>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG- TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I AM BREANNA THE NOSY.

A RARE MOMENT IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS TODAY.

THREE POLITICAL RIVALS IN THE SAME PLACE AND ON THE SAME PAGE.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE AND GEORGE NORCROSS, ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE STATE ANNOUNCED A BIG BOOST FOR COOPER HOSPITAL.

A MASSIVE $2 BILLION EXPANSION FOR COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEMS CAMDEN CAMPUS THAT WILL ADD THREE MORE CLINICAL BUILDINGS AND COMPETITION FOR THE OTHER HOSPITALS IN SOUTH JERSEY.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ROUGHLY A DECADE AND SERVE THOUSANDS OF MORE RESIDENTS.

OUR SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE IS ON THE GROUND IN CAMDEN FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> Reporter: IT HAD ALL THE EARMARKS OF A BIG TENT EVENT, FEATURING A BUNCH OF SOUTH JERSEY BIG SHOTS AND FEATURING THE ODD JUXTAPOSITION OF CHAIRMAN GEORGE NORCROSS, CURRENT GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY AND FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE.

ALL BEING SUPPLEMENTARY TO ONE ANOTHER AND PRAISING PROGRESS IN CAMDEN CITY.

>> COOPER ANNOUNCES PROBABLY FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN ITS 135 YEAR HISTORY THAT IT WILL REMAIN IN THE CITY OF CAMDEN FOREVER.

IT WILL NEVER ABANDON THE CITY.

TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL THOSE THAT ARE CARED FOR HERE, THOSE WHO WORK HERE, OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE CITY, WHO CARE ABOUT THIS INSTITUTION, WHICH HAS BEEN HERE 135 YEARS.

IMAGINE $2 BILLION, THE LARGEST SINGLE CAPITAL PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE REGION AND PERHAPS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> THIS HISTORIC $2 BILLION INVESTMENT WILL TOUCH ALL FACETS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

AS THE COOPER CAMPUS SHOWS, A HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL SCHOOL ARE NOT MONOLITHIC BUILDINGS IN THE LANDSCAPE.

THEY ARE TRUE ENGINES FOR CAMDEN'S GROWTH THEY PROVIDE JOBS FOR CITY RESIDENTS, THEY ATTRACT INVESTMENT TO THIS CITY BEYOND EVEN THAT WHICH COOPER MAKES.

THEY ARE A MARK OF EXCELLENCE ON THIS CITIES FABRIC.

>> I REMEMBER SOON AFTER I WAS ELECTED GOVERNOR IN 2009, I CAME DOWN HERE TO MEET WITH GEORGE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAD EVER MET BEFORE.

MAYBE ONCE IN PASSING, BUT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE EVER SPOKE TO EACH OTHER.

OVER LUNCH, WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER THAT OUR JOB OVER THE NEXT NUMBER OF YEARS, HOWEVER LONG I HAD TO SERVE WAS GOING TO BE TO PUT TOUCHDOWNS IN THE END ZONE, NOT TO BE STANDING ON THE SIDELINES YELLING ABOUT WHAT WE DON'T LIKE.

THE REASON TODAY IS HAPPENING IS BECAUSE HE KEPT THAT COMMITMENT TO ME BOTH WHEN IT WAS EASY TO DO IT AND WHEN IT WAS REALLY REALLY HARD TO DO IT.

I HAVE KEPT THAT COMMITMENT TO HIM.

WHAT GOVERNORS DO WHEN WE ARE AT OUR BEST IN THIS STATE IS WE BUILD ON THE SUCCESSES OF OUR PREDECESSORS AND I AM PROUD TO SEE THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS BUILT ON THOSE AND ENHANCED THOSE GOING FORWARD IN HIS FIRST FOUR YEARS AS GOVERNOR AND I AM CONFIDENT HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT IN HIS NEXT FOUR YEARS AS GOVERNOR AS WELL.

THAT IS WHAT THE PRODUCT IS OF PUTTING THE PUBLIC BEFORE YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: AS YOU KNOW, COOPER IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN CAMDEN COUNTY AND ANYTIME THERE IS A BIG CORPORATE DEAL IN THE CITY OF CAMDEN, THERE IS ALWAYS SCRUTINY TO FOLLOW.

