>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJ AND INSURANCE GROUP SHARING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BY THE PSC G FOUNDATION.

>>> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

NEW JERSEY COVID-19 CASELOAD CONTINUES TO TREND LOWER, AND THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED OPTIMISM TODAY IN A TV INTERVIEW THAT SCHOOLKIDS MAY BE ABLE TO STOP WEARING MASKS BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE STATE REPORTED OVER 10,000 NEW CASES TODAY AND AN UPTICK FROM THE LAST FEW DAYS, BUT THE STATE'S SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE FOR CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES IS DOWN 51% FROM A WEEK AGO.

THE STATE REPORTED 161 DEATHS.

NEARLY 72% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND ABOUT 40% OF ALL NEW JERSEYANS ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER SHOT HAVE RECEIVED ONE.

IN THE MEANTIME, HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO BE IN THE 5000 RANGE TODAY JUST BELOW THAT.

ONE NEWARK HOSPITAL IS GETTING A BOOST IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19.

A FEDERAL STRIKE TEAM IS NOW ON THE GROUND AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WHICH IS TREATING COVID PATIENTS WITH A DEPLETED STAFF.

THE MILITARY MEMBERS WILL WORK AT THE HOSPITAL FOR THE NEXT MONTH.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF JUST SIX STATES WHERE MILITARY MEDICAL PERSONNEL WERE DEPLOYED TO ASSIST HARD-HIT HOSPITALS.

BRENDA FLANIGAN REPORTS, HOSPITAL WORKERS ARE RELIEVED THE STRIKE TEAM HAS ARRIVED.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> SHOWERED BY APPLAUSE, THE STRIKE TEAM FILED THROUGH A CROWD OF CHEERING EMPLOYEES.

WORKERS GATHERED TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO THE 25 MILITARY MEDICAL EXPERTS DEPLOYED TO ASSIST THE BELEAGUERED STAFF.

THEY DESCRIBED A RUSH OF EMOTIONS.

AND INSTANT MORALE BOOST.

>> WE ARE ELATED.

IT IS LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS CURRENT SURGE AND WE WILL SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> IT BRINGS UNDER MY MASK A BIG SMILE TO MY FACE.

BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE SO COOL, WHAT THEY DO AND THEY GO OUT TO HELP THE COUNTRY.

EVEN OVER HERE, THEY ARE HELPING US.

>> THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAVALRY HAS COME OVER THE HILL SO TO SPEAK.

BACK IN SPRING OF 2020 DURING THE FIRST DEADLY WAVE, ANOTHER UNITARY TEAM HELPED RALLY OVERWHELMED EMPLOYEES.

THIS TIME, THE OMICRON SURGE SENT HUNDREDS OF STAFFERS HOME SICK.

CLOSE TO 300, 10%, REMAIN OUT TODAY.

THE TROOPS WILL WORK IN THE EMERGENCY ROOMS AND I SEE YOU.

>> YOU PHYSICIANS AND NURSES AND RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS, ADMINISTRATORS, PATIENT CARE, THEY WILL DO THE ENTIRE GAMUT.

WE NEED HELP EVERYWHERE.

THESE ARE B,25 THAT WILL BE JOINING OUR TEAM AND INTEGRATED JUST AS THEY ARE AROUND.

THEY WON'T WEAR UNIFORMS ON DUTY, THEY WILL WEAR SCRUBS.

THEY WILL BE FULLY INTEGRATED IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> THE CEO SAYS UNIVERSITIES GOT 85 COVID PATIENTS DOWN FROM 180, BUT ALL OF THE BEDS ARE FULL OF COVID PATIENTS.

STEPHANIE BONNIE DIRECTS THE TRAUMA CENTER AT HOPES THE TEAM CAN HELP RELIEVE THE OVERWORKED NURSES.

>> I THINK THEY WILL HELP GET RATIOS UNDER CONTROL SO THERE'S ENOUGH NURSING STAFF.

