The Edge for MARCH 2019
New Jersey’s Most Seasoned Reporters Preview What’s Ahead in NJ
It has become a popular tradition at the annual Walk to Washington for the N.J. Chamber of Commerce to present a panel of news reporters, some of whom have covered New Jersey politics for decades, to offer a candid look at the direction the state is headed - the good, the bad and the ugly.
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| Michael Aron Chief Political Correspondent, NJTV | David Cruz Senior Statehouse Correspondent, NJTV News | Anjalee Khemlani Managing Editor, ROI-NJ |
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| Herb Jackson Transportation Reporter, The Record, CQ/Roll Call | Jonathan D. Salant Washington Correspondent, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger | Stacie Sherman New Jersey Bureau Chief, Bloomberg News |
This year’s roundtable, held on March 1, and moderated by NJTV’s Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron, featured a preview of the state’s looming budget battle; an analysis of the marijuana issue; the chances of Senate President Steve Sweeney challenging Gov. Murphy for the Governor’s office; and a look at Sen. Cory Booker’s run for President.
‘Tax Phobia’ and the State Budget
The panel noted that there was much talk by business leaders at the Walk to Washington about the prospect of tax increases in next year’s state budget. “Tax phobia has probably reached a new high in New Jersey,” said Michael Aron, who has covered Trenton politics for 36 years.
“It’s like a four-letter word – tax,” said David Cruz, a senior correspondent NJTV. “It’s very convenient for people to throw around those words when they are paying too much in tax or think they are paying too much in taxes.”
Stacie Sherman, the New Jersey Bureau Chief at Bloomberg News, said, “At this point, New Jerseyans just want to pay lower taxes.”
Jonathan Salant, Washington Correspondent for NJ Advance Media and The Star-Ledger, noted “there is a three-letter word: fee.” Politicians, he explained, must “avoid a tax revolt.”
So what taxes and fees may be raised in New Jersey next fiscal year, which begins July 1?
Anjalee Khemlani, managing editor at ROI-NJ, said the governor likely will expand the income tax hike on the state’s highest earners so it applies to more taxpayers. Before the budget process is over this summer, there may also be talk of restoring the sales tax to 7 percent from the current 6.6265 percent, Khemlani said.
“I agree but Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin are against it,” Aron said.
“The governor has also said there would be significant savings in the budget and that puzzled me,” Aron added.
Sherman said the governor is likely alluding to savings from reducing the cost of health benefits for public employees. Khemlani suggested that revenue from legalizing recreational marijuana may also make it in to the state budget.
Recreational Marijuana on the Ballot?
The panel discussed the prospect of a referendum question on the November ballot on whether New Jersey should legalize recreational marijuana, as has been proposed by a pair of lawmakers.
“It gives cover to lawmakers who don’t want legalization on their record,” Cruz said. But it’s risky, he added. “If it goes to ballot, chances are 50-50 that it wouldn’t pass,” he said. “When you leave it to voters, voters can be unpredictable.”
And passage is only part of the process, Sherman said. “You still have to figure out the level of taxation, regulations and the expungement issue.”
In yet another development: Sen. Booker proposed the legalization of recreational marijuana on a national level. “That gives the state a blueprint,” Aron said. “Still, for the state, it (would be) only $90 million in revenue.”
Will Senate President Sweeney Challenge Murphy?
There was chatter on the Walk about the prospect of Senate President Sweeney waging a challenge for governor.
“I think there is a good chance,” Sherman said. “Sweeney is putting himself out there, doing town hall meetings and showing how he is different than Murphy.”
Aron said it could come down to Murphy’s popularity. “Look at polls,” Aron said. “If Murphy looks vulnerable, that may tempt Sweeney. If he looks formidable, he may hold off.”
Can Sen. Booker Win The White House?
Sen. Booker (D-NJ), the presidential candidate that embraces love, has a challenging road to the White House, but panelists said the possibility of a President Booker is not out of the question.
“All the bigger names – Biden, Bloomberg, Bernie – joining the race seems to make things harder for Booker,” Aron said. “Further, voters may be freaked out by a candidate who leans to the left to counter Trump.”
However, a President Booker “would not be impossible,” Cruz said. “He is well known, he grabs an audience, and he has a strong social media presence.”
Booker’s strong oratory skills help him too, Sherman said. “But he speaks like he is delivering a church sermon,” Sherman said. “As this gets going, he will need to talk more policy and more specifics.”
Salant suggested Booker may not have to worry about Biden and Bloomberg. “Biden ran for president twice, very badly. As for Bloomberg, do voters want a former Republican in this climate?”
The question is; Salant asked, “What is Booker’s lane (to the White House)?”
Aron: “Can his lane be the ‘Positive Candidate’?”
Cruz: “Our first questions to him will be. ‘Can man live on love alone? Can a cynical electorate embrace love?’ I don’t want to say no!”
