>>> FUNDING ARE FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY THE INSURANCE GROUP AND BY THE PSG FOUNDATION.

[MUSIC] >>> FROM NJPBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE ENTERED ITS FOURTH WEEK TODAY AS ARTILLERY SHELLS CONTINUE TO FALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PREPARING TO DISCUS THE INVASION TOMORROW WITH CHINA'S PRESIDENT XI JINPI NG.

PRESIDENT BIDEN NOT MINCING WORDS CALLING HIM A WAR CRIMINAL.

THE ATTACKS ARE UNDER WAVE ON THE ATTACKS OF KYIV AND KHARKIV.

IN MARIUPOL THERE IS A SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS AFTER AN AIR STRIKE HIT A THEATER WHERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE SHELTERING.

THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES IS UNKNOWN.

WE ARE GETTING THE ESTIMATE THAT WAR CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 7,000 RUSSIAN SOLDIERS ACCORDING TO THE "NEW YORK TIMES," U.S. OFFICIALS SAY THAT IS A STAGGERING NUMBER AND MAY EXPLAIN WHY RUSSIAN FORCES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BREECH KYIV CENTER.

>>> A FREIGHT COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN SHIPPING TO EASTERN EUROPE SAW ITS BUSINESS DRY UP BUT NEST AMERICA SHIFTED GEARS AND BEGAN SHIPPING HUMANITARIAN AID INCLUDING FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES FROM NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS, WE GOT A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE AID OPERATIONS ON A DAY WHEN FIRST LADY TAMPY MURPHY PAID THE COMPANY A VISIT TO SHOW HER APPRECIATION.

>> Reporter: THEY OPENED UP IN WOODBRIDGE 17 YEARS AGO.

INTERNATIONAL PACKAGE DELIVERY COMPANY SENDING COUNTLESS BOXES TO UKRAINE AND EASTERN EUROPE.

TWO DAYS AFTER THE START OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION, BUSINESS STOPPED COLD WHICH INSPIRED THEM TO SHIFT FROM A MULTINATION BUSINESS TO A SOURCE OF HUMANITARIAN AID.

>> MOST OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN UKRAINE AND WE FELT THIS OVERWHELMING DEMAND TO SHIP HUMANITARIAN AID FROM OUR CUSTOMERS, UKRAINIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS AND EVEN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS.

>> OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS THEY HAVE PACKED AND DELIVERED 750,000 POUNDS OF AID.

THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICINE.

>> OUR TEAM HERE HAS BEEN WORKING FROM MORNING TO LATE NIGHT, SEVEN- DAYS A WEEK FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 10:00 P.M., EVEN.

PEOPLE WOULD WORK THEIR REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS AND THEN THEY START VOLUNTEERING LATE AT NIGHT.

>> SHE HAS FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK IN UKRAINE AND SO DO MANY OF HER EMPLOYEES.

THEY KNEW THEY HAD A LOT OF BOXES TO PACK SO THEY NEEDED EXTRA HANDS.

>> I AM ORIGINALLY FROM UKRAINE, FROM THE WEST PART OF UKRAINE.

HERE WE LIVE IN PHILADELPHIA AND EVERY DAY, 75 MILES WE COME HERE AND VOLUNTEER HERE.

>> HE QUIT HIS JOB TO SORT BOXES AND PACK FOR THE COMPANY.

ANYTHING TO ASSIST HIS PARENTS AND SISTER BACK IN UKRAINE.

>> THEY ALSO TRY TO HELP REFUGEES COMING TO THEIR PART OF UKRAINE.

MY MOM COOKED ALL OF THE TIME FOR THE SOLDIERS.

>> PART OF THE AID INCLUDES PALETTES PACKED WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES, 250 OF THEM WERE DONATED IN JUST THE PAST WEEK.

>> IT IS HUGE WHAT WE ARE DOING AND IT IS SO SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE WE SEE THE TRAUMA THAT IS BEING INFLICTED AT THE MOMENT.

