| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | | Good Wednesday morning! When former Gov. Chris Christie and the South Jersey faction of the Democratic-led Legislature spearheaded the reorganization of much of New Jersey's higher education system nearly 10 years ago, they created the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. It's an obscure board, to say the least. But it has a hefty salary for its leader. You'll recall that former Camden Mayor Dana Redd took a $275,000 job as CEO of the board that quintupled her pension after special legislation was fast-tracked to get her back into the pension system she was frozen out of. She recently left that job with the pension secured for an even higher-paying job with Camden Community Partnership. The Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors just announced that county commissioner Jeff Nash will take the job Redd left. Unlike Redd, Nash didn't need to be put back in the pension system. He's grandfathered in since he took office way back in 1992. If he were to retire and start collecting a pension today, it would be based on his $23,000 commissioner salary. Now, if he stays at this new job for at least three years, his pension will be based on its $275,000 salary. "For me, my motivation is really the city of Camden . I have devoted most of my adult life to Camden's revitalization. For that reason, it's a dream job," said Nash, an attorney who left the prominent Philadelphia firm Cozen O'Connor in 2015 to start the Nash Law Group in Camden. Nash said the job was publicly posted but he did not know if he had any competition. Asked about the pension boost, Nash said , "I understand the optic." "If someone wants to point to that over the years of dedication I've given to Camden, I think my career has shown without significant compensation that I was motivated more by the passion for revitalizing the city and the residents of that city than I am about money." DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 311 TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com WHERE'S MURPHY? — No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Where was the SEC? What kind of oversight was there? What should the SEC be doing? What proposed regulations would he suggest?" — Rep. Josh Gottheimer on the collapse of FTX . Gottheimer was one of eight House members to sign a March letter pushing back against the FEC launching probes of unregulated crypto businesses. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Sylvester Giustino, Martin Asatrian, my cousin Kevin | | | | A message from PhRMA: Insurance companies use their PBMs to decide how much you'll have to pay for medicines. They keep discounts that should go to you. And only three insurance company PBMs control 80% of prescriptions. You deserve better. Learn more. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
GOODBYE PAY-TO-PLAY LAWS — " Bill to revamp campaign finance laws clears Assembly hurdle ," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov : "An Assembly panel on Monday approved a new version of a bill that would revamp campaign finance laws supporters say are outdated, but critics warned the changes could shield corruption and increase the influence of wealthy contributors. The measure (A4372), approved in an 8-1 vote with three abstentions, would double campaign contribution limits, bolster the state's gubernatorial public financing program, and revise the state's pay-to-play laws. Other portions of the bill, including a requirement to report contributions from high-dollar donors within 96 hours, were left on the cutting room floor over concerns about feasibility, a major blow for good-government advocates who supported them. The bill's sponsor, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), said lawmakers need to discuss the rolling reporting provisions more."
NJ 101.5 GETS WORSE: If you look beyond their on-air "personalities" who push conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine propaganda, you can find some redeeming qualities in NJ 101.5. Chief among them has been Statehouse reporter Michael Symons, whose work has always been thorough, fair and measured. Yesterday, Symons announced he'd been laid off . This is a big loss for New Jersey, as listeners to a station that's mainly a bullhorn for bad information could at least count on hearing some reality from Symons. I hope someone hires him soon. TRANSPARENCY — " Can political violence put even bigger brakes on transparency in Trenton?" by The Record's Charles Stile: "The push to conceal their home addresses amounts to a further erosion of transparency of the public lives of New Jersey officials. These measures would make it harder for a diminished press or other civic watchdogs to hold public figures accountable. The proposals establish questionable and time-consuming hurdles that may not, in the end, prevent a determined and disturbed person from showing up at an official's doorstep, some lawmakers acknowledge. And given the broad array of public documents that will be purged, some observers argue that it is impractical and unenforceable. How will election officials determine whether a legislative candidate lives within a district? 'There'd be no legal way to release voter registration rolls, delinquent tax lists, public notices of permit applications,' Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, said in a tweet Monday. 'Basic government functions could not occur.' Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, the bill's chief sponsor, said its an unfortunate, yet necessary accommodation to the perils of public life. He ticked off a list of high profile incidents that have alarmed the nation, including the arrest of despondent man outside U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Maryland home in June." WHAT LURKS ON THE HORIZON? — " The Hospital Bill Was $674,856. Why Did the State Pay More Than $2 Million? " by Bloomberg's John Tozzi: "Last year, officials overseeing New Jersey's employee health plan … discovered something that made no sense. The state had been billed $674,856 for a patient's care at NewYork-Presbyterian. But it had paid $2,026,524, some three times what it was charged. It wasn't an isolated incident either. A review by the state's Treasury department of the 50 biggest out- of-state hospital claims in 2020 showed the state paid millions in excess of what was actually billed, even though New Jersey's contract with insurer Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey explicitly bars overpayments. Efforts by those inside the state government investigating the payments were thwarted by the insurer, documents show. And today, neither the state nor Horizon are saying where that money wound up, leaving open questions about where the state's money went and who may have profited." —" N.J. sued over plan to reorganize Horizon as advocates warn it may force premium hikes ," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "The Murphy administration did not adequately protect the interests of Horizon's 3.6 million policy holders when it approved the $13 billion insurance company's corporate reorganization last month, according to a lawsuit consumer advocates and a labor union filed on Tuesday. The healthcare worker union, Health Professionals and Allied Employees, the consumer advocacy group Citizen Action New Jersey and the public interest law firm New Jersey Appleseed seek to overturn state Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride's Nov. 1 decision approving Horizon's application to convert from a not-for-profit health services organization to a not-for-profit mutual holding organization." —" A huge hike in New Jersey's health care costs will sting workers and taxpayers | Opinion " HOUSING — " Why is NJ denying so many applications for COVID homeowner assistance? " by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "New Jersey has given out less than 4% of federal funds set aside to cover mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner's insurance and other housing costs for struggling homeowners over the course of a year. The state has rejected more than twice as many applications as it has approved, and advocates say the process needs more clarity and communication. The Garden State paid families $10 million of the $270 million budgeted for direct payment assistance from October 2021 through September 2022, according to the latest quarterly and annual reports … About 700 families, or less than 10% of applicants, secured interest-free forgivable loans from New Jersey's Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance program. Nearly 4,800 submissions are being reviewed, and almost 1,900 families — or a quarter of applications — were denied." BOILER BAN BAGGED — " Boiler ban ditched, but power plant rules coming ," by NJ Spotlight News' Tom Johnson: "New Jersey still plans to adopt new rules to reduce global warming caused by pollution from power plants but has backed off from a highly contentious provision to require thousands of schools and apartment buildings to eventually replace their heating systems with electric boilers. The decision marks a significant setback for the Murphy administration's first major initiative to electrify the building sector, the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey. The revised rule is expected to be formally adopted next month. The withdrawal of the boiler provision by the state Department of Environmental Protection is a victory for business groups, builders and unions who banded together to fight the mandate, which they described as too costly. The rule would cost schools, municipalities and businesses up to $2 million each, critics said." —" N.J.'s minimum wage is going up, again. Here's how it ranks compared to other states " —" NJ Transit reform report card, part 4: Why those dull reports matter " — Librarians 'hopeful' Murphy will sign info literacy bill before January —" Did you know N.J. has no official state juice? That may change soon " | | | | POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP . | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
LET THE GAMES VEGAN — Why the 2024 race is eerily quiet , by POLITICO's Jonathan Martin: Earlier this month, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), whose 2020 White House bid ran out of cash, convened about 100 of his donors for a gathering at the Hotel Eaton in Washington. Booker brought Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, herself a potential presidential hopeful, to speak to the contributors. Booker told his backers that, while he wouldn't challenge Biden in 2024, he wants to be ready and that his career has been marked by unexpected opportunities, according to an attendee. Political documentary aficionados will recall from 'Street Fight,' of course, that Booker hasn't always waited on incumbents to step down. Now, though, he's dutifully supporting the incumbent and will have clean hands should Biden decline to run or exit the race.
—" N.J. man who posted selfie during Jan. 6 Capitol riots found guilty on all counts " —Mulshine: " Donald Trump may be a loser but would Chris Christie be a winner? " —" State investigating Millville judge's claims of discriminatory judicial practices " —" Pallone will remain top Dem On Energy And Commerce Committee " —" President Biden signs landmark bill into law protecting same-sex, interracial marriages " | | | | A message from PhRMA:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
ON THE BRINK — Top Union County officials file defamation lawsuit against wife of former employee , by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Two of Union County government's top staffers are suing the wife of a former employee, a frequent critic of county government, claiming what they say has been a "relentless parade of outrageous, false, and defamatory statements." County Finance Director Bibi Taylor and County Manager Ed Oatman filed the six-count defamation lawsuit in September against Carolyn Daly Brink. In addition to defamation, the lawsuit alleges libel, slander, false light, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress. Brink, whose husband was laid off by the Union County Improvement Authority in 2021, accused Oatman and Taylor of "illicit promiscuity and adulterous affairs between plaintiffs" according to the lawsuit, which also claims she made excessive public records requests in a "malicious and persistent campaign ... to malign each of them both personally and professionally."
