WEBVTT 00:01.866 --> 00:04.700 >>> THE FUTURE OF ATLANTIC CITY AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE TOP OUR 00:04.700 --> 00:06.700 AGENDA. 00:06.700 --> 00:09.266 >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH MICHAEL ARON IS 00:09.266 --> 00:12.966 PROVIDED BY -- PSE&G. 00:12.966 --> 00:15.533 SERVING CUSTOMERS, STRENGTHENING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND 00:15.533 --> 00:18.933 INVESTING IN NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE. 00:18.933 --> 00:20.333 ATLANTIC CITY. 00:20.333 --> 00:21.500 DO ANYTHING. 00:21.500 --> 00:23.466 DO EVERYTHING. 00:23.466 --> 00:25.166 VISIT DO ATLANTIC CITY.COM. 00:25.166 --> 00:27.466 AND DO AC. 00:27.466 --> 00:32.233 PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE." 00:32.233 --> 00:37.066 THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY 00:37.066 --> 00:39.066 ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE 00:39.066 --> 00:54.000 LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954. 00:54.000 --> 00:57.133 >>> WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE." 00:57.133 --> 01:00.833 WE'RE COMING TO YOU THIS WEEK FROM HARRAH'S HOTEL AND CASINO 01:00.833 --> 01:04.033 IN ATLANTIC CITY WHERE THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT 01:04.033 --> 01:07.733 COUNCIL HAS BEEN HOSTING A DAY OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON POLICY 01:07.733 --> 01:09.433 ISSUES. 01:09.433 --> 01:12.000 WE HAVE FOUR REPORTERS HERE THIS WEEK. 01:12.000 --> 01:15.400 TWO OF WHOM COVER ATLANTIC CITY ALL THE TIME. 01:15.400 --> 01:17.966 TWO OF WHOM MADE THE LONG DRIVE DOWN FROM NORTH JERSEY TO BE 01:17.966 --> 01:21.400 WITH US. 01:21.400 --> 01:24.800 STARTING WITH NICK ACOCELLA OF POLITIFAX. 01:24.800 --> 01:26.266 THE WEEKLY POLITICAL NEWSLETTER. 01:26.266 --> 01:28.266 SUZETTE PARMLEY OF THE "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" WHO WAS 01:28.266 --> 01:31.033 AT THE STATEHOUSE YEARS AGO AND NOW COVERS ATLANTIC CITY. 01:31.033 --> 01:33.600 DEREK HARPER OF THE "ATLANTIC CITY PRESS." 01:33.600 --> 01:37.000 ALSO AT THE STATEHOUSE A FEW YEARS AGO AND NOW FOCUSING ON 01:37.000 --> 01:38.433 ATLANTIC CITY. 01:38.433 --> 01:41.833 AND MY FRIEND JOHN MOONEY FROM NJSPOTLIGHT.COM. 01:41.833 --> 01:44.966 THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. 01:44.966 --> 01:49.233 LET'S START WITH ATLANTIC CITY SINCE WE'RE IN ATLANTIC CITY. 01:49.233 --> 01:53.233 AND THERE WAS BIG NEWS IN ATLANTIC CITY THIS WEEK, NAMELY, 01:53.233 --> 01:56.933 THAT REVEL CASINO, THE PROJECT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE 01:56.933 --> 01:58.633 HANGING THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY ON, ANNOUNCED IT WAS DECLARING 01:58.633 --> 02:03.433 CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY. 02:03.433 --> 02:06.666 MIDWEEK THIS WEEK. 02:06.666 --> 02:08.933 SUZETTE, IS THAT A TERRIBLE THING? 02:08.933 --> 02:10.100 MAYBE A BAD THING? 02:10.100 --> 02:11.433 MAYBE A GOOD THING? 02:11.433 --> 02:12.566 HOW SHOULD WE VIEW THAT? 02:12.566 --> 02:15.300 >> THERE'S NO WAY TO SAY IT'S A GOOD THING, ESPECIALLY FOR 02:15.300 --> 02:16.366 ATLANTIC CITY. 02:16.366 --> 02:20.366 AND GOVERNOR CHRISTIE PEGGED THIS PROJECT, $2.4 BILLION, THE 02:20.366 --> 02:23.766 MOST EXPENSIVE EVER BUILT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY, AS A 02:23.766 --> 02:28.933 GAME-CHANGER FOR THE CITY TO MAKE IT AN OVERNIGHT 02:28.933 --> 02:28.666 AND AS THOSE PLANS TANK THERE'S A FIVE-YEAR OVERHAUL, AND, OF 02:28.666 --> 02:37.266 DESTINATION. 02:37.266 --> 02:38.533 COURSE, THE ADMINISTRATION THAT STARTED LAST YEAR. 02:38.533 --> 02:41.433 AND REVEL'S PROBLEMS ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE FUTURE OF 02:41.433 --> 02:44.633 THAT OVERHAUL AND THE DIRECTION IT'S GOING TO GO FOR THE CITY. 02:44.633 --> 02:46.500 >> DEREK, HOW DO YOU SEE IT? 02:46.500 --> 02:51.466 >> MORE OR LESS THE SAME WAY. 02:51.466 --> 02:53.100 IT'S SUCH A HUGE PROJECT. 02:53.100 --> 02:59.666 SO CENTRAL TO THE DIRECTION THAT ATLANTIC CITY PEOPLE WANT TO GO 02:59.666 --> 03:04.400 IN THAT TO SEE A BANKRUPTCY OF THIS SIZE IS JUST -- ALTHOUGH A 03:04.400 --> 03:09.333 LOT OF THIS IS STILL GOING TO COME OUT WHEN THE PAPERS ARE 03:09.333 --> 03:11.333 ACTUALLY FILED NEXT MONTH. 03:11.333 --> 03:16.166 ALL THE DETAILS AND SEE ALL THE NITTY-GRITTY OF WHO IS GETTING 03:16.166 --> 03:18.866 PAID, WHO IS NOT GETTING PAID AND WHO IS GOING TO HAVE 03:18.866 --> 03:20.300 PROBLEMS AND WHO IS NOT. 03:20.300 --> 03:21.933 BUT I AGREE WITH SUZETTE. 03:21.933 --> 03:28.433 A LOT OF THIS IS KIND OF HARD FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SAY IT'S A 03:28.433 --> 03:29.566 GOOD THING. 03:29.566 --> 03:32.733 >> THERE WAS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT DAY 03:32.733 --> 03:36.633 SAYING THIS IS GOOD THAT THE INVESTORS ARE WILLING TO 03:36.633 --> 03:40.800 BASICALLY DOUBLE DOWN ON ATLANTIC CITY INSTEAD OF SHUT 03:40.800 --> 03:41.800 THE DOORS. 03:41.800 --> 03:46.833 THAT WAS PUTTING A BEST FACE ON A NEGATIVE SET OF FACTS, WOULD 03:46.833 --> 03:50.300 YOU SAY? 03:50.300 --> 03:49.466 I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE EVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD JUST SHUT THE 03:49.466 --> 03:54.866 >> OF COURSE. 03:54.866 --> 03:56.466 DOORS ENTIRELY. 