>>> SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

WJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

COMMITTED TO LONGTERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> AND GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

AWE DAY AFTER THE STATE MOVED UP OUR UNIVERSAL VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TIMELINE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SHIFTING THE NATIONAL DEADLINE, TOO.

ALL U.S.

ADULTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SHOT COME APRIL 19th.

IN NEW JERSEY, ANYONE 16 AND OLDER QUALIFIES, BUT YOU'LL STILL LIKELY HAVE TO COMPETE FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

RIGHT NOW, PFIZER HAS THE ONLY VACCINE AUTHORIZED FOR 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS.

THE U.S. IS NOW AVERAGING ABOUT 3 MILLION SHOTS IN ARMS A DAY.

HERE AT HOME, NEARLY 4 HAD THE 8 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED, AND MORE THAN 1.8 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

STEADILY CLIMBING TOWARD THE GOVERNOR'S SUMMERTIME GOAL.

AS MORE PEOPLE GET THEIR SHOT, THEY ARE LEFT WITH A LINGERING QUESTION.

HOW LONG WILL PROTECTION FROM THE VACCINE LAST AND WILL GETTING ANNUAL VACCINE BE PART OF THE NEW NORMAL?

MICHIGAN ASKED EXPERTS TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT THEY EXPECT AND HOPE TO SEE.

>> I AM GOING TO GET HUGS.

>> NEW YORK RESIDENT HAS AN AUTO IMMUNE ILLNESS.

SO THE FEAR OF COVID HAS KEPT HER AWAY FROM HER LOVED ONES SINCE SUMMER OF 2020.

SHE JUST RECEIVED HER SHOT TODAY.

HOW LONG WILL THE VACCINE PROTECT HER AND THE MILLIONS OF OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD?

>> THAT SAY REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

>> THE SIOUX THIS ANNUAL VACCINE?

IS IT A ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS?

IS IT A ONCE IN A LIFETIME.

THERE IS NO ONE ON THE PLANET WHO KNOWS THE ANSWER TO THAT.

>> THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS PFIZER JUST RELEASED DATA FROM THEIR SIX- MONTH FOLLOW-UP, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VACCINE REMAINS HIGH.

>> IT IS 91.3%.

IT IS JUST ABOUT THE SAME AS IT WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER YOUR SECOND DOSE FOR MOST PEOPLE.

THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL SEEING THAT IMMUNE RESPONSE SIX MOSS LATER WITHOUT MUCH OF A DROP-OFF IS REALLY GOOD NEWS IN TERMS OF LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS VACCINE.

>> THAT DOESN'T MEAN EFFECT IVENESS DROPS AFTER SIX MONTHS.

IT IS JUST THE ONLY DATA AVAILABLE.

JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE WILL HAVE SIMILAR EFFECTIVENESS.

CONTAGIOUS VARIANTS.

>> AND THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO MUTATE.

>> WE HAVE OVER 4,000 VARIANTS OUT THERE.

IT IS VERY POSSIBLE LIKE THE FLU, YOU KNOW, WHICH CHANGES OVER TIME AND WE DO VACCINES EVERY YEAR.

>> NOBODY REALLY KNOWS HOW LONG IT IS GOING TO LAST.

SIT GOOD AGAINST TODAY'S VIRUS, BUT IT MAY NOT BE GOOD AGAINST TOMORROW'S VIRUS.

>> AND TWO VIRUS IN THE COMMUNITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE IS GOING TO BE COMPLETELY PROTECTED FROM GETTING COVID-19.

>> WHAT ABOUT LONGTERM IMMUNITY.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE VIRUS AND RECOVERED.

DR. BLAZER POINTS THE H1N1 VIRUS WHICH CIRCULATED AROUND THE WORLD FROM 1947 TO 1957.

IT WENT AWAY FOR 50 YEARS.

HE SAYS, AND THEN CAME BACK IN 2008.

>> AND ALMOST NO ONE WHO WAS ALEVE BETWEEN 1947 AND 57 GOT THAT INFECTION.

PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THEY WERE IMMUNE FROM THEIR EARLIER EXPOSURE 50 YEARS BEFORE.

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE INFLUENZA IS THAT NATURAL IMMUNITY WORKS REALLY WELL.

