>>> MAJOR FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY, RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEETD NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT 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.

BY POLITICO'S NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK, A NEWSLETTER ON GARDEN STATE POLITICS, ONLINE AT POLITICO.COM.

♪ >> SPRING IS COMING, AND THAT CAN ONLY MEAN ONE THING.

STATE BUDGET SEASON.

IT'S "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE."

OUR PANEL OF PENCIL PUSHING BEAN PUS PUSHERS.

WE WILL HEAR FROM THE PANEL IN JUST A BIT.

WE BEGIN TODAY WITH A BUDGET OFFICER'S FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS MAKING HIS ANNUAL BUDGET ADDRESS ON TUESDAY.

LAST YEAR'S SPENDING PLAN WAS A RECORD $52 BILLION.

THERE'S STILL LOTS OF FEDERAL MONEY LEFT OUT THERE TO SPEND.

LET'S SEE WHAT THE OTHER SIDE THINKS.

DECLAN O'SCANLON JOINS US.

>> DO YOU VERY WELL.

NO COMPLAINTS.

>> LET'S SEE IF YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS BUDGET.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?

>> LOOK, I'M EXPECTING MORE OF THE SAME, ALLOCATION -- RANDOM ALLOCATION OF OUR HUGE SURPLUSES AND THE REMAINING FEDERAL MONEY THAT YOU JUST REFERENCED.

I AM HOPING FOR A MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT AND COMPETITIVE PROCESS.

LAST YEAR WE GAVE OUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS JUST BASED ON THE WHIMS OF LEGISLATORS AND THE ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAD MUNICIPALITIES WITH SIMILAR NEEDS WHERE SOME WITH GREATER NEEDS THAN GOT NOTHING THAN OTHERS THAT GOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WE ALSO DIDN'T DO THINGS LIKE SPEND MONEY TO AVOID TAXES, TO AVOID DEBT.

REPUBLICANLES HAD A COMPREHENSI PLAN AND USE THAT TO DO A MORE FAIR AND RESPONSIBLE BUDGET.

I WON'T HOLD MY BREATH.

>> LET ME HAVE BULLET POINTS ON THE GOP PLAN.

>> WE PRESCRIBE THINGS LIKE DEBT AVOIDANCE THAT REALLY HASN'T HAPPENED AT ALL.

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT IT FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT PUT INTO ACTION.

WE WOULD HAVE ALLOCATED THE FEDERAL MONEY IN A FAIR, OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

THAT SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY TO DO.

BUT IT ISN'T POLITICALLY EXPED EXPEDIENT.

IF YOU GO THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL MONEY, YOU WILL SEE THAT 70%, 80% WAS DOLLED OUT BASED ON POLITICS.

NO COMPETITIVE PROCESS.

NO EQUAL ACCESS TO EVERY MUNICIPALITY.

IT WASN'T JUST REPUBLICAN TOWNS THAT GOT SCREWED.

THERE WERE DEMOCRAT TOWNS THAT DID AS WELL.

THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO DECIDE THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS FAIR AND OPEN.

IT WAS NOT.

80% OF THE MONEY WAS DONE IN A BACK SMOKE-FILLED ROOM.

THAT SHOULDN'T BE HOW IT'S DONE.

>> THAT SOUNDS VERY SKETCHY.

LIKE WHAT?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THAT WAS DONE IN A BACK ROOM THAT SHOULD HAVE SEEN MORE OF THE LITE OF >> SORRY ABOUT THE BARKING DOG.

SOCKET FIELDS AND I COULD GO THROUGH -- REPUBLICANS PUT THIS OUT, A LIST OF DOZENS AND DOZENS OF ITEMS THAT AMOUNTED TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WERE GIVEN TO THE SOCCER FIELDS OF LEGISLATORS RATHER THAN DISTRIBUTED EVENLY TO OTHER TOWNS THAT HAD GREATER NEEDS, MORE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS.

