>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJ AND INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN A RUN YEARS AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS EXPECT MORE REOPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS AFTER THIS WEEKEND WITH THE RATE OF CORONAVIRUS DROPPING AND A NEW VACCINE MILESTONE MARKED IN THE STATE.

3 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND JUST SHY OF 7 MILLION TOTAL DOSES IN ARMS SINCE THE ROLL OUT BEGAN IN TESS.

THE DEMANDS HAVE DECLINED, BUT DESPITE THAT STATE LEADERS SAY THEY'RE CONFIDENT ABOUT REACHING THE GOAL OF VACCINATING 70% OF ALL ELIGIBLE ADULTS BY JUNE, MAKING SURE THE VACCINATION RATES CONTINUE RISING AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES IS A TOP PRIORITY.

NURSING HOMELESS WERE THE EPICENTER OF THE OUTBREAK LAST SPRING WHEN NEARLY EIGHT NOW RESIDENTS DIED AS IT SPREAD FROM PATIENT TO PATIENT.

VACCINE RATES AMONG RESIDENTS THERE ARE HIGH, BUT THE NUMBER OF WORKER WHO'S ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES IS MOVING AT A SLOWER SPACE.

WE REPORT ON THE IMPACT THAT'S HAVING FOR THOSE UNDER THEIR CARE.

>> IT WAS A MILESTONE IN LATE DECEMBER WHEN A 103-YEAR-OLD WOMAN BECAME THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE AT A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY IN NEW JERSEY.

SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN OFFERED TO RESIDENTS AND STAFF HELD AT HUNDREDS OF NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

VACCINATIONS AMONG STAFF ARE STILL LAGGING FOUR MONTHS LATER.

>> THE SAME HESITATE TAN SI FOR THE VACCINE.

>> 84% OF ALL RESIDENTS ARE NOW VACCINATED.

AMONG STAFF THE RATE IS JUST 56%.

>> MANY OF THEM ARE FROM COMMUNITY OF COLOR WHO HAVE LONG STANDING CONCERNS ABOUT VACCINES OVERALL AND CLINICAL TRIALS.

>> THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAYS ANOTHER REASON FOR HESITATE SANITY FOR YOUNG WOMEN IS ABOUT THE MYTHS OF VACCINE AFFECTING FERTILITY.

ONE SAYS THE GOOD NEWS IS VULNERABLE RESIDENTS ARE MOSTLY PROTECTED.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE VACCINATION RATES OF THE PUBLIC OR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN OTHER STATES, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN NEW JERSEY IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THAT.

THEY SET A GOAL OF 75% VACCINATION RATE FOR OUR STAFF BY THE END OF JUNE.

>> STATE, LONG-TERM CARE, FAMILY AND RESIDENT ADVOCATE SAYS THE VACCINE RATES AMONG RESIDENTS ALLOWED THE INDOOR VISITS TO RESUME NEXT MONTH.

FA SILL TILMONS HAVE TO SHUT DOWN WHEN ANYONE TESTS POSITIVE.

>> ACTIVITIES STOP, SOCIAL VISITS GRANDCHILDREN STOPS SO.

BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THE STAFF CAN COME AND GO, BUT THE RESIDENTS ARE STUCK THERE IN THE FACILITY BECAUSE THE STAFF PERSON TESTED POSITIVE WHOM PAYS THE PRICE WHEN THERE IS VACCINE HESITATION?

RESIDENTS.

>> MORE THAN 200 FACILITIES ARE REPORTING ACTIVE OUTBREAKS.

LYNN CAST MAN SAYS HER TEAM MADE THE DECISION TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

>> WAS THERE ANY PUSH BACK FROM THE STAFF?

>> WE LOST ACROSS OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM SO EVERY STATE, 40 OF OUR ASSOCIATES DECIDE TOAD SELF-TERMINATE BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATION.

THAT IS A RATE OF UNDER 2%.

AN EXAMPLE OF ONE ASSOCIATE, THIS WAS AN ASSOCIATE WHO HAD TROUBLE MASKING, DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS APPROPRIATE.

FOR THEM THE VACCINE BECAME TOO MUCH.

HEALTHCARE UNION 1199 REPRESENTS ABOUT EIGHT THOUSAND NURSING HOMEWORKERS IN NEW JERSEY.

