>>> FUNDING FOR NJTV SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A HORRIFIC AND GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY TODAY ADDRESSING THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL OF WHICH RUSSIA IS STILL A MEMBER.

DETAILING ALLEGED ATROCITIES IN BUCHA AND OTHER CITIES JUST OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL HE CLAIMS WERE CREATED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY.

ZELENSKYY SHARING A HEROINE VIDEO WITH THE COUNCIL.

WE WILL WARN YOU THE IMAGES YOU'RE ABOUT TO WATCH ARE HIGHLY DISTURBING AND NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN, BUT WE FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SEE.

HE SAID TROOPS KILLED UKRAINIAN CIVILIANS, "JUST FOR THEIR PLEASURE."

THE FOOTAGE DOCUMENTING A MASSACRE IN THE AFTERMATH OF RUSSIA'S RETREAT.

SCORES OF BODIES LAY IN THE STREETS.

ZELENSKYY SAYS THE ACTIONS ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT OF OTHER TERRORISTS DEMANDING RUSSIAN OFFICIALS BE, "BROUGHT TO JUSTICE" IMMEDIATELY FOR WAR CRIMES.

ZELENSKYY ALSO CRITICIZED THE COUNCIL WARNING WORSE ATROCITIES COULD EMERGE AS MORE TROOPS WITHDRAW.

>> WE ARE DEALING WITH A STATE THAT IS TURNING THE NATO INTO THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL INTO THE RIGHT TO DIE.

THIS UNDERMINES THE WHOLE ARCHITECTURE OF GLOBAL SECURITY AND ALLOWS THEM TO GO UNPUNISHED.

THEY'RE DESTROYING EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN.

SO IF WE -- IF THIS CONTINUES THE COUNTRIES WILL RELY ONLY ON THE POWER OF THEIR OWN ARMS TO ENSURE THEIR SECURITY AND NOT INTERNATIONAL LAW.

NOT RELY ON INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

THE UNITED NATIONS CAN BE SIMPLY CLOSE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M READY TO CLOSE THE U.N. DO YOU THINK THE TIME OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IS GONE?

IF YOUR ANSWER IS NO, THEN YOU NEED TO ACT IMMEDIATELY.

>> INCREASING A NUMBER OF WORLD LEADERS ARE PROPOSING NEW ROUNDS OF SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA, ACCUSING FORCES OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES.

BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

HELEN SANDERS IS PROFESSOR OF SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY HERE WITH US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

PROFESSOR SANDERS FIRST OF ALL JUST HEROINE IMAGES COMING OUT OF UKRAINE RIGHT NOW.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY TODAY CALLED THIS GENOCIDE, BUT U.S.

LEADERS HAVE BEEN VERY CHOICE WITH THEIR WORDS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN, IN FACT, CALLING FOR A WAR CRIMES TRIAL.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO PROSECUTE WAR CRIMES?

WHAT CONSTITUTES WAR CRIMES?

>> WELL BODY SPEAKING WAR CRIMES ARE CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIANS.

INTENTIONAL CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIANS, INDISCRIMINATE BONDING, CERTAINLY A DELIVERED ASSASSINATION.

THE REAL PROBLEM WITH WAR CRIMES IS OBTAINING THE EVIDENCE.

THAT'S ALWAYS A REAL PROBLEM AT A WAR SCENE BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE AREN'T THERE TO ACTUALLY WITNESS THIS OR THEY ARE SCARED TO TESTIFY OR IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TRACK THEM DOWN.

OBVIOUSLY THE ONES WHO COULD MOST VIVIDLY TESTIFY ABOUT THAT ARE THE VICTIMS THEMSELVES.

MOST OF THEM ARE DEAD, AND THAT IS A HUGE TRAGEDY OF THIS SORT OF THING.

THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBLE AVENUES FOR THIS AND THE JURY DICTION VARIES AND ALSO THE STANDARDS VARY.

SOME INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES ARE UNDER THEIR INDIVIDUAL LAWS, DOMESTIC LAWS TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PURSUE WAR CRIMES AND WAR CRIMINALS.

