FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

AND OR STEAD.

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

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

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK TIME OUT OF HIS VISIT IN MADRID TO MEET WITH NINE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS TO DISCUSS ABORTION ACCESS IN THE WAKE OF ROE V WADE KING OVERTURNED.

THE PRESIDENT SAYING WE HAVE TO CODIFY ROE V WADE INTO LAW.

THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED IT WILL HOLD HEARINGS ON THE ISSUE.

MEANWHILE, MORE THAN 20 STATES STILL PROTECT A WOMAN'S ACCESS TO ABORTION.

1213 HAVE HANDS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DECISION.

SOME OF THOSE AND OTHER STATES ARE BATTLING OUT IN THE COURTS.

OHIO SUPREME COURT TODAY DENIED A REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY STAY THAT WENT INTO EFFECT RIGHT AFTER THE HIGH COURT'S DECISION.

STILL CHALLENGING A LAW THAT BANS ABORTION AFTER FETAL CARDIAC ACTIVITY.

THEY MOVED QUICKLY TO PASS TWO LAWS TODAY THAT MAKE OUR STATE A SAFE HAVEN FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTIONS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN LOOKS AT WHAT THE LAWS WILL DO AND HOW EFFECTIVE THEY WILL BE.

>> THESE WILL MAKE NEW JERSEY A BEACON OF FREEDOM FOR EVERY AMERICAN WOMAN >> JUST ONE WEEK AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V WADE BY SIGNING TO HELP BUILD PATIENT.

>> WE WILL ATTEMPT TO USE THE COURTS ALREADY EGREGIOUS RULING TO PROSECUTE A WOMAN FOR HAVING THE AUDACITY TO PRACTICE AUTONOMY OVER HER BODY.

WE SAY, NO WAY, NO HOW.

NOT HERE.

>> WE HAD TO SET UP GUARDRAILS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD HELP PROTECT WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND CERTAINLY AFTER ROE V WADE, IT BECAME INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AND A PRIORITY.

>> NEW JERSEY IS AMONG 21 STATES WHERE ABORTION IS STILL LEGAL AND MURPHY IS DEFIANTLY ESTABLISHING A REFUGE HERE FOR OUT-OF-STATE PATIENTS DESPERATE TO ENTER PREGNANCY BUT STRIPPED OF THOSE OPTIONS.

PROVIDERS FEEL SOME RELIEF.

>> RIGHT NOW, OUR PHONES ARE RINGING OFF THE HOOK.

WITH FOLKS FROM OHIO, WEST VIRGINIA, WHERE BRIAN'S -- BANDS ARE BEING ENACTED.

SO THESE PROTECTIONS ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICES WITH COMPETENCE.

>> ONE NEW LAW INHIBITS SOMEONE INVOLVED IN PERFORMING AN ABORTION TO BE EXTRADITED AND PROSECUTED FOR THAT.

THE SECOND LAW KEEPS ABORTION MEDICAL RECORDS PRIVATE, PROTECTS THE MEDICAL LICENSES OF NEW JERSEY CLINICIANS WHO PROVIDE ABORTION HEALTHCARE, AND PROHIBITS NEW JERSEY STATE AGENCIES FROM RESPONDING TO INTERSTATE CASES.

LEGAL EXPERTS PREDICT JURISDICTIONAL BATTLES.

>> IF THEY WANT TO EXTRADITE A PROVIDER, BECAUSE THAT PERSON HAS BEEN PROVIDING LEGAL ABORTIONS IN NEW JERSEY TO RESIDENTS FROM ANOTHER STATE, NEW JERSEY WILL NOT EXTRADITE THAT PERSON.

>> THESE NEW LAWS STILL DON'T SHIELD JERSEY PROVIDERS FROM SO- CALLED BOUNTY HUNTER LOST IN STATES LIKE TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA.

THE NEW JERSEY ABORTION PROVIDERS CLAIM THEY ARE STILL VULNERABLE TO THESE VIGILANTE LAWSUITS.

>> IT PUTS A BOUNTY ON THEIR HEADS OF $10,000 IN THE INSTANCE OF TEXAS.

THAT SERVES AS A WAY TO CHILL OR FRIGHTEN PEOPLE AWAY FROM PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES AT ALL.

