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♪♪ >>> WE'VE COME TO THE END OF ANOTHER SEASON, AND WE LIKE TO CELEBRATE WITH THE BIG STARS, AND SO WE SHALL TODAY.

HI, EVERYBODY, THIS IS "CHAT BOX."

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS A BUSY GUY, SO IT'S ALWAYS GOOD FOR HIM TO SWING BY OUR LITTLE CHAT SHOW.

GOVERNOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

>> LIKEWISE, DAVID, GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW.

>> SO, HERE WE ARE, DOWN THE HOME STRETCH OF JUNE, ABOUT A WEEK TO GO IN THE FISCAL YEAR.

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU GUYS TO FINALIZING A BUDGET WITH THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WE STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE.

I JUST CAME OUT OF A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING A SHORT WHILE AGO.

THESE THINGS ARE ALWAYS COMPLICATED.

EACH ONE IS -- WHILE SOME -- THERE'S SOME COMMONALITY ACROSS ALL THE BUDGETS, THERE ARE ALSO UNIQUE MOMENTS IN TIME AND I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE.

WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO AND OBVIOUSLY THE CLOCK IS TICKING BUT SO FAR, SO GOOD.

>> ONE OF THE BIG POTENTIAL STICKING POINTS IS THIS LANGUAGE THAT WAS STRUCK FROM YOUR BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THE LEGISLATURE'S ROLE IN DISPENSING WHAT, SOMETHING LIKE $3 BILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS.

THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIR AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT BOTH SAY THE RESTORATION OF THAT LANGUAGE IS NONNEGOTIABLE, AND WITHOUT IT, THERE'S NO BUDGET.

SO, WHY WAS THE LANGUAGE STRUCK FROM THE BUDGET IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND WILL YOU AGREE TO RESTORE IT?

>> WE HAD -- I'M NOT SURE THERE'S ANYTHING IN THE HISTORICAL SIDE OF THIS THAT'S RELEVANT AS YOU AND I NOW SPEAK.

WE JUST HAD A VERY GOOD SESSION, AS I MENTIONED, A SHORT WHILE AGO, AND IT WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY AROUND THAT PROCESS.

AND WE HAVE, FROM MOMENT ONE, WANTED THE LEGISLATURE TO BE BY OUR SIDE AND TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS TOGETHER.

WHETHER IT'S IN THE BUDGET, AND A LOT OF THEM OBVIOUSLY ARE, IT'S A -- PLUS OR MINUS $50 BILLION BUDGET.

BUT ALSO IN THE PROCESS THAT HAPPENS AWAY FROM THE BUDGET.

AND WE WELCOME THAT.

WE WANT THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

WE WANT TO BE LOCKED IN TOGETHER BECAUSE ONCE YOU START SPENDING THE MONEY, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY, WE MADE THIS DECISION TOGETHER.

SO, WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE ON THAT.

AGAIN, WE'RE STILL CHOPPING THROUGH SOME -- SOME OF THE DETAILS, BUT I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE ON THAT PARTICULAR FRONT.

>> SO, CONCEPTUALLY, YOU'RE IN AGREEMENT, BUT TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, THE LANGUAGE HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED, IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING?

>> IT WILL END UP IN A GOOD PLACE.

AND I'M HIGHLY CONFIDENT OF THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S MOUTH OR THE SPEAKER'S MOUTH, BUT WE JUST HAD A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION ON THAT SPECIFIC POINT.

SO, WE'LL GET TO A GOOD PLACE, I'M CONFIDENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR ANCHOR TAX RELIEF PLAN.

FIRST OF ALL, AWKWARD ACRONYM, AFFORDABLE NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES FOR RENTERS, I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT SPELLS ANCHOR, BUT IS THIS JUST A ONE-SHOT DEAL OR ARE YOU GOING TO BAKE $2 BILLION INTO EVERY BUDGET GOING FORWARD?

