Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I want to hear a lot more from him. Because the guy’s a winner who wins elections.” – Assemblyman Bergen on former Governor Christie
TOP STORY: Election Officials Skeptical of Partisan System ‘Fixes’
The US Supreme Court ruled that NJ Transit isn’t immune from out-of-state lawsuit, according to NJ Monitor.
NJ gas prices are rising amid the Iran conflict, according to the Daily Journal.
The state could join other states in replacing EZ Pass transponders with a sticker, according to NJ.com.
The state is getting $10M from the federal government for World Cup transit costs, according to NJ Herald.
Shore counties are battling the state over a controversial elevation policy, according to NJ.com.
Atlantic County proposed a $283M budget with a tax rate cut, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Bergen County Executive Tedesco delivered the State of the County, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICE blasted Senator Booker for comments about the Roxbury warehouse purchase, according to SaveJersey.
Rider University will sell part of its campus, according to NJ.com.
ICYMI: Roxbury ICE disappointment and anger; Malinowski conceded
GOP Senate primary candidate Justin Murphy won the backing of the Mercer County GOP.
In CD2, the Cumberland County Democratic chair disputes a reported endorsement of Mullock, according to NJ Globe.
In CD7, Democratic candidates participated in a forum, according to NJ Hills.
In CD12, Mayor Cohen was endorsed by Senator Greenstein.
The RNC is suing Bergen County, according to NorthJersey.com.
Bergen County Democrats endorsed former Oakland Mayor Schwager for surrogate, according to NJ Globe.
Two Democrats are taking a swing at Cape May County commission seats, according to Cape May Herald.
Governor Sherrill endorsed Essex County Executive DiVincenzo for re-election.
Livingston Mayor Klein has his sights set on a Essex commission seat.
ICYMI: In CD7, Bennett secured Hunterdon Dems backing; in CD11, Hathaway hopes to turn district red; Roxbury ICE saga putting heat on Bucco; Kean getting busy; Hunterdon Dems postponed convention; CD11 special election now set; Dems size up 2028
NJ elections officials are skeptical of proposed federal and state partisan election system fixes.
Aaron Binder was sworn-in as State Treasurer.
Senate Majority Leader Ruiz was named to the Hill’s ‘Top 50 Women Shaping Policy’ list.
Senator Booker’s brother remains a top aide in the Governor’s Office, according to Politico NJ.
The UTCA’s Rible was honored by the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council.
The ABC-NJ criticized Governor Sherrill for requiring PLAs on the Newark Bay Bridge project.
ICYMI: Sherrill announced hires; Sherrill warned of a ‘serious structural deficit’; Smith grilled Cha; SJU advanced ICE mask ban; lawmakers advanced legislation targeting ICE
In Audubon, officials are preparing the budget, according to the Retrospect.
In Barrington, the knox box fire access rule was previewed, according to the Retrospect.
In Bernards, the GOP endorsed candidates for committee, according to TAPinto.
In Califon, Haversang won’t seek re-election to the council, according to TAPinto.
In Clifton, the city manager was suspended, according to NorthJersey.com.
In East Hanover, a principal transfer is aggravating parents, according to NJ Hills.
In Franklin, the planning board will consider land use matters, according to TAPinto.
In Hillsborough, the GOP nominated candidates, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, Mayor Jabbour says the initial budget has a $17M deficit and 20% tax increase, according to Hudson County View.
In Jackson, the former police director is suing the town, according to NJ.com.
In Jersey City, BOE members traded barbs with protesters, according to JC Times.
In Lodi, the town received a $1M grant, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Manasquan, the town is confronting decades of deferred underground infrastructure costs, according to TAPinto.
In Montvale, the town is back in court over a developer deal, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Mount Laurel, a public safety director job was created, according to 70and73.com.
In Morris Township, the committee will vote on affordable housing ordinances, according to TAPinto. A affordable housing plan puts seven sites in play, according to NJ Herald.
In New Brunswick, four are running for three BOE seats, according to TAPinto.
In Newark, the NJISJ released a report on the police consent decree.
In Oaklyn, the council is weighing options for a former unsafe comic store, according to the Retrospect.
In Ocean Gate, the elementary school will close, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Old Bridge, a zoning board member threatened to call ICE on a tree crew, according to NJ.com.
In Paterson, the city is in a spat with its own staff attorney, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Passaic, a BOE vacancy was filled, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Phillipsburg, the town is racing to meet the state funding deadline for town upgrades, according to the Lehigh Valley Live.
In Pleasantville, Gibson was appointed to the council, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Pohatcong, landlords were urged to comply with the lead paint law, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Rahway, over 200 apartments were added to a redevelopment plan, according to MyCentralJersey. The water utility sale was delayed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Rockaway, the council opposes the ICE detention facility, according to NJ Hills.
