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>>> HEY, EVERYBODY, WELCOME TO "REPORTERS ROUND TABLE," I'M DAVID CRUZ.

WELL, THE POLITICAL SEASON IS NEVER FAR FROM THE TOP OF OUR MINDS IN NEW JERSEY, BUT 2021 PROMISES TO BE ANOTHER INTERESTING YEAR AT THE POLLS OR IN THE MAIL, WHATEVER.

WITH NOT ONLY THE GOVERNOR'S RACE BUT SOME KEY PRIMARIES IN BOTH PARTIES FOR SEATS ON THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S WHERE WE BEGIN TODAY.

BERGEN COUNTY, DISTRICT 39, ASSEMBLY WOMAN HOLLY ANNOUNCING THAT SHE IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE SEAT CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY JERRY CARDINALE, WHO'S BEEN IN THE SEAT SINCE 1982.

HOLLY JOINS US TODAY.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>>HOLLY .

>> MY FIRST QUESTION, HOW DARE YOU?

>> I'VE GOTTEN THAT QUITE A BIT.

NO, MAKING A DECISION LIKE THIS IS NEVER EASY AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T NECESSARILY WANT TO HAVE TO MAKE SUCH A DECISION.

I RESPECT MY RUNNING MATE TREMENDOUSLY.

HE HAS SERVED ADMIRALBLY FOR 40 YEARS, SINCE I WAS IN THE THIRD GRADE, ACTUALLY, BUT THERE'S A TIME AND A PLACE IN OUR PARTY, IN POLITICS, WHERE WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING FOR, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, BUT PARTICULARLY, I'VE FOUND, WITH THE GOP.

>> HOW MUCH OF THIS IS ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE PARTY IN NEW JERSEY?

YOU AND CARDINALE ALWAYS WERE KIND OF AN ODD PAIRING.

I MEAN, HE'S A SUPER CONSERVATIVE, YOU WERE SOMEONE THAT MIGHT BE CALLED A MODERATE.

SO, I MEAN, IS IT SOMETHING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF REPUBLICANS IN NEW JERSEY?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS THE FUTURE OF THE PARTY IN GENERAL.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, IF YOU LOOK WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN THE 2020 RACES, NOTWITHSTANDING THE LOSS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL, WE GAINED 22 GOP WOMEN TO BE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT WE'VE HAD 35 REPUBLICAN WOMEN SERVING IN CONGRESS, WHICH IS PHENOMENAL, BUT IT'S ALL EVEN WITH THAT, WE'RE STILL ONLY A THIRD OF THE NUMBER OF WOMEN DEMOCRATS HAVE IN CONGRESS.

AND WITH THE INCREASED POLARIZATION OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE LOSS OF COLLEGE EDUCATED WOMEN WHO HAVE LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, IN DISTRICTS SUCH AS OURS, WE HAVE TO FIND THE BALANCE OF APPEALING TO THAT DEMOGRAPHIC, BRINGING THEM BACK INTO THE PARTY, SHOWING THEM THAT YOU CAN BE COMPASSIONATE.

YOU CAN CARE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO WOMEN IN PARTICULAR, EDUCATION, GETTING OUR KIDS BACK INTO SCHOOL, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES, BEING FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE, BUT STILL HAVING COMPASSION, STILL HAVING KIND OF THE VALUES THAT APPEAL TO THOSE IN THE MIDDLE.

>> IS THERE A GENDER DIFFERENCE AMONG REPUBLICANS IN NEW JERSEY WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORT OF DONALD TRUMP?

>> I THINK AMONGST -- IN CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS, ABSOLUTELY.

WE DID LOSE A LOT OF THE COLLEGE EDUCATED WOMEN, BUT WE CAN'T DISCOUNT THE FACT THAT DONALD TRUMP IS ACTUALLY STILL VERY POPULAR IN OUR DISTRICT AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S FINDING THAT APPROPRIATE WAY TO SPEAK TO THE 75 MILLION VOTERS, I MEAN, OF COURSE, NOT ALL FROM NEW JERSEY, WHO SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT'S POLICIES AND VOTED FOR HIM, AND PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF BY HIS RHETORIC.

AND BEING ABLE TO BE THE FIGHTER, BE OUT THERE AND FIGHT ON POLICY WITHOUT THE PERSONAL ATTACKS.

