>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP , SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PSE&G , WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES, AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY , AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

♪ >>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANA VANNOZZI .

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH NEWS THAT HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST TWO CASES OF THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS CORONAVIRUS VARIANT FIRST FOUND IN THE UK.

EXPERTS HAVE BEEN ASSUMING FOR WEEKS AT THE VARIANT WAS ALREADY HERE, AS CASES RISING THE NEIGHBORING STATES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SAYS HE EXPECTS MANY MORE TO BE UNCOVERED, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE STRAIN IS MORE DEADLY OR RESISTANT TO VACCINES.

THE STATE IS REPORTING ANOTHER 3600 NEW POSITIVE TESTS.

MORE THAN 584,000 TOTAL WITH 118 NEW DEBTS, AND MORE THAN 20,000 LIVES LOST.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOW THE LOWEST IN NEARLY 7 WEEKS.

EARLIER TODAY, STATE LEADERS TOWARD THE MORRIS TOWN MALL VACCINE MEGA SITE IN BURLINGTON COUNTY MY JUST AS THE FINAL TWO OF SIX TOTAL MEGA VACCINE LOCATIONS CAME ONLINE.

TODAY, THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAID THAT ONCE THE VACCINE SUPPLY INCREASES, THE SITES WILL BE ABLE TO DOLE OUT AS MANY AS 3000 TO 5000 VACCINE DOSES PER DAY.

IN JUST A WEEK, THE STATE HAS DOUBLED THE AMOUNT ADMINISTERED SO FAR, SURPASSING THE HALF- MILLION DOSE MILESTONE TODAY.

THE PIPELINE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN IN OFFICE.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS LAYING OUT A SWEEPING CORONAVIRUS RECOVERY PLAN, BUT WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR NEW JERSEY?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A DEEPER LOOK.

>>> WE WILL DEFEAT THIS PANDEMIC, AND TO A NATION WAITING FOR ACTION, LET ME BE THE CLEAREST ON THIS POINT.

HELP IS ON THE WAY.

>> Reporter: NEW PRESIDENTS OFTEN SET 100 DAY GOALS, ACTING ON THEIR POLITICAL HONEYMAN MOMENTUM TO HELP HIT THE MARK.

JOE BIDEN IS CONFRONTING A TRULY IMMEDIATE PANDEMIC CRISIS AT A $20 BILLION VACCINATION PROGRAM TOPS IS 200 PAGE COVID RELIEF PLAN.

HE AIMS TO GET 100 BILLION SHOTS INTO ARMS WITHIN 100 DAYS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAILED WHAT HE CALLED REAL LEADERSHIP OUT OF WASHINGTON.

>> COMMITTING HIS ADMINISTRATION TO THIS TASK IS A SEACHANGE FROM WHERE WE HAD BEEN WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT PRETTY MUCH KEPT ITS HANDS OFF HIS LEFT IT UP TO THE STATES TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE U.S. NOW GIVING ONLY 1 MILLION VACCINATIONS PER DAY, AND NEW JERSEY STRUGGLING TO GET MORE DOSES -- >> WE ARE SO UNDER VACCINATED AT THIS POINT.

HAVING MORE OF THOSE PAIRS OF DOSES REALLY ALLOWS PEOPLE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HOPE AND MOVE PAST SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION.

>> Reporter: CURRENT INOCULATION SITES IN JERSEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE NOW TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR APPOINTMENTS.

BIDEN WILL INVOKE THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT TO ACCELERATE THE MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

>> TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS MOBILIZING TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF WHAT THEY NEED TO BE RIPPED UP, THE PRODUCTION OF THE VACCINE, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY GOING TO HELP NEW JERSEY WITH ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS.

>> I'M SO GRATEFUL WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PLAN NOW.

LET'S BE CLEAR, IT IS VERY ASPIRATIONAL.

>> Reporter: THE RUTGERSDEAN HAILS THE PRESIDENT'S HOLISTIC APPROACH TO BEATING COVID.

BIDEN IS ALSO ORDERING FEMA TO ESTABLISH FREE VACCINATION CENTERS NATIONWIDE, SIMILAR TO THE COVID TEST SITES BACK IN SPRING.

