>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

TREND NINE.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID HE'D DELIVER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF DURING HIS BUDGET ADDRESS.

TODAY, HE SET OUT TO PROVE IT, HOLDING AN EVENT IN NEW MILFORD EARLIER WITH THE STATE TREASURER TO ANNOUNCE 1.7 MILLION RESIDENTS APPLIED FOR THE ANGER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION OF THOSE WERE FILED BY HOMEOWNERS.

THE REST BY RENTERS.

THE PROGRAM REPLACES THE FAMILIAR HOMESTEAD BENEFIT.

ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS COULD RECEIVE UP TO $1500 IN RELIEF WHILE TENANTS COULD GET A $450 CHECK TO HELP OFFSET RENT PRICES.

AFFORDABILITY WAS A CORNERSTONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS TUESDAY.

BUT THE BUDGET ALSO SAID IT WAS A RECORD HIGH AND SPENDING.

MORE THAN $53 BILLION.

NOT EVERYTHING INCLUDED WILL MAKE IT TO THE JULY 1st FINISH LINE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINS ME NOW.

IT'S GOOD TO GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH YOU.

VERY LARGE BUDGET.

MONEY FOR SENIORS, TAX CREDITS FOR FOLKS WITH CHILDREN.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

IS YOUR ADMINISTRATION SATISFIED WITH THE 1.7 MILLION APPLICATIONS THAT WERE SUBMITTED FROM THIS ANCHOR PROGRAM?

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, BRIANA.

THE ANSWER IS YES, APPARENTLY AS COMPARED TO ANY HISTORICAL BENCHMARK.

PARTICULARLY IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM.

GETTING 85%, PLUS OR MINUS, OF FOLKS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO ACTUALLY SIGN UP IS A REALLY GOOD RESULT.

AS YOU SAW IN THE BUDGET SPEECH, WE ARE PROPOSING THE SAME RELIEF FOR THIS COMING YEAR.

A HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE MORE BODIES ON THE FUNDS EARLY ON.

MY GUESS IS THAT WE WILL START TO PROMOTE IT EARLIER AND I WOULD HOPE AND EXPECT THAT NUMBER WILL ONLY GROW HIGHER IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

>> REPUBLICANS, AS YOU KNOW, HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS BEING AN UNSUSTAINABLE LEVEL OF SPENDING.

THEY'VE BEEN REQUESTING MORE DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

MORE OF THOSE SIMILAR CHECKS TO BE GOING OUT.

PARTICULARLY CRITICIZING THE SURPLUS.

THE $10 BILLION SURPLUS.

DID YOU WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY LOOKING AT THESE PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS?

>> WELL, WE ALWAYS TRY TO.

I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT BEFORE WE UNVEILED OUR BUDGET, WITH DEMOCRATIC RELATIONSHIP AND REPUBLICAN RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE FOR SURE.

REMEMBER THIS IS OUR PROPOSAL AND IT HAS BEEN WIDELY SUPPORTED BY MANY.

I WOULD HOPE THAT 121 DAYS FROM NOW, THE BUDGET PLUS OR MINUS LOOKS LIKE THE ONE PRESENTED YESTERDAY.

BUT IF I MAY SAY TWO THINGS TO MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS.

NUMBER ONE, THIS STATE WAS A WRECK FIVE PLUS YEARS AGO.

PROPERTY TAXES WERE OUT OF CONTROL.

THEY HAD THEIR GOVERNOR.

THEY HAD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DELIVER REAL RELIEF FOR THE DID A LOT OF TALKING.

WE ARE THE GUYS WHO HAVE ACTUALLY COME IN AND DELIVERED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AT A HISTORIC LEVEL.

SECONDLY, THAT SURPLUS IS BIG FOR A REASON.

REALLY TWO REASONS.

NUMBER ONE, IT IS PART OF, NOT THE ONLY ELEMENTS, BUT PART OF OUR STRATEGY TO CONTINUE TO GET POSITIVE OUTLOOKS AND CREDIT UPGRADES FROM THE RATING AGENCIES.

