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

R WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI .

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

JUST ONE DAY AFTER NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BROUGHT YOU REPORTS OF A NEW POTENTIAL CORONAVIRUS VARIANCE DETECTED HERE IN NEW JERSEY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION IS CLOSELY WATCHING A NEW STRAIN FROM NEW YORK CITY LIKELY, ALREADY AMONG US.

RESEARCHERS FOUND IT INCLUDES A WORRISOME MUTATION THAT MAY MAKE IT LESS EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE VACCINE, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF ITS CURRENT CASES.

HEALTH OFFICIALS HERE SAY THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF OUR RESIDENTS TESTING POSITIVE FOR NEW YORK'S VARIANT AND NO EVIDENCE THAT THE BASICS WON'T WORK TO FIGHT AGAINST IT.

THAT IS THE TRIED AND TRUE HANDWASHING MASK WEARING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

OVERALL, CASE NUMBERS ARE STILL TRENDING IN A BETTER DIRECTION.

TODAY, THE STATE REPORTED ROUGHLY 3000 NEW POSITIVE TEST, AND 70 MORE LIVES LOST AS THE GOVERNOR HAS MORE OPTIONS FOR REOPENING.

SCHOOLS ARE A HOT TOPIC WITH MORE THAN 150 KNOWN IN SCHOOL OUTBREAKS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THIS WEEK, NEARLY A DOZEN TOOK A BIG STEP RINGING STUDENTS BACK INTO CLASSROOMS.

EITHER HYBRID, OR ENTIRELY IN PERSON.

FOR SOME DISTRICT, IT WILL SERVE AS A TRIAL RUN BEFORE TAKING THE PLUNGE AND FULLY RETURNING TO A NEW PANDEMIC STYLE OF IN-PERSON LEARNING.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN WENT INSIDE ONE MT.

OLIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TODAY FOR AN UP CLOSE LOOK FOR WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO HEAD BACK TO CLASS.

TWO HANDS ON YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU ARE READY TO MOVE ON.

>> Reporter: TEACHER, SHOWING HER SECOND GRADERS HOW TO TELL TIME, A BIG SCREEN WHAT STUDENTS LEARNED FROM HOME.

WHILE SYLVESTER GIVES INDIVIDUAL HELP TO GET SITTING IN A ROOM AT MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

IT'S A TYPICAL HYBRID CLASS, BUT ON MARCH 22nd, MOST OF THE KIDS ON SCREEN WILL BE BACK SITTING HERE IN THE MT.

OLIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT RETURNS TO FULL DAY, IN PERSON CLASSES.

>> THE 22nd COULDN'T COME QUICK ENOUGH.

THE KIDS ARE EXCITED.

SO THAT'S ALL OF OURS.

I'M READY.

>> WE HAVE THE PROTECTIVE GEAR HERE.

SO, KIDS ARE EXCITED TO COME IN.

THEY ARE EXCITED TO BE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND ANTICIPATE JUST BEING THE NEXT STEP OF TAKING A DEEP BREATH OF GETTING CLOSER TO NORMALCY.

>> EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

NOT ALL THIS ONE ABOUT 500 EUROS LOGISTICS WITH HYBRID LEARNING.

THE HUNDRED SIX TO ALL VIRTUAL.

IN FACT, SOME LARGE URBAN DISTRICTS LIKE PATTERSON, NEWARK, AND TRENTON PLAN TO STAY VIRTUAL UNTIL MID APRIL OR EARLY MAY.

ALMOST 100 DISTRICTS CONDUCT ALL CLASSES FACE-TO-FACE, BUT RETURNING TO FULL DAY, IN PERSON LEARNING CAN SPARK SERIOUS DEBATES, EVEN LAWSUITS AND TOWNS LIKE MAPLEWOOD AND MONTCLAIR.

BUT, PUSH BACKS HAVE BEEN MINIMAL AT MT.

OLIVE SIX K-12 SCHOOLS.