100 OF THEM WITHIN HIS FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE.

THE NATIONAL GUARD WILL HELP WITH FULL FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT.

>> THE DEVIL WILL BE IN THE DETAILS.

HOW DOES THIS ACTUALLY GET MANIFESTED IN TERMS OF A BUDGET?

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT IS ALSO URGING AMERICANS TO STOP THE VIRUS FROM SPREADING BY WEARING MASKS FOR THE NEXT 100 DAYS.

HOW WILL THAT PLAY IN A COUNTRY REPLETE WITH PUBLIC ANTI-MASK TANTRUMS, EVEN IN NEW JERSEY WHERE STATE REGULATIONS ALREADY REQUIRE MASKS IN MANY SITUATIONS?

>> WE WILL NOT GET EVERYBODY TO COOPERATE, BUT IF WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO BUY AND WHILE WE ARE EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE VACCINE , NOW WE ARE LAYERING PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CRUCIAL ELEMENT, JOE BIDEN'S PLAN APPOINTS A FEDERAL LIAISON FOR EACH STATE.

JERSEYS OWN DIRECT LINK TO TOP BIDEN ADVISOR DR. ANTHONY FAUCI.

>> DR. FAUCI IS ULTIMATELY THE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THIS DISEASE.

HAVING SOMEBODY WHO IS COMMUNICATING IN REAL TIME IS GOING TO BE KEY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND, YOU KNOW, THE COMMISSIONER WERE OFTEN NOT GIVEN THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEEDED.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A LOT MORE .

IT ALSO ASKS OSHA TO CREATE CLEAR COVID EMERGENCY WORK LACED SAFETY STANDARDS, AND ENFORCE THEM, CREATED A EQUITY TASK FORCE BY DR. FAUCI, AND DIRECTS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO SAFELY REOPEN SCHOOLS WITH $130 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID.

BUT DOES JOE BIDEN HAVE ENOUGH POLITICAL CAPITAL TO GET CONGRESS ON BOARD WITH WHAT ADDS UP TO $400 BILLION IN OVERALL COVID RELIEF EXPENSES?

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE IS ENORMOUS CAPITAL THAT COMES FROM BEING THE NEW GUY, BEING IN THAT HONEYMOON PHASE.

THAT IS ANOTHER REASON WHY THERE IS SUCH URGENCY.

THIS WILL NOT BE SOMETHING THAT LASTS FOREVER.

>> Reporter: THAT 100 DAY CLOCK IS TICKING.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> DESPITE VACCINE SHORTAGES, DR. ANTHONY FAUCI SAID THE U.S. COULD RETURN TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY THIS FALL, IF HEALTH LEADERS CAN GET 70 TO 85% OF ALL ADULTS VACCINATED BY SUMMER.

VACCINE HESITANCY REMAINS.

NOT EVERYONE IS WAITING HOURS IN LINE OR ONLINE FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

SOME EMPLOYERS HAVE DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED, OFFERING INCENTIVES FOR WORKERS WILLING TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES.

MICHAEL HILL REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED.

DOLLAR GENERAL'S, 4 HOURS OF PAY, OLOGIES, 2 HOURS OF PAPER DOES.

THE SAME FOR TARGET.

THE RETAILER IS OFFERING IN SENTENCE, PAVING THE WAY WITH PAY AND SHIFTING WORK SCHEDULES TO MAKE VACCINE TAKING CONVENIENT TO THE WORK ENVIRONMENT SAFER.

ECONOMISTS PREDICT WHAT COMPANIES WILL FOLLOW SUIT SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT DO THE SAME?

DR. FAUCI SAYS THE GOAL IS TO VACCINATE 70 TO 90% OF THE POPULATION TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY.

GIVEN ESTIMATED THIRD OF AMERICANS SAY NO TO VACCINATIONS.

>> SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER PAYING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF STRATEGIES AROUND THAT.

YOU CREATE INCENTIVES.

SPECIAL ACCESS.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A MULTITUDE OF APPROACHES.

>> Reporter: IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 428,000 HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, BUT AMONG THE SURVIVORS HAS HIT THE HARDEST, ONLY 5% OF HISPANIC, AND ONLY 3% OF BLACKS, ARE AMONG THE VACCINATED.

