| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Federal investigators have subpoenaed records relating to a lucrative land deal involving two state senators, a prominent attorney and a big developer. The group of investors — including state Sen. Michael Testa, a Vineland native and Cumberland County GOP chair, and Doug Steinhardt, the Warren County GOP chair — closed the property for $1.15 million in October 2022, about 16 months after going into contract on it. They got a couple easements from Cumberland County for $1 each, then sold it to a Michigan company 10 months later for $8.4 million. It's now a huge soon-to-be-completed cold storage warehouse. Testa and Steinhardt say everything about the deal was by the book, as do officials in Vineland. But it has apparently attracted the (investigation) interest of federal prosecutors, who last month subpoenaed records relating to the sale last month. Steinhardt spokesperson Harrison Neely said the partners invested a lot in the land between going into contract and buying it. "They used the year plus between contract and sale to hire architects and engineers, do soil tests and obtain all of the necessary permits and approvals so that what they ultimately sold was a shovel-ready project," he said. This long-vacant land, which includes a piece with development restrictions because Native American artifacts were found on it, is now a nearly-completed cold storage warehouse. Vineland officials say the property sat on the market at the asking price for a long time before any sale actually went through. But that’s a hell of a flip. Read more about it. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Yes, they made money, but everything was done by the book.” — Sandy Forosisky, Vineland’s director of economic development, on the property flip HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Dick Zimmer, Paul Swibinski, Matt Barrett, Elliot Friedman, Carl Bergmanson, Lee Kaufman-Berson. Sunday for Kimberly Wallace Scalcione, Kevin Miller, Claire Heininger Mehney, David J. Taylor WHERE’S MURPHY? In Newark at 11 a.m. to announce the interim U.S. senator. Then leaving the state for a week. | | | | WELCOME TO THE CNN-POLITICO GRILL AT THE DNC! If you are in Chi-Town next week, join us at the CNN-POLITICO Grill just steps from the United Center for daily events and live programs. Featuring an all-star lineup of the most influential Democrats including Governor JB Pritzker, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Gov. Kathy Hochul and many more special guests. Don’t miss out on the buzziest conversations and newsworthy events hosted by POLITICO’s top reporters and editors. RSVP HERE. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
NJ STRIVES FOR XXX RATING — One of the major rating agencies has upgraded New Jersey’s credit outlook. The revision by Moody’s Investor Services from stable to positive credited “solid” revenues and fully funding public employee pensions, as well as a “significantly larger” surplus than the state has historically maintained.
Gov. Phil Murphy, who has sought to improve the state’s credit worthiness after a series of downgrades in the prior administration, celebrated the improved outlook. He said it’s “evidence that our formula to strengthen New Jersey’s economic trajectory is working.” “We remain laser focused in our multi-year efforts to restore the state’s fiscal standing,” Murphy said in a statement. — Dustin Racioppi — “Latest NJ tax collections hold their ground” — Press release: “NJ Employment Dips in July; Unemployment Rate Ticks Up to 4.7%” MASOCHISTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE TORTURE — Murphy announces free NJ Transit for a week as frustrations mount over service, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: NJ Transit will be free for the week prior to Labor Day, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Thursday. The fare holiday comes as frustration has grown over NJ Transit services have left customers with delays and disruptions this summer. Some customers have been left stranded or with nightmarish delays during the hottest days of the year. The decision to waive fees for all modes of NJ Transit transportation for a week also comes just after a 15 percent fare hike went into effect on July 1 — with 3 percent annual increases expected — and after Murphy successfully pushed for a new tax on large corporations to help fund NJ Transit. Those moves have been made to help keep the financially beleaguered agency afloat. Murphy’s office on Thursday said the fare holiday was a “thank you” to NJ Transit customers. “Understanding that our commuters have faced many disruptions this summer, we are providing a one week fare holiday for NJ TRANSIT riders,” Murphy said in a statement. “As we work diligently with Amtrak to investigate and address the issues that have occurred this summer, especially on the Northeast Corridor, we hope this fare holiday offers our commuters some relief.” — “[O’Scanlon] calls for more oversight of school spending” — “Ciattarelli hops to defense of Trump golf course liquor licenses” — “NJ Supreme Court rules for students with disabilities” | | BIDEN TIME | |
VROOM VROOM — “Kim revs up his campaign,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “Andy Kim likes to say he’s been elected in a district — the 3rd — that also voted for Donald Trump. That is quite the dichotomy, but Kim’s point is more than mere trivia. It suggests that he — now-Senate candidate Kim — has cross-section appeal. At a Democratic event Wednesday evening at County College of Morris, Kim said he hopes that people see him as a person trying to ‘address the issues we are facing.’ This is key to any campaign — getting beyond ideology and appealing to common sense. It’s also quite important in the battle at hand — the U.S. Senate contest between Kim, a House member for six years, and Republican Curtis Bashaw, a Cape May hotel operator. A central argument of Bashaw’s campaign is that Kim represents the ‘far out’ liberal wing of the Democratic party.”
