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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED.

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

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

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A PLEA FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TODAY, URGING ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR COVID-19 BOOSTERS.

AC/DC ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS THIS WEEK TO MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATION ON MODERNA AND J&J BOOSTERS, JUST DAYS AFTER AN FDA PANEL RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL DOSING.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THE STATE HAS ALREADY BEEN PREPARING TO OFFER MODERNA AND J&J BOOSTERS ONCE FINAL APPROVAL IS GIVEN.

AND IN THE MEANTIME, HEALTH COMMISSIONER, JULIE PURSLEY KELLY SAYS RESIDENTS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE ALREADY APPROVED PFIZER BOOSTERS SHOULD DO SO.

IN NEW JERSEY, WE ARE CLOSING IN ON 6 MILLION FULLY BACK TO NATIVE RESIDENCE WITH MORE THAN 321,000 PEOPLE RECEIVING THIRD DOSES, OR BOOSTERS.

TODAY MARKS THE DEADLINE FOR ALL STATE WORKERS AND ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL FROM PRESCHOOL TO GRADE 12 TO GET VACCINATED, OR BE SUBJECT TO WEEKLY TESTING.

THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY HE DOES NOT YET HAVE EXACT NUMBERS ON HOW MANY WORKERS RECEIVED THEIR VACCINES, BUT WE DO KNOW NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS A LAWSUIT WAS FILED TODAY CHALLENGING THE MANDATE.

>> IN THIS COUNTRY.

NON-AMERICA, BABY.

>> WRESTLING COACHES ON A SEVERAL PLAINTIFFS MOST OF THE TEACHERS WHO SUED NEW JERSEY GOVERNMENT OVER THE TESTING MANDATES AND PASSIONATELY PLEADED HER CASE BEFORE A CROWD OF 500 REPORTERS AT THE TRENTON RALLY AGAINST GOVERNOR OF HIS COVERT VACCINATION AND TESTING ORDERS BECAUSE HE REFUSES TO GET A COVERED SHOT, HE MUST SUBMIT TO REGULAR TESTING HE CALLED UN-AMERICAN.

>> I HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE TO GET A SWATCH SHOVED UP MY NOSE.

SOMETIMES SO FAR IT MAKES MY NOSE BLEED.

AND, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT FAIR.

>> IT IS NOT ANTI-VAX, IT IS PRO-LEAVE ME ALONE.

YOU DO YOUR, LET ME DO ME.

>> THE SUIT LISTS ABOUT 30 PLAINTIFFS TO ARGUE JERSEYS TESTING REQUIREMENTS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDER THE FOURTH AND 14th AMENDMENTS FILED BY ATTORNEY, DANA WEAVER THIS MORNING IN TRENTON FEDERAL COURT.

A DROP ON A DAY MURPHY'S MANDATES KICKED IN.

>> IS THE USE VIOLATION OF YOUR PRIVACY AND COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY UNPRECEDENTED.

AND IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR IT NOW, AND OUR CHILDREN WILL GROW UP IN A WORLD WHERE THE GOVERNMENT CAN FORCE YOU TO SUBMIT TO ANYTHING.

>> ANTI-VAX AND TESTING RALLIES NOTWITHSTANDING THE LARGEST TEACHERS UNION ESTIMATES 85% OF ITS MEMBERS ARE VACCINATED, SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN CHOOSE TO USE STATE TESTING VENDORS OR THEIR OWN.

>> THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HAPPY THERE ARE OPTIONS.

OPTIONS TO BE TESTED ARE VACCINATED, AND I THINK THAT THAT REALLY ALLOWS FOR US TO BRING PEOPLE BACK SAFELY.

THAT IS THE GOAL FOR THE KIDS HAVE GOT TO BE BACK SAFELY, STAFF GUTHRIE BACK SAFELY.

PRIORITY 1.

>> THE PACKAGE.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S UNREASONABLE.

SO, PEOPLE SOUTH LOOK AT THAT AND THE VIEW IT AS UNREASONABLE.

THAT'S THE DECISION THEY WILL MAKE BUT I DON'T EXPECT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE.

>> FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE, MANDATES WORK, AND MANDATES HAVE WORKED.

