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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE UNTHINKABLE IS NOW A REALITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

TODAY THE COUNTRY CROSSED A GRIM MILESTONE ONE MILLION COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS SINCE THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TODAY ORDERED FLAGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF STAFF.

COMMEMORATING THE VICTIMS OF THE PANDEMIC AND THEIR FAMILIES.

ADDRESSING THE LOSS OF LIFE IN A PRERECORDED MESSAGE TO A GLOBAL COVID-19 SUMMIT EARLIER TODAY.

>> WE MARK A TRAGIC MILESTONE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

ONE MILLION COVID DEATHS, ONE MILLION EMPTY CHAIRS AROUND THE FAMILY DINNER TABLE.

EACH IRREPLACEABLE, IRREPLACEABLE LOSSES.

EACH LEAVING BEHIND A FAMILY, A COMMUNITY FOREVER CHANGED BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC STILL NOT OVER IN NEW JERSEY.

THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES IS ON THE RISE.

TODAY MORE THAN 4,500 POSITIVE TESTS WERE CONFIRMED AND 12 NEW DEATHS.

THAT'S THE MOST POSITIVE CASES IN A SINGLE DAY SINCE JANUARY.

IN TOTAL THE STATE HAS SEEN MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION CASES OF COVID-19 AND MORE THAN 3,300 RELATED DEATHS.

AS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY TRACKING THE PANDEMIC IS GETTING HARDER WITH MORE OF THOSE AT-HOME RAPID TEST KITSES THAT AREN'T REPORTED TO THE STATE.

WITH THE LOOMING DRAFT U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION TO STRIKE DOWN ROE V. WADE SOME LEGAL EXPERTS ARE ANTICIPATING TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

THOSE CONCERNS WEREN'T ENOUGH TO HELP SENATE DEMOCRATS GET A BILL GUARANTEEING ABORTION RIGHTS NATIONWIDE OVER THE FINISH LINE.

THE BILL FAILED TO GET THE 60 VOTES NEEDED TO AVOID A FILIBUSTER.

ALL 50 REPUBLICAN SENATORS VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRIED TO THE LANDMARK ROE V. WADE DECISION INTO FEDERAL LAW.

THEY WERE JOINED BY JUST ONE DEMOCRAT WEST VIRGINIA SENATOR JOE MANCHIN.

WHILE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE ABORTION RIGHTS ARE ALREADY CODIFIED.

GOVERNOR MURPHY PROPOSED EXPANDING THOSE RIGHTS TO INCLUDE MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE OF THE PROCEDURES AMONG OTHER ITEMS.

WELL THAT DREW QUICK CRITICISM FROM ANTIABORTION ADVOCATES WHO SAY NEW JERSEY HAS AN ABORTION PROBLEM.

WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST ABORTION RATES IN THE NATION ACCORDING TO NON-PARTISAN RESEARCH.

NEW JERSEY RIGHT TO LIFE DIRECTOR AND ANTI-ABORTION ADVOCATE CALLED IT EXTREME AND JOINS ME NOW.

MARIE, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU THIS EVENING.

OF COURSE, THE LEAKED DRAFT DECISION WAS GOOD NEWS FOR A LOT OF ANTI-ABORTION FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF.

BUT IN A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY WHERE ABORTION IS CODIFIED INTO STATE LAW, WHAT DOES A VICTORY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

>> WELL WE'RE HAPPY FOR THE PRO LIFE FORTRESSES AND STATES LIKE TEXAS AND FLORIDA, SOUTH DAKOTA.

CERTAINLY OTHER STATES AS WELL THAT ARE CERTAINLY MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

AND WE DO BELIEVE EVENTUALLY NEW JERSEY WILL GET THERE.

>> Reporter: IS THERE ANY INSTANCE, MARIE, WHERE COVERING THE ABORTION PROCEDURE, THAT ACCESS TO THAT HEALTHCARE WHERE YOU SEE IT'S WARRANTED.

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED ABORTIONS BEING PERFORMED UP TO NINE MONTHS.

