Good Wednesday morning!

Three guys with guns walk into a bar. That’s not a joke. It’s a taste of things to come in New Jersey. Well, as long as the bar doesn’t have a problem with it.

So says U.S. District Court Judge Renée Marie Bumb, who yesterday reaffirmed and expanded the enforcement suspension of much of New Jersey’s recently passed concealed carry law that barred people from bringing guns from a bunch of public places. The law was written in response to a Supreme Court decision that effectively did away with New Jersey’s “justifiable need” standard to get a concealed carry permit. It was also meant to apply to places like zoos and medical offices. Bumb suspended the law’s liability insurance mandate as well. Some parts of the law remain in place. Business owners can prohibit people from bringing guns inside, for instance.

We’ll see if this sticks. I’m guessing it will. And at this rate, New Jersey’s gun laws are going to be much closer to states with a more pro-gun populace.

When I write about how gun control laws have proved popular in New Jersey — which has one of the lowest rates of gun deaths in the country (I’m aware that includes suicides) — readers sometimes tell me that public opinion doesn’t matter. Gun rights are in the Constitution and not subject to its whim.

I understand that the Constitution says what the Supreme Court says it does. But the 2nd Amendment is and has been, like other parts of the document, open to interpretation. And of course the Supreme Court justice’s political beliefs affect how they interpret it. It was the same for the justices that on prior courts allowed states like New Jersey to have strict gun control measures.

Read more from Daniel Han here.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I couldn’t imagine what they wanted with a Republican senator at 8 in the morning. It couldn’t be good.” — State Sen. Jon Bramnick recounting watching Murphy Chief of Staff George Helmy pulling up to a diner for an 8 a.m. meeting to tell him his law partner Michael Noriega was under consideration for the state Supreme Court.

TWITTER FIGHT OF THE DAY — Official 2025 Democratic gubernatorial primary candidate Steve Fulop vs. unofficial 2025 gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarell

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Andrew Zwicker, John Hogan, Lawrence Bathgate, Jun Choi, Cort Adelman, Ginamarie Cordero

WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule

MONEY FOR NOTHING AND YOUR CHITS FOR FREE — Murphy shapes state Supreme Court with young Democrats of the MTV generation, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: They could be known as the Generation X justices. With the naming on Monday of Michael Noriega to the state Supreme Court, Gov. Phil Murphy has now chosen three 40-somethings to one of the most prestigious assignments in public service. If confirmed, the 45-year-old Noriega would be the eldest of Murphy’s Democratic nominees, joining justices Rachel Wainer Apter and Fabiana Pierre-Louis, both 42. It’s a rare infusion of youth that means each one could serve at least 25 years on the bench before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 — shaping New Jersey law and, potentially, Murphy’s legacy along the way. “There are very few policies that he’ll put in place that will still be impacting New Jerseyans 20 years from now,” said Alexander Shalom, director of Supreme Court Advocacy for the ACLU of New Jersey.

MONEY FOR SOMETHING — How fundraising stacks up in closely watched primaries, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Truck driver Ed Durr made national news in 2021 for taking out the most powerful lawmaker in New Jersey as a virtual unknown with barely any budget. Now, after becoming a state senator and something of a celebrity on the right for defeating then-Senate President Steve Sweeney in the 3rd District, Durr’s celebrity status hasn’t translated into prolific fundraising — even if he’s taking in more than he was two years ago, when he didn’t realistically expect to win. The Durr-Beth Sawyer primary is one of the most-talked-about contests in New Jersey, but there are several contested legislative primary races from the state’s top to the state’s bottom. Candidates statewide have raised a record $32.8 million, according to disclosures released Tuesday by the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Democrats, who hold the majority in both chambers, have raised three times more than Republicans and even after outspending the GOP, still had four times as much in the bank — $14.8 million compared to $3.9 million, according to the commission.

