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

>>> A GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

BRIANA VANNOZZI IS OFF .

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE STATE WILL NOT EXTEND PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS.

AN EXTRA $300 A WEEK OF A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

BUT, IT IS SET TO EXPIRE THIS WEEKEND.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS SUGGESTED THAT STATES EXTEND THE BENEFITS USING FEDERAL COVERT RELIEF MONEY, BUT GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS IT WILL COST TOO MUCH TO DO THAT.

WELL MORE THAN $1 BILLION A MONTH.

MEANTIME, MURPHY ALSO OUTLAWED THE STATES PLAN TO IMPLEMENT COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS, WHICH COULD BE ADMINISTERED NEXT MONTH, PROVIDED THAT FEDERAL REGULATORS GIVE THE GO-AHEAD.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE WILL HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY, BUT MEET THE NEW DEMAND WITH PLANS TO REOPEN LARGER VACCINATION CENTERS AND MEGA SITES.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING A BUSY FEW WEEKS.

THE STATE IS PREPPING FOR THE BOOSTERS OF HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 70% OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

EQUALING A TOTAL OF NEARLY 5.6 MILLION PEOPLE AGES 12 AND UP.

AND NEARLY 80% HAVE GONE AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

MEANWHILE, THE STATES TODAY REPORTED ANOTHER 1300 NEW CASES, AND 8 MORE FATALITIES.

WITH CHILDREN UNABLE TO GET VACCINATED, GOVERNMENT HE ORDERED THAT SCHOOL KIDS WEAR MASKS.

BUT THAT IS NOT SITTING WELL WITH SOME PARENTS.

MOST OF NEW JERSEY'S SCHOOLS ARE REOPENING FOR FULL, IN PERSON INSTRUCTION NEXT WEEK.

OUR JOANNA GAGIS BRINGS US UP TODAY ON THE DEBATE IN SOME SCHOOL COMMUNITIES OVER MASKING.

>> I'M REALLY GLAD THE GOVERNOR DID DECIDE TO REQUIRE MASKS, BECAUSE A LOT OF HIGH-RISK FAMILIES AND KIDS OUT THERE, THEY ALL DESERVE THE RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL SAFELY.

>> Reporter: MOST PARENTS SUPPORT THE IDEA OF KIDS BEING MASKED IN SCHOOL, BUT THE VOICES OF THOSE OPPOSED TO THE GOVERNOR'S MASK MANDATES HAVE LED TO CONTROVERSY IN MANY A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

MILLTOWN, TOMS RIVER, AND WEIGH IN BOARDS OF EDUCATION ARE JUST A FEW THAT HAVE TAKEN THE IDEA OF TREATING THEIR OWN MASKING RULES.

>> THE MATTER HAS BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD TIMES.

ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS DECIDED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, AND WITH THE IDEA THAT EITHER, I MEAN DEPENDING ON WHO WE TALKED TO, EITHER LIFTING THE MASK MANDATES COMPLETELY, OR TO RECONSIDER THE MASK MANDATES.

>> THE MATTER WAS VOTED ON LAST THURSDAY AND DID NOT REACH A 5 VOTE MAJORITY SO NO LETTER WAS SENT.

WHILE MANY FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY WERE OUTRAGED, HE SAYS -- >> WE HAVE A JOB TO DO AND UNLESS WE HEAR OTHERWISE, WE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE MASKS.

>> Reporter: BUT, SOME DISTRICTS TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH GIVING PARENTS THE OPTION TO WEARING A MASK AND IT INHIBITED THEIR HIGH CHILD'S HEALTH.

AN EXEMPTION LISTED IN THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

LAST WEEK, MURPHY ISSUED AN EXPANDED ORDER THAT REQUIRES MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT SUCH CLAIMS.

>> THIS IS NOT MOM OR DAD WRITING AND SINGH JOHNNY OR SALLY.

