Green Amendment enshrines rights in constitution. This is popular on all sides.
Democratic lawmakers this month reintroduced a Green Amendment to the Wisconsin constitution that would formalize peoples' rights to a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
The bill comes as there is deep gridlock at the state capitol, which is a barrier to our rights to clean water protection. The Green Amendment is a sign that we need a path forward to meaningfully address critical water issues in Wisconsin.
The good news is that many voters in Wisconsin have already voted for their desire for the state to recognize their rights to a clean environment.
Clean Water Now referendums in 2021 and 2022 showed strong, nonpartisan success when voters were directly asked on their ballots how much they care about Wisconsin's water.
Opinion: MPS is on the brink of collapse. New board leader shouldn't be chosen in secrecy.
The question was simple: "Should the State of Wisconsin establish a right to clean water to protect human health, the environment, and the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Wisconsin?"
Here's what happened:
In the spring of 2021, voters in the counties of Marquette (73%), Portage (77%) and Wood (76%) approved referendums.
In the spring of 2022, voters in the counties of Eau Claire (79%) and La Crosse (86%) followed suit.
In the fall of 2022, voters in the counties of Adams (79.7%), Bayfield (80%), Green (84%), Juneau (79.6%), and Outagamie (79.5%) also approved referendums.
County governments have stepped up to pass resolutions in support, too: Monroe County in 2022; Ashland and Marinette counties in 2023.
When voters are asked if they believe in the right to clean water, they vote yes in strong numbers that transcend political party lines.
However, through a bad deal with Gov. Evers over shared revenue funding, state legislators took away citizens' rights to add advisory referendums to local ballots. Though state leaders took away our right to voice our opinions directly on our ballots, they can't deny the overwhelming, nonpartisan success of the Clean Water Now referendums or our basic right to clean water.
The people of Wisconsin don't have to wait for the passage of a Green Amendment to make progress on protecting Wisconsin's clean water and heritage of our beloved natural spaces. Our next state budget has several key issues legislators can support for the health of people and our environment, such as:
PFAS pollution, including the $143.6 million in Evers' proposal for the DNR to support PFAS monitoring and remediation across Wisconsin. PFAS is truly a statewide problem that impacts people's drinking water in big cities and small towns alike.
Lead pipes, where the budget allocates $200 million to support lead service line replacement through the DNR's Safe Drinking Water Loan program as well as $725.9 million in revenue bonds that will fund state match requirements and expand loan opportunities through the Drinking Water Loan Program and the Clean Water Fund Program.
Stewardship of land and water with legislators having the power to renew and fund the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program which is wildly popular across the political spectrum of voters.
Opinion: Changes to Social Security would cost average Wisconsin resident $7,000 a year
While we wait for a Green Amendment, we need legislators to take action today to protect our drinking water and respect what voters across party lines support.
Allison Werner is executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lawmakers need to support clean environment in state budget | Opinion
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Politico
26 minutes ago
- Politico
Pick your poll
Presented by With help from Cris Seda Chabrier Two new internal polls, first reported by POLITICO, agree: the Democratic primary for New York City mayor is effectively a two-person race between Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani. And both polls suggest the race will come down to ranked-choice voting, with New Yorkers who prefer other candidates helping determine the winner. But the results varied. A poll from the ex-governor's camp showed him with a 12-point lead over the democratic socialist Assemblymember. The poll from Mamdani's supporters found something slightly, but significantly different — a tight race, with Cuomo up by just two points. Cuomo's poll of 600 likely Democratic primary voters by Expedition Strategies has him beating Mamdani 56 to 44 in the eighth round of voting. Cuomo started as 42 percent of voters' first pick, to Mamdani's 30 percent. The result shows Cuomo gaining more support, compared to the last public poll from Emerson College conducted late last month. While the Cuomo poll was in the field between June 3 and 7, candidates faced off in their first televised debate on June 4, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez selected Mamdani as her top choice the following day. During the same period, pro-Cuomo super PAC Fix the City also started blanketing the airwaves and mailboxes with ads saying Mamdani wanted to raise taxes and defund the police. A poll of 819 likely Democratic primary voters — conducted days earlier by Data for Progress on behalf of the pro-Mamdani super PAC New Yorkers for Lower Costs and the Working Families Party's national PAC — showed Cuomo up 40-33 on Mamdani in first-ranked votes. When ranked votes are distributed, Cuomo wins it in the eighth round by a 51-49 split — within the three-point margin of error. That result had top Cuomo adviser Melissa DeRosa desperately looking to discredit the poll. (Data for Progress had a strong showing in 538's pollster ratings, and was spot-on in the 2021 mayoral race.) While top campaign staffer Kevin Elkins said it was 'cruel to get (Mamdani's) supporters' hopes up like this.' But nothing could bring down the believers — like Mamdani campaign