>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS 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 .

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

>>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS.

THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ANNOUNCING THE FIRST PROBABLE CASE OF MONKEYPOX IN THE STATE.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY AN INDIVIDUAL TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS ON JUNE 18th, THE VIRUS ASSOCIATED WITH MONKEYPOX.

THAT INDIVIDUAL IS ISOLATING AT HOME WHILE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS CONTACTED TRACE TO FIND ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

A TEST TO CONFIRM THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS WILL BE DONE BY THE CDC.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BELIEVES THAT THE RISK REMAINS LOW.

>>> MEANWHILE, HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING PARENTS TO GET THEIR YOUNGEST CHILDREN VACCINATED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS.

THIS WEEKEND, THE CDC CLEARED THE FINAL AUTHORIZATION FOR PFIZER AND MODERNA'S COVID VACCINES FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 MONTHS AND 5 YEARS OLD.

THE RECOMMENDATION MEANS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE U.S. POPULATION IS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION.

THE STATE IS REPORTING JUST OVER 1100 NEW COVID CASES TODAY , AND FOUR MORE DEATHS, BUT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT IS NOT THE ACUTE ILLNESS KEEPING THEM UP AT NIGHT THESE DAYS.

IT IS THE CONFIRM CONCERN OVER LONG-LASTING EFFECTS FROM THE VIRUS.

FINDINGS RELEASED IN A MEDICAL JOURNAL INDICATE THE OMICRON VARIANT OF COVID-19 IS MUCH LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE SO-CALLED LONG COVID IN VACCINATED PATIENTS THAN THE PREVIOUS DELTA VARIANT.

ONLY ABOUT 5% OF VACCINATED COVID PATIENTS AFFECTED WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT REPORTED EXPERIENCING BRAIN FOG AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES A MONTH AFTER TESTING POSITIVE.

WITH US TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS STUDY IS DR. HUSSEIN, WHO HEADS THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL POST COVID RECOVERY PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE OMICRON VARIANT.

THIS NEW STUDY ESSENTIALLY SAYS IT POSES LESS OF A RISK FOR LONG COVID.

DOES THAT MEAN THEN THAT YOU CAN'T GET LONG COVID IF YOU HAVE THAT VARIANT?

>> I THINK THAT THE STUDY IS ENCOURAGING, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CAVEAT TO THE STUDY.

THE STUDY ONLY LOOKED AT INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE VACCINATED , AND DID NOT LOOK AT INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE NOT VACCINATED.

IT IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE 40% OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN MY POST COVID RECOVERY PROGRAM ARE UNVACCINATED.

IT IS TELLING YOU THAT POTENTIALLY, IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND GET OMICRON, THE RISKS OF GETTING POST COVID MAY BE LESS, BUT, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY THE STUDY DID NOT PARTICULARLY LOOK AT THAT, BUT SUGGESTING THAT.

IF YOU GET VACCINATED AND GET OMICRON, THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE LESS CHANCES OF GETTING POST COVID.

>> Reporter: WHAT TYPE OF SYMPTOMS MIGHT YOU SEE IN THE LONG-TERM, SAY A MONTH OUT OR BEYOND?

>> Reporter: WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS VERY VARIABLE.

AND MOST OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO COME TO OUR POST COVID RECOVERY PROGRAM HAVE NEVER BEEN HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID.

THAT IS THE MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS.

AND MOST OF THEM ARE HAVING SYMPTOMS RELATED TO SHORTNESS OF BREATH, ONGOING FATIGUE, WHICH IS A MAJOR SYMPTOM THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING, AS WELL AS BRAIN FOG, AND THIS GENERALIZED FEELING OF ACHES AND PAINS THAT ARE ONGOING .

NOW, EVEN 2 YEARS AFTER GETTING POST COVID.

>> Reporter: WHAT TYPE OF STRESS IS THIS GOING TO PUT ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE?

WHAT DOES THIS SIGNAL?

