Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m not a bureaucrat. I am for better or worse a populist conservative politician. I am. I’m not afraid to say politician. I like people. I like to campaign. I would miss the campaigns. I’d miss going out there.” – Rep. Van Drew on not wanting to serve in the Trump Administration
TOP STORY: New Ballot Design Questions Dog Assembly Committee
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Power publication.
Senator Helmy is stepping down on Sunday to make way for Senator-elect Kim.
The drought has silver linings for the state’s wineries, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Delaware River salt line is 20 miles north of where it should be this time of year, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The FBI is probing mystery drone and aircraft sightings over the Raritan River, according to MyCentralJersey.
Atlantic County Central Municipal Court members will save 45% in the new year, according to Downbeach.
Monmouth County road deaths are up 45%, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Senator Booker was elevated to the #4 position in Senate Democratic leadership, according to NJ Globe.
Rep. Van Drew is in line for influence in the incoming Trump Administration, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Gottheimer announced a ‘Lower Utility Prices Plan’.
ICYMI: Gas tax increase; Gottheimer launched campaign for Governor; Sherrill launched candidacy for Governor; Democrats lost strength
Questions on new ballot design dogged the Assembly Select Committee on the issue.
With three legislators leaving, the jockeying begins for seats and leadership posts, according to NJ Globe.
Governor Murphy is expected to sign the ‘Freedom To Read Act’ next week, according to Politico NJ.
Senator Steinhardt introduced legislation to strengthen state and federal coordination on immigration.
ICYMI: State preparing to defend against deportation; guv candidates converged at conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked party
In Bayonne, a grant to fight food insecurity would bring a new pantry to the city, according to TAPinto.
In Clifton, a communications manager was hired, according to NorthJersey.com.
In East Rutherford, American Dream mall says the town owes it $183M, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Edison, the council adopted an ordinance banning ‘props’ and establishing decorum in the council chambers, according to TAPinto.
In Egg Harbor Township, the rec department has a wish list for park improvements, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hanover, an audit shows schools are in OK financial health, according to NJ Hills.
In Jersey City, Team O’Dea donated nearly 4000 turkeys over Thanksgiving, according to Hudson County View.
In Madison, 2025 climate goals were approved, according to NJ Hills.
In Mount Oliver, the new BOE BA’s contract was made official, according to NJ Hills.
In Newton, the town is requiring salt and deicer to be stored under cover, according to TAPinto.
In North Wildwood, the town says a bigger beach and new sea wall is closer to reality, according to NJ.com.
In Ocean City, the Wonderland developer seeks to win over skeptics, according to the Press of Atlantic City. A report says a condo complex should be redeveloped, not repaired, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, the feds say schools failed to protect students from sex abuse, according to Paterson Press. Moody’s says the city will keep its higher credit rating, according to Paterson Press.
In Randolph, the mayor addressed recent drone sightings, according to TAPinto.
In Raritan, a shopping center redevelopment plan was approved, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Trenton, water woes are boiling over, according to NJ Monitor.
In Woodbridge, the town got new electric senior shuttle buses, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Newark, Crump passed away; in Morristown, familiar name resurfacing; in Marlboro, sign-stealing an issue; in Howell, GOP won election; in Marlboro, voters elected split BOE ticket; in Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away; in Howell, little unity w/in GOP
AROUND THE WEB:
Does new whistleblower program have any takers? Officials are mum | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Is it an exercise in unwarranted optimism or do they think it’ll really work? No one from the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Jersey would talk with me about it, so the only information I have is their news release.
The O’Toole Chronicles: 40 Years
Kevin O’Toole, NJ Globe
- I recently hit a milestone in my life and, frankly, I am grateful and humbled by hitting this milestone— 40 years in politics and public service. I happened to turn 60 years of age when I also celebrated my 40-year anniversary in politics and public service, and it got me thinking about the road that I have taken. I never ever thought that I would spend four decades in this profession – modern-day Romans fighting in the Coliseum – but here I am.
Spotlight Review: NJ moves to defend against book bans
Hannah Gross, NJ Spotlight
- A bill that would help protect access to diverse books in New Jersey schools is awaiting the governor’s signature. The Freedom to Read Act would establish requirements for library materials in schools and public libraries and protect library staff from harassment. Only people with a “vested interest,” such as school staff, students and parents, would have grounds to challenge a book. The bill passed the Legislature as of Oct. 28 and Murphy has 45 days to sign or veto the bill following its passage or else it will become law automatically.
Where is Trenton’s next Shelley Zeiger?
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- If eyes identify as the most important sensory organs in our bodies then imagine power associated with our minds’ eyes. Successful dreamers, visionaries, and doers hold an innate ability to transform cockamamie and convolution into concrete creation, the type of mixture poured atop reinforcement bars while building bridges and in the construction of hotels or large buildings.
Another year, another gas tax increase for NJ
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey’s per-gallon gas tax will increase by 2.6 cents, starting on Jan. 1, according to officials from the state Department of the Treasury. The rate hike will bring the state’s per-gallon levy to 44.9 cents for gasoline, and 51.9 cents for diesel fuel, Treasury officials said.
Andy Kim will become New Jersey’s 11th appointed U.S. Senator
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- When Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) takes the oath of office as the U.S. Senator on Monday, he will become the 11th appointed senator from New Jersey since the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1913. Kim, a former White House staffer, succeeds George Helmy, a former U.S. Senate staffer and chief of staff to Gov. Phil Murphy, who was appointed to the Senate seat after Bob Menendez resigned. Murphy will sign a letter appointing Kim after Helmy’s resignation takes effect on Sunday.
Gragnolati to retire as CEO of Atlantic Health
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Brian Gragnolati, who has helped Atlantic Health System to unprecedented levels of recognition in quality of care while positioning the system to future success through timely expansion measures, has announced his intention to retire, the system’s Board of Trustees said Tuesday. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Gragnolati will continue in his current role until the board finds his successor – a process that will begin in the coming weeks. When a successor is found, Gragnolati will transition to a role as a special advisor to the board.
A 20-foot whale appeared on a beach near Cape May
Robert Moran, Philadelphia Inquirer
- A live 20-foot minke whale was stranded on a beach near Cape May on Tuesday, drawing a response from police and firefighters as well as curious onlookers for a short time before it died.
Here’s what Trump’s deportation plan could mean for you and New Jersey
Ricardo Kaulessar, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey residents could forfeit constitutional rights, the state could lose $1.3 billion in taxes and more than 470,000 people could be sent to detention centers if President-elect Donald Trump makes good on his promise of mass deportation. Or the plan could be too difficult and expensive to execute in full. Either way, undocumented immigrants and their advocates are preparing for the worst.
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