| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Monday morning! I'm back from vacation and freshly tattooed. I hope you were nice to Daniel Han while he filled in for me. So now that I'm back, this article in The Asbury Park Press about the rise in sports gambling addiction in New Jersey and elsewhere struck me. And of course, as the leader of the court effort to legalize sports betting nationwide, the Garden State bears a lot of responsibility for this. Still, according to a forthcoming Rutgers study cited in the article, New Jersey has three times the national average of high-risk problem gamblers. "The advertising of sports book is excessive, there is no regulation associated with it, it is the wild west when it comes to sports books," Council on Compulsive Gambling Executive Director Felicia Grondin told reporter Joe Strupp. This was easy to see coming. But few paid much attention. Like recreational weed legalization, legalized sports betting was overwhelmingly approved by voters. But the similarities stopped there once it came to the Legislature implementing it. Sports betting sailed through with overwhelming bipartisan support and few concerns raised about addiction. Weed, of course, hit political obstacles almost every step of the way. Even today, as our personal devices and TVs are clogged with ads for sports betting, the state is being careful to put strict regulations on the cannabis industry. As The Star-Ledger's Paul Mulshine pointed out in a column, cannabis consumption lounges won't even be allowed to serve soft drinks. We're already seeing pressure for more restrictions on gambling. I think it's a safe bet that, going forward, we'll see pressure for fewer restrictions on cannabis (see: allowing home grow). I don't think there are easy answers to reduce harm from legalizing gambling or substances. But I struggle to understand why policymakers have been so much more concerned with the latter. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 352 TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "People were locked in their homes and picked up the addiction. There is the over marketing of the companies, a vicious attempt to get market share and kids are being affected by it. You talk to young kids and most of them are gambling already and it is due to these over the top ads." — Assemblymember Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) on sports gambling.
WHERE'S MURPHY? In California all week for film and tech industry meetings and NGA business.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Matthew Dikovics, Susan Enderly, Rich Levesque |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
MURPHY GOT OUT OF THE LEFT LANE AFTER INCESSANT HONKING FROM NEW JERSEYANS — "Murphy is one of America's most left-leaning governors. So why are N.J. progressives unhappy?" by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson and Matt Arco: "Gov. Phil Murphy came into office five years ago describing himself as a proud progressive Democrat who wanted to make New Jersey "the California of the East Coast." His policies have frequently followed suit … But in the wake of Murphy's most recent State of the State address, a speech designed to lay out his agenda a year into his second term, some of the progressive advocates who have long supported him say they're disappointed. While Murphy has long faced criticism from Republicans as being too tax-happy and liberal, several leaders in his base are voicing concern like never before that the term-limited governor is now veering toward the middle — along with Democrats who control the state Legislature — and shying from the progressive vision so prominent in his first four years. Glaringly, many allies released critical statements after his address, while frequent critics issued press releases praising his focus on business and crime."
THE MILLIONAIRES FOLLOWED DAVID TEPPER BACK — "More than 42,000 millionaires live in Pa. and N.J. — and that number is growing," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Erin McCarthy: "[T]he number of millionaires in New Jersey increased by 5.4% from 2019 to 2020. According to IRS data, 23,950 tax returns were filed in New Jersey with $1 million or more in adjusted gross income in 2020, up from 22,720 the prior year. Both states saw even sharper increases in comparison to 2015. Pennsylvania recorded a jump of 31.3% from 2015 to 2020, while New Jersey had a 22.3% increase … It's unclear exactly why the population of high earners has risen in this area. One potential factor, however, is the migration of people to the Philadelphia area from more expensive cities such as New York and Washington, D.C., during the pandemic due to increased availability of remote work … Nationwide, the number of millionaires increased even more rapidly than in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, jumping by 9.8% from 2019 to 2020" INFRASTRUCTURE — "New Jersey American Water looks to impose new surcharge to cover state lead-regulation costs," by