THE CDC'S STATISTIC SHOWS LESS THAN 1% ABORTIONS ARE DONE AFTER THAT 21 WEEK MARK.

IS THERE ANY INSTANCE WHERE YOU SEE THAT'S WARRANTED?

>> Reporter: WE ARE A PRO LIFE ORGANIZATION.

CLEARLY WE SUPPORT RIGHTS.

WE ALSO SUPPORT ABORTION, BUT WE'RE THERE FOR THE WOMEN WHO NEED OUR HELP AND IT IS, YOU KNOW, OUR HOPE THEY WOULD OBVIOUSLY TURN TO US INSTEAD OF THE ABORTION CLINICS.

WE KNOW THAT AFTER WOMEN HAVE ABORTIONS, YOU KNOW, THEY THEN HAVE PROBLEMS AND THEY SUFFER FROM THE EXPERIENCE AND THE ABORTION CLINICS ARE NOT THERE FOR THEM.

THEY'RE ALL ABOUT SELLING THE ABORTION.

THEY'RE NOT ABOUT HELPING WOMEN.

WE'RE THERE FOR THE WOMEN BEFORE, DURING, AFTER.

EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE ABORTIONS WE ARE THERE FOR THEM AS WELL TO OFFER HELP AND HEALING.

>> SURE.

WELL WHAT DO YOU MAKE THEN MARIE OF POLLS, QUITE A FEW OUT THIS WEEK.

THE MOST RECENT THE MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL WHERE JUST 8% OF AMERICANS SURVEYED SAY THEY ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT BANNING MAKING ABORTION ILLEGAL?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF POSTS OUT THERE.

YOU CAN PICK AND CHOOSE THE ONES YOU WANT THAT OBVIOUSLY MAKE YOUR CASE.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER POLLS THAT HAVE SHOWN THE COUNTRY IS EVENLY DIVIDED ON THIS ISSUE.

IF YOU ASK PEOPLE DO YOU BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE PERFORMED FOR THE ENTIRE NINE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY?

THE MAJORITY WILL SAY NO.

BUT IF YOU ASK PEOPLE DO YOU THEN PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OF A MINOR IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT?

THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMINGLY SAY YES.

IF YOU ASK THEM IF YOU SUPPORT BANNING LATE TERM ABORTION THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY SAY YES.

DO YOU WANT YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ABORTION?

THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY SAY NO.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY WANTS TO DO.

THE REVERSE HEARING IN NEW JERSEY, IT IS CLEARLY NOT SUPPORTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

IT APPEARS GOVERNOR MURPHY WANTS TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE TO HAVE A SAY ON THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE.

HE WANTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM HAVING ANY SAY ON THIS ISSUE.

THAT'S CLEARLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

SO MANY OF THE THINGS THAT HE'S PROPOSING ARE AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, MARIE DIRECTOR FOR NEW JERSEY'S RIGHT TO LIFE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRIANNA, TAKE CARE.

>>> TONIGHT WE CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE ON THE NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF BABY FORMULA SUPPLIES.

IT BEGAN ROUGHLY SIX MONTHS AGO GROWING INCREASINGLY WORSE AND MORE ALARMING.

MANUFACTURER ABBOTT LABORATORIES SAYS IT COULD TAKE UP TO TEN WEEKS TO GET PRODUCTS BACK ON THE SHELVES AFTER A MASSIVE RECALL.

FOR FAMILIES WITH LITTLE MEANS THE SHORTAGE HAS BECOME A CRISIS.

PLACES THEY'D NORMALLY TURN TO FOR FOOD FORMULA AND HELP ARE COMING UP SHORT.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: NEW MOM TATYANA NEWBERRY IS NOT EXAGGERATING.

SHE HAS NO IDEA HOW TO FEED HER FOUR MONTH OLD SON AFTER HAVING NO LUCK IN TRYING TO FIND HIS FORMULA FOR WEEKS.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING AS HER LAST CAN OF FORMULA IS ALMOST EMPTY.

