>> 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.

AND, BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEW JERSEY'S COVER CASES CONTINUE TO RISE.

WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE OUTBREAKS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

LONG BEACH ISLAND, THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORTS 11 TEENAGERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID AFTER THEY ATTENDED TEEN NIGHT EVENTS HELD IN BEACH HAVEN LAST NIGHT.

THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REACHING ANYONE WHO WENT TO 18 NIGHT IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS TO GET TESTED.

IN TOTAL, THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY REPORTED MORE THAN 1300 NEW CASES, THE HIGHEST SINGLE DAY TOTAL IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

ALONG WITH FOUR MORE DEATHS.

OR THAN 5.3 MILLION NEW JERSEYANS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

AND, IT TURNS OUT MANY OF THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED OVER LEARNING THAT SHOWING PROOF OF VACCINATION IS NOT SO EASY.

THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH DOCKET, THAT IS NEW JERSEY'S SMART PHONE APP FOR STORING COVID VACCINATION RECORDS.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN, X IS THE FRUSTRATION SOME ARE FACING.

>> I REALLY WANT AN OFFICIAL WAY TO SHOW YES, I AM DOCUMENTED TO SAY I AM VACCINATED.

>> ERIC PHILIPS IN MONTCLAIR BUT COMMUTES TO NEW YORK CITY WHERE A COVID VACCINE MANDATE IS IMMINENT FOR INDOOR ACTIVITIES LIKE DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT.

FIGURE SHE WILL NEED TO SHOW VACCINATION RECORDS, SHE TRIED UPLOADING THEM ON DOCKET.

THE SMART PHONE APP FOR STORING COVID SHOT RECORDS THAT NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROMOTED IN MID JULY.

SHE TRIED SIX TIMES AND THEN CALLED THE HELP LINE TO ASSIST.

>> DELETING THE APP, RELATING THE.

AND AGAIN, NONE OF THAT WORKS.

SO FAR, SHE OPENED A TICKET FOR ME, BUT TECH SUPPORT.

>> SHE'S WAITING TO HEAR BACK, BUT SHE IS IN LINE AFTER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DEBLASIO'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE IMPENDING VACCINATION MANDATES APPARENTLY TRIGGERED A CASCADE OF DOCKET DOWNLOADS AND HELPLINE CALLS.

>> THEY HAD A VERY HIGH VOLUME OF PEOPLE DOWNLOADING THE APP, AND CALLING FOR ASSISTANCE.

>> IN FACT, WE TRIED USING DOCKET THIS MORNING WENT TO MEETING THE MAYOR OF PATTERSON FOR A FUTURE VACCINE STORY.

THEY BAILED.

>> THEY THREW ME OUT, ACTUALLY.

THE NEW JERSEY APARTMENT HELP.

>> ANDRE DOWNLOADED THE APP, FILLED OUT THE FORM, BUT DOCKET DID NOT COMPLETE THE TASK.

>> THERE YOU HAVE IT.

>> OR THEIR YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> NO, NOT VERY GOOD.

>> HOW WELL DOES THIS WORK?

>> I PREFER TO KEEP THE MY CARD.

>> AN UPTICK IN INDIVIDUALS DOWNLOADING AND SEARCHING FOR THE RECORDS WITH 120,591 TOTAL JERSEY DOCKET USERS SO FAR, AND TOLD NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, THE VENDOR HAS BEEN ADDING UPGRADES AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS ISSUES AS THEY ARISE.

>> THE FIRST TIME IT IS AN ERROR, THE SECOND TIME THE RECORD WAS GOING TO BE FOUND THAT I WAS LITTLE HE PANICS THAT MAYBE I WAS NOT IN THE SYSTEM, I WENT BACK TO FIND MY CARD.

I KNOW I WAS VACCINATED.

>> MONTCLAIR EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS IT TOOK THREE TRIES TO UPLOAD HER INFO TO DOCKET.

IT'S NOT VERY A USER-FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE, SHE SAYS.

THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> IS NOW COME ACROSS SEVERAL OTHERS WHO ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME CHALLENGES.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL LIKELY GIVE UP.

