[MUSIC] >> FROM NJ PBS.

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM JOANNA.

WE ARE FULL SWING INTO BUDGET SEASON AS LAWMAKERS BEGIN TO ROLL OUT THE SPENDING PLAN KEY ITEMS FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY NEARLY 11 BILLION DOLLARS IN STATE AID FOR SCHOOLS, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS, INCREASED TAX TAX CREDITS.

DAVID CRUZ WHERE THE PUBLIC LINED UP TO TAKE THEIR SHOT HOW THE MONEY COULD BE SPENT.

>> LIKE A SPRING TRAINING GAME OPPORTUNITY FOR NON PROFITS, INTEREST GROUPS AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO WORK ON THEIR PITCHING.

>> PLEASE SUPPORT 3% ACROSS FOR DDD COMMUNITY PROVIDERS INFORMATION TO SUPERVISORS AND SUPPORT COORDINATION.

I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST LEGISLATURE INCREASE FUNDING FROM RED CROSS FROM 1 MILLION TO 2 MILLION TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE VITAL SERVICES.

>> WE ARE ASKING FOR 10 MILLION DOLLARS INVESTED IN DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOPING PIPELINES IN THE EDUCATION WORKFORCE AS WELL.

>> WOULDN'T BE BUDGET SEASON IF THERE WASN'T AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE LOST STATE AID, EVEN AFTER OR ESPECIALLY AFTER SENATE VOTED TO APPROVE RESTORING 102 MILLION TO SELECTED DISTRICTED YESTERDAY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ASKING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

[LAUGHTER].

>> SOMETHING DESPERATELY AND INDEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THERE IS NO WAY A SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN PREPARE FOR A CUT OF 53%.

>> I HAVE CUT OVER 15% OF STAFF AND LOWEST SPENDING DISTRICT SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE MOST EXPENSIVE DISTRICT ONLY HAVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> EVERYBODY HAD THEIR TIME YESTERDAY, SO.

>> I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN THIS BUDGET.

CERTAINLY FROM RESPECT OF PUBLIC POLICY.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YEARS AGO.

>> SCHOOL FUNDING CONUNDRUM WAS NOT SOLVED.

THIS ELECTION YEAR BUDGET IS MOSTLY SET.

THERE WILL HOWEVER BE EARMARKS OR CHRISTMAS ITEMS OR PORK ADDED IN THE FINAL ITEMS AT THE END OF THE SEASON LIKE A WILD CARD.

SENATOR TESTA LAMENTING VERY EXISTENCE IN AN AREA WHERE SCHOOLS HAVE TO GO BEGGING FOR CRA CRAYONS.

>> OUTSIDE OF ANY FAIR FORMULA OR PROCESS.

12 MILLION DOLLARS FOR NEW FRENCH ART MUSEUM.

20 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ARTIFICIAL SPORTS FEELS, INCLUDING CRICKET AND RUGBY FIELD.

HIGH SCHOOL IN NEWARK, HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT $620,000.

I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BALANCE THOSE LINE ITEMS WHEN THERE ARE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE VERY, VERY SPECIAL NEEDS.

>> THIS BUDGET STANDS JUST OVER 53 BILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW.

IT IS EARLY.

IN AN ELECTION YEAR WITH THE STATE STILL FLUSHED WITH FEDERAL COVID CASH, THAT NUMBER COULD CHANGE AS DEMOCRATS WHO CONTROL THE PURSE STRINGS GET INTO MID SEASON FORM.

I AM DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> LONG AND HARDOUS PROCESS.

JOHN JOINS ME TO TALK THROUGH WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

DAVID JUST MENTIONED IN HIS PIECE BUDGET PLEADING SEASON WHERE FOLKS ARE MAKING THEIR CASE FOR WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE.

HOW MUCH DOES THIS PROCESS PLAY INTO THE FINAL BUDGET NUMBERS?

>> NICE TO BE WITH YOU JOANNA.

IT CAN GO ONE OF TWO WAYS, WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS TESTIMONY INFLUENCED THE DECISIONS LAWMAKERS MAKE LATER IN THE YEAR WHEN THEY WRITE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL BEFORE JULY 1 START OF THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

JUST LAST YEAR, A LOT OF CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT CHILD CARE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE ENENDED UP SEEING NEW CHILD TAX CREDIT.

AND OTHER LEGISLATION IN RESPONSE TO SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.

CERTAINLY, THEY GET ATTENTION OF LAWMAKERS.

DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING THAT EVERY AS WE LISTEN TO HOURS OF TESTIMONY -- SOME OF THE BIG PICTURE ITEMS MAYBE NOT EVERYTHING PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE CRITICIZING WHAT WE HAVE CALLED CHRISTMAS ITEMS, PORK BARREL SENDING.