>> I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM DRAMATICALLY, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SHEER NUMBER, YOU KNOW, THE SHEER NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO GOT COVID EITHER WITH THE FIRST PHASE OF DELTA OR NOW WITH OMICRON.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ONLY LOOKING AT 5% OR 10% OF THE POPULATION, WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE GETTING A DISEASE, NOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH POST COVID SYMPTOMS THAT YOU ARE NOW GOING TO PLACE ON DISABILITY.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS I THINK ARE REALLY GOING TO STRESS THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM OVERALL.

>> Reporter: QUICKLY THEN I WANT TO PIVOT TO VACCINES BECOMING AVAILABLE NOW FOR OUR YOUNGEST POPULATION, THOSE UNDER 5.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO PARENTS NOW SEEING THAT THIS OPTION IS THERE?

>> I THINK TAKE IT.

I DEFINITELY FEEL VACCINES ARE SAFE, AND THE VACCINES WILL PROTECT THE YOUNGEST WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG.

WE REALLY DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS RELATED TO FATIGUE, OR THE SYMPTOMS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING, THESE SYSTEMIC RELEASE SYMPTOMS THAT A LOT OF THE YOUNG PATIENTS ARE GETTING PICK WE REALLY DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS VIRUS MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US DR. HUSSEIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IS MORE COVID SAFETY RESTRICTIONS DROP, MORE EMPLOYERS ARE CALLING ON WORKERS TO RETURN TO THE OFFICE, BUT AFTER 2 YEARS OF WORKING FROM HOME, THAT OPTION SEEMS LESS APPEALING AND NECESSARY TO EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, THE NEW WORK BASE LANDSCAPE IS ALL ABOUT ADAPTING.

>> Reporter: CHRIS WANTS HIS WORKERS TO COME INTO THE WORKPLACE, BUT HE WON'T FORCE THEM.

HE HOPES A NEW WORK BASE WILL MAKE EMPLOYEES WANT TO COMMUTE AND COME IN.

>> IF WE CREATE THE OFFICE AS MORE OF A DESTINATION, THAT WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME IN.

I THINK MORE INTERACTION PEOPLE HAVE AT THE OFFICE WITH THEIR PEERS THEM OVER TIME WE WILL GET MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO COME IN WITHOUT HAVING TO MANDATE IT HERE >> Reporter: HE IS THE CEO OF CENTRAL REACH, A SOFTWARE COMPANY THAT HAS USED A HYBRID MODEL SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HERE HE IS MOVING HIS JERSEY OFFICE FROM A TRADITIONAL CUBE FARM TO BELL WORKS, THE REPURPOSED RESEARCH LAB.

AMENITIES WILL INCLUDE SPACE FOR COUCHES AND A MENTAL WELLNESS ROOM.

HE WANTS TO REPLICATE THE VERSATILITY OF HOW HIS EMPLOYEES WORKED IN COLLEGE.

>> SOMETIMES YOU WERE IN YOUR DORM.

SOMETIMES HE WENT TO THE LIBRARY TO BE ALONE AND DO YOUR WORK.

I THINK FOR OUR OFFICE, THAT IS THE WAY IT'S GOING TO BE.

IF YOU ARE JUST GOING TO ZOOM INTO A MEETING ALL DAY LONG, THERE IS NO REASON TO GET IN YOUR CAR AND DRIVE 45 MINUTES TO GO ZOOM IN PERSON, BUT IF YOU NEED TO COLLABORATE, WHAT WE HAVE FOUND AND WHAT WE HEAR FROM EMPLOYEES IS IT IS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE AND MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE, FRANKLY, TO DO IT IN PERSON.

PEOPLE STILL LOVE TO BE IN PERSON.

>> Reporter: IT IF THEY DON'T, THEY MAY BE PUSHED OUT BY INFLEXIBLE MANAGERS AT OTHER COMPANIES, OR THEY MIGHT LEAVE.

RUTGERS PROFESSOR BILL CASTELLANO SAYS COMPANIES WITH OLD-SCHOOL MENTALITY IS COULD SEE AN EXODUS OF EMPLOYEES IF THEY REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WORK IN PERSON 40 HOURS PER WEEK IF IT IS NOT NEEDED.

