BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH RIHANNA.

>> FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BREANNA.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS HAVING A TOUGH LEGAL WEEK.

DECLINING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TODAY DURING A SCHEDULED DEPOSITION, INVOKING HIS FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS LAWYERS CONTINUE A THREE YEAR LONG CIVIL INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION MISLED LENDERS BY INFLATING THE VALUES OF HIS HOTELS AND GOLF CLUBS AND OTHER ASSETS.

IN A STATEMENT ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA SITE TODAY, THE FORMER PRESIDENT LINKED IT TO A LARGER CONSPIRACY AGAINST HIM, CONNECTED TO MONDAY FBI RAID ON HIS MAR-A-LAGO HOME IN PALM BEACH, FLORIDA.

THAT'S WHERE FEDERAL AGENTS SEIZED BOXES OF DOCUMENTS AND WHAT ANALYSTS ARE CALLED A STUNNING ESCALATION OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS MR. TRUMP IMPROPERLY TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS, INCLUDING CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS WHEN HE LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT'S ALL HAPPENING AS THE HOUSE JANUARY 6th COMMITTEE CONTINUES CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS WITH WITNESSES FROM TRUMP'S INNER CIRCLE.

AS IT TRIES TO MAKE THE CASE THAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT HOLDS DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INSURRECTION OF THE U.S. CAPITAL LAST YEAR.

BUT THE LATEST MAMMOTH UNIVERSITY POLL SAYS DESPITE HIGH-PROFILE HEARINGS AND DAMNING TESTIMONY, THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE LITTLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE WITH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

I SPOKE WITH MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLSTER PATRICK MURPHY JUST HOURS AFTER THE POLL WAS RELEASED TUESDAY.

>> PATRICK, THESE WERE HIGH- PROFILE HEARINGS THAT WERE SEEMINGLY EVERYWHERE FOR WEEKS, AND YET, THEY DID LITTLE TO NOTHING, ACCORDING TO YOUR POLL TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL US?

>> THEY WERE EVERYWHERE FOR THE 23% OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEM.

THE VAST MAJORITY WERE NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION OR ANY ATTENTION NOW.

THAT WAS I THINK THE KEY THAT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WE SAW THAT THE FOLKS WHO WERE TURNING INTO THESE HEARINGS WERE BY AND LARGE, WERE DEMOCRAT OR LEAN DEMOCRAT.

THEY ALREADY FELT THAT THE JANUARY 6th ATTACKS WERE AN INSURRECTION OR SEDITION.

THEY FELT THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE THINGS.

AND SO THAT'S WHY IT DIDN'T MOVE.

IT'S NOT THAT YOU'RE GETTING PEOPLE INTO THESE HEARINGS OR WATCHING THESE HEARINGS WHO WERE BEING EXPOSED TO NEW EVIDENCE.

EVIDENCE THAT THEY HADN'T SEEN BEFORE.

IT WAS REALLY FASCINATING AND IT DIDN'T EVEN MOVE BEFORE THE FIRST HEARING, BACK IN JUNE.

FOR EXAMPLE, BEFORE THESE HEARINGS EVEN STARTED, 32% OF THE PUBLIC FELT THAT JOE BIDEN WON THE PRESIDENCY ONLY DUE TO FRAUD.

THAT WAS A NUMBER THAT WAS CONSISTENT SINCE THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION.

THAT NUMBER WENT TO 29% WHICH IS BASICALLY MARGIN OF ERROR STUFF.

FROM 30 TO 29.

STILL THE SAME THING.

WHEN THE HEARING STARTED, AND NOW THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH EIGHT HEARINGS, IT'S STILL AT 29%.

EVERYTHING WILL NEVER HAS BEEN LIKE THAT.

>> OF COURSE, IF YOU ASK MEMBERS OF THAT PANEL, THEY WOULD SAY THIS INVESTIGATION WAS NOT TO SWAY THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC.

