NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: June 25, 2021
6/25/2021 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
The President has put a high priority on infrastructure investment.
A deal has been reached between a bipartisan group of Senators and President Biden for a five-year $978 billion package to fix roads and bridges, and to invest in transit systems and broadband. The President has put a high priority on infrastructure investment, and the bipartisan deal is an important step forward.
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NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: June 25, 2021
6/25/2021 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
A deal has been reached between a bipartisan group of Senators and President Biden for a five-year $978 billion package to fix roads and bridges, and to invest in transit systems and broadband. The President has put a high priority on infrastructure investment, and the bipartisan deal is an important step forward.
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AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.
>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.
>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.
WE BEGIN WITH A BREAKTHROUGH IN WASHINGTON THAT COULD LEAD TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT TO FIX INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE NATION, A DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN A HIGH PARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR A FIVE YEAR, 970 ALIEN DOLLAR PACKAGE TO FIX ROADS AND BRIDGES AND INVEST IN TRANSIT SYSTEMS AND BROADBAND.
THE PRESIDENT HAS PUT A HIGH PRIORITY ON INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND THE BIPARTISAN DEAL IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD.
THE PACKAGE IS CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE SO-CALLED BUILDING BRIDGES PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY THE PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS.
NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER IS COCHAIR.
I SAT DOWN WITH HIM TO TALK ABOUT HOW THIS INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE WOULD BENEFIT NEW JERSEY AND WHETHER THERE ARE ANY ROADBLOCKS TO FINAL PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
IF THIS BILL IS APPROVED, HOW WOULD NEW JERSEY BENEFIT?
>> GREAT TO BE HERE, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
THIS IS A GREAT BIPARTISAN OUTCOME, WHICH MEANS DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS CAME TOGETHER TO WORK ON A PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE WHICH WOULD NOT JUST BE GREAT FOR THE COUNTRY, BUT REALLY HELP NEW JERSEY, WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS AND BRIDGES AND TRANSIT AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN, WE HAVE HUGE NEEDS HERE.
THE THIRD OF OUR BRIDGES ARE CONSIDERED UNSAFE, OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM NEEDS A LOT OF SUPPORT, IT IS THE SECOND WORST ON-TIME IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS PACKAGE WILL ACTUALLY PROVIDE DIRECT INFLUX SUPPORT TO JERSEY AND ALSO THE GATEWAY TUNNEL WOULD GET WAS THE WORST FROM THIS PACKAGE, WOULD REPLACE ONE THAT IS 110 YEARS OLD.
OVERALL, THIS IS GREAT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN JERSEY, GREAT FOR EVERY ECONOMY AND JOBS AND WOULD REALLY HELP MOVE OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD.
>> DOES IT SEEM LIKE NEW JERSEY WOULD GET ENOUGH MONEY TO NEED -- MEET ALL THE NEEDS?
>> OUR COUNTRY HAS A HUGE NEEDS.
THIS PACKAGE, WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, IS IN THE FINAL THROES OF NEGOTIATION, IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR MONTHS, OUR GROUP IN THE HOUSE, 58 OF US IN THE HOUSE BACKED A PLAN THAT, WORKING WITH OUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THEY CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR SENATE FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DENT IN THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE, IS IT GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING?
WE WILL STILL NEED TO DO MORE, BUT I THINK THIS WILL MAKE HUGE PROGRESS TOWARD THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING.
FRANKLY, WE HAVE BEEN KICKING THE CAN ON THESE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS, FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, WE JUST HAVEN'T DONE WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO KEEP UP WITH THE PROBLEMS.
WHEN YOU'VE GOT A POTHOLE AND YOU DON'T FIX IT, IT DOESN'T GET FIXED ON ITS OWN, YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
>> WHAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE A ROADBLOCK HERE AT THIS POINT, OR DO YOU EXPECT SMOOTH NEGOTIATIONS GOING FORWARD?
>> NOTHING IN CONGRESS IS EASY, AS YOU KNOW, SO, GETTING HERE, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, THE SENATE, I WILL TELL YOU, YESTERDAY WAS GREAT NEWS BECAUSE WE GOT THROUGH A MAJOR HURDLE WITH THE WHITE HOUSE BACKING IT AND DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, AND IN THE HOUSE, THE CHALLENGE NOW WILL BE GETTING IT ONTO THE FLOOR.
