FUNDING MORE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNIBIS HEALTH.

AND PSEJ.

CREATED TO CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJPBS.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M RHONDA IN FOR BRIANNA.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A TERRIBLE TOLE ON OUR STATE.

THE ON WARRING ABOUT STAYING HEALTHY, THOUSANDS HAVE HAD TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING THEIR JOBS OR FALLING BEHIND ON THEIR BILLS.

AND MANY RESIDENTS HAVE A MORE PRESSING FEAR, LOSING THEIR HOMES.

NEW JERSEY'S EVICTION MORATORIUM ENDS ON JANUARY 1st.

AS OF LITTLE LAST MONTH, THERE WERE NEARLY 53,000 TENANTS FACING EVICTION BASED ON THE COURT CASES FILED BY LANDLORDS.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE BUT TENANTS MUST APPLY BY TOMORROW.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE AND TALKS TO A NEW FATHER WHO FEARS HIS FAMILY COULD BECOME HOMELESS.

>> I'M REALLY IN DISPAIR AT THIS MOMENT.

I'M REALLY OVERWHELMED WITH EVERYTHING.

>> JERALD LIVES WITH HIS WIFE AND 6-MONTH-OLD BABY DAUGHTER IN A JERSEY CITY APARTMENT BUT IS OWED $8,000 IN -L BACK RENT.

SHE ONE OF 53,000 NEW JERSEY TENANTS FACING HOMELESSNESS WHEN AN EVICTION MORATORIUM EXPIRES JANUARY 1st.

THE NEW DAD FEELS DEEPLY APPREHENSIVE.

>> I HAVE A WIFE AND A CHILD.

AND MY WIFE JUST CALLED ME THIS MORNING CRYING BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

ARE WE GOING TO LOSE OUR HOME?

>> LIKE SO MANY FOLK, JERALD WHO PREFERS WE NOT USE HIS LAST NAME, LOST MISSISSIPPI JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC AND FELL BEHIND ON RENT.

SO THE IRON BOUND COMMUNITY CORPORATION HELPED HIM GO TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WEBSITE PORTAL WHERE HE APPLIED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS TOMORROW.

DECEMBER 15th.

HE IS SIGNING PEOPLE UP IN NEWARK BUT THEY ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

>> WE ARE GOING DOOR TO DOOR AND PRETTY MUCH GOING TO FIND EVERYONE.

I'M REALLY SCARED OF IS ANYBODY NOT BEING ABLE TO APPLY.

OR NOT BEING ABLE TO -L SELF- CERTIFY BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU ARE GOING TO GET EVICTED.

>> Reporter: MATT IS VERY CONCERNED HE FIG YOU ARES THOUSANDS OF TENANTS MEET PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS, FAMILIES THAT WERE IMPACTED BY COVID AND EARN BELOW 80% OF THE MEDIAN INCOME IN THEIR COUNTY CAN'T BE EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES FOR ANY RENT PAYMENTS THEY MISSED BETWEEN MARCH 1st, 2020 AND DECEMBER 31st, 2021.

BUT SHAPIRO ESTIMATES ONLY 15,000 TENANTS FACING EVICTION HAVE ACTUALLY FILED THE ONLINE APPLICATIONS.

>> A LOT OF TENANTS HAVE A FALSE NOTION THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE RENT.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

BECAUSE ALL OF THESE LAWS ARE PASSED PROTECTING THEM.

THERE IS NO EVICTIONS.

IT'S NOT TRUE.

IF THEY DON'T FILE THIS CERTIFICATION, GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND FILE IT, THOSE EVICTION CASES ARE GOING TO BE HEARD AND KICKED OUT OF THE HOMES.

FORGET FUTURE RENT.

JUST FOR THE PAST RENT.

>> JERSEY HAS COMMITTED $431 MILLION IN PANDEMIC AID.

AND AB EXTRA $500 MILLION TO PAY RENTS GOING FORWARD IN 2022.