YOUR SURVEY IS COMING OUT AT A TIME WHEN THE FBI HAS JUST RATED THE PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCE IN MAR-A-LAGO, LOOKING FOR TOP- SECRET DOCUMENTS THAT PERHAPS WENT WITH HIM, RATHER THAN TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.

SO OUR CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES REALLY ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT IS.

MORE THAN THE FBI, I WOULD THINK THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE TESTIMONY WAS TO REPUBLICAN LEADERS WHO HAVE GIVEN DONALD TRUMP AND OTHERS COVER FOR WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6th.

I THINK THE IDEA WAS LIKE LYNN CHENEY AND ADAM KINZINGER, THE REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE, WAS TO COME OUT AND SAY LOOK, IF YOU CLAIM TO BE AN AMERICAN AND STAND FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND THE INSTITUTIONS OF OUR REPUBLIC, YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS WAS A CRIME AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THEY ARE HOPING TO MAKE THAT CASE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC IS NOT GOING TO MOVE UNLESS THE LEADERSHIP MOVES.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE FOUND HERE IS THAT BECAUSE HE PUBLIC IS SO DUG IN, THAT IT'S GIVEN THOSE REPUBLICANS THE COVER THAT THEY NEED TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR NEXT REELECTION AND YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN, YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE TRUMP BASE OF YOUR PARTY AND THIS IS BASICALLY SAYING, DON'T MOVE IF YOU WANT TO --IF YOU CHERISH HER OWN CAREER.

DON'T COME OUT.

DON'T COME OUT AGAINST TRUMP AT ALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO GO WELL FOR YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T THINK IT MOVED THAT NEEDLE EITHER.

THE ONLY THING THAT MAYBE IT DID AND WE WON'T KNOW THIS UNTIL WELL AFTER THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE DONE.

KIND OF PUT A MARKER DOWN THAT SAID CRIMES WERE COMMITTED, AND IF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ARE NOT PUT ON TRIAL, PUT IN FRONT OF THE THIRD BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT LIKE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO, THEN WE CAN HAVE A PROBLEM DOWN THE LINE.

HISTORY WILL NOT JUDGE US WELL.

>> PATRICK MURRAY, MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> CHINA'S MILITARY SAYS IT COMPLETED NEARLY A WEEK OF DRILLS AROUND TAIWAN, INCLUDING LAUNCHING BALLISTIC MISSILES.

NAVAL EXERCISES AND SENDING AIRCRAFT OVER AND AROUND THE ISLAND.

THE ESCALATING TENSIONS FOLLOW A CONTROVERSIAL VISIT LAST WEEK FROM HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI AND A SMALL CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WHO DEFIED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WARNINGS NOT TO VISIT.

THE NEIGHBORING SELF RULED ISLAND THAT CHINA CLAIMS AS PART OF ITS TERRITORY.

THE SPEAKER'S TRIP IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BY A U.S. OFFICIAL IN DECADES AND WHEN SHE DEFENDED AS A MEANS OF SHOWING U.S. SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN'S DEMOCRACY.

IT'S ALSO ONE THAT STRONG AND AGGRESSIVE MILITARY RESPONSE.

I'M JOINED NOW BY NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM WHO WAS ON THAT TRIP WITH SPEAKER PELOSI.

>> CONGRESSMAN KIM, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

LET ME ASK YOU TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE CRITICISM THAT'S BEEN GIVEN FOR THIS TRIP TO TAIWAN.

CHINA WARNED THAT IT WOULD PROVOKE TENSIONS IF YOUR DELEGATION WENT.

YOU ALL DID.

THE SPEAKER SAID IT WAS WORTH IT.

DO YOU AGREE?

>> WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT THERE ALL ACROSS THE PACIFIC TO VISIT OUR TROOPS.

HEAR FROM THEM.

