>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> CURVING THE SURGE AT THE U.S. SOUTHERN BORDER.

PRESIDENT BIDEN THIS WEEK PROPOSED NEW IMMIGRATION RULES THAT SOME CRITICS ARGUE LOOK A LOT LIKE AN OLD POLICY FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

IT WOULD ORBIT SOME MIGRANTS FROM SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE U.S. OF THE CROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY OR FAILED TO FIRST APPLY FOR SAFE HARBOR IN ONE OF THE COUNTRIES THEY PASS THROUGH EN ROUTE TO THE BORDER.

THE POLICY IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT MAY 11th ONE TITLE 42 ENDS.

THAT WAS THE PANDEMIC ERA HEALTH ROLE THAT FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY ENABLED THEM TO EXPEL SOME 2 MILLION MIGRANTS SINCE MARCH 2020 DUE TO COVID RISKS.

IMMIGRATION POLICY HAS BEEN A HOT BUTTON ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY, TOO WERE JUST ONE IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER REMAINS, HAS A 116 MIGRANTS.

THIS WEEK, THE PRISON ANNOUNCED IT IS SUING THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MURPHY ADMINISTRATION OVER A RECENT LAW BANNING ANYONE FROM CONTRACT AND WITH U.S. CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> THE STORIES THAT COME BACK FROM VOLUNTEERS AND PEOPLE WHO WERE FORMERLY DETAINED AND HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

IT'S JUST --THE DETENTION IS UTTER MISERY.

THE ELIZABETH DETENTION CENTER, FOR EXAMPLE, IS A CONVERTED WAREHOUSE.

THERE ARE NOT WINDOWS AND PEOPLE DON'T GET SUNLIGHT AND >> HARSH AND INHUMANE.

THAT IS HOW DETAINEES HAVE DESCRIBED THEIR TIME AT THE ELIZABETH DETENTION CENTER.

THIS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT FIRST FRIENDS IN NEW YORK AND A NONPROFIT HELPING IMMIGRANTS WHOSE LIVES WERE IMPACTED BY THE U.S. IMMIGRATION AND ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM ALSO KNOWN AS I.C.E.. >> THESE ARE CIVIL ISSUES.

NOT QUESTIONS OF CRIMINALITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING HANDLED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

THIS IS I.C.E.

GOING OUT AND ARRESTING AND RAIDING PEOPLE OVER PAPERWORK.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE LAST FACILITY IN NEW JERSEY HOUSING DETAINEES FOR I.C.E..

THE CONTRACT EXPIRES AT THE END OF AUGUST.

BECAUSE OF A STATEWIDE GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED IN 2021, THEY WOULD BE BANNED FROM EXTENDING OR RENEWING THE CONTRACT.

THE PRIVATE COMPANY THAT OWNS THE DETENTION CENTER IS FIGHTING THE LAW IN COURT.

CORE CIVIC SAYS IT STANDS TO LOSE $18 MILLION BECAUSE OF THE LAW.

AMY TORRES POINTS OUT THAT IS JUST A FRACTION OF THE COMPANY'S PROFITS.

>> THE LARGEST PRIVATE PRISON CORPORATION IN THE WORLD IS FILING A LAWSUIT TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF NEW JERSEY'S TENSION BAND.

CORE CIVIC AT THE SAME YEAR THAT THE I.C.E.

DETENTION HILL WAS PASSED GENERATED REVENUES OF $1.9 BILLION.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A FILING, THEY ARGUED THAT STATE LAW INTERFERED WITH FEDERAL LAW TO ALLOW IMMIGRATION LAW WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

SAYING IT UNDERMINES AND ELIMINATES THE CONGRESSIONALLY FUNDED AND APPROVED ENFORCEMENT OF A FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW BY U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

GOING ON TO SAY THIS COURT SHOULD THEREFORE DECLARE IT AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW AND ENTER A PRELIMINARY AND PERMANENT INJUNCTIONS RESTRAINING DEFENDANTS FROM ENFORCING THE STATUTE AGAINST CORE CIVIC.

IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES HELD A VIGIL IN JERSEY CITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED DURING THEIR TIME AT THE ELIZABETH DETENTION CENTER.

>> THE LAWSUIT WITH I.C.E., THIS IS PROMISED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO THIS.

THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT THAN TRUMP AND IT'S THE SAME THING.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES I SPOKE WITH SAY THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BEND AND BREAK THE RULES SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PROFIT FROM THEM.

>> FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS NOW AND FOR 30 YEARS, PEOPLE INSIDE HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING ABOUT THE HORRIBLE CONDITIONS THERE.

THE INHUMANE TREATMENT.

THE ABUSE.

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SEXUAL ABUSE THAT THEY FACE AT THE HANDS OF THE GUARDS AND WE'VE ALL BEEN WORKING WITH THEM TO TRY TO SHUT THE PLACE DOWN 30 YEARS.

WE ARE COMING VERY CLOSE.

>> I'M NOT SURE THAT THE SUIT IS LIKELY TO SUCCEED.

>> Reporter: ALAN POLLACK HAS BEEN PRACTICING IMMIGRATION LAW 28 YEARS.

HE WAS ON THE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION IN 2021 WHEN THE BILL PASSED AND HE IS OPPOSED TO THE LOT ENDING I.C.E.

DETENTION IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE IT MEANS PEOPLE AT DESCENT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND ATTORNEYS AND >> THIS IS A BIG BUSINESS.

THEY WANT TO MAKE MORE MONEY.

WHICH COMES TO ANOTHER POINT WITH PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT A LOT.

SHUT DOWN THE FACILITIES HERE.

THE OTHER END RESULT IS THAT OTHER MAYBE LARGER FACILITIES OPEN IN THESE VERY REMOTE LOCATIONS.

SHUTTING DOWN A FACILITY DOES NOT CHANGE THE STATUTE OR THE LAW OR ITS ENFORCEMENT TO ANY DEGREE.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SAID HE STANDS BY HIS SUPPORT OF THE LAW TO END ALL TRENDS WORKING CONTRACT IN THE STATE AND ADVOCATE SAY IF THEY WIN THE LAWSUIT, THE COMPANY WILL IN TURN COMPLETELY INVALIDATE THE LAW AND OTHER COUNTIES CAN CONTRACT WITH I.C.E.. FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> BIG TACK IS BACK IN THE HOT SEAT.

THE SUPREME COURT BEGAN ORAL ARGUMENTS IN GONZALES VERSUS GOOGLE.

THE PARENTS OF AN AMERICAN EXCHANGE STUDENT KILLED IN 2015 DURING AN ISIS ATTACK IN PARIS.

THEY CLAIM THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR PROMOTING YOUTUBE VIDEOS CREATED BY TERRORIST GROUPS.

THE LAWSUIT COULD AFFECT CURRENT AND FUTURE PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND SOME EXPERTS SAY ALTER THE STRUCTURE OF THE INTERNET AS WE KNOW IT.

TO HELP EXPLAIN, I'M JOINED BY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA AT MONTH STATE UNIVERSITY.

PROFESSOR BENTON, ULTIMATELY WHAT WE HEARD YESTERDAY WAS A LOT OF CAN TURN FROM THE JUSTICES OVER UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

WHAT IMPLICATIONS ARE POSSIBLE HERE?

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A REAL CHANGE.

REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE, PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO FINALLY RECOGNIZE THAT HOSTILITY DRIVEN BY ALGORITHM IS A REAL THING.

IT'S VERY MUCH A REAL THREAT.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

WHAT ROLE DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE REGULATING THAT?

THAT'S A HARDER QUESTION.

I DO HOPE THERE IS A CULTURAL AWARENESS THAT WHAT I SEE REGULARLY IN MY FEED VIA ALGORITHM IS DESIGNED TO PROVOKE AND CAN LEAD PEOPLE TO SOME VERY, VERY DARK PLACES.

