>>> HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AND INDEPENDENT LICENSING OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE AND BY THE -- ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS TRUE INTO.

>>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

I AM IN FOR BREONNA BUT NOSY.

TONIGHT, HE DID MOMENTS AT THE FINAL GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE BETWEEN GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY AND REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER JACK SUGAR VALLEY.

THE TWO SQUARED OFF ON COVID RESPONSE, NJ AND TEXAS.

IF YOU MISSED THE DEBATE HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY MOMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES.

>> MR. CHITTER REALLY YOU WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER TO BE VACCINATED OR WEAR A MASK.

IT COULD INFECT DOZENS OF OTHERS.

WHAT SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE CAN YOU POINT TO THAT BACKS UP YOUR POSITIONS?

60 SECONDS PLEASE.

>> IT EVENING TO EVERYBODY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

IS PAINFUL AS IT IS TO ME CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RED SOX BEATING THE YANKEES.

AS I HAVE SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC I AM VACCINATED.

I PROMOTED MY VACCINATION.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

I BELIEVE MY ROLE AS GOVERNOR WHEN ELECTED IS TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE INFORMATION PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

I WILL ALWAYS PROMOTE THE HEALTH A PUBLIC SAFETY AND GIVE PEOPLE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED ON THE CHOICES THERE'S.

I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THAT.

I NEVER SAID THE PANDEMIC IS EASY.

IT IS NOT.

IT IS TO FIND A POLICY THAT WORKS FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE AS OPPOSED TO A VERY HEAVY-HANDED ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH.

THERE IS A LOT OF DISAGREEMENT.

WHEN PEOPLE DIG IN IT IS TOUGH TO GET THEM TO DO WHAT THEY SHOULD DO.

>> BETIS 10.

THANK YOU.

>> MR. MURPHY, MORE THAN -- MR. MURPHY, MORE THAN 8500 COVID DEATHS WERE IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS.

ABOUT 31% OF FATALITIES.

IT HAS BEEN 19 MONTHS SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

YOU HAVE PLEDGED MANY TIMES TO DO A THOROUGH REVIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED IN LONG-TERM CARE.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE THIS REVIEW?

>> I WANTS TO ECHO IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ASSEMBLYMEN.

GOOD TO BE ON THE STAGE WITH YOU.

I THINK YOU JUST HEARD.

THIS RACE AND MY GUESS IS THERE WILL BE MANY EXAMPLES TONIGHT WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOVING FORWARD AND WORKING TOWARD THAT STRONGER AND FAIRER STATE.

THE TRAGEDY TODAY IS THERE IS A PLAYBOOK.

WE KNOW VACCINES WORK.

WE KNOW MASKING WORKS.

FOR FOLKS TO IGNORE THAT AND DISREGARD OF THE PLAYBOOK IS PUTTING LIVES NEEDLESSLY AT RISK.

IT FEELS I CAN ANSWER YOU WOULD SEE IN A DEBATE IN TEXAS OR FLORIDA.

THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

THE CHALLENGES WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

IT IS BETTER THAN IT WAS BUT IT IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT WAS ON MEMORIAL DAY.

WE HAD A TRAGEDY WITHIN A TRAGEDY IN LONG-TERM CARE.

THERE WILL BE A FULL ACCOUNTING WITHOUT QUESTION INDEPENDENT OF MY OFFICE.

>> WHICH SPECIFIC PROGRAMS WOULD YOU CUT TO BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET?

60 SECONDS, PLEASE.

>> I THINK WE NEED A TAX SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

RIGHT NOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS UP $11 BILLION IN FOUR YEARS TIME.

THAT IS MORE THAN 30%.

I DON'T SEE ANY TYPE OF CROSSCUTTING GOING ON.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FORGET THE HEIGHT THE BY DOING FROM $35 BILLION-$29 BILLION WITHIN 24 MONTHS AND WE DIDN'T RAISE TAXES A PENNY.

