>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND HORIZON HEALTH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, AN INDEPENDENT FLIGHT SINCE HE LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD INSURANCE COMPANY.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A RECORD 46.4 ALIEN DOLLARS NEW STATE BUDGET AND THE STAGE IS NOW SET FOR A VOTE IN THE FULL LEGISLATURE TOMORROW AFTER BUDGET COMMITTEES APPROVED A SPENDING PLAN AND PARTYLINE VOTES SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS INTRODUCED YESTERDAY.

THE BUDGET INCLUDES NO TAX RELIEF MEASURES LIKE A $500 DIRECT REBATE CHECK FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME RESIDENTS AND BIGGER HOMESTEAD REBATES.

A RECORD $6.9 BILLION PAYMENT INTO THE PUBLIC PENSION FUND, HALF 1 BILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN WHAT WAS IN GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ORIGINAL BUDGET AND A PLAN TO SPEND ABOUT $2.5 BILLION TO PAY DOWN STATE THAT.

LAWMAKERS APPROVED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE LAST MINUTE SPENDING BILL TACKING ON SO-CALLED "CHRISTMAS TREE ITEMS."

IT INCLUDES A LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

THE SPENDING ADDITIONS COME AS THE STATE IS FLUSH WITH CASH THANKS TO BILLIONS IN NEW FEDERAL AID AND RESURGING TOUGH TAX REVENUES.

WITH TOMORROW'S EXPECTED VOTES, THE BUDGET COULD BE ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK A WEEK OF AHEAD OF THE JULY DEADLINE.

HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN IS OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE DIRECTOR, JOHN REITMEYER.

TALK TO ME ABOUT THE SPEED WITH WHICH THE BUDGET IS MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE?

WHAT IS THE RUSH?

>> THE RUSHES THEY WANT TO GET THIS DONE NOW THAT EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE IN AGREEMENT ON WHAT THE STATE SHOULD SPEND ITS RESOURCES ON AND SO THE BILL GOES THROUGH COMMITTEE ON A TUESDAY AND COULD MAKE IT OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE BY THURSDAY AFTER BEING INTRODUCED SORT OF LATE ON MONDAY SO THAT IS REALLY FAST WHEN IT COMES TO THE LEGISLATURE AND HOW THINGS GO.

BUT WE ARE ALSO COMING UP AGAINST THE JULY 1st DEADLINE FOR THE START OF THE NEW FISCAL YEAR SO THERE IS SOME URGENCY CERTAINLY.

THE CURRENT SCHEDULE HAS THIS MOVING REALLY FAST BUT I THINK ONCE THEY HAVE A DEAL THEY WANT TO GET THIS DONE.

>> THIS IS ALMOST 300 PAGES.

HAS IT BEEN THOROUGHLY READ AND VETTED?

>> MAYBE LAWMAKERS HAVE HAD A LITTLE TIME TO CATCH UP.

CERTAINLY YESTERDAY WHEN THE LANGUAGE BECAME AVAILABLE, THERE WERE HELD, ALMOST SIMULTANEOUS, MINUTES AFTER, I WOULD CHALLENGE LAWMAKERS TO SAY THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH ALL 231 PAGES AT THE OF THE BUDGET AT THAT TIME.

IT IS LIKE READING A NOVEL BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALL IN A DAY OR YOU GET UNTIL TOMORROW AFTERNOON, REALLY TO GO OVER THE WHOLE THING.

>>> THE VOTES ARE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

IS THERE ANY CONCEIVABLE ITEM THAT COULD COME UP THAT WOULD THROW A LAST-MINUTE ROADBLOCK?

>> I DON'T THINK SO AND I THINK THAT GOES BACK TO THE PACE IN WHICH THIS IS ALL MOVING.

THOSE POTENTIAL ROADBLOCKS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SORTED OUT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SPENDING BILL.

THERE HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE SCENES NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNMENTS OFFICE.

ALL DEMOCRATS THIS YEAR TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE.

BY THE TIME IT REALLY COMES UP, BEFORE BOASTFUL HOUSES, IT IS A PRO FORMA VOTE.

THE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS WILL PROBABLY VOTE IN FAVOR AND YOU WILL SEE THAT REPUBLICANS IN THE MINORITY RAISING QUESTIONS AND LIKELY VOTE AGAINST THE SPENDING BILL AND FROM THERE IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> JOHN, THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> FOR AS MUCH SCRUTINY AS THERE IS FOR WHAT IS IN THE BUDGET BILL, THERE IS FRUSTRATION AS WELL FOR WHAT HAS BEEN LEFT OUT.

