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

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

ART W. J. BARNABUS HEALTH, AND ORSTEAD, COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS WE'RE MAKING MAJOR PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

ENOUGH TO BEGIN LIFTING RESTRICTIONS.

BUT WE BEGIN WITH A BREAKTHROUGH ON ANOTHER MONTH'S LONG BATTLE.

MARIJUANA IS OFFICIALLY LEGAL IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

TODAY WITH JUST MINUTES TO SPARE BEFORE A CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THREE BILLS MAKING GOOD ON A CAMPAIGN PROMISE AND AN OVERWHELMING VOTE OF APPROVAL BY RESIDENTS LAST NOVEMBER.

THE BILLS TO LEGALIZE AND DECRIMINALIZE USE OF THE DRUG HAD A LONG TRIP TO THE GOVERNOR'S DEATH THAT ENDED WITH A VOTE IN BOTH HOUSES THIS MORNING OF SHARP NEGOTIATIONS OVER ONE STICKING POINT.

PENALTIES FOR UNDERAGE USERS.

THE NEW CLEAN UP BILL ADDRESSES BOTH UNDERAGE DRINKING AND MARIJUANA USE WITH A THREE TIER SYSTEM OF WRITTEN WARNINGS THAT NOTIFIES PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ON A SECOND OFFENSE AND ESCALATES TO COMMUNITY-BASED COUNSELING RATHER THAN FINES ON A THIRD.

YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO BUY IT HERE JUST YET, BUT ARREST FOR POSSESSION AND USE SHOULD START TO SLOW.

TODAY THE STATE PBA CALLED A KEYNOTE OF THE BILL ANTI-POLICE, BARRING OFFICERS THAT SMELL IT FROM STOPPING A PERSON.

OFFICERS OTHERWISE COULD BE CRIMINALLY CHARGED.

BUT TODAY MURPHY SAYS THE LAW BREAKS THE STATUS QUO THAT ENABLED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ARRESTS FOR LOW LEVEL DRUG USE BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THE REASON I SIGNED THESE BILLS, THE REASON WHY WE'VE BEEN IN THE FIGHT IS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

TO UNDO THE WRONGS THAT HAVE BEEN EXISTING FOR DECADES UPON DECADES, AND IF NOT IN SOME CASES CENTURIES.

BUT AS IT RELATES, ESPECIALLY TO THE WAR ON DRUGS, AND THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT THAT OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE PAID.

AND AT LONG LAST WE'VE BROKEN THROUGH.

AS OF TODAY, BETTER DAYS ARE HERE.

AND LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN NICKED UP OR IN SOME CASES RUINED WILL BE ABLE TO CORRECT AT LONG LAST.

>> TODAY MURPHY ALSO SAID THE SPREAD OF INFECTION HAS SLOWED ENOUGH TO GET BACK A LITTLE MORE NORMALCY.

CAPACITY LIMITS ARE BEING LIFTED FOR LARGE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE.

VENUES WITH A 5,000 PLUS SEATING CAPACITY CAN REOPEN TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF FANS MARCH 1st.

ARENAS OUTDOOR ARE CAPPED AT 15%.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COLLEGE SPORTS PRACTICES AND GAMES CAN ADD UP TO TWO PARENTS OR GUARDIANS PER ATHLETE.

JUST A WEEK AFTER HE ALLOWED THE SAME RULES FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS.

HOUSES OF RELIGION WILL ALSO SEE AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE.

CAPACITIES ARE BUMPED UP TO 35 TO 50% AS THE STATE REPORTS ANOTHER 2100 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 17 MORE LIVES LOST.

THE U.S. TODAY SURPASSED HALF A MILLION TOTAL DEATHS.

BUT MURPHY SAYS KEY NUMBER, INCLUDING LOWER HOSPITALIZATION RATES ALLOW FOR THE CHANGES.

MASKS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL INDOOR VENUES, ALONG WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS.

