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MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT IS THE END-OF-THE-YEAR RUSH AT THE STATEHOUSE.

LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING FEVERISHLY TO TAKE ACTION ON A NUMBER OF BILLS FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND NEW YEAR BEGINS.

THE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS, USUAL ALLIES OF GOVERNOR MURPHY, AND THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE SAY THEY ARE FRUSTRATED BY A FAILURE OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO MOVE THROUGH THEIR TOP POLITICAL PRIORITIES.

SOME QUESTION WHETHER THOSE POLICIES WILL BE LEFT BEHIND NOW THAT THE PROGRESSIVE BASE IS NO LONGER NEEDED FOR ELECTION PURPOSES.

WITH ISSUES LIKE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY AND INSURANCE RATES UNFAIRLY TARGETING PEOPLE OF COLOR STALLING IN TRENTON.

TODAY, ADVOCATES PUT PRESSURE ON THE ASSEMBLY TO TAKE ON THE AUTO INSURANCE MATTER, STOPPING THE USE OF ACTRESSES THEY SAY SIGNIFICANTLY OVERCHARGE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME DRIVERS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> Reporter: YOU WOULD THINK THAT YOUR CAR INSURANCE RATES WOULD BE BASED SOLELY ON YOUR DRIVING RECORD.

>> ASSEMBLYWOMAN AND THAT WAS DONE BY SEVERAL LEADERS AND ADVOCATE TODAY CALLING ON THE ASSEMBLY TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WELL INSURANCE RATES ARE CALCULATED AND MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IS A GOOD INDICATION, OCCUPATION, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, HOMEOWNERSHIP STATUS, MARITAL STATUS, AND CREDIT SCORES.

THESE FACTORS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH A PERSON'S DRIVING RECORD AND ONLY SERVE TO CREATE A TWO-TIER SYSTEM THAT PUNISHES POOR AND WORKING-CLASS NEW JERSEYANS.

>> SOMEONE WITH POOR CREDIT AND A LOW-PAYING JOB AND PAY UP TO FOUR TIMES MORE THAN A PERSON WITH A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE AND HIGH SALARY.

>> OF YOU EXCELLENT CREDIT, YOU PAY A PREMIUM OF EIGHT 82 FOR BASIC LIABILITY COVERAGE.

IF YOU HAVE ONLY THEIR CREDIT, YOU WILL PAY 500 $82 MORE.

PORK REDDICK, A WHOPPING $1311 MORE.

>> OUT IN A ZIP CODE AND THE DISPARITIES WIDEN.

>> 07052.

IF YOU HAVE POOR CREDIT, YOU COULD BE CHARGED $2540.

IN TRENTON ZIP CODE 08618, IF YOU HAVE POOR CREDIT, YOU COULD BE CHARGED $3000.

IF YOU HAVE IS A GOOD 07106, POOR CREDIT, $3377 SURCHARGE.

>> THESE FACTORS MEAN THAT LOWER INCOME DRIVERS, NAMELY BLACK AND HISPANIC, WILL HAVE TO PAY HIGH RATES.

IT'S A FORM OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.

>> PASSING A BILL TO PROHIBIT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM USING SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DRIVERS RECORDS.

THE RECENTLY PASSED SIMILAR LAWS BUT THE BILL HAS GOT NO MOVEMENT IN THE ASSEMBLY DESPITE SEVERAL MEMBERS CALLING FOR THE SUPPORT INCLUDING MANY FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

>> THIS LEGISLATION CAN PUT $600 UPWARDS INTO THE POCKET OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN URBAN COMMUNITIES.

>> INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE LOBBIED HARD AGAINST ANY CHANGES DEFENDING THESE RATE CALCULATION FACTORS, WHICH WERE ONLY ALLOWED HERE IN NEW JERSEY STARTING IN 2003.

>> THEY HAVE ALL BEEN PROVEN TO BE ACTUARIALLY JUSTIFIED.

THEY ARE.

IT OF OF RISKS AND THEY ARE NOT UNFAIRLY DISCRIMINATORY.

