>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PRESENTED BY MJM 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 NJPBS, THIS IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VENOZI.

>> GOOD EVENING THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AND THE FIRST LADY IS TELLING TEACHERS THE NATION IS BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

THIS ON A DAY WHEN THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS BECAME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THEIR COVID- 19 VACCINES INCLUDING TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF.

THE STATE REPORTING IT HAS NOW EXCEEDED 3 MILLION TOTAL VACCINES GIVEN AND MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE EITHER GOTTEN THEIR SECOND DOSE OR J&J'S ONE SHOT VACCINE.

MEANING 1% OF THE STATE'S POPULAR IS FULLY VACCINATED.

IN TERMS OF WHO'S NOW ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A VACCINE IN ADDITION TO TEACHERS, THE STATE SAYS SEVERAL OTHER GROUPS CAN GET VACCINATED INCLUDING PUBLIC AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION WORKERS.

PUBLISH SAFETY WORKERS LIKE PROBATION OFFICERS AND FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS, MIGRANT FARM WORKERS AND THOSE LIVING IN HOMELESS SHELTERS.

>>> IN SEVERAL OF NEW JERSEY CITIES TODAY THERE WAS A BIG PUSH TO GET EDUCATORS VACCINATED.

MANY COMMUNITIES WANT TO GET CHILDREN BACK INTO THE CLASSROOMS ESPECIALLY AS WE APPROACH THURSDAY'S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE ORDER TO SHUT DOWN OUR SCHOOLS.

SO AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, IN BOTH JERSEY CITY AND PATTERSON THEY SET UP VACCINE SITES IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> AS LONG AS I GET MY TWO VACCINES IN, I'LL BE FINE.

I'LL BE FINE.

I'M NOT WORRIED.

>> Reporter: SO THIS HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER LINED UP WITH COLLEAGUES IN JERSEY CITY TO GET VACCINATIONS.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEES JOINED TO GET THEIR VACCINES AND THE STATE IS OFFERING THEIR MODERNA VACCINES ALL IN AN EFFORT TO REOPEN CLASSES FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

>> THERE'S A CONNECTION TO MY STUDENTS YOU CAN'T GET ONLINE.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET THINGS BACK TO SO CALLED NORMAL.

>> I ALREADY HAD COVID BUT I STILL WANT TO BE PROTECTED.

I DON'T WANT TO TRANSMIT IT TO ANYBODY ELSE BECAUSE IT WAS HORRIBLE WHEN I DID HAVE IT.

>> FROM THE CITY'S STANDPOINT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO REASON OR EXCUSE WHY WE COULDN'T GO BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT'S 30,000 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN REMOTE LEARNING FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND APRIL 22nd IS THE TARGET DATE TO REOPEN FOR FACE TO FACE INSTRUCTION.

>> PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITHOUT THE VACCINE.

SO WE ALLOCATED VACCINES TO TEACHERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO REASON ON APRIL 22nd THAT WE CAN'T OPEN OUR SCHOOLS FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

WE SHOULD HAVE THE DEMAND OUTWEIGHING SUPPLY.

AND WE DON'T SEE THAT YET.

>> Reporter: TEACHER UNIONS IN MAJOR URBAN DISTRICTS ARE DIVIDED WHETHER EVERY TEACHER SHOULD BE VACCINATED BEFORE SCHOOLS CAN REOPEN FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

VACCINE HESITANCY IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

>> EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINION OF IT AND, HOW SOME PEOPLE JUST STILL DON'T THINK THAT IT'S REAL.

>> I HAVE A PHOBIA ABOUT NEEDLES SO I WOULD PREFER THE ONE SHOT INSTEAD OF THE TWO SHOT.

>> SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TAKE A MODERNA.

>> IF I HAD TO I WOULD.

>> Reporter: BUT SHE IS GOING TO HOLD OUT FOR THE J&J.

ONLY 1,500 OF 3,900 3,900 STAFFERS HAVE SIGN UPD SO , HAVE SIGNED UP AND THEY WILL GET THE VACCINE FOR WHOEVER WANTS IT.

>> PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM OTHER TOWNS INTO OUR CITY SO I DO BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR TEACHERS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE THAT'S GOING TO ENTER OUR SCHOOL BUILDING HAS AN OPPORTUNITY IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET VACCINATED.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE AIR PURIFIERS IN EVERY SINGLE ROOM IN OUR BUILDING.