TODAY THE ADMINISTRATION SAID MORE RESTRICTIONS COULD EASE IN THE COMING MONTHS, EVEN AS THEY KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS CORONAVIRUS VARIANTS.

>>> AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION HAS FINALLY TURNED A CORNER, CLEARING THE BACKLOG OF MILLIONS OF TRANSACTIONS THAT MOUNTED WHILE THEY WERE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN DURING THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC.

YOU'LL RECALL THE LONG LINES OF CUSTOMERS CAMPING OUT OVERNIGHT ALL TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS THAT COULD ONLY BE HANDLED IN PERSON.

NOW THE MVC IS WORKING UNDER AN APPOINTMENT ONLY, MOSTLY ONLINE SYSTEM, BUT A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANNIGAN REPORTS IT DOESN'T MEAN ALL THE PROBLEMS ARE GONE.

>> DEFINITELY BETTER.

>> REPORTER: PHIL OWNS A DRIVING SCHOOL, AND SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT THE MOTOR VEHICLE AGENCY IN RANDOLPH, WHERE TODAY MOST ARRIVED FOR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS.

NO WAITING.

AGENTS CLAIM THEY'VE WIPED OUT THE BACKLOG THAT PILED UP DURING THE FOUR-MONTH LONG SPRING COVID SHUTDOWN.

>> I USED TO COME AND THERE WAS A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE IN LINE GOING BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, AND HALF THE PEOPLE COULDN'T GET IN.

>> REPORTER: LAST OCTOBER, A CLIENT NAMED STEVE COMPLAINED ON YELP THAT THE LINE WRAPPED AROUND THE BUILDING AT 6:30 A.M. AROUND 9:00, SEVERAL PEOPLE AHEAD OF HIM WERE TOLD TO GO ONLINE, AND STEVE COMPLAINED THERE ARE A LOT OF CONFUSED PEOPLE BECAUSE YOUR BOSSES DON'T PUT OUT ENOUGH SIGNS, DON'T PUBLISH ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THE WEB, AND CAN'T BE REACHED FOR MEANS TO CLARIFIED.

IN NOVEMBER, THEY LAUNCHED AN APPOINTMENTS ONLY SYSTEM FOR MOST TRANSACTIONS COMPLETE WITH TEXT MESSAGING.

>> EASY, YEAH.

AND SIMPLE.

IN LINE WAITING 3:59 IN THE MORNING.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE IN THE SPRING HAD TO WAIT A LONG LINE.

>> REPORTER: THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS, THE NOT SO GOOD USE, THEIR ONLINE USER EXPERIENCE ON THE OPTIMAL AND RELIES ON THE SAME COMPUTER MAINFRAME THAT ALSO HANDLES UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

>> WELL, IT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH ON THE WEBSITE SO NAVIGATE BECAUSE IT GOES, IT DIRECTS YOU TO ANOTHER WEBSITE TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT.

>> REPORTER: IS IT CONFUSING?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

I NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED.

IT'S NOT STRAIGHT ON.

>> REPORTER: THE AGENCY STRUGGLED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TODAY FOUR CENTERS REMAINED CLOSED DUE TO COVID.

A SPOKESPERSON SAID WE HAVE TRANSFORMED THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS AND NEED OUR CUSTOMERS TO CATCH UP.

SOME CHANGES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC, BUT MANY HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

HE URGED CUSTOMERS TO CONSULT THEIR ONLINE TRANSACTIONS CHEAT SHEET FOR CLARITY.

LAWMAKERS WELCOME THE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT.

>> NOW THAT WE'RE SEEING SOME IMPACT, WE NEED TO LOOK BACK AT WHAT WENT WRONG TO ENSURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE NEED TO EVALUATE THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM.

>> REPORTER: THE BACKLOG HIT 60,000 TRANSACTIONS STATEWIDE IN EARLY JUNE.

A LINE STRETCHED AROUND THE BUILDING.

THAT'S WHEN CRITICS SAID THE AGENCY SHOULD DO A LOT MORE BUSINESS ONLINE.

