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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE TOGETHER.

AND HOISTED COMMITTED TO A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> I'M RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BREANNA VINOZI.

>>> THE GOVERNOR NOT OVER COVID- 19 YET.

SAYING WE CAN LIVE WITHIN ITS MIST.

NEW COVID CASES AND 69 DEATHS.

THE UPTICK COMES AS SCHOOL QUARANTINES WILL BE RELEASED TODAY.

AND IT COMES LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE MARCH 7th, WHEN STUDENTS AND STAFF CAN GO WITHOUT WEARING MASKS IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

BUT THEY STILL MUST WEAR THEM ON BUSES.

THE GOVERNOR LEAVING IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS AND STAFF TO DECIDE WHAT THEIR POLICIES WILL BE MOVING FORWARD.

MANY WILL DECIDE WHETHER THEY WILL MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL OR MANDATORY.

BUT WITHOUT UPDATED GUIDANCE FROM THE D.O.H., SCHOOLS WILL BE LEFT ONCE AGAIN UNCERTAIN ON HOW THEY SHOULD QUARANTINE STUDENTS OR SOCIAL DISTANCE THEM.

ONCE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS.

WHAT DO SUPERINTENDENTS NOT HAVE FOR GUIDANCE?

AND WILL IT ALLEVIATE THE CONFUSION THAT SCHOOLS ARE DEALING WITH.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR PRECIOUS SCHOOL KIDS ON, OBVIOUSLY THAT IS THE HOPE IS WE CAN DO IT SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY PROMISED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE STATE WILL PROMISE DETAILED GUIDANCE ON WHEN TO OPT OUT ON UNIVERSAL GUIDANCE.

AND MANAGE OTHERS LATER TODAY.

BUT MANY DISTRICTS FROM MOUNT OLIVE TO MIDDLETOWN, HAVE ALREADY INDICATED, THEY'LL MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL, WHEN THE CONTROVERSIAL MANDATE EXPIRES, MARCH 7th.

>> OTHERS HAVE EVEN STATED THEY WILL DITCH QUARANTINE QUARANTINES.

BUT MURPHY IMPLORED SCHOOLS NOT TO ABANDON ALL THE RULES.

>> WE WOULD HOPE THAT EVERYBODY CONTINUES TO MAKE THE DECISIONS BASED ON THE SCIENCE, THE DATA, AND THE FACTS, WORKING WITH THEIR LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES.

>> MASKS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED BY THE STATE AS OF MARCH 7th.

THEY REMAIN PART OF A LAYERED APPROACH AGAINST COVID-19.

AND ARE RECOMMENDED IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> THE STATE THAT RECOMMENDS DISTRICTS WHICH DO DECIDE TO OPT OUT OF MASKING SHOULD REINSTATE A MASK REQUIREMENT.

IF COVID INFECTION RATES START TO RISE.

CURRENTLY, ALL OF NEW JERSEY IS YELLOW, ON THE ACTIVITY INDEX, SHOWING MODERATE COVID ACTIVITY.

BUT A LOAM SPIKE TO RED OR ORANGE SHOULD TRIGGER.

AS SHOULD ACTIVE OUTBREAKS IN A SCHOOL.

THE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS STUDENTS AND STAFF, RETURNING AFTER A HOME QUARANTINE, SHOULD ALSO MASK UP FOR SIX TO 10 DAYS.

AND KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED BUT TEST REGULARLY TO STAY IN SCHOOL, SHOULD ALSO WEAR A MASK.

>> MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.

>> MOUNT OLIVE SUPERINTENDENT, ROBERT ZAWIKI SAYS TEST TO STAY IS ONE OPTION HE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP.

HE EXPECTS THE DISTRICTS TO GO MASKS OPTIONAL.

AS FOR THE REST, HE'LL CONSULT WITH LOCAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION OFFICIALS.

BUT -- >> I THINK AT SOME POINT, THE QUARANTINING HAS TO GO BACK TO PARENTAL DECISION, THE WAY IT WAS IN 2019, WHEN YOUR STUDENTS GOT STREP OR THE FLU.

