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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND NORSTEAD, A LONG CLEAN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> HELLO, WELCOME.

I AM IN FOR BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

RUSSIA IS CONTINUING TO BOMBARD MAJOR CITIES.

THE LATEST ROUNDS OF TALKS BETWEEN UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS ENDED WITHOUT PROGRESS TOWARDS A CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT.

EFFORTS WERE UNDERWAY TO EVACUATE MORE CIVILIANS TODAY.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY SAID 35,000 PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO EVACUATE JOINING TWO MILLION UKRAINIANS THAT HAVE CROSSED THE BORDER.

A STRIKE ON MATERNITY AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN MARIUPOL HAS DRAWN INTERNATIONAL OUTRAGE.

IT LEFT THREE PEOPLE DEAD, INCLUDING A CHILD, AND SEVERAL OTHERS WOUNDED.

THE TOWN OF FAIRLAWN IS HOME TO A LARGE POPULATION OF RESIDENTS FROM RUSSIA AND OTHER FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS, MANY UKRAINIANS THERE FEEL THE SUPPORT FROM THEIR RUSSIAN NEIGHBORS BUT SOME FEAR FOR FAMILY TRAPPED IN THE WAR ZONE, OTHERS ARE CONTENDING WITH LOVED ONE WHO'S DO NOT BELIEVE A WAR IS EVEN HAPPENING.

>> MY TOWN IS OCCUPIED BY RUSSIANS, MY PARENTS ARE THERE.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE.

THEY ARE RUNNING OUT OF MEDICATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE SITUATION HAS BECOME DIRE.

HER FAMILY IS IN MELITOPOL, UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND OUT OF FOOD AND WATER.

>> I TALKED TO MY SISTER, SHE SAYS I STAY IN UKRAINE, THERE IS MY HOUSE.

>> I WANT TO BE THERE WITH MY FAMILY.

>> THE HORROR FOR UKRAINIANS HERE OF SEEING HOSPITALS ATTACKED AND CIVILIANS KILLED IN THE STREET IS ONLY COMPOUNDED WHEN THEY HEAR OF RUSSIANS THAT DO NOT BELIEVE IT.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF FRIEND WHO'S HAVE PARENTS IN RUSSIA AND MY FRIENDS CALL THEIR MOM TO TELL MOM, GO SOMETHING.

AND SHE TELL THEM, WHAT YOU TELL?

>> Reporter: SHE LEFT RUSSIA 30 YEARS AGO, SHE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH HER FAMILY STILL IN RUSSIA.

>> WE DID NOT ASK AND WE DID NOT EXPECT TO HEAR ANY ANSWERS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SCARED THERE.

AND, WE KNOW BECAUSE WE USED TO LIVE IN SOVIET UNION AT THE TIME OF KGB.

WE KNOW ANY INFORMATION COULD BE USED AGAINST YOU AND WE REALIZE HOW PEOPLE MIGHT BE SCARED THERE.

>> Reporter: FROM BELARUS, HE PRODUCES A LIVE TV SHOW FROM HIS TOWN'S TELEVISION STATION, FAIRLAWN TV.

HE IS USING THAT PLATFORM TO REACH RUSSIANS OVERSEAS TRYING TO BRING THE TRUTH TO THOSE THAT NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TELEVISION OR FACEBOOK.

>> I AM TRYING TO DO A RANGE OF OPINION FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND I AM TRYING TO COMPARE WHAT PEOPLE IN RUSSIA, UKRAINE AND BELARUS.

SPECIFICALLY WHEN SOMETHING HAPPEN I SEE IT LIKE THOUSANDS, SOMETIMES HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES LIKE RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AND IN U.S. >> BY OFFERING MANY VIEWPOINTS HE HOPES TO GET PEOPLE TO LISTEN OTHER THAN DISMISS IT AS UKRAINIAN LIES.

