>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJ AND INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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 BRIANA VANNOZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINNG US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZI.

MASKS ARE NOT OPTIONAL IN THE WORKPLACE.

EMPLOYEES WHO CAN VERIFY THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINATION WILL BE ABLE TO DITCH THEIR MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ISSUING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER GIVING MORE GUIDANCE AND FLEXIBILITY TO BUSINESSES.

THE NEW RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO STATE WORKERS AND COMES TWO DAYS BEFORE THE MASK MANDATE ENDS IN MOST PUBLIC PLACES ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

IN ADDITION EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING REMOTELY CAN ALSO BE CALLED BACK TO THE OFFICE.

BUSINESSES WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE REMOTE WORK ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNOR IS ASKING ALL TO STAY FLEXIBLE.

TO HELP, THE STATE WILL NO LONGER PUT CAPACITY LIMITS ON DAYCARE CENTERS.

CHILDCARE HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE.

RIGHT NOW CLASS SIZES ARE LIMITED TO 15 CHILDREN.

THE EASE COMES AS NEW RATES OF CASES CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, RE- HUNDRED 52 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND 25 MORE DEATHS BEING REPORTED TODAY.

STATE HEALTH LEADERS DID NOT ELABORATE ON HOW THE NEW CASES ARE SPREADING, BUT SAID IT IS HAVING UNLIKELY THE BULK OF FROM REINFECTION OF FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTS, WHICH NOW STANDS AT MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION, ANOTHER 4.8 MILLION HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

ONE PLACE WHERE MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED TO STAY IN PLACE AT LEAST FOR NOW, SCHOOLS.

CRITICISM OVER THAT MANDATE IS GROWING.

>> IF SHAKESPEARE HAD WRITTEN HAMLET TODAY THE LINE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO MASK OR NOT TO MASS?

THAT IS THE QUESTION FOR SCHOOL- AGE KIDS THIS FALL IN NEW JERSEY .

>> I AGREE WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY WITH HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE MASKS HAVE SERVED A USEFUL PURPOSE, BUT IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES AND SHED THIS REQUIREMENT.

>> THERE HAS BEEN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO MANDATE MASS WEARING.

ON TUESDAY THE GOVERNOR ALLUDED ON MSNBC IT WILL STAY IN PLACE IN SEPTEMBER AND REITERATED HIS RATIONALE TODAY AT A PRESS BRIEFING.

>> A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE HAD ONLY BEEN ABLE TO GET 12-15- YEAR-OLDS VACCINATED.

THERE IS NO VACCINE YET APPROVED FOR UNDER THE AGE OF 12.

WE DO NOT WANT KIDS OR EVERYONE IN A SCHOOL SETTING WAS MASKS ON ANY LONGER THAN WE HAVE TO, BUT IF WE THINK WE HAVE TO DO IT TO SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY HAVE THEM BACK IN SCHOOL, WE WILL.

>> I KNOW FAMILIES FEEL COMFORTABLE IN A MASK AND THAT IS OKAY.

I RESPECT THEIR CHOICE JUST AS I FEEL OUR CHOICE AS A FAMILY SHOULD BE RESPECTED.

>> SHE HAS PURPOSELY AVOIDED PLACES THAT REQUIRED A MASS BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WANT HER TWO CHILDREN AGES EIGHT AND NINE TO BE FORCED TO WEAR ONE.

>> I ALMOST FELL PRETTY MUCH LIKE I WAS SILENCING THEM, SIZING THEIR EMOTIONS AND WORDS.

>> SHE GAVE HER KIDS THE OPTION TO SAY VIRTUAL, WHAT THEY WANTED TO BE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND CHOSE TO WEAR ONE.

SHE IS ON A MISSION TO GET GOVERNOR MURPHY TO LIFT HIS MANDATE.

LAST WEEK SHE AND HER SON SPOKE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DEMANDING THE RIGHT TO A CHOICE.

>> THAT PARTICULAR DAY WAS A WARMER DAY, ONE OF THE FIRST DAY THAT HE REALLY GOT TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT FELT LIKE HAVING A MASK ON IN HIGHER TEMPERATURES.

YOU KNOW, COME AGAIN FROM GYM OR WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING THEY ARE STILL HOT AND COVERING THEIR FACES.

IT IS UNNECESSARY AT THIS POINT.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SAYS HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR ASKING FOR THE MANDATE TO BE LIFTED TO REMAIN -- RELIEVE OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

>> PEOPLE ARE VERY UPSET.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO WEAR A MASK.