AND OUR HELPFUL TEAMS HAVE SEEN WHAT CHALLENGES LOOK LIKE.

>> NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS PHASE TWO YEARS OF CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

NOW THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP FIGHT A DIFFERENT BATTLE.

>> EACH PERSON HERE TODAY AND ACROSS THE GREAT STATE OF NEW JERSEY IS DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN THEIR PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE POWER TO HELP OBTAIN THE PEACEFUL LIFE TO JUST LIVE.

THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ARE RESILIENT.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO PROTECT.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING THAT THEY CHERISH THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO GIVE UP AND THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THE WESTERN WORLD.

THEY DO WANT DEMOCRACY.

>> I AM VERY HAPPY THEY ARE JOINING US IN THIS EFFORT.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, FIRST AID SUPPLIES, THESE ITEMS ARE THE PRIORITY IN UKRAINE.

THESE ARE IN THE HIGHEST DEMAND.

I AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THEM ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> AS THE RUSSIAN INVASION CONTINUES, A BIG QUESTION FACES THEM.

HOW LONG CAN HER COMPANY KEEP PACE WITH THE NEED IN UKRAINE?

>> HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO SLOWLY CHANGE BACK TO BUSINESS FROM SHIPPING HUMANITARIAN AID BUT, AGAIN, WE WILL SEE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT FUTURE HAS FOR US.

>> A FEELING SHARED BY A LOT OF THE UKRAINIANS AND A COMPANY WILLING TO PUT ASIDE ITS CORE BUSINESS FOR AS LONG AS IT CAN.

IN WOODBRIDGE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY ALREADY HAS MORE SUPER FUN SITES, THE MOST POLLUTED PARTS IN AMERICA THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

NOW WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF GETTING ONE MORE.

THE EPA ANNOUNCED THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD TO GIVE THE LOWER REGIONS OF THE HACKASACK RIVER, THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER IS TAINTED WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PAST.

THEY ARE MOVING TOOLS THERE TO CLEAN UP THE RIVER.

IT IS A LONG TIME COMING BUT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

>> WE ARE GETTING THERE.

WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: FOR THE RIVER KEEPER, TODAY MARKED A CRITICAL MOMENT IN HIS LONG CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN UP THE RIVER AND MARSHES HE LOVES THE EPA PROPOSED ADDING THE LAST 19 MILES TO THE NATIONAL SUPER FUND PRIORITIES LIST, COMMITTING FEDERAL AND STATE RESOURCES TO CLEANING UP DECADES OF DEADLY INDUSTRIAL TOXINS BURIED DEEP IN RIVER SENTIMENTS.

ON BOTH TOURS EAGER FOLKS ASK THE GUIDES.

>> WHEN CAN WE START CATCHING CRABS AGAIN?

I AM LIKE NOT YET.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE AWHILE.

I TRY TO BE AS GENTLE WITH PEOPLE AS I POSSIBLY CAN BUT SUPER FUND WAS THE ONLY WAY WE WERE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER, SO TO SPEAK.

IF WE DON'T START THEM ON THE TRACK NOW OF GETTING THAT DONE, THE RIVER WILL NEVER GET CLEANED UP.

>> WE WILL SEEK OUT FINANCIAL VIABLE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO HELP PAY FOR THE REMEDIATION AND THE CLEANUP.

AND FURTHER MORE SUPER FUND STATUS QUALIFIES THE SITE FOR FEDERAL FUNDS THAT CAN ALSO BE USED TO INITIATE REMEDIAL WORK.

>> IT LOOKS DECEPTIVELY LOVELY BUT LINED BY FACTORIES THAT PROCESS TOXIC HEAVY METALS LIKE MERCURY, ARSENIC AND LEAD AND PC Bs THE RIVER REQUIRES A MASSIVE CLEANUP THAT COULD ECLIPSE THE EPA'S $1.7 BILLION DREDGING RIVER.

