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SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> INFLATION, ABORTION, CRIME IT'S ALL ON THE TABLE AS CANDIDATES SPAR IN DEBATES DURING THESE FINAL DAYS LEADING UP TO THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

IN OUR NEIGHBORING PENNSYLVANIA, A KEY SENATE RACE COULD DECIDE TH BALANCE OF POWER IN THAT CHAMBER.

A DEBATE TUESDAY NIGHT BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOHN FETTERMAN AND A CELEBRITY TV DOCTOR DR. OZ WAS ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED THIS MIDTERM SEASON.

THE VIEWER SAW IN REAL TIME HOW FETTERMAN WORKED THROUGH THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF A STROKE HE HAD IN MAY WHILE VOWING TO FIGHT FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN KNOCKE DOWN.

MR. OZ, WHO IS THE FORMER DONALD TRUMP'S SUPPORT , USED I TO TIE INTO WHAT HE CALLED RADICAL LEFT-WING POLICIES.

MEANWHILE, IN NEW JERSEY, A SIMILAR SCENARIO IS PLAYING OUT ALBEIT ON A SMALLER'S GAUGE CANNOT WEAR MIKEY CHERYL WENT FACE-TO-FACE WITH ONE OF HER REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS IN ONE O THE FEW IN PERSON DEBATES IN TH STATE THIS ELECTION YEAR.

SENIO CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE NEED TO BRING IT BACK ON TRACK.

>> Reporter: CHALLENGERS HAMMERED ISSUES LIKE SOARING INFLATION AND A TOUGH ECONOMY I THE 11th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEBATE AS THEY PUSH TO UNSEAT INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT MIKEY CHERYL PAUL THE GROUP CLAIMS THE COUNTRY IS OFF TRACK, NEEDS TO REDUCE SPENDING AND RELAX REGULATIONS.

>> FOOD PRICES, GAS PRICES.

HOW DOES A FAMILY MAKE ENDS MEET WITH THE TOUGH COUPLE OF YEARS THAT WE HAVE HAD?

>> DEGROOT, A FORMER PROSECUTOR IS RUNNING IN A RECENTLY REDRAW DISTRICT TO GIVE DEMOCRATS A BETTER ADVANTAGE.

HE HAS TAKEN GREAT PAINS TO CREATE DISTANCE BETWEEN HIMSELF AND REPUBLICANS ESPECIALLY ON ABORTION, WHICH H CALLED A STATES RIGHTS ISSUE.

>> I'M AN INDEPENDENT.

PRO-CHOICE INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN.

I BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

I HAV ALWAYS BELIEVED IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

I WILL CONTINU TO BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT T CHOOSE.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT THA IS NOT GOING TO BE BEHOLDEN TO ANYBODY.

NOT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND I AM CERTAINLY GOING TO WORK WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHEN I CAN.

>> 22 MILLION WOMEN AND COUNTIN HAVE NO ACCESS TO ABORTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

AND THAT'S OKAY WITH MR. DEGROOT BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THIS IS A STATES RIGHT ISSUE.

I BELIEVE IT IS A WOMEN' RIGHTS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: SHE ACKNOWLEDGED I HAS BEEN A ROUGH COUPLE OF YEARS.

IT IS HURTING BUDGETS .

INFLATION IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM.

SHE POINTED TO HER RECORD ON BOOSTING U.S. INDUSTRY.

>> WHEN WE CAME TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO PASS THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL SO WE COULD GET SHOVELS IN THE GROUND ON TH GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT.

TO PASS THE CHIPS ACT SO WE CAN RE-SUR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING.

WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN THE GREATEST RATE OF JOB INCREASE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR SINCE THE '90s.

>> SPONSORED BY THE WOMEN LEGA VOTERS, IT ALSO INCLUDED LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE , A FORME COP AND OBVIOUS TRUMP SUPPORTER , WHO NONETHELESS REFRAINED FRO SAYING THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S NAME WHEN DISCUSSING ECONOMIC ISSUES LIKE GAS PRICES.

>> HE NEVER TOLD US THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RUNS ON FOSSIL FUEL.

WE HAD A BAD ORANGE MAN SENDING HIS MEAN TWEETS.

PEOPLE'S FEELINGS WERE BEING HEARD.

