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

THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOL GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, THE NATIONAL OIL HEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE AND BIOHEAT, THE EVOLUTION OF OIL HEAT.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

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

ONLINE AT NJINSIDER.com.

♪ >>> HELLO, EVERYBODY.

THIS IS "CHAT BOX."

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

VERY HAPPY TO BE BACK WITH YOU FOR OUR FINAL SHOW OF THE SEASON.

SO AS JULY TURNS TO AUGUST, THE OPTIMISM OF OUR JERSEY SUMMER IS GIVING WAY TO FEARS THAT THE DELTA VARIANT IS USHERING IN A NEW WAVE OF THE PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK ISSUING NEW GUIDELINES ON MASKING, STRONGLY RECOMMENDING THAT BOTH VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED RESIDENTS MASK UP INDOORS.

THE GOVERNOR IS WITH US TODAY.

GOVERNOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>> GOOD TO BE BACK WITH YOU, DAVID.

I'M HONORED TO BE ON THE LAST SHOW OF THE SEASON, SO THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

SO I GOT TO TELL YOU, IT WAS A BIT OF A JOLT TO READ FROM YOUR PRESS RELEASE THIS WEEK, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE MORE DRASTIC ACTION INCLUDING A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

THAT JUST SOUNDS REALLY OMINOUS, BUT WE ARE CLEARLY GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, RIGHT?

WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF CONCERN?

>> WELL, THE CONCERN LEVEL IS HIGH WITHOUT QUESTION.

THE CDC, AND WE ALMOST ALWAYS ARE GOING TO BE FOLLOWING THE CDC, TOOK THEIR ACTION EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND WE HAVE RESPONDED TO THAT BY STRONGLY RECOMMENDING.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE I'M COMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU HOPE LIKE HECK YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO STRICTER THAN WE ARE.

I HAVE TO SAY, THIS IS A PANDEMIC OF THE UNVACCINATED.

SO THE ONE SINGULAR THING WE CAN DO, ALL OF US TOGETHER, IS TO GET MORE OF US VACCINATED.

AS I UNDERSTAND, THE CDC CONCLUDED BASED ON SOME NEW SCIENCE THAT THEY'RE IN RECEIPT OF THAT EVEN A VACCINATED PERSON CAN SPREAD THIS IN SOME FORM OR FASHION.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE STRONGLY RECOMMENDING, NOT MANDATING -- I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, DAVID.

I WAS IN A PUBLIC RESTAURANT SETTING LAST NIGHT.

I WORE MY MASK AS I WALKED IN AND SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE.

I TOOK IT OFF BECAUSE I'M WITH TWO PEOPLE WHO I KNEW WERE VACCINATED.

SO IT IS NOT ALL SITUATIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL HERE.

IF YOU ARE IN A PACKED BASEMENT OR A CLUB AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE INCLUDING A LOT OF PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW, THAT'S ONE THING, BUT USE COMMON SENSE IF YOU ARE WITH FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE IF YOU KNOW THEY'RE VACCINATED.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT A PANDEMIC OF THE UNVACCINATED BECAUSE, AS YOU SAID, WE ARE SEEING MORE EVIDENCE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED ARE STILL GETTING INFECTED.

IT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NOW IT IS GOING TO BE HARDER, DO YOU THINK, TO GET THEM TO NOT ONLY VACCINATE BUT THEN MASK AGAIN ON TOP OF THAT?

>> YEAH, IT IS NOT SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE -- ON THE MASKING SIDE, I WAS ASKED THE OTHER DAY, WHAT IS THE APPETITE FOR THIS.

THE APPETITE IS VERY LOW, BUT WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO HERE.

HERE IS THE IMPORTANT THING THOUGH ON GETTING COVID IF YOU ARE VACCINATED.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS GET THIS.

THE CHANCES ARE LITERALLY EXTREMELY HIGH THAT YOU WON'T GET IT.

THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES EXIST, BUT THEY'RE STILL VERY RARE.

IT IS EVEN MORE UNLIKELY THAT YOU WILL GO TO THE HOSPITAL, THANK GOD, OR, THANK GOD EVEN FURTHER, THAT YOU WOULD PASS.

SO THE VACCINES WORK.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT, INCLUDING AGAINST THE VARIANT.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T GET IT, BUT IT SURE DOES MEAN YOU ARE OVERWHELMINGLY LIKELY EVEN IF YOU DO GET IT TO STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND, THANK GOD, STAY ALIVE.

