>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AN BUSINESSES FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLU SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT M.J. REALTOR.COM.

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

>> AT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE RISING COST OF A THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION IS TOP OF MIND AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAY.

INFLATION MAKING IT TOUGHER TO GET THAT IS GETTING FEAST ON TH TABLE.

DATA FROM THE ANNUAL FARM BUREAU SURVEY SHOWING YOU WILL PAY 20% MORE FOR A DINNER FEEDING 10 PEOPLE THIS YEAR.

NOT JUST THE GROCERY BILL HITTING THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT.

RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY SAY THEY'RE PLANNING TO CUT BACK ON GIFTGIVING AND EVEN SEASONAL TRAVEL TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS ACCORDING TO A NEW STOCKTON UNIVERSITY POLL OUT THIS WEEK.

AFFORDABILITY IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES IN THE STATE .

MANY HOMEOWNERS SAY PROPERTY TAXES ARE AMONG THE BIGGEST BURDENS.

LATE LAST WEEK , THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED IT WILL EXTEND THE DEADLINE TO FILE FOR NEW PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM CALLED ANCHOR.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE .

GOVERNOR MURPHY JOIN ME NOW.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

DURING MENSTRUATION, OF COURSE, IS LOOKING TO ADDRES SOME OF THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGE HITTING PEOPLE.

ONE WAY THROUGH THIS ANGER PROPERTY TAX PROGRA , HOW IS THE APPLICATION PROCES GOING, FIRST OF ALL?

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

IT IS ACTUALLY GOING QUITE WELL.

THE LAST TABULATION I SAW, I THINK OUT OF 2.2 MILLION ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS OR RENTERS.

THAT IS A HISTORIC STEP WE HAVE TAKEN FOR RENTERS.

JUST UNDER 1 MILLION HAVE APPLIED ALREADY.

THANKS TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND SPEAKER , WHO I'VE WORKED TOGETHER TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE UNTIL JANUARY 1st 2023.

SO WE'VE GOT JUST OVER TWO MONTHS TO GO .

ONE EXTRA MONTH ON TO THAT.

ALSO PUTTING SOME MUSCLE INTO PROMOTING MORE AGGRESSIVEL THE EXISTENCE OF ANCHOR TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS IT IS OUT THERE.

SO FAR SO GOOD.

THERE'S A LOT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE.

MOST OF IT IS INFLATION AND AFFORDABILITY.

THIS IS HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX RELIEF A LEVELS WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

AS I MENTIONED, IT INCLUDES RENTERS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY OUT THERE KNOWS ABOUT IT.

AND IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, T SIGN UP FOR IT.

>> EXTENSION, IS THAT JUST TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND ON THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS APPLYING OR, AS HE SAID , BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE LOOKING TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE OF AN UPTAKE?

>> BOTH.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, BRIANA.

IT IS BOTH.

IT HAS ALLOWED US TO PUT SOME MORE MUSCLE INTO RAISING THE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM.

SECONDLY, A LOT OF PEOPLE, AS I AM SURE YOU REPORTED ON EARLY ON, THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS AND WEBSITE HITS.

BY THE WAY, IF I MAY , IF FOLKS OUT THERE JUST G TO NJ.GOV , YOU ARE GOING TO SE AN ANCHOR BILLBOARD RIGHT THER .

PRESS ON THAT.

YOU GO RIGHT INTO THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

IF YOU WOULD RATHER, YOU CAN US THE PHONE, ALTHOUGH I THINK THE WEBSITE IS PROBABLY THE MOST EFFICIENT.

188-238-1233.

SO IT'S 188-238-1233.

FOLKS ARE BURNING UP TO HUNDRED $50,000.

TO OWN A HOME OR IN RENT, THI IS HISTORIC.

>> I JUST WANT TO SHIFT GEARS SLIGHTLY TO THE TRAGEDY IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD TOO MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS.

I KNEW YOU HAD A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SOME LEADERS FROM NEW JERSEY'S LGBT YOU COMMUNITY YESTERDAY.

CAN YO SHARE WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AND HO THE STATE IS ENSURING SAFETY AT LGBTQ SPACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE?

