>>> PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD, MJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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>>> HI, EVERYBODY.

WELCOME TO CHAT BOX.

I'M DAVID CRUISE.

HAPPY TO BE BACK WITH YOU.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A NICE SUMMER, RED RED DID I FOR THE FALL.

MIDTERMS LOOMING.

TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GUN REGULATION DEBATE.

THAT'S COMING UP A LITTLE LATER IN OUR SEGMENT, BUT WE BEGIN TODAY WITH A CANDIDATE MANY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU KNOW IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START TALKING ABOUT THAT.

WELCOME TO CHAT BOX, JERSEY CITY MAYOR, STEVE PHILLIP.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> LET'S START WITH THE NEWS THIS WEEK ABOUT THESE HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

THE STATE MADE A DEAL THAT CAPPED THEIR INCREASES FOR STATE WORKERS AT 3%, BUT THE REST OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, CITY, COUNTY, ET CETERA, HAVE KIND OF BEEN LEFT TO FRIEND FOR THEMSELVES.

HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY THOUGHT TO WHAT THE IMPACT MIGHT BE ON YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKERS, BUT ALSO TO CITY TAXPAYERS?

>> WE'RE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE ARE SELF INSURED, SO WE HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE OF OUR SIZE.

BUT I THINK THE WAY NEW JERSEY IS STRUCTURED, YOU KNOW, LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT, AND FOR THOSE SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE VERY LIMITED FLEXIBILITY, YOU GOT TO FEEL FOR THEM.

THEY HAVE BEEN DEALT A TOUGH HAND BY THE STATE, AND IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

IT WAS PROBABLY UNNECESSARY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE COVID RELIEF MONEY THAT'S COME THROUGH NEW JERSEY.

IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH FOR A LOT OF SMALL TOWNS.

>> CITY SCHOOLS WERE OFFICIALLY RETURNED TO LOCAL CONTROL THIS WEEK AFTER 30 YEARS.

THE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN MOSTLY FUNCTIONING AUTONOMOUSLY OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, BUT IS THERE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS WEEK IN THE SCHOOLS THAN THERE WAS LAST WEEK?

>> LOOK, I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT IT.

I'M HAPPY JERSEY CITY RESIDENTS HAVE TOTAL CONTROL, BUT THE STATE BEING INVOLVED SERVED AS A BACKSTOP, AND THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVENE.

THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE BEST TRACK RECORD OF MAKING GOOD DECISIONS FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM FROM AN EDUCATION OUTCOME STANDPOINT.

I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS.

I'M GOING TO BE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

>> LET'S STICK WITH SCHOOLS FOR A MINUTE.

FIRST OF ALL, THEY'RE COSTING TAXPAYERS, ME, OVER $1,000 MORE HAD IN THE COMING YEAR.

HOW COULD YOU LET THAT HAPPEN, MAYOR?

>> I THINK PEOPLE LIKE TO THINK THAT THE MAYOR HAS UNILATERAL CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE CITY.

THE CITY COUNCIL IS ELECTED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ELECTED INDEPENDENTLY.

SO I HAVE BEEN VOCAL.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME MORE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THE CITY HAS SHOWN THAT, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS NOT.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE CITY BUT NOT WILLING TO WRITE A BLANK CHECK.

>> YOU ONCE ADVOCATED FOR MAYOR CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT WAY?

>> I THINK HAVING THE MAYOR RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCOUNTABLE MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

MORE PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED IN MAYORAL RACES THAN THEY ARE IN BOARD OF EDUCATION RACES.

PEOPLE GENERALLY KNOW THE MAYOR AND IT'S EASIER TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNT ZBLBL THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THE STATE CAME IN IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE THE MAYOR WAS PUTTING HIS COUSIN'S UNCLE'S STIR ON THE BOARD.

>> I THINK IF I WANTED TO DO THAT, THERE'S A BIG PAYROLL IN THE CITY, I DON'T DO THAT SORT OF THING.

I'M ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RESIDENTS.

I THINK THAT ISN'T ACCURATE.

WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DIRECTLY KNOWN AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RESIDENTS, YOU TEND TO GIVE BETTER OUTCOMES.

NEW YORK CITY MOVED UNDER BLOOMBERG TO HAVE MAYORAL CONTROL, AND YOU'VE SEEN IMPROVEMENTS THERE.

FOR THE LAST DECADE-PLUS, MAYORS HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, AND EVERYBODY'S AGREED IN NEW YORK CITY THAT IT'S BEEN A BETTER OUTCOME.

>> NOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS AN $89 MILLION WINDFALL.

GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO USE THAT MONEY?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A LOT OF PROJECTS THEY HAVE BEEN NEGLECTING FOR A LONG TIME.

THINGS LIKE REMEDIATING ROOMS THAT HAVE BEEN UNUSABLE.

I THINK THEY NEED TO REALLY BE TRANSPARENT WITH WHAT THEY'RE DOING, WHY THEY'RE DOING IT, BUT YOU GOT TO START WITH THE THINGS THAT MAKE THE BUILDINGS USABLE, AND AIR CONDITIONING IS A STARTING POINT.

$89 MILLION SHOULD GO TO MAKE SURE EVERY ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IS USABLE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> OF COURSE THE BURNING ISSUE AMONG SOME PEOPLE IN THE CITY IS THE STATUS OF COUNCIL WOMAN AMY DEJESE WHO WE HAVE TO CALL AN ALLY OF YOURS.

SHE HIT A GUY ON A BIKE AND DIDN'T STOP.

SHE WAS DRIVING AN SUV.

SHE REPORTED THE INCIDENT SIX HOURS LATER.

THERE'S A CONCERTED EFFORT NOW TO HAVE HER RESIGN.

I KNOW YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS.

YOU HAVE SAID SHE MESSED UP BY NOT STOPPING, BUT YOU DIDN'T CALL FOR HER RESIGNATION SAYING THAT THE LEGAL PROCESS SHOULD PLAY ITSELF OUT.

BUT -- I KNOW THIS IS A HYPOTHETICAL.

BUT IF YOU SAW VIDEO OF HER AS WE DID HER RUNNING THROUGH THAT RED LIGHT, IF YOU SAW VIDEO OF HER, AND SHE WAS SHOOTING SOMEONE, WOULD YOU HAVE THE SAME OPINION ABOUT HER RESIGNING?

>> LET'S SAY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU LAID OUT, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH A FELONY, WHICH IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCE THAN WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

SHE WAS GIVEN ESSENTIALLY A TRAFFIC TICKET.

SHE'S FORTUNATE THE CYCLIST WASN'T HURT WHO RAN THE RED LIGHT.

WHAT SHE DID WAS REALLY HARD TO EXPLAIN, AND I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING HOW SHE DOES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, SHE'S ENTITLED TO THAT DUE PROCESS.

YOU HAVE A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VERY VOCAL COMING TO THE COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAS BEEN DECREASING.

IT HASN'T COMPROMISED HER ABILITY TO DO THE WORK.

SHE'S BEEN A GOOD COUNCIL PERSON, AND SHE'S ENTITLED TO HER DAY IN COURT, AND IT SHOULD APPLY TO HER LIKE IT DOES EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> BUT YOU ALSO KNOW SHE'S NOT JUST YOU AND ME OR ANYBODY ELSE.

SHE IS A COUNCIL WOMAN WHO WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE ENTIRE CITY BECAUSE SHE'S AN AT-LARGE COUNCIL PERSON.

DOESN'T SHE HAVE TO BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD?

>> SHE DOES, AND SHE STILL IS ENTITLED, THOUGH, TO DUE PROCESS.

BECAUSE YOU'RE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU ABDICATE YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE DUE PROCESS.

>> SURE, ABOUT THE LEGAL PROCESS.

BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT THE POLITICS OF THIS AND THE REALITY OF THE POLITICS OF THAT.

>> OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 10-20 YEARS THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY, YOU'VE SEEN PEOPLE UNFORTUNATELY INDICTED FOR BRIBERY, ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING, ISSUES LIKE WHAT HAPPENED WITH AMY, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A CONSISTENT CALL BY THIS GROUP OR ANY GROUP WITH REGARDS TO RESIGNATION.

THEY'LL SAY, WELL, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO DUE PROCESS.

THAT'S THE RULE OF THUMB.

IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T LIKE HER PERSONALLY, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO SAY SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

I SAID IT'S A TOUGH THING TO DEFEND, BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT WE'RE A COUNTRY OF LAWS, AND SHE'S ENTITLED TO THAT DUE PROCESS.

>> IS THERE NO POLITICAL PRICE SHE SHOULD PAY?

>> THE POLITICAL PRICE IS WHEN SHE STANDS FOR RE-ELECTION OR THE RECALL.

AND THOSE ARE VERY CLEARLY OUTLINED.

THERE IS A POLITICAL PRICE.

