>>> 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.

SEVERAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES STILL NEED TO HASH OUT THE DETAILS OF THEIR PLAN TO SELL RECREATIONAL WEED.

THE STATE'S CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION DENIED THEM THE GREEN LIGHT BECAUSE THE MOVE COULD REDUCE SUPPLY THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS DEPEND ON.

SOME ARE ALLOTTING THE DELAYS ARE POSITIVE GIVING THEM MORE TIME TO DIVERSIFY THE WORK FORCE.

OTHERS LIKE SENATE PRESIDENT SAY IT IS HIGH TIME WE GET THIS INDUSTRY OFF THE GROUND.

HE'S CALLING FOR HEARINGS TO INVESTIGATE THE DELAYS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION'S DECISION TO DELAY RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES AT MEDICAL DISPENSARIES ISN'T SITTING WELL WITH EVERYONE.

SENATE PRESIDENT NICK SCUTARI WHO SPONSORED BOTH THE MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL CANNABIS LAWS, CALLING THE DECISION TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

HE'S NOW PLANNING TO FORM A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE DELAYS.

>> I THINK THE FRUSTRATIONS THOUGH ARE IN 2020 A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC WENT TO THE BALLOT AND VOTED FOR ADULT USE.

THERE WERE TWO REALLY IMPORTANT PARTS WHERE ONE WAS THE ABILITY TO GO INTO A STORE, A REGULATED STORE FRONT AND PURCHASE CANNABIS IF YOU WERE ABOVE THE AGE OF 21.

THAT STILL HAS NOT HAPPENED.

SECONDLY THE REVENUE THAT WAS GOING TO BE ATTACHED TO THIS ADULT SALES EXPERIENCE, BOTH LOCAL REVENUE AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL, ALL AT WHICH TO SOME EXTENT WILL BE REINVESTED.

NEITHER OF THOSE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED TODAY.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SAYS HE'S NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE DELAYS EITHER.

STATING THE ASSEMBLY SHARES THE CONCERNS OF THE SENATE ABOUT THE LACK OF MOMENTUM IN GETTING THEIR ADULT USE MARKET ESTABLISHED AND OFF THE GROUND.

SPEAKER HAS MET WITH COMMISSIONERS AND HIGH-LEVEL STAFF AT THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION AS WELL AS INDUSTRY LEADERS TO VOICE HIS FRUSTRATIONS.

HE EXPECTS TO SEE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS MADE, SO BUSINESSES CAN BEGIN OPENING THEIR DOORS.

BUT SOME ADD SEW THE COOS ARE PRAISING THEIR DECISION TO DELAY SALES.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU MAKE SOMETHING LEGAL DOESN'T MEAN THAT PEOPLE WILL OPT IN IF YOU DON'T MAKE IT AFFORDABLE TO THEM.

>> Reporter: FOUNDER OF THE STUDENT MARIJUANA ALLIANCE OF RESEARCH AND TRANSPARENCY KNOWN AS S.M.A.R.T.

SUPPORTS THE DELAY BECAUSE MANY MEDICAL CANNABIS CONSUMERS IN NEW JERSEY STILL CHOOSE TO BUY PRODUCTS OFF THE STREETS INSTEAD OF GOING TO ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS OR ATCs.

THE STATE'S CANNABIS REGULATORS SAY ATCs NEED TO GET THEIR PRICES DOWN AND THEIR SUPPLY UP BEFORE THEY CAN START SELLING TO RECREATIONAL CUSTOMERS.

>> PRIMARILY IT'S NEARLY $400 FOR AN OUNCE OF FLOWER, RIGHT?

IF YOU COMPARE THAT TO THE LEGACY OR THE TRADITIONAL MARKET, RIGHT, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE SOMEWHERE AROUND MAYBE $150 TO $300 ON THE HIGHER END FOR PROBABLY MORE QUALITY ITEMS.

>> Reporter: EIGHT OUT OF THE 12ATCs IN NEW JERSEY APPLY TO SELL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

BUT AFTER APPROVING 68 ADDITIONAL LICENSES FOR MANUFACTURERS LAST WEEK, THE CRC FELT ATCs SIMPLY WERE NOT YET READY TO ENTER THE ADULT USE MARKET.

