>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE TOGETHER.

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

♪ FROM NJPBS, THIS IS "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," WITH BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

BRIANNA: GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY -- THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

THE RECENT POLICE KILLING OF A PATTERSON MAN IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON ISSUES WITHIN THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, IGNITING CALLS FROM ACTIVISTS AND EVEN ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO REPRESENT THE AREA, FOR A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO PATTERSON'S LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUTTING THEM AT ODDS WITH THE MAYOR, WHO HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN IN HIS OPPOSITION TO BOTH FEDERAL OVERSIGHT AND A POTENTIAL PROBE BY THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUPS ARE NOT BACKING DOWN.

>> PATTERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A HISTORY OF PATTERNS AND PRACTICES OF USING UNCONSTITUTIONAL MISCONDUCT AGAINST THE RESIDENTS OF PATTERSON.

THAT INCLUDES USING EXCESSIVE FORCE.

REPORTER: LAST WEEK THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SENT A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REQUESTING THEY LOOK INTO THE MISCONDUCT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHO SERVES AS THE INSTITUTE'S REFORM DIRECTOR BELIEVES THE INVESTIGATION WILL LEAD TO POLICE TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT GOES ON WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ITS OWN ENTITY.

REPORTER: CALLS FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO GET INVOLVED, ALSO DRAWING SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATORS ESPECIALLY AFTER THE DEATH OF A MAN EARLIER THIS MONTH FOLLOWING A FOUR HOUR STANDOFF WITH POLICE.

>> LOOKING AT A FEDERAL MONITOR AND CONSIDERING ALL OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US IS A PRUDENT DECISION THAT WE SHOULD NOT GLOSS OVER BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, BUT WE SHOULD REALLY TAKE A HARD LOOK AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TOWARDS SAFE POLICING, SAFE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR A PERSON SUFFERING FROM EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

REPORTER: ACCORDING TO AN END SPOTLIGHT NEEDS ANALYSIS OF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S USE OF FORCE DATABASE, 55% OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING POLICE HAVE USED FORCE IN PATTERSON BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2020 AND 2022, OR AGAINST BLACK INDIVIDUALS.

THE ANALYSIS ALSO REVEALED 17% OF POLICE USE OF FORCE CASES IN PATTERSON WERE AGAINST LATINOS, VERSUS 9% AGAINST THE STATE.

>> SINCE 2019, 46 POLICE-RELATED SHOOTINGS THAT ENDED IN KILLINGS, EIGHT ARE IN PATTERSON.

THAT NUMBER IS SOMETHING THAT IS CONCERNING.

REPORTER: WHERE THE PATTERSON MAYOR ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH MISCONDUCT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE IS AGAINST THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, SAYING THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN ACTION BY PUTTING VARIOUS REFORMS AND MEASURES, EVEN FIRING AN OFFICER FOR USING EXCESSIVE FORCE.

THE MAYOR SAYS HE REMAINS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY, SAYING, I HAVE IMPLEMENTED A NEW POLICE CHIEF, WHO WILL IMPLEMENT REFORMS IN THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDING INCREASING TRADING HOURS FROM FOUR TO EIGHT WEEKS FOR NEW OFFICERS, AS WELL AS LAUNCHING A PROGRAM OF.

POLICE OFFICERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO RESPOND TO THOSE IN CRISIS.

I HAVE ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHING A COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARD IN PATTERSON, AND I HAVE TESTIFIED IN THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATOR TO ENACT THE LAWS NECESSARY.

>> THE MAYOR HAS TO GET ON BOARD AND UNDERSTAND WHERE THE STATISTICS ARE WHEN IT COMES TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND LATINOS.

FROM ONE MAN BEING SHOT UNARMED AND HIM SPEAKING OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE, THAT IS CONCERNING.