IT'S NOT FAIR FOR ANYBODY TO ASK THEM TO RESIGN AND IN THE CASE THAT IT'S A DISDEMEANOR OR A JUDGE RULES AFTER SHE EXPLAINS WHATEVER SHE'S GOING TO EXPLAIN THAT SHE CAN'T GO BACK TO HER LIFE PRIOR.

>> LET ME MOVE ON BECAUSE I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

THE STATE SCHOOL SEEMS TO BE BROKE.

THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY IS DEPENDENT ON SOME EXPANSION PROJECTS THAT INVOLVE THE SCHOOL.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

>> WE HAVE MEETINGS SET UP WITH ALL THE STAKE HOLDERS NEXT WEEK OR THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT NJCU CAN FAIL.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO JERSEY CITY, HUDSON COUNTY, AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THEM.

WHAT WE HAVE SAID TO THEM IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS AS A CITY TO STIMULATE THE INVESTMENT NECESSARY ON THEIR WEST SIDE CAMPUS, AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO SELL THAT REAL ESTATE WITHOUT JERSEY CITY TAXPAYERS BEING A PART OF IT.

SO THEY HIRED A REAL ESTATE BROKER, AND WE EXPRESSED TO THEIR BOARD THAT WE WEREN'T VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO SIT BY WHILE THEY GO THROUGH A PROCESS WITHOUT JERSEY RESIDENTS BEING A PART OF THAT.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION AND YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH IT.

YOU HAVE BEEN MAYOR ALMOST TEN YEARS NOW.

WHAT ARE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS, AND WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE TO DO IN THE CITY?

>> LOOK, I MEAN, JERSEY CITY HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST STORIES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO ASK IF I'M GOING TO RUN FOR A HIGHER OFFICE, THE JERSEY CITY STORY IS THE BEST SELG POINT I HAVE.

WE WERE ACCOUNTABLE, WE CREATED MORE DEVELOPMENT THAN ANYBODY IN NEW JERSEY, WE'RE LEADER ON TRANSPORTATION, LEADER ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

YOU CAN GO DOWN THE LIST.

WE'VE CHANGED JERSEY CITY FOR THE BETTER, AND IT SPEAKS WITH THAT IN REGARDS TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE MOVED HERE.

I LOVE THIS JOB, AND I'M NOT EAGER TO LEAVE IT.

BUT WE GOT A LOT OF THINGS TO BE PROUD OF OVER HERE.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, THOUGH, YOU ARE KIND OF SETTING UP AN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MAKE A RUN LIKE THAT.

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR MIND?

>> I'M NOT 100% THERE THAT I WILL RUN FOR GOVERNOR, BUT I WOULD SAY MORE THAN LIKELY, I'M LEANING IN THAT DIRECTION.

AFTER 12 YEARS OF BEING MAYOR, I WOULD THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S TIME TO LET SOMEBODY ELSE STEP IN AND GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS.

I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH WHAT WE STARTED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I REALLY DO LOVE THIS JOB AND THE CITY.

SO JUST GOT TO THINK THROUGH IT A LITTLE MORE.

IF YOU'RE ASKING WHAT I'M THINKING, I'M TRYING TO BE AS HONEST WITH YOU AS POSSIBLE.

MORE THAN LIKELY, I'M LEANING IN THAT DIRECTION AND WILL PURSUE IT, BUT I'M NOT THERE YET.

>> WE HAVE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS ON TWITTER.

HERE'S ONE, AND THIS WILL BE OUR LAST.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING YOU'RE STILL BLOCKING THEM ON TWITTER.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T DO THAT, RIGHT?

>> WELL, LOOK, IF SOMEBODY IS -- THERE'S PLENTY OF CRITICS THAT ARE ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK, AND WE ALLOW THEM.

IF SOMEBODY IS BELLIGERENT TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE ON THE FEED FOR THE SAKE OF TROLLING, USING LANGUAGE THAT IS IMPROPRIETY, THEN, YEAH, I TOOK THE LIBERTY TO BLOCK THEM BECAUSE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT IS NOT A REAL INDIVIDUAL.

WE HAVE NEVER DONE THAT FOR SOMEBODY THAT HAS PUT THEIR NAME OR FACE OUT THERE, EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER WITH A VALID OPINION.

IF YOU'RE MAKING FIVE OR SIX TWITTER HANDLES TO TROLL SOMEBODY AND CRITICIZE PEOPLE ON A FEED, I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> YOU THINK THE LAW IS ON YOUR SIDE IN THAT REGARD?

