>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS FRIDAY.

INFLATION IS ON THE MIND FOR ALL NEW JERSEYANS.

EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT ONE AREA WHERE PRICES HAVE SOARED FOR YEARS IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.

HOMEBUYERS LEFT TO NAVIGATE A COSTLY MARKET WITH HIGH PRICES, HIGH INTEREST RATES, AND LOW STOCK.

THE TIDE MAY BE TURNING.

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS SAY INVENTORY IS RISING AND THE RUTHLESS BIDDING WARS ARE ON THE DECLINE.

WHAT DO THE LOOMING CHANGES MEAN FOR SOMEONE ENTERING THE MARKET?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO FIND A HOUSE WE LOVED BUT IF WE DIDN'T FIND THIS HOUSE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WOULD BE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THEY PURCHASED A NEW HOME IN THE LAST MONTH AND FELT A BIT OF THE CORRECTION EXPERTS SAY IS COMING TO THE HOUSING MARKET THAT ARE BRINGING PRICES DOWN.

>> I DID NOTICE A SLIGHT DROP OFF IN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE COMPETING WITH AND THE AMOUNT OF JUST THE RUSH ON EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

NOT MUCH BUT FROM THE TIME WE STARTED TO THE TIME WE ARE FINISHING.

>> THE SPEED WE SAW WITH THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC HAS NOW RUN ITS COURSE AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING MORE RECENTLY IS HOMEBUYING IS DECLINING FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE HAVE SEEN HOME SALES HERE IN NEW JERSEY HAVE DECLINED FOR 13 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING THAT THE NUMBER OF HOMES ON THE MARKET IS RISING.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF HOMES GROWING FROM 12,000 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO ABOUT 20,000.

INFLATION AND THE HIGH COST OF LIVING ARE HURTING PEOPLE'S PURCHASING POWER.

>> I THINK WE WILL SEE SOMEWHAT OF AN ADJUSTMENT DUE TO RISING INTEREST RATES.

MORE INVENTORY COMING ONTO THE MARKET.

SOME PRICES OF HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN SITTING BECAUSE THEY WERE KIND OF HOPING THAT A BUYER WOULD COME THROUGH THE DOOR AT THAT PRICE, SO I THINK IT WILL BE A COMBINATION OF A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THE OVERALL MARKET ACROSS THE STATE, YOU KNOW, HALF AN ADJUSTMENT.

>> Reporter: MORE INVENTORY AND LESS BUYING OFTEN FAVORS THE BUYER BUT IT WILL NOT BE A TRUE BUYERS MARKET ANYTIME SOON.

IN FACT -- >> THE CORRECTION IN PRICE, THE DISCOUNT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN FOR PROBABLY A YEAR FROM NOW.

>> Reporter: IT MIGHT BE SLOWER, BUT THIS MARKET IS STILL HOT.

>> YOU ARE STILL SEEING MULTIPLE OFFERS HAPPENING.

WE ARE NOTHING 15, 20, 30 MULTIPLE OFFER SCENARIOS BUT WE ARE SEEING MULTIPLE OFFERS STILL HAPPEN.

>> WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A BUYER WAIT A FEW MONTHS, MAYBE A YEAR TO SEE IF HOME PRICES COME DOWN?

>> EVERYTHING TELLS US EVEN IF THERE IS A CORRECTION IN THE MARKET, YOU ARE LOOKING AT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 5 TO 10%, RIGHT?

5 TO 10% ISN'T ENOUGH TO TELL ME TO WAIT IF I AM RENTING RIGHT NOW.

RENTING IS STILL EXPENSIVE.

WE'VE GOT SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE MULTIPLE BIDDING WARS HAPPENING ON A RENTAL, NONETHELESS ON A PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY DAVIS SAID HE IS STILL BULLISH ON THE HOUSING MARKET EVEN THOUGH HE ANTICIPATES A RECESSION THAT WILL CREATE BUMPS IN THE ROAD.

>> RELATIVELY NOT SO WELL THIS YEAR BECAUSE THERE IS A RECESSION NATIONWIDE BUT THE LONG-TERM STRENGTH IN NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY IS GOOD.

