>>> 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, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO, RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE, BEGINNING A WAR THAT HAS BY SOME ACCOUNTS KILLED OR INJURED ABOUT 100,000 UKRAINIANS.

AND OVER 150,000 RUSSIANS.

SINCE ITS START, THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 8000 UKRAINIAN CIVILIAN DEATHS AND JUST OVER 13,000 INJURED.

ON THIS ANNIVERSARY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY VOWED TO STOP AT NOTHING TO WIN THIS WAR.

AS MOSCOW STEPS UP THE OFFENSE, SOME MILITARY ANALYSTS ARE SEEING RUSSIA'S STRONGHOLD NOW IN QUESTION AFTER WEEKS OF FAILED ATTACKS.

IN AN EFFORT TO CONTINUE UKRAINE'S STRONGHOLD, THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED ANOTHER $2 BILLION AID PACKAGE INCLUDING MORE ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION AND HIGH-TECH DRONES.

THE CONTINUED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE FINDING MIXED REACTION IN POLITICAL CIRCLES.

RON DESANTIS WEIGHING INTO THE DEBATE SAYING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS PURELY A BLANK CHECK POLICY, PLAYING DOWN ANY THREAT MOSCOW POSES TO NATO MEMBER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE.

WHAT MIGHT BE THE BIGGEST TOLL FROM THIS CONFLICT ARE THE MILLIONS OF UKRAINIANS THAT FLED THEIR WAR-TORN COUNTRY JUST OVER 200,000 TO THE UNITED STATES, AND JUST OVER 11,000 LOOKING FOR A SAFE HAVEN HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON THE IMPACT OF THE WAR ON THOSE REFUGEES.

>> Reporter: RUSSIA TARGETED KYIV, IT HAS KILLED AT LEAST 8000 CIVILIANS, INJURED 30,000 MORE AND DISPLACED MILLIONS OF TRAUMATIZED REFUGEES.

NEW JERSEY'S VIBRANT UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY, MANY WITH FAMILY CAUGHT IN THE ATTACK HAVE WATCHED IN HORROR AS THE CONFLICT GRINDS ON.

>> I GET A LITTLE BIT EMOTIONAL WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, BUT, THAT IS THE REALITY.

IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: HE HAS FAMILY IN UKRAINE INCLUDING HIS 85-YEAR- OLD DAD, AS APPEALS FOR A DEPORTED FROM HIS HOMELAND, HE RAMPED UP HIS JERSEY-BASED NONPROFIT CALLED HOPE FOR UKRAINE.

SO FAR IT HAS DELIVERED 62 MILLION MEALS TO REFUGEES IN AND OUTSIDE OF UKRAINE, 20 TONS OF FOOD THIS PAST JANUARY ALONE.

HIS HEART BREAKS BECAUSE ONE YEAR INTO THIS WAR, HE SEES LIVES FOREVER CHANGED.

>> THE DIFFERENT REALITY SET IN WITH THESE PEOPLE.

THEY START TO UNDERSTAND, NOW WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GO BACK TO THE PLACES WHERE THEY USED TO LIVE.

THEY HAD HOMES, THEY HAD JOBS AND BUSINESSES.

AND NOW THEY HAVE NOTHING.

>> IT IS A VERY HARD THING TO REALIZE, THAT YOU JUST CAN'T GO HOME.

>> Reporter: THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE HELPED UKRAINIAN REFUGEES GAIN TWO-YEAR PROTECTED STATUS AND SETTLED INTO A COMMUNITY, CONNECTING WITH SERVICES, FINDING SCHOOLS FOR THEIR KIDS AND APPLYING FOR JOBS.

BUT WITH THE WAR UNLIKELY TO END SOON, MADISON IS HOPING THE WHITE HOUSE EXTENDS THAT GRACE PERIOD.

