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MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, IN FOUR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

HISTORIC CRIMINAL CHARGES.

THE JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO REFER FOUR CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST DONALD TRUMP TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED AGAINST A U.S. PRESIDENT.

OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING.

CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES.

CONSPIRACY THEORY TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS AND INSURRECTION, RECOMMENDED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE MEMBER JAMIE RASKIN.

>> THE STATUTE APPLIES TO ANYONE WHO RECITES, ASSISTS, OR ENGAGES IN AND INSURRECTION AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR ANYONE WHO GIVES AID OR COMFORT TO AN INSURRECTION.

AND INSURRECTION IS A REBELLION AGAINST THE AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND IT IS A GRAVE FEDERAL OFFENSE.

THE COMMITTEE BELIEVES THAT MORE THAN SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE EXISTS FOR A CRIMINAL REFERRAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR ASSISTING OR AIDING IN COMFORTING THOSE OF THE CAPITAL WHO ENGAGED IN A VIOLENT ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES.

THE COMMITTEE HAS PRESENTED SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE THAT TRUMP INTENDED TO DISRUPT THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION.

THE PRESIDENT HAS AN AFFIRMATIVE AND PRIMARY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO ACT TO TAKE CARE THAT THE LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED.

NOTHING COULD BE A GREATER BETRAYAL OF THIS DUTY THEN TO ASSIST IN INSURRECTION AGAINST THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER.

>> RASKIN SAYING THAT WHILE DOZENS OF RIOTERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED, IT SHOULD NOT JUST BE FOOT SOLDIERS GOING TO JAIL WHILE THE MASTERMINDS GET A PASS.

THIS WAS THE 10th AND FINAL HEARING FOR THE COMMITTEE THAT LAID OUT A REVIEW OF THE MOST REVEALING EVIDENCE SINCE FORMING A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

INCLUDES INTERVIEWS FROM THE INNER CIRCLE, CABINET MEMBERS, AND ADVISORS WHO ADVISED TRUMP HE DID NOT HAVE THE VOTES TO WIN AND CONCEDE THE ELECTION EVEN AS HE DEMANDED THEY OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

THE SELECT MIDI MADE IT CLEAR THAT TRUMP KNEW HE LOST BUT PRESSURED PUBLIC OFFICIALS INCLUDING THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, THAT HE ACTUALLY SUMMONED THE MOB, AND AS THEY ATTACK THE CAPITOL, HE DISPLAYED A DERELICTION OF DUTY BY NOT CALLING THEM OFF AND THAT TRUMP DID NOT ACT ALONE AND THAT CRIMINAL CHARGES ALSO BE REFERRED AGAINST ATTORNEY JOHN EASTMAN AND THAT OTHERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, LEAVING IT OPEN FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE ITS OWN INVESTIGATION.

THE COMMITTEE INDICATED FOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL BE REFERRED FOR SANCTIONS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH LAWFUL SUBPOENAS.

THE COMMITTEE WILL RELEASE THE REPORT ON WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING TRANSCRIPTS OF EVERY INTERVIEW THEY HAVE CONDUCTED.

IT IS A MASSIVE, SEVERAL HUNDRED PAGE REPORT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MAY USE IN THEIR INVESTIGATION.

I AM JOINED BY FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR TOM KEAN SR., WHO KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS.

HE WAS CHAIR OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION AFTER THE ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN CRIMINAL CHARGES REFERRED AGAINST A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

FOR CHARGES, INCLUDING INSURRECTION.

HOW STRONG OF A CASE DO YOU BELIEVE THE SELECT COMMITTEE LAID OUT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS CONDUCTING ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND MAY OR MAY NOT BE REACHING A CONCLUSION.

THAT GOT TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO REGARDLESS OF WHAT THIS COMMITTEE HAS TOLD THEM TO DO.

IN FACT, I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE TO MAKE THE REFERRAL.

THE COMMITTEE IS SOMEWHAT PARTISAN.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS TOTALLY NONPARTISAN AND THAT'S THE WAY THEY HAVE TO REBELLION.

I DON'T THINK THEY DID THEM ANY FAVORS BY MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION.

THEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB IN PRESENTING THE CASE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

BUT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS TO DO ITS OWN THING AND MAKE ITS OWN CASE.