>> IS ANOTHER GOOD QUESTION.

SADLY, WE'VE HAD TOO MANY OF THESE CALLS.

WORST OF ALL, WE EXPRESS OUR DEEP EMPATHY, SYMPATHY, AND SORROWS FOR THE VICTIMS.

THOSE WHO WERE KILLED AS WELL AS THE FOLKS WHO ARE INJURED .

AND THEIR FAMILIES.

SECONDLY, WE COMMITTED BEYOND ANY SHADOW OF A DOUBT TO CONTINUE TO RESPECT COMPLETELY THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND TO HAVE THEIR BACKS .

A HARD LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITMENT.

WHETHER TO LOCATIONS OR EVENTS OR INDIVIDUALS .

NEW JERSEY, I AM HAPPY TO SAY, IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN EVERYBODY IN THE STATE SEE IT THAT WAY, WHICH IS WHY WE'VE GOT TO BE VIGILANT.

BUT WE WIL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STAND B THE COMMUNITY.

NOT JUST IN THIS TIME OF TRAGEDY BUT GOING FORWARD EACH AND EVERY DAY.

>> WOULD YOU SUPPORT FUNDING SOME OF THE SECURITY OR SAFETY MEASURES AT SOME OF THESE CENTERS?

I KNOW AT LEAST ONE COMMUNITY CENTER IN ASBURY PARK HAS MADE A REQUEST FOR FEDERAL AND STATE ENDING TO HELP WITH BOTH EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL .

IS THAT SOMETHING THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSIDER?

>> WE WOULD BE OPEN TO THAT.

WE DO THAT, AS YOU KNOW, AND MANY OTHER VENUES, WHICH ARE, SADLY TOO REGULARLY UNDER THREAT LIKE SYNAGOGUES AND RELIGIOUS RULES WHERE WE FIND THE ACTUAL ENTIT AS WELL AS MONEY TO PAY FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL.

SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD CLEARLY BE OPEN-MINDED TOO.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE FOLKS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS TO BE ELEVATES ALWAYS VIGILANT.

GET THROUGH SAFELY AND HAVE GREAT HOLIDAYS.

AND T EVERYBODY OUT THERE, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT ONE.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOUR FAMILIES, AS WELL.

THANKS, GOVERNOR.

>>> A CROWD GATHERING IN ASBURY PARK LAST NIGHT FOR A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL HONORING THE FIVE WERE KILLED AND MORE THAN A DOZEN INJURED DURING A MASS SHOOTING AT AN LGBTQ NIGHTCLUB THIS WEEKEND IN COLORADO SPRINGS.

GATHERERS AT THE SPOT AND LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER IN ASBURY PARK , ONCE THE LOSS OF LIFE AND BEING DRAWN TOGETHER I FEAR AND GRIEF IN AN ATTACK ON THEIR OWN.

THEY ARE CALLING ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO FUND THE COST OF SECURING THE FACILITY WITH EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL.

THE 22-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING SUSPECT IN COLORADO IS BEING HELD AND FACE HATE CRIME AND MURDER CHARGES.

AUTHORITIES IDENTIFIED TWO PATRONS, A FATHER AND A DRUG PERFORMER, HE MANAGED TO OVERPOWER AND SUBDUE THE GUNMEN UNTIL POLICE ARRIVED, PREVENTIN EVEN MORE BLOODSHED.

MANY ARE CALLING OUT HATEFUL RHETORIC USED AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE BLAMING THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE FOR THE VIOLENCE.

IN NE JERSEY, THE CONVERSATION AROUND CURRICULUM INVOLVING GENDER IDENTITY HAS BECOME THE LATEST LIGHTNING ROD WITH BANDS ON BOOKS COVERING THE TOPIC , POLARIZING COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WITH WE ARE SEEING IN NEW JERSEY IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WHICH IS AN EFFORT TO DEMAND THAT BOOKS THAT A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE OBJECT TO OR SOME CONTINGENT OF PEOPLE OBJECT TO NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ANYBODY IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

>> IT IS ERASURE CULTURE THAT FOLKS SAY THEY ARE FACING.