TWO CRITICS CLAIM THEY WON'T APPROVE OF EFFORTS TO OFFER AN ABORTION SAFE HAVEN FOR OUT-OF- STATE RESIDENTS.

>> BY ENCOURAGING THEIR CITIZENS TO COME HERE, THAT WILL REALLY BE A SHOWDOWN POLITICALLY.

I DON'T THINK NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO HAVE THIS AT THIS MOMENT.

>> MEANWHILE, PROMISED TO SUPPORT A CARVEOUT SO DEMOCRATS CAN PUSH FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO LEGALIZE ABORTION NATIONWIDE.

ALTHOUGH WINNING THE LOTTERY MIGHT HAVE BETTER ODDS.

>> THIS IS ALL THEATRICS.

THE PRESIDENT HAS TO GIVE SOME INDICATION TO BASE DEMOCRATIC VOTER.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS POLITICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

>> THIS IS REALLY ABOUT ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE THIS NOVEMBER.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ATLANTIC CITY UNION WORKERS FINALLY REACHED A DEAL WITH FOUR CASINOS AVOIDING A WORKER STRIKE THAT COULD HAVE CRUSHED PROFITS.

ONE OF THE BUSIEST IN THE TOURIST TOWN.

THE LOCAL PRESIDENT CALLED THE DEAL THE BEST CONTRACT WE HAVE EVER HAD.

TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS COVERING WORKERS.

BUT A STRIKE IS STILL POSSIBLE AT THE HARD ROCK IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED BY SUNDAY.

WHAT THE DETAILS ARE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE DESTINATION CITY.

>> FOUR CASINOS WON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH A STRIKE ON THE BIGGEST WEEKEND OF THE SUMMER.

HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IS THE LONE HOLDOUT ON REACHING A DEAL WITH THE LOCAL 54 UNION.

EMPLOYEES WERE HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEALS MADE ON WEDNESDAY, AND THEY ARE HOPEFUL THEY CAN AVOID A STRIKE.

>> NOBODY EVER WANTED TO STRIKE, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

WE ARE VERY HAPPY, AND AS I SAY, GRATIFICATION SHOULD BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

>> I FEEL THAT, I THINK THE COMPANY WILL COME TOGETHER AND WE WILL COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

>> ONE OF ABOUT 1500 MEMBERS WORKING.

SHE MADE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR STRIKE PAY, INCREASE BOTH SIDES CAN'T AGREE BY SUNDAY.

>> WE JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE WORKERS GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.

THE OTHER CASINOS ALREADY SETTLED.

I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD FOLLOW ALONG AND DO THE SAME.

>> WE ARE ASKING FOR VERY MINUTE, ASKING FOR A SMALL RAISE PERCENTAGE SO OUR FAMILIES AND HOMES WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN.

I BELIEVE THAT IF A COMPANY PROSPERS, THAT THE WORKERS THAT WORK AND HELP THEM PROSPER, EVERYBODY SHOULD PROSPER TOGETHER.

>> THE UNION WOULDN'T GIVE US A CIVICS, THOUGH THEY MENTIONED A HIGHER WAGE WAS AN IMPORTANT DEMAND TO KEEP PACE WITH AN INFLATION.

>> EVERYTHING IS GOING UP EXCEPT OUR WAGES.

WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR HEALTHCARE.

SOME OF US HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY A LONG TIME.

WE JUST ASK THEM TO CONTRIBUTE A SMALL AMOUNT.

>> WE HAVE AN ISSUE GETTING WORKERS, WE HAVE AN ISSUE RETAINING WORKERS.

WHAT PUBLIC -- BETTER WAY TO RECRUIT AND RETENTION THAN WAGES?

>> DEFINITELY THE BIGGEST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR.

AND IT WOULD'VE HURT SO MANY THINGS IF THERE WAS A STRIKE.

CASINO REVENUE WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT, BUT THE EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT AS WELL.

BECAUSE FOURTH OF JULY IS THEIR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY TO EARN TIPS AND MANY OF THE LOCAL 54 EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A TIPPED BASIS.

SO IT WOULD HAVE HURT THEM.

AND IT WOULD'VE HURT THE VISITORS BECAUSE THEY HAVE PLANS FOR VARIOUS RESTAURANTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN OPENED.

