>>> FUNDING FOR NJTV NEWS PROVIDED BY, MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, ORSETED, CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY.

♪ >>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE ROAD INFLATION REDUCTION ACT HEADS TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK FOR A SIGNATURE.

THEY VOTED TO PASS THE SPENDING BILL, LARGELY ON PARTY LINES, THAT WOULD ACCOMPLISH A NUMBER OF THINGS DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD IN WASHINGTON, LET INVESTING IN DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION, REDUCING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES AND CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES FOR BUSINESSES.

THE BILL DOES NOT REMOVE THE CAP ON S.A.L.T.

DEDUCTIONS, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES FOR NEW JERSEY AND, ONCE A HARD-LINE IN THE SAND FOR CONGRESSWOMAN MIKIE SHERRILL, WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL, EVEN WITHOUT IT.

SHE JOINS ME NOW TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

CONGRESSWOMAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL IS SEEN AS A VICTORY FOR DEMOCRATS.

HAVE TO ASK YOU, DID THE NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE AND HAVE A WIN HERE OUTWEIGH THE NEED TO OVERTURN THE S.A.L.T.

DEDUCTION CAP?

THAT HAD BEEN A HARD-LINE FOR YOU .

>> SO, YES.

THIS IS A GREAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS LOWERING THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, LOWERING HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS AND, SO, A BRIGHT LINE FOR ME HAD ALWAYS BEEN IS THIS GOING TO RAISE INDIVIDUAL TAXES ON PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT?

IF IT DOES, I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PUNITIVE 2017 TAX HIT ON NEW JERSEY FAMILIES THAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION PUT IN PLACE.

I HAD SAID THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

ACTUALLY IN THE 11th HOUR, THE REPUBLICAN AMENDMENT EXTENDED THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX.

WHAT THE BILL DOES, INSTEAD OF RAISING INDIVIDUAL COSTS ON FAMILIES, IT ACTUALLY LOWERS TAXES ON FAMILIES THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENT SUBSIDIES.

AGAIN, IT ALSO LOWERS ALL THOSE COSTS THAT FROM THE START OF MY TIME IN CONGRESS I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR, LIKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, ENERGY COSTS AND HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS.

>> JUST LOOKING AT , YOU DID FIGHT BACK THE EXTENSION.

NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS IN CONGRESS, IT WILL EXPIRE IN 2025.

IS THE FIGHT TO REVERSE THAT CAP , AT THIS POINT, DEAD IN THE WATER?

>> NO.

JUST THIS MORNING I WAS SPEAKING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS, THE COMMITTEE THAT HAS JURISDICTION OVER TAXATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATION AND SAYING I WANTED TO SEE YOU S.A.L.T.

FIXIN:NEW TAX EXTENDERS.

I SENT A LETTER JUST THIS MORNING.

THE FIGHT CERTAINLY ISN'T OVER AND WON'T BE OVER UNTIL WE SEE , YOU KNOW, SEE AN END TO THIS DOUBLE TAXATION ON NEW JERSEY IS.

>> LOOKING AT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, ONE OF THE CASES GOING AFTER BUSINESSES AND CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES.

WHAT BUSINESSES SPECIFICALLY WILL YOU BE GOING AFTER?

>> WHAT THIS DOES, MAKING SURE WE ARE TECH CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING AFTER BUSINESSES.

IN FACT, THERE IS SO MUCH SUPPORT WE HAVE HAD IN THIS CONGRESS FOR BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY THE CHICKS ACT CHICK ACT TO KEEP AMERICAN FAMILIES FROM.

LIKE YOU SAID, IT CLOSES SOME OF THE LOOPHOLES, MAKES SURE THAT COMPANIES MAKING OVER $1 BILLION TO PAY A MINIMUM OF 15% TAX BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME AMERICAN COMPANIES THAT ARE MAKING INCREDIBLE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND PAYING ZERO TAXES, INCREDIBLE TAXES WITH NO TAXES.

MANY OF THE CEOs OF THOSE COMPANIES UNDERSTAND THAT INVESTING IN THE AMERICAN COMPANY, INVESTING AT AMERICAN WORKERS, INVEST IN AMERICAN FAMILIES IN THIS COUNTRY AND THINGS LIKE EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR BUSINESSES REMAIN STRONG.

