>> 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.

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

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

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE INDOOR MASK MANDATES FINALLY COMING TO AN END ROUGHLY 14 MONTHS AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN PLACE TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

STARTING THIS FRIDAY, MAY 28th, VACCINATED RESIDENCE WILL NO LONGER NEED TO OUR MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCE IN MOST INDOOR LOCATIONS JUST IN TIME FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

THE GOVERNOR, POINTING TO RECENT PROGRESS, 260 NEW CONFIRMED CASES AND 10 MORE DEBT BEING REPORTED TODAY.

UNVACCINATED PEOPLE ARE STILL STRONGLY BEING ENCOURAGED TO WEAR THEIR MASKS AND INDOOR SETTINGS, THOUGH THE STATE WON'T BE CHECKING FOR VACCINE STATUS.

AS OF TODAY, MORE THAN 4 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY IMMUNIZED AND NEARLY 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

AND STARTING JUNE 4th, THE STATE WILL TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER.

LIFTING ALL INDOOR CAPACITY LIMITS.

NO MORE RESTRICTIONS.

IT'S AN ABOUT-FACE BY THE GOVERNOR WHO SAYS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK THAT WE WERE NOT READY TO MAKE THIS STEP.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT HAS THE STORY.

>> BECAUSE OF THE GERMAN'S PROGRESS WE'VE MADE OVER THE PAST, I'M SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WITH THE STATEWIDE INDOOR MASK MANDATES THIS FRIDAY, MAY 28th.

>> A SUBDUED GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED NO MASKS, NO PROBLEM IN NEW JERSEY STARTING FRIDAY, WHEN THE STATES INDOOR MASK MANDATES WILL END IN MOST PLACES FOR FULLY VACCINATED FOLKS.

PAUL MILLER IN MOORESTOWN WELCOMES THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> OUR STAFF IS FULLY VACCINATED, WE ARE ALL FEELING WELL.

WE FEEL LIKE OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE AS WELL, SO IF THE EXPERTS SAY THAT IT'S TIME, THEN WE WELCOME IT WITH OPEN FACES AND HAPPY SMILES.

>> RESIDENCE REACTION?

MIXED.

>> IF YOU WANT TO WEAR A MASK YOU CAN.

IT'S NOT MANDATORY.

SO, I AGREE WITH THAT.

>> I'M GOING TO LEAVE MY ON.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

THE VARIANCES OUT THERE.

>> WE WON'T HAVE LAW- ENFORCEMENT CHECKING PEOPLE'S VACCINATION STATUS, BUT WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO BE RESPONSE DOUBLE AND TO DO THE RIGHT THING, FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MURPHY'S MASK REVERSAL FOLLOWED 10 DAYS OF DRAMA AFTER THE CDC ANNOUNCED MAY 13th THAT FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE COULD SAFELY UNMASK INDOORS AND PRESSURE MOUNTED FROM BOTH VISITS AND POLITICAL CRITICS.

MURPHY SAID THAT JERSEY WAS LOSING CUSTOMERS TO NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT.

SO, JERSEY RESTAURANT TORS REJOICED TODAY.

>> IS VERY EXCITING AND FRIDAY IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY.

>> NOT HAVING TO POLICE AND BABYSIT EVERYBODY THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 14 MONTHS, AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING ABOUT IT.

>> MOREOVER, MURPHY ON FRIDAY, WILL ALSO RESEND THE SIX FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING MANDATE WHICH MANY EATERIES SAID MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ENOUGH DINERS TO TURN A PROFIT.

>> THIS IS HUGE.

THIS IS HUGE FOR EVERYBODY.

ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE FIRE PITS AND MAYBE WE WILL HAVE A MASK BURNING PARTY ON FRIDAY.

>> WHAT WILL YOU SEE WHEN THE OFFICIAL MASK MADE IT ENDS?

IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GO.

SOME BUSINESSES MIGHT STILL REQUIRE THEM AND SOME PEOPLE MIGHT STILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WEARING THEM.

>> WE UNDERSTAND IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY SUPERMARKETS YOU KNOW, EMPLOYEES ARE STILL WEARING MASKS BECAUSE COMPANIES WANT TO TAKE THE EXTRA STEP OF PROTECTING THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS BUSINESSES CAN STILL REQUIRE FACEMASKS AND THEY WILL STILL BE MANDATED AT AIRPORTS, PLANS, AND PUBLIC TRANSIT IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL AND LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS, PUBLIC FACING STATE OFFICES LIKE THE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION AND ALSO AT CHILDREN'S CENTERS AND SUMMER CAMPS.