>> PEOPLE IN THOSE KINDS OF OCCUPATIONS REALIZED THAT AT THE VERY LEAST THERE SHOULD BE SOME FLEXIBILITY.

IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO HAVE TO COME IN AGAIN AND THAT SET UNIFORM SCHEDULE.

>> Reporter: USES THE PANDEMIC WAS AN EXPERIMENT.

WHEN SCHOOLING AND WORK MOVED ONLINE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> THERE ARE TREMENDOUS BENEFITS THAT EMPLOYERS ARE ALREADY KIND OF REAPING.

WE HAVE SEEN PRODUCTIVITY RATES GO UP FOR REMOTE WORKERS.

CERTAINLY REAL ESTATE COSTS ARE GOING DOWN FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE REALLY EMBRACING THESE KINDS OF FLEXIBLE MODELS.

>> MORE SAVVY AND INNOVATIVE COMPANIES WILL RECOGNIZE THAT EMPLOYEES CAN BE PRODUCTIVE WHEN THEY WORK REMOTELY, OR HYBRID.

FORMAT ROSANNA IS A PRODUCTIVITY COACH IN NEW JERSEY.

HER CLIENTS INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO HAPPILY WORK FROM HOME, AND PEOPLE WHO GRUDGINGLY GO INTO THE OFFICE.

>> IF YOU KNOW THAT YOUR JOB DOESN'T REQUIRE YOU TO BE IN PERSON, IT REALLY MAKES YOU START TO CONSIDER HOW MUCH YOUR EMPLOYER CARES ABOUT YOU.

A LOT OF THEM JUST DON'T CARE OR ARE TONE DEAF.

LIKE, THEY ARE COMPLETELY SO FAR REMOVED FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES THAT THEY DON'T EVEN REALIZE WHAT THEY ARE REQUESTING.

>> Reporter: HE UNDERSTANDS THOSE CONCERNS, WHICH IS WHY HE WANTS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME IN, AND NOT MANDATE IT.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF WORKING MOMS, A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH KIDS AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING MYSELF.

THE ABILITY TO KIND OF HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY TO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, AND MAYBE DO IT IN A WAY THAT FEELS MORE ENDORSED BY A COMPANY THAN IT DID PREVIOUSLY, I THINK IS A REAL DRAW.

>> Reporter: HE EXPECTS HIS NEW OFFICE TO OPEN LATER THIS SUMMER.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE VAST MAJORITY OF HIS EMPLOYEES ARE FULLY REMOTE.

TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> WORKERS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, SAY IT IS NOT JUST FLEXIBILITY, BUT THE HIGH COST OF CHILDCARE KEEPING THEM FROM THE LABOR FORCE.

DRIVING THEM OUT AS DAYCARE'S STRUGGLE TO RETAIN STAFF, AND KEEP UP WITH RISING COSTS.

COULD A NEW PROPOSAL OUT OF TRENTON HELP?

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>>> WE WERE PAYING MORE IN CHILD CARE COSTS THAN MEANT.

MAC ANITA JOHNSON IS A MOM OF FOUR, WHO ALONG WITH HER HUSBAND, WORKS FULL-TIME, BUT THE FAMILY STRUGGLED TO AFFORD CHILDCARE OVER THE PAST DECADE.

>> AT SOME POINTS WE WERE WORKING JUST TO PAY FOR CHILD CARE AND RENT AND BILLS.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY PARENTS, ESPECIALLY MOMS, THE COST OF CHILDCARE IS DRIVING THEM OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS COME INTO FOCUS IN THE LEGISLATURE FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK THERE IS GROWING RECOGNITION ABOUT THE NEED TO REALLY CHANGE, REIMAGINE OUR CHILDCARE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: CECELIA'S ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY IS SUPPORTING A PACKAGE OF BILLS MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE NOW THAT WOULD ADDRESS CHILDCARE COSTS ACROSS A NUMBER OF AREAS.

>> IT PROVIDES STABILITY FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, BY CONTINUING PAYMENT BASED ON CHILD ENROLLMENT.

IT CREATES A UNIQUE TAX CREDIT FOR CHILD CARE STAFF TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR THE CRITICAL WORK THAT THEY DO.