BUT OF COURSE, THEY HAVE TO COME WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COUNTRIES, THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL AND BE PRESENT PHYSICALLY IN THOSE COUNTRIES.

THERE IS THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

THE PROBLEM THERE IS THAT RUSSIA IS NOT A MEMBER.

NEITHER IS THE U.S. OR UKRAINE.

BECAUSE THE RUSSIANS AREN'T THERE YOU CAN'T ANTICIPATE THEM TO COOPERATE IN ANY WAY.

THEY WOULDN'T DO THAT.

PERHAPS ALSO IF THEY WEREN'T -- ALSO IF THEY WERE MEMBERS THEY WOULDN'T.

BUT CERTAINLY SINCE THEY'RE NOT MEMBERS THEY WOULDN'T COOPERATE ON THAT.

THE OTHER OPTION IS FOR THE U.N. ITSELF TO SET UP A SPECIAL INQUIRY AND TO PURSUE THE INQUIRY THROUGH ITS OWN CHANNELS.

OF COURSE STATES CAN ALWAYS SET UP, GROUPS OF STATES CAN ALWAYS SET UP THROUGH VARIOUS AGREEMENTS, INDIVIDUAL OR COLLECTIVE TRIBUNALS.

>> IS THE U.N.

STUCK IN A PREDICTMENT HERE WITH RUSSIA STILL HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE?

THE U.S., I BELIEVE BRITAIN AS WELL CALLING FOR RUSSIA'S SUSPENSION FROM THE U.N. RIGHTS COUNCIL?

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE?

>> RIGHT, THE U.N. FOR THE MOST PART IS BASICALLY A BODY THAT CAN EXPOSE OR DISCUSS AND LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT THEIR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.

IN TERMS OF TAKING CONCRETE ACTION.

IF THE ACTION INVOLVES ONE OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OR THEIR CLOSE ALLIES.

NOTHING HAPPENS BECAUSE ONE OF THE MEMBERS WILL SIMPLY VETO THE RESOLUTION.

WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT SUSPENDING OR EXPELLING RUSSIA FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IS THAT IS AN ACTUAL ACTION.

THAT COULD TAKE PLACE AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT COULD TAKE PLACE WITHOUT RUSSIAN COOPERATION.

TO SUSPEND OR EXPEL A MEMBER FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, ALL IT TAKES IS A TWO-THIRDS VOTE IN THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE PUTTING FORWARD NEW SANCTIONS.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SANCTIONS IT SEEMS LIKE FOR A LONG TIME.

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ANYWHERE.

AT WHAT POINT AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE WOULD, BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD THE U.S., NATO ESCALATE THIS TO MILITARY INTERVENTION?

>> WELL I THINK AS LONG AS WE STICK TO CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS IT'S HARD TO COMMIT MILITARILY.

BUT IF RUSSIA WERE TO GO BEYOND CONVENTIONAL WARFARE THEN WE MAY SEE SOME ACTION, MILITARY ACTION FROM NATO AND THE U.S.

ALLIES.

GOING BEYOND CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS WOULD CREATE A WHOLE NEW SCENARIO THAT COULD HAVE CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES FOR THE REGION, FOR THE EUROPEANS AND, OF COURSE, FOR THE WORLD.

BUT ONE THING I WANT TO STRESS IS ONE IT SEEMS MILITARY ACTION BY NATO WOULD BE A QUICK RESPONSE AND WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ANY ACTION AGAINST RUSSIA WILL BE A QUICK RESULT.

SO ONE HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT MILITARY ACTIONS.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEES THERE.

>> AS IS THE CASE WITH MILITARY INTERVENTION.

OKAY ALLAN SANDERS PROFESSOR AT SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

TAKE CARE.

>>> AT THE STATE HOUSE TODAY TERESA RUIZ ROLLED OUT HER FIRST MAJOR POLICY PROPOSALS SINCE TAKING THE POSITION.

IT'S A PACKAGE OF BILLS TO ADDRESS CHILDCARE NEEDS.

THAT'S AN AREA LONG IN NEED OF SUPPORT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

SO HOW TO FIX IT?

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS FROM TRENTON.

