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

OUR WJ HEALTH.

LESLIE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA.

FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES IN A FAMILIAR POSITION BRACING TO CONTAIN A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS WITHOUT ENOUGH VACCINE SUPPLIED TO PREVENT IT.

THE MONKEYPOX HAS NOW INFECTED MORE THAN 10,000 AMERICANS IN THE U.S. WITH CASES REPORTED IN EVERY STATE BUT WYOMING.

VEXING CLINICS REPORTING HIGH DEMAND FOR THE SHOTS.

THIS WAY, THE FDA AUTHORIZED MONKEYPOX VACCINES FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18.

AND RECOMMENDED A PLAN TO RATION THE NATION'S LIMITED SUPPLY, AS THE INFECTION COUNT KEEPS RISING.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> I LOOK FOR A COUPLE WEEKS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, EVERYTHING WAS BOOKED UP.

>> Reporter: GOT A SHOT FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER.

TODAY, VACCINATED 320 FOLKS WITH THE FIRST OF TWO VACCINATIONS.

THE DISEASE IS NOW DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THE VACCINE IN SHORT SUPPLY, PEOPLE FELT RELIEVED.

>> I WANTED TO GET MY VACCINE, I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE WITH MONKEYPOX, I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT THAT.

>> Reporter: MONKEYPOX IS SPREADING.

NEW JERSEY HAS 293 CASES SO FAR.

MOST ARE CONCENTRATED IN HUDSON COUNTY.

SKIERS VACCINE BEING RATIONED AT FIVE NEW JERSEY MEDICAL FACILITIES.

>> WE ARE PUTTING THOSE APPOINTMENTS UP AS SOON AS WE GET THEM.

JUST LIKE SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS, THEY WILL GO VERY QUICKLY.

>> YOU WILL WANT TO GET THE VACCINATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT JUST SHOWS YOU HOW MUCH MORE OF A DEMAND THERE IS THEN THE AVAILABLE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: COMES ONE GOES TO A VIAL.

THE STRETCHED SUPPLIES, THE FDA IS USING AN EMERGENCY TO PUT THEM INTO FIVE INDIVIDUAL DOSES.

IT WILL BE ADMINISTERED DIFFERENTLY.

INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT SHOT THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THE ARM, THE SHOTS WOULD GO JUST UNDER THE SKIN.

A SO-CALLED INTRADERMAL INJECTION THAT REQUIRES LIKES VEXING, BUT IS ALMOST AS EFFECTIVE.

>> WE ARE READY IF THEY DECIDE TO GO TO THAT.

THE NURSES AND I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE DO TRAINING AND GET THEM READY TO DO IT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE LEARN HOW TO GIVE AN INJECTION WHEN I WAS LEARNING TO DO INJECTIONS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

WE'RE THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH IN 2015 SHOWS THAT THE ONE DOSE.

DOCTORS SAY THE SKINS UPPER LAYER CONTAINS NUMEROUS IMMUNITY CELLS.

>> BY INJECTING IT DIRECTLY INTO THE SKIN AND SET OF THE FAT UNDERNEATH, THE IDEA IS THAT YOU WILL GET A MUCH STRONGER IMMUNE RESPONSE.

>> THE CHALLENGES, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE DO GO TO THE SMALLER DOSE WITH A DIFFERENT ROUTE, IT IS GOING TO BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS THE ORIGINAL DOSES THAT WE GOT.

WE WANT TO GET IT OUT TO PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET IT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THEY ARE WORKING WITH VACCINE PROVIDERS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THE VACCINE SUPPLIES REMAIN A PROBLEM.

JUST DO THE MATH.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED ITS 440,000 STOCKPILE WILL INCREASE FIVEFOLD, 2.2 MILLION DOSES WITH A NEW INTRADERMAL VACCINATION PROTOCOL.

THE ESTIMATION FOR THE AT RISK POPULATION NEEDS 3.2 DOSES OF THE VACCINE.

JERSEY HEALTH OFFICIALS IN EARLY AUGUST THAT THEY EXPECT 14,500 DOSES IN COMING WEEKS.

>> WE WILL MOST LIKELY HIT A CLIFF AT SOME POINT.

AGAIN, THERE IS SUCH A HIGH DEMAND.

