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MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE U.S. HOUSE TODAY VOTING TO LOOMING NATIONWIDE RAIL STRIKE PASSING A RESOLUTION THAT FORCES UNIONS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT IN SEPTEMBER SHEPHERDED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BUT REJECTED BY A HANDFUL OF THE 12 UNIONS INVOLVED.

THOSE UNIONS THREATENED TO STRIKE IF THE FINAL DEAL WASN'T REACHED BY DECEMBER 9th.

TODAY'S VOTE MAKES THAT ACTION ILLEGAL.

LABOR EXPERTS PREDICTED THE STRIKE WOULD CRIPPLE THE ECONOMY, CAUSING PRICES ON EVERYDAY ITEMS TO SURGE.

A PUSH FOR MORE PAID SICK DAYS DOMINATED THE NEGOTIATIONS AND BECAME A STICKING POINT BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND THE UNION WORKERS FOR YEARS, BUT THE CRISIS ISN'T OVER YET.

THE BILL WILL HEAD TO THE SENATE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN INSISTING THEY ACT QUICKLY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE LATEST.

>> THE JOINT RESOLUTION HAS PASSED.

>> Reporter: FACING A CATASTROPHE FROM US LOOMING RAILROAD STRIKE, RAIL UNIONS WILL ACCEPT A COMPROMISE CONTRACT BROKERED EARLIER BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE BIPARTISAN VOTE 137 WOULD KEEP SOME 115,000 RAILROAD WORKERS ON THE JOB ALTHOUGH THEIR NEW CONTRACTS LACK PAID SICK DAYS THE BITTER UNION MEMBERS WERE PREPARED TO STRIKE OVER.

>> LET ME BE CLEAR.

THE NATIONWIDE RAIL SHUTDOWN WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC.

A SHUTDOWN WOULD GRIND OUR ECONOMY TO A HALT AND EVERY FAMILY WOULD FEEL THE STRAIN.

AS MANY AS 765,000 WORKERS INCLUDING MANY UNION MEMBERS WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS IN JUST THE FIRST TWO WEEKS.

EXPERTS PREDICT IT WOULD COST THE ECONOMY UP TO $2 BILLION A DAY.

>> WE ARE ALL HERE TODAY DUE TO THE INABILITY OF THE RAILROADS TO NEGOTIATE PAID SICK LEAVE.

PERIOD.

AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF ANY HUMANE AND DECENT WORK ENVIRONMENT.

THE DECISION TO INTERVENE AND PREVENT THE FREIGHT RAIL SHUTDOWN WAS NOT EASY BY ANY MEANS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN SPONSORED THE MEASURE CONGRESS UNDER THE LABOR ACT HAS THE POWER TO VALIDATE THE NEW CONTRACT THAT WAS APPROVED BY 8 OF THE 12 RAILROAD UNIONS INCLUDING A 24% PAY RAISE OVER FIVE YEARS AND A THOUSAND DOLLAR ANNUAL BONUS.

THE HOUSE APPROVED A SEPARATE RESOLUTION TO ADD SEVEN PAID SICK DAYS TO THE RAILROAD WORKERS CONTRACT BUT WITHOUT REPUBLICAN SUPPORT BOTH MEASURES HEAD TO THE SENATE WHILE BUSINESSES HOLD THEIR COLLECTIVE BREATH.

>> GIVEN THE FACT WE ARE RIGHT AROUND THE HOLIDAY SEASON, A LOT OF RETAIL IS REALLY RELYING ON THIS SEASON.

IF IT IS GOING TO BE CRIPPLING, IF THERE IS A STRIKE, BUT HOPEFULLY THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK THINGS OUT.

>> Reporter: VOTING AGAINST AVERTING THE STRIKE, THE ONLY NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN TO DO SO.

THE CLASH HAS OPENED A POLITICAL RIFT WITH UNIONS THAT HAVE LONG RELIED ON JOE BIDEN'S SUPPORT.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN COMING OUT YESTERDAY CALLING FOR AN IMPOSITION OF A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FROM SEPTEMBER REALLY UNDERMINES THE BARGAINING POWER OF THE UNION.

