> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOSIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

[ MUSIC ] FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AND GOOD EVENING AND THINGS FOR JOINING US ON THIS FRIDAY, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT WAS THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY'S TURN TO JOIN THE MILLIONS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE GOTTEN DOSE ONE OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE, ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES FOR A PFIZER SHOT AT THE ATLANTIC CITY MEGA SITE AFTER TOURING THE FACILITY AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE VIA LIVE STREAM.

GETTING STICKERS OF COURSE TO PROVE IT, MURPHY SAID HE WOULD WAIT TO GET THE VACCINE UNTIL HE WAS ELIGIBLE BASED ON THE STATE PLAN HE DEVISED.

THAT TURN CAME THIS WEEK AS ANYONE 55 AND OLDER WAS ALLOWED TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

THIS BRINGS NEW JERSEY'S VACCINATION NUMBERS TO MORE THAN 5 MILLION TOTAL DOSES GIVEN AND MORE THAN 2 MILLION RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST THE VIRUS.

BEFORE GETTING HIS SHOT IN THE ARM MURPHY HAD PEN IN HAND SIGNING A BILL IN ATLANTIC CITY TO HELP THE STRUGGLING RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

PROVIDING ANOTHER $35 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF AID AS PART OF A LARGER $100 MILLION AID PACKAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GROUT MANY, GRANT MONEY THESE FACILITIES MUST EMPLOY LESS THAN 150 WORKERS.

NEARLY 1/3 OF RESTAURANTS CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT'S ABOUT 90,000 JOBS LOST AND IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN MONEY TO KEEP THOSE BUSINESSES AFLOAT.

LIKELY SAFELY BRINGING BACK MORE CUSTOMERS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON A PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGY FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE THAT COULD DO JUST THAT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE PREPPING AMUSEMENT RIDES OVER AT JENKINS AND ROLLING OUT THE ARCADE MACHINES LINING UP THE LEMONADES AND WARMING UP THE PRETZELS ALONG THE POINT PLEASANT BEACH BOARDWALK BUT SHOULD THEY ALSO BE SETTING UP STATE PUBLIC HEALTH VANS TO OFFER FREE COVID TESTS AND VACCINATIONS IN OCEANFRONT TOWNS DOWN THE SHORE THIS SPRING AND SUMMER?

>> I THINK THAT'S GREAT.

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN OPEN IT UP TO, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

>> IF PEOPLE WERE TO GET TESTED, IF THEY FOUND OUT ON SITE THAT THEY WERE POSITIVE, THEN TO MAYBE TURN AROUND AND GO HOME SO THAT THEY DIDN'T IN FACT OUR BUSINESSES AND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

>> ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE ARE GET MORE PEOPLE DOWN HERE IN THE SUMMERTIME TO HELP ALL THE BUSINESSES AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS LOST OUT ON THIS.

TO BRING IT BACK IS A GOOD IDEA.

>> OVER 50% OF OUR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND BUSINESS IS TOURISM.

HALF OF THAT IS AT THE JERSEY SHORE.

>> THAT IS ONE REASON ASSEMBLYMAN ROD DANCER SPONSORED A MEASURE URGING NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEPLOY BUBBLE TESTING AND VACCINATION UNITS IN SHORT TOWNS INCLUDING BOARDWALKS WHERE FEASIBLE DURING THE ENTIRE TOURISM SEE SOME BY MEMORIAL DAY.

>> NEW YORK CITY HAS ALREADY PLACED MOBILE UNITS AROUND THE CITY.

WE IN NEW JERSEY NEED TO HAVE A MOBILE UNITS PLACED WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE.

COME MEMORIAL DAY THEY COME TO THE JERSEY SHORE.

REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE FROM.

YOU COME TO THE JERSEY SHORE, WE WANT YOU TO BE HEALTHY.

>> I WOULD CERTAINLY LOVE TO SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAVELING THERE TO BE VACCINATED BUT ALSO MAKING SURE WE GET OUT THE INFORMATION THAT THE VACCINE DOESN'T WORK INSTANTLY.

