| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Today, the Legislature votes on the $56.6 billion state budget. And that means it's time for me to break out this classic 2021 quote from Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo about the process: "Every year, you guys say it wasn’t transparent enough. But I believe it was no different than any other year.” Actually, this year’s budget process has so far been more transparent than last year’s. The problem is that the bar was set extremely low. Last year, legislative committees approved the budget without even having the language of the bill before them. In my 17 years covering New Jersey politics, I think that was a first. This year, budget committee members on Wednesday night had a little more time to look over the 373-page budget before voting on it, but not much. This is a dense document that takes a long time to sift through. It’s not just the press that could bring previously unknown parts of it to light. It’s legislators, lobbyists, activists and masochistic members of the public who enjoy pouring through this stuff. To understand it, start with John Reitmeyer, the New Jersey press corps’ closest eye on the budget. And this all occurs at the same time that other budget-related bills are also rushed through. To name a few: $500 million in tax credit set-asides for artificial intelligence businesses, the expansion of other tax credit programs and the repeal of some sales tax exemptions. “We’ll vote on this thing tomorrow. Everybody goes home. And then nobody wants to deal with anything because nobody’s paying attention,” said state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, the top Republican on the budget committee. O’Scanlon said Republicans plan to propose a measure to increase budget transparency. He wants 10 days for the budget language to be available to everybody before it can be passed. “There are things in there that you’ll find in the coming weeks that people should be embarrassed about. And nobody’s going to give a shit,” O’Scanlon said. If there was embarrassment in 10 days leading up to the public vote, you might be able to put a chilling effect on people advocating for this crap in the first place.” TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at Mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Atlantic City Housing Authority has become a modern day 'PLANTATION' where the residents live with no hot water, rats, roaches, mold and unhuman living conditions like the slaves, while everyone else who lives outside the Atlantic City Housing Authority make and steal 'millions and billons' of dollars from the residents and taxpayers.” — Housing Authority Commissioner Charmaine Hall in her resignation email to Councilmember Jesse Kurtz CURSED VIDEO OF THE DAY — This fossil from the Whitman administration HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Teresa Ruiz, Alana Burman, Joe Doria, John Wisniewski, Reginald Bledsoe, Colleen McCann, Adya Beasley. Saturday for Claire Swift, Mike Rispoli, Adam Gussen. Sunday for Troy Singleton, Jeanine LaRue, Paul Anzano, Stephanie Miliano, Phil Alagia, Gina LaPlaca WHERE’S MURPHY? — At the Statehouse. His public schedule "may be updated during the course of the day."
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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 | | I’M GOING OFF THE RAILS ON THE MURPHY TRAIN — “Here’s how ‘unacceptable’ train delays are being addressed in N.J.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “Calling the delays and service suspensions of the last two month’s unacceptable, Gov. Phil Murphy, Amtrak, and NJ Transit officials announced joint plans on Thursday for short- and long-term improvements to the Northeast Corridor infrastructures and trains. The joint plan call for fixing some of the short term issues with aging Amtrak infrastructure and equipment on NJ Transit trains that was alternately blamed for rail service suspensions that plagued the Northeast Corridor line the last two months resulting in disruption to the commute for tens of thousands of riders. Plans also call for pursuing funds this year toward replacement of aging overhead catenary wire that powers trains, said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardener. ‘The performance as of late is unacceptable,’ Murphy said to reporters after the meeting in Newark.” —Press release: “Sherrill Calls on NJ TRANSIT to Pause Rate Hike, Improve Service for Commuters” —“As NJ Transit delays pile up, commuters seek workarounds. Here's what they're doing” TAMBUS-SEEYA — Judge ousts two Rutgers Board of Governors members, including Tambussi, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: A state judge has ruled that two Rutgers Board of Governors members are disqualified from serving on the influential governing body because of changes in their residency. Bill Tambussi, an influential Democratic attorney, and Heather Taylor are prohibited from serving on the board effectively immediately, Judge Benjamin Bucca ruled from the bench on Thursday. Although Tambussi’s term expires at the end of this month, there had been speculation that he could have continued serving in a holdover capacity