>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NEJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR'S RACE IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY.

THE CANDIDATES FOR THE RACE ARE SET, AND IT IS WHAT IS EXPECTED, DEMOCRAT PHIL MURPHY, WHO RAN UNOPPOSED WILL TAKE ON BUSINESSMAN AND FORMER ASSEMBLY MEMBER JACK IN THE GENERAL ELECTION THIS NOVEMBER.

JACK WON THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY LAST NIGHT, SENDING OFF A CHALLENGE FROM TWO TRUMP DEVOTEES, PASTOR RIZZO AND ENGINEER HIRSCH SINGH, AS WELL AS FORMER FRANKLIN MAYOR BRIAN LEVINE.

THIS IS THE SECOND RUN AT THE GOVERNOR'S SEAT, FAILING TO SECURE THE NOMINATION IN 2017, BUT THIS TIME, HE HAS THE BACKING OF THE STATE'S GOP ESTABLISHMENT AND HE IS WASTING NO TIME GOING AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY AS THE CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF.

WHAT TO EXPECT OUT OF THIS RACE TO RUN NEW JERSEY.

>> HERE IS PHIL'S PROBLEM, HE WAS NOT RAISED HERE.

>> Reporter: HE CAME OUT SWINGING AT HIS ELECTION HEADQUARTERS IN SOMERSET, PAINTING HIS OPPONENT PHIL MURPHY AS OUT OF TOUCH WITH VOTERS.

>> NEVER WENT TO SCHOOL HERE, NEVER WORKED HERE OR OWNED A BUSINESS HERE.

HE IS SOMEBODY ELSE.

HE IS SOMEBODY ELSE, I AM YOU, AND I MEAN, HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GUY EAT PIZZA, DON'T TELL ME, HE IS NOT FROM NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: AT GOVERNOR MURPHY'S REGULAR BRIEFING, HE SAYS HE CONGRATULATED HIS OPPONENT LAST NIGHT IN A NOTE AND ADDRESS THE FORMER CRITICISM THAT HE IS NOT FROM HERE.

>> MY WIFE AND I CAME TO NEW JERSEY TO RAISE OUR FOUR KIDS.

THAT WAS A DECISION WE TOOK, PROBABLY THE BEST DECISION OF OUR LIVES.

I WILL SAY TO ASSEMBLYMAN, HE WAS IN PUBLIC SERVICES AND ELECTED OFFICIAL DURING THE TIME THE PROPERTY TAX CRISIS WENT OUT OF CONTROL.

WE INHERITED THE MESS HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES CREATED.

>> WE HAVE STARTED NOT ONE, NOT TWO, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR SEPARATE INDUSTRIES FROM SCRATCH IN OUR 40 MONTHS OFFSHORE WIND, CANADA, CANNABIS ANYBODY OUT THERE ON THAT, SPORTS BETTING, FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION FROM SCRATCH.

>> Reporter: SIGNORELLO AT THE SUPPORT OF ALL REPUBLICAN PARTIES GOING INTO THE NIGHT, STILL, IT WAS NOT A RUNAWAY RACE, THE ESTABLISHED GOP CANDIDATE FELL SHORT OF EARNING 50% OF THE VOTE.

HE IS TOO FAR RIGHT OPPONENTS, PHIL RIZZO AND SPLIT TRUMP VOTERS, MEETING WITH THE CANDIDATES RUN, THEY WILL HAVE A STRIKING DISTANCE.

HE DOES NOT BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL BE A FACTOR IN GENERAL ELECTIONS.

>> I DON'T THINK ANY FAR RIGHT REPUBLICAN WILL VOTE FOR PHIL MURPHY AND HIS PLAN FOR HIGHER TAXES AND LIBERAL, OUT OF TOUCH POLICIES IN NOVEMBER.

I DON'T THINK JACK SIGNORELLO NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT COURTING, I THINK HIS CHALICE NEEDS TO BE COURTING INDEPENDENTS AND SOFT DEMOCRATS.

THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY WHERE WE HAVE 1 MILLION MORE DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS.

>> Reporter: SIGNORELLO'S MESSAGE WILL BE CALLING OUT HIS OPPONENTS RECORD.

IT WILL BE AN UPHILL BATTLE JUDGING BY THE RESULTS EAGER TO POLL MORE THAN HALF OF BOATERS POLL DON'T KNOW WHO SIGNORELLO IS AND 26% HAVE NO OPINION OF HIM .

THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED.

THIS WAS A PRIMARY CAMPAIGN.

HE WAS COMPETING WITH EVERY OTHER OPPONENT, HIS MESSAGE WAS DELIVERED TO PRIMARY VOTERS.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR HIM TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO NEW JERSEY VOTERS.

HE IS A VERY LIKABLE GUY, DOWN TO EARTH AND I THINK NEW JERSEY VOTERS ARE WILLING TO HEAR THAT MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO SHOWED IF THE ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY, MURPHY WOULD BE TO THE RALLY BY 26 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE ON THE TOP OF THE VOTER'S MINDS, THE INCUMBENT HAS BEEN A GOOD JOB AND THAT GENERALLY PUTS THE INCUMBENT IN LINE FOR REELECTION.

>> FIVE MONTHS IS AN ETERNITY IN POLITICS.

JULIE ROSINSKI SAYS THE GOVERNOR HAS TO FOCUS ON HIS LEADERSHIP DURING COVID TO DENY VOTERS WHAT THEY LIKED ABOUT HIM IN THE PAST YEAR.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS DONE A GOOD JOB WITH COVID, S POLLS SHOW, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE SOME WEAKNESSES IN HIS COVID RESPONSE, THE NURSING HOME BUCKLE, THE PRESENT BUCKLE .

THEN, THE PERENNIAL NEW JERSEY ISSUES, PROPERTY TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES.

>> Reporter: WILL BECOME THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TO WIN THE ELECTION SINCE BRENDAN BYRNE SECURITY 44 YEARS AGO.

>> HISTORY IS ALSO ON JACK'S SIDE, AND IN SOME MOMENTS OF, ALSO THE PRESIDENT FIGURE AFTER TENDS TO ELECT A CONTRACT, HAVING A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT JUST REELECTED IN 2020 AND JOE BIDEN DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY'S REELECTION CHANCE.

>> OF OUR GOVERNOR MURPHY, I WOULD FOCUS ON THE LEADERSHIP SHOWN DURING COVID, ALSO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY, UNEXPECTED AMOUNTS OF MONEY COMING IN FROM WASHINGTON AS A RESULT OF COVID RELIEF.

THAT IS MONEY HE CAN SPEND TO EASE THE TAX FOR VOTERS BEFORE THE ELECTION TO REMIND THEM HE IS WORKING ON PHYSICAL THINGS THAT CARE ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THE ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 2nd.

>>> TURNING OUT TO BE CLOSELY WATCHED CONTESTED LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS, WHERE IT APPEARS THE POWER OF THE PARTYLINE IS ALIVE AND WELL.

IN THE RACE TO SUCCEED RETIRING SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG IN BERGEN COUNTY'S 37th DISTRICT, DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLYMAN GORDON JOHNSON, WHO AT THE BACKING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DEFEATED HIS FELLOW ASSEMBLY MEMBER, THE MORE PROGRESSIVE VALERIE HUDDLED .

IN DISTRICT 20, DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR JOE CLIENT DEFEATED HIS CHALLENGES, EATING INCUMBENT ASSEMBLYMAN JAMAL HOLLY.

IN THE REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY RACE IN DISTRICT 13, SERENA TOMASSO RAN OFF THE PARTYLINE AND LOSS HER BID TO THE CANDIDATES BACKED BY THE MONMOUTH COUNTY GOP.

GERARD STRUCK A BURGER AND VICKI LANE.

IN DISTRICT 2, CHRISTINA BEAT SETH GROSSMAN BY A MORE THAN TWO TO ONE MARGIN.

TO END THE 26th DISTRICT, FOUR REPUBLICANS RAN FOR 2 SENATE SEATS, INCUMBENT JAY WEBER WON HIS BID AND KRISTEN DURAND, WAS DECLARED THE WINNER LATE TODAY.

>>> JOINING ME NOW FOR A DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE RACES AND MORE IS CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL AARON AND SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DAY.

GREAT TO SEE THE TWO OF YOU.

MICHAEL, I WANT TO FIRE A WAY TO START YOUR.

I WANT TO ASK ABOUT DISTRICT 37, SENATOR LETTER LORETTA WEINBERG HAS HAD LOTS OF INFLUENCE.