AND, THEY HAVE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE WHOM I HAVE BEEN ON THE FENCE TO ACTUALLY GET THE VACCINE, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SECURE THEIR JOB AND MAINTAIN THEIR JOBS.

>> EVEN THOUGH NEW JERSEY'S OXIDATION MANDATE OFFERS TESTING OPT OUT, LOGISTICS CANNOT KEEP UP EVERYWHERE.

SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAY THAT STATE VENDORS ARE NOT YET READY FOR WIDESPREAD TESTING.

>> THOSE PEOPLE WHO CHOSE TO NOT GET VACCINATED, IT IS TAKING A WHILE TO FIND A STUDY, TESTING SITE.

>> NEWER TEACHERS UNION PRESIDENT SAYS MORE THAN 85% OF STAFF IN THE STATE'S LARGEST DISTRICT ARE VACCINATED.

THE REST GET TEXTED AT CITY AND COUNTY SITES YOU >> IT WAS A LITTLE BIT HECTIC ON THE NONVACCINATED PEOPLE TO FIND THOSE LOCATIONS, BUT ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, IT IS CLEARED UP, AND WE ARE HEARING LESS AND LESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT.

>> NOT EVERY DISTRICT IS ON BOARD.

NEW JERSEY CHARTER SCHOOLS INFORMED ABOUT 1000 STAFFERS THIS PAST FRIDAY THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER OPT OUT WITH COVERT TEST.

THEY NOW HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 11th TO GET THE SHOT, BECAUSE TOO MANY UNVACCINATED TEACHERS WHO HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH COVERT POSITIVE PEOPLE MISSED WORK IN ORDER TO QUARANTINE ACCORDING TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DREW MARTIN.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE A TRULY FREE SOCIETY IS PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACT ON SO MANY OTHER FOLKS.

AND, THAT IS WHAT THE HIGHEST COURT IN OUR COUNTRY HAS CONSISTENTLY RULED UPON.

>> MEANWHILE PROTESTERS US ABOUT A RALLY OUT TO VOTE AGAINST MURPHY.

HIS OPPONENT, JACK CIATTARELLI, SENT A PERSONAL MESSAGE APPOINTING FREEDOM TO REFUSE MANDATES.

IN TRENTON, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COLD CASES IN NEW JERSEY IS GOING DOWN , AND OTHER HOSPITALIZATIONS.

GIVING SOME HEALTH EXPERTS REASON FOR OPTIMISM.

NUMBERS ARE STILL HIGHER THAN WHERE THEY WERE A YEAR PRIOR TO THE DELTA VARIANT SURGE, AND BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS WELL A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF CASES CONTINUE TO OCCUR.

SO, EXPERTS ARE PLEADING FOR PEOPLE TO REMAIN CAUTIOUS AS WE HEAD INTO THE COLDER MONTHS.

AND, THE WARNING AGAIN THAT THE UNVACCINATED ARE AT RISK FOR MORE SERIOUS CASES OF COVID.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE ARE GETTING ON THE OTHER END OF THE SEARCH FROM THE DELTA VARIANT.

SO, WHILE CASES ARE STILL QUITE A BIT HIGHER THAN THEY WERE EXACTLY A YEAR AGO TODAY, WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: SEEMS LIKE A BIT OF A DICHOTOMY TO TAKE NEW JERSEY'S CASE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER TODAY THAN THEY WERE AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR WHEN NO ONE WAS VACCINATED.

BUT LAST YEAR, WE DID NOT HAVE DELTA.

>> WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH A MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS VARIANT IN DELTA.

IT IS ABOUT 10 TIMES MORE INFECTIOUS THAN THE ORIGINAL VIRUS.

SO, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT DELTA ACTUALLY INFECTED A LOT OF PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY UNBACKED NATIVE PEOPLE WILL.

SEE THE GOOD NEWS IS, WELL WE SAW AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES TOWARDS THE END OF THE SUMMER, JULY, AND AUGUST, RECKLESS DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES EACH DAY, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR.

>> IN FACT IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME LAST YEAR THAT EXPERTS WERE WARNING OF ANOTHER MAJOR WAY THE TEMPERATURES DROPPED AND PEOPLE MOVED INDOORS.