indefinitely …Tambussi has recently faced calls for his resignation from the Rutgers board, although for a different matter: He is a co-defendant in the sprawling criminal case that alleges he engaged in racketeering alongside Democratic power broker George Norcross NOT A PURDY SIGHT — “Christie man beats Trump candidate for RNC seat by two votes,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie dealt Donald Trump an embarrassing loss tonight after GOP state committee members voted to re-elect Republican National Committeeman Bill Palatucci against a candidate endorsed by Trump. Palatucci defeated Atlantic County GOP Chairman Donald Purdy, 22-20, to win re-election to the RNC seat he’s held since 2010. since 2010. This is Trump’s second loss in New Jersey this month; GOP voters picked Curtis Bashaw, a moderate businessman from Cape May County, against the candidate endorsed by Trump, Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, in the June 4 primary election. Christie showed up at a Woodbridge hotel where the state party was meeting in search of votes for Palatucci, one of his closest friends and long-term advisors. By supporting Palatucci, New Jersey Republicans have re-elected a staunch anti-Trump candidate to serve a four-year term on the Republican National Committee … Somerset County GOP State Committeewoman Janice Fields was elected without opposition.” CALIFORNIA LOVE — “New Jersey just opened an office in... San Francisco? Here's what's going on,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “A new center run by the nonprofit group Choose New Jersey will pitch the Garden State to California businesses — specifically film and television in Hollywood and artificial intelligence, or AI, in the Silicon Valley region. The center will be the fifth office run by Choose New Jersey, which is financed by several of the state’s largest companies and utilities and pays for the several economic outreach efforts by the state. Its stated mission is to attract business to New Jersey, and it has paid for Gov. Phil Murphy to travel on economic trade missions. The new center will officially open on July 15 in San Francisco” HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO MARK JACK ABRAMOFF DAY — “‘Jack Antonoff Day,’ celebrating N.J. pop guru, could be added to calendar under new bill,” by NJ Advance Media’s Saleah Blancaflor and Bobby Olivier : “Mark your calendars, New Jersey: An official Jack Antonoff Day may be coming soon. Lawmakers in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly introduced a bill this week that would celebrate the New Jersey-native rock star and pop producer by designating March 31 (his birthday) each year as Jack Antonoff Day in the Garden State.” —“Where does the StayNJ tax credit fit in the 2025 New Jersey state budget?” —“When is the new N.J. ANCHOR property tax benefit coming? What we know so far” —“Hou departing for new post; Murphy names mays as N.J. adjutant general” —FDU Poll: “New Jersey voters don’t see segregation”
| | BIDEN TIME | | —“Sayegh 'meet and greet' in D.C. raises speculation about a run for Congress” —“National GOP look like they’ve given up on flipping Kim’s house seat” —“A quest to support ‘heroic’ lifeguards stalled. This N.J. beach patrol wants to save it”
| | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | LOCAL | | DON’T SAY GAYREVILLE — “Pride flag fight pits veterans against gay rights advocates in NJ town as mayor says he’s ‘not in the flag business’,” by The New York Post’s Steve Janoski: “A New Jersey mayor has ordered a Pride flag that has flown from the borough hall flagpole each June for years to be taken down and moved — and gay activists complain he’s hidden it behind trees in the back of the building. Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O’Brien said he moved the flag because he doesn’t want to be ‘in the flag business’ after complaints from local veterans — but pro-LGBTQ town residents say he’s covering up the gay community during Pride Month.” JAIL REBRAND — “Did Bergen County rename its jail? Yes and here is why,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “Bergen County Jail has a new name and the word jail is not part of it. The jail has been renamed the Bergen County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center to avoid stigmas and highlight the growing programs to help inmates once they are released, county officials said. Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton said the decision to rename the jail didn't happen overnight and has been on his mind for the last year. As the jail's programs have increased in the last couple of years with a heavier focus on rehabilitation, Cureton said it was time for a change. ‘We also talked about the stigma,’ Cureton said about the name change. ‘I've heard kids say, 'my parents are in jail' and I didn't care for that, even though that's what it is. But, for a kid to say corrections and rehabilitation center, it sends a different message.’” SCHOOL FIGHT — “13 charged in Westwood HS graduation fights that left one hospitalized, multiple injured,” by The Record’s Amanda Wallace: “Over a dozen people are facing charges for their involvement in the brawl that took