Announcer: Major funding for NJ Spotlight News is provided in part by, Insurance group.

So the residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

And, by the PSEG foundation.

BRIANA: More than $1 billion in the taking.

Governor Murphy today, announcing who gets a piece of this massive settlement pie.

>> The fact that the perpetrators are paying for this is a sweet revenge for all the tragedy they have caused.

BRIANA: Plus, Senator Cory Booker finally calling for a ceasefire but choosing his words carefully, as the Israel-Hamas war enters its fifth month, and pressure from Palestinian families here mounts.

>> Cease Fire is absolutely necessary to save the lives that remaining in Gaza.

BRIANA: Also, no contract, no beer.

In Newark Anheuser-Busch Brewery ,, employees stage a practice picket calling for better wages and benefits as a potential strike looms.

>> Obviously it's not something that you want to do, but if it comes down to it, that is what we have to do to get to everyone to be.

BRIANA: And the congestion pricing battle rages on.

Bergen County joins the states lawsuit against New York City is 's Midtown total price plan.

>> Shim on the empty if her thinking its OK so they can gain additional dollars.

BRIANA: NJSpotlightNews begins right now.

♪ ANNOUNCER: from NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

BRIANA: Good evening and thanks for joining us this Thursday night.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

It's no consolation for families who lost loved ones to the opioid epidemic, but Governor Murphy today announced a major investment in the fight against the crisis.

Armed with $95,000,000 in settlement money from the opioid industry to expand recovery ande battling addiction.

It means New Jersey billion to a the cause.

And, as Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis reports, they will need every penny.

>> To the honor to announce we would be investing over $95 over the next three years into a range of evidence-based strategies to expand care and support individuals in recovery.

Reporter: Governor Murphy joined with commissioners from the Department of Health and Human Services today, to announce the first front of investments that will be made by the state, the result of several opioid lawsuits brought by the Attorney General's office have garnered approximately $1.

2 billion in settlements for the state.

>> This funding is actually coming from settlement payments we are receiving from the opioid industry itself as a result of our litigation against them for creating and then fueling the opioid crisis.

Reporter: Those companies include several pharmaceuticals, including New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson, along with three of the nation process largest Pharma distributors, and two of the largest pharmacies in the country, CVS and Walgreens.

>> The fact that the perpetrators are paying for this is a bit of sweet revenge, I think, for all the treasure do they have caused.

Reporter: the Department of human services Commissioner opened up today about her own connection to the issue, as the daughter of a parent who lost their life to substance use disorder.

She served as chair of the Advisory Council that used data to make recommendations on where the money should go.

It will be broken into six buckets.

>> $24 million to harm reduction expansion activities to better meet people where they are.

$17 million to support community.

Recovery centers, which are safe and welcoming places for individuals ready to receive support for their recovery.

$9 million to expand mobile medication for addiction treatment, which is an effective Barria and evidence-based strategy.

Reporter: In addition to the harm reduction, treatment and medication funding, the state will also investigate windows in keeping families together programs that use trauma-inform therapy, 19.

5 within dollars to help patients access medication treatment, and 17 women dollars in support for housing stability for those struggling with addiction.

This, as the state is just starting to see the numbers come down to under 3000 suspected opioid deaths a year.

>> While we are flattened the curve, we are not letting the all.

And as we have seen the numbers drop off for weight New Jerseyans, we have actually seen them continue to rise in the Black and Brown communities in our state, which is unacceptable.

We are seeing disproportionate amounts of people really affected in rural areas, and staggering numbers in the elderly population.

Reporter: Members of the advisory Council, like Newark community Street teams are continuing to lend their support to allergic or to just plan that will guide the state on spending the money.

>> These recommendations are not purely words on paper, they are the result of countless hours of listening, analyzing, and debating.

Then we held public sessions to hear directly from New Jersey residents most impacted by this crisis.

Reporter: And today the administration made this commitment.

>> Not a dollar will be spent filling budget holes or potholes.

Reporter: It will take about 18 years for that full 1.

2 billion dollars to come in, and the numbers could increase as more lawsuits are resolved.

The state does plan to reopen its portal to receive recommendations from the public as to how that money should be spent.

Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: Turning to the Middle East Israeli forces today sent , troops into the main hospital in southern Gaza Khan Younis, and what it says was in a person to recover bodies of hostages and search for musket fighters.

The Gaza Health Ministry accused the IDF of storming the complex.

Leaving an undetermined number of people killed and injured, including an emergency doctor.

The medical charity Doctors without Borders, which has staff members at the hospital, urged Israel to stop the operation.

The Israeli military is facing rising international condemnation over its strength on Gaza.