TODAY DID NOT BRING MANY DETAILS BECAUSE THE PRINCIPLES WERE ALL GONE BEFORE WE GOT A CHANCE TO ASK THEM ABOUT THEM.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THE FALLOUT CONTINUES FROM THE DEAL BROKERED LAST WEEK BETWEEN LABOR UNIONS SAVING OFF A HUGE HIKE IN HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STATE WORKERS, BUT THE AGREEMENT DID NOT COVER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE LOCAL AND COUNTY WORKERS WHO ARE STILL STARING DOWN A ROUGHLY 20% INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR.

CORRESPONDENT JOANNA HAS THAT STORY.

>> THE STATE SHOULD MAKE LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HOLE IN THE SAME WAY THE STATE WORKERS WERE MADE.

>> Reporter: STATE WORKERS CELEBRATED A NEW DEAL THAT STOPPED THEM FROM PAYING 20% OR MORE IN HEALTHCARE COST INCREASES, BUT TODAY PUBLIC WORKERS AT THE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT HOLDING THE BAG.

>> WE ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WERE LEFT OUT THE NEGOTIATION.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTIES THAT DIRECTLY PART DISSIPATED.

WE ARE LOOKING AT $100 MILLION INCREASES IN THOSE NINE COUNTIES.

>> A DEAL WAS REACHED FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WHO NOW SEE A 15% INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE COSTS.>> Reporter: THE STATES ARTIST TEACHERS UNION SAID ROUGHLY HALF OF THEIR MEMBERS WILL BE AFFECTED AND THEY ARE NOW URGING MEMBERS TO CONSIDER TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATOR HEALTH PLAN, A PLAN THAT PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY COVERAGE AT A MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE COST TO MEMBERS.

IN OTHER WORDS, DUMPING OUT THE STATE'S HEALTH CARE PLAN.

STEVE CHARLIE IS POINTING TO GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR THE FIX.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

HE HAS UNIFIED UNIONS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYERS, HE HAS UNIFIED REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GET ALL PARTIES TO THE STABLE.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A 3% INCREASE, OTHER LOCAL WORKERS COULD SEE SPIKES UP TO 24% AND THE CLOCK IS RUNNING OUT ON THE NEGOTIATION PERIOD.

>> WE ARE AT THE TWO-MINUTE WARNING, AND THE GOVERNOR IS STILL IN THE LOCKER ROOM.

HE HAS GOT TO EXERCISE SOME LEADERSHIP.

HE HAS TO LEAD ON THIS.

HE CAN'T PASS THE BUCK.

IF HE HAS GOT A PLAN, HE HAS GOT TO TELL US, OTHERWISE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EMPLOYEES AND TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO PHASE CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS COME JANUARY 1.>> IT PROBABLY HAS AN IMPACT OF EIGHT TO $9 MILLION JUST ON THE COUNTY BUDGET.

ELECT O'DAY SAYS THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RAISE TAXES.

THE SPIKES, AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF NO INCREASES TO HEALTHCARE COSTS, BUT IT HAS MADE THE STICKER SHOCK SHOCKING.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED THIS WAS COMING.

WE HEARD THAT THE REFORMS WOULD REDUCE HEALTHCARE COSTS.

THE EXACT OPPOSITE HAPPENS.

BACK WHILE DECLAN SCANLAN HOLDS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE COSTS, O'DAY POINTS TO THE PANDEMIC.>> WE THINK SENSITIVE COVID RELATED , IT SHOULD QUALIFY FOR SOME BAILOUT OR ASSISTANCE, AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND MAYBE THAT IS HOW IT WORKS SO WE CUT THE INCREASES BACK TO THOSE MORE ACCEPTABLE LEVELS AND MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE WITH FEDERAL OR STATE ASSISTANCE.

IT MIGHT MAKE SOMETHING MORE PALATABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MANY HEALTHCARE REFORMS HE WILL SUPPORT TO LOWER THE COST.>> WE SHOULD TIE OUR PAYOUTS TO MEDICARE RATES.

OTHER STATES DO THIS AND APPARENTLY IT RESULTS IN SAVINGS.

WE CAN INCENTIVIZE WORKERS TO TAILOR THE COVERAGE THEY CHOOSE TO BE APPROPRIATE TO THEIR TIME OF LIFE.

NOT EVERYBODY NEEDS PLATINUM COVERAGE.

>> TODAY'S DEAL IS A GOOD INDICATION THOSE REFORMS WILL NOT COME IN TIME TO SPARE PUBLIC WORKERS TO SPIKE.

>> LOOKS LIKE THE NEW MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE IS ALREADY REACHING MORE PEOPLE IN NEED AND POTENTIALLY SAVING LIVES.

