>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ" IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

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♪ >>> HI EVERYBODY, WELCOME TO "CHAT BOX," I'M DAVID CRUZ.

WE'RE HEADING INTO THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE YEAR, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT.

WE WANT TO TAKE TIME TO ASSESS WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN THE LEGISLATURE AND AROUND THE STATE AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO 2023.

JOINING US TO SIFT THROUGH THE REMAINS OF 2022 AND READ THE TEA LEAVES OF 2023, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE SENATE, THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID.

>> AS WE SPEAK THIS EVENING ON THURSDAY, YOU'RE ACTING GOVERNOR.

HOW DOES THAT CHANGE YOUR DAY, IF AT ALL?

>> I HAVE EXECUTIVE POWERS TODAY, I'M GOING TO SIGN A COUPLE OF BILLS, A BILL AND RESOLUTION THAT THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY PASSED.

PERFORM ANY NECESSARY DUTIES WHEN THE GOVERNOR IS OUT OF STATE.

>> YOU'RE NOT MAKING MAJOR POLICY CHANGES, NO REGIME CHANGE IN TRENTON?

>> NOT YET.

THIS WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, A RESOLUTION.

>> BEFORE WE DIG TOO MUCH INTO THINGS IN THE SENATE, HOW WOULD YOU IN YOUR MOST UNBIASED WAY ASSESS THIS SESSION IN THE SENATE?

>> I THINK IT'S GONE SMOOTH, A BIPARTISAN YEAR WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, A BALANCED APPROA APPROACH FOCUSING ON AFFORDABILITY IN NEW JERSEY, MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE TO LIVE HERE TO THE EXTENT WE CAN.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF MY FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE AS SENATE PRESIDENT.

>> YOU USED THE "M" WORD, MODERATE.

IS THAT STILL THE MODERATE DEMOCRATS AND SOME COLLEAGUES A LITTLE BIT MORE ON LEFT?

>> DEPENDS ON THE ISSUE.

I WAS THE CHIEF SPONSOR FOR YEARS OF LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

AND SOME MIGHT CONSIDER THAT A LIBERAL ISSUE.

I PUSHED THAT FOR MY ENTIRE YEAR.

BUT OTHER ISSUES I MIGHT BE MORE MODERATE IN SPENDING, TAXATION, AND THE LIKE.

BUT TALK ABOUT WORKERS' RIGHTS, I'M THERE WITH GIVING THEM AS MANY RIGHTS AS POSSIBLE.

>> A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT STARTED IN THE SENATE AND STALLED THERE.

THIS INITIATIVE TO PUT ACCESS TO ABORTION AND ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE -- AS A REFERENDUM IN THE FALL, SEEMED TO BE HEADED THAT WAY, THEN IT STOPPED.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> WELL, I WAS ONE OF THE CHIEF PROPONENTS OF THAT MEASURE WITH SENATOR RUIZ.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENSHRINE THAT RIGHT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

I STILL FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT.

THE ADVOCATE GROUPS HAVE OTHER PLACES TO SPEND THEIR TIME AND MONEY RATHER THAN SEE A PLACE THEY SEE AS SAFE, NEW JERSEY, FOR ABORTION RIGHTS, AS PLACE TO SPLIT THEIR TIME.

NOW IS THE TIME, YOU NEVER KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE IN CHARGE, IF I WAS A RISING STAR IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THEY GOT CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION, THEY MIGHT BAN IT OUTRIGHT TO START BECAUSE IT WOULD PUT THEM ON THE MAP.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN NEW JERSEY STILL.

>> WHAT WERE THE CONCERNS?

PARTLY BECAUSE YOU NEEDED A WHOLE EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE REFERENDUM AND THAT TOOK AWAY FROM EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ABORTION SERVICES?

>> THAT'S SOMEWHAT CORRECT.

JUST THE SKITTISHNESS OF FOLKS TALKING TO ADVOCATES WHO SHOULD BE THE NUMBER ONE CHEERLEADER FOR THIS SAYING IT'S OKAY IN NEW JERSEY, WE'D LIKE TO CONCENTRATE EFFORTS SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND OF COURSE IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR.