>> QUICKLY, HOW CAN YOU TELL US YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS PACKAGE?

>> THIS PACKAGE IS PAID FOR BY DRUG NEGOTIATIONS, SO LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR SENIORS, ALLOWING MEDICARE TO NEGOTIATE THOSE PRICES WITH THE 15% MINIMUM TAX ON CORPORATIONS OVER $1 BILLION AND MAKING SURE WITH THOSE INVESTMENTS WE ARE ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS AND EVEN PAY DOWN THE DEFICIT SOMEWHAT.

WE ALSO, QUITE FRANKLY, ARE INCREASING THE ABILITY OF THE IRS TO GO AFTER MORE COMPLICATED TAX CHEATS.

WITH UNDERFUNDING THE IRS, THEY HAVE, UNFORTUNATELY, JUST GONE AFTER MIDDLE-CLASS W-2 OWNERS.

THAT IS NOT REALLY WHERE SOME OF THE TAX PROBLEMS ARE.

MAY BE OF THE TAX PROBLEMS ARE COMPLICATED TAXATION ISSUES.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, THE INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND.

WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US TODAY.

>>> VETERANS STATEWIDE ARE STILL DEALING WITH COVID-19 OUTBREAKS.

THE MEMORIAL HOME IN EDISON HAS SEEN CLOSE TO HALF OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND ONE THIRD OF RESIDENTS INFECTED WITH COVID SINCE THANKSGIVING.

19 RESIDENTS DIED DURING THE TIME.

AT A MEMORIAL HOME, AN OUTBREAK THAT BEGAN IN LATE APRIL 2 30% OF RESIDENTS IN ANOTHER SAW SEVEN RESIDENTS AND 71 EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SINCE APRIL.

>>> ONE CONTROVERSIAL LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY IS SHUTTING ITS DOORS FOR GOOD.

WITHIN BEHAVIORAL AND NURSING CENTER IN AND DOVER MADE HEADLINES IN 2020 WHEN BODIES WERE PULLED FROM THE MAKE SURE MORE GET THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW THE LAST OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED OUT AND THE FACILITY IS PREPARING TO FINALLY CLOSED DOWN.

CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE LATEST.

>> I AM VERY HAPPY.

HE IS HAPPY.

HE EXPRESSES IT.

>> Reporter: BARBER MOVED HER BROTHER OUT OF THE FACILITY IN MARCH.

THE FACILITY SITS EMPTY, SOME 400 RESIDENTS RELOCATED TO OTHER LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AFTER THE LICENSE WAS YANKED IN THE GOVERNMENT CUT OFF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FUNDING FOLLOWING REPORTS OF REPEATED EGREGIOUS LAPSES IN PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY.

SHE RECALLS -- >> WE TOLD HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THAT WE WERE MOVING HIM AND HE BROKE DOWN IN TEARS.

IN RELIEF.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE BROKE DOWN AND TOLD YOU THAT HE WAS RELIEVED TO BE MOVING, HOW DID THAT FEEL?

>> OH MY GOD.

YOU KNOW, I SHOULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER.

>> Reporter: SHE ACTED AFTER MULTIPLE REPORTS FOUND CONDITIONS THREATENED THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF ITS RESIDENTS.

THE STATE COMPTROLLER CALLED IT ONE OF THE SAFE FOR WORST NURSING HOMES.

MORE THAN 100 RESIDENTS GOT COVID IN THE LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER, INCLUDING THE BROTHER OF BARBARA COSCIA, AFTER THE FACILITY MADE HEADLINES IN 2020 FOR STORING 17 BODIES IN A MAKESHIFT MORGUE AS COVID RAVAGED THE STATE.

>> MY FEELING WAS, IF YOU DIDN'T LEARN YOUR LESSON TWO YEARS PRIOR IN APRIL WHEN COVID HIT, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY NOT CHANGE WHAT YOU WERE DOING SO THAT THERE WASN'T THIS LEVEL OF INFECTION AGAIN?

THE NUMBERS WERE STAGGERING.