The Press of Atlantic City's Christopher Doyle: "A major water utility company in New Jersey is looking to impose a new surcharge on customers due to new state lead regulations. New Jersey American Water petitioned the state Board of Public Utilities on Jan. 14 for authorization to impose a new surcharge as part of a cost-recovery plan. The petition is downstream of a state law requiring public water utilities to replace all their lead service lines over the next decade. The BPU approved New Jersey American Water's lead-service-line replacement plan in October." —"Murphy expects a 'shallow, fairly short-lived' recession. What the signs say in NJ" —"N.J. drivers face the worst commutes in the U.S., and one of the worst in the world, 2 studies show" | | | | JOIN POLITICO ON 2/9 TO HEAR FROM AMERICA'S GOVERNORS: In a divided Congress, more legislative and policy enforcement will shift to the states, meaning governors will take a leading role in setting the agenda for the nation. Join POLITICO on Thursday, Feb. 9 at World Wide Technology's D.C. Innovation Center for The Fifty: America's Governors, where we will examine where innovations are taking shape and new regulatory red lines, the future of reproductive health, and how climate change is being addressed across a series of one-on-one interviews. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
—"Estefany's journey: Thousands of unaccompanied migrant kids settle in N.J. each year. But their trauma doesn't end at the border"
| | LOCAL | |
ETHICALLY-PRISTINE HUDSON POLITICIANS MOURN DEATH OF PRINT — "Hudson Reporter abruptly closing after 40 years of local news reporting," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "The Hudson Reporter, a local weekly newspaper that has covered all 12 municipalities in the county for the past 40 years, [abruptly closed] at the end of [Friday]. 'It is with great sadness that I announce the Bayonne Community News and Hudson Reporter is no longer publishing. Today was me and my colleagues' last day. We were told it was due to a 'revenue versus expenses' situation. The papers will no longer be published online nor in print,' staff writer Daniel Israel tweeted … Israel additionally told HCV that no one on staff was offered any severance pay. … The paper was sold to the Cherry Hill-based Newspaper Media Group, a publisher of over 50 weekly newspapers, on June 10th, 2018."
THE BEST NEW YORK IN NEW JERSEY —When politicians climb down the ladder, by POLITICO's Madison Frenandez: Former Rep. Albio Sires spent eight terms in Congress, representing hundreds of thousands of constituents, before calling it quits last year. For his next job, the New Jersey Democrat is looking to downsize. Sires is gunning for mayor of West New York, a town with a population of around 53,000 people — more than an order of magnitude smaller than a congressional district … Local office is not a conventional career path after serving in Congress. Some turn to education or end up on cable news. Many land on K Street. But Sires is the latest in a small number of former members of Congress who've sought lower office, not a higher one, after leaving Washington on their own terms. —"Felix Roque announces candidacy for West New York mayor becoming second ex-mayor to join race" $3,000 A MONTH ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS CAN'T HELP — "Hoboken taking hard look at residency requirement for new police officers amid recruiting issues," by The Jersey Journal's Mark Koosau: "To become a police officer in Hoboken, potential recruits must settle in the city from the date of exam to their appointment. But amid new difficulties in attracting recruits, Hoboken officials are considering loosening the requirements in an effort to lure more candidates to the job. City officials said that they are looking at changing the current rules so that recruits in training will not be required to live in the city — a requirement in most municipalities — but would still be preferred if they do. The city, which can employ up to 146 officers, is currently down 12 and could be short by 17 in April if there are no new hires." JACKSON: 'LEAVE ME ALONE' — "Michael Jackson says his Paterson bar is the target of political payback. Is it?" by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "A city health inspector recently issued 11 violations against a bar and restaurant owned by Councilman Michael Jackson, who says his business was unfairly targeted. The summonses were written on New Year's Eve, when Jackson was hosting a private party at his business on Grand Street, which has been closed since 2020. Officials said the alleged infractions included having no hot water, leaving mouse droppings on the floor, operating without a retail food license, and refusing to allow the inspector access to the business, which is called Jacksonville." DON'T DARE LOOK. THEY'VE BANNED THE BOOKS. NO READING, NO RAINBOW — "Rainbow signs to be replaced in N.J. middle school," by NJ Advance Media's Tina Kelley: "After complaints from parents and consultation with the school district's lawyers, the Washington Township School District superintendent decided to remove rainbow-colored Safe Zone signs that had been hanging in Long Valley Middle School since 2019. Superintendent Peter Turnamian announced the change at the Jan. 3 board of education meeting. To replace the signs, a traditional symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, Turnamian said the school's mascot, the panther, would be incorporated to encourage kindness to all students. 