>> OVERALL WE HAVE A LOT OF MILLENNIAL THAT ALL WANT HOUSES AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSES.

COUPLE THAT WITH THE ECONOMY AND I THINK NEW JERSEY 'S FUNDAMENTALS ARE STRONG.

AS I SAY, NEXT YEAR MIGHT BE A ROUGH PATCH.

>> Reporter: FORECLOSURE RATES IN THE STATE REMAIN LOW AND MORTGAGE LENDERS HAVE USED STRICTER LENDING POLICIES SO EXPERTS DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY KIND OF HOUSING MARKET BUBBLE BURST.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT ABORTION ACCESS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE.

BIDEN IS DIRECTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO PROTECT ACCESS TO MEDICATION, ABORTION, AND CONTRACEPTION AND ENSURE PATIENT CAN GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE THEY NEED AND INCREASED PUBLIC EDUCATION ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMS TO PROTECT PATIENT PRIVACY.

BIDEN SAYS HIS ABILITY TO ACT ON ABORTION RIGHTS IS LIMITED AND THE QUICKEST WAY TO ENSURE ACCESS IS FOR CONGRESS TO QUANTIFY ROE INTO LAW.

HE NOTED THE ROADS ARE NOT THERE TO DO SO.

BIDEN URGED AMERICANS TO FALL FOR REPRESENTATIVES WHO WOULD VOTE TO QUANTIFY ABORTION INTO FEDERAL LAW.

>>> MEANWHILE IN NEW JERSEY, ACCESS TO ABORTION REMAINS REDACTED UNDER STATE LAW.

THIS MAY BE A CRITICAL POLICY POINT FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

GOVERNOR MURTHY HAS THRUST HIMSELF INTO THE SPOTLIGHT ON GUN CONTROL ADVOCATING FOR AND SIGNING LAWS TO COUNTER RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.

HIS PROFILE IS GROWING THROUGH HIS PLATFORM AND HIS SUPPORTERS ARE SPENDING MILLIONS TO ELEVATE HIS POLICIES AND PRESENCE.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ WITH MORE ON THE POTENTIAL RUN FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENCY IS NOTHING THAT IMMEDIATELY CAME TO MIND IN THE EARLIEST DAYS OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

THOSE DAYS WERE BOGGED DOWN WITH BURNING QUESTIONS LIKE -- >> WHO HIRED YOU?

>> YOU FIRED 30 PEOPLE?

>> Reporter: MURPHY WAS HAVING A HARD TIME DEFINING HIMSELF AND OF VOTERS, LIKEWISE.

UNTIL EARLY MARCH OF 2020.

>> WE IDENTIFIED OUR FIRST PRESUMPTIVE CASE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC OF THE GOVERNOR WHAT WAS A NATIONAL PLATFORM AND SUDDENLY MURPHY'S UNFORMED IMAGE BEGAN TO COME INTO SOME FOCUS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.

I AM HERE WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WHO NEEDS NO INTERRUPTION.

>>> Reporter: HE WAS OFTEN PICKED UP BY NATIONAL NETWORKS.

JERSEYS RESIDENTS RESPONDED EVEN AFTER LOCKDOWNS AND MANDATES GREW LOUDER.

CLOSER THAN EXPECTED ELECTION VICTORY THE PROMOTIONAL AND FUNDRAISING MACHINERY COMING TO POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS HAD BEEN SWITCHED TO ON.

NOWADAYS THE QUESTIONS ARE -- >> YOU WANT TO TELL US RIGHT NOW YOU'RE NOT PLANNING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

>> THE EVIDENCE IS PRETTY CLEAR HE IS WEIGHING IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> Reporter: THE AMERICAN GOVERNOR SAYS MURPHY IS DOING WHAT ANY PERSON WHO COULD BE PRESIDENT WOULD DO, WATCHING RAISE MONEY FOR HIM AND PROMOTE HIS IMAGE WITH ADS THAT LOOK A LOT LIKE CAMPAIGN ADS.

>> WE ARE REBUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM IN NEW JERSEY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE A RECORD.

MURPHY HAS A PROGRESSIVE RECORD AS FAR AS DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED.

THE OTHER THING YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE OUR RESOURCES.