>> Reporter: PATTERSON WILL DECIDE APRIL 14th WHEN TO REOPEN.

THEY'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION AND SPREAD WITH THE TARGET DATE OF MAY 3rd TO REOPEN.

THE UNION NOT INSISTING EVERY ONE OF THEIR 4,000 TEACHERS GET VACCINATED AS OFFICIALS LAUNCH A VACCINATION DRIVE TOMORROW BUT THEY'RE STRONGLY URGING MEMBERS.

>> ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT THAT IF YOU'RE IN A CLOSED CLASSROOM THAT YOU BE VACCINATED AT THE VERY LEAST TESTED REGULARLY WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO DO.

>> UNION LEADERS VOICE CONTINUING CONCERN OVER COMMUNITY SPREAD.

NOW THE DISTRICT MUST DETERMINE HOW IT CAN SAFELY MOVE STUDENTS BACK INTO CLASSROOMS AND HIT IT TENTATIVE APRIL 12th REOPENING TARGET AS SCHOOLS STATEWIDE STRUGGLE TO VACCINATE AND REOPEN.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR THE STATE'S VACCINATION EFFORT WILL QUICKEN THE PACE OF INOCULATION.

THAT SUPPORT IS FOUND IN THE NEW COVID RELIEF PACKAGE WHICH PROVIDES BILLIONS IN AID FOR THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

THIS WEEK PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, THE FIRST LADY AND MEMBERS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION ARE TRAVELING TO SEVERAL STATES TO PROMOTE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IN WHAT'S BEING BILLED AS THE HELP IS HERE TOUR.

FOR FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN, THE TOUR INCLUDED A VISIT TO BURLINGTON COUNTY TODAY.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS OUR REPORT.

>> TODAY I'M HERE TO TELL YOU WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, HELP IS HERE.

>> Reporter: HELP IS HERE THAT'S THE MOTTO FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHICH EMBARKED ON A TOUR TO SELL THE COVID RELIEF PLAN.

FIRST LADY BIDEN CAME TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE.

>> WE HAVE THE MONEY TO USE FOR OUR EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR SUMMER PROGRAM.

WE WANT KIDS BACK IN PERSON FOR THE SUMMER SO THEY'RE LEARNING.

WITH TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

ADDITIONAL COUNCIL THE SUPPORT EMOTION HEALTH AS WELL.

>> Reporter: WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE COVID-19 MITIGATION STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED IN THE SCHOOL.

>> THERE CAN BE NO RECOVERY WITHOUT A PLACE FOR WORKING PARTICIPANTS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN.

>> THE FIRST LADY TOUTED THE $1.9 TRILLION PLAN WHICH PROVIDES A $1,400 A PERSON CHECK TO HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS AMERICA.

HOUSING AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AND CHILD CARE.

THE BILL SIGNED LAST WEEK INCLUDE $14 MILLION FOR JERSEY SCHOOLS.

OF THAT $138 MILLION IS EARMARKED FOR PROGRAMS FOR JOB LOSS, $2,800 IS FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND MORE THAN $73 MILLION IS TARGETED TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.

>> NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS ARE DOING PRETTY WELL OUT OF THIS BUT THEY'VE HAD SOME TOUGH TIMES WITH STATE AID AT LEAST SOME DISTRICTS HAVE AND THIS EASES A LOT OF THAT PAIN FOR SURE.

THERE'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOME TUTORING THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT I'M SURE GOING TO BE GOING TO MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.

SO YES IT'S BODIES.

IT'S HOURS IN THE DAY THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE UP.

BUT A BIG CHUNK OF THIS MONEY IS ALSO GOING TO GO TOWARD PROVIDING SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS.

>> DIRECTOR OF THE MAMMOTH UNIVERSITY, FOR THE PROGRAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL THEY NEED TO ROLL OUT THE PLAN.

>> THEY SKIPPED THE SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOWS AND THEY'RE GOING OUT TO PLACES LIKE BURLINGTON NEW JERSEY TO TALK TO REAL VOTERS.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY EXCITING THAT SHE'S TAKING TIME OUT OF HER SCHEDULE TO COME TO A REGULAR AVERAGE EVERY DAY NEIGHBORHOOD AND TALK TO PEOPLE.

