| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Thursday morning! With the governor considering whether to sign a bill that backers controversially claim “modernizes” OPRA, is it time to actually modernize OPMA? That’s the Open Public Meetings Act — OPRA’s less sexy but important cousin. I bring this up because of a report in the Asbury Park Press about how the Toms River council voted 6-0 with 1 abstention to approve a resolution urging Mayor Dan Rodrick to put the town’s archived council meetings back online. Toms River has been riven politically, especially since Rodrick took office, with Jerry Springer-esque council meetings. According to the article, Toms River has been streaming the meetings on YouTube, but none have been saved since January. See for yourself here. I can’t think of any reason town officials would not archive footage of its council meetings online. I can think of some reasons why they would be hesitant to do so, none of them good. So I called the mayor’s office to ask. I didn’t hear back. This seems pretty open and shut. It’s not expensive or hard to archive footage — in fact, I’m not sure it costs anything. That would make it accessible to the public who can’t watch it in-person or in live videos. Many towns, if not most, already do that. Should they all be required to? CJ Griffin thinks so, which probably means legislators won’t embrace the idea. I texted Assemblymember Joe Danielsen, the top sponsor of the pending OPRA bill, who told me he's not working on any OPMA tweaks but that he'd "love to continue working on OPRA and OMPA" and that he has some "innovative ideas for both that I highly suspect would be popular throughout the state." TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Speaker Johnson has said that he places the Bible above the Constitution and above the country and that’s how he makes his decisions, which was shocking to me especially on the day he made the decision to follow the dubious spiritual pilgrimage to New York City to Donald Trump’s trial, an adjudicated sexual assailant and fraudster, for paying $140,000 in hush money to a porn star and then covering it up.”— Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin during an event Wednesday in Madison with Rep. Mikie Sherrill HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Owen Henry, Jeanne Fox, Sue Nemeth WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule
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THE AMERICAN PATRIOT — ‘Menendez is asking’: Prosecutors show jurors cache of texts, emails in bribery trial, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: In May 2018, a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer asked a State Department official how many Americans were “posted” in the American embassy in Egypt, but with a cryptic condition: “Don’t ask why I’m asking.” The official, Tiernen Miller, emailed the staffer back saying that they would have to ask for the information — and that “someone is going to ask why." "Menendez is asking,” the committee staffer replied, referring to New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez — then the top Democrat on the powerful Senate panel. The email exchange was just one slice of hundreds of personal emails, text messages, voicemails, photos and other correspondence selected by prosecutors and shown jurors the last two days in Menendez's bribery trial. More correspondence is expected to be presented Thursday as prosecutors make the case that the senator took bribes to benefit the interests of New Jersey businesspeople and the governments of Egypt and Qatar. | | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
PHIL MURPHY, THE LANE DUCK GOVERNOR — “$6.2B project to widen the Turnpike won’t eat up nearby homes, officials promise opponents,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “New Jersey Turnpike officials made their case Tuesday night for building a new $6.2 billion Newark Bay bridge and approach structures between Newark and Bayonne, and pushed back against some of the arguments made by opponents of the project. Before the 6:30 p.m. public information session in Bayonne, opponents representing 40 groups and four public officials from Jersey City and Hoboken, called on Gov. Phil Murphy to scuttle it and look at alternatives … Turnpike officials dispelled one of the rumors that prompted some of the 200 people who attended the public information session at the Woodrow Wilson School in Bayonne to come out. Project manager Lisa Navarro said there will be no condemnation of homes for the project.”
RASING QUESTIONS — “Baraka has local support for 2025 gov bid, but questions linger over Newark’s direction,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Mark J. Bonamo: “A new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll demonstrates an interesting dichotomy regarding Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s 2025 gubernatorial bid. While Baraka, a candidate in next year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, has the support of most local Democrats, less than half of Newark residents approve of his job performance, the FDU poll found. Two issues are at the forefront of Newark voters’ consciousness: homelessness and the issue of lead in the city’s drinking water supply, according to the poll. ... Overall, 51% of Democrats … in Newark say they plan to back Baraka in next year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, putting him well ahead of the other listed candidates, according to the poll. However, only 47% of city residents say they approve of the job Baraka is doing as mayor, with 23% saying they disapprove and the remaining 30% unsure, according to the FDU poll.” THE GOLDEN AGE — “Passing of Carl Golden marks end of old-style press relations in NJ,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “One spring morning in 1994, Carl Golden spotted me as he made his way into the governor’s office on the first floor of the Statehouse in Trenton. His start-of-the-day calm suddenly vanished. His eyes bulged with fury. ‘Why the hell did you write that?,’ he barked … ‘I was so mad I wanted to punch you in the sternum.’ I stayed silent for a beat. And then replied: ‘Where’s the sternum?” Carl Golden Another beat — and we both burst out in laughter … Golden, a widely respected, fast-on-his feet political operative who later served as communications director for two Republican governors and a liberal chief justice, died last week at the age of 86. … . But for me, Golden's passing represents the end of a style of press communications that is sadly missing in this day and age of the easy text message. Golden believed in building dialogue with reporters, on a daily basis, and often in person in his first-floor office at the Statehouse.”