>> WE HAVE SEEN NEIGHBORING AND NEARBY STATES IMPOSING VACCINE MANDATES ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, PROOF OF VACCINATION OR WEEKLY COVID TESTING.

HOW CLOSE IS NEW JERSEY TO FOLLOWING SUIT ON THAT?

>> YEAH, WE'RE STUDYING THAT VERY INTENTLY AS WE SPEAK, AND I HAVE NO NEWS TO BREAK TODAY.

BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE DIMENSIONS AROUND MANDATING AND TESTING.

YOU WON'T BE SURPRISED THAT OUR HYPERFOCUS IS ON COMMUNITIES WHERE YOU WOULD WANT US TO BE FIRST AND FOREMOST FOCUSED, HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, HOSPITALS, LONG-TERM CARE, VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, ALL OPTIONS THERE ARE ON THE TABLE AS WELL, BUT WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER STEPS WE TAKE THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

MY GUESS IS WE WILL HAVE NEWS ON THAT FRONT SOONER THAN LATER.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS, I IMAGINE.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU REACHED OUT TO PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEE UNIONS ABOUT?

>> YES, WE'VE HAD GOOD EXCHANGES WITH UNIONS, WITH MEDICAL PERSONNEL, WITH MANAGEMENT.

WE HAD A CALL WITH OUR CABINET THE OTHER DAY, YOU KNOW, ALL DIFFERENT -- HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP, LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP.

AGAIN, OUR PRIME FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ON COMMUNITIES THAT WON'T SURPRISE FOLKS, HOSPITALS, HEALTH CARE, LONG-TERM CARE, VETERANS' HOMES, WHERE WE KNOW WE HAVE EITHER A HEALTH CARE SETTING, A VULNERABLE COMMUNITY OR BOTH.

>> STILL BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES LAGGING WAY BEHIND IN TERMS OF VACCINATION.

HOW DO YOU RENEW THE EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO THOSE COMMUNITIES, WHICH I KNOW YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN REACHING OUT TO.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT THE RATE HAS BEEN LOW AND NOW IT HAS SLOWED, NO?

>> YEAH.

IT IS GETTING BETTER, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, IT IS SLOW.

WE KNEW RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO, THE PANDEMIC DID NOT CREATE THE INEQUITIES BUT IT HAS LAID THEM BARE.

THAT INCLUDES OUR NATION'S HISTORY AS IT RELATES TO VACCINES AND, SAY, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, OUR NEWLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANT BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO THEY THINK THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS IS AT STAKE OR THEY MAY NOT SPEAK ENGLISH OR SOMEBODY WHO WORKS TWO OR THREE JOBS, A WHOLE BUNCH OF REASONS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE KNOCKING ON DOORS, LITERALLY GOING DOOR TO DOOR IN ALMOST THREE DOZEN COMMUNITIES.

WE NEVER RELENTED FROM THAT.

WE CONTINUE TO GET, DAVID, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 8,000 TO 12,000 FIRST SHOTS A DAY.

SO THAT'S A GOOD THING.

IT IS SLOWER, IT IS A LOT SLOWER THAN WE WOULD LIKE, BUT IT IS STILL GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE NOT SATISFIED YET, BUT WE WILL STAY AT IT UNTIL WE ARE.

>> A LOT OF PRIVATE COMPANIES WERE PLANNING TO RETURN TO THEIR OFFICES IN THE FALL, WHICH WAS GOING TO BE GOOD FOR, YOU KNOW, SMALL BUSINESSES NEARBY.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S REASON FOR CONCERN ABOUT MAYBE THAT NOT HAPPENING NOW?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, BUT I STILL THINK YOU ARE STILL -- YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THAT TAKE PLACE.

I KNOW GOOGLE JUST KICKED BACK, THEY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THEY KICKED IT BACK A MONTH.

LISTEN, DAVID, IF WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED, THE POOL OF AVAILABLE PEOPLE LEFT IN NEW JERSEY THAT ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DEATH, GOD FORBID IS SHRINKING BY THE DAY.

WE NEED TO OVER THE COURSE OF THE REST OF THE SUMMER SHRINK THAT POPULATION EVEN MORE MEANINGFULLY.

AND WHEN YOU DO THAT AND WE HAVE COMMON SENSE BEHAVIOR LIKE RECOMMENDING MASK WEARING, YOU IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES MEANINGFULLY OF BEING -- OF STAYING NORMAL.