THEY OUTLINE SEVERAL REASONS NOTING THE MARKET IS UNDER SUPPLIED BY ABOUT 100,000 POUNDS AND CAN'T MEET RECREATIONAL DEMAND WHILE MAKING SURE MEDICAL PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO CANNABIS.

THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE OF ENSURING EQUITY.

>> APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN UNIONS OF EMPLOYEES TRYING TO FORMAT SOME FACILITIES LIKE COLUMBIA CARE AND THEY'RE NOT RECOGNIZING THEM.

AND SO THAT IS THE CLEAR PATHWAY HERE.

LOWER PRICES, IMPROVE PATIENT ACCESS, AND ALSO COME IN LINE WITH SOME OF THE RULES THAT ARE THERE FOR EQUITY FOR THE REST OF THE PLAYERS.

THESE 68 NEW LICENSES THAT WERE ISSUED BY THESE CRCs LAST WEEK, THEY HAD CAREFUL EQUITY GUIDELINES.

THEY HAVE TO SHOW THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE PEOPLE WITH CANNABIS CONVICTIONS AND THEY'RE ASKING THESE ATCs TO FOLLOW THE SAME SUIT.

I THINK THAT'S FAIR, AND I THINK IT IS EQUALIZING THE PLAYING FIELD R FOR EVERYBODY.

>> TO ME IT WOULD BE INCUMBENT UPON, YOU KNOW, NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATURES TO FOCUS ON HOW TO GET OTHER PEOPLE ON THE MARKET AND HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO ALLOW, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL EQUITY OPERATORS, DIVERSE APPLICANTS THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW WILLING, READY TO HELP AS THEY CAN TO GET US UP AND RUNNING.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE EFFORT ON HOW TO HELP THEM VERSES HOW DO WE HELP ATCs?

THAT'S NOT AN EQUITY FIRST MINDSET.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE EXPECTED TO ADDRESS RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES AT ATCs AT A SPECIAL MEETING SET FOR APRIL 11, BUT HAS NOT CONFIRMED WHETHER ANY OF THE ATCs WILL GET THE GREEN LIGHT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> FOUR MILLION PEOPLE HAVE NOW FLED THE WAR IN UKRAINE SURPASSING EVEN THE HIGHEST REFUGEE PREDICTIONS MADE WHEN THE WAR FIRST STARTED.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SPOKE WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY TODAY COMMITTING TO SUPPLY UKRAINE WITH AN ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION IN DIRECT AID.

AND JUST A DAY AFTER RUSSIA ANNOUNCED IT WOULD REDUCE ITS MILITARY ACTIVITY IN KYIV, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE BOMBING IN THOSE CITIES HAVE ONLY WORSENED, "A FULL-SCALE ARMED AGGRESSION."

THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY WAS UNDER ATTACK.

OFFICIALS IN MARIUPOL SAY NEARLY 5,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED WITH NEARLY 100,000 STILL TRAPPED IN THE CITY.

NEW SATELLITE PHOTOS SHOW THAT 90% OF ITS BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND 40% OF THEM COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

THE PENTAGON SAID TODAY THEY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE THAT RUSSIA IS DEESCALATING ATTACKS IN UKRAINE.

NEW DECLASSIFIED INFORMATION REVEALS THAT RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED BY HIS ADVISERS JUST HOW POORLY HIS MILITARY IS PERFORMING.

U.S. OFFICIALS REPORTING, "THEY'RE AFRAID TO TELL HIM THE TRUTH."

THIS AS RUSSIAN OFFICIALS DOWN PLAYED ANY DIPLOMATIC PROGRESS FROM THIS WEEK'S PEACE TALKS WITH UKRAINE.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN AMONG THE LAST STATES TO VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES, BUT THAT COULD CHANGE IF SOME DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR WAY AS THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE REORGANIZES ITS PRIMARY CALENDAR.

THE STATE'S PARTY CHAIR HAS ASKED NEW JERSEY BE MOVED INTO THE FRONT PACK OF PRIMARY STATES.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ LOOKS AT THE IMPACT THIS COULD HAVE AND WHETHER IT'S A WELCOME CHANGE BY POLITICAL INSIDERS.

>> IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT DRAWS LESS INTEREST, IT'S PROBABLY A NEW JERSEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.

THE FACT IS THAT BY THE TIME THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RACE REACHES NEW JERSEY, JULY 7 IN 2020, THE RACE IS USUALLY ALREADY OVER.

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN, AND THAT'S THE WAY WE EXPECTED IT WOULD ALWAYS BE.

THAT IS UNTIL THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATS DECIDED TO CHANGE IT.

THE FIRST TWO PRIMARIES DIDN'T EXACTLY MEET OUR PARTY'S DIVERSITY ASPIRATIONS.

>> WELL BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE PUT OUT A KIND OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THAT STATES SAYING WE NEED TO RESCRAMBLE THIS CALENDAR.

WE WEREN'T HAPPY -- WE'RE NOT HAPPY WITH HAVING THE WHOLE PROCESS KICK OFF INTO BASICALLY THAT WAY.

MORE AND MORE DIVERSE PARTIES, IT DOESN'T REFLECT IN OUR VIEW THE NATION OR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ACCURATELY ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: CHARLES STYLES SAYS IT'S NOT THE WORST IDEA HE'S EVER HEARD.

HE ADDS STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR JONES TO THAT GROUP.

HE SENT THE LETTER TO THE DNC SINGING NEW JERSEY'S PRAISES AS AN EARLY PRIMARY STATE CALLING ON THE PARTY TO ACT BOLDLY.

FORMER GOVERNOR DICK CODY IS READYING A BILL TO DO JUST THAT.

MAKING THE THIRD TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY NEW JERSEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DAY.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE IOWA CAUCUS?

MAYBE A COUPLE THOUSAND?

>> YEAH.

>> IF THAT.

HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?

MAYBE 7,000, 10,000 IF THAT.

WHERE I LIVE, I KNEW PEOPLE ON THE STREET, BUT WE ARE VERY DIVERSE, RICH, AND POOR, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS.

SO IT IS AN IDEAL STATUS.

>> Reporter: ACTUALLY CLOSE TO 300,000 PEOPLE VOTED IN IOWA.

BUT ALL IT WOULD TAKE FOR NEW JERSEY TO MOVE ITS PRIMARY UP WOULD BE FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A BILL DESIGNATING THE NEW DATE.

INSTANT RELEVANCE.

JEFFREY SCULLY DID AN ANALYSIS OF ALL THE STATES BASED ON THE DNC'S CRITERIA AND FOUND JERSEY RANKED WELL.

>> ALONG THOSE THINGS WERE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY, UNION MEMBERSHIP.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY NEW JERSEY SCORED REALLY WELL ON.

I THINK ON THE DIVERSITY POINT IT WOULD PARTICULARLY SCORE WELL.

>> Reporter: BUT HE SAYS DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELVES.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS TO THIS.

NEW JERSEY'S STATE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO ACT TO MOVE THE PRIMARY DATE.

AT THE SAME TIME A STATE LIKE NEW HAMPSHIRE IS GOING TO PROTECT THEIR STATUS, THE FIRST OF THE PRIMARY, SO THEIR SECRETARY OF STATE WILL PROBABLY MOVE THE PRIMARY DATE.

IT'S REALLY HARD.

THERE'S SO MANY MOVING THINGS TO THIS.

IT'S NOT A PROCESS WHERE THE DNC CAN SAY THIS IS THE ORDER.

>> Reporter: BUT IF EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE FIRST, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO HAVE?

A NATIONAL PRIMARY DAY?

>> THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD EXPECT THE PARTIES NOT TO EMBRACE AT THIS TIME.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD WANT TO HAVE EVERYBODY GO AT THE SAME TIME ESSENTIALLY THE NOMINEE DECIDED IN A DAY.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE THERE YET.

>> Reporter: BUT STILL THE IMAGINE IF JERSEY WAS THE FIRST IN ITS NATION IN EARLY PRIMARY STATES IN 2020.

