Murphy (sort of) walks back tough words on federal judge

From: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook - Thursday Jan 19,2023 11:56 am

Jan 19, 2023

Good Thursday morning!

After a federal judge blocked key parts of the state’s newly enacted concealed carry law last week, the governor’s office released a sharply-worded statement criticizing a “right-wing federal judge, [who] without any serious justification, has chosen to invalidate common sense restrictions.”

But here’s the rub: It’s not exactly what the governor was thinking.

“I want to say unequivocally I respect the judiciary in this state, whether it's federal or state, even when I don't agree with them,” Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters at an unrelated event yesterday, when asked about a gun control issue. “The words that were put out by our team some number of days ago are not my words. I don't agree with the [judge’s] decision. I don’t like the decision. ... But we respect the judiciary, period.”

In a sense, Murphy’s off-the-cuff remarks and what his communications team sent are similar in substance, albeit Murphy more diplomatic in his tone. But it’s unusual for a politician to separate themselves from their official statements.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 348

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? — Making an announcement in Union at 1 p.m.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. MIKIE SHERRILL, Assemblymember SHAVONDA SUMTER

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This guy's a complete fraud” – Gov. Phil Murphy on Rep. George Santos.

SPOKESPERSON RESPONSE OF THE DAY: “Our office is aware of the allegations, but the office is unable to confirm or deny the existence of investigations.” – A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office on whether Santos is facing an investigation over allegations he swindled $3,000 meant for a homeless veteran’s dying dog.

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.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

NOT STICKING TO YOUR GUNS — Platkin: Bars, private property owners can still prohibit guns despite recent court order, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said Wednesday that private property owners can still prohibit guns from being carried on their premises, zeroing in on establishments that serve alcohol as an example ahead of Saturday night's Giants-Eagles playoff game. “If [you] don't want somebody to carry a firearm on [your] property, whether it be your house or your business, you have that right,” Platkin said in an interview. “And so we wanted to clarify that.” Platkin’s remarks — initially made in a tweet — come as a federal judge recently blocked parts of a newly enacted New Jersey law which had a blanket ban on guns being carried in broad parts of the state. One prohibition the judge said the state could not enforce was banning guns in places that serve alcohol. While the statewide ban cannot be enforced, Platkin said private property owners could still decide to prohibit guns from being carried on their premises, and used the upcoming Giants-Eagles game as an example.

— NJ Advance Media: “Will Gov. Murphy root for the Giants or Eagles in big NFL playoff game? Here’s what he just said.”

NO LAWS WHEN YOU’RE DRINKING CLAWS, BUT THERE’S A LOT IF YOU SMOKE POT — “N.J. will allow consumption lounges for legal weed, but there will be rules. Lots of them,” by NJ Advance Media’s Sue Livio: “The [Cannabis Regulatory Commission] on Tuesday published the proposed licensing and operational rules for the [cannabis consumption] lounges in the New Jersey Register, a bi-weekly journal of proposed and approved state regulations. The rules would apply to dispensaries selling recreational marijuana. There are 21 across the state open to recreational users and nine that serve only patients registered with the state medicinal program. … The most controversial rule is the ban on dispensaries selling food or drinks of any kind. Patrons may bring their own snacks, and even have a meal delivered to the lounge, according to the proposal. Booze and tobacco product consumption are also prohibited.”

‘23 WATCH — “Republicans settle on likely Senate candidate in LD14,” by The Globe’s Joey Fox: “As Republicans work to expand their minority in the New Jersey Legislature and possibly even turn it into a majority, one place where they’ll need to run a strong campaign this year is the 14th legislative district, a Democratic-leaning district based in the suburbs of Mercer and Middlesex Counties. And it looks like they may have settled on their Senate candidate: Patricia Johnson, a medical professional who previously ran for the Assembly in 2021. Johnson, who would face State Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) in the general election, currently does not face any opponents for the Republican nomination, and none are expected to get in the race.”

— “Fantasia, Inganamort running together for open 24th district Assembly seats,” by The Globe’s David Wildstein: “Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia and Chester Township Mayor Mike Inganamort have teamed up to seek two open State Assembly seats in the 24th legislative district where incumbents Parker Space (R-Wantage) and Hal Wirths (R-Wantage) are not seeking re-election.”

OFF THE WATERFRONT — Waterfront Commission rejects New Jersey lawmaker’s attempt to keep dock job, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Labor regulators on Wednesday rejected a New Jersey lawmaker’s attempt to keep his waterfront job, despite his not showing up for work the required number of days last year. Assemblymember William Sampson (D-Hudson) had asked the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to reconsider its December decision to oust him after he failed to meet attendance requirements for a coveted job on the docks. The bi-state agency regulates who can work on the New York and New Jersey waterfront.

THIS WILL SURELY BE RESOLVED SOON — Senate Republicans file complaint against Treasury over health benefits records, by Daniel:Senate Republicans have filed a complaint against the state Department of the Treasury over a dispute involving access to public records for the state’s public workers health insurance program. The complaint — an unusual move by lawmakers — was filed Tuesday with the Government Records Council, according to a copy viewed by POLITICO. The complaint stems from an Oct. 20, 2022, records request from Senate Republicans asking for details regarding the financial impact of potentially cost saving measures proposed by labor groups for the State Health Benefits Program. None of the proposals have been implemented. The lawmakers also wanted to know how much the deal the Murphy administration struck with state workers to lower health premium increases would cost the state.

COVER ALL KIDS — Murphy touts expanded 'Cover All Kids' eligibility, by Daniel: An estimated 16,000 undocumented children will now have access to health care through an expansion of New Jersey's Medicaid program. On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy, along with Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, highlighted the latest phase of the state’s “Cover All Kids” initiative which began in 2021 and aims to expand health care to children in the state. The expansion for undocumented children under the age of 19 took effect Jan. 1, 2023; the 16,000 figure is based on children whose families would be financially eligible for Medicaid, but were excluded because of their immigration status.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, THERE’S AN ATLANTIC CITY CASINO — The labor union representing Atlantic City’s casino dealers continues to push for a smoking ban inside of Atlantic City casinos. In a letter to legislative leadership first shared with POLITICO, the United Auto Workers — which claims a membership of around 1,200 Atlantic City casino workers — asked Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to allow the bills to advance. While the legislation has the support of over half of all lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly, it has failed to even get a committee hearing. Check out the letter here.

— POLITICO: New Jerseyans don’t think highly of their state or federal government, new poll finds

— The Star-Ledger Editorial Board: “Want to save the whales? Build wind turbines”

— NJ Advance Media: “Shootings, car thefts fell last year, Murphy says. Here are the numbers”

— NJ Globe: “Growing consensus that Jaffer’s successor should be a woman”

— ACLU: “Reclaiming our New Jersey: A transformative vision for the future”

— NJ Advance Media: “N.J. judge retirement age could rise to fight ‘catastrophic’ court vacancies. Not all like the idea.”

— The Record: “Alcohol industry donations surged for Murphy, who now wants liquor license reform”

— The Monitor: “Lawmakers ponder regulations for pet insurance”

— The Asbury Park Press: “Phil Murphy's plan to change liquor license rules stirs debate over 'antiquated' system”

BIDEN TIME

PET CHARITY-ISH — “Disabled Veteran: George Santos Took $3K From Dying Dog's GoFundMe,” by The Patch’s Jacqueline Sweet: “In May 2016, Richard Osthoff was living in a tent in an abandoned chicken coop on the side of Route 9 in Howell, New Jersey, with his beloved service dog Sapphire. A veteran's charity gave the pit mix to Osthoff, a disabled veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2002, he told Patch. When Sapphire developed a life-threatening stomach tumor, Osthoff, now 47, learned the surgery would cost $3,000. A veterinary technician took Osthoff aside and told him, ‘'I know a guy who runs a pet charity who can help you,' Osthoff recounted.”

“His name was Anthony Devolder, and his pet charity was called Friends of Pets United, the vet tech told him.Anthony Devolder is one of the names that Long Island Rep. George Santos used for years before entering politics in 2020. … Osthoff and another New Jersey veteran, retired police Sgt. Michael Boll, who tried to intervene to help Osthoff in 2016, told Patch that Santos closed the GoFundMe he set up for Sapphire after it raised $3,000 on social media and disappeared.”

— Semafor: “George Santos denies swindling a disabled veteran while their dog died of a tumor”

— NJ Globe: “Like his predecessor, Kean gets seat on Foreign Affairs Committee,”

— NJ Advance Media: “Here’s what feds are looking at as they study 9 whale deaths on East Coast”

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.

