Governors push to ban smartphones in schools in New Jersey and New York
Two governors along the East Coast are taking steps to limit smartphone use in schools. New Jersey and New York are considering new policies aimed at reducing distractions in the classroom.
States who have issued bans have distinguished between smartphones like iPhones and basic cellular phones that can only call or text.
In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has voiced strong support for a bill moving through the state legislature that would ban phones in public schools. Murphy has said the devices have become a growing distraction in classrooms, impacting students’ ability to focus and retain information.
“They are fueling a rise in cyberbullying. And they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn,” Murphy said in his State of the State address. “Honestly, is it any surprise that the rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis?”
The bill has already passed the state Senate unanimously. It would require New Jersey’s Department of Education to set a policy on smartphone and social media use in all public schools. Including elementary, middle and high schools, districts would be required to adopt the policy if passed.
Just across the state line, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking similar steps. Hochul announced that the next state budget would include a plan to create a “distraction-free learning environment.” It would likely include restrictions on smartphone use during school hours.
“Young people succeed in the classroom when they’re learning and growing—not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said in a statement.
The New York State Teachers Union is working with Hochul’s administration to develop a policy that could include keeping phones out of reach from the start of the school day until dismissal.
The details of the policy are still being worked out, but the idea is gaining traction among educators and policymakers.
However, parents in both states are raising concerns about the potential downsides of a cell phone ban, particularly in the case of emergencies. Some worry their children may need to have access to their phones to contact them during critical situations.
Many school districts in both New Jersey and New York have already implemented their own policies to limit cell phone use during school hours. However, these measures have not been uniform across the region.
Mystery drone sightings: 21 New Jersey mayors call for governor to investigate
Dozens of unidentified drones spotted in central and northern New Jersey are raising concerns among state lawmakers. At least 21 mayors are calling on New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to launch a state investigation into their origins.
In a letter, the mayors demanded that the investigation’s findings be released to state and local officials and residents.
Murphy responded to the letter on Monday, Dec. 9, telling Fox News his plan to address the mysterious drone sightings.
Murphy said he’s been working with the White House and Homeland Security to get “answers sooner rather than later.” He acknowledged residents’ frustration about the lack of answers.
The governor noted there were 49 drone sightings on Sunday, Dec. 8, and admitted he doesn’t have much in the way of answers. He said that, to his knowledge, the drones are “highly sophisticated” and “the minute you get eyes on them, they go dark.”
Murphy stressed that there is no danger to the public. However, he pleaded for more help from federal agencies to uncover the mystery behind the sightings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently investigating the drone sightings and has asked residents for help by video and reporting any drones they spot.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented drone flight restrictions as the probe continues.
Drones are legal in New Jersey and often used by hobbyists. However, the aircraft spotted in most cases across the state by residents are reportedly larger than those drones used for recreation.
9 lawsuits filed against NYC’s congestion pricing plan
New York City’s congestion pricing plan, set to begin Jan. 5, 2025, is under fire from nine lawsuits filed by unions, state governments and advocacy groups. Opponents argue the tolls are unfair, financially burdensome and lack proper environmental review.
Supporters claim the plan is essential for reducing traffic, cutting pollution and modernizing public transit.
New Jersey, led by Gov. Phil Murphy, D, has filed a prominent lawsuit alleging that the tolls unfairly target New Jersey commuters. Other groups opposing the plan include the Trucking Association of New York, a group of Long Island leaders and the coalition of New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, who all claim the fees are economically damaging and illegal.
The congestion pricing plan charges $9 during peak hours for vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street, with higher fees for trucks and discounts during off-peak hours. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the tolls will generate $15 billion to fund subway upgrades, electric buses and other transit improvements.
Advocates argue the plan will cut gridlock and improve air quality in heavily polluted neighborhoods, while critics contend the costs disproportionately harm working-class families and suburban commuters.
AP Images
Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., said the reduced toll amount of $9, down from the originally proposed $15, balances the need for revenue with affordability. She and MTA officials insist the plan is vital to the city’s future. However, opponents said the financial strain and legal questions make it unworkable.
With court battles ahead and a pending vote by the MTA board, the fate of the plan remains uncertain.
