FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED 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 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.

>> THE MASKS ARE COMING OFF.

GOVERNORS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE FILING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S LEAD ENDING MASK MANDATES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN COMING WEEKS, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, AND OREGON ALL LED BY DEMOCRATS JOINED THE EFFORT YESTERDAY.

OTHER STATES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS ARE HANGING UP THE MASKS ONCE DISTRICTS HIT AN 80% VACCINATION RATE.

SEVERAL TOWNS WITHIN THE STATE ARE ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO DROP THEIR MASKS.

HOBOKEN'S INDOOR MASK MANDATE WILL END TOMORROW.

PRINCETON TOWNSHIP DROPPED THEIRS AT THE END OF JANUARY.

MORRIS TOWN TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT.

BUT SOME ARE EXTENDING THE MASK REQUIREMENTS LIKE MONTCLAIR AND NEWARK THAT WILL KEEP PUBLIC FACE COVERINGS UNTIL MARCH.

AS CASES CONTINUE TO TREND DOWNWARD WITH 1400 CASES REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

AND 108 NEW DEATHS.

WITH THE RELAXED GUIDANCE COMES NEW BURDENS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS WHO ARE FORCED TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ALSO REFLECT THE CONCERNS OF THEIR DISTRICT.

OUR SUPERINTENDENTS READY TO PULL BACK THE MASKS JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA PLAN BEGAN TALKED TO A FEW ABOUT THEIR PLANS.

>> WE'LL BE MONITORING OUR NUMBERS.

MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT MAKE SENSE BASED ON THOSE NUMBERS.

>> A NEWARK SUPERINTENDENT ROGER LEON SAYS JERSEY'S LARGEST DISTRICT WILL WAIT SEVEN WEEKS BEFORE IT DECIDE WHRS TO RELAX MASK MANDATES.

EVEN THOUGH GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED THE STATE MANDATE WILL END MARCH 7th.

BUT LEON WANTS TO SEE FEWER INFECTIONS AND MORE VACCINATIONS AMONGST HIS 37,000 STUDENTS.

ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID INFECTIONS STOPPED 125 KIDS A DAY A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

>> WE'RE STARTING TO COME OFF THAT VERY SCARY WEEK OF THE CHRISTMAS BREAK.

WE'RE JUST BEING A LITTLE CAUTIOUS RIGHT NOW.

KNOWING THAT SPRING BREAK IS COMING.

AND THERE MAY BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TRAVEL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MONITORING WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE.

PROBABLY THE WEEK THERE AFTER.

WE'D PROBABLY MAKE THE FINAL CALL.

>>> NEWARK COUNTED TEN COVID CASES AMONGST STUDENTS AND STAFF YESTERDAY.

VACCINATION RATES HERE MIRROR THE STATES.

76% AMONG OLDER KIDS MUCH LOWER FOR YOUNGER ONES.

THE OMICRON WAVE IS EBING BUT COVID HIT NEWARK HARD AND RAVAGED THE COMMUNITIES HERE.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL INDOOR PUBLIC FACILITIES UNTIL MARCH 4th .

THEY'LL DECIDE WHETHER TO DROP MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOLS.

>> IT DOES NOT OCCUR LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH.

WE CAN'T JUST SAY BY THE WAY, EVERYONE REMOVE YOUR MASKS TOMORROW.

>> MIDDLE TOWN WILL BE MAKING MASKS OPTIONAL AS SOON AS WE'RE LEGALLY ABLE TO.

>> MIDDLE TOWN SCHOOL BOARD FOUGHT THE MASK MANDATE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THEY GREETED THE MARCH 7th END DATE WITH UTTER EXASPERATION.

>> WE'RE GETTING PRESSURE FROM PARENTS TO REMOVE THE MASK IMMEDIATELY AND NOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

THEY'RE IN FEAR OF WHAT MORE PERMANENT DAMAGE AND LOSING ANOTHER MONTH OF EVEN JUST NOT SEEING THEIR TEACHER'S FACES.

>> IT'S AN ARBITRARY DATE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

DOES COVID GO AWAY AT THAT POINT?

DO WE HAVE A BETTER NUMBERS THAN WE DO TODAY?

IT MAKES NO SENSE REALLY.

>> BOARD PRESIDENT FRANK CAPONE.

