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>> AND J PBS.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THAT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GUN LEGISLATION IS BEING THRUST BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS CALLING FOR AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN IN THE WAKE OF THE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI SCHOOL SHOOTING.

AUTHORITIES SAY A 19-YEAR-OLD STUDENT USED A HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINE TO KILL A TEACHER AND A 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT AT THE CENTRAL VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL , INJURING MULTIPLE OTHERS.

THE GUNMEN DIED AFTER EXCHANGING FIRE WITH POLICE OFFICERS.

OFFICIALS SAY HE WAS ARMED WITH A LONG GUN AND NEARLY A DOZEN HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES.

ENOUGH AMMUNITION FOR THERE TO BE MANY, MANY MORE VICTIMS.

GUN REFORM IS ALSO ON THE MINDS OF NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS WHO ARE RESPONDING TO A U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION THIS SUMMER, MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY TO A CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUN PERMIT.

DEMOCRATS PROPOSED UP DATE TO THE CONCEALED CARRY REQUIREMENTS, AND DESPITE OBJECTIONS THAT THE BILL WILL NOT HOLD UP IN COURT BY REPUBLICANS, IT IS MOVING FORWARD.

>> WE ARE RESPONDING TO WHAT WE BELIEVE THE FAR MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY EXPECT OF US.

THAT'S TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

THERE IS NO OTHER HIGHER PRIORITY FOR ME AS A LEGISLATOR THEN TO KEEP THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY SAFE.

THAT WAS OUR TARGET THROUGH THIS BILL HAS GOT A BULL'S-EYE.

>> THAT THE GOAL OF THE DEMOCRATS CONCEALED CARRY BILL.

REPUBLICANS LIKE ASSEMBLY MEMBER ROBERT ROTH DON'T JUST OPPOSE THE BILL, THEY SAY IT IS ON SCONCE POSITIONAL.

>> THE SPELL WAS MODELED AFTER THE NEW YORK BILL.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

THE THROWING CAUTION TO THE WIND.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS .

THE EXPENSES ARE GOING TO BE BORNE BY THE TAXPAYERS WHEN THEY LOSE.

>> STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY HAVE HAD TO OVERHAUL THEIR CONCEALED CARRY LAWS AFTER A SUPREME COURT RULING THIS PAST SUMMER.

A NEW BILL IN NEW JERSEY WOULD DESIGNATE SENSITIVE PLACES WHERE GUNOWNERS MAY NOT GO CARRY .

AND REQUIRE THEM TO BUY INSURANCE.

ASSEMBLY MAN JOE DANIELS AND SAYS THE BILL IS CONSTITUTIONAL AND HE IS CONFIDENT IT WOULD HOLD UP IN COURT.

>> I AM NOT A JUSTICE ON THE SUPREME COURT.

MY JOB IS TO LEGISLATE.

EVEN THE SUPREME COURT OPINION NOTED THAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO LEGISLATE CERTAIN THINGS ABOUT SECOND AMENDMENT LAWS .

NAMELY SENSITIVE PLACES.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID.

>> THE NONPARTISAN OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED HIM WITH A LEGAL OPINION ON THE BILL.

IT DOES NOT SAY THE BILL IS OUT RIGHT ON CONST TRADITIONAL, BUT THAT THE BANNING GUNS IN CERTAIN PLACES, QUOTE, MAY RAISE CERTAIN CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.

>> HERE'S A LIST OF ALL THE SENSITIVE PLACES THAT ARE IN THE BILL.

AND THEN THEY REVIEWED THAT AND HERE IS A LIST OF THE SENSITIVE PLACES THAT THEY SAID WOULD PROBABLY ON CONST ADDITIONAL.

THERE HAS TO BE AN ESTABLISHED, HISTORICAL ANALOG AND THERE IS NOT FOR ALL THESE PLACES HERE.

>> GOVERNMENT BUILDING, COURTS, JAILS, DAYCARE , POLLING PLACES.

THESE ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE LOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE FOUND TO BE UNIQUE AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CASE.

>> ON MONDAY, STATE ASSEMBLY OVERSIGHT DEBATED THE BILL.

>> STATE TROOPERS OR CURRENT STATE TROOPERS WILL RUN INTO A PROBLEM JUST LIKE THE OPINION SAYS.

IN OTHER WORDS, THEY'VE MADE SO MANY BROAD CATEGORIES, IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DO.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> IN ADDITION TO ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, YOU HAVE TO BE FEARFUL OR AT LEAST CONCERNED THAT ONE DOES NOT TAKE A WEAPON AWAY FROM YOU.