>> Reporter: ANYONE CAN GET THIS DISEASE FROM DIRECT CONTACT.

PEOPLE WILL GET ONE FIFTH DOSE FOR THE SECOND SHOT.

>> I THINK IT'S A REALLY COOL IDEA.

IF WE CAN PROVIDE MORE VACCINE FOR MORE PEOPLE, I AM OPEN TO IT.

EVERYONE SHOULD BE OPEN TO TRYING SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT TO HELP KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

ANGIE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK, THE STATE SENATE FORMAT, PRIMARILY TO CONFIRM SIX NEW SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES.

NEW JERSEY FACES A MOUNTING AND UNPRECEDENTED JUDICIAL VACANCY THAT MANY AGREE HAS RISEN TO CRISIS LEVELS.

ONE THAT'S LARGELY STEERED BY SENATE PRESIDENT NEXT ATARI.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT THESE JUDICIAL VACANCIES.

IT'S BEEN CALLED A CRISIS.

THE LEGISLATOR IS NOT MOVING QUICKLY ENOUGH.

DOZEN OF SUPERIOR COURT VACANCIES.

IS IT FAIR?

>> I THINK IT FAILS TO COME INTO THE 20 ADDITIONAL JUDGE PLACEMENTS WE MADE A FEW YEARS AGO.

WE ARE USING ALL VACANCY NUMBERS.

WE HAVE 20 EXTRA JUDGES ON THOSE BOOKS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE TO TAKE 20 JUDGESHIPS OFF THE VACANCY LIST IN ORDER TO MAKE IT A FAIR NUMBER.

IF YOU COMPARE IT FROM YEAR TO YEAR, DECADE TO DECADE.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF JUDGES ON THE BENCH.

>> THAT SAID, THERE ARE STILL CASES THAT CAN BE HEARD.

WHETHER IT'S DIVORCE, CUSTODY BATTLES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.

YOU HEAR IT FROM ATTORNEYS ALL THE TIME.

WE ARE AS WELL.

THEY SAY JUSTICE CAN'T BE ACCESSED.

>> I AM A LAWYER ALSO.

I'VE BEEN HEAD OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR DOZENS OF YEARS, NOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

WE CAN'T INITIATE NOMINATIONS.

WE ARE VETTING THEM AS QUICKLY AS THEY GET.

IN FACT, JUST LAST WEEK WE DID SIX NEW JUDGESHIPS THAT WE RELIEVED.

I DID 200 ON SUNDAY OF PEOPLE.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE NOT MOVING AT A QUICK PACE.

WE HAVE BENT OVER IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY QUICKLY.

WE CAN GET AWAY FROM AN EXTRAORDINARY IMPORTANT VETTING PROCESS.

THESE PEOPLE GET ON THE BENCHES, GENERALLY, FOR LIFE.

>> YOU HELD A SPECIAL SESSION TO GET THE BALL ROLLING.

THERE ARE STILL 11 BY OUR COUNT, NOMINEES, FOUR THAT REMAINED IN MAY.

ONE THAT DATES BACK TO MARCH.

ANOTHER THREE JUST FROM AUGUST.

WHAT IS HOLDING THEM UP?

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT 11.

THAT IS NOT A HUGE NUMBER WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT 60 OPENINGS.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE BEING VETTED IN JUNE.

IT IS AUGUST.

THAT'S NOT A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

WE CAN BE EXPECTED TO DO IT AT THE DROP OF A DIME.

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF REASONS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA JUST YET.

IT'S NOT AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER.

WE ARE DOING --YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT ARE SLOWING THE PROCESS UP.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO ASK THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AS WELL.

OUR PROCESS IS MOVING QUICKLY AND AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN TO PUT PEOPLE QUALIFIED ON THE BENCH.

>> IS ONE OF THOSE FACTORS, SENATOR, COURTESY?

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE BACK WHEN WE HAD JUST ONE SENATOR REPRESENTING EACH COUNTY.

NOW, WITH THE REDRAWING OF DISTRICT LINES AND SUCH, YOU COULD HAVE UP TO FOUR SENATORS IN SOME CASES COVERING ANY PARTICULAR COUNTY THE WAY THAT IT SPANS NOW.

IS IT NOT TIME TO REFORM THAT?

>> SOMETIMES IT'S MORE.

