| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | New Jersey has seen some suspicious ballot drawing results over the years. Most recently, it was in Essex County, where Republicans last year drew Line A for the first time in 17 years just as one of them was suing the county over the near-statistical impossibility of Democrats winning every time. State Sen. Joe Cryan has a solution: Computers! (I’m told that they, along with children, are the future.) Cryan on Thursday introduced a bill, NJ S3633, that would do away with the old process of clerks drawing from boxes for ballot position and replace them with a random computerized drawing under a system that “must be shown to have appropriate safeguards to limit the potential for outside influence.” The bill comes as Republicans introduce legislation, NJ S3598, that would entitle candidates to attend drawings for ballot positions and allow them to inspect the candidate name splits and the equipment used to draw them after the drawing. So can we trust a computer over an elected official when it comes to a ballot drawing? Just make sure the coding is subject to OPRA. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Curtis Viebranz QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It is like an arsonist volunteering at the fire department. He created this mess, and now suddenly he wants to be given credit for being a champion and cleaning it up.” — Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Donald Trump’s pledge to restore the full SALT deduction. WHERE’S MURPHY? Out-of-state. ... Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way will be at MetLife Stadium at 11:30 a.m. for a “Giants Votes” poll worker recruitment event
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AIR BALL — “Is landing 76ers still possible? NJ officials say yes,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration is not giving up on its bid to bring professional basketball back to New Jersey, more than a decade after the last game was played here. … Amid New Jersey’s overtures, Philadelphia’s mayor announced on social media last week that she has struck a deal with the team that paves the way for a new arena to be built in the city’s Chinatown. However, Murphy administration officials maintain they are in no way out of the running in their pitch to team owners that a state-owned property in Camden is a strong alternative site for the 76ers. It’s worth noting the full details of any agreement over the Chinatown location must be approved by the Philadelphia City Council, and it remains to be seen when that could occur. Moreover, the Chinatown location chosen by the team and mayor is facing stiff resistance from some activists and other members of the community who believe an arena project could devastate their neighborhood and its small businesses.”
ACE OF BASS LEVIN — “Party boss George Norcross' indictment details a web of corruption across South Jersey,” by WNYC’s Nancy Solomon: “Many key players in Norcross’ alleged scheme are not named in the 111-page indictment, which refers to them anonymously using legal jargon like “CC-1” (for co-conspirator) or “Individual-1.” But details in the document, including their job descriptions and resumes, leave no doubt about their identities. Many of those allies remained in their jobs when the indictment was unsealed in June, with responsibilities that include the country's largest public works project, running a major Camden hospital and the expansion of Rutgers University’s Camden campus … He allegedly pulled it off by shuffling his allies among an assortment of leadership roles in nonprofits, development corporations, universities and hospitals – all to the party boss’s benefit. Taken as a whole, the allegations in the indictment show how Norcross’ closest confidants were rewarded with lucrative jobs as he tightened his stranglehold on Camden’s development.” NEXT YOU’LL TELL ME THE ‘FAIR AND OPEN PROCESS’ HAS LOOPHOLES — “Bills aim to fix ‘structurally racist’ system of awarding public contracts,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “New Jersey awards hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts every year almost exclusively to companies owned by white men, a study found earlier this year. So Monday, legislators advanced a wide-ranging legislative package intended to reduce racial and gender disparities in public procurement in New Jersey. “The talking is over. I think we as leaders have to step forward. We cannot settle for less, and when we’re doing this, we’re doing this for our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren,” said Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Passaic), a sponsor on five bills.” —“Lawmakers debate automatic tickets for drivers who blow by stopped school buses” —“Workers push for heat standards in Statehouse demonstration”
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WHAT ABOUT BOB? — Menendez sentencing postponed until January, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Former Sen. Bob Menendez, found guilty this summer of selling his office, will remain free through the holidays after a federal judge Monday postponed a sentencing hearing from late October until early 2025. U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein set new deadlines for the sentencing of Menendez and two co-defendants who were found guilty this summer of bribing him. The sentencing is now scheduled for Jan. 29. The trio of men are still maintaining their innocence with long-shot attempts to get the judge to discard a Manhattan jury’s guilty verdicts against them, with further appeals expected.
CD10 — “McIver sworn in to fill late New Jersey Rep. Payne’s seat,” by The Hill’s Lauren Irwin: “Rep. LaMonica McIver (D) was sworn into the House Monday evening after winning the special election earlier this month. … McIver and the New Jersey delegation arrived on the House floor for her swearing-in ceremony. The House stood and applauded after she took her Oath of Office. ... In her first remarks on the House floor, McIver said she walks in the footsteps of those who came before her. ‘My predecessor, Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr., embodied the vibrant spirit of our city and the people he faithfully served. He was an example to many of us. As I stand before you tonight, I pay tribute to him and both deeply feel, and will always miss, his presence and his leadership,’ she said.” —Video: “Ceremonial swearing-in for rep. LaMonica McIver” OUR CANDIDATES ARE …. INSANE! — “Donald Trump will restore SALT? Suburban voters shouldn't hold their breath,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “The latest subject of former President Donald Trump’s chicken-in-every-pot pandering is the seven-year-old quest to fully restore the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes or, as it's more commonly referred to, the SALT deduction. … This is another one of his ‘Crazy Eddie’ Antar-like sales pitches — offer voters the moon hoping that maybe they’ll become dazzled by the promise of a big prize despite their it’s-too-good-to-be-true doubts. It’s like the appeal of those advertisements that promise you thousands of dollars a month in extra income without ever having to leave your house: You know there’s a catch, but possibly it could be true. As Trump would said himself, what the hell do you have to lose?” GRAND OLD POLLUTION — “In Congress, NJ Republicans in lockstep against tougher pollution standards,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin J. Hulac: “New Jersey Republicans voted with party colleagues in Congress to strike down one of the federal government’s strongest regulatory steps in recent years to slash carbon pollution, the driving force behind climate change and rising sea levels. Federal climate legislation has an outsize effect on densely populated New Jersey, which is warming faster than almost anywhere in the nation and remains acutely exposed to climate impacts, such as storm surges and rising sea levels. … The legislation (H.J. Res. 136) cleared the House Friday by a 215-191 vote, with all three Republicans who represent the state — Reps. Jeff Van Drew, Chris Smith and Tom Kean Jr. — voting for it and all New Jersey Democrats voting against it. The measure would nullify a federal regulation the Environmental Protection Agency finalized in March to set stricter emissions standards for passenger vehicles nationwide.” —“N.J. man who posted on Instagram from Pelosi’s office on Jan. 6 pleads guilty” —“Congressman Andy Kim met with education leaders in Mount Laurel. Here's what he heard”
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NOTHING SAYS ‘WE TAKE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS SERIOUSLY’ LIKE A PATRONAGE HIRE — "North Bergen assemblyman named interim director of township housing authority amid new lawsuit,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “First-term Assemblyman Julio Marenco is taking on another job, at least temporarily. The Democrat representing the 33nd District … has been appointed the interim executive director of the North Bergen Housing Authority (NBHA) while a search for a permanent executive director is conducted. … Marenco is filling the position left open by Gerald Sanzari’s departure in the wake of a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former NBHA employee … Sanzari was earning $190,000 as executive director. A housing authority spokesman said Marenco’s salary has not yet been set. The former township Board of Commissioners member currently earns $49,000 as an assemblyman, but that salary will increase to $82,000 in 2026 under a state law passed earlier this year that increase all lawmakers salaries. … The NBHA’s recent history has been marked by lawsuits and corruption allegations. The agency settled a lawsuit by two employees in 2018 for $150,000.”
PUT A MALL THERE — “'Labor of love' needed to preserve Freehold Raceway's horse racing legacy,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Michael L. Diamond: “Borough officials are trying to think of a viable scenario for horse racing to continue at Freehold Raceway, one of the nation's oldest tracks, but they admit they face an uphill battle and will conduct a redevelopment study to look at other options. Freehold Mayor Kevin Kane said developers throughout western Monmouth County are buying horse farms that have long been a staple of the region and turning them into homes and commercial buildings. ‘It's really frustrating,’ Kane said. ‘You look at the surrounding towns in the Freehold area like Manalapan, Millstone, all that, and a lot of the big horse farms have sold out to developers for either housing or warehousing, so the writing's been on the wall a little bit.’ Freehold Raceway's owner said last week that it plans to end all live racing and simulcasts at the end of the year, pulling the plug on what its general manager said was an unprofitable operation.” EVEN FULOP’S POLITICAL CAREER HASN’T BEEN MURDERED — “Jersey City officials, community leaders tout ‘historic milestone’ of homicide-free summer,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “Calling it the ‘summer of peace,’ Jersey City elected officials and community organizers came together Monday to discuss how their efforts have successfully curtailed shootings and murders in the city. No homicides were committed the entire summer — the last killing was a fatal shooting in May — putting Jersey City on pace for a historic low. Shooting incidents are also down dramatically, a city spokeswoman said.” MINION NEWS — “Former Palisades Park clerk sues mayor, manager, new clerk for sexual harassment,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “The former borough clerk has filed a lawsuit against the mayor, current clerk and the facilities manager, alleging they sexually harassed, intimidated and retaliated against her until she was forced to leave the job she held for 15 years. Gina Kim resigned from her post in April, at which time she wrote in her resignation letter that it was due to the ‘egregious conduct’ of borough leaders that went ignored by officials and attorneys in the borough. … ‘Ms. Kim served the Borough of Palisades Park for 15 years, acting as the Borough’s Clerk since 2015. In return for that service and during the early stages of her pregnancy, she was sexually harassed and subjected to a hostile work environment by Mayor Paul Kim and his minions,’ Kim's attorney Richard Malagiere said.” —“N.J. town wants to buy historic college campus for $50M” —“We’re voting to keep [West Windsor] nonpartisan. All N.J. towns should want that | Opinion” —“[Readington] councilman arrested for stealing political signs says matter is ‘too trivial’ to prosecute” —“Newark gets federal COVID funding extension for asbestos, lead remediation during AI camera project” —“[Bergenfield] cop accuses department of discrimination, retaliation” —“Girl arrested after threatening to shoot up Bridgeton school” —“Dublin slams McGreevey over event being co-hosted by Ocean County GOP chair” —“West Nile detected in Westwood as Bergen County plans more mosquito spraying” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
FROM NSFL LIVING CONDITIONS TO NWSL CHAMPS — “Biden welcomes Gotham FC to White House. Here's how NWSL champions from NJ made history,” by The Daily Record’s Jane Havsy: “When President Joe Biden was presented with an honorary Gotham FC jersey on Monday morning, he was surrounded by young children. He had invited them onto the stage alongside players from the 2023 National Women's Soccer League championship team. … Before Monday, only one other American women's soccer team had received such an honor, when Sky Blue FC – Gotham's precursor – won the Women's Professional Soccer title and was welcomed by then-President Barack Obama in 2010. … Biden welcomed ‘so many friends from New York and New Jersey,’ citing team owners Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy, who are overseas on a trade mission. The president also called out new New Jersey Senator George Helmy, who Murphy appointed just a couple of weeks ago. ‘Everyone watches women's sports. It's about time,’ Biden said.”
—“Whale watchers get rare look at blue whale off New Jersey coast” —“N.J. Teacher of the Year named in secret ceremony that left her ‘1,000% surprised’”
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