>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PRESENTED 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS CLAIMING THE STATE IS NEARLY HALF WAY TO ITS CORONAVIRUS VACCINE GOAL GIVING ROUGHLY 45% OF ALL ELIGIBLE ADULTS AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

WHEN THE ROLL OUT BEGAN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SET A BENCHMARK OF REACHING 70% OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS THAT'S NEARLY 5 MILLION PEOPLE BY THE END OF MAY.

SO FAR MORE THAN 3 MILLION TOTAL SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS AND MORE THAN 1,099,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALSO STARTING A 2 WEEK PROGRAM TO PRIORITIZE SHOTS FOR THOSE 75 AND UP.

THAT GROUP MAKES UP ABOUT HALF OF ALL COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS IN THE STATE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SPECTRUM, OUR YOUNGEST ARE NOW AT THE CENTER OF VACCINE TALKS WITH MAJOR RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS LIKE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND DRUG MAKERS LIKE MODERNA STARTING PEDIATRIC TRIALS.

LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THE VACCINE ON OUR YOUTH.

BUT AS BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT'S EXPECTED TO SOON CHANGE.

>>> WHEN YOU COMPARE ADULT VACCINATION TRIALS TO CHILDREN IT'S ALL A MATTER OF SCALE.

CHILDREN'S TRIALS NEED FEWER PARTICIPANTS AND SURPRISE PARENTS ARE CALLING EAGER TO GET THEIR KIDS ENROLLED AS RUTGERS PHYSICIANS LOOK AT THE J&J TRIAL FOR KIDS.

>> THE WORD HAS GOTTEN OUT AND WE'VE BEEN ACTUALLY HEARING FROM PARENTS THAT THEY'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN PARTICULARLY TEENAGERS TO PUT THEM IN STUDIES, WE WERE QUITE SURPRISED.

>> WITH SOME TRIALS ALREADY UNDER WAY WITH TEENAGERS AND VACCINE COMPANIES LOOKING FOR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN TRIALING PARENT SEE THIS AS SKIPPING THE LINE.

>> PARENTS WILL THINK THIS IS A WAY TO GET VACCINES FOR THEIR CHILDREN EARLIER THAN WHEN THEY WILL ACTUALLY BECOME AVAILABLE WHICH IS MANY MONTHS AWAY.

AT THE EARLIEST YOU KNOW THE SUMMER POSSIBLY.

>> I THINK IT'S NOT SURPRISING EVERYONE REALLY WANTS TO GET EVERYONE PROTECTED AND EVERYONE WANTS THIS PANDEMIC TO STOP.

AND THE THOUGHT THAT IF WE CAN GET TEENAGERS IMMUNIZED WE CAN REALLY HELP WITH THE HERD IMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: STATISTICALLY, COVID GENERALLY AFFECTS OLDER ADULTS THAN KIDS ALTHOUGH SOME CHILDREN HAVE SUFFERED FROM A POSTCOVID INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME.

BUT DOCTORS SAY KIDS CAN OFTEN BE ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS AND VACCINES COULD REDUCE THAT HAZARD.

>> THEY'RE NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY HAVE THEIR MASK ON, THEY'RE GOING TO SNEEZE, COUGH AND PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER.

FOR KIDS I THINK IT'S EVEN MORE CRITICAL.

>> Reporter: HERE'S A VACCINE TRIAL SCOREBOARD.

MODERNA'S STUDY MAY HAVE RESULTS BY SUMMER BUT WOULD STILL NEED FDA EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION.

IT'S ALREADY HELD A TRIAL WHERE THE SMALLEST DOZES WOULD BE A QUARTER OF THE REGULAR ADULT DOZE OF 100 MICROGRAMS.

MEANWHILE PFIZER HAS ENROLLED 20 TO 100 CHILDREN WITH DATA EXPECTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2021.

MORE PFIZER AND J&J TRIALS RUN BY JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL WHICH HASN'T DETERMINED HOW MANY KIDS IT NEEDS BUT MOST WILL COME FROM JERSEY.

>> THESE PROTOCOLS BELIEVE IT OR NOT ARE STILL IN DEVELOPMENT AND WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS.

SO WE'RE STARTING WITH TEENAGE POPULATION FIRST.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

FOR PFIZER WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE OLDER CHILDREN VACCINE TRIAL.