>> THE COMMITTEE ALSO VOTED ON AMENDMENTS FOR THE BILL.

ONE OF THEM ADDRESSED THIS CONCERN AND WOULD ALLOW RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO CONCEAL CARRY AND MOST OF THE SENSITIVE PLACES.

>> I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT WHAT THE COMMITTEE IS DOING , AS FAR AS ESTABLISHING A CRITERIA.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ASTRINGENT AND RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DUE TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING , AND EXPERIENCE.

I DON'T WANT THEM COMING UP ON CRIMINAL CHARGES BECAUSE THEY CROSSED INTO A LINE EVEN TEMPORARILY TO GO PAY THEIR WATER BILL.

>> I STAND WITH YOU ABOUT SOME CONFUSION AND SOME THINGS WHERE I HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS.

I'M NOT SURE THAT THE AMENDMENT COMPLETELY CLEARS UP THAT STUFF.

>> Reporter: DESPITE HIS OBJECTIONS >> NO.

>> NO.

>> YES.

>> THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED.

>> A THREE-TO VOTE SEND THE BILL TO THE FULL ASSEMBLY.

EVEN IF IT PASSES AND GETS A SIGNATURE FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY, ASSEMBLYMAN HALF THINKS IT WILL NOT FILL UP IN COURT.

>> TO BE FORCED TO BUY PERSONAL INSURANCE FOR THIS, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COST OF THE PREMIUM WOULD BE.

THAT STILL OUT IN THE AIR.

WE DON'T KNOW.

THOSE TYPES OF THINGS ARE BEING PUT IN HERE STRICT LEAD TO SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN , TO OBSTRUCT SOMEBODY, DISSUADES SOMEBODY FROM ACCESSING THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT AND 14th AMENDMENT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> DANIELSON SAYS HE HOPES FOR A VOTE FROM THE FULL ASSEMBLY SOMETIME THIS WEEK IN TRENTON, I AM TED GOLD BERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE SAME COMMITTEE ON MONDAY AGREED TO ALLOW POLICE OFFICERS AT SOME POLLING PLACES ON ELECTION DAY , BUT ARE REQUIRING THEM TO BE IN PLAINCLOTHES, RATHER THAN IN UNIFORM.

MONDAYS THAT WILL ALLOW OFFICERS TO BE STATIONED AT SCHOOLS AND SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES.

THE MOVE COMES AMIDST FEARS OF CRIME AND A RISE IN MASS SHOOTINGS NATIONALLY.

CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES ARE PROTESTING THE ACTION, SAYING IT WILL SUPPRESS VOTER TURNOUT.

TURNOUT IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE IN ELECTIONS.

THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.

THE STAKES , OF COURSE, ARE HIGH WITH BOTH CONTROL OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

DEMOCRATS APPEARED TO BE LOSING A GRIP ON THAT WAVE OF SUPPORT THEY SAW THE SUMMER.

THAT WAS IN THE WAKE OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON ABORTION.

THE PARTY IS SHIFTING ITS MESSAGING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAIN OF RISING PRICES CAUSED BY INFLATION , WITH POLLS SHOWING THE ECONOMY, NOT ABORTION, IS TOP OF MIND FOR MOST VOTERS.

THE LATEST SURVEY CONFIRMS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE SURVEYED SAYS THEY SUPPORT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT BUT DON'T THINK IT WILL DO A WHOLE LOT TO HELP THEIR FAMILIES FINANCES.

COLUMNIST CHARLIE STYLE SAYS FIGHTING INFLATION CONCERNS IS AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

BUT IS IT ONE THAT CAN WIN?

CHARLIE JOINS ME NOW.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, AS ALWAYS.

WE ARE GETTING INTO THIS FINAL STRETCH TO ELECTION DAY.

TWO DEMOCRATS HAVE A MESSAGING ISSUE RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK SO.

THEY HAVE NOT FORMULATED AN EFFECTIVE PUSHBACK OR MESSAGE ABOUT INFLATION.

REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE THAT THEIR MANTRA.

INFLATION, INFLATION, INFLATION.

THEY ARE HOLDING THEMSELVES OUT AS THE ALTERNATIVE TO DEMOCRATIC RULE.

THEY DON'T REALLY PROVIDE ANY KIND OF SUBSTANTIAL OR COMPELLING SOLUTIONS ON HOW THEY'RE GOING TO REIN IN INFLATION.