AND TO ITS CREDIT, THEY MOVED ALL BUT 27% OF ITS TRANSACTIONS ONLINE LAST YEAR.

BUT OTHER STATES WITH MORE MODERN COMPUTERS CAN DO EVEN MORE LIKE LETTING PEOPLE PRINT OUT TEMPORARY.

..S AT HOME.

>> MONEY NEEDS TO BE SET ASIDE TO UPDATE THE ANTIQUATED COMPUTER SYSTEMS SO WE CAN GET THE BEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF THE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, AND BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE PEOPLE DO MORE SERVICES ONLINE.

>> REPORTER: THE GOVERNOR DELIVER HIS BUDGET MESSAGE TOMORROW, AND MANY HOPE TO SEE SERIOUS INVESTMENT IN COMPUTER UPGRADES TO IMPROVE CONSTITUENT SERVICES STATEWIDE.

>>> WITH MORE SNOW IN THE FORECAST, IT APPEAR LAST WEEK'S STORM IS STILL WREAKING HAVOC ON VACCINE APPOINTMENTS.

ESSEX AND MONMOUTH COUNTY CANCELED ALL SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS TODAY DUE TO DELAYED SHIPMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED WHEN THE SHIPMENTS WILL ARRIVE, BUT EVERYONE WITH APPOINTMENTS WILL BE CONTACTED TO RESCHEDULE.

SO FAR, MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS ACROSS THE STATE.

MORE THAN HALF A MILLION SECOND DOSES.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THOSE SECOND DOSE OR BOOSTER SHOTS OF THE VACCINE CAN BE GIVEN ANY TIME BETWEEN 28 AND 42 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST DOSE.

>>> EVEN WITH COVID RESTRICTIONS EASING AND MORE GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC, CLASHES OVER SCHOOL REOPENING DATES CONTINUE.

THE DEBATE CAME TO A HEAD IN THE SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE PARENTS ARE SUING TO GET STUDENTS BACK TO IN PERSON CLASSROOM LEARNING, ARGUING THAT THE STRUGGLES ASSOCIATED WITH REMOTE TEACHING ARE VIOLATING THEIR KIDS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THAT FIGHT IS GAINING MOMENTUM 11 MONTHS AFTER SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

JOANN A GAGGIS HAS THE LATEST.

>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT GIVES ME HOPE TO GET MY SON BACK IN A CLASSROOM AND BACK TO BEING HEALTHY AND HAPPY AGAIN, I'LL DO IT.

>> REPORTER: ANNA FERGUSON IS ONE OF THE SEVERAL PARENTS IN THE SOUTH ORANGE MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT FILED SUIT FOR A FAILURE TO RETURN STUDENTS TO IN PERSON EDUCATION.

THE KIDS HAVE BEEN HOME ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY SINCE LAST MARCH.

>> THE NIGHT BEFORE HE WAS SCHEDULED TO GO IN.

HE WAS SO EXCITED, PACKED HIS BAGS, HE WAS READY TO GO IN, THEY CALLED AND ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS OFF.

HE'S JUST GIVEN UP.

HE BASICALLY JUST SAID I DON'T CARE ANYMORE, I'M DONE CARING.

BUT I KNOW HE DESPERATELY CARES.

>> REPORTER: FERGUSON AND CAPLAN'S OLDEST KIDS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS THEY SAY AREN'T MET THROUGH VIRTUAL LEARNING.

THE COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DISTRICT DETAILS CASE AFTER CASE OF STUDENTS LIKE THEM FALLING BEHIND ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY.

PARENTS ARE DEMANDING A RETURN TO FULL IN PERSON LEARNING.

>> IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR WITH NO FACE TO FACE INTERACTION WITH THEIR TEACHERS.

FOR EXAMPLE, MY DAUGHTER, SHE'LL BE IN 7th GRADE NEXT YEAR.

SHE HAD HALF A YEAR OF FIFTH BRAID AND WE HAVE TO GET THEM UP TO SPEED AND BACK IN THE CLASSROOM FOR ACADEMIC REASONS, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

HYBRID IS NOT ENOUGH.

