[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL RECENTLY SIGNED A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE MEANT TO EXPAND SUPPORT AND PROTECTS FOR WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE MOVE COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE NATIONAL RELATIONS BOARD DOES NOT HAVE A FULL QUORUM PREVENTING THE BODY FROM ACTIVELY COMPLETING ITS WORK.

LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE INCLUDES A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THE STATE LABOR BOARD TO ASSIST WORKERS WHILE THE NATIONAL BOARD IS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING.

IT ALSO INCLUDES MEASURES THAT WOULD PROTECT UNION WORKERS FROM WAGE REDUCTION AND FURTHER STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS AGAINST LAYOFFS.

FOR MORE ON THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE, OUR ELISE KLINE SPOKE WITH THE BILL SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS AND LABOR WORKERS FOR A CLEAT PICTURE OF ITS IMPACT.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AT A TIME WHEN WORKERS CONTINUE TO FACE UNCERTAINTY WITH MANY FEDERAL CHANGES, NEW YORK IS STRIVEING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

AT THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL SIGNED A PACKAGE OF LABOR LAWS INTENDING TO EXPAND LABOR PROTECTS IN THE ABSENCE OF A FULLY FUNCTIONING NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

ONE OF THE NEW LAWS INTENDS TO GROW THE WORKFORCE BY REQUIRING CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS DOING WORK FOR COVERED RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS TO HAVE APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENTS.

THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THERMAL ENERGY NETWORKS TO REQUIRE CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS TO HAVE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP DIRECT ENTRY PROVIDERS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

STATE SENATOR JESSICA SCARCELLA-SPANTON, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF STATEN ISLAND AND A LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL, SAYS THIS NEW LAW COULD IMPACT WORKERS AND THE STATE.

>> WHEN WE'RE GROWING THE ECONOMY, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT JOBS AND NOT JUST JOBS THAT KIND OF COME AND GO, IT'S JOBS THAT CAN TURN INTO CAREERS.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS DOES.

WHEN YOU HAVE JOBS THAT TURN INTO CAREERS, YOU HAVE PEOPLE THIS ARE THEN GIVING BACK TO THE ECONOMY.

>> STATE SENATOR CHRIS RYAN, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF ONONDAGA AND OSWEGO COUNTIES AND A MEMBER OF THE LABOR COMMITTEE, SAYS THE NEW SECTORS, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY SECTORS GROW, APPRENTICESHIP LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT TO GROW THE WORKFORCE.

>> IT JUST MAKES SENSE.

IT'S JUST REALLY GOOD POLICY.

IT HELPS DEVELOP OUR NEXT GENERATION OF WORKFORCE AND IT HELPS NOT ONLY TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKFORCE.

IT HELPS THOSE THAT ARE IN THESE TYPES OF SECTORS, IN THE TRADES AND THE GROWING SECTOR OF ENERGY.

>> IN ADDITION TO GROWING THE WORKFORCE, ANOTHER BILL SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR INTENDS TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THE WORKFORCE FROM WAGE REDUCTIONS.

ONE OF THE BILLS SIGNED WOULD PROTECT CERTAIN EMPLOYEES FROM WAGE REDUCTIONS DUE TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A VIOLATION INVESTIGATION OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROGRAM.

SENATOR RYAN, WHO SPONSORED THE LEGISLATION, SAYS THIS BILL WILL RECTIFY AN ISSUE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY HURTING WORKERS VIA WAGE REDUCTIONS.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE SO THAT NOBODY WOULD HAVE TO GO WITHOUT PAY FOR BEING CALLED INTO OR PARTICIPATING IN SOME SORT OF INVESTIGATION.

IT WASN'T EXACTLY CLEAR WHAT WE DID IS WE CLARIFIED THAT AND WE CODIFIED IT.

