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ANCHOR: Tonight, and emotional Tammy Murphy after dropping out of the Senate race.

>> I feel a burden of all those who believe that we can get to a better place.

ANCHOR: Refocusing her efforts on improving maternal health in the state as First Lady.

>> This work will carry on for our state and be a beacon of hope for the rest of the country.

Anchor: Plus, Patterson officials character -- criticize the takeover of their police force.

>> It is unlawful, undemocratic and un-American.

Anchor: Also it is official, if you plan to drive into Midtown Manhattan in June, you will pay the price could and the change project, our new digital series shines a spotlight on the states to food pantries and efforts to combat food insecurity amid a rise in hunger.

>> People are having trouble affording food and it reminds me of something I heard from a former food bank executive, who said rent eats first.

Anchor: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News."

With Rihanna Vannozzi.

Anchor: Thanks for joining us this Wednesday night good First Lady Tammy Murphy turning the page on what became a heated battle in the Democratic U.S. Senate, Neri, today making her first public appearance since suspending her campaign and resetting her focus on an issue she made a cornerstone of her husband's and ministration, maternal health.

She kicked off the paternal a 30 board, the first of its kind in the nation, a group that will continue the work of the nurture NJ program Murphy launched when she became First Lady to make sure new moms have resources to support their families and improve maternal mortality rates that were embarrassingly high for years in the garden state.

When asked about ending her Senate bed, Murphy today called for party unity and despite the knockdown, drag out campaign cycle she would do it again.

Our correspondent reports.

>> Today's board meeting marks the culmination of years of work by countless individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving maternal health across the state.

REPORTER: First Lady Tammy Murphy made her first public appearance after announcing she would end her race for the U.S. Senate.

Cushioning the landing was important for her maternal health campaign, the first meeting of the maternal and in fit held authority.

>> It will ensure our state will lead the nation as a safe harbor for mothers and babies.

REPORTER: Murphy surprised many in the room, including the newly appointed president and CEO when she dropped this news -- >> Not only will you be heading the new maternal health authority, but you will be a newly important -- newly appointed member of Governor Murphy's cabinet >> We have been established to tell the maternal health story.

Reporter: New Jersey to 47th at the start of the Murphy administration with black babies three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white babies.

Since the launch of nurture NJ, New Jersey has climbed to 27th.

>> To interface with the whole of government and community to identify solutions.

We have a lot of work to do.

We want to get maternal health integrated into all health policies.

We talk about health in all policies but we need to talk about maternal and infant health in all policies.

>> I now know this work is going to carry on for our state and be a beacon of hope for the best in the country.

Reporter: What won't carry on, Murphy's challenge against Andy Kim for Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Murphy said dropping out was not an indication she couldn't win.

>> My path to winning the Senate race was crystal clear.

Once I realized what a Bloody, expensive and just divisive path I was going to have to go down, I realized OK, it's got to be now.

Reporter: That's likely because Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy were neck and neck in the state, even as Kim pursues a court line -- court case to abolish the line.

>> I have spent since day number one talking about policy.

>> Is the partyline fair?

>> I'm not smart enough to tell you what needs to be changed or how to change, I have set from the beginning and I will continue to say now, if there are reforms that will make our process that are, by all means let's see what they are.

Reporter: Murphy got emotional today as she thought about all those who supported her.

>> I feel the burden of all those who believe that we can get to a better place.

Reporter: The First Lady was not ready to endorse any of the three meaning -- remaining candidates today.

She said her focus is this authority and the work that remains to be done.

Anchor: Tammy Murphy's decision to drop out of the race isn't changing Congressman Andy Kim's pursuit to abolish the so-called partyline.

The lawsuit alleges the use of that ballot design by 19 of the states 21 counties is unconstitutional and a federal judge could issue a preliminary injunction in the case any day.

Even though Kim now has a clear path to the Democratic nomination, holding the majority of those County party endorsements putting him in a politically awkward situation.

David Cruz has the story.

Reporter: The ground is still traveling a little bit after Tammy Murphy's announcement that she was dropping out of the U.S. Senate primary, but it could all give way as early as this week if the judge in the federal lawsuit to abolish the line makes a ruling.

>> Andy Kim is suing for ballot positions he's got.

He's suing to be excluded from a line he is on.

Reporter: Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

It's like the guy in the movie said, if you win, you win, and if you lose you still win.

That may be the case but the game is the game -- >> If I don't do this, it gives my opponent an advantage.

This is not a system I want to participate in, it is unfair and that's why I'm trying to change it.

If we -- there's always that risk that someone else will get an advantage.

Reporter: Which some have pointed out sounds a whole lot like something someone else said to loud groans not too long ago.

>> We are all competing with the same rules and I think of the rules change and we have reform that is one thing but for right now we are all in the same boat together.

Reporter: But two of the candidates have won on the Dutch places on the ballot but they have not won the partyline.

>> For him to be using the same talking points Tammy Murphy was using, that she was playing by the rules and those were the rules and she was following the rules -- I always said those rules don't work for regular people and working women like me.

For him to use the same talking points is accepting a system that works against democracy and against women of color and against Latinas.

