>> FUNDING FOR AND A SPOTLIGHT IS PROVIDED BY MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW DAVE ONE OF HIS HEALTH, LET'S BE TOGETHER.

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

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

>> AT EVENING AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

IT IS BUDGET SEASON AGAIN TODAY AND IT KICKS OFF THE FIRST BUDGET ESTATE.

THE VIRTUAL APP CREATED DURING COVID WILL REMAIN.

LAWMAKERS SAYING IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT SAFETY CONCERNS AS IT IS A CHANCE TO ENCOURAGE MORE ENGAGEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC GOOD AND ABOUT HALF OF THE PUBLIC, 52% SAYING NEW JERSEY IS HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

INCLUDING ON AREAS LIKE AFFORDABILITY AND TAXES, AND HOW THE STATE IS HANDLING THE BUDGET PROCESS.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ SAT IN ON THE BUDGET HEARING TODAY TO SEE WHO IS ASKING FOR A PIECE OF THIS YEAR'S $49 BILLION PIE >> AT LEAST FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THOSE LOOKING FOR THE STATE TO HELP KEEP THE HUNDREDS OF NONPROFITS AROUND THE STATE FUNDED FOR THE YEAR.

THIS YEAR AGAIN, THE HEARING WAS A ZOOM AFFAIR COMPLETE WITH THE GLITCHES WE HAVE ALL COME TO EXPECT.

>> WELCOME BACK TO, KAREN FOR HAVING HARD TIME HEARING YOU.

>> ONCE THEY GOT GOING, THINGS MOVED QUICKLY BECAUSE MOSTLY THOSE WHOSE RESENTING TESTIMONY TODAY WERE VETERANS OF BUDGET HEARINGS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SIDE.

>> WE RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THIS MOVEMENT OF LEGISLATION TO REPLENISH THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND.

WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE STATE LEGISLATOR FOLLOW THE LEAD OF 30 OTHER STATES AND ENACT THAT LEGISLATION AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS AND FULLY REPLENISH THE UI FUND TO NOT ONLY ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE WITH CREATING TAX INCREASE, ADDING TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES PANDEMIC RELATED BURDENS.

>> TO THOSE WHO HAVE PRESENTED BUDGETS TO THE LEGISLATOR BEFORE.

>> MORNING, JEREMY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BEFORE YOU AND VICE CHAIR WIMBLEY AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TO A VARIETY OF NONPROFITS.

>> FROM NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION AGENCIES.

>> ON BEHALF OF THE NEW JERSEY POINT >> THIS IS A NONPROFIT NONPARTISAN ADVOCACY AFFILIATE OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.

>> IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES.

>> PROVIDING SERVICES TO MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS AROUND THE STATE.

>> THE PROGRAMS ANTICIPATE STATEWIDE LOSING UP TO $2 MILLION IN PRIVATE FUNDING BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.

SO STABLE STATE FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THAT WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT USE AND CHILDREN THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THIS CRISIS.

AND, WELL BEYOND.

>> COMMUNITY MEMBERS SEEM TO APPROVE OF THE PROCESS.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN US HIS A BUDGET, THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE BUDGET WILL STAY AS IS, AND THIS IS WHERE OBVIOUS IN THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

>> ANY SURPRISES SO FAR TODAY?

>> I THINK WE HAVE A MISUNDERSTANDING FOR THIS HAPPEN LAST YEAR TOO WHERE THERE IS A PERCEPTION DOES NOT MATCH THE REALITY WE STILL HAVE A 1 POINT.

1.74, LIKE ONE BILLION-DOLLAR STRUCTURE DEFICIT THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

>> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIKE YOUR BUDGET COMMITTEE ACTION LIVE, COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, PITOT MARINE SAYS SESSIONS WITH PARTNER COMMISSIONERS WILL BE IN COMMITTEE ROOMS.

>> REST OF THE HEARINGS I LIKE TO DO IN PERSON, RIGHT?

BECAUSE ESPECIALLY AS A COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE THEIR TEAMS IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO JUST KIND OF LOOK BACK AND TALK TO THEM AND FOR THOSE I THINK YOU GET A BETTER FEELING FOR EACH OTHER.

YOU FEEL WITH THE PERSON MIGHT BE ASKING AND YOU CAN KIND OF JUMP IN.

