| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Senate President Nick Scutari has caught heat before for advancing legislation that benefits lawyers like him. During Scutari’s day as acting governor Thursday, he signed several bills, including one that benefits workers comp lawyers. The bill raises the maximum amount lawyers can collect on contingency fees in workers comp cases from 20 percent to 25 percent. That doesn’t seem like a huge change, though business and public insurance lobbyists back in March estimated it would cost the workers comp system $38 million (though lawyers pointed when the bill advanced through committee that would only be if judges award the maximum caps). It's still at a judge's discretion how much to award. And the bill had bipartisan support. I don’t know how many workers comp cases Scutari works on, but it’s listed as an area of practice on his law office’s website. Back in 2022, Scutari and fellow trial lawyer state Sen. Jon Bramnick were criticized for sponsoring a bill mandating higher minimum coverage on car insurance policies. Scutari said at the time the bill wouldn’t do much for his bottom line because he “barely” handles car insurance cases. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: “Right now you’ve got laws in New Jersey that protect you from being offended by somebody’s off color joke. I’ll give you an example: That Boston Red Sox player who used a derogatory term against gays which actually can translate into a word meaning a bundle of sticks or a cigarette in London. And he got suspended for two games. Got suspended! And I’m like ‘How stupid is that?’ Most gay guys you talk to, they’re like ‘Yeah, I don’t care, we call each other names.’ So we’ve got such a stupid society. And what made it worse is the idiot Red Sox organization donated his salary to some LGBTQ alphabet soup kids organization.” — 2025 Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea on his 101.5 radio program last week, referring to the Red Sox’s Jarren Duran calling a fan a “f—g f—-t.” QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: “[A] bona fide news program.” — Charlie Spies, an attorney for Spadea, describing his radio show in a legal brief. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Michael Dickens, Brianna Donahue, Robert Garrett. Saturday for Tom Considine, Camilla Kofod. Sunday for Michele Siekerka, Maura McMahon DeNicola, Miranda Helck, Mike Burns, "Born to Run" WHERE’S MURPHY? Returning to New Jersey today but leaving the state again tonight for “personal travel.” He’s scheduled to be back in New Jersey on Monday. | | | | Did you miss it? This month, POLITICO and AARP NY convened New York lawmakers Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY), and industry experts to discuss the impacts of changing social security measures on New Yorkers. The conversations focused on the the future of Social Security, how the the 2024 elections could change the options and how Social Security impacts the housing crisis facing aging New Yorkers. Watch the highlights here. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
DYFS — “Remember my brother: ‘I was supposed to be dead.’ 20 years after shocking tragedy, a survivor speaks,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “More than two decades have passed since 4-year-old Tyrone Hill Jr. and his 7-year-old brother were at the center of an unimaginable horror that shocked New Jersey and reverberated around the nation … It is hard to overstate the level of public outrage over the boys’ suffering in New Jersey and beyond … With the spotlight on the scandal, the two brothers entered foster care. When Tyrone’s longtime foster father adopted him at age 16, he persuaded him to change his name to protect his privacy. Now he was Andrew Edwards, taking his adoptive father’s last name. In a way, Tyrone Hill had disappeared again. Now at age 25, he is not hiding anymore. Andrew Edwards is reclaiming his identity and has begun the process to legally change his name back to Tyrone Hill. Hiding who he is has felt like he is betraying Faheem, whom he painfully admits he barely remembers. He contacted NJ Advance Media to speak out for the first time, saying he’s determined to tell the world: My brother Faheem lived. He suffered. He mattered. ‘I want people to know that he didn’t deserve what he went through. I want people to know that I feel like if he was here, it would be better for all of us … He would have made a big difference.’”
USE OF FORCE — “N.J. issues new rules on use of force after fatal shooting of woman facing mental health crisis,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Weeks after the tragic death of 25-year-old Victoria G. Lee — who was shot in her apartment by a Fort Lee police officer just minutes after her family’s 911 call seeking help — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has issued major changes regarding how officers should handle situations involving barricaded individuals who are frequently in the throes of a mental health crisis. The revisions, which follow several other similar fatal police shootings of individuals suffering from behavioral or mental health emergencies, come after more than a year of study and discussions with law enforcement agencies across the country, community support groups and mental health experts, Platkin said … The attorney general’s directives, which will begin to take effect in October, include joining negotiating teams with mental health professionals and even disengaging from the immediate scene as a way of de-escalating the situation. New Jersey already has a program called ‘Arrive Together,’ which pairs police with mental health professionals, but it is not available in every town.” MICHAEL ARON SERVICE DETAILS — Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church on South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. In lieu of flowers, donations requested here. — “How this organization backstops disability rights in NJ” | | BIDEN TIME | |
THIS TIME, SUMTER FIRES THE FIRST SHOT — Shavonda Sumter to seek seat left vacant by death of Pascrell, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Assemblymember Shavonda Sumter — chair of the state’s legislative Black caucus — plans to seek the congressional seat left vacant by the death of longtime Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell. Sumter, one of the most progressive lawmakers in the state Legislature, said Thursday in an interview with POLITICO that she is looking to be the Democratic nominee in the district on the November ballot. Because of Pascrell’s sudden passing — and a statutory deadline for when people can be replaced on the ballot — a special Democratic convention is expected sometime next week, when a few hundred Democratic county committee members will choose the nominee … I am definitely going to raise my hand to participate in the convention because I want to continue the work the congressman has done,” Sumter said in an interview.
FOOTBALL COACH TRIES TO WALZ INTO THE SEAT — Benjie Wimberly jumps into race to succeed Pascrell in Congress, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Assemblymember Benjie Wimberly, a progressive North Jersey Democrat, is running for the congressional seat vacated by the passing of Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell … In a release announcing his plans to run for the seat, Wimberly emphasized his experience as a high school baseball and football coach — a tactic that has been similarly used by Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “As a coach and educator, I believe in building strong fundamentals — whether that is in the classroom, or on the field of play,” Wimberly said in a statement. NELLIE: IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERRE, SO GIMME ALL YOUR VOTES — “Pou strongly considering bid for Pascrell seat,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), a 27-year veteran of the state legislature is strongly considering a bid for Congress, opening the door for New Jersey to send a Latina to Washington for the first time. Democrats in the 9th district have until next Thursday to pick a candidate to replace Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson) on the general election ballot. Pascrell died yesterday at age 87 while seeking re-election to a 15th term in the House. ‘I contacted Chairmen John Currie (Passaic), Paul Juliano (Bergen) and Craig Guy (Huson) to express my interest in submitting my name for consideration for Congress,’ Pou told the New Jersey Globe. ‘I think it would be a good opportunity for me to share my voice.’” — “‘Yeah, I Live in Paterson. You want to Make Something of it?’” NADINE MENENDEZ — @RyRivard: Because of "certain medical information," the trial of former Sen. Bob Menendez's wife appears unlikely to occur this year. The government, with consent of her attorneys, just requested a status conference in early December, before which there would be no trial. — “Trump hosting fundraiser for domestic terrorists who assaulted cops on Jan. 6” | | | | 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 | |
KEYSTONED COPS — “Mayor’s opposition to cops using weed is ‘ruse’ to boost campaign for governor, lawsuit says,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “A lawyer is accusing Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop of terminating cops for their off-duty cannabis consumption so he can get attention for his campaign for governor. In a new legal filing, attorney Michael Rubas said Fulop’s move to fire cops for using legal cannabis in defiance of state law is a ‘ruse done solely to bring attention to him and to assist his gubernatorial campaign to the detriment of Jersey City employees as well as taxpayers who are now footing the bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay awards and attorney fees.’ Fulop is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025 … Six days after Fulop announced Jersey City’s policy that cops cannot use cannabis, Fulop received an email from a political operative who sent him a Politico New Jersey article about the issue — “South Jersey Democrats request ‘clarification’ from Platkin on cannabis and cops memo” — and five minutes later, Fulop sent an email to Shea saying, ‘Little revolt we started.’ Rubas’ legal filing calls that comment 'flippant.’ City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said it is 'silly' to accuse Fulop of playing political games, adding the city is following federal policy.” JOB PROSPECTS PARK — “Prospect Park OKs separation pact with borough administrator. What happened?” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: “The borough is parting ways with its municipal administrator under a mutual split that will take effect in the fall. Intashan Chowdhury, who was believed to be the youngest town manager in New Jersey history when he accepted the job more than five years ago, will be on paid administrative leave for the next three months, he said … The exact reason for the mutual split was not publicly disclosed, but it appears to be due to a falling-out between Chowdhury and Mayor Mohamed Khairullah. In recent months, the outgoing administrator distanced himself from his longtime mentor. Chowdhury did not back Khairullah when the mayor challenged Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. — who died Wednesday — for his congressional seat in the June primary election. He had always been a loyal campaign aide on his own time.” ANIMAL ABSTAINS ON SNAKE BAN — “Snakes on the Atlantic City Boardwalk may soon be a thing of the past,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “A small crowd formed Monday on the Boardwalk within two minutes of Jason Wilson pulling two Burmese pythons from his backpack … But that will all change soon if an ordinance passed by City Council last week isn’t vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy. The ordinance amended an earlier city law restricting dogs from being on the Boardwalk from Memorial Day to Labor Day by adding reptiles and other animals … Instead, Wilson urged council to consider regulating displays of reptiles on the Boardwalk. Council President Aaron 'Sporty' Randolph said the city has received reports of many people walking the Boardwalk carrying large snakes … ‘He’s the only person that showed up tonight, but there are other people that walk with boa constrictors and other big snakes around their necks,’ Randolph said. ‘Several people were calling in complaining about it.' Council passed the ordinance with five voting yes, at-large Councilman Bruce Weekes voting no and 4th Ward Councilman George ‘Animal’ Crouch abstaining.” DAVE MATTHEWS RIVER — “Lawsuit: Toms River must reopen animal shelter, make mayor and others pay $1K each,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “The fight over the fate of Toms River's animal shelter is headed to court. Phillip Brilliant, one of the committee of petitioners who collected more than 3,000 signatures demanding the repeal of an ordinance leasing the animal shelter to Ocean County, filed the complaint in Ocean County Superior Court … The shelter has been closed since June 6, and its employees were laid off, except for Dave Matthews, the most senior animal control officer. The complaint also seeks to compel the township to reopen the animal shelter and rehire all staff, order Toms River to place a referendum on the November ballot on the animal shelter ordinance, and force the township to pay all court costs. It also asks a judge to make all the defendants — including Mayor Daniel Rodrick, Business Administrator Jon Salonis, Acting Clerk Stephen Hensel, township attorneys Gregory P. McGuckin and Peter Pascarella and township council members Craig Coleman, Lynn O'Toole, George Lobman and Justin Lamb — pay $1,000 each to support the animal shelter.” — “Browns Mills accident victim's lawsuit settled for $25.75M” — “[Fair Lawn] reaches six-figure settlement in police lawsuit” — “Perth Amboy police sued for $5 million over false arrest and malicious prosecution” — “Proposed 1,008-Unit, Two-Tower Development Would be Tallest in Newark” — “Look at her now: Hudson County Teacher of the Year was driven by fourth grade slight” — “More N.J. towns are banning restaurants from offering plastic cutlery, condiments” — “Pretrial conferences set for two Wildwood officials, former mayor charged in benefits case” — “Teaneck school board attempts to fix court-ordered 'deficiencies'” — Historic preservation threatens to derail [Bloomfield] train station upgrade | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
BECAUSE THE OCEAN WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOARDWALK — “Why is Wildwood’s beach so damn wide? A scientific explanation,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “Experts described the reasons for the size differences along New Jersey’s 130 miles of shoreline — such as erosion eating away at certain beaches or barrier islands. In short, those are natural geologic processes. Storms, which can be fueled by climate change, also work to intensify wave action and the power of winds on the shore to move sand or take it away ... For Wildwood, things get complicated in a different way. Some of the causes are manmade. A jetty at the southern end of the island that juts out into the ocean to protect the Cape May inlet, and the causeway connecting the two islands — both constructed more than a century ago — limit the tidal flow and keep the sand from moving further south. Other causes are out of our control. Currents parallel to the shore ‘move sand north to south along the Wildwoods so as North Wildwood erodes the city of Wildwood receives that sand and grows wider,’ [Steven] Hafner, the Stockton researcher, added.”
FREE SPEECH ZONES — “Rutgers unveils strict new rules limiting where students can protest,” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley: “The state university announced Tuesday its new rules include a ban on all encampments in which students set up tents in ongoing protests. The school is also strictly limiting where students can protest on campus and requiring them to fill out forms for permission to hold demonstrations. The new policy comes after the New Brunswick chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine held a four-day encampment last spring that led to the postponement of 28 final exams on campus.” — “Atlantic City casino earnings declined by 1.3% in 2nd quarter of 2024” — “Hairless cat dumpers wanted in New Jersey” — “Army major from Colts Neck gets prison term for defrauding Gold Star families” — “America's Cup sailing is around the corner. Did you know it has ties to North Jersey?” | | | | 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 | | | | |
