>>> FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY JOB.

RWJ BARNABAS.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND HORSE DEAD.

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

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS TONIGHT ON THIS DATES VACCINE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

EFFECTIVE TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY, ALL NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AGE 16 AND OLDER WILL QUALIFY TO GET A COVID-19 SHOT THAT IS STARTING APRIL 19.

IT IS WEEKS AHEAD OF A TARGETED MAY FIRST DATE MANDATED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE MOVE COMES AS HEALTH EXPERTS ONE YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE AT THE CENTER OF A NEW WAVE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS.

VACCINATION SITES AND HEALTH CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 4.7 MILLION DOSES OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE AND ROUGHLY 20% OF THE STATES ENTIRE POPULATION, NEARLY 1.8 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

THE NUMBER INCREASED BY ABOUT 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE.

ELIGIBILITY ALSO EXPANDS TODAY TO RESIDENTS 55 AND OVER ALONG WITH WORKERS AND LAUNDRY SERVICES, SANITATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 16 AND OVER ARE ELIGIBLE STARTING TODAY.

BUT GETTING THE VACCINE CAN BE AN OVERWHELMING AND DAUNTING EXPERIENCE FOR SOME PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

A NEW SITE IN HOPEDALE IS OPENING WITH THOSE RESIDENTS IN MIND.

>> SHE KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON.

SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT GETTING THE SHOT.

>> Reporter: HER DAD EXPLAINED SHE IS 26 AND ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.

THAT MAKES GETTING A COVID SHOT COMPLICATED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN LONG WANT TO WAIT TIMES CAN TRIGGER AN ANXIETY ATTACK.

ON TOP OF THAT, HE IS SCARED OF NEEDLES.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

YOU JUST HAVE TO WALK AWAY.

>> Reporter: THEY BROUGHT HER TO A COVID VACCINATION CLINIC.

ALONG WITH ADVOCATES FROM AUTISM , THEY SET UP SPECIAL TENTS FOR ADULT ON THE SPECTRUM.

SHE GOT A ONE AND DONE THOSE OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON.

>> IT WENT ABOUT AS WELL AS WE CAN HOPE FOR.

>> TO WALK IN THE DOORS OF A BUILDING MEANT ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

>> BEING PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, PEOPLE ARE SO KIND.

>> WE DIG AT THE JENSEN VACCINE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO USE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION.

IF WE CAN GET IT, IT IS A ONE- TIME SHOT, WHICH APPS A LOT.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR SAYS HER NURSES KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO SEE SOMEONE WITH EXTREME SENSITIVITY TO NOISE AND CROWDS.

THEY TAKE EXTRA TIME AND DO THE SHOT FIRST, AND THE PAPERWORK AFTERWARD.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

>> WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARRIVE THEY CAN CALL ON A DEDICATED PHONE LINE AND THEY CAN BE TAKEN INTO THE TENT AND GET THE VACCINATION AND GET BACK OUT.

NONE OF THIS WAITING ONLINE.

>> Reporter: THEY STARTED THIS VACCINATION PROGRAM WITH A LIST OF 700 ADULTS ON THE SPECTRUM.

OF THOSE WHO GET AN APPOINTMENT, NOT EVERYONE MAKES IT INSIDE.

OF THOSE WHO DO, NOT EVERYONE GETS A SHOT.

>> SOME DON'T WANT TO SIT.

THEY WILL RUN AWAY AND SCREAM.

THEY THROW THEMSELVES ON THE FLOOR.

IF THE FAMILY IS PRESENT AND THEY CAN TRY TO HELP, WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT WE CANNOT RESTRAIN ANYBODY.

ESPECIALLY, WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GET HURT.

THERE IS OCCASIONALLY TIMES WHERE IT IS TOO MUCH.

AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> WE HAVE MADE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS BY TRYING TO VACCINATE INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR CARS.

WITH PARENTS AND THE NURSES AND STAFF.

>> Reporter: ABOUT A QUARTER OF NEW JERSEY'S 140,000 FOLKS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM ALSO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND STUDIES SHOW THEY ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO COVID COMPLICATIONS.

>> FOR THOSE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

SOME OF THE NEW RESEARCH COMING OUT SHOWS THEY HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY.