THAT IS WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD EXPECT FROM THEM.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE THE INVESTIGATION BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE WAS A ROADMAP FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE?

OR YOU ARE SAYING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DOES NOT NEED THAT HELP?

>> THEY'VE GOT TO BE TOTALLY NONPARTISAN.

THEIR INVESTIGATION IS HEADED WITH A GUY WITH A LOT OF CREDIBILITY IN THE REPORT HAD A LOT OF CREDIBILITY WHETHER OR NOT THEY BRING CHARGES.

BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE PUSHED.

THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED THE TIME TO DO THEIR OWN CASE IN A NONPARTISAN MANNER AND PRESENT IT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.

>> THE PERCEPTION OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS COMPLETELY NONPARTISAN.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU CANNOT TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF THIS IN SOME SENSE BECAUSE THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN WHO COULD FACE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN A FUTURE ELECTION.

HOW MUCH DO THE POLITICS PLAY IN HERE?

>> HOPEFULLY, NOT AT ALL.

I CANNOT TELL YOU 100% TRUE.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE UNDER A NUMBER OF PRESIDENTS HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CREDIBILITY.

REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU COULD COUNT ON THEM TO DO A REASONABLE JOB.

THAT IS WHY I WISH THE COMMITTEE STAYED AWAY FROM THEM AND LET THEM DO THEIR JOB.

IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES WITH ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER ARE GOING TO BE PARTISAN.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE ALL ACCEPT AS AMERICANS.

THAT'S WHY I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM GET IN THEIR WAY.

>> THERE IS THE COURT OF LAW AND THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.

IN YOUR VIEW, WHERE DOES FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP STAND IN BOTH?

>> THE POLLS THAT I HAVE SEEN INDICATE HE HAS GONE DOWN BUT THAT HE HAS STILL GOT A VERY LARGE PERCENT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORTING AND BELIEVING IN HIM WHO THINK HE WAS RIGHT IN MOST OF WHAT HE DID.

A SURPRISINGLY LARGE AMOUNT.

BUT NOT AS LARGE AS IT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

>> OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CHOSE NOT TO BRING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS THE RISK OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN?

>> WELL, THE LAW COULD BE CHANGED.

THAT IS ONE PROPOSAL ALREADY PENDING IN CONGRESS WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT SAYS LOOK, THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS NOT GOT THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION OR REFER IT BACK TO THE STATES.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DOUBT RIGHT NOW, AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED.

FIX THINGS LIKE THAT.

FIX THE SYSTEM WHERE IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BROKEN AND MAKE SURE WE GET BACK TO WHAT THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF THIS COUNTRY WANTED.

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY EXCUSE FOR OVERTURNING THE RESULTS OF A LAWFUL ELECTION EVER IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT, AS ALWAYS.

FORMER GOVERNOR TOM KEAN SR., THANK YOU.

>>> IT WAS A ONE DAY WHEN AN ATTORNEY OF A FEDEX WORKER RANG THE DOORBELL AND SHOT AND KILLED THE SON OF SOLACE IS SON WHO ANSWERED THE DOOR.

THE HUSBAND WAS ALSO SHOT BUT SURVIVED THE ATTACK.

IT LEADS TO A DEBATE ON WHETHER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO MORE PRIVACY WHEN IT LEADS TO THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION.

IT ULTIMATELY LED TO CONGRESS PASSING A BILL TO PROTECT THAT PRIVACY IN DANIEL'S NAME.

DAVID CRUZ WAS AT A PRESS EVENT WITH BOB MENENDEZ AND CORY BOOKER AND JUDGE SOLACE TO COMMEMORATE THE PASSAGE.

>> THOSE WHO ATTACK FEDERAL JUDGES ATTACK AMERICA.

>> Reporter: SENATOR RAY BOOKER CALLED THE PASSAGE OF THE JUDICIAL SECURITY AND PRIVACY ACT, DANIELS LAW, AN ACT OF LOVE.

DANIEL, THE SON OF THIS FEDERAL JUDGE, WAS MURDERED IN THEIR HOME BY A FORMER LITIGANT LOOKING TO HARM THE JUDGE IN JULY 2020.

