>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTOR, THE VOICE FOR REALTY IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM, AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> A WIN FOR WOMEN IN THE 9/11 SURVIVOR COMMUNITY.

TONIGHT, THERE IS MORE HELP ON THE WAY FOR THOSE WHO LIVED THROUGH THE SEPTEMBER 11th TERRORIST ATTACKS.

UTERINE CANCER IS NOW ON THE WORLD HEALTH CENTER LIST OF ILLNESSES RELATED TO 9/11.

MEANS WOMEN WHO WORKED, LIVED, OR WERE FIRST RESPONDERS A GROUND ZERO CAN NOW APPLY FOR COMP FINANCIAL COMPENSATION.

PREVIOUSLY, IT WAS THE ONLY CANCER NOT COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM.

FEDERAL LEADERS FROM NEW JERSEY ARE ALSO TOUTING ANOTHER SUCCESS FOR 9/11 SURVIVORS TODAY.

A BILL RECENTLY SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN PROVIDING CATCH UP PAYMENTS FOR THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS, SPOUSES, AND FAMILIES OF THE ATTACK.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE KNEW WHEN THE FUND WAS CREATED, THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN WERE PURPOSELY LEFT OUT OF THE FUND, AND WE WERE ANGRY BACK THEN, SEVEN YEARS AGO.

IT'S TAKEN SEVEN LONG YEARS TO GET TO THIS POINT TODAY WHERE WE ARE NOW WHOLE.

>> TERRY ESTRADA JOINED WITH MANY VICTIMS FAMILIES TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE RECENT PASSAGE OF THE 9/11 FAMILIES ACT.

>> DELIVERS LONG-OVERDUE RELIEF TO 9/11 FAMILIES WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY UNFAIRLY EXCLUDED FROM THE U.S. VICTIMS OF SPACE ANSWERED TERRORIST ACT.

VICTIMS OF THE 1983 BEIRUT MARINE BARRACKS BOMBING, AND THE 1996 POWERS ATTACK.

>> Reporter: THESE FAMILIES WERE PREVIOUSLY EXCLUDED WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPED THE VICTIMS OF STATE-SPONSORED TERRORIST FUND.

THE 9/11 FAMILIES WERE LEFT OUT BECAUSE THEY'D ALREADY RECEIVED PAYMENT FOR THE FEDERAL THE COMP AND PATIENT FUND SPECIFICALLY FOR 9/11 SURVIVORS.

AFTER THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SUED IRAN, THEY ARGUED THAT EXCLUSION WAS WRONG.

>> WE SUED THEM FOR THE PART THAT THEY TOOK IN 9/11, SO THERE PART WAS HARBORING THE TERRORIST AND ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE TRAINING GROUND THERE, AND NOT STAMPING THEIR PASSPORTS.

THEY WERE TRAVELING REALLY IN AND OUT OF THEIR COUNTRY, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THEM AND TRAP THEM.

THAT'S WHERE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY LIES.

>> WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE PAYING JUDGMENTS ON PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT DEPENDENT, THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF WAS MY CHILDREN.

MY CHILDREN SHOULD BE RECEIVING PART OF THIS JUDGMENT.

THEY WERE INDEPENDENT OF MY HUSBAND.

>> WE BELIEVE IT WAS A MISINTERPRETATION.

THAT'S WHY CONGRESS, IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, FIXED IT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INTERPRETATION WAS CLEAR.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THE FUNDING WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON HER THREE KIDS, WHO ARE YOUNG ADULTS NOW, BUT WERE LITTLE WHEN THEY LOST THEIR DAD ON 9/11.

>> MY YOUNGEST WAS THREE MONTHS, 6, AND 8.

AND NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN BRING MY HUSBAND BACK, BUT THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS FROM THEIR FATHER, WHO WASN'T THERE TO HELP THEM AND TEACH THEM HOW TO WORK ON THEIR HOUSES.