>> Reporter: THE J&J TRIALS WILL LOOK AT ADOLESCENTS AGE 12 TO 18.

BUT WHEN CAN FAMILIES REALISTICALLY EXPECT TO BRING THEIR KIDS IN FOR COVID SHOTS.

DR. FAUCI ESTIMATED HIGH SCHOOLERS WILL GET VACCINATED BEFORE CLASSES START IN FALL.

>> I THINK THE TEENAGER PIECE MAY BE PRESENTED TO FDA SOONER AND MIGHT GET THE EMERGENCY USE APPROVAL.

I'VE HEARD, MAYBE PERHAPS BY THIS SUMMER.

BUT, THE YOUNGER CHILDREN WILL GO ON I THINK INTO THE NEXT YEAR.

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

>>> THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE STATE WILL SEE A BIG BOOST IN VACCINE AVAILABILITY BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

WITH LARGE SHIPMENTS PROMISED THANKS TO THE J&J MERCK AGREEMENT.

AND 38 MORE FATALITIES WERE REPORTED TODAY.

THAT VACCINE SHIPMENT CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH TO A PART OF NEW JERSEY.

AT LEAST ONE COUNTY RUN SITE IS BOOKED UNTIL OCTOBER.

BUT WILL BE READY TO RAMP UP CAPACITY IF THEY GET MORE DOSES.

THERE ARE STILL SPOTS AVAILABLE AT THE SALVATION ARMY CROCK CENTER IN CAMDEN BUT FOR CITY RESIDENTS ONLY AND 2,000 MODERNA DOSES HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS AT THE BB & T PAVILION.

>>> TURNING TO ATTACKS IN THE GEORGIA AREA.

WHERE 8 PEOPLE WERE KILLED THAT APPEAR TO TARGET MASSAGE PARLOR.

SIX OF THE VICTIMS WERE ASIAN WOMEN.

IT'S BELIEVED THE SUSPECT WAS HEADING TO FLORIDA TO POSSIBLY CARRY OTHER ATTACKS.

THE VIOLENCE COMES DURING A WAVE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIANS THAT BEGAN RISING AS THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TODAY THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE ATLANTA AREA AS POLICE CONTINUE TO BE ON ALERT HERE AT HOME.

>> ALTHOUGH NO CREDIBLE THREAT WITH PASS OVER AND EASTER OR TO OUR ASIAN COMMUNITY, NO CREDIBLE THREAT THAT THAT HEIGHTENED AWARENESS AND HEIGHTENED VIGILANCE JUST BECOME A PART OF LAW ENFORCEMENTS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

IT IS ACTIVE SHOOTERS AND HOME GROWN VIOLENT EXTREMISTS IS WHAT KEEPS MOST OF US UP AT NIGHT.

>> CONTROVERSIAL CONTRACTS OVER HOUSING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND SOME OF THE STATE'S COUNTY JAILS ARE STILL AT THE CENTER OF A BITTER DEBATE WITH CONTENTIOUS PROTESTS BY ACTIVISTS THAT LEFT OFFICIALS CALLING FOR RESTRAINING ORDERS.

THE DEALS GENERATE A LOT OF CASH FOR HOST COUNTIES AND SOME ADVOCATES SAY THAT'S ONE BIG REASON THE BILL MAY NOT GAIN SUPPORT.

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: PASSIONS HAVE BEEN GETTING HIGHER AS IMMIGRANT RIGHTS SUPPORTERS HAVE CONFRONTED COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND UNION AND HUDSON WHO HAVE BEEN HOUSING IMMIGRANTS AWAITING DEPORTATIONS.

THE RANKS SWELLED BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS STRICTER IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

HUDSON COUNTY WENT BACK ON A DEAL TO GET OUT OF HOUSING I.C.E.

DETAINEES.

>> I CAME ON THE SIDE OF CONTAINING IT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A VERY EFFECTIVE TOOL IN TRYING TO KEEP BAD GUYS OUT OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND OFF OF OUR STREETS.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT JUSTIFYING CONTINUING THE CONTRACT ON LAW AND ORDER GROUNDS.