GORDON IS LIKELY TO BE ELECTED IN BERGEN COUNTY THIS FALL, WHAT WOULD HE BRING TO THE TABLE?

>> HE IS A GOOD TEAM PLAYER, THAT IS WHY HE GOT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S BACKING IN THIS ELECTION OVER VALERIE HUDDLED.

HE WILL VOTE LIKE A DEMOCRAT.

HE IS A MAINSTREAM DEMOCRAT.

HE ALSO HAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND.

I BELIEVE HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER AT ONE POINT, I KNOW HE WAS DEPUTY SHERIFF OF BERGEN COUNTY AT ANOTHER POINT.

WITH POLICE REFORM ISSUES IN THE AIR, HE WILL BE AN AUTHORITATIVE VOICE ON THAT SUBJECT.

>> COLLEEN, IN THAT RACE AND OTHERS, WE SAW HOW MUCH BEING ON THE PARTYLINE MATTERS.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW THIS WAS KIND OF THE PERFECT SCIENCE EXPERIMENT.

I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE AT LEAST THE THREE DISTRICTS WHEN YOU HAD INCUMBENTS RUNNING OFF THE LINE AND IN ALL THREE CASES THEY LOSS, IN THE CASE OF THE 37th DISTRICT, IT WAS A BIG LOSS, THREE TO ONE, WHICH I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAD SEEN.

CLEARLY THE PARTYLINE IS A HUGE FACTOR IN ELECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> MICHAEL, LET'S TURN TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THUS ZWICKER FOUR HAVE A CHANCE IN YOUR VIEW?

>> HE HAS A LONGSHOTS CHANCE .

PHIL MURPHY HAS MANY ADVANTAGES AS THE INCUMBENT AND HE HAS DONE REASONABLY WELL AND IS REASONABLY POPULAR.

HE GOT A NEW POLL RESULT, GOT NEW RECORDS IN POLL THIS WEEK.

BUT, CIATTARELLI IS NO SLOUCH .

HE HAS BEEN AROUND THE TRACK ONCE IN 2017.

THERE IS A TRADITION IN NEW JERSEY YOU RUN A STATEWIDE WANTS AND LOSE, AND THE SECOND TIME YOU TRY AND WIN, THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS HELD UP, BUT IT USE TO BE TRUE.

CIATTARELLI HAS PUT OUT GOOD TELEVISION COMMERCIALS THIS SPRING AND PEOPLE WORKING WITH HIM ARE SMART PEOPLE.

I WOULD SAY HE IS STARTING AS A FIVE TO ONE HANDICAP AGAINST HIM , THAT IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE, THE DYNAMICS CHANGED BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER, OR THE PANDEMIC RETURNS, OR SOMETHING HAPPENS TO PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER A CURRENTLY POPULAR GOVERNOR.

>> CALLING COLLEEN, WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK WILL RESONATE WITH VOTERS NOW AS WE MOVE INTO THE FALL CAMPAIGN SEASON?

WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING FOR AS THESE CAMPAIGNS UNFOLD?

>> I THINK IS MICHAEL JUST MENTIONED, KEEPING IS WHAT IS THE PANDEMIC DOING?

I THINK IF THE PANDEMIC STAYS WHERE WE ARE AND WE HAVE LOW CASES, LOW HOSPITALIZATIONS, ISSUES WILL REALLY TURN TO THINGS THE TRADITIONAL ISSUES WE HAVE, TAXES, THE AFFORDABILITY OF NEW JERSEY, THOSE ARE PLACES WHERE I THINK CIATTARELLI MAY BE ABLE TO SCORE SOME POINTS, CERTAINLY, MURPHY WILL KEEP HAMMERING ON THE PROGRESSIVE ISSUES HE HAS MADE A NAME ON, HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE, AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS .

I THINK WE WILL SEE THOSE TWO FORCES BATTLE IT OUT, AGAIN, UNLESS WE SEE THE PANDEMIC COME BACK.

WHO KNOWS?

IF MURPHY HAS TO RESET THE STATE, THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR HIM.

>> COLLEEN, MICHAEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS ON LAST NIGHT.

APPRECIATE IT.

