>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY, AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>> AND TOGETHER WE WILL SEEK A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY OFFICIALLY STARTS HIS SECOND TERM LEADING NEW JERSEY, PROMISING AN INNOVATION-DRIVEN ECONOMY.

PLUS NEW JERSEY MANDATES VACCINES FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS WITH NO TESTING OPTION.

WHY OPPONENTS SAY THIS MANDATE WILL WORSEN THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

AND, WE PUT NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IN FOCUS, HIGHLIGHTING VITAL PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR TRAIN AND CAR RIDES AND THE CHALLENGES FACING THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

THAT'S STRAIGHT AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" 6.

♪ >> THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT," WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>> HELLO, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODES AND CLIPS.

>>> WITH A PROMISE TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE NEW JERSEY STRONGER AND FAIRER, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WAS SWORN IN THIS WEEK FOR HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE AT A SCALED DOWN INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT THE TRENTON WAR MEMORIAL.

MURPHY PLEDGED TO WORK THE STATE'S SKY HIGH PROPERTY TAXES AND SHARE HIS VISION HOW NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY WILL GROW AND CHANGE.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE GROWING THE INNOVATION ECONOMY THAT WILL POWER OUR FUTURE AND MAKE US A MODEL FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD.

BUSINESSES IN THE CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY THAT WILL LITERALLY FUEL THIS REVOLUTION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

MOST NOTABLY OFF SHORE WIND.

BUSINESSES IN LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICINE THAT WILL FIND THE TREATMENTS AND CURES FOR DISEASES AND CONDITIONS ONCE THOU THOUGHT UNCOMPARABLE.

TELEVISION AND FILM PRODUCTION, BECAUSE NEW JERSEY IS READY FOR ITS CLOSEUP.

BUSINESSES IN THE CUTTING EDGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE OUR GRASP OF THE POSSIBLE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS ALSO INCLUDED A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE MORE THAN 30,000 NEW JERSEYANS WHO DIED FROM COVID-19.

AND ONCE INAUGURATION DAY WAS OVER THE PANDEMIC WAS FRONT AND CENTER FOR THE GOVERNOR, WHO THIS WEEK SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS FOR ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS, SAYING THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE AN OPTION FOR WEEKLY TESTING.

THE ORDER ALSO COVERS WORKERS IN HIGH-RISK CONGREGATE SETTINGS SUCH AS LONG-TERM CARE AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

MURPHY NOTED THE TEST OUT OPTION IS ALREADY COMING TO AN END FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

AS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S VACCINE MANDATE FOR THOSE WORKING IN HEALTHCARE.

THE GOVERNOR'S ACTION DREW A QUICK RESPONSE FROM REPUBLICAN SENATOR DECLAN O'SCANLON WHO WARNED THE MOVE COULD BACKFIRE.

O'SCANLON SAID THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAVE A NET NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN MANY FACILITIES ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH STAFF SHORTAGES.

ESPECIALLY NOW THAT OUR CASE AND HOSPITAL ADMISSION RATES ARE PLUMMETING.

WHEN IT COMES TO ADDING JOBS AND GROWING NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY, THE STATE GETS AN ASSIST FROM SHOES NEW JERSEY, THE NON PROFIT ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT, COMPANIES AND JOBS TO THE STATE.

WESLEY MATTHEWS WILL TAKE OVER AS PRESIDENT AND CEO IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, REPLACING JOSE LEZANO.

I SPOKE TO MATTHEWS, A FOREIGN SERVICE DIPLOMAT ABOUT WHY HE BELIEVES HIS BACKGROUND WILL BE AN ASSET, AS HE SEEKS TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES TO NEW JERSEY.

>> WESLEY, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW JOB AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR SPENDING SOIM TIME WITH ME.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE GOALS YOU HAVE FOR CHOOSE NJ.

AND IF THE ORGANIZATION' STRATEGY IS GOING TO SHIFT AT ALL UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> IN TERMS OF OUR STRATEGY, IT IS NOT GOING TO SHIFT DRAMATICALLY.

HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO DOUBLE DOWN ON INITIATIVES THAT WORKED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SUCH AS OUR FOCUS ON SPECIFIC INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, WHERE MARKET INTELLIGENCE AND TRADE DATA HAVE SHOWN THE POTENTIAL FOR THE LARGEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

I BELIEVE WITH MY BACKGROUND, AS AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT AND IN FOREIGN ECONOMIC POLICY, I'M HOPING TO LEVERAGE THAT, AS WELL AS CHOOSE EXISTING INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT TO POSITION NEW JERSEY AS A TOP CONTENDER FOR GLOBAL INVESTMENT.

