>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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 SUSTAINABLE AND CLEAN FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A STATE OF EMERGENCY IS NOW IN EFFECT IN NEW JERSEY AHEAD OF WHAT SOME ARE CALLING A MONSTER WINTER STORM WITH BLIZZARD LIKE CONDITIONS IMPACTING OUR COASTAL COUNTIES.

FORECASTS CALL FOR UP TO 18 INCHES OF SNOW IN BURLINGTON COUNTY AND ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR FROM MONMOUTH COUNTY DOWN TO CAPE MAY.

THE REST OF THE STATE COULD GET ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 12 INCHES.

IT IS ALL ADDING UP TO CREATE HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS, POTENTIAL NJ TRANSIT DELAYS, FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS AND POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY DISMISSED STATE WORKERS EARLY AND DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY EFFECTIVE AT 5:00 P.M. TO HELP NEW JERSEY GET READY FOR THE STORM.

>> HIGH ACCUMULATION AND HIGH WIND WHICH IS A COMBINATION THAT MEANS THIS IS FORMIDABLE.

PLEASE DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN, BY LATE AFTERNOON TODAY, GET YOURSELF STOCKED UP, GET INSIDE, STAY INSIDE UNTIL THIS CLEARS THROUGH, PROBABLY A 24 HOUR REALITY.

SO THIS IS AT LEAST UNTIL LATE TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

BUT I WOULD SAY UNTIL SUNDAY TO ALLOW WHETHER IT'S YOUR UTILITY OR ROAD CREWS TO GET THE STATE BACK ON ITS FEET.

THESE TAKE THIS ONE SERIOUSLY.

TRACK THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONFIRMED THREE REPORTED CASES OF A NEW OMICRON SUB VARIANT IN NEW JERSEY.

IT IS BECALMED BE CALLED STEALTH OMICRON BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH HARDER TO DETECT AND EVIDENCE SUGGESTED SPREAD MORE QUICKLY.

IT HAS BEEN FOUND IN ABOUT HALF OF THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD BUT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CALLED IT A VARIANT OF CONCERN.

AFTER COVID-19 CASES HELD FAIRLY STEADY THERE IS A JUMP A NEW CONFIRMED POSITIVE TEST.

THE STATE REPORTED 9600 NEW CASES TODAY AND 113 DEATHS.

BUT THE STATE'S SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF CONFIRMED POSITIVE TESTS IS DOWN 35% FROM A WEEK AGO.

STATE OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN TELLING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, TODAY THEY SAID VACCINATION SITES COULD CLOSE THIS WEEKEND DO TO THE WINTER STORM.

WITH OMICRON STILL LINGERING, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WENT TO A VACCINATION SITE WHERE FOLKS ARE STILL LEERY ABOUT GETTING THE BOOSTERS.

>> I JUST GOT THE BOOSTER.

>> Reporter: WHY?

NOREEN SAYS HER MOM JACKIE PRICE DIED OF COVID-19 EIGHT MONTHS AGO.

IN HER MEMORY SHE CAME TO GET A BOOSTER AT THE ESSEX COUNTY VACCINATION SITE IN WEST ORANGE.

BUT LIKE MANY PEOPLE HERE SHE IS ALSO FACING A MANDATE ORDER BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> I WORK WITH DISABLED ADULTS AND I HAVE TO GET VACCINATED.

IT IS FOR MY WORK.

>> I NEED TO HAVE A BOOSTER.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS YOUR JOB?

>> I AM AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT.

>> I'M A STUDENT AT WRECKERS SO IT'S REQUIRED WE GET A BOOSTER.

>> Reporter: YOU HAVE TO DO IT, DO YOU WANT TO DO IT?

>> NOT REALLY.

BUT I GUESS I HAVE TO.

>> Reporter: MANDATES MAY BE MOTIVATING MANY BUT THE OVERALL ATTITUDE SEEMED QUITE MATTER-OF- FACT WEATHER GETTING A SHOT OR A TEST, FOLKS ARE COPING WITH COVID-19.

>> I AM VERY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

>> Reporter: AND EPIDEMIOLOGIST POINTS TO THE GENERAL DOWNWARD TREND OF BOTH NEW JERSEY'S COVID CASELOADS AND POSITIVITY RATE, NOW UNDER 20%.

SHE SAYS DURING THE RECENT OMICRON SURGE, PEOPLE RUSH TO GET BOOSTERS.

THAT HAS TAPERED OFF SIGNIFICANTLY.

