>>> 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 THE OCEAN WING PROCESSION.

BY ORSTED.

AND PSE&G.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AFTER TODAY, ALMOST ALL NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES WILL BE ABLE TO DROP THE REMAINING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PUT IN PLACE 14 MONTHS AGO TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC.

INDOOR LIMITS FOR GATHERINGS AND CONCERTS WILL BE LIFTED TOMORROW.

FULL CROWDS AND NO SOCIAL DISTANCING IF BUSINESSES CHOOSE TO DO SO.

MANY ARE AS THE NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS TICKS UP SLOWLY.

NEARLY 4.3 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

JUST SHY OF 5 MILLION HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

THIS PAST HOLIDAY WEEKEND WAS A GOOD INDICATER FOR JUST HOW EAGER THE POPULATION IS TO GET BACK OUT AND ABOUT.

AND, THEIR CONFIDENCE.

TRAVEL SURGED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN A YEAR.

AIRLINES ARE ADDING ROUTES AND FLIGHTS TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

IS IT HERE TO STAY?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT IS SCARY AND HARD FOR SOME OF US BUT I WAS LIKE LET'S JUST DO THIS.

WE HAVE TO BE BACK.

>> Reporter: KIM JOSEPH AND HER SMALL PAL JOJO FLEW IN FROM CLEVELAND ON A CHOCK FULL AIRPLANE TO MEET FAMILY HERE.

IT IS GETTING A BIT CROWDED FLYING THE FRIENDLY SKIES INTO NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL.

AIR TRAVEL IS REALLY TAKING OFF.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE AIRLINES GET BACK TO ADDING MORE FLIGHTS BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET HERE.

NORMALLY I HAVE MORE OPTIONS.

>> RAMPING UP SERVICE WOULD BE GOOD SO THE PLANES ARE NOT SUPER CROWDED.

>> IT FEELS WEIRD TO HAVE PUBLIC PLACES CROWDED AGAIN I GUESS BUT IT IS STILL GREAT NICE TO SEE EVERYONE ENJOYING THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THE TSA SCREENED 1.9 MILLION PASSENGERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

A 14 MONTH HIGH.

KIMBERLY ASKED IF ANYONE WAS WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR TICKET.

>> PEOPLE HAVE THE COMFORT LEVEL WHERE THEY FEEL IT IS SAFE TO TRAVEL.

LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TOGETHER WITH FAMILY.

>> WE DRIVE FROM HERE TO FLORIDA AND BACK.

I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE 20 HOURS SO I FLY.

>> FOR LEISURE DEMAND, WE ARE PRETTY MUCH BACK TO PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> Reporter: ANALYST ELAINE BAKER SAYS BUSINESS TRAVEL IS COMING BACK BUT STILL DOWN COME FAIRED TO PRE-COVID TRAVEL WITH RECOVERY EXPECTED TO TAKE A COUPLE OF YEARS.

MOST PEOPLE WITH COVID FATIGUE WANT A BIG CHANGE OF SCENERY AND A HUG.

>> THEY WANT THE GET BACK OUT THERE.

THEY WANT TO DO FAMILY AND FRIEND VISITS.

PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVEN'T SEEN IN A REALLY LONG TIME.

>> Reporter: LESS POPULAR RIGHT NOW, FLIGHTS TO EUROPE.

BECKER SAYS, SHE FIGURES IT COULD TAKE FIVE YEARS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO REBOUND.

MANY NATIONS NOW REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE COVID TEST AND PASSENGERS LINED UP FOR TESTS HERE IN TERMINAL C. >> EVERYTHING HAS BEEN GOING VERY WELL.

WE ARE VERY, VERY BUSY.

>> Reporter: UNITED ISED AING 480 MORE FLIGHTS IN JUNE COMPARED TO THE MAY SCHEDULE AND ALLOWED ANOTHER 400 IN JULY.

THAT WILL BRING UNITED'S DOMESTIC FLIGHT OPERATIONS UP 80%.