I THINK PARENTS NOW KNOW WHAT THE GUIDELINES ARE.

ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS FIVE DAYS.

THE CONTRACT TRACING.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DO MASKS OPTIONAL, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THE CONTACT TRACING.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE THINGS GO AWAY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC IS TIRED.

I UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC IS TAKING A STANCE ABOUT BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

BUT YOU KNOW, SCHOOL IS A COMMUNITY.

>> CAMDEN SCHOOL NEWS ROBIN COGAN SAYS SHE FEELS DISTRICTS ARE DUMPING OUT OF COVID PROTECTIONS, TOO SOON.

>> IT FEELS LIKE A VERY SLIPPERY SLOPE.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE IF DISTRICTS ARE DROPPING UNIVERSAL MASKING AND MOVING TO DROP THE OTHER PROTECTIVE STRATEGIES, WHAT DO WE HAVE LEFT, TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF SAFE?

>> SOME NEW JERSEY DISTRICTS, PARTICULARLY TWO OF THE LARGEST, NEWARK AND PATTERSON, HAVE INDICATED THEY'LL KEEP MASK MANDATES IN PLACE, WELL PAST MARCH 7th.

OTHERS WANT TO MONITOR COVID INFECTION RATES.

THE STATE SAYS SCHOOL COVID CASE RATES HAVE DROPPED IN JANUARY TO A LITTLE OVER 200,000 FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF.

BUT MONTCLAIR EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SILVERO SAYS EACH WILL CONFRONT ITS OWN ISSUES.

>> THERE'S NOT REALLY A ONE- SIZE FITS ALL PLAN, FOR QUARANTINE OR ISOLATION IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> SHE WARNS RULES NEED TO BE CLEAR AND EASY TO FOLLOW BUT THAT DROPPING THE MASK MANDATE, WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

>> WE'RE PROBABLY, IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING MARCH 7th, GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES MOODGES STUDENTS.

AND POTENTIALLY A LOT OF KIDS.

A LOT OF TEACHERS AND STAFF AS WELL, WHO ARE GOING TO NEED TO STAY HOME AND ISOLATE, BECAUSE THEY THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN CASES.

COMMUNITY RATES JUST AREN'T QUITE LOW ENOUGH TO TAKE OUR MASKS OFF.

AND NOT SEE THIS.

>> THE STATE INTENDS TO HOST A WEBINAR ON FRIDAY.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT.

>> STATE LAWS WILL GO TO WORK UNDER LOOSER COVID-19 SAFETY POLICIES STARTING FRIDAY.

A POLICY REQUIRING ALL PEOPLE ENTERING THE STATE HOUSE TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION, WHERE A NEGATIVE TEST REMAINS IN PLACE.

THEY CHALLENGED A POLICY IN COURT.

AND WITH DRAMATIC PROTEST IN DECEMBER.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, SPOKE WITH THE MINORITY PARTY LEADERSHIP.

>> AMERICA, SEE WHAT SINGLE HERE?

>> SOME OF OUR HEROES UP HERE.

>> MAYBE IT WASN'T TYRANNY EXACTLY.

BUT REPUBLICANS WHO LED THE GREAT STANDOFF IN THE DOORWAY, AGAINST THE STATE HOUSE VAX OR TEST MANDATE, SAY IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT VACCINES OR TESTING.

>> THIS WAS A NONELECTED BODY, WHO IMPOSED RULES ON ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND I THINK THAT WAS ANOTHER BIG PART OF OUR PROTEST.

I KNOW IT BOTTLERED ME, THAT NONELECTED PEOPLE COULD DICTATE POLICY TO THE ELECTED MEMBERS.

>> THE REPUBLICANS WENT TO COURT AND WERE THREATENING MORE LEGAL ACTION WHEN THAT BOARD OF NONELECTED PEOPLE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE STATE CAPITOL, JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMISSION, ISSUED A STATEMENT, ANNOUNCING THE RESTRICTION HAD BEEN LIFTED, AFTER A QUICKIE MEETING LAST WEEK.