BOOKER PLEDGES TO DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO MAKE NJ COMPETITIVE — “Sen. Bob Casey gets a Pa. campaign boost from ‘Jersey jealous’ Cory Booker,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Sean Collins Walsh: “U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on Thursday got some backup in his tough reelection battle from his Senate colleague Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who crossed the river to boost Casey at a North Philadelphia event aimed at engaging Black voters … Booker said that he was “Jersey jealous” of Pennsylvania’s purple electorate, which has once again made the Keystone State the center of the political universe in a presidential year. ‘I’m a Jersey boy,’ Booker said. ‘I live across the river. But I’m Jersey jealous of you all here in Pennsylvania because we don’t have a competitive Senate race right now and we’re definitely not the most important state — the swingiest of all states — like you all are.’” — “Salerno touts internal poll showing Van Drew with modest lead” — Press release: “New biography 'Congressman Steve Rothman' by Steven R. Rothman is released” | | | | During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more. | | | | | | | LOCAL | |
#SAVETHEPARKINGLOTS — “Toms River rejects $5.66M in federal road money, says it would drive downtown development,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “Ambitious plans to help mitigate traffic that has long plagued downtown Toms River have fallen by the wayside, as the township will no longer move forward with work connected to a $5.66 million federal grant. The township received the grant money from the federal Department of Transportation in 2018, under a program that promotes innovative transportation infrastructure projects. Under the grant's terms, the work was initially expected to be done by 2025, though it's likely Toms River could have received an extension. ‘We’re not interested in putting in the infrastructure for their plan,’ Mayor Daniel Rodrick said of the previous administration's ambitious proposal to redevelop Toms River's long-moribund downtown. ‘We are not putting in the infrastructure for them to build a city downtown.’” PIER PRESSURE — “Before closing his family’s Wonderland Pier, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian was on shaky financial footing,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg and Ryan W. Briggs: “After Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced that this season would be the last for his family’s beloved Wonderland Pier, shock and sadness spread throughout the Shore. No more toddlers riding the old fire engines or boat rides, no more Wacky Worm Ride or Moby Dick or Tilt-a-Whirl … In some corners of Ocean City, some people were less surprised, noting the deteriorating condition of some rides, the curtailed hours, and the recent financial history of Wonderland. In January 2021, the amusement park nearly went to sheriff’s sale before Mita, the owner of the Icona Resorts, intervened. The amusement park in various forms has been in the Gillian family for 94 years. On Friday, Gillian wrote that Wonderland was “no longer a viable business.” Gillian also has notable financial problems, both personal and related to the business, including IRS and New Jersey tax liens. And, two prominent Ocean City developers, Scott Halliday and Eustace Mita, held mortgages for Gillian on personal residences: Halliday for $620,000 and Mita for $1 million.” 1.8 MASTROS — “N.J. county spends $16M to become hotel’s sole owner, create hospitality career training,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brianna Kudisch: “Middlesex County is investing $16 million in a New Brunswick hotel to consolidate its ownership and provide more student educational opportunities, officials announced Thursday. The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center, which opened in 2007, is owned by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority. But it also has other shareholders who partially owned and financed the hotel through a diversified portfolio, said John Pulomena, the county administrator .. The 375,000-square-foot, 11-story property, located in the city’s downtown, will be ‘re-imagined as a professional development hub,’ officials said.” IT WAS A MOUSE RAT — “Whistleblower detective found ‘symbolic’ dead mouse under his desk, N.J. lawsuit says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A detective with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office filed a lawsuit on Wednesday claiming he endured severe retaliation and a hostile work environment after he reported misconduct within the agency. Jason Gorto, currently a member of the county’s Homicide Task Force, states in court papers he was targeted for retaliation after reporting a supervisor who came in late and expected her subordinates to sign in for her. Additionally, Gorto claims a fellow detective seated in a nearby cubicle spent hours watching TV on his cellphone while making personal calls … Gorto claims he once found a dead mouse symbolic of a rat under his desk after he made complaints about violations within the department, the suit says.” BLOCKED — “Cumberland County opts to use