>> FUNDING FOR NJTV SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP.

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIONA VENNES ONE.

>>> IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED, YOU ARE CLEARED TO FLY.

THE UPDATED TRAVEL GUIDANCE COMES AS WE MARK THE SECOND EASTER AND PASS OVER HOLIDAYS SPENT IN A PANDEMIC.

A TRAVEL SURGE.

MORE THAN A MILLION PASSENGERS GOING THROUGH CHECKPOINTS FOR THREE WEEKS STRAIGHT.

FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL WITHOUT PUTTING THEMSELVES AT SERIOUS RISK.

BUT THE GUIDELINES RECOMMEND CONTINUING TO WEAR MASKS AND SOCIALLY DISTANCING.

PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL WITHIN THE U.S.

WITHOUT GETTING TESTED OR QUARANTINED.

THE AGENCY IS URGING ANYONE ENTERING THE U.S. FROM OVERSEAS TO GET TESTED THREE TO FIVE DAYS AFTER THEIR RETURN.

EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A LOWER RISK FROM INFECTION, THE AGENCY IS DISCOURAGING ALL NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL DUE TO THE RISING NUMBER OF INFECTIONS IN THE U.S. AND GLOBALLY DRIVEN BY HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANT STRAINS.

TODAY IN NEW JERSEY ANOTHER NEARLY 4,000 NEW CASES AND 26 DEATHS.

THE RELAXED GUIDELINES COINCIDE WITH THE EASE ON GATHERING RESTRICTIONS IN THE STATE.

OUTDOOR GATHERINGS UP 200 PEOPLE ARE NOW ALLOWED FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

BANQUET HALLS AND, INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES CAN INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY STARTING TODAY.

HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO KEEP ANY CELEBRATION TO THEIR IMMEDIATE WUBL.

BUBBLE.

WITH MORE CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES OFFERING ONLINE SERVICES, EXTRA PRAYERS TO AVOID ANOTHER POSTHOLIDAY COVID BUMP.

>> THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN LAST EASTER.

LAST EASTER WAS THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS A CRAZY TIME.

>> Reporter: BUT FATHER STEVEN IS BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF THIS EASTER BECAUSE SOME OF HIS 11,000 CATHOLIC PARISHIONERS AT ST. ELIZABETH'S WILL GET TO CELEBRATE INSIDE THE CHURCH GOLD RIBBONS CLOSE OFF ALTERNATE PEWS AND A MANDATORY SIGN-UP SHEET FOR CONTACT TRACING GREETS EVERYONE.

>> OVER TIME, THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY BUILDING UP.

AS MORE PEOPLE GET THEIR VACCINATION, THEY'RE FEELING SAFER.

SO THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN PICKING UP OVER TIME, THANK GOD.

>> Reporter: THE CHURCH WILL STILL LIVE-STREAM SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ATTENDING IN PERSON.

AND ST. ELIZABETH SET UP AN OUTDOOR TENTED AREA IN THE PARKING LOT AS ANOTHER OPTION.

ON A MAJOR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY LIKE EASTER, MANY WANT TO WORSHIP INSIDE AT ONE OF EIGHT MASSES SCHEDULED THIS SUNDAY.

>> ONE WOMAN LAST WEEKEND, WHICH WAS PALM SUNDAY, SHE HAD NOT BEEN TO CHURCH IN AN ENTIRE YEAR.

AND SHE'S A VERY, VERY DEVOUT CATHOLIC.

AND SHE HAD TEARS IN HER EYES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY REGULATIONS CAP RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS AT MIST%.

50%.

BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS ENFORCING SOCIAL DISTANCING BY ROPING OFF EVERY, PEW, ABOUT 180 PEOPLE WILL GATHER ON EASTER MORNING.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.

DECIDING TO WORSHIP INSIDE REMAINS A VERY TOUGH CALL FOR MANY LITURGICAL LEADERS.

THEY SEE CASES SURGING, HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS RISING AND ONLY ABOUT 19% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED.

