>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH .

THAT'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> AND ORSTED, 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 BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT'S BEEN JUST OVER ONE MONTH SINCE THE FALL OF THE LANDMARK ROE V. WADE DECISION AND IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PLEDGE TO MAKE NEW JERSEY A SAFE HAVEN FOR THAT CARE APPEARS TO BE RESONATING.

ADVOCATES ARE REPORTING AN INFLUX OF PREGNANT PEOPLE ARRIVING HERE FROM STATES WHERE THE PROCEDURE IS BANNED, OR RESTRICTED.

PREGNANT PEOPLE FROM AS FAR AWAY AS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA ARE HOPPING ON PLANES, GETTING HERE BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE, TO GET THE ABORTION CARE THEY DESPERATELY SEEK.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA REPORTS THE GARDEN STATE IS TOP OF THE LIST FOR ACCESS TO THOSE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> NOW WE ARE SEEING PATIENTS FROM FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM NEW JERSEY.

AS THE ABORTION ECOSYSTEM IS REALLY BREAKING DOWN.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN SAYS THE WOMEN'S CENTER IN CHERRY HILLS IS SEEING 35 TO 40 OUT-OF- STATE PATIENTS A WEEK NOW, UP FROM 5 OR 10 BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE.

PEOPLE LAST WEEKEND FROM TEXAS, FLORIDA, TENNESSEE, LOUISIANA, OHIO, WEST VIRGINIA, AND GEORGIA, DESPERATE TO END THEIR PREGNANCIES.

>> IN NEW JERSEY WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF PATIENTS WHO ARE TRAVELING TO US BECAUSE ABORTION IS NOT ACCESSIBLE IN THEIR IMMEDIATE AREA.

AS STATES CONTINUE TO TAKE STEPS TO FURTHER RESTRICT, FURTHER BAN OR CRIMINALIZE ABORTIONS IN THEIR STATE.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS INCREASING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MORE OUT- OF-STATE CLIENTS, SOME 80% SEEK SURGICAL ABORTIONS FOR PREGNANCIES PAST THE FIRST TRIMESTER.

IN PART BECAUSE OF DELAYS CAUSED BY SCRABBLING FOR APPOINTMENTS AND TRAVEL.

MEANWHILE, PLANNED PARENTHOOD REPORTS FIVE CLIENTS RECENTLY PAID THEIR WAY TO NEW JERSEY FROM OUT-OF-STATE.

>> WE'VE HAD PATIENT FROM TEXAS, TENNESSEE, AND GEORGIA COME TO US.

STILL IN SMALL NUMBERS, BUT WE ARE ANTICIPATING AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THAT WE WILL SEE ADDITIONAL PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN HEADS PLANNED PARENTHOOD METROPOLITAN IN MONTCLAIR.

THEY ARE HIRING MORE STAFF TO INCREASE CAPACITY IS SEEKING A PATIENT NAVIGATOR TO HELP.

SHE POINTS OUT TWO CLINICS THE AGENCY OPERATES ARE IN NEWARK, AND CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT IN PENN STATION.

SHE SPOKE TO A TEXAS COLLEGE.

>> HE SHARED THAT A PERSON CAN GO TO THE AIRPORT AND BE IN NEW JERSEY FASTER THAN THEY CAN DRIVE TO A NEARBY STATE IN TEXAS TO GET THE PROCEDURE.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY WHERE WE ARE SEEING THE BIGGEST PRESSURE POINT IS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA.

>> TWO THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

THE FIRST IS THAT THOSE STATES ARE ENFORCING FULL BANS.

THEY ARE BOTH LARGE STATES.

>> Reporter: THIS RESEARCHER STUDYING ACCESS TO ABORTION HEALTHCARE SAYS PATIENTS MUST NOW TRAVEL A LOT FURTHER TO FIND A CLINIC.

IN TEXAS, THE DISTRICT TO A CLINIC ROSE FROM 36 MILES TO ALMOST 300 IN JUST THREE MONTHS.

IN OKLAHOMA, IT INCREASED FROM 36 TO 189 MILES.

EVEN THEN, NEARBY APPOINTMENTS CAN BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.