SAYS FIVE OR SIX STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE DAILY.

DOWN FROM 35 TO 40 DURING THE OMICRON SURGE.

NUMBERS VARY EVERYWHERE.

BUT THE COVID MAP IS SOLID ORANGE.

MEANING POSITIVITY RATES REMAIN HIGH ACROSS THE STATE.

UNTIL IT'S GREEN AND LOW IN UNION COUNTIES PLAIN FIELD SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE THE MASK MANDATE.

BUT MOST OF NEW JERSEY'S 600 DISTRICTS WILL MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL SAYS JERSEY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR'S ASSOCIATION.

>> I'D SAY CLOSE TO 90%.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THE STATE ARE GENERALLY VERY GOOD.

SO MANY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN IN ATTENDANCE AND HAVING SUCCESS, LOW TRANSMISSION RATES.

LOW INFECTION RATES.

IT'S SO POLITICIZED.

THERE ARE PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE SPECTRUM.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S CHILDREN.

IT INVOKES DIFFERENT EMOTION.

THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING THE DECISION MAKES IT EASIER ON US.

>> ROBERT SAYS HIS DISTRICT WILL DEFINITELY RELAX THE MANDATE, MAKING MASKS OPTIONAL.

BUT HE BELIEVES SUPPORT FROM THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WILL HELP MAKE THE CASE.

AND MOUNT OLIVE'S VENTILATION SYSTEM IS TOPNOTCH.

>> WE HAVE MERV 13 FILTRATION.

WE HAVE A HIGHLY VACCINATED POPULATION IN SCHOOLS.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE.

OUR PIZZA PARLORS, OUR GYMS, EVERYTHING IS OPEN.

AND THE KIDS ARE NOT MASKED.

EVERY OTHER SECOND OF DAY.

>> WE WILL HAVE A MIXED GROUP OF STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO MAY WANT TO KEEP THE MASK.

AND OTHERS WHO WILL BE, A FEW THAT WILL BE DEFIANT ABOUT WEARING A MASK.

>> IER PSI CITY'S ACTING SUPERINTENDENT SAYS SHE WANTS STAFF AND PARENT FEEDBACK AND GUIDANCE FROM JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

ABOUT NEW QUARANTINE REGULATIONS, CONTACT TRACING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>>> IN CLEAR LANGUAGE, BECAUSE THERE'S A CONFUSION BETWEEN WHAT THE CDC PUTS OUT AND WHAT THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUTS OUT.

>> MARCH 7 SOUTHWEST JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

7th IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND SHE'S EAGER.

>> IT'S NICE TO SEE THE SMILE ON CHILDREN'S FACE.

>> CRIMES COMMITTED WHEN AN OFFENDER WAS A JUVENILE COULD STILL LAND THE PERSON A LIFE SENTENCE AS AN ADULT.

THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT RULED THAT JUVENILE OFFENSES COULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE THREE STRIKES LAW PASSED IN 1995 THAT REQUIRE AS LIFE SENTENCE AFTER A THIRD O OFFENSE OF A VIOLENT CRIME.

EVEN IF THE OFFENSES WERE BEFORE THE AGE OF 15.

THE COURT JUSTICES WERE SPLIT ON THE DECISION WITH THE DISSENT STATING THE RULES IS QUOTE AT ODDS WITH THE EVOLVING STANDARDS OF DECENCY, THE MAJORITY OPINION WRITTEN BY JUSTICE LEE SOLOMON SAYS MANY STATES HAVE A SIMILAR STATUTE AND THAT IT SUPPORTS NEW JERSEY'S QUOTE OBJECTIVE OF INCAPACITATING RECIDIVIST OFFENDERS WHO POSE A PARTICULAR DANGER TO SOCIETY.

FIVE YEARS AGO, NEW JERSEY ENACTED A LAW THAT ESSENTIALLY DID AWAY WITH CASH BAIL.

ONLY KEEPING THOSE ACCUSED OF A CRIME IN JAIL IF THEY WERE DEEMED A THREAT.

BUT A RECENT UPTICK IN GUN VIOLENCE HAS A GROUP OF MAYORS AND LAWMAKERS RECONSIDERING THE LAW.

