Good Tuesday morning!

Remember the financial transaction tax?

It’s looking like the exchanges’ threats to move out of the state if New Jersey imposes the tax may have worked (the exchanges even met with the governor of Texas).

I’m told there has been no recent discussion about the tax between the governor’s office and Legislature. I asked the Assembly Democrats, where the idea was first introduced as legislation: “I have no update on the legislation,” spokesperson Kevin McArdle told me Friday.

While I haven’t done enough reporting at this point to declare the idea definitely dead, there’s no question the flurry of activity around the idea in the late summer and through the fall has petered out. And when an idea stops being a shiny new object to legislative leaders and the governor, it can be hard for it to gain momentum. I’ll keep reporting on this. If you have any insights, please send them my way.

WHERE’S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 3,511 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 568,573. 23 more deaths for a total of 18,367 (and 2,091 presumed deaths). 3,432 in the hospital, 632 in the ICU. 366,010 vaccine shots administered of 658,800 doses, or 55.6 percent.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Assemblymember Shavonda Sumter, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Missed yesterday: Gibbons’ Jay Redd, Singleton aide Colin Smith, Bergen County Dem Operative Derek Sands

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It appears there's more skateboarders than protesters but we can't really take anything for granted.” — Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora on the lack of pro-Trump protesters Sunday.

TIME IS MOVING REALLY SLOWLY — Stalled at the finish line: No movement on legalization frustrates cannabis advocates, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: One week after the collapse of a compromise bill that would have paved the way for a legal cannabis market in New Jersey, there’s little indication a new deal between the Murphy administration and legislative leaders is imminent. A leadership meeting between Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Speaker Craig Coughlin on Thursday failed to bridge the gap on language that would resolve concerns the governor has raised with two cannabis bills sent to his desk on Dec. 17, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the talks. Further delay has stymied pro-legalization advocates who have spent years lobbying both the administration and lawmakers on cannabis issues. Voters backed a constitutional amendment that took effect Jan. 1 to legalize regulated cannabis sales. While the amendment effectively put legal cannabis on the books, it remains toothless without enabling legislation to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the drug.

NOTEST — “Pro-Trump demonstrations fail to materialize in Trenton,” by WNYC’s Matt Katz: “Protesters who believe falsehoods that the election was stolen from President Trump planned to rally at state capitols Sunday. But in Trenton, WNYC's Matt Katz found just one Trump supporter. The man, who identified himself as Donovan from Toms River, NJ, carried a sign that read ‘supreme courts betray America,’ a reference to the fact that state supreme courts across the country affirmed Trump's loss in the election. He said MAGA activists were not aware of Sunday's rally. 'Because we're being silenced. This is the beginning of communists,' he said.”

LD37— “Will Democratic Party coalition collide in fight to replace Weinberg?” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Last week, [Valerie] Huttle created a Twitter page for the campaign, and nabbed endorsements from Garden State Equality, the leading LGBTQ-rights group, and the New Jersey Working Party Alliance, led by Sue Altman, an activist who has turned the group into a viable political force during the tenure of Gov. Phil Murphy. But [Gordon]Johnson has also established alliances within the party establishment, notably being one of the first lawmakers to endorse then-candidate Murphy's bid for governor in 2016 — a time when Murphy still loomed as a long shot. And Johnson broke ranks from most North Jersey Democrats in 2017 when he backed Middlesex Democrat Craig Coughlin in his fight for the Assembly Speaker post against Vincent Prieto of Secaucus … But to several Bergen County insiders, those statewide contacts may not mean much. It will come down to which candidate has relationships with municipal chairpersons and the rank-and-file of the county committee.”

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING — “Smokers eligible, no proof required. NJ's COVID vaccine plan appears ripe for cheating,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “For almost a month, it was easy to determine who was eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in New Jersey because it was limited to health care workers, nursing home residents, inmates and later police and firefighters. But Gov. Phil Murphy's move to immediately expand eligibility on Thursday to more than 4 million more people — those 65 and older, those with a chronic illness, and smokers — may have made the system much more susceptible to cheating. Like other states, New Jersey's vaccination program is running almost entirely on an honor system. No documentation is required to prove you belong to one of the many groups deemed eligible … Early last week, Murphy said he had no intention of dramatically increasing eligibility. But facing increasing criticism that New Jersey was slow in getting shots into arms, Murphy increased the pool to almost half the state's 8.9 million population. By increasing speed and access, he may have set up a system that can easily be subverted.”

