>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION , MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

COMMITTING TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJ PBS COME THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

A STATEWIDE EFFORT UNDERWAY TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE DRINKING CLEAN WATER.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT THEIR DRINKING WATER AND WHETHER IT IS TRAVELING THROUGH A WEB SERVICE LINE.

MORE THAN 186,000 HOMES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE LED SERVICE LINES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS OF SEPTEMBER.

NOTICES ARE BEING SENT OUT UNDER THE LED SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT LAW THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED LAST JULY REQUIRING COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS TO CONTINUALLY UPDATE SERVICE INVENTORIES FOR THE D PUP E AND NOTIFY THE PUBLIC WITHIN 30 DAYS AND REPLACE THE LINE WITHIN 10 YEARS.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON WHICH COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED THE MOST AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A NOTICE.

>> A HOUSE, LIKE MOST HOMES, ARE LABEL UNKNOWN.

>> JIM NELSON LIVES IN THE JERSEY SECTION HEIGHT SECTION AND WITHOUT DIGGING IT UP, HE ISN'T SURE WHETHER THE WATER SERVICE LINE RUNNING FROM THE WATER MAIN TO HIS HOME CONTAINS TOXIC LEAD.

THE CITY ESTIMATES IT HAS 16,000 LED SERVICE LINES AND IT IS STILL LOOKING.

A MAP PRODUCED BY THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY CURRENTLY MARKS NELSON'S HOUSE AS UNKNOWN.

IT IS UNNERVING.

>> WE NEED ALL OF OUR WATER TO BE SAFE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY SO IT IS A MATTER OF URGENCY IN A MATTER OF POLITICAL WILL TO COLLABORATE.

>> PUTTING PEOPLE ON NOTICE TO WRITTEN LETTERS IS IMPORTANT.

>> NEW JERSEY FUTURES GARY BURNS SAYS THAT IS WHY ALMOST 187,000 NEW JERSEY HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD BE GETTING CERTIFIED LETTERS THIS WEEK INFORMING THEM THAT SERVICE LINES TO THEIR HOMES DO CONTAIN LEAD AND WILL BE REPLACED.

A STATE LAW REQUIRES ALL OF NEW JERSEY'S 570 COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS TO REPLACE EVERY LED SERVICE LINE WITHIN A DECADE.

THAT IS AN ESTIMATED 350,000 LINES.

>> THE REAL GOAL HERE IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT THE SITUATION IS.

>> STATE OFFICIALS SAY THAT IF YOU GET A LETTER, DON'T PANIC.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE DRINKING CONTAMINATED WATER BECAUSE WATER COMPANIES AT ANTI- CORROSIVES THEY KEEP BLOOD FROM LEACHING INTO THE WATER SUPPLY.

OUT OF 1.2 MILLION CUSTOMERS, 20,000 LINES MUST BE REPLACED AND PERHAPS 5% OF THE CUSTOMER BASE.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT RECEIVED LETTERS ACROSS NEW JERSEY ACCORDING TO DEBORAH VIAL.

>> THANKS TO A CHANGE AT THE BPU, WE ARE ALLOWED TO WORK ON THE CUSTOMER SIDE AND WE ARE OFFERING NO COST REMOVAL ON THAT SIDE.

THAT IS A NEW PROGRAM.

>> SHE SAID THE COST WILL BE ACROSS ALL RATEPAYERS BUT THE GOLD STANDARDS REMAINS NEWER WHICH MANAGED TO REPLACE 23,000 BLOODLINES WITHIN THREE YEARS, USING A 120 MILLION-DOLLAR LOAN FROM ESSEX COUNTY AND DIDN'T CHARGE HOMEOWNERS FOR THE WORK.

AND ALLOWED CONTRACTORS TO ACCESS PROPERTIES WITH ABSENT LANDLORDS.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS CALLED IT -- PNEUMA.

>> AN EXAMPLE AND A ROLE MODEL OF WHAT CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.

>> OUR PLAN IS TO TRY NOT TO JUMP AROUND BUT HIT THIS BLOCK BY BLOCK.

NO DIFFERENT THAN NEWARK DID.

IT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY.

>> RICH KELBY IS THE DIRECTOR OF UTILITY THAT ALSO SERVES GLEN ROCK, WYCKOFF AND MIDLAND PARK.