>> TODAY'S SESSION ENDED EARLY, A BENEFIT OF ZOOM, NO ACTUAL TEST FIRES TO MOVE IN AND OUT OF ACTUAL CHAIRS.

HERE, ALL THE CHAIRS WERE VIRTUAL, WHICH, WITH AN AVERAGE VIEWERSHIP IN THE 70s IS ABOUT AVERAGE FOR PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> RUSSIAN ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN TARGETS IN UKRAINE CONTINUED OVER THE WEEKEND WITH SOME OF THE WORST ATTACKS HAPPENING IN THE COASTAL CITY OF AN ART SCHOOL THAT HAS BEEN SERVING AS A BOMB SHELTER WAS HIT ON SUNDAY, TRAPPING LIKELY AROUND 400 PEOPLE UNDER THE RUBBLE.

MOSTLY WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND SENIORS.

BUT, UKRAINE HAS REMAINED DEFIANT, REFUSING TO SURROUND THE CITY TO RUSSIANS BY TODAY'S RUSSIAN IMPOSED DEADLINE.

CIVILIANS IN RUSSIA CAN TWIRLED REGIONS CONTINUING TO FACE THREATS ON THE GROUND INCLUDING LIMITED ACCESS TO FOOD, WATER, AND MEDICATION.

AND, MORE REPORTS OF KIDNAPPING FROM THE CITY OF MILLER TOPOL.

THIS MORNING, A FAMILY OF JOURNALISTS FROM THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN ABDUCTED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.

IN KIEV, A MALL WAS DECIMATED BY BOMBS WITH CLOSE TO ONE DOZEN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES REPORTED SO FAR.

AND WE HAVE GROWING CONCERNS THAT A GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS IS LOOMING.

UKRAINE IS A MAJOR EXPORTER OF WHEAT, CORN, AND BARLEY, WHICH ARE ALL STOCK IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

AND, FERTILIZERS ARE UNABLE TO EXPORT OUT OF RUSSIA AND BELARUS, ALL LEADING TO INCREASED FOOD COSTS WHICH ARE CONTRIBUTING TO GROWING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY BUBBLY.

SO, WHAT SHOULD THE U.S. AND ITS NATO PARTNERS BE DOING TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON PUTIN TO END THIS WAR?

JOINING ME NOW TO SHARE HIS TAKE IS REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN, CHRIS SMITH.

CONGRESSMAN, THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES CONTINUE TO MOUNT THIS WEEKEND.

WE SAW TARGETED CIVILIAN BOMB SHELTERS TARGETED?

YOU ARE CALLING RIGHT NOW TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WAR CRIMES.

HOW DOES U.S. AND NATO MAKE THAT HAPPEN QUESTION MY >> I BELIEVE VERY QUICKLY THAT IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL CANNOT DO IT BECAUSE THERE IS A VETO BY CHINA AND RUSSIA THEY WILL LIKELY BE USED, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN CONVENE A TRIBUNAL.

WE ALSO HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, WHICH OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS HAS NOT HAD A GOOD RECORD, BUT IT'S THERE.

IN ORDER TO UTILIZE, BUT IT SHOULD NOT WAIT, THE KEY IS BRANDING HIM FOR WHAT HE IS, AND WERE CRIMINAL.

NOW THEY ARE EVEN TARGETING RESCUE WORKERS WHICH IS ALSO A WAR CRIME.

AND OF COURSE, THE CIVILIANS AS YOU KNOW SO WELL ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED BY THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN, BY THE JETS, THE MISSILES, AND WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT NOW, AND THEN, BUILD THE CASE AFTER THAT.

BUT, THE WAR CRIMINAL BEGIN THE PROSECUTION.

>> ALREADY SET ASIDE BY THE RESPONSES SO FAR FROM THE U.S. AND NATO OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE DONE?

>> I THINK AS RESIDENT ZELENSKY HAS EVEN SAID HIMSELF, HE WANTS HIS PILOTS, YES, HE ASKED FOR A NO FLY ZONE BUT BY NATO, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, AND IT DID HAVE RISKS OF ELEVATING IT TO A U.S. NATO VERSUS RUSSIA WAR, BUT WITH THAT SAID, HE IS A VERY CONFIDENT PILOT WHO ARE TRAINED IN THE MIX AND MAY 29, IT COULD BE USED IN THE 28 OR MORE AND PULLEN SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE IMMEDIATELY.

