>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS 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 JER.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS TUESDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, AS DEVASTATING HURRICANES BARREL BARREL INTO THE U.S. AND FLOODING CAN BE SEEN ALL THE WAY WAY UP THE EASTERN SEABOARD.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS SAY CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR STORMS LIKE HURRICANE IAN AND FIONA FORMING, FORMING, BUT THEY WARNED FOR YEARS THAT RISING TEMPERATURES CAUSED BY BURNING FOSSIL FUELS WOULD MAKE THE HURRICANES STRON.

HURRICANES STRONGER.

AND THEY URGED IMMEDIATE ACTION.

IN ATLANTIC CITY THIS WEEK, LEADERS LEADERS FROM ALL ACROSS NEW JERSEY GATHERED FOR THE STATE'S LARGEST CONFERENCE ON CLEAN ENERGY, TO FOCUS ON HOW TO EASE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE WHILE GROWING THE SO-CALLED GREEN ECONOMY, AND PUTTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AT THE FOREFRONT.

HOW TO DO IT, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY, THE NATION'S CENTER OF THIS CLEAN ENERGY CONFERENCE.

>> SPONSORED BY THE BORDER OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, THE STAKEHOLDERS PROMOTED GREEN BUILDINGS, ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES.

MURPHY SAID NEW JERSEY IS ON TRACK TO DERIVE DERIVE 85% FROM NON-GREENHOUSE GAS EMITTING SOURCES BY THE END OF THIS DECADE, AND HE WANTS TO LEAD WITH OFFSHORE WIND.

>> WE ARE, AS WE SIT HERE, CHANGING THE NARRATIVE.

IN THIS VISION FOR OFFSHORE WIND DEPLOYMENT, COUPLED WITH WHAT WE WE NOW KNOW WILL BE REAL ECONOMIC BENEFIT, MEANS WE COULD COULD BE JUSTIFIED IN BEING AS E AS AGGRESSIVE AS WE ARE WITH OUR OUR VISION.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY THAT THE STATE HAS HAD IN RECENT RECENT MEMORY.

>> SITING UPGRADES IN TURBINE TECHNOLOGY AND GROWING OFFSHORE LEASE CAPACITY, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION JUST INCREASED THE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY TARGET BY MORE THAN A THIRD, UP TO 11,000 MEGAWATTS BY THE YEAR 2040.

WITH THE SPECIALIZED GREENPORT UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN SALEM COUNTY, THE STATES LOOKING LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURERS TO BUILD ITEMS LIKE TURBINE BLADES.

.

>> TO CREATE A BRAND-NEW INDUSTRY WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW GOOD JOBS IN NEW JERSEY BUT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT THERE ARE STATES THAT ARE FIGHTING WITH US EVERY SINGLE DAY, IT IS A VERY COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES WANT TO ENSURE EQUITY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE, ESPECIALLY IN CREATING UNION JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

>> WE NEED FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGES FOR POOR COMMUNITIES AND BLACK COMMUNITIES.

THE VOTE WILL WILL BE ALSO MOST IMPACTED BY THE CLIMATE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: THE MURPHY ADMINISN MURPHY ADMINISTRATION DEVELOPED CLEAN ENERGY ESPECIALLY WITH OFFSHORE TURBINES, BUT HE IS FACING HEADWINDS FROM FISHERIES AND SOME TOWNS THAT COULD BE CRISSCROSSED BY CABLES.

>> THESE TURBINES ARE HUGE.

THE INNER CABLES ARE CONNECTING EAC.

EACH TURBINE.

>> Reporter: THE CLAPTON SAID THEY COULDN'T OPERATOR ON THE TURBINES, AND THAT COULD INCLUDE REVENUES UP TO 25%, ACCORDING TO ONE RUTGERS STUDY.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH ENERGY COMPANIES LIKE ORSTED WHICH UNDERWRITES NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> IF THEY CAN HELP US HAVE ACCESS TO ANOTHER AREA, IT WOULD WOULD BE A GREAT MITIGATION MEASURE FOR THE INDUSTRY.

>> WE WILL TAKE THOSE CONCERNS INTO OUR CONSIDERATION, DURING THE PERMIT PROCESSES, WHICH ARE.

ARE ONGOING.

SO, USE YOUR VOICES, MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS AND WE WILL ADDRESS THEM.

