>>> MAJOR FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> HELLO.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> HOSPITALIZATIONS WERE BELOW NORMAL.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THE UPCOMING APPROVAL OF VACCINES FOR KIDS UNDER FIVE WAS ONE OF THE REASONS HE FELT COMFORTABLE LIFTING A MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS ON MARCH 7.

AN FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE POSTPONED THE MEETING TO DISCUSS OF VACCINES FOR THAT AGE GROUP.

THEY ARE WAITING FOR MORE DATA ON WHETHER A THIRD DOSE IS EFFECTIVE.

THAT MEANS THE YOUNGEST AGE GROUP WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL, AT THE EARLIEST, TO GET THEIR SHOTS.

THE CDC, ON FRIDAY, RELEASED DATA ON PROTECTION FROM BOOSTERS WANES AFTER FOUR MONTHS.

WILL BE AN APPETITE FOR MORE SHOTS?

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: DID YOU GET A BOOSTER?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: HE GOT HIS THIRD SHOT.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY, ROUGHLY 200,000 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN A NEW VACCINE OR A BOOSTER.

BUT THE CDC SUGGESTS THAT BOOSTERS DON'T REMAIN EFFECTIVE FOR VERY LONG.

THAT RAISES THE QUESTION, SHOULD PEOPLE CONSIDER GETTING A FOURTH COVID-19 SHOT?

>> I'M NOT THRILLED ABOUT IT BUT WE HAVE TO GET A FLU SHOT EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE CEO SAYS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CDC HAS NOT ISSUED GUIDELINES FOR ANOTHER BOOSTER, THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR.

>> SOMETIMES RANKINGS WAYNE OVERTIME.

>> WHAT IF SOMEBODY COMES IN AND SAYS, I AM OLDER OR HAVE UNDERLYING ISSUES, CAN I GET A FOUR SHOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE TAKING CARE OF ANYBODY THAT NEEDS OR WANTS A FOURTH DOSE.

>> Reporter: MRNA COVID-19 VACCINES ARE EFFECTIVE TWO MONTHS AFTER THE SHOT BUT ONLY 78% OF AFTER FOUR MONTHS.

SIMILAR BOOSTERS ARE 87% EFFECTIVE TWO MONTHS OUT.

BUT THAT DROPS TO 66% AFTER FOUR MONTHS.

WHILE THE DATA IS INCOMPLETE, THEY SUGGEST A BOOSTER EFFICACY PLUMMETS TO 31% AFTER FIVE MONTHS.

>>> THE MORE DOSES YOU GET THE STRONGER YOUR IMMUNE RESPONSE AND THE LONGER IT LASTS.

>>> DOCTOR MARTIN BLASER SAYS THAT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE OMICRON SURGE, ISRAEL ISSUED A FOURTH DOSE.

>> THE INITIAL INFORMATION IS FOUR DOSES ARE BETTER THAN THREE.

NOW WE HAVE TO ASSESS IF WE NEED THE FOURTH DOSE OR NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

WITH OMICRON RECEDING, IT SEEMS LESS IMPORTANT THAN IT DID TWO MONTHS AGO.

>> Reporter: FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE NOT MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT A SECOND BOOSTER BUT A WRECKERS DEAN SAYS >> EVERYBODY SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

GET IN LINE AND GET IT.

>> Reporter: HEALTH EXPERTS CONSIDER AN ADDITIONAL BOOSTERS BUT PARENTS MUST WAIT TO GET KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE VACCINATED.

THE FDA POSTPONED HEARINGS ON THE PFIZER PROPOSED TWO DOSE REGIMEN.

>> THEY USE LOWER DOSES IN CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHER CASSONDRA LEWIS IS THE INVESTIGATOR OF THE KIDS VACCINATION TRIAL.

IT SHOWED THAT TWO DOSES DID NOT WORK QUITE AS WELL FOR KIDS AGES 2-4 YEARS, AS THEY DID FOR THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.

SO CLINICAL TRIALS HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO THREE DOSES.

THEN THERE WAS THE OMICRON SURGE.

>> WE SAW A STEEP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THAT WERE GETTING SICK AND EVEN HOSPITALIZED.

I THINK THAT WAS THE INITIAL PUSH FOR THE FDA AND PFIZER TO PROCESS THIS.

