FUNDING FOR NJTV NEWS IS PROVIDED IN PART BY THE MEMBERS NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>>> THE U.S. SENATE IS SET TO VOTE WEDNESDAY ON OUR BILL TO SEND LAW INTO FEDERAL LAW FOLLOWING --SHOWING THE MAJORITY OF JUSTICES WOULD OVERTURN THE LANDMARK RULING THAT WOULD LEGALIZE ABORTION NATIONWIDE.

MAJORITY LOT LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER SAYS EVERY SENATOR WILL HAVE TO SHOW WHERE THEY STAND TO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ALL BUT EXPECTED TO FAIL.

THE SENATE DOES NOT HAVE THE VOTES TO OVERCOME A FILIBUSTER.

AND THE NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS RALLIED AHEAD OF THE VOTE.

HOURS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS THERE.

>> I WILL NOT YIELD AND I WILL NOT STOP AND I WILL NOT GIVE IN UNTIL THE PROTECTIONS AND TRIED BY ROE VERSUS WADE ARE PART OF THE LAW OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WE ARE NOT GOING BACK.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE BATTLE CRY IS A WEEK OF DEBATE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED OVER ABORTION RIGHTS.

POLITICAL --OVER A MAJORITY OPINION POISED TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE, THE DECISION THAT LEGALIZED ABORTION YEARS AGO.

DEMOCRATS SEE A STRATEGIC OPENING.

>> THEY ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE POSITION THAT 70% OF AMERICAN SUPPORT AND THAT IS THAT IT ROE VERSUS WADE SHOULD REMAIN THE LAW OF THE LAND.

THIS WEEK, WHEN WE RETURN TO THE SENATE WE WILL PROBABLY VOTE FOR THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT TO CODIFY ROE VERSUS WADE INTO LAW, ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY SENATORS WILL GO TO WASHINGTON WHERE THE MAJORITY LEADER, CHOP SCHUMER WAS EXPECTED TO COMMENT ON THE BILL.

IT WOULD PROTECT ABORTION RIGHTS NATIONWIDE.

DEMOCRATS LOCKED THE 60 VOTES NATIONWIDE THEY WILL FORCE A VOTE ON THE RECORD, LIKELY, WEDNESDAY.

>>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE THIS WILL MOST LIKELY FAIL.

BUT, WE CANNOT LET TEMPORARY DEFEAT UNDERMINE OUR DETERMINATION.

TO ACHIEVE TRUE AND LASTING JUSTICE.

>> IF YOU THINK WE ARE SAFE HERE IN THE STATE, WE OFFER, BUT, THIS MOMENT.

THERE IS A BREWING SURGE THAT IS ALWAYS THERE, WAITING TO STRIKE AND WAITING TO SEE WHEN THE MOMENT IS RIGHT.

AND VOTING HAS CONSEQUENCES.

>> Reporter: THE VOTING ATTRACTED OTHER CANDIDATES AND PROVIDERS WHO VOTERS THAT EVEN THOUGH JERSEY LAW ENSURES ABORTION RIGHTS, THE ISSUE WILL HAVE BROAD IMPLICATIONS IN A WORLD WHERE OUT-OF-STATE PATIENTS MIGHT FLOOD CLINICS IN THE HIGH COURT MIGHT RESTRICT OTHER RIGHTS.

>> WE KNOW THAT ROLLING BACK THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY FOR BIRTH CONTROL AND MARRIAGE, REROLLING THAT BACK AS WELL.

A TRUCK SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL TURNED UP THE POLITICAL HEAT THIS WEEKEND WHEN HE SAID THAT A NATIONAL BAN ON ABORTION IS POSSIBLE IF REPUBLICANS TAKE BACK CONGRESS.

McCONNELL'S SET UP THE LEAK BECAME THE FINAL OPINION, LEGISLATIVE BODIES, NOT ONLY OF THE STATE LEVEL BUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, COULD LEGISLATE IN THE AREA.