THE WITCHER — " Millville judge says career likely over for calling scheduling 'discriminatory' ," by the Daily Journal's Joseph P. Smith: "City and state officials are saying little for now in response to a municipal court judge complaining on the court record of 'discriminatory' scheduling for Hispanic defendants. Judge Jason D. Witcher, however, says he believes his career is finished. Witcher directed a statement go into the court record at the end of his morning session on Monday, Dec. 5. The court office on Dec. 7 then released audio-only electronic copies of the session to news media, on request. Witcher states in a clear portion of the recording: 'Just for purposes of the record. That is, that is, on record. … is and has been the most discriminatory thing I have ever been a part of … entire career' … He said his on-record comments actually were more extensive but do not appear on the court record as he had intended. 'I believe that, based on what I did, my career is most likely over,' Witcher said. 'If it's not over, I'm worried about facing reprisals as a result, which in effect would cause me to leave the bench.'" SEE DA MAN RUN — " Sidamon-Eristoff, a former state treasurer, might run for Mercer County executive ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, a government finance expert who spent more than five years as New Jersey State Treasurer under Gov. Chris Christie, is considering a bid for Mercer County Executive. With Mercer County Democrats on the verge of a full-blown civil war, Sidamon-Eristoff has been meeting with current and former Republican leaders and testing the waters for a possible 2023 bid. 'I've been talking to a bunch of people trying to learn as much as I can,' Sidamon-Eristoff said. 'I haven't decided. I'm still in a due diligence phase.' If the fledgling fight between five-term incumbent Brian Hughes and Assemblyman Daniel Benson (D-Hamilton) continues through the June Democratic primary, Sidamon-Eristoff could potentially assemble a coalition between Republicans and the losing side of a fractured Democratic party." GOING FOR BROQUE — " As Cirillo vs. Sires heats up in West New York, Roque set to host 'courtesy breakfast' ," by The Hudson County View's John Heinis: "As the West New York mayoral matchup between Public Affairs Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo and outgoing U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) heats up, former Mayor Felix Roque is set to host a 'courtesy breakfast' on Saturday … Roque accompanied the post with a picture where he was standing in front of the chair he sat in during the board of commissioners meetings … While Roque was bested by the New Beginnings West New York team, headed by now Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez and including Cirillo and Guzman, he has teased on comeback tour on multiple occasions and his upcoming breakfast will continue to fan the flames." THE FIRES WILL BE RUNNING SCARED — " This is how a Paterson firefighter regained his job after he cleared his name in a murder ," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Kaheem Hunt regained his job as a Paterson firefighter last month, about three years after getting his name cleared in connection with a 2017 homicide in the city's 5th Ward. "I was charged with a crime that I did not commit," Hunt said during a City Council meeting last February. It took another eight months after Hunt made his comments at City Hall, but Paterson officials on Nov. 1 allowed him to return to work, according to personnel records. Councilman Michael Jackson, who championed Hunt's cause, said the firefighter should have been back on the job long ago. Jackson also said the city shortchanged Hunt by giving him only 50% of his back pay …. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office at the time said Hunt drove the getaway vehicle in the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Juan Martinez, who was killed during a dispute involving a woman who was bothered near the corner of Madison and Essex streets. Eventually, authorities dropped the murder charge against Hunt and cleared his arrest record after he completed a pre-trial intervention program in October 2019." — " [Elizabeth] considering lifting 'outdated' $20 cap on rent hikes " —" Haledon man who said he'd take his child out of transgender teacher's class wins BOE seat " —" 'Friends' concerned with JCRA control over Loew's Jersey, but city says landmark theater won't be sold " | | | | JOIN THURSDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON FAMILY CARE IN AMERICA : Family caregivers are among our most overlooked and under-supported groups in the United States. The Biden Administration's new national strategy for supporting family caregivers outlines nearly 350 actions the federal government is committed to taking. Who will deliver this strategy? How should different stakeholders divide the work? Join POLITICO on Dec. 15 to explore how federal action can improve the lives of those giving and receiving family care across America. REGISTER HERE . | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
THE PLANES WILL BE USED FOR NEW 'CHAIRMAN'S FLIGHT' ROUTE FROM NEWARK TO ESSEX COUNTY AIRPORT, WHICH IS 15 MILES CLOSER TO CEDAR GROVE — " United buys lots of big jets that will bring more jobs to Newark airport ," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: " United Airlines on Tuesday announced the largest order of Boeing 787 widebody jets by a U.S. carrier, along with hiring 15,000 more people nationally, including at least 2,000 more at Newark Liberty International Airport. The massive order of widebody jets includes 100, 787 Dreamliners that will be delivered between 2024 and 2032 with the option to purchase 100 additional 787 widebodies to begin replacement of its fleet of 767 and 777 aircraft, the oldest of which is 30 years old, said Gerry Laderman, executive vice president and chief financial officer"
" Flu, RSV, COVID are hitting NJ children hard this fall. Will it get worse this winter? " —" 'Difficult to get cash': NJ bank branch closings raise roadblocks for disabled people " —" 'A freak accident': This is how a safety consultant was impaled at a Paterson site " | | | | A message from PhRMA: PBMs decide what medicines are covered, what medicines aren't and what you pay. That leaves you fighting for the medicines your doctor prescribed, instead of fighting your illness. Meanwhile, insurance companies and PBMs collect medicine rebates and discounts from drug manufacturers and don't pass them along to you. Those savings belong to New Jersey patients, not insurers' PBMs. PBMs are putting their profits before your medicine. Learn more. | | | | | | | 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 | | | | |
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