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

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

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.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF SUPERSTORM SANDY, A STORM WITH A WRATH SO SEVERE ITS DESTRUCTION AND AFTERMATH FOREVER CHANGED NEW JERSEY AND THE WAY WE PREPARE FOR THOSE SO-CALLED ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY STORMS.

SANDY SLAMMED INTO THE SHORELINE AND MARCHED INLAND, UPENDING THOUSANDS OF LIVES, KILLING 12 PEOPLE IN THE STATE, AND MORE THAN 180 OTHERS ACROSS THE U.S.

IT REMAINS THE COSTLIEST NATURAL DISASTER TO EVER HIT THE NEW YORK METRO AREA.

AND A DECADE LATER, PARTS OF THE STATE ARE STILL RECOVERING, HOMEOWNERS STILL REBUILDING.

AT A HEARING TODAY IN TRENTON, RESIDENTS SHARED THEIR STORIES OF WHAT'S BECOME A NIGHTMARE JOURNEY TO MAKE THEMSELVES WHOLE, ALONG WITH CONCERNS THAT CONTINUE OVER EXISTING STORM PREPAREDNESS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THE SYSTEM IS NOT FIXED.

IT'S BY FAR NOT FIXED.

>> JODY STEWART AND A GROUP OF SANDY SURVIVORS SPOKE THEIR BLUNT TRUTHS TO ASSEMBLY LAWMAKERS AFTER GETTING FLOODED OUT OF THEIR HOMES TEN YEARS AGO, LOSING EVERYTHING.

THEY NEGOTIATED THROUGH A BEAUROCRATIC MINEFIELD TO GET DESPERATELY NEEDED AID TO RECOVER AND REBUILD.

BUT REGULATORS NOW WANT TO CLAW BACK SOME OF THAT MONEY, CLAIMING IT WAS AN OVERPAYMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

JOE MANGINO SAYS THE STATE MISHANDLED PAYMENTS IT MADE TO HIS CONTRACTOR.

>> IT TOOK ME THREE HARD YEARS TO GET HOME, BUT I AM NOT WHOLE.

I AM SOMEONE THAT WAS IN THE REM PROGRAM THAT RECEIVED A GRANT, AND NOW THE STATE IS TRYING TO CLAW MY GRANT BACK.

THE CONTRACTOR RECEIVED AN OVERDISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS, WHICH IS FINE.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT?

>> I WAS CLAWED BACK FOR $20,000 DUE TO A MISTAKE THAT THE STATE MADE, AND LUCKILY HAD TO FIGHT IT AND GOT IT RECTIFIED OR I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT MONEY WOULD HAVE COME.

>> THERE'S CURRENTLY A TWO-YEAR FREEZE UNTIL 2025 ON TENS OF MILLIONS IN CLAW-BACK PAYMENTS, IMPACTING SOME 1,800 SANDY FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY.

THESE ADVOCATES ASK LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT BOTH A NEW JERSEY BILL AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CANCEL THESE DEBTS OR AT LEAST MAKE THEM EASY TO REPAY.

>> YOU COULD END MY NIGHTMARE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A BILL THAT IS WAITING TO BE POSTED THAT DEALS WITH CLAWBACKS THAT WILL GRANT CLAWBACK FORGIVENESS TO SANDY FAMILIES.

WE JUST NEED IT TO MOVE.

I MEAN, YOU COULD MAKE THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY FOR ME A-A DREAM.

>> I BELIEVE THAT RESOLVING THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF SANDY SURVIVORS SHOULD TAKE PRIORITY, AND AS YOU SAID, THE OVERSIGHT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS, BEYOND THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING YOUR PERSONAL DILEMMAS WITH US.

AND I CAN ASSURE YOU, WE'RE GONAN BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> TWO ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES JOINED TOGETHER TO QUESTION SEVERAL PANELS OF EXPERTS ABOUT LESSONS LEARNED IN THE YEARS AFTER SANDY RAVAGED NEW JERSEY.

THEY HEARD ABOUT ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AGENCIES OF ELEVATED OUT OF HARMS WAY AND BOUGHT OUT MORE THAN 800 HOUSES IN THE WORST FLOOD PRONE AREAS, BUT MANY REMAIN VULNERABLE.

>> THE REAL QUESTION FOR THIS COMMITTEE IS HOW DO WE AVOID PEOPLE GETTING INTO THAT DISASTER RECOVERY ALTOGETHER.

