By Matt Friedman

Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

If you had any question about why Democratic legislative leaders look worried about school policies involving transgender kids, here’s your answer.

An overwhelming majority of New Jersey residents — 77 percent — favor requiring schools to tell parents if a student asks to be identified as a different gender. This comes as Attorney General Matt Platkin is suing three school districts — one of them in hotly contested Legislative District 11 — that instituted parental notification policies.

New Jerseyans' attitudes toward gay rights shifted big time more than a decade ago. That didn't apparently encompass transgender issues. In fact, according to the poll, a slight majority of New Jerseyans do not believe a person can be of a different gender than what they were born.

One of the few silver linings for trans rights supporters in this poll is that 40% of residents say they are open to changing their minds about their opinion on trans kids in school, and 15% are unsure.

An issue’s political popularity does not make one side right and the other side wrong. But it clearly indicates that, at least right now, this is a political liability for Democrats.

Read the full poll here. 

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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m sorry, everybody — I could not bear the idea that Hillary Clinton would be president of the United States. … I thought, having been [Trump’s] friend for 15 years, that I could make him a better candidate, a better president. I was wrong. …I’m not perfect, and every decision I make is not going to be perfect — but, you know, I want to see the people in this room who have never made a decision that they’d like to take back. … And, by the way, I don’t regret it.” — Former Gov. Chris Christie 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY —  Michael Dickens, Brianna Donahue, Robert Garrett. Missed yesterday: Anthony Soprano, David Chase

WHERE’S MURPHY? — At a recreation center in Trenton to sign this bill

PROGRAMMING NOTE — New Jersey Playbook will not be publishing from Aug. 28 through Sept. 4. We’ll be back to our normal schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Horizon has been building healthy communities across New Jersey for 90 years. Last year, we partnered with 255 community organizations across the state to tackle food insecurity, address opioid abuse, and expand mental health access to NJ residents who need it most. New Jersey isn’t just our home, it’s who we are and all we do. Horizon is here for you.

JUST LIKE MY MIND WHEN I’VE TAKEN TOO MANY EDIBLES — “New Jersey’s weed industry is in a ‘doom loop,’ trade group says,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Nick Vadala: “Just over a year after beginning recreational cannabis sales, New Jersey’s legal weed industry is in a “doom loop” of slow licensing and a lack of enforcement that is causing it to stagnate, a marijuana trade group says. The New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association, which represents the majority of cultivators and dispensaries in New Jersey, issued a report Tuesday placing blame for the state’s slow-growing marijuana industry on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the agency that establishes and enforces regulations governing legal marijuana. The CRC, the report said, is ‘hindering the market’s potential’ due to a protracted licensing process. ‘We’re advocating starting with the removal of the bureaucracy,’ said Todd Johnson, the group’s executive director. ‘We are making it difficult right at the point of entry for no reason.’”

PALISADES INTRIGUE — “Why is a dead bill to block development along the Palisades linked to the Menendez probe?” by The Record’s Katie Sobko and Kristie Cattafi: “As the many-tendriled federal probe into Sen. Bob Menendez continues to unfold, one of the lines of questioning involves a New Jersey bill with a curious history. Yet the bill, designed to limit new development along the Hudson River waterfront beneath the Palisades and protect residents' panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, has the least apparent connection to Menendez of all the investigation's angles. … The investigation is also looking at the partial sale by prominent Edgewater developer Fred Daibes of several properties along the Hudson, including the Quanta Superfund site, to a Qatari sheikh. Then there's the bill introduced last year, co-sponsored by state Sens. Nick Sacco and Brian Stack, designed to limit development at the foot of the Palisades cliffs in towns along the Hudson River in Hudson and Bergen counties … The bill, which has languished in Trenton, could have affected a high-rise development that Daibes had long planned for the Quanta Superfund site. Ties between the Menendez investigation and Daibes began to surface in the spring, when Sacco received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan requesting correspondence related to Menendez, his wife, Nadine Arslanian, and Daibes.”

OPINION TO BE AUTHORED BY JUSTICES DOG FASCIALE AND RACHEL WEIMARANER APTER  — “Emotional support dog banned from N.J. condo fetches Supreme Court review,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “Let’s just get this on the record: Who’s a good dog? The court recognizes Luna is a good dog. The 70-pound shelter pup probably doesn’t even know she’s at the center of a fight that has climbed from a local condominium association to New Jersey’s highest court in a case that could remake the rules for emotional support animals. … Luna’s case is in the hands of the state Supreme Court nearly five years after the black Labrador mix was adopted as an emotional support dog by a couple living at a Camden County condo complex that forbade pets over 30 pounds. When the couple refused to get rid of Luna, the condo board took them to court. A lower court judge sided with Luna’s owners, and an appeals court in May found they could keep her, too. But the appellate judges were split and the parties appealed again, kicking the matter up to Supreme Court to decide.”