MY OPINION IS GIVING EVERYONE A CHOICE.

>> THIS ASSEMBLY MAN IS DROPPING A BILL TO PROHIBIT ANY SCHOOL, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC FROM MANDATING THAT IS WEAR A MASK.

>> PARENT SHOULD HAVE THAT DECISION, NOT A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND NOT THE GOVERNOR.

>> BUT EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAY THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONSISTENT PLAN, BECAUSE WHILE WEARING A MASK PROTECTION FROM CONTRACTING IT, THE MASK IS THERE TO BLOCK ANYONE WHO MAY BE SICK FROM SPREADING IT.

>> GUIDANCE TELLS US ANYONE WHO IS UNVACCINATED, ESPECIALLY IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> COME SEPTEMBER GUIDELINES MIGHT CHANGE.

>> MOST LIKELY FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED, AND DEPENDING ON WHAT THE CASE NUMBERS ARE, IF THEY CONTINUE TO GO DOWN AND TO STAY LOW IT IS POTENTIALLY TRUE THAT YOUNGER GRADES, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK.

THAT REALLY IS GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT THE COMMITTEE RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS.

>> PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WHICH REPRESENTS OVER 200,000 MEMBERS STANDS BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> WE RELY ON MEDICINE AND THE SCIENCE, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE ALL ALONG.

HE HAS CONTINUED TO PUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND STUDENT SAFETY FIRST.

THAT HAS BEEN OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

>>> THE BATTLE OVER A MASK MANDATE COMES AS DISTRICTS ARE JUST LEARNING THE DETAILS OF A NEW FEDERAL RELIEF BILL THAT WILL PUMP BILLIONS INTO SCHOOLS AND ALL THE RULES OVER HOW THE MONEY CAN AND CANNOT BE SPENT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BEGAN NOTIFYING EACH DISTRICT OF THEIR EIGHT AMOUNTS.

IT IS THE LARGEST OF THREE MAJOR SCHOOL RELIEF PACKAGES FROM WASHINGTON SINCE LAST YEAR.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS EDUCATION REPORTER JOHN MOONEY HAS THE BREAKDOWN ON WHO GETS WHAT AND HOW IT CAN BE SPENT.

FIRST OF ALL A LOT OF RULES TO SIFT THROUGH.

NUMBER ONE, WHAT IS DETERMINING EXACTLY WHO GETS WHAT?

>> THIS IS RARELY FORMAL DRIVEN AND RELATES TO HOW MUCH YOUR ENROLLMENT IS.

IT IS CALLED TITLE I FUNDING WHICH IS LARGELY FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

THE LARGER DISTRICTS WITH LARGER AMOUNTS OF NEED WILL BE GETTING A BIGGER POT OF MONEY THAN THE SMALLER ONES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, THAT HAVE A RICHER COMMUNITY.

THAT WASN'T A BIG SURPRISE TO DISTRICTS.

I THINK THEY ALL KNEW THAT MONEY WAS COMING.

WHAT WAS NEW THIS WEEK WERE SOME OF THE NUANCES AND THE TIMING OF IT ALL.

>> OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, WHICH DISTRICT SHOULD WE EXPECT TO SEE TO GET A BIT MORE OF THE PIE?

WHEN WILL ALL DISTRICTS ARE SEEING THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THE MONEY?

>> THE TWO BIGGEST ARE BOTH OVER $100 MILLION, WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY GOING TO NEWARK.

THE WAY THAT IT IS GOING TO WORK, AND THEN IT GOES DOWN TO $20,000 FOR SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE WAY THE MONEY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IS YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT A PLAN AND YOU HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER TO DO THAT.

ONCE YOU DO YOU WILL GET TWO THIRDS OF THIS MONEY.

ONCE THE PLAN IS APPROVED, YOU WILL GET THE FINAL THIRD.

THE IMPORTANT PART, THEY ARE THREE YEARS OUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT GUIDELINES FOR HOW THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT.

OF COURSE IT IS SUPPORTIVE OF ISSUES THAT WERE CREATED DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

CERTAINLY LEARNING LOSS IS A BIG PART, AT LEAST 20% FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS, AFTER SCHOOL.

BUILDINGS ARE GOING TO BE A BIG COST ITEM.

THERE ARE SOME VERY LOOSE RULES AND SOME QUESTIONS TO USE IT TO REHIRE STAFF IT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE GUIDANCE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS NEEDED.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MORE ENCOUNTERS WITH POLICE WHEN I BE COUNT -- CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED HE WILL REQUIRE SQUAD TEAMS, CAN I UNIT IS ANOTHER PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT GROUPS TO A CAMERA WHILE ON THE JOB.

