Good Monday morning!

Today Democrats from the 17th District meet to choose a successor to the retiring Assemblymember Joe Egan. Democrats from Middlesex and Somerset Counties, having obviously scoured the district for the best and brightest candidates appear poised to select his son, Kevin Egan, to replace him.

But here’s one interesting difference between Egan and his son. Egan was one of a small handful of Democrats to either abstain or vote against enshrining codifying abortion rights into state law. Pre-Dobbs, it seems to me, the number of anti-abortion Democrats in the party nationally was already shrinking. Post-Dobbs, at least in New Jersey, that appears to be happening even faster. Asked by Daniel Han how he would have voted on the “Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act,” Egan the Younger said he would have supported it and that he was “100 percent pro-choice.”

Still, Kevin Egan expressed some discomfort with the issue, saying, “It’s a woman’s right at the end of the day, but I just wish they would decide earlier on about what they would want to do.” I think he’s referring to Republican attacks that Democrats support abortion in the final stage of pregnancy, even though my understanding is that such abortions are a rarity and usually only undertaken when, for one reason or another, the pregnancy is dangerous or not viable.

Interestingly, including Joe Egan, four of the six Democrats who voted to abstain or against codifying abortion rights or abstained — Assemblymembers Gabriela Mosquera, Tom Giblin and state Sen. Fred Madden, the only Democratic no vote — are retiring. Just two of those abstentions, Wayne DeAngelo (D-Middlesex) and Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), remain. The Democrats running on the slate to replace Mosquera — Dan Hutchison and Cody Miller — gave full-throated support to abortion rights when asked by Han, even expressing support for requiring insurance companies to cover the procedure without out-of-pocket costs.

There’s no indication that Democrats who are less pro-abortion-rights are being chased out of the party. But I think it’s clear that post-Dobbs, abortion rights have become a more potent issue for Democrats, and their candidates know that.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at [email protected]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If there is danger, let Winnie-the-Pooh and his Crew show you what to do: Run Hide Fight.” — A “Stay Safe” booklet for schoolchildren that a school nurse and librarian wrote an op-ed about.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Sam Thompson, Leo McGuire

WHERE’S MURPHY? — Italy.

ABORTION — In wave of legislative retirements, a small but key group: Democrats who held out on abortion rights vote, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Statehouse retirements this year have included a small but key group of Democratic lawmakers — those who held out on codifying abortion rights into state law Four of the six Democrats who abstained or voted against the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act — legislation that enshrined abortion rights into state law — are stepping aside at the end of the session in January. There’s no reason to believe the retirements are tied to their stances on the issue, although they create the possibility of Democrats taking their place who are more supportive of abortion rights Assemblymember Joe Egan (D-Middlesex) — who voted to abstain on the abortion codification bill — is the most recently announced retirement. The typical primary process in that district is circumvented since Egan announced after the primary election he will step down, leaving Middlesex County Democratic Organization members to pick the replacement Monday. Egan’s son, Kevin, a New Brunswick city councilmember, is the frontrunner to take the seat in the deep blue district where Democratic nomination is tantamount to winning the seat.

STRAIGHT TO JAIL — “A surprising lawbreaker in mandated public reporting? New Jersey’s government,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Three and a half years ago, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law requiring police departments to publicly report on property they seize from the public during criminal investigations. … But the huge step promised instead became a stumble, because that public reporting never happened. It wasn’t a one-off. Legislators have ordered all sorts of public reporting in recent years, but the state departments tasked with carrying out those mandates have often failed to do so. When they do, some are months or years late, or their reporting falls far short of what lawmakers commanded. Yet no accountability exists for state departments that fail to follow lawmakers’ marching orders on such reporting. ‘We make the law, and our own government fails to follow it. What kind of example is that? It’s ridiculous,’ ’said Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth), a prime sponsor of the law mandating civil asset forfeiture reporting … When lawmakers order public reporting, they typically direct state departments to post data or reports for public inspection on the department’s website, as well as issue them to the governor’s office and Legislature. That didn’t happen in the case of a law the governor approved in April 2021 intended to improve the handling of sexual assault cases. That law requires the Attorney General’s Office to post online by September 2021 aggregated data on sexual assault and criminal sexual contact cases reported to law enforcement agencies, along with their outcomes. Specifically, the law orders public reporting on how many cases were filed by victims; referred to county prosecutors; declined for prosecution; resulted in indictments, plea agreements, or trials; and downgraded to lesser charges.”