>> JOSHUA TERRY, WITH THE NEW YORK LABOR UNION, CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, SAYS THIS IS A DEFECT FROM A NEARLY 20-YEAR-OLD WORKPLACE VIOLENCE LAW THAT HELPS KEEP WORKERS SAFE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAFETY PLANS AND IT MUST BE FIXED.

HE HIGHLIGHTS THEIR UNION MEMBERS WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE PAID IF THEY WERE HELPING WITH SAFETY PLANS AND/OR WALKTHROUGHS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AFTER AN INCIDENT.

>> THESE PLANS HELP SAVE EMPLOYERS MONEY, THESE ARE THINGS THAT PROTECT THEIR WORKERS AND PROTECTS ON WORKERS' COMP COSTS.

SO TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE COMPENSATED JUST AS THEY ARE UNDER GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PLANS, WE THOUGHT, WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> THESE ARE ISSUES STRONGLY SUPPORT BY MANY LAWMAKERS.

BOTH SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTONS APPRENTICE BILL AND SENATOR RYAN'S WAGE REDUCTION PROTECTION BILL HAD STRONG SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, PASSING NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY IN BOTH HOUSES.

THE LABOR LAW PACKAGE INCLUDES ANOTHER BILL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD TO ASSERT JURISDICTION OVER DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS IF THE NLRB IS UP ABLE.

STATE SENATOR JESSICA RAMOS, A DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF QUEENS, A LEAD SPONSOR OF THE BILL AND THE CHAIR OF THE LABOR COMMITTEE, SAYS THIS BILL IS ABOUT HAVING MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO PROTECT NEW YORK'S WORKERS.

>> I'M VERY THANKFUL TO GOVERNOR HOCHUL FOR SIGNING THIS BILL INTO LAW, EVEN PRIOR TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, BECAUSE NEW YORK STATE SHOULD EXACTLY BE FOCUSED ON PREPARING FOR FAILURE TO DELIVER SERVICES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS.

>> THE BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSES DURING THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WAS SIGNED INTO LAW AT THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER.

MANY LAWMAKERS SAY THIS BILL IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE WORKERS HAVE RESOURCES TO ASSIST THEM.

THE BILL WOULD AUTHORIZE THE APPLICABILITY OF THE STATE LABOR RELATIONS ACT, WHICH MEANS AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR NEW YORKERS IN NEED OF LABOR DISPUTE ASSISTANCE.

THE BILL DESIGNATES THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD AS THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR WORKERS WHO CANNOT ACCESS ASSISTANCE FROM THE NLRB.

>> WE, OF COURSE, WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKERS IN NEW YORK STATE ARE SAFE ON THE JOB, THAT THEY'RE BEING PAID THE WAGES THAT THEY'VE EARNED, AND THAT THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS ARE BEING ADHERED TO.

SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THE MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROTECTING NEW YORK'S WORKERS.

>> AFTER THE LAW WAS SIGNED, THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD FILED A LAWSUIT CLAIMING THE NEW STATE LAW IS PREEMPTED BY THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT, NLRA.

THE NLRA, SIGNED INTO LAW IN 1935, GUARANTEES THE PRIVATE SECTOR THE RIGHT TO UNIONIZE AND COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN.

LATER IN 1959, A SUPREME COURT DECISION SET A LEGAL PRECEDENT STATING THAT STATES CANNOT REGULATE LANEER-MANAGEMENT DISPUTES THAT ARE WITHIN THE NLRB'S JURISDICTION.

CATHY CREIGHTON, DIRECTOR OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY'S BUFFALO COLAB, SAYS THE FEDERAL LABOR LAW IS OLD, OUTDATED, AND INEFFECTIVE.

>> BASICALLY, FEDERAL LABOR LAW HAS OSSIFIED THE LABOR MOVEMENT IN AMERICA, IN MY OPINION.

BECAUSE THE LAW IS OLD AND HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED, IT HAS REALLY BEEN INEFFECTIVE IN ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO ORGANIZE AND BARGAIN.

>> THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS CURRENTLY NOT OPERATING FULLY, LACKING A QUORUM, AFTER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FIRED MEMBER GWYNNE WILCOX, LEAVING THE BOARD WITH ONLY TWO MEMBERS.

TRUMP ALSO SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT CALLED FOR THE DOWNSIZING OF THE FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE TO ITS MINIMUM STATUTORY LEVEL, WHICH LED TO THE REMOVAL OF ABOUT 95% OF STAFF.

CRATEN SAYS THESE ACTIONS HAVE ALSO IMPACTED THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT AND MADE IT EVEN LESS EFFICIENT.

>> IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE STATUTE IS TO HAVE MEDIATION BECAUSE ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS FOR HAVING THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT AND THE STATE LABOR RELATIONS ACT IS THAT THE STATE HAS POLICE POWERS TO MAKE SURE ITS ECONOMY FUNCTIONS PROPERLY FOR ALL NEW YORKERS.

>> NLRB ACTING GENERAL COUNSEL WILLIAM COWEN ARGUES THAT WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS CAN ACCESS REGIONAL OFFICES IN THE ABSENCE OF A BOARD AND MEDIATORS.

>> AS IT RELATES TO THE QUORUM ON THE BOARD, THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF A QUORUM DOES NOT SLOW DOWN THE OTHER ARMS OF THE AGENCY AND IN 2011, THE BOARD MADE IT CLEAR BY A SERIES OF DELEGATIONS THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF THE BOARD THAT ALL FUNCTIONS CONTINUE IN THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM.

>> COWAN ADDS MOST MATTERS ARE RESOLVED VIA THE REGIONAL LOCAL ARMS OF THE AGENCY.

TERRY SAYS WHILE REGIONAL OFFICES CAN HANDLE THINGS LIKE ISSUES WITH UNION DRIVES AND VOTES ON UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, THEY CAN'T HANDLE EVERYTHING.

>> BUT ANYTHING BEYOND THAT, IF THERE IS CONTENTION THAT AN EMPLOYER ILLEGALLY INTERFERED WITH AN ORGANIZING DRIVE OR FIRED EMPLOYEES WHO WERE LEADING THE DRIVE, THAT'S WHERE IT WOULD RISE ABOVE THE REGIONAL OFFICES AND REQUIRE NLRB NATIONALLY TO BE INVOLVED, AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE KIND OF IN A-- WOULD BE AT A STALEMATE IF WE CONTINUE TO LACK QUORUM OVER THE LONG TERM.

>> THEE I DON'T MOORE, A LABOR ADVOCATE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALIGN, SAYS THIS LAW WILL UPHOLD BASIC WORKER PROTECTIONS.

MOORE ADDS THE NLRB REGIONAL OFFICES ARE OFTEN UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDERFUNDED.

>> SO WORKERS REALLY CAN'T DEPEND ON THAT, SO IF THERE ARE WORKERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO UNIONIZE RIGHT NOW, WHETHER IT BE THE STARBUCKS WORKERS, THE AMAZON WORKERS, THEY HAVE TO DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE NLRB, AND THEY KNOW THIS.

>> WMHT REACHED OUT TO THE NLRB COUNSEL FOR FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

COWAN STRESSES, AGAIN, THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM DOESN'T IMPAIR THE AGENCY'S ABILITY TO INVESTIGATE, POTENTIALLY SETTLE, OR LITIGATE CASES.

HE SAYS THE AUTHORITY IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES GOES TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL.

COWAN ADDS WHILE THERE IS A BACKLOG OF CASES AND FUNDING CHALLENGES, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AGENCY REPRESENT THE FINEST IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND IT IS THE AGENCY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PRIORITIZE HIRING AND ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES ACCORDINGLY VIA THE FUNDING THEY DO RECEIVE.

THE LAWSUIT IS CURRENTLY IN PRELIMINARY STAGES, COWAN SAYS THE STATE HAS RESPONDED AND BEEN COOPERATIVE.

