>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR REPORTERS ROUND TABLE WITH DAVID CRUISE IS PROVIDED BY RJW BARN BUS HEALTH.

MJ SERVICE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS FB MORE THAN 100 YEAR.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY MAGAZINE, THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN ALL COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954. .

BY POLITICO'S NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK.

ONLINE AT POLITICO.COM.

♪ >>> TRENTON'S SEASON OF CHANGE CONTINUES.

HI, EVERYBODY.

IT'S REPORTERS ROUND TABLE.

I'M DAVID CRUISE.

OUR PANEL THIS WEEK, MATT FEEDMAN IS REPORTER FOR POLITICO AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK.

BRENT JOHNSON IS THE POLITICS REPORTER FOR NJ MEDIA, AND KENNETH BURNS IS THE REPORTER.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE PANEL IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, BUT WE BEGIN TODAY WITH THE LATEST DEPARTURE FROM THE LEGISLATURE IN A YEAR THAT IS SHAPING UP TO BE ONE OF HISTORIC CHANGE, AND HE OUGHT TO KNOW.

RALPH MADE HIS DEBUT IN THE LEGISLATURE WHEN HE WAS A 20-SOMETHING-YEAR-OLD BACKING THE JOHNSTON ADMINISTRATION.

HE'S CALLING IT QUITS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, ASSEMBLYMAN.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

I WAS VERY YOUNG.

26.

YOUNGEST IN THE HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY AT THAT TIME.

I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT THERE, BUT I DID.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I MEAN, HOW DOES SOMEONE GET -- WHAT WERE YOU?

26 AT THE TIME?

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT DID SOMEBODY SAY TO YOU, RALPH, YOU'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

WHY DON'T YOU RUN FOR THE ASSEMBLY?

>> IT DIDN'T HAPPEN EXACTLY LIKE THAT.

>> HOW MUCH DIFFERENT IS IT TODAY TO BE A LAWMAKER IN NEW JERSEY THAN IT WAS BACK THEN?

>> TIMES WERE SIMPLER THEN.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE TODAY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF WE HAVE.

THERE WERE NO DISTRICT OFFICES IN THOSE DAYS.

IN FACT, I HAD THE FIRST DISTRICT OFFICE DOWN THE STREET FROM WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW, BUT I PAID FOR THAT WITH FUNDS I RAISED.

AFTER THAT, THE STATE DECIDED TO SUPPORT THAT.

IT WAS A GOOD MOVE.

I THINK LEGISLATURES SHOULD HAVE THEIR OFFICE.

THEY CAN DO A LOT MORE.

THE MAIN THE DIFFERENCE IN THOSE DAYS IS WHEN YOU SAID SOMETHING, YOU KEPT YOUR WORD.

THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF BEING A POLITICAL PERSON WHETHER IT BE A LEGISLATURE OR WHATEVER.

>> WE ALWAYS HEAR ALSO THAT YOU ALL USED TO HANG OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

DOESN'T HAPPEN AS MUCH TODAY.

>> PEOPLE WERE MUCH FRIENDLIER AND MORE OPEN WITH EACH OTHER.

AFTER EVERY SESSION, THEY WOULD ALL GET TOGETHER, BOTH PARTIES, LOBBYISTS AND THE PRESS.

THEY WOULD CELEBRATE THEIR DAY OR WHATEVER.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT ERA COMPLETELY.

AND THERE WERE A LOT OF GIANTS IN THAT DAY THAT SERVED.

TOM CANE, ET CETERA, A TREMENDOUS GROUP OF BIG PEOPLE THAT MADE HISTORY IN NEW JERSEY THAT WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE IN THOSE DAYS.

IT WAS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE TH THERE.

I LEARNED A LOT FROM THEM.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU'RE MOVING ON THE TO THE HORIZON BOARD.

IF I HAD A QUARTER FOR EVERY RETIRED ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT'S ON THE HORIZON BOARD, I WOULD BE A MILLIONAIRE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO THERE.

>> IT'S AN EXCITING CHALLENGE.