>>> NOTICEABLY MISSING, NEW STORMWATER ROLES, THE GOVERNOR ORDERED DEP TO PREPARE THOSE AND THEY HAVE BEEN READY SINCE JUNE BUT THEY HAVE BEEN STALLED SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION GOT PUSHBACK FROM DEVELOPERS.

>> DEVELOPERS ARE NOT THE DEVIL INCARNATE, BUT YOU KNOW, PROFIT OVER ULTIMATELY PEOPLE IS WHAT WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM.

>> JOHN McCAIN IS FRUSTRATED, LABOR UNIONS AND DEVELOPERS ASKED TO DELAY THE RULES WHICH WOULD MANDATE ELEVATING NEW CONSTRUCTION AND UPDATING FLOOD MAPS, SAYING THERE'S NO ONE IN PERIL, AS CLAIMED BY THE DEP.

THAT AGENCY CLAIMED IT WAS READY TO MOVE FORWARD, McCAIN ASKED DAN KELLY FROM THE DISASTER RECOVERY OFFICE, WHY THE RULES REMAINED IN LIMBO.

>> I WILL SPEAK BRIEFLY TO THAT, I KNOW IT IS DEP AND AN ONGOING PROCESS, BUT DIMENSION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PERSPECTIVE AND PLANNING, WE TALK ABOUT PLANNING IS A HUGE COMPONENT OF THAT AND I KNOW THERE IS FRUSTRATION WITH THE RULES FOR THE PROCESS IS ONGOING.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAID DUE TO THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THESE CHANGES, IT IS CRUCIAL WE CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE ACTIONS ON ALL STAKEHOLDERS FOR THEY ARE PUT INTO EFFECT.

MEANWHILE, STATE OFFICIALS NOTE WHILE SANDY TAUGHT THEM HOW TO PROCURE DISASTER AID FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT REMAINS CONTROLLED BY RULES THAT IS TIED UP MONEY FOR YEARS.

AS VICTIMS OF IDA ARE LEARNING TO THEIR MISERY.

I'M BRENDA FLANIGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED HE IS PARDONING ALL PEOPLE CONVICTED OF SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSION UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

THAT WOULD CLEAR THE RECORDS OF SOME 6500 PEOPLE IN THE U.S., SAYING THE CURRENT SYSTEM MAKES NO SENSE.

AND, HE IS URGING GOVERNORS TO DO THE SAME FOR ANYONE WITH STATE-LEVEL CHARGES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS CALLING ON THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO REVIEW THE CLASSIFICATION OF MARIJUANA AS A SCHEDULE ONE DRUG, THE SAME CLASSIFICATION THAT IS USED FOR DRUGS LIKE HEROIN AND LSD.

MARIJUANA HAS AN EVEN HIGHER CLASSIFICATION THAN THAT OF FENTANYL, A DRUG CURRENTLY DRIVING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

>>> A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT ON WEDNESDAY RULED THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS OR DACA POLICY IS A VIOLATION OF U.S. IMMIGRATION LAW.

BUT, THE COURTS WILL ALLOW THE PROGRAMS PROTECTIONS TO REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE ROUGHLY 600,000 YOUNG IMMIGRANTS ENROLLED, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

THE DECISION IS CONSIDERED A BLOW TO THE OBAMA ERA PROGRAM CREATED IN 2012 THAT HELPS RECIPIENTS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS DREAMERS OBTAIN WORK PERMITS AND FIND PROTECTIONS AGAINST DEPORTATION.

THE GROUP IS MADE UP OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WERE BROUGHT TO THE U.S. AS CHILDREN, MANY ARE NOW ADULTS.

AT LEAST 16,000 DREAMERS LIVE IN NEW JERSEY ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

WEDNESDAY'S RULING WON'T AFFECT THOSE CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BLOCK NEW APPLICATIONS, MAKING THE POLICIES FUTURE UNCERTAIN.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS VOWING TO DEFEND DACA AS A LAWFUL PROGRAM.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS IN NEW JERSEY TODAY FOR A FUNDRAISER AT GOVERNOR MURPHY'S MIDDLE TOWNHOME, IT IS ONE STOP ON THE PRESIDENT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE'S GRASSROOTS VICTORY FUND.

ALL ON THE HEELS OF THE UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTION, WHICH FEATURES A LARGELY WHITE MALE SLATE OF CANDIDATES.

THE LATINA CIVIC ACTION ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING TO CHANGE THAT.

