>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY, NEW JERSEY REALTORS, DIVORCE FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG.

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

>>> I AM IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> A COULD BE BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH, BUT CONGRESSMAN, KEVIN McCARTHY, COULD BECOME SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TONIGHT.

THE CONGRESSMEN FAILED 13 TIMES OVER THE LAST FOUR DAYS TO SECURE THE SPEAKERSHIP.

AS THE HOUSE ADJOURNED, McCARTHY TOLD REPORTERS, HE WAS CONFIDENT HE WOULD WIN IT TONIGHT.

IS THIS THE CASE OF THE COMEBACK KID, OR HAS THE FUTURE LEADER OF THE HOUSE GIVEN AWAY ALL OF HIS POWER?

I AM JOINED RIGHT NOW BY KELLY DITTMAR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF LOCAL SCIENCE AT RUTGERS, CAMDEN TO GIVE SOME INSIGHT INTO THE BACK ROOM DEALS THAT COULD BRING McCARTHY OVER THE FINISH LINE.

KELLY DITTMAR, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON OUR AIR.

KEVIN McCARTHY, AS OF RIGHT NOW, SAYS HE BELIEVES HE WILL HAVE HAVE THE VOTES TO BECOME SPEAKER TONIGHT.

IT IS REMARKABLE HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SWING ABOUT A DOZEN HOLDOUTS.

WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DEALS HE HAS MADE TO GET THESE FOLKS ON BOARD?

>> HE HAS HAD TO GIVE UP A LOT, A LOT OF THINGS AT THE START HE SAID, HE WOULD NEVER DO.

FROM THE ONE THAT PROBABLY GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION, NOW THAT SOMEBODY CAN BRING UP WITH ONE VOTE TO REPLACE THE SPEAKER.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS THAT SEEM TO BE COMING UP ABOUT THE STEAL, THAT ARE LARGELY ENSURING THIS GROUP, IN THIS REBELS GROUP, ARE INSURING TO SEE THE IMPORTANT DECISION-MAKING TABLES, WHETHER IT BE THE RULES COMMITTEE, OR OTHER PLACES, IT WILL GIVE THEM MORE INFLUENCE AND MORE ABILITY TO STOP THE PROCESS AND SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS ON THE FLOOR.

THERE ARE SOME RINGS RELATED TO LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, HE IS GIVING UP A WHOLE LOT OF POWER AS SPEAKER TO BE SPEAKER.

WHAT WE WILL BE QUESTIONING NOW IS TO KIND OF SEE HOW MUCH POWER HE ACTUALLY HAS IN THE JOB HE HAS NOW COMPROMISED.

THE LAST KIND OF INTEREST TO ME, OF INTEREST TO ME, AND THE SPEAKER ABOUT, IF HE GETS ENOUGH VOTES, WILL BE ON THE RULES.

SPEAK THAT HE HAS DELETE THIS CAUCUS, RIGHT, AND THEY HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO PASS LEGISLATION.

HAS HE ESSENTIALLY GIVEN AWAY THE HOUSE?

DOES HE HAVE THE AUTHORITY NOW, GIVEN THESE DEALS, TO LEAD THIS CONFERENCE?

>> I WONDER ABOUT THAT.

I THINK HE HAS GIVEN AWAY A LOT OF AUTHORITY.

AT THE SAME TIME, TO GIVE THEM SOME CREDIT, HE HAS COMPROMISED IN SUCH A WAY THAT HAS APPARENTLY GAINED SOME TRUST FROM THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE, AS WE HAVE SEEN, SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS AND REALLY QUESTION HIS AUTHORITY.

THERE MAY BE SOME POSITIVE BENEFIT FROM HIS RESILIENCE HERE.

I THINK WHAT FOLKS REALLY START TO SEE THE DETAILS OF THIS DEAL, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT BACK THE REBELS, I WONDER IF THEY WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT, AGAIN, HOW MUCH POWER HE HAS GIVEN WAY TO A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE EXTREMELY IDEOLOGY UGLY CONSERVATIVE, AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THOSE WHO HAD ORIGINALLY SUPPORTED KEVIN McCARTHY.

