>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION .

AND IT NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM .

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

>> AT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, THE PAINFUL AND WIDESPREAD IMPACT ON OUR STATE, AND ITS RESIDENCE , PERSISTS.

THAT IS DESPITE LONG-STANDING EFFORTS TO TURN THE TIDE ON THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSE DEATHS EXPERIENCED ACROSS NEW JERSEY EVERY YEAR.

EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN BOLSTERED BY MORE FEDERAL MONEY AND BETTER EDUCATION ABOUT THE DANGEROUS COCKTAILS OF DRUGS AVAILABLE ON THE STREETS.

STATISTICALLY, NEW STATEWIDE YEARS OUT TODAY SHOW FATAL OVERDOSES ARE BEGINNING TO DECLINE.

BUT IN ITS PLACE IS A TROUBLING NEW TREND.

IN YOUR COURSE HUNDRED JOANNA GAGIS OR ITS.

>> WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

ONE OVERDOSE IS TOO MANY , CERTAINLY.

BUT WE ARE TRENDING DOWN THIS YEAR.

>> THERE IS NO WORLD IN WHICH 2900 PROJECTED OVERDOSE DEATHS IS CONSIDERED GOOD NEWS.

FOR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, IT'S A SIGNAL THAT JUST MAYBE THE NEEDLE IS MOVING ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

>> WE SHOULD GET UNDER 2900 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2017.

LITTLE BIT OF A GLIMMER OF HOPE THERE IN THIS OTHERWISE TRAGIC EPIDEMIC READ >> MOST RECENT NUMBERS CAME OUT TODAY IN A WEBINAR HOSTED BY THE PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE NEW JERSEY TOGETHER WITH AND JAKE HARRIS AND THE OFFICE OF THE NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> IF YOU GO BACK 10 YEARS AGO, 15 YEARS AGO, WE WOULD LOSE IT WITH AS IT WAS STILL TRAGIC, BUT I COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE PER YEAR WOULD DIE OF AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE.

WE WILL CELEBRATE WHEN THE NUMBER GETS DOWN TO ZERO.

>> Reporter: HE RUNS A FACILITY INTEGRITY HOUSE IN NEWARK WHERE HE SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE RECENTLY EVEN IF THE THREAT OF AN ALARMINGLY HIGH YEAR AFTER YEAR.

$66 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

ANOTHER 600 21 MILLION GOING TO THE STATE FROM THE RESOURCE SETTLEMENT.

>> WE HAVE HAD A VAST EXPANSION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF NARCAN THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

EVENS PACIFICALLY AT INTEGRITY HOUSE.

EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT BELIEVES INTEGRITY HOUSE HOUSE -- AND THIS IS THE PATIENTS THAT ARE THERE FOR TREATMENT.

THEY LEAVE WITH THE NARCAN KIT.

>> Reporter: IT REVERSES THE EFFECTS OF AN OVERDOSE AND HAS BEEN WIDELY DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING OUT EMERGENCE DEPARTMENTS AT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, AND UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

WHICH COULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE NEARLY 7% REJECTED DECREASE IN DEATHS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT CERTAIN PERIODS OF TIME , IN PARTICULAR APRIL 2020 TO APRIL 2021, NEW JERSEY WAS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT ACTUALLY SAW A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSE DEATHS.

MANY OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY WERE SEEN DRAMATIC INCREASES.

>> Reporter: DRILL DOWN INTO THOSE INCREASES AND YOU QUICKLY SEE IT IS NOT A BIG WORRY.

>> WE WERE SEEING A TREMENDOUS INCREASE , DECREASE AMONGST WHITE RESIDENTS OF NEW JERSEY AND A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN HISPANIC AND BLACK POPULATIONS OF NEW JERSEY.

>> IT'S DISPROPORTIONATE AND THAT IF THEY REPRESENT THAT NUMBER OF 12.4% AND YOU LOOK AT , THEY ARE NOW 28% WITH OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2022.