WHEN THEY SPOKE TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS LAST WEEK, THERE WAS PROFOUND COME A BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ME FOR MAKING IT AVAILABLE IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE MAKES ON THE RUSSIAN SIDE THAT WERE WORKING OUT THE FIGHTERS, IT'S ALSO THE TANKS AND THE FIRING AS THEY CIRCLE ONE CITY AFTER ANOTHER, AND JUST BOMBARD, WELL, THOSE ARE STATIC TARGETS THAT COULD BE TARGETED HE HAS A FEW, BUT NOT ENOUGH.

>> AND YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT WILL TRIGGER WHAT POSSIBLY COULD BE A WORLD WERE?

>> NO I DON'T.

IF IT DID, THEN PROVIDING SINGERS AND HARPOON AND OTHER WEAPONRY FROM NATO AND THE UNITED STATES AND OUR ALLIES WILL ALSO TRIGGER IT.

>> THE WORLD IS WATCHING CHINA RIGHT NOW CLOSELY, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SANCTIONS ARE APPROPRIATE IF CHINA COMES INTO SUPPORT RUSSIA MILITARILY OR OFFSET SOME OF SANCTIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY I'VE WORKED ON CHINA FOR 40 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN THERE, I KNOW KNOW OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

THEY HAVE THEIR EYES SET ON TAIWAN.

THEY'VE ALREADY COMPLETELY OBLITERATED HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG.

AND I WAS THE SPONSOR OF THE DEMOCRACY ACT WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW.

THAT SAID, HE'S COMMITTING GENOCIDE AGAINST THE RULES AND MOVERS.

HE IS COMPLETELY OPPRESSING HIS OWN PEOPLE.

WE NEED MORE SANCTIONS ON CHINA ANYWAY, AND I WAS THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL THAT WOULD DO JUST THAT, BUT WITH THAT SAID, IF HE IS FURTHERING THE LEAD WITH PUTIN, YES, WE NEED TO LEAD REAL SANCTIONS.

>> WILL BE WATCHING REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTMAS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AS COVERED RESTRICTIONS OF THE STATE CONTINUES TO ROLLBACK IT CAN BE CONFUSING TO KNOW WHAT WE HAS INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE DOING NOW.

THE STATE IS SHIFTING ITS COVERED APPROACH FROM A PANDEMIC TO AN END IN MAY, SO, WILL MASKS BECOME A THING OF THE PAST WHICH MARK WILL WORKPLACES RETURN TO PRE- COVERED PROTOCOLS AND WHAT ABOUT TESTING?

AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES OF THE LIVING WITH COVID, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN TALKS WITH SEVERAL OF THE STATES LEADING INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS ABOUT WHAT THEY RECOMMEND YOU DO DURING THIS UNCERTAIN TIME.

>> IF I'M GOING TO THE MOVIES I'M STILL WEARING A MASK, AND I AM PROBABLY WAITING UNTIL AFTERWARDS TO YOU MY POPCORN AND HAVE MY BEVERAGE.

>> LIKE MANY OF US, EPIDEMIOLOGIST, STEPHANIE SILVERA IS REACHING OUT FOR A NORMAL LIFE, BACK IN THE OFFICE, PERHAPS DINING OUT BUT ALWAYS CALCULATING THE RISK OF COVID.

PEOPLE FEEL FREER WITH MOST MASK RESTRICTIONS GONE, AND COVID CASE THOSE TRENDING DOWN.

BUT, THE NEW ONE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BE A TWO VIRUS VARIANT IS SPREADING FAST.

>> I SUSPECT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL SEE CASE NUMBERS GO UP AGAIN.

THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS TRENDING UP AND AT LEAST I THINK FIVE OR SIX COUNTIES RIGHT NOW.

IT'S ABOUT ONE AGAIN.

>> I THINK WE STILL HAVE TO BE ON ALERT, I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP HER MASK NEARBY.

>> WITH CASES DECLINING, SOME FOLKS WANT TO BREAK LOOSE AND TRAVEL.

DR. JUDITH LIGHTFOOT SAYS THEY WANT OFFICIAL REASSURANCES ABOUT RISKS WITH COVID OUTBREAKS AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS.