FOR MORE THAN 21,000 PFIZER AND 17,000 MODERNA BOOSTERS GIVEN STATEWIDE, TO ABOUT 2700 PFIZER AND 2400 MODERNA BOOSTERS ADMINISTERED YESTERDAY.

SO THEY WELCOME MANDATES.

>> THE REALITY IS YOU MAY NOT LIKE THEM BUT THEY WORK.

VACCINE MANDATES WORK.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY WHY MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THEM, THEY KNOW IT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE THEM GET THE VACCINE WHETHER THEY WANT IT OR NOT BUT IT DOES KEEP EVERYONE MORE SAFE.

>> I KNOW THAT SOUNDS WEIRD BECAUSE WE HAVE MILITARY IN OUR HOSPITAL AND WE BEEN SAVING FACING STAFFING SHORTAGES.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS WELCOMED A MILITARY STRIKE TRAIN TEAM OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO HELP SUPPORT STAFF SICK AND EXHAUSTED BY THE OMICRON SURGE.

HE SAYS, CASES ARE DOWN.

ALTHOUGH MORE THAN 3400 PATIENTS TO OCCUPY NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL BEDS, >> A MONTH INTO THE FUTURE, AFTER THAT, IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT MAY BE A BETTER SITUATION OVERALL.

OMICRON WAS OVERALL LESS SEVERE TO THE POINT WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTION AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE MAY SEE LEVELS OF POPULATION IMMUNITY THAT ARE QUITE PROTECTIVE.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW OMICRON DOMINATES MORE THAN 90% OF CASES SEQUENCE IN NEW JERSEY, FOLLOWED BY DELTA.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER VARIANT SHOWING UP IN ALMOST HALF OF U.S. STATES INCLUDING NEW JERSEY CALLED BA2 .

OR THE STEALTH VARIANT.

>> I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE HIGH LEVELS OF IMMUNITY IN THE POPULATION AT LARGE.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR SAYS THAT PFIZER IS DEVELOPING A NEW BOOSTER AND NEW TREATMENTS ALSO OFFER TREATMENT FOR OPTIMISM.

HE'S HOPING THOSE PILLS WILL BE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

WHEN IT GETS AROUND, PHARMACIES AND DOCTORS OFFICES.

THIS WILL REALLY DAMPEN DOWN THE VERY SEVERE, LETHAL CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19.

I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE EMERGING FROM THE NIGHTMARE.

>> Reporter: AS FOR TESTING, THE NUMBER OF TEST KITS HANDED OUT HAVE PLUNGED'S FROM CHRISTMAS TO ABOUT 1000 PER DAY NOW.

>> THE DEMAND FOR TESTING HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN.

I THINK IT MEANS REAL INFECTIONS A NEW CASES ARE GOING DOWN.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS WARNED COVID-19 IS ADEPT AT THROWING OCCURRED AND URGED FOLKS TO KEEP THE VACCINATIONS CURRENT.

>>> THE LATEST DATA FROM THE STATE SHOWS 85% OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF IN NEW JERSEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE MANDATE TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID- 19.

BUT AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF TEACHING DURING THE PANDEMIC STRESSED-OUT TEACHERS ARE WALKING AWAY FROM THEIR PROFESSIONS.

THAT IS EXACERBATING A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS THAT WAS A PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

JOANNA GAGIS HAS OUR REPORT.

>> WE CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS SO WE HAVE OUR OWN STUDENT STRESSES THEN WE TAKE ON THE STRESSES THAT THEY HAVE AS WELL AS SOCIETY.

WE HAVE CREATED THE PERFECT STORM OF ANXIETY THAT ARE FORCING TEACHERS TO LEAVE.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF TEACHERS IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE NATION IS NOT JUST A SHORTAGE, IT'S A PROBLEM OF ATTRITION , MEANING GOOD QUALIFIED TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE FIELD.

>> WE ARE BEING FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN DOING ART DREAM JOB, A JOB WE DREAMED OF DOING OR ARE MENTAL HEALTH, LIVABLE WAGE, JUST EVEN BEING A FUNCTIONING HUMAN BEING.

>> Reporter: ONE TEACHER HAS SEEN TEACHERS LEAVE ARE CONSIDERED LEAVING THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE THE ADDED BURDENS ARE TOO MUCH TO BEAR.

>> THESE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN REALLY HARD AND WE HAVE ALL HAD TO MAKE CHOICES OF EDUCATORS TO NOT ONLY SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES BUT ALSO OURSELVES.