I'VE SERVED FOR MANY YEARS, I'VE ENJOYED IT.

AS I SAID, TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

YOUR WORD MEANT SOMETHING.

PEOPLE DON'T ANSWER WHEN THE PRESS CALLS, YOU ANSWER.

WHEN YOUR CONSTITUENTS CALL, YOU WORK FOR THEM.

I'M NOT BEING NEGATIVE.

I THINK IT'S A LACK OF HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A NOMINATION THAT HAS TO BE OFFERED.

WITH ALL THE TROUBLE IN HEALTH CARE, ET CETERA, THIS IS A WONDERFUL TIME TO BE THERE.

YOU'VE SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED IN TERMS OF CAUSE, ET CETERA.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT BEING ON THE BOARD.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RETIRED PEOPLE THERE.

BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY, VERY TALENTED.

IT'S A GREAT TIME TO TRY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

>> YOU'RE RETIRING VOLUNTARILY.

CAN WE SAY THAT FAIRLY?

>> I WOULD SAY I THINK SO.

I THINK IF I WANTED TO RUN CHAIRMAN LE ROY JONES WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED ME.

BUT I LOOKED AT MY AGE, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, SOME OF THE HEALTH PROBLEMS I'VE HAD OVER THE LAST YEAR, IT'S TIME TO GO.

>> WELL, YOU'RE A SPRY 82.

LET ME TELL YOU THAT FOR SURE.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU HAD A PERIOD IN THE CASINO INDUSTRY, AND STILL, YOU'RE CHAIRING TOURISM AND GAMING IN THE ARTS INDUSTRY.

LET ME ASK YOU A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

ONE, DO YOU STILL -- OR DO YOU SUPPORT EXPANSION OF CASINO GAMBLING?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THAT THE STORY IS NOT FULLY TOLD AT THIS POINT.

WHAT WE DID IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS SAVE THE GAMING BUSINESS IN NEW JERSEY BY GIVING IT INTERNET GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING.

WITHOUT THAT -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIGURESING WITH YOU'LL SEE A LARGE PORTION OF THE REVENUE IS COMING FROM ONLINE GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING.

SO WE BAILED THEM OUT.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS IF IT DOESN'T HOLD UP BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITION IN NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, AND OTHER PLACES, WE SHOULD PROBABLY CONSIDER AS A DEFENSIVE MOVE, RELOCATING GAMING IN THE STATE.

>> HERE'S MY OTHER QUESTION ABOUT ONLINE GAMBLING, WHICH YOU WERE INVOLVED IN A LOT.

THERE'S AMPLE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT ONLINE GAMBLING IS BECOMING AN ADDICTION, ALMOST AT CRISIS LEVELS WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRET THAT YOU PUSHED THAT SO HARD?

>> I THINK THERE WERE UNATTENDED CONSEQUENCES WITH SPORTS BETTING AND INTERNET GAMING, AND I HAVE A RESOLUTION AND I HOPE WE CAN VOTE ON IT BEFORE NOT TOO LONG IN THE FUTURE, THAT WOULD CALL UPON THESE COMPANIES TO MODERATE WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

DURING COVID, THIS ADDICTION HAS CAUGHT ON, AND MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GAMBLING, WHICH IS REALLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR THEM.

I THINK THE OVER THE TOP MARKETING IS WHAT'S AIDED AND ABETTED THIS ADDICTION OF PEOPLE, NOT ONLY YOUNG PEOPLE BUT OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HOME TOO LONG.

>> YOU WOULD PUT A RESTRICTION THEN?

>> I WOULD PUT A BILL IN THAT'S GOING TO STOP THESE UNIVERSITIES FROM CONTRACTING WITH SPORTS BETTING OR INTERNET COMPANIES TO GET STEPIENS.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNCONSCIOUSABLE.

THAT'S GOT TO END.

>> WE ALSO HEARD, AS WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THE LEGISLATURE, A LOT OF FOLKS ARE SAYING THE JOB IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE, NOT AS MUCH FUN, THE BOSSES ARE IN TOO MUCH OF CONTROL.