>> THE UNCERTAINTY OF HOW LONG THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HERE IS GOING TO BE THIS NEW STRUGGLE THIS NEXT YEAR, MORE EMOTIONALLY FOR THE CLIENTS WE ARE DEALING WITH, THAT ALSO RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, MORE MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM GOALS THAT PEOPLE HAD.>> IF I WANTED TO FIND A GOOD JOB, I MUST SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL.

>> Reporter: SHE FLED UKRAINE AND HAS SETTLED FOR NOW IN JERSEY CITY WHERE SHE IS STUDYING ENGLISH AT HUDSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITH A REMARKABLE RESILIENCE YOU OFTEN SEE IN KIDS, HER 4-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER, NICOLE IS THRIVING, MAKING FRIENDS AT THE SCHOOL.

WE ASKED, ARE YOU HAVING FUN?>> I SEE MY FRIENDS OVER THERE.

>> WHEN WE GO TO THE SCHOOL, I LOVE MY SCHOOL, I LOVE MY FRIENDS, AND I LOVE THE TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: HER FAMILY, INCLUDING HER HUSBAND ARE BACK IN UKRAINE AND THAT IS ROUGH FOR A 4-YEAR-OLD.

>> SHE MISSES HER DAD.

HER GRANDMA, GRANDPA.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 11,400 REFUGEES HAVE REQUESTED SAFE HARBOR IN NEW JERSEY THROUGH A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM, CALLED UNITING FOR UKRAINE.

CREATED LAST APRIL, IT HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO MORE THAN 117,000 UKRAINIANS NATIONWIDE WHO MUST HAVE SPONSORS HERE IN THE U.S.

BUT, THERE'S NO PERMANENCE, SAYS THE ATTORNEY.

>> NEITHER CREATES ANY SORT OF PATH FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY.

THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME, THEY WILL PROHIBIT PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WORK HERE, BUT IT IS NOT A PATH TO A GREEN CARD BY ANY MEANS.

>> IT TAKES AN EMOTIONAL TOLL, LIVING WITH UNCERTAINTY AND FAMILIES ARE RIPPED APART, THEY FEEL CONNECTIONS GROWING EVER MORE TENUOUS.

>> THE WAR IS FAR FROM OVER.

IT IS SO FAR FROM OVER, AND UKRAINE AND UKRAINIANS REALLY NEED HELP.

>> Reporter: A RESIDENT SPOKE TO US FROM UKRAINE THIS WEEK, SHE FLEW BACK TO VISIT BECAUSE SHE MISSES HER FAMILY.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT ARE TRAPPED THERE AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEM ON THE PHONE FREELY BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THAT THEY COULD BE TAPED.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID PRESIDENT BIDEN'S RECENT VISIT TO KYIV WHERE HE STOOD IN SOLIDARITY WITH VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY GAVE PEOPLE HOPE.

>> LIFTED THE SPIRITS OF UKRAINIANS SO MUCH, AND IT GAVE US SO MUCH HOPE.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL AND PROUD.

>> Reporter: SHE'S NOT SURE WHEN SHE WILL COME BACK TO THE U.S., HER DAD REFUSES TO LEAVE UKRAINE.>> HE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE, HE SAID YOU KNOW, I WAS BORN AND THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO DIE.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT PROJECT IS SENDING PREFABRICATED HOMES TO UKRAINE, HOUSING FOR FOLKS WHOSE HOMES WERE DESTROYED.

HE SAID IT'S A COMPLICATED PROCESS BUT HE SEES IT AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS REBUILDING AND HE IS DETERMINED TO PREVAIL.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> TO REFLECT ON THE LAST YEAR AND TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NEXT IN THIS DUDLEY CONFLICT, OR IS THERE ANY SIGN OF PEACE, BRIANA VANNOZZI SPOKE WITH ALAN SANDERS, PROFESSOR OF EMERITUS AND SENIOR REPORTER AT TIME MAGAZINE.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE QUESTION THAT IS ALMOST PEOPLE'S MINDS, PROFESSOR SANDERS, WHICH IS, ARE WE ANY CLOSER TO A RESOLVE TO THIS WAR?>> UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THE WAR IS GOING TO GRIND ON AS IT HAS.

