Another push for North Jersey casinos?

Politico

15-05-2025

Good Thursday morning!
Nine years ago, New Jersey voters didn't just reject a proposal to allow casino gambling outside Atlantic City. They crushed it, stomped it and lit it on fire. They did things to it that I can't describe in a family newsletter. Seventy-seven percent voted against it. You don't often see landslides like that.
But now, state Sens. Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo have proposed bringing a different version of it back. They proposed a constitutional amendment Monday to allow the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park horse racing tracks to host casinos.
A lot has changed since 2016, when voters rejected the casino ballot question. New Jersey overturned the federal sports betting ban. Horse racing tracks were allowed to open sports books. And now everyone has access to casinos in their pockets.
But why try again for North and Central Jersey casinos? It has a lot to do with New York considering bidders for three downstate casinos, and several of the proposals would be in Manhattan.
'This plants a flag to send a message to New York State that if they open a casino in Manhattan, that New Jersey is ready to respond to the competition,' Sarlo said in a statement. 'New Jersey isn't going to let gambling dollars in northern New Jersey leave our state for a casino in Manhattan.'
FEEDBACK? Reach me at [e-mail]
WHERE'S MURPHY? In Jersey City at 4:30 p.m. for a 'fireside chat' at a real estate development summit.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'In my home, the America I love, the America I've written about that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration. Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring.' — Bruce Springsteen during a UK concert
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Rebecca Perkin, Frank X. Balles, Sarah Kan, Brian Levine, Karlito Almeda
WHAT TRENTON MADE
STRIKE UPDATE — NJ Transit engineers could strike at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning if a deal isn't reached today. At a Wednesday night NJ Transit board meeting, the leader of the engineers union said a deal remained 'out of our reach.' But the CEO of NJ Transit said the two sides had 'very constructive' talks in Washington earlier this week and hours of negotiations since, including six and a half hours of negotiations on Wednesday and another day of talks planned today. — Ry Rivard
—'NJ Transit engineers could walk off the job Friday, leaving some 350,000 commuters in the lurch'
REVENEWS — New Jersey revenues stable but still uncertain, by POLITICO's Dustin Racioppi: New Jersey's revenues are stable but remain vulnerable to broader economic turbulence and federal policy developments in Washington. In a revenue update to the Assembly Budget Committee on Wednesday, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services said it's projecting $55.4 billion in total collections for the current fiscal year and nearly $57.1 billion for the one that begins July 1, a slight upward adjustment from last month. The Treasury Department had a similar outlook, projecting $55.3 billion in revenue this fiscal year and $57.1 billion in the next. However, 'the uncertainty that existed in April remains largely unresolved, continuing to add unusual complexity to our revenue outlook for the upcoming fiscal year,' OLS policy analyst Oscar Mendez said. OLS projects a 1 percent growth rate, which is consistent with the last few years, said Thomas Koenig, the agency's budget and finance officer. He said OLS does not see revenues matching the level of proposed spending in the governor's $58 billion budget.
—'N.J. may rip up $58B budget due to Trump, Dems say. Republicans aren't buying it'
CONGESTION CAMPAIGNING — Trump's chaotic economy is causing headaches for Democrats in New Jersey's governor race, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez and Ry Rivard: A promise to cut property taxes 15 percent. A blueprint to build 200,000 affordable homes. Support for a universal basic income. Democrats vying to be New Jersey's next governor are desperate to prove they care about driving down costs and winning back voters who may have been swayed by President Donald Trump's populist economic message. 'Jersey is just way too expensive,' Rep. Josh Gottheimer, one of the six Democrats vying for the post who has based his campaign on being the 'lower taxes' candidate, said during a debate this week … Trump's 2024 victory — and the seismic changes he's unleashed during his first months in office — has left Democrats struggling to figure out the path forward.
POLL POSITION — An InsiderNJ-sponsored poll by Patrick Murray's new outfit, Stimsight Research, shows Mikie Sherrill with a substantial lead over the Democratic field, with 31 percent support to Ras Baraka's 21 percent, Steve Fulop's 19 percent, Josh Gottheimer's 10 percent and Sean Spiller and Steve Sweeney's 9 percent, including leaners. The poll of 409 likely voters was conducted from May 7 to 10, so it missed much of the publicity from Baraka's arrest at Delaney Hall. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. More here. Full poll here.