>> MEANWHILE, THE STATE BOARD OF OF PUBLIC UTILITIES FACES A RENEWED LEGAL CHALLENGE FROM OCEAN CITY, AFTER THE BP YOU APPROVED AN UNDERGROUND POWER TRANSMISSION CABLE THAT WOULD RUN ACROSS THE ISLAND FROM ORSTED'S WIND TURBINES, THE MAYOR CITED LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF RUNNING HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES UNDER OUR BEACHES, NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND WETLANDS, AND CLAIMED THE CITY WAS STRIPPED OF LOCAL REVI.

LOCAL REVIEW.

DPU COMMISSIONER, BOB GORDON RESPONDED.

>> I THINK THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT ARE MISPLACED.

I THINK THE IMPACT ON THE VIEW IS GOING TO BE MINIMAL.

I THINK THE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE VERY POSITIVE.

I DON'T SEE IT HAVING ANY IMPACT ON THE TOURIS.

TOURIST INDUSTRY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> IT IS A CHANGE IN CLIMATE AN.

AND DEVELOPMENT.> >> ANOTHER SHOT ACROSS THE BOW FROM THIS SIDE OF THE RIVER OVER OVER NEW YORK'S PROPOSED CONGESTION TOLL.

IN ANY UNANIMOS ANY UNANIMOUS VOTE, NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS ON MONDAY APPROVED THE THE RESOLUTION FORMALLY OPPOSING OPPOSING THE PLAN THAT WOULD CHARGE DRIVERS AN EXTRA TOLL WHEN THEY ENTER MANHATTAN SOUTH OF 60th STREET.

THE MONEY RAISED RAISED WOULD GO TOWARD NEW YORK CITY'S PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM.

THE VOTE IS ENTIRELY SYMBOLIC IN IN ITS GESTURE, A LITTLE BIT MORE FORCEFUL THAN THE THUMBS DN THUMBS DOWN THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN GIVEN AND IT INDICATES THIS THIS FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE THE BATTLE AND JOINS ME WITH THE THE LATEST.

JOHN, THIS ARGUMENT REALLY JUST CONTINUES HEATING UP.

BUT AS YOU REPORT, THIS IS A A SYMBOLIC VOTE, SO WHAT IS THE LEGISLATURE REALLY TIRING TRYINO TRYING TO DO HERE?

>> IT IS SHOWING THAT NEW JERSEY JERSEY LAWMAKERS AT LEAST WITHIN WITHIN THE STATE ASSEMBLY ARE VERY UNIFIED WHICH CAN BE RARE THESE DAYS, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCR, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, NORTH, CENTRAL, SOUTH JERSEY, LAWMAKERS LAWMAKERS FROM ALL REGIONS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, ALL VOICE THEIR OPPOSITION BASICALLY TO THIS PLAN THAT IS MOVING FORWARD FORWARD IN NEW YORK.

AND I THINK THINK THE BIG CONCERN IS IT IS BEING VIEWED AS PERHAPS A CASH GRAB FROM NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO REALLY HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER.

ALTHOUGH, THEY WOULD USE USE MASS TRANSIT IN NEW YORK AND AND SOME OF THIS MONEY WOULD GO TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

BUT, THEY THEY HAVE NO ABILITY TO VOTE ANYONE OUT AND THEY ARE FRUSTRATED, SO THAT MAKES NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS A VERY EASY TARGET.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER AVENUES THEY COULD PURSUE?

NEW YORK IS MOVING FORWARD.

>> AND IT'S NOT SET IN STONE YET, THERE IS SOME PRESSURE THAT THAT CAN BE APPLIED THROUGH DIFFERENT WAYS, IN OUR STATE RELATIONS.

AND ALSO SOME AVENUES AVENUES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, PRESSURE THAT CAN BE APPLIED THAT WAY.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS IS EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS.

WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND ALSO, FOR MT FOR MOST NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS, THE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN US THAT MOST NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE JOBS IN NEW YORK CAN COME TO THE CITY ON MASS TRANSIT, AND AND AGAIN, IF THE SUBWAY SYSTEM IMPROVES, IF THE BUSES RUN MORE EFFICIENTLY IN NEW YORK, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T GO TO THEIR JOB JUST USING NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, AND THEN GET ON THE SUBWAY PERHAPS.

SO THERE ARE BENEFITS, CLEANER AIR IN THAT DISTRICT, AND MAYBE A LITTLE SAFER WITH LESS CONGESTION.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO BIG CONCERNS, IF THEY COULD COULD JUST MORE EMISSIONS INTO AT THE COUNTY AND OTHER PARTS OF OF THE STATE, CREATING LESS PROBLEMS HERE WHILE THE ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THEM IN MANHATTAN.

