| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Thursday morning! The thing I hate most about being a reporter is the unpredictability of the job. You’ll find me working during normal business hours, but after hours I have no control over the timing of events that require me to jump back in. Oh, and I also write this newsletter. Back when I commuted to a newsroom, my wife called herself a “widow to journalism.” So I couldn’t help but notice new legislation by Assemblymember Heather Simmons, NJ A4852, that would establish workplace policies on an employee's “right to disconnect from work.” Those non-working hours would be agreed between the employer and employee, with an exception for emergencies or scheduling. “An employee has the right to ignore communications from the employer during nonworking hours,” the bill says. Companies that violate the law would face fines of at least $100. This would be particularly challenging as applied to elected officials, which Simmons acknowledged when I spoke to her about it on the phone (at 1 p.m. on a weekday). But she said that with new technology and more people working from home, it’s important to start the conversion about restoring a work-life balance. “California is mulling it over. Australia just passed it into law recently. A number of foreign countries have done it. And, of course, if you look at their laws they’re different from ours. But the concept is the same,” Simmons, a freshman Democrat, said. “How can we address employee well-being? How can we increase employee satisfaction and productivity for the employer? How can we bridge the gap that’s been growing here?” I can only speak for my own job. My problem is less with my employer calling me after hours as sources calling and texting me late at night and early in the morning, or politicians doing something stupid in the wee hours. But hey, if you’ve got important information, I want you to call me no matter the time. But, ethical concerns aside, I wouldn’t mind if you paid me $100 for the privilege of texting me at 11:30 p.m. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Christie Whitman, Sal Anderton, Jennifer Mancuso. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Do you regret endorsing Donald Trump? Would you welcome him in the district? How are you going to vote on the C.R.? Are you in favor of mass deportations in New Jersey, in the 7th District? What about Ukraine — do you think Trump will do enough to support Ukraine in the war effort? Taiwan? You pick the topic. Love to talk to you about literally anything. What are you having for lunch?” — NJ Spotlight News’ Ben Hulac to a silent and stone-faced Rep. Tom Kean Jr., partly in an elevator. WHERE’S MURPHY? Back in New Jersey. In Neptune at 6 p.m. for the Fulfill Food Bank gala. Media: “Ask Governor Murphy” on News 12 at 4 p.m.
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MURPHCROSS — “Gov. Murphy’s administration approves Camden bill that could help fund indicted former mayor’s legal fees,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Andrew Seidman: “New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has approved a Camden decision to lift a cap on the amount of taxpayer money that can be allocated toward current and former officials’ legal defense. The legislation, which passed Camden City Council earlier this month, prompted backlash from some residents and activists who said it appeared designed to benefit former Mayor Dana L. Redd, who was indicted in June on state racketeering charges alongside South Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III. After passing City Council, the measure went to the state Department of Community Affairs, which is led by Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, a Murphy appointee. The department oversees Camden’s finances under a law that is set to expire in January 2025. The city’s $214 million budget for 2024 anticipates $131 million in state aid.”
BLADE SHORTAGE HAS OFFICIALS WESLEY SNIPING AT EACH OTHER — BPU grants a brief, limited delay to New Jersey wind project, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The largest offshore wind project ever approved in New Jersey has two more months to get its act together after the state Board of Public Utilities on Wednesday allowed an energy company to delay making key regulatory filings. Leading Light Wind, a partnership of Invenergy and co-developer energyRe, asked the board this summer to pause its project while it shops for turbines, the engines that help turn wind into electricity. Details of that delay request were first reported by POLITICO. The board’s permissiveness appears limited, though. It’s giving the company time to find new turbines — not a new deal or more money. —“New Jersey hits pause on an offshore wind farm that can’t find turbine blades” THIS IS ALL VERY INTER…. (SNORE) — “Refinancing of NJ transportation infrastructure debt is OK’d, could save billions,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “A key legislative budget panel has signed off on a plan to refinance a share of New Jersey’s transportation-infrastructure debt in a pending transaction that is expected to reduce near-term borrowing by $1 billion. The 6-0 vote by members of the Legislature’s Joint Budget Oversight Committee on Tuesday came days after the Federal Reserve announced a much-anticipated interest-rate cut. Once the complicated ‘refunding’ transaction is completed in the coming weeks, up to $3.25 billion in state Transportation Trust Fund debt is expected to be restructured, according to a summary prepared by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services. … One Republican lawmaker asked why the Murphy administration isn’t proposing to tap the balance of an off-budget debt-relief reserve to further maximize savings, given interest rates remain relatively high despite the half-point cut made by the Federal Reserve. ‘It looks like interest rates are coming down, and using that money to avoid debt now, when interest rates might be higher, would seem to be a wise move,’ said Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth).” THEY REALLY OUGHT TO BE SOBER FOR THIS ONE — “N.J. high court will hear reporter’s challenge to law shielding public officials’ addresses,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “New Jersey’s Supreme Court has agreed to take up a reporter’s challenge to a state law that criminalizes the disclosure of the addresses and other personal information of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement personnel. The reporter, Charlie Kratovil, editor of local outlet New Brunswick Today, has battled New Brunswick officials over his reporting on the home address of a now-retired city official who lived more than two hours away from the city in Cape May. The city warned Kratovil that if he published the official’s home address he could face civil and criminal prosecution under the controversial statute — called Daniel’s Law — but Kratovil has argued any prosecution would violate his freedom of speech. A Superior Court Judge ruled against Kratovil last September, finding the law was so narrowly tailored that its purpose — protecting judges and other officials — was sufficient to overcome its constitutional burdens. An appellate panel upheld the ruling in April.”