AND YOU KNOW, MAKE HER PRESENCE FELT FOR THE REST OF US.

>> I'M ALL FOR IT, EVERYBODY GETTING A LITTLE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP COAST THE ECONOMY ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WAITING FOR THEIR TAXES TO COME BACK, COVID AND EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY BEING IN AND OUT OF WORK.

JOB PLACES CLOSING, JOBS CUTTING HOURS.

I THINK IT'S JUST A GREAT WAY TO PUT SOME EXTRA MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF ALL OF THE AMERICANS.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS WITH BUSINESSES REOPENING PARTICULARLY SERVICE BUSINESSES LIKE RESTAURANTS, GYMS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

SCHOOLS WHICH IS WHERE WE SEE JOE BIDEN GOING TO.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THEY'RE REALLY GOING TO TRY TO SELL HARD AND SHOW THEY CAN DELIVER ON.

BUT RIGHT NOW THEY NEED TO GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND SEE THE PROMISE.

CONNECT TO THOSE CHECKS THAT THEY REALLY LIKE TO THE ACCESS TO GIVE PEOPLE OPTIMISM THAT THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE IS ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY.

>> I'M RAVEN SANTANA FOR NJTV NEWS.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TOUTS ITS TRANSPARENCY AND SHARING COVID-19 INFORMATION INCLUDING ITS DAILY DATA REPORT WHICH TODAY YOU SAW NEARLY 2,500 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 2,300 MORE LIVES LOST.

BUT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HASN'T BEEN ENTIRELY TRANSPARENT ABOUT ITS PANDEMIC EFFORTS ACCORDING TO A REPORT.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RESPONDED SLOWLY TO PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS FROM THE MEDIA FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DECISION MAKING AND SPENDING.

AND IN SOME CASES, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DENIED REQUESTS.

FOR EXAMPLE THE AP SOUGHT REPORTS RELATED TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CALLING FOR HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES TO DISCLOSE THEIR CAPACITY AND SUPPLIES DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.

THAT REQUEST WAS DENIED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION SITING A 2005 LAW THAT SAYS REPORTS AND OTHER RECORDS MADE DURING AN EMERGENCY ARE NOT CONSIDERED PUBLIC.

THE AP ALSO SAYS BROAD REQUESTS ABOUT SPENDING HAVE BEEN ANSWERED BUT SOME INFORMATION HAS BEEN WITHHELD FROM THE PUBLIC.

LAST WEEK GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO RELEASE CERTAIN RECORDS BUT HIS ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY.

TWO MEN ORIGINALLY FROM NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING CAPITOL HILL POLICE OFFICER AND SOUTH RIVER NATIVE BRYAN SICKNICK BUT THEY'RE NOT CHARGED WITH HIS DEATH.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED GEORGE TANEOS WITH ASSAULTING SIKNICK WITH BEAR SPRAY DURING THE RIOTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT DETERMINED WHETHER THE EXPOSURE LED TO THE OFFICERS DEATH.

TANER WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AS HE GOT OFF A PLANE.

HE CURRENTLY LIVES IN SUMMER SET ACCORDING TO HIS LIN KIN PAGE.

TANEOS CURRENTLY OPERATING A SUBWAY SHOP.

THE TWO ARE CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS THEY COULD FACE UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON.

>>> LAST MAY A BLACK MAN NAMED MAURICE GORDON JR. WAS FATALLY SHOT BY A NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER DURING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP.

GORDON'S FAMILY IS NOW SUING THE STATE ALLEGING RACE IS A FACTOR IN HIS CASE WHICH CAME TWO DAYS BEFORE GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED IN MINNEAPOLIS SETTING NATIONWIDE PROTESTS.

WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS SURROUNDING GORDON'S DEATHS.

>> WE STILL DON'T HAVE AN AUTOPSY REPORT, WE STILL DON'T HAVE A TOXICOLOGY REPORT.

>> IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE MAURICE GORDON JR. WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER.

AFTER BEING PULLED OVER AFTER ALLEGEDLY SPEEDING.

