‘Dark money’ bill’s prospects are not bright Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Thursday morning!

Remember the “dark money” bill? Well, its prospects are not bright.

The bill, which requires 501(c)4s and other political groups to disclose their donors giving more than $10,000, has been sitting on Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk since March. The Senate has a quorum Monday, and since it will have been more than 45 days since the bill reached Murphy’s desk, it’s due for action.

Murphy will conditionally veto the bill, I’m told by a source with knowledge who requested anonymity because, well, they wanted to be anonymous.

I don’t know exactly what recommendations Murphy will make in the conditional veto, but I’d be willing to bet the provision that specifically targets Brendan Gill is eliminated, among other things.

Given the state of affairs between Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney, it’s hard to see this going anywhere.

Murphy’s top campaign advisers run a 501(c)4 called New Direction New Jersey that does not publicly disclose its donors. You may have seen it mentioned in Playbook a few times.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY-ALIGNED GROUP INTENTIONALLY BLEW OFF SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE TO DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 129

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s good to see Gov. Chris Christie back commenting on state affairs. Kind of like the arsonist returning to the house that he burned down.” — Gov. Phil Murphy at last night’s Correspondents Club show

WHERE’S MURPHY?: In Trenton for a 10 a.m. announcement at a New Jersey Tourism Industry Association breakfast, followed by an 11 a.m. anti-hunger bill signing at his office building

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Horizon’s Tom Wilson. And happy belated birthday to NJ 101.5’s Michael Symons, the director/organizer of the Correspondents Club show who may have called me out last night for missing his birthday

A message from Pre-K Our Way: The Governor and Legislature are working on a state budget – funding new pre-k spaces for New Jersey’s 3- and 4-year-olds and their working families! This is a difficult time in our state. Growing NJ’s pre-k is really important. Thanks! Let’s maintain momentum for pre-k expansion! Visit prekourway.org for more information





WHAT TRENTON MADE



THE CAMDENNESS OF KING GEORGE III — "Powerful Democrat blasts Gov. Murphy and his wife. ‘He thinks he’s the King of England and Mrs. thinks she’s the Queen of England.,’” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman and Matt Arco: “George Norcross III, the South Jersey Democratic power broker long at odds with the governor, has declared all-out war on Phil Murphy, calling him a ‘liar’ and ‘politically incompetent.’ After enduring a steady drumbeat of criticism over how his company and other entities tied to him allegedly benefitted from lucrative tax incentives meant to help revive the city of Camden, Norcross went on the attack. He lambasted a special governor’s task force deployed to investigate the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in connection with those tax incentives, as well as the governor.

‘Do I think there is anything wrong with them going and advocating for, trying to affect or to offer legislation for the benefit of themselves and their client? Absolutely nothing inappropriate as long as they comply with the law. Nothing. Zero,’ he said, in a wide-ranging phone interview that lasted nearly an hour and a half. ‘We busted our asses to do everything we could to get companies to come to American’s most dangerous city and its poorest city. What the hell is wrong with that, as long as you comply with the law?’” Read more here

—@GunaRockYa: “There's a narrow view of this debate rooted in politics. But this is really about changing a failed status quo and growing the economy so it works for all, not those who manipulated the system and profited from it. And that's what terrifies them.“

DOES STEVE SWEENEY AGREE? — Murphy: Tax incentive inquiry ‘has nothing to do with a broader agenda,’ by POLITICO’s Ryan Hutchins: Asked directly about the “vitriol coming at you” from Norcross and Senate President Steve Sweeney, the governor noted that he’s signed more than 200 bills, has a meeting scheduled for Thursday with Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and has “lot of common interests that we’re continuing to pursue.” But the overnor also said he sees his investigation of the tax incentive programs as unrelated to other issues. “I have no other choice as the chief executive of the state, as a fiduciary for taxpayer dollars, but to try to figure out where every last penny went,” Murphy said, speaking after an unrelated event in Newark. “It has nothing to do with a broader agenda. That’s my responsibility. That’s my job. It’s high in my job description.” … Norcross allies have been publicly attacking Murphy over the investigation and his calls to overhaul the tax incentive programs, accusing the Democratic governor of undermining the effort to improve Camden. The governor, without prompting, rejected that notion. “I’m going to say, when all is said and done, no administration will have done more for Camden than this administration,” Murphy said. Read more here

—“Corzine praises Norcross for Camden comeback” Read more here

WILL GEORGE NORCROSS CIRCULATE IT? — “Tea Party event seeks signatures to recall Gov. Murphy,” by The New Jersey Herald’s Bruce A. Scruton: “The Skylands Tea Party will be on the Newton Green on Saturday collecting petition signatures as part of an effort to recall Gov. Phil Murphy. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tea Party President Bill Hayden and Vice President Peter Knipe will be on hand to explain the recall process as well as answer questions about their recall reasons. The recall effort was certified by the state on April 18 and gives the petitioners until March 3, 2020, to collect nearly 1.5 million valid signatures to get the recall question on the November 2020 ballot. That number is 25 percent of number of voters in the last gubernatorial election. Knipe said that since the effort was certified last month, the effort at signing parties across the state has gathered more than 100,000 signatures.” Read more here

TODAY I LEARNED MURPHY IS A DOG OWNER — “Murphy signs law that will spare some dogs from being euthanized,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed into law a pair of bills that aim to strengthen animal rights in New Jersey — including one making it tougher for courts to declare that dogs seized in dogfighting rings should be euthanized. ‘As long-time dog owners, animal welfare is close to my and Tammy’s hearts,’ Murphy said in a statement, referencing his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy. ‘I am proud to sign these bills that will protect animals in danger of abuse and treat our four-legged residents with the compassion they deserve.’” Read more here

“Murphy wanted this law to protect your property tax break from Trump reforms. But no N.J. town has allowed you to sign up,” by NJ Advance Media’s Samantha Marcus: “Perhaps for fear of leaving taxpayers ‘holding the bag,’ no New Jersey municipality or county has taken Gov. Phil Murphy up on his plan to circumvent the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions enacted by President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver said this week. The Republican tax overhaul set off efforts by high-tax blue states to create workarounds, such as allowing local local governments to establish charitable funds to accept donations — not property taxes. But there’s doubt these schemes are legally viable. The law Murphy signed May 4, 2018, allows local governments to create charitable funds into which taxpayers can make donations in lieu of paying property taxes the conventional way. Charitable contributions aren’t subject to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. While the Internal Revenue Service proposed rules last summer that would bar these types of strategies, it has not made a formal pronouncement. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said last year he’ll take the IRS to court over any effort to block the charitable deduction workaround. But, Oliver, who also serves as commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, said local government leaders have been reluctant to take the risk.” Read more here

—Sarno: “NJ marijuana legalization: Expand medical pot by statute” Read more here

—“Overtime rising in NJ prisons to 775,000 hours, $38 million” Read more here

—Murphy signs 4 bills to improve infant, maternal health in New Jersey Read more here

—“Murphy nominates Passaic Mayor Hector Lora for PVSC, and other key nominees set for Monday judiciary hearing” Read more here





TRUMP ERA



GOTT-A-PROBLEM-ON-THE-LEFT-HEIMER — “The Democratic counterrevolution has a self-appointed leader: Josh Gottheimer,” by The Intercept’s Ryan Grim: “He has worked assiduously to carve out a role in the Democratic caucus as something of an avenger, a centrist proud of his centrism and willing to take the fight directly to the squad of freshmen trying to push the party in a progressive direction. He even has a name for his handpicked adversaries: ‘the herbal tea party.‘ His definition of too progressive is startlingly broad. As the Democratic chair of the so-called Problem Solvers Caucus, he led a push against Nancy Pelosi as she ran for House speaker last year. He has consistently voted against the party even on procedural motions, threatening to hand control over the House to the GOP. This spring, he was one of just a handful of Democrats at a private retreat on Sea Island, Georgia, hosted by the conservative American Enterprise Institute, mingling with Vice President Mike Pence, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other Republican heavyweights. He was one of just six Democrats to break with the party on a push for the DREAM Act in 2018, and he publicly undermined the chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., during a hearing in which he fawned over CEOs of the nation’s biggest banks. His boldest bid for internal power, however, came amid the push for a congressional War Powers Resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.” Read more here

—“Gottheimer announces Green Action Plan to protect air, water” Read more here

—“Billionaire Reid Hoffman, one of the most powerful Democratic donors, is raising money for Cory Booker” Read more here

—“Samantha Josephson murder: Rep. Chris Smith wants Uber, Lyft safety improvements” Read more here

—“Christie said Democrats could seek to impeach Trump but know it would be 'politically stupid'” Read more here





LOCAL



NOTHING PETTY ABOUT HOBOKEN POLITICS — “Hoboken council members removed from City Hall building as hostilities intensify,” by The Jersey Journal’s Corey W. McDonald: “Don’t bet on the hostilities in City Hall subsiding anytime soon. On Tuesday, City Council President Jennifer Giattino and Second Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher — both at odds with Mayor Ravi Bhalla — were approached by City Hall security and removed from the building. The two council members, who both face re-election in November, were ‘looking into a matter involving the potential eviction of a Hoboken resident from his home’ when they were kicked out of City Hall, they said in a joint statement. ‘It is alarming that the administration ordered our removal from City Hall while we were helping a Hoboken resident at risk of losing his home,’ they said. ’This level of bullying has no place in our city let alone from within City Hall and everyone should be concerned by this misuse of power exhibited by the mayor’s office.’ In response, Vijay Chaudhuri, a spokesman for the mayor, said Fisher and Giattino's ‘dramatic claims, as per usual, are disingenuous.’” Read more here

SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY — “Monmouth brokers caught up in alleged $2.1B Denmark tax ripoff,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Dan Radel: “Two Monmouth County brokers are caught up in an international lawsuit that alleges they participated in a pension fund scheme that bilked the Danish government out of $2.1 billion — or 12.7 billion Danish kroner. The Customs and Tax Administration of the Kingdom of Denmark, or SKAT as it's known by its Danish acronym, claims Adam LaRosa and Matthew Tucci acted as agents for pension funds that requested tax refunds for shares in Danish companies that they didn't own. LaRosa, of Holmdel, and Tucci, of West Long Branch, are just two of several pension fund agents named as defendants in the case. All told the Danish government is going after 300 pension funds, 277 of which were handled by agents operating in the U.S.” Read more here

NEWARK COPS — “City wanted residents to weigh in on cops’ discipline. That was the wrong move, AG says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Karen Yi: “The state’s top law enforcement official said Newark ‘exceeded its authority’ when it gave a civilian group investigatory and disciplinary powers to probe misconduct in the city’s police department. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued his opinion in a written brief as part of an ongoing legal battle between the Fraternal Order of Police and the city over the scope of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The board was created in 2016 in response to a scathing report by the U.S. Department of Justice that found a pattern unconstitutional arrests and use of force among the city’s police ranks. Newark signed a consent decree with the federal government, that, in part, directed the creation a civilian oversight group. Mayor Ras Baraka, who pushed for the board’s broad powers, said he was disappointed by Grewal’s brief.” Read more here

FIRST THE CHINESE TAKE OVER A CHOIR COLLEGE. NOW THIS? — “Potential ping-pong Olympians training in this N.J. town? Some residents are peeved,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rob Jennings: “A zoning battle is brewing in Wayne over a most unlikely subject: Ping-pong. The owner of an unoccupied, nearly-10 acre lot in a residential neighborhood is proposing a two-story training facility aimed at elite, potentially Olympic-level table tennis players, sparking a backlash from residents citing traffic and other concerns. Dubbed the Northeast Table Tennis Club, the 27,100-square-foot building would have 16 ping-pong tables, seating for spectators, a fitness center and other amenities, according to the township’s planning department. While Forrest Gump presumably would have loved the concept, some in the vicinity of 225 Colfax Road are objecting. They are mobilizing via a Facebook group and have hired an attorney to argue against approval by the township’s Board of Adjustment, which began hearing the application in February.” Read more here

PATERSON — “Paterson school board approves budget that will eliminate 232 jobs,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “After a dramatic reversal in the swing vote, the Paterson Board of Education on Tuesday night adopted a $516 million budget that will impose a 14-percent tax increase and eliminate about 232 jobs. The board initially voted the budget down by a 5-4 margin, but officials warned that such an action would allow the New Jersey education department to stop the ongoing transition from state to local control of Paterson’s schools and to terminate Superintendent Eileen Shafer. That warning prompted board member Joel Ramirez to change his vote from ‘no’ to ‘yes,’ giving the budget just enough support to pass.” Read more here

—“PATCO delays overnight schedule changes to consider tweaks” Read more here

—“Tom Tucci re-elected PVSC chairman” Read more here

—“Jersey City activist threatened cop during DWI arrest, police say” Read more here

—“Back in local office, Amodeo seeks second term in Margate” Read more here

A message from Pre-K Our Way: Before Covid-19, the budget proposed by Governor Murphy included funding for NJ’s pre-k for nearly 180 school districts – with funding for new pre-k expansion in about 30 new ones. In June, the Governor and Legislature funded new spaces for 3- and 4-year-olds in school districts with pre-approved plans to expand existing state-funded pre-k through September 30. Now, Governor Murphy’s proposed budget would provide funding for these spaces through June 2021 – and for new expansion districts! NJ’s pre-k remains a priority and is in nearly 150 school districts. Remember: that’s up from 35 districts only a few years ago. Remember also: thousands of 3- and 4-year-olds are waiting across more than 125 additional, eligible school districts. For them – and their working families, let’s set a post-Covid-19 goal: fund pre-k expansion in more than 200 districts for the 2021-2022 school year. Let’s keep the momentum for pre-k expansion! Visit prekourway.org for more information.





EVERYTHING ELSE



TESTIFY — “Tom Morello targets 'egregious' solitary confinement in Asbury Park,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Austin Bogues: “Morello was in town to play a concert at the Stone Pony on Tuesday night. But along with his status as a rock star, Morello has been a longtime advocate and activist for social justice. The discussion at Allen Chapel A.M.E., nestled in the west side of Asbury Park, was hosted by the New Jersey Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement. The group, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, is advocating for a bill that would greatly limit the use of solitary confinement in New Jersey … Morello said he wanted to use his platform to help push for change. ‘People outside of this room generally don’t know and don’t care,’ Morello said. ‘With regards to building empathy, I think hearing real people’s stories, everybody's story is to see the human face of it.’” Read more here

SO NOW IT’S A CRIME TO QUOTE LL COOL J? — “N.J. cop tells men during traffic stop: ‘I’m gonna knock you the f--- out’,” by NJ Advance Media’s Joseph Atmonavage: “A newly obtained video at the center of an ongoing federal civil rights lawsuit shows an Atlantic City police officer yelling at two young men during a traffic stop, telling them if they ‘frog the f--- up’ his 90-pound K-9 is going ‘to come out and rip the f--- out of you.’ Officer Glenn Anthony Abrams Jr. pulled over 22-year-old Antoine Jones and his passenger, 21-year-old Brian Wilson, at Mediterranean and Pennsylvania avenues on the evening of Feb. 14, 2017. According to the lawsuit, veteran officer Andrew Jaques then allegedly ‘pulled up to the scene like a lunatic.’ It’s unclear why Jones and Wilson were pulled over, but the officers did not charge them with any traffic violations or criminal offenses after the stop and search of their vehicle.” Read more here

—“NJ Real ID: What travelers need to know and how MVCs are preparing for the crowds” Read more here

—“Kentucky Derby redo in Haskell? Monmouth Park needs Maximum Security, Country House rematch” Read more here

—“We got onto the set of 'The Many Saints of Newark,’ the ‘Sopranos’ prequel. See the first photos” Read more here

— JCP&L to move forward with $97M infrastructure improvement project Read more here



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