THE SUMMER ON THE SHORE AND OUR LAKES AND MAIN STREET SO FAR HAS BEEN BOOMING.

I CONTINUE TO THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CASE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE SUMMER, BUT LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE GO BACK TO SCHOOL, WHEN WE ARE BACK IN OUR OFFICES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY, SAFELY, AND IN A TIMELY WAY.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST FEAR AMONG SMALL BUSINESS THOUGH IS ANOTHER LOCKDOWN.

HOW FAR AWAY ARE WE FROM THAT HAPPENING?

>> FAR.

I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

I DO NOT ENVISION THAT.

OBVIOUSLY THAT HAS TO -- YOU CAN NEVER SAY NEVER.

THE VIRUS DICTATES THE TERMS, NOT US OR ANYONE ELSE, BUT I DON'T THINK WE'RE CLOSE TO THAT.

GOD FORBID WE WILL NEVER HAVE TO DO THAT AGAIN.

BUT YOU CAN NEVER SAY NEVER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO VIEWERS FOR QUESTIONS, AND WE'LL SPRINKLE THEM IN HERE AND THERE.

VIEWERS, BE WARNED, WE CAN'T GET TO THEM ALL SO STOP TRYING TO PUT ME OUT OF WORK.

HERE IS A QUESTION FROM KATIE.

KATIE SAYS, YOUR GUIDANCE IS CONFUSING.

YOU RECOMMEND MASKING IN INDOOR SETTINGS WHEN THERE IS, QUOTE, INCREASED RISK.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK IN THE DINER?

AM I SAFE IN OCEAN COUNTY BUT NOT IN BERGEN COUNTY?

IT LEAVES A LOT TO THE INTERPRETATION OF BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> YEAH.

SO, KATIE, I DON'T THINK IT IS CONFUSING, BUT IT IS IN THE CATEGORY OF DO THE RIGHT THING.

USE COMMON SENSE.

BE RESPONSIBLE, AS I'M SURE KATIE IS.

WITH THAT WE WILL BE GOOD.

I'M NOT A BIG COUNTY-TO-COUNTY GUY, I WANT TO ANSWER THAT PART FIRST.

WE ARE THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED STATE IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE A REALITY THAT IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER STATE IN THAT RESPECT.

I THINK IF YOU GET INTO COUNTY X VERSUS COUNTY Y, THAT'S DANGEROUS.

SO WE HAVE JUST NOT DONE THAT AND I DON'T ANTICIPATE WE WILL DO THAT.

BUT HERE IS -- I WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.

I ALLUDED TO THIS EARLIER.

FIRST OF ALL, IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE FORGET YOUR MASK.

IF YOU WANT TO WEAR IT, YOU CAN WEAR IT, BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO.

IF YOU ARE INSIDE AND YOU ARE HAVING DINNER AS MY WIFE AND I DID WITH ANOTHER COUPLE LAST NIGHT AND WE'RE IN A PUBLIC RESTAURANT-TYPE SETTING, WE KNOW THEY'RE VACCINATED, WE'RE NOT GOING TO WEAR OUR MASK WHEN WE'RE SITTING WITH THEM.

YOU DON'T NEED TO.

WE WORE IT WHEN WE WALKED IN, WHEN WE WENT TO THE RESTROOM, WHEN WE LEFT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU ARE IN A CLUB, YOU ARE WITH A COUPLE OF BUDDIES, EVEN IF YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE VACCINATED, BUT YOU ARE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN A CLOSED INDOOR SPACE.

THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

BUT THOSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT REALITIES.

IF YOU ARE ON THE BEACH, IF YOU ARE ON THE BOARDWALK, IF YOU ARE ON THE LAKE, IF YOU OUTSIDE AT A RESTAURANT OR IN A BAR, FORGET ABOUT IT.

YOU DON'T NEED TO WEAR IT AND I ANTICIPATE, PLEASE GOD, YOU NEVER WILL HAVE TO AGAIN.

BUT FOR THE TIME BEING YOU JUST HAVE TO USE COMMON SENSE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE NOT MANDATING IT BECAUSE NOT ALL INDOOR SETTINGS ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

>> THIS IS ELECTION SEASON AND I KNOW THAT YOU SAY YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THIS STUFF, BUT YOUR CAMPAIGN PAYS PEOPLE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS STUFF.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO ORDER A LOCKDOWN IF THE DATA INDICATES THAT YOU NEED TO IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER, KNOWING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT THAT IT COULD HAVE ON YOUR CAMPAIGN?

