>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR WJ RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

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

>> AT EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A NEW YEAR'S PAY INCREASE IS DAYS AWAY.

THE STATE'S LOWEST WAGE WORKERS ARE SET TO SEE THEIR PAYCHECKS RISE BY ONE DOLLAR AND $.13 PER HOUR, STARTING JANUARY 1st.

THE MINIMUM WAGE IN NEW JERSEY WILL NOW BE $14 AND $.13.

THE RESULT OF A LAW SIGNED IN 2019, NEW JERSEY ON TRACK FOR A $15 MINIMUM WAGE BY 2024.

THE NEW AMOUNT IS ALMOST TWO TIMES THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.

ECONOMIST SAID THE JOB MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE HIGH COST OF LIVING AND RISING INFLATION.

IN YOUR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: RAFAEL SANTIAGO WARMLY WALKED THEM'S NEW JERSEY'S $1.13 WAGE INCREASE SET TO TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1st READ BUT THERE IS A STONE COLD DOSE OF REALITY.

ANNUAL INFLATION TOPS IS 7%.

THE PRICE OF GAS, GROCERIES, RENT GOUGING HOLES IN PEOPLE'S POCKETBOOKS.

THIS ADDS UP TO AN EXTRA 45 BUCKS PER WEEK.

>> NOT REALLY GOING TO SEE IT AND IF YOU WORK EIGHT HOURS A DAY, HOW MUCH WILL THERE BE AT THE END OF THE DAY?

AN EXTRA EIGHT DOLLARS?

THAT'S IT, YOU KNOW.

YOU CAN BUY A COFFEE AND THAT'S IT.

>> Reporter: HE WORKS AS AN ADVOCATE FOR MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY EARN $14.13 PER HOUR NEXT YEAR AMONG THE HIGHEST MINIMUM WAGES IN THE NATION.

BUT HE SAYS FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING AND SKYROCKETING NEW JERSEY RENTS PUSHING MANY TO SUBLET BEDROOMS IN THEIR APARTMENTS.

ESPECIALLY IMMIGRANTS.

>> HAVE TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER IN ONE ROOM.

THEY CAN APPLY FOR HELP.

MOST OF THEM, THEY DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS UNBELIEVABLY UNAFFORDABLE.

MAKING $14 AN HOUR, I DARE ANYBODY TO SCROLL THROUGH ZILLOW AND TRY TO FIND A PLACE YOU CAN LIVE ON $14 AN HOUR IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT'S, WHAT, $28,000 PER YEAR IN NEW JERSEY?

THAT'S NOT A LIVING WAGE.

>> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES LARGE EMPLOYERS, PARTICULARLY, SHOULD PLAY PAY DECENT WAGES.

NEW JERSEY'S AGRICULTURAL AND SEASONAL MINIMUM WAGE HIKES LAG BY TWO YEARS.

WHAT IS A LIVING JERSEY WAGE?

>> THE COST OF LIVING IS PRETTY HIGH.

>> Reporter: DISRUPTORS ANONYMOUS -- ESTIMATES HOUSEHOLD UP ANOTHER 400 PER MONTH.

BUT THE NEW JERSEY MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, EVEN WITH THE EXTRA $.13 PER HOUR FOR INFLATION ADDS UP TO $180 PER MONTH.

A FAMILY OF FOUR NEEDS TURN A LOT MORE TO ACTUALLY MAKE ENDS MEET, JANE SAYS.

>> THE LIVING WAGE WOULD WORK OUT TO SOMETHING LIKE $43 AN HOUR.

SO YOU SEE THERE IS A BIT OF A DISCONNECT OVER HERE.

>> THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE REMAINS $7.25 PER HOUR.

NEW JERSEY IS AMONG SOME 27 STATES RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE NEXT YEAR IN RECOGNITION THAT WORKERS NEED AND DEMAND MORE.

SINCE THAT NEW JERSEY FIGHT FOR 15 LAW WAS SIGNED, WAGES HAVE CLIMBED AT LEAST A BUCK A YEAR AND WILL HIT $15 PER HOUR IN 2024 WITH ADDITIONAL ANNUAL INCREASES INDEXED FOR INFLATION.