TRENTON TAKES — “Paterson’s police chief has been transferred to a state role in Trenton. This is why,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “State law enforcement officials have transferred the city’s deposed police chief, Engelbert Ribeiro, to a new assignment in Trenton, despite the mayor’s request to keep him in Paterson. Ribeiro on Monday began a new job at the New Jersey attorney general’s Police Training Commission, with the city still paying his $225,000 annual salary, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. Ribeiro took the oath of office as chief on March 3 before being relieved of command 24 days later in the state takeover of the troubled Paterson Police Department. … Mayor Andre Sayegh plans to put Ribeiro back in the chief’s position after the state intervention has ended, according to city government correspondence obtained by Paterson Press … By remaining in Paterson, city officials said, Ribeiro would have an opportunity to interact with the man the state has put in charge of the municipal police, Isa Abbassi, who recently retired from the New York City Police Department as a chief. Abbassi has said he would be putting together a two-year plan for the Paterson department.”

I THINK STEVE FULOP MAY BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR — “The corporate surtax isn’t a nice-to-have tax. It’s critical,” by Steve Fulop for The Star-Ledger: “Those advocating to keep it are right. Extending the CBT surtax is good for New Jersey’s future and we have an opportunity to use these funds to finally have a dedicated revenue stream to fund New Jersey Transit. Officials from New Jersey Transit recently reported to the legislature that they are likely to face a nearly $1 billion deficit in FY2026 – why would we eliminate a commonsense tax on the wealthiest, most profitable corporations in our state that could help us sustain our trains and buses, which are essential for commerce? The CBT will realize in 2026 an almost identical amount of revenue to fund the upcoming projected NJ Transit gap in perpetuity. … Large profitable corporations need to pay their fair share to build the infrastructure and investments that our communities need to thrive.”

—“AG says Paterson takeover will take two years”

—Stile: “Was NJ Supreme Court nomination a rare moment of bipartisan governance?”

—“Spadea casts his lot in contested legislative primaries”

—“NJ Supreme Court rejects bid to get Murphy to add construction money for urban schools”

—“Murphy rejects push for all N.J. police, firefighters to retire with pensions after 20 years”

—“Hispanic Bar Association urges Noriega confirmation, but group’s leader asks for a Latina justice in the future”

—Profile: “NJ’s attorney general confronts gun violence, corruption, police reform — and a paradox”

—“N.J.’s homeless to get easier access to mental health help under law Murphy just signed”

MORAN TO CHRISTIE: TAKE THE BAT OUT — “Christie will run. Send him money. Here’s why,” by The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “Here are six words I never expected to write: Please donate money to Chris Christie. Because America needs Christie to be on the stage, in fighting form, when Republicans hold their first presidential debate in August. He is the only potential contender with the guts to give Trump the thrashing he deserves, and the skill set to get it done. He’s made for this moment. … I know, Christie helped create this monster in 2016 as the first major Republican to endorse Trump, and he stuck with Trump through the first term. … For that, Christie will have to answer to history. … [If] you don’t like Christie to begin with, it might be a heavy lift to see him as a savior now, as the guy who might at least wound Trump enough to cripple him in the general election against Biden. It might hurt you to write him a check, even for $1, even if you scribble a hateful message on the memo line. … But please, get over it. If you are looking for someone to love, buy a dog. In this political moment, patriotism demands strategic thinking.”

THE DEBTFORD LIMIT — “Spending cuts, federal debt limit impacting NJ residents,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Reitmeyer: “Under a worst-case scenario, a prolonged impasse could force the federal government to default on upcoming debt payments, something economists have predicted could derail the U.S. economy and cause a surge in unemployment, including in New Jersey. However, even a compromise between Democratic President Joe Biden and House Republicans on raising the national debt limit could result in major financial consequences for New Jersey, including federal spending cuts sought by Republicans that experts say would likely be felt at the state level. A clawback of unused aid the federal government sent to New Jersey and other states in response to the COVID-19 pandemic remains on the table as meetings in the nation’s capital are expected to continue this week. In New Jersey, roughly $1 billion in federal aid remains unallocated by Murphy and lawmakers, according to a recent accounting.”

—Biden appoints 2 additional top aides to try and get to the finish line on debt ceiling talks

—“What does the debt ceiling mean for you? What is it? Why is it important in New Jersey?”

