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>> Tonight on "NJ Spotlight News," Breaking news.

The approval for New York's controversial congestion pricing plan has been pulled by the Trump administration.

Drivers entering Midtown Manhattan are still paying, but the saga could be heading back to court.

Plus, the governor today proposing $3 million to ban cell phone use in schools.

>> We are going to put money on the line to make this happen faster in other districts.

Raven: Also, as threats of cuts to Medicaid leave patients in limbo, what could they mean to the health care industry here in the state?

>> The level of it would just cripple community health centers and hospitals.

Raven: And the governor's race is heating up, with candidates saying no thanks.

>> a lot of these people dependent on the stairs in the past and chairs made decisions about whether they got the line, whether they would continue to support them in the future.

Raven: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now."

♪ ANNOUNCER: From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Briana Vannozzi.

Raven: Good evening and thanks for joining us tonight.

I'm Raven Santana in for Briana Vannozzi.

Breaking news, the Trump Administration has pulled approval for New York's congestion pricing program, putting its future in jeopardy as President Trump seeks to deliver on a campaign promise to kill the toll.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy today called the tolling plan that charges must drivers nine dollars entering Manhattan below 60th Street a, quote, slap in the face to working-class Americans and small-business owners are, given the approval of the plan violated what is known as the federal value pricing pilot program.

Because, he says, a toll rate was set in order to raise about $1 billion annually for transit.

In a statement, the CEO of the empty air the administration's argument based less.

He and Governor Hochul said they have filed papers in court to keep the toll going.

The toll vendor to be effective January 5 and the FDA it was already cutting down on travel time and car volume in Manhattan's Central Business District.

They also noted foot traffic to local businesses had increased.

Environmental groups and transit advocates called the attempts to enter the plan harmful and shortsighted.

But critics applauded the move today.

Governor Murphy, who sued to block the pricing plan, sent a letter to Trump on Inauguration Day asking him to stop the toll.

In today, he thanked Trump and Duffy for their efforts to halt the plan.

Also tonight, Governor Murphy wants to give $3 million to school districts to help them enforce bans on cell phones in classrooms.

The governor visited a senior high school in Woodberry today, where he promoted his support for phone-free schools, which he first highlighted during his 2025 State of the State address.

The legislation would require all school districts in New Jersey to adopt policies restricting the use of cell phones in K-12 classrooms.

Woodberry Junior-Senior high school implemented its own policy at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, where student cell phones are locked away until the final school bell.

Governor Murphy spoke with educators about how the new policy would help to limit distractions and create healthier learning environments.

>> We have a mental health crisis that was only exacerbated with the pandemic.

I've seen it with our four kids in terms of how much they are on phones.

It is probably contributing to strata and mental health challenges.

In the school setting, it is taking too much attention away from why the kids are there in the first place and we can envision everything that, pending that curve in the right direction, you could see huge positive impacts -- last stress, less mental health challenges better performance academically, , better social skills.

Et cetera.

Raven: And the sinkhole in Wharton has left a stretch of highway in Morris County closed until further notice.

The eastbound section of Route 80 was closed after a massive sinkhole opened up about a week ago, and February 10.

The state DOT has not given any details as to when the roadway would be fixed, but the war torn mayor gave an update on Monday saying the DOT has found other problems with the integrity of the roadway.

The state is estimating another three weeks of closure.

Roxbury police posted on Facebook, saying the issue will not be resolved this week.

While traffic is currently being detoured, or they suggest you avoid the area entirely.

The affected roadway from the sinkhole is located just 75 feet from where another sinkhole opened up in December.

Those repairs took less than a week.

Medicaid patients are sitting in limbo right now, as congressional Republicans weigh cuts to the program.

Donald Trump has said he will not touch Medicaid, and Speaker Mike Johnson has insisted that the program is not on the chopping block.

Instead, Republicans say they are looking to cut waste from the Medicaid program, and way and things like work requirements for coverage.

But Democrats worn any cuts could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan spoke to New Jersey leaders about what that impact these cuts could have been the Garden State.

>> So this is a real crisis and I can't emphasize enough how unacceptable it is.

Reporter: Congressman Frank Pallone called a news conference of Democrats and health care advocates together at Central Jersey Medical Center, one of 23 community health centers across the state that depend on federal Medicaid money.