>> LOOK, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO LITIGATE IT, THEY CAN, AND WE'LL CORRECT IT IF COURTS CAN DECIDE.

WE TRY TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA AS A PLATFORM TO ALLOW A CONVERSATION.

THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTERS OF MINE AND MANY THAT ARE CRITICS.

THAT'S FINE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT HAVE NONTROLLS CRITICIZING OTHER PEOPLE AND DESTROYING THE DISCOURSE WE ALL VALUE.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S SWITCH GEARS HERE.

WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON GUN SAFETY REGULATIONS OR GUN CONTROL, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT, BUT WE HAD SOME SCHEDULING CONFLICTS, SO HALF OUR PANEL CAN JOIN US.

LET'S BLING IN OUR GUEST SFAT TORE MIKE PESTA.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> LET ME START ON GUNS.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE AROUND A BIT.

LET ME START ON GUNS.

WITH THE SUPREME COURT RULING THIS SUMMER THAT STRUCK DOWN NEW YORK'S GUN CARRY LAWS, TELL ME YOUR FEELINGS ON THAT.

>> LOOK, I BELIEVE THE DECISION WAS THE RIGHT DECISION, AND JUSTICE THOMAS, WHEN HE STATED THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT MUST BE TREATED AS ALL OTHER RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED BY OUR UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, I BELIEVE HIS ANALYSIS WAS SPOT ON AND CORRECT.

AND AS HE SPECIFICALLY PUT IT, THAT THE RIGHT TO KEEP BEAR ARMS IN PUBLIC FOR SELF DEFENSE IS NOT A SECOND CLASS RIGHT, AND AS I'VE SAID SORT OF CARRYING ON IN THAT TRADITION, THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A SECOND CLASS RIGHT PURSUANT TO OUR UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

>> WHAT'S THAT GOING TO MEAN IN YOUR MIND TO NEW JERSEY WHERE WE HAVE AS PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS IN THE COUNTRY, WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF THAT DECISION GOING TO BE ON NEW JERSEY?

>> I TRULY BELIEVE THAT NOW THE LAW ABIDING SECOND AMENDMENT EXERCISING CITIZEN IS NO LONGER GOING TO NEED TO DEMONSTRATE IS JUSTIFIABLE NEED TO BEAR ARMS.

YOU KNOW, PUTTING FORTH A JUSTIFIABLE MEANS TO EXERCISE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT IS SOMETHING THAT'S COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF IN ANY OTHER CONTEXT WHEN IT COMES TO A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS ALWAYS A DANGEROUS POLICY FOR THE LAW ABIDING GUN OWNER, AND I THINK THINK OF THE SINGLE MOTHER WHO HAS A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST EITHER AN EX-HUSBAND OR AN EX-BOYFRIEND WHO WAS APPLYING TO BE ABLE TO LAWFULLY CARRY A GUN AND WAS DENIED THE ABILITY BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE QUOTE/UNQUOTE JUSTIFIABLE NEED, WHICH I THINK WAS APPLIED TO ANY APPLICANT.

LET'S FACE IT, DAVID, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY PRIVATE CITIZEN TO SHOW A JUSTIFIABLE NEED IN ORDER TO CARRY A FIREARM IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND I THINK OF THAT AWFUL CASE OF MS. CAROL BROWN WHO WAS KILLED IN HER DRIVEWAY EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD A FINAL RESTRAINING ORDER IN PLACE, AND SHE HAD DONE EVERYTHING CORRECTLY, AND SHE APPLIED TO GET A FIREARM AND DEMONSTRATE THAT JUSTIFIABLE NEED, BUT HER FIREARMS ID CARD WAS DELAYED, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO LAWFULLY EXERCISE HER SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT, AND SHE WAS KILLED IN HER DRIVEWAY.

>> SO WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN PERMITS AND GUN OWNERSHIP.

PEOPLE SAY IT'S ALL ABOUT SAFETY AND SO ON.

SO IS DLIECRIME THAT BAD IN NEW JERSEY THAT WE NEED TO ARM OURSELVES AGAINST IT?

>> I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

WE'VE SEEN A HUGE UPTICK IN CAR THEFTS RIGHT OUT OF PEOPLE'S DRIVEWAYS.

I'M NOT SAYING PEOPLE SHOULD BE USING A FIRE TOORM PROTECT THEIR CAR.

HOWEVER, OBVIOUSLY WE'VE SEEN A LOT MORE VIOLENT CRIMES.