I HAD ABOUT $500 MORE PE MONTH IN MY POCKET AT THE END O THE MONTH.

>> Reporter: HE IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SKEW THE DISTRICT MUCH WHERE IT LEANS DEMOCRAT AND TH INCUMBENTS CHANCES SIGNIFICANTL OUTWEIGHS HER CHALLENGERS.

AS FOR DEGROOT WITH HIS CENTRIST APPROACH .

>>'S STRATEGY OF REACHING OUT T INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND MAYBE EVEN DEMOCRATS IS A GOOD ONE.

THERE IS NO WAY TO WIN THE NEWL DRAWN 11th DISTRICT AS A REPUBLICAN WITH JUST REPUBLICANS.

TWO REPUBLICAN VIEWS, IF NOT TO REPUBLICANS.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL RASMUSSEN SAYS THIS DEBATE MAY NOT HAVE MOVED THE NEEDLE MUCH.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WON EVERY BUDDY OVER.

YOU GOT TO SE AN ADVANTAGE IN THESE DEBATES.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAD A RELATIVE ADVANTAGE OVER ONE ANOTHER.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE DID ANY HARM OR ANY PARTICULAR GOOD.

>> INFLATION HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER.

GAS PRICES ARE GOING UP AGAIN.

THESE ARE NOT GREAT INDICATORS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY , IT WILL DEPEND ON VOTER TURNOUT >> VOTER TURNOUT FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS IS USUALLY SPARSE .

EARLY VOTING IN OTHER STATES THIS YEAR IS BREAKING RECORDS.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.

JUST GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CLICK O THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TABLET TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE RACES WE ARE WATCHING, CANDIDATE PROFILE AND MORE DETAILS ON YOUR DISTRICT ALONG WITH WHERE AND HOW TO VOTE.

>>> ONE OF THE STATES BIGGEST LABOR UNIONS IS SUING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION , ALLEGIN THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT FORWARD WIDER WAGE GAPS FOR WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

ACCUSING HIM OF RACIAL AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION.

THE SUIT BY TH AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE AN MUNICIPAL COUNTY EMPLOYEES COMES FROM LAST MARCH WHEN LAWMAKERS PASSED LEGISLATION ENABLING SALARY INCREASES FOR STATE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

A PREDOMINATELY WHITE MALE WORKFORCE WHO WERE LAUDED FOR WORKING THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC IN HARSH CONDITIONS .

AND ACCUS THE ADMINISTRATION OF FAILING T CARRY OUT SIMILAR RAISES FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNION.

THEY SAI AS MEMBERS WORK IN SOME OF THE SAME STATE FACILITIES, UNDER TH SAME CONDITIONS, BUT WITH A WORKFORCE MADE UP OF MANY WOME OF COLOR.

THE PAY RAISES FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS INCLUDED A 20% BOOST FOR STARTING SALARIES AND AN 8% ADDITIONAL RATES FOR EXISTING OFFICERS.

UNIONS, THOUGH, TYPICALLY ENGAGE IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR THEIR SALARIES.

LABOR LEADERS TODAY SAID THAT THOSE OFFICERS DESERVED THEIR PAY INCREASE, BU THAT THEIR MEMBERS DESERVED A RAISE, TOO.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S OFFICE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

>> OUR MEMBERS ARE FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONTLINE SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

THEY WERE 24/7 MAC AT THE FACILITIES.

THEY DO NOT HAV THE OPTION OF WORKING REMOTELY.

WE HOPE THAT WE CAN GET A DIALOGUE GOING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND BRING JUSTICE TO OUR BARGAINING UNIT AND GET EQUAL PAY FOR OUR MEMBERS.

>> HAS NEW JERSEY CONTINUES ITS ECONOMIC RECOVERY FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE CHILDCAR SECTOR REMAINS A HURDLE AND GETTING PARENTS BACK TO WORK.

DOZENS OF FORMER CENTERS REMAINED PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

THOSE THAT ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE ARE IN NEED OF MAJOR UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS.

RAVEN SANTAN REPORTS ON THE FIRST PHASE OF A NEW STATE INVESTMENT PROGRAM BEING ROLLED OUT TO GIVE THOSE FACILITIES A BOOST.

>> IT IS A BUSINESS WHERE WEAR AND TEAR IS REALLY INTENSE.