THE ELECTED LEADERS GATHERED IN PATTERSON TODAY TO CALL FOR REFORM THAT WOULD KEEP PEOPLE ARRESTED ON GUN CHARGES BEHIND BARS WHILE THEY AWAIT COURT DATES.

HOW COULD THE CHANGE IMPACT EFFORTS TO REMOVE RACIAL BIAS FROM THE SYSTEM?

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> LAST YEAR WE HAD A 75-YEAR- OLD WOMAN PICKING UP HER MEDICATION FROM A PHARMACY, DIDN'T REALIZE SHE WAS SHOT UNTIL SHE GOT BACK TO HER SENIOR RESIDENCE AND A WOMAN SAYS SHE HAD BLOOD IN HER HAIR.

>> LIKE ALMOST EVERY CITY IN AMERICA, PATTERSON HAS SEEN AN UPTICK IN VIOLENT CRIME AND HOMICIDES.

THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES HERE HAS BROKEN RECORDS TWO YEARS RUNNING.

GUNS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR.

IN THE HANDS OFFICIALS CLAIM OF SUSPECTS WHO ARE NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY HELD ON BAIL SINCE BAIL WAS ELIMINATED BACK IN 2017 FOR MOST NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.

TODAY, MAYORS OF NEWARK WERE CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO GET BEHIND SENATE BILL 503.

WHICH WOULD KEEP SUSPECTS ACCUSED OF USING A FIREARM IN A CRIME IN JAIL UNTIL THEIR TRIAL.

>> WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT PEOPLE WITH GUNS IN THE STREET THAT ARE COMMITTING CRIMES.

THAT ARE COMMITTING VIOLENT CRIMES AND GOING BACK TO THE STREET WEEKS LATER.

WE HAVE PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR GUN CRIMES THAT COME OUT AND BECOME A VICTIM OF A GUN CRIME.

>> BARACA AND OTHERS HERE TODAY PROVIDED SOME EVIDENCE THAT THOSE ARRESTED FOR GUN VIOLENCE WILL COMMIT A GUN CRIME WHILE OUT AND AWAITING TRIAL.

BUT ADMITTED THAT STATISTICS ARE STILL BEING COMPILED.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSOR SAYS THE MAYOR'S REACTIONS ARE UNDERSTANDABLE BUT NOT PRUDENT.

>> IN NEW JERSEY, THE PRESENCE OF GUNS IN CRIME INSTANCES WILL HAVE HEAVY RACIAL BIAS.

AND SO ONE OF THE GREAT BENEFITS OF THE REFORM IN NEW JERSEY WAS TO REDUCE THE BIAS IN HOLDING PEOPLE PRIOR TO TRIAL AND MOVING THIS BACK REALLY HAS THE RISK OF EXACERBATING THAT BIAS.

IN NEW JERSEY, IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

NEW JERSEY IS THE STRONGEST RACIAL BIAS OF MANY STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T PUT INTO PLACE POLICIES THAT WE WILL HAVE TROUBLE DISMANTLING.

>> IT'S NOT STATISTICS.

IT'S FACES.

THE MAYOR MENTIONED FACES.

OF KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

OF THE ELDERLY.

OF THE COMMON FOLK.

IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DIRECTLY.

DON'T PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> MANY EXPERTS BLAME THE PANDEMIC FOR THE SURGE IN VIOLENCE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THIS TOO SHALL PASS THEY SUGGEST.

WARNING THAT TIEING UP THE LOOSE ENDS OF THE BAIL REFORM BILL COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO ITS UNRAVELING.

THE BILL HAS BEEN SENT TO COMMITTEES IN BOTH HOUSES.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE TURNPIKE AND THE PARKWAY, THOSE ARE THE NAMES GIVEN TO THE TWO LEGISLATIVE MAPS PROPOSED BY EACH PARTY IN THE STATE'S REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

POSTED ON THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT WEBSITE MONDAY AFTERNOON.

AND THEY OFFER A RARE GLIMPSE INTO THE THINKING BEHIND DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT POWER TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PARTIES.

THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THE MAPS DIRECTLY.

WHICH ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR.

JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT WHAT EACH MAP COULD MEAN FOR THE POLITICAL POWER IN THE STATE IS SENIOR WRITER, COLLEEN O'DAY.

