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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

HEALTH AGENCIES ARE PLANNING TO ANNOUNCE A NEW WARNING THIS WEEK.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS BY "THE WASHINGTON POST," THE POSSIBILITY THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S CORONAVIRUS VACCINE MAY BE LINKED TO A SERIOUS, BUT RARE SIDE EFFECT CALLED GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME.

AND IT'S A NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER IN WHICH THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ATTACKS THE NERVES.

THE CDC IS STRESSING THAT THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE STILL OUTWEIGH THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECT, ESPECIALLY WITH NEW HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANCE SPREADING IN NEW JERSEY, THE DELTA STRAIN IS NOT A PREDOMINANT., RESULTING IN ABOUT 41% OF CASES ACCORDING TO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

STATEWIDE, MORE THAN 5.1 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED WITH 227 NEW CASES AND FOUR MORE DEATHS BEING REPORTED.

IF YOU HAVE LOST OR DAMAGED YOUR VACCINATION CARD, YOU ARE IN LUCK.

STARTING TODAY, THE STATE WILL PROVIDE DIGITAL ACCESS TO YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION RECORD THROUGH A FREE APP CALLED DOC IT.

NOW, IT IS NOT A VACCINE PASSPORT ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR MURPHY, BUT IT IS AN OPTION FOR RESIDENTS WHO NEED TO SHARE THEIR STATUS FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

>> I'M NOT KNOW, BUT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE EQUITY FRONT, AND PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, BUT IN PARTICULAR, BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, WE ARE NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE, AND I CONTINUED TO BLEED UNTIL WE ARE, THAT WE, AND UNTIL WE'VE GIVEN EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT AND EVERYONE HAS HAD A FAIR ACCESS TO THE VACCINE, THEN VOLUME OPEN-MINDED, I DON'T THINK THE TIMING IS RIGHT.

>> THE NATIONAL OUTBREAK OF GUN VIOLENCE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LETTING UP HERE AT HOME, OR ELSEWHERE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY MET WITH CITY POLICE LEADERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO REDUCE CRIME.

AMONG THEM, LIEUTENANT ANTHONY LIMA FROM NEW YORK'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE RECORDS FOR JUNE, BOTH NEWARK AND ESSEX COUNTY LEAD THE STATE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

BIDEN'S PLAN FOCUSES ON GIVING FUNDING TO CITIES IN NEED OF MORE OFFICERS AND CRACKING DOWN THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL GUNS.

BUT, A LOT OF THE STRATEGIES BEING DISCUSSED TODAY WERE VOLUNTARY AND ENCOURAGING CITIES TO USE COVID-19 RELIEF MONEY TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT BY INCREASING COMMUNITY SUPPORT, JOBS FOR TEENAGERS, AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL POLICING.

THIS WEEK, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE STATE WILL OPEN THEIR MAILBOX AND FIND A CHECK.

SOME FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE TWO.

FEDERAL CHILD TAX CREDIT SLATED TO CUT CHILD POVERTY IN HALF IN NEW JERSEY AND THE U.S., AND A STATE REBATE THAT WAS PROMISED LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE DEAL TO RAISE TAXES ON MILLIONAIRES.

IT COMES JUSTICE ADVOCATES SAY MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES NEEDED MOST.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> I LIVE WITH MY HUSBAND, AND I HAVE FOUR KIDS.

THE PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED OUR WORK.

I PERSONALLY LOST HOURS OF WORK.

>> Reporter: CAROLINA LIVES IN WEST NEW YORK WITH HER HUSBAND AND FOUR CHILDREN.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC, BOTH SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF JOBS, PUTTING AN INCREASING STRAIN ON THEIR FINANCES.

>> WHEN I LOST MY JOB I WAS LEFT HOME TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY AND OUR WELL-BEING.

MY HUSBAND ALSO UNFORTUNATELY LOST WORK FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

HOWEVER DURING THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC, HE WAS ASKED TO WORK AND CONTINUED WORKING DESPITE THE RISK OF GETTING COVERED.

>> Reporter: NOW, FINANCIAL HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR CAROLINA'S FAMILY AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER NEW JERSEYANS WHO WILL BE RECEIVING A LITTLE EXTRA CASH EVERY MONTH THANKS TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

>> ELIGIBLE FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY WHO FILED THEIR 2019 OR 2020 TAXES WILL BEGIN RECEIVING PAYMENTS UP TO THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH.

