>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M RHONDA SHAFFLER.

NEW JERSEY COVID CASES ARE RISING AGAIN AND THE STATE IS ALSO REPORTING ITS FIRST CASE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT.

THE STATE'S INITIAL CASE WAS DISCOVERED IN A GEORGIA WOMAN WHO TRAVELED TO NEW JERSEY AFTER HAVING BEEN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

MANY MORE CASES ARE LIKELY TO BE CONFIRMED IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS AND OMICRON HAS BEEN DETECTED IN 45 STATES AND PROMPTING RESTRICTIONS AND NEW YORK IS PUTTING A COVID VACCINE IN PLACE PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES LATER THIS MONTH AND U.S. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WERE PUT IN PLACE TODAY.

TRAVELERS HEADING TO THE U.S. MUST GET A COVID TEST 24 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE.

MEANTIME THE STATE TODAY REPORTED ANOTHER 2500 NEW CASES.

THIS AFTER POSITIVE CASES HOVERED WELL ABOVE 3,000 THE LAST FEW DAYS.

THE MERKY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

6.27MILLION RESIDENTS WERE FULLY VACCINATED AND 1.48 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED THEIR BOOSTERS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANNIGAN SAYS THE PUSH FOR MORE VACCINES COME AS NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALS ARE SEEING MORE BREAKTHROUGH CASES AMONG THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND MORE WHO STILL HAVEN'T BOTHERED TO GET VACCINATED AT ALL.

>> COVID SURGING AGAIN IN NEW JERSEY AND LOBBY OMICRON VARIANTS SPREADING AND A RATE UP 25% OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO TO MORE THAN 1200 PATIENTS STATEWIDE.

>> PROBABLY CONSIST WITH THANKSGIVING AND A MOVE TO THE INDOORS AND SO FORTH.

THE CONCERNING THING IS, YOU KNOW, AROUND A QUARTER OF THE PEOPLE WE'RE SEEING IN THE HOSPITAL ARE FULLY VACCINATED FOLKS.

>> EVIDENCE AMONGST HIS OWN STAFF SUGGESTS 80% OF BREAKTHROUGH CASES ARE OCCURRING ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PEOPLE GET THEIR SECOND COVID SHOT.

>> A VERY STRONG CASE FOR BOOSTERS AND YOU DON'T KNOW DEFINITIVELY THAT BOOSTING WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THOSE BUT YOU SURE AS HECK KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE BREAKING THROUGH SIX MONTHS AFTER THEIR VACCINATION.

>> IMMUNE IS WANING AND SAME GROUPS BEING VULNERABLE OR ADMITTED BECAUSE THEY'RE AMONG THE FIRST TO GET THE SHOT.

OVER 65 CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND THE SAME GROUPS WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT BEFORE ARE POPULATING THE HOSPITAL LAST SPRING.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR UPCOMING WINTER AND SPRING MONTHS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> CASES WILL LIKELY INCREASE UP THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS.

THAT'S THE BAD NEWS.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE DO THINK THAT IT WON'T BE AS BAD AS IT WAS LAST YEAR.

>> WHEN WE SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH THE FOLKS AT THE STATE AND LOOK AT THE DATA AND THEIR MODELING, IT'S CLEAR THAT THE DEGREE TO WHICH EVERYBODY GETS BOOSTED IS REALLY WHAT'S GOING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE NEXT 90 DAYS LOOKS LIKE FOR US.

>> WE IN NEW YORK CITY DECIDED TO USE A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE TO REALLY DO SOMETHING BOLD TO STOP THE FURTHER GROWTH OF COVID AND THE DANGERS IT'S CAUSING TO ALL OF US.

WITH CASES CLIMBING, NEW YORK MAYOR ANNOUNCE ADD MAN DADE FOR ALL PRIVATE SECTORS ACROSS THE BOARD AND KIDS AGES 5 AND OLDER WILL HAVE TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION THAT INDOOR NEW YORK CITY VENUES AND MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAD NOTHING NEW TO SAY ON THE ISSUE AND THE GOVERNOR IS OUT OF STATE TODAY.

>> WE'RE SEEING INCREASES IN FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE IN THE UK GETTING OMICRON.

