No bygones yet between Ciattarelli and Spadea

Politico

7 hours ago

Good Wednesday morning!
The Democratic gubernatorial primary got tense, but the fighting was over by June 11. The insults had been hurled. Maybe some of the candidates still aren't fond of each other, but they've kept their insults private.
Not so on the Republican side. Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli and his former rival Bill Spadea have still not spoken since Ciattarelli won in a landslide. And Spadea is still on Twitter talking trash.
'They are 20 points down and desperate,' Spadea tweeted, responding to an attack by 'America First Republicans of New Jersey' that accused Spadea of scamming donors by using Trump 's name. (The email solicitation was from a pro-Spadea super PAC that he is no longer officially involved in.) 'Confident, principled leaders don't lie and smear opponents before or after a win. Bad actors.'
Ciattarelli's team doesn't look like they're sweating it, especially after handily beating Spadea handily even in what were supposed to be his strongest areas. But Spadea in his concession speech strongly suggested he'd be returning to his radio hosting gig at NJ 101.5, which he called 'the biggest microphone in this state.' I could see Spadea ranting about Ciattarelli during every morning commute potentially costing him some hard right support, which could matter if it's a tight race.
But there's at least one sign of Republican rapprochement: Ciattarelli and Spadea's most powerful backer, Ocean County GOP Chair George Gilmore, are at least talking. The two spoke last week, Gilmore told me. 'We all know we have to unite the Republicans to be successful in November and we will work to that end,' he said.
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WHERE'S MURPHY — On Harry Hurley at 10:35 a.m. Listen here.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'The people of New Jersey deserve a US Attorney that has deep experience with law enforcement, a reputation and an approach that puts partisanship to the side, and who will work to keep our communities safe and impartially pursue justice. In her short tenure as interim US Attorney, she has degraded the office and pursued frivolous and politically motivated prosecutions. It's clear that Alina Habba does not meet the standard to serve the people of New Jersey.' — Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Shirley Turner, Avi Schnall, Bob Gordon, Marleina Ubel. Thursday for Bob Auth, Anette Quijano, America, Ed Oatman, Matt Katz, Mike Assad, Geoffrey Borshof, Justin Rodriguez. Saturday for Latham Tiver, Mark Mueller, Kabir Moss, Chris Trimarchi. Sunday for Dale Caldwell, Tim Larsen
PROGRAMMING NOTE — New Jersey Playbook will not publish on July 4. I'll be back in your inbox Monday.
WHAT TRENTON MADE
BUDGET — The budget is done. Here's what the next governor inherits, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: Gov. Phil Murphy's would-be successors are going to inherit a state in better financial shape than he did but still one that is showing signs of strain. Murphy's final budget, which he signed late Monday night, has a $6.7 billion surplus — which is far larger than the $409 million surplus Murphy was handed when he entered office. But it also has a $1.5 billion structural deficit — meaning the state is spending more than it is taking in — with rising state expenses and federal funding cuts looming. To help keep the surplus high, something Murphy does in part to prepare the state for a rainy day and to appease credit ratings agencies, he agreed to a series of nips and tucks that have caused the coalition of unions and environmental groups that helped elect him to splinter. … On Tuesday, just 12 hours after Murphy signed the state budget, the U.S. Senate passed a megabill that includes significant but unknown cuts to Medicaid, though not all changes take effect immediately. So far, though, no specific conversations have taken place regarding coming back into session, a Murphy administration official said.'
—'New Jersey gun-rights advocates target racial disparities in carry permit denials,' by New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: 'Paterson police denied Mahmoud 'Mo' Ramadan's request for a gun carry permit after he hounded them — and the mayor — about their poky pace in processing his application. Sharon Palombi got denied in South Toms River because of her past police involvement as a crime victim. And Leonard Mirabal's extensive — but non-criminal — driving infractions prompted Carlstadt cops to refuse his carry request. New Jersey law … allows officers to make subjective judgments and reject applicants they deem lack 'the essential character of temperament necessary to be entrusted with a firearm.' Consequently, a growing, disgruntled group of applicants — including Ramadan, Palombi, and Mirabal — have successfully challenged denials, which two recent studies found have disproportionately impacted people of color in New Jersey. Now, a Republican state lawmaker wants police to answer to the Legislature and the public on the issue, by mandating monthly reporting on permit denials.'
