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>>> FROM N.J. PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THERE'S NOW NO QUESTION WHERE GOVERNOR MURPHY STANDS ON NEW JERSEY'S FEUD WITH NEW YORK OVER A PROPOSED CONGESTION PRICING PLAN, CALLING IT, QUOTE, AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS NOT COME.

WELL, THAT'S MURPHY'S SPEAK FOR FAT CHANCE, AND IT'S AN ABOUT- FACE FROM RUFFLE A MONTH AGO WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID HE LOVES THE CONCEPT OF THE PLAN THAT WILL TOLL DRIVERS ENTERING MANHATTAN BELOW SIKH STREET, JUST SO LONG AS NEW JERSEY MOTORISTS DIDN'T BEAR THE BRUNT OF THAT COST.

WELL, NOW HIS ADMINISTRATION IS FACING SCRUTINY FOR URGING DRIVERS TO OPPOSE THE PLAN.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> CONCEPTUALLY, WHEN YOU'RE THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED STATE IN AMERICA, ANYTHING THAT'S A POWERFUL, PROVEN MITT GANT DONE AT THE RIGHT TIME AND IN THE RIGHT WAY AND IN AN EQUITABLE WAY IS SOMETHING WE CLEARLY WOULD BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN OPEN MINDED TO YOU SUPPORTIVE V. >> Reporter: THE ENVIRONMENTALIST IN MURPHY KNOWS THE MANY PLUSES OF CONGESTION PRICING, BUT THE POLITICIAN IN HIM KNOWS IN THAT TOUGH TIMES YOU WANT TO BE PUTTING MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS RATHER THAN TAKING IT OUT.

SO, HE ADDS -- >> WE CAN'T DOUBLE TAX NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS.

>> Reporter: WHILE MURPHY INSISTS THERE'S COOPERATION WITH HIS COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE RISKS HE HAS DEPLOYED ONE OF THE TOOLS OF THE STATE, THE EASY PASS DATABASE MANAGED BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO SEND OUT THIS TEXT BLAST TO SUBSCRIBERS.

MTA'S CONGESTION PRICING PLAN, IT SAYS, WILL INCREASE COSTS AND CONGESTION FOR NEW JERSEY DRIVERS, WITH A LINK TO THE MTA'S COMMENT SECTION.

THE AGENCY HAS BEEN HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE PLAN SINCE LAST WEEK.

THE D.O.T.

'S TEXT WAS NOT SUBTLE OR AS NUANCED AS THE PLAN ITSELF, SAY SOME CRITICS.

THE GOVERNOR DEFENDED SAYING HE DIDN'T THINK IT INVADED ANYONE'S PRIVACY HAVE.

>> I CARE ABOUT PRIEF ZION BIG WAY.

I CARE ABOUT TRANCE PAREN ZION BIG WAY.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUTERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION, AND THAT'S WHY WE DID IT.

>> WE'VE GOT TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE.

THEY WENT OUT THERE AND USED THE EASY PASS WITH THIS SOVIET ERA PROPAGANDA.

WE PUT UP SOMETHING TO RESPOND TO BRING THE REAL FACT.

$23 DAY, $5,000 A YEAR NEW CONGESTION TAX IS BEING PROPOSED, AND AS YOU HAVE ZION THESE HEARINGS NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, PEOPLE ARE OVERWHELMINGLY OBJECTING TO IT.

>> Reporter: THE MTA EMAIL SAYS, DEAR DRIVER, THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TOLLING PROGRAM WOULD REDUCE TRAFFIC AND HELP IMPROVE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM BY TOLLING VEHICLES THAT INTERIOR REMAIN IN MANHATTAN'S CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

YOU CAN DECIDE FOR YOURSELF HOW SOVIET THAT SOUNDS.

THE PLAN IS THE LAW IN NEW YORK, AND THE BIG PUSH APPEARS TO BE ON.

DAILY NEWS COLUMNIST SAM SCHWARTZ HAS BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON THE HEARINGS, AS HE HAS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER FOR 50 YEARS.

ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE EARLIEST CONGESTION PRICING PLANS, HE'S BEEN CLOSE BEFORE.