>> Reporter: MONTCLAIR BUT EMAIL JUST STEPHANIE SILVERA SAYS IT TAKES TWO WEEKS TO BUILD IMMUNITY AFTER THE FINAL SHOT AND SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT OFFERING SHOTS TO OUT-OF-STATE OR'S WHEN NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE STILL SCRAMBLING FOR APPOINTMENT.

>> THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE EVEN WITHIN THE STATE RIGHT NOW HAS NOT BEEN ENTIRELY EQUITABLE AND THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY HARD-HIT AND IT MAY BE THAT SOME PARTS OF THE ECONOMY HAVE TO OPEN A LITTLE BIT SLOWER SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE SAVING AND PROTECTING LIVES.

>> Reporter: BUT THE ANSWER SAYS SURE BUSINESSES NEED TO RECOVER FROM 2020s COVID LOCKDOWNS AND THAT LOCAL MAYORS COULD DETERMINE THE BEST SITES TO PARK VACCINATION VANS.

STILL THEY COULD DRAW CROWDS AND THAT'S A CONCERN IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH WHICH WILL AGAIN RATION BEACH BADGES TO ENFORCE SOCIAL DISTANCING THIS SUMMER.

>> WE ARE ONLY A TOWN ABOUT 5000 IN THE OFF-SEASON, WE HAVE ABOUT 50,000 A DAY HERE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

SO IT WOULD WORK, BUT THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS AND I DON'T THINK YOU COULD DO IT ACTUALLY ON THE BOARDWALK.

>> I LIKE TO GET BACK TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY.

>> Reporter: IS THIS OWNERS LIKE JIM MILLER WHO HAS OWNED AND OPERATED TO BE FOOD STAND SINCE THE 80s THINK PEOPLE WILL GO DOWN THE SHORE BECAUSE THEY DESPERATELY NEED SOME FUN AND SUN.

>> TO COME HERE FOR A VACCINE AND YOU MIGHT WAIT IN LINE FOR HOURS AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET IT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I DON'T THINK OR PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATION OR A TEST.

>> WE DIDN'T DO THAT LAST YEAR, WHY WILL HE DO THAT NOW?

WE WERE BUSY EVERY DAY LAST YEAR.

IT DOESN'T BENEFIT US TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: RESIDENT BIDEN PREDICTED FAMILY PICNICS BY JULY 4 BUT IT'S TOUGH TO FORECAST HOW THE JERSEY SHORE IS GOING TO HANDLE CROWDS AND COVID THE SUMMER SEASON.

DANCERS BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR A VOTE IN MAY.

IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HEALTHCARE LEADERS ARE HOPING THE STATE WILL REACH HERD IMMUNITY BY THE TIME THOSE CROWDS GATHER AT THE SHORE.

IT WAS THIS TIME LAST YEAR OUR AREA WAS IN THE THROES OF THE HEALTH CRISIS, ON OUR WAY TO REACHING PEAK HOSPITALIZATIONS.

TODAY THE NEW CASELOAD APPEARS TO HAVE PLATEAUED BUT AT HIGHER NUMBERS THAN MEDICAL EXPERTS WANT TO SEE.

ANOTHER 3500 NEW POSITIVE TESTS BEING REPORTED AND 43 MORE DEATHS.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS DEMANDING BETTER PROTECTIONS ON THE JOB.

MANY WROTE TO US A YEAR AGO AFTER USING HOMEMADE PPE TO REPORT TO WORK.

THEIR FACILITIES CAUGHT OFF GUARD.

THE UNION REPRESENTING MORE THAN 14,000 NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE IS BEGINNING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOR ITS MEMBERS.

WE ASKED DEBBIE WHITE THE PRESIDENT OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES WHAT PROTECTIONS THEY WANT TO SEE.

>> HOW DO YOU BEGIN THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND FIGHTING FOR WORKERS RIGHTS AS YOU HAD WRITTEN TO US, AS WE SIT HERE TODAY WE STILL DON'T HAVE DATA ON THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INFECTIONS CAUSED BY COVID-19 AMONG YOUR MEMBERS.

>> THAT IS A LOADED QUESTION AND I AM IN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

WE DO LACK CRITICAL DATA.