>> I MEAN, DAVID, I THINK WE HAVE PROVEN OVER THE PAST 17 MONTHS THAT WE'RE WILLING TO TAKE VERY UNPOPULAR POSITIONS IF IT KEEPS PEOPLE ALIVE WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO POLITICS.

I THINK THAT'S JUST A PROSPECTIVE STATEMENT.

I THINK WE HAVE PROVEN THAT.

THAT CONTINUES TO BE WHO WE ARE.

SO THE ANSWER IS YOU HAVE TO.

IF IT IS A QUESTION OF KEEPING PEOPLE HEALTHY AND ALIVE AND THE DATA AND THE SCIENCE SUPPORTS THE DECISION, WE HAVE TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.

BUT I WANT TO SAY THIS EMPHATICALLY.

I DO NOT ANTICIPATE, AND I SAY THAT WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF CONVICTION, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LOCKDOWN IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER OR ANY OTHER TIME.

IF WE HAVE TO, IF IT SAVES LIVES, WE WILL DO IT, BUT I DO NOT ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL COME TO THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SCHOOLS.

LAST WE HEARD FROM YOU ON THIS YOU EXPECT ALL SCHOOLS TO BE OPEN, NO REMOTE LEARNING OPTIONS, MASKS NOT MANDATED.

I IMAGINE THIS ORDER IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FALL.

HOW MUCH OR ANY OF THIS WILL BE LEFT UP TO INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS?

>> YEAH, SO, DAVID, ALL GOOD QUESTIONS.

I CONTINUE TO BE, AS WE SIT HERE BY THE WAY IN LATE JULY, TURNING INTO EARLY AUGUST, WITH STILL OVER A MONTH TO GO UNTIL SCHOOLS ARE OPEN, THAT CONTINUES TO BE OUR RECOMMENDATION.

THE ONE THAT HAS COME UP MORE STRONGLY OVER THE PAST WEEK HAS BEEN THE MASKING QUESTION.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE THE CDC MADE THEIR STATEMENTS.

I WOULD SAY WITH GREAT RESPECT TO THE CDC, WHICH WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR AND WE OVERWHELMINGLY TAKE THEIR GUIDANCE, PREDICTING WHAT THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT LOOKS LIKE ON SOMETHING LIKE MASKING, WHICH IS A DECISION YOU CAN MAKE AT THE LAST MINUTE, BY THE WAY, UNLIKE AN HVAC SYSTEM, IN LATE JULY FOR SEPTEMBER 7th IS A LITTLE BIT LIKE TRYING TO PREDICT WHAT THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE LIKE ON SEPTEMBER 7th.

SO ON MASKING SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE GOING TO LET THE CLOCK PLAY OUT HERE.

WE DID THAT LAST SUMMER.

WE TWEAKED OUR GUIDANCE.

WE HAVE TO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT AGAIN.

LET'S SEE WHERE THE VIRUS HEADS OVER THE NEXT MONTH TO SIX WEEKS, AND I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE WE WILL BE FULLY IN SCHOOL AS WE HAVE RECOMMENDED, AS WE HAVE -- THIS ONE IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION.

WE WILL BE IN SCHOOL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FULL-ON.

WE ARE NEVER GOING TO PUT THE SAFETY OR LIVES AT RISK OF ANY OF OUR KIDS OR EDUCATORS.

SO WHETHER IT IS BROAD POLICIES OR SPECIFIC TO AN INDIVIDUAL, WE HAVE GOT A GREAT TRACK RECORD OVER OUR STATE'S HISTORY OF KEEPING OUR KIDS AND OUR EDUCATORS AND STAFFS HEALTHY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT >> ALL RIGHT.

HERE IS ANOTHER VIEWER QUESTION.

ACTUALLY HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ON THIS.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, WHILE THE LATEST REFORMS SEEM TO HAVE STALLED IN THE LEGISLATURE, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CHIEF ETHICS OFFICER AND THE PASSENGER ADVOCATE AND THE EXPANSION OF THE BOARD?

ALL WERE STIPULATED IN THE LAST REFORM BILL A YEAR OR SO AGO.

NONE ARE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW.

YOU USED TO SAY YOU WOULD FIX IT OR IT WOULD KILL YOU.

YOU ARE ALIVE AND KICKING, BUT STILL WORK TO DO OVER AT NJ TRANSIT.

