| | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! How do you make the Statehouse look like a it’s normally a bastion political decorum? Compare it to Hudson County, whose political drama on Thursday made its way to Trenton. YouTuber LeRoy Truth, the nom de guerre of Leonard Filipowski, showed up to a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. Filipowski has spent the last year on a public crusade against Union City Mayor Brian Stack, who doubled as a state senator and chairs the committee, even getting arrested at one point. The meeting on the ballot design bill was already animated. Advocates waited four hours to testify against it. They complained about “subtle” ways they said the bill sought to favor the party machine-backed candidates on primary ballots. Then Filipowski was called up to the mic. I knew things were about to go off the Hudson Bergen Light Rails. “This is a corrupt bill,” Filipowski said. “I come here before you today not only as an investigative journalist, who has been investigating over 3,100 allegations of corruption against senator and head of this very judiciary committee, New Jersey Mayor/Senator Brian Stack...." State Sen. Paul Sarlo then interrupted Filipowski, asking him to be “as professional as possible” and keep his remarks related to the bill. Filipowski didn’t heed him. He referred to “New Jersey senator, king of corruption, Senator/Mayor Brian Stack.” Filipowski’s mic was cut and Stack called him out of order. But Filopowski was given another chance to talk, at which point he said Stack “has built his entire empire on pay-to-play schemes, extortion and so forth.” Stack then had the State Police escort Filipowski out of the meeting. And a man with Filipowski screamed a bunch of obscenities at the senators. “The individuals who are in this room are obviously paid for by some of the Hudson County political bosses,” Stack said, specifically naming North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, a former state senator and longtime Stack rival. That’s not the first time Stack has made that allegation about Sacco. And Sacco has denied having anything to do with Filipowski. More on the actual bill below. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Sean Sullivan. Saturday for George Washington. Sunday for Ian Shearn, Jeff Van Drew WHERE’S MURPHY? Washington. Acting Gov. Way has no public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Josh won’t compete in conventions where the fix is in against us. He doesn’t walk into diners where he knows he’ll get whacked. In Bergen County, Josh is a proud delegate, and there’s a lot of warmth for him in that particular diner.” — Josh Gottheimer gubernatorial campaign spokesperson Chelsea Brossard, on why Gottheimer will participate in the Bergen County Democratic convention, where he’s backed by the county’s Democratic chair, but not in conventions he feels are rigged for other candidates. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
END OF THE LINE — Senate advances ballot redesign in marathon hearing that got heated, by POLITICO’s Eden Teshome: The [Senate Judiciary Committee] moved forward an amended version of the Senate ballot bill eliminating a provision permitting county clerks from "bracketing" together associated candidates on the same line. Otherwise, the bill is identical to the Senate bill introduced last week, which attracted controversy from ballot reform advocacy groups for altering the state Assembly version’s language … Sen. Andy Kim, who played a key role in the demise of the county line, voiced his dislike for the Assembly version of the bill earlier this month, which he said would “incentivize people to feel like they have to have a running mate.” “The Assembly bill that was passed last year, it wasn't perfect,” New Jersey Working Families Party State Director Antoinette Miles said before Thursday's hearing, “but it represented a foundation to work on.” While the Judiciary committee’s version removed the possibility of bracketing candidates together in a given office block, advocates maintain that the bill still falls short of ensuring a fair process and predict that counties will still be able to manipulate the appearance of the ballot. “I think that political bossism is on its way to being over. I think it’s already over,” state Sen. Vin Gopal said before casting a yes vote on the measure.
MURPHY IS ALIVE AND WELL — “‘NJ Transit is ruining my life’: Commuters reach breaking point with aging system,” by Bloomberg’s Sri Taylor: “New Jersey Transit, which provides more than 721,000 passenger trips systemwide each weekday, suffered an onslaught of service disruptions and train breakdowns in 2024 — leading frustrated commuters to lodge nearly 59,000 complaints, according to information obtained by Bloomberg News via a public records request to the state-run agency. Grievances ranged from hours-long delays on stalled, broiling train cars to vermin-infested buses, the complaints show, reflecting a mass transit system that’s been stretched to the breaking point by increased post-pandemic ridership, decaying shared infrastructure and a shortage of money … The service issues documented by riders aren’t just a matter of perception aggravated by extreme weather or amplified by social media — they are a reflection of wider strains on the system. The average distance traveled by New Jersey Transit trains before they experience a mechanical failure has plummeted since the pandemic, falling to just under 50,000 miles in October, from 75,000 miles in 2018, according to agency data.” — “NJ Transit to cut spending by 5% without impacting service, CEO says” — “NJ Transit president on light rail: It's coming to South Jersey, like it or not” "Newspaper legal notices deadline likely shortened to June 30," by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Newspapers and news websites that publish government legal notices would have to provide detailed information on their readership to the governor and Legislature under a bill that began advancing Thursday. The bill, NJ S4136 (24R), when first introduced last week simply extended a stopgap measure to allow public bodies to continue publishing legal notices in their designated “official newspapers” through the rest of the year, even if those newspapers are now online-only. But it was amended Thursday during hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee and Assembly Appropriations Committee to shorten the deadline to June 30 and to include the new information disclosure requirements. SterleyBoth committees approved the bill unanimously. PENSIONS — “Assemblymen Stanley and Karabinchak push bill for embattled police chief Tom Bryan,” by The Edison Reporter: “New Jersey Assembly Bill A4904, aiming to extend the retirement age for police and fire chiefs, has become intertwined with the long and, at times, controversial tenure of Edison Police Chief Tom Bryan. While the bill does not address anyone by name, its timing has placed Chief Bryan’s upcoming mandatory retirement upon turning 65 squarely in the spotlight, raising questions about tailored legislation and the department’s history. A4904, with primary sponsors Assemblyman Sterley Stanley and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, proposes to amend existing legislation concerning mandatory retirement ages. Current New Jersey law mandates retirement for members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) at 65. A temporary exception, P.L.2022, c.9, allowed some chiefs to serve until 67. A4904 seeks to extend this window further, potentially allowing chiefs who turn 65 within four years of the original law’s effective date to remain in their positions … Chief Thomas Bryan’s tenure at the Edison Police Department has been marked by persistent controversy and a failure to effectively address deeply rooted issues. From the outset, promises of reform were overshadowed by a string of misconduct allegations, internal strife, and costly lawsuits.” POLITICAL ENGEL — “Maplewood Dem committeewoman who declined to endorse Sherrill backing Fulop,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Maplewood Democratic Committeewoman Deborah Engel, who declined to endorse U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) for governor back in November, is backing Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop instead … Engel appeared poised to become the next Maplewood mayor in late November, however, the local Democratic committee pulled their support after she would not support Sherrill for governor, as the New Jersey Globe reported. Maplewood is a township in Essex County that is a part of Sherrill’s congressional district.” — “N.J. continues to face massive deficits, fiscal experts warn” — “Without county-line ballots, how will endorsements impact NJ's race for governor?” — Snowflack: “Sherrill rivals grumble about the conventions” — O’Scanlon: “Gov. Phil Murphy's administration of unaffordability rolls on. NJ cannot bear it” — “Is New Jersey ready for safe-consumption centers for drug users?” — “N.J. lawmakers want to address the growing shortage of nurses and other health care workers” — “New Jersey removes 500k people from healthcare plan” — Bill to give residents more time to vote early in primaries advances | | TRUMP ERA | |
SPADEA, CIATTARELLI SEEN DROOLING OVER THE PROSPECT — ‘Looks like that’s that.’ Trump may have just ended the Florida governor’s race., by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard and Gary Fineout: President Donald Trump brought an early end Thursday to the speculation around his favorite for the 2026 Florida governor’s race in a post on Truth Social, endorsing loyalist Rep. Byron Donalds for the job. The president’s backing of Donalds is likely to have a chilling effect on the race in Florida, a state Trump won by 13 points in November and that he has called home since 2019. Trump over Truth Social urged Donalds to run and called him a “highly respected congressman” and a “TOTAL WINNER” who’d been “tested at the highest and most difficult levels.” Trump made his choice for governor clear far before any candidate — including Donalds — stated his or her intention to run. The announcement also came as speculation has reached a fever pitch about whether Gov. Ron DeSantis’ wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, would run for her husband’s job and as the governor has been increasingly talking about his legacy. “Looks like that’s that,” one Ron DeSantis donor and supporter texted POLITICO upon seeing Trump’s social media post. — Kelly: “9/11 first responders deserve better than Elon Musk” | | LOCAL | |
JUST PUT IT ON THE STATE’S TAB — “Cops probing $15 million theft from Lakewood school district over President's Day weekend,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Kathleen Hopkins and Ken Serrano: “Authorities are investigating the theft of $15 million from the Lakewood school district over the weekend, Mayor Raymond G. Coles has confirmed. Of the funds stolen from the district's operating accounts, 'a large chunk'' was recovered ‘pretty quickly,' Coles said, without elaborating. ‘The school district is in dire financial straits,' Coles said. ‘They can’t afford to lose anything.’ So far, $8 million of the stolen money has since been recovered, the Asbury Park Press has learned. An investigation into the theft is continuing, with efforts underway to recover more of the funds … The Lakewood school district required a $65 million loan this month from the state to avoid a budget shortfall that could have caused a school shutdown, officials have said.”
— “Lakewood BOE to sell elementary school, rearrange grades in major reshuffle” SHORT SHRIFT HILLS — “One of NJ’s richest towns continues to defy court order to build affordable housing, developer says,” by WNYC’s Mike Hayes: “Builders behind a 100% affordable housing development in one of New Jersey’s wealthiest neighborhoods said they’d hoped town officials were finally ready to work with them after a judge ordered the township committee to move the project forward. They're not. Millburn Township Mayor Annette Romano and other elected officials on the township committee have put up a fierce, yearslong fight against a plan to construct a 75-unit apartment building in the heart of Millburn’s downtown. Now, the company under contract to build the development said the township committee has continued its fight, according to recent court filings. If the project eventually proceeds, it would be a rare development in a posh township that’s built almost no state-mandated affordable housing over the last 50 years.” MUNIZIPAL MADNESS — “Lin-Rodriguez files counterclaim against Muniz: ‘A pattern of severe abuse,'” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Hudson County Schools of Technology Superintendent Amy Lin-Rodriguez has responded to the lawsuit filed by Board Secretary Joey Muniz in December, claiming that he ‘engaged in a pattern of severe abuse.’ Lin-Rodriguez, the top official at the HCST since 2018, admits in her counterclaim, filed in Hudson County Superior Court on Tuesday, that she and Muniz began an extramarital affair in 2006, but claims that it was not a healthy relationship … ‘In stark contrast, Mr. Muniz engaged in a pattern of severe abuse, hostility, and harassment toward Ms. Lin-Rodriguez; constantly referring to her in sexually-degrading terms, storming into her office and slamming the door, yelling at and threatening her in earshot of other HCST employees, and leaving her in tears from his persistent intimidation and abusive and violent outbursts.’ … She also said that she decided to end the relationship in 2022 due to the constant ‘abuse and harassment,’ while Muniz said in his lawsuit that the relationship ended in April 2024 after he refused to leave his wife for her.” UNFAIR LAWN — “In lawsuit, Fair Lawn librarian says he faced discrimination for being a man,” by The Record’s Kaitlyn Kanzler: “A Fair Lawn Public Library worker says he faced discrimination for being a man and was fired and replaced by a woman who was less qualified. Alexander Cardillo has been an employee at the library since 2004 … The suit says the library's staff of 30 is overwhelmingly women, with only four men, and Library Director Adele Puccio had hired only one other man since becoming director in 2016, and only to fill in when no one else is available to work.” — Baraka pushes for reference-based pricing in Newark — “Veteran Union County Commissioner will retire” — “Toms River Regional schools wants to sell headquarters to Ocean County to close budget gap” — “Housing developer will buy chunk of Paramus' Bergen Town Center mall for $25M” — “Showboat's Island Waterpark gets tax break after delayed assessment” — “Effort to change Clifton's form of government comes to end — for now” — ”[Wildwood Crest] withdraws from major beach replenishment project” — “Career law enforcement official will run for Somerset sheriff” — “Ken Gardner will challenge Sharon McAuliffe for [Woodbridge] 1st Ward council seat” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SETON HALL — “Seton Hall sues former president,” by Inside Higher Ed’s Josh Moody: “A year after being sued by ex-president Joseph Nyre for alleged breach of contract and retaliation, among other claims, Seton Hall University has hit back with its own legal action against the former leader. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in the Superior Court of New Jersey, the university accused Nyre of ‘illicitly accessing, downloading, maintaining, and later disseminating confidential and proprietary documents, as well as documents protected by the attorney-client and work product privileges, and information after his departure as President of the University.’”
HISTORY IN THE MAKING — “One NJ Wawa may soon be the 2nd in America to have a drive-thru window,” by MyCentralJersey’s Suzanne Russell: “The Wawa convenience store on King Georges Road is looking to add a pickup window … If approved, it will be only the second Wawa in the country to have a drive-thru window. The other store is in Largo, Florida.” — “Widows of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau sue the driver who is charged in the brothers’ death”
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