[ad_1]
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I am not going anywhere.” – A defiant Senator Menendez following his indictment amid calls for his resignation
TOP STORY: Everything You Wanted to Know about NJ Politics but were Afraid to Ask
The New Jersey political world spun on its axis on Friday amid the revelation of the charges brought against Senator Bob Menendez and his wife, detailing allegations of bribery, gold bars, and favors for wealthy friends. The US Attorney’s Office announced the indictments against the two in a 11am press conference, with Menendez coming out swinging, saying its an ‘active smear campaign’ orchestrated by ‘those who simply can’t accept that a first-generation Latino-American could rise’ to become a Senator, while stepping down from his role as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair. As Republicans quickly condemned Menendez and called for his resignation, NJ Democrats were silent early on, with behind-the-scenes messaging pushing and shoving; the floodgates would later open, with Governor Murphy calling for his immediate resignation, followed by other Democratic elected officials and county chairs. Defiant, and with few apparent establishment allies left, Menendez later said he’s ‘not going anywhere‘, adding that its ‘not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat’.
Menendez postponed a Hispanic Heritage Month event over the weekend, according to NJ.com, and has planned a press conference for this morning.
Rep. Gottheimer warned that a government shutdown could impact federal assistance to the state for disaster relief.
ICYMI: Gottheimer railed against Light Rail delay; Murphy appointed Suarez as Acting DCA Commissioner; Way announced Parker as COS; Way assumed LG oath; Way to succeed Oliver; Fulop held virtual town hall; RWJUH nurses’ strike continues into week four
Amid leadership movements on the future of the Senate seat occupied by the indicted Senator Menendez, who appears unlikely to receive support for re-election next year, there is mass speculation and an accelerated timeline as to what will follow, with scenarios being gamed out on who would succeed him should he resign, and how next year’s Senate primary will shape up in a open contest. CD3 Rep. Kim threw his hat in the ring, saying he ‘feels compelled to run against’ Menendez (and of note, specifically mentions running against Menendez, as opposed to a potential open seat), while activist Larry Hamm announced his candidacy, as the Menendez implosion shapes the potential futures of other officials, including Reps. Sherrill and Gottheimer and Speaker Coughlin.
Following Friday’s indictments announcement against Senator Menendez, questions have arisen with a particular vigor regarding the 2024 electoral landscape, while the charges landed like a bomb with battleground implications for this year’s legislative elections, with the usual volatility taking on a new shape suddenly.
Senator Menendez’s power base of Hudson County has remained neutral following the charges, according to Politico NJ.
In CD2, Rep. Van Drew says he’ll contemplate a Senate challenge to Menendez, according to SaveJersey.
In CD8, Rep. Menendez could be politically imperiled by the corruption charges against his father and find himself as political collateral damage, especially amid intensified deal-making around the offices of Senate and Governor.
Jersey City Mayor Fulop discusses his gubernatorial candidacy on Chat Box, according to NJ Spotlight.
Former Governor Christie slammed Senator Menendez but ruled out a Senate run, according to Politico NJ.
ICYI: NJSPBA endorsed candidates; Kean acknowledged not reporting stock trades; Sackett seeking Morris commissioner seat
The state advanced a plan to allow midwives to perform early abortions, according to NJ Monitor.
Senator Testa called for a special legislative committee to investigate the AG’s Office over the handling of a 2019 investigation into a businessman with ties to Senator Menendez.
ICYMI: Helmy will depart; environmentalists demanding bear hunt end; Fiordaliso passed away
In New Brunswick, a judge ruled against journalist Charlie Kratovil in his freedom of press case. The state’s first Mexican consulate opened, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, the AG’s Office released footage related to a fatal police-involved shooting. A former mayor is suing residents who took liberties in extending their backyards, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Atlantic City, the CRDA approved keeping open container rules, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Chatham, the borough heard ideas on how to improve the business district, according to NJ Hills.
In Franklin Lakes, the planning board approved the Cigna housing element, according to the Bergen Record.
In Ocean Grove, the former mayor pleaded guilty to misconduct charges, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Palisades Park, borough hall employees say mold made them sick, according to the Bergen Record.
