>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE THE STATE LIFTING MORE CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO SAYS THE NEWS ON WHICH RULES WILL BE ROLLED BACK WILL BE MADE ON MONDAY.

IT COMES AS NEW YORK TAKES STEPS TO GIVE BARS AND RESTAURANTS MORE LENIENCY ALONG WITH REMOVING CURFEWS.

IN THE MEANTIME, MURPHY'S ADMINISTRATION IS RELEASING THE SAFETY GARDENS THAT ALLOWS SUMMER CAMPS TO REOPEN, AND SAY THESE ARE ALL SIGNS THAT THE COURSE OF THIS PANDEMIC HAS TURNED FOR THE BETTER HERE.

I WAS MORE THAN 6.8 MILLION TOTAL VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED AND CLOSE TO 3 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

OR, ABOUT 30% OF THE ENTIRE STATE POPULATION.

LEADERS ARE STILL CONFIDENT THEY WILL REACH THE GOAL OF VACCINATING 70% OF ELIGIBLE ADULTS BY THE END OF JUNE.

TODAY, THEY RESUMED PUTTING JOHNSON AND JOHNSON SHOTS AND ARMS AT A WALK IN CLINIC AFTER AN 11 DAY PAUSE WAS LIFTED LATE LAST WEEK AND IT COMES AS THE DEMAND FOR VACCINES IS DROPPING.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT AIN'T BEEN TESTED LONG ENOUGH, IT CAME OUT TOO QUICK.

>> Reporter: SONIA WILLIAMS SAT WITH FRIENDS IN THE LINE IN TRENTON PARK AND LISTED A FEW REASONS WHY HOLDOUTS STILL GIVE FOR NOT GETTING COVA JOB BUT, SHE'S DEFINITELY NOT ONE OF THOSE HESITANT FOLKS.

IN FACT-- >> IT'S ALREADY BEEN THREE WEEKS THAT I HAVE MY VACCINE AND I FEEL AWESOME.

I FEEL GOOD SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO COME OUT HERE AND GET IT DONE.

>> ON AND ON.

AND I BELIEVE IN THE STATISTICS.

>> REGGIE COOK DROVE HERE FROM BLOOMFIELD FOR HIS SINGLE-DOSE J&J SHOT NO PAYMENTS NECESSARY AND ALL OVER 18 WELCOME AT THIS CLINIC.

THE 11 DAY FEDERAL PAUSE CONNECTED TO THE J&J VACCINE DID NOT REALLY PHASE THESE FOLKS AFTER HEALTH OFFICIALS DECIDED BENEFITS OUTWEIGH RISKS.

>> THE POSITIVE IS MORE OVERRUNNING THAN THE NEGATIVE.

>> I HEARD A COUPLE OF THINGS GOING ON BUT IF IT WAS NOT SAFE IT WOULD NOT BE OUT.

WHY NOT GO FOR A CUSTOMER >> I LIKE IT BECAUSE IT'S ONE SHOT.

I DON'T WANT TO GET IN TWO WEEKS.

>> THE VACCINE IS SMOOTHLY REENTERING SCHEDULES ACROSS THE STATE WITH A SHIPMENT OF MORE THAN 20,000 SHOTS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK.

A RECENT STUDY SHOWS THAT 76% OF AMERICANS FELT UNDETERRED EITHER PAUSE AND MANY HERE HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAD ALREADY GOTTEN A JOB.

>> MY PARENTS, AND MY AUNT GOT IT SO I FIGURED WE WOULD JUST COME OUT AND GET IT.

>> NOTHING HAPPEN WITH THEM QUESTION EXPECT THEY ARE FINE.

>> WE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE PUSHBACK BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING MUCH.

AND WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO TOOK IT.

>> WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS A SMALL SLICE OF THE VACCINATION PIE.

THE MAYOR SAYS ABOUT 30% OF RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN THERE SHOT, AND THAT MATCHES THE STATES OVERALL NUMBERS.

>> HAVE A MOBILE UNIT ACTUALLY GOING TO SENIOR TOWERS, SENIOR HOMES.

WE ARE DOING VACCINES IN THE PARK, WE ARE HAVING THESE DRIVE- INS, DRIVE-BYS OR YOU DON'T NEED AN APPOINTMENT.