>> HOPEFULLY IT'LL LAST.

NOW I NEED TO SIT HERE TO FIND A WAY OF GETTING MILK.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SWITCH HIM UP AND GO TO SIMILAC AND IT MESSES UP HIS STOMACH.

>> Reporter: THE SHORTAGE IS ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING TO THOSE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PARENTS LIKE NEWBERRY WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THE STATE'S SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL PROGRAM KNOWN AS WICK.

A FEDERAL PROGRAM SIMILAR TO FOOD STAMPS THAT SERVES MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

>> WICK RESPONDED IN TWO WAYS.

THANKFULLY WE HAVE GONE TO ELECTRONIC BENEFITS.

THESE ELECTRONIC BENEFITS MEANS THEY'RE USING A DEBIT CARD NOW, ALLOWS THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBILITY TO GO TO DIFFERENT VENDORS AROUND THE STATE OR IN THEIR AREA, SO THAT THEY CAN MAYBE FIND FORMULA IN OTHER AREAS THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE WHERE THEY WERE CONSTRICTED TO A PAPER CHECK.

THE SECOND WAY IS WICK EXPANDED OUR FORMULA.

WE EXPANDED MORE OF THE SPECIAL AND EXEMPTION FORMULAS THAT WERE AVAILABLE OR ALLOWABLE I SHOULD SAY FOR WICK MOMS TO USE.

THIS ALLOWS THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDER TO THEN HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO SUBSTITUTE THESE FORMULAS WITH THAT WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

>> AND DIRECTOR FOR THE RUTGERS NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS WHILE THEY'RE TRYING TO HELP MOMS LIKE NEWBERY NAVIGATE WAYS TO HELP FEED THEIR BABIES, IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING GIVEN BY ABBOTT LABORATORIES, WHICH WIPED OUT MANY WICK COVERED BRANDS.

>> THE BABY FORMULA AND STUFF IS USUALLY STACKED IN CRATES BACK HERE.

AS YOU CAN SEE THERE'S NONE.

>> Reporter: AND THE CRISIS IS NOW BEING FELT AT FOOD PANTRIES LIKE THIS ONE IN MONTCLAIR WHERE MIKE BRUNO SAYS THERE IS NOT ONE CAN OF FORMULA IN THE BUILDING.

>> EVERY YOUNG MOM THAT COMES UP ASKING FOR IT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED.

I DON'T HAVE A SINGLE CAN IN THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: HE NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN PEOPLE STOPPED DONATING FORMULA AND SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T FIND IT.

>> WELL THE ISSUE IS OBVIOUS NOW.

WE CAN'T GET ANY TYPE OF BABY FORMULA.

I DON'T HAVE ANY HERE.

WE HAVE PUT OUT THE REQUEST FOR DONATIONS OF ANY KIND, AND WE'RE NOT GETTING IT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND NOW THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY FEEDING THEIR BABIES.

IT IS REALLY A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: THE ISSUE IS NOW BEING EXAMINED BY LAWMAKERS LIKE CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALONE.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WOULD TALK ABOUT THAT THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF AN ADVANCED NOTICE WHEN SHORTAGES EXIST, SO WE COULD DO MORE TO RAMP UP THE PRODUCTION.

AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU KNOW IT IS ALMOST LIKE A MONOPOLY, RIGHT?

THERE'S PRICE GOUGING GOING ON.

BUT THE MAIN THING, YOU KNOW, TO TRY TO GEAR UP PRODUCTION TO GET MAYBE OTHER COMPANIES, TRY TO GET THEM OUT TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMPANIES TO MAKE MORE FORMULAS.

>> Reporter: THE CALL WILL EXTEND ACROSS THE AISLE AS LAWMAKERS DEMANDED ACTION FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THEM TO FIX THE SHORTAGE.