CLINICS ARE BOOKED SOLID.

>> WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS, IN THE LONG RUN, WHAT IS APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN AN OUTFLOW OF THE MAGNITUDE WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: MYERS SEES A CASCADE OF PATIENT SEEKING APPOINTMENTS AND SANCTUARY STATES FOR THE WAY.

JERSEY IS ADVERTISED IN STATES LIKE GEORGIA THAT IT IS A HAVEN.

MYERS SAYS 49% OF WOMEN WHO SEEK ABORTIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE POOR.

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED NEW JERSEY PROVIDERS WOULD ALREADY BE SEEING SOME WOMEN COMING FROM TEXAS.

IT IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR A LOT OF WOMEN BECAUSE IT IS JUST SO FAR AWAY.

THE WOMEN WHO CAN MAKE IT THERE ARE WOMEN WHO CAN AFFORD OR FIND AID.

BUY PLANE TICKETS, TAKE OFF WORK, NAVIGATE CHILDCARE.

>> THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE PEOPLE SEEKING FUNDS, IN PARTICULAR FOR TRAVELING.

>> Reporter: JERSEY'S ABORTION ACCESS FUND IS PAYING MORE, BETWEEN $2000 AND $4000 MORE PER WEEK TO HELP OUT-OF-STATE PATIENTS TRAVELING TO DC AND MARYLAND FOR SURGICAL ABORTIONS AFTER THE FIRST TRIMESTER, WHEN COSTS CAN RISE.

MORE THAN HALF OF U.S.

PATIENTS TO GET DRUG-INDUCED ABORTIONS, BUT THAT'S LIMITED TO THE FIRST 11 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

>> THE INCREASE WE HAVE SEEN FROM JUST KIND OF REACHING OUT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS FOR PARTICULAR PATIENTS, EITHER ONE SET RUN OUT OF MONEY, OR THEY THINK IF A PATIENT NEEDS A HIGHER LEVEL OF FUNDING OR CARE.

>> Reporter: SOME STATES NOW SEEK TO SUPPRESS TRAVEL FOR ABORTIONS, OR EVEN CRACKDOWN ON PATIENTS TRYING TO BUY ABORTION MEDICATION FROM OUT-OF-STATE.

THE WOMEN'S CENTER IS PLANNING TO OPEN A TELEMEDICINE CLINIC FOR ABORTION SUBSCRIPTIONS.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAS LAUNCHED A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN.

>> WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IS WOMEN HAVING BAD OUTCOMES BECAUSE THEY'VE TAKEN MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE NOT GO BACK DOWN THAT ROAD.

>> Reporter: BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE CITY OF CAMDEN HAS BEEN A STAR RECIPIENT OF STATE AID OVER THE YEARS.

GEARED TOWARD ATTRACTING BUSINESSES TO BUILD AND GROW THERE, RECEIVING MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION IN STATE TAX INCENTIVES ALONE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY VISITED THE SOUTH JERSEY CITY TODAY, STARTING ANOTHER ROUND OF INVESTMENTS BEING MADE.

ACTIVISTS AND OTHER WATCHDOGS HAVE LONG QUESTIONED OVERSIGHT OF THAT MONEY, AND WHETHER IT IS DELIVERED ANY OF THE BENEFITS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT WERE PROMISED.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> THE LAST TIME YOU CAME TO CANTON CITY, YOU BROUGHT $250 MILLION FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR.

TODAY YOU ARE BRINGING $180 MILLION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT VISIT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNORS HAVE BEEN COMING TO CAMDEN CITY CARRYING BAGS OF EXTRA STATE AID AND SIMILAR GOOD TIDINGS FOR YEARS NOW.

ALL WITH VARIATIONS OF THE SAME OPTIMISTIC MESSAGE.

>> I BELIEVE IN THIS PLACE, CAMDEN IS A CITY ON THE RISE.

>> Reporter: EVEN PRESIDENT OBAMA MADE A CAMDEN APPEARANCE BACK IN 2014, CALLING THE CITY -- >> A SYMBOL OF PROMISE FOR THE NATION.