>> THE IDEA WAS THAT THEY SORT OF REALIZED THIS QUESTION NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND SO WE'VE REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL PROCEED WITH OUR QUEST FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, AND WE'LL FILE BRIEFS AND GET AN ARGUMENT ON THAT, GET THAT RESOLVED.

>> MEANWHILE, MANY STATE LAWMAKERS AND LABOR ADVOCATES ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE WHOLE DISPUTE, HOPING THE LAW HOLDS UP IN THE END.

PAUL SONN, WITH THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAW PROJECT, SAYS FEDERAL LEADERS CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

>> THEY CAN'T KIND OF GRIND THE NLRB TO A HALT BUT THEN CLAIM THAT THE FEDERAL LAW PREVENTS STATES FROM STEPPING IN AND PROTECTING THEIR WORKERS, AND WE THINK THE COURTS WILL FIND THAT COMPELLING.

>> SENATOR RYAN SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO STEP IN BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPEARS TO BE UNWILLING TO SUPPORT WORKERS' RIGHTS.

>> QUITE FRANKLY, NOT JUST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BUT ALSO EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO SUPPORTS NON-FUNCTIONING NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD DOESN'T SUPPORT WORKERS' RIGHTS, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYBODY DOES THAT, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT GO TO WORK AND MAKE OUR STATE RUN.

SO OUR ISSUE IS THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BASICALLY NOT HAVE FUNCTIONING NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, THEN YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'LL DO IT.

>> SENATOR RAMOS ADDS THE NLRB IS NOT ONLY NOT FUNCTIONING BUT THEIR PRIORITIES SEEM TO BE BACKWARDS, FOCUSING MORE ON BUSINESS' BEST INTERESTS.

RAMOS SAYS THIS IS EXACTLY WHY HER BILL IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS EXACTLY THAT.

MAKING SURE WE'RE PROTECTING NEW YORK'S WORKERS BECAUSE THAT'S OUR JOB.

>> STATE SENATOR ROB ROLISON, A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF ORANGE COUNTY AND A MEMBER OF THE LABOR COMMITTEE, SAYS WHILE GENERALLY HE DOESN'T THINK THE DISPUTE IS TOTALLY WITHOUT MERIT, THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO KEEP THINGS MOVING IN THE STATE.

>> I THINK THERE IS MERIT IN THAT SOMEBODY, WHETHER IT IS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR AT THE STATE LEVEL, NEEDS TO HAVE JURISDICTION TO HELP SETTLE DISPUTES BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT THE PROLONGED DISPUTE, WHICH HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY AND ALSO AFFECTING THE WORKFORCE AND THE BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY THESE PEOPLE.

>> MOORE STRESSES THERE ARE BASIC WORKERS' RIGHTS THAT MUST BE PROTECTED AND WORKERS ARE DEPENDING ON THE STATE TO STEP IN.

>> WITH AN ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THAT IS HOSTILE TO UNIONS AND WITH THE ABSENCE OF A FUNCTIONAL NLRB THAT IS, YOU KNOW, BEEN FILED WITH THE TRUMP CRONIES, WE NOW LOOK AT THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD TO STEP IN TO ADDRESS UNION ORGANIZING, COLLECTING BARGAINING, AND OTHER WORKPLACE DISPUTES.

>> THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD, WHO IN THIS LAW WOULD SERVE IN THE REPLACEMENT TYPE ROLE WHILE THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS DISBANDED, DECLINED TO COMMENT BECAUSE OF THE PENDING LITIGATION PROCESS.

SONN SAYS HE THINKS THE COURTS WILL FAVOR THE STATE.

>> THERE'S EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THE LOWER FEDERAL COURTS WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S NOT A FUNCTIONING NLRB AND STATES SHOULDN'T BE BLOCKED FROM STEPPING IN AND PLAYING THIS ROLE THAT ACTUALLY IS A ROLE STATES PLAYED BEFORE THE NLRA EXISTED.

