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

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 BREANA VANNOZZI .

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

THE STATE IS IN THE MIDST OF ANOTHER INTENSE ROUND OF SNOW .

FORECASTERS HAVE UPPED THE ANTE, BOOSTING PREDICTIONS FOR SNOW TOTALS UP TO 12 INCHES IN SOME AREAS.

JUST THE LATEST IN A STRING OF WINTER STORMS ARRIVING WITH A PUNCH.

AT LEAST 6 TO 7 INCHES FELL ACROSS CENTRAL JERSEY JUST WITHIN THE FIRST FEW HOURS THIS MORNING, AS A HEAVY BAND PUSHED SNOWFALL RATES TO ABOUT 1 INCH PER HOUR FOR SOME SECTIONS.

NORTHERN PARTS OF THE STATE COULD ADD ANOTHER FOOT ON TOP OF THE LEFT OVER PILES OF SNOW FROM THE LAST FEW STORMS.

SNOW SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED TO LINGER UNTIL FRIDAY AFTERNOON, WHEN THE FULL SYSTEM MOVES OUT OF THE AREA, BUT METEOROLOGISTS SAY IT WILL BE MUCH LESS INTENSE, WITH A MIX OF SNOW, RAIN, AND SLEEP LIKELY IN SOUTH JERSEY.

ALL 21 COUNTIES ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING OR ADVISORY.

STATE OFFICES ARE CLOSED, AND A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE BAN IS AN EFFECT ON MOST HIGHWAYS.

THE VACCINE MEGA SITES IN BURLINGTON, MIDDLESEX, AND MORRIS COUNTIES NEVER OPENED TODAY.

BERGEN COUNTY CLOSED AT 10:00 A.M. FOSTER SHUT DOWN BY 2:00.

ONLY THE ATLANTIC COUNTY SITE MANED OPEN.

ALL APPOINTMENTS WILL BE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND.

STATE LEADERS DO NOT WANT DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, EVEN FOR SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS A VACCINE.

THE CONDITIONS, THEY SAY, DON'T MAKE IT WORTH THE RISK.

>> THE CHALLENGES WE DON'T WANT YOU ALL ON THE ROAD RIGHT NOW, GOING TO GET THAT APPOINTMENT, PARTICULARLY IF WE KNOW WITH CONFIDENCE THAT IT COULD BE RESCHEDULED IN A MATTER OF DAYS.

>>> IT'S NOT JUST NEW JERSEY.

NATIONWIDE STATES ARE DEALING WITH EXTREME WINTER WEATHER.

THAT IS CAUSING INEVITABLE SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES IN SHIPPING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SAID THE STATE IS OPERATING UNDER THE ASSUMPTION ANY ANTICIPATED DELIVERIES ARE NOT GOING TO ARRIVE ON SCHEDULE.

INSTEAD, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS SITES WILL USE UP INTERESTING INVENTORIES VACCINATING PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAD APPOINTMENTS.

THOSE SITES WILL HAVE TO RESCHEDULE IF THEY RUN OUT.

MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS ACROSS THE STATE, JUST OVER 1,000,001ST DOSES, AND MORE THAN 430,002ND SHOTS.

BUT THE WEATHER IS NOT THE ONLY DISTRIBUTION CHALLENGE FACING STATE AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

THERE IS GROWING CONCERN OVER THE PUBLIC VIEW OF J&J'S VACCINE, WITH 66% OVERALL EFFICACY.

MEDICAL EXPERTS WORRY SOME PATIENTS MIGHT REFUSE THE SHOT IN FAVOR OF PFIZER OR MODERNA'S, BUT WORN THAT NUMBER FROM CLINICAL TRIALS DOESN'T TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

EVER SEEN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>>> WE REALLY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SAY TO PATIENTS WHICH VACCINE DO YOU WANT.

>> Reporter: DR. ADAM JARRETT SAYS HIS HOSPITAL CURRENTLY GETS ONLY ONE TYPE OF COPING VACCINE AT A TIME, BUT THAT EVEN IN THIS PANDEMIC WHEN VACCINATION LINES CAN STRETCH AROUND THE BUILDING, SOME PATIENTS HAVE DEMANDED THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

>> WE HAVE ALREADY HAD PATIENTS WHO HAVE SAID TO US, THANK YOU BUT NO THANK YOU.

