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>>>?

>> FROM NJ PBS.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA MINOSO.

WE SUIT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS MONDAY NIGHT >>> IT IS THE EVE OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ANNUAL STATE BUDGET ADDRESS, KICKING OFF WHAT IS OFTEN A TUMULTUOUS SEASON OF NEGOTIATIONS AND DEALS.

LED BY THE DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE, WHO UNDOUBTEDLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE SPENDING PLAN.

THE GOVERNOR WILL DELIVER HIS SPEECH AS ALL 120 MEMBERS GEAR UP FOR A BIG ELECTION THIS YEAR.

AND WHILE WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR PLANS TO INCLUDE, THERE HAS BEEN SOME HINTS LEAD LEADING UP TO THIS WEEK.

AND OTHER PRESSING ISSUES CRITICS SAY GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS ALREADY OVERLOOKED.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, HAS MORE.

>> I WON'T BREAK THE BUDGET TO SAY, BECAUSE WE ARE ACTUALLY IN FACT STILL WORKING ON IT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY IS HOLDING DETAILS ABOUT HIS BUDGET CLOSE TO THE VEST.

FEELING AVOIDED LOTS OF TALK ABOUT PRIORITIES.

IN THE BUDGET AND ON THE POLITICAL PLAYING FIELD.

CALL IT A TALE OF TWO TRENTON'S.

>> IMMIGRANTS MAKE?

>> Reporter: MANY WERE CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE THEIR PRIORITIES HIS PRIORITIES.

MAINLY, DEMONSTRATORS WERE CALLING ON MURPHY TO PUT HIS MONEY --ACTUALLY, YOUR MONEY -- WHERE HIS MOUTH IS.

>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT A STATE VALUES, LOOK AT ITS BUDGET.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS, SHOW IS IN THE BUDGET.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT HEALTHCARE ACCESS, SHOW IS IN THE BUDGET.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT CHILDCARE AND OTHER VITAL SERVICES, SHOW IS IN THE BUDGET.

>> Reporter: LABOR, ENVIRONMENTALISTS, RIGHTS GROUPS, CALLING ON MURPHY TO STOP THE SUNSET.

AS IN THE SUNSET OF THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TEXT SURCHARGE, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO SUNSET AT THE END OF 2023.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE 2020 DEAL IS A DEAL, AND HE IS PREPARED TO LET IT HAPPEN.

>> WE GENERATE AT LEAST A $600 MILLION A YEAR.

AND THIS IS OUR THIRD LARGEST REVENUE TAX RAISER IN THE STATE.

SO IF THIS GOES AWAY, AND SUNSET IS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE WILL BE OUT $600 MILLION, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE IT UP SOMEHOW.

>> I'M GOING TO MAKE SOME VALID POINTS, AT LEAST IN MY VIEW.

AND CERTAINLY THINGS I WILL CONSIDER.

I THINK WE WILL FIND IS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT DEBATE.

>> Reporter: THE BUDGET ADDRESS IS TOMORROW, AND REVENUE FIGURES WILL NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL APRIL.

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE TODAY, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL, SOMETHING CALLED THE ELECTIONS TRANSPARENCY ACT -- IS AIM OF GUTTING THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE.

>> THERE GOOD IN TRENTON BY CALLING ONE THING, BUT IN THE BILL IS SOMETHING ELSE.

I WOULD SAY WE HAVE AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST HERE TO LOOK AT THAT BILL.

THE PROGNOSIS WOULD BE POOR, FOR GOOD VISION.

SO IT IS NOT TRANSPARENT.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WE CAN ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT, INCREASES CONTRIBUTION LIMITS, AND ALLOWS FOR THE CREATION OF UNREGULATED CAMPAIGN FUNDS.

AND MOST DRAMATICALLY, GIVE THE GOVERNOR THE POWER TO APPOINT THE AGENCY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

A MOVE THAT MANY SAY IS A TRANSPARENT POWER GRAB.

>> WE KNOW THIS IS ONLY GOING TO BENEFIT ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE.

WITH A BE SO SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IF IN FACT REPUBLICANS HAD THE GOVERNORSHIP AND THE LEGISLATURE?

MY GUESS IS, NO.

>> I KNOW THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION GOING ON AS YOU AND I ARE TALKING RIGHT NOW.

