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

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENCEE OF THE BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A THIRD CORONAVIRUS VACCINE FROM JERSEY'S OWN JOHNSON AND JOHNSON BEGAN SHIPPING OUT THIS MORNING, AND COULD ARRIVE AT DISTRIBUTION SITES AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY EXPANDED VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TO INCLUDE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MORE RESIDENTS STARTING JUST IN TWO WEEKS.

ON MARCH 15th, TEACHERS AND STAFF FOR PRE-K THROUGH 12th GRADE CAN APPLY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS THE STATE MARKED MORE THAN 2 MILLION TOTAL SHOTS PUT IN ARM.

HEALTH LEADERS EXPECT THE NUMBER TO JUMP AS THE NEW VACCINE BOOSTS SUPPLY.

AT THE END OF THE MONTH, THE STATE WILL OPEN ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEES AT RESTAURANTS, FOOD PROCESSING, GROCERY, WAREHOUSE, AND HOSPITALITY WORKERS, ALONG WITH REMAINING ELDER CARE EMPLOYEES, ELECTIONS, CLERGY, POSTAL, SHIPPING, AND JUDICIAL SHIPPING WORKERS.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS DEBATE REOPENING FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID HE FULLY EXPECTS STUDENTS TO BE BACK TO SCHOOL IN PERSON THIS FALL.

THE HEAD OF THE STATE'S LARGEST TEACHERS UNION SAYS THE ELIGIBILITY IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.

>> THAT'S ONE BIG STEP, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE SCHOOLS HAVE OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS IN COMPLIANCE WITH CDC GUIDELINES.

THAT'S PROPER VENTILATION, PROPER PPE EQUIPMENT, PROPER PLACES TO HAVE KIDS AND STAFF WATCH THEIR HANDS AND HAVE DISINFECTANT, AND OF COURSE HAVE CONTRACT TRACING IN PLACE BECAUSE THE VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 18-YEAR-OLDS AND ADULTS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO ACCESSIBILITY YET FOR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN.

>> WITH THE BLESSING OF BOTH THE FDA AND CDC, JOHNSON AND JOHNSON IS SHIPPING THE FIRST ROUND OF VACCINE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ROUGHLY 70,000 DOSES ARE EXPECTED HERE THIS WEEK.

AND MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THE THIRD OPTION COULD HELP TURN THE PAGE ON THIS PANDEMIC.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THE SHOTS WILL BE PRIORITIZED FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, BUT WILL IT HELP WITH THE INEQUITIES IN THE STATE'S DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM?

>> WE'LL HAVE AN ALLOTMENT, I UNDERSTAND, OF 250 SHOOTS OF THE VACCINE.

>> REPORTER: AND REVEREND WILSON WELCOMES IT.

HIS CHURCH, ST. MATTHEW AME IN ORANGE HOSTED COVID TESTING IN THE SUMMER, AND THIS WEEK WILL HOST A VACCINATION CLINIC.

THE SHIPMENT OF THE NEW VACCINE DOSES ARE GOING TO PEOPLE OF COLOR AND HARD TO REACH COMMUNITIES.

WILSON SAYS SYSTEMIC RACIAL INEQUITY HAS IMPACTED VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

>> WHITES >> WHITE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE VACCINE OR GOING INTO POOR COMMUNITIES TO GET THE VACCINE, THERE'S WHITE PRIVILEGE AT WORK.

>> REPORTER: CURRENTLY ON THE 4% OF VACCINES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE GONE TO BLACK RESIDENTS, AND 5% TO HISPANICS COMPARED TO MORE THAN HALF TO THE WHITE POPULATION HERE, EVEN THOUGH COVID HAS KILLED PEOPLE OF COLOR AT MUCH HIGHER RATES, TWO TO THREE TIMES THAT OF WHITES.

WILSON SAYS THE CLINIC WILL HELP.

>> PUTTING THE SHOT IN A TRUSTED INSTITUTION IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY SO PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

THIS VACCINE NEEDS TO GO TO BROWN AND BLACK POPULATIONS, AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATIONS IN PARTICULAR.

>> REPORTER: JOHNSON AND JOHNSON PROMISED TO DELIVER ALMOST 4 MILLION DOSES NATIONWIDE WITHIN DAYS AND IT'S TOTAL CURRENT INVENTORY BY THE END OF THE MONTH, ALTHOUGH SHIPMENTS COULD BE ENEVEN.

>> WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO ENSURE EQUITABLE VACCINE ACCESS.

WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHURCHES AND OTHER TRUSTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> REPORTER: HERE'S THE RUB.

WHILE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES BOAST 95% EFFICACY IN PREVENTING ANY COVID SYMPTOMS, THIS VACCINE IS 72% EFFECTIVE AGAINST MODERATE AND SEVERE DISEASE IN CLINICAL TRIALS, 85% EFFECTIVE AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE, BUT THERE'S PUSH BACK IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS OVER WHAT'S PERCEIVED AS A SECOND CLASS VACCINE GETTING RELEGATED TO POOR BROWN AND BLACK FOLKS.

>> WE'RE HEARING SOME CONCERNS THAT BECAUSE OF THE LOWER OVERALL EFFECTIVENS, INCLUDING PREVENTING MILD DISEASE, THAT THIS VACCINE MIGHT BE TARGETED TO POPULATIONS THAT MAY HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY ACCESSING IT, AND IS THAT AN ISSUE OF EQUITY.

AGAIN, ALL THREE VACCINES ARE EQUIVALENT IN PREVENTING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

>> REPORTER: IT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT THIS VACCINE IS BETTER SUITED TO DISTRIBUTION AT PLACES LIKE CHURCHES.

>> THE DISTRIBUTION, AGAIN, SHOULD BE EVEN ACROSS COMMUNITIES.

IMPORTANTLY PROVIDING THAT GUIDANCE UP FRONT.

WE'RE MODELING THAT WITHIN THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

>> IF WE WERE TO SEE THAT VACCINES WERE GOING TO CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, WE WOULD TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE SUPPLY IS DISTRIBUTED EVENLY.

>> REPORTER: MODERNA AND PFIZER ARE PROVIDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS MORE DOSE, AND EVENTUALLY PATIENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK THEIR OWN SHOT, ASSUMING THEY CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT.

>>> AS WE MARK THE MILESTONE OF THE NEW VACCINE COMING ONLINE, THIS MONTH HOLDS A FEW OTHER COVID-RELATED ANNIVERSARIES.

A YEAR AGO THIS WEEK, THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS EMERGED IN NEW JERSEY.

THE FIRST CASE REPORTED LATER CONNECTED TO A FAMILY GATHERING IN MONMOUTH.

NO ONE EXPECTED THE NUMBER OF INFECTIONS TO GROW AS HIGH.

THE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING.

LESSONS LEARNED, MISTAKES MADE, AND WHAT'S AHEAD.

WE SPOKE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMISSIONER AND THE ADVISOR FOR THE STATE'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE.

>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SORT OF THE CRITICAL LESSONS FROM THIS PAST YEAR WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN PARTICULAR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALLY START AT THE BEGINNING.

WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT MARCH 4th, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE FIRST CASE.

BUT ACTUALLY WE WERE ALERTED IN JANUARY OF THE OUTBREAK IN WUHAN.

WE STILL THOUGHT THIS VIRUS WAS REALLY REMOTE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

CERTAINLY YOU LOOK BACK AND SAY WE PUT THE CRISIS TEAM IN PLACE, WE WERE MONITORING THIS, WHAT DID WE MISS?

WELL, WHAT WE MISSED WAS THE VELOCITY OF THIS VIRUS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE PPE.

WE DID NOT HAVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

>> I WAS SO STRUCK YOU SAID THAT AT ONE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT IN ALL YOUR YEARS YOU COULDN'T HAVE IMAGINED THAT BEING AN ISSUE.

>> UNFATHOMABLE.

WE WERE PARSING OUT PPE LIKE IT WAS THE RAREST, AND IT WAS AT THAT POINT, COMMODITY EVER.

WHEN I LOOK BACK AT THAT, IT'S JUST SO UNBELIEVABLE.

THAT IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, WE WERE FACED WITH THAT.

>> DOCTOR, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THE VIRUS THAT, YOU KNOW, A SORT OF LESSON LEARNED ON THE VIRUS SIDE?

>> WELL, FROM A HIGHER PERSPECTIVE, I THINK IT WAS A FAILURE OF IMAGINATION ON THE PART OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND SO ON.