WE DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IN HOMES FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE CATASTROPHIC SPINAL CORD INJURY, FOR INSTANCE.

COMPLETELY LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION.

WHILE WE WERE FUNDING SOCCER FIELDS.

POLITICALLY FUNDING SOCCER FIELDS.

IT WAS AN AWFUL PROCESS.

IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN THE SAME WAY AGAIN.

THEN YOU HAVE OTHER PARTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WHERE WE WOULD HAVE AVOIDED SCHOOL FUNDING CUTS TO REALLY HALF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE GOVERNOR BRAGGED IT WAS THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF SCHOOL FUNDING THAT HAD BEEN GIVEN OUT.

MAYBE IT WAS.

BUT THAT STILL HAD CUTS OR DIRECT CUTS FOR 200 DISTRICTS AND ANOTHER SET OF INCREASES THAT WERE UNDER THE RATE OF INFLATION FOR ANOTHER 100.

IF THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BRAG HIS SCHOOL FUNDING CUT PROPERTY TAXES, HE HAS TO ADMIT THAT HIS FUNDING PLAN INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES IN HALF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE UNDONE THAT.

IF WE AVOIDED THE PAYROLL TAX INCREASES -- THE GOVERNOR BRAGGED THERE WERE NO TAX INCREASES.

MAYBE NOT NEW ONES.

HE LET SCHEDULED ONES HAPPEN, AMOUNTING TO HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE BACKS OF OUR WORKERS.

AND THE FOLKS THAT PAY THEM.

>> THERE'S BILLIONS OF DOLLARS STILL FLOATING AROUND.

YOU ARE EXPECTING MORE OF SAME IN A YEAR WHERE ALL OF THE LEGISLATURE IS UP FOR ELECTION?

>> I DO.

LOOK, WE WILL SEE THE TEMPTATION TO DOLE OUT MONEY POLITICALLY AGAIN IS VERY LIKELY TO RULE.

REPUBLICANS WILL FIGHT THAT.

WE WILL MAKE A CASE.

WE WILL MAKE THAT AN ISSUE IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

ALSO, AGAIN, WE HAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DESPITE THE GOVERNOR'S CLAIM OF GIVING OUT THE MOST SCHOOL FUNDING EVER THAT ARE GOING TO CEASE TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION IN MY DISTRICT AND IN MANY OTHER DISTRICTS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

WE'RE DOING NOTHING TO HEAD IT OFF.

>> ABOUT THIS PROCESS, WE HEAR EVERY YEAR, WE ARE GETTING THIS AT THE LAST MINUTE AND WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT IN 15 MINUTES.

IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT.

ARE YOU EXPECTING THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME THIS YEAR?

YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO GET HANDED BUDGETS LATE IN THE DAY ON JUNE 30th?

>> AGAIN, I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT ANYONE HAS COME TO THEIR SENSES AND IT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

YES, UNFORTUNATELY -- >> THAT'S THE SHORT ANSWER.

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I HOPE IT WON'T.

THERE'S NO REASON FOR IT.

THERE'S NO REASON.

IT'S A REALLY CRAPPY WAY TO BUDGET MORE THAN $50 BILLION.

IT'S REALLY -- IT'S A PROCESS THAT EASILY COULD BE REVAMPED, BE MORE TRANSPARENT, MORE FAIR.

IT'S BAD FOR YOU GUYS, TOO.

YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES TO LOOK AT THESE THINGS AS WELL AND REPORT TO THE PUBLIC, HAVE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT REALLY IS A SHAME.

IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN THIS WAY.

WHEN REPUBLICANS HAVE THE MAJORITY NEXT YEAR, IT WON'T HAPPEN THAT WAY.

>> I'M GOING TO MARK YOUR WORDS ON THAT.

YOU ARE FOR A FULL PENSION PAYMENT, RIGHT?

>> I AM FOR -- YES.

NO QUESTION.

>> LET ME -- >> I PRAISE THE GOVERNOR FOR GETTING THERE AND MAKING THAT A PRIORITY.