>> BOTH THAT THE TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATION LEVELS, PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO LEAVE ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE REAL CHALLENGES.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING A SHORTAGE OF STUDENTS GOING INTO EDUCATION.

WE SAY A PIPELINE PROBLEM AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE ADDED BURDENS THE TEACHERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON TOP OF WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM IN AN UNRIVALED ALREADY CHALLENGING JOB?

>> TEACHERS ARE GOING INTO CLASSROOM, NOT KNOWING EACH DAY WHAT CLASSES THEY ARE GOING TO COVER, WHO THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FILL IN FOR.

THAT TAKES AWAY TIME, PLANNING TIME, DECOMPRESSION TIME.

>> I DON'T HAVE THE SPACE TO EXERCISE THE CREATIVITY THAT I ONCE DID.

THE ART OF TEACHING HAS BEEN MASKED LITERALLY BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: A BILL THAT WAS RECENTLY SIGNED WOULD ALLOW RETIRED TEACHERS TO COME BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> THIS IS THE ROLLOUT, TEACHERS WHO ARE RETIRED TO COME BACK FOR TEMPORARY TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE HARD TIME FILLING POSITIONS.

>> Reporter: WHILE HIRING MORE TEACHERS HELPS EXISTING TEACHERS, THE STRATEGIES MANY DISTRICTS ARE USING ARE LIKE PUTTING A BULLET WOUND ON IT WITH A BAND-AID.

>> THAT'S A BACKHAND TO THE STAFF THAT HAS MADE AN INVESTMENT OVER YEARS.

THEY ARE INCREASING SUBSTITUTION PAY WHICH IS NECESSARY BUT NOW IT MIGHT BE MORE ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL FOR A TEACHER TO TAKE A SICK DAY AND SUB BECAUSE THEY WILL MAKE MORE AS A SUB.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY TEACHERS MAKE MORE THAN MANY ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT MANY HAVE TO CROWD SOURCE TO PAY FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES OR PAY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS.

THE EVER- CHANGING HYBRID VIRTUAL AND AND PURSING CLASSROOM SPACES AND TEACHERS THE FEELING UP LATELY BURNED OUT.

>> KEEPING UP WITH THOSE CHANGES IS THE MOST EXHAUSTING ASPECT OF THE LAST TWO YEARS.

TEACHERS ARE INCREDIBLY FLEXIBLE PEOPLE BUT I AM AT THE POINT OF BREAKING, WE ALL ARE.

>> Reporter: HER WORK IT RECORDS HELP DISTRICTS SUPPORT TEACHERS LIKE PRACTICING MINDFULNESS AT THE END OF SCHOOL.

IN NEWARK MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES ARE BEING OFFERED.

>> WE CREATED A SUPPORT SPOT WHERE YOU CAN BE WITH THE CLINICIAN, FALL COMPETITION, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A CAMERA ON.

THERE ARE SESSIONS THAT STAFF COULD GO ON THEIR OWN.

>> Reporter: IS AN APPROACH MORE DISTRICTS ARE TAKING AS THEIR STAFF LEAD REACHES LEVELS OF CRISIS.

>>> HEY FUNDS TO PROVIDE FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS HAS BEEN INCREASED.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY WITH EXTENDED JUST DAYS BEFORE IT WAS SET TO EXPIRE.

IT COMES AS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FACED CRITICISM FOR ONLY DISTRIBUTING ABOUT $6 MILLION IN FUNDING THROUGH THE INITIAL $40 MILLION FEDERAL MONEY THAT EXPIRED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.

BUT EVEN WITH THE NEW FUNDS IN PLACE, ADVOCATES SAY IT IS STILL NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> I TRIED TO PAY MY BILLS ON TIME AND I COULDN'T SOMETIMES.

>> Reporter: THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC, CONTINUING TO TAKE A TOLL ON THIS FAMILY.

SHE'S BEEN LIVING IN NEW JERSEY FOR ALMOST 22 YEARS AFTER LEAVING PERU FOR A BETTER LIFE.

BUT SINCE SHE IS UNDOCUMENTED SHE WASN'T ABLE TO RECEIVE FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF.

>> I HAVE MEDICAL BILLS I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY RIGHT NOW.

MY RENT, TRIED TO PAY IT BUT IT IS HARD FOR ME.

>> Reporter: SHE APPLIED LAST FOR HELP THROUGH A FUND WHICH IS CREATED FOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

SO FAR THE FUND HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 12,000 APPLICATIONS AND MORE THAN 3000 HAVE BEEN APPROVED.