THE FAMILY SAYS THEY STILL DON'T HAVE ALL THE PIECES NEEDED TO PAINT THE FULL PICTURE OF THE 28-YEAR-OLD'S FINAL MOMENTS.

>> WE STILL DON'T HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICERS ARRIVING ON SCENE, WE DON'T HAVE A BODY CAMERA VIDEO, WE DON'T HAVE ANY AUDIO RECORDINGS.

>> WHAT WAS RELEASED IN JUNE OF 2020 BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SHOWED SCENED LIKE THIS ONE IN THE BACK OF THE TROOPERS CAR WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK.

>> THE REASON I STOP YOU IS YOU KEEP JUMPING OUT AND WE'RE IN A REAL BAD SPOT.

WE'RE ON THE HIGHWAY.

IF YOU LOOK BEHIND US THERE'S CARS.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET HIT.

I DON'T KNOW, DID YOU RUN OUT OF GAS.

>> AND THE SITUATION ESCALATES WHEN THE OFFICER OFFERED HIM A MASK AND HE GETS OUT OF THE CAR.

>> MAURICE GORDON JR. SHOULD HAVE BEEN FREE TO RETURN TO HIS VEHICLE.

EVEN IF OFFICER WESSELL FELT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY CONCERN WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN LEGITIMATELY, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED DIFFERENTLY.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE STILL WAITING FOR EVIDENCE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THAT'S WHY ON MARCH 11th HE FILED A LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF GORDON'S FAMILY AGAINST THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

STATE TROOPER RANDALL WETZEL, GRAYWALL, COLONEL CALLAHAN AND OTHER UNNAMED INDIVIDUALS.

>> AND THE CAUSES OF ACTION IN THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT ARE EXCESSIVE FORCE, WRONGFUL DEATH, CONSCIOUS PAIN AND SUFFERING, THERE WERE SEVERAL FAILURES BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE HEAD OF THE STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE TRAINING AND ABILITY TO TRACK THE EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

SPECIFICALLY THAT EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE WHEN DEALING WITH PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> Reporter: IN DECEMBER OF 2020, ATTORNEY GENERAL GRAYWALL ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN TWO DECADES THAT THE STATE WOULD BE REVISING ITS USE OF FORCE POLICY INCLUDING ISSUING A BAN ON ALL FORMS OF PHYSICAL AND DEADLY FORCE ACCEPT AS A LAST REPORT.

THE NEW POLICY ALSO REQUIRED ALL 38,000 OFFICERS IN NEW JERSEY TO COMPLETE A TWO DAY DEESCALATION TRAINING BY END OF 2021.

AND FOR ANY USE OF FORCE TO BE LOGGED WITHIN 24 HOURS ON A NEW STATEWIDE PORTAL MONITORED BY SUPERVISORY OFFICERS.

>> I DO THINK THAT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: DR. JASON WILLIAMS IS AN ASSISTANT PHYSICIAN OF JUSTICE STUDIES AT MONTCLAIRE UNIVERSITY.

>> I'M SOMEONE WHO DOES RESEARCH ON THIS SO I HAVE GONE TO BALTIMORE.

THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY SOME OF THESE BEHAVIORS IS THROUGH CONSEQUENCES ON THE JOB.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE BUT THEY SAID THEY DO NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

THE CURRENT CASE AT PRESENT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, REGULAR GRAND JURIES ARE NOT SITTING AND HEARING CASES.

WILLIAM WAGSTAF WANTS A PROSECUTOR TO BE APPOINTED NOW THAT HE HAS NAMED AN ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THIS CASE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS TAPPED ABNER TO BE THE NEXT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE IN THE SUPREME COURT.

ABNER SERVES AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF RIGHTS.

SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED AS A STAFF ATTORNEY AND STARTED HER CAREER AS A CLERK FOR THE LATE JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GINSBURGS 88th BIRTHDAY.

MURPHY'S PICK WOULD FILL THE SEAT OF LEBECHIA WHO ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK SHE WOULD RETIRE AT THE END OF AUGUST.

WANER ABNER IS HIS SECOND PICK.

HIS FIRST SELECTION WAS FABIANA LOUIS WHO BECAME THE FIRST BLACK JUSTICE AND WAS SWORN IN LAST YEAR.

