>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP , SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSE&G FOUNDATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE LARGEST BUSINESS EVENTS IN THE STATE.

THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL SUMMIT IN ATLANTIC CITY.

THIS YEAR, TAKING PLACE IN THE MIDST OF AN ECONOMY NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>>> THERE ARE LABOR SHORTAGES ALL OVER.

RESTAURANTS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO FIND SUMMER HELP.

THERE IS A WHOLE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

>> IN 10 YEARS, WE WILL LOSE 30 TO 40% OF THE CONSTRUCTION SKILLED LABORERS BECAUSE THEY ARE RETIRING.

>> WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS IN NEW JERSEY.

HER BACK SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF ATLANTIC CITY, STILL RECOVERING FROM PANDEMIC LOSSES, THEY WERE DISCUSSING HOW A WORKER SHORTAGE IS PLAGUING THE STATE.

MADE WORSE WITH THE LOSS OF THE J1 VISA PROGRAM DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THAT HAS REALLY BEEN SUCH A DEVASTATING THING FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, LOSING THOSE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WHO COME OVER TO CULTURALLY ACCLIMATE TO AMERICA, AND LEARNED THINGS WHILE WORKING AND SUPPORTING OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY.

IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

THE OUTLOOK IS BETTER FOR THIS YEAR FOR SURE.

MAYBE IT WILL BE ABOUT 75% BACK TO WHAT IT WAS PRE-PANDEMIC.

THAT'S HELPFUL.

>> Reporter: TODAY WASN'T IS ABOUT POINTING OUT PROBLEMS, BUT COMING TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS, LIKE BETTER TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE THEY ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

>> WE NEED TO BRING INDUSTRY AT THE TABLE DURING THE CURRICULAR ISSUES, AND WE NEED TO CREATE THE DEGREE PROGRAMS, CERTIFICATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO ONE INDUSTRY, THAT CAN BE DELIVERED IN 6 MONTHS OR A YEAR.

>> EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A BOOT CAMP IN THEIR BUSINESS.

WE HAD TO HAVE MULTIPLE BOOT CAMPS GOING INTO THAT THE KIDS WILL HAVE A CHOICE OF VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK IS AT THE RESTAURANT TRADE, THE FINANCE TRADE, IS IT GOING TO COLLEGE AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE, BUT THEY CAN'T JUST GET A 4 YOUR DEGREE WITHOUT HAVING SOME KIND OF WORLD OR LIFE EXPERIENCE, AND THINK THEY ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND HAVE A GOOD PAYING JOB.

>> WE REALLY NEED TO GET OUR YOUNG PEOPLE REFOCUSED INTO DIFFERENT INTERESTS, BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME REALLY GREAT PAYING JOBS OUT THERE IN THE WORLD, BUT EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE PULLED INTO GOING TO COLLEGE IMMEDIATELY, RATHER THAN TAKING UP THE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THEY CAN LEARN A SKILL.

>> Reporter: DURING A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, ONE CHANGE THEY ALL AGREED COULD HELP BUSINESS, CUTTING REGULATION.

>> NOTHING SLOWS PROJECTS DOWNWARD AND STATE REGULATIONS.

>> IF YOU HAVE A YOUNG PERSON COMING OUT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL, AND WE HAVE TO GET CREDENTIALED AND LICENSE, IT IS A 6 MONTH WAIT MINIMUM IN THIS STATE TO GET THAT DONE.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

THIS IS GOOD PAYING JOB, LEADING INDUSTRY IN THE STATE, ECONOMIC ENGINE, BETTER QUALITY HEALTHCARE CLOSE TO HIM, KEY PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND THE RIPPLE EFFECT AND BUSINESS ACROSS.

LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING.

THEY WILL GIVE A TEMPORARY LICENSE.

>> Reporter: AND YOU CAN'T HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS WITHOUT DISCUSSING TAXES.

>> THERE'S A CORPORATE SURCHARGE OF 2.5% OF ANYTHING OVER $1 MILLION.

S SUN SET THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP TODAY'S IS THERE IS ENOUGH GOODWILL BETWEEN THEM THAT THEY CAN START COMING UP WITH SOME MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS, STARTING WITH REFORMING NEW JERSEY'S TAX STRUCTURE, WHICH WILL HAVE A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT ON NEW JERSEY BUSINESS.

IN ATLANTIC CITY, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> THE SUSPECT IN TUESDAY'S BROOKLYN SUBWAY SHOOTING WAS ARRAIGNED TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT, AND IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL.