WE DIDN'T BORROW A TIME.

THE BUDGET IS UP $11 BILLION.

JUST AS IT IS THAT EASY TO INCREASE SPENDING I THINK IT IS JUST AS EASY TO TIGHTEN THE BELT AND FIND PLACES TO CUT.

I WILL TELL YOU I BELIEVE STATE GOVERNMENT IS BLOATED, INEFFICIENT AND CORRUPTED BY CERTAIN SPECIAL INTERESTS INCLUDING THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN THE GIVEN THE GOVERNOR MORE THAN $10 MILLION OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS.

I BELIEVE THERE IS MONEY TO BE SAVED.

I BELIEVE IT IS A BLOATED INEFFICIENT STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE CAN SAVE MONEY THERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE SINGLE GREATEST EXPENSE LINE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT $15 BILLION FOR MEDICAID.

>> MY RESPOND?

ONE SECOND.

WHICH SPECIFIC PROGRAMS WOULD YOU CUT?

>> I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I WILL DO, MICHAEL.

I WILL SIT DOWN ON DAY ONE WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND WE WILL HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

THE THIRD BUDGET WAS $42 MILLION.

THIS ONE IS 46.

IF WE GO BACK TO THAT BUDGET WE HAVE ALREADY SAVED $4 BILLION.

LET'S LOOK AT THAT SPENDING PROGRAM 20 FERMENTABLE.

>> THREE QUICK FACTS.

I HATE TO LET THE PESKY FACTS GET IN THE WAY.

HAVE FEWER EMPLOYEES STATE GOVERNMENT THAN THE DAY I PUT MY HAND ON THE BIBLE.

WHY IS THE BUDGET UP?

THINK ABOUT IF YOU ARE A FAMILY AND YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR MORTGAGE OR YOUR RENT.

WE INHERITED A COMPLETE UTTER MESS AND YOU WERE THERE FOR SIX YEARS BEFORE I WAS.

WE MADE A $6.905 BILLION PENSION PAYMENT THE FIRST ONE IN 25 YEARS.

WE FUNDED PUBLIC EDUCATION AFTER YOU ALL UNDERFUNDED IT BY $9.2 BILLION.

WE ARE PAYING OUR BILLS.

BY THE WAY, EVERY DIME OF THE MILLIONAIRES TAX HAS GONE TO THE MIDDLE CLASS FOR TAX RELIEF.

EVERY DIME.

>> THANK YOU AUDIENCE.

THANK YOU.

>> 30 SECONDS.

>> IF HE HAD CUT EVERYBODY'S PROPERTY TAXES AND HAVE I WOULD HAVE RUN FOR GOVERNOR I WOULD HAVE ENDORSED HIM.

>> MR. MURPHY YOU HAVE SPENT A YEAR ADVOCATING AND TOUTING THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT WHICH FOR BACKGROUND ENSURES THE RIGHTS TO ABORTION AND STATE LAW AND ALLOWS CERTAIN NONPHYSICIAN HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS TO PERFORM THOSE ABORTIONS.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE YET TO EVEN SCHEDULE A COMMITTEE HEARING FOR IT.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU GOTTEN THIS PAST?

>> THIS HAS GONE FROM SOMETHING THAT I THINK FOLKS THOUGHT WAS ABSTRACT AND THEORETICAL TO HERE IN PRESENT DANGER.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WITH THE THREE JUSTICES APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BY THE WAY I BELIEVE THE ASSEMBLYMAN SAID HIS GREATEST LEGACY WITH THE THREE JUSTICES.

YOU SAW THE ACTION THEY TOOK IN TEXAS AND THE LIKELY ACTION THEY WILL TAKE IN MISSISSIPPI.

A WOMAN'S REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN NEW JERSEY IS BUILT ENTIRELY ON CASE LAW AND ALL OF THAT IS IN TERM FACED ON ROE V WADE.

