| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | What a bargain! Last summer, when the Murphy administration hired former Bridgegate attorney Randy Mastro and former U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito to lead the legal team in its complex anti-congestion pricing lawsuit, they touted a steep discount on its services. The law firm, King and Spalding, would only charge $250 an hour for partners' work on the case. Over the years I’ve made one or two jokes about the roughly $9 million Mastro’s prior firm, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, earned from New Jersey taxpayers during the Christie administration related to its Mastro-led Bridgegate “investigation." What came to be known as the “Mastro Report” was widely derided as a wash to protect Chris Christie — Mastro’s team didn’t interview some key players; they didn’t save, let alone disclose, notes from the 75 officials it interviewed; and one of the attorneys conducting those interviews had a preexisting close friendship with Christie. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Wigenton summed it up this way in 2015: “The taxpayers of the State of New Jersey paid [Gibson Dunn] millions of dollars to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation. What they got instead was opacity and gamesmanship. They deserve better.” So how much are New Jersey taxpayers into it for Mastro’s firm now? According to recently released legislative budget documents, the state paid King and Spalding $441,885 for work on the congestion pricing case in just the first three months of 2024. It had paid another $108,945 in 2023. Meanwhile, across the river in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams is trying to hire Mastro as corporation counsel over some very loud objections. So now, I can once again use the mastro currency jokes I’ve been making for nearly nine years. You’re welcome. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: "This place has an $18 bagel … The cheapest one is $13. They ain't cheap, and there's no pork roll — I'd pay $30 if they just add pork roll." — State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, who’s from Central Jersey, on Newark’s Terminal A QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: “We don’t recognize this pork roll thing.” — Port Authority Chair Kevin O’Toole, who’s from North Jersey. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Tiffani Llerandi-Rodriguez and Michael Murphy. Saturday for Cory Booker. Sunday for Doug Fisher. WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Berkeley Township for a solar energy announcement at 11 a.m.
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | GET TO KNOW JACK — This New Jersey Republican is convinced he can win back the Statehouse, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Jack Ciattarelli has been campaigning for governor of New Jersey for the better part of a decade. His first 2017 gubernatorial bid ended in a nearly 16-point primary loss. He came up 3 points short as the Republican nominee in 2021. Now, Ciattarelli is convinced the third time’s a charm — and he thinks national GOP leaders will agree. “They’re not going to make the same mistake they made last time,” Ciattarelli told POLITICO in an interview at a diner in suburban New Jersey. “They bought into that conventional wisdom that a Republican couldn’t win. We proved that I can win.” Ciattarelli’s new campaign borrows ideas from his prior runs: He remains laser-focused on lowering property taxes and the cost of living in New Jersey — perennial issues in the state. More recently, he’s endorsed term limits for state lawmakers. “My job is to get big government out of the way,” Ciattarelli, who doesn’t yet have any primary challenges, said in the interview. “Out of the way of taxpayers, out of the way of businesses, out of the way of parents and out of the way of police. So I'm committed to fixing the state we all love.” MAKING IT RAINONE —“Assembly speaker’s law firm has made millions since he took power. Critics cry foul.,” by NJ Advance Meda’s Riley Yates and Brent Johnson: “Established with a couple of well-known partners, Rainone Coughlin Minchello has seen explosive growth in the seven years since it opened its doors. Representing local governments across the state, the Woodbridge firm has earned more than $38 million from public contracts since its inception, with annual revenues that now place it among New Jersey’s top law firms with public business, financial disclosures show … [T]he firm touted the experience of its lawyers in representing government entities and noted Coughlin’s work as an attorney predated his political career. ‘We are proud of the firm’s 22 attorneys who have established significant expertise in the practice of municipal law,’ the firm said. ‘We are equally proud of the trust placed in the firm by the bipartisan roster of mayors, councilpersons, commissioners and executive directors that seek our advice.’ In 2017, Rainone Coughlin Minchello had public contracts worth $1.9 million, with 30 municipalities, authorities and public insurance funds as clients, financial disclosures show. Those earnings have grown every year since, with the firm making $8.3 million from 70 local governments last year — a more than fourfold increase in its revenues.” COLAS STILL FLAT — “Strong returns boost NJ public-worker pension fund by billions,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “Strong investment returns have bolstered the bottom line for New Jersey’s public-worker pension fund in recent months. According to the latest preliminary estimates, net investment returns were running near 9% through the end of the third quarter of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Meanwhile, the overall value of the pension fund itself has also increased over the course of the fiscal year, according to the preliminary, unaudited estimates released Wednesday by the state Division of Investment. The value of the pension fund assets rose from just over $91 billion at the end of the last fiscal year to $98.2 billion at the end of March, according to the preliminary estimates reviewed by members of the New Jersey State Investment Council during a public meeting.” MAKING NEW JERSEY SPECIAL — “Payne’s death is a wake-up call to reform N.J. house special elections,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “The death of Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) on Wednesday underscores the potential importance of a single House seat in a Congress where control is so slim that a single vote matters … Now, New Jersey’s occasionally absurd Title 19, the statute that governs elections, faces national attention. While some states, like New York, can fill congressional vacancies in ten weeks, it takes New Jersey five months – or more, depending on interpretations of incongruent statutes. Vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives are filled uniquely. Unlike other offices, where there are appointments or special election conventions, only voters can send someone to the people’s house. There is no way around that. … State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick) told the New Jersey Globe that he is working on a legislative fix to shorten the time it takes to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives.” HEALTH REFORMS — “Why it's harder to care for a disabled child in NJ: State funding is 'broken,' parents say,” by The Record’s Gene Myers: “In New Jersey, families of children with severe disabilities have two main options for their care: a group home system that many see as unsafe and understaffed − or paying for care at home. But there's a catch: Thanks to state rules, they won't be able to pay their home aides nearly as much as group-home agencies can pay their staff. That's unfair, disability advocates say, and forces families into institutionalized care. It's a discrepancy the community − and Gov. Phil Murphy's own disability watchdog − are urging the state to rectify as budget negotiations continue. The funding allowed for at-home care is ‘divorced from reality,’ said Paul Aronsohn, New Jersey's ombudsman for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ‘It's not much money, and it makes it harder for families to find staff.’” —“Pick up the pace on preserving land or pay the price in environmental impact” —“Electrifying the N.J. Transit bus fleet is a public health imperative” —“Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects” | | BILLS BILLS BILLS | | RUNNING UP A TAB — “Trump campaign has given Wildwood ‘thousands of dollars’ for rally, but few details have been released,” by NJ Advance Media’s Eric Conklin: “The Trump campaign has for years been criticized for not covering all of the expenses incurred by communities that host a rally, including Wildwood. That won’t happen this time, Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano told NJ Advance Media, saying the campaign has already given the city ‘thousands of dollars’ to cover expenses … During Trump’s reelection run, his campaign left an open tab of about $841,000 in 10 cities, according to a 2019 report from the Center for Public Integrity. El Paso, Texas, calculated it had about $470,000 in unreimbursed expenses, the largest of any of the cities included in the report … Former Wildwood Mayor Peter Byron previously said he planned to get a running tab on the 2020 rally, saying he was not invited to attend the rally because he asked for the city to be reimbursed for expenses. Troiano said he wasn’t familiar with unreimbursed expenses related to Trump’s 2020 rally. Wildwood is not a lavish resort community, though some may perceive it to be, Troiano said, saying it us up to the organizers of events held in the city to cover associated costs.” —“Watch Andy Kim on 'Daily Show' talk politics, Senate race and New Jersey” —Moran: “President Biden: Call Chris Christie” —“Newark Mayor Ras Baraka wants to halt plans to open new ICE jail” —“Ex-military cop charged with assaulting police on Jan. 6 takes plea” | | LOCAL | |
PROPER COMPENSATION — “He worked 35 years as a school janitor. Why was he barely earning minimum wage?” by NJ Advance Media’s Riley Yates: “For 35 years, David Quinlan helped keep Bloomfield Middle School spic and span, cleaning its classrooms and hallways, picking up garbage and even mowing the lawn. Working as a school custodian was a job that Quinlan, who is intellectually disabled, loved, his family said … Yet in all his time with the school district, according to a lawsuit, Quinlan was treated as a minimum wage, per-diem worker, keeping him from health benefits, a pension, vacation days or sick leave. Quinlan’s sister and legal guardian, Patricia Mandara, is suing the Bloomfield School District, charging it discriminated against her now 71-year-old brother, who has been cared for by his family his whole life … In legal filings, the school district denied wrongdoing, saying that since Quinlan was hired on Sept. 1, 1985, he was paid on a day-to-day basis based on the number of hours he worked. As a per-diem employee, Quinlan wasn’t entitled to benefits or paid leave, the district said.” PUBLIC SUPPORT INCREASES WHEN YOU DON’T CALL THEM ‘MOTHER-IN-LAW SUITES’ — “There's a push in NJ to build affordable housing