AND IF THEY WERE, THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE WOULD ENSURE THAT THOSE FACTORS WERE NOT USED.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE FOR, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK AND 30 ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS SENT A LETTER LAST SPRING AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE GOTTEN A RESPONSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT EITHER.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OFFERED NO COMMENT ON ANY PENDING LEGISLATION.

CHRISTINE O'BRIEN SAYS BY CHANGING THE RATE CALCULATIONS, IT WOULD CAUSE A BIG SHIFT IN COST FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE OPPOSE THE ELIMINATION OF ANY USE OF RATING VARIABLES.

WE THINK THAT THESE BILLS ARE A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

IF YOU START TO CHIP AWAY AT A FORMULA, BASICALLY, THAT HAS BEEN WORKING IN NEW JERSEY THAT MAKES INSURANCE IS READILY AVAILABLE AND IS PORTABLE IS POSSIBLE.

>> ONE COMPANY SPOKE TO US ON BACKGROUND SAYING INSURANCE IS A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR INTEREST WITH LITTLE INTEREST IN ADJUSTING PROFIT MARGINS.

BY MAKING INSURANCE MORE AFFORDABLE, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS COULD ENTER THE MARKETPLACE.

THEY WILL BE MEETING WITH THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR TO GAIN SOME TRACTION ON THIS BILL.

THIS GIRL TOLD US HE CONTINUES TO REVIEW THE BILL AND ITS IMPACT ON ALL INSURANCE RATEPAYERS.

IN TRENTON, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ELSEWHERE IN TRENTON TONIGHT AND THE CITY LEADERS ARE SORTING OUT THE CHAOS FROM THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS HELD IN NOVEMBER.

MERCER COUNTY ASSIGNMENT JUDGE ON SUNDAY RULED IN FAVOR OF KEEPING A PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED RUNOFF ELECTION FOR NEXT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13th.

THAT WILL BE TO CHOOSE NORTH AND SOUTH CITY COUNCIL SEATS WHILE SELECTING JANUARY 24th TO ALL THE RUNOFF ELECTION FOR THE CAPITAL CITY AT LARGE SEAT.

THE DECISION COMES AFTER WEEKS OF UNCERTAINTY FOR VOTERS AND CANDIDATES WHEN DOMINION VOTING MACHINES MALFUNCTIONED ON ELECTION DAY, FORCING THE COUNTY TO RESORT TO PAPER BALLOTS, WHICH ALLOWED EVERYONE TO VOTE, BUT DELAYED RESULTS FROM BEING RELEASED.

THE CAST OF NOT END THERE.

CANDIDATES FILED A LAWSUIT CONTENDING THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WAS NOT USING THE RIGHT FORMULA TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE ORIGINAL ELECTION.

THAT IS WHERE NINE CANDIDATES WERE VYING OR THREE SEATS.

ANOTHER MEETING IS BEING HELD TOMORROW AFTERNOON TO CLARIFY LOGISTICAL ISSUES NOW THAT THE RUNOFF DATES ARE SET.

FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE TAKING OFFICE, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS BEING TAPPED TO RUN THE POWERFUL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.

MADE OFFICIAL DURING THIS WEEKEND'S ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING IN NEW ORLEANS, THE GOVERNOR IS POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT A LOT OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL WHILE HOLDING THE POSITION NEXT YEAR.

THE ASSOCIATIONS PURPOSE IS TO GET DEMOCRATS A LOOK AT INJURY ELECTED AS GOVERNOR ROSS THE U.S.. AN ORGANIZATION IS COMING OFF OF A SUCCESSFUL CYCLE DEFENDING NEARLY ALL OF ITS INCUMBENTS, EVEN GETTING TO GUBERNATORIAL SEATS NATIONWIDE.

THE CHAIRMANSHIP POSITIONS GOVERNOR MURPHY TO CRISSCROSS THE COUNTRY MUCH LIKE FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE DID LEADING UP TO HIS PRESIDENTIAL BID WHEN HE WAS TOP MAN AT THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.

IT'S ALL INCREASING SPECULATION THAT MURPHY WILL TOSS HIS HAT IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

POLITICAL INSIDERS SAY SOME ERRORS FROM HIS GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN COULD CRUSH THOSE AMBITIONS.