NEW YORK CITY POLICE ARRESTED 62-YEAR-OLD FRANK ROBERT JAMES YESTERDAY FOLLOWING A NEARLY 30 HOUR MANHUNT.

HE'S ACCUSED OF RELEASING SMOKE GRENADES, AND FIRING 33 SHOTS AT COMMUTERS ON A SUBWAY CAR.

10 PEOPLE SUSTAINED GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

13 SUFFERED INJURY FROM SMOKE INHALATION FILES, OR PANIC ATTACKS.

NO ONE HAD LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

POLICE OFFICIALS SAY THEY RECEIVED A CALL TO THE CRIME STOPPERS HOTLINE THAT JAMES WAS AT A McDONALD'S IN THE EAST VILLAGE, LEADING TO HIS ARREST.

IN A BIZARRE TWIST, SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT SOURCES SAY JAMES MADE THE CALL HIMSELF, BEFORE BEING SPOTTED BY SEVERAL WITNESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, INCLUDING ZACH deHAAN, WHO WORKS AS A SECURITY CAMERA TECHNICIAN, AND SPOTTED JAMES ON SECURITY FOOTAGE WHILE UPDATING EQUIPMENT.

JAMES IS CHARGED IN A FEDERAL COMPLAINT WITH COMMITTING A TERRORIST ACT ON A MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.

LAWYERS ARE REQUESTING A PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION.

IF CONVICTED, HE FACES THE POSSIBILITY OF LIFE IN PRISON.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE 50th DAY OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

AS THE U.S.

CONSIDERS SENDING A HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL TO KYIV FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE RUSSIA'S MILITARY INVASION.

YESTERDAY, RUSSIAN STATE MEDIA RELEASED FOOTAGE APPEARING TO SHOW UKRAINIAN TROOPS SURRENDERING IN THE BESIEGED CITY OF MARIUPOL.

THE CITY'S PROXIMITY TO THE RUSSIAN HELD DONBAS REGION IS KEY TO RUSSIAN FORCES, AS THOUSANDS OF TROOPS ARE PUSHING ALONG UKRAINE'S EASTERN BORDER.

MEANWHILE, CONSULTING CLAIMS EMERGING THAT ONE OF RUSSIA'S MOST IMPORTANT WARSHIPS IN THE BLACK SEA FLEET WAS BADLY DAMAGED, FORCING ALL 700 CREW MEMBERS ON BOARD TO EVACUATE .

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS DRAFTING AN EMBARGO ON RUSSIAN OIL PRODUCTS.

IF PASSED, IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE EUROPEAN SANCTIONS PLACED ON RUSSIA SINCE THE WAR BEGAN ALMOST 3 MONTHS AGO.

>>> IT COULD BE PANDEMIC FATIGUE, BUT CONCERN ABOUT COVID ILLNESS IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW AMONG JERSEY RESIDENTS.

ACCORDING TO A NEW MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL TODAY, ONLY 1 AND 3, OR 34% OF ADULT RESIDENTS, SUPPORT REINSTATING STATEWIDE MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

54% OPPOSED.

THAT'S A SHARP REVERSAL FROM LAST FALL.

EVEN AS THE POSITIVE CASELOAD CONTINUES RISING IN NEW JERSEY, NEARLY 2300 NEW POSITIVE TESTS, SEVEN MORE DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

THAT IS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF NEW CASES FROM JUST LAST MONTH.

BUT THE POLL ALSO SHOWS RESIDENTS CONTINUE GIVING GOVERNOR MURPHY HIGH MARKS FOR HIS PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

67% SAY IT HAS BEEN A JOB WELL DONE.

THE MONMOUTH DATA COMES JUST AS PFIZER ANNOUNCES IT PLANS TO ASK REGULATORS TO APPROVE COVID- 19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR HEALTHY 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS, AFTER THE COMPANY FOUND THE VACCINE GENERATED A STRONG IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THAT AGE GROUP.

>>> IS THE PANDEMIC DRAGGED ON IN THE WINTER OF 2021, FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY KEYED IN ON WHAT SHE CALLED A CRISIS GROWING WORSE.

THE STATES MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE AMONG BLACK BIRTHING PEOPLE AND THEIR BABIES, WHERE BLACK WOMEN ARE SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE OF MATERNITY RELATED COMPLICATIONS THAN WHITE WOMEN.

