FUNDING FOR AN SPOTLIGHT IS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF -- RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND 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 BREANNA BUT KNOW.

>> I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

IN FOR BREANNA.

MANY NEW YORKERS ARE CELEBRATING.

SEVERAL OTHER BLUE STATES MADE SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK, INCLUDING MOST RECENTLY IN CALIFORNIA.

BUT EVEN AS STUDENTS PREPARE TO DITCH THE MASKS, THE CDC SAYS THAT ITS GUIDANCE IS NOT CHANGED THAT THEY CONTINUE TO ENDORSE MASKING HIGH SCHOOLS.

NEW YORK IS NOT READY TO BREAK FROM THAT GUIDANCE, ALTHOUGH TODAY, THE GOVERNOR SAID YOU HAVE TO BASK OR MASK.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THE NUMBERS WERE SLIGHTLY UP.

784 NEW CASES REPORTED IN 102 DEATHS.

NEARLY 6.7 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE PRIMARY COMPLETED THEIR PRIMARY VACCINATION SERIES.

ABOUT 2.9 MILLION HAS BEEN BOOSTED.

THOSE VACCINATION NUMBERS WERE ONE OF THE METRICS BEHIND DROPPING THE MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE CENTERS.

SOMEHOW, HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THE CASELOADS ARE STILL TOO HIGH ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE LOW VACCINATION RATES AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

JUMP THE GUN WHEN THEY DECIDE TO -- MURPHY SAID NEXT SUNDAY, LEAVING THE DECISION TO LOCAL DISTRICTS DESPITE THE CDC WARNING, STUDENTS SHOULD SO MASK UP IN CLASS.

THE CDC HAS NOT CHANGED ITS MIND.

>> WE CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND UNIVERSAL MASKING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND SO, OUR GUIDANCE HAS NOT CHANGED.

>> WHAT DID CHANGE?

GOVERNOR MURPHY EXPLAINED OMICRON PEAKED EARLY IN NEW JERSEY AND CASELOADS ARE NOW FALLING HERE WITH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" DOING A REPORT.

ALSO INVOLVING A LOOSELY COORDINATED EFFORT.

THAT'S THE RESULT OF METHOD PLANNING, BACK CHANNEL POLITICAL FOCUS GROUPS.

THAT BEGAN IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

I MURPHY OFFICIAL CONFIRMED THAT THE DISPUTED THE DETERMINED ANNOUNCEMENTS TIMING.

AND MURPHY INSISTED SUNDAY, POLITICS HAD NOTHING TO DO IT WITH IT.

>> ZERO.

WE ARE INFLUENCED TITHER REALITY IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

OBVIOUSLY, WE DID THINK, THAT IF THERE WERE BEST PRACTICES ELSEWHERE, OBVIOUSLY, THE FEDS MATTER TO US GREATLY.

BUT THIS IS BEING DONE BECAUSE THE COLLECTIVE WE BELIEVE HAS THE RIGHT RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

EVERYTHING UP TO THIS POINT HAS BEEN POLITICAL SCIENCE.

AND THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF A PUBLIC THAT IS JUST WORN- OUT.

>> WRITERS LIKE -- SAY THE ANTI- MASK AND IN TIEBACKS MOVEMENT CERTAINLY CONSIDER THE POLITICAL DAMAGE THEY CAN INFLICT AND THAT DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING MURPHY COULD NOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THE CONSEQUENCES AS MIDTERM ELECTIONS LOOM.

>> HE JUST UNLEASHED THE FLOOD DAMS HERE.

IT'S THAT YOU IMMEDIATELY SAW CALIFORNIA FOLLOW, CONNECTICUT FOLLOW.

DELAWARE, OREGON, BOSTON.

SO, GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS THE FIRST TO STEP OUT OFF THE CLIFF, BUT HE CERTAINLY WAS NOT OUT ON HIS OWN FOR VERY LONG.

HE CERTAINLY LED THE WAY.

LED THE NATION HERE, REALLY.

>> I UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVERNOR IS DOING IT.

IT WILL AND HIM POINTS WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN HIS GUEST SUPPORTERS IN THE PAST.