WE'VE SEEN AN UPTICK.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

THE STATISTICS ARE THERE, AND PEOPLE WANT TO EXERCISE THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT AS GIVEN TO THEM BY THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION -- >> I UNDERSTAND THAT, SENATOR.

BUT AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, YOU GAVE THE EXAMPLE, SOMEONE GETTING THEIR CAR BROKE INTO IN THEIR DRIVEWAY OR SOMEONE WHO'S AT HOME AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS ADVOCATES ALWAYS USE AS AN EXAMPLE TOO, SOMEONE COMING INTO YOUR HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR WHATEVER.

THAT IS ALSO EXTREMELY RARE.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT THAT, ABOUT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING GUNS, SHOULDN'T WE -- SHOULDN'T THAT GIVE US PAUSE?

I MEAN, SOMEONE WITH A GUN SHOOTING AT SOMEONE STEALING THEIR CAR, I MEAN, THAT'S NOT AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE, DO YOU THINK?

>> NOT IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, IT IS NOT.

I'M A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.

I HAPPEN TO KNOW THE LAW PRETTY WELL.

YOU CAN'T REALLY USE A FIREARM IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

WHILE IT MAY BE RARE A HOME INVASION OCCURS, WHEN IT OCCURS, THE HOMEOWNER NEEDS TO HAVE A FIREARM IN THEIR POSSESSION.

I THINK OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES, MANY OF WHICH I REPRESENT WHO DON'T HAVE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

THE RESPONSE TIME FROM STATE POLICE IS OVER TEN MINUTES.

EVEN IF THE HOMEOWNER IS HOME WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND CALLS THE POLICE AND DOES EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN, THE STATE POLICE MAY ARRIVE TO JUST MAKE CHALK LINES.

IF SOMEONE IS BREAKING INTO SOMEONE'S HOME, I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO LAWFULLY EXERCISE THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT AND UTILIZE A FIREARM.

I CAN'T THINK OF A SCENARIO WHERE SOMEONE IS BREAKING INTO ANOTHER PERSON'S HOME AND THAT PERSON WHO'S THE HOMEOWNER THINKS THAT THEIR LIFE IS NOT IN DANGER.

YANK OF THAT SCENARIO.

SO WHILE IT MAY BE RARE, IT'S REALLY JUSTIFIABLE IN THAT INSTANCE FOR THE HOMEOWNER TO EXERCISE IT LAWFULLY.

>> IN THAT EXAMPLE, YOU WOULD SAY ANY KIND OF LAW LIKE THE SAFE STORAGE LAW THAT'S BEING PROPOSED THAT SAYS KEEP YOUR GUN LOCKED OVER HERE AND YOUR AMMUNITION LOCKED OVER HERE?

>> THAT'S COMPLETELY IMPRACTICAL.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, ANYBODY THAT HAS A FIREARM OR MULTIPLE FIREARMS IN THEIR HOUSE SHOULD NOT KEEP A LOADED FIREARM IN ARMS REACH OF THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN.

HOWEVER, GUESS WHAT, AT NIGHT, WHILE THEY'RE IN THEIR BEDROOM ALONE, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A FIREARM JUST IN CASE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU THINK ABOUT OUR MORE URBAN AREAS WHERE BREAK-INS ARE MORE FREQUENT.

I THINK OF THAT SINGLE MOTHER SCENARIO WHERE SHE MAY NEED TO USE A FIREARM TO PROTECT HER CHILDREN.

THE LAWS IN UNANIMOUSLY NJ ALWAYS SEEM TO BE AGAINST THE LAWFUL GUN OWNER TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILY.

NOT THEIR PROPERTY.

CALL THE POLICE AND YOU HOPE THAT IT WORKS OUT.

BUT IF SOMEONE IS COMING INTO YOUR HOME AND THREATENING YOUR LIFE, THREATENING YOUR CHILDREN'S LIVES, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE YOUR GUN.

AND ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT FIREARMS KNOWS THAT IF SOMEONE IS COMING IN YOUR HOUSE, YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE IN THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT, TO LOAD YOUR FIREARM.

YOU NEED TO BE RED DOI GO.

>> LET ME SWITCH GEARS HERE A LITTLE BIT.

I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WEEK.

THE DEAL THAT WAS STRUCK BY SEVERAL UNIONS AND THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO CUT THEIR HEALTHCARE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN 20% DOWN TO 3%.

I KNOW YOU WERE IN THE RARE POSITION OF BEING ON THE SAME SIDE AS PUBLIC UNIONS ON THIS.