WE'VE DONE WELL, GOT A GOOD RECORD TO RUN ON, AND THIS ISSUE HAD THE ABILITY TO REALLY GIN UP TURNOUT AND PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED WHERE IT WOULD COME FROM.

I'M NOT CONCERNED, IT'S A STRONG ISSUE AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO CONSIDER THAT AS TIME GOES ON.

>> IS THERE A SENSE, I THINK I HEAR YOU SAYING, THAT IT WOULD HAVE MOTIVATED OPPONENTS TO COME OUT MORE?

>> I CAN'T SAY I KNOW THAT.

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE MOTIVATED PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

IT'S AN ISSUE I BELIEVE STRONGLY IN AND MOST NEW JERSEYANS BELIEVE AS WELL.

THE ISSUE OF A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE PASSED, MAYBE AS STRONG AS MARIJUANA DID.

PEOPLE DOUBTED ME FOR THAT FOR YEARS, THAT PASSED WITH ALMOST 67% OF THE VOTES.

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

NOT EVERYONE FELT THAT WAY.

AND YOU KNOW, SOMETHING I DON'T WANT TO DO UNLESS WE HAVE A -- IF WE BRING ENOUGH PARTIES TOGETHER.

>> YOU SAY IT COULD STILL HAPPEN, BUT NOT AS A REFERENDUM, RIGHT?

YOU'VE GOT A MONTH LEFT OR SO BEFORE YOU CAN GET IT WITHOUT A SUPER MAJORITY.

IS THAT HOW IT WORKS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT WOULD HAVE TO PASS WITH 21 VOTES BEFORE THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.

IT'S NOT THAT IT COULDN'T BE RECONSIDERED NEXT YEAR FOR THE BALLOT, 26 VOTES FOR THAT.

THAT'S LESS LIKELY TO OCCUR.

WE BELIEVE NEW JERSEY RIGHTS ARE ESSENTIALLY SAFE RIGHT NOW BUT I'D LIKE THEM ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE TIMING IS CORRECT RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU MAKE A REALLY GOOD POINT BECAUSE WHILE ADVOCATES THAT WE TALK TO ALL THE TIME SAY NEW JERSEY IS SAFE, EVEN SOME REPUBLICANS FIND COVER THERE TO SAY HEY, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IN NEW JERSEY, IT'S A SAFE BET THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE RIGHTS TO ABORTION SERVICES.

BUT THAT COULD CHANGE LIKE THAT, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN I -- IF YOU TALK TO REPUBLICAN LEADERS, I IMAGINE THEY THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE AT REGAINING THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE NEXT YEAR.

I HOPE NOT, I BELIEVE WE'RE STEERING THE SHIP THE RIGHT WAY.

BUT IF TWO YEARS FROM NOW THEN A REPUBLICAN BECAME GOVERNOR AT THE SNAP OF A FINGER THEY COULD GET RID OF ALL THESE RIGHTS.

THEY'RE ONLY IN STATUTE, NOT THE CONSTITUTION.

>> ANOTHER ITEM THAT DREW ATTENTION WAS THE GUN BILL, CONCEALED CARRY BILL.

>> YES.

>> SEEMED TO HAVE A ROUGH TIME MAKING ITS WAY AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF DEBATE ABOUT IT.

THE VOTES MAYBE DIDN'T REFLECT THAT.

BUT THIS IS GOING TO FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES AND SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL ITSELF UNDERSTAND THAT, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M THE PRIME SPONSOR IN THE SENATE, I BELIEVE THAT THE -- IT'S UNASSAILABLE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT FOR DEBATE FOR DECADES, FOR CENTURIES.

Y GUNS ARE DIFFERENT NOW THAN WHEN THE CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO SAFEGUARD PEOPLE FROM CARRYING GUNS.

I'VE NEVER BEEN AGAINST THE RIGHT TO OWN A GUN.

WE NEED TO PUT REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON THAT.

HAVING PEOPLE OWN GUNS IN THEIR HOME, EVEN IN NEW JERSEY IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

BUT TO CARRY IT AROUND LEGALLY IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME FOR THE NEW JERSEY I GREW UP IN.

