Good Thursday morning!
New Jersey’s positive testing rate for coronavirus has declined to about 39.5 percent, from more than 43 percent, Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said yesterday.
Advertisement
That, on its face, looks like good news. But if Gov. Murphy is serious about letting the “data dictate dates” on reopening New Jersey’s economy, it’s daunting. Because the World Health Organization recommends a 10 percent testing rate.
The rate of positive tests will almost certainly go down with ramped-up testing. But New Jersey isn’t there yet. And it’s going to be a while before it is. NJ Advance Media has a good run down on why this could take so long.
Expect Murphy to face a lot more political pressure to open things up before the state has as widespread testing as it would like. But with his 77 percent approval rating in a new poll higher than Chris Christie's polling peak — if you don't count the partial sample from a 2012 post-Sandy FDU poll that showed Christie at 77 percent as well — he’s got some room. He’s also got farther to fall. And though the majority of the public says they expect to open up in months, not weeks, it’s easy to see opposition growing as this goes on. More on the polls below.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We certainly understand that for many of these facilities, it was the equivalent of a 500-year flood, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t examine how folks responded when those flood waters started rising.” — Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on long-term health care facilities
WHERE’S MURPHY?: In Trenton for his daily press conference at 1 p.m. Media: East Orange Mayor Ted Green's Facebook Live at 6 p.m. and NJTV at 6:30 p.m.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: DevCo’s Chris Paladino, LD1 staffer Sam Bender
CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 1,513 newly-diagnosed cases for a total of 131,890. 308 more deaths attributed to the virus for a total of 8,549.
Send tips to [email protected]
WHAT TRENTON MADE
NEERA TANDEN NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS AS WELL? — New Jersey hires health experts to lead review of long-term care facilities, by POLITICO’s Samantha Maldonado: Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has hired a team of nationally experienced public health experts to issue recommendations to reform New Jersey’s long-term care facilities, making good on a promise to enact sweeping changes to how those facilities are regulated. Manatt Health’s Cindy Mann and Carol Raphael will lead the team charged with supporting the state Department of Health and undertaking a two- to three-week review to address immediate concerns related to protecting long-term care facility residents and staff. The team will also advise on potential state or federal action to improve quality, safety and resilience within the system.
HOSPITALS — “N.J. hospitals are among the busiest places in the country right now. So, why are they going broke?” by NJ Advance Media’s Kelly Heyboer: “For University Hospital, the lack of patients means a lack of cash. The state’s only public hospital, which was in the black earlier this year, is now hemorrhaging $7.5 million a month due to the crisis. It expects to be a staggering $50 million to $70 million in the red — and in need of a major public bailout — by the end of the calendar year… Other hospitals around New Jersey tell the same ironic story. While they are struggling to treat a flood of coronavirus patients in one of the epicenters of the worldwide pandemic, they are also facing a deepening financial crisis because they don’t have enough regular patients. Coronavirus has exposed one of the stark truths of hospital economics: Emergency patients don’t really pay the bills. It’s the elective procedures — the joint replacements, the plastic surgeries, the pacemaker implementations — covered by health insurance that are the real moneymakers for hospitals.”
POLL POSITION — 2 polls show Murphy's popularity remaining high during pandemic, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s approval ratings remain high as the state’s residents continue to rally around him during the coronavirus pandemic, according to two polls released Wednesday. But New Jerseyans actually give New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo somewhat better grades for his handling of the crisis, according to one of the polls. According to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll of 1,502 New Jersey residents, 77 percent approve of Murphy’s performance as governor, compared with 21 percent who disapprove. Murphy’s approval rating is a 25 percent jump from the last Rutgers-Eagleton poll from April 2019 that measured his approval rating.
2.2 MASTROS — New Jersey lawmaker proposes $20M burial fund for coronavirus victims, by Matt: New Jersey Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly calls himself the “unfortunate sponsor of a needed bill” as coronavirus deaths continue to mount across the state. Wimberly, a Democrat whose Paterson-based district in North Jersey is in one of that state’s coronavirus hot spots, said his office has received dozens of phone calls from constituents having a hard time affording funeral expenses for loved ones who have died from Covid-19. “Between that and unemployment issues, we’re flooded,” Wimberly said in a phone interview. New Jersey already has a funeral public assistance program for residents enrolled in a number of state and federal welfare programs. That program pays up to $2,246 for funeral expenses and $524 for cemetery expenses, and allows families to supplement it with up to $1,570 of their own money. Wimberly’s bill, NJ A4033, would create a different, one-year program with less stringent guidelines on eligibility and leave it up to the state human services commissioner to decide the maximum amount a family could be reimbursed.
