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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH THE BOMBSHELL LEAK OUT OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

OBTAINED BY THE NEWS OUTLET POLITICO TO OVERTURN ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

IN IT, CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO WRITES THAT ROE V. WADE WHICH HAS GUARANTEED A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS WAS, QUOTE, EGREGIOUSLY WRONG FROM THE START.

THE LEAK SETTING OFF A FIRESTORM AROUND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND POLITICAL LEADERS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLING THE DECISION RADICAL IF IT HOLDS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY NOT HOLDING BACK, CALLING IT DISGUSTING.

REMINDING PRESIDENTS THE POTENTIAL RULING DOES NOT CHANGE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE IN NEW JERSEY.

AFTER SIGNING THE FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT INTO LAW EARLIER THIS YEAR.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: DEMONSTRATIONS ERUPTED AND CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AFTER POLITICO PUBLISHED A DRAFT TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE EFFECTIVELY ENDING THE ICONIC FEDERAL RIGHT TO CHOOSE ABORTION WRITTEN BY CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO, THE DRAFT CALLS ROE EGREGIOUSLY WRONG FROM THE START.

ADDING, THE CONSTITUTION MAKES NO REFERENCE TO ABORTION AND NO SUCH RIGHT IS IMPLICITLY PROTECTED BY ANY CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION.

>> IT IS HUGE.

IT'S HUGE ON A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT LEVELS.

>> Reporter: KIM SAYS, JUST AS THE RULING REJECTS A HALF- CENTURY OF LEGAL PRECEDENT AND INSTEAD CITES A PROPER GAUGE FOR WRITING DECIDING RIGHTS NOT NAMED IN THE CONSTITUTION, ALITO POINTS OUT AN UNBROKEN TRADITION OF PROHIBITING ABORTION ON PAIN OF CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT PERSISTED FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS OF THE COMMON LAW.

MUCH FOUND THAT CHILLING.

>> THE IDEA THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE BOUND BY RULES THAT WERE MADE BY PEOPLE WHO HAD SIGNIFICANT QUESTIONS, CERTAINLY ABOUT MY HUMANITY AS A BLACK WOMAN, BUT ABOUT THE HUMANITY OF WOMEN ALTOGETHER.

RIGHT, THAT WE COULDN'T VOTE.

THESE ARE NOT THINGS THAT WE SHOULD HARKEN BACK TO WITH A SENSE OF NOSTALGIA.

WE SHOULD THINK THEY WERE DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC, THAT THEY WERE WRONG.

>> Reporter: THE CASE BEFORE THE COURT CHALLENGE IS A MISSISSIPPI LAW THAT BANS ABORTION AFTER 15 WEEKS.

LEGAL SCHOLARS SAID NEW CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY TO CHIP AWAY AT ABORTION RIGHTS AND GIVE STATES MORE LEEWAY TO SET TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS.

BUT SOME DID PREDICT IT COULD OUTRIGHT REVERSE ROE TOGETHER.

>> WHICH QUITE FRANKLY WAS NOT TOO MUCH OF A SURPRISE, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE COURT.

BUT THE FACT THAT IT WAS LEAKED LIKE THIS, I CAN'T REMEMBER A BREACH IN SECURITY AT THE SUPREME COURT LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: IN A LETTER, CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS CONFIRMED THE DRAFT'S AUTHENTICITY BUT CALLED THE LEAK A BREACH OF TRUST AND ORDER THE SUPREME COURT'S MARSHALL TO INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE.

MEANWHILE, THE COURT IS EXPECTED TO ISSUE ITS OFFICIAL RULING IN JUNE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS JERSEY HAS A FIREWALL, A STATE STATUTE LEGALIZING ABORTION.

>> THIS DECISION WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON NEW JERSEY STATE LAW OR THE FULL RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM UNDER OUR STATE LAW.

CONGRESS MUST EASILY PASS FEDERAL LEGISLATION PROTECTING THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF ALL AMERICANS EVERYWHERE ACROSS THIS NATION.

>> Reporter: CHUCK SCHUMER ANNOUNCED THE SENATE WILL TAKE A VOTE ON A BILL CREATING A FEDERAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

AS OF NOW, DEMOCRATS LACKED THE VOTE TO PASS IT.

