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

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, OR STUDY, CREATED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> IT EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEW JERSEY IS PREPARED TO BECOME AN ABORTION SAFE HAVEN.

THAT IS THE MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IF THE U.S. GREEN COURT STRIKES DOWN THE LAW AND LANDMARK ROE V. WADE RULING IS A LEAKED DRAFT DECISION INDICATES.

FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, ROE V. WADE EFFECTIVELY LEGALIZED ABORTION NATIONWIDE.

THE DRAFT IS NOT THE COURTS FINAL WORD ON THE ISSUE, BUT, A DECISION TO OVERRULE ABORTION RIGHTS COULD CHANGE THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL LANDSCAPE FOR DECADES.

AND RESULT IN MORE THAN 20 STATES AUTOMATICALLY BANNING OR RESTRICTING ABORTIONS, INCLUDING 13 STATES WITH WHAT ARE KNOWN AS TRIGGER LAWS ON THE BOOKS.

NEW JERSEY TOOK STEPS TO PRESERVE THAT RIGHT EARLIER THIS YEAR, CODIFYING A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE INTO STATE LAW.

IN A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW, GOVERNOR MURPHY TOLD US HE IS READY TO WELCOME ALL PREGNANT PEOPLE SEEKING REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

IF THIS CASE IS OVERRULED, IT WOULD LEAD TO ABORTION BANDS IN ABOUT HALF THE STATES NOT IN NEW JERSEY.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO WELCOME WHAT MAY BE AN INFLUX OF PREGNANT PEOPLE COMING HERE TO SEEK THOSE ABORTION SERVICES?

>> IT TO BE WITH YOU.

THE TOPIC IS DISGUSTING.

THE FACT THAT WE ARE EVEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TAKES MY BREATH AWAY.

LISTEN, WOMEN ARE WELCOME IN NEW JERSEY, PERIOD.

THANK GOD I SIGNED THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHICH PROTECTS A WOMAN'S RIGHT, NOT JUST TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM BROADLY, BUT SPECIFICALLY TO ABORTION.

I PERSONALLY THINK WE CAN MAKE THE LAW EVEN STRONGER.

WHEN WE FIRST INTRODUCED THIS LAW, IT HAD A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS THAT I WOULD BE VERY MUCH OPEN TO REVISITING.

IF WOMEN COME FROM OUT OF STATE TO NEW JERSEY, BASED ON THIS AWFUL STEP THAT THE SUPREME COURT APPEARS TO BE READY TO TAKE, THEY ARE WELCOME IN NEW JERSEY, WHETHER IT IS FOR HEALTHCARE BROADLY, WHETHER IT IS FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, WHETHER IT IS FOR ABORTION SPECIFICALLY, WOMEN ARE WELCOME IN NEW JERSEY.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS DECLARED WAR ON THE AMERICAN WOMAN.

WENT WITH ONE STROKE OF THE PEN IF THIS COMES TO PASS, THEY HAVE MADE 165 MILLION WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN NEW JERSEY.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE LAW YOU SIGNED, THE ORIGINAL VERSION, THE ONE THAT YOU DID SUPPORT HAD A PROVISION TO EXPAND ABORTION COVERAGE TO REQUIRE PRIVATE INSURANCE TO COVER THE COST OF BOTH ABORTION AND BIRTH CONTROL WITH NO OUT-OF-POCKET COST FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT EXPANDING THE BILL IN THE LAW TO INCLUDE THAT NOW?

>> YES.

WHY SHOULD ABORTION BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE WHEN IT COMES TO DEDUCTIBLES OR CO- PAYS?

THE ANSWER IS YES.

I ALSO WANT TO EXPLORE, AGAIN, MAKING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, AND ABORTION SPECIFICALLY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

I ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL TO CODIFY WHAT THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS DID BY A RULEMAKING STEP, WHICH IS TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF WHO COULD PERFORM AN ABORTION TO A BROADER HEALTHCARE WORKER DEFINITION.

SO ALL THREE OF THOSE STEPS ARE STEPS WE WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT AND REVISIT VERY SOON WITH THE LEGISLATOR.

>> COULD WE SEE SOMETHING LIKE WHAT NEW YORK HAS PROPOSED, GOVERNOR, A FUND TO HELP COVER SOME OF THOSE COST?

IS THAT SOMETHING WE COULD ANTICIPATE HERE IN THE STATE?

>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR LAWS THAT ARE NOT ON MY DESK OR HAVE NOT BEEN FORMULATED, BUT THE ANSWER IS, YES, THAT IS SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER.

