>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE CENTER FOR NEW JERSEY CENTER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING !

GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH MEREDITH AND JOSIE.

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BREANNA THE NOSY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TAPPED NEW JERSEY AS A NATIONAL MODEL, YET INSISTS HE IS NOT SEEKING THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT NOW THAT THE DUST HAS SETTLED ON HIS FIFTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, POLITICAL ANALYST EXPECT MORE THAN EVER THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON HIGHER OFFICE.

USING TO POKE AT WASHINGTON STYLE DYSFUNCTION AND CHAOS, WHILE POINTING TO NEW JERSEY AS A LEADER IN HELPING RESIDENTS ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM.

MURPHY IS SUBTLE AND NOT SO SUBTLE REFERENCES TO POTENTIAL REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CALENDARS DIDN'T GO UNNOTICED.

WHILE STRIKING , A MORE MODERATE TONE WITH HIS PROPOSALS.

FOCUSING HEAVILY ON AFFORDABILITY AND EMPHASIZING SAFETY AND CRIME OVER SOME OF HIS MORE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA ITEMS.

IT'S A MOVE INSIDERS SAY IS NECESSARY, BOTH TO PROTECT THE DEMOCRATIC-LED LEGISLATURE UP FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR AND TO LEAVE ALL HIS FUTURE POLITICAL CAREER OPTIONS ON THE TABLE , I ASKED GOVERNOR MURPHY ABOUT JUST THAT.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT , IF JOE BIDEN STEPS ASIDE.

AND BASED ON YOUR SPEECH YESTERDAY, THERE IS MORE TALK OF THAT.

SO ARE YOU EYEING A RUN IN 2024?

>> NO, I TAKE THE PRESIDENT, FIRST OF ALL, BREANNA, HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I TAKE THE PRESIDENT AT HIS WORD THAT HE IS RUNNING 1000% BEHIND HIM.

IDLY, HE HAS HAD A HECK OF A RUN OVER THE LAST NINE TO 12 MONTHS.

I KIND OF CHUCKLE AT THE SPECULATION.

I LOOK AT THAT SPEECH AND I SEE A VERY JERSEY CENTRIC, VERY JERSEY FOCUSED SET OF REMARKS AND PROGRAMS AND BOTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WHAT WE'VE DONE AND WHAT WE HOPE TO DO TOGETHER WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

I DON'T GET THAT BUT MY NOSE IS PRESSED 1000% AGAINST THE JERSEY LAST AND I WILL BE 1000% BEHIND PRESIDENT BIDEN .

>> IT CERTAINLY WAS JERSEY CENTRIC TALKING ABOUT A FUND TO HELP WITH THE BOARDWALKS AT THE SHORE, EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR THE ANCHOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

WE WILL GET TO ALL THAT.

OF COURSE, THERE WAS ANOTHER OF NODS , WE COUNTED 17 OR 18 OF TALKING ABOUT NEW JERSEY AS A NATIONAL MODEL.

OF COURSE, A DAY OR TWO AT GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS IN FLORIDA.

SO PERHAPS IT WAS A PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH WRAPPED IN A JERSEY SPEECH.

>> NO, I DON'T SEE THAT, FIRST OF ALL, DESANTIS DESERVES A, NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY PROUD AND CLEAR ON WHO WE ARE AS A STATE.

AND I WANT TO SHOUT THAT FROM THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN TOPS, THAT THIS IS A STATE WHERE OPPORTUNITY LIVES, WHERE JUSTICE IS EMBRACED, WE ARE COMPASSIONATE, WE ARE GROWING NEW ECONOMIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE .

AND BY THE WAY, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT ALL OF OUR ILLS ARE BEHIND US ANYONE THINKS I AM PATTING MYSELF ON MY BACK OR CLEARING VICTORY OR SPIKING THE FOOTBALL IS ALSO NOT LISTENING CLEARLY , I TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE STILL HAVE TO DO.