BUT MANY BELIEVE IT'S THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER 20 MILLION AT ITS PEAK THAT THE CONTRACT BROUGHT TO COFFERS AS THE REAL REASON.

BUT THERE'S A BILL NOW STALLED IN THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD STOP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM GETTING INTO THESE KIND OF CONTRACTS.

ACTIVISTS ARE CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE.

>> WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC THAT THEY WILL NOT AFFECT THE CONTRACTS, TODAY, TOMORROW, THE NEXT DAY.

WHAT THEY DO IS FORBID NEW CONTRACTS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL ORIGINALLY SPONSORED IN THE ASSEMBLY BY GORDON JOHNSON HAS SPONSORS IN BOTH HOUSES BUT FAIL TO MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE RECENTLY LEADING SOME TO WONDER HOW MUCH GENUINE SUPPORT THERE IS FOR IT.

>> THAT'S A REAL PRESSING NEED BECAUSE IN OCTOBER OF 2020, I.C.E.

RELEASED TWO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BASICALLY OPEN PUBLIC BIDS.

ASKING TO SURVEY THE CAPACITY OF EXISTING CONTRACTORS IN THEIR SITES WITHIN THE NEW YORK- NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL OFFICES OF ICE.

>> FOR A COUNTY LIKE HUDSON WHICH HAS SEEN ITS I.C.E.

DETAINEES SHRINK TO LESS THAN 60 NOW IT'S A REAL INCENTIVE TO MAKE MORE CASH BY PROVIDING BEDS TO THE FEDS.

>> THAT'S EXTREMELY TRUE.

TWO YEARS AGO THE NUMBER WAS $20 MILLION IN REVENUE.

THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE LESS THAN HALF OF THAT.

>> Reporter: AND NOBODY ESPECIALLY HEADING INTO AN ELECTION YEAR WANTS TO RAISE TAXES OR CUT SERVICES THAT THE I.C.E.

CONTRACTS HELP TO FUND.

>> THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET THAT REVENUE, WE COULD INCREASE JUST THE NUMBER OF U.S. MARSHALL CRIMINALS THAT ARE HELD AT THE FACILITY.

WE HAVE A CERTIFIED DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM AT THE FACILITY.

SO FOR STATE INMATES IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF RELEASE THAT HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES THEY CAN BE ASSIGNED HERE AND WE COULD GET REVENUE FROM THE STATE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: IT'S TOUGH TO SAY WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THE BILL, THE SPONSORS DID NOT RETURN CALLS FOR COMMENT TODAY AND WHAT SEEMED LIKE A POSITIVE IF SYMBOLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR ACTIVISTS HAS NOW BECOME A BILL WHO'S VERY SPONSORS APPEAR UNWILLING TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WELL AS OTHER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY LOOK TO SET LIMITS ON REPRODUCTIVE CARE, NEW JERSEY ADVOCATES ARE PUSHING FOR AN EXPANSION.

A BILL INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER WOULD GIVE WOMEN MORE ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL, ABORTION AND OTHER PRENATAL HELP.

BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY ANSWERS.

IT TURNS OUT EVEN IN A BLUE STATE LIKE JERSEY, LAWMAKERS APPEAR RELUCTANT TO TACKLE SUCH A TOUGH TOPIC.

>> CATELAND WOODOWITZS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

THE ORGANIZATION HELD A ZOOM CALL WHERE THEY CALLED ON GOVERNOR MURPHY TO PASS AN ACT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

IF PASSED IT WOULD GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO A ABORTION IN STATE LAW AND ALLOW ALL QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE ABORTION SERVICES UNDER CURRENT STATE LAW ONLY PHYSICIANS CAN PERFORM ABORTIONS.

>> IT'S BEEN OVER FIVE MONTHS WITHOUT THE HEAR HAVING A HEARING.

>> I'VE BEEN ON RECORD UNEQUIVOCALLY SUPPORTING PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE CURRENT MAKE UP OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THE REPRODUCTION FREEDOM ACT.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT IT'S STILL AN ELECTION YEAR WHICH MEANS SOME LAWMAKERS COULD BE RELUCTANT TO GO ON THE RECORD ON SUCH A CONTENTIOUS BILL.

>> IN NEW JERSEY WE SAY WE'RE PROGRESSIVE, PRO-CHOICE AND THAT WE'RE A BEACON OF FREEDOM.