THERE IS REALLY NO END IN SIGHT, NOBODY HAS PUT FORTH A REASONABLE PROPOSAL FOR HOW TO END THIS, AND BOTH SIDES SEEM AS DETERMINED AS EVER TO TO CONTINUE THIS HORRIBLE CONFLICT.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE A SURPRISE HIGH-STAKES TRIP TO KYIV, ANNOUNCING ANOTHER MASSIVE AID PACKAGE, IS U.S. SUPPORT MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

>> IT CERTAINLY IS.

THE WAR WAS EXPECTED TO END VERY QUICKLY WITH A RUSSIAN VICTORY, ALMOST A YEAR AGO NOW, AND THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

CLEARLY THE ARMAMENTS THAT THE NATO ALLIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES HAVE PROVIDED HAVE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, AND SO HAS THE COURAGE AND STRATEGIES OF THE UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES.

CLEARLY, IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE YEAR INTO THIS CONFLICT.

>> I'M CURIOUS, NATO AND THE U.S. HAVE DECIDED TO SEND TANKS TO ASSIST UKRAINE.

IS THERE CONCERN OR SHOULD THERE BE CONCERN ABOUT SENDING WEAPONS LIKE THAT ESCALATING THE WAR AT THIS POINT?>> WELL, THE NATO POSITION AND THE AMERICAN POSITION HAS BEEN TOUCH AND GO, THAT IS TO SEE HOW MUCH AND WHAT KIND OF REACTION THE RUSSIANS WILL GIVE TO WHATEVER SUPPORT NATO AND THE U.S.

GIVES TO UKRAINE.

SO FAR, THE RUSSIANS HAVEN'T DONE MUCH EXCEPT TALK.

THEY HAVEN'T CHANGED THEIR STRATEGY, THEIR STRATEGY DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE WORKED FOR THEM, AND FOR THE MOST PART, IT HAS JUST BEEN TALK.

BUT THE NATO ALLIES AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY CONFIDENT THAT IT'S JUST MOST OF WHAT IT IS, JUST TALK.

BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THREATS SERIOUSLY, THAT IS WHY THE STRATEGY HAS BEEN TO CREEP SLOWLY WITH MORE AND MORE AID TO UKRAINE AS UKRAINE HAS PROVED VERY COMPETENT IN USING THAT AID SMARTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.

>> IS INTERESTING, IT IS A LOT OF TALK AND THIS WEEK WE HAVE VLADIMIR PUTIN HITTING HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TO A CROWD THAT WAS VERY UPBEAT AND SEEMINGLY HAPPY ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR AND BEING PORTRAYED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF THIS LATEST NEWS WHICH WAS VLADIMIR PUTIN'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT RUSSIA WILL NO LONGER PARTICIPATE IN THE NUCLEAR TREATY WITH THE U.S.?

>> WELL, THAT TREATY HAD BEEN OVER A YEAR OR TWO, AND THEY HAVEN'T RESUMED SINCE THEY STOPPED, SO IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE STATUS QUO AT ALL.

BUT WHAT IT DOES DO IS IT WILL MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH FUTURE ARMS AGREEMENT WITH THE RUSSIANS AS THE WAR CONTINUES.

WE ARE AT THE STATUS QUO FOR THE MOMENT BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK WELL FOR THE FUTURE OF NEGOTIATIONS TO LIMIT NUCLEAR ARMS.

>> SO ARE NUCLEAR OR CHEMICAL ATTACKS LIKELY BY RUSSIA AT THIS POINT ONE YEAR INTO THE WAR?

>> WELL, THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS.

IT'S SORT OF THE SAME DILEMMA WE FACED IN THE U.S., HOW DO YOU INCREASE MILITARY INVOLVEMENT WITHOUT PROVOKING THE OTHER SIDE?