WITH THE NOW NOT ABSTRACT OR THEORETICAL LIKELIHOOD THAT ROE V WADE IS AT A MINIMUM IF NOT COMPLETELY STRIPPED WE MUST TAKE ACTION.

I AM VERY CONFIDENT WE WILL TAKE ACTION.

AGAIN I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK -- >> PLEASE AUDIENCE ALLOW THE CANDIDATES TO FINISH THEIR RESPONSES.

>> A DEBATE HAS BROKEN OUT AT A HOCKEY GAME.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE LEGISLATURE BUT I AM CONFIDENT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER AND GET TO THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE AGENDA ITEM WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. CHITTER REALLY YOU SAY YOU SUPPORT ROE V WADE BUT YOU ALSO SUPPORT PROHIBITING ABORTIONS PAST 20 WEEKS OF DIGNITY.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF 7 STATES PLUS WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT DOESN'T PUT A TIME RESTRICTION ON HOW FAR ALONG IN THE PREGNANCY SOMEONE CAN HAVE AN ABORTION.

WOULD YOU SEEK TO CHANGE THAT?

60 SECONDS.

>> I WOULD.

I WANT TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS SOMEONE THAT SUPPORTS THE SCIENCE.

WE KNOW THAT A SCIENCE A BABY IS VIABLE AFTER 20 WEEKS.

WE KNOW THE BABY FEELS PAIN DURING AN ABORTION AFTER 20 WEEKS.

THAT IS THE SCIENCE.

THE REASON THIS BILL HASN'T BEEN SENT TO HIS DESK BY AN LEGISLATURE THAT IS OVERWHELMINGLY CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT IS A BAD BILL.

ANY TIME THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING IT IS USUALLY BECAUSE IT IS A BAD BILL.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND NOBODY THAT SHOOK MORE HANDS OR TALKED TO MORE PEOPLE I HAD OVER THE PAST 22 MONTHS, NO ONE SUPPORTS AN ABORTION IN MONTHS 7, 8, 9 LET ALONE HAVING IT PERFORMED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN AN MD.

NO ONE SUPPORTS THEIR DAUGHTER SEEKING AN ABORTION AND THE PARENTS NOT KNOWING IF THAT DAUGHTER IS UNDER AGE.

THAT IS EXTREMISM.

THAT IS NOT NEW JERSEY.

THAT IS PHIL MURPHY.

>> I WILL GET TO YOU MR. MURPHY.

MR. CHITTER REALLY, A QUICK FOLLOW FOR YOU.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS?

DO YOU SUPPORT CODIFYING THE RIGHT TO ABORTION INTO STATE LAW?

TAKE 30 SECONDS.

>> I DO NOT BELIEVE ROE V WADE WILL BE OVERTURNED.

I BELIEVE THE SUPREME COURT WILL OBSERVE STARTER SIZES AND LANDMARK DECISIONS.

IF IT IS WE WILL CODIFY IT IN NEW JERSEY.

I SUPPORT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

>> MR. MURPHY YOU HAVE CONTINUE TO DIVERT MONEY FROM NEW JERSEY'S TRANSIT CAPITAL BUDGET AND THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND TO PAY FOR THE AGENCIES OPERATING COST.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU FOUNDED A DEDICATED SUPPORT?

>> I AM OPEN-MINDED TO THAT BUT IF YOU TALK ABOUT THE MESS WE INHERITED, THE MESS WITHIN THE MESS WAS NJ TRANSIT.

NO ENGINEERS, POLITICAL CRONIES UNDERFUNDING.

UNSAFE DISASTER.

WE ARE FIXING NJ TRANSIT.

ON-TIME PERFORMANCE IS UP.

CANCELLATIONS ARE DOWN.

CANCEL IT -- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS UP AND WE HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT RAISING ONE TIME OF THE COMMUTER PAYING IN THEIR FAIR.

