>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP.

AND, BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WITH A PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE NEW JERSEY STRONGER AND FAIRER, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY TODAY OFFICIALLY BEGAN HIS NEXT FOUR YEARS AS NEW JERSEY'S 56th GOVERNOR.

MURPHY AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEILA OLIVER WERE SWORN IN FOR THEIR SECOND TERMS.

SOMETHING DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED HERE IN THE STATE IN 40 PLUS YEARS SINCE BRANDON BURN WAS REELECTED.

NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE STEWART RAPNER PRESIDED OVER THE CEREMONY WITH A LITTLE LESS POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TALKED ABOUT HIS PRIORITIES FOR THE SECOND TERM INCLUDING WORKING TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES AND MAKE THE STATE MORE AFFORDABLE.

JOANNA GAGIS WAS AT THE INAUGURATION AND JOINS ME WITH ALL THE DAY'S FESTIVITIES AND POLITICAL PROMISES.

>> Reporter: RHONDA, EARLIER TODAY, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WAS SWORN IN AS GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

SHEILA OLIVER BECAME THE SECOND WOMAN OF COLOR TO BE ELECTED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

REMINDING PEOPLE HOW HARD HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED TO SUPPORT THE NEEDIEST AMONG US.

ESPECIALLY THOSE HIT HARDEST BY THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK WHAT WAS MOST NOTABLE WAS THE FOCUS ON REALLY KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES THAT DOMINATED THE LAST ELECTION AND PERHAPS, WERE PART OF THE REASON WHY MANY VOTERS HERE IN NEW JERSEY DID NOT VOTE FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> I'M HUMBLED TO BE THE FIRST MEMBER OF MY PARTY TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE OF A SECOND TERM IN 44 YEARS.

TODAY, THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT WORKED FOR A FAMILY LIKE MINE FEELS OUT OF REACH FOR TOO MANY.

A NEW JERSEY THAT IS MORE AFFORDABLE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THREE OF THE BIGGEST EXPENSES FACING THEIR FAMILY AND MANY OTHERS LIKE THEIRS.

HEALTH CARE, HIGHER EDUCATION, PROPERTY TAXES.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR REMINDING PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY THAT PROPERTY TAXES ARE SET AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND SO, NOT SOMETHING HE HAS DIRECT CONTROL OVER, BUT, SAYING HE WOULD WORK WITH MUNICIPAL LEADERS.

>> WE WILL KEEP CHOPPING AWAY AT PROPERTY TAXES.

THOUGH PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT SET BY THE STATE, EITHER BY ME OR THE LEGISLATURE, THE INVESTMENTS WE MAKE DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR TRAJECTORY.

EVERY DOLLAR OF NEW STATE FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.

FOR LOCAL ROADS AND LIBRARIES AND FOR COUNTLESS OTHER AREAS IS A DOLLAR OF IT STAYS IN YOUR POCKET AS A PROPERTY TAXPAYER.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE SATISFIED WITH JUST SLOWING PROPERTY TAX GROWTH.

I WANT TO GET US TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN BEGIN TO SEE THEM GO DOWN.

>> Reporter: MURPHY USED THE MOMENT TO CONTRAST NEW JERSEY AGAINST THE POLITICS OF WASHINGTON SAYING HOW MUCH HE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, EVEN WHILE SUPPORTING THOSE MOST IMPACTED BY COVID.

>> THE PATH THAT HAS SEEN US PARTNER WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKERS TO SAVE THEM AND YOU BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHILE PRESERVING THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE.

THE PATH THAT IS DELIVERING A MORE INNOVATIVE AND SMALLER STATE GOVERNMENT THAN FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE PATH THAT IS DELIVERED 14 TAX CUTS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DIRECT TAX RELIEF FOR OUR MIDDLE CLASS WORKING FAMILIES AND SENIORS.

I PLEDGE THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WILL NOT SEE US STRAY FROM THE PATH OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE ARE ON.

>> THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES WHICH IS ALWAYS A REALITY IN NEW JERSEY.

COLLEGE EDUCATION, FULLY FUNDING ON THE LOCAL LEVEL TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO HOPEFULLY HOLD THE LINE ON TAXES SO.

I THINK HE FOCUSED A LOT ON THE BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES WHICH ARE A CONCERN FOR WORKING FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: TAMMY MURPHY TOOK A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE HER HUSBAND'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> PHIL HAS ALREADY CROSSED OFF 50 OF HIS 52 PROMISES FROM HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN.