I KNOW WHEN I WAS OUT IN GUAM, I MET PEOPLE FROM THE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

CONSTITUENTS OF MINE FROM MANSFIELD TO SERVE AT THE JOINT BASE AND WHO DO MISSIONS OUT THERE.

EVERYTHING WE ARE TRYING TO DO, ALL THESE ISSUES ABOUT OUR CHALLENGES WITH THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY WHEN IT COMES TO TAIWAN, THESE WILL AFFECT OUR SERVICE MEMBERS.

AMONG THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

SO I HAVE TO BE UP TO DIVE IN DEEP ON THESE ISSUES.

I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO KNOW AND SEE FOR MYSELF THE SECURITY CHALLENGES OF TAIWAN, AND WE ALSO CAN ALLOW THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY TO DICTATE HOW WE ENGAGE WITH OUR PARTNERS.

HOW WE DO THIS.

WHETHER IT'S ON THE SECURITY SIDE OR ABOUT THE DEEP, ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH TAIWAN.

SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF ENGAGEMENTS WE NEED TO DO.

>> ARE YOU AT ALL CONCERNED, CONGRESSMAN, THAT THE TRIP UNDERMINED U.S./CHINA RELATIONS?

>> NO.

OUR RELATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOUGH BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THIS TRIP WAS PROVOCATIVE AND INFLAMMATORY, BUT I WILL SAY IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

WHAT WE SAW JUST A LITTLE BIT --A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO IS THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY DECLARING THAT THE TAIWAN STRAIT IS NOT INTERNATIONAL WATERS.

INSTEAD, IT'S THEIR TERRITORIAL WATERS.

WE HAVE SEEN THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY RAMP-UP ON THEIR MILITARY CAPACITY BUILDING AND SPENDING LEADING UP TO 2027 WHICH IS WHEN THEY SAY THEY WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY AND CAPABILITIES TO LAUNCH AN INVASION AGAINST TAIWAN.

SO WE SEE A PROVOCATIVE ENGAGEMENT THERE.

WE ALSO SEE THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY CUT OFF THEIR COMMUNICATIONS AND FORMAL TIES TO TAIWANESE OFFICIALS.

SO NOT EVEN HAVING THE PROSPECTS OF DOING THIS PEACEFULLY RIGHT NOW.

SO WE HAVE TO BE ALERTED TO THAT AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY THAT WE CAN ENGAGE.

THAT'S TRYING TO DEFEND THE STATUS QUO.

WE ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF TAIWANESE INDEPENDENCE.

WE ARE ALSO NOT SUPPORTIVE OF CHINA, MAINLAND CHINA TAKING TAIWAN BY FORCE.

THE UNITED STATES'S ROLE IS TO TRY TO PROMOTE THE STATUS QUO.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THAT, CONGRESSMAN KIM.

WILL THE U.S. SUPPORT TAIWAN MILITARILY IF CHINA ACTS ON THESE THREATS?

SEE MATT RIGHT NOW, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TRY TO PROVIDE TAIWAN WITH THE DEFENSE CAPABILITIES TO TRY TO PREVENT THAT FROM EVER HAPPENING.

I WOULD HATE TO EVER SEE, IT WOULD BE A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO IF WE EVER SAW AN OUTBREAK OF WAR.

OUR POLICY RIGHT NOW IS TO MAXIMIZE THE CAPABILITIES OF DETERRENCE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO.

BUT IT WILL BE A VERY SERIOUS ENDEAVOR.

SOMETHING MUCH GREATER AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN ANYTHING WE EXPERIENCED IT IN OUR ROCK AND AFGHANISTAN.

SO THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN PREDICT AT THIS POINT.

BUT OUR MAIN EFFORT RIGHT NOW NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DETER THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS, AND TO DO OUR BEST TO TRY TO AVOID IT.

>> NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM ON HIS RECENT TRIP TO TAIWAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGE IN THE STATE TUESDAY ADDED INSULT TO INJURY WITH BLAZING HOT TEMPERATURES.