>> LEGISLATION IS ON OUR SIDE, BUT I WON'T BE BREAKING OUT THE CHAMPAGNE.

IT'S A 50-YEAR-OLD BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE NOW.

UNTIL THE FIRST CAR IS CHARGED FOR THE CONGESTION FEE.

>> Reporter: THE FINAL ONE OF THESE VIRTUAL MEETINGS IS TOMORROW AT 10:00 A.M.

THE MTA SAYS IT WILL CONSIDER ALL THE TESTIMONY AND TRY TO COME BACK WITH A FINAL PLAN, WHICH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY RESULT IN ANOTHER SET OF HEARINGS.

UNTIL THEN, THE STATE IS USING ALL THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX, INCLUDING YOUR CELL NUMBER, TO LET YOU KNOW WHERE IT STANDS.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND IN ANOTHER BATTLE BEING WAGED FROM THIS SIDE OF THE HUDSON, NEW JERSEY JUST GOT MORE BACKING IN ITS EFFORT TO DISSOLVE THE BISTATE WATERFRONT COMMISSION.

THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED A BRIEF IN U.S. SUPREME COURT AGREEING THAT NEW JERSEY HAS THE RIGHT TO, QUOTE, UNILATERALLY WITHDRAW.

THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN THE 1950s TO COMBAT CORRUPTION AND ORGANIZED CRIME AT THE PORT.

BUT JERSEY OFFICIALS HAVE ARGUED IT HAS OUTLIVED ITS PURPOSE, LEADING TO OVERREGULATION THAT'S NOW HOLDING BACK PROGRESS AT THE PORTS.

WHILE NEW YORK DISAGREES, CLAIMING CRIMINAL OPERATIONS ARE STILL HAPPENING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER AND SUED NEW JERSEY IN MARCH WHEN MURPHY ANNOUNCED THE STATE WAS CALL IT QUITS.

THE D.O.J.

'S BRIEF SIDES WITH NEW JERSEY SAYING THE COMPACT BETWEEN THE TWO STATES DIDN'T EXPLICITLY SAY EITHER ONE COULDN'T EXIT, BUT THE STATE OF THE COMMISSION SUBPOENA TO THE SUPREME COURT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO HEAR THE CASE IN ITS UPCOMING TERM.

WE CONTINUE OUR REPORTING ON SCHOOL SECURITY AS MORE OF NEW JERSEY STUDENTS BEGIN CLASSES THIS WEEK.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TODAY ANNOUNCED $6.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE.

IT WILL DIGITIZE SCHOOL BUILDING BLUEPRINTS TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS DURING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

IN PARTICULAR, AN ACTIVE SHOOTER, SUCH AS THE MASS SHOOTING AT THE UVALDE, TEXAS, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THREE MONTHS AGO.

COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE GRAPHICS, OR CRG, WERE FIRST DEVELOPED BY THE U.S. MILITARY.

NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN USING THE SOFTWARE SINCE 2019 AND ALREADY CREATED DIGITAL MAPS FOR ABOUT 3100 SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE STATE.

THESE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS WILL FINISH THE REST, ABOUT 1500 MORE BUILDINGS, TO BE READY FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

THE ELECTRONIC BLUEPRINTS WILL INCLUDE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LAYOUTS, ALONG WITH KEY ACCESS POINTS.

THE STATE LOCALS MANDATE ANNUAL WALK-THROUGHS OF BUILDINGS TO ENSURE THOSE MAPS STAY UP TO DATE AND REQUIRE CLEAR LABELS AT SCHOOLS FOR EXTERNAL DOORS, HALLWAYS, ROOMS, AND OTHER SPAINSZ EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL BUILDING.

>>> EVEN AS THE PANDEMIC SITUATION EADESS, WORKERS, ESPECIALLY MOMS, ARE FACING ANOTHER HURDLE IN RETURNING TO THE OFFICE.

FINDING CHILDCARE.

A NEW REPORT SHOWS SHORTAGES ARE WORSENING AND BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD.

IT'S DUE TO ONGOING STRUGGLES WITH FINDING AND RETAINING.

>> AND ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, EVEN IF FAMILIES CAN FIND A SPOT FOR THEIR CHILD, THE COST SUN AFFORD AFTERNOON.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY ON WHAT SOME ADVOCATES ARE CALLING A BROKEN SYSTEM.