I EXPECT THERE WILL BASICALLY AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION BEFORE THE BILL IS HEARD?

>> Reporter: YOU DON'T THINK IT WILL BE HEARD TODAY?

>> I AM NOT IN THE FORECASTING BUSINESS, DAVID.

BUT I THINK THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION.

>> IN FACT, THE BILL WAS PULLED BEFORE IT EVEN MADE IT TO THE FLOOR.

>> Reporter: PERHAPS FOR RETOOLING, OR PERHAPS TO DIE A QUIET DEATH AWAY FROM ANYONE WHO MIGHT QUESTION WHAT THE MINISTRATION WAS SAYING ABOUT HIS PRIORITIES WHEN IT PROPOSED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IN TRENTON, I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> MURPHY'S LAST BUDGET GUARDED ATTENTION FOR ITS BIG PRICE TAG AT MORE THAN $50 BILLION.

IT WAS THE LARGEST IN STATE HISTORY.

AND INCLUDED A MASSIVE SURPLUS, ENABLING THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE A FULL PENSION PAYMENT, AND BOOST SCHOOL FUNDING.

THOSE SPENDING ITEMS ARE EXPECTED AGAIN THIS YEAR, ALONG WITH THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM KNOWN AS ANCHOR.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THAT PROGRAM IS COINCIDENTALLY ALSO TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 28th.

BUT WILL THE GOVERNOR UNVEIL ANY OTHER PLANS TO SAVE RESIDENCE FROM THE HIGH COST OF LIVING RIGHT NOW?

WE TURN TO OUR BUDGET GURU, JOHN BRIGHT MEYER FOR A DEEPER LOOK AT WHAT IS IN STORE.

JOHN, BASED OF THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, AND ALSO SOME OF THE EVENTS THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD IN THESE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE ADDRESS, WHAT DO WE EXPECT HE WILL INCLUDE IN THE BUDGET TOMORROW?

>> THAT IS RIGHT, BREANNA.

WE HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR AND MEMBERS OF HIS DEMONSTRATION ALREADY SPEAK ABOUT THE BROAD CONTOURS.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE SPECIFIC FIGURES MAYBE YET, BUT WE DO KNOW WE SHOULD EXPECT ANOTHER FULL STATE EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTION.

WE SHOULD EXPECT ANOTHER FISCAL YEAR WITH NJ TRANSIT REMAINING FLAT.

AN IMPORTANT THING FOR ANYONE WHO RIDE THE BUS OR TRAIN TO GET TO WORK.

WE SHOULD ALSO EXPECT THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX SURCHARGE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO RAISE A SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THE BUDGET TO GO AWAY OR EXPIRE, AS WAS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED, AT THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

THAT WILL ALSO AFFECT THE REVENUE PICTURE.

SO WE ARE LEARNING SOME THINGS.

WE HAVE HEARD SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE OUT OF THIS BUDGET.

FOR SURE, WE WILL GET MORE DETAILS WHEN THE GOVERNOR BEGINS TO TALK TOMORROW.

>> YEAH, REVENUES HAVE REALLY BEEN OUTPERFORMING.

BUT HOW DOES A PLAN LIKE THIS PLAY AGAINST A BACKDROP OF WHAT ECONOMISTS ARE PREDICTING WILL BE A RECESSION PROBABLY LATER IN THE YEAR?

BUT A RECESSION NONETHELESS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> I THINK YOU JUST HIT ON THE BIG FACTOR THAT IS UNDERLYING THIS WHOLE BUDGET SEASON THIS YEAR.

AND THAT IS, ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY.

WE HAVE INFLATION, STILL PERSISTENTLY HIGH.

AND THAT'S THE FEDERAL RESERVE TO COOL THE ECONOMY AND BRING DOWN INFLATION.

WE ALSO HAVE INFLATION BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY BECAUSE OF THE DEBT CEILING.

AND THE POLITICAL WRANGLING IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

SO THE TREASURY IS ALREADY EXPECTING SOME MODERATION IN TAX COLLECTIONS THROUGH THE END OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH IS JUNE 30th.

THEY HAVE TO TRY TO FORECAST WHAT THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE ALL THE WAY OUT UNTIL THE NEXT JUNE 30th.