I BELIEVE THE PROCESS WE HAVE IN PLACE IS AN EXCELLENT ONE.

SCREENING JUDGES TO PROCEED SEVEN TERM YEARS.

THEY HAVE TO FACE THE SENATE.

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

SO MIKE PRESIDENT BIDEN ON WEDNESDAY SIGNED INTO LAW, ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES TO MEDICAL AND IF IT'S FOR VETERANS IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES.

THE PACT ACT, EXTENDS COVERAGES TO VETERANS WHO DEVELOPED ILLNESSES AFTER BEING EXPOSED FROM TOXINS FROM BURN PITS USED ON U.S. MILITARY BASES DURING THEIR SERVICE.

PREDOMINANTLY IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.

IT'S EXPECTED TO HELP MILLIONS OF SERVICEMEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING.

TED REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT COULD BE LIFE- CHANGING FOR NEW JERSEY VETERANS WHO LIVED, SLEPT, ATE, NEAR THE BURN PITS.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S A SINGLE MEMBER WHO SERVED IN IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN, IF YOU WERE ON BASE OR DOING SMALL UNIT OPERATIONS, YOU WERE NOT GOING TO GET AWAY FROM THE EXPOSURE.

TO BE BACK THIS IS ALWAYS BEEN A PRACTICE.

THEY FELT MAYBE THE SHOULD NOT GET ANY OF OUR MATERIALS.

BURN THE EVIDENCE.

CARRY-ON FOR YEARS AFTER.

THERE WAS NO THOUGHT ABOUT THE REPERCUSSIONS.

>> Reporter: IT ALLOCATES ABOUT $400 BILLION TO HELP SERVICE MEMBERS STILL AILING AFTER EXPOSURES TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

>> I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA SHORTLY AFTER.

NOW I CAN GET THE HELP THAT I NEED TO.

TO GET COMPENSATED FOR ALL OF THOSE YEARS.

>> THE WAY I FEEL AND THE WAY I WAKE UP EVERY DAY, IT IS DRAINING.

YOU HAVE TO GET UP AND CLEAR SINUSES.

NOW IS AN OPPORTUNITY AND A CHANCE.

>> Reporter: HE HOPES THE NEW LAW CAN FINALLY FIX THE VA. A BIG SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION FOR HIM AND OTHER VETERANS.

>> I COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO GET HELP.

THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DISCOURAGED.

>> MOST OF MY CLIENTS WERE DENIED INITIALLY.

HAD TO BE RESUBMITTED.

IN VIETNAM VETERANS LIKE MIKE WARNER, WILL GET BENEFITS AS WELL.

HE SERVED BEFORE BECOMING THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> I HAD PROSTATE CANCER.

AFTER THAT, I HAD CANCER.

>> Reporter: PRIOR TO THE PASSAGE, WHEN THEY WERE EXPOSED TO BURN PITS, THEY HAD TO APPLY FOR THE REGISTRY.

IT DENIED ABOUT 70% OF APPLICANTS.

UNDER THE PACT ACT, THEY JUST HAVE TO SHOW THAT THEY SERVED NEAR A BURN PIT.

>> PRIOR TO THIS YOU HAD TO PROVE THAT YOU WERE THERE.

THAT THE BURN PITS CAUSED THE CONDITION YOU HAVE.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE STATE FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

HE'S EXCITED TO SEE MORE VETERANS GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.

>> WILL AFFECT MILLIONS OF VETERANS.

IS THE LARGEST IMPACT WE WILL HAVE AN HOUR LIFETIME.

>> THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT IS BEING GIVEN.

IS NOT JUST A RUN THROUGH THE BUREAUCRATIC GAUNTLET WITH THE VA TO PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY OF THE CARE THAT YOU EARNED.

>> THE VA WILL MOVE AS QUICKLY AS THE PRESIDENT AND THE ADVOCATES WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM MOVE.

>> LET'S STAY TOGETHER.

TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VA AND EVERYBODY ELSE UPHOLDS WHAT HAS NOW BEEN PASSED INTO LAW.

IN EVEN VETERANS FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS.

SHOWING THAT NO MAN OR WOMAN WHO SERVED THIS COUNTRY SHOULD EVER BE LEFT BEHIND.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM.

