>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪ >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY DELIVERED HIS FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET ADDRESS THIS AFTERNOON SAYING HIS BUDGET IS ROOTED IN A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO MOVING THE STATE FORWARD, CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY FAMILY AND MAKING THE STATE MORE AFFORDABLE.

THE $48.9 BILLION BUDGET CONTAINS MORE SPENDING THAN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, BUT THERE ARE NO NEW TAXES ACCORDING TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT INCLUDES $900 MILLION IN DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS.

INCREASED MONEY FOR SCHOOLS, AND A FULL CONTRIBUTION TO THE STATE'S PENSION SYSTEM.

THERE'S ENOUGH FUNDING TO PREVENT A FARE INCREASE AT NJ TRANSIT.

THE GOVERNOR'S DELIVERING HIS BUDGET BLUEPRINT AS A NEW POLL FINDS JUST UNDER HALF OF NEW JERSEYIANS APPROVE OF THE OVERALL JOB HE'S DOING, BUT THE RUTGERS EAGLETON POLL ALSO FINDS MURPHY'S FAVORABILITY RATING HAS DROPPED TO 33% DOWN FROM 50% IN NOVEMBER WHEN HE WAS REELECTED.

FOR SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BUNT ADDRESS AS WELL AS THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO MURPHY'S PROPOSAL, WE TURN TO SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WHO WAS AT THE STATE HOUSE TODAY.

>> Reporter: WITH STATE FLUSHED WITH CASH, GOVERNOR MURPHY PROPOSED A NEARLY $49 BILLION SPENDING PLAN, ABOUT 5% MORE THAN LAST YEAR THAT INCLUDED NO NEW TAXES OR FEES.

WITH THE PANDEMIC IN RETREAT, MURPHY ADDRESSED THE FULL LEGISLATURE IN PERSON AT THE STATE HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS.

>> IT HAS BEEN WITHOUT ANY DOUBT A LONG AND HARD TWO YEARS.

TODAY WE ARE BACK IN THIS CHAMBER.

MORE IMPORTANTLY NEW JERSEY IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: MURPHY EXPRESSED SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE, NOTING THE STATE IS WORKING TO DISINVEST IN ANY RUSSIAN OWNED SECURITIES AND BUSINESSES.

HE INVITED ORTHODOX CLERGY TO LEAD THE AUDIENCE IN PRAYER, AND OFFERED HEARTFELT SUPPORT.

>> AS NEW JERSEYIANS, WE STAND UNIFIED WITH OUR ALLIES AND SO MANY ACROSS THE WORLD IN CALLING FOR AN END TO THE UNPROVOKED AND DESPERATE AGGRESSION OF THE PUTIN REGIME AGAINST THE FREE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S MAIN THEMES AND THIS BUDGET MESSAGE, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY FOR HARD PRESSED NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS.

>> THIS BUDGET IS ROOTED IN A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO MOVING OUR STATE FORWARD, CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY FAMILY AND MAKING OUR STATE MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> Reporter: EDUCATION HEADS THE BIG TICKET ITEMS IN MURPHY'S BUDGET, 40% OF SPENDING.

IT DEVOTES $9.9 BILLION IN AID FROM K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT'S $650 MILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

THE TOTAL ALSO INCLUDES TEACHER PENSION PAYMENTS, FUNDING FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION.

MURPHY SAID IT WILL EASE TAX BURDENS AND ENHANCE COMMUNITIES.

>> GREAT SCHOOLS PROTECT A HOMEOWNERS INVESTMENT.

THEY MAKE COMMUNITIES MORE ATTRACTIVE TO PERSPECTIVE NEW RESIDENCE.

EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR OF IT IS INVESTED AS A DOLLAR INVESTED IN OUR FUTURE AND IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR ALSO ANNOUNCED HE WOULD CONTINUE MAKING WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS FULL PAYMENTS INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM.

SPENDING $6.8 BILLION INCLUDING DEDICATED LOTTERY REVENUES.

THAT ABOUT MATCHES LAST YEAR'S CONTRIBUTION.

>> LAST WEEK HAPPILY WE RECEIVED DIRECT PROOF THE FINANCIAL COURSE WE ARE FOLLOWING IS THE RIGHT ONE.

WITH THE NEWS THAT THEY UPGRADED OUR CREDIT RATING.

>> Reporter: JERSEY'S TAX REVENUES SOARED THIS YEAR 10% OVER PROJECTIONS AND FEDERAL PANDEMIC AID ADDED BILLIONS MORE.