GETTING TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, ALL THE CHALLENGES, ALL THE SPECIFICS, ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL COME UP , AND HOW WILL WE BRING IT UP?
I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC, THIS IS A GREAT AGREEMENT FOR THE COUNTRY, SOMETHING DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AGREE ON IS A CHALLENGE AND THAT IS WHY, EVERYONE WILL TELL YOU, INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT A REPUBLICAN VIEW, IT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA, AND THEN, OF COURSE, DESPITE SAYING THAT, FOR YEARS, WE STILL HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING, WE FINALLY GOT FOLKS TO COME TOGETHER.
I HOPE NO ONE TRIES TO HOLD THIS UP, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE A HUGE BLOW TO THE COUNTRY.
>> WE WILL AND IT THERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>>> WHILE BUDGET WAS TOP OF MIND, THE LEGISLATURE ALSO VOTED ON A FLURRY OF OTHER BILLS, MORE THAN 200.
SENDING A NUMBER OF THEM TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
ONE BILL WOULD PREVENT STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM SIGNING NEW CONTRACTS WITH U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO HOLD IMMIGRATION DETAINEES.
THE LEGISLATION PREVENTS PRIVATE DETENTION FACILITIES FROM SIGNING NEW CONTRACTS WITH I.C.E.
AND EXPANDS ANY EXISTING CONTRACTS.
LAWMAKERS ALSO APPROVED THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL ALLOWING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO REVIEW RECORDINGS MADE FROM THEIR BODY CAM US BEFORE WRITING THE REPORTS.
THE BILL TO ALLOW TENANTS TO SET UP CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS TO REVIEW POLICE MISCONDUCT HAS INSTALLED.
THAT IS JUST A FEW OF THE BILLS, FOR MORE OF THE ACTION, HAD TO NJTVNEWS.ORG.
>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A YEAR, THE STATE IS REPORTING ZERO IN HOSPITAL, 19 DEATHS.
THOUGH THE STATE DID CONFIRM AN ADDITIONAL 12 FATALITIES AND A SLIGHT INCREASE IN CASES WITH 309 NEWLY REPORTED.
WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI SET UNVACCINATED CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE INFECTED WITH A HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VARIANT THAN WITH THE SO-CALLED ALPHA OR UK VARIANT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE DOMINANT STRAIN.
HE SAYS THE DELTA VARIANT WILL BE THE DOMINANT STRAIN IN THE NATION IN A MATTER OF WE.
>>> NEARLY 4.9 MILLION ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.
EVEN AFTER VACCINATIONS, SOME REMAIN VULNERABLE.
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THEY ALSO REMAIN FEARFUL OF THE DISEASE.
>> YOU COULD BE AT SUMMARY'S HOUSE AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THE VACCINE COP.
>> Reporter: DONNA IS UNIQUELY VULNERABLE, COMPROMISED BY LUNG DISEASE AND CANCER TREATMENT.
SHE IS ON OXYGEN, EVERY BREATH IS A GIFT.
>> IT IS A DISEASE WHERE YOUR LUNGS CLOSE.
I HAD CANCER, SO MAYBE I GOT IT FROM RADIATION, I AM FRIGHTENED BECAUSE IF I GET COVID-19, IT COULD BE DEADLY FOR ME.
MORE SO THAN SOMEBODY THAT IS NOT AS COMPROMISED, IT WOULDN'T BE AS BAD.
>> Reporter: LIKE MILLIONS OF OTHERS, SHE GOT VACCINATED, BUT SHE WEARS A MASK OUTSIDE HER HOME, NOT SURE HOW WELL SHE IS PROTECTED AND DEEPLY CONCERNED, BECAUSE SO MANY MILLIONS HAVE OPTED NOT TO GET SHOTS.
>> I WISH EVERYONE WOULD, BUT WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE YOU HAVE CHOICES.
>> WE HAVE HISTORY IN THE COUNTRY OF VALUING INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES AND THAT IS THE BE ALL AND ALL, THAT IS THE SORT OF RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM AND NOT SEEING THE COLLECTIVE GOOD AS VALUABLE.