03:56.466 --> 03:58.233 THERE'S STILL A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN. 03:58.233 --> 04:04.066 EVEN WITH ALL THE DEBT THAT IT HAD, IT STILL HAD -- STILL IS A 04:04.066 --> 04:04.800 GREAT PLACE. 04:04.800 --> 04:05.933 IT'S STILL BRAND NEW. 04:05.933 --> 04:10.866 IT'S STILL HAS A LOT OF THINGS GOING FOR IT. 04:10.866 --> 04:16.800 IT STILL HAS $261 MILLION IN POTENTIAL TAX CREDITS THAT WILL 04:16.800 --> 04:21.400 BE COMING OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS, SHOULD IT PROCEED. 04:21.400 --> 04:27.233 SO IT'S NOT AS IF IT'S JUST -- IT COMPLETELY IS WITHOUT ANY 04:27.233 --> 04:28.133 OPTIONS GOING FORWARD. 04:28.133 --> 04:31.700 >> LET ME STAY WITH THOSE OF YOU WHO COVER ATLANTIC CITY FOR A 04:31.700 --> 04:32.900 MINUTE. 04:32.900 --> 04:38.000 WAS THERE SOMETHING CONCEPTUALLY WRONG WITH HOW REVEL PRESENTED 04:38.000 --> 04:39.500 ITSELF IN THIS MARKET? 04:39.500 --> 04:44.900 I'VE HEARD SAID THAT MAYBE IT WAS TOO BIG AND SET A BAR TOO 04:44.900 --> 04:48.366 HIGH IN TERMS OF PRICING. 04:48.366 --> 04:49.633 THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES. 04:49.633 --> 04:50.600 WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? 04:50.600 --> 04:52.200 >> THREE THINGS. 04:52.200 --> 04:53.066 WRONG PLACE. 04:53.066 --> 04:53.733 WRONG TIME. 04:53.733 --> 04:54.533 WRONG CONCEPT. 04:54.533 --> 04:55.900 >> WRONG PLACE? 04:55.900 --> 04:56.933 >> WRONG PLACE? 04:56.933 --> 04:58.833 WRONG PART OF THE CITY OR WRONG CITY? 04:58.833 --> 05:03.300 >> ATLANTIC CITY RIGHT NOW IS BASICALLY SATURATED BY 05:03.300 --> 05:05.400 COMPETITION FROM SURROUNDING STATES. 05:05.400 --> 05:10.100 I THINK REVEL WOULD HAVE DONE SPECTACULAR ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO. 05:10.100 --> 05:12.966 2002, VERSUS 2012. 05:12.966 --> 05:16.966 THE BIGGEST REASON PROBABLY IS MY STATE, PENNSYLVANIA, NOW HAS 05:16.966 --> 05:18.100 11 CASINOS. 05:18.100 --> 05:21.933 IT BUILT 11 CASINOS IN SIX YEARS, NEXT TO ATLANTIC CITY'S 05:21.933 --> 05:25.600 12 CASINOS THAT HAVE BUILT UP THIS INDUSTRY OVER 30 YEARS. 05:25.600 --> 05:28.800 AND LAST MONTH, THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA BECAME THE SECOND 05:28.800 --> 05:32.466 LARGEST GAMBLING REVENUE IN THE COUNTRY NEXT TO LAS VEGAS, 05:32.466 --> 05:33.566 SURPASSING ATLANTIC CITY. 05:33.566 --> 05:35.466 WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME. 05:35.466 --> 05:36.666 TOO MUCH COMPETITION. 05:36.666 --> 05:37.700 TOO MUCH SUPPLY. 05:37.700 --> 05:39.100 NOT ENOUGH DEMAND. 05:39.100 --> 05:45.300 AND THE CONCEPT, IT'S INFINITELY FLAWED ACCORDING TO -- YOU TALK 05:45.300 --> 05:47.566 TO GAMBLERS. 05:47.566 --> 05:49.800 THEY DON'T ALLOW SMOKING. 05:49.800 --> 05:52.500 IT'S COMPLETELY NONSMOKING, THE FIRST IN THE CITY OF ATLANTIC 05:52.500 --> 05:55.166 CITY TO SAY WE'RE 100% NONSMOKING. 05:55.166 --> 05:56.033 IT'S NONUNION. 05:56.033 --> 05:56.966 IT'S SPRAWLING. 05:56.966 --> 06:02.033 IT'S 6.3 MILLION SQUARE FEET AND RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU HAVE 11 06:02.033 --> 06:04.600 CASINOS IN PENNSYLVANIA, YOU HAVE THEM IN MARYLAND IN 06:04.600 --> 06:07.700 DELAWARE, THE BIGGEST QUESTION TO PEOPLE IS, DO YOU NEED ALL 06:07.700 --> 06:08.633 THIS OTHER STUFF? 06:08.633 --> 06:13.300 WHEN I CAN DRIVE, YOU KNOW, TEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND PLAY A 06:13.300 --> 06:14.166 SLOT MACHINE? 06:14.166 --> 06:17.033 THAT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST IMPEDIMENT TO ATLANTIC CITY 06:17.033 --> 06:16.533 >> SO, DEREK IS THERE A HUGE SENSE OF PESSIMISM HANGING OVER 06:16.533 --> 06:20.533 RIGHT NOW. 06:20.533 --> 06:22.500 THIS CITY RIGHT NOW OR NOT? 06:22.500 --> 06:24.900 >> OH, IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO. 06:24.900 --> 06:29.400 THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSER TO THE PROJECT OR THE WALL STREET 06:29.400 --> 06:32.866 PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PESSIMISTIC ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY 06:32.866 --> 06:36.066 AND THE FUTURE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AT LEAST. 06:36.066 --> 06:40.633 >> DIDN'T THEY PUT UP MOST OF THE MONEY FOR REVEL? 06:40.633 --> 06:47.533 >> THE ANALYSTS, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY -- WHAT SUZETTE SAID ABOUT 06:47.533 --> 06:50.466 THE OVERSUPPLY. 06:50.466 --> 06:56.666 BUT, ALSO, ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY'S -- IT HAS 06:56.666 --> 07:01.200 HOPED TO BE A DESTINATION MARKET FOR YEARS. 07:01.200 --> 07:05.566 I REMEMBER READING STORIES IN THE PRESS FROM THE '80s WHERE IT 07:05.566 --> 07:09.466 REALIZED IT NEEDED TO BECOME THIS DESTINATION RESORT INSTEAD 07:09.466 --> 07:13.700 OF BEING A COLLECTION OF CASINOS THAT ARE MORE ALONG THE LINES OF 07:13.700 --> 07:15.366 THE LAS VEGAS LOCAL CASINOS. 07:15.366 --> 07:16.633 >> HAS IT EVER DONE THAT? 07:16.633 --> 07:20.200 HAS IT BECOME THAT DESTINATION RESORT OR IT NEVER MADE IT? 07:20.200 --> 07:25.866 >> REVEL IS THE -- IS THE STRONGEST PUSH OR THE BORGATA TO 07:25.866 --> 07:26.866 A CERTAIN EXTENT AS WELL. 07:26.866 --> 07:30.366 BUT THE REVEL IS -- THE STRONGEST PUSH TOWARDS THAT 07:30.366 --> 07:30.300 THEY REBRANDED THEIR WHOLE SECTION OF THE CITY. 07:30.300 --> 07:32.933 GOAL. 07:32.933 --> 07:37.333 IT USED TO BE CALLED THE SOUTH INLET. 07:37.333 --> 07:41.100 YOU DRIVE INTO ATLANTIC CITY AND THE SIGNS DON'T SAY SOUTH INLET. 