>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP , SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY .

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE PSEG ASSOCIATION.

AND BY THE PEW MERCHANTS OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

FROM NJ PBS THIS IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS.

AFTER AN INTENSE DAYLONG DEBATE, AN FDA PANEL IS PROTECTED A PLAN TO PROVIDE A THIRD BOOSTER DOSE OF PFIZER'S COVID-19 VACCINE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC CITING THE NEED FOR MORE DATA.

THE RECOMMENDED AUTHORIZING BOOSTERS FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER, ALONG WITH PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK OF SEVERE COVID.

THAT VOTE BASED ON A CRUCIAL EVIDENCE, WHETHER EVIDENCE SHOWS A PFIZER BOOSTER WOULD BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR PEOPLE AGE 16 AND OLDER.

AS DATA FROM DRUG COMPANIES SHOW IMMUNITY WANES OVERTIMES.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS TODAY CHALLENGED WHETHER THAT DATA NECESSITATES A BROAD ROLLOUT OF EXTRA SHOTS.

IT COMES AT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS PREPARING TO BEGIN ADMINISTERING BOOSTERS FROM PFIZER RECIPIENTS AS EARLY AS MONDAY.

AS ESTATE REPORTS ANOTHER 2000 POSITIVE CASES IN 17 ADDITIONAL DEATHS WITH MORE THAN 5.7 MILLION PEOPLE HERE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AND NEARLY 76,000 THIRD DOSES ALREADY GIVEN.

THE FDA PANEL VOTE IS A RECOMMENDATION, NOT A FINAL DECISION, BUT IT IS STILL A STILL CLOSURE OF THE DECISION WITH THE CDC PANEL SLATED TO MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATION NEXT WEEK.

STRUCK AFTER EXPENSING ONE OF THE WORST AND IMPLEMENT CRISES AND STATE HISTORY, NEW JERSEY HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM.

A MASSIVE LABOR SHORTAGE BUT BUSINESSES AT RISK OF NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOVER.

PER MONTH, ECONOMISTS CLAIMED THE EXTENDED FEDERAL BENEFITS COULD BE A SHOT IN THE ARM THE LABOR MARKET NEEDS.

A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN , SAYS THERE MAY BE MORE AT PLAY.

>> MY HOPE IS THAT JOBSEEKERS WILL COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: AT A WILL ADVERTISED JOB., 15 EMPLOYERS SET OUT DISPLAYS, EAGER TO HIRE DOZENS FOR JOBS IN THE HOSPITALITY AND HOTEL INDUSTRIES, HARD HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

AT APPLEBEE'S, WHICH HAS 35 NEW JERSEY RESTAURANTS -- >> WE NEED PEOPLE TO GET BACK OUT AND START LOOKING FOR A JOB.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT NEEDS STAFF.

>> WE ARE OFFERING INCENTIVES.

$500 TRAINING BONUSES.

>> Reporter: WHAT ABOUT SALARY?

ME COMPETITIVE WAGES.

>> Reporter: EXPECTATIONS RAN CAUTIOUSLY HIGH, ESPECIALLY SINCE FEDERAL PANDEMIC HX ENDED SEPTEMBER 4th.

>> THERE IS A GREAT TEST HERE.

DID THE SUPPLEMENT TO FEDERAL WAGE IMPACT EMPLOYMENT?

IT ENDED.

IF THOSE PEOPLE TRULY WERE STAYING HOME BECAUSE THEY GOT AN EXTRA 300 BUCKS, WE ARE GOING TO BUY THAT OUT TODAY.

>> I THINK MORE THAN LIKELY WAS CASH IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS THAT THEY DESPERATELY NEEDED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS AMONG SEVERAL STATES THAT THE CLIENT TO EXTEND PANDEMIC AID PAYMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WOULD COST AN EXTRA $350 MILLION A WEEK.

OUT OF 500 FOLKS THAT GOT THE EIGHT, 310,000 TRANSITIONS.

