News 12 Talks New Jersey

All 80 seats in the state Assembly are up for election on Nov. 5, along with one special state Senate contest and local elections. News 12 brought together the together the leaders of each party in the Assembly,  Democratic Speaker Craig Coughlin and Republican Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, to talk with host Alex Zdan about the big picture issues affecting voters.

Nancy Solomon, of NJ Public Radio and WNYC, and Fred Snowflack, of InsiderNJ.com, discuss the upcoming election, plus the latest news on the investigations into the state’s tax incentives. And Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop talks about the controversy over Airbnb regulations.

Prepaid cards are becoming a popular choice for consumers, including online shoppers concerned about identity theft and parents looking for a way to fund kids in high school and college. But thousands of consumers complain each year about the high fees and cards that get frozen, leaving them without access to their own funds. Some consumer advocates say the government should do more to regulate the industry.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents most of Morris and Essex counties and parts of Passaic and Sussex counties in the House of Representatives, co-wrote an op-ed last month that was considered pivotal in the decision to begin an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. She discusses her decision to endorse the inquiry with Power & Politics host Alex Zdan. They also discuss the conflict in Syria. And New Jersey continued to look into abuses of the state's corporate tax break program this week. Katherine Landergan, reporter for Politico New Jersey, has been covering the story and gives us an update on the latest hearing this week.

This week's New Jersey Power & Politics podcast examines how New Jerseyans perceive diversity in their neighborhoods and schools, and how people respond differently to polls conducted online as opposed to those conducted over the phone. Alex Zdan also talks to pollsters Krista Jenkins from FDU Poll and Ashely Koning from Rutgers-Eagleton Poll about Gov. Murphy's latest approval numbers and the President Trump impeachment inquiry. Plus, New Jersey Department of Health Assistant Commissioner Jeff Brown talks about the rise in vaping-related lung injuries in New Jersey and what the state is doing about it.

  Democratic Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker sponsored the so-called dark money bill, which compels political action committees in the state to disclose donors who give more than $10,000. But a federal judge put the law on hold amid a challenge from the conservative group Americans for Prosperity. Alex Zdan talks with Zwicker about the bill and the new restrictions on vape sales. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal ended the use of an agreement that allowed ICE to deputize local law enforcement to perform federal civil immigration duties in jails. Monmouth and Cape May counties had sought to renew these agreements. Sheriff Shaun Golden of Monmouth County and Erika Nava, policy analyst with New Jersey Policy Perspective, discuss the issue. Plus, more on the resignation of the mayor of Atlantic City.

Guests Matt Klapper, Matt Arco and Jean Sinzdak talk to Alex Zdan about Sen. Cory Booker's campaign, the presidential impeachment inquiry, Gov. Phil Murphy's trip to India and women’s representation on boards and commissions in New Jersey.

Kane In Your Corner examines hate and bias incidents in New Jersey, how often they happen and how rarely they're prosecuted. We explore the increase in hate based on religion and look at hate creeping into politics - in ways that have experts concerned. From victims assaulted with weapons to hundreds of reports of hateful graffiti and swastikas, we found there were 569 bias incidents last year - a 55% increase since 2015. We also found that hate affects every corner of New Jersey. Check out the full digital report: https://projects.news12.com/hate-at-home:-a-kane-in-your-corner-special-report/ 

Patrick Murray explains his recent polling on Gov. Phil Murphy’s approval numbers, the Newark water crisis, and whether or not New Jersey approves of Sen. Cory Booker for President. Also, Kevin Corbett of NJ Transit talks about safety upgrades and turning around the transportation agency.  

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka gives an update on the lead crisis. Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan talks about New Jersey's economy. Sen. Joe Pennacchio discusses vaping, anti-bullying laws and the algae bloom issue in Lake Hopatcong.

Power & Politics is headed Back to School. Host Alex Zdan speaks to a number of education experts. Marie Blistan, president of the New Jersey Education Association, talks about recruiting talented teachers for New Jersey schools and the state of teachers pensions. Laura Waters, an education blogger and analyst of NJ’s education system, discusses changing graduation requirements. Plus, Carly Sitrin, education reporter from PoliticoNJ.com, talks about community college grants and more.

New Jersey is supposed to have one of the toughest school bullying laws in the country, but a News 12 investigation finds too often it doesn't work. Some school districts are not being truthful over how often bullying happens. Parents who file complaints often feel they have no one on their side. And the law is so specific that cases that seem like obvious bullying don't qualify. 

Newark's lead water crisis is national news. Alan Steinberg, former Region 2 EPA director under President George W. Bush, talks about why he thinks Gov. Murphy is not doing enough to help citizens of Newark be safe. Sean Sullivan, of the Star-Ledger/NJ Advance Media, explains legislation proposed by Senate President Sweeney that would crack down on people lying to legislators or avoiding testimony. And Rosemary Becchi, candidate for the Republican nomination for congressional District 7, is challenging state Sen. Tom Kean Jr.

Gloria Gaynor shares the fascinating story behind her iconic song "I Will Survive," which hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart 40 years ago this year. Gaynor also gives the background behind her new gospel album, "Testimony.” The wide-ranging conversation for News 12’s On The Scene explores deeper topics like faith, marriage and divorce.

You may not know the name Bob Gruen, but chances are you've seen his photographs. Gruen was John Lennon's personal photographer and even shot the iconic photo of Lennon in his New York City shirt. News 12's John Bathke caught up with Gruen at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey, where Gruen is having the first-ever museum exhibit of his photographs. Gruen and Bathke discuss rock music, photography, Gruen's start photographing Tina Turner and his time with John Lennon.

News 12's Alex Zdan talks to Gov. Phil Murphy’s chief of staff about legalizing marijuana, the economy, property taxes and more. Also, six years ago this week, the infamous email “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” was written. Former aide to Gov. Chris Christie, Bridget Kelly, talks about her appeal to the Supreme Court, and how she feels about writing that email now.

Al Alvarez is accusing his accuser of defamation. We talk to Micah Rasmussen of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics about Alvarez and the other lingering scandal at the SDA. Then it's a $30 billion transportation transformation, but is it too big to get built? The Gateway Project would build new bridges and tunnels into New York City. We talk to David Peter Alan of Railway Age, who says there's a construction cartel pushing the project. And the shootings in Dayton and El Paso shocked the nation and renewed the debates over guns, white supremacists and universal background checks. We ask Rep. Frank Pallone if now is the time for Democrats to work with President Donald Trump on gun bills.

Bias incidents are on the rise in some New Jersey cities. A newly released report shows there were over 500 incidents reported last year, the most in NJ in a decade. And 1 in 4 reported incidents occur on college campuses across the state. In an exclusive interview, Walt Kane discusses the alarming numbers with New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. This one-on-one interview is a preview to the "Hate at Home" series by the News 12 Investigative team to air across the News 12 Networks in September.

Patrick Murray, director of Monmouth University Polling Institute, talks about the debate for the Democratic nomination for president, specifically the heated exchanges between New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and former Vice President Joe Biden. Host Alex Zdan also asks Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman to explain why she thinks it’s important to move forward on an impeachment inquiry on President Donald Trump.  

Host Alex Zdan speaks with New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney about spending freezes and the shake-up at the School’s Development Authority. Old Bridge Councilman Mark Razzoli discusses his stance against new ICE rules. And Somerset County Freeholder and state Assembly candidate Mark Caliguire talks immigration.