LEAVING THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WITHOUT A WAY TO KEEP THEIR HOMES COOL.

ROUGHLY 65,000 CUSTOMERS WERE IN THE DARK AT ONE POINT.

THE MAJORITY IN MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES, AFTER A HIGH- VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE CAME DOWN ALONG ROUTE 80, SPARKING A BRUSH FIRE, FORCING THE SHUTDOWN OF THE HIGHWAY AND JUST ADDING TO THE CHAOS.

JERSEY CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT SAYS AS OF THIS AFTERNOON THOUGH, THE POWER IS BACK ON FOR ALL BUT A FEW CUSTOMERS.

>>> MEANWHILE, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STATE, TUESDAY, THOUSANDS OF OTHER RESIDENTS WERE DEALING WITH A MASSIVE WATER MAIN BREAK.

MANY IN NEWARK, BELLEVILLE AND BLOOMFIELD ARE STILL UNDER A BOIL WATER ADVISORY, OR WITHOUT WATER SERVICE ENTIRELY.

CREWS CONTINUE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO REPAIR THE WATER MAIN THAT BROKE IN BRANCH BROOKE PARK.

GEYSERS ERUPTED IN THE STREETS, TRIGGERING A SINKHOLE THAT SWALLOWED A CAR.

THAT'S STILL SUBMERGED.

HOSPITALS IN NEWARK WERE FORCED TO DIVERT SOME HIGH RISK PATIENTS WITH SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN THE CITY CANCELED FOR A SECOND DAY.

NEWARK OFFICIALS ARE STILL HANDING OUT BOTTLED WATER DOOR TO DOOR.

BLOOMFIELD CITY LEADERS WERE AT THE TOWN LIBRARY TODAY HANDING OUT WATER, WHILE BELLEVILLE'S MAYBERRY SAID THE CITY RECEIVED ABOUT 1300 CASES OF WATER TO BE DISTRIBUTED FROM THE SENIOR CENTER.

>>> IS OTHER SECTORS OF THE LABOR MARKET BEGIN ADDING BACK MORE JOBS, ONE AREA CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE AND IT'S LEAVING DISABLED, ELDERLY AND MEDICALLY FRAIL PATIENTS STRANDED WITHOUT CARE.

THE HOME HEALTH AGE SHORTAGE THAT BEGAN LONG BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IS NOW A CRISIS LEVEL.

ACCORDING TO FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES, THE SITUATION IS HEADING FOR A CLIFF.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> HE'S ASKING.

IS THERE SOMEBODY COMING?

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO BE HERE?

>> Reporter: BOB WILLIAMS CAN'T ALWAYS COUNT ON THE 18 NEEDS TO CARE FOR HIS 27-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC SON GRANT WHO REQUIRES ASSISTANCE WITH THE MOST BASIC ACTIVITIES.

HE CAN CHOKE WHILE EATING, FOR EXAMPLE.

BUT HIS DAD SAYS 20 TO 30% OF THE TIME, AIDES SHOW UP LATE TO THEIR SOUTH JERSEY HOME, IF AT ALL.

>> I UNDERSTAND OCCASIONALLY NOT HAVING SERVICE, BUT IT'S MORE THAN OCCASIONAL.

SO I'M FRUSTRATED.

THE STAFF IS SOMETIMES NOT SHOWING UP.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH AUTISTIC PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WILLIAMS HIMSELF IS DISABLED AFTER NECK AND BACK SURGERIES AND SAYS THE CRITICAL STAFFING SHORTAGE DEEPLY WORRIES HIM.

ONE REPORT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF HOME HEALTH AGE IN NEW JERSEY PLUNGED FROM ABOUT 60,000 PRE- PANDEMIC TO 50,000 LAST YEAR, DOWN MORE THAN 16%.

FINDING FOLKS TO CARE FOR GRINDED IS NOT EASY.