AND IF THIS WORD THE FINAL DECISION THAT IS THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD BE RESOLVED, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

BUT THE SETS UP A TRICKY DANCE FOR REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS ACCORDING TO MICHAEL RASMUSSEN.

>> THEY WANT TO --AND THEY WANT TO STAVE OFF CHALLENGES FROM CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARIES.

BUT THEY MAY HAVE TO PIVOT TO THE GENERAL ELECTORATE WHERE, IN NEW JERSEY, THIS IS AN UNPOPULAR DECISION.

>> Reporter: ABORTION RIGHTS AS A CULTURE WERE FACING A MIDTERM ELECTION THAT INITIALLY THREATENED TO REVERSE MAJORITIES IN CONGRESS.

THE LEAKED OPINION ROCKED THE CONSENSUS THAT DEMOCRATS WERE DOOMED ACCORDING TO RASMUSSEN.

>> THIS DECISION CAN FUNDAMENTALLY SHAKE UP THE LANDSCAPE THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE LOOKING OUT.

ESPECIALLY IN SUBURBAN LANDSCAPES.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO --CONSTITUENCIES BECAUSE IT RESONATES LIKE FEW OTHERS.

>> THEY CANNOT STRIP THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF HALF OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION WITHOUT A FIGHT.

AND WE ARE GOING TO PUT UP THAT FIGHT.

>> Reporter: IN NEWARK I AM AT BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN MADE AN UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO UKRAINE IN WHAT IS A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION INCREASES AID AND SUPPORT FOR THE NATION.

"DEFIANT SPEECH, LATIMER PUTIN CONTINUES TO BLAME THE WEST FOR THE MILITARY INVASION ON UKRAINE, FALSELY CLAIMING THAT WESTERN POLICIES LEFT HIM NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST UKRAINE IN ORDER TO FEND OFF AGGRESSION.

USING THE ANNUAL VICTORY DAY, IT MARKS THE VICTORY OVER THE, TO TOUT RUSSIA NOT NATIONALISM, DEPICTING UKRAINE SOLDIERS AS.

BUT HE DID NOT CLAIM VICTORY IS SOME OFFICIALS EXPECTED.

LEAVING AN OPEN ENDING TO THE WAR, SUGGESTING THE INCREASINGLY BLOODY INVASION COULD BECOME A PROTRACTED FIGHT.

ST. PETER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, ALLEN SANDERS, JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT.

>> PROFESSOR SANDERS, THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BE NEXT.

WHERE DO WE ANTICIPATE THE WAR HEADING?

THERE WAS NOT A SIGNAL OF ESCALATION FROM VLADIMIR PUTIN BUT IT DID NOT SEEM AS IF THE WAR IS OVER?

>> I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT THIS WAR IS BASICALLY A GRINDING AND SLOW-MOVING MORE.

RUSSIA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE A QUICK VICTORY AND THE UKRAINIANS ARE OUTGUNNED AND OUTMANEUVERED BY THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A STALEMATE.

A MILITARY THAT IS UNABLE TO ADVANCE BECAUSE OF LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS AND OTHER PROBLEMS.

AND UKRAINE IS FACING A STRONG ADVERSARY.

IT IS AMAZING THAT THEY ARE HOLDING ON.

EVEN WITH HELP.

>> IS THIS THE IMPETUS FOR WESTERN ALLIES THAT HAVE NOT STEPPED UP IN WAYS THAT PERHAPS THE U.S. HAS.

THE ROAD FOR THEM TO SAY, YES, WE ARE GOING TO GO FURTHER THAN SANCTIONS.

THERE HAS BEEN TALK ABOUT HESITANCY FOR MORE FORCEFUL ACTION FROM THE WEST.

>> CERTAINLY, THE UNITED STATES HAS INDICATED IT HAS TELL STEPPED UP ITS MILITARY SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE.

OTHER ALLIED FORCES MAY DO THE SAME.

