Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “At its core, public health is public safety. When we fail, people suffer. And when we succeed, entire communities have an opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.” – NJDOH Acting Commissioner Washington
TOP STORY: Oakland ‘Do-Over’ Election a Shocker
Governor Sherrill took direct aim at President Trump over rising gas prices, according to NJ.com.
Governor Sherrill blasted outgoing DHS Secretary Noem, saying it was ‘hard to imagine anyone worse’, according to NJ.com.
NJ school district aid for FY2027 is out, according to NJ Herald. Nearly 30% of school districts could see cuts, according to Politico NJ.
Nearly 60 towns have been certified as ‘film ready’, according to NJ101.5.
Towns are facing the housing deadline, according to NJ Herald.
NJ tolls keep increasing, according to NJ101.5.
Living in the state now takes more workdays just to cover basic costs, according to NJ101.5.
The Atlantic County prosecutor says serious crimes are declining, according to Burlington County Times.
Camden County broke ground on the LINK trail system, according to the Retrospect.
Heights University Hospital is preparing for the suspension of the Emergency Services Department.
Governor Sherrill has a Hudson County health care headache, according to Politico NJ.
ICYMI: Sherrill delivered budget address, got tough in Trenton
The NJGOP establishment is split over who should challenge Senator Booker, with no consensus candidate yet, according to SaveJersey.
In CD9, the Kearny GOP chair endorsed Pino in the primary, sparking a rift within the Hudson GOP, according to NJ Globe.
In CD11, EMILY’S List endorsed Mejia.
Hudson Democrats endorsed congressional incumbents, according to NJ Globe.
Middlesex Democrats endorsed candidates at their annual convention.
In CD12, Cohen won backing of Middlesex Dems; Ciattarelli returns; in CD11, Mejia countered GOP narrative; in CD7, Bennett secured Hunterdon Dems backing; in CD11, Hathaway hopes to turn district red; ICE saga putting heat on Bucco
Governor Sherrill proposed terminating the controversial $48M NJ4s mental health program, according to NJ.com.
Governor Sherrill is taking aim at Trenton pork, according to NorthJersey.com.
Employers face fresh costs under Governor Sherrill’s budget proposal, according to NJ101.5.
NJDOH Acting Commissioner Washington testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The UTCA applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of NJDOT nominee Priya Jain.
Autism NJ added four to its board, according to BINJE.
ICYMI: Leaders powwowed on budget; Statehouse preparing for budget; Sherrill announced hires; Sherrill warned of ‘serious structural deficit’
In Berkeley, a new Parkway route was discussed, according to Jersey Shore Online.
In Berkeley Heights, voters approved a school referendum, according to TAPinto.
In Bridgewater, affordable housing ordinances were passed, according to TAPinto.
In Clifton, the tentative budget includes a tax increase and few city improvements, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Cranford, flood projects were discussed, according to TAPinto.
In Florham Park, affordable housing advanced, according to TAPinto.
In Jersey City, the Pompidou museum project is dead, according to NJ.com. Activists called for the removal of a former Fulop aide following a DUI, according to JC Times. The council formed a mental health crisis committee, according to Hudson County View.
In Lebanon, the budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Maplewood, the mayor says Inwood Place developers ignored guidance, according to Village Green. Sullivan will run for committee, according to Village Green.
In Madison, the budget process continues, according to TAPinto.
In Margate, the town prevailed in the Baglivo lawsuit, according to Downbeach.
In Middle, the ambulance squad will continue to serve as support EMS, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Montclair, 400 VBMs must still be verified in the close school referendum vote, according to Montclair Local. Schools are beginning a ‘right-sizing’ plan, according to Montclair Local. High school students walked out to protest ICE, according to Montclair Local.
In New Providence, affordable housing guidelines were updated, according to TAPinto.
In Newark, Asia Norton is running for South Ward council among six candidates challenging incumbent Councilman Patrick Council.
In Newton, rising health insurance costs drive budget concerns, according to TAPinto.
In Oakland, the do-over special election for council could be a canary in the coal mine for Democrats, according to NJ Globe.
In Orange, the council race is taking shape, according to TAPinto.
In Parsippany, Mayor Desai and students launched a snow team for the homebound, according to NJ Hills.
In Paterson, the Bunker Hill SID budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Pemberton, there’s a new legal nightmare stemming from the former mayor’s exit, according to NJ101.5.
