| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! I hereby propose a new law, and so what if it would probably be quickly ruled unconstitutional? Super PACs and other political groups should be required to have a name that describes what their actual purpose is. About 12 hours after Tammy Murphy kicked off her campaign Wednesday, a super PAC called Garden State Integrity filed with the Federal Election Commission. No, not Integrity NJ. That’s the defunct Bob Hugin super PAC from 2018. Other big New Jersey super PAC names are just as vague. The Steve Fulop-connected Coalition for Progress. The George Norcross-funded American Democratic Majority, or I mean American Representative Majority. The still-mysterious-but-we-all-suspect-who’s-behind-it Jersey Freedom. The NJEA’s Garden State Forward. The Ray Lesniak-aligned Committee for Economic Growth and Social Justice. The Murphys’ Stronger Fairer Forward, which is both a super PAC and dark money 501(c)(4). You can usually — but not always — quickly figure out who these PACs are for by looking at who filed the paperwork, or the circumstances around it. With Garden State Integrity, it was clear by the timing of the filing and its location — a post office box in Red Bank, right across the river from the Murphy home — who it’s associated with. But there are other cases, like “Jersey Freedom,” which spent a still untold-amount of money to boost alleged phantom candidates in South Jersey, where its paperwork reveals nothing about its intentions. Super PACs aren’t allowed to coordinate with campaigns. After David Wildstein reported that former Murphy administration Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Kelley would head Garden State Integrity, Kelley reached out to me and confirmed it, as well as that the PAC will be supporting Tammy Murphy. He’s business partners with former Murphy spokesperson Dan Bryan, who works with Tammy Murphy, including on the Stronger Fairer Forward super PAC and 501(c)4. The new super PAC was filed by lobbyist Bill Maer, who frequently lobbies top officials in the Murphy administration and according to his lobbying firm’s bio co-chairs the Democratic Governors Association’s finance committee under Phil Murphy’s leadership. While I am certainly not accusing anyone of violating the law, I don’t buy the idea that super PACs are in any meaningful way independent of the people they support. Now, do you think Kim will get a super PAC? If so, may I suggest calling it the “Super PAC in support of Andy Kim”? TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It is both a privilege and an honor for our organization to endorse First Lady, Tammy Murphy, as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.” — Camden County Democratic Chair Jim Beach on the woman George Norcross once said thinks she’s the “Queen of England.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Nicholas Sacco, Betty Lou DeCroce. Saturday for Nick Scutari, Missy Rebovich, Tom Churchelow, Alan Grrossman. Sunday for Hans Goff. WHERE’S MURPHY? In New Brunswick to deliver remarks at the National Labor Relations Board's Labor Law Conference. Let's hope things don't get too debauched. |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | |
LIQUOR BEFORE BEER — “Booze reform, full public worker pension payment big priorities for N.J., Murphy says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson and Susan K. Livio: “Making another full pension payment for New Jersey’s government employees and continuing a big push to overhaul the state’s decades-old liquor license laws are two of the goals Gov. Phil Murphy laid out Thursday as he prepares to enter his second-to-last year in office. The Democratic governor discussed some of his upcoming agenda during a speech to local officials on the final day of the annual New Jersey League of Municipalities conference … ‘Over the past couple years, this has been a real white whale for our state — or, I suppose I should say, a real black barrel,’ he said. ‘But we are going to get this done — because our family-run restaurants are counting on us.’ … One bill caught up in this (S3038) is a bipartisan measure that would repeal a long list of licensing conditions that supporters say has severely handicapped the state’s craft brewery industry. The Legislature voted without any dissent to pass it, but Murphy has said he won’t sign it without more comprehensive liquor license reform.”