>> Reporter: HIS DAUGHTER'S GOT THEIR SHOTS MUCH TO THEIR PARENTS RELIEF.

>> WE FEEL SAFER ABOUT THEM BEING AROUND PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WORKING TOGETHER, THEY HAVE DONE ABOUT 60 VACCINATIONS A WEEK.

>> NO SINGLE ENTITY WILL ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS ALONE.

IT TAKES WORKING WITH YOUR PARTNERS.

IT TAKES WORKING WITH GOVERNMENT.

AND WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: IT TAKES BUT STABILITY AND COMPASSION.

BASICALLY, IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

>>> DESPITE PROGRESS THERE IS MAJOR DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN VACCINE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY.

A LONG PLANNED EFFORT TO REACH HOMEBOUND AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES HAS BEEN STUCK IN LOW GEAR.

A MOBILE VACCINE UNIT, HAVE YET TO HIT THE ROAD.

THEY ARE CONSIDERED A KEY TOOL IN THE OVERALL VACCINE PLAN AND ACHIEVING EQUITY.

WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN DEPLOYED?

>> THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THESE MOBILE VANS FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

WHERE ARE THEY?

WHY AREN'T THEY ON THE ROAD?

>> THAT WAS SORT OF MY QUESTION.

THESE CAME UP IN THE FIRST VACCINE PLAN, WHICH WAS SUBMITTED TO THE FEDERAL OFFICIALS IN OCTOBER.

IT DOES NOT TALK ABOUT VANS BUT IT TALKS ABOUT MOBILE VACCINE SITES AND THERE IS A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE.

IN NOVEMBER, CURRENTLY THE STATE ORDERED THREE VANS.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST, WE SAW PHOTOS THIS MORNING.

THESE ARE NOT NORMAL VANS.

THEY ARE REALLY MORE LIKE A MINI BUS AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE MULTIPLE STATIONS, WHERE YOU CAN VACCINATE OR SEE SOMEBODY.

THEY WERE ORDERED IN NOVEMBER.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY INVOLVED A FAIR AMOUNT OF CUSTOMIZATION, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE CASE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM.

MURPHY SAID THEY WILL BE ON THE ROAD SOON.

HE SAID THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO.

WITHIN A FEW WEEKS HE SAID.

HOPEFULLY SOON.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT REACHING FORMIDABLE, UNDERSERVED, AND EVEN HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS, WHEN THERE BE AN IMPETUS TO GET THESE OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE?

>> I THINK THAT IS WHAT RAISED QUESTIONS.

GIVEN THIS HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA FOR SO LONG, A COUPLE PEOPLE SAID TO ME, THERE ARE EXISTING -- THE STATE HAS SOME VEHICLES.

IT MAY NOT BE THE PERFECT VEHICLE BUT THEY COULD HAVE FOUND SOMEBODY TO CONVERT IT.

THE STATE POLICE HAS VEHICLES.

THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VEHICLES.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF LARGE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS THAT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE LEARNED THAT MY BAND.

PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED TO ME THAT THERE WERE OTHER AVENUES.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHY THEY CHOSE TO BUY THEM.

WE MAY FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE WEEKS TO COME.

>> Reporter: WE KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE JUST ABOUT READY.

QUICKLY, WHAT WILL THEY BE ABLE TO DO ENTIRELY AS PART OF THE OVERALL PLAN?

>> TWO ARE GOING TO BE EQUIPPED TO VACCINATE.

ONE IS FOR COVID TESTING.

THEY WILL GO DEEP INTO COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THAT MOST.

THAT IS BASED ON INPUT FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER SOURCES AND WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC DETAILS.

THEY WILL BE WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST.

>>> STATE HEALTH LEADERS ARE STILL AIMING TO VACCINATE ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF OUR ADULT POPULATION BY THE SUMMER.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HEALTH PROVIDERS TO SAY THEY ARE STANDING OUT AND READY TO HELP.

LOCAL PHARMACIST SPENT MONTHS RETROFITTING STORES AND BUYING THE RIGHT REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS TO HOUSE THE VACCINES, BUT NEARLY 4 MONTHS INTO THE ROLLOUT THEY HAVE YET TO BE ALLOCATED THE SUPPLY.

