| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Tuesday morning! This past weekend was the first test of the updated alcohol possession law for teens, which was designed to cut down on rowdy behavior at the shore. So how’d it go? Not so great, based on this, this and this. In January, after a lengthy legislative process, Gov. Murphy conditionally vetoed and then signed the legislation that was originally aimed at restoring penalties for underage drinkers that had been removed as part of weed legalization (I know, it’s complicated). Ultimately, Murphy struck the portion of the bill that included a $50 fine for kids caught with alcohol. But the main stayed in: It became much harder to charge police with deprivation of civil rights if they stop, search or arrest kids without probable cause. A bad first big weekend of the beach season doesn't necessarily mean the law is ineffective. But did anyone really think such a minor law would make a difference? Call me cynical, but I think teenagers aren’t usually the best at making decisions, and I don’t see how a potential $50 fine would have changed their behavior. This is also a problem in other states that have different laws. Will cops, freed from the part of the law they said "tied officers hands", issue more warnings to underage drinkers and notifications to parents of minors caught with alcohol? That’s something some Open Public Records Act requests in a bunch of shore towns will tell us. And lucky for us OPRA will never change in such a way as to make towns more likely to deny legitimate public records requests, right? TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “While the eating arena often witnesses messy and frenzied techniques, René stands out. Her calm and neat approach to consuming her food is a refreshing contrast, making her presence known and respected at the table.” — The Major League Eating bio of Mendham Borough school district's interim Business Administrator René Rovtar, a former superintendent in several districts who competes in competitive eating contests. TWEET OF THE DAY: “I have to say that a fair ballot without the 'county line' is a beautiful thing. Just received my sample ballot and I’m loving it.” — @AndyKimNJ HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Melinda Caliendo, Ronald Chen, Mark Greenbaum. WHERE'S MURPHY? — Media: “Ask Governor Murphy” on News 12 at 4 p.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 | | R.I.P. — “'Source of wise counsel to many': Retired NJ Supreme Court Justice Alan B. Handler dies at 92,” by The New Jersey Law Journal’s Colleen Murphy: “Associate Justice Alan B. Handler, a prolific judge and former member of the New Jersey Supreme Court who authored an Appellate Division opinion that gave females the right to play Little League baseball in the state, died Thursday. He was 92. Handler served on the state high court for more than 22 years.” — University Hospital not technically a state administrative agency, Supreme Court rules — “As Memorial Day weekend kicks off, Gov. Murphy touts boardwalk investments” — “How Carl Golden kept an eye on New Jersey” — “Here's one area NJ Transit is ahead of schedule: switching to electric vehicles” — Fantasia and Inganamort: “Gov. Phil Murphy, we need you to veto legislation that would destroy OPRA as NJ knows it” CARTOON BREAK — “Bill gutting The Open Public Records Act heads to the governor’s desk,” by Drew Sheneman.