FOOD PANTRIES ARE ASKING ANYONE WHO IS ABLE TO TO PLEASE DONATE FORMULA IF POSSIBLE, SO THAT MOMS LIKE TATYANA WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY IT OR TRAVEL TO FIND IT CAN FEED THEIR BABIES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> LAWMAKERS WANT TO KNOW WHY THE STATE'S NEW RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKET HIT SNAGS SETTING OFF A SERIES OF OVERSIGHT HEARINGS BEGINNING TODAY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

PROBING BOTH THE ROLLOUT AND HOW THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IS OPERATING.

AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS THE COMMISSION REGULATING THE MARKET DENIES THERE WERE DELAYS SAYING THEY WERE STRIVING FOR SUCCESS NOT SPEED.

JUST A FEW WEEKS INTO THE OPEN RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKETPLACE AND QUESTIONS ABOUND ARE ON THE ROLLOUT.

THE COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING TODAY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE CRC.

THE REGULATORY COMMISSION ON WHERE IT STANDS SINCE BEING INFORMED 13 MONTHS AGO.

>> WE DRAFTED 261 PAGES OF REGULATIONS, ISSUING 102 LICENSES TO CULTIVATORS AND MANUFACTURERS.

AND THEN ONE YEAR AND NINE DAYS AFTER OUR FORMATION, THE CRC AUTHORIZED THE FIRST RECREATIONAL LEGAL CANNABIS SALES.

WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW NEW JERSEY COMPARES AGAINST THE OTHER STATES WE FAIRED PRETTY WELL.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE NEWEST APPLICATIONS.

>> Reporter: IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FAST, BUT HAD THEY GOTTEN IT RIGHT SO FAR?

A MAJOR CONCERN TODAY WAS AROUND THE COST SPECIFICALLY FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS.

>> THE PRICING WENT UP FROM 2019 TO 2020.

IT WENT DOWN FROM 2020 TO 2021?

>> CORRECT.

>> BUT IS IT STILL HIGHER THAN WHAT IT WAS?

>> NO, IT'S LOWER THAN WHAT IT WAS IN 2019.

>> SO MANY IN THIS PROGRAM ARE TELLING ME THEY'RE BEING PRICED OUT OF THEIR ABILITY BECAUSE THE PRICING ISN'T DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> WE'RE IN AGREEMENT THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON PRICE AND REDUCE PRICE FOR PATIENTS.

THAT'S BEEN A PRIORITY OF MINE SINCE DAY ONE.

>> THE TOOLS SO ACTUALLY REDUCE PRICE BASED ON THE STATUTORY CONFIGURATION THAT YOU HAVE IS JUST TO ADD MORE LICENSES?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL.

>> Reporter: WHILE 102 LICENSES HAVE BEEN APPROVED, MANY APPLICANTS HAVE COMPLAINED THE PROCESS IS COSTLY AND CUMBERSOME DRIVING OUT THE MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES THE STATE REPORTS TO WANT INCLUDED.

HOW CAN YOU BE REPORTING THAT YOU'RE MEETING THESE PARTICULAR DIVERSITY AND RACIAL BREAKDOWN IF, IN FACT, YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN COMPLETE INFORMATION?

>> WE HAVE EFFICIENT DATA TO CONFIRM WHAT DIRECTOR MCWHITE SAID.

WE KNOW THERE'S 37% OF THOSE 102 SELF-CERTIFIED AS BEING BLACK OR AFRICAN OWNED, AFRICAN AMERICAN OWNED.

THAT IS WHAT'S IN THE APPLICATION.

SO IF WE'RE NOT GETTING THE COHORT WHO IS PRESENTING THAT, THEN YOU KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL LOOK AT IN OUR SYSTEM GOING FORWARD.

>> AND WHILE MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE LICENSE PROCESS AND WHO WILL BE INCLUDED IN THIS MARKET, THE COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE BIPARTISAN CONCERN ABOUT REGULATIONS OF THE INDUSTRY ESPECIALLY FOR BUSINESSES TRYING TO NAVIGATE IT.

>> YOU HEAR CONSISTENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN OUR DISTRICTS AND IT'S THE CONCERN ABOUT THE BUSINESSES.

WHAT AM I GOING TO HAVE TO DO?