WE WILL WAIT FOR THE MODERNA, OR WE WILL WAIT FOR THE PFIZER.

>> WE HAVE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE PUTTING IN OUR BODIES, SO WE WANT IT TO BE YOU KNOW, THE BEST.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE BEST IS IT IS SO SUBJECTIVE.

>> Reporter: NANCY BELANGER NOTES THAT PEOPLE HAVE FOCUSED ON REPORTS OF VACCINE EFFICACY, WHERE THE MODERNA VACCINE PROVED TO BE 94% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING SYMPTOMS OF COVID INFECTION OMA ADVISOR EVEN BETTER AT 95% AFTER 2 DOSES.

THE SINGLE-DOSE J&J VACCINE SHOWED A LOWER 66% EFFICACY OVERALL AT PREVENTING MODERATE TO SEVERE DISEASE, BUT CRUCIALLY , J&J WAS 85% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING SEVERE COVID ILLNESS , AND PROTECTED EVERYONE FROM HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

>> I CERTAINLY WOULD UNDERSTAND THE PATIENT WHO MIGHT SAY, WELL, I WILL WAIT FOR THE MODERNA OR THE PFIZER OMA BECAUSE THE J&J IS MAYBE NOT AS EFFECTIVE.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON TAKE WHATEVER VACCINE THEY CAN GET AS SOON AS THEY CAN GET IT.

I THINK THE RISK OF WAITING IS PROBABLY GREATER THEN THE RISK OF TRYING TO PICK ONE VACCINE OVER ANOTHER.

>> WHEN YOU ARE IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH CONTEXT, UNDER ISSUES OF SCARCITY, WE MAY HAVE VERY LITTLE CHOICE OR NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE SUPPLY IS WHAT ARRIVES AT THESE SITES WHERE WE ARE.

>> Reporter: MORE VACCINES IN THE PIPELINE, CDC OFFICIALS MAY OFFER SOME GUIDANCE, BUT HOSPITAL OFFICIALS WILL EVENTUALLY GRAPPLE WITH THE CHALLENGE OF WHO GETS WHICH VACCINE.

>> IF FACILITIES ARE VACCINATION CENTERS TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF VACCINATION ON SITE, I DO THINK THE PATIENT'S CHOICE SHOULD COME IN AS A FACTOR.

>> Reporter: WILL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DR. SHARIF SAYS PATIENTS TO HAVE THAT RIGHT, HE EXPLAINED THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE VACCINATIONS IS NOT TO PREVENT EVERY COVID SYMPTOM.

>> YES, MODERNA AND PFIZER HAVE 95% EFFECTIVENESS IN PREVENTING EVEN MILD DISEASE I'M ABOUT WHAT WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO DO IS, AGAIN, PREVENT HOSPITALIZATION AND PREVENT DEATH AND SEVERE DISEASE IN THE PROCESS.

>> THE J&J VACCINE APPEARS TO BE LESS EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING ANY INFECTION, BUT IN TERMS OF PREVENTING SEVERE INFECTION, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT AS GOOD.

>> Reporter: EPIDEMIOLOGIST MARGIN BLAZERS HAS THE VACCINE TRIALS ALL OCCURRED UNDER SUCH DIFFERENT CONDITIONS THAT IT IS HARD TO GAUGE WHETHER ONE IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER, BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THAT ONE DOES J&J VACCINE DOES TRAVEL BETTER TO ISOLATED AREAS, WITHOUT HYPER COLD REFRIGERATION.

>> THESE ARE ADVANTAGES WE REALLY SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT, AND NOT NECESSARILY EMPHASIZING THAT, WE ARE JUST GOING TO GIVE THIS TO YOU BECAUSE IT IS EASIER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE MESSAGE HE WILL PRESENT IN COMMUNITY FORUMS, ARGUING HERD IMMUNITY IS REALLY THE BOTTOM LINE HERE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> AS YOU HEARD IN BRENDA'S REPORT, MOST MEDICAL EXPERTS WILL TELL YOU THE BEST CORONAVIRUS SCENE YOU CAN GET IS THE FIRST ONE YOU CAN GET.