PRIOR TO TODAY AND AGAIN, PREPPING FOR THOSE COLD WEATHER MONTHS.

SO, CAN WE EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO COME AGAIN?

>> WE KNOW THE ACTIVITIES ARE A HIGHER RISK MONITOR FOR COBRA, BUT ALSO FOR FLU.

SO, WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THERE THE VACCINE AS WELL AS THEIR FLU VACCINE.

>> IT WAS TRUE THAT MOST CASES OF THE BITTERNESS AND DEATH ARE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

>> A ROAMING MAJORITY.

NOT EVEN A CLOSE CONTEST.

IT'LL BE SEVERE AND CRITICAL CASES OF COVID IN THE UNVACCINATED.

>> FORMER U.S. SECRETARY TODAY IS A REMINDER THAT THIS VIRUS CAN BE DEADLY, EVEN FOR THE VACCINATED.

>> DOES NOT MEAN EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WAS VACCINATED CANNOT GET A SEVERE ILLNESS HAVE TO LOOK AT ONLY JOHN AND PAUL WHO PASSED AWAY FROM COVID- 19 TODAY.

WHO APPARENTLY THROUGH PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE FULLY VACCINATED BUT MAY HAVE BEEN BATTLING OTHER CONDITIONS SO IT IS VERY IMPORT FOR THOSE PEOPLE AGAIN, CANCER, SUPPRESSION, ETC.

TO CONSIDER GETTING BUSTED.

>> BOOSTER SHOTS ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE AND APPROVAL FROM MODERNA AND J&J'S BLISTERS IS LIKELY TO COME FROM THE FDA AND CDC THIS WEEK.

NOW COMES THE PUSH, ONCE AGAIN, TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER SHOTS.

TWO OF THE U.S. FACE A SITUATION WHERE IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DID NOT GET THERE BOOSTER SHOT, THE IMMUNITY DROPS, THE PROTECTION DROPS ENOUGH THAT ANOTHER VARIANT IS POSSIBLE?

>> YES.

I TOLD PEOPLE I CERTAINLY RECOMMEND IF THEY FALL IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES TO GET THE BOOSTER, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

65, ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 50 THAT HAS CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO CERTAINLY GET BOOSTED.

BUT, WE KNOW THAT EVEN IF YOU JUST HAVE THE FIRST TWO SERIES OF THE MESSENGER RNA OR THE FIRST SERIES OF J&J, YOU STILL HAVE THE PROTECTION POINT >> DR. ANTHONY FAUCI TOLD CHRIS WALLACE THIS WEEKEND.

>> WAS TO APPROXIMATELY 66 MILLION PEOPLE EDIBLE TO BE VACCINATED THAT WERE NOT VACCINATED.

THE MORE PEOPLE WE GET VACCINATED, THE LESS LIKELIHOOD AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE ANOTHER SURGE AS WE GO TO THE WINTER QUESTION WORK >> AND WITH THE FOLLOWING WINTER COME THE HOLIDAYS.

>> FIRST WE HAVE HALLOWEEN COMING UP.

SO FOR THE KIDS, THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO TRICK-OR-TREATING OBVIOUSLY.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO INCORPORATE MASKS INTO THOSE COSTUMES.

AVOID INTER PARTES.

>> FOR THE OTHER HOLIDAYS THAT TEND TO BE INDOORS, WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT IS, WHO IS GOING TO BE AROUND THAT TABLE?

>> DR. LESLIE CANTOR SAYS KEEP IT SMALL AND GET EVERYONE TESTED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> MORE THAN SIX WEEKS AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA SWAPPED NEW JERSEY, FLOOD VICTIMS ARE STILL WORKING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

SO FAR, FEMA HAS APPROVED MORE THAN $138 MILLION IN AID FOR MORE THAN 27,000 APPLICANTS AROUND THE STATE, AND THE AGENCY CONTINUES TO ACCEPT NEW APPLICATIONS UNTIL NOVEMBER 4th.

JUST LAST WEEK, FEMA OPENED A NEW DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN PASSAIC, A CITY AMONG THE HARDEST HIT BY STORM ORDERS.

