| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Thursday morning! I tuned into Attorney General Matt Platkin’s press conference Wednesday expecting him to outline how he’d fight Donald Trump as attorney general, and I heard some of that. What I wasn’t expecting was a broadside against his own Democrats who govern New Jersey — and, implicitly, the governor he closely advised and who nominated him to the post. Platkin told an anecdote about speaking to a group of high school students who all thought politicians were out for themselves. “That is a core problem. And I have to say, in New Jersey, it doesn’t entirely surprise me. When they see leaders in this state gut transparency laws and campaign finance laws. When they see us defend what I said is an unconstitutional ballot design system that serves to benefit a privileged few. When they see them attack good government watchdogs and threaten people in my office — law enforcement officers and prosecutors who would hold people to account for violating our laws. When they see that, it’s really no wonder to me why they feel a certain way,” Platkin said. Taking Platkin literally, I don’t buy that virtually any high school students have followed the defanging of OPRA or the Elections Transparency Act. But his broader point rings true for a lot of very tuned-in New Jersey adults. I’d hate to cheapen Platkin’s point about government accountability by pivoting to whether this means he’s running for something. But does this mean he’s running for something? Seems like it. But what? It’s a little late to enter the 2025 scrum, but one of the soon-to-be candidates for governor, Mikie Sherrill, represents Montclair, where Platkin lives. Who knows? Trenton’s political class certainly suspects Platkin has politician ambitions, and they’re keen to point out that he was a key cog in the Democratic governance machine before taking his prominent role. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s time for people in positions of authority in this state to spend a little more time questioning their own role in creating or enabling a system of corruption, and a little less time threatening those of us who are trying to do something about it.” — Platkin HAPPY BIRTHDAY: John Burzichelli, Bill Moen, Shanique Speight, Gary Catrambone, Barbara DeMarco WHERE’S MURPHY? Out of state until Saturday for the National Governors Association. Acting Gov. Tahesha Way will be in Jersey City at 7:30 p.m. for a Sierra Club event.
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GOTACAMPAIGNISSUEHEIMER — Hochul to roll out revised toll plan for Manhattan, by POLITICO’s Nick Reisman, Jeff Coltin, Jason Beeferman and Ry Rivard: A revised proposal for a controversial Manhattan toll plan will be unveiled Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to four people with knowledge of the announcement. Hochul, a Democrat, is expected to endorse a $9 surcharge for entering parts of Manhattan during peak hours — a reduction from the $15 toll that was due to take effect this summer, according to two people with direct knowledge who were granted anonymity to discuss the situation. The $9 toll could also increase in the coming years. … A spokesperson for Hochul’s office declined to comment for this story and instead referred POLITICO to comments the governor made Tuesday when she said an announcement on congestion pricing is expected soon. Still, a revival of the tolls is also sure to run into a buzzsaw in Washington.
—Gottheimer: “In a time of inflation, New York’s attempt to whack Jersey families with another tax is utterly absurd. I’ll be damned if I am going to let the MTA balance their mismanaged, out-of-control budget at the expense of Jersey taxpayers. I’m ready to fight the Congestion Tax again to protect Jersey families from more taxes and more pollution. We stopped the Congestion Tax once and we’ll stop it again. Game on.” FOR WHOM THE TOLLS BILL — Port Authority looks at higher tolls again, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is looking to raise tolls by $1 over the next three years, according to an agenda for its Thursday board meeting. The proposal would increase tolls by 25 cents on Jan. 5 and add further 25-cent increases in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The increases would apparently be in addition to automatic inflation-based hikes the authority already does. SACCO’S LAW — “ Ending mandatory sentences for non-violent drug crimes back in play in N.J.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Efforts to end minimum mandatory sentences for non-violent drug offenders in New Jersey are again being put on the table, three years after a similar proposal was conditionally vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy. The measure stalled then because of an unrelated but controversial amendment added to the bill that would have also ended minimum mandatory sentences for official misconduct by public officials. Now it’s back in play as one of a new series of recommendations urging the governor and Legislature to take action that will be issued Wednesday by a special non partisan legislative commission looking into sentencing issues in New Jersey. Commission chairman Christopher Porrino, a former state attorney general, said the wide range of recommendations would move New Jersey towards a “more rational, just, and proportionate sentencing system.” The report of the Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission, which was obtained by NJ Advance Media, calls for giving judges wider discretion in meting out justice.” LAWMAKERS WANT TO PUT BODIES ON THE INTERNET — “ Lawmakers may allow more remote public meetings under bill,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “Current law allows government agencies to hold remote meetings only during a state of emergency or public health emergency. But now that the COVID-19 pandemic made virtual meetings a fixture in a post-pandemic world, lawmakers are looking to lift those restrictions and allow agencies to hold remote meetings whenever they want. The bill, introduced in January, allows a ‘public body’ to hold meetings, vote and receive public comment through electronic means. … Most government bodies livestreamed their meetings in the months after the coronavirus crisis triggered shutdowns. But many have since shifted back to in-person meetings. Some local council meetings don’t allow people to testify remotely, and many hearings in the Statehouse don’t allow virtual testimony.” A SMALL VIC TORY —“Camden mayor endorses Baraka for governor,” by New Jersey Globe’s Zach Blackburn: “Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen endorsed Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for governor Wednesday, giving Baraka a significant push from the leader of Camden County’s largest city. Carstarphen, who has served as mayor since 2021, called Baraka’s stewardship of Newark ‘transformative’ and qualifies him for the governor’s office. “As mayors, we understand the immense demands and pressures that come with executive leadership. It is in these roles that we build the resilience and develop the ingenuity needed to create impactful change,” Carstarphen said. … Carstarphen’s endorsement will help Baraka gain support in South Jersey, but far from delivering Camden County to the mayor.” —“Gov. Murphy issues drought warning for all of New Jersey due to lack of rain” —“ Baraka endorsed by Rev. Charles Boyer, top N.J. civil rights leader” —“ Fulop and Baraka lead charge against county line in ballot committee hearing” —“The Sweeney 2025 Path to Drumthwacket in a Trump Universe” — "NJ Transit replaces company that built, ran Hudson-Bergen light rail for 30 years" —“ Charter school salary revelations spur lawmakers to scrutinize” —“Assembly panel to consider toughening penalties for shoplifters ” —“Opinion: Gov. Phil Murphy's EV truck mandate will drive inflation for NJ residents” —“The Sweeney 2025 path to Drumthwacket in a Trump universe”
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WHAT ABOUT BOB? — Prosecutors say they mistakenly gave jurors access to evidence in Menendez case, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Jurors in former Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption trial had access to evidence they should not have seen, federal prosecutors disclosed Wednesday in a surprise legal filing. During Menendez’s two-month corruption trial, a federal judge ruled that certain evidence could not be shown to jurors without treading on a form of immunity given to members of Congress. But some of that evidence was inadvertently loaded without redactions onto a laptop that jurors were given for their few days of deliberations. … Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York said Wednesday that portions of the exhibits at issue would have been “meaningless and impenetrable” if a juror had seen them. One of the things that should have been redacted was a text message with a web address to a CNN article and the CNN logo, for instance. … Plus, prosecutors said, it’s “vanishingly unlikely” that any of the 12 jurors actually saw the evidence anyway. The jury’s laptop contained some 3,000 exhibits, many of them similarly lengthy and dense … But because the evidence touches on a constitutional issue Menendez is already trying to use to overturn his convictions, the disclosure may add fuel to Menendez’s fiery appeals.
—Trump’s Cabinet was looking relatively normal. Then came Matt Gaetz —Trump taps dark horse Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence —“Van Drew says he won't leave Congress for Trump administration role” | | LOCAL | |
THE INZELBUCH STOPS NOWHERE — “Despite district policy to be transparent, Lakewood Schools leader says she will not keep public informed ,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “Despite its own policy mandating it keep the public and press informed about matters affecting the district, the Lakewood School District has declared in a public meeting it will not do so. The surprise announcement from the superintendent of schools herself came after weeks of attempts by email and telephone calls to gather information on three key developments in the district affecting tens of millions of dollars in district funding and key programs and policies. Over the past 10 years the district has borrowed more than $200 million from the state and still owes about $173 million, far greater than any other district in New Jersey. Just last fall Lakewood received a $50 million loan, which many experts claim cannot be paid back in the current fiscal climate. … In an effort to finally obtain the information for Lakewood taxpayers, the Asbury Park Press attended a recent school board public meeting and raised the issue of the administration's failure to respond to queries by the press on the subjects. … In response, Superintendent Laura Winters said, ‘We generally don’t respond to reporter emails.’ When the reporter directed the request to board attorney and spokesman Michael Inzelbuch, he did not respond. Instead, Business Administrator Kevin Campbell announced, ‘Your time is up.’”