>> THIS IS PERMANENT AND THIS IS -- I LIKE THE ACRONYM, ANCHOR, DAVID, I KNOW IT'S A BIT OF A WINDING ROAD TO GET THERE.

>> SHOE HORNED IT IN THERE.

>> I ACCEPT THAT.

BUT IT SAYS A LOT.

KEEPING PEOPLE HERE.

NO, BUT THIS IS PERMANENT AND IT'S HISTORIC.

IT'S -- THERE WERE REALLY THREE BIG PROMISES.

THERE ARE PROBABLY MORE BUT THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE BIG PROMISES BEFORE WE GOT HERE THAT WERE UNKEPT, AND I COMMITTED IT FIRST PRIVATELY AND NOW VERY PUBLICLY TO KEEP THOSE PROMISES.

ONE WAS TO MAKE THE FULL PENSION PAYMENT.

THE OTHER WAS TO FULLY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND THE THIRD WAS TO MAKE GOOD ON THE PROMISE OF 15 YEARS AGO TO FILL OUT A PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FORMULA UNDER THE OLD HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM.

AND WITH THIS ANCR PROGRAM, THAT WILL BE THE THIRD AND WE WILL HAVE COMPLETED THAT AND IT'S REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

IF YOU MAKE LESS THAN $150,000 A YEAR AND YOU OWN A HOME, YOU GET A $1,500 CHECK.

IF YOU MAKE LESS THAN $250,000, IT'S $1,000.

IF YOU RENT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, YOU GET A $450 CHECK.

AND THAT ALL ADDS UP AS YOU SUGGEST TO $2 BILLION AND I THINK EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT ROLLS PROPERTY TAX LEVELS BACK TO 2011.

SO, IT'S A PROGRAM WE LIKE.

>> SO, YOU GOT TO APPLY FOR THIS THING AND THEN IT APPEARS MOST PEOPLE HAVE TO APPLY FOR IT AND THEN IT APPEARS AS A CREDIT ON YOUR -- >> IT WILL COME BACK IN AS A REBATE, AND EXACTLY HOW YOU GET IN THE PROGRAM, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK AT ODDS WITH WHERE THE LANGUAGE COMES OUT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AS AUTOMATIC AS POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER JOHN DEMAYO SAID THIS ABOUT IT.

IT DOESN'T DELIVER MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN FISCAL POLICY, AND WILL BE THE FIRST PROGRAM TO GET CUT WHEN MONEY IS TIGHT.

IS HE WRONG?

>> I LIKE JOHN, BY THE WAY, A LOT, BUT HE IS WRONG.

FIRST OF ALL, THE FISCAL STATE AND THE PROPERTY TAX REALITY THAT WE INHERITED WHEN WE GOT HERE WAS ABOMINABLE AND A WORD I DON'T USE A LOT, AND IT WASN'T JUST JOHN, BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE PARTICULARLY ON HIS SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

AND SO WE GOT ELECTED TO TURN THIS PLACE AROUND.

AND SO THERE WAS A -- I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

THERE WAS A $375 MILLION SURPLUS IN THE LAST BUDGET OF THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SURPLUS WILL BE, BUT IT WILL BE MANY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE VERY REASON THAT JOHN IS CONCERNED, AND I SHARE THAT CONCERN, THAT WE COULD GO INTO A RECESSION.

SO, I WANT TO GO IN WITH A MASSIVE RAINY DAY FUND, A MASSIVE DEBT FUND THAT WE CAN READILY TAP.

THIS IS HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

IT'S PERMANENT.

IT'S INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL.

AND AGAIN, JOHN'S A GOOD GUY, BUT ON THIS ONE, HE'S ON THE WRONG SIDE OF IT.

>> IS HE WRONG, THEN, THAT IT DOESN'T CHANGE TAX POLICY?

>> WELL, IT REDUCES YOUR PROPERTY TAX BACK 11 YEARS.

