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

MAKING PUBLIC POOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS 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 NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS FRIDAY EVENING.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

ANOTHER YEAR IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK BACK AT SOME SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS OF POLITICS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES THIS PAST FALL, TO THE HISTORICAL DECISION ON ABORTION MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT, TO SPECULATION ABOUT JERSEY POLITICIANS RUNNING FOR THE NATION'S HIGHEST OFFICE, WE WATCHED IT UNFOLD ALL THIS YEAR AND THERE'S A LOT MORE TO LOOK AHEAD TO IN 2023 AS WELL.

WITH HIS UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE,OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, LOOKS BACK THAT WAS AND PREVIEWS THE BIG POLITICAL STORIES THAT WE'LL BRING FOR YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

>>> WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR IN POLITICS ABOUT TO END, WE MAY WELL REMEMBER IT BEST DEFINED AS THE YEAR OF WHAT DIDN'T HAPPENED.

THAT RED WAVE THAT THREATENED TO SWEEP AWAY THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF CONGRESS CRESTED WELL OFF SHORE.

>>> A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR ME WAS THE DOBB'S DECISION BECAUSE THAT JUST CHANGED EVERYTHING.

COLUMNIST CHARLIE STYLES SAYS THAT THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE ULTIMATELY SOUNDED THE ALARM AMONG MODERATE VOTERS.

IT WASN'T JUST ABORTION THE ISSUE OF ABORTION RIGHTS.

THEY SHAPED THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR BUT IT REALLY KIND OF PUT INTO SHARP RELIEF THE FEAR OF EXTREMISM.

>> AND THAT BROUGHT OUT DEMOCRATS ESPECIALLY YOUNGER DEMOCRATS AND MODERATES WHO HELPED HOLD THE SENATE AND MINIMIZE LOSSES IN THE HOUSE BUT DON'T LET ALL THOSE HOUSE WINS FULL YOU SAY REPUBLICANS.

THEY SAY THEY HAVE A PRETTY GOOD YEAR IN JERSEY.

>> THOSE WHO ARE INDICATED AS BEING REPUBLICAN DID VERY WELL.

>> AND THAT IS WELL FOR REPUBLICANS IN 2023 WHEN EVERY SEAT IN THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE UP.

>> IT'S NOT HARD TO TELL THE STORY.

OUR FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE PAY A LOT OF LIP SERVICE TO LEARN ABOUT OTHERS BREADED BUTTER COSTS.

>> DEMOCRATS SAY BRING IT IN.

HIS FATE WAS SEALED WHEN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT CHANGE WITH REDISTRICTING.

TOM KANE JUNIOR DEFEATED HIM IN THE REMATCH OF 2020 DESPITE HIDING FROM THE PRESS AND RELYING ON TV ADS AN LOTS OF OUTSIDE MONEY.

FOR MOST OF 2022 DEMOCRATS TOOK THE MONEY AND RAN.

FEDERAL -- MONE WHICH THE MAJORITY PARTY DOLED OUT STRATEGICALLY AND REPUBLICANS ARGUED HAPHAZARDLY IN A RECORD-SETTING $50 BILLION STATE BUDGET.

>> NOT ONLY FAILED TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF THERE'S MORE TAX INCREASES HAPPENING.

>> MURPHY IS KEEPING HIMSELF AIMED AT A POTENTIAL WHITE HOUS RUN.

HE SPENT MOST OF THE YEAR AFTER HIS BUDGET ADDRESS HIGHLIGHTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM JUMPSTARTING A WIND POWER INDUSTRY TO RESTOCKING THE STATE'S HIGH COURT AFTER A YEA OF SENATORIAL COURTESY THAT STALLED IT.

HE'S ALSO NOW SERVING AS CHAIRMAN OF BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATIO AND THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.

>> HE WOULDN'T BE A POLITICIAN IF HE WASN'T WEIGHING HIS OPTIONS OUT AS FAR AS THE PRESIDENCY IS CONCERNED.

YOU HAVE PERHAPS CORY BOOKER AND OTHERS POSITIONING THEMSELVES FROM PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE AND THAT CREATES A POTENTIAL VOID A THE STATE LEVEL SO THERE ARE THESE POSITIONING'S TAKING PLAC IN 23 WILL BE A YEAR OF PIVOTIN TO THE FUTURE.

>> OBSERVERS WILL BE WATCHING REPRESENTATIVES .