'Ultimately, the advice of legal counsel was to have them come down,' he said of the rainbow signs, citing concern that the district was exposed to 'appropriate criticism' about favoritism." —"Pride flag burnings ignite LGBTQ activism in Sparta, starting with new support group" MBUS — "School bus stolen in N.J. recovered. Saudi man arrested, police say," by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Atrino: "A 22-year-old man was arrested Thursday in Pennsylvania on charges he stole a school bus from a New Jersey district's parking lot a day earlier, authorities said. The man, whose name was withheld, was charged with motor vehicle theft and other offenses for taking a bus belonging to Livingston Public Schools, according to Livingston police Chief Gary Marshuetz. Marshuetz identified the man only as 'a Saudi Arabian national,' and said there was no threat to local residents" —"4 N.J. towns need election recount after some votes were tallied twice, officials say" —"Amid financial problems, [Plainfield] says shuttered EMS squad needs to be investigated" —"Hackensack police contracts awarded by patronage, captain alleges in suit" —"After quiet renewal of Newark superintendent's contract, parents urged to attend board meetings" —"Ridgefield Park schools superintendent reinstated until June, with no explanation given" —"Seastreak restarting ferry from Bayshore to Jersey City, but what about service, price?" —"With more Jersey City payroll issues, three councilmen call for vendor to be replaced" —"Vineland resident picked to fill county commissioner position" R.I.P. — "Karla Squier, longtime Essex GOP leader, dies at 91" R.I.P. — "Barry Dugan, former Hudson freeholder, dies at 87" | | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don't miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SPREAD OF THE EAGLE — "The bald and beautiful. Here's why NJ's bald eagle population continues to thrive," by The Record's David M. Zimmer: "After a slight downtick in 2021, New Jersey bald eagles produced a record 335 young last year. The continued growth in a population that totaled one breeding pair 35 years ago shows little sign of slowing either, according to state officials. In the last decade, the number of breeding pairs has more than doubled and the reproduction rate remains high amid ongoing conservation efforts, a new state report shows. 'The ongoing recovery and growth of New Jersey's bald eagle population is a remarkable story that gets better with each passing year,' said Dave Golden, the assistant commissioner of the state Fish and Wildlife Service"
HERMAN MILLVILLE — "Whales navigate a perilous route off the Jersey Shore," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Frank Kummer: "At any given time, 50 or more vessels, ranging from massive cargo ships to small fishing boats, are motoring off New Jersey's 127-mile coast from New York to Delaware. The smaller vessels often travel at just a few knots per hour, while larger ones run to 20 knots (23 mph) or more. Little wonder whales sometimes crash into one of them, receiving what amounts to giant headaches or fatal blows. Two whales that died in January and were stranded in Atlantic City and Brigantine showed evidence of blunt-force trauma associated with vessel collisions. Opponents of offshore wind have suggested survey vessels are to blame, but officials suggest otherwise … 'The odds are ridiculously low' that the whales struck a slow-going survey vessel, said [SUNY Maritime College Professor Emeritus Walt] Nadolny, who has no affiliation with an offshore wind company." —"Ørsted: No sound surveys have been part of wind project work since the summer" YOU MAY NOW PUNCH THE MOON LANDING CONSPIRACY THEORIST — "Buzz Aldrin got married for his 93rd birthday. They're over the moon, 'excited as eloping teenagers,'" by NJ Advance Media's Amy Kuperinsky: "That's one giant leap for Buzz Aldrin ... into matrimony. The history-making astronaut from New Jersey, the second man to walk on the moon, celebrated 93 years on this planet Friday with an announcement that he had married his partner. 'On my 93rd birthday & the day I will also be honored by Living Legends of Aviation I am pleased to announce that my longtime love Dr. Anca Faur & I have tied the knot,' Aldrin said in a tweet … Faur, 63, is Aldrin's fourth wife." —"After Damar Hamlin, here is what New Jersey does so young athletes can survive cardiac arrest"
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