I MEAN, IT WAS, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING, I REMEMBER SAYING TO MY HUSBAND, WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS?

IT WAS HORRENDOUS.

>> FOR THE MOST PART, PEOPLE JUST FELT LIKE THEY WERE TRAPPED THERE.

I AM NOT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE LONG-TERM OH BODMAN SAID RECEIVING A COURT APPOINTED FACILITATOR MADE SURE THEY GOT PUSHED BACK.

>> TO HAVE SO MANY VIOLATIONS, SO MANY CITED THAT SURVEY AND JUST ROLLING VIOLATIONS AFTER THAT.

AND TO HAVE SUCH RESISTANCE FROM THE OPERATORS OF THE LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES TO HELP MOVE PEOPLE OUT WHEN EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFFING.

THAT WAS NOT A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.

THEY WERE NOT PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES.

THEY WERE COLLECTING MONEY TO WAREHOUSE HUMAN BEINGS.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEYS FOR THE OWNERS ARGUED IN COURT MOST OF THE RESIDENTS SUFFERED FROM ADVANCED DEMENTIA, SCHIZOPHRENIA, BIPOLAR OR OTHER SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESSES, WHICH WOULD MAKE RELOCATION DIFFICULT.

>> BASICALLY, THEY WERE BLAMING THE RESIDENTS FOR THEM BEING IN THESE BAD CONDITIONS.

IN FACT, THE RESIDENTS WERE MOVED OUT OF THERE UNDER BETTER CARE AND BETTER CONDITIONS AND ARE DOING WELL.

>> THAT PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY AUTHORITY IS UNIQUE.

IT IS STRONG AND IT IS POWERFUL.

WE ARE NOT DONE YET WITH WOODLAND.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE HEART OF DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW JERSEY, WHICH DEVOTED HOURS INVESTIGATING THE ALLEGATIONS THAT WOODLAND.

SOME FAMILIES HAVE FILED INDIVIDUAL LAWSUITS AGAINST THE OWNERS.

SHE COMMENDED THE MULTIPLE AGENCIES THAT WORKED TO MOVE HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS.

SHE IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM AND WRITING A REPORT.

>> TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE SAW THERE AND HOW WE ENSURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IN NEW JERSEY?

WE ARE CONCERNED THERE ARE OTHER NURSING HOMES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY WHO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHEN YOU FIND A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AND CONDITIONS THAT ARE REALLY, REALLY POOR.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO WEIGH FROM INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS, LIKE WOODLAND, AND REFOCUS INSTEAD ON SMALLER, MORE COMMUNITY- ORIENTED OPTIONS, INCLUDING GROUP HOMES.

COSCIA SAYS LOU LIKES HIS NEW FACILITY.

>> HE IS IN NEW JERSEY.

THE PLACE IS MUCH SMALLER.

THEY ARE WONDERFUL.

YOU CAN SEE HE IS JUST HAPPIER.

HE REALLY AS.

>> Reporter: AND, SHE SAYS, HIS FAMILY SAFE.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SCHOOLS ARE MOVING ONE STEP CLOSER TO NORMAL THIS COMING YEAR.

STUDENTS EXPOSED TO COVID WON'T HAVE TO STAY HOME TO QUARANTINE.

THE CDC RELAXED ITS COVID-19 GUIDANCE IS WEAK, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM, EVEN AFTER AN EXPOSURE, SO LONG AS THEY WEAR A HIGH-QUALITY MASK FOR 10 DAYS.

THAT GOES FOR VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED STUDENTS AND STAFF.

ANYONE WHO TESTS POSITIVE WILL NEED TO ISOLATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE DAYS OR UNTIL THEIR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE.

THE CDC IS ALSO DROPPING ITS COHORTING GUIDANCE AND IT'S TEST TO STATE POLICY, WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY ALLOWED KIDS TO STAY AFTER AN EXPOSURE.

INSTEAD, SCHOOLS SHOULD FOCUS ON SCREENING AND TESTING AROUND HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES IF AT ANY TIME COMMUNITY SPREAD REACHES THE LEVEL OF HIGH.

>>> ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE DEMANDING A STOP TO A PROPOSED EXPANSION OF A NATURAL GAS FACILITY.

