>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AT 51 DAYS INTO HIS PRESIDENCY AND ONE YEAR INTO THIS PANDEMIC, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PLEDGED TO PULL THE NATION OUT OF THIS HEALTH CRISIS DURING HIS FIRST PRIME TIME ADDRESS.

IT CAME JUST HOURS AFTER HE SIGNED THE SWEEPING $1.9 TRILLION COVID-19 RELIEF BILL.

THE PRESIDENT IS DIRECTING ALL STATES TO MAKE EVERY ADULT OVER THE AGE OF 18 ELIGIBLE FOR A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE BY MAY 1.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'LL HAVE YOUR SHOT, BUT HE SAYS YOU'LL HAVE A SPOT IN LINE.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS LAUNCHING A NATIONWIDE WEBSITE TO HELP PEOPLE SECURE THOSE APPOINTMENTS AND PROMISED THE REOPENING OF MOST K-8 SCHOOLS FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING WITHIN HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

THIS SPEECH PLAYED ON THE BELIEF THE U.S. CAN OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGE, OFFERING A GLIMPSE OF WHAT'S TO COME.

OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM THIS VIRUS ON OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY, JULY 4.

BUT CAUTIONED IT WILL REQUIRE EVERYONE TO KEEP WEARING MASKS AND RECEIVING VACCINES TO GET THERE.

NEW JERSEY STANDS TO GET BILLIONS FROM THE AID PACKAGE BUT IT DIDN'T RECEIVE A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE.

AND MANY ARE CALLING IT A WASHINGTON WISH LIST DISGUISED AS A COVID-19 RELIEF BILL.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE ARE HERE TODAY TO SAY THAT HELP IS TRULY ON THE WAY.

>> Reporter: HELP TO THE TUNE OF $10.2 BILLION.

NEW JERSEY'S PORTION OF THE $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BIDEN THIS WEEK.

>> FOR MAIN STREET, PARTICULARLY OUR HARD HIT RESTAURANTS AND PERFORMANCE BASES, TO THE KITCHEN TABLE.

AND FROM OUR UNEMPLOYED TO THOSE WORKING FROM HOME.

THIS IS THE RELIEF THAT OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES HAVE SORELY NEEDED TO GET THEM THROUGH THESE CHALLENGING TIMES.

>> Reporter: THE TOTAL POT FOR NEW JERSEY WILL BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPALITIES WITH 6.4 BILLION GOING DIRECTLY TO THE STATE, 1.8 BILLION SPREAD IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

A KEY PART OF MURPHY'S PLAN FOR THE STATE'S PORTION, VACCINATIONS.

>> FOR STARTERS, THE FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR OUR VACCINATION EFFORTS WILL ENSURE WE CAN GET MORE SHOTS INTO THE ARMS OF OUR FELLOW NEW JERSEYANS SO WE CAN REACH OUR VACCINATION GOALS THAT MUCH FASTER AND OPEN UP RESPONSIBLY.

>> FOR ELIZABETH, THIS MAINTAINS CRITICAL CORE GOVERNMENT WORK.

>> Reporter: LIKE ENSURING THE JOBS OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

FOR UNION TOWNSHIP.

>> WE INTEND TO WORK QUICKLY TO USE THESE FUNDS TO HELP OUR STRUGGLING BUSINESS.

TO BRING FINANCIAL AID TO FAMILIES IN NEED AND HELP STABILIZE OUR TAX BASE, ASSUMING COST CERTAINTY FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PROVIDES DIRECT RELIEF TO FAMILIES THROUGH SEVERAL AVENUES INCLUDING ANOTHER ROUND OF DIRECT STIMULUS CHECKS TO FAMILIES.

>> THE EXTENDED TAX CREDIT TO $3,600 FOR EACH CHILD UNDER SIX AND 3,000 FOR EVERY CHILD UNDER 18 WILL BENEFIT 556,000 CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY WHO PREVIOUSLY DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE FULL CREDIT.

IT WILL CUT THE CHILD POVERTY RATE IN HALF.

>> A FAMILY OF FOUR IN NEW JERSEY WITH TWO CHILDREN WILL SEE AT A MINIMUM FROM THIS BILL, A MINIMUM FROM THIS BILL, $8,200 TO THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THE CHILD TAX CREDIT WILL GO TO FAMILIES WHO EARN LESS THAN $150,000 AND SINGLE PARENTS WHO MAKE LESS THAN $75,000.