>> IT'S A LEARNING CURVE EVERY TIME THERE'S SOMEBODY NEW AND HE REALLY IS A TEST.

ONE OF THE THINGS HE LIKES TO DO TO ANY PERSON IS TRY TO OPEN THE CAR WHILE IT'S MOVING.

THAT'S A TEST.

>> THE 76 HOUR TRAINING ISN'T NECESSARILY GEARED TOWARDS HANDLING CHALLENGES LIKE THAT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE AIDES AND THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE AIDES THAT ARE TRAINED APPROPRIATELY.

>> Reporter: NANCY HAS THE HOSPICE ASSOCIATION AND SAYS A STATE TASK FORCE IS WORKING TO RECRUIT MORE HOME HEALTH AIDES AND A NEW 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL GRANTS FUNDING OUTREACH AND TRAINING EFFORTS THROUGH RUTGERS.

JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS ARE PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO OFFER HIGHER DEGREES, BUT WAGES BASED ON MEDICARE AND MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS REMAIN SUBPAR, AVERAGING $13- $15 AN HOUR.

>> YOU CAN GET A BETTER SALARY AT STARBUCKS, TARGET AND AMAZON.

NOW THAT THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE HAS GOTTEN SO MUCH WORSE, IT'S EVEN THAT MUCH MORE CHALLENGING.

>> MOST OF THEM ARE ATTRACTED TO THE POSITION BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PASSION TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE OR THEY FEEL IT'S THEIR MISSION.

HOWEVER, THAT DOESN'T ABSOLVE US OF ANY WAY FROM NOT PROVIDING THEM WITH A SUSTAINABLE WAGE.

WE WILL HAVE TO BE PAYING TO ATTRACT WORKERS SOMEWHERE IN AT LEAST THE $25-$30 AN HOUR RANGE.

>> Reporter: DAVID IS WITH A HOME CARE NONPROFIT IN NEW JERSEY.

HE SAYS STAFFING LEVELS HAVE FALLEN BY 808 SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

RESTRICTIONS ON IMMIGRATION ALSO HIT HARD.

>> PRE-PANDEMIC, A VERY SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR WORKFORCE WERE IMMIGRANTS.

WITH THE RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON IMMIGRATION OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS HURT US SIGNIFICANT LEAP.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS AND NOW TURNS AWAY MORE THAN A THIRD OF NEW CASES.

THE SHORTAGE LEAVES SOME FAMILIES FRANTICALLY SEARCHING FOR HELP, SAYS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE DISABLED.

>> NEW YORK, DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA AND WE STILL CAN'T FIND ANYBODY BECAUSE THOSE STATES HAVE THEIR OWN SHORTAGES TOO.

IT'S NOT JUST NEW JERSEY.

YOU RUN OUT OF OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: CLIENTS END UP IN GROUP OR NURSING HOMES WHICH COST TAXPAYERS MORE OR CARED FOR BY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE A LOT OF LOVE, BUT NOT A LOT OF TRAINING.

FOR NOW, THEY DO THE BEST THEY CAN.

>> I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS TO BE PART OF MY LIFE, BUT I EMBRACE IT.

WE ARE JUST TRYING TO DO THE SAME, BRING THE SAME JOY TO ADULTS SO THEY HAVE A VIBRANT, PRODUCTIVE LIFE.

>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN IN SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND WHAT'S BEING HAILED AS A VICTORY FOR ACTIVISTS, LEADERS ARE NOW ON BOARD WITH NEW DISCLOSURE RULES FOR CITY BUSINESSES.

REQUIRING LARGER COMPANIES TO REVEAL HOW MANY OF THE WORKERS THEY HIRE ARE CITY RESIDENTS.

IT'S ALL PART OF A PLAN TO SEE IF LUCRATIVE TAX INCENTIVES AND OTHER PERKS USED TO LURE THE COMPANIES INTO TOWN ARE ACTUALLY BENEFITING THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: CAMDEN ACTIVISTS ARE CURIOUS.

