FUNDING FOR NG SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RJW BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

>> AT EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING ME THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IN NEW JERSEY, IT PAYS TO BE AN INCUMBENT, ESPECIALLY AHEAD OF A BIG MIDTERM ELECTION.

THE LATEST CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT SHOWED DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS IN THE STATES MOST COMPETITIVE HOUSE RACES HAVE SUBSTANTIAL LEADS OVER THEIR OPPONENTS WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING MONEY.

WITH A ROUGHLY FOUR TO 1 CASH ADVANTAGE AND THE OVERALL $50 MILLION RAISED BY ALL CANDIDATES, HITTING DEMOCRATIC HOUSE NUMBERS IN FOUR OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS HAVE ABOUT $23 MILLION ON HAND.

THAT'S COMPARED TO REPUBLICANS, ROUGHLY $2.5 MILLION.

AND DEMOCRATS ARE SPENDING BIG TO HOLD ONTO THEIR SEATS, AND THE MAJORITY THEY HOLD IN CONGRESS.

SENIOR PROJECT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DEA JOINS ME TO BREAK DOWN THE LATEST CAMPAIGN NUMBERS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE ELECTION.

COLLEEN, YOU BEEN CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS, AS YOU ALWAYS DO, DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE.

WHO HAS GOT THE CASH ADVANTAGE HERE?

THE MAC DEFINITELY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE.

THEY HAVE ROUGHLY THREE QUARTERS OF THE MONEY THAT'S BEEN RAISED, WHICH IS ABOUT $50 MILLION RAISED BY THE CANDIDATES ALONE.

>> THEY GOT IT, BUT ARE THEY ALSO SPENDING?

WERE DISTRICTS WHERE, BEFORE THE CYCLE STARTED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE EGGS BENDING TO TRY TO SEAT THE INCUMBENTS.

>> SO FAR, THE 50 MILLION THAT HAS BEEN RAISED, THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR CAMPAIGNS HAVE SPENT ABOUT 34 MILLION.

AND AGAIN, THAT'S 7 OUT OF EVERY $10 SPENT WAS SPENT BY DEMOCRATS.

BUT THERE'S ALSO AN AWFUL LOT OF INDEPENDENCE BENDING OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, THESE OUTSIDE GROUP THAT ADVOCATE FOR ONE CANDIDATE OR ANOTHER.

8.2 MILLION ROUGHLY HAS BEEN SPENT THERE.

IN THAT CASE, IT'S MORE REPUBLICANS THAT ARE SPENDING.

THERE SOME PRO-REPUBLICAN ADS, BUT IT'S MOSTLY ANTI-DEMOCRATIC AD, PARTICULARLY IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT AND THE THIRD DISTRICT.

>> WHAT DOES THAT TELL US, THEN?

THESE WERE AREAS THAT WERE TARGETED.

DOES IT SAY THEY WERE EASIER OR HARDER THE NATIONAL PARTIES THOUGHT?

>> I THINK DEFINITELY THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO HEDGE THEIR BETS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT.

ANDY KIM, THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT, IS STILL EXPECTED TO WIN, AND THAT DISTRICT HAS BECOME A LITTLE KINDER TO HIM AS HE WAS.

HE'S A SOPHOMORE.

THE REPUBLICAN IS REALLY TRYING TO OVERCOME ANY BIRD OR REGISTRATION ADVANTAGE BY SPENDING -- IT'S ACTUALLY HIS MOTHER WHO FORMED THIS COMMITTEE IS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON HIS BEHALF AND AGAINST KIM.

IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT, WHERE TOM KEAN IS GIVEN THE EDGE BECAUSE THAT DISTRICT HAS BECOME MORE REPUBLICAN OVER DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT TOM MALINOWSKI, THE REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS TIME.

THEY LOST BY ABOUT 5000 LAST TIME, SO THEY ARE SPENDING AN AWFUL LOT, MOSTLY ON NEGATIVE MALINOWSKI ADS.

>> IS AT OUTSIDE SPENDING?

