>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS IN J SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH MARY PELOSI.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I MET BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IMAGINE HAVING THOUSANDS OF UNEXPECTED DOLLARS IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WITH ALL SORTS OF IDEAS ON HOW TO SPEND IT.

AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE STATE WHICH IS EXPECTED OF BILLION DOLLARS IN EXTRA REVENUE AND LAWMAKERS ARE NOW DECIDING WHERE ALL THAT MONEY SHOULD GO.

THE BUDGET DEADLINE IS JULY 1 AND COMMITTEES EXPECT -- WITH THE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS.

SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THOSE BILLION-DOLLAR DECISIONS ARE BEING RUSHED THROUGH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ WATCHED AS IT ALL UNFOLDED IN TRENTON TODAY.

>> THE SKIES OPENED UP ON GOVERNOR MURPHY AT A BILL SIGNING THIS MORNING.

BUT IT WAS A MINOR ANNOYANCE IN A BUDGING SEASON THAT FINDS THE STATE FLUSHED WITH CASH FROM FEDERAL AID AND AN EXPECTEDLY ROBUST TAX COLLECTION.

IT'S ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR AND POLLS SHOW THE GOVERNOR WITH A HEALTHY LEAD OVER HIS OPPONENT IN FAVORABLE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS.

THE WIND, AS OLD IRISH SAYING SAYS IS THAT MURPHY'S BACK WITH THE SUN SHINING ON HIS FACE IN THE RAIN SUCH AS IT IS FALLING SOFTLY.

THIS BUDGET REQUIRES BIG INVESTMENTS IN THINGS WE THINK COULD TOUCH PEOPLE.

WE THINK WILL HELP REDUCE TAXES IN CERTAIN AREAS.

TO BE TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE, BUT ALSO DOWN THE ROAD, EVERYONE KNOWS THIS WILL NOT BE THE LAST BUDGET.

>> THE BUDGET VICE CHAIR IS ON BOARD WITH A SPENDING PLAN THAT CHECKS ALMOST EVERY DEMOCRATIC PRIORITY.

LARGER HOMESTEAD BENEFITS.

EXPANDED EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

MORE FUNDING FOR DISTRICTS.

YES, YES, AND YES.

>> PEOPLE DESERVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIVIDEND.

WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT HESITANT TO ASK THEM TO SACRIFICE MORE WHEN THE STATE IS STRUGGLING.

SO IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT WHEN IT'S A LITTLE MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, THERE SHOULD BE SOME RELIEF IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES.

>> IT'S ASTOUNDING, IT'S STUNNING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS BUDGET.

THE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE SPENT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS.

PROBABLY BILLIONS THAT WILL BE GIVEN OUT.

THE HEDGE FUNDS THAT ARE CREATED WITH VERY LITTLE OVERSIGHT.

I MEAN, IT'S ALL OF THIS EXTRA MONEY.

THE WINDFALL BECAUSE WE OVERTAXED LAST YEAR.

THAT WILL ALL BE SQUANDERED.

FEDERALLY, WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO SPEND.

>> SCANNING WITH MANY OF THE REPUBLICANS TRASHING THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET TODAY AS COMMITTEES IN BOTH HOUSES CONVENED TO MOVE THE DOCUMENT TO THE LEGISLATURE TO VOTE ON THURSDAY.

A WEEK BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

>> THEY RUSH HERE TO GET THE SAME TRANSFER TODAY.

$46 BILLION.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S, WE HAVE IT UNTIL JULY 1.

THERE'S NO REASON TO BE RUSHING AND PUSHING.

THIS IS TRANSPARENCY WITH LITTLE COMMENT.

THE PEOPLE NOT EVEN GETTING TO READ THE BILLS.

WHAT IS THERE?

WE HAVE PLENTY OF DAYS HERE RATHER THAN RUSHING AND SLAMMING THIS THING THROUGH.

I GET IT.

IF IT WAS MIDNIGHT AT THE END OF JUNE, BUT THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME HERE.

THAT'S THE COMMENT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

BILLS ARE LITERALLY RUNNING THROUGH.

LITERALLY COMING IN AS I AM SITTING HERE.

>> I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF -- HERE.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN.

THIS WAY, ALL OF THE -- HAVE EQUAL TIME TO DIGEST THIS.