>> WE ARE SEEING DEMAND FOR OUTSIDE TYPE ENVIRONMENTS.

NEAR OUR NATIONAL PARKS.

OBVIOUSLY, THE FLORIDA AREA.

AND THE BEACHES.

WE HAVE SEEN THE DEMAND BE EXTREMELY STRONG AND SO, WE ARE TRYING TO MATCH THAT DEMAND BY PUTTING FLIGHTS IN THE PLACES PEOPLE WANT TO GO.

>> Reporter: JOHN WORKS IN NEWARK AS UNITED'S MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STATION OPERATIONS.

WHILE DOMESTIC TRAVEL IS RISING RAPIDLY, HE SAYS, UNITED IS HALFWAY TOWARD REBUILDING ITS INVENTORY OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS OUT OF NEWARK WITH 32 DESTINATIONS INCLUDING ATHENS AND JOHANNESBERG THIS MONTH.

MASKS REMAIN MANDATORY AND ALCOHOL SERVICE IS SUSPENDED ON AMERICAN AND SOUTHWEST AIRLINES.

IT IS RESTRICTED IN COACH ON SOME UNITED FLIGHTS.

>> TO HOPEFULLY GET AWAY FROM SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU HAVE READ ABOUT IN THE PRESS.

>> Reporter: THE FAA REPORTED 2500 COMPLAINTS OF MISCONDUCT RELATED TO COVID RESTRICTIONS AND EXTENDED ITS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY INTO SEPTEMBER.

THAT IS JUST FINE WITH KIM.

>> I'M VERY WELL BEHAVED.

IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME.

BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO TOLERANCE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE DISRUPTIVE.

ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: KEEPING THOSE FRIENDLY SKIES FRIENDLY.

AT NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> AND, A NEW RUTGERS POLL REVEALS A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT ON PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY SAYING THEY WON'T GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

ROUGHLY A THOUSAND PEOPLE SURVEYED, 16% REMAIN UNWILLING TO GET THE SHOT.

10% WILL LIKELY GET VACCINATED.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY, 73%, SAID THEY HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

CONCERNS ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS AND MISTRUST IN GOVERNMENT WERE AMONG THE TOP REASONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE A HARD NO.

BUT THE NUMBERS SHOW A BIG SHIFT FROM WIDESPREAD VACCINE HESITANCY WHEN FOUR IN TEN SAID THEY WOULD NOT GET VACCINATED.

OTHER POLLING DATA SHOWS LESS HESITANCY AMONG PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WITHIN THOSE COMMUNITIES, DIFFERENT CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO LOWER VACCINATION RATES.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE HEAVY RAIN MAY NOT LURE MOST PEOPLE TO THIS MOBILE COVID-19 VACCINATION UNIT, BUT, RESIDENT MARCOS SAYS THE ACCESSIBILITY DID.

HE HAS BEEN WANTING TO GET THE SHOT, BUT DIDN'T WANT TO MISS WORK.

>> HE SAID IT WAS MUCH BETTER FOR HIM.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS VERY CONVENIENT.

IT WAS CLOSE TO HIS HOME AND HIS WORK.

>> Reporter: A KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION NATIONAL REPORT SHOWS COMPARED TO ABOUT 40% OF WHITE RESIDENTS, MORE THAN HALF OF BLACK RESIDENTS AND NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF HISPANIC RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MISSING WORK DUE TO SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE VACCINE.

>> IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE WHO IS AT A JOB THAT REQUIRES THEM TO BE THERE TO EVEN MISS ONE DAY.

YOU KNOW.

WHICH COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAYING RENT.

>> Reporter: THE STATE IS REMINDING EMPLOYERS THEY MUST HONOR SICK LEAVE FOR WORKERS GETTING THE VACCINE OR TAKING A DAY OFF BECAUSE OF SIDE EFFECTS.