| | | | YOUR DAILY DOWNLOAD ON ALL THINGS TECH: Today marks the 200th episode of the POLITICO Tech podcast! That’s 200 incisive conversations with global policymakers, tech executives, social activists and other influential voices reshaping our world, one algorithm at a time. Join host Steven Overly for a daily dive into the major political and policy battles around artificial intelligence, election disinformation, competition with China, TikTok, microchips and much more. SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TODAY via Apple, Spotify, Simplecast or your preferred podcast player. | | | | | THEY’LL EVENTUALLY SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE OF HAVING TO BE AN ADULT — “New Jersey police union calls for ‘real consequences’ for drunk, rowdy teens after boardwalk unrest,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “New Jersey’s statewide police union said Wednesday there needs to be ‘real consequences’ for drunken, rowdy teens and adults who create mayhem in public places following a series of disturbances at Jersey Shore towns over the Memorial Day weekend that included the stabbing of a teen. Peter Andreyev, president of the New Jersey State Policemens’ Benevolent Association, issued a statement calling for changes in laws and procedures governing how police interact with disorderly teens and young adults … ‘Having no consequences for bad behavior has proved itself again to be a failed criminal justice policy,’ he continued. ‘Thousands of people were impacted by the lawlessness this weekend; that must be stopped.’” —Bergen: “Lawmaker to Gov. Murphy: The OPRA bill is an abomination. Veto it” —“Jersey Shore’s super costly abandoned boat issue could finally see $25M solution” —“Amid educator shortage, a plan to turn tutors into teachers” | | BIDEN TIME | |
THE END OF THE LINE — “Democratic primary marks new ground for party power,” by NJ Spotlight News’ David Cruz: “Whatever the results are in New Jersey next week, the 2024 primaries will be historic, as they are the first since a federal judge effectively threw out the use of ‘party lines’ on Democratic ballots and likely soon on Republican ones as well. And while her name may not get mentioned much on election night, Rutgers professor Julia Sass Rubin will be largely responsible, as her research into the impact of the party line was the source material used to dismantle the design. ‘I think the most immediate impact will be more people will run for office,’ she said. ‘Not this election cycle, because the deadline has already passed. But I think we will see more people running going forward, and I think we will see a much more diverse slate of candidates. You have an overwhelmingly male and white legislature, and I think the county line has a big role in that.’”
THE ONLY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THAT RHYMES WITH DEBATE — “Bhalla and Rep. Menendez let it all hang out at lively one-on-one CD-8 debate,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “From the get go, Bhalla sought to establish himself as a leader with a proven track record, with documented successes in areas such as flood resiliency and traffic safety, while pressuring the incumbent on his ties to machine politicians including, but not limited tok and his father, scandal-plagued U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Conversely, Menendez touted his record on bringing millions back to the district and solving around 1,500 constituent cases, with the two were eager to stand and trade on a number of controversial topics. ‘You can try to throw Leo Pellegrini under the bus, there are five Hoboken believe there is an investigation. The former mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer, has said there is credibility behind what Leo has said,’ Menendez said about the former Hoboken health director’s lawsuit alleging quid pro quo, retaliation, and defamation. … Bhalla said that it was absurd to think the allegations of someone being investigated by the FBI could have any validity, calling the claims made in the court filing ‘pure utter nonsense.'" —Alito rebuffs critics over flag controversy, says he won’t recuse from Jan. 6 cases —“What to watch for in N.J.’S 2024 congressional primaries” —“Bashaw: ‘Andy Kim is not a strong candidate’” —“Candidates Andy Kim, Sue Altman tackle voter apathy, 'broken' system at Central NJ forum” —“Race to watch: N.J. 8th Congressional District contest overshadowed by Menendez corruption trial” —“Biden taps Rutgers board chairman for ambassadorship” —“Will there be another insurrection? Dem leader shares his fears at Morris County event” | | LOCAL | |
FROM THE HUDSON TO BAY, JC WILL BE CRAY — “‘Dead babies and stuff like that’: JCBOE trustee files complaint against fellow board member after confrontation,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “‘Here. Get her,’ was the command uttered by Jersey City school board member Younass Barkouch before four men began to harass fellow Trustee Noemi Velazquez with obscenities and photos of dead babies, Velazquez told The Jersey Journal Wednesday after filing a harassment complaint in Jersey City Municipal Court. The alleged incident occurred after the May 14 special board of education meeting. Barkouch allegedly had four of his ‘friends’ scream obscenities and flash photos from their phones of infants killed in Gaza, where Israeli forces continue to fight the Hamas terrorist group after the surprise Hamas attack Oct. 7. ‘The guys all approached me really aggressively with words and pictures on their phones of dead babies and stuff like that,’ Velazquez said. … Barkouch denied Velazquez’s harassment allegations. He said this is part of a plan by board President DeJon Morris, Trustee Natalia Ioffe and Velazquez to ‘defame my character and pressure me to resign because ‘he asks too many questions.’”