RAISES ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES FROM 200 TO 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, WHICH IS ACTUALLY CLOSER TO THE TRUE COST OF LIVING IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS AROUND $80,000 PER YEAR, WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE MEDIAN INCOME IN NEW JERSEY ACCORDING TO THE ANALYST STUDY, WHICH STANDS FOR ASSET LIMITED INCOME CONSTRAINED EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

HAD JOHNSON'S FAMILY HAD THIS INCREASED ELIGIBILITY BEFORE HER SON STARTED UNIVERSAL PRE-K THIS YEAR, SHE SAID IT WOULD HAVE -- >> TREMENDOUSLY HELPED.

OUR FAMILY, AND FAMILIES LIKE OURS, WHO ARE JUST ABOVE THE INCOME LIMITS FOR SUBSIDIES, IT WOULD'VE HELPED US TO HAVE MONEY TO DO OTHER THINGS, YOU KNOW, TO PAY BILLS ON TIME, TO AFFORD, YOU KNOW, BORE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO SURVIVE, AND MAYBE EVEN TAKE A VACATION, OR JUST HAVE SMALL LUXURIES.

>> Reporter: THE ASSEMBLYWOMAN IS ALSO IN SUPPORT OF THE PACKAGE, BUT HAS CONCERNS THAT IT IS TOO LITTLE TO ADDRESS WHAT COULD SOON BE A CHILDCARE CRISIS, AS DAYCARE CENTERS RAISE THEIR PRICES IN ORDER TO PAY THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES A COMPETITIVE WAGE.

>> WE WILL LOSE A LARGE PORTION OF THE WORKFORCE AS A WHOLE IN EVERY SINGLE INDUSTRY.

WE WILL LOSE A LARGE PORTION OF OUR ECONOMY BECAUSE OF THAT DROPPING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE, AND WE WILL SEE BUSINESSES CLOSE THEIR DOORS, AND WE WILL ALSO HAVE MORE CHILDREN WHO ARE STAYING HOME, WHO MAY BE FALLING BEHIND.

TO ME, THE TRUE SOLUTION TO THIS WIDE SPREADING ISSUE HAS TO BE A UNIVERSAL ONE OVER EVERYONE'S CHILD CAN GO AGES 0 TO 5.

MAC FOR FREE.

SHE'S DRAFTING A BILL TO PROPOSE SUCH A PLAN.

IT ALIGNS WITH THE RECENT REPORT FROM THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR WOMEN AND WORK THAT FOUND NEARLY A QUARTER OF NEW JERSEY FAMILIES LOST INCOME BECAUSE OF CHILDCARE ISSUES DURING THE PANDEMIC, MANY OF THEM WOMEN.

>> WE DO BELIEVE THAT UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE FOR 0 TO 5 WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SUPPORTING GENDER EQUITY, RACIAL EQUITY, BUT ALSO A HEALTHY ECONOMY IMA AND KIND OF WOMEN'S FULL LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN AT LEAST SOME OF THE BILLS TO HELP TAKE SOME OF THE CRUSHING BURDEN OF CHILDCARE COSTS OFF OF NEW JERSEY FAMILIES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS .

>>> IT WAS A FRUSTRATING HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TRAVELERS, STARTING WITH NEW JERSEY TRANSIT RAIL SERVICE OF APTLY SHUTTING DOWN FRIDAY EVENING AFTER OFFICIALS SAY A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER'S UNION URGED WORKERS TO CALL OUT SICK IN PROTEST OVER PAY FOR WORKING JUNETEENTH.

CLOSING HUNDREDS OF TRAINS TO BE CANCELED OVER THE WEEKEND, LEAVING COMMUTERS STRANDED AND SCRAMBLING.

THE FEDERAL JUDGE SUNDAY ISSUED AN EMERGENCY ORDER ON BEHALF OF NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, BARRING THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND TRAINMEN UNION MEMBERS FROM PARTICIPATING IN ANOTHER WORK STOPPAGE, OR FACE DISCIPLINE, INCLUDING FINES OR JAIL.