THE WHOLE EFFORT WILL DEPEND ON THE HONOR SYSTEM.

>> WAS NEVER ACTED BECAUSE OF POLITICS, WE NEVER TOLD A STORY OTHER THAN THE ONE OUR NUMBERS TOLD.

>> WAS FASCINATING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO SAY FOLLOW THE SCIENCE THE LOUDEST SWITCHES FROM DEMOCRATS TO REPUBLICANS DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SCIENCE SEEMS TO BE SAYING AT THE TIME, SO THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE POLITICS INVOLVED.

AND THE PROBLEM IS, THAT THE SCIENCE IS BRAND-NEW, AND THE SCIENCE IS EVOLVING.

>> Reporter: THE MOORESTOWN DOLLAR STORE WHERE EVERYBODY DUTIFULLY DONNED A FACEMASK TODAY THE ONE CASHIER CALLED DROPPING THE MASK MANDATE A BAD IDEA.

>> BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY HAS-- AND I DON'T THINK THAT >> I THINK THAT THE BIG CONCERN.

WERE NOT WALKING AROUND WITH, ARE I'VE BEEN VACCINATED STICKERS SO THERE'S NO WAY TO TELL WHO HAS BEEN VACCINATED, WHO ISN'T, AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN THOSE ENVIRONMENTS, THAT CAN CREATE A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE.

>> EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SOLARIS IS WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK UP.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

TWO ONE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH FOUR GUN CRIMES IN CONNECTION WITH A MASS SHOOTING AT A HOUSE PARTY SATURDAY NIGHT IN FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

14 PEOPLE WERE SHOT, TWO HAVE DIED.

THE VICTIMS WERE 25-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN.

IN JERSEY CITY, MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS OVER THE WEEKEND LEFT TWO PEOPLE DEAD, FOUR WERE INJURED AS AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE THE MOTIVES, STATE LEADERS SAID THE GUN VIOLENCE WE'VE SEEN SPREADING ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS NOW HITTING HOME.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WHAT WE SAW HERE IN FAIRFIELD IS A MICROCOSM OF THE SCALE OF GUN VIOLENCE WE SEE ELSEWHERE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN OUR STATE , AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> IT WAS A SCENE WE ALMOST GOT USED TO NOT SEEING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

VICTIMS OF MASS SHOOTINGS ON OUR SCREENS.

BUT, AS LIFE BEGINS RETURNING TO NORMAL, MASS SHOOTINGS LIKE THE ONES THIS WEEKEND IN JERSEY CITY ARE A REMINDER THAT THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE HAS ONCE AGAIN BECOME A PART OF OUR NEW NORMAL.

>> WE CANNOT MINIMIZE WHAT WE SAW.

WE CANNOT PUT OUR HEADS IN THE SAND AND JUST SAY THIS IS THE PRICE WE PAY IN A FREE SOCIETY.

I WILL NEVER ACCEPT THAT.

WE CAN NEVER ACCEPT THAT.

THIS COMMUNITY WILL NEVER ACCEPT THAT.

>> POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING BOTH INCIDENTS.

THE ONE IN BRIDGETON HAPPENED AT A HOUSE PARTY IN A QUITE COMMUNITY OR AT LEAST ONE SHOOTER STARTED TARGETING PARTYGOERS FROM THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOME.

SO FAR, ONE PERSON OF INTEREST HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

THE ONE IN JERSEY CITY, HAPPENED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL ON THE CORNER OF THESE BROWNSTONES WHERE YUSUF LIVES.

>> BEFORE IT HAPPENED I WAS PASSING BY AND I SAW THEM, THEY WERE HAVING MUSIC ON, RIGHT?

AND I SAID OH, PEOPLE ARE HAVING FUN AND I WAS INSIDE WHEN I HEARD THE SHOT.

I THOUGHT MAYBE FIRECRACKERS AND WHEN WE CAME OUT, I SAW TWO PEOPLE IT'S REALLY SAD.

YOU KNOW.