AND A NEW REPORT OUT TODAY FROM THE CDC UNDERSCORES THAT IDEA.

U.S. LIFE EXPECTANCY DROPPED A STAGGERING 1 YEAR IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2020 AS THE PANDEMIC SWEPT THROUGH THE NATION.

YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORLD WAR II TO SEE A DECLINE LIKE THIS.

THE EXPECTED LIFESPAN IS NOW 77.8 YEARS.

PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE SUFFERING THE BIGGEST IMPACT, WITH BLACK AMERICANS LOSING NEARLY 3 YEARS, HISPANICS LOSING ROUGHLY 2.

THOSE NUMBERS COULD GET WORSE AS THE PANDEMIC LINGERS.

TODAY THE STATE REPORTED ANOTHER 2700 CASES AND 89 MORE DEATHS.

FOR MANY OF THOSE WHO DO SURVIVE SEVERE BOUTS WITH THE DISEASE, THEY FACE A NEW PROBLEM.

PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS THAT HANG AROUND LONG AFTER THE VIRUS LEAVES THE BODY.

THEY ARE KNOWN AS LONG HAULERS.

ONE SOUTH JERSEY HOSPITAL IS DEDICATING A TEAM TO BRING THOSE PATIENTS BACK TO FULL HEALTH.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS OUR STORY.

>>> WE DO HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN 3 TO 4 MONTHS LATER SOME PEOPLE WHO COME INTO THE CLINIC WERE SICK BACK IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

SOME OF THEM ARE COMING IN AND SAYING I AM STILL COUGHING AT NIGHT, OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

THE COUGH SEEMS TO LINGER.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH IS VARIABLE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE ARE SEEING.

>> Reporter: PULMONARY SPECIALIST DR. ANDREW MARTIN SAYS HE CONTINUES TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL SUFFERING FROM COVID-19 SYMPTOMS MONTHS AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED.

>> THE BIGGEST SIGNALS THAT ARE A LITTLE SURPRISING ARE THE AMOUNT OF PATIENTS WHO ARE COMPLAINING, INTERESTINGLY, ABOUT NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS LIKE MEMORY LOSS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE ALSO SEEM TO BE SOME CARDIAC EFFECTS.

>> Reporter: THE VIRUS CAN DAMAGE THE BRAIN, HEART, AND LUNGS, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF LONG-TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> WE STARTED GETTING A LOT OF CALLS IN THE SUMMER, WHICH TRIGGERED ME AND DR. MARTIN BRAINSTORMING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THESE PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY JOHN HILL, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PULMONARY SERVICES AT THE DEBORAH HEART AND LUNG CENTERS PARTNERED WITH DR. MARTIN TO LAUNCH THE DEBOER A POST COVID WERE PROBABLY PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO TARGET THE PRESENT AND EMERGING HEALTH PROBLEMS OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD COVID-19, AND ARE NEGATIVE FOR THE VIRUS, BUT SYMPTOMS PERSIST.

>> JUST GOOD PATIENT CARE, ASSURANCE THAT THEY WERE MY LIKE DR. MARTIN POINTED OUT, NOT CRAZY.

THEY REALLY DID HAVE SOME SYMPTOMS.

BUT SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OMA THEY HAVE TO REALIZE, THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH.

HE REVIEWS C.A.T.

SCANS AND OTHER TESTS.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT IS SPECIFIC TO COVID?

THAT IS REALLY THE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED.

BUT THAT CAN ONLY BE ANSWERED WITH LARGE DATABASES AND REGISTRIES.

>> Reporter: IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC, DOCTORS WERE FOCUSED ON HOW TO TREAT THE ILLNESS.

NOW DR. MARTIN AND HILL ARE FOCUSED ON THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS COVID SURVIVORS NOW FACE.

THEY SAY THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH AN EVALUATION DIAGNOSIS AND INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS.