>> Reporter: FOR JUDITH YOUNG, RECEIVING COMPENSATION IS TAKEN FOUR DECADES.

>> MY SON JEFFREY WAS A U.S. MARINE.

HE WAS ONE OF THE 220 MARINES THAT WAS KILLED, ALONG WITH THE 18 SAILORS AND THREE SOLDIERS ON OCTOBER 23rd, 1983.

THIS OCTOBER WE WILL MARK THE 40th ANNIVERSARY.

TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS BILL, WITH THE REST OF THE FAMILIES, HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL FOR ME.

>> Reporter: THE BILL IS PASSED AS A RECENT AMENDMENT IN THE $1.73 TRILLION OMNIBUS GOVERNMENT SPENDING BILL, CLOSE TO $3 MILLION WILL BE PAID TO MORE THAN 5300 FAMILIES AND CATCH UP PAYMENTS.

THEY ARE LAUNCHING A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE ONGOING FISCAL NEEDS FOR THE FUND.

>> ONCE A CATCH-UP PAYMENT ARE SET, WE EXPECT NEARLY $2 BILLION WILL BE RESERVED FOR ALL OF THE OTHER VICTIMS OF THE FUND.

THIS MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF IRAN HOSTAGES, EMBASSY BOMBING VICTIMS, AND THE VICTIMS OF THE USS COLE ATTACK.

>> IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUSTAIN THE FUND IN THE LONG-TERM.

THEY TELL US THAT STILL HAS TO GO THROUGH THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

IN JERSEY CITY, I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> RECENT FINANCIAL WOES AT SOME OF THE PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE CALLING FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE TODAY PROPOSED MORE FISCAL TRANSPARENCY THROUGH A SERIES OF BILLS, AND CITED INCIDENTS OF IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING AT SCHOOLS LIKE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, AND FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT AT NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY AS REASONS BEHIND THE LEGISLATION.

IF PASSED, THE NEW LAWS WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC COLLEGES TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL FISCAL REPORT THE STATE AND UNDERGO A FULL AUDIT EVERY THREE YEARS.

THOSE REPORTS WOULD NEED TO BE PUBLISHED ONLINE FOR THE PUBLIC, AND THE SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION WOULD BE GIVEN AUTHORITY TO APPOINT A STATE MONITOR IF THEY SHOWED FISCAL INSTABILITY.

THE LEGISLATION ALSO REQUIRES BETTER TRAINING FOR WORD MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS CURRENTLY HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT.

TODAY, DEMOCRATIC LEADERS SAY POOR FISCAL DECISIONS IMPACT THOUSANDS OF LIVES AND CAUSED STUDENTS, FACULTIES, AND HAVE TO SUFFER THE MOST.

THERE'S CONFERENCE CONTROVERSY TONIGHT OVER WHAT THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE IS CALLING -- FALSELY ADVERTISING AS ABORTION CLINICS.

BUT INSTEAD, WORK TO DISSUADE PREGNANT PEOPLE FROM THE PROCEDURE ONCE THEY GET THROUGH THE DOORS.

THE PREGNANCY CRISIS CENTER LEADERS SAY THE STATE IS BLATANTLY USING ITS AUTHORITY TO GO AFTER ORGANIZATIONS IT DISAGREES WITH.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING PATIENTS, WHICH GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT I STAND FOR AS AN OB/GYN AND AS AN PHYSICIAN.

>> Reporter: CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS LIKE LIGHTHOUSE AND PATTERSON IS ONE OF MORE THAN 50 SUCH FACILITIES IN NEW JERSEY THAT ADVERTISE WITH WEBSITE MESSAGES LIKE, CONSIDERING AN ABORTION?

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU DURING YOUR UNPLANNED PREGNANCY.

BUT CRITICS SAY THEY HAVE REALLY JUST ONE AGENDA.