BUT I THINK IT'S, WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHO WE ARE AS A STATE, I AM SICK OF HEARING ABOUT OTHER STATES THAT ARE STEALING THUNDER .

WE HAVE HEARD IT AND WE DESERVE IT.

>> WHY NO BID PROPOSAL YESTERDAY?

THERE IS A MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL OUT TODAY.

GOVERNOR, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT.

29% OF THOSE POLLED SAY THAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT THERE IS ONE BIG ITEM THAT THEY COULD POINT TO DURING YOUR 10 YEAR, WHY CHOOSE THE LIQUOR LICENSE LAW TO REVAMP ?

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN A THORN IN THE SIDE FOR LAWMAKERS FOR YEARS.

>> I'LL GIVE YOU TWO ANSWERS.

ON THE MORE GENERAL QUESTION, IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE STATE , THE STATE WE INHERITED FIVE YEARS AGO, WHICH WAS A TRAIN WRECK.

AND SO WHEN YOU GOT A TRAIN WRECK, YOU ARE GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING , INCLUDING THE TRAINS, BY THE WAY.

YOU GOT TO MAKE THE STATE MORE AFFORDABLE, MORE EQUITABLE, YOU GOT TO MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EDUCATION WORK AGAIN.

YOU GOT TO MEET YOUR OBLIGATIONS LIKE FULL PENSION PAYMENTS AND REDUCING INDEBTED THIS.

A MENTION OF AFFORDABILITY.

THAT IS THE REALITY FOR FIVE YEARS, YOU'VE GOT SO MUCH STUFF COMING AT YOU, AS A RESIDENT OF THE STATE I AM NOT SURPRISED AT ALL.

I HAVE SEEN THE POLE, I'M NOT SURPRISED AT ALL.

FOLKS, CAN'T THINK OF ONE THING BECAUSE WE'VE HAD TO DO ABOUT 50 OF THEM.

AS IT RELATES TO LIQUOR LICENSE REFORM, IT HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE IN STATES THAT HAVE DONE IT.

IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

IT TRANSFORMS MAIN STREETS AND DOWNTOWNS.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY MAYORS I'VE HEARD FROM SINCE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, WHO ARE JUMPING AT THIS.

THIS IS GOING TO COME IF WE GET THIS DONE, IT WON'T BE EASY, IT IS COMPLICATED.

BUT IF WE GET THIS DONE, AND I BELIEVE WE WILL, IT WILL TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITIES.

REMEMBER, WE ARE THE ULTIMATE HOME RULE STATE .

IF YOU DIVIDE THE AMOUNT OF COMMUNITIES INTO OUR POPULATION, WE DON'T JUST LEAVE THE PACK, WE ARE OFF THE PAGE OF THE PACK, WHICH MEANS 565 COMMUNITIES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM LIQUOR LICENSE REFORM.

NEVERMIND THERESE, DISTILLERIES, WINERIES, WHICH WE ALSO WANT TO REFORM.

>> I'M IN, WOULD PERHAPS ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR THE ANCHOR PROGRAM TO ALSO GET THAT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BE A BETTER SHOT IN THE ARM FOR THEM THAN REVAMPING , WHICH ARE, NO ONE DISAGREES.

THESE ARE ARCHAIC LAWS FROM PROHIBITION ERA.

BUT WITH THAT PERHAPS BE A BETTER WAY TO HELP THOSE RESOURCES?

>> IT'S BOTH.

WE HAVE PUT OVER $1 BILLION INTO SMALL BUSINESSES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

ONLY TWO STATES WERE MORE INTO SMALL BUSINESSES.

CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK, AND THEY ARE A LOT BIGGER THAN WE ARE.

SO IT IS NOT LIKE THIS IS THE ONLY THING WE ARE DOING.

AND BY THE WAY, THAT BILLION DOLLARS ISN'T JUST FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS, BREWERIES OR WINERIES, THAT IS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WRIT LARGE, WE ARE GOING TO STAY AT IT.

WE ARE NOT RELENTING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP.