I THINK THAT THE ARE GOING TO SAY WELL, FORGET IT, I HAVE MY VACCINE.

I DON'T NEED THIS.

THE STATE NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE APP SO THAT PEOPLE CAN USE IT, AND THEN PROMOTE THE APP.

>> SOLERA APPROVES DOCKET AS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO KEEP YOUR VACCINATION CARDS SAFE AND OFFER BONA FIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION AND VENUES WHERE COUNTERFEIT CARDS DO TURNUP.

JERSEYS ENACTED VACCINE MANDATES FOR HEALTHCARE CENTERS, LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND OTHER AREAS, BUT VACCINE PASSPORT REMAINS POLITICAL THE EXPLOSIVE LANGUAGE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY POINTEDLY AVOIDED THE TERM IN INTRODUCING THE DOCKET IN JULY, NOTING HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT EQUITABLE ACCESS.

>> TO BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A PASSPORT.

IT'S INTENDED TO SOLELY GIVE RESIDENCE EASY ACCESS TO THE COVID VACCINATION RECORD, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE VACCINATED, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED OR LOST.

>> Reporter: BUT DOCKET COULD CERTAINLY FUNCTION AS A PASSPORT AND WITH NEW YORK CITY IMPOSING A MANDATE THAT REQUIRED PROOF OF VACCINATION, MURPHY IS NOW CONSIDERING SIMILAR MEASURES.

>> SO, OTHER OPTIONS ON THE TABLE FOR THINGS IN THE GENERAL NEIGHBORHOOD OF WHAT NEW YORK CITY IS DOING AROUND THAT LIST.

>> I DON'T WANT ANYBODY QUESTIONING THAT WHAT I'M SHOWING THEM IS VALID.

THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO CALL ME AND TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON, HE COULD CERTAINLY HAPPY TO SAY HELLO TO HIM.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A 1 TO 3 DAY WAIT FOR THE I.T.

TEAM TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS, AND SHE IS NOT A PATIENT WOMAN.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> NEW YORK GOVERNOR, ANDREW, HAS STRENGTHENED CALLS TO PROTECT WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL ARENA HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG HAS WORKED WITH COLLEAGUES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CITY HOUSE TO FORCE OVERSET INTO NEW JERSEY POLITICS AND INFORMED THE TOXIC CULTURE FOR WOMEN.

JOANNA GAGIS SPOKE WITH TWO PROMINENT FEMALE LEADERS FIGHTING FOR CHANGE.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE SOMEBODY FINALLY HELD TO ACCOUNT AS PART OF THE ME TO MOVEMENT, SOMEBODY IN POLITICS, THE GOVERNOR.

>> HE MIGHT BE NEW YORK'S GOVERNOR, BUT HEARING THE ALLEGATION OF ANDREW CUOMO WEARING ALL TOO FAMILIAR FOR WOMEN IN POLITICS IS FOR NEW JERSEY.

A DETAILED REPORT DETAILED COUNT AFTER COUNT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MASSAGE THE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY FEMALE EMPLOYEES AT ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL GOVERNORS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE ARE ENGAGED NOT JUST IN SEXUAL-HARASSMENT BUT RETALIATION.

SO, RETALIATION THAT TO ME IS SO MUCH WORSE THAN THE UNDERLYING OFFENSE.

BECAUSE THE THE RETALIATION IS SO PERVASIVE, IT WAS OBVIOUS HE DESIGNED TO SMEAR AND DISCREDIT HIS ACCUSERS.

SECONDLY, DESIGNED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO OTHER WOMEN, TO NOT THINK ABOUT COMING FORWARD BECAUSE IF YOU DO, WE ARE GOING TO SMEAR YOU AS WELL.

>> GOVERNOR CUOMO HAS DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS.

>> NEVER TOUCH ANYONE INAPPROPRIATELY OR MADE INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL ADVANCES.

I AM 63 YEARS OLD.

I HAVE LIVED MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE IN PUBLIC VIEW.

THAT IS JUST NOT WHO I AM.

>> SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG IS LEADING THE EFFORT HERE IN NEW JERSEY TO CREATE AN OVERSIGHT BODY OVER THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE AND DISCIPLINE SEXUAL-HARASSMENT AND MISOGYNY.