IT WILL REQUIRE MORE SAMPLING AND INTENSE PLANNING THAT FACTORS IN CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THE SITES ARE INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED.

TITLE SITES ARE INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED.

IT IS A SINK OF CONTAMINATION TO MANY OF THESE SITES.

WE HAVE WATER COMING IN OVER THE DAM THAT IS GOING TO EFFECT SOME OF THE ACTIONS GOING ON IN THE RIVER.

IT WILL BE REALLY HARD TO GET ANSWERS TO ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS BEFORE WE CAN FIGURE OUT SOME HOLISTIC WAY TO ADDRESS THE ENTIRE RIVER.

>> INVESTIGATORS MUST ALSO TRACK CONTAMINANTS TO SOURCES AND ASSESS LIABILITY, HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD PAY FOR CLEANUP.

ALL THROW THE DEP POINTED TO SEVERAL EXISTING SUPER FUND SITES AS POTENTIAL CULPRITS.

>> THE RIVER IS BOUNDED BY NINE OTHER SUPER FUND SITES, WE KNOW WHO THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SIT AROUND FOR TWO DECADES LIKE WE DID ON THE OTHER RIVER, PERIOD.

FULL STOP.

>> I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A BAD WRAP FOR NEW JERSEY FOR BEING THE STATE WITH THE MOST SUPER FUND SITES BUT, LISTEN, WE HAVE THAT NUMBER BECAUSE WE SAMPLE, BECAUSE WE LOOK FOR THE POLLUTION, RIGHT?

>> SHE APPLAUDS THE EPA STEPPING IN TO HELP RESCUE THE RIVER, A MOVE DELAYED FOR YEARS BY POLITICS DURING THE FORMER CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION AND TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

THE GOAL NOW, RESTORE THE RIVER SO IT IS CLEAN ENOUGH TO REMOVE ADVISORIES AGAINST SWIMMING SO ANGLERS CAN SAFELY EAT THEIR CATCH.

>> THAT MEANS GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE WILL HAVE FULL BENEFICIAL USE OF THE RIVER THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE DENIED THAT US.

>>> IN TRENTON LAST MONTH AN UNARMED MAN WAS SHOT BY THE POLICE AND LEFT PARALYZED.

THERE ARE DIFFERING ACCOUNTS OF WHAT OCCURRED ON THAT FEBRUARY NIGHT AND WHAT LED TO THE SHOOTING OF THE 29-YEAR-OLD HENDERSON.

TODAY, A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING SAYING HENDERSON DESERVES SOME ANSWERS AND JUSTICE.

OUR RAVEN SANTANA IS STANDING BY IN TRENTON WITH DETAILS.

RAVEN?

>> Reporter: RHONDA, A LOT OF QUESTIONS LEFT UNANSWERED HERE.

TO THE CASE OF 29-YEAR-OLD HENDERSON AND THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO HIM BEING SHOT AND PARALYZED FROM THE CHEST DOWN BY THE POLICE, FULL TRANSPARENCY.

THE REPORT BY THE POLICE IS A VERY DIFFERENT ACCOUNT FROM WHAT WE JUST HEARD AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HERE AT THE NAACP HEADQUARTERS BEHIND ME.

THOSE THAT SPOKE.

THEY WALKED US THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS OF WHAT HAPPENED.

>> JAWAN WENT TO RETRIEVE A ICED TEA AT A CAR.

HE SAT LAWFULLY PARKED IN A CAR WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHEN AN UNIDENTIFIED DARK CAR APPROACHED AND PARKED NEXT TO HIM BOXING HIM IN.

A GROUP OF MEN, FULLY MASKED AND IN DARK PLAIN CLOTHES THEN JUMPED OUT OF THIS MYSTERIOUS VEHICLE AND BEGAN YELLING AT HIM.

AS MANY OTHERS WOULD DO, IN THIS ESCALATING SITUATION, HE USED HIS CELLPHONE TO CALL FOR SUPPORT.