SMALL BUSINESSES REMAINED THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY, AND WE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THEM AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOVERNOR MURPHY FORREST.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, BREANNA.

>>> HERE AT GOVERNOR MURPHY THINGS WILL BE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND HIS MESSAGE TO PROGRESSIVE CRITICS IN OUR FULL INTERVIEW ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEYANS, MEANWHILE, DON'T APPEAR TO HAVE APPETITE FOR ANOTHER OF OUR GOVERNORS MAKING A BID FOR THE OVAL OFFICE .

THE LATEST MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL OUT TODAY FINDS THAT WHILE A MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS APPROVED OF THE JOB HE IS DOING, ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OR 32% OF THOSE SURVEYED BELIEVE MURPHY WOULD MAKE A GOOD PRESIDENT THE GOVERNOR HAS A TIGHT ROPE TO WALK DURING THIS NEXT YEAR IN OFFICE ONE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS WORRY COULD LEAVE THEM IN THE DUST.

SR.

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE REPORTS >> IT IS OKAY TO ADMIT IT, IT IS COOL TO BE FROM NEW JERSEY AGAIN.

>> Reporter: IS NOT LIKE GOVERNOR MURPHY JUST DISCOVERED WHAT IS COOL ABOUT JERSEY.

THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIVE TOLD THE STATE OF THE STATE AUDIENCE YESTERDAY THAT JERSEY IS, QUOTE, ONCE AGAIN LEANING IN ALL THE RIGHT THINGS .

AND UP TO THIS POINT, THAT IS BEEN PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION LIKE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, MINIMUM WAGE , AND FUNDING STATE PENSIONS.

BUT AS HE FOCUSES MORE ON A NATIONAL AUDIENCE, FOR ELECTORAL OR OTHER REASONS, MURPHY APPEARS TO BE PIVOTING TO THE CENTER .

AND FROM WHERE HE IS SITTING, THAT MEANS A MOVE TO THE RIGHT.

AND THAT SUITS MANY DEMOCRATIC POLL MAKERS WHO ARE ALL UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR JUST FINE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN MODERATING SINCE I HAVE TAKEN OFFICE.

WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT THE BILLS THAT WE CONSIDER AND THE SPENDING THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR PRIORITY FOR MOST NEW JERSEYANS AND I THINK THIS IS REFLECTIVE.

>> FOR SOME IN THE GOVERNOR'S LEFT FACE-TO-FACE, IT'S A BAD TIME.

NICOLE RODRIGUEZ OF NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE, WHICH IS GENERALLY IN STEP WITH THE GOVERNOR, SAYS SHE SEES A SHIFT IN THE LANDSCAPE.

>> I THINK I WOULD SAY IS THAT , THE MURPHY WE HAVE SEEN IN HIS NEW TERM IS NOT AS PROGRESSIVE AS WE HAVE SEEN IN TERM ONE.

AND THAT IS NOT JUST WITHIN HIS ADMINISTRATION BUT ACROSS THE LEGISLATURE WHERE WE ARE MOVING TOWARD MORE CENTRIST POLICIES.

>> LAST YEAR'S CLOSE GOVERNORS RACE AND THE PICKUP OF SEVEN SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE BY GOP, HAS MANY DEMOCRATS URGING A CENTRIST TILT AND THE GOVERNOR SEEMS TO BE LISTENING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT FAMILY TAX CREDIT AND MORE TALK , FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT STOPPING THE MUCH-HYPED BUT STATISTICALLY UNSUPPORTED AUTO THEFT AND OTHER CRIME WAVES >> WE KNOW THE TOUGH ON CRIME POLICIES END UP TARGETING BRACK BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS AND NOT REDUCING ANY SORT OF CRIME THAT WE ARE SEEING OR HOW WE ARE ACTUALLY DEFINING CRIME, AS WELL.

>> A LOT OF WHAT HE WAS DOING, HE WAS MOTIVATED TO KEEP HIS RACE OF SUPPORTERS TOGETHER AND HELP THEM GET RE-ELECTED.