>> Reporter: NOW ALMOST A DECADE LATER, HERE WAS GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY CARRYING GOOD NEWS ABOUT MORE PUBLIC MONEY FOR A CITY THAT HAS GONE FROM SYMBOL OF URBAN DESPERATION, TO WILLING RECIPIENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR A PLETHORA OF CIVIC IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THIS IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE ANNUAL STATE AID.

I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE EXAMPLES.

INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET IS $5 MILLION FOR THE CAMDEN HOUSING FUND INITIATIVE.

IT INCLUDES $5 MILLION FOR CITYWIDE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

IT INCLUDES $600,000 FOR THE TREMENDOUS AND COMPASSIONATE SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

IT WILL ALLOW THE CITY TO UNDERTAKE A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL ROADS AND SEWER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THEY WILL HELP CLEAN UP THE ILLEGAL TRASH DUMPS.

>> Reporter: ALL GOOD THINGS THEY CAMDEN PEOPLE WE TALKED TO TODAY.

CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE SEEN PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THEY SAY WHILE CAMDEN IS NOT ENTIRELY THE BLEAK LANDSCAPE IT ONCE WAS, THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN THE FORM OF DECENT PAYING JOBS, HAVE BEEN SLOW TO REACH ENOUGH RESIDENTS.

>> PEOPLE THAT COME FROM THE OUTSIDE THE CITY, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THEY NEED TO PUT THE RESIDENTS THAT IS FROM THIS CITY, PUT THEM IN THE POCKET WITH THE JOBS.

LET THEM BE THE FIRST PRIORITY.

FOR THE JOBS THAT COME THROUGH THIS CITY, INSTEAD OF THE PEOPLE COMING OUTSIDE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S VERY FAIR.

>> IT'S HARD TO GET JOBS.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIVING OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY THAT WORKS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT EVEN FROM HERE.

I BEEN LIVING, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET INTO COOPER HOSPITAL FOR YEARS.

I CAN'T, I LIVE RIGHT HERE.

I HAVE TO GO WORK WITH CHERRY HILL, MAPLE SHADE, YOU HAVE TO GO OUT.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD CHANGE.

ANYBODY THAT LIVES IN THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ARE ENOUGH JOBS REACHING CAMDEN PEOPLE?

>> I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ARE CONSTANTLY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TALKING ABOUT JOB POSSIBILITIES, EMPLOYMENT.

WE ARE PUSHING.

WE ARE PUSHING.

I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING EMPLOYED.

NOW, YOU MAY HAVE OTHER PEOPLE SEEING IT THROUGH ANOTHER LENS, BUT I KNOW WE ARE OUT THERE CONTINUALLY.

THERE ARE SO MANY JOBS AVAILABLE.

>> TOP-DOWN ECONOMICS.

YOU INVEST IN THE CORPORATIONS, AND THEN IT'S A TRICKLE DOWN INTO JOBS FOR THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND GET A GRASP OF HOW MANY RESIDENTS ARE ACTUALLY GIVING THESE JOBS.

WHAT ARE THEY PAYING?

WHAT POSITION ARE THEY?

IF YOU HAVE A SMALL GROUP OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE GETTING THESE JOBS, BUT THEY ARE ONLY JANITORS OR DESK WORKERS, HOW MUCH IS THAT HELPING THE COMMUNITY?

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL ACTIVISTS WHO ARE PUSHING FOR THE CITY TO REQUIRE CORPORATIONS TO PROVIDE DATA ON THE NUMBER OF JOBS, AND THE TYPES OF JOBS, THAT ARE GOING TO CAMDEN RESIDENTS.

WHO COULD, AFTER YEARS OF GUBERNATORIAL PHOTO OPS, BE EXCUSED FOR THINKING THAT TODAY'S GUBERNATORIAL PHOTO OP WAS JUST ANOTHER GUBERNATORIAL PHOTO OP.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THERE IS NEW VIDEO FOOTAGE TONIGHT FROM THAT HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A JERSEY CITY COUNCILWOMAN.

IT WAS PROVIDED BY THE JERSEY CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND WE WILL WARN YOU, YOU MAY FIND IT DISTURBING TO WATCH.