I'M OUT THERE EVERY DAY AS ONE OF PROBABLY THE MOST LOUD SQUEAKY WHEELS IN THE STATE, FIGHTING TO REOPEN OUR BUSINESSES, FIGHTING TO GET OUR KIDS SAFELY BACK INTO SCHOOLS, FIGHTING FOR APPROPRIATE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALSO PART AND PARCEL OF KIND OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND MY RUNNING MATE, WHERE, YOU KNOW, HE'S A FIGHTER, BUT CAN HE SPEAK TO, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY BEING DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE POLICIES RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE WHO ARE YOUNGER WOMEN, MIDDLE AGED WOMEN, WHO ARE TRYING TO DO THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE, HAVE HAD TO BECOME HOMESCHOOLTEACHERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, WHO ARE TRYING TO WORK, DO ALL OF THIS STUFF AT THE SAME TIME AS THEIR BUSINESSES ARE BEING SHUT, AND IT'S HOW DO WE BRING THEM BACK IN AND PROVE TO THEM THAT WE'RE THE ONLY ONES FIGHTING FOR THEM?

>> THIS IS A YES OR NO QUESTION, AND IT'S A VERY REPUBLICAN-FOCUSED QUESTION.

DID JOE BIDEN WIN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

>> HE'S CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE VERY UPSET WITH THE RESULTS.

I THINK THAT UNFORTUNATELY THERE WERE SOME CONSPIRACY THEORIES OUT THERE.

DO WE NEED TO FOCUS MOVING FORWARD ON REOPENING OUR POLLING STATIONS?

>> NOT FOCUSING ON MOVING FORWARD.

NOT, DO WE NEED TO FOCUS MOVING FORWARD.

MY QUESTION IS, IN YOUR MIND, DID JOE BIDEN WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2020?

>> YES.

>> THAT'S -- >> YES, HE DID.

YES.

>> SO, CARDINALE CALLED YOU AMBITIOUS, AND I DON'T THINK HE MEANT THAT AS A COMPLIMENT.

TOUCH OF SEXISM THERE IN YOUR MIND?

>> I'VE SEEN THAT I'M, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, PERSONALLY AMBITIOUS.

YOU FIND ONE PERSON WHO RUNS FOR OFFICE WHO ISN'T AMBITIOUS.

YOU MUST BE AMBITIOUS IN ORDER TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AND TO FIGHT TO WIN AND DO ALL OF IT, BUT I DO THINK IT HAD A CONNOTATION OF, YOU KNOW, PATTING ME ON THE HEAD AND MAYBE I DON'T KNOW MY PLACE AT THE MOMENT AND I'M PUTTING MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHTS RATHER THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR PARTY MOVING FORWARD.

>> YOU STILL DO SEE A LOT OF THAT IN NEW JERSEY WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN TRYING TO ASSERT THEMSELVES POLITICALLY, NO?

>> I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CURRENT MAKE-UP OF THE LEGISLATURE, AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, WE HAVE ONE.

ONE REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE.

AND THAT'S KRISTEN, WHO IS DOING AN AMAZING JOB.

BUT KRISTEN NEEDS SUPPORT.

SHE NEEDS, YOU KNOW, OTHER WOMEN THERE, SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH HER.

THERE ARE TEN WOMEN IN THE ENTIRE SENATE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY OUT OF 40, AND ONLY ONE OF THOSE 40 IS FEMALE.

WITH THE RETIREMENT OF SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG, WE COULD VERY POSSIBLY ONLY HAVE ONE REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS FEMALE REPRESENTING THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTY IN THE STATE OF A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE SENATE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I'VE RUN OUT OF TIME, BUT I GOT TO ASK YOU.

ANY CHANCE THAT YOU WOULD TAKE A SEAT ON JACK'S TICKET?

THAT'S A YES OR NO TOO.

>> IT HAS NOT BEEN DISCUSSED.

I'M ALWAYS OPEN TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES BUT -- AND JACK IS AN AMAZING CANDIDATE.

I AM 100% BEHIND HIM.

>> ALL RIGHT, ASSEMBLYWOMAN HOLLY SCHEPISI, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

GOOD LUCK.

WE'LL TALK SOON.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID.

GREAT SEEING YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S PICK THIS UP WITH OUR PANEL HERE.

THE IMMIGRATION AND DIVERSITY REPORTER FOR NORTHJERSEY.COM, "USA TODAY" NETWORK, MAKING HER ROUNDTABLE DEBUT, BY THE WAY.