OBVIOUSLY WE WERE PART OF THAT, OR HAVE BEEN PART OF THE COALITION OF GROUPS WHO HAVE BEEN VERY PRO-MURPHY AND HAVE WORKED WITH HIM ON MANY OF THE REFORMS HE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FIRST TERM.

>> I WOULD SAY WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THOSE FOLKS, WE'VE GOT A VERY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

WE DO A LOT WITH THEM .

AGAIN, IF YOU ARE A PROGRESSIVE, PUT OUR PROGRESSIVE RECORD UP AGAINST ANYBODY.

>> BUT ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE HARPING ON THE GOVERNOR ABOUT TALKING ABOUT FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE FROM ONE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH TO PUSHING A TURNPIKE EXPANSION THEY SAY WILL MAKE THE AIR QUALITY AROUND THE HOLLAND TUNNEL WORSE FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

AND DON'T GET THE LEFT STARTED ON THIS NEW INTEREST AND BAIL REFORM.

>> THE CHANGES THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW , REALLY BASED ON FEAR MONGERING THEY ARE NOT BASED ON THE RESEARCH AND DATA.

>> THE PROGRESSIVE ADVOCATES MIGHT BE QUESTIONING WHERE HIS HEART IS RIGHT NOW .

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT HIS POLLING NUMBERS AMONG DEMOCRATS, THEY STILL, HE STILL SEEMS TO BE DOING VERY WELL.

HIS JOB APPROVAL AMONG DEMOCRATS IS ABOVE 80% HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE LATEST POLL FINDS FOUR IN 10 JERSEY VOTERS THANKS THAT MURPHY IS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

SOMEDAY, THAT MEANS MORE MODERATION IN THE NAME OF PLICATION.

I'M DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> BE SURE TO CHECK OUT DAVID'S INTERVIEW WITH FORMER REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, JACK TO THE RALLY .

ALONG WITH HIS REACTION TO THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF CHAT BOX.

WATCH IT TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

>>> A COMPUTER OUTAGE AT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ROUNDED THOUSAND OF FLIGHT THIS MORNING ACROSS THE U.S.

TURNING NORMAL WEEKDAY TRAVEL INTO A CONFUSING AND , AT TIMES, CHAOTIC SCENE FOR PASSENGERS THE SYSTEM WAS BACK UP AND RUNNING BY MIDMORNING , BUT BY LATE AFTERNOON, NEARLY 8000 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WERE DELAYED AND MORE THAN 1000 FLIGHTS CANCELED NEW JERSEY AND PORT AUTHORITY AIRPORTS , THEY WEREN'T SPARED.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WAKING UP TO CLEVELAND AND NOT THE WORK, THAT WAS LITTLE BIT ALARMING.

>> Reporter: AND FAA COMPUTER GLITCH SUDDENLY CAUSED HER CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT TO BE REROUTED FROM CALIFORNIA WHILE IT WAS MIDAIR, GROUNDING ASTONISHED PASSENGERS IN CLEVELAND THE FAA THIS MORNING HALTED ALL DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES , THE FIRST TIME IT HAD ORDERED A BLANKET GROUNDING SINCE 9/11.

>> WE WERE DELAYED ON UNITED AIRLINES IN CLEVELAND FOR ABOUT 20, 30 MINUTES.

THEY LET PEOPLE THE BOARD THE PLANE AND THEY SAID HEY, WE GOT BACK ON THE PLANE BECAUSE WERE LIVING AT 9:00.

>> THEY SAID OH WE WILL GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHY THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: HOW LONG WAS THE DELAY TO GET TO NEWARK?

>> TWO HOURS?

>> Reporter: A FLIGHT WHERE MAP OF THE U.S. FROM 8:20 A.M. SHOWS PLANES HUDDLED AROUND HUBS LIKE NEW YORK AND L.A.

BUT FEW IN THE AIR.