IN THE VIDEO, YOU CAN SEE THE CYCLIST, AND HER BLACK, APPEARS TO RUN THROUGH A RED LIGHT HEADING SOUTH ON MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD, AND THEN THE COUNCILWOMAN'S BLACK SUV CUP BIDES WITH HIM.

TOSSING HIM UP, OVER THE BIKE, AND INTO THE STREET.

BLACK CAN THEN BE SEEN PUTTING ON HIS SHOE, AND LIMPING TO THE CURB.

REPORTS SAY HE WAS TREATED FOR MINOR INJURIES.

THE COUNCILWOMAN WAS ISSUED SUMMONSES FOR LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT, AND FAILING TO REPORT IT.

FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE FOUR, AT LEAST TWO JERSEY CITY COUNCILMEMBERS TODAY CALLED FOR HER TO RESIGN.

SOME HAVE CRITICIZED THE INCIDENT FOR NOT BEING HANDLED FAIRLY.

SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, AND FORMER HUDSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR.

AN ONLINE PETITION CIRCULATING HAS ALREADY COLLECTED A FEW HUNDRED SIGNATURES IN FAVOR OF HER REGULATION.

>>> FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RETURN TO DC TUESDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LEAVING THE WHITE HOUSE.

MAKE IT MORE APPARENT THAN EVER, HE PLANS TO LAUNCH A 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

PLEDGING TO QUOTE, SAVE OUR COUNTRY AT THE AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE SOME OF.

DELIVERING A GRIM RAMBLING SPEECH, ECHOING SCENES FROM HIS 2017 INAUGURATION ADDRESS THAT FOCUSED ON CRIME-RIDDEN STREETS AND AMERICAN CARNAGE.

LAYING OUT A LIST OF POLICY PROPOSALS THAT STRUCK SIMILAR TONES TO AUTHORITARIAN LEADERS.

MOCKING THE HOMELESS AND TRANSGENDER.

BLAMING DEMOCRATS FOR WHAT HE CALLED EFFORTS TO DESTROY AND DISMANTLE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHILE ALSO KEYING IN ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S ECONOMIC STRUGGLES.

ALL OF IT POINTS TO HIS ATTEMPT AT A POLITICAL COMEBACK.

ONE THAT STRATEGISTS SAY COULD UPEND THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, EVEN IN A BLUE STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY.

A COLUMNIST FOR THE RECORD OF BERGEN COUNTY RECENTLY WROTE ABOUT JUST THAT AND JOINS ME NOW.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

YOU WROTE A VERY INTERESTING COLUMN, AND I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW FROM THE FOLKS YOU SPOKE WITH, HERE WE ARE AGAIN, ANOTHER MIDTERM ELECTION, AND TRUMP'S NAME SEEMS TO BE GRAVITATING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF IT.

WHAT ROLE DO WE EXPECT HIM TO PLAY?

>> HE'S GOING TO BE LIKE THE UNINVITED, INEBRIATED UNCLE THAT SHOWS UP AT THANKSGIVING AND MAKES A MESS OF THINGS.

THAT'S THE ROLE HE'S GOING TO PLAY FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

FOR THE DEMOCRATS, I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO SEND A LIMOUSINE AND OFFER HIM ANYTHING HE WANTS TO COME INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

HE IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS BASICALLY GOING TO PUT CANDIDATES ON THE LINE AGAINST HIM.

ON THE RECORD TO SAY WHERE THEY STAND WITH THEIR SUPPORT FOR HIM.

>> YOU CAN'T AVOID IT.

IT IS UNAVOIDABLE.

YES, HE'S NOT ON THE BALLOT, BUT HE'S INJECTING HIMSELF.

HE'S GOING TO BE BASICALLY SUCKING UP THE OXYGEN IN THE POLITICAL UNIVERSE, AND IT'S GOING TO FORCE REPUBLICANS TO COME OUT AND SAY WHERE THEY STAND WITH SOME OF THESE THINGS HE'S SAYING.

ARE THEY GOING TO BE WITH TRUMP IN 2024?