>> THERE ARE PROBABLY 35,000 LOW INCOME INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO NEED CHILDCARE, BUT WE'RE STARTING WITH SOMETHING CONCRETE AND DOABLE.

>> Reporter: IN SUPPORT OF A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD RESUSCITATE NEW JERSEYEST' CHILDCARE INDUSTRY THAT MANY SAY IS ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER.

>> PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND AFFORDABLE CARE.

PROGRAMS ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY IN BUSINESS.

STAFF ARE UNDERPAID AND UNDERVALUED LONG BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC JUST POINTED OUT THOSE FLAWS AND ALSO THE IMPACT WHEN WOMEN CANNOT GO BACK TO WORK.

>> Reporter: THE PACKAGE OF TEN BILLS IS CHAMPIONED BY TERESA RUIZ WHO SAYS THEY TACKLE PROBLEMS IN THE INDUSTRY FROM ALL SIDES.

>> THIS TO ME IS A COMMON SENSE APPROACH OF WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE STEPPING IN.

>> Reporter: ONE BILL WOULD CREATE A STATE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.

A SECOND WOULD ADDRESS ACCESSIBILITY BY ADDING 1,000 INFANT AND TODDLER OPENINGS AT CHILDCARE CENTERS LOCATED IN CHILDCARE DESERTS MEANING LOW INCOME AREAS WHERE PARENTS HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE.

THAT CREATES MAJOR BARRIERS TO WOMEN FINDING EMPLOYMENT ESPECIALLY WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE DESERTS ACROSS THE STATE, WHERE THERE IS NOT ONLY LIMITED, BUT NO CHILDCARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

THAT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NEW JERSEY IS NOT HAVING A FOCUSED EFFORT, NOT ONLY TO DEVELOP MORE INFANT TODDLER CHILDCARE, BUT JUST TO SUPPORT IT AT A HIGHER LEVEL, WHICH MEANS HIGHER FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS AND FOR TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: EACH OF THOSE NEW INFANT AND TODDLER SEATS WOULD BE REIMBURSED AT A RATE OF $22,000 PER SEAT WITH A GOAL OF HELPING CENTERS REOPEN THAT HAD TO CLOSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

OTHER BILLS FOCUS ON ISSUES LIKE CHILDCARE WORKER COMPENSATION EARNING THE SUPPORT OF ADVOCATES WHO SAY IT IS ONE PART OF A NEEDED SYSTEM OVERHAUL.

>> THE SYSTEM THAT HITS THREE COMPONENTS THAT ENHANCES THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN STARTING AT BIRTH.

A SYSTEM THAT WILL CREATE AN AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPE FOR FAMILIES ALLOWING PARENTS ESPECIALLY WOMEN TO ENTER OR REENTER THE WORK FORCE.

AND A SYSTEM WHERE THE PROFESSIONALS WHO STAND UP THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY CAN EARN THE COMPENSATION THAT THEIR WORK OBVIOUSLY DESERVES.

>> Reporter: ONE BILL WOULD OFFER TAX CREDITS FOR WORKERS ONCE THEY HIT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD.

AND THAT COULD HELP CENTERS RETAIN THEIR STAFF.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PROVIDERS OUT THERE WHO THIS IS THEIR SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE ACTUALLY HAVING AN INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS THE ONE YOU'RE TRYING TO HELP TO MOTIVATE TO HELP US STAY IN BUSINESS.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FINANCIALLY.

>> Reporter: ONE BILL WOULD REQUIRE NEW PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS TO HIRE PRIVATE PROVIDERS FOR AT LEAST 50% OF THE NEW PREK SLOTS.

YET ANOTHER WOULD EXPAND ELIGIBILITY TO FAMILIES EARNING UP TO 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE.

THE CURRENT ELIGIBILITY IS FOR FAMILIES EARNING UP TO 250%.

SO WHAT IS IT ALL GOING TO COST?

>> THE WHOLE PACKAGE WILL ROUND UP TO AROUND $350 MILLION.