94,000 HAVE EXHAUSTED THOSE, TOO.

ARE YOU GETTING PANDEMIC AID?

BACK YES.

>> Reporter: THE THAT RUN OUT?

>> YES, AND PERSONALLY, THAT DID.

>> Reporter: IS THAT GIVING YOU MORE MOTIVATION TO LOOK FOR A JOB?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY HAS RECOVERED ABOUT 65% OF THE JOBS IT LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TICKED DOWN TO 7.2%.

THAT IS STILL THE FIFTH HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS, AND SPECIFICALLY COVID CASE GROWTH, YOU WILL WAS MUCH MORE RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT GROWTH.

THAT TELLS US THAT CONCERNS OVER COVID AVENUE DELTA VARIANT ARE PLAYING A MUCH LARGER ROLE IN WORKERS WANTING TO RETURN TO WORK OR STAYING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

>> Reporter: AN ECONOMIST SAYS NEW JERSEY IN COVID CASELOADS ARE STILL CLIMBING, AND EMPLOYERS ORGANIZERS BOTH KNOW THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER, AND IT IS STILL IMPACTING THE WORKPLACE IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> I THINK THERE ARE STILL CHALLENGES.

THERE ARE STILL FEARS.

THERE ARE STILL THINGS THAT ARE LOOMING THAT WE ARE WAITING TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON.

PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THE NEWS EVERY DAY AND WONDERING WHAT IS COMING.

>> Reporter: APPARENTLY NOT THAT MANY WENT LOOKING FOR A JOB HERE.

THE USUAL RUSH OF APPLICANTS DIDN'T MATERIALIZE.

>> IT PEOPLE REALLY WANTED A JOB , THEY WOULD FIND IT.

IT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF PRESS.

>> Reporter: TURNOUT IS NOT SO HOT?

>> A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED SO FAR.

>> I DID EXPECT MORE CANDIDATES.

I'M DISAPPOINTED AT THE MOMENT.

>> I THINK IS A LOT OF ITEMS.

THERE IS A NEW MINDSET OF PEOPLE THAT COVID CREATED AFTER HAVING US LOCKED DOWN FOR 18 MONTHS.

I THINK CHILDCARE COMES INTO PLAY.

I THINK THE EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT CAME INTO PLAY.

I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE.

>> Reporter: REGARDLESS, A COUPLE OF JOBSEEKERS HERE DID CONNECT.

YOU ARE NOT GETTING PANDEMIC AID ?

BACK NOT ANYMORE.

I WANT TO BE WORKING.

>> Reporter: WHAT DID YOU THINK OF HIM AS A CANDIDATE?

>> HE WAS GREAT.

HE SAID ALL THE RIGHT THINGS.

HE WANTS TO WORK IN THE KITCHEN.

>> I HOPE THEY CALL ME.

I HOPE THEY CALL ME.

>> Reporter: IN LYNDHURST, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S THREE STATE- RUN VETERANS HOMES ARE FACING NEW RULES ENGAGING WITH THE PUBLIC IN REPORTING TO GOVERNMENT REGULATORS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNING BILLS LATE THURSDAY, ALL AIMED AT BRINGING MORE TRANSPARENCY AND REGULATIONS TO THE FACILITIES.

THEY FACED INTENSE SCRUTINY SINCE THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC .

AFTER MORE THAN 150 RESIDENTS DIED OF THE DISEASE.

OUR HEALTHCARE WRITER HAS THE LATEST.

A SLEW OF BILLS YESTERDAY.

WHAT ARE THE NUTS AND BOLTS HERE?

WHAT IS THE DEMONSTRATION TRYING TO GET BACK?

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF THESE THINGS, PAINFUL LESSONS OF THE PANDEMIC, RIGHT?

IT EXPOSED WEAKNESSES IN THE SYSTEM.

AND WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NURSING HOMES AND VETERANS HOMES IN PARTICULAR, THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF ISSUES WITH INFECTION CONTROL, WORKFORCE, MAKING SURE THE WORKFORCE HAD THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS, INCLUDING TRAINING.