>> BUT PARENTS LIKE LAUREN ANDERSON WHO SUPPORT THE MASK MANDATE SAY IT LEAVES SOME PARENTS GRASPING FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION.

SILVEIRA AGREES.

>> I THINK THERE IS SO MUCH MISTRUST IN DISTRESS, WHETHER THAT IS TOWARDS THE GOVERNOR, TOWARDS THE CDC.

>> SHE ACKNOWLEDGES AN UNFORTUNATE EROSION OF TRUST IN PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY.

>> THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT COVID BUT UNFORTUNATELY HAS NOT BECOME POLITICAL.

UNFORTUNATE, I THINK WE WILL SEE A SPIKE IN CASES, PARTICULARLY AMONG CHILDREN.

FOLLOWING BE TAKING AWAY AT THIS MASK MANDATE.

>> THE GOVERNORS ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGED MANDATES CAN BE REIMPOSED IF NECESSARY.

BUT WITH POLLS SHOWING THAT 7 OUT OF 10 AMERICANS ARE READY TO MOVE ON FROM COVID, THAT SEEMS UNLIKELY.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS ONLY SENT TWO PRESIDENTS TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

GROVER CLEVELAND, WHO SERVED TWO NONCONSECUTIVE TERMS IN THE LATE 1800s IN WOODROW WILSON WHO SERVED GOVERNOR HERE IN 1912.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TRIED, INCLUDING MORE RECENTLY, FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE, NUS SENATOR CORY BOOKER, AND NOW, THERE ARE RUMBLINGS THAT PERHAPS GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS PUTTING THE CHESS PIECES IN PLACE FOR HIS OWN PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, HE LAUNCHED A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, AND DROPPED THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN COVID GUIDANCE GET TO A NATIONAL NEWS PAPER LANDING HIM IN SEVERAL NATIONAL NEWS NETWORKS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVE KRUSE LOOKS AT WHAT THESE SIGNALS COULD MEAN.

>> SOMEBODY GIVE ME A BIT OF ADVICE ONCE AND THEY SAID BILL, JUST REMEMBER, THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE.

THOSE WHO CAN COUNT, AND THOSE WHO CAN'T.

>> RECENT HISTORY OF JERSEY BOYS SEEKING HIGHER OFFICE HAS NOT BEEN GOOD.

FORMER -- BILL BRADLEY STAYED IN THROUGH 20 PRIMARIES AND CAUCUSES IN 2000.

HE DID NOT WIN ONE.

>> I HAVE DECIDED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE DEMOCRATIC RACE FOR PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: ALMOST A GENERATION LATER, ANOTHER JERSEY BOY STEPPED UP TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> THANK YOU, NEW JERSEY.

THANK YOU.

MIKE HE TOO LEFT THE RACE WITHOUT WINNING ONE CONTEST.

>> I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE ONE PERSON THAT HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON DO NOT WANT TO SEE ON THAT STAGE COME NEXT SEPTEMBER IS DONALD TRUMP.

FOUR YEARS LATER, THE LAST JERSEY GUY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHED HIS EFFORT.

HE TOO FAILED TO WIN A PRIMARY CONTEST, QUITTING BEFORE THE IOWA CAUCUSES.

DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES PERHAPS, BUT SAME RESULTS.

NOW, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY JUST WEEKS INTO HIS SECOND TERM HAS ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF STRONGER, FAIRER, FORWARD.

TWO GROUPS, ONE THAT WILL ADVOCATE FOR ISSUES AND ANOTHER THAT WILL RAISE MONEY FOR LIKE- MINDED CANDIDATES.

BOTH PRECURSORS, MANY OBSERVERS FEEL TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> ZERO INTEREST.

WON'T HAVE IT.

WON'T HAPPEN.

>> THE GOVERNORS REPEATED DENIALS ARE BEING MET WITH TYPICAL JERSEY SKEPTICISM.

RECORD COLUMNIST CHARLES STILE WROTE ABOUT THE MURPHY FOR PRESIDENT CHATTER THIS WEEK.