I AM OPEN-MINDED TO A PERMANENT SOURCE BUT WE ARE NOT WAITING FOR THAT.

WE HAVE NEW CAPITAL STOCK THAT HAS COME IN.

WE ARE REDOING OUR STATIONS.

WE HAVE NEW GREEN BUSES AND LOCOMOTIVES.

AS I SAID, CUSTOMERS SEE THE PROGRESS.

WE HAVE HIRED A RECORD NUMBER OF ENGINEERS.

IT WAS PATHETIC WHAT WE INHERITED.

THIS USED TO BE THE NUMBER ONE TRANSIT SYSTEM IN AMERICA.

PERENNIALLY IT WAS HELD UP AS THE GOLD STANDARD AND HAD BEEN RUINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT PRECEDED US.

WE HAVE TURNED THIS THING AROUND.

>> MR. CHITTER REALLY WELL YOU FIND THE MONEY TO FUND -- WILL WILL YOU FIND THE MONEY TO FUND NJ TRANSIT WITHOUT RAIDING ITS CAPITAL BUDGET AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES AS HE PLEDGED TO DO AS ELECTED GOVERNOR .

>> YOU ASKED FOR THE JOB.

YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING YOURSELF INTO.

AND WHAT WE HE REPEATEDLY?

IT IS ALWAYS THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION'S FAULT OR DONALD TRUMP'S FALL.

LET ME HERE AND NOW SAY -- LET ME DO SOMETHING I RARELY DO, MAKE A PROMISE.

I PROMISE YOU THIS.

WHEN I TAKE OFFICE IN JANUARY I WILL NOT BLAME THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FOR ANYTHING.

WE WILL GET THE JOB DONE.

LISTEN, THE GREATEST CHALLENGE WE HAVE HAD MY FULL WITH NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS SIMPLY THIS.

>> FOLKS WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE BEEN RAIDING THE CAPITAL FUND TO PAY FOR OPERATING EXPENSES.

>> WILL WILL YOU FIND THE MONEY?

>> YARNELL.

WE HAVE 10 BILLION RIGHT NOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE GREATEST PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

NEW JERSEY STATE WE KNOW IS BROKEN.

YOU KNOW IT AND I KNOW IT.

IT IS BE FIXED.

THAT IS WHAT MY CANDIDACY IS ABOUT.

LIKE PAYING THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE NATION, HAVING THE WORST BUSINESS CLIMATE IN THE NATION WAITING 5 I ORDERS ONLINE AT MOTOR VEHICLES WAITING MONTH AFTER MONTH FOR YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET ANYBODY ON THE PHONE IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE STATE GOVERNMENT, VOTE FOR PHIL MURPHY.

IF YOU DON'T MIND A GOVERNOR WHO SAYS IF TAXES ARE YOUR ISSUE WE ARE -- WE ARE PROBABLY NOT YOUR STAY, IF YOU DON'T MIND A GOVERNOR WANTS TO MAKE CALIFORNIA -- MAKE NEW JERSEY THE CALIFORNIA OF EAST COAST, VOTE FOR PHIL MURPHY.

I WANT TO CREATE MORE JOBS BY MAKING ACTUALLY THE BEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO DO BUSINESS.

I WANTED TO DOWNSIDE MODERNIZE STREAMLINE OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

I WANT TO SUPPORT THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE.

THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT EVERY LEVEL OF POLICE THAT TRY TO PROTECT US EVERY DAY AND I WANT TO GET BACK TO BASICS IN TEACHING CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WITH REGARD TO OUR STATE OF AFFAIRS I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE CAN DO BETTER.

AND I AM GOVERNOR WE WILL.

I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON ELECTION DAY.

THERE IS NO STATE IN AMERICA LIKE NEW JERSEY.

FOR TOO LONG WE UNDERACHIEVED.

LAGGED.

WITH LET PEOPLE DOWN.