ARE YOU LEAVING AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME?

>> WELL, IS THERE A RIGHT TIME?

THE RIGHT TIME HAS TO BE FOR YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

WHEN I LOOK AT MY AGE AND I LOOK AT THE THINGS I'VE ACCOMPLISHED AND THAT I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH, I THINK I'LL BE THERE FOR A WHILE.

I THINK IT'S THE PROPER TIME.

IT WILL ALSO GIVE OTHER PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

>> SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE JOB IS JUST NOT AS MUCH FUN AS IT USED TO BE.

>> IT'S NOT AS MUCH FUN BECAUSE IT'S MORE COMPLICATED.

THERE ARE MORE ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.

WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE '60s, THE BIGGEST THING THEY HAD TO WORRY ABOUT WAS THE SALES TAX.

NOW WE GOT PROVIDE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR TAX RELIEF FOR PEOPLE TO GET A BREAK.

I MEAN, THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SO MUCH OVER THE LAST 30, 40, 50 YEARS.

CAN'T COMPARE THESE TWO ERAS.

I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT, AND I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT A JOB, IT'S HARD.

IF YOU DON'T CARE, IT'S EASY.

THE JOB IS VERY EASY WHEN YOU DON'T CARE.

I CARE.

AND I THINK IT REACHES A POINT WHERE YOU GOT TO HAVE THE ENERGY AND DESIRE TO DO IT.

I DO IT SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

I'M A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE, SO WE DON'T FOOL AROUND WITH THE CONSTITUENT WORK.

WE WORK AT THIS ALL THE TIME.

SO IT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT WAS.

IT'S TOUGH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST, I DON'T THINK, FROM ASSEMBLYMAN RALPH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

GOOD TO FINALLY GETS ON.

>> YOU'RE THE BEST, DAVID.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN TERRIFIC.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT, PANEL.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

MATT, WE'RE LOSING COUNT OF THE CHANGING FACES IN THE LEGISLATURE, CAPUTO IS FROM THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION, ONE OF THE LAST FULL-TIME LAWMAKERS.

ARE WE DONE SEEING CHANGES THERE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THIS IS THE YEAR WE LEARN WHO RETIRES.

SO WE HAVE OTHERS -- YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S UNIVERSALLY ACCEPT THAT HAD SENATOR CUNNINGHAM WILL NOT BE RETURNING AFTER THIS YEAR, THOUGH SHE HAS NOT FORMALLY ANNOUNCED ANYTHING.

I'VE LOST COUNT OF THE NUMBERS.

I THINK IT'S ABOVE AVERAGE FOR OUR TURNOVER, PROBABLY NOT UNPRECEDENTED RIGHT NOW.

BUT THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THEY SHAKE THESE THINGS OUT AND WE GET THE NEW BLOOD IN.

CERTAINLY RALPH IS -- THERE WAS A BIG GAP BETWEEN HIS SERVICE, BUT IT'S LOSING A LOT OF THE INSTITUTIONAL MEM ARE I.

EVEN DICK CODY DOESN'T GO AS FAR BACK.

>> BRENT, IT SHOULD MAKE THE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS PRETTY INTERESTING AT LEAST.

DOES IT IMPACT VOTERS, THOUGH?

DO THEY THINK, HEY, THIS IS A GOOD THING SINCE THEY CAN'T OTHERWISE STAND POLITICIANS.

DO YOU THINK SOME NEW BLOOD WILL ENGAGE NEW VOTERS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO THEIR LAWMAKERS ARE.

BUT SOMEONE LIKE RALPH WHO HAS A FASCINATING STORY AND WAS ALWAYS HELPFUL TO REPORTERS AND CALLED US BACK IMMEDIATELY, IT'S JUST DIFFERENT.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT ELECTION TO WATCH IN GENERAL.

DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO HANG ON TO CONTROL, AND REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF AT LEAST ONE CHAMBER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS, WHICH IS A LONG STRETCH.

A LOT CAN HAPPEN.