THE EMPLOYER DOESN'T FEEL ANY PRESSURE TO MAKE CONCESSIONS BECAUSE THEY KNOW A STRIKE IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: LABOR EXPERTS SAY THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY IS BOOMING AND CAN WELL AFFORD THE SICK DAYS, BUT WORKERS OPTED FOR HIGHER WAGES IN LIEU OF PAID LEAVE.

AS FOR INTERVENTION BY CONGRESS, ESPECIALLY AT THE URGING OF A PROLABOR PRESIDENT -- >> NOT GOING TO LIE, THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CONGRESS.

HE IS DEFINITELY UNDERMINING HIS PRESENTATION OF BEING PROUNION.

>> THE PRESIDENT RIGHTLY SAID UNBALANCED.

YOU KNOW, I FEEL FOR THE WORKERS.

HOWEVER, THE EFFECT ON THE COUNTRY --WE WILL NOT HAVE CAPACITY TO MOVE EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO MOVE.

>> Reporter: SUPPLY CHAIN EXPERTS SAY THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY WOULD NEED HALF 1 MILLION MORE TRUCKS TO PICK UP WHAT RAILROADS MIGHT LEAVE SITTING ON THE TRACKS.

TRUCKING COMPANIES CLAIM IT WOULD CREATE CHAOS AT PORTS IN NEWARK AND ELIZABETH.

THE ECONOMY COULD FEEL AN IMPACT AS MANUFACTURERS HEDGED THEIR BETS.

>> I AM LOOKING EITHER TO HOLD MY SHIPMENTS BACK INTO THE SITUATION IS CLEARED UP, OR I AM LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE SENATE LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WANT TO SCHEDULE A VOTE ON AVERTING THE STRIKE.

THE DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 9th.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ELSEWHERE ON CAPITOL HILL, THE SENATE MADE A BIPARTISAN BREAKTHROUGH PASSING LEGISLATION TUESDAY TO PROTECT SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE.

THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT OUT THE FULL SUPPORT OF DEMOCRATS AND 12 REPUBLICANS IN THE FINAL 61-36 VOTE, SIGNALING A MAJOR SHIFT IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ISSUE.

THE BILL AND SHRINES SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE INTO FEDERAL LAW AND REQUIRES ALL STATES TO RECOGNIZE AN OUT-OF-STATE MARRIAGE BASED ON SEX, RACE, OR ETHNICITY.

DEMOCRATS MOVED QUICKLY TO GET IT PASSED AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE OUT OF CONCERN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE COULD FACE THE SAME FATE AS ABORTION RIGHTS.

WORKING TO GET THE VOTE DONE BEFORE REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE IN JANUARY.

THE BILL HEADS THERE FOR A VOTE NEXT AND IS EXPECTED TO PASS AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK, THEN ON TO THE PRESIDENT FOR A SIGNATURE.

IN A STATEMENT, SENATOR BOOKER SAID THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT WILL ENSURE PEOPLE CAN, " MARY WHO YOU LOVE."

>>> HERE AT HOME, LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WILL GIVE FIRST RESPONDERS MORE PROTECTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE.

AN ESTIMATED 30% OF THOSE WORKERS DEVELOPED POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY AS A RESULT OF THE JOB, YET MANY FEAR GETTING HELP OR TREATMENT DUE TO STIGMA AND THE THREAT OF JOB LOSS.

NOW A NEW PROPOSAL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH TRENTON WOULD ALLEVIATE THOSE ROADBLOCKS TO GETTING HELP.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE SEE THINGS PEOPLE DON'T DREAM OF SEEING AND SEEING THIS 30 YEARS, BOY, IT REALLY GETS TO YOU.

YOU GO TO THE ONE INCIDENT YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF YOUR MIND AND YOU DREAM ABOUT IT OR YOU THINK ABOUT IT EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS, THREE MONTHS, THREE YEARS.

>> Reporter: THOSE HAUNTING THOUGHTS CAN BE A SIGN OF PTSD, POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, WHICH MANY FIRST RESPONDER STRUGGLE WITH GIVEN ALL THEY SEE ON A DAILY BASIS.

MOST HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO SEEK CARE.

>> THEY WERE AFRAID OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT WORK WITH THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

OTHER RAMIFICATIONS, ARE THEY GOING TO SAY YOU ARE NOT FIT FOR DUTY?