THE BILLS ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATOR NOW, BUT ARE NOT IN PLACE TO OVERSEE THIS YEAR'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN.

BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEW YORK IS SENDING A MESSAGE HERE, SHE SAYS.

>> I THINK THAT MEANS SOMETHING FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

EVEN IF THIS BILL IS NOT PASSED IN TIME FOR THIS ELECTION, YOU WOULD HAVE TO BREAK THEIR CAMPAIGN AND BE TRANSPARENT.

>> YET, THE CAMP HANSEN STILL GOVERNING THEMSELVES, SOMETHING RICK AND SKI SAYS CAMPAIGNS USUALLY DO A TERRIBLE JOB OF.

TAKE THE KATY RENT SITUATION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CAMPAIGN STAFFER IN 2017 WHO ALLEGED SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED I STAFFER, AL ALVAREZ, BUT SAYS HER CLAIMS FELL ON DEAF EARS AMONGST THE MOST SENIOR CAMPAIGN STAFF AREA ALVAREZ DENIED THE ACCUSATIONS AND WAS NEVER CONVICTED OF WRONGDOING.

>> I CAN ALSO TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT UNLESS WE ACTUALLY HAVE INDEPENDENT BODIES THAT HOLD PEOPLE TO ACCOUNT, WHICH YOU WILL HAVE IS THE CONTINUING SMEARING A WOMAN, THE CONTINUING LEAKING OF INTERNAL INFORMATION THAT IS REDACTED TO TRY TO MAKE WOMEN LOOK CRAZIER OR MAKE WOMEN LOOK LIKE THEY ARE SOMEHOW NEFARIOUS, AND TO TRY TO GASLIGHT PEOPLE TO BELIEVING THAT IF THE ACCUSER, AND NOT THE PERPETRATOR WHO IS SOMEHOW AT FAULT.

>> Reporter: I WANT TO GET YOUR FAULT THOUGHTS ON THE JACK CHIARELLI CAMPAIGN RECENTLY ANNOUNCING DIANE ALLEN OF THE RUNNING MATE.

SHE WAS IN PLACE OF THE PERSON WHO IS GOING TO BE THE OVERSIGHT BODY CENTER, RIGHT QUESTION THE SAFE PLACE WHERE A WOMAN COULD GO.

SHE THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING PREDATORY WAS HAPPENING, NOW SHE IS ON THE TICKET.

HOW DOES THAT CHANGE?

>> IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE INDEPENDENT PERSONS FOR SOMEBODY TO REPORT WITH TOXICITY, OBVIOUSLY IT SHOULD NOT BE DIANE ALLEN ANYMORE PITCHES ON THE TICKET AND I THINK SHE WOULD AGREE, I HOPE SHE WOULD AGREE SHE IS UNDER THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: UNTIL THE LEGISLATOR PASSES, THE TWO BILLS AND FOR THEM TO CREATE THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, PEOPLE WON'T BE PROTECTED.

>> DIANE ALLEN IS AN INCREDIBLY WELL-MEANING WOMAN WHEN IT COMES TO THESE ISSUES FOR THIS IS NOT A REFLECTION ON HER AT ALL, BUT YOU CANNOT TRUST A PROCESS WHERE THERE IS AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATORY POWER IN ANY CAMPAIGN, OR IN ANY ORGANIZATION.

WHAT IS ACTING EVENING IN NEW YORK SHOULD BE A WAKE-UP CALL TO EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATOR IN NEW JERSEY TO PASS SOME SORT OF LETTUCE LATER TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BODY IS REAL POWER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: AS FOR GOVERNOR CUOMO, SENATOR WEINBERG ADVISES -- >> I THINK HE SHOULD RESIGN.

HE SHOULD GIVE THIS UP AND STOP IT.

DON'T DRAG THIS THROUGH IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS.

IT IS TIME FOR HIM TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE HE REPRESENTS IN NEW YORK, SO THAT WE CAN ALL GET ON WITH MANY OF THE JOINT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO DO TOGETHER IN OUR TRI-STATE AREA.