07:41.100 --> 07:42.166 THEY SAY REVEL BEACH. 07:42.166 --> 07:45.166 THEY SAY -- THEY GOT ROADS WIDENED. 07:45.166 --> 07:46.600 THEY GOT PATHWAYS CLEARED. 07:46.600 --> 07:48.933 THEY GOT ALL THIS STUFF DONE FOR THEM. 07:48.933 --> 07:50.833 YOU HAD HUGE UTILITY UPGRADES. 07:50.833 --> 07:54.133 ALL THIS STUFF NEEDED TO BRING TO THIS. 07:54.133 --> 07:58.633 THIS IS AN AREA THAT HAD BEEN LARGELY DEMOLISHED IN THE LATE 07:58.633 --> 08:00.000 '60s. 08:00.000 --> 08:05.500 AND A BANKRUPTCY OF THAT -- AFTER ALL THAT HOPE AND ALL THAT 08:05.500 --> 08:07.300 DREAM IT DOESN'T HAVE VERY GOOD CONCLUSIONS. 08:07.300 --> 08:12.300 >> THERE WERE A BUNCH OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS HERE THIS MORNING AT 08:12.300 --> 08:17.200 THIS CONFERENCE IN WHICH LEGISLATORS FROM THIS AREA 08:17.200 --> 08:22.666 EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT INTERNET WAGERING, SPORTS BETTING AND 08:22.666 --> 08:29.433 MOBILE PHONE WAGERING AND IN THE CASE OF BORGATA, IN-ROOM 08:29.433 --> 08:33.566 GAMBLING WOULD BE A LIFE LINE FOR THIS INDUSTRY IN THIS CITY. 08:33.566 --> 08:38.733 NICK, YOU COVERED THE SPORTS BETTING TRIAL COURT HEARING UP 08:38.733 --> 08:39.566 IN TRENTON? 08:39.566 --> 08:40.800 WAS IT IN TRENTON? 08:40.800 --> 08:42.066 >> FEDERAL COURT IN TRENTON. 08:42.066 --> 08:43.866 >> A WEEK AGO. 08:43.866 --> 08:48.233 SOME HEAVY HITTERS REPRESENTING BOTH SIDES. 08:48.233 --> 08:51.633 WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON SPORTS BETTING, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO 08:51.633 --> 08:50.900 >> ASIDE FROM THE SHOW OF THE TRIAL COURT, WHICH IS NOT GOING 08:50.900 --> 08:56.466 SUCCEED OR NOT? 08:56.466 --> 08:57.700 TO MEAN MUCH -- 08:57.700 --> 09:00.333 >> LET ME FLESH IT OUT. 09:00.333 --> 09:02.666 ARGUING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BAN ON SPORTS 09:02.666 --> 09:03.100 BETTING WAS -- 09:03.100 --> 09:05.300 >> THE STATE IS CHALLENGE -- 09:05.300 --> 09:07.966 >> ATTORNEY PAUL FISHMAN OF NEW JERSEY AND ARGUING FOR THE STATE 09:07.966 --> 09:12.033 OF NEW JERSEY WAS OLSON, THE FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL WHO HAS 09:12.033 --> 09:14.500 BEEN INVOLVED IN NATIONAL POLITICAL STORIES. 09:14.500 --> 09:16.866 >> WHO WAS REALLY INCREDIBLE TO WATCH UP THERE. 09:16.866 --> 09:21.466 BUT MY IMPRESSION WAS THAT -- HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO LAST? 09:21.466 --> 09:25.300 EVEN IF WE WIN AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO WIN FOR SEVERAL YEARS 09:25.300 --> 09:27.100 BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT. 09:27.100 --> 09:30.733 EVEN IF WE WIN IT'S NOT GOING TO SAY, WELL, ENGINE IS ALLOWED TO 09:30.733 --> 09:31.300 DO IT. 09:31.300 --> 09:32.466 EVERYONE IS ALLOWED TO DO IT. 09:32.466 --> 09:35.166 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK TO 09:35.166 --> 09:36.033 SAY, WE'RE IN, TOO. 09:36.033 --> 09:40.333 SO THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED WITH CASINOS IS GOING TO HAPPEN 09:40.333 --> 09:42.800 WITH SPORTS BETTING, ONLY QUICKER. 09:42.800 --> 09:44.600 >> JOHN, YOU COVER THE STATE. 09:44.600 --> 09:51.233 YOU HAVE A HANDLE ON THE STATEWIDE ISSUES AND THE 09:51.233 --> 09:50.966 WHAT'S YOUR VIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE THESE DAYS? 09:50.966 --> 09:54.300 LANDSCAPE. 09:54.300 --> 09:58.066 >> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK -- I VIEW A LOT OF THE POLITICS OF 09:58.066 --> 10:01.200 IT, AND WE ARE GOING INTO A -- I KNOW WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS. 10:01.200 --> 10:05.466 WE'RE GOING INTO AN ELECTION WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS PRETTY 10:05.466 --> 10:09.666 AGGRESSIVE AGENDA ON A BUNCH OF THINGS IS GOING TO BE UP FOR THE 10:09.666 --> 10:09.566 AND THIS WAS A BIG PUSH HE MADE. 10:09.566 --> 10:12.933 VOTERS. 10:12.933 --> 10:19.633 CLEARLY TRYING TO SAVE A CITY THAT, YOU KNOW, FROM DEMISE AND 10:19.633 --> 10:25.800 THROWING SANDY IN THERE AS WELL HAS CERTAINLY A BIG TWIST TO HIS 10:25.800 --> 10:25.533 BUT -- AND THIS ISN'T GOING WELL. 10:25.533 --> 10:28.900 STORY. 10:28.900 --> 10:30.500 HE ALSO HAS THIS ISSUE. 10:30.500 --> 10:34.433 UP IN THE NORTH -- NORTH COUNTRY, WE HAVE THE 10:34.433 --> 10:34.300 AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WHICH HE IS VOWING TO PUT A LOT OF MONEY 10:34.300 --> 10:38.666 MEADOWLANDS. 10:38.666 --> 10:39.100 INTO. 10:39.100 --> 10:42.000 AND, OBVIOUSLY, NOT A CASINO. 10:42.000 --> 10:45.233 BUT THIS WAY OF SPURRING DEVELOPMENT AND SPURRING, YOU 10:45.233 --> 10:48.600 KNOW, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AT LEAST HIS WAYS OF DOING IT, THESE ARE 10:48.600 --> 10:50.733 PROBABLY THE TWO BIGGEST TROPHIES. 10:50.733 --> 10:53.866 AND I WOULDN'T SAY THEY HAVE MUCH OF A SHINE ON THEM RIGHT 10:53.866 --> 10:53.633 >> AUTHORIZE MAYOR'S RACE HERE IN ATLANTIC CITY THIS YEAR, I 10:53.633 --> 10:57.166 NOW. 10:57.166 --> 10:57.966 BELIEVE, CORRECT? 10:57.966 --> 11:03.666 THE INCUMBENT, LORENZO LANGFORD IS BEING CHALLENGED BY 11:03.666 --> 11:08.066 FREEHOLDER CHARLES GARRETT WHO WAS AT THIS CONFERENCE LAST 11:08.066 --> 11:07.933 AND MAKING THE ROUNDS AND TRYING TO GET HIMSELF KNOWN AND HAD A 11:07.933 --> 11:11.200 NIGHT. 11:11.200 --> 11:14.233 GOOD LINE. 11:14.233 --> 11:16.733 HE SAID ATLANTIC CITY HAS A TOURISM DISTRICT. 