Latest news with #Spiller
Politico
14 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
Super PAC spending smashes records
Presented by Good Tuesday morning! An obscene amount of money is being thrown around in the primary by super PACs and mostly backing the Democratic candidates. I counted $70 million spent this year by super PACs on the gubernatorial candidates as of May 27, and that's being conservative. Several super PACs have spent more than the actual candidates are allowed to spend in the gubernatorial public financing program. To put this in perspective, during the 2021 race for governor, independent expenditure groups spent $58 million — on the primary and the general, and for both gubernatorial and legislative candidates. This year we went way over that with two weeks left in the primary. No one has spent anywhere near what the NJEA has to boost its president Sean Spiller's candidacy. The union has poured $40 million into Working New Jersey, the Spiller super PAC that has blanketed the state with mailers and ads. It's kept Spiller in the running, but didn't get him out of the pack. His candidacy never appeared to surge. But a May Emerson poll puts him well within the margin of error of every candidate except Mikie Sherrill. The Spiller spend is eye-popping, but I want to highlight something that risks being lost in the glut of data. One of the two super PACs backing Josh Gottheimer's gubernatorial bid, No Surrender, has raised $1.9 million from a few donors. The biggest donor, Maryland developer Andrew Schwartzberg, gave $1 million. The second biggest donor, No Surrender Action Fund, gave $750,000. But No Surrender Action Fund is a nonprofit that's not required to disclose donors. And it doesn't appear to be doing so voluntarily. It's fairly common practice, but antithetical to transparency, for political insiders to use nonprofits to hide the identities of donors. Sean Caddle used to do it quite a bit. A group of donors did the same thing with a $400,000 donation in the early days of Steve Fulop's super PAC, Coalition for Progress. (Bloomberg reported a year later that $100,000 of that money came from Charles and Jared Kushner and their development company.) I reached out to the attorney whose name is on paperwork for both the No Surrender PAC and No Surrender Action Fund, but I didn't hear back. All I can find about its funding is a $4,804 grant from Opportunity for All Action Fund, a dark money group that in 2022 spent more than $1 million to help a handful of House Democratic candidates, including Gottheimer, Tom Malinowski and Donald Payne Jr. I can't help but wonder why the origin of that money is obscured. But I suppose I'm biased in favor of transparency. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'You know what they need to do for crowd control on the Seaside boardwalk? They need to have another Bill Spadea rally. That kept the crowds away.' — Reporter Brian Donohue, who worked with Spadea on Chasing News, on The Jersey Angle podcast HAPPY BIRTHDAY — John McKeon, Terence Grado WHAT TRENTON MADE VOTE — As a reader of this daily newsletter on New Jersey politics and government, I probably don't need you to remind you to vote. But anyway, early in-person voting starts today. Find your early voting polling location here. SMELLS LIKE MEAN SPIRIT — 'Elon Musk claims 'corruption' as Tesla chargers kicked off the New Jersey Turnpike,' by NJ Advance Media's Stephanie Loder: 'Tesla CEO Elon Musk is crying foul about the move away from Tesla chargers on the New Jersey Turnpike. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority said on Friday it was parting ways with Tesla, ordering 64 Superchargers to be removed from the super highway connecting northern and southern New Jersey. 'Sounds like corruption' Musk posted May 30 on social media. Tom Feeney, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, disputed Musk's 'corruption' comment in an email on Monday. Applegreen has an agreement with the Turnpike Authority to operate the service areas on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, he said. Feeney said the agreement was amended in 2023 to include EV chargers. Applegreen agreed in that amendment to install 240 universal open-access EV chargers on the Turnpike and Parkway.' SLAPP DOWN — 'Case closed? Not so fast. N.J. law could hit those who file lawsuits with legal costs,' by NJ Advance Media's Colleen Murphy: 'Several people and organizations can pursue a claim for reimbursement of attorney's fees, even after a case against them was dropped, a New Jersey appeals court has ruled in a precedent setting decision. The case began in October 2023, when Allen J. Satz filed a lawsuit over a flyer circulated in a Jewish community in Bergen County. According to court documents, the flyer urged him to give his wife a religious divorce, known as a get. Satz claimed it included an unflattering photo of him and the flyer called for a protest outside his parents' home. He sued for emotional distress and demanded $30 million in damages … After court proceedings began, Satz voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit. But the targets of the lawsuit asked the court to continue the case, not to challenge the claims, but to seek reimbursement for their legal fees. They based their request on New Jersey's new Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, a law passed in 2023 to prevent people from using lawsuits to silence others who speak out on public issues. Known as an anti-SLAPP law, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, it allows courts to quickly dismiss meritless lawsuits. The law also permits courts to award legal fees to those unfairly targeted. A Bergen County Superior Court judge denied the request, saying that because the lawsuit had been dropped, the defendants couldn't pursue legal fees. But the appeals court disagreed.' TEENS BEHAVING BADLY — 'Cops can now charge people for inciting a brawl under new N.J. law aimed at pop-up parties,' by NJ Advance Media's Eric Conklin: 'Authorities in New Jersey will be able to charge anyone who starts or provokes a brawl after Gov. Phil Murphy signed bipartisan-backed legislation law Monday to address disorderly crowds and 'pop-up parties.' The governor signed the bill about a month after conditionally vetoing the legislation, which establishes fourth-degree penalties for inciting a public brawl. Violators could face fines and potential jail time … The law, which carries up to 18 months jail time and a $10,000 fine, takes effect immediately … Murphy, in vetoing the bill last month, asked for the legislation to be clarified so it could not be unintentionally applied to those gathering for peaceful protests and demonstrations.' PAID FAMILY LEAVE, BUT FOR BRAWLING AT WRESTLING MATCHES — 'Polistina bill would reimburse businesses for letting workers attend kids' school events,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Wayne Parry: 'Hoping to encourage businesses to give workers paid time off to attend their children's school events, New Jersey lawmakers are considering reimbursing companies for the time workers are away from the job for this purpose. A bill by state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, would establish an incentive program under which companies that provide full family leave benefits for their workers would get tax credits to reimburse them for the time their workers were off the job while attending their children's school events, including parent-teacher conferences, meetings, plays, graduations or other similar events. 'We've been looking for ways to get parents more involved in their kids' school activities, and talking with teachers and educators, this seemed like a good way to do it,' Polistina said.' NO KINGS — 'Sports icon endorses Democrat in tight N.J. governor race,' by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson: 'Tennis legend Billie Jean King, an icon of women's sports — and sports in general — will endorse U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill for New Jersey governor as the state's fierce Democratic primary enters its final stretch, NJ Advance Media has learned. King is set to announce her support Monday for Sherrill, who's vying to become only the second female governor in state history. Sherrill is one of six candidates running in the primary for the Democratic nomination to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.' — Stile: 'How will New Jersey Democrats shape the party's future in the June 10 primary?' — 'In the age of Trump, national politics dominate a Republican primary' — 'As housing prices rise, Murphy wants a tax increase' — Snowflack: 'LD-33 and the center of the Hudson political universe' — 'New Jersey asks appellate court to deny school desegregation case appeal' — 'N.J. adds 9k voters in May as unaffiliateds lead the way' — 'New law goes into effect requiring companies to be transparent about salary' — 'Jersey First means our families, our communities, our freedoms. I'm Bill Spadea, running for N.J. governor' — 'An unapologetic progressive, standing up for freedom: I'm Ras Baraka, running for N.J. governor' — 'Lower costs. Lower taxes. The promise of Jersey is at stake. I'm Josh Gottheimer, running for N.J. governor' — 'The system is broken. Let's fix it, build a future that works: I'm Steven Fulop, running for N.J. governor' TRUMP ERA TELERELLI — Trump reemphasizes support for Ciattarelli in telerally, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Jack Ciattarelli ahead of next week's Republican gubernatorial primary in New Jersey — even as his opponent portrays himself as the most MAGA. 'Other people are going around saying I endorsed them,' Trump said during a telephone town hall on the eve of early in-person voting. 'That's not true. Jack Ciattarelli has my complete and total endorsement. With your help, Jack will have an incredible victory in November and make New Jersey great again.' ... [Rival Bill] Spadea has downplayed the endorsement as the president backing a 'poll, not a plan.' In advertisements, he has continued to use a clip of Trump praising Spadea from his radio show last year and a photo of them together. OOOH, IT'S A LITTLE RUNWAY — 'Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce the reopening of a runway at Newark airport,' by News 12's Joti Rekhi: 'With summer vacation near, a runway at Newark Liberty International Airport is set to reopen today. The announcement is 13 days ahead of schedule … There was pressure to get the runway completed as quickly as possible because of all the recent issues causing delays and cancellations at the airport.' INSUFFRAGEABLE — 'Menendez has voted. It may be his last vote for a while,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez returned his mail-in ballot on April 28, and unless President Donald Trump pardons him, this could be the last time he votes for the next decade as he prepares to begin his eleven-year prison sentence on June 17. When Menendez cast his vote-by-mail ballot, he expected to report to a federal prison on June 6, four days before the June 10 Democratic primary. Under state law, incarcerated individuals may not vote. Since county election officials may separate VBM ballots as early as June 5, Menendez might have been able to vote from prison illegally.' — 'MAGA erupts over Booker's gesture, which they saw as 'Nazi' salute. Just a wave, he said" LOCAL WHITE FLIGHT TO OCEAN COUNTY — 'Florida's white ibis are thriving in NJ and nesting in Ocean County for 1st time,' by the Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglesby: 'A species of bird common in southern, coastal states is beginning to thrive in New Jersey's marshes as their population moves northward, according to a biologist with the state Department of Environmental Protection. For the first time, pairs of white ibis were recently recorded nesting in Ocean County, said Christina Davis, the principal zoologist for the endangered and nongame species program in the state department's division of Fish and Wildlife. 'They just naturally are shifting a little bit northward,' she said. In May, hobbyist photographer Shawn Wainwright of Toms River spotted an 11-bird white ibis flock at Island Beach State Park.' THE WILD WILD WEST WILDWOOD — 'Tiny N.J. boro considers future of its police department after report says disbanding it is an option,' by NJ Advance Media's Eric Conklin: 'A report released Monday by the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police says disbanding the West Wildwood police department is among the options the borough should explore. The department is short-staffed and disorganized, according to the report, and has not been following state-mandated policies. For example, it stores evidence in 'different spaces of the building' instead of one location. The report lists a number of changes be instituted within the department, including new recruiting efforts, training and audits.' — 'Hoboken council to follow Jersey City's lead to ban rent-setting algorithms' — 'Cash-only mystery landlord in Lakewood emerges after fire reveals illegal housing set up' — '[Jersey City] cops put a bag on his head, assaulted him outside of a bar, N.J. man claims in lawsuit' EVERYTHING ELSE XANADON'T — 'American Dream assessed value dropped by $800M in 2025 because of its vacancy rate,' by The Record's Daniel Munoz: 'The assessed property value at American Dream, the second-largest mall in the U.S., dropped by more than $800 million in 2025 — or 24% — as local officials took into account the vacancy rate at the mall, which has struggled to generate the revenue promised years ago. For the current 2025 tax year, the mall's land was assessed at $2.5 billion, down from over $3.3 billion in the previous year. The mall's construction was financed by over $1 billion in tax incentives, grants and bonds. As of Jan. 1, the mall was 87% leased, according to public filings. The mall's vacancy rate was one of the reasons the assessed property value was lowered, said East Rutherford's tax assessor, James Anzevino. American Dream has appealed its property tax value every year since opening in 2019, arguing in recent years that the megamall's revenue has taken a major blow from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic shocks.' — 'NJ suburban strip malls reinvent themselves to become 'Amazon-proof'' IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE AMY DEGISE TURNED 20 — 'New Jersey teen drivers ranked the best, but should avoid driving in Delaware; here's why,' by USA Today Network's Damon C. Williams: 'When your teen gets behind the wheel this summer to drive to summer getaways in and Jersey shore beach days you can feel a bit better about their safety. Consumer Affairs ranked teen drivers in New Jersey as the very best in the nation … Teens in New Jersey were far and away the best drivers according to Consumer Affairs' States With the Worst Teen Drivers, highlighted by New Jersey teen drivers' perfect score — 0.0% — of fatalities involving teens driving under the influence. Teen drivers in New Jersey scored well across all Consumer Affairs metrics.' — 'June FIFA Club World Cup will be first indication of what's ahead for NJ in 2026 World Cup'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Immigration Enforcement Bill Sent To Abbott After House And Senate Reach Agreement
(Texas Scorecard) – A high-profile immigration enforcement measure is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk after both chambers approved a compromise hammered out in conference committee over the last week. Senate Bill 8, a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Republican Party of Texas, requires all Texas sheriffs who operate or contract to operate a jail to pursue formal cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. State Rep. David Spiller (R–Jacksboro), who led negotiations for the House, called the legislation 'heavily negotiated.' When the Senate first passed SB 8 in April, it applied only to sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000. But the House broadened the bill significantly, requiring universal coverage for all counties that run jails, regardless of population. That provision was maintained in the final version. 'We improved the bill with a floor substitute to provide for universal coverage of the 287(g) program to all counties that operate or contract to operate a jail,' Spiller told House members Monday. 'SB 8, in its original form, only had counties with a population of 100,000 or more. This version has expanded that to all counties.' Under the final language, counties may enter into any of the three ICE partnership models allowed under federal law—the task force model, jail enforcement model, or the warrant service model that had been emphasized in the House version. The conference committee also made a major funding shift. While the House had created both a grant and reimbursement program to support implementation, the final bill eliminates the reimbursement system and substantially increases grant funding instead. 'The monies that were there for the entirety are now basically front-end loaded,' said Spiller. 'We addressed concerns that counties needed funds to be able to implement and operate. We've done that.' The grant program awards counties between $80,000 and $140,000, depending on population, to help cover the cost of implementing an agreement with ICE. These funds can be used for officer compensation, reporting requirements, equipment, training, and detention-related expenses not reimbursed by the federal government. 'What we now have, in my view, is a very strong bill that achieves the public safety purposes of the bill,' Spiller said. 'It provides universal coverage and cooperation, provides necessary funding to the counties, guarantees coordination with the executive orders and President Trump, and provides assistance and cooperation with our federal partners to assist in enforcing existing immigration law.' The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Teachers union PAC has given $40M to group backing union president's gubernatorial run
Teachers union president Sean Spiller has eschewed traditional campaign fundraising methods and relies instead on massive support from an outside group connected to his union. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) A super PAC aligned with statewide teachers union the New Jersey Education Association has put at least $40 million into an independent expenditure group backing the gubernatorial candidacy of Democrat Sean Spiller, the union's president, according to new campaign filings. Working New Jersey, the independent expenditure group, reported spending nearly $37.5 million in a preelection report filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission and made public Monday. All its money came from Garden State Forward, the teachers union super PAC. The spending dwarfs Spiller's own. The union leader was the only one of the six Democrats vying on June 10 for the nomination to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy to miss fundraising and spending thresholds needed to qualify for matching public funds and debates organized by the commission. Spiller reported raising a cumulative $438,817 on his most recent campaign filing. He's spent just $342,059 over the course of the cycle — nearly 110 times less than Working New Jersey has spent boosting his campaign. Asked to comment, Spiller said in a statement from his campaign that his backing comes from 'working folks.' 'I reject the premise that only corporations, Wall Street, and billionaires are allowed to back the candidates that represent their interests,' Spiller said. 'It's time working folks had a chance to speak too. I'm proud that my campaign is supported by tens of thousands of hard-working people all across the state who have made small-dollar donations to help us fight back against the insiders and wealthy interests who are trying to buy this election.' The Sunlight Policy Center, a frequent critic of the teachers union, characterized the news of Working New Jersey's new disclosures about its spending as New Jersey teachers 'being forced to fund Spiller's vanity run.' 'All of this money comes from teachers' highest-in-the-nation annual dues without their knowledge or consent. It's a scandal of the first order,' said the group's founder, Mike Lilley. The teachers union PAC has endorsed Spiller. The union had invited all other gubernatorial candidates to screen for its backing, but only Spiller did so, it said last August. Working New Jersey's role in Spiller's campaign is unusual. While candidates for high-profile offices like New Jersey's governorship often see independent expenditures boosting or dinging their candidacies, the degree to which Working New Jersey has supplanted traditional campaign infrastructure and spending stands out. The group has spent broadly. Its funds have paid for media buys across a range of platforms, a bevy of polls and research, and millions of dollars in consulting. The depth of its spending may well be unprecedented. Working New Jersey's $37.5 million in spending lags the combined spending of the race's five other Democrats by only $818,587, though some of those candidates are also receiving outside support, if at far lower levels. Independent spending in the 2017 governor's primary — that was the last year New Jersey had such a race with no incumbent on the ballot — totaled just $9.1 million, according to the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Garden State Forward, the PAC associated with the teachers union, gave a second independent expenditure group called Protecting Our Democracy $5 million between April 2022 and January 2024. Spiller appeared in ads crafted by Protecting Our Democracy to pledge to protect democracy and create affordable housing and conducted interviews on civic engagement for its social media channels. Protecting Our Democracy did not file a preelection report — its spending predates the start of the campaign and may not have to be reported — and it's not clear how much money it's put into the race. The group was last publicly active in May 2024, when it launched a 30-second ad with a voiceover from Spiller, who launched his gubernatorial campaign the following month. Candidates are barred by law from coordinating spending with independent expenditure groups. The race's other Democrats have also received outside support, though none at the level Spiller has enjoyed. Two independent expenditure groups backing Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) — Affordable New Jersey and No Surrender — have spent a combined $11.6 million boosting Gottheimer's candidacy. One Giant Leap PAC has put nearly $3.8 million behind Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), while the Coalition for Progress has backed Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Assembly candidates he's recruited with $6.8 million. Former state Sen. Steve Sweeney received nearly $4.3 million in backing from the Building Bridges Voter Project. Early in-person voting for the primary begins Tuesday at 10 a.m., and residents have already returned more than 258,000 mail-in ballots. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Scammer's line is dead': Robocaller behind millions of Ohio scam calls banned, AG says
COLUMBUS (WJW) – A man who investigators said is responsible for billions of robocalls made across the country, including in Ohio, has been banned from the telecommunications industry, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. This week, Yost and attorneys general in seven other states won their ongoing court battle against John Spiller, who was found in contempt of court by a federal judge in Texas. According to court records, Spiller owned several companies, including Rising Eagle Capital Group, JSquared Telecom and Rising Eagle Capital Group-Cayman. More salads, cucumber products sold at Ohio Kroger stores recalled Investigators said the companies facilitated a massive number of robocalls, including 69 million sent to phone numbers with Ohio area codes. Court records show that more than 32 million of those numbers were on the 'Do Not Call List.' The businesses were ordered to be shut down in 2023, but according to Yost, Spiller violated his court order by starting new companies — Every1 Telecom and ATX Telco — and continuing the robocall scams. According to the attorney general's office, a federal judge this week imposed a permanent ban on Spiller, 'prohibiting him from launching future telecommunications companies or otherwise operating in the telecom industry.' 'This scammer's line is dead — and it's not coming back,' Yost said. Raccoon breaks into box truck for Pop-Tarts: Photos He also must pay more than $600,000 in attorney's fees and litigation costs for violating the court order, the attorney general's office said. 'The judge's latest ruling sends a strong message that bad actors cannot evade court orders by simply operating under different business names,' Yost's office said in a press release. Other attorneys general were involved in the legal fight, including in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Court bans robocall scammer from telecom industry
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — North Carolina and seven other states won a court ruling permanently barring robocall scammer John Spiller from operating in the telecommunications industry. According to Attorney General Jeff Jackson's Press Release, Spiller was also ordered to pay more than $600,000 in costs and attorney's fees for violating the court's order that North Carolina won against Spiller in March 2023. Spiller owned and operated several voice service providers that initiated and facilitated tens of millions of illegal robocalls to North Carolinians, including to people whose numbers were on the Do Not Call Registry. 'This fraudster helped make billions of scam robocalls to steal from people all over the country for years, including here in North Carolina,' Attorney General Jeff Jackson said. 'This is a huge win that will help keep millions of people safe from phone scams and fraud. I'm grateful to the NCDOJ attorneys who led the team that got this done. Anyone who tries to hurt or rip off North Carolinians will run up against my office and be held responsible.' You can read the requests to the court here. You can read the judge's order here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