HOWEVER, I HAVE HEARD EXPERTS SAY THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN SUCH A HAZARDOUS TIME FOR WORKERS SINCE THE ASBESTOS CRISIS.

WE BELIEVE IT SURPASSES THAT.

WE KNOW THAT MANY OF OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS BECAME INFECTED AND GOT SICK WITH COVID AND SOME DIED SO WE WILL BE USING THOSE LESSONS THAT WE'VE LEARNED TO SHAPE OUR BARGAINING.

>> YOU SPECIFICALLY I KNOW WHAT WORKERS AT THE TABLE TO EXPRESS SOME OF THE TRAUMA, WE'LL CALL IT TRAUMA, THAT THEY WITNESSED AND LIVED THROUGH THIS LAST YEAR.

WHY IS THAT KEY?

>> LISTENING MATTERS.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAVE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS PANDEMIC AND THEY ARE STILL SUFFERING.

IT IMMEASURABLY.

PHYSICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, MORALLY.

THEY WERE NOT PROTECTED, THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH ALL THE SUFFERING AND THE DEATH AND THEN TO ADD TO THAT, THEY WERE UNPROTECTED.

AND THEIR VOICES WERE NOT HEARD.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY DISCUSSIONS GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: AS WE CAUGHT UP WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SAFE STAFFING WAS A BIG ISSUE.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE CHANGES THAT INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS, HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS HAVE MADE OR WHERE DOES THAT NEED TO BE NOW YEAR TWO OF A PANDEMIC?

>> AN ALREADY CRITICAL STAFFING SHORTAGE WAS EXACERBATED BY THIS PANDEMIC.

SO WE ARE IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM SATISFIED WITH STAFFING AT THIS STATE, WE NEED TO ADVOCATE AS WELL FOR SAFE STAFFING ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> Reporter: DEBBIE, DOES WHAT HAPPENED THIS LAST YEAR, YOUR MEMBERS, WORKING THROUGH A PANDEMIC, DOES THAT FUEL THE ARGUMENTS THAT YOU MAKE IN YOUR MIND OR DOES IT HINDER IT GIVEN ALL THAT OUR HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE UP AGAINST?

>> NO, IT HIGHLIGHTED A CRITICAL NEED IN OUR HOSPITALS FOR BETTER PREPAREDNESS, FOR INCLUDING OUR WORKERS AT THE TABLE, FOR SAFETY SYSTEMS THAT WOULD PROTECT WORKERS, THERE'S A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT.

>> Reporter: DEBBIE WHITE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> THIS WEEK GOVERNOR.

MURPHY OFFICIALLY FILED FOR REELECTION, HANDING IN MORE THAN 51,000 CAMPAIGN SIGNATURES.

THE MOST OF ANY CANDIDATE IN STATE HISTORY.

THIS COMES DAYS AFTER STOCKTON UNIVERSITY POLL FOUND THAT NEARLY 60% OF RESIDENTS APPROVE OF THE JOB HE'S DOING IN OFFICE BUT HE FACES A LIKELY FORMIDABLE REPUBLICAN OPPONENT.

EVERYONE OF HIS PANDEMIC DECISIONS IS UNDER A MICROSCOPE.

CHIEF CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL ARON CHECKED IN WITH HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER AS THE RACE HEATS UP.

>> Reporter: MOLLY THANKS FOR JOINING US.

YOU HELPED -- ELECTED TO CONGRESS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET PHIL MURPHY REELECTED?

>> FIRST I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU MICHAEL FOR HAVING ME TO MEET WITH YOU AGAIN.

I THINK GOVERNOR.

MURPHY IS GOING TO GET HIMSELF REELECTED , THREE YEARS AGO HE LAID OUT A VISION FOR A STRONGER AND FAIRER NEW JERSEY AND HAS DELIVERED ON THOSE PROMISES, EXPANDING MINIMUM WAGE, FAMILY AND PAID SICK LEAVE, RESTORING FUNDING TO EDUCATION, AMONG BEING A VERY STRONG LEADER IN THIS 100 YOUR PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: YOU TOOK SOME HEAT THIS WEEK FOR BORROWING $4.3 BILLION LAST NOVEMBER, SUDDENLY THE STATE IS AWASH IN CASH PARTLY THANKS TO FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY.