SOME HEALTH OFFICIALS FEAR A POSTHOLIDAY SPIKE.

BECAUSE FAMILIES WILL WORSHIP AND TRAVEL AND VISIT AND EAST TOGETHER.

>> WE'RE GONNA SEE INCREASED CASES.

THE NUMBER OF CASES.

IT TAKES ABOUT A WEEK, WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE OUR NUMBERS BEGIN TO SHOW UP.

UNTIL WE CAN GET EVERYONE VACCINATED, UNTIL WE CAN ACHIEVE HERD IMMUNITY, THERE'S STILL A THREAT OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: CHURCHES SERVING MOSTLY PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE FAR MORE VULNERABLE TO COVID COMPLICATIONS FACE A PARTICULARLY HARD CHOICE.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP.

WE GET IT.

THE FELLOWSHIP, THE COMING TOGETHER.

THAT'S VERY PERSON.

BUT WE JUST DON'T THINK, PARTICULARLY WITH NEW JERSEY'S NUMBERS, THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION, WE ARE NOT WILLING TO MAKE THAT RISK AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: PASTOR MELVIN WILSON HAS HOSTED COVID VACCINATION CLINICS AT ST. MATTHEW'S IN ORANGE BUT NOTES NOT ALL OF HIS CONGREGATION HAS AGREED TO GET A COVID SHOT.

SO FOR NOW, ALL WORSHIP SERVICES WILL BE VIRTUAL UNTIL SEPTEMBER, EASTER INCLUDED.

>> OUR CONGREGATION SEEMS TO BE PRETTY ALL RIGHT WITH.

IT ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM AND THE VIRTUAL MEETING WORKS.

IT WORKS IN A LOT OF WAYS.

>> WE'RE VERY CLEARLY, CAREFULLY WATCHING THE NUMBERS IN OUR IMMEDIATE AREA, WHICH FRANKLY ARE LOUSY.

>> Reporter: RABBI LEANNA MORAT SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE VIRTUAL WORSHIP, AND SHE'S CONSIDERING A VACCINE PASSPORT WHEN THE SYNAGOGUE DOES REOPEN AND COVID SHOTS BECOME MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SAYING TO SOMEBODY WHO CHOOSES NOT TO BE VACCINATED, WELL, THEN I'M SORRY.

IF YOU'VE MADE THAT CHOICE, YOU'VE ALSO MADE THE CHOICE TO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE SERVICE BECAUSE WE VALUE THE HEALTH OF EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, PASTORS WILL PREACH THE USUAL THEMES OF HOPE AND RENEWAL.

WITH PERHAPS A SPECIAL BLESSING OFFERED FOR VACCINES.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> MORE SAFE GATHERINGS WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

HEALTH CENTERS AND VACCINATION SITES HAVE ADMINISTERED NEARLY 4.5 MILLION DOSES.

AND ONE IN FIVE STATE RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT'S ABOUT 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE.

THERE'S BEEN A PUSH TO UP THE ROLLOUT IN UNDERSERVED AREAS.

HUDSON COUNTY HAS CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE TOP IN THE STATE FOR NEW DAILY INFECTIONS.

VACCINE RATES THERE RANK DEAD LAST.

IT TOOK WEEKS OF LOBBYING, BUT TODAY COUNTY LEADERS WELCOME THE LONG OVERDUE BOOST OF DOSES AND A NEW PLACE TO GET THEM IN ARMS.

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: HUDSON COUNTY, DYNAMIC, DIVERSE, AND UNTIL NOW, SECOND IN THE STATE IN INFECTION RATES WHILE TRAILING EVERYONE IN VACCINATION RATES.

SIX OF THE SEVEN COVID-19 VARIANTS IN NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN DETECTED IN HUDSON.

MOSTLY THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STRAIN FROM THE U.K. A HUB OF TRANSIT, ENTERTAINMENT, AND COMMERCE WAS BEING TREATED LIKE ANYWHERE NEW JERSEY.