THE PROJECT WOULD BE RUN BY THE PIPELINE COMPANY WILLIAMS, AND WHAT EXPAND AN EXISTING COMPRESSION STATION TO INCREASE CAPACITY IN A MAJOR GAS PIPELINE SERVING THE STATE.

NAYSAYERS ARGUE IT IS NOT NECESSARY, IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD FOR NEARBY RESIDENTS.

THEY ARE CALLING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY TO PUT A STOP TO IT.

>> JUST SAY NO TO TRANSCO.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, JUST SAY NO.

>> Reporter: THESE PROTESTERS WANT GOVERNOR MURPHY TO SAY NO TO WOULD PERMIT THAT WOULD LET THE PIPELINE OPERATOR WILLIAMS EXPAND ITS COMPRESSOR STATION.

THE STATION SERVES THE PIPELINE THAT BRINGS NATURAL GAS FROM THE GULF COAST TO NEW JERSEY.

>> THIS ORIGINAL COMPRESSOR SPEWS AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION INTO SOMERSET COUNTY'S ATMOSPHERE WITH HARMFUL BYPRODUCTS, INCLUDING CARBON MONOXIDE, NITROGEN OXIDE, FOR HOW THE HIDE.

>> COMPRESSOR STATIONS ARE VULNERABLE TO LEAKS AND DISASTERS, INCLUDING FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS.

SMALL TOWNS LIKE BRANCHBURG SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BUDGET TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSTANT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS NEEDED WHEN YOU LIVE NEAR A COMPRESSOR STATION.

>> Reporter: IF GOVERNOR MURPHY APPROVES THIS PERMIT, IT IS SAID HE WILL BE GOING AGAINST THE EXECUTIVE ORDER HE SIGNED LAST NOVEMBER, STATING NEW JERSEY WOULD CUT ITS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND HAVE.

>> OR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WOULD GO UP 16% IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE IN NEW JERSEY OF REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 50% BY 2030.

>> Reporter: DURING THURSDAY'S PUBLIC HEARING, PEOPLE ATTACKED IN DEFENDING THE REGIONAL ENERGY EXCESS EXPANSION, WHICH WOULD CREATE A NEW COMPRESSIONS DACIAN IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY AND EXPAND TWO EXISTING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE WINNING BRANCHBURG.

THOSE WHO WANT THE NEW PERMIT TO BE APPROVED, SAY NATURAL GAS IS STILL NEEDED UNTIL THE STATE'S ENERGY GRID CAN RELY ON RENEWABLES.

>> IT WILL HELP OUR THE ENERGY TRANSITION AND BRING ABOUT A MORE RESILIENT ENERGY SYSTEM WHILE RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS, ONLINE.

>> IT IS FOR OURSELVES, OUR CHILDREN, OUR GRANDCHILDREN, ET CETERA.

BUT WE CAN'T SIMPLY TURN OFF THE SWITCH FROM ONE ENERGY SOURCE AND TURN ON THE SWITCH OF ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO ARGUED THE PERMIT WOULD CREATE JOBS AND MAKE THE COMPRESSOR STATEMENT STATION MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.

>> WE ARE USING STATE-OF-THE- ART COMPRESSORS POWERED BY ELECTRICITY FOR THE PROJECT.

ALL OF THESE WILL BE ULTRA QUIET AND HAVE ALMOST 0 EMISSIONS FOR THE PROJECT.

WE NEED TO WORK.

THIS IS PERFECT.

YOU WILL HEAR, CONSTRUCTION IS ONLY TEMPORARY JOB.

THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

WE DO TEMPORARY JOBS.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR THE COMPRESSOR STATION DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

>> I HAVE NO EXPECTATION THAT WILLIAMS TRANSCO HAS ANY CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, I DO EXPECT GOVERNOR MURPHY TO ACT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR THEM TO GAMBLE THE HEALTH OF LOCAL RESIDENTS BY APPROVING THIS PERMIT AND JUST EVALUATING LATER WHETHER HARM HAS BEEN DONE TO THE HEALTH OF THOSE OF US WHO LIVE NEAR THE FACILITY.

