| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Tuesday morning! Unfortunately, Rep. Bill Pascrell is in the hospital again, just days after checking out. This time, the feisty 87-year-old is at Cooperman Barnabas in Livingston, as opposed to his hometown hospital of St. Joseph’s. And while his office hasn’t put out an official update on his condition, more than one person yesterday morning told me it was stable. Of course I wish the congressman a speedy recovery. But now the topic insiders tiptoed around during the previous hospitalization comes to the fore: whether the congressman will continue his run. As of yesterday, both Passaic County Democratic Chair John Currie and Assemblymember Shavonda Sumter — who earlier this year floated herself as a potential candidate for the seat — told POLITICO that they’re still behind Pascrell. “He’s a reasonable man. We’ve worked together for a long time. And yes, I’m going to support him. If he’s not able to run, he will say so,” Currie told me. That may be the case now, but as we recently saw with a politician from the nearby state of Delaware, concerns about officeholders aging don’t go away. The problem is, believe it or not, that there’s no reversing it. I imagine the length of this stay and the extent of the congressman’s recovery will be important to determining whether Pascrell remains on the ticket — especially with Democrats like Sumter and Paterson Mayor Andrew Sayegh coming so close to running for it just months ago. But the fact that he won his June primary with three-quarters of the vote makes me hesitant to call his departure a done deal. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “When that legacy is tainted, the honor should be withdrawn.” — A Jersey Journal editorial calling for Union City to rename the William V. Musto Cultural Center HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Gerry Krovatin, Larry Weitzner, Sharon Shinkle-Gardner, Kristin Ianco Yaeger WHERE’S MURPHY? — In New Brunswick at 9 a.m. to watch Lt. Gov. Way speak at the Summer Joint Policy Forum for New Jersey's Nonprofit and Philanthropy Organizations, then in Newark at 11 a.m. for a bill signing. Media: CNBC’s “Power Lunch” at 2:15 p.m. | | | | DON’T MISS OUR AI & TECH SUMMIT: Join POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit for exclusive interviews and conversations with senior tech leaders, lawmakers, officials and stakeholders about where the rising energy around global competition — and the sense of potential around AI and restoring American tech knowhow — is driving tech policy and investment. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
BOOKMARK THIS FOR 2026 — “Democrats pitch budget reform,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “Democrats aiming to become New Jersey’s next governor are promising to overhaul oft-criticized budgeting practices followed for years by members of their own party. Those seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination in next year’s gubernatorial contest are floating proposals that would change state government’s revenue forecasting methods and improve transparency policies. Candidates are also calling for more time to review the final draft of the annual budget before its adoption … The introduction and adoption of the annual appropriations act by the Legislature is also dictated by top Democratic leaders, including Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex). Now these calls for budget reform come as dozens of grassroots organizations that tend to support the policies of the Democratic Party ranging from labor groups to environmental advocates have been clamoring for change. They argue the current process tunes out meaningful public input at the most important time.”
A NIGHT AT THE OPRA — “State council can’t shield records from disclosure during disputes, court rules,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “A New Jersey appellate panel struck down a regulation Monday that shields from disclosure documents submitted to the state body that oversees public record disputes, finding the rule has no basis in law and runs counter to the transparency legislation the Government Records Council is tasked with enforcing. The disputed 2022 rule requires all documents submitted to it as part of a dispute under the Open Public Records Act to be kept confidential until the council reaches a decision in a given case. The council takes nearly two years to resolve the average records dispute. ‘The regulation violates OPRA’s plainly stated requirements, finds no basis in OPRA, and is inconsistent with the well-established legislative mandate that the citizens of this state are entitled to prompt and full public access to government records under OPRA,’ Judge Francis Vernoia wrote for the court.” YOU’RE WELCOME — “State steps in, raises property tax for two towns,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Hannah Gross: “Two New Jersey school districts will see their property taxes increase by 9.9.%, a decision made by the state Department of Education after those local school boards failed to approve budgets by the state deadline. The state decision to raise local taxes — a highly unusual move in a state that prizes home rule and local authority over local budgets — comes after years of cuts in state aid under a funding formula designed to move money from 'overfunded' districts to 'underfunded' ones. Toms River and Jackson have lost millions of dollars in state aid in recent years according to that funding formula. But school boards in those two districts did not raise enough taxes to fund school operations, which is encouraged for districts to be able to provide a quality education as part of the funding formula.” WE’D GO DOWN TO THE RIVER LINE … OH, THE RIVER LINE WE CAN’T RIDE — “NJ Transit adds buses to River Line after train cancellations leave riders fuming,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “Riders on NJ Transit’s River Line light rail system will get some relief from canceled trains after the agency announced