THE POLICY APPROVED TODAY REFLECTS THE FACT THAT NEW CASES ARE DROPPING DRAMATICALLY, AND THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE STATE HOUSE, HAVE ACCESS TO VACCINES AND BOOSTERS, SAID THE STATEMENT.

THE POLICIES SHIFT FOLLOWED SCIENCE, SAYS THE COMMISSION.

AND COMES AFTER SENATE REPUBLICANS HUDDLED WITH THE SPEAKER AND OTHERS FROM THE MAIRNLTSD IN AN EFFORT TO WORK OUT A COMPROMISE,.

>> IN THE SENATE, WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE DOING OUR JOB, OUR CAUCUS TALKED ABOUT IT.

WE DID A LOT OF THE NEGOTIATING TO GET THE CHANGES IN THE POLICIES ALL ALONG.

>> THE COMMISSION ALSO LEFT THE MASK POLICY IN PLACE.

WHICH REPUBLICANS DISAGREED WITH.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MASKS GONE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PUBLIC.

YOU KNOW, MARCH STARTED THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR THREE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

AND IF PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WEARING A MASK.

IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED FOR WHATEVER REASON, AND THEY FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WEARING A MASK, IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WEARING A MASK.

I DON'T REALLY CARE IF YOU WANT TO CRYOVAC YOURSELF AND SHRINK WRAP YOURSELF, IF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, THEN THAT'S FINE.

>> THE ASSEMBLY RABBLEROUSERS SAY IT IS AS ABSURD AS THE OLD POLICY.

THEY SAY THEY'RE IN A NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE MINDSET.

AND WILL DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO BE HEARD.

EVEN IF THEIR LEADERSHIP IS INCLINED TOWARDS COMPROMISE.

>> I DON'T FEEL THE WARM FUZZINESS.

LOOK.

I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN, IN THE STATE HOUSE.

WE'RE IN THE MINORITY.

AND WE'RE TREATED AS THE MINORITY.

ON OCCASION, DOES THE MAJORITY TRY TO MAKE US FEEL LIKE LESS OF A BURDEN MINORITY?

YES.

BUT BY AND LARGE, THEY TREAT US LIKE A MINORITY.

A LOT OF REPUBLICAN BILLS DON'T MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR.

THEY DON'T CONSULT THE REPUBLICANS FOR NEARLY ANYTHING.

AND THIS JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMISSION IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

>> MAYBE IT WILL BE A MOOT POINT COME SPRING AND WE'RE ON A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL WITH THE PANDEMIC, BUT DRAMATIC DEMONSTRATIONS LIKE THIS, MIGHT BE PART OF THE G.O.P.

PLAYBOOK GOING FORWARD.

>> HE'S TOUCHING ME.

>> ESPECIALLY IF THEY THINK IT WORKS.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> CONGRESSMAN BILL PASCRELL IS CALLING ON THIS.

THE CONGRESSMAN MADE THE CALL AFTER TOURING THE LINHURST FACILITY, WHICH PROCESSES FREE, AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS.

HE SAYS THE BILL WILL SAVE THE POSTAL SERVICE NEARLY $15 BILLION BY ELIMINATING A PREFUNDING MANDATE FOR THE PINGSZ AND RETIREES INTO MEDICARE.

HE SAYS KEEPING THE USPS AS A UTILITY AND ASKING COVID TESTS IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP IT RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AMBITION TO DELIVER 1 BILLION AT-HOME TESTS, WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE GREAT EFFORTS, THE UNFLAGGING EFFORTS OF OUR POSTAL EMPLOYEES.

I MEAN, THEY SHOULD BE ADDED AUTOMATICALLY TO THE HEROES, WHETHER THEY BE TEACHERS, NURSES, DOCTORS, COPS, FIREFIGHTERS.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 4,000 TEACHERS RETIRED IN THE STATE LAST YEAR, UP ABOUT 10% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY TEACHERS PENSION AND ANNUITY FUND.

AND THOUGH NEW JERSEY BOASTS AMONGST THE HIGHEST PAID TEACHERS IN THE COUNTRY, THE A MEDIAN SALARY JUST OVER 17,000.

