| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! For about 10 years, Acrisure has been Jersey City’s main insurance broker. It's led in New Jersey by Gary Taffet, the former Jim McGreevey chief of staff and close ally of Middlesex County Democratic Chair Kevin McCabe. That's about to change. Last night the Jersey City council was scheduled to take up a resolution changing brokerages. (It was my wedding anniversary so I wasn’t going to spend it watching a lengthy council meeting on YouTube). The council as of Thursday afternoon at least had been scheduled to vote on a resolution awarding the $440,000 contract to a new brokerage, RD Parisi Associates of West Orange. This comes shortly after it was reported that McCabe, along with the Democratic leaders of Essex and Passaic counties, are preparing to back Mikie Sherrill for governor. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is, of course, running. There is a history of Jersey City hiring and firing firms that align — or don’t — with Fulop’s higher office ambitions. But this case is slightly more complicated. Partly because the leader of the Parisi firm, former West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi, has already endorsed all-but-certain Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Gottheimer. Fulop said there’s no gubernatorial politics at play. By law, this contract didn't have to be competitively bid. But the resolution says bids were taken, and Fulop said RD Parisi was the lowest bidder. “Yes, Acrisure will not be working with the city, but it doesn’t have to do with gubernatorial politics from my end even though people throughout the state always view things in that prism," Fulop said. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Sam Parker, Harry Zikas Jr., Michael Drulis. Sunday for Debra DiLorenzo, Jessica Ramirez, Dawn Addiego, Beth Mason, Gerald Reiner, Chloe Yosha QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I know Black men who gonna grab their brothers, their sons, their nephews, their fathers and they are gonna march themselves to the polls to vote Kamala Harris the next President of the United States.” — Newark Mayor/Dem gov candidate Ras Baraka at an Atlantic City church earlier this week. WHERE’S MURPHY? In Edison at 11:30 a.m. to sign legislation that increases penalties for home invasion |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SCARLET PLIGHTS — “ The downfall of an athletic director,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Politi and Brian Fonseca: “Patrick Hobbs wanted a raise. … He believed that the athletes on campus were writing ‘the greatest chapter in Rutgers athletics history,’ as he often has said, and that he deserved to see it finished. The response from Mark Angelson, then the powerful vice chairman of the Rutgers Board of Governors, stunned Hobbs. Not only was the answer a hard no on the changes to his contract, but according to two people briefed on the meeting, Angelson told him that the university had launched an investigation into an improper, consensual relationship between him and a coach in his department … Two months later, Hobbs received official notice of that probe … In the Aug. 14 letter … Hobbs was told that he must turn over all electronic devices used for university business at a meeting in his office two days later … That meeting, scheduled for Aug. 16 at 10 a.m., would never take place. Hobbs abruptly resigned that morning, stunning senior-level athletic department employees who had sat with him in a planning session just two days earlier. He referenced a consultation with his ‘cardiac team’ in an email to university president Jonathan Holloway.”
MUMPHY — Murphy mum as investigation and lawsuit loom in fatal NJ Transit crash, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: An investigation into a fatal New Jersey Transit accident this week and an anticipated lawsuit leave key questions around the crash unanswered for now. They include pending budget cuts at the state-run agency and potential maintenance issues on the tracks. Because of the investigation and a pending lawsuit, the Murphy administration is staying quiet. The day of the accident, Gov. Phil Murphy posted on social media that “an investigation is underway,” but did not provide further details. On Thursday, his office referred questions to the National Transportation Safety Board, which is known for thorough but sometimes lengthy investigations. “The investigation is currently underway and is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board,” Murphy spokesperson Natalie Hamilton said in an email. YOU’LL STILL PROBABLY HAVE TO FLY UNITED — “Port Authority lays out sweeping plans to rebuild Newark airport,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “With LaGuardia Airport’s redevelopment completed and the remaking of JFK Airport