IT IS A PLACE WITH A LARGE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, WHERE VARIOUS LEGAL STATUSES CAN MAKE A CONFUSING AND DIFFICULT TO GET FEDERAL HELP.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS POINT >> THE CITY OF PASSAIC RESIDENT WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS STAYS AT THIS HOTEL NEARLY FOR THREE WEEKS AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT NEW JERSEY.

HECTOR AND HIS TEAM FOUND THIS TEMPORARY SOLUTION BECAUSE HER APARTMENT CEILING COLLAPSE.

AND, SHE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE.

>> GOES A LOT OF WATER.

THE THIRD FLOOR IS, IT WAS VACANT FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

SO, I KNOW THE WATER WAS DRIPPING DOWN, I RECALL THE OWNER.

>> SHE TOLD US IN THE TRANSLATOR SHE WAS HOME AT NIGHT WITH HER THREE GRANDCHILDREN AND FUN.

>> I WAS TREMBLING, SHAKING BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS, AND THE CEILING DROPPED ON TOP OF THE BOY.

HE WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND ALSO, THE GIRL.

>> THERE WAS ALSO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO TWO BUILDINGS ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY.

IN THAT SITUATION, ALL 50 RESIDENTS, 21 OF THEM CHILDREN, HAD TO MOVE INTO HOTELS AS WELL FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.

SEMEN WE HAVE LARGELY DOCUMENTED POPULATIONS AND WHERE THERE'S A CRISIS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THEM ARE LEFT OUT.

AND IF FOR WHATEVER REASON FEMA CAN IMMEDIATELY SEE THEM, WITH OTHER SOURCES LIKE NOT-FOR- PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDE FOOD THROUGH OUR DISTRIBUTION AND DELIVERY, WATER, HOBBIES THE INSISTENCE WITH THE KIDS, UNIFORMS AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ROTATION OF GOALS, BUT ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO GET THEM BACK INTO A PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

>> MORRIS SAID AT THIS POINT, EVERYWHERE HAVE SOMEONE TO STAY.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE MISPLACED RESIDENTS HAVE FOUND PERMANENT HOMES.

THE REST ARE STAYING WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR ANOTHER TEMPORARY SHELTERS.

HE SAYS.

>> HOPING THAT THEY CAN MOVE BACK TO THEIR APARTMENT OR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES MADE AVAILABLE THAT THEY HAPPEN TO FIND.

>> HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET BACK ON THE GROUND?

>> THE CHALLENGES THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.

WE PUT A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY, BUT ONE OWNER IS UNRESPONSIVE, MY HANDS ARE TIED.

I MEAN, THERE IS OF COURSE, DUE PROCESS AND YOU SUPPOSED TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD POINT >> NEW JERSEY, AN ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

IF THEY PARTNER WITH OTHER GROUPS TO PUT TOGETHER A FUND, THEY HOPE WILL HELP MORE THAN 200 STRUGGLING UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES POST IDA.

>> LIVING IN CHURCHES BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPLETELY FROM THEIR APARTMENT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO BUY IN A NEW CAR BECAUSE THERE WAS COMPLETELY RUINED.

>> THE DIRECTOR WANTS TO SEE A STATEWIDE FUND SET UP TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES.

SIMILAR TO THE $27 MILLION NEW YORK SET-ASIDE.

>> UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE EXCLUDED FROM FEMA UNLESS THEY HAVE A U.S. CITIZEN OR QUALIFYING IMMIGRANT FAMILY MEMBER TO GET FAMILY MEMBER.

>> IS STILL HOPE WE CAN FIND MORE MONEY FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED.

I STAND BY THAT.

>> UNLIKE THE OTHER 50 DISPLACED RESIDENTS, THIS GRANDMOTHER TOLD US SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK INTO HER APARTMENT BECAUSE STRUCTURAL REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT SHE IS NERVOUS AFTER WHAT HAPPENED, AND WISHES SHE COULD FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO LIVE.

PROBLEM IS, SHE CAN'T AFFORD TO MOVE BETWEEN A SECURITY DEPOSIT AND FIRST MONTH'S RENT DOWN PAYMENT.

>> WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE HOT WATER, SO, STILL, WE'RE HAVING THAT ISSUE, AND I WILL CALL HER AND CALL HER AND IT WILL TAKE HER A WHILE TO COME AND FIX THAT.

>> HECTOR SAYS LANDLORDS MIGHT MAKE BARE MINIMUM REPAIRS TO GET CLEARED FOR TENANTS TO MOVE BACK IN, BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THE APARTMENT IS GLOBAL IN TERMS OF LIKE ELECTRICITY, HEAT, OR WATER ISSUES LIKE THIS ONE, RESIDENT FACES.

HE SAYS THAT'S FOR THE CITY STEPS IN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> NEW JERSEY CITIES MAYBE TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLDS, BUT REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL, JACK CIATTARELLI IS RUING URBAN VOTERS COULD A SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT REPORTS HE IS TAKING AIM AT CITIES WITH A MESSAGE OF EMPOWERMENT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT OUR LARGEST CITIES, PATTERSON HAS THE BEST VACCINATION RATE.

>> WHEN JACK CIATTARELLI POINTED TO PATTERSON'S VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AS A MODEL, HE WOULD FOLLOW HIS GOVERNOR, HE TOOK NOTICE.

PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE NICEST THINGS TO SAY ABOUT PATTERSON.

>> WE ARE ALMOST A 90%.

>> JACK CIATTARELLI, A REPUBLICAN, FACES CHALLENGES NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS FREQUENTLY FACE WHEN TRYING TO RUN STATEWIDE.

HAVE TO GET ACROSS TO URBAN VOTERS IN THE PARTY'S AGENDA IS OFTEN CONTRARY TO WHAT CITIES ARE USED TO GETTING FROM THE STATE.

>> WE HAVE OVER 150,000 RESIDENTS, BUT WE ARE MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS.

THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO ARE LEGITIMATELY STRUGGLING OUR IMMEDIATE INCOME HERE IS ABOUT $31,000.

NO, WE DO NEED ATTENTION, BUT ATTENTION IS NOT ENOUGH, IT IS RESOURCES.

>> BUT, JACK CIATTARELLI WOULD NOT BE THE KIND OF GOVERNOR WHO COMES TO TOWN WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WHAT THEY CALL TRANSITIONAL AID, THAT IS EXTRA CASH.

THIS PHILOSOPHY IS A LITTLE LESS HANDS-ON.

>> I CALL THAT THE ANNUAL PHYSICAL BAND-AID.

WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS.

SO, I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE ANY COMMUNITY BEHIND IT AND I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN WITH THE MAYOR AND SAY LISTEN, HOW ABOUT IF WE GO ABOUT REINVESTING THAT MONEY IN A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAY IN YOUR CITY.

SO THAT ONE DAY, YOU'D TWO AND BE A SELF-SUFFICIENT ECOSYSTEM, ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING AND BE VIBRANT AND ALWAYS.

>> MURPHY, MEANWHILE HAS BEEN HYPING HIS URBAN BONA FIDES FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

SPENDING FREELY AND BORROWING MONEY TO EXPAND SERVICES TO FOUR AND URBAN COMMUNITIES FROM EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO TUITION FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND LEGAL LEAD.

THE URBAN AGENDA IS MORE PRIVATE SECTOR FOCUS, EMPHASIZING REGULATORY RELIEF, AND TAX BREAKS.

>> FEWER INVESTMENTS CUTTING INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, CUTTING INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, REDUCING HER ABILITY TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE, IF YOU WANT TO SEE SYSTEMIC RACISM IN ACTION, CLIMATE CHANGE GETS WORSE FOR >> WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, THESE TWO CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR DON'T TO THE STATES URBAN AREAS IN THE SAME LIGHT.

>> TO HAVE POCKETS?

YOU BET WE DO.

YOU SEE IT IN THE IRONBOUND SECTION CAMIS DID IN HOBOKEN, ACES AND JERSEYS THAT HE, BUT ALL IN ALL, OUR CITIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE COOL, NOT CONSIDERED TO HAVE A VIBE, NOT VIBRANT, AND YOU GOT TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE TO WANT TO LIVE THERE, AND SO, WE NEED TO MAKE OUR CITIES:VIBRANT, MY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL DO THAT.

