| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | How’s this for a bad omen? Yesterday, after about half an hour of presiding over the Senate session most of us were watching for the vote on the bill to overhaul the Open Public Records Act, Senate President Nick Scutari called a brief break. When Scutari returned and gaveled the Senate back into session, the cameras that livestream the proceedings briefly stopped working. Those of us watching remotely didn’t see the vote happen. Yes, the Senate passed a bill that puts new restraints on the public’s access to government records literally out of view of the public, except the lucky few who were able to watch in the Senate chamber — some of whom chanted “Shame!” at the senators. The footage isn’t archived either. There’s no video public record for the vote on public records. I’m not suggesting that was intentional. The cameras are run by the Office of Legislative Services, not the Senate Majority Office. And there wasn’t even a debate to watch int he Senate. But it certainly is ironic. I don’t have space to go into the nitty-gritty of the bill here, but let’s be real about this: The removal of mandatory fee shifting is a strike against transparency. If Gov. Phil Murphy signs this bill, government agencies will no longer automatically be required to foot the bill of someone who successfully challenges their denial of a public records request. That takes away a monetary incentive for government agencies to comply with requests. And we know full well that they already often deny perfectly legitimate requests anyway. Do I believe this will end public records access as we know it? I don’t. But I do believe the fee-shifting balance means less transparency in the long run. Read more about it here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I can’t say that I’ve seen, like, a mob boss or anything like that, just gunning people down or throwing hookers in the river. … I think New Jersey’s maybe a couple steps removed from that. Not too much.” — Hudson County View’s John Heinis during an interview about Bob Menendez and New Jersey’s political culture HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Britnee Timberlake, Michael Aron, John Graham WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule
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PUTTING THE BIG C IN AC — “Workers in Atlantic City casino smoking lawsuit decry ‘poisonous’ workplace; state stresses taxes,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “A group of Atlantic City casino workers asked a judge Monday to ban smoking in the gambling halls, citing the toxic effects of working in a ‘poisonous’ atmosphere, while the state said ending smoking could jeopardize a half-billion-dollar pot of money for senior citizens and the disabled. Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels did not issue a ruling after both sides presented their case but said he aims to do so ‘as quickly as possible.’ … A lawsuit filed last month by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers … seeks to overturn New Jersey’s indoor smoking law, which bans it in virtually every workplace except casinos. ‘The purpose of the act is to protect workers from sickness and death,’ said Nancy Erika Smith, the attorney who brought the lawsuit. … She also raised the issues of equal protection under the law, and what she called a Constitutional right to safety. But Deputy Attorney General Robert McGuire, representing Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and the state’s acting health commissioner, said there is no such constitutional right. …. Citizens have the freedom to pursue safety and happiness, but nowhere does the government guarantee those things to them as a right, McGuire said.”
NOT ABOUT THAT BASE — “Trenton Democrats gamble with democracy — as NJ voters rage. It's not worth it,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: "Lost amid Thursday’s policy debate and protest at the Statehouse over the latest push to limit the power of New Jersey’s public records law was a political warning. ‘Democrats and Never Trump Republicans are fighting for Democracy,’ testified David Pringle, an environmental and public advocacy consultant. ‘And this bill undermines that effort and is being led by New Jersey Democrats.’ … It was a cautionary suggestion that maybe the Democrats are out of touch with their angry Democratic base and should be a little more mindful — that perhaps they would do well to pump the brakes on this one. The voting public is frightened that America's democracy is in its death throes and that I’ll-Be-A-Dictator-For-A-Day Donald Trump might assert his authoritarian impulses much more routinely during a second term … Certainly, voters in the New Jersey Democratic Party's base — grassroots progressives, especially — are paying attention.” —“Op-Ed: Don’t gut our Open Public Records Act” —“Only 1 Hudson County legislator votes no on OPRA bill; passage is panned back home”
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | WORTH NOTING ON OPRA — @TerrenceMcD: “The Eastampton clerk twice came to the Statehouse last week to gripe that requestors are harassing clerk’s offices with OPRA requests. I asked for their OPRA log and it says they’ve had 74 OPRA requests this year. That’s less than one per business day.” LIFE SUPPORT — “State EMS system 'close to collapsing' without funding, ambulance chief warns,” by The Record’s Lucas Frau: “An EMS crisis may be unfolding right in front of us. ‘This system is damn close to collapsing,’ said the chief of Montclair Ambulance Unit James Mazza in describing the current state of EMS in New Jersey. … Montclair EMS deals with a plethora of expenses, and Mazza explained many of their systems are outdated because of the agency's lack of money … He said his agency should be funded at the national, state or local level before they can be considered an in-network cost. He said that the if the legislature is an unfunded mandate then the "EMS crisis that already exists in this country, with many agencies shutting down, will spiral out of control."” PUTTING OUT THE FIREMAN — “LaTourette rules out Fireman’s plan for Liberty State Park interior,” by Jersey City Times’ Aaron Morrill: “At an open house on Saturday, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette ruled out a plan put forward by the billionaire Paul Fireman to build a stadium complex in Liberty State Park’s interior. Asked in an interview if he was confident that the DEP plan, which includes walking and bike trails as well as wetland restoration, would come to fruition, LaTourette didn’t mince words. ‘Of course I’m confident because I’ve already paid for it and it’s already under construction. … There’s no question in my or the governor’s mind that that is happening.’ … The Fireman-funded People’s Park Foundation has lobbied against much of the DEP plan. … Instead, the foundation has proposed a group of stadiums in the park’s interior which is currently undergoing remediation for chromium and other contaminants.” TO WIN THE PRIMARY, BRAMNICK NEEDS A WEAPON OF MATH DESTRUCTION — State Sen. Jon Bramnick — who is running for governor in the 2025 Republican primary — said he may write in former Vice President Dick Cheney for President this November. Bramnick, who is an unabashedly anti-Trump Republican, has previously said he would choose a write-in candidate for president. When asked about it Monday, he told POLITICO: “I think possibly Liz Cheney's father.” Liz Cheney, one of the more outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump, lost her House seat in 2022. Her father served two terms as vice president. “I think he was a strong leader and I think it sends a strong message as to the type of Republican I like,” Bramnick said. — Daniel Han R.I.P. — “Peter Eagler, a former Clifton councilman, assemblyman, freeholder dies at age 69” —“Portal Bridge rail replacement project is 50% done, on time and on budget, despite hurdles”
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CHARITABLE (INTERPRETATION OF MENENDEZ’S ACTIONS) GIVING — “Who’s donating to Menendez defense fund?” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin J. Hulac: “An NJ Spotlight News analysis of donations to a legal defense fund created for Menendez found about 45% came from donors outside of New Jersey, and approximately 40% in the fund was given before Menendez was indicted Sept. 22. The analysis included all donations that are publicly available in records filed with the IRS, spanning mid-July 2023 until March 31. In that period, people, companies, unions and political committees gave $651,650 through 133 transactions, an average of $4,900 per donation.”
LONE MENENDEZ SPOTTED CRYING INTO HIS TOMAHAWK STEAK FOR TWO AT MORTON’S — “The Bob Menendez trial is starting. Why his Senate colleagues don't want to talk about it,” by USA Today’s Riley Beggin: “Asked about the trial ahead and what it’s been like serving with Menendez in the months since his legal troubles exploded into public view, most of his colleagues steered clear of the subject. … ‘I don’t want to really go there,’ said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. ‘I have no comment on that at all,’ said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. … That’s the way it’s done in the Senate, where the politesse of a seemingly bygone political era still reigns supreme. But behind the scenes in the months since he was indicted, the once-connected Menendez has become somewhat of a loner in the upper chamber. … Even his Republican peers were polite and tight-lipped. … That’s the way it’s done in the Senate, where the politesse of a seemingly bygone political era still reigns supreme. But behind the scenes in the months since he was indicted, the once-connected Menendez has become somewhat of a loner in the upper chamber. … Menendez still shows up to vote and does his job, but otherwise keeps to himself. As reporters swarm other senators in the Capitol’s hallways, he walks by without being approached, or slips in and out of the historic chamber without notice.” —“Jury selection begins in Menendez’s second corruption trial” DO YOU EVEN AIRLIFT, BRO? — “How an unlikely bromance on Capitol Hill led to more weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine,” by NBC News’ Peter Nicholas: “Rep. Josh Gottheimer is a New Jersey Democrat and Harvard Law grad who once wrote speeches for Bill Clinton. Sen. Markwayne Mullin is an Oklahoma Republican who excelled in the mixed martial arts ring and who called Donald Trump ‘the strongest president in my lifetime.’ … [I]n the years they've been sweating through round after round of burpees, they started talking. … They've become friends. … [I]n a bit of serendipity, one can draw a straight line between the congressional gym and Ukraine's strength on the battlefield … Mullin flew down to Mar-a-Lago to speak to Trump and stayed in touch with him, making sure the ex-president wasn’t souring on the package. For his part, Gottheimer spoke often to senior White House aides and the House Democratic leadership. Through it all, Gottheimer and Mullin talked frequently, relaying information back and forth about what they were hearing and the status of the talks, all with a view toward ensuring the deal didn’t collapse." HAMM WILL WIN IF HE CHANGES HIS FIRST NAME TO TAYLOR — Andy Kim takes heat from the left in New Jersey, by POLITICO’s Katherine Dailey: Rep. Andy Kim came in for withering criticism from fellow Democrats Monday night for his recent vote to send more aid to Israel but seemed to open the door to opposing it in the future. In one of the only debates of the Senate primary to try replacing Sen. Bob Menendez — who began his criminal trial earlier in the day — Kim faced criticism on foreign policy from the other two candidates, Patricia Campos-Medina and Lawrence Hamm. The Middle East conflict and America's role in it has fractured the party after seven months and tens of thousands of people killed, and it is trickling down into elections. Since New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy’s exit from the primary race in March, Kim is seen as the favorite to win the Democratic nomination next month. But his more progressive challengers condemned his Israel aid vote last month. He also voted to send more aid to Ukraine in that April bill package. All three have called for a cease-fire, although Kim shifted to that view last month. And though they agreed in other areas — such as the definition of antisemitism — the Israel-Gaza war presented one of the most contentious points in the debate. —“McIver defeats Armstead by one vote for Union Dem endorsement” —“Democratic US Senate primary debate scheduled for May 13”
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THE LEARNINATOR — “Newark Public Schools considers new AI tutor chatbot for districtwide use after pilot testing,” by Chalkbeat’s Jessie Gómez: “Newark Public Schools wants to see a districtwide expansion of an artificial intelligence tutoring tool after it was piloted at First Avenue School last year, as the district searches for ways to help students catch up from pandemic learning loss. The district was among the first in the country to test the chatbot called Khanmigo, an AI program developed by online learning giant Khan Academy that is designed for classrooms and acts as a tutor for students and an assistant for teachers. The Newark Board of Education in March approved a data-sharing agreement with Khan Academy to study whether the tool was effective ‘in the North Ward schools,’ according to the agreement. In an email to Chalkbeat Newark on Thursday from Superintendent Roger León, district officials confirmed they are looking to expand the use of the program district-wide.”