NEW JERSEY: MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO THROW AWAY THEIR MONEY SINCE THE 1970S — “How can you play the NJ Lottery online? Here's how they're making it easier,” by The Asbury Park Press’ David Willis: “It's about to get easier to play the lottery. The New Jersey Lottery is preparing to get into the online lottery business. Previously, you had to go to a local store or use lotto.com or Jackpocket, two online services, to try your luck for lottery riches. That will change once the New Jersey Lottery finalizes its plan to offer lottery tickets online directly to consumers. In 2022, the lottery proposed selling tickets online, a measure that was adopted recently by the New Jersey Lottery Commission.”

SLOWER THAN A STATIONARY BULLET — Platkin announces developments in gun microstamping law, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Attorney General Matt Platkin on Tuesday announced the standards and process to determine whether a firearm has so-called microstamping technology, although the state is still behind on a key statutory deadline to implement the gun law … The state is behind schedule on the law, which required the standards and process for designating a gun as microstamping enabled to be created within 180 days after the bill was signed — meaning the state had to complete them by January 2023 … The study is key in requiring the sale of microstamped guns to proceed in the state. In a press release, the Attorney General’s office said that the investigation into the viability of microstamping technology “is ongoing and will be completed shortly.”

—“Will New Jersey’s Legislature become more diverse this year?” 

—“Atlantic City casinos still profitable, but their bottom line is getting leaner”

—“Mental health advocates raise alarm over new NJ involuntary commitment law” 

—“NJ Transit fare hikes: Only a matter of time?”

—“New Jersey seeks public comment on plan to ban sale of gas-powered cars”

—Mehrorta: “One out of three ain’t gonna cut it”  

—Quigley: “Trenton won’t be the same without ‘Gov.’ Codey” 

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

A NATIONAL CHRISIS — Chris Christie Is not going to apologize, OK? by The POLITICO’s Michael Kruse: Before Christie was one of his most ardent critics, after all, he was one of his most essential supporters — a pre-politics pal and periodic dinner companion, his first major endorser. He not only didn’t take any of the many available opportunities to break with him — Access Hollywood, Charlottesville, Helsinki and so on — Christie at the outset of Trump’s ascent was instrumental in making it OK for his party to be with him. So one end of the spectrum of the Republican electorate doesn’t like what he was doing then, and the other, larger end doesn’t like what he’s doing now, adding up to his historic unpopularity within his own party. And the people in what’s left of the middle? “The persuadables,” as his campaign staff optimistically calls them? They seem not sure how to feel about Christie — because they’re not sure which Christie to believe. The truth-teller has a trust problem. Even many who are the most receptive to his message remain skeptical of not just his choices but his motives, according to more than 50 interviews with current and former advisers and aides, operatives who have worked for him and against him, strategists, analysts and longtime watchers of Christie, and voters over the last two months at his roundtables and town halls.

—“Christie beating everyone but Trump in New Hampshire GOP presidential primary poll” 

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has been New Jersey’s health insurer for 90 years offering quality, affordable health plans. We make health care simple by having every hospital in the state in our network. And, we have a long history of helping address the most pressing health issues our members - and our state - face daily.

We partner with local organizations to help them make a difference in the health of our communities. Last year, we supported 255 community-based organizations to address the physical, mental, and social needs of our members - such as food insecurity, mental health, safe housing, and scholarships to support the next generation of doctors and dentists who come from historically underserved communities.

At Horizon, we’re working to create a healthier New Jersey for everyone. We are Horizon. We are New Jersey.

MISTRUSTEES — “Jersey City school board gives itself declining grades and searches for answers amid dysfunction,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “The mood inside the Jersey City Board of Education headquarters Monday night felt akin to a therapy session, where school board trustees vented their frustrations and tried to seek a path forward amidst criticism of its own dysfunction. How most of the board views itself was all the more apparent in self-evaluation reports that showed stark declines in how trustees see its performance and operations compared to last year, as well as drops over its relationships between the superintendent, school district staff and the community. Various trustees cited poor communication, finger pointing and ignored ideas as problems that have permeated throughout the board. One even said that ‘pride and egos’ need to get out of the way. While the mood was calm Monday night, the meeting underlined the issues within the nine-member board, particularly as the district nears the one-year anniversary of reclaiming local control from the state for the first time in decades.”