THE SEVENTH DISTRICT HAS BEEN BILLED AS A MARQUEE RACE, THIS BATTLE WHERE THEY THINK THE REPUBLICANS CAN REALLY OUST MALINOWSKI.

IS IT OUTSIDE SPENDING?

>> IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT IN THAT RACE ACTUALLY MAKES UP 27% OF ALL THE MONEY SPENT IN THE 12 RACES.

>> I'M ALSO CURIOUS ABOUT JOSH.HEIMER, DEMOCRAT AND INCUMBENT THERE.

LOOKING AT NUMBERS YOU SENT ME, IT LOOKS LIKE A CASH COW THERE.

>> HE HAS JUST ALWAYS BEEN A FUND-RAISING MACHINE.

HE HAS $14 MILLION IN THE BANK, WHICH IS ALMOST HALF OF THE MONEY THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE IN THE BANK, OF ALL THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

AND HE HAS RAISED ABOUT 8 MILLION, AND THAT MAKES HIM THE 19th, I BELIEVE, LARGEST FUNDRAISER IN THE NATION OF ALL CANDIDATES.

>> WOW.

COLLEEN O'DEA.

INCUMBENTS CERTAINLY HAVE A STARKLY THERE.

>>> WITH THE MIDTERM ELECTION JUST THREE WEEKS OUT, WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A NEW POLITICAL PODCAST SERIES WE'VE LAUNCHED.

THE NJ DECIDES 2022 ELECTION EXCHANGE GIVES YOU INSIGHT AND ACCESS TO NEW JERSEY'S CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS, HOSTED BY SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ, SENIOR DIGITAL PRODUCT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DEA, AND ME.

WE BRING YOU CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE GARDENS DATE WITH EACH CANDIDATE.

HERE'S A CLIP FROM EPISODE TWO, COLLEEN'S CHAT WITH DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ANDY KIM RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION IN THE THIRD DISTRICT.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHY SHOULD VOTERS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT GIVE YOU A THIRD TERM IN CONGRESS?

>> IT IS BEEN A REALLY HUMBLING X VARIANCE GETTING TO REPRESENT IN CONGRESS A COMMUNITY WHERE I WENT TO KINDERGARTEN, WHERE MY YOUNGEST SON GOES TO KINDERGARTEN NOW.

THIS IS MY HOME, AND THIS IS OUR HOME.

I HOPE THE VOTERS SEE THAT THIS IS WHY I'M DOING THIS.

I'M SOMEONE WHO IS DEDICATED MY ENTIRE CAREER TO PUBLIX SERVICE.

I WORKED UNDER BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

IN FACT, I COMMITTED CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT, NOT A POLITICIAN.

I THINK RIGHT NOW, THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO POLITICS.

IN A WAY THAT COMES THROUGH AND PUSHES ASIDE THE TOXICITY.

BEYOND THAT, I'VE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO SHOW I CAN DELIVER, TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER FOR THE JOINT MILITARY BASE IN OUR DISTRICT, SUPPORT OUR MILITARY AND VETERANS.

AND ALSO, TO PASS TRANSFORMATIVE LEGISLATION TO BE ABLE TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR SENIORS.

I HOPE THAT THE VOTERS THINK ABOUT THIS WHEN THEY GO INTO THE BOOTH ON NOVEMBER 8th.

>> TO HEAR THE ENTIRE PODCAST INTERVIEW, HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB TO FIND THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES OF THE NEW SERIES, OR JUST DOWNLOAD THEM WHEREVER YOU STREAM YOUR PODCAST.

>>> RESTAURANTS THAT SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC, THANKS LARGELY TO THOSE CREATIVE TAKE-OUT OPTIONS, ARE NOW BEING THREATENED BY ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

RISING INFLATION DRIVING UP FOOD PRICES AND ALL THE OTHER COSTS IT TAKES TO DO BUSINESS.

