>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS SPONSORED BY MJM INSURANCE GROUP.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND BY THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART NJ.

[ MUSIC ] >> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THAT EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AS THE PANDEMIC LINGERS PUBLIC SENTIMENT OVER COVID-19 RELATED MANDATES SHIFTING ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL OF MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE VACCINE MANDATES ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK BY PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS, FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.

NEARLY 2/3 OF THOSE SURVEYED FAVOR MASS REQUIREMENTS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THAT IS UP ABOUT 10% SINCE THE LAST POLL IN JULY.

THE RISING CASELOADS CAUSED BY THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT LIKELY PLAYED A ROLE IN THE SHIFTING ATTITUDES.

THE STRAIN NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR 99% OF ALL NEW CASES SAMPLED DURING THE LAST FOUR WEEKS OF AUGUST.

MORE THAN 1800 CONFIRMED POSITIVE TEST AND 21 MORE DEATHS REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY WITH MORE THAN 5.7 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE EARLY VACCINATED.

AS STUDENTS RETURN FOR IN- PERSON LEARNING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REPORTING SIX OUTBREAKS AT SCHOOLS AROUND NEW JERSEY.

URGING ALL ELIGIBLE TO GET VACCINATED, INCLUDING SCHOOL- AGE KIDS 12 AND UP, AS THEY ANTICIPATE AN INCREASE IN DEMAND ONCE BOOSTER SHOTS BECOME AVAILABLE.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GET A BOOSTER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE NEEDS IT.

>> Reporter: THESE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AMONG THE FIRST TO GET COVID SHOT EIGHT OR NINE MONTHS AGO SAY THEY ARE EAGER TO BOOST THEIR AMENITY AND FRUSTRATED WITH THE ONGOING POLITICAL AND SCIENTIFIC DEBATE OVER WHO SHOULD QUALIFY FOR BOOSTERS AND WIN.

THEY HELP TEST PEOPLE FOR THE VIRUS.

>> I THINK IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO GET THE BOOSTER.

WE ARE SEEING IT EVERY DAY.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU'RE COMING IN CONTACT WITH, ARE THEY VACCINATED?

WHY ARE THEY GETTING TESTED?

IT COULD BE FOR WORK OR THEY ARE EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS.

>> IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AT RISK WHY NOT GET IT?

>> Reporter: THE CDC RECOMMENDED THIRD DOSE IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES LIKE COMPROMISE IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

NEW JERSEY HAS LOGGED ALMOST 71,000 WITH CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES LIKE COMPROMISE IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

NEW JERSEY HAS LOGGED ALMOST 71,003RD DOSES SINCE MID AUGUST, BUT VACCINATION SITES DO NOT ASK FOR PROOF OF ELIGIBLE IT.

MANY SIMPLY WALK UP, REQUEST THE SHOT AND JUMP THE LINE.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS INCLUDED SAYS DANIELLE DEBELLA.

>> WE HAD A DECENT AMOUNT OF EMPLOYEES COME IN, SOME ARE WORKING ON THE FLOOR WITH PATIENTS AND OTHERS ARE NO COMPROMISE ANY THE EXTRA PROTECTION TO MAKE THEM FEEL COMFORTABLE.

>> IF THE SUPPLY IS THERE, LET THEM GET THIS VACCINATION.

THAT IS MY BELIEF.

>> Reporter: A RUTGERS DEAN SAID SOME SCIENTISTS DISAGREE, TWO FDA VACCINE SPECIALIST RESIGNED OVER THE ISSUE AND WROTE A ARTICLE WITH 16 OTHER EXPERTS, CLAIMING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT NEED A BOOSTER.

ISRAELI STUDIES SHOW BOOSTERS DRAMATICALLY LOWERED THE RISK OF BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS CAUSED BY THE DELTA VARIANT, A MESSY PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY DO I THINK A BOOSTER WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE?

I DO.

I THINK THE SCIENCE IS A LITTLE SLOW TO CATCH UP, THAT I AM FOLLOWING THE DATA OUT OF ISRAEL THAT INDICATES YOU ARE 10 TIMES LESS LIKELY TO GET SICK IF YOU HAVE A BOOSTER IF YOU ARE OLDER THAN IF YOU DON'T.