I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY BIG CHANGE IN TAX POLICY.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO, WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT IN BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME?

WHEN DO YOU STEP IN?

>> I'M INVOLVED ALL ALONG AND THAT GOES BACK MANY MONTHS TO WHEN WE PUT OUR BUDGET TOGETHER AND THE BUDGET ADDRESS.

I JUST CAME OUT OF A MEETING AND THAT'S NOT AN IRREGULAR REALITY.

YOU DO GET TO CERTAIN POINTS.

WE JUST BROKE BECAUSE THE TEAMS HAVE TO NOW EXCHANGE A LOT OF PIECES OF PAPER AND A LOT OF NUMBERS, BUT WE STAY -- I PERSONALLY STAY VERY INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> SO, THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY YOU ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, WHAT'S THAT REALLY GOING TO DO, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE RESIDENTS ON THE LOWER END OF THE PAY SCALE?

>> I THINK IT'S A COOL PROGRAM.

16 OTHER STATES DO IT.

THEY'VE SEEN REALLY GOOD SUCCESS.

IT'S BASICALLY A TEN-DAY PERIOD ENCOMPASSING LABOR DAY WEEKEND AND THE WEEKEND BEFORE.

IT'S FOR ANYTHING RELATED TO SCHOOLS.

I THINK IT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> SO, THIS NEW THINK TANK OUT OF ROWEN UNIVERSITY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD, IT'S CALLED THE STEVE SWEENEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY.

THEY JUST -- >> OF COURSE I HEARD.

>> THEY JUST ISSUED A REPORT FORECASTING SOME CHOPPY ECONOMIC WATERS AHEAD.

INFLATION IS UP.

ALL THE BAD ECONOMIC SIGNS OVER THE HORIZON.

IS THE STATE READY FOR AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, AND DO YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT WITH ALL THE SPENDING THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THEIR OUTLOOK IN TERMS OF CHOPPY WATER AROUND THE CORNER.

I WAS ON WITH A FORMER CHAIR OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE YESTERDAY.

IN HIS PARTICULAR VIEW, IT'S MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT IT'S A RECESSION, BUT A MILD ONE, GIVEN HOW MUCH FIREPOWER HOUSEHOLDS STILL HAVE FROM ALL THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PROGRAMS, WHICH, BY THE WAY, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO INFLATION AS WELL.

YEAH, SO, THAT'S WHY THE BUDGET, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT I SIGNED IS GOING TO HAVE A HISTORICALLY HIGH SURPLUS THAT WE CAN PEEL OFF PIECES OF.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT WILL HAVE SOMETHING -- THIS SOUNDS REALLY TECHNICAL, BUT A DEBT AVOIDANCE FUND THAT WILL BE HISTORIC AND SIGNIFICANT.

WHAT THAT MEANS, INSTEAD OF HAVING TO SELL A BOND TO CONSTRUCT A HOSPITAL OR A SCHOOL, YOU BASICALLY HAVE THAT MONEY SITTING THERE, IF YOU WILL, IN A -- AN ACCOUNT THAT YOU CAN DRAW DOWN ON.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THIS IN A VERY STRONG FISCAL POSITION, BUT I TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED.

I THINK WITHOUT QUESTION, NOT ONLY -- LISTEN, THERE IS PAIN IN THE POCKETBOOK RIGHT NOW.

OUR ECONOMY LOOKS STRONG AT THE HIGH LEVEL.

YOU GET DOWN TO A KITCHEN TABLE, AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS, IT'S PAINFUL, WHICH IS WHY AFFORDABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY ARE SO IMPORTANT.

IT'S ALSO DRIVES WHY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BUDGET THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIME THAT WE'RE IN.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT A $50 BILLION BUDGET, AND I JUST SEE THE TEMPTATION OF ALL THESE LEGISLATORS TO INCLUDE THESE SO-CALLED CHRISTMAS TREE ITEMS.