>> ANY TIME AN OFFICER REACHES OUT FOR HELP SAYING I AM HAVING AN ISSUE, I AM HAVING A PROBLEM, THIS AFFECTED ME, THE ONLY REAL MEANS FOR THE DEPARTMENT WOULD MEAN THEY WERE SENT OUT FOR AN EVALUATION BY A PSYCHOLOGIST AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THEM AND DISMISS THEM.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR MENTAL HEALTH BREAK LIKE THEY WOULD BE GIVEN IF THEY SUSTAIN A PHYSICAL INJURY ON THE JOB.

>> YOU'VE GOT AN OFFICER GOING THROUGH A TRAUMA THAT SAYS HEY, I NEED HELP.

THEY SAY OKAY, THAT'S GREAT, BUT YOU'RE FIRED UNTIL YOU GET HELP AND COME BACK.

THEY WOULD NEED TO START THIS PROCESS OF GETTING TREATMENT WHILE THEY ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS WHATEVER THAT TRAUMA, THAT PTSD WHILE THEY DON'T HAVE A PAYCHECK OR MEDICAL BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: THAT SYSTEM HAS LEFT COUNTLESS FIRST RESPONDERS TO SUFFER IN SILENCE, OTHERS TO SEEK TREATMENT IN SECRET HOPING NO ONE FINDS OUT, AND FOR SOME TO TAKE THEIR OWN LIFE WHEN THE BURDEN BECAME TOO GREAT TO BEAR.

A NEW LAW PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE ASSEMBLY COULD CHANGE ALL OF THAT.

>> ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS IT DOES, IT SAYS TO ALL FIRST RESPONDERS THAT IT IS OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP.

FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, WE HAVE HAD A CULTURE WHERE WE ARE INVINCIBLE AND WE ARE NOT.

WE ARE HUMAN.

THIS BILL CODIFIES THE FACT THAT IT'S OKAY TO REACH OUT FOR HELP BY THE INITIATIVE THAT CARRIES FORWARD OF MAKING SURE THERE IS NO ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTION FOLLOWING SOMEBODY REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

>> Reporter: THE BILL GUARANTEES ANY FIRST RESPONDER, INCLUDING POLICE, FIRE, EMS, AND 911 DISPATCHERS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD BY A LICENSED PROVIDER MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR JOB WHILE SEEKING CARE AND ANY RETALIATION AGAINST THEIR PAY, OR MORE WHILE RECEIVING CARE.

THERE ARE MANY EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR PTSD.

>> THIS INCLUDES TALK THERAPY AMONG OTHER THERAPIES AS WELL, IN ADDITION TO MEDICATION THAT CAN HELP TARGET THE SYMPTOMS TOO.

>> Reporter: HAD A BEEN IN PLACE EARLIER, SEAN WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO SEEK CARE IN THE SHADOWS WHEN HE EXPERIENCED PTSD VOLUNTEERING AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THREE SLEEPING BAGS WITH BIG WATERMARKS.

OBLONG WATERMARKS WHERE THEY WERE IN THE CEILING IN ONE ROOM.

THAT HAS NEVER LEFT ME.

THAT SMELL HAS NEVER LEFT ME.

>> Reporter: THE TRAUMA RESPONSE WAS TRIGGERED ONCE AGAIN WHEN HE WAS SENT TO THE SHORE TO RESPOND AFTER SUPER STORM SANDY.

>> MY LEGS WERE SHAKING AS I WAS DRIVING.

YOU KNOW, I KIND OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THE TOOLS THAT THE PSYCHOLOGIST I WAS SEEING GAVE ME TO CALM MYSELF.

THAT SMELL CAME BACK.

>> Reporter: HE SAID IT HIT HIM LIKE A BRICK AND WITHOUT THE CARE, THAT TRIGGERING EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING.

THAT IS WHY HE IS SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS BILL.

>> THIS BILL WILL HOPEFULLY GET PASSED IN THE SENATE AND IT WILL PROVIDE ME AND MY TEAMMATES WITH AN AVENUE FOR MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, TO IMMEDIATELY SEEK HELP AND KNOWING SAFETY AND SECURITY AND THEIR JOBS ARE NOT ON THE LINE.

