>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE," THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954.

♪♪ >>> SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS EASY.

UNLESS YOU HAVE TO WRESTLE A $50 BILLION BUDGET TO THE GROUND.

HI, EVERYBODY, THIS IS "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE."

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

FINAL SHOW OF THE SEASON WHEN WE'RE ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN THE HOME STUDIO, BUT FOR THE SMALL MATTER OF THE STATE BUDGET.

WITH US TODAY ARE THREE JOURNALISTS WHO ALL HAVE PLANS FOR THE SUMMER, COLLEEN O'DAY IS THE SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECTS EDITOR FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

SHE'LL BE BACKPACKING THROUGH EUROPE THIS SUMMER.

BRENT JOHNSON IS THE POLITICS REPORTER FOR NJ ADVANCE MEDIA.

HE'S GOING TO BE CHANGING DIAPERS FOR THE SUMMER.

AND MICHAEL HILL IS THE HOST OF MORNING EDITION ON WNYC.

HE'LL BE KICKING OFF HIS EVERYBODY LOVES MICHAEL HILL WORLD TOUR RIGHT AFTER THE PANEL IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, BUT WE START TODAY WITH ONE OF THE MEN WHO HOLDS OUR HOLIDAY PLANS IN HIS HANDS.

HE IS THE SPEAKER OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY, CRAIG COUGHLIN.

MR. SPEAKER, WELCOME BACK TO "ROUNDTABLE."

>> WELL, DAVID, THAT'S GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU, AND YOU PUT A LITTLE PRESSURE ON ME THERE.

I WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE A GREAT PLAN.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR THE SUMMER?

>> WELL, WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

THE REASON I SHARED EVERYBODY'S VACATION PLANS, WHICH, BY THE WAY, ARE ALL MADE UP -- WELL, MAYBE EXCEPT FOR BRENT -- IS THAT THE DEADLINE FOR A NEW BUDGET IS A WEEK AWAY, AND NOBODY WANTS TO SAY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, AM I RIGHT?

SO WHERE DO WE STAND RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, LOOK, THE PROCESS IS ONGOING.

AS YOU KNOW, CONSTITUTIONALLY, WE HAVE TO PASS THE BUDGET BY JUNE 30th.

I'M CONFIDENT WE WILL.

WE'RE -- WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGHOUT, WE'VE ANNOUNCED A COUPLE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET, THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF MONIES THAT WILL COME OUT, THE TAX HOLIDAY FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL FOLKS, AND SO WE'RE PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES ON IT, AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THEM, YOU KNOW, AS WE GET READY TO DO A BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO BE GREAT FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> SO, ONE BIG STICKING POINT IS LANGUAGE IN THE BUDGET THAT SPECIFICALLY GIVES THE LEGISLATURE A SAY IN HOW, I GUESS IT'S LIKE $3 BILLION IN FEDERAL COVID MONEY IS GOING TO BE DISTRIBUTED.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIR SAY RETURN OF THAT LANGUAGE IS NONNEGOTIABLE.

DO YOU SHARE THEIR ADAMANCE ON THAT?

>> LOOK, THE CONSTITUTION GIVES THE SPENDING AUTHORITY TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND FROM TIME TO TIME, WE DO THINGS SO THAT THERE ARE INTERDEPENDENT TRANSFERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WE CEDE SOME OF THAT AUTHORITY.

THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HAD AGREED UPON LAST YEAR FOR THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE WERE GOING TO SPEND THE ARP MONEY, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY, FOR FOLKS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH IT, WAS A GOOD, SOLID PLAN AND I THINK WE'LL BE BACK TO THAT.

>> SO, YOU THINK THE LANGUAGE IS GOING TO BE RESTORED?

>> I'M CONFIDENT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE -- WE'LL HAVE THAT -- WE'LL HAVE LANGUAGE IN THE BUDGET THAT ACCOMPLISHES THAT, YES.

>> THERE WILL BE SOME ACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU'LL HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SPILLING OUT OF THE STATE COFFERS.

HAVE YOU HAD TO TEMPER SOME OF THE APPETITE FOR SPENDING ON LAWMAKERS' PET PROJECTS?

HAS THERE BEEN A MEMO ISSUED?