THAT ONCE YOU GET EXPOSED TO SOMETHING, YOU REMAIN IMMUNE TO IT.

MUCH LIKE PEOPLE WHO HAD MESSABLES AND MUMPS AND CHICKENPOX.

THEY ONLY GOT IT ONCE IN THEIR LIVES.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED CASES WITH REINFECTION WITH COVID.

DR. BLAZER EXPLAINS WHY THAT MAY BE HAPPENING.

>> EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE ILLNESS IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF VARIATION.

SOME PEOPLE ARE TALLER.

SOME PEOPLE ARE SHORTER.

SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE INTELLIGENT.

SOME PEOPLE -- THERE IS A LOT OF BIOLOGICAL VARIATION.

AND WE SEE THAT IN RESPONSES TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES AS WELL.

SOME OF THEM CAN BECOME INFECTED AGAIN.

AND GENERALLY, THEY DO BECOME INFECTED AGAIN -- THOSE INFECTIONS ARE MILD OR PERHAPS NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL.

>> WHAT IS TRUE FOR H1N1, DR. BLAZER SAYS MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR THIS VIRUS.

WE SAYS WE DON'T HAVE THOSE ANSWERS YET.

THE CDC IS RECOMMENDING EVERYONE WHO HAD COVID-19 TO ALSO GET THE VACCINE.

IT IS A NEW SITUATION AND WE ARE LEARNING AS WE GO.

>>> THE RATE OF VACCINES BEING GIVEN WILL NEED TO CONTINUE RAMPING UP AND IN ORDER TO KEEP NEW INFECTIONS CAUSED BY THE VARIANTS IN SURGING HIGHER.

AT THE MOMENT, WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

STILL TODAY, REPORTED ANOTHER 3300 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 53 MORE DEATHS.

THERE IS STILL A LOT OF CONCERN THAT SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS ARE BEING LEFT BLIND IN STATE VACCINATION MANS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HOMEBOUND AND MOST MEDICALLY FLANNEL JILL AMONG US.

WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION IS STILL WORKING ON MORE MOBILE WAYS OF REACHING THE UNDERSERVED, SOME COMMUNITY- BASED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AREN'T WAITING USING THEIR OWN RESOURCES TO GET FIRST DOSES IN THE ARMS OF THOSE WHO NEED THEM AND NODING THOSE RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE.

>>> EMG IS OPEN THE VAN AND GRABBED SUPPLIES.

J AND J COVID VACCINE.

WITHIN MINUTES NEW JERSEY'S EMS TASK FORCE CREATED A CLINIC DRAWING UP AND LOGGING ON TO LAPTOPS INSIDE THE COMMUNITY ROOM HERE AT CONIFER VILLAGE IN MIDDLETOWN HOME TO MORE THAN 221 RESIDENTS OVER AGE 55.

>> TO HAVE THEM COME HERE TO US.

FOR ME, IT IS A GODSEND.

>>> MANY RESIDENTS SHOWED UP WITH WALKERS ON CRUTCHES OR IN WHILECHAIRS TO GET THEIR SHOTS.

>> I DON'T DRIVER ANY LONGER, AND I HAVE TROUBLE GETTING AROUND.

SO IT HAS REALLY BEEN HARD FOR ME TO MANAGE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND I ANY THAT IS FANTASTIC.

>> IT IS WONDERFULLY CONVENIENT.

SO IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO DO IT HERE.

>> I AM GETTING IN MY OLD APARTMENT.

WHICH IS GREAT.

>>> SHARON CAHILL WENT TO THE LIVING ROOM TO ADMINISTER COVID SHOT.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.

IDA DOESN'T GET AROUND VERY WELL.

>> I AM REEL LEGALLY BEHIND IN MY LEGS AND IT WOULD BE HARD FOR ME TO HAVE TO GO TO ANYTHING.

I AM SO HAPPY BECAUSE NOW MY GRANDCHILDREN CAN COME SEE ME.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM IN A YEAR.

THEY COME TO THE WINDOW, YOU KNOW.

>> 14 SHE IS SO GRATEFUL.

SHE JUST WANTS TO SEE HER GRANDKIDS.

IT WAS GREAT.

>> WE'RE REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE UNDERSERVED.