LAUNCHING A YEAR-LONG PROGRAM, BRINGING TOGETHER LATINOS ACROSS THE STATE TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF LATINA OFFICEHOLDERS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> IN A STATEMENT WHERE THE LATEST CENSUS PUTS THE LATINA POPULATION OVER 20%, LESS THAN 10% OF STATE LAWMAKERS ARE LATINO WHEN IT COMES TO FEDERAL REPRESENTATION, THE NUMBER IS JUST 2.

FEMA FEMALE LAWMAKERS THAT ARE LATINO, 0.

>> THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> ACTIVIST AND LABOR LEADER IS SPEARHEADING AN EFFORT, BUILDING THE BENCH, THE GOAL IS TO STOP THE POLITICAL POOL OF QUALIFIED EAGER LATINOS BECAUSE KNOCK KNOCK, WE ARE OUT THERE.

>> IF THEY GET THEIR NAME OUT THERE, THEY CAN PRACTICE HOW TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES COME UP THEY GET TO INTERACT WITH VOTERS, VOTERS GET TO SEE THEM AND THEN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS GOING TO PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE EXCUSE FOR NOT PICKING A LATINA IS THAT THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED OR THEY CAN'T FIND THEM.

>> AT THE VIRTUAL KICKOFF AT THE CAMPAIGN THIS WEEK, THREE CANDIDATES AT VARYING STAGES OF STARTING THEIR POLITICAL CAREERS TESTIFIED TO THE POWER OF WOMEN, LATINA WOMEN HAVING ONE ANOTHER'S BACKS.

CARLOS LOUISE IS RUNNING FOR OTHER WOMEN IN DOVER, SHE SAYS THE REALITY OF WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN, EVEN IN LOCAL POLITICS WAS AN EYE-OPENER AND ALMOST A DEALBREAKER.

>> WHAT WAS MY CHALLENGE, WAS THE POLITICAL MACHINE IN NEW JERSEY, AND THE MONEY THAT IT TAKES TO RUN A CAMPAIGN.

I HAD A VERY TOUGH TIME SEARCHING MY OWN SOUL AND MAKING PEACE WITH MY OWN SOUL, KNOWING THAT $20,000 OR $30,000 FOR A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN COULD FUND THE SECURITY DEPOSIT FOR RENT OF PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH EVERY DAY IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> BUT THE THEME HERE, THE WOMEN ARE PUSHING THROUGH THAT IN FINDING WAYS TO USE THE TOOLS THAT MEN HAVE BEEN USING TO CONTROL POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT SINCE FOREVER.

>> WE ARE AT THE TABLE CREATING POLICIES AND RELATIONS AND SOLUTIONS, TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, SO I HAD TO MAKE THAT JUMP AND TAKE THAT LEAP OF FAITH FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> BUT, THE CURRENT REALM IS STILL MONEY, AND SHE PUT THE ORGANIZATIONS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS.

>> WE ARE TARGETING WOMEN WITH MONEY, WE GIVE THEM CONTRIBUTIONS, FROM $1000 UP TO THE MAX WHICH IS $8200, AND WE DO IT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> STARTING NEXT MONTH, THE COALITION WILL HOLD NETWORKING EVENTS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES, TO SEE ONE ANOTHER AND KNOW THAT THERE ARE WAYS AND MEANS FOR LATINOS TO ENERGIZE THEIR COMMUNITIES FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, PERHAPS LEANING THEM IN NEW DIRECTIONS.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, TOPPING THE BALLOT, ZEROING IN ON THE RACES IN SOUTH JERSEY, WHERE BOTH INCUMBENTS IN THE FIRST AND SECOND DISTRICTS ARE HOUSEHOLD NAMES, WHO ALSO SPENT TIME IN NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATURE.

BUT, ARE THE SEATS SAFE?

COLLEEN O'DAY IS HERE WITH THE LATEST.

JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO NOW, IT IS REALLY WINDING DOWN, LET'S TALK ABOUT SOUTH JERSEY, DISTRICTS 1 AND 2, WE'VE GOT JEFF ANDREWS SEEKING ANOTHER TERM, DONALD NORCROSS, WHAT ARE THE BIG DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE INCUMBENTS AND THE CHALLENGERS IN THOSE DISTRICTS?

>> SO, IT SEEMS THAT THE SAME KIND OF ISSUES THAT ARE PLAYING AROUND THIS STATE, ARE PLAYING DOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY.