MILL SI SILVA SAYS THEY ENCOURAGE NURSING HOMEWORKERS TO GET VACCINATED, BUT WARNS COURSE OF MEASURE WOULD BE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE TO THE PROGRESS MADE THUS FAR.

>> WE BROUGHT IN A SERIES OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS THAT INCLUDED A 70-YEAR-OLD RN WHO WAS PART OF THE MODERNA TRIAL AND IT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS 35 NURSING HOMES HAVE MANDATED STAFF GET VACCINATED AND ANOTHER 80 ARE CONSIDERING IT.

MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNOR IS URGING FAMILIES TO PUT PRESSURE ON FACILITIES WHERE THEIR LOVED ONES LIVE TO GET MORE OF THE WORKERS VACCINATED.

>> THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION OR SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IS NOW AT ITS LOWEST POINT SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, WELL BELOW ONE, MEANING EACH NEW CASE OF COVID-19 IS LEADING TO LESS THAN ONE ADDITIONAL CASE WITH MORE THAN 1600 NEW CONFIRMED TESTS REPORTED TODAY AND 26 MORE DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO AT A FIVE MONTH LOW.

CASES ARE DROPPING AT THE STATES PRISONS.

BEGINNING TOMORROW INMATES WILL BE ONCE AGAIN ALLOWED VISITORS AFTER THE PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO A SURGE IN CASES.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CREDITS THE GROWING NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS AMONG PRISONERS AND INFECTION RATE BELOW 1% AS REASON FOR THE CHANGE.

VISITS CAN TAKE PLACE OUT DO, BUT HAVE TO BE SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE.

EACH INMADE IS LIMITED TO TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN PERVIS SIT.

IT IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PICTURE LAST SPRING WHEN THE VIRUS SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGHOUT THE PRISONS FUELED BY A LACK OF PPE.

ACCORDING TO THE MARSHALL PROJECT, ONE IN FOUR INMATES IN NEW JERSEY'S PRISONS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS.

53 HAVE DIED.

WHILE ACTIVISTS FOUGHT FOR YEARS WITH NO SUCCESS TO GET THE COUNTY JAILS TO END LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS, NOW IN A MATTER OF DAYS IT LOOKS LIKE IMMIGRATION DETENTION IN NEW JERSEY COULD BE ON THE WAY OUT.

AS WE REPORTED YESTERDAY, ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY WILL ONO LONGER DETAIN IMMIGRANTS FOR ICE AND WILL " DEPOPULATE" THE JAIL FOR ALL BY THE END OF AUGUST.

ON THE HEELS OF THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, TWO OTHER COUNTIES ANNOUNCE ADD SHIFT COULD BE COMING.

ONE HAS ASKED THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE NOT TO ACCEPT ANYMORE ICE DETAINEES AND WILL LOOK TO END THE CONTRACT A.SPOKESPERSON SAYS THEY'RE CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING ICE DETAINEES, BUT DIDN'T SPECIFY IF THEY'LL END THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ICE.

ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING TO END THIS ALL TOGETHER TO ALLOW THEM TO AWAIT HEARINGS AT HOME.

>> STARTING TOMORROW UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS CAN APPLY FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE NFL NEW JERSEY.

THAT MEANS ROUGHLY 400,000 RESIDENTS WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS WILL BE EXTENDED THE PRIVILEGE AS NEW JERSEY JOINS WASHINGTON, D.C. AND 15 OTHER STATES OFFERING STANDARD, BUT NOT REAL ID LICENSE OPTION.

THE CHANGE COMINGS AFTER A LONG FOUGHT BATTLE FOR ADVOCATES.

>> HE HAS LIVED HERE FOR 22 YEAR AFTER IMMIGRATING FROM HIS HOME COUNTRY OF MEXICO.

>> HE SAYS THE ECONOMY IN HIS COUNTRY IS NOT GREAT AND NOT MUCH AN OPPORTUNITY OF WORK FOR HIM.

RESAYS THE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY LIMITED BECAUSE AS AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> IT WAS A BIT FRUSTRATING BECAUSE I WAS SORT OF STUCK HERE IN THIS STATE AND I WANTED TO FIND WORK IN ANOTHER STATE I HAD TO PAY FOR A TAXI.