USUALLY, THEY SPROUT OUT AT THE END OF THE PROCESS.

HAVE YOU SENT A MESSAGE TO LAWMAKERS TO CHILL OUT ON THAT?

OR ARE YOU JUST EXPECTING THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS?

>> YEAH, THERE'S ALWAYS SOME OF THAT, BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION WE SENT A MESSAGE, AND BY THE WAY, WE SENT THE SAME MESSAGE TO OURSELVES.

WE'RE NOT ABOVE THIS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SO, WE HAVE A HUGE FOCUS IN PARTICULAR ON REOCCURRING EXPENDITURES.

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT TO ZERO, BUT YOU WANT A NUMBER IN THERE THAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN LIVE WITH, EVEN IF THE ENVIRONMENT IS DIRE.

A LOT LESS CONCERNED ABOUT ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES THAT MAKE SENSE, THAT CAN TRANSFORM A NEIGHBORHOOD.

CREATING A PARK IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT NEEDS IT IS LARGELY A ONE-TIME EXPENSE.

THERE'S A MODEST AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE THAT GOES WITH IT OVER THE YEARS.

AS OPPOSED TO CREATING A PROGRAM THAT HAS AN ANNUAL EXPENSE ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

WE WANT MORE OF THE FORMER AND LESS OF THE LATTER.

>> YEAH.

SOME CRITICS ARE SAYING THAT YOU DON'T SEEM TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE'S DEBT.

THE NEW OFFICIAL ACCOUNTING IS UP TO $48.2 BILLION, ACCORDING TO OUR JOHN REITMEYER.

IT'S NEVER BEEN HIGHER.

ARE YOU AGAINST THE TREASURER APPEARING BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AS SOME REPUBLICANS ARE ASKING?

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY OPINION ON THAT.

I ACTUALLY, I'M GOING TO DIG IN ON JOHN'S REPORT.

WE HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TWICE BY NEEDY'S FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 44 YEARS, BY THE WAY.

PRIOR ADMINISTRATION, WE WERE DOWNGRADED 11 TIMES.

YOU PUT -- IT'S NOT A QUESTION ONLY OF DEBT, YES OR NO.

IT'S A QUESTION OF, WHAT ARE YOU USING THAT DEBT FOR?

AND IT'S -- IF IT'S FOR LONG-TERM ASSETS, IF IT'S FOR CAPITAL, IF IT'S FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, IF IT'S FOR STUFF THAT MAKES THE STATE STRONGER, DEBT -- SENSIBLE DEBT IS OKAY.

IT'S WHEN WE GET SLOPPY OR WHEN WE DON'T MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS AND CREATE DEBT, IF YOU WILL, NOT IN ACTUALITY, BUT IN SPIRIT, LIKE WHEN WE DON'T MAKE OUR PENSION PAYMENTS FULLY, YOU CREATE OBLIGATIONS, SO WE'RE -- WE, I BELIEVE, HAVE RUN A PRETTY TIGHT SHIP AND WILL CONTINUE TO.

>> SO, YOUR LEGISLATION, EXPANDING ACCESS TO ABORTION, REQUIRES INSURERS TO COVER ABORTION SERVICES AND EXPANDS THE NUMBERS AND TYPES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

IT APPEARS TO BE GOING NOWHERE.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAID THE VOTES AREN'T THERE.

IS HE RIGHT AT THE MOMENT, AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU PREPARED TO FIGHT FOR THESE MEASURES?

>> HE'S CLOSER TO THE VOTE COUNT THAN I AM FOR SURE, ALTHOUGH WE'RE IN TOUCH WITH LEGISLATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

LISTEN, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE'VE DONE IS THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT I SIGNED IN JANUARY.