ALSO SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN AND OTHERS WHO MAY BE GEARING UP FOR A GUBERNATORIAL RUN INCLUDING TH INTRIGUING PROSPECT OF NEW YORK MAYOR ROSS BARAK IS JOINING.

>> I HAVE TO THINK HE'S NOT ONLY JOINED ABOUT BEING THERE.

>> THERE ARE MORE SIGNS THAT TH DEMOCRATS ARE PIVOTING AND NOT TO THE LEFT WHICH HAS BEEN THE CORE OF ITS RECENT SUCCESSES BU TO THE CENTER WHERE THEY THINK VOTERS ARE HEADED SO STRICT GU CONTROL MEASURES AND POSTURING ON CRIME AND BAIL REFORM HAVE STARTED TO DOMINATE THE MESSAGE >> I RECOMMENDED WE TAKE A SECOND HARD LOOK AT BAIL REFORM THE BURDEN OF PROOF SHOULD BE ON THE DEFENDANT, NOT ON THE STATE.

>> THOSE FIGHTS ARE STILL AHEA IN 2023 AS IS THE RECKONING ON THE STATE'S HANDLING OF RESIDENCE AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

WHEN THOUSANDS DIED DURING COVID THEY DID AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW WHICH TOOK MOST OF 2023 WHICH WILL TAKE MOST OF 2023 TO COMPLETE .

AND JUST WHEN YOU STARTED THINKING IT WAS SAFE TO THINK ABOUT COVI IN THE PAST TENSE, CASES SEEM T RISE.

>> WHILE WE HAVE WAYS TO HELP W AREN'T DOING IT.

I THINK THAT THE LEVEL OF FATIGUE NOT JUST ABOUT COVID BUT ILLNESS IN GENERAL IS SO HIGH AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD COMBINATION.

>> THE YEAR PROVED THAT NEW JERSEY IS STILL THE HOME OF WONDERFUL WEIRD POLITICS FROM AMY DISEASE TO JERSEY CITY COUNCILWOMAN WHO KNOCKED A CYCLIST INTO THE AIR AND DIDN'T STOP HER SUV TO SEAN CATTELL, THE POLITICAL OPERATIVE WITH CLOSE TIES TO FARMERS SENATOR RAY LESNIAK WHO ALSO ADMITTED TO ORDERING MURDER BUT IS WAITING SENTENCING ON HOME DETENTION.

>> DID YOU HAVE NO CLUE THAT SEAN CADDLE WAS THE WRONG GUY?

>> HOW COULD YOU.

?

HE WAS SUCH A GENTLE PERSON ALWAYS ABIDING BY THE RULES.

HE INSISTED LIKE DID -- BY THE WAY, I KNOW I'M YOUR CAMPAIGN MANAGER SO YOU SHOULD KNOW I HIRED TO HITMAN AND THEY KILLED SOMEBODY.

>> IT'S WHAT HE SAID TO PROSECUTORS AND AMONG THE LOOMING QUESTIONS IN 2023 IS WHAT MOORE HAS HE SAID?

PLUS WHAT WILL COME OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ?

WILL THERE EVER BE RESOLUTION TO THE SCHOOL DESEGREGATION SUIT AND WHAT WILL THE LENGTH OF THE GOVERNOR'S HAIR TELL US ABOUT THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE?

THOSE AND OTHER MYSTERIES ABOUN IN NEW JERSEY WHICH AS AN OLD TRENTON REPORTER USED TO SAY, I NEVER LETS YOU DOWN.

HERE'S TO HAPPIER NEW YEAR.

I AM DAVID CRUZ.

>>> STATE REGULATED HEALTH INSURANCE PANSY NEW JERSEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE FOR NEW ABORTIONS UNDER A NEW RULE THAT TAKES EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAKING AND INSURANCE IMPACTS THOSE INSURERS PARTICIPATING IN THE STATES HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE GET COVERED NEW JERSEY PROVIDIN COVERAGE TO INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL EMPLOYERS.

THE STATE SAY THE REQUIREMENT WOULD EVENTUALL TAKE EFFECT IN THE LARGE EMPLOYER MARKET AS WELL.

THE DEPARTMENT RELEASED A STUDY LAS MONTH THAT FOUND A NEED FOR REGULATORY ACTION TO REQUIRE TH ABORTION COVERAGE AND BEGIN A FORMAL RULEMAKING PROCESS TO PU THAT NEW REQUIREMENT IN PLACE.

NEWARK OFFICIALS TODAY REPORTIN A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE CITY IN 2022.

