>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

THE NEWEST FORM OF THE OMICRON SUBVARIANT IS SPREADING TO NEW JERSEY AND IS NOW THE DOMINANT VERSION AMONG ALL CORONAVIRUS CASES IN THE U.S.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THIS SUBVARIANT CAUSES MORE SEVERE DISEASE BUT SCIENTISTS SAY THAT IT IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN 4400 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 21 MORE DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO STILL RISING.

BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS TONIGHT FOR PARENTS HOPING TO GET THEIR YOUNGEST KIDS VACCINATED AGAINST THE VIRUS.

PFIZER ON MONDAY SAID THREE SMALL DOSES OF ITS VACCINE OFFER STRONG PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE.

THERE STILL OF COURSE ARE SEVERAL HURDLES TO JUMP BEFORE THOSE SHOTS BECOME AVAILABLE.

>> WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET PEOPLE TO REALIZE THERE IS THIS ENTIRE DEMOGRAPHIC IN THE U.S. THAT IS NOT AS PROTECTED AS THEY WERE?

>> IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD HAS MOVED ON WITHOUT US AND EVERYBODY IS EITHER FOR THOSE EAGER FOR COVID TO BE OVER.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT OVER.

CASES HAVE BEEN SPIKING.

AND THE KIDS HAVE NO PROTECTIONS.

>> THESE PARENTS HAVE KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE WHO ARE STILL NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A COVID VACCINE.

THEY HAVE BEEN WATCHING AND WAITING FOR VACCINE APPROVAL FOR THE YOUNGEST POPULATION AND THEY ARE FED UP.

>> FALL OF 2021 WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WHEN WE WOULD SEE GOOD RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS AND OLDER.

AND BY EARLY 2022, WE WOULD HAVE OUR KIDS VACCINATED.

WE ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO THE SUMMER OF 2022 WITH NOTHING.

SO IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.

>> MANY OF THEM FEEL THAT THEIR KIDS ARE MISSING OUT ON IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES DUE TO CONTINUED ISOLATION.

>> SOCIALIZATION AND EVEN BEING HOME AND SEPARATED FROM EVERYBODY, HE HAS A LOWERED IMMUNE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THAT WHICH PUTS HIM AT HIGHER RISK.

>> THIS WOMAN'S SON IS ALREADY AT HIGHER RISK THAN OTHER KIDS.

HE CARRIES A PRE-GENETIC DISPOSITION TO CHILDHOOD CANCER.

>> WE WENT FOR A BASELINE TEST AND THEY FOUND A NODULE ON HIS LONG SO THEY HAD TO GET THAT REMOVED.

THEY ALSO FOUND THAT HE HAS A CYST ON HIS OTHER SO WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THAT.

THAT COULD RUPTURE AND TURN CANCEROUS.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW COVID WOULD AFFECT HIM BECAUSE COVID AFFIXED AND AFFECTS THE LUNGS.

>> THE RATES ARE ACTUALLY RISING AGAIN AS THE NEW SUBVARIANT OF OMICRON HAS HIT NEW JERSEY.

>> WE KNOW THERE IS A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN UNVACCINATED ADULTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

ARE YOU SEEING THE SAME THING AMONG KIDS?

>> IT IS TRUE FOR KIDS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED SHOWING THAT VACCINATED CHILDREN ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET SEVERELY ILL WITH COVID.

THAT INCLUDES HOSPITALIZATION.

THAT INCLUDES INTENSIVE CARE HOSPITALIZATION AND IT INCLUDES DEATH.

>> SO WHY THE HOLDUP IN APPROVING THE VACCINE?

MODERNA ASKED THE FDA FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR ITS TWO DOSAGE VACCINE REGIMEN FOR KIDS UNDER SIX IN APRIL.

THIS WEEK, PFIZER RELEASED DATA SAYING THAT THERE ARE THREE DOSAGE REGIMEN WAS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR KIDS UNDER FIVE.