IT'S NO SURPRISE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE POST AND THE MAC MARKET BASE.

>> Reporter: IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A CONSISTENT RISING WAGES.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACTING DOLLAR MINIMUM WAGE, MOST EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT IN ORDER TO RECRUIT AND ATTRACT THE BEST THAT THEY CAN.

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING THE WORKFORCE IS THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE FOR NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES TODAY.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT IS JUST A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, IT REALLY FORCES US TO TO INCREASE EVERYONE'S PAY IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FAIR ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> ALLISON O'NEILL OWNS THE ICONIC BAKERY AND LONGTIME SUMMER FAVORITE AND IS A SEASONAL BUSINESS, THE MINIMUM WAGE HERE WOULD RISE TO $12.93 PER HOUR.

BUT O'NEILL ALREADY PAYS MOST OF HER STAFFERS MORE TO ATTRACT AND HOLD GOOD PEOPLE IN A TIGHT JOB MARKET.

WHEN YOU HAD INFLATION, IT'S A POTENTIAL RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

>> THOSE ARE BASICALLY OUR BIGGEST EXPENSES.

PAYROLL, INGREDIENTS, PAPER GOODS.

THEY'VE ALL SKYROCKETED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AGAIN, IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT, WE HAVE TO RAISE OUR PRICES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE BAKERY DOES NOT PLAN TO CUT COSTS BY LAYING PEOPLE OFF.

CUSTOMERS WILL END UP PAYING MORE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE UNITED STATES IS IN THE MIDST OF A CONTINUING AND TROUBLING RISE IN HE CRIES HATE CRIMES AND VIOLENCE.

LGBTQ AMERICANS ARE AMONG THE MOST LIKELY TARGETS OF THOSE ATTACKS.

NINE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED BY A HATE CRIME ACCORDING TO THE STUDY.

IT IS AN ALARMING TREND EXPERT SAY AVAILABLE DATA IS ONLY SCRATCHING THE SURFACE.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> NINE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIME.

>> Reporter: ANDREW LAURA'S IS THE LEAD RESEARCHER AT THE WILLIAMS IN THE DUDE AT THE UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW.

HIS TEAM RELEASED A NEW STUDY THAT FOUND ONE OUT OF EVERY 10 VIOLENT VICTIMIZATION'S AGAINST LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE HATE CRIMES.

>> WORK COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CARRIED OUT WITH THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU.

THIS IS A HOUSEHOLD SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS AGED 12 AND OLDER.

THEY ARE IN THE STUDY FOR THREE YEARS.

WE ANALYZE DATA AVAILABLE FROM 2017 TO 29 10.

A PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING CURRENT CRIME STATISTICS AS OPPOSED TO LIFETIME OR HISTORICAL.

>> ACCORDING TO THE STUDY, LGBTQ HATE CRIME VICTIMS ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT TO BE BELOW THE AGE OF 35.

THE MAJORITY OF VIOLENT HATE CRIME VICTIMS ARE WOMEN AND THE MAJORITY OF OFFENDERS ARE MALE.

FEWER THAN FOUR OUT OF 10 VIOLENT HATE CRIME VICTIMS SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR THEIR EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO VICTIMIZATION.

>> TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR IN PARTICULAR FACE UNIMAGINABLE VIOLENT CRIMES.

TO BE A TRANS-WOMAN OF COLOR WALKING DOWN THE STREET IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY.

THERE BEING TARGETED BY SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS.

>> Reporter: CHRISTIAN IS THE EXECUTIVE FOR STATE INEQUALITY.

HE SAYS THE NEW STUDY IS AN UNFORTUNATE REMINDER THAT DESPITE SEEN PROGRESS IN THE LAW, WE STILL FACE A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF PERSONAL EXCEPT DENSE FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> TO BE AN OPEN LGBTQ PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY, EVEN IN PROGRESSIVE STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY, REQUIRES AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF RESILIENCY AND BRAVERY.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE LAW, IT DOES NOT ALWAYS TRANSLATE TO 50 QUALITY.