BUT REPUBLICANS AND EVEN SOME OF HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THAT HE MISS GAUGED THE STATE ECONOMY.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> THE GOVERNOR WAS MAKING DECISIONS IN THIS TIME, IN A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME PANDEMIC AND WANTING TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ABLE TO ASSIST EVERYONE DURING THIS CRISIS.

AND HE IS DOING HIS BEST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DELIVERING AND MAKING SURE MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO KEEP MOVING.

>> Reporter: IN A WAY THE ELECTION OR THE PANDEMIC PIECE OF THE ELECTION IS OUT OF YOUR HANDS.

THINGS ARE EITHER GOING TO BE BETTER IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OR THEY'RE NOT.

DO YOU FEEL THAT, THAT THE PANDEMIC COULD UNDERCUT ALL YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW WE FEEL OPTIMISTIC IN GENERAL.

OVER 5 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN DELIVERED OF THE VACCINE INTO THE ARMS OF NEW JERSEY ENDS, WE ARE LEADING AMONG STATES IN TERMS OF DELIVERY OF THE VACCINE AND WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO ALMOST 2 MILLION BEING COMPLETELY VACCINATED AND I THINK IN SOME WAYS IT'S OUT OF OUR HANDS BUT WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON HIS RECOVERY.

HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE SMALL BUSINESSES RECOVER, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE FAMILIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE -- AND KEEP NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS AS SOME OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU ARE LIKELY TO RUN AGAINST FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN JACK CIATTARELLI, WHAT IS HE ACHILLES HILL?

>> HE IS -- OF GOVERNOR.

CHRIS CHRISTIE AND HE'S GONE TO THE FAR RIGHT SUPPORTING STOP THE STEEL IN STANDING UP WITH BOTH KEEPERS AND NOT DISAVOWING, I DON'T THINK HE HAS THE VALUES THAT NEW JERSEY ENDS A SHARE ANYMORE AND WHAT WE DO KNOW IS WITH 1 MILLION MORE DEMOCRATS OVER REPUBLICANS, HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE INDEPENDENCE THAT NEW JERSEY ENDS WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND THEY WANT THE STRONGER FAIRER AGENDA THAT GOVERNOR.

MURPHY HAS BEEN DELIVERING WHICH IS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS AND HELPING US MOVE FORWARD IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> MURPHY CAMPAIGN MANAGER MOLLY -- THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> LAST NIGHT SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ ASKED MURPHY'S LIKELY REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL OPPONENT HOW HE PLANS TO GO UP AGAINST A WELL- FUNDED INCUMBENT, JACK CIATTARELLI POINTED TO POLICY DECISIONS UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE PANDEMIC SAYING HE WOULD FOCUS ON REOPENING THE STATE AND GETTING RESIDENTS BACK TO A NEW SAFE NORMAL.

>> I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD STILL BE AT 50% INDOOR CAPACITY FOR RESTAURANTS, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY SCHOOLS AREN'T OPEN.

THE GOVERNOR HAS THE FUNDING INCLUDING MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL CARES ACT RELIEF FUNDS TO HELP SCHOOLS DO WHATEVER IT IS THEY NEED TO DO WITH THEIR VENTILATION SYSTEMS, TO GET OUR CHILDREN BACK IN SCHOOL.

SO LET'S GET THE ECONOMY OPEN SAFELY, LET'S GET OUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL SAFELY.

THOSE ARE TWO THINGS GOVERNOR JACK CIATTARELLI WOULD DO RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ON JACK CIATTARELLI ON CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ THIS SATURDAY ON NJ PBS AT 6:30 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 AM.

ALONG WITH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE THAT AIRS SATURDAY AT 6 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10 AM ON NJ PBS.

>>> MORE THAN A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC OUR THEATERS AND STAGES REMAIN DARK ACROSS THE STATE.

COUNTLESS VENUES LOST MILLIONS IN REVENUE, LAID OFF THE BULK OF STAFF AND STRUGGLED TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON BY WAY OF VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS.