MONEY WILL ALSO GO TO RENTAL RELIEF TO REDUCE EVICTIONS AND DIRECTLY TO SCHOOLS TO AID IN THEIR REOPENING.

>> THE MORE THAN $2.7 BILLION IN FUNDS THAT WILL LARGELY FLOW RIGHT TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL NOT ONLY HELP GET OUR KIDS AND EDUCATORS BACK IN THEIR CLASSROOMS WHICH IT WILL, BUT HELP INSULATE PROPERTY TAXPAYERS FROM SHOULDERING THE COSTS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL GARNERED NO SUPPORT FROM REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS AND THERE IS NO PRAISE FROM THE STATE GOP EITHER.

MICHAEL AVERY, CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE SAID IN A STATEMENT, THE SO-CALLED AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN SPENDS MORE MONEY ON LIBERAL PORK THAN COVID RELIEF.

OUT OF THE $1.9 TRILLION SPENT, ONLY 9% OF THE TOTAL SPENDING IS DEDICATED TO DEFEATING THE VIRUS WHILE THE REMAINDER IS BEING SPENT ON LIBERAL PIPE DREAMS.

HE NOTES MONEY FOR THE ARTS, SUBWAY SYSTEMS AND BRIDGES ARE NOT CONNECTED TO COVID AND CONTINUES THE FUNDS THAT WILL FLOW TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGET WHICH ALREADY HAS A SURPLUS ARE CLEARLY UNNECESSARY AND SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TAXPAYERS BY CUTTING TAXES OR PAYING DOWN DEBT.

YOU WON'T SEE MURPHY SENDING THE MONEY BACK.

BUT, YOU ALSO MIGHT NOT SEE A PLAN FROM HIM ANY TIME SOON ON HOW EXACTLY THE MONEY WILL SPEED UP VACCINATIONS OR SCHOOL REOPENING.

>> DETAILS TO COME.

>> SOME OF THE SPECIFICS AROUND THE FUNDS GOING OUT TO THE STATES STILL NEED TO BE WORKED OUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BUT THE MONEY HAS TO BE DELIVERED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

AND CHECKS WILL START GOING OUT TO FAMILIES WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

IN ELIZABETH, I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> EARLIER TODAY, THE GOVERNOR WAS IN LAKEWOOD VISITING A HEALTH CENTER PUTTING SHOTS IN THE ARMS OF MEDICAL WORKERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, MEMBERS OF THE ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITY.

2.8MILLION VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN WITH 980,000 PEOPLE RECEIVING THEIR SECOND DOSE OR JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ONE SHOT VACCINE.

THAT SHOT WILL HELP REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND BATTLE BIG EQUITY ISSUES.

IN CAMDEN TODAY, RESIDENTS GOT THE SINGLE DOSE AT A POPUP CLINIC AT THE RUTGERS HEALTH CLINIC ON NINTH STREET.

THE COUNTY IS ALSO WORKING ON A PLAN TO GET THE SHOT INTO THE ARMS OF THOSE WHO ARE HOME BOUND.

EITHER DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION, INJURY, SO, ANY OTHER REASON.

IN NEWARK, NURSES AND HEALTH CARE NURSES ARE SENT TO VACCINATE RESIDENTS AT 18 SHELTERS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

A MOBILE STRATEGY IS ALSO IN THE WORKS.

>>> WE HAVE BEEN REFLECTING ON WHERE THE STATE STARTED AND WHERE WE ARE AT NOW ONE YEAR LATER WITH COVID-19.

TESTING REMAINS A KEY PART OF THE STRATEGY, STATEWIDE, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REPORTING ANOTHER ROUGHLY 3500 NEW POSITIVE CASES WITH 40 MORE LIVES LOST.

THE FIRST KNOWN CASE OF THE CORONAVIRUS WAS CONFIRMED TO A MAN IN FORT LEE, THEN A POSITIVE TEST IN ENGLEWOOD.

BERGEN COUNTY WOULD SOON BECOME NEW JERSEY'S EARLY EPICENTER FOR THE DEADLY VIRUS.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE JIM TADESCO SAYS THEY ARE IN A BETTER POSITION DESPITE REPORTING THE HIGHEST DAILY TOTAL OF NEW TESTS.

YET JIM IS STILL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK BACK TO A YEAR AGO THIS TIME, AND WE WERE HAVING A VERY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

WHERE DOES THE COUNTY STAND NOW ONE YEAR LATER?

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ARE STANDING BETTER THAN WE WERE A YEAR AGO AND WE KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT THE VIRUS AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING HERE IN THE COUNTY.

