>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPINE IS PROVIDED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP.

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

WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES.

AND, VERIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SEPTEMBER, THE STATE IS INCREASING INDOOR CAPACITY.

JUST SLIGHTLY FROM 25% TO 35% AT RESTAURANTS, BARS, SALONS, GYMS, AND CASINOS AMONG OTHER BUSINESSES.

THE NEW LIMITS ALSO APPLY TO PERFORMANCE VENUES, HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND FUNERALS WITH A CAP AT 150 PEOPLE.

THE NEW RULE TAKES EFFECT FRIDAY MORNING AT 8:00 A.M. AND LEFT AT 10 P.M. INDOOR DINING CURFEW JUST IN TIME FOR SUPER BOWL BEGIN.

UNLESS OF COURSE, LOCAL LEADERS RULE OTHERWISE.

THEY STILL CANNOT GATHER AT THE BAR OUT OF CONCERN OVER THE DANGER OF CLOSE AND PROLONGED PROXIMITY TO OTHER PEOPLE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A DECLINE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE LOWER RATE OF TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS IS MAIN REASON FOR THE DECISION, ALONG WITH A SLOWING RATE OF NEW POSITIVE CASES, JUST OVER 2000 CONFIRMS TODAY.

MORE THAN 631,000 TOTAL.

52 MORE LIVES LOST AND 21,000 FATALITIES.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN AN INCREASE IN OUR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

WITH THE NUMBER OF SECOND DOSE IS GIVEN CLIMBING.

ALL SIX OF THE VACCINE MEGA SITES REOPENS TODAY ALL COMPETING FOR A SHOT.

NOT INCLUDED IN TOP-TIER GROUPS, BUT PUTTING THEIR HEALTH ON THE LINE NONETHELESS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE'VE BEEN OUT HERE SINCE DAY ONE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE NOT MISSED IT.

>> DRUMM JOHNSON SAYS TRANSIT STAFF COLLECT YOUR TICKETS AND DRIVE THE BUSES AND OTHER ESSENTIAL WORKERS CHECK YOUR GROCERIES AND FILL YOUR ONLINE MAIL ORDERS.

BUT, IN JERSEY, THEY ARE NOT HIGH PRIORITY FOR VACCINATION'S DESPITE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS.

ONE GROCERY WORKER TOLD US I DON'T SEE MYSELF AS ESSENTIAL, MORE LIKE SACRIFICIAL.

MOST HAVE LITTLE CHOICE, JOHNSON SAYS.

>> IF WE ARE NOT PUTTING OURSELVES IN HARMS WAY, WE SHOULD BE RIGHT THERE WITH THE VACCINATIONS.

>> IT'S A PROBLEM THAT ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE CONTINUING TO GO TO WORK WHEN WE HAVE A VACCINE AND THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED.

>> ADVOCATES LIKE DEBORAH COYLE SAY 70% OF NEW JERSEY'S FRONT- LINE WORKERS ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL.

SHE AGREES THAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND VULNERABLE SENIORS AS HER PRIORITY TO COVERT VACCINATIONS, AND SHE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT VACCINES ARE CURRENTLY IN SHORT SUPPLY.

BUT IN TERMS OF SHEER DAILY EXPOSURE TO THE VIRUS, ESPECIALLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANCE.

>> IF YOU ARE AN ESSENTIAL WORKER, YOU ARE AT HIGH RISK.

IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT REDUCING THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS, THEN YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW DO WE GET ESSENTIAL WORKERS VACCINATED QUICKER?

>> ALSO, MANY ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE EARNING LOW WAGES AND LACK SICKLEAVE.

WRECKERS LABOR EXPERT SAYS TEMP WORKERS AND CROSS PROXIMITY AT WAREHOUSES ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE.

>> THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT TELLING THEIR EMPLOYER, EVEN IF THEY TEST POSITIVE, THE CONCERN IS THAT THE TEMP AGENCY WILL DROP THEM, AND NOT REHIRE THEM.

THAT HAS HAPPENED.

AND SO, WORKERS ARE LESS LIKELY TO REPORT WHEN THEY MIGHT BE SICK.

OR IF THEY THINK THEY'VE BEEN EXPOSED POINT >> HE NOTES ESSENTIAL WORKERS OFTEN COMMUTE TOGETHER IN BANDS AND WITH MORE INFECTIOUS VIRUS STRAINS NOW CIRCULATING, THAT IS ANOTHER RISK FACTOR FOR.

