1-877-VOTES-4-KIDS

Nov 29, 2023

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Good Wednesday morning!

There’s a tradition of very young people who are politically ambitious getting their start on school boards at a very young age. Maybe the most famous New Jersey example is Sen. Bob Menendez, who kicked off his political career at age 20 by being elected to the Union City Board of Education.

Now Union City’s mayor is seeking to bring even younger people into politics by allowing them to vote in school board elections. Mayor/state Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson) introduced a bill Monday (NJ S4173) to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in their towns’ school board elections.

The voting rights wouldn’t be automatic. The students would be allowed to vote if voters approve a ballot question to allow them to. Presumably kids wouldn’t be able to vote in that referendum. Another perhaps easier option is to get their school districts or municipal councils to approve a resolution allowing them to vote.

This follows a campaign by Hudson County students called Vote16NJ, which got the Jersey City Board of Education to approve a resolution supporting their efforts.

“Sixteen is the perfect age to catalyze a lifelong passion for the political process. Students would have more robust and structured guidance to pursue a future of habitual voting supported by parents, mentors, and teachers,” Vote16NJ co-founders Anjali Krishnamurti and Yenjay Hua said in a statement. “Introducing the important responsibility of voting at sixteen would be similar to how the Graduated Driver’s License program introduces the responsibility of driving through incremental steps, producing more responsible and informed citizens.”

Allow me to apologize to Krishnamurti and Hua for using Menendez as an example of a young person on a school board. I’m sure there are lots of other politicians who started young on school boards who haven’t been charged with acting as agents for the Egyptian government.

This isn’t the only bill that would give young people greater say in government. The Assembly this spring passed legislation allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they turn 18 by the general election, though it hasn’t moved in the Senate.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Gerry Scharfenberger, Devan Laurent, Anthony Sebastianutti

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “They crapped on him.” — Paterson Councilmember Michael Jackson on the Sayegh administration’s $225,000 pay offer to incoming fire chief Alex Alicea, which is lower than his predecessor’s

WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule

A message from AARP:

Older New Jerseyans in nursing homes deserve safe, high-quality care. Nearly 75 percent of New Jersey’s nursing homes are for-profit facilities. The complex structures of some of these nursing homes make it difficult to see where cash is flowing—and may allow money to be siphoned away from resident care. We need to know where our money is going. It’s time to hold nursing home owners accountable. Tell your lawmakers to pass A4484/S2769.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

MURPHY WON’T FIX NJ TRANSIT BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT TO DIE — “At NJBIA event, Murphy says he still supports CBT sunset,” by NJBIZ’s Matthew Fazelpoor: Murphy reiterated his support for the upcoming sunset of the corporate business tax (CBT) surcharge, which is set to expire at the end of 2023. … [A]s the lame duck session kicked off in Trenton, the topic popped back up with Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22nd District, hinting at revisiting the CBT as a potential source of funding for NJ Transit. Jersey City Mayor and declared gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop has also introduced a transportation proposal that would reinstate the surcharge as a funding source for NJ Transit. … Michele [Siekerka] would never ever invite me back again if I did not say – I am still supporting the sunsetting of the corporate business tax on December 31st,” said Murphy. “On the one hand – a deal is a deal. We said this was a bridge until we get into a better place – and we meant it. On the other hand, it does exacerbate what is a structural deficit that we are running at the moment. And we have to be clear-eyed about that as well. … Sarlo said that a dedicated funding source needs to be found for NJ Transit through a collective collaboration and process between numerous stakeholders, but does not believe using the CBT surcharge is the right way to go about it. ‘I have ruled out using the CBT surcharge for a dedicated revenue source for New Jersey Transit,’ said Sarlo. ‘I said it last year. I said it again here today.’”

—Snowflack: “Murphy talks business”

GARDEN STATE MAY EVENTUALLY ALLOW GARDENING — “Murphy ‘very open’ to letting you grow your own weed in N.J.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “Three years after voters overwhelmingly approved legalizing recreational cannabis in New Jersey and a year and a half since sales began, it’s still illegal to grow your own weed at home in the state. But Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday he’s open to changing that — and suspects the change will happen eventually. “I’m very much open-minded to this,” Murphy said when asked about it during his call-in television show on News 12 New Jersey. ‘I would bet, if I were a betting man, that down the road that’s exactly where this would land,’ the Democratic governor added. ‘I understand, having said that, why it wasn’t in our initial regs. There’s a rightful objective to get this industry up on its feet and make sure the folks who are in this as a matter of commerce are successful.’ The comments come as advocates are once again pushing New Jersey to allow homegrown cannabis.”