PEOPLE ARE TAKING ON MORE PATIENTS THAN THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.

THAT WILL HELP THEM SO THE SHIFTS AREN'T SO GRUELING.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS ONE OF ONLY SIX HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE.

ALL OF THEM WENT THE DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS.

>> IT MEANS A LOT.

I LOST MY DAD.

>> UNIVERSITY PLAYS A SPECIAL ROLE SERVING HER COMMUNITY HERE IN AND AROUND NEWARK.

>> AS YOU KNOW, BLACK AND BROWN PERSONS HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED.

AND THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CARED FOR AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE MILITARY COME IN TO THE INSTITUTION.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY MOVING TO IMPLEMENT THE MANDATE REQUIRE HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO GET COVID VACCINATIONS PLUS BOOSTERS WITH NO MORE TESTING OPT OUT.

>> I WOULD EXPECT 60% OF EMPLOYEES ARE BOOSTED.

SOON IT WILL BE NEAR 100%.

WE HAVE AT LEAST 92% ONLY VACCINATED BASED ON OUR MANDATE.

SOME MANDATES WORK IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS.

>> SOME VEHEMENTLY DISAGREE.

A LABOR LEADER PROTECTS WITH MURPHY'S ORDER WHICH MIRRORS BIDEN'S ORDER WHICH WAS TAKEN DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT, THEY WANT TO KEEP TESTING OPTIONS OPEN.

THE NURSE SAYS IT IS A PERSONAL DECISION.

>> I FEEL LIKE THE RIGHT CHOICE WAS TO BE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

I HAVE KIDS, THEY ARE VACCINATED.

THEY WILL GET FIRST IN LINE FOR THE BOOSTER AS WELL.

>> THE TROOPS ARE VACCINATED AND THEY WILL START ON SATURDAY AND STAY FOR UP TO 45 DAYS.

>>> FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN WAS VISITING BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOINED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION TO ANNOUNCE THAT HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL RECEIVE A NEW ROUND OF FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID.

ONE $98 MILLION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS THE FUNDING WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS TO HELP KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL.

>> CHILDCARE ACCESS MEANS PARENTS IN SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: SHE EXPRESSES HER GRATITUDE FOR THE ABILITY TO ATTEND BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FULL TIME.

THE MOM OF TWIN DAUGHTERS SAYS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WASN'T FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE WHEN SHE FIRST GOT ACCEPTED IN 2019.

THANKS TO NEW RESOURCES AT BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, LIKE THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

>> I DROPPED MY DAUGHTERS OFF EVERY MORNING AND I'M ABLE TO COME TO CLASS WITH PEACE OF MIND.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE CHILDCARE THAT NOT ONLY GIVES ME FULL- TIME SCHOOL ALLOWS ME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY FINANCIAL AID.

IT IS EVERYTHING A FAMILY LIKE MINE NEEDED.

>> THE PROGRAM AID POSSIBLE UNDER THE NECK AND RESCUE PLAN TO ADDRESS ONGOING BARRIERS TO EDUCATION LIKE HOUSING AND FOOD INSECURITY.

MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> FOR FAR TOO MANY STUDENTS, THE PANDEMIC IS MEANT SKIP CLASSES BECAUSE THEY CAN FIND CHILDCARE OR MISS MEALS OR WORRIES ABOUT HOW TO AFFORD TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.

ON TOP OF THE STRESS OF TRYING TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AMIDST A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST LADY JOINT U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY MIGUEL CARDONA AT BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE TODAY TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THE PROGRAM FIRSTHAND.

AS A TEACHER, THE INITIATIVE IS ESPECIALLY DEAR TO THEIR HEART.

>> IT IS WHEN YOU GO INTO THE CLASSROOM AND YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT ENGAGE STUDENT, SOMEONE WHO HAS SO MUCH PASSION AND POTENTIAL, AND THEN THEY JUST FADE OUT OF CLASS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND A BABYSITTER.

