Good Wednesday morning!
We already knew Cory Booker could talk. The question was for how long. And now we have the answer: Just over 25 hours.
Booker at 7:18 Tuesday night broke the record for longest single-person speech on the Senate floor. And he kept going for almost another hour before hoarsely announcing, “I yield the floor” and drawing big applause.
The technically non-filibuster speech was a stunt to protest Donald Trump’s policies,. I’d offer you a summary, but forgive me for not watching the whole thing. Or even a tiny percentage of it. But you can read POLITICO’s coverage here.
It was a symbolic victory for a Black senator out-talking segregationist Strom Thurmond, who set the previous record while filibustering the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
“I’m not here because of his speech. I’m here in spite of his speech,” Booker said.
While the speech held up some Senate business, it appeared more about showing Democrats that the party has some fight in it amid overwhelming frustration among its base with its leadership’s efforts to combat Trump. And it got attention. ”What @CoryBooker is doing right now on the Senate floor is exactly what they want to hear. Democrats would be smart to get a transcript and copy it word-for-word,” Frank Luntz tweeted.
And this is amazing: According to everything I read, Booker did not once use the bathroom. “It would be completely and totally and utterly related to how long I could go without going to the toilet,” Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters Tuesday. I know what you’re thinking. But according to his office, he didn’t.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Linda Carter, Ashley Bauer, Bryana De Veaux, Doug O’Malley, Dana Rubinstein, David Vitali
FEEDBACK? Reach me at [email protected]
WHERE’S MURPHY? In North Brunswick at 11:30 a.m. to sign anti-deepfake legislation
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Jesus, let it be me.” — Chris Christie on what he imagines is a prayer Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea say for Donald Trump’s endorsement
INTRODUCING THE GOOD DEEDS TAX — Sarlo: Don’t expect recreational or ‘sin’ taxes in final budget, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Paul Sarlo said Tuesday to not expect so-called sin-taxes and taxes on recreational activities to be included in New Jersey’s upcoming spending plan. Sarlo made the remarks during a budget hearing with Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio on Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The Democratic governor wants to raise around $1.2 billion in new taxes and fees to shore up the state budget — but Sarlo said that some of those new taxes are likely to not make the cut. “I’m going to make it clear to the administration — you’ve outlined a bunch of one-offs, fees, revenue enhancements and others in the area of recreation. Some people call them sin taxes. I’m quite confident that this Legislature in our final negotiations will not be including them,” Sarlo (D-Bergen) said. “They will be eliminated and we … need to propose offsetting revenues for them — whether it’s additional government efficiencies, cuts or lapses.” Speaking with reporters, Sarlo pointed out increases on alcohol and recreational sports as proposals that would likely be cut, although he did not preclude that other revenue raisers would also be nixed.
OPPO RESEARCHERS DISCOVER THAT SHEENA IS A PUNK ROCKER — “Fulop will pick South Orange mayor as his lt. governor candidate,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Steve Fulop will announce his pick of Sheena Collum, the popular mayor of South Orange with a statewide reputation as a brainy policy wonk who once described herself as ‘an unapologetic, pussyhat-wearing progressive,’ to run with him for lieutenant governor if he wins the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. An announcement has been scheduled for tomorrow in South Orange. Like Fulop, Collum is unapologetic in her willingness to take on the political establishment. … The ticket marks the combination of big city and small suburb mayors. Fulop indicated last year that he would pick his running mate before the Democratic primary. He becomes the first gubernatorial candidate to announce a pre-primary choice since the office was created for the 2009 election.”
PATERSON TAKEOVER — “Was state takeover of Paterson police overreach or warranted intervention?” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Almost two years after the state took over the troubled Paterson Police Department, attorneys argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court Monday over whether it had the authority to do so. … While a state appeals panel sided with Paterson in December, the rapid-fire questions the Supreme Court justices showered on [Paterson attorney Christopher] Gramiccioni, [Deputy Solicitor General Michael] Zuckerman, and other attorneys over two hours of arguments Monday suggests the appellate ruling might not stand. … The justices also zeroed in on Chapter 94, which authorized the attorney general, when superseding a law enforcement agency, to appoint an officer in charge who hasn’t completed training through the state Police Training Commission as long as the officer completes the training within one year of appointment. … Under the law’s verbiage, it specifically applies to “a city of the first class having a population of less than 200,000 according to the federal 2020 decennial census,” she noted. ‘It seems to say everything it could, aside from ‘the City of Paterson.’ How can you argue that this is actually not referring to this particular supersession, and is instead referring to some other possible supersession where it was consensual?’ Wainer Apter said.”