>> GOVERNOR CUOMO IS IGNORING THE CALLS IN HIS RESIGNATION.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS STORY, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEXT WEEK, 20 YEARS SINCE THE DEADLY SEPTEMBER 11th ATTACKS.

AND TODAY, NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR SENATOR CALLED FOR INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN INVESTIGATING THE ATTACKS AND GIVING FAMILIES OF VICTIMS ACCESS TO EVIDENCE.

SENATOR MENENDEZ PASSED THE TRANSPARENCY ACT OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL BUILDING IN DC, SURROUNDED BY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LOST LOVED ONES DURING THE ATTACKS.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES TO DECLASSIFY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE ATTACKS, AND MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SENATOR MENENDEZ SAYS FOR DECADES, FAMILIES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE, BECAUSE THE DOCUMENTS HAVE REMAINED HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC.

HE SAYS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS SITTING ON EVIDENCE THAT IMPLICATES INDIVIDUALS OR COUNTRIES, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT ONE PROGRAM IN CANTON REALLY GOT OUR ATTENTION.

COMMUNITY GROUPS HAVE ORGANIZED WORKSHOPS TO EDUCATE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS, WAYS TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES BY BUILDING PROCUREMENT PARTNERSHIPS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

THE PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR BIG CAMDEN COMPANIES TO BUY IN FROM LOCAL BLACK AND BROWN AND BUSINESSES AS A WAY TO COLLECTIVELY INVEST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

JANINE DONALDSON REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM, FOCUSING ON POVERTY, JUSTICE, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> I THINK IT'S A GAME CHANGER WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL, AND BE READY.

AND I THINK THE KEY WORD HERE IS PREPARATION.

I THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT SOMETIMES KEEPS US FROM GOING PAST A CERTAIN POINT.

AND I THINK FOR US, IT'S ABOUT AGAIN, GETTING THE TEAMS THAT WE NEED, SHARING INFORMATION WITH EACH OTHER, BEING ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS.

IT ALL GOES TOGETHER AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED, AND FOR US TO PROGRESS AND THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE ACADEMY IN THIS COMMUNITY TO THRIVE.

>> THE AGENT ELSE THE CANDLE STORE.

AND LIKE MANY BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG HAMPDEN AVENUE IN CAMDEN COUNTY TAKING PART IN A PROCUREMENT 101 WORKSHOP AND TO TEACHING BUSINESS LITERACY AND BUILDING WEALTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.

>> FROM NEW YORK CITY, I HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD MY BUSINESS OF IN THE COMMUNITY, MIKE CAMDEN.

AND I THINK THAT'S GREAT.

AND THIS IS A LOT, AND I'M HOPING THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM SEE THAT THEY CAN BRING THEIR BUSINESSES HERE, AND BE AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY AT THE SAME TIME >> THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE LANARK AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SAYS THERE IS A BLEND OF OLD AND NEW BUSINESSES ALIGN TO THE AVENUE, AND THE IDEA IS TO CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH TO BOLSTER COMMUNITIES.

>> THE GOAL IS REALLY TO ENSURE THAT WHEN LARGER BUSINESSES COME TO THE CITY, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT THEY MAY NEED, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS WHITE PAINT, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS CATERING SERVICES, UTILIZING THE SMALL BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY TO REALLY FULFILL THOSE CONTRACTS.

>> THE PROGRAM CONNECTS COMPANIES WITH LOCAL I CAN BROWN BUSINESSES TO BOOST THE ECONOMY AND KEEP CAMDEN CIRCULATING IN THE CITY WITHOUT GENTRIFICATION.

THEY CALL THIS OPPORTUNITY REALLY ENCOURAGING.

>> THE CONTRACT, YOU KNOW FOR ONE OF THE MAJOR CORPORATIONS HERE IS GOING TO CHANGE MY BUSINESS IMMENSELY.

I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE.

I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND MY BUSINESS, AND WILL BENEFIT THE CITY.

AS WELL.

>> I WANT TO HIRE LOCAL CITY RESIDENTS YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY PUT A FACILITY IN THE WAREHOUSE.

SO THIS HELPS US ON SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.

NOW WE HAVE ABANDONED BUILDINGS BY THESE BIG COMPANIES.