SO HALFWAY THROUGH 2024.

THAT IS A REALLY BIG TASK.

THAT IS HARD TO DO WITH ALL OF THIS UNCERTAINTY.

REALLY, THAT REVENUE FORECAST, THAT IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE NEW BUDGET.

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE STATE HAVE TO SPEND?

AND IF THE ECONOMY DOES BEGIN TO SOUR, THAT IS GOING TO SHRINK HOW MUCH COMES IN FROM SOURCES OF REVENUE, LIKE THE INCOME TAX AND THE SALES TAX, WHICH ARE BIG WAYS THAT NEW JERSEY FUND ITS BUDGET.

>> ALL OF THIS HAS ENABLED THIS ADMINISTRATION TO REALLY KEEP TAX HIKES AT BAY.

DESPITE INFLATION, WE HAVE HAD A PRETTY RESILIENT ECONOMY.

BUT DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE?

OR SHOULD WE BE LISTENING FOR SUBTLE TAX HIKES SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT THIS SPEECH?

>> I STILL THINK, ESPECIALLY IN AN ELECTION YEAR, THIS IS A FULL ELECTION YEAR FOR ALL 120 SEATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

LAWMAKERS USUALLY SHY AWAY FROM TAX INCREASES WHEN THEY ARE ON THE BALLOT.

AND THE STATE STILL DOES HAVE A VERY SIZABLE BUDGET SURPLUS.

BUDGET RESERVES HAVE BEEN STOCKED UP IN RECENT YEARS.

SO THAT IS A GOOD THING HEADING INTO ANY UNCERTAIN PERIOD.

THAT SAID, IT COULD BE CHALLENGING.

I DO NOT KNOW IF WE WILL BE TAX HIKES, BUT MAYBE SOME PLAN SPENDING WON'T BE AS ROBUST AS IT WAS, SAY, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AS WE REALLY BENEFITED FROM A PERIOD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> AND YOU BROUGHT UP PERHAPS THE BIGGEST POINT, WHICH IS THAT ALL 120 LEGISLATORS ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

HE'S GOT TO PLAY A LOT ASIDE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE WILL BE TALKING TO TOMORROW.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>> TO READ MORE ABOUT TOMORROW'S A ADDRESS, CHECK OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> DELIVERS BUDGET ADDRESS TOMORROW, FAIRBURY 28th, IN TRENTON.

YOU CAN JOIN US RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.

AND ON OUR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

OUR TEAM WILL BE LIVE WITH REPORTING AND ANALYSIS AS HE LAYS OUT HIS FINANCIAL PLANS FOR THE STATE.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS FACING FRESH SCRUTINY OVER A 2019 LAW DESIGNED TO CREATE GREATER POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT PUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN CHARGE OF OVERSEEING INVESTIGATIONS INTO POLICE INVOLVED DEATHS.

IT IS ALL TO DETERMINE WHETHER POLICE ARE JUSTIFIED IN INCIDENTS WHERE THEY TAKE A LIFE.

BUT A SPECIAL REPORT BY NJ ADVANCED MEDIA HELPED REVEAL THIS WEEK THAT THE LAW HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL, AND DISAPPOINTING TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED, WHO CLAIM THE PROBES ARE SECRETIVE, LONG-DELAYED, AND RARELY RESULT IN CRIMINAL CHARGES.

I AM JOINED NOW BY RILEY YATES, THE LEAD REPORTER ON THIS STORY.

SO, RILEY, OF COURSE YOU ALL SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF FAMILIES WHO ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THESE INCIDENTS WHAT DID THEY TELL YOU, OR WHAT DID YOUR REPORTING POINT OUT AS TO WHY THEY FEEL THEY HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN HIS LAW?

>> THE CRITICISMS I WOULD SAY WERE THREEFOLD.

YOU HAD CRITICISMS OVER THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TOOK FOR THESE INVESTIGATIONS TO BE CONCLUDED.

WE HAD ABOUT --IS ABOUT TWO YEARS FOR INVESTIGATIONS TO BE CONCLUDED.

AND OF COURSE, COVID-19 FALLS UNDER THESE FOUR YEARS THAT THE OFFICE HAS BEEN OVERSEEING THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

THEN THERE IS ALSO JUST THE CONCERN THAT YOU HEAR FROM THE FAMILIES.