>> IN THE PAST, CHOOSE NJ HAS BORN RELATIONSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES LIKES INDIA AND ISRAEL.

DO YOU SEE THOSE KIND OF PARTNERSHIPS EXPANDING TO OTHER NATIONS?

>> I THINK IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE IN THE SHORT-TERM TO FOCUS ON WHERE WE HAVE LAID OUR INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT AND REACH.

THOSE MARKETS IT TOOK A LOT OF TIME TO DEVELOP.

WHEN I LED THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE AT THE EDA, I WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH JOSE AND THE TEAM ON IDENTIFYING THOSE MARKETS AND CULTIVATING THEM.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES.

INDIA, FOR EXAMPLE, AS THE HUGE MARKET.

WE'VE PLANTED THE FLAG THERE A FEW YEARS AGO.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR TEAM THERE TO CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS AND GROW THOSE AND TRY TO ATTRACT INCREASING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO THE STATE.

BUT AGAIN, WE'RE AT THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG THERE.

SAME IN WESTERN EUROPE.

WE PLANTED OUR FLAG IN GERMANY SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

BUT IF WE LOOK BEYOND GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, IRELAND, THERE IS PLACES THAT ALREADY DO -- THAT DO TRADE AND HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE STATE.

CAN WE LEVERAGE THOSE EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS AND SEEK GREATER INVESTMENT?

I BELIEVE SO.

>> WE'RE TALKING A LOT ABOUT REGION.

BUT I'M ALSO CURIOUS, WHAT TYPES OF BUSINESSES DO YOU THINK YOU CAN ATTRACT TO NEJZ?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, AGAIN,W JERS?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, LOOKING AT WHERE WHERE NEW JERSEY HAS ITS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER STATES, THERE'S VERY PARTICULAR SECTORS.

AND TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THAT.

PHARMACEUTICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY.

IN WHOLE, MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANIES, FOR EXAMPLE, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE COMPANIES.

YOU LOOK AT I.T.

AND HIGH-TECHNOLOGY.

ADVA ADVANCING MANUFACTURING.

I THINK THE SECTORS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAID THE ED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND IT'S UP TO US AS AN ORGANIZATION TO GO AND LONG FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD.

>> GREAT.

WESLEY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

AND GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RHONDA.

>> NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY HAS NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHICH HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL ON MINORITY GROUPS.

THEY HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED FROM THE PANDEMIC, EXPERIENCING HIGHER RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

A NEW STUDY FROM RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LOOKED AT THE EFFECTS OF JOB LOTS IN THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY.

DR. PERRY HALKITIS DEAN OF SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH SPOKE WITH ME.

>> YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING SURVEY TO SHARE AND HAS TO DO WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO JOB LOSS.

NOW, UNFORTUNATELY MINORITIES OVERALL DO EXPERIENCE HIGHER LEVELS OF JOB LOSS.

SAME TREND FOR LGBTQ PLUS.

WHY?

WHAT DID THE SURVEY FIND.

>> WE GATHERED DATA FROM ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BETWEEN MAY AND JULY OF 2020.

AND WE FOUND A LOT OF THINGS HOW PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED BUT ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE FOUND WAS THAT ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD JOBS, THAT THE THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS WHO SURVEYED WHO HAD JOBS HAD LOST THEIR JOBS IN THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND THIS MANIFESTED VERY CLEARLY THIS PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS WELL EDUCATED, IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

AND SO THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAPPENED TO BE LGBTQ AND ALSO HAVE LESS EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ALSO FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WERE AT MUCH GREATER RISK OF LOSING THEIR JOB.

SO IT POINTED OUT THE STRESS THAT PEOPLE WHO HOLD MULTIPLE IDENTITIES THAT ARE MINORITY IN NATURE EXPERIENCE IN A PANDEMIC LIKE COVID-19.

>> UNFORTUNATELY FOR STRESS LIKE THAT, THERE IS OFTEN NOT ENOUGH SUPPORT.

SO HOW DIFFICULT IS THE EXPERIENCE FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS.

>> FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE LIKE WE TEND TO THINK, LIKE NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, YOU KNOW, WE HAPPEN TO BE FORTUNATE.

WE LIVE IN TWO STATES THAT HAVE VERY ENLIGHTENED POLITICAL SYSTEM WHERE IS THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED.