>> WELL, LOOK, WE HAVE HAD TO TEMPER SPENDING ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S DREAMS.

AND REQUESTS FOR FUNDING IN THE BUDGET.

AND IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

WE HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE THROUGH OUR GOOD STEWARDSHIP AND THE GOOD FORTUNE THAT WE HAVE HAD IN TERMS OF OUR REVENUE, TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SURPLUS.

BUT WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT INFLATION IS TAKING HOLD.

THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING SO WE GOT TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT AS WE GO FORWARD AND WE ALSO ANTICIPATE THAT THERE WILL BE A RECESSION.

NOW, HOW DEEP THAT WILL BE, LET'S HOPE, FIRST OF ALL, LOATHES LET'S HOPE WE'RE WRONG.

LET'S HOPE THERE IS NO NO RECESSION, AND IF THERE IS ONE, THAT IT'S MODEST.

BUT WE ARE BEING MINDFUL OF THAT AND THAT HAS LED TO, YOU KNOW, ANY NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS AROUND HOW WE STRUCTURE THINGS GOING FORWARD.

>> LET ME GET A PANEL QUESTION IN HERE.

COLLEEN, YOU HAD A QUESTION.

>> YES, HI, MR. SPEAKER.

>> HI, COLLEEN.

>> I WANTED TO ASK, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, THERE WAS AN AWFUL LOT OF CRITICISM OVER THE LATE TIMING OF THE BUDGET THAT WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS SAYING THEY HAD NOT SEEN THE BILL UP TO THE TIME THAT IT WAS IN ITS LAST COMMITTEE HEARING.

THERE ARE CHANGES THAT ARE MADE, THERE ARE PET PROJECTS THAT ARE ADDED.

DOESN'T THE PUBLIC HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE THIS BILL BEFORE YOU VOTE ON IT?

AND DON'T YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO, YOU KNOW, TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC?

>> WELL, I THINK WE ARE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC.

WE DO HAVE A COMMITTEE HEARING.

THE BILL IS AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY TO LOOK AT.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, WHICH IS LARGELY THE OVERWHELMING PART -- PORTION OF THE BUDGET HAS BEEN OUT SINCE HE INTRODUCED IT, SINCE MARCH.

IT WAS AVAILABLE TO FOLKS.

SO, I THINK THERE IS A TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

I THINK PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND LOOK AT THE BUDGET, AND ASK QUESTIONS, AND THAT'S WHY WE'LL HAVE IT IN A HEARING, AND SO I THINK WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET ME GET A COUPLE OTHER QUESTIONS HERE.

THESE GUN BILLS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH COMMITTEE AND NOW THE SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN NEW YORK'S CONCEALED CARRY BAN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT MEANS TO JERSEY AND WHAT KIND OF LEGISLATIVE REMEDY IS THERE ON THIS SIDE, IF ANY?

>> WELL, IT'S ALARMING, FIRST OF ALL, I FIND THE DECISION ALARMING, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE A SIMILAR CONCEALED CARRY LAW HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

CERTAINLY, THIS DECISION WOULD -- IS LIKELY TO DIRECTLY AFFECT THAT.

BUT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH OTHER MEASURES.

THOSE BILLS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR A VOTE.

THEY'RE OUT OF COMMITTEE.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO STAND UP TO MAKE SURE THAT NEW JERSEYANS ARE AS SAFE AS THEY CAN BE, TO STAND UP TO SANE RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAKING NEW JERSEY THE SAFE PLACE WE HAVE ALWAYS -- WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT AND MAKE SURE THAT IT STAYS THAT WAY.

>> SO I GOT TO GET THE LIBERTY STATE PARK QUESTION IN HERE.

IT'S IN MY WARD HERE IN JERSEY CITY.

THERE'S A BILL WITH $250 MILLION ATTACHED TO IT THAT WOULD RESHAPE THE PARK.

BUT WOULD YOU SUPPORT LANGUAGE THAT SPECIFICALLY PROTECTS THE WETLANDS AND BIRD SANCTUARIES AT THE CADEN POINT SECTION OF THE PARK?

SOMEBODY TRIED TO MOVE THAT AND IT GOT KNOCKED DOWN.

>> LOOK, I THINK THE PLAN THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IS TRANSFORMATIVE.