OUT OF ALL THESE INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE CONCLUDED, JUST ONE HAS LED TO AN INDICTMENT.

AND I THINK EQUALLY, AND MAYBE EVEN MORE SO, THERE IS CONCERNS FROM THE FAMILIES THAT BOTH DURING THE PROCESS AND AFTER THE PROCESS, THEY DO NOT REALLY GET A LOT OF ANSWERS.

SO THEY DO NOT HEAR, HERE IS WHY THE OFFICERS WERE INDICTED.

OR HERE'S WHAT WE CONCLUDED THE EVIDENCE HAS SHOWN.

AND HERE IS WHY WE BELIEVE THE OFFICER ACTED APPROPRIATELY.

WITHOUT THAT, THEY'RE KIND OF LEFT WONDERING, WHY DID MY LOVED ONE DIE?

>> I CAN OFTEN RECALL FOLKS WHO BACKED THIS INITIALLY FEELING LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE BIG CHANGE.

THE LANDMARK PUSH AND CHANGE IN WHAT HAS BEEN POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHAT ARE THEY NOW CALLING FOR?

BECAUSE AT ISSUE WAS THE FACT THAT THE PROSECUTORS AND COUNTIES PREVIOUSLY HANDLED THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

AND THERE WAS CONCERNED THAT THEY WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHO PERHAPS HAD COMMITTED SOME OF THE FATALITIES.

SO WHAT THEN DO THEY THINK SHOULD HAPPEN FROM HERE?

>> THE PRAISE OF THAT LAW WAS VERY, VERY FULL THROATED WHEN IT WAS PASSED.

AND THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO HAD THAT FULL THROATED PRAISE WHO NOW SAY IT IS NOT LIVING UP TO THAT.

MY GUESS WOULD BE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT CALLING FOR IT.

TO GO BACK TO THE OLD SYSTEM.

THAT THE OLD SYSTEM HAD ITS OWN ISSUES.

BUT I THINK PROBABLY WHAT A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE GREATER TRANSPARENCY.

>> DID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THESE CASES DO TAKE SO LONG?

YOU MENTIONED COVID, AND IT CAN'T ALL BE PANDEMIC RELATED?

>> NO, IT IS NOT ALL PANDEMIC RELATED.

IN FACT, THE AG AT THE TIME RAISE THESE CONCERNS WAS OPPOSED TO THIS LAW AND RAISE THESE CONCERNS AS SAYING, IT IS GOING TO LEAD TO DELAYS BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME EXPERTISE THAT LOCAL PROSECUTORS HAVE.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME KIND OF ON THE GROUND KNOW-HOW.

AND THAT THAT WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO DELAYS.

HE SAID THAT WILL UNDERMINE THE FAITH IN THE PROCESS.

>> A LITTLE BIT OF A CATCH-22 THERE.

RILEY YATES, LEE DATA REPORTED FOR ADVANCED MEDIA AND THE LEAD REPORTER ON THE SERIES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF PETE REED GATHERED IN HIS HOMETOWN TO HONOR THEIR HERO.

THE 33-YEAR-OLD HUMANITARIAN AID WORKER AND MARINE VETERAN DIED IN UKRAINE ON FEBRUARY 2nd WHILE HELPING CIVILIANS EVACUATE AFTER A MISSILE STRIKE.

ON SUNDAY IN FRONT OF THE VETERANS MEMORIAL IN BORDENTOWN, REED'S LOVED ONES SHARED STORIES OF HIS LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONALITY AND HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO HELP OTHERS.

THE BORDENTOWN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE SERVED TWO DEPLOYMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN, AND DELIVERED MEDICAL AID IN IRAQ.

INSPIRING HIM TO CREATE THE HUMANITARIAN NONPROFIT GLOBAL RESPONSE MEDICINE.

REED RECENTLY STEPPED AWAY FROM HIS WORK THEY ARE TO TAKE ON THE MISSION IN UKRAINE.

AT THE END OF SUNDAY'S MEMORIAL, HIS BROTHER AND MOTHER WERE PRESENTED WITH AN AMERICAN FLAG IN HIS MEMORY.