In Plainfield, Democrats will endorse candidates, according to TAPinto.
In Readington, affordable housing is at risk, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Red Bank, the town is creating a pushcart vendor license, according to Red Bank Green.
In Robbinsville, voters shot down a school referendum, according to NJ101.5.
In Roxbury, a grant-searching firm was hired, according to TAPinto.
In Sayreville, the town may build a Rainbow Bridge pet memorial, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South Orange, the Columbia High BOE created a student internship, according to Village Green.
In Toms River, government has a growing stalemate, according to Jersey Shore Online. There was confusion after a affordable housing vote, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Verona, more dead geese were found at a park, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Waretown, a new storage facility is planned, according to Jersey Shore Online.
In Westfield, the council is moving forward with affordable housing, according to TAPinto. A amended redevelopment agreement was approved, according to UC Hawk.
In Wildwood Crest, the town is optimistic as new talks start on a beach project, according to Cape May Herald.
AROUND THE WEB:
Trump’s Iran war summons chaos at his Atlantic City casinos | Opinion
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Years ago, when he was the self-appointed casino king of Atlantic City, the world learned something important about Donald Trump. He definitely knew how to make a big splash. But swimming? And climbing out of the pool without falling back in?
Inside the battle over data center development that’s quietly reshaping N.J. politics
Joey Fox, NJ Globe
- At the February 24 meeting of the Vineland City Council, Bayly Winder, a Democratic candidate for the 2nd congressional district, stepped up to the podium to discuss what’s become a remarkably hot topic in the area: data centers. A 300-megawatt data center began construction last year on the outskirts of the city, and Winder and the dozens of other disgruntled locals who crowded the council meeting weren’t pleased. “You’re giving big tech companies based thousands of miles away all the power and access,” Winder said. “What about the power and access here in Vineland, in South Jersey?”
The rise of political betting markets: How they work and why they matter
Lauren Sforza, NJ.com
- Political betting—once a niche corner of financial trading—has exploded into the national sphere as federal regulators begin to ease some restrictions on prediction markets. Prediction markets allow users to place trades on nearly everything—from sporting events to the weather to what President Donald Trump will say on any given day.
Sherrill vowed she’d be different than Murphy on energy. Then why ‘raid’ this fund again?
Steven Rodas, NJ.com
- It’s become a “tradition” of sorts in New Jersey, much to the chagrin of people who support building out the state’s clean energy infrastructure. On Tuesday, new Gov. Mikie Sherrill proposed a record $60.7 billion state budget proposal that includes more than $1 billion in state subsidies for NJ Transit. The state’s rail and bus system will see an increase of $215.3 million from the current budget.
Alina Habba’s new life in ‘MAGA world’
Nick Moyle, NJ.com
- Now three months removed from her ouster as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, Alina Habba has found a new home near the nerve center of “MAGA world.” The New York Post recently spoke with several people who are close to Habba, the native New Jerseyan who served as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer before he tapped her as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey last March.
This is how much North Jersey’s top private high schools will cost you
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- How much does it cost to attend a private high school in Northern New Jersey? A private school, as defined by Private School Review, is essentially a non-public K-12 educational institution that is operated “independently of the government’s direct management of public school systems.”
Gov. Sherrill plan seeks to fine big companies with workers on Medicaid
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Monitor
- New Jersey taxpayers spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually to cover the cost of health insurance for employees at big companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target who are on Medicaid, a practice Gov. Mikie Sherrill said this week she wants to curtail.
Why New Jerseyans complain the most but leave the least
Eric “EJ” Johnson, NJ1015
- Born here, priced out, still here: the New Jersey paradox. I’ve had the conversation a hundred times. Maybe you have too. Someone brings up the property taxes, or the energy bills, or what they’re paying for a gallon of milk, and within about ninety seconds somebody at the table says it: I’m thinking about leaving.
Affordability? Mikie’s massive budget slashes popular tax rebate
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- Gov. Mikie Sherrill used her first budget address to pitch what she called an “affordability budget,” promising spending discipline, record property tax relief, and no new taxes on everyday New Jersey residents.
Newark is banking on New Jersey’s future in film with new high school
Amy Kuperinsky, Chalkbeat Newark
- New Jersey, the home of the world’s first film studio, is reasserting its status as the country’s first Hollywood. And Newark educators, students, and industry professionals are getting ready to meet the moment.