CLEARLY THE RUSSIANS KNOW THAT THERE IS UNITED NATO RESOLVE AGAINST THIS NATION BY RUSSIA AND IF IT ESCALATES TO A POINT WITH ARMS THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN MODERN TIMES REALLY, THAT COULD PROVOKE A SERIOUS REACTION FROM THE UNITED STATES, FROM NATO AND INDEED FROM OTHER NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

THEY ARE WATCHING THIS AND REGARDLESS OF WHICH SIDE THEY ARE ON, THEY ARE WORRIED THIS COULD ESCALATE INTO SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS WORLDWIDE.

THE UKRAINIANS ARE BETTING THAT INCREASED MILITARY AID THAT WILL BE COMING IN THE COMING YEAR WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD AND ALLOW THEM TO REGAIN MOST IF NOT ALL THE TERRITORY.

THE RUSSIANS ARE BETTING THAT THE WEST AND NATO WILL GROW TIRED AND LOSE ITS RESOLVE TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF AID THAT WERE GIVEN TO UKRAINE.

BOTH SIDES ARE MAKING A HEAVY BET.

UKRAINE IS ON MILITARY HELP AND MILITARY FIGHTING IN THE RUSSIANS ON A WAR OF ATTRITION THAT THEY HOPE WILL DIMINISH WESTERN RESOLVE TO FIGHT THEM, AND TO REPEL THE AGGRESSION.

SO, THAT IS PRETTY MUCH THE WAY IT LOOKS, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT RULING ATTRITION AND CONTINUED FIGHTING AND DEATHS AND HORRIBLE EVENTS IN UKRAINE.

>> AND HERE WE ARE, ONE YEAR OF HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU, WHICH WE APPRECIATE, PROFESSOR ALAN SANDERS, ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY, THANK YOU.

>>> IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE CRIME, RUTGERS NEWARK IS COLLABORATING WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITIES TO TARGET HOTSPOTS.

THE GROUP USES POLICE DATA TO LOOK AT PATTERNS, NOT PEOPLE TO DETERMINE WHAT TRENDS EXIST IN TARGETED NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOW TO CHANGE THEM.

THE GROUP SAYS HAVING INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THE CRIMES ARE OCCURRING GIVES THE COMMUNITY INSIGHT INTO HOW THEY CAN START TO PREVENT IT.

THEY SAY THE PROPOSED STRATEGIES ARE GEARED AT PREVENTION AND REDUCTION RATHER THAN REACTING TO A CRIME.

CORRESPONDENT, TED GOLDBERG MET WITH THE HEAD OF THE COLLABORATIVE ABOUT WHERE SOME OF THOSE HOTSPOTS ARE AND HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS FEEL ABOUT THIS STRATEGY.

>> WE ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF A BODEGA THAT THE COMMUNITY KNEW WAS PROBLEMATIC BUT THE DATA DEFINITELY CONFIRMED IT.>> THAT DATA COMES FROM THE NEWARK PUBLIC SAFETY COLLABORATIVES, A GROUP THAT CRUNCHES NUMBERS TO FIND CRIME PATTERNS.

THEY SEND OUT STUDENTS TO BUILD A RAPPORT WITH BUSINESS OWNERS.

ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE IN AREAS WITH HIGH CRIME.

>> THERE'S PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, LET'S GO OUT AND TRY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS, AND ACTUALLY, THIS BODEGA HAS CONNECTIONS.

>> SOME OF THAT INFORMATION MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.

IT SAYS THAT TWO THIRDS OF MURDERS HAPPEN WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF A BODEGA.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, WARREN THOMPSON SAID NO ONE IS POINTING FINGERS AT THE OWNERS.

>> IT'S NOT THE OWNER OBVIOUSLY, THE OWNER IS IN IT TO MAKE A BUSINESS.>> I WAS VERY AFRAID.

YOU WOULDN'T THINK THAT HIS DAUGHTER IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ATTENDS THOSE.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF CRIMES HAPPEN IN JUST 5% OF THE CITY.

