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Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We were chosen because, here in New Jersey, we do not build walls — we open doors.” – Governor Murphy touting the state’s selection to host the World Cup in his FY2025 budget address
TOP STORY: Life of the Party or Fate of the Nation: Murphy v. Kim Defining Democracy
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Advance publication.
Governor Murphy delivered his FY2025 budget address yesterday (watch here), touting the state’s selection to host the 2026 World Cup while laying out several priorities in the $55.9 proposed budget: property tax relief measures, increasing public school funding, including additional Pre-K funding, a proposed ‘corporate transit fee’ to fund NJ Transit, and a full pension payment.
The NJDOL awarded $8M in grants to support apprenticeship programs.
World Cup-related renovations commenced at MetLife Stadium, according to NJ Biz.
The state recorded $800M in cannabis sales last year, according to NJ Biz.
The state is planning 25,000 acres of prescribed burns to prevent wildfires, according to NJ101.5.
A major shakeup is coming to the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Rep. Gottheimer launched a six-figure ad buy to promote his ‘Jumpstart New Jersey’ initiative.
ICYMI: Sherrill made case for Ukraine aid; Murphy addressed Drumthwacket confrontation; Murphy’s approval 46%; FIFA coming to MetLife; NYC unions opposing congestion pricing plan; Rutgers poll on state outlook; Kuch family suing schools
Read Insider NJ’s 2024 African-American List in honor of Black History Month.
Rep. Kim’s lawsuit challenging the county line is ironic as he seeks, and wins, several county lines, arguing that the overall system is unfair.
First Lady and Senate candidate Tammy Murphy’s campaign released their first TV ad of the primary. Murphy confirmed she will seek the Warren County Democrats’ endorsement, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
GOP Senate primary candidate Curtis Bashaw got a NYC property tax break meant for full-time residents, according to Politico NJ.
ICYMI: Kim overwhelmingly won the BurlCo Dems convention and secured the backing of Hunterdon Dems after chaotic start giving him three-convention winning streak; Baraka guv candidacy implications and reverberations; Glass departed as Murphy manager; in CD2, Alexander wants another crack at Van Drew; in CD7, Kean strategy contextualized; Kean held fundraiser; Baraka enters guv race; in CD8, dueling polls; Murphy, Kim debated: takeaways and themes; Sacco cleared up intentions w/ developing JC mayoral contest as Hudson politicos key in; in CD8, Menendez released poll showing large lead; Kim’s upset win over Murphy at Monmouth convention; Murphy secured Passaic Dems backing and shows no signs bowing out; Zdan formally kicked off GOP Senate bid; challenge for Somerset GOP, Vice Chair will ‘continue my conversations‘; Pascrell maintained backing of Passaic Dems, Sumter made late play; Speziale putting out feelers
In Bridgewater, Mayor Moench was appointed to the GOP Mayors Association Advisory Board.
In Teaneck, Mayor Pagan congratulated planning board attorney Kevin Kelly on his nomination to the Superior Court.
In Fair Lawn, the town was selected for a federal economic transformation program.
In Bernards, the schools budget is facing a $5M gap, according to NJ Hills.
In Bernardsville, there’s more criticism of the Palmer project, according to NJ Hills.
In Carteret, a redevelopment plan was approved, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Edison, the town pumped the brakes on a plan to expand marijuana sales, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla and Councilwoman Fisher traded barbs, according to Hudson County View. A new Cultural Affairs director was appointed, according to Hudson County View.
In Madison, the budget is starting to form, according to NJ Hills.
In Montclair, the planning board welcomed new members amid controversy, according to TAPinto.
In Morristown, the Housing Authority says its chipping away at problem renovations, according to Morristown Green. HQ Plaza is getting a makeover, according to the Daily Record.
In Mount Olive, the BOE took fire for firing long time attorneys, according to NJ Hills.
In Nutley, the town will bring back neighborhood watches, despite pushback, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Ocean City, accusations of politics v. Trenton overreach returned to the BOE, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Palmyra, a school referendum would boost taxes and upgrade schools, according to Burlington County Times.
In Passaic, the city’s affordable housing plan could work for other towns, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Raritan, the borough will replace outdated street signs, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, the mayor blamed his predecessor for more officials quitting, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Vineland, the town is expected to vote on the purchase of a school site, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Washington Township, the Historic Preservation Committee was replaced with an advisory committee, according to NJ Hills.
In Watchung, Maddox was selected to fill a BOE vacancy, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Paterson, Cotton in gear for re-election; in Parsippany, Musella held fundraiser; in Perth Amboy, Vas announced candidacy, Gonzalez announced candidacy, Pabon endorsed Gonzalez; in Edison, Joshi raised $200k; in AC, Callaway arrested; in Annandale, the continued battle over books; in Annandale, librarian at center of controversy
AROUND THE WEB:
Murphy breaks a promise. That’s good news. | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- Gov. Phil Murphy promised not to raise taxes in his second term, but in this budget, the core initiative is a big new tax on the state’s 600 richest companies.