>> I THINK IF THEY ARE PURPOSELY GIVING PEOPLE MISINFORMATION TO DISSUADE THEM FROM AN ABORTION.

AND SO IF THESE CLINICS ARE DELAYING NEEDED CARE, THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER.

>> THE CENTERS PARTICULARLY TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME.

>> ANDREA SCHWARTZ CREATED A MAP ACROSS THE U.S. YOU CAN ALSO FOCUS ON NEW JERSEY, WHICH HAS DOZENS OF THESE FACILITIES.

RESEARCHERS WANTED TO ALERT FOLKS, AS THEY OFTEN OFFER FREE SERVICES LIKE NONDIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND AND ALLEGEDLY USE THEM AS EMOTIONAL PERSUASION AGAINST ABORTIONS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO SAY, YOU HAVE A HEARTBEAT, AND YOU HAVE MOMMY WRITTEN ON ULTRASOUNDS, AND STUFF LIKE THAT, AND USE THAT WAY TO BUILD ATTACHMENT AS ANOTHER TOOL TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE'S DECISION-MAKING AROUND THE PREGNANCY.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THEY REALLY ENDANGER PUBLIC HEALTH, BECAUSE PEOPLE END UP GOING TO THE CENTER INSTEAD OF A LEGITIMATE PRACTICE.

>> Reporter: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RECENTLY RELEASED AN ALERT WARNING.

CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS DO NOT PROVIDE ABORTION CARE.

THEY SEEK TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING COMPREHENSIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING ABORTION CARE AND CONTRACEPTION, SOMETIMES BY PROVIDING FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION.

THE ALERT ALSO RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT CPC'S MEDICAL TRAINING AND PATIENT PRIVACY.

>> FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, FOR THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, OR ANY STATE, TO GO AFTER PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING CHARITIES TO HELP WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

>> Reporter: CHRIS BELL IS DEFIANTLY ACTIVE ANTIABORTION, AND RUNS A FACILITY FOR HOMELESS PREGNANT PATIENTS.

>> IF THE WOMEN DOESN'T HEAR WHAT SHE LIKES, SHE'S FREE TO GO OUT AND GO BACK ONLINE.

BUT MOST WOMEN ENGAGE IN THE CONVERSATION AND SAY, SO TELL ME ABOUT ALL THE OPTIONS I HAVE.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT LIGHTHOUSE ALSO EXPRESSED SHOCK AND DISAPPOINTMENT, THING IS LUMPING A LOT INTO ONE CATEGORY.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT EVIDENCE THEY USED TWO ISSUE THAT.

IT'S UNFOUNDED AND NONSPECIFIC.

A GROUP OF CPC'S HAS HIRED AN ATTORNEY.

>> THEY WERE QUITE SURPRISED AND SHOCKED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ANY CRITICISM, BECAUSE THEY HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS.

AND IT BASICALLY WAS UNFEIGNED UNFAIRLY TARNISHING THE REPUTATION, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE IN ANY DECEPTION.

>> Reporter: SHE'S REACHED OUT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HOPING TO FIND A RESOLUTION RATHER THAN FILING A LAWSUIT.

I BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY GOVERNMENT IS GETTING BEHIND THE VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, KICKING IN A MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT TODAY TO HELP EXPAND AND CONTINUE THE SERVICES.

THEY HAVE BEEN CREDITED WITH REDUCING SHOOTINGS AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES ACROSS THE STATE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THAT STORY.

>> IS A GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC FROM COAST TO COAST.

I'VE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

>> Reporter: THE CONGRESSMAN SAYS HE IS WORKING TO MAKE PATTERSON'S PAPER.

HE RECENTLY HELPED SECURE $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IN PATTERSON.

>> THESE ARE A BLESSING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WE THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE MARKED A TURNING POINT WHERE WE DECLARED THE SAFETY OF PATTERSON.

>> Reporter: HE'S JOINING LOCAL LEADERS IN PATTERSON TODAY AS THE MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT WAS AWARDED TO REIMAGINING JUSTICE.