THE BILL IS NOW HEADED TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK.

>> THIS PROHIBITS THE SELLING, TRADING, TRANSFERRING OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ONLINE.

WE DO THIS BY ALLOWING JUDGES TO REQUEST THEIR INFORMATION BE TAKEN DOWN IF IT IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.

WE INCREASED THEIR PROTECTION BY AUTHORIZING THE U.S.

MARSHALS SERVICE TO HIRE ADDITIONAL ANALYSTS, SECURITY SPECIALISTS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL TO HELP PREVENT THREATS TO FEDERAL JUDGES.

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS OF THE BILL.

>> Reporter: MENENDEZ SAYS THE BILL IS ESPECIALLY NECESSARY IN THE NATIONAL CLIMATE.

OFFICIALS AND JUDGES FACE HOST FERTILITY HOSTILITY THAT CAN MANIFEST ITSELF IN VIOLENCE.

THEY THANKED HER HUSBAND, MARK, WHO WAS INJURED IN THE ATTACK EMMA FOR THEIR PERSISTENCE.

>> WE WOULD NOT BE HERE PASSING THE BILL IN CONGRESS IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE INCREDIBLE HEART AND CONVICTION OF A COUPLE WHO WOULD NOT GIVE UP ON LOVE.

>> THESE ARE DARK TIMES.

BUT IN THE TWO YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS, I SAW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS COME TOGETHER.

I SAW THEM COME TOGETHER AND PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND COME TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY KNEW IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO PROTECT JUDGES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY DID THE RIGHT THING.

THE WORLD WE LIVE IN, IT TAKES COURAGE SOMETIMES TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

BUT THOSE MEN AND WOMEN DID.

SO I HAVE HOPE.

>> Reporter: IT TOOK OVER TWO YEARS TO GET THE BILL PASSED.

IT WAS TACKED ONTO A MUST PASS DEFENSE BILL, OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF SOME TRANSPARENCY ADVOCATES AND ACTIVISTS.

THEY SAY TRANSPARENCY FOR OUTLOOK OFFICIALS IS CRITICAL TO HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THERE IS AN EXPLICIT PROVISION TO ENSURE THAT INFORMATION, FOR EXAMPLE, RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT OR ENGAGEMENT IS, IN FACT, AVAILABLE.

THAT THERE IS CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS TO BE ABLE TO STILL DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS TRANSPARENCY IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.

BUT YOU DON'T NEED SOMEBODY'S ADDRESS AT THEIR HOME --YOU DON'T NEED THEIR PHONE NUMBER TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THEM DOWN AND BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> SILAS AND HER HUSBAND TOOK NO QUESTIONS.

BOTH SENATORS CONFIDENT THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL SIGN THE BILL.

AS LAWMAKERS ADMITTED, NO LOT WILL BE ABLE TO LEGISLATE AGAINST SOMEONE'S DESIRE TO HARM A PUBLIC OFFICIAL THEY THINK HAS WRONGED THEM, AND MAKING THAT MORE DIFFICULT IS THE GOAL HERE.

AFTER TWO YEARS OF EFFORT, IT WAS WELL SPENT, THEY SAID.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AFTER THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V WADE, STATES HAVE PASSED OR ARE PLANNING TO PASS PARTIAL OR COMPLETE BANS ON ABORTION.

AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON HEALTH POLICY FOUND THAT MATERNAL DEATH RATES ARE HIGHER FOR PEOPLE IN STATES WHERE ABORTION IS BANNED.

BRENDA FLANAGAN SPOKE TO THE COMMON-LAW FOUNDATION AND HAS MORE.

>> IT'S NOT SURPRISING, BUT IT IS INCREDIBLY TROUBLING.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ROXANNE'S REACTION TO A NEW STUDY OF MATERNAL HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES COMPARING SERVICES IN STATES WITH LEGAL ABORTION ACCESS LIKE NEW JERSEY TO STATES WITH TIGHT ABORTION RESTRICTIONS.

THE DATA SHOW PEOPLE LIVING WHERE ABORTION IS BANNED ALSO TEND TO HAVE LESS ACCESS TO GOOD MATERNAL HEALTHCARE OVERALL, AND HIGHER MATERNAL DEATH RATES.