IF YOU LIVE THERE, DAVID, YOU KNOW WHAT A JEWEL LIBERTY STATE PARK IS, BUT I THINK IT'S NOT REACHING ITS FULL POTENTIAL, AND I THINK THIS -- THE BILL THAT'S IN FRONT OF US OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT TO BE FULFILLED.

SO, THE BILL, AS IT'S STRUCTURED, INCLUDES A TASK FORCE, WHICH CONSISTS OF MEMBERS OF THE DEP, AND I THINK IT'S CRITICAL TO REMEMBER THAT THE DEP, THE STATE, OWNS THAT PROPERTY, AND ULTIMATELY, THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO UTILIZE IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE TASK FORCE COMES BACK WITH, WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE TO DEP, AND REMEMBER, ON THAT COMMITTEE ARE RESIDENTS FROM JERSEY CITY, GROUPS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PARK, AND THEN ULTIMATELY, THEY'RE GOING -- AND MEMBERS OF THE DEP, AND THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEP ITSELF SO THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ONLY THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PARK AT HEART, AND SO RATHER THAN TAKING AN APPROACH WHICH LIMITS THEM IN SOME WAYS, I'D WAIT AND SEE WHAT THOSE EARNEST STEWARDS COME UP WITH, AND SEE WHAT -- WHERE WE'RE AT AFTER THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, LAST QUESTION, BECAUSE I'VE LITERALLY RUN OUT OF TIME.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, I DON'T SEE A STABLE FUNDING SOURCE COMING IN THIS BUDGET.

WHEN'S THAT GOING TO HAPPEN, AND ISN'T A RETURN TO SERVICE STANDARDS OF OLD IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT IT?

>> WELL, LOOK, I THINK WE NOTE THAT IT'S -- THIS IS ANOTHER YEAR WHERE WE DON'T HAVE AN INCREASE IN FARES.

THERE IS FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

HOPEFUL THAT SOME OF THE MONEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT'S COMING OUT OF TRENTON -- OR COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON WILL BE ABLE TO BE USED IN THESE THINGS, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT CONTINUES TO GROW AND GET BETTER AND MOVE FORWARD, AND WHEN WE NEED FUNDS, WE'LL MAKE SURE THEY'RE IN PLACE.

>> ALL RIGHT, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN, GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, MAN.

>> HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, EVERYBODY.

ENJOY BACKPACKING, COLLEEN, AND THE KIDS, BRENT.

TAKE CARE, EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, PANEL.

COLLEEN, BRENT, MICHAEL, WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

MICHAEL HILL, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, BIG CITY OF DREAMS, WHERE EVERYBODY WILL NOW BE ABLE TO CONCEAL AND CARRY A GUN.

YOU REPORT ON THE GOINGS-ON OVER THERE MORE THAN THE REST OF US.

CAN YOU PAINT A PICTURE OF A SUBWAY CAR WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER ISN'T WORKING, MID-AUGUST, FULL OF PEOPLE, SOMEONE BUMPED INTO SOMEONE ELSE AND THEN SUDDENLY?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF POLITICIANS ON THIS SIDE OF THE RIVER WHO ARE VERY MUCH TRYING TO READ THIS OPINION AND FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY IT MEANS, AND THEY'RE PREPARING TO, I WOULD SAY, EVEN PUSH BACK, COME UP WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF RESTRICTIONS AND SO FORTH, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE FIREARMS, THAT THEY HAVE THE PROPER TRAINING AND SO FORTH.

AND NEW YORK IS PROBABLY GOING TO GO BACK INTO A LEGISLATIVE SESSION, A SPECIAL SESSION IN ALBANY.

I DID AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR THIS WEEK, TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, SOME OF THE SENSITIVE AREAS WHERE IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A GUN, WHERE THEY MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A GUN, SO NEW YORK IS GEARING UP FOR QUITE A FIGHT, AND IT ANTICIPATED THAT THE SUPREME COURT WAS GOING TO MAKE THIS KIND OF DECISION, WHICH WAS OVERTURNING THE SULLIVAN LAW IN NEW YORK, SO IT'S GOING TO BE A PUSHBACK HERE.

>> BRENT, ANY REASON WHY SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S GUN LAWS WOULDN'T SEE A CHALLENGE?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S THE THOUGHT NOW, IN ADDITION TO WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN FOR CONCEALED CARRY IN NEW JERSEY.