>> NEEDS TO BE A REAL CONCERTED EFFORT MADE TO REACH THAT WORKFORCE.

AND PLACES WHERE WE GOT UNIONS WORKERS REPRESENTED BY UNIONS, THAT KIND OF COOPERATION IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

IT'S LESS LIKELY IN SPACES WHERE THERE ARE WORKERS WHO DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF REPRESENTATION.

>> THERE IS A HIGH PROPORTION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE WORKING, AND WE KNOW THAT THE RATE OF INFECTION, HOSPITALIZATION, AND DEATH FOR BLACK AMERICANS, WATCHING AMERICANS, NATIVE AMERICANS IS MANY TIMES HIGHER THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED BASED ON THE PROPORTION POPULATION.

>> ARE FOUNDATIONS SAYS IN THE RACE TO VACCINATE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE, ESSENTIAL WORKERS NEED A HIGHER PRIORITY RATING.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE A LITTLE BIT ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED EACH DAY TO ENSURE YOU'RE GETTING THE VACCINE INTO THE ARMS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT GREATEST RISK.

>> NEW YORK HAS ALREADY MADE SEVERAL ESSENTIAL WORKER CATEGORIES ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATIONS, INCLUDING EDUCATORS, PLUS THOSE WORKING IN PUBLIC TRANSIT, CHILDCARE, AND PUBLIC FACING GROCERY STORE POSITIONS.

IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THERE'S A BROAD COMMUNITY, REALITY IN TERMS OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO GET TO THEM.

THE GROUP THAT WAS SPOKEN MOST ABOUT MOST FREQUENTLY ARE EDUCATORS.

ALONG WITH ANOTHER CALL WITH HIM THIS AFTERNOON, I HAD A VERY GOOD, CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION YESTERDAY.

WE TRY TO DO THAT WITH THE HP AE FOLKS.

HONESTLY THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

AND SO, WE WANT TO GET AS BROAD, AS FAST AS WE CAN.

THE MORE SUPPLY WE GET, THE MORE QUICKLY WE CAN DO THAT.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY STILL CITES VACCINE SHORTAGES AS THE PRIMARY HURDLE.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> TO HELP OUT, ONCE THAT SUPPLY INCREASES, BOTH CVS AND RITE AID WILL OPEN LOCATIONS AS PART OF THE FEDERAL RETAIL PHARMACY PROGRAM LAUNCHING NEXT WEEK.

NEW JERSEY IS AMONG AN INITIAL 11 STATE ROLLOUT FOR THE CBS PROGRAM.

PART OF THE PHARMACY'S LARGER PLAN TO EXPAND ACCESS TO COVID- 19 VACCINES.

SHOTS WILL BE GIVEN STARTING FEBRUARY 11th TWO ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS, BUT YOU WILL NEED AN APPOINTMENT.

YOU CAN START BOOKING AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY 9th.

IT COMES AS CVS CONTINUES ALONG WITH WALGREENS TO VACCINATE LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY.

TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS IT IS IMPROVING AFTER A SLOWER THAN EXPECTED START.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT THERE WON'T BE A DOMINO EFFECT FROM THE RESCHEDULED VACCINE APPOINTMENTS CAUSED BY THE WINTER STORM.

BUT, AND PATTERSON, PROBLEMS CONTINUE AT THE CITY'S VACCINE SITE, NOW OFFERING VACCINE APPOINTMENTS THROUGH THE STATES SCHEDULING SYSTEM.

RESIDENTS WHO GOT CONFIRMATION EMAILS TODAY WERE TURNED AWAY AT THE DOOR, TOLD THEIR APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE SUPPLY.

WAS AT FAULT?

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> THEY SENT THE CONFIRMATION BUT WE DID NOT GET THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN SAYS HE SPENT WEEKS TRYING TO GET A VACCINE APPOINTED FOR HIS WIFE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT HER APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE SNOW.

>> I GOT AN EMAIL ON FEBRUARY 2nd, AND TODAY'S THE THIRD, RIGHT?

SO, I TAUGHT, I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY BUT THEN I COME IN HERE AND THEN FINDING OUT THAT WE DID NOT GET THE VACCINE.

