NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey’s Democratic Gubernatorial candidates took the debate stage one last time on Sunday night, less than a month before the Primary Election.
Candidates were asked about a number of topics. First topic of discussion was the NJ Transit locomotive engineers strike.
Former State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Newark Mayor Ras Baracka were asked how it could be prevented in the future.
“Don’t wait for five or six years to settle a contract, number one. Work with unions, there’s an expiration date on contracts for a reason,” said Sweeney.
“I think we need to make sure we have dedicated funding for transit that’s not going to a corporate millionaire tax,” said Baracka.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop was asked if the state was fair with the union.
“Transportation in New Jersey has been neglected and that is a failure of leadership. And there are a couple of reasons to fix it and I think that the next Governor has an opportunity of that,” said Fulop.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer says he thinks people are mad about transit overall.
“They’re upset about transit overall. We know the summers of hell when they’re stuck on the trains, trains are delayed; buses aren’t running on time. We got old buses and we got old rail cars. We got to fix both so we get the place running again,” said Gottheimer.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherill was asked what she would prioritize with NJ Transit.
“So, specifically, we have to get a dedicated source of funding. The corporate business tax is what we have in place right now, but I think long-term we have to look at transit-oriented development,” said Sherrill.
Candidates were asked about what policies were needed to attract high quality teachers.
“We need to roll back some of the changes that Christie made, particularly around the tier system, that’s number one,” said Fulop.
“We got to pay our teachers well,” said Gottheimer.
“We need to pay them better. I agree with Josh,” Sweeney said.
“I would have certificate programs for long-term substitutes, pay student teachers, so they can afford to go into education and then have on ramps for people in programs like high-intensity tutoring,” said Sherrill.
“Obviously the first thing is increase teacher pay, fully fund the pension, restore the cost of living, increases, get rid of the tier system at the same time, make all schools community schools,” said Baraka.
Candidates also talked about affordability in the state.
Organizers said New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller did not qualify for Sunday’s debate.
There will be a Republican debate on Tuesday, which 69 News will have coverage of.
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