FEDERAL DATA RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SHOWS A 45% INCREASE IN OVERALL CALL VOLUME LAST MONTH COMPARED TO THE SAME TIME PERIOD A YEAR AGO.

NEW JERSEY IS REPORTING MORE THAN 8500 CALLS, THAT IS A 20% INCREASE IN DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD.

THE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED THE NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE IN MID JULY REPLACING THE OLD 10 DIGIT NUMBER AND SAYS THE NUMBER OF CALLS ANSWERED WENT UP FROM ROUGHLY 141,000 TO 216,000.

THAT IS A 50% INCREASE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS THE NUMBER OF TEXT MESSAGES ANSWERED WENT UP 1000%.

RESPONSE TIMES WERE ALSO IMPROVED FROM TWO AND HALF MINUTES TO 42 SECONDS.

THOSE ARE DATA POINTS DHS OFFICIALS ARE USING TO SHOW THE TRANSITION IS MOVING THE AGENCY CLOSER TO SERVING THE CRISIS CARE NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY.

FEDERAL REPORT SHOWS SUICIDE IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE AGES 10-34.

THE COUNTRY REPORTED ONE DEATH EVERY 11 MINUTES AND 2020.

>>> GOING INTO THE SUMMER, THE MIDTERM ELECTION CYCLE SEEMED SOMEWHAT TACTFUL WITH INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY PUTTING HEAT ON DEMOCRATS AND AN INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR RESIDENT.

THE MOST ANALYSTS EXPECT THE PENDULUM TO SWING FOR REPUBLICANS AND WHILE THE GOP IS EXPECTED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT WINS, PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE RACES, A LOT HAS CHANGED WITH SEVEN WEEKS TO GO.

DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST STRACHAN DARCY AND REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST CHRIS RUSSELL JOIN ME FOR A LOOK AT THE ISSUES SHAPING THE RACES IN NEW JERSEY.

FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

SEAN, LET ME START WITH YOU FIRST.

HOW HAVE THE DYNAMICS SHIFTED IN THESE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS BECAUSE IF POLLS ARE ACCURATE AND IF VOTER SENTIMENT IS ACCURATE, DEMOCRATS HAVE REALLY SEEN A BOOST.

>> I THINK IT IS INTERESTING.

CERTAINLY THERE IS A LARGE CONCERN THAT WE ARE SEEING WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO HEALTHCARE.

IT IS CERTAINLY AN ISSUE COMING UP IN THE SENSE THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE A WOMAN'S PRIVATE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS SHOULD NOT BE RELATED BY ANYONE.>> REPUBLICANS ARE STILL FAVORED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, BUT IS THE GAP NARROWING AND IS IT A PORTION THAT IS REALLY PROPELLING THIS CHANGE?>> I THINK ANYONE WHO WORKS IN POLITICS KNOWS WE ARE IN A ROLLER COASTER RIDE SEEMINGLY ALL THE TIME.

UP AND DOWN, SENTIMENT UP AND DOWN, BUT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE AND WHAT IS NOT.

I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS ABORTION IS CERTAINLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT AND TO DISCUSS, BUT ULTIMATELY, THINGS LIKE INFLATION AND ECONOMICS AND CRIME, THE POCKETBOOK QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUES THAT MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ARE STILL TOP OF MIND AND ON THOSE, REPUBLICANS HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SINCE HE CAME IN, WE HAVE RECORD INFLATION AND PEOPLE BELIEVE THE COUNTRY IS MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION AND THOSE THINGS BENEFIT THE PARTY OUT OF POWER, WHICH IS REPUBLICANS.

CERTAINLY DOES NOT MEAN THE ISSUES OF WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE AND ABORTION ARE NOT AN ISSUE, BUT THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION AS THEY USUALLY DO ON WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR POCKETBOOKS.

>> AS FAR AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTERS GOES, WHAT ARE CANDIDATES DOING?

ARE THEY LOOKING TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES, SHOW INDEPENDENCE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE OR ARE THEY CALLING AROUND THIS PRESIDENT, IS IN A REFERENDUM IS THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM GOES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MIDTERMS?

>> I THINK YOU RAISE A GREAT POINT.

GAS PRICES ARE RAPIDLY DECREASING AND IT IS NEVER GOING TO BE AS LOW AS WE WANT IT TO BE, BUT SOME OF THESE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ACTUALLY SIT DIRECTLY YOU NEED TO REFOCUS AND PRIORITIZE ON CONSUMERS.