BUT THEY SAY IF YOU COME TOMORROW, IF YOU DON'T REREGISTER, YOU CAN'T GET VACCINE.

>> CONFUSION QUICKLY TURNED IN FOR FRUSTRATION HERE AT THE INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PEOPLE WHO HAD PROOF THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT SYSTEM COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE NOT GIVEN A HEADS UP ABOUT THAT THEIR APPOINTMENTS WERE CANCELED.

>> IS THERE A SUPERVISOR I CAN SEE?

ANYBODY IN CHARGE HERE?

HE DID NOT EVEN SHOVEL THE WALK.

WHERE'S YOUR SUPERVISOR HERE?

WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

>> THOSE WHO CAME FOR THEIR SECOND ROUND OF THE MODERNA VACCINE WERE ADMITTED, BUT THOSE RECEIVING THEIR FIRST SHOT WERE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.

LITERALLY.

>> THEY GOT THE LINK TO THE SNOW.

>> OKAY?

>> AFTER RECEIVING BACKLASH FOR THEIR STRICTLY WALK-IN SYSTEM THAT LED TO LONG LINES AND FREEZING TEMPERATURE, PATTERSON CHANGE THEIR COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM TO A HYBRID MODEL, WHICH INVOLVES A COMBINATION OF PEOPLE REGISTERING FOR THE STATE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM, BUT STILL ALLOWING ROOM FOR WALK-INS.

>> I GOT CONFIRMATION YESTERDAY AT 6:00 A.M., AND PRINTED IT OUT RIGHT HERE, AND TO CONFIRM THAT THE APPOINTMENT IS ON.

I COME HERE AND THEY ARE LIKE NO, WE DON'T HAVE IT.

THERE'S A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE STATE WEBSITE IN THE CITY.

>> DESPITE NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT BEING TURNED AWAY FOR THEIR FIRST VACCINE, THE MAYOR SAYS HIS HANDS ARE TIED AS HE HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE WEATHER, OR VACCINE SHIPMENTS.

>> WE ARE NOT TELLING THEM NO.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD A SEVERE STORM.

WE DO NOT RECEIVE OUR SHIPMENT.

IF WE DON'T RECEIVE OUR SHIPMENT, WE CANNOT VACCINATE YOU.

SO THEY USE THE STATE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO RESCHEDULE THEM, AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD, THEY ARE GOING TO RESCHEDULE IT FOR THIS SATURDAY.

WE OPEN ON SATURDAY BUT WE WANT TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE FOLKS.

>> THE SNOWSTORM PUT A HALT TO VACCINATION PROGRAM WITH A PARTNERSHIP WITH CVS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LAUNCHED TODAY AND BRING VACCINES DIRECTLY TO SENIORS LIVING IN THE CITIES AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> CBS THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE INTEREST OF EVERYONE TO POSTPONE.

SO WE WILL BE BACK THERE NEXT WEEK AND WE WILL HIT AS MANY OF THE SENIOR SITES AS WE CAN.

OUR GOAL IS TO GET ALL SIX SITES THAT OPERATE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE PATTERSON HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> IS COMMUNITY'S LIKE PATTERSON I TRY TO NAVIGATE THE BEST WAY TO VACCINATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY CAN, THE DEAN OF RUTGERS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, DR. PEERY SAYS THERE IS ULTIMATELY NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL WHEN IT COMES TO THE VACCINATION PROCESS.

>> I DO LIKE THE WALK-UP SYSTEM.

I ABSOLUTELY DO.

I ALSO LIKE NOT TAKING A VAN AROUND TO COMMUNITY SYSTEMS.

I ALSO LIKE THE VACCINATION FAIR SYSTEM.

I ALSO LIKE THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.

THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE, HERE IS THAT NOT EVERY HUMAN BEING IS IDENTICAL.

HUMAN BEINGS HAVE VARYING NEEDS, AND THEREFORE YOU NEED TO DEVELOP A DIFFERENT SET OF SYSTEMS THAT WILL WORK FOR THE VERY DIVERSE POPULATION OF PATTERSON, AND FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> THE MAYOR IS NOW URGING ANYONE WHO IS REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF PAYMENT SYSTEM TO CHECK THE CITY'S WEBSITE FOR UPDATES FIRST BEFORE SHOWING UP TO AN APPOINTMENT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IT WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK IN TRENTON.

