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Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There’s legitimately no one who believes we should be paid $82,000. Maybe a couple of you on the dais may think that, but I can assure you no sane person thinks this is logical. We don’t deserve it.” – Assemblyman Bergen slamming potential pay increases for legislators
TOP STORY: Tammy Murphy Barnstorms Passaic County
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2023 Retrospective publication.
Governor Murphy signed the ‘New Voter Empowerment Act‘, allowing 17-year olds to vote in primaries if they turn 18 by the general election. The Governor signed legislation to expand community solar energy programs.
The state announced a historic low in gun violence with the fewest shooting deaths since 2009.
Records show the state considered $5M to handle the migrant influx but didn’t follow through, according to Politico NJ.
NJ home sale prices are poised for a comeback, according to NJ Spotlight.
Bergen County Commissioners elected an all-female leadership team. The county’s Police Academy is under investigation over claims of misconduct, according to the Bergen Record.
Cumberland County seated its first all-GOP commission board, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Essex County is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of Imam Sharif.
Hunterdon County taxes could rise this year, according to MyCentralJersey.
A Mercer County corrections officer was indicted on bribery charges.
Morris County highlighted its flood mitigation program. The county will hold its reorganization today.
A new Ocean County Commissioner disagreed with his new colleagues on the first day, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Passaic County Commission Board reorganized with First Lady Tammy Murphy in attendance, as Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof and Commissioners Bruce James and Orlando Cruz were sworn-in.
Rep. Watson Coleman sent a letter to Governor Murphy committing to work together on the recent drop-offs of migrants in the state.
Rep. Gottheimer released a report on NYC’s congestion pricing.
ICYMI: Several political questions for 2024
A new PAC was formed to help recruit Republican millennials to run for office.
Rep. Kim raised a total of $2.75M for his Senate primary candidacy.
Cape May County Democrats are holding a Zoom issues session on affordable housing.
ICYMI: Campos-Medina entered Senate primary; Carpenters endorsed Tammy Murphy; Christie seeks an opening; Norcross-Polistina feud spilled into public view
State BOE nominee Jeanette Pena faced aggressive GOP Senators during her Judiciary Committee interview, ultimately generating sufficient support.
Legislation allowing school districts that hold November elections to submit separate budget proposals was advanced by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
Senator Schepisi slammed Democrats for a lack of accountability on the migrant crisis.
The Senate pushed affordable housing legislation to the next session, according to NJ Monitor.
Liquor license reform legislation moved forward, according to the Bergen Record.
Planned Parenthood and Garden State Equality urged the Legislature to reject legislation requiring age verification for social media.
The NJ Civil Service Commissioner opened applications for the Law Enforcement Mentoring Program.
The NJDHS is enhancing emergency services programs for individuals with disabilities.
The NJFHMA was honored by NJ Biz.
The NJ Sierra Club joined Rep. Pallone in calling on NOAA and the Coast Guard for effective vessel speed monitoring and enforcement.
NJ towns are grappling with NYC’s immigration rules, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Trenton, South Ward Councilwoman Kettenberg kicked off her re-election bid.
In Bergenfield, statewide candidates crowded Mayor Amatorio’s swearing-in ceremony.
In Mount Laurel, Fozia Janjua made history as the first Muslim and South Asian female mayor of the town.
In Asbury Park, the city is searching for a new company to take over the dead scooter service, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Atlantic City, officials visited an homeless encampment, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bayonne, La Pelusa will stay on as council president, according to TAPinto. A temporary budget was passed, according to Hudson County View.
In Clifton, parking issues near a mosque remain unsolved, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Haledon, a ex-official came out of retirement as an internal probe continues, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla slammed Edison Mayor Joshi over migrant language, according to TAPinto. Councilwoman Giattino was named council president, according to Hudson County View.
In Longport, neighbors support a passive park on 22nd Ave, according to Downbeach.
In Madison, Mayor Conley began his fourth term, according to NJ Hills.
In Mine Hill, Mayor Morris began his fourth term, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, the USDOE opened a discrimination investigation into the schools, according to NJ.com.
In Raritan, the new mayor unveiled an aggressive agenda, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Roxbury, Albrecht is the new mayor, according to NJ Hills.
In Westwood, the town is seeking funding to elevate flood-prone homes, according to the Bergen Record.
In Wildwood, Troiano is mayor again, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Montville, intra-community legal battle; in Dover, Dodd sworn-in as mayor; in Parsippany, Hernandez sworn-in to the council
AROUND THE WEB:
What would happen to Trump if Christie is elected president
Erin Vogt, NJ1015
- Former Gov. Chris Christie has said if elected president he would not pardon former President Donald Trump if he were convicted of criminal offenses. While speaking on ABC’s “The View,” the Republican candidate said that it would amount to the “easiest pardon decision I would ever have to make as president.”
