| | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Tuesday morning! Gov. Murphy delivers his final budget address today. More on that below. But let’s start with cannabis. A lot of New Jerseyans already resented how much of a leg up New Jersey politicians gave the cannabis industry by giving the medical dispensaries the first crack at recreational weed, and by refusing to allow residents — even medical users — to grow a single plant. Now, Senate President Nick Scutari is taking industry protection to the next level with a new proposal that would allow cops to arrest people buying weed from an unlicensed source, as well as increase penalties for selling small amounts. The bill, introduced last week, would make it a disorderly person offense to buy weed from an unlicensed business. And selling — currently punishable for under one ounce by just a warning on the first offense — would be a third-degree offense. Running two or more illegal cannabis businesses would be a second-degree crime. “Social justice” was Democrats’ main theme in arguing for weed legalization. They said it would help make up for minority communities being most affected by draconian anti-drug laws. “You have means to buy it legally now. We have legal facilities all over the place, and we’re going to have more. There’s a reason for that: We want the public to be safeguarded from products that are not necessarily going to be safe for them,” Scutari told me. With the weed industry celebrating $1 billion in sales in 2024, and well over 100 dispensaries open, it doesn’t look like the industry is struggling. Many advocates suspected that despite New Jersey politicians' rhetoric, legalization was more about money than justice reform. This probably won't make them feel any different. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jeffrey Jacobson WHERE’S MURPHY? In Trenton, to deliver the budget address at 3 p.m. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Since the 2021 election, the Atlantic County Republican Committee has enjoyed unprecedented success under the leadership of Chairman Purdy, Senator Polistina, Assemblyman Guardian, Assemblywoman Swift, many county and local officials. Although our success has not included the county executive, there is no feud.” — Atlantic County GOP Chair Don Purdy and state Sen. Vince Polistina, on their definitely-not-a-feud with County Executive Dennis Levinson TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com | | | | A message from Uber: Uber Expands Safety Features. New Jersey residents can ride with ease thanks to safety features in the Uber app. Riders can share their trips with loved ones and reach 911 directly through the app. Plus, Uber's RideCheck feature automatically checks in case something may be wrong. Learn about Uber's commitment to safety. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
THE BLUDGEONT — New Jersey bracing for a rough budget that Trump could blow up, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat, is preparing to unveil his final state budget Tuesday — and then begins the wait to see if President Donald Trump blows it up. After years of federal largesse that helped pull the state through the pandemic, New Jersey is heading into a rocky budget season as Murphy tries to balance seven years of promises with fiscal reality from inflation and lower tax revenue. There will be plenty of local intrigue, as lawmakers compete to pay for their own political projects, like a major property tax cut the Assembly speaker is championing — but the biggest curveballs may end up being more sudden moves by Trump and spending cuts ordered by congressional Republicans. New Jersey gets about $14 billion a year from the federal government to help provide Medicaid insurance to 1.8 million low-income and disabled residents … Rep. Frank Pallone, the New Jersey Democrat who is ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that oversees Medicaid, said there is just no way the state can come up with such money on its own … “Tom Kean, Van Drew, and Chris Smith have the power alone to stop this,” Pallone said. “Just the three of them could stop it.”
