Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We’re expecting a very moderate, flat budget and she has to moderate budget and hit the reset button because we’re in dire times.” – A source on the Governor’s first budget
TOP STORY: Trenton Sources Prepare for Sherrill Budget Speech
The endless winter has buried NJ snow removal budgets, according to NorthJersey.com.
The tax burden in the state is among the highest in the nation, according to Burlington County Times.
Here’s how the NJ congressional delegation voted on the Iran war powers resolution.
Jersey Shore summer rentals are getting snatched up by richer tourists, according to the Jerey Shore, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Atlantic County Executive Levinson delivered the budget message, according to Downbeach. County officials are reconsidering a new jail as the Camden plan falters, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Hunterdon County commissioners approved IT upgrades, according to TAPinto.
Mueller will step down as head of the Passaic Valley Water Commission, according to NorthJersey.com.
Senator Kim plans to vote against Senator Mullin’s nomination for DHS Secretary.
Senator Booker introduced the ‘Keep Your Pay Act’.
Rep. Gottheimer voted for the Iran war powers resolution after all, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICE blamed Rep. Watson Coleman for spreading ‘fear and confusion’, according to NJ101.5.
President Trump blasted Rutgers’ Athletics spending, according to NJ.com.
RVCC is tackling campus food insecurity, according to MyCentralJersey.
ICYMI: Roxbury ICE disappointment and anger; Malinowski conceded
The Cape May GOP endorsed Zdan for Senate, according to NJ Globe. Zdan was endorsed by the Cumberland and Salem Republicans, according to NJ Globe.
In CD2, Alexander won the backing of the Atlantic County Democrats, according to NJ Globe. The Cumberland County Democrats endorsed Alexander, according to NJ Globe.
In CD11, Mejia countered the GOP narrative that she is a radical socialist.
In CD12, the Old Bridge Democratic Chair endorsed Cohen, according to NJ Globe.
In LD4, Assemblyman Hutchison won’t seek re-election next year, according to NJ Globe.
Bender is seeking the Atlantic County clerk’s seat, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: In CD7, Bennett secured Hunterdon Dems backing; in CD11, Hathaway hopes to turn district red; ICE saga putting heat on Bucco
Statehouse sources are preparing for Governor Sherrill’s budget proposal.
The StayNJ program could be in jeopardy under Governor Sherrill’s first budget, according to NJ.com.
There could be obstacles in Governor Sherrill’s first budget, according to NJ Globe.
Republicans want towns to return unspent state grants, according to NJ.com.
The LD24 legislators rebuked the Sussex County teachers’ union over a ‘concentration camp’ claim about detention centers, according to TAPinto. The union won’t back down, according to NJ.com.
Senator O’Scanlon says the budget is Governor Sherrill’s first test, according to NJ.com.
The ABC-NJ says the shore economy will be crippled by a new flood policy, according to NJ.com.
Former Assemblywoman Rose Heck passed away, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Sherrill announced hires; Sherrill warned of ‘serious structural deficit’
In Asbury Park, students are better readers thanks to a new program, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Atlantic City, the mayor is filing a tort claim alleging malicious prosecution, according to Downbeach.
In Bass River, a formal complaint was filed with the BPU over AC Electric’s blizzard response, according to Pine Barrens Tribune.
In Berkeley Heights, a school referendum will be put up for a vote, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Bridgewater, the regional school district is considering a merger, according to NJ.com. The planning board is concerned over an access point through Cornell Blvd, according to TAPinto.
In Collingswood, police will launch a K9 program, according to NJ Pen.
In Colts Neck, a BOE member proposed renaming a school in honor of President Trump, according to NJ.com.
In Denville, officials discussed the budget and housing, according to NJ Hills.
In Dover, an all-female ticket launched their council candidacies.
In Evesham, a conservation group is closing in on a land deal, according to the Daily Journal.
In Fanwood, affordable housing ordinances were passed, according to UC Hawk.
In Flemington, an ordinance was introduced to allow excess parking spaces on properties, according to TAPinto.
In Gloucester Township, the GOP objected to hiring of Assemblyman Hutchinson as solicitor.
In Hanover, the mayor hosted a regional mayors meeting, according to TAPinto.
In Hightstown, fees were adjusted to compete with neighboring towns, according to TAPinto.
In Hillsborough, a emergency budget resolution was passed, according to TAPinto.
In Hoboken, difficult budget decisions are ahead, according to TAPinto. Officials say parks remain a high priority, according to NJ Spotlight. Former Mayor Pasculli passed away.
