>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

THE RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO.

WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I AM JOANNA, IN FOUR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

BREAKING NEWS.

THE FBI IN NEWARK HAS WARNED OF THREATS MADE AGAINST SYNAGOGUES IN NEW JERSEY.

THE SPECIFICS REMAIN UNCLEAR.

THE FBI URGED PEOPLE TO TAKE ALL SECURITY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY AND FACILITY.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND POLICE ARE STILL PROCESSING THE AFTERMATH OF A POLICE SHOOTING EARLIER THIS WEEK WHERE THE COMMUNITY STEPPED UP TO HELP TWO OFFICERS CAUGHT IN THE LINE OF FIRE AND LATER HELPED CATCH THE SHOOTINGS BUS DUCT AND TURN HIM INTO THE POLICE.

IT IS A MAJOR SHIFT FROM JUST A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS PUT UNDER A CONSENT DECREE WITH A FEDERAL MONITOR AND REQUIRED TO MAKE SEVERAL REFORMS TO POLICING AFTER WIDESPREAD ACCUSATIONS OF MISUSE OF HORSE.

THEY HAVE FACED CRITICISM FOR THE HANDLING OF THIS INVESTIGATION.

RAVEN HAS MORE ON WHAT HAS CAUGHT NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION.

SHE LOOKS FOR WHERE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS STAND TODAY.

>> YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR SHOTS BEING FIRED.

THEY'RE THERE BENDING OVER TRYING TO DRAG THIS OFFICER TO SAFETY.

THIS IS THE TRUE COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO AMEND THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> Reporter: NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS A STRONGER BOND BETWEEN POLICE AND COMMUNITY SAVE THE LIVES OF TWO OFFICERS AND READ TO THE ARREST OF 30-YEAR-OLD KENDAL HOWARD AFTER THEY WERE TIPPED OFF ABOUT HIS WHEREABOUTS.

HE SHOT AND INJURED TWO OFFICERS ON TUESDAY, GARNERED NATIONAL ATTENTION AND LEFT MANY OFFICIALS ON EDGE.

THEY HAVE PRAISED CIVILIAN TO HELP THOSE OFFICERS CALLING IT A TESTAMENT TO ANTIVIOLENCE ORGANIZATIONS, LIKE NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM.

>> THE WAY THE COMMUNITY WAS ABLE TO RESPOND WAS DONE VERY WELL.

IT IS A TESTAMENT TO THE COMMUNITY'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

IN THE INVESTMENT, YOU KNOW, FROM THE CITY .

SPECIFICALLY TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURSELVES.

>> MOST PROUD OF THE FACT THAT NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED OUTSIDE OF THOSE TWO OFFICERS.

YOU KNOW, THIS YOUNG MAN , BUT HE WAS EVER MENDED -- APPREHENDED.

AND THAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAFER NOW.

>> NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY, WHEN YOU LOOK OVER THE ART OF, LET'S SAY, THE PAST OF 10 YEARS.

CRIME HAS GONE DOWN.

THAT'S GOOD.

BUT CRIME HAS NOT DISAPPEARED.

FOR FOLKS LIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT IS STILL AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE.

I CANNOT IMAGINE -- I THINK THE MOST POSITIVE ASPECT OF THIS VERY TRAGIC EPISODE IS THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED.

AND THAT WAS VERY GOOD.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM DAVID DERMAN SAYS WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES, MANY ANTIVIOLENCE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INTO RESPOND BY PROMOTING UNITY AND A SENSE OF SECURITY .

THAT SECURITY EXTENDS OUTSIDE OF JUST THE CRIME SCENE.

>> MAKING SURE THAT THE SCHOOLS THAT WERE IN THE AREA ARE SAFE.

ABLE TO BE A LIAISON BETWEEN PARENTS AND SCHOOLS.

>> BEING ON LOCKDOWN, STARTING FAMILIES OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL.

SO WE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE FAMILIES TO THE FAR END OF THE SCHOOL, JUST TO DIRECT THE KIDS FROM WALKING DOWN TO AVOID ALL THAT.

IT'S TRAUMATIZING.

A LOT OF KIDS ARE LIKE BEING, IF THE COPS GET SHOT, WHAT ABOUT US?

>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY, THE ONLY WAY TO END GUN VIOLENCE OVERALL IS TO HOLD GUN MANUFACTURERS ACCOUNTABLE AND DO MORE TO PREVENT ILLEGAL WEAPONS FROM ENTERING THE CITY.

