The Jaffe Briefing - June 18, 2019
TRENTON - The bare-knuckle brawl between Gov. Phil Murphy and Unelected Gov. George Norcross could be nearing the 15th round. Norcross tried, and failed, to block the release yesterday of a damning report from the special governor's task force, which claims the state's economic development program heavily favored special interests, doling out billions of dollars in tax incentives, especially around Camden. It also concluded the New Jersey Economic Development Authority didn't vet applications that had some obvious holes. Moreover, the task force suggests it may refer companies receiving the cash to law enforcement for a further look. Wow. Norcross sought a temporary restraining order on the report's release, but after a five-hour hearing yesterday, a Superior Court judge said no way.
NOT NEW JERSEY - $78 Million. That seems to be the magic number that U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao steered toward pet projects for her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, representing thousands of fuming commuters in northern New Jersey, can't help but wonder if the stalled Gateway project would have actually broken ground by now if it was in Kentucky, rather than a solid blue state like New Jersey. Politico notes Chao even went as far as to install a special liaison in her office to help grease the skids for her husband's Kentucky allies. There's no question the swamps of D.C. are alive and well. And so are the swamps in the Meadowlands, where plans to construct rail bridges into Manhattan have been perennially stalled.
TRENTON - Advocates for affordable housing in New Jersey have been going around in circles for years, with efforts floundering in the face of local, political (and developer) opposition. But score one for the advocates as they cheered a radical measure that cleared its first legislative hurdle in Trenton yesterday. According to NJ Spotlight, a bill in the Assembly would impose tough new requirements on high-density developments to set aside units for low-income and middle-income residents. The measure didn't get any likes among developers, municipalities, realtors or builders. Perhaps the definition of good policy is when no one is happy. Or not.
STATEWIDE - Why did the turtle cross the road? We may never know, as it seems stuck smack in the middle of a major highway and byway near you. That's why the state Department of Environmental Protection has issued a warning to drivers: Be on the lookout for crossing turtles currently participating in nesting season. The DEP explains that turtles can often travel long distances, which is certainly surprising, and sometimes look to cross a major roadway to find just the right spot for their reproductive purposes. The DEP asks that you try to avoid creating turtle roadkill, but the abrupt swerving of your vehicle is dangerous. So, hey, do the best you can.
TOMS RIVER - Five graduation gifts. Five dress outfits for the prom. Five tuitions this fall, all at York College in Pennsylvania. The Keough family, who the media has enjoyed covering over the years, will be celebrating the graduation of their quintuplets on Thursday from Toms River East High School, the Asbury Park Pressreports. They were all born within three minutes of each other in 2001. And now they will all be heading off to the same college, as the story of this super tight-knit family continues.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
LAHORE, Pakistan - Any politician will tell you connecting with millennials can be a struggle, but it's a fair guess civic engagement wasn't in mind when Snapchat's "kitty-cat" filter was left on during a live-streamed news conference. Video of the presser, which features government ministers sporting kitty ears, whiskers and adorable button-noses thanks to Snapchat, was swiftly deleted from the ruling party's social media pages - but not before becoming a hiss-terical viral video, reports India's News18. A claw-ful error? Or a paw-some way to interest the youth in politics? Decide fur yourself.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1994 that the "Gay Games" are launched in New York. All teams want Lamar for the javelin.
WORD OF THE DAY
Jabberwocky - [JAB-ər-wah-kee] - verb
Definition: Speech or writing that is unintelligible, meaningless or incoherent
Example: All that jabberwocky from the press box would be way more interesting with a Snapchat kitty-cat filter.
WIT OF THE DAY
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"A Wasn't just isn't. He just isn't present. But you... You ARE YOU! And, now isn't that pleasant!"
- Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel
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WEATHER IN A WORD
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THE NEW 60
A Jaffe Briefing Exclusive
by Andy Landorf & John Colquhoun