A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL WAS ALSO HELD IN DOWNTOWN JERSEY CITY ON FRIDAY NIGHT, MARKING ONE YEAR SINCE THE WAR ON UKRAINE BEGAN.

DOZENS GATHERED IN SUPPORT OF THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE MADE A HOME IN THE CITY WITH THE HELP OF RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES, SHARING A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE THOUSANDS OF LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST, THOUSANDS MORE CHANGE FOREVER.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, JOANNA GAGIS, HAS A STORY OF A GROUP OF WOUNDED UKRAINIAN STORE SOLDIERS WHO ARRIVED IN OUR AREA TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE AS THEY HEAL FROM THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL INJURIES.

>> Reporter: THESE UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS ARE TAKING THEIR FIRST STEPS AFTER LOSING THEIR LEGS IN BATTLE IN UKRAINE.

THEIR DETERMINATION HERE IN BROOKLYN, MUCH LIKE THEIR COUNTRYMEN'S THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.

>> IT WAS VERY HARD TO LOSE.

AND IT WAS PAINFUL.

AND WHEN I LOST MY LEG, I REALLY WAS A BIT LOST.

AND I DID NOT WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: HE WAS A BUSINESSMAN BEFORE THE WAR BEGAN.

HE, LIKE SO MANY UKRAINIAN MEN, ANSWER THE CALL OF DUTY WHEN RUSSIA INVADED, WHILE HIS FAMILY WENT INTO HIDING.

>> IT COMPLETELY CHANGED MY LIFE.

MY BUSINESS CLOSED.

IN THE FIRST DAYS OF WAR, I WENT TO DEFEND MY COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: LOST HIS LEG DURING A TANK SHELLING.

>> I LOST MY LEG IN A FIGHT.

WE WERE FIGHTING WITH TANKS AND OTHER MILITARY OF RUSSIA.

>> Reporter: BUT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE, BROUGHT HERE TO IT NEW JERSEY BY AN ORGANIZATION CALLED KIND DEEDS, THAT FORMED ON DAY TWO OF THE WAR TO GET CIVILIANS OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

BUT THAT MISSION HAS RECENTLY SHIFTED.

>> OUR SECOND PROJECT IS PROSTHETICS FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

>> Reporter: BEAR PARTNER WITH AN ARMENIAN DOCTOR IN BROOKLYN WHO IS BUILDING THE PROSTHETICS.

>> THIS IS MY SMALL CONTRIBUTION FOR THIS CAUSE, YOU KNOW?

ALL OF US, WE NEED TO DO OUR BEST TO TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT IS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: KIND DEEDS IS FULLY FUNDING ALL THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOLDIERS RECEIVING THEIR PROSTHETICS.

THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SO WITH DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> RIGHT NOW WE CAN DO PROSTHETICS FOR FIVE, SIX SOLDIERS PER MONTH.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE TO 15, 20, 30.

>> Reporter: BUT THE COST IS STEEP.

>> ONE PROSTHETIC FOR ONE GUY WITH EVERYTHING -- TRANSPORT, HOUSING, FOOD --AROUND $20,000.

>> Reporter: KNOWING THEIR CARE HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF OTHERS HAS TOUCH THE HEARTS OF THESE SOLDIERS, EVEN FROM THE MOMENT THEY LANDED HERE.

>> IT WAS VERY NICE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WELCOMED US IN THE AIRPORT.

AND THEY CARED A LOT ABOUT US.

IT IS SO UNUSUAL TO FEEL THIS RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ORGANIZATION, KIND DEEDS, THAT DOES THIS GREAT WORK FOR US.

THE PROCESS OF GETTING HERE, AND SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DOCTOR WHO MADE MY LEG, AND MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO WALK.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT LOST ON THEM THAT THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO REACH AMERICANS, INCLUDING LEADERS LIKE GOVERNOR MURPHY.

SOME OF THE SOLDIERS EVEN ATTENDED THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LAST MONTH, ASKING FOR MORE SUPPORT FOR THEIR BATTLE WEARY COMRADES IN UKRAINE.

>> THEY ARE TIRED.

MY GRADE WAS LOCATED IN THE FRONT LINE FOR A VERY LONG TIME ALREADY IN THE DONETSK REGION.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE NEEDING MORE AND MORE WEAPONS.

AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO DEFEND THE COUNTRY.