>> IF THEY HAD MILD ILLNESS AND NEVER HOSPITALIZED, WE ARE GOING TO DO SOME SCREENING TEST , PARTICULARLY RESPIRATORY AND CARDIAC, AND CHECK OUT WITH HER SYMPTOMS ARE.

IF THEY WERE SEVERE, HOSPITALIZED AND SENT HOME WITH OXYGEN, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REASSESS THAT.

THAT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO NEED OXYGEN ALL THE WAY FOREVER.

WE HAVE TO RETEST THEM.

THE OTHER THING WE ARE GOING TO OFFER PATIENTS IS PULMONARY REHAB.

>> YOU NEED THAT PERSONAL TOUCH.

MOST OF OUR CARDIOLOGIST HAVE ELECTED NOW, PROBABLY WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, TO ONLY DO FEW, FAR BETWEEN TELEMEDICINE.

BUT THAT INITIAL VISIT, I THINK, I BELIEVE, MUST BE IN PERSON.

YOU ARE ON TELEMEDICINE, AND YOU CAN VIEW THE PATIENT NOT GETTING A FULL SENTENCE OUT, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEIR OXYGEN LEVEL, IF THEY DON'T HAVE DEVICES OR MECHANISMS AVAILABLE TO MEASURE THEM.

IT'S VERY LIMITED.

>> Reporter: IS A THE PROGRAM IS A CRITICAL NEED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER CONTAGIOUS BUT STILL JUST DON'T FEEL RIGHT.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PATIENT IN THE PROGRAM, SOME REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE PREVIOUSLY TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE 19, AND WERE NOT HOSPITALIZED, BUT CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS MORE THAN 6 WEEKS FOLLOWING INFECTION.

THOSE WHO WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID, HAVING A PRE-EXISTING UNDERLYING LUNG DISEASE WITH COVID, AND THOSE CURRENTLY TESTING COVID NEGATIVE FOR AN ACTIVE INFECTION.

DR. MARTIN SAYS THEY ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR MORE PATIENTS AS A SUSPECT HE WILL BE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS FROM COVID FOR YEARS TO COME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> ANOTHER TWIST TONIGHT IN THE SAGA THAT IS NEW JERSEY'S EFFORT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

A SENATE COMMITTEE WILL TRY TO PASS A COMPROMISE BILL TOMORROW , AND MEET GOVERNOR MURPHY'S REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDER AGED USE PENALTIES.

IT COMES LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE BILL DIED IN THE LEADING SPONSOR WAS READY TO WALK AWAY FROM NEGOTIATIONS.

IF THE LAST-DITCH EFFORT PASSES THE COMMITTEE, A FULL VOTE COULD BE HELD IN BOTH HOUSES ON MONDAY, AND AVOID A DEADLINE THAT WOULD HAVE FORCED A BILL FEW SEEM TO BE HAPPY WITH.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>>> THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY HAVE SPOKEN BY A 2-1 MARGIN.

THEY SAID TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, AND IT JUST HAS NOT HAPPENED.

HONESTLY, I DON'T LIKE TO LAY BLAME ANYWHERE, BUT I CAN SPONSOR IT.

I CAN PASS IT.

I CAN MUSTER THE VOTES, BUT I CANNOT SIGN IN.

>> Reporter: SENATOR NIX KOTHARI SPENT YEARS NEGOTIATING PILLS THAT HE BELIEVED WOULD LEGALIZE AND DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA.

BUT THOSE HAVE SAT ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK SINCE SEPTEMBER, WITHOUT A SIGNATURE.

>> I WOULD NOT HAVE PROCESSED AND HAD A BILL VOTED ON OF THAT MAGNITUDE WITHOUT HAVING THE OKAY FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.

I HAD THAT.

>> Reporter: THE STALEMATE IS OVER THE PENALTIES AND THEIR COSTS FOR UNDER AGE USE OR POSSESSION OF WEED.

EQUALIZATION BILL REMOVES ALL PENALTIES, BUT THE LEGALIZATION BILL IMPOSES A DISORDERLY PERSONS OFFENSE, SOMETHING THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO AVOID INADVERTENTLY LEGALIZING UNDER AGE USE.