GETTING TEST DATA.

VACCINATING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE A DAY.

SO, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE COVID TUNNEL.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

BUT IT IS TAKING TIME, UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS TAKING A NUMBER OF BERGEN COUNTY FAMILY LIVES HERE AS PART OF OUR BERGEN COUNTY FAMILY.

OVER 70,000 PEOPLE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.

SO, WE STILL HAVE THE VIRUS ACTIVE HERE.

AND WE ARE DOING BETTER.

>> Reporter: HOW IS THE VACCINATION EFFORT GOING, YOUR COUNTY TOOK THE STEP TO CORRECT YOUR OWN CALL CENTER FOR APPOINTMENTS WHEN WE KNOW IT IS INCREDIBLY TOUGH TO SECURE ONE.

>> IN THE BEGINNING WE CREATED A LIST.

WE LET PEOPLE GET IN AND GIVE US THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION.

AND, A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE STOOD UP A CALL CENTER THAT NOW IS GOING THROUGH THOSE LISTS AND CALLING PEOPLE.

AND, MAKING APPOINTMENTS DIRECTLY WITH THEM SO THEY CAN COME TO OUR COUNTY, NEWBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER SITE AND GET THE VACCINE.

SO, ACTUALLY, NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE TURNING THAT OVER AND MAKING IT AN INBOUND AND OUTBOUND CALL CENTER.

SO PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO CALL, WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING THE CONTACT INFORMATION.

PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO CALL AND BE ABLE TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS WITH US TO BE ABLE TO GET THEIR VACCINE.

SEW WITH WILL DO IT BOTH WAYS.

OUTREACH, AND ALSO, GIVE PEOPLE THE ABILITY TO CALL IN AND GET APPOINTMENTS.

SO WE ARE TRYING EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

>> ASIDE FROM JUST GETTING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, HOW DO YOU SEE THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY HAPPENING THERE?

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS TIED TOGETHER.

RIGHT?

OUT OF THE LAST CARES ACT, WE WERE GIVEN $162 MILLION FROM THE FIRST CARES ACT.

WE GAVE ALMOST $60 MILLION TO BUSINESSES HERE IN BERGEN COUNTY.

SMALL BUSINESSES UNDER 30.

WE AVERAGED ABOUT $14,000 PER BUSINESS AND THAT EQUATED TO ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 100,000 PEOPLE THAT HAD EMPLOYMENT.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE NOW?

IS IT VACCINE DISTRIBUTION?

IS IT ECONOMIC?

>> I THINK IT IS ACTUALLY GETTING PEOPLE TO FEEL THAT THERE WILL BE A NEW NORMAL IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE VACCINE IS ONE PART OF IT.

AND, YOU KNOW.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE.

UNTIL WE GET HERD IMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A REAL NORMAL.

THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS IN GENERAL HERE IN BERGEN COUNTY IS ONE OF THE ECONOMIC ENGINES FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND IN THE RETAIL SIDE, IT'S IMPORTANT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO GET THE CHILDREN BACK IN THE SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE COMFORTABLE WITH GOING TO MOVIE THEATERS.

GOING BACK INTO THE MALLS.

DOING THE THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY WOULD DO.

>> JIM, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

IT WAS NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN AND TALKING WITH YOU.

>>> TODAY MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE COVID-19 PUT THE STATE'S NURSING HOMES ON LOCKDOWN.

AND MANY RESIDENTS ARE STILL WAITING TO REUNITE IN PERSON WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.

EARLY TODAY, FAMILIES GATHERED IN TRENTON TO ADVOCATE ABOUT THE ISOLATION THOSE FAMILIES FACE, WHILE DEMANDING A IMMEDIATE VISITATION PLAN FOR IN-ROOM VISITS.

THEY CALLED ON LONG CARE CENTERS TO ALLOW VISITATION AT ALL TIMES FOR ALL RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS IN MOST SITUATIONS.

BUT IT COULD TAKE WEEKS BEFORE THOSE GUIDELINES ARE ADOPTED IN NEW JERSEY AND FAMILY MEMBERS SAY THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN SHUT OUT FOR TOO LONG.

>> SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO SEE HER CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN IN PERSON EXCEPT THROUGH A WINDOW.

LIKE THIS.

SINCE LAST MARCH.

SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN COME AND GO.

SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTOOD WHY THE STAFF CAN COME AND GO.

SHE SAYS IF THEY CAN COME IN, WHY CAN'T YOU?

I HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

MOM HAS BEEN VACCINATED.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE WAITING FOR.

AND, SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.

SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE REALLY FAST.

>>> IN NEW JERSEY, TRANSIT'S BUDGET PLAN, NO FARE HIKES.

FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

BUT, THERE'S A CATCH.

THE AGENCY IS USING FEDERAL COVID RELIEF AID TO HELP PLUG BUDGET GAPS AND THAT MONEY WON'T LAST FOREVER.

ASIDE FROM THAT, RIDERSHIP IS NOT EXPECTED TO RETURN TO PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS FOR YEARS.

IT IS ALL CASTING DOUBT ON WHETHER THE SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE PROVIDING SYSTEM IN THE LONG TERM FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON IT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT'S BUDGET BACKBONE IS BASED MOSTLY ON FARES.

PRECOVID, PASSENGERS KEPT THE AGENCY RUNNING BUT RIDERSHIP TANKED.

$129MILLION HOLE IN NJ TRANSIT'S CURRENT BUDGETS.

>> RIDERSHIP IS GOING TO BE TRICKY AGAIN FOR ALL AGENCIES.

BECAUSE, OUR PURPOSE OF TRIPS HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED.

WE ARE STILL IN THIS WORLD OF UNCERTAINTY.

AND WE PROBABLY WILL BE FOR A WHILE.

ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, WITH THE ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT'S PROPOSED $2.65 BILLION BUDGET DOESN'T RAISE FARES BUT ANTICIPATES 591 MILLION, JUST 61% OF PRE-COVID FISCAL YEAR 2019 TOTALS.

IT PROJECTS REVENUES COULD HIT 673 MILLION IN 2023.

BUT THAT IS JUST 78% OF WHAT RIDERS PAID IN YEAR 19.

AND, THESE ESTIMATES ASSUME PEOPLE GET VACCINATED, BUSINESS IS REOPENED, UNEMPLOYMENT DECLINES AND PEOPLE FEEL SAFE TO CLIMB BACK ABOARD ACCORDING TO THE CEO.

>> THEY ARE ALL OPTIMISTIC THE VACCINE WILL ENCOURAGE MORE CUSTOMERS TO COME BACK TO TRANSIT THOUGH IT IS STILL EARLY IN THE PROCESS.

>> IT JUST SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS IN SLOW MOTION.

AND, THE AVERAGE RIDER JUST DOESN'T SEE IMPROVEMENT.

AND NO REASON TO EXPECT IMPROVEMENT FROM WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN SO FAR.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT PREDICTS IT WILL TAKE FIVE YEARS FOR RIDER REVENUES TO RECOVER.

DRAWING FUNDING FROM STATE SUBSIDIES, THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND AND TOLLS THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

THE AGENCY RELIES ON CAPITAL TO OPERATING TRANSFERS, PLUS, SOME BIG ONE-SHOT INFUSIONS OF FEDERAL AID.

EVEN WITH THAT, NJ TRANSIT IS FACING A $355 MILLION BUDGET GAP IN FISCAL YEAR 23 AND A $916 MILLION GAP A YEAR LATER ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY'S CFO.

>> OPTIONS TO CLOSE THE GAP INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES WARN THOSE ONE-SHOT FEDERAL SUBSIDIES WHILE WELCOME NOW BAKE IN FUTURE DEFICITS.

>> THE FEAR PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE IS THAT WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY DRIES UP, AND IT WILL, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A HUGE INCREASE REQUIRED FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

WHAT OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE BUDGET WILL BE AVAILABLE TO GIVE THAT MONEY UP?

>> Reporter: BEFORE COVID, REFORMERS AND LAWMAKERS HELD HEARINGS AND PUSHED HARD FOR A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE, PERHAPS A HALF CENT INCREASE IN THE SALES TAX TO SUSTAIN THE AGENCY.

>> I RECOGNIZE THAT COULD BE THE THIRD RAIL OF POLITICS IN TRENTON.

BUT AT SOME POINT, YOU HAVE TO REALLY GRAB THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND FIGURE OUT A WAY.

>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SO HOW MUCH IS VACCINE AVAILABILITY CHANGES THE WAY PEOPLE LOOK AT THEIR SPENDING IN THE FUTURE?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: A CLOSELY WATCHED REPORT ON CONSUMER SENTIMENT TODAY REACHED ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN A YEAR.

CONFIDENCE IS GROWING AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHICH PRODUCES THE SURVEY.

THEY ALSO CITED ANTICIPATION OF THE NEW STIMULUS PAYMENTS.