U. S. Senator Cory Booker on Wednesday joined Wendy for others in support of ongoing U. S. efforts to free the remaining hostages taken by Hamas, along with what the center is called restoring it, quote, "mutual cease-fire agreement" in Gaza.

That is not exactly a call to the end of the war or to a cease-fire, but it is the closest request yet of to more than three months of fighting.

Today, policy and American families from New Jersey, whose loved ones are in Gaza made own desperate plea to elected officials, begging for their health before it is too late.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has the story.

>> This is where we're.

We are the voice of our families.

.

We are here to let everybody in America know that what is happening to Palestinians in Rafah.

Reporter: This this cutaway resident spoke for her uncle doing a news conference with Pro-Palestinian advocates.

She says he is struggling to survive in Rafah, even as an Israeli ground invasion Bertens this last refuge for funnest thing and evacuees.

A dozen family members and no central together in the tent.

>> My uncle is an 85-year-old man.

85-year-old man who now lives on the streets in a tent with little food.

He is leading today from hunger, or to be killed from Israel's ground invasion.

>> Some of my family members has survived the bombing and now, very much starving.

Can't find food.

Cannot find any kind of clean water or any kind of water.

Reporter: Adam lives in Springfield.

He says only in northern Gaza now eat animal feed to stay alive.

And that his cousin was abducted by Israeli soldiers.

Every speaker listed family members killed or missing in this conflict.

>> These are penicillin Americans, residents of New Jersey, who are calling on elected officials to demand action be taken immediately.

A ceasefire now is necessary.

Cease Fire now is absolutely necessary to save the lives of the remaining in Gaza.

Reporter: Noting that only two of New Jersey's congressional representatives, Democrats Bonnie Watson Coleman and Donald Payne have called for Cease Fire, families addressed elected officials who don't support their cause.

>> Don't even reach out to us.

Don't waste your time.

Reporter: Speakers pushed the political message hard, valving to make this an issue at the polls.

Nick Ochs threw two the governor too.

During a Lunar New Year event at the governor's mansion, a couple of protesters demanded Governor Murphy disband the commission, which fosters cultural and economic ties between the New Jersey and Israel.

>> The bombings in Rafah.

>> You're not going to do that.

>> It's really important to contextualize the anger of those who were at that place, why they approached the governor.

They feel that it has been four months.

People have been calling on the governor and elected officials to reevaluate New Jersey's relationship with Israel, and our calls have been following on deaf ears.

Reporter: After the encounter, Murphy raged that he felt "white-hot mad" in a furious text to staff and others.

Today the government explained -- >> We stand for protecting innocent lives as best we can.

The substance, I get completely, but the statement we put out about what happened will stand for itself.

Reporter: Murphy said, he understands the enormous passions in volunteer, but us for a cease-fire -- >> Item where I am.

I think where the Biden administration is -- let's remember how musket started this, let's not forget that.

How musket has let the -- how muskhamas has let the policy and people down.

Reporter: Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: They make one of the most popular beers in the nation, and now workers at on Heather Boushey in Newark are ready to walk off the job.

Employees represented by the Teamsters union held an informational picket line to the outside the brewery, in the thick of intense contract negotiations with the iconic viewer brand -- Dearborn over similar demands have been made across the country in just about every industry -- higher pay, increased job security, and better health care.

As Ted Goldberg reports, workers say that if the deal is not reached by February 29, they will strike.

Reporter: Looks like a strike, and it sounds like a strike.

[chanting] Reporter: But it's not a strike.

It's a practice strike.

That's what it is called by some workers at Anheuser-Busch brewery in Newark.

Their contract ends in two weeks, and the Teamsters, representing almost 200 workers here, are demanding better benefits and higher pay.

>> you saw the Super Bowl commercials, apparently they spent $21 million on that.

There has been a billion-dollar stock buyback.

Former CEO is getting paid $40 million a year.

We feel that it is time that something, our way.

>> With the price of everything going up in society right now, gas prices, food prices, everything, we have to be able to accommodate your family and be able to purchase things for your family.

>> Not just thinking about family, I am head of household for a few people in my family, not just people that live in my house, but other families.

Reporter: Workers like Rob Carter say they like working here and they want assurances about job security.

>> This is such a good job and I love the people here.

You just don't want to keep looking for work.

Getting older, it's a tough market to find a job.

>> It's actually hard out here to find a job.

To know that we will have a job after this contract is negotiated, it will be a good thing.

Reporter: If there is no contract, we could see a strike here, the Teamsters voted 90 & to authorize a strike in December which could affect 5000 workers at 12 breweries nationwide.

>> It's not something we want to do that if it comes down to it, that's just something we have to do to get to where we want to be.

>> The Teamsters across the world have strayed from the threat of going on strike at UPS was enough for them to secure a really good contract for their members.

