On Chat Box this week, David Cruz talks all things budget with NJ Spotlight News’ budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer as state budget hearings begin. The predominant questions so far are about the school funding formula, corporate business tax, transparency issues and concerns over a possible recession.

Henal Patel of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice discusses the controversy surrounding a bill passed Monday by the state Senate for the establishment of an “Elections Transparency Act.” Would it bring reform or is it a political power play?

Watch Chat Box live on NJ Spotlight News and the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter account Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., and on NJ PBS Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m.