YOU CAN'T LIGHT CITY HALL — “Weed activist sues N.J. mayor, claims he was harassed over ‘City Government Sucks’ sign,” by NJ Advance Media’s Nyah Marshall: “A longtime New Jersey weed activist is suing Trenton’s mayor, claiming city police harassed him after he started projecting a sign onto City Hall that says the local government ‘sucks.’ Ed ‘NJ Weedman’ Forchion claims the harassment by Trenton police began in March when officers started issuing him tickets for keeping his restaurant open late, though he said he was in compliance with the law. … Since March, the local activist has been projecting a “Batman-like signal“ onto the city administration building at night with the message, ‘Our City Government Sucks,’ according to the lawsuit. He projected the sign to call out the city for allegedly delaying and sabotaging Forchion’s efforts to obtain a cannabis license for nearly two years, blocking him from operating licensed weed dispensaries, according to court documents.” SID AND NEGATIVE NANCIES — “Paying for the Pompidou: Fulop plans additional tax on Journal Square with new special improvement district ,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “Technically, the fee would be a Cultural Arts Special Improvement District assessment, but Journal Square property owners may simply call it “the Pompidou tax.” In an effort to help fund the satellite branch of the French Centre Pompidou modern art museum, Jersey City is aiming to create a new special improvement district (SID) around the new Pavonia Avenue location for the museum ― giving landowners who are already part of the Journal Square SID the responsibility of not only paying property taxes, but two SID assessment fees. ‘“Local property owners are getting disgusted with this and if there is going to be an additional tax added to people in Journal Square, no,’ said Councilman Rich Boggiano, whose Ward C would include both SIDs.” — “[Manchester] school board fired gay superintendent in anti-LGBTQ+ campaign, lawsuits say,” —“Don’t add security officers to schools, voters say in 3 N.J. districts” —“ Theft charges against [Old Bridge] school board member to be dismissed after wife’s guilty plea, authorities say” —“Judge reinstates Atlantic City Housing Authority status after discovery finally submitted ” —“$155 million Ocean City Wonderland hotel project to have 252 rooms, Mita says” —“Hackensack Councilman Battaglia hasn't stepped down, says he didn't do anything wrong” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
INSULT TO INJURY — “ 64-story Jersey City twin towers project, nearing completion, is branded ‘The Journal’,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “The 64-story twin towers project in the heart of Journal Square — 20 years in the making ― has been branded ‘The Journal”’and is another step closer to opening, the developer for the project announced Tuesday. … The $1 billion mixed-use development by Kushner Companies … sits across the street from the former Jersey Journal building ― with its iconic “Jersey Journal” sign atop it ― which is also be redeveloped by Kushner Companies. “
FORM HERE TO MATERNITY — “New study shows that Black mothers in New Jersey were more likely to deliver babies by unscheduled C-section,” by WHYY’s Nicole Leonard: “A study of nearly one million births over a nine-year period in New Jersey found that Black mothers were 20% to 25% percent more likely than white mothers to deliver their babies by an unplanned, unscheduled Cesarean section, a surgical procedure. Researchers and public health officials say they’re working to identify what’s driving this racial disparity in delivery methods and find ways to close the gap. ‘The availability of this data is critical to setting an accurate benchmark … and achieving our goal to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable state to deliver and raise a baby,’ New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy said in a statement.” —“Once considered Bayonne hospital’s savior, minority ownership group aims to halt CarePoint bankruptcy, merger” —“ Ex-NRIA ‘shadow chief’ in Secaucus of gets 12 years for running $568M Ponzi scheme” —“ Atlantic City International Airport's 1 carrier, Spirit Airlines, moves toward bankruptcy” —“Blue Envelope Program to keep autistic drivers safe during traffic stops gains popularity” —“Health care premiums shoot up as New Jerseyans begin open enrollment season”
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