SHE SAID AMBITIOUS GOALS TO CUT THE RATE IN HALF OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS ABOUT LAUNCHING HER NURTURE AND J PROGRAM.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE FIRST LADY AS WE ROUND OUT BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE YOU LAUNCHED NURTURE NJ.

AT THE TIME, YOU CALLED THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE A CRISIS.

WHAT DO YOU .2 IN TERMS OF PROGRESS THAT THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE, AND THE WORK HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IN TERMS OF CUTTING THAT.

I BELIEVE THE GOAL WAS TO CUT IT IN HALF BY 2026.

>> THE GOAL WAS TO REDUCE THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES BY 50% OVER 5 YEARS, AND IMPORTANTLY, TO TACKLE THE INEQUITIES IN HEALTHCARE.

I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WE ARE JUST DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MOVING THAT NEEDLE, AND THAT IS NOT ONLY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF POLICY PIECES TO THIS PUZZLE, SO I WILL TELL YOU, MY HUSBAND HAS SIGNED A 442 PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN THIS AREA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO ESTABLISH BEST PRACTICES.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF OUR MOMS, AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE BEING HEARD.

I KNOW WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE.

IT'S NOT THE EASIEST THING TO QUANTIFY, BECAUSE THE MATERNAL MORTALITY AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES ARE LAGGING INDICATORS.

THE NUMBERS, THEY ACTUALLY GOT WORSE, THEY GET WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF INDICATORS THAT THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO, FOR YOUR TEAM TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THIS, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SEEING THE NEEDLE MOVE WHEN YOU ARE USING DATA THAT IS PRESUMABLY 45 YEARS OLD?

>> WE ARE USING DATA, WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE DATA, BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 25 YEARS.

THIS IS NOTHING NEW.

WE ARE TAKING EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF YEARS.

IS NOT ONLY OUR DATA WE ARE LOOKING AT, BUT DATA FROM OTHER STATES, AND NEW DATA.

20 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION ARE ALL WORKING ON THIS, AND SHARING INFORMATION.

THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE, BECAUSE ALL OF THESE FACTORS TOGETHER, AND CAUSE HORRIBLE OUTCOMES.

>> Reporter: DID COVID IN A SENSE HEIGHTEN THE AWARENESS OF JUST HOW DIRE A PROBLEM THIS IS, AND IT ALSO MAKE THE WORK HARDER?

>> I WOULD SAY YES AND YES.

SO, CERTAINLY, I THINK THAT EVERYONE WAS WATCHING OVER THE COURSE OF COVID.

WE ALL KNEW THAT THERE WERE VAST INEQUITIES.

ALL MOMS WERE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES AND DELIVERY, AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE A SUPPORT PARTNER, OR HAVING A MIDWIFE, SO THERE WERE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED OVER THE COURSE OF COVID.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT, JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE VACCINATED.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A SENSE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN FAIR TO SOME OF OUR, YOU KNOW, AND WHERE BLACK CITIZENS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IT'S REALLY HARD TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE FACT THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO SERIOUSLY ILL, AND THOSE WHO ARE DYING, PARTICULARLY IN THIS LAST YEAR, HAVE BEEN THOSE , 99.5% OF THE TIME, WHO ARE AND VACCINATED.

I THINK THAT BY AND LARGE, SEEING OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY GETTING VACCINATED AND HEARING THEIR STORIES HAS BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT, AND WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO STEP UP.

YES, IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR SURE.

>> WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE FIRST LADY IN PART TWO OF OUR INTERVIEW AIRING TOMORROW NIGHT, WITH A DEEPER LOOK AT MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH.

>>> MEANWHILE, MENTAL HEALTH WAS ALSO CENTERSTAGE AT THIS YEAR'S NEW JERSEY REENTRY CORPORATION COMBAT, FOCUSING ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA AND BRAIN INJURY AMONG VETERANS, WHO MAKE UP AN ALARMING NUMBER OF INCARCERATED PRISONER IS IN THE STATE.

DAVID CRUZ IS IN JERSEY CITY WITH THE STORY.

>> Reporter: OVER 400 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

THE FOCUS THIS YEAR, VETERANS SERVICES, PARTICULARLY MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, AND THE LACK OF SERVICES THAT THEY RECEIVE ONCE THEY GET OUT, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH LESS THAN HONORABLE DISCHARGES.

IT MAY SURPRISE PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT ABOUT 8% OF THE MEN AND WOMEN INCARCERATED IN NEW JERSEY ARE VETERANS.