— “NJ Budget: What to watch for as Murphy readies last spending plan” — “Uncertainty ahead of Murphy’s budget speech” SO WHAT IF THEY WANNA RENAME A REST STOP AFTER MAO ZEDONG? — “Backroom deals and billion-dollar contracts: NJ Turnpike E-ZPass agreement with Singapore-owned firm shrouded in secrecy,” by The Jersey Vindicator’s Jeff Pillets: “In November 2023, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority set out to spend big money to fix its problem-plagued E-ZPass operation amid years of complaints from motorists about billing errors, excessive fees, and electronic tolling foul-ups. Ten months later, the agency awarded a $1.73 billion, 11-year contract — one of the largest in the turnpike’s 75-year history — to a Tennessee company named TransCore LP, which officials said had all the right stuff to fix commuter headaches. But motorists, or anyone else who might want to know how the NJ Turnpike Authority made its momentous bet on TransCore, are out of luck: There is virtually no public disclosure about how the Turnpike Authority weeded through competing proposals and struck a deal with a bidder as hundreds of millions of public dollars for E-ZPass services came on and off the table. The few available documents reviewed by The Jersey Vindicator, as well as interviews with one of the losing bidders, show the lucrative TransCore deal was the product of a closed process that took place out of public view, with scant written records left behind.” THE HYPOCRITIC OATH — “Profits before patients? N.J. medical cannabis patients feel betrayed as legal weed business booms,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jelani Gibson: “[Edward ‘Lefty’] Grimes and other medical cannabis patients in New Jersey were promised they would be top priority when the state opened the door for recreational sales in 2022. But as a billion-dollar weed business blossomed across the Garden State, these patients say they’ve been left behind. The price of cannabis in New Jersey is among the highest in the nation. Consistent discounts offered to medical cannabis patients before the adult-use market opened are scarce now, patients say. While it was never easy to get specific strains that could ease pain, patients say it’s even tougher now as cannabis companies chase what’s most profitable to sell. Many patients say in the face of this, they should be allowed to grow their own weed. But New Jersey continues to ban the policy also known as ‘home grow’ — even though most states that have legalized cannabis allow it. Those caught growing their own risk arrest and possible fines and prison under New Jersey law. Patients say they feel betrayed.” IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? IS THIS JUST FANTASY? — “Is Josh Gottheimer's property tax plan for New Jersey fantasy or reality?” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Rep. Josh Gottheimer is trying to break from the pack of Democratic candidates by offering a bold plan: a promise to cut property taxes by as much as 15%. The self-branded ‘problem solver’ ― the nuts-and-bolts negotiator who helped deliver President Joe Biden’s historic infrastructure bill in 2021 ― also says he can pull off this remarkable feat even as the state’s finances nosedive toward a $3.7 billion shortfall in revenues … ‘Jersey is unaffordable, and there are plenty of naysayers and doubters who will tell you it can't be fixed,’ the Tenafly resident says in a recent 30-second ad. Count me among them … Government could yield $3 billion in savings, Gottheimer argues … But here’s the core problem. While New Jersey’s $56 billion looks on paper like an easy, bloated target for cost reductions, the reality is that much of it is effectively off limits to Gottheimer’s planned efficiency scalpel. Nearly half of the budget is wired to towns and school districts in the form of vital aid whose sole purpose is helping schools and towns keep their property taxes from skyrocketing. And the budget pie shrinks further when you consider that other big tickets are fixed costs that can’t be tampered with, such as an anticipated $3 billion payments for debt.” — “Progressives want Camden Democrats dropped as intervenor in ballot lawsuit” — “N.J. launches program for driver’s licenses to note autism, other conditions” | | | | A message from Uber:  
| | | | | TRUMP ERA | |
NOT WITH A BANG BUT A WHISPER — The ‘whisper-network’ readies a state-level resistance to Trump, by POLITICO’s Liz Crampton, Madison Fernandez and Christopher Cadelago: The freshman class of House Democrats in 2018 was swept into Washington on a wave of anti-Trump energy, brought to power to check the whims of the White House. Now, three of those members — and possibly more to come — have launched gubernatorial bids, arguing that the forefront of the fight against President Donald Trump this time around will be waged in the states. These Democratic women running for governor include Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in New Mexico. All three of them are making the case that as governor, they would be best positioned to punch back against Trump, who they say is hurting Americans with decisions like downsizing government, embarking on another trade war and failing to enact his promises to lower costs … The messaging strategy requires more than just being anti-Trump, Sherrill argued, a lesson she learned from her congressional campaign in 2018 when she ran in a red-leaning district.
TO AFFLICT THE AFFLICTED AND COMFORT THE COMFORTABLE — “‘Devastating’ cuts to Medicaid under Trump would threaten health care for 700K in N.J.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “Children. People with autism, and other lifelong disabilities who cannot live independently. Elderly and disabled people dependent on home care or live in nursing homes. Low- and moderate-income adults who don’t get insurance through their jobs. This is the spectrum of New Jerseyans who would be affected by the bone-deep cuts to the Medicaid program that would likely take place under the proposal by Congressional Republicans to slash $880 billion from the entitlement program over the next decade. Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration estimated New Jersey’s loss at $5.2 billion a year, according to a new memo from state Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. The proposed cuts, coupled with a change of rules governing who may qualify for Medicaid, could lead to the loss of coverage for 700,000 people, Adelman’s memo posted on the state website Friday evening said.” — “Interview: Rep. Watson Coleman on President Trump so far” — “Will Trump keep money flowing for $16B rail tunnel project between NJ and NY?” | | | | Donald Trump's unprecedented effort to reshape the federal government is consuming Washington. To track this seismic shift, we're relaunching one of our signature newsletters. Sign up to get West Wing Playbook: Remaking Government in your inbox. | | | | | | | LOCAL | |
HOBOKEN — “Hoboken PATH station set to reopen following $31M overhaul,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “PATH commuters got the news Monday they’ve waited almost a month to hear — the Hoboken station is reopening. The Hoboken PATH station will reopen on time at 5 a.m. Tuesday after a massive rehabilitation project that closed the facility for 26 days, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials said. The station underwent a marathon project that replaced tracks, rebuilt stairs and platforms, and installed a new system that allows trains to switch tracks.”