WHERE GOVERNOR MURPHY JUST SOUND MARRIAGE EQUALITY AS LAW OF THE STATE.

RIGHT?

BUT THERE IS ARKANSAS, AND MISSISSIPPI AND MONTANA.

AND IN THOSE STATES, LGBTQ PEOPLE EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY HIGH RATES OF STRESS.

EITHER BECAUSE OF JOB LOSS OR BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION, YOU KNOW, JUST IN THEIR LIVES OR BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO ACTUALLY FIND COMPETENT, CARING HEALTHCARE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, WHAT CONCLUSION SHOULD WE DRAW FROM THIS?

WHAT ACTION PLAN I GUESS, IF YOU WILL, SHOULD BE DEVELOPED?

>> WELL, I THINK -- LOOK, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES OW VERY CLEARLY FOR ME IS THAT THE ULTIMATE NEED TO ENSURE PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW SO THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT FIRED FROM THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN GENDER IDENTITY.

WE HAVE THEM IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND NEW JERSEY HAS A REALLY ROBUST INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAY.

BUT IT IS SO EASY IN A PANDEMIC TO MAKE AN EXCUSE OF FIRING SOMEBODY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH WORK TO BE HAD.

AND FIRING THE GAY PERSON.

OR THE LESBIAN PERSON, OR THE TRANS PERSON.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS, ONE OF THE LESSONS HERE.

I THINK THE OTHER LESSON HERE IS LET'S NOT ASSUME THAT EVERYBODY IN THE POPULATION OF LGBTQ IS THE SAME.

THIS IS NOT ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

AND SO THE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED PRIVILEGE IN OUR SOCIETY, NAMELY, WHITE MEN WHO HAVE ACCESS TO MONEY, ARE NOT GOING TO FAIR AS BADLY AS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE LESS EDUCATION, LESS MONEY AND ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THAT IS THE TAKEAWAY MESSAGE.

AND IT INDICATES TO ME THAT WE HAVE TO TAILOR OUR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE PARTICULAR NEEDS IN THIS VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

>> GREAT TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THE STUDY.

>> THANK YOU RHONDA.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN NEW JERSEY ARE EELGER TO SEE FEDERAL MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE FROM THE FEDERAL BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WAS RECENTLY SIGNED INTO LAW.

THIS WEEK CONGRESSMAN GOTTHEIMER WAS IN HACKENSACK TALKING ABOUT HOW NEW JERSEY WILL RECEIVE MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS JUST FOR BRIDGE REPAIR.

IN TOTAL THERE IS MORE THAN $12 BILLION ON THE WAY FOR TRANSPORTATION REPAIRS AND REBUILDING IN OUR STATE.

>> ROADS, BRIDGES, RAILS T GATEWAY TUNNEL.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

FIXING SO MANY THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR SO MANY DECADES.

AND THAT IS THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU IGNORE THINGS FOR DECADE, INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT DOESN'T JUST GET BETTER YOUFT CAN'T WISH AND HOPE IT GETS BETTER.

YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO FIX THEM.

AND AFTER 33 YEARS, FINALLY, WE GOT TOGETHER.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE AND GOT THIS PASSED.

AND GOT IT OUT OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND INTO LAW.

>> IT TOOK THREE DECADES, BUT THE TIMING COULDN'T BE BETTER WITH NEW JERSEY FACING SOME BIG TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE QUARTERBACK CAN BE CHALLENGING IN THIS STATE.

AND NOW THERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED BUMPS IN THE ROAD.

SO WE'RE PUTTING TRANSPORTATION IN FOCUS THIS WEEK.

THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS RELY ON MASS TRANSIT TO GET AROUND.

BUT ON NJ TRANSIT'S TRAINS AND BUSES, RIDERSHIP IS NOT BACK TO NORMAL.

WEEKLY RIDERSHIP ON THE TRAINS IS JUST 30-35% OF PRE COVID LEVELS.

AS MANY HAVE NOT GONE BACK TO THEIR OFFICES JUST YET OR ARE WORKING HYBRID SCHEDULES.

WEEKEND RAIL RIDERSHIP REMAINS AT 40-50% OF THE LEVELS SEEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

BUS RIDERSHIP IS A BIT BETTER AT 50% OF PRE COVID LEVELS, AND RIDERSHIP ON THE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM IS AT 70% OF PRE COVID LE LEVELS.

I TALKED ABOUT MASS TRANSIT AND NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TRI-STATE TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN.