>> AS WE HAVE WATCHED OVER THESE LAST FOUR DAYS THE MOTHER HAS NOT BEEN MUCH PUSHBACK, AT LEAST PUBLICLY, FROM MODERATE REPUBLICAN SAYING, YOU ARE GIVING WAY TOO MUCH, OR WE ARE RIGHT NOW BEING STRUNG ALONG, HELD BY THIS SMALL GROUP OF, LIKE YOU SAID, MORE IDEOLOGICAL REPUBLICANS.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF MODERATES BEING SHAKEN NOW IN TERMS OF THEIR SUPPORT FOR McCARTHY?

>> I DON'T THINK WE ARE SEEING MUCH OF IT, AS YOU SAID, PUBLICLY.

I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE.

EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE A SPEAKER AT THE END OF THE DAY.

I THINK THERE IS A LEVEL OF, WE JUST NEED TO GET THIS DONE.

THERE IS ONE REASON FOR THAT, WE WANT GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION.

I ALSO THINK, WE DON'T HAVE ANY MODERATES LEFT FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF REASONS, MANY HAVE BEEN VOTED OUT, RETIRED, AND THOSE WHO ARE IN ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE WHEN IT COMES TO REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES.

TO BE FAIR, THAT IS TRUE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AS WELL, BUT ESPECIALLY TRUE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

THERE ARE MODERATES LEFT.

THERE ARE FEW WHO ARE WILLING TO BE VERY VOCAL IN THEIR OPPOSITION, ESPECIALLY AT THIS REALLY FRAGILE AND VULNERABLE MOMENT FOR THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ALL OF THE SIGNALS IN TERMS OF SOME OF THESE MORE EXTREME INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSE, REALLY POSTURING, NOT AS FOCUSED ON GOVERNANCE, AS MAY BE TAKING A STAND IN SOME OF THE ATTENTION THEY HAVE GOTTEN?

>> I THINK WE HAVE GONE INTO THIS CONGRESS KNOWING IT WOULD BE HARD TO GET ANYTHING DONE BECAUSE YOU HAVE SPLIT CONTROL.

YOU HAVE A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED SENATE AND REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE.

I THINK NOW, THIS ONLY ADDS TO THE POINTS OF INTERVENTION, POINTS OF STALLING, DISAGREEMENTS THAT WILL BE HAPPENING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, AND BEHIND THE SCENES.

I THINK IT MAKES IT LESS LIKELY THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE MAJOR PIECES OF LEGISLATION, MAJOR PROGRESS ON LEGISLATION, AND I THINK MORE LIKELY WE WILL SEE A LOT OF POSTURING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LARGELY LOOKING FOR MORE THE PUBLICITY OF THEIR OPPOSITION, THEN ACTUALLY MAKING POLICY.

THEY WILL NOW PROBABLY HAVE MORE OF A SPACE AND PLACE TO DO THAT.

I THINK THAT IS TO BE TOLD WHAT WE NEED TO SEE HOW THESE RULES PLAY OUT AND WHO GETS POSITION IN SOME OF THESE COMMITTEES, TO SEE WHICH MEMBERS MIGHT BE PUT IN THE WAY OF PUSHING THROUGH POLICY.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

KELLY DITTMAR, THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT, AS ALWAYS.

>>> DEMOCRATS IN THE CONFERENCE HELD A MEMORIAL CEREMONY OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL TO RECOGNIZE THE FIVE CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE KILLED ON JANUARY 6, 2021, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY NATIVE OFFICER, BRIAN SICK NICK.

THEY HELD 140 SECONDS OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF THE 140 OFFICERS BADLY WOUNDED THAT DAY.

TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN PRESENTED THE PRESIDENTIAL IT IS AND METAL, THE HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR TO 12 PEOPLE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN CERTIFYING THE ELECTION AND SAFEGUARDING OUR DEMOCRACY.

SEVEN OF THEM, CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS WITH A POSTHUMOUS AWARD GOING TO BRIAN SICK NICK.

TWO YEARS LATER, SO MANY INVOLVED IN THE EVENTS OF THE DAY LOOK BACK ON WHAT IT WAS LIKE AND REFLECT WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, ON WHERE WE ARE AS A NATION TODAY.

>> IT WAS PRETTY SCARY.

THEN, THEY STARTED BANGING ON THE DOORS.

I SAID HOLY [ BLEEP ], WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 6, 2021 SIMMERED FROM PROTESTS, TO WRITE, TO RESURRECTION IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

PROTESTS TURNED TO COMBATANTS AND THE CAPITOL BUILDING WAS OVERRUN.

