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Presented by OxyChem: Matt Friedman's must-read briefing on the Garden State's important news of the day | | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by OxyChem | Good Thursday morning! What is it with Tom Kean Jr., reporters and elevators? If you’ve been around New Jersey politics for a while (and I’m sorry if you have), you’ll remember the incident where Kean, being questioned by reporters during his 2006 run for U.S. Senate, walked into an Atlantic City casino elevator. “Thank you, guys,” he said. But the reporters followed him into the elevator, kept questioning him, and about 40 seconds later he exited, having never left the floor he entered on. POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy on Wednesday tried to get Kean to comment in Washington on whether he supports House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s decision to start an impeachment inquiry of President Biden. New Jersey’s two other Republican House members, who are in far safer districts than Kean’s, have already backed it. But Kean, as noted in Wednesday’s quote of the day, seems to be pretending not to hear the question. When Mia asked him, he said nothing. And after repeating the question, Kean finally asked Mia how she was doing and how long she has been at POLITICO. Then, as Mia walked with him through the basement hallways of the Capitol, Kean entered an elevator. But I’m told there’s an unwritten courtesy that reporters in that complex don’t follow representatives into elevators, demonstrating just how comparably uncivilized the Jersey press corps is. So Mia didn’t follow Kean in, but asked one last time for a comment. He gave a close-lipped smile as the elevator doors closed in front of him. Presumably, the elevator then traveled to a different floor. I have no idea how Kean will vote on impeachment if it comes to it, but it would be politically difficult in the 7th District. Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who’s traveling to New Jersey next Friday for a “Beer and Chili bash” fundraiser for Kean, can only spare a few votes. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s amazing to me y’all got money to always travel.” — Paterson activist Cameo Black following the school board’s approval to spend $30,000 for six of its nine members to attend a conference in New Orleans later this year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Neil Eicher WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule
| | | | A message from OxyChem: OxyChem opposes the EPA’s Passaic River Superfund settlement. Over 100 companies released 8 chemicals into the river, but EPA may settle with most of them for only $150 million total. That leaves handful of other companies and NJ taxpayers to cover the rest of the $1.82 billion clean-up cost. OxyChem is the sole company offering to do the clean-up work. Tell the EPA to make all companies pay their fair share. Learn more at PassaicRiverCleanup.com | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
READ US. PERHAPS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP SOLVE A MYSTERY — Unsolved Covid mystery: Who came up with 'mask insubordination' policy at veterans homes? by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Last week's Justice Department report on state-run veterans homes did more than confirm claims of poor care and mismanagement in the Covid-19 pandemic. It also debunked the Murphy administration's explanation for one of its earliest policies at the homes: Banning face coverings and punishing staffers who masked up. But it remains a mystery exactly where that "mask insubordination" policy came from. Tucked into a subsection of the report focusing on low morale and staff mistrust at the homes, the Justice Department makes clear that the no-mask policy for employees in itself was counter to public health guidance in March 2020 and "out of step" with outside health care providers. But Gov. Phil Murphy's office took it further, saying at the time it would discipline employees who wore masks. … The policy did not last long, but it contributed to the overall failures by the state to keep residents of the nursing homes safe.
THE DISCOVERY MASTER ZONE — “Why NJ attorney is opposing this stopgap for state's judicial vacancy crisis,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “New Jersey's nagging judicial vacancy crisis has driven many litigants to find alternatives to settle their disputes. One common option has been the hiring of discovery masters — or private third parties — to hear discovery arguments. Discovery masters are typically used voluntarily in complicated cases in which there are disputes about the exchange of evidence in discovery. Discovery masters can also be assigned by courts in extraordinary circumstances when judges may be unable to quickly settle disputes. But there’s one major difference between going to court and using a discovery master to help mediate a dispute: money. Discovery masters aren't employed by the state court system and have the right to charge hourly fees to handle cases. A Somerset County attorney thinks that should be the state’s problem — and not his client's. Why? The discovery master in his client's case was hired because of the judicial vacancies plaguing New Jersey's courts.” JUSTICE SINATRA ALREADY RULED IN FAVOR OF THE MARRIAGE NON-DISPARAGEMENT CLAUSE — “New Jersey high court will weigh legality of non-disparagement agreements,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “The New Jersey Supreme Court has agreed to weigh whether a state ban on certain non-disclosure agreements extends to similar agreements that bar workers from bad-mouthing their past employers. The case stems from a lawsuit lodged by former Neptune Township police sergeant Christine Savage, who claims a non-disparagement agreement she and the township entered into is barred by a 2019 state law that bans the use of some workplace non-disclosure agreements.”