>>> FINDING INFO ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJ SPOTLIGHT GROUP, HELPING WITH THE NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE -- ASSOCIATION.

♪ >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.. >> I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI..

THE SUSPECTED GUNMAN IS IN CUSTODY BUT HASN'T BEEN CHARGED.

ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, THE 21-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT USED A HIGH- POWERED RIFLE HE PURCHASED LEGALLY IN ILLINOIS, OPENING FIRE ON THE CROWD, KILLING AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE AND INJURING ROUGHLY 3 DOZEN OTHERS IN AN ATTACK POLICE SAY WAS PLANNED FOR WEEKS.

OFFICIALS SAID THERE IS NO CLEAR MOTIVE, BUT THE SUSPECTED SHOOTER WENT SO FAR AS TO DRESS IN, QUOTE, WOMEN'S CLOTHING TO CONCEAL HIS IDENTITY AND BLEND IN WITH THE CROWD AS HE ESCAPED.

DOCTORS DESCRIBED TREATING UNSPEAKABLE WOUNDS THAT AMOUNTED TO SO-CALLED WARTIME INJURIES.

THE TERRORIZING INCIDENT IS PUTTING GUN REFORM LAWS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THE WAKE OF RECENT COURT DECISIONS.

IN NEW JERSEY, GOVERNOR MURPHY RESPONDED TO THE TRAGEDY AS HE SIGNED A NEW BILL PACKAGED TO TIE IN THE STATES ALREADY STRICT GUN LAWS.

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> I HAVE ACTUALLY STOOD THERE AND LISTENED AS A MOTHER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT HER SON IS NO LONGER THERE.

I ASSURE YOU THAT THERE IS NO SCREAM LIKE A MOTHER'S SCREAM WHEN SHE REALIZES THAT HER SON IS GONE.

>> Reporter: AS A FORMER UNION COUNTY SHERIFF, SENATOR JOE CRYAN HAS SEEN HIS SCENE OF CRIME SCENES.

AND THE GUN VIOLENCE THAT IS LEFT IN ITS WAKE.

HE IS THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF MANY OF THE PACKAGES OF THE BILLS GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED INTO LAW TODAY AFTER THE MOST RECENT MASS SHOOTING IN AMERICA.

YESTERDAY WAS HIGHLAND PARK.

THE GOVERNOR CITED THE FEDEX SHOOTING IN INDIANAPOLIS IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT FOR THE BILLS.

>> IN THE TIME SINCE, THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 870 MASS SHOOTINGS IN AMERICA.

SADLY, WE KNOW THE TOWNS.

OXFORD, MICHIGAN.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

UVALDE, TEXAS.

AS JONATHAN MENTIONED YESTERDAY, THE AWFUL, AWFUL UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY IN HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS.

WHICH, BY THE WAY, IS A QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN TOWN.

>> Reporter: THE BILLS THAT REGULATE AMMUNITION SALES BAN CERTAIN RIFLES AND TARGET REGISTRATION AMONG OTHER THINGS ADD TO RESTRICTIONS IN A STATE THAT ALREADY HAS SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN RESTRICTIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TERESA JEREZ NOTED THE TIMING OF THIS EVENT, BUT ADDED IN CITIES LIKE PATTERSON, JERSEY CITY AND HER HOMETOWN OF NEWARK, GUN VIOLENCE IS DIFFERENT IF JUST AS DEADLY.

>> I SPEAK FROM A PERSPECTIVE THAT I CAN IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FIREWORK AND A GUNSHOT.

THAT WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE INCIDENTS IN ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT NIGHTS IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, THAT I AM TALKING ABOUT MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT JUST THIS WEEKEND THERE WERE TWO OTHER SHOOTING INCIDENTS AND MURDERS BY GUN VIOLENCE AGAIN IN NOT A MASS SHOOTING BUT IN A DISTRICT WHERE WE HAVE ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD THAT GUN VIOLENCE HAS BEEN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS FACING ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WAS PASSED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ALONG PARTY LINES AND AMOUNTS TO SELF- SERVING RHETORIC TARGETING THE LEGAL GUN OWNER SO THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN RAISE THE NATIONAL PROFILE AND BIG-CITY DEMOCRATS CAN PAY LIP SERVICE TO THE CRIME CHALLENGED CITIES SAYS HOW WORTH.