>> AT THIS POINT, ANYTHING THAT GETS SHOTS IN ARMS AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO BECOME VACCINATED NEEDS TO BE ON THE TABLE, IF IT'S FEASIBLE AND IF THERE'S AN ECONOMIC DOCK TO DO IT.

I AM CERTAINLY NOT AGAINST IT.

>> AT THE ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR DATA, WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RADICULAR EMPHASIS AND ACCESS THAT ARE REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: AND PATTERSON, A MOSTLY BLACK AND BROWN CITY, THE MAYOR VACCINATED WALK-INS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE ON WEDNESDAY.

>> WE WILL TALK TO THE GOVERNOR ON THAT ONE AS AN INCENTIVE.

>> NOT ONLY DO WE NOT HAVE THE MONEY, WE DON'T THINK WE NEED TO.

>> Reporter: IN NEWARK, WHERE COVID-19 HAS INFECTED MORE THAN 25,000 RESIDENTS AND KILLED MORE THAN 800, BUT THE CITY'S HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS DIRECTOR AND THE MAYOR TOLD NEWARK TODAY THAT THEY FAVOR EDUCATING THE PUBLIC.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON YOUR SHOW, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET THE RIGHT INFORMATION FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES, AND MAKE A DECISION?

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO TRUST, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO TRUST TO HELP YOU MAKE THIS DECISION.

>> LET ME ASK YOU MORE PLAINLY, SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT PAY PEOPLE TO TAKE THE VACCINE?

>> I WOULDN'T AGREE WITH THAT.

I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY PEOPLE, BECAUSE IT JUST SENDS A BAD MESSAGE, RIGHT?

AND I THINK IT WOULD ADD MORE DISTRUST.

I MEAN OBVIOUSLY SOME PEOPLE TAKE IT BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MONEY, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW MY PLAY ON PEOPLE'S NEEDS.

I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING, LIKE I SAID, IS TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK MORE AND MORE THEY WATCH OTHER PEOPLE TAKE IT AND SEE THAT IT IS OKAY, THEN MAYBE THEY WILL.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAID EVENTUALLY PEOPLE HAVE TO WEIGH HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED FOR THE VIRUS VERSUS HOW MANY HAVE DIED TAKING THE VACCINE.

MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> FOR THE NINTH CONSECUTIVE WEEK, EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE REMAINS ON HIGH ALERT FOR CORONAVIRUS ACTIVITY.

THE ACTIVITY LEVEL MAPS ARE CREATED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND USED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DETERMINE WHERE THE VIRUS IS SPREADING THE FASTEST, AND WHETHER THOSE COUNTIES SHOULD SWITCH TO ALL REMOTE LEARNING.

FLIPPING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THOSE MODELS HAS PROVEN TO BE ANYTHING BUT EASY FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

FAMILIES SAY THEY ARE ON EDGE.

EDUCATORS SAY THEY ARE DRAINED.

LEAH MISHKIN HAS A STORY.

>> OUR CHILDREN WANT TO BE IN SCHOOL IS MUCH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

ME AND MY WIFE FEEL THE SAME WAY.

4 ROBINSON MILTON SCHOOL BOARD SAYS HIS TWO DAUGHTERS SCHEDULES ARE CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE AS THEY BOUNCE FROM IN PERSON TO VIRTUAL, NOT TO MENTION THAT THINGS CAN CHANGE UNEXPECTEDLY IF SOMEONE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING TESTS POSITIVE.

>> IT IS TOUGH.

WE BOTH WORK.

MY WIFE IS A TEACHER, AND I AM WORKING AT HOME RIGHT NOW.

>> IS A PARENT I KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE.

HOW DO YOU FIND DAY CARE IN A DAY, RIGHT?

SO WE ARE TRYING TO BE SENSITIVE AND GIVE PARENTS AT LEAST A WEEK.

>> Reporter: IT READY FOR ANYTHING.

THAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT ROBBINSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT BRIAN BETTS GIVES PARENTS AS HE MOVES TO THE BEAT OF THE VIRUS.

ACCORDING TO THE STATES LATEST DATA, NEARLY 600 CASES OF COVID- 19 HAVE BEEN TRACED BACK TO 121 SCHOOLS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES.