DO THEY SUPPORT HIS CONSTANT REPEATING OF THE BIG LINE, THE DEFENSE OF THE BIG LIE?

OR, SHOULD WE MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE?

IT'S A VERY TRICKY QUESTION FOR A LOT OF REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE THE BASE STILL IS ENTHRALLED WITH HIM.

THEY ARE STILL VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF DONALD TRUMP, SO REPUBLICANS, PARTICULARLY IN COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ARE CAUGHT IN A BIND.

THEY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THE BASE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY HAVE TO APPEAL TO A BROADER ELECTORATE THAT TENDS TO BE MORE MODERATE TO LIBERAL.

>> WHICH DISTRICTS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

WE KNOW OF COURSE THE SEVENTH WORK TOM KING IS, BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD OTHER DEMOCRATS IN FLEX.

>> IT BECOMES A COMPLICATION FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT, ALTHOUGH THAT DISTRICT, UNDER REDISTRICTING LAST NOVEMBER BECAME MORE FAVORABLE TO HIM.

I THINK IT'S A COMPLICATION TO A LIMITED EXTENT FOR THE FIFTH DISTRICT.

AND THE MORRIS COUNTY CENTRIC DISTRICT.

I THINK ALL OF THOSE HAVE TO NOW TIPTOE AROUND -- I MEAN FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN THOSE DISTRICTS, EXCUSE ME, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO NOW HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS COMPLICATION.

ON THE FLIPSIDE, THE DEMOCRATS DO HAVE AN ALBATROSS OF THEIR OWN, AND THAT IS THE UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT, JOE BIDEN, WHO THEY ONCE WELCOMED AND CHEERED IN 2020.

THEY ARE NOW HAVING TO DEAL WITH THAT AS WELL.

>> NORTH JERSEY.COM.

USA TODAY.

GREAT TO HAVE YOUR INSIGHT AS ALWAYS.

THANK YOU.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>>> IF YOU RECENTLY DENIED FOR ACCESS TO A GOVERNMENT RECORD AND YOU DISPUTED IT, DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE THAT CLAIM RESOLVED ANYTIME SOON.

A NEW REPORT BY THE STATE'S TOP FISCAL WATCHDOG FINDS ON AVERAGE PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT UP TO NEARLY 2 YEARS TO HAVE THEIR CASE SORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT RECORDS COUNCIL.

IT'S AN OFFICE DESIGNATED TO HELPING RESIDENTS GET TO THE BOTTOM OF A DENIED PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST.

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, UNDERSTAFFING AND UNDERFUNDING ARE TO BLAME.

THE RECORDS COUNCIL IS CARRYING AN AVERAGE BACKLOG OF 400 CASES, DESPITE A STATE LAW THAT SAYS THOSE CASES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WHILE BUDGET AND FINANCE RIDER JOHN BITE MY LOOK INTO THE REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> IT MAY BE TIME, WE MAY SEE IN THE COMING MONTHS, THE MISSION OF THIS AGENCY THAT WAS SCRUTINIZED IN THE CONTROLLER'S REPORT.

ALSO WHETHER THEY NEEDS TO BE UPDATES.

SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT RECORDS COUNCIL, AND PERHAPS IT WILL PROMPT A WIDER DISCUSSION OF THE RECORDS ACT, AND ALSO THIS AGENCY, WHAT ITS MISSION SHOULD BE.

>> TONIGHT, THE RIDER WILL RESERVE MAKES ANOTHER BOLD MOVE TO STEAM RISING PRICES WITHOUT CAUSING A DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> IF YOU HAVE A LINE OF CREDIT, OR CARRY A BALANCE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD, YOUR PAYMENTS ARE GOING UP AGAIN.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S DECISION TODAY TO AGGRESSIVELY RAISE INTEREST RATES BY THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT COMES AT A PIVOTAL TIME FOR THE ECONOMY.

WITH SURGING INFLATION CAUSING HARDSHIPS FOR BOTH CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES.

BY INCREASING INTEREST RATES, THE FED RUNS THE RISK OF SLOWING THE ECONOMY TOO MUCH, AND POTENTIALLY TAPING IT INTO A RECESSION.

