>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

SOME SMALL SIGNS OF HOPE TODAY AFTER PEACE TALKS HELD BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA LED TO THE INVADING COUNTRY SAYING IT WILL SCALE BACK MILITARY OPERATIONS IN AND AROUND UKRAINE'S CAPITAL CITY KYIV.

BUT SOME WORLD LEADERS REMAIN SKEPTICAL THIS IS AN ACTUAL CONCESSION BECAUSE RUSSIA'S MILITARY STRUGGLED TO MAKE ANY REAL GAINS IN THAT REGION.

UKRAINE PROPOSED NEUTRALITY LAYING OUT A PLAN FOR ONGOING DISCUSSIONS OVER THE ANNEX REGION OF CRIMEA AND SAID TALKS AROUND THE SOUTHEAST DONBASS REGION COULD BEGIN.

THAT REGION REMAINS THE FOCUS OF RUSSIA'S MILITARY.

A MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT'S PUTINS AND ZELENSKYY COULD TAKE PLACE ONCE THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS DRAFTED, BUT RUSSIAN SHELLS WILL CONTINUE TO FALL DURING THE TALKS.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN SAYING THE FOCUS WILL REMAIN ON WHAT RUSSIA DOES NOT WHAT IT SAYS.

MEANWHILE ZELENSKYY SAYS WORLD LEADERS NEED TO DO MUCH MORE TO INCREASE SANCTIONS AND MILITARY SUPPORT TO UKRAINE SAYING HE WISHED THEY HAD 1% OF THE COURAGE THOSE FIGHTING IN MARIUPOL HAVE.

MANY HERE IN THE STATES WANT TO DO MORE TO HELP, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW.

SOME HAVE DECIDED TO BOYCOTT RUSSIAN PRODUCTS IN A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE.

BUT MOST OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL PROTESTS DON'T ACTUALLY HURT THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY.

IN FACT THEY COULD BE HURTING NEW JERSEYIANS WHO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WAR.

TED GOLDBERG TALKS TO SOME NEW JERSEY BUSINESS OWNERS WHO SAY THEY'RE BEING PENALIZED.

>> PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING THE RUSSIAN INVASION BY AVOIDING ANYTHING HAVING TO DO WITH RUSSIA LIKE RUSSIAN OWNED BUSINESSES.

OR AT LEAST BUSINESSES THEY THINK ARE OWNED BY RUSSIANS LIKE LUKE OIL GAS STATIONS.

AMERICAN ROGER VERMA OWNS ONE IN NEWARK AND HE'S FEELING THE PINCH FROM THE INVASION MUCH LIKE HIS CUSTOMERS.

>> WE ALL WANT TO DO OUR PART TO SUPPORT UKRAINE.

WE ALL WANT TO DO OUR PART, WE WANT TO VOCALIZE OUR VOICES, AND SO DO I.

>> Reporter: VERMA SAYS BUSINESS IS DOWN AND IT'S HURTING AMERICANS.

HIS FRANCHISE BUYS AMERICAN GASOLINE, PROCESSED LESS THAN 10 MILES AWAY AT THE BAY WAY REFINERY.

WHICH IS THEN DISTRIBUTED BY AN AMERICAN-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LUKE OIL.

>> YOU'RE KILLING THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, NEW JERSEY.

YOU'RE GIVING A MOSQUITO BITE TO LUKE OIL IN RUSSIA.

>> Reporter: SAL RIZOVATO LEADS A TRADE ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS GAS STATIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

HE GETS WHY PEOPLE ARE BOYCOTTING RUSSIAN PRODUCTS WITHOUT KNOWING HOW INVOLVED RUSSIA ACTUALLY IS.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT EMOTIONALLY EVERYBODY CAN, YOU KNOW, HAVE THEIR SAY IN POKING RUSSIA IN THE EYE.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN PUBLICIZED, LUKE OIL IS A RUSSIAN-OWNED COMPANY.

>> Reporter: RUTGERS BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR ALSO THINKS THESE BOYCOTTS ARE MISGUIDED.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING CAUGHT UP IN ALL OF THIS ARE THE EMPLOYEES.

THEY COULD BE BE A POTENTIAL LOSS OF MAYBE 600 TO 1,200 JOBS ON ACCOUNT OF THIS KIND OF A BOYCOTT.