>>> COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS MET ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE TO CHIP AWAY AT PROPOSALS TO BRING MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY TO NEW JERSEY AND ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE IN A COASTAL AREA THAT HAS SEEN ITS EFFECTS FIRSTHAND.

THE COMMITTEES ARE GATHERING INPUT FROM THE REPUBLICANS AND TOP STATE LEADERS WHO SAY THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.

>> Reporter: WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE VERY EXTREMES THE SCIENTIST TOLD US ABOUT.

THE COMMISSIONER KICKED OFF A HEARING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEES TODAY.

WITH A DAILY REMINDER ABOUT RECENT WEATHER EVENTS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> PRE-DROUGHT CONDITIONS LAST MONTH.

THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE DIMINISHING CROP FIELDS IN THE COUNTY, THE LARGEST WILDFIRE THAT DESTROYED 15,000 ACRES JUST BARELY 2 MONTHS AGO.

A NINE MILE LONG THAT IS INFECTING THE MILLSTONE RIVER RIGHT NOW AND THREATENING WATER SUPPLIES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR THAT THESE CONDITIONS WILL GET WORST.

THE FIRST BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE INCREASE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES SOLD IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THAT BILL IF PASSED, SENDS A SIGNAL TO ALL GENERATORS IN NEW JERSEY THAT WE WANT TO BE ALL RENEWABLE OR NONCARBON.

THAT MEANS, NUCLEAR, FASTER.

IF WE COULD GET IT PASSED BY 2035, WE WILL BE 100% RENEWABLE.

THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN REDUCING NEW JERSEY'S CARBON FOOTPRINT.

IN ENVIRONMENTALISTS LIKE JEFF TITTLE, HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE MASTER PLAN SAYING, IT INCLUDED ENERGY SOURCES THAT WERE NOT RENEWABLE.

HE SANG A DIFFERENT TUNE TODAY.

>> THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THIS LEGISLATOR HAS DONE SINCE PASSING OF THE HIGHLANDS ACT.

THIS IS A LANDMARK LEGISLATION THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO THE STATE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

REMAKE HE WOULD LIKE THE STATE TO PUSH FOR A FASTER TIMELINE THAN THE 2045 DEADLINE.

>> OTHER STATES HAVE MOVED TO OTHER RENEWABLE BY 2035.

WE COULD SET THE GOAL IF WE COME A LITTLE SHORT.

IS BETTER TO COME A LITTLE BIT SHORT THEM TO NOT TRY TO HIT THE GOAL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

REMAKE THE COMMITTEE HER DEBATE OVER A BILL THAT WOULD DIVEST NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSION FUND FROM ALL INVESTMENTS IN FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES.

>> CONTINUING TO INVEST IN FOSSIL FUELS IS TO GRADE OF FINANCIAL RISK AND TO GREAT A THREAT TO HUMANITY.

IT IS TIME TO ALIGN OR INVEST STRATEGY WITH OUR CLIMATE NEEDS AND OUR CLIMATE GOALS.

TWO OTHERS CAUTIONED THE MOVE COULD BRING SERIOUS FINANCIAL HARM TO THE STATE.

>> DIVESTING AND FOSSIL FUELS NEW YORK STATE PENSION SYSTEM AND TAXPAYERS, MORE THAN $33.4 BILLION OVER 30 YEARS.

IT WILL LEAD TO STEEP TAX HIKES.

SERVICE CUTS OR SLASHED PENSION BENEFITS.

REMAKE THE FIRST DRAFT OF THIS BILL WAS PROPOSED IN 2018.

SMITH SAYS THAT MUCH LIKE THE RUSSIAN COMPANIES, THIS TO AS POSSIBLE AND IMPORTANT.

>> WE NEED TO SEND A SIGNAL TO THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY THAT THEY HAVE GOT TO FIND WAYS TO GET INTO THE RENEWABLE ENERGY BUSINESS.

MUCH BETTER THAN THERE WERE NEVER >> Reporter: CHAIRMAN SMITH EXPECTS TO HOLD AT LEAST TWO MORE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THESE BILLS BEFORE THEY ARE READY, IN THE SENATE FOR A VOTE.

TOM'S RIVER, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE UNIONS.

HUNDREDS OF NURSES VOTED THIS WEEK TO FORM THE LARGEST UNION ORGANIZATIONS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC YEAR.