DOES NOT WANT TO WEAR ONE, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, ANY EXCUSE NEEDS TO BE FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

>> DEMANDED THAT ALL TEACHERS AND STAFF BE VACCINATED CREATE A CONTROVERSY IN MONTAGUE WHERE THE DISTRICT PASSED AN ORDINANCE FOR BIDDING ITS EMPLOYEES FROM DISCUSSING VACCINES IN ANY CAPACITY WITH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THE STATES LARGEST TEACHERS UNION IS REVIEWING THE ORDINANCE AND WOULD NOT COMMENT ON IT SPECIFICALLY, BUT SAID IN A STATEMENT, AS A GENERAL MATTER, BOARDS OF EDUCATION SHOULD NOT IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT PROHIBIT EDUCATORS FROM SHARING FACTUAL, SCIENTIFICALLY AND HISTORICALLY VIOLENT INFORMATION, SUCH BANDS ARE COUNTER TO THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE UNION FULLY SUPPORTS THE MASK MANDATES AND SCHOOLS, AS DOES DR. LAWRENCE KLEINMAN WHO SAYS NONCOMPLIANCE WILL LEAD TO ONLY ONE OUTCOME.

>> THOSE CHILDREN AND OTHER CHILDREN WILL GET COVID AS A RESULT.

IN MY MIND, THIS IS LIKE SECONDHAND SMOKE.

IT IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHTS OF THE SMOKER, BUT OF THOSE WHO ARE BREATHING THE AIR THAT ARE AN ISSUE.

AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE THAT WEARING MASKS DOES HARM TO CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS.

>> HOBOKEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL HAVE WEEKLY TESTING FOR ALL VACCINE ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN A SHOT, AND ALL STUDENTS 11 AND UNDER WILL BE TESTED WEEKLY AT RANDOM, ACCORDING TO THE PERCENTAGE OF COMMUNITY SPREAD, WHICH RIGHT NOW IS AROUND 5%.

>> WE DID FIND LAST SCHOOL YEAR THAT ARE OLDER STUDENTS WERE MORE APT TO TEST POSITIVE, AS A RESULT OF SPORTS, AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

SO, FOR US, THIS SCHOOL YEAR, STARTING OFF IN THIS MANNER IS A GREAT BENEFIT TO US IN A LOT OF WAYS.

>> LAST YEAR, ALL STUDENTS WERE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED ON SITE AT THE END OF LONG WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS, BUT WITH THE KEYS TO THE DISTRICT STAYING OPEN ALL YEAR, FULL-TIME, THIS YEAR, TESTING WILL BE DONE AT SCHOOL ON FRIDAY WITH RESULTS IN TO START EACH WEEK.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE PENTAGON SAYS IT HAS NOW COMPLETED A WITHDRAWAL OF U.S.

TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN.

ENDING AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR.

AS THE FINAL MILITARY PLANES HAVE LEFT THE AIRPORT, MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE EVACUATED 6000 AMERICAN CITIZENS, REPRESENTING THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WHO WISH TO LEAVE.

BUT, AS U.S. MILITARY OPERATIONS AND, THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS, AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT.

EVACUATIONS WILL CONTINUE, BUT WITHOUT U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

MEANWHILE, THOUSANDS OF AFGHAN EVACUEES MADE THEIR WAY TO U.S. MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, WHICH WERE BUILDING UP CAPACITY TO HOUSE 50,000 PEOPLE.

UP TO 10,000 ARE EXPECTED AT JOINT BASE IN LAKEHURST IN NEW JERSEY.

NEARLY 1200 HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED AS OF FRIDAY.

AND, EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ASSISTANCE AS THEY BEGIN NEW LIVES HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM.

>> AT THE ISLAMIC CENTER, VOLUNTEERS IN THE CAR TO CAR, TAKING IN DONATIONS FROM BABY FOOD TO DIAPERS, TO TOOTHBRUSHES AND CLOTHING.

>> A LOT OF FAMILIES BASICALLY RAN OUT OF THEIR HOMES, TRY TO GET INTO KABUL AIRPORT.

SOME OF THIS ARE MISSING SHOES.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF KIDS COMING IN WITHOUT PARENTS.

THEY ARE FEMALE, MALE, RIPS CLOSE.

THEY CAME LITERALLY WITH NOTHING.

>> THE FOUNDER OF GLOBAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND ASSISTANCE, ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS RUNNING THIS DONATION DRIVE WORKED AS A CONTRACTOR WITH THE U.S. SPECIAL FORCES FOR ABOUT A YEAR IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2014.