>> MY NOT JUST COMMIT 100% OF THE VIRTUAL MODEL?

WHY GO BACK AND FORTH?

>> I FEEL STRONGLY THAT STUDENTS NEED TO BE IN FRONT OF THE TEACHER, WHERE YOU CAN LOOK OVER A STUDENT THAT IS STRUGGLING, AND WE FEEL BAD FOR THE PARENTS WHO NEED TO GET TO WORK.

SCHOOLS SERVE A LOT OF PURPOSES, PARTICULARLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ONE OF THOSE IS TO ALLEVIATE THAT NEED FOR CHILDCARE DURING THE DAY.

JUST SAYING, GO ALL VIRTUAL, IS JUST NOT AN OPTION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE IS TRYING TO GET RID OF THE HYBRID MODELS OF STUDENTS WHO WANT TO BE IN THE BUILDING CAN DO SO FULL-TIME.

THE PROBLEM IS FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING IN CLASSROOMS, AND STAFFING.

>> EVEN OUR SUBSTITUTES DON'T WANT TO COME BACK TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THERE IS THAT FEAR.

I KNOW THAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

MOST STAFF ARE NOT CONSULTED ABOUT WHAT SORT OF CHANGES WOULD BE BEST.

>> Reporter: CHRIS RODRIGUEZ WAS TEACHING IN HUDSON COUNTY, BUT HE PUT IN HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION IN OCTOBER, AFTER CONCERNS OF LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, AND COMMUNICATION.

HE CLAIMS THE SCHOOL WAS MAKING TEACHERS GO INTO THE BUILDING TO TEACH VIRTUAL LESSONS.

PLUS, HE CLAIMS WHEN SOMEONE TESTED POSITIVE, THE IDENTITY WAS KEPT SECRET, AND THERE WAS NO WAY OF KNOWING IF HE WAS EXPOSED.

>> IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT BECAUSE I LOVE TEACHING, BUT NO ONE EVER GAVE US A STRAIGHT ANSWER AS TO WHY WE WERE GOING INTO THE BUILDING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE FEARS FOR STUDENTS FALLING BEHIND AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> MOST KIDS DON'T TURN ON CAMERAS AND IF YOU ASK THEM, THEN IT BECOMES A THING ABOUT THEIR CLASS.

SOME STUDENTS MAY BE ASHAMED TO SHOW WHAT THEY HAVE IN THE BACKGROUND.

THESE ARE KIDS THAT WHEN THEIR PARENTS GO TO WORK, THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF HER YOUNGER SIBLINGS.

THEY ARE THERE AND TRYING TO COOK AND CLEAN THE HOUSE.

MY STUDENTS SAY THAT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF FOCUS ON THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING.

>> Reporter: DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT A LOT OF KIDS ARE GOING TO NEED MORE TUTORING, MORE SUMMER CLASSES JUST TO CATCH UP?

>> THE KIDS ARE DOING OKAY.

THEY ARE SLIPPING IN MATH, BUT THE READING IS DOING FINE.

IT'S THE MENTAL HEALTH PIECE THAT CONCERNS ME PROBABLY MORE THAN THE INSTRUCTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PIECE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO FOCUS IN ON THAT AT ROBBINSVILLE.

>> Reporter: AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY SAY 60% OF THE STUDENTS HAVE OPTED FOR 100% VIRTUAL LEARNING, BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED OF GETTING THE VIRUS OR FEEL LIKE THEY WON'T GET A REAL HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE ANYWAYS.

>> THE SCHOOLS ARE SAFE.

I BELIEVE THAT.

>> IT'S THE ISSUE OF EVERY DAY YOU HAVE PEOPLE COME IN WHO ARE EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO OTHER FACTORS.

>> WE ARE LIVING OUR LIVES AND PEOPLE TRAVEL DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

PARENTS MUST STAFF MEMBERS.

THE FIX IS EASY.

GIVE US ALL THE VACCINE.

WE WILL OPEN SCHOOLS.

IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT TEACHERS ARE NOT ON THAT LIST YET.