>> IT'S HARD FOR ME, THOUGH, TO BELIEVE THAT THIS, A GUY LIKE PHIL MURPHY PLAYED ON THE NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL STAGE FROM THE OBAMA FUNDRAISING, AND THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY.

THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE END OF HIS POLITICAL AMBITIONS.

YOU KNOW, NEW JERSEY, LAST STOP ON THE TRAIN.

DON'T THINK SO.

MIKE YOU WANT TO TELL US RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE NOT PLANNING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

>> NOT PLANNING ON BUZZING FOR PRESIDENT.

I'VE BEEN ASKED TO THIS.

IT'S UNEQUIVOCAL.

>> I THINK WITH TO BE VERY CLEAR, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, WHO IS A STAND IN FOR THE PARTY AND WE ALL EXPECT YOU WILL BE OUR NOMINEE WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IN 2020.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THAT DYNAMIC.

AND I DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING TO.

>> SO SAYS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN PRETTY CLOSE TO THE GOVERNOR, EVEN BEFORE HE BECAME GOVERNOR.

BUT, EVEN WITH THE DEMOCRAT IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHO SAYS HE'S RUNNING AGAIN IN 2024, IT'S HARD TO IGNORE MURPHY'S RECENT RHETORICAL SHIFTS, SAYS ASHLEY KONING, WHO HEADS THE EAGLETON CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST POLLING AT RUTGERS.

>> HE OBVIOUSLY HAS DENIED IT OUTRIGHT, MULTIPLE TIMES.

BUT, I THINK CERTAINLY, WE HAVE SEEN THAT SHIFT FOR THE MIDDLE, AND HIM SAYING THAT HE'S LISTENING AND KIND OF GIVING A MUCH DIFFERENT TONE, ALMOST KIND OF LIKE KRISTI DID IN A WAY, WHEN HE TOOK HIS SECOND TERM.

THAT HAS MORE NATIONAL CONTEST.

COMPARING NEW JERSEY TO THE NATION, SAYING THE NATION SHOULD BE NEW JERSEY, OR BE MORE LIKE NEW JERSEY PICS OF COURSE, ALL OF OUR EARS PERK UP WHEN WE HAVE THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT THINK IT'S WAY TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, BUT THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE JUST MONTHS AWAY AND RESULTS THEN COULD CHANGE THE NATION'S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE YET AGAIN.

AND IN THAT CASE, IT WOULD BEHOOVE SOMEONE WITH POLITICAL AMBITIONS TO BE READY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THERE'S A NATIONAL DISCUSSION AROUND THE NEED TO CUT THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

IT'S A PART OF PRESIDENT BIDENS BUILD BACK A BETTER PLAN THAT IS STALLED IN CONGRESS RIGHT NOW.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID HE WOULD TAKE ON THE ISSUE THIS YEAR AND HAS PUT OUT A PLAN FOR HOW THE STATE COULD WORK TO BRING DOWN THE PRICES OF SOME KEY LIFE-SAVING DRUGS.

HEALTHCARE WRITER LILO STAYTON JOINS ME NOT TO TALK ABOUT THE PLAN THAT IS STILL PRETTY SCANT.

AND HAS ONLY BEEN SHARED AMONG THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF, LAWMAKERS AND SOME STAKEHOLDERS SO FAR.

LILO, AS YOU HAVE REPORTED, THIS PLAN IS PRETTY LIGHT ON SPECIFICS, BUT WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO BRING DOWN COSTS?

>> RIGHT, THANKS, JOANNA.

I ONLY GOT THE MEMO.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION.

BUT BASICALLY, IT'S THREE PROPOSALS BY THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED IN THIS.

IT'S SORT OF IN TWO BUCKETS.

ONE IS ABOUT IMMEDIATELY HELPING CONSUMERS IN THAT CAB.

THE COST OF CO-PAYS OF FREE DRUGS, BASICALLY EPIPENS, INHALERS, AND INSULIN, WHICH IS AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH INSULIN NEEDS.

THE OTHER BUCKET HAS TWO PROPOSALS.

ONE IS SORT OF -- CAPACITY.

