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

OUR WJ FURNACE HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT AND PSA G, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH RIHANNA.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE STATE IS PROVIDING A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE GROWING NUMBER OF IN SCHOOL COVID OUTBREAKS AS EDUCATION LEADERS WORK TO KEEP AS MANY STUDENTS IN PERSON AS POSSIBLE.

THE INCREASE COMES JUST WEEKS INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, THOSE VIRAL INFECTIONS SPLIT AMONG BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF.

>> CURRENTLY THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 23 OUTBREAKS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AMONGST STUDENTS, THERE ARE 82 REPORTED CASES OF COVID ACROSS 22 SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH 16 CASES AMONG STAFF IN 10 OF THOSE DISTRICTS, AND THERE IS ONE DISTRICT WHERE AN OUTBREAK HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED SOLELY AMONG FOUR STAFF MEMBERS.

>> OUTBREAKS ARE DEFINED BY THE STATE AS CASES WHERE THREE OR MORE UNRELATED PEOPLE TEST POSITIVE BUT ARE LINKED TO IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION.

THE MAJORITY ARE BEING REPORTED IN MERCER COUNTY.

ATLANTIC IS NOT FAR BEHIND.

THE DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OF REPORTING HUNDREDS MORE CASES THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED PART OF AN OUTBREAK.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS A TOTAL OF SEVEN SCHOOLS HAVE SWITCHED TO VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION SINCE THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

THREE OF THE SCHOOLS ARE STILL IN REMOTE LEARNING.

AS EDUCATION LEADERS GEAR UP TO PARTICIPATE IN A MASSIVE SCREENING AND TESTING PROGRAM, HUNDREDS OF DISTRICTS REPRESENTING NEARLY 1,000,000 1/2 STUDENTS AND STAFF HAVE SIGNED ONTO THE PLAN.

THE STATE IS PLEDGING TO MAKE THE DATA PUBLIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS WORRIES MOUNT OVER THE LOW VACCINATION RATE AMONG AS AN UNLICENSED 12-15, JUST 55% HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE PICK THAT IS THE NUMBER THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAID SHE WOULD WISH TO SEE HARRISON'S CHILDREN ARE TOO YOUNG TO GET BACK TO DEPICTS McMURPHY ADMINISTRATION EXTENDED COVID VACCINE REQUIREMENTS TO ALL CHILDCARE WORKERS.

THEY WILL NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY NOVEMBER 1 OR UNDERGO REGULAR WEEKLY TESTING.

THE ROLE MIRRORS THAT OF SCHOOL AND HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS, BUT ALSO INCLUDES A STRICT MASKING POLICY APPLYING TO ANYONE INSIDE DAY CARE CENTERS, INCLUDING ALL STUDENTS OVER THE AGE OF 2, THE GOVERNOR CALLING IT A NECESSARY STEP, ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS NOT YET ELIGIBLE FOR THE SHOTS, BUT ENFORCING THE GUIDELINES COULD PROVE TO THE CULT AND SOME IN THE INDUSTRY WORRY IT WILL ADD TO A WORSENING STAFFING SHORTAGE.

CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS MORE.

>> TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR PICK >> THE THREE AND FOUR-YEAR-OLDS SAYING MOST OF THEM ASKED FREE AS THEY WAITED FOR LUNCH AT THE LEARNING CENTER IN BLOOMFIELD.

UPSTAIRS, TODDLERS ENJOYED CHICKEN AND RICE, SPOONFED BY TEACHERS WHO WONDERED HOW THEY MIGHT KEEP MASKS ON KIDS AS YOUNG AS TWO YEARS OLD WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY'S EXECUTIVE ORDER KICKS IN THIS FRIDAY.>> THEY ARE PULLING IT OFF, LOSING THEM OR LEAVING THEM BEHIND.

IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: RATHER THAN TEACHING THEM AND WORKING WITH THEM ON THE IMPORTANT SKILLS IN LIFE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE WORRYING ABOUT READJUSTING A MASK.