>> Reporter: THE BATTLE OVER BOOSTERS IS INTERNATIONAL, THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER WANTS TO OFFER A BOOSTER TO EVERYONE OVER 50 TO AVOID ANOTHER LOCKDOWN THIS WINTER.

MEANWHILE, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WANTS PEOPLE IN POOR COUNTRIES TO GET AT LEAST ONE SHOT BEFORE RICH NATIONS OFFER THEIR RESIDENTS A THIRD.

>> WE LOOK AT WHERE THE VARIANCE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING IT IS LARGELY BEEN OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE ONES THAT ARE MORE TRANSMISSIBLE AND SEEM TO BE MORE DANGEROUS.

THE GOAL NEEDS TO BE NOT JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE VACCINATED, BUT THAT GLOBALLY WE ARE ADDRESSING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: IN NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ORDERING THREE MAGNIFIES TO REOPEN AND PREP FOR A POSSIBLE CRASH OF PEOPLE SEEKING BOOSTERS, UP TO 2.4 MILLION IF THE CDC AND FDA AGREE WITH A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROPOSAL THAT WILL MAKE ELIGIBLE ANYONE WHO GOT THE SECOND COVID SHOT AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AGO.

ONLY PFIZER GOT FULL FDA APPROVAL.

MATERNAL HAS APPLIED.

AS FOR J&J... >> I THINK PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THE J&J ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED THAT NOBODY SEEMS TO BE SPEAKING TO THEIR NEEDS.

>> Reporter: AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS SHE KNOWS SEVERAL J&J RECIPIENTS WHO GOT A BOOSTER DOSE OF PFIZER OR MODERNA, THEY JUST GOT TIRED OF WAITING.

THE FANS ARE EXPECTED TO OFFER A BOOSTER UPDATE WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> EVEN IN ALL THE GAINS MADE DURING THE PANDEMIC THE NATION HAS HIT ANOTHER GRIM MILESTONE.

ONE OUT OF EVERY 500 AMERICANS HAVE DIED FROM THE CORONAVIRUS SINCE THE FIRST REPORTED INFECTION ROUGHLY 19 MONTHS AGO.

THERE ARE GRIM PROJECTIONS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AS WELL NOT ONLY WILL THE PANDEMIC CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WINTER, BUT IT IS PROJECTED TO GET WORSE.

CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND DEATHS ARE ALL EXPECTED TO RISE IN NEW JERSEY ACCORDING TO NEW PREDICTIVE MODELS.

BY HOW MUCH DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR.

AS OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER EXPLAINS, THAT CAN BE TOUGH TO PREDICT.

>> YOU LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF PREDICTIVE MODELS AND WE HAVE USED OVER THE COURSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY POINT OUT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, EVERYBODY WHO USES THESE MODELS SAY YOU NEED TO BE REALLY CAUTIOUS.

THEY ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE NUMBERS YOU PUT IN.

OF COURSE THEY HAVE BEEN VASTLY OFF AT TIMES DURING THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING THE STATES ALL MODELING, WHICH PREDICTED DOUBLE THE HOSPITALIZATIONS THAT WE'VE EVER SAW.

PUTTING THAT ASIDE, YOU KNOW, THEY DO REALLY GIVE YOU A SENSE OF WHERE THINGS ARE GOING.

WHAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SHOWS IS THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE ANOTHER 1500 DEATHS IF THINGS CONTINUE ON SORT OF THE CURRENT TRAJECTORY THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER.

THAT COULD BE MORE THAN DOUBLE IF WE DO THINGS LIKE WEAR MASKS LESS OFTEN OR START GOING OUT MORE AND MINGLING MORE, OR IF VARIANCE GET MORE TRANSMISSIBLE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF IF'S IN THAT DESCRIPTION ARE AT THE POINT IS, WE HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER THIS, THAT THE TREND IS MORE DEATHS, MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND OF COURSE MORE CASES.