WE SPOKE TO GOVERNOR McGREEVY, AND SOME OF THE FOLKS AT THE CENTER OF THIS CONFERENCE.

>> THIS IS REALLY POWERFUL, TALKING TO THESE VETERANS IN PRISON, AND COUNTY JAIL, LISTENING TO THEIR STORIES.

FRANKLY, HOW THE VA, DOING WHAT THEY THINK IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, OR TO BE BLUNT FOR THEM FOLLOWING THE LAW, IT ISN'T HELPING THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN PROTECT THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: THE TRAUMA THAT VETERANS INCUR IN COMBAT, NO MATTER HOW STRONG THEY ARE, IT STAYS IN THEIR HEAD FOREVER.

THAT CAN MANIFEST ITSELF IN ANGER MANAGEMENT, ANXIETY DISORDER, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, DEPRESSION.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT MAKING THAT TRANSITION FROM SOLDIER TO CIVILIAN, AND ONCE YOU ARE A SOLDIER, YOU ARE ALWAYS A SOLDIER.

PTSD KICKS IN.

ANXIETY.

TINNITUS.

EVERYTHING THAT A REGULAR PERSON WOULD GO THROUGH TIMES 10.

>> I WAS 21 YEARS OLD.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS FEELING.

I WAS DEFINITELY FEELING SOMETHING.

I MEAN, I WAS THROWING UP EVERY DAY.

MY STOMACH WAS IN SHAMBLES.

I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING FOR MAYBE A BURN PIT, OR SOMETHING I GOT OVER THERE.

IT WAS REALLY JUST MY ANXIETY.

I STARTED TO GO DOWN ALL THE WRONG PATHS, USING ALCOHOL, AND JUST REALLY NOT THE CORRECT WAYS TO HEAL YOURSELF.

>> OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I WAS ON THE FRONT LINE OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK, AND WE SAW MANY VETERANS COME IN , HOMELESS, SUFFERING WITH PTSD, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS.

WE STABILIZED THEM, ADMITTED THEM INTO THE FACILITY, STABILIZED THEM, AND ON TIME FOR DISCHARGE, CASE MANAGEMENT, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO.

>> THIS IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, GET EVERY DAY 22 VETERANS TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES.

I'M GOING TO SAY THAT AGAIN.

GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, EVERY DAY, 22 VETERANS TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES.

>> Reporter: SOME VERY POWERFUL TESTIMONY TODAY.

THESE CONFERENCES USUALLY DRAW VIPS FROM AROUND THE STATE, AND THIS YEAR WAS NO EXCEPTION.

JOE TOBIN WAS HERE.

CONGRESSWOMAN AND VETERAN MIKEY CHERYL, AS WELL AS A HANDFUL OF STATE LAWMAKERS WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING TO FUND SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT DEVELOP HERE.

ON THE CAMPUS OF ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY, DAVID CRUZ.

>>> THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THEY WILL QUALIFY FOR COVID RELIEF AID AFTER APPLYING TO THE STATES PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND, WHICH PROVIDES ONE-TIME CASH PAYMENTS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, AND OTHERS WHO WERE DEEMED INELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL COVID ASSISTANCE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER WAS AT A RALLY IN PATTERSON TODAY, WHERE IN THE QUINTESSENTIAL WORKERS CALLED ON THE STATE TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WERE LEFT OUT.

>> Reporter: DIGNITY AND RESPECT ARE WHAT THESE UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS LIVING IN NEW JERSEY SAY THEY DESERVE, BUT AFTER MORE THAN 2 YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EFFECTS CONTINUE TO TAKE A TOLL.

>> I LIVE ALONE, AND ALL OF MY FAMILY IS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS.

MY FATHER IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAD COVID, AND THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT, BECAUSE I COULDN'T DIVIDE FOR HIS MEDICATIONS, AND ALSO SENT MONEY DURING THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF MAKE THEIR OWN NEW JERSEY GATHERED IN PATTERSON TODAY, CALLING ON STATE OFFICIALS TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE $1 BILLION IN AID TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

IN A FEW DAYS, IT WILL BE TAXED TO ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AND MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION, IMMIGRANT WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND FROM RELIEF, ARE OUT HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMY AND PAYING TAXES.

WE HAVE A GREAT FUND THAT CAN REACH MANY PEOPLE, BUT MANY ARE STILL LEFT BEHIND.