>> Reporter: MONTCLARE EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS UNVACCINATED PEOPLE COULD POSE REAL DANGERS FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH ISSUES, ESPECIALLY FOLKS WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS.
>> PEOPLE WE KNOW WHO MIGHT HAVE TYPE I DIABETES OR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS OR CANCER, AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET VACCINATED, OR FOR WHOM THE VACCINES DON'T WORK AS WELL, THEY ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE.
>> Reporter: THE CDC ONES, IF YOU HAVE A CONDITION ARE TAKING MEDICATIONS THAT WE CAN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, YOU MAY NOT BE FULLY PROTECTED, EVEN FULLY VACCINATED.
ONE SURVEY SHOWED ONLY 15% PRODUCED ANTIBODIES AFTER ONE COVID-19 SHOT.
JUST 54% AFTER TWO DOSES.
THAT LEFT ALMOST HALF WITH NO COVERED ANTIBODIES.
>> THAT IS WHAT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DOES.
THESE PEOPLE ARE IMMUNODEFICIENT, THEY CAN'T RESPOND NORMALLY.
THAT IS WHY THEY CAN'T CONTROL THE VIRUS EITHER.
IT RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THEM.
>> Reporter: AND ANOTHER STUDY FOUND 130 TRANSPLANT PATIENTS CUT A THIRD COVERT SHOT, IT DID HELP BOOST IMMUNE RESPONSE.
THAT RAISES POSSIBILITIES FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND OTHER IMMUNOCOMPROMISED FOLKS.
>> WE GIVE BOOSTER DOSES ALL THE TIME, STREP PNEUMONIA AND OTHER BOOSTER DOSES.
SO, THE JURY IS STILL OUT, BUT I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED, IN GENERAL PUBLIC, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR CANCER PATIENTS, YES, BOOSTER DOSES WILL BE NEEDED, THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY CAN RECONSTITUTE THE VACCINE DOSING, SO MAYBE IT WILL PICK UP NEW VARIANCE.
>> Reporter: HE URGES CANCER PATIENTS TO TAKE THE VACCINE, EVEN IF IT CAN'T OFFER FULL PROTECTION AND KEEP WEARING MASKS, ULTIMATELY, THE VULNERABLE MUST HELP ENOUGH PEOPLE GET SHOTS TO SURROUND THEM WITH THE PROTECTION OF HERD IMMUNITY.
>> IF YOU CAN FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO GET VACCINATED, YOU SHOULD DO.
THERE IS A LOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE, A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SICK, HAVE DISEASES AND IF THEY GET THIS, IT IS DEATH FOR THEM.
>>> NEW JERSEY'S STATEWIDE PUSH TO ALLOW RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IS MEETING RESISTANCE.
SOME TOWNS HAVE ALREADY CHOSEN TO BAN CANNABIS COMPANIES AND OTHERS WILL NEED TO MAKE A DECISION SOON AND THAT THEY ARE HOPING FOR MORE GUIDANCE.
IN EDGEWATER PARK, THE DECISION WAS TO SAY YES TO CANNABIS AND ONE COMPANY OPERATING THERE IS SEEING STRONG DEMAND.
>> Reporter: THE LINE STRETCHED DOWN A RAMP AT THE DISPENSARY IN EDGEWATER PARK THIS MORNING FOR THEIR GRAND OPENING.
>> IT TELLS ME THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEMAND.
>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT MANAGER SAYS THEY ARE RAMPING UP GROWTH OPERATIONS IN PREPARATION FOR ADULT RECREATIONAL USE, WHILE ALSO OPENING MORE DISPENSARIES TO FILL THE GROWING MEDICAL NEED FOR CANNABIS IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> WE SEE PATIENTS COME IN WITH EPILEPSY, CANCER, AND THEY WANT TO USE THIS VERSUS THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE.
>> Reporter: SOME TOWNS ARE GRAPPLING WITH WHETHER TO ALLOW RECREATIONAL POT AHEAD OF A FAST APPROACHING AUGUST DEADLINE.
LEADERS SAY THEIR DECISION CAME EASY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD YEARS TO PLAN.
>> WHEN IT BECAME OFFICIAL WE COULD DECIDE, WE DID, AND THERE REALLY WAS NO DEBATE.
>> WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT IT, LOOKING AT OTHER TOWNS, OTHER STATES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS ALREADY.
IN ADDITION, WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE AREA, THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR TOWN TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE USED IN LARGE AREA FOR DISTRIBUTION.
OUR PLANNING BOARD AND OUR OFFICIALS HAVE HAD A LOT OF SAMENESS.
>> Reporter: IT IS NOT SO SIMPLE FOR OTHER TOWNS WHO WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE REGULATIONS FOR THE NEWLY CREATED REGULATORY COMMISSION WOULD LOOK LIKE.
SOME TOWNS, INCLUDING SEVERAL ALONG THE SHORE, HAVE ALREADY OPTED TO BAN THEM, WHILE OTHER TOWNS ARE SAYING NO, FOR NOW.
THE ISSUE, THE DEADLINE FOR TOWNS TO THE SIDE AND FOR THE CRC TO ANNOUNCE THEIR REGULATIONS ARE BOTH AUGUST THE 24th.
>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEADERS TO PROVIDE THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES, NOT JUST FOR RESIDENTS, BUT FOR WHATEVER BUSINESSES MAY COME WITHIN THEIR BORDERS.
>> Reporter: EDMUND DeVOE, PRESIDENT OF THE CANNABIS ASSOCIATION, SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE CHALLENGES IN HIS APOLOGIES ARE FACING AS WELL AS THE CRC.
>> THEY HAVE STAFF POSITIONS TO FILL, DIVISIONS THEY HAVE TO CREATE RULES FOR INTERNALLY.
THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE.
>> Reporter: MONDAY, A SUPPLEMENT CHRISTOPHER TULLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXTEND MUNICIPALITY'S THE DEADLINE BY TWO MONTHS.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAYS THE STATE ALSO NEEDS TO APPROVE APPLICATIONS AND ISSUE MORE LICENSES IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEED AND MAKE THE INDUSTRY MORE EQUITABLE.
>> THE STATE CURRENTLY HAS 12 LICENSE HOLDERS AND I BELIEVE WE ARE UP TO EITHER 16 OR 18 DISPENSARIES THROUGH THOSE LICENSE HOLDERS.
THE INTERESTING THING IS, 12 IS CLEARLY NOT ENOUGH, BUT WE ALSO HAVE, REALLY DO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HELP NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES GET ESTABLISHED OR THOSE ESTABLISHED NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE THE TRANSITION INTO THIS RESPONSIBLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND DIVERSE MARKET.
>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, THEY ARE FOCUSED ON CHANGING STIGMAS ABOUT THE INDUSTRY THAT EXIST.
>> THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS ARE 50 AND OLDER AND THEY HAVE NEVER USED CANNABIS BEFORE.
WE OFFER CONSULTATIONS TO PATIENTS TO HELP GUIDE THEM THROUGH THEIR JOURNEY WITH CANNABIS.
>> Reporter: EDGEWATER PARK LEADERS BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY HAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
>> IT IS A VERY SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL FACILITY, I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM.
THEIR FOCUS IS HELPING PEOPLE WHO NEED THE PRODUCT AND NOT SOME KIND OF SHOP BUT WE SHOULD BE SCARED OF.
>>> DEREK CHAUVIN, THE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF MURDERING GEORGE FLOYD, WAS SENTENCED TO 22 1/2 YEARS IN PRISON.
THAT IS LESS THAN THE 30 YEARS PROSECUTORS ASKED FOR.
DURING THE HEARING, LLOYD'S BROTHER ASKED FOR THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE AS HIS MOTHER PLEADED FOR A LIGHTER ONE.
DEREK CHAUVIN OFFERED CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.
AHEAD OF THE SENTENCING, A RECENTLY UNVEILED STATUE OF GEORGE FLOYD IN NEW WORK WAS VANDALIZED WITH GRAFFITI.
NEWARK POLICE SAY THERE WERE WHITE WORDS PAINTED ON THE STATUE THAT REFERRED TO THE PATRIOT FRONT, A GROUP THAT THE POVERTY CENTER HAS IDENTIFIED AS WHITE SUPREMACIST EXTREMISTS.
THE PAINT WAS REMOVED AND POLICE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION.