>> I DON'T THINK I CAN PUT IN WORDS.

HAVING THEM HAVE SOME SORT OF NORMALCY IN THIS IS AMAZING.

>> SCHOOL DAD, JOHN PETRIE HAS GOT TWO KIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SAYS WHILE THE HYBRID MODEL DOES HELP KEEP THEM CONNECTED, THEY HAVE MISSED INTERACTING WITH FRIENDS AND TEACHERS THROUGHOUT SCHOOL DAY.

PLUS, HE WORKS FROM HOME.

>> I'M TRYING TO WORK, AND THEY DO HAVE QUESTIONS WHEN IT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING OR DON'T GET SOMETHING.

SO HAVING THEM BACK AND HAVING THE TEACHER BE ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS THE RIGHT WAY, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SO, I'M REALLY EXCITED AND I THINK THE KIDS ARE AS WELL.

>> I WANT TO SEE MY FRIENDS I HAVE NOT SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

BECAUSE I HAVE FRIENDS IN DIFFERENT CLASSES.

>> IN VIRTUAL, YOU JUST KIND OF LIKE, I KNOW I WOULD LIKE BE SILENT AND THEN WHEN I'M HERE I TALKED TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND ASK THEM QUESTIONS.

>> PREDICTABLY, NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD.

THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN SPLIT ALL YEAR OVER IN PERSON LEARNING WAS ABOUT 40% OF FAMILIES KEEPING THEIR CHILDREN HOME FOR VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.

>> I HEAR MIXED FEEDBACK.

SOME PARENTS WANT TO COME BACK IMMEDIATELY AND THEN OTHER FOLKS WANT TO STAY THE ENTIRE YEAR VIRTUAL.

SO, PARENTS HAVE A CHOICE.

I THINK THAT'S THE BEST THING.

THEY CAN DO EITHER ONE.

>> SUPERINTENDENT SAYS 93% OF HIS TEACHING STAFF IS BACK ON SITE.

WHILE DECLINING COVERT INFECTION RATES AND RISING VACCINATION HELPS, HE CHANGES QUARANTINE REGULATIONS FOR HIS DECISION TO RESUME FULL DAY IN PERSON CLASSES.

>> WE ARE HOPING TO KEEP MORE TEACHERS IN SCHOOL BECAUSE OF QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS AND THEY ARE LESS STRINGENT.

INSTEAD OF HAVING TO QUARANTINE WHOLE CLASSROOMS WE ARE USING THE CDC DEFINITION WITHIN 6 FEET FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES.

WE WENT FROM HAVING 86 TEACHERS QUARANTINE DOWN TO 12 POINT >> THE DISTRICT INSTALLING SHIELDS BETWEEN DESKS, DISINFECTING WITH ANTIVIRAL CLEANSERS AND UV LIGHTS, AND RELYING ON AN HVAC AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM FEATURING VIRUS TRAPPING FILTERS.

A RARITY IN MANY AGING NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

THE DISTRICT OFFERS WEEKLY COVID TESTING.

STILL, HE WANTS STATE OFFICIALS TO GIVE TEACHERS HIGHER PRIORITY FOR COVID VACCINATIONS.

>> SCHOOLS ARE RUN BY ADULTS SO WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> TO HELP MORE SCHOOLS SAFELY REOPEN, THE STATE IS PLANNING A NEARLY $600 MILLION FOR K-12 EDUCATION AND GETTING A BOOST TO PRE-K PROGRAMS.

TREASURY OFFICIALS SAY THE MONEY IS THE STATE BACK ON A SEVEN-YEAR TRACK TO FULLY FUND THE SCHOOL FORMULA.

BUT, WHO GETS WHAT?

AND HOW WILL IT BE SPENT?

OUR EDITOR AND EDUCATION WRITER IS HERE WITH DETAILS.

JOHN, OF COURSE EVERY DISTRICT WANTS A PIECE OF THE PIE, BUT WHO STANDS TO GAIN CUSTOMER AND WHO STANDS TO LOSE NOW?

>> AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF A SEVEN-YEAR PHASE IN WHAT THEY SAY FULLY FUND THE FORMULA.

YOU KNOW, IT LED TO I THINK IT'S NOW CLOSE TO 1.5 BILLION AND INCREASES OVERALL TO DO THAT.

BUT IN DOING SO, YOU HAVE TWO THIRDS OF DISTRICTS STANDING TO GAIN.

SOME OF THEM A LOT.

ABOUT A THIRD OF THEM ARE ARE LOSING MONEY OVER THE COURSE OF THIS TIME.

AND THERE ARE BIG DISTRICTS ON BOTH SIDES.

NEWARK IS GAINING ABOUT 85 MILLION OUT OF THIS 10% INCREASE.

THAT'S A LOT OF TEACHERS.

EDISON, ALSO A 50% INCREASE.

BUT, BIG LOSER AND IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS IN JERSEY CITY.

LOSING ANOTHER 70 MILLION OR SO.

JACKSON HOWELL.

MOM MOUTH AND OCEAN, THEY'VE ALL BEEN LOSING A FEW MILLION A YEAR.

SO IT'S NOT ALL WINNERS OUT OF THIS.

BUT, THEY KNEW IT WAS COMING.

BASICALLY AS I SAID, GETS THEM BACK ON TRACK AND FOLLOWING THE PLAN, AND WITH A LOT OF MONEY, THERE IS A TON OF FEDERAL MONEY COMING INTO THE DISTRICT.

I THINK SOMETHING LIKE 1.2 BILLION ARE COMING TO NEW JERSEY.

I THINK THAT WILL SOFTEN THE BLOW OVER THIS.

SO THERE WILL BE SOME ISSUES ON THE IMAGES.

BUT I THINK THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR BUDGET AND ELECTION YEARS, YOU DON'T CUT SCHOOL FUNDING.

OR YOU MINIMIZE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> IT WAS NOT LONG AGO WE COVERED THE MASSIVE RALLIES AT THE STATEHOUSE WITH TOMS RIVER AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO WERE COMPLAINING YOU KNOW, CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE CUTS.

HOW MUCH WILL THAT FEDERAL MONEY MAKE A CUSHION FOR THEM, IF ANY?

>> IT'S A LOT.

AND IT'S, YOU KNOW.

BIG ISSUES WHEN IT RUNS OUT.

AND THEN HE WON'T HAVE IT FOR PROGRAMS.

BUT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS NOTABLE ABOUT THE BUDGET WAS THAT HE DID NOT USE IT TO OFFSET CUTS.

IT IS TRULY EXTRA MONEY TO DEAL WITH PANDEMIC RELATED ISSUES.

SO AGAIN, I THINK IT WILL SOFT AND ENOUGH OF THE BLOW THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THOSE PROTESTS AGAIN.

>> AND OF COURSE, GOT TO GO TO LEGISLATOR.

GET A STAMP OF APPROVAL BY THE END OF JUNE TO GET THERE.

JOHN MOONEY, THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR MONITORING AND KEEPING US IN THE LOOP.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OF COURSE, THE OTHER BIG FOCUS OF STATE SPENDING RIGHT NOW IS THE PANDEMIC.

HEALTH LEADERS SAY THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM BEEFING UP DISTRIBUTION.

THEY JUST NEED MORE OF THAT SUPPLY.

AS OF THIS MORNING, MORE THAN 1.8 MILLION SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS.

NEARLY 600,002ND DOSES.

EVEN AS MURPHY DOUBLES DOWN ON THE COMMITMENT TO REACH MORE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, BIG RACIAL GAPS EXIST.

JUST 4% OF THOSE TOTAL DOSES GIVEN HAVE REACHED RESIDENCE.

THAT NUMBER IS NOT MUCH BETTER IN THE HISPANIC AND LATINO COMMUNITY OF 5%.

