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Presented by AARP: Matt Friedman's must-read briefing on the Garden State's important news of the day | | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by AARP | Good Tuesday morning and happy Election Day! It’s almost over, and once it’s done we can keep talking about the next two elections that we’ve already been talking about for months. I know we’re all watching the competitive districts: 3, 4, 11, 16, and to a lesser extent 2, 8 and 38. But keep an eye out for surprises. In District 30, orthodox Jews in Lakewood were lining up over the weekend to vote early, presumably for Avi Schnall, a rabbi running as a Democrat. Schnall, a former Republican who comes from a conservative community, would likely vote with Republicans on most issues. But he’d be a sort of insurance vote for Democratic leadership. Meanwhile, Republicans appear to be aggressively targeting Democratic Assembly candidate Tennille McCoy in the 14th District — a district that 10 years ago was one of the most competitive in the state, but which Democrats have kept comfortably more recently. Those are two places where I see the potential for a surprise. What about vote-by-mail? Democrats begin today with a big early lead thanks to their embrace of vote-by-mail and, to a much lesser extent, early in-person voting. That’s been helped along by the law they passed several years ago automatically sending previous mail-in voters ballots. Could this engage some Democratic voters who might otherwise not vote? Democratic consultant Mike Muller told me last month that in targeted districts there’s an average of 6,000 Democratic voters getting mail-in ballots who didn’t vote in state legislative elections four years ago. That could matter in a low turnout election, which this one is destined to be. And how about those “phantom candidates”? Will Giuseppe Costanzo and Maureen Dukes Penrose — the candidates who bill themselves as “conservative” but were put on the ballot by someone linked to the South Jersey Democratic machine, and whose otherwise non-existent candidacies have been promoted by a shady group that has yet disclose its donors — draw enough votes to potentially tip the 4th Legislative District election for Democrats? And if so, will Republicans challenge the election? The culture wars? Republicans are capitalizing on the anger at school board meetings over sex ed curriculum and LGBTQ-friendly district policies. Democrats are alleging Republicans will restrict abortion rights, utilizing an issue that has been politically potent in places where abortion rights are in serious jeopardy, but untested in states like New Jersey where they’re fairly well-protected. Both parties are using these issue to appeal to suburban women in areas that used to vote reliably Republican but went Democratic in the Trump era. Read more here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was so eye-opening — so many adults acting like children and making me so mad.” — Brookdale Community College student Kerry Brooks on attending a Middletown Board of Education meeting for class HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Missed these on Sunday: Wayne DeAngelo, Brendan Gill, Mark Goldsack, David Brogan, Michael Mecca WHERE’S MURPHY? Visiting a Ewing diner with Mercer County Executive candidate Dan Benson at 9 a.m., then heading to Paramus for a phone bank visit at noon, then Jersey City for a 3 p.m. canvass launch with Hudson County Executive candidate Craig Guy
| | | | A message from AARP: New Jersey’s older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home. But too many can’t afford to pay out of pocket, and they’re left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes which costs taxpayers more money. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can’t afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | |
WHY SO (NOR)CROSS? — George Norcross threatens to sue NFL after Eagles ejected him over American-Israeli flag, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: George Norcross, a New Jersey Democratic power broker, was ejected from an Eagles game Sunday night after he displayed a banner that combined the American and Israeli flags from his luxury box. Now Norcross, who was accompanied by a group that included Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie, is threatening to sue the Eagles, the NFL and a security company. “As a longtime passionate fan and season ticket holder, I have watched the Eagles/NFL make clear and strong statements on numerous important civil justice issues and ethnic and world conflicts, including supporting the people of Ukraine, so as a strong supporter of Israel — a country which was viciously attacked by the terrorist group Hamas less than a month ago — I thought it was an important statement to make,” Norcross said in a statement ... . Norcross claims he was “assaulted” by staff. Lincoln Financial Field’s policy bars signs and banners “that are obscene or indecent, not event-related, potentially offensive to other patrons, capable of blocking the views of other fans or otherwise deemed dangerous or inappropriate by the Eagles are prohibited. They may not contain commercial messages, logos or political endorsements and may not be hung on the stadium structure.” ...