>> IF THEY CAN'T REACH A DEAL, ROMAN IS WORRIED ABOUT LOSING MORE THAN A DAY'S WAGES.

>> MY CONCERN LEVEL IS I FEEL THAT MY JOB IS GOING TO BE REPLACED.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT, BECAUSE I HAVE THE RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IN.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WE DESERVE A WAGE, THE OTHER CASINOS ALREADY SETTLED.

AND I THINK WE SHOULD SETTLE AS WELL.

>> WE REACHED OUT AND DID NOT HEAR BACK.

USED TO WORK AT TROPICANA BEFORE UNIVERSITY.

SHE THINKS THEY WILL AGREE TO A BASIC FRAMEWORK BY SUNDAY.

>> BECAUSE THE CITY IS SO COMPETITIVE, HAVING REACHED THE DEAL WITH ONE CASINO, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPETE WITH THAT OR THEY MAY LOSE EMPLOYEES.

SO I THINK IT'S LIKELY THEY WILL REACH AN AGREEMENT.

>> OLDER SCHOOL BUSES THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD THIS SUMMER NOW HAVE AN EXTRA YEAR OF DRIVING LIFE.

A BILL SPONSORED EXTENDS THE TIME THESE BUSES CAN TRANSPORT STUDENTS BY ONE YEAR.

THE RULE APPLIES TO BUSES THAT ARE 15 AND 20 YEARS OLD THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED BY A NEWER FLEET.

AS LONG AS EACH BUS IS STILL IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, IT WILL BE BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF DRIVING COME SEPTEMBER.

THAT MIGHT BE THE EASIEST DECISION THE STATE HAS TO MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR.

AS THE INK DRIES ON THE RECORD $50.6 BILLION STATE BUDGET, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS TO DECIDE HOW TO ALLOCATE THE 1.9 BILLION IN SCHOOL FUNDING TO THINGS LIKE NEW CONSTRUCTION AND FUNDING THE STATES FORMULA.

I AM JOINED NOW BY JOHN MOONEY.

JOHN, WHAT ARE THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING, NEW CONSTRUCTION AND WHAT WERE FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE ABBOTT DISTRICTS?

>> THIS IS A LONG-RUNNING CASE IN THE STATE, GOING BACK DECADES.

THE STATE WAS FOUND LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ADEQUATE SCHOOL BUILDINGS TO OUR NEEDIEST DISTRICTS.

TYPICALLY OUR LARGEST URBAN DISTRICTS.

AND HAS HAD TO LIVE UP TO THIS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, PUT A LOT OF MONEY IN, CLOSE TO 20 YEARS AGO.

$8 BILLION TOWARDS THAT.

THAT WAS JUST A FRACTION OF WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

AND SO THE BIG INVESTMENT, THE $1.9 BILLION INVESTMENT AS PART OF THIS AGREEMENT IS A DOWN PAYMENT ON THAT.

>> HOW FAR DOES THE 1.9 BILLION GO IN TERMS OF WHAT IS NEEDED TO BUILD NEW SCHOOLS?

>> FAMILY, -- SADLY, 1.55 BILLION IS FOR THE DISTRICTS, THE REST IS ELSEWHERE.

SADLY, 1.5 BILLION DOESN'T BUILD YOU A WHOLE LOT.

IT PROBABLY 15 TO 20 BUILDINGS, NEW MAC HIGH SCHOOLS, ONE IN PASSAIC, GARFIELD HAS A COUPLE OF NEW BUILDINGS THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THIS.

MAYBE 50 OR MORE ARE NEEDED.

AND I HAVE HEARD SOME COUNTS WHERE WE ARE TALKING 30 OR 40 BUILDINGS.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE SPENT.

>> THE STATE STILL HAS NOT FULLY FULFILLED ITS SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA OBLIGATION, JUST QUICKLY BREAK DOWN WHAT IS STILL NEEDED TO BRING THAT UP TO THE REQUIREMENT.

>> IN THAT CASE, IT IS MEETING THE STATE'S OWN FUNDING FORMULA, THE GAP IS NOW ABOUT 500 MILLION.

BUT IT HAD BEEN AS MUCH AS ONE OR 2 BILLION AT THE BEGINNING OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S FIRST TERM.