BECAUSE MURPHY HAS A BACKGROUND IN FINANCE, AND THAT IS PUTTING IT EUPHEMISTICALLY.

HE HAS A STRONG FINANCIAL RECORD IN WALL STREET CREDENTIALS.

I THINK HE WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM RAISING SOME MONEY.

DOES HE HAVE THE NAME RECOGNITION?

DOES HE HAVE THE RECOGNITION?

>> Reporter: THEN THERE IS THE OTHER LETTER ARE FOR RATIONALE, AS IN WHY SHOULD I VOTE FOR YOU?

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A GUY THAT WAS NEVER ELECTED DOGCATCHER.

HE HAS NO EXPERIENCE IN ELECTIVE OFFICE, BUT I THINK DONALD TRUMP HAS CHANGED THE EQUATION AND CHANGED THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION.

IF HE CAN DO IT, WHY NOT A DOGCATCHER WITH NO COLLECTIVE OFFICE EXPERIENCE?

I MEAN, WHY NOT ANYBODY?

>> Reporter: A COLUMNIST IS MOSTLY KIDDING.

HE SAYS MURPHY IS DOING HIS DUE DILIGENCE.

THERE AREN'T A LOT OF HEAVYWEIGHTS ON THE BENCH AND DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN EITHER STAGING A BIG COME BACK OR BOWING OUT GRACEFULLY AND WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO OTHER WHITE HOUSE ASPIRANTS.

>> HE IS TAKING ALL OF THESE STEPS TO KEEP HIMSELF POTENTIALLY IN PLAY BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, IT MAKES SENSE.

>> Reporter: THE LAST GOVERNOR FROM NEW JERSEY WHO RAN FOR PRESIDENT DIDN'T DO SO WELL.

IN FACT, WOODROW WILSON IS THE ONLY JERSEY GOVERNOR TO DO IT AND THAT WAS, LIKE, A LONG TIME AGO.

MURPHY HAS BEEN A PARTY INSIDER AND A PROLIFIC FUNDRAISER FOR YEARS NOW AND IF IT'S NOT BIDEN HE MAY ASK, WHY NOT ME?

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TURNING OUT TO THE LATEST OUT OF UKRAINE.

THE WAR CONTINUES TO DRAG ON AND CLAIM MORE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES.

RUSSIAN TROOPS CONTINUE TO ADVANCE ACROSS UKRAINE'S SOUTHERN AND EASTERN REGIONS, CUTTING OFF UKRAINIANS FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND GOING SO FAR AS TO ISSUE RUSSIAN PASSPORTS AND INTRODUCE THE RUBLE AS CURRENCY.

MEANWHILE MISSILES HAVE BEEN BOMBARDING UKRAINIAN TOWNS AND CITIES DESTROYING HOMES AND BUILDINGS AND KILLING CIVILIANS.

THE GOVERNOR OF THE EASTERN PROVIDENCE SAYS RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE UNLEASHING INDISCRIMINATE ARTILLERY BARRAGES TO SECURE THEIR GAIN IN THE REGION.

THE DESTRUCTION SEEN IN RECENT WEEKS IS ONLY A PRECURSOR TO A FULL ON RUSSIAN ASSAULT ON UKRAINE.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 20 RICHEST NATIONS IN THE WORLD MET IN BALI, INDONESIA TODAY TO DISCUSS A RESOLUTION TO THE CRISIS THAT FAILED TO FIND COMMON GROUND.

A CONTRIBUTING WRITER IS CURRENTLY REPORTING ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE AND SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANCHOR BRIANA VANNOZZI SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT KYIV AND THE ONGOING SITUATION THERE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A CRITICAL MISSION YOU ARE ON.

DESCRIBE TO ME WHAT IT HAS BEEN LIKE TRAVELING THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT VILLAGES IN UKRAINE.

>> WELL, IT IS DEVASTATION LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN AND I COVERED HURRICANE SANDY PRETTY EXTENSIVELY.

I WAS IN A VILLAGE TODAY WHERE EVERY HOME WAS DESTROYED.

EVERY SINGLE HOME WAS MADE UNINHABITABLE OR FLAT OUT DESTROYED.

THERE WAS A VILLAGE OF 800 PEOPLE THAT HAS MAYBE A DOZEN PEOPLE LIVING THERE NOW.

IT IS AMAZING TO SEE WHAT THEY MAKE DO WITH.

I WAS IN SEVERAL PLACES TODAY WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN EITHER GARDEN SHEDS OR THEIR BARNS OR SOME OTHER BUILDING.

THEY HAVE MOVED ALL OF THEIR STUFF IN THERE.

THEY HAVE A WORKING KITCHEN.

THE HUMAN RESOLVE AND RESILIENCE IS CRUMBLING TO SEE.

>> Reporter: I KNOW, MARK, THE LIBYAN UKRAINIAN CENTER HAD A LOT TO DO WITH NEW JERSEY SENDING AID.

WHAT IS STILL NEEDED?

MAYBE THIS ISN'T FRONT AND CENTER IN THE HEADLINES.

THIS IS A DIRE SITUATION.

>> WELL, EVERYTHING IS STILL NEEDED.

I'M ACTUALLY WORKING WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED STOP THE BLEED.

THE STOP THE BLEED COALITION.

THEY ARE SENDING, YOU KNOW, TRAUMATIC BLEEDING FIRST AID KITS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY FOR MILITARY USE, BUT BECAUSE OF THESE RUSSIAN RANDOM STRIKES IN PLACES LIKE KYIV AND THE BOMBARDMENT THEY ARE DOING IN THE EASTERN FRONT.

EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A FIRST RESPONDER.

YOU KNOW, YOU COULD BE IN YOUR APARTMENT BUILDING SOMEPLACE AND A MISSILE COMES IN AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE NEEDING TO PUT A TOURNIQUET ON ONE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.

THERE IS THAT ASPECT OF IT.

YOU KNOW, MEDICAL SUPPLIES ARE NEEDED, BANDAGES, THE STUFF FROM THE MILITARY IS NEEDED.

EVERYTHING IS NEEDED, REALLY.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF NEED.

>> Reporter: YEAH, I KNOW YOU ARE DOCUMENTING YOUR TIME THERE AND DOCUMENTING IT.

IN ONE OF THE PIECES YOU ARE WRITING NOW, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THE VILLAGE YOU WERE IN EARLIER TODAY, THERE WAS NO OCCUPATION BY RUSSIAN FORCES BECAUSE IT WAS ESSENTIALLY WIPED OFF THE MAP.

>> RIGHT.

THERE WAS NOTHING TO OCCUPY.

THEY BLEW UP ALMOST EVERY SINGLE HOUSE EXCEPT FOR A SMALL STRETCH OF HOMES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE UKRAINIANS TOOK IT BACK.

THE RUSSIANS TOOK IT BACK.

THE UKRAINIANS TOOK IT BACK.

WHATEVER DIDN'T GET DESTROYED IN THE FIRST WAVE.DESTROYED IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROUND OF FIGHTING IN THIS VILLAGE.

>> Reporter: I THINK THE RESOLVE OF THIS IS WHAT SITS WITH ME THE MOST.

AS I LOOK AT YOUR WORK AND THE WORK OF OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE GONE ON TO DELIVER AID, WHAT ARE YOUR CONVERSATIONS LIKE?

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THOSE WHO ARE RETURNING HOME WHO ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ALIVE?

WHAT IS NEXT?

>> WELL, IN THIS PLACE WHERE EVERYTHING IS DESTROYED, WHAT'S NEXT IS TOMORROW.

HOW DO YOU GET THROUGH TOMORROW?

IN THESE PLACES, THE RUSSIANS ARE BASICALLY DOING CARPET BOMBING AND DESTROYING PLACES WITH HEAVY ARTILLERY.

IT IS THE DAY TO DAY EXISTENCE.

IT IS HAND TO MOUTH EXISTENCE.

>> Reporter: THE PERSPECTIVE YOU BRING IS UNREAL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR SHARING IT WITH US.

PLEASE BE SAFE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK AT HOME.

>> SURE, BRIANA.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>>> THE SPREAD OF COVID ISN'T SLOWING DOWN.

STATEWIDE NEW JERSEY IS REPORTING 3392 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND 8 CONFIRMED DEATHS, BUT THAT MAY BE AN UNDERCOUNT GIVEN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE TESTING AT HOME NOW.

AT-HOME TESTING CAN BE KEY TO TRACKING INFECTIONS AND PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

EVERY HOME IN THE U.S. IS ELIGIBLE TO ORDER A THIRD ROUND OF AT-HOME TESTS THAT WILL GIVE YOU RESULTS WITHIN 30 MINUTES, NO LAB DROP-OFF REQUIRED.

IN ADDITION TO THE AVAILABILITY OF AT-HOME TESTS, PHARMACISTS CAN PRESCRIBE THE LEADING COVID- 19 PILL RECTALLY TO PATIENT UNDER NEW U.S. POLICY.

THIS CHANGE IS INTENDED TO EXPAND THE USE OF A PFIZER'S DRUG.

PHARMACISTS CAN BEGIN SCREENING PATIENTS TO SEE IF THEY'RE ELIGIBLE AND PRESCRIBED THE MEDICATION WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CURB THE WORST EFFECTS OF COVID-19.

>>> DESPITE THE PANDEMIC AND SKYROCKETING GAS PRICES CAUSING PEOPLE TO RETHINK THEIR NEXT ROAD TRIP, THE ROADS HAVE GOTTEN MORE DANGEROUS HERE IN JERSEY.

DATA SHOWS THE NUMBER OF FATAL TRAFFIC CRASHES HAS INCREASED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS BOTH HERE AND NATIONWIDE.

IN JERSEY, LAWMAKERS WANT THAT TO CHANGE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON THE EFFORTS TO MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER.

>> WE HAVE MOTORISTS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THAT CAN BE PRETTY SCARY.

THESE CLOSE PASSES CAN BE VERY UNNERVING AND HAS A CHILLING EFFECT ON THOSE WHO WANT TO GET OUT THERE AND BIKE AND WALK IN THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY PAUL SUPPORTS THE SAFE PASSING LAW.

IT WENT INTO EFFECT MARCH 1st OF THIS YEAR.

THE LEGISLATION AIMS TO KEEP PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS SAFE WHILE SHARING THE ROAD WITH CARS.

>> IT CALLS FOR USING DUE CAUTION WHEN YOU APPROACH PEOPLE IN THE ROADWAY.

MOVE OVER A LANE IF IT'S AVAILABLE.

IF THERE IS NOT A MAIN AVAILABLE, PASS WITH AT LEAST 4 FEET TO SPARE.

IF THAT'S NOT AVAILABLE, SLOW DOWN TO 25 MILES AN HOUR AND BE PREPARED TO STOP AND WAIT FOR A SAFE PLACE TO MAKE THAT PASS AND KEEP EVERYONE SAFE ON THE ROADWAY.

>> Reporter: RULES THAT MAY HAVE CHANGED THE TRAGIC OUTCOME FOR OSCAR WHO DIED IN 2020 AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRACTOR- TRAILER WHILE WRITING HIS ELECTRIC TRIKE.

>> HE LEFT THAT MORNING AND NEVER CAME HOME.

>> Reporter: AS A MEMBER OF A VISION ZERO NEW JERSEY ALLIANCE AND FAMILIES FOR SAFE STREETS NEW JERSEY, SHE WAS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFE PASSING BILL TO BECOME LAW.

>> WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS.

MORE AND MORE OF OUR LOVED ONES ARE DYING, ESPECIALLY ON THE NEW JERSEY ROADWAYS.

LAST YEAR'S NUMBERS WERE TERRIBLE.

704 FATALITIES, THE HIGHEST IT HAS BEEN SINCE 2007.

AS OF TODAY --OR AS OF YESTERDAY, I SHOULD SAY, WE HAVE 342 DEATHS ON OUR NEW JERSEY ROADWAYS.

WHICH IS UP 15% THEN IT WAS AS OF LAST YEAR ON JULY 7th, WHICH WAS 297.

>> Reporter: THE SAFE PASSING LAW WENT INTO EFFECT IN MARCH BUT ADVOCATES SAID THE PROBLEM IS A LOT OF DRIVER STILL DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> OBVIOUSLY IF DRIVERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES.