In Jackson, the town won a court fight over a development, according to Jersey Shore Online.
In Jefferson, a tax increase was proposed, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, budget meetings continue, according to TAPinto.
In Lakewood, the school district denied the need of a state takeover, according to NJ Monitor.
In Manchester, officials debated townhome zoning in the wetlands, according to Jersey Shore Online.
In Medford, residents warned of the impact of a affordable housing proposal, according to Pine Barrens Tribune.
In Middletown, the BOE is divided over school closures as parents dig in for a fight, according to NJ.com.
In Montclair, the school tax vote sparked an affordability debate, according to Montclair Local.
In Mountain Lakes, the BOE discussed rising health costs, according to NJ Hills.
In Old Bridge, the proposed budget raises taxes, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Pemberton, water utility funding ordinances face scrutiny, according to Pine Barrens Tribune.
In Phillipsburg, Governor Sherrill visited the site of a sinkhole disaster, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Randolph, Mayor Hathaway hosted a roundtable, according to NJ Hills.
In Readington, affordable housing ordinances were tabled, according to NJ Hills.
In Ridgewood, the school district’s partnership with Table to Table could be a model for fighting food insecurity, according to BINJE.
In Roselle, the town soon could have two police chiefs, according to NJ.com.
In Sparta, a mega warehouse application was dismissed, accrding to TAPinto.
In Stone Harbor, a reassessment contract was awarded, according to Cape May Herald.
In Summit, a housing strategy designed to preserve local control was passed, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, the homeless get one more month at a motel, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Totowa, BOE candidates filed petitions, according to TAPinto.
In Trenton, the city must act fast to save any of the Roebling buildings, according to the Trentonian.
In Union, Spinelli is seeking a council seat, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, outgoing Councilwoman Ritter was honored, according to TAPinto.
In Woodland Park, the home improvement program was updated, according to TAPinto.
AROUND THE WEB:
NJ needs a budget built for tomorrow. Sherrill must deliver | Opinion
Declan O’Scanlon
- New Jersey is too damn expensive. That’s not a slogan. It’s what families feel every time they open their energy bill, fill up their car with gas or pay their property taxes. The bloated budgets passed by the machine Democrats running Trenton have been a huge part of the problem.
Jenn Lucas, Pine Barrens Tribune
- For those living in and around the Pinelands, there is one man who has touched pretty much everyone’s lives, though most are probably not even aware of it. Now after 40 years, Tom Gerber, a man who has made it his mission to protect the Pinelands and the people who live there from fires, is retiring from his post as a Fire Warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, ending a more than 100-year family tradition.
Douglas D. Melegari, Pine Barrens Tribune
- In the wake of now-former Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC)’s president Dr. Michael Cioce having ruffled some feathers of both the RCBC Board of Trustees and Rowan University leaders in having entered into a tuition partnership last year with Thomas Jefferson University, which has since been withdrawn and used as part of the reason behind Cioce’s recent termination, Rowan and new officials now put in charge of RCBC made a point of their “close working relationship” during the latest RCBC Trustees session on Feb. 17, and hinted at an upcoming official affirmation of it.
Should Central Regional Get Even More Regional?
Chris Lundy, Jersey Shore Online
- Results were presented from a study about what would happen if the towns that send their kids to Central Regional Middle School and High School formed one district. Currently, Central has kids from Berkeley, Ocean Gate, Island Heights, Seaside Park and Seaside Heights. A regionalization study was made to determine what would happen if Central also took on the elementary schools.
NJBIZ unveils 2026 Leaders in Finance honorees
NJBIZ Staff
- In New Jersey’s rapidly evolving financial industry, professionals go above and beyond to ensure the success of their companies and their communities. NJBIZ is recognizing these outstanding individuals with the 2026 Leaders in Finance awards.
NJ schools teach reading as they wish, and critics say that fails kids
Joanna Gagis, Julie O’Connor, NJ Spotlight
- For decades, schools across the country taught reading using a program, bought from vendors, that relied on pictures and other cues rather than words. The districts were promised improved outcomes. In fact, it worsened them. Some states, heeding years of advocacy by education experts, are going back to basics, using what’s called the science of reading to teach phonics.
As advocates push small fee for 988 crisis line, foes see new tax
Bobby Brier, Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- Even with mental health awareness on the rise, New Jersey bears a sad statistic: More than 650 residents took their lives in 2025. That’s at least 12 more than the previous year, and the first uptick in such deaths since 2022, according to provisional data from state Department of Health.