Fmr. President Obama rallies support for Harris at Night 2 of DNC
Former President Barack Obama headlined night two of the DNC, rallying support behind Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency. And Russian officials say Moscow came under the largest attack by Ukrainian drones since the war began over two years ago. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.
Former President Obama rallies support for Harris at Night 2 of DNC
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will formally accept the nomination for vice president at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago Wednesday night. Among those set to speak on night three of the DNC is former President Bill Clinton.
Tuesday, Aug. 20, was a night of Democratic Party star power — including speeches from the Obamas.
Former President Barack Obama closed out the night by rallying up the crowd and throwing his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris while speaking out against her opponent, former President Donald Trump.
“We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos,” Obama said. “We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
Her running mate, Gov. Walz, will headline night three with a primetime speech Wednesday night.
Running mate says RFK Jr. can stay in the race or back Trump
Former President Donald Trump is continuing a rally blitz across battleground states. He spent Tuesday, Aug. 20, campaigning in Michigan with an emphasis on crime and inflation.
On Wednesday, Trump will join his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, in North Carolina.
This comes as it looks like Trump could potentially pick up an endorsement from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan. Shanahan said on a podcast they have two options: stay in the race or join forces with Trump to avoid a Kamala Harris presidency.
RFK Jr. has yet to comment on this direction of his campaign, but said Tuesday he is open to talks with other political parties with similar goals.
A CNN reporter asked Trump whether he would consider RFK Jr. for a spot in his administration following the news of the potential endorsement. Trump said he is open to the idea.
Matt Gaetz defeats McCarthy-backed candidate in Florida primary
McCarthy and his allies had targeted Gaetz as well as three other Republicans who voted to oust him from the speakership late last year.
McCarthy did claim one win — helping to defeat House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R, in Virginia earlier this summer. However, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace and Arizona Rep. Eli Crane won each of their races despite the opposition from McCarthy.
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez officially resigns after bribery conviction
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, D, has officially resigned. Tuesday, Aug, 20, was his last day in office.
It comes just over a month after a jury convicted him on federal bribery charges.
The state’s Democratic governor is tapping former top aide George Helmy to succeed the three-term incumbent until the November election results for the Senate seat are certified. It’s a high stakes race, with Democrats holding a narrow majority in the Senate.
Russia says it fought off Ukraine’s largest drone attack yet on Moscow
Russian officials said they shot down at least 12 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow late Aug. 20 night and early Aug. 21 morning, local time. Russia said it was part of one of the largest drone attacks since the Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022.
While it’s not clear how many drones were launched in total, Russia said it took out more than 45 over various regions.
The attacks come as Russia is advancing in eastern Ukraine while also trying to fight off Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region — which is the biggest foreign attack on Russian territory since World War II.
Federal judge blocks FTC’s rule banning noncompete agreements
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) plan to ban noncompete agreements in the workplace is no longer happening — at least for now. On Tuesday, Aug. 20, a federal judge in Texas blocked the new rule that would have made it easier for employees to quit a job and go work for a competitor or start a competing business.
The judge ruled the FTC “exceeded its statutory authority” in making its decision back in April and said the ban would cause irreparable harm. The FTC has previously said noncompete agreements restrict workers’ freedoms and suppress wages.
The rule was to take effect on Sept. 4. An FTC spokesperson said the agency is considering appealing the judge’s decision.
President Biden to address the nation on his decision to end 2024 campaign
President Joe Biden is set to address the nation for the first time after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. And the story of another American athlete heading to Paris hoping to bring their sport to the Olympics. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
President Biden to address the nation on his decision to end 2024 campaign
President Joe Biden will address the nation on Wednesday, July 24, to explain why he ended his 2024 presidential campaign. He’s also set to lay out what he will focus on in the six months remaining in his presidency.
Biden arrived back in Washington from his home in Delaware on Tuesday, July 23, for the first time in six days since he was diagnosed with COVID-19. He answered only one question from reporters upon his return, saying he’s “feeling well” after now testing negative for the virus.
In Wednesday night’s address, President Biden is expected to also explain why he believes Vice President Kamala Harris is the best candidate to take on former President Donald Trump in November.
Harris held her first rally in Wisconsin Tuesday, July 23, and she’ll address a historically Black sorority convention in Indianapolis Wednesday. On Thursday, July 25, she’s set to address a teachers union that endorsed her on July 22.