THIS WEEK THEY WERE OFFERED A LIFELINE OF SORTS.

NEW LEGISLATION SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR PICKING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR A POT OF FEDERAL RELIEF AID HOPING IT WILL BE ENOUGH TO REBUILD AFTER THE CRUSH OF THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

CLAY MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN ROUGH.

>> Reporter: VANGUARD THEATER HAS BEEN PERFORMING IN SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND OFF-BROADWAY HOUSES SINCE IT PERFORMED.

>> I WAS AN ACTOR FOR MANY YEARS AND I JUST FOUND MYSELF OFTEN BEING PLACED IN VERY SPECIFIC BOXES AND TO ME IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO CREATE SPACES WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T ALWAYS BOXED.

THE VERSE CITY AND RACE, CULTURE, ETHNICITY, ABILITIES, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, WE JUST BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

>> Reporter: FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JENNY FREEMAN CLARK DECIDED TO PUT DOWN ROOTS IN MONTCLAIR AND SIGNED A SEVEN- YEAR LEASE ON THIS SPACE.

THREE DAYS LATER THE FIRST COVID-19 CASE WAS REPORTED IN NEW JERSEY.

THE GOOD NEWS >> BECAUSE WE BEGAN RENOVATING RIGHT WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT WE WERE ABLE TO JUST BE A LITTLE BIT MORE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE IN OUR SPACE FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE.

SO WE INSTALLED A BRAND-NEW HVAC SYSTEM THAT IS BRINGING IN FRESH AIR FROM OUTSIDE, WE HAVE SELF FLUSHING COMMODES, CENTER FAUCETS, SO THAT PEOPLE COULD REALLY COME AND NOT TOUCH A SINGLE SOLITARY THING.

>> Reporter: THE CHALLENGE?

STAYING AFLOAT FINANCIALLY TO GET ALL THE RENOVATIONS DONE BEFORE AN AUDIENCE IS ALLOWED INSIDE.

FREEMAN CLARK SAYS WITHOUT THE TWO STATE GRANTS THEY RECEIVED DURING THE PANDEMIC >> IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE END.

AS IT HAS BEEN FOR MANY THEATER COMPANIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IT'S VERY SAD.

>> Reporter: ON THURSDAY GOVERNOR.

PHIL MURPHY SIGNED LEGISLATION ALLOCATING A NEW $15 MILLION POOL OF FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP THE ARTS AND CULTURAL WORLD.

HALF OF IT GOES TO NEW JERSEY STOUT STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS TO HELP NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND HALF WILL GO TO THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPER AND AUTHORITY TO HELP FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

>> NJ BACK IN A NORMAL YEAR HAS A 50+ MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.

A SMALLISH NONPROFIT WITH A BUDGET OF HALF $1 MILLION OR MILLION DOLLARS, 25, $50,000 FROM THE STATE, THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE NOW BECAUSE THAT ENABLES FOLKS TO STAY EMPLOYED AND ENABLES THE LIGHTS TO POTENTIALLY REMAIN ON WHEN THEY WOULDN'T OTHERWISE.

>> Reporter: EVEN WELL- ESTABLISHED PLACES LIKE NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER HAVE TAKEN A BIG FINANCIAL HIT THIS PAST YEAR.

PRESIDENT AND CEO JOHN SCHREIBER SAYS IN A NORMAL YEAR THEY GENERATE ABOUT $22 MILLION IN EARNED REVENUE.

>> IT'S TICKET SALES AND PARKING AND FOOD SERVICE AND RENTALS AND BROADCASTS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS DURING THE PANDEMIC EARNED REVENUE HAS PLUMMETED BY 93%.

>> WE HAVE BEEN MORE DEPENDENT THAN EVER ON PHILANTHROPY.

WE'VE PRODUCED AND PRESENTED ALMOST 500 VIRTUAL EVENTS IN THE LAST 13 MONTHS OR SO.

>> Reporter: SCHREIBER SAYS NJ PACK WILL OPEN DOORS TO THE PUBLIC THIS SUMMER.

>> WE CAN SELL ABOUT 570 TICKETS IN A 2800 SEAT HALL.

THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE $50 MILLION AVAILABLE IS A GREAT BOON RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: VANGUARD THEATER BUT HE WILL DO THE SAME HOPING THE GRANT MONEY WILL HELP OPEN ITS DOORS IN JUNE.

I'M LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ECONOMISTS SAY NEW JOB LISTINGS ARE RISING BUT THAT HASN'T TRANSLATED IN OUR UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS YET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF NEW JERSEY WORKERS FILING NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS HAS RISEN FOR TWO WEEKS IN A ROW.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS IT RECEIVED NEARLY 20,000 NEW CLAIMS IN THE MOST RECENT WEEK.

OVER THE PAST FIVE WEEKS 246,000 NEW JERSEYANS HIT THE ONE YEAR MARK ON COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT.

THAT REQUIRES A FEDERALLY MANDATED REVIEW.

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE TO HAVE AUTOMATED THAT PROCESS ENABLING A QUICK REVIEW AND CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS FOR THOSE IMPACTED.

REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS SAY SOME OF THE BILLIONS OF INCOMING FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS SHOULD BE SPENT ON RESTORING STABILITY TO THE STATES UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND.

THEY SAY THAT WOULD PREVENT PLANNED TAX INCREASES ON BUSINESSES WHICH WERE GOING TO BE USED TO REPLENISH THAT FUND.

THEY ALSO WANT $1 BILLION TO GO TO BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS TO HELP THEM COVER REVENUE LOSSES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND THEY WANT 1,000,000,000 1/2 SPENT ON CAPITAL AND PROVEMENT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE.

TO NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMEN ARE FIGHTING THE NEW CONGESTION PRICING PLAN PROPOSED BY NEW YORK.

THAT PLAN WOULD CHARGE DRIVERS EXTRA TO TRAVEL INTO MIDTOWN MANHATTAN.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN FORT LEE THIS MORNING CONGRESSMAN -- SAID THIS WOULD AMOUNT TO A NEW TAX ON STATE RESIDENTS.

>> THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT ON AVERAGE OF A NEW TAX OF UP TO $3000 ON EVERY NEW JERSEY COMMUTER.

IN ADDITION TO THE NEARLY $4000 THEY ALREADY PAY EVERY YEAR TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.

SEVEN GRAND.

>> Reporter: NONE OF THE MONEY RAISED WOULD GO TO NEW JERSEY, ALL OF IT WOULD BE USED TO FUND NEW YORK'S MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.

THE CONGRESSMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE BILL PASCAL ARE ASKING THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TO STOP THE PLAN FROM MOVING FORWARD UNTIL PUBLIC HEARINGS CAN BE HELD.

IN A DEFEAT FOR ORGANIZED LABOR A CLOSELY WATCHED ATTEMPT TO UNIONIZED ANIMAL AMAZON WORKERS IN ALABAMA HAS FAILED.

IT WOULD'VE BEEN THE FIRST AMAZON FACILITY TO UNIONIZE HAD THE EFFORT SUCCEEDED.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET LOOKS.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER AS SHE LOOKS AT THE INNOVATION ECONOMY ON NJ BUSINESS BEAT THROUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH ENTREPRENEURS WHO TOOK SMALL IDEAS AND TURN THEM INTO MILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESSES.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AT 5 PM AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 AM.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY CGI, CGI IS A GLOBAL IT AND BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES FIRM.

WE'VE 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 NJ SEE YOU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DAILY ASSIGNMENTS.

JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PACK TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJ SEE YOU.EDU/GAME CHANGER.

>>> WHAT STARTED AS A HELPING HAND FOR FAMILIES WHO LOST IT ALL DURING SUPER STORM SANDY, SINCE THEN AN EMERGENCY RELIEF STORE IN SECAUCUS HAS ENABLED THOSE IN THE AREA TO KEEP THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY CLOSED THROUGH FINANCIAL CRISIS, NATURAL DISASTER AND NOW A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

OFFERING BRAND-NEW NOT USED AND SOMETIMES EVEN DESIGNER ITEMS.

THE DRAW?

THEY WON'T ACCEPT MONEY.

NOT A SINGLE CENT.

>> Reporter: -- FOR A SINGLE MOTHER IT DOESN'T MATTER THE BRAND BUT IT LOOKS FOR THE THINGS I REALLY NEED.

>> PEOPLE IN NEED REALLY CAN SHOP HERE.

THEY -- >> Reporter: HERE IN THIS WAREHOUSE YOU MIGHT THINK YOU STUMBLED INTO A HIGH-END RETAIL STORE WITH NAMES LIKE MICHAEL COURSE, KATE SPADE AND RALPH LORENZ MINDING THE WALLS BUT NO CASH EXCHANGES HANDS IN THIS PLACE.

>> WE DON'T CHARGE ANYBODY FOR ANYTHING, WE HAVE HIGH-END GOODS AND THEY SHOP AT THEIR OWN PACE.

WE DON'T RUSH ANYBODY.

>> I HAVE TWO BOYS AND SOMETIMES I STICK, CHECK FOR THINGS FOR MY BOYS LIKE CLOTHES AND SHOES AND SOMETIMES FOR MYSELF.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: RESIDENTS CAN COME HERE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS AND THEY ARE ENTITLED TO EVERYTHING ON THE LIST.

THREE SHIRTS, TWO PANTS, ONE COAT, A DESIGNER PURSE, THE LIST GOES ON.

IT'S ALL FREE AND THERE IS SOMETHING HERE FOR ALL AGES.

>> AS LONG AS YOU MEET THE INCOME YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO SHOP HERE AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU'RE FROM.

WE'VE EVEN REACHED OUT AS FAR AS EXIT BUCKS COUNTY.

>> I HAVE THREE KIDS SO THIS IS REALLY FOR US BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO GET CLOTHES FOR THEM.

IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU BUY FOOD, YOU HAVE TO BUY FOOD AS A BASIC THING AND CLOTHES ARE KIND OF THE SAME THING.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS RUN PURELY ON DONATIONS TO PAY THE RENT, THE UTILITIES, WHAT'S ON THE RACKS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

>> WE GET A DONATION FROM WALMART, WE GET DONATIONS FROM RALPH LORENZ AND FROM MANHATTAN, WE GET DONATIONS FROM CHILDREN'S PLACE.

>> IT IS OPERATED BY THE SECAUCUS EMERGENCY FUND THAT PARTNERS WITH THE TOWNSHIP AND MAYOR TO HELP RESIDENTS IN NEED.

>> YOU ACTUALLY REALLY SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Reporter: IT SAVES MONEY AND PROVIDES A SENSE OF DIGNITY FOR THOSE WHO COULD NEVER AFFORD IT.

>> MICHAEL COURSE BAGS?

MICHAEL COURSE SHOES?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WE HAVE WEDDING DRESSES THERE BUT THEY WERE ALL GONE.

WE HAVE SUITS IN THE BACK THAT ARE PROBABLY FIVE OR $6000 SUITS.

SO SOME OF THESE IF THEY NEED A SUIT THEY CAN TAKE IN THE BACK AND PICK IT OUT.

>> Reporter: CAUSE ITEMS ARE DONATED IN BULK THEY DELIVER GOODS TO OTHER LOCAL NONPROFITS AS WELL.

>> DRESS FOR SUCCESS AND CASA AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

IT'S GREAT FOR ME AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED BECAUSE IT GIVES US A LIFT UP.

IT LIFTS US ALL UP.

>> Reporter: THERE'S EVEN A SMALL FOOD PANTRY ON SITE FOR THOSE WHO MAY NEED A MEAL OR TWO.

>> THEY ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB HERE.

IT'S REALLY AMAZING.

I LOVE TO COME HERE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE A FAMILY IN NEED AND CAN'T FIND THEM, THEY WILL FIND YOU.

SEEK OUT PEOPLE IN CRISIS LIKE FAMILIES WHO HAVE SUFFERED A FIRE AND LOST EVERYTHING.

THEY WILL FILL YOUR CLOSETS AND YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS.

IN SECAUCUS I'M JOANNA GAGIS, AND SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

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>>> LOOK AT THIS KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME A TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS -- AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJ EMAIL.

MEMBER.

[ MUSIC ]