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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, I'M RAVEN SANTANA .

TODAY IN CAMDEN, THE U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION WRAPPED UP HIS ROAD TO SUCCESS BACK TO SCHOOL BUS TOUR.

THE WEEKLONG MULTISTATE ROAD TRIP IS SHOWCASING THE MANY WAYS SCHOOL COMMUNITIES ARE HELPING STUDENTS RECOVER AND THRIVE IN THIS POST-PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP GET THEM BACK ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS.

SECRETARY CARDONA HIGHLIGHTED THE INITIATIVE IN CAMDEN THAT OFFERS TUTORING AND EDITORSHIP, A KEY ELEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT EDUCATION AGENDA TO HELP CURB A LEARNING LOSS.

CAMDEN IS A DISTRICT THAT HAS FACED PRE-AND POST-PANDEMIC HARDSHIPS INCLUDING FINANCIAL ONES LEADING TO THE CLOSURE OF THREE SCHOOLS DUE TO THE CLIMBING ENROLLMENT.

THE DISTRICT IS NOW THE ONLY ONE IN THE STATE TO REMAIN FULLY UNDER STATE CONTROL AND HAS BEEN SO FAR FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

SO, HOW IS CAMDEN MOVING FORWARD AND IS IT ENOUGH TO GET STUDENTS BACK ON TRACK?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> I'M REALLY PROUD OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN WITH THE AMERICAN PLAN RESCUE DOLLARS, BECAUSE IF WE DIDN'T HAVE IT, WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT WHICH SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED.

>> Reporter: A ROSY OUTLOOK FROM THE SECRETARY WHO IS ENDING HIS NATIONAL ROAD TO SUCCESS BACK TO SCHOOL BUS TOUR HERE IN CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

HE TOLD US SOME OF THE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES HE HAS SEEN BY DISTRICTS WORKING TO HELP STUDENTS CATCH UP AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> I HAVE SEEN INVESTMENTS FOR SMALLER CLASS SIZES, ENSURING THAT STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SO ACCELERATING LEARNING, INTENSE TUTORING WHERE STUDENTS ARE REALLY CAUGHT UP ON THE CONCEPTS THAT MAY BE DUE TO ISSUES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE BUDGET IN NEW JERSEY ALLOCATED $1 MILLION IN THIS YEAR TO ADVANCE TUTORING.

WE ARE CALLING UPON THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO SERVE AS TUTORS, AS MENTORS, WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH THOSE IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO ALLOCATE A PORTION OF THEIR FEDERAL FUNDING TO ALLOW WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO COMMIT TO COME INTO THE COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: IN A CITY STILL UNDERSTATE EDUCATION CONTROL, CARDONA SAW HOW A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DISTRICT IN THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS OFFERS TUTORING AND MENTORSHIP.

KEY ELEMENTS OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S EDUCATION AGENDA TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER FROM PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS.

>> I HAVE SEEN GREAT EXAMPLES OF THE DISTRICTS USING MONEY TO CREATE COMMUNITY PARTNER LIAISONS.

FOLKS WHO WORK TO BRING IN COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO BE MENTORS, TO BE TUTORS, I HAVE SEEN DISTRICTS USE FUNDING TO CREATE FAMILY LIAISONS.

THAT ARE CONNECTING FAMILIES THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY ARE IN A PANDEMIC DISENGAGED.

>> EVEN WITH THE RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS IN PLACE, NEW JERSEY STUDENTS ARE BEHIND, CLOSE TO 60% OF STUDENTS ARE BEHIND IN READING AND NEARLY 70% ARE BEHIND IN MATH, AND STUDENTS IN COLOR ARE AFFECTED THE MOST.

STUDENTS WHO WERE IN THE 70th PERCENTILE, LET'S SAY, PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, THEY MAY HAVE LOST A FEW MONTHS OF LEARNING.

WHICH WOULD TRANSLATE TO THREE OR TWO OR FOUR POINTS.

>> Reporter: THE POINT SCALE OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE NATION'S REPORT CARD.

