>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE EASING STARTING THIS MORNING RESTAURANTS, BAR, GYMS, SALONS AND AMUSEMENT VENUES WERE ALLOWED TO INCREASE INDOOR CAPACITY TO 50% WITH MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

IT COMES AS THE U.S.

REACHES PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VACCINATION GOAL WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE PUTTING 100 MILLION SHOTS IN ARMS.

IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 3.3 MILLION VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED AND MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT EASING LIMITS ALSO COMES AS THE STATE IS NO LONGER SEEING A STEADY DECLINE IN NEW CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS WE'VE PLATEAUED BUT REMAIN AT RATES THAT ARE QUOTE UNCOMFORTABLY TOO HIGH THAT'S DUE LARGELY TO THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANTS.

BUT OUTREACH TO SENIORS AND OTHER VULNERABLE RESIDENTS IS PICKING UP HOW QUICKLY CAN IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> 90-YEAR-OLD ARTILIO BIGGIO COULDN'T GET A COVID VACCINATION SO HE ASKED FOR HELP AT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL AN OFFLINE IN PERSON USER FRIENDLY OPTION.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, LADIES ARE VERY HELPFUL.

WHY SHOULDN'T, IT PROBABLY IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

>> WE'VE NOTED THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE OLDER POPULATION THEY THINK BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE REGISTERED ON ONE SIDE THAT'S IT.

THEY'RE JUST SITTING WAITING, THAT'S BEEN A PROBLEM ALL OVER NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY DR. PAMELA BLOOM PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS BUT STILL STRUGGLING TO GET VACCINATED.

IT'S CRITICAL 80% OF NEW JERSEY'S MORE THAN 4,500 COVID DEATHS WERE AGE 65 AND OLDER AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND HISPANICS DIE AT RATES UP TO 3 TIMES THE RATE OF WHITE.

THEY'RE ALSO WORKING TO OVERCOME VACCINE HESITANCY.

>> I THINK THEY'RE AFRAID TO TAKE THE SHOT.

SO WE HAD A NURSE COME NEXT WEEK WHO WAS GIVEN INFORMATION TO THESE PEOPLE TO LET THEM KNOW, YOU KNOW, IT'S EITHER THIS OR YOU DIE.

>> THAT'S WHY THE COUNCIL'S PAST PRESIDENT ISHA COLLINS WORRIED ABOUT HER GRANDMOTHER ROSIE PORTER.

>> I SAID GRANDMA WE HAVE TO GET YOU ON A LIST.

WE HAVE TO GET YOU THE VACCINE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I REGISTERED HER, MYSELF, MY E- MAIL, AND COUNTY NUMBER.

BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE IT.

TO THIS DAY SHE STILL DOESN'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.

NO ONE E-MAILED ME ABOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

>> SOME ADVOCATES SAY THIS DESPERATE NEED FOR GRASS ROOTS ASSISTANCE JUST HIGHLIGHTS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS FALLING SHORT.

>> WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING A LOT OF HELP BUT WE NEED THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS HERE IN WEST FIELD HAVE ALREADY HELPED ABOUT 30 PEOPLE GET VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS.

THEY'LL ALSO START GOING DOOR TO DOOR.

>> WE MUST BRING HEALTH CARE TO PEOPLE RIGHT.

I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR 25 YEARS.

LIKE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TEST FOR SOMETHING?

YOU HAVE TO GO TO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE.

YOU WANT PEOPLE TO VACCINATE FOR SOMETHING.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ACTUALLY TRAINING A GROUP OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS WHO DO INTEND TO GO DOOR TO DOOR.

IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY WE'RE WAITING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.

BUTS THAT IN THE WORKS.

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO REACH OUT OFFLINE IN LATE FEBRUARY, NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LAUNCH ADD NEW SENIORS OWN HOT LINE TO HELP AT LEAST 70% OF ELDERLY FOLKS GET THEIR COVID SHOT.

>> WELCOME TO THE NEW JERSEY COVID VACCINE HOT LINE.

>> OUR MAIN GOAL THROUGH THE VACCINATION PROGRAM WILL ALWAYS BE FIRST AND FOREMOST TO PREVENT MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY.

>> NEARLY 65% OF THOSE 75 AND OLDER AND ABOUT 65% OF THOSE 65 TO 74 HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOZE OF THE VACCINE.

