| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind | Good Wednesday morning! U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer is a prolific fundraiser. Could that also be one of his liabilities? The U.S. Supreme Court last week adopted an ethics code in what looks like at least partly a response to articles about how billionaire Harlan Crow funded undisclosed lavish vacations for Justice Clarence Thomas that would make Bob Menendez blush. Gottheimer clearly has ambitions to run for governor in 2025, and he’s using some of his $15.8 million House campaign account — which can’t be transferred to a gubernatorial campaign — to begin a “Jumpstart Jersey” campaign that looks a lot like a prelude to a gubernatorial run. But all that money comes from somewhere. And some of it — $25,217.46, to be exact, from 2018 to 2022 — came from Crow and his wife, Katherine. Crow also reportedly gave more than $130,000 to No Labels, which closely associated with the “Problem Solvers Caucus” that Gottheimer co-chairs and is led by Nancy Jacobsen, the wife of Mark Penn, whom a 2015 New York Times article about Gottheimer described as his “close associate.” I asked Gottheimer’s team about his Crow donations. “After Rep. Gottheimer learned about the issues, he donated the contributions to Democratic candidates up and down the state to help New Jersey Democrats win big in November,” spokesperson Chris D'Aloia said. (I did attempt to fact-check this and found Gottheimer actually gave far more than $25,000 to mostly New Jersey Democratic organizations in the months following the initial ProPublica story on Thomas and Crow.) This isn’t the first time Crow’s donations to Gottheimer have been reported. But the fact that other Democrats raised it to me in light of the Supreme Court’s new ethics code hints at some of the criticism he'll face if and when he runs for governor. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Dan Benson, Alan Steinberg, Joe Libutti. Thursday for Fernando Alonso, Matt Dennis, Mike Ramaglia. Friday for Luke Bohm, Mary Maples, Fatima Heyward. Saturday for Ian Leonard. Sunday for Carol Murphy, Phil Rivo QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It's going to take some time, the vote-by-mail thing … We're slowly integrating that in, but there's a certain group of Republicans in New Jersey who have their own reservations about it.” — Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule PROGRAMMING NOTE — New Jersey Playbook will be off Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday. See you Monday.
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind believes how the work is done is as important as the work itself. Led by a team with deep roots in environmental science, the company's first project will inject nearly $2 billion into New Jersey's economy and generate thousands of local, good-paying jobs. And it's just the beginning. Learn more about the first phase of Atlantic Shores’ long-term commitment to creating a clean energy future for New Jersey. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
TURKEY KILLED AFTER STORE LEARNS LT. GOV. DOESN’T HAVE PARDON POWER — “Lt. Governor Tahesha Way pardons turkey at Stew Leonard's,” by TAPIntoParamus’ Lynford Morton: “New Jersey Lt. Governor Tahesha Way pardoned Travis the turkey at Stew Leonard's annual turkey pardon ceremony. ‘On behalf of the great state of New Jersey and all the powers invested in me as Lieutenant Governor, I pardon you, Travis, wishing you lifelong blessings. You are spared!’ pronounced Way. ‘Now, We are going to get out of here because no one likes a cold turkey!’ she quipped. Stew Leonard Jr., President and CEO of Stew Leonard's, hosted the ceremony outside the Paramus Park grocery store.”