>> WE WERE ALWAYS ON THE VERY BOTTOM.

WHICH WAS VERY FRUSTRATING FOR ALL OF US HERE.

BECAUSE WE GAVE OUT 100% OF OUR VACCINE.

100%.

SO WE SENT NOTHING BACK.

SO TO SAY WE RANKED LAST, THIS WASN'T AN INDICTMENT ON US.

IT WAS AN INDICTMENT ON WHO WAS SUPPLYING.

>> Reporter: THE IMBALANCE DID NOT GO UNNOTICED.

RESIDENTS CHIDED HOMETOWN REPORTERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET ON THE POLITICIANS.

AND THE SENIOR CENTER, BORN AND RAISED IN HUDSON, FIRED OFF A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR ASKING FOR SOME CONSIDERATION.

>> SENATOR MENENDEZ AS HE CAN ONLY DO RATTLED THE CAGE.

>> I TAKE THIS LETTER VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD WITH MATT AND WITH KENNY THAT WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

>> Reporter: AND THE SPIGOT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN OPENED.

MORE THAN 20,000 DOSES ON THE WAY OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

TO THE GREAT DELIGHT OF COUNTY OFFICIALS.

>> WHAT'S GONNA BE THE IMPACT IF YOU ARE GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR UP TO NOW?

HOW FAST ARE YOU GONNA BE ABLE TO GO AFTER THIS INFUSION OF DOSES?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN GOING ABOUT 6,000 DOSES UP TO 42,000 DOSES.

PLUS THE WEST NEW YORK PIECE.

SO USING YOUR ANALOGY, WE'RE GOING 200 MILES AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: YES, WEST NEW YORK, WHERE THE INFECTION RATE IS 13%.

AND MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

TODAY HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER FROM BERGEN COUNTY OPENED UP A VACCINATION SITE THAT SAY SAY WILL ADMINISTER UP TO 3,000 SHOTS A DAY.

>> THIS TOWN WOULD NOT BE SEEING VACCINATION ANYWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT AND THE FREQUENCY THAT WE SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE HERE.

SO I FELT A GREAT NEED TO MAKE A PLEA.

AND HERE WE ARE.

HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER HEARD OUR CALL AND ANSWERED.

AND WE'RE HERE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THIS COMMUNE.

>> OPENING DAY.

AND WE HAVE A GROUP OF 1,200 PEOPLE SCHEDULED TO COME IN HERE TODAY.

WE'RE SEEING ABOUT 200 PATIENTS AN HOUR.

AND PRIMARILY SERVING THE LOCAL POPULATION HERE IN WEST NEW YORK AND SURROUNDING NORTH HUDSON COUNTY AREAS.

WE'RE TRYING TO HELP THIS TOWN GET CAUGHT UP WITH THEIR VACCINATION RATES.

>> Reporter: THE EFFICIENCY OF COMING HERE SO CLOSE, THERE'S MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO CANNOT MAKE FOUR-HOUR WAIT LINES OR DON'T HAVE VEHICLES TO GET TO THE OTHER GREATER AND BIGGER SITES.

SO TO HAVE THIS SITE HERE IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY IS A BLESSING.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SAYS IT'S FORWARDING MOST OF ITS CONSIGNMENT TO THE TOWNS.

THEY BELIEVE ABLE TO SERVE WALK-INS.

THE GOAL IS HIGHEST WITH IMMUNE FOR ALL AND MAYBE SOME RETURN TO NORMAL.

>>> JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS THE LATEST PHARMACEUTICAL DOCUMENT EXPAND VACCINE TRIALS.

THE DRUG MAKER IS PLANNING TO FIRST TEST THE COVID-19 SHOT ON A SMALL NUMBER OF 16 AND 17 YEAR-OLDS BEFORE ENROLLING ADOLESCENTS OVER THE AGE OF 12.

THEY'LL CHECK FOR SIDE EFFECTS AND IMMUNE RESPONSES IN SINGLE AND TWO-DOSE LEVELS.

