ROUNDTABLE" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY -- MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT N JREALITOR.COM.

B ♪ >> THE GOVERNOR IS BACK FROM HIS EUROPEAN TRIP, SO WHAT DID HE BRING US?

HI, EVERYBODY, THIS IS RE "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE".

I'M DAVID CRUZ, JOINED EACH WEEK BY A CADRE OF SURE-FOOTED R REPORTERS, INCLUDING THIS WEEK HEALTHCARE WRITER FOR N J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

JOHNSON, POLITICS REPORTER FOR ADVANCED IMMEMEDIA AND BUSINESS REPORTER FOR THE RECORD U"USA TODAY" NETWORK.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE PANEL IN JUST A BIT, BUT WE BEGIN TODAY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S MISSION TO IRELAND, HOPING TO BUILD BUSINESS TIDES WITH THE EMERALD AISLE.

ON THAT TRIP WAS THE GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF GEORGE HEM Y, WH JOINS US NOW.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

HELLO.

>> DAVID, GREAT TO SEE YOU A AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME BACK ON.

>> SO WHAT DID YOU GUYS COME BACK WITH?

>> ANOTHER REALLY SUCCESSFUL MISSION, DAVID, THANK YOU FOR ASKING AND FOR COVERING THIS.

I MEAN, WE ALWAYS FOCUS ON THE GOVERNOR BEING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE BUT HE'S BEEN THE SALESMAN IN CHIEF OVER THESE LAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, BRINGING INVESTMENTS INTO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

THIS TRIP ALONE BRINGS HUNDREDS OF JOBS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INVESTMENTS.

WE ALSO SIGNED NOWUS WITH LEADING IRISH INSTITUTIONS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH BOTH ACADEMIA AND BUSINESS AND IT BUILDS ON THE SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD, BOTH TO INDIA, TO GERMANY, AND TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL, WHICH AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR'S BROUGHT HOME REAL, GOOD-PAYING JOBS IN THE TH THOUSANDS AT THIS POINT, AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT TO THE STATE.

>> SO I MEAN, HOW DOES -- I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, BUT HOW DOES THE DEAL FOR THE REST STOPS DIFFER FROM WHAT CHRIST YI ANNOUNCED DURIN THE END HIS TERM A FEW YEARS AGO?

>> SO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WITH APPLE GREEN ANNOUNCING THEIR HEADQUARTERS THAT WILL BE PLACED HERE IN GLENN ROCK AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS INTO OUR REST STOPS.

AND AGAIN, DAVID, LIKE WE GO STATE TO STATE AS A PART OF OUR ROLE IN VARIOUS NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUT BASED ON BUILT ON THE HARD WORK OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE EDA AND CHOOSE NEW JERSEY, THESE MISSIONS ARE THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF WORK, WHETHER IT BE IRELAND, INDIA, ISRAEL OR GERMANY.

THE GOVERNOR GETS TO GO STATE BY STATE, NATION BY STANATION, PITCHING NEW JERSEY AS YOU TALENT AND LOCATION AND THUS FAR I THINK THE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

HE HAS BROUGHT HOME, AS I SAID, GOOD-PAYING JOBS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT TO THE STATE.

>> SO WHO GOES ON THIS TRIP AND WHO PAYS FOR THESE TRIPS?

>> THE WHO GOES ON THIS TRIP IS OBVIOUSLY DEPENDING ON EXACTLY WHERE WE'RE GOING, BUT IT'S CONTYPICALLY LEADERSHIP FROM TH FROM THE EDA, LEADERSHIP FROM CHOOSE NEW JERSEY, THE ECONOMIC GROWTH WEFOLKS THAT WORK IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE FOLKS WHO BUILT A RELATIONSHIPS, WORKED ON THE DEALS THAT BRING THESE COMPANIES AND THIS INVESTMENT INTO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

CLEARLY THOSE FOLKS FROM POLICY AND THERE IS A DELEGATION, AS I MENTIONED, WE PITCH TALENT.

WE PITCH LOCATION.