AND, HE NOW HAS FOUR MORE YEARS.

>> Reporter: WHILE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEILA OLIVER SAID MORE WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE.

>> THE FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL JUSTICE MUST BE DONE TOGETHER.

BECAUSE, THEY ARE CONNECTED.

I CAN THINK OF NO OTHER TIME IN MODERN HISTORY WHERE THAT SENTIMENT RINGS TRUER THAN THE PAST TWO YEARS WITH US FACING DOWN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> THE GOVERNOR WILL TAKE THE STAGE AGAIN TO DELIVER HIS BUDGET ADDRESS WHERE HE WILL OUTLINE EXACTLY HOW HE PLANS TO REACH SOME OF THE GOALS HE OUTLINED TODAY.

THEN THE FUN STARTS.

STRIKING DEALS WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND GETTING DOWN TO THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNING THE STATE.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS.

FOR MORE ON THE INAUGURATION AND WHAT WE MIGHT EXPECT FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SECOND TERM, I'M JOINED BY CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL ARON, COLLEEN O' DEA, AND DAVID CRUZ.

FIRST OF ALL, GREAT TO SEE THE THREE OF YOU.

DAVID, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT WAS THE BIG TAKE AWAY MESSAGE FOR NEW JERSEY FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, HE HIT TWO THEMES.

THAT WAS KIND OF FAIR AND STRONGER.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE BEING EQUITABLE.

AND AFFORDABLE.

WHICH I TOOK NOTE OF BECAUSE IT REINFORCES THE TWO SIDES OF NEW JERSEY'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT PHIL MURPHY HAS TO WALK BETWEEN.

THE PROGRESSIVE SIDE TALKING ABOUT THE EQUITABLE SIDE OF THINGS AND THE MODERATE SIDE TALKING ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE SIDE OF THINGS WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE THEME THAT CAME OUT OF THE ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER.

SO, I THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HE WANTED TO SAY.

AND, HE DID IT, BUT, IT WASN'T MUCH MORE THERE IN THAT SPEECH, I THOUGHT.

>> COLLEEN, LET ME GO OVER TO YOU WITH SOME OF THE DETAILS NOW.

ONE THING THAT THE GOVERNOR DID ON THAT SUBJECT OF AFFORDABILITY WAS MENTIONING THERE WAS MORE WORK TO DO WITH PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT IS ALWAYS THE BIG ISSUE IN THE STATE.

IT IS QUITE A PROMISE TO MAKE.

CAN HE DELIVER?

>> THAT IS REALLY A GOOD QUESTION, RHONDA.

I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW HE MIGHT DELIVER.

CERTAINLY, THE SCHOOL PORTION OF THE PROPERTY TAX IS THE BIGGEST DRIVER OF IT AND HE TALKED ABOUT GETTING TO FULLY FUNDING SCHOOLS.

BUT, ACTUALLY LOWERING PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE REALLY HARD.

MOST GOVERNORS HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO JUST BLUNT THE INCREASES AND KEEP THEM AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.

SO I THINK ACTUALLY DELIVERING LOWER PROPERTY TAXES WHICH EVERYONE WOULD LOVE IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO DO.

>> MICHAEL, TO YOU NOW, DO GOVERNORS MAKE GOOD ON THE PROMISES WE HEAR IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESSES?

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO WALK THAT LINE THAT DAVID SPOKE OF JUST A FEW MINUTES EARLIER?

>> SOME KEEP THEIR PROMISES MORE THAN OTHERS.

NOTABLY TODAY, TAMMY MURPHY, THE FIRST LADY, SAID THAT PHIL MURPHY MADE 52 PROMISES IN HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR.

AND HAS KEPT 50 OF THEM.

THAT MUST BE A GENEROUS ACCOUNTING.

BUT, HE HAS DONE A LOT OF WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

AND INAUGURAL ADDRESS IS REALLY FOR VISION.

NOT FOR PROGRAMS.

AND I THINK PHIL MURPHY DELIVERED IT TODAY.

A STATE THAT IS THRIVING.

FIGHTING THE COVID EPIDEMIC AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED.

AND HE SPOKE LIKE THE TRUE LIBERAL HE IS.

I THINK HE IS THE MOST LIBERAL GOVERNOR WE HAVE HAD IN THE MODERN ERA.

AND HE DIDN'T MAKE TOO MANY PROMISES TODAY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO HOLD HIM TO ACCOUNT.