THE FAA ALLOWED FLIGHTS TO RESUME FROM NEWARK AND ATLANTA AROUND THAT TIME AND LIFTED THE BLANKET ORDER AT 9:00 A.M. , AS IT RELOADED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND BROUGHT IT BACK ONLINE.

BUT BY THEN, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE.

>> IT WAS REALLY A NIGHTMARE.

>> Reporter: FRANCISCO MARQUEZ IS FLIGHT TO MONTREAL GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOMINO EFFECT OF CANCELED AND DELAYED FLIGHTS, MISSED CONNECTIONS, AND LOST LUGGAGE.

PASSENGERS TRIED TO RESCHEDULE THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS NATIONWIDE.

>> THEY JUST CANCELED THE FLIGHT.

THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND MY LUGGAGE .

THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND MY LUGGAGE.

I AM WAITING LIKE THREE HOURS HERE.

TOTAL MESS.

>> WE HAD ONE TRIP HERE AND NOW WE ARE STUCK HERE TRYING TO FIND OUR BAGGAGE , IT'S LIKE LOST.

WE HAVE BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT TERMINALS .

AND WE ARE NOT EVEN IN THE STATE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN YET.

IT SUCKS.

I'VE BEEN STRESSED THIS WHOLE TIME.

I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR FOUR HOURS.

>> Reporter: PROBLEMS DEVELOPED OVERNIGHT IN THE COMPUTER NETWORK CALLED NOTE HIM, OR NOTICED AIR MISSION SYSTEMS, THAT ALERTS PILOTS TO POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS THAT COULD IMPACT FLIGHTS.

>> THE SYSTEM IS CONTINUOUSLY BEING UPGRADED AND APPROVED.

BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE KEY QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT BASED ON WHAT WE SAW OVERNIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE STATED HE DIDN'T BELIEVE A CYBER ATTACK CAUSED THE OUTAGE, WHICH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

BUT REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SLAM TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY, PETE BUTTIGIEG AND DEMANDED AN INVESTIGATION.

ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING THE STORM DRIVEN HOLIDAY AIRLINE MELTDOWN .

PASSENGERS ALSO HAD QUESTIONS.

>> EVERY THING RELIES ON ONE SYSTEM SO IT'S KIND OF SCARY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: RESIDUAL FLIGHT DELAYS CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY UNITED SAID IT'S WAVING OUTAGE RELATED CHANGE FEES AND OFFERING REFUNDS .

THIS IS THE PORT AUTHORITY PLANS TO OPEN A BRAND-NEW TERMINAL A IN NEWARK TOMORROW.

AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT IS DAY THREE ON THE PICKET LINES FOR 7000 NURSES IN NEW YORK.

UNABLE TO REACH CONTRACT AGREEMENTS WITH HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT.

AT MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER IN THE BRONX AND MOUNT SINAI'S HOSPITAL MAIN CAMPUS IN MANHATTAN.

NURSES WALKED OFF THE JOB IN PROTEST FOR SEVERE STAFFING SHORTAGES AND PAY DISPUTES.

ISSUES NOT UNLIKE THOSE BEING FOUND BY NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: NURSES DON'T EVER WANT TO GO ON STRIKE, IT IS THE LAST THING THEY WANT AND THEY WILL NOT GO ON STRIKE UNLESS THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO ALTERNATIVE >> Reporter: DEBBIE WHITE, PRESIDENT OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES, IS STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE THOUSANDS OF NURSES STRIKING ACROSS THE HUDSON IN NEW YORK CITY.

THEY ARE DEMANDING MORE PAY AND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDES INCREASED STAFFING.

ISSUES NURSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY SAY THEY HAVE BEEN DENIED FOR FALL TOO LONG.

>> IT DIDN'T START WITH THE PANDEMIC, THE STAFFING CRISIS STARTED WITH CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING FOR YEARS AND YEARS BY HOSPITAL EMPLOYERS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THEIR PROFIT MARGIN, NOT CUT THEIR PROFIT MARGIN.