ITS EXTRA CASH MURPHY WOULD DISTRIBUTE TO HELP EASE THE SQUEEZE ON JERSEY RESIDENTS BURDENED BY THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES AND SOARING RENTS.

HIS EXPANDED HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM CALLED ANCHOR, WOULD SPEND $900 MILLION OFFERING HOMEOWNERS MAKING UP TO $250,000 A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT AVERAGING $680 IN ITS FIRST YEAR.

RENTERS MAKING UP TO $100,000 COULD GET CHECKS.

$250 FOR SENIORS AND DISABLED, $150 FOR NONSENIOR DISABLED.

>> FOR THE ANCHOR PROGRAM WE WILL IMMEDIATELY KNOCK THE EFFECTIVE COST OF WHAT OUR HOMEOWNERS ARE PAYING IN PROPERTY TAXES TO LEVELS NOT SEEN SINCE 2016, IF NOT EVEN LONGER AGO.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED SETTING ASIDE $4 BILLION IN SURPLUS FUNDS AND WOULD PAY $1.3 BILLION TOWARDS DEBT REDUCTION, A DEPOSIT HE WANTS TO MAKE BEFORE THE BUDGET DEADLINE.

BUT WITH GAS PRICES WELL NORTH OF $4 A GALLON, INFLATION DRIVING UP THE COST OF EVERYTHING FROM GROCERIES TO CARS, LAWMAKERS NOTE JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE DEMANDING RELIEF.

VOTERS MADE THAT CLEAR WHEN THEY REELECTED MURPHY WITH A SLIMMER THAN EXPECTED MARGIN.

AND REPUBLICANS WHILE IN THE MINORITY HIT THAT HARD.

>> THE GOVERNOR STATED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT THERE ARE NO NEW TAXES.

THAT'S COMPLETELY INTELLECTUALLY DISINGENUOUS.

WE HAVE TWO HIKES IN EMPLOYER PAYROLL TAXES COMING AND AN ADDITIONAL $600 MILLION ON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD.

SO YOU KNOW I DON'T KNOW HOW HE CAN SAY THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE THAT THERE ARE NO NEW TAXES IN THIS BUDGET.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE PROPOSING AN ALTERNATIVE TAX PLAN FOR THOSE EARNING UP TO $500,000.

THEY WOULD GIVE THOSE $1,000 TO FAMILIES AND NOT WAIT UNTIL FY23.

>> HE'S SITTING ON BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT HE COULD BE GIVING BACK TO THE OVERBURDENED NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS.

>> Reporter: THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN.

NEXT COMES WEEKS OF HEARINGS AND NEGOTIATIONS AS LAWMAKERS HAMMER OUT THEIR VERSION OF THE BUDGET.

REMEMBER DEMOCRATS HOLD THE MAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES.

THE BUDGET DEADLINE IS JUNE 30.

AT THE STATE HOUSE IN TRENTON, I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FOR NOW ON THE BUDGET, I SPOKE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ AND BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHTMEYER.

DAVID, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT WERE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THIS SPEECH THAT THE GOVERNOR GAVE?

WAS IT QUINN ESSENTIAL PHIL MURPHY?

>> I MEAN IT'S AS MURPHY AS MURPHY CAN GET, RIGHT?

I THINK THIS IS A PIVOTAL BUDGET FOR THIS GOVERNOR.

MANY PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO SPECULATE HE'S GOING TO TRY TO MAKE A RUN AT THE PRESIDENCY.

HE'S GOT TO REALLY HAVE NEW JERSEY BUTTONED UP.

AND HAVING A BUDGET THIS YEAR THAT'S SO FLUSH WITH CASH FROM SO MANY SOURCES HELPED HIM A LOT.

I THINK, I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE HE GOES TOMORROW AND THE WEEKS AFTER THAT.

IS HE GOING TO GO OUT AND PROMOTE THIS BUDGET?

IS HE GOING TO DO LIKE LAST YEAR MOVE ON WITH OTHER BUSINESS?

I GET THE SENSE THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SPEECH FOR THEM AS A KICK OFF TO THE NEXT PHASE, WHATEVER THAT NEXT PHASE IS.

>> Reporter: JOHN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL YEAR FOR NEW JERSEY IN TERMS OF THE FACT WE ARE FLUSH WITH CASH AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE LOOKING AT A BUDGET WHERE SPENDING ONCE AGAIN INCREASES THIS YEAR.