AND THAT REALLY BECAME APPARENT, THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF THAT.

THIS WAS TRUE AT THE VETERANS HOMES AS WELL AS COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES.

FAMILIES WERE COMPLETELY LEFT IN THE DARK WITH THEIR LOVED ONES, WHETHER THEY WERE SICK, NOT SICK, WHETHER THEY WERE TESTED OR QUARANTINED.

THESE REFORMS ARE DESIGNED TO PLUG THOSE HOLES AND FILL IN THE GAPS IN THE SYSTEM.

NOW, WILL THEY WORK?

TIME WILL TELL.

WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST THAT SOME OF THESE REFORMS HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I WILL SAY THAT SOME NURSING HOME ADVOCATES SAY THAT SOME OF THE REFORMS ARE AMONG THE STORIES IN THE COUNTRY .

NOT NECESSARILY SPEAKING TO THIS GROUP IN PARTICULAR, BUT THERE'S SOME PRETTY INNOVATIVE IDEAS.

>> WILL THIS BRING ABOUT LASTING CHANGE I THINK IS THE QUESTION A LOT OF FAMILIES HAPPY AND YOU KNOW BECAUSE WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THEM THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS PANDEMIC, THAT SOME FEEL MANY OF THESE REPORTING GUIDELINES SHOULD'VE BEEN IN PLACE ALL ALONG.

>> Reporter: RIGHT.

THIS REALLY BRINGS BACK TO ME THE WHOLE TRAGIC SITUATION OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, THE HOSPITAL THAT HAD CHILDREN IN IT WHERE SO MANY KIDS DIED OF AN INFECTION.

INFECTION CONTROL BECAME AN ISSUE AT HOSPITAL THAT WAS DESIGNED TO CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY FRAGILE AND AT RISK.

IT IS SORT OF, HOW CAN THIS BE.

WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE NURSING HOMES.

AS WE LEARNED, THERE WERE GLITCHES IN THE SYSTEM, AND SOMETIMES IT IS SURPRISING.

>> ALL OF THIS IN THE HOPES TO STAVE OFF ANYTHING LIKE WHAT WE SAW ALREADY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> NEIGHBORHOODS HARD HIT BY TROPICAL STORM IDA ARE NOW WELL INTO THE DAUNTING PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE DAMAGE, BEGINNING TO REBUILD, AND SEARCHING FOR ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET WHILE AT IT.

AS OF TODAY, FEMA APPROVED MORE THAN 2600 INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS.

THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAS ALSO DOLED OUT MORE THAN $11 MILLION IN TOTAL AID.

BUT THERE IS A LABYRINTH OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THEM WHILE UNDER SUCH STRESS?

>> Reporter: AFTER EXPERIENCING A DISASTER THAT WIPES OUT EVERYTHING YOU ONCE KNEW, IT IS TOUGH TO KNOW WHERE TO START.

THAT IS WHY FEMA AND THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS DEMONSTRATION SINCE IN TEAMS TO BE ON THE GROUND.

>> WE ANN CURRY PEOPLE DO NOT WILL THEMSELVES OUT.

COME IN AND SHARE YOUR STORY.

>> WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THAT HAS INSURANCE TO CONTACT THEM TO GET THAT PROCESS STARTED.

>> Reporter: WANT TO GET THAT BALL ROLLING, DISASTER RECOVERY MANAGER SAYS REGISTER WITH FEMA , EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT ALL THE ANSWERS BACK FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

>> WE LIKE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, THAT SOMETIMES THAT WILL DELAY YOUR ASSISTANCE.

IT IS ONLY BECAUSE WE ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT YOUR INSURANCE IS GOING TO DO.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE CURRENTLY EIGHT FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY PLAN TO HAVE ONE AT EACH OF THE 11 DESIGNATED COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

SMART JR.