TODAY, CLERGY MEMBERS AND PATTERSON CAME FORWARD TO PUBLICLY GET VACCINATED.

PART OF A LARGER EFFORT TO BUILD SOME TRUST IN COMMUNITIES THAT ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO GET THEIR SHOT.

THOSE PASTORS AND MINISTERS ARE ALSO TEAMING UP TO EDUCATE THEIR CONGREGATIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VACCINE.

TO WORK ON BRIDGING THE DIVIDE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS PROMISED TO VACCINATE 15,000 RESIDENTS IN MARCH ON HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

>> WAS A PRIVACY, YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO THIS.

EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR YOU.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME AND SHOW UP, AND RECEIVED THE VACCINE.

AND SO, I WANT TO CHARGE YOU.

WE ARE HOLDING YOU.

OKAY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING THE VACCINE, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT THAT IS WHAT IT IS TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IT IS NOT COMMENTING ON A VALLEY CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER MARCUS HICKS WHOSE BASIC POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OVER ABUSES AT THE STATE ONLY WOMEN'S PRISON.

TODAY, MEMBERS OF THE WORKER HAD HARASSMENT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND MISOGYNY IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS DOUBLE DOWN ON THEIR CALLS FOR REFORMS.

THE GROUP BEGAN COLLECTING TESTIMONY THIS SUMMER ABOUT DISTURBING CONDITIONS AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS IN EARLY JANUARY TO PROTECT WOMEN FROM ABUSED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND POLITICAL SYSTEM.

IT WAS UNKNOWN AT THE TIME THAT THOSE PROPOSALS CAME JUST AS 30 CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WERE FACING SUSPENSION FOR A BRUTAL ASSAULT ON THE FEMALE INMATES AND COVERING IT UP.

TODAY, ADVOCATES CONTINUE TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE CRISIS INSIDE THE PRISON, AND FEDERAL LAWMAKERS SAID TIME IS OF.

>> IN MY 40 YEARS AS A AFRICAN ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE IN PRISON, I CAN ATTEST THAT TORTURE IN NEW JERSEY PRISONS AND JAILS HAS ESCALATED.

SEXUAL, AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION RAINS.

CRUELTY HAPPENS WITH IMPUNITY.

IT APPEARS THAT NO ONE IS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> OUR SENIOR WRITER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE WORKGROUPS HEARINGS AND HAS THE LATEST.

>> SO, COLLEEN.

THIS GROUP'S MISSION SEEMS TO HAVE CHANGED.

WHAT KIND OF TESTIMONY DID YOU HEAR TODAY QUESTION MARK >> YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

YOU KNOW, THEY TALKED ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT REALLY SOUND PRETTY AWFUL.

THERE ARE SOME PRISON FACILITIES THAT PEOPLE DON'T EVEN HAVE A TOILET.

THERE ARE RATS.

WE HEARD ABOUT TORTURE.

THEY USED THE WORD TORTURE.

CRUELTY, SEXUAL AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, AND THEY SAID THAT YOU KNOW, THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATIVE BODY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS THAT IS CHARGED WITH LOOKING INTO THESE THINGS THAT THAT BODY REALLY JUST YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE WOMEN SAID CORRUPT.

THEY REALLY CAN'T BE IMPARTIAL IN THIS KIND OF INVESTIGATION.

>> WHAT COULD THEY DO THEN, INSTEAD?

I KNOW SENATOR WEINBERG PROPOSED A PUBLIC ADVOCATE.

IS THAT A VIABLE SOLUTION, HERE?

>> YEAH.

BOTH OF THE OTHER KIDS WHO WE HEARD FROM TODAY, STRONGLY ENDORSED THAT IDEA OF A PUBLIC ADVOCATE.

YOU KNOW, WHAT THE SENATOR HAS PROPOSED IS, THIS IS NOT.

THE LEGISLATION IS STILL BEING FINALIZED, SHOW SHE HOPES TO INTRODUCE THAT VERY SOON.