>> Reporter: WILLIAMS ARGUES THAT THE EXPANSION IS NEEDED TO MEET NEW JUICY'S NATURAL GAS NEEDS.

THE BOARD OF UTILITIES DISAGREES.

LAST MONTH, THE BOARD ADOPTED A STUDY BY LONDON ECONOMICS INTERNATIONAL, STATING THAT NEW JERSEY IS UNLIKELY TO FACE A NATURAL GAS SHORTAGE OVER THE NEXT DECADE, GIVING MORE POWER TO PROTESTERS WHO SAY MORE NATURAL GAS IS NOT NEEDED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THE TINY BOROUGH ALONG THE PASSAIC RIVER WILL SOON HAVE A NEW PARK .

A NOW VACANT FIVE- ACRE PLOTS WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO AN URBAN OASIS, BRINGING NEW PUBLIC ACCESS AND GREEN SPACE TO AND AREA THAT WILL NEEDED IT.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ AND THE FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY WERE ON SITE FOR THE PROJECT'S GROUNDBREAKING.

THE PARK WILL BE BUILT AND PAID FOR BY A CHEMICAL COMPANY, BASF, UNDER AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PARK, BASF WILL GET CREDITS FOR ITS LIABILITIES FOR HISTORIC POLLUTION OF THE PASSAIC RIVER AND BERRIES CREEK AND THE MEADOWLANDS.

>>> MARTHA HICKSON IS THE SCHOOL LIBRARY YOU CAN SAY HUSHED ALL THOSE AROUND HER WHO TRIED TO BAN FIVE LGBTQ BOOKS FROM HER REGIONAL LIBRARY.

SHE REFUSED TO BAN THE BOOKS.

THAT EARNED HER THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S LIMANI SECOND PRIZE FOR LIBRARIANS FACED WITH ADVERSITY.

SHE JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THE AWARD AND THE ONGOING FIGHT TO PRESERVE LITERATURE.

MARTHA, TELL US ABOUT THE BOOK SOME IN YOUR REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WERE TRYING TO BAN.

>> I AM A LIBRARIAN IN ANNANDALE, NEW JERSEY, PART OF THE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

LAST SEPTEMBER, THERE WERE OBJECTIONS TO FIVE BOOKS.

THE COMMON THEME AMONG ALL FIVE BOOKS THAT WERE OBJECTED TO IS THAT THEY ADDRESSED LGBTQIA THEMES.

>> WAS THERE LANGUAGE IN THOSE BOOKS PARENTS OR OTHERS FOUND PROBLEMATIC?

>> YES, THERE WAS.

THEY FOUND THE LANGUAGE PROBLEMATIC BUT I WOULD INVITE ANY OF THOSE PARENTS TO COME TO THE CAFETERIA DURING ANY GIVEN LUNCHTIME.

THEY WOULD SEE THAT AS PART OF THE AVERAGE TEENAGER'S VERNACULAR.

>> HOW DID YOU SUCCEEDING AT KEEPING THOSE BOOKS ON THE SHELF?

WHAT WAS YOUR PLATFORM?

WHAT WAS YOUR MESSAGE?

>> IT WAS A DIFFICULT PROCESS, BUT BASICALLY, THE PLATFORM AND THE MESSAGE IS THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

WE, AS CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, HAVE THE RIGHT TO READ AND THINK FREELY.

IT WAS CONTINUING TO HAMMER THAT MESSAGE HOME.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A TEENAGER DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE WITHOUT THOSE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> HOW PROBLEMATIC DO YOU SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, WHERE THERE ARE GROUPS LOOKING TO BAN BOOKS THEY FIND TO BE PROBLEMATIC IN LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS?

>> IT IS A HUGE ISSUE.

BANNING BOOKS OR OBJECTING TO BOOKS IS CERTAINLY EVERY PARENT'S RIGHT FOR THEIR OWN CHILD.

EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO DICTATE OR WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR CHILDREN TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR CHILD WILL READ.

THAT RIGHT STOPS AT YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR.

YOU CANNOT TELL OTHER PARENTS, OTHER CHILDREN, WHAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT READ.

WHAT IS AMPLIFYING THIS IS THAT THE BOOKS HAVE BECOME A TOOL IN LARGER SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOVEMENTS.