I WOULD SAY THIS, EVEN IF WE HAD A LOT OF EQUIPMENT AND VENTILATORS, I THINK EVEN THEN GIVEN THE TRANSMISSIBILITY OF THIS VIRUS, I THINK WE STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE AT THAT POINT.

WE JUST COULDN'T IMAGINE THIS IT WOULD TURN OUT WHAT IT BECAME.

>> WHAT WENT WRONG IN NEW JERSEY?

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING WITH LONG TERM CARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

AND THE STATE'S RESPONSE.

>> WHEN I LOOK BACK AND THINK ABOUT LONG TERM CARE.

I LIKE WHAT EDDIE SAID ABOUT FAILURE OF IMAGINATION.

I THINK WE DID NOT IMAGINE THAT THE COMMUNITY SPREAD WAS SO DEEP THAT IT WAS COMING INTO ALL OF OUR FACILITIES, BUT LONG TERM CARE, BECAUSE OF THE VULNERABILITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT, THERE IT WAS ALREADY IN OUR LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES WAY BEFORE A PATIENT GOT READMITTED.

>> THE PUBLIC MESSAGING ON THIS IS COMPLICATED, RIGHT.

PARTICULARLY TALKING ABOUT VACCINES.

DOCTOR, LET ME ASK YOU, HOW DO YOU THINK WE'VE DONE IN NEW JERSEY?

>> I THINK PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS GET USED TO BASICALLY HAVING TO MESSAGE AND TO BE STRAIGHT WITH THE PUBLIC.

ESPECIALLY WITHIN NEW JERSEY.

THE GOVERNOR AND COMMISSIONER WERE DOING DAILY PRESS CONFERENCES BACK EARLY ON.

NOW IT'S LIMITED TO THREE DAYS A WEEK.

BUT THEY'VE KEPT AT IT AND BEEN HONEST ABOUT THE INFORMATION THAT'S COMING AND ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS AS BEST THEY CAN.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

AND THE PUBLIC WILL FORGIVE THAT WHEN YOU ADMIT TO A MISTAKE.

IT'S WHEN YOU COVER IT UP THAT YOU GET HIT HARD.

>> WHAT DOES PUBLIC HEALTH LOOK LIKE IN A YEAR?

>> WELL THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT KIM CAME OUT OF THIS IS I THINK WE BOLSTERED OUR PUBLIC HEALTH STRUCTURE.

I THINK WE'LL NOT ONLY BE PREPARED IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, BUT EVEN SMALL OUTBREAKS IN CITIES AND TOWN, THE PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE HAD BEEN SO DECIMATED OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY IN NEW JERSEY, AND WE REALLY BOLSTERED UP WHAT HAPPENS CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE, AND I THINK THAT'S, IN MY OPINION, THE BEST THING THAT'S COME OUT OF THIS.

THERE ARE SOME LESSONS TO LEARN, BUT I THINK THEY'RE REALLY GOING TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC OVERALL FOR DECADES TO COME.

FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WE'LL NEVER FORGET THIS.

>>> DO THE STATE HEALTH LEADERS HAVE REGRETS ON THE HANDLING OF THIS PANDEMIC AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO MAKE OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SOUND IN THE FUTURE?

CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT MARCH 15th EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY TO NEARLY 9,000 PEOPLE IN THE STATE CLASSIFIED AS HOMELESS, ALONG WITH THOSE CURRENTLY LIVING IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESS SHELTERS.

IN WEEKEND, DOCTORS FROM RIVERSIDE MEDICAL GROUP BEGAN A NEW PARTNERSHIP TO REACH THE HIGH RISK COMMUNITIES AND FIGHT INEQUITY, OFFERING ON SITE CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS AT PLACES THAT HOUSES THOSE IN NEED.

THE GROUP IS ALSO HELPING PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE, AND IN SOME CASES PROVIDING SHUTTLES TO GET THEM THERE.

RIVERSIDE MEDICAL ALSO TEAMED UP TO EDEN AUTISM MEDICAL TO VACCINATE THEIR MEMBERS AND PARENTS.