>> WILL TRY TO MAKE SURE YOUNG FOLKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO RELATE TO VIOLENCE.

>> THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY MEDICAL ENTER TO PROVIDE VARIOUS RESOURCES LIKE YOU AND TORI AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS IN AN EFFORT TO STOP VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

>> WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS CREATE A COMPLEMENTARY STRATEGY TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE ARE NOT SAYING WE HAVE ALL THE SOLUTIONS, BUT POLICE CANNOT DO IT ALL THE ELVES.

THESE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE THAT ARE NOW SURVIVORS, THEY HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE THEY NEED AND MOTIVATION FOR MENTOR SHIP.

WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE RECENT SURVIVORS OF GUN VIOLENCE ON OUR TEAM WHO ARE DOING HIS WORK EVERY DAY.

>> IT'S A SIMPLE MISSION.

WE WANT TO HELP THE COMMUNITY BY FOCUSING ON THE POOR AND VOLATILE COMMUNITIES.

WE KNOW TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO MOVE OUTSIDE THE HOUSE THE WITH OWNERSHIP LIKE THIS, BECAUSE PUBLIC SAFETY IS A PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE.

IT'S RIGHT IN LINE WITH OUR MISSION.

THIS IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY TO EXPANDING WHAT WE DO.

AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS IS HARD WORK.

WHEN YOU'RE ON THE CUTTING EDGE, YOU BUMP UP TO LONG-STANDING PRACTICES AND THINGS THAT NEED TO CHANGE, AND WE ARE CHANGING, AND WE ARE SEEING A DIFFERENCE.

WE KNOW THE STORIES AND NOW WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: THIS COMES ON THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 18-YEAR-OLD'S DEATH.

SHE WAS GETTING READY TO HEAD TO MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE HELPING HIS GRANDMOTHER WITH GROCERIES.

PATTERSON SAYS THIS GRANT WILL HOPEFULLY PREVENT ANOTHER LIFE FROM BEING LOST TOO SOON.

>> OUR KIDS NEED TO BE SAFE ON THE STREETS, GOING AND COMING FROM SCHOOL, AND AFTER SCHOOL.

THEY WANT TO USE ALL THESE PARKS THAT THE MAYOR HAS NOW DONE A GREAT JOB IN REVITALIZING, BUT WE WANTED TO BE SAFE SO THAT THEY CAN GO TO THE PARK AND THEN GO HOME FROM THE PARK, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER CHILD IN THE COUNTRY IS ABLE TO DO.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS WELL.

>> LEADERS SAY THEY HOPE INVESTMENTS LIKE THIS GRANT WILL HELP CREATE MORE SAFES ACES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOAL OF ONE DAY MAKING PATTERSON VIOLENCE FREE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE FUTURE OF THE STATES BEAR HUNT IS IN LIMBO.

THE DISPUTED PRACTICE WHAT BROUGHT BACK THIS YEAR AFTER THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION CITED AN UPTICK IN THE POPULATION.

BUT THE HUNT DIDN'T YIELD AS MANY BEARS AS ASKED ACTED, AND AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, A POTIONS ARE NOW SOUNDING OFF AND BRINGING LEGAL CHALLENGES TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO NEW JERSEY'S BEAR HUNT, SUPPORTERS AND CRITICS CAN AGREE ON ONE THING.

>> NEITHER POLITICS NOR EMOTION SHOULD BE THE DEFINING FACTOR WHEN DISCUSSING POPULATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.

>> Reporter: THE BEAR HUNT LED TO THE HARVEST OF 113 BEARS.

STATE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT THE 7% OF NEW JERSEY'S BEAR POPULATION, BUT IT'S ONLY A THIRD OF THE HARVEST GOAL FOR THE REINSTATED BEAR SEASON.