>> WITH OMICRON CASES PLUNGING THEY DECIDED NOT TO FAST-TRACK A TWO SHOT REGIMEN AND REFOCUSED ON THE THREE DOSE CLINICAL TRIALS INSTEAD HERE.

>> IT IS TELLING US THAT THE FDA IS TRYING TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT DOSE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

>> THAT IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH PLAY.

THAT THE FDA IS DOING THEIR JOB AND DOING IT WELL.

>> I WILL BE PATIENT.

>> Reporter: IT TARA HAS A SON IN DAYCARE AND SHE IS EAGER TO GET THEM VACCINATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT HE HAS BEEN SAFE AND HAPPY THIS WHOLE TIME.

IT WOULD BE THAT EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION THAT WOULD HELP US SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY ALSO SAID THE VACCINATION FOR KIDS UNDER FIVE IS A REASON TO DROP THE MASK MANDATE THAT THIS DECISION IS UNLIKELY TO CHANGE THAT.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DISTRICTS HAVE HAD TO GET CREATIVE HERE THAT HAS INCLUDED CUTTING CLASS TIMES AND SIZES.

IS THE STRESS OF THE JOB HAS LED MORE EDUCATORS TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION, JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE DRIVING EDUCATORS AWAY AND THE EFFORTS TO GET THEM TO STAY.

>> WE NEED GREAT TEACHERS TO RETURN BACK TO NEWARK.

>> Reporter: SO THEY ARE TRAINING THEIR OWN TEACHERS TO BE TEACHERS THROUGH THE REDHAWK RISING ACADEMY.

>> WE ARE CREATING SOMETHING FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND WE ARE DOING THAT DURING THIS TIME.

>> THE KIDS WERE LIKE FIVE, SIX AND SEVEN AND WE GOT KIDS EXCITED.

THAT REALLY IS A GOOD FEELING THAT YOU ARE TEACHING SOMETHING VALUABLE TO LITTLE KIDS.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED IN 2019 WITH MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS.

IT IS THE SECOND-LARGEST TEACHER GROUP IN THE NATION.

BUT THEY HAVE HIT SOME ROAD BUMPS.

>> THIS EATS UP A LOT OF TIME.

BUT DOING CLASSES AT MONTCLAIR AND COURSES HERE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE -- WE HAD PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY SAID, I CAN'T TO THIS PROGRAM ANYMORE BECAUSE, I HAVE GOT TO WORK.

>> Reporter: TODAY AT EASTSIDE HIGH, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS ANNOUNCED TO ALL STUDENTS THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE PAYMENTS WHILE THEY GO THROUGH THE ACADEMY.

>> EVERY YOUNG ADULT, ASPIRING TEACHER, IS GOING TO HAVE A $1200 STIPEND FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER AND A $2500 STIPEND FOR THE SUMMER SEMESTER.

>> KNOWING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE BEHIND THIS PROGRAM AND WANTING IT TO SUCCEED THEY ARE MOTIVATING YOU AND THEN THERE IS THE STIPEND.

A GIVES YOU MOTIVATION TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAM AND FINISH IT OFF.

COME BACK AND BE SUCCESSFUL BE A GREAT TEACHER.

>> Reporter: THE STIPEND IS A ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT.

BUT THEY HOPE FUNDING WILL BE COMMITTED FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PROJECT.

>> TO ME, THIS IS THE STRONGEST PILOT OUT THERE AND I BET IT IS THE STRONGEST ONE NATIONWIDE.

AND IN THE STATEHOUSE OF NEW JERSEY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TEACHER RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT BUT THEY ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT HOW TO DIVERSIFY THE TEACHER FORCE.

SO, STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOLS THAT REFLECT THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THIS PROGRAM DOES BOTH.

>> Reporter: WITH BUDGET HEARING SET TO BEGIN SOON, THE AFT WANTS TO ADVOCATE OF THE LEGISLATURE AIR MOCK FUNDS TO GROW THE PROGRAM IN NEWARK AND AROUND THE STATE.

THE COST FOR THIS YEAR IS BETWEEN 150-$200,000 FOR YOUR >> TO PUT MONEY OUT THERE FOR STUDENTS SO THEY CAN BECOME TEACHERS IS A VALUABLE PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: BEYOND THE STIPEND, STUDENTS GOT ANOTHER SURPRISE.

A JOB OFFER.

>> NOT ONLY WILL THEY GRADUATE IN 2023 WITH A DIPLOMA, I WILL OFFER THEM ALL A CONTRACT.