YOU KNOW, NEW YORK'S LABOR RELATIONS SYSTEM PRE-DATES THE EXISTENCE OF FEDERAL LAW.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE THE LEGAL PROCESS PLAYS OUT, SOME LABOR EXPERTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO WORKERS.

CRATEN SAYS WORKERS WILL BE IMPACTED NEGATIVELY.

>> THEY WON'T HAVE THIS OPTION AVAILABLE TO THEM TO GO TO THE STATE.

THEY WILL HAVE TO RESORT TO AN NLRB THAT IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING.

IT ONLY NOW HAS ONE MEMBER AND VERY FEW FEDERAL MEDIATORS AND VERY FEW STAFF.

>> OTHER UNION REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO WORRIED, HOPING THIS DISPUTE IS RESOLVED QUICKLY.

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE'S REALLY NOT MUCH RECOURSE AND SO WE WOULD REALLY LOVE THE COURTS TO RULE ON THIS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME FINALITY WITH WHAT WORKERS ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW LONG THIS LEGAL PROCESS COULD TAKE AT THIS POINT, BUT THERE ARE TWO NLRB MEMBER NOMINATIONS EITHER PENDING A SENATE VOTE OR COMMITTEE APPROVAL.

TERRY SAYS IT'S THEIR HOPE THIS LAW DISPUTE PUSHES THE NLRB BACK INTO ACTION.

ELISE KLINE, "NEW YORK NOW."

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> NEXT YEAR WILL MARK THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

WHILE THIS IS A HUGE HISTORICAL MILESTONE FOR THE NATION, IT IS ALSO A BIG MOMENT FOR NEW YORK STATE.

NEW YORK HAS SEVERAL SITES FROM THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION THAT THE STATE PARKS OFFICE WORKS TO PRESERVE EACH YEAR.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE'LL SIT DOWN WITH DANIEL MACKAY, WHO SERVES AS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION WITH THE STATE PARKS OFFICE ABOUT NEW YORK'S ROLE IN THAT HISTORY AND LEGACY.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH US.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> NOW AS WE APPROACH THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF NEW YORK IN THAT HISTORY AND LEGACY?

>> NEW YORK STATE IS AT THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

AND WHILE MASSACHUSETTS LAYS CLAIM TO THE START, LEXINGTON AND CONCORD, BOSTON TEA PARTY, VIRGINIA CLAIMS THE LAST MAJOR MILITARY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BRITISH, EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN HAPPEN HERE IN NEW YORK.

THE SOCIAL HISTORY HERE, THE MILITARY HISTORY, THE FAMILIES THAT WERE TORN APART BY SIDING-- BY BEING SPLIT BY SIDING WITH BOTH THE BRITISH AND THE COLONISTS, IT'S COMPLEX.

IT IS RICH.

IT IS DEEP, AND THERE ARE SITES ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE THAT STORY TO TELL AND COLLECTIVELY, TELL THAT STORY QUITE EFFECTIVELY.

>> CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE HISTORIC SITES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION THAT ARE IN AND AROUND THE STATE?

WHAT ARE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE SITES?

>> SO STARTING WITH NEW YORK STATE PARKS, THERE ARE OVER 50 STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES THAT HAVE SOME CONNECTION TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

THERE'S THE STAR-- THE SIGNATURE SITES LIKE WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS IN NEWBURGH AND THERE'S SITES LIKE RIGHT HERE IN THE CAPITAL REGION WE'VE GOT SCHUYLER MANSION, WHERE PHILIP SCHUYLER OF HAMILTON FAME LIVED HIS LIFE AS A FAMILY MAN, AS THE OWNER OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE, AS A GENERAL IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, A VERY COMPLEX HISTORY IN THAT FAMILY.