THE FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS SCHEDULED A MEETING FOR JUNE 15th TO REVIEW BOTH.

>> THEY PUSH FOR THEM TO RELEASE MODERNA AND PFIZER AT THE SAME TIME.

TO ME, IT IS JUST UNFATHOMABLE.

THERE IS A VACCINE SITTING THERE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO RELEASE IT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY WE DID NOT APPROVE THE TWO DOSES OF THE PFIZER VACCINE IN FEBRUARY.

WE COULD BE TALKING ABOUT A THIRD DOSAGE FOR THE KIDS INSTEAD OF, MAYBE HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE VACCINATED BY HALLOWEEN.

>> THIS WOMAN'S 2-YEAR-OLD WAS PART OF THE PFIZER CLINICAL TRIAL.

AFTER FIRST RECEIVING THE PLACEBO, SHE WAS THEN ALLOWED TO BE VACCINATED LEAVING THE 3- YEAR-OLD TO BE THE ONLY ONE UNPROTECTED IN THE FAMILY.

>> THEY SEEM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT A THEORETICAL VACCINE REACTION THAN THE REALITY OF COVID.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE DOWNPLAYING THE HEALTH RISKS.

THEY ARE LIKE, ONLY 500 BABIES AND TODDLERS HAVE DIED FROM THIS.

MOST OF THEM DON'T HAVE TO GET HOSPITALIZED.

BABIES CAN'T TELL YOU IF THEY HAVE BRAIN FOG.

BABIES CAN'T TELL YOU A.

AND SO THAT IS A HUGE UNKNOWN.

>> ANOTHER UNKNOWN IN A SEA OF UNKNOWNS THAT PARENTS HAVE HAD TO SWIM THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REPORTING.

>> MORE THAN 300 NURSES, TECHNICIANS AND OTHER HOSPITAL STAFF ARE STRIKING FOR A SECOND DAY AT ST. MICHAEL'S MEDICAL CENTER IN NEWARK, CLAIMING THE MANAGEMENT IS SHOWING DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES AND PATIENTS WHILE BEING UNWILLING TO NEGOTIATE A NEW CONTRACT IN GOOD FAITH.

THE UNION IS LOOKING FOR HIGHER PAY THAN THE CURRENT $44 AN HOUR FOR NURSES.

IT IS A RATE THAT UNION NEGOTIATORS SAY IS NOT COMPETITIVE IN THE CURRENT MARKET AND IS PARTLY TO BLAME FOR A CURRENT STAFFING SHORTAGE AT THE HOSPITAL.

WORKERS ARE ALSO ASKING FOR BETTER HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND MORE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT LIKE MASKS AND PAPER ROBES.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR ST. MICHAEL'S TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT MANAGEMENT IS NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH AND HOPE TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT IS AMENABLE TO BOTH SIDES SOON.

THE HOSPITAL REMAINS OPEN AND FULLY FUNCTIONING WITH REPLACEMENT STAFF.

NEGOTIATIONS WERE SET TO CONTINUE TODAY.

THE STRIKE IS PLANNED TO LAST 10 DAYS TOTAL.

>> SIT DOWN AND NEGOTIATE WITH US PROPERLY.

SECONDLY, GIVE US A DECENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN AND INCREASE OUR WAGES AND INCREASE THE HIRING SALARY AND GIVE US A RETENTION BONUS.

PATIENT CARE IS FIRST.

SAFETY IS FIRST BUT WE CARE ABOUT OUR PATIENTS.

IF WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE PATIENTS DURING COVID, THOSE PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE HERE.

>> NEW JERSEY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION INTO TWO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS USED BY THE GUNMEN IN THE BUFFALO, NEW YORK MASS SHOOTING.

AND PROBING WHETHER THE SITE'S TWITCH AND DISCORD VIOLATED CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS BY ALLOWING VIOLENT AND RACIST CONTENT TO BE FREELY SHARED.