>>> EVEN WITH AN ADULT USE MARIJUANA LAW ON THE BOOKS, THERE ARE STILL MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS AT THIS POINT ON EVERYTHING FROM HOW SOON YOU CAN BUY IT TO HOW SOON THE MARKET WILL RAMP UP.

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS ON WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE INDUSTRY.

>> REPORTER: IF YOU THOUGHT GETTING THE ENABLING LEGISLATION WAS A LONG, STRANGE TRIP, GET READY FOR THE REAL HEAVY LIFT.

STANDING UP A CANNABIS INDUSTRY FROM SCRATCH.

>> LEGAL ADULT USE CANNABIS IS NOW A THING.

>> REPORTER: BILL CARUSO IS AN ATTORNEY AND CANNABIS LEGALIZATION ADVOCATE.

>> THERE'S NO LEGAL SUPPLY OUT THERE.

THERE'S A TON OF BLACK MARKET SUPPLY THAT EXISTS.

FOR THE TIME BEING, THAT WILL CONTINUE, AND ALSO SUPPLY DIVERTED FROM LEGAL JURISDICTIONS INTO OUR STATE.

>> REPORTER: WHICH HAS BEEN THE STATUS QUO SINCE, WELL FOREVER.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR LEGAL CANNABIS BACK IN NOVEMBER, ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS, NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL THOUSANDS OF MERCHANTS WHO WANT TO GET IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR ARE WONDERING WHEN IS IS STUFF GOING TO BE AVAILABLE?

THE ANSWER IS MAYBE A LITTLE LATER THAN SOONER.

THE PLAN RIGHT NOW IS TO GET THE CURRENT MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO RAMP UP PRODUCTION TO FEEL THE IMMEDIATE DEMAND.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT AROUND SUMMER.

>> REPORTER: THE HARBOR DISPENSARY IS PLANNING TWO MORE LOCATIONS THIS YEAR, WITH THE FULL INTENTION OF BEING A PRIMARY SUPPLIER IN NORTH JERSEY AND THE TRI-STATE AREA.

BUT THE CEO SAYS THE LINE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN IS NOT NECESSARILY STRAIGHT.

>> FIRST WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR CULTIVATION CAPACITY SO WE HAVE GROWING PLANTS THAT TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO GROW, SO WE HAVE TO EXPAND AND OUTFIT THE FACILITY, GROW ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS, TEST THEM, AND BRING THEM TO MARKET.

THAT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO GET ALL OF THAT UNDERWAY.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A NEW COMMISSION AND REGULATORY ARM WITHIN THE STATE TO REGULATE THE ADULT USE MARK.

THAT HAS TO COME TO LIFE.

THEY HAVE TO PUT THEIR POLICIES AND REGULATIONS TOGETHER WHILE WE EXPAND AS CULTIVATION.

>> GROWERS AND DISPENSARIES AND WHOLESALERS AND DELIVERY SERVICES, THERE'S AN INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK HERE TO REALLY HAVE A VERY ROBUST INDUSTRY WHICH SHOULD EMPLOY A TON OF PEOPLE AND PROVIDE A TON OF CASH FOR BUSINESSES, TAX REVENUE FOR THE STATE, TAX REVENUE FROM MUNICIPALITIES.

I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> REPORTER: BUT NOT EVERYONE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CRC WHO'S MEMBERS WERE APPOINTED LAST WEEK.

NOT A SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY MOST ADVERSELY EFFECT BID THE SO-CALLED WAR ON DRUGS, BLACK MEN, IS REPRESENTED ON THE COMMISSION.

>> IT'S APPALLING, HEARTBREAKING, INFURIATING, AND JUST FLAT OUT UNJUST.

>> REPORTER: CHARLES BOYER IS A PASTOR AND FOUNDER OF SALVATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> WE'VE SEEN HOW THE STATE HAS FAILED HORRIBLY IN THE MEDICAL SPACE.

THERE WERE BLACK APPLICANTS THEY SHUT OUT, AND IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HAVING BLIND SPOTS AROUND RACE.

IF THERE'S A BLACK MAN ON THE COMMISSION WHO HAS SOME EXPERIENCE REGARDING BEING TARGETED AND UNDERSTANDING THE VERY COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHUT OUT ECONOMICALLY, THEY CAN TRY TO BRING RECOMMENDATIONS AND VIEWPOINTS INTO THAT SPACE THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY MAKE THE MARKET MORE ACCESSIBLE.