Vice President Kamala Harris rallied Democrats on Tuesday in Wisconsin, vowing to defeat Donald Trump by attacking him as a prosecutor. Harris listed her campaign pledges, which included expanding abortion rights and building a strong middle class. https://t.co/9nF2OMLKDQpic.twitter.com/Au3BeuipG0
Trump will rally in North Carolina Wednesday and then he and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, will hold a joint rally in Minnesota on Saturday, July 27.
This comes as the first few polls conducted after Harris launched her presidential campaign have been released.
In a head-to-head matchup, an NPR poll found Trump at 46% and Harris with 45% of support among registered voters. However, a Reuters poll has Harris ahead with 44% compared to Trump’s 42%.
Trump’s campaign to hold indoor rallies in aftermath of assassination attempt
Former President Trump’s campaign will reportedly now stop holding outdoor rallies on the Secret Service’s advice after he was wounded in an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. The campaign says current plans are to hold indoor events and maybe smaller outdoor ones, but only in more controlled settings.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stepped down Tuesday, July 23, after calls for her resignation in the wake of the assassination attempt.
CAMPAIGN CA$H: "Kamala Harris is in the process of committing the largest campaign finance violation in American history." Why the Trump campaign says the Harris campaign is violating finance laws: https://t.co/DeWSsaDYtDpic.twitter.com/qE22Rnf98f
The Trump campaign has also filed a complaint with the FEC in an effort to block President Biden’s campaign from transferring $91 million to Vice President Harris’ campaign. Trump’s team says Harris improperly took over the cash after the Biden campaign account changed its name to “Harris for President.”
Harris’ campaign spokesperson has dismissed the filing.
Mass protest at U.S. Capitol ahead of Netanyahu speech
Dozens of demonstrators showed up to the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, July 23, to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. The protest was organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace.
Tuesday’s demonstration had a similar message as other high profile war protests, with demonstrators chanting “free Palestine,” “not in our name” and “stop genocide.” They protesters staged a sit-in at a congressional office building. Capitol police arrested more than 200 people.
The protest came as Netanyahu is in Washington meeting with U.S. lawmakers. Multiple other protests are already planned for Wednesday as Netanyahu is set to deliver a speech to Congress.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Joe Biden Thursday, July 25. He’ll also meet with Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday and former President Donald Trump on Friday, July 26, as he looks to lock in support for Israel from both candidates ahead of November’s election.
Looking forward to seeing Bibi Netanyahu on Friday, and even more forward to achieving Peace in the Middle East! DJT@realDonaldTrump Donald Trump Truth Social 10:06 PM EST 07/23/24 pic.twitter.com/duBKAOiFyD
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 24, 2024
The law originally passed last year but was then placed on hold. In June, Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled there was no constitutional right to an abortion in the state, lifting the hold.
🚨 BREAKING: Iowa’s extreme 6-week abortion ban will go into effect on Monday, July 29 at 8 a.m.
Iowans will lose the ability to make private medical decisions even though most of us believe abortion should remain legal. We will never stop fighting for reproductive freedom.
Previously, abortion in Iowa was legal for up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Iowa will now join three other states that ban abortions after about six weeks.
Menendez resigning from Senate after federal bribery conviction
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, D, will be resigning. He’s stepping down after his conviction earlier this month on 16 counts. The charges include including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent.
Menendez’s resignation will take effect Aug. 20, giving his staffers time to find new jobs. The New Jersey lawmaker was facing mounting pressure to step down or face being expelled from the Senate.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, D, is expected to appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of Menendez’s term, which ends on Jan. 3.
Tesla earnings down amid weak electric vehicle sales
Tesla’s profit is down more than 40% for the second quarter of this year and that can mostly be attributed to weak auto sales. From April to June, the company’s revenue from its electric vehicles is down more than $1.3 billion compared to the same time last year.
Experts say Tesla is facing a double whammy of more competition from big automakers and an overall decline in EV sales.
However, Tesla owner Elon Musk is focused on the company’s future. He announced this week Tesla will have its humanoid robots “in production to be used within the company next year.”
Tesla has been working up robot models for several years as part of its efforts to expand into robots and artificial intelligence.