ACCIDENT REPORT IS COMPELLING READING — “Jersey City vehicle driving mayor struck in right rear bumper after using emergency lights,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “A Jersey City vehicle that was driving Mayor Steven Fulop was struck in the right rear bumper around 11 p.m. last night after using the emergency lights to avoid ‘being in an unsafe position’ during a red light, a copy of the crash investigation report shows. ’Driver of vehicle 1 stated while traveling Northbound on Palisade Ave, vehicle 1 was in the middle of the intersection of Palisade Ave and NJ-139 during a red light. Due to being in an unsafe position, vehicle 1 activated his emergency lights to continue through the intersection,’ the report, signed by North District Sgt. Joseph Chidichimo says. ‘It was at this time vehicle 2 struck vehicle 1 causing damage to the rear bumper of vehicle 1. … This is the second time a vehicle where Fulop was passenger was involved in an accident in a little over a month: an E-scooterist was issued a summons for riding on the sidewalk and striking an SUV the mayor was riding in on July 13th.”

PRETTYMAN, UGLY SITUATION— “Ocean City’s curfews and beach closings ‘just displaced’ teen problem to rest of town, police chief says,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg: “While curfews, beach closings, and backpack bans returned the main part of Ocean City’s Boardwalk to families this year and pleased merchants, police Chief Jay Prettyman said the new regulations sent the unruly teens out over the rest of the Shore town. ‘It was a great outcome for the beach and boardwalk,’ Prettyman said in an interview Tuesday. ‘It was not such a great outcome for the rest of town.’So far this year, there have been 16,336 curbside warnings given to teenagers in Ocean City, Prettyman said, which would appear to be well behind 2022′s total of 43,719. In 2021, there were 13,494 warnings. But, Prettyman said, ‘It just means those things aren’t happening on the beach anymore.’”

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—“Ventnor code enforcement officer charged with official misconduct”

—Staffing shortage prompts temporary takeover of [Millville] court accused of bias, officials say” 

—“Englewood residents attack affordable housing plan. Here's what they said”

—“Paterson loses bid to quash lawsuit over arrests made at Jameek Lowery protests”

—“Should Clifton taxpayers fund open space? Here's what is proposed”

R.I.P. — “[Former Hardwick Township] mayor, known in N.J. for personal crusade against opioids, dies” 

R.I.P. —“Motorcycle crash kills member of [Sussex] community college’s board of trustees” 

Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here.

PEOPLE WENT TO SUNSHINE PARK TO SEE WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE — “The American nudist movement was once based in New Jersey’s Pinelands. Former residents remember Sunshine Park,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Robert Moran: “Sunshine Park closed in the early 1980s. What’s left now are ruins of a few buildings, some cabins, an outdoor shower, and the broken pilings of a dock on the Great Egg Harbor River — a mix of private property and undeveloped parcels. In its heyday, the colony was where Boone ran the American Sunbathing Association, the main national organization for social nudism. The group exists today as the American Association for Nude Recreation, located in Florida near Walt Disney World. The members focus on tourism and having fun, according to the organization’s website. Most people involved with Sunshine Park have long since died. But there are a few former residents who were there as children or young adults, and they spoke with The Inquirer about baring it all in one of New Jersey’s most unusual communities.”

IT WILL BE LISTED ON NORDAQ  — “Nasdaq to delist Republic First Bank,” by NJBiz’s Matthew Fazelpooler: “In the latest twist of the Republic First Bank saga, Nasdaq Stock Market has notified the financial institution that it will be delisted from the exchange Aug. 23 because of a failure to file its annual report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). NJBIZ has extensively reported on the turmoil at Republic, which has featured a highly publicized proxy fight with activist investor groups, including one spearheaded by South Jersey powerbroker George Norcross III … The Norcross Braca Group has been consistently critical of the direction of the company and its leadership, pointing to mismanagement, dysfunction, cutbacks and a share price that has dropped to all-time lows in recent months. FRBK shares opened at $0.70 on Tuesday and were falling as of the writing of this story on the Nasdaq news.”

—“Rutgers faculty: Removing the Newark chancellor is the final straw. President Holloway has to go. | Opinion”

—“At a Jersey Shore bar, Taco Tuesday’s soul lives on in a trademark”

—“Racing to save a Monmouth County house where a Revolutionary War patriot was murdered”

—“South Jersey land once inhabited by tribe is returned to Native American group” 

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