>> DAVID, HOW ABOUT THE OVERALL TONE?

>> HE COULDN'T AVOID TALKING ABOUT COVID.

IT SEEMED LIKE HE REALLY TRIED TO.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SO DOMINATED BY THIS PANDEMIC THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE REALLY.

THE HISTORY BOOKS WILL LOOK AT THIS FIRST TERM AS BEING DOMINATED BY COVID.

AND HISTORY WILL JUDGE HIM AS TO HOW HE DEALT WITH THAT GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN HIS FIRST TERM.

SO I THINK HE TRIED TO SOUND HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC BUT ALSO DIDN'T TRY TO SOUND TOO OVER THE TOP OR TOO AMBITIOUS GIVEN THAT WE HAVE 30,000 DEAD NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

AND, THE NUMBER IS STILL RISING.

AND, THE PANDEMIC IS NOWHERE FROM OVER.

>> COLLEEN, WE DO HAVE NOW THE GOVERNOR WORKING WITH A NEW LEGISLATURE.

HOW MIGHT THINGS BE DIFFERENTLY THIS TERM WHEN IT COMES TO THE POLITICS IN TRENTON?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK HE MIGHT HAVE SOMEWHAT OF AN EASIER TIME THIS TIME AROUND.

BECAUSE, THE NEW SENATE PRESIDENT SEEMS LIKE HE IS A LITTLE MORE IN LINE WITH MURPHY.

WE THOUGHT CERTAINLY IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, HE BUTTED HEADS ESPECIALLY WITH STEVE SWEENEY.

I DON'T THINK HE WILL GET EVERYTHING DONE.

BECAUSE, FOR INSTANCE, HE TALKED ABOUT GUN CONTROL.

AND, THAT MAY NOT FLY.

WHEN I TALK TO THE SENATOR LAST WEEK, IT SOUNDED LIKE HE IS GOING TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT MOVING SOMETHING.

SO, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> MICHAEL, FINALLY, DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE AMBITIONS BEYOND LEAVING THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THESE FOUR YEARS?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IT IS HARD TO NOT HAVE THOSE KINDS OF AMBITIONS WHEN YOU ARE ONE RUNG AWAY.

PHIL MURPHY HAS NEVER COPPED TO IT THAT HE IS THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

IN FACT, HE HAS TRIED TO DISCOURAGE THAT TALK.

IT IS WHETHER JOE BIDEN STANDS FOR REELECTION OR NOT.

IF BIDEN CHOOSES TO STEP ASIDE, IT BECOMES A FREE FOR ALL ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

AND, WHOEVER GETS THE BEST PRESS IS IN A GOOD POSITION.

SO WE'LL SEE IF MURPHY GETS SOME PRESS, SOME NATIONAL PRESS THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.

>> MICHAEL, DAVID, COLLEEN, GREAT TALKING WITH THE THREE OF YOU.

THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>>> AHEAD OF HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS, GOVERNOR MURPHY ASKED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER THE MORE THAN 30,000 IN NEW JERSEY WHO DIED OF COVID- 19.

THE STATE REPORTED OUR COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO DROP WITH CLOSE TO 9100 NEW CASES TODAY.

MARKING THE THIRD DAY THE STATE HAS REPORTED CASES BELOW 20,000.

THERE WERE 42 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

STARTING TODAY, YOU CAN GO TO COVIDTEST.GOV TO ORDER FOUR FREE AT HOME RAPID TESTS.

NEARLY 600 SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE PLAN TO RETURN TO IN- PERSON INSTRUCTION TODAY.

AFTER THE POST HOLIDAY JUMP IN COVID-19 CASES CAUSED THEM TO TEMPORARILY SWITCH TO REMOTE LEARNING.

INCLUDING NEWARK, CAMDEN, TRENTON, AND JERSEY CITY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER WAS IN NEW JERSEY CITY AS STUDENTS GOT BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> Reporter: AFTER TWO WEEKS OF REMOTE LEARNING, THESE KIDS IN JERSEY CITY ARE MAKING THEIR WAY BACK INSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

>> IT FEELS GOOD THEY ARE ABLE TO GO.

>> Reporter: BUT, WITH COVID AND THE OMICRON VARIANT STILL A MAJOR CONCERN IN NEW JERSEY, THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING DOESN'T COME WITHOUT WORRY.

>> I'M NOT REALLY READY FOR HER TO COME BACK.