KID WHO DIDN’T THINK ABOUT COLLEGE NOW DOES AFTER FILLING OUT BORING FORM — “Should NJ require students to fill out college aid forms to graduate high school?” by The Asbury Park Press’ Amanda Oglesby: “New Jersey legislators are considering a bill that would make completing financial aid forms for higher education a requirement for high school graduation. The bill, S2054, would require all high school students to complete financial aid forms in order to graduate, or get a waiver exempting them from the requirement. The exemption could be submitted by a parent or guardian, a school counselor, or the student if 18 or older. The New Jersey Senate Education Committee approved the bill Monday. Next, the bill will head to the state Legislature for a vote. … ‘If they are required to fill out the FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid), they can then realize that college can be an option for them,’ Turner said during the committee hearing.”

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BONFIRE OF THE INANITIES — “Democrat calls Gov. Murphy ‘Grinch’ over veto of Christmas tree bonfires bill,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto Munoz: “Gov. Phil Murphy this week rejected a bipartisan bill that would have allowed for community Christmas tree bonfires, prompting one Democratic lawmaker to compare Murphy to the Grinch. … Murphy in a statement accompanying his Monday veto of the bill that … burning trees ultimately harms vulnerable residents’ health and increases pollution. … Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex), a prime sponsor of the bill, said the measure was inspired by an annual Christmas tree bonfire formerly hosted by Clinton, a township in Hunterdon County. Murphy’s fight against Christmas tree burnings is ‘such a Grinch thing to do in the scheme of things,’ Zwicker said. ‘This is such a tiny little thing. And the claim that it is somehow about public health is just so silly,’ said Zwicker.”

—“N.J. Democrats’ big Election Day even more dominant after Republican concedes tight race”

— “Murphy wants changes in NJ plan to steer nonviolent offenders toward mental health care”

—“Ex-Murphy counsel drops bid for judgeship”

— “Strange signs prove you need a sense of humor to drive in NJ”

—“Private bus companies canceled NJ routes, causing 'mayhem.' This bill would limit that”

—“New ramps connecting Route 42, I-295 finally opens after decades of waiting”

—“Are NJ lawmakers ready to pump $300M into major electric grid upgrades?”

—Opinion: “The Tennessee Gas Pipeline East 300 through NJ's highlands is Phil Murphy's failure”

A message from AARP:

Biden's Beltway

THE BALLS ON THIS BEACH — “Pallone calls Coast Guard to investigate source of tar balls at Long Branch, Monmouth Beach,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Dan Radel: “Following reports of tar balls and oil on the beach here, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone D-N.J. said the Coast Guard will conduct a flyover of the stretch of ocean from here to Monmouth Beach to investigate. … Pallone said the Coast Guard will conduct sample testing to attempt to determine the source of the contamination. The Coast Guard will also be the lead agency if a clean up is required, he said. … On Monday Clean Ocean Action, which is headquartered at Avenel Avenue in Long Branch, found several tar balls washed up on the beach in the North Long Branch to Monmouth Beach stretch of beach.”

REVENGEZ — Top Biden Labor nominee falls on Senate floor, by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett: One of President Joe Biden's top Labor Department nominees went down on the Senate floor on Tuesday after two Democrats voted with Republicans to block the nomination. Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Bob Menendez of New Jersey both voted against advancing the nomination of Jose Javier Rodriguez to be the assistant secretary of Labor.

—Moran: “Van Drew’s poisonous game on the immigration crisis”

A message from AARP:

Government funds spent on nursing home care should be spent on care for residents.

But many of New Jersey’s nursing homes have complex structures that make it difficult to see where those taxpayer dollars are going. Without financial transparency and strong oversight, that money could be siphoned away from resident care — weakening the safety and quality of care for residents and making it difficult for New Jerseyans to make informed decisions when choosing a facility.

A4484/S2769 would hold nursing home owners accountable by improving the financial reporting requirements for owners. Tell your state lawmakers: Pass A4484/S2769 now to increase accountability and transparency for nursing home owners and improve care for residents.

LOCAL

MCCAN’T DO THAT — “Jersey City places ex-Mayor McCann on leave as they look into campaigning on city time,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “The City of Jersey City has placed former Mayor Jerry McCann, who now works as a senior auditor, on paid administrative leave as they investigate whether he is using city resources and/or city time to campaign for ex-Gov. Jim McGreevey, who is running for mayor in 2025. … ‘We can confirm Jerry McCann has been placed on administrative leave pending a hearing, at which point next steps will be taken,’ city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said in an email following an inquiry from HCV. ‘Broadly speaking, it is well known that McCann has become very close to Jim McGreevey, and while McCann is entitled to advise, support, and be in the inner team of whomever he wants in the upcoming mayoral campaign, he is not allowed to use social media, city resources, nor city time to bully residents or public officials on behalf of Jim McGreevey’s mayoral campaign.’ … In response, McCann indicated that his Twitter was hacked at some point and many of the posts he had come under fire for had not been done by him (though a few like one mocking local teachers for taking free turkeys was). He also said that he does not currently have a city hearing scheduled and continued that city policy is that he cannot threaten his colleagues, which he did not do, and that he has not been doing any political campaigning out of City Hall. ‘When Mayor Fulop comes to work every day, then we can conclude that he’s working as the mayor. But when he very rarely comes to work, we can conclude that he’s doing something else and he’s very, very rarely at City Hall.’”