Norcross did not explain on what grounds he is considering suing. The Eagles pushed back against Norcross’ claims .... “Instead of complying with the request, Mr. Norcross became physically and verbally abusive,” the team said in a statement. “Mr. Norcross was ejected from the stadium only after his abuse toward numerous stadium staff members continued. He was escorted from the suite level to the stadium’s ejection point, just as anyone else would be after engaging in abusive behavior in violation of stadium policy.” FOR WHOM THE TOLLS BILL — “Were drivers told the Turnpike approved 3% annual toll hikes? New 'index' scrutinized,” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “Coughlin and Scutari declined to comment for this story. In May 2020, the Turnpike Authority board passed a resolution that increased tolls 36% and 21% on the turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, respectively. Those took effect in September 2020. The Turnpike Authority board that year also approved a new toll index system, which led to 3% increases in 2022 and 2023. Another 3% hike was planned for 2024 before Murphy’s veto. … Suspicion of political maneuvering aside, the veto decision drew new attention to the toll increases and how the index works. … During her presentation at two public hearings held in March 2020, Gutierrez-Scaccetti’s prepared remarks on the new index was limited to three sentences. ‘Tolls are proposed to be indexed at an amount to be determined, but in no case more than 3% annually,’ she said. … But in documents not presented directly to the public — those filed with bondholders and credit rating agencies or posted in the lengthy pages of appendices to various reports available on the turnpike's website — the language about the index is different. Those documents said that starting in 2022, tolls would increase 3% annually.” —“There's more to Gateway than tunnels: NJ gets $675M from feds for rail work to cut delays” SCHOOL POLITICS — “Why NJ election realities spell danger for GOP and Democrats alike,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Instead of the board of education contests being eclipsed by the higher-profile legislative races, this year’s school board races could play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the legislative races. A grassroots debate over when and how a school should notify parents about students' gender identities has been roiling district meetings for much of the past year. The worry among Democrats is that anger about so-called parental rights from an apparently growing suburban cohort could drive up Republican turnout at the polls on Tuesday, giving the GOP a chance of picking more seats in both the Assembly and the state Senate. Moving the elections may produce unintended consequences, at least for Democrats. The past also looms over the race in another way. The damage of former President Donald Trump’s nonstop conspiracy disparaging of mail-in voting in the 2020 presidential election still shadows the Republican get-out-the-vote plans in New Jersey.”
| | | | A message from AARP:   | | | —“Low turnout could be deciding factor, election strategists say” —“New Jersey's immigrants could be the difference on Election Day, but turnout's a challenge” —“Homeless population in New Jersey spikes 17% in one year” — “NJ Elections: Tight district races, hot topics and attack ads” —“NJ Transit gets $241M for train storage, Newark Penn improvements” —“Ripped off by a shady contractor? N.J.’s loose law could finally change to better protect homeowners” —Steinberg: “In the next NJ Legislature, Lakewood’s Avi Schnall may occupy the ‘catbird seat’” —Snowflack: “Ho Hum election – or Hanoi redux?” —Egea: “What now? New Jersey has to hit reset button on its energy policy — now”
| | | | A message from AARP: New Jersey’s long-term care system is broken.
Older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home—where they want to be. But too many can’t afford to pay out of pocket for this care, and they’re left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes, which costs taxpayers more money.
AARP is fighting for legislation that allows residents who are likely to qualify for Medicaid to begin receiving services in their homes when they need them. It’s time to transform our long-term care system and make it easier for New Jerseyans to age in their homes and communities. Seniors who need care should not be forced from their homes because Medicaid approval takes too long. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can’t afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495. | | | | | | Biden's Beltway | | |
ADEEL’S ADEEL — “Adeel Mangi Is top candidate for Third Circuit Court Of Appeals seat,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Adeel A. Mangi has emerged as the leading candidate to fill an open New Jersey seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and would become the first Muslim to serve as a federal appellate court judge, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. The White House is in the final stages of vetting and is preparing to nominate Mangi, partner at Patterson Belknap, a large Manhattan-based firm. The 46-year-old Pakistan-born Mangi is slated to replace Judge Joseph Greenaway, Jr., who retired in June. He would become the fourth appellate court judge named by President Joe Biden for the Third Circuit and the first from New Jersey.”
CORY BOOKEDIT — “'Ceasefire now.' Protesters disrupt Cory Booker election rally as political turmoil mounts,” by The Record’s Hannan Adely: “U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's get-out-the-vote speech on Sunday, two days before Election Day, came to a stunning halt as many in the audience erupted in chants of ‘ceasefire now,’ with some holding up red-dyed hands to symbolize the blood of more than 10,000 Gazans killed by Israeli airstrikes. … The chants of ‘ceasefire now’ continue and bloodied hands remain outstretched as a deejay starts to play the song ‘We are Family.’ Booker tries a new chant: ‘Column A, all the way,’ but it does not catch. The deejay shouts ‘Let's make some noise … everybody sing the song" but his upbeat plea does not dispel the protest, which continues as Booker exits the stage’” —“Symbol of angst? How an ad for a peaceful vigil caused an uproar outside a NJ bagel shop” | | LOCAL | |
A THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT INVESTIGATION — “Advocates urge further scrutiny in Upper Deerfield school contamination case,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Eric Conklin: “A pair of Latino advocates groups are asking the state to investigate the township school district's handling of the alleged contamination of food and property by a custodian last week. Charges against Giovanni Impellizzari, 25, of Vineland, were announced Friday after an initial investigation into videos of him performing lewd acts on food and objects at Elizabeth F. Moore School. … The Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern New Jersey and the Hispanic Women's Center want more transparency on the matter, urging the state to investigate the circumstances further. The groups cited state racial data as a reason to join calls for transparency. Twenty-five percent of students are of Hispanic descent in the district, the organizations said. About 50% are children of color.”