THIS AS MORE AND MORE RESIDENTS SAY THEY WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE GETTING THEIR SHOT AT THE LOCAL PHARMACY THAN A VACCINE MAKE A SITE.

>> Reporter: THIS PHARMACY HAS BEEN SERVING THE TOWN FOR 60+ YEARS.

BUT THEY HAVE HIT A ROADBLOCK WITH THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THEY CANNOT GET IT.

>> MY PARENTS ARE 90 YEARS OLD.

MY FATHER STARTED THIS STORE.

WE HAD TO FIND THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GO TO GET HIS VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER SAID NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GAVE HIS PHARMACY THE GREEN LIGHT TO BE A VACCINE SITE IN JANUARY, BUT THEY ARE WAITING FOR DOSES.

THE STATE TOLD HIM IT IS A SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE.

JUST LIKE THEY TOLD US IN A STATEMENT.

QUOTE, VACCINE IS AVAILABLE AT OVER 750 VACCINATION SITES IN NEW JERSEY.

AS VACCINE SUPPLY INCREASES, APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY, AND VACCINATION SITES, SUCH AS ADDITIONAL PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

MEANWHILE THEY KEEP OPENING MORE STATE RUN FACILITIES IN HIS AREA.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS AMPLE SUPPLY FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY AND HIS ADMINISTRATION.

AMPLE SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE.

IF THERE IS AN AMPLE SUPPLY, WHERE IS IT?

>> Reporter: THE OWNER SAID HIS PHARMACY HAS BEEN RUNNING INTO THE SAME ISSUE.

NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

NOT BEING ABLE TO HELP LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

HE SAID HE HAS A WAITING LIST OF 50 PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMEBOUND AND IN NEED OF THE SHOP.

>> I HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SISTER FIBROSIS, MAJOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

THEY CANNOT GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

WE CAN GO TO THEM.

WE CAN ADMINISTER TO THEM.

THAT IS PART OF THE SERVICE THAT MOST IN OPPONENT PHARMACIES DO.

WE HAVE GIVEN FLU SHOTS AND WE HAVE GONE TO PEOPLE'S HOUSES.

>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PHARMACIES AND PHYSICIANS, IS ALREADY EXISTING AND COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO THE STATE.

YET THE STATE THINGS OPENING MEGA SITES AND BUYING RVS TO DRIVE THE VACCINE AROUND THE SITE IS A BETTER SYSTEM.

IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

90% OF THE UNITED STATES POPULATION LIVES WITHIN FIVE MILES OF A PHARMACY.

IF YOU WANT ACCESS, THAT IS WHERE IT IS.

PHYSICIANS, LET'S FACE IT, PATIENTS ARE SEEING PHYSICIANS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IF THEY WANT ACCESS, THAT IS WHERE DOES.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH FROM KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION FOUND A PERSON'S OWN DOCTOR'S OFFICE WAS THE MOST POPULAR CHOICE WHEN PEOPLE WANTED TO GET THE VACCINE.

PHARMACIES CAME IN SECOND.

BEEN HOSPITALS FOLLOWED BY WORKPLACES.

>> WE RUN ABOUT 300 PHONE CALLS OR VISITS A DAY FOR PATIENTS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: IT IS A LET DOWN FOR HIS AREA.

AND IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

HE EXPLAINS WELL OVER A DOZEN PATIENTS REFUSED TO GET THE VACCINE UNTIL THEY CAN GET IT AT HIS PHARMACY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DRIVE OR GO TO A MEGA SITE.

>> THEY DON'T LIKE THAT THEY WILL BE IN A ROOM OR AN AREA WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE AVOIDED THAT FOR A YEAR.

MOSTLY PATIENTS THAT ARE ASKING ARE EITHER IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR OLDER AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE THEY DON'T KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GIVING THE VACCINATIONS.

THEY HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PHARMACY.

THE STATE HAS NOT GIVEN WALGREENS A SINGLE-DOSE A VACCINE.

THEY ARE RECEIVING IT FROM THE FEDERAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: HE SHOWED US HIS EMPTY VACCINATION STATIONS, EMPTY VACCINE FREEZER, ALL BUILT IN PREPARATION, COLLECTING DUST AS HE CONTINUES TO WAIT.

