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

RJ W BARNABAS HEALTH.

AND THE PROJECT BY ORSTED.

AND PSEG FOUNDATION.

COMMITTED TO A PLAN TO REACH 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050.

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

>>> MORE THAN A MILLION STATE RESIDENTS COULD NOW BE ELIGIBLE FOR BOOSTER SHOTS OF THE PFIZER BIONTECH CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

IN A RARE MOVE OVERNIGHT, ROCHELLE WALENSKY OVERWORLD HER AGENCY'S ADVISORY PANEL, ADDING PEOPLE WHOSE JOBS PUT THEM AT HIGHER RISK WILL QUALIFY.

IT ALSO INCLUDES ADULTS WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

THE DECISION FOLLOWS A SIMILAR RECOMMENDATION THIS WEEK FROM THE FDA AND WEEKS OF INTENSE DEBATE AS PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS SCRAMBLE FOR NEW WAYS TO BEAT BACK THIS LATEST WAVE OF THE VIRUS.

MORE THAN 5.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED, AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS TELLING VACCINE PARTNERS THEY CAN BEGIN GETTING THIRD DOSES IN ARMS IMMEDIATELY.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED WITH THE PFIZER VACCINE ARE NOW ABLE TO RECEIVE THE BOOSTER SHOTS SIX MONTHS AFTER THEY HAVE RECEIVED THEIR SECOND SHOT.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN THIS MORNING URGED NEWLY ELIGIBLE AMERICANS TO GO GET THERE COVID BOOSTERS, BUT MANY DIDN'T NEED THAT WAS, ESPECIALLY AFTER CDC OFFICIALS GAVE BOOSTERS THE OFFICIAL THUMBS-UP TODAY.

A STEADY STREAM OF FOLKS STREAMED INTO AN ESSEX COUNTY SITES BILLING COMPETENT.

>> GOOD.

VERY GOOD.

>> WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW OTHER THAN GET THE VACCINE?

GET THIS THING OVER WITH AND GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: THE CDC APPROVED BOOSTERS FOR ADULTS AGE 65 AND OLDER AND RESIDENTS OF LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES.

18 TO 64-YEAR-OLDS WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, AND WORKERS AT INCREASED RISK OF EXPOSURE TO COVID, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND TEACHERS.

IN A SPLIT VOTE YESTERDAY, THE CDC ADVISORY PANEL INITIALLY EXCLUDED WORKERS, ARE GOING BENEFITS DIDN'T OUTWEIGH RISKS.

BUT THE CDC'S DIRECTOR DISAGREED.

>> IT'S MY JOB TO RECOGNIZE WHERE ACTIONS CAN HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT.

IN A PANDEMIC, WE MOST OFTEN TAKE STEPS WITH THE INTENTION TO DO THE GREATEST GOOD, EVEN IN AN UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT.

THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING WITH THESE ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> Reporter: IS THE MUSIC DIRECTOR'S UNUSUAL DECISION TO OVERRIDE HER OWN ADVISORY PANEL AND INCLUDE AT RISK FRONT LINE WORKERS LEAVES A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THE QUESTION IS, WHO SPECIFICALLY IS IN THAT CATEGORY?

>> IT COULD BE RESTAURANT, GROCERY STORE.

THAT IS THE CLEAR VACATION WE NEED.

WE DON'T WANT TO SAY NO TO SOMEONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE.

>> I THINK HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE FOLKS IN THE COUNTRY, AT RISK OF GETTING THE DISEASE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THEY ARE AT RISK OF SPREADING THE DISEASE TO PATIENTS UNWITTINGLY.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL'S DOCTORS WILL REACH OUT TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION, BOOSTING MEDICAL STAFF AND VULNERABLE GROUPS COULD PROTECT HOSPITALS.

>> DURING WHAT COULD BE A SURGE IN THE FALL AND WINTER, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HOSPITALS DON'T GET FULL.

IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION AROUND THIS COUNTRY WHERE WE ARE ALREADY SEEING HOSPITALS OVER FULL, PEOPLE BEING TURNED AWAY.