>> FOR STUDENTS IN THE 25th PERCENTILE, WHAT WE SEE IS LOSSES OF 12 POINTS.

13 POINTS, SO WITHIN THE 12 TO 16 POINT RANGE.

>> Reporter: BUT EXACTLY JUST HOW BAD IT IS IN NEW JERSEY REMAINS UNCLEAR BECAUSE EDUCATORS ARE STILL WAITING FOR LAST YEAR'S STATE TEST SCORES TO BE RELEASED.

SOME EDUCATION SOURCES SAY WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED, THEY EXPECT TO SEE A LEARNING SLIDE OF 8 TO 12 POINTS.

>> WHEN WE HAVE A VACUUM OF INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY OUR LOCAL, STATE-BASED INFORMATION AROUND HOW STUDENTS ARE LEARNING, THEN WE REALLY HAVE A CONUNDRUM BECAUSE IN THE ABSENCE OF THE DATA, WE JUST DON'T HAVE A CLEAR ROADMAP ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT PROGRESS SHOULD BE SHARED MUCH IN THE SAME WAY WE SAW HEALTH INSURANCE SHARED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE THE LASER FOCUS ON STUDENT LEARNING IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE HAD IT WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT COVID DATA.

>> Reporter: BUT NEW JERSEY ALREADY REQUIRES MORE STUDENT TESTING THAN MANY OTHER STATES AND TEACHERS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT HAVING TO TEACH TO THE TEST, IT IS A FINE LINE TO WALK.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS SO POWERFUL ABOUT AN EXCELLENT TEACHER IS THAT THEY CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT FROM LEARNING, SO STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO FEEL INTIMIDATED ABOUT THE TEST.

TEACHERS CAN FRAME THAT HAS, WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU ARE LEARNING SO THAT WE CAN HELP YOU BETTER.

>> Reporter: A JOB THAT IS SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> STEVE PHILIP HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AS A POTENTIAL GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE FOR SOME TIME NOW, EVEN WITH THE 2025 YEAR STILL A WAYS OFF, HE APPEARS TO BE MOVING TOWARDS A RUN.

TOUTING HIS SUCCESSES IN ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC CITIES.

WITH DAVID CRUZ, HE GAVE HIS MOST DEFINITIVE ANSWER ABOUT HIS POLITICAL FUTURE AND TALKED ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH SOME TWITTER CRITICS.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN MAYOR SINCE 2013, ALMOST 10 YEARS NOW, WHAT ARE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE TO DO IN THE CITY?

>> JERSEY CITY HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST STORIES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO ASK IF I'M GOING TO RUN FOR HIGHER OFFICE, THE JERSEY CITY SCORING IS THE BEST SELLING POINT THAT I HAVE BECAUSE WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE, WE CREATE A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, WE CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE CREATE MORE DEVELOPMENT THAN ANYBODY IN NEW JERSEY.

YOU COULD GO DOWN THE LIST.

WE HAVE REALLY CHANGED JERSEY CITY FOR THE BETTER AND IT SPEAKS TO THAT WITH REGARDS TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE MOVING HERE AND HOW JERSEY CITY IS PROCEEDING.

WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF IT.

I LOVE THIS JOB, AND I'M NOT EAGER TO LEAVE IT, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO BE PROUD OF OVER HERE.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, YOU ARE SETTING UP AN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MAKE A RUN LIKE THAT, WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR MIND?

>> I'M NOT 100% THERE, THAT I WILL RUN FOR GOVERNOR BUT, I WOULD SAY MORE THAN LIKELY I'M LEANING IN THAT DIRECTION.

AFTER 12 YEARS OF BEING MAYOR, I WOULD THINK THAT IT'S TIME TO LET SOMEBODY ELSE STEP IN AND GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS.

I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH WHAT WE STARTED.

AT THE SAME TIME, I REALLY DO LOVE THIS JOB AND I LOVE THE CITY.