>> LYNETTE OWENS FUTURE GENERATION AND HAS, SHE SAYS NOBODY EXPECTED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, WHICH SAYS A NOVEMBER 1 DATE FOR STAFF TO GET VACCINATED OR TESTED FOR COVID AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

IT ALSO REQUIRES ALL STAFF, VISITORS AND KIDS TO AN 02 MASK OF.

>> I'M EXPECTING A BACKLASH, AND YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO ROLL OUT ON FRIDAY.

>> IT IS NOT FAIR.

EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT, TEACHERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

IF I HAD TO TAKE THE VACCINE BECAUSE OF MY JOB, IF I WAS NOT FORCED TO, I WOULD NOT PICK >> THIS MOM STOOD ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH HER FIVE-YEAR-OLD HOPING TO ENROLL HIM HERE TEMPORARILY SO SHE CAN GET TO WORK.

SHE IS DISMAYED BY VACCINATION AND MASK MANDATES.

>> AS FAR AS THE MASKS, MY SON HAS ALLERGIES, SO THE FACT THAT HIS NOSE WILL BE RUNNING, THE MASK WILL BE WET, HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE CHANGING IT, IT'S GOING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> IT TURNS INTO A SITUATION WHERE THE TEACHERS ARE NOW BECOMING MASK POLICE.

>> RUNS THE LIGHT FRANCHISE, HE SAYS EIGHT PARENTS YANKED THEIR KIDS OUT OF HIS CENTERS YESTERDAY ALL OF HER MANDATORY MASKING.

IT IS ANOTHER BLOW TO AN ALREADY HARD-HIT INDUSTRY.

HE FIGURES PANDEMIC PRESSURES HAVE SHUTTERED ONE THIRD OF THE 4300 NEW JERSEY CHILDCARE CENTERS OPERATING PRE-COVID.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW IS NOT LIKE ANYTHING I HAVE SEEN IN THE 23 YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS.

MORALE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW.

TEACHERS ARE BURNT OUT.

>> WE ARE UNSURE OF HOW WE CAN STRETCH THIS ALREADY THIN WORKFORCE.

WE HAVE BEEN LOSING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON WE ARE LOSING PEOPLE IS THE COMPENSATION ISSUE.

>> MEGAN TED ARENA SAYS CENTERS CANNOT COMPETE WITH AMAZON WAGES, FOR EXAMPLE, AND FAX MANDATES COULD DRIVE OUT EVEN MORE STAFFERS.

>> THE VACCINATION, THE MAIN WORRY IS OUR WORKFORCE IS ALREADY SO BEAR AND THERE ARE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE EMPTY CLASSROOMS AND LONG WAITING LISTS BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE PEOPLE.

>> THEY ARE ABLE TO STAFF 50 KIDS OUT OF 60 AVAILABLE SLOTS DESPITE OFFERING RAISES.

>> WE GET A PHONE CALL SAYING I NEED TO COME IN ON MONDAY AND I NEED MY CHILD TO START RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I GOT CALLED BACK TO WORK AND WE ARE THE BACKBONE OF WHAT IS KEEPING PEOPLE GOING TO WORK, SO WE NEED THAT SUPPORT.

>> THE STAFF AT FUTURE GENERATION ALMOST HAVE THEIR COVID SHOTS, BUT NOT EVERY CHILDCARE FACILITY HAS REQUIRED THAT AND MANY EXPECT IT IS GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED PICS BEING IT APPEARS AS THOUGH MOST ARE IN THAT 55-60% RANGE IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF STAFF MEMBERS THAT ARE VACCINATED.

MANY ARE CONCERNED THAT REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE VACCINE PICK >> EVEN THOUGH HEALTH EXPERTS NOTE COVID VACCINES DO NOT AFFECT FERTILITY.

NEW YORK CITY HAS LAMENTED SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AT ITS CHILDCARE CENTERS.

>> THE MASK MANDATE IS NOT UNUSUAL.

IN FACT THEY HAVE PROVIDED SERVICES UNDER VERY STRICT GUIDANCE ABOUT COULD COME IN THE BUILDING, CLASS-SIZE, WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, AND THEY HAVE RISEN TO THE OCCASION.

