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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS COMBATING THE NATIONAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

AT A RARE SPECIAL MEETING HELD TODAY BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE LAWMAKERS INVITED SUPERINTENDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR INSIGHT ON HOW TO CURB THE STAGGERING RISE IN TEEN SUICIDE AND THE MANY MORE YOUTH WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM NONFATAL FORMS OF MENTAL DISTRESS.

THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING FOR INPUT ON HOW TO BETTER SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES.

SENA CORRESPONDED BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> OUR STUDENTS ARE IN CRISIS.

THEY NEED US.

THE TIME IS NOW.

>> SUICIDE EXPERTS DESCRIBING AN UNPRECEDENTED SPIKE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISES TO THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THEY CALLED THE HEARING AFTER THE HIGHLY PUBLICIZED SUICIDE LAST MONTH OF 14-YEAR-OLD ADRIANA KUCH.

LAWMAKERS ASKED STUDENTS IF CURRENT REPORTING REGULATIONS NEED TO CHANGE.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE IS SOMETHING AS IT RELATES TO STATE LAWS THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE?

>> WHAT'S IN PLACE GIVES YOU A CLEAR PATH TO COMMUNICATION WITH THE INVOLVED PARTIES AND THOSE THAT NEED THE INFORMATION.

IT'S ABOUT DILIGENCE AND ENSURING THAT IT GETS DONE.

>> BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE SUPPORT SYSTEM DOES SUFFER FROM A LACK OF COHESION.

>> WE ARE DISCONNECTED IN TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORTING OUR YOUNGSTERS.

WE ARE OPERATING IN SILOS.

I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE A MAGIC WAND, NOR DO I.

WE MUST FIGURE OUT HOW TO COORDINATE SERVICES AND BRING THE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS TO THE STUDENTS.

TO THE STAFF, QUITE FRANKLY.

>> ADVOCATES DESCRIBE THE RISING TIDE OF TEENS AND EMOTIONAL CRISIS.

THE CDC FOUND SUICIDES AMONG 15 TO 24-YEAR-OLDS ROSE 5% AMONG FEMALES, 7% AMONG MALES FROM 2020 TO 2021.

AND THAT A GROWING NUMBER OF TEENS ARE PERSISTENTLY SAD OR HOPELESS.

THREE AND FIVE FEMALES REPORTED THOSE FEELINGS AND 2021.

THAT'S UP 60% OVER A DECADE.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS BEFORE.

OUR CHILDREN ARE STRUGGLING AT LEVELS THAT ARE UNBELIEVABLE.

>> EXPERTS ACROSS THE BOARD DESCRIBED OBSTACLES TO CARE LIKE SHORTAGES OF SCHOOL NURSES AND COUNSELORS.

THE OPTIMUM RATIO IS 1 TO 250.

IN NEW JERSEY, IT'S 1 TO 500.

SOME SCHOOLS DON'T EVEN HAVE COUNSELORS.

>> THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IN THE STATE WITHOUT ACCESS TO A COUNSELOR.

UNFORTUNATELY OVER TIME WITH BUDGET RESTRICTIONS, THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT HAVE HAD TO BE MADE.

>> MEANWHILE, TREATMENT IS EXPENSIVE AND OVERBOOKED.

EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS THE STATE REPORTED A SURGE IN TEEN MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

THEY SAY HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH CY 49% SURGE IN CASES.

>> SOMETHING I HAVE NOT SEEN IN MY LIFETIME.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS 20 YEARS.

TO SEE THAT MANY CHILDREN COMING IN FOR ALL SORTS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IS QUITE ALARMING.

WE NEED MORE BEDS AND SERVICES OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL.

>> WE HAD REAL PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD WITH HAVING THE AMOUNT OF CARE THAT STUDENTS NEED AND FAMILIES NEED IN HAVING DIRECT ACCESS TO THOSE SERVICES.

>> SPEAKERS PLEADED FOR MORE RESOURCES, SUPPORT, AND FUNDING, ASKING LAWMAKERS TO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS THE LEGISLATURE CRAFT A NEW STATE BUDGET.

AT THE STATEHOUSE IN TRENTON, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HIT THE ROAD TODAY TO BEGIN SELLING HIS $53.1 BILLION BUDGET LAND TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THE LAWMAKERS WHO WILL HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON IT.

HE IS STARTING BY TOUTING THE RECORD STATE AID PROPOSED FOR K-12 SCHOOLS.

MONEY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION ARGUES IS IN DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE FOR DISTRICTS WHO STAND TO GAIN.