HE'S BEEN UP EVERY NIGHT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE LOOKING TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY AMIDST THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER.

>> WE ARE LISTENING TO PEOPLE CRYING, PLEADING FOR HELP.

>> DURING THE DAY HE SAYS HE'S IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH LAKEHURST TO FIND OUT WHAT ADDITIONAL ITEMS ARE NEEDED FOR THE NEARLY 1200 AFGHAN REFUGEES WHO HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED, INCLUDING AN AFGHAN MOTHER WHO GAVE BIRTH ON SUNDAY.

>> I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

THIS IS THE LEAST I COULD DO.

WE WENT TO THE HOUSE AND DONATED WHATEVER.

IT'S BRAND-NEW.

>> ALL SHE CAN FEEL IS NUMBNESS WATCHING THE IMAGES COMING OUT OF KABUL.

>> I CRIED WHEN I SEE THOSE IMAGES IT'S REALLY HARD.

MY PARENTS ARE INDIANS OF THE CAME TO THIS COUNTRY FOR A BETTER LIFE AND IT'S NOT EASY.

>> THERE IS CURRENT CAPACITY FOR UP TO 35 HUNDRED.

THE BASE IS BUILDING AROUND 378 TENTS TO INCREASE CAPACITY TO UP TO 10,000.

>> RED CROSS AND THE DOD MILITARIES ARE WORKING ON STATISTICS TO SETTLE THEM INTO THEIR ROOMS TO DO MEDICAL SCREENING, OR JUST DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO HERE.

THE RESPONSE THAT WE ARE GETTING IS AMAZING.

NOT ONLY FROM THE COMMUNITY, BUT FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS AS WELL.

WE ARE WORKING WITH NEW JERSEY INTERFAITH CARE WHICH IS A COALITION OF CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES, AND YOU KNOW, THEY ARE PARTICIPATING.

AND THEN IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, WE WILL BE REQUESTING ACCESS TO GO IN AND PROVIDE TRANSLATORS.

>> IN JUST 24 HOURS, THEY WERE ABLE TO REGISTER MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE TO HELP TRANSLATE.

AND MORE THAN 90% OF THOSE TRANSLATORS AND SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO ADOPT ORPHANS THAT CAME IN.

>> WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF KIDS WITHOUT PARENTS.

WE DON'T KNOW IF KIDS, PARENTS JUST HAVE THEIR KIDS OVER TO THE MILITARY FOR THEIR SAFETY OR IF THE KIDS ARE ACTUALLY MISSING PARENTS, BECAUSE A LOT OF KIDS DID LOSE THEIR PARENTS IN THE ONGOING THING.

>> YOU SEE THOSE BABIES GETTING HOWEVER.

I COULD HAVE BEEN MY SISTER.

>> VOLUNTEERS SAYS HIS PARENTS AND OLDER SISTER ARE AFGHAN REFUGEES.

THEY ARRIVED TO THE UNITED STATES 39 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS THESE KINDS OF DONATIONS THAT HELPS THEM SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> EVERYONE WHO'S COMING HERE NOW WHO COMES AS REFUGEES THE WAY THAT I SEE IT, IT'S JUST THAT THAT WAS MY PARENTS.

THIS IS LIKE MY WAY OF GIVING BACK.

>> REPORTER:'S MOM'S COUSIN IS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN TRYING TO GET OUT.

SPANKY SEE THE AIRPORT IMAGES AND VIDEOS.

VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET THERE.

THE OTHER OPTION IS GOING TO PAKISTAN AND NO ONE REALLY HAS NEWS AND COVERAGE.

THE WARS OF PAKISTAN, WHICH ARE ARGUABLY WORSE.

SO, WE ARE JUST KIND OF TAKING IT DAY BY DAY AND THAT IS ALL WE REALLY CAN DO.

>> IT IS THE WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ALL HAVE TO DO OUR PART.

I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT REFUGEES, I'M ACTUALLY A REFUGEES GRANDCHILD.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT ARRIVED WITH BAGS OF ITEMS TO DELIVER.