RUSSIAN TELEVISIONS ARE CARRIED BY STATIONS HERE IN NEW JERSEY AND HE IS APPALLED HEARING IT HERE AT HOME.

>> IT IS PAINFUL QUESTION FOR ME.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHO IN USA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT BUT IT WAS A LOT OF RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA INSIDE THE U.S.

POLITICAL SLOW, THE SAME SHOW THAT THEY DO IN RUSSIA.

SHOWING PEOPLE ARE HERE, ALMOST THE SAME WAY AS THEY DO OVER THERE.

>> Reporter: BUT ALANA SAYS THAT THE BLOCKING OF INFORMATION IN RUSSIA DOES NOT STOP THE FEAR THAT SO MANY IN THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HER SISTER, ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW.

>> PEOPLE IN RUSSIA THEY DID NOT EXPECT IT.

THEY DID NOT EXPECT INVASION, THEY DID NOT KNOW.

AND THE SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, I THINK, THEY ARE GOING TO FIGHT.

IT SAY HUGE, HUGE TRAUMA.

>> Reporter: A TRAUMA RUSSIANS HERE IN NEW JERSEY ARE EXPERIENCING ALONGSIDE THEIR UKRAINIAN NEIGHBORS.

>> I AM HORRIFIED AND I AM ASHAMED.

I AM VERY ASHAMED TO BE SOMEHOW SAY WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> Reporter: A SHAME BROUGHT ON TO A COMMUNITY THAT WANTS NO PART OF THIS WAR, BACK TO YOU.

>>> A RARE SHOWING OF BIPARTISAN FRUSTRATION IN TRENTON TODAY.

NEW JERSEY LABOR COMMISSIONER WAS FORCED TO DEFEND THE STATE'S HANDLING OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

APPEARING BEFORE THE SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE HE WAS ASKED ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT A BACKLOG OF CLAIMS.

LAWMAKERS WERE NOT HAPPY WITH HIS ANSWERS AND THEY CLEARLY LET HIM KNOW IT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANIGAN HAS BEEN THERE WATCHING IT, BRENDA?

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES THE BOSS SITTING IN THE CORNER OFFICE DOES NOT GET TO HEAR COMPLAINTS IN PERSON FROM CUSTOMERS BUT LAW ENFORCEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES SAY THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING AN EARFUL FOR MONTHS ABOUT ANGRY CONSTITUENTS HOW THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED BY NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

TODAY, MEMBERS OF THE LABOR COMMITTEE GOT TO SHARE THOSE FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE LABOR COMMISSIONER AND TO BE BLUNT, THEY LET HIM HAVE IT.

>> IT IS VERY CONCERNING TO BE AN ADVOCATE.

MY PHONE WAS BLOWING UP THIS MORNING, THE COST OF LIVING IS GOING UP, UP, UP, I HAVE SOMEONE STILL WAITING FOR AN APPEALS PROCESS FOR A YEAR.

EITHER THEY QUALIFY OR THEY DON'T, EITHER THEY MADE A MISTAKE OR THEY DID NOT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAS TO TAKE 365 DAYS.

I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE STEP UP YOUR GRAHAM.

>> I BELIEVE YOUR VISION IS TOO HIGH.

I THINK THE PERSON DOWN HERE, THE MOTHER THAT CAN'T GET FOOD, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GIVING UP AND WALKING OUT OF RENT AND BACK IN HOMES WITH THEIR PARENTS ALL OF THESE STORIES YOUR CLAIMS PEOPLE HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU, THEY ARE REAL.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GETTING THEIR BENEFITS JUST KEPT CALLING AND CALLING AND CALLING.

>> IT IS PAINFUL FOR US TO SAY AND SIT THERE AND SAY, WE ARE TRYING.

>> EVERY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE IS TELLING YOU IT IS NOT WORKING.

YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> WE TALK TO DESPERATE CLAIMANTS EVERY DAY.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO TWIST OUR WORDS WE DON'T CARE, WE CARE DEEPLY, WE ARE WORKING OUR BUTTS OFF TO GIVE THEM EVERY PENNY, IN-PERSON SERVICES IS THE EFFICIENT WAY TO SERVE CUSTOMERS.

>> LABOR COMMISSIONER SAYS THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS 10,800 BACKLOGGED CLAIMS AND WILL OPEN HALF OF THE 24 ONE-STOP CENTERS TO PROCESS UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ON MARCH 28th.

IT IS ALREADY MAKING 15 MINUTE APPOINTMENTS BUT STAFF THEM WITH A COUPLE WORKERS EACH.

SENATORS PREDICTED MOBS OF DESPERATE CLAIMANTS CAN SHOW UP.

>> WHEN YOU OPEN UP THE IN- PERSON AND THERE ARE 32 PEOPLE , IT IS GOING TO BE LIKE, I THINK YOU WILL HAVE TO CALL IN THE NATIONAL GUARD.

>> IF THESE ONE STOP CENTERS GET OVERRUN, RIGHT NOW YOU SHOULD HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE SO THAT TOMORROW YOU PUSH THE BUTTON AND WE GO TO PLAN B.

AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

DO YOU HAVE A PLAN B.?

>> YES, SENATOR.

>> WHAT IS THE PLAN B.

>> I AM NOT GOING TO DISCUS IT HERE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE DISCUSSING IT WITH BUT I WOULD LIKE THE PLAN B.

TO BE SENT TO THE CHAIRMAN THROUGH THE CHAIR.

>> WE WILL SEE, PLAN A.

IS GOING TO BE FUN.

>> THAT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE JUDGE.

>> Reporter: FOR THE RECORD, THEY SAID THEY PAID FOR 22 MONTHS EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WORKING WITH A OLD COMPUTER SYSTEM, NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF TWO STATES TO MODERNIZE CLAIM SYSTEMS WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND DIGITAL SERVICE.

BUT HE ALSO SAID SOME TECHNICAL TWEAKS ARE NOT FEDERALLY PERMITTED AND 20% OF PEOPLE WHO FILE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT PAYING SOME CLAIMS.

>> WE ARE HEARING HORRIBLE, DIRE CIRCUMSTANCE STORIES FROM INDIVIDUALS DIRECTLY, FROM YOUR OFFICES, AND WE TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN AND SO OFTEN WE ARE TOLD NO, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO.

>> YOU KEEP SAYING WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT AS WE UNFOLD.

WE ARE -- I AM ASKING YOU, IT IS NOT TIME TOO LOOK ANYMORE IT IS TIME TO DO.

>> LAWMAKERS WANT THE DEPARTMENT TO OPEN ALL OF THE CENTERS FOR IN- PERSON APPOINTMENTS NOW N .

FACT, FIRST DISTRICT LEGISLATURES ARE INTRODUCING BILLS THAT WOULD CUT LABOR DEPARTMENT SALARIES UNLESS IT DOES DO THAT WHICH IS ONE INDICATION OF JUST HOW FRUSTRATED LAWMAKERS ARE FEELING.

AT THE STATE HOUSE IN TRENTON, BRENDA FLANIGAN, BACK TO YOU.

>>> GOING TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO TALK UP A BUDGET PROPOSAL TO INCREASE DIRECT AID TO NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ALLOCATING $650 MILLION FOR K-12 DISTRICTS FOR UP TO NEARLY $10 BILLION IN TOTAL DIRECT AID.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE NEW BUDGET CONTINUES THE SEVEN YEAR PHASE IN TO FULLY FUNDING THE STATE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA WHICH WAS REQUIRED IN A 2018 LAW TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES.

THE EDISON SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL RECEIVE ALMOST $11.8 MILLION MORE IN K- 12 AID, AN INCREASE OF OVER 32%.

>> INCREASING SCHOOL AID IS NOT JUST GOOD NEWS FOR STUDENTS WHICH, IT IS FOR EDUCATORS, ESPs, ADMINISTRATION STAFF OR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHO SETS THE SCHOOL BUDGET.

THIS IS ALSO GOOD NEWS FOR EVERY SINGLE EDISON RESIDENT BECAUSE EVERY NEW DOLLAR OF STATE AID IS A NEW DOLLAR FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

IT IS A NEW DOLLAR TO KEEP THIS COMMUNITY AFFORDABLE AND INVITING.

>> BUT NOT EVERY DISTRICT WILL BE HAPPY WITH TODAY'S NEWS.

AS SOME DISTRICTS ARE SEEING BIG BOOSTS IN THEIR STATE AID AWARDS, OTHERS WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH MAJOR CUTS.

JOINING ME NOW TO BREAK DOWN WHERE THE $10 BILLION WILL GO IS DANIELLE FURRA.

>> WHO ARE THE WINNERS AND LOSERS HERE?

WHO IS GAINING FUNDING AND WHO IS LOSING?

>> SO THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE IN THE DISTRICTS GETTING A DECISION ALLSTATE AID THIS YEAR.

IT IS ABOUT -- GETTING A INCREASE IN AID THERE YEAR.

THERE ARE A STRONGER NUMBER OF DISTRICTS THAT ARE GOING TO SEE CUTS AS THE DISTRICT FOLLOWS THROUGH THAT REDISTRIBUTION PACK THAT IS SET OUT IN THE S2 LEGISLATION.

>> AND IS THIS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR?

>> YES , IT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR, FEW DIFFERENCES.

THE AID NOTICES ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH ON WHAT IS LEGISLATED AS PART OF THE FORMULA.

>> AND IN TERMS OF THE FORMULA ITSELF.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYING THAT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL'S NUMBERS ARE CONSIDERED FULL FUNDING, DO YOU THINK WE ARE ON THE PATH TO CONTINUE FULL FUNDING OF THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA?

>> YEAH, WE ARE DEFINITELY MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARDS CLOSING THAT GAP WHICH HAD BEEN, YOU KNOW, UPWARDS OF $2 BILLION OVER THE LAST DECADE OR SO.

SO, GOING INTO THE UP COMING SCHOOL YEAR THERE IS $1.5 BILLION IN OUTSTANDING STATE AID OWED TO DISTRICTS AND UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL THAT GAP WOULD BE CUT BY MORE THAN HALF BECAUSE OF A $650 MILLION INCREASE OF NEW FUNDS AND THEN REDISTRIBUTION OF ABOUT ANOTHER $200 MILLION.

SO THAT IS SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.

MORE THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

>> SO, DANIELLE, CAN WE CONNECT THE DOTS BETWEEN FUNDING EDUCATION IN NEW JERSEY AND IMPROVING EDUCATION AND INEQUITIES?

WHAT HAVE WE SEEN SINCE THE LAW ON SCHOOL FUNDING WAS PASSED?

>> SO, UNFORTUNATELY, THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA WAS FIRST ENACTED IN THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT THE FORMULA WAS ACTUALLY FOLLOWED.

THERE WAS ABOUT A DECADE IN WHICH THE FORMULA WAS ESSENTIALLY IGNORED AND THERE WERE OTHER, WE SAW OBVIOUSLY THAT HUGE CUT IN STATE AID AFTER THE GREAT RECESSION AND THEN REALLY INSIGNIFICANT OR FLAT FUNDING OR INSIGNIFICANT OR FLAT FUNDING INCREASES, WITH THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WE STARTED TO SEE SIGNIFICANT FUNDING INCREASES THAT ARE GETTING US MUCH CLOSER TO THOSE TARGETS THAT ARE LAID OUT IN THE FORMULA.

>> DANIELLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AS GOVERNOR MURPHY SPOKE ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOL AID IN EDISON, DOZENS OF CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PARENTS RALLIED IN FRONT OF THE STATE HOUSE IN TRENTON.