THAT MEANS WE SAVE MONEY AND EVERY SINGLE TAXPAYER SAVES MONEY.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX.

YOU ARE ALLOWING IT TO SUNSET.

THERE IS, OF COURSE, SOME GROUPS WHO ARE, OF COURSE, UNHAPPY ABOUT THAT.

GIVEN HOW MUCH REVENUE IT RAISES.

YOU ARE INCREASING SPENDING BY GETTING RID OF WHAT YOUR TREASURY DEPARTMENT SAYS WOULD BE A LITTLE OVER $300 MILLION IN REVENUE BY ALLOWING THAT TO GO.

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> A DEAL IS A DEAL.

WE COMMITTED TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT THIS WAS TEMPORARY.

PART OF THE REASON WHY OUR STATE GOT SUCH THE MASS WE GOT INTO BEFORE WE GOT HERE AND I'M NOT PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK JUST THE FACT THAT NOBODY TRUSTED US ANYMORE.

OUR WORKERS AND RETIREES DID NOT TRUST WE WOULD MAKE THE PENSION PAYMENT.

BONDHOLDERS DID NOT LIKE THINGS AS WE WERE DOWNGRADED 11 CONSECUTIVE TIMES.

WE DID NOT FULFILL THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.

WE DID NOT FULFILL AND FUND THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THAT WAS FIRST DISCUSSED AND PROPOSED IN 2007.

>> GOING BACK TO THOSE DAYS.

I WANT TO DRAW A LINE UNDER THAT BEHAVIOR.

>> IT IS A TAX YOU SIGNED INTO LAW.

IS IT FAIR TO CALL IT A TECH CUT?

>> I WOULD NOT SAY A TAX CUT AS MUCH IS LETTING A SURCHARGE EXPIRE.

MORE COMPETITIVE.

TO ME, IT'S ABOUT COMPETITION.

THAT'S NOT THE ONLY WAY WE COMPETE.

BUT MAKING THE MASS WORK AND HAVING A FAIR DEAL.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST CORPORATE TEXT RATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

I THINK WE ARE STILL TOP FIVE, EVEN WITH THE EXPIRATION.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MATH WORKS.

WE WANT TO KEEP COMPANIES HERE AND ATTRACT NEW ONES.

>> LET'S SHIFT GEARS TO ANOTHER ITEM THAT WAS SUCKING UP A LOT OF OXYGEN IN TRENTON THIS WEEK.

A BILL THAT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE ELECTION SPENDING AND ENFORCEMENT.

IT WOULD ALSO GIVE YOU YOUR BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THE POWER TO APPOINT THE COMMISSIONER.

SOME ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS DIRECT RETALIATION FOR THE DIRECTOR CRITICIZING USE OF DARK MONEY.

IS IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

FIRST OF ALL, THAT IS FOR SURE --I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO ANY PERSONAL MATTERS THAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BUT CERTAINLY, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DARK MONEY.

IT, SEE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BILL IS GOING TO END UP.

IT WAS PULLED ON MONDAY.

THE SPONSORS SAID THEY WOULD MAKE SOME CHANGES TO MONDAY.

I HAD NO INSIGHT AS TO WHAT THOSE CHANGES ARE.

BUT HAVING THE NATIONS MOST OPEN, TRANSPARENT, EASY TO USE DEMOCRACY IS AN OBSESSION OF OURS.

WE'VE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS TO SCORE THAT.

MAKING SURE IT IS FAIR AND PEOPLE PLAY BY THE RULES IS ALSO AN OBSESSION AND HAVING AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY THAT CEASED TO WHATEVER THE GUY JUST SAID IS, IN FACT, THE CASE.

THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

>> THE SUPREME COURT TODAY WAS HEARING ORAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT OR DO YOU HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE THAT THE JUSTICES WILL RULE IN NEW JERSEY'S FAVOR TO LEAVE THIS COMMISSION?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE HAD CONFIDENCE BEFORE TODAY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE FACTS ARE ON OUR SIDE.

THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION IS OUT DATED.

90-ISH PERCENT OF THE CARGO IS IN JERSEY, NOT NEW YORK.

WE ARE COMPLETELY COMMITTED TO VETTING ALL EMPLOYEES AND PARTICIPANTS, DOING RIGHT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE CARD MODEL IS FROM THE '50s AND IT BEHAVES THAT WAY IN 2023.

LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SUPREME COURT TODAY.

I HAVE SUPREME CONFIDENCE.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THEIR JOB FOR THEM TO READ THE BOY, I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING.

IT FEELS LIKE THIS IS GOING TO, AT LONG LAST, AND UP WHERE IT SHOULD.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> IS WE'VE HEARD, IT APPEARS THE SUPREME COURT IS POISED TO SIDE WITH NEW JERSEY IN ITS BID TO END THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON THE ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER.

>> Reporter: A HOSTILE DIVORCE THAT STARTED IN THE SHIPPING DOCKS AND ENDED UP BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

NEW JERSEY WANTS TO COMMIT THE WATER COMMISSION IT CREATED WITH NEW YORK AS A JOINT PARTNER 70 YEARS AGO.

JERSEY OFFICIALS CLAIMED THE AGENCY'S MOTHER AND CONVERSE WITH OVERREGULATION.

TARGETING CORRUPTION AND ORGANIZED CRIME.

THEY TRIED HARD TODAY TO CONVINCE THE HIGH COURT THAT JERSEY HAS NO RIGHT TO JUST WALK AWAY.

>> UNILATERAL TERMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED UNLESS THE COMPACT EXPRESSLY GRANTED THE POWER.

THEY WOULD HAVE SAID EXPRESSLY TO ALLOW ONE STATE TO WITHDRAW AT ANY TIME AND REGULATE ALONE IN THEIR SHARED PORT.

>> Reporter: NEW YORK CLAIMS EVEN THOUGH 80% OF THE CARGO ENTERS SPORTS NEWARK AND ELIZABETH, NEW YORKERS HAVE A VITAL INTEREST IN PRESERVING THEIR ECONOMY AND PREVENTING CORRUPTION.

JERSEY ARGUED THAT THE COMMISSION WAS NEVER INTENDED TO LAST FOREVER AND THAT NEW JERSEY, AS A SOVEREIGN STATE, CAN JUST LEAVE RID >> THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS WAS UNDERSTOOD TO BE TEMPORARY.

THERE'S NOTHING TO SUGGEST ANY PERPETUAL OR BINDING OBLIGATIONS.

>> Reporter: WHAT THAT DATE?

CONTROL OVER LICENSING DOCKWORKERS, TAXING PAYROLLS, AND SINGLING ON CRIMINALITY.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THERE WERE POWER STRUGGLES BETWEEN THE LONGSHOREMAN'S UNION, SHIPPERS, AND THE COMMISSION.

>> THEY HAD TO PROVIDE ME WORKERS YOU HAD AND HOW MANY HOURS YOU HAD TO DO.

INCREDIBLE OVERREACH BY THE COMMISSION AND TOTALLY UNNECESSARY.

MOST IMPORTANTLY HURTING OUR ECONOMY.

>> I LOOK AT THE COMPACT WITH THE LENS OF CONTRACT LAW WHICH SEEMS TO FAVOR NEW JERSEY'S ARGUMENT.

UNILATERAL WITHDRAWAL PRESUMED.

IT'S A SIMPLE RULE.

IT CLEARLY STATES IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FOREVER UNLIKE YOUR PORT AUTHORITY COMPACT.

>> Reporter: JUSTICE ROBERTS VIEWED IT AS A MUCH SMALLER ENTITY THAN THE ACTUAL PORT AUTHORITY.

EASIER TO UNRAVEL.

>> IT'S HARD ONE SCRIBBLE THE EGGS WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PORT AUTHORITY AS A WHOLE.

HERE IT'S NOT THAT DISRUPTIVE.