WHAT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO THE LIBRARY COMMUNITY IS THAT LISTS OF BOOKS THAT ARE BEING CREATED BY POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE BEING CIRCULATED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE BOOKS ARE BEING OBJECTED TO WITHOUT PEOPLE EVEN READING THEM.

THE OBJECTIONS COME IN THE FORMS OF RANDOM PASSAGES THAT ARE TAKEN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTEXT AND READ ALOUD AT BOARD MEETINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANUFACTURING OUTRAGE.

>> THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AWARDED YOU THE LEBANESE NICUT PRIZE FOR LIBRARIANS FACED WITH ADVERSITY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> I AM THANKFUL THAT BY RECEIVING THE AWARD, THE ISSUE OF THE RIGHT TO READ IS BEING RAISED TO GREATER PROMINENCES, NOT ONLY IN THE LIBRARY COMMUNITY, AT LARGE, BUT THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

I AM ALSO VERY HUMBLE TO RECEIVE IT BECAUSE, AS YOU ARE QUESTIONING THUS FAR IMPLYING, I AM BY NO MEANS THE ONLY LIBRARIAN TO HAVE EXPERIENCED CHALLENGES, TO HAVE EXPERIENCED PERSONAL ATTACKS TO REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY AND TO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO RE-.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF LIBRARIANS GOING THROUGH THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I WAS VERY HAPPY TO ACCEPT THAT AWARD ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TONIGHT, ATLANTIC CITY CASINO DEALERS ARE SAYING NO DAYS TO A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD CREATE OUTDOOR SMOKING AREAS IN CASINOS.

THE PLAN WOULD LEAD EMPLOYEES OPT OUT OF WORKING IN THOSE SECTIONS BUT THE DEALERS CALL IT A HALF-BAKED PLAN, SAYING SOMEONE HAS TO FILL THE SPOTS.

THOSE UNLUCKY WORKERS WILL BE LEFT TO DEAL WITH THE HEALTH RISKS FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE.

DEALERS ARE DEMANDING A COMPLETE SMOKING BAN WHICH HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT NONE OF THE BILLS HAVE PASSED, EVEN THOUGH GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID HE WOULD SIGN THEM.

THAT WOULD BE A BIG WIN FOR WORKERS, AS CASINOS ARE SOME OF THE LAST OR SPACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN STILL SMOKE IN THE STATE.

>>> TURNING ON WALL STREET, HERE IS HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED FOR THE WEEK.

♪ >>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, CLEARER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

♪ >>> NEW JERSEY STASHED MORE THAN $4.6 MILLION FROM CANNABIS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF OPENING.

IT WAS OF COOL $80 MILLION, GIVE OR TAKE A FEW.

INDUSTRY LEADERS SAY THE MARKET IS PERFORMING EXACTLY AS THEY EXPECTED AND THEY BELIEVE IT WILL GROW AS MORE BUSINESSES COME ONLINE AND THE COST OF CANNABIS COMES DOWN.

GETTING MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR INTO THE MARKETPLACE REMAINS BOTH A GOAL AND A CHALLENGE.

ONE PROGRAM IN JERSEY CITY IS PROVIDING TRAINING TO TEACH BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR CRITICAL TECHNICAL SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN THE CANNABIS MARKET.

WILL THE SERVER REPORTS THAT GOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM, LOOKING AT JUSTICE, POVERTY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE RACE IS ON TO SEE WHO CAN BE THE FIRST TO ANSWER THE QUESTION RIGHT.

INSTEAD OF COMPETING AGAINST EACH OTHER, THESE ADULTS ARE ACTUALLY LEARNING TOGETHER, TAKING PART IN THE INAUGURAL CLASS AT MINORITY CANNABIS ACADEMY HERE IN JERSEY CITY.

>> WE ARE AN ADULT LEARNING ACADEMY, CENTERED AROUND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB PLACEMENT.

WE BRING IN 25 STUDENTS FROM JERSEY CITY, NEWARK, IRVINGTON, WE TEACH THEM BUT ATTENDING AND HORTICULTURE.

THEY MEET TWICE A WEEK.