WOULD IT HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE TO A JERSEY CANDIDATE?

WE'LL NEVER KNOW.

BUT 2024?

HM.

I'M DAVID CRUZ NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> EMMETT TILL WAS A 14-YEAR-OLD BLACK BOY WHO WAS KILLED BY LYNCHING IN MISSISSIPPI IN 1955.

HE WAS ONE OF THOUSANDS OF BLACK PEOPLE TERRORIZED BY LYNCHINGS IN THE U.S.

BUT IT TOOK UNTIL YESTERDAY FOR A FEDERAL ANTI-LYNCHING ACT TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW.

THE BILL MAKES LYNCHING A FEDERAL HATE CRIME AND ALLOWS ANY CONSPIRACY OF A HATE CRIME THAT LEADS TO DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO BE TRIED AS A LYNCHING BRINGING WITH IT 30 YEARS IN PRISON AND FINES.

NEW JERSEY U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER FIRST INTRODUCED THE LEGISLATION IN 2018 ALONG WITH THEN SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS WHO STOOD NEXT TO THE PRESIDENT DURING THE SIGNING YESTERDAY.

BOOKER SAID THAT AFTER 200 FAILED ATTEMPTS TO PASS THE BILL OVER A 100-YEAR PERIOD, IT'S A NECESSARY STEP TO HEAL FROM THE RACIALIZED VIOLENCE THAT'S PERMEATED AMERICA'S HISTORY.

>>> THE FOOD SYSTEM IN NEW JERSEY IS COMPLICATED.

ON THE ONE HAND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ACCESS TO FOOD.

ON THE OTHER ARE FARMERS TRYING TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS ONTO GROCERY STORE SHELVES.

IN BETWEEN ARE A WHOLE HOST OF ORGANIZATIONS DOING THEIR BEST TO ADDRESS ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT ARISE FROM FOOD RELATED INEQUALITIES.

ONE ORGANIZATION, THE NEW JERSEY FOOD DEMOCRACY COLLABORATIVE RECENTLY RELEASED A ROAD MAP FOR FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

COFOUNDER JEANINE CAVA JOINS ME TO EXPLAIN.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE ENTITIES INVOLVED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE?

JUST LAUNDRY LIST SOME OF THOSE FOR US.

>> SO I THINK OF THE ENTITIES AS STAKEHOLDERS OR SECTORS WITHIN THE FOOD SYSTEM.

SO OF COURSE, THERE'S THE PRODUCTION SIDE, THE FARMERS, THE FOOD PRODUCERS, AND THEN DISTRIBUTERS,INGERS CONSUMERS.

AND THAT IS A REAL BROAD TERM.

BUT THERE IS THE SIDE, THE CONSUMPTION SIDE, THE PRODUCTION SIDE, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS ALL ALONG THE WAY, ALL ALONG THE JOURNEY THAT OUR FOOD EACH INGREDIENT ON OUR PLATE TAKES FROM PRODUCTION TO OUR PLATE AND THEN, OF COURSE, AFTERWARDS A DISPOSAL SITE.

>> SO WHEN WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, RIGHT, ON ONE HAND YOU HAVE LET'S SAY FOOD SUPPLIERS WHO NEED TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS OUT.

THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO ACCESS HEALTHY FOODS OR FOODS JUST IN GENERAL.

YOU LAUNDRY LISTED A HOT OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES THERE.

HOW ARE THEY KIND OF WORKING IN SILOS AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT ARISE WITH THAT.

GIVE ME JUST ONE OR TWO EXAMPLES.

>> WELL I MEAN ONE OF THE REASONS THAT UNFORTUNATELY WORKING IN SILOS IS JUST BY THE NATURE OF HOW THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED AND MANAGED.

SO IF WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE USDA INTO EACH STATE INCLUDING NEW JERSEY, IT'S BROKEN UP BY THE DIFFERENT PROGRAM AREAS.

SO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS LIKE S.N.A.P.

OR WICK OR SUPPORT FOR FARMERS.

>> AND JUST TO CLARIFY SNAP AND WICK OFFER?

>> FOOD SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES IN NEED?