>> Reporter: AND THEY CAN SHOW UP HEALTHY WHEN THEY SHOW UP FOR DUTY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY 'S OFFICE ANNOUNCING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FOR NEW JERSEY'S THREE STATE RUN VETERANS HOMES DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS LOOKING FOR OUTSIDE MANAGEMENT OF THE NURSING HOMES.

IN A PRESS RELEASE, THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT'S LOOKING FOR A VENDOR TO MANAGE SYSTEMIC CHANGES AT THE FACILITIES AND PROVIDE QUALIFIED STAFF TO LEAD THE EFFORT.

THE MOVE COMES A WEEK AFTER THE STATE SENT A SO-CALLED MISSION-CRITICAL STRIKE TEAM TO THE VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME TO FIX A NUMBER OF ONGOING PROBLEMS THERE.

TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S VETERANS HOMES HAD AMONG THE HIGHEST DEATH TOLLS IN THE NATION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE VENDOR CHOSE THEM TO OVERSEE MANAGEMENT WOULD ALSO BECOME THE INTERIM CEO OF MENLO PARK WITH A FOCUS OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS AT THAT LOCATION FIRST.

>>> THIS TIME A YEAR AGO, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WERE URGING RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IDA TO APPLY FOR SHORT-TERM FEDERAL DISASTER AID.

WELL, THOUSANDS IN THE NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK AREA DID AND RECEIVED ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER ABOUT TWO MONTHS WORTH OF RENT OR OTHER HOME REPAIRS, BUT AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NEWS OUTLET WITH PUBLIC RADIO FIND STRUGGLING VICTIMS WERE ALSO ENTITLED TO AN ADDITIONAL 18 MONTHS OF RENTAL AID, BUT IF YOU GOT IT.

JOINING ME NOW FOR MORE ON WHAT SHE FOUND, KAREN, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT IN THE NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK AREA WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EXTENDED AID AND DID NOT RECEIVE IT?

>> WELL, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT --I MEAN, PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

FEMA DID DO A GOOD JOB OF INITIALLY GETTING PEOPLE ENOUGH AID FOR TWO MONTHS, BUT AS YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A LOT LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS TO GET BACK INTO A HABITABLE CONDITION AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS ELIGIBLE FOR 18 MORE MONTHS OF REGULAR ASSISTANCE THAT DIDN'T GET THAT ASSISTANCE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY NUMBERS, 300 PEOPLE GOT THIS ASSISTANCE IN NEW JERSEY SPECIFICALLY.

172 FAMILIES THOUGHT ASSISTANCE.

WHEN YOU COMPARE THAT TO THE PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS WHO GOT, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST TWO MONTHS, WE'RE TALKING 10,000 TO 172.

IT IS A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE AND AS MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE REPORTED, WE KNOW THE NEED IS OUT THERE.

PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MOVE BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

PEOPLE ARE FACING FORECLOSURE NOW OR FACED WITH A TOUGH DECISION OF DO I CONTINUE TO GET IN DEBT TO TRY TO PAY RENT ON AN APARTMENT OR DO I MOVE BACK TO MY HOME WHERE MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE HOT WATER?

MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE HEAT.

MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE A KITCHEN.

THOSE OF THE DECISIONS WE ARE FACING WHEN THESE PROGRAMS DON'T WORK.

>> YOU SPOKE WITH LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCACY GROUPS.

WHAT WAS THE SENTIMENT THERE?

WAS IT JUST FOLKS WEREN'T AWARE THIS ASSISTANCE EXISTS?

WAS IT THEY WERE APPLYING AND WERE DENIED?

>> OVERWHELMINGLY I HEARD PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THIS EXISTED.

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH A NATURAL DISASTER LIKE A HURRICANE, YOU ARE IN SHOCK.

THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

FAMILIES AND KIDS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY WILL RENT SOMEWHERE ELSE, IF THEY WILL STAY WITH A FAMILY MEMBER, IF THEIR KIDS CAN STILL GO TO SCHOOL IN THE SAME DISTRICT.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND CLOTHING.

YOU ARE GOING THROUGH SHOCK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FLOOD INSURANCE AND GETTING A SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LOAN, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MONEY YOU CAN GET AND HOW TO SALVAGE THEIR HOME.

PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THIS ASSISTANCE WAS OUT THERE.

FEMA WAS SUPPOSED TO SEND HIS APPLICATIONS TO FAMILIES WHO THE DAMAGE OF THEIR HOME EXCEEDED THE INITIAL AMOUNT OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE THEY RECEIVE, BUT IN MANY CASES FROM THE FAMILIES I SPOKE TO, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIND?

THESE ARE THE SAME STORIES WE HEARD A DECADE AGO AFTER SUPER STORM SANDY.

WHAT WAS FEMA'S RESPONSE?

YOU WROTE THE AGENCY WASN'T AWARE OF HOW MANY APPLICANTS FILED, WHICH SOUNDS ODD.

I'M SURE TO YOU, IT ALSO RAISED SOME ALARMS.

WHAT WAS THEIR RESPONSE?

>> THEY SAID THEY DON'T TRACK THE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS EXTENDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE, SO THERE MUST'VE BEEN SOME SORT OF BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION OR BREAKDOWN IN THE PROCESS TO GET PEOPLE TO KNOW THIS EXISTED AND TO GET THIS TO APPLY.

I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRIDGE THESE TWO, THIS NEED WITH THIS AID THAT EXISTS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE FAMILIES, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN 15 MONTHS SINCE IDA AND THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

>> MOVING INTO DANGEROUS HOMES ARE FACING FORECLOSURE, AS YOU MENTIONED.

KAREN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> NEIGHBORS OPPOSED TO A PLANNED WAREHOUSE COMPLEX IN SOUTH JERSEY SAY THEY ARE NOT BACKING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.

ORGANIZING A MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT WITH DOZENS OF CONCERNED RESIDENTS IN MULLICA HILL, A NORTH JERSEY PROPOSAL TO BUILD A ROUGHLY 2 MILLION SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE ON VACANT FARMLAND.

IT IS A RURAL PICTURESQUE TOWN AND NEIGHBORS SAY THEY INTEND TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: WHEN MELISSA SAID SHE DOESN'T WANT TO WAREHOUSE IN HER BACKYARD, IT IS NOT A FIGURE OF SPEECH.

>> THE LOADING DOCKS WILL BE ADJACENT TO MY BACKYARD.

WE ARE AS CLOSE AS CAN BE.

>> Reporter: A PLANNED WAREHOUSE WOULD TAKE UP MORE THAN 2 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF VACANT FARMLAND IN WORCESTER COUNTY.

MARCELLA AND OTHER RESIDENTS MET LAST NIGHT TO STRATEGIZE ABOUT HOW TO STOP THOSE PLANS.

>> WE WANTED THE FEEL OF A RURAL COMMUNITY AND WE WOUND UP IN MULLICA HILL.

WE LOVE IT.

EVER SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE, WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: ADAM PENNYPACKER LEADS THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENT THAT SITS RIGHT NEXT TO THE PROPOSED WAREHOUSE.

>> THIS WAS A LARGE PROJECT THROWN AT US ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

WE ARE DEVELOPING THE PLAN TO BRING IN WAREHOUSES WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE RESIDENTS AT ALL.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS WEREN'T GIVEN ENOUGH ADVANCE WARNING AND HE IS TRYING TO MOBILIZE PEOPLE TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE WAREHOUSE AND CONTACT LOCAL OFFICIALS.

>> THIS IS A RURAL AREA.

WE MOVE DOWN HERE TO BE IN THE WOODS, TO HAVE USE OF THE FARMLANDS, NOT COUNTRY WAREHOUSES.

>> WILL HAVE A MONSTROSITY OF A BUILDING.

1 MILLION SQUARE FEET RIGHT OUT OF OUR DEVELOPMENT WILL BRING IN NOISE.

IT'LL BRING IN LIGHT.

IT WILL BRING IN CRIME, POSSIBLY, RIGHT?

JUST OVERALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

>> MY CHILDREN HAVE ASTHMA.

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT POLLUTION AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS GOING TO BE COMING INTO OUR HOUSE.

>> Reporter: ONE RESIDENTS AS THE COMMUNITY HAS TO UNITE THE WAY IT DID LAST YEAR WHEN A TORNADO TORE THROUGH AND DESTROYED HOMES.

>> WE CAME TOGETHER AND I THINK THIS TIME CALLS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISM.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL, UNFORTUNATE THING.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE HOW OUR COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER.

>> NEW JERSEY IS THE GARDEN STATE AND SOMETIMES I DO FEEL WE EXPERIENCE THE PAVING OVER OF OUR AGRICULTURAL VALUES AND OUR COMMUNITY VALUES FOR BUSINESS GROWTH.

>> Reporter: RUSSO DEVELOPMENT DID NOT RESPONDED TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

LEADERS WALK A TIGHT ROPE OF ENCOURAGING BUSINESS WHILE TRYING TO PRESERVE FARMLAND.

>> LET'S JUST STICK TO WAREHOUSING IN NEW JERSEY.

WE SHOULD WELCOME THAT DEVELOPMENT.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND FOOD COMMUNITY HEARD ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES TODAY.

ONE POINT EVERYONE COULD AGREE ON, THE STATE HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHERE WAREHOUSES GO.

AND IF IT'S POSSIBLE, THERE SHOULD BE ALTERNATIVES TO THE GARDEN STATE LOSING VALUABLE FARMLAND.

>> WAREHOUSES HAVE TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF COVER AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THAT STORM WATER GOES.

>> I MEAN, I DO SEE AREAS WHERE BUILDINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE ABANDONED.

WOULD THERE BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT?

>> OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE IF THE MARKET ALLOWS IT.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT CHANCE FOR RESIDENTS TO FIGHT THIS FIGHT IS AT A HARRISON TOWNSHIP MEETING TOMORROW WHERE THE PLANS ARE EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED.

IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE FED SIGNALING TODAY INTEREST RATE HIKES ARE AHEAD NEXT MONTH.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW MARKETS REACTED.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING ONLINE AT NEWJERSEYAM.COM.

>>> IT IS KIND OF LIKE GASOLINE.

IT JUST BECOMES USEFUL TO WHOEVER NEEDS POWER.

>> Reporter: THE STATE PLANS TO TRANSITION TO 100% ENERGY USE BY 2050.

BY THEN, 34% OF THE ELECTRICITY CONSUMED BY NEW JERSEY WILL BE PROVIDED BY SOLAR ENERGY.

>> SOLAR IS A BIG PIECE OF THE SOLUTION FOR US TO MOVE AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

SOLAR IS SOMETHING WE CAN PUT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

ROOFTOPS AND IN THIS CASE, WE ARE SEEING THEM IN FIELDS.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION VOTERS SAYS SOLAR ISN'T JUST GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR OUR POCKETS AND ECONOMY.

>> THE COST OF SOLAR HAS DROPPED TREMENDOUSLY, WHICH MEANS IT'S IN REACH FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.

150,000 PEOPLE ARE WORKING IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY, SO IT IS GOOD FOR OUR LOCAL JOB CREATION AND GETTING PEOPLE TO HIGH-PAYING JOBS IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: GIVEN OUR STATE'S LEGACY, THIS CAN BE A MODEL FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND REPURPOSE AND FOR SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THERE IS AN ESTIMATED 190,000 FORMALLY CONTAMINATED LANDS, LANDFILLS, MINES.

44 MILLION ACRES ACROSS UNITED STATES.

PROJECTS LIKE THIS REALLY COULD HELP US TO RECLAIM THOSE LANDS.

>> Reporter: THE MOUNT OLIVE SOLAR FIELD WILL FEED INTO THE LOCAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND BE SOLD INTO THE ENERGY MARKET.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THIS WEEK WE TALK ABOUT THE SENATE'S AGENDA INCLUDING THE LATEST ON GUN REFORM, ABORTION, A TEMP WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS, AND MUCH MORE.

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

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> I AM MILES AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR, TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM AND FOR ME IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HELP ENSURE THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH, THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE AND THIS IS HOW VERIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

>>> FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, NEW JERSEY REAL TOURS HAVE BEEN HELPING THEIR CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS LIVE IN COMMUNITIES JUST LIKE HERE IN BEAUTIFUL ASBURY PARK.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS ARE, THERE IS A NEW JERSEY REALTOR FOR YOU.

FIND YOUR REALTOR AT NJREALTOR.COM.