A Stockton University poll shows Garden State residents continue to support mandates that look to contain the spread of the coronavirus and Gov. Phil Murphy’s handling of the pandemic since March 2020. New Jerseyans voiced strong support for policies aimed at controlling the virus, including 58% backing a mask mandate in schools, 56% supporting a mandate that employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or be tested weekly for the virus and 63% wanting a vaccine requirement for healthcare workers. Additionally, the poll found Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli continues to chip away at Murphy’s lead, with the Sept. 29 poll showing the incumbent’s lead now in single digits for the first time since June. North-JerseyNews.com
Nearly 900 students and staff in the Toms River Regional School District are under quarantine for possible COVID-19 exposure. The sixth-largest district in the state, Toms River’s COVID-19 dashboard reports that 864 students— or 6%—of the district’s nearly 15,500 total enrollment are quarantined. Another 26 staff members, or just over 1% of all employees, are quarantined as well. School officials say the district’s mask policy is not to blame after reports cited parent protests against mask-wearing. NJ1015.com
During the first week of eligibility, New Jerseyans are not rushing out to get their COVID-19 booster shot. “We do not have enough demand right now relative to who’s eligible,” Gov. Phil Murphy said at a briefing Sept. 29. “We have more supply than demand and that’s got to change.” As of Sept. 29, 129,320 third dose or booster shots were administered in New Jersey out of about 1.2 million people who are eligible. The vast majority of those shots were given to immunocompromised people who have been eligible for a third dose since mid-August. Only 14,592 received Pfizer booster shots over the weekend in New Jersey after federal regulators approved the measure on Sept. 24. The Record
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Democratic leaders moved toward a planned House vote Sept. 30 on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that many progressive Democrats have threatened to oppose. Democratic leaders tried to unify the party’s increasingly combative progressive and moderate wings in the House and Senate around changes to a separate $3.5 trillion reconciliation budget focused on healthcare, education and climate change. Progressives continue to demand to see the larger measure advance as a condition of supporting the infrastructure bill in the narrowly divided House. Though 19 Senate Republicans backed the infrastructure bill and at least some House Republicans are also expected to do so, it isn’t clear whether there will be enough GOP support to offset opposition from liberal Democrats. The Wall Street Journal
Senate leaders scheduled a series of votes for Thursday morning on legislation that would keep the government open through early December and provide crucial aid for disaster relief efforts and Afghan refugees. The House is expected to take up the legislation soon afterward to avoid a shutdown Thursday night. The New York Times
YouTube will remove content that falsely alleges approved vaccines are dangerous and cause severe health effects. Examples of content that would be taken down include false claims that approved vaccines cause autism, cancer or infertility or that they don’t reduce transmission or contraction of diseases. The policies cover general statements about vaccines—not only those for COVID-19—and about specific routine immunizations such as those for measles and hepatitis B. The social media company has removed more than 130,000 videos for violating its COVID-19 vaccine policies since last year. The Wall Street Journal
Security has been stepped up at Ramsey’s five schools after a “single, verbal suggestion of violence” made by a parent against Eric Smith Middle School on Sept. 27. School officials issued an email notice to parents that “at no time were students or staff in danger” but that “in an abundance of caution” security was increased at schools and police would increase their visibility as well. The Record
Vineland Public Schools made a late-night decision to cancel school Sept. 30 after a threat of a possible shooting started circulating on social media. The district posted on Facebook around 10 p.m. the night before telling parents to keep their kids home for the day; staff is staying home as well. News12 New Jersey
Counties across the Garden State are in need of poll workers for the upcoming Nov. 2 general election and the in-person early voting period scheduled for late October. The upcoming general election is stretching election officials thin, as they contend for the first time with implementing early in-person voting, in which voters can visit centralized “megasite” polling places Oct. 23-31 to cast their ballots in advance of formal Election Day on Nov. 2. The new early voting mandate is contributing to an election worker labor shortage. With 10 total days of voting, officials need more people than ever to serve as board workers. Some of the most experienced and consistent volunteers, who are often senior citizens, are choosing to retire or stay home due to COVID-19. NJ.com
Three residents of Haledon will try to defeat the incumbent Democrats of the 35th Legislative District Nov. 2. State Sen. Nellie Pou, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter are all seeking re-election to the district covering Elmwood Park, Garfield, Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson and Prospect Park. The GOP challengers are former Haledon mayor and longtime councilman Ken Pengitore, who is taking on State Sen. Pou, and two newcomers attempting to win Assembly seats—Iman Majagah and Ramzy Yamisha. North-JerseyNews.com
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23) has not ruled out a challenge to Rep. Tom Malinowski in New Jersey’s 7th district in 2022, but he won’t make any decisions until after the upcoming general election. “I’m focused on getting re-elected,” said Peterson. “I’m going to consider it after Nov. 2.” The front runner for the Republican nomination is Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-22), who came within one percentage point of unseating Malinowski last year. New Jersey Globe
Lawmakers from New Jersey were pleased to hear that company officials have decided not to move forward with the PennEast Pipeline. Rep. Tom Malinowski had fought against the project after meeting with landowners near the proposed route they argued would have damaged their homes and crops if the pipeline was created. “Today we celebrate a major victory for landowners, for the environment, and for the dedicated advocates who have spent years fighting the destructive and unnecessary PennEast pipeline—our hard work paid off,” said Malinowski. North-JerseyNews.com
Secaucus has filed suit against the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to recover its share of payments under the state Transportation Planning District (TPD) Act. The TPD Act assures that private property owners contribute to the transportation infrastructure improvements needed to support additional development projects by paying a development fee. According to Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, the TPD Act requires that the NJSEA return 30% of those fees to the municipality where the development is located. But he said that hasn’t been happening and Secaucus hasn’t been getting its share. Hudson Reporter
New Jersey’s public-worker pension fund appears to have taken full advantage of Wall Street’s recent hot streak by running up nearly 30% annual returns during the most recent fiscal year. Though still subject to audit, the annual investment-return figures for the 2021 fiscal year are the highest annual returns that have been recorded by New Jersey’s pension fund managers over the past two decades, according to the Department of Treasury. The returns more than tripled the pension fund’s long-term assumption for annual investment returns, which is 7.3% and marked a major reversal from the prior fiscal year, when annual returns barely topped 1%. NJ Spotlight News
And finally…“Stand Up for Heroes” benefit for veterans, featuring Bruce Springsteen and Jon Stewart, is returning to a live stage Nov. 8. The Record