>> OVERALL YES, WE SAW SUCCESSES, WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF THE STATES FUNDING AND REALLY A CONCERTED EFFORT TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE USE OVERALL.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WITHIN THAT EXCESS, WE ARE SEEING THOSE DISPARITIES THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO FOCUS ON.

>> ONE OF THE BARRIERS TO CARE, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR, GETTING PEOPLE TO TREATMENT FACILITIES.

SO, THEY'RE LAUNCHING MOBILE UNITS THAT WILL BRING MEDICATION AND OTHER TREATMENTS OFFERINGS INTO THE HARDEST HIT PARTS OF THE CITIES.

>> WE WILL IDENTIFY THESE HOTSPOTS.

THEY WILL EITHER BE AREAS OF THE CITY WHERE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF OVERDOSE DEATHS , OR OVERDOSE REVERSALS.

ALSO, THERE IS A LOT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.

ARRIVED TO THE MOBILE UNIT, OPEN IT UP.

THERE IS AN AWNING ON THE UNIT WITH AN ADVERTISEMENT INDICATING WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND WE WILL GO TO THE SPOTS THAT ARE GENERALLY HARD-HIT , AND REACHING THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY DON'T HAVE THE ACCESS TO SERVICES IN THE AREA WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> THE GOAL IS TO ENGAGE THE RESIDENCE, GET THE ASSISTED TREATMENT, BUILD TRUST AND EVENTUALLY GET THEM INTO BRICK-AND-MORTAR TREATMENT CENTERS.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, AND J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A LANDMARK BILL PROTECTING SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE TODAY.

IT'S FINAL HURDLE IN CONGRESS, PASSING WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND 39 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE JOINED DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE VOTING FOR THE BILL, SENDING IT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S DESK FOR THE SIGNATURE.

ENSHRINES MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN FEDERAL LAW, REQUIRING STATES TO RECOGNIZE ANOTHER STATE'S LEGAL MARRIAGE, BUT THE LEGISLATION DOES NOT A NATIONAL REQUIREMENT MANDATING ALLSTATE LEGALIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL LATE LAST MONTH.

THE PUSH FOR THE HISTORIC VOTE GAINED MOMENTUM AFTER THE SUPREME COURT IN JUNE OVERTURNED ITS LANDMARK ROE V WADE DECISION ON ABORTION.

>>> THOUSANDS OF AIRPORT WORKERS ARE WALKING OFF THE JOB TODAY AND A NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION OVER ALLEGED WAGE THEFT UNDERSTAFFING AND UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS.

PLAYING OUT RIGHT HERE IN NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT >> TOO, AMONG CARGO WORKERS YOU SAY THE COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE STATE WHEN JOHN HEARD, LEAVING THEM NO CHOICE BUT TO STRIKE.

AND MOVEMENT THAT COULD DISRUPT OPERATIONS DURING THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> PLANES AND PASSENGERS ARE FLYING OUT OF NEWARK AIRPORT TODAY, BUT NOT MALE.

WORKERS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CARGO SERVICES, SWISS PORT, OR STRIKING FOR 24 HOURS, DELAYING PACKAGES HANDLED BY THE U.S. POST SERVICE.

>> COME OUT HERE WITH MY FELLOW PEOPLE.

WE'VE GOT TO DO WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IN ORDER TO GET BETTER FAYE PAY AND BETTER BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: SINGLETON HAS WORKED HERE FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS.

HE HOPES THAT THE PICKET LINES , DRUMS, AND SHOUTS GET SWISS SPORTS ATTENTION AS WORKERS FROM THE 15 AMERICAN AIRPORTS ARE EITHER STRIKING OR DEMONSTRATING TODAY.

>> WHEN YOUR EMPLOYEES COME TOGETHER ONE UNIT, THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LISTEN.

IF YOU DO IT INDIVIDUALLY , IT'S DIFFERENT.

