Good Wednesday morning!
As governor, Chris Christie really hated weed. He refused to consider recreational legalization, calling tax revenue derived from cannabis “blood money” and insisting weed is a gateway drug for kids. He slow-walked implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program. He also emphasized addiction treatment, long serving as a trustee for Daytop New Jersey, expanding New Jersey’s drug court program and doing a lot more to help addicts that I don’t have space here to recount.
And yet, it appears Christie may be more to blame than anyone else for an addiction that experts fear is spreading among teens and young adults: Gambling. (Apologies to Ray Lesniak.) Christie as governor signed sports betting into law and successfully brought legalization arguments to the Supreme Court. It’s since spread rapidly to the majority of states. In the aftermath, The New York Times recently reported, Christie was hired by Draft Kings, where one former lobbyist called him the “George Washington of legalized gaming in the U.S.”
Now there’s concern about what sports betting could be doing to kids. According to Education Week, the National Council on Problem Gambling has said that “easy access to online gambling have heightened risks for young adults.” Now some lawmakers are trying to play catch up to mitigate the damage.
I asked Christie’s presidential campaign why the former governor had such a different attitude toward gambling than weed. His spokesperson, Karl Rickett, didn’t answer that question. But he did answer a different one. Christie, he said, “has no regrets in his role in legalizing sports betting in NJ and across the country.”
Kids were smoking weed long before it was legal anywhere in this country. It wasn’t hard to find. But when I was young, I would have had trouble finding a bookie. Now kids can find them in their pockets.
TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at [email protected]
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “You cannot simply extend your term by dictatorial fiat.” — Attorney Mark Sheridan, who represents Gloucester County Republican chair challenger Steve Pakradooni in a dispute with incumbent Jacci Vigilante over whether her term is up this year or next year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Al Barlas, Jon Chebra, Beth Schroeder Buonsante, Tennille McCoy, Stephen Steglik, Jacqueline Carrera Fay
WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Trenton for a 2:45 p.m. press conference with Craig Coughlin and Nick Scutari on “StayNJ”
BUMB RAPPED — Appeals court allows New Jersey’s key gun restrictions to take effect amid litigation, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: “The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated key parts of New Jersey’s law that prohibits carrying guns in certain parts of the state. The 2-1 decision from the court allows multiple so-called sensitive places — where New Jersey law bans guns — to take effect as litigation plays out. Prior to that, U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb blocked much of the state’s sensitive places from taking effect, meaning that guns could be carried in areas where New Jersey law sought to prohibit them. Tuesday’s court order means that carrying guns within 100 feet of public gatherings; nursery schools; pre-schools; zoos; summer camps; public parks; libraries; museums; places where alcohol is served; entertainment facilities; casinos; and health care facilities are prohibited.”
JUST LIKE LAST SUMMER, RIGHT? — Scutari: Senate may meet in summer to address judicial vacancies, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Senate President Nick Scutari said Tuesday that the Senate may reconvene for a rare summer session to address judicial vacancies. The shortages — described at “crisis” levels — have caused massive backlogs in courts. In February, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner suspended divorce and civil trials in parts of the state because of the high level of vacancies. “There’s also a possibility that if there’s additional business that I may ask us to come back for one day in July to consider nominations in the morning and if we have an agreement then an emergency and nomination confirmations that same day,” Scutari said at the end of Tuesday’s voting session.
YOU COULD SMELL THIS ONE COMING — New Jersey looks to recoup improper pandemic aid to fisheries, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection improperly gave out $7 million in pandemic relief money to the fishing industry and now the money must be paid back, the state comptroller said Tuesday. The money is part of a $300 million fund the federal government set aside during the Covid-19 pandemic to help tribes, the commercial fishing industry, aquaculture and other fisheries-related businesses. In New Jersey, the DEP handed out about $14 million, money that was supposed to go to marine fisheries businesses that had lost 35 percent of revenue in the early months of the pandemic. But the auditor found that many of the fisheries had been made “more than whole” and received more funds than their actual losses in 2020 or failed to submit documentation. Nearly half the money seems to have been improperly awarded and may need to be turned, the agency said.