>> THEY SHOULD NOT EVEN BE A CONSIDERATION.

PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH IS CRITICAL FOR PROTECTING OUR ECONOMIC HEALTH.

>> MOST OF WHAT WE SEE IS A GREATER ACCESSIBILITY IN THE WEEKEND.

>> Reporter: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC NURSES, NEW JERSEY CHAPTER PRESIDENT DEBRA LATORIE SAYS A MOBILE VACCINATION UNIT CAN BE EFFECTIVE DEPENDING ON WHAT HOURS IT'S AVAILABLE.

>> JUST LIKE HEY, WE ARE ALL HERE TOGETHER.

THE VAN IS THERE.

THE ACCESSIBILITY IS THERE.

LET'S GO GET IT.

>> Reporter: HUDSON COUNTY DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR DAVID DRUMLER SAID THE VACCINATION RATES SLOWED DOWN AT THEIR MAIN SITES SO THEY WANTED TO GO INTO COMMUNITIES WITH LOWER VACCINATION RATES AND LESS ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION.

SO FAR, THE PLAN SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

THE MOBILE UNIT WAS SUCH A SUCCESS TODAY, THE STATE OPENED AN EXTRA TWO HOURS.

>> WITH FOLKS ROAMING THE STREETS OUT HERE.

WE HAVE FOLKS GOING TO THE PARK.

WE ARE DOING THINGS AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY.

WE HAVE A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF NONCAUCASIAN FOLKS GETTING VACCINATED.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: BUT ONLY 14% OF ALL SHOTS HAVE GONE TO HISPANIC, LATINX RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY THOUGH THEY MAKE UP 20% OF THE POPULATION.

A MATH MATHICA SURVEY FOCUSING ON JANUARY TO APRIL OF THIS YEAR FOUND CONCERNS INCLUDED "HOW QUICKLY THE VACCINE WAS DEVELOPED," THAT CLINICAL TRIALS DID NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE LIKE THEM.

UNKNOWN FUTURE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE VACCINE AND INTERACTIONS OF THE VACCINES WITH OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS.

THE SENIOR HEALTH RESEARCHER OF MATHEMATICA.

>> THE MESSENGER SHOULD BE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND THAT POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WERE LESS TRUSTED.

>> IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, FOR THE PAST 15 OR SO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN CUTTING BACK ON FUNDING FOR LATINO COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

SO, THESE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT THE LATINO COMMUNITY TRUSTS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION "PEOPLE OF COLOR MADE UP THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED VACCINATIONS AT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS BETWEEN JANUARY 8th AND MAY 21.

34% BEING HISPANIC."

THE REPORT SAYS.

JAVIER ROBLES IS THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF LATINO ACTION NETWORK.

>> I THINK SOME OF THESE ISSUES RANGE THE GAMUT BETWEEN NOT TRUSTING THE SYSTEM AS IT IS.

MAYBE THERE MIGHT BE A LANGUAGE BARRIER.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF THE GOVERNOR OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULD TURN TO THOSE TRUSTED ORGANIZATIONS, WORK WITH THEM, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, INCREASE THEIR FUNDING.

>> Reporter: I'M LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FUNDING REMAINS A CHALLENGE FOR SCHOOLS, TOO.

AS THEY PULL OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND COME SEPTEMBER, THERE WILL BE NO REMOTE LEARNING OPTION.

JUST TWO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS REMAIN ALL VIRTUAL AS THE ACADEMIC YEAR WINDS DOWN AND NEW CASES CONTINUE DECLINING.

255 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND SEVEN ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

PASSAIC AND PATERSON ARE THE LONE REMOTE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE FIGHT BETWEEN SCHOOL LEADERS AND THE PATERSON TEACHERS UNION HAS GOTTEN AS BITTER AS THEY GET.

INCHING TOWARD REOPENING SCHOOLS WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS TO GO.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR THE CITY OF PATERSON.

