>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

BRIANA VANNOZZI IS OFF TONIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR DECLARED TODAY, WE HAVE THIS VIRUS ON THE RUN.

HE SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ELIMINATING THE MANDATE TO WHERE MASS OUTSIDE.

BUT, STILL DESPITE THE CDC GUIDANCE, ONCE MASKS ARE WORN INDOORS SAYING WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS, WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

THE GOVERNOR, TALLYING CASE NUMBERS IN NEW JERSEY 490 NEW CASES AND 13 DEATHS AS RECENT TO ANNOUNCE THAT STARTING WITH THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR THIS FALL, ALL CHILDREN WILL BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

REMOTE LEARNING WILL NOT BE AN OPTION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND, MURPHY IS LIFTING NEW JERSEY'S TRAVEL ADVISORY OUT OF STATE TRAVELERS COMING TO NEW JERSEY WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE, NOR WILL NEW JERSEY RETURNING HOME FROM TRIPS.

DESPITE THE SIGNS OF PROGRESS, NOT EVERYONE AGREES WITH THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO NOT SHED MASKS INDOORS AND THE MANDATE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE EVEN AS OTHER STATES INCLUDING NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT ARE DROPPING THEIR INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENTS THIS WEEK.

ALL OF THIS, CAUSING CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION AS WE HEAR FROM SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> THIS IS ALL BALONEY.

YES.

>> Reporter: SOME SHOPPERS AT THE ROCKAWAY HOME DEPOT FELT VIBRATE AND A BIT CONFUSED ON ONE HAND, THE CDC SAID LAST WEEK FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS OR OUT.

DESPITE THAT, GOVERNOR MURPHY CONTINUED INDOOR MASK MANDATES IN PUBLIC PLACES LIKE STORES, HOME DEPOT STILL REQUIRING BOTH STAFF AND CUSTOMERS TO MASK UP INSIDE.

>> I DON'T KNOW I JUST FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO.

BUT I PUBLICLY WILL ALWAYS WEAR A MASK WHEN I GO IN THE STORE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF X SIGNALS AND CONFUSION ON IT.

>> WELL, THEY SHOULD GET TOGETHER POSSIBLY AND TRY TO MAKE SOME KIND OF CERTAIN MANDATE.

>> IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONFUSION.

THE RETAILERS ACROSS THE NATION REACTED TO THE RULES AT TRADER JOE'S, COSTCO, AND STARBUCKS VACCINATED CUSTOMERS BUT NOT WORKERS CAN REMOVE MASKS.

TARGET, WALMART, AND SAM'S CLUB WILL HAVE VACCINATED STAFF AND CUSTOMERS SHED THEIR MASKS THIS WEEK OF COURSE THEY ARE STILL REQUIRED ENDORSED.

IT SAYS POTENTIAL CONFRONTATIONS WITH STAFF.

>> MY CONCERN IS THAT PEOPLE WHO NEVER WANTED TO WEAR A MASK IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND PEOPLE WHO NEVER ONE TO GET A VACCINE WILL TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST GO ABOUT LIVING THEIR LIVES.

>> SEEN A LOT NOW BECAUSE OF SEASONAL ALLERGIES.

SO PEOPLE ARE NOW JUST IN THE LINE, SNEEZING AND COUGHING AND I HAVE TO SAY, THE WORKERS LOOKED TERRIFIED.

>> A UNION REPRESENTING 52,000 NEW JERSEY WORKERS SAID THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAILY TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES HAVE THE FOOD THEY NEED DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, SHOWING THE LEADERSHIP NEW JERSEY WORKERS AND FAMILIES NEED AT PUTTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY FIRST AND KEEPING THE STATES MASK MENDED IN PLACE.

SOME CRITICS SLAMMED THE CDC FOR NOT PROVIDING MORE SPECIFIC ANSWER NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST HEALTHCARE WORKERS UNION CALLED IT MESSAGING.

>> I'M SHOCKED AND SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CDC WOULD SUDDENLY CHOOSE THIS MOMENT IN TIME TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

I MEAN, TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

THIS WAS PREMATURE.