IT ALSO INCLUDES SITES LIKE FORT CRAILO ACROSS THE RIVER IN RENSSELAER, WHICH IS THE SITE WHERE CHRONOLOGICALLY YOU WOULD PROBABLY START YOUR TOUR THROUGH THE HISTORIC SITE SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT SITE IS DEDICATED TO THE DUTCH COLONIAL PERIOD HERE IN NEW YORK.

IN BETWEEN AND ACROSS THE STATE, THERE ARE HISTORIC FORTS, CROWN POINT, FORT NIAGRA.

THERE IS OUTSIDE OF ROCHESTER, GANONDIGAN, AN EXTRAORDINARY SITE CALLED WHICH INTERPRETS THE HISTORY OF THE SENECA INDIAN, HISTORICALLY AND CONTEMPORANEOUSLY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS IN THAT TIMEFRAME IS COMPLEX.

THERE WERE NATIVE AMERICAN-- NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES THAT SIDED WITH THE COLONIES AND THERE WERE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES THAT SIDED WITH THE BRITISH AND THE INTERPLAY JUST ON THAT NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUE SPANNED THE HUDSON-- FROM THE HUDSON RIVER TO THE GREAT LAKES, SO IT'S A VERY DEEP, RICH, COMPLEX HISTORY.

>> CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOUR OFFICE IS DOING TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THESE SITES?

>> SURE.

THESE ARE-- THESE ARE OBVIOUSLY SITES THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF STEWARDSHIP, AND THAT WORK BEGINS AT THE REGIONAL AND SITE-SPECIFIC LEVEL WITH HIGHLY COMPETENT STAFF, INTERPRET TIFF STAFF, SITE MANAGERS WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED WITH THEIR REGIONAL DIRECTORS AND WITH MY OFFICE, WHICH SORT OF PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE HISTORIC SITE SYSTEM AND SO WE ARE-- WE ARE OVERSEEING INTERPRET TIFF PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT, NEW EXHIBITS CREATING AND FABRICATING NEW EXHIBITS FOR INSTALLATION OF THOSE SITES AND ALSO ADVISING ON WHAT TYPE OF REPAIRS OR IMPROVEMENT SITES NEED, NOT ONLY TO STEWARD A HISTORIC PROPERTY BUT TO CREATE ADA ACCESS AND, YOU KNOW, MEET OTHER ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES.

SO THE TOTALITY OF THAT INVESTMENT IS SIGNIFICANT AND ONGOING.

>> YEAH.

I CAN IMAGINE.

HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE APPROACH RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION AS IT RELATES TO THESE SITES?

>> WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITY HERE WE HAVE MASTER'S AND PH.D.

QUALIFIED STAFF THAT ARE DOING DEEP, DEEP RESEARCH ON THE STORIES THAT EACH SITE CAN TELL AND THERE HAS BEEN, I THINK TO DATE A FAIRLY PREDOMINANT, MAIN NARRATIVE WHICH HAS TENDED TO FOCUS ON THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY, THE FOUNDING FATHERS, JOHN JAY, OR OTHERS, THE LIVINGSTON FAMILY, AND WHAT WE TRIED TO DO EVERY 0 LAST DECADE IS SHIFT THE FOCUS, NOT AWAY FROM THOSE PRIMARY CHARACTERS, BUT TO ELEVATE THE SECONDARY, YOU KNOW, THE ADDITIONAL STORIES ON-SITE.

SO THE STORIES OF THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THE WORKING FARMS OF LIKE FOUNDING FATHER JOHN JAY.

THE WORK, YOU KNOW, THE ENGAGEMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THOSE FAMILIES, WHAT WERE THEIR ROLES AND HOW DID THEY ENGAGE WITH THE MOMENT AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION?

YOU CAN MOVE THROUGH OUR HISTORIC SITE SYSTEM CHRONOLOGICALLY AND FOLLOW THE STORY.