THERE'S ALREADY EARLY INDICATORS.

>> THOSE WHO HAD THE DISEASE SO FAR OR THOSE VACCINATED MAY NOT BE AS PROTECTED AGAINST OMICRON AS THEY ARE AGAINST DELTA OR OVARIANS OUT THERE.

OMICRON UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH A CASE IDENTIFIED LAST FRIDAY IN NEW YORK AND IN AT LEAST 17 OTHER STATES AND IT'S REPORTEDLY TWICE AS INFECTIOUS AS DELTA BUT HOSPITAL CASES ABROAD SHOW OMICRON MAY NOT MAKE PEOPLE AS SICK AS DELTA DOES.

>> IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A GREAT DEGREE OF SEVERITY TO IT BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BEFORE WE MAKE DETERMINATIONS THAT IT'S LESS SEVERE OR REALLY DOESN'T CAUSE ANY SEVERE ILLNESS COMPARABLE TO DELL THAT .

>> 90-100,000 CASE AS DAY IN THE UNITED STATES AND 99.9% OF THEM ARE THE DELTA VARIANT.

THERE'S AN ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES WITH DELTA.

>> NEW JERSEY IS PUSHING BOOSTERS HARD AND FOR PEOPLE WITH THE ORIGINAL ALPHA COVID STRAIN COUNTING ON NATURAL IMMUNITY, VARGA HAD THIS ADVICE.

>> WITH DELTA, THEY ARE AS MUCH.

>> >> A NEW PUSH TO LOWER THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS SPOKE OUT IN THE STATE HOUSE IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE AN INDEPENDENT PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY BOARD.

SUPPORTERS SAY THIS BOARD WOULD HOLD BIG PHARMA MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND PUT MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

>> MY IV MEDICATIONS WHICH I'M CURRENTLY ON INFUSIONS, OUT OF POCKET WITHOUT INSURANCE WOULD PROBABLY BE AROUND $7,000 FOR EVERY TREATMENT.

>> HE'S ONE OF THOUSANDS THAT RELY ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION FOR HELP.

HE SUFFERS FROM CROHNS DISEASE AND IS ON HIS PARENT'S INSURANCE AND UNABLE TO WORK A TRADITIONAL JOB THAT OFFERS INSURANCE.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO START PAYING OUT OF POCKET THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN ABOUT TWO, THREE YEARS.

>> I WOULD MOST LIKELY BE BANKRUPT.

THERE'S ABSOLUTE NO WAY I COULD AFFORD ON MY OWN.

>> I'M HERE TODAY TO CALL ON MY COLLEAGUES AND FRANKLY PLEAD WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY TO PASS THIS BILL DURING OUR LAME DUCK PERIOD AND GET THIS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AND DEMONSTRATE WE MUST DO MORE FOR HEALTHCARE AND ACCESS TO LIFE SAVING MEDICINE IS A RIGHT AND NOT A PRIVILEGE.

>> HEALTHCARE PROGRAM DIRECTOR SAYS THE LEGISLATION WOULD PROPOSE SOLUTIONS TO UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION FOR SO MANY IN THE STATE.

>> PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE OUT OF REACH FOR AMERICANS AND PEOPLE HERE IN NEW JERSEY ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE YET TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT FOR MOST NEW JERSEY CONSUMERS.

THERE'S BEEN GREAT THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENY AND THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILLS GOING THROUGH SO FAR.

THIS WOULD GIVE US A MECHANICIAN TO STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLEMENT CHANGES AND HELP ALL PEOPLE.

>> DRUGS THAT TREAT ASTHMA INHALERS, INSULIN, EPIPENS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT PEOPLE NEED EVERY DAY.

>> WITH KNOW WITH COST PEOPLE TEND TO DIFFER CARE WHEN THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT COST AND SAME WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

OLDER PEOPLE TEND TO TAKE MORE MEDICATION AND IT'S AN ACROSS THE BOARD PROBLEM.

>> ADVOCATES SAY PRICE GARAGING BY PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES IS A ROOT CAUSE FOR INEQUITIES AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES LIKE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> 40% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE DIAGNOSED WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, WHICH IS MORE THAN WE CAN AFFORD AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PREVENTATIVE COLOR BEING PROTECT UNDER THAT .