This records Reporter: Labor professor says work stoppage as this brewery was good the ongoing trend of strengths and big industries.

>> You're coming off a year of strikes.

In 2023 there were big wins by labor, we saw the screen actors on strike meant writers Guild, of those were successful strikes that the most with that when workers and show solidarity, they are able to make big win s at the bargaining table.

>> I feel the same way.

We have to be heard from the Reporter: In response to the story, Anheuser-Busch sent a statement which we, in part, "our top priority remains securing a contract that recognizes and rewards of a hard, and prioritizes the best jobs in the industry. "

They also say that if there is a strike, Anheuser-Busch has a continuity plan to continue brewing their beers in Newark.

In Newark, Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: Route 40, Luke was known as Black Horse Pike, is one of -- locally known as black Horse Pike, is one of the primary ways to get in and out of Atlantic City.

But a-mile-long stretch of the road floods multiple times a year.

It is a poster child for the states problem with the repercussions of longer and heavier rain events.

As Raven Santana reports, one lawmaker is pushing the state to give drivers financial relief when they got cut off from that main artery.

>> It's awful.

Reporter: Barry says he is sick and tired of being left stranded in his home when it floods, for hours.

His home is located just a short walk away from Lakes Bay, that is prone to flooding about 8 #* a year and affects anyone on the small street.

>> I have lost three cards and two motorcycles because it got so high.

You're talking to the right person.

It's a disgrace.

What are we?

Some humans?

On a regular basis, it floods every full moon and high tides.

But could also flood from heavy rain that has nothing to do with the tide, and once in a while when the wind is bad, the wind will blow it out of here.

Reporter: For mourners aren't the only ones impacted by the flooding, so our local drivers and the everyone and anyone who uses route 40.

Which is why Senator Vincent Polistina is introducing new legislation to change that.

>> Unfortunately route 40, which is a state roadway, floods constantly now and impacts people trying to come into Atlantic City and get out of Atlantic City, and also impacts the residents over there.

The alternate route is the express weight where there is a total.

So the bill would suspend those tools anytime the state has to call -- house to close the roadway which is impactful for people getting in and out of the, and also residents of Atlantic City.

They shouldn't have to pay additional money because the state road is flooding.

Reporter: He is confident the billable pass, regardless of political parties.

>> I am sure everyone will understand that this is an effect on the people here, the residents, and the people visiting Atlantic City.

I am sure we will get bipartisan support.

>> Atlantic City, I think, is a good example of the impact that sealevel rise can have on the economy, because most of the people that work in Atlantic City don't live in Atlantic City so they have to drive on and off the Highland.

From earlier service industry employees, casino employees, the people that make towards him around there.

The economy is tied to people being able to get on and off that island.

Reporter: The associate director of the perfect coast Institute, Tom Harrington, says that while the bill will give motorists a cheaper way to get around, he is concerned about the long waits for money and construction to elevate the road.

Is 27 would end on a project originally introduced almost five years ago.

>>.

>> When we talk about sealevel rise by 2050, that is just one component of the flood.

The reality is that on top of that sealevel, we have tides and storms.

So it's not just the High-end tide that may cause more frequent flooding.

It is the number of storms we get in the storm surges in the bay.

.

So when we look at the probability of future flooding, the storms become a key element of that.

And they can create more frequent flooding than we would expect just by adding the level rise to the tide unknown.

Reporter: The senator says the city needs a comprehensive program for dredging, and support from local and federal government to restore waterways in the areas which, he says, have not been restored free Hurricanes and condition.

I am Raven Santana, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: In North New Jersey Bergen County just officially , joined the ongoing fight against New York's construction pricing temperament come to leaders say a U. S. District Court judge approved the request to join the lawsuit against the Metropolitan transportation Authority, the MTA, which argues that the agency's plan to charge drivers an extra fee if the interurban Hutton South on 60th Street, is discriminatory because they nearly double what New Yorkers are charged.

Bergen County officials called a the plan a money grab and said it would burden North Jersey with more air pollution and increase traffic.

The judge's a substance of the request means come to leaders will be able to offer information and insight in the case.

>> When we start to look at congestion pricing, we start to realize that there were going to be major impacts not just to the area, but to the entire county.

You start to add tens of thousands of cars that never normally run --, cross the bridge, now you will have traffic delays, you will have people that can't to work on time.

You're almost creating a Bridgegate scenario.

♪ BRIANA: Gene Spotlight on Business Report, it's a bit of a mixed bag for the state's revenue figures.

New Jersey's budget got a boost from a strong holiday shopping season, according to the Treasury Department, but overall tax collections from July to January were down by about $329 million compared with the same period in the last fiscal year.