YOU'VE GOT REPUBLICANS THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY CRITICIZING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN, TOO MUCH SPENDING, NOT SUPPORTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

AND SUPPORTING ON THE CASE OF ABORTION WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE WE KNOW IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

SUPPORTING THE SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT KICKS ABORTION RIGHTS BACK TO THE STATES.

IN THE FIRST DISTRICT, YOU'VE GOT DONALD NORCROSS WHO HAS BEEN IN FOR FOUR TERMS, FACING FOR A SECOND TIME, THE REPUBLICAN, SHE LOST 2 YEARS AGO.

AND IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, OF COURSE YOU'VE GOT LIFELONG DEMOCRATS, WHICH HIS OPPONENT IS TIM ALEXANDER WHO IS AN ATLANTIC COUNTY DEMOCRAT, FORMER PROSECUTOR, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY, DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND IS CAMPAIGNING BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A HARD DISTRICT FOR DEMOCRATS TO WIN.

>> AND, ONE OF JUST TWO GOP CONGRESS MEMBERS, DOES HIS PARTY SWITCH FROM 2019, DOES THAT EVEN RESONATE STILL WITH VOTERS, DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT THAT AT ALL AT THIS POINT IN TIME?

>> I DON'T THINK SO, THAT DISTRICT HAS BECOME MORE REPUBLICAN AS A RESULT OF REDISTRICTING AND THE FACT THAT HE WON SO EASILY IN HIS PRIMARY, 2 YEARS AGO AND WON REELECTION, MEANING THAT THE REPUBLICANS DOWN THERE HAVE ERASED HIM, AND ACTUALLY THEY HAVE WHEN HE WAS IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR BECAUSE HE WAS A DEMOCRAT, HE AWAITS ONE FAIRLY EASILY IN HIS LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

>> LET'S TOUCH ON DISTRICT 4, WHERE CHRIS SMITH HOLDS THE SEAT AS THE INCUMBENT, THE OTHER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER, IS THAT LOOKING LIKE IT'LL BE A CLOSE MATCH?

>> NOT AT ALL, SMITH IS TIED FOR THE LONGEST-SERVING CONGRESSPERSON IN THE NATION, SO HE IS FAIRLY WELL ENSCONCED IN HIS DISTRICT, HE IS FACING MATTHEW JENKINS, WHO HAS DONE A FEW THINGS IN HIS LIFE.

CURRENTLY A RESIDENTIAL HOME BUILDER, AGAIN, A DEMOCRAT WITHOUT MUCH FUNDING, AND CERTAINLY OUTNUMBERED IN THE DISTRICT.

>> COLLEEN O'DAY, KEEPING IT ALL STRAIGHT FOR US, THANK YOU.

>>> DON'T FORGET, FOR ALL OF YOUR ELECTION NEEDS, HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, THEN CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE RACES WE ARE WATCHING, CANDIDATE PROFILES AND MORE DETAILS ON YOUR DISTRICT, ALONG WITH WHERE AND HOW TO VOTE.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S UN-SHELTERED POPULATION IS STEADILY RISING ACCORDING TO NEW ANNUAL FINDINGS RELEASED THIS WEEK, OFFERING A SNAPSHOT OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE STATE.

THE REPORT SAYS THE BIGGEST FACTOR TO HOMELESSNESS IS NOW NO LONGER JUST POVERTY BUT RACE.

WITH BLACK RESIDENTS MAKING UP A DISPROPORTIONATE RATE OF THE HOMELESS.

IT IS KEY INFORMATION FOR POLICYMAKERS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH RELIES ON IT TO PORTION OUT FUNDING FOR HOMELESS PROGRAMS.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE 8754 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON A SINGLE NIGHT IN JERSEY, THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE MONARCH HOUSING HOMELESS COUNT, COMMISSIONED BY THE NEW JERSEY HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE AGENCY AND CONDUCT IN ON THIS YEAR IN JANUARY 25.

BUT WHAT STANDS OUT ARE THE RACIAL DISPARITIES, SAYS THE DATA ANALYST FROM MONARCH HOUSING ASSOCIATES.

>> THIS YEAR IN THE 2022 COUNT, I BELIEVE WE IDENTIFIED 50% OF THE POPULATION EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, IDENTIFIED AS BLACK OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

YET PEOPLE IDENTIFYING AS BLACK ONLY REPRESENT 12% OF THE NEW JERSEY POPULATION.