>>> AS ADULT VACCINATION RATES FALL IN NEW JERSEY, FIVES ARE YOU TAKING A MAJOR STEP TO PUT SHOTS IN THE ARMS OF OUR KIDS.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL BEGIN TESTING ITS COVID-19 VACCINE ON CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS FIVE, USING A SLIGHTLY LOWER DOSE.

THEN, IN A FEW WEEKS, PFIZER WILL TEST THE VACCINE IN INFANTS AS YOUNG AS 6 MONTHS.

PFIZER SAYS IT EXPECTS TO HAVE INITIAL RESULTS FOR THE 5 TO 11 AGE GROUP IN SEPTEMBER, WITH RESULTS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN EXPECTED LATER THIS FALL.

THE PFIZER VACCINE WAS AUTHORIZED LAST MONTH FOR KIDS 12 TO 15.

MODERNA ALSO HAS BEGUN TRIALS TESTING ITS VACCINE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THERE ARE 4.4 MILLION HOLY WRATH -- VACCINATED RESIDENTS IN THE STATE.

HE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED FALL IN CASE RATES AND THE HOSPITALIZATIONS, 197 NEW CASES TODAY WITH 14 NEW DEATHS REPORTED.

THE GOVERNOR URGED RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED, ARGUING MORE SHOTS IN ARMS WILL KEEP THE VIRUS AT BAY.

>> THESE NUMBERS ARE SO LOW BECAUSE WE ARE STEADILY DECREASING THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS, WHICH MEANS FEWER NEW CASES, THEREFORE FEWER HOSPITALIZATIONS.

WE DO NEED TO RECOGNIZE ONE THING, AS THE DATA SHOWS, THOSE WHO ARE TESTING POSITIVE OR ENTERING OUR HOSPITALS, OR DYING SADLY ARE NOW MOST LIKELY OVERWHELMINGLY DOES INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

>> AS THE GOVERNOR TOUTS THE STATE'S PROGRESS AND REOPENING, HE IS FACING CRITICISM FROM LAWMAKERS WHO SAY ALL OF THAT PROGRESS SHOULD ALLOW FOR STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO REOPEN.

RIGHT NOW, MOST STATE EMPLOYEES ARE STILL WORKING FROM HOME.

JENNY DONELSON REPORTS LAWMAKERS BELIEVE IT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL TO OPEN UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES TO HELP THOSE RESIDENTS WHO ARE OUT OF WORK.

>> REMEMBER WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF TRANSITION HERE.

IT IS PROBABLY MEASURED BETWEEN WEEKS AND MONTHS OF CERTAIN PLACES WE WILL HAVE ONE REALITY, OTHERS WILL HAVE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY ADDRESSED STATE EMPLOYEES GOING BACK TO WORK, BUT DID NOT OFFER A DATE FOR WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.

LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE BELIEVE THAT TIME IS PAST DUE.

>> THAT TIME HAS COME AND PASSED FOR OFFICES TO BE CLOSED.

YOU CAN'T TELL PART OF THE STATE THEY CAN BE OPENED, AND YET OTHER WORKERS DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THE OFFICE AND DO THEIR JOB.

>> I THINK THE STATE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OPENED BY NOW.

I WOULD HOPE IT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ORDERS OUR WORKERS BACK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR ENDED ALL INDOOR GATHERING LIMITS FIVE DAYS AGO.

LAWMAKERS SAY STATE EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOW BE ALLOWED BACK INTO THEIR OFFICES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER AND DOES NOT BELIEVE KEEPING STATE WORKERS HOME SENDS A MIXED MESSAGE.

>> WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO RESPONSIBLY AND SAFELY GET EVERYONE BACK, WE WILL.

IT IS A LOT BETTER THAN IT WAS, BUT WE ARE STILL IN THIS PANDEMIC.

MY GUESS IS SOONER THAN LATER.

>> TO BE FAIR, IT ACTUALLY TAKES TIME TO GET PEOPLE COMFORTABLE COMING BACK TO THEIR OFFICES, ETHICS POLICIES AND PLANNING.

YOU KNOW WHAT, OUR BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR MONTHS, IF NOT A YEAR FOR THIS DAY.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY BUSINESS ASSOCIATE PRESIDENT AND CEO SAYS BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS NEED BETTER ACCESS TO LICENSING, PERMITS, AND JOB MATCHING THROUGH THE ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS TO JUMPSTART THE ECONOMY.

>> THAT IS AT THE HEART OF GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

YOU DON'T GO IN THERE TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU GO IN THERE BECAUSE YOU ARE AVAILABLE FOR WORK, TRYING TO BE MATCHED FOR A JOB.

WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS TODAY THAT NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES CANNOT FEEL.

THOSE ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS ARE LIKE A LIFELINE FOR BUSINESSES TO GET THOSE JOBS HEALED.

>> Reporter: WHEN ASKED ABOUT REOPENING AND A RESPONSE TO IN- PERSON SERVICES, A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RESPONDED IN PART, WE HAVE CREATED AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM TO HANDLE RECORD VOLUME, ASSIGNING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS TO EXAMINERS TO FIELD OFFICES WOULD RESULT IN FAR FEWER CLAIMS BEING RESOLVED AND COULD OPTIMIZE THE HEALTH AND WELL- BEING OF THESE ESSENTIAL STAFF MEMBERS.

THOSE PLANS WILL BE BASED FIRST AND FOREMOST ON KEEPING KEEPING OUR CUSTOMERS AND STAFF SAFE.

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW, SENATOR SHOULD PC CALLED THE CLOSER INCOMPETENT AT A STATE LEVEL AND SAYS SHE BELIEVES A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PARTS OF THE PROBLEM, PROMPTING HER TO TAKE ACTION.

>> I HAD A RESPONSE OF LEGISLATION ON THIS, WHICH IS INSANE.

WE HAVE NOT HAD PEOPLE IN STATE GOVERNMENT, OTHER THAN OUR LOCAL LEGISLATIVE OFFICES, BEING TOLD THEY HAD TO RETURN TO WORK.

EVERYBODY IS KIND OF REMOTELY OUT THERE.

THERE ARE NO PHONES THAT ARE BEING ANSWERED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

PEOPLE CAN'T GET THROUGH TO ANYBODY.

EMAILS ARE GETTING MUCH RESPONSES.

>> Reporter: SENATOR WEINBERG SAYS NEW JERSEY SHOULD NOT NEED THE LEGISLATOR TO REOPEN THE STATE.

SHE AND OTHER LAWMAKERS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR RESIDENTS, BUT THEY TOO DON'T GET ANSWERS.

>> MY STAFF HAS BEEN PRESSED INTO SERVICE TO BECOME UNEMPLOYMENT COUNSELORS.

THIS IS AN INEFFICIENT, RIDICULOUS WAY TO OPERATE.

>> WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM PEOPLE IS, WHEN THEY MAKE INITIAL CONTACT, THEY ARE BEING TOLD EIGHT WEEKS OUT FOR AN APPOINTMENT OR EIGHT WEEKS OUT TO HAVE THE CLAIM RESOLVED OR TALK TO SOMEONE.

>> ARE LEGISLATIVE OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE LITERALLY ONE OF THE ONLY POINTS OF CONTACT THAT HUMAN BEINGS CAN GET THROUGH TO.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS BELIEVE THAT IF THESE OFFICES REMAIN CLOSED, WE WILL CONTINUE UNNECESSARY DELAYS.

JENNY DONELSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT LOOKS LIKE NEW JERSEY IS ABOUT TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH A BUDGET WINDFALL IN THE BILLIONS.

FOR THE LATEST ON THAT, I AM JOINED BY OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER.

HEY, JOHN.

SO, THE LATEST FORECAST ABOUT NEW JERSEY'S BUDGET SITUATION AND THE NUMBERS JUST KEEP GROWING.

>> YOU, RHONDA.

IT IS AMAZING WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

THERE WERE SIGNS OF THIS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

TO SEE NEW FIGURES COME OUT, OVER THREE, AS MUCH AS $4 BILLION JUST IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BEING COLLECTED.

IF YOU REMEMBER THE TAX DEADLINE WAS DELAYED BY A MONTH THIS YEAR, SOME OF THESE TAX PAYMENTS WERE COUNTED LATER THEN MAYBE THEY USUALLY WOULD BE.

REALLY, SOME REMARKABLE NUMBERS.

THE STATE IS IN A POSITION IT IS NOT USUALLY AN, WHICH IS WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY, INSTEAD OF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR ALL THE THINGS WE WANT TO SPEND IT ON.

>> THAT IS MY NEXT QUESTION, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY?

>> I THINK THE BEST ANSWER IS STAY TUNED.