>> WHAT ARE THEY FORCED TO DO WITH THE HIGH PRICES?

>> THEY'RE BETWEEN RENT AND BETWEEN GROCERIES OR PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL.

>> WE TALK ABOUT WHEN THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOES UP BY #R 0- CENTS A GALLON, PEOPLE GET IN A PANIC AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

WELL, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE NOT A MOMTY.

THEY'RE SOMETHING PEOPLE NEED TO LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE.

AND PEOPLE ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET WITH THOSE PRICES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

>> THERE ARE FIVE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE PASSED A SIMILAR BILL AND NINE STATES ARE CONSIDERING THEM AS WELL.

NEW JERSEY BEING ONE OF THEM.

IF THE BILL PASSES, THEY CAN SEE AN INDEPENDENT BOARD THAT WILL HAVE TO MAN DADE THE INFORMATION AND REPORT BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE BEGINNING AS SOON AS SIX MONTHS AFTER THEY'RE SEATED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTA THAT.

>> SUPPORT PROVIDED BY VERIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSE SEE OF BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION .

>>> THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS JOINING THE INVESTIGATION INTO LAST FRIDAY'S DEATH OF AN ICK MATE AT THE ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT RELEASED DETAILS ON WHAT HAPPENED AND WE DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE INMATE OR HOW HE DIED.

THE AG OFFICE SAYS IT'S INVESTIGATING THE CONDUCT OF CORRECTION GNAT OFFICERS AND OTHER JAIL STAFF AND THE ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE CONDUCT OF ANY OTHER PARTIES THAT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE.

THE INMATE'S DEATH COMES AFTER AN INCIDENT IN SEPTEMBER AND A GROUP OF INMATES BEAT ANOTHER ONE TO DEATH IN JAIL.

THE VICTIM OF THAT BEATING, WHICH WAS CAPTURED ON VIDEO REMAINS HOSPITALIZED IN A COMA.

SHE'S SPONSORED ON NJ FRAN SIT REFORM BILL THAT SHE HOPES WILL BETTER SERVE THE TRANSIT AGENCY'S CUSTOMERS BY CREATING AN INDEPENDENT CONSUMER ADVOCATE POSITION.

DADE CRUZ REPORTS ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN GET FAST TRACKEDLY THE LAME DUCK LEGISLATURE.

>> THROUGH THE PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER IS TELLING IT LIKE IT IS EVEN MORE SO THAN USUAL.

>> DAVID, I DON'T HAVE A MAGIC WAND IN MY CLOSET I CAN WAVE OVER THE NJ TRANSIT BUREAUCRACY AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BURR ROCK BUREAUCRACY TO REMAKE IT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE.

HER REFORM BILL GIVES TEETH AND INDEPENDENCE TO THE CUSTOMER ADVOCATE POSITION AND THE SPOT'S BEEN VACANT FOR OVER A YEAR AND THE POSITION FUNCTIONED MOSTLY AS PART OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS ARM THEY SAY.

IT HARDLY ADVOCATED AS COMMUTERS.

>> IF YOU'RE COMING FROM ORGANIZATION HE'S PAID TO CRITICIZE, YOU'RE NOT VERY CRITICAL BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GET PAID.

>> THE CUSTOMER ADVOCATE OFFICE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTING TO NJ TRANSIT BOARD AS OPPOSED TO MANAGE WANT AND WE'LL CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS, ISSUE REPORTS AND TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF COMMUTERS.

IN ADDITION TO BILLED BUILD FORCES, THE AGENCY TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A WEEK'S NOTICE ON THE AGENDA ITEMS FOR BOARD MEETINGS AND MAKE SURE FOR ACTUAL COMMUTERS TO SERVE AS BOARD MEMBERS.

THEY WARN FOR BABY STEPS BUT NOT IMMEDIATE CHANGE.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE GREAT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT MEANS A FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHICH WE DON'T HAVE.

YOU NEED A CULTURE WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T AFRAID TO BRING THINGS TO LIGHT.

