| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Thursday morning! New Jersey’s Orthodox Jewish community, fresh from electing Rabbi Avi Schnall to the Assembly as a Democrat, is once again demonstrating its statewide political heft with a new bill that would channel some taxpayer dollars into private schools — including yeshivas, which already benefit from public money for student transportation and security. In late March, a large number of Democratic lawmakers proposed the bill, the text of which should be available online today. But New Jersey progressives noticed it, and they’re alarmed. All that’s available online of the "New Jersey Student Support Act” is a short summary. It “establishes program in Department of Treasury to provide tax credits to taxpayers contributing to organization which awards scholarships to certain nonpublic school students.” Opponents call it a voucher bill. “Do not be fooled by code words like ‘scholarships’ and ‘student support organization” and ‘tax credits,” dozens of mostly progressive groups wrote in an open letter to Gov. Phil Murphy Supporters say it’s not the same thing. But effectively, it would do something similar, if indirectly: Use taxpayer money to fund tuition for private and religious school students. Schnall, who turned out huge numbers of the Orthodox community in Lakewood to flip what should have been a safely Republican seat to Democrats, ran partly on this idea. According to Agudath Israel, Schnall — a cosponsor of the bill — “has invested countless hours in bringing this bill to its current form.” And according to an Orthodox Jewish publication, “The Teach Coalition, an arm of the Orthodox Union, was among the leading advocates for drafting the legislation.” But its top prime sponsors are Vin Gopal in the Senate and Lisa Swain in the Assembly, with 12 other Democratic prime or co-sponsors between the houses. “Very rarely do you see a bill be introduced with that many sponsors and cosponsors on day one,” Schnall told me, adding that the program would not dip into education funds. “There’s clearly a lot of appetite." Gopal said in a phone interview he “understands peoples’ concerns” but urged them to wait today to find out the details of the bill, which he said will include extra funding for New Jersey’s poorest districts, as well as money for private schools. “The [bill] that is introduced tomorrow is a starting point for a conversation, and it’s an innovative way, I believe, to help both public schools and our non-public schools at the same time. It could also add a new pot of potential funds for our poorest school districts,” Gopal said. Though the bill’s sponsorship includes some powerful Democrats, I think it’s chance at passage is very low. (In a statement, Chris Aikin, a statement for Speaker Craig Coughlin, said the speaker “will review it, engage with stakeholders, and consider options” and added that Coughlin is “proud of the legislature’s support for New Jersey’s best-in-the-nation public schools.”) Among the groups that oppose it are the NJEA, which — unless this is your first time reading about New Jersey politics in six years — you know is a close ally of Gov. Murphy. And as much emerging power as the Orthodox community has, the NJEA — especially in the absence of the county lines — will hold massive influence over legislative races, being able to drop millions to influence relatively obscure elections. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Despicable, greed-based, science-denying lies about the spectacular habitats flood resiliency plans created by DEP, Army Corps scientists and Princeton Hydro consulting scientists.” — Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin’s opinion of misleading text messages sent to Jersey City residents by groups funded by billionaire Paul Fireman that claim the DEP wants to flood Liberty State Park. BONUS QUOTE OF THE DAY: "You know, that was a tough election, and right now, looking back, had I been there, I don't think I would have voted to certify." — GOP Senate candidate Christine Serrano Glassner on whether she would have voted to certify the 2020 election during a one-candidate "debate" last night HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Ron Gravino, Dave Parano, Rick Shaftan WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Newark at 2:30 p.m. for U.S. District Court Judge Jamel Semper's investure ceremony, then leaving the state until Sunday for the Democratic Governors Association PROGRAMMING NOTE — I’ll be off next week, so starting Monday New Jersey Playbook will be written by a rotating cast of my colleagues who will test their talents at writing really dumb jokes.
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NEXT CLERKS SEQUEL IMPERILED — Appeals panel denies NJ clerks’ request to block new ballot design, another win for Andy Kim, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday denied a request from county clerks in New Jersey to block a lower court’s decision that would eliminate the state’s unique ballot design for the June Democratic primary. The ruling means that U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi’s preliminary injunction to eliminate the so-called county line for that primary stays in place for now. The legal fight will apparently continue — the Third Circuit also ordered an expedited briefing schedule to rule on the appeal of the preliminary injunction with oral arguments scheduled for April 12 in Philadelphia — but several county clerks who initially fought the preliminary injunction said after Wednesday’s ruling that they were stopping their efforts to appeal it.