U.S. athletes hope showcase launches beach handball into Olympics
This is the third installment in our weeklong series taking a closer look at Team USA members and their sports ahead of the start of the Paris Olympics.
When the Olympic Games open on Friday, July 26, in Paris, viewers be able to watch beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower Stadium.
But for USA’s Christine Mansour, Ebiye Udo-Udoma and Drew Donlin, their attention will be on another beach sport 15 miles away — beach handball.
“It’s a dream come true,” Udo-Udoma told Straight Arrow News. “There are still some preparations. I don’t think the magnitude of playing in Paris has hit me because I’m still focused on training.”
Mansour, fresh off getting her MBA, means business when it comes to giving beach handball its due.
“I always view it as a startup sport,” Mansour said. “Not that many people know about it, especially in the States. It’s so interesting because once I explain this sport to people and show them a clip, the interest is immediately piqued.”
Just like the sport itself, Udo-Udoma is better known outside the U.S., often referred to internationally by his nickname “Handball Ninja.”
“I remember shaking hands with an opponent,” Udo-Udoma said. “I said, ‘My name’s Ebiye.’ He said ‘Ninja, you don’t have to introduce yourself, we all know who you are.’ I just chuckled.”
Unlike the indoor version, beach handball is not yet an official part of the Olympics. But this year in Paris, beach handball is an exhibition sport played alongside the Olympic Games.
Mansour and Udo-Udoma are among 64 of the world’s best athletes from 18 different countries playing in a showcase with hopes for the sport to be granted a permanent spot.
“It’s very important to me that you have these mediums in life like sport where you can transcend barriers whether they are political, social or geographical,” Udo-Udoma said. “It’s nice to have something to connect you to other human beings independent of superficial restrictions.”
After playing Division 1 basketball at Harvard, Mansour found beach handball while living in California and excelled — becoming the top scorer in the 2022 World Championship, moving to the Netherlands and creating a dual-nation team. Now she is being named the only female player from North America for the showcase.
“We’re all entrepreneurs in the sense,” Mansour said. “We’re all doing our part to build this community and build this sport, build awareness, so we can continue to reach higher levels and with that the ultimate goal is reaching the Olympics.”
Mansour said one of the big differentiators setting this sport apart from others is the points for spectacular goals, including the alley oops and the spin shots.
It was those moves that first caught the attention of the future “Handball Ninja.” Udo-Udoma played at Oregon State University and joined the national team a decade ago.
“For really a couple decades worth of work to culminate into something like getting the opportunity to play under the rings, the flood of emotion that initially hit me was immense,” Udo-Udoma said.
Olympic gold is not the goal this year for these Americans. They are just out to prove beach handball belongs at the Olympics and they’re not going to miss their shot —spinning or not — to showcase that.
“So to have this opportunity as we shoot to get it on the program for Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, and to be an integral part of the history of something; that’s something that has even more value on top of what I accomplish as an individual athlete or as a competitor — to be part of something bigger than me,” Udo-Udoma said.
“For me to be part of an Olympic showcase of a sport that I’m obsessed with, that I love, and I wish the whole world knew about is the greatest honor,” Mansour added.
New Jersey officials order cops to ensure immigrants sent from Texas go to NYC
In New Jersey, elected leaders want nothing to do with the ongoing migrant crisis dispute between New York City’s Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. However, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is criticizing Abbott’s actions, emphasizing the need for a solution.
“The last thing we need is governors like Greg Abbott doing political stunts,” Murphy said. “This is not a time for stunts. This is a time to figure out a solution that is broad and comprehensive.”
In the last week, Abbott has bused more than 1,000 migrants to New Jersey after Mayor Adams signed an executive order requiring chartered buses from Texas to give 32-hour advance notice when dropping off migrants. The order also limits the time those buses can arrive in the port authority.
Abbott circumvented the executive order and instructed the buses to deliver migrants to New Jersey, specifically in municipalities such as Secaucus, Trenton, and Edison. This was done to enable the migrants to utilize public transportation to reach Gotham.
New Jersey cities — like Secaucus, Trenton and Edison — prompted local leaders to express resource limitations. To ensure migrants do not stay, New Jersey law enforcement officers have been told to make sure migrants board trains for New York City, according to photos obtained by the New York Post.