IT PLANS TO SEND OUT 1200 LETTERS.

THEY EXPECT TO GET CALLS FROM MANY OF THOSE FOLKS WANTING TAPWATER TESTED FOR LEAD.

>> WE DROP OFF A BOTTLE AND IT IS HANDLED INDEPENDENTLY THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY LAB AND THE RESULTS GO DIRECTLY TO THE HOMEOWNER.

>> PEOPLE THAT RECEIVE BLOODLINE LETTERS ARE ADVISED TO RUN THE COLD WATER TAP TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM BEFORE USING WATER TO DRINK OR COOK.

AS FOR COST, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD DOES ROUTE ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS FOR WATER SYSTEM UPGRADES TO NEW JERSEY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND THEY SAY A QUARTER OF THAT COULD GO TO LEAD LINE REPLACEMENT.

BUT THE STATEWIDE COST TO REPLACE EVERY LINE IS 2.3 BILLION.

THEY FIGURE IT WILL COST UTILITY $20 MILLION OVER A DECADE.

>> EVERYTHING IS SHARED IN TERMS OF COST.

IT IS NO DIFFERENT IF TODAY WE REPLACED A WATER LINE AND ONE OF THE FOUR COMMUNITIES.

>> WHAT IS CRITICAL, KEEPING LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN, NELSON SAID.

>> NOT TO PANIC BUT THIS IS TIME TO WORK TOGETHER AS PARTNERS.

>> I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE CONTROVERSIAL POLICY REQUIRING PEOPLE TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 OR NEGATIVE TEST TO ENTER THE STATE HOUSE HAS ENDED.

THE STATE CAPITOL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION VOTED 8-0 THIS MORNING TO END THE NEARLY THREE MONTH POLICY.

THE DECISION WAS BASED ON THE STATE'S INCREASING VACCINATIONS AND DECREASING OF NEW COVID-19 CASES.

BUT A MASK REQUIREMENT IS STILL IN PLACE.

ACCORDING TO NEW DATA, ONE STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA IS NOW SAYING THAT THREE DOSES OF A COVID-19 VACCINE, EVEN TWO, ARE ENOUGH TO PROTECT MOST PEOPLE FROM SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DEATH FOR A LONG TIME.

FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS, INCLUDING DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S TOP COVID-19 ADVISOR, HAVE ALSO SAID THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO RECOMMEND A FOURTH DOSAGE BEFORE THE FALL.

THE NEWS COMES AS A STATE IS REPORTING A SLIGHT UPTICK IN COVID-19 CASES.

JUST OVER 1000.

AND A RISE IN DEATHS AT 15.

THIS IS AS SCHOOLS AWAIT FURTHER GUIDELINES FROM THE STATE AND BEGAN TO PREPARE FOR OPTIONAL MASK WEARING COME MARCH 7.

YET ANOTHER DECISION GOVERNOR MURPHY LEFT UP TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE.

A CHOICE THAT RECEIVED MIXED REACTIONS WHEN ANNOUNCED, WHICH IS WHY SOME DISTRICTS ARE NOW PULLING FAMILIES BEFORE VINYL DECISIONS ARE MADE.

>> 62% OF PARENTS AND STAFF SAID THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE THE USE OF MASKS.

>> ALMOST 70% OF PARENTS WERE SAYING THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE MANDATED AND KIDS TO HER MASKS AND SCHOOLS.

>> BOTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS SURVEYED THE STAFF AND FAMILIES AS THEY CONSIDER WHETHER TO KEEP MASKS AND SCHOOLS WHEN THE STATEWIDE MANDATE END'S MARCH 7th THEY GOT WIDELY DIFFERENT RESPONSES.

>> THEY MADE THE DECISION LAST THURSDAY TO MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL.

ALSO, INFORMED BY THE VERY LOW NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE IN THE DISTRICT AND IN THE COUNTY AND STATE.

WE LOOK AT WHAT THE VACCINATION RATES ARE.

WE LOOKED AT WHAT THE POSITIVITY RATE IS IN THE DISTRICT WHICH HAS BEEN COMING DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND THEN WE MADE OUR RECOMMENDATION TO CONTINUE MASKS UNTIL AFTER SPRING BREAK.