THE RACIALLY MOTIVATED SHOOTING IS ALSO REIGNITING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GUN CONTROL.

ONE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER IN NEW JERSEY WANTS TO UNDO SOME OF THE STATE'S TOUGHEST IN THE NATION GUN LAWS.

RESTRICTIONS THAT CURRENTLY KEEP FIREARMS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE LIKE THE BUFFALO GUNMAN.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> I'M A FIRM BELIEVER OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

I BELIEVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS CLEARLY SPELLED OUT AND I HAVE A RIGHT TO SELF PROTECTION.

>> THE SENATOR RECENTLY INTRODUCED A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD LESSEN GUN RESTRICTIONS IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING ONE THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE 30 DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR HANDGUN PURCHASES AND ANOTHER THAT WOULD REMOVE CAPACITY LIMITS FOR MAGAZINES.

HE SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE BUT HE BELIEVES THE LAWS END UP PUNISHING LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS AND NOT CRIMINALS.

>> WHAT HAPPENED IN BUFFALO WAS TRAGIC AND IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

BUT THINK ABOUT THIS, 10 PEOPLE DIED.

ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WAS CARRYING, DOES THAT PERSON SAVE THE OTHER NINE OR SIX OF THEM?

WHO KNOWS.

THEY DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CARRY.

>> ONE MAJOR COMPONENT THAT WOULD BE REPEALED AND THE PACKAGES THE STATE'S EXTREME RISK PROTECTIVE ORDER ACT.

IN 2019, THE ORDER MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR AUTHORITIES TO SEIZE FIREARMS FROM PEOPLE CONSIDERED TO BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

AS OF JANUARY 31st, OVER 800 TEMPORARY EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS WERE GRANTED OUT OF 900 PETITIONS FILED.

AND NEARLY 400 FIREARMS WERE SURRENDERED.

ADVOCATES AND LEGISLATIVE SUPPORTERS SAY READY FOG FLAG LAWS LIKE THIS COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE BUFFALO SHOOTER FROM GETTING A GUN BUT THE RED FLAG LAWS ARE NOT SITTING WELL WITH EVERYONE.

>> FOLKS ARE STARTING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THINKING THEY ARE A THREAT AGAINST SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OR THEY DENY FOLKS TO PROCESS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE LEGISLATIONS ARE ABOUT.

IN NEW JERSEY, A FAMILY MEMBER, HOUSEHOLD MEMBER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN PETITION THE COURT WITH CLEAR EVIDENCE OF AN IMMINENT RISK TO SELF OR OTHER TO REMOVE SOMEONE'S ACCESS TO FIREARMS AND THAT PERSON CAN APPEAL THAT DECISION.

AND IF IT IS ENACTED, THEY CAN AGAIN, LOOK FOR IT TO BE ENDED OVER TIME WITH EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE NOT A RISK TO THEMSELVES.

>> IN NEW JERSEY, SOME LEGISLATORS ARE WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT TOUGHER CONTROL MEASURES INCLUDING REQUIRING GUN OWNERS TO LOCK UP THEIR FIREARMS AND RAISING THE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, IN NEW JERSEY, IF YOU ARE 18, YOU CAN BUY A RIFLE BUT YOU HAVE TO BE 21 TO GET A HANDGUN.

LET'S MAKE IT 21 FOR EVERYTHING.

IF YOU COME IN FROM ANOTHER STATE WITH YOUR OWN WEAPONS, WE WANT YOU TO REGISTER THEM IN NEW JERSEY SO THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU OWN FIREARMS.

>> IT IS WELL PAST TIME FOR OUTRAGE AND ACTION.

IT IS WELL PAST TIME FOR CONGRESS TO STEP UP AND PASS REAL, NATIONWIDE GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WHERE I AM PROUD OF THE STANDS WE MADE FOR GUN SAFETY, I CALL AGAIN ON THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE GUN SAFETY 3.0 PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION TO NOT ONLY MAKE IT HARDER FOR GUNS TO FALL INTO THE WRONG HANDS, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT GREATER TOOLS TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES.