WHETHER IN TARGETED ATTACKS, LIKE THIS WEEKEND IN COLORADO RINGS, OR ATTEMPT TO BAN LGBTQ BOOKS.

>> I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF AUTHORS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS THAT THEY FEEL EVERY TIME A BOO IS BANNED ON THAT BASIS, THAT I FEELS LIKE THEY ARE BEING BANNE AND THEY ARE BEING TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT BELONG OR CANNOT BELONG OR CANNOT BE REPRESENTED IN SCHOOLS AND IN OUR PUBLICS FEAR.

SPHERE.

I DO FEEL THAT TH RHETORIC AND THE MOVEMENT AND THAT HAS LED TO THE VIOLENCE AN EXTREMIST ACTIONS THAT WE SAW I COLORADO.

>> Reporter: TWO AUTHORS HAD THEIR BOOKS MANNED BY SCHOOLS.

DAMIEN LA PAZ WROTE, "I AM A PRINCE " GEARED TOWARDS YOUNGER KIDS.

>> A PRINCE HERE EXPRESSES HIS GENDER TO HIS PARENTS.

NOT A PRINCESS IN A PRINCE READ AND FOCUSES ON THAT DYNAMICS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.

>> Reporter: THE ESSAY INTRODUCING KIDS TO THESE TOPICS TO KIDS AT A YOUNG AGE MAKES THEM MORE LIKELY TO QUESTION THEIR IDENTITY.

CRITICS SAY -- >> LEMON GET SOME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WORLD THAT THEY GROW UP IN IS REALLY WHAT THESE BOOK ARE FOR, BESIDES FOR THOSE KID THAT GROW WITHOUT THE REPRESENTATION.

>> Reporter: GEORGE JOHNSON WROTE, "ALL BOYS AREN'T BLUE" FOR A YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC.

>> MY STORY GROWING UP FROM PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

IT TELL MY STORY FOR MY YOUTH, ADOLESCENCE, TEEN YEARS, AS WEL AS SOME YEARS IN COLLEGE , WITH WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO LIVE AT TH INTERSECTION OF BLACKNESS AND CLEARNESS.

>> IT HAS BEEN BANNED IN SEVERA PLACES BECOME BECAUSE OF SOME EXPLICIT SEXUAL LANGUAGE IN THE BOOK.

>> WHAT I TALK ABOUT IS A THING THAT TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS GO THROUGH WHEN THEY ARE IN THAT FIRST MOMENT.

I THINK IT IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, NEFARIOUS TO TRY TO CLASSIFY THAT AS PORNOGRAPHY WHEN REALISTICALLY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO TEACH TEENS ABOUT IS WHAT CONSENT IS, WHAT NONCONSENT IS.

TEACH ADULT THAT.

BECAUSE WE TRY TO WITHHOLD SEXUAL EDUCATION FROM TEENAGERS, WE JUST SEND THEM OU INTO THE WORLD WITH NO RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON SAID IT WAS HARD TO SHARE PERSONAL STORIES BUT FELT IT WAS CRITICA TO HELP OTHERS UNDERSTAND.

THI SEEMS TO BE A JUXTAPOSITION, ON THE ONE HAND, BETWEEN PEOPLE FEELING EMBOLDENED AND CONFIDEN ENOUGH TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND PEOPLE SAYING REPRESENTATIO REALLY DID NOT BEFORE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, TARGETED ATTACKS AN SHOOTINGS AND PEOPLE BEING KILLED BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY HOWEVER THOSE THINGS COEXIST RIGHT NOW >> THERE WAS A BELIEF THAT VISIBILITY AND REPRESENTATION WAS THE ANSWER.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE MARK VISIBILITY AND REPRESENTATION, THERE IS A GROWTH IN THE VIOLENCE WE ARE FACING.

THE GOAL IS ALWAYS TO SUPPRESS US.

>> Reporter: THEY SAID THAT SUPPRESSION ATTENDANCE WILL NOT SUCCEED.

>> Reporter: WE WILL CREATE SOCIAL JUSTICE LIBRARIES ALL THOSE BOOKS THAT WILL BE DISPLAYED IN SCHOOLS.