>> BUSINESSES THAT HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THESE SERVICES IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEES THAT MAY BE SUSPECTED OF CANNABIS USE AND THE BUSINESS, WHAT DO WE DO UNTIL THE CRC CATCHES UP WITH THE REGULATIONS?

>> Reporter: CATCHING UP BY HIRING AND TRAINING WIRES, WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERTS THAT THE GUIDELINES WILL REQUIRE MUST CONDUCT TESTING FOR EMPLOYEES.

>> I WOULD ONLY ASK YOU THAT THE WORD EXPEDITIOUS COMES ACROSS THE LETTERS.

>> AND NO DOUBT THEY WOULD FAIL ACROSS ALL NEW SECTORS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> WELL AFTER 40 YEARS IN HIS SEAT REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH HAS A RARE CHALLENGE ON HIS HANDS.

NOT ONE, BUT TWO GOP PRIMARY OPPONENTS.

BOTH ARE RUNNING ON A PRO TRUMP CONSERVATIVE LINE.

BY THE FAR RIGHT CANDIDATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HOW WILL THAT STACK UP IN A PREDOMINANTLY BLUE JERSEY AGAINST AN ENTRENCHED INCUMBENT?

OUR SENIOR WRITER COLLEEN O'DEA IS TRACKING THE RACE CLOSELY AND JOINS US TO EXPLAIN.

SO TELL US MORE ABOUT THESE CANDIDATES.

WITH 40 YEARS?

>> Reporter: YEAH.

ONE IS MIKE CRISPY.

HE HAS A TALK SHOW ON YOUTUBE THAT HE WILL WORK FOR THE RIGHT SIDE BROADCASTING NETWORK.

CALLING FOR SOMEONE TO PRIMARY CHRIS SMITH AMONG OTHERS.

HE MENTIONED A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO HAD SUPPORTED, YOU KNOW, SOME BIDEN INITIATIVES, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, THE $2 TRILLION BILL THAT, YOU KNOW, WAS GOING TO BRING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO NEW JERSEY AND THEY CALL THAT A SCAM.

THE OTHER CANDIDATE IS STEVE GRAY, THE FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO WORKED FOR THE FBI.

HE HAS HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT HOW THEY THINK HE HAS BECOME A SUPPORTER OF BIDEN AS OPPOSED TO JUST, YOU KNOW, ENFORCING THE LAW.

HE HAS TALKED ABOUT THINGS LIKE HE SAID THERE ARE MORE CRIMES THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE 2020 ELECTION, THE ELECTION FRAUD.

THAT THERE IS NO PROOF OF THAT AS WE HAVE HEARD.

HE BELIEVES CHINA RELEASED THEM ON PURPOSE TO HURT THEIR CHANCES.

AND VERY CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES.

>> AND MORE RECENTLY AMONG THE MODERATE MEMBERS OF THE PARTY TO SOME OF THOSE SITES.

BUT I WONDER, COLLEEN, DO THESE CANDIDATES HAVE ANY ROADS AGAIN?

A STATE LIKE THIS?

THESE ARE FAMILIAR THEMES THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THOSE CANDIDATES?

DO THEY RESONATE WITH JERSEY VOTERS?

>> Reporter: AND SO YOU KNOW I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM THEY FACE IS A LACK OF MONEY AND A LACK OF RECOGNITION.

SMITH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1981.

WHEN HE GOT IN HE WAS A YOUNG GUY.

THESE TWO GENTLEMEN, THEY BOTH HAVE RAISED ABOUT $100,000 AND TO PULL UP AGAINST THE INCUMBENT WHO HAS BEEN WELL LIKED FOR DECADES.

HE HAS WON THE ELECTION EVERY TIME WITH, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN 50%, 55, CLOSE TO 60% OF THE VOTE.

NOW WITHOUT THAT OUT THERE, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO WATCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, BREE.

>>> A FAMILIAR ISSUE WITH A FANCY NEW NAME.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO TACKLE ALL THE STATE'S HIGH PROPERTY TAXES ALONG WITH TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINE.