That news comes as the governor prepares to give his annual address to lawmakers this month, and just days after an independent group of experts warned the state is looking at assumes of major budget gaps in the not-too-distant future.

Our budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer is with me now.

Good to see you.

Give me a big takeaways from this revenue report that it is a little confusing.

It's positive, but overall, we are not turning in the right direction.

Guest: It's one of those things where it is good to get a bump from holiday shopping and good to have this past December season go better than the one before it, that's a good trend in the right direction.

However, overall, we are seeing revenues a bit off where they were this time last year.

It's not a big deal and it's not a big gap but what is important to keep in mind is one legislators enacted a new budget for the state last summer, they counted on their being modest growth back the biggest budget we have ever had in New Jersey.

So now we are seeing no growth, in fact, we are seeing things go a bit in the other direction.

It's not too late, but if you will be spending big, you want to see revenues coming into match it.

BRIANA: Where are we lagging specifically?

Guest: Two of the biggest sources the state has is the income tax and the business and corporation tax.

Those two so far, are lagging.

When people file their tax returns in April, that usually makes or breaks the state budget, when we get to April.

We either have a good year for income tax collections, we glide into the fiscal year in June.

If we have a bad year for tax collections in April, then we have to make adjustments headed into the end of June.

We really don't know.

We are in striking distance, but if the current trend continues and will continue to fall behind, we are spending more than we spent the prior year so that creates a gap.

BRIANA: Now that we are nearing the end of the state fiscal year, June 30, what happens if that shortfall remains, how does the state make up for it?

Can it?

Guest: Generally the Constitution of the Constitution of New Jersey prevents a deficit like the federal government is allowed to run, so usually there are last-minute cuts or, sometimes if the surplus is big enough that the state will dip into budget reserves to paver over the gap.

So if this gap persists past those April income tax collections, we will have to shift the conversation to those types of things because we aren't allowed to get to the end of the fiscal year unbalanced.

BRIANA: How much weight should be put into this report from these folks from the Sweeney center at Rowan University, Soto waving the flag about the trend in our state's spending, and what they predict will be a big budget gap ahead?

Guest: It is certainly a big warning sign.

This is a bipartisan group, the former state treasurer, former chief economist of the state in this panel.

People who have a lot of credibility when they do these exercises it is certainly not the final say, we will have changes in policy that can offset these projected gaps.

And we are talking years from now, three, 4, 5 years from now.

At the same time it shows us that if we stick to the current path, we have trouble coming.

BRIANA: We are coming off the Super Bowl.

Big bedding numbers, at least from what we can see so far, how much did gambling and casino revenue, online betting, put it the revenue for the state?

Guest: It's one of the areas where the arrow is going up, especially for online gambling.

So putting aside how you feel about that, it is one of the growth areas in the revenue stream.

So that is a good thing.

It is just not a huge part of the overall pie.

So in context, it's a nice bump, but it's not going to carry the day.

BRIANA: Is not going to fix any big fiscal problems.

John Reitmeyer, thank you so much.

Guest: You are welcome.

BRIANA: As John just mentioned, the most heavily bet sports game of the year delivered for the state and the country.

Data for the Super Bowl surged across the board.

New Jersey's division of gaming says there was a 30% increase in total betting over the 2022 Super Bowl.

Numbers reported by Atlantic City's nine casinos and the state three racetracks show wagering hit over $901.

Sports book submitted about $8.

5 million from that down by a little bit over $4 million a year ago.

The revenue figure includes not just the state's sports books, but also their 18 online-affiliated betting apps.

According to a data company which tracks the location of Internet gamblers, so many Americans placed bets during the Big Game that transactions hit nearly 15,000 per second.

.

Let's see if next year's Super Bowl can't top that.

Turning to Wall Street stocks were mixed -- today after retail sales tumbled.

Here's how the markets closed.

♪ And Julian this week to NJ Business Beat with Raven Santana.

She marks Black History Month sitting down with John Harmon from the African American Chamber of Commerce, speaks to two black female entrepreneurs about what is driving more black women to open businesses, and how they are helping mentor the next generation.

Watch on the NJ Spotlight News Youtube channel Saturday at 10:00 a. m. That is going to do it for us tonight, but make sure you count "Reporters' Roundtable" tomorrow.

David talks to Republican budget officer Senator Declan O'Scanlon about the harsh realities facing New Jersey's budget, and without the state is headed for fiscal cliff.

Then a panel of local reporters breakdown this week is political headlines.

Watch "roundtable" tomorrow at noon on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thanks for being with us.

Have a great evening.

We will see you tomorrow.

♪ Announcer: New Jersey Education Association.

Making public schools great for every child.

And, -- RWJ Barnabas health.

Let's be healthy together.

♪