THE MAJORITY COME TOGETHER AND GET TO THE TABLE AND START TALKING.

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

>> WE WERE CARD.

WE DON'T WANT TO WORK FROM CHECK TO CHECK.

WE WANT TO IMPROVE.

WE WANT TO WORK IN DIGNITY AND HELP OUR FAMILY.

>> WORKERS ACCUSE SWISS PORT OF VIOLATING LAST YEAR'S HEALTHY TERMINALS ASKED BY TAKING AIRPORT WORKERS TOO LONG TO GET EXTRA PAY FOR HEALTHCARE.

THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN ACCUSED OF TRYING TO INTIMIDATE EMPLOYEES OUT OF UNIONIZING AND WORKERS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IN OCTOBER.

>> WE WANT RESPECT.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO IMITATE THE DATE -- INTIMIDATE EMPLOYEES.

WHATEVER IT MAY BE, WE ARE STANDING TOGETHER IN UNITY.

>> THE LAW IS THE LAW.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS.

THE AIRLINES AND THE INDUSTRY UNDERSTANDS.

THE LAWMAKERS UNDERSTAND.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR UNDERSTANDS THEY ARE A BIG, WORLDWIDE COMPANY.

THEY UNDERSTAND.

>> Reporter: SWISSPORT TELLS THE SPOTLIGHT THAT THEY DENY ANY UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES AND THEY HAVE NOT BROKEN ANY LABOR LAWS.

50 OF THEIR EMPLOYEES DEMONSTRATED OUTSIDE OF NEWARK AIRPORT TODAY WITH LOCAL LAWMAKERS JOINING THEM FOR SUPPORT.

>> YOU BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING FOR YOUR FAMILIES.

I APPLAUD EVERYBODY OUT HERE TODAY.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE PEOPLE OUT HERE TODAY.

>> YOU NEED TO RESPECT AND BE AFFECTED AND BE PAID.

AND IT'S UNFAIR THAT THE PEOPLE THAT GO HOME TO THEIR BIG HOUSES AND BEAUTIFUL BEDROOMS AND LOVELY LIVING ROOMS AND DON'T HAVE THE STRUGGLES THAT YOU HAVE TRYING TO RAISE YOUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: WORKERS TELL ME THEY COULD STRIKE AGAIN IF THEIR ISSUES ARE NOT RESOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WHICH MEANS U.S. MAILING PACKAGES COULD BE DELAYED HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

AND J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HOBOKEN'S BATTLE FOR THE LAST PIECE OF CITY-OWNED WATERFRONT IS FINALLY OVER.

THE MAYOR SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION USED EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE THE UNION DRYDOCK PROPERTY.

IT'S A FIVE ACRE PLOT THAT SITS BETWEEN 9th AND 10th STREET IN HOBOKEN.

IT'S BEEN CLOSED OVER A CENTURY.

THE STATE WAS LOCKED IN A BITTER FIGHT OVER THE OWNERSHIP AND USE OF THE SITE.

THE FERRY SERVICE BROUGHT THE PROPERTY IN 2017, PLANNING TO USE IT AS A MAINTENANCE AND FUEL YARD AND HOBOKEN CITY LEADERS HAVE BEEN EYEING THE PARCEL FOR YEARS AS GREEN SPACE TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A WATERFRONT PARK.

HOBOKEN IS WORKING OUT A TEMPORARY LEASE AGREEMENT WITH NEW YORK WATERWAY TO USE THE SPACE UNTIL THEN.

CITY LEADERS ALREADY SENT OUT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO FIND A DESIGNER FOR THE FUTURE PART WITH AN MID JANUARY DEADLINE.

IF CONTENDING WITH A TRIPLE >> OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR PARENTS TO DO IT, THERE IS STILL A MASSIVE SHORTAGE OF INFANT FORMULA IN THE U.S. FINDING THE EXACT THAT YOUR BABY NEEDS HAS BECOME A CHALLENGE OF SKILL, PERSEVERANCE, AND A LOT OF LUCK.