>> KENNY, I KNOW YOU WERE GLUED TO OUR SHOW OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

ANY TAKEAWAYS THAN THERE'S A NEXT NEW JERSEY COMING OR ALREADY HERE?

ANY HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU?

>> SUCH A SEGUE CONSIDERING WHAT YOU GUYS JUST SPOKE ABOUT.

IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR BUDGET FOR ME.

I MEAN, COUPLE WEEKS AGO, WE HAD GOVERNOR MURPHY ADDRESSING SOME BUSINESS CONCERNS, AND THIS BUDGET DOES ADDRESS THAT A LITTLE BIT WITH THE SENSE OF THE 2.5% TAX.

IT NOW ADDRESSES TO THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE WILL GENERALLY LIKE, THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION.

SO -- AND THEN, OF COURSE, I'M OF THE OPINION THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME DISAGREEMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE NO MATTER WHAT.

IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR BUDGET, AND IT DOESN'T REALLY ROCK THE BOAT ALL THAT MUCH.

>> MATT, IS THE NEXT NEW JERSEY IN THE METAVERSE?

I THINK YOU WROTE THAT -- HE SAID THAT PHRASE 16 TIMES.

WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE THE TAKEAWAY?

AND IF SO, WAS IT DEFINED WELL OR AT ALL?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, HE SAID IT A LOT.

HE DEFINED IT -- SEE, THIS IS WHAT I SAID.

I THINK I WROTE IN NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK, HE SAID, THE NEXT NEW JERSEY, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT.

IT'S RIGHT NOW.

I WROTE, THAT'S TEMPORARILY IMPOSSIBLE.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THAT'S FALSE.

SO -- NO.

I THINK IT'S -- I THINK THE NEXT NEW JERSEY IF YOU BOIL IT DOWN, IT'S THE PHRASE HE USED FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, STRONGER AND FAIRER NEW JERSEY.

IT MEANS THE SAME THING.

>> BRENT, WE WERE ASKING ON TUESDAY IF THIS WAS GOING TO BE A BUDGET THAT REFLECTED THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES OR THE LEGISLATURE'S PRIORITIES BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS NOT UP FOR ELECTION AND THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE IS.

IS IT CLEAR WHOSE PRIORITIES ARE REPRESENTED IN THIS PLAN?

>> I THINK IT'S BOTH.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO'S BEING TALKED ABOUT AS A POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND TAX CUTS OR PROPERTY TAX REBATES MORE SPECIFICALLY GO WELL FOR EVERYBODY IN SOME RESPECT.

ALTHOUGH, THE REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S NOT -- THERE SHOULD BE MORE DIRECT RELIEF.

I THINK, YES, IT'S DEFINITELY THERE TO BOLSTER DEMOCRATS AS THEY TRY TO HOLD ON IN NOVEMBER.

BUT IT CAN'T HURT A GUY WHO'S TRY TO BOAST HIS MARBLE REPUTATION.

>> LET'S EXTEND PROPS TO POLITICO FOR FIRST SHARING THE NEWS ABOUT THIS SO-CALLED ELECTION TRANSPARENCY ACT, WHICH AMONG OTHER THINGS, ATTEMPTED TO STRIP THE AUTONOMY OF THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION BY GIVING THE GOVERNOR AUTHORITY TO APPOINT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

MATT, IT STARTED AS A SPARK LATE LAST WEEK, AND IT BLEW UP ON MONDAY.

PRETTY TERRIBLE BLUNDER, NO?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, AND I ALWAYS SAY, YOU KNOW, WATCH WHAT THESE GUYS DO IN TRENTON, NOT WHAT THEY SAY.

THEY CAN JUSTIFY ALL THEY WANT AFTER THE FACT WHAT THEY TRIED TO DO.

IT WAS A THURSDAY EVENING, AND AFTER ACTUALLY DEBATING THIS STILL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE -- I THINK IT WAS JUDICIARY, MAYBE IT WAS BUDGET.

DON'T HOLD ME TO IT.

BREAKS, AND CERTAINLY THIS AMENDMENT TAKES AWAY AUTONOMY WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION.