SO I JUST HAVE TO THINK THROUGH IT A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT IF YOU'RE ASKING WHAT I'M THINKING, TRYING TO BE AS HONEST AS POSSIBLE, MORE THAN LIKELY I'M LEANING IN THAT DIRECTION AND LIKELY WILL PURSUE IT BUT I'M NOT 100% THERE YET.

>> WE HAVE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS ON TWITTER, SOME OF WHICH WERE ALREADY ASKED.

BUT HERE IS ONE, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING THAT YOU ARE STILL BLOCKING THEM ON TWITTER.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T DO THAT, RIGHT?

>> WELL, IF SOMEBODY, THERE'S PLENTY OF CRITICS THAT ARE ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND WE ALLOW THEM.

IF SOMEBODY IS BELLIGERENT TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE ON A FEED, TROLLING FOR THE SAKE OF TROLLING.

USING LANGUAGE WHICH IS INAPPROPRIATE, THEN YES, I TOOK THE LIBERTY TO BLOCK THEM BECAUSE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT IS NOT A REAL INDIVIDUAL, WE HAVE NEVER DONE THAT FOR SOMEBODY THAT HAS PUT THEIR NAME AND FACE OUT THERE, EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER, WITH A VALID OPINION.

IF YOU'RE MAKING FIVE OR SIX TWITTER HANDLES TO TROLL SOMEBODY AND CRITICIZE OTHER PEOPLE ON A TWITTER FEED, YEAH, YOU KNOW I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE ON YOUR SIDE IN THAT REGARD?

>> WE KNOW, IF SOMEONE HE WANTS TO LITIGATE IT, THEY CAN LITIGATE IT AND WE WILL CORRECT IT, WE WILL GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON THAT.

WE TRY TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA AS A PLATFORM TO ALLOW CONVERSATION.

THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTERS OF MINE ON THERE AND PLENTY OF CRITICS AND THAT IS TOTALLY FINE.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO HAVE ANONYMOUS TROLLS JUST CRITICIZING OTHER PEOPLE AND DESTROYING THAT DISCOURSE THAT WE VALUE.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ON THE PREMIER OF CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ.

THAT SATURDAY, AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M. , IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK, CHECK OUT THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID WHERE HE TALKS WITH THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER ABOUT STAFFING SHORTAGES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE CHALLENGES SHE FACES IN THIS POST PANDEMIC WORLD.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 INGHAM BOTH ON NJ PBS.

>>> EXTREMELY SHORTSTAFFED AND UNSAFE FOR PATIENT CARE, THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ACCUSATIONS MADE BY NURSES WHO WORK AT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN A SCATHING 16 REPORT RELEASED THIS WEEK.

THE REPORT BY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES, THE LARGEST UNION REPRESENTING HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE STATE ACCUSED THE HOSPITAL OF NOT BEING SAFE FOR PATIENTS OR STAFF.

649 JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY NURSES TOOK PART IN THE SURVEY, OUT OF MORE THAN 1400 WHO ARE EMPLOYED AND AFFILIATED WITH LOCAL 5058.

AND IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT, HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH SAID THE SURVEY ARE DEVOID OF FACTS AND SHOULD BE SCRUTINIZED CLOSELY FOR THEIR MOTIVES AND TIMING.

THAT IS A SELF-SERVING PROPAGANDA PIECE, TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE CURRENT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

THE REPORT COMES AS THE UNION IS CURRENTLY IN NEGOTIATIONS EVER NEW CONTRACT.

THE NEPTUNE HOSPITAL WAS ALSO SLAPPED WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN VIOLATIONS BY OSHA 2020 OVER WORKPLACE CONDITIONS INVOLVING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

>>> 13 POUNDS ARE SUING THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADMINISTRATION, CALLING ON HIM TO BRING BACK THE COUNSEL OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GIVE THEM DECISION-MAKING POWER ON TOWNS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

CLAIMING HE IS IN VIOLATION OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND RESIDENTS ARE LEFT AT THE MERCY OF OVERBURDENED COURTS.

TED GOLDBERG SPOKE WITH MAYORS WHO ARE SUING GOVERNOR MURPHY AND HAS THEIR STORY.