THE POLITICAL FALLOUT FOR THIS DECISION IS JUST BEGINNING.

BUT THE REALITY COME JUNE WILL BE STARK.

>> THERE ARE 26 STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT WILL VERY SOON BAN ABORTION, OR 13 STATES HAVE TRIGGER LAWS ON THE BOOKS WHICH WILL MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL THE MOMENT THE SUPREME COURT HANDS DOWN THEIR DECISION.

>> Reporter: PLANNED PARENTHOOD EXPECT TO SEE MORE PATIENTS SEEKING LEGAL ABORTIONS IN NEW JERSEY AND IS TRYING TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE.

MEANWHILE, NEW JERSEY'S RIGHT TO LIFE MOVEMENT CHEERED THE DECISION AS A SPRINGBOARD TO FURTHER RESTRICTIONS.

>> THESE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK WAY IN OUR FAVOR.

AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS THE DAY WHEN ABORTION IS ILLEGAL IN NEW JERSEY.

AND WE ARE NOT GIVING UP THE FIGHT FOR LIFE IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS FEAR OVERTURNING ROE COULD OVERTURN OTHER RIGHTS NOT NAMED IN THE CONSTITUTION BUT GRANTED AND FORMER SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.

>> IS THERE OTHER TYPES OF RIGHTS, INCLUDING LGBTQ RIGHTS, ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION, HOW WE RAISE OUR FAMILIES, THERE IS ALL KINDS OF PRIVACY AND AUTONOMY RIGHTS THAT THE COURT HAS PROTECTED.

>> Reporter: THE IMPACT COULD REACH FAR BEYOND ROE.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT IS NO SECRET THAT ONCE RARE DEADLY STORMS ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT EVENTS.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TODAY LAID OUT PLANS TO MAKE THE STATE MORE RESILIENT AGAINST FUTURE SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS MADE WORSE BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

USING A RESIDENTIAL BLOCK IN LAMBERTVILLE AS THE BACKDROP FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THAT AREA WAS SHOCKED BY DESTRUCTIVE FLASH FLOODING FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA LAST SUMMER.

THE FOUR POINT PLAN INCLUDES A $50 MILLION EXPANSION OF THE STATES BLUE ACRES BUYOUT PROGRAM, WHICH GIVES HOMEOWNERS THE OPTION TO MOVE OUT OF THE FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

ANOTHER $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO DESIGN AND BUILD NEW FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECTS AND 10 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECTS.

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL OVERSEE THE PLAN.

COMMISSIONER SHAWN SAID PREPARING FOR FUTURE STORMS DEMAND A MULTIPRONGED APPROACH.

>> THERE IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT JUST ONE SILVER BULLET THAT IS GOING TO PROTECT ANY COMMUNITY FROM THE RAVAGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME WEATHER.

BUT THERE IS A NETWORK OF SOLUTIONS THAT TOGETHER WE CAN EMPLOY THAT WILL PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, THAT WILL PROTECT OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES, OUR ASSETS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

AND IT IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT.

>>> THE MOVEMENT IS GAINING MOMENTUM.

TWO MORE STARBUCKS IN NEW JERSEY VOTED MONDAY TO BE REPRESENTED BY WORKERS UNITED, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE HOPEWELL STARBUCKS IN MERCER COUNTY, WHICH BECAME THE FIRST STORE IN THE STATE TO UNIONIZE LAST WEEK.

EMPLOYEES FROM THE SUMMIT AND HAMILTON STORES RAISED THEIR HANDS IN SUPPORT OF THE CHANGE.

AND TODAY, HAD THE EARS OF PROMINENT LABOR LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT MURPHY.

TED REPORTS.

>>> THEY ARE FED UP, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK, NEW JERSEY HAS GONE FROM ONE UNIONIZED STARBUCKS TO THREE.

LABOR ORGANIZERS FROM THOSE STORES GOT THE ATTENTION OF AFL- CIO PRESIDENT AS WELL AS GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO SUPPORTED THE VOTE AT STARBUCKS AND HAMILTON AND SUMMIT.

THEY MET WITH THESE ORGANIZERS AND RECENTLY UNIONIZED CANNABIS DISPENSARY WORKERS.