PART OF THE LARGER EFFORT TO IMMUNIZE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

IT COMES AFTER A LARGE BATCH OF THE COMPANY'S SHOTS WERE RUINED BY AN INGREDIENT MIXUP AT A BALTIMORE FACTORY.

AND AFTER PFIZER SAID THEIR CORONAVIRUS VACCINE HAS BEEN 100% EFFECTIVE IN ADOLESCENT CLINICAL TRIALS.

>>> TONIGHT THERE'S ALSO BEEN A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE RISE OF NEW CORONAVIRUS VARIANTS.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH CENTER FOR DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION SAYS IT'S CREATED A NEW RAPID TEST THAT CAN DETECT MULTIPLE STRAINS OF THE VIRUS IN 2.5 HOURS.

THE CENTER SAYS THE TEST IDENTIFIES THE KNOWN BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICAN AND U.K.

VARIANT.

LARGE NUMBERS OF THE VARIANTS ARE SPREADING.

>>> A U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER HAS BEEN KILLED AND ANOTHER INJURED.

THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN SHOT AND KILLED AFTER A VEHICLE RAN INTO THE OFFICERS.

AUTHORITIES SAY HE DISPLAYED A KNIFE AND LUNGED AT POLICE.

ALL BUILDINGS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL COMPLEX WERE PUT ON LOCKDOWN.

THIS LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION.

SAYING IN A STATEMENT "AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO KNOWN NEXUS OR THREAT TO NEW JERSEY AS IT RELATES TO THIS INCIDENT."

>>> THE HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC WILL BE CENTER STAGE DURING THIS YEAR'S GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY LIKELY FACING FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN JAKE CHITTERELLI.

THEY CLASH ON MOST OF THE STATE'S COVID-19 POLICIES.

AND THE ATTACK ADS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN.

MICHAEL AARON WENT ON THE RECORD WITH CHRIS RUSSELL, POLITICAL CONSULTANT FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

>> CHRIS, THERE WAS A POLL OUT OF STOCKTON UNIVERSITY THIS MORNING THAT PUT BILL MURPHY AT A 58% APPROVAL RATE.

YOU HAVE SEVEN MONTHS TO COUNTER THAT.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LONG TIME.

IT'S A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT.

I LIKE MY FRIENDS DOWN THERE IN STOCKTON.

BUT THEY ALSO HAVE MICHAEL PESTA LOSING A SENATE RACE BY DOUBLE DIGITS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

WE KNOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT.

SO POLL POLLS.

WE'RE FOCUSING ON OUR PLAN.

WE'RE EXECUTING IT.

>> TO A LARGE EXTENT, THE RACE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT WHO HANDLES THE PANDEMIC AND HOW.

YOU SAY THAT BILL MURPHY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 8,000 DEATHS AT NURSING HOMES.

ISN'T THAT A LITTLE OVER THE TOP GIVEN THAT HE AND HIS HEALTH COMMISSIONER DID ORDER NURSING HOMES TO SEGREGATE COVID PATIENTS IN A SEPARATE WING?

AND THEY'RE AS MUCH TO BLAME FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED AS THE GOVERNOR.

>> WELL, ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

OPERATORS WERE TELLING THEM AT THE TIME, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO PREVENT DEATHS.

THEY WERE GONNA HAVE TO PUT THIS POLICY IN PLACE AND IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNOR'S DIRECTIVE, SENIORS WERE GOING TO DIE THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T HAVE DIED.

THAT WAS A QUOTE FROM THEM.

HE DID IT ANYWAY.

WHEN YOU'RE A GOVERNOR AND YOU WANT TO TAKE CREDIT FOR THE GOOD, YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BAD.

AND HIS DECISION ON NURSING HOMES CAUSED 8,000 PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES.

>> YOU HAVE A MILLION DOLLAR AD UP ON TV.