>> TRENTON IS OFFERING 500 SHOTS IN TODAY'S PARK POP UP WITH 1000 MORE SLATED FOR MOBILE CLINICS.

BECAUSE IT IS SO PORTABLE, THE ONE AND DONE INJECTION PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN VACCINATION OUTREACH.

>> SO, THIS IS A WEAPON THAT CAN GET PLACES THAT THE OTHER VACCINES, IT'S A LOT HARDER TO GET TO.

>> ACTUALLY, FOLKS, WHAT WE CALL HARD-TO-REACH.

INDIVIDUALS.

AND THAT IS A WHOLE ARRAY OF INDIVIDUALS FOR WHATEVER REASON CANNOT GET TO A MEGA SITE.

A DOCTOR'S OFFICE, OR SOME MOBILE WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET THEM INTO A SECOND SHOT.

>> CITY OFFICIALS SHOT OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ATTRACT RELUCTANT WAIT AND WATCH RESIDENCE.

>> WE HAVE FOOD AND LIVE MUSIC.

>> I CAN TELL YOU THE AGE COMPILATION FROM 20 TO 45 IS THE AGE GROUP THAT IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS THE WAIT AND WATCH GROUP, AND THAT IS THE GROUP THAT TRAVELED MOST, THAT'S THE GROUP THAT'S OUT SOCIALIZING THE MOST.

>> TRENTON'S NEW HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR SAYS THEY SOMETIMES HEAR FROM THE ANTI-VACCINE MOVEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

HER RESPONSE?

>> IF THAT'S NOT YOUR CHOICE AND THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, THEN DON'T TRY TO TAKE THAT CHANCE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE STATE IS SEEING A SHARP DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF VACCINES BEING ADMINISTERED OVER RECENT WEEKS.

A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT AFTER MONTHS OF PUBLIC DESPERATION FOR A SHOT.

WITH DEMAND FOR OUTPACING SUPPLY, AND HINTS OF MORE RELUCTANCE FROM SOME SECTORS OF THE PUBLIC.

THE STATE SAYS THAT THEY'VE GOT A PLAN, INCLUDING THE USE OF A NEW SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO CONTEST CALLED YOUR VOICE, YOUR SHOT.

ENCOURAGING THOSE WHO HAVE ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES TO HELP CONVINCE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS HEALTHCARE REPORTER SAYS IT'S PART OF OUTREACH TO BE EXPECTED AHEAD.

WE'VE HEARD THE ADMINISTRATION SAY IT IS REALLY NO SURPRISE THAT NUMBERS ARE DIPPING.

THERE WAS SOME HESITANCY BEFORE WE KNEW ABOUT THE J&J ISSUES WITH BLOOD CLOTTING.

SO, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO COMBAT THIS?

>> RIGHT.

SO THE STATE OFFICIALS WOULD SAY DOES NOT REALLY HESITANCY, THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE COULD JUST SORT OF HAVE NOT GOTTEN AROUND TO IT.

AS OPPOSED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ADAMANTLY ANTI-VACCINE, OR HAVE HUGE DOUBTS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CODE VACCINES IN PARTICULAR.

SO, THEY WOULD PUSH BACK A LITTLE ON THE PREMISE, BUT YOU KNOW, AS HE SAID, THEY RECOGNIZED, YOU KNOW.

THE PLAN THAT THEY FILED WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS CLEARLY LAYS OUT THESE FEW THREE PHASES OF INTEREST, RIGHT QUESTION MARK THIS INITIAL PHASE WHERE SUPPLY DOES NOT MEET DEMAND.

IT LOOKED, THE PLAN IS NOT GOING TO LAST VERY LONG.

I THINK FOR US, THAT LASTED LONGER THAN WE PROBABLY EXPECT DID.

THE SECOND PHASE WAS SORT OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND EQUAL.

THAT TO LAST ABOUT A WEEK, RIGHT?

NOW HERE WE ARE IN THE THIRD PHASE, WHICH WAS DECLINING DEMAND, AND ENOUGH SUPPLY.

SO, NOW YOU KNOW, AS THE PLAN CALLS FOR MORE OUTREACH.