JULIE IS A FORMER SENIOR MEMBER OF MURPHY'S CAMPAIGN TEAM, WHO SAYS HER TOXIC EXPERIENCE DURING THAT TIME ULTIMATELY CAUSED HER TO LEAVE HER POLITICAL CONSULTING GIG AND FOCUS ON SHEPHERDING THE SPEAK OUT ACT THROUGH CONGRESS.

THE LEGISLATION WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS SPEAK OUT ABOUT HARASSMENT IN THE WORK PLACE.

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

THE BILLS THAT YOU HELPED USHER THROUGH CONGRESS FOR NOT JUST AN OUTGROWTH OF THE ME TO MOVEMENT, BUT ALSO YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE WITNESS TO AND HOW THAT SHAPE THIS DIRECTION THAT YOU HAVE GONE AND.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON.

YES.

THIS LEGISLATION, ESPECIALLY THE SPEAK OUT ACT, WHICH WE EXPECT PRESIDENT BIDEN TO SIGN THIS WEEK, AS A RESULT, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, OF A HORRIBLE X TRANCE THAT I WENT THROUGH SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO THE KITTY BRENNAN CASE.

A VOLUNTEER ON THE 2017 MURPHY CAMPAIGN WHERE I WAS A SENIOR ADVISOR AND SHE ALLEGES SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY ONE OF MY COWORKERS.

AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD NO IDEA THIS TO FACE.

SHE CALLED ME ABOUT A YEAR LATER, LONG AFTER HE LEFT THE CAMPAIGN, TO CONFIDE IN ME AND ASK FOR HELP AND THE REALITY IS THAT I COULD NOT HELP HER AND THE REASON IS WAS BECAUSE I WAS BOUND BY AN EXTRAORDINARILY STRINGENT NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT THAT I HAD TO SIGN THE FIRST DAY OF MY CONSULTING WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CAMPAIGN THAT PREVENTED ME FROM TELLING ANYBODY WHAT I WITNESSED, WHAT I KNOW ABOUT, WHAT I SAW ON THE CAMPAIGN.

TO DESCRIBE HOW DEVASTATING IT IS TO HAVE A YOUNG WOMAN TRYING TO, SHARING THIS INCREDIBLY HARROWING STORY, BEGGING YOU FOR HELP, AND YOU CANNOT HELP HER BECAUSE LAWYERS FROM THE MURPHY CAMPAIGN ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDING YOU THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

THAT IS WHEN I DECIDED TO GET TOGETHER WITH MY FORMER FOX IS KOLLIE GRETCHEN CARLSON AND FOUNDED AN ORGANIZATION CALLED LIFT OUR VOICES TO ERADICATE THESE KINDS OF SILENCING MECHANISMS TO ENSURE NOT ONE MORE PERSON WHO HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, HARASSED, SUBJECT TO ANY KIND OF DISCRIMINATION AT ALL.

RACIAL, GENDER, OR OTHERWISE, WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE QUIET ABOUT TOXIC WORK ACE EXPERIENCES.

>> OR SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN BOUND BY AN NDA, DOES THE SPEAK OUT ACT LIMIT WHAT IS THEN DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE SPEAK OUT ACT AS A NATIONAL ACT.

IN NEW JERSEY, THERE ARE MORE --NO MORE NDAS HAVING TO DO WITH TOXIC WORK ACE ISSUES.

YOU ARE NO LONGER BOUND BY ANY NDAS AGAINST THE LAW OF DISCRIMINATION.

WHAT IS RELEVANT ABOUT THE WORK WE ARE DOING --I FULLY AGREE THAT SOMETHING PROPRIETARY SHOULD BE KEPT PROPRIETARY.

IF YOU KNOW THE SECRET FORMULA TO COCA-COLA, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WALK ACROSS THE TREE TO PEPSI.

THAT'S PROPRIETARY INFORMATION YOU RECEIVED.

YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DISCLOSE THAT.

BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING FORCED TO BE SILENT ABOUT THAT --WHICH I AGREE SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL --AND BEING FORCED INTO SILENCE ABOUT TOXICITY THAT YOU WITNESSED OR EXPERIENCED.

>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE, THEN, OF THE SPECULATION BY MANY POLITICAL OBSERVERS?

TOM, RECENTLY THIS WEEKEND, HIS OPINION PIECE, THAT YOUR ADVOCACY WORK --THESE BILLS NOW.

SUBMARINE GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ATTEMPT AT A PRESIDENTIAL BID.

>> CANNOT, IT'S PRETTY SAD IF MY ADVOCACY WORK TO GIVE SURVIVORS BACK THEIR VOICE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PEOPLE TALK FREELY ABOUT THE TALK THE CITY THAT EXPERIENCED IN THE WORK PLACE IS GOING TO SUBMARINE SOMEBODY'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THEM IF THE ADVOCACY WORK THAT I AND OTHER LEADERS IN THE ME TO MOVEMENT AND OTHER LEADERS IN THE BLACK LOVE MOVEMENT --I AM NOT A LEADER OF THE BLACK RIGHT, BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, BUT OTHER LEADERS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT -- IF TOXIC SITUATIONS COME TO LIGHT, IF THAT IMPACT SOMEBODY'S CAMPAIGN, THAT MEANS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

TAKE CARE.

>> AND A NOTE, WE REQUESTED A RESPONSE FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY ON THE ALLEGATIONS LODGED IN THE INTERVIEW.

THE OFFICE DECLINED TO COMMENT.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TODAY'S HEARING ARGUMENTS OVER LONG-STANDING CASH ABOUT FREE SPEECH.

THE POTENTIAL LANDMARK CASE IS DECIDING LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS AND THE RIGHTS OF BUSINESS OWNERS WHO OPPOSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

THE CASE IS A CHALLENGE BY A COLORADO GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHO WANTS TO START A WEDDING WEBSITE BUSINESS DOES NOT WANT TO WORK WITH SAME-SEX COUPLES AND WOULD BE HELD TO RAISE ARE IN PUBLIC BUSINESSES FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST GAY PEOPLE.

THE CONSERVATIVE LEANING COURT IS SUGGESTING AN ARTIST OR SOMEONE CREATING A CUSTOM PRODUCT CANNOT BE FORCED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPRESS A MESSAGE THAT VIOLATES RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

JUSTICES GRAPPLED WITH A SIMILAR QUESTION IN 2018, GIVING A NARROW VICTORY TO A COLORADO BAKER, WHO REFUSED TO MAKE A CUSTOM CAKE FOR A SAME-SEX COUPLE.

THE MOST RECENT CASE COMES AS LGBT YOU RIGHTS ADVOCATES FEAR THAT WORDS CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY MAY BE SETTING ITS SIGHTS ON OVERTURNING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

ANOTHER LEGAL BATTLE IS PLAYING OUT HERE AT HOME.

THIS ONE HERE OVER THE BLACK BEAR HUNT WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY BUT GOT SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY.

LATE LAST WEEK BY A COURT ORDER.

ALL IN RESPONSE TO A LAWSUIT BY THREE ANTI-HUNTING GROUPS.

THIS WEEKEND, SOME OF THOSE OPPONENTS PROTESTED OUTSIDE BOROUGH HALL IN PARAMUS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE OF NEW JERSEY, WHO URGED LEADERS TO CALL OFF THE BEAR HUNT PERMANENTLY.

THE SUSPENSION AND PROTEST COMES AFTER A SURPRISE DECISION IN NOVEMBER MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ALLOWING A SIX-DAY BEAR HUNT COINCIDING WITH THE ANNUAL SHOTGUN DEER SEASON.

THE ISSUE HAS BECOME A POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

GOVERNOR MURPHY VOWED TO STOP THE HUNT WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR BUT CHANGED HIS MIND AFTER HE WAS IN THE DATA ABOUT A 237% INCREASE IN BEAR SIGHTINGS JUST THIS YEAR AND REPORTS OF MORE DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> EVEN IF THERE IS NO HUNT THIS YEAR, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO PUSH THROUGH ANOTHER BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN EARLY NEXT YEAR 2023 BUT DOES CONTAIN A LETHAL HUNT.

SO WE HAVE TO KEEP UP THE FIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER ALL THESE YEARS AND ALL THESE PROTEST.

WE HAVE TO KEEP SHOWING UP BECAUSE SHOWING UP IS HALF THE BATTLE.

IT'S HALF THE BATTLE.

>> ONE ITEM LAWMAKERS ARE PRIORITIZING THE SESSION WITH CONTACT DOMESTIC WORKERS IN THE STATE.

A GROUP THAT IS ABOUT 60,000 STRONG IN NEW JERSEY.

HOUSEKEEPERS, LAUNDRY WORKERS, OTHER SIMILAR JOBS, BUT ARE AMONG THE LOWEST PAID AND EXEMPT FROM BASIC LEGAL PROTECTIONS UNDER FEDERAL LABOR LAWS.

THE BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH TRANSIENT WOULD BOLSTER SUPPORT DESPITE FIERCE PUSHBACK.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT.

>> WORKERS, WHICH IS BASICALLY HOME CARE.

THOSE WORKERS TAKE CARE OF THEIR HOME.

ALSO NANNIES WHO TAKE CARE OF KIDS.

CHILDREN IN THEIR HOME.

AND HOUSECLEANERS.

>> Reporter: NATIONAL ORGANIZER FOR THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE SAYS THE NEW JERSEY DOMESTIC WORKERS DELIVER ATTACKED AIMS TO INCLUDE BASIC LEGAL RIGHTS FOR MORE THAN 50,000 DOMESTIC WORKERS IN THE STATE WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXCLUDED FROM BASIC LABOR PROTECTIONS.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IN THE DOMESTIC WORK INDUSTRY IS THE LACK OF FORMALITY.

A VERY FORMAL SECTOR IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY IN A SENSE.

SOME OF THIS BASICALLY IS THE ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW FOR DOMESTIC WORK IS THE NEXT BOOTED FROM THE NEW JERSEY DISCRIMINATION LAW.

THE ALSO LOOKS TO -- TO PROVIDE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DOMESTIC EMPLOYER.

SO MANY EMPLOYERS USE RETALIATION OR THE LACK OF PROTECTION TO EXPLOIT WORKERS.

>> ACCORDING TO A 2020 RECORDS REPORT TO US AND ON DOMESTIC WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY, 18% OF NEW JERSEY DOMESTIC WORKERS REPORTED SCHEDULES CHANGING WEEK TO WEEK AND 57% HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF WAGE THEFT.

90% OF WORKERS DON'T HAVE A WRITTEN CONTRACT TO PROTECT THEM.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE PLACE OF LABOR WHERE THEY WORK WITH THESE FAMILIES.

THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO LIVE THERE FOR FREE BUT MIND YOU, THEY HAVE TO WORK LIKE 20 HOUR SHIFTS.

HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE KIDS OR THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY HAVE TO CLEAN, COOK FOR THEIR FAMILY, DO ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE NOT PART OF YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION WHEN HE FIRST STARTED.

>> THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE BILL SAY THEY SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DOMESTIC WORKERS PER WANT TO SEE THE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL CHANGE AS THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED HOLD EMPLOYERS LIABLE FOR THINGS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL.

>> IN SOME SCENARIOS, YOU COULD SAY, IF YOU ARE EMPLOYING ANY SORT OF DOMESTIC WORKER AND YOU HAVE SOMEONE DOING CHILD CARE IN YOUR HOME, HOME HEALTH, THINGS LIKE THAT, IF THERE IS AN AND IS WITHIN THE HOME, VERSUS SOMETHING THAT IS IN CONTROL OF THE AGENCY THAT IS EMPLOYING THAT PERSON.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LIABILITY IS JUST THINGS.

SAY THERE IS ALLIANCE --A WAGE VIOLATION.

MAYBE THEY'RE NOT BEING PAID DIRECT.

THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EMPLOYER, NOT THE HOMEOWNER.

>> DURING HER TESTIMONY, SHE BROUGHT UP ANOTHER PROVISION IN THE BILL THAT SHE SAYS COULD CREATE COMPLICATIONS FOR OVERTIME CALCULATIONS FOR THE EMPLOYER.

>> UNDER CURRENT LAW, UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, IF THERE IS ANY INTERRUPTION IN WORK.

AND A BREAK THAT SOMEONE IS TAKING, THEY HAVE TO BE PAID FOR THAT TIME.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE PAID FULLY FOR HOURS WORKED.

NO CONCERN THERE.

BUT THERE IS A PROVISION THAT IF YOU FAIL TO GIVE SORTS OF BREAKS, YOU HAVE TO PAY HOURS WORKED AND AN ADDITIONAL HOUR OF PAY ON TOP OF THAT AREA THAT IS WHERE THE CONCERN COMES IN.

YOU ARE PAYING MORE MONEY FOR TIME THAT THEY ARE NOT WORKING.

>> A PROVISION THAT BAILEY HOPES CAN BE AMENDED BEFORE IT IS PASSED INTO LAW.

THE BILL IS HEADED TO THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE NEXT AND THEN THE ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> A BIT LIKE A BAR BUT FOR CANNABIS INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON THE NEWLY APPROVED CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGES.

PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

HEY, RHONDA.

>> NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE WITH SEVERAL NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

THE LATEST THING COULD BE CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGES.

CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVED PROPOSED RULES AT ITS MEETING LAST FRIDAY THAT WOULD ALLOW ANY CANNABIS RETAILER TO HAVE INDOOR OR OUTDOOR ENCLOSED CONSUMPTION LOUNGES.

UNDER THE RULES, THE LOUNGES WOULD BE OPEN TO THOSE 21 OR OLDER WITH NO ALCOHOL OR TOBACCO PERMITTED.

JUST LIKE THE STATES BREWERIES AND WINERIES, AND IF IT WOULD BE SOLD ON SITE THAT YOU COULD BRING IN FOOD.

IF FINAL APPROVAL IS GIVEN, NEW JERSEY WILL JOIN SIX OTHER STATES THAT ALLOW SUCH LOUNGES BEFORE THE RULES ARE ADOPTED, THE COMMISSION WILL HOLD IT 60-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

HUDSON COUNTY IS GETTING ITS FIRST RECREATIONAL CANNABIS STORE AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THE STATE BOARD GAVE APPROVAL TO AN APPLICATION FROM HARMONY DISPENSARY.

HOW MANY BASED IN THE CAUCUS HAS BEEN OPERATING AS A MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITY SINCE 2018.

THE NEW JERSEY TOURISM INDUSTRY LOOKS BRIGHT HAS BEGUN TO THE NEW YEAR AND A TOURISM CONFERENCE HELD LATE LAST WEEK IN ATLANTIC CITY, OFFICIALS PROJECT 2023, 116 MILLION VISITORS WILL COME TO NEW JERSEY.

A LEVEL THE STATE HAS NOT VARIANCE SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

DIVISION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM HAS BEEN ARMED WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO MARKET THE GARDEN STATE.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEFF MASTERS SAYS THE DIVISION WILL EXPAND OUTREACH EFFORTS TARGETING ADDITIONAL STATES IN THE U.S., AS WELL AS THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT ASSET WITH NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND THE NEW TERMINAL THEY HAVE.

THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE BRANDED NEW JERSEY.

WE JUST HAVE TO TAP INTO THE INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL MARKET THAT IS THERE.

HISTORICALLY, WE NEVER TALK TO THEM.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT THEM INTO THE STATE.

>> HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR WILL ALSO BRING AN END TO MARK AND I McARA SAFETY NETS.

LIKE RENT CONTROL LAWS AND BIG CITIES SUCH AS ELIZABETH THAT PUT CAPS ON MONTHLY INCREASES TO STAVE OFF MASSIVE SPIKES ON TENANTS.

ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE NOW CALLING FOR THOSE CONTROLS TO BE EXTENDED AND EXPANDED AS THE COST OF LIVING CONTINUES SKYROCKETING IN THE STATE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> LOOKING FOR AN APARTMENT, I HAVE HAD TO GO FURTHER DOWN THE STATE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT IS MORE FEASIBLE.

EVEN THEN, IT'S GETTING A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT.

>> ALI HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CALL HER ON FOR AT LEAST THE LAST YEAR.

SHE SAYS RENT PRICES ARE SO HIGH, SHE HAS NO PRICE, CHOICE, BUT TO LIVE AT HOME WITH HER PARENTS AND ELIZABETH REED >> 23, COLLEGE GRADUATE WITH A SALARY JOB.

I CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE CITY.

MOST OF THE APARTMENTS THAT ARE UP FOR RENT ARE GOING FOR LIKE 16, 17, $1800.

I CANNOT AFFORD THAT LIVING BY MYSELF AND HOW CAN PEOPLE WITH EMILYS DO IT?

>> SHE AND OTHER RESIDENTS ARE CALLING ON OFFICIALS TO EXTEND RENT CONTROL LAWS BEFORE THEY ASK AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> EVERY CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE PAST MONTH HAS BEEN PACKED WITH RESIDENTS THAT ARE PUSHING TO MAKE SURE THAT RENT CONTROL STAYS IN PLACE.

>> SARAH, DIRECTOR OF MAKE THE ROAD NEW JERSEY SAYS NEW JERSEYANS HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE CRISIS WELL BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND THEY RECENTLY RELEASED A REPORT ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES AND ELIZABETH AS WELL AS PASSAIC.

THAT REPORT REVEALING RENT HAS BEEN UP BY MORE THAN 30% OVER THE PAST YEAR, PUTTING NEW JERSEY IN SEVENTH PLACE FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATE FOR RENTERS.

IT ALSO SHOWS ROUGHLY 50,000 NEW EVICTION CASES WERE FILED IN THE FIRST WORD OF 2022 ALONE WITH ABOUT 201,000 HOUSEHOLDS STILL AT RISK.

MANY OF THEM PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> WE FOUND MANY TENANTS ARE HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING FOR RENT AND PAYING FOR FOOD AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES.

OF THOSE TENANTS, MANY WERE REPORTING THAT THEY WERE FALLING BEHIND ON RENT IN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS.

>> THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED EVERYBODY.

BUT NOW THAT THE SECOND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND DID ALMOST A YEAR AGO AND THINGS ARE STARTING TO OPEN UP, AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING HISTORIC INFLATION, RENT FREEZES ARE NOT THE ANSWER, NOT THE SOLUTION.

>> ATTORNEY DEVON REED IS AGAINST CONTROL LAWS.

AS PAST PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, HE SAYS VENTING EFFECTIVE RENT IN LEUCISTIC A HUGE TOLL ON LANDLORDS WHO ARE ALSO DEALING WITH HIGHER COST, ESPECIALLY SMALLER PROPERTY OWNERS WHO RELY ON RENT TO PAY THEIR OWN BILLS.

INSTEAD, REID SAYS BETTER SOLUTIONS WOULD INCLUDE MORE HOUSING VOUCHERS FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND TACKLING THE HOUSING SHORTAGE CRISIS.

>> NEW BUILDINGS THAT HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON THOSE WHO CAN RENT AS FAR AS AFFORDABILITY SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE MORE GOOD, DECENT, HABITABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> MATT SHAPIRO, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY TENANTS ORGANIZATION, RECOMMENDS USING AN IMPROVED FORMULA TO CALCULATE RENT INCREASES THAT CAN ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.

>> I WOULD SUGGEST THREE QUARTERS AT MOST.

MAYBE HALF WITH A CAP OF 3%.

IF THEY DO THAT, THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY TWO YEARS.

>> HOUSING ADVOCATES ARE HOPING THEIR CONCERNS WILL BE HEARD AND MORE PROTECTIONS FOR THE MANY RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET WILL BE PUT IN PLACE.

FOR AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM A MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PUT ARMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJREALTOR.COM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT 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, AND ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.