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Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The budget’s already done, so no one can do anything about it. It’s purposeful that they don’t want people to know — there is no other explanation. It is a blatant and unquestionable attempt to keep the public from knowing who advocated for this stuff.” – Senator O’Scanlon on the lack of the details about an extra $1B in budget spending
TOP STORY: The Transfiguration of Schools to Psyche Wards
LG Oliver is remembered as a mentor and a truth-teller, according to NJ Monitor.
Flags will fly at half-staff in honor of Oliver, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy will return from Italy following LG Oliver’s passing, according to the Bergen Record.
Defamation charges against the Governor were dismissed but the whistleblower case by former NJDOH Assistant Commission Neuwirth continues, according to NJ.com.
NJ firefighters face many challenges, including extreme weather and low staffing, according to the Bergen Record.
The NJDOL awarded 29 employers with the Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Awards.
Housing is an issue for international job seekers at the Jersey Shore, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Monmouth County’s first female federal judge passed away, according to the Asbury Park Press. The county invited families of 9/11 victims to participate in their upcoming memorial service.
The Somerset County Parks Commission is offering science-based programs for students.
Senator Menendez held a roundtable with LGBTQ+ leaders at the Hudson Pride Center, according to Hudson County View.
A WalletHub study ranks New Jersey as the 10th state with the most student debt.
LG Sheila Oliver passed away, state mourns loss of dedicated public servant; Murphy submitted FEMA request for Warren Co; reflecting on ‘National New Jersey Day‘; Murphy announces lawsuit over congestion pricing at press conference; Gottheimer says FAA needs to ‘get act together‘; NJSP assumed control of port duties; facts murky about Port Newark fire, prompts questions
Lawmakers still haven’t detailed more than $1B in extra budget spending, according to Politico NJ.
Senate Minority Leader Bucco and Senator Testa accused the state BOE of putting ‘identity politics’ ahead of parental rights. The state BOE adopted updated equity rules, according to NJ.com.
The state budget allots more than $120M for mental and behavioral health care, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ advocates launched the ‘Clean Energy Now’ campaign.
Download and read Insider NJ’s FY2024 special edition publication.
ICYMI: Murphy took action on legislation; Bucco has sights set on majority
In Oakland, mental health services and treatment programs were on the saved from the chopping block as the Ramapo Indian Hills regional BOE reversed their decision to end the programs; the BOE Vice President lamented that ‘we are becoming a psychiatric institution at this point‘. The Ramapo Indian Hills BOE President won’t seek re-election, according to the Bergen Record.
In Wildwood, a state grand jury revived charges against three officials.
In Hamilton (Mercer), the town received $1M for a new ladder truck.
In Bridgewater, the town will introduce short-term rental regulations, according to TAPinto.
In Boonton, former Councilwoman Michel passed away, according to the Daily Record.
In Camden, Janette Ramos was appointed to the council, according to TAPinto.
In Clifton, the superintendent’s contract was extended, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Edison, Aldarelli will be the next superintendent, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Florham Park, parents raised concerns about class size, according to NJ Hills.
In Montclair, rancor and dissent marred a council meeting, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Parsippany, the council voted on a redevelopment plan, according to TAPinto.
In Paterson, property taxes could still rise after a boost in state aid, according to Paterson Press.
ICYMI: In Edison, Bimal Joshi defeated Sam Joshi for Dems chair; in Mount Holley, former Mayor Stafford passed away; in Parsippany, Barberio prevailed in GOP chair race; in Paterson, Mendez secured Council Presidency
AROUND THE WEB:
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver’s legacy: A progressive champion and ‘ideal public servant’
Ry Rivard and Daniel Han, Politico
- Sheila Oliver rose out of local politics in the Democratic stronghold of Essex County to the height of power in New Jersey — often championing progressive causes later embraced by the state. Oliver, who died this week at age 71, was the first Black woman Assembly speaker in state history and the second to lead a legislative chamber in the country before becoming Gov. Phil Murphy’s lieutenant governor. In that role she was the first Black woman in New Jersey to hold statewide elected office.
New Jersey’s top court underscores fair-trial protections in trio of new rulings
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- The New Jersey Supreme Court overturned the convictions of two men Wednesday in decisions clarifying rules on in-court identifications and narration of surveillance video, rules that are meant to ensure defendants get a fair trial.
It Just Got Easier to Apply to Rutgers
Bill Doyle, NJ1015
- Starting this week, it has gotten easier to apply for admission to Rutgers University. Rutgers has joined the schools that accept the Common Application, which streamlines the admission process by allowing you to fill out one form to apply to multiple schools.
Tragic end to a promising futuristic vertical farm company in NJ
Judi Franco, NJ1015
- Ever since Aerofarms came to Newark, many Ironbound residents assumed that someday they would find their homegrown lettuce and kale on the shelf of their local supermarket. But it never came to pass. The company, which according to Jersey Digs opened its first facility in Newark’s Ironbound in 2015, used vertical towers to grow food in warehouses, meaning that cities could someday rival the countryside as centers of agriculture. This was huge news. The latest news is also huge. And very sad.
Hollywood strife: How entertainment industry’s clash could affect N.J. film production and more
Brett Johnson, ROI-NJ
- Labor expert Susan Schurman has gotten accustomed to the sight of film crews setting up locally — even, on one occasion, just outside her window in North Jersey. It might not be such a regular sighting in the near future, however.
Commentary: Trenton strikes another blow to transparency
Nancy Hedinger, President, League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area
- A few weeks ago, the legislature passed a budget for the new fiscal year. Considerable attention was given to the remarkable lack of transparency in the state budget process. Legislators voted late at night on a budget they had not even seen, and on which members of the public were unable to testify. This budget failed the test of transparency in another way as well – it did not include promised additional funding for New Jersey’s independent campaign finance watchdog agency, the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).
Business community, political world mourn loss of Oliver
ROI-NJ Staff
- A friend. A colleague. A trailblazer. Reflections on the life of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver poured in following her passing Tuesday. Oliver, 71, was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Monday with an undisclosed medical condition. On Tuesday, her family announced she had passed away.
New guidelines on state anti-discrimination law
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin this week said that the recent controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ+ rights will have little impact in the state. In a 6-3 decision last month, the high court limited anti-discrimination laws across the country by siding with a Colorado web designer who did not want to do business with same-sex couples because she said it infringed on her First Amendment rights.
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