SO WE HAVE OVER 40 OF NEW J JERSEY'S TOP ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND BUSINESS LEADERS JOIN US TO JOIN US ON THE PITCH BUT ALSO AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED WITH THE MOUS TO BUILD THAT SYNERGY THAT FAR OUTLIVES THIS ADMINISTRATION AND CONTINUES THE INTEGRATION TO BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND IN THE BUSINESS SPACE, WITH THESE COUNTRIES.

AND THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS M MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE WERE IN IRELAND.

WHEN WE SORT OF LOOK AT THE IRISH ECONOMY, LOOK AT THE INVESTMENTS THEY'RE MAKING IN TECHNOLOGY, WHETHER IT BE FINANCE, LIFE SCIENCES, OR OTHERWISE, WE REALLY SEE A M MIRROR IMAGE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW JERSEY.

THE GOVERNOR'S IN A SECOND TERM WITH FOUR YEARS AGO.

BUT UNLIKE OTHER ADMINIS ADMINISTRATIONS, WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD AND GROW THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME AND THESE MISSIONS HELP SERVE THAT PURPOSE AND BUILD THOSE TIES THAT OUTLAST CHANGES IN GOVERNORS.

>> IS THIS AN EDA FINANCE TRIP, OR IS THIS PART OF THE GOVERNOR AS YOU OFFICE CAPITAL -- REGULAR BUDGET?

>> CHOOSE NEW JERSEY, WHICH IS THE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH PITCHING, RETAINING, AND SECURING NEW JOBS, COVERS THE MAJORITY OF THE COSTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET ME MOVE ON T I COUPLE OTHER TOPICS WHILE WE HAVE YOU HERE.

CANNABIS SALES WERE OFF TO A HOT START WHILE YOU WERE AWAY.

12,000 INDIVIDUAL SALES TOTALING CLOSE TO $2 MILLION.

LINES OUT THE DOOR IN A LOT OF PLACES.

DEMAND IS EVIDENTLY HIGH JUST AS YOU ALL PREDICTED.

THE GOVERNOR, I IMAGINE, WAS HAPPY WITH THAT NEWS?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE'RE REALLY PLEASED, FIRST OFF, DAVID, THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS OPENED.

THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A PROMISE THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE WHEN HE WAS CANDIDATE BACK IN '17.

START, AS WE DISCUSSED CANNABIS FROM A SOCIAL JUSTICE AND COMMUNITIES DECIMATED FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS.

>> THAT'S THE THING.

INTO INTERRUPT, I'M SORRY.

BUT THAT'S THE THING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THIS IN FIRST WEEK YOU DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE SIDE OF THIS PLAYING OUT.

13 DISPENSARIES FOR A STATE WITH A LOT OF CONSUMERS, EVEN THE LICENSES THAT GOT APPROVED FROM THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION.

MANY OF THEM AREN'T GOING TO BE GOING FOR MONTHS, MAYBE EVEN A YEAR.

THEY'RE FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT BIG CANNABIS GOT A HEAD START ON THE REST OF THEM.

FAIR?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, DAVID.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT FIRST OF ALL WHAT THE WORK FORCE LOOKS LIKE THAT IS STAFFING THESE LOCATIONS, THESE LOCATIONS ARE IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

THEY'RE HIRING UP UNDERSERVED REPRESENTATION, AND ADDI ADDITIONALLY, THE MONEY THAT IS COMING IN, THE REVENUE THAT IS COMING IN, A SIGNIFICANT PART IS GOING RIGHT BACK INTO THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE DECIMATED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS SO I WOULD NOT AGREE THAT THE LEGISLATION DID NOT PROVIDE FOR IMMEDIATE SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT.

TO ANSWER YOUR PRIOR QUESTION, I THINK WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST WEEK TO AND DESERVES CREDIT FOR BEING THOUGHTFUL IN THE PROCESS IT UNDERTOOK AND WHAT WE WERE VERY FOCUSED ON IS TO ENSURE WE DID NOT HAVE OBSTRUCTIONS TO THE MEDICAL SPACE.

WE HAD ENOUGH SUPPLY TO MEET THE SUPPLY OF THOSE WHO REQUIRE C CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL CONS CONSUMPTION.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

WE'LL SEE THE STABILIZATION IN THE INDUSTRY OVER TIME.