LOOK THEY’RE FIGHTING AGAIN — “Sweeney: We need more info on governor’s borrowing plan,” by NJ Spotlight’s John Reitmeyer: “Sweeney said during a lengthy interview Tuesday with NJ Spotlight that he’s been waiting several weeks for the administration to respond to basic questions about the borrowing plan, even as the governor has been publicly pressuring lawmakers to sign on. ‘The problem we have — and I’ve told the governor — I’m not opposed to bonding,' Sweeney said. 'But I am opposed to doing it without knowing what we’re doing with (the proceeds), and how much we need.’ ‘We’ve been asking for weeks — weeks,’ Sweeney added. Asked for a response, Murphy spokesman Darryl Isherwood disputed Sweeney’s version, saying the state treasurer and other administration officials have met in recent weeks with legislative leaders and 'provided written answers to over two dozen questions.'”
LIZETTE: THE BEST THE STATE COULD GET? — “Pushed out in SDA patronage scandal, woman is getting large sum from NJ in settlement,” by The Record’s Dustin Racioppi: “The Murphy administration agreed to pay more than half a million dollars to settle a lawsuit brought by a former high-ranking official who warned of improper hiring at the Schools Development Authority and claimed she was being forced out of the agency … The former director of human resources, Maribell Osnayo-Lytle, had also claimed she was being discriminated against by the authority's chief executive officer, Lizette Delgado-Polanco, an ally of Gov. Phil Murphy who later resigned as the Network detailed political patronage under her command. Osnayo-Lytle filed the lawsuit in September and it was dismissed by a federal judge last week. In an April 14 settlement agreement obtained by the Network, the authority has agreed to pay $550,000, most of which will go to Osnayo-Lytle for lost wages and alleged emotional distress. About $220,000 will pay for legal fees, according to the agreement.”
SIGNS OF THE TIMES — “‘Knucklehead’ highway signs were a 1st for N.J.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “New Jersey’s recent attempt at a road safety message with snark — ‘Don’t be a knucklehead, keep a safe distance’ — debuted on highways this past weekend. It was a first for Garden State roadways. ‘While many state DOTs have used humor to convey safety messages on variable message sign boards for quite some time, NJDOT had not used such quips until this weekend,’ said Steve Shapiro, a spokesman for the state department of transportation.”
—“Coronavirus NJ: Why are 'people surprised that this is happening' to minorities?”
—“Booker wants Murphy to release more inmates as N.J. has highest coronavirus prison death rate”
—“Beaches, construction sites, curbside businesses may be next to reopen, Murphy says”
—“N.J. expects to finally get through unemployment backlog next week, Murphy says”
—“Lakewood rabbi joins Catholic priest's lawsuit against Murphy"
—“Frangione leaving Murphy staff”
TRUMP ERA
SHOT — ”Trump and some top aides question accuracy of virus death toll,” by Axios’ Jonathan Swan: “President Trump has complained to advisers about the way coronavirus deaths are being calculated, suggesting the real numbers are actually lower — and a number of his senior aides share this view, according to sources with direct knowledge.”
CHASER — “N.J. sees ‘catastrophic’ surge in deaths, thousands more than official COVID tally,” by WHYY’s Joe Hernandez: “New data released by the State of New Jersey suggests the true toll of COVID-19 may be much greater than previously thought. Vital statistics released by the state show the total number of deaths by any cause between March and April rose from 12,567 last year to 23,070 this year. The 10,503 additional deaths recorded this year represent an 83% increase over 2019. ‘This is just not something we have seen in American mortality data in a long time. It’s astonishing,’ said Andrew Noymer, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Irvine … The 10,503 additional deaths recorded this year are 45% higher than the 7,228 coronavirus deaths the state officially recorded beween March and April, which epidemiologists such as Noymer say is a sign that New Jersey is likely undercounting the true death toll from the pandemic.”
—"Menendez bill aims to help cities pay the bills"
LOCAL
DROPPING LIKE A BRICK — “Shore towns face epidemic in red ink; are layoffs, tax hikes next?” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “The statewide lockdown prompted by the coronavirus pandemic has slashed revenues in towns throughout the Jersey Shore, leaving municipal officials scrambling to balance budgets while avoiding massive layoffs and major service cuts. Building departments aren't receiving fees for construction permits and inspections; municipal courts haven't collected fines; parking revenue has declined; and with some 900,000 New Jersey workers filing for unemployment benefits since mid-March officials worry about unpaid property taxes as well. Towns are also facing some increased costs, including buying personal protective equipment for essential workers, retrofitting municipal offices with protective barriers that will be installed between employees and visitors, and erecting signs warning people to maintain proper social distancing in parks and on boardwalks. Local leaders say increased property taxes and staff cuts could soon become a reality if towns don't get additional aid .. ‘It's a scary time here in Brick Township,’said Mayor John Ducey, who has seen township revenues drop by $1 million since January. "...That's only going to increase as time goes on.’”