THEY ARE NOT FOLLOWING -- FAR AWAY, THERE WAS SOME QUESTION WHY THEY DIDN'T DO IT THIS BUDGET, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID WE ARE VERY CLOSE, WE WILL BE THERE NEXT YEAR.

WE DECIDED TO FOLLOW THE PATH WE WERE ON.

AND I HAVE A FEELING IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS.

>> IS IT A WISE MOVE TO TAKE WHAT IS A VERY CASH FLUSH BUDGET AND MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE PRETTY MUCH ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE STRATEGY.

PAY-AS-YOU-GO AS OPPOSED TO BORROWING.

THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

THEY WERE GOING TO BE ORDERED SOON ANYWAYS.

THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE 100 YEARS OLD AND REALLY DO NEED THE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> CERTAINLY PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THOSE DISTRICTS WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

>> THE CANNABIS MARKETPLACE CONTINUES TO ROLLOUT, BUT MUCH SLOWER THAN MANY HAD HOPED.

THE CANNABIS COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE STATE USE FEES IT HAS COLLECTED TO PROVIDE GRANTS AT LOW INTEREST LOANS TO SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS.

WHO OFTEN DON'T HAVE THE CAPITAL TO ENTER THE MARKETPLACE.

TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THESE APPLICANTS ARE BEING APPROVED AND WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET THAT APPROVAL.

>> A HEADLINE FROM THIS CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING IS THAT TAX REVENUE FROM THE INDUSTRY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PROGRAMS AND AGENCIES WITH THE SPECIFIC GOALS OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.

PUBLIC HEALTH, JUSTICE REINVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

BUT NOT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A MANDATE THE COMMISSION SAYS CAME FROM COMMITTEE INPUT.

>> WHATEVER THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE, THE KEY WORD IS THAT IT HAS TO BE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

IN NO SENSE DOES THAT LOOK LIKE INVESTING.

>> THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ADULT USE CANNABIS INDUSTRY GOING HAS BEEN SLOW OR DELIBERATE OR NECESSARILY PRECISE.

HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PUT IT.

OF THE 1200 OR SO APPLICANTS, MORE THAN 350 ARE STILL WAITING TO GET THEIR INITIAL REVIEW.

HUNDREDS OF OTHER APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN GETTING SO-CALLED PROCURE LETTERS.

>> THOSE ARE SENT OUT TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE MISSING SOME SORT OF DOCUMENTATION.

OF COURSE THAT TAKES TIME.

>> FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THE EXPECTATIONS ON AN INDUSTRY WHERE JUST THE BIG LEAGUE PLAYERS ARE DOING ALL THE BUSINESS.

THE GENERAL FEELING IS THAT THIS IS TAKING A LONG TIME.

HAVE YOU GOTTEN THAT FROM PEOPLE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE FIRST DAY THAT WE LAUNCHED, WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG?

I THINK WE ARE MOVING AT A PRETTY GOOD PACE.

>> ONE OF THE MANY WATCHDOGS KEEPING EYES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY UNIQUE IN ITS MISSION TO SERVE A POPULATION MOST DETRIMENTALLY AFFECTED BY THE SO-CALLED WAR ON DRUGS.

>> DO YOU TRUST THE SYSTEM TO BE WHERE IT SHOULD BE IN THAT REGARD?

>> TRUST IS A STRONG WORD.

WE HAVE A STRONG HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF WHERE THINGS CAN GO IF THERE ISN'T A STRONG WATCHDOG MONITORING THESE TO ENSURE THEY DO IT IT IS THEY PROMISED TO DO.

WHAT IT IS THEY ARE MANDATED TO DO.

>> 22% OF THEM IDENTIFY AS MINORITY OWNED.

12% ARE WOMAN-OWNED.

ANOTHER 12% AS MINORITY WOMAN- OWNED.

>> THE PROOF IS IN THE EFFECT AND THE DANGER IS THAT A FEW MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX REVENUE WON'T HAVE ANY REAL POTENCY.

>> NEW YORK STATE CREATED A $200 MILLION FUND TO SUPPORT THIS.

THAT IS THE KIND OF INVESTMENT WE REALLY NEED TO SEE HERE IN THE STATE.