underway, officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey laid out the agency’s vision Thursday to rebuild Newark Liberty International Airport, starting with expanding the new Terminal A and replacing the aging terminal B. The airport redevelopment concept was explained in the new $2.7 billion Terminal A, which opened in January 2023 and garnered two global airport awards. Officials said it will set the bar for replacing Terminal B, enhancing Terminal C and the eventual replacement of that building … The overall vision plan consists of near-term and long- term projects to be done over the next 40 years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, and was drafted after 200 meetings, including those with communities and neighboring residents in nearby Elizabeth and Newark, officials said.” MO MASTROS MO PROBLEMS — “How much American Rescue Plan money has been spent on what? NJ Republicans want to know ,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “New Jersey received more than $6 billion from the federal government in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan, and one Republican state senator wants to know exactly where that money was allocated and how much is left to distribute before the deadline to do so arrives this year. In a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy and the chairs of the Legislature's budget committees, state Sen. Paul Sarlo and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, the minority budget officer, called for more transparency in the allocation process. ‘It has recently come to my attention that discretionary allocations and reallocations are being made unilaterally by the governor with no formal legislative role and no transparency,’ O’Scanlon said in the letter. ‘Until recently, I believed that reallocations of past legislative appropriations would be made through a formal public legislative process, which would be far more appropriate.’” — “NJ tax collections grow, not enough to close structural budget gap” — “NJ wants you to buy electric cars. So why did it kill the no-sales-tax incentive?” — “ Top court quickly clears Hurd of ethics complaint” — “Plaintiffs challenging New Jersey’s assisted suicide law file federal appeal ” — “New Jersey internet gambling revenue set record in September at $208M” | | BIDEN TIME | |
PAC MAN VS. PAC MAM — “ Pro-Andy Kim Super PAC was waiting in the wings during Democratic Senate primary,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “When First Lady Tammy Murphy was still a candidate in the race for U.S. Senate, it was widely known that she would get support from a super PAC to help her win the Democratic primary. A PAC called Garden State Integrity had been established by a Murphy ally on the day she launched her campaign, and would likely have spent millions on her behalf had she not dropped out of the race months before the primary. But what was not widely known until now was that her main Democratic opponent, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), was seemingly set to receive support from a super PAC, too. The PAC, called Leadership With Integrity PAC, was formed on February 23, when the battle between Kim and Murphy for the seat then held by indicted Senator Bob Menendez was in full swing. Within a month of its creation, the PAC received $880,000 in contributions from six individuals and trusts; three of the donations were for $250,000 each.”
— Stile: “Sue Altman and Tom Kean Jr. now in tossup. Will DC Democrats come to her rescue? ” — “Stockton poll finds voters moving right on immigration, strongly supportive of abortion rights” — “Who's trying to influence your vote? More efforts to get out the vote as PAC rules relaxed” — “ Pou, Prempeh debate in race to succeed Pascrell” — “NJ-based Unionwear's presidential camo hat is the year's top seller” — “Is Van Drew unbeatable? Former opponents weigh in with advice for Salerno” — “ Democrats in two key races question pro-choice bona fides of GOP opponents” | | LOCAL | |
CUMBERLAND COUNTY — “Multiple people burst into N.J. house before prosecutor’s office detective was killed, cops say,” by Matt Gray for NJ.com: “Investigators know multiple people broke into the Cumberland County house of a prosecutor’s office detective before her shooting death earlier this week, but authorities said they had no suspects in custody as of Thursday afternoon. Police responded to Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley’s home on the 600 block of Buckshutem Road in Bridgeton around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday after a report of several people kicking in the front door, according to Bridgeton Police. Officers found Mosley, 51, shot and she died at the scene, police said. Authorities have not said if Mosley was targeted because of her job or if the crime was a random attack.”