>> AFTER YEARS OF LIMBO AND LITIGATION, THIS 30 ACRE SITE IN CRANFORD IS FINALLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AND 250 APARTMENTS ARE COMING.

INCLUDING 38 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE INDUSTRIES ORIGINALLY APPLIED FOR 905 APARTMENTS.

CRANFORD'S MAYOR CALLED THAT NUMBER ALARMING.

>> THIS IS A TOWN OF ABOUT 23,000 PEOPLE.

900 UNITS IS AN ASTOUNDING NUMBER.

>> THIS FIVE-YEAR HEADACHE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF NEW JERSEY STILL HAD A FUNCTIONING COUNSEL ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OR COA.

>> IN THE ABSENCE OF AN ACTIVE RECONSTITUTED COUNSEL OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> SHE IS TRYING TO BRING BACK COA BUT SUING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, CRANFORD AND 12 OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE FILING SUIT, ALLEGING THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY IS VIOLATING THE FAIR HOUSING ACT BECAUSE HE HASN'T APPOINTED MEMBERS TO COVER THE BOARD.

THE GOVERNOR DISBANDED THE BOARD 12 YEARS AGO.

SINCE THEN, SQUABBLES ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAVE BEEN DECIDED BY THE COURTS.

>> THE CURRENT COURT PROCESS HAS PROVED TO BE INEFFECTIVE, INEFFICIENT AND VERY COSTLY.

TOO MUCH TIME AND TOO MUCH MONEY HAVE BEEN SPENT ON LAWYERS AND DEVELOPERS AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL PLANNERS AND OTHERS FILING COURT DOCUMENTS, INSTEAD OF FUNDING THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> NONE OF THOSE LOW INCOME PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THEN IN NEW BRUNSWICK, OR NOW.

SO AS WE LOOK AT THE LESSONS, I THINK THERE ARE GOOD AND BAD LESSONS THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY THAT WE HAVE.

>> LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPOKE AT THE STATE ASSEMBLY HEARING YESTERDAY TO DEBATE CURRENT COURT SETUPS, OR IF COA SHOULD RETURN.

>> THE SYSTEM POST COVID, WE HAVE A HUGE BACKLOG.

I DON'T KNOW IF JUDICIAL IS THE OPTION THAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING FOR PRE- >> I WOULD LOVE IT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SUE PEOPLE TO MEET A CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION.

I WOULD LOVE IT IF CIVIL RIGHTS WERE AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERY MUNICIPALITY STANDARD.

>> YOU HAD LITIGATION WITH 300 MUNICIPALITIES, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THE LEGAL FEES WERE.

THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A MUCH BETTER SYSTEM THAN COA WAS.

>> WE HAVE A BUNCH OF TOWELS SAYING WE HAVE NO OBLIGATION AT ALL, SO WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS CAUSING THE LITIGATION TO PLAY OUT.

>> SOME ADVOCATES SAY THE LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION ISN'T BEING FILED IN GOOD FAITH.

>> IT'S JUST ANOTHER DELAY TACTIC AND IT IS JUST TROUBLING AND INSULTING TO WORKING FAMILIES AND SENIORS.

>> THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING LOW INCOME PEOPLE OF COLOR OUT OF THE BORDERS AND THE SAME ISSUE WE FOUGHT FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THAT IS NOT THE CASE AND THE LAWSUIT IS SOLELY ABOUT BRINGING COA BACK TO LIFE.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE THE SENSITIVITY THAT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND RIGHT TO MEET OBLIGATIONS, BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

SO THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN THAT OKAY, WE DIDN'T GET 900 UNITS, BUT MIGHT WE GET 500 OR 700 OR 1000 SOMEWHERE ELSE?

>> UNLESS THESE MAYORS WIN THE LAWSUIT, THAT DECISION WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY OUT IN THE COURTS.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, AND JAKE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, IF YOU LIVE IN NEW JERSEY BUT ARE GETTING TIRED FOR BEING TAXED FOR WORKING IN NEW YORK, HELP COULD BE ON THE WAY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PITCHING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK WHEN IT COMES TO TAXING RESIDENTS WHOSE JOBS ARE BASED ACROSS STATE LINES.