EVERY MONTH TO THE END OF DECEMBER.

AND, REALLY, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY FOR FAMILIES THAT DON'T HAVE STATUS, AND ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR STATUS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE ANY FEDERAL OR STATE RELIEF TO DATE.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS HUGE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE PAIN OF MAY THROUGH DECEMBER, THE LAW PROVIDES UP TO ANOTHER $1800 PER CHILD TO BE PAID OUT NEXT YEAR.

MARRIED HOUSEHOLDS MAKING UP TO $150,000 A YEAR, ANYONE FILING HEAD OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH A YEARLY INCOME OF $112,500, AND SINGLE FILERS MAKING UP TO $75,000 A YEAR ARE ELIGIBLE.

>> MANY HOUSES ARE GETTING A $500 TAX REBATE HELPING OTHER FAMILIES CLIMB OUT OF DEBT.

ACCORDING TO COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, THE EXTRA FUNDS WILL HELP NEARLY 1.6 MILLION CHILDREN ACROSS THE STATE.

MANY WHO ARE CHILDREN OF COLOR.

>> HAVING $323 EXTRA A MONTH MEANS THAT FOLKS CAN HAVE MONEY TO LEAN ON TO HELP THEM REBUILD POST PANDEMIC, RIGHT?

WE KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, EVEN WITH YOU KNOW, FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, THERE CONTINUE TO BE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT STAND ON REDLINES EVERY DAY.

THIS MEANS THAT FOLKS ARE ABLE TO YOU KNOW, PUT MORE INTO KEEPING THEIR FAMILIES AFLOAT, BUT COVERING THE LIGHT BILLS OR JUST STARTING TO PAY BACK ALL THE RENT THAT IS DUE.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH CAROLINA SAYS SHE IS GRATEFUL, SHE SAYS IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> THESE MONTHLY PAYMENTS WILL BE A START THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR US TO COVER GROCERIES FOR MY FAMILY.

HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TO COVER RENT, OR MEDICAL BILLS, OR ANY UTILITY BILLS FOR OUR FAMILY.

WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR ECONOMY, AND WE ASK THAT WE ELONGATE US OR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO DRIVE.

>> FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO START RECEIVING CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS ON JULY 15.

COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS SAY THEY WILL BE CAMPAIGNING TO MAKE THE CREDIT PERMANENT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IT'S A WAKE-UP CALL FOR SOME LOCAL LEADERS WHO CITIES HOUSED SCORES OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.

IN THE WAKE OF THE PARTIAL CONDO COLLAPSE IN SURFSIDE FLORIDA, JERSEY CITY'S MAYOR IS TIGHTENING SAFETY RULES ON BUILDINGS, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID A DISASTER LIKE THE ONE STILL PLAYING OUT.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> IT'S CATASTROPHIC AND SAD, AND WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED THAT WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> THE CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE OF CHAMPLAIN TOWERS SOUTH IN SURFSIDE, FLORIDA IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

THE HORRIFIC SITUATION IS REVERBERATING ALL THE WAY UP IN NEW JERSEY.

WERE COMMUNITIES LIKE JERSEY CITY ARE REALLY EVALUATING ITS BUILDING REGULATIONS AS EVERYONE AWAITS ANSWERS.

>> AND VALAIKA WHAT HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA, WE HAVE MULTIPLE RESIDENCE IN DIFFERENT HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS REACH OUT TO US AND SAY LOOK, I BELIEVE THAT OUR BUILDING HAS AN ISSUE, THERE'S BEEN ENGINEERING REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE CONDO BOARD IN OUR BUILDING, THAT THEY HAVE AN ACT ABOUT IT.

>> STEVE PHILLIPS IS THE NEW LEGISLATION WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY WILL REQUIRE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER TO INSPECT THAT THE SIDE OF BUILDINGS IN JERSEY CITY EVERY FIVE YEARS.

AND STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS EVERY 10 YEARS.

>> NEW JERSEY DOES NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF LAWS TODAY, IT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR A LOT OF PERMITS AND APPROVALS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN INITIALLY BEFORE THEY GET A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.

BUT ONE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED OF THE BUILDINGS ARE REALLY GOVERNED BY THEMSELVES.

>> THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS ONLY REALLY INVOLVED DURING AN INITIAL DESIGN PHASE, OR IF IT'S GOING THROUGH SOME MAJOR ALTERATION OR REHABILITATION.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AFFAIRS, MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS ARE INSPECTED EVERY FIVE YEARS FROM MINISTRY BUT, NOT BY AN ENGINEER.

THEY LOOK FOR HABITABILITY PROVISIONS FOR HEAT, INFESTATION, AND LET HAZARDS IN SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, EXTRACTORS ALSO A VISUAL, NONDESTRUCTIVE VISUAL OF FOUNDATION AND STRUCTURAL MEMBERS.

THEY NOTICE SOMETHING THAT WAS QUESTIONABLE FOR STRUCTURAL PURPOSES, THEY WILL ALERT THE BUILDING OWNER, AND THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL.

IF A DETERMINATION CANNOT BE MADE, DCA SAYS THE TOWN MIGHT NEED TO CONTACT AN ENGINEER FOR REVIEW.

THE OFFICIAL RAILS OFTEN DON'T HAVE VISIBILITY INTO THOSE SORTS OF ISSUES BECAUSE NEW JERSEY DOES NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF REQUIREMENTS WHERE THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT PAPERWORK TO THE CITY.

SO, THE CITY WOULD NOT KNOW IF A BOARD IS AWARE OF AN ISSUE THAT THEY ARE NOT CORRECTING.

>> Reporter: MAYOR PHILIP SAYS HIS NEW LEGISLATION WILL CREATE TRANSPARENCY.

>> WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, WE HAVE A LARGE DEVELOPING CONFLICT THAT HAS SOME ISSUES IN THEIR GARAGE UNDERNEATH WHERE THERE IS SOME CRACKS IN WATER LEAKAGE VERY SIMILAR NOW TO WHAT YOU'VE SEEN IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA OR WHAT WE HEARD ABOUT, AND THEY HAVE AN ASSESSMENT THAT WOULD BE CLOSE TO $50 MILLION TO REPAIR IT IN ITS ENTIRETY.

SO, YOU'RE LOOKING AT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN ADDED FEES TEACH CONDO OWNER, AND THE BOARD IS RELUCTANT TO DO THAT.

ONCE THE CITY IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD PUT PEOPLE AT RISK, THEN THE CITY CAN LEAN INTO IT A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVELY TO MAKE SURE IT'S GETTING CORRECTED.

>> THE LEVEL THAT THE DETERIORATION CONTRIBUTED TO THE ULTIMATE COLLAPSE IS YOU KNOW, HIGHLY UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A STRUCTURE THAT'S BEEN SITTING THERE FOR A LONG TIME IT'S LIKE A BUNCH OF ISSUES.

>> Reporter: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CIVIL AND MENTAL ENGINEERING SAYS THE RISK OF A BUILDING ALL OF A SUDDEN COLLAPSING IS EXTREMELY LOW.

>> A LOT OF TIMES YOU KNOW, WE WILL FIND AN ERROR THAT MAY BE PRESENTED ITSELF DURING CONSTRUCTION THE FIRST TIME.

THERE IS A LARGE NATURAL HAZARD THAT OCCURS THROUGH IT, BUT IT'S RARE TO HAVE SOMETHING JUST SITTING THERE FOR FOUR YEARS AND COLLAPSE.

>> STILL, GOVERNOR MURPHY INSINUATED CHANGES ON THE WAY TO ENSURE SAFETY.

>> WE ARE REVISITING CODE REGULARITY OF INSPECTION, ETC.

AS WE SHOULD.

THIS IS A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE WAKE-UP CALL.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY REACHED OUT WHEN WE ANNOUNCED IT AND HE SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA AND I WOULD SUSPECT THAT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT SOMEONE INTRODUCES SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR ON THE STATEWIDE LEVEL.

>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>> LAST YEAR, IT WAS TOILET PAPER AND PACKAGED MEAT, NOW, SOME 17 MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC, THERE IS A GLOBAL MICROCHIP SHORTAGE AND IT'S PUSHING CONSUMER PRICES HIGHER ON EVERYTHING FROM LAPTOPS AND PRINTERS TO CARS, DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE STATE ARE BEING PLAGUED BY LOW INVENTORY.

I THINK THE HOUSING MARKET WAS TOUGH, THE SHORTAGE MEANS THAT EVEN USED CARS ARE GOING FOR SKYHIGH RATES.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> IS CRAZY, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE.

>> Reporter: DEBBIE DROVE 26 MILES TO BUY A USED CAR FOR HER DAUGHTER, EMPTY PARKING SPOTS GAPE ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR, HERE.

CERTAINLY PACKED WITH SHINY NEW VEHICLES.

THE DEALERSHIP USUALLY STOCKS ABOUT 500 NEW CARS, BUT TODAY, IT'S GOT ABOUT 80 ON THE LOT.

MOST OF THEM, ALREADY SOLD.

NEW CAR SALES STALLED BY A MICROCHIP SHORTAGE >> IT TOOK US PROBABLY LIKE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TO JUST FIND SOMETHING IN OUR PRICE RANGE.

THERE'S NO CARS, AND ANY TIME YOU GO ON SOMEPLACE IT'S LIKE IT'S GONE.

I HAD TO SNAP THIS UP BEFORE IT WAS GONE FOR THIS LIKE PEOPLE LOOKING AT IT AS WE WERE BUYING IT.

>> 38 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO THIS MAGNITUDE OF LACK OF NEW-CAR INVENTORY.

>> AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF THE CHIPS.

DID YOU SEE THIS COMING QUESTION >> NEVER SAW IT COMING.

>> HAWTHORNE CHEVYS PRESIDENT SAYS THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT SUPPLY NEW VEHICLES WITHOUT SEMICONDUCTOR MICROCHIPS.

CARS CURRENTLY ROLLING OFF ASSEMBLY LINES, MANY BUILT WITHOUT SHIPS OFTEN END UP PARKED AND WAITING FOR THOSE TINY CRITICAL PARTS BEFORE THEY CAN SHIP.

THE SHORTAGE STARTED DURING THE COVID LOCKDOWN WHEN PEOPLE WORKED AND WENT TO SCHOOL FROM HOME AND ORDER TVs AND SMART PHONES AND LAPTOPS.

>> EVERYBODY HAD TO HAVE A LAPTOP TO COMPUTE AND TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THIS.

SO, THE DEMAND FOR THOSE CHIPS SKYROCKETED.

AT THE SAME TIME, BECAUSE OF COVID, SOME OF THE FACTORIES HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN.

>> WANT TO BUY A TRUCK QUESTION MARK THAT SHORTAGE IS EVEN WORSE EVEN THOUGH MANY CUSTOMERS ARE FLUSHED WITH CASH SAVED DURING THE PANDEMIC NED EAGER TO BYE.

>> THEY WALK IN THE DOOR AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

YOU KNOW, AND YOUR VEHICLE NOW.

WHEN CAN I SEE IT?

MAYBE AUGUST, MAYBE SEPTEMBER AND PEOPLE JUST WALK OUT.

IT'S JUST REALLY BAD.

WE TURN AWAY PEOPLE EVERY DAY, IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING POINT >> WE HAVE PEOPLE CALLING FROM NORTH CAROLINA, WISCONSIN, FROM MICHIGAN, AND BUYING USED CARS.

AND EVEN NEW CARS IF THEY CAN FIND THE ONE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AT OUR PARTICULAR LOT.

>> WHILE INVENTORY IS DOWN, PRICES ARE OFF.

CARFAX REPORTS THAT THE OVERALL LIST PRICE FOR NEW VEHICLES ROSE 25% FROM A YEAR AGO.

>> PEOPLE ARE PAYING OVER LIST PRICE, SOMEBODY I SAW BOUGHT A CAR OF LIST PRICE OVER 37,000 AND THE STICK ON THE WINDOW HAD 95 SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE AND THEN HE HAD A LINE IN THERE CALLED ADDITIONAL DEALER MARKUP.

$3000, AND THEY SAID TO HIM, IF YOU DON'T PAY IT, SOMEBODY ELSE WILL.

>> THE PRICES OF CARS ARE RIDICULOUS, CARS AND TRUCKS, YOU CANNOT BUY THEM.

IF YOU DO BY THEM, YOU'RE PAYING 7500 FOR WHAT YOU USED TO PAY $3000 FOR.

>> Reporter: USED CAR DEALER SAYS HE GETS INTO BIDDING WARS OVER PREOWNED VEHICLES REGARDLESS HIS INVENTORIES PLUMMETED, HIS LOSS, CLOSE TO EMPTY.

