>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING.

I AM BREANNA.

A MAJOR SHIFT IN COVID GUIDANCE IS COMING TO NEW JERSEY.

MURPHY UP IN THIS RATION IS DROPPING THE VACCINATE OR TEST REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN WORKERS.

STARTING IMMEDIATELY UNVACCINATED TEACHERS, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND CHILDCARE WORKERS WILL NO LONGER BE MANDATED TO UNDERGO WEEKLY COVID TESTING.

THE GUIDELINES GO INTO EFFECT FOR STATE WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS STARTING SEPTEMBER 1.

THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION FOLLOWS RECENT CDC GUIDANCE LOOSENING COVID RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING ENDING SOME QUARANTINE AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ROLES.

IT ALSO COMES AMID POLITICAL PRESSURE FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

IN THE ORDER THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE POINTED TO HIGHER LEVELS OF PROTECTION AGAINST THE VIRUS.

NOW THAT MORE THAN 80% OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

REMINDING PEOPLE THAT CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS ARE NOW PART OF THAT GROUP.

DATA FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOW LESS THAN A 1% OF BABIES SIX MONTHS TO TWO YEARS OLD ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

JUST SHY OF 1 1/2% OF ALL KIDS THREE AND FOUR YEARS OLD HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SHOTS.

IT IS A CONCERN FOR HEALTH EXPERTS WORRIED ABOUT THE LONG- LASTING IMPACT OF GETTING AFFECTED BY THE VIRUS.

EXPERTS INCLUDING MONTCLAIR STATE DIVERSITY EPIDEMIOLOGIST DOCTOR STEPHANIE SILVERA JOINS ME NOW.>> WE SHOULD NOTE DOCTOR SILVERA THAT NOTHING IN THIS ORDER PREVENTS THESE SETTINGS FROM KEEPING A TESTING POLICY, BUT GIVEN WHERE WE ARE AT IN THE PANDEMIC, IS THIS A REASONABLE CHANGE?>> I THINK WE HAVE TO DISCUSS REASONABLE WHETHER WE THINK IT IS REASONABLE FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE OR REASONABLE FROM THE EXPECTATION OF HOW PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY BEHAVE.

I THINK UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE AT A POINT WITH COVID THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE REALLY TIRED OF DISCUSSING IT.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE, THEY DON'T WANT ANY TYPE OF MANDATES OR REQUIREMENTS AND I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR IS REACTING TO THAT LIKE THE CDC IS REACTING TO THAT I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK IT IS GREAT PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS VERY YARD.

SO AS WE GO INTO WHAT IS NOW GOING TO BE COLD AND FLU SEASON, WE ARE TAKING AWAY ALL OF THE PREVENTION METHODS THAT WE HAVE BUILT UP OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> I WONDER ABOUT MASKING.

AT THIS POINT AND FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW AS AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST, IS MASKING THE MORE IMPORTANT PROTOCOL MOVING FORWARD?

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PROTOCOLS PARTICULARLY IN SCHOOL SETTINGS WHERE CHILDREN ARE REQUIRED TO BE THERE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME ARE GOING TO BE MASKS AND VENTILATION.

>> THE SHIFT IN GUIDANCE DOES PRIORITIZE KEEPING KIDS IN CLASSROOMS WHICH HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS WHO ARE BATTLING LEARNING LAWS EVEN STILL.

HOW DO YOU WEIGH THAT AGAINST THE RISK FACTORS FOR KIDS AND HOW THEY CHANGED?

>> AGAIN, I GO BACK TO IF WE WANT TO KEEP KIDS PHYSICALLY IN THE SCHOOLS, WHICH FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF CHILDREN, THAT HAS BEEN BETTER.

THERE ARE SOME CHILDREN WHO DID WELL REMOTELY FOR VARIOUS REASONS, I THINK THERE WILL BE CHILDREN WHO HAVE EITHER THEMSELVES HEALTH CONDITIONS OR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK.

THIS SITUATION OF SENDING THEM BACK TO SCHOOL WITH NO MASK REQUIREMENT AND NOW FOCUS ON INCREASING VENTILATION, IT PUTS THOSE AT RISK AND I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF NEED, ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN.>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY MOVING FORWARD, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN IN STEP WITH THE CDC.

WOULD YOU SAY THEN THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT MAYBE FINDING A BETTER WAY TO GET DATA ON POSITIVE TEST , SO MANY ARE TESTING AT HOME.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A SNAPSHOT OF THE SITUATION WE ARE IN?

>> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HAD A GOOD SNAPSHOT OF THE CASES FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING AND AS FUNDING FOR OTHER TESTING IN THE CLINICS REALLY WENT AWAY AND PEOPLE HAD TO RELY ON THEIR OWN HEALTH INSURANCE TO COVER THAT, RIGHT NOW I THINK THE BEST THING THAT WE HAVE IS TO RAMP UP WASTEWATER TESTING.

THAT GIVES US A REALLY GOOD SNAPSHOT OF HOW MANY CASES WE CAN EXPECT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AND IT GIVES US AN IDEA OF WHERE WE ARE GOING.

THAT IS AT THIS POINT THE BEST MEASURE OR METHODOLOGY WE HAVE TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF CASES AND TO GIVE US A HEADS UP WHEN WE NEED TO PUT MASKS BACK ON.

>> MONTCLAIR STATE DIVERSITY DOCTOR STEPHANIE SILVERA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>> THANKS.>> THAT RECENT ACCIDENT INVOLVING COUNCILMEMBER AMY DISEASE IS STILL DRAWING INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION.

AFTER CITY CAMERAS CAUGHT HER HITTING A CYCLIST AND DRIVING AWAY.

IT HAS STIRRED UP A NUMBER OF OTHER UNFLATTERING STORIES ABOUT HER TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND RUN-INS WITH POLICE.

ALONG WITH RESOUNDING CALLS FOR HER RESIGNATION.

TODAY SHE ATTENDED THE FIRST PUBLIC CAUCUS MEETING SINCE THAT INCIDENT.

BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS THERE.

>> SHE BARELY UTTERED A WORD, BUT AMY DISEASE MADE A MAJOR STATEMENT BY SIMPLY SHOWING UP AND TAKING HER SEAT FOR A CAUCUS MEETING THIS MORNING.

UNDER PUBLIC PRESSURE TO RESIGN AFTER HER FAILURE TO STOP AND REPORT HER HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT FOR SIX HOURS, SHE HAS DEFIANTLY REFUSED TO STEP DOWN.

SHE BOLTED AFTER THE MEETING WITHOUT COMMENT, BUT HER PRESENCE IS SET AT ALL.

>> WHAT SHE SAYS IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.

SHE THINKS SHE WILL GET AWAY WITH IT, SHE THINKS SHE HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT AND THERE IS REALLY NOTHING THAT SHE CARES TO DO OR SAY.

>> HESTER IS A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT WHO CLAIMS SHE CAN FIND COVER WITH THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE, BUT A CHANGE.ORG PETITION WITH MORE THAN NIFTY 800 SIGNATURES IS DEMANDING HER RESIGNATION.

>> THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES WHO MATTER TO THE PEOPLE AND CITIZENS OF JERSEY CITY ARE THE ONES WHO CARE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AND ARE DISGUSTED BY THIS INCIDENT AND SO THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THE PUBLIC SPEAK LOUDLY AND CLEARLY REGARDING WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE COME OUT OF THIS.

>> THE HUDSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE WILL APPOINT THE APPEARANCE OF CONFLICT.

HER CASE HAS BEEN REFERRED TO EXODUS COUNTY.

THE POLITICAL CASE CONTINUES TO REVERBERATE.

>> I HAVE REVIEWED ALL OF THE FOOTAGE, TAKEN EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION.

I FEEL LIKE THAT IS CONDUCT UNBECOMING OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

SHE SHOULD STEP DOWN, JUST GIVEN THE DYNAMICS OF NOT RENDERING HELP.

THAT IS A HUGE PORTION.

>> WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, BUT THERE HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.

WE ARE ASKING PUBLIC SERVANTS TO NOT BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

YOU HIT SOMEBODY AND YOU DON'T STOP, YOU WAIT.

SHE HAS FAILED TO APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE OF JERSEY CITY.

>> INDEPENDENT COUNCILMEMBERS CRITICIZED VEGGIES, NOT JUST FOR FLEEING THE ACCIDENT SCENE.

JAMES SOLOMON POINTED TO OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE WHEN SHE DROPPED NAMES, APPARENTLY TO PERSUADE A COP NOT TO TOE HER ILLEGALLY PARKED CAR.>> I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER.

IF THERE IS ANYWAY I HAVE A TICKET INSTEAD, I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK.

>> CAN YOU WAIT A SECOND?

I CALLED JOHN ALLEN AND HE TOLD ME TO HANG TIGHT.