TRACY TULLY IS THE NEW JERSEY REPORTER FOR THE "NEW YORK TIMES," AND LILO STATEN IS THE HEALTHCARE WRITER FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

WELCOME, PANEL.

LET'S PICK UP A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE THAT WE HEARD FROM THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN.

JUST IN GENERAL, HOW HARD IT IS TO ASSERT YOURSELF POLITICALLY AS A WOMAN IN NEW JERSEY.

YOU HEAR SOME OF THE PUSHBACK SHE'S GETTING, GETTING CALLED AMBITIOUS AND NOT AS A COMPLIMENT.

AND JUST HAVING TO WATCH ALL THE MALE EGOS IN LEADERSHIP.

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND NEW JERSEY A LOT, BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, IS IT ANY EASIER, DO YOU THINK, FOR WOMEN TO RUN AND TO GET A SHARE OF POLITICAL POWER IN THE STATE?

>> I THINK IT'S GOTTEN BETTER THROUGH THE YEARS AND I'VE BEEN REPORTING HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WE DO HAVE -- WE HAD THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR WITH CHRISTY WITMAN AND NOW SHEILA OLIVER, SO I THINK THAT'S ENCOURAGING.

AND NOW WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, I THINK IT WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE -- MORE WOMEN TO RUN AND NOW ALSO WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF LORETTA WEINBERG, I MEAN, WE HAVE TEN FEMALE SENATORS IN THE STATE, AND HOPEFULLY WE WON'T LOSE ONE WHEN SHE LEAVES.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET A BETTER NUMBER THAN TEN IN THE NEXT ELECTION, SO I'M HOPEFUL, AND I THINK IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE TOUGH FOR WOMEN, BUT I THINK IT'S GOTTEN BETTER, AND I HOPE, AGAIN, WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT, THINGS WILL IMPROVE FOR WOMEN, AND MEN WILL BE MORE ACCEPTING OF IT AND MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST WOMEN AND WORKING WITH WOMEN.

>> NEW JERSEY'S BIG THREE, ALL GUYS.

THERE'S A FEMALE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AS SHE JUST MENTIONED, AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A FEMALE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, BUT MOVING LEGISLATION, SETTING ADMINISTRATION POLICY, I GUESS IT'S STILL MEN'S WORK?

>> I THINK SHE WAS GRACIOUS BY USING -- ABOUT THE WORD AMBITIOUS.

WE NEED MORE AMBITIOUS WOMEN, AND WE ABSOLUTELY NEED MORE WOMEN IN POLITICS.

IT IS DIRTY WORK SOMETIMES, AND I THINK I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES WOMEN THINK THEY CAN GET MORE DONE IN OTHER SPACES BUT IT'S A BIG LOSS, LOSING LORETTA, AND YOU KNOW, MORE POWER TO HER FOR RUNNING, FOR HOLLY.

WHEN WE ELECTED -- AT THE INAUGURATION, I TEXTED MY DAUGHTER, YOU KNOW, NOT -- WE HAVE A VICE PRESIDENT.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THOSE ROLE MODELS DO HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHER WOMEN TO RUN AND THINGS LIKE THE RUTGERS SCHOOL OF WOMEN IN POLITICS, WHO ARE KEEPING TRACK, I THINK WE NEED THAT PUSH AND I THINK THAT'S A REALLY INCREDIBLE ASSET WE HAVE HERE IN JERSEY.

>> LILO, DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT THERE'S A GENDER DIVIDE IN THE GOP WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING TRUMP?

S SHE SEEMED TO SUGGEST THAT THERE WAS.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE THERE ISN'T.

THAT'S JUST BECAUSE I SORT OF TRUST WOMEN TO HAVE A CERTAIN SENSE ABOUT THINGS, AND -- BUT YOU KNOW, BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN REALLY HARD ON -- FOR MODERATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I REALLY -- MY HEART GOES OUT, IN SOME WAYS, TO SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, HAVE HAD TO SORT OF FIND A PATH FORWARD WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS BEING YOUR PRESIDENT.

BUT THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE SHOWING A LOT OF BACKBONE NOW.

THEY COULD STAND UP.

THEY COULD SAY MORE, PERHAPS IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE ON BUT EITHER WAY, YOU KNOW, I WAS REALLY STRUCK BY WHAT THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN SAID ABOUT THE ONE SINGLE GOP STATE SENATOR WE HAVE WHO'S A WOMAN.