THE FISH AND GAME COUNSEL IS DELIBERATING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE A HUNT NEXT WINTER, AND THEY HAD PLENTY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS WEDNESDAY PRAISING AND ANNOUNCING THE BEAR HUNTS.

>> THIS WILL HELP CONTROL THIS POPULATION, WHICH HAS DOUBLED SINCE HUNTING WAS STOPPED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> THE FACT THAT ONLY 100 BEARS WERE KILLED DURING THAT PERIOD SHOWS THAT THERE WAS NOT A POPULATION OVERAGE.

>> THE POPULATION HAS INCREASED AND EXPANDED OVER THE TWO YEARS.

A FACT THAT IS CLEAR, GIVEN THE SKYROCKETING NUMBER OF REPAIR OF WORDS OF SERIOUS ENCOUNTERS THAT WE'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT.

>> THERE'S NOTHING SCIENTIFIC ABOUT A POLICY THAT AIMS TO KILL 25 TO 30% OF THE BEAR POPULATION EVERY YEAR, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES.

>> VERY BEAUTIFUL CREATURE, BUT THEY CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE, AND WE NEED TO UTILIZE ALL TOOLS IN THE CHEST TO MAKE SURE WE LIMIT THE HUMAN BEAR CONFLICTS.

>> SOME SAID NONLETHAL MEASURES WOULD BE A MORE EFFECTIVE TOOL THAN HAVING ANOTHER HUNT.

>> THEY SHOULD PRIORITIZE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THEIR PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST RESIDENTS IN BEAR COUNTRY TO EMPLOY BEAR RESISTANT TRASH CANS AND TWO TAKEDOWN BIRDFEEDERS.

>> WE BELIEVE IN THE FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, AND HAVE SHOWN THAT NONLETHAL MANAGEMENT ARE IMPORTANT, BUT WILL NOT BE THE ONLY WAY TO CONTROL THE POPULATION.

>> I URGE YOU TO APPROVE A COMPREHENSIVE BEAR MANAGEMENT POLICY THAT IS TRUE TO THE MANDATE, AND INCLUDES PROTECTION, ALONG WITH MANAGEMENT.

>> FORMER STATE SENATOR LESNIAK SAYS HE'S GOING TO SUE THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

HIS GOAL IS TO INVALIDATE THE COMPOSITION OF AN EFFICIENT GAME COUNT.

>> I HAVE A REAL PASSION TO PROTECT BEARS FROM UNNECESSARY HUNTING THAT THE FISH AND GAME COUNSEL DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BECAUSE OF PROMOTING HUNTING.

>> BY STATE LAW, THE STATE CLUBS RECOMMEND 6 OF THE 11 MEMBERS FOR THE FISH AND GAME COUNSEL.

HE CLAIMS THAT'S A VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 3 OF NEW JERSEY STATE CONSTITUTION, SINCE THEY ARE A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.

>> THE FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT MUST BE MADE BY GOVERNMENT.

THE POLICY OF GOVERNMENT MUST BE MADE BY GOVERNMENT AND NOT A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.

JUST LIKE I WON THE CASE TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN AMERICA BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, I INTEND TO WIN THIS ONE TO ABOLISH THE FISH AND GAME COUNSEL AS IT CURRENTLY IS CONSTITUTED.

>> HE SAYS HE'S THE FIRST PERSON TO SUE THE STATE BASED ON ARTICLE THREE, AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES HIS LAWSUIT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER UNSUCCESSFUL LAWSUITS IN HIS PAST.

THE STATE WILL ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENTS UNTIL FEBRUARY 3rd FOR OR AGAINST ANOTHER BEAR HUNT NEXT WINTER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THE U.S. HIT THE DEBT CEILING TODAY AND IS NOW AT RISK OF DEFAULTING ON IT BILLS.

IN A LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, TREASURY SECRETARY JANET YELLEN SAID THAT DEPARTMENT IS STARTED TAKING WHAT IT CALLS EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES SO THE GOVERNMENT CAN PAY IT BILLS, HITTING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS MORE TIME TO SIDESTEP AN ECONOMIC CRISIS.