YOU CAN ALSO MOVE THROUGH IT THEMATICALLY AND IT'S THE ABILITY OF OUR SITE SYSTEM TO HAND OFF A VISITOR FROM ONE SITE TO THE NEXT, BUT IT'S ALSO THE, YOU KNOW, IT'S OUR INTENT TO BE ABLE TO PASS A VISITOR OFF TO A LOCALLY OWNED SITE OR TO A NATIONAL PARK SITE SO THAT ALL THESE SITES BEGIN TO BLEND TOGETHER.

I MEAN, IN TOTAL, THERE'S PROBABLY OVER 200 PUBLICLY OWNED SITES THAT HAVE A HISTORICAL CONNECTION AND THEY EACH HAVE AN AUTHENTIC STORY TO TELL.

>> GIVEN THAT RICH HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, I WAS CURIOUS HOW YOUR OFFICE WAS ENSURING THAT VISITORS OF THESE SITES ARE UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND ESPECIALLY AS YOU MENTIONED, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE AND GROUPS THAT WERE PIVOTAL TO THAT WAR?

>> THE AGENCY, THE DIVISION HERE, WITH I OVERSEE HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO WHAT WE ARE-- A COMPLETE HISTORY APPROACH AND IT'S ONE THAT DOES SEEK TO ELEVATE INTENTIONALLY-- ELEVATE ADDITIONAL STORIES AT ANY PARTICULAR SITE, AND WHAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO CALL IT IS OUR WHOLE HISTORY, AND THAT APPROACH, ONE THAT WE ARE HOPING TO FURTHER FORMALIZE SORT OF AGENCYWIDE IS ONE THAT IS COMMITTED TO THE BASIC CONCEPT THAT THERE IS A RICHER, DEEPER HISTORY TO BE TOLD ABOUT VIRTUALLY EVERY SITE.

>> AND HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE BALANCE THE SOMETIMES COMPETING INTERESTS WHEN IT COMES TO PRESERVATION OF THE SITES BUT ALSO ENCOURAGING, YOU KNOW, VISITATION TO THESE SITES?

>> YEAH.

IT'S AN INTERESTING CHALLENGE.

THE PRESERVATION OF THE SITES IS PARAMOUNT.

IT'S ONE THING TO GO TO A SINGULAR MUSEUM TO LEARN ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND SO THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS THAT INTEND TO, YOU KNOW, DELIVER THOSE FACTS.

WE THINK THE AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE IS OUT IN THE FIELD.

IT'S ON THE LOCATION.

IT'S ON THE HILLSIDE.

YOU KNOW, WITH THE VIEW THAT WASHINGTON HAD IN THE 1700S IN NEWBURGH GEOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING, LARGELY IN TACT TODAY.

YES, THERE'S MODERN CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDINGS AND THE VIEW SHED, THE VIEW IS STILL THERE, HIS VIEW SOUTH DOWN TO WEST POINT IS STILL IN TACT THERE.

SO I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT PRESERVING BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND VIEW SHED WHICH OUR AGENCY IS VERY COMMITTED TO.

>> HOW ARE YOU HOPING TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS KEEP A CONNECTION TO THAT HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND JUST, YOU KNOW, THE LEGACY OF THE WAR?

>> YEAH.

ONE OF THE-- WE ARE BUILDING A GREAT DEAL OF DIGITAL CONTENT AND THAT IS DESIGNED TO-- WHAT DIGITAL CONTENT GIVES US IS THE ABILITY TO BE NIMBLE, TO ADAPT AND INCORPORATE NEW INFORMATION AS IT IS RESEARCHED AND PUBLISHED AND SO IT ALSO EXTENDS THE FOOTPRINT OF THE HISTORIC SITE SYSTEM.