LOCAL

MONMOUTH — “N.J. election officials knew about voting machine issues in November,” by The Globe’s David Wildstein: “The Monmouth County Superintendent of Elections office was notified nearly nine weeks ago that general election vote totals didn’t add up, but they didn’t stop the certification of the election results. … The internal investigation into the problems associated with ES&S and the election results was first brought to the attention of county election officials in mid-December, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed.

— NJ Globe: “Democratic senator [Gopal] calls on state, federal prosecutors to probe Monmouth voting machine issues”

— NJ Globe: “N.J. county will seek court-ordered recount after voting machines produced erroneous election results”

TIME FOR SOME TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN JERSEY CITY — “Holland Tunnel Out of New York City Will Close Overnight Through 2025,” by The New York Times’ Patrick McGeehan: “More than a decade after Hurricane Sandy swamped it with 30 million gallons of brackish water, the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River is getting an overhaul that will divert traffic leaving New York City for nearly three years. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Tuesday that it would close the New Jersey-bound north tube of the tunnel six nights a week, starting Feb. 5. The overnight shutdowns will extend through 2025, the Port Authority said. Drivers will have to choose other routes out of Manhattan from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights and from 11:59 p.m. on Fridays until 9 a.m. on Saturdays. A similar schedule of overnight shutdowns has been in place for New York-bound traffic at the 95-year-old tunnel since April 2020. That work is scheduled to end on Feb. 4.”

—“From crack house to courthouse: Monmouth prosecutor's remarkable journey to new job,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Kathleen Hopkins: “Raymond S. Santiago, native of Puerto Rico and onetime poor kid from Brooklyn, New York, is now Monmouth County’s chief law enforcement officer. He was sworn in last month as county prosecutor — only the second Hispanic person to get the job. … Among public awareness campaigns the new prosecutor said he wants to embark on is one geared to youth, warning them to stay clear of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which he said is responsible for an alarming number of deaths. The message Santiago said he wants to send to young people is, ‘One time is too many, that you can die from one dose.’ He said he also wants to address the county’s youth about cyber bullying, cyber sexting and other internet safety issues.”

— The Press of Atlantic City: “Atlantic City Council approves lawsuit settlement with embattled police officer”

— The Hudson County View: “Alex Valdez will challenge Hudson County Commissioner Al Cifelli in the 9th District”

— MyCentralJersey.com: “Three Highland Park council members nominated to fill vacant mayor's seat”

— NJ Globe: “Hughes hits Benson for vote on controversial elections bill”

EVERYTHING ELSE

ENERGY — PSEG drops investment in New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm, by Ry: Public Service Enterprise Group, the owner of New Jersey’s largest utility, is backing out of a deal to own a quarter of the state’s first offshore wind farm, citing federal tax policy. The decision, which has been anticipated since PSEG said it was reviewing its deal late last year, means Danish wind giant Orsted will now own all of the wind farm, known as Ocean Wind 1. Orsted said last year it is worried about making money on the project, which has not begun construction. PSEG did not cite that as a reason for backing away from the deal. Instead, it said it was ‘no longer the ideal tax investor for this project.’

PARTY POOPER — “Party City Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy With Plans to Cut Debt,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Soma Biswas and Colin Kellaher: “Party City Holdco Inc. filed for bankruptcy, weighed down by a confluence of factors including the pandemic and changing consumer behavior. The Woodcliff Lake, N.J.-based company filed for chapter 11 on Tuesday with a deal with creditors holding roughly 70% of over $900 million in senior secured first-lien notes. The creditors agreed to support an expedited restructuring and to convert their debt to equity.”

CAMDEN, THE CITY THAT SMILES BACK — “Campbell’s will oversee pretzels and Goldfish from expanded headquarters in Camden,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Harold Brubaker: “Campbell Soup Co. on Wednesday announced a $50 million upgrade and expansion of its Camden headquarters as it consolidates the central offices of snack businesses from North Carolina and Connecticut. The changes, expected to be completed over three years, will add about 330 positions to Campbell’s Camden offices, bringing the total jobs there to about 1,600, according to Campbell, which in December reported strong sales and earnings growth.”

— Bloomberg: “NJ Accountant Pleads Guilty in $1.3 Billion Green Tax Fraud Case”

— NJ Advance Media: “N.J. is desperate for new nurses, report says. Who will fill the void as departures escalate? ”

— The Daily Record: “‘I can do more’: NJ kids with physical disabilities struggle to play, compete”

— The Asbury Park Press: “CentraState cyberattack: Why are hospitals so vulnerable to hackers?”

Follow us on Twitter