RHONDA, WHAT IS IN THE PLAN?

>> Reporter: BRIANNA, THIS YEAR'S BUZZ WORD IS AFFORDABILITY, THE WORD THEY WOULD USE A FEW TIMES, PROMOTING HIS PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM KNOWN AS ANCHOR, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS WOULD RECEIVE THE AVERAGE REBATE OF ABOUT $700 UNDER THE PROGRAM WHILE THEY COULD RECEIVE UP TO $250.

NOW UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD REBATE WOULD RISE BY FISCAL YEAR 2025.

BUT AT AN EVENT TODAY, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT TIMELINE ACCELERATED.

>> Reporter: GIVEN THE POSITION THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN AS THEY CONTINUE TO OUTPACE OUR PROJECTIONS, I AM HOPEFUL THAT IN PARTNERSHIP WE COULD CURE THIS PROMISE OF FULLY FUNDING THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF EVEN SOONER THAN WE HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

>> Reporter: TODAY THEY ANNOUNCED PROJECTS CHOSEN FOR HIS INITIATIVE CALLED AFFORDABLE NEWARK.

AIMING TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN $32,000 A YEAR.

TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN THE SOUTH WARD WHERE BUILDINGS ON THE PLACE ARE BEING RENOVATED TO PROVIDE NEW HOUSING.

AND THERE ARE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY INCLUDING ONE PROJECT IN THE EASTWARD DESIGNED TO PERMANENTLY HOUSE HOMELESS VETERANS.

THE CITY IS INVESTING $20 MILLION IN THE INITIATIVE.

THEY FOUND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN BUYING UP PROPERTIES IN NEWARK AND RAISING RENTS TO LEVELS THAT WERE UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY RESIDENTS.

>>> INVESTORS ARE NERVOUS THESE DAYS AND THEY'RE SELLING WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE RISKIER ASSETS.

THE STOCK MARKET HAS BEEN ON A WILD RIDE LATELY AND IT IS NOT THE ONLY MARKET THAT HAS SEEN HEAVY SELLING.

THE PRICES INCLUDING BITCOIN HAS PLUNGED.

THE MARKET HAS BEEN DEVALLEED BY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

HERE NOW IS A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS FAIRED TODAY.

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

SUPPORT PROVIDED BY NJ NEWS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGER OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

AND AWAY FROM JERSEY CITY.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

PRINTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL ON JUNE 4 AND 5.

DETAILS INCLUDING SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS ARE ONLINE.

>>> AND JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND.

SHE PUTS THE BUSINESS OF FOOD IN FOCUS.

HIGHLIGHTING CULINARY INNOVATIONS BORN IN THE GARDEN STATE AND THE NEW TECHNOLOGY LOCAL COMPANIES ARE USING TO GET FOOD TO YOUR TABLE.

WATCH IT ON SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> IT'S TOUGH TO BELIEVE WITH THIS WEATHER, BUT THE UNOFFICIAL START TO SUMMER IS LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS EXPECTED TO KICK OFF ANOTHER BUSY SEASON DOWN THE SHORE WITH TOURISM EXPERTS PREDICTING A SURGE OF VISITORS UP AND DOWN THE JERSEY COAST.

BUT THAT FORECAST WILL COME WITH CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.

CONCERNS THAT RISING PRICES AND INFLATION COULD PUT A DENT IN VACATION PLANS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FOR YEARS ATLANTIC CITY HAS BEEN A FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR NEW JERSEY TO SHOP, PLAY, OR JUST TAKE A STROLL ON THE BOARD WALK.

EVEN THOUGH THE PANDEMIC PUT A PAUSE ON MANY ACTIVITIES, MANY BUSINESSES ALONG THE SHORE WERE STILL ABLE TO FIND SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: OCCUPANCY WAS $4 MILLION.

THAT'S 5% OF THE ROOM RATE.