THE PROJECTION IS THAT THAT MONEY GOES TO SOMEWHERE UNDER $4 MILLION.

IT'S A FIRST STEP .

OBVIOUSLY WE NEED MUCH MORE ROBUST INVESTMENT TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE.

>> IF ONLY THERE WAS A HUGE STATE BUDGET SURPLUS WHERE THAT COULD BE FOUND.

>>> SLIGHT RELIEF AT THE PUMP THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, BUT EXPERTS WARNED THOSE PRICES WILL SURGE SOON.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS.

>> HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, DRIVERS ARE GETTING A SLIGHT BREAK FROM RISING GAS PRICES.

TODAY, GAS PRICES AVERAGED $4.85 PER GALLON IN NEW JERSEY.

DOWN NINE CENTS OVER THE PAST WEEK.

A TRIPLE IS SWARMING -- AAA SPOKESWOMAN SAYS IT MIGHT NOT LAST LONG.

>> WE ARE EXPECTING 4.1 MILLION TO DRIVE TO THEIR HOLIDAY DESTINATION.

SO THAT IS GOING TO POSSIBLY BUMP UP THE DEMAND.

AND I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT WE COULD VERY WELL SEE PRICES OVER FIVE DOLLARS PER GALLON AGAIN.

>> ELSEWHERE, LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY WILL BENEFIT FROM A NEWLY CREATED TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE BENEFITS TO FAMILIES, INCLUDING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, EARNING $80,000 OR LESS.

THOSE EARNING $30,000 OR UNDER WOULD RECEIVE $500.

THE AMOUNT DECREASES FOR HIGHER INCOME LEVELS.

AND THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX.

ADVOCATES LIKE NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVES SAY DIRECT CASH RELIEF TO FAMILIES WILL HELP THEM PAY FOR BASIC EXPENSES.

MORE THAN 4600 NEW JERSEY STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED SCHOOLS AFFILIATED WITH CORINTHIAN COLLEGES WILL HAVE THEIR STUDENT LOANS FULLY CANCELED.

NEARLY $49 MILLION IN DEBT IS BEING DISCHARGED.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT A FEW AFTER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DECIDED TO CANCEL ALL FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS OWED BY STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE CORINTHIAN SCHOOLS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONCLUDED THOSE SCHOOLS MISREPRESENTED JOB PLACEMENT RATE AND ENGAGED IN FALSE ADVERTISING.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET BEGAN THE NEW TRADING MONTH.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> BLACK PEOPLE HAVE LONG FACED DISCRIMINATION AROUND THEIR NATURAL HAIR.

THIS SUNDAY IS NATIONAL CROWN DAY, A DAY TO CREATE A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR.

THE DAY WAS FIRST DESIGNATED IN CALIFORNIA TWO YEARS AGO.

IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS PERSONAL TO OUR OWN ALYSSA ROSE COOPER, WHO SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FROM LAWMAKERS TO SALON OWNERS TO WOMEN WITH NATURAL HAIR ABOUT FACING DISCRIMINATION FOR THEIR HAIR AND WHAT IT MEANS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THEIR BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS.

>> IT JUST FEELS LIBERATING, TO JUST WEAR YOUR HAIR THE WAY IT GROWS.

>> Reporter: A FREEDOM SHE HAS KNOWN FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

SHE MADE THE DECISION TO WEAR HER HAIR NATURALLY AFTER BECOMING FED UP WITH RELAXING.

THE CHEMICAL PROCESS BREAKING DOWN THE BONDS OF THE HAIR SO IT CAN BE STRAIGHT.

>> I WOULD BURN IMMEDIATELY.

I KNEW SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT.

I JUST STOPPED DOING IT ALTOGETHER.

I STARTED TO LIKE HOW MY PATTERN WAS.

>> Reporter: NOW THE NATURAL HAIRSTYLIST IS HELPING OTHERS ENJOY THEIR COILS.

FIGHTING CENTURIES-OLD STIGMAS THAT SPORTING NON-STRAIGHT HAIRSTYLES ARE NONPROFESSIONAL.

IT IS THE KIND OF SELF EMPOWERMENT NATIONAL CROWN DAY CELEBRATES.