BUT, WHICH IS PROPOSED IS AN OUTSIDE OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK IN.

NOT JUST FOR CORRECTIONS BUT OTHER STATE FACILITIES LIKE CENTERS, FOR INSTANCE.

PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.

ANY PLACE LIKE THAT.

TO LOOK INTO ANY KIND OF ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE, MISCONDUCT.

AND REALLY BE AN OUTSIDE BODY SO THAT THEY COULD BE TRULY IMPARTIAL.

>> THE STATE DOES OF COURSE HAVE THAT, BUT WE KNOW THAT THEIR SCOPE IS LIMITED SO THIS WOULD BROADEN THAT.

IS THERE ANY TALK TODAY THAT THE GROUP MAY VEER BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL INTENT WHICH WAS MISOGYNY AND SEXUAL ABUSE FOR GOVERNMENT, STATE AND POLITICAL WORKERS?

>> SO, THE COMMITTEE TO HEAR FROM A COUPLE WOMAN ON THAT ASPECT AS WELL TODAY.

THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED, THAT SENATOR WEINBERG SAID YOU KNOW, SHE CERTAINLY HOPES WILL START TO GO TO THE LEGISLATOR SOON.

THAT WOULD CREATE KIND OF AN INVESTIGATIVE OFFICE WITHIN, THIS IS THE NEW JERSEY ELECTION LAUNCH COMMISSION TO LOOK INTO THOSE KINDS OF ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING EITHER CAMPAIGNS, A STATE GOVERNMENT STAFF.

YOU KNOW, LOBBYIST.

ANYONE IN THAT POLITICAL ARENA.

>> DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE IS LEGS AND LIKE THE LEGISLATOR WILL SUPPORT THAT?

>> SENATOR WEINBERG SAYS HE HOPES THAT THEY WILL, AND SHE DOES NOT SEE ANY REASON THAT THEY HAVE NOT, BUT SO FAR, THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES THAT THAT IS GOING TO MOVE ANYTIME SOON.

>> WE DO HAVE THE TRIFECTA, RIGHT?

DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR.

SO WE WILL SEE.

COLLEEN O'DAY, THANKS SO MUCH, AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR MURPHY UNVEILED HIS SPENDING PLANS FOR THE YEAR.

THE STATE AVOIDED ECONOMIC TURMOIL FROM THE PANDEMIC, BUT WILL STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR THE GOVERNORS $44.8 BILLION BUDGET.

FROM TAX CREDITS TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES, TO A RECORD PENSION PAYMENT, AND HEALTH COVERAGE FOR KIDS.

MOST PROGRESSIVE GROUPS ARE DOWN AND OUT WITH THE PROPOSAL, BUT OTHERS, EVEN KEY PARTS OF HIS BASE SAY THEY WERE ROUGH LEFT OUT.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> NEW JERSEY IS DONE TAKING PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD.

WE ARE SOLVING THEM.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED HIS PROPOSED BUDGET THIS WEEK.

A $44.8 BILLION SPENDING PLAN THAT CAST A SEVERE LIGHT THAT MANY, EVEN THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF HAD PREDICTED SIX MONTHS AGO.

AND, THAT'S PARTLY WHY THE STATE WAS ABLE TO FULLY FUND ITS CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO THE PENSION FUND THIS YEAR.

SAYS MURPHY.

>> WE WILL ACHIEVE FULL FUNDING OF OUR ANNUAL OBLIGATION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1996.

A TOTAL PAYMENT OF NEARLY $6.4 BILLION.

>> THE BUDGET MEETS SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN AREAS LIKE EDUCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND HEALTHCARE WHILE ADDING NO NEW TAXES.

NEW JERSEY POLICY LAUDED SOME OF THOSE INVESTMENTS.

>> A MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION.

IN MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN, IN SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES.

HOUSING TRUST FUNDS.

MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS.

>> HEAD OF NEW JERSEY'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAID THIS BUDGET DOES MAKE THE MURPHY COMMITMENT TO NEW JERSEY, BUT THE GOVERNORS MISSED THE MARK ON THE PENSION PAYMENT.