SENATOR SAYING THERE IS ENOUGH PORK TO HOLD A LOU ALL AND FEED THE STATE.

>> LATE JUNE, MAJORITY DEMOCRATS HAVE ADDED MILLIONS IN SPENDING TO THE FINAL BUDGET.

RIGHT BEFORE IT GOES UP FOR FINAL VOTES.

ALL OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSAL GET A LONG REVIEW, LAST MINUTE ITEMS THAT THE MAJORITY INSERTS INTO THE BUDGET FUNDING FOR OTHER COMMUNITY PROJECTS, REALLY A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROPOSALS GET FUNDED IN THAT WAY AT THE LAST MINUTE.

THEY DON'T QUITE GET THE SAME REVIEW.

AMOUNT OF MONEY INCREASES WE ARE HEARING THE COMPLAINTS GET LOUDER AND LOUDER.

SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS.

>> EVEN WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND BILL WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, LIKELY TO BE 102 MILLION DOLLARS SET ASIDE FOR EDUCATION FUNDING.

EVEN STILL SEEING DISTRICTS SHOW UP PLEADING FOR MORE MONEY.

WHAT DOES THIS STEL US ABOUT THE N NEED FOR MORE STATE AID?

>> WE ARE STARTING TO SEE AGAIN THIS YEAR EVEN WITH RECORD SPENDING PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY, WE ARE HEARING ABOUT ALL THE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY: ADDICTION SERVICES, SOCIAL PROGRAMS, EDUCATION AID, STATE WOULD SPEND 11 BILLION ON K-12 FORMULA AID.

AND YET WE HAVE DISTRICTS THAT ARE FACING CUTS THAT WOULD BE A BIT SMALLER AND LEGISLATION FAST TRACKED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, STILL FACING CUTS AND THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE CURRENT SCHOOL FUNDING LAW AND HOW IT IS OPERATING NOW SEVERAL YEARS AFTER LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR MURPHY MADE TWEAKS.

THAT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF TESTIMONY.

>> JOHN, GOOD TO KNOW, YOU ARE OVERSEEING THIS PROCESS AS ALL.

THANK YOU, JOHN.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS SEEING A SCARY TREND, ONE-THIRD OF NURSES HAVE DROPPED OUT SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS ACTUALLY ABOUT BURN OUT NURSES ARE EXPECTED TO DO TOO MUCH THAN WHAT IS POSSIBLE OR SAFE.

YESTERDAY NURSES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO INCREASE STAFFING.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER THERE TO HEAR THEIR DEMANDS THEY SAY ARE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

>> WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT LONGER.

WE MUST DEMAND A VOICE.

>> STAFFING SHORTAGE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THEY WANT LAWMAKERS TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WILL MANDATE NURSE TO PATIENT RATIOS IN HOSPITALS.

>> I AM NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS NURSING SHORTAGE, THIS MANDATE, I HAVE LIVED IT.

STILL LIVING IT.

THIS WOULD SOLVE THE NURSING SHORTAGE IF WE HAD A STATE MANDATED NURSE-PATIENT RATIO.

>> NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO PASS THIS BILL TO STOP THE EXODUS FROM HOSPITALS OF DEDICATED NURSES AND OTHER HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

>> HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND EMPLOYEES STAFFING SHORTAGES CREATE EXTREME BURN OUT ON THE JOB FORCING MORE AND MORE FRONTLINE WORKERS TO LEAF THE FIELD.

>> 30% HAVE LEFT THE BEDSIDE.

OF THOSE WHO REMAIN, 72% WANT TO LEAVE.

OF THOSE WHO HAVE 0-5 YEARS EXPERIENCE, 95% WANT TO LEAVE.

>> HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE STAFFING SHORTAGE FAR TOO LONG STRESSING THEM OUT AND PUTTING PATIENTS AT RISK.

>> SHORT STAFFING RESULTS IN INCREASED PATIENT MORALITY -- MORTALITY, EXCUSE ME.

UNABLE TO ACCURATELY PROVIDE CARE NECESSARY.

LOWEST PATIENT SATISFACTION AND LOWEST NURSE'S JOB SATISFACTION, LONGER LENGTH OF STAYS.

>> NOT EVERYONE AGREES HAVING A MANDATED RATIO IS THE ANSWER ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION WHO SAY ENFORCING THIS MEASURE WOULDN'T BE IN THE PATIENT'S BEST INTEREST.

LASZ THREE YEARS HAVE TAUGHT US THEY NEED TO MAKE CLINICAL EXPERTISE TO MAKE BEST DECISIONS FOR PATIENTS.

IT CHANGES ON A SHIFT BY SHIFT BASIS AND BASED ON PATIENT ACUITY AND TURN OVER, AVAILABILITY OF SUPPORT STAFF AND SKILL MIX AND SETTING OF CARE.

2020, GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED IN A SIMILAR MEASURE.

SOME LTC INDUSTRY SAY STAFFING RATIO IS HURTING PATIENT CARE FORCING NURSING HOMES TO HIRE AND RETAIN ANY CNA THEY CAN FIND WITHOUT REGARD TO QUALITY WHILE INFLATING COSTS.

>> I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING BEST AS THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE STAFFING IS ADEQUATE.

IT IS A CHALLENGE WHEN THEY ARE FACING STAFF SHORTAGES.

TOP PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ATTACKING AND MAINTAINING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE FIELD.

>> FORCIBLE STANDARDS EFFECT RETENTION OF NURSES IN HOSPITAL BEDSIDE JOBS.

ENFORCEABLE STAFFING STANDARDS MAKE WORK ENVIRONMENT SAFER FOR BOTH PATIENTS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

BENEFITS HOSPITALS BY SAVING THEM MONEY!

DON'T BELIEVE FOR A SECOND THAT IT WILL COST THEM MORE MONEY.

IT WILL SAVE MONEY.

>> ALSO BEING CONSIDERED IN THE ASSEMBLY.

ADVOCATES CALLING TO GET LAWMAKERS TO PUSH LEGISLATION THROUGH.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, OLDEST PRIVATE BUS COMPANY IN THE STATE DECAMP ENDING APRIL 7TH.

COMPANY ONCE A PREMIER TRANSPORTATION LINE NEW JERSEY INTO NEW YORK CITY, ON THE 3366, 44 AND 99 ROUTES AND MORE.

COMMUTING SERVICE IS NO LONGER SUSTAINABLE.

LEFT THEM WITH 20% OF PCOVID RIDERSHIP.

>> FED CONSIDERING WHETHER TO RAISE INTEREST RATES FOR THE 9TH TIME IN THE LAST YEAR.

MAY HOLD AFTER THE UNCERTAIN INDUSTRY IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY SLOW DOWN IN FIRST TIME HOME BUYERSHIP.

THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO FOLKS DELAYING HOME PURCHASES FOR A FEW YEARS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LOOKS AT THE NUMBERS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THOSE STARTING OFF IN LIFE.

>> FIRST TIME BUYERS REACHING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM.

MEDIAN SALE PRICE OF A NEW JERSEY HOME TOPPED $421,000 IN JANUARY.

MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES PUSHING 7% INTEREST RATES WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT?

>> THEY WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY.

THEY HAVE TO BE A LITTLE MORE PATIENT.

2023 WILL BE A DIFFICULT YEAR IN REAL ESTATE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE INCREASE IN INVENTORY.

>> A FLAT MARKET DESPITE A BOOST IN SPRINGTIME LISTING AND CHANGE IN FIRST-TIME BUYERS.

>> LET'S PUT THE BRAKES ON.

WE ARE IN NO RUSH S. AVERAGE AGE OF A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER INCREASED FROM 33-36.

>> LAST YEAR ONLY 26% OF U.S. HOME SALES WENT TO FIRST TIME BUYERS, MEDIAN PRICES RANKING, 757,000 MORRIS TO 540,000 TO 510,000 IN ESZ ESSUX COUNTY.

>> BIDDING WARS CONTINUE WHEN SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S HOTTEST HOUSING SPOTS, FIRST TIME BUYERS LOOKING AROUND NORTH JERSEY FOR 18 MONTHS.

>> THEY HAVE SEEN 30-40 HOMES.

OFFERS AND REJECTED DUE TO HIGHER OFFER OR BID.

>> NEED TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN PRICES THEY ARE WILLING TO OFFER.

>> REAL ESTATE EXPERT SUSPECTS WITH MARKETS BANKS COULD BECOME STRICTER WHEN QUALIFYING FOLKS FOR MORTGAGES.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO PONY UP?

>> 10% 40,000, 10,000 PLUS FOR CLOSING COSTS.

SHOULD BE CARRYING $50,000 IN YOUR OWN LIQUID ASSETS TO BE ABLE TO PUT INTO THIS PURCHASE.

20% MAKES MORE AFFORDABLE.

FIRST TIME BUYERS RARELY HAVE THAT.

>> OTHER EXPECTS PRICES TO DRIFT DOWNWARD INTEREST RATES REMAIN HIGH SOME GOOD NEWS.

NEW JERSEY DOES OFFER GRANTS FOR ELIGIBLE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS, TRIED AND TRUE BANK OF MOM AND DAD.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN BORROWING FROM PARENTS.

PARENTS HAVE BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO LOAN MONEY DEPLETING THEIR EQUITIES.

THEN PAYING THEM BACK.

>> NOT EVERYONE CAN COUNT ON BANKING WITH THEIR PARENTS, FOR MANY TIMES THAT MEANS WAITING FOR MARKET TO SETTLE DOWN SO THEY CAN SETTLE DOWN TOO.

IN WEST NEW YORK, BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> REASSURING INVESTORS AMID THE BANKING UNCERTAINTY.

HERE IS HOW THEY CLOSED.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE AT NEW JERSEYAM WATER.COM.

>> MESSAGE SIMPLE BUT STARK, TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SAVE THE PLANET.

EARTH ON TRACK TO REACH CRITICAL THRESHOLD THAT WILL LEAD TO DANGEROUS OVERHEATING CATASTROPHIC RESULTS IN THE NEXT DECADE.

ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST IF COUNTRIES ARE WILLING TO MAKE DRASTIC SHIFTS AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

PERIL AND PROMISE EXAMINING HUMAN IMPACT BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR TO THAT U.N. REPORT.

BOB, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

I HAVE TO SAY THE MESSAGE FEELS DIRE, EARTH IN TROUBLE.

WHAT WILL BE THE GLOBAL IMPACTS IF COLLECTIVELY NATIONS DON'T CHANGE COURSE?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE ON TRACK FOR EXCEEDING THE ONE AND A HALF DEGREE CELSIUS TARGET SET OUT IN PARIS AGREEMENT BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT DECADE OR SO.

IN ORDER TO AVOID OVERSHOOTING, WE NEED TO BE ON A TRAJECTORY TO GET EMISSIONS RAPIDLY TO 0.

IF WE WANT TO STAY AT THAT TARGET, WE WOULD NEED TO GET GLOBAL NET CARBON DIOXIDE AND 50% REDUCTIONS BY THE END OF THIS DECADE.

THAT IS VERY AMBITIOUS.

ONE AND A HALF DEGREE C MAKES HEAT WAVES MORE SEVERE.

SEA LEVELS RISE FASTER.

CHALLENGES WE ALL FACE PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOME AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED LESS.

MAKES CHALLENGES MORE SEVERE.

EVERY INCREMENT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THE ULTIMATE MAGNITUDE.

>> U.N. REPORT RECOMMENDS SHIFTING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IN A DRAMATIC WAY.

WHAT SHOULD THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> WELL, WHAT THE REPORT SAYS IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCENARIOS INSISTENT WITH THE TARGETS AND THE NATIONS AND WORLD AGREE, THAT MEANS THE MORE STRINGENT TARGETS ONE AND A HALF DEGREES CELSIUS, NET ZERO CARBON DIOXIDE.

IT WOULD REQUIRE 3-THREE TO SIX MORE TIMES THAN WHAT WE HAVE INVESTED N. TERMS OF DOLLARS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN HERE IN THE U.S., CAN WE AFFORD IT?

>> QUESTION IS WHAT CAN'T WE AFFORD?

RIGHT.

IN MANY CASES, IN FACT, THESE ARE INVESTMENTS THAT SAVE US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN.

NOT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE AVOIDING IT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE WORLD TODAY, SOLAR ENERGY TEND TO BE THE CHEAPEST SOURCE OF ENERGY.

A LOT OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES WHERE WE SPEND MONEY UP FRONT TO SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN.

TRANSITION IS NOT FREE.

IT WILL REQUIRE SPENDING MONEY.

CONTINUING TO INVEST IN FOSSIL FUELS AND DUMP CARBON DIOXIDE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, THESE BARE COSTS.

IT IS A TRADE-OFF SPENDING MONEY NOW TO GET THINGS IN SOME CASES DIRECTLY BENEFITTING OUR HEALTH.

SO THE REPORT TALKS ABOUT THE AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION BENEFITS WOULD BE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR ITSELF.

AS WELL AS, THE BENEFITS OF NOT CONTINUING TO TURN UP THE PLANETARY THERMOSTAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED WHO IS IMPACTED.

ISSUE OF CLIMATE JUSTICE IS OFTEN FOLKS WHO DIDN'T CONTRIBUTE.

WHO IS MOST IMPACTED BY THESE RISING TEMPERATURES?

>> YEAH, SO, DEPENDS ON WHAT IMPACT YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

GENERAL PATTERN CLEAR.

MOST SEVERE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE TEND TO FALL ON PEOPLE IN HOTTER PARTS OF THE WORLD H. AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE FEWER RESOURCES.

WE HAVE DONE WORK ON GLOBAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

LOW INCOME COUNTRIES TEND TO BE HOTTER AND GET MOST SEVERE EFFECTS.

PEOPLE IN SCANDANAVIA MIGHT GET HEALTH EFFECTS.

NOT NECESSARILY PEOPLE GETTING THE MOST HARM.

>> BOB COBB, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIA PODCAST.

DOWNLOAD AND CHECK US OUT.

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I AM JOANNA GAGUS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND SEE YOU TOMORROW.