WE'LL SEE MORE LICENSEES THAT ARE MINORITY, WOMEN, VET VETERAN-OWNED.

BUT YES, WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE ROLLOUT AND THAT ANOTHER PROMISE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE HAS BEEN FULFILLED.

>> I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME HERE.

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL PLAITKIN ISSUED GUIDANCE TO POLICE DEPARTMENT S THAT COPS COULD INGEST CANNABIS OFF-DUTY AND THAT CREATED A WHOLE REACTION FROM GJERSEY CITY AND WOODBRIDG AND OTHERS TELLING COPS THAT THEY'LL BE FIRED IN THEY BUY ANY KIND OF OR CONSUME ANY KIND OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

YOU HAD A QUESTION FOR GEORGE ON THIS, NO?

>> ANY MOVEMENT ON THAT?

WILL THERE BE A NEW STATE LAW BANNING THAT?

YOU HEAR SOME PEOPLE ARE FOR IT.

AND OTHER PROFESSIONS.

WILL THIS INCLUDE SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, WHICH IS NOW ANOTHER THING?

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I'LL ANSWER QUICK AS WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TYPE, AS DAVID TODSAID.

FOR CLARITY, ATTORNEY GENERAL PLAITKIN'S MEMO REITERATED WHAT IS IN THE LEGISLATION.

THIS WAS THE INTENT OF THE LAW, AND IN TERMS OF MOVEMENT, I THINK LOOKING AT THE CHAIRMAN'S RECENT REMARKS, IT'S A QUESTION AND A VALID QUESTION FOR DELIBERATION AND DEBATE WITHIN THE CHAMBERS, AND AS THE GOVERNOR IS A HAS MENTIONED, HE'S VERY OPEN TO THAT CONVERSATION.

AS YOU WILL NOTE, AT THE TIME OF THE LEGISLATION WAS BEING C CONTEMPLATE DD IN CHAMBERS, THE WAS CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PROFESSIONS.

I WOULD BELIEVE THAT AS THIS CONVERSATION GOES, THERE WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PROFESSIONS THAT OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY OR OTHERWISE.

BUT I WOULD EXPECT THE LE LEGISLATURE WILL LIBERATE AND DEBATE THIS ITEM.

>> SO LAST QUESTION HERE.

PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SUGGEST THAT YOU GUYS MIGHT HAVE SCUTARI PROBLEM.

NEW SENATE PRESIDENT ASSERTING HIMSELF, GOVERNOR IN THE FINAL FEW YEARS.

CAN YOU DISSPELL THIS CON SCUTTLEBUTT?

>> SENATORS SKITRY AND GOVERNOR MURPHY ARE VERY CLOSE PER PERSONALLY.

THEY SHARE A NUMBER OF POLICY GOALS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

HE'S COME IN.

HE'S GOT GREAT IDEAS ON AFFORDABILITY AND HE'S A BIG CHAMPION ON SOME OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

HE'S BEEN A GREAT PART OF THE FIRST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT LEADER RUNNING THE UPPER HOUSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, I'LL TAKE THAT ANSWER FOR NOW.

GEORGE, WELCOME HOME, MAN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> ALL RIGHT, PANEL, LET'S GET YOU BACK IN HERE.

LITLO, DAN, BRENT.

DAN, THEY ALWAYS SAY THEY'RE GOING OUT THERE TO BRING BACK BUSINESS BUT REST STOP MAK MAKEOVERS?

DID WE HAVE TO GO TO IRELAND FOR THAT OR AM I JUST BEING A JERK ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION IS TOUTING THE FACT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY ON NEW JERSEY GOODS AND THESE ARE PEOPLE IN THE STATE THAT WILL BE WORKING IN THE STATE, LIVING IN THE STATE, RAISING THEIR FAMILIES IN THE STATE.

I DO THINK THAT TEND TO BE WHAT MOST DO IN NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

CHRISTY MENTIONED PROMOTE NEW JERSEY OR RESPECTIVE STATION TO ANOTHER NATION PRESS RELEASES ABOUT TWEETS AND PHOTO OPS.

SO THIS IS SORT OF A BROADER COLLECTION OF PACKAGE OF PR PROMOTING THE RELATIONS, THE ECONOMIC AND CORPORATE TIES BETWEEN NEW JERSEY OR IRELAND OR ISRAEL OR GERMANY OR INDIA.