THE GROUP RECOMMENDS FOCUSING RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC INTERSECTIONS RATHER THAN NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THEY ENCOURAGE POLICE AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH BUSINESS OWNERS DEALING WITH CRIME.>> PEOPLE WILL GATHER AROUND HERE AND A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

SO WHEN THE SCHOOLS LET OUT, YOU GET A LOT OF TEENAGERS HANGING OUT HERE.

WE HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS THAT WORK WITH US AND WE COME OUT AND ENGAGE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HANGING AROUND HERE.

>> OF THE GROUPS DATA HAS LED TO OTHER CHANGES THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO NOTICE.

IF YOU WALK AROUND LINCOLN PARK, YOU WILL SEE NEW LIGHTS UP AROUND THE PARK.

THE IDEA BEING THAT MORE LIGHT EQUALS LESS CRIME.>> WE HAVE PROBABLY DONE ABOUT MAYBE 40 OR 50 LIGHT POLES IN THIS COMMUNITY, TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE, NOT THE APPEARANCE BUT IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL SAFER WHEN THINGS ARE LIT UP.

>> WHENEVER THERE IS LESS LIGHTING, IT'S EASIER FOR AN OFFENDER TO COMMIT A CRIME.

>> ALEJANDRO SANTANA LEADS THE COLLABORATIVE, HE SAID BETTER LIGHTING CAN DRASTICALLY REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME.

WE HAVE SEEN A 47% DECREASE IN AREAS COVERED BY THOSE NEW LIGHTS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AREAS WHERE THOSE LIGHTS WORK.

>> OTHER THAN INCREASED LIGHTING, OTHER SIMPLE CHANGES HAVE LED TO DECREASED THEFT IN THESE AREAS, LIKE HAVING POLICE CHECK INS WITH THE BODEGAS AND ENCOURAGING THE STORES TO HAVE CAMERAS.

THE COLLABORATIVE ANALYZES THE DATA, BUT HE STRESSES THAT NOBODY IS LOOKING TO PUT BODEGAS OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> THE ANALYSIS IS ONLY THE FIRST PART OF THE PUZZLE, THE CRIME IS HIGHLY CLUSTERED IN PARTS OF THE CITY.

>> THE MAYOR HAS SUPPORTED THIS INITIATIVE.

>> IT IS A MORE PRESCRIPTIVE WAY THAT WE BEGIN TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN THE CITY , WHICH AT ITS CORE IS REALLY ABOUT RACISM.

AND THAT WE BEGIN TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> BY UNDERSTANDING WHAT SPACES ARE CONNECTED TO CRIME, WHAT WE CAN DO IS TO START HAVING A CONVERSATION, THAT IS WHEN THE COMMUNITY COMES IN.

>> A COMMUNITY LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO KEEP THEIR COMMUNITY SAFER.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> 59 LANDLORDS HAVE BEEN ISSUED NOTICES FOR ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING THE FAIR CHANCE ACT WHICH MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A POTENTIAL RECORD.

THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2022, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS TO FIND SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DIVISION ON CIVIL RIGHTS, THE HOUSING PROVIDERS VIOLATED THE LAW AFTER ASKING CRIMINAL HISTORY RELATED QUESTIONS ON HOUSING APPLICATIONS OR BY POSTING HOUSING ADVERTISEMENTS OR MAINTAINING HOUSING POLICIES THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH FC HA.

THE LAW ADDRESSES AN IMPORTANT DRIVER OF RACIAL INEQUALITY IN NEW JERSEY AS THE ELIGIBILITY RULES LIMIT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS HAVE LONG DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED PEOPLE OF COLOR.

IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, FACULTY AT RUTGERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT SINCE LAST SUMMER AND ARE TALKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE STRIKE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS OUR OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT FACULTY AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY COULD GO ON STRIKE.