THAT'S A HUGE STEP, PARTICULARLY GIVEN WHAT WE ALL EXPECT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO HAND DOWN IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

HAVING SAID THAT, A RIGHT WITHOUT ACCESS TO THAT RIGHT REALLY ISN'T A RIGHT, SO THIS MORE RECENT SET OF BUILD FOCUSES IN PARTICULAR ON ACCESS, AND I THINK IT'S WRONG TO HAVE A TWO-CLASS REALITY HERE WHERE FOLKS WHO CAN AFFORD IT HAVE ACCESS TO THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, BUT THE FOLKS WHO CAN'T DON'T.

OR IF THEY DO, IT'S THROUGH PROVIDERS THAT WE WOULD NOT ENDORSE, THROUGH MEANS THAT WE WOULD NOT ENDORSE.

SO, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT ENDS UP, OTHER THAN I FEEL STRONGLY WE NEED IT, AND I'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR IT.

>> BECAUSE CODIFYING THE RIGHT IS ONE THING, BUT ACCESS IS QUITE ANOTHER THING.

>> HUGE.

>> 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.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE PUT OUT A CALL FOR VIEWER QUESTIONS, AND WE GOT A FEW, SO LET ME GET TO A FEW OF THOSE.

ONE THAT WAS RETWEETED A LOT CONCERNS LIBERTY STATE PARK AND THE SO-CALLED LIBERTY STATE PARK CONSERVATION, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION ACT, OR AS IT'S KNOWN BY ITS ACRONYM, THE LS PCR CIA.

>> I THOUGHT THAT SPELLED ANCHOR.

>> NO.

BUT IT'S GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE SUSPICIOUS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT BY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE THAT THE PARK IS NOT GOING TO END UP LOSING TO A PRIVATELY RUN GOLF COURSE DEVELOPER?

>> YEAH, I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO ABOUT GOLF.

I'VE NOT HEARD THE WORD "GOLF" OTHER THAN YOU ASKED ME ABOUT IT AND ONE OTHER REPORTER ASKED ME ABOUT IT.

I'M COMPLETELY CONFIDENT ON THAT FRONT.

I DON'T OPINE ON THE BILL, I NORMALLY DON'T UNTIL IT GETS TO OUR DESK AND WE'VE MADE A DECISION.

I WILL SAY THIS.

THERE IS A VIEW OUT THERE THAT THE CURRENT STATE OF LIBERTY STATE PARK, THIS IS A GEM, BY THE WAY, WE WERE JUST THERE HAS WEEK, AS YOU KNOW, ANNOUNCING THAT NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK ARE GOING TO HOST WORLD CUP SOCCER MATCHES IN 2026.

WE DID IT IN THERE.

STATUE OF LIBERTY IS BEHIND US.

MAGICAL.

BUT THERE'S A VIEW THAT THE CURRENT STATE IS THE PRISTINE STATE, THAT IT'S THE BEST STATE.

AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT.

THERE'S CONTAMINATION.

THERE'S, IN TOO MUCH OF THE PARK, LACK OF WALKABLE OR RIDEABLE PATHS.

IT COULD BE -- A LOT MORE COULD BE DONE THERE, ESPECIALLY -- NOT FOR GUYS LIKE ME THAT DRIVE THERE BUT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ABUT THAT PARK.

>> AND HERE'S A QUESTION ON THAT.

SO, IS IT THE MISSION OF A STATE PARK TO PROVIDE THESE RECREATION OPTIONS LIKE BASEBALL FIELDS, SOCCER PITCHES, OR IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT LIBERTY STATE PARK THAT REQUIRES IT TO ACT A LITTLE MORE LIKE A COUNTY OR A CITY PARK?

>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A STRONG OPINION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

COULD YOU SEE A MODEL THAT LOOKED LIKE OLMSTEAD'S CENTRAL PARK WITHOUT THE CARS GOING THROUGH IT?

PERHAPS.

COULD YOU SEE ANOTHER OLMSTEAD PARK, WEEK WAKE, WHICH IS A MUCH MORE EXPLICIT -- WHILE CENTRAL PARK HAS SOME BALL FIELDS AND WHATNOT, WEEK WAKE'S GOT A LOT MORE OF THAT.

