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Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Because you have used political blunt force to neuter and co-opt this venerable and honorable agency, I can no longer faithfully serve the purposes the Legislature originally intended.” – ELEC Commissioner Jaso in his resignation letter to Governor Murphy following the passage of the ‘Elections Transparency Act’
TOP STORY: Trenton Lawmakers Pass George Orwell ‘Elections Transparency’ Bill
Former President Trump was indicted by a New York grand jury, the first time a President has ever been indicted on criminal charges.
Governor Murphy and the Office of Information Technology announced the FY2023 PSAP grant program recipients.
OHSE announced announced a partnership with state colleges for those individuals needing support to re-enroll in college.
New Jersey election workers set to receive a pay increase, according to TAPinto.
Governor Murphy is headed to Florida this weekend for a political conference, according to NJ.com.
Atlantic County mayors are exploring giving county commissioners more authority over the ACMUA, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Hunterdon County is changing employee health plans to avoid an additional $3M in taxpayer costs, according to TAPinto.
rep. Watson Coleman denounced Russia’s arrest of journalist Evan Gershkovich.
The NJ Black Women’s Collective hosted its inaugural event.
Felician University was named among the top 100 schools in the nation for online master’s in nursing.
ICYMI: Christie’s all-out assault on Trump; North Jersey Dems eyes fixed on key battlegrounds; Sherrill, Gottheimer more animated movements; unions warning about nurse shortage
Former Murphy Administration officials Dan Bryan and Joe Kelley are launching Elysian Consulting.
In LD16, GOP Senate candidate Mike Pappas urged full school funding.
In LD26, Assembly GOP primary candidate BettyLou DeCroce kicked off her campaign.
In LD27, Senator Gill announced Justin Harris as an Essex County commissioner candidate on her primary slate.
In CD7, grassroots activists demanded Rep. Kean hold a town hall.
Several Sussex County seats are contested in the primary, according to NJ Herald.
The NJDSC Muslim Caucus announced Omar Barentto as co-chair.
ICYMI: In LD11, Dnistrian kicked off campaign; in LD18, Diegnan faces primary; in CD7, Kean held his version of town hall; here’s who filed petitions for legislative races; in LD26, Pennacchio decried Mastrangelo event; in LD27, Giblin retiring amid shakeup; in LD25, Dunn faces no primary; Ocean Dems announced candidates; in CD7, Dems circulating as potential challengers to Kean; in LD24, the main focus now turns to GOP primary; in LD26, Peluso poised to enter Assembly primary; in LD28, Hall announced Assembly run; Signorello discusses primary challenge to Menendez; in CD9, Pascrell punched back at retirement rumors; in LD3, Dems poised to select Burzichelli, who’s seeking comeback; in LD4,Moriarty will seek the Senate seat; in LD8, Cooper will run for Senate
The Assembly passed the ‘Elections Transparency Act’ over Republican objections that the bill rolls back progress. ELEC commissioners resigned following the bill’s passage.
Treasurer Muoio testified on the FY2024 budget proposal.
Senator Testa called for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency declaration.
Senator Bucco commented on the failed nominations of two BPU nominees, saying they would have been ‘no more than rubber stamps’ for the Governor’s ‘dangerous and expensive energy policy’.
Offshore wind opponents demanded a immediate halt to wind farm development, according to NJ Spotlight.
Environmental advocates blasted efforts to halt offshore wind projects.
ICYMI: Corrado appointed DeDio COS; Murphy promoted Brophy; Murphy took action on bills; lobbying efforts spent over $285M since 2000; PPAG top lobbying firm in 2022; Murphy made appointments to NJEDA board
In Edison, local Democrats decried the removal of county committee candidates by the Middlesex County Democrats.
In Jersey City, Mayor Fulop and Councilman Saleh launched a education and enforcement campaign for pay transparency.
In Belmar, tourism license fees will be reduced, according to TAPinto.
In Bridgewater, a court ruled in favor of the township in the ‘Rise Against Hate’ lawsuit, according to TAPinto. An ordinance was introduced to address potential future flooding, according to TAPinto.
In Cranford, Gareis and Andrews are running for committee, according to TAPinto.
In Emerson, a union rep is suing over issues at the police department, according to the Bergen Record.
In Fair Lawn, homeowners petitioned for more testing at the former Nabisco factory site, according to the Bergen Record.
In Fairfield, the council authorized the permanent closing of the municipal pool, according to TAPinto.
In Flemington, residents demanded Councilman Johnston resign, according to TAPinto.
In Fort Lee, a 24/7 community ping pong space is opening, according to the Bergen Record.
In Franklin Lakes, two warehouses are coming to the town, according to the Bergen Record. A new affordable housing plan was approved, according to the Bergen Record.
In Freehold, new cannabis outlets are moving forward, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Hackensack, the city keeps growing, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hasbrouck Heights, six candidates declared for council in the primary, according to TAPint.
In Highland Park, two Democrats are vying for mayor, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Montclair, the planning board reviewed the master plan, according to TAPinto.
In New Providence, the budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Neptune, officials hope to relocate homeless people from ‘tent city’, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In North Wildwood, there’s little hope for beach improvements before the summer, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Old Bridge, the town is taking the first step towards Laurence Harbor redevelopment, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Paterson, new allegations of excessive force by police are under review, according to the Paterson Press. A councilwoman’s sister received a newly-created job in the city, according to Paterson Press.