>> THE FACT THAT HE WAS ABLE TO WEAR BULLETPROOF ARMOR AND PURCHASE AMMO, IT MADE ME WONDER, HOW MUCH MORE CAN WE DO ON THESE THINGS.

THE SECURITY GUARD SHOT HIM AND IT WENT OFF.

WITH THE MANIFESTO, I THINK MOST FOLKS LOOK AT IT AND SAY, THIS MAN IS TROUBLED AND THE DEFENSE SHOWED THAT.

AND THEN BESIDES THE LIVES LOST AND THE RACIAL PROFILING THAT WENT WITH IT.

THE HORRIFIC ACT ITSELF SPURS US TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND WAYS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER.

>> SENATORS SAY THEY KNOW THE BILLS HAVE VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE OF ADVANCING IN THE DEMOCRAT- CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR'S LATEST PACKAGE OF GUN CONTROL BILLS MAY NOT HAVE A FUTURE EITHER AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT HAS NOT INDICATED WHETHER HE SUPPORTS THE PACKAGE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> BETWEEN RISING RENT AND FEWER HOMES FOR SALE, HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY THAT LIFE IN NEW JERSEY IS MORE UNAFFORDABLE THAN EVER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THIS WEEK, THEY WELCOMED OFFICIALS FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO FORMALLY OPEN TRENTON'S 100% HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

IT TOOK MORE THAN 15 YEARS TO LAUNCH AND IT WAS INSPIRED BY A TRENTON CIVIL RIGHTS ICON WHO STOOD FOR TAKING CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE THAT STORY.

>> WITH ONE SWOOP OF A GIANT PAIR OF SCISSORS, LEADERS IN TRENTON OPENED JENNINGS VILLAGE.

IT IS THE CITY'S NEWEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX AND A SOLUTION FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD HIGH RENT IN NEW JERSEY'S CAPITAL.

>> THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE AND LOW INCOME HOUSING IS A CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO EVERY SINGLE THING LIKE THIS, EVERY DEVELOPMENT LIKE THIS MAKES A DIFFERENCE, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW, THE COUNTRY IS SHORT ABOUT 4 MILLION HOUSES.

SO WE NEED EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY TO BE DOING THIS.

>> THERE ARE TOO MANY IN THE CITY THAT ARE UNDERSERVED AND LACK STABLE HOUSING.

THIS PUTS 72 FAMILIES IN BEAUTIFUL HOMES AND BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS AND WE HOPE TO DO A LOT MORE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDING ENOUGH AT THE FEDERAL OR STATE LEVEL.

ALSO, THERE ARE A LOT OF TOWNS, MORE AFFLUENT TOWNS COME THAT HAVE STOPPED NEW HOMES FROM BEING BUILT.

>> ADAM GORDON LEAVES THE FAIR SHARE HOUSING NONPROFIT THAT LOBBIES FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HE SAYS THAT OVER THE PAST DECADE, NOT ENOUGH HOMES HAVE BEEN BUILT TO KEEP UP WITH TRENTON'S POPULATION GROWTH.

ACCORDING TO THE 2020 CENSUS, THE POPULATION GREW BY 7% IN THE LAST DECADE.

GORDON SAID THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY RENT HAS GOTTEN MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> THERE ARE BASIC LAWS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

IF YOU HAVE A LOT MORE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HOMES THEN YOU ACTUALLY ARE CREATING, THAT IS GOING TO BE DRIVING THE PRICE UP AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING WITH RECORD RISES IN RENT.

I HAVE HEARD STORIES ABOUT RENT GOING UP YEAR-OVER-YEAR, 30-40%.

AND IT IS UNAFFORDABLE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> GORDON HOPES TO SEE MORE BUILDINGS LIKE JENNINGS VILLAGE.