THE DAY MARKS THE INAUGURAL SIGNING OF THE FIRST CROWN ACT LEGISLATION IN THE COUNTRY PREVENTING HAIR DISCRIMINATION ON THE JOB.

>> IT SHOULD NOT DICTATE HOW WE WORK.

>> Reporter: ANGELA McKNIGHT WAS ONE OF THE MANY LAWMAKERS WHO HELPED THAT ACT GET OFF THE GROUND.

EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS NEVER BEEN TOLD HER HAIR WASN'T PROFESSIONAL, SHE KNOWS IT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONVERSATION.

>> I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT.

THEY WERE LOOKING AT MY HAIR.

BEFORE I CUT MY HAIR, I WORE ALL DIFFERENT STYLES.

FROM WIGS TO WEAVES THE BRAIDS, THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTRIGUED WITH MY HAIR.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR HAIR LIKE THAT?

NO, YOU CAN'T TOUCH MY HAIR.

>> ALEXIS HAS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.

SHE SPENT YEARS WEARING HAIR EXTENSIONS AND WEAVES, UNTIL ONE DAY SHE WAS FED UP OF TRYING TO CONFORM AND CUT IT ALL OFF IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE BIG CHOP.

>> ERROR NUMBER COMING INTO THE OFFICE, ONE OF MY COWORKERS SAID TO ME, YOU LOOK LIKE THE HELP.

>> IS AN EXHAUSTING EXPERIENCE THAT OFTEN MAKES PEOPLE QUESTION WHETHER TO WEAR THEIR HAIR NATURALLY.

STATISTICS SHOW BLACK WOMEN ARE 80% MORE LIKELY TO FEEL THE NEED TO CHANGE THEIR HAIR TO FIT IN AT THE OFFICE.

ACCORDING TO A 2019 RESEARCH BY JOINT COLLECTIVE.

BLACK WOMEN ARE ALSO 1.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE SENT HOME BECAUSE OF THEIR HAIR.

I STRUGGLED WITH THE IDEA.

ESPECIALLY GROWING UP IN A TIME WHERE LITTLE GIRLS LIKE ME COULDN'T WAIT TO EXPERIENCE WHAT FELT LIKE A RITE OF PASSAGE.

HAVING STRAIGHT HAIR.

AND BECAUSE THAT FEELING CAN STAY THROUGH ADULTHOOD, RECORDS PROFESSOR PATRICIA O'BRIEN SAYS ENCOURAGING POSITIVITY FROM A YOUNG AGE IS CRITICAL.

>> IT'S AN EXPRESSION OF OUR CULTURE, OF OUR ROOTS.

IT TALKS ABOUT WHERE WE'VE COME FROM.

OUR CULTURE.

>> THE DECISION TO WEAR THEIR HAIR NATURALLY OFTEN TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE.

>> THE IMPORTANCE TO ME IS PRIDE AND JUST OWNERSHIP AND HOW YOU LOOK, THIS IS JUST THE WAY THAT WE ARE AND NOT ALTERING IT EMIGRATE TO CHANGE WHO WE ARE.

I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT WEARING MY HAIR NATURALLY AND HELPING OTHER PEOPLE FIGURE THAT OUT FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A PUSH TO MAKE THE CROWN ACT FEDERAL LAW.

THE MEASURE PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND NOW SITS IN THE SENATE.

THEIR CROWNS CAN BE CELEBRATED WITHOUT ANY FEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> A STATUE OF HARRIET TUBMAN WAS SET TO REPLACE ONE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS IN NEWARK'S WASHINGTON PARK HIM ADJUST RENAMED TO TUBMAN SQUARE.

THE PLANS MAY BE HALTED AFTER THE COUNCIL VOTED TO BLOCK THE TUBMAN STATUE FROM STANDING IN A PLACE WHERE COLUMBUS ONCE DID.

HIS LIKENESS WAS REMOVED IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, AND NOW CULTURAL GROUPS ARE GRAPPLING OVER THE PROCESS.

MEMBERS OF THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY SAYING THEY WEREN'T CONSULTED IN THE PLANS.

IN THE END, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS THE FINAL SAY BECAUSE IT OVERSEES THE LOCATION.

>>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS ARE ALL THE LATEST ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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