IN PROVIDING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMY, SAID CHAIRMAN JEROME PYLE, ACKNOWLEDGED WHILE THE JOB MARKET REMAINS STRONG, THERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF AN ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN.

>> RECENT INDICATORS OF SPENDING AND PRODUCTION HAVE SOFTENED.

GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING HAS SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY.

IN PART, REFLECTING LOWER REAL DISPOSABLE INCOME AND TIGHTER FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.

ACTIVITY IN THE HOUSING SECTOR HAS WEAKENED, IN PART REFLECTING HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES.

AND AFTER A STRONG INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BUSINESS FIXED INVESTMENT ALSO LOOKS TO HAVE DECLINED IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

>> THE QUESTION NO ONE CAN ANSWER JUST YET IS WHETHER OR NOT TODAY'S RATE HIKE WILL BE ENOUGH TO COOL INFLATION.

THE FED DOESN'T THINK SO.

STATING THAT IT EXPECTS IT WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE INTEREST RATES EVEN HIGHER.

FIGHTING INFLATION COMES AT A COST, AND IT IS PAID BY CONSUMERS.

AS THE FED HAS RAISED INTEREST RATES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, IT'S GOTTEN MORE EXPENSIVE TO BORROW MONEY.

RATE INCREASES IMPACT INTEREST RATES ON CREDIT CARD DEBT, CAR LOANS, AND ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES.

>>> NEW JERSEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW FEDERAL CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM THAT IS EXPECTED TO CUT ELECTRICITY BILLS FOR LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF FIVE STATES THAT WILL SUPPORT THE PILOT OF THE PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY SOLAR SUBSCRIPTION PLATFORM, WHICH WILL CONNECT FAMILIES TO SOLAR ENERGY IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE PROGRAM TARGETS FAMILIES ON GOVERNMENT RUN ASSISTANT PROGRAMS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROJECTS LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS COULD SAVE A TOTAL OF $175 MILLION ON THEIR ELECTRIC BILLS IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET RESPONDED TO TODAY'S NEWS FROM THE FED.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

>>> AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> ♪ ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S OLDEST SUPER FUN SITES IS A BIG STEP CLOSER TO BEING DEEMED CLEANED UP.

THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS PROPOSING AN END TO WORK TO CLEAN POLLUTED GROUNDWATER AT THE UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCT SITE IN EAST RUTHERFORD WERE A SLEW OF TOXIC CHEMICALS CONTAMINATED THE SOIL AND SEDIMENT DATING BACK TO 1930.

A PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THOSE PLANS TO CEASE WORK ON THE GROUNDWATER, BUT AS THE EPA TURNS ITS FOCUS TO THE REMAINING MESS IN NEARBY MEADOWLANDS WATERWAYS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS SAY THEY'RE STILL A THREAT OF CONTAMINATION UNDERGROUND.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE MEADOWLANDS HAS BEEN TREATED LIKE A LANDFILL FOR YEARS.

A DUMPING GROUND FOR GARBAGE, PLASTIC, AND EVEN TOP TOXIC CHEMICALS.

>> FOR CENTURIES IT WAS THE INDUSTRIAL DOWN FOR EVERYBODY BUILDING AND WORKING IN THE AREA.

THAT'S WHY THERE ARE SO MANY SUPER FUND POCKETS WITH HEAVY METALS AND PCB'S AND CHROMIUM.

THEY ALL ARE SORT OF HORRIBLE THINGS YOU HEAR ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THE MEADOWLANDS IS HOME TO MEGA SITES.

ONE OF THOSE IS THE UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS SITE IN EAST RUTHERFORD.

AFTER DECADES OF CLEANUP BY THE EPA, THE SITE'S UPLAND PORTION COULD BE READY FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 65,000 CUBIC YARDS OF CONTAMINATED SOIL.

THE SOIL IS CONTAMINATED WITH A VARIETY OF CHEMICALS INCLUDING LEAD.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN WAS PART OF THE EPA SITE TEAM.