>> THEY WERE THRILLED TO SEE PRESIDENT BIDED VISIT KYIV LAST WEEK TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY.

THEY TOO PLAN TO RETURN HOME INTO THE BATTLEFIELD AS SOON AS THEY CAN.

>> YES, OF COURSE I WANT TO GO BACK, BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS THERE.

AND ALL MY MILITARY FRIENDS, THEY ARE THERE AND THEY NEED HELP.

I AM JUST SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO WIN.

>> Reporter: THERE RESULT TO WIN THE WAR, AS CONFIDENT AS THE FIRST STEPS.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>>> THREE YEARS AND IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY BE FINALLY CLOSER TO UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT SAYS A LABORATORY LEAK LIKELY CAUSE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

THAT IS BASED ON NEW INTELLIGENCE ACCORDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

BUT THE CONCLUSION IS BEING MADE WITH LOW CONFIDENCE, ACCORDING TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE STATEMENT IS A CLEAR SHIFT FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S ORIGINAL POSITION, WHICH WAS UNDECIDED ON HOW THE VIRUS EMERGED.

INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT UNDERSTANDING THE PANDEMIC'S ORIGINS COULD BE IMPORTANT TO HIM PROVING THE GLOBAL RESPONSE TO THE CRISES.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE FDA IS GIVING EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION TO AN AT-HOME TEST THAT CAN TELL IF YOU HAVE THE FLU OR COVID.

THOSE SYMPTOMS, AS YOU KNOW, CAN OFTEN BE HARD TO TELL APART.

THE OVER-THE-COUNTER NASAL SWAB TEST DELIVERS RESULTS IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SHELVES.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, THE STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT IS GETTING AHEAD ON ITS BILLS, PAYING OFF ROUGHLY $1 BILLION IN OUTSTANDING DEBT.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS MORE THAN HALF $1 BILLION AND RAISE NEW JERSEY'S CREDIT STANDINGS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL LIKELY TALTY MERV DURING HIS LIFE BUDGET ADDRESS TOMORROW, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS THAT MORE THAN $8 BILLION TOWARDS PAYING DOWN DEBT OVER THE LAST TWO BUDGET CYCLES.

NOW, THE DEBT HAS BEEN CLOSELY WATCHED BY REPUBLICANS AND OTHER CRITICS DURING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S DECISIONS TO BORROW MORE THAN $4 BILLION IN COVID EMERGENCY FUNDS WHEN THE GLOBAL SHUTDOWNS WERE EXPECTED TO TAKE A HIT ON TAX REVENUES.

>>> TURNING OUT TO WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>> >> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNOUNCING ITS RENEWED JERSEY BUSINESS SUMMIT AND EX-GOVERNMENT EXPO, MARCH 13th AND 14th IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

>> >>> IF YOU LIVE IN TWO SHORE AREA TOWN, THE U.S. NAVY MAY BE TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF YOU TO TEST YOUR DRINKING WATER.

NAVAL OFFICIALS ARE BEGINNING TO SAMPLE WATER WELLS AT HOMES NEAR THE NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, EARL.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR WHAT IS KNOWN AS PFAS.

CHEMICAL MATERIALS AND VENUES ON THE BASE FOR YEARS AND COULD CONTENTEDLY BE COMPARED CONTAMINATING PRIVATE WELLS NEARBY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN, REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FOR DECADES, MILITARY BASES ACROSS THE U.S.

SUPPLIED FIREFIGHTERS WITH HIS FLAME SUPPRESSING FOAM TO EXTINGUISH BLAZES IN AIRCRAFT HANGERS AND VEHICLES.

IT WORKED, BUT RESEARCHERS LATER DISCOVERED IT ALSO CONTAINED CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS, LIKE, THAT COULD LINGER IN THE ENVIRONMENT, SPREADING TO CONTAMINATE DRINKING WATER.

IT IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM AT NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, EARLE.

>> WE DID FIND A COUPLE SITES ON THE BASE INSULATION THAT HAD GREATER THAN THE ALLOWED EPA LIMITS SET AT 70 PARTS PER TRILLION, ON OUR SITE.

SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT GOING OFF-SITE THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.

>> Reporter: THE NAVY IS CONCERNED THAT PFAS COULD HAVE MIGRATED IN SOURCES OF WATER AROUND BASE.