YOU CAN BUY THESE NOT AS A TAX SPACE.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE PUTTING PEOPLE, ALMOST 12,000 EMPLOYED PEOPLE AT THAT TIME AND SO WE NEED SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO COME IN AND HIGH-RES AS WELL AS WE NEED THE BIG CORPORATIONS TO HIRE AND SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> SEVERAL BUSINESSES INCLUDING MAGIC, HE'S TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF SUMMER PROGRAMS OFFER TO BUSINESS OWNERS AND SAYS THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE ARE CRITICAL TO INCREASING BACK OWNERSHIP.

>> IT'S REALLY A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM, THAT'S WHAT BUSINESSES HERE AND SITTING ACTUALLY NEED.

YOU KNOW TO THRIVE, WE WANT TO SCALE UP AND BE COMPETITIVE.

COME OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUSTAINABLE AND YOU KNOW, WE OUGHT TO KEEP SOME OF THE DOLLARS HERE IN CAMDEN INSTEAD OF PHILADELPHIA.

YOU KNOW, TRYING TO PREPARE BUSINESS IS AWESOME.

>> AND HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A GROUND-UP APPROACH.

>> IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUSINESS CESSATION, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, AND THEN THE HAMPDEN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN PARKSIDE IN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, THE GOAL FOR ALL OF US REALLY IS TO MAKE IT A COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROACH.

THE GOAL, WHEN YOU DO THAT IS NOT JUST A TRICKLE-DOWN THING.

IT REALLY IS LEVERAGING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GROW.

>> THE WORKSHOP IS A FIVE WEEK SERIES RUNNING FROM THE END OF AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER.

I AM JANINE DONALDSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY, AND SOON, DRIVERS WILL LEARN THAT THE GAS TAX IS GOING TO INCREASE AGAIN.

I ASKED NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS'S JOHN BRIGHT MEYER HOW LIKELY IT IS WE WILL BE PAYING MORE TO FILL UP THE TANK.

HAS THE STATE DECIDED THAT THE GAS TAXES RAISED OR LOWERED AND IS THERE A CHANCE THAT THE TAXES ARE LOWERED?

>> WELL, THERE'S A COMPLICATED SET OF REVENUE FIGURES THAT HAVE TO BE ANALYZED EVERY YEAR IN TRENTON, AND NOW, THAT HAS TO HAPPEN IN AUGUST, SO WE ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF WHEN WE SHOULD FIND OUT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

AND, THE WAY THAT IT WORKS IS, THERE'S A CERTAIN TARGET THAT HAS TO BE HIT, AND IF THE GAS TAX PRODUCES ENOUGH REVENUE TO MEET THAT TARGET, WE ARE IN THE CLEAR.

BUT, IF OFFICIALS AND OTHER PUBLIC FINANCE OFFICIALS DETECTED SHORTFALL, THE LAW WAS PASSED IN 2016 WHERE THERE WAS AN AUTOMATIC INCREASE.

NO, IT COULD REQUIRE A DECREASE IF THERE WAS A SURPLUS.

BUT, IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE BASED ON THE CURRENT NUMBERS THAT WE WOULD BE RUNNING AT A SURPLUS.

>> HOW DOES THE PANDEMIC AFFECT GAS CONSUMPTION?

>> THIS TIME LAST YEAR, NO, OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE WERE DRIVING LESS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND REVENUE SLOWED.

SO THERE'S BEEN AN UPTICK IN PROJECTIONS FOR MY TRAVEL.

AND THE GAS TEST PROTECTION FOR THIS TIME AROUND.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THEY COME BACK WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO HEAD OUT THE GAS TAX INCREASE THIS MONTH.

YOU KNOW, JUST DRIVING AROUND NEW JERSEY, YOU DO KNOW HIM SEE A LOT WITH PEOPLE ON THE ROADS.

>> BUT THE FACT THAT GAS IS WELL OVER $3.01 GALLON, AND MOST NEW JERSEY STATIONS IMPACT THE DECISION-MAKING, YOU KNOW?

>> IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THEY TAKE A LOOK AT BECAUSE THEY DO KIND OF LOOK INTO THE FUTURE A LITTLE BIT AND YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY WHEN GAS GETS REALLY EXPENSIVE, IT MAY LEAD PEOPLE TO TRAVEL LESS.