>>> HEALTH LEADERS SAY EVEN IN A BEST CASE SCENARIO THE STATE WILL STILL SEE A COUPLE MORE WEEKS OF STEADY INFECTION RATES, ANOTHER 2400 NEW POSITIVE CASES TODAY AND 15 MORE DEATHS.

THE BIGGEST CONCERN, RISING VARIANTS SPREADING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITIES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DATA SHOWS MORE THAN 750 CASES OF SEVEN MUTANT STRAINS HAVE BEEN DETECTED.

EXPERTS SAY WITHOUT PROPER TESTING THE STRAINS ARE LIKELY MUCH MORE PREVALENT THAN WE KNOW.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH CENTER FOR DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION IS HELPING A NEW RAPID TEST WILL HELP.

IT CAN PINPOINT THE CONTAGIOUS STRAINS IN AN INDIVIDUAL WITHIN 2 1/2 HOURS.

THE CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE RAPID SPREAD OF THE VARIANTS AND THE MINIMAL NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE, IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS IS GOING UNDETECTED IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

HOW IMPORTANT DOES IT MAKE IT TO HAVE H TEST?

>> IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE THE VARIANTS, LIKE THE UK VARIANT, WHICH IS REALLY BECOME THE PREDOMINANT VIRUS LINEAGE IN THE UK POPULATION.

WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT IT IN THE U.S.

IN THE UK POPULATION.

WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT IT IN THE U.S.

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED NOW IN NEW YORK.

IT IS BECOMING THE PREDOMINANT VIRUS.

AND ACTUALLY IN OUR REGION AS WE HAVE STARTED TO TRACK THIS, WE SAW THAT THE UK VARIANT WAS ABOUT 11% IN FEBRUARY AND OF ALL THE VIRUS VARIOUS WE SEE WITHIN A LARGE HEALTHCARE NETWORK.

AND NOW IN MARCH IT IS CLOSER TO 50%.

IT IS ON THE MOVE.

BEING ABLE TO TRACK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND BEING ABLE TO TRACK OTHER VARIANTS OF CONCERN, IS ALSO VITALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE LEARNED THIS WEEKEND THROUGH SOME NATIONAL REPORTING THAT PERHAPS THIS VARIANT CAN BE SPREAD MORE EASILY THREE CHILDREN THEN WE FIRST NEW.

WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE FOR THE APPLICATION OF A TEST LIKE THIS?

AND HOW WIDELY WE CAN SEE IT BEING USED?

>> WEATHER IN CHILDREN OR ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE FLOW OF TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BE.

SO THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS TO HAVE TECHNOLOGY THAT TRACKS IN REAL TIME.

OUR TEST TAKES ABOUT TWO HOURS.

WE CAN EVALUATE WITH OUR SMALL GROUP HUNDREDS OF VIRUSES IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> Reporter: HOW MUCH COULD THIS CHANGE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING SO FAR IN DETECTING THE VIRUS AND TRACKING PATIENTS?

>> FOR THE MOST PART, MANY GROUPS, MANY ACADEMIC GROUPS HAVE BEEN SEQUENCING AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VIRUS IS MUTATING.

AND WHAT FORMS OF VIRUS ARE OUT THERE.

THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF ANALYSES OF CLUSTERS AND LINEAGES.

BUT NOW IS WE HAVE THE VARIANTS OF CONCERN, WHICH HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INFECT MORE RAPIDLY AND BE MORE HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE, AND IN SOME CASES TO BE LESS SENSITIVE TO SOME OF OUR THERAPIES.

NOW THIS ELEVATES THE NEED FOR REAL-TIME DETECTION TO A MUCH HIGHER ORDER OF DEGREE.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO LURING BUSINESSES TO THE STATE, OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS HAVE NEVER BEEN SHY ABOUT DANGLING A FEW TAX CREDITS TO HELP.

AFTER GEORGIA PASSED NEW RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING LAWS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAW OPPORTUNITY TO PERSUADE MAJOR PRODUCTION COMPANIES WITH MORE LIBERAL POLITICAL LEANINGS TO SET UP SHOP HERE.

IN BLUE JERSEY.

A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR TV AND MOVIE CRUISE.

STATE LEADERS SEE A CHANCE FOR A REAL BOOM.