THE NEW DIRECTIVE UPDATES THE PREVIOUS STATE LAW THAT ONLY APPLY TO UNIFORM PATROL OFFICERS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THE ORDER IS INTENDED TO BOOST TRANSPARENCY AND THE PUBLIC'S TRUST IN LAW-ENFORCEMENT AS PUBLIC DEMAND INCREASES FOR RELEASE A BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE DURING INTERACTIONS AND USE OF FORCE BY POLICE.

THOSE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD BY WHITE OFFICER HAVE CALLED INTO QUESTION DIVERSITY IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE ROLE THAT PLAYS IN SERVING THE PUBLIC.

HOW MUCH IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON POLICE REFORM.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> IT IS A GIVEN THAT POLICE AND COMMITTEE RELATIONS ARE AS BAD AS THEY HAVE BEEN DOES THE DARKEST OF DAYS IN AMERICA.

THIS WEEK MARKS A YEAR SINCE GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED, BUT IN THAT TIME MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN CONFRONTATIONS WITH POLICE.

ACCORDING TO A MAPPING POLICE VIOLENCE DATABASE 17 WERE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE CITIES LIKE NEWARK, JERSEY CITY, AND PATTERSON ARE WORKING TO TAP DOWN THE TEMPERATURE OF ENCOUNTERS BY RESHAPING THEIR DEPARTMENT TO LOOK MORE LIKE THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

>> WE WERE AT ABOUT 55% LATINO, 34% AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND ABOUT 18-20% WHITE.

>> ANTHONY AMBROSE JUST RETIRED AS PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR AFTER A 35 YEAR CAREER IN LAW- ENFORCEMENT.

HE WAS ON HIS SIDE AS THE MAYOR PRESIDED OVER A PERIOD OF TRANSITION.

FOR MANY THE NEWARK POLICE WOULD WIN THE AWARD FOR MOST IMPROVED IF SUCH AN AWARD EXISTED.

THEY PARKED TO THE MARCH AND THE RALLY AFTER THE FLOOR KILLING WHICH ATTRACTED NEARLY 12,000 PEOPLE.

THE PEACEFUL MARCH THAT TOOK PLACE COULD'VE GONE ANOTHER WAY WHEN SOME DEMONSTRATORS VANDALIZED POLICE VEHICLES.

>> WE HAD ONLY THREE ARREST.

IF WE WOULD HAVE ENGAGED THE OLD NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE COULD'VE HAD A FULL-SCALE SERVICE.

>> HAVING MORE COPS OF COLOR IS A GOOD FIRST STEP SAY MANY ACTIVISTS, BUT DIVERSITY FOR THE SAKE OF DIVERSITY IGNORES THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

>> IT IS CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE CULTURAL AND POLICY AND SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

>> HE SAYS BILLS INSTALLED IN THE STATE LEGISLATION ON CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS AND BANNING CHUCKLES WOULD SET A NEEDED FRAMEWORK FOR REFORM.

>> UNTIL THERE IS A POLICY SHIFT AND SCRUTINY ON POLICE DEPARTMENTS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THE MEANINGFUL CHANGE WE NEED.

>> IN JERSEY CITY WITH THEM MAYOR SAYS 70% OF NEW RECRUITS HAVE BEEN FROM MINORITY GROUPS RELATIONS SEEM TO HAVE AN FLOW.

UGLY SCENES LIKE THIS FROM LAST YEAR FURTHER COMPETENT EFFORTS TO PATCH FREIGHT RELATIONS.

>> ALWAYS GOTTEN TO ADDRESS THE NEED A PUBLIC SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IS MORE POLICE.

THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO GIVE US.

THEY ARE NOT THINKING PROGRESSIVELY.

THEY ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT COMMITTING THAT PUBLIC SAFETY.

FOLKS ARE DOING IT EVERYWHERE.

INDOORS THEY ARE CHAMPING THAT.

IN PATTERSON, CAMDEN, TRENTON, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUYS INTO THAT.

>> IT IS A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED CONVERSATION THAN SAYING DEFINED AND EVER TO A SOCIAL WORKER AS A SOCIAL WORKER IN PLACE OF THE POLICE.

I WISH IT WERE THAT SIMPLE.

WHEN YOU ARE IN THE PLACE OF LEGISLATING HE REALIZED THERE ARE A LOT OF NUANCES WITH REGARD TO THE SERVICES PEOPLE WANT.

>> THAT CONVERSATION HAS JUST BEGUN IN MANY CITIES.

AS LONG AS THE DECISION-MAKERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS REMAIN LARGELY WHITE ACTIVISTS A MORE INCLUSIVE CONVERSATION CANNOT REALLY TAKE PLACE.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AN UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION AND A MASS SHOOTING OVER THE WEEKEND IN FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE ANNOUNCED A THIRD VICTIM HAS A LOT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED FROM THE SHOOTING.

AND 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM MILLVILLE, POLICE ALSO MADE A SECOND ARREST.

A 30-YEAR-OLD OF BRIDGETON IS CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON .

THE INVESTIGATION DOES NOT REVEAL HIM AS A SUSPECTED SHOOTER AT THE PARTY.

IN ADDITION TO THE FATALITIES ANOTHER 12 PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS BEING ASKED TO CONTACT THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE OR SUBMIT A TIP TO THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TIPLINE.

>>> BILLS ARE PILING UP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD A HARD TIME MAKING ENDS MEET OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THE STATE IS BRACING FOR A LIST OF THE MORATORIUM THAT HAS PREVENTED EVICTIONS DURING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

THE SAFETY NET THAT HAS ALLOWED HARD-HIT RENTERS TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES HAS CREATED A SEPARATE CRISIS FOR LANDLORDS WHO SAY IN TOTAL TENETS OH AS MUCH AS $2 BILLION IN BACK RENT .

MELISSA ROSE-COOPER REPORTS.

>> IT IS A TIMEBOMB WITH NO END IN SIGHT, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN BACK RENT FOR HOUSING DO ACROSS THE STATE.

>> YOU HEAR ABOUT THE TENET HERE THERE WHO SAYS I DON'T HAVE TO PAY.

THAT IS NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, THEY CAN'T.

>> THE VICE PRESIDENT AND COO OF HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF NEW JERSEY SAYS THE CURRENT CRISIS IS A DIRECT EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> A LOT OF THEM LOST A JOB, OTHERS ARE STARTING TO GO BACK TO WORK BUT HAVE NO ONE TO WATCH THE CHILDREN.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE SO THEY CANNOT GO BACK TO WORK.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT IS THAT EXTRA MONEY GOING AWAY OR NOT?

IF IT IS A TWO PARENT HOUSEHOLD, ONE MAY BE HAVE GONE BACK TO WORK AND THE OTHER ONE CAN'T, BUT THEY WERE LIVING ON TWO INCOMES BEFORE.

>> NOT ONLY 10 IS A FEELING THE BURN, HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY MILLIONS OF LANDLORDS ARE HURTING, ESPECIALLY ONES WITH SMALLER PROPERTIES.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PUT IN THEIR LIFE SAVINGS INTO THESE PROPERTIES.

THERE HOPING THESE PROPERTIES WILL BE THEIR CHILDREN'S COLLEGE FUND THEIR RETIREMENT INCOME.

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ARE LINKED.

IF TENETS ARE SUFFERING LANDLORDS ARE SUFFERING.

>> RIGHT NOW I MORATORIUM IS PREVENTING LANDLORDS FROM EVICTING TENANTS.

ON TOP OF THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ALLOWING RENTERS TO COVER MISSED PAYMENTS WITH THEIR SECURITY DEPARTMENT -- DEPOSIT.

ONE GROUP SAYS THAT ORDER REACHES TOO FAR AND THEY ARE SUING THE GOVERNOR.

>> WHAT THE GOVERNOR DID WAS SORT OF PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS AND SAY ALL TENANTS ARE HURTING MORE THAN ALL LANDLORDS.

WE ARE GOING TO RESTRUCTURE OUR RESIDENTIAL LEASES IN FAVOR OF THE TENANT.

FROM THE PEOPLE WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WHO DEPENDED ON RENTAL INCOME WHO ARE HURTING.

>> IN AN EFFORT TO EASE THE PAIN LAWMAKERS ARE PROPOSING A BILL THAT WOULD TURN BACK RENT INTO CIVIL DEBT.

THIS MEANS TENETS COULD BE SUED FOR WHAT THEY OH, BUT WOULD NOT FACE ADDICTION.

>> IT IS GOING TO START A DIALOGUE WHERE THE TENET HAS SHUT DOWN DURING THIS TIME.

IT ALSO AGAIN ELIMINATES THIS CONCEPT OF AN EVICTION TSUNAMI.

THE THIRD THING, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE ADVOCATED FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CRISIS, WE HAVE URGED ALL LANDLORDS TO WORK WITH THEIR TENANTS.

LANDLORDS MORE THAN LIKELY WILL HAVE TO WRITE OFF SOME OF THE DEBT AND, WITH A REASONABLE REPAYMENT PLAN FOR TENET TO REPAY WHATEVER THEY'LL.

>> THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT WILL PREVENT ANY LAWSUIT FROM NEGATIVELY IMPACTING CREDIT.

>> IF YOU DON'T HURT A TENET WITH A CREDIT RATING AND AN EVICTION ON THE RECORD THAT IS ALSO A GOOD ANSWER.

WE ARE LOOKING TO FIND THAT IT HELPS BOTH, A BALANCE.

ISSUE CAN BE ONE SIDE ONLY.

>> IT PAST IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $750 MILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND END THE STATE EVICTION MORATORIUM ON JULY 31.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO ACHIEVING THE STATES CLEAN ENERGY GO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES SAY THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HURDLE.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS STARTING AN AMBITIOUS NEW PLAN DEPLOYING ELECTRIC BUSES IN TWO KEY PARTS OF THE STATE.

IT WILL HAPPEN THROUGH A PILOT PROGRAM IN CAMDEN AND WORK THAT INCLUDES UPDATING OLD BUS GARAGES WITH CHARGING EQUIPMENT AND REDESIGNING ROOTS.

CURRENT ELECTRIC PASSES CANNOT HOLD A CHARGE LONG ENOUGH TO COVER THE SAME ROOTS AS EXISTING DIESEL VEHICLES.

THE BATTERY RANGES ABOUT 140 MILES ON AVERAGE WHILE DIESEL FUEL BUSES CAN RUN ABOUT 300 MILES OR MORE TWIN A FEEL.

THE PLAN IS ONE STEP IN REACHING OUT EMERGES -- THE ZERO EMISSION BUS FLEET BY 2040.

>>> A HEADS UP FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS YET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RELEASE AID.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS IN TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> COMPANIES LOOKING TO APPLY FOR GRANTS CAN OUT PREREGISTER.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REOPEN PREREGISTRATION THIS MORNING FOR PHASE 4 OF THIS SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY GRANT PROGRAM.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND NONPROFITS THAT HAVE NOT APPLY PREVIOUSLY ARE ABLE TO PREREGISTER FOR GRANTS OF UP TO $20,000.

THEY WILL THEN FORMALLY APPLY IN JULY.

THE STATE HAS $200 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION UNDER THIS CURRENT ROUND.

AS YOU HEARD EARLIER GOVERNOR MURPHY RESCINDING A EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING BUSINESSES TO ACCOMMODATE REMOTE WORK, GIVING COMPANIES GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO BRING EMPLOYEES TO THE OFFICE.

A NEW SURVEY FINDS COMPANIES ARE DIVIDING WHEN IT COMES TO REMOTE WORK.

ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FOCUSING J.

>> WE ARE SAYING, 50% OF THE WORKFORCE IS BACK IN-PERSON AND 50% IS STILL REMOTE.

OVER 60% OF BUSINESSES ARE CONSIDERING OR HAVE ADOPTED A HYBRID WORKFORCE, MEANING THERE WILL BE SOME PORTION OF IN-PERSON WORKING AND ALSO WORKING FROM HOME AS WELL.

>> FOCUSING J CONDUCTED A SURVEY IN APRIL AND ALSO FOUND COMPANIES HAVE TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF $34,000 ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOU WILL PAY IN TAXES OVER YOUR LIFETIME AS A NEW JERSEY RESIDENT.

WE WILL PAY A GRAND TOTAL OF $931,698 ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY FROM A FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY.

THAT AMOUNT NEARLY TWICE WHAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN PAYS AND COVERS EVERYTHING LIKE PROPERTY TAXES, INCOME TAXES AND SALES TAX.

THE SURVEY WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

>>> A MEGAMERGER INVOLVING AMAZON.

THE COMPANY MOVING FURTHER INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY BY PURCHASING MGM STUDIOS FOR A $.45 BILLION.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS ENDED THE DAY.

OF THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY ONLINE AT WWW.SJNEWJERSEY.NET.

>> ACROSS THE STATE A STAGGERING NUMBER OF RESIDENTS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

IT IS A PROBLEM MADE WORSE BY THE PANDEMIC, STARTING IN JUNE ROUGHLY 130,000 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVE FOOD ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE STATE PROGRAM KNOWN AS SNAP ARE SLATED TO GET A BUMP IN BENEFITS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS PUTTING AN EXTRA $75 MILLION INTO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM AND THAT MEANS HOUSEHOLDS ALREADY RECEIVING THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TEMPORARY EXTRA ASSISTANCE, AVERAGING ABOUT $95 PER HOME.

ADVOCATES SAY THE BOOST IS POSITIVE, BUT THE STATE PROGRAM IS STILL FALLING SHORT OF MEETING THOSE IN NEED.

AND REPORT FROM HUNGER FREE NEW JERSEY IS POINTING OUT THE BARRIERS THAT REMAIN FOR THOSE APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM, AND HAS A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO BRIDGE THE GAP.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE ORGANIZATION ADELE LATOURETTE JOINS ME NOW AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE EXPANDED THE SNAP PROGRAM DURING THE PANDEMIC .

THROUGH YOUR REPORT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE, BUT NOT REACHING THIS PROGRAM.

HOW MANY MORE?

>> APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

I THINK WE CAN SAFELY ASSUME THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW, SOME PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE PROGRAM EXISTS, SOME PEOPLE WHO REALLY BELIEVE THE CUSP THEY ARE WORKING THERE NOT ELIGIBLE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT SNAP AND ELIGIBILITY.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE CHECK OUT THEIR ELIGIBILITY AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAM.

>> THAT IS ALMOST THE SIZE OF THE AMOUNT OF HOUSEHOLDS CURRENTLY USING THE PROGRAM.

WHAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE MAIN BARRIERS?

>> WE HAVE A VARIETY OF BARRIERS, THEY ARE NOT JUST AT THE STATE LEVEL, THEY ARE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC IS 23% GROWTH.

THAT IS HONESTLY BECAUSE OF NEED, BUT WE NEED A SIMPLER APPLICATION SYSTEM.

WE NEED INCREASED OUTREACH TO LET PEOPLE KNOW AND TO HELP PEOPLE KIND OF THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

I THINK A KEY ISSUE, I KNOW A KEY ISSUE IS DURING THE PANDEMIC, BENEFITS HAPPEN MAXIMIZED UNDER FEDERAL LAW, UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH DECLARATION.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAM REALLY PROVIDE AN AMOUNT THAT PEOPLE OR THAT REALLY HELPS PEOPLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> IS THE CURRENT AMOUNT NOT ENOUGH?

NOT NEARLY ENOUGH?

SOMEWHAT NEAR ENOUGH?

>> THE CURRENT AMOUNT IS WONDERFUL.

WE HAVE HOUSEHOLDS, SINGLE HOUSEHOLDS, SENIORS AND DISABLED WHO ARE RECEIVING OVER $200 PER MONTH.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM, ONCE THE PUBLIC HEALTH DECLARATION ENDS AND ALL OF THE PROVISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY THE STATE AND THE FEDS END, THOSE PEOPLE WILL GO BACK DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY $30 PER MONTH.

THAT IS THE KIND OF CLIFFS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

WE HAVE UTILITY MORATORIUMS THAT ARE ENDING.

PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED A REALLY FACING A VARIETY OF MAJOR ISSUES.

>> I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE RULES WERE EASED DURING THE PANDEMIC FOR THOSE SIGNING UP IS THERE A WAY TO KEEP THAT IN PLACE TO MAKE THAT THE STANDARD?

>> WE HOPE SO.

WE HOPE SO NOT JUST FOR SNAP, BUT ALSO FOR AND FEDERAL MEAL PROGRAMS.

THERE IS A PUSH AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO EASE ACCESS BY CONTINUING SOME OF THOSE WAIVERS.

AGAIN, WE HAVE REACHED SO MANY PEOPLE AND HAVE EXPANDED MUCH IN THE FEDERAL FEEDING PROGRAMS.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE KEEP THESE WAIVERS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO BE PEOPLE.

THE NEED IS NOT GOING TO END WITH THE PANDEMIC ENDS, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.

IT WILL ABSOLUTELY CONTINUE AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THOSE WAIVERS STAY IN PLACE.

>> ADELE LATOURETTE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> FUNGUS -- FUNDING FOR NJTV DIVIDED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATURAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHT.COM OR FIND US ON SOCIAL TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH AND THE OCEAN WHEN PROJECT, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

IN UNCERTAIN TIMES YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

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MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

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MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP.

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