A NIGHTMARE ON SESAME STREET — 'New Jersey reduces funding for NJ PBS,' by Current's Julian Wyllie: 'The fiscal year 2026 New Jersey state budget signed by Gov. Phil Murphy Monday reduces funding for NJ PBS, the state network operated by the WNET Group in New York. The budget appropriates $250,000 to NJ PBS, a decline from the $1 million authorized the previous year. According to NJ PBS' fiscal year 2024 990 form, the most recent available, the station had a $56,000 deficit and brought in nearly $11.5 million in revenue. 'We appreciate any allocation with which the state provides us and will be building out our FY26 plans accordingly,' NJ PBS said in a statement provided to Current. NJ PBS has faced financial difficulties over the past 18 months. Last year, the WNET Group laid off employees and restructured staff, affecting 34 positions.'
—'NJ's next governor could inherit school segregation dispute'
—Snowflack: 'Newspapers strike out on legal ads'
—'Advocates condemn bill to remove state police from attorney general's office'
—'NJ advocates want stronger state oversight, better investigations of group homes'
—'Poll finds New Jerseyans want to prioritize renewable energy development'
—'Natalie Hamilton departs Governor's office for FIFA World Cup post'
—'Tyler Jones is Murphy's new press secretary'
—'Gubernatorial candidates to speak at NJ's largest manufacturing event'
TRUMP ERA
MEGA DEATH — 'NJ's new budget may get walloped as US Senate passes Trump's tax bill,' by NJ Spotlight News' Benjamin J. Hulac and Lilo Stainton: 'Portions of the bill that were public before passage show the bill cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, the national insurance system for the poor and disabled, and $285 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the national food aid program. 'Our state is just not positioned to be able to fill the gaps that we're seeing,'Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. 'We already see the challenge our New Jersey budget is in this year, and we're just not in a position to offset.' After passage, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said the bill will hit rural and big-city hospitals, like University Hospital Newark, a Level 1 trauma center, the sort of facility that sees high volumes of patients. 'I've already talked to their administrators,' Booker said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. 'This is a hatchet to their financial security.' In New Jersey, Medicaid alone comprises more than 40% of the state's proposed spending for the coming fiscal year.'
DID ANYONE REALLY THINK HE WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT? — @PeterSullivan4: 'Van Drew, who has long raised concerns with Medicaid cuts, says he is leaning YES Says provider tax cuts don't take effect til 2028 which makes him feel better, says maybe they could be delayed later on too'
HOUSE, M.D. — Medical doctor launches Democratic campaign to take on Kean, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Tina Shah, a medical doctor who worked in the Biden and Obama administrations, is joining a crowded field of Democrats seeking to run against two-term Republican Tom Kean Jr. in the 7th Congressional District. Shah announced her candidacy Monday, becoming the fifth declared Democrat in this Central Jersey district that's expected to be one of New Jersey's most competitive next year. As the only doctor in, Shah has a unique perspective to address cuts to Medicaid in the megabill working its way through Congress. 'We just had Tom Kean Jr. cast a deciding vote to cut Medicaid. And now it's coming back and he's likely to do it again,' Shah said. 'I take care of Medicaid patients every day that I'm practicing. And what I see is that having Medicaid helps them actually get back to health, get out of the hospital and live their lives.'
LOCAL
BUCH WILD — 'Lakewood's $6 million school board attorney is out pending future court ruling,' by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: 'Michael Inzelbuch is no longer Lakewood Board of Education attorney. At least for now. An administrative law judge on Tuesday, July 1, ruled that Inzelbuch cannot remain in his $475-per hour post until a legal dispute over his contract is settled, which could take several months. That dispute arose in March when State Monitor Louise Davis blocked the school board from rehiring Inzelbuch for another year after his previous contract expired on June 30, 2025 … In the meantime, the school board had requested a stay in the matter so that Inzelbuch could remain on the job until a final decision of the appeal is made, according to court documents. The request for a stay went before Administrative Law Judge Susan Scarola on Monday, June 30. Scarola issued a ruling late Tuesday that denied the motion and effectively removed Inzelbuch from the board attorney post until the original appeal of the state monitor denial of the new contract is decided … Scarola also stated that the school board was 'not likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that the state monitor exceeded her authority' when she denied the original contract approval.'