>> Reporter: THE $40 MILLION WAS CREATED FOR RESIDENTS WHO AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND STIMULUS PAYMENTS, OFFERING UP TO $4000 IN ONE-TIME CASH PAYMENTS.

7000 APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW BEEN APPROVED.

ANOTHER 29,000 APPLICANTS ARE STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK, BUT ADVOCATES SAY EVEN MORE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP WEREN'T ABLE TO APPLY IN TIME.

>> THE PROGRAM CLOSED, SO WHILE 35,000, MORE THAN 35,000 PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO APPLY, THERE ARE ALMOST A HALF-MILLION PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND FROM AID.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF THESE WORKERS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED TO BE ESSENTIAL THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, SO AFTER SHOWING UP EVERY DAY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY PUSH THROUGH, THEY SAY IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT THEY GET HELP AS WELL.

>> MY OLDER SON ALSO HAD A JOB, AND HE LOST HIS JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND HE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY ECONOMIC RELIEF DURING THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO ADVOCATES, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN NEW JERSEY PAY ALMOST $600 MILLION IN STATE AND LOCAL TAXES EVERY YEAR, BUT STILL CONTINUE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM AID.

>> SALES TAXES PAID AT THE CASH REGISTER.

EVERYONE PAYS THAT.

IN FACT, LOWER INCOME PEOPLE PAY A BIGGER SHARE OF THEIR INCOME IN TAXES THAN HIGHER INCOME PEOPLE, AS FAR AS SALES TAXES GO.

IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS PAY A DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH SHARE OF THEIR INCOME IN SALES TAX.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THEY JUST WANT UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS TO HAVE A FAIR SHOT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, SO THEY ARE HOPING THE STATE WILL STEP UP AND PROVIDE MORE AID.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> TURNING TO TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, THE METRO CARD HAS BEEN A STAPLE IN NEW YORK CITY'S TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR DECADES, AND NOW NEW JERSEY MAY FINALLY BE CATCHING UP.

THE NJ TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED A PLAN THIS WEEK TO GIVE RIDERS A PHYSICAL FARE CARD BY 2024.

THE BOARD ENTERED INTO A $2.5 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE COMPANY TO CREATE THE DIGITAL CHIP CARDS.

THEY WORK ON BOTH TRAINS AND BUSES, AND HE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY AND REFILL THEM AT TRAIN STATIONS AND STORES AROUND THE STATE.

THE BOARD ALSO SAYS THAT IT IS TIME TO REBUILD A TUNNEL THAT WILL LET PASSENGERS RIDE INTO NORTHWESTERN JERSEY, APPROVING A $32 MILLION CONTRACT AS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT TO EXTEND THE MORRISON ESSEX RAIL LINE.

IT COULD ALSO PAY THE WAVE FOR AMTRAK TRAINS TO RUN TO SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

>>> WE ARE GETTING A FIRST LOOK AT JUST HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO HELP IN THE RECOVERY FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA.

THE FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAYS NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS RECEIVED MORE THAN $248 MILLION IN FEDERAL LOANS TO REPAIR DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE STORM, SEPARATE FROM ANOTHER $228 MILLION POT OF FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WENT TO NEW JERSEY THROUGH A SPENDING BILL APPROVED BY CONGRESS LAST SEPTEMBER.

SO, WHO GOT THE MONEY?

AT OF 13 COUNTIES TO RECEIVE HELP, BERGEN COUNTY GOT THE MOST CASH, JUST SHY OF $49 MILLION, WITH OVER 900 TOTAL LOANS.

ESSEX AND UNION COUNTY IS FOLLOWED CLOSE BEHIND.

IN ALL, THE SBA SAYS IT APPROVED MORE THAN 5200 LOANS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

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

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.ORG/GAMECHANGER .

♪ ♪ >>> A HEADS UP FOR PARENTS WITH TAX DAY FAST APPROACHING.

YOU MAY BE UNINTENTIONALLY LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE.

FAMILIES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MONTHLY CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS LAST YEAR COULD QUALIFY FOR AN EVEN BIGGER RETURN THIS YEAR.

THE PROBLEM IS, RECENT POLLS SHOW A MAJORITY OF PARENTS ARE UNAWARE OF WHAT THEY CAN CLAIM.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>>> LIKE I SAID I WAS LIKE, WE WE GET THIS MONEY?

WELL I QUALIFY FOR IT?

AND THEN, AUGUST CAME, AND I GOT A CHECK.