OUR STAFF ARE ALL BACK IN.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE FIRST TINE OF LIFE IN THE PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOL SINCE LAST MARCH AND THE DOORS WILL OPEN TO ABOUT A THOUSAND STUDENTS ALL SELF-CONTAINED SPECIAL NEEDS FROM PRE-K TO 12 AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS NEW TO THE U.S.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CELEBRATING THE MILESTONE.

>> NO ONE WANT TO REOPEN SCHOOLS MORE THAN OUR TEACHERS, OUR SECRETARIES.

OUR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS.

>> I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO GIVE ME THEIR REPORT SO WE CAN ADDRESS WHATEVER DEFICIENCIES THEY SAW.

>> Reporter: THEY SAID THEY HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE REPORT.

SUPERINTENDENT SCHAFFER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT YET TURNED OVER THE REPORT, BUT THE UNION SAYS THE DISREPAIR IS INEXCUSABLE.

>> HOW COULD YOU BE A BUILDING EXPECTING STUDENTS TO COME BACK KNOWING THEY COULD BE POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO MOLD, INOPERABLE HVAC SYSTEMS.

TOILET BOWLS WITH DISGUSTING RUST?

IT LOOKS AS IF THE SCHOOLS HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN 15 MONTHS.

THAT IS WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST DISTRICTS IN THE STATE AND THE BUILDING SHOWS IT.

THEY HAVE A STRONG TEACHER'S UNION.

THE PATERSON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN QUITE OUTSPOKEN.

ONE OF THE LARGEST LOCALS.

>> Reporter: OUR EDUCATION WRITER SAYS EVEN WITH THE FEDERAL FUNDS COMING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, ABOUT $105 MILLION TO PATERSON, THE TACK OF UPGRADING SYSTEMS IN THE DISTRICT IS ENORMOUS.

PATERSON HAS SPENT $20 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO UPDATE THE HVAC SYSTEMS AND PLAN TO TROUBLESHOOT THEM AS THEY FAIL GIVEN MANY OF THE BUILDINGS ARE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

>> A LOT OF MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON IMPROVING SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THIS STATE.

BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AND IT JUST SHOWS HOW FAR WE STILL HAVE TO GO EVEN AFTER THAT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE BATTLE OVER REOPENING CONTINUES, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE PATERSON EDUCATION FUND ARE FOCUSING THEIR EFFORTS ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND AS THEY RETURN TO THE BUILDINGS IN SEPTEMBER.

THEY WILL BE RUNNING ONE OF THE SUMMER PROGRAMS THAT EXPANDED THIS YEAR TO HELP REMEDIATE LEARNING LOSS OVER THE LAST 14 MONTHS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF ATTENTION TO SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS.

WE ARE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA.

AND I KNOW THE DISTRICT IS GIVING SOME ATTENTION TO SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS.

AND THEN, WE NEED THE REMEDIATION.

THE TIME ON TASK.

WE NEED TO FOCUS SO THAT OUR KIDS ARE BACK TO LEARNING IN CASES WHERE THEY WEREN'T.

BECAUSE NOT ALL KIDS DO WELL IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE ARE USING FUNDS FOR TUTORING.

IN THE FALL, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

AND ALSO SATURDAY PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: WHILE SCHAFFER CONTINUES HER FOCUS ON GETTING STUDENTS IN, THE UNION SAYS IT IS CONSIDERING A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT WHOSE TERM EXPIRES IN 2022.

HER RESPONSE?

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME RIGHT NOW IS THE CHILDREN IN PATERSON.

IT IS NOT IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE FIGHTING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE UNION.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CHILDREN COME TO SCHOOL AND GET EDUCATED LIKE EVERY OTHER CHILD IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON IN PATERSON IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

NO CHILD ON PLANET EARTH SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANY OF THE SITUATIONS OR CONDITIONS THEY ARE BEING EXPOSED TO IN THE SCHOOLS.