ENCOURAGES ANYONE WHO LIVES IN ONE OF THE HARD-HIT AREAS TO REGISTER WITH FEMA, EVEN IF YOU DON'T SEE DAMAGES YET.

>> TWO OR THREE MONTHS FROM NOW, YOU MIGHT SEE CRACKS IN YOUR FOUNDATION.

YOU MIGHT SEE ISSUES WITH YOUR HOME.

IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED BY NOVEMBER 5th, YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND RECEIVE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE BY FEMA.

>> Reporter: WANT TO REGISTER WITH FEMA, SMART JR. SAYS YOU MIGHT GET REFERRED TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

HE WALKS DOWN THE HALL TO SPEAK WITH SANDRA LAWSON WHO POINTED OUT, THE SBA HELPS HOMEOWNERS AS WELL, NOT JUST BUSINESSES.

>> OUR PROGRAM IS A DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM.

IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

IF YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER OR RENTER, UP TO 1.5% WITH A DEPARTMENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN MAKING PAYMENTS.

THAT GIVES YOU SOME RUNNING ROOM TO GET YOURSELF BACK TOGETHER AND START REPAYING.

>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT BE SAYING TO YOURSELF, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE OUT A LOAN.

I WILL SKIP THIS.

BUT SMART IN YOUR BRAIN SAYS IF YOU ARE REFERRED, IT IS IMPORTANT TO GO TO THE PROCESS BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY AID FROM FEMA.

YOUR SBA STATUS, HE SAYS, HAS NO BEARINGS ON YOUR ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE FEMA GRANTS FOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGES DUE TO THE STORM.

>> OUR MAIN CONCERN IS THAT EACH SURVIVOR HAS A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

>> Reporter: AN APPLICANT CAN GET $36,000 IN GRANTS FROM FEMA.

SBA GIVES OUT LOANS FOR UP TO $200,000 FOR DAMAGES TO PRIMARY RESIDENCES FOR HOMEOWNERS.

PLUS UP TO $40,000 FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGES FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS.

A BUSINESS CAN GET UP TO $2 MILLION IN LOANS.

>> WHEN GRANT MONEY IS NOT ENOUGH, MAYBE THE LONG-TERM LOW- INTEREST DISASTER LOAN CAN HELP THE APPLICANT TO GET BACK IN A SAFE SPACE.

BACK THE HEAD OF THE NEW JERSEY ORGANIZING PROJECT, WHICH HELPED CITY SURVIVORS, URGES IDA SURVIVORS TO KEEP RECORDS FOR ALL EXPENSES ONCE THEY RECEIVE THE MONEY IN CASE THERE IS ANY CLAWBACK EFFORTS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> FEMA MIGHT SAY THERE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE.

LIKE WE GAVE YOU RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR A TWO BEDROOM HOME AND YOU ONLY RENTED A ONE- BEDROOM HOME.

FEMALE MY COME BACK IS A YOU OWE SOME OF THAT BACK.

I AM TELLING YOU SO YOU ARE PREPARED AND YOU CAN KEEP IMMACULATE RECORDS.

YOU SHOULD TAKE ALL THE AID THAT YOU NEED RIGHT NOW AND JUST NOTE EMMALINE, THIS MIGHT IMPACT A QUARTER OF THE PEOPLE.

>>> NO SALT, NO VOTE.

THAT MESSAGE TODAY FROM NEW JERSEY'S HOUSE DEMOCRATS MAINTAINING THEIR POSITION THAT THEY WON'T VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE $3.5 TRILLION BUDGET RECONCILIATION PACKAGE IF IT DOESN'T RESTORE THE FULL STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION KNOWN AS SALT THAT WAS LIMITED TO $10,000 UNDER THE 2017 TRUMP TAX LAW, MEANING HOMEOWNERS CAN NO LONGER DEDUCT THE FULL VALUE OF THEIR STATE TAXES FROM THEIR FEDERAL TAX BILL.