>> I BROUGHT NOTEBOOKS AND CRAYONS AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT ON THE LIST, I FEEL IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND KIDS HAVE TO GET A FRESH START.

>> Reporter: MISSED DROP WAS EXTENDED TO WEDNESDAY MORNING BECAUSE OF THE MEAT.

THEY SAID THE ITEMS COLLECTED WILL BE DELIVERED AT THAT SAME DAY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, JACK SHIRLEY'S CAMPAIGN AD IS COMING UNDER FIRE.

YOU RECALL ALLEGED SHE WAS RAPED BY A FORMER AIDE TO GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CAMPAIGN.

A CRITICISM OF THE AD IS COMING FOR HER HERSELF.

THIS IS THE ADDED QUESTION.

BRENNAN ONCE JACK CHIARELLI TO STOP USING HER STORY AND HIS ADS AND ASKED THAT A RELATED WEBSITE BE TAKEN DOWN.

WE TALKED TO SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CREWS IN AN EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST INTERVIEW.

>> YOU HAVE KEPT A PRETTY LOW PROFILE SINCE THE HEARINGS A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT EVERY TIME THE QUESTION OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN OR THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN, AND THAT COMES UP, SO DOES THE NAME KATIE BRENNAN INVARIABLY.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS TIME?

>> THIS TIME IS THAT I WAS NOT ASKED.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I WAS WARNED ABOUT, NOT SOMETHING THAT MY PERMISSION WAS CONSULTED, AND IT LOOKS LIKE AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS NOT MY INTENTION, SO I WANTED TO MAKE THAT KNOWN.

>> I MEAN, I GUESS YOU KNOW, YOU'RE USED TO SEEING YOUR LIKENESS EVERYWHERE, BUT IN THIS CONTEXT, WHEN YOU FIRST SAW THIS AD, WHAT WAS YOUR FEELING?

>> I WAS ANGRY, AND I THINK, I UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT IS PRESENTED IN THE AD IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT, I THINK THAT FROM APPROACHING FROM A SURVIVOR CENTRIC PLACE, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT SURVIVORS SHOULD AT LEAST BE WARNED, IF NOT CONSULTED.

IT CAN BE REALLY TRAUMATIZING, AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING REPORTED ON, AND BEING REPORTED ON FOR THE PROGRESS OF THE REFORMS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE, AND HAVING YOUR LIKENESS USED TO AN END.

>> YOU CALLED ON THE JACK CHIARELLI CAMPAIGN TO TAKE DOWN THE COMPANY WEBPAGE.

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THEM?

>> I HAVE NOT.

>> THEY ISSUED A STATEMENT WHICH SAYS IN PART, WHEN MISS BRENNAN BRAVELY CAME FORWARD AND PUBLICLY SHARE HER STORY WITH THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND WROTE US ONE PUBLIC TESTIMONY BEFORE THE STATE LEGISLATOR, SHE TALKED PASSIONATELY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING HEARD, AND THEN THE OTHER VICTIMS.

THE STATEMENT GOES ON TO CRITICIZE GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CAMPAIGN, AND HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR TREATMENT A WOMAN.

TWO THINGS ON THAT.

FIRST, THEY SAY SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU WERE OUT THERE PUBLICLY, AND THAT THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THE ISSUE INCLUDING YOUR ROLE IN IT IS FAIR GAME.

ARE THEY WRONG?

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT YOU GOT TO DO THE WORK.

I NEVER SAID DON'T HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE ALWAYS.

I SPOKE AT NAUSEA ABOUT THAT.

HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IT'S NOT POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS, AND THERE'S MANY WAYS TO DO SO WITHOUT INVOKING MY IMAGE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.

AND SO, I ASK THE CAMPAIGN, DO YOU HAVE A REPORTING STRUCTURE IN YOUR OWN CAMPAIGN?

THERE'S THREE GOALS STYLED IN THE LEGISLATOR.

HAVE YOU TAKEN A STANCE ON THEM, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ADVANCE THEM?