>> WHAT IS DIFFICULT AND EVEN THE JUSTICES SAID THEY HAD A HARD TIME WRAPPING THEIR HEAD AROUND IS HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE BETWEEN RECOMMENDING HARMFUL VERSUS NON-HARMFUL CONTENT ASK WHO DECIDES?

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT?

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE LAID OUT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INTERNET LAW?

SPECIFICALLY THIS SECTION 230 THAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

>> IN GENERAL, THERE IS NOT A GREAT TRACK RECORD OF REGULATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT'S UNTENABLE BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF WHAT AUTOMATIC CONTENT IS WILL BE VERY, VERY SQUISHY.

FINDING CLEAR, DIRECT LINKAGES BETWEEN HARMFUL CONTENT CONSUMED AND ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN, YOU WILL NOT FIND THAT.

>> IS IT AN ISSUE WITH FREE SPEECH THAT THESE COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT DOWN THE ROAD?

>> YEAH.

I THINK FREE SPEECH IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY ABSOLUTELY EMBRACES HERE.

I THINK WHAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS HOW THAT SPEECH IS BEING EXERCISED.

EVERYONE HERE HAS HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF LOOKING AT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED ONLY TO FIND A MIX BETWEEN THE CAT VIDEOS AND THE SPORTS TEAMS AND WHATNOT.

SUDDENLY YOU SEE A VERY OFFENSIVE POST AND WHY WAS THAT THERE?

WHY WAS IT GIVEN TO YOU?

IT WAS GIVEN TO GET ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE THEY KNOW OUTRAGE WILL SPARK ENGAGEMENT.

KIND OF A BAKED IN BUSINESS MODEL TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

I THINK WE CAN HOPE FOR THEM TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE ABOUT THIS.

I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNMENT CAN COMPEL IT.

>> THIS COMES AS THEY ARE FACING A LITANY OF ANTITRUST LAWSUITS AND ISSUES OVER MISINFORMATION AS WELL AS RECENTLY STEMMING FROM NEW JERSEY YOU KNOW, THIS READ OF THE LEADING AND OTHER CONTENT OF THAT NATURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT FEELS LIKE THIS IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

IS IT?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

A RESEARCH PROJECT WE RECENTLY SUBMITTED THAT IS CURRENTLY IN PEER REVIEW LOOKED AT THE MANIFESTO WRITTEN BY THE BUFFALO SHOOTER AND WE DID DATA SCRAPING ON THE ENTIRE MANIFESTO.

THE TEXT AND IMAGE CONTENT AND FOUND THAT IT WAS PLAGIARIZED FROM A FAIRLY SMALL SUBSET OF INTERNET SOURCES.

WHAT WE TAKE AWAY FROM THAT IS THAT THE OLD IDEA THAT YOU COULD NOT ONLY BE RADICALIZED ONLINE, THAT SOMEONE PROBABLY HAS A PERSONALITY THAT'S PROBLEMATIC BEFORE THEY GOT ONLINE AND WENT TO PROBLEMATIC PLACES.

FROM EVERYTHING WE SAW IN THIS CASE, IT APPEARS THE INTERNET WAS INTEGRAL CREATING A SCENARIO WHERE SOMEONE ENGAGED IN A MASS CASUALTY TERRORISM EVENT.

>> DR. BENTON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT ON THIS CASE.

>> YOU SO MUCH.

>>> WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ANNUAL BUDGET AND STATE ADDRESS LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY, HE IS CUTTING BACK ON SOME PREVIOUS SPENDING PRIORITIES.

COMMENCING 100 $20 MILLION IN GRANTS THAT WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE MONEY COMES FROM THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME FUNDS LIKE THIS WILL GO TO EXPAND PROGRAMS AT REGULARLY OPERATING SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE ADMINISTRATION REWARDED $11 MILLION TO IN SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THEY CAN CREATE OR EXPAND THEIR PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING.