NOT USED TO SEEING PEOPLE CARRY GUNS AROUND AND I THINK IT LEADS TO POTENTIAL FOR MORE AND MORE CONFLICT.

>> YOU SAY YOU'RE A MAIN SPONSOR, WHERE DO YOU THINK THE COURTS ARE GOING TO FIND A MIDDLE GROUND?

IS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND TO BE FOUND HERE?

DO THEY DRAW THE LINE AT CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A LEGAL CHALLENGE, I HAVE NO DOUBT.

WE TRIED TO PUT TOGETHER A BUILD WITH THE BEST CHANCE TO SURVIVE LEGAL SCRUTINY.

I WAS PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN GETTING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO NOT ONLY BACK THE BILL BUT TO PUT POSITION PAPERS OUT AND TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF THE PERMIT BILL.

PUTTING GUIDELINES ON GUN CARRIER PERMITS.

THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS THERE, BUT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED A STATUTE IN NEW YORK WHEN TURNED OVER THE ONE IN NEW JERSEY SO WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH NEW REGULATIONS.

>> MOST OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE I KNOW ARE SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES, BUT THINK EVERY COP I'VE SPOKEN TO ABOUT THIS SAYS THEY DON'T WANT MORE PEOPLE CARRYING GUNS, ESPECIALLY IN THESE SENSITIVE AREAS.

>> AND YOU KNOW, I HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LEADERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, PBA, FOP, RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, STFA.

THEY'RE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYING TO THE PUBLIC THIS IS A GOOD BILL, GOOD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THEY'RE ON BOARD WITH WHAT WE CAME UP WITH.

I THINK WE DID A VERY GOOD JOB WITH A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO PASS.

>> ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT CREATED REALLY DRAMATIC TESTIMONY AND DEMONSTRATIONS, WHICH YOU RARELY SEE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE SENATE CHAMBERS WAS THE SO-CALLED TEMPORARY WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

MAIN SPONSOR WAS LIVID IT LOST SUPPORT.

THEN IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO GET PUT BACK ON THE AGENDA ON THE DOCKET, THEN IT LOST SUPPORT AGAIN.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT BILL?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BILL I THINK HAS SUPPORT BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET PASSED IN THE CHAMBER, WHEN IT Z I'LL PUT IT BACK UP.

BUT IT'S JUST NOT THERE YET.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK TO OCCUR.

WE NEED FULL ATTENDANCE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN FAVOR ARE THERE TO VOTE.

>> CYNICAL PEOPLE MIGHT SAY THIS THING DIDN'T PASS BECAUSE SOMEBODY WAS HOME SICK?

>> THAT'S A REALITY OF LIFE, IS IT NOT?

SOMETIMES PEOPLE CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE CAPITAL AND WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT THAT MEMBERS NEED TO BE PRESENT IN VOTING.

THE ONLY TIME WE ALLOWED REMOTE VOTING WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE MINORITY LEADER AND ON THE BASIS OF THE PANDEMIC AND EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

THAT'S NO LONGER IN PLACE.

THAT'S PART OF AN ISSUE.

>> THE STATE ECONOMY.

INDICATIONS ARE THINGS ARE GOING PRETTY WELL.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS AT ALMOST RECORD LOWS.

TAX COLLECTIONS ARE UP.

BUT A RECENT POLL BY THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE STATE SUGGESTED GREAT PESSIMISM AS WE HEAD INTO 2023.

AND ECONOMISTS ARE SAYING RECESSION IS NOT AN IMPOSSIBILITY.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF THE ECONOMIC PICTURE OF THE STATE CURRENTLY.

WHAT YOU EXPECT FOR NEXT YEAR.

AND IF YOU THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A RECESSION, ARE YOU READY FOR THAT?

>> WE'VE TAKEN ALL THE STEPS NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THAT LAST YEAR.

WE TREATED THIS PAST BUDGET CYCLE AT THE MINIMUM A TWO-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE.

WE PUT MONEY AWAY IN THE EVENT THAT DOES OCCUR.

WE'VE ALSO PASSED RECORD PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WE'VE KEPT OUR EYE ON TRYING TO MAKE NEW JERSEY AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE FOR WHAT WE WITH DO IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WE DON'T CONTROL EVERYTHING BUT EVERY MEASURE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO, WE'VE DONE.

THAT'S BEEN OUR PRIMARY FOCUS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

HEARING THOSE CONCERNS BUT KNOWING THAT THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING PRETTY WELL IN NEW JERSEY.

LAST YEAR'S BUDGET WAS ONE OF THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN.

SPENDING ON IMPORTANT PROJECTS AND PUTTING MONEY AWAY FOR THE FUTURE.

WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE.

BASED ON WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATURE HAS DONE, IT'S REFLECTED IN THE TAX COLLECTIONS AND EARNINGS PEOPLE ARE MAKING IN NEW JERSEY.

MAY BE PESSIMISM.

OF COURSE THERE IS WITH ANY POLLING.

POLLING IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE, I DON'T BELIEVE.

BUT THINGS ARE GOING REASONABLY WELL IN NEW JERSEY FROM A FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THIS WEEK'S NEWS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THAT HE IS AUTHORIZING, RECOMMENDING, AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE STATE'S REACTION -- RESPONSE TO THE COVID CRISIS.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THAT?

PEOPLE THIS WEEK HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE SO-CALLED MASTRO REPORT, AN INDEPENDENT LOOK INTO THE SITUATION RECORDING BRIDGE GATE THAT LARGELY EXONERATED THE GOVERNOR AT THE COST OF A MILLION DOLLARS I THINK TO TAXPAYERS.

PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT, SAY HERE WE GO, ANOTHER WHITEWASH.

DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE TEAM THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ENTRUSTED WITH THIS EFFORT?

>> WELL, THE ORGANIZATIONS HE'S PUT INTO PLACE TO DO THE REVIEW HAVE EXEMPLARY REPUTATIONS.

SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY REASON TO DOUBT THAT THE REPORT THAT COMES FROM THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS THEY'VE CONTRACTED WITH WILL DO ANYTHING BUT AN OUTSTANDING AND NEUTRAL JOB OF MAKING AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT WENT ON.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY REASON TO DOUBT THAT.

OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE HAVE SKEPTICISM.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT FROM A LEGISLATIVE STANDPOINT TO MAKE SURE THE REPORT IS NEUTRAL AND RESPECTFUL TO THE PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WHO WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS.

>> WE HEARD A LOT OF TALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE SEEM TO BE CLEARED OF THE PANDEMIC PORTION OF THIS CRISIS.

WE HEARD A LOT OF TALK OF AN INDEPENDENT LEGISLATIVE REVIEW.

WE TALKED TO THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER.

HE'S INCLINED TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT COMES FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFRT.

YOU AGREE WITH THAT AS WELL I IMAGINE.

>> I DO.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE PROMISED TO DO THIS AND THEY'RE DOING IT.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE.

IF WE NEED TO DO MORE, WE'LL DO THAT.

SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND SPEAKER ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND I THINK THE TIMING IS RIGHT.

WE'LL TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME.

>> THE DOOR IS OPEN THOUGH FOR A LEGISLATIVE REVIEW?

>> THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN.

>> HOW HAS THE GOVERNOR DONE IN YOUR MIND, DEALING WITH A CRISIS THAT WAS UNFORESEEN BUT ALSO, I MEAN LITERALLY LIFE THREATENING FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY?

>> I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION SHOWED SOME OF ITS BEST STRENGTH DURING THE COVID TIME AND THE COVID PANDEMIC.

OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS NO PLAY BOOK, WE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS AND TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT WE COULD DO.

I WOULD HAVE DONE SOME THINGS DIFFERENT.

BUT ALL IN ALL, LIVES WERE SAVED AND PEOPLE WERE SAFEGUARDED.

WE TRIED TO DO THAT WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES SO MUCH.

SOME THINGS WENT ON LONGER THAN SOME OF US LIKED.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID AS SENATE PRESIDENT WAS TAKE DOWN THE PLEXIGLASS IN THE VOTING CHAMBER.

PEOPLE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING, WE PUT UP BOXES TO VOTE OUT OF IT.

WE FOUND OUT THAT DIDN'T DO MUCH OF THING.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT THEIR RIGHTS INFRINGED UPON BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF NECESSARY STEPS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION TOOK TO SAFEGUARD PEOPLE.

SOME THOUGHT IT WAS TOO MUCH, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT IT WASN'T ENOUGH.

IT WASN'T PERFECT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PLAY BOOK.

BUT ULTIMATELY THE ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE GETS EXCELLENT GRADES FOR THIS.

>> A LOT OF TIMES IN A PANDEMIC, A CRISIS LIKE THAT, THINGS ARE ALMOST DONE SYMBOLICALLY.

YOU MENTIONED THE PLEXIGLASS, YOU COULD ARGUE IT MADE THINGS WORSE.

>> PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING.

ORIGINALLY IT MADE PEOPLE FEEL SAFER, BLOCKED FROM SOMEONE ELSE SNEEZING OR BREATHING ON YOU.

WHEN I GOT IN LAST YEAR WE KNEW IT WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING, SO I TOOK IT DOWN AND THAT WAS SYMBOLIC, TOO, THIS WAS COMING TO A -- THIS WASN'T DOING ANYTHING.

TRY TO GET BACK TO NORMALCY.

PERHAPS THERE WAS SLOWNESS TO THAT BUT IT WORKED REASONABLY WELL, I WILL SAY THAT.

>> IF YOU HAD A CRITICISM FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORT, IT MIGHT BE IT WAS TOO CONSERVATIVE?

>> I THINK TOWARDS THE END.

NOT IN THE BEGINNING.

WE WERE DEALING WITH SOMETHING WE HAD NEVER HAD BEFORE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT WAS.

THEY TRIED TO BASE IT ON SCIENCE AND WHAT WAS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON WITH CONSULTATION WITH OUR HEALTH COMMISSIONER, AND KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED.

OVERALL THE RESPONSE WAS VERY GOOD.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM THE -- FROM THE MIDTERMS?

>> THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WAS NOT LEFT FOR DEAD.

AND CONTINUING.

POLLING IS NOT WHAT IT WAS.

PEOPLE THOUGHT THE DEMOCRATS WERE GOING TO GET WIPED OUT.

THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY.

WE WERE BRACING IN NEW JERSEY TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

WE LOST ONE CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREDICTED WHEN THE REDISTRICTING WAS DONE.

EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT, WHAT OCCURRED.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS IN THE OLD DISTRICT, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO OFFICE.

HE WAS A CASUALTY OF THAT PROCESS.

AND PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY CONTINUE TO BE WELL INFORMED AND WANT US TO TAKE A MODERATE VIEWPOINT ON THINGS.

CERTAIN THINGS, HARD LEFT, CERTAIN THINGS HARD RIGHT, MOST OF THE STATE IS IN THE MIDDLE.

>> MOST REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THEY DIDN'T DO AS WELL AS THEY EXPECTED TO DO, BUT HERE IN NEW JERSEY, REPUBLICANS FEEL RESURGENT AND THEY'RE COMING FOR YOU GUYS IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

ARE YOU READY FOR THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL BE READY FOR IT.

I THINK WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING RECORD TO RUN ON, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS LEGISLATURE HAS COME UP WITH, BALANCING BUDGETS, PUTTING RECORD PROPERTY TAX RELIEF COMING TO VOTERS AND CONSTITUENTS NEXT YEAR, AND ALSO PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY INTO CAPITAL PROJECTS IN COMMUNITIES WELL OVERDUE.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE RIBBONS CUT, MORE OR LESS SHOVELS IN THE GROUND NEXT YEAR WITH THE MONEY THE STATE INVESTED IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEEDED CERTAIN ITEMS.

>> QUICK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

YOU MENTIONED THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IN NEW JERSEY, YOUR BABY.

BUT THE COMPLAINT IS THE OTHER PEOPLE MAKING MONEY ARE THE CORPORATE TYPES WHO RUN THE DISPENSARIES.

THIS IS NOT THE CANNABIS REFORM YOU WERE HOPING FOR IS IT?

>> I THINK TIME WILL TELL HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.

THE CORPORATE OWNED PLACES WERE THE ONLY PLACES ABLE TO SURVIVE IN A NEW JERSEY MARKETPLACE WHICH WAS BUREAUCRATIC.

CONTINUES TO BE SO.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO STAY IN THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS RIGHT NOW.

TO START AND STAY IN IT.

FINALLY PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SEE A PROFIT.

IT CHANGED WHEN WE CALLED FOR HEARINGS LAST YEAR AND ESSENTIALLY FORCED THE COMMISSION TO GIVE OUT MORE LICENSES AND OPEN IT UP FOR RECREATIONAL AND ADULT USE SALES.

SOME OF THOSE PLACES ARE JUST STARTING TO MAKE MONEY BACK THEY BLED OUT OF FOR YEARS.

MEDICAL DISPENSARIES OPEN TO A SMALL PORTION OF THE POPULATION NOW ABLE TO SELL TO ADULTS.

THEY'RE JUST OPENING UP.

THERE'S A LOT OF CONDITIONAL LICENSES THAT HAVE BEEN OUT, MORE FOLKS IN A SMALL BUSINESS SETTING.

OTHER THING IS, WE DID PUT A LOT OF HOME RULE RESTRICTIONS IN THERE.

EVEN NOW THE COMMISSION HAS GIVEN OUT CONDITIONAL LICENSES FOR PEOPLE TO GROW AND SELL, THEY NEED TO FIND PLACES TO LOCATE.

THAT'S CHALLENGING.

67% VOTED TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS IN NEW JERSEY, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MUNICIPALITIES WELCOMING OF THE INDUSTRY.

>> ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE SHOPS IN 2023?

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SAME-DAY VOTER LEGISLATION BILL.

VIEWERS ARE COMPLAINING THAT NICK SCUTARI WON'T PUT IT UP EVEN FOR A HEARING.

>> I DO NOT YET SEE THE MERIT WHILE PEOPLE CAN'T REGISTER TO VOTE 21 DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION.

IT IS A SACRED RIGHT TO VOTE, WHY WE CAN'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE BEFORE -- THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERNS.

PEOPLE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF MY AISLE I BELIEVE HAVE QUESTIONED ELECTION RESULTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS YOU CAN DO TO A DEMOCRACY, QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF ELECTIONS.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP.

TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO SHOW UP THAT DAY AND VOTE.

AND THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM I HAVE WITH IT, WE SEE PROBLEMS WITH VOTING EVERY YEAR AND TRY TO CORRECT THOSE.

I DON'T SEE WE HAVE TO GIVE THESE INDIVIDUALS MORE TO DO ON THE DAY OF THE ELECTION WHEN THEY CAN'T ALWAYS KEEP UP WITH THE REQUIREMENTS THEY HAVE TODAY.

THIS WOULD BE A BIG UNDERTAKING TO MAKE SURE THE POLL WORKERS NOT ONLY ARE DOING THE JOB THEY'RE THERE TO DO BUT REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE AND THEN FIGURE OUT LATER ON THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANY MORE CONCERN IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE THAT ELECTIONS AREN'T ANYTHING BUT TRUSTWORTHY.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO MAKE SURE STANDS, NOT JUST IN NEW JERSEY BUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

ELECTION DENIERS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ANY OTHER REASONS TO MAKE THOSE ARGUMENTS.

>> SENATOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE.

I'M GOING TO PLAY GOVERNOR NOW.

>> THAT'S "CHAT BOX" FOR TONIGHT.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @DAVIDCRUZNJ, AND GET "CHAT BOX" AND "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH FRESH CONTENT EVERY DAY WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THANKS FOR THE CONDOLENCES TO ME AND MY FAMILY ON THE DEATH OF MY BROTHER JOSE, LOSING TWO BROTHERS IN ONE YEAR IS ALMOST TOO MUCH TO BEAR BUT YOUR KIND WORDS WERE A GREAT SOURCE OF COMFORT.

I THANK YOU.

FROM ALL THE CREW HERE IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ" IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

INSIDER NJ IS COMMITTED TO GIVING SERIOUS POLITICAL PLAYERS AN INTERACTIVE FORUM FOR IDEAS, DISCUSSION, AND INSIGHT.

ONLINE AT INSIDERNJ.COM.