>>> FOLLOWING A TENSE ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS OVER PENALTIES FOR UNDER AGE MARIJUANA USE AND OTHER THINGS, NOW THAT POT IS LEGAL IT DOESN'T MEAN THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE OVER.

DAVID CREWS LOOKS AT THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE SEEING DISPENSARIES AND DELIVERY SERVICES BY SUMMERTIME.

BUT THE REALITY APPEARS TO BE THAT CANNABIS TKPHRAPBD WILL EXCESS LEGAL CANNABIS SUPPLY FOR MOST OF THIS YEAR.

AND IT REALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY SAYS A LEADING REPUBLICAN WHO'S OPPOSITION WAS MORE MUTED THAN HIS CAUCUS.

>> IT'S A MESS, IT'S A MESS AT EVERY SINGLE STEP.

AND BY THE WAY, HAD THEY INCLUDED REPUBLICANS, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM.

YOU WOULD NOT HAVE GONE TOO FAR IN THE CLEAN UP BILL.

THE TAX STRUCTURE WOULD HAVE BEEN REASONABLE.

WE HAVE ON THE TABLE, HAD ON THE TABLE PERFECTLY WORKABLE SOLUTIONS FOR THESE THINGS.

YET THE DEMOCRATS DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT US.

>> Reporter: SO NOW THAT WE KNOW WHO TO BLAME WHAT NEEDS FIXING IN ORDER FOR THIS INDUSTRY TO GET GOING.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT, TECHNICALLY THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO MAKE ALL THE RULES IS FREE TO START DOING THAT.

ALTHOUGH NO TIME LINES HAVE BEEN SET FOR ANYTHING.

MEANWHILE, THERE ARE LEGISLATIVE FIXES ON THE WAY, CLEAN UP BILLS IF YOU WILL.

THE FIRST ONE PROPOSES TO FIX HOW POLICE INTERACT WITH PARENTS WHEN THEY FIND THEIR KIDS SMOKING WEED OR DRINKING IN PUBLIC.

SENATOR GOPAL IS A SPONSOR OF THE CLEAN UP BILL ON PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.

>> TO NOT ALLOW A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO KNOW WHAT THEIR 15 OR 16-YEAR-OLD IS DOING IS PRETTY INSANE TO ME.

SO AS SOON AS AND I'M MAD AT MYSELF BUT I THINK OTHER LEGISLATORS SHOULD BE MAD AT THEMSELVES THAT THEY DIDN'T DRILL DOWN ON THIS.

I WILL BE HONEST I DIDN'T, I MISSED IT.

THE SECOND I LEARNED WHAT IT WAS AFTER I WAS LIKE THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE ASAP.

>> THE NEW BILL WOULD ALLOW FOR PARENTAL NOTIFICATION IMMEDIATELY.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

IT'S NOT ON MY DESK.

THAT'S NOT EVEN THROUGH THE CHAMBERS YET.

BUT IT'S GOT A WAYS TO GO.

AS A CONCEPTUAL MATTER I SUPPORT THAT DIRECTION.

>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ONLY CLEAN UP BILL I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHERS.

>> YEAH THERE ARE, INCLUDING A FIX TO HOW EMPLOYERS TREAT TESTING THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR MARIJUANA USE.

SENATOR PAUL SARLO IS WORKING ON THAT ONE AND ANOTHER BILL WHICH THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND LEGAL CANNABIS OG CATARI ARE JUST GETTING STARTED ON ADDRESSES THE STICKY HOME GROWN SITUATION.

BUT IT WOULDN'T ALLOW YOU TO GROW YOUR OWN IT WOULD ONLY GET RID OF THE 20-YEAR-OLD PENALTY FOR GROWING IT.

>> IT'S A MESS.

AND WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO DO IS WAIT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN NEW JERSEY.

WE CREW THINGS UP.

REALIZE WE SCREWED THEM UP BUT DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM UNTIL WE CAUSE REAL HARM.

>> Reporter: IT'S ENOUGH TO CAUSE GENERAL ANXIETY WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCORES OF MALITIES FOR WHICH YOU CAN BUY CANNABIS TODAY.

THERE'S PLENTY OF THAT AND BLACK MARKET WEED AT THE MOMENT.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

>>> WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY HEADING TO THE GARDEN STATE.