>> I THINK IT IS A PRETTY SAFE BET THAT THE COURT IS GOING TO AFFIRM NEW JERSEY'S DECISION TO LEAVE THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION.

REPRESENTED NEW JERSEY FROM THE COMMISSION 2009 TO 2010.

HE BELIEVES JERSEY WON THE LEGAL ARGUMENT BUT IS NOT CONVINCED THEY NEED TO LEAVE THE COMMISSION.

>> WE COULD SPECULATE AS TO WHAT REALLY LIES BEHIND THE DECISION MADE BY NEW JERSEY SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO LEAVE THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION.

I CAN'T IMAGINE IT WAS A CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER CRIMINALITY OR CORRUPTION EXISTING AND NEEDING THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION'S EXPERTISE.

>> WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB WITH THE STATE POLICE.

HANDLING POTENTIAL CORRUPTION AT THE PORT.

BUSINESSES HAVE CHANGED ON THE WATERFRONT.

IT'S NOT MOBBED UP.

WHICH WAS THE GENESIS OF THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: HE EXPECTS NEW JERSEY TO WIN IN A, QUOTE, UNANIMOUS SLAMDUNK DECISION.

THE COURT IS EXPECTED TO RULE IN SPRING.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A REAL BUYER BEWARE ROLE FOR RESIDENTS.

APPROVAL OF A LONG-AWAITED BILL ALLOWING RESELLERS AND LANDLORDS TO DISCLOSE FLOOD HISTORY AND PAST FLOOD DAMAGES TO POTENTIAL BUYERS AND RENTERS.

NEW JERSEY DOES NOT CURRENTLY REQUIRE THAT INFORMATION TO BE SHARED.

A RECENT REPORT FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL FOUND THAT NEARLY 8000 HOMES IN THE STATE PURCHASED IN 2021 HAD PREVIOUS FLOODING.

AND THE EXPECTED ANNUAL FLOOD DAMAGES FOR THOSE HOMES WAS ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN $18 MILLION.

SUPPORTERS OF THE LEGISLATION SAY THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY RESULTED IN COSTLY OUT-OF-POCKET REPAIRS BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH FLOOD INSURANCE IS PURCHASED.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND OTHER ADVOCATES HAVE LONG ARGUED RENTERS AND HOMEBUYERS DESERVE TO KNOW THE EXTENT OF ANY FLOOD DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY AS CLIMATE CHANGE WORSENS A SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS CAUSING THAT FLOODING.

THE BILL AWAITS GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNATURE.

>>> IN HOBOKEN, A MASSIVE WATER MAIN BREAK IS FIXED.

PROBLEMS REMAIN.

THE CITY CONFIRMS THE BROKEN MAN THAT RUPTURED TO GO IS FIXED AND WATER SERVICE HAS BEEN RESTORED.

THE ISSUE BEGAN WHEN A PSE WORKING ON THE PROJECT STRUCK THE WATER MAIN, SENDING WATER INTO THE ROAD, DISRUPTING TRAFFIC.

IT ALSO FLOODED BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, OTHER PROPERTIES.

SCHOOLS ARE NOW BACK IN SESSION AT THE CLOSING TUESDAY WHILE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE BEST CITY HOSPITAL, UNIVERSITY OF HOBOKEN MEDICAL CENTER, EVACUATED PATIENTS ON TUESDAY BUT KEPT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OPEN.

OFFICIALS DISTRIBUTED BOTTLED WATER TODAY AT THE PUBLIX WORKS GARAGE.

17 OTHER LOCATIONS ALSO HAVE DRINK AND WATER AVAILABLE.

>>> GROWING OUTRAGE AFTER A FIFTH GRADER WAS STABBED BY ANOTHER STUDENT WITHIN BLOCKS OF A LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND TEACHERS ARE FORMING THE EVENT ON THE DISTRICT ALLEGED INACTION ON VIOLENCE AND OTHER BULLYING.