>> WHAT ARE THE OTHER FACTORS AT PLAY?

SPECIFICALLY VACCINATION RATES?

>> THE VACCINATION RATE AS WE KNOW, WE HAVE NOW 5.7 MILLION PEOPLE ARE SO VACCINATED IN THE STATE.

THAT IS PRETTY GOOD IF YOU THINK ABOUT JUST PEOPLE OVER 18.

THERE ARE STILL THESE GAPS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE STATE AND KIDS UNDER 12 CANNOT GET VACCINATED.

THERE ARE STILL POCKETS WHERE THAT PROTECTION IS NOT A STRONG, AND THEN THERE ARE COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE ARE JUST NOT AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED.

THE NUMBERS OF COMMUNITIES WHERE THOSE UNVACCINATED NUMBERS ARE LARGE IS GOING DOWN.

THEY STILL EXIST.

THE DISEASE IS STILL SPREADING.

AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN YOU ARE SIX AND 10 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED AS A RESULT OF COVID.

IT MATTERS.

>> Reporter: VERY QUICKLY, WHAT IS THE ONE THING OR A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT FOLKS CAN DO TO MITIGATE WHERE THIS MODEL IS HEADING?

>> MASKING, DON'T FORGET THE MASKING, HANDWASHING, STAYING HOME WHEN SICK.

WATCH HER KIDS AS THEY ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE LEARN HALF A DOZEN SCHOOLS HAVE OUTBREAKS.

OF COURSE GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> TO READ MORE REPORTING ON THE COVID-19 FORECAST, INCLUDING THE IMPACT ON OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHT.ORG.

>>> WITH LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO GOVERNOR MURPHY IS OUT RAISING HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER IN HIS BID FOR REELECTION.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST REPORTS, THE GOVERNMENT --GOVERNOR'S FUNDRAISING HAS HELPED HIM EARN TWO AND HALF MILLION MORE IN STATE MATCHING FUNDS, EARNING 61 $7 MILLION SO FAR.

BETWEEN BOTH CANDIDATES, THAT IS DOUBLE THE LAST BULLET FOR YOUR RACE.

HIS OPPONENT AS FAR OUTPACING REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISING FROM THAT ELECTION.

MONEY IS JUST ONE PART OF THE BATTLE IN THE RACE TO THE TOP, ENDORSEMENTS ARE ALSO KEY.

THIS WEEK A PROMINENT UNION ANNOUNCED IT WILL SIT THIS YEAR OUT, NOT BACKING EITHER CANDIDATE.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE HAS A STORY.

>> Reporter: HE'S CASTING HIMSELF A HAPPY WARRIOR A NEW TO ANY POLE TO SHOW HIM TRAILING PHIL MURPHY BY DOUBLE DIGITS.

HE SHRUGGED OFF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NONENFORCEMENT OF THE STATE'S SECOND-LARGEST LEASE UNION, THROWING IT BACK AND MURPHY.

>> I THINK IT SAYS MORE ABOUT THE INCUMBENT WHEN HE SAYS THAT ME.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I HAVE SAID THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN THIS IS THE MOST ANTI- POLICE GOVERNOR WE'VE EVER HAD.

HE IS HANDCUFFED OUR POLICE, DISARMED OUR POLICE, DEMORALIZED OUR POLICE.

WHEN IF WE EVER HAD CURFEWS ALONG OUR JERSEY SHORE?

COPS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THE JOBS.

>> Reporter: THE NO DRESSER BY THE STATE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE RESOUNDED WITH THE INDIFFERENCE IT WAS LIKELY INTENDED TO CONVEY.

OUR 13 MEMBER BOARD MET FOR THREE AND HALF HOURS TO REVIEW ALL QUESTIONNAIRES THAT THE UNION PRESIDENT TODAY.

AFTER REVIEWING ALL QUESTIONNAIRES AND TALKING AMONGST THEMSELVES THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO NOT RECOMMEND OR ENDORSE MURPHY OR JACK CIATTARELLI.