>> Reporter: YET EARLIER THIS MONTH NEWARK CITY COUNCIL PASSED A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND LICENSES FOR BOTH OF THE CITY'S LUKE OIL STATIONS.

ONE COUNCILMAN SAID IT WAS IN SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE, WHICH LEFT NEWARK LUKE OIL OWNER VERMA ANGRY.

>> THEY'RE REALLY NOT GOING AFTER ANYTHING THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA OR UKRAINE.

THEY'RE GOING AFTER AN AMERICAN BUSINESS THAT EXISTS ON AMERICAN SOIL, BUYING AMERICAN PRODUCT FROM AN AMERICAN COMPANY, SERVING AMERICAN CUSTOMERS WITH AMERICAN EMPLOYEES.

WE ALL SIT HERE, WE ALL PAY TAXES, SO IT WAS A HASTY DECISION WITH THEM WITHOUT CHECKING THEIR FACTS.

>> IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO SLAUGHTER AN INNOCENT WHOSE GOT A FAMILY AND KIDS AND COLLEGE AND HOME MORTGAGES.

AND PROBABLY BORROWED AGAINST HIS HOME TO BUY THE FRANCHISE.

THAT'S A COMMON PRACTICE.

>> A LOT OF THE FRANCHISE OWNERS, THEY'VE GOT A MULTI-YEAR LEASES.

SO IF YOU WANTED TO REALLY HELP THEM INSTEAD OF HURTING NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS, NEW JERSEY CITIZENS IS BASICALLY MAYBE HELP THEM GET OUT OF THEIR LEASES, YOU KNOW, THAT IT MIGHT BE A BETTER APPROACH.

>> Reporter: IT'S UP TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF THE GAS STATIONS, BUT AMERICANS ARE ALSO AVOIDING RUSSIAN CULTURE.

HE HAS LIVED IN MOSCOW FOR 14 YEARS TEACHING AND OPERATING STAGE RUSSIA.

>> THIS IS THE WAY TO LIVE THROUGH OTHERS.

>> Reporter: IT INVOLVES SENDING IT AROUND THE WORLD.

THE INVASION HAS CAUSED DEMAND TO DISAPPEAR.

>> RUSSIA HAS A LOT IN THE AMOUNT OF GOODWILL FROM ITS ATHLETES, CULTURE, AND PROBABLY AT THE MOMENT NOBODY WANTS TO GIVE THAT TO RUSSIA OR ANYTHING, YOU KNOW.

YOU DON'T WANT ANY SORT OF POSITIVE IMAGE ON RUSSIA.

IT'S SAD, BUT IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT WAS ALWAYS MORE OF A PASSION PROJECT THAN A MONEY BAKER, BUT IT TOO WAS SHUT DOWN.

IT WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE WANT RUSSIAN ANYTHING BACK IN THEIR LIVES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> TODAY IT WAS THE SENATE'S TURN TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATE'S BUDGET SLICED UP.

OUR FINANCE WRITER SAT IN ON THE VIRTUAL HEARINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES HAD A CHANCE TO AIR THEIR CONCERNS MOSTLY ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY IS NOT GOING.

HE JOINS ME NOW TO TALK IT THROUGH.

JOHN, THE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY DRAINED THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND AND BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS ARE REALLY CONCERNED THE PROBLEM IS NOW GOING TO FALL ON THEIR LAP.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM THESE GROUPS TODAY?

>> JOANNA, WHAT WE HAVE HEARD THROUGHOUT THESE BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARINGS, OUR CONCERNS ABOUT TAXES THAT ARE LEVIED AS A RESULT OF STATE STATUTE.

ON BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS TO REPLENISH THE BALANCE OF YOUNG EMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

THIS IS THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS WHEN THE FUND GETS DRAINED.

THERE ARE ATTACKS THAT GO INTO EFFECT PAYROLL LEVEL TO BRING UP THE BALANCE.

THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS TOOK ACTION TO SPREAD OUT THOSE TAXES, BUT NOW WITH THE STATE FLUSHED WITH CASH FROM SURGE IN TAX COLLECTIONS AND WITH A LOT OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC, IT IS STILL SITTING ON THE SIDELINES.

WE'VE HEARD FROM BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT MONEY SHOULD BE USED TO HEAD OFF THESE TAX HIKES.