A FRIEND OF MINE WAS TAKING A TRAIN THAT BROKEN DOWN AND A TRAIN CAME ON ANOTHER TRACK AND THE CONDUCTORS WANTED TO SHUT THE DOORS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO KEEP SCHEDULING WHILE THEY WERE GOING TO LEAVE THESE HUNDREDS OF PASSENGERS STRANDED ON A PLATFORM.

YOU DON'T KNOW DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY BUREAUCRACY OR BUREAUCRATIC LEADERS HAVE THIS MINDSET THAT SOMEHOW THE PUBLIC IS THE ENEMY.

>> MARY HIGGS COVERS TRANSIT AND GETTING INTO THE 21st CENTURY WITH AN APP THAT WORKS AND ADDING A FEW NEW VOICES TO THE BOARD.

>> IT'S LIKE A WORK OF PROGRESS, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE CALLING IT A TRANSIT PORTAL TO PULL IT OUT.

TRYING TO WORK OUT SOME OF THE ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, THE BIG ISSUES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE IS WHAT MORE PEOPLE COME BACK AND YOU SEE ISSUES THAT ARE PART IN PARCEL.

>> THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY AND HASN'T BEEN SCHEDULED FOR COMMITTEE HEARING AND MEANING SOMEONE OTHER THAN WINE BURG WILL HAVE TO PICK UP THE MANUAL.

>> MY SUCCESSOR WILL HAVE TO HOLD THEIR CONSTITUENT TO THE FIRE .

>>> IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, GET READY TO PAY HIGHER TOLLS AND DRIVERS WHO TURN THE TURNPIKE WILL FACE A 3% INCREASE IN TOLLS COME JANUARY 1st.

THE INCREASE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITIES 2022 BUDGET, WHICH WAS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER.

LAST SPRING THE AUTHORITIES BOARD APPROVED A PLAN FOR ANNUAL TOLL INCREASES OF UP TO 3% TO PAY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.

>> WHETHER A TOLL EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM CREASE IS NEEDED OR NOT, THEY'LL TAKE ONE ANNUALLY DEPENDING ON THE RATE OF INFLATION UNLESS THE GOVERNOR OR LEGISLATURE STOPS THAT FROM HAPPENING.

>>> A PROPOSAL TO GIVE RESIDENTS A BREAK ON THEIR PROPERTY TAXES HAVE PASSED A KEY HURDLE IN WASHINGTON.

BUT ITS FUTURE IS STILL UNCLEAR.

THE HOUSE HAS APPROVED LIFTING THE $10,000 CAP ON STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS.

NOW IT'S THE SENATE'S TURN TO DEBATE THIS.

TO FIND OUT WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE SALT CAP AND HOW IT MAY IMPACT YOU, OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHTMEYER BREAKS IT DOWN.

JOHN, WHAT ARE SENATORS THINKING ABOUT AS THEY MOVE TO HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SALT CAP?

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S TWO THINGS AT PLAY HERE.

ONE IS JUST HOW DO YOU CALIBRATE A CHANGE TO THE CURRENT SALT CAP, WHICH IS $10,000 THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BUT FOR NEW JERSEY, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

OUR AVERAGE PROPERTY TAX BILLS ARE ABOUT $9,000 IN NEW JERSEY AND SO ONE OF THE IDEAS IS HOW DO YOU CALIBRATE THE -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO LIFT THE CAP WHAT THE HOUSE DID WAS ALL THE WAY UP TO $80,000 BUT WHAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE HAS BEEN USING AN INCOME STANDARD SO A PATH THAT REMAINS WOULD GO OUT AND PLACE ALL RESIDENTS WHO MAKE -- OR TAXPAYERS WHO MAKE UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT AND THAT'S FALLING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 4 OR 500,000 DEPENDING ON WHICH SENATOR YOU TALK TO AND THE IDEA WOULD BE DO YOU INCOME QUALIFY THIS AS THE SENATE DISCUSSING OR DO YOU JUST LIFT THE CAPITOL OUT AROUND ANYONE TO ADOPT A CERTAIN AMOUNT UP TO WHAT THAT NEW CRAFT WOULD BE.

>> DOES IT LOOK LIKE THERE'S GOING TO BE ROOM FOR COMPROMISE ON THIS BETWEEN THE POLITICAL PARTIES?