THOSE DAYS ARE OVER.

WE HAVE TURNED TO A NEW ERA.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TRAGEDY OF THE PANDEMIC IT IS SUNRISE IN NEW JERSEY.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MIDDLE- CLASS FAMILIES HAVE TAX RELIEF.

MILLIONS HAVE A HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE OR EQUAL PAY.

SCHOOLS ARE FINALLY FUNDED FOR OUR PRECIOUS KIDS.

THERE IS MORE CHILDCARE FOR HELPING OUT OUR MOMS.

COLLEGES MORE AFFORDABLE.

HEALTHCARE IS MORE AFFORDABLE.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY BUT OUR WORK IS NOT DONE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

WE CANNOT GO BACKWARD.

WE CANNOT AFFORD AN EXTREME LEADER.

THERE IS SO MUCH ON THE BALLOT.

THERE IS SO MUCH AT STAKE.

DO WE STAND WITH OUR SACRED DEMOCRACY OR DO WE STAND WITH CONFEDERATE FLAGS AND WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND A PACK OF LIES?

DO WE CONTINUE -- DO WE CONTINUE TO MAKE THE TOUGH -- DO WE CONTINUE TO MAKE THE TOUGH CALLS BASED ON SCIENCE AND DATA TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS WE CAN OR DO WE PUT LIVES AT RISK?

BECAUSE WE PLAY POLITICS.

DO WE STAND UP FOR WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS?

>> FOLKS PLEASE ALLOW THE CANDIDATE TO FINISH.

I KNOW WHERE I AM.

DON'T SIT THIS ONE OUT FOLKS.

SERVING AS OUR GOVERNOR IS THE HONOR OF MY LIFETIME.

I AM ASKING FOR FOUR MORE YEARS TO KEEP WORKING TO DO THINGS RIGHT.

>> IN OTHER NEWS TONIGHT, EVEN AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED, THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FOR COVID- 19 TESTING IN NEW JERSEY.

FLAVIN SANTANA LOOKS AT WHY THERE IS A RUSH FOR TESTS AND HOW ONE NEW JERSEY DIAGNOSTICS COMPANY IS RAMPING UP ITS OWN OPERATIONS TO MEET THE DEMAND AS WE HEAD INTO ANOTHER WINTER BATTLING COVID.

>> THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE LOOKING TO GET TESTED FOR COVID- 19 IS UP.

>> IT IS NOT THAT THEY ARE SICK IT IS THAT SOCIETY IS OPENING UP.

WITHOUT A LOT OF COMPANIES AND SOCIAL EVENTS ARE REQUIRING TESTING EVEN IF YOU ARE VACCINATED.

WITH THE DELTA VARIANT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND STILL BE CARRYING THE VIRUS.

>> CARRIE IS A CLINICAL AND -- AND -- >> I THINK THE DEMAND FOR TESTING THROUGH THIS WINTER WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.

I THINK WHAT IS A GAME CHANGER IS THE 5-11-YEAR-OLDS GET IMMUNIZED HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO TRANSMIT THE VIRUS.

>> DESPITE THE COVID VACCINE WELL TESTING RAINMAN A CRITICAL TOOL IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD?

>> THE PANDEMIC WILL DIE DOWN.

AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED TESTING WILL PROBABLY EVENTUALLY BE NOT AS BAD AS IMPORTANT.

RIGHT NOW IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THE DELTA VARIANT YOU CAN STILL BE FULLY IMMUNIZED AND STILL BREAKTHROUGH.

WITH THAT YOU CAN PASS IT TO THE UNVACCINATED.

ONCE WE REACH THE HERD IMMUNITY WHICH WILL BE IN THE 90% RANGE SOON -- >> WHEN IT COMES TO TESTING DR. MARIA LAURA GENARO SAYS ANTIGEN TESTING SHOULD BE A PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> THE MOST POPULAR SHOULD BE THE RAPID TEST THE ANTIGEN- BASED TEST.

THE REASON I THINK THEY SHOULD BE USED MORE IS BECAUSE THE REASON FOR A RAPID TEST IS A PUBLIC HEALTH REASON MORE THAN A MEDICAL REASON.

THESE ARE THE TESTS THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN.

THEY ARE VERY ACCURATE IN TERMS OF DETERMINING WHETHER A PERSON IS INFECTIOUS.

WE COULD CURB THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION AND TOGETHER WE ARE INCREASING AND VACCINATING PEOPLE AND ETC.

READ THAT SHOULD REALLY PUT US BACK ON TRACK.

>> AS THE DEMAND FOR TESTS RISES SO DOES THE DEMAND FOR QUICK TURNAROUND TESTS FOR COMPANIES I QUEST DIAGNOSTICS.

THE FACILITY OPENED UP A FLAGSHIP LABORATORY IN CLIFTON.

>> WE SUPPORT TESTING FOR SEVEN STATES ON THE EAST COAST.

WE WILL TOUCH ABOUT 40 MILLION PATIENT LIVES EVERY YEAR OUT OF THIS FACILITY.

IT IS A CRITICAL ASSET FOR ENSURING THE PATIENT CARE WITHIN THE EAST.

>> QUEST DIAGNOSTICS SENIOR DIRECTOR ROBERT ROGGE MINCES THE NEW FACILITY COULDN'T HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME.

>> WHAT THIS PANDEMIC SHOWED US THAT INCREASED CAPACITY COULD BE A CRITICAL COMPONENT FOR LABS IN THE FUTURE SHOULD WE FACE ANOTHER PANDEMIC LIKE THIS.

THIS FACILITY IS DESIGNED WITH EXPANSION CAPABILITIES IN MIND SO WE CAN ADOPT THE CHANGING CONDITIONS SHOULD ANOTHER SITUATION OCCUR LIKE WE HAVE SEEN WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> DR. GENARO SAYS IN ADDITION TO MORE TESTING FACILITIES AND SITES THE HOPE IS THAT EVENTUALLY AT HOME COVID-19 TESTING KITS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL PHARMACIES FREE OF CHARGE.

>> AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS NEW JERSEY'S MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SUE FULTON WITHIN THE HOTSEAT DURING A RECENT CONGRESSIONAL APPEARANCE.

FULTON HAS BEEN NOMINATED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN TO SERVE AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS.

DURING HER HEARING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE ASKED HER TO EXPLAIN A SERIES OF TWEETS CRITICIZING REPUBLICANS AND CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES.

AND ONE OF THE TWEETS FULTON WROTE IT IS NOT A POLITICAL STATION THIS MAXIMA TO SAY IT IS RACES.

IT IS A MORAL STATEMENT I WENT BACKED UP BY AN INCREASING MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE.

SHE APOLOGIZED FOR THE TWEETS SAYING THE WORDS WERE MUDDLED AND CONFUSED AND SHE REGRETS THEM.

>> NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET WRAPPED UP THE TRADING DAY.

>> NJ TIA.ORG.

WILL>>>'S NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES.

DESPITE THAT, ADVOCATES SAY STRUCTURAL RACISM AND SEGREGATION REMAIN.

THAT IS WHY FAITH LEADER THAN THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ARE PUSHING TO ADVANCE A BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A REPARATIONS TASK FORCE.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, THE TASK FORCE WOULD EXAMINE THE EFFECT OF SLAVERY AND HOW TO REPAIR THE LINGERING INJUSTICES IT LEFT BEHIND IN OUR STATE.

>> BE STRATEGIES FOR REPAIR ARE THERE.

THE QUESTION IS HOW HARD WE PUSH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE THOSE AVAILABLE.

>> PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE DISCUSSING THE NEED FOR NEW JERSEY TO REPAIR SOME OF THE DAMAGING EFFECTS SLAVERY HAS LEFT ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> ONE OF THE MOST RACIALLY DIVERSE STATES.

