Good Friday morning!

Is it just a coincidence that not long after a Republican truck driver ousted Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney, Democrats in the Assembly introduced a bill to expand New Jersey’s law prohibiting trucks in the left lane in some circumstances and toughen penalties?

Well, yeah, it probably is. That would be a ridiculously complicated — if funny — way to get revenge at the truck driver, state Sen. Ed Durr. But I called him about it anyway.

“I find that to be outrageous at the very least, and discriminatory. Just because they’re trucks they can’t pass a car, when a car is going too slow they have to stay in the right lane?” Durr said.

I wrote about this bill when it was introduced last summer. On Thursday, the Assembly Transportation Committee approved it 9-1 despite the passionate objections from trucking and food industry lobbyists. While the bill might help some annoyed drivers, they said it was unworkable and unfair.

New Jersey already bars vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more from the left lane of highways with three or more lanes in each direction. Under this bill, NJ A4470, trucks would be barred from the left lane even on two-lane highways, with some exceptions. Penalties for the offense would also double, from up to $300 to up to $600. And, at least under the current version of the bill, the truck drivers would have to show up to court in person to pay the fine, rather than online or by mail.

“I’m a truck driver from Utah and I’m unaware of a stupid New Jersey law, and I have to come back to pay a fine?” said Eric DeGesero, a lobbyist for the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, who added that a farmer’s F350 pick up truck can weigh over 10,000 pounds. “It’s punitive on top of punitive on top of punitive on top of punitive and it’s unsafe.”

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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This bill has moved around a fair amount. It still hasn’t moved through one of the chambers. Let’s wait and see where this ends up.” — Gov. Phil Murphy’s non-committal answer on the Elections Transparency Act, despite it having been amended to fulfill his administration’s effort to oust ELEC Executive Director Jeff Brindle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Ivy Rovner, Steve Clayton, Ryan Doran. Saturday for Daniel Kaufman-Berson, Bob Smith, Claire Wolfe, David Spector. Sunday for Danielle Alexander, Harold Kane, Kevin Passante, Lauren Dikis.

WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule.

LACK OF SNOW MAKES IT RAIN — “When there’s no white stuff in NJ, is there more green stuff in agency budgets?” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “Thanks to a mild winter with little snowfall, state agencies and local governments barely tapped into their salt supplies or their snow removal budgets over the past several months. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority budgeted $37 million for snow removal in 2023, and so far the agency has only spent $1.4 million, just under 4% of what was budgeted, according to spokesman Tom Feeney. NJ Transit, meanwhile, expects the winter just past will be the second-cheapest in the last 24 years, with the agency spending only $2.4 million as of March 10, according to spokesman Jim Smith … The Turnpike Authority groups snow removal in with its “severe weather” budget line so the funds not spent on snow could be used for other events, like hurricane and tornado responses throughout the year. Towns, boroughs and counties have begun planning their budgets so they can absorb the costs of a heavy snow year and save during the mild years.”

JOYCE COULD BRING ABOUT FINNIGAN METHOD’S WAKE — “NJ bill seeks changes to combined reporting regime,” by Law 360’s Maria Koklanaris: “A.B. 5323, introduced Monday by Assembly Budget Chair Eliana Pintor Marin, D-Newark, proposes changes to the combined reporting regime, including a flip back to its prior filing method. Under the bill, some of which was previewed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in his 2024 fiscal year budget plan, New Jersey would switch back to the Finnigan method of combined filing. It is currently using the Joyce method. Under Joyce, each corporation of a unitary group is looked at separately in a determination of whether it is taxable in the state, while under Finnigan, if one member of the group is taxable, the whole group is taxable for apportionment purposes.”