>> Reporter: ABOUT A THIRD OF THE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS NEWLY ACCENTED WITH PFIZER ARE IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE AND MARBLE FACE IN AFTER THEY HIT THE SIX MONTH MARK AFTER THEIR FIRST SHOT.

THERE WILL BE THREE VACCINE MEGA SITE AND THE CALL CENTER TO MAKE APPOINTMENT.

ADVOCATE FOR OLDER CITIZENS EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN, ESPECIALLY ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS.

>> IN MID-JULY, WE HAD UNDER 20 FACILITIES WITH INFECTIOUS.

TODAY, WE HAVE OVER 150.

THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AMONG RESIDENTS AND STAFF CONTINUE TO RISE.

>> Reporter: THE AARP IS CALLING FOR ALL LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS, STAFF, AND VISITORS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTERS WITH NO TESTING OPT OUT.

THERE WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED OUTREACH TO BOOSTER SHOTS.

>> WE HAVE THREE SITES OPEN.

WE OPENED SEARS TWO WEEKS AGO.

WE ARE READY.

>> WE WANT TO GET THOSE BOOSTERS, TOO.

WE ARE CHOMPING AT THE PROVERBIAL BID.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS WILL LOOK FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE, ALTHOUGH NOBODY ASKED PEOPLE SEEKING BOOSTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

ALSO TALKS ABOUT MODERNITY OR J AND J VACCINES, BOOSTER UPDATES WILL BE IN COMING WEEKS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>>> ALONG WITH ALL YOUR NECESSARY PAPERWORK, PATIENTS IS WHAT MOTOR VEHICLE VEHICLES ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO HAVE ON HAND.

TEAMS AND OTHER WOULD-BE DRIVERS ARE FINDING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE LICENSE.

NOT A SINGLE TIME SLOT AVAILABLE STATEWIDE, PROBLEM THE AGENCY SAYS IS BEING CAUSED BY UNUSUALLY HIGH DEMAND, COUPLED WITH HEALTH AND STAFFING SHORTAGES RELATED TO THE 19.

IT'S JUST THE LATEST IN A STRING OF CRUSTACEANS FOR THE NBC SINCE THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: WITH OPEN APPOINTMENTS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, THE MVC HAS TWO MOBILE UNITS THAT THRIVE ACROSS THE STATE TO SUPPLEMENT SERVICES.

ROBERTO SAID SHE WAS THRILLED TO LEARN IT WAS COMING TO SCOTCH PLAINS BECAUSE SHE NEEDS TO RENEW HER LICENSE AND WANTS A REAL IDEA, WHICH YOU CAN'T GET ONLINE.

>> I THOUGHT THIS WOULD SOLVE ALL MY PROBLEM BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE IN THE.

I JUST HOPE THEY SHOW WHAT.

>> Reporter: CONFUSION STARTED TO SWIRL WITH THE MOBILE UNIT HADN'T ARRIVED AT 10:00 HIM, THE TIME IT WAS SUPPOSED TO OPEN.

>> THAT IS WHY I CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO CALL.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY DIDN'T POSTPONE IT.

THEY DID ORIGINALLY POSTPONE THIS.

>> Reporter: THEY GOT STARTED ABOUT 25 MINUTES OFF SCHEDULE BECAUSE THEY HAD TROUBLES WITH NETWORK CONDUCTIVITY.

SHE IS HERE WITH HER 20-YEAR- OLD SON BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET HIS PERMIT FOR A YEAR.

HER APARTMENT IN 2020 GOT CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEN HE CANCELED FOR MEDICAL REASONS.

NOW THEY CAN'T FIND AN APPOINTMENT ANYWHERE.

WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT THIS POP UP, SHE FIGURED THEY WOULD TRY BEFORE HEADING TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT.

HER SON WAS BORN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND HAD SURGERY LAST WEEK.

>> SHE IS VERY EMOTIONAL.

SOMETHING TO PUT ME OVER THE EDGE.