UNIONS REPRESENTING 8000 FACULTY MEMBERS WILL BEGIN VOTING NEXT WEEK ON WHETHER TO AUTHORIZE UNION LEADERSHIP TO CALL A STRIKE.

THE VOTE WOULD GIVE LEADERS THE OPTION TO CALL A STRIKE FOR MARCH OR APRIL IF THEY HAVEN'T REACHED A NEW CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENTS.

IT DOESN'T MEAN A STRIKE WOULD NECESSARILY HAPPEN.

CONTRACTS COVERING TWO FACULTY UNIONS EXPIRED LAST JUNE AND RUTGERS SAYS NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING.

MORE FEDERAL FUNDS ARE ON THE WAY TO NEW JERSEY TO HELP RESIDENTS PAY THEIR UTILITY BILLS THIS WINTER.

THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCING THAT AN ADDITIONAL $35 MILLION WILL BE EARMARKED FOR THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WHICH HELPS LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS PAY THEIR HOME HEATING BILLS.

WITH THIS LATEST ROUND OF FEDERAL FUNDING A TOTAL OF $188 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS CLIMATE RANKS LAST AMONG THE NORTHEASTERN STATES ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS FROM THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

THE CONCLUSION IS BASED ON AMONG OTHER THINGS, A COMPARISON OF STATE TAX RATES.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO SAID THE REPORT POINTS TO THE NEED FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND A LOOK AT HOW NEW JERSEY FUNDS ITS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE GRADUATE SOME OF THE SMARTEST STUDENTS AND THAT IS WONDERFUL, HOWEVER WE DO IT ON THE LARGEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE NATION AND USUALLY VYING FOR US IS MASSACHUSETTS.

AND THEY DO IT FOR ABOUT 20% LESS.>> THE PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS THIS PAST WEEK TO FULLY FUND SCHOOLS IS A WAY TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES IS A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.>>> A ROCKY SESSION ON WALL STREET AFTER ANOTHER REPORT SHOWED INFLATION WAS MORE THAN EXPECTED IN JANUARY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS.

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

>> SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ANNOUNCING ITS NEW JERSEY BUSINESS SUMMIT AND EXPO, MARCH 14 AND 15th IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE.

>>> A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER, SHE WILL TALK WITH THE STATE'S CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER ABOUT HOW THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO DRIVE NEW JERSEY TOWARD AN INNOVATION ECONOMY.

PLUS, A PREVIEW OF THE GOVERNORS 2024 BUDGET, YOU CAN SEE IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 OR SUNDAY AT 9:30 RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.>>> AND GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL DELIVER HIS FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET ADDRESS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 AT 2:00.

JOIN US RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS AND ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, OUR TEAM WILL BE LIVE WITH ALL THE REPORTING AND ANALYSIS AS HE LAYS OUT HIS FINANCIAL PLANS FOR THE STATE.

>>> A PLAN TO BUILD A NEW GAS POWER PLANT IN WOODBRIDGE IS FACING GROWING PUSHBACK.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS RALLIED AGAINST THE FACILITY ARGUING IT WOULD BRING HEAVY POLLUTION TO A COMMUNITY THAT ALREADY HAS MULTIPLE POWER PLANTS AS WELL AS UNDERCUTTING THE STATES GOAL OF TRANSITIONING TO CLEAN ENERGY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND IT'S NOT JUST ENVIRONMENTALISTS, SO FAR NEARBY TOWNS PLUS THE SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE PASSED RESOLUTIONS OPPOSING THE PROJECT.

THE WOODBRIDGE PROPOSAL IS A TYPE OF PROJECT THAT IS COVERED BY THE STATE'S LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LAW BUT THAT IS STILL NOT FULLY IN EFFECT MORE THAN 2 YEARS AFTER IT WAS SIGNED AS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES THE RULEMAKING PROCESS.

MARIA LOPEZ NUNEZ, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY CORPORATION AND LONGTIME ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE JOINS ME TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF THE DELAY.