ECHOING SIMILAR CONCERNS OF FAMILIES IN OCEAN COUNTY, WHERE A 14-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL OR RECENTLY TOOK HER LIFE AFTER BEING CONTINUALLY BULLIED.

MANY TELLING RAVEN SANTANA IT IS A PERVASIVE CULTURE THAT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED.

>> THIS WAS HORRIFYING TO SEE SUCH A DEGREE OF VIOLENCE.

>> THE RECENT STABBING OF THE 11-YEAR-OLD, A FIFTH GRADER, HAS LEFT STAFF ACROSS THE DISTRICT NUMB AND ASTUTE FRUSTRATED.

JIMENEZ, WHO WAS WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL WAS BRUTALLY STABBED BY ANOTHER 11-YEAR-OLD WITH A KNIFE THAT HE HAD BROUGHT TO SCHOOL.

THE NEWS WAS ESPECIALLY GUTWRENCHING FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO KNEW THE BOYS.

ONE EDUCATOR WHO WORKS AT THE SCHOOL AND WANTED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS OUT OF FEAR OF RETALIATION SAYS THAT THE STABBING IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE LACK OF SUPPORT AND SAFETY FOR THE MORE THAN 1000 NEWTONS IN GRADES 5 THROUGH 8 THAT GO THERE.

>> IT'S THE TURNOVER THAT'S REALLY HARMING US.

>> IS THIS THE FIRST ACT OF VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOL?

>> UNFORTUNATELY NO.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THERE WAS AN INCIDENT THAT WAS JUST AS TRAUMATIC FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF WERE SEVERAL STUDENTS JUMPED SOMEONE IN THE HALLWAY AND KICKED HER REPEATEDLY IN THE HEAD, SENDING HER TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND NOW AGAIN OVER AN EVEN YOUNGER CHILD.

>> ACCORDING TO A TEACHER WHO ALSO DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED OUT OF FEAR OF RETALIATION, THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH VIOLENCE FOR YEARS.

>> THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.

>> SHE SAYS SHE KNEW BOTH THE VICTIM AND THE STUDENT TO STOP HIM AND DESCRIBED THEM BOTH AS GOOD KIDS.

ADMITS THAT ONE DID NOT GET THE SUPPORT HE NEEDED DESPITE THERE BEING WARNINGS.

SHE ADMITS IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY HARD FOR STAFF TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE WHEN THE RATIO OF MANY CLASSES IS ONE TEACHER AND 30 KIDS.

>> YOU CAN KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AT THE SAME TIME.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT THE KID THAT GOT STABBED.

BUT THINK ABOUT THE MOTHER OF THE OTHER CHILD.

HAS ANYBODY FROM THE SCHOOL REACHED OUT TO HER?

>> ONE STUDENT I SPOKE WITH, WHO WANTED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, SAYS THE VIOLENCE IS SO OUT OF CONTROL THAT IS LIKE TO RECORD IT AND THE VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING FOR SOME VIEWERS.

A FIGHTING PAGE WHERE VIDEOS WERE POSTED FROM DECEMBER 2020 TWO.

>> AFTER SCHOOL, IN SCHOOL, JUST IN GENERAL.

>> THE WALKOUT FROM STUDENTS AND AN EVEN PROTEST FROM PARENTS, MANY CALLING FOR CHANGE, SPECIFICALLY FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT DR. DAVID RAMON.

>> THE MOST INCOMPETENT, IRRESPONSIBLE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST.

>> I REACHED OUT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR AN INTERVIEW REQUEST AND/OR STATEMENTS.

AN ATTORNEY RESPONDED TO THE EMAIL WITH A JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD OF EDUCATION WHERE THEY ACCUSED THE TEACHERS UNION OF MANIPULATING STUDENTS AND THE PRESS.

IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD OF EDUCATION WENT ON TO SAY, OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER ATTACK.

EVEN THOUGH THE INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR ON SCHOOL GROUNDS OR UNDER SCHOOL SUPERVISION.