BUT AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, EVERY DOLLAR TAKEN AWAY FROM OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD LIKELY PUSH THEIR PROPERTY TAXES HIGHER.

>> STATEWIDE, WE ARE INCREASING K-12 CLASSROOM FUNDING BY $832 MILLION.

TO A TOTAL OF NEARLY 11 BILLION DOLLARS.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINED WITH STATE EDUCATION LEADERS IN MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED EDUCATION FUNDING PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

>> STATE AID IS GOING TO INCREASE BY MORE THAN $1 MILLION.

MORE THAN 15% INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELEASED THE FUNDING AMOUNT EACH DISTRICT WILL RECEIVE IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THOSE NUMBERS COMING FROM THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.

A PLAN AND THAT MORE EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTING SCHOOL AID TO ALL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

THE FUNDING PLAN WAS TIED UP IN THE COURTS FOR YEARS BEFORE MURPHY'S FIRST TIME.

THIS WILL NOW BE THE SIXTH YEAR HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED TOWARDS FULLY FUNDING IT.

>> LOOKING BACK TO WHERE MONTGOMERY SCHOOLS WERE IN MY FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR, WE WILL HAVE, SO FAR, INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE DISTRICT BY 84%.

>> WE ARE PROUD TO BE OFFERING FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR OUR STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME BEGINNING NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> MARY McLAUGHLIN ANNOUNCED SEVERAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS HER DISTRICT WILL LAUNCH WITH INCREASED FUNDING.

>> WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SKILL SPECIFIC TUTORING TO STUDENTS BASED ON CORE CURRICULUM STANDARDS.

>> NOT GOOD NEWS FOR ALL DISTRICT TODAY.

MANY STAND TO LOSE MILLIONS AT A TIME WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY FACING TEACHER SHORTAGES, REDUCTIONS IN PROGRAMS AND OTHER CHALLENGES.

>> LOOKS LIKE WE ARE BEING REDUCED $6.7 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET.

WE ANTICIPATED SOMEWHERE NORTH OF $2 MILLION.

WE'VE NOW GOT A BUDGET HOLE THAT IS FAIRLY MASSIVE.

>> FREEHOLD IS AMONG 157 DISTRICTS TO LOSE FUNDING.

JERSEY CITY SAW THE GREATEST LOSS OF 51 MILLION.

A 28% CUT.

13 DISTRICTS WILL SEE NO CHANGE.

407 WILL SEE FUNDING INCREASES.

NEWARK TOPPING THE CHART WITH A ONE $14 MILLION BOND.

BRIDGET DESOUSA IS AN ADVOCATE FIGHTING FOR MORE STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING.

SHE UNDERSTANDS WHY THE DISTRICT FACES CUTS BUT STILL SAYS -- >> FROM A CHILD IN JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THIS IS ALL GROSSLY UNFAIR.

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LOSING TEACHERS.

GOING TO SCHOOL AND BUILDINGS THAT ARE CRUMBLING.

>> Reporter: I THOUGHT LEADER ON THE SCHOOL FORMULA DEBATE FOR DECADES ACKNOWLEDGES THE FORMULA WAS NEEDED TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR MANY DISTRICT THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED FOR YEARS, BUT SAYS THE FORMULA, BY NOW, FEELS REGRESSIVE, RATHER THAN PROGRESSIVE.

>> WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET THE FUNDING THIS FORMULA THAT IS, ITSELF, OUT OF DATE AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE FULL COST OF MEETING WHAT IS EXPECTED OF NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS, FOR NEW JERSEY KIDS HERE AND NOW.

>> FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT CHARLES SAMSON AGREES.

>> IT DOES NOT ALIGN.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

IT HAS NOT BEEN RE-EXAMINED IN 15 YEARS.

WE'VE ASKED REPEATEDLY, YEAR-OVER-YEAR, TO STOP FOR IT PLUS THE CUTS.

TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT HOW THIS IS IMPACTING CERTAIN DISTRICTS.

THERE ARE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS OCCURRING IN ALL OF THIS.

>> IS DISTRICT IS SUING THE ADMINISTRATION.

JUST AS THE MURPHY TEAM APPROACHES THE END OF ITS SEVEN-YEAR SCHOOL FUNDING PLAN, IT LOOKS LIKE THE ISSUE IS ONCE AGAIN HEADED BACK TO THE COURTS.