—“A custodian did vile things to kids’ food, cops say. But few hiring requirements exist for N.J. school workers” THE DAWN OF A NEW DEA — “Hudson County Commissioner O’Dea to kick off bid for Jersey City mayor on Nov. 18,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) will kick off his bid for Jersey City mayor, a race that’s still two years away, on November 18th, he wrote on social media [Monday] morning. … O’Dea has been involved in Jersey City politics for nearly 40 years, winning his first election back in 1985, becoming the Ward B councilman at 26 years old. He will be the second mayoral candidate to jump into the non-partisan November 4th, 2025 contest, following former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who is filed his preliminary paperwork with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) on Halloween.” DØ AC — “What is next for Ørsted's property in the Bungalow Park section of Atlantic City?” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Ørsted North America has told Bungalow Park residents it will finish construction on a waterfront building in their neighborhood intended to become its operations and maintenance center, despite the company killing plans Tuesday for two offshore wind farms here. … But the company was less clear in its public statement. “Ørsted is evaluating the best path forward for all facilities and assets, including the O&M facility in Atlantic City,” a company spokesperson said in an email response to questions. ‘In the short term, site activity at the O&M facility is ongoing and final construction decisions are expected in the coming weeks.’ City spokesman Andrew Kramer, however, said Friday the company must finish the building.” —“New Brunswick landmark could be replaced with luxury high-rise” —“Should schools have more security? Voters in 5 N.J. districts asked to approve upgrades” —“Kearny mayor, Hoboken council among biggest races on ballot in Hudson County Tuesday” —“Superior Court hears arguments in case against Trenton council members Yasminelly Gonzalez and Jasi Edwards” —“Cape May to weigh beach tag increase on Wednesday”
| | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NEW JERSEY SCRIBE — “New Jersey one of the best states for journalists, according to study,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Tamara Walker: “Deciding factors that made this determination included journalist safety, local journalism job trends and salaries adjusted for cost of living. And there's more, according to the study by PrismPR, which used 11 different metrics to create a comprehensive ranking, such as journalism job growth projections, freedom of the press violations and even assaults and fatal attacks on journalists. That landed New Jersey at the No. 4 spot out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in the list of best places for journalists to work and live.”
THINGS ARE NOT OKILY DOKILY — “Siemens in Flanders laying off factory workers, moving manufacturing to Europe,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “Health care company Siemens Healthineers is in the process of laying off 300 people at its diagnostics division in Morris County, a state regulatory filing shows. The layoffs span 13 dates from March of this year through the end of 2024 and affect the Flanders location, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, which was filed with the state Department of Labor this month. Siemens was awarded a $36 million state tax break in 2013 for a facility completed two years later in Flanders. … A company spokesperson said the 300 layoffs include a round of 67 layoffs rolled out earlier this year in Flanders. A Siemens spokesperson said roughly 750 people work at the Flanders site.” A JILLY RECEPTION — “Cape May Zoo’s ‘Jilly the Cow’ head-butted, injured N.J. teen, lawsuit says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “The Cape May County Park & Zoo’s ‘Jilly the Cow’ head-butted and seriously injured a teen as she posed for a photo with the animal in 2021, according to a lawsuit filed by the girl’s family. A 10-year-old Holstein cow, Jilly is ‘advertised to the public as a friendly petting and feeding attraction’ at the county-run zoo … states the lawsuit. …. On Nov. 6, 2021, the 14-year-old from Salem County stopped to take a photo with Jilly in the zoo’s petting area, according to the suit. ‘As she posed for a photo with Jilly, the cow suddenly and without warning, violently and aggressively swung its head and struck (the teenager) in the head,’ the suit states. The action caused the girl’s head to ‘forcefully snap back. … knocking her to the ground sustaining serious personal injuries’ that required a hospital visit, physical therapy, surgery, and left the girl with permanent scars, according to the suit.” —“Richie Sambora says Bon Jovi reunion tour 'definitely could happen': 'Just a question of when'”
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