IT COST MORE TO GET TO WORK IN A TAXI.

>> THAT'S ALL ABOUT TO CHANGE.

STARTING MAY 1st, NEW JERSEY IS EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FORGETTING DRIVER'S LICENSE.

THAT MEANS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WILL NOW BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR ONE DESPITE THEIR LEGAL STATUS.

WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO BRING TO AN AGENCY TO START THE PROCESS OF GETTING LICENSE.

THOSE DOCUMENTS INCLUDE PROOF OF IDENTITY, SIX POINTS OF ID, PROOF OF RESIDENCE IN NEW JERSEY AND PROOF OF A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OF ITIN.

>> THE PROVISION ALLOWS THE UNDOCUMENTAL IMMIGRANTS WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR AN ITIN TO PROVIDE AN AFFIDAVIT INSTEAD BUT NOT UNTIL JUNE 1st.

ADVOCATES SAY THIS IS A HUGE WIN.

>> IT'S HUGE.

WE KNOW MANY DON'T HAVE AN I-10 AND B, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A NEED TO INTERACT WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY FOR A STATE BENEFIT THERE.

IS FEAR WITH INTERACTING WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY.

ANY POTENTIAL THAT SHARING THEIR INFORMATION THAT COULD PUT THEM AND THEIR FAMILY IS AT RISK IT PUTS THEM ENTITLE.

>> SOME WORRY THAT IMMIGRANTS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH WILL HAVE TROUBLE APPLYING, BUT THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION SAYS IT'S WORKING ON THIS.

>> WE ASK THAT YOU HAVE PATIENCE AND WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND CAPACITY AND WE'RE WORKING ON THAT EVERYDAY, IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES.

THIS IS A PROCESS THAT WILL TAKE TIME.

FOR NOW HE'S SO THANKFUL.

SO NOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?

>> I'M VERY HAPPY.

I FEEL VERY POSITIVE.

I'VE BEEN IN THIS FIGHT FOR FIVE YEARS.

IT'S BEEN A LONG FIGHT AND NOW WE'RE JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY FROM STARTING THE PROCESS OF GETTING A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND I HAVE A FEW JOB OFFERS.

>> WITH THE DRIVER'S LICENSE, HE SAYS HE'LL NOW BE ABLE TO GET BETTER PAYING JOBS AND TRAVEL COMFORT PLY WITHOUT FEAR AROUND THE STATE WITH HIS WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN.

>> MEANTIME, DRIVERS HAVE BEEN HIT WITH TOLL HIKES AND INCREASED GAS TAX DURING PANDEMIC YEAR AND THIS WEEK LAWMAKERS PRESSED THE LEADERS OF NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES TO EXPLAIN CURREPRESENT AND FUTURE PLANS FOR SPENDING, ESPECIALLY AS NEW JERSEY TRANSIT REMAINS WITHOUT A PERMANENT SOURCE OF DEDICATED FUNDING AND RIDERSHIP IS NOT 25% OF PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

JOHN HAS ALL OF THE LATEST FROM THE HEARING.

JOHN, WE'LL GET INTO THE HIGHLIGHTINGS OF THE HEARING IN A SECOND, BUT MOST PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW AM I GOING TO BE PAYING MORE ON TOLL, TUNNELS BRIDGES, BUSES, WHAT HAVE YOU.

>> FOR SURE.

THAT IS ALONG THE LINES OF QUESTIONING THAT LAWMAKERS HAD.

THE GAS TAXES WENT UP AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON THIS YEAR.

THE WAY THE GAS TAX WORKS IS SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT EVERY YEAR.

THE CONCLUSION IS IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY.

IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW MUCH PEOPLE USE THE ROADS BETWEEN NOW AND THE SUMMER DRIVING SEASON.

THE STATE HAS TO HIT A REVENUE TARGET TO KEEP A GAS TAX THE SAME.

WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO HIT THAT.

BUS AND TRAIN RIDER, BUSES, THE NEWS IS GOOD.

THERE IS NO FARE HIKES AS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S NEW BUDGET AND THAT'S THROUGH NEXT JUNE 30th.