OF TAX BREAKS FOR BIG COMPANIES MEAN MORE JOBS FOR PEOPLE IN CAMDEN?

A NEW ORDINANCE MIGHT HELP ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD GIVE $1 BILLION IN TAX INCENTIVES IN THE NAME OF REVITALIZING CAMDEN, AND NONE OF THOSE JOBS HAVE MADE IT TO CAMDEN RESIDENTS WERE VERY FEW, OR WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OF THOSE JOBS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE THEORY OF CHANGE THAT THE STATE HAS INVESTED IN.

>> WE WERE ALREADY FIGHTING FOR FAIR JOBS AND BETTER JOBS, AND DECENT JOBS.

CAMDEN RESIDENTS TO WORK WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY GROUPS HELP TO WRITE THE NEW LAW REQUIRED CAMDEN COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE HOW MANY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES LIVE IN CAMDEN AND HOW MUCH THEY ARE BEING PAID.

THE LAW APPLIES TO COMPANIES WITH AT LEAST 25 EMPLOYEES.

ACTIVISTS SAY THIS WILL LEAD TO MORE TRANSPARENCY WITHOUT BEING TOO BURDENSOME ON COMPANIES.

>> LET US KNOW AND WE ARE GLAD TO KNOW WE HAVE 10 RESIDENTS OVER HERE AND FIVE OVER HERE, BUT LET'S RAISE THAT BAR AND HIRE MORE.

>> IS TIME WE GOT SOME DATA.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUSINESS AND MONEY, AND IT'S TIME WE MANDATE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE DATA SO WE, AS A COMMUNITY AND AS ADVOCATES OF THE STATE POLICY CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH THE STATE SPENDS AND SUBSIDIZES BUSINESSES.

RIGHT LAST WEEK, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S OFFICE RELEASED A JOINT STATEMENT SAYING THAT SUPPORT THE ORDINANCE WHICH SURPRISED ACTIVISTS.

>> INFORMATION HIRING WITHIN THE CITY OF CAMDEN IS A GOOD IDEA.

AND I AM IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE.

NOW, BEFORE CANCEL AND I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES ON COUNSEL ARE ALSO INCLINED TO SUPPORT IT.

>> IN CAMDEN, WE GET SO LITTLE TRACTION WITH CITY GOVERNMENT OVER THE YEARS.

THERE'S SO MUCH SECTOR SKEPTICISM BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

PART OF THAT SKEPTICISM IS VALID BECAUSE CITY COUNCIL TWEAKED THE ORDINANCE, MAKING IT APPLY TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY.

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE, SO THE LAW COULD BE PASSED AND THEN LATER STRUCK DOWN IN COURT.

>> I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE ADDED LANGUAGE AND THAT IT'S OVER REACHED AND MAY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE ORDINANCE.

EVEN MAYBE RUN AFOUL OF LONG- STANDING PRECEDENT THAT MUNICIPALITIES CAN'T MANDATE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND THAT COULD RUN AFOUL WITH STATE LAW.

>> THIS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT IN THE ORDINANCE BEFORE COUNSEL HAS BEEN SUFFICIENT.

AND THAT'S THE BEST I CAN SAY.

>> IF YOU ARE SO ON BOARD WITH US, NUMBER ONE, WHY WOULD YOU TRY TO CHANGE LANGUAGE?

NUMBER TWO, IF YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT, WHY DID YOU DO IT BEFORE THE RESIDENTS HAD TO PUSH YOU TO DO IT?

>> Reporter: THEY'RE AFRAID THE SO-CALLED POISON PILL COULD CITY COUNCIL COULD KILL THE ORDINANCE WHILE SUPPORTING IT.

DICKERSON SAYS IF THE LAW IS OVERTURNED, SHE WILL JOIN ACTIVISTS IN BYPASSING CITY COUNCIL IN THE FUTURE.

>> WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE SO IT WON'T BE A NEW CHALLENGE FOR US AND WE WILL EXPOSE THE LIES AND THE CRAFTINESS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

BECAUSE OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS, THEY SAY THEY STAND WITH US BUT IN THE LANGUAGE, IT DOESN'T FEEL THAT WAY.

WE REACHED OUT TO CAMDEN CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE BUT DID NOT HEAR BACK.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, WE HAVE NEW DETAILS ON THE MTA 'S CONGESTION PRICING PLAN THAT WILL TOLL MOTORISTS SOUTH OF 60th STREET AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL COME AT A HIGH COST TO JERSEY DRIVERS.

FEES COULD RANGE FROM $9 TO AS HIGH AS $23 DURING RUSH HOUR.

THE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY THIS MORNING RELEASED AN IN- DEPTH STUDY REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LOOKING AT OUTCOMES OF SEVEN DIFFERENT TOLLING SCENARIOS.

FINDING A COULD REDUCE CAR TRAFFIC BY AS MUCH AS 20%.

TRUCK TRAFFIC COULD DROP ANYWHERE FROM 21 TO 81%, DEPENDING ON THE PRICING SCHEME.

TOLLS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND TRUCKS WOULD RANGE FROM $12 TO $82.

THE MTA SAYS IT NEEDS THE MONEY.

NEEDS IT FOR TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS WHILE IT STRUGGLES TO REGAIN RIDERSHIP WHICH IS STILL 40% BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND OTHER NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS ARE VOWING TO FIGHT THE EXTRA TOLL THAT WILL HIT JERSEY COMMUTERS TWICE AS HARD WHEN COMBINED WITH THE COST TO GET THROUGH THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS.

>>> THERE'S MORE HOPE ON THE HORIZON THAT INFLATION HAS PEAKED.

THE LATEST CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SHOWS THE COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES ROSE 8.5% IN JULY FROM A YEAR AGO.

BUT THAT'S LOWER THAN EXPECTATIONS AND A SLOWDOWN FROM THE 9.1% INCREASE WE SAW IN JUNE.

SO ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS, THE FEDERAL LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORT SHOWS INFLATION WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.

ECONOMISTS ATTRIBUTE IT TO A DROP IN ENERGY AND GAS PRICES, NOW JUST UNDER $4 NATIONALLY.

BUT STILL ABOUT THAT MERCURY NEW JERSEY.

WHILE ENERGY COSTS DROP, FOOD PRICES ARE STILL RISING SHARPLY.

YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT YOUR GROCERY BILL TO CONFIRM THAT.

THE REPORT SHOWS MORE THAN A 1% SPIKE FROM JUNE TO JULY, AND NEARLY 11% INCREASE FROM THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

THAT'S THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FOOD PRICES SINCE 1979.

>>> WAS TAKE A LOOK NOW AT HOW THE INFLATION NUMBERS ARE IMPACTING WALL STREET.

HERE'S TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>> FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJ MAGAZINE.NET.

AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> WE MAY BE KNOWN AS THE GARDEN STATE, BUT IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME TOWNS, GETTING NUTRITIOUS FOOD FROM FARM TO TABLE IS A LOT HARDER THAN YOU THINK.

ESPECIALLY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

ONE SOUTH JERSEY DISTRICT IS PARTNERING WITH A UNIQUE NONPROFIT TO BRING JERSEY FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND MEATS DIRECTLY TO THE LUNCH TABLE.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN FOOD ACCESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE CHICKEN AND SAUCE TO GO WITH THAT.

THIS ISN'T YOUR AVERAGE LUNCH, BUT WONDER SHIELDS, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS HOPING THAT IT BECOMES THE NORM.

>> HISTORICALLY HERE IN BRIDGETON, AND THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE BEEN AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE INDICATORS OF WHAT HEALTHY IS.