IT IS NO LONGER AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE TO SAY WOW, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US ONE THING.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CLEAN FRESH AIR AND CLEAN SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THESE BUILDINGS ARE READY FOR STUDENTS TO COME BACK NOW, BUT PREFER A PHASED IN APPROACH SO THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS CAN ORIENT THEMSELVES IN A NEW NORMAL AND THE DOORS WILL REOPEN FOR A FULL RETURN IN SEPTEMBER.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEANWHILE, IN A DAMNING NEW REPORT.

THE STATE AGENCY TASKED WITH OVERSEEING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR NEW JERSEY'S POOREST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS UNDER FIRE ONCE AGAIN.

THIS TIME, THE SCHOOL'S DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS BEING ACCUSED OF SADDLING DISTRICTS WITH SHODDY WORK THAT HAS LEFT LONG RUNNING PROBLEMS INCLUDING SEVERE VENTILATION ISSUES IN SOME OF THE NEEDIEST SCHOOLS.

IN ITS LATEST REPORT, THE STATE COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION FINDS THE AUTHORITY HAS A SPOTTY TWO-DECADE RECORD OF WASTEFUL AND NEGLECTFUL MANAGEMENT OF DOZENS OF PROPERTIES THAT RESULTED IN TENS OF MILLIONS OF LOSS LEAVING SOME TOWNS BLIGHTED.

IT DOESN'T END THERE.

DUSTIN RACIOPI IS REPORTING ON HIRING SCANDALS AT THE AGENCY TWO YEARS AGO OPENED THE DOOR FOR FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS.

HE IS WITH ME NOW.

DUSTIN, THIS CAN OF WORMS WAS REALLY OPENED BY YOU SUBMITTING REPORTS ON THE FORMER CEO OF THIS AUTHORITY.

AND DISCOVERING WHAT WAS A PATRONAGE PICK.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT WAS A LITTLE BIT, KEPT FINDING, THERE WAS PATRONAGE.

PEOPLE THAT WERE LONG TIME EMPLOYEES THAT WERE FIRED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

THAT LED TO WHOLE OTHER LEGAL ISSUES.

BUT, THIS ALSO LED TO THE STATE COMMISSION INVESTIGATION WHICH IS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY, TO START LOOKING AROUND IN THE AGENCY AND THAT OUTFIT CONFIRMED A LOT OF WHAT WE FOUND BUT THEY STARTED DIGGING FURTHER LOOKING BACK MANY YEARS, PRECEDING THAT.

LOOKING AT STRUCTURAL ISSUES AND FINANCIAL ISSUES BECAUSE THIS IS AN AGENCY FROM ITS EARLIEST DAYS THAT HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY PROBLEMS.

>> WHAT WAS THE MOST EGREGIOUS ITEM THAT STOOD OUT FOR YOU AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THIS?

>> THERE WAS ONE EXAMPLE AMONG MANY IN THERE, THAT WERE JUST LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

HOW COULD THIS BE POSSIBLE?

BUT THIS PHILLIPS BURG HIGH SCHOOL I RECALL WAS A FEW YEARS AGO TOUTED AS THIS GREAT SUCCESS STORY.

THIS BIG STRONG CAMPUS IN WEST JERSEY.

AND WE FIND OUT THROUGH THIS REPORT THAT IT IS JUST PLAGUED WITH ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS.

LIKE, THE JANITORS CAN'T OPERATE THE HEATING AND AIR BECAUSE THERE IS AN OUTSIDE VENDOR, PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY.

PROBLEM WITH THE PLUMBING.

FINE IF YOU HAVE BIG SPORTS EVENTS, YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH WATER PIPES BACKING UP.

AND THIS IS THE TYPE OF ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY THAT THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION STUDENT IS PROVIDING TO ITS STUDENTS FOR $130 MILLION AT THAT SCHOOL?

YOU KNOW.

IT IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

>> SO HOW DOES THIS PLAY INTO THE TIMING NOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS CONSIDERING REUPING FUNDING FOR THIS AUTHORITY?