>> IT WAS A SURREAL NUMBER OF MOMENTS FOR ME.

>> I GO INTO THE ROTUNDA EVERY SINGLE DAY I AM IN THE CAPITOL AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT THINGS WERE LIKE ON THAT DAY.

>> ON THAT DAY, CONGRESSMAN, ANDY KIM, WAS STILL A NEWBIE, HAVING JUST WON HIS FIRST ELECTION.

YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THIS FIRST FAMOUS PHOTO OF HIM HELPING TO CLEAN UP AFTER ORDER WAS RESTORED.

TWO YEARS LATER, KIM IS A LITTLE MORE PHILOSOPHICAL, BUT NONETHELESS, A CERTAIN ABOUT WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR DEMOCRACY.

>> THE SAD THING, WE LIVE IN HISTORIC TIMES.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS COMFORTABLE.

I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN A HISTORIC TIME.

I WOULD RATHER STUDY HISTORY THEN LIVE THROUGH IT.

SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE TO CONFRONT, THIS IS THE HAND WE HAVE BEEN DEALT FOR THIS GENERATION.

NOW THE QUESTION IS, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT?

>> THE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS OF THE EVENTS THAT DAY TRANSFIXED THE COUNTRY OVER THE SUMMER, VIVID RETELLINGS AUGMENTED BY POWERFUL VIDEO BROUGHT THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 6th INTO EVEN SHARPER FOCUS FOR US HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

THERE IS A TRIAL GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH ROBERTO MENUDO, WHO WAS BOTH KEEPER, USED TO LIVE IN HACKENSACK AS A TATTOO PARLOR IN NEWBURGH.

HE IS CHARGED WITH SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY, A MAJOR CRIME THAT IS NOT NORMALLY CHARGED IN ANY FASHION.

>> AND ALL, MORE THAN 30 CASES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT AGAINST PEOPLE WITH NEW JERSEY TIES.

MATT HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT JANUARY 6 FOR W NYC.

HE SAYS, IT IS TOUGH TO SEE WHAT THE LASTING IMPACT OF THOSE EVENTS WILL BE, BUT INKS THERE WAS A GLINT IN NOVEMBER'S MIDTERM RESULTS.

>> I THINK WE DID WITH A SMALL SIGNIFICANT SUBSET OF MODERATE REPUBLICANS, WHAT WE MIGHT CALL TRADITIONAL NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS.

>> LIKE ME GOVERNOR TOM CURRAN SENIOR, WHO THEY MEET POLITICAL OFFSPRING OF THE JANUARY 6th EVENTS, ELECTION DENIERS, TRIAL ONLY LOYALISTS DAMAGED THE PARTY.

LOOKING AT THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN FIGHTING OVER HOUSE SPEAKER, HE SAYS, THAT IS ACTUALLY PROGRESS.

>> YOU PUT BOTH SIDES, BOTH PARTIES ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. OFFICE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND YOU FIGHT IT OUT.

YOU BATTLE IT OUT.

THAT IS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK WHEN YOU CAN'T AGREE.

YOU DON'T STAND OUTSIDE AND FIRE UP THE CROWD AND TELL THEM, WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT, I WILL MEET YOU THERE WITH GUNS BLAZING.

>> I HOPE IT WAS THE LAST GASP AT SOMETHING.

I THINK AS A SOCIETY, WE RECOGNIZE IT NOW, WE INVESTIGATED IT, WE KNOW ALL OF THE DETAILS, WE HAVE PUT LAWS INTO PLACE TO TRY AND MAKE SURE IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

>> RUTGERS PROFESSOR SAYS, SURE, BUT IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO BELIEVE THAT THE JANUARY 6 REVELATIONS, OR THE MIDTERM RESULTS REPRESENT A CORRECTION TOWARDS STRONGER DEMOCRACY.

THERE IS A CORE OF JANUARY 6 PARTICIPANTS AND SUPPORTERS THAT ARE STILL EMBOLDENED BY THAT DAY.

>> THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO GET ON FOX AND THE TUCKER CARLSON, AND BEGIN TO CULTIVATE THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES THAT DRIVES THE MAN HIS PEERS >> IT IS SAD TO SEE THAT WE ARE IN THIS KIND OF PERIL CONTINUOUSLY.

