>>> RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

THE GLOVES CONTINUE TO COME OFF.

NEW JERSEY SENATE REPUBLICANS HOSTING A FORM TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL APPROACHES.

CRITICS HAVE CALLED OUT ASPECTS SUCH AS TEACHING GENDER IDENTITY TO GRADE SCHOOLERS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE LESSON PLAN.

AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, THEY ARE NOT BACKING DOWN.

>> Reporter: PARENTS ARE NOT BACKING DOWN.

>> HAVING A TEACHER, AN ADULT, WHO IS NOT MY CHILD'S PARENT DISCUSSING WITH THEM, UP TO THE SECOND GRADE, IS SOMETHING I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IN MY LIFETIME.

>> Reporter: STATE GOP SENATORS HOSTED AT FACEBOOK LIVE TODAY TO CALL OUT AND CRITICIZE LESSON PLANS THEY SAY ARE INAPPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN.

>> IF THESE MATERIALS WERE SHOWN TO YOUR EIGHT-YEAR-OLD CHILD BY A NEIGHBOR THEY WOULD BE CHARGED WITH A MEGAN'S LAW OFFENSE.

WHY IS IT OKAY FOR SCHOOLS TO PUT THIS IN THEIR CURRICULUM AND TEACH IT TO YOUR CHILDREN?

>> Reporter: SENATOR SAYS THAT THE OUTRAGE IS MANUFACTURED.

>> THIS IS A WELL-ORGANIZED POLITICAL CAMPAIGN THAT WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHERE FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, WITH ELECTIONS COMING UP, YOU HAVE POLITICIANS TRYING TO PURPOSELY MISLEAD PARENTS, THINKING AND TRYING TO TELL THEM THAT SOMETHING IS BEING TAUGHT IN CLASSROOMS THAT'S NOT.

>> Reporter: PARENTS AND ADVOCATES SAY THAT THEIR FRUSTRATION IS REAL, AND THAT THEY THINK THE CURRICULUM WILL HARM THEIR CHILDREN.

>> THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL.

THE CONNECTION IS BEING SEVERED DELIBERATELY, I THINK.

THEY DO NOT WANT PARENTS INVOLVED.

THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO BRING ATTENTION TO ALL THIS.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I AM GOING TO --MY LOCAL DISTRICT AS WELL.

I SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.

I AM VERY UPSET.

IT SADDENS ME.

>> YOU ARE INTRODUCING CONCEPTS AROUND SEXUAL AND GENDER IDENTITY THAT ARE FAR BEYOND THE CHILD'S MATURITY COGNITIVELY.

WHEN YOU DO THAT, IT IS TRAUMATIZING TO A CHILD.

IT ADDS CONFUSION TO A CHILD.

IT MAKES THE CHILD DOUBT THEIR ABILITY TO REASON.

THIS STICKS WITH THEM FOR LIFE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS HAVE TAUGHT SEX ED SINCE THE EARLY 1980s.

BUT WITH THE NEW GUIDELINES ON THE TABLE AND THE START OF SCHOOL APPROACHING, SENATOR GOPAL SAYS THAT IT IS HARD TO HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION.

>> YOU ARE SAYING MANY OVERHEATED THINGS.

YOU ARE USING TERMS LIKE "GROOMER" AND THIS IS BEING DONE BY POLITICIANS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN SUCCESSFUL SO FAR, SO NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE PARENTS.

>> Reporter: SENATOR GOPAL POSTED A LOT THAT MANDATED THAT LESSON PLANS BE POSTED ONLINE FOR PEOPLE TO REVIEW.

>> MANY OF THE REPUBLICANS DID NOT ACTUALLY WANT LESSON PLANS POSTED, BECAUSE THAT MAKES THE SMOKESCREEN HARDER WHEN YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS NOTHING DANGEROUS THAT IS ACTUALLY BEING TAUGHT.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> AS OF TODAY, NEW JERSEY HAS RECORDED 441 MONKEYPOX CASES, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THE VIRUS, WHICH IS SPREADING AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN, IS THOUGHT TO BE ON THE RISE AS COLLEGE STUDENTS RETURNED TO CLASS.

WITH A LIMITED SUPPLY OF VACCINE COMIC SENIORS CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN OUTLINES WHAT IS BEING DONE.