IT WAS DONE IN A SNEAKY WAY ON PURPOSE.

THEY TRY TO GET AWAY WITH THIS STUFF.

OUR JOB IN THE PRESS IS TO TRY TO CATCH THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WHEN THEY TRY THIS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND FULLY WHY.

NOW, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN TRYING TO ENFORCE THE DIRECTOR ELECT OUT OF THIS JOB BECAUSE OF THE EMAIL HE WROTE.

IT WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE EMAIL ABOUT NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY AND HE MENTIONED NOT BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE PRESIDENT'S DAY, BUT CELEBRATING NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY, WHICH ISN'T A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

OKAY.

BUT DOES THAT REALLY JUSTIFY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE COMING IN AND TAKING OVER AN AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE GOVERNOR AS A CANDIDATE, THAT OVERSEES EVERY CANDIDATE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD UP AND GIVING THE GOVERNOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLACE A POLITICAL PERSON IN CHARGE OF THAT AGENCY?

COME ON.

THAT CAN'T BE THE REAL REASON.

TO BE HONEST, I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY THEY TRIED THIS POWER GRAB.

>> MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THEY EVEN TRY TO DO ANYTHING INVOLVING AN ELECTION?

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO WHERE YOU HAD DIFFERENT -- WELL, PARTICULARLY A LOT OF REPUBLICAN APPOINTEES WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TRYING TO CHANGE HOW ELECTIONS ARE DONE.

EVERYBODY'S ANTENNA IS UP.

IT'S SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH RIGHT NOW.

>> THIRD REEL KIND OF THING.

BRENT, THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THE BILL'S NOT DEAD.

DO WE KNOW IF IN FACT THE DEFENDING AMENDMENT CAME FROM THE ADMINISTRATION?

>> NO.

I MEAN, THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THIS AMENDMENT IS GOING TO SURVIVE.

IN FACT, THEY SAID AS MUCH THE OTHER DAY.

THIS BILL WAS ALREADY CONTROVERSIAL BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, SO, YOU KNOW -- >> THERE'S OTHER STUFF IN THERE OTHER THAN, YOU KNOW, THE ELECT STUFF.

I MEAN, THE BILL WOULD ALLOW US A SLUSH FUND ESSENTIALLY FOR LOCAL CAMPAIGNS TO, WHAT, HANDLE HOUSEKEEPING STUFF?

>> YEAH.

AND I THINK THAT'S -- AND YOU KNOW, HE SORT OF JUSTIFIED THAT BY SAYING PEOPLE WANT TO DONATE FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

BUT IF YOU'RE DONATING IT TO ONE PART, THEN THAT'S MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE TO SPEND ON THE OTHER.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE, HONESTLY.

I THINK SOME OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL PROVISIONS ARE ABOUT INCREASING CONTRIBUTION LIMITS, AND THERE'S AN ARGUMENT FOR THAT BECAUSE MONEY HAS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED POLITICS THROUGH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, THROUGH SUPER PACKS, AND IT MAKES SENSE IN A LOT OF WAYS TO LOOSEN THE REIGNS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS SO AT LEAST YOU GET SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT IN ADDITION TO THIS, THEY TRY TO DEFANG THE ELECT BY PUTTING A TWO-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY HOW LONG IT CAN ACT ON SOMETHING.

>> THE IRONY IS THEY HAVE TWO OR THREE PEOPLE TOTAL TO INVESTIGATE WHAT COULD BE COUNTLESS INVESTIGATIONS, AND YOU CAN'T GET TO IT IN TWO YEARS, FRANKLY.

>> NO.

I MEAN, THAT'S A PRETTY TRANSPARENT ATTEMPT TO HOBBLE THE AGENCY.

FRANKLY, ONE THAT WILL GET THE BIG THREE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEES OUT OF LIKELY PAYING THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THEY'LL HAVE TO PAY FROM AN AUDIT OF THE '27 ELECTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES A SECOND YEAR OF THE ANCHOR PROGRAM.

THE DEADLINE FOR THE FIRST YEAR WAS THIS WEEK.

