| | | | |  | | By Daniel Han | Presented by Health Care Association of New Jersey | Good Tuesday morning! Yesterday was a “where were you when it happened” day in New Jersey politics. Attorney General Matt Platkin announced a bombshell indictment against South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross — as well as key players in the South Jersey Democratic political machine — accusing the defendants of a 12-year criminal racket. The alleged criminal scheme is complex and wide-ranging, centering on waterfront development projects in Camden, supposedly ill-gotten tax breaks and political bossism in Camden. All 111 pages are here for some light morning reading. But beyond the complexities of tax breaks and development projects, the criminal charges also appeared to be an indictment on New Jersey politics itself — something Platkin acknowledged during his press conference. “It’s often said that in New Jersey politics is a blood sport. And what’s meant by that is that if you don’t go along with the demands of those in political power, you’ll get hurt,” Platkin said. “... But there is nothing inherent in our state’s culture that requires us to accept politics and government that functions in this way.” Norcross watched Platkin say this, up close and personal. The multi-millionaire showed up at the press conference uninvited (and without socks, as many Twitter users have noted), sitting at the seat closest to the podium. After the press conference, he said he was innocent and made personal attacks on Platkin, calling him a “coward.” (Platkin seldom made any eye contact with Norcross — if at all — during the presser and just said “no comment” when asked about his unexpected guest.) The bombshell charges are just the latest in what has been a monumental year in state politics. Between the indictment — and political downfall — of Sen. Bob Menendez, the county line being on life support and now this, 2024 may become known as the year where New Jersey’s culture of political bossism came crumbling down. Read more on all the Norcross news below.
| | | | A message from Health Care Association of New Jersey: Trenton must stop short-changing nursing home residents and the staff who take care of them. Instead of piling on unfunded mandates, critical resources should be spent on hiring more staff and improving care. Otherwise, more than 9,000 current New Jersey nursing home residents risk losing their homes. Tell your state lawmakers: The state must invest now in the welfare of its aging senior population. It’s not a choice, it’s an obligation. | | | TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at Dhan@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "George hates Starbucks." — Phil Norcross, George’s brother and co-defendant, as per the unsealed indictment. Programming note: Playbook will be off Wednesday in observation of Juneteenth (Yes, I know the State of New Jersey celebrates Juneteenth on Friday. Read NJ Advance Media’s explainer of why that is here.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Brian Boyell, James Corti, Matthew Frankel, George Geist, John McCarthy, Carmen Rodriguez WHERE’S MURPHY? — Calling in to WQHT Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning to Preview Clemency announcement at 9:40 a.m. and delivering remarks at the New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment and Learning Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in East Rutherford at 2 p.m.
| | | | A message from Health Care Association of New Jersey:   | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
NORCROSS NEWS — New Jersey AG charges Democratic power broker George Norcross in bombshell indictment, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han and Dustin Racioppi: New Jersey’s attorney general on Monday charged one of the state’s most powerful Democrats and his allies in a sweeping indictment alleging a long-running corruption scheme. The charges against George Norcross represent another seismic event in New Jersey politics in a year that’s already seen a drastic disruption of its notorious boss systems. And George Norcross is often held up as the symbol of a New Jersey political boss. He has long been the subject of scrutiny by law enforcement and a political task force, but has never been charged.
— POLITICO: New Jersey’s top political boss stared down the AG at press conference announcing his indictment — POLITICO: An ‘atomic bomb’ just fell on one of America’s most powerful party bosses — POLITICO: Racketeering, extortion and other ‘criminal activity’: the Norcross charges explained — Moran: “The Norcross indictment revives questions on Sheridan killings” — Inquirer: “Who is George Norcross? A look at the indicted South Jersey power broker” — NJ Globe: “Moriarty tells Dem municipal chair charged with corruption to resign”
| | | | 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. | | | | | THIS ALSO HAPPENED — Radio host Spadea announces run for governor, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Bill Spadea, the conservative NJ 101.5 morning show host, formalized a years-long build-up for higher office by announcing Monday he's running for governor next year. "I’ve listened to the concerns and heard the message loud and clear. New Jerseyans are ready for a fighter," Spadea said in a statement. "Weak politicians have failed us time and time again and the people of New Jersey deserve better." In an accompanying video, Spadea used familiar Republican tropes to portray a Democratic-run state run amok. It shows a "drag queen story hour," a news headline about an immigrant charged with raping a woman in front of her child and a group of purported migrants "getting free handouts on your dime." — “No shortage of opinions on what defines antisemitism,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “Five hours was not enough time to fit in everyone who wanted to share their opinions about a possible new official definition for antisemitism in New Jersey. A Senate hearing drew 600 people who requested to comment about whether New Jersey should adopt the definition of antisemitism as outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which includes certain criticisms of Israel. That drew considerable support but also vehement opposition during fiery testimony Monday, which included frequent interruptions and occasional obscenities.” — Senate Dems officially back Murphy's proposal for no cost-sharing for abortion, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Senate Democratic leadership is throwing support behind Gov. Phil Murphy’s longstanding goal of providing abortion coverage without cost-sharing on state-regulated health plans. Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz and Senate President Nick Scutari announced new legislation that would do just that, promising in a Monday press release to schedule the bill, NJ S3452 (24R), for a committee hearing this month with the intention of a full Senate soon after. The measure also precludes medical malpractice insurers from penalizing policyholders in New Jersey for helping with abortion or gender-affirming care on the basis that it is illegal in another state. — Insider NJ: “Murphy’s Seismic OPRA Bellyflop” — NJ Spotlight: “Tax credits for private school tuition plan scrapped” – Stile: “Congestion pricing's death is a political win for NJ Democrats. At what cost?”
| | | | A message from Health Care Association of New Jersey: Trenton must stop short-changing nursing home residents.