AND WHEN THE PANDEMIC CAME ALONG , WE DIDN'T HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFF AT THE BEDSIDE BECAUSE WE HAD CUT THAT STAFFING DOWN SO LOW AND WHEN YOU ADD THE STRESS OF THE PANDEMIC ONTO THE ALREADY LOW STAFFING THAT WE ARE SEEING IN MOST HOSPITALS, NOW YOU HAVE A CRISIS.

>> Reporter: ONE THAT HAS NOW MORE THAN 7000 NURSES IN NEW YORK CITY STANDING ON THE PICKET LINES FOR A THIRD DAY.

AS A RESULT, TWO OF THE CITY'S LEADING HOSPITALS WENT TO MEDICAL CENTER IN THE BRONX AND MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL IN MANHATTAN ARE PROPOSING NONEMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND BRING IN TEMPORARY WORKERS TO HELP COVER THE WORKLOAD.

JORDAN SACCHARIN IS A PRODUCER AT MORE PERFECT UNION AND HAS BEEN COVERING THE STRIKE AS WELL THE ISSUES LEADING UP TO IT.

>> THE NURSES CARE ABOUT THEIR PAY SINCE, THAT IS WHY THEY ARE STRIKING.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY NEED THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM TO MEET THEM HALFWAY AND SAY HEY, LOOK, WE ARE GOING TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE, WE'RE GOING TO GET MORE PEOPLE LIKE WE SAID WE WOULD SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE 10 PEOPLE AT A TIME.

>> SIMILAR CONCERNS ARE ALSO TAKING TOLL HERE ON NURSES IN THE GARDEN STATE.

IN 2022 SURVEY FROM HPA FOUND THAT NEARLY 30% OF NURSES LEFT THE BEDSIDE WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

OF THOSE STILL WORKING AT THE BEDSIDE, 72% CONSIDERED LEAVING THE TWO MAIN CONCERNS , LOW STAFFING LEVELS AND BURNOUT ON THE JOB.

>> WE DID HAVE SHORTAGES IN THE DELIVERY SUITE, WHICH WE NEVER SEE IN OVER 35 YEARS.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE AREAS WERE ALSO , STRONG IMPACT BY NURSING SHORTAGES IN OUR LARGEST ROOMS.

NOW WE ARE POST-PANDEMIC , AND WE ARE SEEING THAT HOSPITALS ARE SHOWING SHORTAGES.

>> IT IS TRYING TO, AS THEY SAY, ONE ARMED PAPER HANGER, YOU CAN JUST NOT GETTING YOU THE TOOLS TO DO YOUR JOB.

>> DOUGLAS PLAZA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COUNSEL ONE SAYS HE UNDERSTAND HOW NURSES IN YORK FEEL LAST YEAR, UNION MEMBERS WENT ON STRIKE FOR 31 DAYS AT ST. MICHAEL'S MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW YORK.

HOW THERE HAVE BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT, BLOCK HOUSES A LOT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> OBVIOUSLY AS MANAGEMENT TRIES THE BLOWHOLES AND MOVE A NURSE MAYBE FROM ONE UNIT TO ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, IT IS STILL, BOTTOM LINE IS STILL PROVIDING ENOUGH STAFF IN THOSE UNITS.

>> Reporter: NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN NURSES AND HOSPITALS ARE UNDERWAY.

THE GOAL IS TO MAKE AN AGREEMENT SOON SO THAT NURSES CAN GET BACK TO WHAT THEY SAY MATTERS THE MOST, PUTTING THE PATIENT'S CARE FIRST.

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

>>> THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FOCUSED ON AFFORDABILITY AND MAINSTREAM ISSUES BUT WHAT DID THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS REACTED PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HEY, RHONDA.

>> RIHANNA, FOLLOWING THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, NEW JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS APPLAUDED GOVERNOR MURPHY'S FOR SOME RECENT PRO-BUSINESS INITIATIVES AND HIS WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEADERS SAY MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY.