BUT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE STARK.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITERS WITH ME NOW TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SCENARIO THAT COULD POTENTIALLY DENTIST EIGHT THE ECONOMY.

BUT FIRST, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DEBT LIMIT IS, AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND SO, THIS DEBT LIMIT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR DECADES, AND EFFECTIVELY, IT ALLOWS CONGRESS -- IT ALLOWS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE SPENDING IN A WAY THAT KEEPS THINGS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND MEDICARE BENEFITS FLOWING.

AND BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFTEN OPERATE IN MORE EXPENDITURES THAT CAN BE -- THAT REQUIRES BORROWING.

AND FROM TIME TO TIME, A STATUTORY BARRING LIMIT IS THAT.

IT HAS TO BE INCREASED, OR THERE HAS TO BE SOME OTHER SORT OF GIVEBACK IN TERMS OF SPENDING.

THAT BARELY EVER OCCURS.

>> SO THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT TODAY SAID ACTUALLY IN A LETTER FROM JANET YELLEN THAT IT WILL TAKE WHAT IT CALLS EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO STAVE THE SITUATION OFF.

IS THAT LIKE FINDING OTHER MONEY ELSEWHERE IN THE COUCH CUSHION, MAYBE, TO PAY HER BILLS AND PUT OFF THIS DEBT SCENARIO?

>> ABSOLUTELY, A LITTLE BIT.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTING MANEUVERS THAT THE TREASURY CAN CARRY OUT.

THE REAL NEGATIVE OUTCOME HERE THAT EVERYBODY WOULD LIKE TO AVOID IS THE TREASURY DEFAULTING ON AN INTEREST PAYMENT, WHICH HAS NEVER OCCURRED.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE A VARIOUS NUMBER OF ACCOUNTING MANEUVERS THAT CAN BE CARRIED OUT SO WE DON'T GET INTO THAT SITUATION WHERE A BOND PAYMENT IS MISSED.

ACCORDING TO THE TREASURY SECRETARY, THERE'S ENOUGH TO LAST UNTIL ABOUT JUNE BEFORE WE REACH THAT OUTCOME AGAIN, THAT EVERYONE WOULD SEEMINGLY LIKE TO AVOID, WHICH IS DEFAULTING ON AN INTEREST PAYMENT.

WE DON'T WANT TO RUN INTO AN ISSUE WHERE WE HAVE VERY BAD IT COMES FOR THE ECONOMY, AND ECONOMISTS HAVE PREDICTED A WHOLE OTHER SLEW OF POTENTIALLY SEVERE REPERCUSSIONS IF WE EVER REACH THAT POINT.

>> HOW WOULD THAT PLAY OUT FOR NEW JERSEY, AND WHY DON'T WE SEE SIMILAR SCENARIOS PLAYING OUT HERE WHEN WE KNOW THESE BUDGET PADDLES AND DEBT BATTLES OFTEN GO DOWN TO THE WIRE HERE, TOO?

>> WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

EVEN GETTING CLOSE TO TALKING ABOUT A DEFAULT ABOUT A DECADE AGO CAUSED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BOND RATING TO BE DOWNGRADED, AND THAT REALLY IS BAD FOR TAXPAYERS, BECAUSE IT RESULTS IN HIGHER INTEREST COSTS AND ENDS UP MAKING ANY KIND OF GOVERNMENT MONEY, WHICH IS FREQUENTLY MORE COSTLY.

REALLY, WE DON'T FACE THE SITUATION SO MUCH IN NEW JERSEY, BECAUSE THE STATE CONSTITUTION DOESN'T ALLOW SPENDING TO A LARGE DEGREE.

AND SO THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR IN THE JULY TO JUNE FISCAL YEAR HAS TO BE BALANCED IN THE SENSE THAT REVENUES DO HAVE TO LINE UP PERFECTLY WITH EXPENDITURES.