NURSING STUDENTS FROM THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY DROPPED THEIR BOOKS TO HELP THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADMINISTER 400 OF THE COVID-19 VACCINES.

THE SHOTS ARE BEING GIVEN TO PRIORITIZED RESIDENCE AT THE TRENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THE STUDENTS WERE CALLED IN TO HELP WITH THE EXPECTED SURGEON UP LIMITS AS A RESULT OF THOSE RESCHEDULED.

DOZENS OF RESIDENTS CYCLED THROUGH FOR THE FIRST SHOT WHILE OUR CAMERAS WERE THERE THIS AFTERNOON.

THE STUDENTS ALREADY HELD A NONNURSING BACHELORS DEGREE AND ARE ENROLLED IN AN ACCELERATED COURSE TO BECOME AN RN, AND HELP FIGHT BACK AGAINST THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> THIS IS THE TYPE OF NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE LEARN ABOUT THAT MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ACCESS TO CARE.

SO, BEING ABLE TO DO, PROVIDE THIS FOR THEM IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN ALTERED BY COVID.

SO BEING ABLE TO DO THIS, AND DO A PUBLIC-HEALTH ROTATION LIKE THIS IS REALLY SPECIAL TO ME TO GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO BE HERE PRESENTING MY SCHOOL.

>> ONCE WE REACH THOSE VACCINATION GOALS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PASSES, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MORATORIUMS PUT IN PLACE FOR RESIDENTS UNABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS OR RENT?

LAST SUMMER, THE ASSEMBLY FULLY SUPPORTED A BILL DESIGNED TO PROTECT RENTERS WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PAY DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, AND PREVENT MASSIVE ACTIONS.

BUT SINCE THEN, THE LEGISLATION HAS SAT IN THE SENATE WITH NO ACTION.

ONCE THE LIKELIHOOD IT WILL BE REVIVED, ARE CONTRIBUTORS HERE NOW WITH THE LATEST.

>> JOHN, THERE SEEMS TO BE ALL THIS MOMENTUM BEHIND ADVOCATES CALL THE PEOPLE'S BILL.

NOW, WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?

>> IT'S NOT REALLY CLEAR WHAT THE HOLDUP IS.

THE HOUSING APPLICANTS SAY THAT THE SENATE FAILURE TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS SO FAR ON THE AMENDMENT BILL.

THIS IS BECAUSE THE APARTMENTS ASSOCIATION, THAT WAS THE ONE FOR INVESTORS.

THEY DO OBJECT TO IT.

I SPOKE YESTERDAY WITH A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE NEED TO HAVE A SENATE VOTES ON THE BILL RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO CURRENT MORATORIUMS WHICH BENEDICTIONS.

ONE AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND WHEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THEY DO PLAN TO HAVE THE BILL IN PLACE BY THE TIME THAT EITHER OF THE ITEMS, THE STATE OR THE FEDERAL MORATORIUMS AND.

INASKI APARTMENT ASSOCIATION, I DO STRONGLY, STRENUOUSLY OBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE BILL.

>> IS THAT, JOHN, BECAUSE THEY FEAR THAT THE BURDEN WILL THEN FALL ON LANDLORDS?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAY.

THE BILL WOULD GIVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PAY THEIR RENT SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, THE BILL WOULD GIVE THOSE PEOPLE SIX MONTHS TO PAY EVERY MONTH OF RENTERS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 2 1/2 YEARS.

AND WHAT LANDLORDS SAY IS THAT THAT IS REALLY JUST UNFAIR OF THEM THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY, HAVE TO SHOULDER THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR AS LONG AS 2 1/2 YEARS, AND SOME OF THEM, ACCORDING TO THE REPRESENTATIVES WILL GO BANKRUPT AS A RESULT OF THAT.

>> WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT THESE PREDICTIONS?

THESE SO-CALLED TSUNAMIS OF EVICTIONS THAT ARE PREDICTED.

UPWARDS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RENTERS WANT THOSE MORATORIUMS LIFTED.

>> YES, THERE WAS A REPORT LAST YEAR CALL IT WAS PROJECTED IT WOULD BE AROUND 300,000 EVICTIONS AS A RESULT.

UNLESS THERE WAS SOME ADDITIONAL PROTECTION GIVEN TO RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS.