>> THE GUNS ON THE ISSUE.

IT'S THE CRIMINALS AND THE BAD GUYS THAT ARE USING THEM.

AND MOST OF THE CITIES THAT ARE UNDER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL ARE MAJOR HUBS OF CRIME, YOU KNOW?

CONTINUOUS DOZENS OF SHOOTINGS, YOU KNOW?

THESE LEFT-LEANING PROSECUTORS, IT'S NOT THE POLICE.

THE POLICE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

THEY HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED AS THEY THROW THESE PEOPLE BACK OUT ON THE STREETS COMMITTING CRIMES.

>> Reporter: HE WAS ASKED HOW ANY OF THESE LAWS COULD'VE STOPPED THE SHOOTER IN HIGHLAND PARK, YESTERDAY.

>> I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE AWFUL, EVIL PERSON WHO DID THIS.

BUT IF THEY HAD BEEN MADE TO REGISTER THE AMMUNITION IN A DIGITAL SYSTEM, PERHAPS IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREEMPTED.

IF THEY HAD BEEN MADE TO UNDERGO A TRAINING COURSE, WE MIGHT HAVE SENSED SOMETHING AHEAD OF TIME.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT STATE THEY BOUGHT IT IN.

WAS IT OUT-OF-STATE OR IN-STATE REALITY?

SO I DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION.

BUT THIS WILL WITHOUT QUESTION MAKE US SAFER.

>> Reporter: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE HYPOTHETICALLY.

LIKE HER MOTHER WON'T BE ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING IN AMERICA THIS YEAR.

IF ONLY THERE WAS ONE LAW THAT COULD MAKE THAT ACTUALLY POSSIBLE.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> HEART OF THE STATES RECENTLY APPROVED $50 MILLION BUDGET INCLUDED MONEY FOR A NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES ALL POLICE OFFICERS IN NEW JERSEY TO BE LICENSED.

AND GO THROUGH A RENEWAL PROCESS EVERY THREE YEARS.

IT IS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD TRUST, HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR MISCONDUCT, AND MAKE SURE VIOLATORS DON'T HOP FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT.

THE BILL HAS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT, BUT EVEN PROPONENTS SAY THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> SO IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

IT DOES HELP.

IT AIDS IN OUR STRUGGLE OF GAINING POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: JASON WILLIAMS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, APPLAUDING LAWMAKERS FOR ADVANCING A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE POLICE OFFICERS IN NEW JERSEY TO BE LICENSED.

IT IS AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD INSTANCES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT.

WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS LIMIT THE ABILITY OF THESE ROGUE OFFICERS TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND APPARENTLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BECAUSE ADVOCATES WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET AN AMENDMENT IN THERE THAT WOULD CONNECT OUR DATABASE, OUR PROCESSES WITH THE NATIONAL REGISTRY.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

WITH A 70 TO 80 MAJORITY IN THE SENATE LAST MONTH.

POLICE OFFICERS WOULD FACE CERTIFICATION FOR VARIOUS INSTANCES OF MISCONDUCT.

THAT INCLUDES BEING CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN THE U.S., HAVING TWO OR MORE DWI OFFENSES, AND UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT CAUSING PUBLIC HARM.

>> IT WILL GIVE THE CITIZENS A SENSE OF, ALL OFFICERS ARE -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY BEING WATCHED, BUT YOU KNOW, THEIR CAREERS ARE BEING EVALUATED BY THE POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION.

SO IF ANY MAJOR DISCIPLINE ISSUES COME DOWN THE PIKE, THEY GET REPORTED TO THE POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION WHEN THE OFFICER IS UP FOR RENEWAL.

THOSE ISSUES WILL BE DEALT WITH.

>> Reporter: PATRICK HALL AGAIN, PART OF THE POLICEMEN'S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION ALSO THINKS THE LICENSING PROGRAM IS A GOOD IDEA.

THOUGH SOME OFFICERS WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE PDA WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE MEASURE, HE BELIEVES IT IS FAIR.