US senators’ inquiry about Rutgers law center raises free speech concerns
Hannan Adely, NorthJersey.com
- A group of Republican U.S. senators has launched an inquiry into a Rutgers Law School program they say promotes antisemitism and platforms “terrorist sympathizers,” but advocates say it’s a politically motivated attack that threatens academic freedom.
The right whale is nearly extinct. N.J. lawmakers can help save it | Opinion
Sue Russell
- In early February, a chronically entangled female North Atlantic right whale calf died in lobster trap-pot lines near Martha’s Vineyard. Authorities said that she had suffered “for a prolonged period of time. ” Later in February, another female was found off the Georgia coast.
Four toxic sites in Montco and South Jersey will get federal cleanup money
Frank Kummer, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Polluted water wells, noxious ash cinders, sludge-filled lagoons, and a fouled stream are just parts of four local Superfund sites contaminated during the 20th century that will get new money for cleanups, said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Will Andy Kim’s effort to upend the line succeed? Will it sting Tammy Murphy? | Stile
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- Rep. Andy Kim, the upstart candidate for the U.S. Senate, had had the clubhouse doors of some of New Jersey’s largest Democratic Party organizations slammed shut in his face — before he had a chance to ring the doorbell. But the three-term congressman from South Jersey, who has been shunned by many major New Jersey Democratic Party leaders — many of whom have thrown in their lot with first lady Tammy Murphy — dropped a 79-page federal lawsuit on their doorsteps Monday, seeking to dismantle a practice that has served as the linchpin of party boss power for decades.
Ugly lies about antisemitism and terrorism: GOP smears NJ judge pick | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- The dark money hit job on Joe Biden’s Muslim American judicial pick, who hails from our state, is among the most vile we’ve ever seen – and that means a lot coming from New Jersey. Secret donors are behind a barrage of recent attack ads accusing Adeel Mangi, a Harvard-and Oxford-educated lawyer from Jersey City, of being an antisemitic terrorist sympathizer.
We need a solution to the e-bike, scooter problem | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- The cheering started in Hoboken (and so did the squawking) when Councilmen Presinzano, Ramos and Russo announced what they called a multi-layered safety proposal for anyone delivering food using a motorized vehicle.
Top questions for Governor Murphy’s nominee for transportation commissioner
Talya Schwartz, Jimmy Lee, Emmanuelle Morgen, Hudson County Complete Streets
- New Jersey faces a trio of transportation crises around an epidemic of preventable traffic violence, climate change and funding NJ Transit, and outdated, large-scale highway expansions. In the midst of these challenges, Gov. Phil Murphy has nominated Francis O’Connor to be the next commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. This role comes with broad responsibilities, and with the additional duties of chair of the NJ Transit and Turnpike Authority boards.
One voice can make a difference when violence happens in school
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Clarity and truth offers a pathway to resolution and improvement. So, let’s be clear. The two Nottingham High School students who pummeled a classmate with punches, words, and one swift kick to the head should face arrest for assault. Period.
Migrant issue may doom political hopes of Adams and Biden
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- As another load of migrant passengers departed a bus outside Trenton Transit Center then boarded a NJ Transit train to New York City yesterday, one could imagine how these travelers may spell an end to political hopes of Mayor Eric Adams. Previous arrivals in Trenton showed the procession of adults carrying infants or guiding toddlers as they moved through the station then collected in a waiting area. The temporary city guests eventually waited on a platform for the train into NYC.
Westfield teen victimized by AI-generated nude images hires Hulk Hogan’s sex tape lawyer
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- The Westfield High School student whose AI-generated nude images were posted online last fall has gone to federal court to sue her classmate who allegedly shared them. The parents of the girl, identified only as Jane Doe to protect her identity, filed suit against the boy, identified only by his initials, after the Westfield Police Department notified them on Jan. 24 that no criminal charges would be filed.
Skunk mating season is here in NJ. What this means in your neighborhood
Manahil Ahmad, NorthJersey.com
- As February transitions into March, residents in the Garden State may notice an uptick in skunk sightings, marking the onset of mating season for these notoriously odorous creatures. Skunks, known for breeding during February and March, are more prevalent during this time of year than in other months. However, experts emphasize that this surge in sightings doesn’t indicate an unusual proliferation but rather a natural occurrence that goes largely unnoticed during other seasons.
‘The price of freedom is high’: How Ukrainians in New Jersey cope with year two of the war
Olivia Liu, Asbury Park Press
- For the past 681 days, Mykhailo Ivanus of Toms River has started each day the same: Either video calling his eldest son back in Ukraine, or worrying about his welfare when he can’t reach him. Ivanus’s son, who is not being named due to serving on the front lines, has been enlisted in the Ukrainian Air Force since a few months after Russia invaded his country in February 2022.
2022 Census: These Ocean County towns are seeing a rise in population
Joe Mason, Asbury Park Press
- What a difference a decade makes. At least when it comes to population in some towns in New Jersey. And Ocean and Monmouth counties have some of the biggest swings, according to the census.
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