>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MASKS ARE COMING OFF, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ENDING THE RULE REQUIRING FACE COVERINGS ON NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

WHEN THE AFTER FEDERAL JUDGES DECISION TO OVERTURN AN NATIONAL MASK MANDATE THAT APPLY TO AIRPLANES AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

AMTRAK AND LEFT ALSO REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT THE NEW RULES BEING MET WITH SIGHS OF RELIEF BUT ALSO CONCERN IS THE STATE REPORTS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FINDING NOT ONE BUT TWO NEW VARIANTS DETECTED IN NEW JERSEY, HOSPITALS HEALTHCARE SETTINGS PRISONS AMONG THE FEW PLACES LEFT WHERE MASKS ARE NOW MANDATED.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS REACTION AND DETAILS TONIGHT.

>> I THINK THE MASK IS A GOOD THING WHEN YOU NEED IT BUT IT WAS REALLY NICE TO TAKE IT OFF.

>> Reporter: WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE FAMILY WAITING MASK LESS AT A BAGGAGE CLAIM IN NEWARK.

WHEN THEY ANNOUNCE NO MASKS REQUIRED HOW DID IT FEEL?

>> THERE WAS A BIG CHEER ON THE PLANE BECAUSE WE WERE IN NASHVILLE IT WAS REQUIRED AT THE AIRPORT BUT WHEN WE GOT ON THE PLANE IT WAS NOT.

>> I LOVE IT.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE OPTIONAL.

>> AFTER TWO VACCINATIONS AND A BOOSTER I FEEL VERY SAFE WITHOUT HAVING A MASK ON.

>> Reporter: MOST MAJOR AIRLINES INCLUDING UNITED, DELTA, AMERICAN AND SOUTHWEST STITCHED MASK MANDATES AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE IN FLORIDA RULED THE CDC OVERSTEPPED ITS OF READY WHEN IT ORDERED THE RESTRICTION DESPITE THE AGENCIES GOOD AND ENGINES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

IN NEW JERSEY NOW, TRAINS ONLY REQUIRING WRITERS TO WEAR MASKS.

NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD WITH THE SUDDEN CHANGES.

>> WHEN YOU GET ON THE PLANE YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP THE MASK ON?

>> OF COURSE.

>> Reporter: WHY?

>> IT IS TOO EARLY, YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> IF YOU TAKE TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PUT YOUR MASK ON.

>> Reporter: WELL THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION DECIDED NOT TO ENFORCE THE MASK MANDATE PORT AUTHORITY REQUIRES MASKS IN NEW YORK FACILITIES BUT NOT IN NEW JERSEY VENUES LIKE LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

IN NEW YORK CITY MTA ALSO REQUIRES RIDERS TO WEAR MASKS BUT THEY ARE OPTIONAL ON AMTRAK.

>> THIS IS VERY CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A LOT OF FRAGMENTED MESSAGING, DIFFERENT RESPONSES AND PEOPLE ARE UTTERLY CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT THE BEST THING TO BE DOING IS IF IT'S NECESSARY TO BE WEARING MASKS OR TWO EARLY JUST OPTIONAL AT THIS POINT.

ESPECIALLY CONCERNING WHEN WE ARE SEEING AN UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF CASES.

NOW THE DECISION IS LEFT TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: THE CDC QUOTING ARISING COVID-19 CASES STILL RECOMMENDS YOU MASK UP ON MASS TRANSIT BUT IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THE WHITE HOUSE WILL APPEAL THE JUDGE'S DECISION.

MASS BECAME OPTIONAL ON ALL AGENCY BUSES AND TRAINS AS OF 6:43 AM TWEET FROM GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WHO NOTED INDIVIDUALS WILL CAN WEAR A MASK BASED ON PERSONAL PREFERENCE AND RISK.

ONE TIME A LONG TIME RAIL COMMUTER CALLED IT AWKWARD.

>> >> Reporter: HE ASKED NJ TRANSIT TO RESERVE ONE CAR PER TRAIN JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WEAR MASKS.

LIKE A QUIET CAR.

NJ TRANSIT SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO EXTEND THE MASK MANDATE ONBOARD VEHICLES WANT THE FEDERAL MANDATE EXPIRES HOWEVER MASKS WILL REMAIN OPTIONAL.