>> IF YOU ARE DOING YOUR JOB WELL, THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR WITH THIS LICENSING BILL.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOCIAL ADVOCATES BELIEVE THIS IS A GREAT FIRST STEP, THEY SAY IT DOES NOT ADDRESS SEVERAL KEY ISSUES.

>> RIGHT NOW, ADVOCATES ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMBERS, RIGHT?

TO ENSURE DIVERSITY VIEWPOINTS BUT ALSO TO BETTER REPRESENT THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE POLICED.

>> FOLKS -- MANY PEOPLE IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE DON'T FEEL THAT WHEN THEY GO AND MAKE THEIR COMPLAINTS ABOUT POLICE, ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT ANYTHING IS ACTUALLY EVER DONE, RIGHT?

THERE IS AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMPLAINT, VERY RARELY IS IT FOLLOWED UP.

VERY RARELY -- EVEN MORE RARELY IS IT EVEN SUSTAINED.

>> Reporter: COLLIGAN SAYS THE LEGISLATION WON'T FIX EVERY ISSUE OVERNIGHT.

BUT HE MAINTAINS THE STATE HAS SOME OF THE BEST TRAINED OFFICERS IN THE COUNTRY WHO ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THEIR JOB SUCCESSFULLY.

>> IF YOU, IF YOU GRADUATE FROM NEW JERSEY POLICE ACADEMY, YOUR ACADEMY TRAINING IS GOOD VIRTUALLY EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY EXCEPT FOR JUST A COUPLE STATES.

YOU GO TO ALMOST ANY OTHER STATE AND IMMEDIATELY BECOME AN OFFICER CONVERSELY WHEN YOU COME TO NEW JERSEY TO GET HIRED, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET HIRED RIGHT AWAY.

THERE IS A PROCESS.

THEY WANT THE TRAINING COMMISSION TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLETELY TRAINED IN ALL FACETS THAT WE COVER IN NEW JERSEY WHICH IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM.

>> THIS IS SIMPLY A BIG WIN.

THIS IS A POWERFUL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARDS POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

BUT LIKE ANYTHING, WE JUST NEED SOME MORE AMENDMENTS.

I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY IS -- YOU KNOW, AT A MUCH MORE GRANDER SCALE.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> LEGAL EXPERTS ARE WARNING THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION ALLOWING STATES TO BAN ABORTION COULD OPEN A DOOR FOR ROLLBACKS ON OTHER ESTABLISHED RIGHTS.

NAMELY GAY MARRIAGE, ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL, AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR DECADES.

THEY WILL APPLY THIS TO THOSE CASES.

IN ALABAMA IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING THE COURTS TO HELP THEM CERTAIN HORMONE AND MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

FOR MANY, IT MEANS THE 14th AMENDMENT'S PROTECTION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS IS NOW HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH TOM PAROLE, REMOTE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF GARDEN STATE EQUALITY FOR HIS INSIGHT.

>> TOM, I'M WONDERING HOW CONCERNED YOU ARE THAT THE FALL OF ROE V. WADE MAY NOW BE OPENING THE DOOR FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN OTHER MAJOR DECISIONS AS THEY PERTAIN TO CONTRACEPTION, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE TO NAME A COUPLE.

>> YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED AND MOSTLY BECAUSE AT LEAST TWO OF THE JUSTICES ARE PROMISING TO DO THAT.

IN PARTICULAR, JUSTICES ALITO AND THOMAS HAVE PROMISED OUT LOUD ON MICROPHONES MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT THAT IS THEIR INTENTION TO TAKE DOWN THE DECISION WHICH GAVE US MARRIAGE EQUALITY AS A NATION ALREADY AS WELL AS UST WINDSOR THAT GAVE US INITIALLY A CERTAIN CHARGE OF RIGHTS THAT GO TO SAME-SEX COUPLES COMMITTED AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.

SO YES, IT'S A VERY REAL CONCERN.

AND THE LEGAL UNDERPINNING OF THE DOBBS CASE, THIS ABORTION RULING AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT REALLY IS AN UNDERPINNING OF MANY CRITICAL CASES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THAT DECLARE PRIVACY, THE RIGHT TO BE LEFT ALONE IN YOUR PERSONAL HOUSEHOLD AND YOUR BEDROOM IN PARTICULAR.