SO, WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN AND WHY IS THIS SO CRITICAL THAT THE DEADLINE IS MET?

>> IN 2020, THAT WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO NOW, AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT, WITH FOLKS, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT WE PASSED A LAW, WE SIGNED THE LAW, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR POLITICIANS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, BUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS, THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS AND THE DETAILS REALLY MATTER BECAUSE THEY WILL SPELL OUT HOW THE LAW GETS IMPLEMENTED.

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICS?

IN THE RULEMAKING PROCESS, OFTEN TIMES WE MIGHT MEET A LOOPHOLE THAT MIGHT MITIGATE WHAT THE LAW WAS INTENDED TO PROTECT.

SO IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY GET DONE RIGHT, THAT THEY ARE REALLY DEFENSIBLE.

>> THE LAW HAS PASSED, AND IT SEEMS THAT YOU ARE JUST WAITING ON THESE DRAFTED RULES THAT NEED TO BE ENFORCED.

WHAT IS THE HOLD UP?>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HOLDUP IS.

BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SUFFERING RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE WAITING FOR THE LARGEST GARBAGE INCINERATOR IN THE STATE, 50 MILLION TONS OF TRASH COMING FROM NEW YORK CITY AND WE ARE PAYING FOR THAT IN NEWARK.

THE PEOPLE ARE BREATHING IT IN, THEY ARE USING OUR BODIES AS LANDFILLS.

SO WE ARE WAITING ON THE RULES TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND MAKE SURE ABOUT THAT POSITION, THEY ARE TRYING TO HOLD THEM HOSTAGE RIGHT NOW, TRYING TO SAY THEY WILL HOLD THEM A LITTLE BIT BETTER IF THEY AGREE TO A LIQUID WASTE PIPE.

ALL OF THIS FEELS LIKE INSANITY.

EVERY MONTH THAT GOES BY, IT GIVES INDUSTRIES LIKE THE PASSAIC VALLEY COMMISSION THAT IS TRYING TO BUILD THAT POWER PLANT, IT GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO SNEAK IN AND THAT MEANS THEY GET ANOTHER 5 YEARS WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING, THEY DON'T HAVE TO IMPROVE ANYTHING.

SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE RULES ARE WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR HIS GO- AHEAD.

IN THE MEANTIME, FACILITIES ARE JUST TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE AREAS.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A HUGE STEP FORWARD TO PROTECT THESE COMMUNITIES FROM THE VULNERABLE DEVELOPMENT THAT CAUSES POLLUTION, BUT WHAT I WANT TO CLARIFY, ESPECIALLY TO VIEWERS WHO MAY NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT IF THESE RULES AREN'T DRAFTED, HOW USEFUL IS THIS LAW?

>> IF THE RULES AREN'T FINALIZED, THE LAW DOES NOT EXIST, ESSENTIALLY.

SO WE NEED THEM TO BE FINALIZED FOR THE LAW TO BECOME ANIMATED AND REAL AND FOR IT TO START IMPACTING THE PERMITS THAT ARE IN PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

>> STILL A LOT OF CONFUSION, A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED.

THANK YOU FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION AND WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> I'M REALLY WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND I'M HOPING THAT OUR GOVERNOR AND THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACTUALLY PROTECT US THIS TIME, AND I WANT THEM TO SHOW US ACTIONS.

I DON'T WANT THEIR WORDS ANYMORE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ THIS SEASON, HE KICKS OFF THE SHOW WITH DECLAN O'SCANLON ON THE UPCOMING BUDGET ADDRESS IN THE GOP'S PRIORITIES AND ON CHAT BOX, DAVID LOOKS AT COMMUTER CONCERNS FROM TRAFFIC, TOLLS, TRANSIT DELAYS AND ISSUES WITH NJ TRANSIT AND PORT AUTHORITY.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY AT 10:30 A.M..

I'M RAVEN SANTANA, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ON MONDAY.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE BUSINESS NEEDS FOR OVER 100 YEARS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM, AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.