MASTRO: THE TOLL SHOULD BE $9 MILLION — “NYC did congestion pricing ‘backwards,’ N.J. lawyer says in court battle over $15 fee,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “New Jersey’s attorneys argued that federal and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials “did it backwards” by approving an environmental assessment of New York’s congestion pricing plan before the MTA approved the final toll rates last week to charge drivers $15 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Randy Mastro, attorney for the state, argued in federal court in Newark Wednesday that the MTA should have conducted a more comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement study. That study is required by environmental law, he said. It also is warranted by the MTA’s own findings that congestion pricing could create more traffic and air pollution in Bergen County when drivers detour on the George Washington Bridge to skirt the congestion zone in Manhattan’s central business district. ‘This is the first congestion pricing program of its kind in national history. Shouldn’t it have undergone a full Environmental Impact Statement?’ Mastro said. ‘This was done backwards. The agency must do it over.’” THE CHRONIC… ABSENTEEISM — “NJ schools still face high absenteeism and discipline problems thanks to pandemic,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “Chronic absenteeism rates and the number of violent and bullying incidents remain higher than before the pandemic, giving schools a lot of work to do in addition to addressing the accompanying problem of learning loss caused by the pandemic. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% of a 180-day school year. ‘These numbers are well above where we were pre-pandemic,’ Jessica Merville, data expert and director of the office of performance management, told state Board of Education members, referring to absenteeism data. The number of suspensions and incidents of bullying and violence in New Jersey's public schools went up in academic year 2022-23, with the highest numbers compared to before the pandemic. There were 44,262 cases of removals from school in 2022-23 compared to 36,791 in 2021-22, and 37,964 in 2018-2019. Numbers were not reported for 2019-2020 when schools were closed during the pandemic and students learned remotely.” UNEMPLOYMENT — “NJ unemployment system improved but over 700K still face barriers, report says,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “A report released Wednesday found that more than 700,000 state residents were still at risk of failing to obtain unemployment insurance due to statutory exclusions and other barriers to access. The inability to get benefits is felt most by people of color, immigrants and families with mixed immigration status, says the 18-page report, prepared by the Brooklyn-based Center for Popular Democracy, a progressive think tank. … They include: 139,400 freelancers and self-employed people. 16,600 job transitioners. 200,700 who are monetarily ineligible. 5,600 returning citizens (those formerly incarcerated). 310,100 undocumented workers. 6,000 unemployed caregivers returning to work. 13,500 entering the workforce from education. 45,500 UI-eligible workers not accessing benefits.” —Sass-Rubin: “New Jersey politics will never be the same” —“Lawmakers hear of efforts to improve nursing-home care”
| | | | A message from Amazon:   | | | | | BIDEN TIME | | POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY TRUMPS CONSCIENCE — “Bashaw backs Trump,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw has endorsed Donald Trump for President, “I support and endorse President Trump to take back our country as I fight to take back this Senate seat for New Jersey families and taxpayers,” Bashaw told the New Jersey Globe this morning. I wouldn’t have gotten into this race if didn’t support Donald Trump.” Bashaw’s endorsement comes on the day he was supposed to face GOP primary rival Christine Serrano Glassner in a debate. Bashaw backed out of the debate last Friday. Serrano Glassner, the mayor of Mendham, slammed Basaw for being a pretend Trumper. … In 2016, Bashaw backed former Gov. Chris Christie and then Libertarian Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico, over Trump. Four years later, Bashaw supported a letter calling Trump ‘a real threat to democracy.’ He contributed $3,300 to Christie’s 2024 presidential campaign.” SABATOTAGE — “A Lieberman 2006 Repeat in 2024?” by J. Miles Coleman for Sabato’s Crystal Ball: “Even if Menendez follows through [on an independent run], we are keeping New Jersey in the Safe Democratic column. A poll out earlier this week from Emerson College did not name nominees but showed a generic Democrat leading a generic Republican 49%-42%, while Menendez would take 9%. As we’ve seen in countless other races, independent candidates tend to underperform their poll numbers on Election Day. So it would be a shock if Menendez, especially given his image, would actually take a significant-enough share of the vote to truly put the seat in play. Similarly, we would not be surprised if Kim ends up outpolling what a ‘generic Democrat’ would get, or at least runs ahead of Biden. During his first two terms in the House, he represented a marginal Trump district and, in this year’s general election, he’ll have the aura of someone who took on the machine and won.” —“Democratic congressional candidate Carolyn Rush endorsed by United Auto Workers”
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NJ’S NATIONAL PARK — “Settlement near in National Park residents' lawsuit over PFAS contamination,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “A West Deptford manufacturer has agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle a class action lawsuit over contamination of National Park’s water supply by so-called forever chemicals. The settlement, which awaits final approval from a federal judge, would pay for blood tests for all persons who lived in the borough from Jan. 1, 2019, to Feb. 28, 2024. It also would provide payments to people who who owned or rented residential property in the borough over the same period, according to a statement from the settlement’s administrator. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of National Park’s residents in June 2020, contends Solvay Specialty Polymers USA and a predecessor firm, tainted the borough's water with PFAS chemicals from its Leonard Lane manufacturing plant.”