AND I'M THINKING OF A CAUCUS, RIGHT, THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME CAUCUSING AND THERE MUST BE A WOMEN'S CAUCUS IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS GROUP, YOU KNOW?

THEY MUST GET TOGETHER.

IT MUST BE REALLY LONELY, RIGHT, IF YOU'RE THE SINGLE GOP SENATOR IN THAT CAUCUS.

IT'S GOT TO BE TOUGH.

AND THAT'S NOT A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE.

SO, WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE WOMEN AT ALL LEVELS.

>> SO THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN THE MINORITY, AND SHE'S IN THE MINORITY OF THE MINORITY, SO YEAH, VERY GOOD POINT THERE.

LET'S GET TO SOME OTHER NEWS FROM THE WEEK.

THAT IMMIGRATION BILL FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS PRETTY RADICAL WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED, BUT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO LOWER EXPECTATIONS.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE ANY PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP, REALLY, FOR 11 MILLION PEOPLE?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A HARD FOUGHT THING FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ IS LEADING THAT EFFORT FOR THE DEMOCRATS AND HE KNOWS HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO GET NINE REPUBLICANS TO SIGN ON TO THAT SO HE HAS SAID THAT HE'S THE GOING TO EXPECT THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

IT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE CONSENSUS AND NEGOTIATION.

MOST LIKELY, THAT BILL IS NOT GOING TO END UP BEING THE WAY IT IS NOW.

WE'LL SEE HOW THE COMING MONTHS, YOU KNOW, DEVELOP, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO -- IT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF NEGOTIATIONS TO TRY TO GET THOSE REPUBLICAN VOTES.

>> YOU COVER IMMIGRATION.

THAT'S YOUR MAIN BEAT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM PEOPLE ON THE STREET?

THERE'S A LOT OF HOPE, I WOULD IMAGINE.

>> YEAH, THERE IS A LOT OF HOPE FROM FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE MOVEMENT, BUT IN THE MOVEMENT, THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF FOLKS WHO SUPPORTED SANDERS AND MORE OF HIS IMMIGRATION IDEAS AND POLICIES, SO YOU KNOW, THE IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES IN NEW JERSEY ARE REALLY WORKING HARD NOW TO TRY AND REMIND BIDEN OF SOME OF HIS PROMISES AND TO KEEP THEM.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IS HOPE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO AWARE THAT OBAMA HAD A REALLY HARD TIME WITH IMMIGRATION, AND THEY KNOW THAT BIDEN HAS A FIGHT AHEAD.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE 800-POUND PANDEMIC IN THE ROOM.

LILO, VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, VARIANTS, TAKE YOUR PICK.

WHAT'S THE GOOD NEWS AND WHAT'S THE BAD NEWS THIS WEEK?

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE, YOU WILL HEAR A ROAR OF FRUSTRATION AROUND THE SIGN-UP AND REGISTRATION PROCESS, RIGHT?

SO, THE STATE HAS ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO REGISTER.

THERE IS A STATE SITE FOR REGISTRATION.

2.2-PLUS MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DONE THAT.

BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT THAT REGISTRATION SYSTEM ISN'T ACTUALLY LINKED TO THAT MANY OF THE VACCINE SITES, SO IT TURNS OUT IT REQUIRES A SEPARATE SIGN-UP PROCESS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SO THE STATE HAS ESSENTIALLY BEEN ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SIGN UP ON AS MANY WEBSITES AS POSSIBLE.

I MEAN, I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY TREATED THIS AS A GAME AND THEY SAT THERE AND JUST, YOU KNOW, REFRESHED THEIR BROWSER CONSTANTLY FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK AND COULDN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT.

I MEAN, IT'S THAT KIND OF THING.

AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE, OF COURSE, THAT HAVE COMPUTERS AND GOOD INTERNET ACCESS AND ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE INTERNET TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE MULTIPLE SITES AND THEY'RE THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, TESTS TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE A HUMAN.

I'VE HEARD STORIES OF, YOU KNOW, ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED, INCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY.

SO, I THINK THERE ARE -- THERE'S A HUGE QUESTION ABOUT SECOND DOSES, HOW YOU SCHEDULE THAT.

SO, THERE ARE SOME HICCUPS NOW.

OF COURSE, THE -- WHAT THE STATE IS ENCOURAGING EVERYBODY IS PATIENCE, RIGHT?

WE NEED TO WORK THE BUGS OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED, THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THIS.