>> NEW JERSEY IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL MIDDLE-CLASS STATE.

BY THE WAY, THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE THE QUINTESSENTIAL PROLABOR STATE.

ORGANIZED LABOR, QUITE FRANKLY, BUILD OUR MIDDLE CLASS.

AND BECAUSE WE STILL HOLD TRUE TO OUR HISTORIC VALUES, FOLKS, YOU ARE OUR FUTURE.

>> Reporter: EVEN MY MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES DON'T HAVE A LOT OF COMMON WITH STARBUCKS, IT SAYS IT IS THE TREATMENT OF BOTH STORES THAT IS PUSHING PEOPLE TO APPROVE OF UNIONS MORE AND MORE.

>> THEY SEE THE POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO SIT BACK AND TAKE IT.

THE MISTREATMENT, THE POOR WAGES, LACK OF SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS.

THEY CAN ACTUALLY COME TOGETHER AND FORM A UNION AND HAVE MORE POWER.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS SAID THEY FOUGHT OFF SEVERAL CHALLENGES BEFORE THEIR SUCCESSFUL VOTES.

>> WE HAD A SIP IN SCHEDULED FROM 12:00 TO 3:00.

EVERYONE WAS GOING TO ORDER STRONG DRINKS AND SIT FOR AN HOUR TO SHOW THEIR SOLIDARITY TO US.

THAT IS WHEN THE 1:00 P.M.

CLOSES STARTED.

AND IT IS SO FUNNY BECAUSE NOW WE VOTED, WE WON, AND NEXT WEEK, NOW WE ARE OPEN REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.

>> EVERY MORNING, THEY WOULD DO THESE MANAGER MORNING MEETINGS WHERE THEY WOULD COME OUT AND TRY TO TELL US THAT WE DON'T NEED THE UNION.

UNION IS JUST IN IT FOR THE DUES.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HELP US.

WE HAVE HAD HR, MULTIPLE PEOPLE FROM HR WE NEVER MET COME OUT.

>> Reporter: WORKERS DEMANDS ARE THE SAME, WHETHER SELLING LATTES OR MARIJUANA.

>> BETTER PAY, WE WANT JOB SECURITY, BENEFITS.

MOST OF OUR STAFFING THERE IS PART-TIME.

AND THEY WORK THEM FOUR DAYS A WEEK AT 32 HOURS, 35 HOURS IS THE CUTOFF TO BE FULL-TIME.

THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY ANY BENEFITS.

IT'S NOT FAIR OR RIGHT.

>> BETTER PAY RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

MORE LABOR.

IF YOU WANT US TO EXECUTE ALL THESE DEMANDS, GIVE US THE BODIES NEEDED TO DO IT.

YOU CAN'T RUN A STORE WITH FOUR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE MEETING WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE AFL-CIO ON THE SAME DAY THAT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY RELEASED ITS REPORT ON THE STATE OF LABOR IN NEW JERSEY.

THE REPORT ANALYZED THREE YEARS OF DATA.

IT SAYS THE GARDEN STATE IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIONIZED IN THE COUNTRY.

16% OF EMPLOYEES BELONG TO A UNION.

SIX PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> THE PENDULUM SEEMS SO SWITCH.

IT SWITCH ITS DIRECTION AND SWINGING MORE TOWARDS AN UPTICK IN AN INTEREST IN UNIONS.

YOU ARE SEEING THAT REFLECTED IN THE ORGANIZING EFFORTS BY YOUNG WORKERS IN THE TECH INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, AND OF COURSE STARBUCKS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE LABOR BATTLE HASN'T BEEN ONE-SIDED.

YESTERDAY, AN AMAZON WAREHOUSE VOTED AGAINST UNIONIZING.

THEY WOULD'VE BEEN THE SECOND FULFILLMENT CENTER TO ORGANIZE.

I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE WORK CONTINUES TO ELIMINATE WHAT HAS BEEN TERMED A TOXIC CULTURE IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS ASKING THOSE WHO WORK IN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CIRCLES TO TAKE PART IN THEIR NEW ANNUAL SURVEY ON WORKPLACE CULTURE, ONE OF SEVERAL REFORMS THAT HAVE STEMMED FROM RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A COMMITTEE OF TOP FEMALE LAWMAKERS AND LOBBYISTS AFTER A 2019 REPORT DETAILED WIDESPREAD AND UNREPORTED MISCONDUCT, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND ASSAULT IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

NOW, ANOTHER STEP FORWARD, A VIDEO TUTORIAL TO LET ANYONE WORKING ON CAMPAIGNS OR IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE KNOW THAT CULTURE WON'T BE TOLERATED.

JOANNA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THE YWCA IS A HEALING SPACE THAT IS DEDICATED HERE NEW JERSEY, WE HAD THE EXPERTISE.

WE HAD THE KNOW-HOW HOW TO DO THIS WORK.

>> NETWORK BEING A TRAINING VIDEO THAT EDUCATES POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND HOW TO PREVENT, IDENTIFY, AND REPORT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.

>> RESPECTING BOUNDARIES IS CRITICAL.

IF BOUNDARIES ARE CROSSED, PEOPLE MUST RAISE THEIR VOICES AND MAKE THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN.

>> Reporter: THE TRAINING VIDEO WAS BASED ON THE FINDINGS FROM A REPORT PUT OUT BY THE WORKGROUP ON HARASSMENT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND MISOGYNY ON NEW JERSEY POLITICS LED BY FORMER STATE SENATOR.

>> THE YWCA TO STEP UP AND PROVIDE WHAT MIGHT VERY WELL BE THE FIRST TRAINING VIDEO IN THIS AREA, I THINK IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: PAPER PAID FOR, THE 48 MINUTE VIDEO HAS A COUPLE KEY OBJECTIVE.

>> ONE, TO MAKE SURE THAT SURVIVORS UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT.

TWO, TO EXPLAIN WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO TAKE THE TIME TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL TERMS, FOCUS OF WHAT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS, WHAT SEXUAL ASSAULT IS, MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE DEFINITIONS OF THESE THINGS.

>> WHAT IS QUID PRO QUO HARASSMENT?

THAT IS OFFERING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES IN EXCHANGE FOR A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP.

>> Reporter: JULIA WAS PART OF THE WORKGROUP.

SHE HAS BEEN CALLING FOR REFORM TO THE TOXIC, MISOGYNISTIC ENVIRONMENT THAT IS PLAGUED NEW JERSEY POLITICS AND DRIVEN WOMEN OUT OF IT.

SHE SAYS THE TRAINING VIDEO IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE MAKE IT MAKES PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT OTHERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

BUT IT IS A SMALL STEP ON A VERY LONG JOURNEY THAT INCLUDES STRONGER LEGISLATION, THAT INCLUDES STRONGER ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS, THAT INCLUDES STRONGER OVERSIGHT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FINALLY HAVE A PLACE AND A SPACE FOR WOMEN TO THRIVE IN THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: LEGISLATION PROPOSED LAST YEAR WOULD HAVE CREATED AN OVERSIGHT BODY UNDER THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT ON CAMPAIGNS.

IT PASSED THE SENATE ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY, BUT WAS HELD UP IN THE ASSEMBLY.

THE MAC I THOUGHT THEY WERE THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

THEY ARE IN BUT OUTSIDE, SOMEWHAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE POLITICAL PARTY APPARATUS.

AND THEY HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE IN REGULATING CAMPAIGNS SINCE THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN FINANCE STUFF COMES UNDER THEM.

SO I WAS SORRY THAT BILL DID NOT GET A HEARING.

>> Reporter: WEINBERG IS LOBBYING TO GET IT PAST THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND SHE IS CAMPAIGNING TO GET THE TRAINING VIDEO SEEN BY AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> I WOULD ASSUME THAT CAMPAIGNS SHOULD BE EMBRACING THIS, THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GO TO GET A LITTLE TRAINING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGNS ARE SET UP IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE MANNERS.

SO THIS IS A RESOURCE.

IT IS AN ASSET FOR THEM.

AND AGAIN, I THINK THE CAMPAIGNS WILL PROBABLY WANT THIS VOLUNTARILY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A RESOURCE HERE.

>> ONE CAN REPORT VIA PORTAL, PHONE, EMAIL, AND WEBSITE.

>> Reporter: IT PROVIDES PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL AND WEBSITES TO VISIT FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REPORT A PROBLEM.

IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN JUNE AND TO CAMPAIGN HEADS AS THEY REGISTER WITH THE STATE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S PROCESS TO DETERMINE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS HAS LONG BEEN DEBATED WITH MUNICIPAL LEADERS AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CALLING TO REFORM THE RULES.

NOW A POWERFUL DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR SAYS HE AGREES.

SENATOR PAUL'S ARE LOW IS BACKING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PLAN TO USE FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF MONEY TO BUILD MORE THAN 3000 LOW-COST HOMES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

BUT ONCE A REWRITE ON WHERE THOSE UNITS ARE BUILT.

SR.

WRITER COLLEEN O'DAY JOINS US TO!

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN MOVING FORWARD.

COLLEEN, THIS CAME OUT DURING A BUDGET HERE.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES SENATORS ARE LOW WANT TO DO WITH THESE RULES?

>> Reporter: SO, THE SENATOR WAS NOT SPECIFIC IN TERMS OF HOW EXACTLY HE MIGHT CHANGE THE RULES, BUT HE DID SAY THAT HE THINKS THAT CURRENTLY THERE ARE TOO MANY TIMES WHEN HOUSING IS REQUIRED TO BE BUILT IN A PLACE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT REALLY WOULD MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.

THERE IS NO SUPERMARKET NEARBY.

IT IS NOT NEAR ANY KIND OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT IS OUT IN THE BOONDOCKS.

HE SAID THAT REALLY DOESN'T SERVE ANY GREAT PURPOSE FOR ANYBODY.

THE STATE HAS A STATE PLAN THAT IS REALLY TRYING TO CONCENTRATE MORE DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS WITH INFRASTRUCTURE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

SO, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED.

>> HOW BIG A DEAL IS THIS?

BECAUSE AT LEAST IN MY MEMORY, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE A DEMOCRAT HAS COME FORWARD AND SAID, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, IT IS THE LAST BIG PUSH THAT I CAN REMEMBER WAS BACK, SENATOR RAYMOND, HE'S NO LONGER IN THE SENATE, HE IS RETIRED, AND JERRY GREEN WHO HAS SINCE PASSED BACK DURING THE CHRISTIE AND MINISTRATION, TRYING TO MAKE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

IT TOOK QUITE A WILD FOR THE TWO HOUSES, THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY TO AGREE.

THIS IS A VERY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

ULTIMATELY, THE GOVERNOR SAID, SORRY, I DON'T AGREE.

I THINK THIS IS WORSE THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

AND HE VETOED THEIR PROPOSAL.

>> Reporter: IS A SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY END UP IN THE COURTS?

WE HAVE BEEN THERE MANY TIMES BEFORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE WORLD DOCTRINE OF COURSE HAS BEEN DEBATED FOR YEARS AND EUROS BY MUNICIPAL LEADERS.

WHERE DOES IT GO FROM HERE?

>> Reporter: OH, IT CERTAINLY COULD.

I MEAN, I THINK ANY CHANCE, YOU KNOW, WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT SENATOR SARLOW COMES UP WITH.

ANY CHANCE YOU ARE GOING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE BUILT WOULD DEFINITELY BE CHALLENGED BY AT LEAST THE FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN KIND OF THE BIGGEST PUSHER IN THIS RESPECT AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUILT.

YOU KNOW THAT NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATES IN THE NATION FOR HOUSING.

AND, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON WHO YOU LISTEN TO, THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNITS THAT WE COULD BUILD TO REALLY FILL THE NEED.

SO I WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT A BOARD CHALLENGE MIGHT BE LIKELY.

>> OF COURSE WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM ADVOCATES SINCE THE PANDEMIC ABOUT THE SHORTAGE, THE CRISIS THEY CALL IT OF THESE LOW-COST AFFORDABLE HOMES.

ALL RIGHT, COLLEEN O'DEA FOR US.

GREAT REPORTING AS ALWAYS.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE GREAT RESIGNATION CONTINUES.

AND RHONDA SCHAFFLER REPORTS ON THE SHIP FOR EMPLOYERS.

RHONDA.

>> Reporter: WANDERED DOWN ANY NEW JERSEY STREET, AND YOU WILL LIKELY FIND A HELP WANTED SIGN IN THE WINDOWS OF STORES AND RESTAURANTS.

THE WORKERS SHORTAGE CONTINUES WITH NEW NUMBERS TODAY SHOWING THAT JOB OPENINGS INCREASE TO A RECORD HIGH IN MARCH WITH 11.5 MILLION VACANCIES.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR JERSEY COMPANIES?

MARJORIE PERRY, WHO IS CEO OF A NEWER FACED MCM CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT SAYS, IT IS A STRUGGLE TO FIND WORKERS FOR PROJECTS.

>> WHAT IS HAPPENING IS WHEN YOU WANT TO GET A PROJECT ON, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO PUT IN MORE MEAT TIME BECAUSE YOU NEED THE RIGHT QUALITY PEOPLE IN ORDER TO DO THE PROJECT.

AND THAT IS BECOMING DAUNTING IN ALL FACETS OF MY WORK, FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: ME TIME, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE QUITTING THEIR JOBS IN MARCH INCREASED TO 4.5 MILLION, ALSO A RECORD.

GROUNDBREAKING WAS HELD TODAY AND CARTER ADDED FOR A NEW CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE AND DATA CENTER FOR THE STOCK EXCHANGE OPERATOR NASDAQ.

LOCAL OFFICIALS TALKED ABOUT HOW THE PROJECT WILL CREATE NEW UNION JOBS NASDAQ ALSO HAS A FEW OTHER BACK OFFICE LOCATIONS IN NEW JERSEY AND HAS HAD A PRESENCE FOR A FEW YEARS.

NEW JERSEY IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES.

THE STATE IS LOOKING TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE FIN TECH INDUSTRY.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS SEEKING INPUT FOR THE CREATION OF A FIN TECH AND OVATION CENTER.

IT WILL BE GATHERING DATA ON THAT OVER THE NEXT MONTH.

AHEAD OF THE OFFICIAL START OF THE BAGMAN IN NEW JERSEY, ONE RETAIL CHAIN IS GETTING THE WORD OUT THAT IT IS HANDING OUT FREE REUSABLE BAGS.

IT WILL DISTRIBUTE 1000 BAGS AT EACH OF ITS 272 STORES IN THE STATE.

>>> NOW HERE IS A CHECK IN TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> IF THERE WAS A SILVER LINING TO THE PANDEMIC, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE NEARLY NONEXISTENT FLU SEASONS.

MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND LIMITED INDOOR GATHERINGS, THEY ALL HELPED.

BUT THE FLU IS BACK AND PEAKING LATER THAN USUAL.

CAUSING A MIXUP FOR PATIENTS WHO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS EASILY CONFUSED WITH COVID-19, WHICH IS STILL MAKING THE ROUNDS ACROSS THE STATE ANOTHER 1900 NEW COVID CASES AND 11 MORE DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

THE STATE HAS SEEN A STEADY CLIMB IN THOSE NEW CASES SINCE MARCH, BUT HOSPITALIZATION, THANKFULLY, REMAIN STABLE.

IT IS GOOD NEWS FOR AN ALREADY STRAPPED HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE WHO MAY NOW NEED TO HANDLE THAT EXTRA LOAD OF BLUE PATIENTS.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: AND NOW WE ARE LETTING UP OUR GUARD, AND FLEW HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK.

ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, FLU LEVEL IS CONSIDERED HIGH ESTATE WIDE.

AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE EXPERIENCING A LATER THAN USUAL FLU SEASON.

>> TYPICALLY, OUR FLU SEASON RUNS FROM LATE NOVEMBER SOMEWHERE INTO AROUND APRIL, WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTING.

WE SAW A PEAK IN THE END OF DECEMBER, AND THAT THOSE FLU CASES DROP DOWN DRAMATICALLY.

AND THEY STAYED LOW THROUGHOUT THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

AND NOW THEY ARE STARTING TO INCREASE AGAIN.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MORE THAN 18,000 CASES OF THE FLU WERE DIAGNOSED IN NEW JERSEY THROUGH PCR OR RAPID TESTING FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 23rd.

UP FROM 12,000 CASES DURING THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH.

DR. MARIAM ABRAHAM WHO WORKS AT THE IMA URGENT CARE IN SHREWSBERRY, SAYS WHEN MASK WEARING REQUIREMENTS DROPS, INFLUENZA CASES TICKED UP.

>> I FEEL ONCE MASKS CAME OFF, AND THAT WAS, I THINK, THE BEGINNING OF MARCH IN SCHOOLS, THAT IS REALLY WHEN 5 TO 7 DAYS LATER WE SAW A LOT OF FLU.

ON ANY GIVEN DAY, MAYBE 3 TO 4 POSITIVE CLUES.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER PART OF THE PROBLEM IS INFLUENZA VACCINE PRODUCTION COULD HAVE DECREASED AS MOST PEOPLE GOT THEIR SHOTS MONTHS AGO.

>> THIS YEAR WE ARE SEEING MORE, AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE WEATHER HADN'T GOTTEN WARM IN THE NORTHEAST YET.

WE ARE STILL INSIDE LARGELY.

WE ARE INSIDE, AND WE ARE NOT MASKED.

THIS IS ALSO A TIMEFRAME, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE PRETTY DISTANT NOW FROM YOUR INFLUENZA VACCINATION, RIGHT?

A LOT OF FOLKS GOT IT IN SEPTEMBER.

AND YOU ARE NOW ALMOST, YOU KNOW, EIGHT MONTHS OUT FROM THE INFLUENZA VACCINE.

THERE MAY BE SOME WANING IMMUNITY THAT IS HAPPENING.

AND FOLKS ARE GOING, I DON'T FEEL THAT BAD.

I WILL JUST GRIN IT OUT AT HOME.

THAT IS PROBABLY OKAY FOR A HEALTHY YOUNG INDIVIDUAL.

IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE RIGHT THING FOR AN OLDER PERSON WHO HAS CHRONIC ILLNESS.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS SAY PREVENTION, NOT FEAR, IS WHAT WILL KEEP YOU HEALTHY.

>> THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES COVID, AND THE INFLUENZA VIRUS ARE DIFFERENT VIRUSES.

SO THE SARS VACCINE, THE COVID- 19 VACCINE IS NOT GOING TO PROTECT YOU AGAINST THE FLU.

AND IF YOU ARE A VULNERABLE PERSON, IF YOU ARE OLDER, IF YOU ARE A CHILD, IF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS SOMEHOW NOT WORKING UP TO SPEED, YOU SHOULD GET THE FLU VACCINE.

AND YOU CAN STILL GET THE FLU VACCINE TO THIS MOMENT.

>> IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA THAT YOU CAN'T SOCIALLY DISTANCE AND IT IS CROWDED, AND YOU ARE INSIDE, EITHER TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF THAT SITUATION, OR PUT A MASK ON.

STILL WASHING YOUR HANDS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

ALTHOUGH STEPS WE HAVE DONE BEFORE TO PREVENT THINGS, YOU HAVE TO DO THEM AGAIN.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO GO ON AND LIVE YOUR LIFE AND NOT BE SCARED BECAUSE THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

AND WE HAVE IT UNDER CONTROL IN OUR HOSPITALS AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

THERE IS NOT BIG SURGES OF PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOU CAN TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID AND THE FLU SIMULTANEOUSLY.

SHE STRESSES BECAUSE SYMPTOMS FOR ALLERGY, THE FLU, AND COVID ARE SO SIMILAR, THE BEST WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IS TO GET TESTED FOR BOTH THE FLU AND COVID.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BUT A REMINDER TO JOIN US TOMORROW, MAY 4th, AT 4:00 P.M. WE LOOK AT THE SOARING COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

LILO MODERATES THE VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE AND ASKED HOW THE STATE CAN REVERSE AN ALARMING TREND WHERE ONE IN FIVE RESIDENTS STRUGGLED TO A FOR THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS, SPLITTING PILLS, OR SKIPPING DOSES JUST TO STRETCH THEIR MEDICINE FURTHER.

REGISTER ONLINE AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.