MEMBERS OF THE BLACK AND LATINO LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS, IKE SENATOR RON RICE WHO I SPOKE TO ON A CALL, SAY THOSE PENALTIES UNDULY AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO DO AT THIS POINT.

I KNOW THIS.

I WOULD DEBATE AND CHALLENGE HIM IF I SEE HARM BEING DONE TO OUR FOLK IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

I KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

OKAY?

AND NO ONE WHO DOES NOT LOOK LIKE ME AND LIVE IN THESE COMMUNITIES IS GOING TO TELL ME HOW WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THIS STUFF IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A RECEPTACLE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO JUST SIGN THE BILLS, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT PERFECT.

>> WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO NOW IS DUE TO MUCH I THINK.

RATHER THAN TRY TO HIT THE HOME RUN, WE JUST NEED TO HIT A DOUBLE HERE.

GET THIS BILL ENACTED.

THERE ARE POLICE REFORM ISSUES THAT ABSOLUTELY ARE GOING TO CHANGE AS A RESULT OF CANNABIS LEGALIZATION, INCLUDING NO LONGER ALLOWING POLICE TO MAKE A STOP BASED ON JUST THE PRESENCE OF THE SMELL OF CANNABIS.

THESE ARE GOOD THINGS, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO REFORM ALL OF THE POLICE ISSUES THROUGH THE CANNABIS BILL.

>> THE CLEANUP BILL TAKES CARE OF ALL OF THE PROBLEMS, OKAY?

THANK YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM SIGN IT, AND THEN FIX IT LATER WITH A CLEANUP BILL?

>> YES, YOU CAN DO IT THAT WAY.

WE HAVE TO CLEAN UP BILL RIGHT HERE READY TO GO.

'S >> Reporter: NOT EXACTLY.

THE SENATOR CANCELED THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEETING YESTERDAY WHEN NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE CLEANUP BILL CRUMBLED.

>> I DON'T THINK THE CUTS ARE GOING TO BE 21 IN OUR HOUSE FOR ANY VERSION OF ANY CLEANUP BILL.

WE HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE, AND ASSEMBLY VERSION, A VERSION THAT HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR WEEKS AT A TIME BY MINORITY CAUCUS LEADERS, AND THEN WE HAVE FINAL HYPERTECHNICAL SMALL CLARIFICATION BILLS THAT I PUT IN, AND NONE OF THOSE SEEM TO BE ABLE TO GARNER 21 VOTES.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT THE LAW THERE IS LEGAL CONFUSION, SAYS FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN WAS ASCII.

>> WE HAVE A VERY ODD SITUATION NOW WHERE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT BE ILLEGAL, BUT THE STATUTORY LAWS ON THE BOOKS SAY THAT IT IS.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

I THINK THE WAY YOU SIGN IT AND FIX IT AT THE SAME TIME IS YOU DO A CONDITIONAL VETO.

>> Reporter: WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A LINE ITEM VETO ON THIS?

>> NO.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THE BILL IS WRITTEN EXACTLY THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

THERE ARE NO DRAFTING ERRORS.

WE WROTE WHAT WE WANTED, AND IT WAS AGREED TO.

SO IT SHOULD BE SIGNED.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OFFERED NO COMMENT, SO AS IT HAS BEEN FOUR MONTHS, THIS REMAINS A WAITING GAME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> DEMOCRATS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ARE TACKLING ANOTHER POLITICALLY THORNY ISSUE OVERHAULING U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TODAY, CREATING A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE COUNTRY'S 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

INCLUDING NEARLY HALF 1 MILLION HERE IN THE STATE.

IN HIS U.S.

CITIZENSHIP ACT OF 2021, MENENDEZ PROPOSES TWO TRACKS.

ONE FOR RESIDENTS KNOWN AS DREAMERS, THOSE WITH TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS, AND FARMWORKERS.

ALL COULD IMMEDIATELY APPLY FOR GREEN CARDS, THEN CITIZENSHIP 3 YEARS LATER.