FOR THOSE WITH FINANCIAL MEANS , IT'S EVEN HARDER .

PARENTS WONDER WHEN THE CRISIS WILL END.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> CVS AND WALGREENS HAVE HAD NOTHING.

THE TARGET BY ME, I WANT TO KNOW THE OTHER DAY.

THE SHELVES WERE DEPLETED EVEN MORE.

>> Reporter: NEARLY A YEAR AFTER THE NATIONWIDE BABY SHORTAGE FORMULA SHORTAGE BEGAN, THIS MOTHER HAS HAD TROUBLE FINDING FORMULA FOR HER BABY BOY.

SHE STARTED RONNIE LOTT FINDER IN NEW JERSEY IN MAY TO HELP MOMS IN NEED.

SHE SAYS THE BIGGEST CONCERN NEXT TO FINDING FORMULA IS PROTECTING THEM FROM SCAMS, WHICH HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE.

>> THEY ARE GETTING WHATEVER FREE FORMULA PEOPLE ARE GIVING AWAY, SAYING , I DON'T NEED IT ANYMORE OR WHATEVER IT MAYBE.

THEY'RE GETTING IT AND LEAVING MY GROUP AND THEN SELLING IT AT OTHER GROUPS.

WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING THAT AND THAT IS NOT HELPING THE SITUATION EITHER.

PEOPLE ACTUALLY REALLY NEED THE FORMULA.

>> Reporter: GETTING THE FORMULA JUST GOT HARDER.

ACCORDING TO REUTERS, THE COMPANY THAT SUPPLIES THE OLD LARGEST BRAND OF BABY FORMULA ON THE MARKET EXPECTS SHORTAGES TO CONTINUE UNTIL SPRING.

>> THEY COULD GET SUPPLIERS TO GET MORE RAW MATERIALS BUT THEY ARE RAMPING BACK UP.

SO THE SAME RAW MATERIALS, YOU CAN'T NECESSARILY EASILY MAKE MORE OF THAT EITHER.

NOW YOU ARE HAVING A SUPPLY CONSTRAINT THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM RUNNING AT THAT ULTRAHIGH ABOVE AND BEYOND LEVEL.

>> RUDY IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SUPPLY-CHAIN MANAGEMENT AT THE RUTGERS BUSINESS SCHOOL.

AS A PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PROCESS TO PRODUCE THE FORMULA IS ANYTHING BUT EASY.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY A LOT MORE COMPLICATED TO MAKE BABY FORMULA THAN MOST PEOPLE IMAGINE.

PRODUCING BABY FORMULA , IT RUNS AT ONE SPEED OR THE BIG BOTTLENECK IS WHAT THAT ONE MACHINE CAN PRODUCE.

YOU NEED STAFF TO RUN THE MACHINERY.

BUT IT'S NOT THAT LABOR-INTENSIVE OF A PROCESS.

>> Reporter: HE STRESSES THAT CONSUMERS HAVE A BIG ROLE TO PLAY IN THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUES.

>> PARENTS WERE VERY CONCERNED.

RIGHTLY SO.

AND IF THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY EVERY FORMULA AND MORE BABY FORMULA THAN THEY NEEDED, THEY BOUGHT EVERYTHING.

AND YOU PROBABLY NEED MORE THAN THE REGULAR AMOUNT TO KIND OF TRAIN THE CONSUMERS, THE PARENTS, TO NOT BUY EVERYTHING THAT THEY SEE ANYTIME THEY SEE IT ON THE SHELF.

>> Reporter: TO USE THE ECONOMICS JARGON, THIS IS A MARKET FAILURE.

FACULTY DIRECTOR AT RUTGERS SAYS PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THOSE LIVING IN RURAL AREAS FIND THEMSELVES IN AN EVEN TOUGHER SPOT.

ROGERS SAYS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IS THE BEST WAY TO REMEDY THE ISSUE OF SCHEDULING AND HOARDING.

>> IN MAY, WHEN WE HAVE A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE THAT MANY RETAILERS IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW MUCH PEOPLE COULD BUY , THAT THIS WASN'T A POLICY NATIONWIDE OR IS IT WIDE.

I THINK IT WAS VOLUNTARY.

SO WE NEED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PASS THESE KINDS OF RESTRICTIONS AND ENFORCE THEM.

>> Reporter: ALL THREE I SPOKE WITH AGREED THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE PUBLIC INFORMATION BEING SHARED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE SHORTAGE IN ORDER TO CALM PANIC WHICH, IN TURN, CAUSES WORDING.

HOARDING.

BRANDEIS SPELLING IS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, ANOTHER DEAD-END FOR SUPPORTERS OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE END OF THIS INDUSTRY TO TAKE ART IN BANKING SERVICES.

THE U.S. SENATE ONCE AGAIN REJECTING THE SAFE BANKING ACT THAT ALLOWS OWNERS OF LEGAL CANNABIS STORES TO OPEN CHECKING ACCOUNTS AND ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THE LANGUAGE FOR THE LAW WAS BUILT INTO THE NATIONAL DEFENSE WAS A BILL THAT LAWMAKERS VOTED ON THIS WEEK WITH PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE GOP BLAMING DEMOCRATS FOR FUMBLING NEGOTIATIONS OVER THAT MAJOR LEGISLATION, BY ADDING THESE NEW CANNABIS REGULATIONS.

ADVOCATES OF THE SAFE BANKING ACT ARGUED MARIJUANA BUSINESSES ARE ON TARGET FOR ROBBERIES AND OTHER TIMES , SINCE MOST HAVE TO OPERATE IN CASH, ADDING THAT SMALLER OPERATIONS HAVE A TOUGH TIME BORROWING THE MONEY THEY NEED TO START THEIR BUSINESSES, BUT THEY ARE NOT GIVING UP HOPE ON GETTING THE LEGISLATION THROUGH BY SOME OTHER MEANS BEFORE THE END OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE BACK AND FORTH OVER TAXES BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK IS TOP OF MIND FOR LAWMAKERS RIGHT NOW , WHO ARE TRYING TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR RESIDENTS WHO WORK REMOTELY AT A JOB BASED ACROSS STATE LINES AND WHO GETS TO TAX THE INCOME OF THOSE REMOTE WORKERS IS AN ISSUE THAT CAN HAVE BIG IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STATE BUDGET.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER, WHO HAS THE LATEST DETAILS AND PROPOSALS COMING OUT OF THE STATE HOUSE AND A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S OTHER BIG REVENUE SOURCES.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

THIS ISSUE OF RESIDENTS BEING DOUBLE TAXED JUST CAME TO LIGHT DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH SO MANY PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME.

WHAT DO LAWMAKERS THINK THEY CAN DO TO HELP THE SITUATION?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE REALLY THREE THINGS THAT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD DO THAT EVENTUALLY BECOMES LAW.

THE FIRST WORD CREATES A NEW TAX BREAKS FOR BUSINESSES TO GIVE THEM INCENTIVE TO ESTABLISH A FOOTPRINT IN NEW JERSEY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE A BUSINESS LOCATED IN NEW YORK OR SOMEBODY WORKS FROM HOME, BUT FOR THE NEW YORK COMPANY BASED ON NEW YORK TAX LAWS.

AND NEW YORK SAYS TO THE COMPANY, YOU HAVE TO WITHHOLD TAXES FOR ALBANY AND THAT IN INSTANCE THAT OF TRENTON, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE WORKING FROM HOME IN NEW JERSEY.

ONE WAY WOULD BE TO CREATE A FOOTPRINT HERE IN NEW JERSEY SO THOSE RESIDENTS COULD WORK IN NEW JERSEY.

THE OTHER WOULD BE TO CREATE TAX BREAKS FOR PEOPLE TO SUE A STATE LIKE NEW YORK HAS AN AGGRESSIVE TAX LAW WHEN IT COMES TO HOW SOMEONE WHO WORKS FROM HOME IS TREATED AND TRY TO UPSET THE APPLE CART.

THE LAST THING WOULD BE TO REWRITE TAX LAWS IN SOME WAYS SO WE TREAT STATES THAT HAVE AGGRESSIVE TAX LAWS FOR NEW JERSEY'S REMOTE WORKERS THE SAME WAY THEY TREAT US.

WRITING FIRE WITH FIRE.

ALL CREATING A NET POSITIVE REVENUE FOR THE STATE BUDGET .

>> NONE OF THIS WOULD HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY.

ALL OF THESE PROPOSALS WOULD TAKE TIME.

WHAT IS THE PLAN IN THE INTERIM?

THERE'S BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAX REVENUE HANGING IN THE BALANCE .

ALSO REMOTE WORKERS, WHO ARE BEING DOUBLE TAXED.

>> FOR NOW, WE WILL STICK TO THE STATUS QUO.

NEW JERSEY'S OFF HER TO RESIDENTS TO OFFSET THE TAX CREDITS THAT THEY PAID TO THOSE STATES.

SOME COMPANIES , FOR EXAMPLE, FOR ALBANY AND NEW JERSEY .

A CREDIT FOR THE TAXATION WITH THIS TAX QUARTER NOW.

WITH THIS LOG, REPATRIATING THAT MONEY TO NEW JERSEY WITHOUT RISKING DOUBLE TAXATION OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE WORKING FROM HOME, BUT THE COMPANY IS BASED OVER STATE LINES.

>> LET ME SHIFT GEARS TO ANOTHER ITEM THAT HAS BEEN A PRETTY BIG TUNE FOR REVENUE IN THE STATE.

THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE 45th ANNIVERSARY OF GAMBLING IN NEW JERSEY THIS YEAR.

WHAT DOES THE INDUSTRY FACE NOW IN TERMS OF BRINGING THAT REVENUE AND ALSO COMPETING WITH WINGS LIKE SPORTS GAMBLING AND ONLINE GAMBLING AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS COME TO LIGHT IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS?

>> YEAH.

CASINO REVENUE IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS BUT IT IS REBOUNDING POST PANDEMIC.

GETTING A BIG BOOST FROM ONLINE GAMBLING AND THE WAY THAT THE ONLINE GAMBLING LAW WAS WRITTEN IN NEW JERSEY IS A PORTION OF THOSE REVENUES HAVE TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BRICK AND MORTAR CASINOS IN ATLANTIC CITY .

THEY'RE GETTING SOME BOOST FROM THAT .

IT IS ACTUALLY UP FOR RENEWAL STARTING NEXT YEAR.

THERE IS A BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW TO KEEP IT IN PLACE FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

CERTAINLY STILL SOME CHALLENGES FOR THE CASINO INDUSTRY.

DOING A LOT BETTER THAN JUST A FEW YEARS AGO OR RIGHT AFTER THE GREAT RECESSION WHEN SOME OF THE CASINOS HAD TO CLOSE.

>> SEVERAL, IN FACT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE IN ANOTHER 45 YEARS.

JOHN REITMEYER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW MARKETS FARED TODAY AFTER A FIVE-DAY LOSING STREAK.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ON LINE AT 1017.

>>> DON'T FORGET TO CATCH BUSINESS BEAT WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE DIGS INTO THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE AS WE MARK THE 45th ANNIVERSARY OF LEGALIZED GAMBLING.

WATCH AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> ACROSS NEW JERSEY, THE NUMBER OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS IN STATE PRISONS IS NEARLY 1/3 OF WHAT IT WAS SOME 20 YEARS AGO.