>> Reporter: IN NOVEMBER, A GUNMAN ATTACKED AT CLUB Q IN COLORADO SPRINGS.

IT TOOK PLACE THE NIGHT BEFORE TRANSGENDER DAY OF GROOVES AND BONES.

TO HONOR PEOPLE LOST TO ANTI-TRANSGENDER VIOLENCE.

>> THINK ABOUT PEOPLE GOING TO PLACES LIKE BARS AND CLUBS TO FIND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND FACING UNIMAGINABLE VIOLENCE LIKE A SHOOTER WALKING IN AND TAKING THE LIVES OF LGBTQ PEOPLE, IT IS HARD TO FEEL COMFORTABLE TO BE WHO YOU ARE IN THIS WORLD.

>> Reporter: THE STUDY FOUND THAT LGBTQ VICTIMS OF VIOLENT HATE CRIMES ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO FEEL ANGRY, VIOLATED, OR UNSAFE, COMPARED TO LGBT VICTIMS OF OTHER TYPES OF FRONT CRIMES.

>> WHEN SOMEBODY IS DEAD NAMED OR MISGENDERED, IT IS LIKE A KNIFE.

IT HURTS.

IT REALLY HURT FROM MY EXPERIENCE.

IT REALLY HURTS.

BUT ALSO THERE IS A SAFETY ASPECT TO THIS.

>> Reporter: CARRIE IS THE ADMIN DIRECTOR AT THE RWJ UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND SAYS SAFETY HAS BECOME A TRIGGER FOR CLIENTS AND WHICH, HE SAYS, CREATES BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE.

>> MANY FOLKS WOULD NOT GO INTO A REGULAR DOCTOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WEARING A DRESS AND BEING THEMSELVES OR TRANSITIONING AND HAPPENING TO HAVE SOME STUBBLE.

THEY'RE NOT COMFORTABLE IN A WAITING ROOM LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE JUST NOT.

IT IS REALLY HEARTBREAKING.

>> Reporter: I HOPE IT MOTIVATES ACTION AND ACCEPTANCE WITHIN A COMMUNITY THAT FELL IN 2022 FEELS UNSAFE.

WHILE EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH ADMITS THERE HAVE BEEN MILESTONES FOR THE COMMUNITY HERE IN JERSEY, THEY SAY THIS THAT HE IS PROOF THAT THERE IS STILL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ENSURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEW YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> THE SUPREME COURT ON TUESDAY UPHELD THE CONTROVERSIAL TRUMP ERA BORDER POLICY KNOWN AS TITLE 42, PUT IN PLACE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

ALLOWING ORDER AGENTS TO IMMEDIATELY TURN AWAY MIGRANTS CROSSING THE SOUTHERN BORDER TO HELP PROTECT AGAINST THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

IT PREVENTED THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE QUALIFY FOR ASYLUM THE CHANCE TO CLAIMANT.

THE 5-4 ROLLING LED TO REPUBLICAN STATES MISSION TO KEEP THE POLICY IN PLACE.

DELAYING WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A SURGE OF MIGRANTS ENTERING THE U.S..

THEY HEAR ARGUMENTS IN FEBRUARY ACHING TO THE STATUTE IN PLACE.

IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES ARGUE THE ORDER DENIES HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.

HENSON ACTED HIM OF THE POLICY HAS BEEN USED OVER 2 MILLION x2 TURN MIGRANTS AWAY ACCORDING TO ADDERALL DATA.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS FROM NEW JERSEY ARE PUSHING BACK, TOO.

BOB MENENDEZ CALLING TITLE 42, QUOTE, AND A FRONT TO OUR NATION'S VALUES.

WHILE CONGRESSMAN BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN CALLED THE RULING, QUOTE, DESTRUCTIVE.

AS PRICES DRIVEN BY INFLATION RISE, SO DOES IT INSECURITY AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND NEW JERSEY, FOOD BANKS ARE UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE TO MEET THE DEMAND.