THEY START MISSING LECTURES.

THEN THEY FALL BEHIND BECAUSE THEY JUST CAN'T CATCH UP.

OR THE COST OF CHILDCARE IS JUST TOO MUCH AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT.

AND THEY HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN WORKING EXTRA SHIFTS AT WORK AND PURSUING A DEGREE THAT WILL HELP THEM MAKE MORE MONEY.

IT IS A TOUGH CHOICE, BUT THERE IS NO CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE.

SO THEY CHOOSE TO DROP OUT.

AND ONE DAY, THEY ARE JUST GONE.

CHILDCARE MAKES GRADUATION POSSIBLE.

AND IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRUGGLING JUST TO STAY AFLOAT AND CLIMBING INTO A BETTER LIFE.

>> AN ADDITIONAL $198 MILLION UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN WILL GO TOWARD MAKING SURE STUDENTS AND HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNING GET THE EDUCATION THEY NEED AND SOME BENEFITS INCLUDE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND GIVING UNPAID BALANCES SO STUDENTS CAN STAY ENROLLED.

THEY WILL GET ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR OTHER FEDERAL BENEFITS THEY MAY QUALIFY FOR LIKE SNAP.

>> I LOVE THIS ONE THE MOST.

HOW BERGEN PAID THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES FOR MORE THAN 2000 STUDENTS.

THAT IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS ALREADY ONE OF THE INSTITUTIONS USING FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP STUDENTS WHICH OFFICIALS SAY HAS LIFTED A HUGE BURDEN FOR SO MANY.

>> DURING COVID, WE PROVIDED TONS OF DOLLARS OF DIRECT GAIN TO OUR STUDENTS INCLUDING THINGS LIKE LAPTOPS AND CHROME BOOKS, TUITION, DEBT RELIEF TO THE TUNE OF $5 MILLION.

>> WE KNOW THAT REMOVING BARRIERS TO STUDENT SUCCESS IS AN ALL IN TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM- UP EFFORT.

IT IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A FOCUS IN OUR ADMINISTRATIONS NEXT 4 YEARS.

>> COMMITTEE COLLEGES AND RURAL HIGHER EDUCATION WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY TO THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

MONEY EXPECTED TO BE AWARDED IN THE SPRING.

>>> A $40 MILLION FUND OF STATE AID FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS WHO WERE INELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY CUT BACK.

WITH ONLY ABOUT SIX AND HALF MILLION DOLLARS SENT OUT SO FAR, STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEIR HANDS ARE TIED CITING THE USE IT OR LOSE IT NATURE OF CARE ZACH FUNDING AND LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED DEMANDS.

BUT IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY GROUPS ARGUED THE PROGRAM'S COMPLICATED PROCESS RATHER THAN LACK OF NEED IS THE REAL PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: I THINK THE QUESTION BECOMES, WHAT WILL THE STATE DO NEXT IF THERE IS REALLY ONLY $6 MILLION THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT?

>> ADVOCATES LIKE AMY TORRES ARE OUTRAGED THAT THOUSANDS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS THAT APPLIED FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEY'S FUND MAY NOT GET IT BECAUSE THE $40 MILLION FUND WHICH LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER AND OFFERED UP TO $4000 IN ONE-TIME ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO WERE EXCLUDED FROM FEDERAL AND STATE PANDEMIC RELIEF HAS BEEN SLASHED BY $34 MILLION.

>> LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS THAT ARE IN, THAT ARE PROVIDED BY THE STATE, JUST THE SCALE OF APPLICATIONS THAT REMAIN OPEN SEEMS TO POINT TO AN ISSUE ON THE OPERATIONS SIDE AND NOT ON THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH SIDE.

>> ADVOCATES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS PUSH FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF FOR MONTHS BUT THE STATES AS DEMAND FOR THE FUND HAS BEEN LOW.