IN MONTGOMERY, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE DISTRICT WILL GET A ROUGHLY 7% INCREASE IN STATE AID, WHICH COULD OFFSET THE COST OF SECURITY UPGRADES THAT SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE PROPOSING.

DISTRICT OFFICIALS PLAN TO ADD METAL DETECTORS AND HIRE MORE SECURITY GUARDS AFTER A FIFTH GRADER WAS STABBED AND WOUNDED BY ANOTHER STUDENT LAST WEEK NEAR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

IN A LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY, SUPERINTENDENT DAVID ROMAN SAID THE DISTRICT WAS FIGHTING TO HIRE MORE SECURITY GUARDS SINCE JUNE, ADDING THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL VOTE AT THE MARCH 9th MEETING ON THE ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHICH SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WILL GET THE ADDITIONAL GUARDS AND DETECTORS.

AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTED LAST NIGHT, PARENTS AND THE TEACHERS UNION SAY THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY VOICED CONCERNS TO THE DISTRICT ABOUT FIGHTS AND OTHER UNSAFE CONDITIONS IN PERTH SCHOOLS.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IN TEXAS IS LIKELY TO MAKE A DECISION SOON ON A LAWSUIT THAT WOULD END THE DISTRIBUTION OF ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND EFFECTIVE DRUGS USED IN MEDICATION ABORTIONS.

BY SEEKING TO OVERTURN THE DECADES-OLD FDA APPROVAL OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ABORTION RELATED CASE SINCE THE FALL OF ROE V WADE IN JUNE.

WE WILL HAVE IMPLICATIONS EVENING DEMOCRATIC STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY WHERE ABORTION RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED.

FOR MORE, I'M JOINED BY KIMBERLY MASTERSON.

THE CODEINE AND PROFESSOR OF LAW AT RUTGERS-CAMDEN LAW SCHOOL.

HELP US UNDERSTAND WHO'S IN THIS GROUP BRINGING THE LAWSUIT.

WHAT'S IN THERE ARGUMENT BEHIND WHY THE FDA SHOULD HAVE THEIR AUTHORIZATION REVERSED?

>> SURE.

THE GROUP BRINGING THE CASE, UNSURPRISINGLY, IS A DEEPLY ANTIABORTION ORGANIZATION.

THEIR GOAL, ESSENTIALLY, IS TO CONVINCE A JUDGE IN TEXAS.

THEY WERE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHERE THEY DECIDED TO FILE THIS LAWSUIT.

THEY REALLY WANTED TO GET THIS PARTICULAR JUDGE.

TO GET THE JUDGE ESSENTIALLY TO DECIDE THAT ONE OF THE DRUGS USED FOR MEDICATION ABORTION SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN APPROVED.

IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ON THE MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES AND APPROVED IN THE UNITED STATES OVER TWO DECADES.

BUT THE PLAINTIFFS HERE ARE CLAIMING THAT THE PROCESS BY WHICH IT WAS APPROVED WAS FLAWED.

THAT IT CREATES BURDENS ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

IT CREATES UNFAIR RISK OR UNNECESSARY RISKS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

THE LIST GOES ON.

IF WE GET THIS INJUNCTION FROM THIS JUDGE, IT WILL OBVIOUSLY BIND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE CASE, WHICH INCLUDES ONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS.

THAT MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PRODUCE THE DRUG OR SELL THE DRUG IN THE UNITED STATES.

THERE ARE ALSO GENERIC VERSIONS THAT WOULD NOT BE BOUND BY THE LAWSUIT QUITE WRINKLY, IT IS UNCLEAR THAT THE FDA IS GOING TO BE BOUND.

HERE IS WHAT I MEAN BY THAT.

THE FDA ACTUALLY HAS A PROCESS IN PLACE THAT IT USES IF IT WANTS TO WITHDRAWAL APPROVAL OF A DRUG.

THIS LAWSUIT IS TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT THAT PROCESS.

THE FDA COULD SAY, LISTEN, WE HAVE A PROCESS AND WE CAN START THE PROCESS, WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE.

THE FDA COULD DECIDE IT'S NOT GOING TO ENFORCE ANY WITHDRAWAL OF THE APPROVAL OF MEDICATION.

EVEN WITH THE ORDER FROM THE COURT, THE FDA COULD SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

SO PEOPLE ARE STILL DISPENSING.

THAT'S FINE WITH US.

QUITE FRANKLY, THE IDEA THAT EVERYBODY IS GETTING THEIR PILLS FROM A, YOU KNOW, LICENSED PHARMACIST WILL OR THAT THEY'RE ALL GOING TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE MISSES THE MARK.

