Steve Fulop in 2017 NJ Governor's race

On Technology: Congestion pricing leads to "race to zero" for NYC vs. NJ

"We can do the same thing," Fulop said, adding that, rather than engaging in a "race to zero for both sides," he would rather see New York working with New Jersey on long-term transportation planning. Problem is, all of the revenues will be going toward New York, not to additional trains and infrastructure improvements in New Jersey.

This concerns Fulop. "There's a lot of different-type transit issues that are under-funded, not just the MTA," Fulop said, referring to the agency that oversees the subways.

Under the plan, drivers using the Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel would receive a credit based on what they pay in tolls. However, no break would be offered to motorists taking the George Washington Bridge.

On Health Care: Partner with public health groups to fight urban disparities

The Challenge, a partnership between the Aetna Foundation & the American Public Health Association, will award $1.5 million in prizes to small and mid-sized cities & counties that are able to show measurable change over the course of several years working with cross-sector partnerships to implement health innovations and data-driven solutions. Hundreds of public/private entities applied nationwide.

"I am thrilled that the Jersey City HealthyCommunity50 Collaborative was selected to receive grant dollars to enhance the meaningful work we're doing to increase health and develop strong partnerships to combat health disparities that plague cities like ours," said Mayor Fulop.

On Health Care: Combat health disparities that plague cities

The Challenge will award $1.5 million in prizes to cities & counties that are able to show measurable change over the course of several years working with cross-sector partnerships to implement health innovations and data-driven solutions. The HealthyCommunity50 were chosen based on plans to improve the health of their communities in at least one of five domains:

1. Healthy behaviors
2. community safety
3. built environment
4. social/economic factors and
5. environmental exposures.

On Homeland Security: Denounced theory that Jersey City Muslims cheered 9/11

Under his leadership, Jersey City has become one of the state's fastest-growing municipalities, and its most politically progressive. It's also the most diverse city in the nation, according to a 2015 report, with nearly 40% of residents foreign-born.

A lot of people seem surprised that Jersey City's sizeable Muslim population has thrown its support behind a Jewish mayor. How did that develop? Fulop answered, "Pakistanis were the first to support me. We also have a huge Egyptian community. I've spent a lot of time with them, over holidays, in mosques."

On Immigration: More outreach to involve immigrants in civic life

A: I'm certainly more conscious of immigrant experience. I've seen firsthand the challenges my parents, and family, have experienced with regards to culture and civic involvement. My family was involved politically in that they were active voters, but not otherwise. That's consistent with a lot of immigrant communities. To involve immigrant and first-generation communities in civic life, we have to do a lot more outreach. From my own family's standpoint, I can recognize how self-conscious my parents can be of the fact that they're immigrants, have an accent, come from a different place. They're very aware of it even when others don't seem to care. I think that's the experience of a lot of immigrants as well.

On Tax Reform: No municipal tax increase for third year in a row

Assemblyman Ciattarelli linked Fulop's crowing about the city budget to the heavy subsidies Jersey City's public schools receive from state taxpayers. The school district in 2016-17 will receive $420 million in state aid for its $673 million annual budget; Jersey City schools have been under state control for the last 30 years. "The mayor's boasts, which only add insult to injury to taxpayers across the state, call attention to just how terribly flawed and blatantly unfair the current distribution of state school aid is," Ciattarelli said.

On Tax Reform: We make government work well with no municipal tax increase

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, R-Somerville, linked Fulop's crowing about the city budget to the heavy subsidies Jersey City's public schools receive from state taxpayers. The school district in 2016-17 will receive $420 million in state aid for its $673 million annual budget, a fact that irks Republican and even some suburban Democratic lawmakers statewide.

Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) have both said they want to change the distribution of state aid to schools across New Jersey.

On Energy & Oil: Gas tax is essentially a user fee for motorists

A variable-rate structure means that when gas prices increase, the per-gallon tax that motorists pay at the pump will decrease, so that the amount that consumers pay will remain relatively stable. This both protects consumers and our state's economy from the tax burden that is caused by fluctuating gas prices.

On Energy & Oil: Variable rate gas tax with automatic inflation increase

A variable-rate structure means that when gas prices increase, the per-gallon tax that motorists pay at the pump will decrease, so that the amount that consumers pay will remain relatively stable. This both protects consumers and our state's economy from the tax burden that is caused by fluctuating gas prices. Additionally, it is important that our state's gas tax solution is tied to the inflation rate to allow the tax rates to adjust accordingly without legislative action.

On Jobs: Jersey City first to raise the minimum wage to $15

In October 2015, I was among the first elected leaders in New Jersey to advocate for an increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour. And last week, after months of careful planning, I signed an executive order making Jersey City the first city in New Jersey to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour for municipal workers. Over 500 adult city employees--full- & part-time, seasonal & non-seasonal--will be impacted by this increase.

And, because we've managed our budget responsibly for the past 3 years with no tax increase, we were able to accomplish this without putting an extra burden on taxpayers. In fact, the minimum wage increase is already in 2016's tax-neutral budget.

On Families & Children: Require companies to grant paid sick leave

On Environment: Stall development of Liberty State Park until Christie gone

Opposition to the plans has grown since a state Department of Environmental Protection report detailed development possibilities at the park, including a low-rise hotel at the dilapidated train sheds. It also called for developing the park's southern end, possibly an amusement park, field house for indoor sports, outdoor amphitheater and another marina.

Liberty State has long been a developer's dream. It has also been viewed as an untapped revenue source by Christie, who is pushing for state parks to generate more revenue and use less taxpayer money. Liberty State brings in about $1.5 million in leases and concessions and requires about $2 million annually in taxpayer dollars to balance its operating budget

On Drugs: Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment

By creating a community apart from the general incarcerated population, the addict adopts new healthy behaviors. Within the daily ritual of the therapeutic community, the addicts mimic new behaviors.

The addict moves from jail to structured, sober housing. Through Mayor Steve Fulop's foresight, at Martin's Place in Jersey City we offer intensive outpatient treatment for addicts and co-occurring treatment for addicted persons with mental health disabilities. If a person fails to abide by the requirements of the addictions treatment protocol, the client is subjected to judicial monitoring or sanctions.

On Drugs: Wait for other states to see pro's and con's of legalization

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said he's still studying the issue. "I think that there's certainly pros and cons," he said this week, "and we've heard both sides of it and we're trying to learn what works in other states and it's very early in the conversation still and we wouldn't wanna do something that has an adverse impact on urban areas like the one I'm responsible for."

On Drugs: Study legalization of recreational cannabis in other states

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat, said he's still studying the issue. "I think that there's certainly pros and cons," he said this week, "and we've heard both sides of it and we're trying to learn what works in other states and it's very early in the conversation still and we wouldn't wanna do something that has an adverse impact on urban areas like the one I'm responsible for."

Senator Ray Lesniak said he would consult with those involved in drug recovery efforts before making a decision.

On Gun Control: Reward "socially responsible" gun distributors

Last week, the city announced it plans to award a $500,000 contract to Lawmen Supply Company to provide weapons and ammunition to the police department after a bid process that involved the city quizzing potential vendors about their business practices. The city asked bidders how they would handle firearms returned by the city, whether they sell assault weapons to citizens and whether they agree not to sell certain models of firearms for civilian use.

[One gun rights spokesperson said Fulop is trying] "to advance his gun-control agenda by politicizing the purchase of law enforcement equipment."