In Perth Amboy, campaign workers were indicted on bribery and witness tampering, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Red Bank, revised pot ordinances were introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Sayreville, the former Democratic chair and family were indicted on 14 counts, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South Brunswick, the council will return to in-person meetings, according to TAPinto.
In Springfield, DuBois is stepping down from the committee, according to TAPinto.
In Wildwood, the mayor says he won’t resign despite facing criminal charges, according to NJ.com.
In Woodbridge, the Colonia High School soil tests show no cancer hazard, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Wood-Ridge, six candidates are running the council primary, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Dover, four Dems vying in mayoral primary; in Wildwood, three officials indicted; in Paterson, AG assumed control of PD; in Dover, Correa won support from Dems; in WNY, a mayoral collision course; in Roselle, Holley, running for mayor, announced running mates, Dems backed Shaw; in AC, Morshed charged; in Maplewood, trouble abounds
AROUND THE WEB:
Russia detains Princeton native Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal
Planet Princeton
- Evan Gershkovich, a 31-year-old reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has been detained by Russian security agents on espionage charges. Gershkovich grew up in Princeton, played soccer for the Princeton Union soccer club, was the captain of the Princeton High School soccer team, and played soccer for Bowdoin College. He graduated from Princeton High School in 2010.
Seton Hall receives anonymous $10M gift for newly renovated University Center
ROI-NJ Staff
- Seton Hall University’s University Center has attracted a lot of notable speakers since it reopened to much fanfare last November, including tennis legend and women’s rights advocate Billie Jean King; Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi, president of the 77th session of the U.N.; and Archbishop Christophe Pierre. It also has been attracting additional donations.
Conservative group parks billboard by North Jersey home after law students heckle judge
Mary Ann Koruth, NorthJersey.com
- A conservative free speech group that targets mainstream media brought billboard-sized digital screens into a residential neighborhood in Englewood Cliffs this week, plastered with the name of a Stanford University law school student who lives there, after members of his campus organization heckled a conservative federal judge at a speaking event.
Lawmakers approve more aid for N.J. schools facing cuts. Critics say there’s has to be a better way.
Brent Johnson, Katie Kausch, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- State lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to send Gov. Phil Murphy a bill that would spread $103 million in additional state aid across more than 150 New Jersey school districts to spare them some of the big funding cuts they’ve been facing for the next school year.
Looking to get NJ Cannabis Certified? Classes start soon
Kimberly Redmond, NJBIZ
- NJ Cannabis Certified, a workforce development program for the cannabis industry, is gearing up to launch its next round of training. Scheduled to begin April 3, the 15-hour virtual course is geared toward those interested in working in the industry or wanting to learn more about cannabis.
N.J. corrections officer accused of sexually assaulting child, prosecutor says
Chris Sheldon, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- A Hunterdon County corrections officer was arrested Thursday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a child on multiple occasions, authorities said.
Op-Ed: Honoring women who ‘helped shape New Jersey and the world’
Christine Norbut Beyer, NJ Spotlight
- Since 2018, I’ve had the honor of serving as the commissioner of the Department of Children and Families in New Jersey. Our department is known primarily for our work in child safety, but the scope of our department is much broader. Among other areas of focus, we’re working to develop, promote and expand women’s rights and leadership opportunities, through the work of our Division on Women.
‘No place for hate’ in State Police, officials say after trooper’s tattoos draw scrutiny
S.P. Sullivan, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- New Jersey’s top law enforcement officials said Wednesday they are committed to rooting out bias and hate among the State Police after pictures of a trooper’s tattoos featuring images associated with white supremacist groups spread online.
Budget plan includes wage hike for incarcerated people working prison jobs
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- People serving time in state prisons could see the salaries of their jailhouse jobs climb — the first across-the-board prison pay raises in New Jersey in decades — under Gov. Phil Murphy’s $53.1 billion budget proposal. The budget plan calls for “a modest increase to the wages they can earn for positive behavior and productive work” but doesn’t specify an amount.
Post-defeat, Malinowski acting like “that crazy ex who just can’t move on”
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- Ex-Congressman Tom Malinowski is having a lot of trouble moving on after his defeat last November, Save Jerseyans. Day in and day out, he tweets one salty post after another which strongly suggest day trading isn’t enough to keep him occupied. A former member of Obama’s State Department, Malinowski won his first term by defeating incumbent Leonard Lance in 2018 by five points. He won reelection in 2020 by only 4,000 votes in a close-fought fight with Tom Kean Jr. but ultimately lost the 2022 rematch.
How ‘swatting’ calls spread as schools face real threats
The Associated Press
- A spate of threats and false reports of shooters have been pouring into schools and colleges across the country for months, including Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley, raising concerns among law enforcement and elected leaders. Schools in Pennsylvania were the latest targeted by so-called swatting. Computer-generated calls on Wednesday made claims about active shooters, but it was all a hoax.
For 50 years, Sussex CEO fought for kids with disabilities. Now he’s finally retiring
Kyle Morel, New Jersey Herald
- Richard Lecher has spent a half-century at the Sussex County nonprofit known as SCARC, taking the group from modest beginnings and turning it into the premier organization for local residents with developmental disabilities. Now, he’s ready to step back and let others continue what he has built.
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