| | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Friday morning! This is how the line ends. Not with a bang but a whimper. Gov. Murphy yesterday formally ended a long era in New Jersey politics when he signed the ballot design bill that mandates office blocks on ballots. The county line was effectively dead already thanks to successful federal lawsuits against it by Sen. Andy Kim and progressive groups and candidates. But yesterday’s bill signing made it official, even if the bill falls short of what its progressive opponents want. But for all the major implications of the governor’s signature, he made no statement on signing it. Instead, his office issued a press release noting 10 bills signed by the governor, with this one sandwiched between legislation allowing Perth Amboy to spend unused state funds for a pedestrian bridge and a resolution establishing a “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week” in May. Critics have threatened to sue over this, so the litigation may not be over. In fact, the litigation on the original case isn’t over. Camden County Democrats, along with clerks from Union and Bergen counties, still haven’t settled. Those threatening lawsuits aren't happy that the bill still allows candidates to bracket. They don’t like late changes made by the Senate that allow clerks to put number/letter markers next to candidate names, and no longer having voters choose Democratic and Republican state committee members. Read more from Ry Rivard. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Alex Ambrose, Steven Gardner, Wendy Sturgeon, Justin Rivera, Daniel Weinberg. Saturday for Josh Gottheimer, Erik Peterson, Diane Allen, Zach Fink, Matt McHale, John Francis Roman. Sunday for Joe Danielsen. WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Yesterday it came to my attention that medical providers, laboratories and hospitals are being forced to provide the questionnaire below to NEWBORN patients … This law mandates collection of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity data with no age threshold — hence newborn babies receiving the survey.” — A Facebook post by Sen. Holly Schepisi, about hospital forms that asked gender identity and sexual orientation information for newborns. (Inspira, which initially used the form Schepisi posted, got a waiver to discontinue it, according to the senator. Patients are not required to fill out the forms). TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com | | | | A message from New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers: When big auto manufacturers make the mistakes, it's the local technicians who pay the price. Instead of covering recall costs, automakers shift the cost to neighborhood new car dealerships, leaving hardworking techs underpaid for critical repairs. A4380/S3309 ensures fair pay for technicians and holds automakers accountable. Learn more and take action here. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
WELL, THE SUPREME COURT IS WILLING TO OVERTURN AT LEAST ONE WARSHAW CAMDEN DECISION — “Secret legal fight over N.J. clergy abuse probe revealed,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “A secret legal battle over whether the state could investigate allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy within the Catholic Church finally came in the open Thursday after the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered the release of hundreds of pages of court filings detailing the behind-the-scenes fight. At the same time, the high court scheduled a hearing next month to hear arguments as to whether a grand jury investigation of those abuse complaints can proceed … What nobody knew until the unexpected release last month of a once-sealed transcript involving a lower court hearing on the case was that legal challenges to the state’s plan had been playing out all the while, unseen by the public. It turns out that one New Jersey diocese had sought to prevent any investigation — and keep a grand jury from presenting its findings to a court. What happened on Thursday is that the confidential court records revolving around those challenges were ordered released by the Supreme Court, after some redactions by the Attorney General’s office ….
"Camden, in its objection, challenged the grand jury’s authority as its lawyers argued that no state law allowed it to present a case and this would violate the state and federal constitutions' guarantee of a separation of church and state. The state, according to the transcript, argued that the church and its clergy had a 'direct and intimate relationship with New Jersey citizens,' and that its leaders were endowed with the public trust. But Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw Jr., sitting in Mercer County, agreed with Camden’s challenge, saying a grand jury presentment should refer to public affairs and conditions, not a religious organization.” THIS IS FINES — “New Jersey eyes decriminalizing underage gambling and using fines for compulsive betting treatment,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Wayne Parry: “New Jersey is rethinking how it deals with underage gambling, moving toward making such activity a civil offense rather than a crime, with fines going to fund programs for compulsive gamblers. A package of bills moving through the state Legislature aims to change the emphasis from punishment to rehabilitation, while providing additional money for badly needed treatment programs. 'Sixty to 80% of high school students report having gambled for money within the past year,' said Assemblywoman Claire Swift, R-Atlantic, a sponsor of one of the bills. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office said at least 39 people ages 18 to 20 were charged with underage gambling between 2017 and 2021. The statistics do not include those younger than 18. One of the bills would decriminalize gambling by someone under the age of 21; current law classifies the crime as a disorderly persons offense.” RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMASWAMY — “Ramaswamy to speak at state GOP summit,” by New Jersey Globe’s Zach Blackburn: “New Jersey Republicans will host Vivek Ramaswamy at the state party’s leadership summit later this month, according to an email sent to Republicans. Ramaswamy, who recently launched a bid to be Ohio’s governor, will speak at the NJGOP Victory Welcome Reception in Atlantic City on March 21 … The GOP summit will include a series of Candidate Spotlight events with Republicans running for governor in the Garden State. Invitees included former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, state Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), former state Sen. Ed Durr, and former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac. Former radio host Bill Spadea rejected the invitation to the summit.” — “N.J. lawmakers pass ballot redesign aimed at curbing political bosses, but not everyone’s happy” — Sayegh: “Mikie Sherrill can make NJ housing more affordable. She should be governor” — “Legislators, advocates renew fight to cap soaring hospital costs” — “NJ Transit trains stuck in Hudson tunnel cause 2-hour delay, highlight need for Gateway” — “George Washington Bridge gets a major tuneup” | | | | A message from New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers:  
| | | | | TRUMP ERA | |
HEALTH CARE CHAINSAW MASSACRE — “Hundreds from NJ disability community rally in Trenton against GOP Medicaid cuts,” by The Record’s Gene Myers: “Every morning, Kevin Nunez begins his day with the help of a personal aide — an assistant funded by Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program that could be in line for deep cuts. Nunez, whose cerebral palsy necessitates a wheelchair, said the program allows him to live independently. Without support provided by Medicaid, the Willingsboro man said, he wouldn’t be able to get out of bed, dress or prepare for his day. The author and activist was among hundreds of New Jerseyans who rallied in Trenton on Thursday against $880 billion in spending cuts endorsed by House Republicans in their federal budget proposal. The boisterous crowd filled a plaza outside the Statehouse chanting ‘No Medicaid cuts!’ and ‘Let us live!’ Buses and vans with wheelchair lifts lined the streets.”