HE ANNOUNCED A NEW PROPOSAL THAT CALLS FOR AMONG OTHER THINGS, CREATING NEW STATE TAX CREDITS TO GIVE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND INCENTIVES.

EVEN IF THEY ARE WORKING FROM HOME.

BRIANA VANNOZZI SAT DOWN WITH BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER , FOR A LOOK ON THE ISSUES AFFECTING MANY RESIDENTS.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO GET THIS DONE THROUGH THE COURTS, THAT DIDN'T WORK, NOW HE'S GOING THE AVENUE OF THE LEGISLATURE, WHAT IS HE PROPOSING?

>> THERE ARE REALLY THREE ELEMENTS TO THIS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL AND THEY ALL GO AT THIS ISSUE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

ONE OF THEM WOULD CHANGE THE LAW IN NEW JERSEY, SO WE SORT OF TREAT NEW YORK THE SAME WAY THAT IT TREATS US, AND IN THAT RESPECT, IT WOULD BE NEW YORK FEELS LIKE IT HAS THE RIGHT TO TAX THE INCOME, OF WHAT A NEW JERSEY RESIDENT EARNS WORKING FOR A NEW YORK-BASED COMPANY BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK FROM HOME.

NEW JERSEY'S LAW RIGHT NOW DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY BUT WE WOULD BASICALLY PUT IN EFFECT THAT TYPE OF POLICY FOR ANY WORK RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT WORK FOR A NEW JERSEY BASED COMPANY EVEN WHEN THEY ARE WORKING FROM HOME.

AND THE OTHER ELEMENTS ARE TAX CREDITS THAT WOULD BE OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS, SO AS YOU MENTIONED, THE STATE DID NOT PURSUE ANY ADDITIONAL LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NEW YORK.

BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP INDIVIDUALS FROM DOING IT AND THE STATE COULD OFFER THEM TAX CREDITS TO HELP GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF INCENTIVE TO DO SO .

AND FINALLY, THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR PROVIDING GRANTS TO COMPANIES THAT RIGHT NOW ARE LOCATED OUT-OF-STATE AND THEY CAN REMAIN OUT-OF- STATE BUT IF THEY WERE TO SET UP SOME SORT OF LOCATION IN NEW JERSEY, IF THEY HAVE REMOTE WORKERS WHO ARE BASED IN NEW JERSEY SO THEY WOULD HAVE SORT OF A BRICK-AND-MORTAR FOOTPRINT, THEN IT WOULD GIVE THE STATE A CHANCE TO SORT OF REPATRIATE THEIR INCOME TAX, WHICH ALL GOES TO THE STATES OFFERS INSTEAD OF SOME OTHER STATES.

>> THE ARGUMENT THAT NEW YORK HAS ALWAYS MADE, OR PARTICULARLY IN THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH THE PANDEMIC, WAS THAT IT WAS A CONVENIENCE FOR WORKERS TO BE REMOTE.

THAT BECAME A NECESSITY .

NOW, IT SEEMS THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE RETURNING TO THE OFFICE OR AT LEAST HYBRID.

IS THAT GOING TO MESS THIS UP?

>> I THINK YOU ARE ASKING ONE OF THE KEY QUESTIONS THAT LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS, THIS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL GOES FORWARD, BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WHO DO WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS CONVENIENCE.

WE ALL KNOW HOW NEW JERSEY TRANSIT CAN GET IF YOU CAN WORK FROM HOME INSTEAD OF HAVING TO FIGHT THE COMMUTE.

>> AND THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE.

BOTH.

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND WITH CONGESTION PRICING POSSIBLY COMING, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER HERE AND CERTAINLY ALLOWING THIS FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS, THEY WILL WANT THIS TO REMAIN.