AND OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF THE MORATORIUM, THE COURTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ISSUE EVICTION ORDERS, BUT THEY MAY STILL ACCEPT, EXCEPT FILINGS BY THE LANDLORDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS USING THOSE PANDEMIC RELATED RESTRICTIONS.

IT GIVES A SMALL VICTORY TO THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS IN TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS GROUPS.

>> BREANNA, BUSINESS GROUPS WERE QUICK TO APPLY THE DECISION TO EXPAND INDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS FROM BUSINESSES.

MARY LOU HALVERSON WHO LEADS NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION SAYS RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE PLEASED THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER BE A STATEWIDE BAN ON SERVING MEALS PAST 10:00 P.M. >> THAT WAS AFFECTING EVERY SEGMENT OF THE INDUSTRY, WHETHER IT WAS FINE DINING, OR CASUAL DINING, THAT REALLY SEEMED TO IMPACT THEM THE MOST.

YOU KNOW, THE 35%, IT'S A GREAT START.

>> THEY SAID TODAY THEY HOPE THAT 35% INDOOR CAPACITY LIMIT WILL SOON BE EXPANDED EVEN FURTHER.

WE ARE SEEING A PICKUP IN HIRING, ACCORDING TO THE PRIVATE COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THEY ADDED 174,000 NEW JOBS LAST MONTH.

THAT WAS A MUCH STRONGER NUMBER THAN EXPECTED.

BUT OF COURSE, EVEN WITH THESE GAMES, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IS WELL ABOVE WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND, FRUSTRATION IS GROWING AMONG UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY WHO ARE WAITING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS.

THOUSANDS ARE IN LIMBO AS THEIR BENEFITS EXPIRED, AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NEW EXTENDED FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OWED TO THEM, BECAUSE THE STATE IS STILL UPDATING ITS SYSTEM TO PROCESS THE CLAIMS.

SOME REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CALLING THE DELAYS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, SAYING THEY ARE BEING INUNDATED WITH PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO MONEY COMING IN.

THERE WILL BE NEW JOBS COMING TO NEW JERSEY THIS YEAR.

THAT IS THE WORD FROM JOSE LOZANO WHO RUNS A PRIVATELY FUNDED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP.

>> IN 2021, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPANIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ANNOUNCING, THAT ARE LOOKING TO EXPLORE, RELOCATING OR EXPANDING IN NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE A COUPLE 11 STORE AND I DO BELIEVE WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THEM IN THE COMING WEEKS WITH SIGNIFICANT JOB INVESTMENTS.

>> EVEN WITH THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY ASSISTED 33 COMPANIES IN RELOCATING, OR EXPANDING IN THE STATE.

NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> IF YOU'RE AN EASY CUSTOMER, IT'S NOT HARD TO LOSE TRACK OF HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPEND DRIVING OUR TOLL ROADS.

MANY OF THE TRANSPONDERS ARE LINKED TO THE CREDIT CARDS OR CHECKING ACCOUNTS THAT AUTOMATICALLY RENEW WHEN THOSE FUNDS GET LOW.

NOW, LAWMAKERS SAY MOTORISTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO GET ELECTRONIC REMINDER THAT THEY WILL BE CHARGED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PASSING THROUGH THE TOLL.

WHY?

BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORTER, JOHN IS HERE TO EXPLAIN.

JOHN, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL?

IS IT REALLY JUST ABOUT ADVOCATING FOR RESIDENTS SO THEY KNOW WHERE THEIR MONEY IS GOING, WHEN IT IS BEING CHARGED?

>> YEAH, I THINK WHEN YOU LISTEN TO LAWMAKERS TALK ABOUT THIS, IT IS BOTH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PRECAUTION AGAINST YOU KNOW, ANY FALSE CHARGES THAT YOU END UP PAYING.

AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE MOVED TO EASY PASS, THE LATEST STATISTICS FROM THE TOLL ROOMS SUGGEST SOME 80% OF THE MOTORISTS WHO USE THE ROADS ARE USING EASY PASS.

SO, I THINK YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT YOU GET ELECTRONIC RECEIPT, OR TAXED FOR NOWADAYS BY A CUP OF COFFEE, MAKE A CREDIT CARD PURCHASE.

YOU KNOW, SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THIS IS THE NEXT STEP.

