>>> ORSTED AND PSEG.
COMMITTED TO THE A LONG TERM CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.
>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.
THE NUMBER OF NEW COVID CASES IS SPIKING HIGHER INCLUDING HERE IN NEW JERSEY.
THE STATE REPORTS NEARLY 6300 NEW CASES.
IT IS THE HIGHEST ONE-DAY NUMBER OF CONFIRMED POSITIVE TESTS.
THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE IS UP 21% FROM A WEEK AGO AND HAS INCREASED 191% FROM A MONTH AGO.
NEW JERSEY IS NOT ALONE.
IN NEW YORK CITY, THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE CASES HAS DOUBLED IN JUST THREE DAYS.
SOME RESTAURANTS HAVE SHUT THEIR DOORS AND BROADWAY SHOWS CANCELED PER FORRENS PERFORMANCES.
AS BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, IT IS ALSO AFFECTING SEVERAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
>> IT HAS BEEN A WILD COUPLE OF DAYS FILLED WITH A LOT OF TESTS OF VARIOUS KINDS.
FINALS AND COVID.
>> Reporter: ISABEL SPOKE FROM HER BEDROOM IN FAIR LAWN WHERE SHE IS QUARANTINED AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM CORNELL UNIVERSITY WHICH DECLARED A COVID CODE RED AFTER MORE THAN 900 STUDENTS THERE TESTED POSITIVE THE PAST WEEK.
STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO SHARE THEIR COVID TEST RESULTS BUT -- >> I HAVE THREE ROOMMATES AND I WAS THE FIRST ONE OUT OF ALL OF THEM TO SAY YEAH, I TESTED POSITIVE.
IT SPREAD LIKE A WILD FIRE.
THE SECOND IT GOT OUT, IT WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE HALLS.
IT IS VERY, VERY EASY TO CATCH WHEN YOU ARE IN COMMUNAL LIVING.
ESPECIALLY WITH THINGS LIKE COMMUNAL BATHROOMS.
>> THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OVERALL OF MANAGING THE PROCESS.
THANKSGIVING IT WAS A RUN AWAY TRAIN.
>> Reporter: CORNELL DECLARED A CODE RED SAYING THEY IDENTIFIED EVIDENCE OF THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS OMICRON VARIANT.
ONLINE EXAMS, CANCELED ALL EVENTS.
ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO GRAB AND GO AT THE DINING HALL AND TEST THEMSELVES BEFORE GOING HOME.
ISABEL'S MOM SAYS.
>> WENT UP TO GET HER.
SHE WENT IN TO QUARANTINE AS SOON AS SHE GOT HOME.
HE IS IN QUARANTINE AS SOON AS HE GOT HOME.
>> Reporter: CORNELL IS NOT ALONE.
NYU AND PRINCETON SHIFTED FINAL EXAMS TO A REMOTE FORMAT AFTER SEEING COVID CASES SPIKE.
PRINCETON IDENTIFIED SUSPECTED CASES OF THE OMICRON VARIANT.
WE HOPE TO AVOID LETTING THE FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE INTERFERE WITH PEOPLE TRAVELING HOME FOR WINTER BREAK.
RUTGERS AND MONTCLAIR CONTINUE WITH NO CHANGES IN COVID PROTOCOL.
>> CASE RATES ARE GOING TO GO UP EVERYWHERE.
THEY JUST HAVEN'T GONE UP HERE YET.
IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF ROLLING OF THE DICE OF CAN WE MAKE IT TO THE END OF THIS SEMESTER WITHOUT SEEING A SPIKE LIKE A PLACE LIKE CORNELL.
>> Reporter: MONTCLAIR WATCHING CLOSELY.
RUTGERS COVID DASHBOARD REPORTED 35 POSITIVE CASES THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 11.
MONTCLAIR, 43.
GOVERNOR MURPHY SAW NO REASON TO PUSH FOR CAMPUS RESTRICTIONS.
>> THERE IS NO PUBLIC UNIVERSITY MORE PROACTIVE THAN RUTGERS.
UNDER JONATHAN HOLLOWAY'S LEADERSHIP, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
>> Reporter: MURPHY WOULD NOT COMMIT TO FOLLOWING PRINCETON AND NYU IN REQUIRING STUDENTS RETURNING FROM WINTER BREAK TO GET BOOSTED WHICH THE CDC CALLS THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST THE OMICRON VARIANT.
RUTGERS STATED WHILE WE HAVE NO IMPENDING PLANS TO REQUIRE BOOSTERS FOR ANY COMMUNITY MEMBER, AS AN INSTITUTION, WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE, AND WILL MAKE OUR DECISIONS ACCORDINGLY.
DR. JUDITH LIGHTFOOT SAYS SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO DEMAND TESTING.
>> I THINK SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO MANDATE RAPID TESTING.
A PCR TESTING BEFORE RETURNING.
FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY.
>> Reporter: GOING REMOTE AGAIN WOULD BE A LAST RESORT OPTION FOR MANY UNITS WHERE COVID KEPT STUDENTS OFF CAMPUS FOR MUCH OF 2020.
ISABEL'S SISTER EMMA WHO IS GRADUATING FROM FOURDAM IN FEBRUARY SAYS COLLEGE IN THE TIME OF COVID HAS BEEN ROUGH.
>> PEOPLE WHO LOST FAMILY MEMBERS HAD TO KEEP GOING TO SCHOOL.
HAD TO KEEP COMING TO CLASSES WHILE THE WORLD WAS FALLING APART AROUND THEM.
THEY WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH ACCOMMODATIONS FOR IT.
PEOPLE HAD TO LIVE IN DORMS WHILE YOUR ROOMMATES WEREN'T REQUIRE TODAY KEEP THE SAME SAFETY PROCEDURES YOU WERE.
>> I KNOW PEOPLE WHO I GO TO SCHOOL WITH WHO ARE POSTING ON INSTAGRAM WHO I KNOW FOR A FACT GO OUT AND PARTY AND ARE LIKE, POSTING THINGS SAYING I SURVIVED FIRST SEMESTER AND DIDN'T GET COVID.
IT'S SCARY.
IT IS A SCARY SITUATION.
>> Reporter: CORNELL'S COVID CASE COUNT NOW TOPS 1,000.
ISABEL SAYS SHE HOPES TO GET BETTER AND RETURN FOR SECOND SEMESTER.
BUT, SHE WANTS FELLOW STUDENTS TO TAKE COVID MORE SERIOUSLY.
I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> Reporter: POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AWE CROSS NEW JERSEY HAVE BEEN ON HIGH ALERT IN THE TWO WEEKS SINCE THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN OXFORD, MICHIGAN THAT LEFT FOUR STUDENTS DEAD.
THREATSOF VIOLENCE AT GARDEN STATE SCHOOLS HAVE TICKED UP IN THE TIME SINCE.
PARTICULARLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
A TALLY BY NJ ADVANCE MEDIA FOUND AT LEAST NINE DISTRICTS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING THREATS SINCE THE OXFORD SHOOTING.
THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS EARLIER THIS WEEK WHEN A THREAT TO NEW BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
A 14-YEAR-OLD STUDENT WAS CHARGED ON WEDNESDAY WITH CREATING A FALSE PUBLIC ALARM.
TERRORISTIC THREATS AND CYBER HARASSMENT ACCORDING TO NEW BRUNSWICK POLICE.
STATE AUTHORITIES HAVE ASKED ANYONE WHO SEES SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR REACH OUT TO LOCAL POLICE OR CONTACT THE STATE'S COUNTERTERRORISM WATCH DESK AT 1-866-4 SAFE NJ OR TIPS@NJOHSP.GOV.
>>> THE STATE LEGISLATURE SET TO VOTE ON A BILL TO GIVE GREATER PROTECTION TO SAME SEX MARRIAGES IN NEW JERSEY.
AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, IT COMES AS SOME LGBTQ LEADERS FEAR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT COULD ROLL BACK RIGHTS AFFORDED TO SAME SEX COUPLES.
>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS A REAL THING IN 2021, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING.
>> Reporter: THE ASSEMBLYMAN DISCUSSING THE NEED TO SUPPORT SAME SEX MARRIAGES IN NEW JERSEY.