THE UNION ENDORSE MURPHY IN 2017, BUT HAS HAD A STOP IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

A PROGRESSIVE WHO MARCH WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT LIMITED POLICE COOPERATION WITH ICE, AND ENDORSE REFORMS THAT LIMITED POLICE POWERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF CANNABIS LEGALIZATION.

THE ACLU SAYS POLICE ISSUES HAVE NOT ENTIRELY FARED POORLY UNDER MURPHY.

>> WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT POLICE LOBBYIST BLOCKING REALLY IMPORTANT MEASURES RELATED TO COMMUNITY SAFETY, POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY.

JUST HAVING A SENSE OF HOW THIS PLAN IS LAID OUT FOR MISCONDUCT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT STARTING POINT.

NEW JERSEY IS BEHIND 29 OF THE STATES IN THAT AREA.

WE ARE BY NO MEANS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: THE ACLU POINTS TO BILLS AIMED AT CREATING CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARDS WITH SUBPOENA POWERS, AND A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW POLICE DISCIPLINARY RECORDS THE FOLLOWING COPS FROM JOB TO JOB.

THEY FAILED IN THOSE SMALL PARTS BECAUSE OF UNION PRESSURE.

A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW POLICE TO REVIEW THEIR BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE BEFORE MAKING STATEMENTS IN COMPLAINT CASES, WHICH PASSED IN NO SMALL PART BECAUSE THE POLICE UNION PRESSURE.

EXAMPLES THAT COPS HAVE DONE OKAY UNDER MURPHY.

WHILE THE SM WOMEN IS CONCERNED WITH PORTRAYING HIMSELF AS A TRUMP LIKE LAWN OR CANDIDATE, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS TAKEN DECISIVE ACTION TO BOOST PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN POLICING AND BUILD TRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMITTEES THEY SERVE.

THAT IS THE RESPONSE FROM A MURPHY SPOKESPERSON TODAY.

>> THERE IS ONLY ONE ENDORSEMENT THE MATTERS TO ME AND THAT IS THE VOTERS OF NEW JERSEY.

I'M GOING TO GO OUT AND CONTINUE TO EARN IT EACH AND EVERY DAY AND AM ACCOUNT TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2.

FOUR IN THE MEANTIME JACK CIATTARELLI PLOWS OFFER ONE PIECE THE JOINT AT A TIME HOPING THE WAY A MAN HANDLES HIS LIES HOLD MORE SWAY OVER WHO THE COP UNION HAPPENS TO LIKE THIS YEAR.

>>> IT IS A SLOW MARCH FORWARD IN THE STATES EFFORT TO BEGIN SELLING LEGAL MARIJUANA.

LAST MONTH REGULATORS ANNOUNCED THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WILL OVERSEE THE INDUSTRY, STARTING THE CLOCK TO LAUNCH SALES IN ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.

CRITICS SAY THE STATE IS A MOVING FAST ENOUGH THAT APPROVING LICENSES FOR DOZENS OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING IN LIMBO.

MELISSA ROSE-COOPER HAS THE LATEST.

>> GIVE ME A CHANCE.

I AM ONE FIGHTING FOR THE COMMITTEE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S A STAGE IV BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR.

DOCTORS ONLY GAVE HER THREE MUST LIVE, 13 YEARS LATER SHE CONTINUES TO BE CANCER FREE.

>> CANNABIS SAVE MY LIFE.

WHEN DOCTORS TOLD ME TO GET MY AFFAIRS IN ORDER I STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND STARTED TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER TREATMENTS, ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS THAT HELP PEOPLE SURVIVE AND I AM HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: SHE WANTS ROUNDTABLE WELLNESS TO PROVIDE OTHERS WITH THE SAME BENEFITS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, BUT CANNOT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE HER LICENSE APPLICATION IN NEW JERSEY HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED.

>> I'M A LITTLE HEARTBROKEN BY THIS, BECAUSE WE APPLIED IN 2018.