YOU CAN ATTEMPT TO LEGISLATE US OUT OF EXISTENCE AND WE WILL CREATE SACRED SPACES AND SAFE SPACES.

>> LIKE THEY SAY, CLUB Q, IMPERATOR SPRINGS.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE ERROR THAT CAUSED VOTING MACHINES TO REJECT BALLOTS AND THAT MIDTERMS TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE FINDINGS ARE NOT SATISFYING TO MANY VOTERS IN THE AREA WHO LET LEADERS KNOW ABOUT IT DURING AND IN TENSE MEETING LAST NIGHT.

SOME RESIDENTS AND CANDIDATES ARE CALLING FOR A REDO ON THE COUNTY ELECTION.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TAL THIS YEAR ABOUT DANGER TO DEMOCRACY.

THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

TRUST AND THE ELECTION SYSTEM IS THE THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

I CANNOT TRUST THE SELECTION.

>> PEOPLE IN MERCER COUNTY ARE STILL FURIOUS ABOUT VOTING MACHINE ISSUES ON ELECTION DAY.

A BITTER AND BIPARTISAN CROWD TOLD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LAST NIGHT THAT IT CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

STATEWIDE EMBARRASSMENT QUITE FRANKLY.

WE WERE NOT ABL TO COUNT OUR VOTES ON ELECTION DAY.

THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> I GET A PHONE CALL.

HEY, DAD WE ARE GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION HERE IN MERCER COUNTY NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD THING.

>> DEFINITELY DISENFRANCHISEMEN , SUPPRESSION OF THE VOTERS, PEOPLE LEFT .

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A 17 PERCENT VOTER TURNOUT RIGHT NOW THIS DAY MORE THAN JUST DESTROYED CONFIDENCE.

IT COMPLETELY DESTROYED OUR ELECTIONS.

>> Reporter: LEADERS EXPLAINED THE ERROR THAT CAUSED VOTING MACHINES TO REFUSE BALLOTS, FORCING VOTERS TO USE PAPER BALLOTS AND DAD.

>> THIS ENCODES WERE NOT USED O THE BALLOTS AND VOTING MACHINES THE MACHINES DID NOT REGISTER THE VOTES ON ELECTION DAY.

IF YOU PUT THE TWO BALLOTS NEXT TO EACH OTHER, YOU WILL NOTICE THA THE TIMING MARKS ARE DIFFERENT AND THE TIMING MARKS ARE THOSE LINES THAT ARE SURROUNDING IT AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THEY ARE LITTLE BIT OFF.

>> THE FAULT LIES SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MERCER COUNTY, DOMINION VOTING SYSTEMS, WHICH MAKES VOTING MACHINES, AND ROYAL PRINTING, WHICH MAKES THE BALLOTS THE COUNTY CLERK COVELL WANTED BALLOTS SORTED BY TOWNS INSTEAD OF VOTING DISTRICTS.

THAT COST CUTTING CHANGE WAS MADE TO BALLOTS BUT NOT TO DOMINIONS MACHINES.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHERE THE MISCOMMUNICATION HAPPENED.

>> INSTEAD OF HAVING 243 PROVISIONAL STYLES, WE DECIDED TO GO BY TOWN TO SAVE MONEY AND SAVE TIME.

HUMAN ERROR TOOK PLACE WHERE SOMEBODY DID NOT MAKE THE PROGRAMMING CHANGES THAT THEY WERE SENT.

>> WHEN THEY MADE THE DECISION THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE 243 VERSIONS OF THE DIVISIONAL BALLOT, WE ARE GOING TO GO WITH 18.

WE THEN RECODED ALL OF THE VIOLETS.

BALLOTS.

>> THIS IS A PROCESS ERROR THAT RELATES TO INDIVIDUAL IDS AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE TO THE PROVISIONAL BALLOT >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE CHANGES THAT OCCUR, TYPICALLY, THAT IS FOLLOWED UP AND DOCUMENTED IN AN EMAIL.

>> THERE WAS AN EMAIL THAT SAID THESE ARE THE NEW FILES.