>> WHICH I THINK OF IN A MOVIE POINTED OUT -- GOVERNOR MURPHY POINTED OUT THAT THIS LOOKED MORE LIKE A REVENUE GENERATOR, AND NOT AS MUCH WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT AS YOU MENTIONED, REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

BUT THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE ADVOCATES IN FAVOR OF OF THIS PLAN, WHO SAY THERE IS AN UPSIDE.

WHAT IS IT?

>> PERHAPS IT'S A LITTLE MORE NUANCED, IN THE SENSE THAT A LOT LOT OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS GO TO MANHATTAN AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A BETTER SUBWAY SYSTEM WHEN WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CITY, OR MORE RELIABLE BUSING.

IF THE FUNDING IS IMPROVING THAT INNER STRUCTURE, A LOT OF RESIDENCE WOULDN'T PAY THE TOLL BUT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE IMPROVED MASS TRANSIT OFFERING.

>> THANKS, JOHN.> >> CHECK OUT JOHN REITMEYER'S FULL STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE CONGESTION PRICING PLAN AND WHY NEW JERSEYANS ARE PUSHING BACK.

> >> WITH MOST OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BEHIND US, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ARE GETTING A MORE ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE STATE.

MONARCH HOUSING ASSOCIATES ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT IS OUT TODAY, AND REVEALS NEW JERSEY HAD 8754 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WHO WERE HOMELESS IN 2022.

AN UPTICK FROM THE YEAR B.

YEAR BEFORE.

THE COUNT IS CONDUCTED DURING A SINGLE NIGHT EVERY JANUARY, AND IDENTIFIES PEOPLE LIVING IN EMERGENCY SHELTERS, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, SAFE HAVENS ON THE STREETS OR OTHER LOCATIONS NOT CONSIDERED FIT FOR LIVING.

ESSEX COUNTY HAD HAD FAR AND AWAY THE HIGHEST RATE OF HOMELESSNESS AT 22%.

THE THE NEXT HIGHEST WAS IN NEARBY HUDSON COUNTY WITH 8%.

THE REPORT ALSO GIVES A SNAPSHOT OF THE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HOMELS IN HOMELESSNESS.

BLACK PEOPLE IN IN NEW JERSEY REPRESENT ABOUT 12% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION, BUT BUT ABOUT 48% OF THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

ADVOCATES WARNED THE COUNT ISN'T ISN'T EXACT AND FACED BARRIERS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, LIMITING IN IN PERSON SURVEYS.> >> IN HOBOKEN, THE CITY IS TURNING TO SOCIAL WORKERS TO HELP WITH THE GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION WHICH HAS BEEN ON THE THE RISE FOR YEARS.

PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS SAY THEY RECEIVED RECEIVED CALLS OR EMAILS ABOUT PEOPLE IN CRISIS OR IN NEED OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE DAILY.

AND ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, RIGHT NOW, HOBOKEN'S ONLY STAFF TO RESPOND TO THOSE CALLS ARE POLICE OFFICERS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> 95% OF THE PEOPLE WHO UTILIZE UTILIZE THE SERVICES AT THE HOBOKEN SHELTER ARE BORN WITHIN TWO MILES AROUND OUR BUILDING I.

IN HOBOKEN.

SO, WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE ON THE STREET, THEY ARE THE NEIGHBORS.

>> AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY, THE HOBOKEN SHELTER SAID HOMELESSNESS DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE.

IN THE LAST 40 YEARS, THE SHELTER HAS HELPED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GET OFF THE STREET.

IT IS A GROWING PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY HIGHLIGHTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> PEOPLE WERE TOLD TO SHELTER AT HOME.

IF YOU ARE HOMELESS, WHERE DO YOU SHELTER?

SO NOW PEOPLE ARE WORKING REMOTELY OR STAYING AT HOME, WHERE THE HOBOKEN SHELTER WAS THEIR HOME, IS THERE HOME, AND WILL BE THERE THERE HOME UNTIL THEY FIND THEIH THEIR BATH PATH TO THEIR VERY OWN HOME.

>> THE CITY IS HOPING TO HELP MAKE THAT JOURNEY A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS FOR THE FIRST TIME TO ADD SOCIAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATION TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PEOPLE THAT ARE DEALING WITH HEALTH ISSUES, PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND POVERTY ISSUES.