SPADEA HAS EGG MCMUFFIN ON HIS FACE — “Joe Spikes the football with a Happy Meal,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “To the victor go the spoils – or in this case, the Egg McMuffin. State Sen. Joe Pennacchio, fresh off a very satisfying Republican primary win two weeks ago, met me Monday morning for a post-election chat. He suggested McDonald’s. … Those who followed the LD-26 campaign know why. A few days before the June 6 vote, challenger Tom Mastrangelo highlighted Pennacchio’s use of campaign funds for meals. … So, where else would the senator want to meet after such a ‘nasty’ campaign? More than nasty, in fact, he said. ‘It was horrible, it was full of lies,’ Pennacchio said, coffee and an Egg McMuffin in front of him. … The challengers had some significant help from Bill Spadea, a 101.5 radio host and possible Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2025. Spadea came to Morris County for a fundraiser and also hyped Mastrangelo on his show. … As for Spadea’s involvement, he said: ‘How am I supposed to think about that person? Everything that comes out of that person’s mouth is just showmanship.’”
— “‘Game-changing’ bill would steer some NJ offenders from courts to mental health care,”
—Lawmakers plan to pass budget June 30
—New Jersey on the verge of enshrining right to interracial marriage
—“Here’s why we sued New Jersey’s power-drunk booze regulators | Opinion”
—Groups plan appeal to state Supreme Court on Horizon reorganization
—Singleton opposes ‘confidential information’ language pushed by drugmakers in pharma bill
—“Lawmaker wants new state division to keep track of cannabis-related offenses”
—“Lawmakers seek end to public defender fees, liens”
—“Eight Superior Court judges confirmed, with Caride’s nomination delayed”
HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED — Hunter Biden reaches plea deal with feds to resolve tax issues, gun charge, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein, Betsy Woodruff Swann and Kyle Cheney: “Hunter Biden has reached a deal with federal prosecutors to resolve a five-year federal investigation into his failure to pay about $1 million in federal taxes and his purchase of a handgun in 2018. Under an agreement detailed Tuesday in a filing in federal court in Delaware, President Joe Biden’s son will plead guilty to a pair of misdemeanor tax charges. Prosecutors have also charged him with possessing a firearm while being a user of illegal drugs — a felony — but have agreed to dismiss that charge if he completes a two-year period of probation. Hunter Biden, 53, is unlikely to serve time in prison if he complies with release conditions. The deal calls for both sides to recommend that he be put on probation. The probe was overseen by U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump and was permitted to stay in his post after Joe Biden took office in order to complete the investigation of the president’s son. The White House and the Justice Department have said they did not interfere with Weiss’ investigation.”
MAHWAH XINHUA — “3 are convicted of harassing family on behalf of China’s government,” by The New York Times’ Karen Zraick: “Three men were convicted in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday of stalking a family in the New Jersey suburbs on behalf of the Chinese government. The defendants, Michael McMahon, 55, Zhu Yong, 66, and Zheng Congying, 27, were found guilty of stalking and a related conspiracy charge. Mr. Zhu and Mr. McMahon were also found guilty of acting as unregistered foreign agents, and Mr. Zhu was convicted on a second conspiracy charge. … The verdict capped a three-week trial during which prosecutors laid out a detailed case accusing the men of playing roles in Operation Fox Hunt, a decade-long effort that Chinese officials have said is aimed at repatriating fugitives. … Mr. McMahon, of Mahwah, N.J., could face up to 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. But Lawrence Lustberg, his lawyer, said last week that federal sentencing formulas are complicated, and that he believed the maximum for all four counts Mr. McMahon was charged with would be less than three years.”
—“As catalytic converters are being swiped across N.J., Menendez proposes federal task force”
OCEAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STILL NOT LISTENING TO MICK JAGGER’S 1969 REQUEST — “Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund won’t help with a shelter,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “Ocean County’s proposed Homelessness Trust Fund is expected to raise between $275,000 to $390,000 annually, but will not be used to construct a shelter, officials emphasized ahead of its planned introduction set for Wednesday. After more than a decade of resistance to the concept, the all-Republican Board of Commissioners is expected to join 12 other New Jersey counties in levying a $5 surcharge on most documents recorded with the county clerk’s office to provide a continuous revenue stream to the trust fund. The ordinance will also establish a task force to provide oversight of the program. … The commissioners signaled the change in policy just days after the Asbury Park Press reported that the county Board of Social Services paid $1.5 million last year to the estate of a 29-year-old homeless woman who was murdered in a Seaside Heights motel room the county had placed her in. Ocean County’s government has been criticized for decades over not having a full-time shelter or transitional housing facility for the homeless.”