A LOT OF THESE PILLS CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE.

ASSUMING THAT THIS JUDGE COMES DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE PLAINTIFFS, WHICH SEEMS LIKELY GIVEN THAT HE HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT HIS ANTIABORTION SENTIMENTS.

IT REALLY FALLS INTO THE FDA'S COURT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING HERE.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE FINE IN NEW JERSEY AND EVERY OTHER WAYS.

THE PRESSURE ON NEW JERSEY CLINICS AND SOME PENNSYLVANIA CLINICS BECAUSE IT GOT SOME PEOPLE GOING OVER THE STATE LINE, AS WELL.

GETTING TO SOME SENSE OF EQUILIBRIUM ON ABORTION IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> THINKS SOME LUNCH.

CLEARING THE WAY FOR THE WORLD'S FIRST RSV VACCINE.

PANEL OF ADVISORS ON WEDNESDAYS RECOMMENDED A APPROVAL OF TWO VACCINES.

ONE FROM PFIZER TO BECOME AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 60.

A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS THAT CAUSES FLULIKE ILLNESSES AND CAN BE DEADLY FOR THE VERY YOUNG AND OLD.

THE CDC ESTIMATES THE VIRUS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MORE THAN 175,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND 14,000 DEATHS PER YEAR WITH ADULTS 65 AND OLDER.

IT'S ALSO THE LEADING KILLER OF CHILDREN WORLDWIDE AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRIPLE PANDEMIC THIS WINTER.

THE SINGLE-DOSE SHOT WAS SHOWN TO REDUCE RISK OF ILLNESS FROM RSV AS MUCH AS 86% IN OLDER ADULTS.

THE GS K VACCINE LOWERED THE RISK BY 83%.

THE FEDERAL AGENCY IS EXPECTED TO GRANT FORMAL APPROVAL WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.

SOME OF THE STATE'S LEADING CLIMATE ADVOCATES WERE IN NEW BRUNSWICK COURT YESTERDAY AS ORAL ARGUMENTS GOT UNDERWAY FOR A LAWSUIT SLAMMING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD.

THE GOVERNOR HAS IGNORED HIS OWN RULES AND REGULATIONS SET OUT IN THE GLOBAL WARMING RESPONSE ACT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES PERIL AND PROMISE, FOCUSING ON THE HUMAN STORES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> STILLBIRTHS, MISCARRIAGES.

SO HORRIFYING AND UPSETTING.

CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS.

THAT'S A LIFETIME PROBLEM.

>> JUST A FEW OF THE POSSIBLE HEALTH IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

A GRANDMOTHER OF SIX, SHE SAYS THIS WORRIES HER.

ACCUSING GOVERNOR MURPHY OF FAILING TO LIMIT NECESSARY REGULATIONS TO MEET THE STATE WILL OF CUTTING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 50% BY 2030 AND 80% BY 2050.

>> TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WERE IN NEW BRUNSWICK FOR THE BIG CLEAN ENERGY ANNOUNCEMENT.

ANNOUNCED ANOTHER NEW TARGET FOR THE STATE TO BE ACHIEVED MORE THAN A DECADE IN THE FUTURE.

TODAY, THE GOVERNOR IS FAILING.

USING AUTHORITY TO STOP SIX.

THERE ARE SEVEN MAJOR ONES PENDING.

>> CLIMATE ADVOCATES ARE TAKING THE FIGHT TO THE NEXT LEVEL, SERVING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AND IGNORING CRITICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE GLOBAL WARMING RESPONSE ACT.

>> BACK IN 2021, WE FILED A PETITION, ASKING THEM TO SET UP REGULATIONS THAT PROVIDE FOR TARGETS GREENHOUSE GASES PRIOR TO 2050.

IN PARTICULAR, WE ASK THEM TO IMPLEMENT WHAT IS ALREADY THE STATE POLICY.

REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES BY 50% BY 2030.

IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY REGULATIONS THAT WOULD ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL.

WHEN THEY DENIED OUR PETITION AND DID NOT REALLY GIVE A REASONABLE REASON FOR DOING SO, WE THEN PEELED TO THE NEXT DIVISION.

>> Reporter: HE REPRESENTS A GROUP OF ENVIRONMENTALIST AMENDING THE STATE REDUCE BENCHMARKS FOR GAS EMISSIONS.

ARGUED BEFORE A COURT IN NEW BRUNSWICK YESTERDAY.