HE SAYS AS THE LAW STANDS RIGHT NOW, SAME SEX COUPLES DON'T HAVE THE KIND OF PROTECTIONS THEY SHOULD.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR STATUTES ARE ANTIQUATED AND DON'T PROTECT THIS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF SAME SEX COUPLES AND THEY ARE TREATED DIFFERENTLY IN THE LAWS OF OUR STATES WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATUTES.
IT IS TIME TO UPDATE THAT AND DO AWAY WITH THIS DISCRIMINATORY STATUS OF SAME SEX COUPLES WHEN YOU LOOK UP NEW JERSEY LAW.
>> Reporter: SO HE IS SPONSORING A BILL TO CHANGE THAT.
LAST WEEK, THE ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADVANCE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD QUANTIFY SAME SEX MARRIAGE INTO STATE LAW.
A MOVE LEGAL EXPERTS SAY IS LONG OVERDUE.
>> WE FIRST HAD LEWIS HARRIS WITH THE LITIGATION FILED.
NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT FOUND THAT 7-0 UNANIMOUSLY, THAT GAYS AND LESBIANS WERE ENTITLED TO MARRIAGES.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY AS A RIGHT.
THEY LET THE LEGISLATURE DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WOULD HAVE EQUAL MARRIAGE OR CREATE THE SEPARATE FUNCTION AND CONSTRUCT THEY CALL THAT.
CIVIL UNIONS WHICH THEY DID.
ULTIMATELY, WE HAD TO FILE ANOTHER LAWSUIT.
THAT WAS GARDEN STATE EQUALITY VERSUS DOWD.
JUDGE JACOBSON RULED IN FAVOR OF GARDEN STATE EQUALITY.
>> Reporter: BUT LEGAL EXPERTS SAY ONE OF THE BIGGEST FLAWS WITH THE LAW IS IT DOESN'T PROTECT SAME SEX COUPLES OUTSIDE OF NEW JERSEY, STRIPPING THEM OF ANY RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE DECIDING MEDICAL TREATMENTS.
>> AND, THE LONG HISTORY OF MARRIAGE IS THAT FOR THE 200 SO YEARS OUR NATION HAS BEEN AROUND, WE RECOGNIZE THE MARRIAGES VALID IN THE JURISDICTION WHERE THEY WERE CREATED.
SO A NEW JERSEY MARRIAGE, A SAME SEX COUPLE OR OPPOSITE SEX COUPLE OR OTHER, BECAUSE WE HAVE WRITTEN THE LAW TO BE GENDER NEUTRAL, BUT, THESE WILL BE PORTABLE AND RECOGNIZED EVERYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> Reporter: WHILE MANY IN NEW JERSEY AGREE SAME SEX MARRIAGE RIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT, SOME QUESTION WHY THE SAME PUSH IS NOT BEING MADE FOR ABORTION RIGHTS WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER NATIONAL SCRUTINY.
>> IT REALLY DOES RESEMBLE THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE RIGHTS OF GAY PEOPLE SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
IF YOU ARE ASKING THE QUESTION OF NEW JERSEY LEGISLATORS, SHOULD WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE BE PROTECTED.
THE ANSWER IS OVERWHELMINGLY YES.
THE PROBLEM NOW IS YOU START TO LOSE THAT HIGH DEGREE OF CONSENSUS AND THAT STARTS TO FALL OFF WHEN YOU GET INTO GREATER LEVEL OF DETAILS.
AND THE BILL IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATURE HAS A LOT OF DETAIL IN IT.
A LOT OF NUANCE BEHIND THIS ISSUE.
SO, THE QUESTION OF LATE STAGE ABORTIONS.
THE QUESTION OF REGULATIONS OF FACILITIES AND THE PROVISIONS HERE CAN GET A LITTLE CONTROVERSIAL.
AND, YOU CAN START TO LOSE THAT HIGH DEGREE OF CONSENSUS AROUND THAT MAIN QUESTION, SHOULD WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.
>> Reporter: THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO PASS BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE NEXT WEEK.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.
>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, NEW JERSEY'S RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA MARKET IS ATTRACTING A LOT OF INTEREST.
HUNDREDS OF ENTREPRENEURS HAVE INDICATED THEY PLAN TO APPLY FOR CANNABIS LICENSES.