BUT WHEN YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS DEAL THAT SAVED A LOT OF MONEY FOR EMPLOYEES ON THE STATE LEVEL, IT DIDN'T REALLY HELP PEOPLE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, RIGHT?

IN FACT, IT KIND OF LEFT THEM ADRIFT.

>> IT REALLY HAS.

AND AGAIN, I'M ALL FOR, YOU KNOW, AGAIN I SAID IT IN THE LAST INTERVIEW WITH YOU, DAVID, THAT OUR STATE WORKERS, MANY OF WHICH WERE ON THE FRONT LINES DURING COVID-19 SHOULD BE APPLAUDED.

BUT I THINK OF THE PRIVATE CITIZEN THAT DOES NOT GET THAT LEVEL OF BENEFITS WHO EACH AND EVERY YEAR, THEIR HEALTHCARE COSTS HAVE RISEN A MINIMUM OF 6%.

AND IN REALITY, IT'S MORE THAN THAT WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION WE HAVE.

THE AMOUNT OF GAS, OBVIOUSLY OUR GROCERY PRICES HAVE ALSO SUFFERED.

THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE DUST.

AND I JUST -- IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE WE HAVE THE GREATEST MIGRATION OF CITIZEN RATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SAY THERE EVENTUALLY IS GOING TO BE A STRAW THAT BREAKS THE NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS' BACK.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE ISSUE, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, COSTS HAVE GONE UP 6% EVERY SINGLE YEAR ON AVERAGE.

AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW STATE WORKERS ARE SOMEHOW EXEMPT FROM ALL OF THE CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT PRIVATE INDUSTRY.

>> SO ARE -- I MEAN, ARE WE GOING TO BE FORCED INTO A SITUATION WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE AN AGREEMENT THAT SAYS, IT'S 3% THIS YEAR?

IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT COSTS ARE GOING UP ACROSS THE BOARD, RIGHT?

>> IT DOESN'T DO THAT AT ALL.

AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS NEW JERSEY KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD WHERE EVENTUALLY THERE'S GOING TO BE -- THE PIPER HAS TO GET PAID, RIGHT?

EVENTUALLY THE PIPER IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET PAID.

HEALTHCARE COSTS HAVE GONE UP.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEHOW STATE WORKERS -- I'M HAPPY FOR THEM THEY'RE NOT GETTING HIT WITH 24%.

THAT'S A SURPRISE.

I THINK THESE PIECE HAVE BEEN KEPT ARTIFICIALLY LOW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, ESPECIALLY DURING ELECTION YEAR.

CALL ME A CYNIC, BUT THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, EVENTUALLY THOSE COSTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CONSUMERS AND TAXPAYERS.

IT'S UNAVOIDABLE.

>> WHAT DO WE SAY NOW TO LOCAL FOLKS?

FIRE FIGHTERS, CLERKS IN CITY HALL, PEOPLE WORKING IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE MUNICIPALITY?

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THEM?

I KNOW THIS IS NOT OF YOUR DOING.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST BECAUSE EVENTUALLY THEY CAN'T BE THIS SPECIAL CLASS AND NOT HAVE TO BEAR MORE OF THE COST JUST LIKE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS CONTINUING TO DO EVERY YEAR.

THE CAN CAN'T GET KICK DOWN THE ROAD FOREVER.

THEY HAVE TO PREPARE FOR IT.

>> WHAT'S THAT MEAN, GENERALLY?

IF YOU HAD TO KIND OF LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, WHAT'S THAT GOING TO MEAN TO THE PERSON IN MIDDLETOWN WHO IS GOING TO SEE THEIR NEXT TAX BILL.

WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT?

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE AN INCREASE.

FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKER, ONE OF TWO THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

EITHER THEIR BENEFITS ARE GOING TO BE CUT EVENTUALLY, OR THEIR COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP, OR A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A VERY SERIOUS DISCUSSION.

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A BIPARTISAN DISCUSSION IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE WHERE WE SIT DOWN AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HEALTHCARE COSTS ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE CAN'T CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD.

EVENTUALLY, THERE IS GOING TO BE THAT 24% INCREASE.

WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE HAD.

>> YOU USED THAT B WORD, BIPARTISANSHIP.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR CHAT BOX.

THANKS.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHERE THIS SEASON THERE IS SO MUCH MORE STUFF TO SEE.

I'M DAVID CRUISE.

FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM OVER HERE, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUISE IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER MJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK.

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

ONLINE AT INSIDER NJ.COM.