NJ Evergreen Fund invests $4.65M in five startups
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- The New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced March 11 that five New Jersey-based companies received a combined $4.65 million in investment through the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund. NJIEF is a public-private venture capital program designed to support high-growth startups and strengthen the state’s innovation economy.
Cooper EMS becomes first in nation to equip paramedics with long-acting injectable Buprenorphine
Linda Lindner, BINJE
- Cooper EMS is once again setting a national precedent in addiction medicine. On Thursday it announced that it has become the first emergency medical services (EMS) system in the United States to equip its paramedics with long-acting injectable buprenorphine, a move designed to bridge the perilous gap between overdose reversal and long-term recovery.
HRH announces new chief executives for Bayonne and Hoboken hospitals
John Heinis, Hudson County View
- Hudson Regional Health is announcing new chief hospital executives for the Bayonne University Hospital and the Hoboken University Hospital, respectively.
Guest Oped: Building a Better Trenton Water Works
- Reed Gusciora
- When people turn on the tap, they expect something simple: clean, reliable drinking water. For the families and businesses served by Trenton Water Works, that expectation rests on more than two centuries of public infrastructure and public trust. Meeting that responsibility today requires major investment, transparency, and a clear plan for the future.
NJ Transit planned electric bus expansion. Then Trump stepped in
Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com
- Amid political turmoil, federal funding freezes and market uncertainty, NJ Transit is slowing its transition to zero-emission buses. NJ Transit secured nearly $324 million in federal funds between 2020 and 2024 to modernize four bus garages in North Jersey, in part so they would be equipped to handle electric buses.
Trump has grown $1.4 billion richer in his second term. Here’s how.
Nick Moyle, NJ.com
- President Donald Trump’s wealth has grown a staggering amount during his second term, climbing more than $1 billion over the past year. According to Forbes’ latest World’s Billionaires list, Trump is now worth an estimated $6.5 billion. That’s up by $1.4 billion from last year and about $2.2 billion from early 2024.
‘We want Mikie Sherrill to save our hospital.’ N.J. community’s final rallying cry for health care.
Jackie Roman, NJ.com
- When her husband was struck by a hit-and-run driver two years ago, Jersey City resident Meera Jaffrey scooped him up and brought him to the emergency room at Heights University Hospital.
Lawmakers quiz health commissioner nominee about vaccines, federal funding
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Monitor
- A Senate panel voted unanimously on Thursday to advance Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s pick to lead New Jersey’s Department of Health after questioning him on a range of topics including hospital funding, the cost of health care, and the state’s vaccine policy. The nomination of Raynard Washington, an epidemiologist and public health expert from Charlotte, North Carolina, now goes to the full Senate for its approval.
Gov. Sherrill’s pick for transportation chief sails through hearing
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced the nomination of acting Transportation Commissioner Priya Jain following a brief hearing Thursday that saw her field questions about traffic, safety, and the state of New Jersey’s roads and bridges. The unanimous vote means Jain, an engineer who has held a range of roles in the private sector, could get a confirmation vote before the full Senate later this month.
Exclusive: NJ voters support gig workers as independent contractors
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- A new poll obtained exclusively by NJBIZ shows strong bipartisan support among New Jersey voters for allowing app-based ride-hailing and delivery drivers to remain independent contractors while gaining access to portable benefits. Impact Research polled 600 registered voters in New Jersey from Feb. 6–12, 2026, for the survey. It carries a margin of error of +/- 4%.
Is the economy shaky or strong: It may be both, Moody’s expert says
Tom Bergeron, BINJE
- The labor market may look solid on the surface, but economist Matt Colyar of Moody’s Analytics told attendees at the recent NJBankers Annual Economic Leadership Forum that the reality is shakier.
American Cancer Society announces Warren County Relay For Life date
Advance Local Express Desk
- The Warren County Fairgrounds will host the annual Relay For Life on May 30 to celebrate cancer survivors, honor caregivers, remember loved ones lost to cancer and raise funds for cancer research and patient support programs.
Jersey City Council unanimously approves final version of bird-friendly measure
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- The Jersey City Council passed its bird safe glass ordinance on second reading after former Mayor Steven Fulop vetoed it at the end of his third and final term last year, another contentious piece of local legislation at yesterday’s meeting that went past 1 a.m.
Demolition continues at Trenton’s St. Francis Medical Center
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- The demolition of St. Francis Medical Center reached a new phase on Thursday as a large excavator pulled down walls on the Hamilton Ave. side of the complex.