>> YES.

DAVID, FAIR POINT.

THOSE ARE ALL IN PROCESS.

SO I'VE GOT NO NEWS TO REPORT BUT WE HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON ANY OF THOSE.

BUT WHEN I SAY WE'RE GOING TO FIX NJ TRANSIT IF IT KILLS ME, I CHALLENGE YOU TO WALK UP TO SOMEBODY STANDING ON A PLATFORM AND ASK THEM, WHEN YOU JUDGE WHETHER OR NOT NJ TRANSIT IS WORKING OR NOT DO YOU INCLUDE THE SIZE OF THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

NO ONE IS GOING TO SAY THAT.

SO WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THAT, AGAIN, I'M NOT MAKING LIGHT OF IT, BUT WHAT FOLKS WANT IS THEY WANT THE TRAIN OR BUS TO SHOW UP ON TIME, TO GET THEM THERE RELIABLY, TO HAVE A POSITIVE, HEALTHY, SAFE, RELIABLE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE USED THE PANDEMIC TO DOUBLE DOWN ON A LOT OF STUFF ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT I JUST SAID, WHETHER IT IS NEW, GREEN EQUIPMENT, WHETHER IT IS MORE ENGINEERING CLASSES, WHETHER IT IS IMPROVING THE APPS, WORK ON STATIONS, THE STUFF THAT PEOPLE LIVE EVERY DAY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE ARE BACK IN BUSINESS AND PEOPLE ARE TAKING BUSES AND TRAINS IN A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A NORMAL PATTERN LIKE THEY USED TO, THAT THEY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS EXPERIENCE IS A LOT BETTER THAN IT USED TO BE.

>> I KNOW IT IS A LITTLE SIMPLISTIC, BUT ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN, TEN BEING JOB DONE, WHERE ARE YOU DO YOU THINK?

>> I WOULD SAY WE INHERITED A ONE AND I WOULD SAY WE ARE PROBABLY A SIX, SEVEN >> ALL RIGHT.

HERE IS ANOTHER VIEWER QUESTION.

ALTHOUGH IT MAY SOUND LIKE IT COMES FROM THE JERSEY PRESS CORPS, IT DOES NOT.

LUDLOW ASKS, WHY DOES THIS ADMINISTRATION KEEP REJECTING OPRAH REQUESTS?

IT IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE.

OTHERS INCLUDE FAST TRACKING THE BUDGET WITHOUT PUBLIC REVIEW, ET CETERA, THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION IS STUNNING, HE SAYS, AND WHEN WILL YOU EVER TAKE LIVE QUESTIONS?

WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF?

WELL, LUDLOW, HE IS TAKING YOUR QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW AND HE IS DOING IT LIVE.

SO YOU PROBABLY WILL BE WATCHING THIS ON TAPE, BUT HE IS ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS LIVE.

>> YEAH.

I APPRECIATE -- I APPRECIATE YOUR DEFENSE THERE.

>> SURE.

MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE PRESS CORPS HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS ABOUT OPRAH AND FOIA REQUESTS.

>> OKAY.

>> IT TAKES WAY LONGER THAN IT SHOULD.

>> OKAY.

SO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE TAKE LIVE QUESTIONS -- THIS IS FOR LUDLOW, NOT FOR YOU, DAVID, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU KNOW THE ANSWER.

WE TAKE LIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS, FROM THE PUBLIC IN TOWN HALLS INCLUDING VIRTUAL ONES.

JUST AS LUDLOW HAS ASKED, WHEN SHOWS LIKE THIS TAKE VIEWERS' QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH.

>> PEOPLE ARE NOT AFRAID TO WALK UP TO ME ON THE STREET, I PROMISE YOU.

SO WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I DON'T ACCEPT THE PREMISE.

AS IT RELATES TO OPRAH, WE TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS A COMBINATION BECAUSE OF A PANDEMIC ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS.

YOU HAVE AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF INTEREST IN INFORMATION AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGING WORKING CIRCUMSTANCES AMONG OUR STAFF AND TIME.

BUT WE TAKE THOSE VERY SERIOUSLY.

IT MAY BE SLOWER THAN PEOPLE LIKE FOR THE REASONS I JUST ARTICULATED.

AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET, I WOULD SAY A LITTLE BIT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THE PART THAT I WOULD WANT LUDLOW AND OTHERS TO FOCUS ON, WE PRESENTED OUR BUDGET IN LATE FEBRUARY.