place after the Westwood Regional High School graduation last Thursday. The fighting broke out on the football field at the conclusion of the 6 p.m. graduation ceremony on June 20, ending with multiple injuries and one person in the hospital. In the days since, the Township of Washington Police Department has been conducting an investigation using video footage, some of which has been circulating online, as well as witness statements. The investigation determined that the involved people were two graduating students and their families, according to the Township of Washington Police Department. A total of 25 charges including assault, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, and obstruction have been filed against 13 people, police said” JACKSON — “N.J. elementary school moves another step toward closing forever,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rob Jennings: “A state-assigned monitor has overruled an Ocean County school board after it unanimously declined to support a proposed local budget that would close an elementary school, end courtesy busing and make other cuts to close an $18 million deficit. The outcome in Jackson, a K-12 district, occurred at a school board meeting Wednesday night after the district’s superintendent, business administrator, board members and residents spoke out against the cumulative impact of $22.4 million in state aid cuts dating to 2018. Under the proposed 2024-25 budget introduced Wednesday night, the smallest of the district’s six elementary schools — the Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School — would immediately close.” R.I.P. — “Frank Provenzano, six-term somerset sheriff, dies at 82” R.I.P. — “ALS just took One of N.J.’s only Black female ADs. She had iron will, but heart of gold” — “Keansburg keeps overpaying workers, ignored fixes sought three years ago: NJ report” —“Evesham officials investigating 'disgraceful' Pride banner vandalism” —“Newark violence intervention worker arrested responding to gunshots” —“Mother kills children for 'religious purposes,' she told Lakewood police” —“Jersey City mayoral hopeful O’Dea names Zadroga-Hart as at-large running mate” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | | LONG-TERM CARELESSNESS — “Limited AC for several days at nursing home with history of complaints,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Lilo H. Stainton: “When the temperature crept into the mid-90s last week in northwestern New Jersey, elderly and medically fragile residents at one Sussex County nursing home faced the heat wave with little or no air conditioning. Dozens of people — including some with memory loss — were moved to rooms in cooler parts of the facility, Homestead Rehabilitation and Care Center in Newton. Problems with the water system made bathing difficult for some, according to several people with knowledge of the residents’ experience who declined to be identified out of fear of retaliation. The tap water is also regularly unfit for drinking, they added, although staff said bottled water was provided to residents. Clinical staff at Homestead said that residents at the facility remain safe.” MINIMUM OUTRAGE — “NJ minimum wage rose. But here's why many still can't earn enough to survive,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “New data from a North Jersey nonprofit details just how wide the difference is between what some of New Jersey’s lowest-earning workers make and what they actually need to earn to survive. The report was released Thursday by United Way of Northern New Jersey, and looks at low-paying workers across the nation. New Jersey’s minimum wage is $15.13 an hour — the highest it’s ever been … According to the United Way report, one adult with one school-aged child would need to be earning $53,268 at a bare minimum just to survive, in 2022 dollars, and to pay for basic necessities like housing, child care, food, transportation, technology and health care. None of the state’s most common occupations … earned that amount. STATE ENDS OPERATION THAT SOLD COFFEE — “New Jersey shut down the popular Remedee Coffee in Atlantic City,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg: “There is sad news for people who have enjoyed buying locally roasted beans or a cup of iced coffee, sometimes flavored with local blueberries, out of a garage just off the Boardwalk in Atlantic City’s Lower Chelsea neighborhood. The state of New Jersey has stepped in, shutting down the popular Remedee Coffee run by Amanda and Colie Escobar, two sisters who obtained a cottage food license two years ago to operate out of their family’s restored beach block house on Bartram Avenue. ‘We wish we could have kept the garage up and running,’ said Amanda Escobar. Add Remedee’s garage era to the list of good things that, ‘in New Jersey must come to an end,’ she said.” —“American Dream mall cleaning crew holds daylong strike. Here's why” CORRECTION: Yesterday’s edition incorrectly identified the $50,000 Cooper Ferry Partnership CEO Anthony Perno received after allegedly being forced out of the job. It was a bonus, according to the George Norcross indictment. | | | | 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 | | | | |