TIKSTOP — N.J. proposal would require age verification, parental permission for social media use, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: An influential state lawmaker hopes to require age verification and parental consent for kids to join social media platforms, which would make New Jersey one of just a handful of states to impose the requirement. Assemblymember Herb Conaway (D-Burlington) on Monday introduced the legislation, NJ A5750 , which would require social media platforms to verify that users are at least 18 and require minors to get consent to join from a parent or guardian. It would also ban certain online messages between adults and children. “It really has been horrific on the mental health and the physical health of our young people, particularly teenagers and particularly young girls,” Conaway, who chairs the Assembly Health Committee, said in a phone interview Tuesday … Utah was the first state to pass a social media age restriction bill, and it has been bracing for likely legal challenges. Arkansas’ law, signed in April and challenged by a tech industry trade group and First Amendment advocates, has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. There is also a bill in Congress that has yet to advance. Dillon Reisman, a staff attorney for the New Jersey ACLU, said Conaway’s proposal is “pretty much the same bill that was passed in Arkansas” and would be unconstitutional. HOMELESSNESS — “Most vulnerable could become homeless if NJ Legislature fails to extend aid, advocates say,” by The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak: “Thousands of the most vulnerable New Jerseyans — seniors and low-income individuals with disabilities — could be at risk of becoming homeless as a pot of money aimed at housing them for more time is coming to an end next February, wrote more than forty homeless shelters, nonprofits and social service providers in a letter to legislative leadership. The signatories are urging Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to quickly pass a bill, S3960/A5549, during the lame duck legislative session that would extend the lifetime limit of emergency assistance for five more years for four groups of people at risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness: permanently disabled individuals, those over 60 years old, chronically unemployable people, or a relative of a disabled child who requires full-time care.” NEP JERSEY — “First lady’s Senate bid brings charges of nepotism as powerful Dems endorse her,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Colleen O’Dea: “It’s not just Tammy Murphy’s political rivals who are complaining. More than 30 individuals from progressive grassroots organizations released an open letter last week saying that her status as first lady of the state gives her several unfair advantages. That includes appearing with her husband when he takes official actions and events that she hosts on her own that are promoted by the governor’s office, such as an event Monday for which the governor’s office put out a press release with he headline: ‘At Maternal and Infant Health Roundtable Discussion at University Hospital, First Lady Tammy Murphy Announces Introduction of Doula Access.’ … As for other instances of political nepotism, New Jersey has plenty. Some recent examples include: Freshman Rep. Rob Menendez … Rep. Donald Payne Jr. was elected to fill his father’s seat in the 10th District after his father Donald M. Payne died in 2012. … Christopher Connors served in the Assembly while his father Leonard served in the Senate from 1990 to 2008, and in Morris County’s 25th, Sen. Anthony R. Bucco and Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco served together for a decade, until the elder Bucco’s death in 2019. … Robert E. Littell and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose. … Kevin Egan is set to replace his father, Assemblyman Joseph Egan, in January when the new Legislature takes office.” —Peg Schaffer: “Why I endorsed Tammy Murphy and compare her to Hillary Clinton and Eleanor Roosevelt”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | | | | | THE NEW GOP: NOW WITH MORE ABORTION RIGHTS! — “Can Republicans ever win again in NJ? Absolutely. GOP needs new branding,” by Jack Ciattarelli for USA Today Network: “Though it’s not getting the press it deserves, what happened in New Jersey on Nov. 7 was really a tale of two elections. At the municipal and county level, New Jersey Republicans had a very good night, highlighted by some very significant wins, including complete sweeps in Atlantic and Cumberland County and several key mayor and council seats in Bergen, Camden, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties. At the legislative level, though, there’s no sugar-coating it. Republicans got slammed. … The decision to terminate a pregnancy is deeply personal. For that very reason, I’ve always supported a woman’s right to choose. If New Jersey Republicans want to win elections outside of the deep red areas of our state, our party needs a policy position that values voters on all sides of the issue. Only then will we once again attract those who support abortion rights and access to reproductive health services. As I did in 2021, I’ll be doing my very best to lead the way on this issue.” —“New Jersey Republicans look for lessons in losses” —“The final tally of who’s leaving Trenton this year” —“No more NJ gas-powered new car sales by 2035: Will Gov. Murphy's ban be practical?” —“Port Authority’s big spending plan matches plenty on NJ wish list” —“PATH will spend $230M to fix delay-causing track and train issues” —“Toll hikes of 3.7% planned for NJ bridge and tunnel crossings as congestion pricing looms” —“NJ Transit electric bus project zips along. But huge hurdles remain to expand it statewide”
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | | | Biden's Beltway | |
BUT HE WORKED SO HARD FOR THAT SEAT — “Rob Menendez won’t distance himself from father’s attack on Hudson Dems,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Two months after the Justice Department charged Bob Menendez with bribery, conspiracy, and illegally acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, Rob Menendez has been unable to secure a commitment from the Hudson Democratic organization to run on the county line for re-election next year. More than a dozen Hudson Democratic insiders, many of whom like Menendez personally, expressed concern that, perhaps unfairly, sharing his father’s name could make him unelectable. … Despite being offered multiple opportunities to come to the defense of the Hudson County Democratic organization, Menendez instead released a milquetoast statement that evaded each question put to him by the New Jersey Globe. … ‘The HCDO, the county executive-elect, mayors, and commissioners have all been important partners in making our communities better for every resident,’ Menendez said. … Right now, Menendez’s future is on hold. Democratic leaders declined an attempt by the freshman congressman to secure the same kind of massive, full-throated endorsement given to Murphy. Instead, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed that Hudson Democrats, at least for now, plan to hold off on an endorsement in the 8th district congressional race and instead intend to put a poll in the field early next year to see if Menendez is even viable.”
DISGOLDBARRED — “Bob Menendez’s new lawyer shares his love of gold bars,” by The Daily Beast’s Will Bredderman: “Sen. Bob Menendez’s new lawyer is a fellow member of the bar association—and we’re not talking about his legal credentials. … [Robert Luskin] earned his gilded moniker two years later, when then-U.S. Attorney Sheldon Whitehouse—now Menendez’s colleague in the Senate—accused the attorney of ‘willful blindness’ for accepting more than half a million dollars in gold bars as payment from a client convicted of using his Rhode Island precious metals business to launder money for a Colombian drug cartel. Luskin settled with the feds a year later by coughing up almost a quarter-million in fees.” —“Donald Trump has a new doctor, and he’s from N.J.” —“New Jersey's federal lawmakers face pressure to back Israel-Hamas cease-fire”
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind believes how the work is done is as important as the work itself.
Led by a team of purpose-driven professionals with deep roots in environmental science, the company's first project will inject nearly $2 billion into New Jersey's economy, while supplying clean energy to 700,000 homes in the Garden State — and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million tons every year.
The project will generate tens of thousands of local, good-paying jobs that will sustain working families for generations.
Plus, New Jersey communities connected to Atlantic Shores will benefit, as research in other states has shown that towns near offshore wind farms have seen positive increases in tourism.
And all of this is just the beginning. The current project is the first phase of a long-term commitment to creating a clean energy future for New Jersey. Learn more. | | | | | LOCAL | |
INZELBUCKS — “State loans $50 million to Lakewood schools, adding to district's chart-topping debt,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “The state Department of Education has agreed to loan Lakewood Schools $50 million — far less than what the district asked for but a significant sum that balloons the cash-strapped district's debt to $173 million. The district requested $93 million several months ago as part of its current $264.6 million budget, approved in April. … District Spokesman Michael Inzelbuch issued a statement Monday that indicated the reduced loan amount would not affect students and that the district had contacted the state to discuss the matter further … Its public schools annually face a financial crisis in part because of crushing costs to bus many Orthodox Jewish students to private schools on separate buses for boys and girls.”
PENNS GROVE — “Lawsuit alleges N.J. mayor’s election victory should be nullified,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matthew Enuco: “A New Jersey court issued an immediate stay of certification in a local mayoral election in South Jersey Tuesday. ... A lawsuit filed Monday in Superior Court challenged the validity of a write-in mayoral victory in Penns Grove in Salem County, alleging that the incumbent mayor illegally registered to vote while still on probation. Louis J. Pasquale, the Republican candidate for mayor in Penns Grove, asked the courts to intervene in the anticipated general election victory of Mayor LaDaena Thomas. Pasquale alleges the incumbent mayor illegally registered to vote in 2019 while on probation for a felony from 19 years prior. … Jackson alleges in the complaint that according to state voter registration records, Thomas registered to vote in February 2019 while her probation was still active, therefore violating state law at the time. In December 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law opening up voting rights to those on probation and parole, but the law did not take effect until March 2020.” GLASS CITY — “Newark approved sweeping new zoning laws, but will the changes make the city more affordable?” by Jersey Digs’ Darren Tobia: “There is an unshakable dogma among certain YIMBY planners and developers that the nation’s housing affordability crisis is driven by a shortage in supply alone. Build more homes, prices will fall. That opinion was heard from many of the speakers at the council meeting on November 1, when the controversial zoning changes were approved with a 4-3 vote. … But some housing advocates are more skeptical of the claim. ‘Almost every day I read a new article about this theory,’ said John Goldstein of Homes for All Newark. ‘I don’t think there is any evidence that a city has created more affordable housing without being extremely intentional about it.’ Goldstein believes this policy ultimately benefits corporations and believes that’s why it has become so entrenched in Newark, where corporations have a stranglehold on the local real estate industry.” —“NJ attorney general extends ousted Paterson police chief Ribeiro’s assignment in Trenton” —“[Union Township] catching heat for plan to ban abortion clinics” — “The New Jersey mayor with a plan to end traffic deaths” —“Tuckerton employee charged over stolen municipal collections” —Snowflack: “Candidate hopes it’s a brand new O’Dea in Jersey City” —“LIUNA backs Jim McGreevey for Jersey City mayor on the steps of City Hall” —“CRDA holds off on cannabis rejection vote”
| | | | GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | | —“Atlantic City casino profits fall 7.5% in 3rd quarter of 2023” —“Nurses at [North Bergen] nursing home seek to unionize, saying they face low staffing” —“County approves $5M grant to preserve Drew University forest. But will school agree?”
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