THIS GROUP OF MEN APPEARING AS ANY OTHER GROUP OF DANGEROUS CRIMINALS FROM A HORROR MOVIE TURNED OUT TO BE FROM THE TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> IF THEY IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES OR NOT WE STILL DO NOT KNOW.

WE DON'T BELIEVE, WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THEY KNEW WHAT MR. HENDERSON WAS.

THIS IS WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REALLY ROUTINE INTERACTION THAT ENDED UP IN A SHOOTING.

HOW DO YOU END UP SHOOTING AN UNARMED BLACK MAN IN THE NECK, IN THE BACK, PARALYZING HIM, NEARLY KILLING HIM, LEAVING HIS FAMILY WONDERING IF HE WAS DEAD OR ALIVE?

>> FOUR COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN DROPPED.

RIGHT NOW HE STILL FACES ONE COUNT OF FELONY OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AND RESISTING ARREST.

>> I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DIE.

I JUST LOST A SON A FEW MONTHS BACK.

I COULD OF LOST MY YOUNGEST SON, AND HIS DAUGHTER, A FATHER.

FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON AT ALL.

I NEED TO GET JUSTICE FOR MY SON.

I WANT TRENTON POLICE CRIME UNIT AND THE OFFICERS INVOLVE INSIDE THAT SHOOTING THAT NIGHT TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

>> HE WAS UNARMED AND JUST BASED ON WHAT THE POLICE OFFICERS, NOT ON THE SCENE, BUT ONE WHO SAW THE VIDEO TOLD US, HE DID NOT DESERVE TO BE SHOT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND SO, WE SEEK JUSTICE ON HIS BEHALF.

>> A DIFFERENT ACCOUNT FROM TRENTON POLICE.

ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE STATEMENT BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAY HENDERSON REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH THE DETECTIVES AND REFUSED HIS ORDERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW.

WHEN THE DETECTIVE BROKE THE WINDOW TO ARREST HIM HE ATTEMPTED TO FLEE THE SCENE STRIKING PARKED CARS.

HENDERSON SUSTAINED FOUR GUNSHOT WOUNDS BUT DID NOT OFFER DETAILS ON THE SHOOTING.

THE CITY'S SPOKESPERSON RELEASED A STATEMENT TO US SAYING THAT THE CITY OF TRENTON HAS FULLY COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIRED ATTORNEY GENERAL REVIEW OF THE FEBRUARY 12th INCIDENT AND AWAIT THE FINDINGS.

THE CITY HAS NO COMMENT ON ANY PENDING LITIGATION.

AND MR. HENDERSON'S ATTORNEYS ADVISED HIM NOT TO SPEAK ON THE MATTER.

THEY FILED A LAWSUIT SEEKING DAMAGES FOR VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND ASSAULT AND BATTERY BY THOSE OFFICERS THAT STILL REMAIN UNIDENTIFIED.

THEY HAVE NOT SPECIFIED THE EXACT AMOUNT.

THEY SAY SOMEWHERE IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

STILL, THE QUESTION REMAINS, WHERE IS THE BODY CAMERA.

THE ATTORNEYS SAY IT IS SAN IMPORTANT PIECE FOR A BIGGER PUZZLE TO TELL THE BIGGER STORY, RHONDA, BACK TO YOU.

>>> A POLICE CHIEF IS BEING SUED BY A SECOND POLICE OFFICER, BOTH ALLEGING POLICE CHIEF THOMAS MOJER HARASSED THEM AND MADE OBSCENE ACTIONS TOWARDS THEM.

A POLICE LIEUTENANT SAYS SHE WAS SINGLED OUT AND DEMOTED BECAUSE SHE IS A LESBIAN AND SAID GAY AND LESBIAN OFFICERS WERE MOCKED BY THE CHIEF INCLUDING ONE RIDICULED OVER THE DEPARTMENT RADIO.

LAST MONTH AN OFFICER SUED HIM ALLEGING HE WASTIESED AND HARASSED FOR BEING BORN IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SAYS THEY TAKE ALL ALLEGATIONS OF THIS NATURE SERIOUSLY AND WILL FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND REFER THIS MATTER TO MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION.

>>> FOR MONTHS ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN PROTESTING AGAINST A PROPOSAL TO BUILD A NEW AMAZON AIR HUB AT THE NEWARK AIRPORT.

TODAY THEY UPPED THEIR GAME TRAVELING ACROSS THE RIVER AND DELIVERING A PETITION TO THE PORT AUTHORITY DEMANDING TO BE HEARD.

MELISA ROSE COOPER PICKS UP OUR STORY FROM THERE.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE IT.

>> WE CAN SEE YOUR GREEDY SIDE.

>> JOINING COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS WITH A STRONG MESSAGE.

>> AMAZON HAS TO GO.

>> Reporter: A PROPOSED $432 MILLION DEAL TO BUILD AN AMAZON AIR CARGO MEGAHUB AT NEWARK AIRPORT WILL LEAD TO DIRTY AIR AND HEALTH ISSUES IN NEARBY COMMUNITIES.

>> I AM A FOURTH GENERATIONER, I AM A PARENT OF THREE ASTHMATIC CHILDREN, 25,000 TRUCKS TRAVELING IN AND OUT OF THAT PORT.

4500 ON OUR LOCAL ROADS, WE CAN NOT STAND ANYMORE POLLUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR LIVES DON'T MATTER, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL ANNOUNCED LAST AUGUST BUT NOT FINALIZED, IS EXPECTED TO CREATE NEARLY 1,000 NEW JOBS.

BUT EVEN ADVOCATES ARE NOT CONVINCED.

>> THE THING IS THAT WE ALREADY KNOW FROM A LOT OF STUDIES BEING DONE THAT AMAZON JOBS, SPECIFICALLY AT OTHER AIRPORT HUBS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THERE IS A HIGH INJURY RATE AND A HIGH TURNOVER RATE.

SO, WE WANT JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT WE WANT DESCENT JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

NOT JOBS THEY ARE WORKING FOR SIX MONTHS AND UNEMPLOYED AGAIN, OR WORKING FOR SIX MONTHS AND INJURIED AND THEN CAN NOT WORK AGAIN.

OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THEY DON'T THINK IT IS RIGHT THAT THE PORT AUTHORITY IS GOING THROUGH WITH THE PLAN WITHOUT THEIR INPUT AND THEY JUST WANT THEIR VOICES HEARD.

THEY ARE TAKING MATTERS IN THEIR OWN HANDS TURNING IN A SIGNED PETITION LISTING THEIR CONCERNS.

>> WE ARE HERE TO TELL THE PORT AUTHORITY AUTHORITY IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY TO BE CONCERN ABOUT AIR POLLUTIONS THEY ARE TRYING TO ADD TO AND WE ARE PUSHING FOR CLEAN AIR IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND HAVING FAIR AND VERY EQUAL JOBS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AS WELL IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE COMMUNICATION AND I THINK THAT IS WILL BIGGEST THINGS T SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY ARE NOT BEING AS TRANSPARENT AS THEY SHOULD BE AS FAR AS KNOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THE DEALS THEY ARE PUTTING DOWN.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO START OUT BY SAYING THE PORT AUTHORITY HAS A VARIETY OF REGULATIONS IN PLACE.

EVERYTHING FROM MINIMUM WAGE POLICY, COME IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IF NOT THE HIGHEST MINIMUM WAGE POLICY OF AIRPORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE MULTITUDE OF OSHA AND OTHER PROTECTIONS IN TERMS OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE FACILITY ITSELF.

THOSE PROTECTIONS ARE IN PLACE.

A LABOR HARMONY PROVISION IN TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OF THE WORKERS AND WE INTEND TO ASSURE THAT THOSE ARE ENFORCED ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> THEY NEED TO GIVE US THEIR JOBS AND GIVE US CLEAN AIR.

THEY NEED TO GIVE US SAFE STREETS.

AND IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT TO US, SHUT IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR AMAZON TELLS US THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS A FINAL DEAL IS NEGOTIATED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY IS FLUSHED WITH CASH AFTER COLLECTING MORE TAX REVENUE THAN EXPECTED.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE SURGE IN REVENUE AND CAN IT CONTINUE?

I GOT SOME ANSWERS FROM BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRITEMYER.

JOHN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, TOO.

>> WE KNOW NEW JERSEY GOT BILLIONS IN FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF MONEY.

REVENUE GAINS IN THE STATE HAVE CONTINUED BEYOND THAT, SO, WHAT IS DRIVING THE INCREASE?

>> FEDERAL MONEY AND A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE'S MAJOR SOURCES OF TAX REVENUE.

THE FORECAST REALLY HAVE BEEN REVISED UPWARD, INCOME TAX, SALES TAX, CORPORATE BUSINESS TAXES AND SOME OF THAT IS ALL OF THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING INTO THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMY HELPING SPUR CONSUMER PRODUCT DEMAND.

THERE HAS BEEN A BETTER RECOVERY OF JOBS THAT WAS FORECASTED INITIALLY.

THE JOBS THAT WERE LOST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, NEW JERSEY IS UP OVER 80% OF THE JOBS THAT WERE LOST INITIALLY THAT HAVE BEEN RECOVERED AND, IN MORE OF THE HIGHER PAYING POSITIONS, SO, THAT IS HELPING TO GIVE THE BUDGET A LIFT.

THEN, WE CAN NOT FORGET TAXES INCREASED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC BY GOVERNOR MURPHY AND LAWMAKERS INCLUDING MILLIONAIRES AND TOP RUNNING BUSINESSES.

THAT IS COMING INTO PLAY AS WELL.

>> WHAT DOES THE STATE PROJECT AS FAR AS IF THESE REVENUE GAINS CAN CONTINUE AND DO THE PROJECTIONS TAKE IN RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND THAT, OF COURSE, INCLUDING THE WAR IN UKRAINE AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL RESERVE DECISION TO RAISE INTEREST RATES?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE KEY QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS THE FORECAST THROUGH THE END OF JUNE IT HAS BEEN UPGRADED SIGNIFICANTLY.

BUT, THERE IS VERY MODEST GROWTH PROJECTED GOING INTO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR, THEY ARE LOOKING INTO A CRYSTAL BALL TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR A FISCAL YEAR THAT DOES NOT END UNTIL NEXT JUNE.

AS YOU NOTED THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

MILITARY CONFLICTS, CHANGING INTEREST RATES, SO, THAT COULD ALL PLAY A ROLE IN HOW MUCH REVENUE THE STATE COLLECTS.

>> AND THIS BUMP UP IN REVENUE IT IS PLAYING OUT IN TERMS OF POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS IN TRENTON, EVEN BEFORE THE BUDGET HEARINGS BEGIN?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

SO, USUALLY WHEN WE ARE IN A GOOD REVENUE SITUATION THAT MAKES THINGS A LOT EASIER AS A NEW BUDGET COMES TOGETHER.

THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND THEY MAY LEAD TO NEW TAX CUTS OR TAX BREAKS ENACTED THAT WILL ALSO IMPACT REVENUES AND TAKEAWAY SOME OF THAT REVENUE STREAM.

SO, AMID THAT UNCERTAINTY LOOKING FORWARD, WE ALSO HAVE SOME DECISIONS TO MAKE ABOUT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF TAXATION AND HOW MUCH LAWMAKERS MAY WANT TO CUT TAXES.

BUT, ALSO, KNOWING THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON SPENDING AND THE TRADE OFF WOULD BE, THEN, WHICH PROGRAMS YOU MAY NOT GET FUNDED OR MAY NOT HAVE AS MUCH FUNDING BEHIND THEM.