AND ONE WOULD INVOLVE MORE REPORTING FOR PRETTY MUCH ALL KINDS OF INSTITUTIONS BUYING AND SELLING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, INCLUDING MANUFACTURERS WHO MAKE THEM.

BUT ALSO, INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OTHERS IN THE PROCESS AND THE THIRD WOULD ESSENTIALLY SEEK TO LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE ABOUT PPM'S, WHICH ARE THESE PERSONAL PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, WHICH ARE SORT OF THE MIDDLEMEN IN THE BUY IN SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND THEY ARE CONSIDERED SORT OF A BLACK BOX.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS EFFORT TO TRY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND SEE IF THERE ARE SAVINGS IN THAT.

MIMIC YOU MENTIONED MANUFACTURERS AND SO MANY ARE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

IS THE STATE GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN HOW SOME OF THOSE PRICES ARE SET?

>> WELL, THAT IS NOT ON THE TABLE IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SOME ADVOCATES SAY IS MISSING, BECAUSE THEY SAY, JUST AS IT IS, JUST DOES NOT GET UP TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM WHICH IS THE PRICES THAT ARE SET.

BECAUSE THEY ARE SO HIGH.

OF COURSE, THE MANUFACTURES ARGUING THAT THAT PRICE IS NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE PRICE OF DEVELOPING MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING ONES THAT FAIL, OR ONLY OUR USEFUL FOR VERY RARE DISEASES, WHICH WE ONLY HAVE A FEW PEOPLE, BUT ARE LIFE-SAVING TO THIS POPULATION.

SO THE COST, THE VALUE HERE IS VERY HARD TO PIN DOWN.

ADVOCATES PREFER A MEASURE THAT IS -- BY SENATOR SINGLETON AND OTHERS.

AND AFFORDABILITY BOARD THAT WOULD LOOK AT MEDICATIONS THAT ARE PARTICULARLY COSTLY AND TRY TO PRESCRIBE POLICIES AND LEGISLATURE THAT DO CONTROL THAT, INCLUDING BUYING DRUGS OUT OF -- OUT OF THE COUNTRY, OR SETTING CERTAIN CAPS ON PRICES.

SO, THAT'S A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH, WHICH IS NOT PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL RIGHT NOW.

>> IMPORTANT.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS ALL OF US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE OF LILO'S REPORTING ON THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO CONTROL DRUG COST, HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAID, TWO THINGS ARE CERTAIN, DEATH AND TAXES.

WELCOME IT'S TAX SEASON AGAIN, AND SOME NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS MIGHT FIND THIS YEAR'S FILINGS EVEN MORE COMPLICATED THAN BEFORE.

THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS AND CHILD TAX CREDITS WILL RECEIVE THE OTHER HALF OF THOSE CREDITS ONCE THEY FILE.

SUPPOSED FORMS CAN BE CONFUSING.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET EVERY DOLLAR THAT THEY ARE DUE.

>> WITH THE PANDEMIC, WE DON'T HAVE WORK THAT MUCH.

IT'S A LOT OF COVID TESTING, POSITIVITY AT OUR JOBS.

SO WE GET A LOT OF TIME OFF.

>> Reporter: THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH FOR HER -- SHE HAS TWO YOUNG CHILDREN TO TAKE CARE OF, BUT AS A PART- TIME WORKER, MAKING ENDS MEET CAN BE CHALLENGING.

CHANGES TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX IN CHILD TAX CREDITS COULD GIVE HER A MUCH NEEDED FINANCIAL BOOST.

>> IT WOULD HELP ME PAY MY RENT, BILLS, EXTRA STUFF FOR THE KIDS.

YOU KNOW, FOR ME TO TAKE MY KIDS OUT AND HAVE FUN.

GET EVERYTHING SITUATED, SO MY BILLS, I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOSE.

>> Reporter: THOSE TAX CREDITS ALSO HELP FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER RESIDENTS IN THE STATE.

>> DUE TO COVID, PEOPLE OF LOST JOBS.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANDATES.