HE WILL KEEP PUSHING.

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FOREVER I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD MAKE SENSE IN A INTERIM MEASURE.

I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD TRY.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST UNTIL COVID-19 IS TRULY ENDEMIC.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER IS ON A OVERSEAS TRIP NOT FAR FROM THE WAR RAGING IN UKRAINE.

JOINING A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MAKING STOPS IN POLAND AND GERMANY AMONG OTHER COUNTRIES, MEETING WITH U.S. MILITARY AND OTHER DIGNITARIES TO LEARN HOW THE U.S. CONTINUES TO SUPPORT UKRAINE AND THE NATO ALLIES.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PLANNING TO SPEND EVEN MORE ARTILLERY TO TROOPS.

IN A STATEMENT THEY CALLED RUSSIA'S UNPROVOKED AND UNWARRANTED WAR.

UPON RELEASING FOR THE DETAILS DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS RUSSIAN FORCES ARE PUSHING FORWARD IN THE BATTLE FOR THE REGION IN EASTERN UKRAINE.

A NEW PHASE OF THE WAR ACCORDING TO RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTRY, ONE IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN MORE TERROR AND MORE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, NOW TWO MONTHS AFTER THE FIGHTING BEGAN.

>>> HERE'S A THOUGHT, THE NEXT TIME YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD, EVEN JUST FOR A MOMENT WHILE DRIVING, ROUGHLY A QUARTER OF THE OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND YOU ARE DOING THE SAME.

READING TO A STUDY AT THE MAJOR SAFETY THREAT, AAA SAYS DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A LEADING CAUSE OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN THE STATE THE MOST COMMON CULPRIT, NO SURPRISE HERE, CELL PHONES.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE TEMPTATION IS THERE, PEOPLE ARE SO ADDICTED TO THEIR PHONES THEY SIMPLY CAN'T PUT IT DOWN.

WHEN THEY HEAR A NOTIFICATION, THE FIRST INSTINCT, UNFORTUNATELY, IS TO LOOK AT IT.

WHETHER THEY ARE BEHIND THE MEAT WHEEL OR SITTING AT DINNER.

>> Reporter: REPLYING TO ED TEXTER TRYING TO WOLF DOWN BREAKFAST DRIVING TO WORK THEY SEEM HARMLESS BUT IN ACTUALITY IT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY AAA SAYS IT'S A LEADING CAUSE OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT 25% OF FATAL CRASHES.

THE NUMBER RISES WHEN ACCOUNTING FOR ALL CRASHES INCLUDING NONDEADLY ONES.

>> FROM 2011 TO 2020 MORE THAN HALF OF ALL CRASHES INVOLVED A DISTRACTED DRIVER SO YOU REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

HALF OF ALL CRASHES.

IT WAS BECAUSE SOMEBODY WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROADWAY.

>> Reporter: APRIL IS NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVER REMINDER MONTH.

MORE THAN A FIFTH THE NEW JERSEY MOTORISTS DRIVE DISTRACTED.

THE MOST COMMON DISTRACTIONS, CELL PHONES.

>> CAMERA, CAPTURE SURROUNDING DRIVERS AND SELECTED 10 HIGH CRASH CORRIDORS TO OBSERVE THE DRIVERS BEHAVIORS.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR, CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSOR AND A REPORT THE FOCUS IS ON THE LEADING CAUSES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING.

>> THREE DIFFERENT DISTRACTED DRIVING EVENTS EXAMPLES INCLUDE HANDHELD CELL PHONE USE, TALKING, CALLING, GROOMING, EATING, DRINKING AND ALSO REACHING FOR OBJECTS.

>> IT TAKES A SPLIT SECOND TO REALIZE SOMETHING IS IN FRONT OF YOU BEFORE YOU HAVE A CRASH.

I THINK THE EXPECTATION IS THEY ARE GOING TO DRIVE THEMSELVES BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> Reporter: CHIEF POLICE FOR THE BOROUGH, HIS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF HUNDREDS PARTICIPATING IN YOU DRIVE, YOU TEXT, YOU PAY, STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN TARGETING DISTRACTED DRIVING.

>> MOST PEOPLE FEEL THEY CAN MULTITASK.

WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

POLICE OFFICER INTERACTS WITH THE DRIVER A LOT OF TIMES IT'S A SURPRISE.

DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG I DON'T BELIEVE I WAS DISTRACTED I WAS DOING WHAT I NORMALLY DO.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO EDUCATE, NOT PUNISH DRIVERS.

HE DOES REMIND PEOPLE THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES EVEN IF THERE DISTRACTED DRIVING DOESN'T RESULT IN A CRASH.

>> WE ARE DOING A LOT OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES TO BRING THIS TO LIFE.

IT'S A VERY SERIOUS OFFENSE IN THE FIRST CAN COST THE DRIVER ANYWHERE BETWEEN $200 AND $400.

ONCE YOU GET TO SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES IT'S UP TO $800.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THREE POINTS ON YOUR LICENSE AT SOME POINT.

>> SOMETHING YOU CAN TAKE STEPS TO REMEDY.

WHETHER IT BE SILENCING YOUR PHONE, SIMPLY TURNING IT OFF IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR PUTTING IT IN DRIVE MODE SO THAT YOU DON'T GET THOSE NOTIFICATIONS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

THOSE SIMPLE THINGS DO IN FACT SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IT IS TIME TO PASS A PACKAGE OF GUN SAFETY LAWS, THAT MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SPEAKING TO A CROWD AT SAINT LUKE'S BAPTIST CHURCH IN PATTERSON ONE YEAR AFTER HIS ADMINISTRATION INITIALLY PROPOSED THE BILL PACKAGE A RANGE FROM REQUIRING A SAFETY COURSE ANYONE APPLYING FOR OR PURCHASING A FIREARM TO BANNING 50 CALIBER WEAPONS THE NEW PUSH COMES ON THE HEELS OF A SURGE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY HITTING THE SUBWAY SHOOTING IN BROOKLYN LAST WEEK.

THE REFORM BILL PACKAGE DIDN'T MAKE IT FOR A VOTE IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IN LARGE CITIES LIKE NEWARK COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS ARE NOT WAITING FOR TOUGHER GUN LAWS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

GROUPS ARE TURNING TO COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO NEIGHBORHOODS HIT HARDEST BY GUN CRIMES.

NEWARK'S COMMUNITY STREET TEAM KNOWN AS VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS ARE DOING JUST THAT AND BEING TOUTED AS A NATIONAL MODEL.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM, FOCUSING ON JUSTICE, POVERTY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY MANAGER MATTERS, WHETHER YOU HELPING AN INDIVIDUAL THAT OD OR BREAKING UP A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DISPUTE, ALL OF IT MATTERS.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND LEADERS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED IN NEWARK WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE HAVE THREE ORGANIZATIONS, THREE CITIES, MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS IN THOSE CITIES, KING COUNTY, SEATTLE WASHINGTON, RAPID CITY SOUTH DAKOTA AND BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA.

>> Reporter: THE MEETING AS PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE'S COMMUNITY INTERVENTION COLLABORATIVE TO DEVELOP PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGIES THROUGH PEER TO PEER LEARNING.

BOARD CHAIR OF NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM SERVES AS A SENIOR ADVISOR.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING UNPRECEDENTED INVOLVEMENT, $5.2 BILLION OVER EIGHT YEARS.

OPENING UP THE ADMINISTRATION.

FEDERAL AGENCIES CAN LOOK AT REGULATORY ISSUES TO BE ABLE TO MOVE MORE DOLLIES TO COMMUNITY INTERVENTION THROUGH THEIR FORMULA PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: NEWARK WAS ONCE KNOWN ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN AMERICA NOW IT IS SEEN AS A MODEL TO HELP OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO TACKLE CRIME.

>> NEWARK HAS ONE OF THE SICK MOST SUCCESSFUL VIOLENCE INTERVENTION INITIATIVES IN THE COUNTRY.

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL HAVING SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF DECREASE IN HOMICIDE.

FOR US TO BE ABLE TO REALLY TURN THE CORNER, START IN THE SOUTH WARD AND THE WEST WARD HAVE AN IMPACT ON VIOLENCE OVERALL IS MONUMENTAL.