HE SAYS, IF THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, MORE TRAGEDIES LIKE THE ONE WE SAW TUESDAY CAN BE PREVENTED IN THE FUTURE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO BEFORE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

RACE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN THIS FINAL STRETCH.

DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS JOINED THE PATTERSON NAACP TO RESPOND TO MAILERS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO VOTERS ACCUSING PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND DEMOCRATS OF, WHAT, WIDESPREAD RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WHITE AND ASIAN AMERICANS.

THE FLYERS WERE PAID FOR BY AMERICA FIRST LEGAL FOUNDATION, HEADED BY FORMER TRUMP SENIOR ADVISOR STEPHEN MILLER , ALLEGING ANTIWHITE BIGOTRY SAYING, QUOTE, BIDEN AND THE LEFT WANT TO DECIDE WHO GETS HIRED AND WHO GETS FIRED ACCORDING TO THEIR SKIN COLOR.

WHITES AND ASIANS NEED NOT APPLY.

ALSO SAYING THAT EQUITY IS A CODE WORD FOR EXCLUDING PEOPLE FROM JOBS, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, GOVERNMENT, FINANCIAL BENEFITS, BASED SOLELY ON THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.

HERE'S WHAT ASSEMBLYWOMAN WHO IS CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE LIKE CAUCUS HAD TO SAY.

>> THESE LEADERS ARE ALL HERE TO THIS STANDING IN SOLIDARITY TO NOT ONLY PROTECT DEMOCRACY , BUT ALSO TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT AND OUR ACCEPTANCE AND EMBRACING OF DIFFERENT CULTURES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THESE ACTS CANNOT GO UNADDRESSED.

TODAY I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK.

WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK TO THE TIME WHERE DEMOTING RACISM AND HATE IS THE NORM.

GONE ARE THE DAYS WHERE THOSE WHO EXPRESS HATEFUL SPEECH AND ACTIONS TOWARDS MINORITIES GO UNADDRESSED AND ARE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS DISRUPTED ONE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE BEGAN SHOUTING AT THE SPEAKERS FROM THE CROWD.

THE EVENT CONTINUED WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN USING HIS FINAL DAYS BEFORE MIDTERMS WANTING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT ON TUESDAY AND UNDER ATTACK BY THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO PERPETUATE THE BIG LIE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN.

>> AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK BECAUSE THE DEFEATED WOMAN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

THERE ARE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR EVERY LEVEL OF OFFICE IN AMERICA.

GOVERNOR, CONGRESS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF DATE.

WHO WILL NOT COMMIT TO ACCEPTING THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION THAT THEY ARE RUNNING IN.

IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.

IT'S UNLAWFUL.

IT'S UN-AMERICAN.

>> BETTER INTIMIDATION CONTINUES TO BE A TALKING POINT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THE LEGISLATURE RECENTLY PASSED A BILL REQUIRING A LEASE OFFICERS WHO WORK IN PLAINCLOTHES AT POLLING LOCATIONS, SAYING THE PRESENCE OF UNIFORMED OFFICERS HAS BEEN A BARRIER TO PEOPLE OF COLOR SHOWING UP TO THE POLLS.

HOW DOES THE STATE ENSURE POLLING LOCATIONS REMAIN SAFE?

THAT THE JOB OF NEW JERSEY'S OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS TO ENSURE THE PROCESS REMAINS SECURE ON ELECTION DAY.

HOW ARE THEY DOING THAT THIS YEAR LIKES JOINING ME NOW IS OFFICE DIRECTOR LORI DURRANT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU, WHAT THREATS IS THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY REALLY LOOKING FOR LEADING UP TO AND ON ELECTION DAY?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JOANNA.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT RIGHT UP THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC OR CREDIBLE THREATS IN NEW JERSEY AGAINST OUR ELECTIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE ALL THE PROCESSES IN PLACE TO ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE ELECTION CYCLE.

AS MANY PEOPLE MIGHT KNOW, OUR OFFICE, WHICH IS ALSO PART OF THE NEW JERSEY CYBER SECURITY AND COMMUNICATIONS CELL, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NJ KICK, COLLABORATES WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE EMMA WHICH IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ELECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY AS WELL AS COUNTY AND STATE AND FEDERAL COUNTERPARTS .

MAKING SURE THAT THE SYSTEMS AND REGISTRATIONS AND EVERYTHING ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> IS THERE CONCERN THAT ELECTION DENIERS COULD POSSIBLY THREATEN MANY OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE SELECTION?