>> I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY COLLEGE STUDENTS MOVING BACK TO CAMPUS THIS WEEK, SHE DIDN'T PUT MONKEYPOX ON HER LIST OF CONCERNS, BUT SHE DID CHECK HER UNIVERSITY'S WEBSITE FOR AN ALERT.

>> I AM AROUND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

ANY PEOPLE CAN CATCH IT.

>> Reporter: PLUS, DORMS FEATURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIOR.

IT IS MOST PREVALENT IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

ALREADY, FIVE COLLEGES HAVE REPORTED OUTBREAKS.

NONE IN NEW JERSEY, BUT -- >> I THINK WE WILL SEE CASES ON CAMPUSES IN NEW JERSEY.

I THINK IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO ASSUME IT WON'T HAPPEN.

THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY CASES?

THE MORE WE DO IN TERMS OF PREVENTION AND PREVENTION MEASURING, THE LESS LIKELY WE ARE TO HAVE EXPLOSIONS ON ANY OF THESE CAMPUSES.

>> THESE SCHOOLS ARE ANXIOUS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH AUTHORITIES IN ANY WAY THEY CAN PROVIDE.

>> Reporter: AUTHORITIES THEN REFERRED STUDENTS TO OFF-CAMPUS SITES WHERE APPOINTMENTS CAN BE VERY HARD TO GET.

FOR INSTANCE, PHILIP MORI SAYS THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS GOTTEN MORE PROACTIVE, BUT HE THINKS STUDENTS WILL NEED MORE SUPPORT.

>> TO BE FRANK, I THINK NONE OF US IN COLLEGE WANT TO SEE ANYTHING SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH COVID, BUT I THINK A LOT OF US WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DISEASE CAN OF WANT TO SEE A BIT MORE OF A PLAN.

>> Reporter: PARENTS OF THIS FAMILY AT WILLIAM PATTERSON ALSO HAVE CONCERN OVER HOW UNIVERSITIES WILL HANDLE OUTBREAKS OF MONKEYPOX.

>> IF SOMEBODY BECOMES INFECTED, WHAT IS PROTOCOL?

HOW ARE THEY PLANNING TO KEEP THEM SEPARATED OR KEEP THEM SAFE?

DO THEY COME HOME?

>> WE WOULD BE SEEKING THE ADVICE OF OUR HEALTH OFFICIALS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ALL ALONG DURING COVID.

THEY ARE HANDLING ALL THE CONTACT TRACING.

THEY WOULD PROVIDE US GUIDANCE OF WHETHER SOMEBODY NEEDS TO QUARANTINE OR ISOLATE.

>> Reporter: MEDICAL ATTENTION ISN'T THE ONLY ISSUE.

PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR MONKEYPOX SHOULD ISOLATE FOR TWO TO FOUR WEEKS.

WHERE SHOULD THEY GO?

>> I THINK MOST SCHOOLS ARE NOT EQUIPPED FOR THIS.

THE CDC HAS NOT YET COME OUT WITH ANY GUIDELINES SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>> Reporter: SCHOOLS MUST ALSO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO KEEP STUDENTS PLUGGED INTO CLASS.

DO THEY GO REMOTE IF THERE IS AN OUTBREAK?

SCHOOLS ARE STILL DEBATING ANSWERS, BUT TRANSPARENCY APPEARS TO BE THE BEST OPTION.

>> FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN PANICKING PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND GIVING THEM THE INFORMATION THEY NEED IS WHAT WE AIM TO DO.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE SETTLEMENT DETERMINES THAT OPIOID SALES WERE INCREASED USING MARKETING THAT OVERSTATED THE EFFECT OF THE DRUGS.

THE SETTLEMENT ALSO BANS THE COMPANY FROM EVER AGAIN MARKETING OPIOID PRODUCTS, AND REQUIRES THE COMPANY TO TURN OVER DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO ITS ROLE IN THE OPIOID CRISIS FOR INFORMATION IN AN ONLINE ARCHIVE.

NEW JERSEY IS ALREADY SET TO RECEIVE $100 MILLION FROM SETTLEMENTS WITH OTHER DRUGMAKERS AND THEIR ROLES IN FUELING THE OPIOID CRISIS.

FOR MORE REPORTING ON STATE GUIDANCE AND WHO IT AFFECTS, CHECK OUT BOBBY BREYER'S REPORTING ON NJ.ORG.