BUT IT'S ALSO PINCHING CONSUMERS, WHO SAY THEY ARE CUTTING SPENDING BY DINING OUT LESS, OR NOT AT ALL.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS ON HOW THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY HOPES TO WHETHER THIS LATEST STORM.

>> WHEN YOU ARE SEEN 50% IN FOOD INCREASE OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD, IT'S DIFFICULT TO MANSION.

>> Reporter: HAS SEVEN DIFFERENT RESTAURANT AND BAR LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE SAYS INFLATION HAS CAUSED A RIPPLE EFFECT WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING HIS BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THIS LOCATION HERE NUTLEY.

>> YOU CAN'T BE GET THE EQUIPMENT, THE PRODUCT.

THAT BEING SAID, IT HAS BROUGHT OUR COST IS UP ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Reporter: THE PRICE OF RESTAURANT MEALS JUMPED 8.5% FROM THE YEAR EARLIER ACCORDING TO THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS THE LARGEST SUCH INCREASE IN 41 YEARS.

BUT THE LATEST RETAIL SALES REPORT SHOWS RECEIPTS AT BARS AND RESTAURANTS INCREASED.5%.

IN AN EFFORT TO COMBAT THE SKY HIGH FOOD PRICES, HE SAYS THE RESTAURANT AND BAR HAS CHANGED THE ITEMS ON THE MENU AT LEAST TWICE.

>> CHICKEN WINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THAT TIME PERIOD, WE ACTUALLY REMOVED IT FROM OUR MENU.

AND WE ADDED AND WHAT WE CALL THE CHICKEN LOLLIPOP.

WE TOOK A DARK MEAT, CHICKEN THIGH, AND WE KIND OF MADE IT INTO A DRUMSTICK.

SO WE ACTUALLY DID THAT FOR OVER SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE PRICE CAME BACK DOWN.

BECAUSE AT A CERTAIN POINT, IT DOESN'T MAKE CERTAIN SENSE AND WERE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO CHARGE OUR CONSUMERS DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE PRICE FOR THE SAME PRODUCT.

>> THE DIFFICULTIES WITH INFLATION IN THE ECONOMY AT THIS TIME, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO FEEL THE AFTERMATH OF THE PANDEMIC LONGER THAN OTHER INDUSTRIES MAY BE IN THIS SITUATION.

THE RISING COST OF FOOD ARE INCREDIBLE.

THEIR PRICES FOR THEIR PRODUCTS, THINGS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO PUT THESE BEAUTIFUL MEALS IN FRONT OF THEIR GAS, ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY PROFIT.

TO ACTUALLY KEEP THOSE MARGINS WHERE THEY MAKE SENSE, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY VERY NARROW IN THIS INDUSTRY.

THERE'S A NARROW MARGIN BETWEEN THEIR COST AND THE COST THEY ARE ABLE TO PASS ON TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RESTAURANTS, A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN AUGUST IN AN EFFORT TO MANAGE THE RISING COST, 87% OF NEW JERSEY RESTAURANTS OF INCREASED MENU PRICES.

70% OF REDUCED HOURS, AND 37% OF CLOSED NORMALLY OPEN DAYS.

>> MANY RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN GETTING BY WITH LESS THEN A FULL STAFF.

THEY ARE OPERATING WITH THE LAST YEAR AND JUST CAN'T GET ANYBODY.

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW, AS I'LL SAY, LOOK, BUSINESS IS SLOWING DOWN.

WE CAN GET BY ON THE 9 PEOPLE, SO I WILL DROP THAT JOB OPENING THAT I HAVE.

AND NATIONWIDE, WE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO SEE THAT HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: A REMINDER TO HAVE A LITTLE GRACE WITH BUSINESSES BIG AND SMALL WHO MAY BE SHORT-STAFFED, WHICH IN TURN IS CAUSING A LONGER LINE AT THE GROCERY'S DOOR OR A LONGER WAIT FOR A HOST TO SEE YOU.

>>> IN AN ABRUPT MOVE ON TUESDAY, LAWMAKERS CANCELED A PLANNED VOTE ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BOOST PROTECTIONS FOR WAREHOUSE AND OTHER TEMPORARY WORKERS.