>> WE HEARD A LOT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AS WELL TODAY WHO SAY THE GOVERNOR IS REALLY TOUTING THESE PROGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T PUT THAT FUNDING BEHIND THEM.

AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE BUDGET?

>> ONE OF THE BIG ASKS AND THEY NOTE THAT WE'RE IN NEW JERSEY FEELING THE AFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR TORE DOWN THE CAUSE BY MAJOR STORMS THAT WENT THROUGH THE STATE ON ONE OF THE BIG ASKS IS THAT $82 MILLION NOT BERATED FROM THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND THE USE OF CLEANER BURNING FUELS OR EVEN SOLAR WIND, SO THE STATE HAS HISTORICALLY TAKEN MONEY FROM THAT FUND AND USED IT TO HELP COVER NJ TRANSIT'S OPERATING BUDGET GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SPENDING PLAN CALLS FOR DOING THAT AGAIN.

AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE VERY UPSET TO SEE AGAIN IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING NEW JERSEY THAT AGAIN NEW JERSEY WOULD BERATING SOME OF THE MONEY TO HELP KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON IN NJ TRANSIT.

>> YEAH, AND ANOTHER TOPIC THAT WE COVERED EXTENSIVELY YESTERDAY IS THE BURDEN ON MANY CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

MANY BARELY STRUGGLED TO STAY OPEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT ARE ADVOCATES CALLING FOR IN THAT SPACE TO BETTER SUPPORT FAMILIES AND THESE CHILDCARE CENTERS?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW THE WORD THAT HAS COME UP A LOT IN THE BUDGET HEARING IS CRISIS.

THEY HAVE BEEN URGING LAWMAKERS TO GET MORE INVOLVED SAYING THERE IS A CRISIS THAT INVOLVES A LACK OF STAFFING.

AND THAT IS THE LABOR SHORTAGE THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPACTING CHILDCARE CENTERS AND ALSO THAT COULD BE HOLDING BACK NEW JERSEY'S RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN THAT IT TRIGGERED.

THERE MIGHT BE PARENTS SORT OF WANTING TO GET BACK INTO THE JOB FORCE WHO ARE SITTING ON THE SIDELINES NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, BUT BECAUSE THEY EITHER DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE OR THE CHILDCARE THAT THEY COULD HAVE ACCESS TO IS NOT AFFORDABLE AT THEIR INCOME LEVEL.

>> DO WE KNOW IF THE STATE HAS A MASSIVE BUDGET THIS YEAR?

SHOULD WE ACTUALLY BE SAVING AND SCALING BACK WHAT WE SPEND?

>> WE DID HEAR SOME TESTIMONY FROM PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEW JERSEY BECOME A MORE AFFORDABLE AND B TAKE IN LESS REVENUE.

SO THERE IS A WHOLE HOST OF TAX CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED THAT WOULD GET THEM THERE INCLUDING REDUCTIONS OF THE CORPORATE TAX RATES.

I WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW SERIOUSLY LAWMAKERS WILL TAKE THOSE GOING FORWARD.

>> THESE WILL BE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS FOR SURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS MADE SCHOOL FUNDING INCREASES A SELLING POINT IN HIS PROPOSED $49 BILLION STATE BUDGET TOUTING THE AID AS A KEY STRATEGY AND CONTROLLING PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT WHILE SOME DISTRICTS WILL SEE FUNDING INCREASES, OTHERS LIKE JERSEY CITY STAND TO LOSE MILLIONS.

$68 MILLION TO BE EXACT.

AND THAT LOSS MEANS, YOU GUESSED IT, HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES FOR RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY'S SECOND LARGEST CITY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER SPOKE WITH CITY LEADERS AND ADVOCATES ABOUT THE NEWLY IMPROVED TAX INCREASES THAT WILL HELP FUND THE DISTRICT'S $973 MILLION BUDGET.

>> WE NEED A COMMUNITY DIALOGUE, SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THE SCHOOLS ARE BEING INVESTED IN AFTER MANY YEARS OF DISINVESTMENT.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY BRIDGET DESOUZA SUPPORTS THE $973 MILLION BUDGET RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.

BOTH THE DESOUZA'S CHILDREN ATTEND JERSEY CITY SCHOOLS.

