The Neuwirth lawsuit drags on

From: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook - Friday Nov 18,2022 11:56 am

Nov 18, 2022

Presented by AARP New Jersey

Good Friday morning!

It’s been two-and-a-half years since former Assistant Health Commissioner Chris Neuwirth filed a lawsuit against the Murphy administration, claiming he was fired for refusing to conduct Covid tests for relatives of Murphy Chief of Staff George Helmy.

Since then, the complaint has been repeatedly amended, with a defamation claim against Murphy thrown in. The case has taken baby steps with argument after argument about discovery. Will the case get to trial soon?

Probably not. But there was something resembling progress yesterday. Judge Douglas Hurd set a March 1 deadline for Neuwrith, Helmy, Attorney General Matt Platkin (who was Murphy’s chief counsel at the time of the complaint) and Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli to all sit for depositions. Neuwrith will have to go first.

But even after all that , Hurd pointed out that it will likely take a while to get to trial thanks to the judicial shortage the state is facing. “This is a 2020 case. Unfortunately, because of the backlog, we’re pretty much doing trials on cases from 2016 and 2017,” Hurd said.

So given that time frame, will Murphy still be in office by the time this case is resolved?

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 285

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Nick Scutari, NJUA’s Tom Churchelow, NJ Future’s Missy Rebovich, John Wisniewski of Westampton. Sunday for Saturday for DCCC's Hans Goff.

WHERE’S MURPHY? — In South Carolina for a National Governors Association seminar for new governors, presumably to teach them how to govern

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We're going to be labeled as Trump Republicans and it's going to be harder and harder to win swing districts … We'll win down in Cape May County and we'll win in Sussex County and everybody will be slapping themselves on the back. And we'll still be in the minority." — State Sen. Jon Bramnick

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Caring for a parent, spouse or other older loved one can be financially and emotionally draining. Every day, family caregivers struggle to assist older loved ones often using money out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends about a quarter of their income on caregiving activities. That’s a huge burden. But NJ lawmakers can give family caregivers the relief they need by supporting the Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021). Tell lawmakers: support (A1802/S2021).

WHAT TRENTON MADE

BREAKING: MURPHY IS RICH — Murphy's income rose by nearly $4M in 2021, tax returns show, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy earned just under $4.97 million in 2021, according to a partial tax return released Thursday afternoon by the governor’s office — up from just under $1 million in taxable income they earned in 2020. It’s the most the Murphys have made since the governor took office, and the second-most since the governor began showing his tax returns to the media. In 2017, while running for office, Murphy reported making just shy of $6.8 million.

— Murphy backs third full pension payment, previews liquor license reform in Atlantic City

—“ New Jersey political parties must work together, governor tells League of Municipalities ”

DEMOCRATS’ 2023 CAMPAIGN SLOGAN: ‘HEY, WE TRIED’ — “ They’ve tried to make NJ more affordable, lawmakers say ,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “New Jersey’s top legislative leaders assured a group of municipal officials Wednesday that they are addressing oft-raised concerns about taxes and affordability … ‘The work we have done will have a positive impact on New Jerseyans going forward, and we’re going to continue to work to do that,’ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) said during the New Jersey State League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City. However, the Democratic leaders who control the Legislature stopped short of a commitment to provide immediate state assistance and offset rising public-worker health-benefit costs.”

FOR WHOM THE TOLLS BILL — “ Port Authority bridge and tunnel toll hike proposed, with officials blaming inflation ,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “After several straight years without a toll hike, tolls will increase by $1 at Port Authority bridges and tunnels between New Jersey and New York — a move that agency officials are blaming on high inflation and a $3 billion pandemic-fueled revenue loss. ... The proposed budget would increase E-ZPass ... peak hour toll ... to $14.75 .... Cash tolls of $16 would increase to $17.”