WE ARE NOT READY YET.

>> NOT EVERYBODY HAS TO RIP OFF THEIR MASS BECAUSE OUR GUIDANCE CHANGE ON THURSDAY.

>> THE CDC'S DIRECTOR TRIED TO CLARIFY THE ISSUE THIS WEEKEND, NOTING IT'S A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED THREE BRAND-NEW REPORTS OF CODE VACCINE EFFICACY AGAINST THE VIRUS AND ITS VARIANTS.

SHE CLAIMS THE NEW MASK GUIDANCES SCIENCE BASED AND NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

>> EVERY COMMUNITY IS NOT THE SAME FOR NOT ALL COMMUNITIES HAVE VACCINATION RATES THAT ARE HIGH.

AND SOME COMMUNITIES STILL HAVE CASE RATES THAT ARE HIGH.

SO, THESE DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.

>> PEOPLE ONE CLEAR, CONSISTENT POLICIES, AND THIS, I THINK THIS CREATES HAVOC AND CHAOS, AND I THINK THIS TIME, THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING A SERIOUS MISTAKE, EVEN IF THERE IS SOME RISK, THE RISK IGNORING THE CDC IN MY JUDGMENT SETS HIM UP FOR FAILURE.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS HAVE PERSONALLY TO RELAX MANDATES AS JERSEY IS THE SEVENTH STATE TO VACCINATE AT LEAST 70% OF ADULTS WITH AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY THAT THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

>> WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

THE MAJORITY OF NEW JERSEYANS ARE STILL UNVACCINATED.

AND WE ARE NOT CHECKING ANYONE'S VACCINE STATUS AT THE DOOR WHEN YOU GO TO THE SUPERMARKET OR TO A HARDWARE STORE.

FOR INSTANCE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN EXPECT WORKERS TO BE ABLE TO TELL WHO IS VACCINATED FROM WHO IS NOT.

>> THAT PROBLEM LOOMS LARGE.

THE MOMENT INDOOR MASKS TO COME OFF, HOW WILL STORES DEMAND PROOF OF VACCINATION?

>> DOES THIS MEAN THAT PEOPLE WILL THINK THEIR VACCINATION I.D.

CARDS?

ABSOLUTELY THEY WILL PAY PEOPLE SAY THINGS ALL THE TIME BUT THEY PUT THEIR OWN LIVES AT RISK.

>> I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> IS BRENDA MANCHIN, NEW JERSEY HAS GIVEN ONE SHOT TO 70% OF ADULT RESIDENTS WITH 3.87 MILLION ADULTS NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

NEW JERSEY'S VACCINATION RATE IS OUTPACING OTHER STATES, BUT VACCINE HESITANCY REMAINS, PARTICULARLY AMONG SOME OF THE STATES MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

NOW, THE SCHOOL OF NURSING, HEALTH, AND EXERCISE SCIENCE AT THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY IS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY.

THE SCHOOL HAS PARTNERED WITH THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BETTER GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT VACCINATIONS TO THOSE RESIDENTS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS OUR REPORT.

>> FOR ME, THIS IS KIND OF THE FIRST THING THAT I'VE DONE THAT I'VE BEEN SEEING THIS KIND OF REACTION, OR THIS RESPONSE.

SO INSTANTLY.

>> Reporter: ARIANNA CEBALLOS IS STUDYING PUBLIC HEALTH AT THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY.

WILL SHE STILL HAS ANOTHER YEAR TO GO, SHE IS LEADING EFFORTS WITH OTHER STUDENTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOW.

>> THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION TO WORK WITH COMMUNITIES IN ALL OF NEW JERSEY, AND WE ARE MAKING FOCUS GROUPS THAT CAN WE TALK ABOUT VACCINE HESITANCY AND JUST ALL THE BARRIERS THAT PEOPLE FACE IN TRYING TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> SHE SAYS SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS INCLUDE THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AS WELL AS UNDERSTANDING WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF GETTING VACCINATED FOR COVID- 19.

SOAK TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, EVAN BOUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO ITS STUDENTS ARE GOING DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS AND HANDING OUT MULTILINGUAL FLYERS LIKE THESE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM.