HOPATCONG AND CHANGEATCONG — “Smith, Labarbera face off in Sussex GOP chair race,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Sussex County Republicans will meet on Wednesday to pick a new county chair, with Hopatcong school board member Candice Smith facing Skylands Tea Party President Joseph Labarbera. The incumbent, Jerry Scanlan, is retiring after eight years in office. Smith has the backing of State Sen. Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths. Labarbera comes from the other faction of the Sussex Republicans that includes Kelly Ann Hart, the GOP vice chair, County Commissioner Bill Hayden, and embattled political consultant Bill Winkler.”
BELMARRED — “20 cell towers may go up along one of the Jersey Shore’s best-known beaches,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “Caitlin Donovan lives for her walks along Ocean Avenue in Belmar and the unobstructed views of the ocean tides. But, the Jersey Shore resident said she’s afraid that scenic view will change if Verizon is allowed to proceed with its plan to install 20 cell towers along Belmar’s beachfront street. ‘We’re at the beach almost every single day,’ said Donovan, a mother of three. ‘So, I’m well aware of how dramatically putting up an enormous tower on every single beach entrance will change the entire character of the beach.’ Donovan and other Belmar residents are asking Verizon to abandon its plans to install 5G cell towers on Ocean Avenue in a Change.org petition that has amassed more than 2,500 signatures. The 20 small cell towers — which Verizon says will help bring faster cell and internet service to the area — would resemble street light poles along the avenue in front of the beach, the telecom company said.”
—“Atlantic County commissioners pass resolution on offshore wind, without moratorium”
—“Jersey City deputy chief is promoted to acting police chief”
—“Pride lawn sign will not be put up in Westwood Regional School District”
—“Tinton Falls abuzz as film crew makes FX show on disgraced NFL star Aaron Hernandez”
—“Ahmad named North Hudson Community Action Corp. board chair after Muniz resigns”
R.I.P. — ”‘Absolute icon’ Mickey McCabe dies at age 76; founded Bayonne ambulance service, state EMS task force”
CRUNCH TIME — “Workers rally over threat of Nestlé plant closure in Freehold,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “For decades, a Nestlé instant coffee factory in Freehold has kept a faint scent of coffee in the air and hundreds of local people employed. But that could soon change. Workers at the plant rallied on Tuesday to protest the rumored closure of the facility, a move that would mean the elimination of 200 union jobs. ‘We want a decision. We obviously want a favorable decision that the factory stays open. But the uncertainty is really hard to live with because you don’t know what plans you can make. You don’t know what the future holds,’ said Craig Slininger, who has worked at the plant for 26 years.”
DEP COMMISSIONER SHAWN LATOURETTE URGES NEW JERSEYANS TO STOP FEEDING THE CARNIVOROUS PLANTS PORK ROLL — “The savage bug-eating plants of New Jersey,” by Vox’s Benji Jones: “I always imagined carnivorous plants like this lived far away in tropical jungles — the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and other famous forests that harbor enormous amounts of biodiversity and unique species. Then I learned that carnivorous plants are abundant in, of all places, New Jersey. That’s right: urban, temperate New Jersey. A vast ecosystem in New Jersey called the pine barrens has abundant populations of not only bladderworts but also pitcher plants and sundews, two other kinds of carnivorous plants with their own ingenious ways of trapping invertebrates. The barrens are also home to roughly 30 species of orchids and dozens of species of rare and threatened wildlife, including a particularly cute amphibian called the pine barrens tree frog. Even more surprising is that the barrens are, as a whole, healthy and largely intact. The ecosystem is thriving as if it’s in some remote part of, I don’t know, Alaska, yet it’s in the most densely populated state in the country. How have the barrens — unlike so many other suburban ecosystems — survived? The answers, I learned, hold lessons for conserving the nation’s last remaining natural areas.”
—“Op-Ed: It’s time for Rutgers to care for doctors who care for NJ”
—“Revenue climbs for N.J. casinos and tracks, but in-person gambling still lags”