>> WELCOME.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU WE'RE NOW IN YEAR THREE OF A PANDEMIC.

HAVE OUR PRIORITIES CHANGED WHEN IT COMES TO MASS TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION?

DO YOU SEE PERMANENT CHANGES IN TERMS OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE REGION DUE TO WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS?

>> I THINK OUR PRIORITIES CONTINUE TO BE THE SAME.

AND THAT IS MOBILITY.

MOBILITY OF EVERYBODY IN OUR STATE AND MOBILITY OF EVERYBODY IN OUR REGION.

AND THAT MOBILITY BEING EQUITABLE, SAFE AND FISCALLY STABLE.

BUT I THINK WHAT THE PANDEMIC DID WAS HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF FOCUSING ON MOBILITY.

AND ALSO ILLUSTRATING JUST HOW FAR OFF THE MARK WE ARE IN ACHIEVING THOSE GOALS.

>> SO GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE WHEN YOU SAY WE'RE OFF THE MARK.

WHAT'S NOT WORKING IN THE STATE.

>> LET'S LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE.

IT IS REALLY FOCUSED PRIMARILY AROUND THE 9:00 TO 5:00 RAIL COMMUTER.

WE SAW WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY HAD THE INITIAL LOCKDOWN ORDERS, THAT RAIL RIDERSHIP, FOR EXAMPLE, INTO THE CITY PLUMMETED.

TOOK 90% OF PRE PANDEMIC LEVELS.

IF YOU LOOK AT -- WHICH HAPPENS TO BE WHERE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT SEES MOST OF ITS RIDERSHIP.

THAT DID NOT FALL AS MUCH.

AND INTERCITY BUS, THE SERVICES ARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRANSIT DEPENDENT.

IT IS NOT SIMPLY JUST GETTING TO WORK, BUT MEETING EVERY DAY MOBILITY NEEDS.

AND IT HIGHLIGHTED THE DIFFERENT CUSTOMERS AND THE IMPORTANCE THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PLAYS IN THE ROLE OF EVERY DAY LIVES.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LIVE IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES OR ALSO ARE OFTEN BIPOP COMMUNITIES.

>> WHAT IN YOUR VIEW HAS TO CHANGE?

HOW DO WE FIX THIS PROBLEM?

AND WILL THE FACT THAT WE'RE GETTING FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS, WILL THAT BENEFIT?

>> PRIORITIZING THE INVESTMENTS IS REALLY WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENT.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT TALK ABOUT WHAT WE ALSO SAW EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC WAS HIGHLIGHTING VULNERABILITIES OF THE AGENCY WITH ITS FISCAL -- WITH ITS FISCAL SOLVENCY.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT RELIES HEAVILY ON FARES FOR ITS OPERATING BUDGET.

MORE SO THAN OTHER STATES DO.

SO WHEN IT TOOK THE HIT, IT REALLY TOOK THE HIT ON AN ENTIRE AGENCY.

SO I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LOOKING TO RESTORE SOLVENCY AND HAVING A DEDICATED FUNDING FOR OPERATING MOVING FORWARD.

ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE WAY WE ARE PRIORITIZING OUR TRANSPORTATION.

IF YOU NOTICE, YOU KNOW, DURING COVID THOSE WHO WERE MOST VULNERABLE WHO HAD CO-MORBIDITIES WERE THOSE WITH CHRONIC RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES.

TRANSPORTATION IS LEADING CAUSE OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, AND ALSO IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE CONGESTION AND ARE BUILT NEAR HIGHWAYS, RESIDENTS OFTEN HAVE THESE ILLNESSES.

AND THEY WERE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COVID AND RUN THE RISK OF DYING FROM COVID.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER HUGE PRIORITY THAT WE'RE FAILING TO MEET, IS JUST UNDERSTANDING THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF OUR TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES.

>> LOT OF WORK STILL TO BE DONE, JANET.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME.

>> YES, NO PROBLEM.

>> FOR SO LONG, IT'S FELT LIKE THE AMBITIOUS GATEWAY PROJECT HAD BEEN STUCK.

UNTIL NOW.

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT ON THE PLAN TO REBUILD RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR, INCLUDING NEW HUDSON RIVER TRAIN TUNNELS.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PROVIDES MONEY FOR GATEWAY, WHICH MEANS A BIG HURDLE HAS BEEN OVERCOME.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE WORK GETS STARTED.

TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATES ARE FEELING HOPEFUL.

I SPOKE WITH BRIAN FRITCH, THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR THE "BUILD GATEWAY NOW" COALITION.