YOU HAVE ALL THESE LITTLE FEET STOMPING, LITTLE HANDS TOUCHING EVERYTHING.

WE OPERATE 12 MONTH OUT OF THE YEAR.

SIMPLE THINGS, SIMPLE FIXINGS, FLOORS, PAINTIN THE WALLS.

>> PHYLLIS SEEMED SHORT AND SIMPLE.

THIS DAYCARE OWNER SAYS IMPROVEMENTS TO HER FACILITY HERE ARE ANYTHING BUT CHEAP.

>> WE HAVE STEM CURRICULUM.

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE.

IT REQUIRES A LOT OF SUPPLIES SO WE CAN EFFECTIVELY INTRODUCE ALL THE SUBJECTS TO THEM.

HAVING THE MONEY AHEAD OF TIME AND TAKING CARE OF THESE THINGS AHEAD OF TIME, NOT WAITING FOR EMERGENCIES TO HAPPEN SERVES EVERYBODY.

CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND US.

>> IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS AND BY THOSE SUPPLIES, SHE SAID SHE WOULD NEED $100,000 TO DO SO.

LIKE SO MANY OTHER CHILDCARE CENTERS IN THE STATE , IT IS A COSTLY PRIC TAG THAT SHE JUST CANNOT AFFORD THAT IS WHY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY JOINED LAWMAKERS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HELP IS ON THE WAY.

>> BUILDING ON OUR ADMINISTRATION'S COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO SUPPORT THE STATE'S VITAL CHILDCARE SECTOR , PHASE ONE OF THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE NEARLY $15 MILLION IN GRANTS , RANGING FROM $50,000-$200,000 EACH .

TO LICENSED CHILDCARE CENTERS HERE IN NEW JERSEY TO COVER THE COST OF FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THE GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH WIL BE SHARED AMONG 55 CHILDCARE CENTERS IN THE STATE, WILL INCLUDE SUPPORTING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE INFANT AN TODDLER CARE IN TANDEM WITH EXPANSION OF UNIVERSAL PRE-K TO SERVE MORE >>-YEAR-OLDS IN THE STATE.

THE IDEA BEING THAT MORE SPACES COULD BE FREED UP FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS SINCE THERE ARE FEWER SPACES FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS.

>> HAS BEEN QUALIFIED FOR UNDERSERVED AREAS.

>> MORE THAN 100 CHILDCARE FACILITIES AROUND NEW JERSEY CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC, LEAVING THEM SHORT OF 5000 SPOTS.

A SHORTAGE PARENTS SCRAMBLING TO FIND ADEQUATE CARE.

IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AS MORE PEOPLE TRAINED TRANSITION BACK TO IN PERSON WORK.

>> SUDDENLY PEOPLE REALIZED IT WAS NOT BABYSITTING.

IT WAS ACTUALLY A VARIABLE IN THE SUCCESS OF WHO WE ARE IN THIS COUNTRY.

NO HUMAN BEING SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER THEY RETURN TO WORK OR FIND A SAFE SPACE TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILD.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS PROVIDING FUNDING TO SUPPORT CHILDCARE CENTERS TO BE ABLE T MAKE DESPERATELY NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR FACILITIE SO THAT THEY CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR THE CHILDRE THAT THEY SERVE.

SO THAT THEY CAN USE OTHER RESOURCES THEY HAVE TO SPEND ON OTHER THINGS THEY NEED TO INVEST IN LIKE TEACHER PAY AND RENT AND SOME O THE OTHER COST THAT IS SKYROCKETING.

>> AND J CEO GRANT SULLIVAN SAYS THEY DON'T JUST SUPPORT FAMILIES, THEY ALSO SUPPORT THE ECONOMY.

>> THE PANDEMIC TATIS LOUD AND CLEARLY THAT CHILDCARE IS ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

IF IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING WELL AND WE DON'T HAVE A SAFE, AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE PLACE FOR KIDS TO GO, PEOPLE DON'T SHOP TO WORK.

THEY CAN'T GO TO WORK.

ELECTRICITY IS NOT RUNNING.

WATER IS NOT FLOWING.

IF THE CHILDCARE IS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ECONOMY.

IT'S BOTH THE RIGHT THING AND THE SMART THING TO DO.

>> THEY WILL BEGIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FOR LICENSED CHILDCARE CENTERS ON NOVEMBER 15th.