AS USUAL, THE MOST EXTREME VICTIMS OF A STEP LIKE THIS POTENTIAL STEP, ARE FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL, ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, INVARIABLY IN BRACK BLACK AND BROWN AND ENDED COMMUNITIES.

>> THIS IS FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE THE MEANS TO TRAVEL HERE.

ARE WE PREPARED TO HANDLE FOLKS WHO MAY BE COMING HERE?

>> I THINK WE ARE.

I THINK WE WILL GET THE RIGHT LAWS ON THE BOOKS NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, I HAVE ONE OF THE STRONGEST AND BEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT THE WORLD.

AND WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT AND WE SHOULD BE PROUD TO SCREAM FROM THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN TOP THAT WOMEN ARE WELCOME AND ALWAYS WILL BE IN THE GREAT STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN PRETTY FORCEFUL IN YOUR URGING CONGRESS TO NOT JUST PROTECT BUT ALSO CODIFY ABORTION- RIGHTS.

YOU HAVE GOT A VERY PROMINENT ROLE WITH BOTH THE DJ, THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.

WHAT DO YOU SEE SPECIFICALLY AS YOUR ROLE IN ADVANCING THAT.

>> I GUESS IT IS A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE, IT IS USING WHATEVER BULLHORN I HAVE TO IMPLORE CONGRESS TO PASS A LAW THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD SIGN THAT WOULD PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM BROADLY AND ABORTION SPECIFICALLY ACROSS AMERICA.

AND BY THE WAY, IF THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FILIBUSTER, THEN SO BE IT.

IS A MENTIONED, THE SUPREME COURT HAS DECLARED WAR ON THE AMERICAN WOMAN, ARE ABOUT TO DECLARE WAR.

THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN A WAR, YOU HAVE TO USE OTHER WEAPONS AT YOUR DISPOSAL.

>> WHEN YOU SPECIFICALLY SAY THE FILIBUSTER, DO YOU REMAIN REFORMING THE FILIBUSTER?

>> YES, WHICH I HAVE NOT GOT ON RECORD SUPPORTING REFORM UNTIL YESTERDAY, OR MAYBE MONDAY NIGHT.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

YOU HAVE 165 MILLION AMERICAN WOMEN.

THEIR HEALTHCARE, THEIR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS ARE AT STAKE HERE.

THE SUPREME COURT IS ABOUT TO DECLARE WAR ON THEM.

WHEN YOU ARE IN A WAR, YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IT TAKES.

IN THE GOVERNOR SIDE WHERE I AM A SITTING MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, ELECTIONS MATTER MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

FOLKS HAVE TO REMEMBER NOT JUST IN CONGRESS OR NOT JUST IN THE WHITE HOUSE, BUT IN STATE HOUSES AND STATE LEGISLATORS.

I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO EXERT MY ENERGY IN THOSE RACES.

BY THE WAY, THERE ARE 36 GOVERNORS RACES THIS YEAR.

AGAIN, IF WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE IS ON THE BALLOT, COUNT ME IN TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN AND WE CAN TO PROTECT A.

>> GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WITH US THIS EVENING.

GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THE FALLOUT FROM THE LEAKED U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINION IS STILL SWELLING, SHAKING TRUST AND STOKING ANGER AMONG ADVOCATES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR ABORTION RIGHTS DECADES AGO.

PROTEST AND RALLIES ERUPTED ACROSS NEW JERSEY LAST NIGHT.

ISSUE OF SUPPORT AND A PROMISE NOT TO BACK DOWN.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS THERE.

>> WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARGUMENTS RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: DRIVEN BY SHOCK AND ANGER OVER THE POTENTIAL FALL OF ROW, A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE TURNED OUT IN MONTCLAIR FOR AN ABORTION-RIGHTS RALLY, ONE OF MANY THAT ERUPTED AROUND THE NATION YESTERDAY.

WOMAN WHO MARCHED FOR THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE A HALF-CENTURY AGO RESERVED TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

>> I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

HAVE THIS MUCH ANGER IN YOU, YOU CAN'T SIT STILL.

YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

THEY BOTH AN ANGRY BEAR.

>> I SIGNED UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WHATEVER THEY NEED FOR ME.

JUST TO LET IT BE KNOWN THAT PEOPLE WANT BACK DOWN.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY LAW CODIFIES THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS FROM ACROSS THE NATION WILL SEEK HEALTHCARE IN OTHER STATES, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY.

>> NEVER IN ALL OF THESE YEARS HAVE I BEEN SO AFRAID FOR OUR PATIENTS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

>> IT MEANS THAT PLACES, LIKE NEW JERSEY, WHERE IT IS LEGAL TO HAVE AN ABORTION, WILL BECOME A SAFE HAVEN FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED SERVICES.

WE PROVIDE CARE NO MATTER WHAT.

>> THE CDC REPORTS 22,000 PATIENTS OBTAINED ABORTIONS IN NEW JERSEY IN 2019, AND 1300 CAME FROM OUT OF STATE.

>> WE HAVE SEEN INCREASING NUMBERS OF PATIENTS TRAVELING FROM WHAT WE WOULD CLASSIFY AS HOSTILE STATES.

>> Reporter: ROXANNE SETAUKET OF THE WOMEN'S CENTER IN CHERRY HILL SAYS THEY SEE 6000 TO 8000 PATIENTS A YEAR.

IF ROW FALLS, FLOOD GATES WILL OPEN AND RESOURCES WOULD BE STRETCHED FURTHER.

>> WE COULD POTENTIALLY SEE LONG WAITS IN SOME CENTERS.

AND AND AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES BASED ON THE TIMELINE THAT PEOPLE NEED.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING CHERRY HILL WOMEN'S CENTER IS WORKING IN REAL TIME TO BUILD OUR CAPACITY.

>> FROM A FUND-RAISING PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE DEFINITELY SEEN A LARGE INVASIVE NUMBER OF DONATIONS IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

>> THEORY OVER THE LITTLE DRAFT LEAKS FEEL TO FLURRY OF GIVING.

130 FOLKS HAVE DONATED $7000 SO FAR, WHICH WOULD HELP PAY FOR 28 FIRST TRIMESTER ABORTIONS.

THE ACCESS FUND HAS HELPED 183 PATIENTS WITH GRANTS AVERAGING $250 EACH TWEEN JANUARY AND OCTOBER OF 2021.

>> COST IS A PROHIBITIVE FACTOR IN RECEIVING IT.

IT IS THE NUMBER ONE THING PATIENTS RUN INTO.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ONE REASON PROVIDERS ARE REACHING OUT AND RALLIES.

MEDICAID COVERS ABORTION IN NEW JERSEY.

PRIVATE INSURANCE CAN OPT OUT OR SET HIGH DEDUCTIBLES, REVERSING ROW WILL HURT THE MOST VULNERABLE ABORTION ADVOCATES.

>> THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO TRAVEL AND SEEK THE HEALTHCARE THEY DESERVE WILL DO SO.

AND THOSE WHO CANNOT WILL BE LEFT AT THE MERCY OF SYSTEMS THAT NEITHER CARE FOR OUR WELL-BEING, MORE FRANKLY WANT TO EVEN SEE US EXIST.

>> ADVOCATES STRESSED THE RESTRICTIONS FOR FIGHTING ABORTION-RIGHTS WILL INVOLVE ORGANIZING ON MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.

FOR DEMOCRATS, IT'S AN INSTANT RALLYING CRY.

>> IT IS UP TO YOU IN THESE THE TIME ELECTIONS.

I'M SERIOUS, IT'S UP TO.

>> INCUMBENT DEMOCRATS FROM THE 12th AND 11 DISTRICTS TOOK THE PODIUM AND URGED VOTERS TO TURN OUT FOR THE MIDTERMS.

>> WHETHER A ROLE REVERSAL CAN GALVANIZE ENOUGH VOTERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IS HARD TO GAUGE, THOSE WRITERS MICHAEL RASMUSSEN.

>> NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATION HAVE WE TAKEN AWAY A BASIC HUMAN FREEDOM FROM HALF THE POPULATION.

SO, ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT WE HAVE A PAST MODEL WE CAN LOOK AT OR A PAST EXAMPLE AS TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN POLITICALLY, WE ARE IN NEW TERRITORY HERE.

>> HE NOTES JERSEY REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT SPOKEN OUT FOLLOWING THE LEAK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH, A LONGTIME ANTIABORTION ADVOCATE WHO STATED THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SEEMS POISED TO TAKE A POWERFUL STEP TOWARDS EMPOWERING ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO PROTECT THE WEAKEST AND MOST VULNERABLE.

WE ARE AT THE TIPPING POINT.

INDEED, WE ARE.

>>> STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE NOT BEEN SHY WITH THEIR FRUSTRATION OVER HANGUPS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEIR OFFICES FLOODED WITH CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS BEGGING FOR HELP GETTING UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS PROCESSED, DUE TO OUTDATED SYSTEMS AND BUREAUCRATIC TAPE.

TODAY, MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE PRESSED THE STATE LABOR COMMISSIONER FOR ANSWERS.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY FROM TRENTON.

>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONSTITUENTS CALLING MY OFFICE.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR FOLKS NOT CALLING US BACK.

>> Reporter: LABOR COMMISSIONER ROBERT SORREL IN THE HOTSEAT AND ON THE FENCE AS LEGISLATORS PUSHED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN UNDER SCRUTINY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE ARE UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY ALONG THE WAY TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF CLAIMS.

WE HAVE HIRED HUNDREDS OF STAFF WITH ON THE WAY.

WE TEAMED UP WITH WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGISTS INVESTED TO MAKE REAL AND LONG-LASTING CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSIONER BLAMED FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS LIKE WEEKLY CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS THAT HE SAYS LEFT 2 MILLION CLAIMS PENDING SINCE COVID AND STILL ABOUT 5000 CLAIMS PENDING WEEKLY.

>> LONG STORY SHORT, IF WE DON'T COMPLY WITH A LONG LIST OF FEDERAL LAWS, WE WILL LOSE OUR ABILITY TO PAY ANY BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: FOR THREE HOURS, LAWMAKERS DEMANDED ABOUT WAIT TIMES, PROCESS CLAIMS AND STAFF ISSUES.

MANY REACHING ADMITTING THEY REACHED BOILING POINTS AS RESIDENTS FLOODED OFFICES WITH CALLS AND CRIES FOR HELP >> IN THE BEGINNING, PEOPLE COULDN'T GET THROUGH.

BUT NOWADAYS, PEOPLE ARE MORE FOR CALLING BECAUSE IT ONLY TO GOT FROM US.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE APPEAL RIGHTS AND THERE'S AN APPEALS PROCESS.

IT'S NOT LIKE IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING OR A YEAR AGO.

>> EVERYONE WITH YOUR FOLKS BLOWING OF EMAILS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OFFICE AND FOLLOW-UPS AND FOLLOW-UPS, AND TAKING GOING TO YOU DIRECTLY, WHICH I CAN ONLY DO SO OFTEN, MAYBE TWICE IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS FOR THE OLDEST CLAIMS, OR EVEN ABOVE YOUR HEAD, IN ORDER TO GET THAT KIND OF INTERVENTION.

WE WERE OFFERING YOU MONEY.

THIS IS A BUDGET HEARING.

TO BRING ON MORE STAFF TO -- >> Reporter: SHE IS AWARE OF THE OBSTACLES RESIDENTS FACE TO RECEIVE UNAPPOINTED BENEFITS.

ALSO NOTED THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS MORE STAFF, NOT MORE FUNDING, TO RUN MORE EFFICIENTLY.

>> WE WILL HAVE 1410, WE NEED MORE.

MY POINT IS THAT WE ARE HIRING EVERY SINGLE DAY.

IT IS NOT THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING, THE JOB POSITIONS SPOTS.

WE DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE.

JUST LIKE YOU ARE HEARING FROM EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYER OF THE STATE AND COUNTRY.

I WISH WE COULD CLONE OUR OWN PEOPLE AND HAVE THEM WORK NEXT TO THEMSELVES.

>> DO YOU HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO RECRUIT MORE WORKERS?

>> WE ARE WORKING EVERY DAY THROUGH OUR WORK STOP AND WORKFORCE COMMISSION.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSIONER WAS GRILLED OVER THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE PROCESS INCLUDING HOURS OF OPERATIONS AT ONE-STOP CENTERS.

>> YOU MAY RECALL I ATTENDED A VISIT TO A ONE-STOP SHOP.

I WAS DENIED ENTRY INTO!

INTO A WAS AND GOT IN THERE.

IF ANYBODY GOES TO MY SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU WILL SEE WHAT I DISCOVERED, EMPTY ROOMS, DUSTY CHAIRS.

I CAME BACK A YEAR LATER WHEN THE CENTER WAS REPORTEDLY REOPENED NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED.

>> THE COMMISSIONER WILL ULTIMATELY UPGRADE THE SYSTEM DRAMATICALLY IN TURN SOLVING MOST OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED.

HE ALSO STRESSED STAFFING IS ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS BIGGEST HURDLES AND SAYS THERE ARE AT LEAST 50 JOB OPENINGS AVAILABLE CURRENTLY.

>>> FAMILIES OF STUDENTS ARE: THE HIGH SCHOOL ARE DEMANDING A REMOTE LEARNING OPTION, AS IS NOT OVER AN INVESTIGATION INTO A POSSIBLE BRAIN CANCER CLUSTER LINKED TO THE SCHOOL.

IN A LETTER TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WITH RICH TOWNSHIP MAYOR, ALUMNI PARENTS AND RESIDENTS CALLED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBE AND REQUESTED PUBLIC HEARINGS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS.

BOSTON, CORNEA GRADUATE REVEALED HE FOUND MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED OR WORKED AT THE SCHOOL DEVELOPED BRAIN TUMORS.

RESULTS FROM THE TESTING ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.

PARENTS SAY THEY WANT THE OPTION TO KEEP THE KIDS HOME IN THE MEANTIME UNTIL THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT THOSE FINDINGS.

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT CURRENT STATE RULES DON'T ALLOW FOR REMOTE OPTION.

OVER IN NEWARK, THE STATES LONGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IS STILL STANDING FIRM ON A COVID- 19 MASK POLICY, REQUIRING ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF TO WEAR IF IS COVERING IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS TO MUNCH MONTHS AFTER THE STATEWIDE MANDATE ENDED, ALL PART OF AN EFFORT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT DISTRICT LEADERS.

NEWARK IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING DISTRICTS TO KEEP THE MANDATE IN PLACE A MASK MANDATE ISN'T BEING ENFORCED FOR TRAVELERS BUT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELING IN PLANES, TRAINS AND AT AIRPORTS DESPITE A FEDERAL GEORGE'S ORDER DECLARING THE ORDER WAS UNLAWFUL, THE CDC SAYS THE RECOMMENDATION IS BASED ON CURRENT COVID-19 CONDITIONS OR SPREAD >>> BUYERS ARE GETTING SQUEEZED OUT OF THE HOUSING MARKET IN NEWARK AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC PRICING.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT DO THEY PLAN TO DO WITH IT?

>> THE MAYOR PROPOSING A SERIES OF STEPS TO CRACK DOWN ON CORPORATIONS BUYING UP HOUSING IN THE CITY, MAKING IT UNAFFORDABLE FOR RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER A REPORT PUT OUT BY RECORDS ENTITLED WHO OWNS NEWARK IT FOUND THAT NEARLY HALF OF THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WERE SOLD TO CORPORATE BUYERS SOME OF THEM IN ANONYMOUS DURING A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

>> WHAT THESE CORPORATIONS ARE DOING ARE BUYING THESE PROPERTIES ABOVE DEVALUED ASSESSMENT AND THE ASSESSED VALUE, AND THEY ARE INVESTING IN THOSE PROPERTIES AND RAISING THE RENT ON THOSE PROPERTIES, SOMETIMES 100% TO 200%.

>> AMONG THE PROPOSALS FROM THE MAYOR MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO SOLICIT PURCHASE OFFICE WITHOUT THE RESIDENCE PERMISSION AND OPPOSING FEES ON SENATE LANDLORDS THAT INCREASE RATES ABOVE 5% YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

UNIONIZED WORKERS IN ATLANTIC CITY ARE SEEKING A PAY RAISE.

THE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 54 OF UNITE HERE SAYS THEY ARE SEEKING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE RISING COSTS.

EXISTING CONTRACTS WITH THE CASINOS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ASSIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER'S ESTABLISHING A STATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR LGBTQ BUSINESSES.

THE SELLER CERTIFICATIONS EXIST FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES AND IT EXPANDS ACCESS TO PUBLIC CONTRACTS AMONG OTHER THINGS.

AROUND AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY PRIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> FOR THOSE SUCCESSFUL ENOUGH TO WIN DATES AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM ON TOP OF WHAT THEY WERE WORKING WITH, YOU CAN SEE THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING BUSINESSES AND HIRING OF MORE EMPLOYEES.

THEREFORE ADDING TO THE OVERALL STATES ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL RESERVE DECIDED TO RAISE ITS BETA BENCHMARK INTEREST RATE BY HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT.

ITS LARGEST MOVE IN DECADES.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET REACTED FOLLOWING THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THE STATEWIDE PLASTIC BAG BAN BEGINS.

STARTING TODAY, STORES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SINGLE-USE CARRYOUT PLASTIC BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

MOST GROCERY STORES WILL ALSO BE BANNED FROM PROVIDING SINGLE- USE PAPER BAGS.

IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE STRICTEST RULES IN THE NATION, SO SHOPPERS, YOU HAVE TO BE WHY OLD BAG OR BY A REUSABLE ONE AT CHECKOUT.

IT IS A MAJOR SHIFT FOR CUSTOMERS AND BUSINESSES.

>>> DAY ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S PLASTIC BAG BAN WAS A MIXED BAG FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS?

SUSAN AND MADE.

>> SOME ARE COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION IN SOME ARE MEASURABLE.

IT DEPENDS ON THE CUSTOMER AND IT DEPENDS ON HOW THEY SEE IT.

SOME ARE FOR IT SAYING IT HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT AND SYMBOLIC KNOW THIS IS CRAZY.

>> SOME OF HER CUSTOMERS KNEW THE BAND BEGAN TODAY, WHILE UBER EATS DRIVER SCRAMBLE TO DELIVER ORDERS WITHOUT PLASTIC.

HER STORE ALSO SELLS PREPARED FOOD WHICH USED TO BE PACKAGED IN STYROFOAM.

NOW THAT POLYSTYRENE CONTAINERS ARE BANNED IN NEW JERSEY, I MEAN SAYS REPLACEMENTS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

>> IT IS A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SOMETIMES IT IS HIT OR MISS.

YOU CAN'T GET EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.

>> WE ARE NOT CONVINCED THAT THERE ARE THOSE AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES.

YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT MIGHT BE PAYING MORE FOR SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS.

WE MIGHT FIND THAT THOSE PRODUCTS ARE NOT AS GOOD AS POLYSTYRENE.

>> THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, WHICH POSES PROBLEMS IF YOU RUN A BUSINESS OR FEED HUNGRY SCHOOLKIDS.

>> PRIOR TO COVID, WE HAD A PLAN, AND OUR DISTRICT, THAT WE WERE STARTING TO LOOK INTO THESE PRODUCTS.

BACK THEN, IT WAS STILL COSTLY BUT NOT 4 TO 5 TIMES.

>> HAVING TO SEARCH FOR RECYCLABLE CONTENT, THEY ARE ALL SUPPORTIVE OF A.

IT IS AT THE SAME TIME WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES AND INFLATIONS.

>> 40 SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN GRANTED WAIVERS UNTIL AUGUST 34 FIRST, GIVING THEM TIME TO SORT OUT THE CHANGE.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARGUE IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT PLASTIC BAGS AND STAR REFORM STYROFOAM ARE NOT BIODEGRADABLE.

>> THE COST OF NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS, THE COST OF RUINED ECONOMIES BY THE SHORELINE, RUINED FISHERIES, IS MUCH GREATER THAN PUSHING INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO CHANGE THEIR CONSUMER HABITS.

>> IT IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE JUST HAVE TO GET INTO THE PROCESS OF REMEMBERING TO BRING IT MORE OFTEN.

NOW THEY HAVE JUST CHANGED IT TODAY.

>> EVEN AT THE US W, THEY START WITH THE BOX, TO.

IT WENT FROM PLASTIC TO PAPER AND EVERYONE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PAPER AND THEY WANTED TO GO BACK TO PLASTIC.

>> THERE ARE EXEMPTIONS TO THE BAN.

THINGS THAT PRODUCE DOCS ARE A OKAY.

SOME STORES ARE SELLING REUSABLE PRODUCE BAGS IF YOU WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE.

OTHER GROCERY SHOPPERS ARE GETTING MORE CREATIVE IN THEIR WORKAROUNDS.

>> IT WAS LEFT ON A DOLLY.

TO EMPTY DOCS IS WERE LEFT ON A DOLLY.

I TOOK THEM BOTH.

THEY WERE EMPTY, JUST THE WAY YOU SEE THEM.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE BAGS BUT I DID NOT HAVE THAT CHOICE.

>> Reporter: FOR BUSINESSES THAT DO WANT A CHOICE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS ASKING COMPANIES TO APPLY FOR WAIVERS TO CONTINUE USING POLYSTYRENE.

>>> IF YOU STILL HAVE LINGERING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BAG BAN, WE HAVE ANSWERS.

CHECK OUT GENESIS ABOUT IS REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

DAVID TALKS WITH HIP-HOP ICON AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE DARRELL McDANIELS OF RUN DMC.

HE SHARES HIS OWN MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY AND TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK.

IT IS HELPING KIDS WITH BULLYING.

THAT IS THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE VAPES, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.