>> TRAVEL CLINICS ARE PICKING UP INDIVIDUALS ARE COMING IN FOR INFORMATION.

STARTING TO GET REQUESTS FROM PEOPLE COMING IN TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES.

AND, COMMIT TRAVEL SAFELY TOO.

AND WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN VACCINATED OR NOT, JUST WHAT THE INCIDENTS ARE.

>> I THINK WE CAN GO BACK TO 2019 YET.

>> DR. MARTIN BLASER SEES THE PUBLIC PUSHING FOR A RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC LIFE, HE SAID IT WILL HAPPEN FASTER IF PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED EVEN IF THEY HAD COVID.

MASK MANDATES MAY BE LIFTED, BUT THE RISK OF COVID REMAINS.

>> PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED, THEY SAY DOESN'T THE GOVERNMENT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON?

BUT, THE SITUATION IS, KEEPS CHANGING.

AND, WE HAVE TO ADAPT TO IT AS IT CHANGES.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY FELT THAT IT WAS OVER.

AND I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHY, BUT IT'S NOT.

>> DIRECTORS DR. SAYS PEOPLE HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR AND THEY WANT THE PANDEMIC TO BE OVER.

BUT, FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE STILL WORKING OFF DETAILS, INCLUDING BOOSTERS AND RISK LEVELS AS THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO MUTATE.

>> WE COULD BOOST EVERY SIX MONTHS OR THREE MONTHS, AND IF YOUR METRIC IS WE WANT REALLY HIGH ANTIBODY LEVELS, THEN YOU PROBABLY NEED TO BOOST EVERY SIX MONTHS.

BUT, IF YOUR METRIC IS, WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE IN AN ICU OR A VENTILATOR, THEN I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO BOOST AT ALL.

RIGHT QUESTION MARK >> SO WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD CUSTOMER GOVERNOR MURPHY AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER, JUDY RECENTLY STATED AT THIS TIME, WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY NEED TO REINSTATE UNIVERSAL STATEWIDE MANDATED PROTECTIVE MEASURES.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO MANAGE COVID 20, NOR ARE WE IMPERVIOUS TO THE VIRUS.

WE EXPECT OVER TO CONTINUE TO MUTATE AND CASES TO CONTINUE TO EBB AND FLOW.

PEOPLE NEED TO FOCUS ON THEIR FAMILIES, DR. FISHER SAYS.

>> IS BECAUSE HIM EDIT HIS MOTHER DOES NOT MEAN THAT I CANNOT WEAR MY MASK.

>> THAT'S WHY SHE'S URGING PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND DO THE COVID MASK, FIGURE OUT WHO IS VULNERABLE AND THE FAMILY LIKE AGING GRANDPARENTS, KIDS UNDER FIVE WHO STILL CANNOT GET COLOR CHARTS, PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES.

>> THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR COUNTRY IS THAT WE DO HAVE LIBERTY, THE ABILITY TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS, AND MANY TIMES, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE BAD DECISIONS.

SO, THINK AGAIN EVERYBODY GOT TO LOOK AT YOUR OWN PARTICULAR SITUATION.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> CONFIRMATION HEARINGS STARTED TODAY FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE NOMINEE.

THIS CONFIRMED SHE WILL BECOME THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT REPLACING JUSTICE STEPHEN BREYER WHO WILL RETIRE THE SUMMER.

>> IF I'M CONFIRMED, I COMMIT TO YOU THAT I WILL WORK PRODUCTIVELY TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, AND THIS GRAND EXPERIMENT OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY THAT HAS ENDURED OVER THESE PAST 246 YEARS.

>> THE PUBLIC SUPPORTS TEXAS NOMINATION BY 2-1 MARGIN ACCORDING TO A NATIONAL POLL FROM MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY.

BUT, THERE IS STILL A LONG ROAD AHEAD IS THE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS PLAY OUT IN A PROCESS THAT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY PARTISAN.

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE THIS WEEK, CODING OF RUTGERS CAMDEN MOSCOW.

>> WHAT YOU EXPECT TO SEE THIS WEEK AS WE WATCH THE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS PLAY OUT FOR JACKSON?

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CRITICISMS THAT MAY COME, STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF HER?