>> WELCOME.

BUILD GATEWAY NOW RECENTLY RELEASED NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION FOR THE GATEWAY PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES WORK ON THE PORTAL BRIDGE AND HUDSON RIVER TUNNELS.

WE'VE WIBEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME.

ARE WE STARTING OFF THIS YEAR IN FAR BETTER SHAPE THANKS TO THIS NEW EDITION OF FUNDING?

>> YES.

WHILE THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY IS HAVE MONEY DIRECTLY FOR GATEWAY, IT INCREASES THE POT OF MONEY AVAILABLE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO THE PROSPECTS OF GETTING THE NEW HUDSON TUNNEL BUILT OR THE NEW PORTAL BRIDGE BUILD HAVE GONE UP DRAMATICALLY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR.

>> ANY ROADBLOCKS THAT YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT?

>> WELL, WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION TO GIVE AN UPDATED PROJECT RATING FOR THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT.

RIGHT NOW WITH THE TUNNEL'S CURRENT RATING, IT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDING AT ALL.

WE NEED THE FTA TO SAY THAT THE NEW FINANCIAL PLAN THAT THE GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND AMTRAK SUBMITTED AND THE PORT AUTHORITY SUBMITTED FIVE MONTHS AGO NOW IS ADEQUATE FOR THE PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD AND RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION ON TIMING?

DO YOU FEEL THAT WE'RE IN SYNC WITH WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS ON THIS?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK EVERYONE WOULD LIKE IT TO MOVE A LITTLE FASTER THAN IT IS.

CERTAINLY THERE IS AN AWARENESS THAT THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

BUT WE STILL HAVE TO MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SETS FOR THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS.

>> BEYOND GATEWAY, WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO IMPROVE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION?

>> QUITE A BIT ACTUALLY.

THERE IS A LOT OF MAINTENANCE WORK TO BE DONE ON -- AND A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS ACROSS THE NEW YORK CITY REGION AND NEW JERSEY THAT ARE CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT FOR -- FOR THE LONG-TERM HEALTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION.

>> SO GIVE ME A FEW EXAMPLES OF THAT IN NEW JERSEY.

>> YEAH.

IN NEW JERSEY I -- YOU KNOW, NJ TRANSIT HAS, IN ADDITION TO THE PORTAL BRIDGE, WHICH THEY ARE THE LEAD AGENCY ON, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A NUMBER OF THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS, SUCH AS REVAMPING NEWARK MEN STATION.

WALTER RAM IN CAMDEN AND ANOTHER OF OTHER PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE, EXTENDING THE HUDSON BURGEN LIGHT RAIL, FOR EXAMPLE, IS ANOTHER HIGH PRIORITY FOR THEM.

>> IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU COULD PUT ON THE WISH LIST TO GET DONE NOW, IMMEDIATELY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

>> WELL I HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE EXISTING TUNNEL WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED DURING HURRICANE SANDY, THERE IS STILL THE POTENTIAL THAT THE EXISTING TUNNEL MIGHT NEED TO BE TAKEN PARTIALLY OUT OF OPERATION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD IF THE NEW TUNNEL CAN'T BE BUILT BEFORE THAT HAPPENS.

AND THAT WOULD HAVE DEVASTATING ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR REALLY THE ENTIRE NATION, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

TO THE TUNE OF $16 BILLION IN LOST ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

BRIAN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, RHONDA.

>>> MAYBE MASS TRANSIT ISN'T YOUR SPEED AND YOU OWN A CAR.

THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IS GOING THROUGH ITS OWN TURMOIL.

SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES HAVE DISRUPTED MANUFACTURING.

AND BOTH NEW AND USED CARS ARE HARDER TO FIND.

AND THAT'S PUSHED UP PRICES DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PAST YEAR.

ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DATA, THE PRICE FOR A USED CAR HAS RISEN MORE THAN 37%.

AND NEW CARS COST NEARLY 12% MORE WHEN COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUPPLY PROBLEM IS AFFECTING THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

WORKERS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY AS PILOTS, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND OTHERS HAVE MISSED WORK AFTER COMING DOWN WITH COVID.

FRUSTRATED TRAVELERS AT NEWARK AIRPORT AND ELSEWHERE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THOUSANDS OF FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS WHICH CONTINUED INTO THIS WEEK.

ACCORDING TO FLIGHT AWARE, FLIGHT ACTIVITY AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL IS DOWN 22% THIS WEEK COMPARED TO THE SAME WEEK IN 2020 RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN.