>> Reporter: EMS TASK FORCE PLANNER SAYS THAT IS THE WHOLE THING OF THIS MOBILE VACCINE TEAM.

IT IS THEIR 5:00 TRAVELING CLINIC PARTNERING WITH THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL JERSEY AND LOCAL HEALTH OFFICERS AND FUNDED BY THE STATE.

>>> ANY TRANSPORTATION OR ISSUES THEY MAY HAVE GOING ONLINE TO REGISTER.

WE SAW ALL THE OBSTACLES AND BRING THE VACCINE TO THEM.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY PROUDLY NOTES 99% OF NEW JERSEY HAS LIVED WITHIN FIVE MILES OF A VACCINATION ACCESS POINT, BUT THAT LEVERS OUT 90,000 PEOPLE.

BACK IN NOVEMBER, CUSTOMIZED BUSES FOR A VACCINATION CAMPAIGN.

THE STATE MADE US FILE A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST FOR THEIR PRICE TAG, AND THEY STILL NEED TO BE LICENSED WITH A MAJOR HEALTH SYSTEM BEFORE THEY ARE LAUNCHED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT PROCESS SHOULD NOT TAKE MUCH LONGER.

YOU KNOW, TWO WEEKS AT THE MOST.

STAFF HAS BEEN HAIR HIRED, AND THEY WILL BE TRAINED AT THE MEGASITE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, THERE ARE MOBILE VACCINE TEAMS USING AVAILABLE VEHICLES AND STAFF FROM ALL OVER.

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO GET A VACCINE IN FOLK'S ARMS IN ANY AAPPRECIABLE AMOUNTS, WE HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE.

WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIVE, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT OTHER THAN MAKING SURE THAT WE FOLLOW ALL THE GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE CDC.

>>> THE MOBILE TEAM VACCINATED 45 PEOPLE AT LANIFER VILLAGE TODAY.

>> AND IT MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER KNOWING THAT I HAVE THE VACCINE AND I'LL BE ABLE TO GET CLOSER TO MY CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY.

>> IT IS REALLY GREAT.

>>> AFTER YEARS OF PUBLIC PUSHBACK, THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS SOFTLAUNCHING A NEW ONLINE DASHBOARD.

TRACKING USE OF FORCE BY ALL 38,000 OF NEW JERSEY'S POLICE OFFICERS.

IT IS A DIGITAL CATALOG WHERE YOU CAN READ DETAILS ON EACH INCIDENT DATING BACK TO OCTOBER 2020.

THAT IS WHEN THE STATE BEGAN ELECTRONICALLY COLLECTING DATA.

IT INCLUDES THE NAME OF THE OFFICER, AGE, AND RACE, AND GENDER OF THE PERSON AGAINST WHOM FORCE WAS USED.

THE STATE IS ASKING THE PUBLIC TO TEST THE SITE AND SEND FEEDBACK.

PART OF A LARGER PLAN TO BOOST TRANSPARENCY AND PUSH FORWARD WITH POLICE REFORMS.

BUT WILL IT HELP?

CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ SPOKE ONE-ON-ONE WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THIS LIVE USE OF FORCE PORTAL.

TELL ME WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS PORTAL FOR.

IS TO, WE'RE GOING LIVE TODAY WITH THE BETA VERSION WITH OUR USE OF FORCE PORTAL.

RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HOW THE OFFICERS ARE DOING.

THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SEE EVERY USE OF FORCE INCIDENT REPORTED IN THIS STATE GOING BACK TO OCTOBER OF 2020 WHEN WE STARTED CLOGGING THIS INFORMATION.

AND THIS IS PART OF OUR LARGER EFFORT TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY, TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY IS THAT THERE IS A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE WHEN IT COMES TO POLICING THAT HAS BEEN UNDERSCORED BY THE MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES.

THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE PROTEST THAT ENSUED.

IN NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO REBUILD PUBLIC TRUST AND THE PORTAL IS SOMETHING WE COMMITTED TO TWO YEARS AGO AND WE ARE DELIVERING ON THAT PROMISE THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WHAT WE CAN.

WHAT WE DID WAS WE STANDARD SIZED REFORM THAT EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE USES SO EVERY POLICE OFFICER AND EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS REPORTING THE SAME.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISONS WITH HOW BUN DEPARTMENT IS DOING WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER.