KUNG FU AMERICAN HUSTLE — The video of Josh Gottheimer boxing Trump was AI, but in this definitely-not-edited video of Monday's Democratic debate posted by NJ Spotlight News' David Cruz, you can see just how violent things got between two of the candidates. Not sure how I missed that.
PHOTO FINISH — 'Trump card He feuded with Donald Trump, then won him over. How a photo could determine N.J.'s next governor,' by NJ Advance Media's Spencer Kent and Brent Johnson: 'The operation to land a sit-down and photo with the president — and resolve a long-running feud — looms even larger now that Ciattarelli earned Trump's endorsement Monday, less than a month before New Jersey's June 10 primary. The meeting was more than an exercise in intraparty diplomacy. Just like the social media images they posed for were more than a staged photo op. They were a message, and coupled with Trump's public blessing, will almost certainly be a knockout blow in the GOP primary as Republicans look to win a gubernatorial election for the first time since 2013. … The day after Ciattarelli's Trump meeting, Spadea made his own trip to Bedminster for a sit-down with the president. … A photo of the meeting, however, was never shared on social media. In fact, multiple Republican sources told NJ Advance Media that Spadea also took a photo with Trump — but was told not to post it. It seems a message had been sent.'
MURPHY TELLS REGULATORS TO MOUNT UP — Murphy pushes utilities, regulators to act on energy prices, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called on utility companies and regulators to take a series of actions to help cushion the blow of skyrocketing power costs. The governor's office said Murphy, a Democrat, is urging power companies to stop shutting off people's power during summer months if they can't pay their bills and asking the state Board of Public Utilities to begin studying ways to 'swiftly bring more generation online.' The governor is asking for the BPU to start a formal proceeding about 'resource adequacy,' the term for making sure there is enough energy to meet demand. Right now, there is a regional supply-demand crunch due in part to a backlog of projects at PJM, the regional grid operator, and in part due to market conditions. Murphy also asked the BPU to 'evaluate all available funding and programming to stabilize utility bills' and continue providing incentives to solar developers.
NJ CLIMATE SUIT TOSSED – Mercer County Superior Court Judge Doug Hurd tossed New Jersey's lawsuit against oil companies alleging they deceived the public about climate change and should pay up.
The Wednesday decision, citing both state and federal reasons the lawsuit's claims don't work, is the latest setback for blue states and cities that have sued oil companies over climate change. The case was filed in fall 2022 by the Attorney General's Office, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Judges have dismissed similar lawsuits in the past month from New York City and Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Md. A few lawsuits are proceeding in Delaware and Hawaii. New Jersey is planning an appeal.
In its suit, New Jersey rehashed evidence that fossil fuel companies obfuscated the role of their products in a changing climate. The lawsuit also alleged that the state suffers unique damages and relies upon research showing how 'climate crisis-caused environmental changes' contributed to the destruction brought by recent hurricanes and tropical storms and continues to imperil New Jersey's people and their property.
The lawsuit named Exxon Mobil, Chevron and other major oil companies, as well as the American Petroleum Institute, the industry trade group. – Ry Rivard
MOUNTAIN DON'T — Top Democratic Senator backs soda prohibition on SNAP, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: One of the state Legislature's top Democrats is backing a Trump administration initiative to ban soft drinks from being purchased through the government-run anti-hunger program. Democratic Sen. Paul Sarlo is a top sponsor of a bill, NJ S4348 (24R), that would require state officials to submit a federal waiver to restrict soft drinks from being purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The top sponsor of the bill is GOP Sen. Michael Testa, although Sarlo's co-sponsorship gives it a political boost.
—'N.J. law protecting abortion rights withstands legal challenge in appeals court'
—'Brennan discusses sexual assault advocacy in LD-32 ad: 'I turned pain into power''
TRUMP ERA
'STORMING THE GATE' — 'ICE agents let N.J. mayor through facility gates. He says he wasn't trespassing,' by NJ Advance Media's Steve Strunsky: 'Following his arrest on trespassing charges Friday, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka released four video clips on Wednesday showing him being allowed to walk through the gate at the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center, then walking out of the gate, before ICE officers went outside the gate after him. One clip shows an ICE officer pointing a weapon at a crowd of supporters who had encircled the mayor in an attempt to shield him from arrest.'