EAST ORANGE — “East Orange School District announces half day for students, day after board votes on staffing cuts,” by ABC 7: “The East Orange School District announced that all schools will be operating on a half-day schedule on Thursday … The half day comes just a day after angry parents and teachers sounded off in East Orange, New Jersey, where a school board voted Wednesday night to make significant cuts. The decision was a huge blow to students, parents and school staff members within the East Orange School District. Ninety-three school staff positions will be cut, a decision that could shatter the confidence of parents in their school system … Hundreds of them, along with teachers, packed the board meeting, hoping their voices would sway the board to avert the cuts. It was emotional … The school superintendent says that while state aid has remained consistent and steady for the past 15 years, it has not increased, and the cost of operating has. The district has a budget gap of $25 million, a number the board says it was unaware of before this year.” WHO DIED AND MADE HIM SHAH? — Mayors question CarePoint leadership after board meeting dispute , by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The mayors of Jersey City and Hoboken are questioning the new leadership of CarePoint Health — the financially beleaguered Hudson County health system — after being prohibited from attending part of a board meeting on Wednesday. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla both appointed themselves to the board of the three-hospital nonprofit system as it mulls filing for bankruptcy and has notified thousands of employees that they could be laid off. In an interview with POLITICO, the two mayors said they were excluded from part of Wednesday’s Carepoint board meeting at the direction of Dr. Jawad Shah, the new CEO of the health system. Fulop said Shah told the two mayors they were not “ratified” board members during Wednesday’s board meeting and were thus not able to participate … Fulop said they were treated differently this time “because we're inquiring about contracts and money and finances” of the cash-strapped health system. — “ Mom who suffered brain damage during delivery at CarePoint hospital to receive $11.9 million settlement” WHEN DID WE BECOME SUCH AN UNFORGIVING PEOPLE? — “Candidate who was imprisoned over corruption seeks redemption in Keyport election ,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jerry Carino: “After Joseph Merla declared his candidacy for Keyport’s borough council, running as a Republican for one of the two seats up for grabs Nov. 5, three residents asked for his name to be removed from the ballot due to his felony conviction in 2007. After a review of the matter by borough officials and attorneys, his candidacy was deemed legal — laws that govern who is eligible for local offices vary from town to town — and his name was not removed. As the campaign hits the homestretch, Merla discussed the matter with the Asbury Park Press. 'I appreciate the concerns that residents might have regarding my past,' Merla wrote in an email exchange. ‘I want to address that directly and openly.’ Merla was convicted in federal court in 2007 for his role in ‘Operation Bid Rig.’” STACCO — “Stack vs. Sacco feud now extends to pre-K trailers located in Braddock Park,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis : “Longtime rivals state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack and North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco are again trading punches, this time over the trailers in James J. Braddock Park that host a pre-school. ’The Township of North Bergen and the County of Hudson have commenced the regulatory process of diverting an area within James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park due to the placement of school trailers for North Bergen pre-K students and students with special needs,’ begins a Union City Board of Commissioners resolution opposing the usage … The measure, which was approved unanimously (5-0) at their October 8th meeting, also cites state statute that ‘strongly discourages’ using park space anything other than recreation or conservation unless it is to ‘satisfy a public need’ and/or ‘a significant public benefit.’ North Bergen spokeswoman Sofia Quintanar said the local legislation ‘is shameful and disgusting’ since Stack is simply doing this to needle Sacco at the expense of North Bergen families.” WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHALLENGER — “ What's missing on your ballot? A challenger?” by The Courier-Post’s Joseph P. Smith: “Many voters will find their 2024 ballots, as cluttered as they may appear, don’t present nearly the range of possible choices. Some towns don’t have an election this year. But that’s not the issue. Others have 'non-partisan' elections, where political parties have no role — officially. But that’s not the issue. And several towns have elections where the only candidates on the ballot are Democrats, or Republicans, or in rare cases Independents. And there’s the issue, for voters and for parties. Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, and Gloucester counties have 114 municipalities among them. And in better than 40 percent of them in the 2024 general election, ballots list candidates from only one party for local races .. .The first broad trend, [Rutgers Professor Stephen] Danley said, is American voters have become more partisan. ‘There is, in general, less space for centrists who break significantly with their party in any given way,’ Danley said. Danley said U.S Rep. Jeff Van Drew in South Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District may be a good example of how a hardening of voter views affects an official. A longtime Democrat, Van Drew changed parties after a short time in the Congress — and since then has remained a supporter of former President Donald Trump.” — “Neptune votes for a third time to fire public works boss who says he was targeted by mayor” — “ [South Orange-Maplewood] teacher can sue Olympic fencer who said she pulled hijab off girl’s head, court rules” — “ Latest election campaign filings show wide gap in local $upport for 2025 Jersey City mayoral candidates” — “Paterson is watching you: City buys 77 more cameras to crack down on illegal dumping” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT MY LIFE IS PRETTY PLAIN — “ N.J. is setting lack-of-rain records. Gov. just asked residents to conserve water,” by NJ Advance Media’s Chris Sheldon : “A Drought Watch was issued Thursday as rain continues to be a rare sight for Garden State residents. As part of the watch, New Jerseyans were asked by Gov. Phil Murphy’s Office to voluntarily conserve water as persistent dry and warmer-than-average conditions continue to stress the state’s water supplies, according to a release from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.”
— “ NJ Transit bus tire blowout injures 3 in Port Authority terminal” — “Environmentalists caution against PhilaPort proposal to dredge Delaware River — again ” — “Rutgers student newspaper gets ‘transformative’ $100K grant after losing campus funding” — “N.J. cop’s killer remains jailed as relocation plan to Florida stalls parole” — “ Ocean County man found guilty of 1999 killing of Sayreville student Nancy Noga” | | | | 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 | | | | |