AS WE HAVE REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS ON WEDNESDAY FOR CANNABIS CULTIVATORS, MANUFACTURERS, AND TESTING LABS.
AS OF 9:00 P.M. LAST NIGHT, 745 ACCOUNTS HAD BEEN CREATED BY INTERESTED PARTIES, AND 165 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED.
UNDER THE COMMISSION'S RULES, BUSINESSES OWNED BY WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND DISABLED VETERANS WILL BE PRIOR TUESDAYED DURING THE REVIEW, ALONG WITH BUSINESSES OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH PAST CANNABIS CONVICTIONS AND THOSE LOCATED IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREAS.
ONCE CHOSEN BY THE COMMISSION, THE LICENSEES WILL PROVIDE THE SUPPLY FOR RETAILERS WHO WILL START APPLYING FOR THEIR LICENSES IN MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.
>>> TOLL HIKES ARE SET TO GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 ON THE PARKWAY TURNPIKE.
AND ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY.
THE 3% INCREASE COMES AFTER NEW RULES WERE PUT IN PLACE EARLIER THIS YEAR ALLOWING FOR ANNUAL TOLL HIKES.
BUT AS BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHTMEYER TOLD ME, THERE IS SOME RESISTANCE FROM TRENTON.
>> SO JOHN, TOLLS GOING UP, NOW, WE ARE SEEING SOME POTENTIAL PUSHBACK FROM THE LEGISLATURE.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
RHONDA.
THERE HAS BEEN A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE STATE SENATE THAT WOULD SEEK TO BLOCK THE TYPE OF AUTOMATIC ANNUAL INCREASES THAT ARE ABOUT TO TAKE EFFECT ON ALL OF NEW JERSEY'S MAJOR TOLL ROADS.
THE PARKWAY, THE TURNPIKE, AND THE ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY ON SOUTH JERSEY.
UNDER A NEW CAPITAL PLAN THAT ALL OF THE TOLL ROADS IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR, NOT ONLY WERE TOLLS INCREASED IN A ONE- TIME INCREASE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020, BUT THE LANGUAGE WAS WRITTEN INTO THE AGENCY'S CAPITAL BUDGETS THAT CALLED FOR ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS KNOWN AS INDEXING.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 ON ALL OF THE TOLL ROADS.
THE LEGISLATION WOULD TRY TO STOP THE ANNUAL AUTOMATIC UNCREASES FROM OCCURRING SO WE GO BACK TO THE SYSTEM OF KIND OF REQUIRING A VOTE AT THESE AGENCIES EACH TIME THEY WANT TO RAISE THE HIGHWAY TOLL.
>> THERE IS A NEED FOR THE MONEY.
RIGHT?
THAT'S WHY THE TOLLS ARE GOING UP.
>> RIGHT.
AND SO, THE BIG POLICY DEBATE IS, IS IT EASIER ON MOTORISTS OR COMMUTERS WHO PAY THESE TOLLS REGULARLY, HAVE THESE INCREMENTAL INCREASES OR FACE THESE BIGGER JUMPS IN TOLL CHARGES LIKE WE SAW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020.
IN THE CASE OF NEW JERSEY'S TOLL ROAD AGENCIES, IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE.
THEY DID THE BIG INCREASE LAST YEAR, NOW, HERE COME IT IS ANNUAL INCREASES BUT THE IDEA IS FOR THE MOTORIST, IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE EASIER KNOWING THAT IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT EVERY YEAR INSTEAD OF A LOT ALL AT ONCE.
THE BIG QUESTION WILL BE ALSO, DO YOU SEE THAT RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT.
THE MONEY THAT IS BEING COLLECTED IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNDING A LOT OF NEW INVESTMENTS, ROAD WIDENING EFFORTS.
A LOT OF CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT MOTORISTS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO WANT TO SEE IN RETURN FOR THEIR INCREASED TOLL THAT THEY ARE PAYING.
>> SO JOHN, THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT.
WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE IS SOME MOVEMENT ON THIS BILL?
>> THAT IS A REALLY BIG QUESTION.
THE LAME DUCK SESSION IS SCHEDULED TO END IN EARLY JANUARY.
THE BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.
IT WOULD HAVE TO MOVE VERY QUICKLY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.
AND REMEMBER, A LOT OF MONEY FROM THE TOLL ROAD AGENCY IS BEING RELIED UPON NOW TO FUND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS BEYOND JUST THE TOLL ROADS.
THERE IS A GOOD DEAL GOING TO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT FOR EXAMPLE.
IF LAWMAKERS PULL THE PLUG ON THESE TOLL HIKES, THAT WILL RAISE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW DO YOU BALANCE SPENDING IN OTHER PLACES.
>> JOHN, THANKING YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>>> NEW JERSEY'S JOB MARKET IS IMPROVING.
THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 6.6% LAST MONTH AND THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS PRIVATE COMPANIES ADDED 27,000 NEW JOBS MARKING THE 11th STRAIGHT MONTH OF JOB GAINS.
NEW JERSEY HAS NOW RECOVERED MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF THE JOBS LOST SINCE SPRING OF 2020 WHEN THE PANDEMIC CRUSHED THE LABOR MARKET.
FOR MANY RESIDENTS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS THEN, THEY HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
WELL NOW, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING AN EFFORT TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM.
AND NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF TWO STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PILOT PROJECT.
I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH NEW JERSEY'S LABOR COMMISSIONER ROBERT ASARO ANGELO ABOUT THIS.
>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT IS THE SAME OF THIS NEW PILOT PROGRAM THAT NEW JERSEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN?
>> THE AIM IS TO MAKE A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
WE HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR TWO YEARS ABOUT A REAL SOLUTION ONLY COMING IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED.
UNEMPLOYMENT, WHILE IT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE STATES IS OVERSEEN BY THE FEDERAL LAWS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THROUGH FRANKLY.
AND THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS BUILT TO IMPLEMENT THOSE LAWS IS PROBLEMATIC FOR CLAIMANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
NOT JUST IN NEW JERSEY.
SO, WE ARE THRILLED THAT NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE THE FIRST PARTNER WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
ON THIS FRONT.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING A NEW SYSTEM, NOT JUST FROM JERSEY RESIDENTS BUT HELP LEAD THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> AND, THIS REALLY CAME TO LIGHT, THE NEED REALLY CAME TO LIGHT DURING THE PANDEMIC.
I KNOW YOUR DEPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY WAS REALLY DELUGED WITH COMPLAINTS FRANKLY ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WERE JUST HAVING SO MUCH DIFFICULTY NAVIGATING THINGS.
>> YEAH.
ABSOLUTELY.
AND OFTENTIMES, IT WAS COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS A TECHNOLOGICAL PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS AN ELIGIBILITY ISSUE.
IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM, EVERYONE HAS TO RECONFIRM THEIR ELIGIBILITY EVERY SINGLE WEEK SO IT LEAVES THEM SO MANY OPPORTUNITY TO BE TRIPPED UP BY SOME KIND OF OUTDATED ELIGIBILITY STANDARD.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM WAS PASSED IN THE 1930s.
VERY LITTLE CHANGE TO IT.
NOT KEPT UP WITH THE MODERN WORK FORCE.
TECHNOLOGY IS ONLY ONE OF THE PROBLEMS.
THE ABILITY FOR CLAIMANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEIR CLAIM.
TO GET BETTER WAGE RECORDS FROM NEW JERSEY AND THE STATES HAS BEEN A MAJOR DEFICIT IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM AT LARGE.
HOPEFULLY WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM, CREATING A NEW MODEULAR SYSTEM WILL HAVE A FAR REACHING EFFECT ACROSS OUR BORDERS AND NEW JERSEY.
>> HOW LONG WILL THE PROGRAM TAKE?
HOW LONG WILL THE WORK TAKE TO GET DONE?
>> PROBABLY A FEW YEARS.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS AN AGGRESSIVE TIME LINE.
TO HAVE THE FIRST PART OF IT DONE IN EARLY 2022.
THE FIRST CLAIMANT INTERFACE AS FAR AS FILING A CLAIM, AND THE WHOLE POINT OF WHY THIS IS DIFFERENT AND NOVEL, THEY WILL BE BUILDING PIECE BY PIECE.
