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Matt Friedman's must-read briefing on the Garden State's important news of the day | | | | |  | | By Daniel Han | Good Tuesday morning! Assemblymember Sadaf Jaffer (D-Somerset) — a progressive Democrat and rising star in the party — will not seek reelection this fall. “I just decided this was a time I wanted to focus a bit more on my work in higher education and spend some more time with my family," Jaffer, a postdoctoral research associate in South Asian Studies at Princeton University, said in a phone interview. "Anybody who has been in politics knows that this can be draining and tough.” Jaffer told party leaders of her decision Monday. Jaffer first arrived in the Legislature after being elected in 2021, representing the 16th legislative district. A longtime Republican stronghold, the district has become increasingly Democratic in recent years (it was formerly represented by Republican Jack Ciattarelli and, while it remains competitive, now leans Democratic). “I asked her to reconsider, but I think it's got to do with personal and family matters. Family comes first, and I’m OK with that,” said Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer. It's unclear who will replace Jaffer on the Democratic ticket (read a shortlist of potential candidates from David Wildstein, who broke the initial news). Schaffer suggested she’d prefer a Somerset County resident, since state Sen. Andrew Zwicker lives in the Middlesex County portion of the district (Somerset makes up a plurality of both the district and Democratic voters). “The Senate seat belongs to Middlesex, so we’re hoping we retain another Assembly seat,” Schaffer said. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 346 TIPS? FEEDBACK? FAN MAIL? Email me at Dhan@politico.com or message me on Twitter @Danieljhan_. Hate mail still goes to mfriedman@politico.com. WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Biden admin staffer AMIT JANI, former Republican consultant CHRISTOPHER PORDON, City of Hoboken staffer JASON FREEMAN, Newark Housing Authority’s GREGORY GOOD. Missed yesterday (1/16): NJ Advance Media newsman MATT ARCO, Interim President of New Jersey City University ANDRÉS ACEBO QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Although there has been speculation about whether these whale deaths are linked to wind energy development, at this point no whale mortality has been attributed to offshore wind activities.” — The Marine Mammal Stranding Center on recent speculation that dead whales washing up on the Jersey Shore is the result of offshore wind developments. |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
RED ALARM FOR GREEN GROUPS — Murphy no longer 'greenest governor,' environmental group and key ally says, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's State of the State last week barely mentioned the environment, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul used her's to throw support behind a cap and trade program to ratchet down greenhouse gas emissions. Murphy’s relative silence on climate and the environment was yet another disappointing turn for environmentalists in the state, including the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, which had once championed Murphy as “America’s Greenest Governor.” Now, the group is stripping Murphy of the superlative. In the league’s eyes, the two-term progressive Democrat’s early promises and triumphs in Trenton are being surpassed by green policies coming out of not just Albany and Sacramento, Calif., but Springfield, Ill., and Annapolis, Md.
BIRTH CONTROL — Murphy signs bill allowing access to over-the-counter contraceptives, by POLITICO’s Caroline Petrow-Cohen: Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday signed legislation allowing individuals to acquire birth control without a prescription. The new law permits pharmacists in New Jersey to distribute self-administered oral, transdermal and vaginal contraceptives over the counter. … New Jersey is now the 22nd state to enact such a law. GUN LAW — “Bush-appointed judge to hear both challenges to N.J. gun law,” by the Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “A federal judge on Thursday moved to consolidate two cases seeking to pare down new gun restrictions recently signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy, placing both cases before another judge who blocked some of its provisions earlier this week. The decision marks a victory for gun rights advocates challenging parts of New Jersey’s restrictions on where firearms can be carried and who argued that Judge Renee Marie Bumb, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush, should preside over both cases. Bumb … enjoined portions of the law that barred firearms in libraries and museums, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, entertainment facilities like stadiums and concert venues, and all private property where owners had not expressly consented to allow firearms.” WHALES NEED TO ‘GET THE HELL OFF THE BEACH’ — “Offshore wind work will continue despite 7 dead whales and investigation, Murphy says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas and Brent Johnson: “Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday he doesn’t believe the state should hit pause on offshore wind development despite a seventh dead whale stranding on a New Jersey or New York beach in just over a month. Asked by NJ Advance Media if developers should stop survey work in New Jersey prior to construction, which various climate groups have rallied for, the Democratic governor said: ‘No, I don’t think so.’ … The governor’s comments came hours after a New Jersey congressman, state senator, and others joined the chorus of people calling for a moratorium on offshore wind pre-construction amid an investigation into the potential harm to whales, including New Jersey’s fifth stranding reported Thursday in Brigantine.” — OP-ED: “Conservation expert: Speculation on whale deaths jumps the shark” — Mulshine: “Governor Murphy has a whale of a problem with his offshore energy plan” | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | |
LEARNING LOSS — “NJ isn’t tracking school district compliance with COVID-related law for students with disabilities,” by Chalkbeat Newark’s Jessie Gomez: “The New Jersey Department of Education says it is not currently monitoring whether school districts are complying with a state law about services that students with disabilities missed out on during the pandemic, despite claims from advocates that more state supervision is needed.”
— “N.J. legal weed market ‘on a path’ to include more minorities, those harmed by war on drugs, officials say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Sue Livio: “A small but growing number of people with previous marijuana convictions on Friday received preliminary approval to operate cannabis businesses in New Jersey, one of several signs that ‘diverse and inclusive market is taking shape,’ according to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.” — NJ Advance Media: “Foster children in N.J. now have the legal right to see their siblings” — The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: “Judge Fires at New Jersey’s Gun Law” — The Star-Ledger Editorial Board:“Drug prices are obscene, and Murphy is blocking the smart solution” — South Jersey Times Editorial Board: “Clipping coupons on our way to equality” — NJ Spotlight: “Ciattarelli has his say: Chat Box” — Ciattarelli: “Phil Murphy did little more than a victory dance. What about NJ's problems?” — NJ Globe: “Oroho launches bid for sixth term in N.J. Senate” — NJ Globe: “Murphy has ‘no news to make’ on remaining Supreme Court vacancy” — NJ Globe: “Tom Carver, ex-Labor Commissioner, dies at 86” — NJ Spotlight News: “Undocumented children now covered for health insurance in NJ” — Stile: “NJ is the land of bipartisan milk and honey? Really, Gov. Murphy?” —Scharfenberger: “You’re Offended? Too Bad.” — Cartoon Break: “Who wants to be a judge?”
| | BIDEN TIME | |
MENENDEZ GOES COLD TURKEY — Menendez vows to block plan to sell fighter jets to Turkey, by POLITICO’s Alex Ward, Connor O’brien and Paul McLeary: The chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is vowing to continue blocking the transfer of warplanes to Turkey unless Ankara improves its human rights record and ceases threatening U.S. regional allies. The Biden administration is considering a $20 billion transfer of 40 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and, separately, F-35 fighter jets for Greece, a development first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday and later confirmed by a person familiar with discussions who spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity. Such a deal would require congressional approval and for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to end his longstanding opposition to sending fighter jets to Ankara. But in a statement Menendez’s office drafted for the media and obtained ahead of time by POLITICO, the senator said he hasn’t changed his mind.
GOTTHEIMER — The Real Power in the New Congress Isn’t Where Matt Gaetz Thinks It Is, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris: After nearly five years as Washington’s punchline and punching bag, the Problem Solvers [Caucus] — a group of 50 or so lawmakers frequently derided for solving no problems at all — finally had lived up to its name. For many Democrats, passage of the infrastructure bill was a stunning reversal of fortune for a despondent party: It helped arrest Biden’s polling freefall, revived hopes of more dealmaking and it even began to quell the whispers within his party calling for a new presidential nominee in 2024. And [Rep. Josh] Gottheimer had done it by playing his self-appointed role as a mediator between two Washington tribes that rarely speak the same language, let alone sit at the same table to get something done. It’s a role he may soon be called upon to play again in a new Congress that’s already shaping up as legendarily fractious after a protracted fight over choosing a speaker. Democrats are in the minority now, though by the slenderest of margins, while conservatives have already extracted concessions from Speaker Kevin McCarthy that will give them major influence over the House. — NJ Globe: “Van Drew gets seat on House Judiciary Committee” — OP-ED: “It’s time for Congress to hold hospitals responsible for price gouging” — NJ Advance Media: “Here’s the full list of N.J. projects in the giant federal spending bill. See what’s in your town.” — NJ Globe: “The time Steve Rothman nearly broke up a fight on the House floor” — Kelly: “NJ, NY try to defend against America's new gun culture. Will SCOTUS let us?” — Moran: “‘Moderate’ Republicans help the rich cheat on taxes” | | LOCAL | |
WEED WATCH — “Historic Camden pharmacy renovates to add city’s first cannabis dispensary,” by KYW’s Mike Dougherty: “Officials in Camden have given approval for the city’s first marijuana dispensary, run by a business that’s been around for nearly 100 years. ‘It’s an exciting and extremely humbling experience,’ said Bell Pharmacy owner Tony Minniti. Nowhere else in the country does a pharmacy act as a dispensary for medical and recreational cannabis.”
— “Williams still wins by one vote after Trenton recount,” by The New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Jennifer Williams gets to hold on to her North Ward seat on the Trenton City Council after prevailing in a recount of ballots cast in the December 13 runoff election by one vote. Williams defeated Algernon Ward, Jr, 428 to 427, after a hand recount found two votes that had previously been uncounted. Williams had defeated Ward, 427 to 426, after a final count on December 26. The two had previously been tied in an election that attracted roughly eight percent of the total number of registered voters in the North Ward. Ward told the New Jersey Globe that he now plans to mount a legal challenge to the election results. ‘Oh my god, what a rollercoaster,’ said Ward. According to Ward, there is still one ballot left to be counted and he plans to ask a judge to order it opened.” — NJ Spotlight News: “[Madison] acts to ban marijuana businesses” — Philadelphia Inquirer: “In Ocean City, a new school board alarms the LGBTQ community and its allies” — NJ Advance Media: “MLK once lived in this dilapidated N.J. house, local activists say. A new grant could help save it.” — NJ Advance Media: “Child endangerment charge against Atlantic City councilman is dropped due to lack of evidence” — Hudson County View: “Progressive organizer Adrian Ghainda jumps into D-2 Hudson County commissioner race” — MyCentralJersey: “Environmentalists vow fight of fed's OK of Branchburg, Old Bridge natural gas projects” — Hudson County View: “Hudson County exec. candidate Craig Guy names Florence Holmes as campaign chair” — The Asbury Park Press: “Ocean County to approve multi-million dollar lifeline for senior services” — TapInto Westfield: “Super Says Westfield Schools to Probe Policies After Teacher’s Overdose, Charges” | | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
CORRELATION IS POSSIBLY NOT CAUSATION — “Officials: Whale found dead in NJ likely struck by vessel,” by The Associated Press: “Marine animal welfare officials say the most recent whale found dead on a New Jersey shoreline had apparently been struck by a vessel. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said Sunday that preliminary results of a necropsy on the humpback whale that washed up Thursday on the North End Natural Area in Brigantine indicates that the animal had ‘blunt trauma injuries consistent with those from a vessel strike.’ … ‘Vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the largest known human threats to whales of all species,’ the center said. ‘Although there has been speculation about whether these whale deaths are linked to wind energy development, at this point no whale mortality has been attributed to offshore wind activities.’”
IS IT ‘NEW JERSEY’ CITY UNIVERSITY OR NEW ‘JERSEY CITY’ UNIVERSITY— Andrés Acebo chosen to lead NJCU out of fiscal emergency, by POLITICO’s Carly Sitrin: New Jersey City University has chosen Andrés Acebo, currently the executive vice president and university counsel, to be its new interim president and lead the school through choppy fiscal waters. Acebo takes over on Jan. 17 — the day after he turns 37 — and will become “the youngest known president to ever lead a public university in New Jersey,” according to a statement from NJCU. … Acebo will be tasked with navigating NJCU — which enrolls some 6,550 undergraduates and graduate students at its Jersey City campus — through a reorganization of senior leadership and academic offerings as the school attempts to dig its way out of a multimillion-dollar financial hole revealed in June. — “Study of New Jersey roadkill looks at how critters move, or don’t move, around the Garden State,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jason Nark: “A recently finished, five-year study by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections (NJDEP) Fish & Wildlife’s Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey looked at 1,669 DNA samples collected from 33 different native mammal species across the state. Some samples were taken from roadkill, others from legally harvested animals. The study, conducted by 100 volunteers armed with scissors, test tubes, and rubber gloves, found that New Jersey’s prolific development — highways, roads, strip malls — inhibits their ability to disperse and to spread their genes.” — NJ Advance Media: “Ex-worker sues N.J. cannabis operator [Ascend Wellness] for racial discrimination” — OP-ED: “Doctor: New Jersey’s healthcare workforce shortage is getting worse” — OP-ED: “A broader perspective on the teacher shortage”
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