>> THE MASS SHOOTINGS ARE INCREASING AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT RESIDENCE HERE IN JERSEY CITY SAY MEMORIALS LIKE THE ONE BEHIND ME ARE ALL AROUND THE CITY, AND THEY'VE BEEN A CONSTANT, EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN UNADDRESSED DID NOT JUST TAKE A SEAT BACK AND QUARANTINE THEMSELVES.

INSTEAD, IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED.

IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IT'S NOT SAFE TO SIT ON YOUR OWN PORCH.

YOU KNOW, CLEAN YOUR FRONT YARD OR CLEAN YOUR BACKYARD.

YOU KNOW, SHOOTINGS HAVE INCREASED.

YOU KNOW, ALTHOUGH THEY ONLY SHOW A LITTLE UPTICK IN HOMICIDES, BUT ONE SHOOTING IS TOO MANY, ONE HOMICIDE IS TOO MANY AND 1% IS TOO MUCH.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS WHY YOU'RE SEEING WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT .2 BAIL REFORM OR LUSTROUS PANDEMIC, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT .2 LACK OF POLICE ENGAGEMENT.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD .2 LACK OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD POINT TO A LACK OF OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF DIMENSIONS TO THE CONVERSATION AND A LOT OF VOICES THAT NEED TO BE AT THE TABLE.

>> THE GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH CENTER IS ONE OF THE FIRST TO STUDY THE IMPACTS OF GUN VIOLENCE AND SERMON BARNES SAYS IT MIGHT NOT BE THE MESSAGE THINGS WE ARE USED TO SEEING BUT THE GUN VIOLENCE IS STILL THERE.

>> THE LAST NUMBERS I SAW HAVE THE NUMBER OF GUN DEATHS.

YOU KNOW, IN THE COUNTRY AROUND 20,000.

WHICH IS THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN TWO DECADES.

AND THAT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT YOU KNOW, THE 24,000 OR SO IN SUICIDE GUN DEATHS.

>> IS A BILL IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW THOUGH IT TAKE LOOPHOLES AND BACKGROUND CHECKS AND FUND COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT HELP PREVENT VIOLENCE, BUT NEW JERSEY ALREADY HAS SOME OF THE STRICTEST GUN LAWS IN THE COUNTRY, SO LEGISLATION IS NOT NECESSARILY THE ANSWER THERE SAYS PHILIP.

>> WHAT PEOPLE SAY YOU NEED STRICTER LAWS AT THE STATE LEVEL, THAT'S HELPFUL BUT IT'S NOT ABSOLUTELY THE ANSWER BECAUSE WE SEE FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

>> THE JERSEY CITY ANTIVIRUS COALITION MOVEMENT HELPS SUPPORT THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED BY GUNS HELPING THEM PAY FOR THE FUNERAL AND MOVED TO A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I WENT TO THE WEBSITE AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE, BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE.

>> A REMINDER THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE FAMILIES INVOLVED WERE TRAUMATIZED BY THIS VIOLENCE, IT'S EVERYONE.

IN JERSEY CITY, I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, VIGILS, ROME WILL MEMORIALS AND RALLIES ARE BEING PLANNED FOR TOMORROW.

IN THE MORAL GEORGE FLOYD STATUS AND THOSE THAT HAVE LOST ONE'S TO POLICE ENCOUNTERS ARE PLANNING TO TAKE PART.

THERE WAS A MARCH IN MINNEAPOLIS OVER THE WEEKEND.

ONE YEAR LATER, AND THE COST OF THIS MENTAL SYSTEMIC RACISM ARE STILL THE SAME.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SET A GOAL OF PASSING THE GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE AND POLICING ACT FOR THIS ANNIVERSARY, BUT CONGRESS IS STILL AT ODDS OVER THE BILL.

WHICH INCLUDES CREATING A NATIONAL STANDARD FOR THE OPERATION OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND A NATIONAL REGISTRY FOR DATA ON POLICE MISCONDUCT.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO STREAMLINE FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROSECUTE EXCESSIVE FORCE AND BANJO COLDS AND NO KNOCK WARRANTS, BUT ELIMINATING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, WHICH SHIELDS POLICE OFFICERS FROM LAWSUITS, BUT REMAINS A MAJOR STICKING POINT.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER IS THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR DEMOCRATS AND TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> WE ARE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE ARE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO MEETING WHAT I THINK IS A FUNDAMENTAL NECESSITY FOR THIS BILL.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A BILL THAT CREATES MORE ACCOUNTABILITY TO AMERICAN POLICING, MORE TRANSPARENCY FOR AMERICAN POLICING.