>> Reporter: AND IN CASE YOU'RE FEELING STICKER SHOCK, SENATOR RUIZ BELIEVES IT'S POSSIBLE TO FIND RECURRING REVENUE FOR THESE PROGRAMS THAT SHE SAYS ARE INVESTMENTS THAT WILL PAY OFF IN THE LONG RUN.

>> IN 2015 I WAS TALKING ABOUT UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL.

SINCE THEN WE HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN PUTTING IN MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO EXPAND THOSE SEATS.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS WE HAVE TO REWIND, CATCH CHILDREN MUCH EARLIER, MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE SETTING PROGRAMS.

AND MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE OUTCOMES, ACADEMIC OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN REALLY START IN THE WOMB.

>> Reporter: THE PACKAGE OF BILLS STILL NEEDS TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE LONG BUDGETING PROCESS.

BUT ADVOCATES IN THE ROOM SAY EVEN IF THE FULL PACKAGE ISN'T APPROVED LET'S AT LEAST GET SOMETHING GOING AND START THE CONVERSATION.

IN TRENTON I'M JOANNA GAGIS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE COST OF COVID-19 CONTINUES RISING.

LATE MONDAY THE U.S. SENATE REACHED A DEAL TO PROVIDE $10 BILLION IN COVID AID TO THE COUNTRY.

THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS BUYING VACCINES AND OTHER THERAPEUTICS ALONG WITH ACCESS TO TESTING THOUGH IT WAS FAR SHORT OF THE MORE THAN $22 BILLION THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SOUGHT.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY JUST SHY OF 1,200 NEW CASES ARE BEING REPORTED TODAY AND 10 MORE DEATHS.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER A NEW COVID VARIANT KNOWN AS XE.

AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS EMPHASIZE THE WAY TO SUCCESSFULLY BOOST VACCINE RATES SHOULD BE DONE BY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> I'M 91 YEARS OLD.

IF YOU GO DOWN, YOU DON'T GO UP.

SO ANYTHING THAT WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE HOPE OF ENJOYING LIFE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> Reporter: DOROTHY DIDN'T HESITATE TO ROLL UP HER SLEEVES AND GET HER SECOND COVID BOOSTER SHOT AT THIS VACCINE CLINIC SET UP INSIDE MARIANNE TOWERS IN HOBOKEN.

SHE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO GO FAR.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS HERE.

NOW THAT I KNEW IT WAS DOWNSTAIRS, I CANCELED THE OTHER ONE THAT I HAD.

>> Reporter: AS THE CDC RECENTLY AUTHORIZED THE FOURTH DOSE OF THE VACCINE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50, HOBOKEN DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS MAKING SURE RESIDENTS HAVE NO ISSUES GETTING IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS.

>> THEY'RE THE ONES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE.

THEY NEED EASY ACCESS AND THEY NEED, YOU KNOW, THE BOOSTERS I BELIEVE SOONER THAN ANY OTHER POPULATION.

SO I THINK IT IS INCUMBENT ON US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THAT SAFETY FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINE CLINIC AT MARIANNE TOWERS IS ONE OF SEVERAL SET UP IN THE CITY.

99-YEAR-OLD MILLER WAS HAPPY TO GET HER SECOND BOOSTER CLOSE TO HOME.

>> IT IS VERY CONVENIENT FOR THE SENIOR.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, 59% OF RESIDENTS BETWEEN 50 AND 64 YEARS OLD HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST BOOSTER.

THAT NUMBER INCREASING TO NEARLY 73% FOR THOSE OVER 65.

SO BY SETTING UP CLINICS LIKE THIS THE GOAL IS TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> THE TIMING COULDN'T HAVE BEEN BETTER BECAUSE SOME OF THESE VACCINES ARE EXPIRING IN A FEW WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ALSO A PUSH TO GET MORE ELIGIBLE CHILDREN VACCINATED.

THE STATE REPORTING ONLY 40% OF KIDS BETWEEN 5 AND 11 HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SHOTS.

SO IN PATERSON THE CITY IS SETTING UP CLINICS AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS.

>> OUR GOAL STILL IS TO INJECT EQUITY AS FAR AS ACCESS TO THE VACCINE IS CONCERN.

WE FOCUS ON THE HARDEST-TO-REACH RESIDENTS.