KENNY, WAS THE PROGRAM A SUCCESS?

>> IT'S OFF TO A GOOD START.

I THINK THE LAST NUMBER I SAW WAS 1.7 MILLION SIGNED UP OF THOSE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 2 MILLION.

I KNOW THIS FIRST GO ROUND, AND THEY'RE GOING TO -- I'M TERMING IT THIS WAY, THEY'RE GOING TO TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR TO SEE HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP OR HOW MANY OF THE LEFTOVER PEOPLE COULD OR WILL SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM, ASSUMING IT SURVIVES THE BUDGET.

BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, IT WASN'T A TERRIBLE START, BUT SO FAR, IT'S A SOLACE START.

>> THIS WONDERFUL COMMISSION, BRENT, CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE IN 30 SECONDS WHY NEW JERSEY WANTS TO GET OUT AND WHY NEW YORK WANTS TO STAY IN?

>> IN TERMS OF NEW JERSEY, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IT'S OUTSERVED ITS PURPOSE AND IT'S TIME FOR NEW JERSEY TO GET OUT, EVEN THOUGH NEW JERSEY WAS THE REASON IT WAS STARTED.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, GOING BACK MANY YEARS.

SO I'M NOT -- I'M NOT CERTAIN MANY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT MURPHY HAS CONTINUED TO PUSH.

>> JONATHAN SALANT, ONE OF THE MOST VETERAN D.C. REPORTERS FOR ADVANCED MEDIA WAS LET GO THIS WEEK ALONG WITH NEW JERSEYS.

IN THIS CASE, WE'RE LOSING A JERSEY PERSPECTIVE ON D.C. >> YEAH.

NOW THERE WILL BE NO REPORTERS COVERING NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FROM A NEW JERSEY ANGLE.

AND I JUST -- YOU KNOW, I'VE SAID A LOT ABOUT THIS AND THE STUPID STUFF THAT IS APPEARING ON MJ.COM VERY FREQUENTLY NOW.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOMETHING OPENING IN BRICK OR WHENEVER.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> KENNY, PUT ON YOUR SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM HAT.

LET ME GIVE YOU THE WORD ON THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL NEWS.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS.

IMAGINE MY HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER, THE WASHINGTON POST, NOT HAVING ANYBODY COVERING CONGRESS, AND IT'S DOWN THE STREET FROM THEIR OFFICES.

THINK ABOUT HOW FURTHER IGNORANT WE ARE AS A SOCIETY IF WE DO NOT HAVE EYES ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE GOVERNMENT.

AND FOR A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE SMALL, EVEN THOUGH HALF THE STATE IS IN THE NEW YORK MARKET, HALF IS IN THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET, THE STATE ITSELF IS A NEWS DESSERT, WHICH IS FRUSTRATING, AND FOLKS -- I'M TRYING NOT TO STEP ON TOES TOO HARD, I MIGHT STOMP ON THEM A LITTLE BIT.

WE NEED PEOPLE IN D.C. TO REPORT ON THINGS HAPPENING IN NEW JERSEY.

IT'S QUITE TELLING THAT YOU HAVE ALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, EXCEPT ONE, JUST BACK UP JOHNSON SALANT, AND I WOULD KEEP THE REPORT JUST THE KEEP AN EYE ON THAT ONE THAT DIDN'T WANT TO SUPPORT MY JOB.

IT'S LIKE, YOU DON'T WANT THE SCRUTINY.

AND I SHARE THE SAME OPINION THAT IT'S NICE TO HAVE ALL THESE FUN FACTS ABOUT NEW JERSEY LIKE THE BEST RESTAURANT AND THE BEST PIZZA, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TRENTON MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT?

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEWARK'S MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT?

IN FACT, I THINK -- WE WOULD NOT KNOW THE HOT MESS THAT TRENTON CITY COUNCIL WAS ON A REGULAR BASIS LAST TERM IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS DOGGED REPORTING.

MJ ADVANCE, YOU NEED TO DO BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TIME FOR OUR ONLY IN JERSEY MOMENT.