>> AND THAT IS THE PITCH JACK CIATTARELLI IS TAKING TO PLACES LIKE ELIZABETH AND ATLANTIC CITY.

THINGS ARE BAD, BUT COULD BE ON THE WAY SOON.

LEAVING CITIES TO DECIDE WHETHER THE HELP THEY'RE GETTING NOW IS GOOD ENOUGH, OR IF A NEW ADMINISTRATION MIGHT OFFER A BETTER DEAL.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, NEW ON THE STATES TAX REVENUE COLLECTION SHOW A HEALTHY RECOVERY COMPARED TO WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR.

FIRST QUARTER REVENUES WERE UP BY MORE THAN 30% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT RELEASED LATE LAST WEEK.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE'S WARNING THAT THE SURGEON REVENUES MAY NOT CONTINUE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS'S BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER , JOHN REITMEYER JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS ARE TELLING US AND HOW THEY MAY PLAY OUT IN THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE SEARCH REVENUE QUESTION >> I THINK PRETTY MUCH ACROSS THE BOARD WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE STATES BIGGEST SOURCES OF TAX COLLECTIONS, BUT ALSO WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR LOOKED A LOT TO THAN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR., WE WERE STILL KIND OF IN THE EARLY PHASES OF A REOPENING OF THE STATE ECONOMY SO THAT REVENUE TO SOME DEGREE THIS TIME LAST YEAR WAS REALLY HEADING OUT OF THAT FIRST QUARTER, AND SO THIS TIME AROUND, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY LOOKS A LOT BETTER FOR THE STATE, NOT PERFECT CERTAINLY BETTER THAN IT DID FOR THOSE THREE MONTHS LAST YEAR.

SO THAT'S A BIG FACTOR AS WELL.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, TREASURY'S WARNING OF A POTENTIAL SOFTENING OF THE REVENUE NUMBERS GOING FORWARD, WHAT IS THE CAN TURN THE?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE WERE STILL A LITTLE BIT DEPRESSED, BUT THIS SECOND HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR WAS REALLY GANGBUSTERS.

AND SO, THEY WERE ALREADY PROJECTING A LITTLE BIT OF A DEBT AND JUST BASICALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO REPLICATE THAT HUGE SECOND HALF TO LAST YEAR'S FISCAL YEAR.

AND THEN IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE NEW BUDGET WAS SIGNED INTO LAW A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, THERE WERE A FEW NEW TAX BREAKS AND TAX CREDITS THAT WERE ENACTED AS PART OF THAT BUDGET AND SO, THOSE TAX CHANGES ARE GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON COLLECTIONS AS THE KIND OF HEAD TOWARD THE SPRING AND TOWARD THE LAST FEW QUARTERS OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

>> AND JOHN HOW IS THIS GOING TO PLAY OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR NEW JERSEY'S NEXT GOVERNOR?

>> IT'S FUNNY THAT WE TALK ABOUT REVENUE NUMBERS IN POLITICS, BUT ONE GOVERNOR MURPHY'S HALLMARKS HAS BEEN INCREASED SPENDING BACKED UP BY SOME INCREASED TAXES AND SO, THESE NEW REVENUES ARE PERFECTING SOME OF THOSE INCREASES AND CERTAINLY MAKING IT EASIER TO CARRY THESE SPENDING HIKES WHEN REVENUES ARE COMING IN FRESH LIKE THEY ARE NOW.

>> YOU THINK THAT WE WILL HEAR ADDITIONAL CRITICISM FROM JACK CIATTARELLI LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IT'S NEVER BAD TO HAVE THE BUDGET IN GOOD SHAPE ALTHOUGH I GUESS THE ARGUMENT COULD BE MADE THAT MAYBE IT'S IN TOO GOOD OF SHAPE.

MAY BE ROOM FOR MORE TAX REDUCTIONS ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A BUNCH IN THE LATEST STATE BUDGET.

>> THANKS.

NICE TALKING TO YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

>> NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON THE CLUSTER NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

>> SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS REPORT, PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM.

DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJ TIA.ORG.

>> FAITH-BASED, ANOTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION ARE RALLYING FOR A DIFFERENT COACH AND DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THEY SAY IT IS TIME TO RECONSIDER POLICE ONLY MODELS FOR ADDRESSING THESE KINDS OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS.

