>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD .

R WJ 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 BROWN OF THE NOSY.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THERE IS TONIGHT.

A NATION SHAKEN BY A STRING OF MASS SHOOTINGS .

24 PEOPLE DIED THIS WEEK IN A SERIES OF FIVE SHOOTINGS ACROSS THREE STATES .

BACK TO BACK SHOOTINGS IN CALIFORNIA , THEN IOWA, AND WASHINGTON.

A GROWING LIST OF TRAGIC VIOLENCE LESS THAN A MONTH INTO THE NEW YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE GUN VIOLENCE ARCHIVE, 40 MASS SHOOTINGS HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE U.S.

SO FAR IN 2023.

THAT IS MORE THAN ANY OTHER YEAR ON RECORD FOR THE SAME TIMEFRAME.

ADVOCATES OF GUN REFORM ARE QUESTIONING HOW CALIFORNIA, A STATE WITH SOME OF THE STRICT TEST GUN LAWS IN THE NATION COULD FALL PREY TO THIS SCOURGE OF VIOLENCE.

NEW JERSEY AND CALIFORNIA ARE THE ONLY TWO STATES IN THE COUNTRY WITH AN A RATING FROM THE GIFFORD FOUNDATION FOR GUN LAWS .

SO WHY AREN'T THEY ABLE TO PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS?

MICHAEL IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH CENTER AND JOINS ME NOW TO HELP ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

MICHAEL, I THINK THE QUESTION THAT A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE ON THEIR MINDS IS DUE STRICT GUN LAWS AND CAN STRICTER GUN LAWS PREVENT VIOLENCE?

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SHOW?

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO JUST SAY STRICT OR LOOSE GUN LAWS BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT TYPE OF LEGISLATION YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT TYPE OF GUN VIOLENCE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF RESEARCH SHOWING FAIRLY CONCLUSIVELY THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC FORMS OF LEGISLATION, WHETHER THAT IS LICENSING LAWS OR EXTREMIST PROTECTION ORDER SECOND STRONG EFFECTS IN PREVENTING PACIFIC FORMS OF GUN VIOLENCE.

>> YET WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS STRING OF EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS OFTEN COMPARED TO NEW JERSEY IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS IN THE NATION, WE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF MASS SHOOTINGS IN SUCH A SHORT TIME.

SO HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN WHEN THESE LAWS ARE ON THE BOOKS?

>> SO I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

NOW LEGISLATION IS PERFECT AT PREVENTING ANY SORT OF UNWANTED OUTCOME.

SO WHEN WE SEE A BAD THING HAPPEN, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS NO VALUE IN THE LEGISLATION, IT DOES MEAN IT IS IMPERFECT THAT IS TRUE OF ALL FORMS OF LEGISLATION TO PREVENT ALL SORTS OF THINGS, HOMICIDE OR ANY OTHER VIOLENCE.

HOW THESE THINGS CAN HAPPEN IN STATES THAT HAVE MORE RESTRICTIVE LAWS IN PLACE, FOR ONE THING OFTENTIMES YOU SEE FIREARMS TRAFFIC TO AND FROM NEIGHBORING STATES THAT HAVE NO RESTRICTIONS, SO THAT IS PART OF IT AND THAT COMES UP IN CRIME SCENES IN NEW JERSEY, FOR INSTANCE IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT SHIA POPULATION SIZE OF CALIFORNIA.

IT IS MASSIVE, THERE IS MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN.

YOU WOULD SEE THINGS HAPPEN THERE MORE OFTEN BECAUSE THERE IS MORE PEOPLE, MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN.

BUT THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY ON THAT FRONT IS WE SHOULD ALSO REMEMBER THAT THESE PUBLIC MASS SHOOTINGS AS COMMON AND HORRIFIC AS THEY ARE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA, SO WE CANNOT JUDGE HOW EFFECTIVE OUR LEGISLATION IS ON THE BASIS OF THIS ONE RELATIVELY RARE OUTCOME WHEN WHAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT IS ALL FORMS OF GUN VIOLENCE.