A LOT OF KIDS COME BACK TO SCHOOL, EVEN WITH THE SNIFFLES.

I HOPE IT IS ALL GOING GOOD.

>> I DON'T FEEL SAFE, BUT I'M STILL SENDING HIM.

KEEPING HIM HOME STOPS THE GROWTH.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE DECIDED IT IS TIME FOR STUDENTS TO COME BACK TO CLASS INCLUDING HERE IN JERSEY CITY.

>> WE ARE SO THRILL TODAY HAVE OUR STUDENTS BACK, OUR TEACHERS, WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THEM BACK.

>> Reporter: THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT NORMA FERNANDEZ SAYING THE TEMPORARY SWITCH TO REMOTE LEARNING WAS NECESSARY FOLLOWING A SURGE OF POSITIVE COVID CASES AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK.

>> WE HAD A VERY HIGH RATE OF TEACHERS AND TEACHER ASSISTANTS THAT TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID- 19.

WE HAD HUNDREDS OF THEM WHO WERE OUT SICK.

PLUS, INDIVIDUALS THAT HAD TO QUARANTINE.

AND ISOLATE BECAUSE OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

SO, WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF STAFF THAT TESTED POSITIVE.

IN JANUARY, THAT FIRST WEEK, WE HAD MORE PEOPLE TEST POSITIVE THAN THE THREE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER COMBINED.

IN JUST A WEEK.

>> Reporter: BUT THE NUMBER HAS SINCE DECLINED WITH ONLY ABOUT 24 STAFF MEMBERS TESTING POSITIVE AT THE END OF LAST WEEK.

SO SCHOOL OFFICIALS FELT IT WAS SAFE TO BRING THE KIDS BACK.

>> THE SCHOOLS ARE REALLY I THINK THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE.

BECAUSE WE CAN GO INTO WALGREENS OR A SHOP RITE AND JUST, IT IS MORE EASILY PICK UP THE GERM THAN WE ARE IN SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH RIGID PROTOCOLS IN THE BUILDING.

>> Reporter: THOUGH A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THEIR KIDS BEING BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY SAFE.

>> TESTING, MONITORING EVERY DAY.

AND, SOMETHING WE ARE INTRODUCING NOW IN JANUARY IS STUDENT TESTING AT THE SCHOOLS SO OUR STUDENTS, THE PARENTS WILL HAVE THE CHOICE TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN TESTED FOR COVID- 19.

AT THEIR SCHOOLS.

AND, THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE ROLLING OUT SO WE CAN MONITOR OUTBREAKS OR, YOU KNOW, A CHILD WHO MAY BE ASYMPTOMATIC AND.

COMING ILL TO SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS IN NEWARK RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING TODAY.

THEY HAVE HAD THEIR OWN TESTING PROGRAM SINCE NOVEMBER.

>> AT ALL 64 SCHOOLS, WE ARE OFFERING WEEKLY TESTING AS WELL AS VACCINATIONS FOR STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND ANY OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS.

THAT CONTINUES MOVING FORWARD WITH AN EVERY CITIZEN ON GETTING AS MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE VACCINATED VACCINATED.

IN TERMS OF MANDATORY, ALL OF THE UNVACCINATED STAFF MEMBERS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE REQUIRED TO TEST ON A WEEKLY BASIS IN ORDER TO REPORT TO WORK.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL IS TO KEEP STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

IF THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE COVID CASES GETS TO A POINT WHERE STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE NO LONGER SAFE, THEY WILL CONSIDER IF A SWITCH TO REMOTE LEARNING IS NEEDED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> AT RUTGERS, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER NEW JERSEY COLLEGES, THE NEW SEMESTER IS STARTING THIS WEEK WITH REMOTE LEARNING.

IT HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE FOR MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO WOULD PREFER TO GO TO CLASSES IN PERSON.

AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, THEY WANT TO LEAVE THEIR DORM ROOMS AND FULLY PARTICIPATE IN CAMPUS LIFE.

>> I WAS LIKE HOW AM I EVER GOING TO GET THIS COLLEGE EXPERIENCE THAT EVERYONE WANTS?

>> Reporter: TOWARD THE END OF HER FIRST SEMESTER AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, 20-YEAR-OLD SANIAH MARTINEZ WAS LEFT WONDERING WHY SHE BOTHERED TO A BIGGER SCHOOL FOR WHAT SHE THOUGHT WOULD BE A GENUINE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

THE ENGLISH MAJOR ORIGINALLY BEGAN HER COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AT MIDDLESEX COUNTY COLLEGE BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO NEW BRUNSWICK IN THE FALL.

