>> Deadline looming.

No deal inside.

>> Speaker my party -- Speaker McCarthy at his caucus are weaponizing this debt ceiling to push forward on their agenda.

>> Forcing the president to cut his overseas trip short while lawmakers in Trenton grapple with budget talks after learning they will have $1 billion less to play with.

Outside the Statehouse, pushback against corporate tax cuts in favor of helping lower income families make ends meet.

Judicial vacancy crisis.

>> Houston, we have a problem.

>> 2500 lawyers and judges dissent on Atlantic -- Atlantic City.

Families can now request an autism license designation for their loved ones to ease interactions with law enforcement.

>> First impressions are absolutely critical.

.

>> NJ spotlight news starts right now.

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>> The debt ceiling stalemate remains, but there are hints of progress.

Thank you for joining us.

President Biden speaking publicly today after talking with congressional leaders Tuesday saying he is confident an agreement will be reached before the clock runs out and the U.S. risks defaulting on its debt.

The Treasury Department warning the government could be out of cash as early as June 1.

Biden making the comments today just moments before departing for Japan, a trip he is cutting short to continue the debt negotiations.

Both the president and Speaker McCarthy calling the discussions productive.

Earlier today, I spoke with Andy Kim.

>> This is simply paying our bills.

I voted twice under the Trump Administration to raise the debt ceiling in a clean way.

Even though I had huge disagreements with former President Trump, it was the right thing to do.

The financial stability of America should never be brought into question.

This is just playing into the hands of our global competitors.

This is making China have a good day watching over democracy continue to struggle to just even pay the bills.

>> The talks are now centered around a Republican package that ties raising the debt ceiling to spending cuts including stricter rules around federal-aid programs like tougher work requirements for welfare recipients.

It is coming down to the wire in a situation that could dramatically impact everyone's pocket.

For more, I am joined by John Wright Meyer who is at the Statehouse with the latest.

>> it is always good to talk to you on days like this to help us make sense of what is happening with these talks at the federal level.

>> Off the top, it is worth mentioning that it is a good thing that there are talks happening.

The principles involved in this, the president and congressional leaders, are in a room.

They are trying to make progress.

Initially we heard from the president that he didn't even want to discuss anything related to spending when they talk about the debt ceiling, but now it looks like that type of discussion is occurring.

In my experience covering things like this in Trenton, it is always important when the principal's are all in a room together trying to come to an agreement.

You get worried when everyone breaks away.

The fact that it is happening right now is probably a good thing in terms of avoiding a default however, it's worth mentioning in New Jersey that it looks like is like the clawback of federal pandemic aid remains on the table as they talk in Washington.

New Jersey has a big share of its federal-aid left to spend.

There are things that lawmakers have identified they would like to do with that money that has yet to be appropriated.

Things like that, if they're talking about big spending cuts at the federal level and other resources, this could impact New Jersey.

>> In Trenton, you had an opportunity to hear from the state treasurer and I am wondering if there were questions about this.

>> During this afternoon's hearing on matters related to the state budget, the treasurer was asked about the potential impact New Jersey could feel if an agreement cannot be reached in Washington and if they do get to this June 1 date that the U.S. treasury secretary has talked about without reaching an agreement, which would mean the federal government can't pay its bills which include debt payments for the treasurer in New Jersey went over the consequences and emphasized that New Jersey has built up a big surplus in recent years and this is one of the reasons why you do that.

When there are unpredictable factors are occurring outside of their control, the state has a cushion to help in case revenues plummeted in -- as a result of disagreements.

>> But none of this bodes well as budget talks here in the state happens, especially if you can get us up to speed with the fact OLS has sliced a massive amount off their revenue predictions.

>> That's right.

Both now the treasury, which we did receive forecast from treasury today, as well as OLS, basically down late -- downgraded revenue forecast for the current fiscal year which ends on June 30.

For the new fiscal year that we will enter July 1.

Because of the big surplus that the state has amassed and because revenues were on a much better pace headed into this final segment of the fiscal year, the state is in pretty good shape to whether these types of changes in revenue outlook.

It is pretty remarkable when you think just a few years ago the surplus was not so robust, we would be talking about cuts to pension funding or education aid or property tax relief.

But right now, none of those things are on the table at all.

>> John Wright Meyer in Trenton.

Thank you.

As John mentioned, the state's overall financial condition is looking a little concerning.

Makers today heard from top fiscal analysts about updated revenue forecasts.

Shaving off more than $1 billion than initially predicted, prompting a number of herbs to protest today in Trenton, demanding officials continue taxing wealthy corporations to make up for the struggles facing more working families.

Brenda Flanagan reports.

>> While progressive's protested outside the Statehouse demanding more tax revenue for working families, lawmakers inside her to budget experts predict New Jersey is going to take a revenue hit.

The state will collect almost $2 billion less in taxes over the next couple of years than originally forecast.