>> Reporter: NEARLY A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO KEEP GOING UNTIL A NORMAL SCHOOL DAY RETURNS.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AFTER ROLLING OUT HIS PANDEMIC RELIEF PLAN ON THURSDAY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MADE CLEAR REVERSING TRUMP ERA IMMIGRATION POLICIES WILL BE THE OTHER TOP PRIORITY DURING HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE, SIGNING EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO PROTECT DACA RECIPIENTS AND PUTTING AN END TO FUNDING THE BORDER WALL.

NOT ALL CAN BE DONE WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN.

NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS BEING TAPPED TO SPONSOR A BILL CREATING A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

BUT WHAT ARE ITS CHANCES IN A CONGRESS NARROWLY HELD BY DEMOCRATS?

SENATOR MENENDEZ JOINS ME NOW.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TODAY.

WE DID GET A QUICK LOOK AT THIS BILL.

WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS HERE.

WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE UNDER THIS LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN SENT?

>> THE U.S. IS THE DECISION CITIZENSHIP ACT WOULD ULTIMATELY PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO EARNED LEGALIZATION FOR NEARLY 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND GET RIGHT WITH THE LAW AND GO TO CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, PASTELS, PAY TAXES, AND THEN COULD ADJUST THEIR STATUS.

IT ALSO WOULD HELP TOWARDS DEALING WITH THE BACKLOG FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION, WHERE U.S. CITIZENS ARE WAITING FOR A LOVED ONE ABROAD THAT THEY HAVE CLAIMED IT HAVE BEEN WAITING INORDINATE PERIODS OF TIME.

DREAMERS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY EITHER IN SERVICE TO THE NATION IN THE MILITARY, OR OTHERS WHO HAVE HELPED IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS.

THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ADJUST THEIR STATUS.

IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION BILL I HAVE SEEN IN MY 20 YEARS OF TRYING TO SEEK REFORM.

>> Reporter: YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL NEED 10 REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT THIS.

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE CASE FOR THOSE COLLEAGUES WHO FEEL THIS IS FAR TOO PROGRESSIVE, THAT THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF REFORM THEY WERE HOPING TO SEE.

>> WELL, I AM REMINDED THAT IN 2013 WHEN I WAS PART OF A GANG OF 8 WITH THE LATE JOHN McCAIN, WE WERE TOLD WE COULD NOT DO IT, AND WE GOT 67 VOTES IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE WERE NEGOTIATIONS, AND I EXPECT NEGOTIATION TO TAKE PLACE HERE AS WELL.

MY ARGUMENT TO MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IS, LOOK, THIS IN ADDITION TO A MORAL QUESTION, IS ALSO A NATIONAL SECURITY QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW WHO IS HERE TO PURSUE THE AMERICAN DREAM, VERSUS WHO MIGHT DO IT HARM, UNLESS I BRING PEOPLE OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE LIGHT.

THIRDLY, THIS IS AN ECONOMIC QUESTION.

LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE PANDEMIC.

WE LEARNED ESSENTIAL WORKERS WERE.

WHO ARE THEY?

THEY ARE THE PEOPLE AT THE GROCERY STORE.

THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CREATING OUR FOOD SUPPLY.

THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DELIVERING THINGS SO WE CAN STAY HOME AND BE SAFE FROM GETTING INFECTED BY THE VIRUS.

OVERWHELMINGLY, THOSE PEOPLE WERE UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS BETTER TO MAKE PEOPLE WRITE WITH THE LOSS OF THAT THEY COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO COME FORWARD WE LOOK AT THEM AND SAY, MAYBE THAT IS A REASON THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF ARGUMENTS FOR OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, AND I HOPE SOME OF US WHO JOINED US IN 2013 WILL JOIN US NOW.

>> Reporter: IN 2013 YOU DID HAVE THE SUPPORT IN THE SENATE WHEN IT WENT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

BUT FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES IT DIED.

>> THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE THOUGH.

IN 2013, HE PASSED IT IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE WITH 67 VOTES, WHICH IS REMARKABLE.

OVER TWO THIRDS OF THE SENATE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL LIKE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

AT THAT TIME THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAS CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS.

THEN THE SPEAKER NEVER GAVE US A VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SO IT DIED THERE.

NOW DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE HOUSE AND SPEAKER PELOSI IS COMMITTED TO IMMIGRATION REFORM.