SO, THAT IS GOING TO BE THE TRICKY THING THAT LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE TO WORK OUT WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> THANK YOU, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

>> SAME HERE, YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> WITH GAS PRICES AT RECORD HIGH, SOME WANT TO REDUCE OR RELIEVE THE GAS TAXES FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

WRITING LEGISLATION TO REDUCE THE STATE GAS TAX BY 50% IF THE AVERAGE PRICE REACHES $4.50 DURING JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST.

IF THEY GO AS HIGH AS $5.01 DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THE STATE GAS TAX REDUCED BY 75% AND IT WOULD BE SUSPENDED IF THE PRICE TOPS $5.50 A GALLON IN NEW JERSEY.

REVENUES COLLECTED FROM THE GAS TAX ARE DEPOSITED INTO THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

TO MAKE SURE IT REMAINS FULLY FUNDED THE LAWMAKER PROPOSES TRANSFERRING MONEY FROM THE STATE'S SALES TAX INTO THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.

NEW JERSEY'S CURRENT GAS TAX IS 42.42 CENTS A GALLON.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY [MUSIC] .

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY NJCU SERVICE.

BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE ARE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAME CHANGER.

>>> AND MAKE SURE YOU JOIN ME FOR NJ BUSINESS FEED THIS WEEKEND.

WE DIG DEEP INTO NEW JERSEY'S RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA MARKET AS WE GET CLOSER TO LAUNCH.

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

>>> THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS WARNING COUNTRIES TO STAY VIGILANT AS FIGURES SHOW A GLOBAL RISE IN COVID-19 CASES COULD LEAD TO MUCH BIGGER ISSUES.

AFTER MONTHS OF DECLINE SOME COUNTRIES ARE SEEING SPIKES IN CASES.

A NUMBER OF FACTORS ARE TO BLAME.

LIKE THE OMICRON VARIANT STILL CIRCULATING, THE BA2 SUBVARIANT AND THE LIFTING OF PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES.

THIS COMES AS NEW JERSEY REPORTS JUST BELOW 1,000 NEW CASES AND 14 NEW DEATHS TODAY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER TODAY SAID AS CASES RISE ABROAD THEY EXPECT WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN CASES HERE IN THE STATE.

BUT DO NOT ANTICIPATE A NEED TO REINSTATE UNIVERSAL MANDATES.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU AN UPDATE ON A STORY, IOWA SENATOR IS CALLING ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AT A NEW JERSEY NURSING HOME.

THIS FOLLOWS THE SCATHING REPORT FROM THE STATE ALLEGING ABUSE AND NEGLECT ATWOODLAND BEHAVIORAL AND NURSING CENTER IN ANDOVER THAT EFFECTS THE SAFETY OF 400 RESIDENTS.

GRASLEY SAYS IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST INTERVENE TO PUT A STOP TO FLAGRANT CONDITIONS THAT CAUSED THEM PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HARM.

IT FIRST CAME UNDER SCRUTINY IN APRIL OF 2020 WHEN THE POLICE FOUND 17 BODIES STORE INSIDE A SHED DURING THE FIRST WAVE OF COVID-19.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HALTED NEW ADMISSIONS TO THE FACILITY AND THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES HAS GIVEN WOODLAND UNTIL AUGUST 15th TO FIX VIOLATIONS OR LOSE FEDERAL FUNDING.

A MOVE THAT WOULD LIKELY SHUT THE NURSING HOME DOWN.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK CHECK OUT OUR REPORTER'S ROUND TABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ, THIS WEEK TALKING TO RAY LESNIAK ABOUT WHAT HE IS CALLING THE MEDIA FRENZY INVOLVING HIM.

DAVID TALKS TO A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS TO ANALYZE ALL OF THE OTHER STORIES OF THE WEEK.

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

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE 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 ORSTED COMMITTED TO LONG- TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY