>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY MGM'S INSURANCE GROUP.

AND BY THE PSC G FOUNDATION.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

AS THE COVID HIS NUMBERS CONTINUE TO DECLINE, MANY ARE ASKING ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS OR AT WHAT POINT DO WE ACCEPT THIS VIRUS IS HERE TO STAY?

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYING ON MEET THE PRESS THIS WEEKEND THAT IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH.

INTERNATIONAL MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL REFLECTS THAT SENTIMENT WITH THE MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS SAYING COVID IS HERE TO STAY AND PEOPLE NEED TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES.

THERE WERE JUST UNDER 2000 CASES TODAY IN NEW JERSEY, DOWN FROM 9600 FRIDAY AND 22 NEW DEATHS.

IS DOWN FROM 113 ON FRIDAY.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE ALSO DROPPED, THOUGH NOT A SIGNIFICANTLY.

THEY ARE STILL CLOSE TO 3000 MEETING HOSPITAL CARE.

TODAY, THE FDA FULLY APPROVED MODERNA'S VACCINE FOR THOSE 18 AND OLDER.

IT IS THE SECOND VACCINE TO RECEIVE FULL APPROVAL.

THE SHOT WILL BE CALLED SPIKE FAX.

WITH 6 MILLION HERE IN THE STATE FULLY VACCINATED, BOOSTER SHOTS ARE LACKING, EVEN AS STUDY SHOW THEIR KEY AND BOOSTING IMMUNITY AND KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

ABOUT HALF OF THOSE ELIGIBLE HAVE RECEIVED 20 DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF THE STATES HEALTHCARE LEADERS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT THE STATE IS DOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THE SHOTS.

>> I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD IT ALREADY.

>> Reporter: IT TURNS OUT THE JOB IS NOT SO BAD, SAYS MARIANNE TO MITCH, TO GOT A COVID SHOT TODAY AFTER RESISTING THE VACCINE FOR MONTHS.

SHE IS GOING TO GET A BOOSTER, TOO, AT BURKE NEWBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER.

IT IS A LIFE-CHANGING, PERHAPS LIFE-SAVING DECISION, TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

>> AT FIRST I WAS VERY AGAINST IT UNTIL I STARTED HEARING A LOT OF PEOPLE GETTING SICK FROM IT AND HOSPITALIZED.

I STARTED GETTING NERVOUS.

>> WE NOTE THE BOOSTER MAKES A DIFFERENCE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL END UP IN THE HOSPITAL OR ICU.

>> THE CDC REPORTS THE WEEKLY RATE OF COVID RELATED DEATHS AMONGST THE UNVACCINATED WAS 7.800 THOUSAND COMPARED TO 0.6 FOR THOSE WITH TWO DOSES AND JUST 0.1 FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BOOSTED THIS PAST FALL WHEN OMICRON STARTED TO SEARCH.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S TAKE -- >> FRANKLY NEW JERSEY, WE ARE UNDER BOOSTED.

I THINK IT IS A NATIONAL CHALLENGE WHETHER IT IS A MANDATE OR NOT WE HAVE TO GET MORE FOLKS POSTED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY REPORTS HALF OF RESIDENTS AGE 18 OR OLDER HAVE GOTTEN BOOSTERS AS OF JANUARY 27 AND JUST BARELY HALF OF THOSE AGE 12 AND UP.

THE INITIAL RUSH TO GET BOOSTED OVER THE HOLIDAYS HAS PLATEAUED.

SOME STILL FEAR EFFECTS AND SIDE EFFECTS AND DISPROVE VACCINE FERTILITY MYTHS.

>> THE YOUNGER GENERATION HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH -- ESPECIALLY THE MEN, SAY IT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH HER SPERM COUNT.

>> THEY KNOW IT'S GOING TO HELP THEM BUT GETTING PAST THE NEEDLE IS THE HARD PART.

>> TO GET PEOPLE TO GET THEIR BOOSTERS IS LIKE PULLING TEETH.

IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET INDIVIDUALS TO GET THEIR THIRD BOOSTER DOSE, OR IF YOU ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, YOUR FOR SHOT.

>> AMERICANS SEEM TO HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THIS PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY SINCE ONE IN FIVE AMERICANS REFUSED TO GET A COVID SHOT.

>> THIS IS WHAT WE ELECTED JOE BIDEN TO DO, GET THINGS BACK TO NORMAL.

THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

I THINK WE ARE SEEING A DECLINE IN THE FAITH OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> POLL DIRECTOR PATRICK MURRAY SAYS THE SURVEY SHOWS 70% OF AMERICANS AGREE IT'S TIME MAKES OF COVID IS HERE TO STAY AND WE NEED TO GET ON WITH OUR LIVES, INCLUDING 78% REPORT THEY GOT COVID AND 65% SAY THEY DIDN'T GET INFECTED.

89% OF REPUBLICANS SAY IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON AS TO 71% OF INDEPENDENTS.

BUT JUST 47% OF DEMOCRATS.

MARY SAYS THE MAJORITY SURVEYED SUPPORT VACCINATION MANDATES EITHER INCLUDING BOOSTERS.

>> IF YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU SAY OKAY, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO GET ONE ONCE A YEAR ABOUT THAT WE WILL LIVE WITH THAT, THEN YOU MIGHT BREAK DOWN SOME OF THAT RESISTANCE TO THE IDEA OF GETTING MORE BOOSTERS.

I THINK SOME OF THAT RESISTANCE IS ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTY OF HOW MANY BOOSTERS IT WILL TAKE.

>> WE HAVE CONTINUED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO GO INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND BRING THE VACCINE INTO THE COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: TEMPTED US, JOIN OTHER LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS IN THE ONGOING PUSH TO GET JOBS INTO ARMS.

IT IS A DIMINISHING RETURN.

>>> THIS WEEKEND'S BLIZZARD WAS ONE EXAMPLE OF THE WILD WEATHER WE COME TO EXPECT IN NEW JERSEY, LATELY.

THE NOR'EASTER DUMPED CLOSE TO 20 INCHES AT SOME PARTS OF THE STATE ESPECIALLY IN THE SHORT COUNTIES OF MONMOUTH, OCEAN, ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

GOOD NEWS, NO FATALITIES WERE REPORTED.

THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED OUT OF NEWARK AND NEARBY AIRPORTS.

MANY PRESIDENTS WHO SAW THE MOST SNOW ARE STILL TAKING OUT AND MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE REGION CLOSE MY SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW BY WEDNESDAY, TEMPERATURES WILL BE BACK TO THE MID 40s AFTER THE SINGLE- DIGIT CHILLS THIS WEEKEND.

CLIMATOLOGIST DR. ANTHONY BROCCOLI SAYS WE CAN EXPECT TO HIGHS OF LOWS AS THE WINTER WEEKS CONTINUE.

>> WINTER IS THE SEASON WHEN THE WEATHER IS MOST VULNERABLE IN NEW JERSEY.

NOR'EASTER'S, LIKE THE ONE WE SAW, ARE NOT THAT UNUSUAL.

THEY HAPPEN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE THERE IS A STRONG CONTRAST BETWEEN VERY COLD AIR TO OUR NORTH IN THE ARCTIC IN THE TROPICS STILL BEING RELATIVELY WARM AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

WINTER STORMS FEED OFF OF THAT CONTRAST IN TEMPERATURE.

RANGE FORECASTS THAT ARE COMING IN FOR THE AVERAGE CONDITIONS OVER THE WEEKS AHEAD SHOW A LOT OF THESE VARIATIONS BETWEEN COLD AND WARM.

>> SUPER STORM IDA DESTROYED THE HOMES OF SEVERAL ELIZABETH RESIDENTS, FORCING THEM TO TAKE SHELTER OF LOCAL HOTELS.

MANY WERE TOLD LAST WEEK THE CLOCK HAS RUN OUT ON THEIR HOTEL PLACEMENTS AND THEY WILL HAVE TO MOVE TO TEMPORARY HOUSING TODAY.

IT'S ONLY UP TO TWO HOURS AWAY.

RESIDENCE OR DECLINE THE PLAN SAYING THEY WILL HAVE TO UPROOT THEIR LIVES AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

>> ME AND MY KIDS DON'T HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

I NEED SOMEWHERE TO GO.

>> Reporter: ANGER AND FRUSTRATION IN LATINO WASHINGTONS VOICE AS SHE CRIES OUT FOR HELP INSIDE OF ELIZABETH CITY HALL.

WASHINGTON HAS BEEN LIVING WITH HER TWO CHILDREN HERE AFTER FLOODS FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA FORCED THEM OUT OF THEIR HOME.

SHE IS BEING TOLD HER TIME AT THE EMBASSY SUITES IS WELL.

>> I'M NOT GOING NOWHERE.

>> Reporter: WASHINGTON WAS GIVEN AN EXTENSION UNTIL TODAY.