>>> JACKIE CORNELL WILL BE THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND.

THE PROVIDER PROVIDES REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING ABORTION SERVICES, IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHILE JERSEY IS CONSIDERED A SAFE HAVEN FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, IT IS NOW HER RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THOSE RIGHTS AND ADVOCATE FOR FURTHER ADVANCEMENT FOR WOMEN IN NEW JERSEY.

JACKIE, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT BARRIERS STILL EXIST HERE IN NEW JERSEY WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON TODAY TO DISCUSS IT.

WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO PROTECT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND REMAINS EVERGREEN AND FOCUSING ON IS AFFORDABILITY IN ACCESS.

PART OF THE WORK WE ARE DOING WITH THE REPRODUCTIVE EQUITY ACT IS TO PUSH FOR SOME OF THE PROVISIONS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY MAKE SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE, BUT ALSO MORE AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE.

>> YOU KNOW, JACKIE, WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT THE MISSION AND WORK TO PROTECT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE 20 YEARS SINCE YOU WERE LAST AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD?

>> SO THE WORLD IS REALLY DIFFERENT IN 20 YEARS.

IN SOME WAYS IT IS FOR THE BETTER.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE COMPASSION AND INCLUSIVITY AROUND THINGS LIKE GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

WE ARE ALSO LIVING IN A TIME THAT IS PROBABLY MORE POLARIZED AND DIVISIVE THAN MOST OF US HAVE EVER SEEN.

I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S MISSION OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR INSURANCE ACCESS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME, THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS, THERE IDENTITY, THOSE REMAIN THE SAME.

SO IT FEELS REALLY FULL CIRCLE TO BE COMING BACK AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHEN THE STAKES FEEL EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT AFTER RECENT NEWS OUT OF THE SUPREME COURT.

>> RIGHT.

AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE COME TO NEW JERSEY TO SEEK ABORTION SERVICES FROM STATES WHERE ABORTION IS BANNED OR RESTRICTED, WHAT ROLE DOES PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAVE IN NEW JERSEY GIVEN THAT POST-ROE WORLD?

>> SURE.

SO HERE AT THE ACTION FUNDS, A LOT OF MY WORK WILL BE WORKING TO PUT INTO STATUTE AND CODIFY AND STRENGTHEN THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED LEGISLATIVELY OR THROUGH MY EXECUTIVE OFFICE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD HEALTH CENTERS ARE WORKING AS WE DO EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO CARE.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE SEEING EVEN ANECDOTALLY IS THE AMOUNT OF FEAR AND MISINFORMATION THAT EXISTS BOTH IN NEW JERSEY AND FOR FOLKS IN OTHER STATES WHERE ACCESS IS FAR MORE RESTRICTED.

WHAT HEALTH CENTERS ARE DOING IS WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS CAN COME IN, RECEIVE SERVICES THAT THEY WANT, AND CONTINUE ON THEIR LIFE AND DOING THE THINGS THEY WANT TO DO.

>> JACKIE CORNELL, THANK YOU FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US TO DISCUSS THIS TOPIC THAT IMPACTS NOT JUST WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>>> A NEW LAWS GIVING SALARY AND BENEFIT PROTECTIONS TO NURSING HOME EMPLOYEES DURING OWNERSHIP CHANGES.

THE BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY LAST WEEK REQUIRES NURSING HOMES AND OTHER HEALTHCARE FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN WORKER SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR FOUR MONTHS AFTER A SALE.

THE BILL DOES NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT OF LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS LEADERS, WHO ARGUE THAT IT COULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

MELISSA ROSE-COOPER EXPLAINS AND HAS MORE REACTION TO THE LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT IN NOVEMBER.

>> WE JUST HAD A MEETING NOT TOO LONG AGO, AND IT KIND OF HURT ME THAT HE SAID THAT PAYING FOR BETTER HEALTH INSURANCE OR A PAY RAISE WAS CUTTING INTO 40% OF THEIR PROFITS.

WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT MANY FULL-TIME WORKERS LIKE HERSELF OR CUT DOWN TO PART-TIME, AND ON TOP OF THAT, THERE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WERE SLASHED.

>> THEY GOT IT IT SO THAT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAMILY PLAN OF THREE EVERY TWO WEEKS.