HE SAYS THAT THEY WILL PREVENT LANDLORDS FROM HIKING UP THE RENT.

>> NOBODY SAID YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO RAISE RENT BUT WHEN YOU ARE GOING SO FAR ABOVE WAGES, IT IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

I HOPE BY CREATING MORE HOMES, WE ARE CREATING MORE COMPETITION THAT IS GOING TO KEEP THE RENT DOWN.

>> THE BUILDING IS NAMED AFTER EDITH SAVAGE JENNINGS, A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER FROM TRENTON.

SOME OF HER FAMILY CAME TO THE RIBBON-CUTTING.

>> SHE WAS LIKE A MENTOR.

WE USED TO TALK ALL THE TIME ABOUT POLITICS AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO SAY THAT WE MET MARTIN AND CARETTA KING AND WE CALLED THEM AUNT AND UNCLE.

BECAUSE THAT IS THE CLOSENESS THAT WE HAD WITH BOTH OF THEM.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THEY FOUGHT FOR WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND SO THEY FIND IT FITTING THAT JENNINGS VILLAGE IS NAMED AFTER HER AND FEATURES A MURAL ABOUT HER LIFE.

>> THERE IS ALWAYS GOOD ABOUT PEOPLE.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SERVE AND HELP BETTER THEIR POSITIONS IN LIFE AND THEIR OPPORTUNITIES.

>> IT IS AMAZING THAT THIS PLACE IS CALLED A VILLAGE.

IT IS REFLECTIVE OF THIS WOMAN'S WORK.

JENNINGS BELIEVED IN THE VILLAGE.

>> WHEN YOU START TO THINK ABOUT WHAT SHE FOUGHT FOR, IT IS THE SAME THING WE ARE FIGHTING FOR TODAY.

IT IS JUST FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE A DECENT LIFE, TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN A NATION THAT APPRECIATES WHO THEY ARE AND RECOGNIZES THEM.

I THINK IT IS PERFECT.

>> SHE IS LOOKING DOWN ON US RIGHT NOW AND SAYING, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAD A HAND IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

>> THE FOUR STORY BUILDING HAS FILLED UP FAST, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN OPEN LONG.

THE MAYOR SAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MOVED INTO 50 OF THE 72 AVAILABLE APARTMENTS.

IN TRENTON, I AM TED GOLDMAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NOW THAT THE PANDEMIC MANDATES ARE ENDING, SO TOO ARE MANY OF THE PROGRAMS PUT INTO PLACE THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT HELPED FEED NEW JERSEY'S KIDS.

AND IT IS ALL HAPPENING AS THE COST TO FEED A FAMILY IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN EVER.

ONE OUT OF 10 CHILDREN FACE HUNGER IN THE STATE ACCORDING TO FEEDING AMERICA.

NOW, LAWMAKERS AND CHILD HUNGER ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING TO EXTEND THE HELP.

PROGRAMS LIKE WAIVERS FOR FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH OR GRAB AND GO MEALS PROVIDED BY SCHOOLS WOULD EXPIRE.

THAT PUTS A LOT OF FAMILIES IN A DESPERATE POSITION ACCORDING TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR "HUNGER FREE NEW JERSEY."

LISA PITTS, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

HUNGER OF COURSE IS AN ISSUE AND HAS BEEN LONG BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

CERTAINLY STILL AN ISSUE TODAY.

IF WE SEE THESE PROGRAMS END, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE KIDS IN OUR STATE?

>> WE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE END OF THE CHILD NUTRITION WAIVERS.

THE WAIVERS WERE ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THEY ALLOWED FOR SOME OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITIES AND MADE THE PROGRAMS EASIER TO ADMINISTER AND MADE IT EASIER FOR CHILDREN TO ACCESS THE PROGRAMS.