HAS NEW JERSEY'S FINANCIAL PICTURE BRIGHTENED.

I ASKED JOHN RITEMIRE HOW THE IMPACT WILL IMPACT THE STATE.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL THIS MAKE FOR THE STATE?

>> YEAH, RHONDA, I THINK IT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

FIRST AND FORMOST IS HOW IT H HELPS PEOPLE OVER 9 BILLION IN STIMULUS PAYMENTS GOES DIRECTLY TO NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

THAT'S A HUGE NUMBER AND A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED THAT MONEY RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S ALSO 9 MILLION PLUS GOING TO GOVERNMENT WHETHER THAT'S THE STATE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS 6 BILLION OR COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHICH IS ANOTHER MORE THAN 3 BILLION.

THEN THERE'S ALMOST 3 BILLION GOING TO NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS.

MONEY FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSITS IS IN HERE, REALLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD HELPING NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND HELPING THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE MOVE FORWARD IN NEW JERSEY.

>> SO JOHN, HOW MUCH HAS THE FINANCIAL PICTURE CHANGED BECAUSE ALSO LAST WEEK WE GOT THE LATEST REVENUE NUMBERS FROM THIS STATE AND THEY LOOKED PRETTY GOOD TOO.

SKWR YEAH, THE STATE'S >> YEAH THE STATES OUTLOOK HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST MONTH.

GETTING $4 BILLION FROM A BORROWING ISSUE WHEN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WAS PROJECTING REALLY BAD REVENUE LOSSES TO NOW BEING PRETTY MUCH ON TARGET OR EVEN AHEAD OF TARGET YEAR OVER YEAR IN TERMS OF REVENUES AND THEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER $6 BILLION COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND SO, YOU KNOW THE STATES FORTUNES HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY NOW.

>> SO JOHN, HOW WILL THIS CHANGE THE TONE AND THE DISCUSSION AROUND BUDGET HEARINGS THAT ARE ONGOING.

>> I THINK YOU KNOW THE CHANGE IN TONE FROM YEARS PAST IS NEW JERSEY ALL OF A SUDDEN HAS MONEY TO DO THINGS.

MAKE A FULL PENSION CONTRIBUTION, FUND A LOT OF PROGRAMS, INCRUISE SCHOOL AID IS ONE OF THEM THAT MAY DIDN'T HAVE, THE STATE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE AS THE BUDGET HEARINGS CONTINUE HOWEVER IS THERE'S STILL ALL THESE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY TIED TO THE PANDEMIC SO IT'LL BE FIGURING OUT A WAY TO BEST LINK THIS AID TO THOSE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND PRIORITIZING WHERE THE NEED ARE THE MOST.

>> DO WE HAVE A SENSE YET OF THE APPETITE AMONG LAWMAKERS TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT TWEAKS IN THE BUDGET PROPOSAL?

>> WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR HOW MUCH, I MEAN USUALLY IT'S KIND OF ON THE EDGES AND YOU KNOW I WOULD EXPECT NOTHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

I DO THINK LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO WANT TO PUT THEIR PRINT ON THIS BUDGET.

WE JUST HAVEN'T SEEN YET EXACTLY HOW THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK TO MAKE CHANGES BUT PROBABLY MORE ALONG THE LINES OF TWEAKS THAN A MAJOR OVERHAUL.

>> A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE OF WHAT YOU AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT NOT TOO LONG AGO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN RITMIRE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> AND NOW HERE'S A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROUDLY SERVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, RUTGERS FANS HAVE REASON TO CELEBRATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS, THE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM IS GOING TO THE BIG DANCE.

THE SCARLET KNIGHTS HEADING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

THE TEAM EARNED A 10 SEED AND WILL PLAY NUMBER 7 SEED CLEMSON THIS FRIDAY IN INDIANAPOLIS.

YOU MAY RECALL LAST YEAR'S TOURNAMENT WAS CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19.

HEAD COACH STEVE PICKELL SAYS HE'S PROUD OF HIS TEAM FOR NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 AND RESURRECTING THE PROGRAM.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR PLATFORMS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR OUR ENTIRE TEAM THAT'S THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING THE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING, BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.