>> YEP.

POLICY WISE AND POLITICAL WISE -- POLITICS WISE, THIS IS A REALLY BIG TASK THREADING THE NEEDLE HERE AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE MARGIN IS RAZOR THIN IN THE SENATE AND DEMOCRATS HAVE THE SMALLEST ADVANTAGE YOU CAN POSSIBLY HAVE AND THEY'RE IN DISAGREEMENT EVEN AMONGST THEIR OWN CAUCUS AND MORE MIDDLE RIGHT MEMBERS LIKE JOE MANSION FROM WEST VIRGINIA AND THEN MORE LEFT OR PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS LIKE BERNIE SANDERS FROM VERMONT AND THE CONCERN IS DEMOCRATS FOR A LONG TIME HAVE ACCUSED REPUBLICANS OF ENACTING TAX POLICIES THAT FAVOR THE WEALTHY AND SO IF THE CHANGE IS TOO BIG FOR THOSE IN THE HIGHEST INCOME BRACKETS, THEY COULD BE GUILTY OF DOING THE SAME THING BASICALLY THEY'VE ACCUSED REPUBLICANS OF.

>> IF THIS BY SOME MIRACLE GETS THROUGH THE SENATE AND THERE'S COMPROMISE AND THERE'S RELIEF FOR NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS, HOW QUICKLY POTENTIALLY COULD THAT HIT?

>> YEAH, WE'RE ASSUMING THE BILL GETS PASSED BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WHICH IS THE DEADLINE FOR DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP BUT IT COULD BE FOR TAXPAYER 2021 AND IT'LL BE IN PLACE FOR THE FULL TAX YEAR THAT'S GOING TO END IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.

I THINK MAYBE THAT'S BEING OPTIMISTIC BUT THE WAY THAT THE CURRENT CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING, IT COULD PRECLUDE THIS CURRENT CAP SWITCH, WHICH A LOT OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AT LEAST THOSE THAT HAVE GOTTEN HIT BY THE SALT CAP WOULD THINK WOULD BE A NICE HOLIDAY PRESENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH.

GOOD TO CHAT WITH YOU.

>> SAME HERE, YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> THOUSAND HOW THE TRAINING DAY ENDED ON WALL STREET.

>>> TAKING TIME OFF TO CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY WHILE GETTING PAID IS BEING DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON'S BUILD BACK BETTER BILL.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WE'VE HAD FAMILY LEAVE FOR AWHILE.

IN 2009, NEW MEXICO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST -- NEW JERSEY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STATES IN THE NATION TO PASS A PAID FAMILY LEAVE POLICY ALLOWING WORKERS TO TAKE TIME OFF TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES, A NEW CHILD, OR A SERIOUSLY ILL FAMILY MEMBER.

IT WAS EXPANDED GIVING WORKERS UP TO 12 WEEKS OFF BUT A NEW REPORT FROM RUTGERS FINDS THERE'S A LOT OF RESIDENTS WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM PAID FAMILY LEAVE, BUT THEY AREN'T EVEN AWARE THE PROGRAM EXISTS.

AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE NOT GETTING REIMBURSED IN A TIMELY MANNER.

>> IT WAS LIKE YOU STAY OUT LONGER TO RECOVER OR GO BACK TO WORK TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO AFFORD.

>> THAT DIFFICULT CHOICE LED HER TO RETURN TO WORK TWO MONTHS AFTER A HAVING HER SECOND BABY AND HOPES THROUGH NEW JERSEY'S PAID FAMILY LEAVE SHE COULD HAVE USED THE FULL 12 WEEKS THE PROGRAM OFFERS.

>> WHEN I WENT BACK TO WORK, IT WAS VERY HARD.

AS THE MOTHER OF A NEWBORN, YOU WANT TO BE HOME WITH YOUR BABY FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AND I WAS TRYING TO BREASTFEED, I WAS TRYING TO RECOVER FROM A TRAUMATIC BIRTH, BUT I COULDN'T.

>> NEW JERSEY WAS THE SECOND STATE TO OFFER PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND THE PROGRAM'S EXPANDED SINCE IT STARTED IN 2009.