UNFOUNDED AND IRRESPONSIBLE ACCUSATIONS WERE MADE TO THE MEDIA AND TRAVELED THROUGH COUNTLESS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

OUR STUDENTS WERE MISCHARACTERIZED, MISLABELED, AND MANIPULATED.

IT WENT ON TO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF ACTIONS THEY PLAN TO TAKE TO PROMOTE SAFETY BY INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARMED SCHOOL SECURITY PERSONNEL AND METAL DETECTORS.

PARENTS AND STUDENTS I SPOKE WITH SAID THEY WANT TO SEE FEWER EMAILS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT AND MORE ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> PRAISE AND CRITICISM OVER GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS REACTION FROM THE INDUSTRY, PLUS OUR OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA.

>> BUSINESS GROUPS ARE APPLAUDING THE GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR NO NEW TAXES IN THE BUDGET.

THEY SUPPORT GOVERNOR MURPHY'S INTENTION TO SUNSET THE CORPORATE TAX SURCHARGE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME, THEY SAY THAT THE OVERALL BUSINESS TAX RATE IS STILL TOO HIGH.

IN HIS SPEECH YESTERDAY, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS SET ALLOWING THE SURCHARGE COLLAPSE WILL MEAN MORE MONEY FOR THEM TO CREATE JOBS, MAKE INVESTMENTS, AND LOWER COST OF GOODS FOR CONSUMERS.

I ASKED THE HEAD OF THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IF THAT IS SOMETHING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CAN DO.

>> I THINK THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CAN DO THAT BUT THE STATE ALSO NEEDS TO DO MORE FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER OVERALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF ISSUES WE'VE BEEN PREACHING ABOUT FOR YEARS.

>> THE CHAMBER WANTS TO SEE A WORKING CAPITAL GRANT FARM FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS AND BELIEVES THE STATE SHOULD USE SOME OF THE $10 BILLION SURPLUS.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ASKS IF MOORE WILL BE DONE TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY FOR MIDSIZE BUSINESSES.

THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS WELL AS THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY BOTH RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE OVERALL SPENDING LEVEL OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

IN OTHER NEWS TONIGHT, MILLIONS OF DIABETICS WILL BE PAYING LESS FOR INSULIN AFTER FACING CRITICISM FROM LAWMAKERS TO DRUGMAKER ELI LILLY SAID IT IS CUTTING LIST PRICES FOR ITS MOST COMMONLY PRESCRIBED FORMS OF INSULIN BY 70% AND CAPPING OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS AT $35 PER MONTH.

UNDER FEDERAL LAW, INSULIN IS ALREADY CAPPED AT $35 PER MONTH FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS.

HERE'S A CHECK ON TODAY'S WALL STREET TRADING.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102, PROBABLY SERVING THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITIES SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102.

LEADING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

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

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT NJ CHAMBER.COM.

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH THE NUMBER, BUT THE PACE OF WELL DOUBTS THAT IS CONCERNING SCIENTISTS.

O ENVIRONMENTALIST CONFIRMED 23 DEAD WHALES HAVE WASHED UP ON THE EAST COAST SHORE SINCE DECEMBER.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, ANOTHER DEAD HUMPBACK WHALE IS DRIFTING TOWARDS THE JERSEY SHORE, CAUSING MORE PUSHBACK FROM CRITICS, WHO CLAIM OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT IS TO BLAME, DESPITE EVIDENCE SHOWING OTHERWISE.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> IS MORE DEAD WHALES WASH UP ON NEW JERSEY'S BEACHES, MORE PEOPLE QUESTION IF THERE IS A LINK TO THE SURVEYS FOR OFFSHORE WIND FARMS.

>> MY WIFE AND I WENT TO ALASKA.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHT WE EVER SAW WAS WHALES BREACHING.

WE ARE STEWARDS OF THOSE ANIMALS.

THE THOUGHT OF HARMING THOSE ANIMALS IS PAINFUL TO ME.