I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE YEARS WILL SHAPE THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE DECADES OF WHERE THIS COUNTRY IS HEADING.

>> THE TAKEAWAY NEEDS TO BE THAT VIGILANCE, NOT VIOLENCE, IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY IS WHAT IS NEEDED FROM ALL OF US IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD IT.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> FOR MORE ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF JANUARY 6, CHECK OUT IAN SHERN'S ARTICLE LOOKING AT WHAT THE CAPITOL POLICE NEW AND LORD BEFORE THE CAPITOL WAS DISTENDED.

>>> THROUGHOUT THIS DEBACLE, REPUBLICANS CALLING FOR UNITY HAVE CITED THE NEED FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM.

YESTERDAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED, HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL CRACKDOWN ON HIS ATTEMPTS TO MIGRATE INTO THE U.S.

ILLEGALLY, GIVEN THE CRISIS AT THE BORDER.

THE PRESIDENT SAYING, HE WOULD EXPAND A PROGRAM TO ALLOW UP TO 30,000 ASYLUM SPEAKERS SEEKERS FROM THE FOUR COUNTRIES RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE MIGRANTS SEEKING REFUGE HERE.

HE ISSUED THIS WORD OF CAUTION TO ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO COME HERE WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE PROPER PROCEDURES.

>> DO NOT, DO NOT JUST SHOW UP AT THE BORDER STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND APPLY LEGALLY FROM THERE.

STARTING TODAY, IF YOU DON'T APPLY THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS, YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS NEW PAROLE PROGRAM.

NOT LET ME REITERATE.

YOU NEED A LAWFUL SPONSOR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NUMBER ONE, AND YOU NEED TO UNDERGO A RIGOROUS BACKGROUND CHECK, NUMBER TWO.

>> IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES DENOUNCED THE PLAN SAYING, IT EXCLUDES THE POOR AND THOSE FLEEING VIOLENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

BOB MENENDEZ AND CORY BOOKER ADDED THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BITING CONTINUING A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION POLICY CALLED, TITLE 42, THAT COULD REFUSE MIGRANTS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS SAME, IT WOULD DISREGARD OUR OBLIGATION UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW BY BANNING FAMILIES FROM SEEKING ASYLUM AT THE BORDER, LIKELY SEPARATING FAMILIES AND STRANDING MIGRANTS FLEEING PERSECUTION AND TORTURE IN COUNTRIES UNABLE TO PROTECT THEM.

WE URGED PRESIDENT BIDEN TO WORK WITH CONGRESS TO IMPLEMENT A MORE ORDERLY AND HUMANE ASYLUM PROCESSING SYSTEM.

>>> 705 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN FATAL CAR CRASHES LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE.

MANY WERE KILLED IN CARS, BUT NEARLY 200 WERE PEDESTRIANS WHO WERE STRUCK AND 17 WERE KILLED WHILE RIDING A BIKE.

SOME CITIES HAVE TACKLED THE ISSUE HEAD ON, BUT ADVOCATES SAY, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SAFEGUARD OUR STREETS AND SAVE LIVES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER TAKES A LOOK.

>> SPEEDING IS A MAIN ISSUE.

PEOPLE SPEED THROUGHOUT THIS TOWN, PEOPLE SPEED ALL OVER NEW JERSEY.

THE STREETS ALLOW THEM TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: A PERSONAL ISSUE MONTCLARE RESIDENT, KATE O'CONNOR, HAS BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS TO CHANGE.

WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS AROUND TOWN, LIKE THE ADDITION OF BIKE LANES AND MAKING GLENRIDGE AVENUE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BLOOMFIELD AVENUE A ONE BRICK WAY STREET, SHE SAYS, IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

IT IS WHAT ULTIMATELY LED TO HER OWN BROTHER'S DEATH.

>> MY BROTHER WAS ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK AND WAS HIT BY A SPEEDING DRIVER AND HE GOT OUT OF ONE CAB AND WAS CROSSING THE STREET AND IT WAS DARK OUT.

THE STREET WAS NOT LIT WELL ENOUGH AND THE CAR HIT HIM AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR IN A 25 MILE PER HOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: MONTCLARE IS NOT THE ONLY TOWN IN NEW JERSEY BATTLING STREET SAFETY.