I'M NOT -- I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE GOT A STRONG OPINION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BUT I KNOW IT CAN BE -- IT'S A GEM.

I KNOW IT COULD BE BETTER THAN IT IS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND IT.

>> RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

AND THIS IS A BIG VIEWER QUESTION, BUT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

YOU USED TO SAY YOU'D FIX IT IF IT KILLED YOU.

YOU'RE STILL HERE BUT YOU CAN'T CONSIDER NJ TRANSIT FIXED, CAN YOU?

>> OH, IT'S A LOT BETTER, DAVID.

LAST FRIDAY WAS DESPICABLE.

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE STRIKE.

>> THE WALKOUTS, THE ILLEGAL WALKOUTS, AND A JUDGE HAS AGREED WITH US ON THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED THE OTHER NIGHT ON "ASK THE GOVERNOR," THEY DIDN'T DO IT ON A COLD TUESDAY IN JANUARY.

THEY DID IT DELIBERATELY ON A FRIDAY OF A HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN THE SUMMER.

AND IT'S COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

BUT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AS A GENERAL MATTER, WHETHER IT'S ON-TIME PERFORMANCE, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, COMMUNICATIONS, SAFETY, WHATEVER IT IS, QUALITY OF THE CABINS, THE BUSES, THE -- IT'S COME A LONG WAY.

IS IT IN THE END ZONE YET?

NO.

LET THERE BE NO DOUBT.

BUT THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THE PROGRESS THEY'VE MADE.

>> WHAT'S THE STATUS OF STABLE FUNDING SOURCE?

>> IT IS WHERE IT IS AT THE MOMENT, BUT I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE HAD FIVE YEARS IN A ROW OF NO FARE INCREASES.

THAT'S WHAT I'M -- LET'S FIX THIS THING AND NOT FIX IT ON THE BACK OF THE COMMUTER.

>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON SO FAR, COVID.

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF COVID IN NEW JERSEY?

IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A SHORT ANSWER.

HAVE WE MOVED FROM PANDEMIC TO ENDEMIC NOW?

>> I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE.

THERE'S 700-SOMETHING PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL BUT ONLY, I THINK, 30 VENTILATORS BEING USED.

MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE INCIDENTAL COVID.

THEY'RE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A DIFFERENT REASON.

IF YOU'RE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, IT'S LARGELY AN ENDEMIC.

I SAY THIS AS A NONMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, YOU'RE EXPOSED.

PLEASE, GOD, GET VACCINATED, GET BOOSTED.

>> SO, IF YOU COULD INDULGE ME FOR TWO MINUTES OF PHIL MURPHY EPHEMERA, REALLY QUICK ANSWERS, WHAT'S YOUR PLANS FOR SUMMER VACATION THIS YEAR?

ITALY AGAIN?

>> WE GO TO THE JERSEY SHORE ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND AND GOD WILLING WE'LL BE IN ITALY THIS SUMMER AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?

>> ROCK AND ROLL.

I GET A LOT OF MUSICAL THEATER GROWING UP.

I CAN HANG IN THERE ON SOME CLASSICAL MUSIC AND OPERA.

I'VE NEVER BEEN A BIG COUNTRY FAN.

MY KIDS ARE BIG RAP AND HIP HOP FANS.

BUT MY REST -- MY NATURAL RESTING PLACE, WHEN I'M ON THE RUNNING MACHINE, IT'S ROCK AND ROLL.

>> CLASSIC ROCK?

SPRINGSTEEN?

>> YEAH, YEAH, IT'S JON, IT'S BRUCE, WE WENT TO PAUL McCARTNEY LAST WEEK.

THANKS TO KIDS, I DO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE UPDATED STUFF AS WELL.

AND SO -- BUT YEAH, ROCK AND ROLL.

>> IS THERE A SUMMER READ THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO?

>> I'M READING -- I ALWAYS HAVE A BOOK GOING.