BUT THE HOT LINE IS CURRENTLY FOCUSED MORE ON SOUTH JERSEY RESIDENTS AND IS STILL DIRECTS PEOPLE TO WEBSITES.

MEANWHILE BURGON COUNTY OPENED ITS OWN SENIORS HOT LINE.

>> SO THIS GIVES US THE WAY FOR THEM TO USE THAT FLIP PHONE TO CALL US.

GET THE INFORMATION FROM THEM.

AND SAY TO THEM OKAY HERE'S THE DATE, THE TIME AND OH BY THE WAY IF YOU NEED A RIDE WE CAN HELP SCHEDULE A RIDE FOR YOU TOO.

>> ESPECIALLY IN DAYS OF COVID IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> IN BURGON COUNTY A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS FORMED A COVID-19 VACCINE EQUITY TEAM TO CUT DOWN ON BARRIERS TO THE SHOT BY BRINGING DOSES INTO UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES.

TODAY BEGAN THE FIRST OF THREE BEING OFFERED.

ROUGHLY 60 DOSES WERE GIVEN.

THE MABAWAY TRIBAL NATION IS MADE OF 60 PEOPLE.

MEMBERS OF TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE HISTORICALLY FACED DISPARITIES AMONG VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTY DESPITE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR BEING HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS IS LITERALLY THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFETIME THAT I'VE KNOWN WHERE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE AN EQUAL SHOT AT STAYING ALIVE AND BEING TREATED EQUALLY LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A VIBRANT COMMUNITY GOING FORWARD.

I BELIEVE THAT IS NOT JUST A TRIBAL COMMUNITY BUT ALL OF OUR PEOPLE WANT IS A HEALTHY, WAY FORWARD.

>> WELL NEW GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC COULD ALLOW MORE STUDENTS TO RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

TONIGHT THE FEDERAL AGENCY SAYS, THREE FEET NOT 6 IS SUFFICIENT SOCIAL DISTANCING BETWEEN STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY AND MANY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

THE CDC PUBLISHED THE REVISED GUIDELINES AFTER FINDING CORONAVIRUS TRANSMISSION WAS LIMITED IN SCHOOLS THAT REQUIRED MASKS BUT DIDN'T KEEP DESKS 6 FEET AWAY.

AND THE STALE FAILED TO RECOGNIZE HOW DISRUPTIVE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS CLOSE TO PHASING OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

>> HE DOESN'T HAVE THE JOB TRAINING AT SCHOOL.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE STUCK.

>> COLEMAN IS THE MOM OF SAMMY A 24-YEAR-OLD STUDENT WHO HAS LOST CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE OF INSTRUCTION.

>> HE GOES TO SCHOOL PART TIME.

ONLY HALF DAYS HE JUST STARTED GOING BACK TO SHOP RITE FOR AN HOUR.

A COUPLE OF DAYS A WEEK.

BUT THAT'S, THAT'S IN NO WAY MAKING UP FOR THE 10 MONTHS HE'S BEEN SITTING AT HOME.

>> SAMMY IS ABOUT TO GRADUATE.

THE MILESTONE IS KNOWN AMONGST THE AUTISM COMMUNITY AS FALLING OFF THE STATE.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO LOST A YEAR BECAUSE OF COVID THAT CLIFF IS EVEN STEEPER.

>> THEY TRY TO REPLICATE VOCATIONAL TASKS BUT THAT ISN'T POSSIBLE.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

TAKE COLORED HOOKS AND HOOK THEM TOGETHER ON A LARGER HOOK.

OR PUT TOGETHER DICE AND DOWELS IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER.

THAT DOESN'T TRANSLATE INTO WHAT HE WAS DOING AT SHOP RITE WHICH IS STOCKING ITEMS IN A FREEZER.

THAT DOESN'T TRANSLATE INTO ANY JOB THAT WE WOULD WANT HIM TO DO.

>> Reporter: COLEMAN PETITIONED THE STATE TO ASK THAT STUDENTS THAT ARE ABOUT TO GRADUATE GET SERVICES FOR AN EXTRA YEAR.

SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY AND DON ADIEGGOS SPONSORED A BILL TO EXPAND THOSE SERVICES FOR 20 AND 21-YEAR-OLDS.

>> PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE TO LET A CHILD STAY BACK A YEAR.