NAMELY, ONE THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE ADOPTION, AND TRAINING OF ANTI-DISSEMINATION, ANTIHARASSMENT POLICY BY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES, AND CREATE AN OFFICE TO HANDLE THOSE CLAIMS, WHICH OF COURSE DOES NOT EXIST IN MY OWN SITUATION.

THERE IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WOULD REVISE THE STATE LEGISLATORS ANTIHARASSMENT POLICY AND ANOTHER THAT CODIFIES THE STATES WORKPLACE, ANTIHARASSMENT POLICY.

ALL THREE ARE STALLED, AND LOOK LIKE THEY ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE BEFORE THE ELECTION.

AND SO, THAT'S JUST WHAT I WOULD SAY.

I THINK THAT IT'S A LITTLE LAZY AND DISRESPECTFUL TO USE ME INTERNAT AND I WANTED TO SEE THAT IF THEY TRULY RESPECT WOMEN, THEN DO THE WORK.

>> SENATOR WEINBERG AND HIS HEARINGS AND HARASSMENT AND MISOGYNY, STATE GOVERNMENT.

VERY PUBLIC HEARINGS.

AND, THEY MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON REFORMS AND LEGISLATION, AND YOU MADE REFERENCE TO A FEW OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE.

DID THAT COMMITTEE HAVE A LASTING IMPACT IN YOUR MIND?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HELPED CRAFT THE SECOND SLATE OF BILLS THAT IS PAST, AND MANY OF WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE, AND THAT AND MANY OTHER SURVIVORS WHO HAVE COME TO ME.

THESE MAKE LASTING CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT CASES ARE HANDLED, THE WAY THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS, THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO SURVIVORS, WHAT IT MEANS IF YOU DO REPORT HARASSMENT, AND HOW THAT CASE IS HANDLED, THERE ARE MANY LASTING CHANGES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND SOME OF WHICH ARE NOW A MODEL FOR OTHER PLACES.

BUT SO, THERE IS STILL MORE TO BE DONE.

>> WRIGHT, KATIE BRENNAN, THANK YOU FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK WITH US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS RACING FOR THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA, THE DEADLY STORM THAT SWEPT INTO LOUISIANA YESTERDAY.

THE STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MAKE ITS WAY TO NEW JERSEY BY MIDWEEK.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE STORM CAN DUMP UP TO 6 INCHES OF RAIN HERE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, WITH A POTENTIAL TO CAUSE FLOODING.

THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR 16 COUNTIES FOR THURSDAY EVENING.

MEANTIME, NEW JERSEY IS ASSISTING WITH RESCUE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS IN THAT REGION.

45 MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY TASK FORCE RUN WERE SENT TO OXFORD, ALABAMA, A STAGING AREA AHEAD OF THE STORM TO PROVIDE HEALTH HOWEVER THEY CAN.

AND TODAY, SOME WORKERS FROM ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC WENT TO THE GULF TO HELP RESTORE POWER TO THE REGION.

MORE THAN 1 BILLION LOUISIANA CUSTOMERS WERE WITHOUT POWER AS OF THIS MORNING.

>>> IT APPEARS THE GATEWAY PROJECT IS NOW MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AFTER HITTING A MAJOR MILESTONE.

BUT, EVEN SO, WATERS WON'T FEEL THE IMPACT ANYTIME SOON AS WORK GETS UNDERWAY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT THE LATEST MILESTONE MEANS FOR THE PROJECT, AND FOR NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS, AND WHETHER IT IS WORTH THE WAIT.

>> AT LEAST NOW USING A OVERUSED POND, WE CAN SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, SO TO SPEAK, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS THING WILL FINALLY GET UNDERWAY.

>> THIS THING, ADVOCATE IS POINTING AT IS THE GATEWAY PROJECT PLAN TO REPAIR THE CRUMBLING OLD TO TRAIN TUNNEL UNDER THE HUDSON RIVER AND BUILD A NEW ONE.

IN A LETTER, ORGANIZERS ON FRIDAY ASKED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR SOME $5.6 BILLION AND PROMISED LOCAL MATCHING FUNDS TO GET THE $12.3 BILLION REFERENCE BACK ON TRACK AFTER A DECADE OF FINANCIAL DIGGING.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR REAL WRITERS LIKE THIS ONE WHO TWEETED THAT I'VE BEEN STUCK ON THE TRANS AND TRAIN SITTING AT THE SAME PLACE FOR 45 MINUTES I'M GOING TO END IT ALL.