THE ADVOCACY GROUPS SAY A CONVOLUTED APPLICATION PROCESS HAS DISCOURAGE MANY MORE PEOPLE FROM SEEKING HELP.

>> IN NOVEMBER, THEY SENT ME A NOTE SAYING I NEED THIS OR THAT.

I CALL, NOBODY ANSWER.

I'M STILL WAITING.

>> Reporter: SHE IS MORE THAN ONE OF 7400 APPLICANTS WHO ARE STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK.

SO NEWS OF ADDITIONAL MONEY WILL BE ADDED IS GIVING COMMUNITY ADVOCATES SOME HOPE .

>> WE ARE HEARTENED AND RELIEVED TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS DECIDED TO REOPEN THE FUND AND CONTINUE WITH THE COMMITMENT TO FUNDING THE $40 MILLION.

>> Reporter: THE $40 MILLION IS UP FROM $10 MILLION.

ADVOCATES WORRY A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DESPERATELY NEED THE MONEY STILL WILL BE LEFT OUT SINCE NEW JERSEY IS HOME TO NEARLY HALF 1 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS.

>> $40 MILLION DOESN'T GO FAR.

THE FUND GIVES ABOUT TWO TO $4000 TO EACH HOUSEHOLD, WHICH IS A FRACTION OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE LIVING IN THE STATE HAVE GOTTEN IN AID AND TO REALLY REACH EVERYONE, MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO A CASH PAYMENT, STIMULUS, ABLE TO ACCESS UNEMPLOYMENT, THAT COSTS ABOUT $1 BILLION TO REACH EVERYONE IN OUR STATE.

>> IT HAS INCREASED TO THE EASE STEP WE CAN FUND WITH FEDERAL MONIES.

THIS IS A HUGE STEP.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY AND GOD WILLING THAT WOULD GET MONEY ON THE STREET A LOT FASTER.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES BELIEVE THERE ARE WAYS TO GET MORE MONEY.

>> OTHER STATES HAVE SHOWN THIS IS POSSIBLE.

NEW YORK HAS SENT OUT MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN RELIEF TO EMIGRANTS EXCLUDED FROM PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE MAXIMUM BENEFITS OF $15,600.

SECONDLY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS SET UP SO WE CAN DELIVER REAL RELIEF.

THE STATE HAS TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROGRAM ASSISTANCE NECESSARY TO DISTRIBUTE THESE FUNDS QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS SEEKING RELIEF THROUGH THE FUND WILL NOW HAVE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY TO APPLY.

COMMITTEE ADVOCATES ARE URGING LAWMAKERS TO CONTINUE LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO PUT MORE MONEY IN THE FUND SO NO ONE HAS TO BE LEFT OUT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> A NEW CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAP APPROVED BY A FORMER JUDGE, DRAWN UP I THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE STATE'S REDISTRICTING COMMISSION CONTINUES TO CREATE CONTROVERSY AND IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A LAWSUIT.

REPUBLICANS WANT THE REDRAWN MAP THROWN OUT.

OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT WENT ONE ON ONE WITH DOUG STEINHARDT, THE REPUBLICAN DELEGATION TO HEAR THEIR OBJECTIONS.

>> Reporter: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, YOU HAD THE REPUBLICAN CONTAGION ON CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.

YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HANDLED THE PROCESS AT THE END.

YOU ARE SUING HIM, WHY?

>> LET'S PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE, THE BIGGEST LOSERS AREN'T THE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC PARTIES, IS THE 4.5 MILLION NEW JERSEY VOTERS WHO HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED BY THE PROCESS.

THE MAP THAT WE PROPOSED WAS DESIGNED TO EMPOWER VOTERS BY RECOGNIZING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND CREATING COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.

THE MAP OF THE SEVEN DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS IS THE ANTITHESIS OF ALL THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT DO YOU SEE, A DO OVER OF SOME KIND?

>> BASED ON THEORIES OF UNCONSTITUTIONALITY IT SEEKS TO DO SEVERAL THINGS.

YES, FIRST IT ASKS THAT THE COURT DECLARE THE PROCESS UNCONSTITUTIONAL , NEXT IT ASKS THAT THE MATTER BE REMANDED.

THE MEMBERS OF THE JURY, WERE BACK CHANNELING THE DATA TO THE DEMOCRATS AND REALLY CHEATING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WE WERE AHEAD OF THEM IN EVERY STEP AND BEING ADVISED HOW TO CATCH UP.