MARCHING BAND MEMBER RETURNS TO MAKE SAD TROMBONE SOUND — “ NJ promised Party City $10M in tax breaks to move to Bergen County. Now it's cutting jobs ,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “Six weeks ago, state and local officials gathered to celebrate the opening of Party City's corporate headquarters here in the borough and the 700 jobs it promised to bring − a move helped by $10 million in New Jersey tax breaks. Even the Pascack Hills High School marching band showed up. Last week, however, the retailer was playing a different tune. The company announced plans to cut its global workforce by 19% after inflation-weary customers cut back on holiday spending. So what happens to the state incentives? Party City has placed its tax breaks in jeopardy but it still has a couple of years to put things in order, said Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which oversees the subsidy program that the company wants to tap. ‘They haven’t gotten a penny yet,’ Sullivan said this week.”

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LONEGAN AND AGAIN — ” Six Republicans, including Steve Lonegan, mull bid for northwest N.J. Assembly seat ,” by New Jerey Globe’s David Wildstein: “The field of potential candidates for an open State Assembly seat in the 24th district is growing, including an unexpected trial balloon by Steve Lonegan to replace retiring six-term Republican Parker Space (R-Wantage). Steve Lonegan moved to Sussex County a few months ago – his voter registration was effective on October 27 — and now the former Bogota mayor is being urged by some to run for the Space’s seat. He’s one of six conservative Republicans so far that are interested in seeking Space’s seat, along with Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia, Warren County Commissioner Jason Sarnoski, Chester Mayor-elect Michael Inganamort, Lafayette Board of Education President Josh Aikens, and newcomer Enrico Fioranelli, a gym owner from Roxbury.”

LIFE OF BRIAN — Ethics complaint against Stack for allegedly testy phone call dismissed , by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: A Union City landlord filed an ethics complaint against state Sen. Brian Stack, who’s also the city’s mayor, claiming he “yelled, cursed, berated and spoke very negatively” to her during a phone call earlier this year after she filed a complaint against the city’s housing director. But the complaint, filed with the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards in March, was dismissed Tuesday for lack of jurisdiction because, the committee determined, it related only to Stack’s role as mayor and not as a legislator.

—“ Name changes in N.J. now confidential, in support of transgender community ”

—“ Tolls along [AC Expressway] are going up again ”

— Judge seeks to move along Neuwirth whistleblower lawsuit against Murphy administration

—“ Republicans seek recount in tight Mendham Township committee race ”

BIDEN TIME

THE DONE-ALD — “ NJ Republicans: Is it time to dump Trump — or a moment to stay loyal? ” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Rep. Jeff Van Drew, the former Democrat-turned Trump loyalist, kept his pledge of ‘undying support’ to the ex-president during the fall midterms. ‘Every mailer I put out had a picture of Donald Trump and me,’ Van Drew said in a Tuesday interview … Yet, that rally cry is hardly representative of a New Jersey Republican Party that is now facing another two years — and possibly more — of trying to claw back to power under the cloud of a twice-impeached president, who flopped miserably during the midterms. And now some Republicans are publicly saying its time to cut him loose. ‘After the disappointing results of last Tuesday I would encourage — and have been encouraging — leaders across the country to stand up and tell, you know, Trump to sit down,’ Bill Palatucci, a longtime Republican National Committeeman from New Jersey, said in a Wednesday interview from the Republican Governors Association in Orlando.”

—“ U.S. House votes to ban gag orders in sexual harassment cases. [Julie Roginskly] helped lead the effort ”

—“ Migrant families, now in N.J., sue over Trump-era family separation policy ”

—“ What did NJ get from Biden infrastructure bill? ”

—“ ‘If you worked with her, you respected her.’ N.J. Democrats praise Pelosi’s legislative record, historic tenure ”

A message from AARP New Jersey:

LOCAL

THE WINTERS OF THEIR DISCONTENT — “ Critic knocks Jersey City mayor for failing to keep ‘double-dippers’ out of his administration ,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “A vocal critic of the Jersey City mayor is again asking him to fulfill a 14-year-old campaign promise of keeping 'double-dippers' — people with multiple taxpayer-funded jobs — out of his administration. Esther Wintner, president of the local good-government group CivicJC and a former city council candidate, singled out several city officials, including Councilwoman Denise Ridley and Business Administrator John Metro, in a press release critical of both Mayor Steve Fulop and Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise.”