>> COLLEEN, FOR STARTERS, WE HAVE TWO MAPS RELEASED ALL READY.

WHICH IS IN ITSELF A MAJOR SHIFT IN TERMS OF HOW THE MAPS HAVE BEEN REDRAWN IN THE PAST.

EXPLAIN WHAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE PROCESS THIS TIME.

>> I MEANS THIS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR CERTAINLY THIS YEAR.

BUT YOU KNOW, A DECADE AGO AS WELL.

OTHER STATES ARE DOING IT.

SO YOU KNOW THE WAY OUR PROCESS WORKS IS TYPICALLY THAT DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE CREATE A MAP, THE REPUBLICANS CREATE A MAP, AND THEN THE TIE BREAKING MEMBER CHOOSES FROM ONE OF THOSE AND NOBODY GETS TO SEE THOSE MAPS UNTIL THE DAY OF THE VOTE.

IT'S A WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

BUT THIS TIME, PHILLIP, FORMER JUDGE, WHO WAS THE TIE BREAKER, SAID NO, WE'RE GOING TO PUT THESE MAPS UP.

AND HE GOT AGREEMENT FROM BOTH SIDES.

SO WE HAVE TWO MAPS, ONE IS A DEMOCRATIC MAP.

ONE IS A REPUBLICAN MAP.

NOW THEY'RE NOT CALLED THAT.

ONE IS CALLED PARKWAY.

THE OTHER IS CALLED TURNPIKE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THEM IN DETAIL, IT'S CLEAR WHICH ONE IS FROM WHICH SIDE.

SO THIS WAY, THE PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

AND TOMORROW, THERE'S GOING TO BE THE FINAL MEETING OF THIS COMMISSION AT 6:00 AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO WEIGH IN AND SAY HEY, YOU KNOW, WE LIKE THIS PART OR WE DON'T LIKE THIS PART OF WHICHEVER.

>> SO LET'S DIVE DEEP A BIT.

WHAT DO WE SEE IN TERMS OF THE CHANGES, CAN YOU TELL FIRST WHICH ONE IS WHICH MAP, THE PARKWAY OR THE TURNPIKE, WHICH PARTY THEY BELONG TO.

AND WHERE ARE YOU SEEING THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN TERMS OF THE LINES BEING REDRAWN?

>> WELL, SO IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE THE PARKWAY MAP IS THE REPUBLICAN MAP.

THE TURNPIKE MAP IS THE DEMOCRATIC MAP.

THE PARKWAY MAP WOULD CREATE DISTRICTS -- 24 DISTRICTS WITH A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.

SO IT WOULD CREATE 24 DISTRICTS THAT ARE DEMOCRATIC LEANING.

TEN REPUBLICAN LEANING.

AND THE REST SPLIT.

THE PARKWAY MAP WOULD TRY TO MAKE INROADS INTO DEMOCRATIC DISTRICTS.

ONE IS THE 16th.

WHICH USED TO BE SPLIT.

BUT JUST TURNED DEMOCRATIC IN THE LAST ELECTION.

IT'S BASED IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

ANDREW IS NOW THE SENATOR.

AND THE OTHER IS THE 14th.

WHICH HAD BEEN ONE OF THOSE CONTESTED DISTRICTS.

BUT MORE RECENTLY HAD JUST PRETTY EASILY GONE DEMOCRATIC.

THAT'S BASED IN HAMILTON.

OR DOWN IN MERCER COUNTY.

THE TURNPIKE MAP WOULD HAVE 28 DISTRICTS WITH DEMOCRATIC LEANINGS.

SO THAT'S CERTAINLY MORE DEMOCRATIC.

JUST TWO SPLIT DISTRICTS AGAIN TEN WITH THE REPUBLICANS -- REPUBLICANS HAVING AN EDGE IN TERMS OF REGISTRATION OR VOTING.

AND THEY SEEM TO BE LOOKING TOWARDS TRYING TO REGAIN SOME OF WHAT THEY LOST IN SOUTH JERSEY LAST YEAR.

SO KIND OF BOOSTING THE SECOND DISTRICT WHICH IS BASED IN ATLANTIC CITY.

AND THE EIGHTH DISTRICT, DISTRICT IN BURLINGTON COUNTY, WHICH WOULD BECOME CLEARLY A LOT MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN IT IS NOW.