STUDENTS ARE ALSO ON-SITE AT VACCINE CLINICS READY TO HELP.

>> I AM A HISPANIC WOMAN, AND THE STUFF IS VERY RELEVANT.

I HEAR HESITANCY AMONG YOU KNOW, FAMILY MEMBERS EVEN.

SO I THINK TRYING TO SPREAD THIS INFORMATION AND JUST UNDERSTANDING AGAIN WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE KINDS OF CLINICAL TRIALS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE VAST NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ENROLLED IN DIFFERENT CLINICAL TRIALS.

AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT MEDICAL TESTING THAT GOES INTO TRYING TO FIND OUT ANY HEALTH CONSEQUENCES.

>> THE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND SHARED PUBLIC HEALTH AT THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY SUBSTANCE ARE FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE STATES MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

NATIVE AMERICAN AND BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

WHERE HESITANCY IS CONNECTED TO A VERY TROUBLING PAST.

>> FOR EXAMPLE IN THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF MEDICAL USES.

SOME LINK TO CLINICAL TRIALS.

THINK THAT TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS TRIALS ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE WHERE EVEN AFTER WE KNEW THE PENICILLIN WORKS TO CURE US OF SYPHILIS, PEOPLE IN THE TRIAL WERE NOT OFFERED THIS OPTION, AND WERE ACTUALLY KEPT FROM GETTING GOOD TREATMENT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO FORGET.

>> SOON AS THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY ARE TRYING TO CHASE THE NARRATIVE AND GET PEOPLE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH GETTING VACCINATED.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT A LOT OF THOSE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE NOT EVEN REALLY DONE THE OUTREACH THAT WE NEED TO DO, REALLY GETTING TO THE PEOPLE.

AND, THAT IS WHAT, YOU HAVE TO DO, YOU HAVE TO GO IN THE COMMUNITY IN THOSE AREAS, AND REALLY TALK WITH GROUPS, NOT JUST SENT OUT MASS EMAILS.

>> STUDENTS BELIEVE THE RESULTS FROM THE INITIAL FOCUS GROUPS ARE ALREADY SHOWING THEIR EFFORTS ARE WORKING WITH MORE RESIDENCE SAYING THEY ARE NOW MORE LIKELY TO GET VACCINATED.

THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THIS TREND CONTINUES SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN GO BACK TO LIVING THEIR LIVES AS THEY DID BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS REPORTING THE FIRST CASE OF COVID-19, NOT A J&J VACCINE TRIGGERING A RARE OCCURRENCE OF A BLOOD CLOT IN ONE MAN'S ARM.

THE PATIENT WAS AN ACTIVE 85- YEAR-OLD MAN WHO HAD A PRIOR DIAGNOSIS OF BLOOD CLOTS.

HE WAS HOSPITALIZED AND TREATED FOR THE CONDITION.

MOST CASES HAVE THE VEINS OCCUR IN THE LEGS.

ONLY ABOUT 10% OF BLOOD CLOTS OCCUR IN THE ARMS.

BUT, IT IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONDITION, AND CAN BE FATAL.

THE RUTGERS STUDY SUGGESTS THAT CLINICIANS SHOULD CONSIDER TESTING FOR THAT IN COVID-19 PATIENTS WHO EXPERIENCE UNEXPLAINED SWELLING.

AND ANYONE WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL HELP IF THEY ASK VARIANCE SUCH SWELLING.

WRECKERS SAYS IT'S DISCOVERY IMPROVES THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW INFORMATION CAUSED BY COVID CAN LEAD TO THESE BLOOD CLOTS, AND HOW TO TREAT THEM.

>>> SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO PUT THE BRAKES ON A POSSIBLE PLAN TO CHARGE NEW JERSEY DRIVERS ANOTHER FEE TO TRAVEL INTO MANHATTAN.

NEW YORK'S SO-CALLED CONGESTION PRICING PLAN IS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DISCUSSION.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID KRUSE INVESTIGATES THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT PLAN BECOMING A REALITY, AND WHAT JERSEY CAN DO ABOUT IT IF IT DOES.