IF THE 13th MEMBER KNEW THAT OR ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN THAT I THINK THE PROCESS WAS FAR FROM INDEPENDENT AND THAT ALL FEES ARE ARGUMENT THAT THIS PROCESS SHOULD BE REMANDED AND START OVER.

>> Reporter: THE JUSTICE SAYS THE NEW JERSEY MAP WAS INDEED QUITE GERRYMANDERED SO THEY ARE SPEAKING ON YOUR SIDE.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?

WHAT IS NEXT IN THIS FIGHT?

>> ALL THE BRIEFS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED ARE IN, THE LAST BRIEF IS FILED BY THE DEMOCRATS YESTERDAY.

THAT BRIEF WAS SUPPLEMENTAL, MICHAEL.

THE ORIGINAL ORDER ASKED THAT ALL BRIEFS BE AND PRIOR TO THAT ONCE WE FILE OUR BRIEF WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAST RESPONSIVE BRIEF THE SUPREME COURT WAS EXPECTING.

THE JUSTICE SENT A LETTER ASKING THE DEMOCRATS TO PROVIDE A SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF TO RESPOND TO OUR ACCOUNT NUMBER TWO WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE ACCOUNT THAT LAYS THE PROCESS WHAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ARBITRARY BRIEFS.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER COMMISSION THAT IS RE-DRYING DISTRICT LINES, WAS JOLTED THIS WEEK WHEN STATE AND DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN LEROY JONES BUMPED STEVE SWEENEY OFF THE COMMITTEE , THE COMMISSION.

WHAT IS A SAY ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS, FIGHTING NORTH VS. SOUTH AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY CLEAR THERE'S A LOT OF DISCORD IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, IT WAS ON FULL DISPLAY WHEN WE WENT INTO THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING PROCESS FIGHTING NORTH AND SOUTH, FIGHTING AMONGST MEMBERS.

UNFORTUNATELY WHAT GETS LOST FOR ALL OF THAT IS THE BEST INTEREST OF NEW JERSEY'S 9 MILLION RESIDENTS.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>>> JERSEY CITY HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO MAKE REPAIRS AND UPGRADES TO THE MUNICIPALITIES WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS.

THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL COST $1.1 BILLION.

THE AGREEMENT WAS STILL NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY A JUDGE IS A MODIFICATION OF 2011 SETTLEMENT BETWEEN A JERSEY CITY MUNICIPAL YOU UTILITIES AUTHORITY AND THE EPA.

THE JERSEY CITY MUA AGREED TO REPLACE 12,000 WATER LINES WITH LEAD COMPONENTS.

MANY OF THE AREAS THAT THESE UPGRADES WOULD BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT EFFACE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CHALLENGES FOR DECADES.

THE CITY'S ANTIQUATED COMBINED SEWER SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE UPGRADED AND THE EXPANDED TO ENSURE THE SYSTEM IS BETTER ABLE TO WITHSTAND SEVERE STORMS.

JERSEY CITY ESTIMATES IT WILL TAKE A DECADE TO COMPLETE ALL THE WORK.

>>> IN TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, KEEP THE CHANGE, YOUR COINS AREN'T WANTED ON THE ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY.

OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING TO MOVE TO A CASHLESS TOLL SYSTEM.

TOLLS WOULD BE PAY WITH EASY PASS OR PAY BY MAIL ONLY FOR DRIVE DRIVERS WHO HAVE THOSE ACCOUNTS.

IT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT AWAY, THE SOUTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY IS LOOKING TO SWITCH TO CASHLESS TOLLS BY THE SPRING OF 2025.

THE TURNPIKE AND GARDEN STATE PARKWAY COULD THEN FOLLOW.

MOST OF THE DRIVERS, CLOSE TO 90% ARE ALREADY USING EASY PASS.

>>> THE PORT AUTHORITY IS MOVING TO CASHLESS TOLL AS WELL.

THEY ARE SAID TO PERMANENTLY AND AT THE LINCOLN TUNNEL AND THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

THE HOLLAND TUNNEL WENT CASH FREE IN LATE 2020.

>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET ENDED THIS WEEK?

>>> MAKE SURE YOU TUNE INTO NJ BUSINESS WITH ME THIS WEEKEND.

WE ARE TAKING YOU INTO THE META-VERSE, FINANCIAL FUTURE AND FOCUS, HIGHLIGHTED THE BENEFITS TO BUSINESSES WHO ENTER THE VIRTUAL WORLD.

