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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'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 ON THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> REVEALING TESTIMONY IN A JANUARY 6th HEARING FOCUSING ON HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP PUT IMMENSE PRESSURE ON MIKE PENCE TO OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

LAWYERS AND FEDERAL JUDGES TESTIFIED THAT PENCE COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT COOPERATE WITH TRUMP BECAUSE DOING SO WOULD HAVE CREATED A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.

IN A CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO OF TRUMP'S ATTORNEYS, ERIC HIRSCHMAN RECALLED SOMETHING HE TOLD JOHN EASTMAN.

>> I SAID YOU ARE CRAZY.

YOU ARE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND TELL 78 PLUS MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT YOUR THEORY IS THIS IS HOW YOU WILL INVALIDATE THEIR VOTES BECAUSE YOU THINK ELECTION WAS STOLEN?

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THAT.

THEY WILL CAUSE RIOTS IN THE STREETS AND HE SAID MORE TO THE EFFECT OF THERE HAS BEEN VIOLENCE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO PROTECT THE DEMOCRACY HERE AT >> PENCE REFUSED TO LISTEN TO TRUMPS DEMANDS AND INSTEAD UPHOLD A CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.

TRUMP TURNED TO THE CROWD, SAYING HIS VICTORY DEPENDED SOLELY ON MIKE PENCE.

SHORTLY AFTER THE MOB REACHED THE CAPITAL IN SEARCH OF THE >>> PROFESSOR JIM HUGHES FROM THE SCHOOL OF PLANNING A PUBLIC POLICY JOINS ME NOW TO EXPLAIN.

PROFESSOR HUGHES, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING INFLATION, HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN PERSON?

WHO WILL REALLY FEEL THIS?

>> WELL, ANYONE WHO HAS TO BORROW MONEY IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY RISING INTEREST RATES IN ORDER TO COMBAT INFLATION.

EVERYBODY IS FACING HIGHER FOOD COSTS.

EVERYBODY IS FACING HIGHER GASOLINE COSTS WHEN YOU GET BACK TO THE GAS STATION.

IT IS REALLY GASOLINE AND FOOD WHICH ARE THE STICKER SHOCK ITEMS.

YOU CAN SEE THOSE MORE ON A DAILY BASIS.

ANYBODY WANTING TO GET A MORTGAGE TO BUY A HOME, IT WILL BE MUCH, MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO.

>> EXPLAINED THAT.

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS OR FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A VARIABLE INTEREST RATE THAT IS NOT LOCKED IN?

>> WELL, MOST PEOPLE OVER THE PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS HAVE TAKEN FIXED RATE MORTGAGES BECAUSE THEY WERE AT HISTORICALLY LOW LEVELS.

VERY FEW LOW RATE MORTGAGES WERE OUT THERE.

WHAT THIS DOES TO THE HOUSING MARKET, SOMEONE MAY TAKE AN ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE TODAY AND A LOWER INTEREST RATE, BUT THEY MAY BE FACING MORE PRESSURES TOMORROW.

THE KEY FACTOR IS SOME PEOPLE ARE LOCKED IN PLACE.

THEY HAVE A VERY, VERY LOW INTEREST RATE MORTGAGE.

NOW THEY ARE STUCK IN PLACE AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE LOW INTEREST RATE MORTGAGE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THOSE WHO WANT TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS OR WHO ARE ALREADY FACING DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, REALLY THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF INVENTORY AND THEY FACE HIGHER COSTS WITH HIGHER MORTGAGES AND PRICES HAVE NOT ADJUSTED DOWNWARD DESPITE INFLATION.

>> RIGHT.

THE GOAL OF ALL OF THIS IS TO DRIVE DOWN THE PRICES THAT HAVE BEEN SKYROCKETING.

WHETHER IT IS THE PRICE OF HOMES OR LIKE YOU SAID, ITEMS IN THE GROCERY STORE.

RIGHT NOW, PRICES ARE AT A PEAK AND WE HAVE THE INCREASED INTEREST RATES.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY KIND OF LEVELING OFF OF COSTS COMING DOWN, RIGHT?

>> WE WEREN'T SEEING COSTS COMING DOWN UNTIL THE ECONOMY SLOWS AND THE OBJECTIVE OF RAISING INTEREST RATES IS TO SLOW THE ECONOMY.

WHEN THE ECONOMY SLOWS, INFLATION WILL WANE.

THE DANGER IS WE HAVE NOW RESURRECTED AN OLD TERM WE HAVEN'T USED FOR OVER TWO DECADES, AN ECONOMIC SOFT LANDING.

WE WANT TO SLOW THE ECONOMY IN ORDER TO LOWER THE INFLATION RATE BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A DANGER OF THE ECONOMY SLIPPING INTO A RECESSION.

HISTORICALLY WHEN THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS RAISED INTEREST RATES AS FAST AS THEY HAVE, THE END RESULT WAS NOT A SOFT LANDING BUT A REAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OR RECESSION.

>> WAS THIS TOO LATE AND TOO AGGRESSIVE IN TERMS OF HOW THE FED REACTED?

DID THEY GO TOO FAR WITH THE INTEREST RATE INCREASE?

>> NO, THEY DIDN'T.

THEY WERE LATE.

IT WAS A FAILURE AND I AM NOT BLAMING THE FED ON THIS.

IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION BUT WE DID NOT SEE THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN REALLY STRONG SURGE IN DEMAND FOR GOODS AND SERVICES AND ALL THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS WE HAD AND SUPPLY SHORTAGES.

THEY HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND THE CURVE.

THEY HAVE TO CATCH UP AND UNRESTRAINED INFLATION IS A FAR WORSE PROBLEM WITH A SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.

>> CAN YOU GIVE ME A VERY SHORT ANSWER?

ARE WE STARING DOWN A RECESSION RIGHT NOW?

>> WE ARE IN A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ECONOMIC STORM CLOUDS OUT THERE.

RECESSION IS A REAL POSSIBILITY FOR 2023.

>> THAT IS A ROSY WAY TO END THE CONVERSATION.

PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> SURE.

TAKE CARE.

>>> LOW INCOME RENTERS WERE PROTECTED DURING A EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PREVENTED THEM FROM BEING OUSTED FOR MISSED PAYMENTS THROUGH DECEMBER 2021 BUT THE EVICTION MORATORIUM HAS NOW EXPIRED.

MANY RENTERS STILL STRUGGLE WITH THE AFTEREFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND MAY STILL FIND THEMSELVES UNABLE TO MAKE RENT PAYMENTS.

THEY ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOUSING AS MORE AND MORE LANDLORDS ARE HEADING TO THE COURTS TO FILE EVICTION CASES.

IN FACT, THE NUMBER HAS RISEN FROM 53,000 LAST YEAR TO ALREADY 59,000 IN THIS YEAR'S REPORTING PERIOD.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN SPOKE WITH EXPERTS IN THE FIELD ABOUT THE IMPACT THESE EVICTIONS COULD HAVE AND WHETHER ANY HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE MOST AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES.

>> IT IS STRESSFUL.

THINKING I AM GOING TO GET EVICTED WITH MY CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: $9600 OWED IN BACK RENT AND FACING EVICTION FROM HER APARTMENT.

JERSEYS TWO YEAR MORATORIUM ON PANDEMIC RELATED EVICTIONS EXPIRED AT THE END OF DECEMBER AND LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER TENANTS THAT HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME AND MONEY, A HEARING IN LANDLORD-TENANT COURT.

SHE IS TOLD HER 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND 9-YEAR-OLD SON, THEY MAY HAVE TO LEAVE.

>> THEY DON'T WANT TO WITH SCHOOL.

THEY ARE USED TO WHERE WE ARE AT NOW.

>> Reporter: LOW INCOME TENANTS IN NEW JERSEY STILL CAN BE EVICTED IF THEY MISSED RENT BETWEEN MARCH OF 2020 AND DECEMBER 31st OF 2021 AND CERTIFY THEIR STATUS WITH THE STATE, BUT THERE IS NO SIMILAR PROTECTION THIS YEAR.

ALL TRON JUST GOT A JOB LAST MONTH AS A PERSONAL ASSISTANT BUT SAYS SHE HASN'T PAID HER $1600 MONTHLY RENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> YOU KNOW, I TRY TO SAVE UP.

IT IS ADDING UP AND PILING UP.

>> THE PACE OF EVICTIONS HAS PICKED BACK UP BECAUSE THE MORATORIUM HAS ENDED SO PEOPLE ARE ONCE AGAIN LOSING THEIR HOMES.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY WHILE SMALLER COUNTIES HAVE CLEARED LANDLORD TENANT CASE LAWS DURING THE PANDEMIC, OTHERS FIND CASELOADS INCREASING, ESPECIALLY DENSELY POPULATED AREAS.

STATEWIDE THE NUMBER OF NEWLY FILED EVICTION CASES HAS CLIMBED FROM 4430 PER MONTH DURING THE MORATORIUM TO ABOUT 5900 A MONTH BETWEEN JULY 2021 AND THIS PAST APRIL.

ABOUT A 1500 CASE INCREASE.

>> THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT THE STATE WAS OF A SUCCESSFUL GETTING INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO MOST NEEDED IT HAS RUN OUT.

PEOPLE WHO CANNOT PAY THEIR RENT WEATHER FOR COVID RELATED REASONS OR OTHERWISE ARE NOT RECEIVING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND ARE SUBJECT TO EVICTION.

>> IT IS A MESS.

IT IS A MESS.

A LOT OF THIS IS DESPITE THE TENSIONS OF SO MANY.

IT IS A DESPERATE SITUATION AND I FEEL FOR ALL PLAYERS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY GAVE DESPERATE TENANTS THREE QUARTERS OF $1 BILLION IN RENTAL EIGHT OVER THE PAST YEARS AND PROMISED MORE, BUT TWO MAJOR PARTS OF THE STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE MONEY HAVE RUN DRY, LEAVING THOUSANDS ON A WAITING LIST EVEN AS NEW JERSEY ANTICIPATES AN $11 BILLION TAX REVENUE SURPLUS.

>> EVERY WEEK, WE GET BACK THE SAME REPORTS FROM THE STATE.

YOU KNOW, THE MONEY HAS BEEN REQUESTED.

IT SHOULD COME.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN.

IT IS LIKE A STATE OF LIMBO THAT WE ARE IN.

>> Reporter: OTHER ATTORNEYS REPORT THEY CAN SET UP PAYMENT SCHEDULES BASED ON EXPECTED AID, BUT -- >> WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CASES WHERE EVERYTHING THAT IS OWED WILL BE PAID BY A CERTAIN DATE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE COMES THROUGH A MONTH OR TWO LATER.

BY THAT TIME, THE LANDLORD CLAIMS THE TENANT ISN'T FREE.

>> Reporter: LANDLORDS AREN'T RAPIDLY MAINTAINING APARTMENTS.

LANDLORD REPS SAY THEY ARE OUT OF TIME AND MONEY TOO.

>> IF A LANDLORD FILES A CASE TODAY IN ESSEX COUNTY FOR EVICTION FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT, THAT CASE ISN'T GOING TO BE HEARD UNTIL 2023.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING PROVIDERS, LANDLORDS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC NOW THINGS HAVE STARTED TO GET BACK TO NORMAL, BUT THEY STILL CAN'T GET A COURT DATE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS NOT PAYING THE RENT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

>> Reporter: BOTH HAVE APPLIED FOR AID ESSEX COUNTY AND HAVE BEEN WAITING THREE MONTHS.

>> HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET HELP WITH THAT.

I CAN CATCH UP.

>> Reporter: HER COURT DATE IS JULY 26th.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A BILL GETTING FAST TRACKED THROUGH THE LEGISLATOR TO PUMP A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS INTO A POPULAR STATE PARK SEEMS LIKE A PLAN EVERYONE CAN GET BEHIND, BUT IN THE CASE OF LIBERTY STATE PARK, IT'S NEVER THAT SIMPLE.

TODAY THAT BILL.A HEARING IN THE SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE WHERE OPPONENTS SAY THE PLAN LEAVES THE PARK VULNERABLE TO COMMERCIALIZATION WHILE SUPPORTERS ARGUE THE PARK IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF UPGRADES.

CAN THEY FIND COMMON GROUND?

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS FROM THE STATE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEYANS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY STATE PARK AND THERE IS PLENTY OF PASSION IN A PACKED COMMITTEE HEARING IN TRENTON, BRINGING SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS TO THE LIBERTY STATE PARK CONSERVATION RECREATION AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION ACT.