WE HAVE SOME EMPLOYEES IN THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW WHO NEED CHEMO AND OTHER THINGS, FOR WHICH THEY WERE RELYING ON OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE, AND THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO HONOR IT FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS.

THEY NEVER DID.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A MEASURE INTO LAW REQUIRING COMPANIES TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE.

THE LEGISLATION, WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT IN NOVEMBER, ALLOWS FOR LAYOFFS WITHIN THAT PERIOD, BUT ONLY AFTER WORKERS WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SENIORITY ARE LET GO FIRST.

>> THIS IS CRITICAL TO OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE APPLAUDING LEGISLATORS FOR PROTECTING HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

WHITE SAYS THE INDUSTRY IS ALREADY SUFFERING ONE OF THE WORST STAFFING ICS IN HISTORY, SO MAKING SURE THAT EMPLOYEES RETAIN SOME BENEFITS IS CRUCIAL TO RECRUITMENT.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

ULTIMATELY, WHY WOULDN'T WE WANT TO RAISE THE STANDARD IN LONG-TERM CARE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN WORKERS?

IT PROTECTS OUR PATIENTS, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR WORKERS AS WELL.

ANY CORPORATION BUYING A LONG- TERM CARE FACILITY, WE BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE INVESTED IN THESE THINGS TO BEGIN WITH.

>> THE THING THAT BUSINESSES ALWAYS WANT TO MAINTAIN OUR GOOD EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU ARE A GOOD EMPLOYEE, A BUSINESS THAT IS LOOKING TO MAKE A SALE OR PURCHASE THAT BUSINESS FROM THE SELLER IS GOING TO RETAIN THOSE THAT THEY CAN.

I DO THINK THAT IT IS UP TO THE NEW BUSINESS OWNER AND THEIR LEADERSHIP TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: CHRISSY BEAUTEOUS SAYS THAT THE LAW IS A COMPLETE OVERSTEP OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT ENTITY COME IN AND TELL YOU HOW LONG YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES, AT WHAT WAGES, AT WHAT BENEFITS, AND HOW YOU NEED TO HIRE THEM BACK IF THERE WAS A LAYOFF BASED ON SENIORITY?

AGAIN, THAT IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: ANDY ARONSON, CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION WHICH REPRESENTS THE LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRY, BELIEVES THAT THE LAW COULD PREVENT ANYONE FROM PURCHASING AN LTC FACILITY IN THE FUTURE.

HE SAID THAT IT CAUSES UNNECESSARY HARDSHIPS FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS FOR WORKERS WHO COULD LOSE THEIR JOBS.

HAVING LEGISLATION IN PLACE THAT HOLDS EMPLOYERS ACCOUNTABLE EVEN FOR A FEW MONTHS WILL HOPEFULLY PROVIDE MORE JOB SECURITY FOR WORKERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE-COOPER.

>>> JULY GAVE BIG RETURNS FOR ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS.

ALTHOUGH CASINOS SAW A SLIGHT DECLINE IN PROFITS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2022, TOTAL NUMBERS FOR THE NINE CASINOS INCREASED FROM LAST YEAR.

INTERNET GAMING ALSO HITTING THE JACKPOT, EARNING NEARLY $137 MILLION.

IT IS A 15% GROWTH.

MEANWHILE, SPORTS BETTING MISSED THE MARK THIS MONTH WITH A MORE THAN 18% DECREASE IN REVENUES, REPORTING JUST $45 MILLION.

TOTAL GAMING REVENUE SAW AN INCREASE FROM JULY 2021, REPORTING OVER $480 MILLION AND REFLECTING A 7% INCREASE.

YEAR TO DATE, TOTAL GAMING REVENUE HAS REACHED A GRAND TOTAL OF $2.9 BILLION.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET, HERE IS HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

>>> LONGTIME ESSEX COUNTY LAWMAKER AND CIVIL RIGHTS TRAILBLAZER WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH FROM THE SENATE SEAT HE HAS HELD FOR 35 YEARS.

THE RETIREMENT COMES AS SENATOR RICE HAS HAD HEALTH ISSUES, AND HE CAME TO BE KNOWN FOR AN INDEPENDENT STREAK THAT SOMETIMES FRUSTRATED HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS.

AS SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS, HE ALSO EARNED THEIR RESPECT ALONG THE WAY.