>> I AM SORRY.

I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS.

>> THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

>> A SERIES OF BEHAVIOR USING ONE'S POSITION TO AVOID CONSEQUENCES, I THINK THAT TELLS A STORY AND THAT THE PUBLIC IS BEST SERVED IF THE COUNCILWOMAN STEPS DOWN.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A DISTRACTION FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD AND ULTIMATELY NO MATTER WHO SHE IS, IT IS HER CHOICE.

WE ARE ASKING HER TO TAKE OWNERSHIP.

>> JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEPHEN PHILIP HAVE CRITICIZED HER BEHAVIOR REGARDING THE ACCIDENT, BUT NEITHER HAVE CALLED FOR HER RESIGNATION.

BOTH COULD PURSUE POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS BEYOND THEIR CURRENT OFFICE AND SO THEY ARE TREADING CAREFULLY THROUGH THIS HUDSON COUNTY MINEFIELD.

BUT A LONG LIST OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS ARE SIGNING UP FOR THE UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING WHERE THE COMMENTS WILL BE POINTED AND INESCAPABLE IF SHE ATTENDS.

>> THE SUMMER RECESS MEANS MEMBERS CAN HIT THE ROAD AT HOME.

TO GET THE PULSE ON THEIR BASE AND ISSUES THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING INTO NOVEMBER.

WILL REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL CHERYL AND CORY BOOKER TODAY TEAMED UP FOR A TOWN HALL AT AN LGBT IMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER TO TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.

>> SANTANA REPORTS.

>> WITHOUT EDGE I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY.

I WOULD BE IN A GRAVE AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE MOURNING MY LOSS.

>> 20-YEAR-OLD ZACHARY IS ONE OF THE HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO SPOKE THEIR TRUTH AT A TOWN HALL MEETING HOSTED BY SENATOR BOOKER AND CONGRESSWOMAN MIKEY CHERYL AT DENVILLE'S NEW WELLNESS CENTER EDGE.

THEY CATER TO THE LGBT PLUS COMMUNITY.

THE FACILITY HOUSES AN ON-SITE PHARMACY, PRIMARY CARE, THERAPY, AND HIV TESTING.

>> WE ACTUALLY WERE IN THREE SMALL LOCATIONS BEFORE AND WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, WE HAVE HOUSING SPECIALIST.

>> GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE IS ESSENTIAL AND WE ARE THE ONLY FACILITY IN THREE COUNTIES THAT OFFER GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW AND GET THEIR EVERYDAY GENERAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES BECAUSE THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY OR GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE.

>> I AM THE L, I AM A LESBIAN.

I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY MY WHOLE LIFE.

I THINK RIGHT NOW SOME OF THE PRESSING ISSUES ARE NUMBER ONE, LGBT YOUTH HOMELESSNESS, IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE FACE HOMELESSNESS AT A HIGHER RATE THAN ANY OTHER POPULATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE EFFECTS OF OTHERS OR FAMILY MEMBERS NOT ACCEPTING WHO WE ARE, NOT HAVING A SENSE OF BELONGING.

THERE IS NOT MANY SPACES FOR LGBT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMELESS IN NEW JERSEY.

SO I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT HE THE THINGS.

INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM, BECAUSE THERE IS A BATTLE BETWEEN WHAT SHOULD WE BE TEACHING, WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE MORE THAT WE EDUCATE, NOT JUST THE LGBT KIDS TO KNOW THERE IS SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS LIKE THEM, THAT GIVES THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING, YOU ARE TEACHING THE OTHER KIDS TO HAVE THE SAME ACCEPTANCE FOR OTHERS.

>> SENATORS BOOKER SENT MORE THAN AN HOUR AT THE MEETING SPEAKING ABOUT WHAT THE NEW FACILITY WILL OFFER THE LG BT COMMUNITY AND WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE WORKED ON.

>> I THINK THE PARABLE THINGS IS THE HUMAN STORIES THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT ENOUGH.

A LOT OF TIMES THINGS COME THROUGH POLITICAL LENSES AND WE FORGET THE DIGNITY AND HUMIDITY AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR A YOUNG MAN LIKE ZACH TALKED ABOUT HERE IN NEW JERSEY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEING BULLIED, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE JUST BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, WHEN YOU HERE IN NEW JERSEY THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE OR MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE, IT SHOULD ACTIVATE THE CONSCIOUS OF US ALL AND COMPEL US TO MAKE NEW JERSEY AS A PLACE FOR ALL CHILDREN.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD TODAY THAT JUST MOVED ME WAS FROM A YOUNG MAN WHO SPOKE COMPELLINGLY ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE BEING BULLIED AS A YOUNG PERSON, HIS EXPERIENCE CONTEMPLATING AND ATTEMPTING SUICIDE, AND YET HOW HE HAS FOUND SUCH A HOME WITH THE SUPPORT SERVICES EDGE HAS PROVIDED.