>> DOES THE 14th AMENDMENT ESSENTIALLY GO AWAY HERE AS IT APPLIES TO THOSE CIVIL RIGHTS?

I MEAN, JUSTICE THOMAS IN HIS MAJORITY OPINION SAID THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED THAT THE COURTS WOULD TOUCH THOSE, AND THEN IN COMPLETE CONTRAST IN THE NEXT SENTENCE SAID, BUT WE SHOULD LOOK AT THESE CASES.

>> A LOT OF CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARS ARE LEFT QUESTIONING WHAT DOES THE 14th AMENDMENT MEAN ANYMORE?

IT HAS THE RICH EQUAL PROTECTION THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE DENIED THEIR RIGHTS IN DUE PROCESS AS WELL, SO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW THAT THE COURT IS NOT READING EQUAL PROTECTION APPARENTLY TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE EQUAL PROTECTION IN THIS WAY?

>> ISN'T TOM AN INVITATION FROM STATES TO BRING THESE CASES?

>> YEAH.

IT IS NOT EVEN A DOG WHISTLE ANYMORE.

IT IS NOW ALLOWED CALL.

BRING THESE CASES.

YOU HAVE A COURT THAT IS HOSTILE TO CIVIL RIGHTS, THIS RIGHTS MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST 60 YEARS, AND YOU ARE GOING TO START TO SEE A NUMBER OF STATES AND PRIVATE ACTIONS TRYING TO REACH UP TO THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN A WHOLE HOST -- SORT OF REALLY JUST THE SIMPLE STUFF OF HUMAN INTERACTION AND HUMAN LIFE THAT GOES ON, INCLUDING INTIMATE RELATIONS THAT GO ON IN THE BEDROOM.

BUT THE BIG FISH HERE FOR JUSTICE ALITO AND THOMAS WILL BE TO TAKE DOWN MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

THEY HAVE ACTUALLY SAID IN SEVERAL HOLDINGS AND SEVERAL SPEECHES THEY HAVE GIVEN ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THAT A BURGER FELL IS IN THEIR LINE OF SIGHT.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY IS IN THEIR LINE OF SIGHT.

THEY INTEND TO GO AFTER THAT BECAUSE THEY FEEL -- AND IS A FALSE NARRATIVE.

THEY FEEL THAT THE RELIGIOUS PROTECTIONS IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT CONFLICT WITH INTERPRETATIONS OF THE 14th AMENDMENT THAT PROVIDE FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY.

AND AGREED THAT THEIR RELIGION MAY PERHAPS CHOOSE TO DISCRIMINATE, BUT MOST PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY DON'T.

THAT IS WHAT IS SO UPSETTING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE COURT NOW.

THEY REALLY SET ASIDE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

>> YEAH, CERTAINLY, POLLS INDICATE THAT THE PUBLIC IS AT ODDS WITH THE COURT SENTIMENT ON THAT.

TOM PAROLE, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, FOUNDING MEMBER OF GARDEN STATE EQUALITY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>>> ANOTHER CRISIS AVERTED IN ATLANTIC CITY, THIS TIME BETWEEN THE HARD ROCK CASINO AND THE ACS MAKE CASINO WORKERS UNION.

THE PARTIES REACHED AN AGREEMENT JUST IN TIME TO AVOID WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A COSTLY AND DISRUPTIVE STRIKE SAID TO TAKE EFFECT OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL 54 OF THE UNITE HERE UNION SAID THE DEAL STILL NEEDS TO BE RATIFIED BY THE FULL UNION.

EXACT DETAILS AREN'T YET PUBLIC, BUT THE DEMANDS INCLUDED HIGHER PAY FOR WORKERS TO KEEP UP WITH THE RISING COST OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

FOOD, GAS, RENT TO NAME A FEW.

LAST WEEK, THE UNION REACHED AGREEMENTS WITH THE REGATTA, CAESARS AND THE TROPICANA.

THE CONTRACTS AREN'T IN PLACE WITH SMALLER CASINOS GOLDEN NUGGET AND RESORTS.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ATLANTIC CITY'S FIRST CASINO STRIKE SINCE 2016.

>>> IT APPEARS MOST AMERICANS ARE BLAMING WASHINGTON FOR THE PAIN IN THEIR POCKETS.

THE LATEST UNIVERSITY POLL OUT TODAY SHOWS THE RISING COST OF LIVING IS THE KEY CONCERN FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

INFLATION TOPS THE LIST OF WORRIES AT 33%.

15% OF AMERICANS SURVEYED SAID THE PRICE OF GAS IS THEIR BIGGEST CONCERN.

WHILE 9% EXPRESSED ANXIETY ABOUT THE GENERAL ECONOMY.

AND THE MAJORITY SAYS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S POLICIES ARE NOT HELPING THE MIDDLE CLASS.

HIS APPROVAL RATING CONTINUES TO DROP.

AS OF LAST MONTH, 36% OF AMERICANS APPROVED OF THE PRESIDENT'S JOB WHILE IN OFFICE.

58% DISAPPROVED.

IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE PRESIDENT HAD A NET POSITIVE RATING.

THE COUNTRY IS EVENLY SPLIT ON WHICH PARTY SHOULD CONTROL CONGRESS AFTER THE MIDTERMS THIS YEAR.

A TOTAL OF 47% OF AMERICANS EITHER SAID THE DEMOCRATS SHOULD MAINTAIN CONTROL OF CONGRESS OR LEANED DEMOCRATIC.

THE SAME AMOUNT, 47%, ALSO SAID REPUBLICANS SHOULD CONTROL THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OR LEANED TOWARD REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

>>> TONIGHT IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, A LABOR MOVEMENT IS THREATENING TO STORM A NEW JERSEY CASTLE.

EMPLOYEES OF THE DINNER THEATER CHAIN MEDIEVAL TIMES IN LYNNHURST WILL VOTE ON FORMING THE COMPANY'S FIRST-EVER UNION, WALLOWING IN THE SUCCESSFUL FOOTSTEPS OF EFFORTS AT OTHER CHAINS LIKE STARBUCKS AND AMAZON WITH HOPES OF SECURING HIGHER PAY AND MORE SAFETY STANDARDS AS WORKERS COMPLAIN OF ROWDY CROWDS AND EASILY SPOOKED ANIMALS, MAKING THE JOB HIGH RISK.

WE HAVE THE STORY.

>>> MEDIEVAL TIMES IN LYNNHURST COULD FEATURE A FIRST, A LABOR UNION FOR SQUIRES, KNIGHTS, AND ROYALTY.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD HELP US, AND GIVE US A VOICE.

WE ARE NOT HERE TO BE PART OF A SCHEME TO TRY TO GET OUR COMPANY IN TROUBLE.

WE ARE TRYING TO COLLABORATE WITH EACH OTHER, MOSTLY WITH THE COMPANY AS WELL TO MAKE OUR JOB A BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT.

>> HAVING A UNION WILL GIVE US A VOICE, A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

WE CAN NEGOTIATE A LIVING WAGE.

WE CAN ADDRESS A LOT OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY BY HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

IT WILL GIVE US IN GENERAL A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> Reporter: EMPLOYEES ARE VOTING TO ORGANIZE AS PART OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS.

THE SAME GUILD THAT REPRESENTS THE ROCKETTES AND WORKERS AT DISNEYLAND.

WORKERS AT MEDIEVAL TIMES SAY THE PUSH TO ORGANIZE STARTED LAST CHRISTMAS.

>> PEOPLE WERE ASKING FOR RAISES BECAUSE INFLATION HAD BEEN GOING UP.

WE NEED TO MAKE AT LEAST A DOLLAR 70 MORE IN ORDER TO NOT THEORETICALLY TAKE A PAY CUT.

IT IS REALLY HARD LIVING WITH THE LOW COMPENSATION THAT THEY GIVE US IN A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY.

AND PERSONALLY, FOR ME, THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHERE I HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE WHO IS GOING TO EAT THIS WEEK.

ME, OR MY DOG.

AND OF COURSE, IT IS HER EVERY TIME.

I HAVE THREE OTHER ROOMMATES.

SO FOUR OF US IN ONE APARTMENT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT GUEST ACTING INAPPROPRIATELY AND PUTTING PERFORMERS IN HARMS WAY.