I THINK THINGS LIKE THE CHIPS ACT ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO BE HELPFUL AS FAR AS PUTTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK TRULY DEMOCRATS RECOGNIZE THEIR WAS AN ISSUE THAT HAD TO BE ADDRESSED AND THAT IS HOW YOU END UP WITH THINGS LIKE THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

YOU HIT IT HEAD-ON AND I THINK IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET THERE.

THE BEST YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO ADDRESS IT HEAD-ON AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.>> YOU ARE WORKING ON CAMPAIGNS FOR BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, CONGRESSMAN POLO AND, CONGRESSMAN PASQUARELLO.

IF PRESIDENT BIDEN OFFERED TO COME STUMP FOR EITHER OF THOSE CANDIDATES, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE ?

IS IT BETTER FOR THE CANDIDATE OR NOT?

>> I THINK THE LAST SIX MONTHS, THINGS HAVE TURNED AROUND.

I THINK THERE WAS LOGJAM.

THINGS ARE BEING DONE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, WHICH IS ALWAYS HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE.

>> LAST QUESTION WORKING IN CD3 , BOB HEALY SPECIFICALLY, THE CANDIDATE THERE, IS THIS SHIFT IN THE PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER THINGS NOT JUST LIKE ABORTION, BUT ALSO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE GOING TO PULL AWAY SOME OF THE MOMENTUM THAT REPUBLICANS WERE GAINING?

>> TALKING ABOUT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, THAT HAS BECOME A JUMBO SHRIMP OF ECONOMIC POLICY.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND I SAT THROUGH A DEBATE WITH THE SOUTH JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HE DIDN'T MENTION JOE BIDEN'S NAME ONE TIME.

I AM SURE IF YOU ASKED HIM TODAY HE WOULD NOT WANT HIM TO COME HERE, ALTHOUGH HE WOULDN'T SAY IT.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.>> THANK YOU.>> GO TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAP TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE FALL ELECTIONS, INCLUDING PROFILES ON THE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES, WHETHER YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND WHO IS RUNNING IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>>> A NEW HVAC SYSTEM IS JUST ONE OF THE UPGRADES THE GARFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT IS TOUTING THANKS TO NEW JERSEY'S SHARE OF THE COVID RELIEF FUNDING.

SENATOR MENENDEZ AND PASQUARELLO INVITED CAMERAS TO COME ALONG WITH THEM TODAY ON A TOUR THROUGH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR A LOOK AT THE IMPROVEMENTS.

K-12 SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ARE SHARING A POT OF $3 BILLION IN COVID EIGHT TO HELP THEM REOPEN AND STAY OPEN ALONG WITH ADDRESSING LEARNING LOSS AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF STUDENTS THAT WERE MADE WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

GARFIELD IS THE SECOND MOST OVERCROWDED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN NEW JERSEY AND HAS BEEN PLEADING FOR ASSISTANCE.

THE DISTRICT RECEIVED NEARLY 8 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS IN COVID RELIEF AND IS BUILDING A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH THE HELP OF STATE BUDGET DOLLARS THAT WILL ADDRESS THE OVERCROWDING.

STUDENTS HAVE BEEN USING THE BASEMENT AS CLASSROOMS.

>> THESE ONCE IN A GENERATION INVESTMENTS ARE HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS ALL ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

THIS MONEY IS GOING TOWARDS IMPROVING OUR SCHOOLS AND SUPPORTING THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO WANT TO HOLD EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THEY ARE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY ARE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR CHILDREN.

THESE ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD.

>> WHILE THE ECONOMIC MOOD IN THE STATE APPEARS TO BE WORSENING, RHONDA SCHEFFLER HAS THE DETAILS FROM A NEW SURVEY, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOPIC IS THE STORIES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS ARE OFFERING A BLEAKER REVIEW OF THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

A SURVEY BY THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FINDS 60% OF THOSE POLLED BELIEVE THE U.S. ECONOMY IS IN RECESSION AND MOST RESPONDENTS SAID THE STATE OF THEIR BUSINESS IS SOMEWHAT OR SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AS COMPANIES GRAPPLE WITH ISSUES RANGING FROM RISING COSTS TO SUPPLY-CHAIN WOES, THEY DO EXPECT AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS CONDITIONS NEXT YEAR.

THE SURVEY HAD SOME FAMILIAR THEMES WITH EXECUTIVE SAYING THE STATE IS UNFRIENDLY TO BUSINESS AND TAXES ARE TOO HIGH.