THAT'S ONLY FAIR.

>> I MOVE ON TO A COUPLE OTHER NON-BUDGET RELATED THINGS.

THIS IS KIND OF RELATED TO THE BUDGET.

A LOT OF TOWNS ARE LEAVING THE STATE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM.

HOW MUCH OF A DANGER DOES THAT PRESENT TO THE SYSTEM?

>> DRAMATIC.

THE SYSTEM COULD FALL APART WITH THIS MASS EXODUS.

IT COULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE ADMINISTRATION TOLD US AS SOON AS THEY KNEW WE WERE GOING TO FACE THESE MASSIVE INCREASES IN THESE RATES.

THIS IS FOR THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN.

AS SOON AS WE KNEW THAT, HAD THEY MADE US AWARE OF THAT, THERE WERE THINGS WE COULD HAVE DONE.

REFORMS WE COULD HAVE DONE.

WORKING WITH LABOR.

THEY CAME TO THE TABLE WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS WAY TOO LATE.

IT'S A SERIOUS THREAT.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME OF THE BEST PERFORMING TOWNS AND STEMS LEAVE THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN, AND YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE IT WITH THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONES, WHICH MEANS EVEN MORE DRASTIC INCREASES NEXT YEAR.

I'M REALLY WORRIED THE SYSTEM COULD FALL APART BECAUSE OF THAT.

I DON'T -- IT'S A TOUGH SOLUTION UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH A SEVERAL-YEAR PLAN TO TRY TO LURE THESE TOWNS THAT ARE THINKING ABOUT LEAVING WHO ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING LEAVING, TO LURE THEM TO THE TABLE TO STICK AROUND AND MAYBE HAVE FEDERAL MONEY.

I'M NOT SURE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING.

I'M VERY FEARFUL NONE OF THAT WILL HAPPEN AND THE SYSTEM WILL FALL APART.

>> WE HAVE HEARD OVER THE LAST WEEK OR TWO GLOWING PRAISE FOR SENATOR SAM THOMPSON FROM THE GOVERNOR AND FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT, ALL WELCOMING HIM INTO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

HE SAYS, SAM THOMPSON, THAT HE DIDN'T LEAVE THE PARTY, THE PARTY LEFT HIM.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW ALL THAT UNFOLDED?

>> I DIDN'T LIKE IT.

I WASN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.

YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR NOTHING BUT CONTINUED PRAISE AND RESPECT FROM ME FOR SAM THOMPSON.

A DOORR I ADORE SAM THOMPSON.

IS IT TIME TO RETIRE?

PROBABLY.

THAT WAS A CONVERSATION THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED DIFFERENTLY.

SAM LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

HE MADE THAT CHOICE EYES OPEN.

AGAIN, I STILL LOVE HIM.

I'M GOING TO BACK THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

I WASN'T THRILLED WITH HOW IT HAPPENED.

I SAID IT PUBLICALLY THEN.

I'LL SAY IT NOW.

THERE WAS PROBABLY CONVERSATION TO BE HAD.

IT DIDN'T WORK OUT IN A WAY THAT MADE ANYBODY LOOK GOOD.

>> REPUBLICAN SENATOR BUDGET OFFICER DECLANO O'SCANLON.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THE LEGISLATURE UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR.

THE BUDGET SEASON WILL FLY BY.

RIGHT?

IT STARTS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS TUESDAY.

ANY HINTS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT?

>> I'M NOT SURE AS TO SPECIFIC LINE ITEMS WE SHOULD BE EXPECTING.

I WILL SAY THAT I THINK THE GOVERNOR ALLUDED TO THE FACT YOU WILL SEE NO NEW TAXES.

I THINK IT'S OF NOTE WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY IN FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS THAT COULD BE TAPPED.