THEY SAY MANAGEMENT DID NOT MAKE ENOUGH EFFORT TO HELP EMPLOYEES.

>> ANYTIME WE BRING UP SOMETHING LIKE, HEY, WE SHOULD BE BEING PAID SIMILARLY TO OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR INDUSTRY, OR HEY, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE GRABBING AND TOUCHING THE QUEENS.

IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE.

AND YET, WE ARE GAS LIT OR TOLD THAT'S JUST THEATER, YOU KNOW?

THIS IS JUST THE WAY IT IS.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF KNIGHTS THAT USE TO YELL AT GUEST NUMBERS A LOT TO GET THEM TO STOP BECAUSE WE JUST COULDN'T RELY ON OUR EVENT STAFF OR MANAGERS TO DO ANYTHING.

WITH A JUST MAKE EXCUSES FOR THEM.

WE WOULD HEAR RUMORS ABOUT THE ROWDY CROWD MEMBER.

THEY GOT COMPENSATED TICKETS.

SO APPARENTLY, THEY ARE COMING BACK AGAIN.

IT IS DEMORALIZING.

>> Reporter: STABLE HANDS ARE WORRIED THAT POOR WORKING CONDITIONS COULD MAKE THEIR JOBS MORE DANGEROUS.

>> YOU KNOW, IF WE ARE CONSTANTLY BELITTLED, UNDERPAID, OVERWORKED, WE CAN MAKE MISTAKES THAT WILL LEAD TO US GETTING HURT, THE HORSES GETTING HURT, SICK OR INJURED.

SO WITH A UNION THAT CAN KIND OF KEEP US PAID, KEEP OUR HOURS REASONABLE AND CONSISTENT, WE WILL BE ABLE TO THEN BETTER CARE FOR THE HORSES AND HAVE LESS OF A CHANCE OF US GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED.

>> MEDIEVAL TIMES DID NOT COMMENT FOR THIS STORY.

WORKERS SAY THEY HAVE SEEN SOME PROGRESS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, BUT ONLY AFTER THEY PUBLICLY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN FORMING A UNION.

>> THEY ARE ASKING FOR MORE OFFICERS NOW TO COME IN AND BE AT THE MORE ROWDY SHOWS LIKE ON SATURDAY.

AND THE STAGE THAT THE QUEENS AND THE ACTORS ARE ON HAS NOW BEEN CLOSED OFF COMPLETELY TO THE AUDIENCE, WHICH WERE THINGS THAT WERE ASKED FOR, BUT NEVER PUT INTO ACTION.

>> IT TOOK THE FILING OF THIS TO KIND OF GET THE BALL ROLLING OF HOW THEY WANTED TO LIKE LISTEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN.

BEFORE THAT, IT WAS ALWAYS LIKE THIS.

THEY NEVER REALLY LISTEN TO WHAT WAS BEING SAID.

>> Reporter: WILLIAM BROCHURE IS AN ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR AT RUTGERS.

HE SAYS, WORKERS MIGHT HAVE THE UPPER HAND WHEN IT COMES TO NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT.

>> LET'S FACE IT.

THERE IS NO MEDIEVAL TIMES SHOW WITHOUT THESE PERFORMERS, WITHOUT THESE PERFORMERS, WITHOUT THE ACTORS.

THEY COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A FAIR BIT OF LEVERAGE TO GAIN A CONTRACT THAT BEGINS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THEY WANT TO ADDRESS.

>> Reporter: THESE WORKERS WILL CAST THEIR BALLOTS ON JULY 15th.

IN LYNNHURST, TED GOLDBERG, AND J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS AS WALL STREET STRUGGLES WITH CONCERNS OF A RECESSION.

♪ >>> THE STATE IS GETTING READY TO RECEIVE THE FIRST TRANCHE OF MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL OPIOIDS SETTLEMENT.

AND THERE ARE BIG PLANS ON HOW TO SPEND IT.

LAWMAKERS AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS SAY THE NEED TO TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDER HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 3000 PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY DIED FROM OPIOID -RELATED OVERDOSES.

A GRIM RECORD THAT CONTINUES INCREASING YEAR OVER YEAR AS THE DEADLY SYNTHETIC DRUG SENTINEL POISE IS POISONS THE SUPPLY.