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | THE NEW COLA — @JohnsB01: “Governor candidate Steve Sweeney is pledging to restore cost-of-living adjustments for New Jersey public workers — which retirees have fought for. That’s a notable shift because Sweeney and Chris Christie led legislation to revamp the state’s pensions, including nixing COLAs.” — “Bill clarifies no beach badges required for surfers, anglers in New Jersey” —“N.J. needs accountability for prosecutors. There’s a bill for that | Opinion” —“Families drowning in mortgage bills after Hurricane Ida could get help under new N.J. bill” —“Comptroller review finds towns, school districts don’t properly file union contracts” —Snowflack: “The simple key to the political career of Joe Pennacchio” | | BIDEN TIME | |
SO SUE ME — “Can Sue Altman stir MAGA fears to unseat Tom Kean Jr.? It's a challenge,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Democrat Susan Altman … shared a tale about how she once called out [Chris] Christie at a town hall event after he regaled the audience with what she deemed to be a lie. An annoyed Christie replied, ‘If you’re so smart, you tell everybody.’ Then, Altman said, the former governor ‘threw the microphone at me, point blank range. The ex-collegiate basketball player summoned her reflexes, snared it out the air and went about disputing Christie’s claims.’ … Now, the 41-year-old former teacher from Clinton is a candidate for Congress and has said she's holding candidate forums to create dialogue with Seventh District voters. While she credited Christie for the town-hall tour idea, she also drew a contrast — Altman is taking unscreened questions directly from the crowd, not on cards screened by her staff. … The tour has provided a stage for Altman to draw a sharp contrast with her opponent, Republican incumbent Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr., who largely avoids the press, minimizes his informal interactions with voters and is banking on the power of social media and the aura of the enduring Kean name. … The Kean campaign accuses Altman, the former statewide director of the New Jersey Working Families Party, of conducting a swift, moderate makeover and have resurrected old tweets from her days as an activism.”
—“N.J. Fraternal Order of Police backs Bashaw for U.S. Senate” —“Deaths of N.J. football stars ignite nationwide battle against sudden cardiac arrest” —“Bashaw: Republican, gay, and pro-choice” —“Doug Emhoff coming back to Jersey”
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VOTE-BY-FAIL — “Error on card with vote-by-mail ballots won't require new ballots, Atlantic County clerk says,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “There is an incorrect date on an instruction card sent out with about 24,000 vote-by-mail ballots, but the ballots themselves are fine, Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo said Wednesday. The ballots must be filled out and either put in drop boxes or mailed to the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, he stressed. The error is on the fuchsia-colored instruction card that was included with the ballots, and describes three ways to vote. It lists the wrong date for Election Day and the deadline to return ballots. ‘Somehow the printer used last year's date,’ Giralo said.”