WHICH IS A VERY SIMILAR LAW TO NEW YORK.

NEW JERSEY HAS THE SECOND STRONGEST GUN LAWS IN THE COUNTRY AFTER CALIFORNIA, AND THE THOUGHT IS THAT, HEY, NOW, YOU KNOW, THIS MAY LEAD TO MORE COURT CHALLENGES, AND THAT'S ALSO -- MIGHT AFFECT THIS GUN PACKAGE THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW, MIGHT GIVE LAWMAKERS PAUSE, WELL, MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T VOTE ON IT YET.

SO THERE'S A LOT UP IN THE AIR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS RULING.

>> COLLEEN, HAS THE NEWS ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT RULING HAD AN IMPACT ON THE TALKS OVER THE GUN LAWS HERE YET?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, BRENT JUST POINTED OUT, THERE ARE QUESTIONS WHETHER YOU MOVE FORWARD GIVEN WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DID.

I THINK THAT, THOUGH, WE'RE DOING THIS NOW, FRIDAY MORNING, THIS IS GOING TO AIR ON TV ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, SO WE WON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS BUT HE IS GOING TO BE SPEAKING LATER ON FRIDAY TO TALK ABOUT, I GUESS, WHAT THEIR NEXT STEPS WILL BE, AND YOU KNOW, THESE CHALLENGES TAKE AN AWFULLY LONG TIME TO GET TO THE COURT, BUT GIVEN THE MAKE-UP OF THE COURT AND THE AGE OF SOME OF THE JUSTICES, I WOULD CERTAINLY THINK THAT EVEN IF WE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF BIDE OUR TIME, AT SOME POINT, OUR LAWS ARE GOING TO WIND UP GOING DOWN JUST BECAUSE OF THIS CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY ON THE COURT.

>> YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME BREAKING NEWS AS WE RECORD THIS, AS YOU SAID, ON A FRIDAY.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS JUST ISSUED ITS DECISION ON ROE V. WADE, OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE.

COLLEEN, JUST OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, IMPACT OF THAT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> YOU KNOW, SO, IN NEW JERSEY, WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE STRONG LAWS THAT ALLOW FOR AN ABORTION.

OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I JUST -- I WONDER HOW COME ABORTION CAN GO BACK TO THE STATES, BUT THE QUESTION OF GUNS CAN'T.

I'M NOT A LAWYER, BUT I'VE -- I JUST WONDER HOW THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THIS COURT, GIVEN THAT THE CLEARLY, YOU KNOW, CONSERVATIVE BIAS THAT IS PUTTING INTO ITS DECISIONS.

>> BRENT, EVEN IN NEW JERSEY, WHERE THE RIGHT TO ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES IS CODIFIED INTO STATE LAW, THERE'S STILL A QUESTION OF ACCESS, AND YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAD THESE BILLS THAT HE WAS PUTTING FORWARD TO EXPAND A PERSON'S RIGHT TO ACCESS TO ABORTION BY GETTING INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PAY FOR THE -- FOR THOSE SERVICES AND TO EXPANDING THE TYPES OF PEOPLE AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.

DOES THAT -- DOES THE RULING TODAY FROM THE SUPREME COURT GIVE A SPECIAL EXTRA IMPETUS TO THOSE SETS OF BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S PUTTING FORWARD NOW?

>> BASED ON WHAT I'M HEARING, NO.

I MEAN, AGAIN, LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED, ENACTED A LAW IN JANUARY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN STILL GET AN ABORTION IN NEW JERSEY, EVEN AS THIS RULING DID COME DOWN.

BUT MURPHY WANTED MORE, AND LAWMAKERS SAID, NO.

AND YOU KNOW, BASICALLY, THEY SAY IT'S SETTLED LAW.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS THAT.

I DON'T THINK THIS RULING, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN EXPECTING FOR MONTHS, FINALLY COMING DOWN MIGHT SET OFF A LIGHTBULB OR SPARK A FIRE.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

THE EXTRA STEPS IN NEW JERSEY AREN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> YEAH.

WE TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS ON "CHAT BOX" THIS WEEK, AND ASKED HIM SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HOW MUCH HE'S GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN A PUSH FOR THESE BILLS.