WHERE USE OF THE MOST HIGH RATES OF GUN INJURY ARE IN STATES THAT HAVE LESS RESTRICTIVE FIRE LEGISLATIONS.

>> THAT LEADS ME TO THINK OF THE BREWING CASE WHICH HAS TO DO WITH CONCEALED CARRY , A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY, LIKE NEW YORK, LIKE CALIFORNIA, WHICH HAD THOSE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, IS IT THEN OPENING THE DOOR, I GUESS FOR THAT WHEN YOU HAVE MORE PERMISSIBLE LAWS FOR EXAMPLE WITH A CONCEALED CARRY?

>> SO IT CERTAINLY COULD.

YOU HAVE LESS RESTRICTIONS ON CONCEALED CARRY, THAT MEANS THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WITH CONCEALED FIRE ARMS ON THEM IN ANY GIVEN MOMENT, WHICH CREATES MORE MONEY FOR A VIOLENT CRIME TO HAPPEN.

>> QUICKLY, I AM THINKING ABOUT THE SHEER AMOUNT OF GUNS AND FIREARMS THAT ARE CIRCULATING THROUGH THE U.S..

DOES THAT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF TRAGEDIES?

>> IT DOES NOT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE, IT MAKES IT MORE COMPLICATED AND IT HIGHLIGHTS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE OUR SOLUTIONS ARE ONLY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AT THE POINT-OF-SALE.

IF THERE ARE ALREADY MORE FIREARMS THAN PEOPLE, WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT SOLUTIONS THAT WORK IN TERMS OF LOWERING THE RISK FOR FIREARMS THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE HOME.

WE CAN'T JUST FOCUS ON PREVENTING THE NEXT PERSON FROM BUYING WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO ALREADY HAVE THEM.

>> APPOINT.

MICHAEL WITH THE NEW JERSEY GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH CENTER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> TONIGHT, A GROUP OF 80 DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS MEMBERS ARE CALLING OUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, URGING THE PRESIDENT TO REVERSE THE RECENT EXPANSION OF TITLE 42 , THAT IS THE PANDEMIC ARAB ORDER POLICY THAT GIVES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ABILITY TO PUT MORE RESTRICTIONS ON BORDER CROSSINGS.

THE EXPANSION UNDER BIDEN INCLUDES NEW BANDS FOR MIGRANTS SEEKING ASYLUM .

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL TODAY, NEW JERSEY'S SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ AND SENATOR CORY BOOKER JOINED NEW YORK REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDRIA CORTEZ AND OTHERS TO REMIND THE PRESIDENT HE PROMISED TO END TITLE 42 WHILE IN THIS, COMPARING THE ASYLUM POLICIES AT THE SOUTHERN ORDER TO CHOOSE WHO WERE TURNED AWAY FROM THE U.S.

WHILE FLEEING THE HOLOCAUST.

SENATOR MENENDEZ CALLED THE POLICY PART OF THE PROBLEM, NOT A SOLUTION.

>> ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THAT THE ONLY WAY TO SECURE OUR BORDER IS TO PUNISH ASYLUM-SEEKERS IS LYING.

IT IS WHY WE ARE APPALLED TO SEE PRESIDENT BIDEN REPLICATE TRUMPS IMMIGRATION STRATEGY.

THE RIGHT TO SEEK ASYLUM IS ENSHRINED IN BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC LAW.

>> FEDERAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE REPORTING A RISE IN THE TRAFFICKING CASES .

NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL MATT PLATT HAYMAN TODAY AND FEELING A NEW UNIT WITHIN THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE THAT WILL FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING THE CRIMES.

THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT WILL BE DEDICATED TO TAKING DOWN NETWORKS THAT TRADE AND EXPLOIT PEOPLE MOST OFTEN MINORS THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES DURING THIS NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH.

ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXECUTED FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCREASED 84% FROM 2011 TO 2020 TO JUST OVER 1300 CASES.