While Trenton lawmakers pine for raises, NJ public retirees see ‘slap in the face’ | Stile
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- Joanne Stewart logged 25 years as an official court reporter before retiring in 1998. And yet the 72-year-old, part-time real estate agent’s monthly pension check has remained frozen in time. Stewart’s pension has been at the same level since 2011, when former Gov. Chris Christie, in collaboration with Democrats in control of the Legislature, cut cost-of-living adjustments for public retirees as part of a sweeping reform of public employee benefits.
Father, former boxer, anti-violence activist: A community mourns death of Newark imam
Hannan Adely, NorthJersey.com
- Expressions of condolence from citizens, community leaders, officials and clergy echoed across New Jersey since news broke that the beloved imam of Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque was shot and killed on Wednesday. Many decried that Imam Hassan Sharif had been a victim of gun violence that he had fought so hard to prevent.
Susan K. Livio, Ted Sherman, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Expressions of condolence from citizens, community leaders, officials and clergy echoed across New Jersey since news broke that the beloved imam of Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque was shot and killed on Wednesday. Many decried that Imam Hassan Sharif had been a victim of gun violence that he had fought so hard to prevent.
Van Drew’s on the case to halt non-existent N.J. invasion | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- We shall fight them on the beaches. We shall fight them at the airports. We shall fight them at the bus stops. Only the first sentence above bears any relation to anything that Winston Churchill said in a stirring World War II speech.
Lost in translation: Interpretation gaffes more dangerous than hilarious for N.J. | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- About 1 million New Jerseyans speak English “less than very well,” according to a 2020 U.S. Census Bureau survey, and when faced with a crisis like a pandemic, or the victim of a crime, we don’t want state authorities just defaulting to pulling up a sloppy translation off their phones.
Congressman Andy Kim and First Lady Murphy Start Adding Up Numbers
Jeanne Wall, TAPinto Holmdel & Colts Neck
- If votes have a relationship to money raised, Local Congressman Andy Kim has a big head start in the race to replace indicted and embattled Senator Bob Menendez. In a headline number that’s sure to change over time, Congressman Andy Kim announced he raised over $1.75 million in the 4th quarter of 2023, bringing in $2.75 million in just three months and one week since launching his Senate campaign at the end of September. His main opponent, other than the incumbent and indicted Senator Bob Menendez, is Governor Phil Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy.
Immigrant advocates alarmed at comments directed at migrants dropped off in New Jersey
Sophie Nieto-Munoz, NJ Monitor
- As parts of New Jersey have become drop-off locations for migrants as they are bused from Texas to New York City, immigrant advocates are expressing dismay at how the asylum seekers are being treated. With officials in places from Trenton to Edison to Secaucus saying they’re not equipped or interested in welcoming the migrants — bused from the southern border by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to places controlled by Democrats — New Jersey has “pass-the-buck energy” when it comes to people who have crossed the border looking for a better life, one advocate said.
Border crisis in New Jersey: NYC mayor goes after bus companies
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- As Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Mayor Eric Adams put up a united front to deal with migrants being sent to New Jersey from Texas, the city has filed suit against bus operators. The city has filed a $708 million lawsuit against 17 charter bus operators and transportation companies who have transported 33,600 migrants to the city in an effort to recoup the costs incurred to provide shelter and services. “Governor Abbott’s continued use of migrants as political pawns is not only chaotic and inhumane but makes clear he puts politics over people. Today’s lawsuit should serve as a warning to all those who break the law in this way,” Adams said.
TGI Fridays closes 36 restaurants, including 7 in NJ
Kimberly Redmond, NJBIZ
- As part of a move to bolster its finances and streamline operations, popular casual dining chain TGI Fridays abruptly closed dozens of locations, including seven restaurants in New Jersey. Citing the brand’s “ongoing growth strategy,” the Dallas-headquartered company announced Jan. 3 it will shut down 36 “underperforming locations” in 12 states.
Martinez Milan named new chair of Somerset County Business Partnership
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- With the Wednesday shooting still under investigation and no suspect arrested, the murder of Imam Hassan Sharif in Newark has stirred new concerns in New Jersey’s Muslim community.
Another old-school South Jersey diner has closed. A newer breed of casual dining will open there.
Kevin Riordan, Philadelphia Inquirer
- The day after the Star View Diner closed, its digital sign was still flashing “Happy New Year.” But the empty parking lot along the White Horse Pike in Somerdale, Camden County, conveyed a less cheerful message. “With a heavy heart I have decided to start a new chapter,” owner Stefanos Kitrinos said in a handwritten retirement announcement posted on both of the entrance doors.
Jersey Shore towns named in suit over toxic chemicals in drinking water
Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press
- A group of pollutants known as “forever chemicals” are so widespread in the environment that some of the largest manufacturers of the material have agreed to pay water suppliers across the country, including those in Brick, Toms River and Wall for contamination.
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