FEWER STUDENTS ARE SIGNING UP TO REPLACE THOSE RETIRED.

EDUCATION DEGREE COMPROMISE 5.6% IN 2020, DOWN FROM 9.6% IN 2009.

SO WHY IS THE TEACHING PROFESSION, NO LONGER ATTRACTIVE TO COLLEGE STUDENT.

>> AND HOW COULD THE SHORTAGE IMPACT STUDENTS IF IT ISN'T ADDRESSED?

SPOTLIGHT CONTRIBUTOR SAT DOWN WITH ME YESTERDAY TO DISCUSS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO ENCOURAGE MORE STUDENTS TO PURSUE CAREERS AS TEACHERS.

>> AMBREEN IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN THAT MORE TEACHERS ARE RETIRING?

OR NOT ENOUGH STUDENTS ARE SIGNING UP TO REPLACE THEM?

>> I THINK IT'S BOTH.

WE'VE HAD A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS COMING INTO THE FIELD FOR A LONG TIME.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY CONCERN THAT THERE ARE FEWER STUDENTS ENROLLING INTO PROGRAMS.

BUT NOW WE'RE SEEING A DESIRE TO RETIRE OR LOOK FOR OTHER OPTIONS.

IT'S GETTING SO HARD TO TEACH.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FEELING BURNED OUT.

IT'S A CONFLUENCE OF TWO BAD TRENDS THAT MAKES IT FEEL LIKE A CRISIS IS SORT OF UPON US.

>> WE KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DECREASE OF THE AMOUNT OF STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE TO BECOME TEACHERS.

SO WHY HAS THE PROFESSION BECOME SO UNATTRACTIVE?

>> I THINK THAT A LOT OF IT IS THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION AROUND TEACHING.

TEACHERS TELL US THEY DON'T FEEL RESPECTED.

THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE WHAT THEY DO IS VALUED.

IT'S NOT A TERRIBLY HIGH-PAYING FIELD.

THERE'S A LOT OF OPTIONS THAT COLLEGE-EDUCATE THE PEOPLE HAVE BEFORE THEM.

AND YOU REALLY CHOOSE TEACHING BECAUSE IT'S A CALLING.

AND I THINK AS WE HEAR THAT MORE TEACHERS ARE STRESSED OUT, THE DEMANDS ON THEM ARE MORE INTENSE.

THAT THEY'RE NOW DEALING WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

ALL OF THAT MAKE ITS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT JOB.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S THIS FEELING THAT LIKE THE INTRINSIC VALUES THAT YOU GET ON BEING A TEACHER, THOSE REWARDS ARE SORT OF DIMINISHING AS WELL.

>> AND WILL WE BEGIN TO SEE INCENTIVES?

IN AN EFFORT TO GET MORE STUDENTS TO GO INTO THE PROFESSION?

>> YEAH.

WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING.

THE TEACHER PREP PROGRAMS AT NEW JERSEY UNIVERSITIES, ALL THE DEANS ARE SORT OF IN CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS TOPIC.

THEY'RE TALKING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ED, ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF INITIATIVES.

WHETHER IT'S MAKING IT EASIER TO PASS SOME OF THE ENTRANCE EXAMS AND WHETHER IT WAS LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE TESTS, WHETHER IT WAS EVEN NECESSARY.

INVITING PEOPLE WHO MAY BE WANT TO GO INTO TEACHING AS A SECOND CAREER BY GIVING THEM MAYBE FUNDING SO THAT THEY CAN RETRAIN AND GET INTO THE FIELD MORE EASILY.

THAT'S AN OPTION.

AND THEN SOME OF THE SCHOOLS ARE EVEN GOING INTO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS JUST TO TELL STUDENTS ABOUT THE CAREER TEACHING AND KIND OF PLANT THAT SEED, THAT THIS IS REALLY A VALUABLE FIELD THAT YOU CAN GO INTO.

AND WHERE THERE ARE TONS OF JOBS.

YOU WILL GET A JOB IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WANT.