it will be adding supplemental bus service and introduce a new schedule starting Monday. The supplemental bus service will be added at six high ridership stations to provide additional travel options during weekday mornings … The added service and new schedules came after NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett visited the shops in Camden on Thursday where 20-year old River Line trains are repaired and upgraded and state Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, called for a legislative investigation following rider complaints.” MAN WHO HELPED KILL CONGESTION PRICING HAS BIG PLANS FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT — “Gottheimer’s plan for getting NJ Transit, Amtrak back on track,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Joanna Gagis: “Standing in front of an NJ Transit train station in Glen Rock, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th) on Monday announced a set of new measures that he said will help get NJ Transit and Amtrak’s beleaguered systems back on track — starting with a 'Rail Passenger Bill of Rights.' He said it would be modeled after the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights that the federal Department of Transportation introduced earlier this year. ‘There’s no reason we should just address passenger rights for the air; we should also do it for the rail,’ he said.” — “How a huge project at this N.J. port will help it keep its place as the second busiest in the U.S.” — “NJ Transit taking on 20 North Jersey bus routes abruptly dropped by Coach USA” — “Unfair labor laws are cheating farmworkers, lawsuit claims” — “New Jersey’s Legislature stalled reparations inquiry for years. Local advocates picked up the slack” — “Her job was to help the state’s neediest kids. Instead she stole their gift cards, police say” | | BIDEN TIME | |
NOT SINCE ADRIANA LA CERVA’S IBS HAS A THREE-LETTER MEDICAL ABBREVIATION HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON NJ — Democrats test a battleground theory: IVF fears can win against a ‘pro-choice’ Republican, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey Democrat Sue Altman started hammering her House GOP opponent over in-vitro fertilization after an Alabama court put the issue in the national spotlight earlier this year. She has not let up since, accusing self-described pro-choice Rep. Tom Kean Jr. of not standing up to “extremists targeting reproductive rights.” Kean, a freshman defending his seat in one of the country’s most competitive House races, called Altman’s critique “dishonest” and said he had a “longstanding commitment” to medical treatments, including IVF. Amid Altman’s attacks, he introduced a bill Friday to provide generous income tax credits for people to help afford the fertility treatment. That Kean even has to defend himself shows how drastically the election landscape has changed since Altman entered the race last May. Access to the fertility treatment was not part of the national debate even a few years ago.
TONE LOC CUED UP FOR HER ENTRANCE MUSIC — “Some NJ Democrats urge Murphy to tap a Latina to replace Menendez: Patricia Campos-Medina,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “To many, it makes sense. Replacing Menendez with another political figure of Latino descent would send a powerful, symbolic message to a constituency whose loyalty to the Democratic Party has started to erode in the era of Trump … One person who is making the case and isn’t shy about her interest in the job — even if means only a temporary, placeholder gig lasting five months (and maybe less under one scenario under consideration) — is Patricia Campos-Medina, the labor and union activist from Hunterdon County who came in a distant second in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate behind the winner, Rep. Andy Kim … Campos-Medina says Trump has beguiled voters with a false message of economic success. She argues that her role as a senator — even as a short-term caretaker — would help debunk some of his false narrative. ‘A candidate like me, who comes from the working class or labor unions, can make the connection with saying Donald Trump is just speaking in platitudes,’ said Campos-Medina.” CD9 — “Passaic Dems are filling county committee vacancies in Pascrell’s district,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox and David Wildstein: “Democrats in Paterson and Clifton are vigorously filling vacant county committee seats in what may be a signal that they are preparing for the possibility that 87-year-old Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson), who has been hospitalized for most of the past month, doesn’t seek re-election this year. While Pascrell’s office has not yet commented on the fourteen-term congressman’s medical situation, his age and recent health issues have led to increased speculation that he might change his mind and not run for another term.” — “For Maury Litwack, beating Bowman is just the beginning” — “Reps. Menendez and Kim visit Gateway sites in North Bergen and Weehawken” | | | | 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 | |
ENGLEWOOD ALWAYS UP TO NO GOOD — “Judge orders N.J. city to release emails in affordable housing controversy,” by NJ Advance Media’s Richard Cowen: “A Superior Court judge has ordered the City of Englewood to turn over all emails in which officials discussed — and later adopted — a controversial plan to rezone the entire city to accommodate affordable housing. In a July 29 order, Judge Carol V. Novey Catuogno gave Englewood 15 days to produce emails between the mayor, council, planning board, and planner involving private discussions that led to the creation of the city’s Fair Share Housing Agreement in November 2022 and the sweeping changes of a zoning ordinance adopted nine months later. The emails are sought by a citizens group, Englewood One Community, which argues that the rezoning of the city was undertaken without much public input and has filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the zoning ordinance.”
