The Jaffe Briefing - March 10, 2022

TRENTON – As the anti-Putin fervor is justifiably at an all-time high, New Jersey is sitting firmly in the bandwagon, barring any public entities from doing business with the Russian government and companies with any ties to the regime. All good, with plenty of rah-rah. But it is important to note this bill that Gov. Phil Murphy quickly signed into law has some collateral damage. There are the Russian people who have zero interest in occupying Ukraine, yet are watching their businesses crumble. And there are New Jersey companies and individuals who invest in entities in Russia unrelated to Putin. They, too, are taking a big hit. Sure, we all want to sock it to Putin, with plenty of fist bumps. But this is not clean. There are no winners here.

TRENTON – As state leaders begin their annual dissection of the governor’s proposed budget, NJ.com offers an interesting note: In his prepared remarks, Murphy made no reference to the cannabis revenue that is expected to generate $19 million for the state treasury in fiscal ‘23. Pundits had assumed Murphy would be waving his weed flag, as he did in two public speeches in January. But, he was oddly silent - even after recently saying the marijuana business should be up and running in New Jersey in just a few short weeks. And the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is currently mum on an official grand opening date. Why all the delay? Is this fledgling commission careening toward becoming the next Motor Vehicle Commission?

TRENTON – Among the many changes in this “new world” is the prominence of Zoom. And that fact is not lost on state lawmakers, wondering if it is high time to get rid of snow days in New Jersey’s public schools. A bill unanimously zipped through the State Senate, allowing school districts to use virtual or remote instruction, rather than burning a snow day, as part of the 180-day school calendar. The technology could also be allowed for other school emergencies that force buildings to close, such as excessive heat or a busted pipe. Sounds like great legislation, as “make-up” days in June aren’t exactly filled with robust, engaged education. But Little Johnnie, on his red sled, may disagree.

BRIEFING BREATHER

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

STATEWIDE – You’ve got your big, bitchin SUV that rules the road. You chortle at those pansies in their little electric cars, as these people – god bless ‘em – try to save the planet. But now with gas selling for $4.50 a gallon or more, suddenly feeding that SUV is a $100 commitment. Meanwhile, the pansies are zipping around in cars that cost less than $10 in killowatts to “fill up,” and don’t need to roll into gas stations for a twice-weekly gouging, as well as oil changes and other maintenance that comes with that 12-cyclinder behemoth chugging under your hood. Yet electric cars are still fighting for a foothold in New Jersey, the Record reports, costing an average $10,000 more than gas-powered cars and accounting for only 2% of the new-car market. Meanwhile, there are still about four gas stations for every electric charging station in New Jersey. But with this big EV push from the state and feds, with lots of incentives, as well as all this global upheaval, maybe it’s finally time retire the big, bitchin SUV.

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

SAN DIEGO – He tried to slither past border guards. But U.S. customs agents pulled this trucker over at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico, finding 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags and concealed on his body. In total, there were nine snakes and 43 horned lizards – some endangered – that were found, many of which were hidden in his “groin area.” The 30-year-old American was promptly arrested. “Smugglers will try every possible way to try and get their product, across the border,” one custom agent said. Clearly.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

There was a “no black policy” at the Jack Tar Harrison Hotel in Clearwater, Fl. And that is why the Philadelphia Phillies packed their bags and moved to the Rocky Point Motel, about 20 miles away on this day in 1962.

WORD OF THE DAY

Baobab – [bāōˌbab] – noun

Definition: A short tree with an enormously thick trunk and large edible fruit. It can live to a great age.

Example: I’m thinking about updating my landscaping with a nice baobab.

WIT OF THE DAY

“Ill-gotten gains will be ill spent.”

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

BIDEN BLURB

“We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains.”

-Joe Biden

WEATHER IN A WORD

Melting