>> BREEN, IF WE CONTINUE TO SEE A STEADY STREAM OF TEACHERS RETIRE AND NOT ENOUGH GOING IN, WHAT WILL CLASSES LOOK LIKE?

AND HOW WILL THIS IMPACT KIDS?

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, BECAUSE THERE'S JUST A LOT OF DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.

IS THAT TEACHERS ARE BEING ASKED TO DO A LOT MORE THAN THEY CAN HANDLE.

AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROGRAMS BEING CUT, STUDENTS NOT HAVING ACCESS TO SOME OF THE KIND OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS THAT THEY GET TO DO.

LIKE SPANISH, WITH A SECOND LANGUAGE, OR MUSIC.

YOU MAY ALSO SEE SOME DISTRICTS GETTING A LITTLE MORE CREATIVE, NOW THAT THERE'S TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM.

SOME DISTRICTS ARE LOOKING AT MAYBE HAVING ONE SCIENCE TEACHER, WHO PRERECORDS LECTURES FOR EVERY CLASSROOM.

SO MAYBE LIKE HUMAN INTERACTION.

WHICH COULD BE A BENEFIT.

BUT COULD ALSO BE A DRAWBACK, IN TERMS WHAT HAVE IS BEST FOR THE STUDENTS.

>> WELL, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, WE NEED MORE TEACHERS IN NEW JERSEY, AMBREEN ALI, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH ME AND DISCUSSING THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

>> THANK YOU, RAVEN.

>>> NEW JERSEY COULD BE A MORE AFFORDABLE PLACE TO START A FAMILY, IF IT OFFERED A STATE LEVEL TAX CREDIT.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, NEW JERSEY'S POVERTY RATE REMAINS STUBBORNLY HIGH.

AND MANY MIDDLE INCOME STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THEY PROVIDE TWO THAT THEY SAY WOULD REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY AND HELP MILLIONS OF FAMILIES PAY FOR EVERYDAY EXPENSES.

MEISSA ROSE-COOPER REPORTS.

>> PRICES WENT UP ON A LOT OF THINGS.

EVEN THE BILLS WENT UP.

WE'RE FEELING THAT NOW, THAT THE BILLS WENT UP NOW.

THIS IS POST-PANDEMIC.

BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT EVEN TRYING TO PAY THE BILLS THEN.

>> LOUIS RIVERA IS THANKFUL HE'S BEEN ABLE TO KEEP HIS JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT AS A SINGLE DAD, TAKING CARE OF HIS TWO CHILDREN AND 2- YEAR-OLD NEPHEW, THEPANDEMIC HAS POSED SOME CHALLENGES.

>> I'M LIVING FROM PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST, EXPENSIVE STATES THAT THERE IS.

SO TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH MY RENT, TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE BILLS, TRYING TO FULFILL THE DREAM OF BECOMING A HOMEOWNER.

SO THAT AGAIN, HOPEFULLY MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE THAT SORT OF STABILITY, YOU KNOW.

JUST TRYING TO SHED A LITTLE MORE LIGHT.

ON THE STRUGGLES WE HAVE.

>> GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE CHILD TAX CREDIT WAS A HUGE HELP.

>> I WAS ABLE TO BREATHE A LITTLE MORE.

IT WASN'T A TOSSUP BETWEEN HAVING TWO PAY THE RENT AND HAVING TO PAY THE BILLS.

>> A SIMILAR FROM THOSE WHO BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM.

THAT'S WHY ADVOCATES ARE NOW PROPOSING A STATE LEVEL CHILD TAX CREDIT.

NEW JERSEY RELEASING ITS REPORTS, MAKING NEW JERSEY AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES, OUTLINING TWO PROPOSALS TO HELP KEEPFAMILIES ON THEIR FEET.

>> FIRST IS A YOUNG CHILD TAX CREDIT.

THE REASON IS THAT MUCH OF OUR STATE INVESTMENT IN KIDS COMES IN THE K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF OUR INVESTMENT GOES.

BUT RELATIVELY LITTLE GOES TO INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

SO FOCUSING ON YOUNG CHILD TAX CREDIT, AGES 0 TO 5, ALLOWS FOR FAMILIES.