>> Reporter: ALMOST 80% OF TRANSACTIONS CAN BE DONE ONLINE.

A SPOKESPERSON TOLD IS IN A STATEMENT, THE DEMAND FOR PERMITS AND WRITTEN KNOWLEDGE TEST FOR DRIVERS IS HIGH RIGHT NOW.

SOME OF THE FACTORS IMPACTING DEMAND OR COVID-19 STAFFING CHALLENGES, MORE STUDENTS SEEKING PERMITS, AND TESTS AT AGENCIES IS SET UP AT SCHOOL.

THIS RESIDENT THAT SHE CAN ONLY FIND TWO APPOINTMENT SLOTS FOR HERSELF AND HER HUSBAND, A LONG DRY.

>> WE FINALLY FOUND APPOINTMENTS FOR THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER.

>> Reporter: THE NEWLYWED HAD TO UPDATE HER REGISTRATION AND LICENSE BECAUSE SHE CHANGED HER LAST NAME.

SHE HAD TO GO TO THE DMV AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.

>> I SHOWED UP AT THE WAYNE DMV AT 8:00 A.M.

I WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING IN MY REGISTRATION THE SAME DAY AT THE SAME APPOINTMENT.

THEY DON'T DO IT THERE.

THOSE WERE APPOINTMENT ONLY.

I HAD TO BOOK A SEPARATE APARTMENT TWO AND HALF WEEKS LATER IN ORDER FOR ALL OF MY PAPERWORK TO MATCH.

>> Reporter: MOBILE UNITS DON'T HAVE IT CAPABILITY TO DO KNOWLEDGE TEST.

THEY WERE ABLE TO PROCESS HIS PERMIT.

>> WE ARE ALWAYS ADDING APPOINTMENT, THOUGH WE ARE CURRENTLY IN A CRUNCH FOR FIRST PERMIT APPOINTMENTS AND KNOWLEDGE TESTS.

WE ARE PILOTING A NEW PROGRAM OF OFF- SITE TESTING ON SATURDAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, USING WHATEVER MOBILE UNITS FOR SUPPORT.

IF SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADD HUNDREDS OF TEST APPOINTMENTS OVER THE NEXT MONTHS.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THEY ARE HOPEFUL THE NEW PILOT PROGRAM, MORE APPOINTMENTS FOR NEW DRIVERS, AND ENHANCING STAFFING WILL HELP TO SMOOTH OUT THE APPOINTMENT TRAFFIC.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS", I AM LEAH MICHIGAN.

>>> THE FLOODWATERS FOR TROPICAL STORM SEITA HAVE SUBSIDED.

THE DEVASTATION TO INFRASTRUCTURE WILL LIKELY TAKE YEARS.

IT'S CONSIDERED THE SECOND DEADLY STORM IN STATE HISTORY.

IN A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY, REPRESENTATIVES OF FEMA, AND OTHER LEADERS SHARE MORE INFORMATION ON RECOVERY AND RESOURCES.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, FEMA RECEIVED MORE THAN 52,000 APPLICATIONS FROM NEW JERSEY FOR HELP AND HAS GIVEN OUT OVER $35 MILLION IN RELIEF MONEY.

DISASTER DELIVERY CENTERS ARE NOW UP AND RUNNING IN CALDWELL COUNTY'S ON MAJOR DISASTER THE QUESTION LIST, ALL EXCEPT WARREN COUNTY.

FEMA AGENTS REMINDED RESIDENTS, THE 80s TO HELP WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS LIKE REPAIRS OR PLACES TO STAY.

IT IS NOT GOING TO REPLACE EVERYTHING YOU LOST IN THE STORM PICK A VIRTUAL MEETING COMES AFTER ANOTHER NIGHT OF HEAVY RAIN.

SOME POUNDS --THE HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SAYS THE AGENCY IS FOCUSING ON MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE COMMISSIONER JOINS ME NOW.

I WANT TO START WITH THE FACT THAT YOU WERE A PART OF THIS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL EARLIER TODAY WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY, LOOKING AT THE EFFECTS OF IDA, BUT LARGELY CLIMATE CHANGE.

JUST TELL ME QUICKLY, NUMBER ONE, WHAT THE DEP IS LOOKING AT NOW AS FAR AS MITIGATING THE EFFECTS.

>> NEW JERSEY IS GROUND ZERO FOR SOME OF THE WORST IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, FROM THE RISING SEA LEVEL TO FLOODING LIKE WE SAW IN IDA.

THERE ARE TWO THINGS HIGH ON OUR AGENDA.

NUMBER ONE, HOW WE PLAN A MORE RESILIENT NEW JERSEY.

NUMBER TWO, HOW WE UTILIZE THE REGULATORY SCHEME OF THE DEP TO HELP FURTHER THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC BY BUILDING TODAY BUT WILL TEND THE TEST OF TIME.

>> Reporter: THE DEP HAD GIVEN ME THIS APOLOGIES A TOOLKIT TO LOOK AT HOW THEY USE LAND-USE RELATIONS, STORMWATER RUNOFF.

COMBINING ALL OF THOSE ITEMS, IS THIS A TALL ORDER FOR TOWNS TO TAKE ON TO ESSENTIALLY BATTLE CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> IT'S A TALL ORDER FOR ALL OF US, BUT IT'S WORK WE CAN ONLY DO TOGETHER THROUGH SOUND PLANNING, THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STORM WATER UTILITIES THAT WILL HELP US TO BETTER MANAGE THE INFLUX OF RAIN THAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY.

THAT IS ONLY GOING TO GET MORE SEVERE.

NOT JUST PLANNING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF UPDATING OUR LAND-USE ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS, BUT ENSURING THAT WE ARE HAVING THE HARD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC IN THE BUILDING COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MOVING TO A MORE FLOOD-RESILIENT FUTURE.

>> Reporter: IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, THIS MEANS LOOKING AT DEVELOPMENT, WHERE IT IS HAPPENING, IF WE WERE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE WORTH STORMWATER RUNOFF AND FLOODING?

>> THERE IS NOT ONE SILVER BULLET THAT IS GOING TO PROTECT US AND OUR COMMUNITIES FROM THE RAVAGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THERE IS NO ONE MONSTER FLOOD RESILIENT PROJECT, NO SYSTEM OF FLOOD WALLS AND LEVEES THAT WILL DO THE TRICK.

IT'S A NETWORK OF SOLUTIONS.

>> Reporter: FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT, COMMISSIONER, ARTOWN'S MOVING FAST ENOUGH ON THESE EFFORTS?

AND AT WHAT POINT WILL BE STATE STEP IN?

>> WE ARE STEPPING IN ALREADY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AT THE BEGINNING OF 2020 ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT DIRECTED THE DEP TO INSTITUTE WHAT'S CALLED THE NEW JERSEY PROTECTING AGAINST CLIMATE THREATS REGULATORY REFORMS.

PART OF THAT IS A GROUP OF CHANGES WE CALL RESILIENT AND --REAL BECAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

THAT WILL CHANGE FLOOD STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT.

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAY RIGHT NOW THAT THE AGENCY IS GOING TO BE WORKING ON IS WHAT?

>> HELPING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR RESIDENTS ARE PROTECTED BY BUILDING NOW BUT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME, AND THAT MEANS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

MANY AREAS WE BUY OUT DURING THE BLUE ACRES PROGRAM.

THERE MAY BE NEW DEVELOPMENTS THAT DON'T HAVE GROUND FOR RESIDENTIAL BUT HAVE OTHER GROUND FOR PARKING OR ANCILLARY USES.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, ENGINEERED GREEN SPACES THAT WILL HOLD WINTER BACK.

THE WATER NEEDS OR PLACES TO GO.

>> Reporter: THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>>> THE DESTRUCTION FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA ALSO REVEALED ANOTHER CRISIS IN THE STATE, THE SEVERE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE STRUGGLE FAMILIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE ARE NOW FACING, LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE TO LIVE, EVEN TEMPORARILY.

THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR YEARS.

HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY IT WAS MADE WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND IN THE THE AFTERMATH OF IDA, THE SITUATION IS GROWING DIRE.

>> FIRST YOU HEARD THE WATER COMING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: TAYLOR, REMEMBERING THE NIGHT SHE AND HER YOUNG DAUGHTER WERE TRAPPED IN THEIR TOWNHOUSE AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA FLOODED THE CITY.

>> AS YOU WALK IN THE DOOR, THERE ARE STAIRS TO GET TO THE SECOND LEVEL, BUT THAT DOOR WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH WATER UP TO THE FIFTH STEP.

>> Reporter: FOUR PEOPLE DIED IN THE COMPLEX, INCLUDING A FAMILY OF THREE.

SHE SAYS EMERGENCY CREWS HELPED GET HER OUT.

EVERYONE WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO EVACUATE.

>> THEY GAVE US BASICALLY 30 MINUTES TO GET ALL OF OUR STUFF TOGETHER, WHICH IS QUITE IMPOSSIBLE WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY DISTRESSED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN THREE WEEKS, AND NOW TAYLOR, ALONG WITH ABOUT 600 OTHER TENANTS OF THE COMPLEX, OR OUT OF THEIR HOMES WITH NO WORD ON WHEN OR IF THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN.

>> BETWEEN FEMA AND OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY, PEOPLE ARE BEING PLACED IN HOTELS.

THAT IS ACTUALLY A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE HOTELS ARE ALL FILLED UP.

>> Reporter: IT IS A PROBLEM ADVOCATES SAY IS GETTING HARDER TO SOLVE.

>> AT LEAST A FEW YEARS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE SEVERE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOMS OVER ALL OF US.

THE ONLY REASON THAT WE EVEN HAD ANY HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE IN SHELTER PROGRAMS, AND THIS IS GOING TO SOUND TERRIBLE, IS BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE WERE EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES.

WITH THE EVICTION MORATORIUM, ALL THAT STOPPED.

IT REALLY HIGHLIGHTED AND SHOWCASED HAVE A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING -- >> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A REPORT, A SHORTAGE OF OVER 205,000 RENTAL HOMES AVAILABLE FOR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN THE STATE.

A FAMILY OF FOUR WOULD NEED TO BRING IN ABOUT $66,000 A YEAR TO AFFORD A TWO-BEDROOM RENTAL AT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE RATE.

ABOUT 71% OF LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAKE ABOUT $32,000 A YEAR MAX.

>> THAT IS A DISPLACEMENT OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IS A SET, THEY ARE BEING THROWN INTO THE SPOOL THAT IS DRIED UP.

THERE IS NO WATER IN THE HOUSING POOL.

>> Reporter: WHEN DISASTERS LIKE TROPICAL STORM IDA ADD TO THE CHAOS, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE NEW JERSEY VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR LONG-TERM RETURN MARIE.

>> DUMPING EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNTS OF WATER AND REALLY REVEALING THE HOLES IN THE FOR STRUCTURE.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT AS WE RECOVER THESE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, THAT WE TRY TO LEAVE THEM BETTER.

>> Reporter: AT THE TABLE, SHE IS LIVING IN A HOTEL THAT SHE IS PAYING OUT OF HER OWN POCKET BECAUSE SHE IS NOT RECEIVED ANY ASSISTANCE YET.

SHE REACHED OUT TO FEMA AND WAS TOLD THEY NEED TO COME OUT AND INVESTIGATE, BUT SHE SAYS NO ONE IS BEING ALLOWED BACK IN THE COMPLEX.

>> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE RELOCATING US, IF THEY ARE RELOCATING US.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING SO I KNOW HOW TO MOVE?