>> THERE IS A COMPONENT OF SOCIAL ABILITY AND INTERACTION BETWEEN THE STUDENT AND THE TEACHER FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT, WE CAN BYPASS THAT.

THEY CAN GO STRAIGHT INTO TEACHING AND THE CAMARADERIE IS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, JONATHAN KOPPEL SAYS, THIS WILL HELP INSPIRE STUDENTS TO THEIR CIVIC CALLINGS WHICH THEY SAY OFTEN IS DAMPENED.

>> I THINK THERE IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE TO FIX SO THAT THE DESIRE TO SERVE CAN BE FOLLOWED.

I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT HOW REWARDING IT IS GOING TO BE TO FOLLOW THIS PATH.

>> WHEN I WAS YOUNGER THERE WAS A LOT OF STIGMA AROUND TEACHERS BECAUSE IT IS NOT A GOOD CAREER PATH.

ONCE I GOT INTO THE PROGRAM, I CHANGED MY MIND.

>> Reporter: IN NEWARK I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE FACING SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH AND ACADEMIC CHALLENGES ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

OR THAN 15,000 STUDENTS FROM 60 DIFFERENT STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PARTICIPATED IN A COVID-19 QUESTIONNAIRE DONE LAST FALL.

ABOUT 70% OF THOSE STUDENTS REPORT THAT THEIR ANXIETY RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC WAS HIGHER THAN IT HAD BEEN A YEAR AGO.

THE SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, BRIAN BRIDGES, JOINED ME TO DISCUSS THIS.

>> I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A LOT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT HAVE EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION DURING THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING LOST OPPORTUNITIES.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY DID THIS STUDY FIND?

>> THANK YOU, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU.

THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC HAS HAD DISPARATE IMPACTS ON STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

STUDENTS ARE FEELING THIS DRAMATICALLY FROM MENTAL-HEALTH STRESSES, RADAR FINANCIAL WHEREWITHAL ISSUES.

AND JUST OVERALL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

>> WHEN WE LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THIS DID ON CAMPUS COVID- 19 POLICIES HAVE ANY IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT STUDENTS FELT PRETTY SUBSTANTIALLY IN AGREEMENT WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS.

A WIDE RANGE OF THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS FELT THAT THEIR INSTITUTIONS COMMUNICATED EFFECTIVELY TO THEM ABOUT THEIR COVID-19 MITIGATION PRACTICES.

STUDENTS FELT LIKE CAMPUSES PROVIDED AS MUCH SUPPORT AS THEY COULD.

>> WE KNOW THAT FOOD INSECURITY HAS AFFECTED A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING COLLEGE STUDENTS.

DID THAT AT ALL AFFECT STRESS LEVELS?

>> WE FOUND IN THE SURVEY THAT STUDENTS, OVER 15,000 STUDENTS WHO RESPONDED, DEFINITELY MENTIONED FOOD INSECURITY IS AN ISSUE.

AND WE ASKED STUDENTS ABOUT THE BASIC NEEDS THAT THEY NEEDED COVER DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NEXT TO TUITION AND FEES, COVERING FOOD WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL.

STUDENTS BECAME MORE FOOD INSECURE THAN THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN.

>> THAT IS TOUGH TO HEAR.

WE KNOW THAT STUDENT EXPERIENCES CAN VARY BASED ON THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

DID ONE GROUP STRONGER WITH HIGHER STRESS THEN ANOTHER?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE KNOW THAT THERE WERE DISPARITIES AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT GAPS.

OBVIOUSLY, COVID-19 EXACERBATED THE.

WE FOUND THAT, YES, OUR MINORITY STUDENT POPULATIONS WERE MORE DRAMATICALLY IMPACTED IN NEGATIVE WAYS BY COVID-19 ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> I GUESS THE BIGGEST QUESTION I'M GOING TO ASK YOU IS, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

>> WE HAVE BEEN CONVENING A HIGHER EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP.

WE DISTRIBUTED BEST PRACTICE DOCUMENTS TO HELP CAMPUS LEADERS NAVIGATE AND MANAGE THE PANDEMIC AS WELL IS ALSO DISTRIBUTED FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS.

LAST YEAR WE LEVERAGED THE GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION RELIEF DOLLARS THAT WERE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO AWARD GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS TO ADDRESS THEIR COVID-19 RESPONSE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STUDENTS.

WE ALSO AWARDED $1 MILLION IN CAMPUS GRANTS.

SO WE ARE LOOKING TO PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND INSTITUTIONS.

WE HAVE ALSO DISTRIBUTED, THROUGH OUR OFFICE, ALMOST $350 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS SUCCEED.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE CAN.

>> YOU HEARD IT HERE, HELP IS ON THE WAY.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR BRIDGES.

>>> THE PICK 4 STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKES OVER TODAY.

HE WILL NEED THE SENATE APPROVAL BEFORE HE CAN BE CONFIRMED.

HE SERVED AS THE CHIEF COUNSEL FOR THE GOVERNOR FROM 2018 THROUGH 2020.

HE SAID HIS TOP PRIORITY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL BE KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE, PREVENTING GUN VIOLENCE AND PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS.

PLATKIN TAKES OVER FROM ANDREW BROCK, WHO HAS BEEN SERVING AS AN ACTING AG.

PLATKIN HAS FACED CRITICISM FOR HIS ROLE IN THE MURPHY CAMPAIGN MISHANDLING OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION BROUGHT BY A VOLUNTEER AGAINST A CAMPAIGN STAFFER.

THAT IS EXPECTED TO COME UP DURING HIS CONFIRMATION HEARINGS.

HIS NOMINATION DOES HAVE SUPPORT FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>>> TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS APPOINTED LORI DURANT TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS.

SHE HAS BEEN THE ACTING DIRECTOR SINCE JUNE 2021.

BEFORE JOINING THE OFFICE, DURANT WORKED FOR THE CIA FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR A PACKAGE OF FOUR BILLS TO MAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE.

THEY WOULD CUT THE COST OF INHALERS, EPI-PENS AND INSULIN AND ALLOW NEW JERSEY TO JOIN OTHER STATES IN NEGOTIATING DRUG PRICES AND PLACE MORE SCRUTINY ON HOW DRUG PRICES CHANGE.

>> WITH THESE EFFORTS WE WILL JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF STUDENTS STATES THAT SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO RISING DRUG COSTS BY TAKING A LONG LOOK UNDER THE HOOD OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND THEN FIXING WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

>>> HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES WELCOME THE ANNOUNCEMENT BUT SOME TOLD NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE HIGH PRICES SET BY DRUGMAKERS THEMSELVES.

THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY FOR GROUPS THAT HELP THOSE FAMILIES.

10 BILLS ARE BEING CONSIDERED RELATED TO SCHOOL MEALS, S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS AND MORE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS .

>> IMAGINE BEING A STUDENT AND SITTING IN CLASS HUNGRY BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT HAD BREAKFAST OR HAVING THE ABILITY TO HAVE LUNCH.

AND PROBABLY FIGURING THERE IS NOTHING TO EAT WHEN YOU GET HOME FOR DINNER.

IT PREVENTS THEM FROM BEING AS SUCCESSFUL AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

>> IT IS WEISS BEAKER AND COUGHLIN IS WORKING TO PASS LEGISLATION TO FIGHT FOOD SECURITY.

IS SPONSORING A BILL KNOWN AS THE WORKING CLASS ANTIHUNGER ACT.

>> IN 2019, WE WENT FROM A REDUCED LUNCH AND BREAKFAST PROGRAM TO FREE LUNCH BREAKFAST PROGRAMS AND THAT HELPED ABOUT 500,000 STUDENTS IN THE STATE.

WE ARE TRYING TO CAPTURE EVEN MORE STUDENTS BY RAISING THE PERCENTAGE UNDER WHICH YOU CAN RECEIVE THE BENEFITS.

THE CURRENT STANDARD IS 185% OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

THIS WILL RAISE IT UP TO 200% AND CAPTURE ANOTHER 27,000 STATES THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: IT IS PART OF A PACKAGE BEING REVIEWED RIGHT NOW ALL TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY.

>> IT IS $60,000 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR AND THAT THAT INCOME LEVEL IN NEW JERSEY, IT IS TOUGH TO AFFORD TO PAY FULL PRICE FOR A SCHOOL MEAL.

>> Reporter: ADELE HOPES THAT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OF A NUMBER OF PACKAGES TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE FACT THAT K-12 STUDENTS HAVE THE OPTION TO RECEIVE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.

THEY ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY NOT HUNGRY WHEN THEY GO TO COLLEGE.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT AND S.N.A.P.

IS THE FRONTLINE DEFENSE.

WE HAVE SEEN MAXIMIZATION OF S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

FOR THE FIRST TIME PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE MONTH WITH S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO SEE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HUNGER.

AND THEN WE HAVE LIVING WAGE ISSUES AND HOUSING ISSUES.

>> Reporter: SENATOR JACKSON IS SPONSORING A BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE THAT GETS RID OF THE WORK REQUIREMENTS TO GET S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS.

SHE FEELS THAT KEEP SOME PEOPLE FROM APPLYING.

>> THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL LOOK FOR THEIR OWN CAREERS AND GO FOR THEIR OWN JOB TRAINING.

IT'S NOT LIKE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT THERE TO HELP THEM.

THIS IS JUST REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT TO PUT YOU IN THAT BOX AND SAY, YOU MUST FOLLOW X, Y, AND Z.

>> WE NEED TO KEEP THIS IN CONTEXT OF WHERE THE NEED IS.

THERE HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WAIVERS AND OPTIONS THAT THE STATE AGGRESSIVELY TOOK THAT BECAME AVAILABLE FROM THE FEDS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THOSE ARE STARTING TO SUNSET.

MANY HAVE SUNSET HAD ALREADY.

I THINK THIS LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE LOOKS TO MEET THOSE CHANGES IN A WAY THAT WILL HOPEFULLY HELP FLOW IS, LESSENED THE SHOCK OF PEOPLE NOT BEING ELIGIBLE.

>> VOTE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE ON THE PACKAGE LATER THIS MONTH.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION GETS A BIT MORE BREATHING ROOM WITH THE CLOCK TICKING TOWARDS A BUDGET PROPOSAL DEADLINE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE MORE TIME TO PREPARE THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

THE STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT GIVES GOVERNOR MURPHY UNTIL TUESDAY, MARCH 8 TO DELIVER HIS BUDGET MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THE BUDGET ADDRESS MUST BE GIVEN ON OR BEFORE THE FOURTH TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY.

LAWMAKERS NOTED SIMILAR EXTENSIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN THE PAST FOR OTHER GOVERNOR'S BY DELAYING THE BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION GETS ADDITIONAL DATA ON THE STATE OF TAX REVENUES.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS OBJECTED TO THE EXTENDED TIMELINE SAYING IT WAS A POLITICAL MOVE.

>>> YOU THINK YOUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE HIGH?

IT COULD BE WORSE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REVIEWED PROPERTY TAX DATA GOING BACK A DECADE TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF A BILL THAT PLACED A CAP ON TAXES.

>> BEFORE WE HAD THIS 2% CAP IN PLACE, WE SAW AN INCREASE OF 5% ON AVERAGE.

EVER SINCE, THOSE INCREASES HAVE BEEN LESS.

THE TURNING POINT APPEARS TO BE THAT WHEN THIS CAP WAS ENACTED, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER POLICY CHANGES THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE.

>> DURING THE ANALYSIS IN DETAIL AND FOR A LOOK AT NEW LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS REGARDING PROPERTY TAXES, READ OUR ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> THE STATE HAS A PLAN TO HELP MICRO BUSINESSES WITH MORE FINANCING OPTIONS.

A PILOT PROGRAM CALLED THE MAIN STREET LENDERS GRANT IS BEING LAUNCHED.

THEY WILL LEND MONEY TO BUSINESSES AND NONPROFIT WITH 10 EMPLOYEES OR LESS.

IT WILL SUPPLEMENT EXISTING PRODUCTS AND 40% WILL GO TO OPPORTUNITY ZONES OR DISTRESSED AREAS THAT ARE IN NEED OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE TRADING ACTION ON WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS FOR 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT CHAMBERSNJ.COM .

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS THAT WILL IMPACT THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

HAVE A WONDERFUL VALENTINE'S DAY AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR NJTV NEWS IS PROVIDED IN PART BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY.

AND THE JOHNSON FOUNDATION WORKING TO BUILD A CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL- BEING.

>>>NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICY HOLDERS?

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I AM STILL HERE.

>> MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE CELEBRATING OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> I AM STILL GOING NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

>>> WE ARE TRANSFORMING LIFE WITH KIDNEY TREATMENTS AND WORLD RENOWNED CARE AT TWO NEW JERSEY PREMIER HOSPITALS.

>> THEY GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK >> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

♪