ALL SEATS UP FOR REELECTION, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE YOU WILL SEE A CONFRONTATIONAL TONE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF, WHO HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION, SPECIFICALLY DURING BUDGET TALKS IN THE PAST, WILL NOT BE MEETING WITH LAW MAKERS THIS YEAR BECAUE HE IS UP FOR A SEAT.

DOES THAT MEAN A ROUGHER TIME CUTTING DEALS?

IS IT AN INDICATION THAT LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO BE CALLING MOST OF THE SHOTS SINCE THEY ARE UP FOR ELECTION?

>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEBODY IN HIS POSITION CAN TOTALLY NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

I'M A LITTLE DUBIOUS ON THAT CLAIM THAT HE WILL BE TAKING A BACK SEAT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE -- LAST YEAR WE HAD A NEW SENATE PRESIDENT THAT WAS NAVIGATING A BUDGET FOR THE FIRST TIME.

A COUPLE OF HICCUPS WITH THAT.

NICK WILL BE MORE SEASONED THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE GEORGE AND CRAIG WHO HAVE BEEN PRETTY EXPERIENCED AT THIS NOW BY THIS POINT.

I VENTURE A GUESS THAT THEY WOULD BE LEADING THE DRIVE HERE.

LAST YEAR, WE CAME PRETTY CLOSE TO A BUDGET -- A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN JUST BY THE FACT THAT WE HAD SOMEBODY A LITTLE NEW STEERING THE BUDGET IN THE SENATE CAUCUS AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS OF STEVE SWEENEY DOING IT VERY EXPERIENCED.

I'M NOT THINKING THAT IT'S GOING TO GO DOWN TO THE 11th HOUR.

>> LAST MINUTE BILLS, 100-PAGE AMENDMENTS, NEW LANGUAGE ON LAWMAKERS AT 5:00 ON JUNE 30th, WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT EVER CHANGING?

>> THERE'S NO LIKELIHOOD THAT IT EVER WILL CHANGE.

THAT'S JUST HOW THEY DO THINGS HERE.

WE DON'T LIKE IT.

THE PUBLIC DOESN'T LIKE IT.

THE OPPOSITION DOESN'T LIKE IT.

THAT'S THE WAY THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WRITING THE BUDGET LIKE IT.

>> CAN I SAY GOING BACK TO -- WITH ALL RESPECT TO THE SENATOR, I DO APPRECIATE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE LOPSIDEDNESS IN MONEY GOING TO CERTAIN LAWMAKERS AND THEIR DISTRICTS.

BUT I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WHEN CHRIS CHRISTIE GAVE A LOT OF MONEY -- --HE GAVE MONEY FOR ZOO.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY IT'S PROBABLY NOT BEST WAY THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD FUNCTION, BUT I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE MORE CONSISTENCY IN CRITICISM DEPENDING ON WHO IS BEHIND THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

HE DID MAKE THAT REFERENCE TO WHEN THEY TAKE THE CHAMBER AFTER THESE NEXT ELECTIONS THAT IT WILL BE DIFFERENT.

IF THAT DOES HAPPEN, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THAT WORKS.

>> EVERYBODY IS SHOCKED, SHOCKED THAT THERE'S GAMBLING AT THE CASINO.

LET ME STICK WITH YOU HERE.

THE BUDGET, IT BECOMES THE DOCUMENT ON WHICH ALL OF THE FOLKS WILL RUN IN 2023. WHO IS GOING TO BE RUNNING IS PRETTY FLUID.

THIS WEEK WE SAW CAPUTO RETIRE TO A SEAT ON THE HORIZON BOARD.

HOW MANY SEATS DO THEY HAVE OVER THERE?

DO WE KNOW WHO WILL RETIRE NEXT?

>> THE LIST SO FAR -- I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL BE RETIRING NEXT.

THE SHORT ANSWER IS, NO.