>> WHEN I HAD A CHILD, I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD BE UP AGAINST A WALL OF DECIDING BETWEEN MY FAMILY OR MY CAREER.

>> Reporter: ELIZABETH SAYS SHE HE WAS ALMOST FORCED TO MAKE THAT CHOICE WHEN HER NOW 19- MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER WAS BORN.

FAZIO, WOULD IS ALSO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR HERE AS AT THE LEARNING PATH NURSERY SCHOOL, SAYS GIVING UP 40% OF HER SALARY TO PAY FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE JUST WASN'T AFFORDABLE.

>> LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL TOGETHER FAMILY TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE COST.

I HAVE A VERY FLEXIBLE JOB IN CHILDCARE, SO THEY ARE VERY UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE SITUATION, AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ADJUST MY SCHEDULE TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR ME TO MAINTAIN MY JOB AND FIND CARE FOR MY CHILD.

>> Reporter: BUT WITH ANOTHER BABY ON THE WAY, FAZIO WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

AND SHE'S NOT ALONE.

>> SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE GOING TO WORKS THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S BOTH AFFORDABLE AND SAFE CHILDCARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: CYNTHIA RICE IS A SENIOR POLICY ANALYST.

SHE CO-AUTHORED THE REPORT RECENTLY RELEASED.

THEIR RESEARCH LOOKED AT ALMOST HALF OF ALL THE CENTERS IN THE STATE AND FOUND PROGRAMS ARE OFFERING TEN LESS SEATS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLER, EVEN IF THEY HAVE SPACE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE STAFFING.

>> THINK ABOUT THAT FROM A COUNTY LEVEL OR A COMMUNITY LEVEL.

HOW MANY FEWER OPTIONS THAT THAT ALLOWS FOR FAMILIES WHOSE PARENTS NEED TO GO BACK TO WORK.

AND SO IT'S A STRUGGLE, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTHERS, FOR THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT IS PRIMARILY RUN BY WOMEN, PRIMARILY WOMEN OF COLOR, AND THEY CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND STAFF FOR WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY.

>> THERE ARE NO QUALIFIED CANDIDATES OUT THERE.

WE'RE FACING THE INCREASED PRESCHOOL EXPANSION, WHICH IS TAKING A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE IN OUR FACILITIES.

THEY ARE GETTING THEIR TRAINING.

I'VE HAD A LOT OF STAFF THAT HAVE COMPLETED THEIR EDUCATION DEGREES AND MOVED ON TO SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE OF BETTER PAY, BETTER HE BENEFIT PACKAGES, SHORTER HOURS.

>> Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS NOW TAKING STEPS TO HELP.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TERESA RUIZ IS SPONSORING A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD MAKE CHILD CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE.

LAST MONTH GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED ONE OF THE BILLS INTO LAW THAT WOULD CREATE ADDS 28 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP CENTERS MAKE MORE SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS.

STILL, CHILD ADVOCATES SAY THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> I HEAR COUNTLESS, COUNTLESS STORIES FROM MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE STATE OF CLASSROOMS THAT ARE CLOSED, HAVING TO CLOSE ABRUPTLY BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOMS TO OPERATE, NOT BEING ABLE TO EXTEND THEIR HOURS BACK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TEACHERS CAN ONLY WORK FOR SO LONG EACH DAY.

AND IT REALLY JUST CONTINUES TO GET WORSE RATHER THAN GET BETTER.

WE'RE GETTING BACK FROM COVID IN OTHER WAYS, WHICH IS EXCITING AND GREAT, BUT WE'RE STILL LIVING IN THIS DROUGHT OF TEACHERS.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE LONG TERM.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE ALSO HOPING THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAP INTO LEFTOVER COVID RELIEF TO INCREASE INCENTIVES AND ATTRACT MORE STAFFING AT CENTERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY CHILDREN WILL SOON LOSE ACCESS TO FREE MEALS WHEN COVID-19 RELATED FUNDING FOR THE TEMPORARY PROGRAM EXPIRES ON SEPTEMBER 30th.