IT'S AN EFFORT THAT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING BUT GOT CALLED OFF AFTER DEMOCRATIC LEADERS SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VOTES FOR IT TO PASS.

WELL, NOW IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUPS ARE PUSHING BACK IN OUTRAGE.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: MOST OF US ARE LUCKY TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING TO WORK TODAY, AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GET PAID.

OUR LIVES ARE PRETTY MUCH SET UP AROUND THOSE TWO THINGS.

BUT IF YOU'RE A TEMP WORKER IN NEW JERSEY, EVEN IF YOU BEEN WORKING AT THE SAME PLACE FOR YEARS, NEITHER OF THESE TWO THINGS IS GUARANTEED.

>> THEY SEND YOU LIKE, ONE HOUR AWAY, 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY.

THEY DON'T GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS.

THAT'S THE DATE.

SO THEN YOU COME BACK TO THE AGENTS THE THE SAME --THE SAME SITUATION.

IF IT'S ONE HOUR, YOU NEED TO WAIT THERE FOR THE VAN TO GO AND PICK YOU UP, AND THEN COME BACK TO THE AGENTS HE, AND THEY CHARGE YOU FOR THAT TRANSPORTATION, TO.

>> JOSE DELGADO WAS A TEMP WORKER FOR YEARS AND HE KNEW THAT LIFE ALL TOO WELL.

FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HAVE ALL HAGGLED OVER SO-CALLED TEMPORARY WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

LAST MONTH, A TEMP AGENCY VAN CARRYING A DOZEN WORKERS CRASHED ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY, KILLING FOUR AND INJURING 8, HIGHLIGHTING THE URGENCY BEHIND AN EFFORT TO PROTECT TEMP WORKERS WITH SOME BASIC RIGHTS, INCLUDING BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN THEY WILL WORK, AND HOW MUCH THEY WILL BE PAID.

SENATOR BILL CRYAN IS THE BILL'S MAIN SPONSOR.

>> I WENT OUT TO THE WATERFRONT IN THE 50s TO PICK WORKERS.

THE SECOND THING IS ON THE TRANSPORTATION PIECES.

THAT GETS DEDUCTED FROM THEIR PAY.

SO YOU HAVE TO MANDATORILY USE IT, EVEN IF THERE'S A BUS ROUTE THAT CAN TAKE YOU.

SO THESE FOLKS END UP MAKING SIGNIFICANTLY LESS AT TIMES THE MINIMUM WAGE.

I HAVE STORY AFTER STORY FOR THESE WORKERS WERE, ONE DAY A WEEK, IS LITERALLY TAKEN OUT OF THEIR PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION.

>> Reporter: MONDAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE DAY THAT THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL, UNTIL IT WASN'T.

>> THE BILL WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 2018.

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS.

THERE HAVE BEEN AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TEMP AGENCIES AND THE BUSINESS LOBBY.

>> Reporter: SARAH WAS IN THE CHAMBERS ON MONDAY, WHERE ONCE WORD SPREAD THAT THE BILL WAS BEING PULLED FOR LACK OF VOTES, SUPPORTERS GATHERED IN THE GALLERY UPSTAIRS.

THEY ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF SECURITY, AND A STERN REBUKE AND ULTIMATE EJECTION FROM SENATOR CODY, WHO IS ACTING AS SENATE PRESIDENT.

OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS, THE BUZZ TURNED INTO A FULL-FLEDGED DEMONSTRATION.

>> OUR BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW WITH THE LEGISLATION IS THAT IT HAS A REP WIRE MEANT FOR TEMP WORKERS TO BE GIVEN THE SAME AVERAGE SALARY AS ARAB POINT COUNTERPART AS WELL AS THE AVERAGE COST OF BENEFITS FOR THOSE COUNTERPARTS.