THE PRIMARY IS THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION IS MOVING TOWARDS AN OIL EMBARGO.

BONDAGE IS MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND FINLAND AND SWEDEN ARE MAKING NOISE ABOUT JOINING NATO.

BASICALLY, THIS IS A WAR THAT IS GOING TO GRIND ON.

THERE WILL BE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SANCTIONS AND THE MILITARY AID.

IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THERE IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR CHANGE.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THAT, ALTHOUGH RUSSIA HAS MADE ALL KINDS OF THREATENING NOISES AND SUGGESTED NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS A POSSIBILITY, AND ATTACK A NATO AND SUPPLY LINES, IT HAS NOT DONE SO.

THAT INDICATES, I THINK, THAT THE RUSSIANS ARE AWARE OF THE MILITARY STRENGTH IN THE MILITARY SOLIDARITY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH NATO PARTNERS AND IT IS NOT WILLING TO TEST THAT.

AT LEAST GOT THAT NOW.

IF IT CONTINUES, AND I THINK WE HAVE A STALEMATE, IT WILL LAST FOR WEEKS.

>> MORE CASUALTIES.

WE ARE GETTING MORE NUMBERS ABOUT THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, AND BY THE UNITED NATIONS ESTIMATE, IS MUCH HIGHER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND RECORDED.

>> AND THAT IS THE REAL TRAGEDY.

THE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND THE DESTRUCTION OF UKRAINE CITIES AND VILLAGES AND FARMS, THAT IS REALLY THE GREAT TRAGEDY.

HOW TO STOP THAT IS NOT CLEAR.

A GREATER WORK, IT MIGHT CREATE MORE CASUALTIES.

GRINDING ON, AS WE EXPECT THE WORD TO BE, IT WILL ALSO DO NOTHING TO LESSEN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CASUALTIES.

THIS IS TRULY, A TRAGIC SITUATION.

WITH NO PATH FORWARD AS TO HOW TO MEET A CONCLUSION.

>>, THE U.S.

PROVIDE THE SUPPORT NEEDED IF THIS DRAGS ON?

>> I THINK SO.

THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE CLEAR THAT HE IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO AID UKRAINE.

AND I THINK THAT THE UKRAINE WAR HAS SORT OF, IT HAS BECOME A FARAWAY WAR FOR MANY AMERICANS.

EVERYONE IS WELL AWARE OF THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES THAT THE WAR IS CREATING FOR THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

IN TERMS OF DAY TO DAY CONCERN, THAT HAS FADE INTO THE BACKGROUND FOR MANY AMERICANS.

>> FOR PROFESSOR, ALLEN SANDERS SCOTT THANK YOU, SO TOO MUCH.

>>> OF VOTERS IN TOWNS AND CITIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY ARE GOING TO THE POLLS TOMORROW TO SELECT MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

INCUMBENT MAYORS IN SEVERAL CITIES ARE LOOKING TO FEND OFF CHALLENGERS.

IN NEWARK, THE MAYOR IS EXPECTED TO WIN A THIRD TERM.

IN PATTERSON, THE RACE FOR MAYOR HAS GOTTEN CONTENTIOUS.

FOUR CANDIDATES ARE CHALLENGING REGARDING RATES OF VIOLENT CRIMES SPIKING.

AT TWO OF THE CHALLENGERS ARE RUNNING THE RACE AS THEY FACE CHALLENGES OF VOTER FRAUD IN A CITY THAT IS NO STRANGER TO POLITICAL CORRUPTION.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>>> IT IS SELF EXPLANATORY.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF VIOLENCE.

BUT IT IS PATTERSON.

>> THE SAME AS USUAL.

I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 40 YEARS.

>> IT IS PRETTY EASY TO BE CYNICAL IN PATTERSON.

WHEN THINGS GOT BAD THEY DID NOT CHANGE MUCH.

THE LAST TWO MAYORS HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR CORRUPTION.