>>> AIRLINE PASSENGERS DIDN'T HAVE ANY BETTER LUCK.

MORE THAN 5000 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED OVER FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND.

THOUSANDS MORE WERE DELAYED.

THE MOST RECENT SURGE OF TRAVEL COMES AS AIRLINES STRUGGLE WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES MY PILOTS IN PARTICULAR, AND THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF BAD WEATHER CONTINUE.

THE ISSUE, EVEN HITTING TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG, WHOSE FLIGHT FROM DC TO NEW YORK WAS CANCELED FRIDAY, A DAY AFTER HE MET VIRTUALLY WITH AIRLINE CEOs TO TALK ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS AHEAD OF TRAVEL FOR THE JULY 4th HOLIDAY.

>>> NEW JERSEY FARMERS SAY THEY ARE CAUGHT IN A TOUGH SITUATION, TRYING TO KEEP THE PRICE OF LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE AFFORDABLE FOR CUSTOMERS WHILE FACING SKYROCKETING COSTS FOR FUEL MY FERTILIZER, AND LABOR.

THE INDUSTRIES FACE PLENTY OF HARDSHIPS OVER RECENT YEARS, INCLUDING CLIMATE EFFECTS.

NOW SOME FARMERS TELL MELISSA ROSE COOPER THE DRAMATIC SPIKE FROM INFLATION MEANS THEY MAY NOT MAKE ENOUGH PROFIT TO SURVIVE.

>>> WE NOTICED IT A YEAR AGO, AND WE STARTED LOOKING INTO PURCHASING FERTILIZER FOR THIS COMING YEAR, AND THE PRICES AT THAT POINT HAD DOUBLED, SO WE NOTICE GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT YEAR AS FAR AS UPWARD PRICE PRESSURE ON A LOT OF OUR, YOU KNOW THE PURCHASES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE GROWING YEAR.

HER BACK HE WANTED THE OWNERS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THIS FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS.

THE FARM HAS BEEN GROWING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR 11 GENERATIONS, BUT HE SAYS THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST A 30% INCREASE IN COSTS SINCE LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE FOUND GOING INTO THE WINTER, AND INTO THE SPRING, FUEL COSTS IMA DIESEL FUEL OR GASOLINE, THOSE PRICES KEEP ON RISING ALSO.

YOU KNOW, AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS TOUCHED IN SOME WAY BY FUEL, WHETHER IT IS DRIVING TRUCKS TO THE MARKET, WHETHER IT IS PUTTING FUEL IN THE TRACTORS, FERTILIZER, WE HAVE UPWARD PRESSURE ON OUR INPUT COSTS.

>> Reporter: BE INCREASED IN COSTS IS LEAVING FROM A STORY WHETHER REVENUE FROM THE CROPS WILL BE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT.

>> THAN THE REST OF THE INFLATION THAT HAPPENS ON THE FARM IS CUTTING RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD, PACKAGES, MACHINE PARTS, AND THE ISSUE EVERYBODY HAS HIS LABOR.

CAN YOU GET ENOUGH OF IT, AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU HAVING TO PAY FOR IT.

ALL OF THIS ACCUMULATED IS PUTTING A UNIQUE STRAIN ON THE FARMS THIS PARTICULAR GROWING SEASON.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO PUSH FOR LAWMAKERS TO STEP IN.

THE ASSEMBLYMAN RECENTLY INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FARMERS TO GET TAX RELIEF ON THE DEPRECIATION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT USED ON THE FARM.

>> THE FARMER, THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING IS GOING UP, AND THIS BILL, WE WANTED TIMELY TO GET IT IN AS QUICK AS WE CAN SO THAT EVERYONE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT FOR THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THE TAXES FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: PETER FUREY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY FARM BUREAU, BELIEVES THE MEASURE COULD HELP.

>> THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT DON'T SOUND TERRIBLY SIGNIFICANT BY THEMSELVES, BUT IT SHOWS A VERY GOOD ATTITUDE THAT THE LEGISLATOR IS IN THE FARMERS CORNER, AND EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT APPLY TO EVERYBODY, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TAKE A HOLD OF, AND THEN THE FARMERS GIVE FEEDBACK AND SAY IF YOU CAN DO THAT, THIS COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE I COULD HAVE THE BOTTOM LINE, AND THAT DIALOGUE IS VERY CONSTRUCTIVE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE PRICES OF THINGS LIKE FUEL AND FERTILIZER KEEP GOING UP, FARMERS ARE HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROPERLY PRICE THEIR PRODUCTS.

>> THERE IS STILL VOLATILITY.

WE COULD SEE THE PRICING COMING UP FOR FUEL, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST TO PURCHASE FUEL AND LET'S SAY SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER WHEN THE HARVEST REALLY KICKS IN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS, SO IT IS HARD TO FORECAST, YOU KNOW, PRICING, WERE NORMALLY YOU KNOW ROUGHLY WHERE YOUR COSTS WILL BE.

WE DON'T HAVE AN IDEA MY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SO VOLATILE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE IS HOPING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL DO ITS PART TO STABILIZE THE MARKET SO THEY CAN GET CLOSER TO NORMAL OPERATIONS AGAIN.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> WE HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEXT STAGE OF NEW JERSEY'S OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS, PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER MILESTONE IN NEW JERSEY'S PUSH TOWARDS OFFSHORE WIND.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS RELEASED A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR OCEAN WIND ONE IMA ORSTED'S PROPOSED WIND ENERGY PROJECT OFF THE JERSEY SHORE.

THE COMPANY CALLED IT A CRITICAL MILESTONE IN THE PERMIT REVIEW PROCESS.

NOW, THE STATE DEP WILL REVIEW THE STATEMENT AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED NEXT SPRING.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYS OCEAN WIND ONE, WHICH WOULD BE THE FIRST WIND FARM OFF OF THE COAST, IS EXPECTED TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS, AND GENERATE $1.7 BILLION IN ECONOMIC BENEFITS.

>>> ESTATE LAWMAKERS WORK TO FINALIZE A NEW BUDGET, A RECENT AUDIT SHOWS NEW JERSEY'S DEBT LOAD IS INCREASING.

THE AUDIT FINDS THAT THE STATES NON-BONDED DEBT ROSE BY MORE THAN $40 BILLION DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021.

NON-BONDED DEBT INCLUDES PUBLIC WORKER PENSION OBLIGATIONS AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

WITH THAT INCREASE, NEW JERSEY'S TOTAL DEBT LOAD IS CLOSE TO $250 BILLION.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN REITMEYER SAYS HERE IS THE EXPLANATION BEING OFFERED.

>> TREASURY OFFICIALS ARE TELLING US THIS REPRESENTS ONLY A, QUOTE, SNAPSHOT IN TIME, BECAUSE THE STATE HAS BEEN MAKING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ITS PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SOME OF THE CHANGES ON THE HEALTH BENEFITS SIDE COULD REFLECT EXPERIENCES THAT OCCURRED DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHICH MAY EASE OVER TIME.

>> Reporter: HERE IS THE LATEST ON THE AMERICAN DREAM ALL'S MONEY WOES.

AFTER DEVELOPER TRIPLE FINE MIST A BOND INTEREST PAYMENT DUE ON JUNE 1st, IT WITHDREW WITH AN $11 MILLION FROM A RESERVE ACCOUNT TO PAY BONDHOLDERS AND AVOID DEFAULT, BUT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THE PAYMENT DID NOT RESOLVE THE DEFAULT, BECAUSE IT DID NOT INCLUDE INTEREST ON THE OVERDUE BALANCE, ACCORDING TO A NOTICE SENT TO BONDHOLDERS.

THEY DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE.

>>> AND JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR A NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY, AND ITS PLANS TO BRING WIND POWER TO NEW JERSEY CUSTOMERS, WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT PUBLIC AND BUSINESS INTERESTS.

THAT IS THURSDAY, JUNE 24th, AT 4:00 P.M. HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO REGISTER FOR THE LIVE EVENT.

>>> FIREFIGHTERS IN SOUTH JERSEY ARE STILL BATTLING A MASSIVE WILDFIRE THAT BROKE OUT SUNDAY AND MORGAN STATE FOREST.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, THE BLAZE SPREAD TO 11,000 ACRES THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON, CHEMUNG, MULLICA, AND HAMMOND JINTAO CHIPS.

IS NOW ABOUT 50% CONTAINED.

THE NEW JERSEY FOREST FIRE SERVICE IS STILL INVESTIGATING WHAT SPARKED THE BLAZE, BUT RULED OUT NATIONAL NATURAL CAUSES, AND SAID SUNDAY'S DRY WINDY WEATHER HELPED FUEL THE SPREAD.

PLUMES OF SMOKE CAN STILL BE SEEN POURING OUT OF THE FOREST.

A HAYES IS CAST OVER THE JERSEY SHORE.

AT LEAST 18 STRUCTURES ARE THREATENED.

AUTHORITIES HAVE SHUT DOWN SECTIONS OF ROUTES 206 AND 542.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY IT COULD GROW TO 15,000 ACRES, AND IS ON TRACK TO BECOME THE LARGEST WILDFIRE IN NEW JERSEY IN 15 YEARS.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE OFFICIAL FEDERAL HOLIDAY OBSERVING JUNETEENTH, COMMEMORATING THE END OF SLAVERY, AND THE DAY IN 1865 WHEN A UNION ARMY GENERAL ROAD INTO GALVESTON, TEXAS, TO INFORM ENSLAVED AFRICAN AMERICANS THEY WERE FREE, MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR ENDED.

IT HAS BEEN CELEBRATED BY BLACK AMERICANS FOR YEARS, BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL THE MOMENTUM OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT THAT JUNETEENTH GAINED THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, AND LAST YEAR AFTER A DECADES LONG FIGHT BY ACTIVISTS, CONGRESS RECOGNIZED THE LANDMARK STATE AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF MORE THAN A DOZEN STATES TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER, OBSERVING JUNETEENTH AS A STATE HOLIDAY AS WELL.

>>> AT AN EVENT IN NEWARK, FEDERAL AND LOCAL LEADERS MARKED THE HISTORIC MOMENT BY RENAMING WASHINGTON PARK TO HARRIET TUBMAN SQUARE, HONORING THE HEROIC ABOLITIONIST AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD LEADER WHO IS BELIEVED TO HAVE MADE NEWARK AN IMPORTANT STOP FOR ENSLAVED AFRICAN AMERICANS FLEEING THE SOUTH.

OFFICIALS NOTED THE CHALLENGES AND INEQUITIES THAT PERSIST IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY ALL THESE YEARS LATER.

>> THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE HOPING WE WOULDN'T DO THIS TODAY, FIGHTING WITH US NOT TO DO THIS.

PEOPLE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT HOW WE DON'T NEED TO DO THIS.

YOU KNOW, BADGERING US ABOUT HONORING OUR ANCESTORS.

>> WE HAVE TO TELL THE STORY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, THEN WE OUGHT TO TELL THE STORY OF HARRIET TUBMAN, BECAUSE THEY EXIST TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE PARK RENAMING FOLLOWED CALLS FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, AND THE REMOVAL OF A CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS STATUE BY THE CITY IN 2020.

IT ALSO LAUNCHES AN ARSON EDUCATION DISTRICT IN THE CITY, WHICH WILL INCLUDE GALLERIES, RESTAURANTS, AND OTHER CULTURAL CENTERS, A PERMANENT REMINDER OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES MADE BY BLACK AMERICANS.

>> IT IS CRITICAL THAT THIS HOLIDAY IS RECOGNIZED NOT AS A DAY OFF, BUT AS A CALL TO ACTION.

A REMINDER OF WHAT IS AT STAKE WHEN WE DO NOT LIVE THE VALUES WE HOLD DEAR AS AMERICANS.

>> Reporter: THE NEW HARRIET TUBMAN STATUE WILL BE UNVEILED IN THE FALL.

>>> THAT IS FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, AND CHECK US OUT ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM , THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET US BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM INSURANCE GROUP'S POLICYHOLDERS?

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 STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.