LAST WEEK, THE EPA SAID GROUNDWATER POLLUTION WAS LOW ENOUGH THAT CLEANUP COULD STOP.

THEY SAY WATER SAMPLES TAKEN OVER THE LAST YEAR CONFIRMED THAT THREE DECADES OF REMEDIATION SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED.

>> IS A HUGE EFFORT.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK DONE ON THIS SITE.

>> YOU CLEAR UP THE PERCEPTION OF THIS BEING A SORT OF DUMB, WHICH HAS BEEN SORT OF A HISTORICAL ALBATROSS HANGING OVER THE MEADOWLANDS.

>> WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CLEAN UP THE SITE, AND TO TURN PART OF IT BACK INTO BIBLE AREAS.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN BUILT OVER SOME PARTS OF THE SITE WITHOUT ISSUE.

THE EPA IS PUTTING FORWARD A NEW PLAN TO ALLOW MORE DEVELOPMENT AT THE SITE WHILE PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF ANY LINGERING POLLUTION.

FUTURE DEVELOPERS MIGHT HAVE TO BUILD BARRIERS TO PREVENT THE FOUNDATION FROM DREDGING UP TOXIC VAPORS FROM GROUNDWATER.

>> OUR CONCERN AT THE SITE IS THAT THERE ARE CONTAMINANTS IN GROUNDWATER.

THESE ARE BE PERFORMING CHEMICALS.

THOSE PAPERS THAT THEY CAN CREATE CAN MIGRATE UP FROM THE GROUNDWATER AND PERCOLATE UP THERE BUILDING FOUNDATIONS AND GET INTO BUILDINGS.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S NOT HAPPENING HERE.

>> WE ARE ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT LEERY OF DEVELOPING OVER SUPER FUND.

ANYTHING SORT OF SIGNIFICANT, BECAUSE IT DOES BRING UP THAT POTENTIAL.

HOPEFULLY THE RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE, AND SORT OF SMART DEVELOPMENT, WILL ENSUE.

>> Reporter: THEY DON'T THINK THOSE RESTRICTIONS WILL SCARE OFF POTENTIAL COMPANIES.

>> THE ENGINEERING CONTROLS THAT THESE REQUIRE ARE VERY COMMONLY USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS.

PEOPLE WITH WET BASEMENTS, THEY WILL INSTALL A SIMILAR TYPE OF BARRIER.

IT CAN PROTECT AGAINST MOISTURE.

THIS DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEM, WHICH IS ANOTHER OPTION THAT IS AVAILABLE, IS VERY COMMONLY USED TO TREAT RED ON.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE IS RELIEVED TO SEE THIS PART OF THE HACKENSACK RIVER FINALLY GET TO A POINT WHERE IT DOESN'T NEED MORE CLEANUP BUT A SEPARATE 19 MILE CHUNK OF THE HACKENSACK RIVER HAS BEEN FORMALLY RECOMMENDED TO BE A SUPER FUND SITE AS WELL.

SHE'S EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR THE AREA, IF IT IS PROPERLY CLEANED UP TOO.

>> GETTING THIS CLEAN MEANS THAT IN TIME, MAYBE EVEN IN MY LIFETIME, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO EAT THE CRAB AND FISH AND EAT THE FISH THAT YOU CATCH.

THERE ARE LOTS OF REALLY COOL SPECIES THAT POPULATE THIS RIVER.

THEN, IT JUST CREATES -- IT'S AN OVERALL SENSE OF HEALTH IN AN ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGREES WITH THE EPA'S NEW PLAN, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO PUBLIC COMMENT AND A HEARING TONIGHT BEFORE IT'S OFFICIALLY ADOPTED LATER THIS YEAR.

THE NEXT PHASE OF CLEANUP AT THE UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS SITE WILL FOCUS ON LAGOONS AND NEARBY WATERWAYS.

IN EAST RUTHERFORD, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD ON OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND INSTAGRAM.

ALL THE SOCIAL PLATFORMS, TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI .

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GOOD ONE.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

>>> AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> I'M MILES.

THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME.

IN BODY, AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEHEALTH APP, OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, AND SO HAVE WE, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

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LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.