In Ventnor, a EVO311 system was implemented, according to Downbeach. The city is pursuing funds for a $22M lead pipe replacement program, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In Prospect Park, Khairullah joined federal lawsuit; in White, no vote or public comment on warehouse; in New Brunswick, AG Platkin avoided taking side in press case; in Hanover, court blocked notification policy; in New Brunswick, a hearing was held in the Kratovil case
AROUND THE WEB:
Gold bars for Menendez. Torture for jailed Egyptians. | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Look past the bars of gold, the envelopes stuffed with cash, and the shiny new Mercedes parked in the garage of Sen. Robert Menendez. Bad as that stench is, it’s far from the worst of it.
After writers strike settles, what will happen to New Jersey’s burgeoning film industry?
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- Hollywood writers and producers are reportedly on the verge of a deal after months of striking, according to several media reports. Those within the burgeoning film and television industry in New Jersey are hoping that means the sector is soon to be growing again in the Garden State.
At Hispanic Chamber business event, Menendez indictment is met with disappointment, disgust
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Most of the comments Friday at the Diversity Expo sponsored by the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey regarding the indictment of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez started with the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” — but almost all then quickly took a turn toward “disappointing” and “disgraceful.”
Donald Trump’s criminal charges spark concerns among 2024 voters, new poll shows
Ken Tran, USA TODAY
- Former President Donald Trump’s four criminal indictments could catch up to him in a general election matchup with President Joe Biden, according to a new poll from NBC News.
Could Menendez resign amid corruption indictment? How would his Senate seat get filled?
Ashley Balcerzak, NorthJersey.com
- Sen. Bob Menendez refused to step down from his Senate seat after being indicted in 2015, accused of a bribery scheme accepting gifts from an ophthalmologist friend. An 11-week trial ended with the jury deadlocked, a federal judge acquitted him of several charges and the Department of Justice dropped the remaining charges.
N.J. State Police team with Newark teens over 10 hours to build trust
Deion Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Sixteen-year-old Liam Vertressee was skeptical when selected to participate in a bridge-building event with N.J. State Troopers at his Newark high school on Monday. “I didn’t know what to expect because there is typically not a lot of trust when it comes to law enforcement and communities of color,” said Vertressee, who is Black.
Support the nurses’ strike: They need more help | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- We are facing a national crisis in healthcare: Tens of thousands of frontline nurses have fled the profession, and those left behind say they are burnt out and fed up with chronic understaffing at their hospitals.
Lunch shaming’s N.J. return thankfully brief | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- In Deptford Township, the students may be paying attention in class, but the school board and administration were napping. The township’s public schools were the latest to impose a penalty of ostracization against students whose parents have built up unpaid lunch bills.
Don’t dawdle on affordable housing | Jersey Journal editorial
Jersey Journal Editorial
- The “pause” on Jersey City Councilman Richard Boggiano’s plan to force developers in Journal Square to set aside some of their new apartments at affordable rents shouldn’t mean relegating it to a back burner.
Tom Fuscaldo’s contributions to Paterson were consequential
Marilyn Bartholme, Special to the USA TODAY Network
- Regarding “Tom Fuscaldo, advocate for city, dies at 94,” NorthJersey, Sept. 14: Thank you for the great article and perfect photo of Tom Fuscaldo. It sent me back to the 1970s when my husband and I bought our house in Hawthorne and my husband called Tom to install a TV antenna.
Plan to bring ‘bomb trains’ through N.J. towns hits another roadblock
Nyah Marshall, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- A plan to build New Jersey’s first terminal for transporting liquefied natural gas — a project that critics say is a threat to surrounding communities and the environment — has been hit with another federal roadblock.
U.S. Attorney says corruption probe into Senator Menendez ‘is very much ongoing’
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damien Williams says that the corruption probe into U.S. Senator Bob Menendez “is very much ongoing.”
American Dream lawsuits are stacking up. Here’s why — and how they compare to other malls
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- From a broken leg, slip-and-falls and knocked-out teeth to unpaid construction bills and defaults on a multimillion dollar loan, lawsuits against American Dream Mall have frequently dominated news headlines.
Storm surges and hurricanes in New Jersey: Everything you need to know
Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press
- Although New Jersey’s coastal communities have a history of dealing with extreme weather, rising sea levels are introducing new risks. While average global sea level has risen about 8 inches since 1900, New Jersey’s sea level crept higher – about 17 inches over the same period, according to a report by Rutgers University. New Jersey’s remarkable sea level rise is due to the land sinking because of groundwater pumping and natural geological processes related to the last glacial period.
(Visited 453,941 times, 25 visits today)
[ad_2]
Source_link