in backyards. Here's what towns are doing,” by The Record’s Ashley Balcerzak and Megan Burrow: “Also known as ADUs, “granny flats” or “in-law apartments,” accessory dwelling units can take many forms within, attached to or separate from an existing property — they could be a small structure in the backyard or a unit in the basement or above a garage. Tucking new units on properties zoned for single family use is an increasingly popular strategy that towns and states across the country are using to address a dire shortage of affordable housing … In his February budget address, Murphy proposed a $10 million program to spur both market-rate and affordable ADUs … New Jersey doesn’t have a statewide law broadly allowing ADUs, the way California, Oregon, Connecticut and Vermont do, though lawmakers specializing in housing issues want to change that. Instead, close to a dozen Garden State municipalities have passed a patchwork of ordinances in the last few years, including Princeton, Maplewood, Montclair, East Orange, South Orange, Bradley Beach, Newark and Jersey City.” TAKING THE BAT OUT — “Owner of Garfield bat cave says town 'turned their backs on us' as redevelopment planned,’ by The Record’s Lucas Frau: “The Wildlife Conservation and Education Center in Garfield known as the New Jersey "bat cave" is at risk of permanently shutting down as property owners Snowball Developments want to create an industrial-commercial complex. A zoning board meeting will be held on April 29 that will determine the fate of the wildlife center as the developers are set to finalize their plan to the zoning council. Owner of the beloved bat cave Joseph D'Angeli said he feels betrayed by the his old landlord, Irwin Gasner, Snowball Developments and the local leaders of Garfield. ‘The people of Garfield have been amazing to us, but the mayor and council have turned their backs on us,’ said D'Angeli who is devastated that his animal sanctuary may be gone forever.” ‘THE PACKAGES ARE COMING!’ — “Radar, shovels needed to study Revolutionary War camp at proposed Monmouth warehouse,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Olivia Liu: “Residents of Allentown watched as Matt Tomaso, an archaeologist, highlighted possible British encampments on the west of the borough. Tomaso, who was hired as a historical consultant by the developer Active Acquisitions LLC of a proposed 453,720-square-foot warehouse, displayed a 1778 Revolutionary War map, part of the campaign that led to the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. ‘The map is used for surveillance and reconnaissance of the Continental troops and (British) Major (John) André probably drew dozens of these in the course of a few days to provide that information as quickly as possible.’ Tomaso said … In both the March and April planning board meetings, over a hundred residents from both Allentown and Upper Freehold showed up, some with signs protesting the development, concerned with both how the warehouse might trample over history and how it could build up modern-day traffic.” SORE GLOUCESTER — “Washington Township mayoral candidate’s independent bid will test state’s Sore Loser Law,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Disqualified for not meeting the residency requirements of a municipal client, businessman Bill O’Hanlon has dropped his lawsuit to get on the ballot in the Democratic primary for mayor of Washington Township (Gloucester County) and is expected to run as an independent … O’Hanlon’s candidacy faces three obstacles: his residency – Deputy Municipal Clerk Barbara Moore tossed him off the Democratic primary ballot after finding that he didn’t meet the one-year residency requirement, something O’Hanlon disputes; his indictment on federal fraud and tax evasion charges; and New Jersey’s Sore Loser Law. The Sore Loser Law may seem like the least of O’Hanlon’s problems, but the Gloucester County court vicinage has the most liberal interpretation of the law in the state.” — “Lakewood birth rates top 5,000 per year, well above larger New Jersey cities” —“ACLU, Garden State Equality say six Shore districts are endangering transgender students” —“More officer lawsuits filed against Hackensack Police Department alleging discrimination” —“Longtime head of Wayne teachers union retires, takes post with NJEA” —“Ex-TV40 sportscaster, ACIT teacher Pete Thompson gets probation for inappropriately touching students”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | | CAMPUS CLASHES — Princeton students and faculty launch Gaza Solidarity Encampment; two students arrested, by POLITICO’s Katherine Dailey: A group of over 60 Princeton University students and faculty set up tents Thursday as a Gaza Solidarity Encampment and, within six minutes, two graduate students were arrested by campus police. Protesters then removed tents from the encampment, remaining on tarps and blankets on the McCosh lawn, a central green on campus. Students in tents were told they violated campus policy, in line with an email sent Wednesday to all students by W. Rochelle Calhoun, the vice president of Princeton's campus life office. She wrote, “Any individual involved in an encampment, occupation, or other unlawful disruptive conduct who refuses to stop after a warning will be arrested and immediately barred from campus.” The email further clarified that for students, this would prevent them from finishing the semester, which is scheduled to end in mid-May. —“After Ramapo College kidnapping, victim has turned her experience into advocacy” —“A Bird’s-Eye View: Frank Chapman was a pioneer in bird conservation”
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