AT THIS POINT, IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH.

>> REPORTER: DOUBLE THERE'S ANY PRECEDENT FOR THIS TO BE RULED IN YOUR FAVOR, AND ANY HOPE IT WILL BE?

>> I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER SEEN A SITUATION LIKE THIS, BUT IN MY REVIEW OF THE CASE LAW SO FAR, I THINK IT'S ANALOGOUS SO SOME DECISIONS THE SUPREME COURT MADE.

>> REPORTER: THE DISTRICT HAS MADE ATTEMPTS TO REOPEN, BUT IT'S CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN PARENTS AND THE UNION.

ON FEBRUARY 15th, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE LATEST REOPENING DATE, THE SUMMIT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED ITS MEMBERS WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDINGS, SAYING IN A STATEMENT, WHILE WE UNIFORMLY EXPRESS JOY AT SEEING OUR STUDENTS IN PERSON, WE'VE HAD TO ADDRESS DOZENS OF INSTANCES OF STAFF AND STUDENTS PLACED IN UNFIT ROOMS AND THE DISTRICT FAILING TO FIX THE ISSUES.

THEY SAID THEY WERE BLIND SIDED BY THE DECISION NOT TO REPORT TO IN PERSON TEACHING AND DISAGREES WITH THE UNION'S ASSESSMENT ON THE ISSUES PRESENTED.

AND PARENTS POINT OUT THAT MANY OF THE SAME CLASSROOMS ARE BEING USED BY THE YMCA FOR A CHILD CARE PROGRAM FOR THE VERY STUDENTS WHO SHOULD BE LEARNING THERE.

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT THE DISTRICT CAN MAKE THIS WORK AND MAKE IT WORK SAFELY, AND I JUST, I NEED THE FOCUS, WE DEMAND THE FOCUS OF ALL THIS BE THE CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>> REPORTER: LAW PROFESSOR RON CHEN CALLED THE LAWSUIT AN AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING POINTING OUT THE COURT THEMSELVES ARE STILL CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING MOST JUDGES WILL BE RELUCTANT TO DO.

>> REPORTER: PARENTS WILL BE PROTESTING AGAIN TONIGHT HOPING THE DISTRICT CHANGES COURSE AGAIN.

>>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR OF TURMOIL, AND BY THIS TIME TOMORROW, WE'LL KNOW HOW GOVERNOR MURPHY PLANS TO ADDRESS IT THROUGH HIS NEXT BUDGET.

LAYING OUT HIS ELECTION YEAR PRIORITIES TO PULL THE STATE FROM A PANDEMIC AND LOOK TOWARD FULL RECOVERY.

THE OUTLOOK IS ACTUALLY MUCH BRIGHTER THAN THE ADMINISTRATION FIRST PREDICTED THANKS TO AN EXPECTED CASH INFUSION FROM THE FEDS AND BETTER THAN ANTICIPATED TAX REVENUES.

WITH DEMANDS MOUNTING FROM ALL SIDES, HOW WILL MURPHY SPEND THE MONEY?

JOHN IS HERE WITH A PREVIEW.

JOHN, YET AGAIN ANOTHER UNUSUAL ADDRESS GIVEN THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT AT THE TIME GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES HEADING INTO THIS?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAR A WHOLE LOT, BUT I DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING FROM THE GOVERNOR SAY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND EVEN GOING BACK TO WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE.

SO, YOU KNOW, MURPHY HASN'T BEEN SHY ABOUT SPENDING, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE OUTLOOK FOR THE STATE HAS BRIGHTENED SOMEWHAT JUST WITHIN SAY THE LAST SIX MONTHS VERSUS MAYBE WHERE WE THOUGHT WE'D BE IN THE FALL.

SO I THINK ONE OF THE QUESTIONS MOVING FORWARD AS WE RECEIVE THE NEW BUDGET FROM THE GOVERNOR IS IF THE FORECASTS ARE GETTING BETTER, HOW DOES THAT REVENUE GET SPREAD AROUND?