IF ONLY PAULA DOW WAS STILL ATTORNEY GENERAL — “NJ sues Dow, others over widespread possible cancer-causing chemical in drinking water,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “New Jersey sued chemical giant Dow and other companies Thursday, saying a potentially cancer-causing chemical they’ve manufactured, promoted and sold for decades is so prevalent in New Jersey it can be found from the mountains of Ringwood to wells in Fair Lawn and drinking water pulled from the Delaware River. Dow, along with Ferro Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company, made or sold 1,4-dioxane knowing that it would ‘significantly pollute drinking water supplies, render drinking water unusable and unsafe, threaten the public health and welfare, and harm other natural resources,’ the lawsuit alleges.”

LAWMAKERS’ INCOME REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO BE KEPT VAGUE — “Lawmakers want to require salary information in job postings,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “A new measure (A3937) would make the Garden State the sixth state with a law mandating certain businesses to disclose salary ranges or hourly wages when advertising jobs. The bill would also require employers to announce all promotions in internal and external job postings. Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester), leading sponsor of the bill, said this change would help employers and job-seekers alike. ‘I’ve long felt that it’s a waste of time for people applying for jobs, and it’s a waste of time for businesses to go through the interview process and applications, only to find out you don’t mesh in terms of salary requirements,’ Moriarty said. New Jersey’s regional economy makes this a competitive area to recruit workers, Moriarty said, noting that New York and Connecticut have pay transparency laws”

LYLE LANELY LOSES MONORAIL BID — “Port Authority picks 3 finalists to replace Newark Airport monorail,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “After rebooting the process in December, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is getting plans to replace Newark Airport’s aging monorail back on track with the announcement Thursday of three finalists for the project. The three shortlisted firms are: Alstom Transport USA Inc.; DCCCA1 Inc. (Doppelmayr); and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Inc., officials said. All three firms have ‘automatic people mover’ system experience. ‘We are targeting to have a recommendation in the third quarter of 2023,’ said Tom Pietrykoski, a Port Authority spokesman.”

—“No more fall statewide tests, N.J. education department announces”

—“These are the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority’s 3 new board members”

—“In ‘politically significant’ NJ Supreme Court car search case, a ruling against the cops”

—“Group works to pack the N.J. political pipeline with women”

—“Legislators: We must create safe opportunities for women to run for office | Opinion”

THE BENCH — “Federal judge named by Obama will retire at age 52,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A 52-year-old federal judge nominated by President Barack Obama eight years ago has decided to retire, opening up a second vacancy on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey. Judge John Michael Vazquez will step down from a lifetime appointment to the federal bench to return to private practice. He filed a notice of his intention to resign on September 8, 2023. Vazquez is the judge assigned to the case of Sean Caddle, the former political consultant who admitted to a bizarre murder-for-hire scheme in January 2022. Caddle’s sentencing has been rescheduled to June. A former assistant U.S. Attorney and First Assistant Attorney General of New Jersey, Vazquez was a law partner of one of the state’s top criminal defense attorneys, Michael Critchley … As a defense attorney, Vazquez and Critchley obtained an acquittal on federal corruption charges for former Ridgefield Mayor Anthony R. Suarez, now a Superior Court Judge.”

AC: COME FOR THE CIGARETTE SMOKE ON THE CASINO FLOOR, STAY FOR THE RACE CAR NOISE AND FUMES — “$15 million recreation center part of Bader Field deal,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Mayor Marty Small Sr. signed a memorandum of understanding with DEEM Enterprises to create a $3 billion housing and retail development on Bader Field, with a 2.4-mile auto racetrack for residents’ use, during an event Thursday morning at the former airport site. Small called it an ‘historic day’ for the city, and one he and the state have been working towards for about two years … DEEM wants to build luxury housing for owners of high-performance race cars and a 2.4-mile raceway for use by residents. It also plans to build retail space, a high rise, and to provide public parkland for access to the water … The developer has agreed to build the city a $15 million recreation center, Small said, if a redevelopment agreement is signed within six months. In addition, the developer will pay $100 million for the land, for a total of $115 million to the city.”