BUT A STATE DCA OFFICIAL IMPLORE TENANTS TO FILE THEIR APPLICATION AND SELF-CERTIFY FOR EVICTION PROTECTION NOW.

>> DO NOT WAIT.

EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN EVICTION PENDING AGAINST THEM.

EVEN IF THEY THINK THAT THEIR LANDLORD IS KIND AND WILL NEVER DO THAT TO THEM, IN OUR EXPERIENCE, WHEN YOU OWE A LOT OF MONEY, IN THE LONG-TERM, YOU ARE JEOPARDIZING THE STABILITY OF YOUR HOUSING BY NOT PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST EVICTIONS.

>> WE HAVE HAD CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE TENANTS NONCOMMUNETIVE.

THERE WAS NO INTERACTION WITH THE LANDLORD.

SO MAYBE THIS IN AND OF ITSELF WILL INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO APPLY.

>> NEW JERSEY APARTMENT ASSOCIATION SAYS THE STATE'S SMALL LANDLORDS GOT HIT HARDEST.

HAVING TO PAY MORTGAGES AND TAXES WITH NO RENTAL INCOME TO OFFSET EXPENSES.

AND BE WARNED THE EVICTION PROTECTION PROGRAM WILL NOT SHIELD TENANTS THAT FALL BEHIND ON RENT STARTING THIS JANUARY.

JERALD JUST GOT A FULL-TIME JOB BUT HIS LANDLORDS FILED EVICTION PAPERS WITH THE COURT.

HE IS HOPING BECAUSE HE SELF- CERTIFIED THE CASE WILL BE DISMISSED.

>> I'M JUST HOPING THAT THERE IS NOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF EVICTIONS.

IF THERE IS, IT WILL LOOK UGLY FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE APPLICATIONS AND PHONE HELP LINE ON OUR WEBSITE I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS WE'VE REPORTED, TOMORROW IS BOOST NJ DAY TO GET RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR BOOSTER SHOTS.

NUMEROUS CLINICS ACROSS THE STATE WILL ACCEPT WALK INS TO TRY TO GET THOSE NUMBERS UP.

YOU CAN FIND WHICH CLINICS ARE CLOSEST TO YOU.

THE STATE REPORTS 1.74 MILLION HAVE RECEIVED THEIR BOOSTERS ALREADY.

MEANTIME, OUR COVID CASE LOAD INCREASED TODAY.

THE STATE REPORTS MORE THAN 3600 NEW CASES.

YESTERDAY THE CASE LOAD WAS BELOW 3,000.

AND NEARLY 1700 RESIDENTS ARE BEING TREATED IN HOSPITALS FOR COVID.

ABOUT 100 MORE THAN YESTERDAY.

>>> TOMORROW MARKS A LONG AWAITED DAY FOR MARIJUANA USE ADVOCATES IN OUR STATE.

THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION WILL BEGIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MARIJUANA CULTIVATION CENTERS, MANUFACTURES, AND TESTING LABS.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHEN SALES OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WILL START, BUT THIS IS ANOTHER KEY STEP IN THE PROCESS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, WOULD-BE CULTIVATORS ARE EAGER TO PUT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN.

>> SHEILA CABRERA LOVES PLANTS SO MUCH THAT SHE DECIDED TO OPEN UP HER SHOP TIA PLANTA IN NEW JERSEY CITY LAST YEAR.

AND NOW SHE IS COUNTING DOWN THE HOURS UNTIL SHE CAN PURSUE HER NEXT VENTURE.

>> VERY STRESSFUL AND A LOT OF PRESSURE.

BUT I'M REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS AND IT'S SOMETHING I REALLY WANT.

>> TOMORROW, CABRERA WILL BE ABLE TO SUBMIT HER APPLICATION TO BECOME A LICENSED MARIJUANA CULTIVATOR IN NEW JERSEY.

>> I'M A PLANT LADY.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE WHAT I LOVE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT AN INDUSTRY AND DESIGMATIZE CANNABIS AND MAKE MEDICINE FOR PEOPLE.