I BELIEVE THAT WITH THAT, AND A PRESIDENT WHO IS WILLING TO LEAD ON THE ISSUE, WE HAVE I THINK THE BEST OF ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS NOT A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THERE TO HAVE SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: ALWAYS GOOD TO SPEAK WITH YOU SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>>> FOR AN EXTENDED VERSION OF OUR INTERVIEW WAS SENATOR MENENDEZ, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHT.COM .

>>> THE CITY OF NEWARK IS TAKING ITS FIGHT FOR SUBPOENA POWERS ON THE CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARD TO THE UNITED DATES SUPREME COURT.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT RELEASED TODAY I THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING THE COURT TO REVIEW A DECISION MADE BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT LAST SUMMER THE RULING DENIED AN ORDINANCE GIVING THE BOARD THAT AUTHORITY.

IT WAS CREATED IN 2016 TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS OF CIVILIAN COMPLAINTS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT.

IN HIS STATEMENT, THEY POINTED TO THE EVENTS OF LAST YEAR, INCLUDING THE DEATHS OF UNARMED LIKE AMERICANS LIKE BREONNA TAYLOR AND GEORGE FLOYD, CALLING SUBPOENA POWER ON THE BOARD THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN A POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE WORST PUBLIC SPACES IN NEW YORK CITY, AND AMONG THE LEAST FAVORITE FOR JERSEY COMMUTERS.

AFTER YEARS OF DEBATE, THE PORT AUTHORITY IS UNVEILING FINAL PLANS FOR A REIMAGINED BUS TERMINAL.

THE BLUEPRINT EXPANDS AND ENLARGES THE EXISTING STRUCTURE WITHOUT TAKING IT OUT OF SERVICE, RENAMING AT THE MIDTOWN BUS TERMINAL.

IF APPROVED, IT WILL TAKE ABOUT A DECADE TO BUILD AND COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, ALL AT A TIME WHEN BOTH RIDERSHIP AND REVENUE REMAIN AT RECORD LOWS.

MEANWHILE, PROSPECTS FOR THE NEW GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT APPEAR A LITTLE BRIGHTER WITH MORE HOPE FROM WASHINGTON.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY NOMINEE PETE BUTTIGIEG SAYS HE'S READY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE PLAN.

HIS COMMENTS ARE A STARK CONTRAST TO HIS PREDECESSOR, WHO IS FREQUENTLY CRITICIZED FOR HOLDING UP THE ROUGHLY $30 BILLION PROJECT.

>> Reporter: SHOULD THE STATE STILL BE USING A ONE-SIZE-FITS- ALL APPROACH FOR BUSINESS CLOSING AND REOPENING'S?

MORE LAWMAKERS ARE SAYING NO.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON A NEW PROPOSAL , AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WAY NEW JERSEY APPROACHES BUSINESS CLOSINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD SET UP A COUNTY BASED MITIGATION PLAN TO ALLOW SOME BUSINESSES TO OPERATE .

ONE OF THE SPONSORS SAYS THE LEGISLATION ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF COVID-19 CASES BEING HIGH AND SOME PARTS OF THE STATE, BUT NOT IN OTHERS.

>> AS A SMALL BUSINESS UNDERSTAND THEY WANT TO STAY SAFE AND KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES SAFE, BUT THEY ALSO KNOW THAT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MAY NOT MAKE SENSE.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WAS APPROVED BY THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK AND HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL LAST MONTH, BUT STILL REMAINS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE.

IN DECEMBER, JERSEY'S JOBLESS RATE DROPPED TO 7.6%, DOWN FROM MORE THAN 10% THE PRIOR MONTH.

THAT MIGHT SOUND LIKE GOOD NEWS, BUT THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THE RATE DROPPED BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE SIMPLY GAVE UP LOOKING FOR WORK ALTOGETHER.

LAST MONTH, THERE WERE NEW JOBS CREATED IN CONSTRUCTION, MANUFACTURING, TRANSPORTATION, AND UTILITIES AS WELL AS BUSINESS SERVICES.

THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR CONTINUES TO SHOW THE STEEPEST AMOUNT OF JOB LOSSES.

ANOTHER COMPANY IS STEPPING UP TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINES IN NEW JERSEY.