IT WOULD BE THAT WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THESE TOLLBOOTHS, THAT YOU WOULD GET SOME SORT OF A PING TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE CHARGE IS, BUT ALSO, AS THERE IS THIS SHIFT TO MORE AND MORE CASHLESS TOLL PAY IN GENERAL IT WOULD BE THE NATURAL EXTENSION OF INFORMING MOTORISTS.

YOU KNOW?

AND CATCHING MAY BE ANY PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT OCCUR OR ANY FALSE CHARGES.

>> LAYER OF TRANSPARENCY.

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THIS WAS KICKED AROUND THROUGH TRENTON PREVIOUSLY?

>> YEAH, THIS BILL HAS COME UP BEFORE, AND IT MADE IT OUT OF THE ASSEMBLY ONCE.

THIS TIME IT IS IN A NEW SESSION AND IT HAS MADE IT OUT OF THE SENATE.

AND SO, THE ASSEMBLY CERTAINLY HAS SHOWN AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS.

AND NOW, THE SENATE HAS.

THEY WILL JUST TAKE THE BILL TO COME UP IN THE ASSEMBLY.

THERE WERE SOME AMENDMENTS MADE.

A NOTABLE ONE WOULD BE THAT YOU WOULD NOT NECESSARILY GET THE IMMEDIATE NOTICE, BUT THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO COME WITHIN 24 HOURS OF WHEN YOUR CHARGE WAS INCURRED.

SO THAT MIGHT MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR THE TOLL ROAD AGENCIES TO SWITCH OVER TO THIS TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY.

>> IS THE FACT, JOHN, THAT THE STATE JUST RAISED HOLES ON OUR HIGHWAYS RECENTLY PLAY INTO THIS?

ANY FACTOR THERE?

>> I THINK THAT THAT GOES INTO SOME OF THE LOGIC OF KNOWING HOW MUCH ARE BEING CHARGED, AND THAT YOU ARE BEING CHARGED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO, IF YOU COME ARE EXPENSIVE TO USE THE TOLL ROADS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND, THOSE CHARGES SOMETIMES JUST GO ON YOUR EASY PASS BILL.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T GET THEIR STATEMENTS, YOU MIGHT NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS COSTING YOU.

AND, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE THESE DAYS COUNTING EVERY PENNY.

>> JOHN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THE STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SAY THEIR CASH IS A STRATEGY THANKS TO THE PANDEMIC DECLINING ENROLLMENT AND SHUTDOWNS.

EDUCATION LEADERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A RETURN TO NORMAL THIS FALL WITH VACCINES BECOMING MORE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS NOT WAITING FOR STUDENTS TO TRACK DOWN THOSE SCARCE APPOINTMENTS, THOUGH.

AS LEAH MICHIGAN REPORTS, LEADERS HAVE ANOTHER PLAN.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, LIKE OTHER CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS HAD A SENSE OF NORMALCY ON CAMPUS.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, TONY CAL KATO HAS SET A GOAL TO CHANGE THAT.

COME FALL.

>> OUR ASPIRATIONAL GOAL IS TO BE BACK 100%.

WE WILL NOT HAVE ALL 100,000 MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS AT THE SAME TIME, BUT ALL OF THEM WILL BE BACK TO CAMPUS AT SOME POINTS WITHIN A WEEK, WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

EVERYONE WILL BE BACK TO CAMPUS.

>> ET AL.

ORDER WHEN 98% OF CLASSES RIGHT NOW ARE REMOTE.

>> WE THINK THAT YOU KNOW, EARLY SUMMER, THERE SHOULD BE A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF VACCINE AVAILABLE WHERE WE CAN THEN SAFELY MOVE INTO OUR NEXT PHASE.

>> HE SAYS STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF WILL LIKELY STILL HAVE TO WEAR A FACE COVERING AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING TO SOME DEGREE.

THE UNIVERSITY HAS ALREADY INVESTED $8 MILLION, HE SAYS, AND PREPARATION.

>> SO, WE HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE TESTING PROTOCOL.

WE HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE QUARANTINING PROTOCOL.

>> CAL KATO EXPLAINS THE SCHOOL IS ALSO WORKING TO OPEN VACCINE SITES ON CAMPUS, BECAUSE HE SAYS THE MORE WE CAN VACCINATE PEOPLE, THE BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE HAVE TWO OF THEM PRESENTLY THAT WAS WITHIN A WEEK TO 10 DAYS.

