipal Court last week pleading not guilty to two summonses that a Paterson sanitation inspector issued against him about 800 days ago. One summons accuses Mendez of not recycling. The other says he failed to put his garage bags in trash receptacles. The seemingly mundane case is the latest battleground in a messy, mudslinging mayoral campaign, ahead of an election scheduled for May 10. Mendez claimed the sanitation summonses are part of an ongoing attack against him by Mayor Andre Sayegh, who is seeking reelection. Sayegh said the summonses are part of an ongoing pattern of lawlessness by Mendez." — "Former inmates sue Passaic County Jail over alleged abuse and abhorrent conditions" — " Spotswood settles with current, former police chiefs for $470K in harassment suit" — " Sheriff's sergeant fired after she complained about discriminatory treatment of others, suit says" — "Shore businesses optimistic for return of 'small-but-mighty' foreign student workforce" — "East Newark councilwoman pays small fine for ELEC violation" — " What's in a name? Could be controversy, if it's a ballot slogan" — "Jersey City police union president blasts superiors' union leader for 'cozy' relationship with administration" — "Judge dismisses Fisher lawsuit to nullify raising union donation limit, Hoboken seeking reimbursements" — " [Carteret] mayor pays $90 traffic fine for crashing his vehicle late last year" | | EVERYTHING ELSE | | R.I.P. — "Eric Boehlert, Montclair resident and veteran media critic, struck and killed by train," by Montclair Local's Talia Wiener: "Montclair resident and veteran media critic Eric Boehlert has died a in bicycle accident in Montclair, his family confirmed in a statement Wednesday. Boehlert is survived by his wife, Tracy Breslin, and two children Jane and Ben, journalist Soledad O'Brien said on Twitter, announcing his death. Soledad said she'd learned of Boehlert's death from Breslin, and called Boehlert 'a fierce and fearless defender of the truth.' 'Eric was filled with vibrant enthusiasms and interests in life as a loving husband, father, sibling, uncle and friend,'the statement from his family said. 'We will miss him always.'" AND YET POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO WAFFLE ON THIS ISSUE — "How climate change is making maple syrup less sweet—and sapping production in NY, NJ," by Gothaist's Shantal Riley: "[W]inter and early-spring temperatures determine how well precious maple sap will flow. The climate problem was so detrimental last year that it squeezed the global supply of maple syrup. … At the Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, New Jersey, farmer Tim Stockel heaved logs into the bottom of a wood-fired evaporator in late February. The machine takes about 80 gallons of sap, made mostly from red maples, to make one gallon of maple syrup. 'Here in New Jersey, we don't have as many sugar maples, at least not here in Monmouth County, central New Jersey, where I am,' said Stockel. 'So, I have to work a lot harder boiling that sap water down to end up with maple syrup.' While his maple trees were productive last year, his other crops didn't do as well. 'We got hit with two horrendous storms,' he said." THE 'HOMETOWN' IN THE DELI'S NAME ACTUALLY MEANS HONG KONG — "Paulsboro's famous Hometown Deli merges with Calif. firm that makes hemp-based plastics," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Erin Arvedlund : "The parent company of Your Hometown Deli, the Paulsboro, N.J., eatery that made headlines last year with a $100 million value, is merging with a tiny private company that makes hemp-based plastics. Los Angeles-based Makamer Holdings is the new name, according to filings with regulators, and the operating business is biodegradable plastics. Neither company has a moneymaking business. The end result is the merger of two odd businesses that mom and pop investors should probably avoid, finance experts said. … For those not familiar with Your Hometown Deli, or its parent Hometown International, a group of Hong Kong investors apparently aimed to use the public company as an informal SPAC. These special purpose acquisition companies are the blank check firms that bring another company onto the public markets through a merger or acquisition, a process that circumvents the traditional IPO process and cost." — "A wave of reassessments is giving homeowners sticker shock. Why there's no need to panic "
| | | | 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 | | | | |
Comments
Post a Comment