>> Reporter: CITY OFFICIALS ARE HOPING TO TACKLE A SENSE OF HESITANCY.

>> FOR THE ADULTS TO GET THE VACCINATION THERE WAS A LOT OF TESTING THAT WENT ON, IT WAS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

OUR NUMBERS WERE EXTREMELY HIGH.

DEATHS WERE EVERY DAY JUST CONSTANTLY.

THINGS HAVE NOW CALMED DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND THE NUMBERS ARE MUCH BETTER.

SO THAT ADDS TO THE HESITANCY.

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY THAT I DO THIS WITH MY CHILD.

IT IS ALSO WELL WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS FOR TWO YEARS AND MY CHILD DIDN'T GET THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: BUT NOW THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, PARENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS IN PERSON.

THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GET VACCINATED ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

>> WE JUST WANT TO BRING ACCESS.

GOOD HEALTHCARE, ACCESS, HEALTH, QUALITY, WE KNOW WE BRING QUALITY, WE KNOW WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE COST BECAUSE WE'RE FEDERALLY FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT.

MOST IMPORTANTLY WE TAKE OUR MOBILE UNITS ON THE ROAD TO THE COMMUNITY IN VARIOUS PLACES TO GET TO THE POPULATIONS THAT MOST NEED US.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST PARTNERSHIP LIKE THIS ON SUCH A MASS SCALE WITH SCHOOL SYSTEMS WHERE WE ARE HERE FOR 23 DAYS.

23 DAYS WE WERE HAVING AT THE SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ALSO BRINGING IN SUPERMAN HERO BATMAN FOR SUPPORT.

>> WE RECOGNIZE VACCINATING CHILDREN REQUIRES A DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE, SO WE WANT TO PUT OUR CHILDREN THE A EASE.

>> WE ALL KNOW THAT VACCINATION IS THE MOST PROTECTIVE MEASURE THAT WE CAN ALL DO TO SLOW DOWN THIS VIRUS.

AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S STARTING TO WORK.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT VARIANTS OUT THERE, SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT PUSH.

WE HAVE CHILDREN BACK IN SCHOOL WITH IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION GOING ON WITH OUR TEACHERS.

WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO KEEP IT THROUGH VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE IN-SCHOOL VACCINATION CLINICS WILL STAY OPEN THROUGH EARLY JUNE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> WELL THE STATE COULD BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO ENDING THE PRACTICE KNOWN AS QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

AFTER THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY RULED TO LET A LAWSUIT AGAINST TWO NEWARK POLICE OFFICERS MOVE FORWARD BROUGHT BY A MAN WHO SAYS HE WAS WRONGFULLY TARGETED FOR A STRING OF ROBBERIES.

NOW QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IS A LEGAL DEFENSE USED TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS FROM BEING SUED.

THE RECENT RULING UPHELD A LOWER COURT'S DECISION TO DISMISS THE OFFICER'S REQUEST TO BE PROTECTED BY QUALIFIED IMMUNITY AND STATED THEY DON'T HAVE AN AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO APPEAL SUCH AN ORDER.

SUPPORTERS OF QUALIFIED IMMUNITY SAYS IT OFFERS PUBLIC OFFICIALS DEFENSE FROM UNWARRANTED LAWSUITS, BUT CRITICS HAVE LONG ARGUED IT PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM BEING ABLE TO HOLD POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE.

>>> WHILE THE DEADLINE IS LOOMING ON A FEDERAL FREEZE FOR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS, RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS NO DETAILS ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION IN TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA, WHAT DO YOU GOT?

>> Reporter: BRIANNA, MILLIONS OF STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS ARE ABOUT TO GET A BREAK.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS NOW PLANNING TO FREEZE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST ACCORDING TO SOURCES.

AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT IS EXPECTED TOMORROW.

STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS WERE SCHEDULED TO RESUME MAY 1 AFTER BEING HALTED SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE EXTENSION ALIES TO MORE THAN 43 MILLION AMERICANS WHO COLLECTIVELY OWE MORE THAN $1.6 TRILLION IN STUDENT DEBT HELD BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT COMES FOLLOWING CALLS FROM DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INCLUDING NEW JERSEY SENATORS BOOKER AND MENENDEZ HAVE ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO CANCEL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN STUDENT DEBT PER PERSON.