— Murphy pushes back on ‘false narrative’ smokers will get vaccine before teachers

—“More than 50% of N.J.’s recent COVID cases are asymptomatic, top health official says

ASK SWEENEY: ALL IT TAKES IS ONE TRY AND YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF EATING A WHOLE PIZZA — “With N.J. on the verge of legal weed, lawmakers want schools to teach kids about its risks,” by NJ Advance Media’s Amanda Hoover: “Sen. Michaela Testa, R-Cape May, on Thursday introduced the bill (S3360), which would make “age-appropriate” education on the risks of marijuana use mandatory for students in third through 12th grades. Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, R-Cape May, has introduced the bill into the state Assembly. ‘As soon as the Legislature gets its act together, marijuana will be legal for adult use,’ Testa said in a statement. ‘That will send a dangerous message to school kids of all ages – that cannabis is safe and accepted. The course content, delivered in health and physical education classes, would touch on the impact of marijuana on the adolescent brain and body, the risk of addiction to marijuana and the effects of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.’ It would also focus on the dangers of driving while high. Current law already requires schools educate kids on drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. The state’s 2020 education standards mention marijuana and cannabis, and involve educating students about the ‘social, emotional and physical’ harm use can cause, as well as ways to say no to using.”

EVERYONE WAS CLAMORING FOR THIS — “Vicari takes step toward launching GOP gubernatorial bid,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Ocean County Commissioner Joseph Vicari is moving toward a bid for the Republican nomination for governor, filing a letter of intent on Saturday to seek the organization line in Ocean County. Vicari told the New Jersey Globe that he will focus on winning his home county support but has no plans to campaign statewide. 'As of right now, I just want to focus on Ocean County issues as the favorite son of Ocean County,' he said. “I want to make sure that the Jersey Shore is represented.”

—“Four suggestions from businesses to prepare NJ for recovery”

—“Sweeney renews push for reform of NJ government spending”

—“Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli on 2021 governor’s race”

THE LAW AND ORDER PRESIDENCY — “Trump to issue around 100 pardons and commutations Tuesday, sources say,” from CNN: “Dr. Salomon Melgen, a prominent eye doctor from Palm Beach, Florida, who is in prison after being convicted on dozens of counts of health care fraud, is currently expected to be included in the clemency list, three sources familiar tell CNN. Melgen, who is noteworthy for being the co-conspirator in a since-dismissed corruption case against Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, was sentenced to 17 years for health care fraud in 2018. While his name surprised some Trump allies given the President's attitude toward Menendez, Melgen is seen as a wealthy and influential figure in south Florida.”

PROBABLY UNRELATED — “Prospect of Pardons in final days fuels market to buy access to Trump”

BUT A 101.5 HOST TOLD US IT WAS ANTIFA — “NJ man with naval base security clearance, munitions access charged in Capitol riot: Feds,” by NBC 4’s Brian Thompson: “Federal officials charged a man in New Jersey with security clearance at Naval Weapons Station Earle for his alleged participation in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Court documents say Timothy Louis Hale-Cusanelli works as a contractor with ‘secret’ security clearance and access to ‘a variety of munitions’ at the Naval base in Colts Neck. Hale-Cusanelli is also enlisted in the Army Reserves, feds say. In the criminal complaint, federal officials say Hale-Cusanelli confessed to a confidential informant that he was present at the riot at the U.S. Capitol and showed video of himself inside the building. The informant describes Hale-Cusanelli as an ‘avowed white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer who posts video opinion statements on YouTube proffering extreme political opinions and viewpoints,’ the complaint say.”

MISSING: U.S. Rep. Chris Smith’s Twitter account, after he was facing blowback on the platform for voting against impeachment. In a statement, Smith said he was halting his Twitter presence over “security concerns and to help the district and Nation move toward unity during this difficult time” and that “divisive and hate-filled tweets have become far too frequent and impede the healing so needed today.” In an interview, presumably in which he used an old fashioned communications medium called a telephone, Smith helped spread a false conspiracy theory, that Antifa was responsible for the Capitol riot, even while calling it “pure speculation.” Naval Weapons Station Earle, where an allegedly white supremacist employee was arrested for taking part in the riot, is in Smith’s district.

—"This South Jersey woman helped lead the charge up the Capitol steps"

SOUTH JERSEY REPORTED TO BE BIAS FREE — “'I don't feel safe': North Jersey residents report bias in their communities,” by The Record’s Jessie Gomez: “After the death of George Floyd and protests against racial injustice during the summer, Black and brown residents across North Jersey have reported instances of racial aggression, or racial hatred, in their communities and online. The reports range from verbal and virtual harassment to threats of harm against individuals, all based on race, ethnicity and color. Aryee-Price's incident isn’t isolated. Last summer, other North Jersey residents said they were victims of harassment when their Black Lives Matter signs were stolen and defaced. Others reported being subjected to racial profiling. In Hawthorne, the community organized a justice walk for a Black man who said he was racially profiled during a run with his 8- and 10-year-old boys. A call was placed to local police reporting a driver who appeared to be luring children. In Montclair, a white woman called the police on her Black neighbor after a dispute about a permit for his backyard patio.”