THEY'RE JUST POINTING THE FINGER AT INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT UNDER THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN LINKING DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES TO THE NATIONAL PARTY.

AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE JUST NOT BEEN ABLE TO REALLY COME UP WITH A COHERENT MESSAGE.

THEY WERE COUNTING HEAVILY ON THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AS A WAY TO INOCULATE THEMSELVES FROM THOSE CHARGES.

IT JUST HAS NOT BEEN THE GREAT SHIELD THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WHEN THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THAT LAW WITH GREAT FANFARE THIS SUMMER.

>> YOU WROTE THIS WEEK THAT REALLY, INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY ARE DOMINATING ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS.

THEY'VE GOT A HEAVY LEFT, RIGHT?

THEY'VE GOT TO TIE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT, WHO IS STILL SUCKING UP A LOT OF OXYGEN IN THE RACE.

AND ALSO TO THE DOBBS CASE.

TO ABORTION.

WHILE HEADING HOME THAT THEY WILL LOWER PRICES FOR PEOPLE AND HELP THEIR POCKETBOOKS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

PART OF THE CHALLENGE WITH TRUMP IS THAT HE IS IN THE AIR BUT NOT ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WERE REALLY HELPFUL THAT THE BACKLASH OVER DOBBS WITH YOU THE WINNING TICKET FOR THEM.

IF YOU LOOK AT TOM MALINOWSKI'S CAMPAIGN FOR THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT , HE HAS PUT A LOT OF HEAVY EMPHASIS ON THAT ISSUE.

I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT'S GOING TO CARRY HIM TO THE FINISH LINE.

HE IS FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE.

WE WILL SEE.

IT'S VERY HARD TO MEASURE THAT ANGER OVER ABORTION.

>> IS THAT ENOUGH TO GALVANIZE, PARTICULARLY, SOME OF THOSE SUBURBAN VOTERS THAT HE RELIED ON.

THERE WERE REPORTS THAT , PERHAPS, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SORT OF CUT THEIR LOSSES IN THAT RACE, IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH THEY'RE SPENDING FOR CAMPAIGN ADS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THAT.

THERE IS ALSO NANCY PELOSI PAC, THE HOUSE MAJORITY PAC WAS SPENT HEAVILY IN THAT RACE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS KEPT UP WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP FUND, WHICH IS KEVIN McCARTHY'S SPENDING .

THE PACK THAT IS COMING HEAVILY FOR TOM KANE.

MALINOWSKI HAS HAD A SUBSTANTIAL WAR CHEST.

IT'S KIND OF MURKY.

THE REAL ISSUE, THOUGH, IS ON THE GROUND ENTHUSIASM .

WHO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOBILIZE THEIR TROOPS?

MALINOWSKI HAS UNIONS BEHIND AND .

HE HAS PRO-CHOICE ACTIVISTS AND WOMEN.

AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, THE MONEY TAKES A BACKSEAT TO FOOTWORK.

BUT IT'S STILL VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S HARD TO SAY.

>> CHARLIE STYLE WITH A BROKEN RECORD.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> EXACTLY 2 WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A NEW POLITICAL PODCAST SERIES.

NJ DECIDES 2022 ELECTION EXCHANGE.

IT GIVES YOU INSIGHT AND ACCESS TO NEW JERSEY'S CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS, HOSTED BY SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ, COLLEEN O'DAY, AND ME.

WE BRING YOU CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE WITH EACH CANDIDATE.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE SERIES.

>> HELLO, AND WELCOME TO OUR NJ DECIDES 2022 ELECTION EXCHANGE PODCAST.

TODAY I AM HERE TO TURN INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT TOM MALINOWSKI FROM THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> I AM HERE WITH REPUBLICAN BOB HEALY LOOKING TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 3.

WE'RE HEARING IN ALL RACES, NOT JUST YOURS, THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BLAMING DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS AND THE CONGRESS FOR INFLATION.

IS THAT A FAIR PLACE TO PUT LAME, OR IS IT A MORE NUANCED ISSUE , AND HOW DO YOU GET THAT ACROSS TO THE VOTERS?

HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND?

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS, THIS IS THE STUFF THAT AMERICANS HATE.

>> ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED QUESTIONS FOR THE END.

I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF .

>> YOU'RE GIVEN THE MOST COMPLICATED QUESTION AND I'VE GOT LIKE A MINUTE.

>> YOU'VE GOT FIVE SECONDS.