>> IF YOU'VE EVER DRIVEN INTO THE CITY, ESPECIALLY DURING RUSH HOUR, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE.

CONGESTION PRICING, AN IDEA WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER SINCE JOHN LINDSAY WAS THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK.

IT'S INTENDED TO BE A SOLUTION.

THE LATEST INCLINATION WOULD CHARGE A FEE, OR A TOLL IF YOU PREFER.

ON ALMOST EVERY VEHICLE ENTERING MANHATTAN BETWEEN 60th STREET AND THE BATTERY.

ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE JERSEY SIDE SAY THE PLAN IS NOTHING MORE THAN A DOUBLE TEXT ON JERSEY COMMUTERS.

>> DESPITE THE HUNDRED YEARS OF CONSTRUCTIVE COOPERATION, OF SHARING COST AND REVENUES, OF OUR BRIDGES, TUNNELS, PORTS AND AIRPORTS, NEW YORK IS NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE DEAL, AND STICK IT TO THEIR PARTNER, THE PEOPLE IN JERSEY WITH A NEW MANHATTAN CONGESTION TAX.

>> Reporter: SAM SCHWARTZ WHO WRITES A COLUMN FOR THE DAILY NEWS SAYS HE'S A FORMER CITY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER SAYS THERE'S ONLY A SKELETON OF A PLAN NOW THAT DEALS WITH WHO MIGHT BE EXEMPT FROM PAYING.

>> BEYOND THAT, THERE IS NO PLAN.

NOBODY KNOWS THE TIME OF DAY, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE CHARGE IS, AND THAT'S WHY I DON'T THINK PEOPLE SHOULD GET TOO EXCITED AT THIS POINT.

PANEL NEEDS TO BE FORMED, SOMETHING CALLED THE TRAFFIC MOBILITY BOARD.

THAT HAS BEEN STALLED.

I DON'T KNOW THE REASON WHY, IT COULD BE THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE NEW YORK SIDE WOULD LIKE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE LIKES THE FACT THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING TO MANHATTAN FROM BROOKLYN AND QUEENS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A FEE.

THEY GENERALLY DON'T DO ANYTHING TO GET INTO THE CITY, BUT HE SAYS JERSEY RESIDENTS PAY A HEFTY FEE RIGHT NOW, BETWEEN 13 AND $16, DEPENDING ON TIME OF DAY.

AS IT EXISTS NOW, THE PLAN ONLY COVERS THE HOLLAND AND THE LINCOLN.

NOT THE GWB.

WHICH IS WHERE ALL THE JERSEY ELECTED OFFICIALS GATHERED TO BLAST THE PLAN LAST MONTH.

BUT, THE NEW HEAD OF THE TRI- STATE TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN SAYS THE THINKING SHOULD BE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> TRAFFIC OBLIGATED FORMULA, BUT I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY, NEW JERSEY SHOULD SEE THEMSELVES AS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE CONVERSATION, AND SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN TRYING TO MAKE IT AS FAIR AND EQUITABLE FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER.

>> Reporter: THAT'S EASY FOR YOU NEW YORK TO SAY HOW CRITICS WOULD RESPOND.

THEY WOULD GET ON THE REVENUE, $15 BILLION A YEAR WHICH WOULD BE USED TO IMPROVE SERVICE, MOSTLY FOR NEW YORKERS.

STATE LAWMAKERS HERE ARE SUGGESTING THAT NEW YORK'S ACTION SHOULD BE MET WITH AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE JERSEY REACTION.

>> BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND LET'S BE FAIR, LET'S BE FAIR TO THE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

WE SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESSES IN NEW YORK.

JUST REALIZE, THEY NEED US JUST AS MUCH AS WE NEED THEM.

AS A PARTNERSHIP OR MAYBE WE CAN REVERSE THIS THING AND COLLECT A FEE FROM THE NEW YORKER STREET YOU KNOW, COMING TO NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: A BRIDGE AND TUNNEL TOLL WAR WHICH SEEMS TO BENEFIT NO ONE, BUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AS OPPOSED TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, WHICH WOULD HAVE TAKEN A LOT LONGER.