BECAUSE WHAT HAS HAPPENED, SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

YOU KNOW, KIDS ACTUALLY GO BACKWARD.

AND I'VE SEEN IT.

I'M A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

SO GIVING THEM THAT EXTRA YEAR, ACTUALLY GIVES US A CHANCE TO RECAPTURE THAT MOMENTUM THAT WAS GOING FORWARD.

>> THEY NEED THAT YEAR TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL, AND IT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT BECAUSE, INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS, THEY'RE NOT DOING IT.

WE'RE ASKING, AND WE'RE BEING TOLD NO.

>> WHAT HAPPENS TO SAMMY AND HIS PEERS IF THEY DON'T GET THIS BILL PASSED?

>> WE'LL HAVE TO TRY AND FIND ADULT DAY PROGRAMS FOR HIM AND MANY OF THE DAY PROGRAMS DON'T HAVE THAT VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.

BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME AS GETTING THAT TRANSITION PROGRAM FROM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.

IEP, WITH GOALS THAT HE HAS TO MEET.

OUR FEAR NOW IS HE WON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT.

>> IS THIS A FAILURE OF THE STATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS TO THESE KIDS?

>> I WOULD SAY YES, I WOULD SAY, IT'S NO ONE'S FAULT.

IT'S BECAUSE OF COVID.

BUT, THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SEE THAT OUR CHILDREN GET THE EDUCATION THAT THEY WERE ENTITLED TO.

>> WITHOUT THIS CHANGE THE AVERAGE FAMILY SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THESE VERY COSTLY SERVICES SAYS AUTISM'S EBERMAN.

>> THERE'S FUNDING THAT WAS RELEASED IN THE NEW FEDERAL STIMULUS BILL.

ABOUT $3 BILLION THAT WOULD GO TO SPECIAL EDUCATION.

WE'RE HOPING SOME OF THAT YOU KNOW, COMES DOWN AND IS ABLE TO BE PUT TOWARD THE COMPENSATORY SERVICES.

>> HE SAYS TIMING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE SOME STUDENTS ARE BEING TREATED EVEN FOR DEPRESSION.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGES.

>> STUDIES SHOW AND CHILD WELFARE EXPERTS ADMIT THAT COVID IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS MENTAL NEEDS.

THEY HAVE LET PARENTS AND CARE GIVERS KNOW THERE IS HELP.

>> DON'T WAIT, FOR REALTIME SUPPORT, RESOURCES OR DEESCALATION COUNSELING CALL NEW JERSEY'S CHILDREN SYSTEM OF CARE.

>> WHAT EXACTLY CAN THE PROGRAM DO FOR YOU?

MOLLY GREEN IS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER AT THE DEPARTMENT'S CHILDREN'S SYSTEM OF CARE AND JOIN US TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION JOINS US TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> COMMISSIONER GREEN THANK YOU FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES IF FAMILIES CONNECT WITH THIS SERVICE, WHAT TYPE OF HELP CAN THEY GET?

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS UPON WHAT THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD ARE AT THE TIME THAT THEY MAKE THAT CALL TO PERFORM HERE.

SO PERFORM CARE IS REALLY THE FRONT DOOR FOR THE SYSTEM CHILDREN FOR CARE.

WE CONTRACT WITH THE ASSOCIATION FOR THAT SERVICES CAPACITY.

AND THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS THAT THE MEMBER SERVICES PERSONNEL WILL ASK THE FAMILY.

FIRST AND FOREMOST WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IT THAT THE FAMILY WANTS AND NEEDS AND WHAT DO THEY SEE AS THE MOST PRESSING CONCERN AT THE POINT THEY MAKE THAT FALL.

THERE'S A TRIAGE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAKING THE RIGHT CLINICAL DECISION BUT WE REALLY TRY TO DO THAT THROUGH LISTENING TO WHAT THE FAMILY SAYS THEIR CONCERNS ARE.

>> HOW CRITICAL IS IT THAT THE FAMILY KNOW AS WE ENTER YEAR TWO OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE CANNOT GO A DAY WITHOUT SEEING MANY STORIES IN THE MEDIA AND CONCERNS ABOUT CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING.

IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO WAIT AND TO MAKE THAT CALL.

>> WHAT ARE YOU SEEING RIGHT NOW?

WHAT'S NEEDED MOST.

>> TWO THINGS I WOULD WANT TO REALLY POINT OUT.