>> THEY ADMITTED THEY WERE NOT ON TRACK TO MEET THE 50% GOAL.

50 BY 30.

IN FACT, THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF TAKING THE STEPS NECESSARY TO MAKE IT.

>> ACTAVIS SAY THEY JUST WANT GOVERNOR MURPHY TO LIVE UP TO HIS PROMISES TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

EVERY DAY THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, THE NEGATIVE AFFECTS ONLY GROWERS.

>> BUILDING MORE FOSSIL FUEL POWER PLANTS LIKE THE ONE PROPOSED IN WOODBRIDGE WILL NOT ONLY POLLUTE THE AIR AND MAKE IT HARDER TO BREATHE, BUT EXACERBATE AND ACCELERATE CLIMATE CHANGE LEADING TO MORE FREQUENT STORMS, FIRES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, HEALTH PROBLEMS AND EVEN DEATH.

TWO IMPORTANT NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO.

WE NEED GOVERNOR MURPHY TO WAKE UP AND REJECT THESE PROJECTS.

>> IN LEGAL FILINGS, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS ARGUED THAT ITS POLICIES OF THE STATE ON TRACK TO MEET THE LOST TARGETS.

THAT MAKES WRITING NEW BENCHMARKS A WASTE OF TIME.

WHILE THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE HAS NOT HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW WHAT HAPPENED DURING YESTERDAY'S HEARING IT, HE HAD THIS TO SAY IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS THAT THE STATE IS NOT DOING ITS PART TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

>> I WOULD PUT OUR TRACK RECORD ENVIRONMENTALLY UP AGAINST ANY AMERICAN STATE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, PERIOD AREA I THINK THE FACT MORE THAN PRIVETTE OUT.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS DECLINING TO COMMENT ON THE CASE AT THIS TIME.

A DECISION FROM THE APPEALS COURT IS NOW PENDING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, A NICE BOMB FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY AS BUDGET MAKERS REVIEW THE PROCESS.

TREASURY OFFICIALS EXPECT TO COLLECT $3.7 BILLION MORE IN REVENUE THIS FISCAL YEAR THEN WE ORIGINALLY FORECAST.

THANKS TO CONSUMER SPENDING AND WAGE GROWTH.

IT WILL BE IN STATE COFFERS BY JUNE.

I'M JOINED BY JOHN REITMEYER TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THE CASH INFUSION WILL GO.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

A BIT OF GOOD NEWS FOR THE GOVERNOR AS HE ROLLS OUT HIS BUDGET ADDRESS THIS WEEK.

IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE EXTRA MONEY.

HERE'S A BIG PART OF EXTRA CASH.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN THESE TYPES OF ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ARE MADE.

THE FISCAL YEAR RUNS TILL JUNE 30th.

WE ARE COMING INTO THE FINAL CRUCIAL MONTHS OF IT.

IT'S JUST THAT THIS YEAR, THE ADJUSTMENTS ARE QUITE REMARKABLE, IN THE SENSE THAT SO MUCH HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE REVENUE FORECAST FOR THE FULL FISCAL YEAR.

I THINK WHAT THIS SHOWS IS CONTINUED ECONOMIC TAILWINDS FOR THE STATE, WHICH HAS REALLY BEEN ON A ROLL, AT LEAST WITH TAX COLLECTIONS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AFTER THAT INITIAL DOWNTURN OCCURRED DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THIS APPEARS TO BE CONTINUING -- >> $3.7 BILLION.

HOW DOES THE ADMINISTRATION PLAN TO SPEND IT?

>> WHAT WE KNOW FROM LOOKING AT BUDGET DOCUMENTS, IT'S NOT QUITE SO LINEAR.

WE DO SEE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS SPENDING SIDE OF THE LEDGER.

THERE'S ABOUT $1 BILLION IN SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING THAT IS PLANNED BEFORE THE END OF JUNE 30th.

AND WAS ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED WHEN THE APPROPRIATION WAS APPROVED AT THE END OF JUNE.

WE DON'T HAVE INDIVIDUAL LINE ITEMS YET FOR THOSE APPROPRIATIONS.

IT'S A BIG NUMBER.

A SMALL PERCENTAGE RELATIVE TO TOTAL SPENDING BECAUSE THE STATE BUDGET IS ABOVE $50 BILLION NOW.

STILL ABOUT 1 BILLION IN SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND WE SEE GOVERNOR MURPHY APPARENTLY ASKING FOR MORE MONEY TO BE DEPOSITED INTO A STATE FUND THAT IS USED TO ADDRESS NEW JERSEY'S SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF BONDED DEBT.