CERTAINLY BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THERE COULD BE SOME IMPROVEMENT, AND EVEN LOOKING OUT AHEAD TO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR, REMEMBER THIS BUDGET WE'LL HEAR ABOUT, THE FISCAL YEAR FOR THIS BUDGET STARTS JULY 1 AND BE IN PLACE UNTIL NEXT JUNE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING IN THE PAST.

HE HAD TO PUT THAT ON HOLD DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH K THROUGH 12 SCHOOL AID.

THAT'S DEFINITELY AN AREA TO WATCH.

AND HE'S FACING PRESSURE TO INCREASE THE PENSION PAYMENT.

THE STATE STILL DOESN'T MAKE A FULL PENSION PAYMENT AS CALCULATED BY ACTUARIES.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HIS ELECTION YEAR, SO PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT'S ALWAYS A BIG ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY.

THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.

AND WILL THERE BE A NEW PROGRAM OR OFFERING TO HELP, SUGAR TO HELP THE MEDICINE GO DOWN SO TO SPEAK.

>> AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE HEARING FROM BUSINESS GROUPS, AS I KNOW YOU ARE, CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR NOT TO RAISE TAXES AND INCREASE FEES.

THIS IS AN INDUSTRY THAT'S REALLY BEEN DECIMATED BY THIS PANDEMIC.

>> YEAH, AND THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT TO MAKE IN TERMS OF ANOTHER PRESSURE POINT.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S ON BOTH END OF THE COIN HERE BECAUSE ON ONE HAND YOU HAVE CALLS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

SMALL BUSINESSES, SPECIFICALLY, HAVING BATTERED BY THE PANDEMIC.

AND MURPHY HASN'T BEEN SHY ABOUT HIKING TAXES, AND TAXES ON BUSINESSES WERE RAISED JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO.

SO CERTAINLY THERE WILL BE PRESSURE NOT TO HIKE TAXES.

TAX HIKES ARE NEVER POPULAR IN A RE-ELECTION YEAR, SO THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> HOW MUCH DOES THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY, PLAY A FACTOR IN THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS FOR SPENDING?

>> YEAH, WE'LL HAVE TO SEE EXACTLY HOW MUCH, IF ANY, IS ACCOUNTED FOR GOING FORWARD.

THERE IS THIS NEW RELIEF OR STIMULUS BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION IN WASHINGTON THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GIVE THE STATE, YOU KNOW, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RELIEF.

TYPICALLY TO SPEND ON THINGS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

SO IF NEW JERSEY STILL HAS BIG COSTS.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE GOING FORWARD HOW MUCH NEW JERSEY WOULD GET AND HOW MUCH THAT FREES UP STATE RESOURCES TO PUT TOWARD OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE DEMANDED ATTENTION OR BIG PHYSICAL CHALLENGES THAT NEW JERSEY HAS OUTSIDE THE PANDEMIC.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN, WE'LL TALK TO YOU AGAIN TOMORROW.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> WE'LL BRING YOU LIVE COVERAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PHYSICAL BUDGET ADDRESS STARTING AT 1:00 A.M.

TOMORROW ON NJTV, OUR WEBSITE, AND ACROSS ALL OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS.

>>> ADD ADVOCATES FOR SAFETY NET PROGRAMS TO THOSE PUSHING FOR MORE SPENDING.

HERE'S MORE IN TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>>> PROGRESSIVE GROUPS ARE URGING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO PRIORITIZE SPENDING IN THE NEW PHYSICAL BUDGET FOR THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES MOST IN NEED.

EARLIER TODAY SEVERAL GROUPS, KNOWN AS THE FOR THE MONEY COALITION, HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE TO URGE FUNDING FOR SOCIAL PROGRAMS, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, AND HOUSING.

SHEILA RINERSON IS WITH NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE.

>> WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO HELP GET BACK ON TRACK.