IT REALLY MOVES US FORWARD.

THIS BILL WILL NOT SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS, BUT TO BE WORTH IT HAS TO BE MEANINGFUL REFORMS THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT HAD AMERICANS IN EVERY SINGLE STATE, ALL OVER OUR CITY OF NEW JERSEY LITERALLY OUT IN THE STREETS WITH PEACEFUL PROTEST FOR REFORM.

>> A KEY IMMIGRATION BILL IS MOVING TO THE LEGISLATOR.

IF IT MAKES IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AND GET THE SIGNATURE IT WILL ESSENTIALLY PUT AN END TO JAIL PARTNERSHIPS WITH ICE, ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR YEARS FOUR FACILITIES IN THE STATE HOLD IMMIGRANT DETAINEES, AND EACH HAS TAKEN STEPS IN RECENT WEEKS TO LIMIT THEIR CONTRACTS FOR CURRENT DETENTIONS.

COULD THIS LEGISLATION AND THE FOOTPRINT ICE HAS ON NEW JERSEY?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING OFFICIALS, SOMETIMES LITERALLY TO GET OUT OF THE IMMIGRANT DETENTION BUSINESS.

AND BIG AS IT IS.

WITH HUNDREDS OF DETAINEES ADDING UP TO $120 A DAY, BRINGING IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR COUNTY BUDGETS IN BERGEN, HUDSON, AND ETHICS.

>> WE DEFINITELY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR COUNTY SHOULD BE INVESTING IN, PEOPLE'S LIVES AND THE SYSTEM.

I GUESS IT JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

IT'S INHUMANE, IT'S NOT SAFE.

YEAH, SO NO COUNTY SHOULD BE MAKING PROFIT AFTER THIS.

>> IN AN ABRUPT CHANGE OF DIRECTION, ESSEX COUNTY ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD CEASE TAKING DETAINEES THIS SUMMER, AND THE CHAIR THE HUDSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHICH HAD AGREED TO END ITS COOPERATION THIS YEAR, THEN RENEGED ON THAT PROMISE, ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS NOW TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CONTRACT WITH ICE.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT IS BEHIND THE ABOUT-FACE, BUT A NEW PRESIDENT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE AN AWFUL LOT IN A VERY SHORT LENGTH OF TIME.

IT HAS A VERY LONG TO UNDO TO DO LIST.

SO, I THINK I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH A MUCH MORE SANE AND APPROPRIATE IMMIGRATION POLICY.

>> SENATOR LORRAINE OF WEINBERG IS THE MAIN SPONSOR TO THE BILL TO PROHIBIT ANYMORE DETENTION DEALS WITH ICE.

THE BILL MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE SENATES LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, BUT BILL DEALING WITH CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION CAN GET HUNG UP IN THE LEGISLATIVE MOLASSES.

ADVOCATES WHO HAVE HEARD THEIR SHARE OF PROMISES BEFORE SAY THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING A BIT MORE DEFINITIVE.

>> WE NEED TO SEE CONCRETE ACTIONS TAKEN BY COUNTY LEADERSHIP, WHICH CAN START WITH ISSUING A LETTER TO ICE, AND CALLING FOR RELEASE OF THOSE, BUT IT TAKES MORE THAN PRESS RELEASES TO GET THEIR ATTENTION AND GET THEM TO PRIORITIZE RELEASES.

THE NEXT STEP IN THE NECESSARY STEP IS TO CALL ON ICE WHO HAS THE SOLE DISCRETION ABOUT RELEASING OR TRANSFERRING PEOPLE.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE NUMBER OF DETAINEES CONTINUES TO FALL.

ISIS IS THE POPULATION IN BERGEN COUNTY IS DOWN TO 62.

43 AND HUDSON, 136 IN ELIZABETH, AND 135 IN ESSEX.

ESSEX COUNTY SAYS IT HAS AGREED TO TAKE ON INMATES FROM UNION COUNTY SERVING TIME ON CRIMINAL CHARGES.

THAT WILL MAKE UP FOR LOST REVENUES ONCE ESSEX ENDS ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ICE.

>> THIS WILL BE THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST SHARED SERVICE IN THE HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.