IT IMPACTS HIGH TAX STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

SOME PERMISSIBLE MAKERS ARE CRITICAL OF THE STOTTS POSITION TAKEN BY MORE MODERATE DEMOCRATS , SAYING THAT THE LIFT OF THE CAP WOULD DISPROPORTIONATELY BENEFIT WILL BE HOMEOWNERS.

TODAY, FOUR NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS GATHERED IN FRONT OF A HOME IN ENGLEWOOD, MAKING THE CASE FOR STORING SALT IS A BENEFIT TO THE MIDDLE CLASS, NOT JUST THE WEALTHY, NOTING THE AVERAGE TAX BILL IN BERGEN COUNTY IS $15,000.

>> WE ARE HERE TO REITERATE OUR CLEAR POSITION.

WE WILL ONLY VOTE FOR RECONCILIATION PACKAGE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT REINSTATES THE STATE LOCAL TAX ELECTION, OR SALT.

IF I HAVE SAID CONSISTENTLY FOR MONTHS, NO SALT, NO DICE.

SALT IS AN ACCIDENTAL THREAT IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE WE DON'T GET IT BACK, IT IS A HUGE HIT.

WE MUST GET IT.

>> ANOTHER FEATHER IN THE CAP FOR BRAGG CITY, A TECH ACCELERATOR PREPARING TO OPEN ITS DOOR.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. HEADQUARTERS FOR THE TECHNOLOGY STARTUP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM KNOWN AS HACKS.

THE STATE IN THE CAPITAL FUND ARE INVESTING A COMBINED $50 MILLION WITH THE INTENT OF DEVELOPING 100 COMPANIES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THE PARTNERSHIP WILL LEAD TO 2500 NEW JOBS.

HACKS CHOSE NEWARK FOR THE HEADQUARTERS BECAUSE OF ITS INFRASTRUCTURE, AFFORDABLE SPACE, AND TOP RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES NEARBY.

IT WILL OPEN THE NEWARK LOCATION NEXT YEAR.

EARLIER, WE HEARD LEAH MICHIGAN'S REPORT ON FEDERAL HELP FOR BUSINESSES.

A REMINDER THEIR ESTATE ASSISTANCE AS WELL.

THE NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TODAY FOR A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO THOSE BUSINESSES HIT BY FLOODING, GRANTS OF UP TO $5000 ARE AVAILABLE.

NEW JERSEY IS GAINING REVENUES.

JANE, COORDINATOR STOCKTON UNIVERSITY LIGHT INSTITUTE, POINTED OUT THAT ONLINE REVENUES DID NOT SUFFER EVEN AS GAMBLERS VENTURED BACK TO ATLANTIC CITY.

>> EVEN AS PEOPLE RETURN TO CONSUMERS, INTERNET GAMING CONTINUES TO GROW.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE BOTH MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

THEY ARE BOTH DOING WELL ON THEIR OWN.

THEY ARE NOT REALLY DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: IN AUGUST, TOTAL GAMING REVENUE WAS ABOUT $428 MILLION, UP 31% OVER THE PRIOR AUGUST.

THE AMERICAN DREAM MALL OPENED IT'S LIKE THREE SECTION TODAY KNOWN AS THE AVENUE.

IT FEATURES HIGH IN STORES, INCLUDING SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, GUCCI, AND LOUIS VUITTON.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET WRAPPED UP ITS TRADING WEEK.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER ON THE VISTA SPEECH.

SHE TAKES A LOOK AT BUSINESSES AND WHAT EIGHT AND GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE.

>>> THE AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL STORM IDA IN THE HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC HAS GIVEN REPUBLICANS PLENTY OF AREAS ON WHICH YOU DISAGREE WITH DEMOCRATS WITH LESS INFLUENCE TO BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

CANDIDATES ARE SEPARATING THEMSELVES FROM THEIR OPPONENTS ON BOTH THE ISSUES AND HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MULTIPLE CRISES FACING THE STATE.