11:16.733 --> 11:19.133 IT DOESN'T NEED A TERRORISM DISTRICT. 11:19.133 --> 11:21.400 I GUESS THAT WAS A COMMENT ON CRIME IN THE CITY. 11:21.400 --> 11:26.700 DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST LANGFORD? 11:26.700 --> 11:30.266 >> UH -- 11:30.266 --> 11:33.900 >> I THINK YOUR COMMENT ANSWERS THE QUESTION. 11:33.900 --> 11:37.500 >> LANGFORD WON HIS LAST ELECTION WITH 60% OF THE VOTE 11:37.500 --> 11:39.433 WITH TWO OTHER OPPONENTS. 11:39.433 --> 11:42.766 AND THEY WERE TWO CREDIBLE OPPONENTS. 11:42.766 --> 11:48.933 THIS YEAR, HE FACES CHARLES GARRETT WHO THE ATLANTIC COUNTY 11:48.933 --> 11:52.266 DEMOCRATS ARE UNHAPPY WITH MAYOR LANGFORD BECAUSE SOME OF THE 11:52.266 --> 11:54.300 THINGS HE'S DONE IN THE PAST. 11:54.300 --> 12:00.133 HE'S MORE OR LESS -- SENATOR WHALEN'S SWORN MORTAL ENEMY FOR 12:00.133 --> 12:01.566 FIGHTS THAT GO BACK 20 YEARS. 12:01.566 --> 12:07.200 BUT AT THIS POINT, HE IN THE LAST RACE, HE SIDED WITH THE 12:07.200 --> 12:14.633 REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLYMAN VINCE PAULISTINA AGAINST DEMOCRAT JIM 12:14.633 --> 12:14.500 HE INITIALLY EVEN JUMPED IN THE RACE AS AN INDEPENDENT, JUMPING 12:14.500 --> 12:17.266 WHALEN. 12:17.266 --> 12:22.266 OUT IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN SUPPORTING PAULISTINA. 12:22.266 --> 12:26.700 EVEN GOING SO FAR AS TO HOLD FUND-RAISERS AN EVENT FOR HIM IN 12:26.700 --> 12:29.600 ATLANTIC CITY JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION. 12:29.600 --> 12:32.100 PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO SAY HE MAY NOT GET THE ENDORSEMENT. 12:32.100 --> 12:37.400 AND THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED IN 2005, HE DIDN'T GET THE 12:37.400 --> 12:42.233 ENDORSEMENT AND HE LOST THE PRIMARY WHICH IN ATLANTIC CITY 12:42.233 --> 12:44.700 WITH THE HEAVY DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION, IS ESSENTIALLY THE 12:44.700 --> 12:44.500 BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH OF A PUSH CHARLES GARRETT 12:44.500 --> 12:48.466 RACE. 12:48.466 --> 12:50.466 CAN PUSH AROUND THE CITY. 12:50.466 --> 12:53.000 HIS SON WORKED WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. 12:53.000 --> 12:55.766 THERE'S ANOTHER CANDIDATE IN THE RACE, DAVIDSON. 12:55.766 --> 13:00.200 A RETIRED ATLANTIC CITY POLICE OFFICER AND FORMER HEAD OF THE 13:00.200 --> 13:04.900 PBA, BUT I'M NOT SURE -- WELL IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH 13:04.900 --> 13:06.033 CITYWIDE PULL HE HAS. 13:06.033 --> 13:09.766 LAST TIME I CHECKED, HE DIDN'T HAVE -- HE WASN'T RUNNING WITH 13:09.766 --> 13:11.666 ANY OTHER CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 13:11.666 --> 13:13.033 IT WAS JUST HIM, HIMSELF. 13:13.033 --> 13:15.566 >> IS IT SAFE TO SAY THE MORE CANDIDATES THERE ARE, THE BETTER 13:15.566 --> 13:16.466 FOR LANGFORD. 13:16.466 --> 13:19.000 IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, HE'S -- 13:19.000 --> 13:20.666 >> YOU COULD ABSOLUTELY SAY THAT. 13:20.666 --> 13:24.266 >> YOU ARE SAYING LANGFORD WON EVEN WITHOUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF 13:24.266 --> 13:24.800 THE -- 13:24.800 --> 13:28.066 >> IN '05, HE DIDN'T GET IT. 13:28.066 --> 13:27.933 HE RETURNED AFTER BOB LEVY FLED AND ALL THAT CRAZINESS HAPPENED. 13:27.933 --> 13:33.766 HE LOST. 13:33.766 --> 13:39.266 AND THEN IN '09, HE -- LANGFORD RAN AND WON AGAIN AND THIS YEAR, 13:39.266 --> 13:41.433 HE'S UP AGAIN. 13:41.433 --> 13:45.800 THERE'S NO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AT THIS POINT, BUT THERE HASN'T 13:45.800 --> 13:49.266 BEEN IN THE PARTISAN ERA OVER THE LAST 10, 15 YEARS, THERE'S 13:49.266 --> 13:53.300 NEVER BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE THAT I'M 13:53.300 --> 13:52.666 MIGHT HAVE BEEN A COUNCIL CANDIDATE BUT NO ONE MAYORAL. 13:52.666 --> 13:58.133 AWARE OF. 13:58.133 --> 13:59.266 >> ARE YOU FOLLOWING THIS ELECTION? 13:59.266 --> 14:00.666 >> I AM TO AN EXTENT. 14:00.666 --> 14:05.666 EVERYTHING IS ALMOST GOING TO BE TIED TO REVEL'S SUCCESS OR 14:05.666 --> 14:07.366 FAILURE ON THE POLITICAL LEVEL, I BELIEVE. 14:07.366 --> 14:12.433 WHEN I CALLED LANGFORD'S OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY FOR A COMMENT ABOUT 14:12.433 --> 14:16.266 HIS REACTION TO REVEL, HE SURPRISE LEAGUE DIDN'T RETURN 14:16.266 --> 14:15.866 >> SURPRISINGLY OR NOT SURPRISINGLY? 14:15.866 --> 14:18.400 THE CALL. 14:18.400 --> 14:22.466 >> WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS THING OPENED APRIL 2nd, HE WAS 14:22.466 --> 14:21.800 LANGFORD WAS AT REVEL, AS WAS I AT 6:00 A.M. 14:21.800 --> 14:28.033 THERE. 14:28.033 --> 14:29.833 THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS ALL THERE. 14:29.833 --> 14:33.800 THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF GOVERNOR 14:33.800 --> 14:36.000 CHRISTIE MAKING REVEL HAPPEN. 14:36.000 --> 14:40.066 PUTTING THAT $261 MILLION FINANCING GAP TO BUILD THIS 14:40.066 --> 14:45.233 THING TO PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF JOBS, 5,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS, 14:45.233 --> 14:47.433 UPWARDS OF 5,000 CASINO JOBS. 14:47.433 --> 14:49.966 THERE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THAT ON THE CASINO JOBS. 14:49.966 --> 14:53.100 BUT THE THING IS A LOT OF CREDIT IS BEING GIVEN -- WAS GIVEN TO 14:53.100 --> 14:55.300 CHRISTIE EIGHT MONTHS AGO FOR MAKING REVEL HAPPEN. 