>> THE WAY WE LOOK AT THINGS RIGHT NOW, FOCUSING ON THE THREATS AND DISRUPTIONS AROUND THE SELECTION BASICALLY INFORMATION, DISINFORMATION, AND NOW INFORMATION.

AS YOU ARE , PERHAPS AWARE, DISINFORMATION, THEY'RE TRYING TO BASICALLY EXHAUST RESOURCES AND CREATE PANIC.

WE ARE MORE FOCUSED ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM .

>> TALK ABOUT THE PORTAL THAT YOU HAVE CREATED TO REALLY DEAL WITH SOME OF THAT MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION.

>> Reporter: CERTAINLY.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE HAVE THIS PORTAL THAT BASICALLY PROVIDES THE USER AND INDIVIDUAL TO BE ABLE TO HAVE KIND OF A CHECKLIST TO HELP THEM INDEPENDENTLY THAT INFORMATION.

AND BASICALLY TO BE ABLE TO FORM THEIR OWN OPINIONS BY NOT JUST READING ANY OPENING AND SAYING THAT IT IS TRUE.

POINTERS SUCH AS CHECKING YOUR SOURCE, CONSIDERING THE AUTHORS MOTIVATION, CHECKING THE DATE , CHECKING YOUR OWN BIASES TO READ BEYOND THE HEADLINE AND DECIDE, IS IT ORIGINAL CONTENT AND ANY SUPPORTING SOURCES.

IT IS JUST A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE MANNER POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ATTRACTING THEIR INFORMATION AND NOT JUST LISTENING FROM SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> ARE THERE CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS THAT MIGHT BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THAT MISINFORMATION DISINFORMATION?

SENIORS ARE YOUNGER PEOPLE?

DO YOU TARGET CERTAIN AUDIENCES?

>> WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC WE RECOGNIZE THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA TEND TO BE -- THE DEMOGRAPHIC IS A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER.

BUT WE KNOW SOCIAL MEDIA IS PRESENT IN EVERYONE'S LIFE.

THAT INFORMATION CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.

HAVING THIS CHECKLIST YEAR WILL HOPEFULLY HELP ANYONE WHO DECIDES TO CHECK IT FOR THEMSELVES.

THEY WILL HAVE A WAY TO DO IT REALLY CANNOT CHECK EVERY SINGLE THING THAT IS OUT THERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THIS IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN TO DO THIS THEMSELVES.

>> NEW JERSEY DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> YOUNG PEOPLE TEND TO BE THE MOST DISENGAGED GROUP AROUND ELECTION TIME.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN ONE CLASSROOM AND RIDER UNIVERSITY TAUGHT BY POLITICAL INSIDER MICHAEL RASMUSSEN YOU WILL RECOGNIZE FROM OUR AIR.

THIS NEW JERSEY GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS CLASSES MOLDING AND SHAPING OUR FUTURE POLITICAL LEADERS, OR SO THEY HOPE .

TED GOLDBERG SPOKE TO SEVERAL STUDENTS ABOUT POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS AFTER BEING INSPIRED BY HIS CLASS.

>> RASMUSSEN'S POLITICAL SCIENCE COURT COURSE MIGHT HELP TO PRODUCE POLITICIANS IN A FEW YEARS.

>> AND LOOKING AT RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY.

MOST LIKELY AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR MY DISTRICT.

>> MAYBE EVEN NEXT WEEK.

>> RUNNING FOR A SEAT IN NEW JERSEY.

>> NEXT WEEK SELECTION IS TAKING STAGE IN THIS UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM.

>> ONE THING THAT IS ALWAYS TRICKY ABOUT ASKING PEOPLE WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE IS THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO TELL YOU YES.

>> ALL POLITICS ALL THE TIME.

>> ARE YOUNG PEOPLE GOING TO VOTE?

IF THEY DO, IT WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON THE ELECTION.

AND IF THEY DON'T, IT WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON THE ELECTION.

>> THE COURSE IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS FOCUSED SOLELY ON NEW JERSEY 12 MIDTERM CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

IT'S PICKS ONE, WITH MOST OPTING FOR THE SEVEN DISTRICT BATTLE BETWEEN TOM ZALASKI AND TOM KIEREIN JR. >> SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER NEW JERSEY POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

I THINK OUR POLITICS ARE FASCINATING.