SEASIDE HEIGHTS PROTECTS ITS STERLING REPUTATION — “New Jersey may have green-lit legal weed, but whether or not the Jersey Shore wants it is still hazy,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Henry Savage: “Last year was the first summer of legal weed sales in New Jersey, however a year in, there is only a single adult-use cannabis dispensary for adult consumers at southern beaches in New Jersey. … Atlantic City is poised to not only be the only place you can gamble at the Jersey Shore but also the only place to buy and consume cannabis by the end of this year. .. There are other legal weed shops north of Atlantic City, but for Philly beachgoers, many won’t make the hour-plus trek up to the farther north Shore towns of Neptune or Eatontown, NJ. … Most towns south of Atlantic City have opted out of adult-use cannabis. Some towns have even gone a further step by implementing their own ban on consuming cannabis products in public or cannabis businesses from operating entirely, including Cape May, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Wildwood Crest, and Seaside Heights.”

“With mayor’s support, attorney announces bid to unseat Fisher in Hoboken’s Second Ward,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “Only three days after announcing her re-election campaign, the incumbent Hoboken Second Ward councilwoman has a fight on her hands against a challenger backed by Mayor Ravi Bhalla. Marla Decker, an attorney and currently the managing director of Lake Whillans, a litigation finance firm, announced her candidacy Monday morning for the seat currently held by Tiffanie Fisher, who announced her intention to run for re-election Friday. … Decker’s campaign marks the beginning of pseudo-proxy battle by Bhalla against Fisher; the councilwoman has been a vocal critic of the mayor in recent years”

HOW PROSPECT PARK BECAME GORKY PARK — “Russian accused of ransomware attacks, including on Passaic County police department,” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “Federal law enforcement officials on Tuesday said they are offering up to $10 million for information that could lead to the arrest of a Russian national linked to hundreds of ransomware attacks, including one on Prospect Park’s Police Department. Officials with the Department of State said Mikhail Pavlovich Matveev is wanted in connection with hundreds of internet-based scams designed to extort money from U.S.-based victims. He has been charged by federal officials with conspiring to transmit ransom demands, conspiring to damage protected computers and intentionally damaging protected computers, court records show. If convicted, he faces over 20 years in prison. Matveev’s alleged victims included hospitals, nonprofits and government agencies, said Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., the assistant U.S. attorney general.”

—Snowflack “The not-so-great debate”

—“Wayne residents in for highest tax hike since Great Recession of ’08. Here’s why”

—“In a meeting filled with cheers, jeers, and some tears, Princeton board rejects Chmiel’s reinstatement bid, 8-2”

—“Three Jersey City cannabis dispensaries on the cusp on opening, another 19 also close to full approval”

—“Hundreds of Montclair parents voice anger at budget cutting teachers, paraprofessionals”

—“Atlantic County increases salaries for Board of Elections, law enforcement jobs”

—"[Holmdel’s] Big Bang antenna is in the middle of a ‘political circus,’ property owner says”

FOUND BY COPS WALKING THE BLEAT — “‘Peeping goat’ caught, sent to a farm, N.J. cops say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Camille Furst: “Police have found and corralled the “Peeping Goat” that had been peering into windows and doors of homes in Chatham Township, officials said. The goat is now ‘resting comfortably at his new home at a local farm,’ the Chatham Township Police Department said Monday in a social media post. Police said Thursday they were ‘actively searching’ for a peeping goat seen around Morris County town. … It’s unclear who owned the goat or how it got loose.”

BEING BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS WORSE THAN JAIL — “Woman, 29, who enrolled at N.J. high school with fake documents to avoid jail,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “A 29-year-old woman from South Korea who authorities say attended several days of classes at New Brunswick High School by using a fake birth certificate to enroll will have the chance to avoid jail time by completing a pre-trial program for first-time offenders, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday. Hyejeong Shin, of New Brunswick, must complete three years of the pre-trial intervention program, Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Craig Corson said. Shin was also ordered to pay fines and must submit to a mental health evaluation.”

—“Born in a Japanese internment camp, N.J. man has spent his life as a civil rights advocate”

—“[Bridgewater Commons] is about to undergo a transformation, new owners say”

—“NJ total gambling revenue up 9.5% in April, but in-person casino revenue down 1.6%’”

—‘‘Zombie drug’ the newest hurdle in the fight to reduce drug deaths”