>> LEADERS CLAIM THE GOVERNMENT FUNNELED 700 MILLION IN PANDEMIC IS SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS IN NEW JERSEY, BUT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN A TIME.

THEY WANT THE GOVERNOR TO UNLOCK THOSE FUNDS.

MIMIC IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES THAT WE ARE GETTING MONEY ON THE STREET.

WE ARE GETTING IT ON THE STREET AS FAST AS WE CAN.

IT BRINGS US NO JOY.

I WANT TO SAY THAT WITH GREAT EMPHASIS TO BE MANDATING MASKS, PARTICULARLY ON KIDS, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE DOING HAPPILY, BUT WE ARE DOING IT CONSISTENT WITH THE CDC, WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND WE ARE DOING IT BASED ON THE FACTS.

>> FELICIA SMITH SAYS SHE WILL WORK IT OUT WITH THE KIDS PICK >> WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO BE SAFE, BUT IT IS STILL GOING TO BE DIFFICULT, BUT SAFETY FIRST.

>> IN BLOOMFIELD, BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN CONVENED A VIRTUAL COVID SUMMIT WITH GLOBAL LEADERS, PROTESTERS DEMONSTRATED OUTSIDE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON HEADQUARTERS IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

ADVOCATES FROM AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION AND THEIR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS BLASTED THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY FOR WHAT THEY CALL PANDEMIC PROFITEERING.

J&J RECENTLY CAME UNDER FIRE FOR EXPORTING VACCINE DOSES TO EUROPE THAT WERE PRODUCED IN AFRICA, THE CONTINENT WITH THE LOWEST COVID VACCINATION RATE.

ACCORDING TO PEOPLE AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY, NEW DOSES WILL REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY AND BE ADMINISTERED WITH PLANS FOR FUTURE EXPORTS SUSPENDED.

THE GROUP IS PROTESTING A SIMILAR PRACTICE IN INDIA, CALLING ON J&J TO KEEP THEIR DOSES IN PLACES WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST.

THE RALLY COINCIDING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLEDGE TO THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL DONATE THREE SHOTS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD FOR EVERYONE ADMINISTERED IN THE U.S.. AN EFFORT TO BOOST GLOBAL COVID VACCINATION RATES, ESPECIALLY IN POORER NATIONS.

MORE THAN 56% OF THE WORLD POPULATION HAS YET TO RECEIVE A SINGLE COVID VACCINE DOES WORK HERE IN NEW JERSEY, 5.8 AND PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY ACCIDENT, THE PRESIDENT IS URGING LEADERS TO BAND TOGETHER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY VERIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> CAMPAIGN ADS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION CYCLE ARE LIKELY HITTING YOUR INBOX NEWSFEED AND AIRWAVES AT A MORE FRANTIC PACE.

SEPTEMBERS TO BERKELEY WHEN THE BLITZ BEGINS WITH THE HOPE THOSE PRICEY COMMERCIALS MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR VOTERS SUPPORT.

A NEW UNIVERSITY POLL IS OUT TAKING THE PULSE ON THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

IT SHOWS THE LEAD BETWEEN BOTH CANDIDATES IS NARROWING, BUT IN WHOSE ODDS?

DAVID REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ANYTHING OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS AN ACTUAL HORSERACE, THIS IS THE PART RIGHT BEFORE IT THEY SAY DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME, SO REPUBLICAN ZACH HAS SOME TIME TO REVERSE THE NUMBERS IN THE LATEST POLL BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOOD.

INCUMBENT PHIL MURPHY IS PREFERRED 51% TO 38% AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS, NOT MUCH CHANGED FROM THE LAST POLL IN AUGUST.

>> THE FUNDAMENTAL DYNAMICS HAS NOT CHANGED.

HE HAS PICKED UP A FEW POINTS AND CLOSED THE GAP.

STATISTICALLY INSIGNIFICANT, BUT THERE IS A POTENTIAL OF LOOKING AT A SINGLE DIGIT RACE OF NINE POINTS UP TO 14 POINTS DEPENDING ON THE LIKELY VOTER MODEL.