I'M READING A BOOK ABOUT QUEEN ELIZABETH AND HER SISTER, PRINCESS MARGARET, HOW ABOUT THAT ONE.

YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING THAT.

>> NO.

>> EXACTLY.

BUT I'VE GOT A BOOK ARRIVING ON JULY 5th BY HENRY KISSINGER, I THINK IT'S CALLED "LEADERSHIP."

IT'S PROFILING SIX LEADERS AND SOME OF THEM ARE CONTROVERSIAL, BUT THEIR DIFFERENT STYLES AND ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP.

>> AND LASTLY -- >> I'M A NONFICTION READER.

>> LASTLY, WHO SUGGESTED THE NEW HAIR STYLE?

>> THE WOMAN WHO CUTS MY HAIR.

SHE SAID TO ME, MS. KIM, SHE SAID TO ME, BASICALLY, YOU HAVE HARDLY ANY HAIR LEFT.

SO, LET'S GROW -- I SUGGEST THAT YOU SHOULD GROW THE HAIR THAT YOU HAVE.

AND I SAID, MS. KIM, I GOT THAT.

I'M GOING TO SUGGEST THAT TO MY FRIEND, DAVID CRUZ.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MAN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANKS FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES WITH US.

>> TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

>> NEXT YEAR WILL MARK MY 30th YEAR IN NEWS, ON TV, ON THE RADIO, IN PRINT AND ONLINE BUT IN ALL THAT TIME, I'VE NEVER HAD MORE TIME THAN I'M HAVING NOWADAYS DOING THIS SHOW AND THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE OF YOU.

YOU LET US KNOW WHEN WE'RE DOING RIGHT BY YOU AND WHEN WE GO ASTRAY SO AS WE COME TO THE END OF ANOTHER SEASON, I WANT TO SAY THANKS TO LOYAL VIEWERS AND THE PEOPLE WHO COME ON WITH US EVERY WEEK TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS.

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR '21-22 SEASON.

>> THIS LATEst MONMOUTH POLL HAS YOU DOWN 21 POINTS.

COULD YOU USE A COUPLE MORE WEEKS OF CAMPAIGN?

>> I THINK WE'RE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE, DAVID, WHEN YOU LOOK AT INTERNAL POLLS OUT OF BOTH CAMPS AND THEY ACCIDENTALLY LEAKED OUT OF MURPHY'S CAMP, THIS SAYS A DEAD HEAT AMONGST LIKELY VOTERS.

THAT'S THE KEY HERE.

>> I THINK THAT WE UNDERESTIMATED THE ENTHUSIASM FACTOR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE.

>> THE WEATHER'S RIGHT.

LIKE CHRIS CHRISTIE, JACK IS A GREAT PERSONALITY.

CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE.

>> DID YOU FEEL A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE EARTH SHOOK AROUND YOU LAST WEEK?

>> WELL, LAST TUESDAY WAS NOT A DAY ANY OF US REALLY SAW COMING OR ANTICIPATED.

>> THE KEY IS, ANDY KIM KNOWS THIS, GOTTHEIMER, CHERYL, JOE BIDEN IS ON THE BALLOT.

OUR BASE IS FIRED UP ENOUGH, WE'RE GOING TO REACH TO THE MIDDLE AND GET INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS TO COME BACK AND WIN BACK SOME OF THESE SEATS.

>> CHAIRMAN, HE SAYS SHERL, KIM, AND POLLONE, ALL VULNERABLE.

>> AND GOTTHEIMER.

>> SORRY.

AND GOTTHEIMER.

>> NO.

I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

>> ROB, HUH?

YOU DON'T THINK ANYONE'S GOING TO NOTICE?

>> NOTICE WHAT?

>> THE NAME.

ROB MENENDEZ.

ROBERT MENENDEZ.