MUTTERING ABOUT IT — “Toms River turning into a city? Critics slap downtown building plans as too colossal,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “Will plans to build a pair of 10-story apartment towers and a large banquet hall in the downtown change ‘the village of Toms River into the city of Toms River?’ On Wednesday night, former Mayor and Township Clerk J. Mark Mutter said that is what will happen if council members and Mayor Maurice B. ‘Mo’ Hill Jr. continue to move forward with ambitious plans to redevelop the township’s downtown. ‘In my judgment, the future of downtown Toms River can be handled in a better way,’ said Mutter, who is the township’s historian. Mutter successfully lobbied the council to table a resolution that would have continued an agreement with Capodagli Property Co., which was designated ‘conditional redeveloper’ for a downtown parcel that includes a parking lot off Robbins Parkway as well as two dilapidated buildings and a small, fenced parking lot where a former boatworks once stood.”

PATERSON COPS — “State lawmakers join calls for federal probe of Paterson police,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Melissa Rose Cooper: “Social justice advocates have called for a federal investigation into the Paterson Police Department. They say officers have a history of misconduct and unconstitutional practices. Calls for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the department are also drawing support from state legislators after the death earlier this month of Najee Seabrooks following a standoff with police that lasted several hours. “I think looking at a federal monitor and looking at all options that are available to us is a prudent decision that we should not gloss over,” said Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Passaic). “I think the mayor has to get on board and understand where the statistics are when it comes to African Americans and Latinos,” said Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Passaic).”

I ONLY BUY ALICE PAUL ENERGY DRINK — “Prime energy drink, launched by YouTube stars, causes concern in NJ school district,” by The Record’s Liam Quinn: “The drink, Prime, was launched and has been heavily promoted by YouTube megastars Logan Paul and KSI and even had a Super Bowl commercial. It comes in two varieties: Hydration, which is similar to Gatorade, and Energy, which comes in a can and contains 200 mg of caffeine. Prime Energy was brought to the attention of Holmdel High School Principal William Loughran, who sent an email alerting district parents about the drink after being informed about its potential dangers by the school nurse. ‘As I’m sure you could guess, this poses many potential health concerns, especially for students who take ADHD medication,’ Loughran wrote. ‘Please send any students who are exhibiting rapid heart rates or sweating profusely, or who appear very red in the face directly to my office for evaluation.’”

R.I.P. — “Betty Outlaw, who blazed trail for Black women in Jersey City and Hudson County, dies at age 80”

—“Prosecutor investigating fatal shooting of Sayreville councilwoman responds to criticism from her family”

—“How ‘HouseKeepers’ are preserving Father Doyle’s legacy in Camden”

—“[Bellmawr] marijuana cultivation site closing down, entire staff could lose their jobs”

—“Previous audit of Paterson police found wide-ranging issues”

—“Retired Hoboken cop claims he wasn’t promoted after reporting misconduct of chief’s friends”

—“Judge’s ruling a setback in quest for public access to [Edgewater] waterfront”

—“GOP cites diversity, Democrats back a slate in Cape May County”

HAIR AND PRESENT DANGER — “Monmouth University ‘armed subject’ was only carrying a curling iron, officials say,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jenna Calderon: “The reported armed subject at Monmouth University had a curling iron that was mistaken for a weapon, university officials said, adding that the university will have a delayed opening Thursday because of the ‘impact’ from the incident. A ‘shelter in place’ order issued Wednesday around 9:15 p.m. at Monmouth University was lifted Thursday at 1:40 a.m., after police gave the ‘all clear,’ according to an email from University President Patrick F. Leahy to the university community.”

—“Antisemitic incidents hit new record highs in N.J. and nationwide”

—“Rutgers Law School names new dean to oversee 2 N.J. campuses”

—“The stranger in the mirror: A fiery car wreck nearly killed him. Then he risked it all on a revolutionary face transplant”

—“Kennedy, Lutz-Koch appointed to Stockton University board”