THE FLIP SIDE IS AN ALL-AGENTS TAX CREDIT.

THIS COVERS KIDS UP TO AGE 18.

PLUS ADULT DEPENDENTS UP TO AGE 24.

THIS IS MORE OF A RECOGNITION OF ALL -- THAT ALL KIDS COST MONEY.

AND THAT PARENTS NEED TO PAY COSTS FOR KIDS, DEEP INTO YOUNG ADULTHOOD.

>> ADVOCATES SAY THE PROPOSED CHILD TAX CREDITS WOULD ALSO PROPOSE RACIAL INEQUALITY.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE BLACK AND HISPANIC MAKE UP DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER.

SO BY ALLOWING THESE FAMILIES TO TAKE PART IN THE TAX CREDIT.

THEY WOULD HELP CLOSE SOME OF THAT INCOME GAP BETWEEN THE WEALTHY AND NONWEALTHY.

>> ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, ONE IN 10 CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST STATES IN THE NATION, 76% OF LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS HAVE A HIGHER INCOME COST BURDEN, THAN OTHER HIGH COST STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK AND MASSACHUSETTS.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE A STATE- LEVEL TAX CREDIT THAT REALLY CAN BE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES, AT LEAST UP TO 250% OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE FAMILIES STRUGGLING, AS I'VE SAID, WHO AREN'T WITHIN THAT FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL STATISTIC, RIGHT?

WHICH IS WOEFULLY LOW, DECADES LATER.

AND YOU KNOW, WE ALSO WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, AGAIN, EXTENDED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE WAY IT WAS EXTENDED AND EXPANDED LAST YEAR.

BECAUSE IT WAS HUGELY HELPFUL, REDUCING POVERTY IN OUR NATION BY ABOUT 40%.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE A BUDGET PLAN IN THE COMING WEEKS.

ADVOCATES ARE HOPING, LAWMAKERS WILL CONSIDER THE STATE LEVEL CHILD TAX CREDIT PROPOSALS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> FOR POVERTY.

CHECK OUT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> MORE EUROPEAN ISSUE STIFFER SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA.

THIS COMES ON GROWING SIGNS THAT RUSSIA IS GROWING CLOSER TO A FULL-SCALE INVASION WITH ITS SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR.

UKRAINE MIGHT BE HALF A WORLD AWAY.

BUT HERE IN THE U.S., AMERICANS COULD BE IMPACTED IF VLADIMIR PUTIN MAKES GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO TAKE OVER UKRAINE.

FOOD AND GAS PRICES ALREADY HIGH DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, COULD SPIKE FURTHER, IF THE CRISIS ESCALATES.

AS RUSSIA IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EXPORTERS OF OIL.

>>> HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THE GOVERNOR CALLING PRESIDENT PUTIN A THUG AND A BAD, BAD DUDE.

WHILE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, ISSUED A STATEMENT FORMALLY RECOGNIZING THE LATEST ASSAULT ON UKRAINE'S SOVEREIGNTY.

AND HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR A STRONG RESPONSE FROM UNITED STATES AND EUROPE.

>> THE REALITY IS, THIS IS AGGRESSION, PURE AND SIMPLE.

UNLESS YOU RESPONSIBILITY DECISIVELY, WITH OVERWHELMING SANCTIONS THAT GO TO HIS REGARDS, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HOLDING THE MONEY FOR HIM.

AND GO TO HIS FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND GO TO HIM PERSONALLY, YOU WILL NOT ACHIEVE THE END OF HIS MARCH ON OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> BIG LOSSES ARE PREDICTED IF A SMOKING BAN IS PUT IN PLACE AT ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY.

RHONDA HALFER JOINS US WITH ALL OF THE RESULTS AND OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA?

>> RAVEN, A NEW REPORT PROVIDING SOME AMMUNITION FOR OPPONENTS OF A POSSIBLE SMOKING BAN IN ATLANTA CITY'S CASINOS.

SPECTRUM GAMING GROUP PREDICTS THE CASINO INDUSTRY WOULD TAKE A FINANCIAL HIT IF A BAN WAS ENACTED.