>> REPORTER: SUPPORTERS SAY THE WHOLE THING IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, AND WHAT THE INDUSTRY LOOKS LIKE TWO OR THREE YEARS FROM NOW WILL LIKELY BE QUITE DIFFERENT.

IN OTHER WORDS, HANG IN THERE.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

NOT THE FIRST TIME, SAYS BOYER, THAT HE'S HEARD SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FEDERAL JUDGE ESTHER SALAS IS BACK AT WORK TODAY SEVEN MONTHS AFTER A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE AT HER HOME, KILLING HER SON AND INJURING HER HUSBAND.

ROY DEN HOLLANDER WAS TARGETING SALAS.

HE KILLED ANOTHER LAWYER JUST DAYS BEFORE THE AMBUSH.

AND IN A RECENT INTERVIEW ON 60 MINUTES, ESTHER SALAS SHARED NEW INFORMATION FROM SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR WAS ALSO A POTENTIAL TARGET.

IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO HER RETURN, JUDGE ESTHER SALAS CAMPAIGNED TO INCREASE PRIVACY FOR FEDERAL JUDGES.

>>> A THIRD ROUND OF CORONAVIRUS RELIEF MONEY IS EDGING TOWARD THE FINISH LINE, BUT WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?

RHONDA HAS THE LATEST IN TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> THE $1.9 TRILLION COVID-19 RELIEF BILL IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF SENATE AFTER THE HOUSE VOTED MOSTLY ON PARTY LINES TO APPROVE THE PACKAGE LATE LAST WEEK.

IN ADDITION TO DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR AMERICANS AND EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES MORE MONEY FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND MORE FUNDS FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PPP LOAN PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IS GOING BETTER IN THIS SECOND FUNDING ROUND.

ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY BANKING EXECUTIVE LIZ MCGINNIS, PRESIDENT OF NORTH JERSEY-BASED CONNECT ONE BANK.

>> I THINK CLIENTS HAVE ABSOLUTELY EMBRACED THE TECHNOLOGY TESTIFY PIECE OF APPLICATION PROCESS, SO IT'S BEEN SMOOTHER NOT JUST FOR THE BANKS, BUT ALSO THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE AS WELL.

BUT THE DEMAND IS DEFINITELY THERE.

>> SHE SAYS 80% OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH APPLIED TO CONNECT ONE IN THE CURRENT ROUND HAVE ALREADY BEEN FUNDED.

THE BANK HAS PROCESSED MORE THAN 1,000 APPLICATIONS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR THE POPULAR HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM.

BUT FOR YEARS NOW, THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES HAD BEEN USING OUTDATED BILLS TO CALCULATE THE BENEFITS BOTTOM LINE?

RESIDENTS ARE GETTING SHORTCHANGED.

>> THE STATE IS NOT ALLOWING THE HOMESTEAD BENEFIT TO RISE ANNUALLY AT THE SAME RATE THAT PROPERTY TAX BILLS ARE RISING ANNUALLY.

TO BENEFITS SAY FLAT, BUT BILLS GO UP, AND IT'S A NET LOSS FOR THE HOMEOWNER.

>> SO HOW IS THIS HAPPENING YEAR AFTER YEAR?

JOHN EXPLAINS IT ALL IN HIS STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY NAMED 12 MEMBERS TO THE GREEN ECONOMY COUNCIL THAT WILL WORK TO CREATE JOBS AND DEVELOP THE ECONOMY AS THE STATE MOVES TOWARD USING MORE CLEAN ENERGY.

JANE COHEN HAS BEEN NAMED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

SHE LAST WORKED AS A SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR FOR THE GOVERNOR.

NOW A LOOK AT THE GAINS ON WALL STREET TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY JP MORGAN CHASE.

COMMERCIAL BANKING, FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING, AND ASSET MANAGEMENT.

>>> THIS PANDEMIC BROUGHT WITH IT A NUMBER OF UNEXPECTED ECONOMIC SURPRISES, AND NOT ALL WERE BAD.

THE HOUSING MARKET HAS NEVER BEEN HOTTER.