NO, THE DRIVER WASN’T AMY DEGISE — “ Driver who struck cycling Hoboken councilman says it was accident, not road rage ,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “A crash involving a Hoboken city councilman being thrown from a bicycle when he was struck by an agitated driver of an SUV has renewed a conversation in the city about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. A day after The Jersey Journal reported on the Saturday evening crash, the driver says despite Councilman Mike DeFusco’s claim that it was an act of road rage, he did not strike DeFusco on purpose.”

THE SHBP HITS THE FAN — “ This is why Paterson faces a massive city budget gap for 2023 ,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “City officials are facing a 2023 budget deficit that could be as high as $15 million, which mainly stems from the state increasing fees for its employee health benefits. Paterson would have to pay $46.5 million for employee health insurance next year, compared to $37.7 million in 2022, according to the city’s fiscal projections. That $8.8 million jump stems from a 21% increase that officials in Trenton approved for the State Health Benefits Program, which is expected to produce a domino effect of tax increases affecting local governments throughout New Jersey.”

MERCER COUNTY — “ 5-term incumbent county exec might be challenged by former N.J. mayor ,” by Kevin Shea for NJ.com: “Doug Palmer is 71 years old, works as a consultant and has a significant, legacy-defining block on his resume: the 20-year, five-term tenure he spent as mayor of Trenton. So why is he contemplating a run for Mercer County executive? It’s a job held by a fellow, five-term Democrat, Brian Hughes, who on Monday announced he was seeking a sixth term. ‘I have a renewed energy,’ Palmer told NJ Advance Media this week. ‘And I see a new vision and direction for our county government, and I see myself articulating that vision.’"

—“ Investigative failure by [Tuckerton] cops led to me getting shot, man says in lawsuit ”

—“ Marlboro car thefts are climbing. Will a new deterrent be the solution? ”

—“ School board shuffle: Monmouth, Ocean see major wave of new members ”

GO INSIDE THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO is featuring a special edition of our “Future Pulse” newsletter at the 2022 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit from Dec. 6 to 8. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of health industry leaders and innovators solving the biggest global health issues to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for all. SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE .

EVERYTHING ELSE

BOOTEDZANG — “ Seton Hall Law dean stepping down amid embezzlement investigation ,” by The Setonian’s Daniel O’Connor: “The dean of Seton Hall Law will step down on Jan. 1, 2023, the University announced last week. Dr. Kathleen Boozang will return to a faculty position after more than seven years in charge of the law school. The resignation comes amid an ongoing investigation into embezzlement at the school. University spokesperson Laurie Pine did not say whether Boozang’s resignation was connected to the investigation. ‘The University is working to ensure a thorough review is completed in a timely manner and will share the outcome upon its completion,’ Pine said. ‘As this internal review is ongoing, there is little more information to provide at this time.’ The University has appointed professor John Kip Cornwall as interim dean of the school”

—“ This is why it’s time to revisit New Jersey’s clean energy options | Opinion ”

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Caring for a parent, spouse or other older loved one can be financially and emotionally draining. Every day, family caregivers struggle to assist loved ones often using money out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends about a quarter of their income on caregiving activities. Many take on debt or tap into savings to make sure their loved ones get the care they need. That’s a huge burden. And their sacrifices save the state and taxpayers money by keeping their loved ones out of costly nursing home facilities. New Jersey family caregivers provide more than $13 billion a year in unpaid care. It’s past time to give them some financial relief. NJ lawmakers can take action by supporting the Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021). This bill would provide a modest tax credit for family caregivers who pay for expensive care out of their own pockets. Tell lawmakers: support (A1802/S2021).

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