WE'RE DOING MORE THAN ANY STATE WHEN IT COMES TO PROMOTING THIS TYPE OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO, IT IS GENERATED BY THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO FILL OUT.

SOMETIMES PRETTY LENGTHY -- WHAT KIND OF BUY-IN HAVE YOU GOTTEN?

AND IF YOU RECALL WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THIS OVERRER TWO YEARS AGO, IT WAS IN THE WAKE OF REPORTING DONE WHERE THEY DID PUBLIC ACCESS.

AND THEY HAD CREATED A PROBLEM THAT HIGHLIGHTED TO ME WAS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING THIS.

AND WE SHOULD HAVE ONE STANDARD FORMAT.

ONE STANDARD USE OF FORCE.

WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THIS, ALL OF POLICE UNION SUPPORTED IT AND THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

THEY WORKED WITH US TO DEVELOP NOT ONLY THE POLICY THAT WE ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER WHICH WAS REALLY REVOLUTIONARY.

THE FIRST UPDATE IN 20 YEARS, AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT POLICING REFORMS EVER TAKEN IN THE COUNTRY.

PART OF THAT WAS THIS PORTAL.

SO THEY BOUGHT INTO IT.

IT IS A TEDIOUS PROCESS, BUT WE ARE COLLECTING OVER 70 DATA POINTS OF INFORMATION TO INCLUDE WHO THE OFFICER WAS, THE VICTIM'S RACE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH FORCE WAS USED.

WHERE THE FORCE WAS USED.

SO MANY OTHER FACTORS THAT IS GOING TO INFORM OUR TO DEVELOP POLICIES.

AND WHERE OFFICERS FELL SHORT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE WHERE THEY CAN BE RETRAINED TO HELP THEM GET BETTER.

THAT IS WE HAVE THAT.

COULD YOU HAVE BENEFITED FROM WAITING SOMEWHAT.

JUST KIND OF GIVING THIS DISTRUST THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN GIN TOWARDS GOVERNMENTAL REPORTING ON THINGS.

>> WE HAVE INDICATED THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET THIS DONE ON A CERTAIN TIMETABLE.

WE HAVE GOTTEN IT DONE.

WE ARE COLLECTING A HUGE AMOUNT OF DATA.

I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET IT OUT THERE LIKE YOU MENTIONED.

BUT ALSO WHAT BETTER WAY TO IMPROVE IT THAN TO SOLICIT PUBLIC INPUT.

WE DERIVE OUR LEGITIMACY FROM THE PUBLIC.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, AND THEY CAN USE IT TO HOLE OUR LOCAL APARTMENTS ACCOUNTABLE, THE LOCAL MAJOR ACCOUNTABLE.

THEY CAN TAKE THIS INFORMATION AND SAY HEY, MAYOR, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OFFICER.

YOU KNOW, WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE?

THAT IS ALSO PART OF THIS.

THAT ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY THAT THIS PROMOTES.

WE WANTED TO GET IT OUT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IT.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>> GREAT SEEING YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THERE ARE AN EXTRA $430 MILLION TO KICK OFF THE BUDGET HEARINGS TODAY.

AS LAWMAKERS CONTINUE DIVERRING INTO GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SPENDING PLANS, THE NONPARTISAN OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES RAMPED UP REVENUE PREDICTIONS BY NEARLY HALF A BILLION DOLLARS.

JUST A YEAR AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION PREDICTED THE STATE WAS FACING A FISCAL CLIFF CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC AND NEEDED TO BORROW BILLIONS TO KEEP THE ECONOMY AFLOAT.

NOW, THE STATE APPEARS FLUSH WITH CASH AND CAN IS EXPECTING ANOTHER 6 BILLION IN FEDERAL AIDE ON THE WAY.

LEDGE SLAY THORACICS TODAY HAD PLENTY OF QUESTIONS ON HOW IT WILL BE SPEND SPENT.

THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORTER HAS BEEN COVERING THE HEARINGS ALL DAY.

HE IS WITH US NOW.

>> JOHN, I GUESS THIS TESTIMONY STARTED OFF WITH A BIT OF A SURPRISE BECAUSE USUALLY WE VOTE INTO THESE HEARINGS HEARING THAT THE STATE NEEDS MONEY.