Nursing homes require additional staff, and those staff deserve living wages.
To support more staffing hours, state payment rates need to rise.
State lawmakers and regulators need to stop piling on unfunded mandates that drain critical resources that should instead be spent on hiring more staff and improving care.
If they don’t, more than 9,000 current New Jersey nursing home residents risk losing their homes.
Tell your state lawmakers: The state must invest now in the welfare of its aging senior population.
It’s not a choice, it’s an obligation. | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
LAWSUIT MOVES FORWARD, UNLIKE MANHATTAN TRAFFIC — “Feds want a decision in N.J. lawsuit to block $15 congestion pricing fee to enter Lower Manhattan,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “With the June 30 start of New York’s congestion pricing plan on hold, federal officials told a judge that a ruling is still needed in New Jersey’s lawsuit to block the proposal to charge $15 to drive into lower Manhattan. Federal Highway Administration officials also have approved the $15 congestion pricing rates to enter lower Manhattan, despite Gov. Hochul decision pausing it earlier this month ‘Notwithstanding New York Governor Kathleen Hochul’s announcement of a ‘pause’ in the implementation of the (congestion pricing ) Project, the lawsuit is not moot,’ Assistant U.S. Attorney General Todd Kim wrote on Friday. ‘The lawfulness of the agency’s action remains very much a live legal issue.’”
Jan 6 — “Ex-N.J. trooper acquitted of Jan. 6 felonies, convicted of lesser offenses, lawyer says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Kevin Shea: “A retired New Jersey State Police trooper was acquitted at trial Friday of two federal felony charges that accused him of obstructing police officers outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, his lawyer said. Michael Daniele, of Holmdel, was convicted of four misdemeanors, though his lawyer Stuart Kaplan says there’s a chance those lesser charges could be dismissed before his October sentencing. Daniele opted for a bench trial, where the judge is also the jury. It concluded Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C. in front of Judge Amit P. Mehta. Mehta found Daniele not guilty of the obstruction charges, Kaplan said. He believes it was because he was able to show that the photos the FBI used to charge his client were taken out of context.” LAW IS ON ICE — “Immigrant advocates alarmed by prospect of new immigrant jail in Newark,” by The Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “Immigrant advocates in New Jersey are alarmed that a federal judge’s 2023 ruling that allowed a private immigrant jail to remain open could mean there is little they can do to prevent another immigrant detention center from opening in Newark. … Dolly Hernandez, executive director of immigrant rights advocacy organization Casa Freehold, said she’s troubled by a recent letter from the state Attorney General’s Office to the federal judge that could make it easier for the new jail to open. … On April 25, Solicitor General Jeremy M. Feigenbaum, writing on behalf of Platkin’s office, told Kirsch that as long as Kirsch’s order regarding CoreCivic is still in effect, the state would not attempt to enforce the 2021 law with regard to GEO Group.”
| | | | JOIN US ON 6/26 FOR A TALK ON AMERICA’S SUPPLY CHAIN: From the energy grid to defense factories, America’s critical sites and services are a national priority. Keeping them up and running means staying ahead of the threat and protecting the supply chains that feed into them. POLITICO will convene U.S. leaders from agencies, Congress and the industry on June 26 to discuss the latest challenges and solutions for protecting the supply lines into America’s critical infrastructure. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | LOCAL | |
CHEEKY — “‘Nuttin’ But Azz’ Basketball Tournament at High School in Newark ‘Not Authorized’” by TapInto Newark’s Matt Kadosh: “A basketball tournament advertised to feature scantily clad women at West Side High School next month was ‘not authorized,’ despite a cheeky video from the organizer promoting the event, the West Ward Councilman told TAPinto Newark. An event page advertises the ‘Nuttin’ Butt Azz/NBA Baddies Basketball Tournament NJ’ scheduled to happen at West Side High School on July 21, and a widely shared video promoting the event shows women with large bottoms dancing in a school gymnasium. … West Ward Councilman Dupré “Doitall” Kelly, in a statement to TAPinto Newark, said his office was contacted by a third party about the cost associated with and availability of using space at the high school for a ‘community basketball game,’ but he did not authorize plans for the event.”
GLOUCO BATTLE — “Wingate defeats Vigilante in Gloucester GOP chair race,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: ““Former Harrison Township Committeeman Adam Wingate ousted incumbent Jacci Vigilante in the race for Gloucester County Republican chair tonight in a county that has been sharply divided since a bitter primary last year. Wingate, 34, ran for Gloucester County Commissioner in 2022 but lost by one percentage point. He ran again last year and lost the Republican primary by a 1% margin. Republicans had appeared to be surging in 2021 after winning two county commissioner seats and the sheriff’s office.” — Pix 11: “Newark students brace for heat without air conditioning” – The Record: “Bergen County gets additional $3M to fight opioid addiction. Here's how it will be used” – Chalkbeat: “This Newark educator missed out on support as a new immigrant. Years on, she became the teacher she needed.”
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