>> STARTING THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS SOMETHING MANY ENTREPRENEURS AROUND THE STATES HAS BEEN WAITING FORREERS TO HAPPEN.

>> PEOPLE JUST WANTED TO KNOW, NOT JUST PEOPLE, BUT PEOPLE THAT WERE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, THEY JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHEN.

THERE IS A CERTAIN, A GREAT DEAL OF EXCITEMENT AROUND BEING ABLE TO PUT IN APPLICATIONS AND BECOMING PART OF WHAT MANY PROJECT TO BE A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> PERSPECTIVE CANNABIS CULTIVATORS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR EITHER A CONDITIONAL OR FULL ANNUAL LICENSE.

>> THEY GET A LICENSE WITHOUT OWNING A PROPERTY.

AND THEY CAN CONVERT WHEN READY FOR A FULL ANNUAL LICENSE.

IF APPLICANTS HAVE A SITE, THEY CAN APPLY DIRECTLY FOR THAT ANNUAL LICENSE.

>> APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED IN ORDER OF PRIORITY, SOCIAL EQUITY BUSINESSES, THOSE OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH PRIOR MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS, OR ONES LOCATED IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGE AREAS WILL TOP THE LIST.

GOOD NEWS FOR CABRERA WHO IS A SOCIALLY EQUITY APPLICANT AND AAPPLYING AS A MAY CONTROL BUSINESS.

>> I'VE HAD TO BE REALLY SCRAPPY AND HIT EVERY SINGLE PERSON I KNOW FOR THE RESOURCE GET THIS OPERATION UP AND RUNNING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE LAW, THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION WILL ONLY ISSUE 37 LICENSES.

EVEN THOUGH THEY PLAN TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS AS THEY COME IN.

>> MICROBUSINESSS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT CAP.

ANY BUSINESS THAT QUALIFIES AS A MICRO BUSINESS HAS LESS THAN 20 EMPLOYEES AND LESS THAN 2500 SQUARE FEET WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED.

>> APPLICANTS ARE ASKED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP DURING THE PROCESS.

ATTORNEY JESSICA GONZALEZ IS LOOKING TO HELP SEVERAL PEOPLE APPLYING FOR LICENSES THIS WEEK.

>> WE HAVE THE STATUE AND REGULATIONS AND NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS.

AND SOMETIMES THERE IS CONTRADICTORY LANGUAGES.

AND HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

BUT ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE STATE IS LOOKING FOR IS, CAN YOU BE COMPLIANT, CAN YOU SHOW STEPS THAT YOU WILL MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE ONCE YOU GET A LICENSE?

FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE THINKING ABOUT APPELLATION FOR THESE LICENSES, I WOULD URGE THEM TO GET STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DESPITE THE FACT WE DON'T HAVE CLOSING DATES, THEY CAN DISCLOSE IT AND PROVIDE A 30 DAY NOTICE.

AND THESE TYPES OF APPLICATIONS CAN TAKE MONTHS TO PUT TOGETHER.

DEPENDING ON HOW BIG YOUR TEAM IS.

>> RETAILERS WANTING TO SELL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WILL BE ABLE TO START APPLYING ON MARCH 15th.

THE START DATE FOR RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES HAS STILL NOT BEEN SET.

I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> AMID AN UP TICK IN GUN VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN NEWARK, HELP IS ON THE WAY.

MORE THAN 100 RECRUITS ARE JOINING THE NEWARK POLICE ACADEMY TO HELP SHORE UP A FORCE THAT LOST TOO MANY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ONCE THEY GRADUATE, THEY WILL WORK TO SUPPORT NEWARK'S NEW ANTIVIOLENCE INITIATIVES.

AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, OFFICIALS BELIEVE MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> AND HOW ABOUT ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR A NEW POLICE OFFICER?