A NEW STATE POLICE REPORT SHOWS, TRAFFIC FATALITIES ARE ON THE RISE.

BY THE END OF 2022, 705 PEOPLE DIED AS A RESULT OF CRASHES ON THE ROAD.

THAT IS AN INCREASE OF EIGHT LIVES CLAIMED FROM 2021, AND ANOTHER 110 FROM 2020, WHEN THERE WERE 587 FATALITIES.

>> ANY AND EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO COMMUNICATE THE SAFETY MESSAGE TO DRIVERS NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> Reporter: ROBERT SINCLAIR JUNIOR IS THE SENIOR MANAGER FOR AAA AFFAIRS FOR AAA NORTHEAST.

HE SAYS WHILE SPEEDING AND OTHER THINGS LIKE TESTING AND DRUNK DRIVING MAY BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE IN FATALITIES.

ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE ATTITUDE OF THE PERSON BEHIND THE WHEEL PEERS >> WE GOT INTO A LOT OF BAD HABITS.

IT SEEMS, PARTICULARLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN ROAD FATALITIES INCREASED FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS IN A ROW, THE MOST SINCE 2007 IN NEW JERSEY.

MANY PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE SAYING THAT THE PANDEMIC LED TO A LOT OF FEELINGS OF ANXIETY AND A PART OF PEOPLE TAKE THESE ATTITUDES ON THE ROAD AND THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTS.

>> Reporter: IN JERSEY CITY, THE NUMBERS TELL A DIFFERENT STORY.

THE MAYOR SAYS, AT ONE POINT, THE CITY WAS AVERAGING 8 TO 10 TRAFFIC FATALITIES A YEAR, BUT LAST YEAR, THERE WERE NONE.

HE CREDITS THE CITY'S EUROVISION PROGRAM FOR TURNING THINGS AROUND.

>> IT IS ABOUT RE-EXAMINING AND REIMAGINING HOW STREETS ARE USED.

NOT ONLY FOR CAUSE, FOR PEDESTRIANS, BUSES, MASS TRANSIT, AND NOW YOU TAKE ALL OF THAT INTO CONSIDERATION TO MAKE SURE CARS MOVE THROUGH YOUR STREETS AND VEHICLES GENERALLY IN A SAFER WAY.

WHETHER IT IS SPEED BUMPS, SIGNAGE, BUMP OUTS, OVERALL TRAFFIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS ON A LARGER SCALE, WE HAVE DONE A LOT TO PUT SOME STREETS ON WHAT THEY CALL, STREET DIETS, WHICH MAKE IT MORE NEVER, LESS LANES.

>> DESPITE IMPROVED SAFETY, ADVOCATES SAY, THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS NEW JERSEY DOES NOT OWN PEERS >> SOME ARE GASEOUS THROUGH NEW JERSEY CITY, THE HIGHWAY ON TOP OF THE HIGHWAY, 139.

THE HIGHWAY ON TOP IS DESIGNED FOR UNSAFE SPEEDS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A CITY STREET AND THERE IS A HIGHWAY RIGHT BELOW.

THAT IS A ROUTE THAT PEOPLE JUST WALK BACK AND FORTH ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GET TO WORK, RUN ERRANDS, GET TO SCHOOL, AND THE STATE HAS UNFORTUNATELY DESIGNED THAT ROAD FOR SPEED, INSTEAD OF TREATING IT AS A PLACE WHERE WE WANT TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR ALL ROAD USERS PEERS >> SAFETY ADVOCATES SAY, CRASH FATALITIES ARE PREVENTABLE.

THEY ARE HOPING VISION YOUR PROGRAMS WILL SOON BE ADOPTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE, PREVENTING MORE LINES FROM ENDING TOO SOON.

>>> SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE JOB FRONT.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON THAT.

>>> PLUS, TONIGHT TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HOW DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK FROM TODAY'S REPORT?

>> JOANNA, THE JOB MARKET LOOKS BEFORE NOW, BUT BRACE YOURSELF FOR WHAT IS COMING NEXT.

THE GOVERNMENT'S MONTHLY JOB REPORT RELEASED TODAY, SHOWS 223,000 NEW JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE U.S. ECONOMY IN DECEMBER.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 3 1/2%.

THAT IS A SOLID REPORT, BUT GUS BOUCHER, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES SAYS, THE JOB MARKET WILL DEFLATE LATER THIS YEAR.