IT SHOULD BE HERALDED.

UNION COUNTY IS GOING TO SAVE ABOUT $100 MILLION A YEAR AND I MEAN, OVER THE 5 YEARS AND ESSEX COUNTY IS GOING TO GET $11 MILLION IN REVENUE.

>> ADVOCATES SAY IT IS UNSEEMLY TO REDUCE THESE LIES TO DOLLARS AND CENTS.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE COOPERATION, EVEN COORDINATION IN ORDER TO HELP FACILITATE FAMILY REUNIONS AND AND THE CONFRONTATIONAL TONE THAT HAS TYPIFIED THE SITUATION.

MEANWHILE, THE SENATE BILL AND FORMAL AGREEMENTS TO END ICE DETENTIONS ARE STILL AWAITING ACTION.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE STATE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS ONCE AGAIN A TOP TARGET FOR REPUBLICANS WITH REPRESENTATIVE AGAIN IN THE CROSSHAIRS AFTER IT ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT FOUND HE PROFITED FROM STOCK TRADES IN MEDICAL AND TECH COMPANIES THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE NATIONAL COVID-19 RESPONSE, AND FAILED TO DISCLOSE THE EARNINGS.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THOSE TRADES ADDED UP TO ROUGHLY $1 MILLION AND WERE EARNED IN PART WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE OF SHORT SELLING STOCKS.

BETTING THAT THE VALUE OF THE STOCKS AND BUSINESSES WOULD DROP AMID THE PANDEMIC.

MALINOWSKI TOLD THE AP THOSE TRADES WERE MADE BY HIS BROKERAGE FIRM WITHOUT HIS INPUT AND THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT THE CONGRESSMAN ACTED ON INSIDER INFORMATION, BUT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HIS FINANCIAL HOLDINGS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO QUESTION AND IT WILL LIKELY BECOME A CAMPAIGN ISSUE NEXT YEAR.

MALINOWSKI NARROWLY WON HIS 2020 ELECTION AGAINST STATE SENATOR TOM KANE JR. BY JUST 5000 VOTES.

IT WAS THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WARNED THE STATE WAS HEADING TOWARD A FISCAL CLIFF PROJECTING MAJOR REVENUE LOSSES AS THE PANDEMIC WAS STILL UNFOLDING.

LAWMAKERS EVEN TOOK THE UNPRECEDENTED STEP OF DELAYING THE END OF THE STATE'S FISCAL YEAR.

NOW, THEY SHIFTED TO THE UNEXPECTED TURN AROUND, AND JUST HOW NEW JERSEY IS INSTEAD FLUSH WITH CASH.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WRITER HAS SOME OF THE ANSWERS INTO NICE BUSINESS REPORT.

JOHN, IT'S REALLY QUITE A TURNAROUND.

HOW DID THE STATE GET INTO SUCH GOOD, I MEAN PHYSICAL STANDING?

>> YEAH.

MAJOR CHANGE FROM HOW WE WERE JUST A YEAR AGO WHEN THE FISCAL YEAR IS BEING EXTENDED WHICH IS VIRTUALLY UNPRECEDENTED.

I THINK A BIG FACTOR HAS BEEN THE SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL AID RATHER THAN THOSE THE STIMULUS PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

HELP FOR BUSINESSES AND HELP FOR WALL STREET.

THAT IS ALL PUMPING A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY WHICH IN TURN HAS DONE A LOT FOR THE STATE BUDGET.

NAMELY THE SALES TAX.

THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOURCES OF REVENUE ALREADY FOR NEW JERSEY'S BUDGET AND ALL THAT FEDERAL MONEY COMING INTO THE ECONOMY JUST SERVES TO LIFT THE SALES TAX OF EVEN MORE AND THE STATE TREASURER DESCRIBED OF GETTING US TO THE PANDEMIC SO FAR.

>> ACCORDING TO THIS BUDGET HEARING IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THESE OTHER BUDGET ITEMS MAY HAVE BEEN HELPED TOO, YEAH?

>> YEAH, IT ALL HAS TO BE LOOKED UP.

OBVIOUSLY WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT, BUT THE INCOME TAXES ARE ANOTHER HUGE SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE STATE BUDGET.

THE LARGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE.