ANYONE INTERESTE IN APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM, THE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT NJ ETA.COM.

>>> DECISION DAY OVER AT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES , WHERE THE STATE AGENCY ANNOUNCE HOW IT WILL BRING ELECTRICITY ONSHORE TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES FROM IT YET TO BE BUILT OFFSHORE WIND FARMS.

IT IS A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DECISION CONSIDERED CRUCIAL TO THE MURPH ADMINISTRATION'S MISSION TO SHIFT NEW JERSEY AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

THE TRANSMISSION LINES COULD COST RATE PLAYERS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE PROJEC IS SO MASSIVE.

A KEY COMPONENT IS STILL BEING NEGOTIATED.

DOU O'MALLEY JOINS ME TO HELP EXPLAIN.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING THE SHOW TONIGHT.

ALL EYES WERE ON BP TODAY FOR THIS MASSIVE OFFSHOR WIND TRANSMISSION PROJECT.

WHAT CAME OUT OF THIS MEETING?

>> THIS WAS A BIG DAY FOR THE BPO.

THEY EXPLICITLY ASKED, HO MUCH STAFF WORK WENT INTO THIS?

IT WAS YEARS OF WORK.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE, OF THE JERSEY SHORE, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF FOCUS, RIGHTLY SO, ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TURBINES AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

OFFSHORE WIND ONLY WORKS IF YOU CONNECT THAT POWER ONSHORE.

TODAY'S DECISION WOULD FOCUS ON TRANSMISSION.

HOW YOU TRANSPOR ENERGY.

ONTO THE ELECTRIC GRID, ONSHORE.

A COUPLE OF HISTORIC THINGS ABOUT TODAY'S DECISION.

THIS WAS A JOINT PARTNERSHIP.

NOT JUST WITH THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.

BUT WITH THE PGM ELECTRIC GRID.

PENNSYLVANIA JERSEY MARYLAND ELECTRIC GRID.

ALL THE WAY NORT AND SOUTH TO NORTH CAROLINA.

THE LARGEST ELECTRIC GRID IN TH COUNTRY.

THE THING THAT IS UNIQUE HERE IS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE NEED TO GLEAN OUR GRID.

WE GET OUR ENERGY FROM THE ORIGINA ELECTRIC GRID.

THE OFFSHORE WIN COMING ONSHORE FROM THESE PROJECTS WILL NOT ONLY MAKE EMISSIONS BE REDUCED IN NEW JERSEY, IT WILL REDUCE EMISSIONS ACROSS ELECTRIC GRIDS >> DID THEY FIGURE OUT A SINGLE CORRIDOR OR LANDING SPOT, SO TO SPEAK, TO BRING THIS POWER ?

AS MENTIONED, THAT IS THE CRITICAL POINT HERE.

>> THE DECISION TODAY IT WAS REALLY BIFURCATED.

WHAT YOU HEARD AND WHAT WE SAW , OBVIOUSLY, WE STILL NEED THE FULL DETAILS.

BUT WE SAW DOUBLING DOWN ON IMPROVING THE ON LAND TRANSMISSION CAPACITY.

SPECIFICALLY IN MONMOUTH COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT WHEN OFFSHORE WIND COMES IN , THERE IS THE CAPACITY TO HANDLE IT.

OUR ELECTRIC GRID WAS NOT BUILT WIT THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE ARE GOIN TO BE GETTING LITERALLY GIGAWAT OFFSHORE WIND FROM THE JERSEY SHORE.

>> WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON THAT?

IT GOT CLEAN ENERGY GOALS HERE TO MEET ACCORDING TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT TIMELINE ARE LOOKING AT?

>> THE BOARD DID NOT TALK ABOUT THAT TIMELINE.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LET THIS SIT.

I SUSPECT WE WILL SEE ROUND TWO OF THIS BEING ANNOUNCED SHORTLY THE REALITY IS THAT OFFSHORE WIND IS A TRANSFORMATIONAL POWE .

IT IS ALSO CREATING AN ENTIRELY NEW INDUSTRY.

YOU NEED TO DO THAT.

YOU NEED TO BE KIND OF JUDICIOUS ABOUT YOUR ROLLOUT.

THE HOPE IS THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL-ENCOMPASSING.

INSTEAD, HE WE TOOK A TWO-STEP APPROACH THIS IS WHERE THE FOCUS WILL BE.

THEY ALSO INDICATED THEY WILL COME BACK.

THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS THAT WILL WELCOME COMING BACK AND DISCUSSING THE OFFSHORE TRANSITION AND HOW TO CONSOLIDATE THAT IN THE MOST COST EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY POSSIBLE.

>> JUST A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING A WE CAN TELL FROM THIS MEETING ALONE.

THANKS , AS ALWAYS, FOR HELPING TO BREAK THIS MEETING DOWN FOR US.

CHECK OUT TOM JOHNSON'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG FOR A DEEPE DIVE INTO WHAT WENT INTO THE DECISION.

4 THIS YEAR COULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST FOUR BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE.

NOW THEY ARE STEPPING IN TO SAVE IT.

HERE'S THE DETAILS, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> A FINANCIALLY'S STRUGGLING COLLEGES GETTING A LIFELINE.

BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE WILL MERGE WITH MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE TWO SCHOOLS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED TODAY THEI INTENTION TO COMBINE WITH THE GOAL OF COMPLETING THE MERGER O OR BEFORE JUNE 30th.

BLOOMFIELD STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE TIME O THE MERGER WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION WITHOU INTERRUPTION OR ADDED COST.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THEY EXTENDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO BLOOMFIELD AND SAID THEY WERE WORKING TOWARDS AN ACQUISITION DEAL.

BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE, A MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION, HAD WARNED THAT FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES COULD LEAD TO ITS CLOSING.

SUPER STORM SANDY CAUSED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE IN NEW JERSEY , WHERE WE HAVE ALSO SEEN BILLIONS IN INVESTMENTS MADE OF TO TRY TO KEEP THE STATE BETTER PROTECTED AGAINST FUTURE STORMS.

AHEAD O THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY, LOCAL OFFICIALS TOURED SUBSTATION IN WOODBRIDGE TODAY TO SEE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE SINCE THEN.

PSEG'S REBECCA MOZZARELLA SAYS THEY HAVE SPENT $11 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING RAISING SUBSTATIONS THAT WERE FLOODED DURING SANDY.

>> MANY OF THEM ARE AT GROUND LEVEL.

THAT WAS AN EYE-OPENER FOR WHEN SANDY CAME THROUGH.

WHEN WE DID THE INVESTMENTS IN THE PROJECTS, WE RAISED 36 OF THOSE STATIONS.

>> APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEW PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM CONTINUED TO STREAM AND SINCE THE STATE BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS LAST MONTH.

MORE THAN 764,000 RESIDENTS HAVE APPLIED.

YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM THROUGH LATE DECEMBER.

IN THE MEANTIME, A DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING FOR ANOTHER PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

TH SENIOR FREEZE.

SENIORS AND DISABLED RESIDENTS NEED TO APPL BY THIS MONDAY.

YOU CAN READ THE ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.

RG.

>>> A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FROM TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING ON LINE AT NEW JERSEY A.M..COM AND BY NJ TIAS AND CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND BACK AT THE RESORT CASINO AND HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY.

INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJ TIA.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT OF A SURVEY THAT FOUND ITS INTERCITY RAIL STATIONS ARE NOT ACCESSIBL TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 200 VIOLATIONS OF THE AMERICANS WIT DISABILITIES ACT.

THE AGENCY RECENTLY SETTLED WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN NEW JERSE TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES.

WE ASKED GOLDBERG TO LOOK AT JUST HOW CHALLENGING IT CAN BE TO NAVIGATE THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM.

>> THE WALL NOT STREET TRAIN STATION IN MONTCLAIR LOOKS ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THERE IS HANDICAPPED PARKING , A RAMP, AND THE TICKET MACHINES HAVE INSTRUCTIONS AND BRAILLE.

BUT IF SOMEONE ON A WHEELCHAIR WANT TO BOARD THIS TRAIN, THEY ARE OUT OF LUCK.

>> IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY FRUSTRATING.

>> THE WALNUT STREET STATION IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE.

LIKE MORE THAN HALF OF THE 166 NJ TRANSIT STATIONS.

PEOPLE LIKE COLLEEN HAVE TO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO FIND A STATION THAT IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE.