ANOTHER 33 DISTRICTS WILL GET UP FUNDING TO ENSURE MORE FREE ACCESS FOR KIDS.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS SINCE TAKING OFFICE, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS EXPANDED.

2/160 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OPENING SEATS FOR MORE THAN 12,000 CHILDREN.

>> ANOTHER 16 DISTRICTS INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH BRUNSWICK HAVE OPENED THEIR DOORS TO HIGH-QUALITY FULL DAY PRE-K PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND AGAIN, IMPORTANTLY, FREE OF CHARGE.

ON MARCH 1st, WHICH IS NEXT WEEK, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL LAUNCH A $120 MILLION GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FROM FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS FOR PRESCHOOL EXPANSION.

>> TOUCHED DOWN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND MERCY.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONFIRMS A TORNADO HIT AROUND 3:45 IN THE AFTERNOON.

TREES WERE UPENDED IN PARTS OF WEST WINDSOR AND LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP'S DAMAGING HOMES AND CLOSING ROADS.

HAIL AND HIGH WIND CLOSED --CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO A CONDO COMPLEX AND SEVERAL COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

RESIDENTS REPORTED TAKING SHELTER IN BASEMENTS AND BATHROOMS.

ROUGHLY 75 RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED ACCORDING TO LOCAL POLICE REPORTS.

SO FAR, NO INJURIES, LUCKILY, HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

>>> THIS IS THE SEASON STATE OFFICIALS START WHAT IS KNOWN AS PRESCRIBED BURNING IN THE STATE.

PLAN FIRES THAT MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF OUR FOREST AND PREVENT WILDFIRES FROM STARTING AND SPREADING.

THE PROBLEM THAT HAS INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS.

TODAY A GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE NUMBER OF THREATS FACING OUR WOODLANDS.

TED GOLD OR GROUP WORKS.

>> AFTER ALMOST A YEAR, SENATOR BOB SMITH IS PLEASED WITH THE WORK DONE BY THE FOREST STEWARDSHIP TASK FORCE.

>> 45 MEETINGS.

OR 45 HOURS OF MEETINGS.

I THINK THEY VERY INTELLIGENTLY ANALYZED THE ISSUES AND COME UP WITH A GOOD SET OF SOLUTIONS FOR A LOT OF OUR PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: THE FOUR TASKS CHAIRS CAME TOGETHER TO CREATE A 16 POINT FRAMEWORK FOR THE STATE TO PROTECT ITS FORESTS.

>> WE WANT TO FIND WERE 85%, 95% OF PARTICIPANTS COULD LAND ON CERTAIN ISSUES.

WE LEARNED EARLY ON THAT WAS A VERY HIGH BAR GIVEN A GROUP THIS LARGE AND DIVERSE.

OUR HOPE IS THAT EVEN IF PARTICIPANTS DID NOT AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE RECOMMENDATION, THAT THEY WOULD SUPPORT THE HOLISTIC PACKAGE BECAUSE THERE PRIORITIES WERE INCLUDED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: THE FRAMEWORK INCLUDES A WIDE RANGE OF ADVICE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIKE COMING UP WITH NOVEL APPROACHES TO THE STATES OVER GRANDEUR POPULATION.

>> IT IMPACT US AND OUR CARS BUT ALSO IMPACT THE FOREST PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.

SPECIFICALLY, THE NEW JERSEY DEP SHOULD IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT NEW AND INNOVATIVE STEPS.

WE SAY THIS BECAUSE THE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN THUS FAR ARE CLEARLY NOT WORKING.

>> WOULD YOU ELABORATE ON THAT?

WHY ARE DEAR THE PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE FOR FOREST HEALTH?

>> THE DEER POPULATION, FOR PROPER REGROWTH OF OUR FOREST, IS 10 TIMES GREATER THAN WHAT A SUSTAINABLE POPULATION SHOULD BE.

