OPINION: Brown Jackson Hearings Show Worst of Washington. The U.S. Senate confirmation hearings last week were a historic moment—just for all the wrong reasons. Watching the questioning of nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court should have been a thoughtful examination of her record, with members of each party exploring her professional and life experiences to show she was deserving of receiving a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land. But too often it reminded us of another Senate hearing—Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for communists in 1954—where thirsty Senators wanted the moment to be about them. The four days of Senate hearings were democracy in action. Too bad the headliners were those seeking the spotlight for themselves. North-JerseyNews.com
Sen. Cory Booker said Justice Clarence Thomas should not be involved in ruling on lawsuits challenging the results of the 2020 election after the revelations that his wife Ginni was actively involved in trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election won by Joe Biden. “Clearly, Justice Thomas should have recused himself,” Booker said. “That’s not even at question here.” Additionally, Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for an investigation into Ginni Thomas’ role in the Jan. 6 insurrection by supporters of Donald Trump. NJ.com
The Jan. 6 House Select Committee released a report March 27 laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald J. Trump with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas. In a 34-page report, the panel argued former White House adviser Peter Navarro, and former deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino Jr. were closely involved in efforts to keep Trump in power even after he lost decisively at the polls. The committee is set to hold a public vote on whether to recommend the charges on Monday. The New York Times
As Russian attacks continued across Ukraine, diplomats from the two nations were scheduled to arrive in Turkey on March 28 for talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country was “ready” to discuss adopting neutral status, while the Kremlin offered little hope for an agreement that would end five weeks of fighting. In an interview with Russian journalists, Zelensky said that Ukraine was willing to discuss lifting restrictions on the Russian language and adopting a neutral geopolitical status. But he insisted that any deal would need to be validated by a referendum to be held after Russian troops withdraw, and that other countries would need to provide his nation with security guarantees. The New York Times
President Joe Biden’s remark that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” came under fire for muddying U.S. policy and threatening to undermine diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Administration officials and Democratic lawmakers said the off-the-cuff remark was an emotional response to the president’s interactions in Warsaw with refugees. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern that President Biden’s comment and calling Putin “a butcher” could complicate diplomatic efforts to end the war. “I wouldn’t use this type of wording because I continue to hold discussions with President Putin,” Macron said. “We want to stop the war that Russia has launched in Ukraine without escalation—that’s the objective.” The Wall Street Journal
A majority of Americans say they don’t blame President Joe Biden for high gasoline prices, but they’re giving his economic leadership low marks amid fears of inflation and deep pessimism about economic conditions. About 7 in 10 Americans say the nation’s economy is in bad shape, and close to two-thirds disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In addition, Americans are more likely to say his policies have hurt the economy than helped it. News12 New Jersey
A plan is moving forward in Trenton to increase penalties for threatening a healthcare worker in New Jersey. The measure establishes threats against a healthcare professional or any worker at a healthcare facility as a disorderly persons offense, which could be punishable by up to six months in prison and or a fine of up to $1,000. The legislation would give judges the leeway to mandate an anger management course or 30 days of community service for a defendant. NJ1015.com
Recently allocated federal funding will go a long way towards improving the quality of life in Sussex County, according to Congressman Josh Gottheimer. The 5th District congressman is urging transportation officials to move forward with the Lackawanna Cut-off restoration project as a way to finally bring rail service to Sussex and Warren counties as well as Newton Medical Center receiving $750,000 for its behavioral health department renovations project. “We are clawing back necessary investment to ensure Sussex County has even higher-quality behavioral health services. Our health care workers always have our backs when we need them most; we must make sure we always have theirs, so they can focus on providing the best care possible to our community,” Gottheimer said. North-JerseyNews.com
Long-stalled legislation that would place New Jersey political candidates squarely under the same bribery rules that apply to already elected officials was passed by both houses unanimously in Trenton March 24. Courts have ruled in dismissing bribery charges or reversing convictions that the bribery statute does not apply to an office that a person does not hold. A couple of the cases prompting the legislative push involved Hudson County politicians. “New Jersey law has let corrupt would-be politicians get away with crimes like bribery. We must preserve the public trust in our election process by fixing this broken system,” said Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-39). North-JerseyNews.com
State Senate President Nicholas Scutari has stated he will not support a bill to allow people to register to vote on the same day as elections, saying he has yet to be convinced it’s necessary. “Someone’s got to convince me why people have the sacred right to vote and they can’t decide they’re going to do it until that day,” said Scutari. “Right now, I’m not willing to post it.” NJ.com