PROPONENTS OF THE DECLINE POINT TO SENTENCING REFORM, BETTER REENTRY SERVICES, AND EVEN THE PANDEMIC AS HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE DROP , LEAVING THEM TO QUESTION, THOUGH, WHETHER THE STATE WILL EVENTUALLY WRITE IS THE NUMBER OF LARGE PRISONS IT CONTINUES TO OPERATE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> WE HAVE ELIMINATED SOME MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

THAT IS A SMART REFORM THAT HAS HELPED US.

WE HAVE TRIED -- WE HAVE LIMITED, THEY'RE NOT EFFICIENTLY, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING RETURNED TO PRISON ON TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF PAROLE.

>> SOME OF THE KEY FACTORS , ALEXANDER SHALOM, DIRECTOR OF SUPREME COURT ADVOCATE THE AT THE ACLU OF NEW JERSEY SAYS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECLINE OF NEW JERSEY POPULATION, ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, NEARLY 12,500 INMATES IN PRISON RIGHT NOW.

MORE THAN 50% DROP FROM 11 YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE OVER 25,000.

>> THE OTHER BIG THING IS THAT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE NEW JERSEY PRISON DEATH RATE WAS HIGHEST IN THE NATION, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY CREDITS BILL, WHICH ALLOWED FOR THE EARLY RELEASE FROM PRISON.

UP TO EIGHT MONTHS EARLY, OF ABOUT 8000 PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY IT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION IF STEPS ARE NOT TAKEN TO ADDRESS WHY THESE PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM ARE BLACK AND BROWN, ARE SENT TO THE PRISONS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND HOW THEY ARE TREATED ONCE THEY GET OUT READ >> THE SYSTEM IN NEW JERSEY DOES A GOOD JOB OF MANAGING INCARCERATION.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO GET PEOPLE FOR REENTRY AND SUCCESSFUL REENTRY.

>> I WAS 21 WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

THERE WAS NOT MUCH LANDING AT THAT POINT .

AND FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SERRATED.

>> Reporter: AT GOLDSMITH SPENT TIME AT THE EDNA HAMM FACILITY FOR WOMEN.

SHE SAYS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE SURE INMATES ARE LITERATE AND HAVE ASKED US TO HOUSING WHEN RELEASED READ >> YOU GET SHUT OUT.

INDIVIDUALS DON'T WANT TO RENT TO YOU.

THEY SEE YOU ARE ON PAROLE .

ALTHOUGH IT IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SOMEONE DUE TO THEIR INCARCERATION PASSED, IT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES HAPPEN.

>>> PLANS ARE IN THE WORK TO CLOSE EDNA HAMM AND OTHER JUVENILE FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> VERY OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE NEED TO CLOSE YOU PRISONS WHICH ARE OLD, AGING , AND WE THINK THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH MORE REHABILITATIVE CENTERS FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: BUT WHAT IS CONCERNED THAT A NEW BILL THAT WOULD EXPAND FOR MOST OF THE DEFENSES WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN PRISON.

>> THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS TO THE STUDY EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN THERE IS THIS PRESUMPTION, IT DOUBLES THE PERCENTAGE OF DETAINMENT FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES.

THIS BUDDIES FIREARM OFFENSES.

YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE BEING DETAINED COULD POSSIBLY BE DOUBLED BECAUSE OF THIS BILL.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THAT THE DECLINE OF THE POPULATION IS POSITIVE, THEY MAINTAIN MORE RESOURCES NEEDED TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PREVENT FURTHER INCARCERATION.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF REPORTERS ROUND TABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, DAVID KICKS OFF THE SHOW WITH COLIN WILSON, TRANSPORTATION REPORTER FOR THE BERGEN RECORD.

FROM RISING TOLLS TO THE TURNPIKE EXPANSION AND IT TROUBLES AT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR COMMUTERS?

PLUS ALL THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS.

TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER USE AGREEMENT.

I AM A BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW .

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS , EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.