>> I AM NEW JERSEY STATE SENATOR RONALD RICE.

MY SON IS RONALD C. RICE.

HE DOES A LOT OF YOUTUBE STUFF, SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR WHO I AM.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO MISTAKING SENATOR RICE.

VIETNAM VETERAN, LEADER OF THE BLACK CAUCUS, AND SHARP-TONGUED DEBATER.

>> HE GOT AWAY WITH BEING HIMSELF.

HE REALLY GOT AWAY WITH BEING HIMSELF HIS WHOLE LIFE.

>> Reporter: ROB CAPITO HAS BEEN A LONGTIME FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

>> HE WILL FIGHT TO THE END WHETHER HE FEELS HE HAS PEOPLE SUPPORTING HIM OR NOT.

HE WILL STAND FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES IN.

LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE.

THERE AREN'T TOO MANY PEOPLE LIKE THAT.

>> I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN SEGREGATED COMMUNITIES.

I KNOW WHAT THE STRUGGLE WAS LIKE TO ALLOW US TO GO TO SCHOOL AND GET EDUCATION SO THAT WE CAN BETTER OUR LIVES AND GET AWAY FROM ALL THIS CRAZINESS.

>> Reporter: RON RICE WILL CALL ANYBODY OUT IF THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE NOT STANDING UP FOR THEIR COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT IS THE BLACK ESTABLISHMENT OR THE POWERFUL ESSEX COUNTY DEMOCRATIC MACHINE, WHICH HE TOOK ON RUNNING AGAINST THEIR HAND-PICKED CANDIDATES AND WINNING.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER SHAVONNA SUMPTER TOOK OVER IN HIS PLACE.

IT IS THROUGH THE CAUCUS THAT RICE HAS HELD THE LEGISLATURE TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, MOST RECENTLY THROUGH HIS OPPOSITION TO CANNABIS LEGALIZATION, WHICH HE SAID WOULD BE A NET NEGATIVE TO HIS NEWARK DISTRICT.

THIS LED TO HIS EXCHANGE WITH THEN SENATOR IN 2020.

>> THANK YOU, CENTER.

>> SENATOR RICE, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR ALL THESE YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING -- >> SIR, I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT.

>> RON IS HIS OWN GUY WITH VERY STRONG OPINIONS ON THINGS, BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT AFTER I BECAME SENATE PRESIDENT, THAT'S FOR SURE.

EVEN AFTER HE VOTED AGAINST ME, HE WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF EVERYTHING IN MY AGENDA.

WE HAD A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP THIS LAST YEAR, AND VERY HELPFUL AND COOPERATIVE DURING THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SINCE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THERE HAS BEEN AN OUTPOURING OF APPRECIATION FOR THE SENATOR, AND IT HAS BEEN ACROSS PARTY LINES.

>> THERE IS THIS EXPRESSION, DO YOU FEEL ME?

AND PEOPLE CAN FEEL THAT.

IF YOU ARE RUNNING ACROSS THE LINE IN NEWARK, PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT.

YOU WILL BE OUT.

>> Reporter: SENATOR WHO DIDN'T SEE EYE TO EYE WITH RICE ON EVERYTHING, SAID THAT IT WAS NO SURPRISE TO SEE HIM RUN AGAINST THE MACHINE AND WIN.

>> HE WAS A COMMITTED PUBLIC SERVANT, AND PEOPLE RESONATED WITH HIM NOT BECAUSE OF HIS TITLE, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS FROM NEWARK AND FOR NEWARK.

>> Reporter: RICE INSTILLED THAT SPIRIT IN HIS SON, WHO RAN FOR HIS FATHER'S COUNSEL SEAT ON A TICKET BY CORY BOOKER.

>> IT IS A TRANSACTIONAL STATE.

THIS MAN SERVED AS LONG AS HE SERVED SAYING, NO.

I AM NOT GOING TO PLAY BALL WHEN I DON'T WANT TO OR WHEN IT IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

>> Reporter: RICE SAYS THAT HIS FATHER HAS MORE HISTORY TO WRITE.

HE IS SAID TO FAVOR HIS DISTRICT COLLEAGUE AS HIS SUCCESSOR.

THAT DECISION WILL BE MADE BY THE COUNTY MACHINE.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH US, AND WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> MGM INSURANCE GROUP AND BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.