>> SO COLLEEN, IF THE PARKWAY MAP WERE SELECTED, WOULD IT SHIFT THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE STATE WHICH RIGHT NOW IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS ?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE A REALLY HARD THING TO DO.

YOU'D HAVE TO GET A LOT OF REPUBLICANS GOING OUT TO VOTE.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE JUST GOT SO MANY MORE, A MILLION MORE DEMOCRATS REGISTERED THAN REPUBLICANS.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO MAKE A MAP THAT WOULD GIVE REPUBLICANS DOMINATION OF ONE OR BOTH HOUSES.

SO THAT'S NOT -- IT DOESN'T CERTAINLY LOOK LIKE THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

BUT IT COULD CHIP AWAY AT THE DEMOCRATS MAJORITIES IN BOTH HOUSES AND IN THE SENATE, MAKE AT VERY CLOSE.

>> OF COURSE WE'LL BE WATCHING TOMORROW TO SEE PUBLIC INPUT AND SEE WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING.

COLLEEN O'DAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU JOANNA.

TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST CITIES WERE TAGGED TO BE PART OF OPERATION OVER DRIVE.

A FEDERAL PROGRAM TO COMBAT DRUG RELATED VIOLENT CRIMES AND DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN AMERICA.

NEWARK AND CAMDEN ARE AMONG THE 34 CITIES CHOSE BEENTY DEA.

THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION WHICH IS RUNNING THE OPERATION.

THE TWO CITIES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE COMMUNITIES WHERE CRIMINAL DRUG NETWORKS ARE CAUSING THE MOST HARM.

THAT HARM OFTEN INCLUDES CRIMINAL DRUG NETWORKS ENGAGING IN GUN VIOLENCE AND SELLING FENTANYL OR METH AMPHETAMINE.

PHYT OFFICIALS WILL WORK WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DISMANTLE THE NETWORKS.

WELCOME NEWS TO LAWMAKERS IN NEWARK AND CAMDEN WHO SITED A RISE IN DRUG VIOLENCE THIS PAST YEAR.

BUT THE DRUG OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC ISN'T ONLY FUELED BY CRIMINAL NETWORKS.

MANY BECAME ADDICTED TO OPIOID PAINKILLERS PRESCRIBED BY THEIR DOCTOR.

NOW DRUG COMPANIES ARE PAYING FOR THE ROLE IN FUELING THE CRISIS.

AND NEW JERSEY SET TO RECEIVE $640 MILLION FROM A COURT SETTLEMENT WITH NEW JERSEY BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY JOHNSON AND JOHNSON.

AND THREE PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTORS.

THE COURT FOUND THEY ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN THE COUNTRY.

WHERE WILL THAT MONEY GO?

A BILL HAS BEEN ADVANCED THAT WILL ENSURE THOSE DOLLARS GO DIRECTLY TO ADDICTION SERVICES.

SENATOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

EXPLAIN HOW THE FUNDS WOULD BE USED AS LAID OUT IN THE BILL.

>> WELL, THE PROPOSAL ADDRESSES THE RESOURCES THAT WILL COME FROM THE SETTLEMENT, NATIONAL SETTLEMENT FROM OPIATE MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS.

AND THE MONEY WILL BE USED FOR PROGRAMS TO COMBAT THE SCOURGE OF OPIATE ABUSE HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

SO IT WILL BE SET UP FOR PROGRAMS TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED BY THIS EVIL DISEASE.

AS WELL AS LOOKING FORWARD TO TRY TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ET CETERA THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HAVE A FULLER RECOVERY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY OPIATE ABUSE.

>> WHAT DO SOME OF THOSE SERVICES INCLUDE?

>> WELL, THERE'S A WHOLE LARGE LIST OF THINGS.

ONE IS SERVICES PROVIDED TO FOLKS WHO ARE IN TREATMENT.

MAKING SURE THEY GET THE TREATMENT THEY NEED.

AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THAT SOME ASPECTS OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY WILL HAVE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH DRUG ADDICTION.

AND MOVING FORWARD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE NECESSARY TREATMENT CENTERS TO HELP ASSIST NEW PROGRAMS AND TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ALLOW FOLKS TO COMBAT AND MOVE BEYOND THEIR ADDICTION.