THERE WERE 50 HOMICIDES IN NEW WORK THIS YEAR WHICH IS DROP OF 15% OVER THE PRIOR YEAR THERE WERE 30% FEWER VICTIMS O SHOOTINGS AND RAPES DECLINE.

THEY SAY THE DROP IN THESE CRIMES IS DUE TO MORE TARGETED MEASURES.

NEW YORK'S PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR SAYS IN HIS VIEW THE FORCE IS MAKING MORE CREDIBLE AND STRATEGIC MOVES.

NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL MATTHEW PLOTKIN SAID WELL SHOOTINGS ARE ZERO IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN THE CITY.

THE NUMBER OF ROBBERIES AND THEFTS FROM CARS DID INCREASE THIS YEAR , BUT OVERALL THERE WAS A 2% DROP IN CRIME IN 2022.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS LOOKING INTO A POSSIBLE CLUSTER OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE IN PASSAI AND BERGEN COUNTIES.

THERE ARE AT LEAST A SEVEN CONFIRMED CASE IN THAT AREA ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT.

STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER JUDITH HRSA KELLY SAYS THE RISK OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE DISEASE IS LOW.

IF YOU ARE OVER 50 YEARS OLD YOU ARE A HIGHER RISK AND SYMPTOMS OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE, A FORM O PNEUMONIA USUALLY DEVELOP WITHI 14 DAYS.

THE DISEASE CAN BE TREATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS.

THE STATE RECEIVES MORE THAN 250 REPORTS OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEAS EVERY YEAR.

RECENTLY NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS CAME OUT WITH A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL T INVOLUNTARILY HOSPITALIZED HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO SHOW SIGNS OF BEING MENTALLY ILL. POLICE OFFICERS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE THOSE PEOPLE INTO CUSTODY AND SEND THEM TO LOCAL HOSPITALS FO PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS.

NEW YORK'S NEW DIRECTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THERE'S NOT A LOT OF EXTENSIVE GUIDANCE REGARDING REMOVALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS BASED ON THE BRIEF INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE.

WE WANTED TO FIND OUT HOW NEW JERSEY HANDLES ISSUES LIKE THIS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS FROM BERGEN COUNTY WERE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS ARE IN PLACE PROVIDING HELP TO THOSE ON THE STREETS AND TRAINING OFFICERS ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> IT'S ALL WORTH IT.

>> Reporter: GOALS AMY DESORDO WANTS TO ACHIEVE WHEN DEALING WITH ISSUES CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH.

THE FACILITY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH BERGEN COUNTY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO DEVELOP A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM TO GET PEOPLE TO HELP THE REALLY NEED.

>> FOUR TIMES A YEAR WE SEND OU ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE TRAINING ENTAILS WHICH IS REALL ABOUT BRINGING FORCED RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONS AND CIVILIANS WHO WORK OR EXPERIENCE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS.

WE LEARN ABOUT ACT LISTENING AND VERBAL DE-ESCALATION.

WE ALSO PROVIDE A LOT OF OVERVIEW ON MENTAL HEALTH.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND MEDICATION.

WE DO A LOT OF ROLE-PLAY AND INTERACTING WITH ONE ANOTHER AN IT REALLY HELPS BREAK THE BARRIERS OF US AND THEM.

>> Reporter: AND INITIATIVE THAT'S MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN BERGEN COUNTY.

TO DATE CARE PLUS NEW JERSEY HAS HELPED OVER 600 PEOPLE.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS AND FAMIL MEMBERS HERE ABOUT THIS TRAININ AND THEY SAY CAN YOU COME WITH A CIT TRAINED OFFICER, THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES.

NOW MORE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT A CRISIS PROGRAM OF THEIR OWN.

I NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS ANNOUNCING AN INITIATIVE TO HEL PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

THE PLAN IS CAUSING CONTROVERSY BECAUSE IT COULD SOMEONE BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND HELD.

>> WILL CALL 911.

PEOPLE DISPATCH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FO UNTRAINED OFFICER OR SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW THESE RESOURCE THINGS CAN ESCALATE QUICKLY BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE SITUATIONS ARE UNPREDICTABLE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY SERGEAN SARAH TORO BELIEVES HAVING A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM THAT'S PROPERLY TRAINED TO DE-ESCALATE A SELF SITUATION IS KEY.