>> WE HAVE AN ECONOMIC CRISIS STARING US IN THE FACE BUT IT IS MOST PRESSING ISSUE WE HAVE AS A STATE.

TO USE THE MONEY FOR OUR PENSION PAYMENT VERSUS USING MONEY FOR OTHER MOST PRESSING NEEDS I THINK IS A MISTAKE.

>> SO TOO IS THROWING AWAY MONEY IN A SURPLUS, HE SAYS.

>> THE SURPLUS IS THERE FOR A RAINY DAY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN HAVE ANYMORE A RAINY DAY THEN WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

LIKE YOU SAID THIS BUT IT SHOULD BE MUCH MORE IN SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY.

>> IS PROPOSING TO RE-ENERGIZE OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITH $200 MILLION.

THAT IS LESS THAN 4% WHAT THE CURRENT PPP HAS BEEN.

IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET TO WHAT I THINK IS NEEDED TO SHOW UP OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES CANNOT SURVIVE FROM MARCH TO JULY, THEY JUST CANNOT.

>> IS THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE AN INFUSION OF AROUND $9 BILLION FROM THE PROPOSED $1.9 TRILLION FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE, AND A $4.4 BILLION IT BORROWED THIS PAST SUMMER FOR EMERGENCY COVERED RELIEF.

MICHELLE'S A KIRKUS SAID THESE INCOME STREAMS CANNOT SUSTAIN THE INCREASES AND SPENDING.

>> THIS IS A 29% INCREASE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION ON SPENDING.

WHICH IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

THE REASON WE HAVE THAT MONEY THIS YEAR IS BECAUSE THANKED MONEY FROM LAST YEAR, WHICH CAME ON BORROWING, AND INCREASE IN TAXES.

AND OF COURSE, WE KNOW THOSE TAXES AND THOSE INCREASED COSTS ON THE BACK OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES.

>> SOME ADVOCATES ARE CALLING FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATOR TO AMEND THIS BUDGET TO INCLUDE THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

MANY OF WHOM ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO THEY SAY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN IN THIS COVERT CRISIS.

>> WE WERE DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT IMMIGRANTS WERE EXCLUDED, AND WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET FRANKLY.

THEY'VE BEEN ALMOST YEAR WITHOUT RELIEF AT THIS POINT.

>> THE BOTTOM OF THE SCALE IS $20 MILLION.

GIVE THEM A CHECK.

GIVE THEM SOME MONEY TO COVER RENT, TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

TO HELP THEM THROUGH THIS REALLY DIFFICULT YEAR.

>> THEY SAY THEY ARE PLEASE.

THE GOVERNOR IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE FEE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR EVERY CHILD IN THIS STATE WHO IS UNINSURED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> AS THE GOVERNOR CONTEMPLATES EXPANDING INDOOR DINING , AND EASING OTHER RESTRICTIONS, SOME RELIEF IS IN THE PIPELINE NOW.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE DETAILS AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORY.

>>> RESTAURANT OWNERS HAVE BEEN PLEADING FOR MORE HELP.

SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO GET IT SOON, THROUGH A NEW STATE INITIATIVE THAT WILL GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL BUSINESS.

THE NJ EDA ANNOUNCED THEY WILL AWARD $14 MILLION IN GRANTS THROUGH ITS SUSTAIN AND SERVE PROGRAM.

NOW, UNDER THAT PROGRAM, GRANT MONEY IS AWARDED TO ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEM TO BUY MEALS FROM RESTAURANTS TO FEED THOSE.

SO, IT IS A TWOFER PERIODS STRUGGLING RESTAURANT GET SOME CASH, HUNGRY PEOPLE GET TO YOU.