>> Reporter: SINGLE DAD LUIS RIVERA SAID HE WAS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HE SAYS ALL THAT CHANGED WHEN HE FILED FOR THE ANNUAL CHILD TAX CREDIT, WHICH INCREASED IN 2021 UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

THOSE WHO QUALIFY COULD RECEIVE A CREDIT OF $3600 PER CHILD UNDER 6, AND $3000 PER CHILD BETWEEN 6 AND 17.

YOU MUST MAKE NO MORE THAN $75,000 AS A SINGLE FILER, OR $160,000 AS A JOINT FILER.

THE FEDERAL SUPPORT WAS A GAME CHANGER.

>> AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, EVERY MONTH.

IT WAS SO HOPEFUL, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I WAS STRUGGLING WITH MY NEPHEW AND MY SON.

IT WAS NO LONGER A TOSSUP BETWEEN HAVING TO PAY MY RENT, HAVING TO PAY MY BILLS.

>> Reporter: WHILE MOST PEOPLE ALREADY RECEIVED THE FIRST HALF OF THEIR CREDIT, THE SECOND HALF OF THE CREDIT CAN ONLY BE CLAIMED ON YOUR FEDERAL 2021 TAX RETURN.

THAT HIS WIFE NICOLE TO ROSA SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES TO FILE THEIR TAXES THIS YEAR, EVEN IF THEY EARNED LESS THAN THE STANDARD DEDUCTION, AND DON'T TECHNICALLY HAVE TO FILE A TAX RETURN.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY INCOME, OR EVEN IF YOU AREN'T REQUIRED TO FILE A TAX RETURN, YOU ARE STILL ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS CREDIT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE ROLLOUT OF THE PLAN WAS TO WITH GOOD INTENTION, SHE WARNS THAT YOU COULD END UP OWING THE IRS MONEY , OR WITH A SMALLER REFUND IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES.

>> AFTER I RECEIVED AN ADVANCED CREDIT, RIGHTFULLY SO BASED OFF OF MY 2020 NUMBERS, BUT NOW I AM FILING MY 2021 RETURN, I AM IN EXCESS OF THOSE THRESHOLDS.

I WASN'T TECHNICALLY ELIGIBLE FOR THE ADVANCED CREDIT, BECAUSE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS CAME IN HIGHER.

I KNOW HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK WITH MY TAX RETURN.

MY REFUND WOULD BE DECREASED AS A RESULT.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHERS ARE ALSO WARNING THAT HALF OF ALL ELIGIBLE FAMILIES NEVER RECEIVED THEIR ADVANCED PAYMENT OVER THE SUMMER, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT BY THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR WOMEN AND WORK.

IT MEANS FAMILY COULD BE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE.

>> 56% OF NEW JERSEY PARENTS DID NOT RECEIVE THE CREDIT, WHICH MEANS THAT A LOT DIDN'T.

AND THOSE DISPARITIES WERE EVEN WORSE AMONG LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

WE SOUGHT AMONG THOSE WHO HAD INCOMES OF LESS THAN $25,000.

ONLY ABOUT 41% ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, WHEN OF COURSE THEY QUALIFIED.

>> Reporter: THE CO-AUTHOR OF THE STUDY SAYS THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM THE REPORT IS THAT PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE SPENDING THE CHILD TAX CREDITS ON ESSENTIALS, IN TURN, LIFTING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY.

>> THEY ARE SPENDING IT ON FOOD AND UTILITIES IN CLOTHING AND HOUSING.

>> AM I GOING TO BUY DIAPERS OR PAY THE ELECTRICITY, ARE WE GOING TO PUT A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS, OR ARE WE GOING TO EAT.

>> Reporter: SINGLE MOM TONY BOLTON SHARING THE TOUGH DECISIONS SHE WAS FACED WITH BEFORE RECEIVING THE TAX CREDIT.

BOLTON, OUT OF A JOB WHILE TRYING TO EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE AS A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST, SAYS THAT AT ONE POINT, SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IF SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD DIAPERS FOR HER 2-YEAR-OLD.

>> DO YOU KEEP A ROOF OF YOUR HEADER FEATURE CHILD?

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT WHILE SHE IS HAPPY TO HAVE RECEIVED THE SECOND HALF OF HER CREDIT, SHE'S HOPING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT IS EXTENDED TO HELP MOMS AND PARENTS STILL STRUGGLING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS TEAM, SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF THE NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE GREEN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT U.S.. OR STEAD.COM.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS, OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT , INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG, AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.

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