Fight between Murphy administration, Legislature escalates

By MATT FRIEDMAN

06/08/2023 06:55 AM EDT

Presented by AARP

Good Thursday morning! Smokey Bear famously said "Only you can prevent wildfires." Well, you failed. Congratulations. Now we’re all suffering.

My favorite kind of political fight is playing out right now between the governor and legislative Democrats: fight in the press!

The governor's office yesterday blasted to its press list Daniel Han's article about Chief Counsel Parimal Garg and Chief of Staff George Helmy's misgivings about Speaker Coughlin's "StayNJ" tax credit for seniors. They talked a lot about equity. Certainly giving your entire email list what had been a paywalled Politico article is a step in that direction. They particularly took issue with the fact that the tax relief program for up to $10,000 would come with no income cap, meaning the very rich governor would even benefit, and he certainly doesn't need it. Garg even went as far to suggest the proposal would leave behind Black and Hispanic seniors — the majority of whom, he said, are renters.

One person who sees things from Coughlin's perspective scoffed at the governor's office talk of equity, noting that his proposed budget includes major corporate tax cuts. And state lawmakers not inclined to shy away from a fight with a governor who, they believe, isn't popular in the swing districts that will determine control of the Legislature this November. What better way to appeal to those voters than to take on a governor from your own party? They’re also skeptical that the governor wants to deal with this mess over the summer when he could take that time to work on introducing himself to voters in other states with an eye toward 2028.

Helmy and Garg's comments are an escalation of the fight between the governor and legislative leaders over this tax credit program, which would be estimated to eventually cost at least $1.2 billion. And there's less than a month before they need to agree on the budget or the state shuts down. So, can we expect a shutdown?

While I think the possibility is real, I’d still bet against it. For all the strong words, I think there's a lot of room for compromise here. Especially on the lack of an income cap for the program. The governor's office and lawmakers have been talking, but they haven't had a big meeting yet to try to come to a deal. I anticipate there will be one relatively soon.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Some loudmouth on the radio" — State Sen. Jon Bramnick's characterization of NJ 101.5 drive time host Bill Spadea, who appears to be preparing to run for governor and whose endorsed GOP primary candidates mostly lost.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Joey Fox, Colleen Mahr, Tom Hester. Missed yesterday: Al Ribeiro

WHERE’S MURPHY? — At 1 Gateway In Newark for a 10:30 a.m. air quality briefing, then at NJPAC at 11:30 a.m. to deliver an address at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine's commencement ceremony

A message from AARP:

Family caregivers help their aging parents and other loved ones live in their homes, where they want to be—and out of costly taxpayer-funded nursing homes. They save New Jersey billions of dollars annually. But family caregivers are struggling to make it work. The Caregiver's Assistance Act would provide a modest tax credit to family caregivers—financial relief that they’ve earned. Tell your lawmakers: Pass the Caregiver's Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) now.

REPUBLICANS SEE POSITIVE VOTER REGISTRATION TREND, VOW TO NOMINATE TRUMP TO REVERSE IT — 5 takeaways from Tuesday's legislative primary, by POLITICO's Dustin Racioppi: Voter registration does not predict outcomes in New Jersey because there are so many unaffiliated voters who can cast ballots in the General Election. But it's not a good sign for Democrats that Republicans have made gains in registration since 2021, the year Democrats lost seven legislative seats and Gov. Phil Murphy faced an unexpected scare from Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli. Since then, Democrats still have a large advantage but have lost voters while Republicans have gained some. In November 2021, there were 2.576 million Democrats; 1.51 million Republicans; and 2.41 million unaffiliated voters, according to the Secretary of State. As of June, there were 2.54 million Democrats; 1.54 million Republicans; and nearly 2.39 million unaffiliated. In an expected low-turnout election, those differentials could prove critical.

IF THEY SHUT DOWN GOVERNMENT IT WILL SLAY NJ — "Democrats at odds over tax breaks for seniors," by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: "In response to a series of questions posed by NJ Spotlight News, Murphy spokeswoman Jennifer Sciortino said the proposed new program would be ‘very difficult, if not impossible to administer.’ ‘In fact, it would require an incredibly complicated application, that would ultimately provide the wealthiest seniors with four times the benefit of those trying to live on a fixed income of $50,000,’ she said. … According to Sciortino, the administration estimates 18,000 seniors making over $500,000 would receive credits worth about $8,000 under Coughlin's plan, while no new benefits would be provided to senior tenants who pay property taxes indirectly through their monthly rent. In addition, an estimated 84,000 lower-income seniors ‘would receive no new benefit’ at all under the current proposal, she said. Also criticizing the ‘StayNJ’ plan has been the influential New Jersey Policy Perspective think tank. … At the same time, however, AARP-New Jersey has applauded Coughlin for focusing on the affordability issue. The group also noted in a recent public statement that the organization's own polling found many older New Jersey residents have considered leaving the state, with the cost of property taxes identified as a key concern."

WIND — New Jersey's top utility regulator blames offshore wind companies for indefinite delays, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: In a stunning broadside aimed at the world's largest energy companies, New Jersey's top utility regulator on Wednesday accused offshore wind companies of doing nothing but delaying work on the state's wind farms. State Board of Public Utilities President Joe Fiordaliso said at a board meeting there needs to be a "very intense discussion" between wind energy developers and the state about "intolerable" delays by the companies on projects the state needs to meet its climate change goals. In the comments, Fiordaliso at first blamed all the state's offshore wind developers for delays, but then singled out one unnamed company — apparently Orsted, the Danish energy giant. … "We have had, almost since Day 1, delay after delay after delay," Fiordaliso said.

A message from AARP:

JUSTICE SEVERED – "Are NJ residents being ‘denied justice’ because of judge shortage?" by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "The presidents of the bar associations in Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties are asking Gov. Phil Murphy to nominate more Superior Court judges to avoid residents ‘being denied justice.’ In the three counties that make up Vicinage 13, all divorce and civil trials in Superior Court have been suspended because of a lack of judges. ‘This situation is unacceptable and unnecessary,’ according to the letter signed by Steven Warner, president of the Somerset County Bar Association, Patrick Heller, president of the Hunterdon County Bar Association, and Kelly Shelton, president of the Warren County Bar Association."

STATE WORKERS MAGICALLY BREATHED HEALTHIER AIR ONCE THEY LEFT THE OFFICE — "Smoke forces N.J. state offices to close early as Murphy says ‘stay inside and keep the windows closed’," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Arco: "Gov. Phil Murphy closed state offices early Wednesday as New Jersey's air quality index shot to unhealthy levels after a plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires carpeted the region. ‘It's either bad or really bad, depending on where you are,’ Murphy said during an interview CNN. He urged people to avoid going outside, especially young kids, older adults, and people with heart and lung issues."

—State sees uptick in ER visits as Canadian wildfire smoke worsens air quality, hospital group says, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Some emergency rooms Wednesday saw an uptick in respiratory cases as the state faces smoke drifting down from Canadian wildfires, according to hospitals and the leading New Jersey hospital trade group. "Some hospitals, especially in the northern part of the state, report an increased number of respiratory cases among patients in the emergency room," New Jersey Hospital Association President and CEO Cathy Bennett said in a statement.

—"Is Ras Baraka a GOTV paper tiger?"

—"Trying to discern an election through the dystopian haze"

—"Post Election Day with InsiderNJ: Who's up and who's down"

A message from AARP:

New Jersey family caregivers save the state—and taxpayers—over $17 billion annually providing care for their spouses, aging parents, or other loved ones. Yet, caregivers pay out of their own pockets—on average spending 26% of their income. With inflation making everything more expensive, too many families are struggling to help keep their loved ones at home.

AARP is fighting to bring some financial relief to family caregivers, who need and deserve support. The Caregiver's Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) would provide a modest tax credit for families who take on caregiving expenses. It's crucial financial relief that family caregivers have earned. Tell Governor Murphy and your state lawmakers: Pass the Caregiver's Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) to provide family caregivers financial relief now.

HEY SIRI, DEFINE ‘CASTRATI’ — "Is Chris Christie serious? This is why he’ll fail against Trump," by Joshua Henne for The Record: "It's hard to be ‘telling it like it is’ when you’ve lost all credibility and no one cares what you have to say. Yet, here Chris Christie stands, incredulously launching another quixotic quest for the White House. … For years, Christie clammed up every single time he had the chance to call Trump out — to the media, on two campaign trails, or to The Donald's face during those dark Oval Office years. Instead, at every turn — from the moment he endorsed Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the meme-worthy ‘hostage tape video’ in Spring 2016 all the way through the November 2020 night Trump lost — Christie failed to pipe up regarding dangerous policies and unhinged behavior. Worse, he served as a charter member of Trump's cabinet of castrati singing his praises."

—Stile: "Chris Christie pulled no punches. He is gunning for Donald Trump. What comes next?"

PRESS RELEASE – "CNN to host Republican presidential town hall with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie"

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.

DEGROOT, DEGROOT, DEGROOT IS ON FIRE — "24-year-old ousts Sussex County commissioner in GOP primary upset; Assembly race decided," by The New Jersey Herald's Kyle Morel and Bruce A. Scruton: "Republican voters rejected Sussex County Commissioner Herb Yardley and chose a 24-year-old political newcomer to run in his place this fall, according to preliminary results from Tuesday's primary election. Wantage resident Jack DeGroot, the son of a Sussex County dairy farmer, pulled off the apparent upset, easily defeating Yardley, a two-term incumbent, and another challenger in the race for the GOP nomination for commissioner on November's ballot. Just six years ago, DeGroot graduated from High Point Regional High School, where he starred on the basketball court. He is currently finishing his studies for a masters degree from the University of New Hampshire, received 5,896 votes while Yardley gathered 3,284 votes."

‘A GREAT START’ — "NJ elections 2023: Ocean County GOP Primary: Major upset in Republican races," by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: "While the eyes of Ocean County's political class were mostly focused on the Republican primary in Toms River on Tuesday night where in a major upset Councilman Daniel Rodrick defeated Mayor Maurice B. ‘Mo’ Hill Jr., theirs was not the only contested race in this GOP-dominated stronghold of New Jersey. Another shift in the local political landscape took place in the Republican primary in Point Pleasant Beach, where Borough Council President Doug Vitale won the party's nomination for mayor. Vitale defeated Councilwoman Arlene Testa — who had the official Republican line — and former Mayor Stephen Reid in what was a three-way race."

SMALL ANIMAL — "Small-backed candidates lead in Atlantic City Democratic primary," by The Press of Atlantic City's Michelle Brunetti Post: "Candidates backed by Mayor Marty Small Sr. have a slight lead in the 2nd and 4th wards’ Democratic primary, after all election day machine votes have been tallied … An unknown number of mail-in ballots are yet to come in … Those mail-in ballots could make the difference in the 2nd Ward, where Democratic Councilwoman LaToya Dunston, who ran off the county line, now trails financial services company owner Viana "Vivi" Bailey by just 264 votes to 260. Incumbent 4th Ward Democratic Councilman MD Hossain Morshed, who is facing federal criminal charges and also ran off the county line, trails George "Animal" Crouch by a bigger margin of 202 to 179. Both Dunston and Morshed had been in the lead when just early voting and mail-in ballots had been counted."

FAUCI’S REVENGE — "Holley faces long mathematical odds to overcome deficit in Roselle," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw's 50-vote Democratic primary lead against former Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Roselle) may be small, but it's looking sturdy with only a small number of ballots left to be counted. There were 59 provisional ballots cast in the borough's Democratic primary, plus another ten ballots in need of curing. It's unlikely that every provisional ballot will be accepted or that every cure letter will be returned, so not all 69 of those votes will ultimately be counted. An unknown number of late-arriving mail-in ballots are also likely still outstanding; as long as they’re postmarked by Election Day, such ballots have until next Monday to arrive. Assuming that somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 votes will eventually be added to the total, that means Holley would have to win them by a 73%-27% margin to overcome Shaw's lead – a margin that seems highly improbable given the makeup of the votes that have already been counted."

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—"We’re suing Instagram, TikTok and more over kids’ mental health, [Matawan-Aberdeen] school district says"

—"Only contested primary election race in Passaic County [Pompton Lakes] is too close to call"

—"Brick youth wrestling coach, referee admits to child porn charge"

GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE.

PLEASE BRING BACK THE DOG BOWLS, GEORGE — "Republic Bank makes cutbacks in bid to revive profits," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "Republic Bank is cutting jobs and reducing branch hours as part of a turnaround effort for its financially ailing parent firm. The bank also will close a Philadelphia branch, with more changes possible after a review by new management, according to a statement from Republic First Bancorp. The cost-cutting measures for Republic's retail banking division are a sharp break from the trademark approach of former chairman and CEO Vernon Hill II of Moorestown. Hill's style, first developed at the former Commerce Bank N.A. of Cherry Hill, emphasized an expansive branch network with long hours and customer amenities like lollipops, coin-counting machines and water bowls for dogs. The bank's board ousted Hill last year after dissident shareholders said his management had hurt Republic First's earnings and stock price. … [Andrew] Cohen succeeded Harry Madonna, who founded the bank in 1988 and served as interim chairman after Hill's departure. But Cohen's appointment was blasted by a stockholder group led by George E. Norcross III, a South Jersey businessman and Democratic power-broker."

THE HAGUE — "One man's rise from lower-class by serving Frank Hague leads to questions in ‘Horseshoe Empire’," by The Jersey Journal's David Mosca: "Before Sylvester Stallone said ‘I am the law!’, before Bruce Springsteen was ‘The Boss’, there was a man who was already both of these things: Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague. … Hague is the subject of ‘Horseshoe Empire,’ a play by Margo Hammond, whose plays have been presented across the United States. The production is directed by Scott Allen Evans and it can be seen outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City, the former Apple Tree House. … The play is set in Jersey City's Horseshoe slum in 1928, where those of Irish descent were discriminated against. It follows Teddy Devlin, who aligns himself with Hague in an attempt to escape his low status. While initially proud to be a part of the machine empowering the Irish, Devlin has trouble accepting the tactics being used to get ahead."

—"‘It was not fun': How outdoor workers and others braved the smoke in North Jersey"

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—"More fish, more whales, more ships — and more whale strikes"

CORRECTION: Yesterday, in an attempt at a Simpsons reference, I inadvertently combined two theme parks from the show. The quote I alluded in the headline, "Where nothing can possibli (sic) go wrong," was from the 1994 Itchy & Scratchy Land episode. But was misattributed to the 1993 episode "Selma's Choice" in which Aunt Selma took Bart and Lisa to Duff Gardens. I regret the error.

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