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Joanna: tonight on NJ Spotlight News, more testimony from a former U.S. Senate staffer about weird meetings with Egyptian officials not on Senator Bob Menendez's calendar.

Plus, more transit troubles.

Labor leaders hit the trail and call for more funding to end all these transit troubles.

Veronica: It only gets older.

The system cannot deal any longer.

Joanna: Also, deal or no deal?

Are lawmakers close to finding a budget?

John: It's also worth noting in more than 30 states, they already have their budget enacted, and we are still waiting for a spending bill.

That says something about the way New Jersey conducts its business.

Joanna: What does it mean to be a vegan?

We explore our new show, "Vegan Pop Eats."

Angela: What I want people to understand is this lifestyle show we have created is to just open your mind to some of the things you might not have been taught about our lifestyle.

Joanna: NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

♪ >> from NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News, with Briana Vannozzi.

Joanna: Thanks for joining us on this Tuesday night.

I'm Joanna Gagis, in Briana Vannozzi.

In the Bob Menendez trial, questioning another staffer, Sarah Arkin is, who shared more information about secret meetings held between the Senator Bob Menendez and members of the Egyptian government.

Her testimony, or attempt to connect several dots that they say prove a quid pro quo between the senator and another witness.

These new allegations tying back to earlier in the trial that Menendez helped Romano secure a meat deal.

Brenda Flanagan is joining us now.

What are some of the points for the deal?

Brenda: It was a real fencing match today, as you said.

Sarah Arkin is a staffer at the Senate floor and -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee where she worked for Bob Menendez.

She said there were meetings with Egyptian officials set up in weird and unusual ways.

She set up with unusual sparring with Abby Wiseman, the defense attorney for Senator Menendez, who is trying to show jurors this is just a senator doing his job, that there was nothing weird about it.

During cross-examination, he's trying to get Sarah Arkin to give simple answer or no questions, and she's refusing, saying, some of these questions are simply too complicated.

She says when you are talking about Egyptian foreign policy and committee protocol, it goes beyond yes or no answers.

It got so combative that at one point, Weitzman asked her, then the prosecution advise you to avoid yes or no answers when you are brought into testimony today.

Joanna: She was calling some of them we are, provided details about Nadine Menendez, what did she offer?

Brenda: She called Nadine Menendez "challenging."

She said the senator's wife went with them on what was called CODEL, which was a Congressional Delegation to Egypt.

Nadine allegedly wanted to shop, hit vacation spots, even go on a trip to Lebanon, and that Arkin kept Nadine on a tight leash.

Nadine apparently complained to staffers, and according to her testimony, Arkin said Menendez heard about that, he backed up his staffers, not Nadine, and that falls into the defender's narrative that said it was Nadine who was stirring the pot, not the senator.

He was just doing his job.

Joanna: OK, so Brenda, how do prosecutors connect to what we are hearing from Sarah Arkin about these secret meetings, how to what they said about Wael Hana, how do they make that connection here?

Brenda: Well, we've heard testimony about how Senator Menendez wanted to help his codefendant in this trial establish this monopoly on the meeting for Egypt, so what the prosecution is claiming is that the senator did a favor for Egypt by urging the department of state, the State Department, to get involved in these delicate diplomatic negotiations over a hydroelectric dam on the Nile River.

Egypt opposed the dam.

But the defense today argued that Menendez did not do a favor, he was acting out of alarm, basically because of the , Trump Administration, who they were asking to handle this tricky situation was Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and Senators felt that this was not a guy who had sufficient resources or experiences to wade into the, really it was a flash point on the diplomatic map on that point, Joanna.

Joanna: When we look at how the prosecution has laid out their case, we know they are expected to wrap up tomorrow.

Does it look like they are on track here?

Brenda: It does not look like they are on track.

It looks like we will be going to the middle of July before the jury gets to the case, Joanna.

Joanna: OK, Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan, thank you, as always.

Transit has been top of mind for folks in New Jersey, from train delays have plagued travelers last few weeks, to debates over how to fund the failing NJ transit system.

Some of the delays last week caused by overhead wire failures from Amtrak that halted service in and out of New York's Penn Station.

That led Congressman Frank Pallone to say enough is enough.

In a call last night with Amtrak's CEO, saying company needs to take immediate action to fix the problem, especially given the significant investment from Congress for the Northeast corridor train service.

Over at the Port Authority bus terminal, another congressman called for more funding them a from transit secretary Pete Buttigieg for that expansion.

Transit workers were out calling for more reliable service and is -- and a sustainable budget that is not burdening riders.

Ted Goldberg spoke to them it has that story now.

Ted: The last few weeks have been a nightmare for NJ transit riders, and it has not been much better for those who work on the buses.

David: Our members are a lot out here on these streets, everything trickles down, it's a trickle-down effect, so if the bus operator is late, it's a burden because the train was late, and, you know, everything falls on us.

Ted: Union members, environmentalists, and transit advocates spent the morning speaking to passengers at the station asking what people want.

, >> thank you so much.

Ted: The question is whether they will get better service, especially with that 15% fare hike coming next week.

David: Mass transit, you know, most people, get people to work, to school, shops, to stimulate the economy.

Plus, all of our workers need our fair share, you know, we need something that guarantees our job and protect the riders as well.

We want better equipment, on time performance.

Veronica: The infrastructure is old and only gets older.

The system cannot wait any longer.

We cannot wait any longer.

Riders cannot wait any longer.

Ted: As they squabble over who's to blame, a new revenue stream is projected to support the state's budgets and trains.

The corporate transit fee, a 2.5% tax on a small percentage of companies operating in the Garden State.

Veronica: A modest tax on the biggest and most profitable corporations.

The fee will only affect corporations with profits over $10 million annually.

Martin: For those riders already overburdened with fair increases, inflation, the high cost of living, corporations are making record profits.

Passing the corporate transit fee is important.

Ben: Decades of underinvestment and lack of care by transit lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have crippled New Jersey transit, but I promise you this, this is not where New Jersey's transit story ends.

Ted: While the corporate transit fee is going to be discussed in this year's budget, the plan is on businesses.

Martin: I commend Governor Murphy for not kicking the can down the road.

He is addressing this issue today, and for all transit riders.

Ted: Transit advocates say funny things can happen in Trenton, so they are not going to stop until the transit fee is official.

Alex: Until the ink is dry on the governor's signature, we will not stop.

It is all talk.

We need to be corporate transit fee in this budget, and we need it now.

Veronica: As you know, fees are never certain until the legislature passed the budget and the governor signs it.

All too often, there are last-minute side deals that can derail things.

Ted: A big test for the state's transit is in two years, when the World Cup comes.

All those people coming in and out conjures up unpleasant memories of transportation around the Super Bowl 10 years ago.

David: It was a disaster, and honestly, bus operations, which is the side I'm on, we were ready.

We had people on the ground, ready to move people.

For some reason, rail did not utilize us.

However, if you look back at the Beyoncé concert and Miley Cyrus, I believe, New Jersey transit bus took a lead role in that.

Ted: There is still plenty of time to prepare for those huge soccer games in 2026.

A smaller soccer test starts tonight, with Copa América games at MetLife.

In Newark, I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight news.

Joanna: In our spotlight on business report and I, lawmakers have just a few days left.

It comes to no surprise to any of us in New Jersey that there's not a bill presented yet, although late yesterday, Senate Budget Committee chair Paul did announce a formal spending plan may be released tomorrow and a possible vote schedule to both houses on Saturday.

Lots to pick apart for what is inside the budget package to this process that has no shortage of criticism, all calling for better transparency.

John Reitmeyer, our finance and budget writer, is with me now.

John, good to see you.

What is possibly in this deal that we know right now legislative leaders on the Democratic side are working out with Governor Murphy right now?

John: It is good to be with you.

We do see a few breadcrumbs and some little details that have been leaking out in the last few days.

One is a big one, if you are looking at how this budget is going to come together.

The governor has been looking to hike taxes on New Jersey's most profitable businesses.

That is a proposal that has been around since late February.

Joanna: The separate transit fee?

John: Correct.

It looks like that will make it into the final deal, which is what some sources are telling me.

That is a big piece of the puzzle that would have to come together for us to get a spending bill and for us to get to that finish line July 1, we need a new budget in place to avoid a state government shut down in New Jersey.

Joanna: Yeah.

We will get to the timing on all of this.

A couple of things we been watching, $21 million for County Colleges.

They happen pushing hard for all of this.

It's a point we seen both from Republicans and Democrats saying they need to reverse course on.

Any word there?

John: It looks like, you know, lawmakers throughout the budget season, the last few months, that has emerged as a key priority for them.

I would not be surprised to see that make the final cut.

Last year, they did push to get more funding.

Traditionally, the governor takes back some of the funding that lawmakers add on this time of the year.

We have to see the final budget, but that is an area, as you know, lawmakers from both parties have identified it as a priority.

I would not be surprised to see some of that funding restored when we get the final spending bill.

Joanna: Some other taxes have been floated, some decreases, increases.

I'm just going to laundry list a few of them.

Tell us what you know.

We have a potential increase, a sales tax we heard about, this was a Kaufman idea that at one point he was considering.

Another point, he said it was off the table.

Then we've got ANCHOR and this back-to-school tax break that is going away?

Explain.

John: Yeah.

We are still waiting on the final numbers.

It sounds like a flirtation with the sales tax hike.

It is going to be left at just that.

I don't think that is going to make it, although, again, we still have to see this final bill.

The back-to-school sales tax holiday is another when we are keeping an eye on.

I think a lot of parents took advantage of that in recent years, citing high inflation.

That was due to go away under the governor's budget, and we will see if lawmakers go without -- with that as well.

ANCHOR, the benefits for ANCHOR were on course to stay flat, so we know that real property taxes increased year-over-year last year, so if it benefits and you are paying more in property taxes, that is a tax hike, not directly delivered to you in Trenton, but in effect you do end up paying more.

That's another one we will have to wait and see.

Joanna: Let's talk about the timing of this.

This could come out Wednesday, possibly even Thursday, a vote Friday, half a day Saturday.

We know that groups like for the many and we the people are out there today, calling for the 72-hour period minimum, between the time that a subject is presented and voted on.

That does not seem likely, does it?

John: Not based on the timeline that has been laid out so far.

We would generally have to have the budget introduced right now, and I do not expect that.

If you look at it from that perspective, this is money that we pay, New Jersey residents, in income taxes, sales taxes, so they are looking at appropriating all of the money we as taxpayers contribute.

It's also worth noting in more than 30 states, they already have their budget enacted, and we are still waiting on a spending bill, so that says something about the way New Jersey conducts its business.

Joanna: Yeah.

It does not look good for us, does it?

Do you think this goes into the weekend, that lawmakers are convening on Saturday to vote?

John: I would not be surprised, the way this playing out.

There's a lot that has to happen behind the scenes.

The budget spans hundreds of pages, and they all have to be written by staff.

I would not be surprised, unfortunately, if this does drag out into the weekend here we will see.

Joanna: We will see.

John Reitmeyer, thank you, as always.

John: You are welcome.

Joanna: Two federal judges have halted President Biden's SAVE plan, the latest version of his student loan forgiveness plan.

Two Republican-led states, Missouri and Kansas, suing the administration, alleging the SAVE plan is just forgiveness.

Under the SAVE plan, borrowers would be based on their income and family size, and borrowers would pay no more than 5% of their discretionary income on student loans.

It also prevents interest from occurring when a borrower pays the loan amount but cannot cover the interest, and it will give -- forgive borrowers after 10 years.

More than 8 million people who were about to see those savings and more go into effect in August will now wait indefinitely until the matter works its way through the courts.

The Biden administration has said it will continue fighting for this release, so this case could end up back in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Turning to Wall Street, a mixed day in the markets.

Here is how stocks closed for the day.

♪ >> Support for the business report is provided by experience of cyber, Newark's part of education, and Halsey street, visit halseynwk.com for the 2024 Halsey Fest schedule.

♪ Joanna: Our terrific team here at NJPBS has produced another incredible show for you called "Vegan Pop Eats," taking you on a journey to change some of the perceptions around veganism.

All you meat eaters, don't tune out yet, because the show host , Angela Yvonne, will show you where it originates and the process that brings the farm fresh foods to your table.

The goal, to help understand the benefits of plant-forward food and some less harmful alternatives that are available to you.

Angela is with me now.

Congratulations on the launch of the show.

Tell us what we can expect for the first episode.

Angela: Well, for the first episode, you can expect so many things, because I'm so grateful that so many people want to be a part of this.

The purpose of the show is to sort of introduce people to plant-forward living.

Because, you know, I am a vegan.

I've been a vegan for almost eight years, and I realize that being a vegan has a bad reputation, and I felt that this was the space that would sort of invite everyone in to learn a little bit more about what they are putting into their bodies, and just, you know, start changing habits to live a more abundant life.

Joanna: We are going to delve into those topics and what it means to be plant forward.

We will talk about some of the misconceptions of veganism.

Angela: Absolutely.

Joanna: But I want to show people what this show looks like.

It comes to life in color.

We have a clip.

Let's take a look.

Angela: I'm Angela Yvonne, and I'm a journalist and content creator, changing the conversation between cuisine and conscious living, and health is our biggest currency.

>> I want to say amen, because you are preaching my gospel.

Angela: Together we are going to explore.

You will have me in my kitchen, burning something down.

>> It is very dramatic.

Angela: We will go to the farm market.

>> Serve it up.

Angela: You will show me all of these.

What when you are operating in the plant-forward life style, I find it is easier to talk to people when you are showing them.

>> So this one is actually called blood beet, and I promise it is vegan.

Angela: And we will elevate your mind to the limitless, bountiful life of being on the green side.

Thank you for behaving.

[Laughter] >> Most importantly.

>> When you eat plants, their goodness, their chlorophyll gets into you, and then they shine out like a big and want to the world.

Angela: Believe me, it is dope over here.

Joanna: It makes me want to be on site with you.

Angela: That will never get old.

Joanna: No, it does not get old.

It makes me want to be there on the farm with you.

You mentioned living a plant-forward life.

You are in the show, out there, cutting down bamboo, you are foraging.

What do you want people to understand about what it means to actually live a plant-forward life, eat a plant-forward diet?

Angela: What I want people to understand is there's no one way for this journey.

I was a vegetarian for a short period of time, but for me, I just knew that there was more, and so what I want people to understand that this lifestyle show that we have created is to just open your mind to some of the things you might not have been taught about our lifestyle, what it means to be plant forward, and plant forward, I think it is a more jazzy way of saying limiting animal products and growing to be without eating animal products and how abundant it is over here on the green side.

I'm still gagging over seeing that again.

Sorry for stumbling over my words.

Joanna: We are here in the Garden State, right?

Angela: Yes.

Joanna: People often forget why we are called Garden State, and I love shows like yours that actually go and show people why we are the Garden State.

Why were you with bees, and what were you doing with those bamboo stalks?

What is happening in this episode?

Angela: The reason we were with bees is vegan do not eat honey .

They do not eat honey because of the mistreatment of bees.

I wanted to show people you can have honey in an ethical way.

We decided we needed to hear it from an expert beekeeper, the information, because there is so much information going on about a plant-forward life style, and I wanted to make sure that in this episode, people heard it from experts and that people understood that, you know, if you get with an ethical beekeeper, you can still enjoy the medicinal properties of honey.

Joanna: Which we know is one of nature's greatest medicinal cures out there.

Angela: Absolutely.

Joanna: What was happening with the bamboo?

Angela: That was part of the foraging aspect.

Foraging is something our ancestors have done for years, now it has come back to the forefront, because people want to know where their food is coming from, and they are also wanting to get back to basics, where there's not a lot of food that has, like, pesticides, chemicals, and things of that nature.

So with the bamboo, we were with someone, and she has a Vietnamese restaurant on the upper East side, I think, and she was there to forage, because she makes special dishes with bamboo.

Who knew we have bamboo in New Jersey?

Joanna: We have bamboo all over New Jersey.

This episode is informative, but it is also fun.

We know it is a pilot episode.

What do you hope to bring in any future episodes?

Where does this go from here?

Angela: Well, where it goes from here is we will explore everything about plant-forward living, the vegan lifestyle, because people think it is just about food.

We have vegan hotels, vegan fashion shows, there used to be a vegan couture house in New York City before COVID.

The automobile industry is starting to incorporate vegan leather inside of their cars.

There is so much going on, vegan beauty products.

There are so many ways that if you are not ready to jump out the window and give up meat, you can become vegan through your beauty products, through your recycling.

Joanna: So informative.

We cannot wait to see what will you do, Angela Yvonne, good luck and congratulations.

Angela: Thank you so much.

Joanna: The pilot of "Vegan Pop Eats," "It's Dope on the Green Side," premieres right here on NJPBS tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m.

Check it out.

That does it for us tonight.

Before you go, a reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast, so you can watch us any time.

I'm Joanna Goggins.

For the entire time here on NJ Spotlight News, thanks for being with us.

Have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

>> NJM Insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

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New Jersey Realtors, the voice of real estate in New Jersey.

More information is online at NJrealtor.com.

And by the PSEG foundation.

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What do you see?

I see myself.

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My name is Julia Toriani Crompton, and I'm proud to be an NJEA member.

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♪