The nonpartisan office of legislative services explained a slowing economy dragged down April tax filings.

>> and yet, this is not the cataclysmic event it would have been 10 or 20 years ago.

>> Revised estimates dropped 1.2 7 billion dollars for the rest of the fiscal year and decreased $705 million in the next, totaling 1.9 7 billion.

However, the lower estimates should not prompt lawmakers should get out there budget hatchets.

>> today's news of projected decline relative to forecast does not automatically require hard budgetary choices through the end of June.

A decision today might therefore signal the end of a period of exuberance but does not herald gloom and doom.

Elizabeth Mayor Moya echoed that optimism, pointing to New Jersey's surplus.

Treasury will revise it down to $7.9 billion to account for lower tax collections.

Recalling the great recession, lawmakers wanted assurance.

>> it took New Jersey a lot longer to get out from where we were because of all this washing we had to do.

If we maintain a certain level that we are able to keep people employed and get money back into the economy, we should, if we have to, go through a storm, be able to come out of it a lot quicker than previously.

>> it is not great news, but we could all sleep at night knowing we had done our job and built enough of a surplus we could whether it.

>> The treasurer said the surplus remains a cushion against potential fallout.

In the event the debt deadlock is not resolved.

>> the repercussions financially for us and every state could be very severe and long-term.

Because of just the reputation of the U.S. dollar and our credit is going to take a hit worldwide.

Which is going to affect New Jersey.

We have a lot of high income earners.

>> we are heading into a moment where federal funding for the pandemic is winding down.

>> A coalition of lobbyists are demanding -- not allow a surcharge on the corporate business tax to expire.

They enrolled a 534 foot scroll showing 25 William dollars in annual corporate profits.

>> To end the surcharge is to give major corporations a huge tax cut.

This is a line in the sand moment.

Are they going to stand with Amazon or working families?

In this moment when people have lost breadwinners to COVID, the state is taking this massive risk to forfeit more revenue.

>> Governor Murphy has said he will stand by the deal he made to let the surcharge expire.

New Jersey must pass a balanced budget by July 1.

>> State leaders have more than just money problems on their hands.

The current judicial vacancy crisis is putting lives and legal issues in limbo.

With lawmakers and executive branch members each pointing the finger over who is to blame for the slow confirmation process, thousands of legal experts are at a convention in Atlantic City to talk about solutions to the growing problem.

Just a day before Senate members will meet to that three new superior court -- Superior Court judges.

>> Houston, we have a problem here.

There are 64 vacancies of the last two years to have 50 or more.

Can anyone say we have an insufficient number of qualified people to serve on the bench?

>> New Jersey's judicial vacancies were the hot topic at this year's state are Association annual convention.

The lack of judges has gotten so bad that civil and matrimonial trials have stopped in six counties.

Still, people defended the state policy of not electing judges.

>> our appointment process is the worst, except all the rest.

>> Just about every judge we have through, Senator Scanlon recommended a great one last week, she has been waiting for five or six years.

>> John Bramlett says without Senate confirmation, it would be easier for radical judges to serve.

>> they simply don't have this ability needed to be on the bench.

I would never sign off on that person.

If your reputation as you are a great lawyer but you are mean to the other side, never going to happen.

>> The Senate Judiciary committee will consider three nominees tomorrow to begin addressing the 60 plus vacancies.

What is the holdup?

Why aren't there more judges?

>> It takes the governor, sometimes, to get three senators in a room and say, we've got to get it done.

Everyone come in with a nominee and we will all agree and we will do three on Tuesday.

>> We have a number of priorities.

Obviously this is a major priority, but it wouldn't be honest to say it is our only priority.

You have a limited amount of political capital.

>> Some people blame the shortage on Senatorial courtesy, a state rules for Senator can block any official from their county without explanation.

People on the panel are split as to whether this unwritten rule does more harm than good.

>> It is lurking in the dark.

We do not see it otherwise qualified people two forward.

If a person is unqualified, then someone as articulate can take that to the set -- take it to the Senate Judiciary committee.

>> New Jersey has one of the strongest governorships in the country.

I think this plays in a very important checks and balance system.

>> this is about compromise.

You want certain senators to have some power in order to have this screening process.

You have to talk to each other and to the governor is the only one who can get people to talk.

>> Governor Murphy has nominated more than 20 judges awaiting Senate confirmation.

Even if all of them are confirmed, new vacancies will open up as more judges are expected to retire before the end of the year.

>> A controversial bill slated for signature is stalled after Governor Murphy conditionally veto legislation that would no longer require elected officials to disclose their addresses on financial disclosure statements.

Not because he does not support it, but because of a technicality.

Rick's say the bill is the latest example of eroding transparency within government.

>> most open government groups, Republicans and members of the press, give Governor Murphy a mostly poor grade for overall transparency during his first term.

It was an administration tendency if not outright policy justified by the special circumstances of the pandemic.