AND CONFIDENCE IS INCREASING AMONG NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS LEADERS ACCORDING TO ONE LOCAL BANKING EXECUTIVE.

CHRISTOPHER MAR IS CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF OCEAN FIRST BANK.

>> WE ARE STARTING TO SEE OUR CUSTOMERS MAKE LONG TERM BUSINESS DECISIONS.

THAT IS GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY.

STARTING TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESSES.

GETTING BACK TO HIRING PEOPLE.

SO, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE, WHAT WE HOPE WILL BE AN ENDURING WAVE OF POSITIVE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: NOW THAT WORK ON THE COVID RELIEF BILL IS DONE, SENATOR BOOKER IS HOPEFUL HIS SO-CALLED BABY BONDS BILL WILL GET SOME TRACTION.

BOOKER HAS REINTRODUCED HIS LEGISLATION IN THE NEW CONGRESS.

THE BILL WOULD CREATE A FEDERALLY FUNDED SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR EVERY CHILD BORN IN THE U.S. WITH ANNUAL DEPOSIT AMOUNTS BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

BOOKER SAYS THAT WOULD HELP NARROW THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP.

>> FOR THE LOWEST INCOME KIDS IN AMERICA, THEY WOULD HAVE UPWARDS OF 40,000, OF $50,000 TO INVEST IN THINGS THAT CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

COLLEGE EDUCATION.

BUYING A HOME.

STARTING A BUSINESS.

IT WOULD HAVE A MULTIPLIER EFFECT.

>> Reporter: BOOKER'S BILL HAS 15 COSPONSORS IN THE SENATE INCLUDING MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER AND BOOKER SAYS HE IS ALREADY IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ABOUT BACKING THE LEGISLATION.

NEW JERSEY'S PLANS TO INCREASE INDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS NEXT WEEK MAY COME A BIT TOO LATE FOR THE OWNERS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM MALL.

THE SHOPPING COMPLEX'S DEVELOPER TRIPLE FIVE MAY END UP LOSING ITS 49% STAKE IN ITS MINNESOTA BASED MALL OF AMERICA PROPERTY BECAUSE IT PUT THAT UP AS COLLATERAL TO SECURE FINANCING FOR AMERICAN DREAM.

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA SAYS A TRIPLE 5 EXECUTIVE RECENTLY RAISED THAT POSSIBILITY AT A PUBLIC MEETING CITING A SIGNIFICANT CASH FLOW CRISIS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE WEEK WRAPPED UP ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

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

SHE IS PUTTING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN FOCUS, EXPLORING THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON JERSEY'S BUSINESSES AS WE APPROACH ONE YEAR SINCE THE STATE SHUT DOWN.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON NJ PBS STANDARD AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M. >>> THE FAMILY OF A BLACK MAN FATALLY SHOT BY A NEW JERSEY TROOPER LAST YEAR IS SUING THE STATE ALLEGING RACE IS A FACTOR IN HIS DEATH.

ACCORDING TO VIDEO RELEASED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, GORDON WAS ENGAGED IN A TRAFFIC STOP BEFORE BEING SHOT SIX TIMES.

MAURICE GORDON JR. 'S FAMILY SAYS PEOPLE FAILED TO PROTECT HIM.

ABOUT A DOZEN VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS RELEASED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE SHOWED A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP THAT TURNED INTO A TUSSLE ON THE SIDE OF THE PATROL CAR OUTSIDE THE CAMERA'S VIEW.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS GORDON TWICE TRIED TO ENTER THE DRIVER SEAT OF THE PATROL CAR BEFORE THE FIGHT.

GORDON DIED LAST MAY TWO DAYS BEFORE GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THE FAMILY IS SEEKING $50 MILLION IN DAMAGES PLUS PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

>>> THE STATE'S MOST POWERFUL MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS PUSHING TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE.

REPRESENTATIVE FRANK PALLONE SAYS IT TAKES AN INDUSTRY BY INDUSTRY APPROACH TO ACHIEVE IT.

THE GOALS ARE AMBITIOUS, ELIMINATE CARBON DIOXIDE AND REACH NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050.

OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL ARON GOES ON THE RECORD WITH CONGRESSMAN PALLONE AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES PERIL AND PROMISE.

>> Reporter: IT'S CALLED THE CLEAN FUTURE ACT, PALLONE IS ONE OF THE CONGRESSMEN TRYING TO STEER IT TO PASSAGE.

HE IS WITH US NOW.