WORKERS WENT FROM SIX TO NOW 12 WEEKS OF TIME THEY CAN TAKE OFF TO CARE FOR A LOVED ONE AND FROM 66% TO NOW 85% OF THEIR SALARY IS COVERED OR MAX OF $903 A WEEK.

MANY WHO NEED IT SAY THAT DELAYED PAYMENT OFTEN LIMIT THEIR ACT TO ACTUALLY TAME THAT TIME.

>> THAT TIME THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED PAYMENTS AND HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AND THEY COME AND RECEIVE A LUMP SUM.

>> IT'S GREAT WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT HAVE EVEN THAT OPTION.

THERE'S JUST A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

I MEAN, YOU APPLY AND IT CAN TAKE WEEKS.

IT TOOK ME ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS TO GET THAT FIRST PAYCHECK AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MORTGAGES AND BILLS.

>> PAYMENT DELAYS ARE ONE OF THE CONCERNS LAID OUT IN A NEW REPORT BY THE RUTGER CENTER AND HOW ACCESSIBLE THE PROGRAM IS.

>> THE APPLICATION HAS QUESTIONS ON IT THAT FOLKS MAY FIND CONFUSING AND EMPLOYERS LEARN SOME EMPLOYERS AREN'T AWARE OF THE EXPANSION OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST EMPLOYERS, IN FACT, ONLY 53% OF NEW JERSEYENS EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE LAW AND WHAT IT OFFERS AND ACCORDING TO DATA ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THOSE WHO DO KNOW TEND TO BE HIGHER WAGERS.

>> LOWER INCOME WORKERS HAD LESS AWARENESS OF THE POLICY.

AND SO THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THE POLICIES IN FACT HAD THE MOST BENEFIT POTENTIAL FOR LOWER INCOME WORKERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHO DOES HAVE ACCESS TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE, THAT'S USUALLY PROVIDED BY EMPLOYERS TO HIGHER INCOME WAGE EARNERS.

SO THIS POLICY HAS INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL TO FILL THOSE GAPS.

>> A SPOKESPERSON TOLD A NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TOLD US IN A STATEMENT UNDER OREGONER MURPHY, IT'S TAKEN SEVERAL STEPS TO ACCESS THE BENEFITS INCLUDING CREATING TEAMS FOR MODERNIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION AND IMPROVE AWARENESS AND ACCESS OF THESE PROGRAMS AMONG THE MOST UNDERSERVED WORKERS.

WE'VE DEVELOP ADD EMPLOYER TOOL KIT AND ENGAGED IN A MULTILINGUAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

>> THERE WAS FUNDING SET ASIDE THAT SHOULD BE GOING OUT TO GRANTS AND CONTRACTS TO COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT COULD ALSO INCLUDE EMPLOYER GROUPS ABOUT RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE LEGISLATION AND THAT MONEY HAS BEEN RELEASED SO I THINK THAT COULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARD RAISING AWARENESS.

>> SHE WAS BECAME A DUE DOULA AFTER HER DIFFICULT CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE AND NOW HELPS OTHER WOMEN.

>> WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO MAKE THIS A SIMPLER PROCESS?

>> ALLOW MORE TIME.

RIGHT NOW THEY GIVE, I THINK, UP TO 14 DAYS BEFORE YOU'RE EXPECTED TO LEAVE YOUR JOB TO PROCESS THE PAPERWORK.

THAT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR NEW MOMS.

>> IT SHOULD BE MORE OF A ELECTRONIC OFFICE.

IF WE CAN SEND AN E-MAIL AND BE -- IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO REACH AND OTHERS ARE WAITING AND CAN'T FIND A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL OR E-MAIL OR SOMEONE TO SPEAK WITH.

>> HAVING ACCESS TO HER ACT OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS HOURS WOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN ONE LESS STRESSOR THAN THOSE EARLY WEEKS OF BEING A FIRST TIME MOM.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGUS.

>> HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE UPDATE YOU ON VERY LATEST NEWS THAT'S IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARN BUS HEALTH.

LET'S STAY HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> AND THE OCEAN RINGS PROJECT AND SAG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF NEW LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> MJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS BUT WHO ARE MJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY'RE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABORS AND HOME GROWN CHAMPIONS, THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.