>> Reporter: DEBORAH IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY BIKE AND WALK COALITION, WHO WAS AWARDED $78,000 GRANT TO HELP EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LAW.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CREATE A CAMPAIGN, WHICH INCLUDES A RESOURCE CENTER ON OUR WEBSITE THAT EVERYBODY CAN USE.

IT HAS INFORMATION.

IT HAS GRAPHICS TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD.

WE ARE ALSO DOING AN AD CAMPAIGN.

IT'S A DIGITAL AD CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO REACH A LOT OF DRIVERS AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW ABOUT IT AND MAY NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE, LIKE PUTTING AN ACTION PLAN INTO EFFECT.

IT WOULD ESTABLISH MORE TRAFFIC RULES, LIKE LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT IN ORDER TO KEEP ALL ROAD USERS SAFE.

JERSEY CITY AND HOBOKEN ALREADY HAVE A VISION ZERO POLICY IN PLACE.

THE SENATOR IS BACKING A MEASURE THAT WOULD EXTEND IT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> I KNOW THE POLICE HAVE ENOUGH TO DO, BUT IF YOU SEE SOMEONE FLYING PAST A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WALKING DOWN THE STREET AT 40 MILES AN HOUR, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES, WORD WILL GET OUT OH, GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL.

>> Reporter: WITH THE RIGHT RULES IN PLACE AND PROPER EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC, THERE HOPING EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE THE ROAD SAFELY AND WITHOUT FEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, THE LABOR MARKET GETS A BIGGER BOOST THAN EXPECTED IN THE LATEST NATIONAL JOBS REPORT.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYERS ADDED 372,000 JOBS IN JUNE, CONTINUING TO STUDY JOB GROWTH OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED AT 3.6%.

WAGES, 5.1% IN THE PAST MONTH.

LABOR SHORTAGES PERSIST AS 11 MILLION JOBS REMAIN UNFILLED AS OF LATE MAY.

>>> AND HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW TRADING ON WALL STREET ENDED THE WEEK.

>>> A FIRST OF ITS KIND ASSESSMENT TEST TAKEN THIS YEAR BY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS WILL NOT BE USED AS A RETIREMENT REQUIREMENT FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS.

STUDENTS SET TO GRADUATE NEXT YEAR WERE THE FIRST TO TAKE THE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT.

PASSING IT WAS ORIGINALLY A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR THE CLASS OF 2023, BUT NO MORE UNDER A NEW BILL THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED THIS WEEK.

THE EXAM WILL INSTEAD BE USED AS A FIELD TEST TO DEVELOP PROFICIENCY TESTS FOR GRADUATING CLASSES IN THE FUTURE.

THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY LAWMAKERS WHO BLAMED THE PANDEMIC FOR LEAVING STUDENTS ARE PREPARED FOR THE EXAM AS WELL FOR THE RISE IN MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG STUDENTS, WHICH COULD BE EXACERBATED BY THE STRESS AND ANXIETY FROM TAKING THE TEST.

>>> SUPERFUND SITES ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST POLLUTED PLACES IN AMERICA AND NEW JERSEY HAS MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

ONE CLEANUP PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN THE 1980s AND THE IDEA WAS TO HAVE POLLUTERS, NOT TAXPAYERS, PAY FOR THE WORK.

A TAX ON THE CHEMICAL AND OIL INDUSTRIES THAT HAPPEN BUT CONGRESS LET THE TAX EXPIRE IN THE MID-'90s AND NOW IT IS BEING REVISED AS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WHICH MEANS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO FINALLY CLEAN THESE TOXIC MESSES.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S INFRASTRUCTURE LAW PROVIDED A ONE-TWO PUNCH TO HELP NEW JERSEY CLEANUP IS HEAVILY PROMOTED POLLUTED SUPERFUND SITES.

CHEMICALS WILL PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AND THAT COULD RAISE $12 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS.

SECOND, THE INFRASTRUCTURE LAW IS OUT $1 BILLION UPFRONT FOR BACKLOG SITES WERE CLEANUP EFFORTS HAVE STALLED.