>> REPRESENTATION MATTERS AND OFTEN LGBT FOLKS, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE ACRONYM, WE FORGET ABOUT THE TEA, TRANS FOLKS.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ANY OF THE TRANS FOLKS IN ELECTRIC OFFICE, WHICH THERE ARE NOT MANY, I AM THE FIRST IN NEW JERSEY, OUR VOICES ARE HEARD AT EVENTS LIKE THESE WHEN WE HAVE SOMEONE LIKE CORY BOOKER OR MIKEY CHERYL IN THE ROOM WILLING TO LISTEN, IT IS IMPORTANT WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF TRANS FOLKS.

>> EDGE BEING HERE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS SO BEYOND IMPORTANT AND I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE MAKING A HUGE CHANGE.

>> IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL SERVICES AND A VARIETY OF OTHER RESOURCES, EDGE NEW JERSEY ALSO OFFERS HOUSING TO HOMELESS.

LGBT YOUTH AGES 20 TO 24 AS WELL AS HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH HIV.

>> FALLOUT CONTINUES FROM THE FBI'S RAID OF DONALD TRUMP'S HOME.

WITH SUPPORT RALLIES CROPPING UP THIS WEEKEND AND DEMONSTRATORS SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE RAID, CALLING IT UNFAIR AND AN ABUSE OF POWER.

TRUMP SUPPORTERS ON SUNDAY LINED THE SIDEWALKS AND ALONG THE INTERSECTION JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM HIS GOLF CLUB IN BEDMINSTER WAVING AMERICAN FLAGS AND HOMEMADE SIGNS A HILLSBORO RESIDENT ORGANIZED THE EVENT DUBBED AS AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT RALLY AFTER LEARNING OF THE FBI RAID.

IT WAS A COURT AUTHORIZED SEARCH IN WHICH AGENTS SEIZED MULTIPLE SETS OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS, SOME MARKED TOP- SECRET.

ACCORDING TO A SEARCH WARRANT UNSEALED ON FRIDAY.

THE INVESTIGATION CENTERS AROUND WHETHER THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS IN VIOLATION OF THREE LAWS WITH HIS HANDLING OF GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ONE THAT OVERSEES THAT GATHERING TRANSMITTING OR LOSS OF DEFENSE INFORMATION UNDER THE ESPIONAGE ACT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS, THE STATE SUPREME COURT'S BENCH WILL BE FULL, BUT IT IS JUST A TEMPORARY FIX AND COMES AMID WHAT MANY ARE CALLING A CRISIS OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES STATEWIDE.

TODAY IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, CHIEF JUSTICE RATNER TEMPORARILY ELEVATED THREE APPELLATE COURT JUDGES TO NEW JERSEY'S HIGH COURT TO FILL SEATS LEFT OPEN AS THREE JUSTICES HAVE RETIRED IN THE PAST YEAR.

CURRENTLY JUST FOR THE JUDGES ON THE HIGH COURT WERE NOMINATED BY THE GOVERNOR AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.

THE MOVE IS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1 LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE COURT IS EXPECTED TO START ITS FALL SESSION.

ONE OF THOSE EMPTY SEATS WAS BEING HELD BY APPELLATE COURT CHARGE JOSC RETIRE ON THE FIRST OF THIS MONTH YOUR GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS NOMINATED JUST ONE REPLACEMENT, RACHEL AFTER.

BUT HER CONFIRMATION PROCESS HAS BEEN HELD UP BY SENATOR HOLLY WHO IS EXERCISING A RULE NOTICE SENATORIAL COURTESY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS NOT NOMINATED ANY OTHER JUDGES.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE PUBLIC WORKERS WILL NEED TO DIG DEEPER IN THEIR POCKET SOON.

RHONDA HAS THE DETAILS ON RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS HERE +2 NIGHTS BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> PUBLIC WORKERS AND RETIREES IN NEW JERSEY ARE BRACING FOR POTENTIALLY BIG INCREASES IN THEIR HEALTHCARE COST.