IF THEY ARE NOT LETTING US BACK IN, THEN LET ME KNOW SO I CAN, THEREFORE, LOOK FOR ANOTHER HOME FOR US, ANOTHER PLACE FOR US TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE EFFECTS OF IDA HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING, ADVOCATES HOPE IT IS A WAKE-UP CALL TO FINALLY CREATE MUCH-NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS", I AM ALYSSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> WE THE DATA TONIGHT EXPECTED TO PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN REDRAWING OF LEGISLATION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ADJUSTED NUMBERS ON THOUSANDS OF INMATES COUNTED IN THE 2020 CENSUS TO REFLECT THE END OF SO- CALLED PRISON GERRYMANDERING SO THAT 38,000 INMATES IN THE STATE WILL NOW BE COUNTED AS RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY ARE FROM RATHER THAN WHERE THEY ARE INCARCERATED.

FOUR COUNTIES WILL LOSE RESIDENTS, CUMBERLAND, BURLINGTON, MERCER.

THE BIGGEST LOSS IN CUMBERLAND, MORE THAN 7000 RESIDENTS WHEN I'LL BE COUNTED ELSEWHERE.

MAN BALL, CAMDEN, UNION, AND HUDSON COUNTY IS LOCATED ABOUT 1000 RESIDENTS EACH.

THE PRACTICE OF COUNTING INMATES WHERE THEY ARE JAILED HAS MEANT DISTRICTS WITH LARGE PRISONS GOT A BOOST IN POPULATION.

THAT IS USED TO DETERMINE CONGRESSIONAL AND OTHER POLITICAL REPRESENTATION.

>>> FOR JERSEY COMMUTERS, A CHANCE TO SOUND OFF ON THE MTA HOUSING PLAN.

>> SOME HEATING, THAT TODAY'S MTA HEARING ON CONGESTION PRICING.

SOME SPOKEN FAVOR TO RAISE TOLLS TO FUND IMPROVEMENTS.

OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM NEW JERSEY, WERE FLAT OUT OPPOSED.

ALONG THOSE TESTIFYING, NEW JERSEY, AS MEN JOSH GOTTHEIMER.

>> UNLIKE THE SHARED PORT AUTHORITY RESOURCES, EVERY NICKEL OF THIS NEW CONGESTION TAX GOES SOLELY TO THE MTA.

NOT A CENT WILL BE SHARED WITH NEW JERSEY TRANSIT TO HELP NEW JERSEY.

>> THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS DISHONEST.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, YOU NEED $15 MILLION TO FIX HER STUFF BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T MAINTAINED IT.

I KNOW YOU WANT NEW JERSEYANS TO PAY IT IN THE COST OF THEIR COMMUTE.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY COSTS WOULD INCREASE TO $31 A DAY.

>>> NEW JERSEY HOMES WERE SELLING FAST AND FURIOUS, BUT SALES DROPPED IN AUGUST.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS SAY SALES OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THAT CLOSED LAST MONTH WERE DOWN MORE THAN 10% WHEN COMPARED TO AUGUST 2020, DESPITE THAT MONTHLY DECLINE, SALES FOR THE YEAR ARE STILL UP MORE THAN 13%.

HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE ACROSS ALL TYPES OF HOUSING.

FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR THE MONTH ROSE TO $461,000, A NEARLY 13% INCREASE.

>>> MEMBER DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN RETAILERS ARE PUTTING LIMITS ON PURCHASES OF TOILET PAPER, CLEANING SUPPLIES, AND OTHER ITEMS?

IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AT COSCO, BUT THIS TIME IT IS A SUPPLY- CHAIN PROBLEM.

EVERYTHING FROM SHIPPING DELAYS TO A SHORTAGE OF TRUCK DRIVERS.

COSCO SAYS THERE IS PLENTY OF MERCHANDISE.

IT'S JUST HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE MERCHANDISE INTO ITS STORES.

>>> A VOLATILE WEEK ON WALL STREET.

HERE IS HOW THINGS TOPPED OUT.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEK AS SHE TAKES A LOOK AT RACKET RAPID WINTERHOUSE EXPANSION.

SOME TOWNS ARE WELCOMING THE DEVELOPMENT, WHILE OTHERS ARE OPPOSING IT UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 AM.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE LATE THURSDAY BEGIN TELLING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO PREPARE FOR THE FIRST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

IT IS A STANDARD PRACTICE TO GIVE A WARNING.

THE RISK OF IT BECOMING A REALITY ISN'T THAT FAR-FETCHED AS CONGRESSIONAL LAWMAKERS REMAIN LOCKED ON A NEW APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH A SEPTEMBER 30th DEADLINE LOOMING.

PRESIDENT BIDEN THIS WEEK IN PERSONAL MEETINGS WITH NUMBERS OF CONGRESS, WAITING ON STANDBY IN WASHINGTON, AT THE READY FOR A VOTE.

MICHAEL ARON SPOKE ONE-ON-ONE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN.

>> Reporter: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE PROGRESSIVES AND THE MODERATE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEEM COMPLETELY STALLED OVER THESE TWO MASSIVE SPENDING BILLS.

$1.2 TRILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

$3.5 TRILLION OVER 10 YEARS FOR A SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAM AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?

>> HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS.

MODERATES AND PROGRESSIVES AND THOSE IN BETWEEN IN THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY SUPPORT EVERY ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF BOTH OF THESE BILLS.

THERE MAY BE SOME COOLING ABOUT A PRICE TAG, BUT THERE IS NO QUIBBLING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THESE ISSUES ARE AND HOW MOMENTOUS THIS OCCASION IS, MICHAEL, THAT CAN BE SO TRANSFORMATIVE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS IN THE BIG BILL?

WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FOR NEW JERSEY?

WHAT IS IN THERE?

>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE HE WAS A CONTROVERSIAL.

BUT EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THE BILL, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS EXTENDING HEALTHCARE FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILD CARE FOR MOTHERS AND EVEN FATHERS WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY, EXTENDING THE TAX CREDIT, BUILDING HOUSING, BUILDING SCHOOLS, MODERNIZING THE GRID, ALL THAT STUFF.

I THINK ALL OF THAT IS GOOD STUFF FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: WHY ARE THE MODERATES SLOW TO SUPPORT THAT?

>> I THINK THE MODERATES MAY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PRICE TAG.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A PROBLEM -- THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEMENTS BECAUSE THE ELEMENTS OF THIS BILL ARE NOT ASPIRATIONAL.

THEY ARE NECESSARY, MICHAEL.

I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO WORK OUT OUR ISSUES, OUR PRIORITIES, WE WILL GET THERE.

>> Reporter: HOUSTON?

>> WE HAVE TO GET THERE?

>> Reporter: HOW SOON?

>> WE ARE HERE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

WE ARE HERE READY TO ME.

WE WILL BE WORKING ON THIS NEXT WEEK AS WELL.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PUT OFF IN THE LONG TERM.

THE DEAL HAS BEEN THAT WE WOULD PASS BOTH OF THESE BILLS.

WE HAVE OPERATED IN THAT VENUE.

WE ARE STRONGLY SUPPORTING OUR SPEAKER, WHO CONTINUES TO ESPOUSE THIS DUAL TRACK.

WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

BACK THAT NUMBER, THREE POINT TRY BILLION, SEEMS TO SPIT PEOPLE.

>> THAT MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM PAYING FOR EACH ONE OF THESE ELEMENTS.

WE WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS FAIRNESS AND THERE IS STABILITY AND THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

THIS BILL IS NECESSARY FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE, FOR THE ECONOMY, FOR THE FUTURE, FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTERS' FUTURE, AND FOR WORKING FAMILIES EVERYWHERE.

AND SO LET US BE SERIOUS ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF BOTH OF THESE BILLS THAT ARE VERY POPULAR WITH THE CITIZENS, WITH THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE NOT TRY JOIN US FOR REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CREW SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJ PBS ALONG WITH THE NEW SEASON OF CHAT BOX SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 AM.

DAVID TALKED TO MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLSTER ABOUT THE GUBERNATORIAL NUMBERS IT LOOKS AT THE STATE OF LATINO NEW JERSEY WITH SENATOR BARBARA MENDEZ.

FOR NOW, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> NJM INSURANCE, 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 FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.