Zach Blackburn
@zachblackburn23
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🪿! | statehouse reporter @TheNJGlobe; formerly: @gwhatchet, @nationaljournal | [email protected]
jersey!
Joined April 2021
The Supreme Court on Tuesday was sympathetic to a group of faith-based pregnancy centers in their quest to challenge New Jersey’s demand for information about the group’s fundraising practices in federal court. https://t.co/Ya8mIhy0Yg
scotusblog.com
The Supreme Court on Tuesday was sympathetic to a group of faith-based pregnancy centers in their quest to challenge New Jersey’s demand for information about the group’s fundraising practices in […]
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Here’s my article on this long, dramatic hearing:
newjerseyglobe.com
In a contentious hearing, the state Senate’s State Government Committee unanimously approved an oversight reform bill that would transfer much of the
As Attorney General Matt Platkin, Senator Andy Kim, and acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh speak against a bill that would gut the comptroller’s office and expand a different oversight agency, Senate President Nick Scutari, the author of the bill, comes to watch
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In apparent anger, Beach adjourned the meeting, but without first voting on the bill. He takes it back, and the committee just cleared the bill in a 5-0 vote
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Now Matt Platkin and Beach are going at it. Beach says Platkin is the problem that sparked this bill. Platkin says, “I thought we were talking about the bill.” Beach says “your leadership is lacking.”
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Hearing has gone off the rails. Kim and Beach scolding each other after Beach said Kim couldn’t go longer than three minutes. They pointed out that a proponent of the bill, and the leader of the SCI, was given time for a full presentation
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After 2.5+ hours, there are five or so opponents left to speak on the bill, including the three highest-profile opponents: Andy Kim, Matt Platkin, and Kevin Walsh
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Hoboken Mayor and Assemblyman-elect Ravi Bhalla called the hearing a “sham” and a “slap in the face.”
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Two more advocates have attempted to yield their time to Kim but have been rebuffed
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The committee called policy analyst Peter Chen to testify. Chen, who said Andy Kim has a train to catch, offered to give his time to Kim. Chairman Jim Beach said no, sparking murmurs in the crowd
Legislative committees typically give high-ranking officials, like members of Congress, the courtesy of being among the first to testify on bills — that has not been the case for Senator Andy Kim today (or Kevin Walsh or Matt Platkin, for that matter)
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Legislative committees typically give high-ranking officials, like members of Congress, the courtesy of being among the first to testify on bills — that has not been the case for Senator Andy Kim today (or Kevin Walsh or Matt Platkin, for that matter)
As Attorney General Matt Platkin, Senator Andy Kim, and acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh speak against a bill that would gut the comptroller’s office and expand a different oversight agency, Senate President Nick Scutari, the author of the bill, comes to watch
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As Attorney General Matt Platkin, Senator Andy Kim, and acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh speak against a bill that would gut the comptroller’s office and expand a different oversight agency, Senate President Nick Scutari, the author of the bill, comes to watch
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A unanimous Third Circuit panel has affirmed a lower-court decision: Alina Habba is not lawfully serving as U.S. Attorney in New Jersey. Big deal for Jersey, and huge national implications for the Trump admin’s efforts to install friendly U.S. Attorneys. https://t.co/nLm2h1zS3T
newjerseyglobe.com
Alina Habba lacks the authority to continue serving as the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, the Third Circuit declared today in a
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Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has picked Dale Caldwell, the Lt. Governor-elect, as New Jersey's new Secretary of State. https://t.co/QllU2DhksD
newjerseyglobe.com
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill will announce the appointment of Dale Caldwell, the lieutenant governor-elect, as Secretary of State at an event in his hometown
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Leftovers from my interview with Robert Caro, who reports that he had a "terrific jump shot" and recalled what it was like watching Bill Bradley play at Princeton: https://t.co/Lr0cJGZCXu
NEW: Thunder GM Sam Presti is a huge fan of the legendary historian Robert Caro and frequently cites Caro’s “turn every page” mantra as a guiding light for the powerhouse Thunder. “I am truly touched, if you want to know the truth,” Caro tells ESPN.
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Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill says she stands against the weakening of oversight, but declines to specifically take a stance on pending legislation
N.J. Attorney General Matt Platkin comes out against legislation that would strip the state comptroller of much of its power and move it under the State Commission of Investigation:
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N.J. Attorney General Matt Platkin comes out against legislation that would strip the state comptroller of much of its power and move it under the State Commission of Investigation:
This Thanksgiving, the NJ Senate is killing a gov’t watchdog that stops wasteful spending, giving politically powerful individuals broad powers to intimidate law enforcement fighting corruption & even letting them tap phones. Outrageous.  I’ll be testifying against it on Mon.
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Analilia Mejia has entered the race for the NJ-11 special Democratic primary for Congress, with a Day 1 endorsement from @BernieSanders.
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Big ruling in Virginia as New Jersey awaits a ruling regarding Alina Habba’s eligibility
BREAKING: A federal judge DISMISSES former FBI Director James Comey's criminal indictment. "I agree with Mr. Comey that the Attorney General’s attempt to install Ms. Halligan as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was invalid."
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New: @JLCauvin has spent years satirically impersonating Donald Trump on social media. Now he wants to take the fight directly to the president as NJ-11’s next congressman. https://t.co/28J7e4YjOI
newjerseyglobe.com
Ever since Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016, comedian J-L Cauvin has been ruthlessly impersonating the president on social media,
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