>> THE JOB MARKET IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.

WE HAVE THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN 50 YEARS, JOB GROWTH THAT IS VERY STRONG, BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE JOB GROWTH HAS SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE COURSE OF 2022 AND I THINK IT WILL SLOW FURTHER IN 2023 AND WE WILL START TO SEE JOB LOSSES BY LET'S SAY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

>> HE IS FORECASTING A MILD RECESSION TO TAKE HOLD LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> THE END COULD BE NEAR FOR STRUGGLING NEW JERSEY RETAILER BASED IN UNION, BED BATH AND BEYOND WARNED THIS WEEK THAT IT IS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY AND MAY NEED TO FILE FOR VAGRANCY.

THE RETAILER IS EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS LIKE, RESTRUCTURING OR REFINANCING ITS DEBT, AND IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE ANOTHER UPDATE NEXT WEEK.

BED BATH AND BEYOND HAS BEEN TRYING TO TURN THINGS AROUND FOR SOME TIME.

THE RETAILER CLOSED 37 STORES LAST YEAR, INCLUDING ONE IN EDGEWATER.

IT IS ONE OF A DOZEN RETAILERS THAT SHUTTERED STORES IN NEW JERSEY LAST YEAR.

>>> THE STATE'S AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE GETTING AN OVERHAUL, THANKS TO SOME NEW FEDERAL FUNDS.

NEW JERSEY IS RECEIVING A $500 MILLION LOAN FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR PROJECTS IN 90 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

MONEY WILL BE USED TO REPLACE THE SERVICE LINES AND INSTALL FILTRATION SYSTEMS TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER FROM CONTAMINATION.

FUNDS WILL ALSO BE USED TO REMEDIATE CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER.

THE EPA SAYS, IT'S LOAN TO NEW JERSEY WILL CREATE 50,000 JOBS AND SAVE THE STATE APPROXIMATELY 62 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS.

>>> FINALLY, THE NEW DATE SET FOR THE REOPENING OF TERMINAL A AT NEWARK AIRPORT.

THE PORT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED, IT WILL WELCOME PASSENGERS TO THE TERMINAL NEXT THURSDAY, PORT AUTHORITY IS PROMISING QUOTE, A TREND NORMATIVE EXPERIENCE FROM CURB TO GET.

>>> WALL STREET RAILING AFTER THE JOBS REPORT TODAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS DORIES.

>>> AND A REMINDER TO CATCH "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

A NEW YEAR MEANS, IT IS TIME TO GET THOSE RETIREMENT PLANS IN ORDER, FROM RETIREMENT CHANGES IN 2023, TO BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M. ON NJ PBS.

>>> PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION INSTANTLY BECOME UNAFFORDABLE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, BUT A CHANGE THAT TOOK EFFECT THIS WEEK HAS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED HOW MUCH PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR LIFE-CHANGING INSULIN.

THIS IS A PART OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

WHILE IT WILL HELP COUNTLESS NEW JERSEYANS FOR THEIR MEDICINE, HE DOES NOT APPLY TO EVERYONE WHO NEEDS IT.

LINDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT WHO BENEFITS AND WHAT MORE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATORS WOULD LIKE TO DO TO LOWER THOSE COSTS.

>> WE FOUGHT FOR THESE TYPES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG REFORMS FOR DECADES.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES APPLAUDED AS THIS WEEK MARKS THE FIRST TIME DIABETIC FOLKS ON MEDICARE DID NOT HAVE TO TAKE MORE THAN $35 FOR A MONTH'S SUPPLY OF INSULIN.

THE PRICE CAP ENACTED AS A PART OF THE FEDERAL INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, NOW HELPS SOME 77,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AFFORD A DRUG THEY NEED TO LIVE.

>> THE COST OF INSULIN HAS BEEN GOING UP RAPIDLY, AND THIS WILL PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND FOR THE 10th OF THOUSANDS OF OLDER NEW JERSEYANS IS WHO NEEDS THIS LIFE-SAVING DRUG.

>> THE E CARES APPLIES TO MEDICARE RECIPIENTS COME UP WITH THE SKYROCKETING COSTS FOR THING EVERYONE TO STRUGGLE.