‘Win for transparency’ after NJ court ruling on police bodycam video
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- In what supporters called a “win for transparency,” a state appellate court has reversed a lower court ruling that ordered police body-worn camera footage of a police interview with a former mayor to be withheld from the public and destroyed.
Teachers union president: Health insurance is bleeding workers dry. Gov. Sherrill can stop it.
Steve Beatty
- Gov. Mikie Sherrill was overwhelmingly elected because she ran on affordability. She can keep that promise by tackling one of the fastest-growing and least sustainable costs facing New Jersey families and school districts: health insurance.
Toilet terror? ICE detention plan will drown Roxbury in a sewage nightmare| Opinion
Elliott Ruga
- Many eyes are on Roxbury Township as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to convert a 470,000-square-foot industrial warehouse on Route 46 into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center capable of holding up to 1,500 detainees.
For older New Jerseyans like me, Stay NJ is essential to keeping our homes and communities
Robert Rashkes
- In February, Stay NJ checks began arriving in mailboxes across our state. When I opened mine, it was more than just property tax relief — it offered peace of mind.
North Bergen isn’t in Bergen County. Here’s the history of why
Kyle Morel, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey has plenty of examples of town names that cause confusion for both locals and out-of-towners. Many of the mix-ups stem from several municipalities having similar names, like the trio of Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains. Others, like North Bergen, cause problems because of misleading geographic terms.
This Bergen resident became a prolific FBI informant. Read his story
Matt Cortina, NorthJersey.com
- It was an ordinary, albeit sweltering, Tuesday morning in July 2008 when three words stopped hedge fund trader Tom Hardin in his tracks on his way to work in midtown Manhattan.
Pro wrestler, politicians rally in Jefferson for Highlands school money
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
- To paraphrase a popular movie line, residents of New Jersey’s Highlands region are mad as hell about the lack of state aid for their schools, and they’re not going to take it anymore.
Passaic County town joins NJ trend of refunding gun permit fees
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- West Milford has joined a small but growing number of New Jersey towns refunding the municipal portion of the state’s handgun carry permit fee. The Township Council adopted a resolution on March 4 to authorize the refund of the $150 municipal share of the $200 permit fee required for residents seeking permits to carry a handgun.
D.C. Dispatch: What N.J.’s members of Congress did in Washington this week
Joey Fox, NJ Globe
- In the wake of the military offensive on Iran that President Donald Trump launched last weekend, members of Congress faced an immediate decision over whether his administration should be reined in. In close House and Senate votes that mostly followed party labels, Congress decided not to get involved, at least for now.
Former New Jersey watchdog Kevin Walsh joins Philadelphia law firm
Krystal Knapp, Jersey Vindicator
- Kevin Walsh, who spent six years leading New Jersey’s independent government watchdog agency as acting state comptroller, will join a Philadelphia-based law firm later this month, the firm announced Friday.
New Jersey emergency savings: how long could you last?
Eric “EJ” Johnson, NJ1015
- Here’s a question worth sitting with for a moment. If your paycheck stopped tomorrow — no warning, no severance, just gone — how long could you actually hold on? For a lot of New Jersey residents, the honest answer is: not very long. And a new survey from WalletHub just put some hard numbers around a feeling that a lot of us have been carrying quietly for a while now.
Montclair Parents Fear Changes at This School No Matter the Outcome of Tax Vote
Matt Kadosh and Asad Jung, Montclair Local
- Raising the specter of big changes amid its budget crisis, Montclair’s public school district has set a virtual “family meeting” for Renaissance Middle School parents to be held on the night of the town’s $17.6 million school funding referendum Tuesday, March 10.
Film industry growth offers new opportunities for N.J. bankers
Thomas Philip, roi-nj.com
- The rapid expansion of New Jersey’s film and television industry is creating new opportunities for businesses and financial institutions across the state, panelists said during a discussion at the New Jersey Bankers Association’s annual Economic Leadership Forum.
Op-Ed: Bhalla & Brennan should focus on helping constituents, not grandstanding
Hudson County View
- In an editorial, Union City resident Fernando Uribe expresses his opinion that Assembly members Ravi Bhalla and Katie Brennan (D-32) should focus on helping constituents, not grandstanding.
Is it legal in New Jersey to deny service to someone in a Trump shirt?
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- A politically charged interaction at a Smoothie King in Michigan has gone viral on social media after multiple employees were let go from the business for refusing service to a customer wearing a pro-Donald Trump shirt. In the wake of this incident, many have turned to social media to discuss what rights are granted to employers, employees and customers.