ONE TOP LAWMAKER IS RAILING AGAINST THE BUDGET OFFICE LACK OF DEDICATED FUNDING IT AGAIN FOR NJ TRANSIT.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THAT REPORT .

>> IT IS ANOTHER YEAR THAT GOES BY THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS NOT RECEIVING THE FUNDING IT DESERVES AND IT NEEDS TO PROVIDE THIS VITAL SERVICE TO NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES FUMED AS DEMOCRATS FINANCIAL TRIFECTA APPEARS POISED TO FUND AGAINST NJ TRANSIT IN THE STATE BUDGET.

IN A YEAR WHERE NEW JERSEY IS AWASH IN BILLIONS IN SURPLUS MONEY, THEY WILL STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE WHEELS TURNING.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO?

>> THIS COULD MEAN SUBSTANTIAL FARE INCREASES AND EVEN BUDGET CUTS.

>> I WAS REALLY KIND OF BLINDSIDED.

BY THIS.

>> Reporter: LONGTIME TRANSIT BOOSTER AND RETIRING SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, LORETTA WEINBERG'S DISMAY OF HER FELLOW DEMOCRATS COULD DITCH THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY TO FIX A BROKEN SYSTEM IN TRANSIT A LIFELINE.

>> AND AM I DISAPPOINTED?

YES.

DID I TAKE IT PERSONALLY?

I HAVE TO ADMIT, YES, I DID BUT I THINK OF IT IN TERMS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THEY MUST DEPEND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

TO GET TO AND FROM THEIR JOBS.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT IS GRADUALLY RESTORING SERVICE TRYING TO LEARN COMMUTERS BACK ABOARD AFTER THE PANDEMIC PERSUADED MANY PASSENGERS TO WORK FROM HOME.

THE AGENCY WILL GET A $2 BILLION WINDFALL IN FEDERAL AID TO DEFRAY COVID-RELATED COST BUT MUST AGAIN RELY ON WRITER FARES TO COVER ABOUT HALF OF ITS OPERATING EXPENSES AND THAT IS ROLLING THE BUDGET DICE.

>> RIDERSHIP IS RECOVERING BUT NOT BOUNCING BACK TO WHERE IT WAS PRE-PANDEMIC AND THAT IS GOING TO LEAD TO FUTURE BUDGET PROBLEMS FOR THE AGENCY.

AT SOME POINT, THE FEDERAL RECOVERY DOLLARS ARE GOING TO RUN OUT.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, NJ TRANSIT'S 2.6 ONION DOLLAR BUDGET APPROACH PATIENT ROBS PETER TO PAY PAUL BY TRANSFERRING 360 MILLION FROM ITS OWN CAPITAL ACCOUNT AND REDIRECTING $82 MILLION FROM A FUND INTENDED FOR CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS.

CREDITS CRITICS HAVE LONG CONTENDED THIS IS NO WAY TO RUN A RAILROAD NEXT THIS IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO LOCK IN STABLE FUNDING SOURCES FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

WE CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE ANNUAL POLITICAL BUDGET PROCESS TO FUND A VITAL SERVICE EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: YEAR-END BUDGET TRANSFERS HAVE SIPHONED SOME $10 BILLION FROM NJ TRANSIT'S CAPITAL FUND TO PROJECT LIKE LIGHT RAIL AND LAST BOROUGH LINES.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT FUNDING AND YOU WILL NOT COMPLETED.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS CLOSE TO A $6 BILLION UNMET CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET JUST OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO SAID HE WOULD FIX NJ TRANSIT IF IT KILLED THEM COMMENTED -- >> IT HAS THE LOWEST CAPITAL TO OPERATING TRANSFER IN 15 YEARS.

WE JUST GOT HERE 3 1/2 YEARS AGO AND I THINK WE MADE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PROGRESS.

BY THE WAY, NO RATE HIKE DURING OUR TIME AND I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT IS ALSO CUTTING A DEAL TO RECEIVE UP TO $525 MILLION IN TURNPIKE AUTHORITY REVENUES PER YEAR TO ELIMINATE ANY TRANSFER FROM TRANSITS CAPITAL BUDGET BY WHY WAIT, WEINBERG ASKS WHEN THE STATE IS FLUSH WITH CASH NOW?

>> THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS.

EVERYBODY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE RAILED AGAINST IT AND YET WE ARE STILL DOING IT.

IN THIS YEAR OF ALL THIS MONEY.

IF SOMEBODY HAS A DEFENSE I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT.

>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ONCE THE BUDGET IS APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, ATTENTION WILL TURN TO OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

KEY TO THE CONTEST, CAN MURPHY KEEP HIS POPULARITY WITH VOTERS OR WILL REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER, JACK SHOULD REALLY FIND A WAY TO MAKE INROADS?

OUR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ GOT THE EARLY READ ON THE POLITICAL SEASON.

>> Reporter: SOME IN JERSEY POLITICS USUALLY MEANS DOWNTIME IN SUMMER.

SON AND SURF AND STREET FAIRS.

POLITICS IS USUALLY A POST LABOR DAY THING.

EVEN IN AN ELECTION YEAR BUT SUMMER 2021 IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE THAT.

>>> WHO WAS HIRED PUT TRUMPS EXTREME AGENDA IN NEW JERSEY?

JACK CIATTARELLI.

HOW DID HE DO IT?

>> SCARED AND ALONE.

THAT'S HOW 8000 SENIORS AND -- DIED IN OUR NURSING HOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: BOTH CAMPAIGNS HAVE STARTED THE DIGITAL WARS WITH ADS TARGETING WHAT THEY EXPECT OF THE OTHERS' WEAKNESSES.

THIS WEEK AT A RECEPTION HELD BY THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, BOTH CANDIDATES WERE IN CAMPAIGN MODE.

THE GOVERNOR, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE POWER OF THE INCUMBENCY HAD THE STAGE TO HIMSELF, ANSWERING A FEW SOFTLY TOSSED QUESTIONS.

>> THIS IS THE LARGEST GATHERING OF PEOPLE INDOORS WITHOUT MASKS I HAVE BEEN IN FOR THE PAST 15 MONTHS.

>> WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO FOR MICRO BUSINESSES LIKE MINE THAT ONLY HAVE A FEW EMPLOYEES AND WORK ON MAIN STREET?

>> THE BILLS I SIGNED TODAY, $120 MILLION FOR MICRO BUSINESSES OF FIVE OR FEWER EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: CIATTARELLI WHO A RECENT POLL SHOWED IS UNKNOWN BY VOTERS WORK THE ROOM LIKE A GUY WHO WASN'T WATCHING THE POLLS ESPECIALLY IN JUNE.

HE DID NOT STICK AROUND FOR MURPHY'S PRESENTATION AND MURPHY WAS NOT THERE TO WATCH CIATTARELLI'S PRETAPED INTERVIEW WITH THE AND GBI'S BOB CONSTANTINE.

THE QUESTIONS WERE EQUALLY NOT HARD TO HANDLE.

>> DO YOU SYMPATHIZE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN TERMS OF THE CHALLENGES IN THIS STATE?

>> YOU BET I DO PARTICULAR WITH A GOVERNOR LIKE PHIL MURPHY WHO HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANS TO THE OVERALL NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO START A BUSINESS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FIRST $50,000 OF BUSINESS INCOME TAX- FREE.

>> IT IS HARD TO GET ELECTED IF YOU NOBODY KNOWS WHO YOU ARE AND IF NOBODY KNOWS YOUR YOU ARE, MURPHY CAN PAINT HIM LIKE TRUMP PART TWO.

HE NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A NAME FOR HIMSELF.

IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK TO JUST BE GENERIC REPUBLICAN WHICH IS HOW THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC SEASON RIGHT NOW.

>> HE KNOWS IT GENERALLY FAVORS THE INCUMBENT.

THE BETTER PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT HOW THE THINGS ARE GOING IN THE DIRECTION.

BUT JACK WILL TURN INTENDED TO OTHER ISSUES LIKE PROPERTY TAXES, GOVERNMENT COMPETENCE ISSUES, CAN HE FIX DMV, UNEMPLOYMENT?

CAN HE COME UP WITH A BETTER WAY FOR GOVERNMENT TO DO BUSINESS?

>> Reporter: BUT VOTERS, YOU'VE GOT TIME.

SUMMER IS JUST BEGINNING AND YOU CAN ALL STILL RELAX.

>> MY VOTE IS VERY CONSISTENT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> Reporter: SMOOTH MOVE.

>> PANDEMIC IS AN EASY.

>> Reporter: BUT NOT FOR LONG BECAUSE THE POLITICAL SEASON IN THE GARDEN STATE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> COVID-19 NUMBERS CONTINUE TO REMAIN STEADY.

213 NEW CASES TODAY AND 10 MORE DEATHS REPORTED AS VACCINATIONS INCREASED SLOWLY, NOW AT MORE THAN 4.8 MILLION FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTS.

>>> A NEW NATIONAL MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS ANXIETY AROUND THE PANDEMIC IS DROPPING, FUELED BY THAT INCREASE IN VACCINATIONS.

ANXIETY ABOUT CONTRACTING COVID- 19 HAS FALLEN TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ANOTHER POSSIBLE SURGE IF NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND VACCINATION RATES MAY BE MAXING OUT.

ONE IN FIVE ADULTS REMAIN OPPOSED TO GETTING THE SHOT.

>>> MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY FOOD MONEY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GIVEN TO NEW JERSEY FAMILIES THIS SCHOOL YEAR BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED AND THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ARE GOING HUNGRY.

PATRICK WALL WROTE A STORY ON THIS.

HE JOINS ME NOW AS PART OF OUR ONGOING STORY, "HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY."

FACTOR, HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HANDED OUT AND WHAT IS THE HOLD UP?

>> SURE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO FAMILIES THIS SCHOOL YEAR STARTING IN OCTOBER.

THEY ALREADY GOT PAYMENT IN SEPTEMBER SO THIS WOULD BE FROM OCTOBER TO JUNE.

ALTOGETHER, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $564 MILLION.

FOR THESE FAMILIES, THAT INCLUDES CHILDREN UNDER 6 AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.

FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES, THAT WOULD MEAN FOR ONE CHILD PER MONTH IT WOULD BE $123 ROUGHLY.

IF THEY ARE UNDER 6 OR GOING TO SCHOOL FULL-TIME REMOTELY THEN IT WOULD BE ABOUT $61 IF THEY WERE GOING TO SCHOOL IN THE HIGH-RISK SCHEDULE SO PART- TIME.

>> THIS WAS A LOT OF MONEY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

WHY HASN'T IT BEEN DISTRIBUTED?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A FEW THINGS.

FIRST, THE SYSTEM GOT MORE COMPLICATED THIS SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT SOME STUDENTS WERE GOING TO SCHOOL IN PERSON, SOMEWHERE GOING PART- TIME IN PERSON AND SOME WERE FULLY REMOTE.

BUT ALSO THERE WAS JUST A DELAY IN STATES GETTING THEIR PLANS SENT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH HAD TO APPROVE THEM.

SO NEW JERSEY DID NOT ACTUALLY GET IT PLAN APPROVED UNTIL APRIL SO THAT HAS IMPACTED IT AND IT IS NOW JUNE, THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THEY HAVE JUST STARTED OUT GIVING UP BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN'S UNDER AGE 6 AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WHICH IS MORE THAN 840,000 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY MONEY THIS YEAR.

>> THIS IS AN EMERGENCY PROGRAM.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER IT ENDS?

CAN IT BE EXTENDED?

WON'T THE HUNGER PROBLEM JUST EXACERBATED AFTERWARDS?

>> YES, SO THE PROGRAM CONTINUES UNTIL THIS SEPTEMBER SO FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE TO CONTINUE GETTING THE BENEFITS THIS SUMMER BUT ONE KINK IN THAT PLAN IS THAT STATES HAVE TO SUBMIT PLANS FOR THE SUMMER.

HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE UP BENEFITS AND DECIDE WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND NEW JERSEY STILL HAS NOT FINISHED PUTTING TOGETHER THE PLAN FOR THE SUMMER SO IT IS POSSIBLE THERE COULD BE ANOTHER WAVE FOR THOSE BENEFITS.

>> WHAT ABOUT IN THE FALL WHEN THIS IS OVER?

ARE THERE OTHER SAFETY NET PROGRAMS THAT WILL MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE?

>> FAMILIES ARE STILL GETTING TRADITIONAL FOOD STAMPS, THE AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN INCREASED FOR THAT SO THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF BENEFITS THEY CAN GET AND THERE IS SOME TALK OF POTENTIALLY EXTENDING THIS THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

I WILL SAY I SPOKE WITH PARENTS IN NEWARK WHO WERE STRUGGLING THIS YEAR EVEN WITH THE TRADITIONAL FOOD STAMPS TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN.

I SPOKE WITH ONE PARENT WHO HAS FIVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLS HERE AND EVEN WITH THE FOOD STAMPS IT WAS NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE HER KIDS ARE HOME ALL DAY I'M A LEARNING REMOTELY.

THEY ARE EATING THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS WE KNOW KIDS ARE GOING TO DO WHEN THEY ARE AT HOME.

SO SHE WAS BORROWING MONEY FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, GOING TO FOOD PANTRIES AND STILL TOLD ME SOMETIMES HER KIDS HAD TO MISS BREAKFAST OR LUNCH.

SHE JUST DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD.

>> TOUGH STORY, PATRICK.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH ME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> INTO NIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, A GROUNDBREAKING WAS HELD TODAY ON AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBERT PROJECT IN IRVINGTON.

A 56 UNIT COMMUNITY IS BEING DEVELOPED ON CHANCEY AVENUE FOR LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS IN NEED OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE EARNING 60% OR LESS THEN THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME AND FIVE UNITS WILL BE SET ASIDE FOR RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

FUNDING WAS ALSO PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL DEVELOPER AND IRVINGTON NATIVE, DENA BY YOU WHO RECENTLY DEVELOPED THE IRVINGTON GENERAL HOSPITAL INTO A MIXED-USE COMMUNITY SPACE.

>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW STOCK TRADING FARED ON WALL STREET TODAY.

>> ♪ >> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET AND NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF CONGRESS.

WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY IN BUSINESS ONLINE AT NJ CHAMBER .COM.

>> ♪ >>> NEW JERSEY IS LOOKING TO BAN NEW IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS FROM OPERATING IN THE STATE.

A BILL MOVING AHEAD IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD PREVENT STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS WELL AS PRIVATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FROM SIGNING NEW CONTRACTS WITH IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, KNOWN AS I.C.E.

WE WELCOME THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR REPORTING TEAM, MONSY ALVARADO WHO WILL COVER SOCIAL JUSTICE AND IMMIGRATION.

SHE IS FOLLOWING THIS STORY FOR US.

MONSY, IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES HAVE PUSHED FOR A BILL LIKE THIS.

HOW WILL LAWMAKERS TACKLE THE BUSINESS ISSUE RIGHT NOW?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ADVOCATES HAVE TOLD LAWMAKERS AND THEY CONVINCED -- JOHNSON TO INTRODUCE THE BILLS AND THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO PASS IT AND WITH A NUMBER OF DETAINEES AT THE JAIL'S THAT IS SO LOW RIGHT NOW, I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO DO THIS.

>> WHY ARE WE SEEING FOR A FEW DETAINEES AT THIS POINT?

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS.

THE PANDEMIC WAS A BIG FACTOR.

A LOT OF ATTORNEYS WERE FILING LAWSUITS TO GET THEIR CLIENTS OUT OF DETENTION DUE TO UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THAT MADE THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO GETTING COVID AND SO WE SAW A LOT OF RELEASES IN MARCH, APRIL AND MAY AND THAT CONTRIBUTED TO A LOT OF THE DETAINEES BEING LET GO AND THE NUMBERS GOING SO LOW.

>> THESE COUNTY JAILS EARN REVENUE BY HOLDING DETAINEES.

SO AT THIS POINT, HAS THIS REALLY BECOME MORE OF A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE RATHER THAN A REVENUE PLAY?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THESE JAILS, BERGEN, HUDSON AND ESSEX WERE BRINGING IN A LOT OF MONEY.

UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THE POLICY WAS PICKING UP ANYWHERE THEY COULD BE PICKED UP SO THESE JAILS WERE FULL.

BIDEN CAME ALONG AND RAN ON HIS CAMPAIGN THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO BE AS HARSH ON IMMIGRATION.

SO A LOT OF ADVOCATES WERE PUSHING, THE PANDEMIC HIT AND LESS PEOPLE AT THE JAIL.

THEY ARE NOT MAKING THAT MONEY ANYMORE AND NOT MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY MONTH SO IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR THEM TO GET OUT.

THEY ARE NOT RELYING ON THAT MONEY ANYMORE.

THEY HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR THIS BILL?

WILL IT GET TO GOVERNOR MURPHY'S DESK?

WILL HE SIGNED IT?

>> I AM HEARING HE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

IT WILL BE BEFORE THE FULL SENATE SOMETIME BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH, I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY SO WHETHER HE IS GOING TO SIGN IT BEFORE THE ELECTION OR NOT, I GUESS WE WILL SEE.

>> MONSY, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A STATE SUPREME COURT RULING WITH MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR NEW JERSEY'S EDUCATION SYSTEM.

A LEGAL BATTLE OVER EXPANDING CARTER SCHOOLS IN NEWARK ENDS WITH JUSTICES RULING IN FAVOR OF THE EXPANSION.

IT IS A CASE THAT CENTERS ON EDUCATION AND SEGREGATION.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> IT IS A HUGE WIN FOR NEWARK FAMILIES AND THE CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT.

AND A SIGNIFICANT LOSS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ASSETS.

>> Reporter: CHARTER SCHOOL ADVOCATES APPLAUDING THE RECENT RULING TO UPHOLD A 2016 DECISION ALLOWING SEVEN CHARTER SCHOOLS IN NEWARK TO EXPAND.

IT COMES AFTER LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUP, THE EDUCATION LAW CENTER OUT A LAWSUIT CLAIMING ANY EXPANSION OF NEWARK'S CHARTER SCHOOL WOULD WORSEN THE DISTRICT OFFICE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND EXACERBATE SEGREGATION IN DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

>> SUPREME COURT REJECTED THOSE ARGUMENTS AND IN FACT NOTED THAT THE LEGISLATURE INTENDED IT FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES IN DISTRICTS EXACTLY LIKE THE NEWARK SCHOOL DISTRICT.

UNLIKE HOW EDUCATION LAW CENTER TRIED TO CHARACTERIZE THE ISSUE AS BEING NOVEL AND NOT CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSIONER, THE RECORD REVEALED IN ANNUAL REVIEW OF CHARTER SCHOOL PRACTICES TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO UNLAWFUL SEGREGATING IMPACTS OCCURRING IN CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THE EEOC RELEASED A STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE RULING SAYING IT AFFIRMS THE FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSION OF EDUCATION TO EVALUATE AND ADDRESS RACIAL SEGREGATION AND THE SEGREGATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENGLISH LEARNING STUDENTS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW JERSEY'S CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM BUT SOME CRITICS CITE MAJOR ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO ADVERSITY AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS.

>> WE KNOW FROM THE LITERATURE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE POPULATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT FLUENT IN ENGLISH AS WELL AS RACIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THE DISTRICTS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 18,000 NEWARK STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, MORE THAN 40% OF THE DISTRICT >> TO FRAME IT SIMPLY, IT IS A LOOK AT THE STUDENTS IN TERMS OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS THEY REPRESENT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

OBVIOUSLY, EACH CHILD TAKES UP A SEAT AND THAT CHILD IS IN A CLASSROOM, HAS A TEACHER, HAS RESOURCES.

SO AS THOSE CHILDREN LEAVE THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MOVE OVER TO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, THOSE DOLLARS GO ALONG WITH THEM.

SO EVENTUALLY YOU HAVE LESS DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION SIDE AND THE CHALLENGE THEN BECOMES NOT ONLY DO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE THOSE DOLLARS BUT YOU ALSO LOSE OVERSIGHT OF HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE SPENT.

>> Reporter: THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE DECISION SAID CHARTER SCHOOLS AREN'T TO BLAME AND THE REAL PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR FAR TOO LONG.

>> NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST SEGREGATED STATES IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE WE HAVE SUBURBS THAT ARE OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE AND INNER-CITY THAT IS OVERWHELMINGLY BLACK.

IF YOU OPEN A SCHOOL IN THE CITY IS OVERWHELMINGLY BLACK AND BROWN AND IN THE SUBURBS IS OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE SO IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT SEGREGATION WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN TERMS OF SEGREGATED NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THE RULING WILL PLACE THOUSANDS OF KIDS PERMANENTLY ON WAITING LISTS.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES SAY THE END OF THE DAY THEY WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR STUDENTS AND THEY PROPER EDUCATION THAT ENSURES THEY WILL SUCCEED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER .

>>> THAT IS IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT REMEMBER TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, TOMORROW , TALKING NEW JERSEY BUDGET, THE STATE SURPLUS AND REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JACK CIATTARELLI AND OTHER TOP VOTING PRIORITIES FOR SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG AND THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

THAT IS THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. LIVE ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, IN FOR LILO STAINTON FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

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

FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE RUTHERFORD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATIONAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.