IF THIS LAWSUIT SUCCEEDS, PRECEDENT DEMANDS HUNDREDS OF N.J. LAWS WILL NEED TO BE INVALIDATED — “Offshore wind foes sue New Jersey and Danish turbine developer over tax break,” by The AP’s Wayne Parry: “Opponents of offshore wind projects are suing New Jersey and the Danish wind energy developer Orsted over a lucrative tax break the state approved for the company, saying it is illegal because the law was written to benefit only one entity. The lawsuit was filed Thursday by two residents’ groups that are opposed to offshore wind projects and three electricity customers from Ocean City who seek to overturn the law. They say it gives Orsted about $1 billion in tax relief for one of the two windmill projects it plans to build off the state’s southern coast … Bruce Afran, a lawyer representing two groups who brought the lawsuit — Protect Our Coast NJ and Defend Brigantine Beach — said the state is not permitted to enact laws that benefit only one party. ‘The Legislature’s giveaway of federal tax credits to Orsted benefits a single company in violation of the New Jersey Constitution,’ he said. ‘In New Jersey, laws that favor a single private party are generally unconstitutional.’”

NJ GOVT VS. FIFA IN THE WORLD CUP OF CORRUPTION FINALS — “Gov. Murphy wants to make sure New Jersey’s latest soccer moment lasts a while,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Politi: “Gov. Phil Murphy was standing in the Hudson County municipality affectionately known as ‘Soccer Town, U.S.A.,’ footsteps from a new schoolyard soccer pitch he helped dedicate with a collection of soccer players and soccer executives from European soccer powerhouses, talking about his favorite topic these days. … ‘It was a holy cow event,’ Murphy told NJ Advance Media last week after an event in Kearny to celebrate the opening of a ‘mini pitch’ at a grammar school … Soccer is having another moment here — the kind that tend to come around every so often and change entrenched views about the sport’s place in this country. And Murphy is working to ensure that New Jersey stays at the center of that when the World Cup comes to North America in 2026.”

—Pfeiffer: “What state and local governments should do about generative AI”

—Sumpter: “We must act and vote to ensure our more perfect union is an inclusive one”

—Moran: “The pushback against charges of racism in the State Police”

—“In NJ schools, teachers don’t match the diversity of their students. Teens say that’s a problem”

—“NJ hands back $203M worth of previously unclaimed property, a record”

CARTOON BREAK — ”NJ Transit is getting a swanky new HQ,” by Drew Sheneman

ANDRE THE NOT-SO-GIANT DONOR — “Why is Paterson’s mayor making political donations outside Passaic County?” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “[Andre] Sayegh’s most recent campaign finance report … shows he sent $250 to Somerset County Democrats on May 12. That donation was followed four days later by $300 to Paramus municipal council candidates on May 16, $250 to the mayor of Fanwood on May 18, and two checks on May 22 — one for $100 to the Democratic ticket in Westwood and another for $300 to a 10-year incumbent on the Bergen County Board of Commissioners. A Paterson Press analysis of Sayegh’s political spending found that the five contributions he made to Democrats in Bergen, Somerset and Union counties during 11 days in May exceeded his total number of out-of-county donations during the previous three years combined. ‘I don’t think there’s any secret about what Andre’s doing,’ said Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly of Paterson. ‘Obviously, he’s trying to expand his political base for future opportunities for office.’ Sayegh, meanwhile, offered a different explanation for his recent spike in donations to politicians outside the county. He said he simply is getting a growing number of invitations.”

TOMS RIVEN — “Toms River GOP chief hired as township judge, despite ties to losing side in primary,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “The president of Toms River’s official GOP organization has been appointed the township’s newest municipal court judge. Lawyer Anne Hammil-Pasqua, president of Republicans for Toms River, and also a member of the township’s planning board, was selected for the judge’s position by Mayor Maurice B. ‘Mo’ Hill Jr. … Councilman Justin D. Lamb voted against the appointment. … ‘Does it also help that she’s president of Republicans for Toms River?’ Lamb asked. Lamb is the only council member who remains part of the Toms River Regular Republican Club, which was the township’s official GOP organization for more than 30 years until it was replaced by the new club in 2021.”