I ASKED PRESIDENT TOM BRACKEN, A MEMBER OF THE PBS BOARD OF TRUSTEES IF A RECESSION COULD LEAD TO MORE BUSINESS IS CLOSING.>> IF THERE IS NO ASSISTANCE, NO HELP FROM LET'S SAY THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND PAYMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, IF THERE IS NO ASSISTANCE FROM GRANTS, IF THOSE THINGS DON'T START TO BE ADDRESSED AND WE ARE TRULY IN A RECESSION AND INFLATION STAYS WHERE IT IS IN THE LABOR SHORTAGE STAYS WHERE IT IS, MORE BUSINESSES COULD EASILY CLOSE.

>> THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN AUGUST WITH 131 BUSINESS LEADERS RESPONDING.

THE STATE HAS OPENED THE ONLINE PORTAL FOR RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THE ANGER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

WITH THE PROGRAMS INCOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, MORE THAN 2 MILLION HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS WILL RECEIVE BENEFITS.

ESTATE HAS COMMITTED MORE THAN $2 BILLION TO THE PROGRAM FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR BUT SOME QUESTION WHETHER THAT FUNDING LEVEL CAN BE SUSTAINED.

FOR MORE ON THAT, CHECK OUT JOHN RIGHT HIRE'S ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> BED BATH AND BEYOND IT WILL CLOSE AT THREE STORES IN NEW JERSEY AS PART OF A PLAN TO SHUTTER 150 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE.

THE RETAILER WILL CLOSE STORES IN FLANDERS AND MINELLA PENN.

PREVIOUSLY THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LAY OFF 20% OF ITS WORKFORCE DUE TO SLUMPING SALES.

NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

THE SHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT CHAMBER.COM.

>>> PUERTO RICO IS REPORTING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE, INCLUDING WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES AFTER BEING PUMMELED BY HURRICANE FIONA.

THE STORM BARRELED THROUGH THE U.S.

TERRITORY THIS WEEKEND, KNOCKING OUT THE POWER GREAT.

AT LEAST 2000 PEOPLE ARE REPORTED TO BE IN SHELTERS.

AUTHORITIES SAY NO DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED YET, BUT IT IS TOO EARLY TO ASSESS THE FULL SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE.

THE STORM WAS FORECAST TO CONTINUE UNLEASHING TORRENTIAL RAINFALL THROUGH MUCH OF TODAY.

UP TO 30 INCHES OF RAIN ALREADY FELL IN SOME PARTS OF THE ISLANDS.

THE RAINS ARE HEAVY ENOUGH TO PRODUCE WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CALLS LIFE- THREATENING AND CATASTROPHIC FLOODING ALONG WITH MUD AND LANDSLIDES, MAKING FOR EXTREMELY CHALLENGING CONDITIONS TO START CLEANUP AND REPAIRS.

THE GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO SAYS THE FLOODING IS HISTORIC, WORSE FOR SOME AREAS THAN HURRICANE MARIA FIVE YEARS AGO.

THAT WAS A DEADLY CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE THAT BROUGHT 155 MILE PER HOUR WINDS.

WHILE FUNERAL ALSO MADE LANDFALL TODAY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, BRINGING AS MUCH AS 15 INCHES OF RAIN IN THE EASTERN REGION AND 90 MILE- PER-HOUR WINDS.

IN A TWEET, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID NEW JERSEY STANDS AT THE READY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

>>> FINALLY AFTER THE COMPLAINTS AND REUSABLE BAGS STARTED PILING UP, A KEY NEW JERSEY LAWMAKER SAYS HE IS TWEAKING THE STATES PLASTIC BAG BAN.

SENATOR SMITH WANTS TO AMEND THE BILL TO GIVE GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICES MORE OPTIONS THAT WILL REDUCE THE GLUT OF RECYCLABLE BAGS CUSTOMERS ARE GIVEN WITH EACH ORDER, ESPECIALLY AS THE SERVICE BECAME MORE POPULAR DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL BILL TO MAKE SURE THE STATE DOES NOT GO BACK TO ITS OLD WAYS.

>> PLASTIC HAS BECOME SO PREVALENT IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, IT IS LITERALLY PART OF A.

>> IF YOU WENT TO A HOSPITAL TODAY AND ASKED THEM TO TAKE A CHECK OF YOUR BLOOD FOR PLASTIC PARTICLES, THEY WOULD FIND IT.

THERE IS A BIG IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH.