IT GOT SIGNED IN LATE JUNE.

SO IN THAT FOUR-MONTH PERIOD THERE WERE DOZENS OF HEARINGS, FREQUENT UPDATES ON REVENUE FORECASTS THAT WERE MOVING AROUND, A LOT OF GOOD BACK-AND-FORTH INTERACTION.

THE BUDGET I ULTIMATELY SIGNED, I BELIEVE, HAD A 14-PAGE DIFFERENCE FROM THE ONE I PRESENTED IN FEBRUARY.

NOW, WOULD I BE OPEN MINDED TO A LONGER PERIOD BETWEEN A BILL BEING PRESENTED, WHETHER IT IS A BUDGET OR OTHER BILL, AND IT BEING VOTED ON?

I SUSPECT THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP, WITHOUT PUTTING WORDS IN THEIR MOUTH, WOULD ALSO JOIN ME IN BEING OPEN MINDED TO WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE THE PROCESS EVEN BETTER, INCLUDING THAT EVERYONE -- I KNOW LUDLOW'S QUESTION IS FOCUSED ON THAT LAST MOMENT WHEN THE FINAL BUDGET IS PRESENTED AND VOTED ON.

>> SO -- >> WOULD I BE OPEN TO MAKING THAT A LONGER, MORE OPEN PROCESS?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO ADMIT, GOVERNOR, IT SHOULDN'T TAKE WEEKS TO GET A COPY OF A RESUME OR THE COST OF LOCAL ELECTIONS OR STATE COSTS OF ELECTIONS.

THAT SHOULDN'T TAKE WEEKS TO GET, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, I CAN'T -- I CAN'T AGREE WITH YOU ONLY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO IMPLY THAT WIRE'R SITTING ON STUFF BECAUSE I JUST DON'T THINK WE ARE >> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON THEN.

HERE IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

IN JANUARY '21 YOU PROJECTED OVER-THE-COUNTER CANNABIS SALES WOULD BECOME A REALITY IN LATE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL.

COLORADO HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER SIX YEARS, SO IT IS NOT LIKE THE CRC DOESN'T HAVE A MODEL TO FOLLOW.

THE QUESTION IS, WILL WE SEE CANNABIS SALES IN LATE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL?

AND, IF NOT, WHY NOT?

>> LIGHTSTEN, COLORADO HAS BEEN IT BUT SO HAVE OTHER STATES.

NO ONE STATE HAS DONE IT COMPLETELY RIGHT.

I WOULD SAY WITH RESPECT TO THE PREMISE, OUR COMMISSION IS WORKING DAY AND NIGHT AS WE SPEAK TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT AS RIGHT AS WE CAN, INCLUDING ON THE IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS LIKE EQUITY.

SO THIS IS COMPLICATED.

SO I DON'T KNOW, LATE SUMMER OR FALL.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THE MEDICAL DISPENSARIES, AS LONG AS THEY CAN PROVE THAT THEY HAVE NO SUPPLY ISSUE FOR THEIR PATIENTS, I THINK THEY'LL BE IN THE ADULT USE RETAIL BUSINESS, I HOPE NOT TOO LONG IN THE FUTURE.

I THINK THEY WILL GET THERE BEFORE WE HAVE SEPARATE STAND-UP ADULT USE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS, BUT WE WILL GET THERE.

WE WILL GET THERE -- THIS IS ONE, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO EQUITY.

THIS IS ONE WHERE IT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO GET IT RIGHT THAN TO GET IT FAST.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT WE'RE SITTING ON OUR HANDS OR LETTING GRASS GROW, NO PUN INTENDED, BUT GETTING IT RIGHT IS REALLY IMPORTANT ON THIS ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMY ASKS, THE ANTI-DETENTION BILL, S3361, IS STILL AWAITING YOUR SIGNATURE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE SUPPORTED IN THE PAST.

WHEN CAN NEW JERSEYANS EXPECT THE BILL TO BE SIGNED?

>> YEAH, I DON'T HAVE ANY NEWS TO BREAK ON THAT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED BILLS AT THE END OF JUNE, AND SO WE'RE CHOPPING THROUGH THEM.

ALL OF THEM, BIG AND SMALL, HAVE TO BE VETTED, AND WE HAVE AN ARMY OF FOLKS WHO DO THAT.