ONE OF THOSE IS A SORT OF INTRODUCTORY BIOGRAPHICAL AD.

>> MY STORY IS A NEW JERSEY STORY.

AND IT ALL STARTED HERE ON ANDERSON STREET.

MY PARENTS OWNED A BAR AND RESTAURANT AND RAISED THEIR FAMILY.

I'M JACK CIATTARELLI.

BRINGING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO FELLOW NEW JERSEYIANS.

BUT NEW JERSEY IS BROKEN.

AND WE'RE GOING TO FIX IT TOGETHER.

>> LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE TAKING A PAGE OUT OF THE CHRIS CHRISTIE PLAYBOOK.

WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR, HE PORTRAYED JOHN FORZOOIN AS A FARMER FROM ILLINOIS.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT MURPHY IS NOT REALLY IN TOUCH WITH NEW JERSEY?

>> CERTAINLY NOT THE WAY JACK SHATD IS.

JACK CIATTARELLI IS.

HIS PARENTS OPENED A RESTAURANT, TAVERN IN TOWN.

HE GREW UP VERY MIDDLE CLASS, VERY NEW JERSEY, SETON HALL, MBA.

JERSEY RUNS THROUGH HIS VEINS.

PHIL MURPHY IS A TRANSPLANT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> HE KNOWS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY AND A LOT OF TOWNS.

HE SEEMS QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE PLACE.

>> THAT DOESN'T MAKE YOU HOMEGROWN.

>> HASN'T DONE AN EVEN FOR HIM.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT MATT SPOKE TO GOVERNOR CHRISTIE OR NOT.

GOVERNOR CHRISTIE AND JACK HAD SOME DIFFERENCES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR FOCUS IS NOT ON RUNNING ENDORSEMENTS.

>> CHRIS RUSSELL, CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT FOR JACK CIATTARELLI.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SEES BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STATE.

VOTING RIGHTS LAWS BEING PASSED IN GEORGIA.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NATURE OF MOVIE AND TV STUDIOS LOOKING TO POST PRODUCTIONS.

EXTENDING TAX INCENTIVES UP TO 30% OF PRODUCTION COSTS, EQUAL TO WHAT GEORGIA OFFERS.

HE ALSO CREDITED 40% BRICK AND MORTAR STUDIOS WILLING TO OPEN HERE.

IT DREW CONTRACTS BETWEEN GEORGIA POLITICS AND THE LIBERAL MEETINGS OF HOLLYWOOD THAT MORE CLOSELY ALIGN WITH NEW JERSEY.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN'S $2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IS EXPECTED TO PUMP SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL MONEY INTO THE STATE ECONOMY.

A GROWING NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS IN NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SEE IT AS A BARGAINING CHIP.

LOOKING TO SECURE LONG-SOUGHT TAX RELIEF FOR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN HIT WITH TAX HIKES EVER SINCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PUT A $10,000 CAP ON SALT DEDUCTION.

IT COULD BE A VIABLE CHANCE TO LIFT THE CAP.

>> JOHN, WHICH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SENT THIS LETTER, AS A MATTER OF FACT, TO TREASURE SECRETARY YELLIN ABOUT THIS NEGOTIATION?

WHAT DO THEY WANT?

>> WE HAVE SIX DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION INCLUDING CONGRESSMAN GOTTHEIMER, COLC , MALTHATSKI.

OLC AND WE ALSO HAD MIKE CHERYL.

SO A GOOD SHARE OF THE DELEGATION.

AND BASICALLY WHAT THEY WANT THIS IS $10,000 CAP THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE IN 2017 TO BE REPEALED.

THAT BIDEN IS GONNA GO IN AND MESS WITH THE TAX CODE AS PART OF THE PLAN TO FUND HIS INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL.

WHILE THEY'RE UNDER THE HOOD, THESE LAWMAKERS WANT THE PRESIDENT TO ALSO GET RID OF THIS CAP.

WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY HAVE FELT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THAT MIXTURE HAS SOME FOLKS WHO ARE CONSIDERED A LITTLE MORE MODERATE.

AND SOMEONE LIKE PASQUAL WHO IS QUITE PROGRESSIVE WHO'S ON BOARD WITH THIS.

>> THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT CHANGES TO THE TAX CODE.

IN DIFFERENT PHASES HERE.

AND WHAT I'VE SAID PUBLICLY IS NO SALT, NO DICE.

BASICALLY YOU DON'T REINSTATE THE SAME OLD TAX DEDUCTION AND GIVE PEOPLE TAX RELIEF IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THEY'VE GOTTEN TOTALLY HOSED.

I CAN'T SUPPORT A PACKAGE THAT RAISES RATES ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT UNLESS THEY ADDRESS THAT.

>> SO ARE THEY SEEING THIS ADMINISTRATION AS THE TIME, THE PLACE, THE INROAD TO ACTUALLY GET THIS CHANGED?

>> CERTAINLY DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THIS, ESPECIALLY IN NEW JERSEY PRETTY MUCH SINCE IT WAS ENACTED.

AND NOW THAT THEY HAVE THE HOUSE, THEY HAVE THE SENATE, AND THEY HAVE THE WHITE HOUSE, THEY'RE SEEING THINGS LINE UP A LOT BETTER IN TERMS OF HAVING THE POLITICAL CHIPS IN PLACE TO GET RID OF THIS.

THIS CAP.

BUT INTERESTINGLY, ALONG PARTY LINES, PROGRESSIVES LOOK AT THE CAP AS POTENTIALLY BEING BENEFICIAL TO THE TAX CODE ITSELF IN TERMS OF MAKING IT MORE PROGRESSIVE.

BECAUSE THEY SAY A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNLIMITED AS BEING BILLED IN THE UPPER BRACKET.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IN NEW JERSEY IS WE HAVE HIGH PROPORTIONALLY INCOMES AND HOME VALUES AND SO YOU MAY NOT BE THAT HEALTHY IN NEW JERSEY.

AND YOU MAY STILL FEEL THE IMPACT OF THIS DEDUCTION CAP.

>> YEAH, AND I THINK WE ALSO HAVE IN NEW YORK, ONE OF THE HIGH TAX BASES.

AND A SPEAKER IN CONGRESS FROM CALIFORNIA, ANOTHER ONE, A HIGH TAX STATE.

SO DEFINITELY TREASURE SECRETARY YELLEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.

MAYBE NOT AS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL BUT MAYBE DOWN THE ROAD.

I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A MEANINGFUL DEVELOPMENT.

AGAIN, EVEN IF THIS SORT OF GAMBIT BY NEW JERSEY, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND SOME OTHERS GET THIS REPEALED AS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN DOESN'T WORK.

AT LEAST THE TREASURE SECRETARY HAS INDICATED SOME WILLINGNESS TO LOOK AT THIS.

>> AND THEY DO HAVE TO WALK AWE FINE LINE THERE IS QUITE A BIT IN THERE THAT THE STATE COULD BENEFIT FROM.

JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

A GAME-CHANGING FORCE, OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

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

>>> IT'S HARD TO PICTURE ON AN UNSEASONABLY COLD DAY LIKE THIS.

BUT WARMER WEATHER IS JUST WITHIN OUR REACH.

AND IT APPEARS MANY PARENTS HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A HEAD START ON SUMMER MANS FOR THEIR KIDS.

WHO COULD BLAME THEM AFTER A LONG YEAR SPENT IN ISOLATION AND BEHIND SCREENS?

WAIT LISTS AT SUMMER CAMPS ARE ALREADY AT UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS.

CAMP OWNERS SAY ENROLLMENT IS WAY UP.

AND FAMILIES ARE DOWNRIGHT DESPERATE TO GET THEIR KIDS ON THE LIST FOR A LITTLE FUN IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA OF BEING OUTSIDE IN NATURE, AWAY FROM SCREENS, SWIMMING IN A LAKE, HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

>> PARENTS ARE QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR KIDS.