THE GEORGE FLOYD STATUE IN BROOKLYN WAS ALSO VANDALIZED.
>>> IMAGINE THIS NIGHTMARE, YOU RETURN TO YOUR HOME AND YOU FIND SOMEONE IS SQUATTING THERE.
THAT JUST HAPPENED TO A NEWARK WOMAN WHO NEEDED TO HAVE A S.W.A.T.
TEAM REMOVE THE MAN FROM HER HOME.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE SWATTER WAS PART OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE SOVEREIGN CITIZEN MOVEMENT.
THE FBI CALLS IT AN EXTREMIST MOVEMENT AND IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES IN A NEW JERSEY.
LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS .
>> Reporter: IN DOZENS OF TIKTOK VIDEOS, A NEWARK WOMAN TELLS HER STORY OF FINDING A HOME THAT WAS BANK OWNED, CLOSING IN FEBRUARY, AND GETTING LOANS.
SHE IS STILL WITH -- WAITING TO GET TO THE WORK DONE.
ONE DAY SHE REALIZED HER BOX WAS CHANGED.
A NEW NEIGHBOR SET HIS WIFE MET HER HUSBAND.
>> I SAID, OH, SIR, I DON'T HAVE A HUSBAND.
NOW, I AM INSIDE FREAKING OUT.
>> Reporter: IT TURNS OUT THE MAN IS A SOVEREIGN CITIZEN FROM MOROCCO WHO BELIEVES HIS HOUSE IS HIS ANCESTRAL LAND AND HAS BEEN SQUATTING IN HER HOME.
THE FBI DESCRIBES A SOVEREIGN CITIZEN MOVEMENT AS INTERGOVERNMENTAL EXTREMISTS WHO BELIEVE EVEN THOUGH THEY PHYSICALLY RESIDE IN THIS COUNTRY, THEY ARE SEPARATE SOVEREIGN FROM THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ALSO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, IS ACTUALLY ILLEGITIMATE AND HAS NO JURISDICTION OR AUTHORITY.
>> Reporter: MANY OF THE PIONEERS OF THE MOVEMENT WERE IN THE 70s AND 80s AND WERE WHITE SUPREMACISTS.
>> THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH WHITE SUPREMACIST BELIEFS CONSISTENTLY DECREASED, IN FACT, BY THE 1990s, PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE BEGINNING TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT AND, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, THAT HAS CONSISTENTLY INCREASED.
>> Reporter: THE GROUP TENDS TO GROW DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.
IT IS A SITUATION THEY TRY TO EXPLOIT.
>> IT HAS HAD A LONG HISTORY IN NEW JERSEY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THEY DO IS THIS IDEA OF SQUATTING AND THEY WILL GO AND TRY TO CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF IT AND POSSESSION OF IT, SO, MANY TIMES, THEY WILL ACTUALLY FILE PAPERWORK WITH A COUNTY CLERK OR AT THE STATE LEVEL, THINKING THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO PROVIDE THEM LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH IT DOES NOT PERMIT >> Reporter: RACHEL IS A RESEARCH ANALYST AT SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER.
DO YOU FEAR THAT THAT THIS MOVEMENT WILL GROW GIVEN THE PANDEMIC?
>> I ABSOLUTELY WORRY.
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT, THAT THIS MOVEMENT, ALTHOUGH MANY PEOPLE IN IT ARE NONVIOLENT, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE MOVEMENT THAT ARE VIOLENT OR COULD BECOME VIOLENCE ARE WORKING WITH OTHER EXTREMISTS.
>> THEY CAN GO FROM ZERO TO 60 IN TERMS OF ANGER VERY QUICKLY, SO WE GET A LOT OF SPONTANEOUS VIOLENCE.
THEY HAVE BEEN WILLING TO KILL POLICE OFFICERS OVER A SIMPLE TRAFFIC STOP FOR SPEEDING, THERE HAVE BEEN PLOTS BY CITIZENS TO KIDNAP JUDGES, TAKE OVER THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA.
THEY ALSO ENGAGE IN WHITE- COLLAR CLIMB, PARTICULARLY SCAMS AND FRAUD.