| | BIDEN TIME | | TRUMP + MENENDEZ = TREMENDEZ ALLEGATIONS — A porn star and gold bars: Menendez and Trump trials show split screen of alleged corruption, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard and Emily Ngo: The salacious nature of both cases will likely end up in some sort of political hall of infamy. Trump is accused of falsifying business records while paying off a porn star. Menendez is accused of acting as foreign agent and being paid off in gold bars. And both say they have been targeted by overzealous prosecutors who have long tried to nail them in court and end their political careers. “He’s an American patriot,” Menendez attorney Avi Weitzman said. “He did not violate the law. Period. And the United States Attorney’s Office allegations otherwise [are] wrong. Dead wrong. Far from a bribe taker, Senator Menendez is a lifelong public servant." While the Trump trial is winding down, it’s possible some attention could turn toward Menendez. But, for now, Trump — as usual — has been consuming nearly all the oxygen. CRITICAL HIT — Judge rules Menendez’s prosecutors can’t show ‘critical’ evidence, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Jurors in Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption case cannot see evidence prosecutors have called “critical” to part of their case, a federal judge ruled Friday. The decision puts a hole in prosecutors’ ability to prove their central claim: that the New Jersey Democrat took bribes to help send billions of dollars of American military aid to Egypt. U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein said prosecutors could not use evidence they hoped would show Egyptian officials were “frantic about not getting their money’s worth,” despite bribes Menendez allegedly took to help the country access billions of dollars of American military aid and arms. Stein found the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause does not allow prosecutors to show jurors the evidence. ROB (LAST NAME TOO SMALL TO READ) WON’T RUN FROM THE FAMILY NAME — “Rob Menendez’s family name fueled his rise. Will it also be his undoing?” by The New York Times’ Nicholas Fandos and Tracey Tully: “The question at a recent candidate forum was simple enough. What would you do to help move New Jersey past its notorious culture of cronyism and corruption? But for Representative Rob Menendez, answering it required some revealing rhetorical acrobatics. While he agreed that corruption was “definitely something we are challenged with here,” he conspicuously avoided the one case that has transfixed his home state for months: the indictment of Senator Robert Menendez, his father. The sweeping bribery charges, involving gold bars and piles of cash, have already likely ended the senator’s storied political career. Now, his son is scrambling to make sure his House seat does not become the next casualty as he stares down a serious primary threat in June.” END OF THE LINE — “The race for Andy Kim’s House seat could be a harbinger of N.J. politics to come,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “In another election year, that might have been the end of it, and [Herb] Conaway would be on the glide path to Congress now. But thanks to a lawsuit brought by Kim, a federal judge struck down the county line for this year’s Democratic primary, and all four of Conaway’s opponents – Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel), civil rights lawyer Joe Cohn, businesswoman Sarah Schoengood, and teacher Brian Schkeeper – chose to stay in the race through the June 4 primary. The resulting race is something that’s common to the rest of the country but unusual for New Jersey: multiple qualified candidates fighting it out on an even playing field where money and campaign grit matters more than endorsements or ballot designs. Conaway, who has benefited from some outside spending, seems to have an edge, but [Carol] Murphy and the others are giving him a serious challenge, and no one’s willing to say anything for sure” — “Bob Menendez circulating petition to mount independent re-election bid” — “Democrats’ shifting stance on Israel seen in NJ congressional votes”
| | LOCAL | | “N.J. mayor opposed hiring Jews, warned of ‘guys in big hats and curls’ in secretly recorded meeting, suit claims,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “The mayor of Linden and two school officials spoke bluntly about just who they thought should be hired by the school system. And who should not, according to court filings. … The mayor was more direct, it was alleged. ‘That’s what has to happen in order to keep our community being taken over by guys with big hats and curls,’ he said, referring to the growing Jewish community in Linden — a phrase clearly taking note of the wide-brim black hats and payot, or curled sidelocks, traditionally worn by some Orthodox men. In a whistleblower lawsuit filed on Thursday, Paul Oliveira, who served as Linden’s assistant school superintendent, accused Mayor Derek Armstead, as well as school board president Marlene Berghammer, Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins, and others of blatant antisemitism in what was called an effort to deliberately exclude Jews from employment with the schools. The mayor, one of 11 Democrats running in a special election this summer to finish the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., denied the allegations, calling them ‘hogwash.’” FRACTIOUS POLITICS TURNS TOMS RIVER INTO SUPER FUN SITE — “'You are a complete sell-out!': Toms River mayor hollers at one-time ally, storms out,” by the Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “A divided Township Council adopted a 2024 township budget with no increase in the tax rate Wednesday night, but an already contentious session was marred when Mayor Daniel Rodrick sparred with Councilman Thomas Nivison, calling the councilman 'a complete sell-out' before Rodrick abruptly left the meeting. Both the mayor and Business Administrator Jon Salonis left following the exchange with Nivison, who had questioned the qualifications and potential conflicts of lawyer Donald F. Burke, who was hired to represent Toms River in ongoing litigation regarding the former Ciba-Geigy Corp. Superfund site.” THE PETTY OLD PARTY — “Councilman arrested for theft after rivals put tracking device on political signs,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “If you’re involved in politics, reading this story could save you thousands of dollars in legal fees and prevent you from inadvertently being charged with a crime. Around 11:30 PM last Friday, a Readington township committeeman was arrested in his home after unexpectedly finding out that political signs he allegedly stole had a tracking device. Now he faces a criminal disorderly persons charge under conditions that may have politicos rethinking their sign-stealing strategies. It’s a reminder that the rapid expansion of smart doorbells and security cameras for homes and businesses, and the ability to harness technology to keep an eye on outdoor political signs, could lead to a reduction in their theft.” FOLLYWOOD — “Lights, camera, action! Under the Hollywood spotlight, Hudson County is becoming a star,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “Whether it’s Timothée Chalamet filming a Bob Dylan biopic in Hoboken, a Pepsi Super Bowl commercial starring Ben Stiller shot inside a Jersey City soundstage or the upcoming construction of a 78-acre movie studio in Bayonne, Hudson County is making its mark on Hollywood. With Hudson County’s settings, its proximity to New York City and the allure of state tax incentives, production companies have taken to the local streets to shoot dozens of film and television shows, while permanent film studios and soundstages are set to be built or expanded upon. … Since 2022, there has been 33 major film and television productions in Hudson County.” PALACE INTRIGUE PARK — “Palisades Park ex-deputy administrator was fired for not being Korean, lawsuit says,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “A second federal lawsuit was filed against the borough, mayor and three council members by a former employee who accused them of retaliation and discrimination. Austin Ashley was terminated from his position as the deputy administrator in January. … Ashley alleges he was terminated as retaliation for not supporting a Democratic councilman and not agreeing with the mayor during the November 2023 election. The lawsuit also states Ashley was discriminated against and removed from his position because he is not Korean.” WHERE WAS WAWA? — “N.J. town backs off plan to kill geese fouling its park after animal lovers intervene,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jeff Goldman: “A New Jersey town has come up with a three-step plan to combat its Canada geese problem, none of which involve the original proposal of killing the birds that sparked an outcry from local residents. A photography and video production service used drones on Wednesday to chase the geese away from Liberty Park in Peapack-Gladstone, a group fighting the euthanasia of the geese said. … Borough officials plan to apply bird repellent Flock Free to the park in Somerset County, according to Save the Peapack-Gladstone Geese, a community group.” — “Clark racism scandal lands in court, again” — “Emotions mixed on opening Ocean Grove beaches on Sunday mornings” — Snowflack: “The Iliad and the Oddity: The Morris County Epic of Tom Mastrangelo” — “Newark Teachers Union’s tentative new contract calls for 4.5% raises, $65,000 starting salary” — “O’Dea: State needs to change school funding formula” — “Dover councilman makes first court appearance after allegedly assaulting homeless man”
| | | | POLITICO invites you to learn more about POLITICO's coverage of politics, policy and power in Albany. Join us on Wednesday, May 29 to connect with fellow New Yorkers over drinks and appetizers. RSVP HERE. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | | READING IS INCIDENTAL — “N.J. support initiative struggling to attract students in Warren Co., organizers say,” by LehighValleyLive.com’s Glenn Epps: “A book fair hosted by the tri-county group NJ4S received a disturbingly low turnout on Tuesday. Only four children showed up to the literacy event hosted at the Heckman Terrace Community Building in Phillipsburg. More than 500 fliers about the event were delivered to residents and the school district gave parents and guardians a heads up, too, organizers said. For more than an hour, a row of free books stayed mostly untouched. NJ4S is a statewide student support initiative led, by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.” — “'Last line of defense': Cold War reheats at Nike missile museum at Sandy Hook” — “‘Anora,’ film from N.J. director Sean Baker, wins Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or” — “New Jersey beaches survived a bad winter. Can they withstand a severe hurricane season?” — “UBS latest bank to announce NJ job cuts as finance sector shrinks”
| | | | 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 | | | | |