THE STATE SAYS WITH THE AWARDING OF THE GRANTS, IT EXPECTS 1 1/2 MILLION MEALS WILL BE PURCHASED FROM AT LEAST 160 RESTAURANTS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S BUDGET THIS WEEK INCLUDED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE UPGRADING ITS SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

BUT, SOME STATE LAWMAKERS SAY MORE MONEY IS NEEDED.

THEY'RE ADVANCING A BILL TO ALLOCATE $50 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP WITH THE MODERNIZATION.

MEANTIME, NEW NUMBERS TODAY ON JOBLESS CLAIMS SHOW THAT NATIONALLY, FEWER PEOPLE HAD TO GO ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE LATEST WEEK.

>>> THE STATE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED NEW LOANS AND TAX INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW JERSEY'S SITES IN THE PAST.

DEVELOPERS HAVE SHIED AWAY FROM THOSE DUE TO THE EXPENSES RELATED TO REMEDIATION.

JOHN HURDLE SAYS THERE IS CONFIDENCE THAT THESE INCENTIVES ARE GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> ONE DEVELOPER I SPOKE WITH WAS PRETTY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS.

HE SAID THAT IT SHOULD HELP PROJECTS THAT MIGHT, MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE GET FULL FUNDING.

IT MIGHT GET THEM OVER THE FINISH LINE, AS IT WERE.

>> YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT READING JOHN STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS OR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> AMAZON CONTINUES TO EMBRACE DOING BUSINESS IN NEW JERSEY AND HAS SEVEN SITES ON MONMOUTH COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF OCEAN TOWNSHIP, THE e-COMMERCE RETAILER IS PLANNING TO OPEN A NEW FULFILLMENT CENTER AT THE CQ SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER IN THE FORMER SEARS STORE.

THE CENTER IS ASKED TO TO OPEN THIS FALL.

SO, SELLING ON WALL STREET TODAY, HERE'S A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER ON BUSINESS BEAT AS SHE TAKES A DEEPER LOOK AT THE STATES UNAPPOINTED PROCESS AND BREAKS ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET WITH THOSE IN THE KNOW, INCLUDING THE STATE TREASURER.

WATCH THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> EVEN WITH A LEGAL MARIJUANA LAW ON THE BOOKS, IT WILL BE MONTH, MAYBE LONGER BEFORE YOU SEE WE CHOPS OPENING UP IN YOUR TOWN.

REGULATIONS WILL NEED TO BE MADE NOW THAT THE FIVE-MEMBER COMMISSION HAS BEEN NAMED.

LICENSES WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED, BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF INTEREST AND PLENTY OF MONEY TO BE MADE.

SOME ENTREPRENEURS HAVE ALREADY DIPPED THEIR TOE IN THE WATER, SELLING HEMP NCBD PRODUCTS.

MAIA MICHIGAN TAKES US TO THE CATTLE BOSS LADY.

ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN OWNED CANNABIS SHOPS IN THE STATE.

>> CANNABIS WOMEN HAVE HAD TO FIGHT THE OLD BOYS CLUB.

AND, WE ARE TAKING OVER.

>> MEET JOE COHEN, A.K.A., THE CANVAS LADY.

HER CBD BOUTIQUE IN MAPLEWOOD, SHE SAYS, IS ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN OWNED OF ITS KIND IN ESSEX COUNTY AND POSSIBLY NEW JERSEY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, MY MISSION IS TO ONLY SELL WOMEN-OWNED BRAS, EVERYONE I WORK WITH ARE WOMEN.

EVEN MY VENDORS, MY LAWYERS ARE WOMEN, MY WEB DEVELOPERS ARE WOMEN.

>> THE RESIDENT SAID IT TOOK A LOT OF HARD WORK TO OPEN THE SHOP A MERE TWO WEEKS AGO.

I WANT TO COME HERE AND FEEL PRIVATE AND SANE, AND TAKE THEM FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRODUCTS.

>> SHE SPENT HOURS TRANSFORMING THE SPACE FROM THE BANK AND TO GET THE RIGHT PERMIT.