STUDENTS CAN LEARN FROM THEM.

>> HE SAYS HE COULD HAVE OFFERED THIS COURSE IN THE PAST BUT RECENTLY, YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN MORE INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

AND ARE MORE INTERESTED IN A CLASS HYPER FOCUSED ON STATEWIDE ELECTIONS.

>> THE TRUMP YEARS AND THE POSTERIOR TRUMP YEARS HAVE REALLY BROUGHT INTO FOCUS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE ENGAGED, EVEN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ENGAGED BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE IS ENGAGED.

AND THEY SURE WANT TO INFLUENCE THE PROCESS.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS AN INTERESTING CLASS LEARNING THE HISTORY OF VOTING AND OTHER REFORMS.

LEGISLATION THAT REALLY BUILDS NEW JERSEY TO BE WHAT IT IS TODAY.

>>'S GOAL IS TO NOT GET THEM EVEN MORE ENGAGED.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR POLITICS.

AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING IN POLITICS , AND THE GOVERNMENT.

THEY CAN, TOO.

IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE INTIMIDATING.

THE MORE YOU UNDERSTAND IT, THE MORE YOU CAN FEEL LIKE IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN, AS WELL.

>> WAS BORN IN ECUADOR.

INTO AMERICA WHEN I WAS 8 AND I GOT INSPIRED BY HOW THIS COUNTRY RUNS.

SUCH A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY.

AND I FEEL LIKE I WOULD WANT TO SEE MORE PEOPLE LIKE ME IN OFFICE.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WOMEN OF COLOR.

REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> AFTER THE PARKLAND SHOOTING, WE HAD A WALKOUT THAT WAS ARRANGED WITH THE PRINCIPAL.

I WAS SORT OF ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER FOR THAT.

>> POLITICAL MISINFORMATION IN THIS CLASSROOM.

RASMUSSEN'S GOAL IS TO LAY OUT THE COLD HARD TRUTHS.

>> MIDTERM WISE, TYPICALLY, THEY WILL LOSE SEATS.

WE KNOW THAT'S A FACT OF LIFE.

>> YOU MIGHT SAY SOMETHING TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.

JUST TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT POLITICS IS ANYTHING BUT BORING.

>> PRESIDENT VAN BUREN WAS A ACCUSED OF WEARING WOMEN'S UNDERWEAR.

THAT GOES WAY BACK.

I'M ALWAYS BRINGING IN EXAMPLES FROM MY CAREER THAT I THINK AND HOPE ARE STILL CURRENT.

THE FACT THAT I'M PASSING ALONG FIRST AND STUFF, I HOPE WILL BE RELEVANT.

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WILL HELP THEM MAKE EDUCATED CHOICES AS THEY CAST THEIR VOTES NEXT WEEK .

MORE IMPORTANTLY, UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE.

I'M TED GOLDBERG , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> WITH FIVE DAYS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY, WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT OUR NEW NJ DECIDES 2022 PODCAST SERIES ELECTION EXCHANGE RATE ALL SIX EPISODES ARE NOW ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

CHECK THEM OUT THERE OR DOWNLOAD WHEREVER YOU STREAM YOUR PODCAST.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORTS TONIGHT, THE STATE HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS FULLY FUNDING A PUBLIC WORKERS PENSION FUND AFTER IT WAS SORELY UNDERFUNDED FOR DECADES.

AS THE STATE'S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION GROWS YEAR AFTER YEAR, THE BURDENS ALSO FALLING TO COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS TO MEET THEIR SHARE OF THOSE PAYMENTS.

COMBINE THAT WITH RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS AND YOU HAVE THE AGE-OLD PROBLEM OF PROPERTY TAXES POTENTIALLY RISING IN NEW JERSEY.

I HAVE BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORTER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER HERE WITH ME TO TALK AT ALL THROUGH.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

HOW WILL THE STATE'S BURDEN TO FULLY FUND THE PENSION SYSTEM REALLY END UP PUSHING THAT BURDEN ONTO MUNICIPALITIES?

>> IN THIS CASE, IT IS REALLY A LOT OF FACTORS COMING INTO PLAY THAT IS CAUSING THESE COSTS TO GO UP.

PART OF IT IS THE STATE HAS BEEN TRYING TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH THEY EXPECT INVESTMENT THAT THE PENSION FUND IS INVOLVED IN IN TERMS OF RETURNS AND MOVING DOWN AS A DICTATIONS.