14:55.300 --> 15:00.633 AND NOW, I CAN'T GET ANYBODY TO RETURN A CALL ON WHAT'S GOING ON 15:00.633 --> 15:00.066 SO A LOT OF ITS FAIL SURGOING TO BE POLITICAL AND IT'S GOING TO 15:00.066 --> 15:03.866 WITH REVEL. 15:03.866 --> 15:06.100 HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL, I BELIEVE. 15:06.100 --> 15:07.600 >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FALL. 15:07.600 --> 15:11.566 LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNORS RACE. 15:11.566 --> 15:15.100 QUINNIPIAC POLL CAME OUT THIS WEEK THAT SHOWED CHRIS CHRISTIE 15:15.100 --> 15:19.833 WITH AN APPROVAL RATING, I BELIEVE IT WAS 73% AND SOMETHING 15:19.833 --> 15:24.533 LIKE 77% SAID HE DESERVES RE-ELECTION. 15:24.533 --> 15:29.333 BARBARA BUONO, IN A HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP WITH BARBARA BUONO, IT'S 15:29.333 --> 15:32.466 STILL LIKE 63-20, CHRISTIE. 15:32.466 --> 15:38.533 AND I THINK I READ 83% OF THOSE POLLED DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT 15:38.533 --> 15:41.533 BARBARA BUONO TO FORM AN OPINION. 15:41.533 --> 15:42.900 SO THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE, RIGHT? 15:42.900 --> 15:44.633 OR NOT. 15:44.633 --> 15:45.366 >> ABSOLUTELY. 15:45.366 --> 15:46.833 CAN'T GO UP ANY FURTHER. 15:46.833 --> 15:51.566 >> THE LAST TIME A GOVERNOR HAD THOSE KIND OF NUMBERS WAS 15:51.566 --> 15:52.433 CHRISTY WHITMAN. 15:52.433 --> 15:53.933 >> DID SHE HAVE NUMBERS THAT HIGH? 15:53.933 --> 15:56.300 >> SHE HAD NUMBERS IN THE 70s. 15:56.300 --> 15:59.466 JUST BEFORE SHE NARROWLY BEAT JIM McGREEVEY. 15:59.466 --> 16:00.366 SO THINGS CHANGE. 16:00.366 --> 16:05.333 >> THE DIFFICULTY OF IT IS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CITE THOSE 16:05.333 --> 16:08.833 NUMBERS IN TERMS OF NAME RECOGNITION FOR BARBARA BUONO, 16:08.833 --> 16:10.800 SHE'S GOING TO NEED SOME MONEY TO GET OUT THERE. 16:10.800 --> 16:13.866 AND THOSE KINDS OF NUMBERS ARE GOING TO SCARE OFF MONEY FOR 16:13.866 --> 16:13.766 THIS IS -- THIS IS WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO RIGHT NOW IS RAISE 16:13.766 --> 16:18.466 HER. 16:18.466 --> 16:18.166 BECAUSE THE ELECTION SEASON IS A PRETTY LONG ONE. 16:18.166 --> 16:21.400 MONEY. 16:21.400 --> 16:25.766 SO SHE'S GOT TO HUNKER DOWN AND GET OUT THERE AND BRING SOME 16:25.766 --> 16:26.966 CASH INTO HER CAMPAIGN. 16:26.966 --> 16:30.400 THOSE NUMBERS OUT THERE ARE GOING TO SCARE OFF A LOT OF 16:30.400 --> 16:29.666 >> THERE WAS A STORY ON THE WEBSITE "THE DAILY BEAST," WHICH 16:29.666 --> 16:34.100 POTENTIAL FUNDERS. 16:34.100 --> 16:38.133 I DON'T READ, BUT IT'S GOT PICKED UP BY POLITICKERNJ.COM, 16:38.133 --> 16:43.766 WHICH I DO READ, WHICH MANY OF YOU PROBABLY READ AS WELL, IN 16:43.766 --> 16:51.066 WHICH SEVERAL DEMOCRATS, UNNAMED, WERE SAYING BACK-BITING 16:51.066 --> 16:52.566 THINGS ABOUT BUONO. 16:52.566 --> 16:57.000 ONE OF THEM WAS, WELL, WHEN THE BAR CLOSES AT 2:00 A.M. AND 16:57.000 --> 17:00.300 THERE'S ONLY ONE WOMAN LEFT, SHE LOOKS PRETTY GOOD, TO WHICH A 17:00.300 --> 17:01.033 WOMAN'S GROUP -- 17:01.033 --> 17:04.333 >> YOU DIDN'T READ THAT? 17:04.333 --> 17:05.800 >> I DIDN'T SEE THAT. 17:05.800 --> 17:10.300 >> I THINK NEW JERSEY WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS TOOK -- 17:10.300 --> 17:12.866 >> I WOULD SAY THAT'S OFF THE CHARTS. 17:12.866 --> 17:16.866 >> BUT WHAT THE ARTICLE WAS TRYING TO SIGNAL WAS THAT THERE 17:16.866 --> 17:18.800 IS SORT OF NONUNITY WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC RANKS OVER THIS 17:18.800 --> 17:21.933 NOMINEE. 17:21.933 --> 17:23.966 TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU THINK THAT'S THE CASE? 17:23.966 --> 17:27.700 >> AS JOHN WAS SAYING, I'M NOT -- I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT 17:27.700 --> 17:28.600 FOLLOWING HER CLOSELY. 17:28.600 --> 17:30.700 MY COLLEAGUES IN THE STATEHOUSE ARE. 17:30.700 --> 17:34.000 BUT I THINK HER TWO BIGGEST ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE TIME AND 17:34.000 --> 17:37.033 LACK OF NAME RECOGNITION. 17:37.033 --> 17:39.633 I THINK OUTSIDE HER DISTRICT, NOBODY KNOWS HER. 17:39.633 --> 17:41.333 ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH JERSEY. 17:41.333 --> 17:45.833 WHEN YOU CAN'T GET THE FEATURE RALLY AROUND YOU, SOON ENOUGH OR 17:45.833 --> 17:49.666 FAST ENOUGH, AS TIME TICKS AWAY, YOU HAVE TWO OF THE MOST 17:49.666 --> 17:51.466 EXPLOSIVE MEDIA MARKETS IN THE COUNTRY. 17:51.466 --> 17:52.366 NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA. 17:52.366 --> 17:54.500 THAT'S WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO COME IN. 17:54.500 --> 17:57.266 THE CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE WAS $25 MILLION TO $30 MILLION TO 17:57.266 --> 17:59.333 RUN A SOLID RACE. 17:59.333 --> 18:00.533 THAT'S WHAT SHE'S GOING TO NEED. 18:00.533 --> 18:05.933 AND THE MORE TIME THAT PASSES, YOU KNOW, THE DONORS AND THE 18:05.933 --> 18:08.433 PARTY BOSSES HEDGE ON WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO SUPPORT HER, 18:08.433 --> 18:10.066 TIME IS TICKING AWAY. 18:10.066 --> 18:13.366 >> SHE CAN GET $12 MILLION IF SHE QUALIFIED FOR FEDERAL 18:13.366 --> 18:13.933 MATCHING FUNDS. 18:13.933 --> 18:15.400 I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT $12 MILLION. 18:15.400 --> 18:17.300 BUT THAT'S NOT 25 OR 30. 