WELL WE CANNOT SAY THESE THINGS IF WE DO NOT DO THE HARD WORK OF MAKING THEM A REALITY.

>> Reporter: PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAYS IT SHOULDN'T BE A POLITICAL ISSUE.

>> WHAT WE REALLY ARE TRYING TO DO WITH THE RECOVERY TO FREEDOM ACT IS THIS IS A VERY PERSONAL HEALTH CARE DECISION THAT SOMEONE SHOULD BE MAKING WITH THE CONSULTATION OF THEIR PHYSICIAN OR THE MEDICAL PROVIDER.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS BILLS I HAVE EVER SEEN.

NEW JERSEY DOES NOT HAVE AN ABORTION PROBLEM, IN FACT, WE HAVE THE SECOND HIGHEST ABORTION IN THE NATION.

WE SHOULD NOT WANT TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER WE SHOULD WANT TO DECREASE THAT NUMBER.

>> Reporter: A PRO-LIFE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROTECTING HUMAN LIFE, TASEY ALLEGATIONS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS THAT WILL HELP NOT EMPOWER WOMEN.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO ALLOW WOMEN TO COME INTO THIS STATE TO HAVE ABORTIONS TO BE PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYERS.

IT WILL ALSO REMOVE THE PHYSICIANS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT WANT TO BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ABORTIONS.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE BILL IS IT DOESN'T FORCE ANYONE TO PROVIDE CARE, WHAT IT DOES IS IT CREATES SAFETY MEASURES TO BE IN PLACE SO THAT IF THERE ARE PROVIDERS THAT DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE, THAT PATIENTS STILL HAVE ACCESS AND THEY'LL STILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A PROVIDER AT THAT LOCATION.

THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE SERVICES THEY NEED AND DESERVE.

>> Reporter: DR. KRISTIN BRANDY IS AN OBGYN WHO ALSO PROVIDES ABORTIONS IN JERSEY.

DR.

BRANDY SAYS THAT THE BILL HELPS PROVIDE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN DIFFERENT AVENUES.

>> IF THE BILL DOES NOT PASS IT WILL CREATE MORE LAWS FOR PEOPLE TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, WE REACHED OUT TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND ASSEMBLY SPEAKER , BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

>>> NOW ON THE EDGE OF A HOUSING EMERGENCY, THOUSANDS OF EVICTION CASES ARE PENDING IN COUNTY COURT.

TEMPORARILY PUT ON HOLD DUE TO THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY ORDER DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THERE IS HELP TO MAKE THOSE RENT PAYMENTS.

STATE LEADERS JUST ANNOUNCED THE SECOND ROUND OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE.

BUT ADVOCATES ARE STILL WARNING OF A TSUNAMI OF EVICTIONS ONCE THIS HEALTH CRISIS LIVES.

WILL CITIES AND TOWNS BE PREPARED.

JOHANNA GAGAS HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IF WE HAVE HOMELESSNESS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT IMPACTS EVERYONE.

IT AGAIN EXACERBATES THE HEALTH CRISIS.

>> Reporter: AND CREATES A SECOND CRISIS SAYS CABIRA MYERS.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 60,000 PENDING EVICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE ACCORDING TO THE STATE JUDICIARY.

14,000 OF THEM IN NEWARK ALONE.

POINTING TO A POTENTIAL HOUSING CRISIS IN NEW JERSEY WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY'S MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS EXPIRES.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR ADVOCATES CONTINUES TO BE BLACK SINGLE MOTHERS OF MINOR CHILDREN.

AND THERE'S ONLY YOU KNOW BUT SO MANY HOMELESS SHELTERS THAT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS.

>> WE'VE ALL BEEN TOLD TO STAY IN OUR HOMES RIGHT.

AND WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BEING WOMEN WITH CHILDREN AND WOMEN OF COLOR WHO DON'T HAVE MEANS, WHAT'S CONCERNING IS THEY DON'T HAVE HOMES TO STAY IN.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY CONCERNING.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE STRESS OF POTENTIALLY NOT JUST LOSING THEIR HOME AND ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT SYMBOLIZING BUT LOSING THE PLACE WHERE THEIR FAMILY LIVES IN.