LET'S HEAR HIM.

THERE IS SOME CONCERN ON THE LEFT, FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIGHT FOR IT AND THAT YOU'RE OKAY WITH HAVING PROPOSED IT BUT THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND ANY POLITICAL CAPITAL TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> THEY DON'T KNOW ME.

I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW MURPHY.

MICHAEL HILL, IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT THE GOVERNOR IS EITHER COUNTING OR WHIPPING VOTES OR ARM-TWISTING OR BARTERING FOR VOTES ON THIS, OR DOES HE JUST KIND OF BE ABLE TO DECLARE VICTORY BY SAYING HE PROPOSED THESE EXTRA MEASURES?

>> WELL, DAVID, I WOULD SAY THIS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ADVOCATES HOPING HE DOESN'T TAKE THAT APPROACH BECAUSE THAT'S NOT HOW THEY SEE SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

AND CERTAINLY NOT THIS ONE.

AND HOPING THAT IF HE'S OUT SAYING WHAT HE HAS SAID SO FAR ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION, THAT HE WILL INDEED, BEHIND THE SCENES, WORK TO GET IT DONE.

>> YEAH.

COLLEEN, SENATOR HOLLY SAID NEW JERSEY IS NOT AS PROGRESSIVE AS MURPHY THINKS.

IS SHE RIGHT IN WHAT'S KEEPING DEMOCRATS FROM VOTING FOR THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN BECAUSE I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THEM ALL BUT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS -- AND THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SENATE, NOT IN THE ASSEMBLY -- AT LEAST SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS THERE, THEY HAVE RELIGIOUS LEANINGS, MAYBE CATHOLICS, WHO, YOU KNOW, ARE LETTING THEIR RELIGION KIND OF INFLUENCE THEIR DECISION.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET PAST THAT.

I CERTAINLY THINK MURPHY SHOULD BE TRYING TO DO THAT, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN CONTINUE TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, 50 YEARS LATER, THE RIGHT TO MAKE THESE HEALTH DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF HE CAN GET PAST THAT.

>> BRENT, THE GOVERNOR'S ANCHOR PROGRAM PROMISES $1,500 IN REAL ESTATE, TAX REBATES, I'M, I'LL TAKE $1,500 AS MUCH AS THE NEXT GUY, BUT ARE REPUBLICANS RIGHT WHEN THEY SAY IT'S A GIMMICK THAT WILL BE GONE AS SOON AS THE TIMES GET TOUGH?

>> WELL, THESE KIND OF THINGS ARE THE FIRST THINGS THAT ARE USUALLY ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK WHEN AN ECONOMIC RECESSION HAPPENS, WHICH A LOT OF EXPERTS AND ANALYSTS SAY THAT'S AROUND THE CORNER.

MURPHY SWEARS THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ANNUAL THING, AND HE HASN'T, YOU KNOW, SAID HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE FUNDED IN FUTURE YEARS, BUT YET, THE IDEA IS THAT THIS WOULD CONTINUE, BUT REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THAT THEIR PLAN DOES BETTER.

THE PROBLEM IS REPUBLICANS WON SEVEN SEATS IN NOVEMBER BUT DON'T CONTROL THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THE ANCHOR PROGRAM'S LIKELY TO PASS, AND AT THE VERY LEAST, HOMEOWNERS WILL GET THE REBATE THIS YEAR, OR AT LEAST IT'S SUPPOSED TO COME, I BELIEVE, NEXT MAY SO YOU HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT FOR IT.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, QUICK YES OR NO.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN NEXT WEEK?

BRENT, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I MEAN, I CAN'T -- I CAN'T IMAGINE HAVING A -- BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN WINDFALL IN TAX REVENUE AND DEMOCRATS WHO CONTROL ALL THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT LET THIS GO TO A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

I MEAN, THE ADS THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD RUN WRITE THEMSELVES.

I MEAN, MAYBE THEY COULD THINK THAT, OH, WE'RE A FULL YEAR AWAY FROM NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION AND NO ONE WILL REMEMBER, NO ONE'S PAYING ATTENTION, BUT YOU KNOW, WHY ROLL THE DICE ON THAT?

I JUST DON'T FORESEE IT.