CONCEPTUALLY ON BILLS, I'VE SAID IN THE PAST, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE DIRECTION THAT I LIKE, BUT I WANT TO BEG AMY'S PATIENCE AND FORGIVENESS HERE.

I DON'T WANT TO COMMENT ON A SPECIFIC BILL THAT I HAVEN'T PERSONALLY DONE THE WORK ON THAT WE WILL ULTIMATELY DO.

>> A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS.

SHORT ANSWERS, IF YOU WILL, BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

WILL YOU SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT BRINGS RANK CHOICE VOTING TO NEW JERSEY?

>> IT IS NOT ONE THAT I HAVE BEEN HUGELY PASSIONATE ON.

I'M NOT SAYING, HECK, NO.

IT IS NOTHING LIKE IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING THAT I HAVE STRONGLY VOTED AND WE FINALLY AT LONG LAST HAVE.

I WILL EVEN PUT ASIDE THE HICCUPS THAT NEW YORK CITY HAD WITH THEIR BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

I'M GOING TO EVEN PUT THAT TO THE SIDE.

I DON'T HAVE A GREAT PASSION ON THIS ONE.

AM I OPEN MINDED?

YES, AND I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT >> ALL RIGHT.

SO MATT.

>> YES.

PEOPLE TURNED OUT TO VOTE AND I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, WHATEVER THEY ARE, WHETHER THEY VOTE FOR ME OR NOT, GETTING AS MANY PEOPLE TO VOTE AS POSSIBLE IS OUR OBSESSION AND OPENING DEMOCRACY UP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LOOKS LIKE AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IS GOING TO CLEAR CONGRESS.

TWO QUESTIONS ON THAT.

GOVERNOR CUOMO SAYS HE'S NOT GOING TO PAY NEW YORK'S SHARE OF THE GATEWAY PROJECT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

AND WHAT'S THE TOP NEW JERSEY-SPECIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT?

>> THE GATEWAY IS THE ONE THAT JUMPS OFF THE PAGE.

IT IS THE BIGGEST IN THE COUNTRY AND IT IMPACTS NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES, RAIL COMMUTERS ENORMOUSLY.

BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE ROADS, BRIDGES, RAILS, TUNNELS.

WE ARE THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED STATE IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE OUR SHARE, A HIGH SHARE OF LEGACY ASSETS.

IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG OF SINGLES AND DOUBLES, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE GAME CHANGERS.

THIS IS A HUGE HELP TO NEW JERSEY.

WE WILL GET IT RIGHT WITH NEW YORK.

THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER OVER THE YEARS.

THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL FIND A GOOD RESTING PLACE ON GATEWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LAST QUESTION HERE.

YOUR OPPONENT SAYS HE'S VERY JERSEY.

WHAT'S SO JERSEY ABOUT YOU?

GIVE ME TWO THINGS THAT ARE JERSEY ABOUT PHIL MURPHY.

>> OH, LISTEN, ATTITUDE, HAVING NO PROBLEMS STATING MY POINT OF VIEW.

I LOVE THIS STATE.

IT IS THE STATE THAT WE AFFIRMATIVELY CHOSE TO RAISE OUR FOUR KIDS.

BEST DECISION WE EVER MADE.

I JUST THINK THE RESILIENCY OF OUR STATE IS OVERWHELMING.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IT MORE STARKLY THAN DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD, ANY OF THE 9.3 MILLION OF US, TO SAY JERSEY IS MY HOME >> ALL RIGHT.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, GOOD SEE YOU, MAN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

WE'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE IN THE FALL.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, DAVID.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF "CHAT BOX."

THOSE OF US WATCHING US ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, WE INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT A SPECIAL WEB-ONLY SEGMENT THAT WE PRODUCED FOR OUR LOYAL WEB FOLLOWERS, INCLUDING NEWS ON THE RETURN OF A MAJOR JAZZ FESTIVAL AND A SPECIAL LIVE PERFORMANCE.

YOU CAN FIND IT BY FOLLOWING THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @DAVIDCRUZ NJ AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE YouTube CHANNEL TO GET MORE COOL STUFF INCLUDING NJ BUSINESS BITEEAT AND NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

FOR ALL OF US OVER HERE, THANK AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

SEE YOU IN THE FALL.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY MJN INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR RESIDENT BS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, THE NATIONAL OIL HEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE AND BIOHEAT, THE EVOLUTION OF OIL HEAT.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY -- INSIDER NJ, A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

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

ONLINE AT INSIDERNJ.com.

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