SO, HAVING, ESPECIALLY THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO BE SAD.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY, MANY NEW JERSEY FAMILIES DON'T REALIZE THEY HAVE TO FILE THEIR TAX RETURNS TO GET THE SECOND HALF OF THE PAYMENTS.

THAT'S WHY NEW JERSEY ADVOCATES ARE PROVIDING HELP FOR THOSE WHO MAKE $65,000 PER YEAR OR LESS.

AS THE CHANGES WILL LIFT EVERY DAY FINANCIAL BURDENS THAT FAMILIES FACE.

>> THEY HAVE FOOD, THEY HAVE CLOSE.

THE PARENTS CAN DO EXTRA THINGS WITH THE KIDS THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DO.

'S WITHOUT THIS, WITHOUT THIS MONEY.

SOMETIMES, YOU NEED A NEW .

SHOES, AND BECAUSE MOM HAS TO PAY THE RENT, AND MAYBE OTHER THINGS IN THEIR LIFE, BILLS, THE SHOES GET PUT TO THE SIDE.

SO, NOW, HERE'S THE MONEY, COMING IN.

IS A GUESS, I CAN BUY MY SON, MY DAUGHTER SOME NEW CLOSED.

WHATEVER THEY NEED.

I CAN MEET THEIR NEEDS.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION KICKED OFF AN OUTREACH PROGRAM THIS WEEK ENCOURAGING MILLIONS OF FAMILIES TO FILE THEIR TAXES TO GET THE FINAL PAYMENTS.

UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THE CHILDHOOD TAX CREDIT WAS INCREASED FROM $2000-$3600 FOR EVERY CHILD UNDER 6.

EVERY THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN 6 AND 17 EARNED TAX BENEFIT SEEING A NEARLY TRIPLE BOOST TO UP TO $1500 FOR WORKERS WITHOUT DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

THE PLAN ALSO EXPENDS ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR WORKERS WHO ARE 19-24 YEARS OLD.

AS WELL AS THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

>> THE DATA IS CLEAR.

THE TAX CUT DID WHAT POLICYMAKERS AND ADVOCATES SAID IT WOULD DO WHEN IT WAS ENACTED.

A GAVE MIDDLE AND LOCAL INCUMBENT STRUGGLING FAMILIES SOME OF THEIR HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS BACK.

>> WE KNEW, EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THAT ALMOST 40% OR ALMOST 2 OUT OF EVERY 5 NEW JERSEYANS WERE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND STILL ARE STRUGGLING.

THERE WAS RESEARCH THAT I HEARD THIS MORNING THAT 25% OF THE LABOR SHORTAGE THAT CONTINUES IS DUE TO THOSE HAVING LONG COVID.

AND THINK ABOUT THAT LOSS OF INCOME TO FAMILIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY, AND HOW BOTH THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AND THE CHILDHOOD TAX CREDIT CAN REALLY HELP THEM, WHETHER THROUGH THESE REALLY ROUGH TIMES.

>> Reporter: EXTENDING EXPANDED TAX CREDITS BEYOND THIS YEAR IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

BUT THE PLAN FACES A TOUGH ROAD AHEAD IN CONGRESS.

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

>>> OUR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN FT. LEE JUST LANDED US AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF THE MOST CONGESTED HIGHWAYS IN THE COUNTRY GET THE STRIP OF ROAD JUST WEST OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE WHERE I-95 NEEDS ROOT 4 RANKED NUMBER ONE IN TRUCK BOTTLENECKS BY THE AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE OR ATR I.

IT ANALYZES FREIGHT MOVEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE INVESTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.

AND NOW THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT HAS PASSED, ATR I'S LIST OF THE LEADING TRUCK BOTTLENECKS WILL BE USED TO DIRECT INVESTMENTS TO THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SLOWING DOWN THE NATION'S SUPPLY CHAIN.

HOPEFULLY THOSE INVESTMENTS SHAVE SOME TIME OFF YOUR COMMUTE TOO.

>>> YOUR ELECTRIC BILL MAY BE A LITTLE BIT CHEAPER IN THE COMING MONTHS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS DOORS.