WE HAVE NO MONEY.

NOT THE CASE THIS YEAR.

>> YEAH, CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE.

BETWEEN THE BORROWED MONEY FROM LAST YEAR, THE OF PERFORMANCE REVENUES IN THE LATER MONTHS IN THE FISCAL YEAR, AND NOW ALL THIS FEDERAL MONEY NEW JERSEY IS DUE TO RECEIVE, CERTAINLY THE BUDGET PICTURE HAS REALLY BRIGHTENED AND WE'RE LOOKING AT A SITUATION WHERE NEW JERSEY HAS A HUGE SURPLUS INSTEAD OF SOMETIMES AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON BEFORE THE FISCAL YEAR ENDS AT THE END OF JUNE.

>> AND DID THE STATE'S NUMBERS MATCH UP WITH THE PREDICTIONS?

>> IN TERMS OF THE REVENUE FORECAST, THE LATEST FORECAST, OVER TWO FISCAL YEARS IS ABOUT $550 MILLION LARGER.

NOT A HUGE AMOUNT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SPENDING OVER 80 BILLION OVER THAT TIME FRAME.

SO A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OVERALL, BUT A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

WE THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, JUST THE STATE'S BUDGET IN GENERAL.

THAT WOULD DOUBLE HOW MUCH NEW JERSEY SPENDS ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX REBAITS OR EVEN FULLY FUND THE INCREASE THAT MURPHY IS PREDICTING FOR THE NEW BUDGET.

ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR ABOUT THE SPENDING PLANS FOR THIS SURPLUS?

IT WAS JUST SEPTEMBER WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID IF WE HAD THE EXTRA MONEY, WE'LL PAY DOWN SOME OF THAT DEBT.

>> YEAH, THE DEBT AND SURPLUS ISSUE BOTH ARE BIG ISSUES.

AND THE IDEA THAT NEW JERSEY BORROWED A $4 MILLION BASICALLY, AND THEN ENDED UP HAVING REVENUES COME IN A WAY THAT MADE THAT BORROWED MONEY LARGELY SIT ON THE SIDELINES.

SO MURPHY IS PLANNING TO SPEND DOWN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE SURPLUS.

THAT IS SOMETHING LAWMAKERS ARE QUESTIONING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

NEW JERSEY USUALLY RUNS A NARROW MARGIN.

2MILLION IS WHAT WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WITH.

WHICH IS A DECENT AMOUNT OF NEW JERSEY STANDARDS.

BUT CERTAINLY NOT BY NATIONAL STANDARDS.

>> WHICH, OF COURSE, THE TREASURER DEFENDED THOSE FORECASTS TODAY.

VERY QUICKLY, FEDERAL AIDE ON THE WAY.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

>> WE CAN EXPECT TO STAY TUNED, BASICALLY.

STILL WAITING ON GUIDANCE FROM THE U.S. TREASURY ON EXACTLY HOW THAT MONEY CAN BE USED.

ONE THING LAWMAKERS ARE INDICATING THEY WANT TO SAY SPENDING IT.

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THERE IS A GROWING CORR RUSS TO PAY OFF THAT STATE DEBT.

HEAR WHAT BUSINESS GROUPS HAD TO SAY AFTER TODAY'S BUDGET TESTIMONY.

THE DETAILS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> AND THEIR VIEW THIS THAT NEW JERSEY SHOULD USE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS TO PAY DOWN DEBT.

YOU AT A PRESS CONFERENCE FEATURES LEADERS FROM SEVERAL NEW JERSEY BUSINESS GROUPS, THEY PRIORITIZED GETTING RID OF DEBT WITH HIGH INTEREST RATES AS WE HEAR FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO MICHELLE.

>> WE ARE REQUESTING A THIRD OF A FEDERAL FUNDS TO PUT IN SOME SPECIAL SHORT-TERM SURPLUS IN ORDER TO DRAW DOWN OVER MULTIPLE BUDGET YEARS.

THE WAY WE CAN TO PAY OFF SOME OF THE LONG-TERM BORROWING.

>> AND $500 MILLION SHOULD BE SET ASIDE FOR BUSINESS GRANTS AND LOANS.