SO THEY ALL NEED DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESOURCES, THAT IS WHAT THE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR SAID USING SOCIAL WORKERS TO RESPOND TO DISORDERLY CONDUCT OR PEOPLE NEEDING HELP, WILL BE A BETTER WAY OF TACKLING ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE THINK IT'S GOING TO TRY TO TO KEEP POLICE SOURCES FOCUSING ON DEALING WITH CRIME SUPPRESSION, MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND GET PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPECIAS HAVE SPECIALTIES, MASTERS DEGREES IN SOCIAL WORK TO GAIN THE TRUST OF THE INDUSTRY.

FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE ARE FROM, BECAUSE IF THEY ARE NOT COMMITTING A CRIME, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THEY DON'T.

SO YOU ARE HITTING A ROADBLOCK WHERE THE RESOURCES CANNOT GET PEOPLE INTO INTO PROPER SERVICES.

WITH THE SOCIAL WORKERS, EITHER GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR EMAILS COMING TO OUR CITY, OR GOING OUT PROACTIVELY AND TRYING TO GAIN COMMUNICATION, GAIN RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE SO THEY GAIN THE TRUST.

>> SEVERAL OTHER MUNICIPALITIESE MUNICIPALITIES LIKE NEWARK HAVE IMPLEMENTED SOCIAL WORKERS.

COUNCILWOMAN, JENNIFER GIATTINO GIATTINO SAID SHE HAS SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW EFFECTIVE IT CAN BE.

>> IF YOU ARE WALKING UP TO SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE UNSTABLE OR JUST DOWN ON THEIR LUCK AND TELL THEM, WHAT SERVICES ARE YOU YOU KIDDING?

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU NEED?

HOW CAN I HELP YOU WITH THIS?

THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN CAN GO AND GET BREAKFAST OR LUNCH.

THESE ARE THE SHELTERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU.

JUST THINGS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW, AND AND ALL THEY REALLY NEED IS INFORMATION AND HELP, AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT HAVING A SOCIAL WORKER DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS LOOKING LOOKING TO HIRE NEW SOCIAL WORKERS BY THE START OF THE NEW YEAR, ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL THE INITIATIVE WILL BE A STEP TOWARD TOWARD ENDING HOMELESSNESS AND PUTTING PEOPLE INTO THEIR FOREVER HOMES.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA AND ROSE COOPER.

> >> AS THE LARGEST AND FASTEST GROWING CITY IN THE STATE, NEWARK HAS A PLAN OUTLINING TH.

THE FUTURE.

IT UNANIMOUSLY GOT L GOT APPROVAL FROM THE CITY BOARD, IT WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE OF DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS AND ACCORDING TO ELECTED LEADERS, WITH THE MAIN GOAL OF MAKING NEWARK EQUITABLE AND FAIR FOR EVERYONE.

EVERYONE.

I ASKED THE DEPUTY MAYOR AND DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WHAT IS IN THE PLAN.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS 360 PLAN, IF I'M A RESIDENT IN NEWARK, WHAT IS MY CITY LOOK LIKE IN A DECADE , WHEN PRESUMABLY THIS IS COMPLET?

IS COMPLETE?

>> GREAT TO BE ON YOUR SHOW TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE THE INVITATION.

SO, NEWARK 360 IS A VISION FOR OUR FUTURE, IT'S IT'S REALLY A BLUEPRINT THAT WILL EXPLAIN HOW OUR CITY WILL GROW EQUITABLY AND INCLUSIVELY AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO LOOK ATT THAT IS COMING INTO OUR CITY FOR FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

>> SO, WHAT IS THAT VISION?

IF I I LIVE HERE, WHAT TYPE OF CHANGES MIGHT I SEE?

>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE THINGS E THINGS LIKE A MORE AFFORDABLE CITY, A CITY THAT IS AFFORDABLE TO YOU AS A FAMILY, REGARDLESS OF INCOME.

WE HAVE FIVE-YEAR GOALS THAT ARE OUTLINED NOT ONLY ONLY IN THIS PLAN BUT HAVE BEEN STATED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR BY THE MAYOR AND OUR REAL GOAL IS TO HELP BUILD WEALTH WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO ALSO PROVIDE HOMEOP OPPORTUNITIES, JUST AS MUCH AS AFFORDABLE RENTAL.

ANOTHER PIECE PIECE THAT YOU WILL SEE IS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND RESILIENCE PLANNING.

WE ARE TRYING TO EXPAND OUR TREE CANOPY CANOPY AND ALSO PROVIDE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DEVELOT FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR CITY.