THAT CAN BE USED TO PAY DOWN EXISTING DEBT AND PAY PROJECT ON WHAT IS KNOWN AS A PAY-AS-YOU-GO BASIS SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE THE COSTLY DEBT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE ALSO SEE EVIDENCE OF THE BUDGET RESERVES BEING INFLATED ALREADY AT A HIGH LEVEL RELATIVE TO HISTORICAL SURPLUSES AND PUSHING UP CLOSER TO THE $10 BILLION MARK THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WEEK.

>> IS ANOTHER CASE OF MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS.

REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WE GOT THIS EXTRA MONEY.

LET'S GIVE SOME OF IT BACK TO TAXPAYERS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY SHOULDERING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING RIGHT NOW.

ANY INDICATION THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONSIDER SOME TYPE OF DIRECT, MORE DIRECT RELIEF?

>> I DON'T THINK WE ARE SEEING ANY SIGNS OF THAT QUITE YET.

THERE'S ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OF POTENTIAL IN TERMS OF MONEY THAT GOES OUT VERSUS MONEY THAT COMES IN AND KEEPING MONEY IN RESERVE.

REALLY WHAT THAT ENABLES THE STATE TO DO IS WHENEVER THERE IS A DOWNTURN OR A RECESSION AND THE REVENUE STARTS TO PLUMMET, WE DON'T SEE BIG SPENDING CUTS WHEN THE REVENUES DROP OFF.

WE DON'T SEE THINGS LIKE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS HELD BACK.

THAT CAN BE ABSORBED BECAUSE YOU HAVE THESE BIG BUNCH OF RESERVES.

>> JOHN REITMEYER, THANKS, JOHN.

>> YOU CAN GET MORE DETAILS ON THE REVENUE BOOST AND THE STATE'S PLANS FOR THE MONEY BY CHECKING OUT THE FULL STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> ON WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

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

ANNOUNCING A RENEWED JERSEY BUSINESS SUMMIT AND EXPO.

MARCH 14th AND 15th IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT M.J. CHAMBER.COM.

>> A REMINDER TO CATCH AN BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE DIGS INTO THE STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND TALKS TO STATE ECONOMIC LEADERS ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET.

WATCH IT SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. STREAMING ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

AND FINALLY A BIG JERSEY WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST RESIDENTS.

DUKE FARMS AT HILLSBORO ADDING TO THE GROWING BALD EAGLE POPULATION IN NEW JERSEY.

ANOTHER POSITIVE SIGN FOR THE BIRDS FUTURE.

THE NATURE PRESERVE HAS AN EAGLE CAM AT A NEARBY TREE WITH A LIVE STREAM OF THE NEST.

IT'S ATTRACTED MILLIONS OF VIEWERS.

THEY ALL GOT THE CHANCE TO SEE THE HATCHLINGS BREAK THROUGH.

THEY ARE SO CUTE.

PUSHING THEIR WAY INTO THE WORLD ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

AN EAGLE COULD BE SEEN ON THE VIDEO PROTECTING THE HATCHLINGS AS A MOTHER AND FATHER DO.

THE NEW JERSEY BALD EAGLE REPORT RECORDED 250 ACTIVE NESTS IN THE STATE LAST YEAR AND 335 EAGLES BORN.

THE MOST IN DECADES.

THE LITTLE GUYS WILL NEED 10 TO 12 WEEKS BEFORE THEY ARE READY TO STRETCH THOSE WINGS AND FLY.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT AND DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE TOMORROW MORNING.

DAVID TALKS TO ASSEMBLYMAN RALPH CAPUTO ABOUT HIS DECISION TO RETIRE FROM THE LEGISLATURE AFTER FIVE DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

THEY DISCUSS THE CHANGING FACE OF THE LEGISLATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THIS WEEK'S BIG MEDICAL STORIES WITH A PANELIST OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS.

CATCH IT ON THE LOCAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY DR. P ROY AND DIANA.

MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE MARK HAAS FOUNDATION AND SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III.

AND THE CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.

>> I'M McMANUS.

2023 PRESIDENT OF NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

WHETHER IT IS HELPING FAMILIES FIND A PERFECT HOME OR SECURING STAYS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAVE BEEN HELPING CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR UNIQUE IN NEEDS ARE, THERE IS A NEW JERSEY REALTOR FOR YOU.

FIND YOURS AT NJ.REALESTATE/FIND.