MEETINGS WERE HELD LAST WEEK TO DISCUSS PROPOSED PREMIUM RATE INCREASES, WHICH IN SOME CASES ARE ABOVE 80%.

VESTED HEALTHCARE CONSULTANT SAYS RISING INFLATION AND EFFECTS FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC HAVE COMBINED TO PUSH COSTS HIGHER.

BUDGET WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER SAYS THE PROPOSED NEW RATES HAVE YET TO RECEIVE FINAL APPROVAL.

>> THESE ARE DEFINITELY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE SENSE THAT THE INCREASES ARE PRETTY DRAMATIC.

SO THEY ARE LOOKING TO DO WHATEVER THEY CAN RIGHT NOW TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYWAY TO BLEND THESE INCREASES EVEN A LITTLE BIT.

FOR WORKERS AND FOR TAXPAYERS IN THE SENSE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS FOR PUBLIC WORKERS ARE SHARED BETWEEN THE WORKER AND THEIR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS TOOK >> YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT READING JOHN'S ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT IS.ORG.

>>> STARBUCKS IS ASKING THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD TO SUSPEND TEMPORARILY ALL UNION ELECTIONS AT ITS STORES IN THE U.S.

THE COFFEE CHAIN IS ALLEGING THERE WAS MISCONDUCT IN THE VOTING PROCESS AT ONE OF ITS STORES IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA AND SAYS THERE IS EVIDENCE OF MISCONDUCT IN OTHER REGIONS AS WELL.

STARBUCKS ONCE THE LABOR RELATIONS BOARD TO INVESTIGATE ITS CLAIMS AND IT WANTS ALL FUTURE UNION ELECTIONS TO OCCUR IN PERSON.

A GROUP SEEKING TO UNIONIZE STARBUCKS WORKERS CALLED THE CHAINS REQUEST A DISTRACTION.

MORE THAN 220 STARBUCKS STORES HAVE VOTED TO UNIONIZE SINCE LAST YEAR, INCLUDING FOUR IN NEW JERSEY.

GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO TUMBLE IN THE GARDEN STATE.

THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR HAS FALLEN TO ABOUT A $4.18.

THAT IS MORE THAN $.10 CHEAPER THAN LAST WEEK.

NATIONAL LEAGUE GASP PRICES HAVE DROPPED AS OIL PRICES HAVE STABILIZED.>>> NEW JERSEY HAS ITS FIRST DRIVE-THROUGH MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.

TERRACE AND OPENED THE DISPENSARY ON ROUTE 17 IN LODI OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE DRIVE-THROUGH WILL OPEN FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS ONLY FROM 9- 11.

RECREATIONAL SALES ARE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVE-THROUGH PICKUP AFTER THAT.

THE NEW SHOP SENDS THE THIRD RETAIL LOCATION IN NEW JERSEY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS CLOSED.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP IS THE STORIES.

>> JOSH GOT HEIMER CONTINUES HIS CRUSADE AGAINST THE PROPOSED CONGESTION PRICING PLAN.

THIS TIME, HE HAS ENLISTED THE HELP OF NEARBY STATEN ISLAND CONGRESSWOMAN NICOLE TUCKER'S.

THE CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS SAY THEIR CONSTITUENTS WILL BE DOUBLE TOLD FOR ENTERING MANHATTAN SOUTH OF 60th.

THE NEW TAX COULD BE AS MUCH AS $23 A DAY FOR CARS ON TOP OF FEES PAID AT THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THEY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE MTA TO LET DRIVERS PUT THE MONEY PAID AT THE EXISTING TOLLS TOWARDS ANY FUTURE CONGESTION TAX.

AND CALLED FOR AN AUDIT OF THE TRANSIT AGENCY, QUESTIONING HOW THE MTA SPENT BILLIONS IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY.

HE IS ALSO CALLING ON EASY PASS TO CEASE AND DESIST AN EMAIL CAMPAIGN TOUTING THE CONGESTION PRICING PLAN.

BOTH CONGRESS MEMBERS URGED ANYONE OPPOSED TO THE PLAN TO WEIGH IN DURING THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 25.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $20,000 A YEAR TOTAL WHEN YOU ADD UP THE COST BETWEEN THE TOLL, THE CONGESTION TAX, GAS AND PARKING.

YOU WOULD THINK NEW YORK, ESPECIALLY THE MAYOR WOULD DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO GET ALL OF THE 290,000 NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS BACK TO SUPPORTING BUSINESSES AND LOCAL ECONOMY.

IT TELLS YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.

ATM.

THAT IS WHAT THEY THINK OF JERSEY.

>> AS DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS HAVE THE NEWLY SIGNED INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, ONE NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVE IS APPLAUDING ATTACKS BURIED DEEP WITHIN THE BILL.

IT IS THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE SUPERFUND TAX ON OIL COMPANIES.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE SAYS THE TAX IS EXPECTED TO RAISE MORE THAN $11 BILLION TO ENSURE POLLUTERS, NOT TAXPAYERS ARE FOOTING THE BILL TO CLEAN UP THOSE TOXIC WASTE SITES.

IT IS A BATTLE HE HAS BEEN WAGING FOR YEARS.

I ASKED HIM WHAT THE IMPACT WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY.>> I AM THINKING PRIMARILY ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WHO LIVE WITHIN JUST A FEW MILES OF A SUPERFUND SITE.

WHAT WILL THIS MONEY MEAN FOR THEM?

>> IT MEANS THAT A LOT OF THESE SITES WILL BE CLEANED UP FASTER AND MORE COMPLETELY AND IN A MORE ENVIRONMENTAL WAY AND THAT THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR IT, IN OTHER WORDS THE POLLUTERS, THOSE WHO CAUSE THE POLLUTION ARE PAYING FOR IT.

FOR THE LAST ALMOST 30 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT A SUPERFUND, WITHOUT THE OIL AND GAS IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY PAYING FOR IT UNLESS YOU COULD FIND DIRECTLY CLOSED THE PROBLEM.

>> YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN DECADES HERE SINCE THE TAX EXPIRED.

IT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE OR DON.

IS THIS A FUNDING ENOUGH TO MAKE UP THE GROUND THAT IS NEEDED BECAUSE IN THE PAST, THEY NEEDED TO RELY ON SETTLEMENT OR TAXPAYER MONEY.>> I WANT TO STRESS THAT IF A SUPERFUND SITE POLLUTER IS STILL OUT THERE, THEY HAVEN'T GONE BANKRUPT, THEN THEY ARE REQUIRED TO CLEAN UP THE SITE WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.

BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE CALL ORPHAN SITES.

ONE WHERE THERE IS NOBODY AROUND, THEY ARE BANKRUPT OR WHATEVER.

IT IS WHERE YOU CAN'T FIND THEM, WHERE THEY CONTINUE TO LITIGATE AND IT DRAGS ON.

SO WE WENT TO USE THIS MONEY AND THEN WE WILL GET REIMBURSED.

>> THIS IS ALSO PART OF WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SAID IS THE FOCUS ON AND BAR MENTAL JUSTICE, LARGER ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SPENDING.

DO YOU SEE IT AS SUCH AND WHERE ELSE DOES IT NEED TO IMPROVE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT OFTEN HAPPENS THAT IN THOSE AREAS, YOU KNOW, MINORITY COMMUNITIES DON'T EXIST ANYMORE AND THEY ARE WHAT WE CALL ORPHAN SITES WHERE THEY REFUSE TO CLEAN THEM UP.

SO A LOT OF THIS HAS BEEN FOR DRAGGING AND THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HAVE MONEY, SO THAT THEY CAN GO IN AND DO THIS.

REMEMBER THIS IS A TAX ON THE CRUDE OIL INDUSTRY AND CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, WHICH IN GENERAL HAS CAUSED MOST OF THIS PROBLEM.

>> THIS IS A PRETTY BIG CHUNK OF MONEY, 11.7 MILLION.

ARE THERE PROVISIONS IN THIS BILL THAT ENSURE THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE REOCCURRING, THIS TAX WILL BE REOCCURRING, OR WILL WE BE LOOKING AT THE SAME SCENARIO IN ANOTHER 10 YEARS IF IT IS SET TO EXPIRE?

>> IT IS A LITTLE BUREAUCRATIC.

IN THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, WE EXTENDED, WE AUTHORIZED THE TAX ON THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY FOR 10 YEARS.

FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, THAT IS THAT 11.7 BILLION BEING GENERATED.

IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WHICH WE PASSED ON FRIDAY, THAT IS ABOUT THE EQUIVALENT AMOUNT THAT WILL COME FROM THE OIL INDUSTRY AND THAT IS PERMANENT.

SO YOU GET THAT AMOUNT FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, BUT THEN IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE REAUTHORIZED, IT CONTINUES.

>> CONGRESSMAN POLO, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.>> THANK YOU.

TAKE CARE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE TO GO OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.