SHE HEADS THE WOMEN'S CENTER IN CHERRY HILL AND SEES DOZENS OF PATIENTS ARE TRAVELING TO NEW JERSEY FOR ABORTIONS SINCE THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE.

>> YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY, YOUR PREGNANCY OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT THAN MINE, JUST UNFATHOMABLE.

>> REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IS THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF SERVICES AND CARE.

THIS REPORT ONLY FURTHER SHINES A LIGHT ON HOW THESE THINGS ARE REALLY CONNECTED.

>> Reporter: PLANNED PARENTHOOD CALLS IT THE SO-CALLED MATERNAL HEALTHCARE DESERTS WITH LITTLE OR NO CARE ACCESS IN 40% OF RESTRICTED STATES, VERSUS 25% OF COUNTIES OFFERING ACCESS.

DEATH RATES ALSO RAN HIGHER.

ALMOST 30 PER HUNDRED THOUSAND BIRTHS IN RESTRICTED STATES COMPARED TO ALMOST 18 FOR HUNDRED THOUSAND IN STATES WHERE ABORTION IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> BANNING ABORTION DOES NOT MAKE PREGNANT PEOPLE SAFER.

IT JUST MAKES THEM HAVE MORE RISKS.

>> Reporter: SHE EXPLAINS HEIGHTENED RISKS FOR PATIENTS WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> WAY SAFER TO HAVE AN ABORTION EARLY IN PREGNANCY IF THEY HAVE HYPERTENSION THAN TO CONTINUE THEIR PREGNANCY BECAUSE THEY ARE AT RISK FOR A CONDITION WHICH IS HYPER ATTENTIVE DISORDER OF PREGNANCY THAT CAN CAUSE SEIZURES AND DEATH.

>> WHEN YOU ADD RESTRICTION TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND ABORTION SERVICES, THAT INCREASES THE RISK OF POOR OUTCOMES.

>> Reporter: A COMMONWEALTH FUND COMPILED THIS RESEARCH.

SHE SAYS DATA SHOWS THAT STATES THAT BAND ABORTIONS ALSO HAVE GREATER HEALTHCARE INEQUITIES.

>> WE ARE PILING ONTO A BROKEN AND INEQUITABLE SYSTEM THAT IMPACTS THOSE MOST MARGINALIZED.

BRACKEN PLAN -- BLACK AND BROWN, WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

IMMIGRANTS, PEOPLE LIVING IN UNDERSERVED AREAS.

>> BEEN PREGNANT IN THE UNITED STATES AND BEING BLACK IS LESS SAFE YOU.

YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE AND HAVE SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES WITH YOUR PREGNANCIES.

THESE CHALLENGES CAN BE MITIGATED BY ELIMINATING DISCRIMINATORY CARE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY NEW JERSEY'S EXPANDED MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR NEW PATIENTS WILL SOON LAUNCH AT HOME NURSE PROGRAMS FOR NEW MOMS.

THEY NOTE IT IS PART OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT INCLUDES ABORTION HEALTHCARE.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THE PARALLELS BETWEEN ABORTION RESTRICTIONS AND POOR MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, IT SIGNALS TO ME THAT INVESTMENTS IN THE FULL RANGE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES ARE NOT BEING MADE.

>> Reporter: BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> WILL PUNISH AN AUTO THEFT IS A SERIOUS CRIME ACTUALLY STOP AUTO THEFT?

THIS WAS DEBATED IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY AS LAWMAKERS CONSIDER WHETHER TO ADVANCE A SET OF BILLS THAT WILL INCREASE PENALTIES TARGETING THOSE STEALING CARS.

THE NUMBER OF CAR THEFTS IN NEW JERSEY CONTINUES TO RISE HAPPENING IN EVERY COUNTY AT EVERY TIME OF DAY.

OPPONENTS OF THESE BILLS SAY THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF INTENSE POVERTY AND THEY WANT THE STATE TO CONSIDER ALTERNATE INTERVENTION METHODS WHILE MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORTED.

TED GOLDBERG WAS THERE TO SEE HOW THE COMMITTEE VOTED.

>> I USED TO STEAL CARS AND I WAS FAIRLY GOOD AT IT.

AND NOT THAT I'M BRAGGING.