IT IS NOW TWO YEARS LATER.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ONE OF DOZENS WAITING TO GET THE GREEN LIGHT FROM THE STATE CAMPUS -- CANNABIS COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC MEETING LAST NIGHT WHERE THEY APPROVED ANOTHER GROSS TYPE FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY WHICH ALREADY OPERATES A FACILITY.

THERE WAS NO MENTION OF WHICH MEDICAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES WILL BE RECEIVING A LICENSE TO SELL OR EVEN WHEN THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

>> AT THIS POINT IT IS INSULTING.

THE CRC STATED DURING THE JULY MEETING THAT THE TWO HIGHEST PRIORITIES WERE FOR THEM TO RELEASE THE ADULT USE REGULATIONS, AND FOR THEM TO RESOLVE THE 2019 RFA.

THEY HAVE NOT MENTIONED THE 2019 RFA SINCE THAT MEETING.

DURING THIS TIME THE 12 NSO'S, NONE OF THEM WERE MINORITY OWNED, NONE OF THEM HAVE ROOTS IN NEW JERSEY OR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS HAD A MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM SINCE 2009- 2010.

PATIENT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A DIVERSITY OF SUPPLY, BETTER MEDICINE, MORE CHOICES.

WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD THAT.

TAKE IT TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMPANIES THAT APPLIED IN 2018, OVER TWO YEARS AGO THAT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN LIMBO.

>> IT IS A REALITY SHOW SAYS SHE KNOWS VERY WELL.

SHE SAYS SHE'S LOST OVER $300,000 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> I'VE LOST EMPLOYEES AND I'M TRYING TO PAY EMPLOYEES.

MY MONEY IS JUST BURN THROUGH.

>> Reporter: FOR COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED OFFICIAL SAY BUSINESSES NEED TO REALIZE THE PROCESS DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

>> WE RECEIVED A LETTER OF INTENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN 2011.

WE OPENED UP OUR STORE IN 2018.

IN FACT, IT WAS A LOT LENGTHIER FOR US TO OPEN UP OUR LOCATIONS.

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THINGS TO TAKE SO LONG, ESPECIALLY IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF COMPETITIVE INTEREST IN LAWSUITS FLOATING AROUND THE APPLICATIONS AND THE LICENSES.

>> Reporter: A SENATOR IS PUSHING A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS TO GROW THEIR OWN MARIJUANA, GETTING THE MORE OPTIONS.

THE CENTER ISSUING A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART THE LEGISLATION OF MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE ABOUT CORPORATE INTERESTS AND PROFIT SHARING BUT SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HELPING THOSE WHO TRULY NEED THE MEDICINE.

ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO GROW PLANTS FOR LOCAL AND RECREATIONAL USE WILL GREATLY BENEFIT THE INDIVIDUALS IN PAIN BOTH PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

THE COMMISSION IS SET TO MEET AGAIN NEXT MONTH.

THIS IS IS A WEDDING LICENSES ARE HOPING THEY WILL GET A MORE CONCRETE ANSWER BY THE TIME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE CASE FOR INVESTING IN CHILDCARE TOPS OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT.

DETAILS ON NEW PROPOSALS FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND THE LATEST HEADLINES.

>> Reporter: CHILDCARE IN THIS COUNTRY IS UNWORKABLE AND IMPACTING OUR ECONOMY.

FIXING IT IS GOING TO COST A LOT OF MONEY.

A NEW REPORT FROM THE US TREASURY DEPARTMENT FINDS MANY FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD CHILDCARE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE PAY FOR WORKERS IN THAT INDUSTRY IS TOO LOW.

THE TREASURY SECRETARY AND VICE PRESIDENT ARE USING THIS REPORT TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR CHILD CARE.

CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING AT $3.5 TRILLION SPENDING PLANS UPON SOCIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING CHILDCARE.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE PROJECTED TO BE 80% FUNDED, BUT AS NJ SPOTLIGHT REPORTS, NEW JERSEY SYSTEMS ARE NOT ONE OF THEM.

>> THE LATEST FIGURES COME FROM THE 2019 FISCAL YEAR AND NEW JERSEY IS CLOSER TO 40% FUNDED.