>> Reporter: AS WELL AS PROTECTIONS FOR LANDLORDS WHO AREN'T GETTING PAID.

>> WE NEED A FAIR BILL THAT WILL PROTECT ALL PARTIES.

IF WE'RE GOING TO AVOID A HOUSING CRISIS.

NO ONE'S CREDIT SHOULD BE AFFECTED.

WE NEED FAIR MORTGAGE FORBERANCE.

>> THE MORATORIUM EXPIRES 30 DAYS, WHEN IT IS LIFTED MANY FORBERANCE ASKS FOR MONEY TO BE PAID IN FULL.

>> WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S FAIR.

WE BELIEVE THE FAIR WAY TO DO THE FORBERANCE IS PUT WHAT IS OWED AT THE END OF THE LOAN.

>> WE NEED MORE RELIEF FOR RENTERS, WE ALSO NEED THE EVICTIONS TO STOP.

ILLEGAL EVICTIONS TO STOP AND WE REALLY NEED POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT CAN HELP COMMUNITIES OF COLOR KIND OF RECOVER IN MOMENTS LIKE THIS AND ALSO BECOME HOMEOWNERS.

>> Reporter: 78% OF NEWARK RESIDENTS ARE RENTERS ACCORDING TO MAYOR BARACKA, WHO ALSO SAID I'M WORKING WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE STATE'S FEDERAL LEGISLATORS TO ENSURE THAT A MAJOR SHARE OF UNEARMARKED FUNDS FROM THE PRESIDENT'S TRILLION DOLLARS STIMULUS BILL ARE DIRECTED TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

NEWARK HAS BEEN USING FEDERAL CARES, HOMES AND CDBG FUNDS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND WE ARE SHORTLY GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE DETAILS OF AN ADDITIONAL $8 MILLION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

BUT MONEY IS NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION SAYS MYERS.

>> MANY OF THESE DEFENDANTS HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOTTED THE DUE PROCESS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE THEIR CASE THAT IS A SYSTEMIC FLAW THAT MUST CHANGE IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: LIKE CASES OF LANDLORDS EVICTING TENANTS AFTER DOUBLING THE BILL IN A RENT CONTROLLED DWELLING OR BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX UNINHABITABLE POSITIONS.

MYERS IS HIRING AN ATTORNEYS TO RESPECT THESE TENANTS IN COURT.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TODAY GAVE THE ECONOMY A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS TODAY'S REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IS LOOKING BRIGHTER ACCORDING TO THE U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE.

THE FED SAYS THE U.S. ECONOMY AS MEASURED BY GBP WILL GROW 6- 1/2% THAT'S LARGER THAN THE PREDICTION.

AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WILL FALL TO 4-1/2%.

THE STATE IS LOOKING TO BRING MORE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT TO HELP MEET NEW JERSEY'S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

ACCORDING TO NJ SPOTLIGHT'S TOM JOHNSON, THE BOARD COULD ALLOW OUT OF STATE DEVELOPERS TO RECEIVE SUBSIDIES FOR THEIR PROJECTS FROM NEW JERSEY UTILITY CUSTOMERS.

I ASKED STEPHANIE BRAND, NEW JERSEY'S STATE COUNCIL FOR HER THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

>> WE PREFER TO HAVE OUR MONEY SUBSIDIZED IN STATE FACILITIES BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN WE PREFER FRANKLY FOR SOLAR COMPANIES TO NOT NEED STATE SUBSIDIES AT ALL.

>> Reporter: MEANTIME NEW JERSEY BASED SOLAR COMPANIES ARE WORRIED OF HAVING TO COMPETE FOR BUSINESSES WITH OTHER STATES.

YOU CAN READ MORE BY GOING TO NEW JERSEY BOARD.ORG.

>>> PLAY NJM, DUSTIN GOUKER BELIEVES THE SPORTING BETTING IS STRONG.

>> WE KNOW THERE'S EBBS AND FLOW AND YES THE SUPER BOWL IS A BIG EVENT BUT THERE ARE JUST LESS NFL GAMES TO BET ON -Z AS WELL.

THAT'S PART OF THE DYNAMIC.

>> MEANTIME IN PERSON GAMBLING DROPPED 32% IN FEBRUARY COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

FINALLY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, A LARGE NUMBER OF STIMULUS PAYMENTS WERE SUPPOSED TO LAND TODAY AS PART OF THE LATEST COVID RELIEF BILL.

THE IRS WILL CONTINUE SENDING OUT ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT WALL STREET'S TRADING DAY.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102 PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> WELL AS OF RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE ONE MONTH TO IMMEDIATE THAT APRIL 15th DEADLINE FOR FILING YOUR TAXES.

BUT WITH ALL THE TURBULENCE CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC CALLS FOR GROWING FOR BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GRANT AN EXTENSION.

WELL TODAY, SENATOR PAUL SARLO HEARD THE REQUEST.

WE ASKED OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORTER JOHN RITMIRE IF THIS COULD GO DOWN TO THE WIRE LIKE LAST YEAR.

>> JOHN, LAST YEAR THERE WAS SO MUCH CONFUSION BECAUSE NO DECISION WAS MADE UNTIL TWO DAYS BEFORE THE APRIL 15th DEADLINE, WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING THIS YEAR?

IS IT GOING TO BE THAT CLOSE?

>> WELL WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

I THINK THERE'S A PUSH OUT THERE TO PREVENT WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR FROM HAPPENING AGAIN THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW THE FIRST STEP THAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

THERE'S BEEN CALLING INCLUDING FROM NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN BILL PASKREL FOR THE DEADLINE TO BE EXTENDED.

AND THERE'S ALREADY A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE STATE HOUSE THAT WOULD CORRESPONDINGLY EXTEND THE NEW JERSEY DEADLINE.

WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW WOULD BE BY ONE MONTH SO INSTEAD OF APRIL 15th, MAY 15th.

BUT IT ALL HINGES ON ANY DECISION THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MAKES AND WE'VE YET TO GET A FINAL OUTCOME ON SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.

>> AND IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT THAT DECISION WILL COME AND IS A MONTH ENOUGH.

LAST MONTH IT WENT UNTIL JULY 15th, WE'RE STILL IN A LOT OF THIS TURMOIL FROM THIS PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK THOSE ARE ALL REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.

IF YOU'RE READING THE TEA LEAVES THE IRS HAS ANOTHER BIG TASK ON ITS HAND RIGHT NOW WHICH IS GETTING OUT STIMLOUSE STIMULUS PAYMENTS.

MAYBE THE DECISION WILL BE MADE TO PRIORITIZE THAT STUFF.

RIGHT NOW THE PRIORITY IS KEEPING THE ECONOMY GOING.

BUT PROCESSING TAX REFUNDS CAN ALSO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY BY THOSE WHO ARE OWED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS BECAUSE THE DEADLINE GETS EXTENDED YOU CANNOT DO YOUR TAXES ESPECIALLY IF THE GOVERNMENT OWES YOU A REFUND.

FOR SURE, SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE PANDEMIC IN PERSON MEETINGS WITH YOUR TAX PREPARER OR SIMPLY TRYING TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED YOURSELF TO GET YOUR TAXES IN ORDER REMAINS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> YEAH, THE IRS DEFINITELY HAS A FULL PLATE BUT VERY QUICKLY 15 SECONDS, THE STATE RELIES ON THIS MONEY AS REVENUE AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND WE WOULDN'T BE IN THE SAME SITUATION WITH THAT MAY 15th DATE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE STATES FISCAL YEAR IS SET UP THAT WE WERE IN LAST YEAR WITH JULY BUT IT WOULD STILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR TREASURY BECAUSE IT PUSHES THE ENVELOPE ON THE TYPE OF PROCESSING THEY HAVE TO DO.

>> JOHN RITMIRE THANKS AS ALWAYS.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> FOR MORE ON WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BILL TO POSTPONE THE TAX FILING CHECK OUT JOHN RITMIRE'S STORY.

>> DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOU TUBE CHANNEL.

SHEILA OLIVER TALKS WITH DAVID ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE.

THE VACCINE ROLL OUT AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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 SUSTAINABILITY CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> I'M KAYLA, AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO TEACH HIM.

TO PROTECT HER.

AND TO TAKE CARE OF ME TOO.

I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DOES THE SAME, THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR MY SCHEDULE.

SO I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

AND HIM.

AND HER.