>> DON'T TELL JACK THAT A RECENT CAMPAIGN STOP, HE WAS BRIMMING WITH CONFIDENCE.

>> I WOULD EARN IT EACH AND EVERY SINGLE DAY AND DOUBLE COUNT THE VOTES ON NOVEMBER 2.

>> TODAY HIS STRATEGIST WEST DISMISSING THE POLE.

>> I THINK IT IS MALPRACTICE TO BE DOING REGISTERED VOTER POLLS AND PEOPLE ALREADY STARTED VOTING.

I THINK WE HAVE INCREDIBLE ENTHUSIASM, I THINK INDEPENDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO VOTE ARE MOVING OUR WAY AND I THINK THE ENERGY IS VERY MUCH IN OUR SITE.

I THINK WE ARE IN A SINGLE DIGIT RACE AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS VULNERABLE.

>> THERE ARE PLENTY OF DEMOCRATS AND OBSERVERS WHO WOULD AGREE WITH THE LAST PART OF THAT STATEMENT, THE GOVERNOR IS VULNERABLE, THEY ADMIT ON JOBS, ON TAXES AND OTHER POCKETBOOK ISSUES.

IF ONLY HE WERE RUNNING ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> IF YOU CAN CHANGE THE DYNAMIC, IF YOU CAN CHANGE THE TONE OF THE CONVERSATION AND WHAT THE TERMS ARE HERE FROM THE PANDEMIC TO TAXES, HE MIGHT HAVE MORE OF A SHOT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS IT IS OUT OF HIS CONTROL.

>> CHARLIE STYLE AGREES.

GUNS, IMMIGRATION OR EVEN COVID ARE NOT WINNING ISSUES FOR THE REPUBLICANS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> A PATHWAY TO TRACTION IS TO HAMMER HOME THE ISSUE OF TAXES RATHER THAN MAKE THIS A REFERENDUM ON MURPHY'S HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC >> CHRIS RUSSELL SAYS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE IN A BROADER CONTEXT.

STAY WITH HIM NOW.

>> IF YOU LOOK BACK AT 2009 AND 2010, AT THE TIME REPUBLICANS GOT A BUNCH OF RACES IN NEW JERSEY AND VIRGINIA.

IT WAS A PRECURSOR TO A CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF 2010, I THINK THAT SAME SCENARIO IS SETTING UP.

WE FEEL OUR JOB HERE IS TO CATCH THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WAVE AND WE FEEL GOOD AND WE THINK THAT IS WHERE THE ENERGY IS.

>> OF A CHALLENGE IS STILL 50% OF THE VOTERS DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS.

SO HE HAS TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF, HE HAS TO CAST HIMSELF AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MURPHY AT THE SAME TIME THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW WHO MURPHY IS AND IF HE HAS THE RESOURCES AND AN ADVANTAGE TO DEPICT HIM IN A MORE NEGATIVE LIGHT.

>> POLLS ARE OPEN TO INTERPRETATION, AND AS POLLSTERS ALWAYS SAY, THEY ARE JUST A SNAPSHOT IN TIME, BUT AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, SHOULD IT REALLY IS NOT YET MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION.

>> JOIN US TOMORROW AT NOON FOR THE SECOND IN OUR SERIES OF THE 2020 ELECTION CONVERSATIONS.

RENDA FLANAGAN AND LILO STAINTON NEED THE CONVERSATION ON COVID AND HEALTHCARE OR TO REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT, HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

THE FATE OF THE COUNTY JAIL IS HANGING IN THE BALANCE, A COMMITTEE PUT TOGETHER LAST MONTH IS ASSESSING WHETHER TO SHUT DOWN THE 60-YEAR-OLD PRISON WITH A TROUBLED PAST.

ITS CLOSURE WOULD JOIN THE LIST OF SEVERAL OTHER COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES WHO NOW SEND THEIR INMATES TO NEARBY JAILS.

MICHIGAN REPORTS IT IS A COMPLICATED SHUFFLE THAT ULTIMATELY GETS DECIDED BY ONE MAJOR FACTOR, MONEY.