18:17.300 --> 18:20.100 >> AND HE'S GOING TO -- AND GOVERNOR CHRISTIE IS GOING TO 18:20.100 --> 18:21.233 HAVE GOBS OF MONEY. 18:21.233 --> 18:25.166 HE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, HE'S -- HE DOESN'T EVEN NEED IT BUT HE'S 18:25.166 --> 18:31.100 GOING TO BE ABLE TO REALLY -- ANYTHING HE NEEDS IS GOING TO BE 18:31.100 --> 18:34.766 THERE AND THE ISSUES OF PAY TO PLAY AND SOME NEWS ON HOW SOME 18:34.766 --> 18:39.600 OF THE STATE'S CONTRACTORS ARE GOING THROUGH THE NATIONAL 18:39.600 --> 18:43.633 REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION IN TERMS OF GIVING MONEY TOWARDS 18:43.633 --> 18:44.566 HIS CAMPAIGN. 18:44.566 --> 18:48.233 AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE VERY EASY FOR HIM TO RAISE 18:48.233 --> 18:49.333 MONEY AND SPEND MONEY. 18:49.333 --> 18:53.933 AND IT'S JUST -- IT LOOKS -- I'M NOT GOING TO INVOKE THE NAME OF 18:53.933 --> 18:58.866 PETER SHAPIRO QUITE YET, BUT WHAT HAPPENED, YOU KNOW -- 18:58.866 --> 18:59.800 >> '85. 18:59.800 --> 19:01.066 >> WAS THAT '85? 19:01.066 --> 19:01.833 >> YES. 19:01.833 --> 19:03.600 >> A BLOWOUT. 19:03.600 --> 19:10.733 TOM KEANE GOT 69 SOMETHING OF THE VOTE TO SHAPIRO'S 29% OF THE 19:10.733 --> 19:13.433 VOTE AND BROUGHT A REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY IN WITH HIM. 19:13.433 --> 19:16.533 >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT NEW JERSEY 2013 IS 19:16.533 --> 19:18.366 NOT NEW JERSEY 1985. 19:18.366 --> 19:19.900 IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME PLACE. 19:19.900 --> 19:22.333 IT'S A MUCH MORE DEMOCRATIC STATE. 19:22.333 --> 19:25.733 BUONO IS GOING TO RUN, I BELIEVE, A MORE SAVVY CAMPAIGN. 19:25.733 --> 19:30.100 SHE RECOGNIZES THAT SHE CAN'T OUTSPEND HIM AND SHE'S GOING TO 19:30.100 --> 19:32.933 RUN A LOWER LEVEL GRASSROOTS KIND OF CAMPAIGN. 19:32.933 --> 19:34.766 SHE'S GOT SOME ISSUES ON HER SIDE. 19:34.766 --> 19:44.400 >> SHE WAS ENDORSED THIS WEEK BY GARDEN STATE EQUALITY, THE 19:44.400 --> 19:46.266 SAME-SEX MARRIAGE PROPONENT. 19:46.266 --> 19:48.766 SHE WAS ENDORSED BY THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF NEW 19:48.766 --> 19:52.333 JERSEY, WHICH IS NOT THE SAME AS THE FIREMANS MUTUAL BENEVOLENT 19:52.333 --> 19:56.800 ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS LARGER, BUT WHICH STILL HAS 3500 19:56.800 --> 19:56.600 HOW DO YOU FROM DOWN HERE SEE THIS RACE STACKING UP? 19:56.600 --> 20:00.100 MEMBERS. 20:00.100 --> 20:02.466 >> WELL, I'M INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THE EFFECT WILL BE 20:02.466 --> 20:04.300 ON SOME OF THE LOCAL RACES DOWN HERE. 20:04.300 --> 20:09.833 THE FIRST AND THE SECOND DISTRICT ARE TWO OF THE CLOSEST 20:09.833 --> 20:10.800 IN THE STATE. 20:10.800 --> 20:13.766 JIM WHALEN IS RUNNING IN THE 2nd DISTRICT AND THEY THREW 20:13.766 --> 20:16.100 EVERYTHING AT HIM THE LAST TIME AROUND. 20:16.100 --> 20:19.333 >> AGAINST TWO REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY COLLEAGUES AND HE'S A 20:19.333 --> 20:20.133 DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE. 20:20.133 --> 20:20.700 GO AHEAD. 20:20.700 --> 20:21.933 >> IT'S A SPLIT DISTRICT. 20:21.933 --> 20:23.600 I THINK BOTH ARE TRYING TO PICK IT UP. 20:23.600 --> 20:28.633 I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GAMBLE ON THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND 20:28.633 --> 20:32.833 IF EARLY SIGNS ARE GOING TO BEAR THEMSELVES OUT, ONE OF THE 20:32.833 --> 20:35.833 NASTIEST RACES IN THE RACE. 20:35.833 --> 20:36.533 >> GO AHEAD. 20:36.533 --> 20:37.666 THIS IS FOR YOU. 20:37.666 --> 20:41.266 >> I THINK IT'S ONE OF ONLY TWO SPLIT DISTRICTS IN THE STATE. 20:41.266 --> 20:42.733 I THINK DIANE ALLEN'S. 20:42.733 --> 20:45.533 I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANOTHER ONE. 20:45.533 --> 20:52.666 >> SOME PRESS ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO THE JOE DIVANCENZO 20:52.666 --> 20:55.233 STATE OF THE COUNTY SPEECH. 20:55.233 --> 21:00.400 HE THOUGHT TO BE ONE OF THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL FORCES 21:00.400 --> 21:03.466 IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE STATE. 21:03.466 --> 21:08.900 HE HAD GOVERNOR CHRISTIE AT HIS SPEECH ALONG WITH SENATE 21:08.900 --> 21:13.033 PRESIDENT SWEENEY, SPEAKER OLIVER AND I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER 21:13.033 --> 21:16.133 WHO ELSE BUT ONE OR TWO OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE. 21:16.133 --> 21:17.500 >> CORY BOOKER. 21:17.500 --> 21:19.066 >> CORY BOOKER, THANK YOU. 21:19.066 --> 21:22.333 BUT HE DID NOT HAVE BARBARA BUONO AND THAT LED TO 21:22.333 --> 21:25.400 SPECULATION THAT HE'S REALLY FOR CHRISTIE AND NOT FOR HIS OWN 21:25.400 --> 21:28.300 FELLOW DEMOCRAT, WHICH I THINK HE DISPUTES. 21:28.300 --> 21:29.800 DOES THIS AMOUNT TO ANYTHING? 21:29.800 --> 21:32.100 >> WELL IN THE LONG RUN IT MAY VERY WELL. 21:32.100 --> 21:35.333 IT DEPENDS ON WHAT DIVICENZO DOES. 21:35.333 --> 21:39.466 HE HAS SAID, YOU KNOW, CHRIS CHRISTIE IS THE GRAEFRT THING 21:39.466 --> 21:41.766 SINCE SLICED BREAD BUT HE'S STILL A DEMOCRAT. 21:41.766 --> 21:44.733 LET'S SEE HOW HE FOLLOWS UP ON THAT. 21:44.733 --> 21:50.433 IT IS ALTOGETHER POSSIBLE THAT SUPPRESSING THE NUMBERS AND -- A 21:50.433 --> 21:53.733 REPUBLICAN CAN'T WIN IN ESSEX COUNTY, BUT SUPPRESSING THE 21:53.733 --> 21:56.633 NUMBERS CAN HELP YOU STATEWIDE, AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE 21:56.633 --> 21:57.533 THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. 