IT IS AN ACE WEAK AND SOFT PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT BY EXPERTS IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, LEARNING ALL ABOUT THE DIFFERENT STRAINS OF MARIJUANA AND WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN A DISPENSARY.

BRENDAN ROBINSON, COFOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF MINORITY CANNABIS ACADEMY SAID THE PROGRAM IS A WAY TO GET BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, WHO ARE OFTEN LEFT OUT, INVOLVED IN A GROWING INDUSTRY THAT COULD ULTIMATELY CREATE GENERATIONAL WELL.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INDUSTRY OF A WHOLE, WE HAVE LESS THAN 5% OWNERSHIP.

WHEN YOU WALK INTO DISPENSARIES ACROSS THE STATE, YOU DON'T SEE THE SAME REPRESENTATIONS WE SAW GROWING UP.

WE HAVE SUFFERED.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE WAR ON DRUGS THE WAY WE HAVE, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND UNDERSTAND THIS COMING TO NEW JERSEY AND BEING LEGAL, IT IS OUR DUTY TO MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN IT.

>> WE WANT THEM TO COME BACK TO FUTURE CLASSES TO GIVE OTHER TESTIMONY.

>> Reporter: DREAMS OF OWNING A DISPENSARY ONE DAY, USING CANNABIS TO HELP WITH BACK PAIN AND AS AN EMT WORKER, SEES FIRSTHAND HOW CAN HELP OTHERS.

>> ONE PATIENT STOPPED TAKING HER LUPUS MEDICINE.

SHE ALWAYS LETS ME KNOW, I WOULD RATHER SMOKE OR EAT RATHER THAN TAKE THIS MEDICATION THE DOCTOR GAVE ME BECAUSE IT IS MAKING HER GAIN WEIGHT AND PULL HER HAIR OUT.

SHE IS RETAINING WATER.

WITH CANNABIS, SHE FEELS LIKE IT BALANCES HER OUT.

>> Reporter: JULIAN HAS BEEN TAKING CANNABIS TO RELIEVE ANXIETY FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AND BELIEVES IT IS THE BEST FORM OF TREATMENT FOR HIM.

>> I SOUGHT OUT THERAPY.

I ACTUALLY TAUGHT TO A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL ABOUT THAT.

THAT DEFINITELY SERVES ITS PURPOSE, AS WELL, I FEEL LIKE, FOR ME, THE PLANT, YOU KNOW, WILL AT LEAST ALLOW ME TO TAKE CARE OF THE MATTER AT HAND IMMEDIATELY, AS OPPOSED TO WAITING FOR MY NEXT THERAPY SESSION.

>> Reporter: NOW HE IS EXCITED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW CANNABIS WORKS AND THE FUTURE POSSIBILITIES THE INDUSTRY CAN BRING FOR HIM.

>> I MYSELF COME FROM THE FINANCE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW.

BUT I DEFINITELY WANT TO EDUCATE MYSELF A LITTLE MORE ON THE INS AND OUTS OF EVERYTHING AND POSSIBLY EVEN TRANSITION INTO ANOTHER INDUSTRY.

I SAW THIS OPPORTUNITY AS A GREAT WAY TO REALLY TAKE THAT FIRST STEP.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE STUDENTS, THEY HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED THE FACT THAT WHEN THEY GET DONE WITH THE PROGRAM, THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND HELP THE ONES IN THE NEXT PROGRAM.

THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO BUILD, AN ECOSYSTEM, A CULTURE, EACH ONE TEACH ONE TYPE OF VIBE.

WE ARE ON THAT PATH.

>> Reporter: THE PILOT PROGRAM WILL END IN SEPTEMBER.

PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO START BACK UP EARLY IN 2023 BUT CLASSES WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, GIVING MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY A CHANCE TO SUCCEED IN THE GROWING INDUSTRY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU FOR THE WEEK, HEART TO US ONLINE AND KEEP UP.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

♪ >>> NJM J INSURANCE GROUPS, SERVING BUSINESS NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

MAJOR FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY, ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE JOHN JANCEK FONT.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT IS WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

YOUR WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, MORE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH, MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE, ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLAN SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

WE CAN HELP BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK, NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.

♪