>> Reporter: JOE AND OTHER STATE SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE ASKING TO PAUSE SURVEYS FOR A MONTH.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A REASONABLE, TEMPERED APPROACH.

IF IT'S NOT 30 DAYS, WE CAN CONTINUE.

IF WE SEE THAT THESE POOR ANIMALS ARE STILL BEING WASHED UP ON THE SHORE, THEN WE CAN SURMISE THAT'S NOT IT.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUND AN ALLY IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP THE NOTION ACTION.

SCIENTISTS SAY THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF A CONNECTION BETWEEN OFFSHORE WIND SURVEYS AND THE RECENT RASH OF STRANDED WHALES.

>> IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR ME SEEING, YOU KNOW, SO MUCH OF THE CLAIMS LIKE MY OH MY GOD.

OFFSHORE WIND IS KILLING WHALES.

YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO KILL WHALES?

CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: AARON RICE IS A RESEARCHER AT CORNELL, FOCUSING ON HOW THEY PRODUCE AND PERCEIVE SOUNDS IN THE OCEAN.

WHAT THEY USED TO EVALUATE THE SEAFLOOR IS NOT DEADLY TO WHALES AND NOT UNIQUE TO NEW JERSEY.

>> SEISMIC SURVEYS ARE ONGOING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

YOU ARE NOT SEEING A RASH OF WELL MORTALITIES DOWN THERE.

SONAR MAPPING IS A HIGH FREQUENCY THAT MOST WHALES, THE VAST MAJORITY, WILL NOT HEAR.

>> THE AUTOPSY DOES NOT TELL YOU IF THE WHALE WAS ATTRACTED TO THE AREA BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND SONAR.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THAT TAKING PLACE.

THEY WOULD, PERHAPS, LEAVE AN AREA OF LOUD SOUNDS, THE SAME WAY THAT HUMANS WOULD LEAVE AREAS WITH JET PLANES FLYING OVER OR OTHER LOUD SOUNDS.

>> Reporter: PAUL LEADS GOTHAM WHALE, A RESEARCH GROUP BASED IN NEW YORK.

HE SAYS THE RISING DEATHS IS LIKELY BECAUSE WHALES HAVE MOVED CLOSER TO THE SHORE AND MORE CARGO SHIPS LEAVING HARBORS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA.

IT DOES NOT HELP THAT THE FISH WHALES EAT ARE INCREASINGLY FOUND IN THE REGION'S BUSY PORTS.

THEY SAY THE REGION HAS GROWN TOXIC BECAUSE OF HOW PEOPLE ARGUE ONLINE.

>> VERY IMPRESSED, DISMAYED SOMETIMES ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS ON THE DEBATE ABOUT ISSUES LIKE THIS.

>> EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WE POST GOES IMMEDIATELY BACK TO, WE ARE LIARS.

HIDING THE TRUTH.

TAKING MONEY.

I THINK THAT MOST OF THEM ARE MISINFORMED.

THERE ARE A FEW THAT WE KNOW ARE BEING SLANDEROUS AND THEY ARE DOING THIS WITH A PURPOSE AND NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IT IS.

>> Reporter: SHEILA DEAN IS IN CHARGE OF THE MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING CENTER.

THEY RESPONDED TO STRANDED WHALES UP AND DOWN NEW JERSEY'S COASTLINE AND THEY DEAL WITH A FLOOD OF ANGRY COMMENTERS ON LINE.

>> IT IS DISCOURAGING TO THE PEOPLE THAT WORK HERE.

IT'S HARD TO DEAL WITH SOMETIMES.

IT LIKE, THEY DON'T STOP.

IT'S JUST CONSTANT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS PLEDGED TO PUSH FORWARD WITH THESE, SO DON'T EXPECT THE ISSUE TO GO AWAY ANYTIME SOON.

ESPECIALLY IF MORE WHALES ARE STRANDED ON THE SHORE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US.

DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

DAVID LOOKS INTO THE STATE'S RECORD-SETTING BUDGET PLAN AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES BOTTOM LINE.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

HER THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS 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.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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