Waterfront commissioner quit because of stalemate

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May 18, 2022 View in browser   By Jonathan Custodio Presented by the NJ Board of Public Utilities New Jersey's representative on the bi-state Waterfront Commission resigned this week because of infighting between New Jersey and New York, reports POLITICO's Ry Rivard. Joseph Sanzari, one half of the two-member commission and the owner of a major North Jersey-based construction firm, said he wants to build things instead of being locked in "bureaucratic fights" between the two states. "I'm not interested in serving on any board or commission in which my role would be to engage in legal jousting between competing sides," Sanzari said in an email to POLITICO. "I believe in building things, creating progress, and moving forward, not wasting my time in bureaucratic fights." Created nearly 70 years ago, the commission serves as a watchdog for waterfront labor issues. New Jersey was planning to quit the agency in late March, but New York sued to stop the state's departure. The U.S. Supreme Court at least temporarily blocked New Jersey's exit. Sanzari, who joined the commission tasked with overseeing a specialized law enforcement agency late last year, said he intended to serve in the role only until April, after New Jersey would have presumably quit the agency. The move would have shifted oversight of the state's waterfront workers to the New Jersey State Police. Gov. Phil Murphy, who nominated Sanzari and praised his service, said this week that a new commissioner would be named "shortly."   A message from the NJ Board of Public Utilities: New Jersey is on its way toward its goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. And you can help. Find out how New Jersey's Clean Energy Program can help businesses save energy and money with commercial clean energy incentives. High-value incentives and rebates on energy efficient improvements and appliances are also available from your utility company. You'll be saving more than money—you'll be helping to make the Garden State the Greenest State. Visit njcleanenergy.com.   HAPPY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON — Hi there, I'm Jonathan Custodio, your Playbook PM author. We're adding New Jersey political trivia to this newsletter and will shout out one person who correctly answers the question in the following day's edition. Today's question: What was the vote margin (total number, not percentage) of former Gov. Christine Whitman's gubernatorial victory in 1993? Send answers and tips to jcustodio@politico.com. We're here with the latest from Trenton and elsewhere as New Jersey moves ahead in the budget process and the Legislature conducts hearings on Gov. Phil Murphy's spending plan. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY POLICE LICENSES — Murphy proposed legislation today that would create a licensing program for New Jersey's law enforcement officers. The proposal would require all police officers to be certified with a professional license in order to practice, giving departments an additional method of disciplining cops for infractions ranging from domestic abuse to membership in hate groups. "Policing is perhaps the only skilled profession left in New Jersey that does not provide individuals with a license that shows beyond any doubt that they have been through rigorous training and are not just expected to, but required to live up to the highest professional standards," Murphy said at a press conference at the Essex County Police Academy. Members of the Legislature, faith leaders and — crucially — Patrick Colligan, president of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, spoke in support of the idea. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and the State Troopers Fraternal Association also indicated their support. New Jersey is one of only a few states where police officers do not need professional licenses. From doctors to hairdressers, many skilled professionals in New Jersey are required to meet certain state licensing standards in order to work. — POLITICO's Daniel O'Connor COVID NUMBERS — New Jersey reported 3,842 confirmed positive Covid-19 tests and 15 deaths from the virus today. The state's seven-day case average is up 32 percent from a week ago and 134 percent from a month ago. ON THE BEATS COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS — Murphy appointed 27 members to the New Jersey Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission, which was established in November. The commission is tasked with formulating policies that address the social and economic needs of the AAPI community, which makes up 10 percent of the state's population . It is also required to submit an annual report to the governor and state Legislature. "As our state is home to the third-largest percentage of AAPI residents in the nation, our AAPI community is a key part of the great diversity in our state. I am proud to appoint these outstanding members to the New Jersey Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission and look forward to working with them to address the social and economic needs of the AAPI community," Murphy said in a press release.   A message from the NJ Board of Public Utilities:   Around New Jersey DURR INTRODUCES BILLS TO EXPAND GUN RIGHTS — New Jersey Globe's Dana DiFilippo: "A freshman state senator inspired to run for public office after he was denied a concealed carry permit has introduced a bevy of bills that would expand gun rights in New Jersey. Most of the legislation sponsored by Sen. Ed Durr (R-Gloucester) seeks to loosen some of the famously tight restrictions New Jersey places on gun owners and aligns with measures pro-gun advocates have long championed. But some of the bills — including one to authorize $1 million for high schoolers to start gun clubs — are sure to raise eyebrows, even among those who aren't gun foes." PRINCETON COUNCIL PUNTS ON CANNABIS DISPENSARY — New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "In a classic NIMBY move, an ostensibly timid but self-proclaimed progressive Princeton Township Council has caved to public pressure and punted on a decision to permit a local cannabis dispensary, according to a report by TAPinto Princeton, which covered a governing body meeting on Tuesday evening. The decision comes despite overwhelming approval by Princeton voters to legalize adult-use, recreational marijuana in a 2020 referendum. Princeton approved the measure by a 75%-25% margin — about four percentage points higher than Mercer County and eight points higher than the statewide number. 'I am of the mind that let other towns do it before us and let's see what happens. Let's see … what works and what doesn't work,' said Mayor Mark Freda. 'There is no rush for this.'" MILESTONE FOR CAMDEN COUNTY COLLEGE — Courier-Post's Phaedra Trethan: " Camden County College has a new leader, the sixth in its history, but she's also a first. Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, who will officially take the helm of the Blackwood-based college July 1, is the first person of color to lead the school in its 54-year history. She takes over for Donald Borden, who led Camden County College for seven years and did not seek reappointment. Pugh-Bassett has been the college's vice president of institutional effectiveness, advancement and strategic initiatives since 2019. She previously served with the New Jersey Department of Education and as Camden County's executive superintendent of schools." Odds and ends — A second member of the Englewood Board of Education has resigned abruptly, saying other board members are not committed to solving the district's academic problems.  — It may soon be illegal to feed wildlife, including pigeons, in Hoboken. Let's hope they don't call for a, er, sit-down strike..  — In other flying feathered friend news, the state's population of bald eagles is thriving after nearly going extinct.  — The debate over who can, or can't, use cannabis while off the job continues among lawmakers.   A message from the NJ Board of Public Utilities: New Jersey is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of businesses, residents, local government, and many others across the state, New Jersey is well on its way toward reaching Governor Phil Murphy's ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. But there is still more to be done. Find out how New Jersey's Clean Energy Program can help you save energy and money. Visit njcleanenergy.com to learn about the available commercial and residential clean energy incentives, local government energy audits, and ways to save with high-value incentives and rebates from your local utility company on energy efficient improvements and appliances. You'll be doing a lot more than saving money on your energy bills—you'll be helping to make New Jersey the greenest state on the planet. Start saving right away—visit njcleanenergy.com today!     Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  California Playbook PM  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  New York Playbook PM View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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