COP A PLEA — “Ex-Howell police chief Andrew Kudrick pleads guilty to lying about affair with subordinate,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Kathleen Hopkins: “Retired Howell police chief Andrew Kudrick pleaded guilty Monday to obstruction of justice, admitting he lied to a special counsel about an extramarital affair he was having with a subordinate. Kudrick, 50, appeared before Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon and admitted giving false information regarding a relationship with a subordinate… Under a plea agreement reached with Kudrick, the state will recommend Kudrick be sentenced to probation for the obstruction charge, which carries a maximum prison term of 18 months. The other charges will be dismissed. The plea bargain also calls for Kudrick to permanently forfeit any public employment. … Under the plea agreement, the attorney general also has agreed not to take any position about whether Kudrick will have to forfeit his pension. Kudrick's salary was $234,092 at the end of 2021, according to public records.” SEAL TEAM SUSSEX — “Did Sussex commissioner violate NJ's Stolen Valor law? Critics want state to investigate,” by The New Jersey Herald : “A former campaign donor to Sussex County Commissioner William Hayden said she's filed a complaint with State Police accusing the embattled politician of violating New Jersey law by falsely claiming to have served with the Navy SEALs. Gail Just Cornelius, a retired state trooper, said she filed the report at the State Police Augusta barracks earlier this month after she prevailed in a case in Small Claims Court in which she sought a refund of the $100 political contribution she gave Hayden when he ran for commissioner in 2022. Her accusation is just one of the threats dogging Hayden, who also faces a recall petition sponsored by his fellow Sussex County Republicans. … Among the questions raised by the letter are whether Hayden has claimed a veteran's exemption on his state income taxes and whether he claimed to be a veteran in several public appearances and while running for office. … Hayden has been accused of claiming on the campaign trail to be a wounded veteran who served in the Navy SEALs. …. In a brief phone interview on Thursday, Hayden ended the conversation by saying, ‘All I know is, in the end, I will be vindicated.’” GET THE FORK OUTTA HERE — “‘Hold the ... fork’? Hoboken skip-the-stuff law would limit single-use plastics distribution by restaurants,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “The law scheduled for an introductory vote at Wednesday’s city council meeting would prevent eateries from distributing single-use items without the customer’s consent. Think utensils, napkins, condiments and stirrers, the ordinance suggests. Councilwomen Tiffanie Fisher and Jen Giattino are sponsoring the legislation after taking a look at other municipal efforts and experiencing the phenomenon themselves. ‘A couple weeks ago I ordered Chinese for myself and a friend, and when I got the bag it had seven or eight packs of plastic utensils,’ Fisher said.”
| | | | JOIN 5/22 FOR A TALK ON THE FUTURE OF TAXATION: With Trump-era tax breaks set to expire in 2025, whoever wins control of Congress, and the White House will have the ability to revamp the tax code and with it reshape the landscape for business and social policy. Join POLITICO on May 22 for an exploration of what is at stake in the November elections with our panel dissecting the ways presidential candidates and congressional leaders are proposing to reshape our tax rates and incentives. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | —“‘Stop the bans,’ says resident suing Newark over prohibition from public meetings” —“Judge will decide this week if Spotswood bodycam footage will be made public” —‘‘Trump rally left positive impact on Wildwood's hotels, motels” —“InsiderNJ voter guide for the May 14th elections” —“A look at the issues and candidates ahead of Tuesday's Montclair municipal elections” —“Former North Jersey teacher pleads guilty to taking lewd photos of students” —“Is it the end for Stanhope House? Vote Tuesday could decide fate of famed blues venue” —“More turmoil and turnover at the helm of Paterson's JFK High School as principal resigns” —“Wayne school board cuts 14 jobs, cites 'troubling trend' in $190.8M budget approval” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“N.J. Broadway veteran dead after being struck by train. Theater community mourns.”
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