CHECK US OUT ON SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAYS AT 9:30 AM ON NJ PBS.

>>> THE SON OF SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN MANY ASSUME WILL BE AN EASY WIN IN THE PRIMARY.

ROB MENENDEZ IS RUNNING IN THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD.

HE SAT DOWN WITH FINGER POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT TO TALK ABOUT WHY HE IS RUNNING AND WHETHER HE WILL BE HELPED BY NAME RECOGNITION?

>> Reporter: YOU DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S GOING TO NOTICE?

>> NOTICE WHAT?

>> Reporter: THE NAME , ROB MENENDEZ.

>> IT'S A NAME I WAS GIVEN BY MOST MY MOTHER AND MY FATHER.

AND LISTEN, I'M EXCITED TO BE ON THE SHOW TODAY AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH FOLKS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: YOU KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING, RIGHT?

SENATOR'S SON ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNOR JUST DAYS AFTER NANCY.

THEY ARE SAY BEING THE PATH HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR YOU.

ARE PEOPLE WRONG?

>> I'M EXCITED, WE HAVE A PRIMARY IN JUNE, WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND I THINK ABOUT BRINGING OUR MESSAGE TO THE VOTERS IN THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

MAKING THEM EXCITED ABOUT THE VISION THAT WE HAVE, THE FOLKS ARE HOLDING VOTING OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT HAVE THAT CHOICE IN JUNE AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE.

>> YOU COULD FACE A PRIMARY, YOU HAVE THE LINE PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEEING WHICH A LOT OF ANALYSTS GIVE YOU ABOUT 35% OF THE VOTE TO START WITH.

AS THE LINE SYSTEM FAIR DO YOU THINK?

>> ULTIMATELY, IT'S ABOUT THE PRIMARY IN JUNE.

THERE ARE OTHER ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES FOR THE PRIMARY.

I KNOW HOW I FEEL.

THIS IS A MOMENT TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED TO A SURE HAND AND SAY WHAT CAN I DO TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THIS DISTRICT HOME?

SO THOSE OF THE CONVERSATIONS I'M HAVING, CONTINUING TO ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY, TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME IN JUNE.

>> Reporter: ON THE LINE ITSELF, THE CONCEPT OF THE PARTY DETERMINING VALID OPPOSITION, I'M SURE YOU KNOW THERE'S A COURT CASE MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURTS RIGHT NOW, DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT SYSTEM?

>> IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM AND IS BEING HANDLED BY, WHERE I GRADUATED IN 2011.

BUT I'M FOCUSED ON JUNE, FOCUSED ON GIVING PEOPLE A REASONABLE, I'M EXCITED ABOUT OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY THAT'S WHERE MY FOCUS IS.

>> Reporter: ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUR MESSAGE OUT THERE, WHAT IS THE MESSAGE, WHAT TYPE OF , WHY IS HE RUNNING?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WE HAVE TO DRESS THE MOMENT THE PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES IN TODAY.

THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH THIS PANDEMIC, REALLY SHINED A LIGHT ON A LOT OF STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECT THE OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR STATE AND OUR WORKFORCE AND FOLKS THAT HAVE THE STRESS OF BOTH CHILDCARE, FOLKS ALSO HAVE ELDERCARE, ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND RETHINKING OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS, THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE, I'M SOMEONE THAT HAS HIS PUBLIC SERVICE IN ME.

BUT JUST WITH MY FATHER BUT WITH MY MOTHER WHO WORKED IN THE CITY'S SCHOOL SYSTEMS HER ENTIRE CAREER.

I'M SHAPED BY MY GRANDMOTHERS, ONE OF WHO IMMIGRATED IN CUBA AND PLANTED OUR FAMILY'S ROOTS HERE IN HUDSON COUNTY WHERE WE GREW UP.

EVERY DAY I WAKE UP TO MY 21 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I THINK ABOUT MY NIECES FUTURES, THINK ABOUT MY NEIGHBORS AND CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

IS SOMETHING THAT THE 54.

WE NEED TO DO BETTER THAN WE ARE DOING NOW SO I'M RAISING MY HAND.

>> FOR DAVID'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH ROB MENENDEZ TUNE IN TO CHAT BOX, SATURDAY 6:30 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING 10:30 AM ON NJ PBS.

DON'T FORGET TO CATCH ALL THE TOP POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEKEND ON REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT AND YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY , SERVING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.