TAKE AFFORDABILITY, IT WAS A KEEP HIM IN THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH AND IS AN ISSUE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES .

ACCORDING TO MICHELLE SUE PALKA OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

>> A GOOD EXAMPLE ON THIS IS THE RECENT ANCHOR PROGRAM WHICH IS WONDERFUL FOR HOMEOWNERS AND FOR TENANTS , BUT LET'S THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES PAY ALMOST 50% OF PROPERTY TAX.

WHAT IF WE EXPANDED THAT TYPE OF PROGRAM TO NEW JERSEY BUSINESS IN 2023, 2024, AND BEYOND?

>> Reporter: AT THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD FOCUS ON PROVIDING MORE WORKING CAPITAL TO SMALL BUSINESSES THEY NEED IT NOW, HE SAYS.

>> THE EPA PROVIDED ABOUT $1 BILLION IN GRANTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WHICH IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE NEED OUT THERE THAN THE BILLION DOLLARS CAN SATISFY.

SO TO PROVIDE A MORE AGGRESSIVE AMOUNT OF GRANTS TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THEM NOW AND ESPECIALLY IF A RECESSION HITS , IT'S GOING TO BE A LIFELINE THAT THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: ELSEWHERE, NEW JERSEY HAS JOINED IN A $20 BILLION NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT WITH FIVE COMPANIES , INCLUDING CVS, WALGREENS, AND WALMART FOR THEIR ALLEGED ROLE IN THE COUNTRIES OPIOID CRISIS .

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MATTHEW PLOTKIN SAYS BY JOINING THE SETTLEMENT , THE STATE STANDS TO RECEIVE JUST OVER 500 $8 MILLION, WHICH WOULD BE USED PREVENT AND TREAT OPIOID ADDICTION IN THE STATE.

THE ACTUAL AMOUNT NEW JERSEY RECEIVES WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MANY COUNTER AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS CHOOSE TO SIGN ONTO THE AGREEMENT.

HERE IS A CHECK ON THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> WELL, IT WASN'T A LIQUOR LICENSE IS GETTING A SPOTLIGHT DURING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SPEECH TUESDAY , HE SOLD FOR LAWMAKERS TO REMOVE UPDATING RESTRICTIONS ON BREWERIES, DISTILLERS, AND WINERIES.

BUT HE MADE NO MENTION OF NEWER REGULATIONS FOR THOSE SITES THAT WENT INTO EFFECT JUST SIX MONTHS AGO .

AND HAVE MANY OPPONENTS CALLING THE RULES DISASTROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE FOR THE INDUSTRY.

TERI GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>>> DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ASK, NEW JERSEY'S NEW REGULATION FOR BREWERIES ARE EITHER A DANGEROUS >> EVERY OTHER STATE IN THIS COUNTRY, THEY MAKE YOU SERVE FOOD IF YOU ARE SERVING ALCOHOL , THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY WAYS.

>>, FORMER BARTENDER, THE ONE THING WOULD MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO IF THEY ARE IN FACT CONSUMING ALCOHOL IS FOOD , IT MAKES ZERO SENSE THAT A LOCAL BREWERY IS NOT ABLE TO COORDINATE WITH THE BURGEONING FOOD TRUCK INDUSTRY.

>> OR, JUST BAD FOR BUSINESS.

>> MANY ON THESE BREWERIES ARE ON THE BRINK OF CLOSING THE DOORS FOREVER.

THEY INVESTED THEIR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS .

AND THEIR LIFE'S INVESTMENTS INTO CREATING A BUSINESS.

>> SINCE JULY 1st WE HAVE SEEN BETWEEN A 40 AND 50% DROP OF , WITHIN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME.

FRIDAY, SATURDAY NIGHTS.

LATER IN THE EVENINGS.