AND THERE IS STILL A LOUT OUT THERE FOR BUSINESSES.

>> WORK FROM HOME IS COMING TO AN END FOR NEW JERSEY CITY'S MUNICIPAL WORKERS.

ALL CITY WORKERS WILL RETURN TO THEIR OFFICES ON MAY 3rd.

A SPOKESWOMAN FROM THE CITY SAYS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS HAVE HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKING THEIR WORKERS TO KOCH BACK TO THE OFFICE.

>>> THE CAPITOL GROUP WILL SELL AS MUCH AS HALF OF ITS OWNERSHIP TO A FAMILY THAT OWNED SEVERAL DETROIT SPORTING TEAMS AND THE LITTLE CAEASAR'S PIZZA CHAIN.

THERE IS NO PRICETAG AROUND THE SALE OF THE STATE TO DETROIT'S FAMILY AND REGULATORY APPROVAL WOULD STILL BE NEEDED.

A NEW YORK HEDGEFUND TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE CASINO IN JANUARY OF 2019.

>>> UNITED AIRLINES IS MAKING A BIG DIVERSITY PUSH.

THE AIRLINE WHICH HAS A MAJOR VIEWER WAS SEEKING TO TRAIN 5,000 NEW PILOTS BY 2030.

AND IT WANTS HALF OF THEM TO BE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

JUST LAST WEEK, UNITED SAID IT WOULD BRING BACK 300 PILOTS WHO HAVE TRAVELED REBOUND FROM THE PANDEMIC.

DELTA AIRLINES WANTS TO TRAIN ITS PILOTS WHILE THEY STILL HAVE A STAFFING SHORTAGE OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

SOUTHWEST IS TELLING ITS PILOTS TO RETURN TO THE JOB ON JUNE # 1s.

>>> THE EASTER HOLIDAY WEEKEND WAS A BUSY ONE FOR TRAVELERS WITH THE TSA SEA SAYING IT SCREENED 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE LAST FRIDAY, THE MOST SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT PROVIDED BY CTGI IS A GLOBAL, IT, AND BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES FIRM.

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

KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES AT CGI.COM, AND NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME-CHANGING CORR RUSS OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY WITH BUSINESS AND ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

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

NJCU.

EDU/GAMECHANGER.

>>> ADULT USE MAR BAN THAT MAY BE LEGAL IN THE STATE, BUT ALLOWING IT TO BE SOLD IS A STEP TOO FAR FOR SOME TOWNS.

IN WAYNE, THE TOWN COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO ADOPT A ZONING ORDNANCE BANNING ALL SIX CLASSES OF CANNIBUS ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING MEDICAL DISPENSARIES FROM OPENING IN THE TOWNSHIP.

THE MAYOR SAYS DISPENSARY OWNERS HAVE BEEN CALLING HIS OFFICE HOPEFUL TO OPEN A SHOT THERE, BUT HE DOESN'T, QUOTE, WANT TO BE THAT TYPE OF TOWN.

THE ZONING BANS ARE JUST ONE OF THE OBSTACLES BUSINESS OWNERS ARE FACING AS THEY TRY TO ENTER THIS GRUELING MARKET.

I STEEP COMPETITION.

>>> AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN WHO HAS WATCHED SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS BE INCARCERATED BECAUSE OF MARIJUANA, NOW IS A NEW INDUSTRY.

NOW, IT IS A CHANCE FOR US TO GET INTO THE DOOR.

AS OWNERS OF A CANNIBUS BUSINESS.

>> A CANNIBUS RUN OF NEW JERSEY'S LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

BUT SOME ARE FINDING A FEW OBSTACLES IN THEIR PATH TO SELLING POT.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE PROPERTY BEFORE YOU APPLY.

WHICH IS AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PRIVATE MUNICIPALITY THAT IS WILLING TO ACCEPT CANNIBUS IN THEIR TOWN.

THEN YOU HAVE TO FIND WITHIN THAT TOWN THE AREAS THAT ARE ZONED FOR A CANNIBUS TO GROW OR A DISPENSARY, AND THEN FROM THOSE FEW PROPERTIES, YOU HAVE TO TRY TO SECURE A ONE.

>> WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT LEVI HOMES AND TRAVIS ALLEY DID IN THIS WAREHOUSE.