WHETHER IT'S DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, OBESITY WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM HERE IN BRIDGETON.

SO FOR ME, IT'S PERSONAL.

RAYMOND DeSHIELDS WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE SAYS FRESH LOCAL FOOD WILL NOW BE AN OPTION FOR SOME 6200 STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT THROUGH A PILOT PROGRAM WITH THE COMMON MARKET.

A NONPROFIT FOOD DISTRIBUTOR THAT CONNECTS FARMERS AND COMMUNITIES.

WE MET WHAT HAPPENS IS, AND IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE BIG AGRICULTURE WHO COMES IN AND TAKES THE LOCAL OUT OF THE AREA AND THEY PUT IT IN THE BIG MANUFACTURING SITES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS AT.

BUT UNTIL THE COMMON MARKET CAME ALONG HERE, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET ANY OF THE LOCAL STUFF.

SO WE ACTUALLY ARE SAVING MONEY ON A LOT OF THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT WE ARE BRINGING IN THROUGH THE COMMON MARKET BECAUSE THEY HAVE MADE IT EQUAL FOR PROCUREMENT HERE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE 17 FARMS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM, BUT TODAY'S MEAL FEATURES INGREDIENTS FROM SIX OF THOSE 17 FARMS.

THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM PRODUCE TO CHICKEN.

>> WE DO CHICKEN.

LIKE MEAT CHICKEN, THANKS GIVING TURKEYS.

>> FIRST-GENERATION FARMER, AIR FORCE VETERAN AND OWNER OF SMITH POULTRY, KYLE SMITH, IS PROVIDING THIS MOUTHWATERING CHICKEN.

>> THIS CHICKEN HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

IT'S NOT FROM ANY OTHER STATE WHICH ARE USUALLY CONSUMMATE DELAWARE, NORTH CAROLINA AND ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

WE ARE EATING CHICKEN FROM NEW JERSEY.

SO JERSEY CAN TAKE CARE OF JERSEY.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

WE CAN FEED OURSELVES.

WE MIGHT HAVE SMALL COMMUNITIES AND ON THE BIG CHICKEN HOUSES LIKE OTHER STATES HAVE, BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOOD HEARTS AND PUT TIME AND EDUCATION AND EFFORT INTO RAISING GOOD FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ESTATE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE DOUG FISHER ALONG WITH MORE THAN 80 INCOMING FRESHMAN GOT TO EXPERIENCE WHAT A COMPLETELY LOCALLY SOURCED MEAL TASTES LIKE.

FISHER SAYS HE IS NOW HOPING THE PILOT PROGRAM EXPANDS TO OTHER DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES.

>> WE ARE VERY INTERESTED TO WATCH HOW IT UNFOLDS AND HOW IT CONTINUES TO GROW.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVE THEM HELP US RELATE THIS ACROSS THE STATE.

SO IT'S A LEARNING PROCESS AND AN OPPORTUNITY ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHAT THIS PILOT, THROUGH THESE FEW SCHOOLS THAT WE ARE STARTING WITH NOW AND THE STORIES AND THE IMPACT THAT WE ARE HOPING TO DEMONSTRATE THIS, IS REALLY HOPING TO SHOW.

WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE IF ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THEIR PROCUREMENT DOLLARS IN A WAY THAT COULD REINVEST IN GROWERS WITHIN THEIR STATE.

WITHIN THE COUNTY.

TO BUILD FAIR JOBS HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AND ALSO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF REALLY GOOD LOCAL FOOD THAT'S ENTERING INTO SCHOOL MEAL OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE COMMON MARKETS NATIONAL DIRECTOR RACHEL TERRY SAYS THE STATE BUDGET FOR A PROGRAM LIKE THIS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE AT AROUND $5 MILLION AS A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN ACCESS.

THE PILOT PROGRAM THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING TESTED IN CAMDEN AND BRIDGETON IS NOW HEADED TO NEWARK FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BREANNA.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.