ANTI-HUNGER ADVOCATES SAY FOR MANY KIDS, FREE HE SCHOOL LUNCH OR BREAKFAST IS THEIR ONLY NUTRITIOUS MEAL OF THE DAY.

WITH MORE AND MORE RESEARCH POINTING TO NEGATIVE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

NOW THEY'RE RAMPING UP CALLS FOR FEDERAL LEADERS TO PERMANENTLY FUND UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ERIN COULD MALL LO IS IS THE DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW JERSEY HEALTHY KIDS INITIATIVE.

SHE JOINS US FOR OUR SERIES CHASING THE DREAM.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST CONCERNED ABOUT WHEN THE UNIVERSAL FREE MEAL PROGRAM ENDS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS HERE?

>> WELL, WHEN THAT UNIVERSAL LUNCH ENDS, NOT ONLY WILL ELIGIBLE FAMILIES LOSE A LOT OF THE BENEFITS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DURING THIS PANDEMIC TIME, BUT MORE FAMILIES THAT HAVE BECOME ELIGIBLE DURING THIS TIME WILL ALSO LOSE THOSE BENEFITS.

WE HAVE SEEN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNTS OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE COVID.

SO MANY PEOPLE WHO NEEDED THESE BENEFITS BEFORE AND NOW THE ADDED AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE WILL BE HEAVILY AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE.

>> I WONDER, ERIN, HOW INFLATION IS PLAYING INTO THIS.

WE KNOW THAT 2 COST AT THE GROCERY STORE SUBPOENA THAT FOLKS WHO MAYBE TYPICALLY WERE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET AREN'T NOW WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO PLAY OUT, FROM WHAT YOU ALL ARE SEEING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THERE IS A STATISTIC THAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT TWO PAYCHECKS AWAY FROM THE POVERTY LINE AND NEEDING THESE SERVICES.

SO ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, WHERE THE JOB MARKET IS VERY YOU THE MULL YOU THE OUTSIDE, IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO SEE OURSELVES IN A SITUATION WHERE WE WOULD NEED THESE BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE RISING COST OF FOOD.

UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT BURDEN FOR THESE FAMILIES WHO MIGHT HAVE MULTIPLE CHILDREN TO CARE FOR, AS WELL AS A THEMSELVES TO FEED.

>> WHERE ARE THEY TURNING WHEN THEY'RE NOT GETTING THESE MEALS?

I MEAN, IS IT THE LOCAL FOOD PANTRY?

IS IT A CHURCH?

WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO FILL THE GAP?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

MANY FAMILIES DO SEEK OUT THE SNAP BENEFITS OR WIC BENEFITS.

HOWEVER, THAT PROCESS AND THE SYSTEM IS NOT REALLY EASY TO NAVIGATE.

SO WE REALLY ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO USE THEIR LOCAL FOOD BANKS, THE CHURCH SYSTEM, AND MANY OF THE SERVICES THAT THEY OFFER.

HOWEVER, THERE IS A STIGMA THAT GOES WITH REACHING OUT FOR HELP, WHETHER IT IS TO A LOCAL PANTRY OR NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM TO GET SNAP BENEFITS.

SO THOSE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT GO ALONG, EVEN IF THOSE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

>> WE DID A LOT OF REPORTING ON THE WAY THAT PARENTS SIGNED UP, THE PAPERWORK, AND SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT WERE THERE.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW IF THE PROGRAM DOES END?

>> WELL, THAT PAPERWORK IS A HUGE BARRIER, LIKE YOU SAID.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THESE SYSTEMS.

A LOT OF COMMUNITY FOOD BANKS TRY TO OFFER SERVICES THAT SUPPORT FAMILIES IN TRYING TO COMPLETE THIS PAPERWORK.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A LARGE BARRIER, AND IF THE UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WOULD END, IT WOULD MAKE IT A LOT HARDER FOR THESE FAMILIES TO ACCESS MEALS.

>> I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IS THAT PAPERWORK, FROM WHAT YOUR RESEARCH HAS FOUND, ONEROUS FOR THE PARENTS?

IS THAT WHAT'S PREVENTING THEM FROM SIGNING UP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EVEN IT'S NOT PREVENTING THEM, THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN KNOW THE PROCESS OR HOW TO INITIATE THE PROCESS TO BEGIN WITH.