>> THEY KNOW WHEN THEY CAN TRANSPORT A PERSON TO BE EVALUATED ON THEIR OWN ACCORD VERSUS WHEN HAVING TO CALL THE SCREENER OUT AND THEY KNOW ABOUT THE SCREENING LAWS AND THEY HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH TH TEAM AND THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WORKS.

ALSO THEY UNDERSTAND HOW TO CONTROL AND DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION UNTIL THAT PERSON ARRIVES.

>> CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING ARE NOT JUST FOR ADULTS.

EMBER OF THE TEAM ARE TAUGHT HOW TO HANDLE SITUATIONS WITH CHILDRE AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> ONE AND SIX YOUTH EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM OR CRISIS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR AND 50% OF ALL LIFETIME CASES OF MENTAL ILLNESS ACTUALLY DEVELOPED BY AGE 14.

WE KNOW FOR MANY PEOPLE THEY DELAY SEEKING CARE.

THERE IS AN AVERAGE OF A 10 YEAR DELAY BETWEEN ONSET OF SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SOMEONE SEEKING HELP.

>> Reporter: THE EARLIER INTERVENTION CAN HAPPEN THE MOR LIKELY IT IS FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO FLORIST IN THE FUTURE, A POSITIVE IMPAC OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM IN BERGEN COUNTY HOPES IT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE ON MANY MORE LIVES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MET MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> LAST LEGISLATIVE MEETING O THE YEAR AS THE JOINT BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEANT TO TAKE A SERIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOATS.

ONE MEMBER ALSO VOICED CRITICISM OVER THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS.

SENATO DECLAN O SCANLAN SAID THERE SHOULD BE MUCH MORE TRANSPARENC INCLUDING AN OPTION FOR -- AND FUNDING DECISIONS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY IN NEW JERSEY'S BUDGET PROCESS AND SPENDING DECISIONS ON HETERO FUNDS THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR.

NEW JERSEY RECEIVED MORE THAN $6 BILLION LAST YEAR THROUGH THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AC AND MORE THAN $1 BILLION REMAINS UNALLOCATED.

DECLAN O'SCANLON SAYING TODAY THAT THE PROCESS OF SPENDING ADDERALL MONEY IS A "SECRETIVE JOKE."

MEANWHILE THE JOINT BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE VOTED TODAY TO APPROVE A REQUEST BY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO USE $2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR A MARKETING AND OUTREACH FUND FOR THE STATE'S NEW ANCHO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

I TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS THE JERSEY SHORE HAS MADE A COMEBACK SINCE THE WORST OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BUT CENTRAL JERSEY WITH ALL OF ITS BEAUTIFU PARKS AND FARMS , RESTAURANTS AND WINERIES HAS LAGGED BEHIND.

A NEW BILL SEEKS TO CHANGE THAT.

STATE SENATOR ANDREW ZWICKER'S LEGISLATION WOULD PROMOTE -- EARLIER THIS WEEK OUR REPORTER SAT DOWN WITH THE SENATOR ANDREW ZWICKER TO LEAR MORE.

>> Reporter: SENATOR IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THIS I ABOUT MORE THAN TAKING A SIDE I WHAT HAS BECOME AN ONGOING DEBATE.

WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING?

>> SO THE DEBATE IS FINE, RIGHT?

DOES CENTRAL NEW JERSEY EVEN EXIST?

I WORK HERE AND RAISE MY FAMILY.

THE BILL DOES TWO THINGS.

IT QUITE A BIT PUTS CENTRAL NEW JERSEY ON THE TOUR IS A MAP AND IT CHOOSES HOW WE ALLOCATE OUR DOLLARS.

WHERE IS TOURISM LAGGING AND WHERE CAN W INFUSE A FEW MORE DOLLARS?

IF THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE AND WE WILL PUSH MORE DOLLARS THERE.

IF IT'S HAPPENING BY THE SHORE WE WILL PUSH IT THERE.

THAT IS THE GIST OF THE BILL.

>> Reporter: YOU NOTED I BELIEVE IN AN OP-ED PIECE THAT WE REALLY HAVEN'T REVAMPED HOW WE LOOK AT TOURISM IN A GENERATION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MAP IT'S DIVIDED INTO SIX REGIONS.

CENTRAL JERSEY IS NOT THERE.

>> RIGHT.

SO, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IF YOU LOOK FOR THE PANDEMIC AN AFTER THAT THE SHORE FOR THE MOST PART HAS COME BACK WHICH I NOT TO SAY THAT BUSINESSES HAV NOT HURT BECAUSE THEY HAVE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS HURT EVERYONE EVERYWHERE BUT THE SHORE HAS MOSTLY COME BACK.