THINK THIS YEAR IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THOUGH BECAUSE WE STILL DO HAVE THE PANDEMIC GOING, AND IT MAY BE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT TRAVELING BY OTHER MEANS, BY PLANE AS MUCH AND THEY MIGHT BE STICKING LOCAL AND THAT WOULD MEAN MORE DRIVING YOU KNOW, WHETHER GAS PRICES ARE EXPENSIVE OR NOT.

>> AND MEMBER THE CHANGE, WHEN IS IT GOING INTO EFFECT?

>> THE SAME LAW THAT REQUIRES A SAYS ANY CHANGE IN THE GAS TAX GOES INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1st SO, WE WILL FIND OUT SOON AND THEN YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S BAD NEWS, AT LEAST IT WON'T GO INTO EFFECT RIGHT AWAY.

>> YEAH, SOMETIME TO BRACE FOR IT.

TAKE YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE STORY, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG .

WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON JUST HOW MUCH MONEY NEW JERSEY STANDS TO GAIN IF CONGRESS APPROVES THAT $1 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, NEW JERSEY WOULD GET $12 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THAT INCLUDES $7.9 BILLION FOR A HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT AND BRIDGE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.

NEW JERSEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE $4.1 BILLION FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND MONEY TO BUILD OUT A NETWORK OF CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THERE'S ALSO FUNDING TO HELP EXPAND BROADBAND COVERAGE, PROVIDING ACCESS TO MORE THAN 115,000 RESIDENTS, ANOTHER 1.6 MILLION LOW INCOME RESIDENTS WOULD GET HELP PAYING FOR THEIR INTERNET SERVICE.

SEPARATELY, THOSE ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THE CORRIDOR, AND POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT.

JERSEY CITY IS BOOSTING THE MINIMUM WAGE IT PAYS TO ITS MUSICAL WORKERS.

STEPHEN FULLER SAYS WAGES WILL INCREASE BY $15 AN HOUR TO $17 AN HOUR STARTING ON AUGUST 23rd.

THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE WILL AFFECT 400 CITY WORKERS, INCLUDING PARKING ENFORCEMENT AND CROSSING GUARDS.

THE MAYOR SAYS HE HOPES THE INCREASE WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF TO WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

IN 2016, JERSEY CITY WAS THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE TO RAISE ITS MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR, WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY FOLLOWED OTHER COMMUNITIES.

THE MAYOR SAYS HE HOPES THE SAME THING HAPPENS NOW.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET ACTION ON WALL STREET.

>>> SOME NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS ARE GETTING HANDS-ON TRAINING THIS WEEK IN AND OUT OF THE INDUSTRY.

THERE FIGURING OUT HOW TO FIX CARS.

IT'S ALL PART OF A FREE SUMMER PROGRAM CALLED IGNITE, WHICH GIVES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE A HIGH TECH IN DEMAND CAREERS.

BUT, MELISSA ROSE COOPER WENT TO UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND FOUND SOME KIDS ARE ALREADY CONVINCED THEY FOUND THEIR CALLING.

>> 18-YEAR-OLD JASON IS LIVING OUT A CHILDHOOD DREAM.

>> MY FATHER, HE OWNS THE DIESEL STOPPARD AND EVERY TIME HE WORKS ON SOMETHING I'LL ALWAYS THERE SINCE I WAS YOUNG, I WOULD WATCH HIM TAKE STUFF APART, PUT THEM BACK TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE PERFECT.

AND THEY WOULD BE SAFE FOR THE DRIVERS, AND EVERYBODY AROUND THE DRIVERS.

>> WITH THE GOAL OF OPENING HIS OWN SHOP, HE DEDICATED HIS SUMMER TO MAKING SURE IT BECOMES A REALITY.

>> IT MAKES YOU STAND UP IN SOCIETY, IT'S LIKE THE UNDERDOG OF SOCIETY.

IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AMERICA RUNNING, WHICH HELP THE TRUCKERS HAVE AMERICA RENTAL BUT WE MAKE THE TRUCKERS MAKE AMERICA RENTAL RATES >> THIS IS ONE OF 16 HASKELL STUDENTS THAT ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AT UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN BLOOMFIELD.