THEY ARE CALLED TO ACTION AND IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF A REPORT WE TOLD YOU ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK.

IT IS FOUND OVER POLICING NEGATIVELY IMPACT BLACK COMMUNITIES.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS ARE UP.

>> WE WANT IS HEALTH, HELP, HELP AND COMPASSION.

NOT COPS AND PRISONS.

>> DR. CHARLES BOYER IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE FAITH ORGANIZATION, SALVATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

TALK TO BOYER TEAMED UP WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN, MAKE THE RIGHT CALL.

IT'S ALL IN AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS WHAT HE CALLS JERSEYS OVERINVESTMENT IN POLICING.

AND NOT ENOUGH FOCUS ON A COMMUNITIES MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE TO MOVE.

FROM A SYSTEM THAT BEATS US OVER THE HEAD WHEN WE ARE IN CHRIST.

WE HAVE TO MOVE FROM THE SYSTEM THAT PROFITS OFF OF OUR BODIES.

>> THE CAMPAIGN IS IN RESPONSE TO NEW JERSEY PERSPECTIVE REPORT HIGHLIGHTING THE POLICE ONLY MODELS FOR ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE WHICH DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES.

>> AS OF JANUARY, 61% OF THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN OUR STATE ARE BLACK.

>> MARLENE IS THE MAIN OFFER OF THE REPORT AND WANTS PEOPLE TO ALSO BE AWARE OF THE FINANCIAL COST TO POLICING.

>> RIGHT HERE IN ELIZABETH, THE POLICE BUDGET IS OVER FIVE TIMES THAT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

THE POLICE BUDGET HAS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF $1.8 MILLION A YEAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

$1.8 MILLION IS 36 COMMUNITY PLAYGROUNDS.

$1.8 MILLION IS FOUR FULLY FUNDED CHILD CARE CENTERS.

>> AND, ACTIVISTS SAY ENSURING AND CREATING SAFETY FOR ALL OF THESE CITIES LIKE ELIZABETH STARTS WITH COMMUNITY LED RESPONSES.

>> EASY, LIKE I SAID TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MOMENT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE AFTERMATH IS GOING TO BE NO ACTION.

IF THERE'S NOTHING TO BE IN THE ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT CONTINUING TO SEE THIS THING THROUGH, THEN EVERYTHING WAS DONE, AND ALL THE TIME WE PUT IN IS GOING TO BE NULL AND VOID.

AND LIKE I SAID, TOO MANY TIMES TO SITUATIONS, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

>> FOR CENTURIES, WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE SAME ABUSE, BRUTALITY, DEGRADATION, AND DEATH AT THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO SERVE AND PROTECT.

ULTIMATELY, WE HAD THE HEAVIEST PROBLEMS RESOLVED WITHIN.

>> OF THE COMMUNITY THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC THE PROCESS TO SAVE LIVES.

WE'VE ALL HEARD THE SAYING IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.

WELL, HERE TO TELL YOU TODAY, THE TRADITIONAL WAY HAS BEEN BROKEN'S INCEPTION, AND IT HAS HARMED AND KILLED, AND HAS AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

>> ACTIVISTS ARE NOW CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR AND LOCAL LEGISLATORS TO INTRODUCE A BILL THAT PUTS THE POWER IN APPROPRIATIONS BACK TO COMMUNITIES, TO HAVE OTHER RESPONSES OTHER THAN POLICE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISES INCLUDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAYMOND SANTANA.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

REMINDER TO CHECK OUT OUR FIVE DAY VIRTUAL EVENT CALLED AMERICAN CITIES REBUILDING.

IT IS NOW UNDERWAY.

THIS IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL SERIES OF VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS, FOCUSING ON HOW CITIES, HARD-HIT BY COVID-19 WILL TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN MOVING COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES BEYOND THE NEW NORMAL.

HAD TO THE AMERICAN CITIES REBUILDING WEBSITE TO REGISTER.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE 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, THE PSEG FOUNDATION, AND BY THE CLEAR EMERGENCE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS, THE MEN AND WOMAN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.