>> THE COALITION ALSO WANTS TO SEE TAX LOOPHOLES CLOSED AND SAYS THE WEALTHY SHOULDN'T GET TAX BREAKS.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING CHANGES TO THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HELP SMALLER AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.

STARTING ON WEDNESDAY, SMALL BUSINESSES WITH FEWER THAN 20 EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE A TWO-WEEK EXCLUSIVE WINDOW TO APPLY FOR PPP LOANS.

BIGGER COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY DURING THESE TWO WEEKS.

THE ADMINISTRATION WILL ALSO SET ASIDE LOAN MONEY FOR SOLE PROPRIETORS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, AND SELF-EMPLOYED WORKERS.

PREVIOUSLY THEY WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROGRAM ALL TOGETHER.

>>> NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS HAVE GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL TO A BILL DESIGNED TO KEEP RESIDENTS FACING FORECLOSURE IN THEIR HOMES.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION, THE NEW JERSEY HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE AGENCY WOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE PROPERTIES AT RISK OF FORECLOSURE AND HELP RESIDENTS RESIDENTS FIND A MORE AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE.

RIGHT NOW, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THERE'S A MORATORIUM IN PLACE TO PREVENT FORECLOSURES, BUT ADVOCATES WORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ONCE IT'S LIFTED.

>>> AND THE LOWE'S THEATER IS GETTING A $72 MILLION RESTORATION WHICH WILL TRANSFORM IT INTO A STATE OF THE ART VENUE WITH MORE THAN 3,000 SEATS.

JERSEY CITY SELECTED DEVIL'S ARENA ENTERTAINMENT, THAT OPERATES THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER FOR THE PROJECT.

THERE'S AN ANTICIPATED OPENER IN 2025 WITH CONSTRUCTION STARTING SECTION NEXT YEAR.

>>> NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> AND THERE'S A GROWING PUSH TONIGHT FOR THE GOVERNOR TO CARVE OUT DEDICATED FUNDING TO THE STATE'S PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, WHICH ARE USED AT MUCH HIGHER RATES IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND WHERE THE MAJORITY OF BUS ROUTES PASS THROUGH LEAVING BEHIND NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION THAT CAUSE A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF HEALTH RISKS, NOT TO MENTION UNRELIABLE SERVICE THAT THREATENS LIVELIHOODS.

ADVOCATES SAY IT'S TIME A BUS BILL OF RIGHTS IS ESTABLISHED MORE THAN 65 YEARS AFTER MISS ROSA PARKS STARTED THE FIGHT.

>> BUS SERVICE IS KIND OF SLOW.

A LITTLE CHALLENGING BECAUSE AT TIMES IT CAN GET CROWDED, AND THAT'S PROBLEMATIC.

>> REPORTER: WHILE SOME RESIDENTS HAVE THE OPTION OF WORKING FROM HOME, THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES IN NEW JERSEY RELYING ON BUS SERVICE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK.

>> WITH THE WEATHER AND COVID, EVERYTHING GONE ON IS LIKE WE HAVE TO MAKE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

>> REPORTER: AND FOR THOSE IN TRANSIT DESERTS OR AREAS WITH BUSES FEW AND FAR APART, COMMUTING TO WORK CAN SOMETIMES BE IMPOSSIBLE.

>> I'VE SEEN THAT IT'S BEEN NOT AS EQUAL AS SOME PLACES.

ONE EXAMPLE, WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO JERSEY CITY, I LIVED IN GREENSVILLE.

COMING FROM THAT AREA, IF YOU TONIGHT HOLD YOUR HAND OUT, THE BUS DOESN'T STOP.

>> WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY HAD THE INITIAL LOCKDOWN ORDER IN MARCH, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP TOOK A SERIOUS DIVE.

ABOUT 90 PERCENT WAS BEING REPORTED OUT.

BUT WHEN YOU TOOK A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, IT WAS BUS NOT AS BAD AS RAIL.

IN FACT, 50% OF RIDERS STILL NEEDED TO TAKE THE BUS TO GET AROUND.