OTHER IMMIGRANTS WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS WOULD BECOME ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THAT GREEN CARD AFTER 5 YEARS, AND CITIZENSHIP IN ANOTHER 3 AMMA IF THEY PASS BACKGROUND CHECKS AND PAY TAXES.

THE BILL HAS SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS IN BOTH THE SENATE AND HOUSE, BUT MENENDEZ HAS BEEN HERE BEFORE.

IN 2013, HE COSPONSORED THE BIPARTISAN GANG OF EIGHT LEGISLATION, WHICH PASSED IN THE SENATE, BUT FAILED TO GET A VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

THERE IS EVEN LESS GOP SUPPORT THIS TIME AROUND, BUT RENEWED ENERGY EXISTS WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN IN OFFICE.

>> I KNOW THAT MANY ARE THINKING , DOES THIS BILL HAVE ANY CHANCE OF PASSING THE SENATE WITH 60 VOTES?

AND THE ANSWER IS, WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL WE TRY.

WE DEMOCRATS ARE PUTTING FORWARD PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VISIT FOR IMMIGRATION PERFORM, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT'S THE RIGHT VISION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM.

WE KNOW THE PATH FORWARD WILL DEMAND NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHERS , BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE CONCESSIONS OUT OF THE GATE.

>>> IT'S A BUSY SCHEDULE FOR THE SENATOR TODAY WITH THE LATEST COVID RELIEF PACKAGE MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS PROMISING HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR NEW JERSEY'S RESIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

HE DELIVERED AN UPDATE TODAY ON THE PROPOSED $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL THAT IS BEING WORKED ON IN CONGRESS.

HE CALLED THE PLANS TO SEND ELIGIBLE TAXPAYERS A $1400 STIMULUS CHECK A LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER TODAY, SEVERAL RESIDENTS SHARED THEIR STORIES OF HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED THEM AND THEIR FINANCES.

AND THERE IS CONTINUED ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC.

THE WEEKLY DATA ON UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ACROSS THE U.S. WAS DISAPPOINTING.

THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME FILINGS ROSE TO 861,000, THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN A MONTH, AND WORSE THAN ECONOMISTS FORECASTED.

GAMING REVENUE IN ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS ROSE MORE THAN 9% IN JANUARY, THANKS TO INTERNET GAMING AND ONLINE SPORTS BETTING.

THE CASINOS ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH IN PERSON BETTING, AS REVENUES FROM TABLE GAMES AND SLOT MACHINES FELL AGAIN.

BUT A NEW ANALYSIS FROM STOCKTON UNIVERSITY'S LIGHT INSTITUTE SHOWS THE DECLINE IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT CASINOS AND OTHER STATES ARE EXPERIENCING.

ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY, LAWMAKERS WERE SCRUTINIZING BETS MADE ON WALL STREET IN A DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH STORY THAT HAS CAPTIVATED INVESTORS.

THEY EXAMINED THE BUYING FRENZY OF SHARES OF VIDEOGAME RETAILER GAME STOP LAST MONTH.

AND BUYING THE STOCK, AVERAGE INVESTORS WERE BETTING AGAINST WALL STREET TRADERS WHO BELIEVED THE STOCK WAS WORTH A LOT IS.

IN THE HOT SEAT TODAY, THE CEO OF THE ONLINE BROKERAGE ROBIN HOOD, HE HAD TO EXPLAIN WHY HIS COMPANY HALTED GAME STOP TRADING FOR A TIME, FRUSTRATING SMALL INVESTORS.

>> ROBIN HOOD SECURITIES PUT THE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE IN AN EFFORT TO MEET INCREASED REGULATORY DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS, NOT TO HELP.

WE DON'T ANSWER TO HEDGE FUNDS.

>> Reporter: FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ARE PROBING THE GAME STOP INCIDENT FOR POSSIBLE MARKET MANIPULATION.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT TRADING TODAY.

I RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT.

SHE'S PUTTING YOUR INVESTMENTS AND FOCUS AND DIVING INTO EVERYTHING FROM PERSONAL INVESTING TO RETIREMENT TO CRYPTO CURRENCY REQUESTED ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> THE STATEMENT "BLACK LIVES MATTER" IS ABOUT MORE THAN ELIMINATING RACIST BEHAVIOR.