THE CENTRAL PART OF OUR STATE WHICH IS FULL OF REVOLUTIONARY WARP SITES AN RESTAURANTS AND ET CETERA IS LAGGING BEHIND THE STATE.

THAT' WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO.

WE WILL START WITH CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND PUT IT ON THE MAP BU THEN WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE WHOLE STATE IS COMING BACK SO THAT WE ARE COMPETING WITH OUR NEIGHBORING STATES AND WE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE TO OUR BEAUTIFU BEAUTIFUL AREA.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS IN A POT RIGHT THAT AR UNALLOCATED RIGHT NOW , BUT THE TOURISM INDUSTRY CAN USE IT .

WHAT SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU LIK TO SEE DONE WITH THAT MONEY?

>> I THINK WE ARE CLOSE TO THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF OUR COUNTRY AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT NEW JERSEY AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AS WASHINGTON LEADS ITS TROOPS RIGHT THROUGH AGAINST TH BRITISH, THAT THE KEY THING WE WANT TO DO NOW IS MAKE SURE THA OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES ARE UPDATED, FIXED UP AND PROMOTED.

WE WANT TO DRAW PEOPLE IN BECAUSE THE BIRTH OF OUR COUNTR FUNDAMENTALLY STARTED IN IT NE JERSEY AND I THINK THAT'S A KEY THING AND A KEY OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THIS BILL WILL GET, YOU KNOW, YOU HEARD?

IS THERE SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE?

PLENTY OF US FROM CENTRAL JERSEY KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE, BUT THE CRUX OF THIS IS REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THERE I SOME EQUITY IN THE FUNDING THAT GOES OUT.

>> THE BILL HAS GOT A LOT OF MOMENTUM BEHIND IT.

SUPPORTERS BEHIND IT AND NOT JUST IN CENTRAL JERSEY BECAUSE IT DOES WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTIN THE TOURISM DOLLARS RIGHT.

I FULLY EXPECT TO SEE MOVEMENT ON THIS AS WE GET PAST THE NEW YEA AND HOPEFULLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNS INTO LAW WILL WORK.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL TIMES ON MANY PLATFORMS HE HAS TALKED ABOUT CENTRAL JERSEY.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SENATOR I TERMS OF -- I KNOW YOU'VE MENTIONED IN THE PAST HOW THE HUDSON VALLEY HAS REALLY HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL TOURISM CAMPAIG AND REALLY NEW JERSEY AND CENTRAL JERSEY HAS VERY SIMILAR AMENITIES TO OFFER.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ULTIMATELY , A BOOMING INDUSTRY THERE IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE?

>> WE ARE THE SECOND MOST VISITED STATE PARK IN THE DNR CANAL WHICH IS GREAT FOR HIKING AND BIRD WATCHING.

WE HAVE FARMS AND ADVENT TOWARDS HIM SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NOT JUST TH DEBATE GO AWAY BUT TO SEE THE CENTRAL PART OF NEW JERSEY BE THE HUB OF TOURISM SO WHEN YOU ARE ON THE SHORE IN SUMMERTIME OR SKIING IN THE WINTER TIME WERE EXPLORING THROUGHOUT CENTRAL NEW JERSEY, THAT THE ULTIMATE GOAL.

>> Reporter: SENATOR ANDREW ZWICKER TACKLING WHAT NO ONE HA ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT TACKLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH STORE .

>> THANK YOU BREANNE.

>> IT WAS THE WORST YEAR FOR STOCKS SINCE 2008.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THOSE CLOSING NUMBERS O THIS FINAL TRADING DAY OF THE YEAR >>> TONIGHT WE END OUR YEAR WITH AN UPLIFTING STORY OF THE BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS HUNDREDS OF THEM IN FACT .

ALPACAS, GOATS, HORSES, CATS, YOU NAME IT.

THEY WERE UNWANTED, NEGLECTED AND WITHOUT HOMES BUT THEY FOUND THEIR SANCTUARY IN SOUTH JERSEY AT A PLACE LOVINGLY KNOWN AS THE FUNNY FARM IN MAYS LANDING.

WITHOUT THE FARM AND THE GENEROSITY OF ITS OWNER THESE ANIMALS WOULD HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED.