CONGRESSMAN, IN ESSENCE, WHAT WOULD THIS BILL DO?

I KNOW IT IS ABOUT A THOUSAND PAGES LONG.

SO GIVETOUS HIGH POINT.

>> THIS IS OUR PLAN TO ADDRESS CLIMATE ACTION.

WE KNOW THE PLANET IS WARMING.

WE KNOW THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT IN TERMS OF INCREASED HURRICANES AND DROUGHTS AND TORNADOES AND EVERYTHING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT NEW JERSEY IS AT THE FRONT LINE IN THIS CLIMATE CRISIS FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU ARE LIVING ALONG THE COAST WHERE I AM, YOU ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE YOU SEE THE SEA LEVEL RISING.

YOU SEE INCREASED HURRICANES.

SANDY BEING ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR STATE WE ADDRESS CLIMATE.

>> Reporter: BY MAKING EVERYONE DRIVE AN ELECTRIC CAR?

>> THAT'S PART OF IT.

PART OF IT IS ELECTRICIFICATION.

THE CLEAN FUTURE ACT BASICALLY MICHAEL ADDRESSES CLIMATE ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT IS TRANSPORTATION.

IT IS MOVING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS TOWARD RENEWABLES.

>> Reporter: IS THERE ENOUGH WIND AND SOLAR TO POWER THE WORLD?

>> THERE WILL BE EVENTUALLY.

RIGHT NOW, THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

AND WE ARE TECHNOLOGY NEUTRAL.

WE TRY TO MOVE TOWARD RENEWABLES BECAUSE THAT'S A MAJOR WAY OF CUTTING BACK ON THESE GREENHOUSE GASES THAT WARM THE PLANET.

>> Reporter: WILL THERE BE ENOUGH CHARGING STATIONS FOR OUR ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

>> THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

A BIG PART OF THIS IS INVESTING IN CHARGING STATIONS.

MAKING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AVAILABLE.

AND THEY CAN BE USED.

YES.

>> Reporter: CAN YOU GET THIS THROUGH CONGRESS?

IN THE SENATE, YOU NEED AT LEAST TEN REPUBLICANS GOING FOR THIS.

THE REPUBLICANS SAY THIS PLAN IS WAY OUT OF BOUNDS.

THAT IT WILL COST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND WE NEED A HYBRID OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ALONG WITH ELECTRIC.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET IT PASSED?

>> WELL, THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GET IT ALL PASSED AS ONE PACKAGE.

BUT IF NOT, YOU KNOW, WE'LL TRY TO PUT IT IN DIFFERENT METHODS.

I'M NOT SOLD ON IT HAS TO MOVE AS ONE BILL.

THERE'S A LOT OF REPUBLICANS CONCERNED ABOUT CLIMATE.

IN PARTICULAR, IN OUR STATE.

AND, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT JOBS, CLEAN ENERGY CREATES JOBS.

THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS THAT CAN BE CREATED.

AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE MOVING FORWARD IN TERMS OF CLEAN ENERGY.

AND, WE CAN'T BE LEFT BEHIND IN THIS GLOBAL COMPETITION TO THESE JOBS.

SO, THIS CREATES MORE JOBS.

IT REALLY DOES.

AND, IT STIMULATES THE ECONOMY.

AS YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED YESTERDAY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND HE EXPECTS THAT TO BE FOLLOWED UP BY MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE WE ARE MOVING ON IN APRIL AND MAY IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO INCORPORATE A LOT OF WHAT'S IN THE CLEAN FUTURE ACT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE PLAN TO DO.

SO, THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, GREATER EFFICIENCY.

RESILIENCY.

UPGRADING THE ELECTRICITY GRID.

THE GROUND FUELS CLEANUP.

MONEY TO ELIMINATE LEAD PIPES FOR DRINKING WATER.

ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE IN THE CLEAN FUTURE ACT AND MOVE ON CLIMATE.

>> Reporter: WE WISH YOU WELL, THE FUTURE OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN DEPENDS ON IT.

THANK YOU CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE.

>>> LEAD FUNDING FOR PERIL AND PROMISE IS PROVIDED BY DR. P. ROY VAGALOS.

THE MARK HAAS FOUNDATION.

AND SUE AND EDGAR WAKANHEIN II.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK, CATCH REPORTER'S ROUND TABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

THAT ALONG WITH CHAT BOX SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M. YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING ALL WEEKEND LONG.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND.

>>> 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

LOCATED OFF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY.

ORSTED'S OCEAN WIND PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED.

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