>>> ANOTHER CLASH OVER WHAT BELONGS ON BOOKSHELVES.

IN GLENRIDGE, A GROUP OF PARENTS ARE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE HALF A DOZEN BOOK TITLES FROM THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THAT LARGELY DEAL WITH ISSUES RELATED TO LGBT IDENTITY AND HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF OTHER ATTEMPTED BANDS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: GLENRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR TINA MARIE SAID SHE DID NOT EXPECT TO FIND HERSELF AT THE CENTER OF THE BOOK AND CONTROVERSY, BUT GLENRIDGE WHERE HE JOINED THE RANKS OF SEVERAL LIBRARIES ACROSS THE STATE, ANSWERING FOR ITS LITERARY SELECTIONS AFTER SIX BOOKS WERE CHALLENGED BY RESIDENTS.

>> I WAS SURPRISED, BUT THANKFULLY WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD POLICY IN PLACE.

>> IT GOES THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED A REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION.

THESE REQUESTS WERE BROUGHT BY A GROUP OF RESIDENTS CALLED CITIZENS DEFENDING EDUCATION WHO SAY THEY ARE SEEKING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON ALL ISSUES IN THE DISTRICT, EVEN IN SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY THE NEW DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES.

WE REACH OUT FOR AN INTERVIEW BUT RECEIVED THIS STATEMENT, OUR DISAPPOINTMENT STEMS FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE A TOTAL DISREGARD OR THE EMPTY OF MINORS AND CHILDREN IN THE TOWN OF GLENRIDGE.

>> QUESTIONS BECAUSE OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS, THERE WAS CONCERN THAT SOME OF THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON A GRAPHIC MATERIAL AND JUST GENERALLY THAT THEY WERE NOT AGE-APPROPRIATE.

>> SHE REVIEWED THE COMPLAINT AND DETERMINED THE BOOKS MET THE LIBRARIES LITERARY CRITERIA BASED ON THEIR POLICY CLEARLY STATED ON THE LIBRARY'S WEBSITE.

>> MAKING SURE THAT THE MATERIALS WERE SOUGHT THING ACCURATE, MEANINGFUL, AND HAD A REASON TO BE IN THE LIBRARY, WHETHER THAT BE ENTERTAINMENT OR EDUCATION .

>> CDE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE SAYING IN A STATEMENT HER RESPONSE WAS GENERIC AND LACKED ANY SPECIFICS REGARDING OUR EXPECTED CONCERNS.

SIX PERKS RANGE IN THE TARGET AUDIENCE AGE, SOME TEACHING ABOUT THE BODY AND SEX, OTHERS ARE WRITTEN BY OR ABOUT LGBT INDIVIDUALS.

>> WE HAVE TO ALLOW ACCESS AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO INFORMATION .

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO SEE THEMSELVES SEEN, RECOGNIZED AND DEFINED .

>> THE PROTEST SPOTTED A GROUP OF RESIDENTS TO FORM IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING THE BOOKS ON THE SHELF.

IT IS LED BY PHILIP JOHNSON.

>> OUR KIDS DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO READ AND FIND THEMSELVES IN THE LIBRARY.

I THINK THAT IS WHY WE PASSIONATELY BELIEVE WE SHOULD NOT BE LIMITING WHAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO.

>> HE POINTS TO ONE OF THE BOOKS IN CALLED PORNOGRAPHIC THAT SHOWS ILLUSTRATIONS OF A CHILD'S BODY AND INCLUDES LABELS WITH PROPER NAMES AND BODY PARTS.

IT ALSO TEACHES ABOUT PROPER AND IMPROPER TOUCHING.

JOHNSON SEES THIS BOOK AS >> TARGETED FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG KIDS, KIDS WHO ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN BODIES AND THE KIDS WHO NEED WORDS AND PHRASES TO KNOW WHAT TO SAY IF THEY EVER WERE SEXUALLY ABUSED AND HOW TO TELL SOMEONE.