WIRE LECTURE COST DROPPING IN THE STATE?

>> Reporter: JOANNA, YOU ARE GOING TO CATCH A BREAK ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL STARTING JUNE 1st.

THE COST FOR ELECTRICITY WILL DECREASE SLIGHTLY FOR MOST RESIDENTS.

AND SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

CUSTOMERS OF PE AND CNG WILL SEE THEIR AVERAGE ESTIMATED ELECTRIC BILL DECREASED BY 2.8%.

AND JCP AND L CUSTOMERS WILL SEE A DECREASE OF JUST OVER 1%.

THE NEW RATES ARE SET TO FOLLOW AN ANNUAL ELECTRICITY AUCTION THAT RESULTS OF WHICH WERE APPROVED BY PUBLIC UTILITIES TODAY.

>>> FLEET ENERGY IS FOCUSED IN NEW JERSEY THIS WEEK.

TONIGHT, THE COMMITTEE IS SET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SET UP A LOAN AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP STATE ENTITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE FINAL -- PROJECTS.

ANOTHER BILL BEFORE THE COMMITTEE WOULD ESTABLISH WITHIN THE VP YOU TEST WITH SETTING UP COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAMS, AND MAKING SURE THAT CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS ARE ROLLED OUT IN AN EQUITABLE WAY.

>>> NEW BRUNSWICK BASED JOHNSON & JOHNSON HAS HALTED PRODUCTION OF ITS COVID-19 VACCINE.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, THAT REPORT SAYS J&J QUIETLY STOPPED PRODUCTION AT A PLANT IN THE NETHERLANDS AND WAS USING THAT FACILITY TO WORK ON A DIFFERENT DRUG.

THE REPORTS THAT THE PLANT IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO COVID-19 VACCINE PRODUCTION, BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN.

THE TIME SAYS THE SHUTDOWN COMES AS J AND J HAS FALLEN BEHIND ON DELIVERING VACCINES TO POORER COUNTRIES.

BUT J&J RESPONDED, THE COUNTRY WAS FOCUSED ON ENSURING OUR VACCINE IS AVAILABLE WHERE PEOPLE ARE IN NEED.

>>> ANALYST WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON HOW NEW JERSEY SPORTS BOOKS FAIR, FOLLOWING THIS WEEKEND'S SUPER BOWL GAME.

NEW JERSEY IS FACING NEW COMPETITION FROM NEW YORK, WHERE SPORTS BETTING WAS RECENTLY LEGALIZED.

THEY SAY THE SPORTS BETTING MARKET HAS DONE WELL, BUT NEW YORK IS ALREADY ON TRACK TO GREAT -- BREAK NEW JERSEY'S RECORD.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS PUT OUT A GREAT PRODUCT.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO WITH THE PROVIDERS THAT THEY HAVE HAD KICK YOU MAY BE GETTING SOME MORE MOBILE PROVIDERS THAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD OF YET COME INTO THE MARKET.

THAT COULD BE ALSO A MAJOR THING, AND A GOOD THING FOR NEW JERSEY.

BUT, NEW YORK IS GOING TO BE, NEW YORK IS GOING TO BE KING FOR A WELL.

>> Reporter: FINALLY TONIGHT, HERE'S A LOOK AT THE DAYS STOCK MARKET ACTIVITY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY ROMAN UNIVERSITY.

EDUCATING NEW JERSEY LEADERS, PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES IN THE NATION, YET, IT HAS SOME OF THE MOST SEGREGATED SCHOOLS.

A LAWSUIT WAS RECENTLY FILED.

JUST LAST WEEK, A BILL WENT THROUGH THE SENATE COMMUNICATION -- EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT RACIAL DATA, -- ECONOMIC DISPARITIES THAT EXIST.

PAT, TELL US ABOUT THIS BILL THAT WOULD LOOK AT SEGREGATION HERE IN NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: YES, THIS BILL IS WITH THE IDEA OF CREATING A NEW DESEGREGATION LAW WITHIN THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND ITS ROLE WOULD BE TO EXAMINE SCHOOLS SEGREGATION IN TERMS OF RACE AND SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS.