I COULD SEE THIS GOING REALLY LATE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY AND NOT GETTING A BUDGET UNTIL LATE FRIDAY, BUT YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T DO THAT IF I WERE A DEMOCRAT.

>> MICHAEL, SHUTDOWN OR NO SHUTDOWN?

>> WELL, THEY HAVE THE MONEY, AS BRENT SAID, AND THEY HAVE THE VOTES, OR AT LEAST THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND JUST NO REASON FOR A SHUTDOWN.

>> COLLEEN, IT'S LIKE A FOOTBALL PLAYER.

HE'S AT THE 5, HE'S AT THE 4.

CAN THEY ACTUALLY FUMBLE THIS BEFORE THEY MAKE A TOUCHDOWN?

>> YOU KNOW, THEY CAN ALWAYS FUMBLE, OF COURSE, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE AND SAY, NO, I DON'T SEE A SHUTDOWN COMING.

AND I DO JUST WANT TO QUICKLY, WITH DEFERENCE TO THE SPEAKER, PUSH BACK AND SAY, I EXPECT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY ON PET PROJECTS IN HERE.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT THE PUBLIC HAS NOT SEEN, AND I JUST WONDER WHEN THIS BILL COMES OUT, WILL THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY TIME TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND COMMENT ON IT BEFORE THE, YOU KNOW, BEFORE IT WINDS UP BEING PASSED?

>> YEAH, YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

IT WAS GOING TO BE ONE OF MY QUESTIONS.

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, NOT ACT LIKE DRUNKEN SAILORS ON LIBERTY FOR THE WEEKEND WITH ALL THESE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS?

WHAT'S YOUR SENSE?

I MEAN, THERE'S GOING TO BE CHRISTMAS TREE ITEMS, NO?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE PIG ROAST DOWN IN TRENTON.

PORK IS GOING TO BE FLYING EVERYWHERE.

I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN HEARINGS AND THE MAIN BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL HAS HAD HEARINGS, THE LEGISLATURE'S PROPOSAL IS NOT GOING TO HAVE -- PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO DISCUSS THAT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE KEEP HEARING FROM LEGISLATORS EVERY YEAR, WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY.

WELL, IT JUST NEVER HAPPENS.

>> RIGHT.

BRENT, ANY SENSE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME RESTRAINT ON THE PART OF LAWMAKERS?

>> WHY START NOW, IS THE JOKE.

THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING SENSE THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO LAST FOREVER, AND THAT THERE'S AN ECONOMIC RECESSION AROUND THE CORNER.

SO, YOU DO HEAR A LOT ABOUT PUTTING THINGS IN THE SURPLUS AND DEBT DEFEASANCE SO MAYBE WE DON'T SEE A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM NEXT WEEK, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE SOME CHRISTMAS TREES BUT YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I DO HEAR A LOT ABOUT, WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE.

BUT WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH THEY HEED THAT WARNING.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

LIBERTY STATE PARK, THE BILL IS ZOOMING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE.

$250 MILLION, A NEW TASK FORCE ON THE FUTURE OF THE PARK.

CRITICS SAY BIG COMMERCIAL INTERESTS ARE LICKING THEIR CHOPS AT A CHANCE TO PUT A STADIUM THERE OR A GOLF COURSE.

MICHAEL HILL, OPPONENTS FREAKING OUT.

ARE THEY FREAKING OUT OVER A PLAN THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THE PARK BETTER, OR ARE THEY FREAKING OUT BECAUSE THIS MARKS THE END OF THE PARK AS PEACEFUL PLACE TO JUST CHILL WITHOUT TRAFFIC JAMS?

>> I THINK A LOT OF THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND THOSE WHO ARE FRIENDS OF THE PARK ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A SLIPPERY SLOPE, THAT IF YOU ALLOW SOME THINGS TO GET THERE, IT MAKES IT EASIER TO GET OTHER THINGS THERE LIKE A GOLF COURSE, LIKE A STADIUM, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE.

THEY WELCOME THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE PARK, BUT THEY DON'T WANT THIS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

>> BRENT, I THINK YOU'RE A NEW JERSEY TRANSIT GUY MORE SO THAN A P.A.T.H.

GUY, BUT YOU PROBABLY DRIVE EVERYWHERE YOU GO.