SO THERE IS A HUGE OVERREPRESENTATION OF WHO IS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WHEN ASKED TO SHARE THE PRIMARY FACTOR THAT CONTRIBUTED TO OR CAUSED HOMELESSNESS, MORE HOUSEHOLDS ATTRIBUTED THEIR HOMELESSNESS TO BEING ASKED TO BEING A SHARED RESIDENCE, FOLLOWED BY EVICTION OR RISK OF ADDICTION.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THE GOVERNMENT RELEASED A LOT OF FUNDING, SO A LOT OF COMMUNITIES WERE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS INTO HOTELS AND MOTELS OR SHELTERS.

I THINK BECAUSE OF THAT, PEOPLE ARE STAYING HOME LESS LONGER.

I THINK WE SAW THAT TREND.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THIS SNAPSHOT, 22% OF THE STATES HOMELESS POPULATION IS LIVING IN ESSEX COUNTY, SOME OF THEM HAS FIND SHELTER HERE IN NEWARK, WHICH OFFERS SIX DIFFERENT SHOULDER OPTIONS INCLUDING SHELTER FOR WOMEN, MEN, EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, TRANSITIONAL, PERMANENT AND FAMILY.

>> I LOST EVERYTHING, MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE, YOU KNOW, THE ESSENTIALS, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND THEY HELPED ME GET MOST OF THAT.

>> Reporter: 59-YEAR-OLD, ANTHONY SHAW SAID HE WAS LUCKY TO FIND SHELTER FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS HERE, WHICH IS OPERATED THROUGH CATHOLIC CHARITIES THAT FUNDED AND OWNED BY THE CITY OF NEWARK.

THE DIVISION DIRECTOR, CLAUDIA MARKS HIS WORRY THEY CANNOT FULLY ACCOMMODATE THIS GROWING NEED.

>> TOGETHER, ALTOGETHER DOWNSTAIRS I HAVE 107 AND MAYBE 109 IS FILLED, I HAVE TWO FEMALES LEFT, NO BEDS AND NOTHING IN THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE IN SALEM COUNTY, WHERE JUST 20 PEOPLE WERE IDENTIFIED EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THE SMALLEST COUNTY IN THE STATE.

>> THIS DOES FACTOR INTO OUR POINT IN TIME COUNT NUMBERS, WE HAVE VERY SMALL, ISOLATED RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SCATTERED ACROSS WIDE STRETCHES OF FARMLAND.

AND THE SMALL TOWNS DON'T HAVE STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE OF SERVICES THAT THE HOMELESS WOULD BE LOOKING FOR.

SO, WHEN SOMEONE IS FACING HOMELESSNESS, THEY ARE FORCED TO SEEK IT ELSEWHERE.

>> JUST ABOUT EVERY MOTEL IN MERCER COUNTY IS FULL, WE HAVE A WAITING LIST FOR THE ROOMS IN OUR SHELTER RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: IN MERCER COUNTY, SARAH STEWART, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HOMEFRONT, WHICH HELPS RUN THE COUNT AND IDENTIFY FAMILIES THAT ARE HOMELESS, SAYS THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND HOMELESSNESS.

THE AGE IN THIS COUNTRY AND WHICH ARE MOST LIKELY TO LIVE IN EMERGENCY SHELTER IS INFANCY, BEFORE THE AGE OF ONE.

THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT WE HAVE MITIGATED.

BUT THE REALITY OF THE HOUSING MARKET AND THE ECONOMIC PRESSURES THAT EXISTED BEFORE AND ARE NOW BEING EXACERBATED OR MAKING IT REALLY HARD FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> Reporter: AND EVERYONE WE SPOKE WITH AGREED, THEY NEED NUMBERS TO KNOW HOW MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS NEEDED TO HELP PREVENT AND ULTIMATELY ELIMINATE HOMELESSNESS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS PUTTING ITS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS WHEN IT COMES TO BACKING THE ENVIRONMENT, RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS A STEP FORWARD TO INVENTING ITS PENSION FUND FROM FOSSIL FUELED COMPANIES, THE STATE ENERGY COMMITTEE TODAY PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUND TO DIVEST FROM THE 200 LARGEST PUBLICLY TRADED FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES, NO MORE THAN 2 YEARS FROM THE TIME THE BILL IS ENACTED.

DURING TODAY'S COMMITTEE SESSION, SEVERAL SPEAKERS TESTIFIED FOR AND AGAINST THE BILL, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

OTHER STATES INCLUDING MAINE AND NEW YORK HAVE TAKEN SUCH DIVESTMENT STEPS, AND UNIVERSITIES RECENTLY VOTED TO INVEST IS PUBLICLY TRADED FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES, FOLLOWING A SIMILAR MOVE TAKEN BY RUTGERS.