FOR THREE WEEKS, JUNIORS GETTING READY TO ENTER THEIR SENIOR YEAR GET HANDS-ON TRAINING IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

>> SO, THEY'RE DOING A LOT OF STEM ACTIVITIES DID A LOT OF MEASURING, DISASSEMBLING AND REASSEMBLING AN ENGINE, SO UNDERSTANDING ALL THE MATH AND COMPONENTS THAT GO INTO ENGINEERING.

>> THE PROGRAM TOOK A PAUSE LAST BECAUSE OF COVID.

NO, IT IS BACK IN FULL SWING, BUT STUDENTS ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES, GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO PURSUE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

>> I WASN'T REALLY INTO CARS UNTIL LIKE LAST YEAR WHEN I FIRST WATCHED THE MOVIE FAST AND FURIOUS.

AND AFTER THAT LIKE IT WAS A LOT OF HANDS ON.

I LEARNED QUICKLY THAT.

AND I DON'T KNOW, JUST LIKE IT NOW.

>> STUDENTS PARTICIPATING ALSO GET A JUMPSTART TO THEIR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION FOR THEIR COURSEWORK OVER THE SUMMER CREDITS THE PROGRAM, SHOULD THEY DECIDE TO CONTINUE TRAINING AT UTI, AND THE BEST PART, IT IS ALL FOR FREE.

>> SUCH A DEMANDING INDUSTRY.

BY 2021, THEY'RE GOING TO NEED 1 MILLION AUTOMOTIVE AND DIESEL TECHNICIANS IN THE INDUSTRY.

POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS WERE TIRING BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY.

>> YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.

ALSO, A SENSE THAT IS CORRECT.

I WOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY, BE ABLE TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION OF A REPAIR.

>> SO WHEN THESE KIDS GRADUATE FROM THIS CLASS AFTER THEY GUIDED THE THROW, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST AND YOU WANT THEM TO TAKE WITH THEM?

>> I REALLY WANT THEM, LIKE A SIN.

I UNDERSTAND THAT I DID WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IN THE CAREER.

>> AND HIS CLASSES HELPING TO MAKE THAT DECISION EASIER FOR THIS MAN WHO ONLY WANTS TO ONLY SHOP ONE DAY, BUT ALSO WANTS TO HAVE AN EMAIL FROM THE CAR HE HAS NO PITS >> IS AN 86.

IT'S BEEN IN MY FAMILY SINCE 2007.

SO I'VE BEEN WANTING TO WORK ON IT EVER SINCE.

I LEARNED ABOUT IT WAS.

>> I THINK IT'S THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT EXPOSURE.

FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT HAVE AN INTEREST IN AUTOMOTIVE AND DIESEL.

THIS GIVES THEM THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY AS YOU LOOK AT THEM TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY DIG IN TO AN ENGINE, GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY AND HAVE THE COMPONENT OF IT.

BUT ALSO HAVE THE HANDS-ON COMPONENT REALLY DECIDE, IS THIS A FIELD UNABLE TO GO INTO PROFESSIONALLY QUESTION EXPECT STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM ARE SENT OVER ONE DOZEN HIGH SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT SOLUTION DISCOUNT IS ALSO OFFERED IF THEY DECIDE TO ATTEND UTI NEXT YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> HISTORY MADE THE SUMMER OLYMPICS THANKS TO ANOTHER NEW JERSEY NATIVE.

SOCCER PLAYER, CARLY ROY SCORED TWO GOALS TO HELP TEAM USA BE AUSTRALIA 43 TO WIN THE BRONZE IN WOMEN'S SOCCER.

SHE NOW HAS MORE OLYMPIC GOALS THAN ANY OTHER U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER IN HISTORY.

AT AGE 39, SHE'S THE OLDEST AMERICAN WILL AND TO EVER COMPETE IN THE OPEN TOURNAMENT.

LORD, WHO WON GOLD MEDALS IN TWO PREVIOUS OLYMPICS IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE HER RETIREMENT.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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