GOTTA WONDER IF SPADEA WILL HOLD A RALLY AT THE SCHOOL’S GYM — “Racism 'took root' and 'flourished' at [North Warren Regional High School], former students claim,” by The New Jersey Herald’s Lori Comstock: “The Black students — the girl started 7th grade in 2016 and the boy in 2018 — say they were called the ‘N-word’ by other students so often, it became common practice without any repercussions by administration and staff, according to the complaint. Efforts made to address the racism that allegedly infiltrated the school went stale, and despite several confirmed Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) incidents, issues at the school never stopped, the suit claims. The suit notes one single circumstance where a student was disciplined for calling the male student the 'N-word,' which came to light when another student happened to report it to administration, but states that the use of the word in school often just went unchecked.” YOU SURE ABOUT THAT? — “Atlantic County asks state to consider taking over Meadowview as veterans nursing home,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Atlantic County has been struggling to hire enough staff for its Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since the COVID-19 pandemic and has been losing money running one of the state's last county-run homes for many years. So the administration is asking the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to consider taking over the facility, County Executive Dennis Levinson said Monday.” — “Suit to stop bans from Newark City Council meetings survives challenge” — “[Deptford] school district abandons cuts to free courtesy busing after uproar” — “Lower Township police officer's killer set for release” — “Even lifeguard stands could be affected by new Jersey Shore building rules. See what else changes” —“Judge rules on former Plainfield cop convicted of double billing overtime” —“[Paterson] cop indicted on terroristic threats, other charges” —“Teaneck may update its master plan to allow for cannabis businesses, accessory dwellings” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
880 86ed — “WCBS radio is ending its all-news format in stunning move,” by NJ Advance Media’s Eric Conklin: “A nearly 60-year-old local news source for New York and New Jersey will be shelved later this month as a new contract begins between two media companies. WCBS 880, an AM radio station that dates back to 1924, is ending its all-news format at the end of this month, Audacy, the media conglomerate that owns the station, announced Monday … . It was unclear Monday if layoffs were expected with the format change. The company said Monday its new agreement with media company Good Karma Brands sends the all-news format off the air in favor of the new home for ESPN New York. The station’s call letters will also be retired with approval from the Federal Communications Commission.”
BLUE STATE OYSTER CULT — “Shucked, slurped, recycled: How the oyster you just ate might help the next generation of oysters,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jason Nark : “Before 2020, [Dock’s Oyster House] simply tossed oyster shells in the garbage along with the napkins, cocktail straws, and shrimp tails, then off to the dump it all went. On a recent summer afternoon at the 127-year-old restaurant, executive chef Stephan Johnson hauled a five-gallon bucket of oyster shells out back and dumped them into a bright green recycling can bearing the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection logo. The leftover oyster shells weren’t going to be buried in a landfill or turned into concrete but sent back to the waterways, where they will help future generations of oysters thrive … The shell recycling program began in 2019, after Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino reached out to the NJDEP about recycling shells … Today, the NJDEP has 11 restaurant partners.” JUST ASK JASON FROM VOORHEES — “Crystal Lake in Manchester looks like an 'oasis.' It's actually a death trap,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “There's ‘blue,’ and then there's the blue at Crystal Lake. It's so bright and clear, the kind of blue you normally see in boxes of crayons. It's like they let a six-year-old pick the color … If it seems too good to be true? That's because it is. The water is ice-cold, tiring out even the most experienced swimmers. The shoreline can crumble away at a moment's notice. The result: Just about once a summer — and sometimes more — Crystal Lake claims another life. ‘They think it's an unassuming, beautiful-looking lake,’ Manchester Police Lt. Chris Cerullo said in an interview. 'But it's extremely unpredictable and extremely dangerous.'” WAS THE CROWD NOT ENTERTAINED? — “'Gladiator' star Russell Crowe bares his regrets on stage at the Stone Pony,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Chris Jordan: “Regrets? Russell Crowe has a few. The ‘Gladiator’ star shared some of them and sang his original songs in front of his nine-member band Aug. 12 at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The show, called an ‘Indoor Garden Party,’ was part Hollywood confessional and part melodic soft rock revue.” | | | | 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 | | | | |
