Middletown Mayor Tony Perry says that if recreational marijuana is to become legal in New Jersey, that its retail sale of should be regulated like alcohol is regulated…with municipalities selling licenses and conducting background checks on the sellers.
The legislation currently under consideration in Trenton, and reportedly agreed upon by Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin amounts to an unfunded burden upon local governments, Perry said in a letter to Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello, President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, with copies sent to the 13th District legislators; Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywomen Amy Handlin and Serena DiMaso, as well as Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholder Director Tom Arnone.
Josh Welle using free Wifi at Panera Bread in Ocean Township last month
In a podcast published last week, former congressional candidate Josh Welle said that if he runs for election again it will likely be for a national office and that it would likely be in 4-6 years.
Last December after he became the 20th Democrat to lose to Congressman Chris Smith, Welle told NJGlobe that he was considering a run for State Assembly in the 13th district to replace retiring Assemblywoman Amy Handlin.
Monmouth County Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger received the GOP endorsement for Handlin’s seat at a convention in Freehold yesterday. Democrats are set to endorse their candidates next Saturday. Welle’s name is not in the mix for Assembly, according to a Democrat who doesn’t want to be known for talking to MMM. Read the rest of this entry »
Josh Welle marching in Asbury Park with Sen Bob Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone
NewJerseyGlobe is reporting that Josh Welle said he is considering as run for State Assembly in from the 13th Legislative district.
“It’s something I’m taking a look at,” Welle told the New Jersey Globe. “I’m going to take the next few weeks to see if that makes sense and see if it’s the best way for me to serve.”
Welle, who is registered to vote in Virginia, did not say if he would seek the Democrat or Republican nomination for Assembly. He’s been a registered Democrat for less than two years, declaring himself a D after he was turned down for a White House Fellowship in the Trump Administration in 2017. Shortly thereafter he started running for the Democrat nomination for Congress from New Jersey’s 4th district.
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin of the 13th legislative district will not seek another term in Trenton next year.
Handlin told NorthJersey.com that she is serving her last term in the legislature and NewJerseyGlobe that she will not seek reelection. Handlin has not yet responded to MMM’s call or email.
A Monmouth County freeholder from 1990-2005, Handlin was elected to the Assembly in 2005 after defeating incumbent Assemblyman Joe Azzolina a 13th district Republican primary. She served one term on the Middletown Township Committee from 1987 till 1990.
Throughout her political career, Handlin has been known as a ethics watchdog and consumer advocate.
It’s not considered likely that Senator Bob Menendez will resign as a result of the bi-partisan admonishment he received from the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics. NJ and Washington Democrats have become a much more forgiving people since Senator Bob Torricelli was forced out of office after his admonishment 16 years ago.
As Bret Stephens wrote in a Trump bashing piece in the NY Times yesterday, America’s standards have declined over the years. Menendez’s admonishment for trading the power of his office for luxury travel and massive campaign contributions will likely blow over as the Democrats and their media partners continue their mission to destroy the Trump presidency.
But what if the Russian collusion with the Senate Ethics Committee works and Menendez decides to take a job running Dr. Salomon Melgen’s port security business in the Dominican Republic while looking over his luxury villa?
If Menendez resigns, Governor Phil Murphy gets to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until January. That person would run in Menendez’s place for a six year term in the November election. Who would Murphy choose? Read the rest of this entry »
Middletown Township Committeeman Steve Massell today announced his endorsement of Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon to succeed Senator Joe Kyrillos as the senior legislator for northern Monmouth County’s 13th legislative district.
“As a lifelong resident of Monmouth County and having served these last 7 years on the Middletown Township Committee, I was not only saddened but concerned for the future of our county and state when I heard that Joe Kyrillos was retiring from the Senate,” Massell said.
Bill highlights differences between O’Scanlon and Handlin in LD-13 Senate Race
Handlin says new law punishes patients for the sins and transgressions of addicts
Governor Chris Christie signed legislation today that compels New Jersey health insurance companies to cover inpatient care to opioid addicts, implements a 5 day limit on the first prescription for opioid painkillers, and requires doctors to discuss the dangers of opioid addiction with patients.
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin raised $4,075 for her campaign to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the State Senate during the quarter that ended December 31, 2016, according to her latest filing with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. The amount almost doubles what she has raised since her last election in 2015. Her total raised for the cycle is $8,175.
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Handlin’s district mate who is also contending for Kyrillos’s seat in the upper chamber of the legislature, raised $121,075 for his campaign during the same period.
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Middletown Township Committeeman Steve Massell at Monmouth County’s Reorganization, January 5, 2017
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he raised $121,075 in the two months since he declared his candidacy for State Senate in New Jersey’s 13th Legislative District. O’Scanlon is seeking to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the Senate. Kyrillos announced in late October that he would not seek another term.
“The job of a State Senator is so much more than going to Trenton and voting on bills,” O’Scanlon said. “The job includes being a leader in the community and the Party. That means having the resources to support your own campaign, the campaigns of other great candidates and most importantly, civic and charitable organizations in the district. I am deeply grateful to my friends and supporters who have enabled me to support great candidates and organizations during my eight year career in the Assembly. I am humbled that they have stepped up so strongly to support my candidacy for Senate.”
O’Scanlon: “While I appreciate Amy’s confidence and endorsement for Assembly, I am running for Senate”
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin said she would seek another term in the New Jersey General Assembly if the 13th district County Committee members choose another candidate to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the upper house of the legislature. So far, the only other candidate for the Senate seat is Handlin’s district mate, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.
“Yes and yes,” Handlin said when asked if she would seek the GOP nomination for Assembly if she failed in her Senate bid and if she wanted O’Scanlon on the ticket as a candidate for Assembly.