HEADLINES AND NOTES THAT ARE QUINTESSENTIALLY JERSEY.

MATT, WHY DON'T YOU START US OFF?

>> WELL, I THINK I JUST WROTE ABOUT SOUTH JERSEY RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE -- THE INTERESTING THING HERE IS SOUTH JERSEY REPUBLICANS ARE SPLIT RIGHT NOW, ARE FIGHTING AMONGST THEMSELVES ABOUT WHAT KIND OF CANDIDATES THEY RUN IN TWO COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS, DISTRICT THREE, WHICH THEY UPSET DEMOCRATS IN 2021, AND IN DISTRICT FOUR WHERE SENATOR FRED MADDEN HASN'T ANNOUNCED WHAT HE'S DOING YET -- MOST PEOPLE THINK HE'S GOING TO RETIRE.

AND BASICALLY A DIRT ALLY ACT KOE LITE.

AND HE HAS A BUNCH OF SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS THAT HAVE VERY ANTIABORTION.

HE CALLS IT EVIL, AND WROTE HE DIDN'T BELIEVE ABORTION WAS EVER MEDICALLY NECESSARY, AND WAS LIKE, I LOVE JESUS.

THERE'S NO MUSLIMS HERE.

2022, YOU SAW THE ABORTION NISS YOU TURNED AROUND AFTER THE OVERTURN OF ROE V WADE, SO WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DOING?

THEY ATTRIBUTE THEIR 2020 LOSS TO THIS KIND OF SORT OF EXTREMISM THAT DEMOCRATS EXPLOITED IN CAMPAIGN ADDS AGAINST THEM.

>> BRENT, YOU GOT ONE FOR US?

>> YEAH.

I WAS RECENTLY IN CLEVELAND TO DO SOMETHING FOR MUSIC.

THE GUY THERE WHO LIVES IN CLEVELAND, I COMPLAINED TO HIM I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUMP MY GAS BECAUSE IT WAS VERY COLD.

HE WAS LIKE, YOU GUYS HAVEN'T CHANGED THAT, AND I SAID, I DON'T THINK NEW JERSEY WILL EVER SAY THAT.

ALSO, I WANT TO MENTION I'M GOING TO MISS WORKING WITH JONATHAN.

HE'S THE MAYOR OF THE CAPITAL IN D.C., AND HE'S GOING TO BE MISSED.

>> GREAT GUY.

I'M JUST LEARNING NOW THAT HE'S A METS FAN, WHICH MAKES HIM EVEN COOLER.

>> YES, IT DOES.

>> MINE COMES FROM CLOSE TO HOME.

HOBO KIN, WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE BUT NOT A DROP TO DRINK.

THE CITY WAS LEFT WITH NO WATER FOR TWO DAYS THIS WEEK AFTER A WATER MAIN COLLAPSED THERE.

NOTHING NEW FOR THE WATER FRONT CITY WHICH SITS BELOW SEA LEVEL AND FLOODS WHEN IT'S CLOUDY.

THIS WEEK, THE ENTIRE CITY WENT DRY.

SCHOOLS CLOSED, HOSPITALS HAD TO MOVE PATIENTS OUT OF TOWN, AND THE WONDERFUL IMAGE OF PORTA POTTY STATIONS WAS A NEW LOW FOR THE CITY WHO'S INFRASTRUCTURE -- THE WATER COMPANY AND PSNG OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAD A HARD TIME FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE LEAKS BECAUSE THE UNDERGROUND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH.

WHAT PIPES CONNECT TO WHAT WATER MAINS, AND IF YOU LIVE IN HOBOKIN FOR EVEN JUST A MINUTE, THAT SOUNDS JUST ABOUT RIGHT.

THAT'S ROUND TABLE FOR THIS WEEK.

MATT, BRENT, KENNY, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

THANKS TO RALPH FOR JOINING US.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE SHOW ON TWITTER AND FIND ALL KIND OF FRESH CONTENT EVERY DAY WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE TABLE.

I'M DAVID CRUISE.

FOR THE ENTIRE CREW, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.