>> BREWERY OWNERS AND LEADERS HAVE DENOUNCED THE DIVISION OF ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL FOR ITS NEW BREWERY RULES WHICH TOOK EFFECT LAST SUMMER.

REGULATIONS INCLUDE HOW MANY TELEVISIONS ARE ALLOWED IN A TASTING ROOM, AND HOW LARGE THEY CAN BE.

CHUCK GARRITY IS THE PRESIDENT OF DEATH OF THE FOX BREWING COMPANY, AND HE IS SUING THE STATE OVER THESE ROLES.

ARGUING THAT IT'S A VIOLATION OF HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO RESTRICT HOW MANY EVENTS CAN BE ADVERTISED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS THE ABILITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE STATE, WHICH ALREADY HAS A PRETTY TERRIBLE RECORD IN TERMS OF HOW IT TREATS A SMALL BUSINESS.

>> I THINK THAT THE ABC, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY , TO ME HAS BEEN A CAPTURED GROUP BY ITS MEMBERS.

THE LIQUOR LICENSE HOLDERS.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE BREWERIES DON'T BECOME AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE LOCAL SPORTS BAR, WHICH I DON'T THINK THAT THEY EVER WILL BE.

>> REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR MICHAEL TEST IS SPONSORING ONE OF THREE BILLS THAT WOULD TWEAK THESE REGULATIONS.

HE SAYS HIS BILL IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE BUT ADMITS IT HAS A SLIM CHANCE OF PASSING.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ARGUES THAT THESE ROLES ARE PART OF OWNING A MANUFACTURING LICENSE , WHICH IS HOW STATE BREWERIES ARE CURRENTLY CLASSIFIED.

AND YESTERDAY STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLED FOR AN OVERHAUL TO NEW JERSEY'S LIQUOR LAWS.

CALLING THEM OUTDATED AND CONFUSING.

ANOTHER ROLE THAT BOTHERS BREWERS IS A REQUIREMENT THAT FIRST-TIME CUSTOMERS MUST RECEIVE AN ON-SITE TOUR.

>> IS CROWDED IN HERE, OFTENTIMES A CANDY ON THE WEEKEND.

NOW WE POTENTIALLY ARE PAYING A $2500 FINE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO EMPLOYEE SALARIES , RAW MATERIALS , AND CAPITAL EXPANSION.

>> WE GIVE A TOUR THE BEST AS WE CAN DO EVERYTHING A CUSTOMER THAT COMES IN BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF , IT IS NOT LIKE IF YOU GO TO A RESTAURANT, YOU HAVE TO GET A TOUR OF THE KITCHEN BEFORE YOU HAVE A MEAL.

IT IS THE MOST ASININE THING IN THE WORLD.

>>> ONE OF 36 GARDEN STATE BREWERIES BRINGING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE BY SELLING BREW JERSEY, AND I RECIPE FROM A CHRIS BREWING THAT HAS BEEN SHARED AROUND NEW JERSEY AND IN BREWERIES OF FIVE OTHER STATE.

A QUARTER OF THE PROCEEDS GOES TO THE BREWERS GUILD OF NEW JERSEY, WHICH ANTICIPATES LONG LEGAL BATTLES.

>> IT REALLY SPEAKS TO HOW THE BROTHERHOOD AND THE SISTERHOOD OF THE INDUSTRY WANTS TO CLICK ON THE QR CODE OF THE CAMP, TAKE YOU TO THE WEBSITE.

WE FOUND THE TOWN THAT YOU LIVE IN, YOU CLICK ON THE TOWN, IT COMES UP WITH AN EMAIL AND IT SENDS IT TO YOUR LEGISLATORS.

>> LICENSES FOR NEXT YEAR ARE GIVEN OUT ON JULY 1st.

LEGISLATORS MUST MAKE CHANGES BEFORE THEN IF BREWERIES WANT TO SEE CHANGES .

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

BUT FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS OR CHECK US OUT ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BROWN OF A NOSY, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING, WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> AND JIM INSURANCE GROUPS , RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.