THIS HAS BEEN SUCH AN ABNORMAL YEAR FOR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: WILLOW LAKE DAYCAMP OWNER AND DIRECTOR SAYS THEY WERE ABLE TO WELCOME KIDS BACK LAST SUMMER, WHICH GAVE KIDS A BIT OF A RELIEF FROM QUARANTINE.

SINCE THEY WERE SOCIALLY DISTANCED FROM OTHER GROUPS.

>> EITHER WE'VE ADAPTED TO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

OR WE'RE NOT DOING THAT ACTIVITY.

>> Reporter: EVEN THE NURSING STATIONS WERE MOVED OUTSIDE.

>> HERE'S WHERE WE'RE GONNA SET UP THE NURSE'S TENT.

>> Reporter: EVERYTHING IS SANITIZED AFTER EVERY USAGE.

FROM A PAINT BRUSH TO A BASEBALL BAT.

>> WE HAD A GREAT SUMMER.

IT WASN'T FOR EVERYONE.

PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING LAST SUMMER, WE REFUNDED THEIR MONEY.

>> Reporter: A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST SUMMER.

VACCINES ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED.

SOME STUDENTS HAVE ONLY SEEN CLASSMATES ON ZOOM.

EVEN KIDS DOING SCHOOL IN PERSON HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF CONSTANTLY WEARING A MASK ALL DAY SO MUCH THIS SUMMER, CAMP, FAITH SAYS, IS IN HIGH DEMAND.

>> WE HAVE HAD WAIT LISTS FOR CAMP BUT NOT IN JANUARY, NECESSARILY.

>> Reporter: 40 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY ON THE WAITING LIST.

>> THE WORST PART OF MY DAY IS TALKING TO PARENTS ON THE PHONE AND SAYING THERE'S NO ROOM IN CAMP.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT FOR SLEEP-OVER CAMPS TO RUN THIS SUMMER TOO.

>> WE RAN VERY SUCCESSFULLY LAST SUMMER.

WE HAD BARELY ANY POSITIVE CASES.

WE FEEL REALLY EXCITED.

AND WE THINK CHILDREN NEED CAMP MORE THAN EVER.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF THE CAMP ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY SAYS GUIDELINES ARE STILL IN DRAFT FORM, BUT FAMILIES ARE EAGER TO SIGN UP.

>> DAYCAMPS, CERTAINLY, ARE REALLY OFF THE CHARTS.

AND RESIDENT CHAMPS, WE'RE REALLY SEEING POSITIVE NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ANTICIPATES HIS BOYS AND GIRLS' SLEEP CAMPS WILL OPERATE JUST AS SMOOTHLY AS THE DAY CAMPS LAST SUMMER.

>> OUR CABINS ARE RUSTIN, THEY'RE OPEN-AIR CABINS.

SO THAT BY ITSELF PUTS A LOT OF FOLKS AT EASE BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH RECIRCULATED AIR.

>> Reporter: THEY'VE ALREADY MODIFIED THE PROPERTY TO MAKE SURE HAND-WASHING AND SANITIZING STATIONS ARE ALL AROUND.

TABLES HAVE BEEN SET UP INSTEAD OF THE INDOOR DINING HALLS.

AND THEY ANTICIPATE CAMPERS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO PODS FOR CONTACT-TRACING PURPOSES.

>> ALL THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DO.

SOCIALLY DISTANCED FROM EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: THE 2021 GUIDELINES WILL CONFIRM PROTOCOLS AND RESTRICTIONS.

BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE ALREADY.

PREPARATIONS ARE IN MOTION BECAUSE THESE EMPTY SPACES WON'T BE EMPTY COME SUMMER.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL TO FOLLOW OUR REPORTING ALL WEEK LONG.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

IF YOU'RE CELEBRATING EITHER OF THE HOLIDAYS THIS WEEKEND, HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE EASTER AND PASS OVER.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

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