NOT MUCH FOR NOW.

>> YOU NEED TO HAVE A RELIABLE SYSTEM IN ORDER TO RETRACT WRITERS TO IT.

>> DO WE HAVE THAT NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE THAT RELIABILITY.

ALL YOU NEED IS ONE TRAINING TO GET STUCK IN A TUNNEL, OR HAVE AN ISSUE, IN A CASCADING EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE NETWORK.

>> IS LIKE THE STRONG THAT HAS A PENSION MISTRAL.

THE ABSOLUTE WORST THINGS.

AND SO, WHAT IT WILL MEAN A FULL TRACKS INTO AND OUT OF NEW YORK.

>> THAT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT GATEWAY STEVE SIGMAN SAYS PLANS CALL FOR CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW $10 BILLION TUNNEL TO START TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

IT'LL TAKE A DECADE TO BUILD, AND AFTER THAT, ANOTHER 18 TO 30 MONTHS AND 2.2 BILLION TO REFURBISH THE OLD TUNNELS, A SOURCE OF CONSTANT TROUBLE.

AS THIS NJ TRANSIT RIDER TWEETED PIECES OF METAL AND CONCRETE FALLING THROUGH CHANGE CEILINGS 31 TRAIN SHUTS DOWN 75% OF SERVICE.

CRITICIZED MURPHY ALL YOU WANT, BUT THIS PROJECT IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

HOWEVER, RIDERS WILL STILL TRAVEL THE OLD TRAIN TUNNEL WHILE THE NEW ONES ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

>> THIS WILL BE A LONG TIME THAT THERE WILL STILL BE DISRUPTIONS IN SERVICE AND RELIABILITY FOR NEW JERSEY.

BUT, WE DON'T HAVE A MAGIC WAND TO WAVE AND FIX THAT OLD TUNNEL.

>> THERE WILL NEVER BE A POINT AT WHICH SERVICE IS DISRUPTED BY THIS CONSTRUCTION.

THAT IS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE SERVICE IS ALREADY HARD ENOUGH AND TOUGH ENOUGH.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FLOW LOCK THE PROJECT FOR FOUR YEARS WHICH INCREASED COST, BUT GATEWAY PLANNER SHAPE SOME EXPENSES, AND AMTRAK SAVED 900 MILLION BY REQUIRED PROPERTY.

NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK AND THE PORT AUTHORITY WILL SPLIT HALF THE PROJECT TOTAL COST, BUT THE FAR EXTRA TRACKS JUST MEAN BETTER RELIABILITY.

THE ENTIRE GATEWAY PLAN REQUIRES ANOTHER 20 BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE BEFORE RAILROADS CAN SCHEDULE EXTRA TRAINS INTO PENN STATION SINCE RAILROAD EXPERT, JOE CLIFT.

>> THE FICTION OUT THERE IS THAT THE HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT IS GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING.

AND IT'S NOT.

NOT ONE SINGLE ADDITIONAL WRITER, NOT ONE SINGLE ADDITIONAL TRAIN INTO NEW YORK AS A RESULT OF THIS, ALL OF THE SPENDING.

>> WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY WITH THE NEW GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK TO HAVE THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNOR MURPHY AND GOVERNOR KNOW.

THAT'S GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HELPING THIS MOVE FORWARD.

>> FELICIA PARK ROGERS HOPES THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PENDING IN CONGRESS WILL HELP AMTRAK SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE SERVICE TO THE OLD TUNNEL OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, AND ULTIMATELY, HELP COMPLETE GATEWAY, SHE SAYS IT'LL BE WORTH THE VERY LONG WAIT.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS GOT MONEY BACK FROM THE STATE THIS SUMMER.

TAX REBATE CHECKS WERE SENT TO PARENTS ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF.

THE AVERAGE PAYMENT WAS $423.

I ASKED NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS'S BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER, ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS A ONE AND DONE PROGRAM, OR IF ADDITIONAL REBATES ARE POSSIBLE.

JOHN, GREAT TO SEE YOU, AND I'M REALLY EAGER TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH THESE TAX REBATES IN TERMS OF NEXT YEAR?

>> YEAH, SAME HERE, RHONDA.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE THE WAY THAT THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR IS, IT IS BASICALLY UP TO THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO FUND THIS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

AND SO, THERE IS LANGUAGE WRITTEN IN LAW THAT ESTABLISHES THE PROGRAM, BUT IT SAYS IT IS SUBJECT TO ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATOR, WHICH MEANS EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE TO FIND THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THESE REBATES FOR THE ESTIMATED THEY WOULD COST A LITTLE OVER $300 MILLION THIS YEAR, AND SO, WE ARE STILL A FEW MONTHS AWAY FROM WHEN THE NEW BUDGET WILL COME OUT, BUT THE THING TO LOOK FOR, IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY PARENTS WHO JUST RECEIVED THESE REBATES WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS IS WHETHER THIS PROGRAM GETS FUNDED AGAIN IN THE NEXT STATE BUDGET.

>> DO WE KNOW YET, JOHN, IF BOTH PARTIES ARE IN FAVOR OF REFUNDING THE PROGRAM?

>> I THINK LAWMAKERS AND EVERYBODY WILL BE IN FAVOR OF PROVIDING TAX REVIEW, AND SO, I THINK BROADLY, YOU WILL FIND SUPPORT FOR THIS.

THE QUESTION IS, THE LATEST STATE BUDGET WAS FOUND IN PART BY USING SURPLUS.

SO, THAT MEANS THEY USE MONEY THEY KIND OF HAD IN THE BANK ACCOUNT INSTEAD OF MONEY THAT THEY TAKEN EVERY YEAR TO FUND PROGRAMS LIKE THIS ONE.

AND SO, THE QUESTION WILL BE GOING FORWARD, CAN THEY PAY FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY'VE COMMITTED TO, LIKE EDUCATION AID, AND PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUNDING AND STILL HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP THIS REBATE PROGRAM GOING?

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE THAT AS THE FISCAL YEAR PLAYS OUT.

>> DO YOU SEE ANY PUSH POTENTIALLY TO CHANGE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IF THIS PROGRAM DOES GET TRACTION AND CONTINUES QUESTION >> YEAH, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THEY WERE BUILDING MIDDLE-CLASS REBATES, BUT YOU KNOW, THEY ARE FOR HOUSEHOLDS, PRETTY GENEROUS IN THE SENSE THAT THE HOUSEHOLD IS EARNING UP TO $150,000 WHEN YOU QUALIFY, WHICH IS WELL ABOVE THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD IN NEW JERSEY.

AND SO, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE INCOME QUALIFICATIONS AND ALSO, THESE WERE PROVIDED AS A PRINTED CHECK IN AN ELECTION YEAR, AND IT WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER FOR THE STATE TO DO THIS AS A DIRECT CREDIT ON YOUR TAX RETURN.

SO, THEY DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY TO MAIL AND SEND THIS CHECK.

BUT, IT SOUNDS VERY POPULAR POLITICIANS, SO WE HAVE TO SEE WHETHER THAT GETS CHANGED AS WELL.

>> JOHN, THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> HEARS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

>> NEW JERSEY'S OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNERS WERE ON IT OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE TRENTON NATIVE ONE TWO GOLD MEDALS AT THE TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, TRENTON MAYOR, AND STATE POLICE, PATRICK KELLY HAND JOINED CITY RESIDENTS TO CONGRATULATE MOE.

MEANWHILE, TWO TIME GOLD MEDALS, SYDNEY McGLOCKLIN RETURNED TO THIS WEEKEND AS THE TRACK AT COLUMBIA PARK WAS RENAMED IN HER ARDOR.

SEVERAL LOCAL OFFICIALS WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT THAT CEREMONY.

TO HONOR McGLOCKLIN'S ACCOMPLICE WAS INCLUDING THE WORLD RECORD SHE SET FOR THE 400 METER HURDLES IN TOKYO.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED.

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

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM AS PROVIDED BY THE GPB FOUNDATION.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE PETERSON FUND.