>> NOT ALL DISTRICTS SURVEYED THE COMMUNITIES BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

SOME SUPERINTENDENTS DECIDED THAT MASKS WOULD END WITH A STATE MANDATE.

OTHERS IMMEDIATELY ANNOUNCED THAT MASKS WOULD CONTINUE AFTER MARCH 7th.

THIS MOM OF TWO HAS LONG ADVOCATED FOR MASKS TO COME OFF.

>> NO SOCIAL DISTANCING.

NONE OF THE CONTACT TRACING GOING ON ANYMORE.

ABSOLUTELY NOT A TEST TO STAY.

THE LUNCH ROOM RESTORED TO COMPLETE CAPACITY AND COMPLETE NORMAL.

I WOULD LIKE ACTIVITIES, WHETHER IT IS GENERAL ASSEMBLIES -- WHERE THE PIECES OF PAPER ON THE SEATS ARE REMOVED TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THESE CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE A COMPLETE RETURN TO NORMALCY.

>> OTHERS HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OVER THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO END THE MASK MANDATE AND SCHOOLS BECAUSE THE CDC AND THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS STILL RECOMMEND MASKING AND SCHOOLS.

STILL, OTHERS SAY THAT IT ALLOWS DISTRICTS TO REFLECT THE DESIRES OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> NEW JERSEY WAS A VERY BIG STATE UNDER LOCAL CONTROL.

AND THIS PUTS THE CONTROL BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE DISTRICTS.

IF YOU CALLED ONE RANDOM DISTRICT INTO STATE AND ASKED IF THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR STAFF EVEN ARE IN FAVOR OF MASKS, YOU WOULD GET ONE ANSWER.

IF YOU CALL ONE 100 MILES AWAY, YOU WILL GET A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANSWER.

AND SO, IF WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO START TRULY LIVING WITH COVID-19, IN THE ENDEMIC PHASE OF THIS, THEN PUTTING THE CONTROL BACK TO SUPERINTENDENTS MIGHT BE THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE THAT DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO FIND THEMSELVES IN A QUANDARY OF SORTS IF MASKS ARE REMOVED, BUT QUARANTINE POLICIES AND GUIDANCE HAVE NOT UPDATED FROM THE STATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF MASKS ARE REMOVED AND THE GUIDANCE MEANS THAT YOU NEED TO QUARANTINE THE ENTIRE CLASS IF YOU CAN'T MAINTAIN 6 FEET, THEN A LOT OF SCHOOLS WILL WIND UP STAYING WITH MASKS, OR THEY WILL MAKE DECISIONS INDEPENDENTLY TO GO AGAINST THE GUIDANCE AND NOT TO CONTACT TRACING OR NOT QUARANTINE.

>> WE ARE WAITING FOR CLEAR GUIDANCE FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON HOW TO QUARANTINE STUDENTS.

THEY HAVE TO WHERE A MASK.

WE CONVERTED BACK TO THE FIVE DAYS OF QUARANTINE FOR POSITIVE CASES.

FIVE DAYS THEY WOULD HAVE TO WEAR THE MASK INDOORS AND OUTDOORS BECAUSE THAT IS THE CASE NOW THAT MASKS ARE OPTIONAL.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE NEW GUIDANCE WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS WEEK.

NO WORD YET ON WHAT WILL CHANGE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> BY NOW, IT IS LIKELY YOU HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO OF THE FIGHT BETWEEN TWO TEENAGERS AT BRIDGEWATER MALL.

BUT IT WAS NOT A FIGHT THAT PROMPTED CONTROVERSY AND AN INVESTIGATION.

IT WAS A RESPONSE BY POLICE CUFFING A BLACK TEENAGER AND PUTTING ANY TO HIS BACK.

AND ALLOWING UP TEAM THAT APPEARED TO BE WHITE TO REMAIN ON CUFFED ON THE COUCH.

THE SECOND BOY IS ACTUALLY LATINO.

BUT HIS FAMILY HAS HIRED PROMINENT ATTORNEY BENJAMIN CRUMP ARGUING POLICE SHOWED DANGEROUS BIAS IN THE RESPONSE.

WE SPOKE WITH THE FAMILY ABOUT THEIR NEXT STEPS.

>> IT IS A VIDEO THAT HAS GONE VIRAL TWO TEENAGERS GETTING INTO A FIGHT AT BRIDGEWATER COMMONS.

IT IS THESE MOMENTS AFTER SHOWING POLICE OFFICERS TACKLING AND ARRESTING ONLY ONE OF THE TEENAGERS WHO WAS BLACK AND IT IS CAUSING OUTRAGE AND RAISING CONCERNS OF RACIAL BIAS.

>> I SAW HOW THE FIGHT INITIALLY STARTED AND WAS LIKE, WHAT?

AND THEN IT PROGRESSED TO THE PART WHERE THE COP RESTRAINED HIM AND I SAID, WHY DID HE TACKLE HIM.

>> THE BOY BEING ARRESTED IN THE VIDEO IS THE NEPHEW.

HE SAID HE WAS DEFENDING A FRIEND HE WAS BEING BULLIED BY AN OLDER TEENAGER AND AFTER HEATED EXCHANGE, THINGS ESCALATED AND GOT PHYSICAL.

BUT HER NEPHEW WAS THE ONLY ONE RESTRAINED.

>> WHEN THEY PUT HIS KNEE ON HIS BACK, I SAID THAT IS NOT AN ADULT.

IT IS A CHILD.

SO IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHEN THE FEMALE OFFICER WALKED AWAY FROM THE OTHER CHILD AND PROCEEDED, HONESTLY, I DID NOT HAVE ANY WORDS.

I WAS DISGUSTED.

>> IT IS A CLEAR-CUT EXAMPLE OF THE BIAS THAT AFRICAN- AMERICANS HAVE BEEN EXCLAIMING FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

>> JASON WILLIAMS IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.

WILLIAMS SAYS THAT INSTEAD OF BREAKING UP THE FIGHT AND TRYING TO TALK TO THE KIDS FIRST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, THE OFFICERS AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMED THAT KYE WAS AT FAULT.

>> OFFICERS ARE SOCIALIZED UNFORTUNATELY TO SEE BLACKNESS AS DANGEROUS.

EVEN IN INSTANCES WHERE, LIKE THIS ONE, YOU HAD TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE ACTUALLY FIGHTING.

AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE BLACK BACKGROUND SCREAMING AND PRACTICALLY TELLING THE OFFICERS, YOU SHOULD ALSO BE CUFFING THE WHITE AND LATINO KID INVOLVED.

BUT IT IS SOME DRAMATIC OF THE LARGER PROCESSES OF SOCIETY THAT PRETTY MUCH RELEGATES BLACKNESS TO CRIMINALITY.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY ALSO ADDRESSING THE INCIDENT ON TWITTER SAYING THAT HE WAS DEEPLY DISTURBED BY WHAT APPEARS TO BE RACIAL TREATMENT.

>> HOW OUTRAGED SHOULD EVERYONE BE, NO MATTER WHAT COLOR YOU ARE IF YOU ARE STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE.

>> THIS MAN SERVES AS A NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR ACTION NETWORK AND BELIEVES BOTH OFFICERS INVOLVED SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY.

>> THE CHALLENGING PART IS, AS I TALKED TO THE MOTHER OF THIS TEENAGER TODAY AND HOW MENTALLY DISTRAUGHT SHE IS.

NOT ONLY HIM BUT HER AND THE HUSBAND, THE CAN'T WORK.

HE IS AFRAID TO GO OUT AND INTERACT WITH PEOPLE BECAUSE HE IS REALLY NOT TO HIMSELF AGAIN AFTER WHAT JUST TRANSPIRED .

SO WE ARE OUT HERE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE INVESTIGATION DONE AND THAT THE OFFICERS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THE BRIDGEWATER POLICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED ON FACEBOOK MONDAY THAT THEY REQUESTED THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION.

AS FOR THE FAMILY OF KYE, HIS FAMILY SAYS THEY WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SITUATION INVOLVES TWO KIDS AND BELIEVES THE ACTIONS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD WARRANT DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

>> WHERE'S MY REFUND?

IT COULD BE A QUESTION MANY OF US ARE LEFT ASKING, GIVEN THE MASSIVE BACKLOG THAT THE IRS IS EXPERIENCING DUE TO COVID-19.

IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE WAIT TIME, SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS HOUNDING THE IRS TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE DURING THE TAX FILING SEASON.

OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED MORE HELP AND NOT MORE HEADACHES.

>> HE WON'T GET A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU WHEN IT COMES TO FLIPPING THE JERSEY STATE BIRD AT THE IRS.

EVEN IN GOOD TIMES, THE AGENCY BEARS THE BRUNT OF IT WHEN IT COMES TO AGENCIES WE LOVE TO HATE.

TODAY, SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, THE CONGRESSMAN AND OTHERS GATHERED TO THROW SOME SHADE AT THE AGENCY.

>> NO ENTITY, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, TOUCHES MORE AMERICANS THAN THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

THAT IS WHY WE MUST HAVE AN IRS THAT WORKS.

AS A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH OVERSEES THE IRS, I HAVE HAD LONG CONCERNS ABOUT THE OPERATIONS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE AGENCY.

THOSE CONCERNS CAME WITH A DEAFENING CRESCENDO LAST YEAR AS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS AND THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS STRUGGLED TO GET THROUGH TO THE IRS ON THE PHONE, LET ALONE GET THERE REFUND OR INFORMATION ON THEIR RETURN.

>> WEISS -- LIKE MOST GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THE IRS WENT ON LOCKDOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND PUSHED DEADLINES BACK, CREATING A BACKLOG OF MILLIONS OF 2020 RETURNS.

THE TAXPAYER ADVOCATE PUTS THE NUMBER OF UNPROCESSED ITEMS AT THE IRS AT MORE THAN 23 MILLION AS OF THE END OF JANUARY.

>> BACKLOGS AT THE IRS AFFECT ALL AMERICANS.

THEY CAUSE PEOPLE TO FILE TAX RETURNS WITH ERRORS BECAUSE THE IRS DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH AGENTS TO ANSWER TAX RELATED QUESTIONS.

>> AFTER A YEAR OF STIMULUS CHECKS AND ALL MANNER OF GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND LONE PROGRAMS, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AT WHAT STUFF YOU THOUGHT WAS FREE MONEY.

>> THE CPA SAID TO FILE EARLY AND KEEP EVERY DOCUMENT.

>> WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF FOLKS THIS YEAR WITH THE STIMULUS AND THE ADVANCE ON THE CHILD TAX CREDIT NOT PROPERLY DOCUMENTING THE AMOUNT RECEIVED.

THAT CAUSES A DELAY IN THE IRS WILL HAVE TO REVIEW AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SET ON THE RETURN.

>> AT THE RUTGERS LAW SCHOOL, THEIR PROFESSIONAL TECH SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THIS VOLUNTEER SEES ALL MANNER OF CLIENTS THAT HAVE GOTTEN LOST IN THE SOMETIMES BUSY TEAM CORRIDORS OF THE IRS BUREAUCRACY.

>> THIS CAN CREATE UNCERTAINTY AND ANXIETY FOR TAXPAYERS.

OTHER RECONSIDERATION'S ARE TAKING A YEAR TO CONCLUDE.

CLIENTS OFTEN RECEIVE LETTERS REQUESTING ADDITIONAL 90 OR EVEN 240 DAYS TO REVIEW THE AUDIT RECONSIDERATION'S.

>> IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY FILED YOUR TAX RETURN, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

IT IS ALMOST MARCH.

THAT IS THE ONE THING MOST EXPERTS AGREE ON.

DON'T WAIT BECAUSE YOUR RETURN IS ALREADY SITTING IN A LONG LINE.

AND COME APRIL, IT WILL BE STRETCHING AROUND THE METAPHORICAL BLOCK.

CONGRESS SEEMS DESTINED TO LET THE IRS PLAY THE HAND IT HAS BEEN DEALT, MEANING PROBABLY FEWER HAPPY RETURNS COME SPRING OR SUMMER MONTHS AND MONTHS AFTER THAT.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE STATE MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUT OFFS EXPIRES MONTH.

IS THERE A PLAN IN PLACE TO HELP CUSTOMERS THAT ARE BEHIND ON BILLS?

WE HAVE MORE NOW ON THOSE DETAILS AND THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> MORE THAN A MILLION NEW JERSEY CUSTOMERS ARE BEHIND ON PAYING GAS AND ELECTRIC BILLS AND UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGES, THEY ARE AT RISK OF HAVING SERVICE TURNED OFF.

THE NEW JERSEY MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUTOFFS IS DUE TO END MARCH 15th AND IT WILL NOT BE EXTENDED ACCORDING TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES PRESIDENT.

THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO ARE BEHIND ON PAYMENTS OWE A COLLECTIVE OF $821 MILLION PICK THE STATE HAS SET ASIDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN A FUND TO HELP PEOPLE PAY UTILITY BILLS.

BUT AS NJ SPOTLIGHT'S TOM JOHNSON REPORTS, FEW PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT HELP.

>> THEY STILL HAVE OVER $200 MILLION THAT HAS NOT BEEN AWARDED.

AND PEOPLE APPLY, THEY COULD HELP REDUCE BILLS AND DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.

BUT I'M TOLD THAT LESS THAN 10% OF CUSTOMERS HAVE DONE SO.

>> ANY REPORT FROM NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE RECOMMENDS THAT THE STATE PUT A CHILD TAX CREDIT PROGRAM IN PLACE.

REPORT CITES THE SUCCESS OF THE EXPANDED FEDERAL CHILD TAX CREDIT AND KEEPING KIDS OUT OF POVERTY.

THE FEDERAL PROGRAM PROVIDED MILLIONS OF FAMILIES WITH MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR A PORTION OF LAST YEAR BUT CONGRESS FAILED TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM INTO THIS YEAR.

NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE SAID THAT IF THE STATE ENACTED ITS OWN PROGRAM, IT WOULD PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH MUCH NEEDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

THE REPORT SAID SUCH A PROGRAM IN NEW JERSEY WOULD COST ABOUT $100 MILLION.

SOME NEW JERSEY STATE LAWMAKERS SAY IT IS TIME TO REOPEN THE STATE'S ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE IN-PERSON SERVICES.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT HAVE DRAFTED A BILL DIRECTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO REOPEN THE CENTERS AS SOON AS MARCH 1st.

A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THE STATE IS WORKING TOWARD PROVIDING SOME IN PERSON ON EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AT SELECT ONE-STOP LOCATIONS ADDING THAT ALL THE DEPARTMENT SERVICES CAN BE ACCESSED ONLINE AND OVER THE PHONE.

MEANTIME, LAWMAKERS PROPOSE REDUCING THE SALARIES OF SOME TOP LABOR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES IF THE OFFICES DON'T REOPEN BY MARCH.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET ACTION FROM TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THE CDC HAS PROPOSED NEW GUIDELINES FOR PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS FOR PAIN TREATMENT THAT WILL ALLOW DOSAGE CAPS.

IF AUTHORIZED, THE CHANGE WOULD ENABLE SOME PATIENTS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN 90 MY CAT ME MORPHINE MILLIGRAM EQUIVALENT SIZE DOSES TO TREAT PAIN.

EXPERTS AND PAIN MEDICINE WORRY THAT REMOVING LIMITS COULD LEAD TO OVERPRESCRIBING OPIOIDS PUTTING PATIENTS AND AGGRAVATING THE ALREADY RAGING OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

DR. LEWIS NELSON SAT DOWN WITH ME TO DISCUSS HOW THE CHANGE COULD DANGEROUSLY IMPACT PATIENTS IN THE STATE.

>> IF APPROVED, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ALL OF THOSE CURRENTLY USING OPIOIDS FOR TREATMENT?

HOW DOES 90MME COMPARED TO A LOW DOSAGE?

>> THE ISSUE WITH THE 90 MY CAT ME IS NOT SOMETHING TO SUGGEST EVERYONE SHOULD BE DOWN TO 90.

IT SUGGESTS THAT WHEN YOU ARE GOING UP AND DOSAGE FROM ESSENTIALLY ZERO, YOU SHOULD NOT GO ABOVE 90.

THAT IS WHAT THE ORIGINAL GUIDELINES SET.

WHAT THEY ARE SUGGESTING NOW IS THAT WHILE YOU SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT 90, IT IS OKAY TO GO HIGHER.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT AS A DOSAGE GOES UP, THE BENEFIT DOESN'T BUT THE RISK DOES.

ZERO ADDING A LOT OF RISK WITHOUT GETTING MORE BENEFIT.

THE RISK IS A RISK OF OVERDOSE AND A RISK OF ADDICTION.

SO IT IS NOT A BENIGN EFFORT TO GO ABOVE 90 WHICH IS ONE WHO REALLY PUSHES BACK ON THAT SPECIFIC ISSUE.

>> DR. NELSON, THE QUESTION IS, WHY THE PROCESS?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH CHRONIC PAIN AND OTHER ISSUES.

THE PAIN MANAGEMENT HAS REALLY TRIED TO PUSH THIS.

IT DOESN'T MAKE PHARMACOLOGICAL SENSE TO UNDERSTAND THE WAY DRUGS WORK.

IF YOU ESCALATE THE DOSAGE FOR DRUG, IT MEANS IT IS NOT WORKING AND YOU SHOULD USE OTHER MODALITIES TO TREAT THE PAIN.

THE RISK THAT OCCURS AS THE DOSAGE GOES UP IS VERY REAL.

IF THE BENEFITS ARE COMMON AND THE BALANCE BETWEEN RISK AND BENEFIT DON'T CORRELATE, THE DRUG SHOULDN'T BE USED.

>> WHO WILL THIS MOST IMPACT?

>> THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE IMPACTS PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC PAIN WHO ARE ON A HIGH DOSAGE OF OPIOIDS.

PEOPLE ARE ON EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH DOSAGE OF OPIOIDS.

IF WE SAY 90 IS TOO HIGH, THEIR PEOPLE AT 400-500 MME'S.

THOSE DOSES ARE JUST DANGEROUS AND THEY ARE NOT BENEFICIAL.

AND I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY THAT PEOPLE SAY THEY NEED THEM TO FEEL NORMAL AND THAT IS NOT WRONG.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY ARE DEPENDENT ON THEM AND THEY WOULD DO FINE ON A LOWER DOSAGE IF THEY WOULD DROP THE DOSAGE SLOWLY.

>> WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CONCERN IF THIS DOES PASS?

>> THE PROBLEM WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW MUCH OPIOID DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMEBODY TO DEVELOP OPIOID USE DISORDER?

THAT IS WHEN PEOPLE CAN'T STOP USING OPIOIDS ANYMORE?

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS PEOPLE GET IT.

SOMETIMES THEY LIKE THE FEELING THE DRUG CAUSES.

SOMETIMES THEY CAN'T STOP BECAUSE THEY WITHDRAW.

SOMETIMES THE PAIN THEY ARE TREATING WORSENS BECAUSE THEY NEED MORE OPIOID.

FOR A LOT OF REASONS, PEOPLE GET HOOKED ON OPIOIDS AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

EVEN IF UNINTENTIONAL, OVERDOSE CAN LEAD TO DEATH AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM WE ARE SEEING.

SO WE HAVE TWO OPIOID EPIDEMICS.

ONE BECAUSE OF FENTANYL.

MUCH OF THE PEOPLE DYING OF FENTANYL OVERDOSES STARTED OUT WITH PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS.

THEN WE HAVE THE PRESCRIPTION OPIOID EPIDEMIC THAT HAS NOT CHANGED IN THE PAST FEW DECADES.

PART OF WHAT THEY DID WITH THOSE GUIDELINES ARE GOOD.

IT IS NOT ALL BAD.

A LOT OF IT IS UNCHANGED.

THERE ONLY THESE TWO POINTS AM CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE 90 MME AND THE OTHER ABOUT NOT LIMITING THE INITIAL OPIOID PRESCRIPTION TO THREE OR SEVEN DAYS AND JUST LETTING IT BE AS LONG AS PEOPLE WANT.

THAT IS THE OTHER PROBLEM THAT GOT PEOPLE HOOKED.

IT IS THE DURATION OF THE INITIAL OPIOID PRESCRIPTION.

>> DR. NELSON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN SPEAKING WITH ME.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVERTON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS THAT IS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

.

>> NJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>> AND THE KSAG FOUNDATION.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

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

MY NAME IS JULIA CROMPTON AND I'M PROUD TO BE A MEMBER.