SHE SAYS THE MONEY WILL HELP FIX A NUMBER OF ISSUES STUDENTS FACE EVERY DAY.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE SMALLER CLASS SIZES, SO THAT CHILDREN CAN BE TAUGHT BY, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN BE APPROPRIATELY RATIOD CLASSES.

WE'VE GOT CEILINGS FALLING IN, WE'VE GOT FOOD THAT IS EXPIRED BEING SERVED TO CHILDREN.

IT'S UNCONSCIOUSABLE.

>> Reporter: THE NEARLY $1 BILLION BUDGET IS UP $159 MILLION FROM LAST YEAR.

IT COMES AS JERSEY CITY IS EXPECTED TO LOSE MORE THAN $68 MILLION IN STATE AID.

THE LARGEST LOSS OF ANY DISTRICT.

SO IT'S A HELPFUL GAP, PROPERTY TAXES ARE PROBABLY GOING TO INCREASE.

>> IF YOU RAISE TAXES PER FAMILY HERE IN JERSEY CITY ESSENTIALLY YOU'RE GOING TO BE SQUEEZING OUT OF THE CITY THOSE SAME FAMILIES THAT YOU'RE SAYING YOU WANT TO EDUCATE.

>> Reporter: MAYOR STEVE FULOP BELIEVES OTHER AVENUE Ust SHOULD BE EXPLORED.

>> OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THEY'VE RAISED TAXES ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

YOU KNOW EVERY TIME THEY POINT FINGERS IT'S THE CITY'S ISSUE, IT'S STATE FUNDING ISSUES, BUT THOSE COULD BE TRUE, BUT THERE ALSO HAS TO BE SOME DEGREE OF ACCOUNTABILITY INTERNALLY THAT NONE OF THESE CUTS ARE A SURPRISE TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO YOU NEED TO ANTICIPATE THAT IN ADVANCE AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MINIMIZE THEM.

WE WORKED ON THAT ON POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND IDEAS AND THEY ARE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING, WHICH IS REALLY FRUSTRATING FOR US.

IF YOU TALK ABOUT ASSETS THAT ARE UNDERUTILIZED, THAT WOULD HAVE MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE WOULD TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT NJ.COM DID A RESEARCH ON THE MEDIAN SALARIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND JERSEY CITY AS $20,000 IS HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE.

THINGS TO LOOK AT WITH REGARDS TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROCESS THAT WE WON'T NECESSARILY IMPACT THE CLASSROOM, BUT YOU HAVE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL WASTE THAT COULD BE EVENTUALLY HELPING ULTIMATELY THE TAX SITUATION.

>> Reporter: UNFORTUNATELY THE DISTRICT IS ONLY FACED WITH TWO OPTIONS EITHER INCREASE REVENUE OR REDUCE SERVICES.

ACTING SUPERINTENDENT NORMA FERNANDEZ SAYS SHE UNDERSTANDS WHY RAISING PROPERTY TAXES IS CONCERNING FOR SOME.

BUT AS THE CHIEF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, IT IS HER RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION AND EFFICIENT FACILITY.

>> WE JUST PUT IN TO REPLACE FOUR GROUPS.

THAT HAS COME CLOSE TO $6 MILLION.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SCHOOLS THAT ARE THIS ALL, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO DO MUCH OF THE REPAIRS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL PROPERTY TAX HIGH LOCALLY, THE SCHOOL HAS HISTORICALLY TAKEN ABOUT 25 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR AND THE CITY IS TAKING 50 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.

SO A PART OF THE ADVOCACY I'M A PART OF IS TO MOVE THAT RATIO UPWARDS, WHICH IS WHAT THIS BUDGET HELPS DO TO CREATE A SPLIT.

>> THE BUDGET WILL NOW NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE THE FINAL ONE IS ADOPTED IN MAY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> SEVEN HOUSING PROVIDERS ARE FACING CONSEQUENCES FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR ALLEGEDLY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST APPLICANTS IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS BY EXCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS.

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER TO ALL SEVEN PROVIDERS FOR VIOLATING THE RULES OF THE FAIR CHANCE AND HOUSING ACT, WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 OF THIS YEAR.

THE LAW WAS PASSED TO ALLOW PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS THE ABILITY TO FIND SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION.

YET MANY OF THESE HOUSING COMPANIES LISTED NO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR NO EVICTIONS OR CLEAN BACKGROUND CHECK ON THEIR ADS.