It's a moment for him to define what type of leader he will be.

>> Kim is at a crossroads that this will probably be one of a number of critical tests he will face.

Reporter: Kim accepted the line in another bit of irony in a private phone call Sunday with political bosses from some of the states largest carry machines.

Lawyers for the defendants in this case say Kim accepting the line means the case has basically settled itself and there is no need for injunctive relief.

But there are two other plaintiffs, including Sarah shown good, and she begs to differ, she is running to succeed Andy Kim.

She's the kind of longtime resident and small business owner ballot reform is supposed to encourage.

>> This lawsuit is not just about one person, is not just about Andy Kim, not just about me or the other plaintiffs.

It's about having affair ballot in New Jersey for all future people.

All people are asking for is to have a fair place on the ballot.

It will allow people who hear my name can see it and say I met her, I like her, I want to vote for her.

Instead of having to scan the entire ballot which most people don't do.

Reporter: The judge has given both sides until the end of the day to chime in on what impact Murphy's departure should have on his ruling, which could come as early as this week.

At that point, candidates may finally find themselves being judged by the content of their character and not their position on the partyline.

I am David Cruz.

Anchor: Today marks one year since the state took control of all law enforcement functions in Pattersons Police Department, which followed years of police misconduct and evidence of excessive use of force.

Since then, the state has touted a drop in violent crime, more discipline for officers who misbehave, and more public input through an increased number of community meetings.

Yet top leaders in the city are pushing back on that narrative and say much of the improvement can be traced to reforms that were already in place.

Melissa Rose Cooper has the update.

>> I have seen a stronger connection and communication between the community and Police Department.

Far better than the past.

Reporter: A major change this community advisor says has happened in the last year since the state took control of the Patterson Police Department.

The state Attorney General making the announcement year ago today just weeks after the death of a man during a into health crisis following a four plus hour standoff with police.

It was said that there was a crisis of confidence in Patterson.

>> It's important because in the past there was not a strong connection between the community and Police Department at all.

They had community policing for years but for some reason I'm not sure exactly why the connection was not there, but in the past year there has been a tremendous effort by the police department and equally by the community to bridge that gap.

Reporter: Last fall, the NYPD chief of strategic initiatives, appointed as officer in charge of the Paterson police to Parma, outlined a strategic reform, including having more physical officers in the community and increased transparency.

The Attorney General commending the leadership, saying in a statement, "one year later we are seeing significant progress in many areas, including police accountability, transparency, communication and a significant drop in violent crime."

But not everyone agrees.

>> I'm going to contend that this takeover is unlawful, undemocratic and quite friendly un-American.

The Attorney General cannot make the law, fake the law or break the law.

Reporter: The mayor credits a reduction in crime and improved relationships between law enforcement and the community to programs the city was already working on.

>> We've created an opioid response team, we have a real fix program to address opioid abuse disorder.

We have a guaranteed income initiative, a financial empowerment Center, which I believe is helping individuals who have been struggling for too long.

Reporter: The mayor as part of the lawsuit challenging the state takeover of the Police Department.

He accuses the D.A.

of wanting to increase -- to benefit his career and he criticizes him.

Plotkin says "it is regrettable that some public officials can only view bold actions through the lens of ambition.

Here we took bold action because it was the right thing to do.

My office has a long-term commitment to the people of Paterson and our work is far from complete."

>> The place we ended up in did not happen overnight and the road to recovering the relationship between the relationship -- between the placed apartment and community won't happen overnight either.

Reporter: Advocates agree there is still room for improvement but they are hopeful they will continue to work with the city and law enforcement to continually improve relations.

I am Melissa Rose Cooper.

Anchor: The controversial congestion pricing plan for New York City is a go, today getting the official green light from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board to charge a new $15 toll for passenger cars driving into the heart of Manhattan, making it the first city in the nation to adopt congestion pricing aimed at reducing traffic and pollution and to raise about $1 billion per year for New York's public transit system.

Will a pending federal lawsuit brought by groups from this side of the river stop it in its tracks?

Ted Goldberg reports.

Reporter: Congestion pricing has been approved and will start affecting New Jersey drivers in mid-June unless a lawsuit stops it in its tracks.

>> We want to keep the base toll as low as we possibly could.

The more exemptions we grant or recommend, the more people who don't get exemptions feel they were left out.

Reporter: The MTA voted to approve congestion prices today with few exemptions.

They heard an ear full from people before voting to authorize a $15 charge for cars entering Manhattan at or below 60th Street for most of the day.

>> This is the day the MTA has officially said to the yellow cab industry, you do not have a right to exist on the streets of New York City.

Reporter: The MTA argues congestion pricing is necessary to relieve traffic, help the environment and make stations more accessible.

But New Jersey leaders were furious, with some mentioning the dreaded b word.

>> Emergency vehicles that can't get through, we lived that with Chris Christie and bridge-gate.

Reporter: This county executive says they should have waited on the new pricing until the lawsuit is resolved.

>> This is rushing it through when they didn't have to do that.

They have a date in their mind and they said to Hell with everybody else.

>> The worst run mass transit system in the nation, they are bleeding billions every year, and looking for anyone to help pay their bills for their complete mismanagement.

Reporter: This Congressman is also angry about congestion pricing.

>> There will be more truck traffic on the bridge, cancer-causing pollution in New Jersey.

Reporter: He says traffic will get worse on the world busiest bridge unless public support makes the MTA change its mind or the lawsuit is successful.

>> They don't care about people who have to work hard to make inns meet, they don't care about the nurse or small business.

Reporter: Not everybody was furious.

>> To reduce traffic you have to have fewer trips.

Yes it is Incentivizing people to use public transit, to walk, to bike when they can.

Reporter: Kate is the Executive Vice President of the regional plan Association and she hopes congestion pricing will lead to more people using mass transit.

While not everybody can use mass transit to get where they need to go, she hopes that state and federal governments take the opportunity to invest in mass transit.

>> We are in support of additional transit funding across the board.

Investing in the core of the system is really important for the future of our region.

Reporter: I am Ted Goldberg.

Anchor: In our spotlight on business report, a look at the economic ripple effects of the tragic Baltimore bridge collapse.

The government and supply chain experts warning of regional consequences after the Port was effectively blocked by the shocking collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The central span destroyed after a fully loaded cargo ship apparently lost power and collided with its support early Tuesday morning.

Six construction workers who had been on the bridge at the time are still missing and presumed dead.

Two others were rescued from the water.

Water traffic in and out of Baltimore is suspended indefinitely, creating new headaches for the shipping industry, which is also being hampered by conflict in the Middle East and problems at the Panama Canal.

Baltimore is the nation's largest port for importing and exporting cars and also a key point for shipping machinery, coal and construction supplies.

Traffic in and out of Baltimore is being redirected to other East Coast ports, including those in New Jersey.

>> At the end of the day, there is potential for not just capacity but also expertise to be shifted over, imported to New Jersey.

It will take a little while because these things do need to be planned out.

Anchor: On Wall Street, stocks rebounded today after a losing session.

Here is today's closing trading numbers.

♪ ♪ Finally tonight, we want to the next installment in our digital project, the change series, where we focus on possible solutions to some of the state's most pressing social and economic challenges.

Food insecurity isn't a new problem in New Jersey but the demand for insistence -- for assistance has grown and it goes far beyond food pantries.

Connections need to be establish with clients to not only help them put food on the table but address bigger needs.

Jon Hurdle joins me to talk about agencies trying to improve services.

Thank you for joining me, you did and excellent piece.

I'm wondering why demand is still so high.

Jon: What I'm hearing is high food prices.

Whether pantries or government agencies, people are having trouble affording food.

It reminds me of something I heard from a former food bank executive who said "rent eats first."

People often have to make a choice between whether they play their -- pay their insurance or rent or car payment, whatever.

In some cases they are increasingly turning to food banks because there is a free source of food.

Anchor: Sure, because is not just food it is consumer prices overall that have grown and that money has to be distributed throughout.

How many people are we talking in New Jersey who are in need and right now established to get it?

Jon: What the state says is there are approximately 800,000 New Jerseyans who are recipients of snap, the federal program that used to be called food steps -- food stamps.

That was kind of a revelation to me in reporting this story, that there are that many people who are food insecure.

These are people who don't necessarily, who don't have consistent access to healthy food.

That's the definition of food insecurity.

Anchor: Consistent access is the key.

Folks who are in, say, a food desert, maybe more prone to be included on the list.

What is the state doing and how are food pantries stepping up?

Jon: Food pantries are stepping up in a number of ways.

One is they are distributing more fresh produce, more fruits and vegetables.

That's been going on a while and that preceded the pandemic.

But what the food pantry executives will tell you is this is an attempt to persuade their clients to eat more fruits and vegetables for the simple reason that it isn't better for them.

It tends to reduce the likelihood of illnesses like obesity and high blood pressure, heart disease and so on, which may come with eating lots of processed food.

That's one of the ways in which the food banks are stepping up.

Anchor: Clearly there is a need, so is the state designating more money if we are talking about almost a million residents who are eligible or receiving SNAP benefits -- how is the state looking to solve this crisis?

Jon: One of the ways the state is stepping up is the legislature voting more money to deal with food insecurity.

The governor's budget for the coming fiscal year, it's just a proposal, but he is planning to spend around about $100 million on food insecurity, up from $85 million in the current fiscal year.

Anchor: These food banks and pantries, are they coordinating their efforts?

Because we have so much more data to pinpoint folks.

Are they using that?

Jon: They certainly are and what I am hearing is food banks are using data to identify sources of food need such as poverty, unemployment, immigration and so if they identify things like that noticeable in particular areas, they will concentrate efforts in that area.

Anchor: That opens the door to lead them to other services.

Jon hurdle, you can check out his piece on our website.

So good to see you.

That does it for us tonight but don't forget to download our podcast so you can listen anytime.

For the entire "NJ Spotlight" team, have a great evening and we will see you tomorrow night.

>> New Jersey Education Association, making public schools great for every child.

And RWJBarnabas Health, let's be healthy together.

♪ ♪ ♪