>> WE HAVE SITES THAT LINGER AWAITING THAT FUNDING, SITES THAT WERE BACKLOGGED BECAUSE OF OUR INABILITY TO FUND THEM HAVE NOW BEEN RESURRECTED AND WE ARE FUNDING THEM AND WE ARE GETTING WORK STARTED.

>> Reporter: SEVEN SITES IN NEW JERSEY ARE GETTING MONEY SOON INCLUDING THE YOU NOMADIC MANUFACTURING SITE IN FAIRFIELD.

ACCORDING TO THE EPA, THEY LEAKED CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS INTO THE SURROUNDING SOIL FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.

WHEN THE SUPERFUND PROGRAM STARTED IN THE 1980s, CLEANUP AND ARREST WERE FUNDED BY A TAX ON CERTAIN CHEMICALS.

CONGRESSMAN POLO SAID IT WAS TIME TO BRING BACK THAT TAX.

>> THERE IS ALWAYS A RELUCTANCE TO MAKE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR THIS.

WE ESTIMATE THE TAXES COMING IN NOW WAY TO GENERATE THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.

>> IT HELPS CONSIDERABLY WITH THE RESTORATION OF THAT TAX.

IT PROVIDES A SUBSTANTIAL BOOST TO OUR ABILITY TO DO WORK.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERFUND TAX WOULD LAST THROUGH THE END OF 2031 AND WOULD BE TWICE THE RATE OF THE OLD ATTACKS, WHICH EXPIRED IN 1995.

A BIG DIFFERENCE WITH THE NEW TAX IS PETROLEUM AND OIL ARE NOT INCLUDED.

>> IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE HOUSE VERSION AT MY REQUEST.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE STILL HOPING.

THERE IS A 50/50 CHANCE THAT IT WILL GET A PASS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

THAT GENERATES MORE THAN THE TAX CHEMICAL.

>> Reporter: THE SENATOR TOLD US IN A STATEMENT FAR TOO MANY NEW JERSEYANS HAVE SUFFERED THE HEALTH AND FINANCIAL BURDENS LIVING NEAR SUPERFUND SITES.

WITH DISPROPORTIONATE HARM INFLICTED ON BLACK, BROWN, AND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, I AM PROUD TO HAVE CHAMPIONED THE PROVISIONS TO ENSURE POLLUTING INDUSTRIES BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RESTORING THE SEVERELY CONTAMINATED SITES TO SAFE, HEALTHY, AND THRIVING AREAS THAT CAN ATTRACT INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

POLITICS STOPPED THIS TAX FROM RETURNING SOONER.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH THE CHEMICAL COMPANIES AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT.

I MEAN, I REMEMBER WHEN CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE, HE WAS FOR REINSTATING IT BUT WE WERE IN THE MINORITY.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CHEMISTRY COUNCIL OF NEW JERSEY -- >> 20 YEARS AGO, NEW JERSEY HAD 90,000 EMPLOYEES IN CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING AND NOW IT'S DOWN TO 45,000 DIRECT EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS CHEMICAL COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY PAY A SIMILAR STATE TAX CALLED THE SPILL TAX AND THE SUPERFUND TAX COULD DRIVE MORE JOBS OUT OF THE STATE.

>> THEY COMPETE AGAINST FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

WHEN YOU KEEP ADDING MORE AND MORE TAXES, PRODUCTS GET PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS AND IT MAKES US JUST MORE AND MORE UNCOMPETITIVE.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE A DIFFERENT WAY TO FIND THE SUPERFUND PROGRAM.

OTHERWISE NEW JERSEY'S MANUFACTURING FUTURE COULD BE IN DOUBT.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A CONTINUED SLOW DECLINE.

AS A LOT OF OUR MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE 100 EMPLOYEES, 150 EMPLOYEES, 200 EMPLOYEES.

AS THEY LOOK FOR INVESTMENTS IN A DIFFICULT STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY, THEY ARE JUST GOING TO SLOWLY WITHER AWAY UNTIL THAT PRODUCT LINE GETS MOVED SOMEPLACE ELSE AND GETS CONSOLIDATED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY HAS 114 FEDERAL SUPERFUND SITES, MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, HEAD OVER TO NJTVNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR THE LATEST NEWS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA AND FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, HAD A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HELPING TOGETHER.

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