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DIPLOMATIC PLATFORM WITH UNGA PLAYBOOK: The 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly will jam some of the world's most influential leaders into four city blocks in Manhattan. POLITICO's special edition UNGA Playbook will take you inside this important gathering starting Sept. 17 — revealing newsy nuggets throughout the week and insights into the most pressing issues facing global decision-makers today. Sign up for UNGA Playbook. | | | | | NOW SUPER PACS CAN DO THIS LEGALLY — ELEC audit finds over $300K in late-reported PAC donations in 2021 campaign, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: The complaints target 16 PACs, 14 of which are affiliated with unions and two with business interests. New Jersey requires PACs to disclose within 48 hours any expenditures of more than $1,900 made during the late campaign season — in this case, from Oct. 1, 2021, to Nov. 2, 2021. The requirement is designed to increase transparency since otherwise, the PACs would not have to disclose those donations until their next quarterly report was due in January, well after the election. However, an audit of major New Jersey PACs found $301,390 in donations that were not disclosed until later. … Previously, independent expenditure groups like super PACs were also required to file 48-hour reports close to the election. But the controversial Elections Transparency Act — a new law that overhauled New Jersey’s campaign finance system — exempted such groups from those requirements, while still keeping them in place for traditional PACs like those mentioned above. —“Disability advocates plan rally at NJ Statehouse to highlight community's political power” —“Coalition aims to derail move to restrict new sales of fossil-fuel vehicles” —“Elizabeth Matto named as new Eagleton Institute director”
| | | | A message from OxyChem:   | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
IF CHRISTIE IS AHAB, THERE’S A NEW SUSPECT IN THE WHALE DEATHS — “Chris Christie and the politics of pursuit,” by Carl Golden for InsiderNJ: “With his announced intention to follow former President Trump around the country hoping to confront him personally, former New Jersey Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie has joined Ahab, Javert, Gerard, Coyote and Fudd on his own quest to corner him and force a public encounter. It is yet another turn in what has become one of the wackiest presidential campaigns by both parties in modern history. … It is unlikely that setting himself up as a one man truth squad to trail Trump around the country will produce any breakout change in polling support. Christie has boasted often that he’d mop the floor with his one time friend and confidante in a head to head debate and there’s ample evidence that the former governor is far more adept in that format than any of the others, including Trump. While that is certainly true, it accomplishes nothing toward breaking the vise-like grip Trump has maintained on the Republican voter base.”
— Tom Kean Jr. dodges questions on Biden impeachment inquiry —“'Bring me the evidence': Chris Christie called out for abortion comment on MSNBC” — Romney not running for reelection
| | | | A message from OxyChem: Since the 1890s, the tremendous industrial and economic growth on the Passaic River has come at a great environmental cost. For decades, companies regularly used disposal practices on the Passaic’s shoreline that are no longer acceptable. The EPA declared a 17-mile stretch of the Passaic part of a federal Superfund site, selected a remedy, and identified more than 100 companies as potentially responsible for the clean-up. OxyChem, which EPA acknowledges did not pollute the river, is leading the clean-up.
The EPA identified eight chemicals of concern in the river – Lead, DDT, Dioxin, Mercury, PCBs, Copper, Dieldrin, and PAHs – six of which are not associated with OxyChem or its predecessors. Nevertheless, OxyChem is dedicated to cleaning up the Passaic. But if the other responsible companies don’t step up, New Jersey taxpayers could end up footing the bill. Tell the EPA to hold all 100+ polluting companies accountable.
Learn more at PassaicRiverCleanup.com | | | | | LOCAL | |
RELUCTANT MCGREEVEY BEING DRAFTED INTO PUBLIC SERVICE, JUST LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON — “McGreevey has full backing of Hudson County Democratic Organization, sources say. All he has to do is say ‘yes’,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “If former Gov. Jim McGreevey decides to run for mayor of Jersey City in 2025, he’ll be attempting to steamroll any rivals with the full force of the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) behind him. And multiple sources with knowledge of the workings of the HCDO told The Jersey Journal it’s not a matter of ‘if’” but just when McGreevey announces he wants to succeed Steve Fulop as leader of the state’s second-largest city. The HCDO is ‘all going to be with McGreevey,; one political insider said. The latest evidence is a joint statement/endorsement by mayors Albio Sires of West New York, Jimmy Davis of Bayonne and Hudson County’s longest-serving mayor, Richard Turner of Weehawken. … Turner said Wednesday McGreevey ‘is definitely going to run unless something unforeseen happens.’ For his part, McGreevey, the founder and chairman of the New Jersey Reentry Corp., a non-profit agency that assists former inmates and members of vulnerable communities, has been coy about running.”
NJ TREATS THE BEACH LIKE A JUDICIAL SHORTAGE — “No action taken after N.J. warns Ocean Grove about blocking access to beaches on Sundays,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rob Jennings: “The 2023 summer season on the Jersey Shore ended without state officials taking any action after warning Ocean Grove not to block beach access on Sunday mornings. The state Department of Environmental Protection sent the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association — the group that oversees access to the beach from the boardwalk in the Monmouth County resort town — a letter Aug. 10 objecting to the use of chain and pad lock barriers barring beach access. The association does not allow access to the beach from the boardwalk before noon on Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It is a tradition stemming from Ocean Grove’s origins as a Christian seaside resort and destination for Methodists. Michael Badger, the president of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, said the group ‘remains in dialogue’ with the state Department of Environmental Protection about the policy. No enforcement action has been taken by state officials since they sent the warning letter, spokesperson Caryn Shinske said Wednesday.” —“Beach access in popular Jersey Shore town padlocked by private company owner, mayor says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Chris Sheldon: “Jenkinson’s, a private company which owns the majority of the beaches in Point Pleasant Beach, has shuttered access to all its beaches following a drowning that occurred in the offseason and a subsequent lawsuit, according Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra. Kanitra announced the closings in a Tuesday Sept. 12, 2023 post on Facebook, in which he said it was ‘very unfortunate.’ PLEADINGS FROM ASBURY PARK — “We are expected to perform miracles': Asbury Park schools begging to get state money back,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Charles Daye: “A loss of state funding to the local school district leads to higher property taxes, which leads to families moving out of town. Fewer families means lower school enrollment, which leads to more cuts in state funding. Stopping that vicious circle, which has tripled the total school tax collected from local taxpayers since 2017, is why both the city and the Asbury Park school district are demanding more financial help from the state, as well as a comprehensive review of how state aid is calculated. "Our hands are strapped to our ankles and now we are expected to perform miracles. I don't believe that we are going to provide a through and efficient education if (the state aid cuts) continue," said Asbury Park Superintendent RaShawn M. Adams.” NO KIDDING. WALKING THE BEAT ACTUALLY WORKS? — “Violent crime plunged in Paterson this summer. This may be why,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Violent crime statistics plummeted this summer amid what some community leaders are calling an unprecedented show of police presence in the city. The number of shooting incidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day fell by 41% compared with the same time in 2022, according to data released by the Paterson Police Department on Wednesday. Robberies went down by 38%, rapes by 33%, aggravated assaults by 10% and murders by a whopping 60%, the department said. ‘There’s more police visibility in the city than I’ve ever see before,’ said Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, a lifelong Paterson resident. ‘It’s definitely made a difference.’ Isa Abbassi, appointed the officer in charge of the Paterson Police Department as part of this year’s state takeover, said his summer strategy deployed extra cops in crime hot spots and included a neighborhood revitalization initiative that increased walking patrols in areas with significant quality-of-life and public safety issues.” AC — “Atlantic City Housing Authority staffer silenced at meeting resigns, warns of safety issue,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Bruneti Post : “A staff member denied the right to speak at a recent Atlantic City Housing Authority board meeting has resigned and is warning of a safety issue at Inlet Towers that he says the procurement office did not take seriously. His resignation came about a week after the board fired Executive Director Matt Doherty for ‘convenience,’ after he publicly criticized qualified purchasing agent Jerry Volpe, whose Governance & Fiscal Affairs LLC is a contractor for the authority. Volpe controls all procurement at the authority.”
| | | | Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here. | | | | | THE PARENT ENTRAP — “Old Bridge police investigating schools' PTA finances,” by MyCentralJersey’s Suzanne Russell: “A board member of the Grissom Elementary School PTA has been removed from office over issues involving the organization's money, the PTA said in a notice to parents. …. But that appears to be just one of two Old Bridge elementary schools allegedly reporting missing PTA funds. ‘Old Bridge Township School District officials are aware of the matter. We were notified that the Grissom and Salk School PTAs reported the financial irregularities to NJPTA officials and are working collectively with the Old Bridge Township Police Department who are investigating the matter,’ Superintendent of Schools David Cittadino said in an email. Cittadino said he was unable to comment further due to "an active criminal investigation.’” MAYBE IF SHE CHANGES HER NAME TO ‘MICKEY MOUSE’ — “Penns Grove mayor thrown off ballot under state’s sore loser law,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “The mayor of a small town in Salem County was tossed off the ballot today after a judge found that she had sought write-in votes in the Democratic primary and then filed for re-election as an independent – a violation of New Jersey’s Sore Loser Law. Superior Court Judge Benjamin Morgan decided that Penns Grove Mayor LaDaena Thomas had sought primary votes through posts on Facebook. That leaves the November mayoral race in the borough of 4,837 with a two-way race between Democrat John Washington, a former mayor, and Republican Louis Pasquale.” —“Jackson land swap for 2,500 student religious school in legal limbo” —“[Holmdel] town pulls resolution on condemning portion of land tied to Big Bang antenna” —“Wayne teen volunteers at center for Ukrainian refugees, condemns 'pointless war'” —“Hoboken tenant wins appeal, can sue ex-landlord again over lead poisoning from water” —Snowflack: “The mood gets black in White” —“Paterson City Council again rejects expansion of legal weed dispensary licenses” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“Casino Control Commission approves closing of Playboy casino chip fund”
—“Is your zip code dangerous to your health? Medical providers, lawmakers look at health care inequity” —“4 years after N.J. girl vanished, Fla. group investigating leads in Dulce Alavez case”
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