AND STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS ONE OF THE TOP BARRIERS TO PEOPLE ENROLLING IN THE BENEFITS.

IN FACT, WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 70% OF ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS ACTUALLY ENROLLED IN SNAP BENEFITS CURRENTLY.

>> ERIN, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR INSIGHTS TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PROVIDED BY THE JPB FOUNDATION WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE PETER G PETERSON AND JOAN COONEY FUND.

>>> MAIN WATER BREAKS HAVE BEEN WREAKING HAS VOX IN ESSEX AND HUDSON COUNTIES LIMITING WATER FOR 10,000 RESIDENTS DURING SOME OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE YEAR.

IT'S A PROBLEM THAT'S BEEN MORE THAN A CENTURY IN THE MAKING.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: DRIVING AROUND JERSEY CITY AND BAY YEN JUST GOT A LOT MORE COMPLICATED.

SEAR PIPES THAT PARTIALLY COLLAPSED ARE CAUSING ROAD CLOSURES AROUND ROUTE 4 40.

>> WE'LL SEE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 600 OR 700 TRUCKS UTILIZING THIS ROADWAY.

TAKING THE ROADWAY OUT OF PLAY IS MAJOR, MAJOR ISSUE.

>> Reporter: GREG WORKS FOR JERSEY CITY'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

HE SAYS THE BRICK SEAR WAS WOE 0FULLY OUT OF DAY.

>> FORTUNATELY THE INFRASTRUCTURE, MOST OF THE OLD CITIES, THAT'S THE CASE.

THEY'LL DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO, PERIODIC INSPECTIONS TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE AND SECURE.

IT'S LASTED 100 YEARS BEING IN THE GROUND.

I DON'T THINK SOME OF THE NEW STUFF WILL LAST THAT LONG.

BUT IT WAS THE STATE-OF-THE-ART BACK THEN.

>> Reporter: JERSEY CITY ISN'T ALONE IN ITS STRUGGLE WITH OLD WATER INFRO STRUCTURE.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY NEW JERSEY NEEDS $30 BILLION TO UPGRADE ITS WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS.

IN NEWARK, SOME PIPES PREDATE THE CIVIL WAR.

>> IT GOES BACK BEFORE ABE LINCOLN WAS PRESIDENT.

SOME OF THE OLDEST PIPES THAT I HAVE WITNESSED IN THE CITY GO BACK TO ABOUT 1860.

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE THINGS, IT'S EASY TO NOT KEEP UP WITH IT UNTIL SUDDENLY THERE'S A CRISIS.

>> Reporter: DIANE IS THE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR NEW JERSEY FUTURE.

SHE SAYS THE STATE'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS LONG OVERDUE FOR SOME SERIOUS UPGRADES.

>> IT'S LARGELY UNDERGROUND AND UNSEEN.

SO IT'S THERE.

IT'S DOING ITS JOB UNTIL SUDDENLY IT'S NOT, WHEN WE HAVE THESE COLLAPSED WATER OR SEAR PIPES, AND WE REALIZE, OH, THIS INFRASTRUCTURE IS AGING.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER OBSTACLE TO REPLACING INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE PRICE TAG.

REPLACING LEAD SERVICE LINES CAN COST $6,000 ORDERS 7,000 EACH.

AND SOME COMMUNITIES MIGHT NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE OLD CAST-IRON SEAR PIPES WITH MODERN METAL.

LEADERS HOPE LAST YEAR'S INFRASTRUCTURE BILL CAN HELP.

THE STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE BANK AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ARE USING THAT MONEY TO OFFER LOW AND NO-INTEREST LOANS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

>> WHAT THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT, WHEN THEY DO A NEW PROJECT, THEY REDUCE THE PROBABILITY THAT THEIR SYSTEM IS GOING TO HAVE MORE BREAKS.

TYPICALLY YOU END UP WITH MORE EFFICIENT.

SO FROM AN ENERGY PER SPEC I, FROM A NEW PROCESS PERSPECTIVE, YOUR OPERATING COSTS DECREASE DRAMATICALLY.