AND WE ALSO DON'T HAVE AS MANY VACCINES AS WE NEED RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE, SO THE DOSES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE INCREASING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT YOU KNOW, WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE A SYSTEM THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE ENOUGH PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GIVE THE SHOTS THAT IT WILL ALL COME TOGETHER WHEN THE SUPPLIES ARE THERE.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S STILL REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

SO IT'S NOT EXACTLY WORKING AS PLANNED, BUT PEOPLE ARE GETTING DOSES AND MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE -- 600,000-PLUS, PROBABLY 700,000 TODAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN VACCINATED SO THAT'S A GOOD THING, AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

>> I MEAN, AS PART OF THE REAL DILEMMA HERE AND IT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE CRITICAL OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, IS THAT THEY TRY TO PROJECT OPTIMISM ON A SYSTEM THAT IS UNTESTED, UNPROVEN, AND IN MANY WAYS DEFICIENT.

>> AND I'LL BE FRANK.

I DID A ROUNDTABLE ABOUT THIS EVENT YESTERDAY AND I THINK PEOPLE WERE FRUSTRATED THAT THEY WEREN'T GETTING ANSWERS AND THAT I OR WE WEREN'T ASKING HARDER QUESTIONS OR PUSHING THEM MORE, THE ADMINISTRATION, MORE ON THIS.

THE PROBLEM IS, THERE JUST ISN'T A GOOD ANSWER RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT?

I MEAN, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHEN THEY CAN GET VACCINATED.

IT'S JUST NOT THAT SIMPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY.

IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU LIVE, ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

SHOULD THEY HAVE DONE BETTER?

YES.

PROBABLY.

BUT YOU KNOW, LIKE GOVERNOR MURPHY LIKES TO SAY, HERE WE ARE.

WE'RE PUTTING THIS -- HE SAYS, WE'RE BUILDING THE PLANE AS WE'RE FLYING IT.

THIS IS -- IT IS A COMPLEX SYSTEM.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE PLAYING THE HAND WE ARE DEALT.

THAT'S SORT OF THE SITUATION THE STATE IS IN.

>> MONSY ALVARADO, THE CDC SAYS IT'S OKAY FOR YOUNGER KIDS TO GET BACK INTO SCHOOL, BUT A LOT OF TEACHERS SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO GET BACK TO THE SCHOOL UNTIL THEY CAN GET VACCINATED.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR COVERAGE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS?

>> YEAH, I'M HEARING THAT FROM TEACHERS, BUT IT'S ALSO REALLY DIFFICULT.

I MEAN, THERE STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ALLOWED TO SIGN UP FOR THESE VACCINES AND WHEN YOU DO SIGN UP AND HAPPEN TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, IT'S TWO, THREE MONTHS AWAY.

I MEAN, I HAD A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WHERE MY ELDERLY PARENTS WERE -- I JUST WAS ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM AND IT'S NOT UNTIL APRIL, SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ONE FOR THEM, EVEN IF THEY WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

GETTING AN APPOINTMENT AT THIS POINT, IT'S HARD.

AS WE GET MORE VACCINE TO REALLY FOCUS ON THESE GROUPS LIKE TEACHERS, I CAN'T SEE THEM GOING BACK ANY TIME SOON.

>> SO MUCH FRUSTRATED FOR PARENTS AND A DIVIDE THERE BECAUSE SOME PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR KIDS TO GO BACK INTO THE ALA CLASSROOM SO THAT THEY CAN GO TO WORK AND DO WHAT THEY GOT TO DO TO MAKE A LIVING AND THEN OTHER PARENTS WHO HAVE IT A BIT EASIER WHERE THEY CAN WORK AT HOME AND HAVE THE KIDS BE AT HOME, ARE YOU SEEING A LOT OF THAT DICHOTOMY THERE?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S HARD.

I MEAN, WE'VE SEEN MORE WOMEN LEAVE THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND HAVING TO STAY HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN.

IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, I SPEAK TO -- THESE ARE WORKERS WHO WORK IN NAIL SALONS AND A LOT OF MOMS HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR JOBS, MAKING IT REALLY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING A LOT OF MONEY AND SOMEHOW TRYING TO SURVIVE.