MAKING SURE THIS ORIGINAL PIECE WORKS AND GOING TO THE NEXT PIECE.
SO OFTEN, WHEN STATES ARE IN UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE IS FAILURE BECAUSE THEY BUILD ONE HUGE BIG SYSTEM.
THEY CAN'T FIX THAT ONE SMALL PART OF IT.
THIS IS THE INTERDESIGN PROCESS THEY ARE BUILDING PIECE BY PIECE.
HOPEFULLY, STATES CAN CHOOSE TO USE THIS PART OR THAT PART DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THEIR STATE.
>> SO, BEFORE THIS WAS ANNOUNCED, NEW JERSEY WAS ALSO ON ITS OWN WITH SOME STATE MONEY LOOKING AT MODERNIZING THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.
WILL THAT RUN CONCURRENT TO THIS?
>> YES.
ABSOLUTELY.
THAT IS WHY ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF THE MODULAR DESIGN SYSTEM IS WE CAN STILL FIX SOME OF THE SMALL PIECES THAT HAVE BEEN PROBLEMATIC.
PARTICULARLY KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON, HAVING OUR BACK END SYSTEMS TELL THE CUSTOMERS WHERE THEIR CLAIM IS IN THE PROCESS.
THAT IS THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON NOW.
AS WELL AS OTHER CAPACITY UPGRADES TO OUR SYSTEM TO MEET THE CURRENT DEMAND.
>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANKS RHONDA.
>>> NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.
>>> AND TUNE IN TO NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH ME THIS WEEKEND.
WE FOCUS ON THE TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF 2021.
LOOKING BACK AT THE MAJOR STORIES THAT IMPACT THE STATE'S LANDMARK DECISIONS.
AND THE INDUSTRIES THAT SAW MAJOR GROWTH.
WATCH ON THE NJ PBS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAYS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> IN NEWARK, THE CITY IS WORKING TO UPDATE AN ORDINANCE THAT COULD IMPACT WHERE AND HOW HOMELESS PEOPLE GET THEIR NEXT MEALS.
UNLICENSED AGENCIES WOULD NEED PERMITS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MEALS TO HOMELESS PEOPLE.
AND WOULD BE PROHIBITED TO HAND OUT FOOD IN PUBLIC AREAS.
THE CITY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE FOOD HANDED OUT IS SAFE, BUT AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, SOME HOMELESS PEOPLE SAY THEY PREFER NOT TO GO TO SOUP KITCHENS FOR A MEAL.
>> Reporter: IT IS 10:00 A.M., AND JENNY DEPAUL ALREADY HAS ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE WAITING FOR HER.
>> I'LL COME BACK TONIGHT.
>> Reporter: SHE IS CEO AND FOUNDER OF THE NON-PROFIT PROJECT KIND WHICH PROVIDES THINGS LIKE THESE BACKPACKS FILLED WITH FOOD AND TOILETRIES TO THE HOMELESS.
BUT THAT COULD STOP AFTER SHE RECEIVED WORD THAT THE CITY WAS WORKING TO UPDATE AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD REQUIRE PERMITS FOR GROUPS LIKE HERS TO CONTINUE FEEDING THE HOMELESS.
>> I RECEIVED AN EMAIL A FEW WEEKS AGO.
IT INSINEWUATED, GAVE THE IMPRESSION IT WAS KIND OF ALREADY A DONE DEAL.
YOU KNOW?
BUT WHEN WE LOOKED INTO IT A LITTLE MORE IT WAS NOT OFFICIAL.
>> Reporter: NEWARK ALREADY HAS SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS.
THE MAYOR SAYS THE GOAL IS TO PROTECT THOSE WITHOUT ADDRESSES.
>> THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FEED THE HOMELESS WITHOUT GOOD INTENTIONS.
HOMELESS PEOPLE GET SICK.
PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN FENTANYL.
>> Reporter: THE MAYOR AND CITY HALL COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT CLAIM, NEITHER COULD DEPAUL.
>> I WOULD ASK HIM HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED?
I DON'T KNOW OF THAT EVER HAPPENING.