THIS IS A STORY OU SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, AN ARDENT ANIMAL LOVER, BRENDA CAN TELL BUT FIRST SHE STOLE A KISS FROM A LOVABLE LLAMA.

>> Reporter: LORENZO THE LLAMA OFFERS KISSES IN EXCHANGE FOR APPLE SLICES.

CONNOR THE EMU I A TOTAL CHUM BUCKET.

MANY OF THE 600 FUNNY FARM RESIDENTS WANDER FREELY ABOVE THE NEW JERSEY SANCTUARY WHERE AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS FEES THEM, CLEANS THEIR STARS STALLS AND HELPS HEAL THEIR EMOTIONAL TRAUMAS.

>> TO GRADUALLY SEE THEM GET CLOSER TO US AS WE FEED THEM AND THEY BECOME LAP BABIES NO MATTER HOW BIG THEY ARE.

>> Reporter: KAREN IS AMONG SEVERAL REGULAR VOLUNTEERS WHO SPENT 40 OR 50 HOURS A WEEK HERE.

>> THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE.

>> I JUST LOVE BEING HERE.

IT'S -- TO WORK WITH THE ANIMALS IS A GOOD FEELING.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE CAN ARRIVE FROM HOARDING SITUATION OR -- ESCORTED BY ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS.

FUNNY FARM'S FOUNDER LORI ZALESKI TAKES ALL THE ANIMALS.

SHE SOMETIMES SAYS IT'S FAMILY WHO SURRENDERS THEI PETS.

>> THEY GO THROUGH A DIVORCE SO THEY LOST THEIR JOB DURING COVID.

SOMETIMES IT WINDS UP BEING TOO MUCH THAN WHAT THEY THOUGHT.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S USUALLY BROKEN FAMILIES.

IT BREAKS MY HELP HEART FOR THE ANIMALS MORE SO THAN THE PEOPLE THEY WOULD USUALLY BE EUTHANIZED OR DAD IF THEY WERE NOT HERE AT THE FUNNY FARM.

>> Reporter: SHE BOUGHT THIS PLACE MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO TO HONOR HER LATE MOM WHO OPENED THEIR HOME TO DOZENS OF ANIMALS IN NEED.

>> ALL THOSE YEARS AGO I SAID SHE CALLED AT THE FUNNY FARM AN I ASKED WHY AND SHE SAID IS FUL OF ANIMALS AND FIT FOR LUNATICS >> Reporter: ZALESKI STARTED WITH 45 ANIMALS AND NOW SHE HAS ALPACAS AND A STEER.

GOATS IN BUNCHES.

THESE ALPACA TRIPLETS ARRIVED AFTER THEIR OWNER RAN OUT OF FOOD.

HORSES RUN THROUG PARKING LOTS WERE CARS MUST ONL GO ONE MILE PER HOUR TO AVOID ACCIDENTS.

600 ANIMALS.

>> THEY ALL COME FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT , UNWANTED, DISABLED, ELDERLY AND IT'S ALL WORD-OF-MOUTH.

PEOPLE SAY HOW DO YOU GET YOUR ANIMALS?

DO YOU LOOK FOR THEM?

AND I SAY NO, WE ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE FARM HAS A COUPLE HUNDRED CATS ALL NEUTERE AND SOME ARE ADOPTABLE BUT EVER SINGLE ANIMAL ON THE FUNNY FARM CAN LIVE HERE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

>> YOU CAN COME VISIT.

WE DO HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME ALL THE TIME AND SOME OF THEM EVEN VOLUNTEER.

>> IT WOULD BE TOUGH TO LAW RUN AT THE NONPROFIT FUNNY FARM WITHOUT ALWAYS VOLUNTEERS.

THE LASKEY ALSO OWNS AN ART STUDIO AND SHE'S WRITTEN A BOOK.

HER FEED COST 12,000 A MONTH.

SHE WELCOMES DONATIONS AND PLANS ON EXPANDING THE FARM WITH MORE AMENITIES FOR VISITORS WHO TORE EVERY TUESDAY AND SUNDAY FREE O CHARGE.

>> WHATEVER LIFE THROWS YOU BETTER CATCH IT AND GO WITH IT.

PET IT ALONG THE WAY.

>> Reporter: IN MAYS LANDING, I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE N SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, INC. FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERe ON MONDAY.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

NEW JERSEY REALATORS, MORE INFORMATIOn AT NJREALTOR.

CALM AND BY THE PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.

>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARTS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

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

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJA EA MEMBER .