CRIME AND GUN VIOLENCE IS AT RECORD HIGHS.

UNEMPLOYMENT OUTPACING THE REST OF THE STATE.

AND THOSE THAT LIVE HERE, IF THEY HEAR ONE MORE PLAN ABOUT HOW THEY WANT TO JUMPSTART A TOURIST ECONOMY, WELL, YOU KNOW.

>> WE WANT TO RISE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR IS UP FOR REELECTION AND HE REMAINS BULLISH ON PATTERSON BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO BE.

>> THERE IS WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AND I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN.

WE ARE POSITIONING PATTERN FOR PROGRESS.

TRUCK FOUR YEARS AGO, THIS IS HIS THIRD TRY.

HE WORKED QUICKLY TO SOLIDIFY HIS TIES TO THE GREATER DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION.

HE HAS GOTTEN ENDORSEMENTS FROM PARTY BIGGS LIKE PASCAL AND BOOKER.

AS WELL AS MENENDEZ AND GOVERNOR MURPHY.

INSIDE REPORTER JOHN VANFLEET HAS MORE.

>> HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KIND OF LEGAL TROUBLES THAT SOME OF THE OPPONENTS HAVE OR PREVIOUS PATTERSON MAYORS.

HE WOULD TELL YOU THAT HE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL UNTIL THINGS TOGETHER AS BEST HE COULD.

>> I JUST DID NOT ANTICIPATE A ONCE IN A CENTURY CRISIS UNDER MY WATCH.

WE HAVE RESPONDED APPROPRIATELY.

I WAS ELECTED TO A FOUR-YEAR TERM BUT I HAD TO FOCUS ON THIS VIRUS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE VIRUS UNMASKED SOME OF THE WORST ASPECTS OF LIFE, INCLUDING THE SPIKE IN CRIME, WHICH HAS REACHED RECORD HIGHS AND HAS BLUNTED PROSPECTS OF PROGRESS.

ONE CONGRESSMAN SAYS HE IS TIRED OF THAT EXCUSE.

>> MY HEART GOES WITH THAT BUT, THAT WE CAN EXPOSE EXCUSE, COVID-19 HAVING BEEN THE FACTOR OF CRIME, IT IS A WEAK EXCUSE.

CRIME HAS BEEN HIGH BECAUSE OF WHAT HE THE POOL HE HAS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT.

THERE HAS BEEN A RISE IN CRIME IN GENERAL IN PATTERSON AND NATIONWIDE.

>> CANDIDATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO TALK WITH US TODAY AND IT IS HARD TO CRIME PIN THE CRIME RATE ON ANYONE.

BUT IT SAYS SOMETHING THAT DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLYMAN BENJI -- HAS NOT ENDORSED ANYONE, MUCH LESS --IN THIS RACE.

>> THIS IS THE TIME TO BUILD THE ECONOMY.

IT IS TIME TO BUILD BRIDGES.

HE CANNOT --CANNOT BE A VICTORY.

THERE IS NO VICTORY DANCE.

>> HE IS FILTERED BY MOST OBSERVERS.

HE MIGHT EVEN GET A PASS FOR HELPING STEER PATTERSON THROUGH COVID-19.

BUT AROUND HERE, BUT IF YOU DID HERE LATELY IS NOT JUST A LINE.

IT IS A SEARS QUESTION THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, OFTEN GOES UNANSWERED.

I AM DAVID CRUZ FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SOME HOMEOWNERS MAY HAVE BEEN OVERPAID FOR SUPER STORM SANDY RELIEF.

IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A DECADE SINCE THE STORM HIT THE COASTLINE.

NOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS SOME PEOPLE WERE PAID TOO MUCH.

AND THEY WANT THE MONEY BACK.

MOST OF THE FUNDING HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT REPAIRING AND ELEVATING DAMAGED HOMES.

THE BILL BEING HEARD IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN FOR THOSE THAT WERE OVERCOMPENSATED, ALLOWING THEM TO MAKE PAYMENTS FOR AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS THEY CHOOSE.

AND IT WOULD ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO HAVE ALL OR SOME OF THEIR DEBT REDUCED.

>>> A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE CURBED BRIBES MADE TO POLITICAL CANDIDATES IS BEING SENT BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY VETOED A MAJOR FOUR CANDIDATES.

HE CALLED FOR TECHNICAL CHANGES FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE TRANSACTION.

OF THE LEGISLATION WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER SENATOR --DR. LOU MANZA CHAIR TOOK BRIBES.

AN APPELLATE DIVISION DECIDED THAT CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE ARE ALREADY COVERED UNDER THE ANTIBRIBERY LAWS.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THAT THE GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO SIGNING A VERSION OF THE BILL THAT INCORPORATES HIS RECOMMENDATIONS INTO LAW.

>>> THE COST TO FILL UP YOUR TANK HAS HAD A NEW HIGH.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON THAT AS WELL AS THE HEADLINES.

>>> JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE BEING SQUEEZED WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING TO FILL UP THE TANK.

THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF GAS IN NEW JERSEY IS NOW ABOUT TO $4.47 ACCORDING TO AAA.

IT IS EVEN HIGHER IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE.

IN JUST ONE WEEK, THE PRICE PER GALLON HAS INCREASED BY $.25.

NEW JERSEY HAD ONE OF THE BIGGEST PRICE JUMPS COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

THIS IS HAPPENING AS A OIL PRICES REMAIN HIGH AND THERE IS STRONGER DEMAND FOR GASOLINE.

GASOLINE PRICES HAVE BEEN CLIMBING STEADILY.

AND A REPORT TODAY IS URGING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES.

AND FINDS THE STATE IS FAILING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF A 2015 LAW THAT SETS ASIDE PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS.

THE REPORT RELEASED BY THE GUARD THE STATE INITIATIVE AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THAT A HANDFUL OF STATE AGENCIES HAVE AWARDED CONTRACTS TO DISABLE VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> WE DID EVERYTHING THAT WE POSSIBLY COULD TO TRY AND GET A COMMAND EMPHASIS ON THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO RULE THIS OUT.

I KNOW DEEP IN HIS HEART HE CARES ABOUT VETERANS AND HE WANTS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

BUT WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB AS THE STATE TO ROLL THIS OUT.

AND ENFORCE IT UNIVERSALLY.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR HONORS THE SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR VETERANS AND IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN STATE CONTRACTING.

THE ADMINISTRATION WAS TO REDUCE BARRIERS IMPACTING THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND THEY ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS OWNERS.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH 20 INTERNET PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR HIGH- SPEED ACCESS FOR $20 A MONTH FROM VERIZON, COMCAST AND OTHERS.

48 MILLION AMERICANS WILL QUALIFY FOR WHAT IS BEING CALLED THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM.

TO LEARN ABOUT ELIGIBILITY AND TO SIGN UP, YOU CAN GO TO GETINETERNET.GOV.

NOW, HERE IS LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC AN EXELON COMPANY CONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND CONNECTING SOUTH JERSEY.

AND RIVERVIEW JAZZ.

SUPPORTING THE JAZZ FESTIVAL.

DETAILS INCLUDING --ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEWJAZZ.ORG.

>>> FEDERAL HEALTH REGULATORS ARE ONCE AGAIN PLANNING TO BAN MENTHOL CIGARETTES.

THEY SAY IT COULD SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES, ESPECIALLY AMONG BLACK SMOKERS.

85% USE MENTHOL CIGARETTES DUE TO YEARS OF TARGETED MARKETING TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY.

THE EFFORT IS LIKELY TO FACE PUSHBACK FROM BIG TOBACCO, CONGRESS ANOTHER LOBBYIST.