>> YEAH, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, RHONDA.

YOU KNOW SPENDING YEAR OVER YEAR IS UP 5% ACCORDING TO THE BUDGET PROPOSAL, WHICH IS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT LESS THAN THE RATE OF INFLATION OVER THE LAST YEAR UNFORTUNATELY.

FOR MURPHY IT'S NOT THE GREATEST THING.

IT'S COMING AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE SEEING REVENUES REALLY SURGE BOTH DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND IMPORTANTLY CARRYING ON IN TERMS OF THE NEW FISCAL YEAR OR AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS PROJECTING.

SO THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE ALL THE MONEY TO DO THINGS LIKE SPENDING UP TO NEARLY $900 MILLION ON DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF CREDITS AND EXPANDING THE AMOUNT OF HOMEOWNERS WHO CAN RECEIVE THEM.

THERE'S MORE KIND OF MEAT AND POTATO THINGS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS THEMSELVES.

>> DAVID, OF COURSE, THE BIG HOT BUTTON TAX CREDIT, AFFORDABILITY.

DID MURPHY GO ON THE OFFENSIVE?

WILL IT BE HARD FOR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO ARGUE AGAINST SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS?

>> YEAH, I MEAN I THINK THE TEAM HAS REGROUPED AFTER THE ELECTION AND SEEN THAT THE THEME GOING FORWARD IS AFFORDABILITY.

I THINK THAT THIS BUDGET PRESENTED IT IN SUCH A WAY.

IF YOU THINK OF LAST YEAR RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION WHEN THEY ALL WENT OUT TO LOW INCOME AND WORKING CLASS FOLKS.

WELL THIS YEAR IT'S GOING TO BE TO THE MIDDLE CLASS WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING AN IMMEDIATE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WHEN THEY CREATED THE HASHTAG GIVE IT BACK.

HERE IS MURPHY STARTING TO GIVE IT BACK.

>> JOHN, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS.

THAT'S ANOTHER PART OF THE PROPERTY TAX PICTURE.

IT'S PRETTY HEALTHY INCREASE IN THIS BUDGET?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO YOU KNOW THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO BE DEDICATED, WHAT'S KNOWN AS FORMULA AID, WHICH GOES RIGHT INTO THE CLASSROOM IS ALMOST $10 BILLION.

THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON THE NEARLY $50 MILLION BUDGET.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS RELY HEAVILY ON REVENUE FROM LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ARGUED THAT THE MONEY IS A FORM OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ALBEIT MAYBE INDIRECT.

THAT'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THIS PROPOSAL.

CITY THINK TO DAVID'S POINT, REPUBLICANS EVEN BEFORE THE BUDGET CAME OUT WE WERE HEARING THAT WE WANT MORE IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

PEOPLE PROVIDED MORE SOME TYPE OF A REBATE RIGHT AWAY.

I GUESS THEY COULD STILL MAKE THAT ARGUMENT BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THAT WE DISCUSSED, IT'S SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY LAWMAKERS, THEN GOES OUT MONTHS AFTER THE BUDGET ITSELF GETS STRUCK SOME TIME AT THE END OF JUNE OR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINS ON JULY 1.

SO I GUESS WE COULD HEAR MORE OF THOSE ARGUMENTS GOING FORWARD AS WELL THAT THE STATE IS FLUSHED WITH CASH.

MORE MONEY SHOULD BE GIVEN OUT RIGHT AWAY.

BUT THAT'S ALWAYS A DIFFICULT THING BECAUSE WILL IT LAST?

BUDGETING IS KIND OF ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS.

>> DAVID, HOW WOULD YOU EXPECT THE LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS ON THE BUDGET TO GO THIS YEAR?

YOU KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CRITICISMS IN THE PAST ABOUT HEARINGS NOT BEING AS TRANSPARENT.

WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP NOW.

HOW MIGHT THAT CHANGE?

>> YEAH, THAT'S GOING TO BE REAL INTERESTING.

THE OTHER THING IS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE TRADITIONAL PROCESS OF BUDGETING.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOLKS SHOWING UP 10, 15, 20 AT A TIME DEPENDING ON WHAT BUDGET ITEMS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE BACK TO, YOU KNOW, THIS HANDS ON EVERYBODY IN THE SAME ROOM KIND OF AN ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THAT'LL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

AGAIN THIS IS A FISCAL DOCUMENT, OBVIOUSLY, BUT ALSO A POLITICAL DOCUMENT.