TORRES SAYS THAT DOESN'T FIT WITH THE NUMBERS.

11,800 PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED ACCORDING TO THE STATE FIGURES, ONLY ABOUT 2700 HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND JUST 531 HAVE BEEN DENIED.

THAT MEANS MORE THAN 7000 APPLICATIONS ARE STILL PENDING REVIEW.

AT A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH WORKERS AND ADVOCATES, NORMA SHARED FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE FUND AND SAID THE APPLICATION IS PENDING REVIEW.

THE DHS SAYS ANYONE THAT'S BEEN APPROVED FOR THE FUNDING WILL RECEIVE BENEFITS BUT THAT IS NOT PROVIDING COMFORT TO THOSE THAT SAY THE APPLICATIONS ARE HANGING IN LIMBO.

>> I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M ANGRY.

I'M ANGRY WE WERE GIVEN THE HOPE OF THIS FUND AND IT IS AN INSULT AND WE DON'T KNOW WHY IT TOOK THE MONEY AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ALL THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE STILL PENDING.

>> PART OF THE REQUIREMENT WAS THAT YOU NEED TO GET A LETTER FROM THE EMPLOYER AND YOU NEED A LETTER SAYING THAT YOU LOST INCOME OR YOU LOST THE HOURS OF WORK.

FROM YOUR EMPLOYER OR FOR YOUR LANDLORD.

SO THERE GOING BACK TO THE EMPLOYER TO ASK THE EMPLOYER, HEY, I NEED YOU TO WRITE ME A LETTER, THE LIKELIHOOD THEY WILL WRITE A LETTER SAYING I'M THE EMPLOYER, IT IS VERY LOW.

SO MANY OF THEM WERE NOT ABLE TO GATHER THE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THEN THE PROCESS FOR THEM TO HAVE WHAT WE CALL AS THE LAST STEP, A CELL DECLARATION WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR MANY OF THEM.

>> DHS HIRED SIX COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND SAYS THE SCOPE OF THE WORK WAS CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE RFP, THE VOLUNTARY PERSPECTIVE PRESENTATION AND A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER PERIOD AVAILABLE TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD THE REQUEST.

BUT TORRES SAYS THAT DOESN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

>> WE HAVE SIX PROVIDERS AT THE TABLE FOR A STATE WITH A POPULATION OF THE SIZE AND A NEED THIS GREAT.

I THINK THE STATEMENT POINTS TO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS.

SIX ACROSS AN ENTIRE STATE IS A REALLY SMALL NUMBER ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THESE PROVIDERS ARE NOT JUST EXCLUDED NEW JERSEYANS FUNDING CONTRACTORS.

>> MURPHY MISSED RATION POINTS TO FEDERAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE MONEY AS A REASON WHY THE FUND WAS CUT OFF IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS A FEDERAL FUNDING CAME WITH THE DEADLINE OF SEMPER 31st AND INSTEAD OF RETURNING THE $34 MILLION IN UNUSED FUNDING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE MENSTRUATION SAYS IT WILL USE THE FUNDS TO PAY OFF EXPENSES LIKE PAYROLL AND OTHER DEPARTMENT COSTS.

THE STATE MADE AN ADDITIONAL $10 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR THE FUND AND IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH JANUARY 31st.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THE GOVERNOR REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE THAT NEED IT AND ENCOURAGES ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS TO APPLY TO THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEY'S FUND THIS MONTH.

>> REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE STATE SAYS OR RESPONDS, PEOPLE ARE NOT SAYING RELIEF DELIVERED TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

BENEFIT PAYMENTS GO OUT TO APPROVED APPLICANTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

SO FAR ABOUT 6.5 MILLION HAS BEEN SENT OUT AND ADVOCATES ARE STILL CALLING FOUR $1 BILLION IN AID FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS.

>> IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, GOVERNOR MURPHY STARTS THE SECOND TERM WITH A VERY FAVORABLE BUDGET PICTURE FOR THE STATE.

TAX COLLECTIONS SO FAR THIS FISCAL YEAR ARE RUNNING AHEAD OF LAST YEAR.

IN FACT, TOTAL TAX REVENUES WERE UP MORE THAN 20% YEAR-OVER- YEAR IN DECEMBER.

BUT EVEN AS TAX RECEIPTS ARE BOOMING, THERE IS SOME CAUTION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT HOW THIS WILL ALL PLAY OUT AS GOVERNOR MURPHY BEGINS WORKING ON THE NEW STATE BUDGET.

SHARE WITH US SOME DETAILS ABOUT NEW JERSEY'S FINANCIAL PICTURES , WE SEE GOVERNOR MURPHY STARTING HIS SECOND TERM, WHAT IS HE WALKING INTO WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINANCES?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND TERM IS ACTUALLY STARTING UP PROMISING FROM THE GOVERNOR IN TERMS OF THE SHAPE OF THE BUDGET.

THAT IS BECAUSE STATE REVENUE COLLECTIONS HAVE BEEN COMING IN VERY STRONG OVER THE FIRST HALF OF THE STATE FISCAL YEAR WHICH STARTED IN JULY.

SO WE HAVE DATA FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND OVERALL REVENUES ARE UP ABOUT 20% OR A LITTLE BIT MORE YEAR-OVER-YEAR WHICH IS VERY PROMISING.

BUT THERE'S STILL THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR TO GO.

SO THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY TO GET THE JUNE 30th WHEN THE FISCAL YEAR CLOSES OUT BUT CERTAINLY A STRONG START FOR THE BUDGET AND FOR MURPHY AS HE BEGINS THE SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

>>> AS THEY LOOK AHEAD TO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, THERE IS SOME CAUTION.

WHY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THERE IS AN EXPECTED SLOWDOWN AND SOME OF THAT IS A FUNCTION OF TAX POLICY AND SOME CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED RECENTLY INCLUDING TAX CUTS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE OVERLOOKED A BUNCH OF TAX CUTS THAT WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE LATEST STATE BUDGET AND THOSE WILL TAKE A BITE OUT OF INCOME TAX COLLECTIONS AS PEOPLE START TO FILE TAXES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS AND THAT IS ONE THING.

WE ALSO HAVE AN EXPECTED SLOWDOWN BASED ON POTENTIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO TO THE FIRST LITTLE BIT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND HAS HELPED THE STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY OUT A LOT, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PANDEMIC IS GOING.

SOME OF THE FEDERAL INTERVENTION SEEMS TO BE WANING.

WE EXPECT GREAT INCREASES ON WALL STREET THIS YEAR AND SO THAT COULD ALL PLAY A ROLE IN HOW MUCH MONEY NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS MAKE OFF OF THE INVESTMENTS OR ALSO IN OTHER WAYS.

>> WE SAW THE ADMINISTRATION BE CAUTIOUS BEFORE MOST NOTABLY DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN IT FELT THE NEED TO BORROW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THERE WAS A REVENUE SHORTFALL THAT NEVER CAME TO PASS.

HOW MUCH CAUTION IS REALLY WARRANTED WHEN THE NUMBERS LOOK AS STRONG AS THEY DO RIGHT NOW?

>> THAT HITS THE ISSUE ON THE HEAD.

WE DON'T KNOW.

THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE PAST HAS BEEN VERY CAUTIOUS AND HAS GENERATED SURPLUS AS A RESULT OF THE CAUTION.

SPENDING WAS INCREASED TO A RECORD HIGH IN THE MOST RECENT BUDGET EVEN AS TAXES WERE CUT AND THAT COULD BE A TRICKY FORMULA TO NAVIGATE, BECAUSE YOU ARE REDUCING YOUR REVENUE STREAM AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE COMMITTING TO INCREASED SPENDING AND SO IF THE REVENUE GROWTH DOESN'T COME IN AS EXPECTED, SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE WHETHER THOSE ARE CUTS OR TAX INCREASES AND SO THAT IS THE CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD BUT WHERE DO THE REVENUES FALL AND WHAT IMPACT DOES THE PANDEMIC HAVE AND WILL NEW JERSEY BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF SPENDING THAT IT ENTERED INTO IN THE MOST RECENT BUDGET?

>> PLUS THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR ON HIS INAUGURATION DAY SAID THEY WOULD BE NO NEW TAXES.

>> LEFT REMEMBER, THERE WERE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASES ADOPTED COMING INTO WHEN THE GOVERNOR MADE THAT PROMISE.

MOST NOTABLY ON HIGH EARNERS AND TOP EARNING CORPORATIONS.

SO THOSE REMAIN IN PLACE AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GENERATE REVENUE EVEN AS MURPHY NOW PROMISES NO NEW TAX INCREASES.

>>> THAT THE TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> SAME HERE.

THANK YOU.

>>> NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET ACTIVITY ON WALL STREET.

MAKE SURE YOU TUNE INTO NJ BUSINESS BE WITH ME THIS WEEKEND.

WE PUT NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IN FOCUS.

HIGHLIGHTING VITAL PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR TRAIN AND CAR RIDES AND LOOKING AT THE CHALLENGES FACING THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

CHECK IT OUT ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAYS AT 10 A.M.. A MUCH DELAYED FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT MAY FINALLY BE COMPLETED THANKS TO FEDERAL FUNDING HEADING TO NEW JERSEY.

$500 MILLION IS EARMARKED TO ADDRESS FLOODING IN THE GREEN BOOK SUBBASIN ALONG THE RARITAN RIVER.

THE PROJECT WAS STARTED IN THE 1970S, BUT IT WAS NEVER COMPLETED DUE TO A LACK OF FUNDS.

NEW JERSEY IS GETTING A TOTAL OF $966 MILLION FROM BOTH THE RECENTLY APPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND SEPARATE LEGISLATION PROVIDING DISASTER FUNDS TO STATES HIT HARD BY HURRICANE IDA.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILL WORK ON PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE TO REDUCE FLOODING WHICH HAS BEEN INCREASING DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

MEANWHILE, A COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAS FILED A CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

THE LAWSUIT FILED BY MPOWER NJ FOCUSES ON THE STATE EFFORTS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

IT COMES AFTER THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DENIED THE GROUPS PETITION TO SPEED UP ACTIONS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESTRICT NEW FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS IN THE STATE.

THE PETITION ASKS THE DEP TO SET BENCHMARKS FOR REDUCING EMISSIONS.

THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS CONTEND THAT THE BENCHMARK SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AS A WAY TO TRACK PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING THE GOAL TO REDUCE CARBON POLLUTION 50% BELOW 2006 LEVELS BY 2030.

SPEAKING WITH THE NEWS, THE DEP COMMISSIONER SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALREADY TAKING ACTION TO CUT EMISSIONS WITH NEW REGULATIONS ON POWER PLANTS AND TRANSPORTATION IN THE STATE AND THEY SAID MORE REFORMS ARE COMING.

>> NEW JERSEY BECAME THE LATEST STATE TO DECRIMINALIZE THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV.

THE BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY REPEALED STATUTES THAT CRIMINALIZE SEX ACTS IF A PERSON KNEW THEY WERE INFECTED WITH HIV OR AIDES.

I SPOKE WITH THE DOCTOR, THE DEAN OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL OF HEALTH AT RUTGERS WHO IS AMONG THOSE CALLING THIS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AS IT REMOVES A STIGMA THAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF PEOPLE SEEKING TREATMENT.

>> THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LAW, TELL ME WHAT IT MEANS IN YOUR VIEW TO TAKE AWAY THE STIGMA OF HIV AND AIDES.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT HIV CRIMINALIZATION LAWS EXISTED SINCE 1986.

THEY ARE BASED ON HISTORY OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE AT THAT TIME.

SO DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE MADE MEDICAL ADVANCES OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT SOMEBODY WHO WAS HIV- POSITIVE CANNOT TRANSMIT THE VIRUS IF THEY ARE BEING TREATED EFFECTIVELY, THE LAWS REMAINED ON THE BOOKS.

WITH THE LAWS DO AT THIS POINT IS NOTHING BUT STIGMATIZE AND TREAT PEOPLE WITH HIV AS VECTORS OF DISEASE.

THE REMOVAL OF THESE LAWS FROM THE BOOKS, ONE AT THE STIGMATIZES HIV AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO BE TESTED AND ON TREATMENT WHICH IS ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WANT AND TO KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY AND IT CREATES A LIFE REALITY FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV TO NOT FEEL THEY ARE SOMEHOW DISEASED OR HORRIFIC OR LIKE VECTORS OF INFECTION.

AND I THINK THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT REALITY FOR THOSE THAT ARE TRYING TO MANAGE THE CHRONIC DISEASE EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THEIR LIFE.

>> A BIGGER PICTURE PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THE DANGER FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT WHEN WE SEE ANY DISEASE VIRUS OR ILLNESS STIGMATIZED?

>> THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAWS AS THEY ARE WRITTEN RIGHT NOW ARE AS FOLLOWS.

THE LAW BASICALLY INDICATE THAT IF YOU KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS AND YOU HAVE UNPROTECTED OR CONDOM LISTS SEX WITH SOMEBODY AND POTENTIALLY INFECT THEM, YOU CAN BE CRIMINALIZED.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR STATUS AND YOU HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY HAVE HIV, YOU CANNOT BE CRIMINALIZED.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THAT?

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE TREATED BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT ONE, TREATMENT GETS PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY FEEL BETTER AND HAVE FULLER LIVES, BUT NUMBER TWO, WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE 2017 CDC STATEMENT, BECAUSE OF WORK WE'VE DONE IN NEW YORK CITY AND IN NEW JERSEY, THE UNDETECTABLE IS UNTRANSLATABLE.

WHAT IS THAT MEAN?

THAT MEANS SOMEONE WHO IS HIV- POSITIVE WHO KNOWS THEIR STATUS WHO IS ON TREATMENT AND SUPPRESSES CANNOT TRANSMIT THE VIRUS TO THEIR SEXUAL PARTNERS.

IF YOU HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT MAKE PEOPLE PUNISH, THAT PUNISH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR STATUS, YOU ARE GOING TO UNDERMINE THE EFFORTS TO GET PEOPLE TESTED AND ON TREATMENT AND HEALTHY.

>> DO YOU EXPECT THAT OTHER STATES WILL FOLLOW SUIT AND CHANGE LAWS?

>> I EXPECT THAT THIS WILL FOLLOW IN MOST ENLIGHTENED STATES THAT LEAD WITH SCIENCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH LIKE THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

THE CDC HAS BEEN PUSHING THIS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR.

STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY ARE LEADING THE WAY, BUT QUITE FRANKLY, I DON'T EXPECT STATES THAT TAKE AWAY THE RIGHTS TO TAKE AWAY HIV CRIMINALIZATION LAWS EITHER.

MOST STATES WOULD DECRIMINALIZE.

WE ARE DOWN TO ABOUT 30 STATES IN WHICH THE LAWS ACTUALLY REMAIN.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL BECOME THE NORM.

>> IT WAS GREAT SPEAK WITH YOU ON THIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TUNE INTO REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SECOND TERM.

THAT IS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND COMMITTED TO THE PATIENT OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> THEY WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN , AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY, ONLINE AT U.S.WORSTED.COM.

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