>> PASSAIC COUNTY JAIL IS ONE OF THE OLDEST IN OPERATION IN NEW JERSEY.

AND HAS HAD ISSUES INCLUDING LAWSUITS HIGHLIGHTING UNSANITARY CONDITIONS.

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE JAIL'S POPULATION HAS PLUMMETED 50%.

LARGELY DUE TO A 2017 BILL REFORM BILL THAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM BEING LOCKED UP DUE TO A LACK OF MONEY.

600 PEOPLE ARE IN THE JAIL AS OF LAST MONTH, DOWN FROM 1200 AT ITS PEAK.

WITH A DWINDLING POPULATION AND A CONTROVERSIAL PATH, COUNTY LEADERS ARE DEBATING WHETHER TO REBUILD THE JAIL OR PAY INMATES TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

>> RUNNING A JAIL IS A HUGE EXPENSE.

>> PHILIP SAYS IT WILL COST ABOUT $150 MILLION A YEAR TO RUN THE COUNTY JAIL.

MONEY THAT COMES OUT OF THE COUNTY OPERATING BUDGET.

>> WE HAVE 700 EMPLOYEES HERE, OVER 600 OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONTRACT, FOOD CONTRACT, IT IS A BIG OPERATION THAT WE ARE OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR BECAUSE THEY ARE INMATES UNTIL THEY GET SENT TO THE STATES.

>> UNION COUNTY FACED A SIMILAR DECISION SEEING THE JAIL POPULATION DROP 67% OVER A DECADE FOR MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE TO 345 EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SO UNION COUNTY LEADERS DECIDED TO SEND THEIR INMATES TO ESSEX, A MOVE THAT COULD SAVE THE COUNTY $100 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS.

IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR BOTH PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> FOR ESSEX, WE BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO BRING IN ABOUT $55 MILLION OF REVENUE.

THEY PASS A DAILY AMOUNT PER INMATE.

TODAY THEIR POPULATION IS ABOUT 350 AND THOSE BETS WOULD BE EMPTY, BUT WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HEATING AND ALL THAT, SO THAT REVENUE SIZE.

>> ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS IS FIGURING OUT IF MERGING WITH ANOTHER COUNTY JAIL WILL COST PEOPLE JOBS.

SOMETHING THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID.

THE CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS AND NOBODY LOST THEIR JOB WHEN BEGINNING COUNTY JAIL MERGED.

>> EVERY OFFICER THAT WAS LAID OFF FROM UNION COUNTY WAS OFFERED A POSITION.

THE CRITICISM WE GET IS YOU ARE PROFITING FROM INCARCERATION.

WHETHER WE DID THIS OR NOT, THESE INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE IN A JAIL.

AFTER THIS, ALL THE OFFICERS JOBS ARE KEPT.

UNION AND EXIT COUNTY ARE SAVING DOLLARS FOR TAXPAYERS AND FACILITY WITH 1100 BEDS WILL BE CLOSING AND THAT IS LESS INCARCERATION.

>> YEARS AGO HE SAID THEY DID THE SAME CONSOLIDATION FOR THE YOUTH DETENTION SYSTEM.

HE SAID THEY HAVE THE SPACE IN THEIR BUILDING TO HOUSE PASSAIC COUNTY, HUDSON COUNTY AND UNION COUNTY IN JUVENILE DETAINEES.

>> AND SET OF OPERATING FOUR SEPARATE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, FOUR SEPARATE MEDICAL OPERATION, FOUR SEPARATE WARDENS, WE CONSOLIDATED UNDER ONE ROOF.

WE HAD THE SPACE.

THIS IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE.

>> THE ACLU'S DIRECTOR TOLD US IN A STATEMENT WITH THESE POPULATION REDUCTIONS COMES THE NEED FOR MORE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS, WHICH INCLUDE SHIFTING RESOURCES FROM JAILING PEOPLE TO PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES.

PHIL MURPHY ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE CONSOLIDATION THAT ON THE RIGHT WAY PROTECTING PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED AND THE STAFF THAT SERVE THEM.

>> THERE IS A POSITIVE REASON OF DOING IT.

IT CAN BE DONE SAFELY AND SMARTLY FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT, IT IS NOT TAKEN OUT ON THE BACKS OF PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES, WHICH OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE MERGERS.

THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING TO PURSUE, BUT I DON'T HAVE SPECIFICS.

>> THE SHERIFF CONCERNED THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE IS IN TALKS WITH PASSAIC COUNTY ON A POTENTIAL SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT.

NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.

OFFICIALS SAY THE BOARD IS CONFIDENT THAT THE JAIL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE WILL WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF TAXPAYERS, EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS.

>> THERE IS A NEW WEARING TONIGHT OVER NEW JERSEY'S LONG- TERM FISCAL PROBLEMS RHONDA HAS THE LATEST AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> MANAGING THROUGH A PANDEMIC THANKS TO BILLIONS IN FEDERAL AID, BUT THAT MONEY IS NOT ENOUGH TO SOLVE THE STATE'S LONG-TERM FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THAT IS ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM GARDEN STATE INITIATIVE, WHICH SAYS THE STATE SHOULD TAKE SEVERAL STEPS TO GET ON A FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE PATH.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE HOLDING THE LINE ON TAX INCREASES, REFORMING THE STATES PUBLIC PENSION AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, UPPING INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF SPENDING IN THE ANNUAL STATE BUDGET.

THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS ARE NOW RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW JERSEY'S HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES TAX BREAKS TO SENIORS AND OTHERS WHO QUALIFY, AND THIS YEAR THEY WILL BE RECEIVING HIGHER BENEFITS, ACCORDING TO A JOHN MAYER.

>> THE AVERAGE BENEFIT IS INCREASING BY ABOUT $130 OR MORE IN SOME CASES, SO THAT IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BUMP FOR A BENEFIT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY, PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOTORIOUSLY HIGH IN NEW JERSEY, A LOT OF PEOPLE RELY ON THIS TO OFFSET THEIR BILLS.

>> YOU CAN READ THE ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

NEW JERSEY HAS GIVEN AT THE FIRST AWARD UNDER THE STATES EMERGE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A NEW TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM CREATED AS PART OF THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2020.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AWARDED NEARLY $10 MILLION IN TAX CREDITS TO PARTY CITY, WHICH PLANS TO BRING MORE THAN 350 NEW JOBS TO THE STATE, ANOTHER 300+ JOBS WERE IN DANGER OF LEAVING NEW JERSEY.

INSTEAD PARTY CITY WILL USE ITS INCENTIVE TO CONSOLIDATE SEVERAL OFFICES INTO ONE LOCATION AT WOODCLIFF LAKE.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE TODAY HELD INTEREST RATE STUDIES WHILE SLIGHTLY LOWERING ITS U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST.

POLICYMAKERS ALSO INDICATED THEY WILL START PULLING BACK ON SOME OF THE PANDEMIC RELATED STIMULUS THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMY.

A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET RESPONDED.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY MONTHLY MAGAZINE, COVERING ALL OF NEW JERSEY, WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO AND SO MUCH MORE ON LOCAL NEWS STANDS AND ONLINE@NJMONTHLY.COM.

>> IN THE MIDST OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, THE IMPORTANCE OF STABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR, AND THIS YEAR'S ANNUAL COUNT OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IS POINTING OUT A TROUBLING TREND, THE GROWING RACIAL DIVIDE FOR THOSE WITHOUT A PERMANENT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

OUT OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, SURVEYORS REPORTED AS BEING IN HOUSTON LATE JANUARY, HALF IDENTIFIED AS BLACK.

A DISPARITY MADE WORSE BY COVETED AND NOW THE AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL STORM IDA.

MELISSA COOPER REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES, AND TO BE ABLE TO REACH PEOPLE THAT ARE AN SHELTERED.

THAT IS REALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION, THOSE WHO ARE AN SHELTERED.>> DONNA WAS THE VICE PRESIDENT AND EVEN VILLAGE.