>> ARE THERE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, IF I AM A COMPANY IN NEW YORK AND MY EMPLOYEE SAYS I WANT TO WORK AT HOME, DO I STILL GET TO COLLECT THE INCOME TAX IF I'M BASED IN NEW YORK AND YOU SHOULD BE IN THE NEW YORK OFFICE?

>> YEAH, AND I THINK THAT GOES BACK TO THIS ISSUE OF WHERE ARE WE HEADED POST PANDEMIC.

I DON'T THINK WORK FROM HOME IS GOING AWAY AND SOME OF THE DATA SUGGESTS THAT ALTHOUGH WE RETURN TO WORK, WE ARE STILL SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME.

SO ALL OF THESE LEGAL ISSUES, IT IS SORT OF CHANGING THE STATUS QUO BECAUSE YOU GOT ALL THESE PEOPLE.

AND REMEMBER, IT IS A TIGHT LABOR MARKET AND PEOPLE ARE DOING A LOT RIGHT NOW TO KEEP THEIR WORKERS HAPPY AND KEEP THEN WITHIN THEIR COMPANY.

SO ALL BIG ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE WRESTLED WITH.

>> JOHN REITMEYER , THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> FOR MORE ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH HAS ALREADY GENERATED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, YOU CAN READ HIS ARTICLE AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED FOR THE WEEK.

AND BE SURE TO JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR THE SEASON PREMIERE OF NJ BUSINESS BEAT, SHE KICKS OFF THE BUSINESS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN NEW JERSEY, YOU CAN CATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M.

HERE ON NJ PBS.

>>> NEW JERSEY HIT RECORD LEVELS OF HEAT THIS SUMMER AND WE AREN'T GOING TO COOL DOWN JUST YET.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ASSOCIATION, NEW JERSEY HAD ITS HOTTEST AUGUST ON RECORD.

AND THE HEAT WASN'T JUST FELT HERE ACCORDING TO EXPERTS, THOSE CONDITIONS WERE MIRRORED AROUND THE GLOBE.

IN THE WARMER THAN USUAL TEMPERATURES, AS THE AREA HAS EXPERIENCED DROUGHT LIKE CONDITIONS, THE STATE SAW ITS SIX DRIEST TIME BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST, WITH NEARLY 5 INCHES BELOW THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF RAIN.

IS IT TIME TO GRAB THE SWEATERS?

ACCORDING TO NOAA, IT'S LIKELY THE STATE WILL SEE WARMER TEMPERATURES CONTINUE IN OCTOBER AND THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

>>> ONE YEAR AGO, TROPICAL STORM IDA SPAWNED A TORNADO THAT TORE THROUGH MULLICA HILL , DEVASTATING HOMES AND FARMS.

ONE OF THE FARMS HIT WAS WELLACREST FARMS, ONE OF THE STATES LARGEST DAIRY FARM, WHICH LOST MORE THAN 40 ANIMALS .

AND IT WASN'T JUST PHYSICAL DAMAGE, THERE WAS ALSO FINANCIAL COMPS THAT CAME ALONG WITH THE STORM'S AFTERMATH.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE FARM ABOUT THE ROLE HIS COMMUNITY PLAYED IN GETTING HIS FARM BACK UP AND RUNNING.

>> IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR, EVERYTHING IS NEW AND WE ARE JUST PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER.

>> Reporter: BABY STEPS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY HERE AT WELLACREST FARMS IN MULLICA HILL.

THE DAIRY FARM WAS COMPLETELY DEVASTATED LAST YEAR AFTER A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN DURING TROPICAL STORM IDA.

>> WE LOST 45 ANIMALS, WE HAD TO SELL SOME MORE JUST BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE BARNES COME ON THEY WERE JUST OUT IN THE WEATHER.

THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS WAS TOUGH , WE WERE WORKING OFF OF GENERATORS, WE DIDN'T HAVE POWER FOR AT LEAST A WEEK.

>> THE FARM TAKING A HUGE FINANCIAL HIT OF OVER $1 MILLION.

THE OWNER IS STILL EMOTIONAL, JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> I DON'T KNOW, IT'S JUST HARD, IT'S VERY EMOTIONAL, AND YEARS TO COME WHEN I TALK ABOUT SEPTEMBER 1, IT'S LIKE 9/11, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE.