>> AS WELL AS A COMMITMENT FOR PRESCRIBED BURNING TO AVOID LARGER FIRES.

>> WE RELATE IT TO THE PINELANDS AND ABOUT CATASTROPHIC FIRE AND REDUCING FIRE RISKS.

>> THINNING IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF SETTING PRESCRIBED FIRE.

IN NO WAY CAN IT REPLICATE THE NEED FOR FIRE.

EARLY ON IN SOME CASES, SOME WILD FIRE CAN BE CONTAINED.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY TWO THIRDS OF THE GROUND TO GROUPS HERE IN THE STATES FOR THE FRAMEWORK GRID >> OUR STATE HAS OFTEN LAGS BEHIND OTHERS TO ENACT MANY OF THE PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS REPORT.

ISSUES LIKE REGULATING INVASIVE SPECIES AND SCIENTIFICALLY DESIGNED DEER MANAGEMENT ARE TWO SUCH EXAMPLES.

>> SOME GROUPS ARE NOT ON BOARD AND THEY DISAGREE WITH THE PART OF THE FRAMEWORK THAT RECOMMENDS LOGGING IN PARTS OF STATE FOREST.

>> THE DISTURBANCES BY MECHANIZED HARVESTING OF TIMBER AND THE REMOVAL OF FELD TIMBER, INCLUDING THE NEED TO CUT NEW ACCESS ROAD CAUSES IMPACTS.

OFTEN DEVASTATING TO SENSITIVE ECOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF THE FOREST.

>> WE REALLY SHOULD NOT BE LOGGING.

THE MATURE FORESTS IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.

AFTER WE LOG, THERE IS NO PATH BACK TO FOREST BECAUSE OF THE DEER AND THE INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> Reporter: IS FOR THE PRICE TAG, SENATOR SMITH SAYS THE DEP WILL HAVE TO WEIGH IN BEFORE WE GET AN IDEA OF WHETHER THIS IS FEASIBLE.

IN TRENTON, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IS SITTING ON FOR THE BEST BEACHES IN NEW JERSEY IS IN A SPAT WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OVER PROTECTING ITS BEACHES.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE CAPE MAY HERALD, NORTH WILDWOOD IS FACING NEARLY $13 MILLION IN FINES FROM THE STATE, PARTIALLY FOR UNAUTHORIZED WORK DONE ON THE CITY-OWNED BEACHFRONT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SOME OF WHICH INCLUDES STORE MITIGATION EFFORTS THAT ARE ALREADY BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT, LIKE CONSTRUCTION OF STEEL AND VINYL BULKHEADS.

BUT ALSO FOR BUILDING GAZEBOS ON THE PIER, REMOVING VEGETATION FROM A DUNE AREA TO CREATE A PLAYGROUND, AND OTHER RENOVATIONS LIKE ADDING A NEW TIKI BAR, RESTAURANT, AND STAGE WITHOUT APPROVALS ACCORDING TO THE DEP.

ATTORNEYS FOR NORTH WILDWOOD TO THE PLAN TO APPEAL AND BELIEVE THE FUNDS ARE IN RETALIATION FOR A COUNTERCLAIM THE CITY MADE IN CIVIL COURT, ASKING THE DEP TO PAY BACK EXPENSES THE CITY PUT OUT TO PROTECT ITS COASTLINE.

>>> IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS ALREADY SIGNALED HE WILL USE TAX BURDEN ON SOME OF THE STATES BIGGEST CORPORATIONS.

OPPONENTS SAY IT WILL COST NEW JERSEY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN REVENUE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS AND OUR OTHER TOP BUSINESS MOVES.

RHONDA.

>>.

SO GROUPS ARE CALLING ON TRENTON TO KEEP THE TAX SURCHARGE IN PLACE.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR LETTING THE 2.5 PERCENT SURCHARGE SUNSET AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND BUSINESS GROUPS WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE OF SAYS IF THIS GOES AWAY, THEY WOULD MISS OUT ON HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ANNUAL REVENUE.