>> HOW MANY CARS CAN YOU USUALLY FIT IN HERE?

>> BEXAR ABOUT 40.

40 QUESTION MARK AND YOU GOT HOW MANY NOW QUESTION XPS MAYBE 10 QUESTION >> HE SAYS SPARE PARTS CAN ALSO BE JUSTIFIED.

AS FOR CHIPS, MANUFACTURED MOSTLY IN ASIA, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PROPOSED SOME $50 BILLION TO BEEF UP THE U.S. SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY.

DEALERS WHO HAD HOPED TO REPAY REVENUE BONANZAS FEEL STUCK IN NEUTRAL BETWEEN THE LOW SUPPLY AND HIGH DEMAND.

SO TO CUSTOMERS.

>> IT'S HARD, IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD A NEW CAR, AND NOW THEY ARE STUCK, THERE'S NO USED CARS OUT THERE.

>> AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN COULD STAY CRIMPED FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE MONTHS, ANALYSTS PREDICT.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> LAWMAKERS MAY BE RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS TO CHALLENGE NEW YORK'S COMMUTER TAX ON JERSEY WORKERS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA.

>>> THE MURPHY DEMONSTRATION SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THOSE RESIDENTS WHO ARE PAYING NEW YORK INCOME TAXES EVEN THOUGH THEY BEEN WORKING AT HOME IN NEW JERSEY THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

BUT, IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT OPTIONS THE ADMINISTRATION CAN PURSUE.

NEW JERSEY BACK TO THE LEGAL CHALLENGE ON COMMUTER TAXES THAT WAS INSPIRED BY NEW HAMPSHIRE AGAINST MASSACHUSETTS, BUT THE SUPREME COURT DECLINED LAST NIGHT TO HEAR THE CASE.

SOME LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO PUSHING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ACTION, BUT NEXT STEPS REMAIN UNCLEAR.

AS WE REPORT, NOT ONLY TO THE STATE TREASURY BENEFIT FROM ADDED TAX DOLLARS, NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS WOULD ALSO BENEFIT IF THEY NO LONGER HAD TO PAY TAXES TO NEW YORK.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THAT NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY HAVE INCOME TAXES, AND THE RATES MAY BE HIGHER FOR SOMEONE WHO'S PAYING TAXES TO NEW YORK THAN THEY WOULD PAY IF THERE PAYING THEIR TAXES TO NEW JERSEY.

SO, INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS COULD BENEFIT IF THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR TAXES TO NEW JERSEY INSTEAD OF NEW YORK.

>> FOR MORE ON THIS REPORT, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO OFFER THEIR OPINIONS ON A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP GET THE STATE'S ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK.

THIS WEEK, THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS HOLDING PUBLIC SESSIONS, LOOKING FOR INPUT ON A DRAFT RULE PROPOSAL FOR ITS NEW MAINSTREET RECOVERY FINANCE PROGRAM.

THAT IS A $100 MILLION FUND FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT IT WILL PROVIDE GRANTS DIRECTLY TO BUSINESSES AS WELL AS LOANS, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

NEW BRUNSWICK SAYS JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS LAUNCHING NEW GLOBAL RESEARCH CENTERS TO TRY TO ACCELERATE RESEARCH ON MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES.

THE COMPANY SAYS COVID-19 SHOWED THAT INVESTMENTS IN EARLY-STAGE RESEARCH ARE CRITICAL.

LAKEWOOD BANK IS REQUIRING FIRST CONSTITUTION BANK AND EXPANDING ITS PRESENCE IN CENTRAL JERSEY.

THE DEAL CREATES THE FIFTH- LARGEST BANK TO BE HEADQUARTERED IN NEW JERSEY, AND IT'S EXPECTED TO CLOSE LATER THIS YEAR.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET'S TRADING FOR TODAY.

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

>>> THIS NOVEMBER, VOTERS WILL JUST HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AT THE TOP OF THE BALLOT, THEY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER LEGAL SPORTS BETTING SHOULD EXTEND TO THE COLLEGE LEVEL.

IT'S ALREADY LEGAL AND 25 OTHER STATES, BUT THE IDEA MAY NOT BE AS POPULAR IN JERSEY AS ADVOCATES HOPED.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT DICKINSON UNIVERSITY POLL, VOTERS OPPOSE THE IDEA BY A 2 TO 1 MARGIN.

IS 25% OF THOSE SURVEYED SUPPORT EXPANDING GAMBLING TO LOCAL COLLEGE TEAMS, 49% WERE AGAINST IT, AND 23% WERE UNSURE.

BUT, SOME LAWMAKERS AND BUSINESS GROUPS SEE LEGALIZING GAMBLING AS A WAY TO BOOST SPORTS WAGERING REVENUE FOR THE STATE.

>> NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS REALLY WERE VERY STRONG IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS, THERE WAS ALMOST NO OBJECTION AS THEY WERE VOTING.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE REASONS ARE THAT THE STATE DOES GET MONEY FROM THIS TAX REVENUE, BEGET WHETHER YOUR EXCUSE ME, YOU ARE BETTING IN PERSON AT A CASINO, OR AT A RACETRACK, OR DOING IT ONLINE.

SO, THERE ARE CERTAINLY BENEFITS TO THE STATE FROM THAT.

SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IS, THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF YOU KNOW, PUBLIC PUSH FOR THIS.

>> AS WE GET CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY, UNFINISHED BUSINESS REMAINS, BUT HOW CAMPAIGNS HANDLE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS BY WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS.

THE STATE WENT TO A POLITICAL RECKONING WITH THE ME TOO MOVEMENT INTO CRITICAL STEPS TOWARD ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OVER THE LAST YEAR, BUT ONE BIG COMPONENT IS STILL ON THE TABLE.

AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE DEDICATED TO INVESTIGATING THOSE COMPLAINTS THAT WON'T BE UP AND RUNNING UNTIL LONG AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS OVER.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> IT JUST TOOK US A WHILE TO GET TO THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG SAYS THAT SHE ALLOWED TOO MUCH INPUT ON TWO BILLS THAT CREATE PROTECTIONS FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGN WORKERS TO EXPERIENCE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT.

THE SENATE RECENTLY PASSED THE BILLS, BUT THEY WON'T GET A HEARING IN THE ASSEMBLY UNTIL AFTER THE SUMMER, AND EVEN IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THEM RIGHT AWAY, THE PROTECTIONS WON'T BE IN PLACE FOR THIS YEAR'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT PAST IN TIME FOR THIS ELECTION.

I THINK CERTAINLY EVERY CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE IS KEENLY AWARE OF IT.

SO, I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE HOPEFULLY BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL IN THE WAY THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THEIR CAMPAIGNS RUN.

>> Reporter: ONE PROTECTION WOULD BE AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE UNDER THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS OF HARASSMENT THAT MAY ARISE DURING THIS ELECTION SEASON.

BUT, IT IS A TOPIC AT THE FOREFRONT OF BOTH THE MURPHY AND CHIARELLI CAMPAIGNS.

MURPHY'S CAMPAIGN UNDER FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY HAS HIRED THE HR CONSULTING FIRM THAT PROVIDES MANDATORY SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING, AND WILL DEVELOP A CODE OF CONDUCT.

THEY WILL ALSO CREATE A REPORTING STRUCTURE AND PROVIDE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS SERVICES OF A CLAIM THAT IS MADE ALONG WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR TERMINATION.

>> THEY DO TRAINING PROGRAMS REGULARLY AS WE WRAP THE TEAM UP AND WE ARE WRAPPING UP FOR A SUBSTANTIALLY.

AND, IT'S A FIRM THAT IS QUITE RENOWNED IN THE SPACE, AND I'M VERY HAPPY, AND GLAD THAT YOU MADE THE DECISION.

>> GIVING THE CREDIT HIS WIFE, ASSEMBLYMAN HAS ALSO SET UP A TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT PROCESS ON HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> ANYBODY THAT WORKS IN OUR CAMPAIGN IS AWARE OF WHAT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES GO THROUGH THE TRAINING, ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES SIGN A DOCUMENT SAYING THEY ARE AWARE OF THE POLICY, AND ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE MADE AWARE THAT ANYTHING LESS THAN THE MOST APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

>> HE SET UP A REPORTING HOTLINE THAT GOES TO RETIRED SENATOR, DIANE ALLEN THAT WOULD THEN BE INVESTIGATED BY THE PATENT BUYOUT.