THE LIST HAS BEEN GROWING OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

I WOULDN'T LOOK AT THAT -- YOU KNOW, ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHEN FOLKS RETIRE, IT'S BECAUSE THE WINDS ARE -- THE POLITICAL WINDS ARE CHANGING, THAT IT -- THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR SEATS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON IN JERSEY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A COUPLE OF SEATS, JUST BECAUSE REDISTRICTING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE SHORT ANSWER IS, NO, I DON'T KNOW.

AT THE RATE THAT WE HAVE BEEN GOING, MAYBE SOMEBODY NEXT WEEK WILL ANNOUNCE THEY WON'T BE RUNNING.

FILING IS COMING UP A MONTH OR LESS AWAY.

WE SHOULD KNOW MUCH SOONER THAN LATER.

>> YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT IS TO DEVELOP THE RULES FOR A DRINKING GAME THAT WE CAN MAKE OUT OF WHO IS RUNNING AND WHO IS NOT RUNNING.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST LEGISLATIVE ELECTION COVERING IN JERSEY?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT IS DRIVING THE NARRATIVE?

>> I WAS HERE FOR THE 2021 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION WHERE 120 SEATS WERE UP.

SPEAKING TO RETIREMENT, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG PICTURES IS THAT WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THE LEGISLATURE, MORE SO THAN USUAL.

15 MEMBERS HAVE NO PLANS ON COMING BACK.

WE STILL HAVE -- WE HAVE A FILING DEADLINE.

WE HAVE PRIMARIES AND A GENERAL ELECTION THAT COULD CHANGE UP THE COMPOSITION.

AS TO WHAT IS GOING TO BE DRIVING THIS LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS FOR THE CYCLE, I STILL THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY.

IF YOU ARE IN THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, PERHAPS FOCUS ON WHALES WATCHING UP ON THE JERSEY SHORE.

I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS ARE DEFINITELY MORE OPTIMISTIC THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST TWO DECADES THAT THEY COULD TAKE OVER CONTROL OF A CHAMBER OR AT LEAST REACH 50/50.

>> O'SCANLON WAS SOUNDED CONFIDENT ABOUT THAT.

SENTENCING THIS WEEK IN THE MURDER FOR HIRE CASE INVOLVING SEAN CATTLE, THE FORMER POLITICAL CONSULTANT AND BAG MAN.

ONE OF THE HIT MEN WAS SENTENCED.

>> YES.

BONANI AFRICA.

HE ADMITTED TO THE KILLING IN 2014.

HE AGREED TO TAKE I THINK IT WAS $15,000 CASH FROM SEAN CATTLE, THIS POLITICAL OPERATIVE, WHOSE GUILTY PLEA STARTED THIS MEDIA FRENZY.

HE IS THE FIRST TO BE SENTENCED.

THE JUDGE PUT HIM AWAY FOR 20 YEARS.

I THINK THE JUDGE SAID HE WAS LEANING TOWARD MORE BUT SHAVED A FEW YEARS OFF BECAUSE THE GUY HAD BEEN COOPERATING WITH FEDERAL PROSECUTORS.

>> WE MAY YET HAVE TO TALK ABOUT MURPHY FOR PRESIDENT.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S CHRIS CHRISTIE'S TURN TO SAY IF HE IS OR ISN'T RUNNING.

WE DID A PIECE ON THIS THIS WEEK.

WE HEARD FROM INSIDERS, INCLUDING SENATOR JOHN BRAMNICK WHO HAD THIS ASSESSMENT.

>> HE CAN'T FIGURE OUT KNOWING PRO TRUMPERS AND ANTI TRUMPERS.

I DON'T SEE HOW EITHER SIDE LOVES YOU.

IN POLITICS, IT'S MOMENTUM.

YOU NEED A BASE.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE HIS BASE IS.

I'M PART OF HIS BASE.

I THINK -- I APPRECIATE HIS ABILITY ON POLICIES.

I JUST DON'T SEE HOW NATIONALLY HE CAN GET THAT KIND OF BACKING.

>> I THINK FROM A LOT OF US, THAT'S THE ASSESSMENT WE WOULD HAVE.