21:57.533 --> 22:01.200 >> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT? 22:01.200 --> 22:05.500 >> WHEN SWEENEY IS UP THERE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE BIG, YOU KNOW 22:05.500 --> 22:09.066 THERE WAS ONE CAMDEN-BASED DEMOCRAT WHO WASN'T UP THERE, 22:09.066 --> 22:10.833 BUT EVERYONE ELSE WAS THERE AND CHRISTIE. 22:10.833 --> 22:14.900 AND THE FACT THAT BUONO IS NOT THERE, I THINK IT SPEAKS TO -- 22:14.900 --> 22:18.633 YES, THEY ARE GOING TO ENDORSE HER AND THEY ALL HAVE, BUT I 22:18.633 --> 22:19.566 DON'T THINK -- 22:19.566 --> 22:23.300 >> THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO PRETEND IT MATTERS. 22:23.300 --> 22:26.600 BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE MELTED IN ANY OF THEIR MOUTHS IF HE'S UP 22:26.600 --> 22:29.966 THERE SAYING, WELL, SENATOR BUONO HAD A CONFLICT. 22:29.966 --> 22:31.233 THAT'S WHY SHE WASN'T HERE. 22:31.233 --> 22:33.333 AND THIS IS A GOVERNMENT EVENT. 22:33.333 --> 22:35.666 THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL EVENT. 22:35.666 --> 22:37.100 AND YOU HAD TO LAUGH. 22:37.100 --> 22:38.066 >> YEAH. 22:38.066 --> 22:45.166 >> ON TUESDAY, GOVERNOR CHRISTIE DELIVERS HIS BUDGET MESSAGE. 22:45.166 --> 22:47.966 WHAT IS EACH OF YOU LOOKING FOR IN THAT SPEECH? 22:47.966 --> 22:49.700 IS THERE AN ISSUE THAT HANGS OUT? 22:49.700 --> 22:53.033 IS THERE A QUESTION THAT REMAINS TO BE FILLED IN? 22:53.033 --> 22:53.800 ANYBODY? 22:53.800 --> 22:56.166 >> IT'S SANDY, STUPID. 22:56.166 --> 22:57.866 >> AGAIN? 22:57.866 --> 22:58.966 >> NO, STILL. 22:58.966 --> 23:02.566 AND FROM NOW UNTIL NOVEMBER. 23:02.566 --> 23:02.100 >> I'D BE INTERESTED IF HE SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY. 23:02.100 --> 23:05.566 >> DEREK? 23:05.566 --> 23:09.900 I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF HE WOULD. 23:09.900 --> 23:13.700 BECAUSE IN THE GREATER SCHEME OF THINGS, ON A BUDGETARY BASIS, 23:13.700 --> 23:18.300 ATLANTIC CITY ONLY MATTERS TO THE EXTENT THAT IT PROVIDES 23:18.300 --> 23:21.466 MONEY FOR PAD AND SENIOR TRANSPORTATION. 23:21.466 --> 23:24.966 BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT COMES UP. 23:24.966 --> 23:26.100 >> SUZETTE? 23:26.100 --> 23:30.300 >> AS YOU RECALL, HIS STATE OF THE STATE, 99.9% OF IT WAS ON 23:30.300 --> 23:30.166 HE'S GOING TO BE RIDING THE -- SORRY FOR THE PUN, THE SANDY 23:30.166 --> 23:33.700 SANDY. 23:33.700 --> 23:35.133 WAVE THROUGH ELECTION DAY. 23:35.133 --> 23:39.933 AND THAT'S WHY HIS APPROVAL RATINGS RIGHT NOW ARE THROUGH 23:39.933 --> 23:40.933 THE ROOF. 23:40.933 --> 23:44.166 HE WANTS TO -- HE HAS SAID HE WANTS HIS LEGACY TO BE AS THE 23:44.166 --> 23:46.700 GOVERNOR WHO HELPED NEW JERSEY RECOVER FROM SANDY. 23:46.700 --> 23:49.766 SO HE'S GOT A FOUR-YEAR PROJECT IN HIS HANDS. 23:49.766 --> 23:54.466 BUT I THINK WITH THE BUDGET ADDRESS IN TERMS OF THE 23:54.466 --> 23:57.433 GOVERNOR'S RACE AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT, I THINK BUONO 23:57.433 --> 24:02.600 IS GOING TO HIT HIM HARD ON THE STATE'S STILL HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT 24:02.600 --> 24:03.600 RATE, MINIMUM WAGE. 24:03.600 --> 24:06.833 YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE ISSUE WITH PROPERTY TAXES. 24:06.833 --> 24:11.000 SO FOR HIM TO -- I DON'T THINK HE CAN BE A ONE-TRICK PONY NOW 24:11.000 --> 24:11.900 FOR THE BUDGET ADDRESS. 24:11.900 --> 24:13.100 IT CAN'T BE ALL SANDY. 24:13.100 --> 24:16.066 THERE'S OTHER THINGS GOING ON ON PEOPLE'S MINDS. 24:16.066 --> 24:18.733 YOU STILL HAVE THE EFFECTS OF THE RECESSION. 24:18.733 --> 24:21.266 PEOPLE ARE -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL OUT OF WORK. 24:21.266 --> 24:24.366 AND I THINK SHE'S GOING TO COME UP WITH A THEME. 24:24.366 --> 24:28.900 JOBS, MINIMUM WAGE, TO SOLIDIFY THE DEMOCRATIC BASE OF LABOR 24:28.900 --> 24:30.466 UNIONS WHO CARE ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT. 24:30.466 --> 24:32.433 SO I THINK HE HAS TO BRANCH OUT. 24:32.433 --> 24:38.366 AND HE DOES HAVE TO, I THINK, ADDRESS ATLANTIC CITY IN SOME 24:38.366 --> 24:41.233 CAPACITY, GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK, TO SOLIDIFY HIS SOUTH 24:41.233 --> 24:42.400 JERSEY BASE GOING INTO NOVEMBER. 24:42.400 --> 24:44.866 >> JOHN? 24:44.866 --> 24:48.633 >> YEAH, I THINK THE BUDGETS -- HE DOESN'T HAVE MANY, BUT IT'S A 24:48.633 --> 24:49.766 WEAK SPOT FOR HIM. 24:49.766 --> 24:54.400 WE ARE GOING INTO THIS BUDGET WITH A FAIRLY SIZABLE HOLE, 24:54.400 --> 24:53.833 HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURING OUT HOW TO FILL IT IF HE'S GOING 24:53.833 --> 24:58.233 FINANCIAL HOLE. 24:58.233 --> 25:00.500 TO LIVE UP TO PAYING -- CONTRIBUTING TO PENSION AND ALL 25:00.500 --> 25:01.933 THE THINGS HE NEEDS TO DO. 25:01.933 --> 25:05.833 THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY BUDGET. 25:05.833 --> 25:08.366 HE MAY WANT TO TALK ABOUT SANDY, BUT HE HAS SOME HARD DECISIONS 25:08.366 --> 25:09.733 TO MAKE. 25:09.733 --> 25:11.266 A BIG ONE IS SCHOOL FUNDING. 25:11.266 --> 25:12.700 THAT'S ONE-THIRD OF THE BUDGET. 25:12.700 --> 25:13.966 THE STATE'S CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS. 25:13.966 --> 25:17.933 AND HE TOOK A BIG HIT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN HE HAD TO CUT 25:17.933 --> 25:18.866 THAT AID TO SCHOOLS. 