>> THEY LIKE TO FILE FRAUDULENT LIENS WITH THE COUNTY CLERKS, AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS FILING THOSE AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE, OFTEN PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
A POLICE OFFICER THAT ARRESTED THEM OR A JUDGE THAT FOUND THEM GUILTY.
POLICE OFFICER OR JUDGE, THEY DON'T KNOW OFTEN THAT THEY HAVE THAT LIEN UNTIL THEY GO TO TAKE OUT A LOAN OR BUY A HOME, AND THEY CAN'T DO IT.
>> Reporter: THEY GO AFTER PEOPLE THEY BELIEVE ARE GOING AFTER THEM.
>> PAPER TERRORISM, THAT IS THE TYPE OF THING WE DO, WE KEEP AN EYE ON, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T CROSS INTO THE CRIMINAL REALM.
>> Reporter: IS PAPER TERRORISM ON THE RISE?
>> I CAN'T GO INTO A LOT OF DETAIL, JUST BASED ON THE SENSITIVITY, BUT IT DOES EXIST.
>> MANY STATES DO NOT HAVE LAWS THAT PREVENT SOVEREIGNS FROM FILING THESE LIENS.
THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT NEW JERSEY ACTUALLY DOES.
>> THOSE NEW LAWS SAFEGUARDED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> Reporter: THIS MIGHT BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, BUT THE HOMEOWNER HAD TO HAVE POLICE INTERVENE, CAPTURED ON TIKTOK, SWAT ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND THE MAN CARRIED INTO A POLICE CAR.
>>> IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, THE MAYOR OF TRENTON WANTS TO GIVE A $500 STIMULUS PAYMENT TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN THE CITY.
THE MAYOR WOULD USE THE MONEY FROM RELIEF FUNDS FOR THOSE OF PAYMENTS, WHICH WOULD TOTAL $15 MILLION.
CITY COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON THE PLAN.
TRENTON IS SET TO RECEIVE NEARLY $73 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.
THE MAYOR WANTS TO USE THOSE FUNDS TO PROVIDE HAZARD PAPERWORKERS THAT WERE ACTIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC, TO PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE JOB TRAINING AND PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.
>>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE WEEK WRAPPED UP ON WALL STREET.
>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF CONGRESS.
>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN ME FOR BUSINESS SPEECH, WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS REACTING TO THE NEW STATE BUDGETS.
AND TO LOOK AT WHETHER IT IS BETTER TO BUY A HOME OR RENT.
>>> WITH THE STATE LEGISLATORS WRAPPING UP WORK NEXT WEEK AHEAD OF A SUMMER BREAK, THE FOCUS WILL TURN TO THEIR REELECTION CAMPAIGNS.
ALL 120 SEATS WILL BE ON THE BALLOT AND, OF COURSE, WE HAVE A GUBERNATORIAL RACE AS WELL.
THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S SEAT, SO WHAT IS THE GOP STRATEGY TO TRY TO CHANGE THAT?
MICHAEL AARON WENT ON THE RECORD WITH THE NEW STATE GOP CHAIR TO DISCUSS THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
>> Reporter: CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING ELECTED STATE REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN.
ALMOST BY DEFINITION, YOUR TOP JOB NOW IS TO HELP GET JOSH GOTTHEIMER ELECTED GOVERNOR.
HOW IS THAT LOOKING?
>> I THINK YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
HE IS A GREAT CANDIDATE, HE HAS GOT A VISION FOR NEW JERSEY, A TRUE NEW JERSEY GUY.
HE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB.
THIS IS A TOUGH, UPHILL FIGHT, BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, IT IS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE 1993, WE ARE GETTING THAT CROWN TO FIRE.
KIDS HAVING LOST A YEAR OF SCHOOL, WHICH THEY WILL NEVER GET BACK, A THIRD OF NEW JERSEY SMALL BUSINESSES ARE NEVER GOING TO REOPEN, THEIR FINANCIAL HEALTH HAS BEEN DECIMATED, AND THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH HAS ALSO BEEN HURT.
JACK HAS A ROAD TO VICTORY AND HE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IN 1993 WAS A THE YEAR KRISTY WHITMAN SNUCK BY INCUMBENT GOVERNOR.
THE DEMOCRATS WILL TRY TO TIE JACK TO DONALD TRUMP, HOW DO YOU COUNTER THAT?