>> SO I WILL START WITH THE POSITIVES, YOU'VE SEEN SOME OF THAT THIS MORNING IN THE OPENING STATEMENTS.

SHE IS AN EMINENTLY QUALIFIED NOMINEE.

RIGHT?

SHE'S HAD THREE FEDERAL COURT COURT SHIPS, SHE'S BEEN ON THE SENTENCING COMMISSION, SHE'S BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE THREE TIMES ALREADY, VERY DISTINGUISHED CAREER, HARVARD UNDERGRAD, HARVARD LAW, SO PEOPLE ARE RIGHTFULLY VERY IMPRESSED BY WHAT SHE BRINGS TO THE TABLE, AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS GOING TO COME OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK.

THE NEGATIVES, WE HAVE SORT OF BEEN SEEING ALREADY, RIGHT QUESTION MARKS WE GOT SENATOR HOLLY WHO IS STARTING TO MAKE THESE CLAIMS OF DUTCH JACKSON BEING SOFT ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHERS, AND SO I THINK WHAT WE SAW THIS MORNING WAS FOLKS, REPUBLICANS TAKING THIS POSITION OF THERE IS SOMETHING NEFARIOUS ABOUT HOW SHE CAME TO BE THE NOMINEE.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THAT IS THE DIRECTION THAT FOLKS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE ARE GOING TO TAKE WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> YEAH, SOME OF THE CRITICISM IS THE TENURE, HER TENURE ON THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS AND THE DC CIRCUIT, WHICH IS HER TENURE, DOES HER TENURE AS A JUDGE INDICATE HOW SHE MIGHT RULE IF SHE WERE CONFIRMED TO THE SUPREME COURT?

>> WELCOME ANYTIME YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO ACTUALLY HAS A RECORD, AS A JUDGE, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CRITIQUE THAT RECORD.

AND, THE QUESTION I THINK THAT YOU WANT TO BE ASKING YOURSELF IS, YOU KNOW, IS THIS A PERSON WHO FOLLOWS THE LAW?

AND WHO DOES SO IN A WAY THAT IS TRANSPARENT AND CONSISTENT?

AND, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO LOOK FOR.

SHE WAS A PUBLIC DEFENDER AT ONE POINT.

ALSO CRITICIZED FOR DEFENDING SOME FOLKS FROM GUANTANAMO BAY.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT HER QUESTION >> THINK WHAT IT TELLS US ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE IS A PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK.

IF IT IS NOT CONSTITUTIONALLY SOUND, AND BEING CONSTITUTIONALLY SOUND REQUIRES THAT THERE ARE PROSECUTORS AND THERE ARE PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

>> SHE POSSIBLY COULD BE THE FIRST DOCUMENT TO SIT ON THE SUPREME COURT, YOU, YOURSELF HAVE BROKEN MOLDS AS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN IN YOUR POSITION.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BLACK WOMAN AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> IT IS JUST EXTRAORDINARY, AND IT IS SUCH A WONDERFUL FEELING TO FINALLY SEE THIS PARTICULAR GLASS CEILING BEING SHATTERED.

ESPECIALLY BY SOMEONE WHO AS I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, HIS QUALIFICATIONS ARE SIMPLY NOT IMPEACHABLE, SHE IS REALLY FANTASTIC AND I JUST THINK ABOUT ALL THE LITTLE BROWN AND BLACK GIRLS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT HER AND SAY WOW, I CAN BE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, AND THAT IS PRETTY FANTASTIC.

>> YOU ARE CONFIDENT SHE WILL BE CONFIRMED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES IN THE NATION, BUT IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE MOST SEGREGATED.

ONE REASON FOR THAT CONSTRUCT REAL ESTATE POLICIES THAT CONTINUE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST BLACK RESIDENTS AND WIDEN RACIAL WEALTH GAPS.

ALYSSA ROSE COOPER TAKES A LOOK AT THE BIAS THAT STILL EXIST IN THE INDUSTRY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CHANGE IT.

>> THERE WERE THESE REDLINING AND DISCRIMINATORY LENDING PRACTICES OCCURRING, NOT THAT FAR AGO IN OUR HISTORY IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT DOES RAISE THE QUESTION, HAS ANYONE THAT THE APPRAISAL TOOLS THAT ARE STILL BEING USED?