HOLMES IS A FORMER NEW YORK POLICE LIEUTENANT, AND ALLEY, A FARMER AND RETIRED ARMY VETERAN.

THE TWO HAVE BEEN PAYING $20,000 A MONTH FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE STATE TO APPROVE THEIR APPLICATION.

THEY ARE DOWN $500,000.

>> THE STATEMENT FORMALLY IN MAY OR JUNE OF 2019 WITH A DEADLINE OF AUGUST.

NOW, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY GOT STARTED BY THE TIME OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU WEREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT.

FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I HAD JUMPED ON IT EARLY SO I WAS ABLE TO GET AN APPLICATION IN ON TIME.

>> HE JUMPED ON PUTTING TOGETHER AN ALL-STAR TEAM OF BLACK LEADERS TO LAUNCH THE CONCEPT INCLUDING A TEAM OF PHYSICIANS WHO ARE HELPING TO DEVELOP THE PRODUCTS.

THE COMPANY NAME IS A NOD TO THE SEGREGATED ALL BLACK 93rd INFANTRY OF THE ARMY.

THIS TEAM IS AWARE THAT MOST PEOPLE OF COLOR DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE KIND OF CAPITOL AND CONNECTIONS THIS VENTURE REQUIRES.

>> WE -- A COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO PULL TOGETHER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS JUST TO COMPETE.

>> HAVE PEOPLE IN JAIL, IN PRISON, DIVIDING FAMILIES.

AND TO COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED HEAVILY FROM LAWS AND INTOER MA ASIAN THAT WERE NEVER BASED ON SCIENCE, AND NOW THAT HAS COME BACK TO DISRUPT, WE ARE BEING SHUT OUT OF WHAT CAN BE AN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY.

>> THE SENATOR DEFENDS THE REQUIREMENTS.

>> AND THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE NEUTRAL REGARDLESS.

YOU KNOW, RACE, COLOR, CREED.

TO HAVE A WAY TO INSURE THAT THERE IS MORE THAN AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD FOR CERTAIN MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.

THAT IS JUST THE NATURE OF OPENING A SMALL BUSINESS.

>> WHILE 93ID WAITS FOR STATE APPROVAL, THE ORANGE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING A BAN ON THE BUSINESS EVEN AFTER ITS MAYOR SUPPORTED IT, SAYS HOLMES.

THE TEAMS HOLDING PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS THIS WEEK TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND THE GOOD THEY INTEND TO DO HERE.

>> THIS WOULD BE A 100% LEGALLY OPERATED LOCATION.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WITH THE REINJURY PROGRAM.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRESTED FOR SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS CANNIBUS IN THEIR LIVES DESTROY.

SO AT LEAST THEY CAN COME HERE AND BE GAINFULLY YOU EMPLOYED.

>> EVENTUALLY THEY WOULD LIKE TO TURN THESE SHIPPING CONTAINERS INTO MICROPODS, WITH OTHER BLACK AND MINORITY ENTREPRENEURS CAN LAUNCH THEIR OWN CANNBUS BUSINESSES.

>> STARTING ON DAY ONE WITH NO MONEY DOWN.

I THINK THEY NEED SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO WE CAN HAVE 50 OR 100 CONTAINERS OUT HERE, ALL INDIVIDUAL, YOU KNOW,-OWNED BUSINESSES THAT WE ARE GOING TO MENTOR THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> A PROCESS THEY HOPE WILL PLANT THE SEEDS FOR OTHERS TO GROW A BUSINESS AND TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND.

I'M JOANNA.

>> WE COULD ALL USE A LITTLE LEVITY THESE DAYS.

THIS WEEK ON CHATBOX, A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE LUCAS BROTHERS.

A COMEDY DUO ORIGINALLY FROM NEWARK WHO ALSO RECENTLY COWROTE THE OSCAR-NOMINATED DRAMA JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH.

THE BROTHERS DISMUSSED HOW GROWING UP IN THE CITY CAPTURED THEIR LIVES.

CATCH IT LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 A.M.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME TO CHATBOX @NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.COM OR ASK THEM LIVE ON THE SHOW.

DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWSTEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

NJ INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSING OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM TO ACHIEVE.

THE CHANCE TO BELONG AND BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.