He warned that the Republican House budget proposal includes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts.

>> The level of it would just cripple community health centers, cripple hospitals.

And Republicans are saying don't worry about it, the state will make up the difference, right, that is simply a lie.

>> this is something we really ought to be afraid of, Congressman.

This is real.

Reporter: Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin noted that New Jersey received 12 point $8 billion in federal Medicaid funds in the current $56 million state budget.

But the next budget is complicated by structural deficits -- jersey is tightening its belt.

>> We don't have an extra combed million dollars laying around.

It is an unachievable number.

They can't just say push it off.

Even 10% of that is remarkably huge number.

We can't hope to find a way to replace that at the state level.

It is just not the end.

Reporter: he said federal funding pays for 50% of New Jersey's Medicaid programs, and representatives from those programs claimed cuts could devastate their ability to provide critical care for New Jersey's 2 million Medicaid recipients.

One advocate said it forces steaks to play what she called "a deadly game of life boat."

>> Who do we throw off?

Will it be the person with disabilities?

Our seniors?

Our children?

Our low-income workers?

Who will it be?

What week can't do as a nation, or as human beings, aesthetic people and put them off of health care so that Elon Musk can have a little more money in pocket.

His -- in his pocket.

Reporter: But Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has launched his own political PR campaign, arguing their budget wouldn't cut benefits.

>> It's none benefit-related reforms to the program.

Medicaid is infamous for fraud, waste, and abuse.

By some estimates, large percentages of the dollars that are allocated there are wasted and stolen.

Reporter: with a bare GOP majority, Speaker Johnson can only afford to lose one or two votes on this measure.

But a handful of Republicans have already expressed some alarm.

State Senator Robert Singer is troubled by a potential impact on services.

>> we are concerned that the federal government is talking about.

And a lot of things that will affect Medicaid, that will affect a lot of the programs we do from W.I.C.

on down, to where we will be able to deliver in the state.

Reporter: As the GOP's D.C. delegation's grudges savings to justify the president's promised $4.5 billion tax cut, New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew Mr. Dunn Monday," hopefully we learned our lesson with Obamacare.

If you are going to take people's health care away, you better have something to replace it with.

It's life and death for people.

New Jersey's three Republican Congressmen had no comment today.

Last night on Fox, the president offered reassurances.

Pres.

Trump: Medicare or Medicaid -- none of that stuff is going to be touched.

I want to make that clear.

>> The president and Musk keep saying oh, we are not cutting Medicaid.

That is simply not true.

We have to stand with loud, one clear, huge voice.

You can't do this.

It's wrong.

Reporter: the House is expected to vote on its budget sometime next week, and the president prefers it over the Senate's version.

Republicans hope to merge the two in a process called reconciliation, which would require a simple majority to pass.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

Raven: With just under four months until the gubernatorial primary in the crowded field of contenders, an advantage could make a difference in swaying voters for a win.

For decades, the controversial county line provided a significant edge for candidates.

But following Andy Kim's historic lawsuit that led to the downfall of the ballot line design in last year's Senate race, candidates are now pushing back against political bosses and opting out of their county conventions.

Senior political correspondent David Cruz has more.

Reporter: In the post-party line world of New Jersey politics, the establishment ain't what it used to be.

Proof of that is in the number of gubernatorial candidate who are skipping county nominating conventions.

Democrat Ras Baraka says in many cases, the outcomes of these conventions are preordained, representing the interests of the Party Chairs, and not the rank-and-file.

>> A lot of these people depend on these chairs.

chairs made decisions about whether they got the line, whether they would continue to support them in the future.

These folks are tied to that, and Ultimately, the kind of pressure that puts on them in some instances sox makes them make decisions they don't normally want to make or endorse people they don't want to endorse, to maintain their well-being and keep their position.

Reporter: Baraka says he will participate in contests where candidates are allowed access to committee members-information and opportunities to address delegates.

Jersey city Mayor Steve Fulop also said he will not participate.

Although the other candidates have not said if they would get the process.

On the Republican side, Senator John Bramnick is the latest candidate to say he will skip the conventions, too.

>> I signed up for all of them and then people started pulling out.

So, now it is a skewed result.

And as a result of the federal court decisions, things are changing in terms of not having a line.

So if everyone is not going to participate then, it's not meant to reflect the will of the voters, I don't think.

Reporter: The candidates all acknowledge that the county organizations still have considerable clout -- boots on the ground, money, patronage, et cetera.

But nowadays, they are also settled with the pejorative of the moment "establishment."

On the Republican side, Jack Ciattarelli is looking like the establishment candidate.

>> He is, and by leaving the establishment lane exclusively for him, and by dividing up the anti-establishment lane among three candidates, the danger for disaffected candidates, for antiestablishment candidates, is that they are leaving all the organizational support unchallenged for Jack.

Reporter: Mikie Sherrill, likewise, has been racking up county chairs, including Hudson, and SX.

She is expected to win tonight's Mercer County convention, since party leaders have already endorsed her.

But Baraka has surprised many observers by forcing a second ballot at the recent Hunterdon Convention.

And he is lurking as a viable second choice for a lot of party members in Mercer, where he has support, including that of popular Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.

>> I think a victory for the Baraka campaign right now isn't only winning a convention, it proving he is a formidable number two candidate at the moment and that he can make this into a two candidate race between Congresswoman Michael Cheryl and himself.

Reporter: So, while the establishment only and may still be the best path, it is less and less being seen as the only way to get to your destination.

I'm David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Raven: And make sure you tune into chat box tomorrow night with David, he will talk to Congressman Rob Menendez about how Democratic lawmakers are responding to the Trump Administration's actions on immigration, funding cuts, rising costs, and more.

That is Thursday at 6:00 p.m., streaming on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel.

Following the announcement that electricity bills are going up this summer by an average of $25 a month, the BPU held a utility assistance day-to-day to connect residents to programs that can help them.

Their energy bills.

It comes as both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature are questioning the cost increase, and calling on the BPU to take action.

Todd Goldberg has more on the event, an what resources are being provided to help support those struggling with rising utility bills.

Reporter: the rising cost of electricity and natural gas has infuriated people statewide.

>> social security goes up like a fraction, and the electric bill goes up like this, gas goes up on the street, gas bill itself goes up for heating the house.

And we have had one of the coldest winters we've had in years.

>> In 2025, the demand charges went from $182 to 312 dollars.

Reporter: are you hitting your house twice as much?

>> No, I am not.

>> We need help.

Reporter: a bipartisan chorus of critics has called for New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to do something about rising energy costs.

>> We are here to do something.

We are here at this energy assistance event, we have been doing them throughout the last year and we will continue to do that more frequently to make sure we are providing the opportunity for people to get energy assistance if they need it.

Reporter: the latest event drew hundreds of people to Toms River to connect them with savings programs and ways to cut down on the utility bills.

While the BPU is catching heat for accepting the results of the latest energy auction, the president says the real culprit for rising costs is PJM, New Jersey's grid operator.

PJM says supply isn't keeping up with demand.

But she says it is PJM's fault for taking too long to approve new sources of power.

>> There are, I believe, 84 New Jersey projects in the queue.

And so that's a significant amount of energy that could be brought online, primarily solar and storage, which gets online much more quickly than, you know, a large fossil fuel plant, for example.

>> The auction took place and was believed to be a fair market auction.

But that doesn't mean in the end that we are in a position to pay those prices, and that those people should get those prices.

Maybe the discussion has to be held that there may be another way to negotiate this.

Reporter: Senator John Bradley Charlie says the loss of offshore wind is a big factor in electric bills rising by as much as 20% this summer.

>> The first project of offshore wind, which would have been, conservatively thinking, between three and a half to four years away, was able to generate electricity equal to a new nuclear plant.

So in things like that go missing, the marketplace tightens up.

Reporter: So, where should New Jersey get more electricity?

>> We need a diverse portfolio.

We need solar, we need fossil, we need wind, and we need nuclear.

We need a nice balance of the four.

>> I think we have come so far it technology that people are no longer going to be frightened and run away from a clear.

I believe it's appropriate for areas within New Jersey to ensure that we have an abundance of clean, reliable energy.

>>>> But the time horizon to build a new plant, and the cost, is very significant, and we need to get more resources online now so we can help bring these costs now.

Reporter: Senator Robert Singer says that BPU needs to take more direct action to help New Jerseyans save money.

>> Take off these surcharges, let them pay their electric bill or gas bill for what it really is.

And then sick when the economy gets better and people can afford it, you can put some of these back on.

Reporter: Republicans have also blamed Governor Murphy, arguing his mandate for 100% clean energy by 2035 expensive endeavor.

>> No one is saying we don't want a clean environment.

But there is an affordability factor to it.

People have to be able to afford their bills.

Reporter: Meantime, people will have to pay their higher bills through gritted teeth.

>> We have seniors we don't know what to do.

They don't know how to pay the bill it is the single biggest concern presently amongst all our constituency.

>> In the senior community, these are ridiculous charges for people who live on fixed incomes.

Reporter: And hope to connect with assistance programs to help them pay those bills.

In Toms River, I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Raven: In our Spotlight on Business Report tonight, adults who play competitive video games may soon be able to bet on their favorite esports teams under a bill that unanimously passed an Assembly committee last week.

The pending legislation would start the process for the state division of gaming enforcement to approve wagering on esports events occurring at physical facilities outside of New Jersey.

Sponsors say it's an opportunity to embrace an emerging industry, but addiction prevention advocates fear that gambling could create more problems, especially among young people who play video games.

To discuss March, we are joined by -- to discuss more, I am trained by our mental health writer, Bobby Brier.

Thank you for joining me.

For those who don't know, what is eSports gambling?

Guest: it is betting on video games.

It is something that had already been legalized in the state and is continuing to gain popularity, especially among younger generations.

This allows for people to bet on games.

With this new bill that is in front of the legislature right now,, it would allow for people to bet on themselves, and to bet on their teams when they are playing in these competitive video games.

It is new in this legislative session, but something that has been introduced in previous legislative sessions as well.

Raven: There is no secret it is popular.

But sponsors to the bill has said that it will generate revenue and it will really be able to expand betting options.

Is that true?

Guest: That's right, it would be a generator in revenue for the state, the latest expansion in gambling with eSports betting.

We know the state has seen overall in total gaming revenue 89 percent increase from 2023 to 2024 if you factor in casinos and racetracks.

This would be a boost in terms of more money.

At the same time, it could potentially lead to more economic growth in different sectors of the economy as well.

So the state really sees this, as a win not only for the casino industry, but also for people getting into the eSports industry as well.

Raven: And it's worth pointing out that this is expanding outside the state as well.

Guest: That's right, they would be looking to put in guardrails to address wagering outside the state.

So if you are here in the state, the potential to wager on eSports games outside of the state are also a possibility, another latest development in this.

Raven: We also know that not everyone is on board with this.

Tell me a little bit about what you're reporting found.

Guest: We found that addiction advocates, while they understand the state's approach to grow revenue, they have raised concerns mostly because video games often appealed to a younger audience, many times under the age of 45.

And they feel that this latest expansion of the bill would potentially lead to more problem gambling in the future.

Or they talk about a population that is already vulnerable to gambling.

We know places like the Council on compulsive gambling, from their latest data, have seen a huge uptick in calls to their helpline for young adults since the legalization of online sports betting in 2018.

So they really fear that this could lead to something further down the road.

It should also be noted, though, that lawmakers feel as though they could put forth bills like this that generate revenue and gambling while also providing safeguards for responsible gaming, and there is a number of bills in the state legislature that would address responsible gambling.

Raven: I think you've hit on a good point, it's especially popular among young people and a lot of young people have already been exposed to video games.

So -- Guest: exactly.

It is something we are seeing more and more of an this would really allow for places like casinos, racetracks and Online a for people to be able to bet more openly.

It would also provide the state with a way to legitimize eSports gaming.

Raven fish but what are the risks to these kids, when we think about that age group?

Guest: Really the risks would be that they could potentially see signs of addiction -- things like thinking about betting all the time, things such as being -- having a preoccupation spending too much money on some , of these issues.

For all that while most people get responsibly, there is a growing portion of young adults that continue to see this problem, not just here in New Jersey, but also nationally.

So both statewide and national experts have raised concerns.

Raven: Excellent reporting, Bobby, as always.

To hear more of his reporting, head to NJSpotlightNews.org.

That will do it for us tonight.

Before you go, a reminder, you can download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen to us anytime.

I'm Raven Santana, for the entire team at NJ Spotlight News, thanks for being with us.

Have a great night, and we will see you right back here tomorrow.

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