THE MISUNDERSTANDING WAS THE DOMINION TEAM MEMBER WHO WAS ON THE CALL LEFT THE CALL THINKIN THAT IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE THE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS THAT WERE CHANGED.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE AT THE MEETING WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT EXPLANATION.

ONE HAD ESCAPED THEM AND OTHERS WANTED ANOTHER ELECTION.

>> JUST WANT ONE THROAT TO CHOKE.

WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMEBODY PAYS FOR WHAT HAPPENED >> TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE, I THINK, AND OUR ELECTION PROCESS HERE, I THINK IT ABSOLUTELY HA TO HAVE A REDO.

I FEEL THAT TH REASON WE ARE HAVING THIS RIGHT NOW IS TO SAY THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING.

>> THE MAYORAL CANDIDATE POSTED A FACEBOOK YESTERDAY CALLING FOR A NEW ELECTION, ALONG WITH CATHERINE RIDE, ANOTHER MAYORAL CANDIDATE IN TRENTON.

THE INCUMBENT WAS ANNOUNCED WINNER TODAY WITH MORE THAN 70% OF THE VOTE.

NO WORD YET FROM THE NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IF EITHER ELECTION WILL HAPPEN.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> A PLAN TO WIDEN ONE OF THE STATES MOST HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAYS NOW COMES WITH A BIGGE PRICE TAG.

NEW BUDGET DOCUMENT FROM THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY SHOWS THE COST TO REPAIR AND WIDEN THE HUDSON COUNTY EXTENSION TO AND FROM THE HOLLAND TUNNEL HAS REACHED AN ESTIMATED $2.6 BILLION.

THE INITIAL PRODUCTION OF 4.7.

INFLATION AND RISING COSTS OF BORROWING MONEY.

IT ALSO INCLUDES REPLACING EXIT 14 IN NEWARK, INCLUDING THE NEWARK BA BRIDGE AND EXIT 14 A IN BAYONNE CRITICS INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTA GROUPS, CYCLISTS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS SAID THE PROPOSAL WOULD INCREASE TRAFFIC VOLUME I THE AREA, CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL ARMS LIKE MORE CARBON EMISSIONS AND GO AGAINST THE STATE'S CLINICALS.

OPPONENTS ARGUE THE MASSIVE PROJECT IS A NECESSITY WITH THE NEARLY 70-YEAR-OLD NEWARK BRIDGE AT THE END OF ITS LIFE STAND AND INCEST THAT TRAVEL LANES WOULD EASE CONGESTION FOR DRIVERS.

>> TURNING OUT TO WALL STREET LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATIO ONLINE AT NJTIA.ORG.

>>> HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE PREPARING FOR WHAT COULD BE ANOTHER BUSY WINTER SEASON WITH THE FLU VIRUS STARTING A MONTH EARLY AND LINGERING CONCERNS OVER COVID-19.

THIS MORNING , 100 REGISTERED NURSES HELD A RALLY, CALLING ATTENTION TO WHA THEY CALL A DEV IS THAT IN STAFFING CRISIS.

THE RESULT OF UNPRECEDENTED TURNOUT AND DEPARTURES FROM THE FASHION, FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC GRID MELISSA ROSE-COOPER REPORTS.

>> SAFE STAFFING SAVES LIVES.

>> Reporter: LOUD CHANTS WITH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT THES NURSES WANT THEIR BOSSES TO HEAR.

THEY SAID THERE IS A MAJO STAFFING SHORTAGE OF THIS MEDICAL CENTER, CREATING HEAVY BURDEN.

>> OVERWORKED.

COVID, THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A HUGE TOLL ON US.

WE GAVE OUR ALL.

BUT WE ALSO FEEL THAT WE ARE NOT BEIN TREATED FAIRLY.

WITH THE QUOTATION OF BEING TREATED LIKE ZEROS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE MAKING THE VOICES HEARD, RALLYING FRON OF THE HOSPITAL, SHOUTING, HOLDING UP SIGNS WITH THEIR DEMANDS FOR MORE STAFFING, INCREASED PAY, AND BETTER TREATMENT.

>> I JUST HOPE THAT THE HOSPITA LISTENS TO US.

THEY ARE RIGHT THERE.