SHE JOINS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN NEW JERSEY WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO SHIFT TO REMOTE LEARNING FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE NEW YEAR AFTER A SPIKE IN COVID CASES.

>> IT WAS STILL REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY WEBSITE, IN-PERSON CLASSES AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES WILL RESUME ON MONDAY, JANUARY 31st, 2022.

STUDENTS RETURNING TO HOUSING MUST HAVE A BOOSTER WHEN ELIGIBLE AND ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO TAKE A COVID-19 TEST WITHIN 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THEIR ARRIVAL.

>> SO, WE JUST GOT AN EMAIL TODAY SAYING WE WILL BE GOING BACK.

IT IS HARD FOR ME TO ASSUME THAT WE WILL.

I THINK THEY COULD BE TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY'S HOPES UP.

>> Reporter: COLE STEVENS IS GETTING HIS MASTER INS SOCIAL WORK AT RUTGERS.

THE 22-YEAR-OLD SAYS IN ADDITION TO NOT KNOWING WHAT HIS CLASS SCHEDULE COULD LOOK LIKE, FOR HIM, LEARNING REMOTELY COMES WITH PERSONAL CHALLENGES.

>> YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION.

BUT BEING AT HOME, YOU COULD EASILY JUST TURN OFF YOUR CAMERA.

AND THEN, JUST COMPLETELY CHECK OUT OF THE CLASS.

>> SHUTTING DOWN ALL THE PROGRAMS.

EVERYTHING HAS TO BE ONLINE.

THEN, IF YOU WANTED TO GET LUNCH, WE HAVE TO ORDER OUR FOOD AND PICK IT UP AND EAT IT AT OUR DOOR.

>> Reporter: ISOLATED AT HER DORM ROOM, STUDYING ALONE EATING TAKEOUT MEALS FROM THE CAFETERIA, THIS IS WHAT KALEY SAID HER 2020 YEAR WAS LIKE.

THAT IS WHY SHE DECIDED TO CONTINUE HER EDUCATION CLOSER TO HOME AT MIDDLESEX COUNTY COLLEGE.

SINCE THEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS FOR ROWAN SAYS 90% OF CLASSES ARE NOW IN PERSON.

>> WE GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO REALLY MONITOR INFECTION RATES ON CAMPUS.

NOT ONLY ON CAMPUS, BUT IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

AS WELL AS THE STATE.

AND WE POST MOST OF THAT ON OUR WEBSITE SO STUDENTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME COULD SEE WHERE WE ARE AND LOOK AT THE TRENDS.

WE MAY HAVE TO ENFORCE DIFFERENT RULES OR HOPEFULLY SOON, LOOSEN UP SOME RULES.

SO, WE ARE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MANAGE COVID ON OUR CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: AND SOME ADVICE FROM A STUDENT TO A STUDENT WHO MAY HAVE TO ATTEND COLLEGE VIRTUALLY.

>> THOUGH THERE ARE THESE TWISTS WHERE MAYBE VIRTUAL LEARNING ISN'T FOR YOU, A LOT OF THE JOBS IN THE WORLD NOW ARE HELD VIRTUALLY BECAUSE OF THIS.

SO, AS MUCH AS THIS IS LIKE AN OBSTACLE IN THE WAY OF MY EDUCATION, IT IS SOMETHING I JUST HAVE TO ADAPT TO AND SEE THIS MIGHT BENEFIT ME IN THE LONG RUN.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, WE CONTINUE OUR LOOK AT SUPPLY CHAIN WOES.

AND TONIGHT, WE ARE FOCUSING ON BARE SHELVES CATEGORY STORES.

YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED IT IS HARD TO FIND SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE OR MUCH NEEDED PRODUCTS.

TO FIND OUT WHAT'S BEHIND THE SCATTERED SHORTAGES AND WHEN SHELVES WILL BE FULLY STOCKED AGAIN, I SPOKE WITH LINDA WITH THE NEW JERSEY FOOD COUNCIL.

AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS 1400 SUPERMARKETS.

INDEPENDENT GROCERS AND CONVENIENT STORES UP AND DOWN THE GARDEN STATE.