ROUGHLY ONE OUT OF EVERY 10 PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE UNSURE WHETHER NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

IT SPIKED DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT WORSENED AS THE ECONOMY MAKES EVEN MORE FOODS OUT OF REACH.

ADVOCATES WANT THE ISSUE WILL BE WITH US FOR SOME TIME TO COME READ JOHN HURTLE HAS A DEEPER LOOK AS PART OF OUR ONGOING LOOK AT HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

WE KNOW FOOD INSECURITY REMAINS A PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT JUST A CRISIS THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THE STATE IS FACING NOW WITH IT?

>> THE FIRST THING TO NOTE IS THE PROBLEM WITH INFLATION.

SPECIFICALLY FOOD INFLATION.

ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOOD INFLATION IS RUNNING AT ABOUT 10% PER YEAR.

AND THAT HAS PUT CERTAIN FOOD ITEMS OUT OF REACH OF SOME PEOPLE.

WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THE FOOD BANKS IS THAT THAT HAS RAISED THE PRICE OF CERTAIN PROTEINS, FRESH MEAT, FROZEN MEAT, EGGS, FOR EXAMPLE, AND PUT THOSE OUT OF REACH OF FOLKS.

CONSEQUENTLY, FOOD BANKS HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR SHIPMENTS OF THOSE ITEMS.

IN AN ATTEMPT TO KIND OF OFFSET, IF YOU LIKE, THE INFLATIONARY EFFECT THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE FEELING.

THE OTHER POINT HERE, THE OTHER ON THE LINE CHALLENGE IS THAT THE FOOD BANKS LEADERS HAVE BEEN WARNING ABOUT FOR MONTHS NOW.

THE DEMAND FOR EMERGENCY FOOD IS GOING TO PERSIST A LONG TIME AFTER THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC HAVE FADED AWAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BUILT UP A LOT OF DEBT.

>> I KNOW YOU LOOK THERE ARE A LOT OF DATA AND REPORTS.

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE FOOD INSECURE?

>> IT IS A LITTLE UNCLEAR AND THERE IS SOME OFFICIAL DATA, WHICH COMES FROM A NATIONAL NONPROFIT, CALLED FEEDING AMERICA.

THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THEM, AS OF THE END OF 2021.

THERE WERE ABOUT 675,000 PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WHO WERE FOOD INSECURE.

THAT MEANS THAT THESE ARE FOLKS WHO DO NOT HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO THE FOOD THEY NEED FOR EVERY PERSON IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD TO LEAD A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFE.

SO THAT IS THE OFFICIAL DATA.

ON TOP OF THAT, THERE ARE AND THE TOTAL ROOM OR ITS ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK IN NEW JERSEY, WHICH IS THE LARGEST.

HE ESTIMATES THAT THE NUMBER COULD BE 30 TO 40% HIGHER THAN THE 675,000 THAT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED.

>> IF WE WERE TO FACE, AND LET'S HOPE WE DON'T, ANOTHER CRISIS, COULD THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE HOLD UP TO THE DEMANDS THAT WE ARE SEEING NOW BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE CHALLENGES FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED TO ACCESS FOOD?

>> THE ESTIMATE THAT WAS REPORTED IN NOVEMBER FROM THE PANDEMIC RELIEF FOUNDATION, WHAT THAT LOOKED AT, HOW THE EMERGENCY FOOD SYSTEM FARED DURING ABOUT 18 MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC UP TO SEPTEMBER '21.

IT FOUND THAT GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE SYSTEM HOLD UP PRETTY WELL.

IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE WERE GENERALLY FED.

BUT IT DID IDENTIFY A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE.

ONE OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WAS WHAT THEY CALL SUCCESSION PLANNING IN LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES.

THESE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT DISTRIBUTE THE FOOD TO FOLKS WHO NEED IT AND ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS REPORT IS THAT THOSE FOOD PANTRIES PLAN FOR THE NEXT CRISIS OF THAT KIND SO THAT THEY WON'T BE SO STRETCHED.