ALWAYS BET ON BLAT — 'Showboat owner Bart Blatstein pays $500K debt to contractor after arrest warrant issued,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Wayne Parry: 'Developer Bart Blatstein paid a debt to an electrical company that did work on the Showboat parking garage and other locations — but only after the contractor got an arrest warrant threatening to bring him before a judge. Blatstein, who owns the Showboat Resort Atlantic City, owed Buena-based Lee-Way Electrical more than $532,000 for work done at the Showboat and the property at 801 Boardwalk that includes the Island Waterpark. But he had fallen behind on mutually agreed-upon payments. After numerous attempts to collect the debt, including the issuance of a court order in March requiring Blatstein and his companies to pay the contractor, Lee-Way obtained an arrest warrant last week for the developer. It did not seek to incarcerate him, but rather to bring him before a judge. ... 'It was an oversight that was rectified immediately,' he said. 'It's done. There's no further action.' Asked whether he or his companies were experiencing financial difficulties, Blatstein replied, 'None whatsoever. We're having our best year.' He declined further comment.'
AFFORDABLE CLOWNING OBLIGATIONS — 'Court ruling could bring affordable housing to old Middletown home of Circus liquor store,' by The Asbury Park Press' Michael Diamond: 'A developer is a step closer to building affordable housing on the former site of the Circus Liquors store in Middletown after a New Jersey appeals court upheld a decision that stopped the town from taking control of the property to build a commercial development instead … While Middletown officials said they would appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, housing advocates said the ruling was a message for towns to comply with the state's housing obligations that are spelled out for them in the Mount Laurel doctrine. … The ruling is the latest step in the development of a 52-acre property on Route 35 that was home to Circus Wine, Beers & Spirits — and the iconic Calico clown sign that continues to loom over it.'
HACKENSACKED —'Council slate that swept Hackensack's May election sworn in, selects new mayor,' by The Record's Megan Burrow: 'Five new council members were sworn in July 1, ushering in a new era for the city after sweeping the May City Council election with a decisive victory to oust a slate of incumbents. Caseen Gaines, a teacher at Hackensack High School and president of the Hackensack Education Association, who was the top vote-getter in the election with 2,821 votes, was chosen as mayor, replacing three-term Mayor John Labrosse, who lost his reelection bid.'
—'N.J. Education Board approves acting Camden schools superintendent'
—'Crowley named Ocean City Council president'
—'Clinton Township rejects ExxonMobil proposal to build hundreds of affordable housing units'
EVERYTHING ELSE
RUTGERS — 'The 5 biggest perks in new Rutgers president's record-breaking contract,' by NJ Advance Media's Liz Rosenberg: 'Rutgers University's new president will earn $1.45 million in salary and bonuses over the next year under a record-setting compensation package that also includes a historic house, a car and driver, and other perks that come with leading the state university. William F. Tate IV — who started working for Rutgers on Tuesday — will make $1.1 million in base salary his first year, according to his contract. … Tate will be eligible for a performance bonus each year. In his first year on the job, he will receive the maximum bonus, taking home $352,000 on top of his base salary, according to his contract. ... If Tate stays at Rutgers for five years, he will receive an additional $1.875 million in deferred compensation on top of his regular salary and bonuses, according to his contract. … Though Tate's pay is the highest-ever at the state university, he will not be the highest-paid person at Rutgers. That honor usually goes to coaches, including head football coach Greg Schiano, who earned $6.25 million last year.'
OF ALL THE PLACES TO BRANDISH A KNIFE… — 'Wayne man charged with brandishing knife, threatening employees at Outback Steakhouse,' by The Record's Kyle Morel: 'A Wayne man was arrested after allegedly making death threats and holding a knife to employees at a restaurant in the township, authorities said. Khalil Bakho, 60, is facing charges of harassment, disorderly conduct, terroristic threats, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, according to a press release from the Wayne Police Department. The arrest stemmed from an incident at Outback Steakhouse on June 27.'
DO NOT DRIVE TO THE PA FIREWORKS STORE RIGHT ACROSS THE BRIDGE FROM TRENTON TO BUY THE GOOD STUFF — 'What fireworks are legal in NJ for July 4th? 'Anything that explodes' is a no-no,' by The Daily Record's William Westhoven: 'Fireworks on the Fourth are a time-honored American tradition, celebrating our nation's independence with the 'rockets' red glare, bombs bursting in air' embedded in our national anthem. Many New Jersey towns sponsor their own shows, but the Garden State also among the tightest regulations regarding the sale and use of fireworks by residents looking to light up their own neighborhoods. A public service announcement released by the Morris County Sheriff's Department sums up the state guidelines by identifying illegal fireworks as 'anything that explodes.' In short, if you can blow it up, don't.'
—'Bus crash injures 12, shuts down N.Y. bus terminal during morning rush'
—'New Jersey Farm Bureau names Liz Thompson as executive director'
—'Mission to find a match: NJ man searches for donor with flyers at Jersey Shore'
—'Atlantic County man has a handle(bar) on beard and mustache competition: Must Win'