>> Reporter: THE NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM SHARE THEIR MODEL WITH OTHERS HIGHLIGHTING SERVICES SUCH AS COUNSELING, MENTORING AND STUDENT OUTREACH.

THEY SHOW THAT THEIR FORMULA WORKS BECAUSE IT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY TO USE THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I WAS A PERPETRATOR AT ONE TIME.

I DID A LOT OF REFLECTION WHILE I WAS INCARCERATED IN LEARNED THAT I HURT MY COMMUNITY SO MUCH I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY WHERE I COULD GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE BELIEVE WE ARE COMPLEMENTARY STRATEGY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOT AN ALTERNATIVE.

WE KNOW THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE'S ALSO A NEED FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS AS WELL.

>> I LOST MY PARENTS, I HAVE BEEN SHOT AND I'M JUST IN THE STREET DOING WHATEVER, SELLING DRUGS.

I MET THEM, I DID KNOW WHAT THE WORK CONSISTED OF BUT I KNEW I WANTED TO CHANGE.

I WAS TIRED OF DOING THE THINGS I WAS DOING BEFORE.

BY MY FRIEND SEEN ME CHANGE THE COMMUNITY HAS EVEN CHANGED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY ADVOCATES WILL NOW TAKE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED OF THE STRATEGY SESSION BACK HOME WHERE THEY HOPE TO CREATE A POSITIVE CHANGE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IF YOU OWN A PHONE IN NEW JERSEY YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THE $.90 FEE TACKED ONTO YOUR MONTHLY BILL.

THE MONEY IS MEANT TO GO TOWARD MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADE STATES 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM.

THE STATE IS EXPECTING TO COLLECT MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN THOSE FEES THIS YEAR ALONE IT COUNTY LEADERS SAY 911 CALL CENTERS HAVEN'T SEEN IT TIME OF THAT MONEY IN YEARS.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> HAVE TO GO ON eBAY TO FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS BECAUSE THEY ARE ON SUCH AN ANCIENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY, THERE 911 SYSTEMS ARE HAVING AN EMERGENCY OF THEIR OWN.

>> OUR CELL PHONES ARE FAR MORE POWERFUL THAN SOME OF THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE USED IN OUR COUNTY 911 SYSTEMS.

IF I LOSE MY iPHONE TODAY THERE IS TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE THAT CAN PINPOINT EXACTLY INSIDE THIS BUILDING WHERE IT IS.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY HERE TO PINPOINT EXACTLY WHERE SOMEBODY IS ON A DESOLATE ROADWAY.

>> Reporter: TO FIX THIS THE STATE SET UP A TRUST FUND TO PAY FOR 911 UPGRADES IN 2004.

NEW JERSEY FUNDED $.90 TAX ON THEIR PHONE BILLS EVERY MONTH.

MORE THAN $1 BILLION HAS BEEN RAISED BUT ACCORDING TO THE FCC, THE STATE HAS DIVERTED MOST OF THAT MONEY ELSEWHERE.

NEW JERSEY WAS ONE OF FIVE STATES TO DIVERT 911 FUNDS IN 2020 WITH 80% GOING FOR OTHER USE.

PLACES LIKE CUMBERLAND COUNTY HAD TO RAISE TAXES FOR THEIR 911 SYSTEM WHILE TAXPAYERS STILL PAID $.90 EACH MONTH.

BUT FOR COUNTIES IT CREATES A SYSTEM OF DOUBLE TAXATION.

THIS MONEY WAS DEDICATED FOR SPECIFIC PER IS NOW THE COUNTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING MONEY OUT OF THEIR OPERATING EXPENSES TO FUND THESE 911 UPGRADES.

>> IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO KNOW THAT WE HAD TO RAISE TAXES EVEN THOUGH WE HAD FUNDS WITH APPEAR TO BE AVAILABLE TO US.

>> Reporter: RESPONDERS NEED MAINTENANCE REPAIRS TO THEIR BUILDING TO SIMPLY OFF CAPABILITY TO USE GPS TO FIND CALLERS.

GPS IS A LOT MORE RELIABLE THAN READING MILE MARKERS ON THE HIGHWAY.

>> MIDDLE OF AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THE ABILITY TO PINPOINT THE PERSON AND GIVE THEM THE HELP IN A TIMELY FASHION GET THEM THERE QUICKER COULD POSSIBLY SAVE THEIR LIVES.

>> 911 SET UP IN CAMDEN COUNTY IS A BIT MORE MODERN BUT IT COST $40 MILLION TO OVERHAUL.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAYS UP GRADES ARE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

>> WHEN YOU GET A NATURAL DISASTER INFLUX OF CALLS THAT 911 SYSTEM GOES DOWN.

WORST THING YOU COULD POSSIBLY HAVE.

FIBER UP DECLINE, THOSE THINGS ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S MOST RECENT BUDGET PROPOSAL WOULD CONTINUE DIVERTING MONEY AWAY FROM THE 911 FUND TO HELP PAY FOR STATE POLICE.

STATE SENATOR SAYS THIS HAS TO STOP.

HE DRAFTED A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD FORCE NEW JERSEY TO USE THE 911 TRUST FUND EXCLUSIVELY FOR 911 UPGRADES.

>> IS MAY NOT BE LEGAL IS IT RIGHT, THIS IS A NONPARTISAN ISSUE.

WE COLLECTED OVER $1.3 BILLION IN THIS FUND.

IT WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE $250 MILLION TO FIX THE ENTIRE 911 INFRASTRUCTURE STATEWIDE.

>> WE TESTIFIED IN COURT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMITTEE ALL THE LEGISLATOR, WE UNDERSTAND, WE GET IT, IT'S A SHAME AND THE THING NEVER MOVES OUT OF COMMITTEE.

SO IT JUST TELLS ME THAT IS A LOT OF LIP SERVICE THIS COMING ALONG WITH IT AND WE ARE NOT GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE.

>> BACK IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY 911 UPGRADES THERE ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $40 MILLION, A MUCH NEEDED LIFELINE FOR OPERATORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> STATES BUDGET HEARINGS MAY BE COMING TO A CLOSE THIS WEEK IS STILL A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WANT THE CHANCE TO WEIGH IN.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON TODAY'S PEOPLES BUDGET HEARING.

>> HOUSING EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT AND WORKING FAMILIES ALL DESERVE MORE FUNDING.

THAT'S THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND ACTIVISTS SAY TODAY DURING WHAT WAS CALLED THE PEOPLE'S HEARING, THE COALITION HELD A VIRTUAL HEARING TO DISCUSS HOW THE STATE SHOULD SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FANS SAYING STATE LAWMAKERS HAVEN'T GIVEN THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

AS WAS HERE THE CENTER FOR BUDGET AND PRIORITIES TESTIFIED FEDERAL FUNDS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MORE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIES.

>> THIS TIME THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GAVE STATES WHAT THEY NEED NOT ONLY ADDRESS IMMEDIATE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC ALSO TAKE ON LONG- STANDING COMMUNITY CHALLENGES TO SUPPORT A STRONG RECOVERY FOR EVERYONE.

NEW JERSEY SHOULD NOT SQUANDER THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> A NEW REPORT FROM GARDEN STATE INITIATIVE CONCLUDES IT'S TIME TO REPEAL NEW JERSEY'S INHERITANCE TAX.

PRESIDENTS SAYS IT'S A REGRESSIVE TAX THAT HURTS THE MIDDLE-CLASS AND THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

>> ALWAYS LOOK AT HOW COMPETITIVE WE ARE AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE INSTANCES WHERE AN OUTLIER ONLY SIX STATES THAT HAVE THIS TAX IN TWO OF THEM ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPEALING IT.

>> FOR MORE ON THIS STORY HAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> PSEG WILL SUCCEED CEO THE SEPTEMBER, ASSUME THE TITLE OF EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET ACTION FROM TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> GOOD NEWS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS A NEW POLL FINDS MOST RESIDENTS ARE UP TO SPEED ON THE STATE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAG BAN SET TO GO INTO EFFECT TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.

UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS SEVEN IN 10 ARE AWARE OF THE NEW LAW AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC, 61%, THAT BACKING HASN'T DROPPED MUCH POLES TAKING THE LAST FEW YEARS ALSO FIND SUPPORTERS WOULD STILL PREFER ACCESS TO PLASTIC BAGS FOR A SMALL FEE, TO BE EASY FOR THEM TO BRING BAGS WHEN THEY SHOP AT LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS HAVE THE HARDEST TIME MAKING THE SHIFT ESPECIALLY WITH THOSE LIMITED TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.

WHILE LIMITING SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IS JUST ONE TARGET IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS THE GOVERNOR ALSO PLEDGED TO/NEW JERSEY'S CURRENT GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE BY 50% BY 2030.

ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS STATE GOALS IN THE NATION.

BUT EMPOWER NJ COALITION 135 GROUPS OPPOSED TO FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS IS ACCUSING THE ADMINISTRATION OF PAIN LIPSERVICE.

AND A NEW REPORT THE ORGANIZATION SAYS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS HAVE INCREASED NEARLY 20% DUE TO PROJECTS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND SEVERAL PENDING FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS WILL NOT ONLY DERAIL THE CLIMATE GOALS BUT RAISE THOSE EMISSIONS SIGNIFICANTLY IF APPROVED AND COMPLETED.

I'M JOINED NOW BY ANJULI RAMOS- BUSOT, NEW JERSEY DIRECTOR FOR SIERRA CLUB AND MEMBER OF EMPOWER NEW JERSEY.

WELCOME.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS REPORT THESE ARE PRETTY STRONG WORDS.

WE WILL ADD THESE PROJECTS SEEM PRETTY IMPORTANT.

WE TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM EXPORT PLANT IN SOUTH JERSEY, LIQUEFIED NATIONAL GAS TO BACKUP POWER PLANT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

IMPORTANT PROJECTS SOME WOULD ARGUE.

>> THANK YOU BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT IS TO BRING TO LIGHT THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SOME AMBITIOUS CLIMATE GOALS PUT FORWARD BY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WHICH ARE INCREDIBLE CLIMATE GOALS AND VERY MUCH NEEDED IN ORDER TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE, THE NUMBERS ARE REALLY NOT GOING DOWN.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PROJECTS, SIX, THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED IT APPROVE THE LOT PAST FOUR YEARS.

THAT GIVES THAT 20% INCREMENTING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND SEVEN PROJECTS PENDING FOR APPROVAL RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD INTENTIONALLY GIVE US AROUND 37 MILLION METRIC TONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES.

MURPHY'S GOAL OF REDUCING 50% BY 2030, THESE NUMBERS ESSENTIALLY SHOW THE OPPOSITE.

>> PART OF THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THAT DESPITE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS A PRIORITY, FIVE OF THE PENDING PROJECTS WOULD BE CITED IN LOW INCOME AND OR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT EVEN THOUGH WITH INCREDIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LAW THAT WAS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY IN 2020 THESE PROJECTS ARE CURRENTLY PENDING NOT NECESSARILY BEING EVALUATED UNDER THAT LAW.

THE LAWS BEING ENACTED BUT THERE ARE RULES THAT NEED TO BE WRITTEN AND ADOPTED IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ALL OF THESE PROJECTS TO HAVE A FAIR EVALUATION.

>> WE DID REACH OUT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR A RESPONSE TO THE REPORT THEY ISSUED THIS STATEMENT, THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GOVERNOR, DEFENDING THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TURNED NEW JERSEY INTO A LEADER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY WITH ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW JERSEY WIND PORT, PRIORITIZATION OF NEW JERSEY'S FIRST UTILITY SCALE OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND SOLAR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.

YOUR RESPONSE?

>> WE HAVE FOUGHT THE GOVERNOR FOR ALL OF THOSE INITIATIVES.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS PUTTING FORWARD NEW JERSEY IN TERMS OF OFFSHORE WIND, WE ARE DEFINITELY IN LEADING THE COUNTRY IN THOSE TECHNOLOGIES.

HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL PENDING FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS AND WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT.

THIS IS NOT ONE SECTOR THEN ANOTHER, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND THAT INCLUDES THESE PROJECTS.

>> ANJULI RAMOS-BUSOT, NEW JERSEY DIRECTOR FOR THE SIERRA CLUB, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY, SERVING INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR 100 YEARS.

PSEG FOUNDATION.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PRESIDED BY FOUNDATION ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME A TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, CHANCE TO BE YOUNG AND BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA PROUD TO BE A NJ EA MEMBER.