I’M TAKING BETS ON ITS LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS — “Firm accused of illegal sports betting sues New Jersey, saying it is protected by federal law,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Wayne Parry: “A prediction markets company accused by New Jersey gambling regulators of taking illegal sports bets is suing the state, claiming the company’s offerings are approved by and protected under federal law. New York-based Kalshi, which offers so-called “prediction contracts” that amount to bets on whether something will or won’t happen, says New Jersey is wrongly attempting to interfere with something that is regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Last week, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi and a similar company, Robinhood, accusing them of taking illegal sports bets under New Jersey law. … Kalshi is also suing Nevada, which sent similar cease and desist letters to it last month. Other states including Massachusetts and Ohio are also questioning the legality of the company’s products.”
IT’S ONLY A BRIBE IF IT’S IN A PAPER BAG — “N.J. wants to redefine ‘bribery’ to help crack down on shady public officials,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jelani Gibson: “As New Jersey prepares for a big election this November, the state Assembly is enthusiastically saying yes to a plan to tighten the state’s definition of bribery in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that loosened the rules. The Supreme Court decision in Snyder v. United States released last year said bribery could only apply to rewards that were received before an act — not after … New Jersey’s proposed law, A4947, sponsored by Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-Middlesex, would change the state’s definition of criminal bribery. It would say a bribe counts if a person agrees to accept any money or other benefits before or after an act … The state Assembly passed the bill 76-0 last week.”
FOX PAS — “Fox News Host Lara Trump pulls out of GOP fundraiser that violated network rule against campaigning,” by Mediaite’s Aidan McLaughlin and Zachary Leeman: “Fox News host Lara Trump has pulled out of a fundraiser for a Republican gubernatorial candidate, an appearance that would have violated a network rule against talent appearing at political events, Mediaite has learned. The New Jersey Globe reported Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law was set to headline an event in support of Bill Spadea[‘s super PAC], a Republican running for governor in New Jersey, later this month. The event is being held at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. … A Fox News source told Mediaite that Lara Trump was already in the process of pulling out of the event, which would have run afoul of a network policy against hosts participating in campaign politics.”
—“NJ bill toughens penalties against retail theft, though some question its prevalence”
—“NJ disability program faces $3M cut in proposed budget. Advocates call it ‘devastating’”
—“New Jersey aid to low-income utility customers called ‘a Band-Aid on a gaping wound’”
—“Kranjac petition hearing stops as both sides agree to settlement”
—“Republicans continue voter registration gains in March”
—“Victim blaming? Weinberg & Alston trade shots over controversial take on Brennan”
—“NJ state trooper experienced ‘personal crisis’ at time of Wayne arrest: union president”
BECAUSE THERE CAN NEVER BE ENOUGH URINE JOKES IN THIS NEWSLETTER — Mikie Sherrill wants Elon Musk tested for drugs.
The House Democrat who is running for governor introduced a bill Tuesday — that has virtually no chance of passing — to require Department of Government Efficiency employees to pass a drug test and submit to regular testing. She cited a report of Musk’s past drug use and said her bill would apply to him and employees dealing with personal information like Treasury and Social Security data to keep their special employee status.
“Those with access to sensitive information must be thoroughly vetted, clear-eyed, and exercise good judgment,” Sherrill said in a statement. “Elon Musk and his DOGE employees should be held to the same standard as other executive branch employees, whether that’s for conflicts of interest or passing a drug test to maintain employment or a security clearance.” — Dustin Racioppi
FILIBUST A CAP — Cory Booker staffer arrested for allegedly carrying a pistol without a license, by POLITICO’s Nicholas Wu: Capitol Police arrested a staffer for Sen. Cory Booker for allegedly carrying a pistol without a license, the department announced Tuesday. Authorities arrested the staffer, named by Capitol Police as Kevin Batts, Monday evening after Batts told officers outside the Senate galleries he was armed, the department said. Batts had been led by Booker around security screening at a Senate office building earlier in the day, according to the department. “All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia,” the department said. Lawmakers are given broad leeway to request bypasses of security screening for staffers and guests who accompany them into Capitol buildings, though the department frowns on the practice.