I'VE SPOKEN TO A FAMILY WHO'S GOT A CHILD WITH ASTHMA, SO SHE'S REALLY AFRAID OF GOING BACK TO WORK BECAUSE SHE NEEDS TO BE AT HOME WITH HER KIDS WHILE THEY'RE GOING TO SCHOOL BUT EVEN THE THOUGHT OF HER CHILD GOING BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ASTHMA AND NOT HAVING VACCINE AVAILABLE TO THEM AT THIS POINT, IT REALLY, REALLY IS DIFFICULT FOR MANY FAMILIES.

>> TRACY, THE ABUSES THAT THE EDNAMAN PRISON HAVE PROMPTED A CALL FOR CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER MARCUS HICKS TO BE FIRED AND FOR THE FEDS TO TAKE OVER THERE.

CAN YOU UPDATE US A LITTLE BIT ON THAT?

>> WELL, THANKFULLY, WE KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON THERE.

I THINK WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE 32 PEOPLE HAVE NOW BEEN SUSPENDED, 22 OFFICERS, AND NINE SUPERVISORS AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRISON.

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A LONG -- IT'S A PRISON WITH A STORIED, SORDID HISTORY.

IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH IN ADDITION TO THE COMMISSIONER, HEAD OF THE -- THE PRISON COMMISSIONER HAS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY IN OVERSEEING WHAT HAPPENS AT PRISONS, SO I THINK SOME PEOPLE WERE POSITING TO ME YESTERDAY THAT, YOU KNOW, HICKS BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY, BUT CERTAINLY NOT ALL.

AND IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TIMELINE OF THE -- LIKE THE EARLIER D.O.J.

REPORT, RELATED TO THE SEXUAL ASSAULTS THERE, THAT ACTUALLY SINCE 2018, IT HAD SHOWN SOME DEGREE OF IMPROVEMENT, WHICH I GUESS YOU COULD SAY WAS UNDER HICKS' WATCH.

>> AS WE SIT HERE, THE GOVERNOR HAS THREATENED TO VETO CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT IF HE DOES THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START ALL OVER.

LILO STATEN, THE PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING THEIR GUMMIES.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YEAH, I DON'T BLAME THE PEOPLE.

I HAVE TO ADMIT I HAVE NOT COVERED THIS THAT CLOSELY BUT HERE'S FROM A SORT OF COUPLE STEPS BACK, I HAVE TO SEE, I AM SHOCKED THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS DONE.

NOW, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE DETAILS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT AND THE POINTS THAT VARIOUS SENATORS ARE RAISING, YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING RIGHT NOW IS THE ISSUE OF WHAT TO DO WITH YOUTH WHO ARE ARRESTED WITH CERTAIN, YOU KNOW, LESSER AMOUNTS OF POT OR CAUGHT, I SHOULD SAY, NOT ARRESTED, BUT CAUGHT.

YOU KNOW, HOW COULD THEY HAVE NOT AT LEAST CREATED A FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS THESE QUESTIONS, A WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS?

THIS IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES.

YOU KNOW, THEY MAKE NO DEALS.

NO OFFENSE.

I THEY GET STUFF DONE.

THEY COMPROMISE, THEY WORK TOGETHER, THEY FIGURE IT OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

I MEAN, THEY KICKED IT TO THE VOTERS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE DETAILS RIGHT, AND NOW HERE WE ARE BACK AGAIN.

IT'S ON THEIR PLATE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY A SHAME.

I MEAN, YOU CAN BLAME THE PANDEMIC FOR TAKING SORT OF THE AIR -- THE HOT AIR OUT OF THAT CONVERSATION AND MOVING THE FOCUS ELSEWHERE, BUT YOU KNOW, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH LEGALIZATION OR NOT, THERE'S -- THERE IS NOW A REQUIREMENT ON THE TABLE TO DO SOMETHING, AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT'S NOT -- IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING DONE FOR -- AND YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR GETS UP THERE AND REPEATS THESE SORT OF TWO VERY CLEAR PREMISES THAT HE HAS THAT I'M GUESSING TELEGRAPH SOME MEANING TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT, BUT IF YOU'RE AT HOME WAITING FOR YOUR GUMMIES, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE JUST GETTING ANGRY.

SO, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS HELPING THE STATE.

>> THAT'S ALL THE ROUNDTABLE WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANKS TO OUR GUEST HOLLY SCHEPISI AND OUR PANEL, MONSY ALVARADO, TRACY TULLY, AND LILO STATEN.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT, INCLUDING NJ BUSINESS BEAT CHAT BOX AND NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

FOR ALL THE CREW HERE, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS 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 SINCE 1954.