AFFORDABLE GROUSING — “Millburn, NJ official says 100% affordable housing projects are against town's 'values',” by WNYC’s Mike Hayes: “A chief opponent of a 100% affordable housing project in wealthy Millburn, New Jersey's downtown says a development fully composed of apartments for low- and median-income people is 'not the right way to do things' in the town. Millburn Township committee member Frank Saccomandi made the comment during a Thursday night meeting of the town’s Citizen Advisory Committee on Affordable Housing … Saccomandi said that such projects did not 'comport with the values of Millburn' and that he favored an inclusionary development strategy. In New Jersey, that means projects with a majority of market-rate units and 15%-20% set aside for affordable housing. ‘Mixed use housing has advantages because you have people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, that are living amongst each other, their kids are playing with each other and it helps lift up the entire community,’ Saccomandi said. He added that 'segregated' 100% affordable housing would have the opposite effect.” THE DOVER DO-OVER — “Here's how Dover councilman may clear assault, coercion charges after court hearing,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: “Dover Councilman Sergio Rodriguez spent much of his first year in office on the hot seat after running afoul of the law three times while confronting homeless men and others for allegedly loitering and drinking alcohol on downtown streets. On Monday, he took a big step towards resolving the accumulation of charges …. The 30-year-old councilman appeared in state Superior Court in Morristown Monday for a review hearing before Judge Ralph Amirata in which Rodriguez agreed to apply for a pretrial intervention program that could clear his slate. His attorney, Joseph Scura said they have not yet committed to a PTI program, but for now, ‘on my advice,’ his client would apply.” — “Dead geese removed from [Allentown] borough’s parks test positive for bird flu, officials say” — “Motion to suppress evidence in case of Atlantic City mayor, superintendent to be heard next month” — “Police officer fighting for his life after a weekend stabbing in South Jersey, authorities say” — “Montclair council to name new town manager Tuesday” — “Newark library boosts tech to bridge digital divide for impaired users” — “Restoring history: Renovations begin at the Camden house where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once lived” — “Peapack & Gladstone council president launches run for Somerset surrogate” — “Wardlow-Hurley is new Camden County commissioner” | | | | A message from Uber: Rider safety ensures peace of mind on every trip
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THANK YOU, NEW JERSEY — “Congestion pricing reduced traffic. Now it’s hitting revenue goals,” by The New York Times’ Stefanos Chen and Winnie Hu: “New York’s congestion pricing plan raised $48.6 million in tolls during its first month, a strong start for the program that exceeded expectations and kept it on track to raise billions of dollars for the region’s decaying mass transit system. The revenue figures … are the latest sign that the tolling plan is working, even as President Trump has moved to kill the program … The revenue figures could further strengthen the agency’s case to continue congestion pricing. There has already been a substantial reduction in the number of vehicles entering the congestion zone, which runs from 60th Street in Manhattan to the southern tip of the borough. And travel has sped up along several heavily clogged roadways, bridges and tunnels throughout the region.”
LAWNMOWER MAN — “Coming to a screen near you? NJ man who formed lawn care charity has new project,” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: “Mowing lawns was supposed to be a simple way for Brian Schwartz to stay busy. But after finding a much deeper purpose, he formed a charity and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to perform turf-trimming jobs for those who could not afford professional service or handle the work themselves. The tale was impossible for Hollywood to resist. Walden Media, a Los Angeles film studio, has now optioned the life story of Schwartz to adapt it into a feature-length film.” — “JPMorgan to lay of 121 employees in Jersey City office” — “NJ DOH penalizes Sterling Manor, Maple Shade nursing home, for abrupt removal of residents” — “[Rowan] Palestinian student group reinstated after 3K complaints about poster” — “Rutgers’ interim AD dishes on hoops struggles, plans to pay athletes and optimism about the ‘new world'” — “Former Michigan soccer player allegedly killed by brother in New Jersey” — “Rudy Giuliani spotted in N.J. Walmart shopping for hair products” | | | | 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 | | | |