WHERE THE 500 RNS AT THE MEDICAL CENTER IN BELLEVILLE VOTED TO UNITE THE UNITED HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

THEY ARE JOINING A GROWING MOVEMENT FOR FRONT-LINE CAREGIVERS WHO UP AND ORGANIZING.

THEY NEED BETTER WORKING.

A MALE IN BALLOT ELECTION, NEARLY 8 IN 10 NURSES VOTED IN FAVOR OF UNIONIZATION.

THEY WANT IMPROVED WAGES AND JOB SECURITY.

1199 SI YOU REPRESENTS ABOUT 50,000 HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE REGION.

>>> MEANWHILE, WORKERS AT ANOTHER STARBUCKS LOCATION IN NEW JERSEY JUST VOTED TO UNIONIZE.

THEY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO JOIN STARBUCKS WORKERS UNITED.

IN A LETTER TO STARBUCKS CEO, HOWARD SCHULTZ, ON THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE THEY SAID THE STORE IS UNDERSTAFFED.

THE WORKERS ARE IMPROPERLY TRAINED.

THEY ARE USING EQUIPMENT THAT DOESN'T WORK.

THEY ALSO ALLEGED WORKERS COMPLAINED THEY HAVE THEIR HOURS CUT.

THEY WILL REPRESENT ALL FULL- TIME AND REGULAR PART-TIME BARISTAS.

THEY JOIN MORE THAN 186 STARBUCKS STORES NATIONWIDE THAT HAVE JOINED WORKERS UNITED SINCE JANUARY.

INCLUDING, HOPEWELL.

THE FIRST STARBUCKS LOCATION IN NEW JERSEY TO UNIONIZE.

UNIONIZATION EFFORTS AND SCRUTINY OF SAFETY PRACTICES HAVE INTENSIFIED FOR WORKERS AT AMAZON.

IN NEW JERSEY, JUST OVER THREE WEEKS TIME, THREE AMAZON WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEES AT THREE SEPARATE LOCATIONS HAVE DIED.

THE LATEST WAS ON AUGUST 4th AT OUR DELIVERY STATION IN MARONE TOWNSHIP.

THAT'S AFTER A WORKER DIED ON JULY 13.

THE MIDDLE OF PRIME DAY, IT'S TRADITIONALLY THE BUSIEST SALES THEY OF THE YEAR.

IT WAS FOLLOWED BY THE DEATH OF ANOTHER WORKER LATER IN JULY AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT THE ROBBINSVILLE AMAZON FACILITY.

THE DEATHS SPURRED OUTCRY FROM WORKERS AND PUBLIC SCRUTINY FROM MEMBERS IN NEW JERSEY'S DELEGATION.

A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION SAYS, THE RESULTS OF EACH INVESTIGATION MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET, LET'S TAKE A LOOK HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

>>> KEEPING NEW JERSEY FIRMS AND BUSINESS IS ABOUT AS HARD A JOB AS EVER.

RAISING AN INFLATION AND LABOR COST, NOT TO MENTION EXTREME HEAT, TWO STATE LAWMAKERS ARE PROPOSING AND OUT-OF-THE-BOX WAY TO BOOST REVENUE STREAMS THAT HAVE SOME ENVIRONMENTALISTS CONCERNED.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

REMAKE WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD FARM, MOST PEOPLE ENVISION THIS.

CHICKENS, COWS, PIGS.

LAWMAKERS WANT YOU TO REIMAGINE THIS.

BEAUTIFUL ENDLESS VIEWS OF FARMLAND SEEN HERE AT THE FIRMS IN HILLSBORO.

>> WE WANT TO GIVE THEM FLEXIBILITY.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT CATERING EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

>> Reporter: LOTS OF TIMES THESE STRUCTURES REMAIN VACANT.

THAT IS WHY SENATOR PAUL ARE SPONSORING A BILL TO ALLOW FARMS TO HOST SPECIAL LOCATION EVENTS LIKE WEDDINGS AND CONCERTS.

THEY SAY IT WILL PROVIDE INCREASED INCOME STABILITY.

TWO DELIMITED AMOUNT OF EVENTS, LIMITED AMOUNT OF SPACE THEY CAN USE, MAKE SURE THEY DO THE PROPER NOTIFICATIONS TO THE TOWN OF WHERE THEY WILL PARK.