>> Reporter: THOMAS EDISON WAS SHOOTING FILM IN NEW JERSEY AS FAR BACK AS 1892.

AT HIS STUDIOS IN WEST ORANGE.

THERE WAS A POPULAR FILM PRODUCED IN JERSEY CITY IN THE EARLY TEENS.

AND THE JOKER SHOT A LOT OF SCENES IN JERSEY.

IT IS NOT SUPPOSING THE STATE IS HOT AGAIN AS A POTENTIAL SITE FOR FILM PRODUCTION STUDIOS .

ONE IN JERSEY CITY, ANOTHER HERE AND A THIRD PROPOSED FOR 70 ACRES ON THE WATERFRONT.

>> THIS IS THE EARLIEST TIMES -- >> Reporter: THE STATE KICKED UP A NOTCH RECENTLY WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY SENT A LETTER TO MAJOR STUDIOS, DISNEY AND NETFLIX, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT IF THEY WERE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH GEORGIA'S HIGHLY RESTRICTIVE NEW VOTING LAWS, THEY MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER NEW JERSEY.

WHICH IN ADDITION TO OFFERING UP TO 40% IN TAX INCENTIVES, IS ALSO PRETTY PROGRESSIVE.

ONE THING IS CLEAR SAID THE LETTER, WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL POLICIES, CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY , NEW JERSEY IS A TOP CONTENDER FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

>> NEW JERSEY WANTS TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS.

IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE FOR NEW JERSEY TO BE ON THE SAME SIDE THAT CORPORATE AMERICA IS.

THEY CLEARLY BELIEVE THAT CONSUMERS WANT VOTING TO BE LESS RESTRICTED.

AND SO NEW JERSEY IS COMING DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ISSUE.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS COOL, BUT IT WILL COST?

HE HAS BEEN A SHARP CRITIC OF THE STATES INCENTIVE PROGRAMS CALLS THE EFFORT TO HIRE FILM AND TV PRODUCTION STUDIOS HERE A RACE TO THE BOTTOM.

WHEN SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS HELP SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED.

>> I DON'T FAULT THE GOVERNOR FOR SAYING, ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS?

I THINK THE CONCERN IS, ARE FILM TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES A GOOD USE OF MONEY?

I DON'T SEE HOW INVESTING IN FILM TAX CREDITS OR TRYING TO ATTRACT THE FILM INDUSTRY TO NEW JERSEY AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE MAKES MUCH SENSE.

THE OFFICE THAT DOES THE ANALYSIS IS A MONEY LOSER.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE INDUSTRY PUMPED $500 BILLION INTO THE STATES ECONOMY AND 2019.

THE PERMANENT STUDIOS HERE WOULD BRING PERMANENT JOBS.

>> IT IS FOR THE GOOD MIDDLE- CLASS JOBS.

THESE ARE GOOD UNION JOBS.

LOTS OF JOBS THAT ARE REAL JOBS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS NOT THE ONLY LOCATION.

THIS YEAR'S MAJOR LEAGUE ALL- STAR GAME SCHEDULED FOR ATLANTA WAS PULLED.

NEW YORK IS AMONG THE STATES OFFERING TO HOST.

AND NOW PRESSURE IS MOUNTING ON COCA- COLA, HOME DEPOT, AND DELTA, ALL GEORGIA-BASED TO TAKE A STAND OR FACE POSSIBLE BOYCOTTS.

IT COST MURPHY NOTHING TO WRITE THE LETTER.

BUT THE POLITICAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT, GIVEN ALL THE ATTENTION IT IS GOTTEN, HAS BEEN HIGH-YIELD.

>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS TODAY ON WALL STREET.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY CGI.

IT IS A GLOBAL IT AND BUSINESS CONSULTANT SERVICES FIRM.

WE HAVE BEEN HELPING GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR CLIENTS IN NEW JERSEY WITH THEIR EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR 30 YEARS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES AT , CGI.COM.

AND NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

THEY OFFER PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE ARE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT PLACE IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE@TRAN06.EDU.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS FROM SIX OTHER STATES IN A LETTER URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN TO REMOVE THE CAP ON STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS.

KNOWN AS SALT A $10,000 LIMIT WAS PUT IN PLACE UNDER TAX LAWS MADE DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THE LETTER ARGUES HIGH TAX LARGELY DEMOCRATIC RUN STATES WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY HIT BY THE RULE.

AMONG THOSE WHO SIGNED, GOVERNORS FROM NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT AND ILLINOIS.

REMOVING THE CAP HAS BEEN A FOCAL POINT FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SAY THEY WILL NOT VOTE FOR BIDEN'S TAX HIKES TO PAY FOR HIS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN UNLESS IT INCLUDES A REPEAL ON THE SALT DEDUCTIONS.

>>> EVEN WITH THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THIS LAST YEAR, THERE WERE PLENTY, YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON STATE PARTY POLITICS TO REMAIN A CONSTANT HERE.

THERE IS MORE OPEN LEGISLATIVE SEATS BEEN IN RECENT YEARS AND THE TURF WARS WILL BE ON FULL DISPLAY IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

AS THE JUNE PRIMARY PROMISES SHAKE UPS AND LIVELY RACES FOR BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

SENIOR WRITER IS HERE WITH THE PREVIEW.

THE GOVERNOR'S RACE TOPS THE BALLOT.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER BIG RACES TO KNOW?

>> THE GOVERNOR'S PRIMARY RACES DON'T SEEM LIKE THEY WILL BE TERRIBLY EXCITING.

THERE ARE LOTS OF RACES IN THE LEGISLATURE ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT PEOPLE COULD BE INTERESTED IN.

THERE WILL BE PRIMARY BATTLES BOTH FOR SENATE SEATS AND FOR ASSEMBLY SEATS IN SOME PLACES.

PROBABLY THE BIGGEST RACE WILL BE THE ONE UP IN BURTON COUNTY IN THE 37th THE DISTRICT.

WE HAVE BEEN COVERING.

WHERE SENATOR WEINBERG IS RETIRING AND THE TWO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ARE BATTLING OUT TO SEE WHO WILL GET THAT SEAT.

WHAT THAT DOES IS HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT.

NOW THERE WILL BE A BATTLE FOR THE ASSEMBLY SEATS IN THOSE DISTRICTS.

BOTH OF THOSE WILL BE OPEN.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A TUG-OF- WAR AS FAR AS GETTING PARTY BACKING.

NOT JUST IN THE 37th DISTRICT.

>> STRANGELY, WE HAD THREE CANDIDATES THIS YEAR WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR SEAT WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN PARTY BACKING.

ACTUALLY IT IS FOUR.

THE SITUATION IN THE 26 DISTRICT IS STRANGE BECAUSE AN ASSEMBLY MAN.

THEN YOU GOT A CASE WITH THE ASSEMBLY MAN IN HUDSON COUNTY AND THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN IN MONMOUTH COUNTY.

THAT SETS UP BATTLES.

THE PREVAILING WISDOM IS THAT IF YOU ARE RUNNING OFF THE PARTY LINE YOU ARE AT A DISTINCT DISADVANTAGE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE INCUMBENTS, WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

>> Reporter: I THINK THEY HAVE CALLED IT BALLOT SIBERIA.

ANY EMERGING TRENDS OF NOTE?

AND DO THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC?

>> NOT REALLY.

WE KNOW WE WILL BE VOTING IN PERSON, WHICH WILL BE THE WAY WE USE TO VOTE BUT VERY DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR.

IT WILL BE CURIOUS TO SEE IF THAT CONFUSES ANY FOLKS THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THERE IS TIME TO FILE.

ORDERED THE DEADLINE COMING GO?

>> THE DEADLINE IS TODAY AT 4:00.

BUT WE PROBABLY WILL NOT SEE FULL RESULTS UNTIL THE MORNING BECAUSE THE FOLKS AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THOSE FILINGS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ADHERED TO THE RULES.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS OR FIND US ON SOCIAL TO FOLLOW OUR REPORTING.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE, SUBSCRIBE TO THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND VERIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AND INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

NJM HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS .

BUT JUST TO OUR NJM POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND .

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR.

AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

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

NJM, WE HAD NEW JERSEY COVERED .

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR RWJ BARNABAS HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELE-MED APP.

OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST.

EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T AWAIT YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.