IT IS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOCATE $250 MILLION TO A TASK FORCE TO FIX UP NEW JERSEY'S MOST POPULAR STATE PARK.

STATE SENATOR BRIAN SACK IS A COSPONSOR.

>> LIBERTY STATE PARK DOES NOT SERVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE FACILITIES THAT REFLECT A GREAT PARK.

IT DOES NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO COME OR MOVE AROUND THE PARK.

IT DOES NOT HAVE MANY BALL FIELDS OR ATHLETIC FACILITIES.

IT DOES NOT HAVE COMMUNITY CENTER AND CULTURAL AND ART FACILITIES.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS HEARD CONCERN FROM ADVOCATES WHILE SOME SUPPORTERS SAY A PUT POTENTIAL ATHLETIC FACILITY IS A WIN FOR THE PARK AND THE STUDENTS.

>> I SEE THE LACK OF FACILITIES THESE STUDENT ATHLETES ARE PARTICIPATING IN.

THIS RESULTS THAT ISSUE.

THERE IS ANOTHER STADIUM THAT IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR --ACROSS THE POND.

SAME CONCEPT.

TRACK AND FIELD FACILITIES, STATE-OF-THE-ART.

THEY HELD NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETS.

>> LIBERTY PARK IS A SAFE HAVEN.

THEY WILL BE SAFE THERE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

THEY CAN BUILD PUBLIC HOUSING BUILDINGS.

THEY CAN SEE NEW YORK.

THEY CAN SEE THE WATER.

IT IS NEEDED.

PLEASE!

>> IN TRENTON, IT REVITALIZED THE CITY AND BROUGHT THEM FROM WHAT WOULD BE A BANKRUPTCY INTO A PROSPERITY.

IN PATTERSON, IT REVITALIZED THAT AREA SO NOW THE COMMUNITY IS INVOLVED, ENGAGED, AND MAKING IT A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: OTHERS ARE WORRIED THE BILL DOESN'T BAN PRIVATIZATION, POSSIBLY LEADING TO COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN PLACES LIKE KATE IN POINT, A HAVEN FOR MIGRATING BIRDS.

CHAIR SMITH SAID HE WILL NOT AMEND THE BILL TO PROTECT KATE IN POINT, A POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT FOR A GOLF COURSE EXPANSION.

>> YOU NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE SURE THIS BILL GETS RID OF THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE.

RIGHT NOW IN THAT BILL, THERE ARE MORE HOLES THAN IN A GOLF COURSE.

IT IS UP TO YOU TO TIGHTEN THIS BILL UP SO WE PROTECT THE USES OF THE PARK FOR ALL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE GOLF COURSE COULD BE SOMETHING YOU SEE IN THE PARK IF THIS BILL PASSES.

OTHER PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT MASSIVE ARENAS COULD CHOKE OFF ACCESS TO A PUBLIC AREA.

>> COMMERCIAL CONCERT VENUES AND STADIUMS WILL CAUSE INEVITABLE TRAFFIC JAMS ON WEEKENDS WHICH WILL BLOCK PUBLIC ACCESS.

WE ALL WANT PUBLIC ACCESS.

THAT IS WHY THE FRIENDS AND OUR ALLIES, MANY IN THE ROOM TODAY, HAVE FOUGHT COMMERCIALIZATION PLANS FOR DECADES TO ENSURE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PARK.

>> Reporter: ONE PART OF THE BILL THAT HAS PICKED UP ATTENTION, THE TASK FORCE SHOULD COME UP WITH WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUE.

SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL THEY WOULD AND FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF LIBERTY STATE PARK, WHILE OTHERS DISAGREE.

>> MANY AREAS WILL REMAIN AS IS.

THE PICNIC AREAS, THE PLAYGROUNDS, THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER.

ALL OF THOSE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE BUT BE IMPROVED THROUGH THE PARK PLAN WITH IMPROVED ACCESS.

>> WE ARE IN FAVOR OF DEVELOPING THE PARK IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY THAT THE FOCUS IS TO PROVIDE ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION FOR ALL COMMUNITIES, NOT REVENUE MAKING.

>> NO FREE POOLS.

NO FREE ANYTHING.

HIGH-PRICED TICKET FOR TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.

WE WILL NOT TURN OUR PARKS INTO TURNSTILES FOR REVENUE GENERATION.

THEY ARE PARKS FOR THE PUBLIC.

THEY ARE NOT THEME PARKS, LIKE RIGHT ADVENTURE THAT GENERATES REVENUE.

THAT LANGUAGE NEEDS TO BE STRUCK.

>> Reporter: AND PART OF IT WAS.

THE BILL MOVED FORWARD WITH FIVE AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING REMOVAL OF THE LANGUAGE THING THE TASK FORCE COULD THINK UP PLANS FOR THE PARK TO GENERATE REVENUE.

IN TRENTON, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY, SAYING THEY KNOWINGLY POLLUTED AND CONTAMINATED A STATE.

RAIN WOULD MINDS SITS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD HOME TO THE NATION'S TURTLE PLAN.

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE COMMISSIONER OF NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ARE SEEKING MONEY TO RESTORE THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE DUMPING OF THE HAZARDOUS WASTE IN THE '60s AND '70s INCLUDING CAR PARTS AND TOXIC SLUDGE ON THE GROUND.

THAT TOXICITY LED THE MINES TO BE LABELED AS A FEDERAL SUPERFUND SITE, 1 OF 114 IN NEW JERSEY.

IT'S THE ONLY SITE TO BE PUT ON THE SUPERFUND LIST TWICE.

CLEANUP EFFORTS HAVE SPUTTERED IN THE PAST BUT ARE NOW ONGOING.

>> THE ACTIONS AGAINST FORD TODAY ARE PROBABLY ONLY ONE OF MANY OPTIONS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE.

HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE NOT JUST HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BEGAN TO HAVE MORE OF A VOICE.

TO UNDERSTAND THE HARM CAUSED TO THE LANDS ARE NOT JUST HARMS TO THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OR THE POOR PEOPLE OR THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T INHABIT IT WILL POISON EVEN THEIR OWN CHILDREN.

>> IN A STATEMENT, FORD SAYS IT TAKES ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY AND HAS SHOWN THAT WITH ACTIONS TO ADDRESS OTHER ISSUES.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES FOR THE REMEDIATION PLAN.

>>> WORKERS ARE READY TO WALK OFF THE JOB IF THEY DON'T GET A NEW CONTRACT.

UNITE HERE LOCAL 54 VOTED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY LAST NIGHT TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE IF NO DEAL IS REACHED BY THE BEGINNING OF JULY.

CONTRACTS WITH THE BORE GOT TO AND THREE CASINOS OWNED BY CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT EXPIRED MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO.

WORKERS HAVE BEEN PICKETING SINCE THEN BUT HAVE NOW GIVEN THEIR NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE THE POWER TO CALL A STRIKE IF THEY DON'T GET WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY ARE ASKING FOR HIGHER WAGES AMID GROWING INFLATION AND FOR CASINOS TO STOP CONTRACTING WORKERS TO FILL POSITIONS FOR LESS MONEY.

WE REACHED OUT TO CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT BUT HAVE NOT YET HEARD BACK.

JEFF PAYNE IS A SERVER AT CAESARS AND HE IS ON THE NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE FOR THIS CONTRACT.

HE SAYS THEY'RE TRYING EVERYTHING TO AVOID A STRIKE.

>> THIS GIVES US AN UPPER HAND KNOWING THE MEMBERSHIP IS BEHIND US.

WE HAD OVER 96% PEOPLE VOTE FOR A STRIKE.

IF THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, WE WILL DO THAT.

ON THAT LAST DAY, IF WE ARE THERE UNTIL 4:00, 5:00 IN THE MORNING GOING BACK AND FORTH TO HAMMER THIS OUT, ABSOLUTELY, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

AGAIN, THE BALL IS IN OUR OPERATOR'S COURT.

>> SO FAR, SIGNS OF A RECESSION ARE NOT SHOWING UP IN THE JOB MARKET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

>> WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY?

NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY IS STILL TURNING OUT JOBS.

NEW FEDERAL ESTIMATES RELEASED BY THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SHOW NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL TO 3.9% IN MAY.

MAY ALSO MARKED THE 18th STRAIGHT MONTH OF JOB CREATION IN THE STATE.

NEW JERSEY'S LATHER MARKET HAS NEARLY BEEN MADE WHOLE SINCE THE TERRIBLE JOB LOSSES DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC IN 2020.

THE STATE HAS RECOVERED 96% OF ALL THE JOBS LOST DUE TO COVID- 19.

>>> BUSINESS GROUPS REACTING TO YESTERDAY'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY AND TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

BOTH THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYING THIS WILL IMPROVE AVAILABILITY FOR RESIDENTS BUT THE STATE SHOULD NOW DIRECT SOME OF ITS EXTRA REVENUE TO HIS MISSES.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT TOM BRACKEN, A MEMBER OF THE NJ PBS BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAYS BUSINESSES PAY ALMOST HALF OF THE OVERALL PROPERTY TAXES IN NEW JERSEY AND THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANY RELIEF.

ON TOP OF THAT, HE SAYS THEY ARE STILL DEALING WITH LABOR SHORTAGES, SUPPLY-CHAIN PROBLEMS, AND NOW THEY HAVE TO CONTEND WITH HIGHER INTEREST RATES AFTER THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S MOVE THIS WEEK.

>> WHAT THIS DOES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHO IS SUFFERING FROM MANY THINGS, IF THEY ARE BORROWING MONEY TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS AFLOAT, THEIR COSTS JUST WENT UP DRAMATICALLY.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY OUT THERE.

A LOT OF HURDLES THEIR BUSINESSES TO OVERCOME.

THEY ARE GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, A COALITION OF PRO-WORKER GROUPS IS ASKING STATE LEADERS TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING FUNDS TO PROVIDE HAZARD PAY FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

THEY WANT PAYMENTS TO GO TO WORKERS WHO ARE ON THE JOB DURING THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC BEFORE VACCINES BECAME WIDELY AVAILABLE.

>>> ANOTHER DAY OF A BRUTAL SELLING ON WALL STREET.

THE DOW DROPPED BELOW 30,000, HITTING ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE EARLY 2021.

SEVERAL MARKET INDEXES HAVE FALLEN INTO BEAR MARKET TERRITORY, A DROP OF 20% FROM THEIR HIGHS.

WALL STREET IS WORRIED BY TRYING TO CONTROL INFLATION WITH AGGRESSIVE INTEREST RATE MOVES, THE FED MAY TIP THE ECONOMY INTO A RECESSION.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS ANALYTICS, AND DATA SCIENCE.

STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.ECU.

>> JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND.

SHE IS DEALING WITH SOMETHING WE ALL ARE DEALING WITH, DEBT.

WHETHER IT IS A STUDENT LOANS OR A MORTGAGE.

WATCH SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WILL SOON HAVE A NEW NUMBER TO CALL FOR HELP.

899.

THIS IS INSPECTED TO ROLLOUT NATIONWIDE AND WILL CONNECT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE CRISIS WITH A TRAINED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

IT'S MEANT TO BE AN EASIER NUMBER TO REMEMBER THAN THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE, BUT IT WON'T REPLACE IT.

THE TIMING OF THIS 899 HOTLINE IS CRITICAL AS RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO FEEL THE STRAIN OF THE ONGOING PANDEMIC, GUN VIOLENCE, AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS.

THE RESOURCE COULD BE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO OFTEN DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

ONCE 899 CALLERS ARE CONNECTED WITH HELP, PROFESSIONALS WILL DETERMINE WHETHER ADDITIONAL CARE IS NEEDED AND THEY CAN SEND OUT A MOBILE LOCAL RESPONSE TEAM IF IT IS.

ALTHOUGH THEY EXPECT MOST CASES WILL BE RESOLVED OVER THE PHONE.

THE PROGRAM IS BEING FUNDED IN PART BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY AND ANOTHER $30 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE IN THE NEW JERSEY BUDGET THIS YEAR FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION.

FOR MORE ON THE NEW 899 HOTLINE, CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REPORT FOR AMERICA.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR THE ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK I AM IN FOR DAVID AND I WILL TALK WITH SENATE MINORITY LEADER STEVE OR HOW ABOUT LANCE FOR RELIEF FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

PLUS, WE WILL ANALYZE THE WEEKS POLITICAL HEADLINES WITH REPORTERS.

THAT IS FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE, SERVING INSURANCE NEEDS FOR 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.

>>> ORSTED WILL 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.