SAVE THE MILHOUSE ANCESTRAL HOME — “This N.J. city’s oldest house is in ruins. Will there be money to save it?” by NJ Advance Media’s Richard Cowen: “The financial pieces are finally in place for the City of Paterson to begin its long-awaited restoration of Westside Park, a battered, 26-acre stretch along the Passaic River that typically draws more Canada Geese than people … But what the project doesn’t include any funding to restore Westside Park’s oldest attraction, the burned-out hulk that is the Van Houten House, a Dutch Colonial that dates to 1741 and is considered the oldest dwelling in Paterson. The Van Houten House was gutted by fire on July 4, 2019, a blaze that the fire department later deemed suspicious. Since then, the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has stood boarded up and empty” —Sayegh: “The Great Falls are essential to Paterson's economic and cultural future” —“Incumbent Velez faces three challengers in Paterson 5th Ward council race”
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See how Amazon fosters growth. | | | IT’S NEITHER PARTY TIME NOR EXCELLENT IN WAYNE WORLD — “After defeat of bond proposal, Wayne school board faces 'very difficult budget cycle',” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: ‘The rejection of a $169.8 million bond proposal for school improvements has already impacted the financial picture of the K-12 district as officials said they are now wrestling with likely budget cuts. The outcome of the referendum last month appears to have left the Board of Education with no wiggle room in the new spending plan. Among the ramifications facing trustees is a pause on remodeling science labs at Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley high schools. The school board has paid for makeovers to the labs — a total of 14 rooms — for the past several years, but the district administration recommended to cut off those funds. Donald Pavlak Jr., the school board president, said having to discontinue such important work is just one of many ‘tough decisions’ that trustees will be forced to make.” —“Here's what $4 million invested in Atlantic City neighborhoods will look like this year” —“Hoboken introduces prelim $144.3M municipal budget with 5.9% tax increase” —“[South Orange-Mapleswood] high school names interim leader following principal’s arrest for alleged assault of student” —“[Perth Amboy] police officer subjected to anti-Muslim bias over request to grow a beard, lawsuit says” —“[Avalon] spent $1M to fix its beach last spring but nearly all the sand washed away” —“Jersey City to honor late Ward D Councilman Yun with statue outside his old office”
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STAYING NUCLEAR — “New Jersey’s 3 nuclear power plants seek to extend licenses for another 20 years,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “The company that owns New Jersey's three nuclear power plants said Wednesday it will seek federal approval to operate them for another 20 years. The move comes as New Jersey makes a strong push to become the East Coast leader in offshore wind. But the three power plants run by PSEG Nuclear LLC provide nearly half of New Jersey's electricity, and a licensing extension represents a potential hedge against not enough wind projects being available to meet the state's needs. An extension would enable the plants to run beyond 2050 … The company’s move to extend its operating licenses drew bipartisan support Wednesday from New Jersey lawmakers.”
MILLSTONEHENGE — “In NJ, Wiccans and witches have big plans for 'supercharged' energy of April solar eclipse,” by The Record’s Deena Yellin: “On April 8, a total solar eclipse will darken skies over North America, transforming day into night. It's a scene that will strike many as magical or ominous. For some, it will also will be highly spiritual. Across North Jersey and throughout the world, many Wiccans, pagans and Druids view 2024's eclipse as a source of powerful energy that can bring about personal transformation and healing. Although witches have traditionally viewed the solar eclipse as a bad omen, many say they will attempt to harness the energy of this latest version toward positive change in the world. It's ‘a powerful and highly energetic time, and this one will be especially good for healing our pasts and awakening the fire within," said Alexa Branco of Hackensack.’” —“Citigroup to slash nearly 200 North Jersey jobs through June. Here's where” —“New Jersey is one of the safest states in the country, study says” —Opinion: “Can New Jersey cities become more ‘spongy’ and green? We need them to — and soon” —“Jersey Devil hunting: Author will lead the way in Lakewood”
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