>> IF YOU CAN'T SEE THEM, THEN YOU CAN'T COUNT THEM.

>> FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN PROVIDING VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER, ADDICTION, POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS.

AS THE PANDEMIC GOES ON, SHE SAID SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE.

>> SHELTERS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE HAD TO DOWNSIZE BECAUSE OF CONGREGATE LIVING, AND THE RESTRICTIONS PUT ON THAT TO KEEP THE SPREAD OF COVID, AND THAT WAS THE CASE HERE IN PATTERSON AS WELL AS WELL AS WITH EASEMENTS VILLAGE, SO WE HAVE NOT FULLY OPENED BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING THE DELTA VARIANT COMING INTO THE SHELTERS, SO EVERY TIME THAT HAPPENS, WE HAVE TO STAY OUR ADMISSIONS.

THIS HURTS THE SYSTEM.

>> A HUGE SETBACK FOR NEW JERSEY AS A NEW POINT IN TIME COUNT REPORT FROM THE HOUSING ASSOCIATES FIND HOMELESSNESS IN THE STATE IS STILL A BIG PROBLEM, MADE WORSE AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

DATA FROM JANUARY 26 SHOWS ABOUT 8100 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN 6200 HOUSEHOLDS SPENT THE NIGHT HOMELESS, AND WHILE ROUGHLY 7200 WERE IN SHELTERED FACILITIES LIKE AN EMERGENCY SHELTER OR A HOTEL, OVER 800 PEOPLE HAD NOWHERE TO GO.

>> THEY WERE ON THE STREETS IN THE WOODS, IN ABANDON BUILDINGS ACROSS THE STATE.

IT IS A DIFFICULT THING FOR THE SYSTEM TO MANAGE WHEN YOU HAVE GOT 600 HOUSEHOLDS AND HAVE TO BE RE-HOUSED AND ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

OUR CURRENT SYSTEM IS NOT REALLY EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THAT EFFECTIVELY, AND THEN YOU ADD ON TOP OF THAT IS THAT THE FLOODING WE DID LOSE SOME COMMUNITIES DID LOSE THE HOTELS THAT THEY TYPICALLY WOULD HAVE USED FOR DISASTER RESPONSE, SO IT HAS STEADILY PUT SOME STRAIN ON THE SYSTEM IN SPECIFIC AREAS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IS ACTUALLY BELIEVED TO BE HIGHER.

SINCE COVERED SAFETY PROTOCOLS PREVENTED HOUSING ASSOCIATES FROM GATHERING DATA LIKE IT NORMALLY DOES FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT.

NOW, PEOPLE ACROSS NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY TROPICAL STORM IDA, OVERWHELMING SOME SHELTERS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

>> THERE ARE HOTELS THAT WE ARE CONTRACTED WITH, CERTAINLY DURING COVID WE DID A LOT OF ON- SITE POINTING, AND WITH IDA ALSO, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE WORKING ON PLACING THOSE FOLKS IN HOTELS.

>> THEY PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE FOR UP TO 120 DAYS, BUT OFTEN TIMES, SO MANY PEOPLE NEED MORE TO HELP GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> THERE IS A CERTAIN POPULATION WHERE THERE REALLY IS NO SUPPORT UNLESS A FAMILY MEMBER EMERGES AND IS ABLE TO TAKE THEM INTO THEIR CARE, SO WE DO HAVE THOSE CASES.

BUT IN MOST INSTANCES, WE CAN HELP YOU GET TO A CERTAIN POINT.

IT MAY JUST TAKE A LITTLE LONGER FOR SOME OTHERS.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT MAY TAKE MORE TIME, ADVOCATES SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR MORE SOLUTIONS TO CURB HOMELESSNESS AND GET MORE PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT AND STABLE HOUSING.

>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW, BUT JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 FOUR CHAT BOX WITH DAVID KRUSE AND A LOOK AT THE STATUS OF LATINO NEW JERSEY WITH BOB MENENDEZ FROM POLITICS AND IMMIGRATION REFORM TO THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION FROM WHEREVER YOU STREAM THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE WITH YOU TOMORROW.

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