ONE IS THAT WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN YOUTH WHO ARE CONNECTING WITH THE SYSTEM WHO REALLY DO MEET THAT HIGHER ACUTETY NEED FOR CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

FOR MORE INTENSIVE IN COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES AND THAT WE ARE RESPONDING TO THAT NEED AND THEN IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, WE'RE ALSO SEEING AN INCREASE IN REQUESTS FOR MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES.

>> WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

THE HIGHER MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A CASE MORE COMMON SITUATION.

>> SO, YOU KNOW IT REALLY AGAIN IT REALLY DEPENDS ON HOW THE FAMILY IS EXPERIENCING THE SITUATION.

AND SO, IF THERE'S AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR MOBILE RESPONSE THE STABILIZATION SERVICES.

A FAMILY CAN CALL.

TALK ABOUT WHATEVER IS GOING ON IN THEIR SITUATION.

IT COULD BE THAT THE CHILD IS EXPERIENCING YOU KNOW BEHAVIORS THAT ARE CONCERNING.

MAYBE YOU KNOW LEAVING THE HOUSE WITHOUT TELLING THEIR PARENTS WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

INCREASE IN SUBSTANCE USE.

SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY AND THAT CHILD IS REALLY STRUGGLING.

THEY CAN CALL AND REQUEST THAT MOBILE RESPONSE AND THEN, THE SERVICE CAN EITHER DISPATCH TO THE FAMILY'S HOME AND IF WE WANT WE CAN MAKE THAT SERVICE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH TELE HEALTH.

OR IF THE CHILD LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE A HIGHER NEED AND THE FAMILY CAN BENEFIT FROM A 24 HOUR HELP, THEY CAN BE SENT TO THE ORGANIZATION.

>>> IT'S BEEN A CRAZY FEW WEEKS OF POLITICS FOR TWO FORMER RUNNING MATES.

GORDON JOHNSON AND VALERIE VANERIE HUDDLE ARE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER AS THEY VIE FOR RETIRING SENATOR STATE SENATOR WINEBURG'S SEAT.

MOST OF THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT IS ENDORSING WINEBURG'S SEAT.

AND TONIGHT THEY DELIVERED A DECISIVE BLOW IN THE RACE THROWING THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND THE ASSEMBLYMAN TOO.

MICHAEL AARONS SPEAKS ONE ON ONE WITH VALERIE VENIRIE HUDDLE, MICHAEL ARON SPEAKS ONE ON ONE WITH VALERIE VENIRIE HUDDLE.

>> HOW IS THE RACE LOOKING AT THE MOMENT?

>> WELL MICHAEL, TO BE HONEST I FEEL VERY GOOD.

I HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLE AND THE GRASS ROOTS ADVOCATES AND I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY CWA AND HKE.

BUT LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE ASSEMBLY FOR 15 YEARS AND I HAVE BEEN A PROGRESSIVE LEADER.

I'VE DEDICATED MOST OF MY CAREER TO GIVING VOICE TO THE VOICELESS.

OFFERING LANDMARK LAWS TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

AND I THINK I HAVE FOUGHT SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE GOVERNOR ENDORSED AND HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO STAY NEUTRAL.

>> WELL I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

I'VE WORKED HAND ON HAND WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY.

THE RACE COMES DOWN TO ME AND ASSEMBLYMAN JOHNSON.

QUITE FRANKLY THE ENDORSEMENT TO ME THAT I CARE ABOUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IS THE VOTERS OF DISTRICT 37 AND THAT'S WHO I ANSWER TO AND THAT'S WHO I WORK FOR.

>> THE BURGON COUNTY ORGANIZATION IS BACK, THAT MEANS HE GET IT IS PREFERRED POSITION IN THE BALLOT LINE OVER PHIL MURPHY.

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM WITH THE ORGANIZATION.

YOU HAD SAID THE DECK WAS STACKED AGAINST YOU.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM THERE?

>> YOU KNOW MICHAEL, I THINK YOU KNOW ME LONG ENOUGH THAT IF I WALKED AWAY EVERY TIME A MAN IN POWER TOLD ME TO BACK OFF, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ELECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND I THINK YOU WERE THERE IN 2005 WHEN I WENT UP AGAINST THE MACHINE AND THE STATUS QUO.

I HAVE BEEN AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 37.

AND QUITE FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, I WON'T BOW OR COME DOWN TO PARTY BOSSES WHO TELL ME IT'S MY TIME.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 15 YEARS AND I'VE MADE A DECISION TO WRITE DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS THAT IS BECAUSE I FEEL I CAN BRING MY MESSAGE DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY RANK IN FILE THEY WOULD SUPPORT ME.

I WAS TOLD FROM DAY ONE I SHOULD STAY IN THE ASSEMBLY.

OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A CANDIDATE THAT WAS GORDON JOHNSON AND I COULD NOT SIT BACK AND BE PIGEONED HOLED IN THE ASSEMBLY.

IF YOU PUT OUR RESUMES TOGETHER I WOULD LIKE THE VOTERS TO DECIDE BASED ON OUR RESUMES.

SO THIS IS NOTHING NEW FOR ME.

IT'S JUST THAT FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS I'VE DEVELOPED A GREAT REPUTATION AS A LEADER IN TRENTON.

AS A PROGRESSIVE LEADER IN TRENTON.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S DIFFICULT, BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE RESULTS I HAVE HAD AND ENDORSEMENTS I HAVE HAD.

THEY REALLY ARE BASED ON THE LEGACY OF LORETTA WINEBURG.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU MICHAEL, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

STAY WELL.

>> FOR THE FEW INTERVIEW HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND NEXT FRIDAY MICHAEL WILL SPEAK WITH DISTRICT 37 SENATE CANDIDATE GORDON JOHNSON.

WE'LL RETURN NOW TO THE STATE'S BUSINESS NEWS.

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS THINK OF THE NEW INDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS TODAY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS, RHONDA.

>> Reporter: BRIANA YOU WOULD THINK BUSINESSES WOULD BE OVERJOYED TODAY NOW THAT CAPACITY LIMITS ARE EXPANDING.

BUT OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, BUSINESS OWNERS SAY IT'S NOT FAR ENOUGH AND COMING TOO LATE FOR MANY.

AT A VIRTUAL MEETING HELD BY THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS COUNCIL, LEADERS FAULT THE STATE FOR NOT PROVIDING CLEAR AND CONSISTENT GUIDANCE AND QUESTION THE THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND SETTING CAPACITY LIMITS.

MICHAEL CHE GAVE THIS EXAMPLE CAN EASILY ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 25,000 PEOPLE BUT IT'S LIMITED TO JUST 25.

CASINO FLOORS ARE OPENED TO 25 BUT I CAN'T MOVE 25 PEOPLE FROM THAT FLOOR AND MOVE THEM TO A MEETING ROOM.

>> SOME IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ARGUE THAT IT'S STILL TOO CONSERVATIVE.

TODAY REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS HELD WHAT THEY CALL AN INDEPENDENT HEARING TO DISCUSS HOW THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES HAD IMPACTED THE ECONOMY.

A PARADE OF BUSINESS LEADERS TESTIFIED ABOUT HOW THE STATE'S RESTRICTIONS HAVE HURT OR CLOSED THEIR BUSINESSES.

SENATOR OSCANLON SAYS THE ORGANIZATION HAS TO TAKE A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH.

>> NO ONE IS CALLING FOR THROWING THE DOORS OPEN AND YOU KNOW TO HELL WITH HEALTH.

WE'VE DOCUMENTED, THEY'VE OPENED FASTER, THEY HAVE DONE IT RESPONSIBLELY WITH NO NEGATIVE IMPACT AND WITH SAVING MORE BUSINESSES AND LIVELIHOODS AND LIVES.

>> Reporter: IN OTHER NEWS, ANOTHER 10,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS FILED UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMANTS IN THE RECENT WEEKS.

THAT'S A 4.4% INCREASE AND COMES AFTER4 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS OF DECLINE.

>> ANOTHER MARIJUANA DISPENSARY HAS OPENED IN NEW JERSEY.

RISE HAS OPENED A LOCATION IN PARAMAS.

IT IS THE 14th SUCH DISPENSARY IN THE STATE.

THEY ALSO OPERATE A LOCATION IN PATTERSON.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND, SHE TAKE AS LOOK AT TAKES A LOOK AT A LOOMING DOUBLE CRISIS.

