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Why is the government shut down? Partly a fight over healthcare | NJ Spotlight News

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Reposted by Bobby Brier

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks, Bobby.

The shutdown is about how much the government spends.

But is also part of a broader fight about health policy.

@njspotlightnews.org

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 2d

Important reporting here from @bhulac.bsky.social on why the federal gov't is shutdown, the fight over healthcare in D.C. and its impact on NJ residents like Theresa Luoni.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/why-...

Democrats look to get Medicaid increases in talks with Trump, GOP

Why is the government shut down? Partly a fight over healthcare | NJ Spotlight News

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 2d

Important reporting here from @bhulac.bsky.social on why the federal gov't is shutdown, the fight over healthcare in D.C. and its impact on NJ residents like Theresa Luoni.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/why-...

Democrats look to get Medicaid increases in talks with Trump, GOP

NJ school bucks plan to boost mental health for students | NJ Spotlight News

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 2d

Parents, teachers and mental health professionals continue to raise concerns over cuts to mental health programs in NJ high school with history of student suicides.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-s...

Parents, teachers are angry over cuts to programs in school with history of student suicides

Government shutdown: Who gets paid, what gets cut | NJ Spotlight News

Reposted by Bobby Brier

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 5d

Every federal shutdown is a bit different.

Here are five things to know about this one...

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/gove...
@njspotlightnews.org

Key ways the federal shutdown impacts people in NJ

30 Issues in 30 Days: Taxation in New Jersey | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC

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Reposted by Bobby Brier

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you to @wnyc.org for having me on @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social this morning to talk in-depth about our favorite topic . . . NJ taxes!
I'm proud to work with and support outlets that foster these types of discussions about the issues people care about.
@njspotlightnews.org

John Reitmeyer, budget and finance writer at NJ Spotlight News, talks about taxation in New Jersey and where the candidates stand on property taxes and more.

www.wnyc.org

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Reposted by Bobby Brier

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 7d

Listen to The Brian Lehrer Show on @wnyc.org TOMORROW, Oct. 2!

Our very own @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social will talk about taxation and the NJ governor's race as part of WNYC's "30 issues in 30 days" series.

More: www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/30-...

The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News

Brian Lehrer leads the conversation about what matters most now in local and national politics, our own communities and our lives.

www.wnyc.org

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 7d

“Microbetting (and) same-game parlays are the oxygen supply, if you will, of the online gambling industry.” — Dr. Harry Levant

As problem gambling grows, will NJ limit in-game sports betting?

@njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/as-p...

As problem gambling grows, will NJ limit in-game sports betting? | NJ Spotlight News

'Microbetting (and) same-game parlays are the oxygen supply, if you will, of the online gambling industry'

Federal government shuts down again under Trump | NJ Spotlight News

Reposted by Bobby Brier

Hannah Gross @hannah-gross.bsky.social · 7d

After lawmakers were unable to reach agreement, the U.S. government lurched into a shutdown early Wednesday, a threshold that triggers federal agencies and departments to send staff home and forces employees considered “essential” to work without pay. @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

Social programs to stop, workers to be sent home

National organization forced to return gambling addiction hotline to NJ | NJ Spotlight News

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 9d

National organization forced to return gambling addiction hotline to NJ

Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ resumed operating 1-800-GAMBLER hotline on Monday

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nati...

Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ resumed operating 1-800-GAMBLER hotline on Monday

With no updates and no deal, government shutdown gets closer | NJ Spotlight News

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Reposted by Bobby Brier

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 9d

As a federal government shutdown nears, @njspotlightnews.org is there covering the latest developments.
This dispatch from @bhulac.bsky.social details the services and programs that would be affected by a shutdown.

Advocates warn shutdown will mean harm for many

Advocates: Why no mental health help at fatal shooting by police? | NJ Spotlight News

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 29d

Where was mental health support in fatal NJ police shooting, advocates ask

New Brunswick tragedy prompts calls for community-based programs to respond to emergencies

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/why-...

Advocates express outrage over no mental health support present for woman fatally shot by New Brunswick police.

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 6

@njspotlightnews.org

Increasing scrutiny of microbetting in online sports betting | NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 6

Earlier this week, the state general’s office released police body-camera footage of the incident, along with 911 audio recordings:

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 6

Happening Now: Rallies continue here in New Brunswick outside the municipal court building for Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed in the city while she was experiencing a mental health crisis in early August.

@njspotlightnews.org

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 4

“The evidence underscores that microbetting can accelerate the path to problem gambling, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth and those with existing vulnerabilities." -Luis Del Orbe, CCGNJ

w/ @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/new-...

One New Jersey lawmaker is proposing that the state ban sportsbooks from offering microbetting in the state.

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 4

“The (state) legislative body actually has to do something about this." — Professor Jason Williams, Montclair State University

Body-cam recordings show fatal New Brunswick police shooting

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

Oldest parts of NJ state prison unfit, report says | NJ Spotlight News

Reposted by Bobby Brier

Brenda Flanagan @bflanagannj.bsky.social · Sep 3

NJ urged to demolish 'antiquated and inhumane' prison buildings: "Hundreds of people are living in the prison’s West Compound in cells small enough that they can extend their arms and touch both side-walls and the ceiling." Via @colleenodea.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

A new report from prison watchdog urges demolition and replacement of parts of New Jersey State Prison, the oldest operating prison in the nation.

School board drops student mental health service | NJ Spotlight News

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 2

Students at one of the largest high school districts in New Jersey are beginning the school year without long-standing mental health services amid deep concern and outrage from school staff, parents and former students.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-h...

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, one of the largest high school districts in NJ, begins new school year without long-standing mental health services.

What’s the real deal with NJ’s credit rating? | NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Aug 20

*Shot and killed by a New Brunswick police officer.

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Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Aug 20

A rally for Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed during a mental health crisis in New Brunswick earlier this month, is currently taking place outside the municipal court building in the city before a city council meeting. @njspotlightnews.org

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Reposted by Bobby Brier

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · Aug 20

The latest reports from Wall Street on NJ’s creditworthiness underscore how state government has changed its fiscal course since coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But they also show where state policymakers have more work to do if they want to put NJ among the states with the best bond ratings.

Wall Street analysts point to where state needs work. Politicians tell their story

NJ advocates decry Trump’s homeless policy | NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Aug 18

Trump’s ‘cruel and costly’ homeless policy slammed

NJ advocates among outraged as Washington police dismantled homeless encampments

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/new-...

Advocates say Trump’s pledge to remove homeless people from Washington is a “cruel and costly” response to a long-standing societal issue.

NJ lawmaker looks to claw back opioid settlement funding | NJ Spotlight News

Reposted by Bobby Brier

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · Aug 13

Who sponsored resolution #1388, a controversial budget language change that sent $45M from NJ's opioid settlement funds to four hospitals?
It's still a mystery, reports @lilohstainton.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org, and a key Democratic is now looking to claw it back.

Budget funding was taken away from grassroots addiction treatment, diverted to four hospitals as part of a last-minute backroom budget deal.

NJ Budget: Details revealed of last-minute add-ons | NJ Spotlight News

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Reposted by Bobby Brier

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · Aug 12

New NJ budget details quietly added to a dedicated page on the legislative website late Friday appeared to be keeping some key info hidden from public view.
This includes sponsorship of controversial budget language allocating $45M in opioid settlement funds to four hospitals.
@njspotlightnews.org

Until late last week, the sponsors of the added spending had not been publicly disclosed by majority Democratic legislative leaders.