>> THAT IS ONE OF MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

THIS WAS AT THE TOP OF SOME LAWMAKER'S MINDS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN PRECEDENT.

BUT, GOVERNOR MURPHY AND LAWMAKERS NEED TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT WHAT WILL HAPPEN GOING FORWARD.

THE AUTHORITY HAS ENOUGH MONEY LEFT TO COMPLETE WHAT IT HAS ON DECK IN TERMS OF PROJECTS FOR THE NEXT THREE-AND-A-HALF AND FOUR YEARS.

THEY HAVE A LITTLE TIME.

BUT THEY NEED TO DECIDE BASED ON ALL THE DIFFERENT REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT THERE.

IS THIS THE AGENCY THAT IS NEEDED FOR NEW JERSEY OR SHOULD IT BE SOMETHING ELSE?

SOMETHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.

THIS IS TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> DUSTIN, THANKS FOR YOUR REPORTING AND FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> THREE WORDS WE ALWAYS LIKE TO HEAR WHEN IT COMES TO JOB NUMBERS.

BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER IS HERE WITH THE LATEST REPORT.

AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA?

>> Reporter: THE HIRING REBOUND LOOKS TO BE IN FULL FORCE.

NEW JERSEY BASED ADP SAYS PRIDE COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HIRED 978,000 NEW WORKERS LAST MONTH.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST MONTHLY GAIN SINCE LAST JUNE.

MOST OF THE JOBS WERE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

AND THE NUMBER OF WORKERS HAVING TO FILE FOR NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS CONTINUES TO DROP.

IN THE LATEST WEEK, NEW CLAIMS FELL BELOW 400,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR.

>>> THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD HAS BEEN AWARDED CLOSE TO $24 MILLION IN FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS AFTER A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER TODAY, THE MAYOR SAID THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF.

>> WE WILL PROVIDE 2% MUNICIPAL TAX CUT FOR ALL RESIDENTS FOR THE YEAR 2022.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE WILL PROVIDE A MUNICIPAL TAX CUT FOR OUR SENIORS, 2021 TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $1 MILLION.

>> Reporter: AND THEY WILL ALLOCATE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS EACH FOR A SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

AND, A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE ONCE AN EVICTION MORATORIUM IS LIFTED.

MONEY WILL ALSO BE SPENT ON EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS.

SOME JCPL CUSTOMERS COULD SEE HIGHER BILLS.

THE UTILITY HAS RESUMED INDOOR METER READING.

SOMETHING SUSPENDED SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

CUSTOMERS WITH INDOOR METERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING BILLS BASED ON ESTIMATED MONTHLY ELECTRIC USAGE.

ONCE THE NEW READINGS ARE TAKEN, THE BILLS COULD BE ADJUSTED HIGHER.

JCPL SAYS WITH RESIDENTS SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOME THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, MANY CUSTOMERS WERE USING MORE ELECTRICITY.

A BIG NEW JERSEY EMPLOYER, AMAZON, SAYS IT WILL NO LONGER SCREEN JOB APPLICANTS FOR MARIJUANA USE EXCEPT FOR THOSE POSITIONS REGULATED BY THE U.S. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

THEY WILL TREAT MARIJUANA THE SAME WAY THEY TREAT ALCOHOL USE.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO IMPAIRMENT CHECKS ON THE JOB AND WILL TEST FOR DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AFTER ANY INCIDENT.

AMAZON ALSO SAYS IT SUPPORTS LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

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

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> AND THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT AND GET A DEEPER LOOK AT THE STATE OF PHILANTHROPY AS WE EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC, BUSINESSES LARGE AND SMALL ARE SUPPORTING CHARITIES THROUGH THEIR DONATIONS, AND VOLUNTEER WORK.

WATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. >>> ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE TAKING LAWMAKERS TO TASK AS THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE.