>> I DONATE PERSONAL PROCEEDS EVERY MONTH TO TWO WOMEN CHARITIES.

ONE IS SUPERNOVA, WHICH IS A SPACE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR AND CANNABIS, AND THEY HELP WOMEN YOU KNOW, GET LICENSING, GET INTO THE BUSINESS.

>> ON MONDAY, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY'S SIGNATURE REALIZED ADULT RECREATIONAL USE, MAKING NEW JERSEY THE 13th STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO DO SO.

>> IS OPENING THE DOORS TO LOWERING THE STIGMATIZATION, PROVIDING A LOT OF JOBS, AND TAX REVENUE.

>> SO, THE ANSWER IS YES.

SHE DOES NOT WANT TO BE A FULL DISPENSARY BUT SHE WANTS TO SELL THC PRODUCTS.

>> SHE SAYS SHE KNOW IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO RECREATION OF THE MARIJUANA LICENSE.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FULLY OUT THERE FOR A YEAR.

AND THEN THEY FIRST START TO GET THAT LICENSE TO THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES AND THEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS.

AND THEN, THEY WILL START OPENING UP TO THE CBD STRESS.

SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE ME ABOUT TWO YEARS TO GET THERE.

>> YOUR OPENING TWO MORE DISPENSARIES.

>> PURE LEAF IS ONE OF THE FIRST TO OPEN A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WE SAW THE PROCESS AND IN BELMAR, NEW JERSEY.

NOW THAT IT'S OFFICIAL, WE ARE GOING TO GO FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH OPENING TWO MORE STORES.

WE ACTUALLY JUST GOT OUR SECOND SITE APPROVED IN WINSLOW.

>> THE REGIONAL PRESIDENT FOR PURE LEAF IN THE NORTHEAST, PATRICK JOHNSON, SAYS THE PLAN, ONCE THEY ARE LICENSED IS TO SELL RECREATIONALLY AT THE THREE MEDICAL DISPENSARIES ONCE HE COMES ONLINE.

>> IS GOING TO BE AN EMPHASIS ON MAKING SURE THAT THE MEDICAL PRODUCTS TAKE PRIORITY.

WE DO NEED TO ALLOW US TO BE CO- LOCATED, AND YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE ARE WAITING ON THE REGULATIONS TO COME UP.

>> BOUTIQUES NEED TO WORRY ABOUT COMPETITIVENESS OF THIS, I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO HELP US.

FIRST OF ALL, THOSE DISPENSARIES, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE LINES OUT THE DOOR.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WANT TO BE DISCREET ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE BUYING.

THEY CAN COME HERE.

>> JOHNSON SAYS HIS COMPANY ACTUALLY LOOKS TO HELP SMALL OPERATORS.

BY PROVIDING MENTORSHIP TO ENTREPRENEURS.

>> IT WILL BE A PROCESS, A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INITIATIVE.

WE HAVE TO DO SOME TYPE OF SCALE.

SO, WHAT WAS DONE IN OTHER STATES, WE DO PROVIDE PRODUCTS TO OUR RETAIL OPERATORS.

THE GOAL IS TO YOU KNOW, WORK WITH 420.

YOU KNOW, COMING FROM AREAS OF DISPROPORTION.

>> SHE STARTED HER LOVE OF CANNABIS WHEN SHE REALIZED IT HELPED HER ANXIETY AND STOMACH PAIN.

SHE LOOKS TO GIVE THE SAME RELIEF TO ANYBODY WHO WALKS THROUGH HER DOORS.

I AM A LEAH MICHIGAN FOUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> PANEL OF REPORTERS WILL BREAK IT ALL DOWN FRIDAY MORNING AT 10 A.M. AT A REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE.

THIS WEEK, CALLING IT A MODERATES FOR DAVID CRUZ.

CATCH IT ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM TREND BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY- CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

>> I AM MILES, AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME.

IN BODY, AND IN MY.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HEALTH GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH, THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

BECAUSE, WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO TODAY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

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