| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! The Delaware River Port Authority has been at the center of some controversies over the years. But even though the state Comptroller investigated the agency 12 years ago and issued a scathing report, the DRPA now says it’s not under the Comptroller’s jurisdiction. Oh, and the Comptroller is once again investigating the DRPA. We know this because the bi-state agency filed a federal lawsuit this week seeking to squash a subpoena by the Comptroller. “As a bi-state entity created pursuant to an interstate compact ratified by the United States Congress …. the DRPA is as a matter of well-established federal law, not subject to unilateral regulation by either of the creator states,” reads the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Trenton. The subpoena seeks a list of DRPA contracts and vendors, including its lease agreement with Holt Logistics Corp. for the port in Gloucester City, located just under the Walt Whitman Bridge, and for procurement documents related to Alpha Painting and Construction, which has a fraud conviction in its history, as well as a bidding dispute with the DRPA. The timing is interesting. There is no indication in the subpoena that any of this is related to South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross, who was indicted in June. But the DRPA has had two major Norcross-tied controversies in the past, including one outlined in that June report that said Norcross’ insurance brokerage and an associate earned nearly half a million dollars from the agency just for recommending another insurance broker to it. It was also tied to some of the controversial Camden waterfront land deals that first came to the public’s attention during the fight between Murphy and Norcross over tax incentives. And don’t forget that Comptroller Kevin Walsh still has “Acting” in front of his title because two South Jersey state senators have refused to sign off on his nomination. I won’t pretend to analyze the legal merits of this lawsuit. But I know this much: The DRPA has enough shady stuff in its history to warrant a close eye from as many investigators as possible. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Paul Kanitra, Bill Pascrell III, Bridget Palmer, Michael Dressler, Angel Fuentes, Janice Kovach, Kaylee McGuire. Saturday for Brian McDonough, Marc Pfeiffer, Peggy Ackermann, Chris Brown, Julia Fahl. Sunday for Rob Andrews. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “DRPA is clearly a part of New Jersey government. Governor Murphy appointed the New Jersey members of DRPA’s board and can veto any action they take. DRPA employees are in New Jersey’s pension system. Government oversight is needed anytime there is concentrated power in order to protect New Jersey residents from fraud, waste, and abuse. New Jersey residents want to be assured their tolls and train fares are being used responsibly. DRPA’s effort to prevent transparency and accountability by using public funds to sue a government watchdog is bad for both New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents, and it’s also inconsistent with the law. We are hopeful a judge will quickly direct them to cooperate with our inquiries.” — Office of State Comptroller spokesperson Pamela Kruger WHERE’S MURPHY? — Italy | | | | Millions of retiring Americans rely on Social Security benefits, but the program is running at a deficit and Congress has struggled to find a solution for years. Join POLITICO on August 7 to explore what can be done to save the program. What other steps can Congress take to ensure its future? And how could Social Security impact the affordability and housing crisis facing aging New Yorkers? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SEEING REDD — ”‘They’re gaming the system.’ How N.J. politicians reap hefty pensions, despite tiny salaries,” by NJ Advance Media’s Riley Yates: “New Jersey has a history of powerful officials who mix public service with private gain by parlaying their years in the trenches into well-paid, politically connected positions as they near retirement. That allows them to qualify for far more generous pensions than they would have received under the offices where they spent their careers. How it works: Pensions are generally calculated based on employees’ salary during their final three years. Because of that, a lucrative short-term post can deliver handsome long-term dividends, especially for veteran mayors, council members or county commissioners whose decades of pension credits were otherwise built based on their modest, part-time salaries. Pension padding, which is perfectly legal, has long drawn the ire of taxpayer advocates and good government groups in New Jersey, where the public pension system is so financially strapped that retirees haven’t gotten a cost-of-living raise in more than a decade. Yet despite the controversy, the practice quietly continues, an NJ Advance Media analysis of seven years of pension records found.”
THE BAD KIND OF CHRONIC — “NJ schools battle dangerous outcome of pandemic — chronic student absenteeism,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “While COVID-19 may be in the rearview mirror for many New Jerseyans, school districts across the state are battling a lingering, dangerous outcome of the pandemic — spiking rates of chronic absenteeism among K-12 students. The number of chronically absent public school students — those who miss at least 18 days of a 180-day school year, or 10% of class days — shot up when schools went to remote learning. But even after districts returned to in-person learning, absenteeism has remained high. The trend has educators worried, because chronic absenteeism is linked to a higher chance of dropping out, which can lead to weaker job prospects, poor overall health, and a higher risk of involvement in the criminal justice system, experts say.” MAJOR DISCIPLINE — “58 N.J. cops fired, 402 suspended last year, new report shows. See the data,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “At least 460 New Jersey police officers were disciplined for misconduct in 2023, according to a new report from the state attorney general. Last year, 58 New Jersey law enforcement officers were fired, 402 were suspended, eight were demoted and 80 resigned or retired while internal investigations were pending, according to the latest annual report on police discipline released Wednesday. The offenses ranged from rookie officers punished over attendance issues to two police chiefs charged with crimes and misdemeanors … Released as part of New Jersey’s annual ‘major discipline’ report, they offer a rare window into the internal affairs of police departments, which in many other states are subject to public inspection but in New Jersey are largely kept hidden due to the Garden State’s employment and records laws.” DROWN THE SHORE — “Protecting against floods, or a government-mandated retreat from the shore? New Jersey rules debated,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “New Jersey officials are defending proposed building rules designed to limit damage from future storms and steadily rising seas in coastal areas, countering criticism that the state aims to force people away from the Jersey Shore by making it harder and more expensive to build or rebuild there. Lawmakers from both parties held a hearing Thursday in Toms River, one of the hardest-hit communities by Superstorm Sandy, to discuss the state’s Protecting Against Climate Threats initiative and respond to criticism of the proposal from business interests … Nick Angarone, New Jersey’s chief resilience officer, said proposed rules are necessary to ‘be clear-eyed about what is happening right before us.’ He said New Jersey ranks third in the nation in flooding claims paid by the federal government at $5.8 billion since 1978 … The New Jersey Business and Industry Association pushed back hard against the rules and the study upon which they are based, warning that the initiative is the start of a much-debated 'managed retreat' from the shoreline that some scientists say needs to happen but that is anathema to many business groups.” GILLIAN’S BARRIER ISLAND — “Shore towns seek slower rollout of NJ climate change regulations,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “Some environmental groups see new rules under consideration by the state Department of Environmental Protection as an important step to addressing significant sea level rise, with projections of tides more than five feet higher by the end of the century. With final approval at least a year away, shore communities are taking a close look at the proposal. Many do not like what they see. ‘It seems to me that the few up there want to stop all construction on barrier islands,' Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said at the most recent City Council meeting, at which council unanimously approved a resolution asking the state to move slowly and carefully … ‘This is almost like the windmills again, with the home rule,’ Gillian told Ocean City Council.” RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC PROJECT — “First Gateway contract awarded to drill new Hudson River rail tunnels through the Palisades,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “The first tunnel boring contract to drill the first new Hudson River rail tunnels in 115 years through the Palisades was awarded for $465 million by the Gateway Development Commission Thursday. The contract was awarded to Schiavone, Dragados Lane Joint Venture, which was selected from five firms that competed for the contract. ‘It marks the single largest contract that the GDC board is going to consider and it is the most complex to date,’ said Kris Kolluri, CEO of the Gateway Development Commission. ‘This is the start of our major tunneling activity.’” — “Our reporter spent an entire day on NJ Transit trains. Frustrated riders had lots to say” — “N.J. Supreme Court restores bistate agency’s ability to issue certain union agreements” — “Derrick Green sues Steve Fulop; Campaign says there was no contract and slams frivolous lawsuit” — Lalevee: “The Turnpike’s expansion project will keep New Jersey’s economy strong. Here's how” — “Food insecurity on campus: New Jersey’s silent epidemic | Opinion” | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRI | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
PROOF THAT IF YOU GROW UP IN NJ, YOU CAN SURVIVE A RUSSIAN PRISON — US-Russia prisoner swap frees Evan Gershkovich, more than a dozen others, by POLITICO’s Erin Banco and Jonathan Lemire: Four Americans, seven Russian political prisoners and five Germans were released from Russia on Thursday in one of the biggest and most complex prisoner swaps in U.S. history. The Americans included three journalists: Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, according to U.S. officials. Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive and former Marine, was also released. One of the freed Germans was Rico Krieger, who had been sentenced to death in Belarus. Several Russian dissidents imprisoned in the country were also released. In exchange, Moscow received eight Russians who had been imprisoned in five different countries.
— “Princeton, Evan Gershkovich's hometown, is jubilant with his release from Russia,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “The town of Princeton, with its international standing, also rallied behind Gershkovich as one of its own even though his family moved away some years ago and settled in Philadelphia. But to many locals, Gershkovich represented the ideal local boy made good, a standout student-athlete, who went to Bowdoin College on scholarship, studied philosophy and launched a career as a Russian correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. He entered the world stage with energy, curiosity and idealism, only to become ensnared in the web of Putin, the Russian leader and abductor-in-chief.” — “Booker rebukes Senate Republicans for blocking Child Tax Credit bill” | | LOCAL | |
THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY — “Ocean County condo owners get $4.7M after NJ only offered $500 to seize their sand dunes,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must pay $4.7 million to Midway Beach Condominium Association, after an Ocean County jury ruled July 26 the group was not properly compensated for the state's taking of beachfront property for a dune construction project. The state seized the property in 2017, as part of a storm protection plan following Superstorm Sandy under which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built 22-foot dunes and expanded beaches from the Manasquan to Barnegat inlets. Midway Beach, which includes about 400 small beach bungalows, resisted the Army Corps project, arguing that its own 25-foot-high dunes had protected the seaside neighborhood from flooding during Sandy.”
BOAT CHECK — “Rockaway Township police chief retiring with $423K payout after disciplinary notice,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: “Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland will retire effective Sept. 1, ending a nearly four-decade run on the force that began in 1986. McParland, who was appointed chief in 2015, received a retirement settlement package from the town that includes retroactive pay raises for the past four years. His total payout, including compensation for unused vacation and sick days, will be $423,000, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by the Daily Record. ‘The chief’s retirement comes after 38 years of dedicated service to Rockaway Township and its citizens through every rank in our police department,’ Mayor Joseph Jackson said. The agreement, dated July 9, was forged after the town issued a preliminary notice of disciplinary action against McParland, dated Sept. 23, 2023. The settlement agreement does not specify the allegations leading to that notice. The township denied an Open Public Records Act request by the Daily Record seeking more detail … Jackson also declined comment on the notice, stating, ‘It is inappropriate to comment on the existence or nature of any disciplinary action.’” HOLLYWOOD FLOCKS TO PERTH AMBOY FOR STATEN ISLAND VIEWS — “Lights, camera, action: How Perth Amboy plans to attract more film, TV production,” by MyCentralJersey’s Suzanne Russell: “If Hollywood comes knocking, the city wants to be ready to showcase its best assets like waterfront views of the Raritan Bay, historic buildings and even the Victory Bridge. Perth Amboy is working with the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission to achieve certification as a ‘film ready’ community. Part of that process involves updating the city's 2013 Film Ordinance to meet the commission's requirements which include introducing a waiver for flexibility, shortening the advance notice days from 14 to 7 and identifying the city's Office of Economic and Community Development as the film liaison, according to city officials.” BRICK-FIL-A — “La Casa de Don Pedro cries foul over Chick-fil-A's plans for Newark,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Matt Kadosh: “Citing concerns about the decision-making process that led to the Central Planning Board’s approval of the 2,936-square-foot Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2-28 Broadway, the company’s anti-LGBTQIA stances, and the likelihood of increased traffic, the social service organization La Casa de Don Pedro, which has a location across the street, has launched an online petition calling on local leaders to block the restaurant. ‘This decision to exclude our community from having any input on the conditions of the business development plans in our neighborhood shows a complete disregard for the safety and best interests of the people that Chick-fil-A intends to ‘serve,’ Peter T. Rosario, president and CEO of La Casa de Don Pedro, writes.” — “Court tells Neptune homeless they have three months to get out of Route 66 camp” — "Passaic wants to kick off NJ's 'Green Revolution.' What that means” — “Police: Hoboken man arrested for painting ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti at synagogue” — “Bayonne takes major step toward long-awaited ferry service with $4 million purchase” — “Want to live next to the Netflix movie studio? Fort Monmouth housing plans in the works” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
LOST AND FOUND — “A 'Where's Waldo?' search takes over Delhi bookshop,” by The Oneonta Daily Star’s Jillian McCarthy: “A Delhi book shop is one of more than 300 independent bookstores nationwide that participated in Find Waldo Local, an event sponsored by the publishers of the iconic ‘Where’s Waldo?’ series. The Lost Bookshop in Delhi joined in on the search for the first time this year, hiding a cardboard cutout of Waldo, about 6 inches tall, in new places throughout the shop every day for local kids to spot during the month of July. Shop owner Emily Helck said Wednesday, July 31 that the shop handed out more than 200 passports — sheets that participants can get stamped when they successfully find the hidden Waldo … The month-long event concluded Wednesday and the bookshop threw a party to celebrate with the community.. The party had Waldo-themed cupcakes and Waldo himself, who Helck said was her husband, Matt Friedman, in a Waldo costume.”
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