WE HAVE NEVER HIT THAT AND THERE IS NO COUNTY THAT WOULD HIT $4 MILLION AT ALL AS WE WERE HITTING A THIS IN 2021 IN JULY AND AUGUST AND THEN THEY WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE FALL AND INTO THE WINTER.

SO WE ARE SEEING THAT WE'RE THERE.

BASICALLY SAYING THAT WE GET IT, WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO STAY OUT IN FRONT OF YOU AND WORK YOU THROUGH THIS.

WHEN YOU GET HERE THAT WE WILL PROVIDE A SAFE VACATION.

>> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE THE MOMENTUM WILL CARRY INTO THE SUCCESSFUL SUMMER THIS SEASON.

THEY WERE GATHERED AT THE 14th ANNUAL JERSEY SHORE CAST OF STOCKTON UNIVERSITY.

>> I THINK OVER THE SUMMER SEASON THAT THEY WOULD BELIEVE THIS IS LIKELY GOING TO BE A VERY ROBUST KIND OF SUMMER SHORE SEASON AND PERHAPS NOT AS STRONG AS LAST YEAR JUST BECAUSE LAST YEAR IS KIND OF YOU'RE ON YOUR COMPARABLES THAT WERE SO REMARKABLE RELATIVE TO 2020.

THAT IT MIGHT BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE 2022, YOU KNOW, KIND OF OUT PERFORM THEM.

BUT NEVERTHELESS PROBABLY VERY STRONG.

>> Reporter: THEY FORCED A LOT OF BUSINESSES TO START THINKING ABOUT THE BOX IN ORDER TO STAY AFLOAT.

AND NOW MANY OF THOSE NEW PRACTICES HAVE BECOME PERMANENT.

>> AND WHAT IS HERE TO STAY IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS AND HAND WASHING, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT YOU'LL EVER SEE THAT GO AWAY.

AND ALTS TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAD TO EMBRACE THE TECHNOLOGY A LOT MORE.

FOR INSTANCE YOU'LL SEE ALL THE CHECK INS.

AND IF THERE IS A LINE, YOU COULD GO RIGHT THERE AND WE HAVE PUT THEM THROUGHOUT OUR PROPERTIES.

WE'VE GOT GREAT FEEDBACK FROM THAT.

>> Reporter: MORE EMPHASIS ALSO GREETING NEW AVENUE FOR BUSINESSES.

>> WE ENDED UP DOING TEN WEDDINGS.

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THEIR WEDDINGS, AND WE WERE LIKE HEY YEAH, COME HAVE YOUR WEDDING WITH US.

WE WOULD HAVE TEN HUGE BIG SUCCESSFUL WEDDINGS.

WE'RE STILL SEEING THE TREND THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE OUTDOORS AS WE JUST PICKED UP SO MANY CONVENTIONS FROM 250 PEOPLE TO 100 PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE CHALLENGES LIKE RISING INFLATION, THEY ARE NOW FORCING BUSINESSES TO MAKE OTHER CHANGES TO AVOID PASSING THE COST ONTO CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: AND WE WOULD HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS WITHIN OUR GROUPS.

NOW THEY SEE THE REAL COST OF BEING HERE FOR THREE YEARS, THREE YEARS LATER AND THE TRUE COST OF THESE ITEMS AND THERE IS A LITTLE STICKER SHOCK.

WE NEED TO WORK WITH THEM.

AND WELCOME THROUGH THAT TO THEIR COMFORT LEVEL.

>> Reporter: BUT DESPITE THE OBSTACLES.

EXPERTS ARE CONFIDENT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PUSH THROUGH TO HELP VISITORS CONTINUE TO MAKE EVEN MORE SUMMER MEMORIES AND IN TURN BOOST THE ECONOMY DOWN THE SHORE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR REPORTERS ROUND TABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK DAVID TALKS WITH SENATOR MIKE TESSA ABOUT THE CALLS FOR REBATES AND RELIEF TO RESIDENTS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE HIGH FAST PRICES AND INFLATION AND PLUS A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS WILL BREAK DOWN ALL THE POLITICAL HEADLINES.

THAT'S FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM 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.

>>> 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.