>> WE SEE MORE FUNDING BECAUSE OF THE BIDEN AND HARRIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT CAME INTO PLAY.

THAT BILL ALLOWED US TO SPEED SOME PROJECT UP, THAT WE CAN PROBABLY DO IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF NEWARK DEALT WITH TWO WATER MAIN BREAKS FORCING ROAD CLOSURES FOR REPAIRS.

COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY HOPE TO UPGRADE THEIR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AS THEY FACE MORE CHALLENGES FROM INTENSE STORMS BROUGHT ON BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WE'RE HITTING THESE DROUGHTS AND EXCESSIVE RAIN CYCLES, AND THE RAIN IS GOING TO BE FLASHIER AND PROBABLY CAUSE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLOODING.

WE'RE SEEING THAT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE ON THAT WATER.

>> WE'VE NEVER HAD THIS AMOUNT OF TROUBLE.

FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE, YOU WOULD SEE AN OCCASIONAL TRUCK GO THROUGH, BUT NOTHING LIKE WE'RE SEEING TODAY.

>> Reporter: REPAIRS A SHOULD WRAP UP AROUND MID-SEPTEMBER, WEATHER PERMITTING.

IN JERSEY CITY, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX IS HEADING FOR A DECREASE.

IT WILL DROP BY A PENNY A GALLON TO 41.4 CENTS ARE STARTING OCTOBER 1st.

THAT'S DUE IN PART TO DRIVERS BUYING MORE GAS THAN TREASURY OFFICIALS PROJECT.

THE DROP MARKS THE SECOND CON SICK TOUGH YEAR THE TAX IS BEING REDUCED AS DEMAND FOR FUELS REBOUNDS FROM THE SLUMP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S A MODEST CUT, BUT DOES IT KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING FOR DRIVERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY SEEN RELIEF AT THE PURPOSE.

AVERAGE GAS PRICES DROPPED BY MORE THAN A DOLLAR SINCE NEW JERSEY HIT A RECORD HIGH IN JUNE.

BY LAW, THE GAS TAX RATE IS ADJUSTED EVERY YEAR TO GUARANTY THE STATE GENERATES ROUGHLY $2 BILLION A YEAR TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.

>>> ORDER 'EM WHILE YOU CAN.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED IT WILL END THE PROGRAM FOR FREE AT-HOME COVID- 19 TESTS DUE TO A LACK OF CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING.

ORDERING WILL BE SUSPENDED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND THERE.

A SENIOR WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL REVEALED THAT THE CURRENT SUPPLY OF COVID TESTS IS BEING DEPLETED AND REMAINING TESTS WILL BE STOCKPILED FOR A POSSIBLE SURGE OF INFECTIONS THIS FALL.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHED THE IN ADDITION IN THE JANUARY DURING THAT WAVE IN OMICRON VARIANT CASES AND LIMITED ACCESS TO IN-PERSON TESTING.

RESIDENTS COULD ORDER THE KITS ONLINE FREE OF CHARGE AND HAVE THEM SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOUSE THROUGH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAID IN A BRIEFING MONDAY IT GAVE OUT OVER 600 MILLION TESTS THROUGH THE PROGRAM, BUT OFFICIALS WARNED FOR MONTHS IT WOULD BE FORCED TO RETRACT THE PROGRAM IF CONGRESS DIDN'T APPROVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

>>> TURNING TO WALL STREET HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR STUDENTS FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD IT ALL AND NEARLY LOST IT.

A FORMER NFL PLAYER TODAY SPOKE TO STUDENTS AT HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT THE DANGERS OF OPIOID AND DRUG ABUSE AND HOW HE TACKLED ADDICTION.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> I WAS TAKING 1400 TO 1600 PILLS A MONTH.

DO THE MATH.

WHO CAN DO IT?

470 A DAY.

>> Reporter: FORMER NFL QUARTERBACK RAY LUCAS SHARED HIS STORY AT HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT RISING TO THE TOP AND LOSING IT ALL TO OPIOID ABUSE.

>> WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH ME?

I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON.

HOW COULD YOU HAVE SURGERY, AND YOU START FEELING GOOD, AND YOU ARE ON THE FLOOR.

I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE.

>> Reporter: THE HARRISON NATIVE BEGAN A HIS FOOTBALL CAREER HERE AND NOW SERVES AS HEAD COACH OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AFTER SUSTAINING MULTIPLE INJURIES AND UNDERGOING A DOZEN SURGERIES HE BECAME DEPENDENT ON OPIOIDS.

IN AN EFFORT TO HELP OTHERS THAT HAVE STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION AND TO PREVENT YOUTH ATHLETES FROM GOING DOWN THE SAME PATH, LUCAS HAS JOINED FORCES WITH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE NEW JERSEY AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE N.J. SIAA TO HOLD CLINICS.

>> WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU SAY YOU GET INJURED THE MOST?

>> DEFINITELY FOOTBALL.

THREE CONCUSSIONS SO FAR OUT OF FOUR YEARS, THREE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE SCARY WHEN YOU GET INJURED, KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE TO SOMEWHAT HELP EASE THE PAIN, WHICH MEANS TAKING CERTAIN MEDICATIONS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ADDICTION.

>> AND ACCORDING TO THE DEA, SOME TURNED TO THE BLACK MARK WHEN PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS RUN OUT.

A PROBLEM MADE WORSE BECAUSE DRUGS CAN BE LACED WITH DEADLY AMOUNTS OF THE SYNTHETIC OPIOID FENTANYL.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE SEE THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR IN PARTICULAR, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, THERE HAVE BEEN RECORD NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE, MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

AND WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED THAT THESE NUMBERS START MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT A WE START SEEING THE NUMBERS DECLINE AND THE NUMBER OF LIVES SAVED.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS NOT TO START.

AND IF THERE'S A WAY TO BE ABLE TO BECOME OPIATE NAIVE, NOT TO BE USING OPIATES AS A FIRST LINE OF OFFENSE IN ACUTE PAIN, SPORTS INJURIES THAT IS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF TODAY IN SHARING THAT MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: JONATHAN PEAR SON IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HORIZON FOUNDATION FOR NEW JERSEY.

PEAR SON SAYS THE GOAL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES.

>> WE'VE HAD THESE SERIES OF TOWN HALLS.

THEY'RE REALLY EDUCATIONAL.

THEY TALK ABOUT STIGMA.

THEY TALK ABOUT THE PITFALLS OF USING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR PAIN RELIEF.

SO FOR US IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO SPREAD THAT MESSAGE, CREATE AWARENESS, AND OUR FOCUS IS ON THE STUDENT-ATHLETE POPULATION AND THE BROADER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BODY.

>> Reporter: BUT THERE'S A SMALL NUMBER THAT IS CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTANDING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND THE DANGERS OF OPIOID MISUSE.

FIVE.

THAT'S BECAUSE OPIOID DEPENDENCE CAN HAPPEN JUST AFTER FIVE DAYS.

>> THAT WAS SCARY.

THAT WAS KIND OF AN EYEOPENER FOR ME, BECAUSE THAT JUST MAKES YOU REALIZE THAT COULD IT BE SO MUCH EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO FALL INTO A HOLE.

>> Reporter: AND FOR STUDENT- ATHLETES THAT MAY FIND THEMSELVES INJURED BEFORE A BIG GAME, LUCAS REMINDS ATHLETES THAT -- >> SO FOR MET'S MORE OR LESS, YOU NEED TO KNOW WHY THE DOCTOR IS PRESCRIBING THEM.

DON'T JUST TAKE IT ON FAITH AND WALK HOME, BUCK YOU NEVER KNOW, IN THREE MONTHS, COULD YOU BE ON THE STREET.

SO THERE IS ALTERNATIVES.

YOUR PARENTS HAVE TO ASK TO GET INVOLVED.

KIDS HAVE TO ASK TO GET INVOLVED.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THESE KIDS ARE DOING WHAT I AM.

LIKE COLLEGE SCOUTS ARE COMING.

IT'S A BODY OF WORK.

IT'S NOT ONE GAME, OR THOSE SCOUTS WOULDN'T BE DOING THEIR JOB.

STOP THINKING, HE'S COOING THIS WEEKEND.

HE'LL COME BACK NEXT WEEKEND.

>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP US WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN N.J. EA MEMBER.