THE HOURS OF OPERATION.

THE NOISE.

THE PORTABLE BATHROOM FACILITIES.

TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING IT RIGHT.

TO MAKE SURE IT'S GETTING DONE RIGHT.

NOBODY IS STANDING IN THEIR WAY AND THROWING UP REDTAPE.

REMAKE GIVING THE RISE IN FUEL PRICES AND INFLATION, LIMA FAMILY FARMS, JOHN LIMA SAYS HE'S ON BOARD.

HE SAYS ONCE HE CLEARS AND EMPTY, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.

>> YOU CAN HAVE A NICE LOUNGE AREA.

A MEETING AREA FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND RELAX.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE BARN CAN HOLD ABOUT 300 PEOPLE.

IT CAN EASILY BE TRANSFORMED TO AN EVENT SPACE.

HE SAYS IT CAN BRING IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR.

SEAMER I THINK WE CAN DO HALF $1 MILLION A YEAR.

I MEAN, IF I WAS TO PUT A SMALL BREAKFAST OR LUNCH MENU, THAT MIGHT BE ENOUGH TO COVER THE DEBT SERVICE ON THE MORTGAGE.

>> Reporter: CO-OWNER OF THE FIRMS, SAYS TO COUNT HIM AND, TWO.

HE SAYS HE WILL CONVERT THE THINK IT'S BASED ON HIS FARM INTO AN AREA FOR POETRY AND MUSIC.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SEASONAL RISKS THAT DON'T HAPPEN EVERY YEAR.

SOMETIMES THEY SEEM LIKE THEY'RE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.

HAVING ANOTHER OUTLET, AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MONEY, WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ALL OF THE FARMERS.

>> WE HAVE DONE A VERY STRONG JOB AND PRESERVING.

99 FIRMS.

WE HAVE 2700 PRESERVED.

REMAKE NOT EVERYONE IS IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

THE POLICY MANAGER AT NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION.

A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS PRESERVE FARMLAND.

HE SAYS THE BILL UNDERMINES THE PROGRAM'S PURPOSE OF PROTECTING LAND FROM NONAGRICULTURAL USES.

>> THE FOUNDATION HAS PRESERVE THOUSANDS OF ACRES ACROSS THE STATE FOR DECADES.

WE HELPED CREATE THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS.

WE ARE WORRIED THAT THIS WILL ACTUALLY GIVE BACK COMMERCIAL RIGHTS TO THE LAND OWNERS THAT WERE NOT ORIGINALLY --IT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY THE INTENTION OF THE PROGRAM.

IN MEANTIME, AN ADDITIONAL VETO IS BEING WORKED ON TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE THAT MIGHT SWAY HANSEN.

SOLOW SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT THAT THE FINAL CHANGES WILL BE APPROVED AND THE BILL WILL PASS IN SEPTEMBER.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SENT TIME.

>>> FINALLY, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS NEEDS BLOOD DONATION SO BADLY, THE ORGANIZATION IS OFFERING TO GIVE YOU FREE GAS.

FOR A YEAR.

THE RED CROSS SAYS, ANYONE WHO DONATES BLOOD OR PLASMA DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED INTO A NATIONAL DRAWING TO WIN GAS FOR A YEAR.

IT'S ABOUT A $6000 VALUE.

HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE ARE EXPERIENCING A BLOOD SHORTAGE AND ARE ESPECIALLY LOOKING FOR PLATELET DONORS.

BLOOD DONATIONS DIRECTLY DROPPED DURING SUMMER MONTHS.

THE PANDEMIC WORSENED THE SITUATION, FORCING BLOOD DRIVES TO BE CANCELED OR POSTPONED.

THE RED CROSS IS ALSO GIVING AWAY $10 GIFT CARDS TO ANYONE WHO DONATES AT ONE OF THEIR LOCATIONS.

ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION, THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE ELIGIBLE TO DONATE BLOOD.

ONLY ABOUT 3% DO SO.

YOU COULD CHANGE THAT.

>>> THAT IS OUR BROADCAST THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN ESSAY.

FOR THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TIM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

AND, BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> WILL PROVIDE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS.

EDUCATIONAL.

SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT U.S. -- >> THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM.

AND FOR ME.

IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT GIVES ME THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.