ICAHN’T — “Small says no Trump Plaza implosion auction, but Icahn will donate $175,000,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Claire Lowe: "A fundraising auction for the right to push the button to implode the former Trump Plaza was called off Monday, a decision that briefly jeopardized a $175,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. But billionaire investor and building owner Carl Icahn, agreed to make the donation from his own pocket, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said. Icahn said allowing a winning bidder to blow up the plaza created some safety issues. 'From the beginning, we thought the auction and any other related spectacle presented a safety risk, and we were always clear we did not want to participate in any way,' an Icahn spokesperson said in a statement."

CUMBERLAND COUNTY — “Justice Department slams Cumberland jail over suicides, orders immediate corrective steps,” by The Daily Journal’s Joseph P. Smith: “Federal officials on Thursday put Cumberland County on notice of possible legal action if fails to immediately address problems that contributed to six inmate deaths at its jail between July 2014 and May 2017. The U.S. Department of Justice, in a public statement and in documents sent to the county, said a nearly two-and-a-half year investigation concludes there is ‘reasonable cause to believe’ there have been ‘numerous, specific and repeated violations” of inmate constitutional rights.’”

THE WIRE — “Tested with a bribe attempt, Lora shows he couldn’t be bought,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “[Passaic Mayor Hector] Lora came out on the right side of an integrity test last year when Omid Bayati, a onetime aide to former Assembly Minority Leader Paul DiGaetano, tried to bribe two commissioners in order to gain a promotion at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. The state attorney general charged Bayati on Wednesday. Lora and former Fair Lawn Mayor John Cosgrove are both commissioners at PVSC. Each of them, separately and immediately, notified law enforcement. ‘My immediate response was to take it to the appropriate authorities. The political world we operate in can often be treacherous and full of dangerous traps and gray areas,’ Lora said … Cosgrove told the New Jersey Globe that he wore a wire for a follow-up meeting with Bayati, who delivered him $1,200 cash with a request for a better job at the sewerage commission.”

LIGHT RAIL — “Light rail for South Jersey inches along but some neighbors don’t want noisy train in their backyard,” by NJ Advance Media’s Bill Duhart: “It still may be a half-dozen or more years before Joseph Noverati’s nerves are rattled by up to 200 tram train horns a day alerting everyone and everything on the tracks ahead that it is coming down the line. But Noverati, of Woodbury, is sounding the alarm now … Hearings for a long-stalled environmental impact study for the project were held in November. Now NJ Transit, the Delaware River Port Authority and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who represents Gloucester and Camden counties and is a major backer of the effort, are pushing for engineering plans and federal money to complete the project within the next six years. But Noverati and 1,700 others in a social media group he joined — Say No to GCL — hope to derail the project they think will be a public nuisance, too costly and environmentally dirty. 'I’m worried about property values and I think it will be detrimental to the environment,' said Noverati”

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE ELECTIONS FOR — “Can anyone beat Steve Fulop?” by The Jersey Journal’s Peter D’Auria: “With fewer than 10 months before the Jersey City mayoral election, Fulop has hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank. He has friends and allies across the county. And so far, nobody has officially stepped forward to challenge him … As of January, there are two known potential challengers. Jersey City councilman-at-large Rolando Lavarro told The Jersey Journal last month that he is ‘strongly considering’ a run … But many in the city are looking at Rob Menendez Jr., an attorney at Lowenstein Sandler and the son of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, as a potential challenger. In a texted statement, Menendez Jr. said he was engaging in conversations with Jersey City residents 'who are frustrated with an administration that passed an inclusionary zoning ordinance which is being challenged in court by affordable housing advocates and an administration that is attempting to increase the salaries of the mayor’s political appointees while residents face significant employment issues caused by this pandemic.’”

—“Former Morris freeholders sue to stop convention on organizational line”

—“Hudson County Commissioners move forward with measure limiting public comment at meetings”

—“Atlantic commissioners will not seat Witherspoon on Tuesday after all”

—“Hudson GOP leader faces calls to resign after messages show him admitting to emotionally abusing woman”

—“Former Haddon Twp. commissioner barred from pretrial intervention” ‘

—“NJ colleges face lawsuits over remote learning not 'remotely worth the amount charged'

—“International rights group calls out arrest of North Jersey journalist in Nigeria”

—“Mahwah couple sue rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie for $260K over damages to home”