In Roxbury, schools face a $3M budget pressure, according to NJ Hills.
In Toms River, the mayor wants to strip MUA commissioners of health benefits, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Voorhees, the planning board is being sued for rejecting a proposed Wawa, according to Burlington County Times.
In Wayne, the town is getting tough on soliciting, according to NorthJersey.com.
AROUND THE WEB:
BINJE’s Best: Presenting the 2026 Top Women in Business
BINJE
- They are CEOs and managing partners, principals and executive directors — leaders in health care, economic development, law, energy, public affairs, higher education, the arts, communications, marketing and more. The BINJE’s Best: Top Women in Business for 2026 is a true who’s who of decision-makers and thought leaders across New Jersey.
NJ’s biggest Catholic diocese hits pause on plan to merge parishes
Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com
- Last June, the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark launched a review called “We Are His Witnesses,” which aimed to consider potential consolidations or closures of some of its 211 North Jersey parishes.
Bergen County looks ahead to mergers, park upgrades, 250th celebration
Kristie Cattafi, NorthJersey.com
- County Executive James Tedesco delivered his 12th annual State of the County address on March 4, highlighting past accomplishments and looking to the future.
Will NJ give up control of Paterson police? Here’s what new AG said
Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press
- In her first public event in the city, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said she has not yet crafted a timeline for ending state control of the local Police Department. But Davenport noted that the state takeover occurred nearly three years ago.
Judge charged with violating political ethics rules by wearing Palestine hat to conference
Zach Blackburn, NJ Globe
- An Essex County municipal judge faces disciplinary charges after wearing a hat emblazoned with the word “Palestine” and the Palestinian flag, as well as a keffiyeh, at a judicial conference last summer in an alleged violation of the judiciary’s prohibition on political speech. The Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct charges that Steven Brister, a part-time municipal judge in East Orange and acting judge in the cities of Newark and Orange, violated the judiciary’s conduct and political speech rules at a conference for municipal court employees last June.
Bayville welcomes Shore Good Eats with exciting new menu
Kylie Moore, NJ1015
- It’s always great to see hard work pay off. Even better if part of the payoff is New Jerseyans being well-fed (selfish, I know, but we like our food). That’s the case with the story of Shore Good Eats on the Jersey shore.
County Needs to Open up on the Airport Issue
Cape May County Herald
- Despite numerous protestations to the contrary by county Commissioner Bobby Barr, the county commission has not been transparent on its plans for the county airport and has resisted informing the public on developments. For 19 months, county commissioners have said they dare not talk about the plans for the airport even though Barr says he is “chomping at the bit to do so.”
Tour the last royal governor’s mansion in America in Perth Amboy
Jenna Intersimone, MyCentralJersey.com
- Originally built in 1762 as the Royal Governor’s Mansion, the Proprietary House in Perth Amboy was home to William Franklin — the Loyalist son of Benjamin Franklin and the 13th Colonial governor, and last royal governor, of East Jersey. It is the only remaining royal governor’s mansion from the original 13 colonies.
False Submarine Sighting Post Sparks Concerns At The Shore
Jersey Shore Online
- A widely shared social media post claiming that a submarine surfaced off the New Jersey coast stirred alarm among residents, but authorities say there is no evidence to support the report. The claim originated from a post on Jersey Coast Emergency News, a monetized Facebook page with 409,000 followers.
Eddie Vedder talks horsing around with Bruce Springsteen in Colts Neck
Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
- Who’s horsing around? Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder, that’s who. The Pearl Jam frontman recounted his experience riding horses with the Springsteens at the Boss’ Colts Neck home on the Monday, March 3 episode of SiriusXM’s “The Howard Stern Show.”
Elizabeth A Meyers, TAPinto.net
- In the midst of ongoing U.S. military action in the countries in the Middle East, American citizens traveling in the region are being urged by the U.S. State Department to return home. The Department says they are providing travel options for American citizens in Middle Eastern counties who wish to leave the region.
Revolutionary Roots lecture series draws strong community interest
NJ Hills
- History, or at least hearing and learning about it, seems to be alive in well in the township.
Why Community Colleges are a Smart Financial Choice in New Jersey
Judi Franco, NJ1015
- For some reason, there’s always been a prejudice against community colleges. And a prevailing thought that if you don’t go straight to a four-year school, you’re somehow behind, but it’s not true. Especially in New Jersey.
Can legacy brands like Coach bring Gen Z shoppers to the mall? Cherry Hill Mall executives think so.
Erin McCarthy, Philadelphia Inquirer
- When Coach opened a store at the Cherry Hill Mall in November, mall executives were ecstatic — even though it’s been 85 years since the high-end retailer was founded.