IMMIGRATION — Mahmoud Khalil’s case will move forward in New Jersey, judge rules, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden: The case involving Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian activist and legal U.S. resident whom the Trump administration is seeking to deport, will remain in New Jersey, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, rejecting the administration’s effort to move it to Louisiana. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote in a 67-page decision that Khalil’s case, “as filed on March 9 at 4:40am, can go forward in New Jersey because that is where the Petitioner was confined at that moment.” … Typically, the government can revoke a green card only in limited circumstances, such as if the person is convicted of a crime. In Khalil’s case, the Trump administration invoked a rarely used statute that allows the deportation of any noncitizen if the secretary of State determined the person’s “presence or activities” in the U.S. “would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” Though Khalil was initially detained by immigration authorities on March 8 in New York, he was briefly moved to a detention facility in New Jersey early the next morning before being transported to Louisiana.
HEALTH CARE — “N.J. sues Trump for putting us ‘in harm’s way’ with massive health cuts,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “New Jersey and 22 other states sued the Trump administration on Tuesday to reverse the abrupt withdrawal last week of $11 billion in funds earmarked for addiction treatment, disease prevention and other public health programs. Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced the lawsuit as well as a request for a restraining order to stop the immediate loss of New Jersey’s share of that money, $350 million, which was given when the economy cratered during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Instead of looking out for our health, the Trump administration is putting us in harm’s way. Cutting hundreds of millions of dollars isn’t just illegal; it’s also reckless,’ Attorney General Platkin said announcing the lawsuit with 22 other states and Washington D.C.”
—“Christie considers life in New Jersey with U.S. Attorney Habba”
—“GOP proxy-voting supporters [including Van Drew] kill Johnson’s power move”
—“[Flemington] man seeking citizenship for years went to office for paperwork, gets detained by ICE”
HACKENSACK HAS A POLICE DEFAMATION LAWSUIT. NORTH BERGEN HAS A POLICE DEFECATION LAWSUIT — “Hackensack police lieutenant suit says mayor defamed him by calling him ‘worst offender’,” by The Record’s Megan Burrow: “Mayor John Labrosse, his campaign manager Zonie LeSane and his running mates on his ticket for the May municipal election are being sued for defamation by a city police lieutenant. Lt. Anthony DiPersia’s suit states that Labrosse and his campaign team disseminated false statements last month designed to impugn his ‘character, reputation and standing in the community.’ The statements were published soon after Hackensack Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 9A, the supervisory officers’ association for the city, endorsed Hackensack Unites, the rival slate running in the May 13 City Council election, according to the suit. DiPersia, the president of the union, signed his name to the endorsement letter, which urged voters to choose Hackensack Unites as a ‘fresh start for our city and police department.’ The Labrosse team responded by writing that the ‘letter from a Hackensack PBA union official’ criticized the current administration’s efforts to address a ‘culture of corruption within the police department.”
—“Lawsuit claims Montclair school administrators suppressed bullying reports in district”
CARDINAL SINS — “Why are clergy sex abuse investigations stalled in NJ and around US? There’s a ‘playbook’,” by The Record’s Deena Yellin: “Although at least 29 states launched investigations after Pennsylvania’s, only about half have reported findings, said Terry McKiernan of BishopAccountability.org, a Massachusetts nonprofit that tracks clergy abuse cases. Legal experts and victims’ advocates say dioceses have employed common strategies to resist cooperating: claiming immunity, citing the confidentiality of personnel records and declaring bankruptcy, which can put some documents off limits to investigators. In New Jersey, as reported by The Record and NorthJersey.com in February, the Catholic Diocese of Camden successfully convinced a judge to block the special grand jury that would have conducted the state investigation. The Attorney General’s Office has appealed to the state Supreme Court, which is due to hear arguments in late April. … Along with New Jersey’s, investigations have been delayed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Washington state and Wisconsin, say published reports and court records.”
—“Pilot killed in [Somerset County] crash was biotech company founder, CEO”
MEDIA MOVES — Steve Kornacki, one of your favorite (but definitely not your absolute favorite) PoliticsNJ alums, is leaving MSNBC for a new deal with NBC across news and sports, per the L.A. Times. He’ll be a contributor and chief data analyst.