AS STATE LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO CONSIDER HOW THE STATE SHOULD SPEND BILLIONS IN EXTRA REVENUE, BUSINESS GROUPS HAVE BEEN ARGUING THAT MORE MONEY IS NEEDED TO HELP BUSINESSES.

THE NEW ANALYSIS WILL FIND THE CLIMATE IS WORSE THAN THEIR NEIGHBORING STATES.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS REPORT FINDS NEW JERSEY'S OVERALL BUSINESS CLIMATE WAS THE WEAKEST FOR THE FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR SCORING BEHIND NEW YORK, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND, CONNECTICUT, AND MASSACHUSETTS.

THE ANALYSIS POINTS TO NEW JERSEY'S TOP CORPORATE TAX RATE OF 11.5% AS ONE REASON WHY THE BUSINESS CLIMATE FALLS SHORT.

>>> IN THE MEANTIME NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER SAYS THE BUSINESS CLIMATE WOULD BE BETTER WITH LESS BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE.

>> WHEN WE'RE COMPETING WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY FROM FLORIDA TO NORTH CAROLINA TO TEXAS AND INCLUDING A FEW MILES FROM HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA IT IS ALMOST AS IF SOMETIMES WE PUT UP THIS GIANT NEW JERSEY LOOK, AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH EVERYONE FROM MOM AND POPS THE BIGGEST BUSINESSES, NEW JERSEY SEEMS TO TAKE THE RED TAPE CAKE.

>> Reporter: HE HAS INTRODUCED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO REVIEW RULES THAT ARE OUTDATED, THEN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO CONGRESS.

SOME FEDERAL REGULATIONS ARE STANDING IN THE WAY OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES EXPANDING AND CREATING JOBS.

NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET ENDED THIS TRADING DAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> IT APPEARS POSSIBLE LOOPHOLES ARE TIGHTEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE'S CORRUPTION LAW.

FORMER BAYONNE CANDIDATE JASON O'DONNELL WILL FACE BRIBERY CHARGES AFTER ALL.

O'DONNELL WAS ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING A $10,000 BRIBE IN DECEMBER 2019 WHILE RUNNING UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR MAYOR.

IN EXCHANGE HE PROMISED A TAX ATTORNEY WHO WAS SECRETLY WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE A POSITION WITH THE CITY.

THE APPEAL'S COURT REINSTATED HIS CASE THIS WEEK OVERTURNING THE LOWER COURT RULING THAT TOSSED THE CHARGES BECAUSE HE WASN'T AN ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIAL AT THE TIME OF THE BRIBE.

THIS WEEKEND THEY RULED A BRIBE IS A BRIBE WHETHER YOU WIN THE ELECTION OR NOT.

MEANWHILE THE BILL TO EXPAND THE STATE'S ANTIBRIBERY LAW TO INCLUDE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS AWAITING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SIGNATURE.

>>> AND THE ELECTION CYCLE RARELY FEELS LIKE IT ENDS FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES IN NEW JERSEY.

MONDAY MARKED THE FILING DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY 63 PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED IN ALL.

THAT MARKS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CANDIDATES SINCE THE SO-CALLED WATER GATE ELECTION IN 1974.

41 REPUBLICANS, 22 DEMOCRATS.

WELL THIS YEAR A HANDFUL OF INCUMBENTS WILL FACE NOT ONLY PRIMARY CHALLENGES, BUT A NEWLY REDRAWN DISTRICT MAP TO COMPETE WITH.

THE POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> Reporter: YOU MAY NOT BE THINKING ABOUT ELECTIONS IN POLITICS, BUT WHILE YOU'RE PLOTTING YOUR SUMMER BARBECUES, SOME PEOPLE ARE PLOTTING THEIR NEXT POLITICAL MOVE NOW AS THEY PREPARE FOR BATTLE.

DO THEY THINK WE HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO THINK ABOUT?

>> APPARENTLY NOT BECAUSE LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO FILED.