AND THEN LOOK AT HOW THAT IMPACTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, AND THEN FINALLY, COME UP WITH SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR THAT.

IN DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE THAT DO HAVE RACIAL OR ECONOMIC SEGREGATION.

>> IT SEEMS THAT THIS BILL WAS IN LARGE PART A REACTION TO A LAWSUIT THAT WAS BROUGHT AGAINST THE STATE, BECAUSE OF, IT ALLEGES, NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS BEING SO SEGREGATED, WHICH, THEY ARE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT LAWSUIT IS ASKING FOR, AND WHO BROUGHT IT?

>> SURE, AND I SHOULD JUST NOTE THAT THE STATE SENATOR, JOE -- WHO INTRODUCE THIS BILL SAID THAT HE DID NOT COORDINATE WITH THE FOLKS BEHIND THE LAWSUIT.

THAT THE LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT BY SOME FAMILIES AND DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE, AS WELL AS THE LATINO ACTION NETWORK IN NEW JERSEY NAACP.

AND WHAT THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY ARGUING IS THAT, AS YOU MENTIONED, SCHOOLS STATEWIDE ARE SEGREGATED, AND THAT THE STATE PLAYS A ROLE IN THAT.

AND PARTLY BECAUSE THE STATE RULES REQUIRE MOST STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOLS WHERE THEY LIVE, AND BECAUSE THE TOWNS AND CITIES IN NEW JERSEY ARE SO SEGREGATED, THAT THE OFTEN LEADS TO SCHOOLS HAVING THAT SAME RACIAL IMBALANCE.

SO, THEY ARE CALLING FOR A CHANGE IN THOSE POLICIES.

AND THE STATE TO TAKE SOME ACTION.

THE STATE THOUGH, IS KIND OF TAKING A FEW DIFFERENT WAVES OF ARGUING AGAINST THAT.

THERE PARTLY SAYING THAT IT'S NOT TOTALLY THEIR FAULT THAT SCHOOLS ARE SEGREGATED.

THAT FAMILIES MAKE CHOICES OF WHERE TO LIVE, AND WHERE TO SEND HER KIDS TO SCHOOL.

THEY ALSO MAKE SOME TECHNICAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT HOW TO MEASURE SEGREGATION AND THEN THEY TOSS THEM WITH THAT DEMOCRATIC CHANGE WITH CAUSES IMBALANCES TOO.

SO THEY ARE TRYING TO HAVE THIS LAWSUIT DISMISSED.

>> DO YOU ENVISION A TIME WHERE, LET'S SAY STUDENTS IN NEW WORK COULD GO TO ANY OTHER SCHOOL WITHIN ESSEX COUNTY?

DO YOU ENVISION THAT CHANGE COMING TO NEW JERSEY?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A DRASTIC CHANGE FROM WHERE THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT IS IN THE REALM OF IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

THERE IS ACTUALLY A LAW IN THE STATE THAT LET STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOL IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, OTHER THAN THE ONES WHERE THEY LIVE, BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT CHOICE IS VOLUNTARY AND IT ONLY AFFECTS ABOUT 5000 STUDENTS OUT OF 1.4 MILLION IN THE STATE USE IT.

SO IT WOULD BE A REALLY BIG CHANGE TO ALLOW MORE STUDENTS TO GO INTO SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF WHERE THEY LIVE, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, IN NEW JERSEY, THERE'S A STRONG TRADITION OF HOMELESS.

SO, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, FUNDING AND HAVING CONTROL OVER THEIR SCHOOLS, ALLOWING PEOPLE FROM OTHER PLACES TOO, TEND SCHOOLS THERE WOULD BE A REALLY BIG SHIFT HERE.

>> FISHER, WOULD BE REVOLUTIONARY.

PAT WAUGH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUISE TOMORROW AND IT.

THIS WEEK, DAVID GOES ONE-ON- ONE WITH NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMISSIONER ABOUT THE LATEST COVID NUMBERS, AND THE LIFTING OF MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOLS.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> MGM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AND BY THE PSA G FOUNDATION.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.