>> TO HEAR ALL FOUR EPISODES, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB TO FUND THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES OF THE NEW SERIES OR YOU CAN JUST DOWNLOAD THEM WHEREVER YOU STREAM YOUR PODCAST.

>>> DESPITE A ROBUST MARKET IN NEW JERSEY, NO ONE IN THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY HAS BEEN ISSUED A CANNABIS LICENSE TO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE LEGAL WEED.

THAT HAS NOT STOPPED THE OWNERS OF SOME NEW WORK SMART SHOPS FROM GOING AROUND THE RULES , BY RAISING PRICES ON PRODUCTS AND OFFERING FREE CANNABIS GIFTS WITH THEM IN RETURN.

CITY LEADERS ARE NOW CRACKING DOWN.

>> THERE IS NOW THIS, WHAT SOME PEOPLE CALL A GREEN MARKET WHERE CANNABIS, WHICH IS NOW LEGAL IN NEW JERSEY , IS BEING SOLD ILLEGALLY ON THE BLACK OR GRAY MARKET.

>> IT'S HAPPENING IN LOCAL SMOKE SHOPS THAT ARE FINDING CLEVER WAYS TO ILLEGALLY SELL CANNABIS TO CUSTOMERS.

FORMER NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL SOUGHT FIRSTHAND WHAT DOING FIELD RESEARCH.

>> I WALKED INTO A STOREFRONT IN WEST HILLS, NEW JERSEY.

AND ASKED FOR CANNABIS WITH THC AND PURCHASED IT.

WE WENT THROUGH THIS CHARADE ABOUT WELL, YOU'RE NOT REALLY PURCHASING IT.

IT'S A DONATION.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEW YORK CITY.

IT'S HAPPENING HERE.

>> THE FIRST ONE OF THE CREATIVE WORKAROUNDS BUSINESS OWNERS ARE USING.

>> OF MORE RECENTLY THAT WE ARE CHARGING THIS AMOUNT FOR THE PIPE OR BOND.

OR X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS MORE THAN IT WOULD OTHERWISE BE.

AND THE MARIJUANA IS A GIFT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS OKAY TO ENTER INTO THIS MARKET CURE BACK DOOR, IF YOU WILL.

WHAT CONCERNS US THE MOST ABOUT THE SMOKE SHOPS THAT ARE POPPING UP IS THAT NUMBER ONE, THEY ARE UNREGULATED.

THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT SOMEONE IS NOT UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WHO IS ENTERING.

>> OR BUYING.

SELLING AN UNREGULATED PRODUCT IS ALSO A MAJOR CONCERN.

>> THEY'RE BRINGING IN PRODUCT SUCH AS DELTA EIGHT AND DELTA NINE, WHICH ARE HAMP-DERIVED INTOXICANTS FOR THERE IS NO GUARANTEEING ON THE PACKAGE WHEN IT SAYS THAT IT IS 25 MILLIGRAMS.

IT COULD BE 10.

IT COULD BE 50.

THERE'S REALLY NO WAY OF TELLING.

>> AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE BUYING IN THE STORE IS ON THE GRAY MARKET SHOULD BE PROSECUTED OR PENALIZED IN MY VIEW IS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SELLING IT SHOULD BE.

BECAUSE FRANKLY, THEIR DEALING DRUGS ILLEGALLY.

>> THAT IS THE ATTACK CITY PROSECUTOR TOOK WHEN HE ACTED SWIFTLY TO PUNISH TWO BAD ACTORS SELLING ILLEGALLY IN HIS CITY.

>> I THINK KNEW WHAT WE DID.

THEY KNEW THAT THEY STOOD TO LOSE SOMETHING.

THAT LOCATION ON OUR PLAZA , OUR LAW DEPARTMENT IS ACTUALLY MOVING BEFORE THE SUPERIOR COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T OPEN AGAIN, EVEN AS A REGULAR SMOKE SHOP.

THE STAND TO LOSE A LOT.

THEY STAND TO LOSE THEIR BUSINESS ENTIRELY.

THE MESSAGE IS OUT THERE.

>> THE MAYOR IS ALSO CRACKING DOWN ON HIS STATEMENT.

AT THIS TIME IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, NO ONE HAS BEEN ISSUED A CANNABIS LICENSE.

THERE IS AN ENFORCEMENT OPERATION AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE SITUATION.

THOSE CAUGHT IN ESTABLISHMENTS SELLING AND DISTURBING CAMERAS WILL BE CLOSED DOWN INDEFINITELY AND PHASE ACTION IN COURT.

BUT THIS BEHAVIOR IS SAID TO BE NORMAL BECAUSE LICENSES HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED.

>> IN THE VACUUM, YOU HAVE UNREGULATED MARKET THAT ARE SEEKING TO MEET THE DEMAND.

THE MOST RELIABLE AND BEST STRATEGY TO DISRUPT THE UNREGULATED MARKET IS TOO SWIFT WE PROVIDE CONSUMERS WITH AN ACCEPTABLE AND AFFORDABLE LEGAL MARKETPLACE.

>> IN THE SPACE RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO GET A LEGAL MARKETPLACE OFF THE GROUND, AREN'T THESE SMOKE SHOPS ERODING THOSE EFFORTS?

>> VERY FEW LICENSES HAVE BEEN GRANTED.

VERY FEW REGULATED BUSINESSES ARE UP AND RUNNING.

THE MAJORITY OF TOWNSHIPS AND MUNICIPALITIES HAVE OUTLAWED OR PROHIBITED.

WE DON'T HAVE RETAILERS MOVING INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> THEY BELIEVE WE CAN SMOKE OUT THESE BAD ACTORS.

>> STOPPING IF YOU HAVE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE.

ANOTHER TALL HIKE IS SET TO HIT THE TURNPIKE AND PARKWAY.

RHONDA HAS THE LATEST ON THAT.

>>> TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> JUST WHEN NEW JERSEY DRIVERS ARE GETTING A BIT OF A BREAK ON GAS PRICES, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO GET READY TO SHOW UP MORE MONEY FOR TOLLS ON THE TURNPIKE AND PARKWAY.

THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, WHICH RUNS BOTH TOLL ROADS , APPROVED A NEW BUDGET TODAY THAT INCREASES BUDGET TOLLS BY 3% COME JANUARY.

A SPOKESMAN SAYS THE AVERAGE TURNPIKE TOLL FROM PASSENGER CARS WILL INCREASE FROM $4.95 TO $5.10 .

IT WILL BE THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR THAT THE TOLLS ARE GOING UP.

>>> A COOLER HOUSING MARKET.

IN AUGUST, HOME PRICES WERE UP 13% NATIONALLY COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

THAT MIGHT SOUND LIKE GOOD NEWS.

ACCORDING TO THE INDEX, YEAR-OVER-YEAR GAINS IN HOUSING PRICES PEAKED IN THE SPRING AND HAVE BEEN DECELERATING OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS.

AUGUST MARKED THE BIGGEST DECELERATION AND HOME PRICE GAINS ON RECORD.

ANOTHER REPORT TODAY SHOWS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE FELL IN OCTOBER DUE TO INFLATION CONCERNS , REVERSING RECENT GAINS.

>>> NEWARK AIRPORTS OFTEN CROWDED TERMINAL AND MONORAIL SYSTEMS WILL BE GETTING A REFRESH.

THEY HAVE SELECTED A GLOBAL AVIATION DESIGN FIRM TO OVERSEE FUTURE PLANNING OF THE AIRPORT WHERE THEY WILL WORK WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL FORM SKIDMORE AND MERRILL.

THE MASTER PLANNER IS DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR NEWARK TO HANDLE AN EXPECTED INCREASE IN PASSENGER AND CARGO TRAFFIC.

>>> SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS COULD HAVE AN EASIER TIME GETTING LOANS UNDER A BILL INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM.

IT INCENTIVIZES COMMUNITY BANKS TO LEND BY EASING THEIR TAX BURDENS.

HE BELIEVES THIS WOULD ALSO HELP MINORITY BUSINESSES, WHICH OFTEN FACE DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING CREDIT.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I INTRODUCED IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COMING UP WITH DIFFERENT AVENUES TO BE ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT.

TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT ACCESS TO CAPITAL IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE, NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS THEY ARE.

>> HERE IS THE CHECK ON TODAY'S TRADING ACTION FROM WALL STREET.

ON RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS UPRIGHTED FIVE ROWAN UNIVERSITY.

GOING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES.

TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>>> PREGNANT PEOPLE IN TRENTON ARE DEALING WITH YOUR MATERNAL HEALTHCARE OPTIONS EVER SINCE CAPITAL HEALTH CLOSED ITS BREATHING UNIT IN THE CITY.

TRENTON AND STATE LEADERS ANNOUNCED A MAJOR STEP OR RIGHT IN CREATING A NEW MATERNAL HEALTH CENTER TO FIGHT THE LACK OF BIRTHING RESOURCES AND THE ALARMING DISPARITIES IN PREGNANCY RELATED MORTALITIES AND COMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN OF COLOR IN NEW JERSEY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER IS THE STORY.

>> THESE EXPOSED WALLS AND HANGING LIGHT FIXTURES ARE THE BEGINNING STAGES OF A PROMISING INITIATIVE COMING TO THE CITY OF TRENTON.

THE SIGNS LOCATED INSIDE THE GREATER MOUNDS AND MIAMI CHURCH WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A MATERNAL HEALTH CENTER.

>> THIS REPRESENTS COMMUNITY.

THIS REPRESENTS THE VILLAGE.

WE KNOW THAT ACCESS TO A QUALITY , RESPECTABLE, AND CULTURALLY CONGRUENT HEALTHCARE IS SAFETY.

>> Reporter: $2 MILLION OF STATE FUNDING WILL GO TOWARDS HELPING THE CENTER PROVIDE VARIOUS MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCES, INCLUDING BIRTHING SERVICES.

IT'S INITIATIVE, LEADERS SAY, IS NECESSARY IN AN AREA THAT IS CAN TO BE A BIRTHING AND DELIVERY HEALTH DESERT.

>> I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS SO BAD.

ESPECIALLY HERE IN TRENTON.

WE THINK ABOUT HOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS LEFT AND ALLOWED HOSPITALS TO LEAVE THE CITY.

WE DON'T HAVE A BIRTHING CENTER HERE.

WE HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT TO CAPITAL.

WE DON'T HAVE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON ANYMORE.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A WOMAN TO KNOW THAT SHE IS GOING TO GET SOME PEACE AND CARE AND ATTENDED TO THE MOST PRECIOUS THING WE ALL DO.

SO PROUD TO TELL EVERYBODY, I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDFATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

IT REMINDS ME THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE NEW PRECIOUS LIFE.

WHAT IS BETTER THAN THAT?

WHAT DESERVES MORE COMMITMENT THAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> THE CENTER IS AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE DISPARITIES IN UNDERSERVED AREA THAT OFTENTIMES COMMUNITIES OF COLORS PHASE.

BLACK WOMEN ARE SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM CHILDBIRTH COMPLICATIONS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS IN NEW JERSEY.

A BLACK CHILD IS THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE BEFORE THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY.

>> SO MANY JEWELERS LIKE MYSELF, IT REMINDS ME WHAT BROUGHT ME TO THIS WORK AND OTHERS TO THE WORKFORCE THAT LOOK LIKE ME.

SO MANY OF US CAN DO THIS BY OUR OWN LIVED EXPERIENCES.

WE EXPERIENCE THE OPPRESSION AND THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

ALL WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS BRING FOURTH WIFE.

>> WITHIN 20 MINUTES, WALKING DISTANCE OF THE CENTER, HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST POVERTY IN THE CITY.

TALKING ABOUT A $10,000 MEDIAN INCOME.

84% BLACK.

MOST OF THE HOMES IN THIS AREA ARE HEADED BY YOUNG BLACK MOTHERS.

WHAT THIS CENTER CAN BE IS PHENOMENAL.

>> ADDRESSING MATERNAL HEALTH ALSO MEANS TACKLING OTHER ROOT ISSUES AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY, LIKE YOUTH VIOLENCE.

THAT IS WHY THE CENTER WILL SERVE AS A SAFE SPACE FOCUSED ON RESTORATIVE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

MEMBERS OF THE STREET TEAM ARE WORKING WITH THE CENTER TO PROVIDE YOUTH MEMBERSHIP AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

>> THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM MY CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTION.

FURTHER FROM THE RESOURCES AND POWER.

THESE ARE WHAT WE ARE BRINGING FORTH RED >> TOO MANY YOUNG KIDS EXITING OUR CITY TO GO TO PRISON.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE IS TO BE AN ENTRANCE WAY FOR YOUNG MOTHERS TO COME GET MATERNAL HEALTH AND RETURNING CITIZENS TO GET THEM RESTORED TO FULL CITIZENSHIP.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL IS TO DEBUT THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AND HOW THAT BY SPRING 2024.

CREATING A BETTER OUTCOME FOR MOTHERS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM A MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> MORE DETAILS ABOUT TRENTON'S PLANS FOR A NEW MATERNAL HEALTH CENTER AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING A SO-CALLED BIRTHING DESERT IN THE ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT .

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLOT FORMS KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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