INSULIN COSTS ROSE 64% FROM 2014 TO 2019, AND CAN COST FROM $375-$1000 A MONTH FOR SOME DIABETICS.

MEANWHILE, INFLATION IS TAKING A BIGGER BITE OUT OF ALL OF OUR PAYCHECKS, SAYS JERSEY CITIZEN ACTION.

>> ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE SKIPPING THEIR DOSES AND NOT FILLING THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS.

THAT THAT THAT IS ACTUALLY TWO TO THREE TIMES MORE SEVERE IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> EVERY DAY WE WAIT IS ANOTHER DAY SOMEONE IS HAVING TO MAKE THAT CHOICE BETWEEN THEIR MEDICINE AND THEIR RENT, OR THEIR MEDICINE AND THEIR FOOD, OR THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.

WE SHOULD NOT PUT PEOPLE IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> BURLINGTON COUNTY CONSIDERED SENATOR FOR SIMPLETONS SPONSORED BILLS TO MAKE DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE.

ONE CAPS CO-PAYS FOR SEVERAL LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS AT $35 FOR INSULIN, $25 FOR EPIPEN TO TREAT FOLKS HAVING ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND $50 FOR ASTHMA INHALERS.

THE CATS JUST COVER PEOPLE ENROLLED IN STATE REGULATED HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS, ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

>> THESE KINDS OF CAPS DON'T REALLY SOLVE AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES FOR CONSUMERS THAT ARE UNINSURED.

>> CAPPING PRICES ON A FEW MEDS WILL ONLY PUSH DRUGMAKERS TO RAISE PREMIUMS PEERS >> YOU ARE RAISING THE OVERALL COST OF COVERAGE.

THERE IS NO MAGIC HERE OF REDUCING THE COST OF DRUGS.

THAT IS WHAT WE REALLY HAVE TO GET TO.

THAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO ASK THE MANUFACTURERS FOR SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRICES THAT THEY SAID.

>> SANDERS SAYS, ENSURES THAT CAPS, BUT ONLY IF LAWMAKERS WILL BACK A DRUG ABILITY BOARD, TOOTH TO STUDY HOW BIG PHARMA SPINS ITS PRICES.

>> IT WILL, FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALLOW OUR STATE TO REALLY GET AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH ARE THE HIGH PRICES SET BY THE INDUSTRY.

>> BUT THAT WOULD DEMAND EXTRAORDINARY TRANSPARENCY FROM THE POWERFUL NEW JERSEY FROM A SINGLE INDUSTRY.

A LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TRADE ASSOCIATION STATED, IT'S MEMBER SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY OF PATIENTS TO ACCESS THE BIOPHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY'S LIFE-SAVING TREATMENTS, AND REDUCE PATIENT OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS.

LOBBYISTS FOR THE INDUSTRY HAVE OFTEN CLAIMED, IT NEEDS HIGH DRUG PRICES TO PAY FOR DEVELOPING NEW MEDICINES.

>> THE ABILITY TO BRING LIFE-SAVING DRUGS TO MARKET IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE ENDEAVOR.

I GET THAT, I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I APPLAUD THOSE IN THE RESEARCH SPACE DOING THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY TO HELP CURE AND SAVE LIVES.

AT THE SAME TOKEN, MEDICINE DOES NOT WORK IF PEOPLE CAN AFFORD IT.

WE HAVE TO STRIKE THAT UNIQUE BALANCE.

>> SINGLETON CLAIMS, BIG PHARMA SPENDS MORE ON ADVERTISING DOLLARS.

HE HOPES HIS REFORM BILLS END UP ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S DESK MY SUMMER, BUT THEY FAILED TO GAIN APPROVAL LAST YEAR AND WITH LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS COMING UP THIS FALL, THEY FACE AN UNCERTAIN PROGNOSIS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

MAKE SURE YOU JOIN US NEXT TUESDAY, JANUARY 10th AT 2:00 P.M. AS GOVERNOR MURPHY DELIVERS THE 2023 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, LIVE AND IN PERSON FROM THE STATEHOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS.

WE WILL HAVE INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS FROM OUR TEAM OF REPORTERS AND POLITICAL EXPERTS ME PLUS THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE.

WATCH ON AIR ON NJ PBS OR THE "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

FOR THE ENTIRE "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

>>> 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.

>>> 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 TOWN TO GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.