WITH NOWHERE TO GO, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, WITH SEVERAL OF HER NEIGHBORS ARE FACING A SIMILAR SITUATION MUCH RIGHT INTO CITY HALL DEMANDING THE MAYOR TAKE ACTION AND SHOULD STOP PLAYING GAMES.

EVERY DAY THEY KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> ISHMAEL HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO GET THE RESIDENTS OF OAKWOOD CAUSE A PERMANENT HOUSING FOR MONTHS.

HE SAYS CIS MANAGEMENT WHO OWNS THE COMPLEX IS DOING IN AFRICA TENANTS.

>> THEY OFFERED WAY.

I SEE A DOCTOR EVERY OTHER DAY MENTALLY.

I AM STUCK WITH EVERYONE ELSE HERE.

I DO WANT TO LEAVE TOO, BUT I CAN'T FIND A PLACE.

I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION.

I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

I HAVE NO SUPPORT BUT ME AND MY SISTER.

MY SISTER WAS A SHOT THE VICTIM, SHE WAS SHOT.

>> THIS IS MY FIFTH TIME MOVING SINCE THE HURRICANE.

HOTEL TO HOTEL.

THEY SENT US, ME AND MY SIX- YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, TWO HOTELS, ROACH INFESTED MICE.

>> I WERE THE SAME CLOTHES EVERY DAY BECAUSE I HAVE NO CLOTHES, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.

>> RESIDENTS SAY THEIR COMPLAINTS CONTINUE TO BE IGNORED ISHMAEL TO QUESTION WHY FEMA HAD, MANAGEMENT, AND THE MAYOR CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM THE RUN AROUND?

>> THE OWNER OF CIS MANAGEMENT IS THE WIFE OF THE FORMER MAYOR DOUG PALMER OF TRENTON WHO WAS A BUDDY OF OUR MAYOR, CHRIS BOWLES.

CIS MANAGEMENT IS CONTRACTED WITH HUD.

THAT MEANS ALL OF THOSE 275 UNITS AT OAKWOOD PLAZA APARTMENT WAS UNDER HUD'S RENTAL ASSESSMENT WHICH ESTIMATED $6 MILLION A YEAR SOMEWHERE ALONG THAT.

MAYBE MORE.

MY THINKING IS WHY IS THE MAYOR FIGHTING SO HARD FOR THIS WOMAN?

AND I AM HEARING THE MAYOR HAD FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS.

>> RESIDENTS AND ADVOCATES SAY THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE CITY CAN'T STEP IN AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO COME HERE EVERY DAY IF THEY NEED TO.

>> THE SAME RESIDENCE, BLACK OR BROWN RESIDENTS PUT OVER THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

>> WE EMAILED AND CALLED SERIOUS MANAGEMENT AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ARE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.

AS FOR WASHINGTON, ISHMAEL TELLS US THE MAYOR CALLED HER AFTER TODAY'S VISIT BUT TOLD HER SHE NEEDS TO TAKE ONE OF THE PROPERTIES BEING OFFERED TO HER IN ATLANTIC CITY OR WHICH TOWNSHIP, WHICH SHE SAYS ARE BOTH TOO FAR AWAY.

ISHMAEL SAYS HE WILL BE WORKING TO GET WASHINGTON AND HER KIDS INTO A SHELTER.

>>> A GROUP OF ADVOCATES POUNDING THE PAVEMENT TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT MORE STATE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR IMMIGRANTS NOT PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE FOR COVID AID.

THE NEW JERSEY FUND WILL REMAIN OPEN PAST THE PREVIOUS DEADLINE OF TODAY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK, THE STATE WILL INCREASE ITS CONTRIBUTION FROM $10-$40 MILLION.

THE ADVOCACY GROUP HOSTED A DAY OF ACTION AND ELIZABETH TO GET THE WORD OUT TO THOSE WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THE FUND AND ASSIST THEM IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

MARIANNA VELASQUEZ ATTENDED THE RALLY AND IS URGING OTHERS TO DO AS SHE HAS DONE TO SIGN UP TO TAKE THE HEALTH HEALTH BEING OFFERED.

TRANSMISSIONS THANKFUL AND HAPPY TO HEAR THE GOVERNMENT HAS REPLACED THE $40 MILLION FUND, BUT THEY ARE HERE TODAY TO SAY THEY FIGHT DOES NOT STOP IN TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IN HER COMMUNITY KNOWS THE EXCLUDED WORKERS FUND IS OPEN AND THEY ARE HERE TO HELP PEOPLE APPLY.

THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO BELIEVE.

THAT IS WHY THEY ARE CALLING FOR $1 BILLION ESSENTIAL AND EXCLUDED WORKERS.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE BACK IN THIS AFTER STARTING THE SPRING SEMESTER ONLINE.

STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO MOVE BACK INTO THEIR DORMS OVER THE WEEKEND.

SOME STUDENTS HAVE SUED THE UNIVERSITY FOR CLOSURES DURING THE FIRST WAVE OF COVID IN THE SPRING OF 2020, ALLEGING THEY WERE ENTITLED TO REFUNDS OF ON- CAMPUS TUITION, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES AFTER THE SCHOOL WENT FROM OUT.

RUTGERS HAS AGREED TO PAY $5 MILLION, WHICH IS EVENLY DIVIDED AMONG THE STUDENTS, MINUS ABOUT $950 IN LEGAL FEES.

THE JUDGE RULED FRIDAY THAT THE DEAL IS FAIR, ADEQUATE AND REASONABLE.

EACH STUDENT GETS ABOUT $63.

A RECENT COURT DECISION IS REQUIRED THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO RELEASE THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA THAT HAS SEEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS/FROM DISTRICT BUDGETS WHILE BEING AWARDED TO OTHERS.

THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY SIX JERSEY SHORE DISTRICTS DEMANDING TO KNOW HOW THE WINNERS AND LOSERS WERE PICKED AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> THERE ARE WIDELY VARYING ANALYSES OF HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN LOST.

FOR THESE CLIENTS IT IS PROBABLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $30 MILLION JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> STEVE O EDELSTEIN'S PARTNER AT WEAVER LAW GROUP, WHICH IS REPRESENTING SIX DISTRICTS WHO HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, IF NOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, CUT FROM THEIR BUDGET.

LAST WEEK, THE DISTRICT WON THE LAWSUIT.

THEY FILED AGAINST THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY 2021, SEEKING MORE INFORMATION AND HOW TAX DOLLARS ARE DIVIDED UNDER THE S2 FORMULA, AN ALGORITHM USED TO SEE HOW STATE FUNDING IS DIVIDED AMONGST DISTRICT STATEWIDE.

>> IT BAFFLES MY MIND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DOESN'T COME CLEAN.

IT IS LIKE THE WINTER OF OURS, THEY CAN'T LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FORMULA, SHOW US.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE HAD TO GO TO COURT.

THE COURT'S AWARD OF COUNSEL FEES TO THESE TOWNS BECAUSE OF THE STATES AND PROPER CONDUCT.

>> GREGORY McGUCKIN REPRESENTED TEXAS DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES PARTS OF OCEAN COUNTY.

HE SAYS THE S2 FORMULA HAS STRAINED TOWNS RIVER AND BROOK TOWNSHIP THE WERE THE MOST.

>> TOWNS ROBUST $1 MILLION IN SCHOOL FUND.

THEY LOST $5.3 MILLION AND A 19% CUT TO OUR STATE AID.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

EACH YEAR IT GETS COMPOUNDED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> IT IMPACTS STAFFING LAYOFFS OF COURSE.

IT IMPACTS THE PHYSICAL PLANT THERE CAN BE NEW BUILDINGS OR ADDITIONS TO OLD BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

IT AFFECTS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

IT AFFECTS TRANSPORTATION AND BUSING.

IT AFFECTS ATHLETICS.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE WINNERS OR LOSERS.

THAT IS ON THE SOCCER FIELD.

THAT IS WHAT THOSE GAINS ARE.

>> ALYSSA MORRISON, A PARENT AND TEACHER, WHO LIVES IN ON MY FACEBOOK GROUP, HAS BEEN PUSHING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO RELEASE THE MATH BEHIND THE FORMULA.

MORRISON HAS SEEN FIRSTHAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOSING STATE AID.

>> NO CHILD SHOULD LOSE ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE ZIP CODE THEY LIVE AND.

YOU START TO SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

YOU SEE OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS.

SOME CLASSES OF 30 KIDS IN THEM OR 35 KIDS IN THEM.

TRY PUTTING DESKS IN THE CLASSROOM.

NOW, THROW IN THOSE COVID PROTOCOLS THAT YOU HAVE.

YOU START TO SEE WHAT THE NARRATIVE IS AROUND THE STATE.

EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES IT DIFFERENTLY, WHETHER THEY ARE THE WINNERS OF S2 OR THE LOSERS.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS THAT NO CHILD SHOULD BE A LOSER IN EDUCATION.

I PRAY THAT FORMULA SHOW SOMETHING AND THEY CAN FIX SOMETHING.

I AM OPTIMISTIC IN THAT SENSE.

>> ALSO FORCES THE STATE TO GIVE UP ITS MATH AND EXCLAMATION BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE STATE TO GIVE ANY DISTRICT MONEY.

INTO SPOTLIGHT NEWS DID REACH OUT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR A STATEMENT.

A SPOKESPERSON REPLIED SAYING THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PUBLICLY COMMENT ON MATTERS INVOLVING PENDING LITIGATION.

>>> TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH GET COVERED NJ.

THESE DATES MARKETPLACE CREATED THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

INSURANCE RATES WERE APPROVED THROUGH THE RECENT RESCUE CARE.

MORE PEOPLE ARE SIGNING UP THIS YEAR THAN ANY SINCE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS SIGNED IN 2014.

STARTING TOMORROW, ONLY THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL ENROLLMENT WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE.

THAT INCLUDES ANYONE EXPERIENCING A LIFE CHANGE LIKE A MOVE, THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, A MARRIAGE OR DIVORCE OR SOME OTHER LOSS OF INSURANCE.

NEW JERSEY'S GARDENS COULD SOON HAVE COMPETITION FROM ITS WAREHOUSES.

THE EXPANSION OF THE STATES WAREHOUSE INDUSTRY IS EATING UP HUGE LOTS OF OPEN SPACE AND CREATING A MAJOR SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE FOR ALL OF THOSE COMPANIES LOOKING FOR STORAGE.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE WAREHOUSE MARKET THAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE WILD WEST BY SOME IS NEWS CONTRIBUTING WRITER JOHN HURDLE.

JOHN, NEW JERSEY'S REPUTATION AS A WAREHOUSE STATE IS ONLY GETTING STRONGER.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN IT COMES TO COMPANIES LOOKING TO RENT WAREHOUSE SPACE?

>> THERE FUNDING A HUGE AMOUNT OF DEMAND IS A GREAT DEAL OF COMPETITION FOR WAREHOUSE SPACE.

ONE OF THE EFFECTS OF THAT, ACCORDING TO A RECENT SET OF DATA, IS THAT VACANCY RATES ARE CONTINUING TO FALL.

THE LATEST INDICATION IS THE STATEWIDE VACANCY RATE FOR WAREHOUSE IS IS ONLY 2.7%.

THE AVERAGE ASKING RENT HAS GONE UP TO ABOUT $11 PER SQUARE FOOT.

ONE INDICATION OF THE SCRAMBLE FOR LAND IS THAT FOR THE HIGHEST RATE OF THE HIGHEST PARCEL OF WAREHOUSE SPACE, THE PRICE OF THAT HAS GONE UP 46% IN THE LAST YEAR.

>> WHO IS THIS GOOD FOR AND WHO DOES IT HURT?

ARE TAXPAYERS BENEFITING FROM THIS OR ARE COSTS TRICKLING DOWN TO THE CONSUMER?

>> I THINK TAXPAYERS PROBABLY ARE BENEFITING FROM THIS ON A LOCAL LEVEL BECAUSE IN THIS APOLOGIES TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY OVER WHETHER OR NOT A WAREHOUSE IS BUILT FROM THEIR LAND, MANY OF THEM ARE ENGAGED IN A CHASE OF RATES THAT ARE SET.

THE DOWNSIDE OF ALL OF THIS, CRITICS SAY, IS THAT LOCAL ROADS GET CHOKED WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC THAT THEY WERE NEVER BUILT FOR.

LOCAL AIR QUALITY GETS ERODED.

AND OPEN-SPACE GETS EATEN UP.

THERE IS A DWINDLING SUPPLY OF THAT IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WILL WE SEE AN EFFECT WHERE IT IS A SCRAMBLE FOR WHATEVER OPEN-SPACE EXISTS AND THIS IS ONLY GOING TO CONTINUE?

>> YES.

THE AUTHORS OF THE LATEST SET OF DATA, THAT IS A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY, THEY PREDICT THAT THERE WILL BE NO LET UP IN THESE CONDITIONS FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT YEAR.

AND SO WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE FURTHER INCREASES IN COSTS AND DECLINES IN VACANCY RATES IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

IN SOME PLACES THEY ARE EFFECTIVELY DOWN TO ZERO ALREADY.