>> LINDA, FIRST OF ALL, IT IS SO NICE TO TALK TO YOU.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THESE EMPTY SHELVES IN SOME AREAS WE ARE SEEING?

>> THANKS RHONDA, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE WHEN WE LOOK AT WEATHER ISSUES, THE IMPACT OF COVID ON THE WORK FORCE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES.

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTIC PROBLEMS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT PROBLEMS AT THE PORT.

NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT PACKAGING PROBLEMS AS WELL.

SO, IT IS A LOT MORE COMPLICATED THAN WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

WHEN YOU PUT ALL THE FACTORS TOGETHER, THIS IS A COG IN A WHEEL.

YOU HAVE ALL THE DIFFERENT MULTIPLE CHALLENGES ALL.COMING AND IMPACTING AT THE SAME TIME.

IT IS CAUSING MAJOR DISRUPTIONS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

BUT I THINK CUSTOMERS ARE SEEING THEY ARE FINDING PRODUCTS THEY NEED OR THEY WILL FIND A SUBSTITUTION FOR THOSE PRODUCTS IN THEIR FAVORITE BRANDS.

>> HOW ARE WE SEEING THESE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES PLAYING OUT IN TERMS OF TYPES OF PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOT FOUND OR SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE STATE OR SPECIFIC STORES?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC AND WE ARE LOOKED AT AS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS, RIGHT?

AND A LIFELINE BUSINESS.

YOU SAW AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS A SURGE ON CERTAIN PRODUCTS WHETHER IT WAS TOILET PAPER OR PAPER PRODUCTS AND SANITIZERS.

NOW, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BACK FILL THOSE PRODUCTS.

SOME OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES WE ARE SEEING WHETHER IT IS ON POULTRY OR PASTA SAUCES OR PASTAS OR SPORTS DRINKS.

AS AN EXAMPLE.

IF YOU ARE NOT FINDING YOUR FAVORITE PASTA, YOU WILL SEE ANGEL HAIR OR A SUBSTITUTE YOU CAN PURCHASE.

>> HOW IS IT AFFECTING CONSUMER PRICES?

GENERALLY, WHEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE, PRICES RISE.

>> I THINK ALL THE PRICES HAVE IMPLICATIONS ON OUR PRICING RIGHT NOW.

AND YOU ARE SEEING THAT.

AND I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT UNFORTUNATELY, CONSUMERS DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA DOLLARS IN THEIR WALLET.

I THINK NEW JERSEY HAS A VERY SAVVY SHOPPER.

AND THEY ARE REALLY LOOKING AT THEIR POCKETBOOK.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT COUPONS AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE BEST PRICES THEY CAN GET TO EXPAND THEIR DOLLAR.

>> NOW ANY SENSE ON WHEN THE SITUATION MIGHT REVERT BACK TO THE NORM?

>> I THINK THE FOOD MARKETING INSTITUTE OUT OF WASHINGTON DC, BELIEVES SECOND QUARTER, 2022 WILL START TO SEE THINGS GET BACK TO NORMAL.

BUT AS A SAVVY SHOPPER WE HAVE IN NEW JERSEY, THEY ARE SEEING WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD.

THEY ARE BEING VERY PATIENT.

AND, WHEN I LOOK AT OUR STORE TEAMS, THEY HAVE BEEN PATIENT AS WELL AND THEY ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE CUSTOMER.

AND I THINK WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS WITH A LITTLE PATIENCE.

AND WE WILL SEE BETTER DAYS COMING VERY SOON.

I THINK WITH OMICRON NOW, AND WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THAT DIP.

THE CASES THAT RIGHT NOW, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE PEOPLE COME BACK TO WORK.

I SEE BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD IN THE SUPERMARKET INDUSTRY.

>> LET'S HOPE SO.

LINDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS RHONDA.

>>> NOW TO WALL STREET WHICH WAS HIT WITH A BOUT OF SELLING TODAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE THIS THURSDAY.

MODERATOR TOM JOHNSON WILL TALK ABOUT HOW A CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING MORE INTENSE RAINSTORMS LEADING TO EXTENSIVE FLOODING IN THE STATE.

HE WILL SPEAK WITH THE STATE COMMISSIONER FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

THAT IS STORM FLOODING IN NEW JERSEY, IMPROVING STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND PREPAREDNESS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 20th AT 4:00 P.M., HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO REGISTER.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

AND, ORSTED.

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

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL 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 BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

I AM PROUD TO BE A NEW JERSEY NJE MEMBER.