>> BRAD, OVERSEAS TRIPS CAN BE GOOD FOR THE STATE'S ECONOMY, BUT THEY CAN ALSO SHOW A POLITICIAN AND AN INTERNATIONAL SETTING JUST IN CASE HE WANTS TO USE SOME PICTURES FOR A CAMPAIGN AD OR SOMETHING GOING FORWARD, NO?

>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS REPEATEDLY D DISSPELLED THAT HE WANTS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

THAT HASN'T STOPPED PEOPLE FROM ESCALATING DOESN'T MEAN HE W WON'T.

WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST POLITICIAN TO HAVE SAID SOMETHING AND RAN ANYWAY.

AND COULD BE IN THE CABINET POSITION.

HE WAS THE FORMER EMBAMBASSADOR JOIM I'M SURE HE WOULDN'T TURN DOWN BEING SECRETARY OF STATE.

BUT THERE IS ALL SPECULATION.

BUT NO, MURPHY IS AN INTERNATIONAL PERSON.

HE WORKED IN INTERNATIONAL JOBS IN GOLD MAN SACHS AND WAS AN INVESTOR IN GERMANY.

THIS ISN'T OUT OF HIS WHEELHOUSE AND IT CAN'T HURT IF THERE IS A FUTURE POLITICAL CAREER AT S STAKE.

>> LINO, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN THE GOVERNOR ON THIS TYPE OF TRIP DURING THE HEIGHT OF COVID, I WOULD IMAGINE.

>> WELL, IT'S TRUE.

YEAH.

EXACTLY.

AND I WAS ALSO THINKING, AS I'M WATCHING THIS, THINK ABOUT ALL THAT WE GOT DONE DURING COVID WITH THE ZOO.

WE'RE HERE ON ZOOM DOING OUR THING ON RE"REPORTERS ROUNDTABL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE USED T THAT -- IT'S INTERESTING THAT SO QUICKLY ONE OF THE THINGS TO COME BACK ARE THESE TRADE MISSION KIND OF THINGS AND IRELAND'S ALWAYS POPULAR.

I HEAR IT'S LOVELY THIS TIME OF YEAR.

CLEARLY, LIGHT OF PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO GO.

THAT'S GREAT IT'S FUNNY HOW SOME OF THESE ARE POPULAR AND IRELAND SEEMS TO BE A PROOENL FAVORITE WITH THE GOVERNOR, I MEAN WITH GOVERNORS IN NEW JERSEY.

COVID IS ON THE RISE.

IT'S ON THE RISE IN EUROPE.

IT'S ON THE RISE HERE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

PEOPLE DON'T -- BUT NUMBERS.

WE'VE SEEN ABOVE 3,000 CASES IF YOU INCLUDE LIKELY CASES, WHICH ARE ALMOST ALWAYS INCLUDED L LATER.

YOU KNOW, 3,000 CASES A DAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

IT'S STILL A REAL THING.

>> I HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT VACCINE RATES AMONG ADULTS HAVE SLOWED, IF NOT OUTRIGHT STOP.

FOR KID, WAS THERE EVER A SURGE OF YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED?

>> THERE WAS -- I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE UPTICK WHEN THEY WERE FIRST PERMED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

BUT NO, AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

I KNOW SOME HOSPITALS ARE CLOSING FACILITIES, VACCINE FACILITIES CAUSE IT MAKES -- IT NO LONGER MAKES SENSE TO OPERATE LARGE FACILITIES.

THAT SAID, EVERYBODY THAT I TALK TO ABOUT THIS OR HEAR FROM IS STILL COMMITTED TO GIVING THOSE SHOTS.

IT'S JUST IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE DONE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHURCHES, WITH COMMUNITY CENTERS, WITH I DON'T KNOW, GUN CLUBS.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

THE POINT IS YOU KNOW, THE POINT IS EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT.

THEY TALK ABOUT THE NEED TO GET INTO THE COMMUNITIES, SO IT'S GOING TO BE MORE THROUGH VANS AND MOBILE PROGRAMS AND POP-UP PROGRAMS THAN BIG SITES.