MEMBERS OF THE GOP SEE IT AS A KEY OPPORTUNITY TO RECLAIM SEATS IN THE MAJORITY THEY LOST IN THE LEGISLATURE.

MICHAEL ARON WENT ON THE RECORD WITH ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL VOICES WITHIN THE PARTY, JOHN BRAMLETT.

>> Reporter: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AFTER LAST WEEK'S STORM, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CALLED FOR LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS ON THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE TO THE STORM.

THEY THINK HE WAS A LITTLE LATE DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AT 10:00 AT NIGHT.

YOU REFUSED TO SIGN ON TO THAT EFFORT.

WHY?

>> WELL, I THINK IT WAS IN MAYBE 48 HOURS.

I WAS UP IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NEW PROVIDENCE, CRANFORD WALKING AROUND.

PEOPLE WERE REALLY UPSET.

I THINK THAT AT LEAST MY CONSTITUENTS, ANODE TO THEM AT THAT POINT, TO HELP THEM ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT FEMA.

THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A DISASTER AREA.

I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS, CONGRESS PEOPLE, ASKING THEM TO DESIGNATE UNION COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES.

I WASN'T AT THAT POINT READY TO START DOING HEARINGS WHEN WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

>> Reporter: WAS IN A POLITICAL STUFF ON THEIR PART?

>> I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY SOME LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS TO BE HAD.

BUT AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE WERE REALLY OVERWHELMED WITH THE SUFFERING THAT WAS OCCURRING.

AT THAT POINT, I COULDN'T SAY, LET'S GO DOWN TO NJTVONLINE.ORG THEN HAVE A HEARING.

'S >> Reporter: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SEEMS TO, IN THIS STATE, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS BEEN AGGRESSIVE OF THE COVID ISSUE.

DO YOU THINK HE HAS BEEN AGGRESSIVE?

>> THE REASON I HAVEN'T ATTACKED GOVERNOR MURPHY IS BECAUSE THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS HERE.

I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING, ONE, I BELIEVE IN THE SCIENCE.

LUKE, I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS PANDEMIC.

I AM NOT GOING TO SIT ON THE SIDELINES JUST CRITICIZING.

IF I SEE SOMETHING I DISAGREE WITH , I CERTAINLY WILL BRING IT UP.

BUT I FIND COVID, BASED ON PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE, PEOPLE I KNOW PERSONALLY WHO HAVE SUFFERED MY TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

THAT IS WHY I'M CAREFUL WHEN I CRITICIZE A DECISION THAT I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON.

>> Reporter: MOST PEOPLE EXPECT GOVERNOR MURPHY TO WIN RE- ELECTION.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNOR'S RACE WHICH YOU?

>> IN A DEMOCRATIC STATE, IT IS ALWAYS AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR REPUBLICANS.

I STILL BELIEVE THAT TRUMPISN AND SOME OF THE ANTI-TRUMP FEELING STILL EXISTS.

I HAVE BEEN ON THE POLLING.

TRUMP IS NO POPULAR NOW THAN HE WAS TWO YEARS AGO.

THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

I AM ALWAYS AFRAID FOR OUR PARTY WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE WHO IS THAT UNPOPULAR AND WHO WAS A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: SO IT'S A TOUGH ROAD FOR JACK CIATTARELLI?

>> IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH ROAD FOR EVERY REPUBLICAN FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

I THINK JACK WILL TELL YOU, IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE IN NEW JERSEY.

IT ALWAYS WILL BE.

I ALSO THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE WE ARE REASONABLE, COMMON SENSE, AND WE ARE NOT MAD AT EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: THANKS FOR GIVING US YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>>> SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE DEMAND ON LOCAL SOUP KITCHENS AND FOOD BANKS HAS ONLY INTENSIFIED.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHING OUT FOR HELP IS STILL FAR ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY SAYS MORE THAN 1 MILLION STATE RESIDENTS ARE CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE.