I HOPE THEY LISTEN TO US AND HEAR OUR VOICES AND WE ARE STRONG AND IF THEY GET US THE FAIR CONTRACT WE DESERVE.

>> Reporter: SHANNON GOMEZ HAS BEEN A NURSE AT THIS MEDICAL CENTER FOR EIGHT YEARS.

SHE SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTRAC NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE HOSPITAL FOR WEEKS SINCE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EVENT EXPIRED NOVEMBER 1st.

WHAT IS BEING OFFERED IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> AND THE CONTRACTS WE HAVE HA A SENTENCE ABOUT SAFE STAFFING NOT ENOUGH TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HEARD WE ARE TRYING TO GET MORE NURSES INTO THE HOUSE LITTLE .

AND MOR NURSES WILL THEN, HOPEFULLY, CORRECT THE ISSUES THAT WE HAD.

>> Reporter: SHARON WAS OUT WITH HER SON AT 7:00 A.M.

DESPITE WORKING AS A LABOR AND DELIVERY NURSE HERE FOR THE LAS 43 YEARS, SHE DOES NOT FEEL RESPECTED GRID >> THE HOSPITAL IS PARTICIPATIN IN AGEISM.

THEY ARE OFFERING NURSES WITH LONGEVITY AND EXPERIENCE LESS MONEY THAN NEWER NURSES.

AND THAT IS JUST DEPLORABLE.

IT IS AN UGLY PRACTICE AND THE HOSPITAL IS ENGAGING IN IT.

THEY ARE ALSO OFFERING THE YOUNGER NURSES A MINUSCULE AMOUNT OF RETIREMENT MONEY.

THE AMOUNT THAT THEY AR OFFERING THEM, THE MATCHING AMOUNT IN THEIR 401(K) IS DEPLORABLE.

>> Reporter: BUT THEY ARE AFFIRMING THAT THE HOSPITAL DOE RESPECT AND VALUE STAFF.

A SPOKESPERSON RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, IN PART, IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR VITAL ROLE AND CONTRIBUTIONS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS OFFERED THE NURSES THE LARGEST FINANCIAL PACKAGE IN ITS HISTORY, INCLUDING WAGE INCREASES THAN AVERAGE OVER 12% IN ONE YEAR.

CURRENTLY IN THE UNITED STATES, NURSING INCREASES ARE AVERAGING BETWEEN 3% TO 5%.

THE INFORMATIONAL RALLY HELD TODAY BY CWA LOCAL 291 IS COMMON PRACTICE DURING NURSING NEGOTIATIONS.

>> A LOT OF THE TIME, OUR THANK YOU'S HAVE JUST BEEN PIZZA INSTEAD OF -- I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK WE DESERVE SOMETHING MORE SINCERE THAN JUST PIZZA FOR AL OF OUR TROUBLE AND WHAT NOT.

>> Reporter: NURSES SAY THE ONL CONTRACT HE WILL ACCEPT IS ONE THAT WILL APPROPRIATE ADDRESS THE STAFFING ISSUE SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO HELP PATIENTS AND GIVE THEM THE BEST CARE THEY DESERVE.

FOR, I AM MELISSA ROSE-COOPER.

>>> WORLD LEADERS TOOK A HISTORIC DEAL THIS WEEKEND DURING MARATHON CLIMATE TALKS AT THE SUMMIT HELD IN EGYPT.

AGREEING TO CREATE A FUND THAT WILL REQUIRE WEALTHY COUNTRIES TO PAY POORER NATIONS FOR THE DAMAGE AND ECONOMIC LOSSES CAUSED BY THE CHANGE.

THE DEAL IS SOME 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

NEGOTIATORS FROM ROUGHLY 200 COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN THE UNITED NATIONS SUMMIT FAILED T ADDRESS ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN GRID THAT IS CUTTING MORE CARBO EMISSIONS.

THE BIGGEST SOURCE O GLOBAL WARMING CAUSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN FRANK COLOGNE ATTENDED THE CLIMATE MEETING AND WILL SIGNIFICANT ISSUE INFLUENCE AS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

I SHOULD SAY WELL, ALL FROM THE CLIMATE TALKS IN EGYPT.

ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES WAS ADDRESSED.

THAT IS A DEAL STRUC FOR A FUND TO PAY FOR NATIONS THAT ARE REALLY VICTIMS OF THIS CLIMATE DISASTER .

WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?

>> THE DETAILS ARE REALLY NOT APPARENT AFTER THE THEY CAME OUT.

THE IDEA OF A CLIMATE FUND TO HELP THE COUNTRIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THESE ISLAND COUNTRIES, WHICH ARE REALLY IMPACTED BY SEA LEVEL RISE, MIGHT NOT EVEN EXIST ANYMORE UNLESS THEY TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS CLIMATE FUND BE ESTABLISHED.

THEY DID NOT WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF HOW MUCH AN WHO WOULD PAY FOR WHAT.

>> THOSE ARE PRETTY CRITICAL TO HAVING THIS FUND UP AND RUNNING I'M WONDERING WHAT THE U.S.' INVOLVEMENT WILL BE AND FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT IN CONGRESS, HOW YOU PLAN TO WRANGLE OTHER DEVELOPED NATIONS -- I AM THINKING OF CHINA -- THAT ARE BIG POLLUTERS , ACCOUNTABLE TO HELP PAY FOR THE FUND.

>> I THINK IT IS PRIMARILY AN ADMINISTRATION FUNCTION.

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET HAVE TO CONVINCE OTHER COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE.

THAT'S NOT REALLY CONGRESS' ROLE.

I DO THINK IT I IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT BE OVERBURDENED WITH IT .

OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE TO PARTICIPATE.

BUT WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA.

OTHERWISE, IT WON'T HAPPEN.

>> TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU BELIEV THE U.S. SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, OR PERHAPS, EVEN LEGALLY LIABLE?

>> I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE - I'M SORRY TO BE INTERRUPTING YOU, BRIANA.

THIS IS NOT A LEGAL LIABILITY.

TALKING ABOUT INTERNATIONAL LAW, AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS LITTLE LEGAL LIABILIT THAT IS ENFORCEABLE.

IT IS ALMOST IRRELEVANT TO TALK ABOUT LEGAL LIABILITY.

MORE OF A QUESTION THAT WE WANT TO TAKE LEADERSHIP TO MAKE SURE THAT TH CLIMATE FUND IS SET UP AND THERE IS HELP FOR COUNTRIES THA ARE SUFFERING.

I, OF COURSE, THINK OF THE ISLAND NATIONS THE MOST.

A LOT OF THEM MAY JUST DISAPPEAR.

>> WAS THERE MORE YOU WOULD HAV LIKED TO HAVE SEEN DONE, ACTION TAKEN, WHEN IT COMES TO THAT EMISSIONS CUTTING?

>> WE DID GAIN A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THE PHASE DOWN OF FOSSIL FUELS.

NOT JUST CALL OIL AND NATURAL GAS.

WE COULD NOT GET AN AGREEMENT ON THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT SO THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY PHASE DOWN FOSSIL FUELS , INCLUDING COAL.

THERE WAS CERTAINLY PROGRESS WITH MORE COUNTRIES SAYING THE WANTED TO DO THAT.

AGAIN, THE U.S. TAKES THE LEAD.

>> HOW LIKELY IS THAT, GIVEN TH NEXT HOST NATION FOR FUTURE CLIMATE TALKS, A FOSSIL FUEL EXPORTER, BASICALLY ?

>> I THINK A LOT OF THOSE COUNTRIES THAT ARE MAJOR EXPORTERS OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS ARE A LITTLE HYPOCRITICAL.

SAUDI ARABIA BEING THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE.

THEY TRIED TO PRODUCE THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT RENEWABLES AT HOME AND STILL PROMOTE THE USE AND SALE OF FOSSIL FUELS ABROAD.

IT'S GOIN TO BE TOUGH WITH A LOT OF THESE COUNTRIES.

BUT THE U.S. HAS TO KEEP PUSHING FOR IT.

>> CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, BRIANA.

I WAS GOO TALKING TO YOU.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN ARMS, TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE PRINTING BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE CLUB Q, THANK YOU FO BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIX TOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AN ORSTED.

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