IT SAYS WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS PUTTING THE MONEY TO MATCH WHERE HIS MOUTH HAS GONE.

>> DAVID, JOHN, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> FOR MORE DETAILS ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED SPENDING PLAN, YOU CAN READ JOHN'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT THE U.S. WILL BAN ALL IMPORTS OF RUSSIAN FUEL IN RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

THE U.S. IS FAR LESS DEPENDENT ON RUSSIA FOR FUEL THAN OTHER NATIONS, BUT THE PRESIDENT INDICATED THE ACTION SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE TO RUSSIAN LEADER VLADIMIR PUTIN.

>> WE ARE BANNING ALL OF RUSSIA'S FUEL, GAS, AND ENERGY.

[ INAUDIBLE ] AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DEAL WITH OTHERS.

THIS HAS STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS AND I BELIEVE THE COUNTRY.

AMERICANS HAVE RALLIED TO SUPPORT THEIR AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WE WILL NOT BE A PART OF SUBSIDIZING POST WAR.

>> TODAY'S ACTION COMES AFTER PLEAS FROM UKRAINIAN LEADER VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY TO PUT MORE ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON RUSSIA.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ALSO CALLED ON CONGRESS TO PASS A $12 BILLION AID PACKAGE FOR UKRAINE.

ON THIS 13th DAY OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION, UKRAINIAN FORCES ARE HOLDING ON TO CONTROL OF THE CAPITAL CITY KYIV, BUT IN THE SOUTH OFFICIALS SAY CIVILIANS ARE TRAPPED AND STRUGGLING TO GET FOOD AND WATER AS RUSSIA'S MILITARY CONTINUES ITS BOMBARDMENT.

UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS SAY RUSSIA IS VIOLATING CEASE FIRE AGREEMENTS ON SOME ESCAPE ROUTES ALTHOUGH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EVACUATE FROM THE EASTERN CITY.

ABOUT TWO MILLION UKRAINIANS HAVE NOW FLED THEIR COUNTRY ACCORDING TO THE U.N. OUR JOANNA GAGIS SPOKE WITH CONGRESSWOMAN MIKEY CHERYL ABOUT THESE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN CHERYL, THIS MORNING WE SAW PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCE THE U.S. WOULD BAN RUSSIAN IMPORTS OF OIL.

WE'VE ALSO SEEN SEVERAL COMPANIES RECENTLY OIL COMPANIES DO THE SAME.

DO YOU BELIEVE AT THIS POINT THAT THIS FURTHER STEP WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

IT WILL DETER PUTIN?

>> YOU KNOW THIS IS REALLY HITTING PUTIN WHERE IT HURTS WITH GAS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT LONGER-TERM DISINVESTMENT FROM RUSSIAN GAS, WHICH IS SOMETHING HE HAS TO BE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT BECAUSE THIS ISN'T JUST NEAR-TERM SANCTIONS, THIS IS LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT COMPANIES ACROSS THE WORLD REALLY DISINVESTING FROM SOME OF THE DRILLING THAT'S GOING ON, SOME OF THE NEW OIL FIELDS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPLORING.

SO THIS CERTAINLY HAS TO HAVE CAUGHT PUTIN'S EYE, AND IT REALLY HELPS THE WORLD PUT PRESSURE ON HIM TO END THIS UNPROVOKED WAR AGAINST UKRAINE.

>> YET EVEN WITH THE PRESSURE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PUT ON HIM HE ONLY SEEMS TO BE DOUBLING DOWN.

THIS WEEKEND WE SAW INCREASED CALLS FOR THIS NO FLY ZONE.

UKRAINIANS CALLING FOR NATO.

THE U.N., UNITED STATES TO COVER THE SKIES, WHICH ESSENTIALLY MEANS SHOOTING DOWN RUSSIAN PLANES.

AT WHAT POINT DO YOU SEE THAT BEING A VIABLE OPTION?

>> I WAS IN UKRAINE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WORKING HARD ON THE MEASURES WE WERE TAKING AS WE WERE UNITING WITH OUR EU AND NATO ALLIES TO TRY TO SHOW PUTIN THIS WAS A BAD IDEA.

I SAID BEFORE AND I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE HE'S TRULY MISCALCULATING THIS INVASION AND WHAT IT WOULD COST HIM AND THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE.

IT'S UP TO US TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT PRESSURE ON HIM, SO HE WITHDRAWS.