PART OF THE RESPONSE TO THAT IS YOU HAVE TO EXPECT MORE TO BE CONTRIBUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYER.

THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

IT COULD BE THAT A LOT OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS ARE AWARDING RAISES TO HELP EMPLOYEES KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

THAT CAN BE INCREASING SALARIES.

A LOT OF FACTORS AT PLAY.

REALLY, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT IS DELIVERING SOME PRETTY BIG YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASES TO AN AREA OF GOVERNMENT THAT IS ALREADY FACING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON FUNDING AND WHAT IT BENEFITS ON THE HEALTH INSURANCE SIDE.

>> TO THAT POINT, WE ARE SEEING INSURANCE PREMIUMS INCREASING DRAMATICALLY.

THAT, TOO, FOR MUNICIPALITIES, NOW , TO HAVE TO COVER THE INCREASES TO HEALTH COSTS AND HEALTHCARE COSTS.

HOW ARE THEY HANDLING THOSE INCREASES COMBINED?

>> RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE STATE.

THERE IS A BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD CARVE OUT SOME OF THE STATES FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY AND APPLY IT TO HELPING OFFSET THESE RISING HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

IN SOME CASE, 20% INCREASES YEAR OVER YEAR.

THAT IS ONE WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET READY FOR THIS AREA WARNING THAT THIS PUTS PRESSURE ON PROPERTY TAXES.

ARE THEY REALLY HIGH IN NEW JERSEY AREA AND WHETHER YOU RENT OR OWN.

IN SOME WAYS, WARNING THAT THIS IS GOING TO PUT PRESSURE ON PROPERTY TAXES.

>> THERE IS A 2% CAP ON HOW MUCH MUNICIPALITIES CAN INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

IS THERE A LOOPHOLE FOR THESE EXPENSES?

>> NOT EXACTLY A LOOPHOLE.

WHEN THE 2% WAS PUT IN PLACE ABOUT A DECADE OR SO AGO, IT INCLUDED SOME EXCEPTIONS TO HELP GOVERNMENTS TO GET SOME FLEXIBILITY.

ONE OF THE AREAS IS THE COST FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND OFFENSE.

THAT IS EXACTLY THIS AREA THAT WE ARE SEEING THE PLEASURE APPLIED RIGHT NOW.

POLITICALLY, THEY MAY NOT WANT TO GO OVER THAT 2% CAP IN OTHER AREAS.

MECHANICALLY, THEY CAN GO OVER THAT 2% CAP TO FUND THESE COSTS AS THEY ARISE.

>> FAIR TO SAY THAT HOMEOWNERS MIGHT SEE AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES THIS YEAR OVER 2%.

>> THAT IS FAIR TO SAY.

MAYBE SOME CUT BACK ON SERVICES .

>> JOHN WRIGHT MEYER.

THANK YOU FOR BREAKING IT DOWN FOR US, AS ALWAYS.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THE MARKETS CONTINUE REACTING TO THE INTEREST RATE HIKE.

HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT DIVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE AT NEW JERSEY A.M.COM AND BY NJ TIA NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1st AND 2nd AT RESORTS CASINO HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVEN INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJTIA.ORG .

>> PICTURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS FEED THIS WEEK WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE IS LOOKING AT WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A TOUGH YEAR FOR THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

SHE TALKS TO EXPERTS ABOUT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FOR NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS AND EQUITIES IN HEALTHCARE.

HOW TO SOLVE THE HEALTHCARE STAFFING PROCESS.

SATURDAY MORNING ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 10:00 A.M. >>> FOR FAR TOO LONG, NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN AMONG THE WORST DATES AND AT NATION FOR MATERNAL AND INFANT DEATH.

MOSTLY FOR WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

TODAY REPORT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOWED MORE THAN 90% OF THOSE PREGNANCY -RELATED DEATHS WERE PREVENTABLE.

THE REPORT COMES FROM THE NEW JERSEY MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE, LOOKING AT DATA FROM 2016 THROUGH 28 10.

IT'S PART OF FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY'S EFFORTS TO STOP MATERNAL AND INFANT DEATH BY ELIMINATING DISPARITIES IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

HOW PATIENTS MOVE FROM ONE STAGE OF CARE TO ANOTHER IS ACTUALLY A COMPLICATED PROCESS THAT REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF PLANNING AND CORONATION.

THAT WAS THE FOCUS OF A HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE THIS WEEK CALLED, MIND THE GAP.