NEITHER HAD THE STRUCTURES IN PLACE DURING THE 2017 CAMPAIGNS.

CHIARELLI BLAMES MURPHY.

>> REFER TO THIS AS MURPHY'S LAW.

PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE IN EXISTENCE IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE CONDUCT THAT TOOK PLACE DURING HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: THE ISSUE DID COME TO A HEAD WHEN KATIE BRENNAN ALLEGED SHE WAS RAPED BY A MURPHY CAMPAIGN ALVAREZ.

HE DENIES THE ALLEGATION BUT WEINBERG SAYS SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MISOGYNY AND POLITICS DATES WAY BACK.

>> I CAME FROM AN ERA WHERE WE DID NOT HAVE A VOCABULARY TO USE TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST A NORMAL PART OF THE ATMOSPHERE, AND YOU LEARN HOW TO EVADE IT AS BEST HE COULD.

SOMETIMES SUCCESSFULLY, SOMETIMES NOT.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS ANOTHER KATIE BRENNAN -LIKE SITUATION DURING ONE OF THESE CAMPAIGNS?

>> WELL, NOW WE HAVE BETTER LAWS IN PLACE, SOME OF WHICH CAME DIRECTLY OUT OF KATIE BRENNAN'S EXPERIENCE.

>> LIKE A 2019 LAW THAT BANS ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS, OR NDAs IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS.

THAT LAW DID NOT ORIGINALLY OVERWRITE THE NDAs FROM EARTH'S 2017 CAMPAIGNS ALTHOUGH, HE LATER FREED STAFF TO TALK.

CHIARELLI ANNOUNCED AT THE START OF THIS CAMPAIGN THAT HE WOULD REQUIRE NO NDAs, THAT UNTIL THEY BECOME LAW, IT'S STILL UP TO THE CAMPAIGNS TO GOVERN THEMSELVES.

LOBBYISTS SAY IT IS BETTER TO GET IT RIGHT THAN FAST.

>> SOMETHING LIKE THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO SET UP, IT'S THE FIRST EVER MODEL IN THE NATION, AND FRANKLY, IF WE WERE RUSHING IT TO MEET THE DEADLINE BEFORE THE ELECTIONS, THERE IS SOME THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MISSED.

I MEAN, THIS ELECTION SEASON WILL BE DIFFERENT, JUST INHERENTLY BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSATION AND TRANSPARENCY AROUND THIS, SO FOR ME, THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> AND A STEP THAT FOR MANY WOMEN IN POLITICS CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> MEANWHILE IN NEWARK, AN INTERACTIVE MUSEUM ON THE RESIDENCE MOVEMENTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THE CITY'S FIRST POLICE PRECINCT WILL BE TRANSITIONED INTO THE NEWARK COMMUNITY MUSEUM AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND AFTER THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TRAUMA RECOVERY.

IT IS INTENDED TO CHRONICLE THE LOCAL ACTIVISM THAT IS HELPING BRING ABOUT POSITIVE POLICE REFORMS.

THE PRECINCT IS ALSO THE LOCATION WHERE THE 1967 NEWARK REBELLION BEGAN 54 YEARS AGO TODAY.

NEW YORK CITY HISTORIAN WILL LEAD THE EFFORT CONVERTING THE BUILDING INTO A PERMANENT DISPLAY, PORTRAYING THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE, AND AN INTOLERANCE FOR ANYTHING LESS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER STORIES THAT MAKE US LOOK WHO WE ARE.

THE OTHER STORIES OF STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, FOR DIGNITY, THE FAILURES, THE UPS, THE DOWNS.

THE PEOPLE WHO LEAD THOSE STRUGGLES AND THEN MADE A DIFFERENCE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

MEN AND WOMEN, BLACK, LATINO, WHITE.

WHAT ABOUT THE SPECIAL CULTURE THAT GIVES NEWARK ITS FLAVOR.

WHAT ABOUT THAT CULTURE?

THE MUSIC, DANCE, THE VISUAL ARTS, THE DRAMA.

ALL THOSE THINGS THAT MAKE UP THIS ENVIRONMENT DRIVE, THE GOOD AND THE BAD.

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG WHERE ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS YOU CONTINUE FOLLOWING ARE REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

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

>> HAVE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT WHO ARE THE POLICYHOLDERS QUESTION THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND, THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATES A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.