—'Uber driver stuck in controversial N.J. ICE center reveals what it's really like inside'
—'Action will be taken': Republicans threaten NJ Dems involved in ICE skirmish
—'NJ Democrats who confronted ICE should be censured, Noem says'
MEDICAID — 'Dead wrong': Murphy swipes at Kean for supporting Medicaid overhaul, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: 'The Congressman has a reputation for avoiding his constituents,' Murphy said. 'Perhaps if he took time from his busy schedule in Washington to meet with the people he represents, he would understand the drastic and far-reaching consequences of these cuts to Medicaid. Their fears and concerns cannot be ignored. … In a statement, Kean pushed back and said state government is a 'disaster' under Murphy's leadership. 'We stopped illegal aliens from stealing Medicaid while protecting children, the disabled, seniors, and the vulnerable population who relies on it,' Kean said.
—Duffy defends moving wife's flight from Newark to another airport
—'GOP bill to cut Medicaid spending under review, so is Kean's vote'
—Not much more room left for SALT, says GOP tax chief
—'How will FAA fix chaos at Newark airport? It will start by cutting flights through June'
—'House passes bill to rename parts of Paterson Great Falls after late Bill Pascrell, Jr.'
—'Criminal Justice Professor Beth Adubato Plans To Join Dem Field For NJ-7'
LOCAL
DO YOU BREATHALYZE? YOU HAVE THE MOST UNSTEADY GAIT — ''Liar!' NJ councilman denies allegations of drunk driving at fiery city meeting,' by NBC 4's Ida Siegal, Jonathan Dienst and Courtney Copenhagen: '[Luis] Velez denied drinking the night of the accident. He says he was out celebrating Mother's Day with his wife and alleges Washington hit him. He claims if he appeared out of it, it's because the airbag hit his face and he felt dizzy. He told officers as much when he got out of his vehicle at the scene, warning them he might be off, he said. According to Velez, officers didn't give him a breathalyzer test because 'there was no need.' Regina Washington, the mother of the other driver involved in the accident, called Velez a 'damn liar. … Regina Washington points to surveillance video that she says shows the councilman blow a red light and hit her daughter -- not the other way around. Other video allegedly shows Velez urinating in the street after cops arrive. Velez said he had no comment on that. 'I suffer diabetes and there was no bathroom,' Velez says.'
—'Still unclear whether Paterson police gave councilman sobriety check after crash'
MALEY MELEE — 'Big upset in Collingswood, with 36-year incumbent re-elected but no longer mayor,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'In a stunning upset, two insurgents appear to have won two of three borough commissioner seats in Collingswood, with Mayor James Maley, Jr., who has held local office since 1989, winning re-election but likely to lose the mayor's post he's occupied since 1997. Maley, 67, was the top vote getter with 1,695 votes, followed by two members of the Collingswood Forward slate, Amy Henderson Riley (1,682) and Daniela Solano-Ward (1,668) … Collingswood – the Montclair of the South – was one of just a few New Jersey towns that voted for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential primary.'
—'From $13 french fries to a $350K plan. [Loch Arbour's] snack shack fight is in limbo'
—'Hector Lora elected for a third time as Passaic's mayor'
—'N.J. teacher groomed student for years, beginning when she was 11, family claims'
—'Edison mayor skips budget presentation that calls for slight tax increase'
—'Washington Township school board refuses to reinstate its suspended superintendent'
EVERYTHING ELSE
SOUTH JERSEY HORROR — 'Gloucester Township girl was confined to dog crate as part of years long abuse at her mother's home,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Nate File and Ximena Conde: 'A Gloucester Township man and woman have been charged with confining and abusing a teenage girl inside of their home for years, including forcing her to live inside of a dog crate and a bare, padlocked room. Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, were charged with kidnapping, assault, neglect and abuse of Spencer's daughter on Sunday, according to the Camden County District Attorney's Office. Mosley, who worked for SEPTA as a rail engineer, was also charged with sexual assault. The victim, who is now 18 and was not otherwise identified, escaped from the home last week with the help of a neighbor. … The girl was first forced to live inside of a dog crate for about a year with her hands bound behind her back, and was only allowed to leave periodically, prosecutors said.'
IT ABSOLUTELY HAPPENED, AND THE BIGFOOT WAS IRANIAN — 'Bigfoot craze gripped New Jersey 50 years ago. What was going on?' by The Record's David M. Zimmer: 'In the mid-1970s, stories of mysterious sightings in New Jersey's swamps and woods surged across the state's more far flung communities. The alleged apparition: Bigfoot. Most wrote off Bigfoot as folklore, but the sightings in New Jersey took a serious tone as seemingly reputable sources said the legendary Sasquatch of the Pacific Northwest was bicoastal and had taken to the woods of the Northeast.'