WE ARE ALSO ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY BUT ALSO ESTATE ARE SIMILARLY DEEP RACIAL SEGREGATION EXISTS ALONG OUR RACIAL DIVERSITY AND POVERTY EXISTS ALONGSIDE OUR REAL PROSPERITY.

THOSE ARE REAL FACTORS THAT SPEAK TO THE WAY IN WHICH WE AS A STATE HAVE OUR OWN STORY TO TELL ABOUT THE ROLE SLAVERY PLAYED HERE.

>> HAYWOOD ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER ACTIVISTS AND LOCAL LEADERS ARE CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO PASS A BILL THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO CREATE WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THE NEW JERSEY REPARATIONS TASK FORCE.

>> BE FULL EFFECT ON SLAVERY ON BLACK PEOPLE HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXAMINED IN NEW JERSEY NOR HAVE THERE BEEN ADEQUATE REMEDIES FOR PAST INJUSTICES NOR SUFFICIENT EFFORTS OF TRANSFORMATION.

IT IS ABOUT TIME WE HAVE A FULL AND FRANK DISCUSSION ABOUT RACISM IN NEW JERSEY.

THE PERPETUATION OF INSTITUTIONAL RACISM AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TODAY TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OVER 400 YEARS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

OVER 400 YEARS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE HARMS OF REDLINING WHICH PREDATES THIS GOVERNOR WHEN WE COULDN'T PURCHASE HOMES IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS, WE COULD NOT ACCESS LOAN APPLICATIONS AT FAIR RATES.

WE ALSO HAVE BEEN WITHHELD FROM EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE NEW JERSEY IS THE SIXTH MOST SEGREGATED STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR BLACK STUDENTS.

THE RESEARCH SHOWS FOR EVERY WHITE CHILD IMPRISONED IN NEW JERSEY 18 BLACK CHILDREN ARE IN PRISON.

IT IS THE HIGHEST DISPARITY IN THE COUNTRY.

STAGGERING DIFFERENCE IS ALSO SEEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE WEALTH GAP.

AND IT WENT FROM BLACK OR LATINO ADULT IS $179 COMPARED TO 106,000 FOR A WHITE ADULT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SINCE CREATED A WEALTH DISPARITY TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THAT BUT ACTIVISTS SAY IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE AN EXPLICIT CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE, STRUCTURAL RACISM AND SLAVERY IN THE CORRESPONDING NEED TO REPAIR.

THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR THE NEW JERSEY REPARATIONS TASK FORCE.

A WEALTH GAP DISPARITY TASK FORCE WILL NOT GET US THERE.

ANY OTHER GENERALIZED DISPARITY TASK FORCE WILL NOT GET US THERE.

HERE IS THE THING.

THE RACIAL INEQUALITY BLACK PEOPLE FACE TODAY IN NEW JERSEY IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO AND ROOTED IN SLAVERY.

IF YOU DON'T SAY THAT WORD SLAVERY AND THE NEED TO REPAIR THROUGH REPARATIONS YOU CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

YOU ARE AND HAVING THE RIGHT CONVERSATIONS.

>> SAY THE WORD REPARATION.

LET IT BE A REPARATIONS BILL.

>> ACTIVISTS SAY THE BILL NEEDS TO GET ON THE BILL BEFORE THE END OF A SESSION OR ELSE THEY WILL HAVE TO START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN.

THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH LAWMAKERS TO TAKE ACTION SO THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF WRONGS CAN FINALLY BEGIN.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG WELL WE WILL CONTINUE COVERING ALL OF THE STORIES AFFECTING THE STATE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC EDUCATING ASSOCIATION.

BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

THE OCEAN -- PROJECT.

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

>> I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THE COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ACHIEVE A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

I AM PROUD TO BE ON AND JE MEMBER.