AS PART OF PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICA, BOBBY BREYER JOINS ME TO SEE HOW NEW JERSEY'S PORTIONS OF THE FUNDS COULD COMBAT THE CRISIS.

BOBBY, WELCOME.

IT IS GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

LET'S FIRST GO WITH HOW MUCH MONEY NEW JERSEY IS SET TO RECEIVE, AND HOW IS IT BEING PRIORITIZED?

>> THANKS, BRIANA.

NEW JERSEY IS SET TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE GLOBAL SETTLEMENT, NATIONWIDE.

OF THAT 641, HALF IS GOING TO GO TO THE STATE WITH THE OTHER HALF GOING TO LOCAL COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES.

NOW, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS ASSIGNED 21 COUNTIES ALONG WITH 241 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE WITH OVER 10,000 PEOPLE WHO WILL BE RECEIVING THIS MONEY.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION, OF COURSE, THIS IS MONEY FROM THE J&J AND THREE OTHER BIG FIRM ASCETICAL COMPANIES OVER WHERE THE SETTLEMENT STEMS FROM.

OF COURSE, THE NUMBERS AS WE MENTIONED HAVE BEEN INCREASING BOTH IN USE AND IN OVERDOSES.

SO, WHERE IN PARTICULAR?

WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS MIGHT WE SEE BENEFIT FROM A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF MONEY?

>> SURE.

A LOT OF THIS MONEY WILL BE GOING TO HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS WHICH WOULD BE STRATEGIES TO PREVENT OVERDOSES USING DIFFERENT STRATEGIES INCLUDING THE USE OF OVERDOSE PREVENTION DRUGS, AND ALSO STERILE SYRINGE SITES.

THERE ARE PLACES LIKE THE NEW JERSEY HARM REDUCTION COALITION WHO HAVE BEEN SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT.

IN ADDITION TO THIS, IT WOULD ALSO BE GOING TOWARD PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS WITH A FOCUS ON YOUTH TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS FROM AN EARLY STANDPOINT.

>> WHAT DO LAWMAKERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS?

WE KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THE HISTORY OF HOW SOMETIMES MONEY CAN GET DIVERTED.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED THERE?

>> YEAH.

SO RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A SENATE BILL 783 SPONSORED BY SENATORS SINGLETON AND BEACH.

IT ESSENTIALLY LOOKS AT TWO THINGS.

IT WOULD CREATE THE USE OF THE OPIOID USE REMEDIATION FUND, AND ALSO THE OPIOID REMEDIATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

ESSENTIALLY, THOSE TWO THINGS WOULD HELP ALLOCATE THE MONEY AT THE STATE LEVEL.

NOW, THAT BILL IS CURRENTLY IN THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE.

IT HASN'T MOVED SINCE MARCH.

I REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT REGARDING WHY THAT IS THE CASE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT HEAR BACK FROM THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE ON THAT.

BUT IN REGARDS TO THAT BILL, THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY ALLOCATE THE MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, AND THEN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WHICH WOULD THEN GO TO PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES.

>> SO BASICALLY, TWO AGENCIES TO OVERSEE THIS?

WHEN MIGHT THIS MONEY COME IN?

THAT IS, OF COURSE, THE QUESTION ON A LOT OF THESE PROVIDERS MINDS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT HAS BEEN ONE SINCE NEW JERSEY SIGNED ON IN MARCH HAS BEEN THE MAIN QUESTION.

I THINK, RIGHT NOW, FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL'S OFFICE AT NJ CARES IS THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE COMING IN SOMETIME THIS MONTH, NOT A SPECIFIC DATE YET, BUT IT SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO THE STATE BEGINNING THIS MONTH, AND WE WILL SEE SOME OF THAT MONEY GOING TO THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE STATE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY HELP PROVIDERS AND PEOPLE TO GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.

>> OKAY, BOBBY BRIDE, GREAT REPORTING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US TONIGHT.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> AND THAT DOES THIS FOR THIS EVENING.

BEFORE YOU GO, HEAD OVER TO AND J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT THE SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

SEE YOU BACK HERE, TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

R WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG, AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS GIULIANA.

AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJ EA MEMBER.

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