>> Reporter: AND UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES STILL SO VIVID, BUT A YEAR LATER, THEY ARE HARD AT WORK REBUILDING HOMES THAT WERE DESTROYED, SOME HAVING TO START COMPLETELY FROM THE GROUND UP, LIKE THIS ONE.

THIS IS HOW IT LOOKED LAST YEAR.

WE WERE THERE WHEN THIS MOM WHO WAS PREGNANT AT THE TIME WAS JUST THANKFUL SHE AND HER FAMILY MADE IT OUT ALIVE.

A FEW MILES AWAY, STEVE IS FEELING THE SAME.

>> IT WAS A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS THAN WE THOUGHT, AND AFTER SOME TEARS AND HUGS, WE REALIZED WE WERE OKAY, AND WE HAD TO START THE LONG PROCESS OF A REBUILD.

>> Reporter: THE TORNADO TORE THROUGH HIS HOUSE, FORCING HIS FAMILY TO FIND SHELTER ELSEWHERE.

>> IT IS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE A COMMUNITY AGAIN.

WE ARE ALL REBUILDING.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, ALL OF THIS WAS GONE, COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE STORM, OWNERS WEREN'T SURE HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO REBUILD BUT A YEAR LATER, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP.

>> PEOPLE CAME OFF THE STREET, THEY WERE HELPING US PICK UP PIECES OF DEBRIS, CASH DONATIONS , FOR WEEKS, THE AMISH CAME AND THEY VOLUNTEERED FOR EIGHT WEEKS.

THEY WERE HERE DOING CONSTRUCTION, HELPING US PICK UP ALL THE RUBBLE.

>> Reporter: THAT GENEROSITY WAS A WELCOME SURPRISE.

>> IS THE COMPASSION AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT WAS SHOWN BY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION, COMING OUT OF THE WOODWORK TO HELP THOSE THAT NEEDED HELP, AND THAT WENT ON FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE TORNADO WAS THE FIRST CONFIRMED EF-3 CONFIRMED IN NEW JERSEY , AND A CLIMATOLOGIST WARNS EVERYBODY SHOULD STAY READY.

>> YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THESE THINGS WITH THE PROPER WATER, FOR POWER OUTAGES, FLASHLIGHTS, AND WE SHOULD HAVE A COMMON PLACE THAT IS A SAFE PLACE TO GO TO MEET, AND WE SHOULD KNOW WHERE TO GO WHEN THE STORMS HIT.

>> Reporter: BACK ON THE FARM, PRODUCTION IS BACK TO WHERE IT WAS BEFORE THE TORNADO HIT WITH 600 COWS BEING MILKED DAILY, THAT IS A LONG AND PAINFUL BATTLE WITH MOTHER NATURE, AND THEY CAN STICK AROUND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>>'S BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU, GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED THE SINGLE LARGEST CONSERVATION PROJECT IN THE STATES HISTORY WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE OLD PORTION OF THE LINE WHICH WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2002 TO CREATE THE ESSEX HUDSON GREENWAY.

NOW, A NINE MILE LINEAR STATE PART WILL RUN FROM MONTCLAIR TO JERSEY CITY.

THE STATE GAVE A WHOPPING $6.5 MILLION FOR THE LAND.

ONCE CLEANED UP, THE MULTIUSE RECREATIONAL TRAIL THAT WILL BE 100 FEET WIDE WILL OFFER OFF- ROAD TRANSPORTATION, BIKE LANES AND PLENTY OF WALKING PATHS FOR RESIDENTS.

THE GREENWAY WILL ALSO SERVE AS A STOP ON THE 1300 MILE SEPTEMBER 11 NATIONAL MEMORIAL TRAIL.

ADVOCATES FOR THE GREENWAY ARE CELEBRATING THE PURCHASE AND SAY IT'LL BE A BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE GREEN SPACE PROJECTS NATIONWIDE.

THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT, MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> ORSTED 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.

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM .