Murphy mulls next move after Supreme Court ruling on guns

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Jun 23, 2022 View in browser   By Jonathan Custodio Gov. Phil Murphy says he is weighing more new gun control legislation after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a New York law regulating concealed carry, report POLITICO's Daniel Han and Ry Rivard. The nation's highest court voted 6-3 to strike down a law that provided local officials with the authority to deny gun permits for almost any reason, a law similar to one New Jersey has had on the books for decades that restricts handguns to people with a "justifiable need." The court agreed with gun rights advocates who argued the subjectivity surrounding permit requirements was unconstitutional. Murphy characterized the ruling as "deeply flawed," but expected. "Let there be no mistake — this dangerous decision will make America a less safe country," Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement, echoing similarly strong language from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. "But let me be equally clear that, here in New Jersey, we will do everything in our power to protect our residents." It is not suddenly legal for anyone to carry concealed handguns, as Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin noted in a statement. Prospective gun owners must still go through the permitting process and meet mandates that remain in effect, like a law preventing those who have committed crimes, are experiencing drug addiction, or are below the age of 21 from owning a firearm. "Carrying a handgun without a permit is still illegal in this state, and all other requirements for obtaining a carry permit still apply," Platkin said. While New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, the Supreme Court ruling does upend a century-old standard the state relied on to limit handguns. "This is not tomorrow you get on NJ Transit with a .40 caliber [firearm]. That's not the reality because there is still a permitting process," William Castner, an adviser to Murphy, said in an interview. "But the reality is this is going to be culturally shocking in a state like New Jersey, to have many more people carry guns in public and will lead to more gun violence deaths." HAPPY THURSDAY 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 shout out goes to Rob Browne for correctly answering that 2009 was the first year women made up more than 30 percent of the state legislature. Today's question: Former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno was a former sheriff for which county? 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 Murphy's spending plan. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY CAMPAIGN FINANCE —  A bill that would drastically overhaul New Jersey's campaign finance law — doubling contribution limits, removing many "pay to play" donation restrictions and requiring quick disclosure of major donations — began advancing in the state Senate on today, just a week after it was introduced. The bill, NJ S2866 (22R), dubbed the "Elections Transparency Act," was approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-0 after just a few minutes of discussion. State Sen. Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic) said New Jersey's current campaign finance restrictions encourage donors to go around the laws using other organizations, like super PACs, that are not subject to state restrictions. "They're going to find ways around every campaign finance reform you try to do. So I think transparency is the key," Polistina told the committee. "I think it's more transparent when you have it going directly to candidates as opposed to super PACs or any other entity." The bill, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari and Minority Leader Steve Oroho, was introduced June 16 and is the latest iteration of a bill Scutari has been pushing since last year. The measure was amended during today's committee meeting to change the definitions of an "independent expenditure committee" and "electioneering communications" in an effort to require "dark money" nonprofit organizations that spend money to influence elections to disclose their donors. A dark money disclosure law the Legislature passed in 2019 was blocked by a federal judge. — Matt Friedman COVID NUMBERS — New Jersey reported 2,604 confirmed positive Covid-19 tests and 14 deaths from the virus on Thursday. The state's seven-day average was down 7 percent from a week ago and 45 percent from a month ago. ON THE BEATS HEALTH CARE — University Hospital presented its budget for fiscal year 2023 at a public meeting today, but with the notable absence of a capital budget as calls for a new campus grow. The capital budget, which would include expansion and improvement of facilities some have called for, will be presented at next month's meeting after the state budget is finalized, according to the hospital's CFO, Gary Huck. Interim President and CEO Mary Maples said talks with the Legislature are ongoing. "We're really in the thick of those conversations with the legislature and other areas of the state government apparatus at this point," she said. Tracy Forsyth, the interim chief legal officer, noted that while many insurance costs decreased, insurance on the hospital's commercial property rose dramatically. "This is very, very consistent with the message that we really need a new campus," she said. "This is the line of insurance that is directly related to our crumbling infrastructure." The fiscal years for University Hospital and state government end at the close of this month. — Daniel O'Connor DEPARTMENTAL VACANCIES — There are more than 3,000 departmental vacancies at New Jersey's state agencies, meaning 6 percent of state executive branch jobs are empty — the most in more than a decade, POLITICO has calculated. These vacancies represent empty desks or open positions in 16 departments tasked with overseeing the state's public school system, health care network, motor vehicle offices, corrections facilities, unemployment services, veterans affairs and more. While the vacancies may reflect larger employment challenges both in New Jersey and across the country — the U.S. labor market is experiencing a record number of job openings — in state government, they mean services won't be provided, phones won't be answered or potholes won't be filled. Vacancies can also mean more work is being heaped on those who remain, which can lead to a domino effect of more people leaving, creating a "brain drain" in agencies needed to provide services to taxpayers. — Carly Sitrin Around New Jersey REPORT: LOW PAY, INJURIES LEAD TO HIGH TURNOVER AT NJ AMAZON SITES — New Jersey Monitor's Sophie Nieto-Munoz: "Unrealistic expectations, low pay, and excessive injuries are leading to skyrocketing turnover rates at Amazon warehouses in New Jersey, according to a new report released Thursday by a worker advocacy group. In 2020, turnover at Amazon warehouses was about 124% across New Jersey — meaning for every Amazon warehouse job in the state, more than one worker is let go or quits each year. That's double the rate seen at non-Amazon warehouses, and it means the entire workforce is replaced every 10 months, according to the report from The National Employment Law Project. Mercer County, where the state's first Amazon warehouse opened in 2014, rose from a 32% turnover rate to 113% in the eight years since the tech giant's arrival, the report claims. The highest turnover rate is in Gloucester County, which sees its workforce leave at a rate of 137%." FORMER OFFICIAL IN PASSAIC COUNTY BARRED FROM PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT — NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: "Former Passaic County Surrogate Bernice Toledo has been barred from public employment in New Jersey after a judge determined she falsified a judgment to improperly appoint the administration of an estate to a longtime friend. Toledo was charged Aug. 26, 2021, with fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records that had to do with a New Jersey man who died without a will. Toledo heard the case on June 22, 2017, authorities said." Odds and ends — Here are four ways your NJ Transit train trip to Penn Station might be better in future years.  — United Airlines will cut about 50 flights a day out of Newark Liberty to reduce delays. — A Siberian tiger at Great Adventure's Wild Safari gave birth to five cubs. That increased the global population of Siberian tigers by 1 percent.    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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