MAYORS FROM EIGHT OF NEW JERSEY'S MAJOR URBAN CITIES CAME TOGETHER IN ACTION, ALSO HELP TURN THE TIDE FOR BLACK AND LATIN EXPERT BUSINESS OWNERS BY EXPANDING A $100 MILLION INVESTMENT PROGRAM BORN OUT OF THE PANDEMIC LAST SEPTEMBER.

IT IS KNOWN AS THE NEWARK FAMILY FUND, AFTER BLACK AND BROWN BUSINESSES WERE BEING LEFT OUT OF FEDERAL AID, LIKE PPP LOANS.

THE FUND IS AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE GAP ON BARRIERS CREATED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM, AND PUT MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE HANDS OF MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS, WHO IN TURN UPLIFT THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.

IT STARTED IN NEWARK, BUT HOW THOSE RESOURCES WILL REACH ORANGE, EAST ORANGE, PATTERSON, TRENTON, IRVINGTON, AND ATLANTIC CITY.

SO FAR, NEARLY 10 OF THE $100 MILLION HAVE BEEN RAISED THANKS TO PRIVATE INVESTORS AND CORPORATIONS BASED IN THE STATE.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION, RIGHT?

HISTORY OF INABILITY OR ACCESS TO CAPITAL, A VERY DEFINITE SYSTEMIC AND DELIBERATE LOCKING OUT OF BLACK AND BROWN BUSINESSES FROM GETTING LOANS, EVEN THE PPP.

WE CAN'T GET ACCESS TO PPP BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP TO THESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMIC, AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DELIBERATELY, BECAUSE IT WAS CREATED DELIBERATELY.

WE CREATED THIS FUND BECAUSE IT WAS NECESSARY.

IT'S NECESSARY FOR US TO REACH OUT TO BLACK AND BROWN BUSINESSES, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE HAVING A MORE DIFFICULT TIME THAN EVERYONE ELSE.

>> THAT FUND IS NOT YET EXPANDING INTO THE CITY OF PASSAIC, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS THERE ARE IN NEED AT PEAK TIMES OF THE PANDEMIC.

THOUSANDS LINED UP FOUR BOXES OF FRESH FOOD AT CITY HALL OR LOCAL CHURCHES.

THE COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS HOVERING JUST AROUND 10%.

THAT IS MORE THAN 2% HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE, AND AT THE CITY WERE CLOSE TO 80% OF ITS RESIDENTS LIVE IN APARTMENTS.

MANY ARE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING RENT.

NOW THE MAYOR SAYS IT IS TIME TO DO MORE.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>>> MY LANDLORD WAS GOING TO RAISE MY RENT.

MET NOT THE NEWS SHE WANTED TO HEAR DURING A PANDEMIC.

THIS MOTHER OF THREE SAYS IT WAS A $25 INCREASE, BUT STILL.

>> I TOLD HER WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

I DON'T HAVE A JOB RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I AM AT HOME WITH THE KIDS.

HOMESCHOOLING THEM.

IT IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO GET A JOB AND THEN PAY A BABYSITTER MUSSO IT IS TOO HARD.

SO I TOLD HER, YOU CAN'T RAISE MY RENT, AND SHE SAID, WELL, YOU HAVE TO MOVE.

>> Reporter: SHE TOLD HER LANDLORD SHE COULD NOT MOVE BECAUSE IT WOULD COST TOO MUCH MONEY.

SHE SAYS TIMES ARE TIGHT.

SURVIVING JUST OFF HER HUSBAND'S INCOME.

>> ESPECIALLY HERE, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE.

THE THREE-BEDROOM IS ALMOST 1800, SOMETIMES 2000.

IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

I TOLD HER NO.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 77% OF THE STATE RENT ACCORDING TO THE DATA FROM 2019.

THE MAYOR SAID HE WAS HEARING STORIES OF FAMILIES GIVING UP THEIR APARTMENTS BECAUSE SOME LANDLORDS WERE INCREASING RENT BY 20, 30, SOMETIMES 40%.

THIS IN A CITY WHERE THE POVERTY RATE IS NEARLY 3 TIMES THE STATES RATE.