THE STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED BY SENIOR IN NEW JERSEY.

JOE LUPO IS PRESIDENT OF THAT ASSOCIATION AND THE HARD ROCK IN ATLANTA CITY.

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, OUR WIN PER UNIT AND TABLE GAMES ARE 50% MORE HIGHER THAN NONSMOKING GAMES.

SO INEVITABLY, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS, REVENUE WILL GO DOWN.

JOBS WILL BE CUT.

THOUSANDS OF JOBS WILL BE LOST.

>> THE REPORT PROJECTS UP TO 2500 POSITIONS COULD BE CUT.

AND GAMING REVENUE COULD FALL NEARLY 11%.

LUPO ARGUES IF ENACTED, SOME PATRONS WOULD GO THERE INSTEAD.

>>> CAESAR'S ENTERTAINMENT IS LOOKING TO HIRE HUNDREDS OF OPENINGS AT ITS THREE CASINOS IN ATLANTIC CITY.

THAT'S CAESAR'S, HARRAH'S AND TROPICANA.

THE COMPANY IS HOLDING WHAT IT CALLS A NATIONAL DAY OF HIRING TOMORROW.

LIKE A LOT OF COMPANIES, CAESAR'S HAS STRUGGLED TO FIND LABOR WORKERS IN A TIGHT LABOR MARKET.

CAESAR'S IS IN THE MIDST OF SPENDING MILLIONS TO PROPERTIES AND OPENING RESTAURANTS.

MICHAEL POMPEII, DIRECTOR, SHARED SOME DETAILS.

>> WE HAD ABOUT 750 OPENINGS ACROSS THE THREE ATLANTIC CITY PROPERTIES.

WE'RE HOPING WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 40 OF OUR HIRING MANAGERS, ONE LOCATION TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND DO ON-THE-SPOT JOB OFFERS.

>> POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN TABLE GAMES, HOTEL OPERATIONS SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER AREAS.

CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT, WHICH IS BEING HELD AT THE TROPICANA, FROM 4:00 TO 8:00 P.M. >>> AMAZON IS NOT YET DONE EXPANDING IN NEW JERSEY.

THE COMPANY IS NOW PLANNING A DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN GALLAWAY TOWNSHIP.

DETAILS WERE UNVEILED AT A LOCAL PLANNING BOARD MEETING.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE PRESS ATLANTIC CITY.

THE PROJECT WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO BUILD.

>>> TIME NOW TO CHECK TODAY'S STOCK MARKET TRADING.

I'M ROBIN SHALFER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT, PROVIDED BY BROENING NEW JERSEY.

TRANSFERRING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

♪ >>> COLLEGE JUST GOT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR SOME STUDENTS HERE IN JERSEY.

RUTGERS UNVEILED A NEW FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM EARLIER THIS WEEK, CALLED THE SCARLET GUARANTEE.

THE PROGRAM WILL LAUNCH IN FALL OF 2022.

AND WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FIRST-AND AND SECOND-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, BASED ON ONE FAMILY'S GROSS INCOME.

PROMISING FREE TUITION FOR OPPORTUNITY STUDENTS WHO EARN LESS THAN 25,000 A YEAR.

AND PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WHO MAKE LES THAN $100,000.

TO PARTICIPATE, YOU MUST ENROLL IN 12 CREDITS PER SEMESTER AND WORK TOWARDS YOUR FIRST BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

YOU WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO MEET THE RUTGERS ACADEMIC STANDARDS PROCESS.

AND AS WE KNOW, NOTHING IS EVER FREE-FREE.

WHEN APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM, IT INCLUDES MANDATORY FEES, BEGINNING WITH YOUR FIRST SEMESTER.

REGARDLESS, A HUGE HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT WITH CHAT BLOCKS WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, DAVID DEALS WITH THE CHALLENGES IN THE COURTROOM, FROM STAFFING SHORTAGES AND REACTION TO THE GUIDELINES.

THAT'S ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

AND BY THE PSCG FOUNDATION.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, INVESTING IN PARTS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

♪ ♪