In his second term, critics are howling that the governor and his Democratic majorities are doubling down on opacity and are writing it into law.

>> in New Jersey, we are seeing eroding transparency, making it much more murky throughout the potential for abuse.

>> Holly says she has been dashed by efforts to cover up addresses of state and local officials elected and appointed.

>> the legislature earlier this year adopted a resolution that would do a rule change with respect to our own personal financial disclosure forms.

Subsequent to that, there was a bill that got adopted by the legislature once again it was a no, and it extended the rule to essentially everybody on local officials, planning boards in zoning boards, a whole host of different people.

>> That last bill doesn't have a fancy name like elections transparency, it is just Senate Bill 33-63, it got a conditional veto from the governor not because it was a blow to transparency, but because of a technicality.

The governor said in his veto statement that he supports the bill.

>> coming from the legislature, there is this attack on various levels of transparency under the guise of protecting people.

We want to protect people, this is not the best way to go about it.

>> Assemblyman Jay Weber also voted no.

He says the state will goes further than Daniels's law that shields law enforcement and other officials from disclosing their addresses, which he supports.

>> They absolutely should get confidentiality, these kinds of shields that I think are warranted.

The public officials who should not have their addresses withheld are the public officials who should be held accountable, local elected officials like Councilman, county commissioners, people on governing bodies who made significant decisions about property, property developments.

>> How do you know if your county commissioner doesn't own property adjacent to a new $1 billion development plan for your town?

Or if the assemblywoman even lives in the district she was elected to represent?

>> This is New Jersey.

Notorious for corruption.

I have lived here about 20 years.

Even before I moved here, I heard about New Jersey corruption.

>> My concern is that we are sending a message to people who may have less than honorable intentions, that we are now making it easier for them to betray the public trust.

>> the governor's office maintains it has always been committed to transparency.

Some stakeholders around here beg to differ.

But when your party is in control of all three branches of state government, you get to define what is transparent and how much transparency is in the public interest.

>> In business, the casino industry can thank online gambling for better than expected April revenue.

Treasury data shows total gambling numbers for the state were up 9.5% in April compared to a year earlier.

New Jersey can -- New Jersey casinos can accept sports bets, more than $462 million last month.

That includes winning from Internet and sports betting operations, but the amount wagered by people physically showing up to casinos fell by more than 1.5% to just over $231 million.

Casino leaders see this as an overall boon for the summer because the money gets shared, predicting a strong season in Atlantic City.

On Wall Street, hopes for a debt ceiling deal are high.

>> Cumberland County reached a settlement agreeing to wait consent decree -- agreed to a consent decree.

Six inmates died by suicide as they were experiencing unmedicated opiate withdrawal.

The jail's treatment of inmates violated the Constitution by failing to provide adequate mental health care and take steps to prevent suicide to inmates at risk of self-harm.

Merrick Garland signed the complaint attached to the consent decree calling it a significant step toward improving the care of incarcerated individuals at the county facility.

Officials from the county tell us they are fully cooperating with the DOJ and will continue to honor the requirements of the consent decree to avoid additional incidents.

Finally tonight, breaking down invisible barriers.

New Jersey will now allow people with autism spectrum disorder to note their diagnosis on a state ID or drivers license.

It is a new law aimed at minimizing complications that can happen when someone with autism is stopped by police.

It is an effort to prevent misunderstandings from escalating.

>> If you have been ever been stopped, you know how stressful that is.

Add to it someone who gets nervous or does not understand, or has difficulty communicating, or just simple youth -- the following directions.

It is a difficult situation it >> Tracy noble is a plotting legislation that would allow those who are autistic to request their diagnosis be listed on their driver's license or state ID.

Governor Murphy signed the measure into law after receiving bipartisan people in both the assembly and Senate.

>> does about protecting our most vulnerable populations.

>> the law also has personal meaning for her, having a brother who is autistic.

>> We were shopping at Costco.

We separated.

He want -- he loves the candy aisle.

I said I'm going to check out the furniture.

Next thing I know, I'm getting a call on my cell phone, a number I didn't recognize it was the police department.

Someone had complained to the manager that it appeared there was a man in the isle that looked like he was on drugs.

Thankfully, my brother knows my number by heart.

He didn't have a cell phone with him and the police were able to track me down in the store and diffuse the situation that could have gone worse.

>> Tim -- has autism and degrees the law is a step in the right direction.

>> it's a great way for police officers to know someone has autism so they can talk to the individual in a softer voice and accommodate their needs.

>> any time there's interaction with law enforcement, first impressions are critical.

Sometimes individuals with autism may look suspicious.

There may be too much eye contact, not enough eye contact, they may speak to slowly.

They need a wave those behaviors are a function of their autism and not wrongdoing.

>> The law goes into effect in December of next year.

>>.

>> That is our show.

Make sure you download it and check us out.

I am on a Vannozzi.

Thanks for being with us and have a great evening.

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