I SPOKE WITH AIRLINE INDUSTRY ANALYST HENRY HARDEVELD ABOUT THE NOT SO GLAMOROUS DAYS OF AIR TRAVEL.

>> WELCOME.

THIS PANDEMIC IS RAGING ON AND ON AND WE'RE STILL SEEING STAFFING SHORTAGES PLAGUE THE AIRLINES.

WE'RE SEEING SCHEDULE REDUCTIONS.

HOW ARE THE AIRLINES MANAGING THROUGH THIS IN YOUR VIEW?

>> WELL RHONDA, THE AIRLINES CLEARLY GOT OVERWHELMED BY SICK EMPLOYEES BECAUSE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERIOD.

THEY SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THE WORST OF THAT.

AND TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENING, THE AIRLINES HAVE THINNED OUT, REDUCED THE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS THAT THEY HAVE PLANNED TO OPERATE IN JANUARY.

AND HAVE SAID THAT THEY WILL TAKE NECESSARY SIMILAR ACTIONS IF THEY HAVE TO IN FEBRUARY AND EVEN MARCH.

THE EXPECTATION IS THAT WE WILL BE THROUGH THE WORST OF IT THIS MONTH AND HOPEFULLY THE INDUSTRY WILL BE ABLE TO START REBUILDING IN FEBRUARY.

>> THIS HAS BEEN VERY DISRUPTING FOR TRAVELERS.

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO, YOU KNOW, MIGHT BE NERVOUS ABOUT BOOKING A FLIGHT CONSIDERING WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> WELL, RHONDA, THE AIRLINES LAST YEAR ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD REMOVE THOSE EXPENSIVE AND ANNOYING CHANGE FEES.

SO THAT IF YOU CAN'T OR DECIDE YOU DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL, YOU GET 100% OF THE TICKET PRICE BACK AS A TRAVEL CREDIT.

IF YOU'VE BOOKED A NON REFUNDABLE FARE.

IF AN AIRLINE CANCELS YOUR FLIGHT BECAUSE OF COVID, YOU DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO REQUEST A FULL REFUND FOR ANY UNUSED AIR TRANSPORTATION.

BUT REMEMBER, THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF COVID HAS BEEN TAKING STEPS TO CLEAN THEIR PLANES MORE THOROUGHLY.

AIRPORTS HAVE BEEN CLEANING FACILITIES MORE THOROUGHLY.

AND SINCE LAST YEAR IT IS A FEDERAL REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A MASK IN THE AIRPORT AND ON A PLANE.

>> WHAT ARE THE AIRLINES EXPECTING ONCE WE GET THROUGH THE NEXT WAVE?

DO THEY EXPECT TO SEE A BIG BOUNCEBACK IN AIR TRAVEL AFTER THE LATEST WAVE?

AND ARE THEY PREPARING FOR THAT ALREADY THINKING ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULES IN THE SPRING?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD TRIPS PLANNED FOR JANUARY ARE PUSHING THOSE TRIPS TO FEBRUARY AND MARCH OR LATER.

AND SEVERAL AIRLINES, INCLUDING UNITED, WHICH OBVIOUSLY HAS A VERY LARGE HUB AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAVE ANNOUNCED VERY AGGRESSIVE PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUMMER EXPANSION AND INTEND TO ADD MORE FLIGHTS TO THEIR DOMESTIC NETWORKS.

SO THE AIRLINES HAVE THEIR FINGERS CROSSED FOR A GOOD SPRING AND SUMMER.

WE EXPECT THAT WE WILL START TO SEE BUSINESS TRAVEL RESUME IN THE SPRING IN GREATER NUMBERS THAN WE'RE SEEING NOW.

>> DO YOU EXPECT THE AIRLINES, WHICH THEY WERE EARLY ON WITH VACCINE MANDATES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

WOULD YOU EXPECT THOSE WOULD REMAIN IN PLACE EVEN THOUGH THE SUPREME COURT HAS ISSUED A RULING ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MANDATE FOR PRIVATE EMPLOYERS?

>> RHONDA, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENT FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS REMAINS IN PLACE.

AND IF THAT DOES, THEN AIRLINES, OR MOST AIRLINES, WHICH ARE CONTRACTORS TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO GET THEIR -- TELL THEIR EMPLOYEES THEY MUST MEET A VACCINATION REQUIREMENT BY A CERTAIN DATE.

>> HENRY, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU ONCE AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND THAT WRAPS UP OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.

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