TOLLS WENT UP LAST YEAR ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS IN NEW JERSEY SO THE TURNPIKE, THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AND EXPRESSWAY, THAT IS STAYING THE SAME FOR NOW, ALTHOUGH THE WAY THE TOLL HIKES WERE CRAFTED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE INCREASES AND WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THOSE AS WELL.

>> YOU MENTIONED NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AND THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET WHICH DIDN'T SET ASIDE FUNDING FOR THAT AGENCY AND I KNOW THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE YEARS AHEAD BOND THIS FISCAL YEAR.

>> YEAH, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS QUEST FOR DEDICATED, PERMANENT DEDICATED REVENUE FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT TO SUPPLEMENT RIDER FARES.

THE AGENCY IS RE LINE ON RIDER FARES.

THERE IS SOMETHING THAT COMES OUT OF THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR AND THERE IS OTHER MONEY THAT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT USES.

RIGHT NOW IT'S GETTING DECENT REVENUE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S HELPING BECAUSE RIDERSHIP, ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC, FELL OFF.

THAT'LL BE SOMETHING TO WATCH FOR SURE.

I THINK THE FEDERAL MONEY, AND THERE IS MONEY COMING FROM THE TURNPIKE TO THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AND THAT IS HELPING TO BALANCE THAT AGENCY'S BUDGET.

SO SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR SURE GOING FORWARD.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE GETTING BY WITH THE CURRENT REVENUE STREAM.

>> REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> >>: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> EVEN MID HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RIGHT NOW, IT APPEARS COMPANIES ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS.

RHONDA SCHEFFLER HAS MORE.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID HE'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE CONTINUED REOPENING OF THE STATE ON MONDAY, BUT THE QUESTION IS WILL BUSINESSES BE ABLE TO FIND ALL THE WORKERS THEY NEED IF RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED?

MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS AS THE STATE'S DIRECTOR OF THE NFIB TELLS US.

>> CERTAINLY THIS IS A GRAVE PROBLEM IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS.

I RE SECRETARILY TALKED TO MEMBERS IN CHILDCARE WHO CAN'T GET EMPLOYEES BECAUSE OF THE GREAT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS RIGHT NOW, THE EXTRA $300 WEEKLY PAYMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS AN INCENTIVE TO STAY HOME.

A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY FOUND 42% OF BUSINESS OWNERS REPORTED JOB OPENINGS THAT COULD NOT BE FILLED.

THAT IS A RECORD HIGH READING.

IN ATLANTIC CITY TODAY, LOCAL LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS HEALD A NEWS CONFERENCE TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO ALLOW FOR TRADE SHOWS AND CONVENTIONS.

THEY SAY LARGER VENUES SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOST MORE ATTENDEES AND CAN DO SO SAFELY.

BY KEEPING RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE THEY'LL LOSE EVENTS THIS SUMMER AND POTENTIALLY NEXT SUMMER SINCE CONVENTIONS TAKE MONTHS TO PLAN.

>> THE GOVERNOR WAS IN NORTH JERSEY TODAY ATTENDING GROUNDBREAKING.

THE NEW FACILITY WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT STATION WHICH WAS BUILT MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO.

>> IT'LL BE MORE CAPABLE OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE ONE THOUSAND DAILY RIDERS.

IT'LL BE SAFER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE AND FULLY ADA COMPLIANT FROM THE GET GO.

>> IT WILL COST ABOUT $31 MILLION TO BUILD WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE STATE REFI NANCED SOME OF ITS DEBT THIS WEEK.

THE STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT REFI NANCED PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BONDS FROM THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY FOR A SAVINGS OF NEARLY $400 MILLION.

>> THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> AND THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA FOR NJ BUSINESS AS SHE TAKES US BEYOND THE PANDEMIC TO LOOK AT THE WAYS TRADITIONAL SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE CHANGED AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THE STATE IS MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE OWNERS.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M. >> PRESIDENT BIDEN SUSPECT CONTINUING HIS TOUR THROUGH KEY SWING STATES AS HE TOUTS HIS FIRST ONE HUNDRED DAYS IN OFFICE AND LOOKS TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE $2.3 TRILLION AMERICAN JOBS PLAN AND 1-B $.8 TRILLION AMERICAN FAMILY PLAN.

WHAT ARE HIS PROSPECTS OF GETTING LEGISLATION PASSED?

MICHAEL GOES ON THE RECORD WITH PATRICK MURRAY, FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLING INSTITUTE.

>> PATRICK MURRAY, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS IN GEORGIA YESTERDAY, PENNSYLVANIA TODAY, TRYING TO SALE THIS ECONOMIC PLAN.

HOW IS IT PLAYING WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?

>> WELL, IT SEEMS TO BE PLAYING REALLY WELL, EVEN BEFORE HE ANNOUNCEED THE LAST PART OF THE PLAN, THE LATEST PART OF THE PLAN, THAT PUBLIC OPINION HAD ABOUT TWO THIRDS SUPPORT FOR THIS IDEA OF EXPANDING HEALTHCARE ACTIONS, EXPANDING CHILDCARE, COLLEGE TUITION, ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN THE PACKAGE ON TOP OF THE TWO THIRDS THAT SUPPORTED THE INFRASTRUCTURE PART OF THE PACKAGE OVER A MONTH AGO.

TWO THIRDS SAY THEY SUPPORT HIS SPENDING MEASURES FOR THIS, EX-CHEESE ME, HIS FUNDING MEASURES FOR THIS WHICH IS THE TAX HIKES ON CORPORATIONS AND WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS.

HE'S SELLING PLAN, ON ITS FACE, HAS THE ABILITY TO BE POPULAR.

>> SO CAN IT PASS TO CONGRESS?

>> THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE SEE HIM OUT THERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY TRYING TO SALE THIS PACKAGE AND WHY IT IS A BIG PACKAGE.

YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE TO GET SUPPORT.

I THINK WHAT THEY'RE BANKING ON IS GOING BIG IS GOING TO BE BETTER BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TRY TO WIN REPUBLICAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS, JUST TRY TO KEEP THE DEMOCRATS IN LINE.

HE'S OUT THERE SELLING THIS AND IT'S MAINLY TO CONVINCE A FEW PEOPLE LIKE SENATOR JOE MANCHIN FROM WEST VIRGINIA IN STAYING ONBOARD WITH THIS.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS IF WE GO BIG WITH THIS PACKAGE IT'LL BE POPULAR WITH THE VOTERS ACROSS THE BOARD AND THEY'LL PAY LONG- TERM DIVIDENDS DOWN THE LINE.

>> WON'T THEY FIRST TRY TO GET REPUBLICANS ON THE BOARD?

WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER IF IT WERE A BIPARTISAN BILL?

>> NO, IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THE STATE OF THIS COUNTRY, IT WOULD BE WORSE BECAUSE WHAT WE KNOW IN THE PAST, WE SAW THIS WITH THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT OBAMA PASSED HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, IS THAT INITIALLY THE PUBLIC SAID, OH, YEAH, WE LIKE THIS.

HE WENT AND COMPROMISED AND BACKED DOWN ON THINGS.

BY THE END OF THE YEAR PEOPLE SAID IT'S A BUST.

THEY DIDN'T SEE THE BENEFIT TO THEM AND THEY FELT THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH COMPROMISE MADE.

PEOPLE TELL US WE WANT COMPROMISE AND WE WANT TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND WE WANT BIPARTISAN BILLS N.THE END YOU BASICALLY GET NO BROWNIE POINTS FOR THAT.

YOUR GRADE IS BASED ON WHETHER PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A BENEFIT IN THEIR POCKET BOOK A YEAR AFTER THE BILL IS PASSED.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT BIDEN IS COUNTING ON.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE CALLING THE PLAN SOCIALISM.

IT IS AGGRESSIVELY LIBERAL, WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

YEAH, I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN THIS KIND OF LIBERAL SPENDING PACKAGE IN A LONG TIME.

I THINK WE'D HAVE TO GO BACK TO LYNDON JOHNSON.

THE SOCIALISM MARK THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PUT ON THIS JUST DOESN'T HAVE AS MUCH RESONANCE ANYMORE.

OUR COUNTRY IS SO DIVIDED THAT THE GROUP FOR WHOM SOCIALISM IS A NEGATIVE, THEY WERE ALREADY AGAINST THIS PLAN ANYWAY AND YOU WERE NEVER GOING TO WIN THEM OVER.

>> PATRICK MURRAY, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> IN THE DAYS SINCE THE VERDICT ON GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, COMMUNEKY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN WORNING IN OVER DRIVE DOING WHAT THEY'VE ALWAYS DONE, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR CONVERSATIONS AND HEALING AND CREATING MORE SAFE SPACES, PARTICULARLY FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT RACIAL TRAUMA AND HOW TO ADDRESS GENERATIONS OF EMOTIONAL WOUNDS.

>> TO ME, MY FAMILY, WE HOPE THERE IS A SYSTEM THAT WILL ALLOW US TO BEGIN TO HEAL, RIGHT?

WE HOPE, BUT WHEN THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN WE'RE BACK TO STAGE ONE.

THAT CAN BE BASELINE OF OUR MOST TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> AFTER A YEAR OF EMOTIONAL WRECKONNING FROM GEORGE FLOYD TO BREONNA TAYLOR TO DANTE WRIGHT, MANY FROM WORKING TO PROVIDE SAFE SPACES FOR HEALING FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> I DREADED HAVING KIDS MY WIFE BECAUSE OF THIS REASON, RIGHT?

I DIDN'T SEE THE TRAJECTORY OF CHANGE HAPPENING IF MY DAUGHTER GETTING PULLED OVER.

>> I'M SOMETIMES SCARED AND I MAKE SURE I INVEST IN THERAPY BECAUSE WE TAKE ON THE VIE CARE YOU TRAUMA OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEE.

WHETHER YOU WORK IN THE FIELD OR NOT.

>> SHANA STREET, DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES, SAYS MANY REACH OUT FEELING DEPRESSED, WANTING TO GIVE UP OR RETALIATE.

THAT'S WHERE THEY STEP IN OFFERING SUPPORT, HEALING AND EDUCATION.

THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIR SAYS THE IMAGES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY CAUSES TRAUMA.

>> WITNESSING TRAUMA ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, YOU KNOW, IT DEBILL TATES AND DESENSITIZES YOU.

YOU WITNESS OR YOU HAVE FLASHBACKS AND DREAMS AND IMAGININGS.

>> THE COMMUNITY STREET TEAM WALKS NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THIS ONE WHERE REIMAGING POLICE SINGLE A PRIORITY AND HEALING TRAUMA IS A NECESSITY.

>> HEALING THROUGH ART, MUSIC, DANCE.

WE HAVE HEALING AND IT'S DIFFERENT SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO REALLY WORK AND LEARN NEW WAYS TO HEAL AS THEY GO THROUGH OUGHT THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES.

THEY TARGET AREAS WHERE VIOLENCE IS PREVALENT TO HOST ROUNDTABLES AND PROVIDE RESOURCES SO THEY CAN SPEAK DETECTIVELY TO LOCAL POLICE AND STATE LEADERS.

THE WORK I'VE DONE IS SIGNIFICANT.

IT'S EVIDENCE BASED, COMMUNITY SUPPORTED.

IT OPERATES WITHOUT COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

YOU KNOW, IT ENGAGES RESIDENTS IN NEIGHBORHOODS AS THE PRIMARY SOLUTION BRINGERS AND PROBLEM SOLVERS.

>> THROUGH A MILLION DOLLARS GRANT THE TEAM IS GEARING UP TO OPEN A TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER WHERE MANY WILL ASSIST THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE FOR FREE.

>> THE HOPE IS WE CAN FIND THE CITIZENS HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY THAT WE BECOME POCKETS OF EFFECTIVE MEDIATOR, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND MORE.

THIS RESOURCE IS 100% EFFECTIVE.

>> THEY'RE PUSHING FOR REFORM TO PUT PUBLIC SAFETY IN PUBLIC HANDS AND TO END QUALIFIED IMMUNE FINALE FOR OFFICERS AND ENSURE OFFICERS HAVE A RESOURCE GUIDE TO OFFER HELP INSTEAD OF HANDCUFFS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK .

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG HEAD LINES CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND ON SUNDAY.

CHAT BOX IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY AT 10:30.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM VA GREAT WEEKEND.

>> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND OR TERRORISM ALERT DESK, CREATED TO THE COMMISSION OF A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.