>> IS IT MODERNA THAT IS ASKING THE FDA TO CLEAR THEM TO DISTRIBUTE VACCINES FOR KIDS UNDER 6?

WAS THERE EVER A REAL CRY FROM PARENTS WHO WANT EDED THIS?

>> THERE IS ACTUALLY.

I MEAN, IT MAY NOT BE FROM ALL PARENTS TO BE CLEAR, AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SUGGESTS THERE WOULD BE A RUN ON THEM.

BUT THERE ARE MANY PARENTS AND MANY -- A LOT OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WHO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS A GAP, RIGHT?

THIS IS AN ENORMOUS GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT EVEN IF YOU CAN BOOST THE VACCINE RATES, X PERCENT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT HAS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I WOULD SAY YOU KNOW, -- AND ITS INTERESTING.

PEOPLE SAY OKAY, WELL, THE E EFFICACY RATES ARE LIKE 40% TO 50%.

THEY'RE NOT GREAT.

BUT OUR STANDARDS ARE NOW REALLY HIGH CAUSE WE'RE SEEING THESE 80 TO 90% RATE IN THE ADULT VACCINE IS BUT I WAS TOLD I HAVEN'T SEEN THE RESEARCH MYSELF.

BUT I'VE HEARD IT DISCUSSED THAT THAT IS THE EFFICACY AGAINST INFECTION.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE HIGHER AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE AND D DEATH.

AND OKAY, IF YOUR KID GETS, I THAT'S ONE THING.

BUT IT IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THING IF AN NANT INFANT HAS TO BE HOSPITALIZED.

WE'VE LOST IN NEW JERSEY A HALF A DOZEN INFANTS OR YOUNG CHILDREN, I SHOULD SAY, TO COVID SINCE CHRISTMAS.

SO OMICRON WAS SERIOUS.

IT DID HIT KIDS.

IT WAS SO WIDESPREAD, KIDS ARE IMPACTED.

SMALL NUMBERS.

BUT BIG IMPACT SOMETIMES.

>> GOING FORWARD, IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE IT'S COVID SEASON SO YOU WANT IT GET YOUR COVID SHOT?

IS THAT HOW GOING IT'S GOING TO GO FORWARD?

>> YEAH, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT I KNOW SOME OF OUR FRIENDS AT THE CENTRAL NEW JERSEY VA HAVE TALKED ABOUT OR I GUESS IT WA WAS -- I'M SORRY.

MISSPEAK.

OCEAN COUNTY.

I GET CONFUSED, HAS TALKED ABOUT INTEGRATING THIS WITH FLU CLINICS BUT I'LL BET A LOT OF PLACES ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

SO YEAH.

THERE MAY BE DIDUAL POPUP CLINI FOR GET YOUR FLU SHOT, GET YOUR COVID SHOT.

BIG QUESTION IS WHETHER THEY HAVE TO TWEAK THE VACCINE AND WHETHER THEY DECIDE -- WHETHER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO TELL VACCINE MAKERS TO ADJUST IT FOR ONE OF THE POTENTIAL VARIANTS.

THAT REQUIRES A PRETTY LARGELY TIMED MULTIPLE MONTHS.

SO IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FALL, IT NEED TO START REAL SOON SO THAT'S A BIG UNKNOWN.SO THE FALL, IT NEED TO START REAL SOON SO THAT'S A BIG UNKNOWN.

>> WELL, THE TEMPERATURES NOT WITH STANDING, SUMMER SASS APPROACHING AND FOR A SLOT OF TE STATE THAT MEANS TOURISM SEASON.

DAN IMMUNOZ, CONGRATS ON THE NE GIG.

HOW IS IT GOING OVER THERE?

>> IT'S GOING GOOD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS AROUND THE STATE.

WRITE INTERESTING THINGS.

LIVING A GOOD LIFE.

>> WELL, LISTEN, WORD TO THE WISE.

DO NOT LET CHARLIE STYLE TRY TO SELL YOU PASS TO THE POOL BECAUSE THERE IS NO SWIMMING POOL OVER THERE.

>> OKAY.

I WILL KEEP THAT IN MIND.