>> WHAT TYPE OF INPUT DID YOU GET FROM THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE I I KNOW IT REALLY TOOK A COUPLE OF YEARS TO COMPLETE THIS, TO GR TO GATHER SOME OF THAT INSIGHT FROM FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THE CITY.

CITY.

WHAT WAS AMONG THEIR TOP CONCERNS AND WHAT DID THEY WANT TO SEE IMPLEMENTED HERE?

>> WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING, WE WANT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE WALKABLE, WE WANT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE AMENITIES LIKE GROCERY GROCERY STORES SO WE DON'T HAVE FOOD DESERTS.

WE WANT PARKS, AND AND WE WANT THE ABILITY TO GROWY GROW INCLUSIVELY AND EQUITABLY.

SO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE LIVE HERE CAN STAY THERE.

>> WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE EQUITY COMPONENT HERE BECAUSE OF COURSE, FOLKS GET CONCERNED WHEN THEY HEAR ABOUT REDEVELOPMENT, BEING PUSHED OUT, OUT, OR NEIGHBORHOODS BEING GEN?

>> THE MAYOR IS LASER FOCUSED ON ON HAVING EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES NOT ONLY FOR THIS MASTER PLAN THROUGH ALL ALL OF HIS POLICIES AND DEVELOPMENT, FINANCING TOOLS THAT HE USES EVERY DAY.

WE KNOW THAT OUR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN BEEN HERE FOR MANY GENERATIONS WANT TO STAY IN OUR CITY.

WE KNOW THAT OUR POPULATION IS GROWING AS WE ARE OVER 311,000 PEOPLE, AND WE REMAIN THE LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE OF NEW NEW JERSEY BUT AT THE SAME TIME, TIME, WE KNOW WE NEED TO BALANCE, WE NEED TO HAVE QUALITY QUALITY HOUSING.

WE NEED TO HAVE HAVE GOOD EDUCATION SYSTEMS.

WE NEED TO HAVE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO TO AFFORD TO HAVE GOOD JOBS IN OUR CITY SO ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS ARE PART OF THE MASTER PLAN VISION BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS IT TALKING ABOUT LAND-USE AND ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT, IT IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT INITIATIVES THAT WE KNOW WE NEED TO MAKE SUE MAKE SURE OUR CITY IS EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE, AND FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE HERE SO THAT THAT THEY CAN STAY HERE.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.> >> THERE IS HELP ON THE WAFER FAMILIES WITH KIDS AS INFLATION PRICES RISE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP TO SOME NEW JERSEY PARENTS IS NOW ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE STATE ASSEMBLY HAS GIVEN FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL TO A BILL THAT WAS PASSED IN JUNE THAT PROVIDES THE CHILD TAX CREDIT ON ON THIS YEAR'S TAX BILLS.

WHEN THE BILL WAS FIRST PASSED IN JUNE, IT HAD THE TAX CREDIT GOING INTO EFFECT AT A LATER DA.

LATER DATE.

BUT, THIS NEWLY APPROVED TWEAKED BILL MAKES THE CREDIT AVAILABLE FOR THE 2022 TAX YEAR.

TAX CREDITS UP TO $500 $500 FOR EACH CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT WOULD BE GIVEN, THE THE TAX CREDIT IS NOT APPLICABLE APPLICABLE TO ANYONE OVER $80,000, BUT HE IS EXPECTED TO PASS THE BILL.

THE SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS YR THIS YEAR, AND HAS NOW AWARDED GRANTS TO MORE THAN 500 BUSINES.

500 BUSINESSES.

THE CEO, TIM SULLIVAN REMINDS BUSINESS OWNERS OWNERS WHO ARE STILL TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THE PANDEMIC, THERE IS MONEY AVAILABLE TO HELP HELP FROM THE STATE.

>> THE SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT, WE ARE TAKING TAKING APPLICATIONS RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN APPLY TODAY.

WE HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS LEASE PROGRAM, IF IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE OPENING A SECOND LOCATION AND OCCUPY A VACANT STOREFRONT ON MAIN STREET, WE WILL SUPPORT YOUR NEE NEW LEASE WITH SOME GRANT FUNDING.

>> THIS THURSDAY, THEY WILL BEGIN TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR A MICRO BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM TO HELP SOME OF THE STATES SMALLEST SMALLEST BUSINESS IS.> >> THE NUMBER OF OPEN JOBS IN THE U.S. FELL THE MOST IN 2 1/2 YEARS IN AUGUST.

