Ahead of last week’s debate between Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli, his Republican challenger, NJ Spotlight News hosted a series of conversations about key issues in the race for governor. Here are those conversations between members of the NJ Spotlight News team and leading voices on those issues. And for more on the race for governor and this year’s elections, go here for all of the coverage from NJ Spotlight News.
Climate change: An urgent issue that figures little in NJ governor’s election
Tom Johnson, energy/environment reporter for NJ Spotlight News and Jon Hurdle, a correspondent for NJ Spotlight News, moderated the event. Participating panelists were Robert Kopp, director of Rutgers Institute of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, co-director of Coastal Climate Risk & Resilience initiative, and a lead author of United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sixth assessment report; Ken Lacovara, Dean of the School of Earth & Environment at Rowan University; and Scott Weiner, principal with SAW Associates, a former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection & Energy and former president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
With a new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warning that the world is running out of time to avoid the worst consequences of climate change, the panel questioned why the issue has rarely emerged during this fall’s gubernatorial campaign in New Jersey.
Tackling social justice issues in NJ
Serving as moderators were NJ Spotlight News senior writer and projects editor Colleen O’Dea and Michael Hill, host of Morning Edition on WNYC. Participating panelists were Ami Kachalia, campaign strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey; Andrea McChristian, law and policy director of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice; and Monika Williams Shealey, senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at Rowan University.
The discussion covered a broad range of social justice issues that impact New Jersey residents.
NJ’s economic climate and state finances
Serving as moderators were NJ Spotlight News business correspondent Rhonda Schaffler and NJ Spotlight News budget/finance writer John Reitmeyer. Participating panelists were Christopher Emigholz, vice president of government affairs, taxation and economic development for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association; Dr. Charles Steindel, former chief economist for the New Jersey Department of Treasury; and Sheila Reynertson, a senior policy analyst with New Jersey Policy Perspective.
The conversation delved into issues related to the state budget and taxes, including property taxes — a perennial concern for New Jersey residents.
Debating the state of health care — and COVID-19 — in NJ
Joining NJ Spotlight News’ Health Care Writer Lilo H. Stainton and Senior Correspondent Brenda Flanagan were Dr. Shereef Elnahal, president and CEO of Newark’s University Hospital and former state health commissioner; Dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health Perry Halkitis, and Dr. Annette Reboli, Dean of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
The discussion touched on the state’s work to protect nursing homes from the pandemic, the challenges involved with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and the debate over whether children should wear face masks.
Murphy versus Ciattarelli: The state of education
Joining NJ Spotlight News’ Founding Editor John Mooney and Correspondent Joanna Gagis were former state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf, Pleasantville Superintendent Nataki Chestnut-Lee and Gaëtane Jean-Marie, dean of education at Rowan University.
The wide-ranging discussion included the state’s response and responsibilities in schools around the COVID-19 pandemic, Trenton’s role in funding New Jersey’s public education system, and the state’s learning standards and testing programs.