REUTERS IS REPORTING THAT WALMART WILL OFFER VACCINES IN CERTAIN NEW JERSEY STORES.

WALMART WILL PROVIDE VACCINES FOR A SPECIFIC VULNERABLE POPULATION, RESIDENTS LIVING IN GROUP HOMES, AND THE VACCINE PROGRAM WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THE NEW DEMOLITION DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR THE TRUMP PLAZA IN ATLANTIC CITY.

THE PROPERTY WILL NOW BE IMPLODED ON FEBRUARY 17th, AFTER A DISPUTE WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER FORCED THE DELAY .

IT WAS ONE OF SEVERAL ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS ONCE OWNED BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

IT CLOSED IN 2014.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT OUR TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

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

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER ON NJ BUSINESS BEAT AS SHE TAKES IT DEEPER LOOK AT THE STATE'S REVAMPED TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

WILL IT HELP HER RECOVERY?

WATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S NEW COVID-19 RELIEF PROPOSAL, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WOULD GET A ROUGHLY $35 BILLION FINANCIAL BOOST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS WEEK, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TOLD STATE LAWMAKERS AT THE PANDEMIC HAS LEFT A TRAIL OF DEVASTATION.

DECLINING ENROLLMENT, MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALLS, AND FORCED LAYOFFS TO NAME A FEW.

COLLEEN O'DAY FOLLOWED THE HEARING IN TRENTON AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON WHEN WE CAN EXPECT A TURNAROUND.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF THESE COLLEGES THOUGHT IT COULDN'T GET WORSE, BUT FROM WHAT YOU REPORTED, IT REALLY HAS.

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY SURPRISING TO ME TO HEAR SOME OF THESE STORIES.

$180 MILLION SHORTFALLS, OR, YOU KNOW, REVENUE PROBLEMS.

ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT AS ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT COLLEGES.

$50 MILLION AT ROWAN.

THIS IS ALL BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOST SOME TUITION REVENUE.

THEY HAD TO GIVE BACK MONEY FOR ROOM AND BOARD, FOR LAST SPRING WHEN FOLKS, YOU KNOW, WENT HOME.

THERE ARE A FEW STUDENTS, MANY FEWER STUDENTS ARE ON CAMPUS LIVING IN, YOU KNOW, DORMS.

THAT'S A REDUCTION IN FUNDING COMING INTO THE SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF COSTS DUE TO ADDITIONAL PPE THEY HAVE TO PURCHASE, AND TECH COSTS TO DO MORE CLASSES.

SO, IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE.

>> Reporter: WOULD VACCINE EXPANSION IN THE STATE HELP THESE SCHOOLS, AND WHAT IT DO ENOUGH FOR THERE TO BE THE SAME PROGRAMS, THE SAME CAMPUSES THAT WERE THERE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC?

>> SOME OF THE OFFICIALS HOPE THAT THAT IS THE CASE.

IT SHOULD HELP, BUT AS THE RUTGERS PRESIDENT NOTED, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T BE SURE, BECAUSE IF THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE TAKING THE VACCINE, THERE WON'T BE THAT KIND OF HERD IMMUNITY.

THERE MAY STILL NEED TO BE SOME REMOTE CLASSES, MAYBE STILL SOME RESTRICTIONS ON STUDENTS BEING BACK IN DORMITORIES.

WE ARE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE JUST HOW MANY VACCINE DOSES WE CAN GET INTO FOLKS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: WHAT ABOUT HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, REIMBURSEMENTS FROM FEMA.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS BIG PLANS.

DID ANY OF THE COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES REFERENCE THIS HELP, WHAT IT WOULD DO?

>> THEY ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR MORE HELP, EITHER DIRECTLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OR FROM THE STATE'S SHARE OF MONEY THAT IS GOTTEN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, SAYING THAT THEY REALLY NEED THAT ASSISTANCE JUST TO KIND OF GET BACK ON TRACK.

>> Reporter: THE CONCERNS.

COLLEEN O'DEA FOR US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG STORIES, YOU CAN CATCH THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJTV, ALONG WITH THE CHAT BOX, SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M. THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , WHERE WE WILL CONTINUE COVERING THE NEWS AFFECTING THE STATE ALL WEEKEND LONG.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

STAY SAFE.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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