NOBODY BELIEVES YOU — “Edison councilwoman denies hate posts on Facebook: I was ‘hacked’,” by NJ 1015’s Erin Vogt: “The Township Council president has been accused of sharing two inflammatory posts on Facebook — one anti-Semitic in nature and another that suggested Chinese people were to blame for the pandemic. In response, Joyce Ship-Freeman said her page was 'hacked' and that she is being attacked for 'purely political' reasons. 'I am a proud African American woman who rose above it all and will not let men bully me when they don’t get their way. Shame on them for hating a woman who happens to be African American and a senior citizen,' Ship-Freeman, a Democrat, said Wednesday evening in an email to New Jersey 101.5 News.”
VAUGHN NOT GONE — “Trenton clerk Dwayne Harris resigns amid audit demand, fervor over Robin Vaughn's homophobic rant,” by The Trentonian’s Isaac Avilucea: “Well, someone is resigning from City Hall, but it's not who you think. City clerk Dwayne Harris informed Trenton officials he's leaving his post, The Trentonian has learned. The clerk's decision comes amid continued controversy and unrest swirling around City Hall over councilwoman Robin Vaughn's homophobic tirade on Saturday's coronavirus call. City records obtained by The Trentonian also show the clerk's decision to cut bait in the capital city comes a day after another legislator accused him of lying about the availability of funding for council aides and called for an audit of the clerk's office.”
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — “Parsippany town clerk charged with domestic violence faces lifetime weapons ban,” by The Daily Record’s Svetlana Shkolnikova: “Township Clerk Khaled Madin could be banned for life from owning firearms and serve a year of probation for allegedly assaulting a woman in two domestic violence incidents over the last year ... The 37-year-old clerk is married to Monica Madin, Parsippany's municipal prosecutor, who owns a Morristown law firm with her husband. Khaled Madin is expected to decide on a plea offer from Morris County prosecutors this month after allegedly forcing himself into the woman’s apartment in Parsippany in February. Court documents say Madin threw his victim against the floor, walls and furniture and that there was a child present at the time. While reporting that incident to police, the woman also accused Madin of choking her until she blacked out during an argument in July 2019.”
FARMERVILLE — “Paterson hiring consultant to pursue coronavirus reimbursements,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “City officials are looking to award a $60,000 contract to a politically connected consulting firm to help Paterson get reimbursed from the federal government for money spent in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Millennium Strategies, which is based in Morristown, would provide the city with disaster recovery administrative services at the rate of $180 per hour, according to public records. The company’s president, Ed Farmer, is a friend and political supporter of Mayor Andre Sayegh. Four other companies submitted proposals seeking the contract. Two of the firms proposed hourly rates that exceeded Millennium Strategies’ prices, and two others offered lower rates.”
JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY — “Jackson council president resigns: 'Nothing to do' with coronavirus, National Guard comments,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “Council President Barry Calogero is resigning from his post effective immediately but says it has ‘nothing to do’ with his call for the National Guard to enforce stay-at-home orders or the backlash he received for ‘inciting fear and anti-Semitism’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview, Calogero said the pandemic opened his eyes to how much time he'd spent away from his family due to his job with the federal Agriculture Department, his council post and the struggles of Parkinson's Disease. ‘I knew, when I took my job with the government, that I wasn't going to run again,’ Calogero said. ‘The reason I stepped down now is, quite, honestly, COVID-19 made me realize how vulnerable the people in my life are.’”
—“Lawsuit claims Englewood DPW workers with COVID-19 were sent back to work with symptoms”
—Pizarro: “The political implications for each mayor in key May 12th towns”
—“Cape May County submits reopening plan to Murphy”
—“Garfield candidate who died of coronavirus remains on the school board ballot. What if he wins?”
—“Camden receives nearly $800,000 for Brownfield remediations”
—“In latest lawsuit against [Monroe] school district, superintendent sues after being fired abruptly”
—“Hoboken to have gradual reopening of municipal, county parks beginning Friday”
—“Flemington: Court favors Union Hotel redevelopment in latest appeal”
—“Middlesex County invests $25 million in new Rutgers Cancer Pavilion”
EVERYTHING ELSE
—“Montclair State braces for deep drop in enrollment, funding due to coronavirus fallout”
—“Luxor Capital granted license to operate Ocean Casino Resort”
"peak" - Google News
May 07, 2020 at 05:55PM
https://ift.tt/3cekVcu
Murphy tops Christie's polling peak - POLITICO - Politico
"peak" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2KZvTqs
https://ift.tt/2Ywz40B
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Murphy tops Christie's polling peak - POLITICO - Politico"
Post a Comment