NO PALS IN THIS PARK — “Judge overturns police chief’s appointment by ‘lame-duck’ Palisades Park mayor. Now what?” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “The last actions of the borough’s former mayor during his “lame-duck” period last December are invalid, a judge ruled this week, leaving the embattled Police Department without a chief. The actions in question took place as Christopher Chung was serving his last days as mayor, having lost a primary bid for reelection after failing to receive the local Democratic Party’s endorsement. His last actions as mayor included promoting Officer in Charge Capt. Anthony Espino to chief, after three previously failed attempts, and Sgt. John Gasparovich to captain, skipping the rank of lieutenant. Espino’s promotion came after the council approved a $40,000 settlement with him in his lawsuit against the borough. … After a new mayor and members of the Borough Council were sworn in early this year, they filed a lawsuit asking a judge to review the legality of the two promotions. State Superior Court Judge Christine Farrington ruled Tuesday that the promotions are indeed void.”

THE PARENTAL RIGHT — “False bomb threat delays LGBTQ+ Pride event/Drag Queen Story Hour at Jersey City park,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “A false bomb threat delayed an LGBTQ+ Pride/Drag Queen Story Hour at Canco Park in Jersey City this morning, with electeds denouncing the tactic. The Canco Park Conservancy, who hosted the event at 47 Dey St., posted a video on Instagram around 10:30 a.m. indicating that the park had been evacuated by Jersey City police officers due to a bomb threat, also highlighting protesters who were opposing the event for religious reasons. Ultimately, the threat was deemed unfounded and the event, which was supposed to start at 10:00 a.m., finally got underway at approximately 11:45 a.m. with Harmonica Sunbeam kicking off a story time and singalong.”

—“Sayreville councilwoman’s accused killer extradited to New Jersey from Virginia”

—“In world of retirements and job-hopping, Jersey City school unlocks secret to retaining 95% of its teachers”

—“Many prominent Hudson County politicos donated to Jersey City mayor’s gov run”

—“Jersey City taking the wheel, trying to put brakes on illegal street racing”

COPS — “Cops forced a confession in 2003 beating death. 20 years later, innocent N.J. man is free,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “Dion Miller said he followed the trail of blood across the hallway of his grandmother’s Jersey City apartment building one day in 2003 to find an elderly neighbor beaten about the head. He tried to help the man as they waited for an ambulance to arrive. But when 74-year-old Romeo Cavero later died of his injuries, authorities now admit, police wrongly pegged Miller with the murder. More than 20 years after a ‘grueling’ 17-hour interrogation in which the Hudson County man gave three conflicting — and false — confessions, New Jersey’s top law enforcement official acknowledged authorities got it all wrong. ‘The state does not seek to set aside a jury verdict lightly,’ Attorney General Matthew Platkin told reporters during a Newark press conference, adding that a re-investigation by his office’s Conviction Review Unit revealed Miller was an innocent man. ‘But given our findings in this case, it is the only just outcome for Mr. Miller.’”

WINDMILLS’ FAULT — “Jersey Shore’s delightful dolphins, a deep dive,” by NJ Advance Media’s Katie Kausch and Steven Rodas: “Since at least 2015 sightings of dolphins across the Jersey Shore appear to be up, according to marine mammal researchers and guides. Firm population numbers are elusive, but the anecdotal evidence is promising. Experts say dolphin sightings along the Jersey Shore are increasingly common, and businesses and researchers are reaping the benefits. … Karl Vilacoba, the communications director at the Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University, said he’s personally noticed an uptick in dolphin sightings during his beach trips. … Experts have said an uptick in marine mammal strandings this year — 40 dolphins so far — is at least partly to blame on more animals chasing prey closer to shore, in cleaner water and through new areas.”

—Opinion: “This is why the Rutgers tuition hike is unacceptable to students — and faculty”

—“[Immaculate Conception] high school closes after 108 years”