THE CLOSELY WATCHED REPORT FROM THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT SHOWED JOB OPENINGS TOTALED JUST OVER 10 MILLION IN AUGUST, THAT IS 1 MILLION FEWER JOBS THAN THE PRIOR MONTH.

SOME ECONOMISTS SAY IT IS ASSIGNED A LABOR MARKET MIGHT BE COOLING OFF A BIT AS THE FEDERAL RESERVE CONTINUES TO TO RAISE INTEREST RATES.

> >> NOW TO WALL STREET WITH A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS PERFORMED TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS ST. 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 3 AT THE HYATT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK, EVENT DETAILS ONLINE.

.

AND BY ROWAN UNIVERSITY, EDUCATING NEW JERSEY LEADERS, PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>> FINALLY TONIGHT, WE TAKE YOU TO A CAFC WITH A MISSION TO EMPOWER AND EMPLOY YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPECIAL SPECIAL NEEDS.

IT IS A KEY PROGRAM FOR YOUTH WHO ARE BEGINNING TO AGE OUT OF THE DISABILITY SYSTEM, PROVIDING REAL WORK OPPORTUNITIES AND A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY.

JOANNA JOANNA GAGIS HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THESE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING HOW TO WORK IN A RESTAURANT, EVERYTHING FROM TAKING FOOD ORDERS TO COOKING AND SERVING THE FOOD.

IT'S PART OF A PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS RUN THROUGH THE WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF STUFF, HELPING THE KITCHEN, EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM SERVES 18 TO 21-YEAR-OLDS, ALTHOUGH BECAUSE OF COVID, THEY WILL BE INCLUDING 22-YEAR-OLDS FOR A FEW FEW YEARS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF THEIR DAY IST IS SPENT IN DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, AND THE STUDENTS ROTATE ON A SCHEDULE SO THEY HAVE A WIDE VARIETY EXAMPLE OF THINGS THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN DOING BEYOND SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: TODAY THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE REOPENING OF THE THE CAFC SECTION OF TOWN, THE CAFC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MUNICIPALITY WHERE STUDENTS SERVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> I ENJOY MYSELF.

BECAUSE I LIKE COMING HERE, AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE COME TO EAT THIS FOOD, AND THEY ARE HAPPY.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ON THE TOWNSHIP'S PAYROLL, GETTING PAID PAID $13 PER HOUR PLUS TIPS.

>> IT HAS BEEN MY DREAM TO MAKE MONEY FOR MY WHOLE FAMILY.

>> IT'S JUST GREAT THAT KIDS CAN CAN FEEL THAT THEY ARE PRODUCTIE ARE PRODUCTIVE, YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE A TEENAGER WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND YOU CAN GET A JOB AND WORK AND FEEL IMPORTANT AND NEEDED, I THINK THAT IS JUST SO GOOD FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

THAT THAT IS WHY WE ARE SO PROUD TO HAVE THIS FACILITY WHERE THEY CAN WORK HERE AND FEEL THAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> THAT ACCOMPLISHMENT EXPANDS BEYOND THE WORK ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE THE PROGRAM, THEY HAVE ALREADY SHE RECEIVED THE PAYCHE.

THE PAYCHECK.

THEY KNOW WHO FICA FICA IS AND WHY IT GETS THEIR MONEY.

>> THEY KNOW HOW TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT IN A BANK, THEY ALSO EARN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND THEY LEARN HOW TO VOTE, THEY LEARN THE WHOLE DEMOCRATIC PROC.

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

THEY CAN GET GET THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE.

WE FACILITATE ALL THAT TO PREPARE M PREPARE THEM TO BE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: BUT THE FOCUS OF TODAY'S LESSON, KITCHEN SAFETY.

>> THIS IS PROFESSIONAL WORK HERE.

ONCE THEY UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY, THEY ARE NOT INTIMIDATED INTIMIDATED BY THE LOUD NOISE BEHIND YOU OR THE HOT DOORS, THEN THEY GET LESSONS ABOUT COOKING.

>> EVERY DAY, IT IS OPEN 10:00 UNTIL 2:00 P.M., AND OPEN TO ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO COME ENJOY A GOOD MEAL.> >> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.> >> NJN INSURANCE GROUP , SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

> >> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE AN A.

AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJE MEMBER.

> >> AS A PART OF THE GARDEN STATE, WE HELP COMPANIES KEEP THEIR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, EMPLOYEES ON THE JOB AND PROJECTS ON TRACK.

WORKING TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY, TO KEEP GOODS AND SERVICES MOVING ACROSS THE STAT.

THE STATE.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

NJN, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.