WE'RE NOT AT THAT POINT THAT WE THINK, WE, THE UNITED STATES, THINKS THAT A NO FLY ZONE WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

THAT INVOLVES SHOOTING OUT RUSSIAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STATIONS.

>> SO WHEN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THIS, I THINK THEY'RE JUST REALLY WANTING VERY MUCH TO HELP THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE, HELP THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND THE REASON WE'VE NOT TAKEN THAT STEP NOR DO I SUPPORT THAT STEP IS BECAUSE WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING INTO A HOT WAR WITH RUSSIA.

WE'VE HEARD PUTIN DISCUSS THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

I DO THINK THAT TO DATE WITH SABER RATTLING TO REMIND PEOPLE HE HAS THOSE NUCLEAR WEAPONS, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD UNDERESTIMATE PUTIN'S WILL TO USE THOSE.

WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THE COOL CUELATIONS THAT WE TAKE WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

>> SPEAKING OF UNDERESTIMATING HIM, THERE ARE CONCERNS NOW THAT UKRAINE IS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN THE COUNTRY THAT HE WANTS TO OBTAIN.

DO YOU FEEL THOSE CONCERNS ARE FOUNDED?

DO YOU THINK POLAND POSSIBLY COULD BE NEXT?

>> WELL YOU KNOW WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A STATE LIKE POLAND, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEMBERS OF NATO.

THAT IS A VERY DIFFERENT CALCULATION FOR THE UNITED STATES.

SO IF PUTIN ATTACKED POLAND, ROMANIA, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, THAT WOULD INCITE AN ATTACK AGAINST RUSSIA.

HE KNOWS THAT.

WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR.

IN FACT OUR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SAID THAT WE WILL NOT SEED ONE INCH OF NATO TERRITORY.

AND I THINK PUTIN HAS HEARD THAT.

I DO NOT THINK HE WILL VIOLATE THAT.

IF HE DOES MAKE NO MISTAKE THAT WILL INCITE A DIFFERENT RESPONSE.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE AMERICANS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS, NATO EFFORTS, EVEN AS THE PRICES OF GAS HERE AT HOME CONTINUES TO RISE?

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT WAYS WE ARE TRYING TO MITIGATE THE AFFECTS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE EUROPEAN PUBLIC.

SO DOING THINGS LIKE I HAVE CALLED TO HAVE A GAS TAX HOLIDAY TO BRING PRICES AT THE PUMP DOWN WHILE WE ADDRESS THIS.

TO RELEASE MORE OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE TO CONTINUE TO BRING PRICES DOWN.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE LONG TERM.

SO WE NEED TO TAKE STEPS NOT JUST FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO FOR OUR NATIONAL SECURITY TO MITIGATE OUR RELIANT ON FOSSIL FUELS.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN CHERYL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> WHEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE THERE WERE 16,000 INDIAN STUDENTS STUDYING IN THE COUNTRY.

THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT REACHED OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS ASKING FOR HELP.

ONE MAN FROM PENNINGTON ALONG WITH THREE OF HIS FRIENDS ANSWERED THAT CALL.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS THEY TRAVELED TO POLAND TO VOLUNTEER AT A REFUGEE CAMP HELPING TO FEED STUDENTS AND OTHERS WHO ARE FLEEING UKRAINE.

>> THEY SHARED STORIES OF TRYING TO ESCAPE, BOMB BLASTING, AND RUSHING ONTO A TRAIN, HAVING A 50/50 CHANCE, YOU KNOW, OF SURVIVAL.

>> Reporter: PENNINGTON RESIDENT PATEL DESCRIBING THE HARSH REALITY FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FLEEING UKRAINE TO POLAND INCLUDING 16,000 INDIAN STUDENTS STUDYING IN UKRAINE.

THAT'S WHY PATEL ALONG WITH THREE OF HIS FRIENDS FLEW HALF WAY ACROSS THE WORLD TO HELP.

THEY BOOKED THEIR FLIGHTS AND PAID FOR THE TRIP OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS TO CONNECT IT WITH A HINDU ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES UNITY AND SELF-SERVICE AND HAS MORE THAN SIX LOCATIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> INITIATING EVENT FOR US TO TRAVEL FROM NEW JERSEY TO POLAND WAS BECAUSE THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAD REACHED OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING VAPS TO HELP BRING BACK INDIAN STUDENTS WHO WERE STUDYING IN UKRAINE AND FLEEING THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: VIA ZOOM FROM POLAND, THE FOUR JERSEY BOYS DISCUSSED WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE ON THE GROUND IN A HUMANITARIAN LIFE CENTER NOT FAR FROM THE UKRAINIAN BORDER.

THEIR ROLE WAS SIMPLE, TO WELCOME THE INDIAN STUDENTS WITH HOT VEGETARIAN MEALS, AND OTHERS COMMITTED TO TRADITIONALLY PLANT BASED DIETS.

>> THERE WERE A FEW COACH BUSES FROM INDIAN STUDENTS WHO HAD RECENTLY CROSSED THE BORDER AND THE EMBASSY TEAM HAD A RANGE OF THE TRANSPORT.

SO WE SPENT THE EVENING SERVING THEM FOOD, SERVING THEM HOT DINNERS.

FOODS THAT ARE PREFERABLE TO THEM, INDIAN FOOD THAT REMINDS THEM OF HOME, BRINGS THEM SOME COMFORT.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO HELPING THE STUDENTS FIND THEIR WAY HOME TO INDIA, THE MEN ALSO HELPED PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR ANY FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARRIVING AT THE BORDER.

>> THERE WAS A LADY THAT WALKED IN WITH A BABY STRAPPED ON HER BODY.

SHE ALSO HAD A STROLLER, BUT THE STROLLER WAS ACTUALLY PACKED WITH ALL THE THINGS THEY HAD PACKED AND BAGS AND ETC.

AND I ASKED AND SHE DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH, BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I DON'T THINK SERVICE OR HOPE OR ANY OF THESE TERMS REQUIRE TO HAVE ANY LANGUAGE BARRIERS.

>> HE DESCRIBED THE TEMPERATURES BEING BELOW 30 AND SNOWING, MAKING IT A LONG AND BRUTAL WALK TO THE BORDER FOR MANY OF THESE FAMILIES.

>> IT'S HONESTLY MORE THAN ANYTHING, MORE THAN SCARY.

I WOULD SAY IT'S MORE THAN SCARY THAT YOU FEEL EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED.

WHAT PEOPLE HAD TO GO THROUGH ESPECIALLY AS YOU HEARD THEM LEAVING WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY WITH THIS MOM AND BABY WRAPPED AROUND HER CHEST.

THEY JUST WALKED, THEY WERE OUT THERE IN THE COLD FOR 24 HOURS.

ONE MEMBER WAS VERY CLOSE AND I GOT REALLY EMOTIONAL THAT THERE WAS A FAMILY THERE, FOUR KIDS.

ONE OF THEM WAS LIKE A 4-YEAR-OLD OR A 6-YEAR-OLD PROBABLY.

I CAME AND HANDED OUT THE TOOTHBRUSH.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> YOU KNOW THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HELP.

DONATIONS AND MONETARY LEAD YOU MENTIONED, NOT EVERYONE WILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE GOT THAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT THE LEAST ONE THING WE ALL CAN DO IS PRAY FOR PEACE.

>> IT'S VERY HARD FOR US TO STEP OUTSIDE OF OUR HUMILITY.

SO INSTEAD OF JUST BEING LIKE A PERSONAL MISSION, WE JUST WANTED TO BE INCLUSIVE FOR EVERYBODY THAT WE KNOW.

>> THE FOUR PLAN TO BE HOME BY NOW, BUT INSTEAD THEY'VE EXTENDED THEIR STAY IN HOPE TO PROVIDE LOVE AND FAITH TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> YOU CAN NOW OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FREE COVID-19 TESTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

EACH HOUSEHOLD IS ALLOWED TO ORDER A TOTAL OF EIGHT TESTS.

SO IF YOU ALREADY ORDERED FOUR AT-HOME COVID TESTS BACK IN JANUARY WHEN THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED, YOU CAN ORDER FOR MORE TESTS.

THIS TIME THE TESTS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE MORE QUICKLY.

THE LATEST COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS IN NEW JERSEY SHOWS ANOTHER 23 CONFIRMED COVID-19 DEATHS AND 1,072 POSITIVE TESTS.

THE STATE'S SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE FOR CONFIRMED CASES IS DOWN 61% P FROM A MONTH AGO.

>>> THE STOCK MARKET SUFFERED ITS WORSE SELLOFF SINCE THE FALL OF 2020 YESTERDAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW TRADING WRAPPED UP TODAY.

>>> THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJTVNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS THAT IS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

SERVING INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.