>> YEAH, THOSE WHO CALL THE FOOD AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

AND SO THEY'RE MANAGED BY DIFFERENT STATE AGENCIES.

THAT'S HOW IT IS IN ALL STATES, RIGHT?

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFERENT WAYS THEY HAVE TO BE MANAGED, SO THEY'RE IMAGINED IN THE CASE OF SNAP IT'S MANAGED BIT DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND WICK IS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT THINK OF THEM AS THEY ARE ALL PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE TO GET THE NUTRITION THAT THEY NEED AND TO GET ENOUGH FOOD, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE MANAGED DIFFERENTLY.

THEY'RE SEPARATED INTO DIFFERENT STATE AGENCIES.

SO THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OF IT.

BUT I THINK WHEN WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO CREATE A FOOD SYSTEM THAT HAS MORE ROBUST -- SO GROWING MORE OF OUR FOOD FOR NEW JERSEYIANS.

LIKE PRODUCING FOOD IN NEW JERSEY FOR NEW JERSEY, CREATING A BIGGER PERCENTAGE OF OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM THAT STAYS LOCAL FOR OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW TO MAKE STRONGER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LOCAL AGRICULTURE, OUR VIBRANT FAMILY FARMS ACROSS THE STATE, AND WITHIN URBAN AREAS, COMMUNITY FARMS IN URBAN AGRICULTURE.

HOW DO WE MAKE THOSE HAVE STRONGER CONNECTIONS BY DESIGN TO THOSE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS WHETHER THEY'RE SNAP AND WICK OR JUST IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE BUYING FOOD IN OUR COMMUNITIES, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD THAT'S BEING GROWN.

THROUGH FARMS AND PRODUCERS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR STATE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO EASE THAT ACCESS TO, YOU KNOW, REMOVE THE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING FRESH NEW JERSEY GROWN PRODUCT FOR EVERYBODY INCLUSIVELY.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MORE RESILIENT?

>> FOR ANY SYSTEM TO BE RESILIENT, THERE'S A FEW KEY THINGS.

ONE OF THOSE IS REDUCING VULNERABILITIES, RIGHT?

SO ONE OF THE PRIORITY WAYS THAT WE DO THAT IS BY MAKING THE FOOD SYSTEM MORE EQUITABLE.

IT GOES THROUGH ALL THE WAYS OF BIG PICTURE WAVES, HIGH-LEVEL WAVES, BUT ALSO GRANULAR, VERY SPECIFIC ACTIONS THAT WE CAN TAKE RIGHT AWAY TO START TO MAKE THE FOOD SYSTEM MORE EQUITABLE, REDUCE THOSE VULNERABILITIES, AND START TO BUILD IN THE DIVERSITY AND THE REDUNDANCIES THAT ARE GOING TO HELP MAKE THE FOOD SYSTEM MORE RESILIENT MOVING FORWARD.

>> I'M SURE WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

SO MUCH MORE TO UNPACK HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> OH HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THANKS.

>>> NEW JERSEY COMPANIES ARE ADDING JOBS AT A STEADY PACE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS TODAY'S NUMBERS AND PLUS ALL THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES OF THE DAY.

RHONDA, DOES THIS INDICATE THAT HIRING IS STRONG?

>> Reporter: JOANNA, THERE IS NO LED UP TO THE BURST IN HIRING.

NEW JERSEY BASED ADP SAID TODAY PRIVATE COMPANIES ACROSS THE U.S. ADDED 455,000 NEW JOBS THIS MONTH.

THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS AND COMES A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE CLOSELY WATCHED MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

A SEPARATE REPORT SHOWS THERE ARE STILL MORE JOB OWNINGS THAN THERE ARE PEOPLE TO FILL THEM AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE STILL QUITTING THEIR JOBS EACH MONTH.

IN THE MEANTIME NEW JERSEY EMPLOYERS ARE GEARING UP FOR SEASONAL HIRING.

FOR INSTANCE HOME DEPOT SAYS ITS LOOKING FOR MORE THAN 1,100 FULL AND PART-TIME POSITIONS FOR ITS BUSY SPRING SEASON.

WITH THE ECONOMY IMPROVING THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL COME TO AN END NEXT MONTH.

SOME 20,000 UNEMPLOYED WORKERS ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING THOSE BENEFITS, WHICH WERE PAID OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE STATE WAS HIGHER.

THE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PROGRAM PAID $1.3 BILLION TO CLAIMANTS SINCE JULY OF 2020.

THE PROGRAM ENDS ON APRIL 9.

NEW JERSEYIANS COULD GET A BREAK ON THEIR STATE TAXES IF THEY MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS UNDER A BILL WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

RIGHT NOW NET TAXABLE INCOME IS REDUCED IF YOU CONTRIBUTE TO A 401K PLAN.

BUT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD EXPAND THE TAX BENEFIT TO OTHER FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS LIKE 403Bs AND IRAs.

BUDGET AND FINANCE TRADER JOHN WRIGHTMEYER BELIEVES THIS WILL HELP WITH THE AFFORDABLE ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THERE IS A PUSH TO REALLY EXPAND OR HELP PEOPLE PUT AWAY MORE MONEY FOR RETIREMENT.

AND WHEN PEOPLE HAVE A MORE SECURE RETIREMENT IN NEW JERSEY, THAT MEANS THEY MIGHT STAY HERE, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO AFFORD NEW JERSEY A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> FINALLY MARCH MADNESS HAS BEEN GREAT FOR SAINT PETER'S WHEN IT COMES TO ITS FINANCES AS THE NCAA TOURNAMENT SPARKED INTEREST FROM DONORS.

ACCORDING TO BLOOMBERG DONORS PLEDGED OR GAVE CLOSE TO $2.3 MILLION TO THE SCHOOL FROM MARCH 9 THROUGH LAST SATURDAY.

THAT IS A 278% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR'S PLEDGES.

>>> NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK TRADING ACTION.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE IRL TOGETHER FUND.

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

DETAILS ONLINE AT SOFRESHFIT.COM.

>>> THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE IN NEW JERSEY THAT'S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SOME NEW IDEAS ARE BEING OFFERED TO FILL THE GAPS.

ONE WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD REMOVE A LICENSING TEST THAT EXPERTS SAY IS UNNECESSARY.

OTHER SOLUTIONS INCLUDE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

RAVEN SANTANA TALKED TO LEADERS IN THE EDUCATION FIELD ABOUT OTHER SOLUTIONS TO KEEP QUALIFIED TEACHERS AT THE FRONT OF NEW JERSEY CLASSROOMS.

>> I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LACK OF HISPANIC MALE REPRESENTATION IN OUR SCHOOLS.

GROWING UP I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A MALE TEACHER THAT LOOKED LIKE ME WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF OTHER STUDENTS MAY EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING WHERE THEY LACK REPRESENTATION AND DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT OR AROUND THE TEACHERS THAT THEY HAVE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF TWO STUDENTS I SPOKE WITH WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS ACADEMY.

A PROGRAM THAT TRAINS AND PREPARES STUDENTS FOR TEACHING CAREERS THROUGH A CREDIT PROGRAM, WHICH WAS DISCUSSED DURING THE EVENT IN NEWARK WHERE THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION GAVE STUDENTS LIKE DORIAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHY HE WANTS TO BECOME A TEACHER.

>> I WANT TO BE THAT TYPE OF TEACHER, MALES, ESPECIALLY MALE STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE AROUND BECAUSE I LOOK LIKE THEM AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THINGS AS THEM.

>> Reporter: THE TEACHER ACADEMY IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE UNIQUE INITIATIVES THAT DISTRICTS ARE IMPLEMENTING TO CERTIFIED AND RETAIN EDUCATORS GIVEN THE DIRE TEACHER SHORTAGE ACROSS THE STATE THAT GOT WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC AS TEACHERS RETIRED OR EVEN QUIT.

>> THEY MADE A LOT OF STUDENTS DECIDE THAT MAYBE TEACHING ISN'T THE RIGHT FIELD FOR THEM.

GENERALLY THE SIZE OF OUR INSTITUTION, WE HAVE TYPICALLY ACCEPTED ABOUT 125 INCOMING EDUCATION MAJORS SPLIT BETWEEN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.

ELEMENTARY IS ALWAYS MORE POPULAR THAN SECONDARY.

SO THAT'S BEEN OUR TYPICAL PREPANDEMIC NUMBERS.

DURING THE PANDEMIC WE DROPPED TO WE HAD AN INCOMING CLASS OF ABOUT HALF.

THERE WERE ABOUT 65.

>> THE BARRIER TO ENTRY IS JUST TOO HIGH.

THE FINANCIAL REWARDS ARE JUST TOO LOW.

THE BENEFITS THAT WE'RE HELPING TO CLOSE THE PAY GAP BETWEEN TEACHERS AND NON-TEACHERS HAVE BEEN SHRINKING.

AND SCHOOLS UNFORTUNATELY HAVE BECOME A HOT BED OF CONTROVERSY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY CONCERNS, CONCERNS ABOUT TEACHING LGBTQ STUDENTS, MASKING THE RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

ALL OF THIS IS BUNDLED TOGETHER AND IF YOU ARE A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS ONE OF THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT YOUR PROSPECTS AND THINKING TO YOURSELF I COULD DO A LOT BETTER THAN BECOMING A TEACHER.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PRINCIPLES AND THE SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION SAYS THE SHORTAGE STARTED WAY BEFORE COVID AND SHE FEARS IT WILL CONTINUE EVEN AFTER THE PANDEMIC HAS ENDED.

>> I THINK WE'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE, I REALLY DO.

THE PIPELINE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF EDUCATION IS STARTING TO RUN DRY.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A PROBLEM IN SEPTEMBER.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A PROBLEM IN FIVE YEARS AND STILL IN TEN YEARS.

COLLEGES ARE REPORTING FEWER STUDENTS GOING INTO THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> UNNECESSARY CHALLENGES THAT THEY SAY IN TURN IMPACTS DIVERSITY AND TALENT.

>> MORE IMPORTANTLY WE NEED TO REMOVE BARRIERS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE WHO ARE A POINT OFF ON SOMETHING WHO ARE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS IN OTHER WAYS TO COME IN TO THESE CLASSROOMS.

ALSO BECAUSE NOT EVERY TEACHER IS A COOKIE CUTTER AND NOT EVERY STUDENT IS A COOKIE CUTTER.

AND SO JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE MET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU'RE THE BEST MATCH FOR THE STUDENTS IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY AND COSTLY BARRIERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GOING INTO THE PROFESSION, ASSEMBLYMAN DAN BENSON IS THE PRIME SPONSOR OF A BILL TO ELIMINATE THE ED TPA, A PERFORMANCE BASED TEST THAT ALL TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO PASS TO BECOME A PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER IN THE STATE.

>> WE'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND TALKING WITH TEACHERS, TALKING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ADMINISTRATORS THAT ED TPA IS, YOU KNOW, ALTHOUGH IT'S CALLED AN ASSESS WANT, IT HAS BECOME AN ARBITRARY HURDLE TO GO THROUGH THAT'S REALLY KEEPING US FROM REACHING OUR GOALS OF GETTING MORE TEACHERS INTO THE PROFESSION AT A TIME WHEN WE KNOW THERE IS SUCH A TERRIBLE SHORTAGE GOING ON.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE COST AND THE TIME THAT PERSPECTIVE TEACHERS HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

IS IT WORTH IT TO GET THE RESULTS THAT FRANKLY WE'RE NOT SEEING FROM THIS ASSESSMENT PRODUCT.

>> Reporter: ASSEMBLYMAN BENSON SAYS THE BILL WAS PASSED IN BOTH THE SENATE AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

HE HOPES TO GET THAT BILL FULLY PASSED IN THE ASSEMBLY.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO KEEP TEACHERS IN STATE AND REMOVE ANY BARRIERS TO TRAIN AND HIRE QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK HE TALKS WITH ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HOFFMAN ABOUT THE COST FOR HEARINGS TO DEAL WITH THE DELAYS AND LAUNCHING THE STATE'S CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL 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.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

BUT FOR SCHOOLS AND STREETS, THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.