>> THAT INCLUDES PROVIDING NARCAN AND OTHER MEDICATIONS ?

>> YEAH.

THAT IS A COMPONENT OF IT.

BUT THERE'S A LARGER LIST OF THINGS.

BUT THAT'S A COMPONENT OF IT AS WELL.

>> SO ALL 21 COUNTIES.

SEVERAL MUNICIPALITIES AND THE STATE HAVE SIGNED ON TO THIS SETTLEMENT.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

AND WHO WILL GET WHAT PORTION OF IT?

THE MONEY WILL BE PUT IN A FUND.

BUT THE SORT OF ENTITY THAT WILL BE REVIEWING, DETERMINING WHERE THE MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED WILL BE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WHICH.

WILL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE PROGRAMS ARE VETTED AND THE RESOURCES ARE DISSEMINATED TO THE OVER ARCHING GOAL WHICH IS TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS BATTLING ADDICTION.

>> WILL IT BE BASED ON NEED, IN OTHER WORDS, IF THERE'S A COUNTY THAT SEEMS TO HAVE A GREATER NEED, GREATER RATES OF OPIOID ADDICTION.

WILL MORE MONIES BE DEDICATED TO PROGRAMS IN THOSE REGIONS ?

>> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO OVERLY PRESCRIBE HOW THAT WILL BE.

BUT THAT WILL BE A STRONG CONSIDERATION.

THESE RESOURCES SHOULD GO WHERE THE GREATEST NEED IS AT IN OUR STATE.

REGARDLESS OF JURISDICTIONAL LINES.

AND GEOGRAPHICAL LINES BUSM I DON'T WANT TO PREJUDGE HOW THE PROGRAM WILL BE SET UP.

>> WHERE DOES THE BILL STAND NOW?

DO YOU BELIEVE IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT?

>> I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT THE BILL HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE WERE ABLE TO ADVANCE THE BILL DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HAVE IT REACH TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THAT AND MADE SOME CHANGES.

WE RAN OUT OF TIME IF GETTING THOSE CHANGES DONE.

BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE CONCLUDED IN THE LAST SESSION.

BUT I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE CYCLE WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHANGES FROM THE GOVERNOR?

>> THE GOVERNOR OUTLINES SOME MECHANICS OF HOW THE PROGRAM WOULD WORK.

SOMETHING SUBSTANTIVE TO THE MISSION OR DIRECTION OF THE BILL.

BUT WE RAN OUT OF TIME BEING ABLE TO GET THOSE DONE IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THE MONEYS THAT ARE COMING T $461 MILLION, HOW MUCH WILL THAT MEET THE NEED THAT WE HAVE IN NEW JERSEY?

>> THE NEED IS GREATER THAN THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.

THAT IS A SAD REALITY THAT WE KNOW.

BUT IT'S OUR GOAL TO USE THESE RESOURCES TO EFFECTIVELY HELP THOSE, AGAIN WHO, ARE IN THE SCOURGE OF ADDICTION AND HELP PREVENT THOSE FROM FALLING DOWN THE SAME PATH THAT OTHERS HAVE GONE.

BUT REST ASSURED, THIS IS WORK THAT WILL BE ONGOING.

THE RESOURCES ARE WELCOME.

MORE WILL BE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY ERADICATE THIS DISEASE.

>> IMPORTANT WORK INDEED.

SENATOR TROY SINGLETON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> AMTRAK HAS BEEN GEARING UP FOR THE NEW GATEWAY PROJECT.

BUT A NEW REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHOWS THAT THE RAILROAD COMPANY HASN'T PUT ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO PROPERLY MANAGE ITS COMMITMENTS.

NEW STANDARDS REQUIRE THAT PROJECTS LIKE THIS DETAIL HOW THE COMPANY WILL MANAGE, MONITOR, AND CONTROL THE VARIOUS STAGES OF WORK.

BUT AMTRAK HAS ONLY PROVIDED GENERIC PLANS.

WITHOUT A DETAILED ROAD MAP, THE GATEWAY PROJECT COULD BE RIDDLED WITH MAJOR INEFFICIENCIES AND DELAYS WHICH TRANSLATES INTO WASTED MONEY.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RECOMMENDS THE COMPANY MAKE SEVERAL CHANGES BEFORE THE PROJECT BEGINS.