>> I DO DRIVE, BUT SURE.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS BETTER THAN IT'S BEEN IN YEARS.

DO YOU SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT EITHER PERSONALLY OR FOR PEOPLE THAT MAKE THAT TREK INTO MANHATTAN OR DOWN THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR?

>> I MEAN, I KNOW YOU WILL, IF YOU EVER WATCH ONE OF HIS TELEVISION INTERVIEWS, WHERE PEOPLE CALL IN, THAT THEY WILL LET HIM KNOW THAT THEY DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, THAT NJ TRANSIT IS STILL SOMETHING THAT TEES OFF A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE USE IT.

HE HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT HE WOULD FIX NJ TRANSIT IF IT KILLS HIM.

I DON'T KNOW THEY'RE THERE YET.

THERE'S STILL FUNDING ISSUES.

THERE'S STILL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WITH ENGINEERS, YOU KNOW, CALLING IN SICK AND A BUNCH OF THINGS GETTING CANCELED.

SO, NO, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE CAN LOOK TO NJ TRANSIT AND IT BEING A GLOWING EXAMPLE OF HOW WELL BUS AND RAIL AGENCY'S RUN.

SO I THINK THERE'S WORK TO DO.

>> COLLEEN, YOU'VE GOT THE GOVERNOR'S 501 C 4 PUTTING OUT ADS THAT LOOK LIKE CAMPAIGN ADS, POTENTIALLY PROJECTING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

YOU'VE GOT BOOKER POTENTIALLY.

YOU'VE GOT CHRISTIE POTENTIALLY.

THAT'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL JERSEY IN A PRESIDENTIAL RACE, WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, REALLY BEGINS RIGHT AFTER THE MIDTERMS.

JOE BIDEN SAYS HE'S RUNNING AGAIN.

DO PEOPLE THINK HE'S KIDDING?

>> YOU KNOW, I CERTAINLY THINK THAT -- I MEAN, I AGREE WITH YOU.

I CAN'T SEE ANOTHER REASON FOR THOSE ADS.

I KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID LAST NIGHT ON "CHAT BOX," BUT I CAN'T SEE ANOTHER REASON FOR THOSE ADS OTHER THAN TO TRY TO PLACE YOURSELF IN A GOOD POSITION FOR A PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT'S GOING TO BE 80-SOMETHING, RIGHT?

LOW 80s WHEN HE RUNS AGAIN, IF HE DECIDES TO RUN AGAIN, AND SO, I THINK THAT THERE'S A REASON TO, YOU KNOW, TO THINK THAT HE WON'T RUN AGAIN.

SO, I UNDERSTAND THAT DEMOCRATS ARE POSITIONING THEMSELVES.

I MEAN, I DO POINT OUT THAT NEITHER BOOKER NOR CHRISTIE DID TERRIBLY WELL LAST TIME THEY RAN.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN'T DO WELL THIS TIME.

BUT IT'S NOT AS EASY FOR SOMEONE FROM NEW JERSEY, JUST BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, OUR BEING A VERY BLUE STATE, TO MAKE IT INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL -- A NORTHERN BLUE STATE, I SHOULD SAY, TO MAKE IT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES.

>> YEAH, IF CHRISTIE AND BOOKER ARE ANY INDICATION, ABOUT 5% IS WHAT JERSEY GETS YOU IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

ALL RIGHT, COLLEEN O'DAY, BRENT JOHNSON, MICHAEL HILL, MAY I NOT SEE YOU FOR A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND MAY YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

THAT'S "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE."

THANK YOU TO SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN AS WELL AND TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE THIS A GREAT SEASON FOR THE SHOW, YOUR SUPPORT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO US AND KEEPS US HONEST.

SO, WE'LL SEE YOU OVER THE SUMMER HERE AND THERE.

THE CREW HERE INCLUDES OUR DIRECTOR, ELVIN BADGER, OUR PRODUCER, JEN, AND OUR ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, BRENDAN SMITH.

WE HAD HELP FROM STEVE MAYO AND THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, REALLY, INCLUDING JOANNA GAGIS AND COLLEEN O'DAY WHO HOLD IT DOWN WHEN I'M AWAY.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, EVERYBODY.

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE," THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954.