office-block ballots in general election,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Most New Jersey general election ballots are organized by party, with all candidates from one party appearing in a shared row or column; a drawing is conducted in each county to determine whether Democrats or Republicans get the top spot for that year. But in Cumberland County, this year’s ballots will use an office-block design, where all candidates are grouped by the office they’re seeking with no regard for their party. Two other counties, Salem and Sussex Counties, already use office-block general election ballots, so there is precedent for Cumberland’s design. Salem and Sussex, however, still give top billing to either Democrats or Republicans and place the two parties in consistent positions across the ballot.” ROBERTO CLEMENTE REACHES OUT FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE — “Paterson district reverses course on unpopular transfers of school principals,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Facing opposition from parents and teachers, city education officials have revised their plans to transfer school principals for the approaching school year. Some of the most unpopular moves — including removing Ramona Garcia from School 15, Bridget Naveira from Roberto Clemente School, and Lolita Vaughn from School 10 — have been scrapped. The district still is transferring seven of its principals to different schools, including switches at Paterson’s two largest high schools — Eastside and John F. Kennedy. But those moves have not come under widespread fire in recent weeks as news of the impending changes spread through the city. Dozens of parents and teachers from Schools 10, 15, and Roberto Clemente have reached out to board members, district officials, and the news media to say that removing their principals would undermine progress occurring at those buildings.” IT WILL BE CALLED A ‘GUYSCRAPER’ IN HONOR OF THE NEW COUNTY EXECUTIVE — “Bayonne is ready to host one of the tallest skyscrapers in the state,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “Bayonne could become home to one of the tallest buildings in New Jersey after the city council approved an allowance for 50-story buildings on the ever-developing Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The approval shatters the previous maximum number of stories a building could contain at the site, 25, and would alter the coast’s skyline, where only Jersey City has skyscrapers exceeding 45 stories. The decision is also a dramatic one for Bayonne itself, where even the development of five- to 10-story buildings can cause controversy.” — “Sea Girt residents to fight offshore wind cables in community: 'Not on my watch'” — “Atlantic City Council passes diversion of parkland for Atlantic Shores cables” — “Feds, state resolve claims Monmouth courts discriminated against people with poor English skills” — Jersey City appeals state decision ordering reinstatement of 2 cops fired for cannabis use — “Korean community in Fort Lee afraid to call 911 after fatal police shooting” — “Judge orders Teaneck school board to correct 'deficiencies' from meetings” — “Edison cop gets prison sentence for drunken crash that killed two passengers” — “Bayonne council overrides Davis’ veto on 10-story project with recreation center” — “‘Transformative’ zoning for Ironbound high rises gets city council’s thumbs up” — “Somers Point Councilman Joseph McCarrie resigns due to health reasons” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SAD CLOWN — “Iconic Jersey Shore ‘smiling clown’ from Circus Drive-In found in sad shape under tarp,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rob Jennings: “The 'smiling clown' sign from the former Circus Drive-In restaurant that charmed Route 35 motorists in Monmouth County for more than six decades has recently been discovered by local residents languishing under a tarp behind a building. It was spotted earlier this week stashed outdoors in Wall Township … A blue tarp that apparently at one point had covered the sign was partially dislodged, giving camp visitors a clear view of the smiling clown, whose unambiguously cheerful expression served as a counterpoint to the 'evil clown' that still stands in Middletown.”
BRIDGE AND TUNNEL — “Meet the woman who bridges information between PATH and its riders,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: "If PATH riders are aware of what seems to be a myriad of service changes due to the bi-state transit agency’s $430 million improvement program, then Rebecca Riehl has done her job. If riders haven’t gotten the message before going to the station, she wants them to tell her why so she can find a way for the agency to do it better. Riehl, PATH’s head of customer experience, has the sometime unenviable job of delivering bad news to riders about delays, suspensions and long term infrastructure projects that can take a station or part of the rail line out of service to improve the 116-year-old rail line.” — “Heart-pounding bodycam video shows rescue of mom from submerged car” — “Former Jets star admits possessing handgun in North Jersey, enrolls in PTI”
| | | | 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 | | | | |