I MEAN, IT EXTENDS IT GLOBALLY THROUGH THE INTERNET BUT I FEEL LIKE THE INTENT OF THAT DIGITAL CONTENT IS TO-- YOU CAN ONLY FIT SO MUCH INFORMATION IN A DISPLAY CASE OR SO MUCH INFORMATION IN AN EXHIBIT, AND SO THE DIGITAL CONTENT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO ACCESS PRIMARY DOCUMENTS, SEE THE SOURCES, WHERE WE ARE GENERATING OUR CONTENT FROM, FOLLOW-- YOU KNOW, FOLLOW LEADS DOWN INTERESTING RABBIT HOLES TO OTHER PIECES OF THE STORY AND SO THAT DIGITAL CONTENT PIECE IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE REALLY SHIFTED FOCUS TO AND WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE USING SOME OF THE RESERVOIR IN THE 250TH COMMISSION ALLOCATION TO FURTHER EXPAND THE DIGITAL CONTENT PLATFORM.

WE HAVE ABOUT 3,000 PAGES OF CONTENT THAT WE-- WE WILL BE PUTTING UP FULLY ONTO THE WEB THAT TELLS THE FULL HISTORY OF NEW YORK DURING THAT REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD.

>> VERY IMPORTANT WORK AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH DANIEL MACKAY, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AT THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] AND TO COMMEMORATE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, PBS WILL BE PREMIERING A NEW LAND MARK DOCUMENTARY PRODUCED BY KEN BURNS, SARAH BOTSTEIN AND DAVID SCHMIDT.

THE DOCUMENTARY WILL BE AIRING ACROSS PBS STATIONS STARTING NOVEMBER 16TH.

HERE'S A TRAILER FROM THAT FILM.

[ THEME MUSIC ] [ SOFT, SINGLE PIANO NOTES ] >> FROM A SMALL SPARK KINDLED IN AMERICA, A FLAME HAS ARISEN.

NOT TO BE EXTINGUISHED.

[ INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC RISES ] WE THINK ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS RECOGNIZED THAT THE UNITED STATES ACTUALLY STARTED THAT.

>> WE HAVE A REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT SERVED AS THE MODEL FOR OUR FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION.

>> AMERICA IS PREDICATED ON AN IDEA THAT IT'S WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE CAME FROM AND WHAT OUR FOREBEARERS WERE WILLING TO DIE FOR.

>> COLIN SAID NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

THE FEAR WAS IF WE GIVE INTO THIS PRECEDENT, WHAT WILL THEY DO IN THE FUTURE?

>> CRISIS CHANGES PEOPLE.

IT GAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING.

>> IT GAVE THEM A SPACE TO MAKE THIS DEMOCRACY REAL.

[ INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC RISES TO CRESCENDO ] >> THE FOUNDERS THOUGHT WE COULD START OVER AGAIN.

WE CAN BEGIN THE WORLD ANEW.

[ MUSIC BUILDS ] >> THE BRITISH OBJECTIVE IS TO SUPPRESS THE REBELLION, FORCE THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE AUTHORITY OF THE KING.

WASHINGTON UNDERSTANDS THE WAR HE'S FIGHTING.

HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WIN.

HE ONLY HAS NOT TO LOSE.

HE BECOMES QUITE ELOQUENT IN TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE.

>> WE'RE ALL AMERICANS.

>> WE SEE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT CARRYING ON, DOING ESSENTIAL LABOR, INCLUDING WOMEN.

>> THEY ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS MOVEMENT.

[ BOLD MUSIC ] >> ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE ASPECTS IS THAT YOU HAD SUCH DIFFERENT PLACES COME TOGETHER AS ONE NATION.

>> IT MUSHROOMED INTO A GLOBAL CAMPAIGN THAT TOUCHES EUROPE AND ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.

>> IT EXCITES US THAT WE HAVE A REVOLUTIONARY MOMENT WHERE THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

[ MUSIC BUILDS ] >> TO BELIEVE IN AMERICA IS TO BELIEVE IN POSSIBILITY.

[ MUSIC SOFTENS ] [ "NEW YORK NOW" THEME MUSIC ] >> WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[ "NEW YORK NOW" THEME MUSIC ] >>ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.