INCLUDING A STRONGER RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROJECT AND ITS PARTNERS.

ALONG WITH A PLAN FOR DETAILED REPORTING OF PROGRESS ALONG THE WAY.

AND ADDING A CLEAR PLAN FOR EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEIR PART IN BUILDING THE GATEWAY PROJECT WILL COST.

SOME FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO THOUGHT THEY'D HAVE TO PAY BACK THE FEDS AFTER GETTING TOO MUCH PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT AID.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON WHY SOME WON'T HAVE TO PAY IT ALL BACK.

RHONDA, WHAT HAPPENED EAR?

>> JOANNA, WHEN THE PANDEMIC THREW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYIANS OUT OF WORK, THEY WERE FACED WITH FRUSTRATIONS AND CONFUSION OVER APPLYING FOR EXTENDED FEDERAL PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ENDED UP RECEIVING BENEFITS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE.

AND HAVE SINCE RECEIVED LETTERS ASKING THEM TO RETURN THE OVER PAYMENTS.

BUT, UNDER NEW GUIDANCE FROM THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY THAT MONEY BACK.

STATES ARE NOW ALLOWED TO WAVE OVER PAYMENTS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

STATE LABOR COMMISSIONER ROBERT CALLED THIS GREAT NEWS FOR NEW JERSEYIANS WHO RECEIVED BENEFITS THINKING THEY WERE ENTITLED TO THEM ONLY TO FIND OUT FEDERAL GUIDANCE HAD CHANGED AND THAT THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE.

NOW THIS NEW GUIDANCE COULD BENEFIT AS MANY AS 250,000 PEOPLE IN OUR STATE.

THE STATE WILL NOTIFY CLAIMANTS ELIGIBLE FOR WAIVERS OF OVER PAYMENT AND THE AVERAGE OVER PAYMENT WAS ABOUT $4400 ACCORDING TO THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

NEW JERSEY'S NEWLY AMENDED PILOT LAW WHICH IMPACTS THRAINTD CITY CASINOS IS THE SUBJECT OF A LEGAL CHALLENGE.

A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE IN ATLANTIC CITY SAID HE WILL ISSUE A DECISION IN A FEW WEEKS ON WHETHER HE WILL STOP THE NEW CASINO PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TEXAS LAW FROM GOING INTO EFFECT UNTIL A LEGAL CHALLENGE FROM ATLANTIC COUNTY IS FINISHED THE JUDGE HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS ON THE COUNTY'S REQUEST TODAY ACCORDING TO PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY.

THE AMENDED PILOT LAW WHICH PASSED LATE LAST YEAR REMOVED SPORTS AND INTERNET GAMING FROM CALCULATIONS OF GROSS GAMING REVENUE.

THE COUNTY ARGUES THAT CHANGE VIOLATES A CONSENT ORDER FROM A PREVIOUS LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT AND IT WOULD PROVIDE IT WITH REDUCED PAYMENTS.

IN WASHINGTON DC, SEVERAL U.S.

SENATORS RENEWED THEIR CALL FOR CONGRESS TO EXTEND THE EXPANDED CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT.

THAT TAX CREDIT WAS EXPANDED DURING THE PANDEMIC MAKING MILLIONS OF ADDITIONAL FAMILIES ELIGIBLE.

SUPPORTERS POINT TO DATA THAT SHOW THE PROGRAM CUT CHILD POVERTY.

NEW JERSEY U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER SAYS THE INVESTMENT IS WORTH IT.

>> ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES THAT'S LYING BEFORE US, THE OBVIOUS ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS THE COST OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

AND TO ME, IT'S THE WORST OF WASHINGTON MATH.

THAT WE SOMEHOW ARE LOOKING AT THE COST OF THIS PLAN AND NOT LOOKING AT THE BENEFITS.

NOT ONLY THE CLEAR NET BENEFIT, EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND IN GETTING A CHILD ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE BRINGS BACK 7.

BUT REALLY THE COST OF NOT RENEWING THIS.

AND NOT MAKING IT A PERMANENT PLAN.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

AND CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH ALL THE LATEST IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.

TO DREAM.

TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA.

AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJE MEMBER.

ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS.

EDUCATIONAL.

SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.