IN NEWARK TODAY, THE MAYOR AND OTHER LEADERS RAILED AGAINST THE LEGISLATURE FOR NOT MOVING A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW MUNICIPALITIES TO CREATE CIVILIAN COMPLAINT BOARDS.

NEWARK IS THE ONLY CITY IN THE STATE WITH SUCH A BOARD MADE DURING A CONSENT DECREE.

BARAKA IS PUSHING FOR SUBPOENA POWERS.

IF PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW, THE STATEWIDE BILL WOULD ALSO SET ASIDE $800,000 TO HELP TOWNS SET UP AND OPERATE THE CIVILIAN BOARDS.

>>> OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE IN TRENTON TODAY, ADVOCATES AND WORKERS RALLIED CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE FUNDS BEING PROVIDED FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS WHO WERE INELIGIBLE FOR STATE AND FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF AID.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED A $40 MILLION FUND FOR EXCLUDED RESIDENTS THAT WILL INCLUDE ONE TIME PAYMENTS UP TO $2,000 FOR WORKERS WHO MEET A CERTAIN INCOME THRESHOLD AND CAN PROVE THEY SUFFERED ECONOMIC HARDSHIP DUE TO COVID-19.

ACTIVISTS SAY IT IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH AND WILL REACH LESS THAN 10% OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED.

THEY ARE CALLING FOR ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT LIKE BENEFITS OF $600 PER WEEK TO WORKERS WHO DIDN'T QUALIFY WITH THE STATE BECAUSE OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

THAT PROGRAM WOULD COST ABOUT $989 MILLION ACCORDING TO ADVOCATES.

THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNALED A WILLINGNESS TO ADD MORE FUNDS BUT SAYS HE IS WAITING ON MORE GUIDANCE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON HOW THE STATE CAN SPEND FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS.

>>> IN POLITICS, CAMPAIGN SPENDING CAN TELL YOU A LOT ABOUT A RACE.

AND WITH LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO BEFORE THE STATEWIDE PRIMARY ELECTION, REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL JACK IS DOMINATING THE FUND RAISING CIRCUIT.

THE LATEST REPORTS FROM THE NEW JERSEY ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION SHOW HE IS BOTH OUT- RAISING AND OUT-SPENDING HIS THREE OPPONENTS RUNNING FOR THE GOP NOMINATION TO CHALLENGE GOVERNOR MURPHY.

HE RAISED NEARLY $7 MILLION AND SPENT NEARLY 6 MILLION AS OF THE END OF MAY.

THAT IS MORE THAN FIVE TIMES HIS PRIMARY OPPONENTS COMBINED.

MURPHY, ON THE OTHER HAND, LEADS ALL CANDIDATES IN BOTH CATEGORIES.

HE IS RUNNING UNOPPOSED FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

BUT, SPENT NEARLY ALL OF THE $7.8 MILLION HE RAISED.

AND THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF RACES TO WATCH COME JUNE 8.

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL LIVE EDITION OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AT 11:00 P.M. FOR ALL YOUR ELECTION RESULTS AND ANALYSIS.

PLUS, FOLLOW US AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND GET THE LATEST ON THE RACES WITH MORE REPORTS AND INSIGHT ALL NIGHT LONG.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ELECTION PREVIEW BEFORE TUESDAY, CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUND TABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M.

TOMORROW MORNING ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

HE WILL HAVE A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS COVERING THE RACES AND SPEAK WITH THE COMMITTEE MAN FOR HIS TAKE ON WHAT TO EXPECT.

DON'T MISS IT.

THAT DOES IT FOR US FOR NOW.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> 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.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED AND PSE&G.

WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

>>> I'M KAYLA.

THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TOE TEACH HIM, TO PROTECT HER.

TO TAKE CARE OF ME, TOO.

I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DOES THE SAME.

THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR MY SCHEDULE.

SO I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

AND, THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

AND HIM.

AND HER.