YOU KNOW, IN THE STATE, GOING TO ADD SOME TELEVISION COMMERCIALS AND ADDITIONAL RADIO COMMERCIALS.

YOU KNOW, OUTREACH ALONG THOSE LINES.

SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING.

>> ARE THEY GOING TO TARGET MORE SPECIFIC POPULATIONS IN THAT OUTREACH?

>> RIGHT, THEY HAVE NOT MENTIONED THIS SPECIFICALLY WHAT THEY DID, THE COMMISSIONER SAID IN HER BRIEFING EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT SHE MENTION COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

SO, THIS MAY BE, YOU KNOW, AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE NOT SEEING THE UPTICK THAT THEY SHOULD, RIGHT?

WERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO.

WE KNOW RECORDS IN SOME OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE MANDATED VACCINES BUT NOT EVERY UNIVERSITY HAS.

SO, MAYBE THAT'S AN AREA.

THEY ARE ALSO STILL WORKING WITH CHURCHES AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THERE IS STILL MONEY TO REACH LOW INCOME MINORITY COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE ONES THAT ARE HARDER TO REACH.

YOU KNOW, THOSE SORT OF DIVERSITY NUMBERS ARE STARTING TO TAKE UP REALLY SLOWLY IN THE VACCINES, BUT THAT'S BEEN A VERY SORT OF TOUGH ROW FOR THE STATE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> STATE LEADERS SAY THE NEW CDC GUIDANCE MIMICS WHAT JERZY HAS BEEN DOING ALL ALONG.

BUT, KEEPING THE RULE TO MASK UP WELL INDOORS, AND WHEN OUTSIDE IF YOU CANNOT SOCIALLY DISTANCE.

THE BIG CHANGE NOW IS ALL THE EXTRA OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DEEMED SAFE FOR FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTS TO DO WELL MASK WAS.

SOMETHING MEDICAL ASKED ITS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH AS NEW CASES CONTINUE TO DROP.

ANOTHER DAY WITH LESS THAN 2000 POSITIVE TESTS, BUT 35 MORE LIVES LOST.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO AT THE LOWEST POINT IN FIVE MONTHS.

STILL, KEEPING TRACK OF THE DO'S AND DON'TS, AND UPDATED GUIDELINES IS OVERWHELMING AT BEST.

WE ASK MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY EPIDEMIOLOGIST, DR. STEPHANIE SILVEIRA TO HELP SORT THROUGH IT ALL.

SO, IS THERE AN EASY WAY FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO OUTSIDE, INDOORS ONCE THAT VACCINATED?

>> RIGHT.

SO UNFORTUNATELY IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, THERE'S NO MASK AND IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED, YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

THAT WOULD BE A REALLY NICE MESSAGE, BUT THERE IS A LOT TO PARSE OUT, HERE.

SO, I THINK THE TAKE AWAY IS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE.

WHETHER YOU'RE VACCINATED OR NOT, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK IF YOU ARE ATTENDING A CROWDED OUTDOOR OR INDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A BIG PARTY, A CONCERT, A PARADE.

BASICALLY ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE POTENTIALLY SHARING SPACE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED AND YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

OTHER THAN THAT, IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, YOUR RISK IS LOWER IN ALL SETTINGS, RIGHT?

SO THIS MEANS YOU CAN HAVE AN INDOOR GATHERING WITH PEOPLE FOR MULTIPLE HOMES, WHERE EVERYONE IS VACCINATED, AND YOU DON'T NEED TO RMS.

YOU CAN HAVE, IF THERE IS ONE OR TWO UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WHO ARE AT LOW RISK, YOU MIGHT FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING A MASK OFF IN THAT SETTING AS WELL.

BUT, FOR UNVACCINATED PEOPLE, YOU DON'T WANT TO GATHER WITH OTHER UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WITHIN 6 FEET WITHOUT A MASK, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION.

THAT SAID, YOU WANT TO GO FOR A WALK AROUND THE PARK OR DOWN THE BLOCK OR GO HIKING, THAT'S PERFECTLY SAFE, AND IF YOU CAN GET TOGETHER OUTDOORS AND STILL MAINTAIN A LITTLE BIT OF SPATIAL DISTANCING, THAT IS MUCH SAFER AS WELL.