THE ORGANIZATION RELEASING A NEW REPORT TODAY, FINDING THAT THE SURCHARGE IS ONLY PAID BY THAT TOP 2% OF BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

IN YOUR POLICY ANALYST AND THE REPORTS AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT POLICYMAKERS SHOULD MAKE THE SURCHARGE PERMANENT SAYING THAT WEALTHY CORPORATIONS DON'T NEED A TAX BREAK.

>> CORPORATIONS LIKE AMAZON, WELLS FARGO, HOME DEPOT.

THESE OTHER CORPORATIONS THAT MAKE MULTI MILLION DOLLARS IN PROFITS EVERY YEAR.

THE ONLY ONES CURRENTLY PAYING IT.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO GET A NICE TAX CUT, SHOULD THE SURCHARGE BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

>> MORE NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES ARE DROPPING THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN FOR PUBLIC WORKERS AFTER A BIG INCREASE IN RATES.

AN ADVANCED MEDIA HAS LEARNED AT LEAST 31 MUNICIPALITIES ARE INSTEAD OPTING FOR PRIVATE INSURERS THIS YEAR.

THE LATEST TALLY COMES AFTER WORD THAT SOME OF THE STATES BIG CITIES, NEWARK, TRENTON, AND CAMDEN, HAVE ALSO LEFT THE STATE BENEFIT PLAN.

GOVERNMENTS WERE FACED WITH A PREMIUM INCREASE OF CLOSE TO 20% AFTER THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS COMMISSION VOTED LAST YEAR TO APPROVE THE RATE INCREASES.

WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING STEPS TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE STATES WORK FORCE.

THE GOVERNMENT SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT SETS UP AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TASK WITH DEVELOPING A STATEWIDE POLICY TO ACHIEVE INCREASED EQUITY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCING THE SIGNING OF THE ORDER AT THE ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION.

>>> ATLANTIC CITY CASINO WORKERS HAVE HAD THE JACK POT.

HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO THIS WEEK TELLING ITS EMPLOYEES THEY WILL SHARE A TOTAL OF $10 MILLION IN WORKER BONUSES.

HERE IS A CHECK AT TODAY'S TRADING ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROBABLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102.

LIGHTING THE PATH.

LEADING THE WAY.

THE AND BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ANNOUNCING ITS RENEWED SUMMIT EXPO MARCH 14th AND 15th ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT M.J. CHAMBER.COM.

>>> FINALLY, A NEW JERSEY TEACHER IS MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF NEWTON'S THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.

SETH HOLM FROM THE HUN SCHOOL IN PRINCETON CREATED A CLASS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN AFGHANISTAN TO LEARN ENGLISH VIRTUALLY AND IN SECRET.

FOR MANY, THE CLASS IS THERE ONLY SAVE SPACE TO CONNECT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

UNDER TALIBAN RULE, EDUCATION FOR WOMEN IS STRICT THEY ARE BEDDED.

IT'S ONE RISK THAT THESE WOMEN SAY THEY'RE WILLING TO TAKE.

SETH HOLM, WHO LEADS THE COURSE, JOINS ME NOW.

DR., THIS STARTED AS A FOUR-WEEK COURSE.

IT'S NOW GONE ON SEVERAL MONTHS.

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?

>> MY STUDENTS CAME FROM THE AFGHANISTAN HERE AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.

TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, CREATING AN ONLINE ENGLISH CLASS FOR GIRLS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN.

SHE NEEDED SOME HELP WITH THE CURRICULUM AND I SAID I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HELP.

SHE AND A FRIEND OF HERS HERE AT THE HUN SCHOOL PUT TOGETHER A ROSTER AND PUT OUT A CALL IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND GOT 200 50 RESPONSES FROM GIRLS IN AFGHANISTAN IN TWO DAYS.