Poll workers in New Jersey will start earning more money for their work on Election Day. Gov. Phil Murphy on March 25 signed a bill to increase pay for election workers in the state from $200 a day to $300 a day. The bill would increase the maximum hourly rate for people who work on school elections when those elections are held at a different time other than the general election from $14.29 to $19.64, and appropriates $7 million to the New Jersey Department of State to help fund the payments. NJ.com
Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25) slammed the New Jersey Labor Department ahead of its planned reinstatement of One-Stop Career Centers on March 28. In-person services are scheduled to resume for those contacted by the labor department, but Dunn noted North Jersey residents may feel deja vu as no walk-ins will be served. “It is going to be the MVC debacle all over again,” she said. “There is no plan ‘A,’ no plan ‘B,’ and no way for someone to make an appointment. It’s unconscionable.” North-JerseyNews.com
State Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-25) recently introduced a bill that would create the State Office of the Consumer to measure the availability of live-person assistance at state agencies, local governments, and regulated industries, like insurance companies. The push for a consumer advocate comes amid complaints the Department of Labor, Motor Vehicle Commission, and some other state agencies had spotty availability during the pandemic. The office would be overseen by the Legislature and would be required to submit monthly reports on agencies’ responsiveness to the Legislature and governor. It would also periodically review the accessibility of websites run by organizations under its purview. New Jersey Monitor
Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget is calling for roughly 5% of annual spending to be backed by what are known as non-recurring sources of revenue during the fiscal year that begins in July. Budget documents indicate some $2.5 billion in revenue would continue to come from non-recurring sources—including the state’s general fund surplus—to help support an overall $2.5 billion year-over-year increase in annual spending that Murphy has proposed. NJ Spotlight News
Legislature announced plans to introduce a bill that would delay start times in high schools to 8:30 a.m. in New Jersey, a bill its supporters say is a response to the teen mental health crisis experts say was aggravated during the pandemic. The plan sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) and Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11)—would take effect at the start of the 2024-25 school year. “When students are well-rested and eat nutritious meals, they’re better prepared to succeed in school,” Coughlin said in a statement. “Overwhelmingly the research and success stories out of other states’ school districts show that the benefits of later start times to students’ holistic well-being, in terms of both mental health and academic performance, easily outweigh the costs.” New Jersey Monitor
The Newark Board of Education approved a $1.2 billion budget for the 2022-23 school year March 25 that officials said would raise spending by $146 million—mainly on additional teachers and technology, building upgrades, and rising charter school enrollment—while cutting the average property tax bill by $8.75. The spending increase is largely offset by a $121 million boost in state aid, which totals $1.03 billion for Newark in the coming year under Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget. The city school budget for the coming year is 14% higher than the $1.08 billion 2021-22 spending plan. NJ.com
A lawsuit funded by Paterson developer Charles Florio is calling for the removal of former Councilman Aslon Goow from the city’s mayoral election with a claim that Goow lives in West Milford. The lawsuit, which was filed on March 25, targets a candidate likely to siphon votes from Mayor Andre Sayegh, whom Florio has supported for many years. The legal challenge questions Goow’s residency based on a surveillance report done by Harry Melber, the same private investigator Florio hired seven years ago that led to a conviction of then-Mayor Joey Torres. The Record
Meghan McCluskey made history as the first woman to be named police chief in Sussex County. McCluskey, who joined the Hopatcong Police Department in 2003, was sworn in to her new position earlier this month. McCluskey replaces Robert Brennan, who retired in January after 10 years as chief. New Jersey Herald
A film and television studio planned for the southwest tip of Bayonne is envisioned to include 19 different buildings on a lot reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood. The 74-acre lot that most recently contained a Texaco refinery has sat vacant. Its new use would house 25,450 employees and would reserve some of the property for public use. Plans include a new public waterfront walkway winding around the film studio. A wall would separate the studio from the walkway, which would include seating, lighting and vegetation. The project, dubbed 1888 Studios, will go before the Bayonne Planning Board for site plan approval. The Jersey Journal
Bayonne City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski will be in the top position on the ballot in the upcoming May 10 municipal election. Incumbent Mayor Jimmy Davis drew the second spot and Dr. Mitchell Brown drew the third. Bayonne City Clerk Madelene Medina held the drawing for ballot positions for the 2022 municipal election. Medina conducted the drawing in the City Council Chambers in the presence of several candidates, campaign representatives, and municipal officials. Hudson Reporter
Morris County Democrats have picked T.C. McCourt, Alice Sharma and Judy Hernandez to run for county commissioner on the organization line. McCourt, a Dover Planning Board member, is making his second bid for county commissioner. Sharma serves on the Mount Olive Library Board of Trustees and Hernandez ran unsuccessfully for the Parsippany Township Council in 2019 and 2021. Democrats have not won a countywide office in Morris since 1973. New Jersey Globe
St. Peter’s, the first No. 15 seed ever to reach the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, season has come to an end . The Peacocks’ incomparable run was ended by eight-seeded North Carolina 69-49 in Sunday’s East Regional final. New Jersey Herald
And finally…Wait, did that really happen at the Oscars? Did Will Smith slap Chris Rock in the face on live television for a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith and then go on to win Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the controversial father of Serena and Venus? NJ.com