ONE CONCERN FOR THAT IS IF YOU HAVE A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE, THE RANGE OF THOSE WORKERS MAKING THE $20-$30, THEY WILL SOMETIMES MAKING 25, WHICH IS MORE THAN THE AVERAGE.

>> YOU SEE THE LOBBYIST WALKING AROUND, THEY WILL PAY THESE PEOPLE FOR YEARS, THEY WON'T GET IT FOREVER.

>> Reporter: NOT DEAD YET, HE SAYS.

HE SAYS HE WILL REACH OUT TO HIS DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES FOR THE MINORITY OF THE CHAMBER.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE STATES CASINO REINVESTMENT OF ELEMENT AUTHORITY WAS DESIGNED SOME FOUR DECADES AGO TO TAKE SCRAP TAX REVENUE GENERATED BY CASINOS AND PUT IT BACK INTO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

BUT THE NEW JOINT INVESTIGATION BY PROPUBLICA AND THE PRESIDENT OF ATLANTIC CITY FINDS THAT THE AGENCY HAS FALLEN SHORT ON ITS GOALS AND DISPLACED DOZENS OF LOW INCOME RESIDENTS IN THE PROCESS.

BY ALLOWING DEVELOPERS TO BUY UP PROPERTIES IN THE CITY'S TOURISM DISTRICT, REMOVING CRITICAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT, IN SOME CASES, LEFT NEIGHBORHOODS AND ITS RESIDENTS IN WORSE CONDITION.

ALLISON BORDEAUX LED THE INVESTIGATION, AND SHE JOINS ME NOW.

ALLISON, GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE SHOW.

THIS IS EXCELLENT REPORTING HERE.

LET ME ASK YOU FOR AN EXAMPLE.

WHEN YOU WRITE THAT THIS AGENCY, WHICH WAS INTENDED TO BE AN ARM OF THE COMMUNITY, ENDED UP PRIORITIZING THIS TOURISM INDUSTRY AT THE EXPENSE OF REALLY VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU FOUND THAT POINTS OUT THAT EVIDENCE.

>> SURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

SO RIGHT OFF THE TOP, THE FOCUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION WAS ON A SPECIFIC PROJECT WHICH WAS A GROOMING HOUSE CONVERSION PROJECT.

WHILE THERE ARE DOZENS OF ROOMING HOUSES AND ATLANTIC EDDIE, WE FOUND THAT OF THE FOUR THAT WERE PURCHASED, AT LEAST THREE OF THOSE HAD NO CODE VIOLATIONS.

ONE HAD JUST 10 POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE STATE AGENCY PURCHASING IT.

AND THOSE THINGS STOOD OUT TO US, BECAUSE THOSE WERE --THAT WAS THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE PURCHASE FOR THESE PROPERTIES.

THAT'S WHAT THEY HAD SAID AT SOME OF THE BOARD MEETINGS, THAT THEY WERE PROBLEMATIC ARE PRETTY.

HE REFERRED TO IT AS A LIGHT --YOU KNOW, A NUISANCE PROPERTY, EXCESSIVE CALLS THE POLICE, AND WE JUST FOUND THAT WASN'T THE CASE WITH ALL THE ROOMING HOUSES THEY ENDED UP PURCHASING.

>> YOU FOUND THAT NOT ONLY WERE THESE ROOMING HOUSES, WHICH ARE PLACES WHERE FOLKS AND TENANT CAN RENT A PLACE TO LIVE IN A MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE PRICE THAN YOU MIGHT SEE ANY MARKET RATE, RIGHT?

THEY WERE ESSENTIALLY EVICT SO THAT A DEVELOPER COULD PURCHASE THESE, IN ESSENCE, TO BUILD A HOTEL OR SOMETHING ELSE FROM THE INDUSTRY.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE CYCLE THERE YOU FOUND IN YOUR MONTH OF REPORTING?

>> SURE.

SO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE BOTH IN THIS EXAMPLE AND IN OTHER EXAMPLES IS THEY HAVE CLEARED THE WAY FOR DEVELOPERS OF PROPERTIES, HOTELS AND ATTRACTIONS -- THEY CLEARED THE WAY FOR THEM TO COME IN AND DO DEVELOPMENT.

FOR INSTANCE, IN ANOTHER EXAMPLE, SISTER JEAN'S KITCHEN, WHICH IS -- WAS SERVING HOT MEALS TO HOMELESS PEOPLE IN ATLANTIC CITY FOR 20 SOMETHING YEARS, SINCE 1997.

THEY WERE ENCOURAGED TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER LOCATION OUTSIDE OF THE TOURISM DISTRICT, AND IN PART, THEY DID THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE GUARANTEED A MILLION-DOLLAR FUND TO RENOVATE THAT NEW PROPERTY.

AND THEN THEY DECIDED NOT TO APPROVE THEIR PLAN --THEIR SPECIFIC REDEVELOPMENT PLAN.

>> IN YOUR INVESTIGATION, DID YOU FIND THAT THE C RDA IS FULFILLING ITS ADDITIONAL MISSION TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY AND HELP RESIDENTS?

>> SO YOU WILL FIND THAT FROM TIME TO TIME, CRDA DOES MAKE INVESTMENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT IT IS ASKING FOR.

IT IS ALLOCATING SOME FUNDING FOR ATLANTIC CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT ALLOCATES SOME FUNDING FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS LIKE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE CERTAINLY EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS LIKE THIS ROOMING HOUSE ONE WHERE THE LONGTIME LOCAL RESIDENTS CONCERNS ARE NOT FULLY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> VERY QUICKLY, WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION?

WHAT IS THE STANDS NOW?

>> SO AT THIS STAGE, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY.

WE DID REACH OUT TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO GET THIS DANCE ON THIS.

THEY DIRECTED ALL QUESTIONS TO GO BACK TO CRDA.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAD ORIGINALLY CAMPAIGNED FOR HIS FIRST TERM ON TURNING ATLANTIC CITY BACK OVER TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AS OPPOSED TO HOW IT'S OPERATING NOW OVERSTATE OVERSIGHT.

>> GREAT REPORTING, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THE DEBATE OVER HOW BEST TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS CONTINUES.

THIS TIME, DURING A HEARING BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHERE ADVOCATES OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL-BASED MODEL SOUNDED OFF ON KEEPING THE PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE 1980s OPERATING AT ABOUT 90 SCHOOLS.

AND IS BACKED BY MAJOR HEALTH POLICY ORGANIZATIONS.

THE PROPOSAL BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WOULD CHANGE THE PROGRAM TO A REGIONAL SO-CALLED HUB AND SMOKE MODEL TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS.

CHRISTINE ORBIT TODAY CLARIFIED, SAYING THE CHANGE WOULD EXPAND OPTIONS FOR THE OTHER ROUGHLY 2400 SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY THAT DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM, BUT NOT REMOVE ANY FROM THE CURRENT SYSTEM.

WHILE EDUCATORS AT THE HEARING PUSHED BACK, ASKING HOW THE ADMINISTRATION WILL ROLL OUT A NEW PROGRAM WITHOUT TAKING FUNDING AND RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE ONE STUDENTS RELY ON NOW.

THE PLAN IS EXPECTED TO ROLL OUT IN JULY.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING ANOTHER SWING AT GAS PRICES WITH THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS JUST A FEW WEEKS OUT.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON THE PRESIDENTS LATEST PLAN, BLESS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> WITH INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY ON THE MINDS OF MANY, PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY ANNOUNCED NEW STEPS THAT HE HAS WILL BE TO EVEN LOWER GAS PRICE IS.

THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING HE WILL RELEASE MORE SUPPLY FROM THE U.S. ENERGY STOCKPILE AND WILL ALSO TAKE ACTION TO ENCOURAGE MORE DOMESTIC OIL PRODUCTION.

ONCE AGAIN, HE TOOK OIL COMPANIES TO TASK FOR NOT LOWERING COST FOR CONSUMERS.

