It’s budget season in New Jersey again, and Monday kicks off the first of the state’s budget hearings. But this year, the virtual format that was created during COVID-19 will remain. Lawmakers say it’s not so much about safety concerns as it is a chance to encourage more engagement from the public. It comes at a time of some discontent in the state. A new poll found half of respondents say New Jersey is headed in the wrong direction, including in areas like affordability and taxes. We visit the first hearing and hear who is asking for a piece of this year’s $49 billion pie.
Budget season begins with virtual public session
NJ residents raise concern over taxes and affordability, new poll says
Senior Political Correspondent/Anchor
Senior Correspondent David Cruz is the moderator of Chat Box and Reporters Roundtable. He's been a member of the NJ Spotlight News team since 2011 and has been covering New Jersey's biggest stories for almost 30 years. He's been a reporter and moderator of public affairs programs on television, radio and digital platforms for WBGO and WNYC radio and is the former editor in chief of the Hudson Reporter Newspaper group.