PARTICULARLY ONE TRAINING SITE NEAR THE BORDER WITH HOWELL, AND FROM A BUILDING CLOSE TO COLTS NECK NEIGHBORHOODS.

NOW, HOMES WITHIN A MILE OF THOSE SOURCES CAN GET THEIR HOMES TESTED FOR FREE BY THE NAVY UNTIL MARCH 10th.

>> I WOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE A WELL TESTED.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DRINKING WATER THAT IS SAFE BUT I WAS ALWAYS SUSPICIOUS THAT THERE COULD BE SOME KIND OF CHEMICALS OR SOMETHING HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DOWN THERE.

>> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF ABOUT 150 RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE AFFECTED AREA NEAR EARLE WHO RECEIVED A LETTER OFFERING FREE TESTS, AND LAST WEEK, ATTENDED AN OPEN HOUSE HELD AT THE STATION.

HE AGREED TO GET HIS WELL WATER TESTED.

>> MY FIRST REACTION WAS, DOES MY WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM THAT I HAVE PROTECT US?

YOU KNOW.

AND THE OTHER THING IS, I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE POOL, THE VEGETABLES I MAY HAVE GROWN IN THE YARD THAT WE WATERED.

COULD THAT HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED?

BATHING, SHOWERING.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS SAY IT IS PEOPLE WHO DRINK WATER TAINTED BY PFAS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED A HOST OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> THAT INCLUDED SOME VERY SERIOUS HEALTH IMPACTS, SUCH AS TESTICULAR CANCER, KIDNEY CANCER, ULCERATIVE COLITIS, PREECLAMPSIA OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND OTHER CONDITIONS DURING PREGNANCY.

>> Reporter: THE EPA SAID IT'S PFAS HEALTH ADVISORY LEVEL AT 70 PARTS PER TRILLION.

THE NAVY WILL ONLY FLAG WELLS EXCEEDING THAT LEVEL.

ALTHOUGH, NEW JERSEY'S LIMIT IS MUCH LOWER, AT 13 OR 14 PARTS PER TRILLION FOR TWO SPECIFIC CHEMICALS IN THE PFAS GROUP.

THEY ARE PFOA OR PFAS.

>> THEORETICALLY, THAT IS NAVY POLICY RIGHT NOW.

AND EACH STATE HAS THEIR OWN POLICY.

THE NAVY'S POLICY ACROSS THE BOARD HAS BEEN 70 PARTS PER TRILLION.

>> IT IS THE SAME LEVEL THE NAVY EMPLOYED IN 2016 WHEN IT TESTED 29 RESIDENTIAL WEALTH FOR PFAS A HALF-MILE OFF BASE AND FOUND FOUR WITH LEVELS UNDER 70 PARTS PER TRILLION.

BUT TWO WELLS TESTED ABOVE THAT.

>> IMMEDIATELY WE WHAT WE DO IS PROVIDE DRINKING WATER.

BOTTLED WATER FOR DRINKING WATER AND COOKING.

AND THEN FROM THERE, WE WILL DEVELOP A PLAN.

>> Reporter: IT WILL TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO PROCESS THESE NEW TESTS.

THE NAVY SAYS IT WILL PAY FOR LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

A HEADS UP THOUGH, STARTING TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" WILL BE AVAILABLE VIA PODCAST, WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK US OUT AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, ALONG WITH NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>?

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> INSURANCE GROUP HAS A PART OF NEW JERSEY FOR OVER A CENTURY.

WE SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH NJM'S CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM, SUPPORTING ARTS AND CULTURE -RELATED, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, REBUILD COMMUNITIES, AND HELP TO CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF SAFE DRIVERS.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

NJM.

WE HAVE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I AM STILL HERE.

>> THAT IS ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN WE WENT TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY, I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> THEY GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> I'M STILL GOING EVERYWHERE AND EXPLORE NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

NOBODY.

NOW I LOOK FOR TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

THAT IS POSSIBLE NOW.

>> WE ARE IMPROVING LIFE THROUGH KIDNEY TREATMENT, DONOR PROGRAM, AND WORLD-RENOWNED CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S PREMIER HOSPITALS.

>> THEY GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK.

IS A BLESSING.

>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.