>> 103 RECRUITS WERE WELCOMED INTO THE NEWARK POLICE ACADEMY.

THEY ARE ON TRACK TO GRADUATE IN MAY.

>> WHILE EVERYBODY IS RUNNING FROM DANGER, YOU WILL BE RUNNING TO.

THIS ACADEMY IS DESIGNED TO PREPARE YOU FOR THAT.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE WELCOME CEREMONY THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE MT.

CALVARY MISSION BAPTIST CHURCH, A SWEARING IN CEREMONY WAS HELD FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL OFFICERS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, SO HELP ME GOD.

>> THIS PUTS MORE BODIES ON THE STREET.

MORE BODIES IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

AND IT HELPS US, WE ARE PRESENT IN TRYING TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN THE CITY >> IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

WE HAD THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WHICH HIT THE DEPARTMENT HARD.

WE HAD NINE MEMBERS PASS AWAY.

WE HAD DOZENS OF OTHER OFFICERS RETIRE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF NORMAL NUTRITION.

AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NOT POLICE ACADEMIES GOING IN.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS DEPLETED IN STRENGTH.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE LIKE OTHER CITIES, HAVE EXPERIENCED CHALLENGES AROUND VIOLENCE AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE THANKFUL WE HAVE THESE OFFICERS TO CONTINUE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS AND TRY TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERNS OUR RESIDENTS HAVE.

>> THE GRADUATION OF THESE NEW OFFICERS COMES AFTER THE CITY FACES A SURGE IN VIOLENCE.

TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN 57 MURDERS IN NEWARK THIS YEAR.

MORE THAN THE CITY SAW IN ALL OF 2020.

>> THIS IS CERTAINLY LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

& OVER THEERS, WE'VE BEEN MAKING PROGRESS.

AND, YES, WE HAVE BEEN WITH THOSE GRIEVING FAMILIES.

BUT TODAY WE ARE WITH EXCITED FAMILIES AND WE ARE SPEAKING LIFE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO LIFE, NOT DEATH.

>> DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY BRIAN O'HARA SAYS MORE BODIES WILL BE ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT THE NEW ANTIVIOLENCE INITIATIVES.

THE PLAN INCLUDES EMPLOYING MORE OFFICERS TO BEEF UP DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS LIKE INVESTIGATIVE, OR PARTNERING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS.

>> GUN VIOLENCE IS OUR UTMOST PRIORITY.

WE DIDN'T GET INTO THIS OVER NIGHT, IT WON'T BE SOLVED OVERNIGHT.

IT WON'T BE SOLVED THROUGH POLICING ALONE.

WE CAN BE HIRING 1,000 RECRUITS TODAY.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.

>> THE CEREMONY COMES AS THE CITY IS PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER, WHICH O'HARA SAYS USUALLY IS A TIME WHEN THE CITY SEES AN UP TICK IN VIOLENCE.

>> IT ALL COMES BACK TO RESOURCE.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE.

THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING YOU HAVE AND SO ON.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE EXPERIENCE AN UP TICK IN VIOLENCE, WHEN WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SHOOTING INCIDENTS HAPPENING IN A CLOSE PERIOD OF TIME, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEDICATE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THOSE INCIDENTS.

TO DEDICATE PERSONNEL TO INVESTIGATE.

GO OUT AND CANVAS AND LOOK FOR VIDEO.

YOU HAVE TO REMOVE OFFICERS FROM OTHER PLACES IN THE DEPARTMENT AND REALLOCATE THEM TO THOSE INVESTIGATIONS.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING EDUCATIONAL.

YOU NEED TO HAVE OFFICERS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGING, VISIBLE, AND PRESENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS SO THEIR PRESENCE IS BEING FELT SO THAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THESE BLOCK AND NEIGHBORHOODS CAN FEEL SAFE.

SO YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THAT AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU NEED PEOPLE TO GET THAT DONE.

>> THE GRADUATION COMES THE SAME DAY THE CITY OF PATTERSON WELCOMED 31 CADETS INTO THEIR ACADEMY.

THE NEW EDITIONS WILL BRING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO 439 OFFICERS.

THE MOST SINCE 2011 BEEN THE NEWARK RECRUITS UNDER GO WEEKS OF POLICE TRAINING BEFORE THEY GRADUATE IN MAY AND ARE SWORN IN AS OFFICIAL OFFICERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVEN SAVANNAH.

>>> THEY HAVE COME UNDER FIRE FOLLOWING THE BRUTAL ATTACK OF AN INMATE LAST FALL.

THAT HAS PROMPTED A REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AT THE JAIL.

BUT RECENTLY OBTAINED E-MAILS REVEAL THAT AFTER THE 22-YEAR- OLD INMATE WAS NEARLY BEATEN TO DEATH, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS INITIALLY PRAISED STAFF RESPONSE TO THE INCIDENT.

JOE WHO IS COVERING THE STORY FOR NJ ADVANCE MEDIA.

JOE, TELL ME WHAT IS IN THESE E- MAILS.

WHY WAS AN OFFICER BEING PRAISED?

>> SO FROM THE E-MAILS, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO BACKTRACK A LITTLE BIT.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION REGARDING THE ATTACK ON BOYD ON SEPTEMBER 23rd, WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE?

WE HAD THAT 2 MINUTE AND 23 SECOND VIDEO.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE AND WHAT HAPPENED?

THE NEWEST INFORMATION I GOT IS THESE E-MAILS WHERE AN OFFICER IN THAT UNIT IS BEING PARADES FOR HIS VALOR.

THE PRAISE IS MOST LIKELY COMING BECAUSE FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD L IS A COUPLE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES IN THERE.

>> WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE AFTER YOU SHARED KNOWLEDGE OF THESE E- MAILS WITH THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM, WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS?

>> YEAH, SO THE COUNTY HAS CONTINUED TO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ATTACK.

THEY'VE ANNOUNCED TASK FORCE TO KIND OF LOOK INTO THE INCIDENT AND SOME BROADER ISSUES AT THE JAIL IN TERMS OF SECURITY AND STAFFING.

THEY KEEP TELLING ME THIS IS AN ON GOING INVESTIGATION AND AT THIS TIME THEY CAN'T COMMENT.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO THE FAMILY DIRECTLY REGARDING THESE E- MAILS.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO BOYD'S ATTORNEY BROOKE BARNETT.

SHE QUOTED SAYING THIS DEFIES ANY LOGIC, ANY TRUTH ANYONE SHOULD BE PRAISED BASED OFF THE INFORMATION THAT WE KNOW.

WHICH, AGAIN, IS THAT 2:23 VIDEO THAT WAS LEAKED ONLINE THAT SHARES A BRUTAL ATTACK.

>> AND DO WE KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OF THIS INCIDENT IN TERMS OF HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE OR WHO MIGHT BE QUESTIONED IN THE PROCESS?

>> WE DO NOT.

I'VE BEEN ASKING THE COUNTY AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY ANSWER.

UNION OFFICIALS HAVE KIND OF BROADLY SPOKEN.

THEY ARE LOOK FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE THIS EFFECTS THEM AS WELL.

HOW THEY DO THEIR JOB IN TERMS OF SECURITY AND STAFFING.

AND WE KNOW THERE IS ANOTHER INCIDENT ACTUALLY IN DECEMBER WHERE A 27-YEAR-OLD WAS STABBED TO DEATH BY A FELLOW INMATE.

WE KNOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS INVESTIGATING THAT AS PART OF THAT STANDARD DUTY WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

AND DIRECTIVE FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHERE THY INVESTIGATE ANY DEATH IN CUSTODY.

THERE HAS BEEN CALLS FOR THE FEDS TO GET INVOLVED.

THAT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY.

I HAVE NOT HEARD, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT HAS HAPPENED.

BUT I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A CALL FROM ADVOCATES THAT THEY WANT MORE OVERSIGHT.

AND THEN THERE IS THE EMBERS GROUP WHICH IS LED BY ANTHONY EMBERS WHO HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AS A CIVILIAN TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT THESISH THESISH YEWS.

>> JOE, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOU'RE REPORTING ON THIS INCIDENT.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>>> THE LATEST REPORT ON BUSINESS SHOWS NO RELEASE IN SIGHT.

PRICES AT THE WHOLE SURGE LEVEL SURGED A REPORT 9.6 IN NOVEMBER COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

WHOLESALE INFLATION TRACKS THE COST OF GOODS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN BEFORE REACHING CONSUMERS.

BUT, OF COURSE, THOSE HIGHER PRICES ARE OFTEN PASSED ALONG TO YOU AND ME.

INFLATION IS JUST ONE ISSUE COMPANIES ARE DEALING WITH.

THERE ARE OTHER FINANCIAL BURDENS.

AND TODAY, NEW JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS DEMANDED THE STATE PROVIDE SOME FUNDS TO HELP.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZE HAS OUR REPORT.

>> THE STATE HOUSE'S CURRENT BUZZ WORD IS PROVIDING A RATIONAL FOR MANY TO LOOK AT THE LEGISLATURE AND SAY, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS NO EXCEPTION.

STILL REELING SAY BUSINESS LEADERS FROM A PANDEMIC THAT SHUT DOWN A THIRD OF THE STATES SMALL ENTERPRISES AND RESHAPED JERSEY'S ECONOMY.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE DONE OKAY DURING COVID.

BUT I'M GOING TO REEMPHASIZE, WE HAVE LOST A THIRD OF OUR MAINSTREAM BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS TODAY THAT ARE STARING DOWN THEIR FUTURE, NOT KNOWING HOW LONG THEY CAN CONTINUE TO HANG IN.

OUR OWNERS ARE BURNT OUT AS THEY ARE THE ONES MINING THE SHOP AND HOLDING DOWN THE WORK FORCE.

>> A VIRTUAL PRESS KEVIN TODAY FROM LEADERS OF THE STATE'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CALLED FOR LESS REGULATION AND MORE SUBSIDY FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

LIKE A MORE ROBUST GRANT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS, KILLING A BILL THAT SUPPORTS UNION ORGANIZING, HIKING THE INCENTIVE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RETURN AND EARN PROGRAM TO $1,000, AND MORE.

>> ALSO, REPLENISHING THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

RATHER THAN HAVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PAY FOR THAT, IT COULD BE USED TO REPAY THAT AND TAKE IT OFF THE BURDEN OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORING STATES ARE DOING THIS.

THEY ARE ALL EXPERIENCING AN ECONOMIC REVIVAL BECAUSE OF THE PRODUCTIVE USE OF THAT MONEY AND WE ARE ASKING FOR THE SAME THING.

>> YOU KNOW THE COST OF EVERYTHING FROM SLOW SUPPLY CHAIN TO EMPLOYEE SALARY BUMPS ENDS UP BEING PASSED DOWN TO YOU.

WHICH MIGHT MAKE YOU WONDER WHY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SUBSIDIZING BUSINESS WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS.

>> THEIR JOB IS TO HELP BUSINESSES GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY CAN SUSTAIN THEMSELVES, OUR ECONOMY STRONG, AND THEN THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO BACK OFF.

BUT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

IN MY ESTIMATION.

>> Reporter: AS THE SAYING GOES, CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE TOO.

AND IN THAT REGARD, THEY WANT THEIR SHARE OF PUBLIC FUNDS DURING TOUGH TIMES.

REMINDING LAWMAKERS THAT THEY TOO ARE TAXPAYERS, AFTER ALL.

I'M DAVID CRUZE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY FAMILIES WILL GET A BREAK ON CHILD CARE COSTS THANKS TO A RECENTLY ENACTED STATE LAW.

OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRITEMEYER HAS THE PLANS.

JOHN, EXPLAIN THE CHANGES TO THE TAX CREDIT LAW AND HOW MORE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT.

>> YEAH, RHONDA, SO TWO BIG ONES I CAN HIGHLIGHT OFF THE TOP, ONE, IS INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SOMEONE CAN MAKE IN NEW JERSEY AND STILL QUALIFY FOR THIS TAX CREDIT THAT CAN HELP OFFSET YOUR CHILD CARE EXPENSES.

AND SO THE ORIGINAL TAX CREDIT WAS CAPPED AT $60,000 IN ANNUAL INCOME AND NOW THAT IS GOING UP TO $150,000.

WHICH REALLY ALLOWS A WHOLE LOT MORE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS TO POTENTIALLY QUALIFY FOR THIS CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT.

AND THEN THE OTHER BIG CHANGE IS, THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS HAVE MADE THIS TAX CREDIT WHAT IS KNOWN AS "REFUNDABLE".

IF YOUR TAX LIABILITY IS SO SMALL THAT YOU CAN'T WRITE OFF THIS FROM YOUR TAXABLE INCOME, YOU WILL NOW GET BASICALLY A CHECK FROM THE GOVERNMENT WORTH THE VALUE OF THE CREDIT THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR.

AND SO FOR THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES, THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAP INTO THIS TAX CREDIT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A BIG ENOUGH TAX LIABILITY.

AND THIS CHANGE MEANS THEY CAN AND THEY CAN GET IT AS A PAYMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

>> JOHN, AS WE HEARD EARLIER FROM DAVID CRUZE, THIS ISSUE OF AFFORDABILITY IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION IN THE STATE.

WILL THIS CHANGE HELP ADDRESS THAT ACCORDING TO LAWMAKERS?

>> THEY SURE THINK SO.

AND I THINK EVERY LITTLE BIT PROBABLY HELPS.

ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, KEEP IN MIND THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW HOW DRAMATICALLY CHILD CARE HAS GONE UP AND HOW BIG OF A HOUSEHOLD EXPENSE IT IS FOR A LOT OF NEW JERSEY FAMILIES.

AND SO WHILE THIS IS NOT A TON OF MONEY, IT'S A PORTION OF A FEDERAL CREDIT FOR CHILDCARE EXPENSES.

YOU KNOW, I'M SURE FAMILIES OUT THERE WILL THINK EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

>> HOW IS THE STATE PAYING FOR THIS?

>> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

IT'S FUNDED OUT OF THE INCOME TAX.

AND IN RECENT MONTHS, THE INCOME TAX HAS BEEN ROLLING.

AND NEW JERSEY JUST HAD A HUGE YEAR FOR THE INCOME TAX IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

WHAT THIS WILL MEAN IS EFFECTIVELY NEW JERSEY WILL COLLECT LESS REVENUE FROM MOST TAXPAYERS.

AND IN THE CASE THAT WILL GET A REFUNDABLE CREDIT WILL PAY A PAYMENT RIGHT OUT OF THE INCOME TAX.

BUT THAT IS THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE STATE BUDGET AND ONE THAT HAS BEEN DOING REALLY, REALLY WELL AS OF LATE.

>> JOHN, GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU.

THANKS.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT TUNE IN THURSDAY FOR OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE EXPLORING AGING IN NEW JERSEY.

OUR HEALTH REPORTER LILO STANTON MODERATES AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON TRANSFORMING LONG- TERM CARE AND BEYOND HERE IN THE STATE.

THAT IS THURSDAY AT 4:00 P.M. TO REGISTER, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSE SEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION AND BY THE FEW MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

AND 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 NJEA MEMBER.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARN IBUS HELP CAN DO IT ANYWHERE.

WITH OUR TELEMED APP OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST.

EVEN AS THAT NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE SO DON'T DELAY YOU'RE CARE ANY LONGER.

RW JONES BARNIBUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.