MASS EVICTIONS AND ENERGY BILLS.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT SUPPORTED BY IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> ONE YEAR AGO AFTER THE CORONAVIRUS TOOK HOLD OF OUR STATE, THE NEW JERSEY PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND LAUNCHED.

RAISING MONEY TO RESPOND TO THE URGENT NEEDS CAUSE BID THE PANDEMIC.

TODAY THE FUND HAS RAISED MORE THAN $65 MILLION FROM OVER 62,000 DONORS.

TONIGHT, FOUNDING CHAIR AND FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY JOINS US WITH DETAILS ON WHERE AND HOW THAT MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

>> MA'AM FIRST LADY, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

YOU KNOW, I RECALL SPEAKING WITH YOU ABOUT A YEAR AGO ABOUT LAUNCHING THE FUND.

WAS THIS THE GOAL YOU SET OUT?

THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY, THIS AMOUNT OF DONATIONS?

>> WELL I WOULD SAY BRIANA THAT WE, I KNEW THAT THERE WAS A NEED AND THE NEED WAS GOING TO EXCEED PROBABLY ANYTHING WE COULD EVER DREAM OF RAISING.

AND I, AND I MEAN THAT, WE'VE DONE INCREDIBLY WELL AND I'M SO THRILLED WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP.

BUT THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THERE IS A LOT OF NEED OUT THERE.

SO I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR JUST SO MANY PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER AND HELPING US.

NEARLY 63,000 DONORS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE WHERE THIS MONEY GOES AND WHO GETS IT.

>> WE'VE REALLY PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN A LOT OF AREAS RANGING FROM FOOD SECURITY.

THAT WAS ONE OF OUR VERY, VERY FIRST AND CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES ACROSS THE FUND.

BUT FOOD SECURITY, TELEMEDICINE, MENTAL HEALTH.

HELPING TO FIX THE DIGITAL DIVIDE WHICH HAS NOW BEEN FIXED ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU KNOW, PROPER UP WOMEN IN MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.

WEIGHING IN WITH UNDOCUMENTED WHO WERE SADLY LEFT OUT OF ALL OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY.

IT WAS JUST A RANGE OF DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WERE THE AREAS WHERE WE THOUGHT WE COULD REALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE AND HAVE AN IMPACT.

>> WHERE DO YOU SEE IT GOING FROM HERE?

>> I WOULD SAY GOING FORWARD WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THE BREAD CRUMBS WHERE THEY'RE TAKING US.

WE'VE ALLOCATED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'VE RAISED TO DATE.

WE STILL HAVE SOME MONEY LEFT TO BE ALLOCATED BUT WE REALLY HAVE DEPLOYED SO MUCH AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

I THINK THIS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING OR GO BACK AND RESUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS WE'VE ALREADY DEBTED AND TO MAKE SURE THEY NOW HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CARRY ON.

>> THE FOLKS AT THE FOND ARE VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME AND THEIR HOURS.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE OFTEN THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING TO DONATE.

HOW MUCH OF MY MONEY IS GOING TO THE OVER HEAD COST OF THE ORGANIZATION THEY'RE DOLLING OUT AND HOW MANY OF IT IS ACTUALLY GETTING INTO THOSE HANDS.

>> WE WANTED TO BE CERTAIN THAT WE TELL EVERY PERSON THAT REACHED OUT TO THE FUND.

IF YOU GIVE US A DOLLAR, THAT DOLLAR WILL BE TURNED AROUND AND GO TO THOSE MOST IN NEED.

I FELT THAT WAS EXCEEDINGLY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR US AT THE FUND BECAUSE IT MAKES US REALLY PAY ATTENTION WHEN WE'RE EXPENDING FUNDS INTERNALLY.

BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE WANT TO HELP.

IF YOU CAN GIVE A DOLLAR THAT'S GREAT.

IF YOU CAN GIVE MORE THAT'S ALSO GREAT.

TO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING YOU'RE GOING THAT'S GOING BACK OUT TO HELP THOSE IN NEED THERE'S NOTHING BETTER.

>> FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS BRIANA FOR HAVING ME.

>> THAT'S IT FOR US BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE STORIES YOU CAN CATCH REPORTER ROUND TABLE WITH MICHAEL CRUZ SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M.

ALONG WITH CHAT BOX SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR FIND US ON SOCIAL TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING ALL WEEKEND LONG.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

TOMORROW IS OFFICIALLY THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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