New Jersey leaders said they don’t have the resources to care for the migrants.
“This is not a local issue,” said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi on “Good Day New York.” “I can’t be any more clear that as a mayor, you know, Edison does not have the ability or means or financial means to support migrants.”
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the city’s inability to accommodate the influx.
“We don’t have the capacity to house them or to feed them or take care of their medical needs as much as we would like to,” said Gusciora in an interview with CBS Philadelphia.
However, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop expressed a willingness to help migrants.
“At the end of the day, they’re desperate people who need help,” Fulop said. “And we want to do the right thing and be helpful.”
In response, Mayor Adams is suing 17 charter bus companies for $708 million, accusing them of violating state law. He criticized Abbott’s use of migrants as political pawns, labeling it chaotic and inhumane.
The plan aims to address the persistent issues of congestion and air pollution in Manhattan’s Central Business District while generating approximately $1 billion annually to fund improvements for the city’s mass transit systems, overseen by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
“I know there’s going to be an impact, but we have to also deal with the larger picture — protecting and cleaning up our environment, protecting the quality of air, protecting mobility on our streets and also protecting our financial stability of the MTA, because without that, it all collapses,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
According to the proposal, passenger cars entering Manhattan from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends would be subject to a $15 charge. Small trucks would face a fee of $24, while large trucks would be charged $36. To encourage off-peak travel, those entering Manhattan through the four tolled tunnels during daytime congestion hours would receive a credit, resulting in a $5 reduction for cars.
“Absent this, we’re going [to] be choking in our own traffic for a long time to come, and the MTA is not going to have the funds necessary to provide quality service,” said Carl Weisbrod, chair of the Traffic Mobility Review Board.
The plan includes toll rate discounts for non-peak hours and frequent low-income vehicle owners. Additionally, taxi drivers would impose a $1.25 surcharge per ride for entering the congestion zone, while ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft would pass on an extra $2.50 to their passengers. New York City officials based their plan off other congestion pricing programs in cities worldwide, including London, Singapore and Stockholm.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has argued that the plan unfairly impacts his constituents and has taken legal action with the Garden State, suing the federal government for approving New York’s proposal in July.
Everyone in the region deserves access to more reliable mass transit, but placing an unjustified financial burden on New Jersey commuters is wrong. We are left with no choice than to continue addressing our concerns through litigation.
Gov. Phil Murphy
“The Traffic Mobility Review Board’s recommended credit structure is wholly inadequate, especially the total lack of toll credits for the George Washington Bridge, which will lead to toll shopping, increased congestion in underserved communities and excessive tolling at New Jersey crossings into Manhattan,” Murphy said in a statement. “Everyone in the region deserves access to more reliable mass transit, but placing an unjustified financial burden on New Jersey commuters is wrong. We are left with no choice than to continue addressing our concerns through litigation.”
Both Uber and taxi drivers have also expressed opposition to the plan, advocating for exemptions. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance estimates that without an exemption, individual drivers could face a significant loss of up to $8,000 per year in income.
If this proposal is implemented, thousands of driver families will get dragged back into crisis-level poverty with no relief in sight.
Bhairavi Desai, New York City Taxi Workers Alliance
“If this proposal is implemented, thousands of driver families will get dragged back into crisis-level poverty with no relief in sight,” said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York City Taxi Workers Alliance.
“I think the $15 proposal is the beginning of the conversation. Now it’s time to hear from communities, to deliberate, and to make a determination of who is going to be exempted, who is not going to be exempted,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We don’t want to overburden working class New Yorkers.”
Before the implementation of this congestion pricing proposal can become, it must first receive approval from the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Sunk wind projects create election concerns for NJ Democrats
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s once favorable stance toward Danish energy company Orsted has taken a sharp turn as he labels its recent decision to cancel two offshore wind projects “outrageous.” Orsted’s cancellation could leave state’s Democratic legislators in a delicate position just a week before they face an election in the state legislature.
Murphy’s support for Orsted was evident in July when he signed a bill that would provide the company with a tax incentive.
The wind projects, which were intended to bolster New Jersey’s renewable energy sector, now places the state’s Democratic leadership in a precarious situation. Murphy has taken a strong stance, declaring that his administration will ensure Orsted fulfills its obligations, including a commitment to provide $300 million to the state.
The company posted a $100 million guarantee to construct the Ocean Wind 1 project by the end of 2025. According to Murphy, Orsted was required to put up another $200 for the state’s offshore wind sector.
Despite the setback, Gov. Murphy remained optimistic about the future of renewable energy in New Jersey. However, the offshore wind industry faces significant financial challenges, including supply chain issues, rising interest rates, and inflation, which are affecting developers with ambitious plans to construct wind turbines along the eastern and western coasts.
Atlantic Shores, another offshore wind project in New Jersey, is still moving forward, although not without its own financial hurdles. In July, Politico reported that Atlantics Shores said it saw a 30% increase in costs associated with its project.
Gov. Murphy has said that Atlantic Shores is integral to his vision of achieving 100% clean energy in New Jersey by 2035.
Orsted backs out of New Jersey offshore wind projects amid financial challenges
Offshore wind developer Orsted has decided to back out of two controversial projects along the coast of New Jersey. The Danish company will cease development of the Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects, citing factors such as inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain issues as reasons for this decision.
Orsted could lose the $100 million guarantee it posted with New Jersey, which ensured Ocean Wind 1 would be operational by the end of 2025. That money could go back to taxpayers. According to The New York Times, Orsted says it could write off as much as $5.6 billion.
“We are extremely disappointed to have to take this decision, particularly because New Jersey is poised to be a U.S. and global hub for offshore wind energy.” Group Executive Vice President and CEO of the Americas Region David Hardy said in a statement,
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is a strong supporter of offshore wind development. In a statement, Murphy called the decision “outrageous” and questioned Orsted’s credibility and competence.
“In recognition of the challenges inherent in large and complex projects, my administration in partnership with legislative leadership insisted upon important protections that ensure New Jersey will receive $300 million to support the offshore wind sector should Orsted’s New Jersey projects fail to proceed,” Murphy said.
Orsted intends to proceed with other offshore wind projects along the East Coast.
The company is not alone in facing financial challenges. International energy company Equinor recently wrote down the value of its U.S. projects by $300 million, and BP announced it would write down three projects off the coast of New York by $540 million. BP’s head of gas and low carbon commented that the offshore wind industry in the U.S. is “fundamentally broken.”
NJ Gov. Murphy spent $12,000 on stadium events, Taylor Swift concert
Records show that in his first term, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy spent nearly $12,000 of taxpayer money on food and drinks at MetLife stadium events, including a 2018 Taylor Swift concert and a music festival. After being asked about taxpayers picking up his bill at the New Jersey stadium, Murphy, a Democrat, told Politico that his office is asking the state Democratic Party to reimburse taxpayers.
Murphy’s office added that it thought the Democratic State Committee would be footing the bill. When the committee didn’t, Murphy’s office said he paid for the expenses using his $95,000 annual expense account. The account is designated for “official receptions, official residence, and other official expenses.”
In total, public records obtained by Politico show in 2018 and 2019, the governor racked up a bill at MetLife stadium totaling $11,847, which included:
$936 at a July 2018 Taylor Swift concert.
$2,095 at a September 2018 USA vs. Brazil soccer game.
$2,068 at a November 2018 Jets football game.
$1,413 at the June 2019 Hot 97’s Summer Jam music festival.
$2,856 at a September 2019 USA vs. Mexico soccer game.
$2,479 at an October 2019 Jets football game.
At the Jets football game against the New England Patriots in 2019, records show an invoice for $90 in bottled water alone. The records do not show who was in attendance with the governor or the purpose of attending the events.
At the time, Christie’s spending scandal was picked up and reported on by dozens of news outlets, and late night talk shows.
According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss™ tool, this story is a Media Miss for the left. The Media Landscape indicates that while right-leaning outlets are covering this story, fewer left-leaning outlets are reporting on the topic.
A spokesperson at the New Jersey Democratic State Committee told Politico that the Party did not know of the invoices as they came before new leadership took over. The spokesperson added that the Party is looking into the situation to see if further action needs to be taken.
Records show that since taking office, Murphy’s expense account has been primarily used for receptions, official state gifts, and renovations at his mansion.
Records also show that between 2019 and 2022, Murphy returned more than $25,000 that went unused from the expense account to the state.
Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.