>> ON THE HOTEL INDUSTRY TAKING IT ON THE CHIN BECAUSE OF COVID.

IT'S GOING TO COST MORE TO RENT A HOTEL ROOM THIS SUMMER, ISN'T IT?

>> I THINK THE CONCERN IS BUSINESS TRAVEL.

TOURISM, THERE IS A LOT OF DEMAND, THOUGH, THAT'S GOING TO BE LOWER BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE THINKING I CAN GO TO MEXICO AND EUROPE RATHER THAN THE GJERSEY SHORE.

I THINK BUSINESS TRAVEL.

WE'RE HERE DOING ZOOM.

WE'RE NOT AT THE GATEWAY PLAZA IN NEWARK.

SO I THINK COMPANIES, A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE DECIDING THAT THEY CAN CUT THINGS, LIKE PUTTING UP EMPLOYEES AT A HOTEL, PAYING FOR AIRFARE AND TRAVEL WHEN THEY CAN DO IT ON ZOOM OR A HYBRID CONFERENCE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE SO THAT'S WHERE THE BIG CONCERN IS.

>> INTERESTING POINT.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TOURISM SEASON?

ARE THERE POSITIVE SIGNS FOR THE TOURISM, HOTELS NOT WITH STANDING?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE MORE SORT OF A PENT-UP DEMAND.

I TALKED TO PEOPLE ON THE GJERSY SHORE.

THEY DON'T -- SOME DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AS BIG AS LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WAS THIS SORT OF COVID IS BEHIND US MENTALITY THAT WE'RE SEEING THIS LAST TIME LAST YEAR.

I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A GOOD AMOUNT OF DEMAND.

THERE IS THINGS LIKE PEOPLE CAN GO TO EUROPE NOW AND INFLATION SO THE HOUSING CRISIS, THE H HOUSING SHORTAGE, AND LABOR SHORTAGE AND HOMES THAT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE RENTED OUT FOR THE SUMMER ARE BEING SOLD AT HIGH HIGH PRICES SO THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURES, A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING NERVOUS A ABOUT.

BUT I THINK THERE CAN BE AN EXPECTATION.

IT'S GOT TO BE PRETTY STRONG.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO STILL HAVE A PRETTY STRONG SUMMER TOWARDS THE SEASON.

>> SO MANY OF US LIVE HERE AND VACATION HERE.

YOU WOULD THINK THAT WE LOVE GJERSEY SO MUCH BUT A STUDY FOUD THAT WE LOVE IT BUT WE WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE?

ISN'T THAT THE THEME OF EVERY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN RECORD EVER?

>> IT'S THE BORN TO RUN, PAUL.

YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S A FEW POLLS SHOWED THAT PEOPLE LOVE LIVING HERE AND WHY WOULDN'T YOU?

NEW JERSEY IS THE GREATEST PLACE ON THE PLAN ET.

I DOEN'T MIND SAYING THAT EVEN THOUGH I DOEN'T LIKE PORK ROLL.

BUT YEAH, THE COST OF LIVING AND THE TAXES JUST ARE TOO MUCH FOR SOME PEOPLE AND THAT A DECENT PORTION.

MORE THAN 35% ACCORDING TO SOME POLLS, ARE LOOKING TO LEAVE AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.

THEY LIKE IT HERE BUT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY HERE IS KIND OF THE THEME.

>>.

♪ CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY HERE" TRYING TO WORK THAT INTO A BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN SONG.

THE BUDGET PROCESS SO BORING SO FAR BUT I NOTICED THAT THE SENATORS -- GO AHEAD, YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> I'M SUCH A DORK.

I FIND IT INTERESTING.

YES, THE HEARINGS ARE LONG AND REPREETITIVE BUT YOU JUST -- I' SUCH A DORK I GUESS I FIND IT INTERESTING IN SOME WAYS.

THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES IN THE BUDGET.

>> YOU KNOW, FOR US WHO ARE LESS DORKY, I NOTICED -- >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THE SENATORS HAVE ROUGHED UP SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS RE RHETORICALLY.

THIS WEEK IT WAS HEALTH COMMISSIONER JUDY.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GABOUT TH DHS BUDGET BUT IT TURNED INTO THE CRIT OIQUE ABOUT THE STATE' COVID RESPONSE?