>>> FROM JONES REPORTING ON THE WAREHOUSE BOOM, HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET TRADED TODAY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER S NJ.COM.

>>> BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES ARE GEARING UP FOR A COMPETITIVE MIDTERM ELECTION AND DEMOCRATS ARE FACING MOUNTING PRESSURE.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE'S FRONTLINE PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS SUPPORT FOR INCUMBENTS FACING TOUGH REELECTION CAMPAIGNS, HAS IDENTIFIED FOR VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS IN NEW JERSEY.

ONE OF THEM IS CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOT THANK YOU, WHO HAS THREE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS.

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS HOW VULNERABLE THE FIFTH DISTRICT CANDIDATE IS, BEEN TO WORK IN, DIRECTOR OF ROWAN UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

THE CONGRESSIONAL LINES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN REDRAWN.

WHILE THE OUTCOME STILL FACES A LEGAL BATTLE, THAT FAVORS REPRESENTATIVE JOSH GOT THANK YOU.

WHY IS HE IN TROUBLE?

>> I THINK EVERY DEMOCRAT HAS TO WORRY WHEN YOUR PARTY, IN THIS CASE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, CONTROLS THE WHITE HOUSE INTERFACING THE FIRST MIDTERM ELECTION OF A NEW PRESIDENT.

HISTORICALLY, THIS IS ALWAYS TOUGH FOR THE PARTY THAT CONTROLS THE WHITE HOUSE.

EVERY DEMOCRAT HAS TO BE A LITTLE BIT WORRIED GOING INTO 2022.

JOSH SCOTT HAMMER, WHO IS A PRODIGIOUS FUNDRAISER AS A MIN THIS WARCHEST TO FIGHT OFF A CHALLENGE, AS HOPES DURING THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

THE OLD FIFTH DISTRICT CAME OUT ABOUT A FIVE-POINT ADVANTAGE, THE NEW DISTRICT UNDER THE NEW LINES.

HE TRADED TO REPUBLICAN TOWNS AND GOT NEW DEMOCRATIC TOWNS.

IT WOULD FAVOR JOE BIDEN BY ABOUT 12 POINTS.

THAT REALLY HELPS HIM FACE OFF WHATEVER CHALLENGE HE IS GOING TO FACE.

I THINK GOD HAMMER WILL BE CONCERNED.

I AM NOT SURE HE WILL BE OVERLY CONCERNED.

THE BIG?

IS THE PRESIDENT'S JOB APPROVAL RATING.

IF IT IS IN THE 30s, IF IT IS IN THE VERY LOW 40s, THAT WILL MAKE EVERYBODY'S LIFE IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, VERY DIFFICULT.

I THINK THAT IS WHY WE HAVE SEEN NEWS REPORTS INDICATING THAT JOSH GOT THANK YOU MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE VULNERABLE THIS YEAR THAN HE HAS SAY TWO YEARS AGO.

>> YOU MENTIONED HIS WARCHEST.

HE HAS $11 MILLION ALREADY.

DO YOU BELIEVE HIS FUNDRAISING ABILITY AS PART OF THE REASON WHY HE IS GETTING THE SUPPORT HE IS GETTING?

>> JON SCOTT NOT ONLY RAISES MONEY FOR HIMSELF, HE RAISES MONEY FOR DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRATS DO.

IT IS WHAT REPUBLICANS DO.

YOU TRY TO HELP PEOPLE BECAUSE EVERYBODY IN YOUR PARTY IS HELPED IF YOU CAN GET TO THE MAJORITY.

SO, I THINK THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, NOW THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THE SUBURBAN DISTRICTS THAT KILLED A LITTLE BIT REPUBLICAN, NOT AS MUCH AGAIN IN THE GOD HAMMER EXAMPLE AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT STILL THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT REPUBLICAN BASE IN THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN NEW JERSEY, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL RALLY AROUND JOSH GAHR HI.

EVERY CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IS CRITICAL.

FOR THE DEMOCRATS IF THEY HAVE ANY HOPE OF RETAINING THE MAJORITY.

RIGHT NOW THAT IS NOT LIKELY OR IF THEY WANT TO KEEP IT CLOSE THEY CAN'T LOSE SEATS LIKE THE NEW JERSEY FIFTH WITH JOSH SCOTT HAMMER.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS IMPACTING GARDEN STATE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> NJ AM NEW JERSEY IS SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT WHO ARE MGM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

MGM, WE HAVE GOT NEW JERSEY COVER.