BY PROGRAMS, WE MEAN SCHOOL MEALS, SUMMER MEALS, AFTER SCHOOL MEALS, THOSE CRITICAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS THAT MANY OF OUR CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY RELY ON.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, LISA, ALMOST 15% OF KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE IN THE STATE THAT LIVE IN POVERTY.

THOSE WERE NUMBERS FROM 2020- 2021.

SO RECENT DATA.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE FAMILIES, MORE CHILDREN STRUGGLING AS A RESULT?

>> WE BELIEVE SO.

WE ARE ALREADY HEARING FROM OUR FOOD PANTRY PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE, THAT THEY ARE SEEING UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE.

THEY ARE REPORTING, IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE, THAT THEY HAVE AS MANY, IF NOT MORE FAMILIES COMING FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE NOW AS THEY DID IN 2020.

WE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED.

>> THERE IS AN EFFORT AFOOT TO CONTINUE SOME OF THESE AND THE ACCESS TO FREE MEALS FOR KIDS WHEN THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS.

IS THAT ENOUGH?

>> WE BELIEVE IT IS A REALLY GOOD START.

IT IS DEFINITELY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT IS THE WORKING CLASS FAMILIES ANTIHUNGER ACT.

WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO WOULD BE TO INCREASE INCOME ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS, FROM 185, OF TO 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THERE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MORE CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY WHO ARE IN WORKING CLASS FAMILIES.

STILL STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IT WILL MEAN THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GET BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR FREE AT SCHOOL WHEN THEY RETURN IN THE FALL.

>> YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE USE OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, THE FACT THAT NEW JERSEY IS A HIGH COST OF LIVING STATE.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY FOLLOW THE FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE IN POVERTY.

SO WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST AS AN ADVOCATE AND FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION, THAT THE STATE DO TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THIS?

>> I THINK THAT THIS PARTICULAR BILL, THE WORKING CLASS FAMILIES BILL IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT DOES.

IT BROADENS THE SCOPE OF INCOME ELIGIBILITY AND ALLOWS MORE CHILDREN TO ACCESS REALLY THE CRITICAL NUTRITION THEY GET AT SCHOOL WHICH, FOR A LOT OF THESE KIDS, IT IS WHERE THEY GET MOST OF THEIR NUTRITION FOR THE DAY.

I THINK YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE DEFINE POVERTY AND ECONOMIC STRUGGLE.

NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST COSTS OF LIVING IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE THE SIX HIGHEST HOUSING COST.

WE KNOW FROM FAMILIES THAT WE SPEAK TO THAT THERE ARE WORKING FAMILIES THAT ARE SPENDING 50- 70% OF THEIR INCOME JUST TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.

SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ASSIST THESE FAMILIES, WHETHER THAT IS EXPANDING INCOME ELIGIBILITY SO THAT THE KIDS CAN CONTINUE TO GET FREE MEALS AT SCHOOL, OR INCREASING SNAP BENEFITS, OR ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE SO THAT NOBODY IN OUR STATE EXPERIENCES HUNGER OR FOOD INSECURITY.

>> NOT HARD TO DO, TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR HOUSING AND FOOD RIGHT NOW.

LISA PITTS WITH HUNGER FREE NEW JERSEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE ON THE PUSH TO EXTEND FOOD PROGRAMS FOR KIDS, WE HAVE AN ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AMONG THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AT THE STATEHOUSE TODAY, TACKLING RISING DRUG PRICES.

IT IS A TOUGH ONE.

RHONDA SCHEFFLER HAS THE LATEST, PLUS TONIGHT'S BIG HEADLINES.

>> THE HIGH COST OF SOME PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING THAT THE ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE HAD TODAY AS LAWMAKERS CONSIDER LEGISLATION TO MAKE DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE.

IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND THERE WAS LENGTHY TESTIMONY ON ONE BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE INDUSTRY TO SUPPLY DATA ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING AT EACH STAGE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE ON THAT LEGISLATION AND HEALTHCARE RACERS SAY THAT SOME CONSUMER ADVOCATES BELIEVE THAT IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

>> ADVOCATES WHO SAY TRANSPARENCY IS NOT ENOUGH SAY THAT THEY REALLY NEED SOME ACTUAL LEVERAGE TO MAKE CHANGE.