THOSE WERE OFTEN ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THE TRANSIT DEPENDENT.

>> REPORTER: JANET CHURNIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF POLICY FOR TRI-STATE TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN, WHICH PROPOSED THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT BUS RIDERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

>> FOR SOME RIDER IT'S I HAVE TO TAKE THIS OR I WON'T GET TO WORK, BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE.

THESE INEQUITIES EXIST.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY WERE CREATED DURING COVID.

>> REPORTER: SHE CALLS FOR EQUALITY FOR DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING MORE ELECTRIC BUSES.

>> ABOUT 83,000 ESSENTIAL WORKERS CONTINUE TO DO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

50% OF THEM WERE WOMEN, AND THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THEM WERE FROM BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE, UM, MOST LIKELY TO BE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO HAVE LOW INCOME WAGES.

>> REPORTER: THE PROPOSED BILL WAS BASED ON A SURVEY WITH HUNDREDS OF RIDERS DURING THE LAST YEAR.

MANY OF WHICH WHO VOICED THEIR CONCERNS.

>> WAITING FOR THE BUS, THE STUFF YOU'RE SMELLING, SOMETIMES THE AIR QUALITY IS NOT GOOD.

A STENCH WILL COME PAST YOU.

>> REPORTER: TYNISHA HAS EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE UNSANITARY AND UNSAFE OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO BUS TRANSPORTATION.

>> A LOT OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS COMING, AND IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR THEM TO HAVE CLEANLINESS ON THE BUSES AND THE BUSES RUNNING ON TIME.

>> REPORTER: SHE SAYS THE FIGHT TO GET THE BILL PASSED IS A NOD TO ROSA PARKS WHO REFUSED TO GIVE UP HER SEAT ON A MONTGOMERY BUS IN 1955, SPARKING THE BOYCOTT WHICH LEAD TO A U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING THAT SEGREGATION ON BUSES WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> ESPECIALLY IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA, BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME TYPE THAT WAS THEN TO KNOW, AND IT'S OKAY, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO DIFFERENTLY TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING AND AT THE SAME TIME SEE THE CHANGE.

>> REPORTER: GARNER SAYS IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR CORPORATIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER BUS SERVICE AS THEIR LIVELIHOOD RELIES ON THE ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES THAT REPORT TO WORK EACH DAY FOR THEM.

THE LEGISLATION MUST WORK THROUGH VARIOUS COMMITTEES BEFORE MAKING IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, STATE SENATOR GERALD CARDENELLI HAS DIED.

HE SPENT 54 YEARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND WAS NEW JERSEY'S SECOND LONGEST SERVING STATE LAWMAKER IN STATE HISTORY.

HE DIED SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOSPITAL AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS THAT WAS NOT RELATED TO COVID-19.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ORDERING ALL U.S. FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF STAFF TODAY, HONORING THE LAWMAKER WHO BEGAN HIS POLITICAL CAREER IN 1967 WITH HIS ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THOUGH A DENTIST BY TRADE, HE MAINTAINED HIS TRUE CALLING WAS TO SOCIAL AND CIVIL CAUSES.

HE ROSE TO RANKING MEMBER OF BOTH THE SENATE JUDICIARY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEES, AND COULD ALWAYS BE COUNTED ON FOR A SPIRITED DEBATE.

HIS LEGACY INCLUDES CASINO REFORMS THAT REMOVED ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS FROM POLITICAL AND MOB INFLUENCES.

HE ALSO COSPONSORED MEASURES LIKE MEGAN'S LAW AND A NUMBER OF TAX REFORMS.

HE WAS GEARING UP FOR RE-ELECTION TO A 13th TERM AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.

HE'S SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF 62 YEARS, 5 CHILDREN, AND 4 GRAND CHILDREN.

HE WAS 86 YEARS OLD.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS.

AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENCE LICENSE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME, NJM, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE DIVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE, OR BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, AND SO HAVE WE, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.