COMING FROM SOMEONE REALLY CLOSE TO CHRIS CHRISTIE, SURPRISED?

>> CANDIDLY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M SEEING THAT.

I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM CLOSE CONFIDANTS GIVE THE SAME ASSESSMENT.

THE FACT THAT JOHN, WHO IS VERY CLOSE TO CHRIS CHRISTIE IS SAYING THAT OPENLY, YOU KNOW, CONFIRMS WHAT HIS TROUBLES WILL BE IF HE LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN.

I BELIEVE THE LAST TIME THAT HE WAS ON RECORD SAYING THAT HE WOULD MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, HE SAID THAT HE WOULD MAKE IT IN -- MAYBE BY APRIL.

THAT'S COMING UP QUICKLY.

TO SEE WHERE HE IS IN THE EARLY POLLING, WHICH IS NOT WELL -- >> LITERALLY, 0%.

>> I THINK WHAT JOHN SAID ARTICULATED IT VERY WELL.

COMING FROM MONTHS AGO WHEN I WOULD SPEAK WITH CONFIDANTS, THEY PRIVATELY SHARED THOSE CONCERNS.

NOW THAT SOMEBODY LIKE JOHN IS SAYING THAT OPENLY, I THINK IT'S TELLING.

OF COURSE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLLING AS WELL, IT SAYS A LOT.

CHRIS CHRISTIE, VERY AMBITIOUS GUY.

I DON'T EXPECT EVEN IF HE DOESN'T LAUNCH A PRESIDENTIAL BID TO JUST STAY AT ABC NEWS AS A NEWS ANALYSIS.

HE HAS TO BE, I'M SURE, WORKING ON SOMETHING AND WAND WANTS TO THE PICTURE.

MAYBE IF A FRIEND GETS ELECTED PRESIDENT, ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT WON'T BY A BAD CONSOLATION PRIZE.

WE WILL SEE.

>> SPEAKING OF MEN WITH HIGHER ASPIRATIONS, STEVE FULLUP, A JUNKET WITH THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO PARIS TO MEET WITH OFFICIALS WHO ARE SET TO OPEN A SATELLITE IN JERSEY CITY, PRIVATELY FUNDED TRIP.

THIS IS YOUR OLD BEAT.

THOUGHTS ON THE AMERICAN MAYOR IN PARIS?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THIS.

I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE A BIG, FANCY MUSEUM WOULD BE GREAT FOR THAT PART OF JERSEY CITY MAYBE.

MAYBE THAT WOULD BE A BIG FEATHER IN HIS CAP.

I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS IF -- I'M NOT A POLITICAL CONSULTANT, BUT I WOULD HAVE NIXED A PRIVATELY FUNNED JUNKET TO PARIS THAT HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS COULD USE AGAINST HIM WHEN HE RUNS FOR SOME OTHER OFFICE.

>> TOO EASY.

>> THAT'S NOT MY CALL.

>> WE HEARD O'SCANLON ABOUT TOWNS DUMPING OUT OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

HAS IT TURNED INTO A STREAM?

IS IT A THREAT TO THE SYSTEM?

>> IT'S A CONCERN THAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING.

IN ANY HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, WHEN YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE LEAVING, ESPECIALLY HEALTHIER TOWNS, MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE OPTIONS, YOU ARE STUCK WITH A SMALL POPULATION, PERHAPS A SICKER POPULATION.

THAT COULD CAUSE RATES TO INCREASE.

THE CYCLE GOES INTO A DEATH SPIRAL.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE, WHAT ARE THE RATES GOING TO BE FOR THIS YEAR?

WE KNOW THAT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION GOT MID-YEAR REPORTS AROUND THIS TIME LAST YEAR FORECASTING INCREASES IN HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION, WHICH RELATES TO RATES.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR THE RATE PROCESS GOING INTO THIS YEAR?

ALSO, THERE ARE LOCAL GOVERNMENT GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MULLING THE CREATION OF THEIR OWN JOINT HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

HOW DOES THAT SIPHON MORE TOWNS OFF OF THE CURRENT PROGRAM RUN BY THE STATE?