>> YEAH, IT REALLY DID.

AND I MEAN I HAVE TO SAY I WAS TEXTING WITH JOHN WRIGHT MIRE, WHO I GUESS JUST A DORK LIKE ME BECAUSE HE WATCHES THESE CLOSELY AND HE WAS SAYING THIS IS SORT OF THE THEME BUT REPUBLICANS REALLY SEEM TO HAVE A PLAYBOOK.

IT IS EXTREMELY PARTISAN, IN MY OPINION.

IT IS THINGS LIKE TRYING TO G GET -- IT'S A KIND OF A GOTCHA GAME, AND I'M NOT BEING ALL REPUBLICANS AND I DOEN'T MEAN AL QUESTIONS.

TO BE TOTALLY CLEAR.

AND YES, SOME DEMOCRATS SAY REALLY PARTISAN STUFF, TOO.

BUT THAT ASIDE, THERE'S SEEM TO BE THIS USE OF DEFAULT TO A PLAYBOOK THAT IS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE ON THE RECORD ABOUT THINGS LIKE PERSONAL RIGHTS AND YOU KNOW, AND WE MADE A MISTAKE IN THE NURSING HOME, AND IN THE NURSING HOME RESPONSE.

AND ALSO, GETTING PEOPLE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY INTO THE NURSING HOME AND LARGER RESPONSE, DEPENDING ON WHICH QUOTE, WHICH DAY YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY COMMITMENT TO DO THAT.

THE GOVERNOR ROUTINELY KIND OF DEFAULTS, SAYS WELL, WE DID THEM IN THAT REPORT, THAT COUNTS, AND BUT ANOTHER THING WE LEARNED IMPORTANT THING WE LEARNED IN BUDGET HEARINGS WAS THERE ARE NOW THREE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE VETERANS' HOMES RESPONSE.

THE S CI IS LOOKING AT IT IN ADDITION TO NOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHICH WE KNEW.

AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO YOU KNOW, THERE IS CLEARLY SMOKE THERE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS PROMISED SOME KIND OF INVESTIGATION.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN OR IF THAT'S COMING.

BUT KNOWING GOVERNMENT, THERE IS NO WAY THAT I DEPARTMENT HEAD WOULD HAVE PRIVY TO INFORMATION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS POLITICAL.

IF GOVERNOR MURPHY DOES THAT, THAT'S GOING TO BE RUN FROM THE FRONT OFFICE, NOT THROUGH A DEPARTMENT.

SO WHO KNOWS?

>> DAN, CANNABIS SALES WERE BRISK OVER THE FIRST WEEK.

ONLY 13 OUTLETS STATEWIDE, THOUGH,.

WAS IT A COLULUMSY LAUNCH FOR T INDUSTRY OR ARE EXPECTATIONS STILL HIGH?

>> I THINK EXPECTATIONS ARE H HIGH.

I SEE WHAT I DID THERE.

I THINK THERE IS SORT OF -- >> THANKS.

>> I THINK THERE IS OPTIMISM THAT THIS WILL BE A BUDDING INDUSTRY.

>> I SEE WHAT YOU DID HERE, DAN.

LAU[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN IS ONCE -- ONCE NEW YORK GETS ITS OWN INDUSTRY UP, WE SAW THIS WITH SPORTS BETTING, WHERE NEW YORK CITY JUST COMPLETELY BLOWS PAST HOW NEW JERSEY IS DOING.

SO I THINK NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE A STRONG MARKET, BUT HAS THE STATE FLUBBED ITS LEGALIZATION PROCESS, WHICH IS I USE FLUBBED SPAS OPPOSED TO BOCH, WHICH IS STRONGER WORD.

I THINK CERTAINLY THE STATE HAS FLUBBED ITS LEGALIZATION PR PROCESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

BRAND, LITLO, DAN.

THAT IS REP"REPORTERS ROUNDTABL FOR THIS WEEK AND THANKS ALSOTO GORGE GEORGE.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND S SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, EV.

FOR ALL THE CREW OVER HERE, I'M DAVID CRUZ.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR REP"REPORS ROUNDTABLE" AND DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY -- B