>> SO FAR, AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES ARE USING THAT WINDFALL OF PROFITS TO BUY BACK THEIR OWN STOCK, PASSING THAT MONEY ONTO THEIR SHAREHOLDERS --NOT TO CAN RUMORS.

>> GAS PRICES IN NEW JERSEY NOW AVERAGE ABOUT $3.75 A GALLON FOR REGULAR, ACCORDING TO AAA.

>>> THE COST OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO ESCALATE WITH A NEW REPORT FINDING THAT NEW JERSEY HAS FACED MORE THAN $59 BILLION IN LOSSES SINCE 1980 DUE TO HURRICANES, WINTER STORMS, BUYERS, AND FLOODING.

THE REPORT BY THE NONPARTISAN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY GROUP E2 ALSO FOUND THE OCEAN COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE COUNTIES IN THE ENTIRE U.S.

IN TERMS OF RISK OF FUTURE ECONOMIC LOSSES.

>>> DEMAND FOR MORTGAGES HAS NOW DROPPED TO A 25 YEAR LOW, AS HIGHER INTEREST RATES CONTINUE TO DISSUADE POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS.

AND THE MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS REFINANCING DEMAND HAS FALLEN 86% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

IT IS RIPPLING THROUGH THE HOUSING MARKET.

NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION FELL MORE THAN EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER, AND HOMEBUILDERS CONFIDENCE HAS FALLEN FOR 10 STRAIGHT MONTHS.

WITH INFLATION AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN 40 YEARS, THE IRS IS MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR.

IT IS RAISING THE STANDARD DEDUCTIONS AND ALSO SHIFTING TAX BRACKET, MEANING TAX FILERS WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP MORE OF THEIR MONEY.

BUT KEEP IN MIND, YOU WON'T SEE THE IMPACT UNTIL YOU FILE YOUR TAX RETURN IN 2024.

>>> NOW HERE'S A CHECK ON THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY.

ANNOUNCING ITS 2022 NEW JERSEY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME, NOVEMBER 3rd AT THE HYATT REGENCY NEW BRUNSWICK.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE.

AND BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE AT NEW JERSEY A.M.COM.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATIONS DELAYS WITH ADDRESSING INLAND FLOODING HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATING, ACCORDING TO PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO IT, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED IT BY WAY OF WATER IN THEIR BASEMENT.

TODAY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNVEILED UPDATED RULES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THOSE FLOOD ZONES DESIGNED TO PROTECT INLAND REGIONS FOR ME THAN BIGGER STORMS EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE DO TO CLIMATE CHANGE BY USING ADJUSTED FLOOD MAPS BASED ON RAINFALL TOTALS FACTORING IN CLIMATE CHANGE, RATHER THAN CURRENT MAPS BASED ON RECORDS OF PAST RAINFALL.

OFFICIALS FROM THE DEP TODAY SAID THE LIKELIHOOD OF A 100 YEARS FORM IN NEW JERSEY IS A AFFECTED TO JUMP BY AS MUCH AS 50% IN SOME COUNTIES.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE PUSHING FOR THE NEW RULES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS WITHOUT PUBLIC HEARINGS SO AS TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST THAT FUTURE DAMAGE.

BUT BUSINESS LEADERS AND DEVELOPERS LOBBIED TO PUT THE PLANTS THROUGH THE NORMAL VETTING PROCESS, AND THAT GIVES THE PUBLIC ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN VIRTUALLY THURSDAY EVENING.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS OF LEROY JONES, CHAIR OF THE NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE AND CHRIS RUSSELL, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND COFOUNDER OF CHECKMATE STRATEGIES, ABOUT WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN THE UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THEN DAVID SPEAKS WITH FORMER STATE SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG ABOUT HER PACKS ENDORSEMENTS.

AND HER MISSION TO GET MORE WOMEN INTO POLITICS IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO NEEDS YOUR BACK.

THAT'S WHY IT HORIZON BLUE CROSS OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED, MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE, ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS, SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP, BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.