Latest news with #NJSpotlightNews
Politico
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
NJ Spotlight News' Fight Night
Presented by Good Thursday morning! NJ Spotlight News hosted a 'conversation' last night with the three debate-eligible Republican gubernatorial candidates: State Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli and former radio host Bill Spadea. It was more of an hour-long argument, and a particularly bitter one during the exchanges between Ciattarelli and Spadea. Fairly early on, after Spadea criticized Ciattarelli as an 'insider,' Ciattarelli hit him over his fundraising practices. 'What do you call a person who fleeced seniors to give contributions? That's an insider,' Ciattarelli said. Spadea shot back that Ciattarelli was 'scared' and lying about him. 'It's all about character. You have none,' Ciattarelli told Spadea. 'You're sad and desperate,' Spadea responded. I could try go into the candidates' policy differences, but there's not much space at the top of this newsletter, and frankly the candidates broke little news on that front. But here are some things that really stuck out. On whether to maintain the Supreme Court's traditional partisan balance — in which no party has more than a one-seat advantage — Ciattarelli took the most radical position, saying he would discard it. Spadea was noncommittal, even though he's calling for executive orders on affordable housing and other issues with long Supreme Court precedents that would almost certainly be put in front of the justices. And Bramnick said he would keep the balance in place, because 'if you tell Democrats that's what we're going to do, they'll start doing it.' Ciattarelli said he would support whoever wins the primary, as did Bramnick. But Spadea did not commit, using his time to call Ciattarelli a 'two-time loser' who 'did not want my support or President Trump's support in 2021.' (Spadea did commit to do so in this January interview if the nominee supports Trump). And while Bramnick is by far the most 'establishment' of the three — a dirty word in either party's primary — he was the only one to express skepticism of authority. Asked about deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, Bramnick supported their right to due process, saying they're entitled 'to at least make sure you got the right guy.' 'Just because the government says 'that's a bad guy,' you believe whatever the government says?' he said. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'It's like putting the hot dog on a hamburger bun.' — An unnamed Facebook user protesting the rumor that the Wildwood Boardwalk plans to replace its iconic tram car towing car with a yellow Ford pick-up truck. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Chris Megerian, Matt Greller, Sabeen Masih, Yale Hauptman, Miranda Peterson WHAT TRENTON MADE SCOTNJ — Republicans raise prospect of tilting balance of state Supreme Court, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: Republicans vying to flip the governorship this year are opening the door to altering the traditional partisan balance of the state Supreme Court. During a Wednesday debate among Republicans Jon Bramnick, Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, the candidates were asked if they would commit to maintaining the partisan balance of the state's highest court. Ciattarelli, who has previously stated he would prioritize 'qualifications, not partisanship' on the court, said he would not honor the balance because 'we need conservatives.' Bramnick disagreed with that approach, warning that it could open the door to Democrats stacking the court with liberal justices, and Spadea initially said that he didn't know. 'The way I look at the Supreme Court is that they have been a complete disaster over time, and we know that the chief justice will hit the retirement age and we're going to replace him,' Spadea said. ICE'S IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION TO BARAKA FOR GOVERNOR — 'Newark mayor confronted by armed ICE officers at private detention center,' by NJ Advance Media's Steve Strunsky: 'A line of armed ICE officers in combat fatigues greeted Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka Wednesday morning outside the gate of a privately run immigrant detention center that began housing detainees last week, despite the city's position that it was operating illegally. Baraka and other city officials were at the Delaney Hall detention center to try and serve a representative of its owner, the GEO Group of Boca Raton, Florida, with summonses that included refusing to grant access to the facility and failure to have an evacuation plan in place. … The peaceful standoff between the city's civilian delegation and the seven ICE officers in green military-style uniforms — with several Newark Police vehicles parked nearby — was one that Baraka and other city officials said they had never seen before. Baraka said it was clear that the ICE officers were meant to intimidate city inspectors, though he was not intimidated.' —'What to Know About the Newly Opened Immigration Detention Center in New Jersey's Biggest City' SH****NG ON THE BRIDGE OF THE BAY — 'Fulop says he'll repair Newark Bay Bridge, cancel new bridge project,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'The proposed $6 billion Newark Bay Bridge replacement received a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard – a major hurdle in the construction process set to commence early next year – but staff at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority this morning pushed back on the idea that a new governor could still call off the first step toward a controversial plan to widen the New Jersey Turnpike through parts of Hudson County. 'A new governor, or any governor, is going to have to reckon with the public safety issue,' said Tom Feeney, a spokesman for the authority. 'Just cancelling it is not going to be an option with public safety as the primary consideration.' But the answer doesn't satisfy one major gubernatorial contender, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a fervent opponent of the project. 'We need more mass transit and not more highways,' Fulop stated. 'As governor, we will complete safety improvements to the bridge and cancel the balance of this widening to reallocate the money to mass transit.' … Fulop said it was 'shameful' that Gov. Phil Murphy is backing the project.' —'The massive project to replace these N.J. Turnpike bridges gets a start date' WILL THE CUP CUP RUNNETH OVER BUDGET? — 'What has NJ spent — so far, at least — to fund the 2026 FIFA World Cup?' by The Record's Katie Sobko: 'Though the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still more than a year away, it's been costing New Jersey taxpayers money for a few years already. Trenton lawmakers have dispatched a total of $67.5 million to a New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority fund for 'International Events, Improvements & Attractions' over the last three state budgets. So far, the NJSEA has spent more than $32 million on the tournament. With another $32.4 million under contract, the NJSEA will spend as much as $64.4 million on the event, which will feature eight matches including the final at MetLife Stadium. Though they're not part of next year's tournament, another $4 million will be used to 'assist MetLife Stadium with securing and hosting upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 matches.'' —'Phil Murphy should not cozy up to the Saudis. 9/11 families need answers | Opinion' —'NJ Transit and its largest union reach a tentative agreement on a new contract' —'Trump is a felon. But N.J. extends his golf clubs' temporary liquor permits – again' —'Student details might get added protection' —'Is NJ's unemployment system recession ready?' —'Larry Hamm-led group endorses Baraka for governor' —'Nuclear New Jersey: Murphy embraces new reactors amid energy crisis' TRUMP ERA FEDERAL ANXIETY ADMINISTRATION — Newark's a symptom of the ailing air traffic system. Can Trump offer a cure?, by POLITICO's Oriana Pawlyk and Ry Rivard: Terrifying safety lapses at Newark Liberty International Airport are raising the stakes for the Trump administration's still-vague plan for upgrading the nation's aviation system — a multibillion-dollar blueprint whose debut is scheduled for Thursday. The plan, to be announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, comes on the heels of a series of unnerving aviation incidents in recent years, most seriously the midair collision near Washington that killed 67 people on Jan. 29. But more than a week of flight delays, cancellations and mechanical malfunctions at Newark has put an exclamation point on the demand for improvements in how the Federal Aviation Administration oversees the skies. The emerging plan will be one of the most challenging tests yet of the new Trump administration's ability to address years of flaws in an aging, but crucial government function meant to safeguard Americans' travel — even as it pursues spending and staffing cuts, including in the FAA. SALT IN THE WOUND — SALT Republicans leave critical meeting empty-handed, by POLITICO's Benjamin Guggenheim: House Republicans left a critical meeting of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday saying that a fight over a key tax deduction is still far from resolved. 'It's one of, I think, the stickiest points of the entire [budget] reconciliation. But we're getting there,' said committee member Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) … Malliotakis said Wednesday's discussion centered on whether there should be an income limit for qualifying for the deduction, if second homes would qualify and doubling the deduction for married couples. 'GIVE HIM A BREAK, WILL YA? IT'S AN EMOTIONAL DAY' — Former Sen. Bob Menendez is asking for another delay before he begins his 11-year federal prison sentence in June. His attorneys asked for the delay Wednesday, citing the upcoming wedding of his stepdaughter, the only daughter of his wife, Nadine Menendez. 'Allowing Sen. Menendez to accompany his wife to their daughter's wedding would alleviate this hardship and permit the family to be together for a meaningful (and perhaps final) gathering before the commencement of Sen. Menendez's lengthy custodial sentence,' Menendez attorneys Adam Fee and Avi Weitzman wrote. If granted, Menendez would report to a federal prison in Pennsylvania on June 17 rather than June 6. – Ry Rivard —'Cancellations, delays continue at Newark airport as Real ID begins' HEALTH CARE — 'Federal Medicaid cuts: Health care execs offer bleak outcome for NJ patients,' by The Record's Scott Fallon: 'Some have argued that Medicaid has become bloated, has made too many Americans dependent on it and has been taken advantage of by those who can instead get insurance by working a full-time job. But those who testified at the state Assembly Health Committee's three-hour session Tuesday described Medicaid as a thin line separating a vibrant, healthy society from one that plunges into disarray. 'Without Medicaid, I simply have no life,' said Kevin Nunez, a New Jersey disability advocate who has cerebral palsy. 'Without Medicaid, I couldn't get out of bed.' ... Although the cuts have been discussed for months and a House resolution that passed would target $880 billion over 10 years, there is still little information on what eligibility requirements will be changed, how much reimbursements would be cut and what programs would be targeted. 'We don't know what they're going to look like,' Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, a Democrat from Mount Laurel who chaired the hearing, said of the cuts. 'We just have an estimate of what it may be.'' THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY AND HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE — 'Trump appoints former 'Real Housewives' star to Holocaust Museum board,' by The Washington Post's Herb Scribner: 'President Donald Trump named five new members to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council on Monday night, including a former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' television star whose stepson was charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The appointments, and eight others Trump made last week, will replace members he fired April 29, all of whom had been named by President Joe Biden. The abrupt ouster and replacement of Biden appointees before their terms expired — a prerogative that no previous president had exercised regarding the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum — has sparked concerns from some supporters of the museum.' —'Van Drew: NJ's lawsuit against Trump over offshore wind ban 'a slap in the face' to taxpayers' —'Starvation, looting: NJ aid worker in Gaza describes the day that nearly broke him' LOCAL UNARRESTED DEVELOPMENT — 'Lakewood fire reveals illegal shack apartments; owner faces thousands in fines,' by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: 'Five shack-like apartments that were evacuated by a fire last month were illegally built and rented out, according to township officials who say the owner has been cited for numerous violations and faces thousands of dollars in fines. That owner is linked to a major local developer who just last year had received township approval to build nine new homes on the property. Township records indicate the property is owned by a limited liability corporation headed by the president of Diversified Capital, a Lakewood-based firm … Diversified President Joseph Rosenbaum is listed in documents as the registered agent of the LLC and signed an affidavit of ownership for the project with the planning board in 2024. The [planning] board granted approval in April 2024 for the planned homes, according to records. A March 18, 2024, engineers report completed for the project appears to mention the illegal units … Minutes from the April 4, 2024, Planning Board meeting where the project was considered indicated little discussion and a unanimous board approval.' YOUR EMINENCE DOMAIN — ''Egregious land grab': Church will fight Toms River plan to seize land, knock it down,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'Christ Episcopal Church is prepared for a legal fight to block the township from acquiring its downtown property, with the support of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. In a letter read to the Christ Church congregation on May 4, New Jersey Episcopal Bishop Sally French said, 'I am writing as your bishop to assure you of my support.' Rev. French added that she was 'shocked and deeply disappointed to learn of the unjust attempt by the mayor and township council to take away this beautiful church property.' The Township Council voted 4 to 3 April 30 to introduce an ordinance to acquire the nearly 11-acre church property at 415 Washington St., either through negotiation, or, if necessary, through eminent domain … Mayor Daniel Rodrick envisions the church property as part of a large waterfront park, including a soccer field on the site of the church building, eight pickleball courts, a skatepark and large playground … Rodrick has argued that the heavily populated downtown area has few recreation options for residents. But some speakers at the April 30 meeting claimed the mayor's move to acquire the church came in response to an ongoing effort by the church and the Affordable Housing Alliance to build a 17-bed overnight shelter for the homeless on the Christ Church property.' IRROLEVANT — 'U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna endorses former Jersey City BOE Pres. Mussab Ali for mayor,' by Hudson County View's John Heinis: 'U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) is endorsing former Jersey Board of Education President Mussab Ali for mayor, citing his record of community leadership and vision for progressive change. 'I'm proud to endorse Mussab Ali for Mayor of Jersey City. He represents exactly the kind of next-generation leadership we need—young, progressive, and deeply rooted in his community,' Khanna said in a statement … This is the second endorsement Ali has secured from outside New Jersey, with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison supporting his mayoral ran back in February, as HCV first reported.' —'In South Jersey, school districts are raising property taxes and considering cuts' —'NJ threatens fines if Paterson budget isn't introduced by May 30' —'Paterson school board passes new budget with 4% tax hike, lowest in years' —'Sheriff's Office Det. Sarmiento rounds out McGreevey's Jersey City council slate' —'Atlantic City moves Caribbean music festival to placate high-rise residents' EVERYTHING ELSE LOSING MY RELIGION LAWSUIT — 'Learning about Islam in public schools isn't indoctrination, appeals court rules,' by NJ Advance Media's Colleen Murphy: 'A federal appeals court dismissed a parent's claim that her son's middle school curriculum violated the Constitution by teaching about Islam. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the constitutionality of a social studies curriculum that included instructional videos about Islam. In its decision issued Monday, the court said that the Chatham School District's curriculum does not show any signs of promoting a specific religion. However, the attorney for the plaintiff, Chatham parent, Libby Hilsenrath, said he intends to appeal the ruling … Her complaint named the Chatham School District and several school officials and teachers. Hilsenrath argued that the inclusion of instructional videos about Islam in a World Cultures and Geography class violated the establishment clause of the first amendment, claiming it amounted to religious indoctrination and coercion.' — 'Survivor N.J.: This school has a one-of-a-kind wilderness survival class. Gen Z can't get enough' —'Meet the latest 'Jeopardy!' champ: Sarah Gillis, a loan processor from Asbury Park'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who's running for NJ governor in 2025? These candidates are set to debate in May
With New Jersey's primary election less than two months away, many of the gubernatorial hopefuls from both parties will soon be squaring off in debates in the coming weeks. The first set of May debates will be sponsored by NJ PBS, NJ Spotlight News and WNYC with Republicans squaring off on Wednesday, May 7 and Democrats on Monday, May 12. The second set will be later in the month sponsored by NJ Globe, On New Jersey, Rider University and Essex County. The Republican debate will additionally feature Save Jersey as a sponsor. That will see the Democrats debate on Sunday, May 18 and Republicans debate on Tuesday May 20. More: Democratic candidates for NJ governor discuss issues of housing and justice reform The Democratic debates will feature five of the six candidates. Participants will include: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop Rep. Josh Gottheimer Rep. Mikie Sherrill Former state Senate President Steve Sweeney New Jersey Education Association president Sean Spiller did not qualify. Charlie Stile: What's the potent sleeper issue in this year's NJ governor's race? The Republican candidates participating will be: State Sen. Jon Bramnick Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli Radio personality Bill Spadea Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Justin Barbera, a Burlington County contractor, did not qualify. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@ This article originally appeared on Who's running for NJ governor 2025? Candidates set for debate
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lawsuit could stop poisoning of major river before it's too late: 'Hopefully, we've gotten to it in the nick of time'
A federal lawsuit is pressing the Environmental Protection Agency to establish new water quality standards for a 38-mile stretch of the Delaware River, per NJ Spotlight News. It may be the thing that saves the Atlantic sturgeon from extinction. Wastewater treatment plants have been filling the river with ammonia for decades. This has resulted in dangerously low oxygen levels in the water, threatening not only the Atlantic sturgeon but several other native species. As egregious as that may sound, it doesn't violate the current legal standards. Those standards have stood still since 1967. For context, that's three years before the first Earth Day ignited the environmental movement in the United States. While we still have much work to do, many of today's environmental standards are far higher than they were during the Summer of Love. Meanwhile, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network has been fighting to improve water quality standards with what many consider to be an overdue update. The environmental group's lawsuit has resulted in a pending legal agreement requiring the EPA to raise the standards for the river's required oxygen levels by June 30. While saving the Atlantic sturgeon from extinction is a huge deal, it's not the only reason to clean up the Delaware River. On top of all the other plant and animal life that depend on the river, humans depend on it too: It supplies drinking water to over 17 million people across 42 counties and five states — and that is facing enough threats already. The Delaware River also provides fishing opportunities to countless people, which means both food and money to many. Beyond that, it's just a gorgeous, historic piece of the regional landscape. Should the legal agreement to protect the river receive approval from a federal judge, it will be in what is potentially the 11th hour. "A population like the sturgeon may very well disappear from the face of the Earth for forever," Delaware Riverkeeper Maya K. van Rossum told NJ Spotlight News. "Hopefully, we've gotten to it in the nick of time." How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