CALLEDAWAY — “Craig Callaway avoids subpoenas in Bailey's Atlantic City election lawsuit,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Eric Conklin: “Political organizer Craig Callaway was not present on the first day of a trial in a case seeking to overturn the election results in the city’s 2nd Ward and has evaded being served a subpoena, attorneys for Viana Bailey said Tuesday. It was the first day of a trial … Bailey filed suit to challenge the results of the June primary, which her opponent, incumbent Councilwoman LaToya Dunston, won by six votes … Bailey, who was backed by the Atlantic City Democratic Committee, is suing election officials and Dunston, alleging illegal votes were cast and improper "assistance" given to some voters by Callaway, who supported Dunston … Also Tuesday, 5th Ward Republican candidate Maria Lacca filed a lawsuit seeking a recount.”

WEEDINGS FROM ASBURY PARK — “Asbury Park was supposed to be an NJ cannabis 'mecca.' What happened?” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “For a short while, Sylvia Sylvia-Cioffi might have been the most popular person at the Jersey Shore. New Jersey was on the cusp of legalizing marijuana for recreational use — it was a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if’ — and Asbury Park was seen as a potential epicenter. … When industry hot-shots wanted an introduction to the city's decision-makers, they turned to Sylvia-Cioffi, executie director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. … Now, embroiled in litigation, the city that was once seen as a potential epicenter for the New Jersey cannabis industry instead runs the risk of being left behind.”

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—“Trenton lead inspectors admit getting illegal overtime payments, officials say”

—“Plenty on the line in Hoboken’s First Ward city council runoff election Dec. 5”

—“Two Readington police officers sue township, claiming discrimination”

—“Candidate in [Manchester Regional School District] challenges election results, citing possible 'error'"

—“Rabbi facing money laundering charges must wait until February to see if case gets tossed”

—“Senator slams ‘unethical behavior’ by Nicodemo”

—“Jersey City council to vote on resolution calling for cease-fire in Gaza”

EVERYTHING ELSE

BIAS CRIMES — “'Unacceptable:' Bias incidents targeting Jews, Muslims soar since start of Israel-Hamas war,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “Bias incidents targeting Jewish, Arab and Muslim residents in New Jersey surged in October, part of what the state Attorney General's Office and Governor Phil Murphy's spokesman called an "unacceptable" seven-week acceleration of bias and hate in the Garden State since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7. Preliminary data from the Attorney General’s Office released this week revealed 380 bias incidents were reported statewide in October, a marked increase from the monthly average of 199 during the previous nine months. Among those in October, 133 targeted Jewish people, more than three times the monthly average of 42 from January to September 2023. Two dozen incidents targeting Arab people were reported, a 72 percent increase over what had occurred so far in 2023. Incidents targeting Islam or Muslims were up 48 percent on the year in a single month. ‘The data on the State Police website is preliminary, but it underscores a multiyear trend that has accelerated over the last seven weeks: Incidents of bias and hate are increasing, and that is unacceptable,’ said Michael Symons, spokesperson for the state Attorney General's Office.”

NURSING A GRUDGE — “RWJ spends $120 million on replacement nurses as strike approaches fifth month,” by MyCentralJersey’s Suzanne Russell: “Striking nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick are awaiting a response on their latest contract proposal submitted last week, according to a union spokesperson. ‘I think we are on Day 116, and we still are on strike,’ Judy Danella, a 28-year nurse at the hospital and president of USW 4‐200, the union representing 1,700 Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital nurses who have been on strike since Aug. 4, said Monday. … She said no mediation or negotiation sessions are scheduled and all communication has been going through emails. … The hospital, meanwhile, has paid more than $120 million for replacement nurses with the highest levels of certification and experience in acute care and specialized clinical areas, according to the hospital's community webpage.”

—“Shifting NJ population: See where people are leaving and where they are going”

—“Dollar General will pay $1.2M in settlement for alleged pricing violations”

—“Fired Journal Square Jollibee workers to receive $84K in back pay in settlement”

—“Highway humor for the holidays? NJ DOT’s funny safety messages are back”

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