SO, DO YOU REALLY NEED NO INTRODUCTION IN I MEAN, HOW OFTEN DO PEOPLE RECOGNIZE YOU IN, LIKE, THE SUPERMARKET OR IN THE NIGHTCLUB?

>> EVERYBODY'S VERY -- NIGHTCLUB?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICE THIS, BUT NEW JERSEY HAS FUMBLED LIKE CORY BOOKER AGAINST USC IN THE LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY STARTED HERE.

NOW THE SENATE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PASS A HOUSE LEGALIZATION BILL, BUT YOU'RE AGAINST IT IS THAT RIGHT?

>> SO, I FUMBLED AGAINST NOTRE DAME.

>> THAT'S WHO IT WAS.

>> IT WAS NOT USC.

I SCORED A TOUCHDOWN AGAINST USC.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, SOMETIMES YOU CAN MAKE AN [ BLEEP ] OUT OF YOURSELF.

>> IN HIS JOB PACKAGE IS A HURRICANE.

I GUESS HE PRAYED A LOT AND GOT LUCKY A STORM CAME.

I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT.

I APOLOGIZE FOR SAYING THAT.

>> AND AS SOON AS -- I FELT LIKE THE CARTOON WHERE YOU SEE THE WORDS COMING OUT AND YOU'RE TRYING TO PUSH THEM BACK IN.

AS SOON AS I SAID THAT, I'M LIKE, OH [ BLEEP ].

>> WHEN YOU HEAR THE GOVERNOR GIVE SUCH A KIND OF A NONANSWER, PROFESSOR, WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

>> WELL, I JUST HAVE TO SAY, CANDIDLY, AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I SAID IT, I'VE BEEN VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS GOVERNOR.

>> THE MAJORITY OF THE JUSTICES ARE PREPARED TO, IF NOT COMPLETELY OVERRULE ROE, TO ROLL IT BACK SUBSTANTIALLY.

>> IF WE HAD VOTES FROM REPUBLICANS ON IMMIGRATION LIKE WE DID IN 2013, WE COULD PASS IT.

IF WE HAD VOTES FROM REPUBLICANS ON POLICE REFORM, WE COULD PASS ITS.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE CONGRESS, CONTROL THE SENATE, AND CONTROL THE PRESIDENCY.

AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY IMMIGRATION REFORM FROM JOE BIDEN OR KAMALA HARRIS.

>> PANEL, PANEL.

>> STOPPING THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> PANEL.

>> WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE NEW E STREET RECORD AND THE TOUR?

I FEEL LIKE THE WORLD NEEDS THE E STREET BAND NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT IT.

>> I LOVE DOING COMEDY WHERE I CAN MAKE FUN OF, LIKE, THAT SIGN THAT'S SHAPED LIKE A GIANT CLOWN OUT ON ROUTE 35 AND KNOW THAT I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A JOKE ABOUT THIS AND UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY OTHER JERSEY PEOPLE WILL GET IT OR GET WHY IT'S WEIRD OR FUNNY.

>> HE'S THE SON OF BIFURT AND THE BROTHER OF DALE.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON WITH US.

>> THIS DEFINITELY WAS THE PLACE TO BE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

GOOD TO SEE MY FORMER COLLEAGUES.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

I MISS YOU.

♪♪ ♪ SALT PEANUTS, SALT PEANUTS ♪ >> THAT IS "CHAT BOX" FOR TODAY.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER, @DAVIDCRUZNJ.

THE TEAM HERE INCLUDES OUR PRODUCER, JEN EK ERT, OUR DIRECTOR, OUR ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, STAGE MANAGER, CAMERA OPS, KEEPER OF THE TIME, AND CHIEF EDITOR BRENDAN SMITH, ALONG WITH STEVE MAYO AND OUR COLLEAGUES AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, INCLUDING JOANNA GAGIS, RAVEN SANTANA AND COLLEEN O'DAY WHO HOLD IT DOWN WHEN I'M NOT HERE.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, EVERYBODY.

WE'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE.

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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