>> YOU SEE MASK WEARING AS STILL BEING A POINT OF CONFUSION FOR PEOPLE?

WHAT KIND OF EMERGE THAT WAY AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH, I THINK UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS NOT ONLY A POINT OF CONFUSION BUT HAS BECOME A REALLY STRONG POINT OF CONTENTION.

AND SO, BECAUSE THE MESSAGING INITIALLY WAS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR ABOUT WHO SHOULD WEAR A MASK AND WHEN, IT ALLOWED FOR THIS MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION TO CREEP IN AND FOR PEOPLE TO FORM OPINIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF FACTS AND EVIDENCE.

>> WE ARE COMING UP ON SUMMER MONTHS, IT FEELS LIKE ONE TODAY, SO OF COURSE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE AT BEACHES, ON BOARDWALKS, AND PARKS.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THERE?

PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO STILL HAVE YET TO GET VACCINATED OR MAKING A DECISION, OR HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CUSTOMER >> WHAT IS CONCERNING ME, WE SEEM TO BE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES, AS WELL AS HOSPITALIZATION AMONG YOUNGER PEOPLE.

SO, WHEN WE ARE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS TO BE OUTDOORS, IN CROWDED ENVIRONMENTS, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT IS YOUR RISK TO YOUR FAMILY, AND TO THE PEOPLE YOU MIGHT BE INTERACTING WITH?

>> IF YOU HAD TO GUESS ABOUT OVERALL MASK REQUIREMENTS INDOORS, A TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN WE MIGHT SEE THAT LIFTED, WHEN WE MIGHT GET TO A PLACE WHERE THAT COULD HAPPEN, WOULD IT BE WHEN WE REACHED HERD IMMUNITY?

DOES THAT SEEM TO MAKE MOST SENSE?

>> I DO THINK SO.

AS WE GET CLOSER TO HERD IMMUNITY WE WILL SEE THOSE RESTRICTIONS FOR INDOOR ACTIVITIES START TO GO AWAY AND EASE UP.

THERE IS AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW THAT THEY ARE SICK TO CONTINUE WEARING MASKS IN THOSE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS.

>> AND TO STAY HOME FROM WORK WHILE SICK.

SOMETHING THAT WE ALL THOUGHT FOR MANY YEARS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM EPIDEMIOLOGIST, STEPHANIE SILVEIRA ABOUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND REOPENING DURING THIS PANDEMIC ON CHAT BOX WITH SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

STATE SENATOR DECLAN O SCANLAN JOINED THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE POLITICS INVOLVED IN THE DECISION-MAKING.

WATCH IT LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SEND QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME USING THE EMAIL ON YOUR SCREEN, OR JUST TWEET US USING THE HASHTAG CHAT BOX NJPBS.

>>> TWO MORE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE VIOLENT BEATINGS OF INMATES OF THE STATES ONLY WOMEN'S PRISON .

ACCORDING TO ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL TO 10 OFFICERS CHARGED IN THE JANUARY INCIDENT AT THE END OF THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN OR OFFICERS ARE ACCUSED OF FORCIBLY REMOVING PRISONERS FROM THEIR CELLS, AND CARRYING OUT AN ASSAULT AND AIDING IN THE COVER-UP.

THE INCIDENT AND ARRESTS FOLLOW YEARS OF COMPLAINTS BY INMATES ABOUT SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE OF THE PRISON, AND A SCATHING REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL JUSTICE APARTMENT.

IT ALSO COSTS TAXPAYERS ROUGHLY $20 MILLION IN SETTLEMENTS WITH VICTIMS, AS WELL AS CALLS FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER.

>> THIS PANDEMIC HAS LAID BARE LONG-STANDING INEQUITIES AND ISSUES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS, AND IT HAS CHARGED THE LEGISLATIVE STATE BLACK CAUCUS INTO ACTION ELECTING OFFICERS TO GET THE WORK DONE INCLUDING ASSEMBLYWOMAN, SHABANA SUMTER, AS CHAIR.

THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD THE POSITION.

BUT WILL THE CAUCUS BE ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE?

ESPECIALLY IN AN ELECTION YEAR?