IN THE ASSUMPTIONS BEING MADE ABOUT THEM NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE HOMES ARE AND THE VALUES QUESTION >> CONCERNS CAN BE ADDRESSED BY SHARING HER STORY.

THE NORTH NATIVE HAS BEEN LIVING IN THE HOME FOR THE PAST 4 1/2 YEARS, BUT THE PROCESS TO SELL HER PREVIOUS CONDO HAD SOME CHALLENGES.

>> I WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE AN OFFER, AN EXCESS OF WHAT I HAD PUBLISHED.

HOWEVER, ONCE THE BUYERS MORTGAGE COMPANY CONDUCTED AN APPRAISAL, THE APPRAISAL CAME AT IN AT A NUMBER THAT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT $50,000 LESS THAN WHAT HE HAD OFFERED ME TO PURCHASE THE HOME.

>> SO, WILLIAMS EDMONDS WAS FORCED TO COVER MY, LOSING ABOUT $20,000 IN THE DEAL.

AND, WHEN IT CAME TO LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE, >> TWO OF THE THREE HOMES I PLACED OFFERS ON THE SAME PHENOMENON OCCURRED.

THE PRICE THAT I WAS WILLING TO PAY WAS HIGHER THAN WHAT THE HOUSES WERE APPRAISING FOR.

>> AFTER THE FOURTH TRY, SHE WAS FEELING THAT APPRAISERS MAY HAVE BEEN SHORTCHANGING HER BECAUSE OF HER RACE, IT IS STILL DISHEARTENING.

THAT IS WHY THERE IS NOT PUSH FOR CHANGE.

>> A DOCTOR, IF THE GET THERE DR. LICENSE EXPENDED SOMETHING ELECTED OFFICIAL, WE HAVE TO HIT THEM IN THEIR POCKET TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

>> ASSEMBLYWOMAN, AND OF THEM McKNIGHT IS BEHIND THE BILL THAT WOULD HOLD APPRAISERS ENGAGING IN DISCUSSION AT REHOUSING PRACTICES MORE ACCOUNTABLE.

IN THE PAST, APPRAISERS COULD HAVE A LICENSE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED.

IT'S AN INITIATIVE McKNIGHT SAYS CAME TO MIND AFTER HER AFRICAN AMERICAN FRIENDS HOME WAS GIVEN A LESSER VALUE THAN A NEIGHBOR WHO LIVED A FEW HOUSES AWAY AND HAPPEN TO BE WHITE.

>> AND THEN WE STARTED RESEARCHING, AND THEN ALSO, IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE NATIONWIDE SINCE 2018, A REPORT CAME OUT STATING THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS HOMES ARE LOWER VALUE THEN CAUCASIANS.

>> THE HOUSING ACT OF 1968 REQUIRES APPRAISERS TO PROVIDE FAIRHOLM ASSESSMENTS REGARDLESS OF RACE, BUT BECAUSE THEY DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES STILL HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY IN NEW JERSEY DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES.

>> AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THE RACIAL OWNERSHIP GAP IS $160,000, BUT IN NEW JERSEY, IT'S EVEN LARGER AT $300,000, MAKING NEW JERSEY HOME TO HAVING ONE OF THE LARGEST RACIAL WEALTH GAPS IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE RACIAL HOME OWNERSHIP GAP IS EVEN LARGER IN NEW JERSEY THAN IT IS NATIONALLY WHERE THE COOWNERSHIP RATE IN NEW JERSEY IS ONLY 38.4% COMPARED TO 75.9% FOR WHITE NEW JERSEYANS.

>> AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE MINORITIES, WE BUY HOMES SO THAT WE CAN CREATE WEALTH.

JUST AS WELL AS OUR CAUCASIAN COUNTERPARTS, SO WHY CAN'T WE CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH AND ALSO, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THE VALUE OF OUR HOUSE APPRAISED AS IT SHOULD, AND NOT WHAT SOMEONE THINKS.

>> THE BILL WAS RECENTLY REINTRODUCED IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO TAKING STEPS TO LAUNCH A MULTIAGENCY EFFORT TO REWRITE RULES TO COMBAT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.

FOUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> MORE CAR BUYERS ARE OPTING FOR ELECTRONIC VEHICLES DUE TO HIGHER GAS PRICES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON THE STATES PLANS TO EXPAND THE MARKET PLUS ALL THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES OF THE DAY, RATHER, CAN THE STATE KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR MORE CHARGING STATIONS?

>> JOANNA, FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, ONE COMPLAINT THEY HAVE IS, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CHARGING STATIONS THAT IS CHANGING THEM IN NEW JERSEY.

TODAY, THERE WERE TWO SEPARATE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON PLANS TO EXPAND THE CHARGING STATIONS.

AT AN EVENT IN ASBURY PARK, THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ANNOUNCED THE AWARDING OF TWO DOZEN GRANTS TOTALING MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR CHARGING STATIONS AND TOURIST DESTINATIONS AROUND THE STATE.

AND THEN, SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ ANNOUNCED THE CITY'S PLANS TO USE FEDERAL FUNDING TO BUY ADDITIONAL EV STATIONS.

STATE LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO COME UP WITH IDEAS ON HOW TO PROVIDE NEW JERSEY DRIVERS WITH RELIEF FROM HIGH GAS PRICES.

THIS HAS BEEN CALLS FOR DECREASING THE GAS TAX FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS AND LEGISLATION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE A $500 TAX CREDIT TO TAXPAYERS IN ORDER TO HELP COUNTER THOSE HIGH GAS PRICES, AND INFLATION.

ONE OF THE LATEST IDEAS COMES FROM STATE SENATOR SHIRLEY TURNER WHO PLAYS TO INTRODUCE A BILL TO RESTORE A LOWER GAS TAX RATE.

FOR THE LATEST, RITA JOHN REITMEYER'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> A NEW PROGRAM AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SEEKS TO HELP BUSINESS OWNERS OF COLOR WHO ARE RETIRING.

ACCORDING TO RUTGERS PROFESSOR, BILL CASTELLANO, WHILE MANY ARE NEARING RETIREMENT, ONLY ONE THIRD HAVE A SUCCESSION PLAN.

>> THERE'S A GENERAL TREND CALLED A SILVER TSUNAMI WHERE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE NEARING RETIREMENT.

I THINK NEARLY 50% OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO OWN BUSINESSES ARE ALSO NEARING RETIREMENT.

>> RUTGERS HAS LAUNCHED A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE WITH DESIGNED TO KEEP THIS BUSINESS IS GOING AND PRESERVE JOBS.

IT IS A FREE ONLINE PROGRAM THAT GUIDES BY PARK IS IS OURS ON HOW TO SELL THEIR COMPANIES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES OR SET UP A WORKER COOPERATIVE.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON HOW WALL STREET CLOSED TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP NEWS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION, ONLINE AT CHAMBERSMJ.COM >>> THEY DON'T CALL MARCH MADNESS FOR NOTHING.

SEE PETERS UNIVERSITY HAS QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF THE GREATEST CINDERELLA STORIES IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY.

AFTER TAKING DOWN THE NUMBER 2 SEED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT LAST WEEK, THE PEACOCKS WENT ON TO KNOCK OFF THE NUMBER 7 SEED, MURRAY STATE THIS PAST SATURDAY.

THAT WHEN EARNED A SPOT IN THE UPCOMING SWEET 16 TOURNAMENT, THEIR HEAD COACH HOLLOWAY WAS QUOTED AS SAYING I'VE GOT GUYS FROM NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK CITY, YOU THINK WE ARE SCARED OF ANYTHING?

THAT IS THE ATTITUDE THEY WERE TAKEN TO THEIR FIRST SWEET 16 GAME THIS FRIDAY.

AND, THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT BEFORE WE GO, WE WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT A NEW DIGITAL DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES WE ARE WATCHING TODAY.

IT IS CALLED 21, NAMED AFTER THE 21 COUNTIES OF NEW JERSEY.

THE SERIES WILL TELL THE STORY OF ONE PERSON FROM EACH COUNTY, AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, DOES WHERE YOU LIVE AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?

THE GOAL IS TO HIGHLIGHT QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUES, POINTS TO SOLUTIONS, AND HELP INITIATE CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

21 FILM SERIES ALSO HAS A DYNAMIC WEBSITE, HIGHLIGHTING LIFE AND HEALTH HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE, SO, CHECK IT OUT AT MYANDKPBS.ORG.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> AND JM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ARE MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSE G FOUNDATION.

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS BUT WHO ARE THE POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJ THREE, WE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.