MUHAMMAD’S CONDUCT DIZZIED GILLESPIE — “New president to succeed Wasim Muhammad, another board member resigns, and other takeaways from the Camden school advisory board meeting,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Melanie Burney: “The Camden school advisory board elected a new president to replace former leader Wasim Muhammad, who resigned two weeks ago amid the fallout from a civil sex abuse lawsuit involving a former student that cost the district millions. Without debate, the board voted 7-0 Tuesday to tap N’Namdee Nelson as president. He had served as vice president of the nine-member board. … Also announced at the meeting was the departure of board member Nyemiah Gillespie. In her resignation letter, Gillespie said her resignation came from ‘a place of deep disappointment,’ including the ‘actions of the former board president.’ … ‘I believe it is essential for my well-being and that of my family to take some time to focus on my mental health.’” INEPTUNE — “Fired Neptune public works boss still on the payroll after judge's order,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Charles Day: “The fired director of the township Department of Public Works is actually still employed by the municipality after a judge ruled that the Township Committee vote terminating his employment didn't pass. In August, The Township Committee fired David Milmoe … following a suspension the previous month after his social media comments about gay people. … Deputy Mayor Robert Lane and Committeeman Derel Stroud, voted yes to authorize the termination, Committeeman Kevin McMillan and Committeeman Keith Cafferty voted no and Mayor Tassie York abstained. At the time, Township Attorney Gene Anthony said an abstention counted toward the affirmative votes, so the resolution passed. … On Sept. 17, state Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Comer found that the Aug. 12 vote resulted in a tie and thus did not pass. Furthermore, the judge found that the Township Committee's attempt on Sept. 9 to re-affirm the Aug. 12 vote still did not pass, and did not provide proper notice to Milmoe, so it would not have been valid even if it did pass. Therefore, Milmoe is still a Neptune employee.” THE LEAGUE OF DYSFUNCTIONAL MUNICIPALITIES — “N.J. mayor told me he needed prostate massage, town clerk says in lawsuit,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A former clerk for Palisades Park in Bergen County has filed a lawsuit against the borough, claiming the mayor sexually harassed her for years and once told her he needed a prostate massage. Mayor Paul Kim regularly made inappropriate remarks to the clerk, who now works in another municipality, including telling her in front of others ‘how good she smelled,’ and that she had been mistaken for a prostitute at a convention, according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 18 in Superior Court of Bergen County. … On another occasion, Kim stated in front of the clerk that he was feeling discomfort down there, pointed to his crotch, and ‘expressed a need for a prostate massage,’ the suit states.” FIGHT OR FLIGHT — “Monmouth Executive Airport owner vows to fight county commissioners over proposed takeover,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “The owner of Monmouth Executive Airport is vowing to oppose any effort by the county to take over his property, even as the county hired a consultant to see if the airport should be government run. ‘It’s going to be a fight,’ airport owner Alan Antaki said. … The Monmouth County Board of Commissioners has appointed a consultant to evaluate safety conditions at Monmouth Executive Airport, which Antaki, its private owner, contends is simply a pretext to seize the 740-acre complex using eminent domain.” —“'It's not the same': Hidden homeless camp in the Toms River woods is emptying out” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
DRIVE LIKE YOU'RE SITTING ON TWO TONS OF METAL AND PLASTIC — “Gaudreau deaths raise questions about road safety for cyclists,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “The deaths of the Gaudreaus have focused attention on road safety in New Jersey — especially among cyclists. Eighteen cyclists have been killed in crashes in the state this year, according to state data, and some in South Jersey say they feel less safe when biking along state roads. … ‘The takeaways are people do not feel safe, people feel very vulnerable. They feel like they are not protected in any way, shape or form, either by the infrastructure or by law enforcement,’ said Lauren Smith, an associate professor at Rowan University.”
—“'Drive like it's your kids': Nearly 100 pedestrians killed in Ocean, Monmouth since 2020” CUSHY TIGER, HIDDEN DANGER — “Third American Dream patron says she was hit and injured by motorized plush animal,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “A third lawsuit has been filed against the American Dream megamall by a visitor saying she was struck and seriously injured by one of the waist-high motorized stuffed animals that people can ride around part of the mall. This one was filed by a husband and wife from Millburn, who allege that the wife was struck and fell to the floor while holding her baby, sustaining serious injuries. The large motorized stuffed animals that kids and parents ride through some parts of the mall include plushy zebras, elephants, tigers and hippos.” —“FEMA: MetLife Stadium to double as emergency shelter during disasters” —“N.J. cracks down on 23 unlicensed moving companies in undercover sting” —“A soccer team in wheelchairs? NJ's Power Red Bulls play for keeps”
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