CARE PROVIDERS PRACTICE SOME OF THE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS THAT CAN TAKE PLACE WHEN A PERSON OR FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH TRANSITIONAL CARE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS THERE.

SHE HAS MORE.

>> SHE IS NOT IN A GOOD PLACE HERE.

WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING A ROLE-PLAYING GAME.

A SIMULATED HOSPITALIZED ICU.

PATIENTS ARE DYING.

MEDICAL STAFF ASKED FAMILY MEMBER STANDING AROUND THE BED WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THEY DON'T KNOW THERE IS NO PLAN.

>> WHAT ABOUT AT HOME, WHAT WITH THE CARE LOOK LIKE AT HOME?

>> WHY WAS THERE NO ADVANCED CARE PLANNING WHEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED EARLY ON?

BECAUSE IT CREATES THESE EMOTIONAL TENDS FAMILIES.

WHY DID ALL OF THIS CONVERSATION NOT TAKE PLACE BEFORE GETTING HER?

>> A LESSON LEARNED FOR THESE CAREGIVERS ATTENDING A SPECIAL CONFERENCE TUESDAY FOCUSED ON IMPROVING MAJOR HEALTHCARE TRANSITIONS LIKE THIS ONE.

PARTICIPANTS TALKED ABOUT SOLUTIONS.

>> SPEAKING ABOUT PRIDE AT THIS STAGE, ABSOLUTELY.

>> SOME CAMPAIGN NEEDS TO HAPPEN ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING IN THE HOMES WITH THE FAMILIES.

>> STAFF HAVE TRAVELED FROM SEVERAL STATES TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE CALLED MIND THE GAP.

GAPS OCCUR WHEN PATIENTS GO FROM ICU TO REHAB OR GO HOME FROM SURGERY ALL WITHOUT PROPER INFORMATION.

DR. JESSIE ISRAEL OF COMPLETE CARE ORGANIZING THE GATHERING TO HELP CLOSE INFORMATION GAPS WITH CORRECT MEDICAL DATA AND COMPASSIONATE CARE.

>> IT'S ABOUT TALKING TO OUR PATIENTS ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO STOP THERE.

BUT TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THE NEXT PERSON WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS HUMAN BEING AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> Reporter: COMING IN AND BEING HUMBLE AND TREATING PEOPLE HUMAN.

LIKE I THINK WE HAVE LOST HUMANITY TO A DEGREE.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO THAT.

>> Reporter: CHIEF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICER AT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, WHICH UNDERWRITES NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , SAYS HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS MUST BRIDGE RACIAL GAPS BY MAKING CONSCIOUS EFFORTS TO BOOST THE DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL SENSITIVITY WITH HOW BOTH PATIENTS AND STAFF ARE TREATED.

THAT RESONATED WITH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT AND ADJUSTMENT.

>> IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH SOMEBODY WHO DOES NOT WANT YOU AS A CAREGIVER, HAD YOU NOT LET THAT THING YOU?

HOW ARE YOU NOT HURT OR OFFENDED BY IT MAKES PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACISM.

THEY WANT TO SWEEP IT UNDERNEATH THE CARPET AREA LIKE THAT'S NOT REALLY HAPPENING.

THAT IS NOT THE ONE IN HEALTHCARE.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT IT DOES.

>> AND ANOTHER SEMINAR, WE POINT ABOUT PATIENTS BEING SENT HOME WITHOUT PROPER CARE INSTRUCTIONS ARE TRANSFERRED TO NURSING HOMES WITH INCOMPLETE RECORDS.

>> HOW CAN WE TREAT SOMEBODY OR CARE FOR SOMEBODY WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY WANT?

PICK UP THE PHONE AND TALK TO THEM.

EVERYBODY HAS THE INTENTION TO HELP.

SOMETIMES THE COMMUNICATION BREAKS DOWN IN CERTAIN WAYS.

>> ORGANIZERS HOPE MORE THAN 1000 HEALTHCARE STAFFERS WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE TAKE A FEW IDEAS BACK WITH THEM AND SPREAD THE WORD.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, HE TALKS WITH PETER HASKEL, WHO RECENTLY STEPPED DOWN FROM A DECADES LONG CAREER AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH THE VOCAL DISORDER.

BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES IN THE WEEK WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS.

TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M JOANNA.

FOR ALL OF OUR TEAM HERE AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT .

SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

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ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN , TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

THE CHANCE TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJ EA MEMBER.