>>> HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES ARE TAKING A VICTORY LAP TO CELEBRATE THE LOWERING OF HEALTHCARE COSTS THROUGH THE FEDERAL INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

THE GROUP PROTECT OUR CARE THIS WEEK LAUNCHED A NATIONWIDE BUS TOUR TO BRING ATTENTION TO CHANGES UNDER THE LEGISLATION, WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BIDEN OVER THE SUMMER.

TODAY, THE BUS TOUR CAME TO NEW JERSEY, STOPPING FIRST IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE NEW LAW MANDATES DRUG PRESCRIPTION PRICES FOR MEDICARE.

>> MANY SENIORS NOW PAY 6000 TO 7000 OUT-OF-POCKET FURTHER CO-PAYS AND EVERYTHING, IT ALSO SPECIFICALLY MAXES THE AMOUNT SENIORS PAY FOR INSULIN, AT $35 PER MONTH, STARTING IN JANUARY OF THIS COMING YEAR.

>> Reporter: EXECUTIVES IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY REMAIN UPBEAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY, 68% OF THE CEOS WHO WERE POLLED SAY BUSINESS IS GOOD RIGHT NOW, AND 92% OF THEM EXPECT CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE OVER THE NEXT 3 TO 6 MONTHS.

THE CEO SAYS CONSUMER DEMAND IS THERE, THAT IS WHY THEY ARE UP TO EAT.

MEANTIME, ATLANTIC CITY CASINO CONFERENCE SAID ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES CONTINUES TO BE HIRING ENOUGH WORKERS.

NOW HERE IS OUR CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FROM TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, 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 3, AT THE HYATT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE.

>>> AND MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER, SHE SPOTLIGHTS LATINOS AND BUSINESSES FROM THE CHALLENGES TO OBTAIN CAPITAL TO COLLEGE PROGRAMS THAT ARE HELPING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS CARVE OUT THEIR OWN PATH IN THE TECH WORLD.

PLUS, ALL THE MAJOR BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE WEEK INCLUDING HOW OPEC'S LATEST MOVE WILL IMPACT GAS PRICES HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE.

THAT IS SATURDAY ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 10:00 A.M. >>> JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THE STATES PLASTIC BAG BAN WAS FINALLY PUT TO BED, DEFENDANT THE SENATE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE VOTED TO MAKE ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE LAW, IT COMES AFTER FIVE MONTHS ON THE BAN ON PAPER BAGS WENT INTO EFFECT, BUT INSTEAD, LEFT SOME PEOPLE BURDENED WITH PILES OF PLASTIC, REUSABLE BAGS.

NAMELY FROM HAVING THEIR GROCERIES DELIVERED OR OFFERED CURBSIDE.

LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE ARE AIMING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BY ALLOWING GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICES TO USE PAPER BAGS, BOXES, OR REUSABLE BAGS FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS, WITH THE REQUIRED OPTION FOR CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR UNWANTED BAGS RE-COLLECTED AND SANITIZED.

THE BAND WAS A DECADE IN THE MAKING, ENVIRONMENTALISTS PUSHED IT AS A WAY TO GET RID OF ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S MAIN SOURCES OF PLASTIC POLLUTION, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED THE LAW NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED THE ORIGINAL BILL'S SPONSOR, JOHN McCANN SAID TODAY THE BILL HAS LARGELY BEEN A SUCCESS.

AND THE DOWNFALLS ARE BEING OVERBLOWN.

>> WE'VE GOT THE STRONGEST BILL IN THE NATION, WE ARE TAKING THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PLASTIC AND THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF PAPER OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM, THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT, AS OPPOSED TO 6% OF THE PEOPLE WHO STILL SHOP ONLINE AS IT RELATES TO GROW FREEZE.

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANGES, CHECK OUT TOM JOHNSON'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU CATCH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS TO A SENATOR WHO SOUNDS OFF ON ANOTHER NEW PROPOSAL TO CHARGE NEW JERSEY DRIVERS A $50 FEE FOR ENTERING MANHATTAN.

PLUS, ALL OF THE BIG CLINICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS.

THAT IS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, WE WILL 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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>>> PATERSON ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJBARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE, YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH THE APP.

OR, USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH AN RWJBARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.