>> TIME FOR OUR ONLY IN JERSEY SEGMENT.

HEADLINES AND NOTES THAT ARE QUINTESSENTIALLY JERSEY.

DAN, START US OFF.

>> MY ONLY IN JERSEY MOMENT IS A STORY THAT WE JUST PUBLISHED THIS MORNING THAT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE APPROVE $12 MILLION TO BUILD THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME IN THE AMERICAN DREAM MALL.

I WILL SAY IT DOES NOT GET MORE NEW JERSEY THAN GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, AMERICAN DREAM AND THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME.

>> MATT, YOU GOT SOMETHING?

>> DANIEL I THINK WAS THE FIRST TO SPOT SOMETHING IN THE LEGISLATION IN THE NAME OF TRANSPARENCY, THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION, WHICH WAS INTERESTING THEY WANT TO MAKE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEE.

CURRENTLY, IT'S ELECTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OR CAPPED BY THE COMMISSIONERS.

THAT'S THE OPPOSITE IN THE NAME OF TRANSPARENCY.

GOVERNORS RUN FOR OFFICE.

SO THEY ARE BOUND BY RULES.

THAT WAS AN INTERESTING ONE.

KUDOS TO DANIEL FOR SPOTTING IT.

>> TERRENCE, YOU GOT ONE?

>> YES.

THIS ONE COMES FROM REPORTING FROM KATIE SAPKO.

THE NEW JERSEY SPORTS AND EXPO DECISION AUTHORITY, THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE MEADOWLANDS DECIDED TO PICK A NEW BOSS.

THE LAST TIME, THEY WENT WITH THE CHAIR OF THE HUDSON COUNTY DEMOCRATS.

THEY YEAR, THEY WENT WITH THE CHAIR OF THE BURGON COUNTY DEMOCRATS.

A VERY ONLY IN JERSEY MOMENT.

AS LONG YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF SOME DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE STATE, YOU WILL GET A GREAT SIX-FIGURE JOB.

>> NICE GOLDEN PARACHUTES FOR ALL.

MINE COMES FROM TRENTON WHERE DEMOCRATS HAVE LAID OUT THE RED CARPET FOR SAM THOMPSON.

THE PARTY SWITCHING SENATOR QUIT THE GOP, WHICH HE SAYS DUMPED HIM BECAUSE HE WAS TOO OLD.

I'M GOING TO ADMIT I'M MOSTLY BRINGING THIS UP TO SHOW THIS PRICELESS ROLE OF SENATOR SAM THOMPSON BUSTING MOVE AFTER MOVE, INCLUDING A PAUSE AT THE 2016 GOP CONVENTION, THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT SAY IT'S A BIG PARTY BUT ONLY IN BLUE JERSEY CAN DEMOCRATS WARMLY WELCOME A PRO-TRUMP ANTI-CHOICE RIGHT WINGER LIKE SAM THOMPSON AS IF HE IS NOT AGAINST EVERYTHING THEY STAND FOR.

NOW THAT IS SOME FANCY FOOTWORK.

THAT'S "ROUNDTABLE" THIS WEEK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE SHOW ON TWITTER.

FIND ALL KIND OF FRESH CONTENT EVERY DAY WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

JOIN US TUESDAY AT 2:00 P.M.

WHEN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BRINGS YOU COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ANNUAL BUDGET ADDRESS.

THE TEAM WILL BE PROVIDING CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS.

THAT'S TUESDAY, 2:00 P.M., ON NJ PBS AND OUR STREAMING PLATFORMS.

FROM THE CREW HERE, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" IS PROVIDED BY RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, NJM NEW JERSEY GROUP.

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

AND BY POLITICO'S NEW JERSEY PLAYBOOK, A NEWSLETTER ON GARDEN STATE POLITICS, ONLINE AT POLITICO.COM.