SUGGESTING THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET BACK TO GOOD HEALTH HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE REPORT FROM THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUST DOES GIVE THE STATE HIGH MARKS FOR INCREASING THE CONTRIBUTION.

FIND OUT MORE BY READING JOHN STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHT.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S REVENUE PICTURE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.

THE STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT REPORTED AN INCREASE IN REVENUES FOR ALL OF THE STATES MAJOR TAXES IN AUGUST.

THAT IS THE INCOME TAX, SALES TAX, AND CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX.

YEAR-TO-DATE TAX COLLECTIONS ARE UP NEARLY 31% COMPARED TO THE SAME TWO MONTHS OF THE LAST FISCAL YEAR OR AT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT NOTES SEPTEMBER IS A MORE MEANINGFUL MONTH IN TERMS OF TAX COLLECTIONS, BECAUSE QUARTERLY ESTIMATED TAX PAYMENTS ARE DUE.

>>> GRANTS ARE ON THE WAY TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S CITIES.

A $1.8 MILLION DISTRIBUTION TO NEARLY 180 BUSINESSES THAT WERE HURT BY COVID-19.

IN NEWARK THE CITY IS TAKING APPLICATIONS TO GIVE OUT ANOTHER $2 MILLION IN GRANTS.

BOTH CITIES ARE USING MONEY THEY RECEIVED FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TO FUND THEIR PROGRAMS.

>>> NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> TWO WEEKS AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT NEW JERSEY SOME RESIDENTS ARE STILL BEING TOLD TO BOIL THE WATER.

MORE THAN 250,000 CUSTOMERS IN PASSAIC, PATTERSON, AND WOODLAND PARK ARE STILL UNDER A OIL WATER ADVISORY PUT IN PLACE SEPTEMBER 2.

ONE DAY AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT THE STATE.

THE PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION SAYS THE WATER MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRINK DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUNOFF CAUSED BY THE STORM, CONTAMINATING THE NEW STREET RESERVOIR.

THAT IS JUST ONE OF THREE OVER RESERVOIRS IN THE SYSTEM THAT STORES DRINKING WATER AFTER IT IS TREATED, BUT BEFORE THE WATER IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.

UNTIL REMEDIATION IS FINISHED, THE COMMISSION IS PREPARING TO HAND OUT UP TO 15 MILLION BOTTLES OF WATER TO AFFECTED CUSTOMERS.

>>> ELSEWHERE TONIGHT, CLEAN UP FROM THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IS STILL FAR FROM OVER.

FEMA HAS REGISTERED OVER 37,000 RESIDENTS, INCLUDING HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS IN NEED OF HELP.

AS OF THIS MORNING THEY DOLED OUT NEARLY $9 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE.

IN LAMBERTVILLE ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER ROUGHLY HALF OF THE PROPERTY SUSTAINED FLOOD DAMAGE, A TOWN WAS AMONG THE HARDEST HIT BY IDA TWO WEEKS AGO.

TODAY FEMA OPEN A DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN TOWN JUST THE SIX TO OPEN SO FAR IN THE STATE.

WE WERE THERE IS RESIDENT SHOWED UP IN SEARCH OF HELP.

>> Reporter: JUSTIFY THE NEW FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN LAMBERTVILLE IS WHERE WE MET EILEEN, SHE WAS HOME TONIGHT TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT THE AREA.

>> I LIVED IN A VERY NICE BASEMENT AREA.

I HAVE AN OFFICE, A LIVING ROOM, A BEDROOM.

IT CAME IN LIKE A RIVER.

>> SHE SAYS SHE WAS ABLE TO SAVE SOME OF HER ITEMS BEFORE HEADING UPSTAIRS TO HER LANDLORDS LIVE.

SHE'S BEEN STAYING THERE SINCE BECAUSE HER APARTMENT IS UNINHABITABLE WITH THE MOLD AND MILDEW.

THAT IS WHY SHE IS HERE.

>> VERY TOUGH FINDING AN APARTMENT.

>> 40 FAMILIES OR MORE GOT DISPLACED.