>> I USED TO GO BEHIND THE RESTAURANT, PASS THE GARBAGE CANS , ON A VERY UNEVEN PAVEMEN TO GET TO THE PLATFORM.

THE TRAIN COMES.

IT'S A LOW PLATFORM.

ANYONE WITH ANY KIND OF MOBILITY ISSUE, WHETHER BY DISABILITY, INJURY, OR YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN A BABY CARRIAGE , WOULD HAVE DIFFICULT GETTING ON THE TRAIN.

IF YOU AR USING A WHEELCHAIR, YOU CANNOT GET ON THE TRAIN AT ALL.

>> FINDING A SUITABLE STATION I HALF THE PROBLEM.

SOMETIMES , SHE WILL GET TO A STATION AND THE ELEVATOR WILL NOT WORK, STRANDING HER UNTIL HELP ARRIVES.

THAT HAPPENED JUST LAS WEEK.

>> I LOOKED ON THE APPLE.

THERE WAS NO ALERT THAT IT WAS BROKEN I LOOK DOWNSTAIRS AND TAKE THE LIGHT RAIL AND REALIZE THAT TH ELEVATOR IS BROKEN.

THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE DOWN THERE, SO I CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH MY PHONE.

I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I SEE SOMEBODY THAT WORKS FOR TRANSIT AND SAY, HEY, WHAT DO I DO?

I SPENT AN HOUR UNDERGROUND NJTV NEWS GET OUT OF PENN STATION.

HOW MANY COMMUTERS DO YOU KNOW THAT HAVE TO INTEGRATE TWO HOURS OF THEIR TIME IN CAS THERE ARE ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES >> INITIALLY, MY EXPERIENCES WERE PRETTY HORRIBLE.

THE CHAI WITH LEAVE YOU.

>> JAVIER ROBLES LEADS THE DISABILITY SPORTS AND WELLNESS CENTER AT RUTGERS.

HE SAYS BROKEN ELEVATORS ARE A COMMON CONCERN FOR WRITERS WITH DISABILITY.

>> THESE THINGS START A GREAT, BRAND-NEW.

THEN NEW JERSEY TRANSIT OR WHOMEVER IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE THE STUFF IS UP KEPT DOES NOT KEEP THEM.

WE END UP WITH CRACKED RAMPS OR PLACES WITHOUT HANDRAILS.

>> IMPROVEMENTS ARE COMING TO FIVE STATIONS , INCLUDING NEWAR PENN STATION AFTER A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN NJ TRANSIT AND THE U.S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.

THE 201 SURVEY FOUND HUNDREDS OF VIOLATIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT INCLUDING MORE THAN FOUR OF THEM AT NEWAR PENN.

>> THIS IS JUST A SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I OBVIOUSLY DO NOT EVER THIN THAT IT SHOULD TAKE A LAWSUIT FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT TO DO IT JOB.

IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO BE INDEPENDENT AND WORK GO TO SCHOOL, THEY NEED ACCESS TO ACCESSIBLE TRAIN STATIONS.

>> THEY WANT TO SEE A LOT OF CHANGES.

BETTER MINUTES TO ELEVATORS AND MORE BRIDGE FLIGHTS , FOR STARTERS.

BUT THE HAVE NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WORK ON THESE TRAINS AND ACCOMMODATE THEM.

>> THEY REALLY DO A GREAT JOB EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RUN BACK INTO THE TRAIN BECAUSE IT IS SNOWING.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET TO THE BRIDGE AND SAY, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

IN TERMS OF THAT, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

>> STILL, THEY SAY IT IS A LONG WAY TO GO TO MAKE NEW JERSEY TRAIN STATIONS FULLY ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

FIVE MORE STATIONS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING FULLY ACCESSIBLE.

NJ TRANSIT ESTIMATE IT WOULD COST SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS TO UPDATE THEM ALL.

FO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

DO NOT MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISOD OF CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

HE LOOKS BACK ON 10 YEARS SINCE SUPER STORM SANDY DEVASTATING NEW JERSEY.

THE LESSONS LEARNED AND THE STORMS LASTING IMPACT.

TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

WE WILL AI A SPECIAL EDITION OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS FRIDAY NIGHT FOCUSING ON SUPER STORM SANDY 1 YEARS LATER.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE , THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW >> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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