NOT JUST EXPOSE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS WHAT THE TRANSPARENCY BILL WOULD LARGELY DO.

>> FOR MORE ON WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING ABOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING, CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE ASSEMBLY HAVE A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY TO PRESS FOR TAX RELIEF IN THE NEW STATE BUDGET.

A REPUBLICAN LEADER AND BUDGET OFFICER ARE PUSHING FOR A FEW INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO SAVE TAXPAYER'S MONEY.

INCLUDING AN INCOME TAX CUT FOR MIDDLE CLASS AND LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS AND INDEXING CERTAIN STATE INCOME TAX BRACKETS TO INFLATION.

THEY ALSO WANT TO RETURN ENERGY TAX RECEIPTS TO MUNICIPALITIES TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES AND TO RESTORE SCHOOL FUNDING CUTS.

THE REPUBLICANS SAY THAT WITH INFLATION HIGH AND THE STATE EXPERIENCING RECORD REVENUE, IT IS TIME TO RETURN MONEY TO TAXPAYERS.

>>> CLEAN ENERGY IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT IS IT GOOD FOR YOUR WALLET?

IT WOULD BE FOR YOUR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF AN ONGOING STUDY BEING PREPARED FOR THE STATE.

THE REPORT BY THE BRIDAL GROUP SAID THERE WILL BE COST SAVINGS BY 2030 FOR THINGS LIKE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS AND ELECTRIFYING THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR.

MEANWHILE, SOME CRITICS OF THE REPORT SAID THE REVIEW FAILED TO INCLUDE CERTAIN COSTS WHILE CLEAN ENERGY SUPPORTERS APPROVED THE FINDINGS.

MEANTIME, THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES YESTERDAY OKAYED MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO BUY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS FOR APARTMENTS AND OTHER MULTIUNIT DWELLINGS AROUND THE STATE.

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

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY RIVERVIEW JAZZ, PRESENTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 4th AND 5th.

EVENT DETAILS, INCLUDING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATION ARE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEWJAZZ.ORG.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THE STAGE IS SET FOR YET ANOTHER BUSY HURRICANE SEASON IN 2022.

THE FEDERAL FORECASTERS ARE PREDICTING AN ABOVE AVERAGE SEASON WITH AS MANY AS 10 HURRICANES FORMING.

3-6 OF THOSE COULD BE MAJOR.

THAT MEANS WIND SPEEDS OF 111 MILES AN HOUR HIGHER.

AND BETWEEN 14-21 NAMED STORMS ARE POSSIBLE.

THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION RELEASED THE OUTLOOK ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS ON JUNE 1st.

IT RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH.

IF THE PRODUCTION SOLD, IT WILL BE A RECORD SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF ABOVE NORMAL ACTIVITY.

ALL THE RESULTS OF SEVEN CLIMATE FACTORS, INCLUDING A LA NIÑA SYSTEM ENTERING ITS THIRD YEAR AND WARMER THAN AVERAGE OCEAN TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH WEAKER TROPICAL ATLANTIC TRADEWINDS.

>> A NEW JERSEY STATE CLIMATOLOGIST WARNS THAT FOR OUR REGION, HURRICANE RISKS GO BEYOND JUST DIRECT HITS.

>> WE CAN'T JUST SAY THAT HURRICANES ARE ALL ABOUT THE WIND SPEED.

IN THE MID-ATLANTIC, WE OFTEN HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT EXCESSIVE RAINFALL AND WITH STORMS LIKE SANDY, THE UNUSUALLY HIGH STORM SURGE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AT THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND DREAM AND ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA CROMPTON AND I AM PROUD TO BE A NEW CAP NJE MEMBER.