SAVE THIS ARTICLE — “Medicaid vital to new Republicans in working class, Van Drew says” WHOA, NELLIE — House Democrats add Latino-heavy districts to most vulnerable list for 2026, by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu: House Democrats are making it official: Latino voters have shifted their battleground map. Their campaign arm is unveiling its list of top battleground incumbents to defend in 2026, giving the first insight into how the party views the midterm elections — with notable new additions to reflect a shift toward President Donald Trump in some majority-Latino congressional districts. The 26-member “frontline” list provided first to POLITICO otherwise largely matches the list of districts where Democrats played defense last cycle … Another once-safe district, the North Jersey seat held by Rep. Nellie Pou, was deep-blue territory for years before Trump won it this past cycle. Although there are warning signs that could signal a broader shift among Latino voters away from Democrats, the party still seemed confident about its potential to capture the majority next year. STEPPING UP TO THE PLAT — “N.J. attorney general sues President Trump over teacher training cuts,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “New Jersey and a coalition of other states on Thursday sued the federal government, arguing President Donald Trump’s attempt to cut $600 million in congressionally approved teacher training grants violates federal law that governs the process U.S. agencies use to create regulations. The challenge by Attorney General Matt Platkin and attorneys general in states like California, Massachusetts, and five others argues Trump’s attempt to terminate that funding outstripped executive authority and must be barred. ‘Congress authorized this spending,’ Platkin told the New Jersey Monitor.” — “Rowan University makes changes in response to Trump administration’s DEI policies” — “How much did Elon Musk spend to help Tom Kean Jr. get reelected?” — “From undocumented to unstoppable: Meet the woman who helps N.J.‘s migrants” — “In NJ, Trump economic ally pushes idea of raising SALT deduction to $20K or higher” | | | | CALIFORNIA DECODED: The technology industry and its key characters are driving the national political narrative right now, but it is also a uniquely California story. To understand how the Golden State is defining tech policy and politics within its borders and beyond, we’ve launched POLITICO Pro Technology: California Decoded. This new daily newsletter will track how industry players in Silicon Valley are trying to influence state and national lawmakers – and how government officials are encouraging or foiling those figures. Sign up now to get a limited, free trial of this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. | | | | | | | LOCAL | |
UNION COUNTY — “Contractor claims ‘act of retaliation’ by N.J. county after it sued to win bid on big project,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “They call it an act of retaliation. Three years after successfully challenging Union County over charges that officials violated state public bidding laws in the awarding of a multi-million-dollar contract to build a new government complex, the company that finally won the bid is now accusing the county of exacting revenge. In a new lawsuit filed in federal court last week, Dobco — a Wayne-based construction and development company — charged that the county and the Union County Improvement Authority, which is overseeing the project, engaged in a campaign of retaliatory acts. It said the action came in the wake of a contentious legal battle that forced officials to bid the project out after it had been awarded to another firm chosen by the county. Those alleged acts included refusing to provide Dobco with necessary design plans, delaying the resolution of any disputes involving the construction, withholding payments, disrupting relationships with others tied to the project, and ‘spreading false information’ about Dobco. … The improvement authority, in its own statement, denied Dobco’s charges and called the litigation a ‘frivolous’ lawsuit.”
CAMDEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS ON FIRE — “Two-story tall scrapyard fire was made worse by employees, first responders say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “The recent massive scrapyard fire in Camden, which sent plumes of smoke spewing as far as 15 miles away and caused over 100 people to evacuate, was exacerbated by employees on the scene, according to the local fire department … When the fire department arrived on the scene at 1400 South Front Street in February, flames were seen coming from a large pile of recycled scrap metal at the rear of the property and quickly spread, according to an incident report obtained by NJ Advance Media on Thursday. ‘Battalion-1 special called multiple companies due to heavy fire spread caused by EMR employees moving burning material to the surrounding pile and onto an industrial conveyer belt leading to a building,’ Ezequiel Tirado, Camden Fire Department battalion chief, wrote in the incident report. ‘Their actions caused the entire pile (measuring roughly 300’x250’ about 2-stories tall), the conveyor belt, along with the four-story building to be fully engulfed in flames,’ he wrote. ‘The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th alarms were struck.’” AMERICON DREAM — “American Dream is fully open, judge rules, as towns seek $13M in mall payments,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “A Bergen County judge has ruled that American Dream was fully open for business when it opened its doors to the public in 2019, rejecting an argument that would have freed the mall from paying millions of dollars in fees to surrounding towns. In a decision issued Friday, state Superior Court Judge William Soukas ruled in favor of East Rutherford, one of the municipalities that say the megamall at the Meadowlands Sports Complex owes a combined $13 million in payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, to surrounding communities. ‘It’s only baby steps for us,’ East Rutherford Mayor Jeffrey Lahullier said in an interview, noting Soukas' determination was just one step in a continuing legal battle … Triple Five, the Canadian development firm that runs American Dream, had argued that it never reached 100% occupancy and so was not completely open.” — “Chaneyfield Jenkins will run for McIver’s council seat” — “Candidates challenging Hackensack mayor, council want early voting. Can it happen?” — “Ex-[Mount Laurel] cop admits hacking into social media accounts of nearly 20 women, distributing naked pics, officials say” — “Police officer pulls unconscious driver from burning vehicle after crash in Bridgewater, NJ” — “Will Toms River allow church to open homeless shelter? Officials will soon have to decide” — “Angry parents and students oppose Paterson's new plan for middle schools” — “Mother arrested by ICE at family’s Jersey Kebab restaurant will face an immigration judge on Tuesday” | | | | A message from New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers: Their Mistake. Your Bill.
Big auto manufacturers make billions but push car recall costs onto local dealerships and consumers, even refusing to pay a fair wage to the local technicians fixing their mistakes. Instead of taking responsibility, they find ways to shift the cost of their mistakes to hardworking families and small businesses.
A4380/S3309 ensures automakers cover their fair share--protecting workers, families, and local businesses from unfair financial burdens. This legislation holds automakers accountable, stopping them from shifting costs they should be paying onto you.
It's time to level the playing field. Support A4380/S3309 and make sure automakers pay their fair share.
Learn more and take action here. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SETON HALL SCANDAL — 'Seton Hall failed to disclose key report to lawyers in Catholic abuse lawsuit’, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Seton Hall University has ignored calls by New Jersey’s governor, three state lawmakers and a member of Congress to release a report critical of its new president’s failure to report allegations in a major sexual abuse scandal more than five years ago. Now it could be a judge who forces the storied Catholic university’s hand. Avion Benjamin, a state Superior Court judge in Essex County, New Jersey, spent the last seven months overseeing the litigation of 450 claims of sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Newark and at Seton Hall. Her predecessor in the case, which began in 2019, long ago ordered both institutions to disclose a mountain of evidence to lawyers for the alleged victims. Yet even Benjamin said she was stunned to learn from reporting in POLITICO about the existence of the report, which includes accusations that Monsignor Joseph Reilly, now Seton Hall’s president, failed to properly report abuse claims. Seton Hall and the archdiocese disclosed other materials related to abuse, but not the report. “This report is from 2019. They had to find out about it in 2025 in POLITICO,” she said of the alleged victims’ attorneys, according to a transcript of a hearing held on Feb. 12. “I mean, that just sounds crazy to me.”
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW A FIGHT AT A PIANO RECITAL? — “Sportsmanship pledge at NJ high school sports no longer worth paper it's written on,” by the Asbury Park Press’ Stephen Edelson: “The scene inside a largely empty courtroom Wednesday was far removed from statewide drama and chaotic scenes surrounding St. John Vianney wrestler Anthony Knox Jr. But it's all related, and Wall Township Municipal Court Judge Roger McLaughlin made that clear. It was last Oct. 18, after the Wall High School football team defeated Howell 24-10 that authorities said Kelly Davis, mother of a Wall player, went on the field and confronted a 17-year-old Howell player. The next day she was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. McLaughlin dismissed the charges against Davis. The Howell football player did not want to testify, just wanting it all to go away. Don’t we all. Davis faces no consequences. Knox will apparently not face any right away, either. Which ensures the chaos in New Jersey high school sports will continue.” — “Gov. Murphy admin applauds NJCU’s decision to partner with Kean University” — “‘Anora’ director says movie theaters are in trouble. How these NJ cinemas have hung on” | | | | 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 | | | |