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: REPLACING SENATOR RON RICE IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C BLACK CAUCUS.

THE TASK FOR WHICH MANY HAVE SHIED AWAY.

ENTER ASSEMBLYWOMAN, SHABANA SUMTER.

A BIT MORE DIPLOMATIC AND A BRIDGE BUILDING LAWMAKER THAN RICE WHO HAS BEEN IN OFFICE WITH A SERVANT BUT POTENT VOICE FOR LACK PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL LACK FIGURES THIS STATE HAS EVER SEEN.

>> Reporter: CHARLES BOYER IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF SALVATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THE PASTOR OF BETHEL CHURCH IN WOODBURY.

HE HAS HEARD THAT DESPITE A YEAR OF WIDESPREAD CONSCIOUS PHRASING ON QUESTIONS OF RACE, THE SO-CALLED BLACK AGENDA IN NEW JERSEY, MADE UP OF A VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALL OF NEW JERSEY HAS LAID FALLOW.

AMONG THE AGENDA ITEMS, HE NOTES EDUCATION SEGREGATION, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR DELAYING A YEARS OLD COURT CASE.

HEALTHCARE AND ECONOMIC INEQUITIES.

CODIFYING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S USE OF FORCE GUIDANCE PREVENTING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, WHICH SHIELDS MOST FROM CIVIL SUITS.

CREATION OF LOCAL CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARDS, WHICH MANY LAWMAKERS SAY THEY SUPPORT, BUT WHICH IS STILL NOT SET FOR A VOTE.

CANNABIS LEGALIZATION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN FRAUGHT WITH CALLS FOR EQUITY FOR LARGELY MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND ENTREPRENEURS.

AND, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE IDEA OF REPARATIONS FOR BLACK PEOPLE.

>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD SINCE THE KILLING OF MR. GEORGE FLOYD OF LAST YEAR.

ON A REINVIGORATING READING LIFE INTO BILLS THAT HAVE YES, CYCLE THROUGH MANY SESSIONS, BUT WE ALWAYS SAY THE BEST LEGISLATION IS IMPERFECT AT BEST, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT WE NEED TO DO HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THAT DIPLOMATIC ASSESSMENT DIFFERS OUTWARDLY.

>> EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE FOLKS AND LEADERSHIP, DURING 2020 HAD SO MUCH TO SAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT, BUT THE VALUE OF BLACK LIVES, BUT WHEN IT ACTUALLY COMES TO DO SOMETHING, THAT MEANS NOTHING MORE THAN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST.

>> RIGHT QUESTION MARK SILVI REMAIN AS A SENIOR ADVISER TO THE CAUCUS.

HE SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THAT NEW JERSEY STILL HAS MANY CONSERVATIVE REASONS.

>> THE LEADERSHIP ALWAYS HAD TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY FOR DIFFERENT REASONS WITH THEIR PACKS.

AND, SOME OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST WAYS PUT IN HEAVY WITH THE DOLLARS.

AND DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THE.

AND SO, THE LEADERSHIP TRIED TO BALANCE THAT RELATIONSHIP OF BALANCES WAS SPECIAL INTEREST VERSUS GOOD POLICY, AND WE GET CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARTICULAR BLACK AND LATINO MEMBERS WITH THE AGENDA TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.

>> AND SO, TO STRIP THE PLEASANTRIES AWAY, THEY ARE SENSITIVE TO A RACIST VOTE.

>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR THE NEW CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPEAK AS BLUNTLY.

NOT ALL THE LEADERSHIP MAINTAINS ITS PUBLIC FACING COMMITMENT TO THE BLACK AGENDA, AND RECOGNIZING THAT A SEAT AT THE TABLE IS THE BEST WAY TO SHARE IN THE MEAL, EVEN IF THE MENU IS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST PALATABLE.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE SHOULD TAKE PRESSURE OFF THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AS WE CAN ANNOUNCE THE ROLLOUT OF THE REAL I.D.

DRIVER'S LICENSE WILL BE DELAYED AGAIN.

THIS TIME, UNTIL MAY, 2023.

