Hundreds of protesters descended on Trenton Monday to protest a bill that would eliminate most religious exemptions for vaccinations for schoolchildren in the New Jersey. It was one of many measures lawmakers took up during the most recent legislative session, but the Senate didn't even vote on it in its final day. It's also back to the drawing board for a ban on plastic bags, which didn't make the cut. But a bill to end prison gerrymandering did. Brent Johnson covers politics for the Star Ledger and NJ Advance Media. He spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake.
WNYC transcripts are created on a rush deadline and the text may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record is the audio record.
Richard Hake [host]: It's Morning Edition on WNYC, I'm Richard Hake. Hundreds of protesters descended on Trenton New Jersey yesterday. They were chanting "my God my choice," protesting a bill that would eliminate most religious exemptions for vaccinations for school children in New Jersey. It was one of the many measures lawmakers took up during a marathon day in the statehouse on the final day of the legislative session. Joining us to fill us in is Brent Johnson who covers politics for the Star Ledger and NJ Advanced media. Brent, good morning.
Brent Johnson [guest]: Good morning. Thank you for having me.
Richard Hake [host]: Let's get started with the most contentious item on yesterday's agenda. And that's the religious exemption bill. I thought the bill was amended late last week in order to secure votes that would get it over the finish line. How'd the deal fall apart?
Brent Johnson [guest]: Well, basically they changed the bill to say that unvaccinated students would be could be allowed in some private schools if the private schools would accept them. But that—they gained one vote to get to 21 votes, and then that cost them another because some lawmakers are then saying well then you're segregating schools. So it was like they traded one lawmaker for another and it just didn't get done in the end.
Richard Hake [host]: So where does it stand now?
Brent Johnson [guest]: It the lawmakers, the top lawmakers in the Senate, which is run by Democrats are saying that it's going to come back when the new session starts, which starts at noon today. And now they're not done fighting for it. They say they're even going to be more aggressive in the new year.
Richard Hake [host]: Now, another big item that failed to pass was a proposed ban on plastic bags and foam containers. What happened there?
Brent Johnson [guest]: Well, they've been trying for months to get plastic bags and foam containers and even paper bags banned in New Jersey. But the Senate had one version of a bill that would phase it out over two years and the assembly didn't agree, and the governor's office didn't agree. So they have to go back to the drawing board to see what kind of band they want to put together and do that in the new year as well.
Richard Hake [host]: Now another bill that did pass, but received relatively little attention, was a bill to end prison gerrymandering. What does that mean? And what what does this bill do?
Brent Johnson [guest]: It's part of a criminal justice reform that the governor and the progressive Democratic lawmakers have been pushing. They're taking many steps to try and make sure that prison votes are counted and they've also restored voting rights to people on probation and parole. It's a large criminal justice reform that the governor and progressive Democrats have been pushing in the state.
Richard Hake [host]: What about the flavored vaping products ban? I mean, it passed yesterday, right? Now it goes to the governor?
Brent Johnson [guest]: Yes, the governor will decide and the governor convened a task force last year to look into something like this because he believes vaping is a problem. So this would ban all flavored vaping in New Jersey. They also wanted to do a menthol cigarette ban but that that is being pushed to the New Year.
Richard Hake [host]: Okay. Another big item that passed in the legislature last month but apparently governor Murphy disagreed with is a bill to exempt some school districts from the state's 2% property tax cap. It was a priority for the Senate President, Steve Sweeney, but governor Murphy vetoed the legislation yesterday. What's his reasoning there?
Brent Johnson [guest]: He says that, you know, basically Sweeney and Murphy, the Senate President and the governor, have been fighting over this. Sweeney pushed a bill last year that reforms school funding and this he saying that some districts were underfunded, and that this bill would give them a tax increase to make up the money that was lost. But the governor didn't agree. He said, you know, we already reform school funding, this didn't need to be done again. And it's kind of hypocritical to go back and, and try and change it. So it's another chapter and their ongoing fight.
Richard Hake [host]: And Governor Murphy gives his State of the State Address later on this afternoon. Can you give us a little preview? Do you have any idea what he's going to talk about?
Brent Johnson [guest]: Yeah, he's gonna talk about two major things. One is that he's gonna push for a millionaire's tax. Again, that's hiking income taxes on millionaires to pay for transportation funding and funding for pensions and public schools. And lawmakers, the last two years have have shut him down on this. He's tried twice before and now he's going to go for a third time. And then he also wants to talk about changing the culture in Trenton, which is we believe a reaction to a series of stories we wrote on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct among New Jersey politics and how he believes it's time to change the the atmosphere in Trenton over that.
Richard Hake [host]: And WNYC will bring you analysis of the governor's State of the State address later today on All Things Considered. Reporter Brent Johnson from the Star Ledger and NJ Advanced Media. Thanks so much for joining us this morning.
Brent Johnson [guest]: Thank you.