WE CAN HAVE THEM STANDING UP.

BUT, THAT DOES NOT REALLY MEAN A LOT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SUPPLY.

>> WHAT ABOUT DORMS?

THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 18% OF STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS.

CAL KATO SAYS IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW MANY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE BACK IN THE FALL, BUT THE PLAN IS THAT THE >> WE INTEND ON DRASTICALLY UPPING THAT NUMBER.

>> LIVING ON CAMPUS, OBVIOUSLY IS A TRICKY SITUATION.

IT'S NECESSARY FOR A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS.

IT'S ALSO FINANCIALLY NECESSARY FOR A UNIVERSITY WHO CANNOT IGNORE THAT FACT.

BUT, IT IS GOING TO BE A HIGHER RISK SITUATION.

>> EPIDEMIOLOGISTS SAYS GETTING BACK TO 100% IN PERSON, ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES WILL DEPEND ON VACCINATION ROLLOUTS, AND THE PROGRESSION OF THE NEW VARIANTS.

>> COVID RELIEF PACKAGE SEEMS TO BE MOVING ITS WAY THROUGH ALL OF THE CHANNELS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE APPROVED.

HOWEVER, WE STILL NEED MODERNA TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THE VACCINE.

WE NEED PFIZER TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTION.

THE INCLUSION OF THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE MIGHT HELP, BUT THOSE ARE A LOT OF IF'S.

SO, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE ARE REALLY IN A POSITION TODAY TO SAY THAT THE UNIVERSITIES CAN SAFELY OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 1st.

>> I DO BELIEVE IT IS FEASIBLE.

IT COMES DOWN TO SUPPLY.

>> TONY CAL KATO SAYS NOBODY BELIEVED THE VACCINE WOULD ARRIVE AS QUICKLY AS IT DID.

SO, THAT'S WHY HE IS CONFIDENT OUR PRESENT SITUATION WILL BE VERY DIFFERENT COME FALL.

I AM LEAH MICHIGAN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> EARLIER TODAY, HERO'S WELCOME FOR HUNDREDS OF NEW JERSEY'S NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS .

RETURNING TO JOINT BASE McGUIRE, AFTER GUARDING THE CAPITAL IN THE WAKE OF LAST MONTH'S LIVE INSURRECTION, AND REMAINING ON THE GROUND IN THE WEEKS SURROUNDING THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION.

IT WAS A MORE SOMBER TONE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THOUGH.

SILENT TRIBUTES FOR CAPITAL POLICE OFFICER, BRIAN CIGNA WHO LINED IN HONOR AT THE U.S. CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

INSIDE, THE VERY BUILDING HE DIED DEFENDING WHILE A VIOLENT MOB ATTACKED A CONGRESSIONAL SESSION AND BEAT HIM IN THE HEAD USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

DOZENS OF CAPITAL POLICE STOOD AT ATTENTION AS HIS ARM WAS CARRIED UP THE CAPITOL STEPS.

LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, PAYING THEIR RESPECTS TODAY.

PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY BIOTIN, BOUNDING THEIR HEADS IN PRAYER.

HE WAS A NEW JERSEY NATIVE AND SERVED AS ONE OF THOSE NATIONAL GUARDSMEN BEFORE JOINING THE CAPITAL POLICE FORCE IN 2008.

HIS BODY WILL BE BURIED WITH FULL HONORS AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

HE IS ONLY THE FIFTH PRIVATE CITIZEN TO LIE IN HONOR IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT, DON'T FORGET TO JOIN YOUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. FOR CHECKBOX ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY IS THE GUEST WITH A DEEPER LOOK AT HER PLANS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH.

THEN, DAVID TALKS TO SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ ABOUT PRESIDENT BINDINGS IMMIGRATION AGENDA.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE STORIES AFFECTING THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION .

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW GAVE BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, YOUR STEAD.

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

>> DAY AFTER DAY WE RELY ON ELECTRICITY FOR ALL THE THINGS IN OUR LIVES.

AND THE EXTRAORDINARY.

>> HOW ARE YOU, TELL ME ABOUT THE GAME.

>> ESCORT SOME GOALS.

>> GOOD.

>> AT PS E.G., OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU NOW IS MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER.

>> IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT'S WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH AND SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND, WE CAN HELP HERE BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.