>> YOU ARE EITHER MAKING A DESPERATION MOVE TO RECOVER FUNDING THAT YOU LOST, AND I WOULD PROPOSE TO YOU THAT IT IS NOT THAT FAMILY THAT YOU SHOULD BE TRYING TO GET THE MONEY FROM.

YOU MAKE YOUR APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT AND THE BANKS.

WHERE YOU WERE TRYING TO GET THEM OUT.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET THEM OUT DURING A PANDEMIC, CONSIDERING THE NOR'EASTER THAT WE JUST FACED, THEN I AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT AS MAYOR.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR PUT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IN PLACE TO FREEZE ALL RENT, STARTING JANUARY 1st.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ALSO FACING HARDSHIP DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

MY EXECUTIVE ORDER INCENTIVIZES, IT ACTUALLY INCENTIVIZES THOSE WHO ARE VENTING TO PAY THEIR RENT.

IT SAYS THAT IF YOU PAY YOUR RENT ON TIME ON A MONTH BY MONTH BASIS, THERE IS A 0% INCREASE.

HOWEVER, IF YOU CANNOT MAKE A PAYMENT ON TIME, THERE IS A CAP ON HOW MUCH YOU CAN INCREASE THE RENT.

2%.

MY GOAL IS TO ADDRESS THE PRICE GOUGING.

>> IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE RAISING THE RENT BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY IS WORKING.

BACK RENT INCREASES HAVE NOT BEEN THE ONLY ISSUE OF 2021.

DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF LOUIS GENTILE SAYS THAT IN JANUARY PEOPLE WERE COMING IN DAILY TO GET THEIR CARS AFTER THEY WERE TOWED, BECAUSE OF EXPIRED REGISTRATIONS.

NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

>> THEY WERE FRUSTRATED.

THEY TOLD US THEY TRIED TO GET APPOINTMENT WITH THE DMV.

THEY WOULD SHOW US THE APPOINTMENTS.

YOU WOULD SEE THAT IT WAS 3 WEEKS AWAY OR 2 WEEKS AWAY.

EVERY DAY THERE IS A STORAGE FEE.

IF THE STORAGE FEE IS $70 PER DAY, AND YOU KNOW IS TAKING 20 DAYS TO GET YOUR CAR, THAT IS $1400 TO GET YOUR CAR.

THE WAY IT WORKS IS YOUR CAR HAS TO BE REGISTERED AND INSURED IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR OUT.

SO NOW, IF YOU OWE $1400, WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING WALKING AWAY FROM THE WINDOW, SAYING TO KEEP MY CAR.

I CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

IT'S AN INJUSTICE.

>> Reporter: THE DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF TOOK THE ISSUE UP TO THE MAYOR WHO IMMEDIATELY PUT A TOWING FREEZE IN PLACE ON JANUARY 29th.

>> THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU CAN JUST ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE IN THE STREETS AND NOT WORRY ABOUT IT.

IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED YOUR VEHICLE IN 2 YEARS AND IT IS OUT THERE, OUR POLICE ARE GOING TO USE COMMON SENSE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR INTENDS TO KEEP THE RENT AND TOWING FREEZE IS IN PLACE 30 DAYS AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY LIFTS THE STATE RENT MORATORIUM.

OF THE PANDEMIC CONDITIONS CONTINUE.

HOWEVER, HE WILL MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN PLACE UNTIL HIS RESIDENCE ARE BACK ON THEIR FEET AGAIN.

I'M LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE LATEST ON FEDERAL STIMULUS TALKS WHEN U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER JOINS DAVID CRUZ FOR REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE LIFE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THEN A PANEL OF REPORTERS WILL TALK ABOUT THE FATE OF THE LEGAL MARIJUANA BILL.

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>>> I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

STAY WARM AND SAFE.

WE WILL 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 A NEW , LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THE ORSTED VISION IS A WORLD THAT RUNS ENTIRELY ON GREEN ENERGY.

LOCATED OFF OF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY, ORSTED'S OCEAN WIND PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY , JOBS EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN OMA AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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