IN A TYPICAL YEAR, AND NEW JERSEY RECOVERED, HAS NOW RECOVERED 50% OF THE JOBS INITIALLY TO THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, SO THAT HAS HELPED A LOT BUT ALSO, THE INCOME TAX WAS RAISED ON MILLIONAIRES, AND THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX, THERE WAS A SPECIAL SURCHARGE THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE FOR THE TOP RUNNING BUSINESSES THAT WAS LEFT IN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

THE WAY THE RECOVERY HAS BEEN UNFORTUNATELY CONDOS OF THE TOPIC TO CONTINUE TO DO WELL AND THEY GET HURT THE MOST.

SO HAVING THOSE HIGHER TAX RATES IN PLACE FOR THE TOP EARNERS WHETHER THAT'S INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES HAS REALLY HELPED TO KEEP THE BUDGET GOING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC EVEN AS SOME OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME DIFFICULT TIMES.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE AS WE SAY HERE TODAY, MASK MANDATES BEING LIFTED, I MEAN, REOPENING IS REALLY JUST KIND OF GETTING THE WHEELS GREASED NOW.

WHAT FACTOR IS THAT GOING TO PLAY.

WE DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE ECONOMY WAS GOING TO BE SHUT DOWN.

THERE WERE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE LAST YEAR.

WERE IMPACTING A LOT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

SO THAT OPENED UP A LITTLE SOONER, MAYBE NOT AS QUICKLY IN NEW JERSEY HAS SOME PEOPLE, BUT NOW THINGS ARE REALLY REOPENING, SO THE FORECASTS MOVING FORWARD ARE ALL BEING UPGRADED AND THAT'S ALREADY ON TOP OF A BUDGET THAT PROJECTS MORE THAN 10% YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE IN SPENDING.

SO CERTAINLY THE FORECAST GOING FORWARD AS THINGS WOULD REOPEN IS GETTING A LOT BRIGHTER.

>> Reporter: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS TODAY ON WALL STREET.

>>> THERE'S NEVER BEEN A QUESTION ABOUT THE RESILIENCY OF STATE RESIDENCE, AND THE LATEST MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL SHOWS THAT TO BE THE CASE YET AGAIN.

ACCORDING TO THE GARDEN STATE QUALITY-OF-LIFE INDEX SCORE, THE PUBLIC'S VIEWS ON QUALITY OF LIFE HAVE SETTLED BACK TO NORMAL FROM THE PANDEMIC ON SCORE OF +25.

THAT'S ABOUT THE SAME AS A SURVEY DONE IN SEPTEMBER 2019 BUT DOWN FROM A HIGH FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE SCORE DROPPED ACROSS MOST OF THE STATE EXCEPT IN URBAN AREAS.

PATRICK MURRAY SAYS IT'S TOO SOON TO TELL IF THAT'S A BLIP OR SIGN OF INCREASED OPTIMISM.

THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS PINING TO MAKE TRIPS TO THE JERSEY SHORE THE SUMMER IS ALSO BACK TO NEW LLAMA LEVELS.

THE EVIDENCE CAN BE SEEN THIS WEEKEND.

FINALLY, A STORY ABOUT SECOND CHANCES.

>>> THIS MONTH, MORE THAN A DOZEN NEW GRADUATES WILL ENTER THE WORKFORCE ARMED WITH BATS WAS AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREES RANGING FROM MAJORS IN PSYCHOLOGY TO SOCIAL WORK, FROM DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITIES LIKE RUTGERS AND PRINCETON, A ROUTINE OCCURRENCE EVERY SPRING SEASON, BUT THESE GRADUATES WANT THOSE DIPLOMAS WELL LIVING OUT SENTENCES BEHIND PRISON WALLS.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>>> THEY WERE GRADUATE FROM RIKERS UNIVERSITY WITH A MAJOR IN SOCIAL WORK AND MINORING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO SPENDING ALL BUT ONE SEMESTER IN PRISON.

>> HE SAW ALL THIS TRANSFORM BEFORE OUR EYES.

>> HE WAS SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS WHEN HE GOT INTO A CRASH AFTER THE INFLUENCE OF OPIOIDS HE SAYS.

SEE THE OTHER DRIVER BY THE NAME OF ROBERT LOST HIS LIFE.

I DID NOT REALLY CARE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, BUT I SAW SOMEONE ELSE OR BY MY ACTIONS THAT WAS KIND OF LIKE A MOTIVATION TO CHANGE.

>> THE 30-YEAR-OLD DISCOVERED HE CAN EARN HIS DEGREE WHILE INSIDE WITH THE HELP OF A PROGRAM CALLED NJ STEP.

>> WHEN STUDENTS EARN THEIR GED THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHICH IS OUR CONSORTIUM PARTNER, AND DURING THE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND ONCE THEY GOT THE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE THEN THEY CAN APPLY TO RIKERS.

ALL OF OUR STUDENTS INSIDE ARE WORKING TOWARDS A JUSTICE STUDIES BA DEGREE FROM RUTGERS UNIVERSITY NORTH.

>> PROFESSOR CHRISTINA HAS TAUGHT INSIDE ALL THE PERSISTENT FACILITIES WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> THERE ARE BAR NONE THE BEST INSIGHT EVER WORKED WITH IN MY LIFE.

PERIOD.

>> HE SAYS NONE OF THE STUDENT HAD COMPUTERS AND HE HAD LITTLE FREE TIME TO WORK IN HIS CELL WHILE DEALING WITH NOISE AND TENSION IN THE AIR, HE SAYS.

>> THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WERE AGAINST IS GOING TO COLLEGE FOR THEY DID NOT LIKE THE IDEA THAT WE WERE GOING, BECAUSE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A STUDY HALL THAT WAS AVAILABLE AND THEY DID NOT LET EVERYONE OUT LIKE WHO WANTED TO GO.

THERE WERE TIMES WHEN WE WERE GOING TO CLASS AND THEY WOULD NOT KNOCK HER BOOKS OUT OF HER HANDS JUST BECAUSE THEY COULD OR THEY WOULD TRY TO GO LIKE COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF A CODE TO DELAY CLASS OR WHATEVER.

>> Reporter: BUT THE STUDENT INMATES WORK TOGETHER.

HE TUTORED PEOPLE IN WRITING AND THE HALF HOUR THEY GOT IN STUDY HALL.

>> YOU WOULD SEE GUYS WHO IN THE YARD WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE MIGRATION NARRATIVES, OR SOCIAL CONTRACTS.

>> HE SAYS IT USUALLY TAKES 8 TO 12 SEMESTERS TO COMPLETE A BA WHILE IN PRISON BECAUSE YOU CAN ONLY TAKE SO MANY CLASSES AT A TIME.

>> IS JUST SUCH A SPACE PROBLEM INSIDE, RIGHT CUSTOMER CERTAINLY THERE IS A WAITING LIST AND PEOPLE WANT TO BE INVOLVED, CERTAINLY.

FEMA PEOPLE WHO I DID NOT KNOW HAPPENED TO BE LIKE YOU KNOW, SOMEWHERE.

OH YOU'RE IN THE STEP PROGRAM AND THEY'RE LIKE YEAH, WHAT CAN I DO TO GET IN.

LIKE CAN YOU TALK TO SOMEONE CAN YOU GET ME IN QUESTION MARK THERE'S LOTS OF DEMAND BUT JUST THE REALITIES OF YOU KNOW, THE FACILITY REALLY AND HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO FACILITATE THE PROGRAM WAS KIND OF LIMITED.

>> Reporter: HE HOPES THE PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED SO ANYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE CAN PARTICIPATE BECAUSE HE SAW FIRSTHAND HOW IT TURNS LIVES AROUND.

DIRECTOR OF TRANSITIONS REGINA DIAMOND RODRIGUEZ SAYS 10 PEOPLE GRADUATE WITH BACHELOR'S DEGREES AND 5 WITH ASSOCIATE DEGREES ON FRIDAY.

>> WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED WITH ENGINEERING DEGREES, WE HAVE A RECENT STUDENT WHO GRADUATED WITH A NURSING DEGREE.

SOCIAL WORK, PSYCHOLOGY.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS DEGREES.

>> HE PLANS ON GETTING HIS MASTERS DEGREE NEXT SO HE CAN HELP OTHER PEOPLE BATTLING OPIOID ADDICTIONS TO AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES.

HE SAYS OF WHAT CAN COME OF IT.

>> I DID NOT SO I KIND OF ONE OF THE REST OF MY LIFE TO MEAN SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> DOES IT TONIGHT.

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

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICY HOLDERS?

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USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

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