THE DEADLINE WAS INITIALLY PUSHED BACK ONE YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE SECURITIES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL DOMESTIC AIR TRAVELERS, AGED 18 AND OLDER, AND TO ENTER FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THE DEADLINE WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS IS STILL IMPACTING STATES ABILITY TO ISSUE THE NEW LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

LEADERS FROM THE DISEASE MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH BACKLOGS AND STAFFING ISSUES ALSO LOBBIED FOR THE SECOND EXTENSION.

>>> IT IS DAY 22 OF A HUNGER STRIKE BY ADVOCATES AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS CALLING FOR A COVID RELIEF AID, TAKING THE DRASTIC SENSE TO CALL ATTENTION TO IMMIGRANT ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE RELIEF FUNDING.

AS WELL AS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND STIMULUS DOLLARS, URGING THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATOR TO SET ASIDE MONEY FOR THE STATES ROUGHLY HALF 1 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

35 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING PART IN THE HUNGER STRIKE.

AT A RALLY TODAY OUTSIDE THE GOVERNOR'S BRIEFING, THEY REQUESTED A FUNDS TO PROVIDE $600 WEEKLY PAYMENTS TO WORKERS AND SAY THAT GROUP OF RESIDENTS CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM OVER THE LAST DECADE.

THE MOVEMENT RECENTLY GAINED SUPPORT FROM NATIONAL LABOR AND LATINO LEADERS AND IN RESPONSE TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THE STATE IS LOOKING AT ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.

>> WE KNOW AREAS OF THE ECONOMY TOOK A BIG HIT DURING THE LAST YEAR, BUT SOMETIMES SEEING IT IN WRITING REALLY DRIVES IT HOME.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS FROM THE NEW REPORT AND I AND OUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

TWO BUSINESS SHUT OUT SHRINKING ECONOMY AND RECORD HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.

THAT SUMS UP NEW JERSEY IN 2020, ACCORDING TO FOCUS NJ.

IN A REPORT PUT OUT TODAY, FOCUS NJ SAID 30% OF SMALL BUSINESSES CLOSE EITHER TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY LAST YEAR.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR YOUR SAYS THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WAS HIT THE HARDEST.

>> ARE LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WAS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED IN THE STATE IN 2020 BECAUSE OF NONESSENTIAL BUSINESS CLOSURES.

AND, THE RESULTING MANDATES THAT BUSINESSES HAD ONCE THEY REOPEN FOR THAT INDUSTRY EMPLOYED LESS THAN 300,000 PEOPLE WILL AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THAT INDUSTRY WAS EMPLOYING ABOUT 500,000 INDIVIDUALS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY IS REBOUNDING FROM THE WORST OF IT.

JOBS HAVE BEEN SLOW TO COME BACK.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TODAY HEARD OPENING ARGUMENTS IN NEW JERSEY'S LEGAL CASE AGAINST THE PIPELINE COMPANY, WHICH WANTS TO BUILD A 130 MILE PIPELINE PENNSYLVANIA TO NEW JERSEY.

THE ARGUMENTS FOCUS ON WHETHER THEY CAN USE THE EMINENT DOMAIN TO REQUIRE THE NEW JERSEY LAND IT NEEDS FOR THE PROJECT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TONIGHT IS OUTLINING HIS LATEST PLANT IS ABOUT THE ECONOMY, A $1.8 TRILLION PROPOSAL KNOWN AS THE AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN.

IT CALLS FOR $800 BILLION IN NEW TAX CUTS AND TAX CREDITS FOR FAMILIES.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, AND FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TO PAY FOR ALL THIS, PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTS TO RAISE TAXES ON THE WEALTHY, BUT HIS SUGGESTED CHANGES TO THE TAX CODE DO NOT INCLUDE LIFTING THE CAP.

FEDERAL RESERVE POLICYMAKERS VOTED TODAY TO CONTINUE TO KEEP INTEREST RATES LOW TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

THE FEDS, SAYING THE ECONOMY HAS SHOWN SOME IMPROVEMENT, BUT THE PANDEMIC IS STILL CAUSING TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.

NOW ON WALL STREET, HERE ARE TODAY'S NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> FINALLY, TONIGHT WE BRING YOU TO A HYDROPONIC FARM IN BERGEN COUNTY THAT IS CULTIVATING FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE AN OPPORTUNITY.