>> GEORGE JOHNSON AUTHORED ONE OF THE BOOKS ON THE LIST, ALL BOYS ARE NOT.

HIS MOTIVATION .

>> I KNEW THERE HAD TO BE TEENAGERS WHO FEEL LIKE I FELT THE STILL WERE NOT SEEING THEMSELVES REPRESENTED , WHO STILL WERE ALSO NET FEELING SUPPORTIVE.

>> THE BOOKS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE GLENRIDGE LIBRARY WORD MEMBERS AND A COMING MEETING.

RESIDENT AND ADVOCATE LORI MOODY SAYS SHE HOPES THEY WILL REMAIN ON SHELVES.

>> WHEN YOU ARE IN A SMALL TOWN, SOMETIMES YOUR PORTAL, YOUR WINDOW TO THE LARGER WORLD AND FEELING LIKE YOU ARE OKAY WITH YOURSELF AND FEELING LIKE THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU IS THROUGH BOOKS AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYBODY REMOVE MATERIALS FROM OUR LIBRARY THAT PROVIDE THAT WINDOW.

>> THE BOARD MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AT 7:30 AT GLENRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE BOARD WILL MAKE A DECISION DURING THE PUBLIC SESSION WHETHER TO REMOVE THE BOOKS FROM THE COLLECTION.

IN THE MEANTIME, THEY WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE HERE.

>>> STATE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS GOT AN EAR FULL WEDNESDAY NIGHT DURING A PUBLIC HEARING IN TOMS RIVER WHERE RESIDENTS CRITICIZED A NEW SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL FOR THE FORMER SEEBECK I KEEP PROPERTY , NOW A SUPERFUND SITE CONTROLLED BY THAT COMPANY BASF DECRYING A LACK OF INPUT FROM THOSE MOST AFFECTED AND LITTLE TRANSPARENCY.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE CANCERS THEY CONTRACTED FROM WHAT WENT ON HERE, DO YOU CONSIDER LETTING PEOPLE COME ONTO THIS PROPERTY?

>> PEOPLE IN TOMS RIVER ARE SKEPTICAL TO SAY THE LEAST ABOUT A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND SF, THE COMPANY THAT OWNS THE SUPERFUND SITE.

THE INFAMOUS CHEMICAL PLANT POLLUTED GROUNDWATER FOR DECADES , RESULTING IN A $13 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER.

>> I COME HERE TODAY AS A NIECE OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO DIED A FEW MONTHS AGO.

HE HAD A VERY RARE FORM OF KIDNEY CANCER .

HE ENDED UP WITH LUNG CANCER.

MY UNCLE USED TO COME HOME AND IN THE SUMMER HE WOULD SWEAT THE COLOR OF THE DIE THAT HE WAS WORKING WITH EVERY DAY.

AND HIS KIDS WOULD JOKE ABOUT IT.

>> THE SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL ADDRESSES DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

BASF WOULD PAY $100,000 AND MOST OF THE GEIGY SITE WOULD BECOME AN OPEN SPACE AFTER CLEANUP.

ESTATE HAS CLAIMED THAT NOT ALL OF THE LAND IS CONTAMINATED LAST NIGHT PEOPLE IN TOMS RIVER TOLD THE DAP THAT THEY DON'T THINK THE PROPOSAL GOES FAR ENOUGH AND THEY DON'T FULLY BELIEVE THE DEP.

>> HOW DO WE KNOW?

WE DON'T KNOW .

NONE OF THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD AND HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT.

>> THE FIRST 11 YEARS OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE I ACTUALLY WORKED FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST CHEMICAL COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, BAYER TRUST ME , DO NOT TRUST THEM.

>> THE COMPANY CLAIMED THE FENCE PRESENTED A BARRIER TO GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION .

>> I UNDERSTAND CONCERNS BEING RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS OF THIS FACILITY, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE , NOBODY IS OFF THE HOOK.