THEY WON'T BE SO STRETCHED.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> YOU CAN READ HIS FULL STORY, INCLUDING MORE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THAT OR AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> HEALTH EXPERTS CONTINUE WARNINGS THAT THE HOLIDAY WOULD SPREAD MORE THAN JUST SHEER THIS SEASON WITH AN EXPECTED SPIKE IN VIRAL ILLNESSES LIKE RSV, FLU, AND COVID FOLLOWING ALL THE GATHERINGS AND TRAVEL.

IT WILL NOT BE NEARLY AS BAD AS LAST YEARS POST HOLIDAY SURGE.

HEALTH OFFICIALS TODAY ARE REPORTING WITH A 1900 NEW CASES AND 25 MORE JETS.

THE CDC IS NOW LISTING 18 OF THE STATES 21 COUNTIES AS HAVING HIGH COMMUNITY LEVELS OF CORONAVIRUS.

JUST THREE COUNTIES.

MERCER, SOMERSET, AND SUSSEX, ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE MEDIUM LEVELS OF SPREAD ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL HEALTH AGENCY.

THE WARNINGS FROM HEALTH LEADERS COME AS THE UNITED STATES IMPOSES NEW COVID-19 TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING FROM CHINA.

THE DECISION COMES AS CONCERNS MOUNT OVER THE RISE IN CASES THERE, AND WHAT FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENT DATA FROM THE COUNTRY.

NO MATTER WHICH ECONOMIC PREDICTIONS YOU LOOK AT, THE NEW CANNABIS MARKET IS EXPECT IT TO BE A BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

A NUMBER OF SMALL, LEGAL WEED BUSINESSES ARE NOT KEEPING PACE WITH THOSE SALES.

TO HELP, NEW JERSEY IS LAUNCHING WHAT IT CALLS AN EQUITY GRANT PROGRAM.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SET ASIDE FOR CASH-STRAPPED ASPIRING CANNABIS BUSINESS OWNERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR OR WITH PREVIOUS MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> I'VE SEEN THE WAR ON DRUGS, THE DESTRUCTION OF FAMILIES.

MY FAMILY WAS AFFECTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

I HAD A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS INCARCERATED FOR EIGHT YEARS FOR MARIJUANA.

BACK THEN, IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A BAD THING.

>> Reporter: A TIME WHEN MARIJUANA WAS HEAVILY FROWNED UPON.

CRIMINALIZATION OFTEN TARGETING BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

NOW THAT IT IS LEGAL IN NEW JERSEY, THE DIRECTOR OF SALES AT CANNABIS EQUITY IN MINT IS MAKING IT A POINT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NEGATIVELY BEEN IMPACTED GET A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND WHAT CONTINUES TO BE A GROWING INDUSTRY.

>> SOCIAL EQUITY IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE.

FULL STOP.

THE PLAYING FIELD HAS TO BE LEVELED.

>> Reporter: SHE AND OTHER CANNABIS ADVOCATES ARE APPLAUDING EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE ENTERING THE MARKET HAS A FAIR SHOT AND THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS LAUNCHING A PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE COST DURING THE EARLY STAGES UNDER THE CANNABIS EQUITY GRANT PROGRAM.

UP TO $10 MILLION OF FUNDING WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE WAS 60% DEDICATED TO SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS.

>> THIS IS A NUANCED FIELD AND THERE ARE OVERTONES AND UNDERTONES OF RACISM AND BIASES FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS.

FOR US, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EATING THE WORDS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY, CREATING A STRONGER NEW JERSEY, IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO START THE EQUITY SETTING THERE.

>> Reporter: TECH COOPER IS THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE NJ DEA.

IT CAN RANGE FROM ANYWHERE TO 5 TO 10 MILLION DOLLARS.

EVERYONE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO SUCH FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

TRAINING IN THE FIELD IS A NECESSARY'S TO ENSURE BUSINESSES SUCCEED.

>> ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL BE A $2.4 BILLION IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT'S HUGE.

THAT'S FANTASTIC.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALONG THE WAY WE ARE HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PENALIZED WITH THE SYSTEM AND ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A OF BENEFIT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> IT DOES, IN FACT, HELP US GET CLOSER TO THE REALIZATION OF HELPING THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED OF HELP IN TERMS OF GETTING INTO THE CANNABIS BUSINESS.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY INTENT WITH RESPECT TO HELPING MINORITIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES BASED IN NEW JERSEY HAVE AN ENTREE INTO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

THE SECOND THING IT ACCOMPLISHES IS IT DRAWS US NEARER TO NORMALIZATION.

IF YOU ARE ANY OTHER BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO STATE FUNDS AND OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING TO HELP YOU WANT YOUR BUSINESS.

THIS BRINGS US CLOSER TO THE NORMALIZATION THAT YOU ARE NOW IN THE BEST IS NICE AND YOU AND RECEIVE AID FROM THE STATE.

>> Reporter: THE APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO LAUNCH EARLY NEXT YEAR.

ONE OF MANY STEPS TO COME IN MAKING SURE NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> A NEW HIKE IN CAR INSURANCE RATES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON WHY PRICES ARE GOING UP AND JUST HOW MANY NEW JERSEY DRIVERS IT WILL AFFECT.

WAS TONIGHT TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: AUTO INSURANCE RATES ARE GOING UP MORE THAN 1 MILLION NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS IN THE NEW YEAR AND A NEW LAW GOING INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st INCREASES THE MINIMUM AMOUNT EVERY WORD LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR DRIVERS IN THIS DATE.

THE AMOUNTS WILL INCREASE FROM $15,000 TO 25,000.

SUPPORTERS OF THE LAW ARGUE THAT CAR ACCIDENT COMES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THEIR MEDICAL BILLS FULLY COVERED BECAUSE OF THE LOW LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE.

DRIVERS AFFECT BY THE NEW LAW CAN EXPECT TO PAY $125 MORE PER YEAR PER CAR FOR THE HIGHER COVERAGE.

IF YOU FILE ON UNEMPLOYMENT OR DISABILITY CLAIM WITH THE STATE NEXT YEAR, YOU COULD RECEIVE HIGHER BENEFITS.

THE STATE ANNOUNCING NEW WEEKLY MAXIMUM AND IF IT RATES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

THE PAYOUT WILL RISE TO $830 FROM THE CURRENT $804.

TEMPORARY DISABILITY AND FAMILY LEAVE.

>> WEEKLY CLAIM RISE IS $1025.

A $32 INCREASE.

FOR WORKERS COMP, THE WEEKLY MAXIMUM RISES TO $1099.

A $34 INCREASE.

NEW JERSEY RESETS THESE RATES EACH YEAR BASED ON THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE.

AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE, WE ARE LEARNING THAT NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY IS IN BETTER SHAPE THAN MANY OTHER STATES ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS FROM GARDEN STATE INITIATIVE AND NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY GREW 3.9% FROM JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, FASTER THAN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, WHICH GREW BY 3.2%.

HOPES ARE HIGH FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SOUTH JERSEY IN 2023.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR NEW INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING WIND ENERGY, E-GAMING, AND CANNABIS.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, SOUTH JERSEY IS, IN MY OPINION, THE HOTTEST COMMODITY FOR LARGER BUSINESSES TO BE ATTRACTED TO OUR PART OF THE STATE AND ALSO, DON'T FORGET IT'S NOT CHEAP TO LIVE IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT IT'S CHEAPER IN SOUTH JERSEY THAN IT IS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS DORIES.

>>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE TO GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJREALTOR.COM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM, AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> OVER 100 YEARS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAVE BEEN HELPING CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

THEY LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS JUST LIKE HERE IN BEAUTIFUL ASBURY PARK.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS ARE, THERE IS A NEW JERSEY REALTOR FOR YOU.

FIND YOUR REALTOR AT NJ.REAL ESTATE/FIND.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJBARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE IN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24 SEVEN ON ANY DEVICE.

USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VISIT WITH A RWJBARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T DELAY OR CARE ANY LONGER.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE LONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA CROMPTON AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.