THAT MEANS THE WHEELS, AS IT WERE, ARE IN MOTION AND A PLAN COULD BE IN PLACE BY THE SUMMER OF 2022.

WE NATURALLY POLITICIANS TO THE MICROPHONE HOPING TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE DEAL THAT PUNISHING NEW JERSEY TO THE BENEFIT OF NEW YORK.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SOME NEW DETAILS ABOUT WHO WILL RECEIVE THE EXPENDED CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND WHEN.

YOU MAY RECALL THE LAST COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN INCREASED THE CHILD TAX CREDIT FOR 2021.

TODAY, THE IRS SAID THE FIRST MONTHLY TAX CREDIT PAYMENT WILL BE MADE ON JULY 15th.

THE PAYMENTS WILL BE $300 A MONTH FOR EACH CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF SIX, AND UP TO $250 A MONTH FOR EACH CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 17.

RECEIVING THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE TAX CREDITS DEPENDS ON PARENTS INCOMES.

THE CREDIT WILL BE PHASED OUT FOR A HIGHER INCOME EARNERS.

THESE PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE ON A MONTHLY BASIS THROUGH THIS YEAR, AND FOR MOST TAXPAYERS, THE PAYMENTS WILL COME AUTOMATICALLY.

SOME 39 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS WILL RECEIVE THE TAX FOR DISCOVERING ABOUT 88% OF ALL CHILDREN IN THE U.S. >>> WITH TAX RETURN IS DUE TODAY MAY BE QUESTIONED WHY THEY STILL HAD TO PAY TAXES TO NEW YORK IF THEY BEEN WORKING FROM THEIR NEW JERSEY HOMES FOR THE PAST YEAR.

I WORK WITH JOHN WRIGHT MEYER ABOUT WHY WORKERS ARE NOT GETTING THE TAX BREAK FOR TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT.

JOHN, WHY ARE WE SEEING THESE SITUATIONS WHERE REMOTE WORKERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN THEIR NEW YORK OFFICES FOR ALL THIS TIME STILL HAVE TO PAY TAXES?

>> YEAH, RHONDA.

AND IT'S REALLY, AN OUTCOME OF HOW NEW YORK TREATS REMOTE WORK, AND NEW YORK HAS SOMETHING THAT THEY ENFORCE THAT IS CALLED A CONVENIENCE RULE THAT SAYS IF YOUR COMPANY IS BASED IN NEW YORK, NO MATTER WHERE YOU WORK, IF YOU WORK FROM HOME, OR IF YOU WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE REMOTELY, YOU'RE STILL EARNING INCOME IN THEIR EYES IN NEW YORK, OR BASED IN NEW YORK, AND SO THAT IS CONTINUING TO BE THE BASIS FOR NEW YORK, TAXI NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO ARE EARNING THEIR INCOME IN NEW JERSEY, OR DID SO AT LEAST DURING THE WORST MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO WORK REMOTELY.

>> THERE ARE SOME STATE LAWMAKERS HERE IN NEW JERSEY WHO DO NOT LIKE THIS.

>> YEAH, THAT'S FOR SURE.

AND REMEMBER, THE INCOME TAX IN NEW JERSEY IS DEDICATED TO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, WHICH CAN MEAN DIRECT RELIEF PROGRAMS, OR EVEN EDUCATION AID, AND SO, THEY ARE LOOKING AT YOU KNOW, OVER $1 BILLION IN POTENTIAL REVENUE THAT COULD BE FLOWING INTO NEW JERSEY'S ENGINE NEW YORK'S.

AT LEAST FOR THE 2020 TAX YEAR WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE WERE WORKING REMOTELY.

AND, YOU KNOW.

THE STATE IS INVOLVED OR TRYING TO GET INVOLVED IN A U.S. SUPREME COURT CASE ON INTERSTATE TAXES ISSUES, AND YOU KNOW, SOME LAWMAKERS FOR SURE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH TO THIS.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE SHORT OF, YOU KNOW.

DOUBLE TAXING NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND TRYING TO MAKE A CLAIM FOR THAT REVENUE WHICH WOULD NOT MAKE ANY RESIDENTS HAPPY AT ALL.

>> WHAT ABOUT HAVING AN AGREEMENT WITH NEW YORK, LIKE WE HAVE IN PENNSYLVANIA?

>> THAT'S A LONG SHOT RIGHT NOW, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR GOVERNORS TO GET TOGETHER AND SORT THESE ISSUES OUT ON THEIR OWN.

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS SO MUCH REVENUE THAT GOES ACROSS STATE LINES INTO NEW YORK THAT NEW YORK HAS A LOT TO LOSE.

NEW YORK HAS ITS OWN BUDGET TO BALANCE, AND THE MONEY PAID BY NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO WORK IN NEW YORK OR WORK FOR COMPANIES BASED IN NEW YORK YOU KNOW, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ESTIMATE, HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED THAT GO TO NEW YORK ANNUALLY.

>> SO AT THIS POINT I GUESS MAYBE IT'S WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, BUT THIS IS HER CASE WHEN IT FINALLY GETS TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S HEARD.

>> IT SURE LOOKS THAT WAY.

AND IT'S A CASE THAT STARTED OUT BETWEEN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND NOW, A LOT OF STATES HAVE SOUGHT TO GET INVOLVED AS WELL INCLUDING NEW JERSEY, AND I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST, THE BIGGEST THING TO LOOK AT, AND TO LOOK TOWARD.

THERE'S ALSO AN EFFORT TO GET THE IRS TO CHANGE THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES THAT COULD HAVE SOME EFFECT BUT WE WILL HAVE TO SEE ON THAT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: OKAY, JOHN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE STORY, YOU CAN READ JOHN'S ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING ON WALL STREET.

>>> WHEN FRANK MORAN ABRUPTLY ANNOUNCED HE WAS RESIGNING FROM OFFICE, THE POWERFUL DEMOCRATIC PARTY QUICKLY NAMED A SUCCESSOR.

SETTING UP A RACE BETWEEN THE PARTY CANDIDATE AND FIVE OTHERS SEEKING TO SUCCEED HIM.

IN A CITY WHERE THE SO-CALLED DEMOCRATIC MACHINE WIELDERS SUCH OUTSIDE INFLUENCES CAN ANY OF THE CHALLENGERS BREAKTHROUGH?

JANINE DONELSON REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FRANK MORAN RESIGNED A MONTH BEFORE THE END OF HIS FIRST TERM.

NOW, FIRST FROM COUNCILMAN IS SERVING OUT THE ROLE APPOINTED BY THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.

MANY ARE CRYING FOUL.

>> THERE'S A SENSE THAT WHEN THE MACHINE COORDINATES A CANDIDATE LIKE THEY DID THIS WEEK, THEY ACTUALLY MADE HIM MAYOR, SO FRANK MORAN RESIGNS AND THEN, HE WAS TEMPORARILY PUT IN AND THEN THEY SORT OF COORDINATED IT.

>> THEY ARE EQUATING IT TO OLD- STYLE TACTICS USED BY CAMDEN'S POLITICAL MACHINE.

>> I THINK IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE IN A FAIRWAY, A NEW MAYOR WILL DO THAT.

AND ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE APPARATUS MAKING DECISIONS FOR THAT.

>> WAS ON THE BALLOT FOR THE JUNE 8th PRIMARY CALLED THE APPOINTMENT DISRESPECTFUL TO RESIDENTS AND SAYS THE PEOPLE OF CAMDEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE THEIR MAYOR BASED ON THEIR NEEDS.

>> WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SUPERMARKET, OUR STREETS ARE NOT BEING PAVED, THEY ARE CLOSING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS LEFT AND RIGHT.

SO, IT'S TIME THAT THE RESIDENCE WENT TO STAND UP AND REALLY BRING FORTH THE POWER, HERE.

AND I'M HERE FOR IT.

YOU KNOW.

I ENJOY WHAT I DO HERE IN THE CITY OF CAMDEN AND THAT IS FIGHTING FOR RESIDENTS AND PUTTING THEM FIRST.

>> HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER AND PRIMARY CANDIDATE SAYS PEOPLE DON'T TRUST POLITICIANS, AND THAT'S WHY HE'S RUNNING.

>> I HAVE CLEAN HANDS ALSO.

AND I AM HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR.

I'M HERE TO THE SPRING NEW HOMES TO THE CITY.

I HEAR TO JUST BRING JOBS.

NAMED HERE TO SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES.

I'M HERE TO CREATE A PLAN TO HAVE SAFE STREETS.

I'M HERE, AND I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU LIVED IN CAMDEN, YOU HAVE TO WORK IN CAMDEN.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO WANTS A JOB BUT IS RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT AND WAITING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN AN EFFORT TO GET AROUND THE POWERFUL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.

>> I RAN THE PRIMARY TWICE, THE FIRST TIME I DID PRETTY WELL, AND I THINK IT ACTUALLY GAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HOPE THAT YOU COULD BEAT THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE IN THE PRIMARY.

BUT, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO.

>> THE QUESTION HERE IS, ARE YOU GOING TO SEE DIVIDES AND A CHALLENGE OR CAN YOU BUILD A BIGGER COALITION THAN WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST?

>> COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DIRECTOR LOUIS CAPPELLI WHO SAYS THE COMMITTEE IS WORKING THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

>> THE COMMITTEE IN THE CITY LIKE THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER MINISTER POLITY.

THAT COMMITTEE PICKS CANDIDATES.

THEY SEEM TO PICK CANDIDATES WHO ARE WELL QUALIFIED AND WILL WIN.

SO, YOU KNOW.

THAT COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED EVERYBODY FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY DOWN TO MEMBERS OF COUNCIL RUNNING.

SO, IT'S A DEMOCRACY.

THAT'S HOW WE ELECT CANDIDATES.

>> THE OTHER ISSUE FACING THE CANDIDATES IS THE BALLOT ITSELF, WHICH CRITICS SAY AND IF IT'S THE PARTY CANDIDATE.

BACK SOMEHOW, THE CAMDEN COUNTY CLERK MANAGED TO PUT ALL THREE CHALLENGERS IN THE SAME COLUMN, WHICH IS BANANAS.

IT IS COMPLETELY, COMPLETELY ANTIDEMOCRATIC.

AND, SHOWS US WHY BALLOT REFORM IS NEEDED.

>> IS BOTH OPAQUE AND FRANKLY, JUST UNDEMOCRATIC.

IS THE TYPE OF THING YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM GEORGIA REPUBLICANS, NOT NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS.

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT CITY MAYOR SAID THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO REPEATED REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS.

HE SAYS HE'S NOT SURPRISED.

>> HE WON'T DO SOMETHING UNLESS HE'S FORCED TO BECAUSE ANOTHER CANDIDATE HAD BUILT ENOUGH MOMENTUM.

AND, NO POLITICAL STRATEGIST WOULD ASK THEM TO.

RIGHT?

BECAUSE HE IS IN SUCH A STRONG POSITION FROM THE GET-GO.

>> Reporter: MAYORAL CANDIDATE AND COUNCILWOMAN FELICIA RAY MORTON DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR INTERVIEW REQUEST, BUT ALL EYES WILL BE ON THE JUNE 8th PRIMARY WHEN THE VOTERS WILL GET TO DECIDE IF THEY AGREE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE, OR TRY TO DEFEAT IT.

I AM JANINE DONELSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND SPEAKING OF RACES TO WATCH, NJPBS WILL HOST A LIVE, VIRTUAL PRIMARY DEBATE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON WEDNESDAY MAY, 26 AT 8:00 P.M.

THE HOUR-LONG DEBATE WILL BE PRODUCED ENTIRELY REMOTELY FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

IT WILL AIR LIVE ON NJPBS AND STREAM ON OUR NEWS WEBSITE AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THE TRANSFER YOUTUBE CHANNEL, AS WELL AS OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

WE WILL ALSO BE SOLICITING YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES.

PLEASE SEND THEM TO NJ DECIDES AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THAT DOES IT FOR US FOR NOW, BUT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO FOLLOW OUR REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS 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.