I'M VERY ASHAMED OF IT.

BUT I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I ALSO WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE LIKE ME.

>> Reporter: ANTON SAYS HE STARTED STEALING CARS WHEN HE WAS 13.

AFTER GIVING UP A LIFE OF CRIME, HE IS GIVING ADVICE TO STATE SENATORS, PLEADING WITH THEM THAT YOUTH INTERVENTION WILL HELP STOP PEOPLE FROM BECOMING CAR THIEVES.

>> WHEN I'M WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST AS IMPACTED OR IN THE COURTROOM AND WE WALK IN THE COURTROOM, AND WE BEGIN TO TALK TO THE FAMILIES AND TALK TO THE YOUNG PERSON, WHAT DO YOU NEED?

90% OF THEM SAY, I JUST NEED A JOB.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE IMPASSIONED TESTIMONY, THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSED EIGHT BILLS AIMED AT REDUCING CAR THEFT BY ADDING HARSHER PENALTIES AND MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR CRIMES RELATED TO STEALING CARS.

ADVOCATES ARGUE THAT THE LAWS ARE REACTIONARY.

>> THESE BILLS DO NOT CONSIDER THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

WE CANNOT CONSIDER --CONTINUE TO RECYCLE BAD IDEAS WITH THE IMPACT OF KEEPING MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL.

>> THE DATA SHOWS THAT THEY WILL NOT GET CAUGHT.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AUTO THEFT IS INCREDIBLY LOW.

THEY ONLY IDENTIFY AND CHARGE THE CULPRIT IN 7% OF CASES.

>> PEOPLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORTED THE BILLS.

WE APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN PENALTY FOR BURGLARY AND THEFT RELATED CRIMES AND PROVIDE PROSECUTORS WITH ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO DISSUADE BAD ACTORS AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY HAS MADE BIG CHANGES AFTER SEEING A RISING CAR THEFT.

THE AG OFFICE CHANGED ITS PURSUIT POLICY IN THE STATE SPENT $10 MILLION IN LICENSE PLATE READERS TO TRY TO TRACK DOWN STOLEN CARS.

>> ROUGHLY 100 PEOPLE OUT OF 9.5 MILLION PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY STIRRING THE SPOT.

>> IF YOU HAVE A RING WERE THERE STEALING 4 TO 8 CARS EVERY NIGHT.

SEVEN MONTHS A WEEK.

30 DAYS A MONTH.

THAT'S SEVERAL HUNDRED CARS.

IF YOU BUST A RING REALLY MAKING A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: THE BILLS WERE APPROVED BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

THE HEARING TURNED INTO A REFERENDUM ON BILL REFORM AND ASSERTED TODAY'S HEARING.

SOME SAY THE RISE IN THEFT IS DIRECTLY BECAUSE OF BILL REFORM.

>> INDIVIDUALS BEING RELEASED BY THE JUDGE ON MONDAY AND THEY GO OUT ON TUESDAY AND COMMIT ANOTHER AND SINCE THEY APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGE ON WEDNESDAY.

SO YOU HAVE THREE OR FOUR IN A WEEK.

>> MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT HAS BEEN SOFT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HAS DECIDED THEY DON'T WANT TO ENFORCE THE LAWS AS THEY ARE ON THE BOOKS.

THEY'VE BEEN PICKY AND CHOOSY AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION WITH STIFFER PENALTIES.

>> I REJECT THE PREMISE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS THE REASON CAR THEFTS ARE GOING OUT.

I ALSO REJECT THE PREMISE THAT WE ARE NOT TOUGH ON CRIME.

WE ARE TAKING A SMART APPROACH TO PROSECUTION.

>> THESE BILLS HEAD TO THE FULL SENATE FOR A VOTE.

POLITICIANS PONDER MORE WAYS TO DISSUADE PEOPLE FROM STEALING CARS.

IN TRENTON, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> CLASSROOMS CONTINUE TO FACE TEACHER SHORTAGES.

CRITICS SAY THE STATE IS MAKING IT TOO HARD TO BECOME A TEACHER.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A BILL THAT WOULD ELIMINATE ONE OF THE TESTS REQUIRED FOR TEACHERS TO EARN CERTIFICATION CALLED THE EDUCATION TEACHER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT.