—“Are top Democrats ready to tackle public records law and liquor licensing?” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “[Scutari] suggested local governments could see some savings if lawmakers strike the right balance between maintaining open access to public records and easing the time government officials have to spend responding to requests from for-profit companies, including data-mining businesses … But whether any proposed reform makes it to the finish line in the upcoming lame-duck session before the Legislature reconvenes in January remains to be seen. Any changes will likely be hotly contested by records advocates who contend the state’s existing law is too restrictive, making it easier for public officials, including lawmakers, to keep things hidden from public view. For his part, Coughlin stressed the need to ‘protect people’s right to get the documents they ought to have access to.’ ‘Whether that gets done in lame duck or not remains to be seen,’ he said.” NOT A BOOK BANNER YEAR — “Parental rights candidates had mixed results in polarized NJ school board races,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “Results tallied so far from last week’s school board races show that movements to inject parental influence and conservative values in K-12 public schools took a beating in some districts but maintained control in others, as culture wars continue to polarize school board races. Candidates campaigning on the parental rights platform ran against opponents who call themselves pro-public education in hotly contested races in some of the state’s nearly 600 school districts. Nationally too, parental rights groups such as Moms for Liberty suffered losses in several states, including Iowa and Kansas. In the famously partisan Central Bucks County school district in Pennsylvania, Democrats flipped the Republican school board.” WHITE MEN CAN JUMP (TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) — “White men overrepresented on New Jersey’s boards and commissions, report finds,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto Munoz: “State, regional, and local boards and commissions make countless policy decisions impacting the daily lives of New Jersey residents, but their members do not reflect the diversity of the people they serve, according to a new report released by Rutgers’ Center for American Women and Politics. White men, who make up 27% of the population, comprise more than 44% of New Jersey’s state boards and commissions members who responded to the center’s survey on diversity, the report found. No other demographic comes close to white men, in terms of representation on those boards and commissions. Women hold 33% of seats, although they make up more than half of the population, while men of all demographics hold nearly 67% of seats, survey results show.” #TRIGGERED — “Toll hikes looming for N.J. bridges and tunnels, and the AC Expressway,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “Whether they’re crossing the Hudson River via a Port Authority bridge or tunnel, or traveling along the Atlantic City Expressway, drivers are likely going to be paying more in tolls. Inflationary toll hikes are included in a proposed $9.3 billion budget released by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Wednesday evening. That plan will be voted on next month. And, South Jersey Transportation Authority officials approved a $154.8 million 2024 budget Wednesday morning that includes a 3% toll increase … Helping to fund it are a 63-cent toll increase to bridge and tunnel tolls and a 25-cent airport AirTrain fare hike, triggered by a 3.7% increase in the consumer price index between Sept. 2022 and Sept. 2023, officials said. The automatic increase is done through a process called toll indexing that was implemented in 2019.” THE ONLY WAY I’LL EVER GET TO BE A TEACHER — “NJ teachers union demands end to basic skill test, saying it will help shortage,” by The Record’s Manahil Ahmad: “In a bid to address the ongoing teacher shortage crisis, the New Jersey Education Association is actively campaigning for the elimination of a basic skills test for teachers. The union, in a statement released on Wednesday, outlined its objective to lower the entry requirements for aspiring teachers, asserting that this move would contribute to alleviating the state's pressing shortage of educators … ‘New Jersey requires that candidates for teacher certification pass a basic skills test, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing and Math, or show SAT, ACT, or GRE scores in the top third percentile the year they were taken,’ the NJEA stated.” —“[Gateway Development Commission] can now get federal money for Gateway rail tunnel. Why that matters” —“New Jersey Public Defender’s Office veteran Jennifer Sellitti tapped for top job” | | | | 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. | | | | | | | Biden's Beltway | |
BOBSTACLE — “Party or blood? Young Menendez’s only obstacle in gaining HCDO support for reelection is dad, insiders say,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “It could be the biggest political decision of his young political life — and it could ultimately determine if he has a political life at all. Rep. Rob Menendez Jr. is staring down the possibility of having to choose between supporting Tammy Murphy and receiving a place on the all-important ‘county line,’ or stick by the side of his father, embattled U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, if the elder Menendez chooses to run for reelection … Four Hudson County political insiders believe Menendez Jr., up for reelection in 2024, is safe if his father does like Sires did and steps aside in the name of expediency. If not — and they all agreed that an angry Menendez Sr. doesn’t sound like he’s ready to step aside — Menendez Jr. would be replaced on the ticket and have to wage an uphill fight in a primary.”
A NEW VART — “Greg Vartan jumps Into 7th Congressional District race,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Summit Council President Greg Vartan officially launched his campaign for New Jersey’s highly competitive 7th congressional district this morning, making him one of three Democrats seeking to take on freshman Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield). 'I think there is an emergency in Washington D.C.,' Vartan told the New Jersey Globe. ‘I’ve been responding to emergencies for almost my whole life, first as an EMT here in my hometown and then as a local elected official’ … Vartan said that his campaign would focus on a few core issues: making New Jersey more affordable, repealing the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, ensuring abortion remains fully legal, and protecting democracy in the United States and abroad.” —“Black minister says Tammy Murphy must earn support of Black voters on her own” —“Pascrell blasts ‘staggering con artist’ George Santos over House ethics findings” —“Amtrak becomes major flashpoint for N.J. during government funding fight” —“Who owns your nursing home? New rules would make owners more accountable” | | LOCAL | |
3M’S NAME HAS NEVER BEEN MORE FITTING — “This North Jersey town reached $3M settlement with 3M, DuPont for polluted water,” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: “Officials have reached settlements totaling $3 million with two large corporations that it sued in April for allegedly polluting the local water supply. 3M Co. will meet its settlement obligation through installments over the next decade, while officials said DuPont de Nemours Inc. is due to pay its much lesser share in a lump sum next year. The borough filed a lawsuit against the companies and 15 others in state Superior Court in Paterson, claiming that for decades they manufactured, marketed and sold products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs.”
FREEHELD — “Freehold Township BOE repeals policy protecting privacy of transgender students,” by News 12’s Jim Murdoch: “Another school district in New Jersey voted to drop a policy that put into place protections for transgender and other LGBTQ+ students. The Freehold Township School Board, in a 6-3 vote, joins other Monmouth County school districts that have already removed this policy … Another school district in New Jersey voted to drop a policy that put into place protections for transgender and other LGBTQ+ students. The Freehold Township School Board, in a 6-3 vote, joins other Monmouth County school districts that have already removed this policy.” THEY DIDN’T GIVE HIM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF NEXT YEAR AWARD — “Why NJ's Superintendent of the Year may now lose job in Ringwood,” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “Ringwood school board members voted Wednesday to block an automatic contract renewal for Superintendent Nicholas Bernice, who this month was named New Jersey's Superintendent of the Year. The board's decision negated a pending 4½-year renewal of Bernice's term to start next year and could see the seven-year superintendent ousted after June 30, 2024. The resolution confirming the decision said ‘the board requires additional time to consider whether to offer Dr. Bernice another contract of employment.’ Board members said blocking Bernice's automatic reappointment was required to permit negotiations of new contractual terms, but they did not comment further.” —“Why does Seaside Heights encourage development while neighboring Toms River fights it?” —“Ocean County sheriff makes wartime visit to Israel on ‘homeland security mission’” —“Democrat leads by one vote In Parsippany” —“Craig Guy endorses McGreevey for mayor” | | | | 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 | |
CTRL F ‘MAHWAH WAWA’ — “The Oral History of Wawa: How a convenience store became everything” by NJ Advance Media’s Adam Clark: “Behold the power of Wawa, the food market turned gas station turned lifestyle that Kate Winslet once likened to 'a mythical place.' The chain where the coffee is hot, the trash can doubles as a table and the door is always open is as quintessentially South Jersey as hating North Jersey. Now, it's steadily invading the rest of the state, spreading its gospel of instant gratification as far as Sussex County and daring to challenge QuickChek, 7-Eleven and Circle K on their turf. ‘There’s definitely, like, a cult following to it,’ said Fuson, now a regional manager in the veterinary industry. How did we get here, to a time when nobody in New Jersey blinks when they see a Wawa tattoo or when a couple proudly goes to Wawa on its wedding night? How did Wawa — a store named after a town named after a goose — attain cultural reverence typically reserved for the Holy Trinity of Jersey icons: Springsteen, Sinatra and Soprano? And how did a family dairy farm transform itself into a flourishing private empire that generated $15 billion last year in revenue? Six decades of innovation, failure, vision and dumb luck, that’s how … Wawa is now in towns like Elizabeth, Kearny, Maplewood and Rahway. In 2022, Wawa opened in Frankford, Sussex County, replacing the iconic Chatterbox Drive-in. New locations opened this year in Ramsey and East Hanover. Maybe, just maybe, the long sought Mahwah Wawa will someday become a reality?
—Mahwah Wawa song —“14-year-old from N.J. named finalist for International Children’s Peace Prize”
| | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
