No timeline yet on liquor licensing reform

Apr 29, 2022

Gov. Phil Murphy wants liquor licensing reform. He's just not sure when that will begin.

The governor's administration has spoken to lawmakers about the process though he remains uncertain about its timeline, emphasizing that reform should be done "responsibly."

"I don't [have a timeline]. We've spoken to lawmakers, we've started to engage more broadly. I'm a supporter of it, as long as it's done right. And done right means that it's responsible in the treatment of the folks who currently have those licenses," Murphy told reporters in Marlboro today after making an announcement regarding motor vehicle threats with Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin. "But when you look at other states and localities that have done liquor license reform, it's a game changer for Main Street economies."

Murphy expressed interest in lifting restrictions and reforming the liquor licensing system last week during WNYC's "Ask Governor Murphy" program, where he also noted a concern in ensuring fairness for businesses that have already purchased their licenses.

The state imposes caps on liquor licenses. They are awarded based on the population of a municipality, making licenses more expensive and tallying hefty six-figure sums.

Murphy didn't elaborate on which lawmakers his administration has spoken to or when a timeline can be expected, though during his WNYC appearance he said there would need to be a "runaway of time" to reform the liquor licensing system.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING — Republican redistricting Chair Doug Steinhardt has asked independent tiebreaker John Wallace Jr. to release all the data provided by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, reports New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein.

The request from the former GOP state chairman follows a Princeton University probe into Sam Wang, one of its professors and an adviser to Wallace Jr., after members of staff alleged he manipulated data to favor Democrats and mistreated employees.

"If the data turns out to have been falsified, you should join us in petitioning the Supreme Court to invalidate the current congressional map," he said via email. Meanwhile, Democratic members of the redistricting commission held a meeting Thursday night on the allegations of partisanship against Wang.

COVID NUMBERS — New Jersey today reported 2,633 confirmed positive Covid-19 tests and six deaths from the virus. The state's seven-day average was up 20 percent from a week ago and 141 percent from a month ago.

ON THE BEATS

GRAND THEFT AUTO: NEW JERSEY — The governor and the acting attorney general announced a $10 million investment in license plate recognition technology during a press conference in Marlboro today.

The funding, derived from the federal American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund, is meant to curb motor vehicle thefts and violent crime through high-speed, automated camera systems that will be installed at fixed locations throughout the state and mounted on mobile units, according to a press release. Law enforcement agencies will be able to access images in a centralized database.

"The alarming uptick we are seeing in vehicle theft is unacceptable, and our administration is making investments to combat these occurrences statewide," Murphy said. "To aid law enforcement in this endeavor, an investment in ALPR technology will provide them with the tools they need to reduce these incidents and make our communities safer."

CASINO SMOKING BAN — Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. opposes legislation to ban indoor smoking in casinos.

"I'm against it," Small said when asked by POLITICO Thursday whether he supports legislative efforts in Trenton to outlaw lighting up in gambling arenas. "We had a perfect example of … banning smoking in a casino with the former Revel," Small said, in reference to the $2.4 billion facility that closed in 2014. Revel had been Atlantic City's only smoke-free casino, but reversed course after facing a myriad of financial issues. Small did not respond to requests for further comment.

The mayor's objection is notable as efforts in Trenton to ban indoor casino smoking gain momentum. New Jersey barred nearly all businesses from indoor smoking in a landmark 2006 law, but gave casinos as a carveout.

Legislation to eliminate the exception was dormant for years, but has recently seen a surge of co-sponsors supporting the bill, NJ S264 (22R)/ A2151 (22R). The governor has said he would support the move.

The casino industry has strongly opposed the measure, saying it could be detrimental to the local economy and Atlantic City's gambling facilities, putting them at a competitive disadvantage to a handful of Eastern Pennsylvania betting operations that allow indoor smoking.

The largest union in the area representing casino workers, Unite Here Local 54, also gave the measure a thumbs down, citing similar economic concerns. — Daniel Han

LABOR — The New Jersey Department of Labor has updated its Unemployment Insurance application. The updates were done with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), U.S. Digital Service (USDS), NJDOL's Division of Information Technology and the New Jersey Office of Innovation.

DOL says these changes allow workers to apply easily from a mobile phone and increase accessibility for residents who are using screen readers or other assistive technologies. More changes are imminent, including re-wording of the application questions. — Katherine Landergan

Around New Jersey

"Push for pay increase: Shortage of aides hurts quality of life for disabled N.J. residents," by The Record's Gene Myers: "Advocates for New Jerseyans with disabilities and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle continued their push this week for higher wages for the home health aides who make daily life possible for some of the state's most medically fragile residents.

"During Wednesday's Department of Human Services budget hearing, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, D-Burlington, said she has been 'bombarded' by families pleading for help as staff shortages affect quality of life for thousands of state residents with developmental disabilities.

"Murphy used the hearing to rally support for home aides — known in the industry as direct support professionals, or DSPs — who assist with daily needs, including bathing, clothing and feeding around the clock. It's a grueling task for which they are underpaid, advocates said."

"'Big oil is ripping off the American people,' Pallone says in announcing bill to target industry," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "With the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline up 44 percent in a year, Rep. Frank PalloneJr.joined other congressional Democratic leaders Thursday in announcing new legislation that would increase government oversight of the oil industry.

"Pallone, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., in blaming the industry for the rise in gas prices to an average of $4.141 for a gallon of regular fuel from $2.885 a year ago, according to AAA."

"NJ immigrant fund has distributed $18M," by WNYC News' Karen Yi: "Six months after New Jersey launched a fund for immigrants excluded from other forms of pandemic aid, only about 20 percent of applicants have received their checks, and thousands more are awaiting approval, state officials said.

"The state Department of Human Services, which is overseeing the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund, said $18.1 million has been distributed to about 8,000 applicants. Another 28,000 applications are pending review or missing paperwork, DHS spokeswoman Eva Loayza-McBride said. Four hundred were denied."

"New poll shows majority of N.J. residents experiencing mental health issues," by NJ Advance Media's Brianna Kudisch: "A new poll released Friday showed a majority of New Jersey adults or someone they know has experienced mental health issues, and the problems have gotten worse during the pandemic.

"Out of 640 respondents in the state, 58 percent reported that they or someone close to them has experienced mental health issues, according to the poll taken by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University. Thirty-nine percent said they have not and 2 percent said they were unsure."

Odds and ends

— This nonagenarian climbs New Jersey's tallest lighthouse every week.

— An ATM was yanked from a Middlesex County bank.

— Cumberland County is paying a corrections officer $315,000 to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit.