Just how nice is Gov. Phil Murphy playing with Trump?
Murphy had a little bit of criticism for the federal response yesterday. But it was a different tune when POLITICO’s Sam Sutton asked Murphy if he would follow Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s lead in trying to keep details of his state’s PPE shipments from China secret from the feds to avoid them seizing it for the federal stockpile.
Murphy assiduously avoided any criticism of the administration. He said he “wasn’t even aware” of Gov. Pritzker’s situation.
“I’m not aware of anything untoward in terms of seizing anything. In conversations you have with governments … you want to make sure the customs folks on either side of this understand where this is coming from and what its intended use is,” Murphy said.
But it’s already happened here. According to reports, in Somerset County earlier this month, the federal government seized 35,000 N95 masks the county’s Office of Emergency Management ordered to distribute to county medical workers.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I wasn’t thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this.” — Gov. Phil Murphy on Tucker Carlson, who pressed him on including religious events in his public gathering ban (For a better answer to this question, read this statement from Attorney General Barr.)
WHERE’S MURPHY?: In Trenton for his 1 p.m. press conference.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Essex County Freeholder Patricia Sebold, Former Hoboken mayor/diary keeper Dawn Zimmer
CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 2,625 new positive test results for 71,030 total. 8,270 hospitalized, 1,980 in critical or intensive care and 1,705 on ventilators. 351 more have died for a total of 3,156 — more than all who died on 9/11.
STATE BUDGET RUINED BY ACT OF GOD. MY SLIPPERS RUINED BY ACT OF DOG — “N.J.’s Murphy pitches borrowing to plug budget holes from virus,” by Bloomberg’s Elise Young: “New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is pitching a borrowing plan to help make up for billions of dollars of lost revenue in the current and next budget amid a virus-induced lockdown. The New Jersey Covid-19 Emergency Bond Act, outlined in draft legislation seen by Bloomberg, would authorize the Murphy administration to issue general-obligation bonds and ’emergency liquidity notes,’ and apply for loans from the federal government ‘to maintain and preserve the fiscal integrity of the state.’ The borrowing would be repaid with sales taxes, with a guarantee that the levy — currently 6.625% — would increase if needed. … The draft leaves blanks for a borrowing amount. A 2004 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling prohibited borrowing for revenue purposes, and the state can issue general-obligation bonds only with voter approval. But the state constitution contains a potential argument in Murphy’s favor, citing ‘an emergency caused by disaster or act of God.’ … Already, though, Senate President Steve Sweeney, a fellow Democrat and New Jersey’s highest-ranking state lawmaker, said he’s not inclined to support Murphy’s proposal. ‘I’m not prepared to look at borrowing or writing a blank check without knowing where we stand,’ Sweeney said in a phone interview. ‘The borrowing guarantees payback with the sales tax — and the sales tax, last I checked, is pretty committed."”
NEW NORMAL — Murphy: ’New normal’ for New Jersey will be post-pandemic reality, by POLITICO’s Samantha Maldonado: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that the coronavirus has created a “new normal” for the state that’s likely to continue long after businesses are allowed to reopen. “The notion that we’re going to go back to some sort of, let’s just turn the clock back to three months ago, I just don’t see it,” Murphy said during his daily briefing in Trenton. “People talk about a new normal, and I think that’s a reality.” Murphy floated the idea of restaurants taking customers’ temperatures or issuing saliva tests, if available, before allowing diners to enter. He painted a picture of establishments filled to only 50 percent capacity, with tables spaced apart from one another, staffed by waiters wearing masks and gloves.
NOT THE NEW NORMAL — March revenues up 3.6 percent, but Treasury warns of economic toll from pandemic, by POLITICO’s Katherine Landergan: The state Treasury department reported Wednesday that March revenues were up 3.6 percent from a year ago, but warned that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will likely eat into collections for April. Treasury officials have maintained the toll the pandemic is taking on New Jersey’s finances will not be immediately apparent, as many of the major revenues report with a one-month lag. March collections, which were up $66.3 million from last March for a total of $1.89 billion, largely reflect February economic behavior before Gov. Phil Murphy issued a series of executive orders that effectively shut down the state. The revenues are from the state’s major taxes, including the income, corporate business, and sales taxes.
NO PEAKING — “N.J. hospitals were expected to hit peak capacity last weekend. It didn’t happen. Here’s why,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “N.J. hospitals were predicted to hit ‘peak capacity’ last Saturday, the day they would be inundated with the highest number of coronavirus patients — more than 14,000, with one in five of them fighting for their lives in the intensive care unit, according to the state’s health commissioner … That prediction, based on statistical modeling, didn’t come true. On Tuesday, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli gave a different estimated peak target date and an even bigger anticipated surge number: 16,000 patients on April 25, including 3,821 in the ICU. ‘And this (number) will change tomorrow,’ Persichilli said. Every day, New Jersey — like every other state in the nation — is engaged in a high-stakes, complex guessing game based on mathematical models that are unlikely to ever be 100 percent accurate since the data keeps changing.”
—“Here’s why North Jersey hospitals are feeling cautiously optimistic for now”
FORNITE IS TEACHER OF THE YEAR — New Jersey school districts ‘recreating public education on the fly’ amid pandemic by POLITICO’s Carly Sitrin: School districts throughout New Jersey have spent the past month developing a patchwork of grading and accountability measures, after Gov. Phil Murphy ordered a statewide school shutdown because of the coronavirus. With students forced to learn at home and computers and internet access still unevenly distributed, parents have been expected to become the best-in-the-nation educators for which New Jersey is known. At the same time, school officials are having to rethink how they grade students and what those grades reflect about a student’s home life. Some districts are refusing to fail anyone during the pandemic, others are moving to a pass/incomplete system and a few are clinging to traditional grading tactics. All of them are anticipating some academic losses.
SHOCKING — “After anonymous tip, 17 bodies found at nursing home hit by virus,” by The New York Times’ Tracey Tulley: “The call for body bags came late Saturday. By Monday, the police in a small New Jersey town had gotten an anonymous tip about a body being stored in a shed outside one of the state’s largest nursing homes. When the police arrived, the corpse had been removed from the shed, but they discovered 17 bodies piled inside in a small morgue, intended to hold no more than four people. ‘They were just overwhelmed by the amount of people who were expiring,’ said Eric C. Danielson, the police chief in Andover, a small township in Sussex County, the state’s northernmost county. The 17 were among 68 recent deaths linked to the long-term care facility, Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center I and II, including two nurses, officials said. Of those who died, 26 people had tested positive for the virus. For the others, the cause of death is unknown.”
MEDIA — “Temporary pay cuts and furloughs announced at NJ Advance Media, but no layoffs as coronavirus hits revenues,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Wednesday it will furlough staff, temporarily reduce most employee salaries and suspend 401(k) contributions, all in response to the mounting economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. The company, which provides content for NJ.com, LehighValleyLive.com, The Star-Ledger and other affiliated newspapers, said it will cut employee pay by between 2% to 20% from May through December. The pay cuts will be calculated by a sliding scale, so those earning more will face larger cuts.”
MORE FOCUSED ON PTC THAN PPE — “NJ Transit is lying about its coronavirus cleanliness, so I quit the task force, union head says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “The head of a union representing NJ Transit conductors quit the agency’s coronavirus task force, contending they aren’t following their own procedures and has made inaccurate statements about masks and gloves provided to employees in statements to the public and the media. In an interview with NJ Advance Media, Jerome Johnson, general chairman of SMART United Transportation Union local 60 said the lack of response and communications on what NJ Transit was doing to provide safety equipment for front line workers were among his major issues. He said the agency also didn’t follow its own procedures and protocols to slow the spread of the disease.”
ELECTIONS — County elections officials want quick answers from Murphy on July 7 primary, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Gov. Phil Murphy bought some time on what to do about New Jersey’s primary election when he moved it from June 2 to July 7 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the officials who will run the election say they need the Democratic governor to decide within the next month how it will be conducted. Some say they are frustrated with what they view as a lack of communication from Murphy’s office. Hunterdon County Clerk Mary Melfi … said she and other clerks she’s spoken with believe they’ll need a minimum of two months to prepare for what would be an unprecedented all vote-by-mail primary. Melfi and one other county clerk POLITICO spoke with say they have grown frustrated with the Murphy administration for not responding to their concerns. “It’s just very frustrating to not have the governor respond to election officials that are on the front line with the elections that offer him solutions,” said Melfi, a Republican.
RENEGRICTING — “Democrats won’t certify Sweeney redistricting appointment,” by New Jersey Globe’s Nikita Biryukov: “The Democratic State Committee is still holding off on making appointments to the legislative redistricting commission after Senate President Steve Sweeney announced he would take South Jersey’s seat on the ten-member board. ‘Which is we’re focused on elections and COVID-19,’ NJDSC Executive Director Saily Avelenda said. ‘There have been no appointments made to the redistricting commission, and none will be made until the end of the year.’ … ‘I would certainly expect them to honor what was reported, and it’s disappointing that they will not state that for now because it’s not that hard,” Sweeney said.”
—Lassiter: “Hoarding power (by any means necessary!)”
—“N.J. county jail population plunges with inmate releases, fewer arrests in coronavirus crisis”
—“Tropicana lays off 2,704 Atlantic City employees as casino closures enter second month”
—“Push to reopen state parks gains support”
—“Bipartisan bid to boost fortunes of sorely needed charities”
—“Montclair landlord waives rent for town’s small businesses amid coronavirus crisis”
—“Glass half-full for NJ casinos in march, with online revenue way up to help offset losses”
—“NJ family leave: New law protects those caring for family member during coronavirus crisis”
ALWAYS THE DONOR STATES — “Hard-Hit N.Y., N.J. trail the field as feds divvy up virus grants,” by Bloomberg’s Shira Stein and Aaron Kessler: “New York, which has more cases of Covid-19 than any other state, has received the least amount of federal health grants per diagnosed person, according to a Bloomberg Law analysis of some $2.5 billion distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The health grants, based on existing congressionally authorized programs, are a fraction of the hundreds of billions the U.S. government is distributing to combat the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The health grants for New York amount to $802 per person diagnosed with the virus. Alaska, by way of comparison, ranks second-to-last in total cases but is on tap to receive $111,380 per case, Bloomberg Law’s analysis of the HHS data shows.”
INSULT MEET INJURY — “The price to pay for COVID-19 help? NJ Gov. Murphy now stars in Trump’s promo video,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Gov. Phil Murphy made a brief appearance in a campaign-style video montage that President Donald Trump unveiled to the media at Monday’s marathon coronavirus briefing. A hostage video might be a more accurate description … In Trump’s eyes, their seemingly glowing reviews is indisputable proof that he’s done an excellent job managing the crisis, regardless of what his ‘fake news’ enemies say. But in reality the video underscored the cynical, transactional reality of Trump’s relationship with Murphy and the other governors.”
ICE OUT — “ICE quietly releases hundreds of local immigrants as COVID-19 tears through jails,” by WNYC’s Matt Katz: “At the Hudson, Essex and Bergen County jails in New Jersey, where the majority of immigrants picked up by ICE in the New York City region end up, 20 percent of immigrant detainees have been released over the last month due to risk of contracting COVID-19, according to a Gothamist/WNYC review. While the release of criminally-charged inmates in light of the pandemic has been widely reported, the extent of ICE releases was not previously known. The releases are significant because detention centers in the two states are a hotspot for the virus, accounting for about a third of positive ICE detainee cases in the country … While the releases are notable, they fall far short of what advocates, attorneys and even a former ICE director are demanding: the release of the vast majority, if not all, people in ICE custody.”
—Chris Smith: “The world deserves a better, totally transparent and accountable, WHO”
DEEP IN TRUMP COUNTRY — “Halt to international student visa program gives Boardwalk business owners pause,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “Last year, more than 10,000 students came to New Jersey on visas through the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, with close to 300,000 people from 200 countries participating in the program each year … In March, federal officials announced a 60-day pause in all programs funded through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which came with a recommendation that all J-1 Visa programs take similar steps … In practical terms, that’s meant students already in the country have seen their visas extended, and those planning to come have had their plans put on hold. Local businesses have come to depend on the international workers. ‘Most years, they’re vitally important,’ said Denise Beckson, vice president for human resources for Morey’s Piers on the Wildwood Boardwalk. ‘We’re in a resort area without a lot of year-round residents. The local high school graduates about 50 kids each year.’ She has about 1,500 positions to fill.”
ARE YOU GOING TO BE SCARRED-BY-NO-FAIR? — “Will the State Fair go on as planned?” by The New Jersey Herald’s Lori Comstock: “A county staple for what would be 80 years this summer, the tradition that is the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show may not go on as planned this year. On Monday, Joan Smith, fair president, took to Facebook to address the fair rumors — no the fair has not been officially canceled — and address when a decision will be made. Smith, noting that it seemed ‘frivolous’ to speak of the fair when others are suffering with COVID-19, said the Board of Directors will make a decision by the beginning of June. Tickets for the fair go on sale June 22. ‘We don’t know if there will be a fair this year,’ she wrote.”
LOOKS LIKE THE ‘FAIR AND OPEN’ PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS WELL UNDER WAY — “Toms River will privatize its law department; mayor says move will save money,” by The Asbury Park Press Jean Mikle: “The township’s law department will be privatized, with an outside firm hired to perform the bulk of the legal work. The Township Council agreed Tuesday to support the change, suggested by Mayor Maurice B. ‘Mo’ Hill Jr. and his administration. Hill said he believes the switch to an outside firm could save Toms River $400,000 annually … An ordinance making the change to a privatized law department was supported at Tuesday’s council meeting by six council members. Councilman Daniel Rodrick voted against privatizing the department, saying he believes it will actually cost the township more money. He said he believes that the law firm of Republican Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin — Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky, Koutsouris & Connors — is likely to be appointed by Hill as the new township attorney. while Fitzsimmons will also remain on the payroll for now.”
SO HOT RIGHT NOW — Hoboken Councilman Michael Russo’s outfits for the city’s Zoom council meetings
PLAY FRELINGHUYSEN! — It seems that the Assembly GOP is the talent caucus. We’re all familiar with Minority Leader Jon Bramnick’s (R-Union) comedy. But did you know freshman Assemblyman Erik Simonsen is a musician? I didn’t until I saw the Assembly GOP advertising a Facebook live concert tonight by Simonsen billed as “a tribute to New Jersey’s heroes.” You can listen to some of Simonsen’s music here.
—“Morris County leaders urge Gov. Murphy to send ‘direct relief’”
—“Solomon: Jersey City residents should have rent relief ‘regardless of immigration status’”
—“Sherwin-Williams halts Superfund cleanup in Camden County amidst COVID-19 concerns”
—“Cocaine-and-alcohol-using Brick school grounds worker says firing was discrimination”
R.I.P. — “’The kids loved her:’ Hetty, Verona schools’ beloved therapy dog, dies”
NO ONE GOES THERE NOWADAYS. IT’S TOO COWDED— “Cow caught by N.J. cops breaking coronavirus curfew,” by NJ Advance Media’s Lori M. Nichols: “Yogi the cow is a rebel. Funny Farm Rescue owner Laurie Zaleski said she received a call just as she went to bed around 10 p.m. and noticed a car from her bedroom window. The call turned out to be from Hamilton Township Police Officer Kristi Ware, who found Yogi wandering along the country road.”
—“Clean Ocean Action reveals the No. 1 trash found on Jersey Shore beaches”
—“I’m a cancer survivor who thought I had life figured out. Then I got the coronavirus”
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Murphy looks to borrowing for busted budget
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