cinematographer Donald Borenstein who simply responded: 'LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' Beyond the top line results, the two polling memos provide some more insight into the state of the race last week. Wonder why Cuomo's become more vocal on Trump? His polling shows that half of likely voters thought he was the best candidate to stand up to the president, compared to just 25 percent for Mamdani — suggesting that's a strength for Cuomo, even among voters who don't prefer him. And unlike Cuomo, who's known by 97 percent of voters (who are split 50-50 in their feelings about him), Mamdani still has likely voters who, for better or for worse, don't know him. More than a quarter, 28 percent, don't know enough about him to form an opinion, Data for Progress found. — Jeff Coltin IT'S TUESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In Albany with no public schedule, and appearing in a pre-taped interview on NBC's 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.' WHERE'S ERIC? Schedule unavailable as of 10 p.m. Monday. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'If Airbnb thinks it's a flex to publicly light their money on fire, we're happy to not stand in their way on this one.' — Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Political Director Bhav Tibrewal to POLITICO on Airbnb spending $1 million on an ad attacking three Cuomo opponents amid the union's lobbying battle against the tech giant. ABOVE THE FOLD NEW YORK FOR ALL PUSH: New York House Democrats are urging their Albany colleagues to approve a sanctuary state bill in the waning days of the legislative session. The bill, known as New York For All, would prevent state and local entities from coordinating with or providing resources to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. A group of nine House lawmakers — including Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jerrold Nadler — urged top Albany Democrats to take up the bill in a letter obtained by Playbook. They warned that President Donald Trump 'has unleashed chaos and cruelty on immigrants, tearing families apart, disappearing people, using political repression tactics, and disregarding court orders with impunity.' Passage of the bill is taking on heightened urgency after Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to anti-ICE protests. The Trump administration on Monday activated 700 Marines to respond to the unrest as well. The letter does not reference the California protests, but the alarm over Trump — and his aggressive efforts to address undocumented immigration through deportations — is an overriding concern for the lawmakers. 'We urge the New York State Legislature to reject Trump's efforts to scapegoat our most vulnerable neighbors as a pretense for dismantling our core democratic institutions. At the same time, we are committed to protecting New York against efforts to take away federal funding for critical services in retaliation for opposing this administration's policies.' Immigration politics remain profoundly tricky (and unavoidable) for Democrats, even in a deep blue state like New York. Hochul, a Democrat who will run for re-election next year, has not taken a public position on the bill. It's also unclear if Democrats — mindful of lawmakers in swing seats — have enough votes to pass it. The governor has supported the deportation of violent criminals, but does not back families being ripped apart, her office has said. Hochul has also pushed back against the Trump administration's effort to upend the Greenlight Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses — a concept she opposed as the Erie County clerk when Eliot Spitzer proposed it nearly 20 years ago. Her potential Republican foes next year — Reps. Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler and Bruce Blakeman — have all called for expanded policies for New York law enforcement to work with ICE. Hochul will face questions — and likely pressure — Thursday when she and several other governors testify to a Congressional panel over their states' sanctuary policies. Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday will hold a news conference with suggested questions for their federal counterparts to ask the governor. — Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST LANDER'S LOBBYISTS: Mayoral hopeful Brad Lander never refunded campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists and real estate bigs that he pledged not to take money from — and even accepted more money from lobbyists, breaking his pledge once again. Lander spokesperson Dora Pekec told Playbook in March the comptroller would 'of course return any donations that do not conform to our pledge' against real estate developer money and lobbyists representing corporations. But Lander's campaign finance report released two months later showed he held onto money from at least ten real estate developers and ten lobbyists, even after POLITICO flagged the names. The May 23 report also showed he took in new contributions from lobbyists, including $250 from Jim Capalino, who leads his eponymous firm, $200 from Jonathan Bing of Greenberg Traurig and $1,000 from lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig's PAC. Pekec said they've now sent back the money, and this time they mean it. 'Donations not conforming to the campaign's policy have been returned,' she said, adding that it'll be reflected in the next filing, due Friday. Lander has reported raising more than $1.7 million for his mayoral campaign and has gotten an additional $5.8 million in public matching funds. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — Both major leaders of the Satmar Hasidic community in Williamsburg are expected to endorse Cuomo for mayor. (Williamsburg 365) — Longshot mayoral candidate Michael Blake sued to get onto the final debate stage, claiming his donors were illegally rejected. (New York Post) — Rafael Salamanca Jr. is eyeing Bronx borough hall. He has to topple Vanessa Gibson to get there. (City & State) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY FAIR PLAY IN ALBANY: State Attorney General Letitia James is trying to get a bill over the finish line that's meant to expand consumer protection laws. But the proposal is getting push back from private sector boosters in the final days of the state's legislative session. Dubbed The Fair Act, the bill would amend the state consumer protection laws to include modern-day issues like making it easier to cancel subscriptions, repay loans and better understand pricing plans. Private-sector groups in the last week have urged state lawmakers to reject the bill. The influential Partnership for New York City in a memo opposing it wrote the proposal is a 'significant restructuring of New York's consumer protection laws.' A coalition of local business groups warned in a letter that the bill would expose companies to legal risk. 'Small businesses will be threatened with legal shakedowns should this bill become law,' the groups wrote. James' office has tried to address these issues. She's negotiated safeguards for the private sector geared toward incentivizing customers to complain directly to businesses first. The provisions are meant to limit litigation to only the most significant consumer disputes. — Nick Reisman PRISON OVERSIGHT DEAL NEARS: State legislators are expected to reach a two-way deal on prison oversight, POLITICO Pro reports. The package comes at the end of a session when two separate incidents stoked outrage, including the release of video showing the killing of handcuffed Marcy Correctional Facility inmate Robert Brooks by prison guards. It's expected to include 10 separate bills lumped into an omnibus measure. That includes proposals to mandate fixed cameras in prisons, require the quick release of body camera footage to the attorney general's office, and expand the state Commission on Correction. 'We're increasing transparency and accountability in our correction facilities,' state Sen. Jamaal Bailey said. 'This is not an attack on correction workers — they work really hard and we appreciate the work that they do. We just want to make sure that the facilities are safe for everybody — for the incarcerated individuals, in addition to the staff and the correction officers.' — Bill Mahoney More from Albany: — Andrew Cuomo's very pricey bridge lighting scheme is getting a cheap denouement on the auction block. (POLITICO) — Top state Democrats blasted Trump's 'one big beautiful bill' for its potential hit to New York. (Buffalo News) — The state Senate approved a controversial aid-in-dying bill, which now goes to Hochul. (POLITICO Pro) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: More than 100 signatories spanning labor, policy, social services and health care groups are urging the state's congressional delegation to do more to protect the New York Essential Plan, which benefits low-income New Yorkers who aren't eligible for Medicaid. The Republican megabill now moving through the Senate may spell doomsday for the landmark health care plan, which could see its $13 billion annual budget halved, POLITICO Pro has reported. The Essential Plan also helps lawfully present non-citizens who would have to be shifted onto state-only Medicaid. 'In short, these changes would be a disaster for New York — withdrawing billions of dollars a year in federal funding for the state, imposing $2.7 billion annually in increased Medicaid costs, raising healthcare prices for hundreds of thousands of US citizens who access healthcare through New York State of Health,' the massive coalition writes in its letter today to New York's federal representatives. Among those signed on to the plea are 32BJ, the New York State Nurses Association, the New York Immigration Coalition, Make the Road New York, the Fiscal Policy Institute and the Chinese-American Planning Council. New York's congressional Democrats have sought to push back on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' including by messaging that the Republicans are targeting health care. But they're greatly limited as the minority in both the House and the Senate. — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led by Rep. Adriano Espaillat, is demanding a congressional probe into Trump's response to anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. (Punchbowl News) — A Medicare proposal some Republicans want to include in their sweeping megabill has the backing of a key Democrat. (POLITICO) — House Speaker Mike Johnson says July 4 is still the target for passing Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' (POLITICO) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — New York City will remove a defunct jail barge from the Bronx waterfront and add a new marine cargo terminal. (Gothamist) — WNYC's Brian Lehrer and NY1's Errol Louis take stock of the city's political scene in a joint interview. (The New Yorker) — Former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano wants the Supreme Court to review his corruption case. (Newsday) SOCIAL DATA MAKING MOVES: Albert J. Pirro, Jr. has joined public affairs and venture consulting firm Oaktree Solutions as a strategic adviser. Pirro was a land use and zoning attorney with Abrams Fensterman. MEDIAWATCH: Josefa Velásquez is joining Newsday as an investigative reporter. She was previously economics and equity editor for WNYC/Gothamist and is a POLITICO alum. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez … former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer … CNN's Jeff Zeleny … NBC's Shannon Pettypiece, Kate Snow and Sarah DeCaro … WSJ's Corinne Ramey … Meta's Meredith Carden … ABC's Ellie Kaufman … Jeff Greenfield … (WAS MONDAY): Letty Pogrebin Missed Monday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
Politico
27 minutes ago
- Politico