THE VENTURE, KNOWN AS GREENS DO GOOD IS CREATING A BUSINESS MODEL THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO OVERLOOK COMMUNITIES WHILE SERVING ANOTHER.

ADULTS WITH AUTISM.

A COMMUNITY WITH EXCEPTIONAL TALENT THAT HAS LONG BEEN UNDEREMPLOYED.

A REPORT COMES AS WE WELCOME THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR NEWS REPORTING TEAM, MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> I REALLY LOVE TO SEE THE KIND OF PLANTS BLOOMING INTO THE BIG ONES.

>> ME FINNIGAN BEEN, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS JUST BEEN.

>> THAT IS LIVING LIFE OF A PLAN.

>> FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE 20-YEAR-OLD WITH AUTISM HAS BEEN PLANTING AND CARING FOR GREENS AT THIS VERTICAL HYDROPONIC FARM IN HACKENSACK KNOWN AS GREENS DO GOOD.

>> I ALWAYS PLANTS BASIL, PLANT THAT SORT OF PLANT INTO TWO HOLES ON A STYROFOAM BOARD.

AND ONCE ALL THE HOLES ARE STUFFED WITHIN THOSE KINDS OF PLANS, I JUST WAIT FOR WHOEVER IS GOING TO TAKE THAT BOARD AND JUST START ANOTHER ONE.

>> IT'S A JOB HE SAYS HE REALLY ENJOYS.

THANKS TO THE HELP OF READ NEXT, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO ADULTS LIVING UNDER THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.

THIS IS ONE OF ITS LATEST INITIATIVES.

>> GREENS DO GOOD LAUNCHED IN 2019, AND REALLY, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS A HUGE NEED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM, AND IN TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENS WITH AUTISM TO GAIN VALUABLE WORK SKILLS.

>> JUST ONE OF A HANDFUL OF ADULTS WITH AUTISM WORKING HERE.

IT IS SOMETHING HIS FATHER PETER SAYS IS MAKING HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HIS LIFE.

AWAY FROM THE FARM.

>> THIS IS HIS FIRST JOB, HE'S NEVER HAD A JOB THAT IS TYPICAL.

THE IDEA OF WORKING CUSTOMER SERVICE IS, KIND OF SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE.

FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHERE YOU HAVE A CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO DO, IT'S VERY CLEAR, VERY TASK ORIENTED.

IT'S MANAGEABLE FOR HIM.

AND, HE LOVES IT.

HE'S DRIVING, DOING WELL.

I KNOW EXACT WHAT DAY HE'S WORKING AT THE FARM, THAT'S WHEN HE'S HAPPY IS.

>> ACCORDING TO A 2020 REPORT FROM THE CDC, 1 AND 54 CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY ARE LIVING WITH AUTISM.

NEW JERSEY IS TOPPING THE LIST WITH JUST OVER 3% OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH AUTISM.

THAT'S WHY OFFICIALS SAY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT PROGRAMS EXIST.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE TYPICAL CAREER TRACKS THAT YOU MIGHT THINK GUYS AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL WITH AUTISM, A HYDROPONIC FARM IS A VERY NOVEL CONCEPT.

NOT SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE EVEN HAVE ACCESS TO, LET ALONE AN ABILITY TO GAIN TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

WE KNOW THAT HYDROPONIC FARMING IS GOING TO BE THE WAY OF THE FUTURE, AND WE REALLY THINK THAT WE ARE GIVING OUR INDIVIDUALS A LEG UP IN THAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY IN AN ONGOING WAY.

>> HE IS EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HIS SON.

>> IS NOT A LOT OF JOBS FOR KIDS LIKE FINN.

SO, TO HAVE THEM PROVIDE THE KIND OF IMPLEMENT THAT THEY DO FOR HIM, IT GIVES US HOPE.

IT GIVES US A SENSE OF PRIDE.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE JUST HAPPY BECAUSE HE IS HAPPY.

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

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

FIND US ON SOCIAL TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> IN UNCERTAIN TIMES YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT'S WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP, BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL THAT SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, BUT ALL THE TIME.

>>OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSETED AND PSE&G.

WE WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE WIND OFF-SHORE ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATION, SUPPLY CHAINS, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.