>> I THINK JOSH GOTTHEIMER HAS BEEN HIS OWN MAN HIS ENTIRE LIFE .
A SELF-MADE GUY, BORN IN NEW JERSEY, RAISED HIMSELF UP, MADE IT HAPPEN, GOT DEGREES, BUILT A BUSINESS, SOLD A BUSINESS, HE CARES ABOUT THE STATE.
HE HAS BEEN ELECTED SO MANY TIMES IN DEMOCRATIC TOWNS AND COUNTIES, HE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN, AND HE IS INDEPENDENT AS THEY COME, HE IS THE REAL MAN.
HE IS GOING TO EMBRACE ALL NEW JERSEY.
I THINK PHIL MURPHY IS A VERY GOOD PERSON, I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH HIM, HE HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE GOVERNOR.
WHEN YOU THINK OF ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH WOMEN, SWEEPING SEXUAL ASSAULT, WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN WOMEN'S PRISONS, HOW HE HAS OVERREACHED WITH GOVERNMENT AND DESTROYED LIBERTIES IN NEW JERSEY.
WE'VE GOT TO GET THE ISSUES OF THE STATE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
YOU CAN'T HIDE THE FAILURES HE HAS HAD BY MONEY COMING IN, BECAUSE THE LONG-TERM DIRECTION OF THE STATE FINANCIALLY IS STILL IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
>> Reporter: HOW DOES HE APPEAL TO THE TRUMP WING OF THE PARTY GOING FORWARD?
>> I THINK IT IS GREAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS THE BIG TEN AND WE WANT EVERYBODY IN THE PARTY, BUT NOW IT IS TIME TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS POLICIES FOR NEW JERSEY, HE BELIEVES IN LIBERTY, ECONOMIC LIBERTY, ALL THE KIND OF FREEDOMS AND THE ISSUES THAT THOSE VOTERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT, HE IS GOING TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE MESSAGE WILL RESONATE.
YES, IT WAS A TOUGH CAMPAIGN, BUT HE IS READY.
>> Reporter: THEY ARE NOT DIVIDED?
>> LIKE ANY POLITICAL PARTY, THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT VIEWS.
THAT THE PRIMARY THINGS THAT BIND US, BRING US TOGETHER, FAR OUTWEIGH THE THINGS THAT DIVIDE US.
>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU ARE DONALD TRUMP, WHO IS STILL A PUNITIVE HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, SAY THAT HE WON THE ELECTION BY A LANDSLIDE?
>> ALL THE STUFF THAT GOES ON IN WASHINGTON, IT IS EMBARRASSING WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY.
WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON, I HOPE I HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT THE FOCUS TO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS GET JOSH GOTTHEIMER AND ALL REPUBLICANS ELECTED IN NOVEMBER.
>> Reporter: THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.
>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK, BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE STORIES, YOU CAN CATCH THE ROUNDTABLE SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M.
ALONG WITH CHAT BOX SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER COME IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.
FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.
RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.
LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.
AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT AND PSE&G, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
>>> MAJOR FUNDING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE SOVIET A AND SIMON BE PROGRAMMING ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.
THE PETER G PETERSON FUND.
As deadline nears, NJ towns grapple with marijuana decision
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/25/2021 | 3m 50s | One town says their decision came easy due to years of planning. (3m 50s)
George Floyd statue vandalized before Chauvin sentencing
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/25/2021 | 59s | A statue of Floyd was also vandalized in Brooklyn, New York (59s)
Gottheimer hails bipartisan deal on infrastructure package
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/25/2021 | 3m 44s | The package looks to fix roads and bridges and to invest in transit systems and broadband. (3m 44s)
Is third COVID shot needed for the medically vulnerable?
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/25/2021 | 3m 35s | Immune response was boosted in transplant patients who got a third shot of vaccine (3m 35s)
NJ GOP's new chairman says focus is on upcoming election
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/25/2021 | 3m 39s | Bob Hugin discusses GOP and path to victory for gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli (3m 39s)
SWAT team removed anti-government squatter from Newark home
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 6/25/2021 | 4m 59s | Squatter removed from Newark home belongs to the sovereign citizen movement. (4m 59s)
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