REPORTER: U.S. ATTORNEY PHILIP SELLINGER SAYS HE CANNOT COMMENT ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE PATTERSON POLICE AT THIS TIME, TELLING BRIANA VANNOZZI, ALL ALLEGATIONS ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

MEANWHILE, SOCIAL ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL THAT CHANGES WILL BE MADE, CREATING TRUST BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

BRIANA: FOR MORE REPORTING ON PATTERSON'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, READ THAT STORY AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

A NEW YORK GRAND JURY CONTINUED WEIGHING CHARGES AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN CONNECTION TO A 2016 HERSCHMAN HE PAYMENT MADE TO ADULT FILM STAR STORMY DANIELS.

IF INDICTED, COMP WILL BECOME THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY TO BE CONVICTED FOR CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

TRUMP PREDICTED ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA SITE KIK TRUTH SOCIAL ON SATURDAY THAT HE WOULD BE ARRESTED TUESDAY ON CHARGES HE SAID WERE FABRICATED AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, BUT NO DECISIONS OR CHARGES HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

GRAND JURY IS ELECTED TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK ON THE CASE INTO NEXT WEEK.

FOR MORE INSIGHT I AM TRYING TO JOHN FURNER, DIRECTOR OF THE EAGLETON INSTITUTE OF POLITICS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.

A LOT OF THIS REMAINS UNCLEAR.

SKIDDERS HAS SIGNALED THAT AN INDICTMENT IS LIKELY, BUT WE STILL DON'T KNOW YET.

WHAT IS CLEAR, AT LEAST TO YOU?

GUEST: IT IS CLEAR THAT THEY ARE APPROACHING THE END OF THEIR PRESENTATION TO THE GRAND JURY.

I THINK THE APPEARANCE EARLIER THIS WEEK, MICHAEL COHEN, HIS FORMER LAWYER AND ADVISOR WHO THOUGHT TO CAST OUT HIS CREDIBILITY, IT MAY HAVE COMPLICATED THE PICTURE A BIT FOR PROSECUTORS.

AND ALSO, THIS IS A COMPLICATED CASE THEY ARE TRYING TO BRING.

THE MOST LIKELY CHARGE IS FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS BUT THAT IS A MISDEMEANOR.

CONVERT THAT TO A FELONY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOME OTHER CHARGE TO BRING AND THAT IS WHERE IT BECOMES COMPLICATED, BECAUSE THE MOST OBVIOUS VIOLATIONS ARE VIOLATIONS ABOUT ELECTION LAW.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT COULD HAVE BROUGHT THOSE CHARGES, BUT THEY DECIDED NOT TO.

THEN THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT STATE LAW, WHICH MAY BE PREEMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW.

SO IT WILL BE A VERY COMPLEX CASE WHEN IT IS BROUGHT.

I HOPE THEY ARE APPROPRIATELY TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW BEFORE THEY MOVE FORWARD.

YOU DON'T WANT TO INDICT A FORMER SITTING PRESIDENT AND HAVE HIM BE ACQUITTED.

BRIANA: FOR THE MECHANICS, THE MECHANICS OF INDICTING A FORMER SITTING PRESIDENT, ARE THEY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER SUSPECT THAT THE DMH CHARGE?

GUEST: THE MECHANICS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

ONCE THE PROSECUTORS ARE DONE, THEY WILL PRESENT POTENTIAL CHARGES.

IT IS ALWAYS POLICY BULK THAT THE GRAND JURY MIGHT NOT RETURN THE INDICTMENT.

THERE ARE STEPS THAT STILL REMAIN TO BE TAKEN BEFORE THIS IS A COMPLETED INDICTMENT AND CHARGE.

BRIANA: THE DA'S OFFICE IS DECIDING WHETHER TO CALL BACK TRUMP'S FORMER LAWYER AND FIXER, MICHAEL COHEN.

WHERE DOES ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE PLAY IN HERE?

DOES THAT STILL STAND IN A CASE LIKE THIS?

GUEST: ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE IS A VERY STRONG PRIVILEGE UNLESS THERE IS A CRIME INVOLVED .

THERE IS A CRIME AND FRAUD EXCEPTION TO THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE LAW WHICH IS THAT IF COMMUNICATIONS WERE IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMITTING A CRIME, THERE IS NO PRIVILEGE THAT ATTACHES.

BRIANA: DO YOU EXPECT THE FACT THAT THE GOP IS DOING ITS OWN PROBE INTO THE D.A.

TO AFFECT ANY OF THE WORK HERE?

WE HAVE HEARD THE D.A.

COME OUT AND SAY THAT IT WOULD NOT, BUT THIS IS A MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO INVESTIGATE IF THEY SO DO PLEASE , AND THEY ARE OFFICIALLY PUTTING IN A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND PROBES INTO WHAT THE DA'S OFFICE IS DOING?

GUEST: I DON'T THINK IT WILL DETER THEM OR COMPLICATE THEIR LIVES.

IN TERMS OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS INVESTIGATION, IT SHOULDN'T PLAY ANY ROLE AT ALL.

BRIANA: I AM THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SIGNALED THAT HE WILL RUN AGAIN FOR THE OFFICE.

DO WE HAVE ANY TYPE OF HISTORICAL CONTEXT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS WOULD PRECLUDE HIM FROM SEEKING THE OVAL OFFICE AGAIN?

GUEST: I DON'T THINK A CONVICTION ON THE STATE CHARGES WOULD BAR HIM FROM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

WHAT IS DIFFICULT IN THIS CONTEXT IS, WHAT HAS TAKEN SO LONG?

THE CONDUCT OCCURRED IN 2016.

MICHAEL COHEN HAS BEEN A COOPERATING WITNESS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

IF THEY HAD DONE THIS A YEAR AGO, PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN A DECLARED CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT.

SO WHY THE DELAY AND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO A HEAD?

BRIANA: JOHN FARMER, DIRECTOR OF THE EAGLE INSTITUTE FOR POLITICS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE LATEST CALL TO HALT OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT COMES AFTER EIGHT DOLPHINS STRANDED THEMSELVES ON TUESDAY AND DIED, PROMPTING A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TO INTRODUCE A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION TO PAUSE THE WORK UNTIL INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE POSSIBLE IMPACT ON MARINE MAMMALS CAN BE COMPLETED.

TWO OF THE BEACHED DOLPHINS WERE DEAD AT THE TIME OFFICIALS ARRIVED, THE OTHER SIX HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED.

RESULTS OF AUTOPSIES COULD TAKE MONTHS.

SCIENTISTS AND EXPERTS IN THE FIELD HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT WORK TO PREPARE THE COAST FOR OFFSHORE WIND INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEATHS OF WILLS AND DOLPHINS SEEN THIS WINTER.

BUT VAN DREW AND OTHER OPPONENTS ARGUE THEY HAVE SEEN NO DEFINITIVE PROOF THAT THAT IS THE CASE.

THE RIFT BETWEEN RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND ITS UNIONIZED WORKERS IS WIDENING, AFTER THE SCHOOL'S PRESIDENT JONATHAN HOLLOWAY SENT A LETTER TO FACULTY AND STAFF EARLIER THIS WEEK TELLING THEM THAT A STRIKE BY MEMBERS COULD BE MET WITH LEGAL ACTION.

IT COMES AFTER FACULTY STAFF AND EVEN MEDICAL WORKERS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE AS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS DRAGGED ON.

THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER, APPARENTLY ADDING FUEL TO THE EMPLOYEES' FIGHT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

[PROTESTORS CHANTING] REPORTER: AN UNPRECEDENTED COURT BATTLE COULD BE BREWING AT NEW JERSEY STATE UNIVERSITY IF THREE RECORDS STAFF UNIONS GO ON STRIKE OVERREACHES AND JOB SECURITY.

FACING A STATEWIDE WALKOUT BY AT LEAST 8800 EDUCATORS AND MEDICAL WORKERS, RECORDS PRESIDENT JOHN HOLLOWAY THIS WEEK EMAILED EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS A LETTER STATING, "THE COURTS HAVE RULED THAT STRIKES BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ARE UNLAWFUL IN NEW JERSEY WE ARE TAKING ALL APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MITIGATE ANY POSSIBLE DISRUPTIONS THAT A WORK ACTION WOULD HAVE FOR YOU AND, MOST IMPORTANT, FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> WHAT HE IS SAYING IS THAT IF WE DECIDE TO GO ON STRIKE, HE IS GOING TO COURT AND SUE US TO MAKE US GO BACK TO WORK.

REPORTER: JIM BROWN IS A PROFESSOR AT CAMDEN.

HE SAYS OVERWHELMING STRIKE VOTES ARE PROFESSORS, PART-TIME ADJUNCT TEACHERS AND WORKERS OF THE DIVERSITY FOLLOWED MONTHS OF FRUITLESS NEGOTIATIONS AND REMAINED THE UNION'S BEST TACTICAL LEVERAGE.

>> IT FELT PRETTY TRANSPARENT, AN ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE PEOPLE, TO MAKE PEOPLE AFRAID.

AND I THINK THE RESULT WAS NOT THAT IT MADE PEOPLE AFRAID, BUT THAT IT MADE PEOPLE ANGRY.

I THINK IT LIKELY HAS BACKFIRED PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> HAVING HIM TELL US NOW THAT THIS IS HIS PLAN, I GUESS GOING FORWARD, HAS JUST GIVE US MORE RESOLVED TO GO FORWARD, TO FIGHT SOME WAY TO GET WHAT WE THINK WE DESERVE.

REPORTER: THIS ADJUNCT PROFESSOR SAYS NOBODY WANTS TO STRIKE, BUT THE UNIONS BELIEVE IT IS NOT UNLAWFUL.

A RUTGERS SPOKESPERSON SAYS THERE IS LEGAL PRECEDENT HERE, AND THAT NEW JERSEY'S COURTS HAVE STOPPED PUBLIC WORKER STRIKES IN THE PAST.

BUT THIS UNIVERSITY AND UNION MEMBER EXPLAINS.

>> THE NEW JERSEY STATE STATUTE AS WELL AS A STATE CONSTITUTION ARE ACTUALLY SILENT ON THE MATTER OF WHETHER PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKES ARE ILLEGAL.

SO IF THERE IS A STRIKE IN PROGRESS, THEY CAN GO TO THE COURT AND ASK FOR AN INJUNCTION, ESSENTIALLY A CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER ORDERING THE EMPLOYEES TO GO BACK TO WORK.

REPORTER: WORKERS AT COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY LIKE UCLA HAVE GONE ON STRIKE, BUT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUED WITHOUT THE UNIVERSITY SUING THE UNIONS, WHICH WOULD BE A POLITICALLY AWKWARD OPTION IN THE PROUNION STATE LICKING NEW JERSEY.

HE SEES ANOTHER POSSIBILITY.

>> BEFORE A STRIKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF USING THE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS COMMISSION TO BRING IN A MEDIATOR.

REPORTER: THE UNIVERSITY IS OFFERING AN 11.5% RAISE OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER PROFESSORS ASKED FOR THAT LEVEL, PLUS JOB SECURITY FOR PART-TIME ADJUNCT PROFESSORS AND GRAD STUDENTS.

MEDICAL WORKERS WON'T BETTER PAY TOO, SAYS THEIR UNION LEADER.

>> THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE WORK AND THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT THEY COULD KEEP UP WITH INFLATION IN A VERY EXPENSIVE STATE.

REMEMBER, WE ARE A HEALTH CARE FACULTY.

REPORTER: SHE SAYS EVEN IF NEGOTIATIONS END IN A STRIKE OR LEGAL BATTLE, HER MEMBERS WILL STILL CARE FOR PATIENTS AND CONTINUE RESEARCH.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SPOKESWOMAN COMMENTED THAT HE HOPES THAT THEM THAT -- -- HE HOLDS THE EMPLOYEES IN HIGH REGARD AND HOPES NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES WOULD BE RESOLVED FAIRLY.

BUT MURPHY DID NOT MENTION HOLLOWAY'S LETTER.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

BRIANA: IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST POPULAR AID PROGRAMS FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS IS GETTING AN UPDATE FOLLOWING A PUSH FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY'S AND ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION MORE AFFORDABLE.

LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING MAKING IT EASIER FOR STUDENTS TO USE STATE-FUNDED ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

JOINING ME TO HELP EXPLAIN IS OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE RATER.

JOHN, OBVIOUSLY LAWMAKERS SEE A LOT OF VALUE IN THE TAG PROGRAM.

WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO DO?

JOHN: SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE TRYING TO CLEAN UP A PROCEDURAL PICKUP THAT PREVENTS A LOT OF STUDENTS IN NEW JERSEY FROM USING TAG IN THE SAME WAY THAT THEY MAY USE STATE AND FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAMS, AND THAT WOULD BE ALLOWING THESE TYPES OF GRANTS TO PAY FOR SUMMER COURSES THAT COLLEGE STUDENTS TAKE.

WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY ISSUES, STUDENT DEBT, THE COST OF TUITION.

THIS ISSUE WAS RAISED RECENTLY IN THE REPORT THAT THE STATE COMPILED ON THIS PROGRAM, AND IT WAS SPECIFICALLY FLAGGED AS WELL AS THE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED GOING FORWARD.

BRIANA: HOW MANY STUDENTS POTENTIALLY WOULD THIS HELP, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT KEEPING COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY A RING AND STUDENT DEBT DOWN, HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS?

JOHN: IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IT IS THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE WHO ATTEND BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES.

ESTIMATES ARE THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF NEW JERSEY'S COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ALREADY RECEIVING TAG GRANTS.

IT'S A BIG POPULATION.

WE HAVE HEARD TESTIMONY IN LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES ABOUT HOW IT CAN HELP STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

IF THIS ENDS UP GENERATING MORE INTEREST AND INCREASING DEMAND, IT MIGHT ENABLE A STUDENT WHO IS TRYING TO GET DONE WITH THEIR COURSEWORK EARLY, GET A DEGREE EARLIER THAN THE FOUR YEARS, IF THEY CAN TAKE CLASSES OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE THERE IS MORE DEMAND, PERHAPS THEY WILL SAVE MONEY BECAUSE THEY WILL BE GETTING TO THEIR COURSE LOAD QUICKER.

BRIANA: LAWMAKERS HAVE TO WEIGHT WHAT THE COST WILL BE TO KEEP THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY GOING BUT EXTEND IT TO BE ABLE TO USE IN THE SUMMER.

WHAT ARE THEY ESTIMATING, AND DOES IT SEEM LIKE THE LEGISLATURE IS ON BOARD?

JOHN: BASED ON THE VOTE IN THE SENATE, IT WAS 36-0 IN FAVOR.

IN THE UPPER CHAMBER THERE IS CERTAINLY A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THIS.

RIGHT NOW IT WOULD ONLY BE DONE FOR THIS SUMMER, ON A TRIAL BASIS.

THE ESTIMATES ARE AT MAXIMUM, IT WOULD COST $35 MILLION BUT IT, WOULD BE MONEY THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN BALANCES FOR THIS TYPES OF PURPOSES THAT JUST HAVE NOT BEEN EXTENDED YET.

SO THAT COST SEEMS RELATIVELY MODEST WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT STATE IS SPENDING MORE THAN 50 BRUN DOLLARS ANNUALLY OVER ALL AND HAS A $10 BILLION SURPLUS RIGHT NOW IT'S A MODEST AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MAY ALREADY BE IN THE STATE'S BACK ACCOUNTS, AT LEAST ON THIS TRIAL BASIS.

WE WILL SEE IF GOING FORWARD IF IT CAN GET EXTENDED BEYOND JUST THE 2023 SUMMER.

BRIANA: NOT TO MENTION IS A POLITICALLY POPULAR SUBJECT.

SEAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JOHN: YOU ARE WELCOME.

THE TIKTOK CEO MADE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE BEFORE CONGRESS TODAY.

HE WAS HAMMERED WITH WHAT WERE AT TIMES HOSTILE QUESTIONS, AS THE U.S.

CONSIDERS BANNING THE POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA APP.

IT IS AMID MOUNTING SCRUTINY OVER THE APP'S TIES TO CHINA ASK COMMUNIST PARTY AND THE POTENTIAL NATIONAL SECURITY RISKS THAT COME WITH IT.

TODAY'S HEARING BEFORE THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE LARGELY FOCUSED ON CONCERNS OVER DATA PRIVACY, PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN, AND THE APP'S PROMOTION OF MISLEADING AND HARMFUL CONTACT.

150 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE ACTIVE TIKTOK USERS.

NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS AND AND RANKING MEMBER FRANK PALLONE RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON THE APP.

TODAY HE ASKED THE CEO TO COMMIT TO SOME OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO USER SECURITY.

>> YOU SAID YOU WANT TO BE A GOOD ACTOR.

WHY NOT MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO ME TODAY?

>> WE ARE COMMITMENT TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT WITH OUR USERS ABOUT WHAT WE COLLECT.

I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT WE COLLECT IS MORE THAN -- >> MY PROBLEM HERE IS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU WILL MOVE AWAY FROM BEIJING AND THE COMMUNIST PARTY, YOU ARE TRYING TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE A GOOD ACTOR.

BUT THE COMMITMENTS THAT WE WOULD SEEK TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS ARE NOT BEING MADE.

THEY ARE JUST NOT BEING MADE.

BRIANA: A MASSIVE WRIT OF ELEMENT PROJECT IS INCHING AHEAD IN ATLANTIC CITY.

MAYOR MARTY SMALL SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH DEEM ENTERPRISES FOR NEARLY $3 BILLION PROJECT THAT WOULD TRANSFORM BADER FIELD.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR LUXURY HOUSING AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT CENTERED AROUND A NEW RACETRACK ON WHAT IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE LARGEST VACANT LOTS ON THE EAST COAST.

ONCE BUILT, THE PROJECT WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF TAXABLE PROPERTIES IN THE CITY, ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR, AND IT IS EXPECTED TO CUT THE AVERAGE PROPERTY TAX BILL IN HALF THE RESIDENTS.

EVEN AT THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE AGREEMENT WITH DEVELOPER DEEM ENTERPRISES, THE STATE WILL HAVE FINAL SAY ON WHAT GETS BUILT ON THE LAND.

HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS, FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY'S BIG SELLOFF.

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

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE AT NEWJERSEYAMWATER.COM.

BRIANA: RAVEN WILL HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANT ROLE LATINO WOMEN PLAY IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE GROWING THEIR BUSINESSES, AND REACHING EXECUTIVE POSITIONS.

WATCH ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

♪ BRIANA: BIG COMPANIES IN CAMDEN RECENTLY FACED A FRESH ROUND OF CRITICISM, AFTER A REPORT HIGHLIGHTED HOW FEW CITY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN HIRED BY THE CORPORATIONS, DESPITE THEIR PLEDGE TO EMPLOY LOCALS AFTER RECEIVING MASSIVE STATE TAX BREAKS.

ADVOCATES SAY IT POINTS TO LONG-RUNNING CONCERNS ABOUT JUST WHO IS BENEFITING FROM THOSE INCENTIVES, AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT CONTINUES.

TED GOLDBERG HAS A STORY.

REPORTER: LOCAL CAMDEN JOBSEEKERS CAME TO CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL TODAY LOOKING FOR WORK OPPORTUNITIES.

>> I DON'T HAVE A JOB AND I AM A SENIOR.

TO SUCCEED, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A JOB, INCLUDING IN HIGH SCHOOL.

NOT HAVING ONE IS MY DOWNFALL RIGHT NOW.

REPORTER: MORE THAN 50 EMPLOYERS SET UP BOOTHS AT THIS JOB FAIR.

SOME OF THEM, LIKE CAMDEN'S ADVENTURE AQUARIUM, HOPE TO HIRE LOCALS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIRE THE RESIDENCE.

THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY.

THE AQUARIUM HAS BEEN IN CAMDEN SINCE 1992 SINCE I WORK IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A LOT OF CITY RESIDENTS.

>> THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT, EVERYONE COMING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

REPORTER: THE MAYOR CARSTARPHEN HAS HEARD HIS FAIR SHARE OF CRITICISM THAT COMPANIES IN THE CITY RECEIVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE TAX BREAKS TO LISA AND KATE TO CAMDEN AND DID NOT HIRE ENOUGH CAMDEN RESIDENTS.

.

FOR EXAMPLE, SUBARU RECEIVED MILLIONS IN TAX BREAKS.

HOWEVER, ONLY 10 OF SUBARU'S 786 EMPLOYEES ARE LOCALS, AND ONLY 37 OF THIS COMPANY'S 600 WORKERS LIVE IN CAMDEN.

MEANWHILE, EASTERN METAL RECYCLING WHICH ALSO RECEIVED TAX BREAKS, EMPLOYEES 186 CAMDEN RESIDENTS OUT OF 648 EMPLOYEES.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE OR ANY PERSON CREATE A NARRATIVE FOR US THAT WILL STOP US FROM WORKING.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE ARE OUT HERE.

I AM CONSTANTLY OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S NOT PERSONAL, IT'S NOT THAT HANDS.

IF WE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW THE JOB FORCE IN CAMDEN, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE?

REPORTER: ACTIVISTS HAVE CRITICIZED THESE COMPANIES FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAX BREAKS, WITHOUT TAKING INTEREST IN THE CAMDEN COMMUNITY.

MAYOR CARSTARPHEN SAYS RAJON NUMBERS DON'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY, SINCE SOME OF THESE COMPANIES DONATE MONEY LOCAL CAUSES.

>> THINK OF THE FOUNDATION THAT IS BEING LAID WHEN CORPORATIONS ARE GIVING BACK TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE GIVING BACK TO OUR YOUTH, PROVIDING CONFIDENCE IN OUR YOUTH BY HAVING THE ABILITY TO PROGRAM, INITIATIVES THAT ARE UPLIFTING OUR RESIDENTS, OUR SENIORS, UPLIFTING OUR YOUTH.

>> DONATIONS ARE GOOD, THEY HELP THE CITY FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

RESOURCES ARE ONLY AS GOOD.

BUT EMPLOYMENT IS MUCH BETTER.

RESIDENTS ARE ONLY ASKING FOR THESE COMPANIES TO TAKE A LOOK AND SAY, HOW CAN I MAKE CAMDEN RESIDENTS EMPLOYABLE?

WHAT CAN WE DO?

CAN RETRAIN THEM?

CAN WE MEET THEM WHERE WE ARE?

GIVE THEM BETTER JOBS THAN JUST SANITATION AND CLEANING?

REPORTER: COMPANIES WHO GET TAX BREAKS WOULD HAVE TO HIRE A SET MINIMUM OF RESIDENTS.

.

IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY LEADERS WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

IN CAMDEN, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

BRIANA: THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE TOMORROW MORNING, WITH OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH OUR SENATOR ABOUT HER OPPOSITION TO THE TRANSPARENCY ACT, AND CONCERNS OVER BUDGET PRIORITIES.

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

AND A REMINDER, YOU CAN LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANY TIME PODCAST.

MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD IT AND CHECK US OUT.

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.

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♪ ♪