IT'S LIKE A COUNTER RUN TO GET AN APARTMENT.

>> Reporter: AS SHE FINISHED UP INSIDE WE BUMPED INTO A JOGGER WHO LIVES ACROSS THE STREET.

SHE WALKED US TO THE SINKHOLE IN HER BACKYARD.

>> THE FENCE AND THE PATIO WHEN IN THE HOLE.

>> MICHELLE REED PUT IN A CLAIM WITH FEMA ONLINE, BUT PLANS TO VISIT THE CENTER TO MAKE SURE THE APPLICATION WENT THROUGH.

>> WE CAUGHT OUR HOME INSURANCE COMPANY.

THEY REALLY DO NOT HANDLE ANYTHING INVOLVING OURS.

WE ALSO DON'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.

WE WERE SCARED.

THE WATER ACTUALLY WENT AROUND OUR HOUSE.

WE GOT A COUPLE INCHES IN THE BASEMENT.

IT DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT.

>> THAT IS WHERE HER OFFICE BUILDING IS AN AS WE MADE OUR WAY OVER YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE STILL CLEARING OUT THE SPACE, EVERYTHING FROM FILING CABINETS THE DESK CHAIRS AND PAPERS TOSSED IN A PILE, UNSALVAGEABLE.

THEY ARE THE BELONGINGS OF DOCTORS, ATTORNEYS, PILATES INSTRUCTORS AND PSYCHIATRISTS ALL WORK ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

>> THERE ARE PROBABLY CLOSE TO $500,000 WORTH OF BUILDING REPAIRS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE AND DEMOLITION.

YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THE TENANT BELONGINGS, YOU KNOW, A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN TENANT BELONGINGS THAT WERE THROWN OUT.

>> Reporter: THE MANAGER OF THE BUILDING TOLD US HIS MAIN PRIORITY IS TO GET THE FLOOR CLEANED OUT TO AVOID GETTING MOLD.

THANKFUL THERE IS NOW A FEMA SITE CLOSE BY HE SHOWED A SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF THE NIGHT THE WATER CAME RUSHING IN.

>> THERE WERE 6 INCHES OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR.

THERE WAS ABOUT 3 FEET OF WATER OUTSIDE ON THE OUTSIDE DOORS.

YOU CAN SEE THE WATERMARK.

THE DOORS ALL HELD THE MAJORITY OF THE WATER BACK.

I DON'T THINK THEY OFFER A WHOLE LOT OF SERVICES TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO GET FROM THEM.

I WILL STOP AND TALK TO THEM.

>> IT'S THAT.

YOU LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THEY BREAK DOWN EMOTIONALLY INCLUDING SOME OF OUR WORKERS.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH THE SAME THINGS.

I LIVED IN FLORIDA AND I WENT THROUGH QUITE A FEW OF THEM.

>> Reporter: THE FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER MANAGER ALBERT REES SAYS HE HOPES PEOPLE COME TO VISIT FOR HELP, WHETHER IT IS APPLICATION ASSISTANCE, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, OR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THEY ARE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

CREWS ARE ALSO WALKING AROUND THE AREA AND TAKING APPLICATIONS.

>> WE ARE HERE TO BUY YOU A COUPLE OF STEPS SO THAT YOU CAN GET GOING TO KIND OF HELP YOU ALONG.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF WORK AT HIS OFFICE TO DO BUT HE FEELS FORTUNATE.

HE FEELS FOR THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STREET WHO LOST HER HOMES, PEOPLE FIGURING OUT HOW TO START OVER, HOPING THIS FIRST STOP IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> IF YOU HAVE STORED RECOVERY QUESTIONS JOIN US LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 PM FOR THE SEASON PREMIERE OF CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ, A FEMA REPRESENTATIVE WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS IN THE AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL STORM IDA.

THEN US SENATOR CORY BOOKER JOINED THE SHOW TO DIVE INTO THE PRESIDENTS INFASTRUCTURE PLAN.

CENTER QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME OR ASK LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK.

IN THE MEANTIME WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OUR WEBSITE OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WINDS PROJECT, AND BSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.