ON THIS NATIONAL HUNGER ACTION DAY, A SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS AND A PUSH FOR GREATER AWARENESS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN WILLIAMS SPENT MORE THAN 30 YEARS LIVING ON THE STREETS OF TRENTON.

>> MY SITUATION WAS DRUG AND ALCOHOL.

IT COST ME TO BE HOMELESS.

>> Reporter: WILLIAMS FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SOUP KITCHEN FROM WORD OF MOUTH AND STARTED COMING HERE IN THE LATE '80s.

>> THIS WAS A SOURCE OF FOOD FOR ME.

I CAME HERE, LIKED IT.

NEXT THING I KNOW, DECIDED I HAD ENOUGH OF BEING HOMELESS AND GETTING HIGH AND STARTING VOLUNTEERING HERE.

>> Reporter: WILLIAMS HAS BEEN IN RECOVERY FOR ALMOST 7 YEARS.

NOW HE WORKS AS A RECOVERY SPECIALIST, PAYING IT FORWARD.

THE ORGANIZATION HELPS HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS IN NEED EACH DAY, PROVIDING EVERYONE WHO IS ANGRY WITH A FREE MEAL.

>> THAT IS OUR FIRST STEP.

WE ARE A FOOD FIRST, NO QUESTIONS ASKED ORGANIZATION.

IT ALSO TAKES MORE THAN FOOD TO HELP PEOPLE OUT OF INSECURITY AND POVERTY.

WE HAVE ARTS PROGRAMS, CASE MANAGERS, PATRONS, JOB SEARCHES.

>> Reporter: WITH MANY NEW JERSEYANS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS EVENT.

>> PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE STILL EXISTS.

PEOPLE ARE STILL HUNGRY IN A COUNTRY THAT IS HIS WEALTHY.

I AM CONCERNED THAT WITH THE PANDEMIC RESOURCES, IF THEY GO AWAY, IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE OR PEOPLE THINK THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF, AND IT IS NOT.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT IN FRONT OF US.

>> Reporter: OVER 762,000 PEOPLE IN YOUR JERSEY ARE FACING HUNGER.

THAT IS 1 IN EVERY 12 PEOPLE.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW DEBILITATING IT MUST BE, HOW MUCH IT MUST PREVENT YOU FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL IF EVERY DAY, YOUR FIRST JOB IS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FEED YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

YOU CAN'T ASPIRE TO DO THE THINGS THAT YOUR POTENTIAL ALLOWS YOU TO ASPIRE TO CAUSE YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FIRST THINGS FIRST, THE PRIMARY SOURCES.

>> WE CAN'T JUST REMEMBER PEOPLE DURING THANKS GIVING OUR CHRISTMAS.

THERE NEEDS OUR YEAR-ROUND.

I KNOW THAT DURING THIS PANDEMIC , PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS , AND IT HAS BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN MANY PEOPLE.

THAT WITH THE PANDEMIC ENDS, WE NEED TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT HUNGER STILL EXISTS.

>> Reporter: SO YOU'RE HELPING OUT SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE JUST LIKE YOU TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE.

HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL?

>> MAN, THAT MAKES ME FEEL GREAT.

I WANT TO SAVE MORE.

MY SPONSOR SAYS AS LONG AS I SAY ONE, I DID MY JOB.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS JOB GREAT FOR ME.

>> Reporter: AS FAR SOLUTIONS, ADVOCATES POINT TO CRITICAL FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE S.N.A.P.

SAB WILL PUSH FOR MORE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FUTURE TO TAKE AS MANY PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY.

I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> BEFORE WE NEED YOU TONIGHT, JOIN US FOR THE SEASON PREMIERE OF THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE ALONG WITH A NEW SEASON OF CHAT BOX SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 AM.

DAVID TAKES A LOOK AT THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING, A SPECIAL CHAT WITH SENATOR CORY BOOKER.

FOR NOW, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

THE OCEAN PROJECT BY OR STEAD.

AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT.

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILDING NATURAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.