MARGATE TO IMPOSE CURFEW ON MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN — “Margate mayor apologizes after woman berates Kylie Kelce,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s John O’Connor: “The city's mayor issued an apology to former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, on Wednesday after a woman berated Kylie for not taking a photo with her over the weekend at Steve & Cookie's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. ‘On behalf of the city of Margate, I'd like to formally apologize to Jason and Kylie Kelce for the experience they had in our city,’ Mayor Michael Collins said in a statement. ‘As a father with young children, I know as well as anyone the importance of a date night with your wife.’ The woman yelled ‘You'll never be allowed in this town again’ at Kylie Kelce as she was walking into the restaurant with her husband, according to a video circulating on social media.” IT’S A SCHMIDT SYSTEM — “NJ officials ready new look ballots for primary elections,” by NBC 10’s Hayden Mitman and Lauren Mayk: “NBC10's Lauren Mayk spoke with John Schmidt, the deputy county clerk who redesigned the Democratic primary ballots for Camden County. He said the changes caused some late nights at his office. ‘It was very late nights,’ he said. ‘I was up until two o'clock in the morning, like three or four nights in a row trying to hash this out.’ And, he said, the difference in layout between the Republican and Democratic party ballots has caused some confusion among voters ahead of the upcoming primaries. To help voters in the state, who might be used to the county line system, Schmidt said that he has been telling them to look for slogans -- as Democratic candidates can still run with slogans, even if they aren't groups together with others under that same banner on ballots -- to find the candidates they are looking for. ‘We’re telling them to pay attention to the slogans that are with each of them and follow them to find similar and similarly bracketed candidates,’ said Schmidt.” — “NJ animal rights group to protest the gassing of geese at Teterboro Airport” —“'I have become a distraction': Haddonfield deputy mayor resigns from office” —“Sussex, Passaic towns will expand high-speed internet via $50M program, Gottheimer says” —“Ramapo Indian Hills has a new superintendent. The interim was fired without explanation” —“Would offshore wind turbines save or ruin the Jersey Shore? Debaters rumble in Berkeley” R.I.P. — “Donnie Evans, former Paterson schools superintendent, dies” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NJ’S MOST SERIOUS EPIDEMIC — “McDonald’s coffee too hot for human consumption, N.J. man says in lawsuit,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A New Jersey man has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s in Swedesboro, claiming he was injured at the drive-thru window when a worker spilled coffee on him that he says was too hot for human consumption. Joseph Megara, 49, of Woolwich, claims in court papers he was injured and his car interior damaged. … In January, a 58-year-old Morris County woman claimed she was injured when hot tea spilled on her at the McDonald’s in the 200 block of Route 10 East in Roxbury Township. In November, a 74-year-old Essex County woman claimed she suffered burns when the lid popped off a tea cup at a McDonald’s in Newark. On Sept. 25, a Hudson County woman filed a lawsuit claiming she suffered burns resulting in scarring after she purchased hot coffee at the McDonald’s in the 3000 block of John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Union City.”
—“Feds investigate anti-Arab, anti-Muslim bias complaint against Rutgers” —“New Jersey has one of the highest car insurance rates in the country, study says” —“The Bayonne Bridge was raised to let bigger ships pass. Now comes more dredging”
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