THE MOST NUMBER OF CANDIDATES WHO FILED.

WE KEPT GOING BACK LOOKING FOR A BIG NUMBER.

NOW WE'VE ONLY GOT 12 SEATS AND YET 63 CANDIDATES.

THAT'S KIND OF CRAZY.

>>> BUT PRIMARIES TEND TO ATTRACT THE CANDIDATES AND OCCASIONALLY YOU WILL HAVE AN UPSET, BUT THAT'S A PARTIAL LOOK AT THE LIST OF 63.

DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS YOU MIGHT NOT THINK HAVE MUCH IN THE WAY OF THOSE MATCHUPS, BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES, EVEN FOR SOMEONE IN THE EIGHTH DISTRICT.

HE'S THE SON OF THE SENATOR WHO WILL FACE FOUR OPPONENTS DESPITE ASSUMPTION THAT HE WILL WALTZ TO THE EASY VICTORY GIVEN HIS NAME AND PARTY LINE.

THE GUY WHO RAN FOR HIS SEAT AS THE PROGRESSIVE IN 2020 SAYS THESE CHALLENGERS ARE GOOD FOR THE PARTY.

>> THE PARTY LINE WAS GOING TO HAVE THEIR AFFECT NO MATTER WHAT.

I DON'T SEE IT AS A FAILURE.

I ACTUALLY SEE IT AS A BEAUTIFUL THING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE FEEL THAT THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPEN FOR THEM TO SEEK THIS OFFENSE.

NORMALLY PEOPLE DOING THESE SORTS OF THINGS RUN UNOPPOSED.

THE ELECTIONS ARE VERY COMMON.

>> Reporter: THE GUY WHO WILL FACE THE PRIMARY CHALLENGE, CHRIS SMITH, FINDS HIMSELF HAVING TO DEFEND THEIR SEAT AFTER REDISTRICTING MADE IT NOT AS SAFE AS IT USED TO BE.

AND NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS COLLEEN O'DAY.

>> HE HAD TO MOVE WHERE HE LIVED OR WHERE HIS RESIDENCE BECAME A PART OF THE THIRD.

SO HE HAS HAD TO MOVE HIS RESIDENCE, YOU KNOW, DOWN FURTHER.

SO THEORETICALLY HE'S NOT AS WELL KNOWN.

I THINK THAT'S THE BIG TAKEAWAY WITH REDISTRICTING IS FOLKS SAYING WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MY SHOT FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS BECAUSE THE LINES HAVE CHANGED.

MAYBE THE INCUMBENTS AREN'T AS WELL KNOWN.

SOME MAY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE.

>> WITH SO MANY CANDIDATES AND NOT ENTIRELY ENGAGED ELECTORATE, ELECTION RESULTS AS THEY SAY CAN VARY.

THERE IS AN IAN SMITH, THE FAR RIGHT GYM OWNER WHO IS CURRENTLY FACING DUI AND HAS A PAST VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CONVICTION.

>> HE RAN WITH HIS COUNTY ORGANIZATION SUPPORT LAST YEAR AND SO, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO COMPARE HIM TO IAN SMITH WHO WILL HAVE HIS OWN PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW WITH HIS, YOU KNOW, DRUNK DRIVING CHARGE DOWN THERE.

WE WILL SEE WHERE THAT WILL GO.

SO YEAH, I DON'T THINK THAT YOU COULD PUT THOSE TWO TOGETHER.

CONCERNED VOTERS LAST YEAR, THEY WERE THE HEAD OF THE REVOLUTION TO SOUTH JERSEY AND SOUTH JERSEY TURNED RED.

>> Reporter: SO BEWARE.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGH SINCE MURPHY.

AND WITH A PRESIDENT ON SHAKY POLITICAL GROUND, HE THINKS THE MIDTERMS COULD SEE THE GOP GETTING AT LEAST ONE AND MAYBE MORE SEATS.

I'M DAVID CRUZ NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE WILL HAVE ALL THE LATEST NEWS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR NOW I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM WE THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> MJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>> HAVE SOME WATER.

LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I GAVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN MJEA MEMBER.