>> IN AN EFFORT TO FIGHT BACK, STATE SENATOR BOB SMITH SPONSORED NEW JERSEY SINGLE USE PLASTIC THEM, WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW TWO YEARS AGO AND WENT INTO EFFECT THIS MAY.

SINCE THE START, THERE ARE FEWER SINGLE-USE BAGS HERE IN NEW JERSEY, BUT SHOPPERS WHO GET THE GROCERIES DELIVERED ARE NOW FLOODED WITH REUSABLE BAGS AS EACH DELIVERY BRINGS A NEW SET OF THEM.

SENATOR SMITH HAS FOUR IDEAS FOR AMENDMENTS TO FIX THIS NEW PROBLEM.

>> REQUIRE THAT THE DELIVERY SERVICE AT THE REQUEST OF THE CUSTOMER TAKE BACK THE BAG.

THE DELIVERY SERVICE WOULD SANITIZE THEM AND REUSE THEM.

WHEN THE CUSTOMER GETS THE BACK, THEY HAVE TO PAY A DEPOSIT.

AND THEY GET IT BACK, THEY GET CREDIT FOR THE DEPOSIT.

A THIRD ALTERNATIVE IS PAPER BAGS AND THE FOURTH SOLUTION IS THE COSCO MODEL, WHERE THE GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICE USES THE BOXES THAT THE GOODS WERE DELIVERED IN.

>> SMITH PREFERS A PARTIAL RETURN TO PAPERBACKS OR REQUIRING COMPANIES TO TAKE BACK YOUR REUSABLE BAGS.

>> I DON'T EXPECT TO GET PUSHBACK FROM ANY SENSIBLE COMPANY.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE PUBLIC IS IN FAVOR, THEY ARE FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF GETTING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS LITTLE HICCUP WITH THE DELIVERY SERVICES PROVIDING PLASTIC BAGS.

>> SOME OF THESE COMPANIES, FRESH DIRECT I BELIEVE, THEY TOOK THE BAGS BACK AND REUSED THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE REUSABLE BAGS.

THAT IS THE IDEAL SITUATION.

>> JOHN WEBER IS PART OF NEW JERSEY'S PLASTIC ADVISORY COUNCIL.

HE SAYS ANY OF THESE SOLUTIONS WOULD WORK, EXCEPT FOR THE PAPERBACK SOLUTION.

>> THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO PRODUCE THE COST.

PAPERBACKS ARE NOT COMPLETELY AND RELATIVELY BENIGN.

THEY ARE MADE FROM TREES AND THEY WAY MORE SO THEY COST MORE TO SHIP.

>> ACROSS THE AISLE, SENATOR CORRADO THINKS PAPERBACKS WOULD PRESENT A BETTER OPTION FOR GROCERY DELIVERIES.

>> I AM ONE OF THOSE THAT SHOP ONLINE.

I HAVE HUNDREDS OF THESE.

>> SHE VOTED AGAINST THE PLASTIC BEEN AND HAS INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW PAPERBACKS TO BE USED BY ANYONE WHO DELIVERS GROCERIES OR DOES CURBSIDE PICKUP>> IT WOULD CUT DOWN ON THE STOCKPILE AND BE MORE ECONOMICAL AND THEY ARE RECYCLABLE.

PAPERBACKS ARE RECYCLABLE.

WE DIDN'T NECESSARILY SEE THEY WERE GOING TO BE PART OF THE PLASTIC BAG BAN.

>> SENATOR SMITH SAYS AMENDMENTS COULD APPEAR IN COMMITTEE EARLY NEXT MONTH.

IN THE MEANTIME, IF YOU ARE SITTING ON THE STOCKPILE OF BAGS, WEBER SAYS THERE ARE GROUPS WHO COULD REALLY USE THEM.

>> THEY SHOULD SEEK OUT THEIR LOCAL FOOD BANK, THEIR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY BECAUSE THOSE TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS ARE SEEKING THESE BAGS.

THERE ARE COLLECTION SPOTS THAT HAVE BEEN NAMED THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND THEY NEED THESE REUSABLE BAGS.

>> SENATOR CORRADO HOPES THE PAPERBACK BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED SOON, GIVING PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY AN ALTERNATIVE TO STOP PILING ALL THOSE REUSABLE BAGS.

I AM TED GOLDBERG.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU GO OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> SERVING 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 AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, AND NEW JERSEY WHEELCHAIRS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE@NJREALTOR.COM.>> MGM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE IN JAMS POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS, THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

AND JM, WE HAVE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.