LOW INVENTORY AND NEED FOR HOUSE SPACE RESULTED IN UNPRECEDENTED BIDDING WARS AND AVERAGE HOME PRICES NOW AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN STATE HISTORY.

>> TWO YEARS AGO THERE WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 75% MORE HOMES ON THE MARKET COMPARED TO LAST YEAR WHERE THERE WAS ABOUT 50% HOMES ON THE MARKET.

>> REPORTER: THE HOUSING MARKET IN NEW JERSEY IS BOOMING.

IT'S KNOWN AS A SELLER'S MARKET.

>> FAST SELLS.

NOT MUCH TIME ON MARKET.

MULTIPLE OFFERS ON LISTING PRICES.

THERE'S MULTIPLE BUYERS FOR EVERY POTENTIAL LISTING THAT CAN LEAD TO BIDDING WARS.

A COMBINATION OF MULTIPLE BUYERS AND LOW TIMES ON MARKET MEANS INVENTORIES ARE LOW TOO.

AND THE COMBINATION OF THOSE FORCES TENDS TO PUSH UP HOUSE PRICES SO.

WE'RE IN HOUSING BOOMS AGAIN LIKE IN 2000.

>> THE BOOM IS CAUSED BY A FEW THINGS.

THE COMBINATION OF MILLENNIALS REACHING THE AGE OF STARTING FAMILIES AND LOOKING FOR HOMES AND THE COVID PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE NEEDING MORE SPACE AS MORE NEED TO WORK FROM HOME, BUT STILL ACCESS THE CITY.

>> NOT EVERYWHERE IS BOOMING.

THE PLACES THAT HAVE GOOD SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WITHIN REASONABLE COMMUTING DISTANCES OF NEW YORK CITY ARE TRULY BOOMING.

>> AND THAT INCLUDES MUCH OF NEW JERSEY.

>> HISTORICALLY INVENTORY IS LOW ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT IN TERMS OF PRICING, MEDIUM PRICE POINTS, WE'RE WAY ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> REPORTER: DATA FROM NEW JERSEY REALTORS SHOWED THAT JANUARY SALES OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WERE UP 18% AND CLOSING 22.5% HIGHER THAN THE YEAR PRIOR.

TOWNHOUSE AND CONDO SALES WERE UP, AND ADULT COMMUNITIES SAW A 17% INCREASE, CLOSING NEARLY 32% HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

OVERALL, HOME VALUES IN NEW JERSEY ROSE BY 19% TO JUST OVER $459,000.

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME?

>> IT'S STILL A GREAT TIME TO BUY A HOME BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU'RE PAYING A LITTLE BIT HIGHER, IF YOU GET INTO A BIDDING WAR AND YOU'RE PAYING 15, 20, 25, WE'RE SEEING UP TO $75,000 OVER ASKING, BECAUSE OF THE RATES BEING SO LOW, YOU'RE SAVING A LOT MORE.

>> REPORTER: AS FOR THE INTEREST RATES.

>> WE'VE SEEN A RECENT INCREASE FROM 2.55 TO JUST UNDER 3%.

BUT, YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST FIVE, SIX YEARS, EVEN LONGER, ANYTHING UNDER 3 IS STILL WAY, WAY LOW.

AND THE IT DOESN'T REALLY EFFECT A BUYER'S PAYMENT FOR THAT SMALL OF AN INCREASE.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT 40 TO $50 A MONTH.

>> REPORTER: BUT IF COVID CONTRIBUTED TO THE HOUSING BOOM, COULD IT ALSO CAUSE IT TO COME CRASHING DOWN?

>> MY OWN GUESS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS AT THIS POINT, WE'RE IN FOR A PROLONGED HOUSING BOOM.

FIVE TO TEN YEARS.

>> REPORTER: AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S A SELLER'S MARKET, THIS CONTINUES THE BODE WELL FOR BUYERS.

>> THE HOMES CONTINUING TO APPRECIATE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I THINK THEY'LL BE REALLY HAPPY WITH, YOU KNOW, IF THEY LAND AT HOME WHAT THEIR APPRECIATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

>> REPORTER: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGGIS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND HOMESTEAD, CREATING A LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> MJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE THEIR POLICY HOLDERS?

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARE TAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

NJM.

WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY DAYS.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEMED APP, OR BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A MEDICAL PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.