AND SO WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION PLAY OUT IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS WHEN THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS OVER SPENDING, BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT SCENARIO THAN WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

>> SO WASHINGTON TO TAKE A NOTE FROM TRENTON.

THANKS SO MUCH, JOHN.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> NEW YORK LEADERS TOOK A STEP TO PUTTING A STOP TO A TROUBLING REAL ESTATE TREND.

THE CITY COUNCIL, UNANIMOUSLY VOTING TO RESTRICT SOME CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES BOUGHT BY DEVELOPERS SO THAT THEY WILL BE USED AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING ONLY.

NEWARK MAYOR HAS BEEN ROLLING OUT PROGRAMS TO INCREASE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND MAKE THE CITY MORE EQUITABLE.

RECENT INITIATIVES FOLLOW THEY WERE WORK FOLLOWED BY RUTGERS, UNVEILING REAL ESTATE INVESTORS WERE BUYING PRIVATE HOMES IN THE EDDIE AND TURNING THEM INTO RENTALS AT MUCH HIGHER PRICES.

THE NEW ORDINANCE PUTS THIRTY-YEAR DEED RESTRICTIONS ON A LIST OF THE ON PROPERTIES, INCLUDING VACANT LOTS AND HOMES THAT WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE MAYOR SAYS MORE HOUSING PROPOSALS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE COMING MONTH.

>>> ON WALL STREET, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESSWEEK THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE LOOKS AT HOW A LOOMING RECESSION COULD IMPACT NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALITY IN THIS THREE, AND WHERE THOSE BUSINESSES STAND IN THEIR PANDEMIC RECOVERY.

WATCH IT SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. STREAMING ON THE NJ'S LIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

AND FINALLY, REPLACING A BAD MEMORY WITH A POSITIVE ONE.

NINE-YEAR-OLD CALDWELL RESIDENT BOBBY WILSON IS BEING HONORED AT YALE UNIVERSITY PEABODY MUSEUM TOMORROW AS THE VERY FIRST CONTRIBUTOR OF SPOTTED LANTERN FLIES.

BOBBY, YOU WILL RECALL, MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES AFTER HER FAMILY'S OUT ABOUT A NEIGHBOR CALLING THE POLICE ON HER LAST OCTOBER.

SHE WAS SPRAYING TREES IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE WITH A NATURAL SOLUTION TO RID THEM OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES.

HER FAMILY ACCUSE THE NEIGHBOR OF RACIAL BIAS FOR ORTING A, QUOTE, LITTLE BLACK WOMAN WHO IS SCARING HIM.

FOLKS AT YALE GOT WIND OF THE STORY AND INVITED BOBBY AND HER OLDER SISTER TO MEET BLACK FEMALE SCIENTISTS AT THE SCHOOL.

WHEN BOBBY LEARNED THE MUSEUMS INSECT COLLECTION DIDN'T YET HAVE THE SPOTTED LANTERN FLY, SHE OFFERED HERS, OF COURSE.

IT'S NOT THE FIRST AWARD FOR THE 9-YEAR-OLD.

SHE'S BEEN HONORED AND RECOGNIZED NEARLY A DOZEN TIMES SINCE THAT INCIDENT, WHICH ONLY FUELED HER LOVE FOR SCIENCE.

GO BOBBY.

THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT, BUT DON'T MISS THIS WEEK EPISODE OF REPORTER ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL COURSE ON THE DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY'S PATRICK MURRAY ON WHETHER THEY SEE POLITICIANS IN TRENTON AS A DIRTY BUSINESS OR HONORABLE WORK.

FIND OUT HOW THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE RESPONDED.

THEN A PANEL OF REPORTERS LOOK AT THE TOP POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK.

THAT'S TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

RJW 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.

>> ORSTED 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.