>> COMMISSIONER SEAN HAS PUSHED BACK ON THOSE WHO SAY BASF HAS BEEN LET OFF EASY.

BASF COMMITMENT TO CLEANING TOXIC GROUNDWATER AND THE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR PAYMENT ARE PART OF ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THE FIRST PART TOOK PLACE YEARS AGO WHEN THE DAP TOOK ACTION TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE .

WELL OVER $300 MILLION OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS TO ENSURE THE CLEANUP.

>> HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE SETTLEMENT WAS DRAFTED IN SECRET AS PART OF A PROCESS THAT AVOIDED A LAWSUIT AGAINST BASF PEOPLE IN TOMS RIVER FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN IGNORED.

>> THEY HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE THIS AND MAKE THIS A POSITIVE THING IN OUR COMMUNITY .

BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT ALL OF US HAVING A VOICE.

>> ARE YOU TREATING THESE COMPLAINTS WITH TRANSPARENCY AND ARE YOU TREATING THEM WITH EMPATHY?

>> ONCE WE ARE IN A POSITION TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THE REAL BENEFIT OF THESE PROJECTS THAT WE WILL BEGIN TO SO A GREATER APPRECIATION OF WHAT NATURAL RESOURCE RESTORATION CAN PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC THAT WE SERVE.

>> THIS PROPOSAL WOULD SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY, ADDING THAT A LAWSUIT AGAINST BASF COULD TAKE A DECADE.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S RECREATIONAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY HAS FRESH COMPETITION FROM OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE IN.

NEW YORK OPENED A SECOND RECREATIONAL WEED STORE THIS WEEK BY SOMEONE WITH A PRIOR MARIJUANA CONVICTION.

IN FACT THE EMPIRE STATE IS PROMISING TO AWARD ITS FIRST 150 RETAIL LICENSES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH MARIJUANA RELATED CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS , LEADING SOME TO QUESTION WHY NEW JERSEY IS NOT KEEPING THE SAME PACE.

MELISSA REPORTS.

>> I HAVE BEEN BLESSED I FOUND A REAL ESTATE LOCATION, I FOUND MY LEASE AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BASICALLY STARTING MY BUILDOUT.

>> WILLIAMS IS HOPING SHE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

SHE HAS SECURED A LOCATION WHERE HER CANNABIS BUSINESS ROLE MODELS AND WANTS TO HELP OTHERS LIKE HERSELF WHO SUFFER FROM PTSD.

>> DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

>> HER BUSINESS IS ONE OF HUNDREDS APPROVED FOR RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LIKE THIS IS A NEW JERSEY.

AS OF JANUARY 6, 247 WERE AWARDED TO SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS AS PART OF THE STATE'S COMMITMENT TO PRIORITIZE THOSE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE CRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

MANY SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS SAY THEY ARE STILL FACING MAJOR CHALLENGES, TRYING TO GET THEIR BUSINESSES UP AND RUNNING RANDY IS WAITING TO BE APPROVED FOR AN ANNUAL LICENSE AFTER SUBMITTING HIS CONVERSION APPLICATION IN OCTOBER.

>> I AM STUCK.

IS TAMPERING ABILITY .

I GET 27 YEARS , I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO REALLY GET THIS ENDEAVOR OF THE GROUND.

>> THE PROCESS SPARKING A DEBATE OVER THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TAKES FOR SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS IN THE GARDEN STATE TO ACTUALLY BEGIN SALES.

NEXT DOOR IN NEW YORK, ROLAND CONNORS BUSINESS BECAME THE FIRST LEGAL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA STORE OWNED BY SOMEONE WITH A PRIOR MARIJUANA CONVICTION TO OPEN IN THE CITY.

>> IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED MANY YEARS AGO AND THEY WANT TO WRITE THE PROBLEM, IT IS NOT EASY, NOT CLEAN, BUT WHEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER PASSIONATELY TO FIX SOMETHING, THEY CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

I AM A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THAT.

>> THE SHOP IS THE SECOND TO OPEN IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER SALES FIRST STARTED IN DECEMBER.

IN THIS DELETE BETWEEN, NEW JERSEY OPENED 12 LOCATION ON THE FIRST DAY OF SALES, BUT NEW YORK'S OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT FIRED BACK BY COMPARING THEIR SOCIAL EQUITY SUCCESSES TO NEW JERSEY'S THING GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME, EQUITY AND IMPACT OVER QUANTITY AND CORPORATE PROFITS.

TODAY ALL 21 DISPENSARIES HERE ARE OWNED BY CORP.

OPERATORS , BUT EVEN THOUGH IT MAY TAKE MORE TIME, SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS IN NEW JERSEY BELIEVE THE STATE IS PUTTING THEIR BEST INTEREST FIRST BY REQUIRING THEM TO HAVE A MORE THAN 50% OWNERSHIP IN THE BUSINESS.

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 10% OWNERSHIP FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS IN A BUSINESS THAT HAD POSITIVE PROFITS.

>> NEW YORK IS DOING IT REALLY WELL TO ALLOW THESE BUSINESSES TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

AND BELIEVE, IN THE LONG TERM I AM HOPING IS ESSENCES STAY.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT 10% EQUITY MAKES IT HARDER FOR IMPACTED BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> IS HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THAT PERCENTAGE.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE.

>> A THIRD OF LICENSES AWARDED TO BUSINESSES OWNED BY A PERSON WITH A BANG CRIMINAL HISTORY WHILE SOCIAL APPLICANTS AGREE THE CRC IS DOING A GOOD JOB WITH PRIORITIZING THEIR CASES THAT THEY HOPE THE AGENCY WILL DO MORE TO GRANT ANNUAL LICENSE IS QUICKER SO THEY CAN FINALLY BEGIN MAKING SALES IN THE CANVAS MARKET.

I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, WE ARE HEADING INTO BUDGET SEASON.

THAT MEANS THE ANNUAL GUESSING GAME CAN OFFICIALLY BEGIN AS TO WHERE THE GOVERNOR WILL PRIORITIZE STATE MONEY.

THIS WEEK REPORTERS GAINED A FEW CLUES ON THE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION SYSTEM WHICH WAS CHRONICALLY UNDERFUNDED FOR DECADES.

IT APPEARS TO BE ON TRACK OR ANOTHER FULL PAYMENT .

THAT IS TO COVER THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF AN ESTIMATED 800,000 CURRENT AND RETIRED GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER IS WITH ME NOW FOR THE LATEST.

JOHN, THE PENSION IS ALWAYS A BUDGET ISSUE.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT WE ARE NOW JUST A FEW WEEKS OUT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

WHILE WE DON'T HAVE THE FULL DETAILS YET AND WON'T FOR A FEW WEEKS TO GO, WE ARE LEARNING THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PLANNING TO MAKE ANOTHER FULL STATE EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTION DURING THE NEW FISCAL YEAR THAT BEGINS ON JULY 1 AND SO IS BECOMING STANDARD PRACTICE FOR NEW JERSEY, WHICH WORD TWO DECADES PRIOR TO JUST A FEW YEARS AGO HAD BEEN NOT MAKING ITS PENSION CONTRIBUTION OR IN SOME YEARS NOT MAKING ANY CONTRIBUTION RACKING UP A HUGE DEBT AS A RESULT, ALMOST LIKE INDIVIDUALS WITH WITH A CREDIT CARD BILL IF THEY ONLY MADE THE INTEREST PAYMENT INSTEAD OF PAYING PRINCIPAL.

NEW JERSEY GOT STUCK IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT AND IS DIGGING OUT OF THE HOLE, THE LAST TWO FISCAL YEAR PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN BUDGETED AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS NEW ONE WE ARE COMING INTO LATER THIS YEAR THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TO GIVE US THE BUDGET PROPOSAL NEXT MONTH FOR WILL INCLUDE THAT FULL STATE CONTRIBUTION FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

>> THAT A SIGNIFICANT AS YOU KNOW IN YOUR REPORTING BECAUSE THAT HAS HELPED CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATES CREDIT UPGRADES.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THESE RECESSION FEARS, THESE ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT TO HAPPEN?

>> YEAH, THERE IS A REAL CONCERN, THE SAME MEETING WHERE THE CONTRIBUTION WAS DISCUSSED YESTERDAY, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION OF THIS ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A RECESSION THAT MAY LOOMING AS WE CONTINUE TO WRESTLE WITH HIGH INFLATION IN THIS COUNTRY .

SOME GOOD SIGNS OF WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING THE PENSION CONTRIBUTION, THE STATE HAS A VERY ROBUST BUDGET SURPLUS STOPPED AWAY, AND ALSO OF PATRICIAN OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED THEY DO EXPECT SOME SOFTNESS IN REVENUE COLLECTION .

WE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO SEE EVIDENCE OF THAT AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY CONTINUE TO COMMIT TO MAKING A FULL PENSION CONTRIBUTION, SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS HIGH UP ON THE PRIORITY LIST NOW EVEN IF WE DO GET INTO A TIGHTER REVENUE SITUATION IN NEW JERSEY.

ONE OTHER THING TO NOTE IS WHEN REVENUES PLUMMET INITIALLY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, THAT FULL PENSION PAYMENT FROM A FEW YEARS AGO WAS PROTECTED AS PART OF THE BUDGET BACK GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS ADMINISTERING.

>> QUICK WEEK, THAT MEETING THAT YOU ATTENDED, ANY INDICATIONS ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS?

>> NOT FROM THIS MEETING, BUT HE HAS DISCUSSED LETTING A BUSINESS SURCHARGE GO AWAY AND THAT WILL ALSO COST THE STATE SOME HEFTY AMOUNTS OF REVENUE, BUT IT IS BEING RECEIVED BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT HOW A RECESSION COULD IMPACT STATE PENSION SYSTEM AND JOHN'S FULL STORY AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NETWORK.

HERE IS A CHECK ON THE STOCK TRADING ENDED TODAY.

>>> A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESSWEEK THIS WEEKEND WITH RON SCHEFFLER AS THE GOVERNOR PREPARES TO UPDATE HIS ENERGY MASTER PLAN.

SHE HIGHLIGHTS NEW JERSEY'S ENERGY FUTURE, INCLUDING THE COST AND IMPACT OF A SWITCH TO PLAIN ENERGY AND WHY SOME LAWMAKERS ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP NATURAL GAS AS AN OPTION.

WATCH SATURDAY MORNING AT 10 AM STREAMING ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

FINALLY, SOME JERSEY PRIDE WILL BE ON FULL DISPLAY TOMORROW DURING THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN SEMIFINALS.

THAT IS WHEN SOUTH JERSEY NATIVE TOMMY PAUL , JUST 25 YEARS OLD FACES NINE TIME AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION, NOVAK JOKE OF IT.

WELL HAS HAD A REMARKABLE TOURNAMENT.

HE MADE JUST ONE SEMIFINAL AT 12 LAST YEAR, BUT MANAGED TO FLY UNDER THE RADAR UNTIL BEATING BEN SHELTON, A 20-YEAR-OLD TENNIS PHENOM FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA DURING THE GRAND SLAM.

PAUL IS THE FIRST U.S. MAN TO MAKE IT TO THE FINAL FOUR IN MELBOURNE SINCE ANDY RODDICK IN 2009 AND SAYS HE SEES THIS MATCH AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REOPEN THE DOOR FOR OTHER AMERICANS.

WE WILL BE ROOTING HIM ON.

>>> THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE HUDSON REPORTER, JEAN RICHINS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE ALL NEWS IS ON I SUPPORT.

AND A PANEL OF REPORTERS LOOK AT THE TOP MEDICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK.

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

I AM BREANNA , FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM , THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

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

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

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

INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.CALM AND BY THE PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.