Florida Republicans welcome California contrast
Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. There are few things Gov. RON DESANTIS seems to love more than a Florida-California comparison, especially when Democratic Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM is involved. And he's bringing the coastal split-screen front and center this week amid the latest protests against ICE raids that erupted throughout the weekend in Los Angeles. Amid the unrest, the governor and other Florida Republicans have portrayed California as a cesspool of chaos and violence while arguing Florida thrives under 'law and order.' In an appearance with MARTHA MACCALLUM on Fox News, DeSantis criticized California for providing government-funded health care coverage to some undocumented immigrants and blamed 'people like the governor' for why Democrats are struggling with their messaging. The California-bashing continued over X, where DeSantis likened the situation to an 'upside down world,' criticized The Wall Street Journal for using the word 'protests' instead of 'rioting' and responded to a post from Newsom's office that taunted the governor over whether he'd want the Marines to crack down on party in Miami Beach over spring break. (DeSantis already sent in state troops, to some controversy, and since then the party crowds have gotten a lot smaller.) 'They really do let the inmates run the asylum,' DeSantis said during remarks in Crawfordsville that was about — of all things — the expansion of a body armor company whose products are used by law enforcement officers. Finally, as if to double down on Florida as a mirror image of California, state Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER sent a letter Monday warning Broward Sheriff GREGORY TONY that he'd be removed from office if he didn't assist ICE with immigration enforcement (see his response in the Florida Bulldog). Not brought up is how DeSantis has drawn backlash from left-leaning organizations over the years for actions he has taken to clamp down on protests and for urging the Legislature to fund a state guard to protect Florida from federal interference. Major protests haven't materialized in Florida so far, though state law enforcement agencies and local officials told Playbook they were monitoring a Tampa protest Monday held in solidarity with the Los Angeles demonstrations. Only about 100 people gathered, per the Tampa Bay Times, but the Republican Party of Florida fundraised off the event ahead of time, sending supporters a link to donate and 'Keep Florida Red' so as to not 'California my Florida.' Yet the contrast is also politically helpful to Newsom as far as Democratic voters are concerned. The California governor sued the Trump administration for sending in the National Guard without his say so. He also told POLITICO's Melanie Mason and Christopher Cadelago that Trump's plan to send in the Marines marked a 'very serious and sober moment.' In fact, Newsom is able to play the foil role against Trump that DeSantis once benefited from under former President JOE BIDEN. The president even said he would have Newsom arrested if he were border czar TOM HOMAN, despite saying he liked the Golden State governor. The coverage is a swift change for Newsom. Before the protests, he was facing backlash from the Democratic base over comments he made saying it was 'unfair' for transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. The Trump administration's moves give him more clout with the base ahead of the 2028 election cycle as someone with a record of standing up to Trump. WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis and the Cabinet have a meeting that will include a proposal over land swaps. (Read the agenda.) Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... BUDGET ON TRACK FOR DEADLINE — 'State legislators edged closer to the finish line on a new Florida budget Monday, reaching deals on spending in several key areas such as transportation and law enforcement while rolling out other offers in school funding and pay raises,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'The continued progress in budget negotiations signal that the House and Senate should be able to stick to a proposed timeline of sending the budget to DeSantis no later than June 16. Florida's current budget runs out at the end of the month. Lawmakers are behind schedule this year due to a weekslong stalemate over taxes and spending.' Some of the details: 'They agreed to set aside $25 million for the state's job growth grant fund, overseen by DeSantis and doled out to local governments on projects designed to entice businesses to expand or relocate. DeSantis had asked for $75 million. … Legislators also agreed to spend another $15 million on a law enforcement recruitment bonus program touted by DeSantis over the last few years. Under the program, new police officers and cops who relocate from other states earn bonuses up to $5,000. DeSantis had asked for $23 million in his budget recommendations.' PREPARING FOR CHANGES IN DC — 'In this hurricane-prone state, Republican legislators say they are preparing to weather a political and financial storm,' reports POLITICO's Gary Fineout. 'In other states led by Democrats, the moves by lawmakers could be labeled 'Trump proofing.' But no matter the framing, Florida's GOP-controlled Legislature is about to wrap up work on the state's budget with a series of significant steps designed to shore up reserves and curtail spending. 'The rationale given by Republican leaders includes everything from making the state's budget resistant to a possible recession (without mentioning the economic impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump) to acknowledging 'uncertainty' associated with Congress and potential cuts to Medicaid, food aid and federal agencies responsible for helping with emergency efforts.' RATE HIKE ASK CHALLENGED — 'The state Office of Public Counsel told state regulators Monday that Florida Power & Light Co. should only receive about $105 million of the $9.8 billion it stands to collect if a rate hike request is approved,' reports POLITICO's Bruce Ritchie. 'Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler filed expert witness testimony Monday in response to FPL's rate hike petition filed in February with the Public Service Commission. Trierweiler said his witnesses identified only $105.6 million in rate increases that should be allowed. Details were not provided because the summary testimony of accountant Helmuth W. Schultz III was classified as confidential until it is reviewed by FPL.' PROPERTY TAX PUSH KEEPS ON — 'DeSantis said Monday that he was still working to get Florida homeowners a rebate on their property taxes this year, even though budget chiefs for the Legislature said they remain unaware of any formal proposal to that end,' reports Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix. 'DeSantis earlier this year called on legislators to offer a rebate up to $1,000 to every homeowner who enjoys a homestead exemption as a first step in helping residents deal with property taxes. The governor suggested sending out checks at the end of 2025.' AMENDING TAX RETURN — 'DeSantis held a two-day golf tournament at a high-end resort in Panama City Beach last year to raise cash for the Hope Florida Foundation, the nonprofit associated with the First Lady that is under investigation,' reports Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel. 'The May 2024 event at a resort that bills itself as the 'true gem' of Florida's Gulf Coast lost more than $17,000, according to the foundation's delinquent federal tax return filed in April — six months past its due date. 'But now the foundation said it will amend its tax return by attributing more donations to the golf fundraiser, ones it previously failed to report to IRS. The event, it claims, was an 'extraordinary success,' though by IRS rules it still lost money, even if the foundation's 990 tax form is amended.' REFUND COMING — 'A South Florida health care company that was overpaid millions by the state for a COVID-related contract is going to pay the state back,' reports Ana Goñi-Lessan of USA Today Network — Florida. 'Trinity Health Care Services, which was contracted by the state to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations, recently settled a lawsuit filed against it by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, court records show. Trinity agreed to pay the agency $5,624,659.43 over the next several years. But it's going to do so in installments.' — 'Long-running immigration case between Florida, US could end,' reports Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida. PENINSULA AND BEYOND THEFT CHARGES — 'Recently appointed Florida A&M Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs has been charged with falsifying travel vouchers and racking up $24,000 in personal expenses on a work credit card when she visited to casinos during business trips for her previous employer, investigators said,' reports Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat. — 'Inside New College's unraveling financial oversight: Staff ousted, board critics removed,' by Alice Herman of Suncoast Searchlight. — 'Pulse site visits for victims' families, survivors, commence ahead of site demolition,' by McKenna Schueler of Orlando Weekly. — 'State agrees to drop charge in ex-Broward schools chief Runcie's perjury case,' by the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Scott Travis. CAMPAIGN MODE TODAY — Special elections are being held to elect state lawmakers to the seats vacated by RANDY FINE (Senate District 19), who was elected to Congress, and JOEL RUDMAN (House District 3), who resigned his seat to unsuccessfully run for Congress. The shuffling around happened as a result of Trump choosing various Florida elected officials to join his administration. There's also a special election to House District 32 — given that the current officeholder, DEBBIE MAYFIELD, is running for the Senate District 19 seat she previously held. TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP DIFFERENT FROM TRAVEL BAN 1.0 — 'Miami International Airport appeared to be business as usual on the first day of the Trump administration travel restrictions for nationals of Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti — countries that are a large source of travel and migration to South Florida,' reports the Miami Herald. DATELINE D.C. BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL LATEST — 'A Medicare proposal some Republicans want to include in their sweeping megabill has the backing of a key Democratic senator — though he doesn't want it included in the party-line package,' report POLITICO's Robert King and Meredith Lee Hill. 'Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon said in a statement that he stands behind the No UPCODE Act, a bill co-sponsored with Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy that tackles tools Medicare Advantage plans use to get higher payments from the federal government — calling it 'common sense' that health insurers 'shouldn't be allowed to overcharge taxpayers for the care they deliver.' However, he said in the statement to POLITICO, the legislation should instead be considered 'through regular order, not in the context of a partisan bill that will end up leaving 16 million people without health care.'' ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN FLORIDA SHEDDING PYTHONS — 'The Conservancy of Southwest Florida reports it has captured and humanely killed 20 tons of the snakes since 2013, including a record 6,300 pounds of pythons killed this past breeding season, according to a June 9 news release,' per Mark Price of the Miami Herald. BIRTHDAYS: Nick Iarossi of Capital City Consulting … Ashley Montenegro Alexander, partner at CATALYST.
Politico
32 minutes ago
- Politico
Happy Primary Day
Presented by Sports Betting Alliance Good Tuesday morning! Polls are open in the gubernatorial primary. It only took us a few years and more than $120 million to get here. And the final early voting numbers are in. Here's a look: More than 466,000 New Jerseyans voted early, either through mail-in ballot or in-person, according to an analysis by The AP's Ryan Dubicki. About 330,000 of them were Democrats (13 percent turnout) and 133,000 Republicans (8 percent turnout). Jersey City, where Mayor Steve Fulop is running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, had the highest advance turnout in raw numbers, at 9,299. But it's the second biggest city in the state, so the turnout for Democrats was actually only 9 percent. Newark, where Mayor Ras Baraka is running for governor, had Democratic turnout of 5 percent. Per capita, it's an era of good feelings in Monroe Township, which topped the state for Democratic turnout at 28 percent. Its 15 percent Republican turnout was also among the highest in the state. But it couldn't surpass Walpack, where four of the town's eight registered Republicans voted early, producing an incredible 50 percent turnout. By contrast, absolutely nobody voted early in tiny Teterboro. In the Democratic primary, Middlesex County had the most raw early votes, with 37,577. The party machinery there is backing Mikie Sherrill. But Camden County, which is mostly in Steve Sweeney's corner, was close behind, producing 36,639 votes, mostly due to local Democrats' well-honed vote-by-mail program. Per capita, Camden County had the highest early voting turnout for Democrats, at 20 percent. Sweeney's home county of Gloucester had the second highest per capita at 18 percent, but since it's a smaller county, that's 15,300 votes. Essex and Passaic, also Sherrill counties, had the lowest per capita turnouts at 9 percent. In the Republican contest, Ocean County had the highest raw number turnout at 17,723. But Camden County, where about half that number voted early, had the highest per capita Republican early turnout at 13 percent. Both those counties' official parties are backing Bill Spadea, though Ocean County Republicans' endorsement is counterweighted by the Lakewood Vaad backing Jack Ciattarelli — potentially a game changer. Essex County's 5 percent early voter turnout was also the lowest for Republicans. Read Madison Fernandez and Daniel Han on some things to look out for today. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Mikie Sherrill is a mom — and you don't mess around with the hand that rocks the cradle.' — Democratic State Chair LeRoy Jones HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Vince Polistina WHAT TRENTON MADE What I'm also watching: There's a lot of contested Assembly races tonight as well, thanks in large part to Fulop's decision to recruit running mates all over the state. But I'm especially interested in two contests in Hudson County. In District 32, there are three rival slates running: one backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca), one backed by Fulop (incumbent Jessica Ramirez and Yousef Saleh) and an alliance of convenience (between Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and former Murphy administration staffer Katie Brennan, who made big headlines early in Murphy's term when she revealed another staffer she accused of sexual assault during the campaign had also been hired for a high-ranking role in the administration). Next door in North Hudson, in District 33, it's a proxy war between Union City Mayor/state Sen. Brian Stack and North Bergen Mayor/former state Sen. Nick Sacco, who are each backing two slates. Union City's 23 percent Democratic turnout was the highest in the county, and more than double North Bergen's. Also interesting: Mikie Sherrill is the frontrunner, but she's been dramatically outspent on advertising by her Democratic opponents and the super PACs. See this chart by AdImpact here. Republican implications: While Ciattarelli's advantages combined with his endorsement by President Donald Trump has most considering him a shoo-in, consider what the results tonight could mean for Ocean County GOP Chair George Gilmore, who came back to relevance in stunning style when he retook the chairmanship in 2023 following his 2021 pardon on federal tax-related felony convictions. Gilmore went all in with Spadea and has been a paid consultant to his super PAC. There's a lot of bad blood between him and Ciattarelli, and the nasty tone of the primary hasn't helped. If Ciattarelli wins tonight and goes on to win the governorship in November, will he work against Gilmore in 2026? But there was a bit of a proxy battle last night, with an election among the Ocean County Republican committee for the two committee members, and Gilmore's candidates — County Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Robert S. Arace — easily defeated challengers Mike Thulen Jr. and Anne Hammill Pasqua. Anti-Spadeatism — Ciattarelli supporters are calling a text message from Spadea's campaign anti-Semitic. The message includes a photo of Ciattarelli, in a yarmulke, meeting with Orthodox Jews and saying he 'supports Lakewood-style overdevelopment that has destroyed our neighborhoods, crushed our infrastructure and strains our school budgets.' 'Every citizen in NJ needs to condemn this utter garbage,' said Middletown BOE member Jacqueline Tobacco, a Ciattarelli supporter. Spadea on Twitter said 'opposing overdevelopment supported by pandering insider Jack isn't anti-Semitic' and asked 'Where was Jack when I stood up to the radicals at Rutgers and in Paterson where there was real hatred directed at the Jewish community?' I'm guessing the Lakewood Vaad isn't re-thinking its decision to back Ciattarelli. NOT SO GREAT SCOTT — 'Several thousand N.J. voters received letters saying they can't vote in primary,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Thousands of New Jersey voters who visited Motor Vehicle Commission offices since April 17 have found themselves ineligible to vote in the June 10 primary election after computer mishaps led to a change in party registration without the voter knowing it. Most of the issues stem from the rush to obtain Real IDs. Voters are being asked to register to vote, and even if they're already registered, they are asked to confirm their party affiliation. Election officials in several counties confirmed that they have sent letters notifying them that they will not be permitted to vote in the June primary at all, if the party change occurred after the April 17 deadline that bars party switches within 55 days of a primary election. The letters are automatically generated by superintendents of elections and county election boards at the direction of Assistant Attorney General Susan Scott, who runs the Law Division's Elections office. The letter does not advise voters of their right to appeal; Scott doesn't think it's her job to help voters overrule her, election officials said.' WAITING TO EXHALE — 'NJ Democrats hold their breath as the primary unfolds without the county line,' by The Record's Charles Stile: 'The June 10 primary endorsement mailers landing in the mailboxes of Mercer County Democrats last week showcased a lineup of local officials backing U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill's bid for governor. The mail piece was a predictable byproduct of the Mercer County Democratic Committee, one of the earliest county machines to throw its weight behind the Montclair Democrat. Yet a closer look at the mailer showed revealing departures from the business-as-usual script of the past. Near the bottom, readers are urged to 'Look closely!' The warning was pasted next to an icon of a microscope, to help drive home the point. It's followed by this message: 'This year's ballot has a new design' it reads. 'Mikie Sherrill is in position 4A.' And for added guidance, Sherrill's name on the ballot is circled in a red swoosh. These unprecedented markups on the mailer distills an underlying anxiety of party operatives in this complicated nomination battle of six candidates for the Democratic primary — and, to a lesser extent, the three-way race for the GOP nomination.' I CAN'T IMPROVE UPON THE HEADLINE — 'It's the economy, estúpido: New Jersey governor's race tests Democrats' efforts to win back Latinos,' by The AP's Adriana Gomez Licon and Mike Catalini: 'The New Jersey gubernatorial primary has emerged as a crucial test for Democrats seeking to regain Latino support nationally. It highlights the challenges in traditionally blue areas where the party's loss of support among Hispanics in 2024 was even more pronounced than in battleground states. President Donald Trump slashed Democratic margins in New Jersey and New York, even flipping some heavily Latino towns he had lost by 30 and 50 percentage points in 2016 … Although Trump made closing U.S. borders a central promise of his campaign, his economic message hit home with Latinos. More Hispanics saw inflation as the most important concern last fall than white voters, AP VoteCast showed. That lesson has been taken to heart in this year's campaign, with strategists, unions, organizers and politicians pivoting away from immigration and putting pocketbook concerns at the forefront of their appeals.' — 'As the primary approaches, here's where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stands on key education issues' — 'Governor hopefuls make final pitches as wild primary nears end' — 'NJ's next governor will have offshore wind farms — and their opponents — to consider' — 'NJ State PBA: Local PBAs 'do not have the authority' to endorse for Assembly' — Zwicker: 'N.J. must fix how it fills U.S. House vacancies now' — 'N.J. gubernatorial candidate [Barbera] jailed last week' — 'Noisy progress: First phase at entrance to new Gateway rail tunnel wraps up' — Lawmakers advance increased penalties for low-rated nursing homes TRUMP ERA NADINE MENENDEZ LEFT SCHERTHANDED — 'Nadine Arslanian Menendez seeks new trial on federal corruption charges,' by The Record's Katie Sobko: 'Nadine Arslanian Menendez is requesting a new trial due to the 'blatant violation of her Sixth Amendment right to counsel of her choice,' according to documents filed by her attorneys in federal court. Arslanian Menendez's attorneys are arguing that because of one of the superseding indictments during the ongoing case, prosecutors created a potential conflict between her and her attorney at the time David Schertler. According to the filing, prosecutors said during hearings that they intended to call Schertler as a witness and since no arrangement could be settled on, 'Schertler, an extremely well-regarded and experienced lawyer whose team been working on the matter for nearly two years, was forced to withdraw from the case due to the conflict.' Schertler was not called to testify during the trial and was not mentioned. 'If Mrs. Menendez had known that there was no longer any conflict, Mrs. Menendez would have elected to bring Mr. Schertler and his firm back into the case at any point, up until the last day of trial,' the filing states.' PEPFAR REMEMBERS — 'For decades NJ rep backed AIDS funding Trump wants cut,' by NJ Spotlight News' Benjamin J. Hulac: 'As the Trump administration pursues extensive funding cuts to a global health program that has saved tens of millions of lives, New Jersey Republican Chris Smith said he's working privately to protect it. In its latest budget request, the Trump administration proposed $2.9 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, an amount that would be a 38% cut to the program … Asked about looming cuts to PEPFA after House votes Thursday, Smith told NJ Spotlight News he's 'working on it behind the scenes' but declined to say more. Smith has historically been an advocate for the program. In 2018, he was the lead sponsor in Congress of the bill, now law, to reauthorize PEPFAR … During the Biden administration, support for the program dimmed slightly after U.S. officials told members of Congress nurses paid with PEPFAR money had performed abortions in Mozambique, where abortion is legal. Last year, Smith led an effort to delay PEPFAR's reauthorization — something Congress must do to formally approve government policies and programs — following the Mozambique development, calling it 'the tip of the iceberg.'' — 'Why Philadelphia's air traffic control tower is fueling national anxiety over flying' — New Jersey co-leads lawsuit against Trump administration over trigger devices LOCAL HE'S DONEFOR — 'Virginia man found guilty of murdering Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour,' by MyCentralJersey's Suzanne Russell: 'A jury has found a Virginia man guilty of the 2023 murder of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, the borough's first Black elected official. The verdict came June 9 after a little more than a day of deliberation following a four-week trial before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone. Rashid Ali Bynum, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 18 when he faces 30 years to life in prison. Dwumfour, 30, was fatally shot inside her car, outside her home at the Camelot at LaMer apartment complex off Ernston Road in the Parlin section of the borough on Feb. 1, 2023 … Dwumfour, a church pastor, had met Bynum several years ago when she was recruiting people to join her church. He moved from Virginia to New Jersey to live with her and other church members but after he failed to follow religious practices, he was asked to return home.' WILL THAT COUNT TOWARD THEIR AFFORDABLE HOUSING MANDATE? — 'Wealthy N.J. suburb approves plan that could jail homeless people 'unwilling' to accept help,' by NJ Advance Media's Nyah Marshall: 'One of New Jersey's wealthiest suburbs has passed a revised ordinance that housing advocates say penalizes homeless people for camping outdoors. The Summit City Council withdrew its original proposed ordinance in April that would have imposed fines or jail time on homeless people found sleeping or camping outdoors. Following months of backlash, the measure was rewritten and unanimously approved Tuesday, with officials saying it now aims to address 'unlawful camping,' on public property. According the updated ordinance, people living in encampments or storing personal belongings in public spaces could face fines of up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail — but only if they are 'unwilling' to work with social service providers.' LAVALET IT GO — 'Widow runs against late husband. It's the only way to keep his seat,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Lavallette Councilman Robert Lamb died suddenly on May 2, and with vote-by-mail ballots already out, it was too late to remove him from the Republican primary ballot. Lamb and Councilman Michael Stogdill are unopposed, and local GOP leaders want voters to cast a posthumous vote for Lamb, a retired police sergeant. That would allow the four Republican county committee members to pick the replacement candidate — probably George Shenewolf, who was appointed in May to fill the seat on an interim basis. But Karen Lamb, the late councilman's widow, wants the seat, and she's mounting a write-in campaign to secure the GOP nomination outright; this is one of the few times when a widow can run against her deceased husband, since she'll need to defeat him in the primary in order to win the seat.' PAID AMERICAN — Governor and first lady to host fundraiser for McGreevey, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy are getting more involved in Jersey City's contentious race for mayor, hosting a fundraiser next week for candidate Jim McGreevey at their home. McGreevey is running in a crowded field to replace three-term Mayor Steven Fulop, who is running for governor instead of seeking reelection. Tickets for the June 16 fundraiser at the Murphys' Middletown mansion start at $1,000. 'Candidly, we need your help today,' McGreevey wrote in a fundraising email. Gov. Murphy endorsed McGreevey in January. — Snowflack: 'On Tuesday, it's not only about governor…' — 'Bergen County incumbent commissioners face slate of challengers. Meet the candidates' — '[Newark] East Ward students bussed from higher performing schools' — 'Ex-Paterson police officer can't take back guilty plea in brutality case, court rules' — 'Washington Township councilman resigns after anonymous letter' — 'Morris County teacher arrested and accused of sexual assault of student' EVERYTHING ELSE — 'Ex-principal from Ocean County pleads guilty to possessing child porn' — 'Taking the handcuffs off methadone treatment, 'game-changer' for patients' — 'Explosives lab found in basement of teen's home in Moorestown, police say' — 'How much do police make in New Jersey? Median and average wages among top 10 nationwide' — 'I-80 lanes closed by massive sinkhole to open 11 days early if the weather holds'