THERE IS A LITTLE SPENDING, BUT MUCH OF IT WOULD GO INTO BUDGET RESERVES, AND THAT IS AN AREA NEW JERSEY HAS LONG NEGLECTED.

WHETHER LAWMAKERS GO ALONG WITH THAT PLAN IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR THAT STARTS JULY 1 REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

RIGHT NOW, AT FISCAL YEAR WE WOULD OPEN AT A $10 BILLION SURPLUS, WHICH IS REMARKABLE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> WHAT ARE WE HEARING FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN PARTICULAR?

>> REPUBLICANS WHO ARE IN THE MINORITY IN THE LEGISLATOR ARE UPSET RIGHT NOW, NOT BECAUSE THE STATE IS DOING WELL, BUT BECAUSE THEY FEEL LARGELY LOCKED OUT OF A LOT OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND WE ARE HEADED OUT TO THIS BUDGET DEADLINE AND NORMALLY, NEGOTIATIONS HAPPEN BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE TOP LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATOR, THAT IS ALL CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW.

THEY ALSO DON'T LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY.

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A BIG MEETING TODAY IN THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE TO GO OVER THESE NUMBERS, IT WAS CANCELED AT THE LAST MINUTE.

THAT DEPRIVES LAWMAKERS A CHANCE TO QUESTION THE STATE TREASURER AND OTHER OFFICIALS ABOUT THIS, AND ALSO REPUBLICANS.

>> QUICKLY JOHN, IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF TAX CUTS?

>> TAX CUTS, I THINK THERE ARE ALREADY SOME DATE BAKED INTO THE NEW BUDGET THAT MURPHY HAS PROPOSED.

WE WILL SEE IF THE MAJORITY DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATOR HAVE ANY TRICKS UP THEIR SLEEVES IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

>> JOHN, THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>> TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE STORY, YOU CAN READ JOHN'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRAINING APPEARED >>> SUPPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY, ON LINE AT SJ MAGAZINE.NET.

♪ >>> THE U.S. SENATE HAS CONFIRMED JULIET NIELSEN TO BECOME A FEDERAL JUDGE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

NIELS, A LADY OF NATIVE OF BERGEN COUNTY, HE IS PRESENT BIDEN'S FIRST JUDICIAL NOMINEE.

HE WAS FIRST NOMINATED TO THE FEDERAL BENCH IN 2015 BY THEN PRESIDENT OBAMA, BUT HIS NOMINATION EXPIRED IN JANUARY 2017, AHEAD OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INAUGURATION.

>>> JERSEY SHORE REAL ESTATE IS IN HIGH DEMAND AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SUMMERLIKE HEAT.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST BEGAN, RENTERS SNAPPED OF HOUSES TO RIDE OUT LOCKOUTS IN COMFORT.

THEN, SOME DECIDED TO STAY FOR GOOD AND PURCHASE NEW HOMES.

AND SO BEGAN A HOME OWNERSHIP BOOM ALONG THE NEW JERSEY COAST THAT SHOWS NO SIGNS OF LETTING UP.

JOANNA WENT DOWN TO SHORT TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET.

>> IT IS A FREE FOR ALL FOR THE BUYERS AND SELLERS OUT THERE.

IT IS A WILD REAL ESTATE MARKET.

CORONAVIRUS BASICALLY CHANGED EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: LOW INVENTORY AND HIGH DEMAND ARE CREATING A BUYING FRENZY ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE TOWNS.

EXPERTS SAY IT IS EVEN CRAZIER THAN WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN AROUND THE STATE THE LAST YEAR.

>> THINGS THAT WERE SITTING ON THE MARKET TOWARDS THE END OF 2019, THEY WERE UNDER CONTRACT FROM THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT MARKET HASN'T LET UP.

REALLY ACROSS THE STATE, WE ARE SEEING MULTIPLE OFFERS EVERYDAY ON PROPERTIES, GOING OVER AND ABOVE THEIR ASKING PRICE.

>> HERE AT THE SHORE, WE ARE SEEING 15, 20% OVER ASKING IN SOME CASES.

I WOULD SAY ON AVERAGE, WE ARE PROBABLY IN THE FIVE TO 15% OVER ASK.

>> Reporter: WATERFRONT PROPERTIES ARE ON THE MARKET AND THE NEXT DAY THEY ARE SOLD.

HARRY SAYS IT IS UNLIKE ANYTHING THEY HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY.

OCEAN COUNTY IS NEARING A 20% SALES INCREASE IN THE MARKET THIS YEAR, COMPELLED TO AROUND 12 OR 15% ACROSS THE STATE.

THEY ATTRIBUTE THE DEMAND TO A BACKLOG OF BUYERS AND PEOPLE WANTING MORE FROM THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENTS AS THEY CONTINUE WORKING REMOTELY.

>> THEY WANT TO HAVE OUTDOOR SPACE.

THEY WANT TO HAVE BACKYARDS, POOLS, AND THEY ALSO WANT TO HAVE THAT SMALL TOWN FEEL, WHICH A LOT OF OUR COASTAL TOWNS ARE.

THEY ALL HAVE A MAINSTREAM OR DOWNTOWN AREA AND THEY ARE ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE, WHETHER YOU'RE WALKING TO THE BEACH, OR WHETHER YOU ARE WALKING TO THE RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS THAT ARE LOCATED DOWNTOWN.

>> Reporter: AND BUYERS ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER.

>> AS FAR AS CONNECTICUT, FROM THE HAMPTONS, ALL OF NORTH JERSEY, WE GOT QUITE A BIT OF A FLOW INTO OCEAN COUNTY.

IT IS NOT JUST RENTERS, IT IS ACTUALLY PEOPLE BUYING TO BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

>> THEY ARE NOT LOOKING TO GO BACK.

THEY ARE HERE NOW.

THEY ARE REGISTERING THEIR KIDS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

THEY ARE PLANTING ROOTS ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE.

AND WE WILL WORRY ABOUT THAT COMMUTE LATER.

>> Reporter: REALTORS ARE ALSO SURPRISED BY THE LOW INVENTORY OF SEASONAL AND PERMANENT RENTALS.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH THE INCREASED SALES PRICES, A LOT OF INVESTORS WITH THE ANNUAL TYPE OF PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN SELLING THOSE OFF WITH RECORD PROFITS.

SO WE ARE LOSING THAT INVENTORY FOR PEOPLE LOOKING TO RENT.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE LOOKING TO GET EVEN A WEEKEND DOWN THE SHORE AS THE NORTH JERSEY BENNY'S LIKE TO SAY-->> THEY WILL TAKE WHATEVER THEY CAN FIND.

THEY MAY HAVE HAD A ONCE LIST OF WHAT THEY WANTED, WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR, THEY MAY HAVE HAD SPECIFIC WEEKS THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

THEY ARE WILLING TO ADJUST THEIR SCHEDULES ANYWAY THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE DOWN HERE.

>> Reporter: THE STRONG RENTAL MARKET IS AN OVERALL SIDE THE ECONOMY WILL DO WELL THIS YEAR.

IT IS LIKE AN ECOSYSTEM.

YOU ARE SEEING MORE PEOPLE COMING TO THE SHORE AREAS, NOT GOING FURTHER AWAY, THAT IS HELPING FOLKS PAYING TOP DOLLAR MAKE SOME MONEY ON THE HOUSES THEY ARE BUYING HERE AT THE SHORE AND ALSO HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHICH IS VERY NICE TO SEE.

>> NOT A BAD TIME TO BE A REALTOR.

>> IT IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO BE A REALTOR.

I GOT TO GIVE THEM CREDIT, REALLY PERSEVERED AND TOOK PEOPLE OUT THAT NEEDED TO MOVE OUT OF THE CITY OR MOVE OUT OF NORTH JERSEY.

>>> REMEMBER TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE ON THURSDAY.

NJ NEWS SPOTLIGHT CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS GUESTHOUSE THIS WEEK AND LOOKS AT WHAT THE END OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S EMERGENCY POWERS MEANS FOR EVICTIONS IN THE STATE.

SHE WILL ALSO TALK WITH GOP LEADER FOR THE PRIMARY RESULTS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF NEW JERSEY'S GOP.

YOU CAN ASK YOUR QUESTIONS IN THE CHAT LIVE THURSDAY AT 6:00 P.M. ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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

RW J BARNABAS, AND A SAG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE THAT HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT IS WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED, MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TOO, MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE, ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP, BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK, NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSON AND PSEG TO 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 CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

♪ ♪