THE TEST HAS BEEN VIEWED BY CRITICS AS A BARRIER BECAUSE OF ITS COST, WHICH SOME SAY MAKES IT HARDER FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR TO ENTER THE TEACHING FIELD.

UNDER THE NEW LAW, THE TEST WILL NOT BE REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR TRAINING IN THE SPRING OF 2024, ALTHOUGH THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THE LARGEST TEACHER UNION, SAYS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF ASPIRING TEACHERS WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE RIGHT NOW WITHOUT THE TEST.

>>> THE TEMPORARY WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS WAS NOT ON THE VOTING BOARD TODAY, INFURIATING PROPONENTS OF THE BILL WHO HAVE NOW SEEN IT PULLED OR PUSHED OFF A FIVE TIMES.

THEY RALLIED OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE, DEMANDING THAT THE LEGISLATURE FINALLY TOOK THE MEASURE UP.

BUT THE SUPPORT IS A VERY NARROW AND ADVOCATES AND TEMP AGENCIES HAVE LOBBIED HARD AGAINST IT.

RECEIVE THE SAME PAY AND BENEFITS AS PERMANENT WORKERS.

PROPONENTS OF THE BILL SAY IT IS A CRITICAL STEP TO ENSURING SAFETY AND FAIRNESS FOR WORKERS WHO OFTEN FACE WORK IN CONDITIONS WITH LITTLE TO NO PROTECTION OR FAIR COMPENSATION.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE FINANCIAL MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

>>> AFTER A FOUR DAY EXTENSION, THE BLACK BEAR HUNT IS OFFICIALLY OVER IN NEW JERSEY.

HUNDRED 15 BEARS WERE KILLED.

20% OF THE BEAR POPULATION, ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BEARS IN THE STATE REMAINS UNCLEAR.

IN THE END, IT ONLY YIELDED A 7% HARVEST RATE ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

IT BEGAN LATE AFTER CONSERVATIONIST GROUPS CHALLENGED IT IN COURT, ULTIMATELY LOSING THE FIGHT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY PROMISED TO CANCEL THE FIGHT, MAKING IT A CAMPAIGN PROMISE.

LATER CHANGING HIS MIND, SETTING A SHARP INCREASE IN SETTINGS AND SAID IT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> ARGENTINA CLAIMS VICTORY OVER FRANCE IN A GAME ENDING IN A RIVETING, NAILBITING PENALTY SHOOTOUT.

THREE GAMETIME GOALS, A HAT TRICK, AND WHAT SOME ARE CALLING ONE OF THE GREATEST WORLD CUP GAMES IN HISTORY.

LEONEL MASSEY SECURING HIS SPOT AS THE GREATEST SOCCER PLAYER OF ALL TIME.

DECKED OUT IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ARGENTINA TEAM.

ONE NEW JERSEY AND CHOSE NOT TO ATTEND THE GAMES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO WAS INVITED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN QATAR WHERE THE GAME WAS HELD.

HOWEVER, HAD THEIR OWN WIN.

THE 2026 GAMES WILL BE AT METLIFE STADIUM IN RUTHERFORD.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINED MEMBERS OF THE RABBINICAL COLLEGE OF AMERICA IN A MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER OF THE PEACE AND LIGHT THAT THIS SEASON BRINGS.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAPPY HANUKKAH TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN PART OF NEW JERSEY FOR OVER A CENTURY.

WE SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH NJM'S CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM, SUPPORTING ARTS AND CULTURE AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, REBUILD COMMUNITIES, AND CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF SAFE DRIVERS.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

NJM.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I'M STILL HERE.

>> THAT'S US GOING TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> STILL GOING AND EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE.

NOBODY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

>> TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH KIDNEY TREATMENTS, LIVING DONOR PROGRAMS, AND TO PREMIER HOSPITALS.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> I AM MILES AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM AND FOR ME IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH THAT HAS MENTAL PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE AND SO TODAY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

>>> OVER 100 YEARS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAVE BEEN HELPING CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

COMMUNITIES LIKE HERE IN BEAUTIFUL ASBURY PARK.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS ARE, THERE IS A NEW JERSEY REALTOR FOR YOU.

FIND YOURS AT NJ.REAL ESTATE/FIND.