GOT THAT DOWN TO ABOUT 20 STUDENTS WE COULD SUPPORT FINANCIALLY FOR MONEY WE RAISED THROUGH A GOFUNDME FOR INTERNET COST AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE STARTED THE CLASS WITH THE INTENTION OF HAVING IT BE FOUR WEEKS.

SO MUCH FUN AND SO IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED WE DECIDED TO KEEP IT GOING.

>> PAINT FOR ME WITH THIS VIRTUAL CLASS LOOKS LIKE AND I AM PICTURING A BLACK SCREEN, NO FACES, GIVEN THE RISK THAT IS POSED HERE.

>> IT IS LARGELY THAT.

IF YOU WERE TO COME TAKE A PICTURE OF WHAT OUR CLASS LOOKS LIKE, IT WOULD LOOK LIKE ME SITTING IN MY CLASSROOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AFTER EVERYONE HAS GONE TO BED UP IN THE DORMS.

IT MEANS ON THURSDAY NIGHTS, WHICH IS FRIDAY MORNING FOR THEM, IT GOES UNTIL AROUND 1:00 A.M.

SOME OF THEM HAVE THEIR FACES SHOWN ON AN IMAGE.

SOME OF THEM HAVE OTHER IMAGES UP.

MOSTLY, IT JUST THE NAMES.

BUT LARGELY THAT'S BECAUSE THE INTERNET DOES NOT SIT VIDEO WELL ENOUGH FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS EFFECT OF LEEWAY IN SHOWING THEIR CAMERAS.

>> THESE ARE GIRLS AND WOMEN WHO WERE BORN LARGE WHILE THE TALIBAN WAS NOT ENROLLED -- IN RULE.

WHILE THE MILITARY PRESENCE FROM THE U.S. WAS THERE.

WHAT IS THEIR LIFE LIKE NOW?

WHAT ARE THEY SEEKING TO GET THROUGH THIS BESIDES AN EDUCATION?

>> THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

IT HAS COME TO ME SLOWLY THAT ENGLISH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO LEARN.

BUT EDUCATION IN GENERAL.

WHEN THEY GROW UP IN A WORLD THAT PROVIDED THEM WITH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THOSE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE TAKEN AWAY AND THERE'S NO PROMISE OF THEM RETURNING, ALONG WITH THE LOSS OF EDUCATION COMES A REAL LOSS OF IDENTITY AND A REAL LOSS OF A SENSE OF VALUE.

SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE EDUCATION, EVEN IN SOME SMALL RESPECT REALLY GIVES THEM A SENSE OF THEMSELVES BACK.

>> WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FROM HERE?

DOES THE CLASS AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS?

ARE YOU HOPING TO CONTINUE THIS GOING WITH A NEW COHORT?

>> IT WAS ABOUT THREE WEEKS INTO THE CLASS.

ONE STUDENT SAID VERY POINTEDLY, SHE SAID, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US.

AT THAT TIME, I SAID, I NEVER WILL.

IF I CAN HELP IT, I WILL STAY WITH YOU FOREVER.

I WAS FEELING EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS FEELING.

THE REWARD THAT I GET IN TEACHING THAT CLASS ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

THE FEELING WHEN I CLOSE MY COMPUTER AT 1:00 A.M. AND I AM HEADING BACK TO MY APARTMENT TO GO TO SLEEP IS LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

TREMENDOUS GRATITUDE JUST BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION OF THOSE YOUNG WOMEN IS LIKE SUNLIGHT.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING.

I AM MOVED TO TEARS ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME OFF TO WRITE AND THE CLASS.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT AT THIS POINT.

>> WE WISH YOU GOOD LUCK IN KEEPING IT GOING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT INSIGHT WITH US.

DR. SETH HOLM WITH FEET HUN SCHOOL IN PRINCETON.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR LATEST SERIES, WATER'S EDGE.

ALL OF THE REPORTING OUR TEAM HAS DONE ON THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN.

EXPLORE IT ALL AT THE NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG WEBSITE AND I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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>>> I AM McMANUS.

2023 PRESIDENT OF NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

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