THE ADVOCATES LED BY THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION URGED MURPHY TO REVERSE A RECENT DECISION THAT DENIED SEVERAL CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE STATE THE ABILITY TO EXPAND.

ORGANIZERS SAID THAT BEYOND THE DEMONSTRATION THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAD E-MAILED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND SIGNED A PETITION FOR THE REVERSAL.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION REJECTED THE EXPANSION PROPOSALS LAST MONTH CITING VARIOUS REASONS FROM ACADEMIC STRUGGLES TO EXISTING LOW ENROLLMENT.

>>> AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CDC, THE MASK MANDATE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND AIRLINES WILL BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

THE CDC SAYS THAT THE TSA WILL EXTEND THE DIRECTIVE THROUGH APRIL 18th.

THE MANDATE WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 19th.

THE LATEST COVID-19 UPDATE FROM THE STATE SHOWS JUST OVER 1300 CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES AND 14 NEW DEATHS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN STEADILY DECLINING IN THE STATE EVEN AS THE BA2 VARIANT CIRCULATES.

THE CDC SAYS THE COVID-19 CASES LINKED TO THE VARIANT ARE DOUBLING EVERY TWO WEEKS.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT BANS CUSTOMERS FROM PUMPING THEIR OWN GAS.

THE NEW RUTGERS POLL FINDS MOST OF US ARE JUST FINE PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND LETTING SOMEONE ELSE FILL THE TANK.

THE POLL FINDS 73% PEOPLE PREFER HAVING THEIR GAS PUMPED FOR THEM.

22% WERE FANS OF SELF-SERVICE AND 5% WERE UNSURE.

A BILL INTRODUCED WOULD ALLOW SEVERAL GAS STATIONS TO HAVE SELF-SERVICE PUMPS WITH LIMITATIONS.

MEANTIME MOST EVERYONE PLAY NUMBER AGREEMENT WITH THE FACT THAT HIGHER GAS PRICES ARE DENTING THEIR WALLETS.

AND GAS PRICES RISING YET AGAIN.

AVERAGING $4.38 A GALLON IN NEW JERSEY TODAY.

>>> NEW NUMBERS TODAY SHOW INFLATION HIT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 1982.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR FEBRUARY ROSE 7.9% FROM A YEAR AGO.

THERE WERE BIG PRICE INCREASES FOR NECESSITIES, FOOD, SHELTER, AND OF COURSE ENERGY.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET >>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY: NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, WHERE BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENTISTS, STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE FROM NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

>> JOIN ME THIS WEEKEND, WE DIG DEEP INTO GOVERNOR MURPHY'S BUDGET TALKING TO BUSINESS LEADERS AND NEW JERSEY STATE TREASURER ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET AND NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMIC FUTURE.

CHECK IT OUT ON NJPBS SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M. AND ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> IN HIS PROPOSED BUDGET GOVERNOR MURPHY INCLUDES $19 MILLION IN REVENUE FROM RECREATIONAL CANNABIS FOR THE STATE.

AND, WE ARE MOVING ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO SEEING THAT INDUSTRY GET OFF OF THE GROUND.

WHILE THERE IS NO START DATE YET FOR LEGAL SALES TO BEGIN, RESIDENTS WHO ARE HOPING TO OPEN A DISPENSARY CAN BEGIN APPLYING FOR LICENSES NEXT TUESDAY.

MELISA ROSE COOPER SPOKE TO PEOPLE WHO PLAN TO APPLY.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS I WAS LIKE HOW CAN I TAKE AN ACTIONABLE RESPONSE TO SORT OF ENTERPRISE BLACK AND LATINOS IN AN INDUSTRY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED FROM.

>> Reporter: SO, ALEXANDRIA DECIDED SHE WANTED TO GET IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

SHE IS APPLYING FOR A LICENSE ONCE NEW JERSEY OPENS UP APPLICATIONS ON MARCH 15th.

A LICENSE MEANS APPLICANTS HAVE A 120 DAY WINDOW TO ESTABLISH SITE CONTROL AND GET MUNICIPAL APPROVAL AND CONVERT IT TO A FULL LICENSE ONCE ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.

>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD WAY TO TAKE THE REIGNS.

I AM A MEXICAN WOMAN FROM CHICAGO.

I AM FROM THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR WAS RAVAGED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

>> Reporter: KNOWING THE REGULATORY COMMISSION IS COMMITTED TO ESTABLISHING EQUITY IS IMPORTANT.

>> UNDER THE NEW RULES WE ARE GIVING CREDIT TO PEOPLE EVEN WITH MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS OR INDIVIDUALS FROM ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ZIP CODES, LOWER MEDIUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME, HIGHER RATES OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> THE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER BEFORE THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED CAN BE EXPENSIVE.

>> YOU HAVE LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS, BUSINESS WRITERS, APPLICATION WRITERS, I PROBABLY SPENT $50,000 AND I WILL HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $60-70,000 JUST TO APPLY.

IT IS ABOUT $120,000.

>> Reporter: THINGS HAVE BEEN EASIER FINANCIALLY FOR CORY AND CHARLES.

CO-FOUNDERS OF THE LIBRARY OF NEW JERSEY.

>> EVEN BEFORE THINGS WERE CEMENTED AND THE LAWS WERE OUT AND EVERYTHING CONCRETE IN THE STATE WE REACHED OUT TO PEOPLE FOR FUNDING.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, ONE OBSTACLE THAT COULD CAUSE A DELAY FOR THEIR BUSINESS.

>> 3/15 IS THE DAY THEY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS BUT THEY SAID MUNICIPALITIES MUST APPROVE YOU FIRST BEFORE YOU SUBMIT APPLICATION TO THE STATE.

THE ISSUE WITH THAT IS FROM THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, A LOT OF THESE MUNICIPALITIES ARE NOT SET UP YET.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE APPLICATION PROCESS READY.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR CASE, WEST ORANGE IS NOT SET UP AS OF RIGHT NOW.

THEY DO NOT HAVE THE APPLICATION PROCESS COMPLETED.

WE HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH THE INTERVIEW THAT WE NEED TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO GAIN APPROVAL.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS EFFECTING PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU, YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR SITE CONTROL, RIGHT?

THAT MEANS YOU HAVE SOME SORT OF CONTRACT WITH THE PHYSICAL LOCATION YOU ARE TRYING TO BE AT.

PEOPLE ARE PAYING ON THIS.

AND NOW YOU ARE BASICALLY SPENDING MONEY IN THE HOPES THAT YOUR MUNICIPAL APPLICATION WILL BE APPROVED IN THE HOPES THAT IT WILL LEAD TO STATE APPROVAL.

SO, THIS IS, THAT IS A WRENCH OR, YOU KNOW, A PROBLEM IN THE DESIGN BECAUSE IT DOES LEAVE YOU VULNERABLE AS THE PERSON WHO IS TRYING TO OPEN UP THE ESTABLISHMENT.

>> THE CRC SAYS THEY WILL REVIEW APPLICATIONS AS SOON AS THEY COME IN WITH THE GOAL OF APPROVING LICENSES IN ABOUT 90 DAYS.

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

>>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLVES PROBLEMS T GIVES PEOPLE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE, A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

CAN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAN IMPROVE SOMEONE'S HEALTH?

ADVOCATES SAY IT CAN.

THEY ARE EAGERLY AWAITING THE COMPLETION OF A NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLETION IN NEWARK WITH PARTNERSHIP WITH A HOSPITAL.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HOUSING AND HEALTH.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE HOMELESS COMING IN WITH COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA.

WE CURE THEIR PNEUMONIA, THEY GO BACK TO THE STREETS, THEY CATCH SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN, COME BACK WITHIN DAYS.

>> Reporter: IT IS A VICIOUS UNENDING CYCLE THAT THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE HOSPITAL SAYS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAN SOLVE.

WHICH IS WHY CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY HERE IN NEWARK FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON WEST MARKET STREET IN THE WESTWARD, SERVING AS A GATEWAY FOR RESIDENT , RESIDENTS THAT FREQUENT THE HOSPITAL.

>> HOUSING LEADS TO BETTER HEALTH AND WE ARE PLUGGING THAT GAP.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT ANNOUNCE INSIDE MAY OF 2021 IS BEING DEVELOPED UNDER THE NEW JERSEY HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE AGENCIES PARTNERSHIP SUBSIDEE PROGRAM.

THE $42 MILLION PROJECT WAS DEVELOPED IN A JOINT EFFORT.

>> THIS IS A EXTENSE OF THE CAMPUS OF THE GEORGIA KING VILLAGE BUT DOES SOMETHING THEY DID NOT DO AND EMBRACE THE STREET WALL.

WE WANTED TO EFFECT, EYES ON THE STREET, SECURITY ON THAT CORNER AND THERE CAN BE NO BETTER WAY TO ACTIVATE THAT GROUND THAN LIKE THE PROPOSED CLINIC THAT WOULD DRAW POSITIVE TRAFFIC TO IT.

>> >> Reporter: THE 78 AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS WILL BE BUILT BEHIND ME IN THE FAIR MONTH NEIGHBORHOOD OF NEWARK LOCATED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE HOSPITAL.

>> RIGHT HERE IN GEORGIA KING VILLAGE.

A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.

CLOSE TO THE HOSPITAL.

SHOULD THERE BE EMERGENCY SERVICES NEEDED OR REFERRALS NEEDED.

AND IT IS GOING TO BE AN EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING CAMPUS THAT IS THRIVING.

JUST THE STAPLE OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE GLAD TO CONTRIBUTE TO IT.

>> THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES DIRECTOR SAYS THE NEW PROJECT WILL MEET RESIDENTS NEEDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE.

>> ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TRYING TO EXTEND THE NEEDED SERVICES ON THE SPOT SO HIGHER DEGREE OF COMFORT WITH A STRUCTURED LIFESTYLE AND THEN ON THE OTHER END, ON THE HOSPITAL END, YOU KNOW, WE ARE AVOIDING OVER HEAD EXPENSES AND MANAGING A FACILITY AWAY FROM A RESIDENT'S NEED.

FOR A FAMILY OF ONE, FOR EXAMPLE OR A HOUSEHOLD OF ONE INDIVIDUAL THE LOW INCOME LIMIT IS NOT HIGHER THAN $30,000.

>> Reporter: THE HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP SUBSIDEE PROGRAM ALSO PARTNERS WITH ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL IN PATTERSON T IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN FALL OF 2022.

>> THERE ARE 56 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AND THERE WILL BE SOME FOR SPECIAL NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED AS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

AFFORDABILITY WILL BE BASED ON THE MARKET.

WE FIND OUT THAT FOLKS ARE PAYING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 60-70% OF INCOME ON RENT.

IT IS NOT DWELLINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE CONSIDERED OPTIMAL LIVING.

THIS IS SUBSTANDARD, RODENT INFESTED, LEAD INFESTED DWELLINGS THAT ARE NOT CARED FOR.

>> Reporter: NEW YORK HOUSING DIRECTOR SAYS APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN 80% OF CONSTRUCTION IS DONE.

OCCUPANCY WILL BE AVAILABLE BY 2023 AND HOSPITAL SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE NO LATER THAN 2024.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TOMORROW MORNING FOR REPORTERS ROUND TABLE WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH THE SENATOR ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS AND A PANEL OF REPORTERS JOIN HIM TO DISCUS WHAT THE STATE BUDGET MEANS FOR YOUR BOTTOM LINE.

THAT IS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSAG FOUNDATION [MUSIC]