ALONG WITH THE STOP ORDER THE DIVISION ON CIVIL RIGHTS IS PROVIDING COUNSELING TO HELP PROVIDERS COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

FOR MORE ON THE CRACKDOWN AND THE VIOLATORS CHECK OUT COLLEEN O'DEA'S REPORTING AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE FDA HAS NOW APPROVED A SECOND BOOSTER FOR PEOPLE AGE 50 AND OLDER AND THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

THE GROUP STILL CONSIDERED HIGH RISK.

THE SECOND DOSE OF PFIZER OR MODERNA SHOTS CAN BE GIVEN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST BOOSTER WAS RECEIVED.

BUT THERE IS SOME DEBATE OVER WHETHER THAT SECOND SHOT IS REALLY NEEDED.

SOME HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS SAY THE OLDER YOU ARE AND THE MORE HEALTH CHALLENGES YOU HAVE THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE TO NEED IT.

OTHERS AREN'T CONVINCED IT'S NECESSARY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED ONE BOOSTER DOSE.

A STUDY OUT OF ISRAEL SHOWED A TENFOLD INCREASE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO RECEIVED THE SECOND BOOSTER.

>>> JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS JOINING THE RANKS OF COMPANIES THAT ARE NO LONGER SELLING CERTAIN PRODUCTS IN RUSSIA.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS ALL OF TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA, WHICH J&J PRODUCTS WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED?

>> Reporter: JOANNE, JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS THE LATEST COMPANY TO STOP SELLING SOME PRODUCTS IN RUSSIA.

J&J WILL NO LONGER SELL PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS JOINING OTHER BIG AMERICAN COMPANIES IN SEIZING SOME OPERATIONS THERE.

HOWEVER, J&J WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPLY MEDICINE TO RUSSIA.

EARLIER THIS MONTH J&J SAID THEY WOULD SUSPEND CLINICAL TRIALS FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE STATE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY CALLED ON DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO CONVENE THE SESSION TO ADOPT TAX RELIEF LEGISLATION.

THE BILL SPONSORED BY SENATOR ED WOULD GIVE FAMILIES $500 TO COUNTER RISING GAS PRICES AND INFLATIONS.

IT COMES AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID LATE LAST WEEK THAT HE WAS OPEN TO ANY CREATIVE IDEA ON INFLATION.

>>> THEY CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM STAKEHOLDERS ON THE COST IMPACT FROM NEW JERSEY'S MOVE TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY.

AT A HEARING TODAY THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY OFFERED TESTIMONY ON HOW THE ENERGY MASTER PLAN WILL LEAD TO INCREASE COST FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS.

THE GROUP'S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DETAILED THE PRICE TAG FOR MANY COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, WHICH WOULD HAVE TO SWITCH TO ELECTRIC HEAT.

>> ONE COST THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVIDED IS THEY SAID IT'S GOING TO COST FOUR TO FIVE TIMES MORE TO HEAT THOSE BUILDINGS WITH ELECTRICITY AS OPPOSED TO NATURAL GAS.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAS STATED WE'RE GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY MORE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT PROVIDED A COST ON WHAT IT WILL BE TO UPGRADE THAT BUILDING TO ACCEPT THE INCREASE ELECTRIC LOAD AND THAT COST IS ABOUT $2 MILLION PER BUILDING.

>> MY COLLEAGUE TOM JOHNSON HAS MORE ON THE COST OF CLEAN ENERGY IN HIS REPORT ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> FINALLY COMEDIAN CHRIS ROCK'S UPCOMING COMEDY TOUR HAS SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF TICKET SALES SINCE THE INCIDENT AT THE OSCARS.

HE'S GOT TWO SHOWS IN ATLANTIC CITY ON SATURDAY AND THEY ARE NOW GOING FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS PER TICKET.

>>> NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102 PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITIES SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102 LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> AND THE IRL TOGETHER FUND.

NEWARK HAPPENING, ESSEX COUNTY, AND BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE ANNOUNCING SO FRESH FIT, A HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL COMING TO ESSEX COUNTY PARK ON APRIL 2 AND 3.

DETAILS ONLINE AT SOFRESHFEST.COM.

>>> OPIOID ADDICTION HAS KILLED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYIANS EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

BUT RECENTLY A HANDFUL OF MEDICATIONS HAVE PROVEN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE IN HELPING ADDICTED INDIVIDUALS RECOVER AND REMAIN DRUG FREE.

THE ONLY PROBLEM?

THOSE MEDICATIONS ARE BEING PRESCRIBED ONLY ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE TIME MEANING LIFE SAVING TREATMENT IS MISSING THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

THAT EQUATES TO PRECIOUS LIVES LOST.

JOINING ME NOW TO DISCUSS WHY THESE GAPS EXIST AND WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IS HILLARY SAMPLE, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE RUTGERS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

DR.

SAMPLES, WE KNOW THESE MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENTS ARE OPIOID TREATMENTS THAT ARE SO EFFECTIVE.

WHY IS IT THEY'RE ONLY REACHING ABOUT ONE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM?

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE WORTH EXPLORING.

WE DIDN'T HAVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT WHY PEOPLE DID OR DIDN'T RECEIVE MEDICATION, BUT YOU'VE HIT ON ONE OF THE KEY FINDINGS THAT ONLY ONE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE WHO COULD POTENTIALLY BENEFIT FROM TREATMENT FOR OPIOID ADDICTION REPORTED RECEIVING MEDICATION.

AND WE ALSO FOUND OUT THE TREATMENT GAP IS EVEN WIDER FOR A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT GROUPS.

SO THE FIRST IS PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS THAT ARE SEVERE ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR A CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS.

THERE WE FOUND ONLY ABOUT ONE OUT OF SIX PEOPLE WITH OPIOID ADDICTION RECEIVED MEDICATION.

AND SECOND OUR DATA SHOWED POTENTIAL SIGNS OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO TREATMENT.

SO ONE OUT OF THREE RESPONDENTS RECEIVED MEDICATION.

ONLY ONE OUT OF FIVE BLOCK RESPONDENTS AND LESS THAN ONE OUT OF FIVE HISPANIC RESPONDENTS REPORTED ANY MEDICATION TREATMENT.

>> CAN YOU JUST QUICKLY HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW THIS MEDICATION WORKS SO EFFECTIVELY?

>> ESSENTIALLY THE MEDICATIONS HELP TO LOWER DEPENDENCY ON DRUGS BY REDUCING CRAVINGS AND SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWAL.

GIVING PEOPLE A CHANCE TO STABILIZE, WHICH LOWERS THEIR RISK OF RELAPSE AND OVERDOSE.

>> AND HE KNOW THIS MEDICATION CAN HELP PEOPLE EVEN FIVE YEARS AND BEYOND THEIR RECOVERY PROCESS, YES?

>> YES.

>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT THINGS CAN BE DONE TO HELP CLOSE SOME OF THOSE GAPS TO HELP TIGHTEN UP THE DISPARITIES THAT YOU JUST OUTLINED?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE TO TREAT ACCESS TO TREATMENT IN TERMS OF THE POLICY CHANGES.

WE NEED TO ELIMINATE ON PRESCRIBING THESE MEDICATIONS.

WE ALSO NEED TO EXPAND INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MEDICATIONS SO THAT PATIENTS CAN AFFORD TO BE IN TREATMENT.

AND OUTSIDE OF THE POLICY REALM, WE REALLY NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO ADDRESS THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE, ADDICTION, AND ADDICTION TREATMENT.

>> SUCH IMPORTANT WORK.

DR. HILLARY SAMPLES, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WHILE SOME STATES ARE LIMITING VOTING RIGHTS.

NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN WORKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE POLLS BY EXPANDING MAIL-IN VOTING AND ALLOWING EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR.

BUT SOME SAY NEW JERSEY'S DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS ARBITRARY.

AND THAT REGISTRATION SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS BEFORE ELECTION DAY AND EVEN ON ELECTION DAY.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT'S CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF NEW JERSEY LEGISLATORS.

SOME WHO ARE CONSIDERING A CHANGE, OTHERS SAY LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN REGISTER AND VOTE ON THE SAME DAY IN 20 STATES IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SO WHY IS IT SUCH A POLITICAL THIRD RAIL IN NEW JERSEY?

AT FIRST GLANCE SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION LOOKS LIKE A SIMPLE WAY TO HELP FOLKS WHO FOR EXAMPLE SHOW UP TO CAST A BALANCE AND FIND THEIR NAMES NOT ON THE LIST.

>> I HEAR EVERY SINGLE YEAR, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN VOTING AT THIS POLLING LOCATION MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SAY ALLOWING SAME-SAY VOTER REGISTRATION COULD HELP RESIDENTS WHO MOVE AND FORGET TO REREGISTER AT THEIR NEW ADDRESS.

OR PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF PRISON WHO REGAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

BASICALLY FOLKS WHO MISS JERSEY'S NORMAL 21-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE WOULD BE ABLE TO REGISTER AT A POLLING PLACE AND VOTE USING THE PROVISIONAL BALLOT PROCESS.

>> YOU WILL HAVE TO REPORT SOME SORT OF AN IDENTIFICATION THAT WILL VERIFY YOUR NAME AND YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS SO THAT YOUR ELIGIBILITY COULD BE VERIFIED BEFORE THAT PROVISIONAL BALLOT IS COUNTED.

>> STATES TO HAVE SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION, THERE'S BEEN A 5% INCREASE IN TURNOUT.

AND EVEN WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THERE'S BEEN A 10 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE VOTING.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES WANT TO ENGAGE YOUNG FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT ORDINARILY FOLLOW POLITICAL ISSUES.

THE NAACP SAYS MANY FINALLY DECIDE TO GET INVOLVED ONLY TO LEARN THEY MISSED THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE.

>> PEOPLE FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHT TO VOTE AND THEN THEY CAN.

THE RIGHT TO VOTE IMPACTS THEIR DAILY LIFE.

YOU DON'T LIKE THE TAXES YOU PAY AT THE GROCERY STORE, THEN GUESS WHERE THAT COMES FROM.

YOU HAVE TO VOTE.

>> THE SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION COULD INCREASE THE PERCENTAGES OF YOUNG VOTERS NEW JERSEY CAN BE A NATIONAL LEADER ON VOTING RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: SUPPORTERS NOTE NEW UPGRADES AND IDENTITY SAFEGUARDS COULD ENSURE ACCURATE REGISTRATION AND ELIMINATE FRAUD.

BUT THE BILLS ENCOUNTERED STIFF HEAD WINDS.

SOME OFFICIALS WORRY IT COULD OVERBURDEN ELECTION WORKERS NOTING JERSEY WAITED DAYS FOR RESULTS.

>> IT'S AN ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE SYSTEM IN GENERAL THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY CREATE MORE DELAYS OF THE RESULTS AND THE CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTION.

>> A POLITICAL OPERATION AROSE WHEN THE BILL GOT YANKED AFTER THE SENATE'S TOP DEMOCRAT ANNOUNCED HE'S NOT A FAN.

SENATE PRESIDENT NICK SCUTARI WHO WASN'T AVAILABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW TODAY TOLD REPORTERS LAST WEEK HE'S NOT CONVINCED THE MEASURE IS NECESSARY.

AND HE ARGUED LATE REGISTRATIONS COULD HAMPER POLITICIANS FROM IDENTIFYING THEIR PARTICULAR CONSTITUENCY.

BURNS DISAGREES.

>> OUR DEMOCRACY WORKS BY VOTERS SWAYING ELECTIONS.

THAT'S WHAT VOTING IS AND NOT, YOU KNOW, POLITICIANS.

AND CHOOSING WHO WILL TURN OUT TO HAVING 100% PREDICTABILITY ABOUT THAT.

>> MAYBE MORE FOR A POLITICAL REASON NOT TO SUPPORT IT.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A SUBSTANTIVE REASON.

>> Reporter: THE BILL'S LONE REPUBLICAN COSPONSOR, A MODERATE SAYS THE POLITICAL DISTASTE IS BIPARTISAN.

>> AND WITH ALL THE VOTER FRAUD DISCUSSIONS, POLITICIANS, EVEN ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE DON'T LIKE THE CONCEPT OF THIS BILL.

REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE IT BECAUSE OF ALL THE ALLEGATIONS OF VOTER FRAUD.

DEMOCRATS I DON'T THINK WANT TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE AFRAID OF WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IN TERMS OF WHICH WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LEFTY BILL IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

>> Reporter: BRANNOCK SAYS THE BILL IS WORTHY, BUT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT, IT WON'T GET A VOTE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

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I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> HAVE SOME WATER.

LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

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