REALLY SINK THEIR TEETH INTO THIS BUDGET.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $46 BILLION.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NATIONS ON OUR GLOBE THEY DON'T HAVE A $46 BILLION A YEAR BUDGET.

YET, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS THIS AS OUR BUDGET.

WE ARE GETTING BILLS LATE LAST NIGHT TO REVIEW FOR TODAY'S BUDGET.

>> I CAN OPEN UP MY DIARY OF SCHEDULES.

GIVING US AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH TIME IS SPENT WORKING WITH US.

WHAT MEETINGS HAVE BEEN PUBLIC.

THAT CRITICISM OF NOT ENOUGH TIME.

WE ARE ON A REGULAR CALENDAR SCHEDULE.

WE MAY BE A FEW DAYS EARLIER.

WE DIDN'T AND ADOPT THIS BUDGET IN APRIL.

>> BUT BY THIS TIME, THEY WERE ALL POINTING TO A BUDGET THAT WAS GOING TO BE IN THE BLACK AND HAVE PLENTY LEFT OVER TO APPEASE THE BASE IN AN ELECTION YEAR FOR A GOVERNOR WHO AT THE MOMENT EVEN THE RAINDROPS CANNOT SEEM TO HATE.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

"NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>> FOR CONTINUING BUDGET COVERAGE , ENTRY SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS A COMMANDING LEAD OVER -- AT THE NEW FAMILY DICKINSON FAMILY POLL OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN NEW JERSEY.

AS YOU SEE HERE, MURPHY CURRENTLY HOLDS A 15 POINT LEAD OVER HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER.

AND THE POLL FINDS THAT HE HAS WORK TO DO TO GET HIS NAME OUT THERE.

70% OF THOSE SURVEYED SAY THEY DID NOT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HIM TO HAVE AN OPINION OF HIM.

IN THE MEANTIME, HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY APPROVE OF THE JOB GOVERNOR MURPHY IS DOING.

39% SAID THEY DISAPPROVED.

THE STATE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION HAS APPROVED.

APPROVED THE FIRST ROUND OF PUBLIC MATCH FUNDS FOR THE TWO CANDIDATES.

AWARDING MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO MURPHY AND $785,000 TO CHIARELLI.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE AGREED TO LIMIT THEIR TOTAL GENERAL ELECTION SPENDING TO $15.6 MILLION AS A CONDITION FOR RECEIVING THE FUNDS.

THE BOUNDARIES OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ARE ABOUT TO BE REDRAWN AND THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BIG POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS IN THE STATE AND BEYOND.

IN J SPOTLIGHT SENIOR WRITER AND SPOTLIGHT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DAY JOINS ME NOW.

HI, COLLEEN.

>> HI, RHONDA.

SO THIS IS ALWAYS A BIG DEAL.

WHAT IS AT STAKE THIS TIME FOR NEW JERSEY'S DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS?

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR FROM PAST THINGS IS ONLY TWO REPUBLICANS IN THE SEATS.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE A SEAT, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE STATE.

SO THAT MEANS IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASY FOR US TO DO STILL.

HE HAS SOME TROUBLES AROUND STOCK TRADING THAT WAS DONE.

FOR DISTRICTS BACK IN 2018.

ONE OF THE DEMOCRATS WHO CAME IN SWITCHED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO CURRENTLY, WE STAND AT 10-2.

>> COLLEEN, WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

HISTORY TELLS US THAT THE PRESIDENTS TRADITIONALLY LOSE THE SEATS DURING A MIDTERM ELECTION.

THAT'S HOW THE DEMOCRATS GOT TO TAKE SO MANY SEATS IN NEW JERSEY IN 2018, WAS DONALD TRUMP'S MIDTERM.

SO IF THE IDEA IS THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE SOME SEATS, THE NEXT YEAR IN THE ELECTION, THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THREE IN NEW JERSEY.

AND WE HAVE MIKEY SHALL.

THE THREE DEMOCRATS THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING TO TRY FOR.

>> COLLEEN, IS IT A FAIR NONPARTISAN CROSSES OR IS THERE CRITICISM AROUND REDISTRICTING?

>> YOU KNOW, SO NEW JERSEY'S REDISTRICTING IS BETTER WITH IN SOME STATES.

IN SOME STATES, THE LEGISLATURE OR THE GOVERNOR DO THE REDRAWING.

AND IF ONE PARTY IS IN CONTROL, IT'S TOTALLY NOT FAIR.

WE AT LEAST HAVE A 6-6 SPLIT HERE.

IF THE TWO PARTIES SPLIT.

EACH OF THEM HAS AN AGENDA.

THE DEMOCRATS OR THE REPUBLICANS KIND OF OPEN THE MAP.

10 YEARS AGO, THE REPUBLICANS WON THE MAP.

THIS TIME AROUND, WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> COLLEEN O'DAY, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, RHONDA.

>> NEW JERSEY'S LATEST DATA ON COVID-19 CASES IS ENCOURAGING.

TODAY, THE STATE REPORTED 182 NEW CASES WITH 15 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

MORE THAN 4.8 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

MAKING NEW JERSEY ONE OF JUST 16 STATES WHERE MORE THAN 70% OF ADULTS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

AND NOW, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY WILL NOT MEET THEIR GOAL OF ACHIEVING THAT BENCHMARK NATIONWIDE BY JULY 4.

BUT IT WILL BE CLOSE.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE COUNTRY IS ON TRACK TO HAVE AT LEAST 67% PARTIALLY VACCINATED BY INDEPENDENCE DAY.

THE EXPECTED MESS IS BECAUSE MANY YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE MORE HESITANT TO GET VACCINATED.

A LOT OF IT IS CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS VIRAL DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS ARE FRUSTRATING PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND AND REACHING THOSE WHO ARE POSTING BOGUS CLAIMS.

>> I JUST THINK IT'S SO SCARY TO THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD BE LOOKING AT THIS AND THINK THAT THIS IS REALITY.

>> Reporter: FRUSTRATED PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT COREY BOSCH POINTS TO SOCIAL MEDIA POST LIKE THIS ONE THAT RIFFS UNCOVERED VACCINE SIDE EFFECTS.

>> IT'S HARD TO DISTINGUISH SOMETIMES BETWEEN WHAT IS REALITY AND WHAT IS FICTION.

AND SO, THESE TYPES OF THINGS TEND TO SPREAD VERY RAPIDLY ONLINE.

>> Reporter: SHE STUDIED VIDEOS ON TIKTOK AND OTHER PLATFORMS AND SAYS EVEN THOSE THAT PROMOTE BIZARRE CONSPIRACY THEORIES LIKE COVID SHOTS MAKE YOU MAGNETIC CAN INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION.

>> EXPLAINED TO ME WHY THE KEY STICKS TO ME?

>> SOME OF THESE POSTS GO VIRAL, BASCH SAYS.

>> THEY GAIN A LOT OF TRACTION VERY QUICKLY AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO NEGATE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SUCH MESSAGING.

>> WE ARE NOT YET AS A NATION SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO PUT SHIELDS AGAINST THAT.

>> Reporter: MANY VIRAL POSTS PROMOTE MORE DANGEROUS DISINFORMATION LIKE COVID VACCINES MAKE YOU INFERTILE OR ALTER YOUR GENES, LIKE THIS ONE.

>> HAVING A IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST EVERY CELL IN YOUR BODY.

>> THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO ACTUALLY REVIEW THOSE THINGS AND PREVIEW THEM AND ASSESS THEM BEFORE THEY ARE POSTED.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT AS A WHOLE, YOU REALIZE THAT THIS IS A VERY CYNICAL MARKETING GAME.

THOSE MARKETING TO AFRICAN- AMERICANS, NEW MOMS, THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT WELLNESS.

PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT FERTILITY BECAUSE THEY ARE OF CHILDBEARING AGE.

>> Reporter: -- HEADS THE CENTER FOR COUNTERING DIGITAL HATE.

12 HIGH PROFILE ANTI-VACCINE INFLUENCERS WHO ARE COMMITTED ALLEGES PRODUCE 65% OF THE VIRAL DISINFORMATION AND RAKE IN $35 MILLION A YEAR FOR PROFIT.

>> WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT IS THEIR BOTTOM LINE.

>> YOU KNOW, I CAN'T FOR SURE LOOK INTO THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE AND TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE PURELY ECONOMICALLY MOTIVATED.

BUT IT'S REMARKABLE HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE AS THEY ARE SPREADING THIS MISINFORMATION.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THESE IS DR. SHERRY -- WHO MAINTAINS COVID VACCINES SOMEHOW CONNECT YOU WITH THE CELL PHONE TRANSMISSIONS.

>> FINDING AN INTERFACE BETWEEN WAS BEING INJECTED IN THESE SHOTS AND ALL OF THE 5G TOWERS.

>> SHE'S BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE SOME TIME SPREADING THIS DISINFORMATION, TRYING TO BUILD HER MARKET.

IS SELLING FALSE CURES AND FALSE INFORMATION TO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER ONE OF HIS DOZEN IS ROBERT F KENNEDY JUNIOR.

HE GOT KICKED OFF INSTAGRAM FOR SHARING DEBUNKED CLAIMS.

MISLEADING POST GET LABELED AND REMOVED BY THE MILLIONS, THE ACCOUNT OPERATORS COMPLAINT THEY ARE BEING CENSORED AND MOST CONTINUE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

AUGMENTS SAYS 60 OF THE DOZENS 89 ACCOUNTS REMAIN ACTIVE.

>> THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THESE BAD ACTORS FROM THEIR PLATFORMS AND STOP CREATING CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SPREADING OF MISINFORMATION.

>> Reporter: SCIENTIST IS ALSO TEAM UP WITH OTHER MYTHS INFORMATION INFLUENCERS.

INTIMATE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, HE SIGNED A SERIES OF BILLS PROVIDING ANOTHER $235 MILLION IN SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILLS TO RESTAURANT IN LONGBRANCH, THE ADDED FUNDS FOR NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESSES COME BACK FOR THE PANDEMIC STRONGER THAN BEFORE.

>> FOLKS ARE GETTING BACK TO WORK IN THE JOBS THAT THEY LOVE, IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY LOVE.

SHOPPERS CAN NOW FREELY ENTER THEIR FAVORITE STORES.

OUR RESTAURANTS ARE BACK TO FULL CAPACITY.

NOW, WITH THESE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS WE ARE SIGNING TODAY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO LIFT UP THESE BUSINESSES AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SUPPORT EVEN HIGHER TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW JERSEY THAT COMES OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IS STRONGER, FAIRER AND MORE RESILIENT THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN.

>> MORE THAN HALF OF THE -- WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESSES.

THOSE WITH FIVE OR FEWER EMPLOYEES.

IT HAS ALSO BEEN EARMARKED TO SUPPORT RESTAURANTS, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND NONPROFITS.

AND THE STATE WILL PROVIDE NEW FUNDING FOR BUSINESS STARTUPS AS WELL AS THE SUSTAIN AND SERVE PROGRAM WHICH GIVES ORGANIZATIONS FUNDS TO PURCHASE -- FROM RESTAURANTS IN ORDER TO FEED THOSE IN NEED.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY IN A BUSINESS.

ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

>>> SOMETIMES, A SCHOOL HOLIDAY IS NOT JUST A DAY OFF.

JEN RANDOLPH MADE A RECENT SCHOOL DECISION TO RENAME THE COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY.

CREATED AN OUTCRY FOR RESIDENTS.

THE SCHOOL TOOK HOLIDAY NAMES OFF THE CALENDAR, LEANING INTO AN EVEN BIGGER UPROAR.

JANINE DONALDSON REPORTS ON THE LATEST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WHERE DIVERSITY DISCRIMINATION AND CULTURAL PRIDE ALL CAME INTO PLAY DURING THE DEBATE.

OVER WHAT TO CALL COLUMBUS DAY.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE CAME DEMANDING THAT THEY REVERSE THEIR DECISION, INCLUDING REMOVING COLUMBUS DAY FROM THE CALENDAR.

>> WHEN YOU START DELETING DATES ON THE CALENDAR, THAT CAN BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO PEOPLE WHO ARE PROUD.

HE WAS THE FIRST ITALIAN, THE FIRST CATHOLIC, THE FIRST NON- ANGLO-SAXON PROTESTANT ON THAT CALENDAR THEY WERE LIKE YES, WE'VE GOT IT.

SO NOW, WE HAVE THIS MOVEMENT TO TAKE COLUMBUS DAY AWAY AND IT'S WELL!

WHAT YOU MEAN?

>> Reporter: MANY CITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE RENAMING COLUMBUS DAY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.

THE RANDOLPH SCHOOL DISTRICT FOLLOWED SUIT AND MADE THE DECISION LAST MONTH.

>> IF THIS IS SOMETHING THE TOWNSHIP WANTED, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN VOTED ON BY ALL THE PARENTS.

NOT JUST THESE 10 PEOPLE UP HERE THAT ARE MAKING ARBITRARY DECISIONS.

>> Reporter: AND THEN THEY VOTED TO REPLACE IT WITH A DAY OFF.

>> THE TRADITIONAL DAYS, IT'S SOMETHING THAT SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO OUR STUDENTS.

IT LESSONS THE HISTORY BEHIND THE SPECIFIC EVENTS.

>> IT'S A CONSTANT COCKTAIL OF IGNORANCE AND SHEER STUPIDITY.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT IT WAS DISCRIMINATION.

PEOPLE SEE DIFFERENCES BUT DON'T LIST TO RESPECT THEM.

>> YOU TRY TO MAKE THE ENTIRE THING VANILLA, THIS COUNTRY HAS NEVER BEEN VANILLA.

THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN A MELTING POT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND PEOPLE NEED TO RESPECT THE VARIOUS CULTURES AND THEY NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THE VARIOUS CULTURES IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THEM.

>> Reporter: SURROUNDED BY SECURITY AND POLICE, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACCUSED THE BOARD OF ENGAGING IN IT CANCEL CULTURE.

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND CALLED FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO RESIGN.

>> NOT JUST ON THIS CALENDAR, RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO STEP DOWN.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE AGREED THAT COLUMBUS DAY SHOULD RETURN.

>> I WAS HAPPY THAT THEY DECIDED TO CHANGE COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.

>> REPORTER:'S SUGGESTIONS WERE MADE TO HYPHENATE AND CALL IT BOTH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND COLUMBUS DAY OR RENAME IT ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY.

A SENTIMENT THAT BRIAN -- SAYS IT ALSO WIPES THATAWAY.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF ITALIAN AMERICAN ONE VOICE COLLISION SAYS THEY SHOULD JUST PICK ANOTHER DAY FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.

>> LET'S ALL CELEBRATE ALONG WITH THEM AND NOT DILUTE THE HOLIDAYS BY COMBINING THEM TOGETHER.

EACH SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN INDEPENDENCE AND THEIR OWN IDENTITY.

COLUMBUS DAY IS FOR ITALIAN AMERICANS AND LET'S CELEBRATE WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ON A DAY OF THEIR OWN.

>> Reporter: BOARD PRESIDENT TAMMY MACKEY ISSUED AN APOLOGY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY APOLOGIZING BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN UPSET BY THESE WORDS AND DECISIONS.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I DID NOT INTEND AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE SPORT INTENDED TO INSULT OR DISRESPECT THE ANCESTRY OR HERITAGE OF ITALIAN AMERICANS OR ANYONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: THEN THE BOARD REVERSED ITS DECISION AND ADDED COLUMBUS DAY BACK IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

>> IT'S A BATTLE THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN FOUGHT.

HOW DO YOU CALL THAT A VICTORY?

IF IN THE FIRST PLACE, WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO HAVE A FIGHT ABOUT THESE THINGS.

>> I THINK THERE ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THE HAVE THEIR OWN AGENDA AND THEY DRAG THEIR FEET RIGHT TO THE VERY END, OPPOSING WHAT WAS OBVIOUSLY THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS LEFT HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

I'M JANINE DONALDSON FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY RECENTLY SIGNED LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE ANOTHER YEAR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR ADULTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE AGING OUT OF THOSE SERVICES.

BUT IT WILL BE UP TO LOCAL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

AS JOANNA BACCHUS REPORTS, THE NEW LAW IS CAUSING FRUSTRATIONS FOR FAMILIES AND LEAVING SOME LEFT OUT.

>> I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD AND AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE DECISION IS NO LONGER IN MY HANDS.

BUT I WILL STILL FEEL LIKE I FILLED HIM IF I CAN GET THEM'S FOR HIM.

IT'S NOT IMPORTANT FOR HIM AND ALL OF HIS PEERS JUST TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH HIS POTENTIAL.

>> Reporter: LAURA COMUS SHOULD BE CELEBRATING LENA.

SHE'S ADVOCATED FOR LEGISLATION THAT WAS JUST SIGNED INTO LAW FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY THAT WILL EXTEND STATE-FUNDED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES LIKE HER SON SAMMY.

>> I SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT WILL OFFER AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES TO THREE CLASSES OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

THESE STUDENTS WOULD OTHERWISE BE AGING OUT OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY WILL TURN 21 YEARS OLD DURING THE 2020- 2021 OR THE 2021-2022 OR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEARS.

THESE DETERMINATIONS WILL BE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY DISTRICT IEP TEAMS OR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PLAN TEAM'S WHICH INCLUDES PARENTS OR GUARDIANS AND IN SOME CASES, THE STUDENT THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR HAS DEDICATED $600 MILLION TO THE EFFORT, BUT BY GIVING LOCAL CONTROL, SOME STUDENTS WHO NEED THE SERVICES CAN BE DENIED BY THEIR DISTRICT.

STUDENTS LIKE SAMMY, WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHERE HE WILL BE NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL OF THAT MONEY WAS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

AND NOW, THAT CONCERN HAS BEEN REMOVED.

SO I HOPE THAT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> TO BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MANDATE FOR DISTRICTS TO COVER ALL KIDS, ALL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NEED THE SERVICES?

>> I GUESS THE STATE DID NOT WANT TO OVERSTEP TOO MUCH IN TERMS OF DECISIONS THAT REMAIN ON A DISTRICT LEVEL.

SO I UNDERSTAND THAT AND I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT IT'S STILL VERY FRUSTRATING FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME CONVINCING THEIR DISTRICTS TO AGREE TO THIS.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE WHO DON'T, THEY FACE FIRING OFF THE PROVERBIAL CLIFF OF STATE- FUNDED DISABILITY SERVICES WITH EVEN LESS PREPAREDNESS THE NORMAL SAYS SUZANNE BUCHANAN.

>> WHEN THEY AGE OUT OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL ENTITLEMENT, THE JUNE FOLLOWING THEIR 21st BIRTHDAY, THEY GO INTO A WORLD OF ELIGIBILITY AND NOT ENTITLEMENT.

SO THE SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM HAS A NUMBER OF SERVICES, BUT IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SYSTEM, AND FRANKLY, MANY PARENTS EXPERIENCE IT AS MUCH MORE FRAGMENTED AND JUST A LESSER LEVEL OF SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: BUCHANAN SAYS THIS ADDITIONAL YEAR FOR STUDENTS WOULD BE CRITICAL IN HELPING THEM PREPARE FOR THAT TRANSITION.

>> WE HAVE TO SEE, DID THEY LEARN ANYTHING IN THE PAST YEAR?

WHAT WERE THEIR GOALS?

DID THEY PROCRASTINATE?

IT HAS TO BE HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED.

AND THEN EACH TEAM HAS TO BE SURE THAT THE SERVICES GOING FORWARD ARE HELPING THAT STUDENT MEETS THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS AS WELL AS SUCCESSFULLY PREPARING THEM TO LAUNCH INTO ADULT HERE.

>> THIS YEAR WOULD BE EVERYTHING FOR SAMMY.

HE HAD JUST STARTED AN INTERNSHIP JUST THREE WEEKS AGO.

THREE WEEKS IS NOT ENOUGH TIME.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER YEAR OF STATE-FUNDED SCHOOL WOULD MEAN A FULL YEAR OF AN INTERNSHIP AND I COULD PREPARE HIM FOR THE STATES VOCATIONAL PROGRAM.

>> THE DIVISION EVERY HOBE DILATATION ALL SERVICES AND THEY COULD TRY DIFFERENT SAMPLINGS TO SEE WHERE HIS STRENGTHS ARE.

THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE THIS PAST YEAR.

AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE REALLY HOPING IF HE GETS ANOTHER YEAR, YOU WILL HAVE THAT TYPE OF EVALUATION IN THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A WHOLE DIFFERENT PLACEMENT FOR HIM.

>> Reporter: COMUS HAS NOW SUED THE DISTRICT AND LOOKS TO HAVE RESULTS IN TIME FOR SAMMY SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE JULY.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS", I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TODAY.

REMEMBER TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE ON THURSDAY.

HE IS TAKING IT DEEPER DIVE ON THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE BUDGET.

THAT'S THURSDAY 6:30 P.M.

ALIVE ON OUR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I'M IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

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