25:18.866 --> 25:21.866 AND I DON'T THINK -- I THINK FOR AN ELECTION YEAR, THAT WOULD BE 25:21.866 --> 25:24.100 SOMETHING HE WOULDN'T WANT TO DO. 25:24.100 --> 25:27.766 BUT HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DOLE OUT THAT 25:27.766 --> 25:27.233 >> SCHOOLS IS YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE AND I'M SEEING THERE'S 25:27.233 --> 25:31.733 $9 BILLION. 25:31.733 --> 25:35.666 JOCKEYING GOING ON AROUND SCHOOL FUNDING RIGHT NOW. 25:35.666 --> 25:38.433 IT'S BACK AGAIN, THE ARGUMENT ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE -- WHETHER 25:38.433 --> 25:42.033 HE'S PLANNING TO CUT FROM THE AT-RISK DISTRICTS OR NOT. 25:42.033 --> 25:42.600 IS THAT RIGHT? 25:42.600 --> 25:44.466 >> IT'S NOT QUITE CUTTING FROM THEM. 25:44.466 --> 25:49.900 IT'S GIVING THEM LESS -- IT'S QUITE COMPLICATED IN TERMS OF 25:49.900 --> 25:51.300 HOW THE FUNDING FORMULA WORKS. 25:51.300 --> 25:54.833 IT'S GIVING THEM A LITTLE LESS EXTRA MONEY THAT IS AIMED FOR 25:54.833 --> 25:57.800 THOSE KIDS WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS. 25:57.800 --> 26:00.900 AND YES, HE CERTAINLY HAS SIGNALED THROUGH HIS 26:00.900 --> 26:04.433 COMMISSIONER THAT HE WANTS TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE THESE CHANGES IN 26:04.433 --> 26:05.333 THE FORMULA. 26:05.333 --> 26:10.233 THERE'S BEEN PUSHBACK FROM ADVOCATES FOR THESE DISTRICTS, 26:10.233 --> 26:13.800 AND AVID VERSUS BERKS IS THE LONGEST RUNNING SCHOOL EQUITY 26:13.800 --> 26:15.000 CASE IN THE COUNTRY. 26:15.000 --> 26:16.866 WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF IT AGAIN. 26:16.866 --> 26:17.700 SO THIS IS -- AND THIS FEEDS INTO THE SUPREME COURT AND WHAT 26:17.700 --> 26:18.800 HE WANTS TO DO THERE. 26:18.800 --> 26:20.033 IT'S A BIG ISSUE. 26:20.033 --> 26:20.733 THIS WILL NOT BE AN EASY ONE. 26:20.733 --> 26:22.533 >> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME. 26:22.533 --> 26:25.900 ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS WANT SUBPOENA POWER TO GET THE STATE TREASURER 26:25.900 --> 26:30.900 TO COME BEFORE THEM WHEN THEY WANT HIM TO DO SO TO TALK BUDGET 26:30.900 --> 26:32.166 STUFF. 26:32.166 --> 26:35.200 SOMETHING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RESISTED. 26:35.200 --> 26:41.300 IS THIS A REAL GAME OR IS THIS SOME KIND OF POLITICAL -- WE 26:41.300 --> 26:43.566 ALWAYS USE THE PHRASE KABUKI THEATER. 26:43.566 --> 26:46.566 >> THE TREASURER HAS BEEN TOO BUSY WITH OTHER MEETINGS TO 26:46.566 --> 26:46.300 THAT'S NOT RESISTANCE, IS IT? 26:46.300 --> 26:48.800 ATTEND. 26:48.800 --> 26:49.866 LOOK -- 26:49.866 --> 26:54.166 >> I LIKE THE CHAIRMAN'S LINE IN THE PAPER, I GUESS IT WAS TODAY, 26:54.166 --> 26:58.433 THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BUSY SCHEDULES, TOO. 26:58.433 --> 27:00.000 >> RIGHT, RIGHT. 27:00.000 --> 27:05.566 >> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, IN MY YEARS COVERING, 27:05.566 --> 27:09.166 THERE'S CERTAINLY BEEN LESS GOING INTO THIS BUDGET, LESS 27:09.166 --> 27:10.633 COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO BRANCHES. 27:10.633 --> 27:14.300 THEY ARE NOT EVEN SHOWING UP AT THESE MEETINGS. 27:14.300 --> 27:17.600 AND IF YOU ASK DEMOCRATIC LEADERS, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT, 27:17.600 --> 27:18.533 THEY REALLY DON'T -- 27:18.533 --> 27:21.233 >> FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I'VE BEEN COVERING THEM LONGER THAN 27:21.233 --> 27:23.833 YOU AND THEY ONLY SHOW UP AFTER THE BUDGET SPEECH. 27:23.833 --> 27:25.900 THEY DON'T GENERALLY SHOW UP WHEN SUMMONED. 27:25.900 --> 27:27.900 WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE. 27:27.900 --> 27:30.800 JOHN, SUZETTE, NICK, DEREK, THANKS VERY MUCH. 27:30.800 --> 27:34.733 WE'LL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER "ROUNDTABLE" NEXT SATURDAY AT 27:34.733 --> 27:39.766 5:30 AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:00. 27:39.766 --> 27:43.566 ON "ON THE RECORD" FOUR LEGISLATORS TALK SOUTH JERSEY 27:43.566 --> 27:45.966 AND LIFTING ISSUES. 27:45.966 --> 27:48.533 NJ TV WILL CARRY GOVERNOR CHRISTIE'S BUDGET ADDRESS LIVE 27:48.533 --> 27:49.500 ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON. 27:49.500 --> 27:51.700 THANKS TO THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR 27:51.700 --> 27:54.400 HOSTING US. 27:54.400 --> 27:56.233 SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. 27:56.233 --> 27:57.933 >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH MICHAEL ARON IS 27:57.933 --> 28:01.066 PROVIDED BY -- PSE&G. 28:01.066 --> 28:05.700 SERVING CUSTOMERS, STRENGTHENING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND 28:05.700 --> 28:09.966 INVESTING IN NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE. 28:09.966 --> 28:10.800 ATLANTIC CITY. 28:10.800 --> 28:13.066 DO ANYTHING. 28:13.066 --> 28:13.633 DO EVERYTHING. 28:13.633 --> 28:14.233 VISIT DO ATLANTIC CITY.COM. 28:14.233 --> 28:16.500 AND DO AC. 28:16.500 --> 28:20.466 PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY "NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE." 28:20.466 --> 28:23.600 THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY 28:23.600 --> 28:28.166 ASSOCIATION, REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE 28:28.166 --> 28:32.166 LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE SINCE 1954.