I HAVE BEEN COMING FOR EIGHT, NINE YEARS NOW.
AND NEVER HEARD OF THAT.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE CITY BUT I THINK IT IS MAYBE MORE ABOUT APPEARANCE THAN YOU KNOW, THE FOOD.
>> I THINK PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN FEEDING THE HOMELESS, DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IN A SAFE MANNER.
>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO RELY ON DEPAUL'S KINDNESS ARE UPSET AND CONFUSED ABOUT THE MAYOR PROHIBITING PEOPLE LIKE HER FROM FEEDING THE HOMELESS IN PUBLIC PARKS LIKE THIS ONE.
>> IT IS JENNY.
SHE HAS A VEHICLE, SHE CAN DRIVE TO PEOPLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PHYSICALLY NOT CAPABLE OF WALKING THAT FAR TO A SOUP KITCHEN OR THEY ARE IN A WHEELCHAIR OR WHATEVER.
BY THE TIME THEY GET THERE, THE FOOD IS ALL GONE.
JENNY WILL COME TO YOU, BRING YOU THE FOOD.
THAT WAY, YOU HAVE A NOURISHING MEAL AND YOU KNOW, YOU ARE ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE.
YOU ARE ABLE TO GET RESOURCES.
AND, YOU ARE ABLE TO GET A GOOD PROPER MEAL.
THAT'S BALANCE FOR YOURSELF.
>> THE SOUP KITCHENS FEED YOU LIKE A DOG, THE FOOD MIGHT BE COLD.
JENNY DOESN'T DO THAT.
JENNY WILL GIVE US WHAT SHE HAS.
THE SOUP KITCHENS HAVE MADE ME SICK.
>> IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE FOR US TO GO THERE BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THEY ALREADY ARE.
THEY ARE NOT THERE BECAUSE WE ARE THERE.
>> Reporter: JOSIAH IS THE CHIEF OFFICER OF CITY RELIEF.
A NONPROFIT THAT CONNECTS THE HOMELESS TO RESOURCE THAT'S CAN CHANGE THEIR LIVES.
WHILE NON-PROFITS LIKE THE ONES HE RUNS ARE FRUSTRATES BID THE PERMITS, HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUCCESS OF HOPE VILLAGE.
>> WE HAVE HOPE THIS WILL BE RESOLVED IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION LIKE I SAID BEFORE.
SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT GETS ACROSS.
>> Reporter: GROUPS SAY BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED LIMITED GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FEED THOSE IN NEED.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.
>>> PERHAPS NO ONE SAYING SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN QUITE LIKE NEW JERSEY'S OWN BRUCE SPRINGSTEIN WITH HIS TALK ABOUT COLD WINDY BEACH AND SANTA BRINGING A SAXOPHONE.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING EARLY FOR THE BOSS THIS YEAR, SPRINGSTEIN SOLD HIS ENTIRE SONG CATALOG TO SONY MUSIC IN A DEAL WORTH $500 MILLION.
THE SALE GIVES SONY OWNERSHIP OVER ALL OF HIS RECORDED WORK AND SONG WRITING.
WHETHER IT IS BORN TO RUN, BORN IN THE USA, ROSALITA, YOU NAME IT.
SONY NOW OWNS IT.
THAT IS 300 SONGS SPANNING 20 ALBUMS AND OTHER RELEASES.
LOTS OF ARTISTS HAVE SOLD THE RIGHTS OF THEIR WORK THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT THE AMOUNT SPRINGSTEIN IS GETTING IS A LOT HIGHER THAN WHAT THE OTHERS RECEIVED.
FOR EXAMPLE, BOB DYLAN REPORTEDLY RECEIVED $300 MILLION FOR HIS SONG CATALOG.
DAVID BOWIE WAS SAID TO GET 200 MILLION.
THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.
IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUND TABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.
THIS WEEK, DAVID TALKS WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CHIEF OF STAFF ABOUT THE YEAR IN REVIEW AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2022 FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.
THAT IS FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.
THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.
>>> 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.
THE PSEG FOUNDATION.
AND, BY THE FEW MERCHANT ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.
>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.
BY ORSTED AND PSEG WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.
JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.
OCEAN WIND.
COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.