AND, MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON HOW LAWMAKERS ARE TAKING IT INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

>> IT MAKES US FEEL ELATED WITH GUARDED OPTIMISM.

THIS IS THE BEGINNING AND WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THIS IS A DONE DEAL.

>> THE COCHAIR OF THE TOBACCO LEADERSHIP COUNCIL IS CALLING ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO GET MUSCLE PRODUCTS OFF THE MARKET WHILE THE FDA WORKS TO BAN MENTHOL CIGARETTES.

IT COULD BE A YEAR BEFORE THIS TAKES EFFECT WHICH IS WHY SENATOR JOE VITALI, HAS INTRODUCED A LAW TO BAN MENTHOL CIGARETTES.

ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIR HERBERT CONAWAY, WHO HAS PROPOSED A BAN IN THE PAST, AGREES THE STATE SHOULD ACT NOW.

>> WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WILL BE A DELAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NOW IS THE TIME FOR STATES TO STEP UP IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM.

AND BRING INTO PLACE A BAN THAT WILL REDUCE ADDICTION FOR SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> ANTITOBACCO ADVOCATES BELIEVE THAT WAITING ON THE FDA WILL DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT EX-SMOKERS.

>> OF THE REASON THAT THERE IS SUCH AN ISSUE IS MANY ARE GOING AFTER THE BLACK MARKET.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN ONLY 5% OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO DID SMOKE, SMOKED A METHYL PRODUCT AND THAT IS NOW 85%.

THAT IS DUE TO PROGRAMS THAT ARE DOCUMENTED.

REMOTE INCLUDES HOW THE INDUSTRY ONE WENT INTO EVERY PART COMMUNITY AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT GIVING OUT FREE CIGARETTES TO CHILDREN IS IN IS NINE YEARS OLD.

>> MENTHOL CIGARETTES OR FLAVORED.

THEY MAKE THE POISON GO DOWN EASIER.

THERE IS A COOLING SENSATION THAT, WHEN INHALED, IT MASKS THE HARSHNESS OF THE CHEMICALS THAT ARE FOUND IN CIGARETTES.

SO, WE KNOW THAT, MENTHOL CIGARETTES ARE MORE APPEALING TO USE BECAUSE THEY TASTE BETTER.

WE ALSO HAS STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT THEY ARE HARDER TO QUIT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE FDA THERE WERE MORE THAN 18.5 MILLION OF ALL CIGARETTE SMOKERS IN THE U.S. THAT ARE OVER 12.

GETTING RID OF THE FLAVOR COULD REDUCE SMOKING BY ABOUT 50% IN 40 YEARS, SAVING UP TO 40,000 LIVES UNDER WAS 200,000 OF THEM ARE SMOKERS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS A RECOGNITION THAT THIS NEEDS TO GET DONE.

THE SKY HAS NOT FALLEN AND THE EARTH HAS NOT OPENED UP AND SWALLOWED THE CANADIANS BUT THEY HAVE MANAGED TO SEE GREAT REDUCTIONS A CALL TOBACCO USE AMONG THEIR COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED TO DO THAT IN THE U.S. >> Reporter: THOSE OPPOSING THE BANNER FIGHTING BACK.

ONE SAYS, " WE BELIEVE THAT HARM REDUCTION IS THE BETTER PATH FORWARD.

TAKING THESE PRODUCTS OUT OF THE MARKETPLACE WILL PUSH THESE INTO CRIMINALIZED ROCKET PLACES THAT DO NOT FOLLOW MINIMUM AGE LAWS.

WE WILL ENGAGE IN THIS LONG- TERM REGULATORY PROCESS" >> THIS IS ABOUT STARTING AT THE TOP.

GETTING THE ROUTE OUT AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON, ALONG WITH GETTING SERVICES FOR OUR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SENATOR VITALE SAYS HE WILL PRIORITIZE THIS.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT HERE >>> FUNDING FOR NJTV NEWS IS PROVIDED IN PART BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICY HOLDERS?

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.