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MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.COM AND BY THE BSES FOUNDATION.

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

>>> ONE OF THE STATE'S EARLY VOTING OPTIONS AND ITS TOUR EARLY TO TELL IF TURNOUT WILL B AS HIGH AS THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION IN 2020 WHEN NEARLY 4.

MILLION IN NEW JERSEY EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE .

THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND IN PERSON EARLY VOTING STARTS THI SATURDAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 6th .

PEOPLE IN TRENTON HAVE BIG DECISIONS ON THE BALLOT AS THE ONGOING CONFLICT BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL INTENSIFIES.

THE MAYOR AND ALL THREE CITY COUNCIL SEATS ARE UP FOR GRABS AND THEIR ARE VYING FOR THE POSITION .

>> YOU ARE A PEDOPHILE, THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE .

>> TRENTON HAS SURELY SEEN BETTER DAYS .

THE LEVEL OF DISCOURSE AMONG CITY LEADERS AN ALL-TIME LOW , MATCHING THE SPIRIT OF MANY TRENTONIANS HAV SEEN CRIME AND UNEMPLOYMENT RISE EUROPE ARE NEAR WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL THE ELECTION, THIS IS WHERE MANY TRENTONIANS ARE AT .

THE CAPITA CITY ONCE THE NATION'S CAPITOL IS DISHEARTENED.

AFTER LIVING IN THE CITY ALL HIS LIFE , HE SAYS HE TRIES TO STAY OUT OF POLITICS BUT IT'S HARD NOT TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING I YOU CARE EVEN A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AND WHY.

>> AND THE CITY COUNCIL GOES AGAINST EVERY STEP YOU TRIED TO PUT FORWARD.

IN THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THE CITY STREETS AND IF THE MAYOR WANTS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE CITY AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE AND NOT THE OPERATIONS AND THE CITY COUNCIL IS WORKING AGAINST THEM, THAT'S THE SAME .

>> THAT IS WHAT THE MAYOR IS COUNTING ON AS HE SEEKS REELECTION.

HE IS OPENLY AND WHITE AND STARTED SLOWLY AND H STARTED WITH CRIME IN TRENTON WATERWORKS PROBLEMS AS WELL AS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC .

AS HE APPROACHES THE ELECTION, THE MAYOR IS TRYING TO PITCH IN INCREMENTAL COMEBACK STORY WITH SUSTAINED NEGATIVES RATHER THAN TOO MANY POSITIVES.

>> Reporter: WHAT YOU SAY TO TRENTONIANS, HANG ON?

>> NO , MORE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS WAS FROM JUNE 1st TO SEPTEMBER 1st WITHOUT A SINGLE HOMICIDE .

>> Reporter: THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR ON HOMICIDE SINCE THEN .

AFTER CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF 20+ HOMICIDES THE MAYOR'S CRITICS INCLUDING THE TWO RUNNING AGAINST HIM FOR MAYOR BLAME HI FOR EVERY CITY ILL FROM THE BUDGETS THEY REFUSE TO VOTE FOR TO EVERYONE IN THE CITY'S MURDERS AND ROBBERIES.

THIS IS ROBIN VAUGHN WHOSE CHOICE WORDS YOU HEARD OF THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY.

THIS CHAP FROM AUGUS WHERE THE CAMPAIGNS OF BEEN SILENT IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS AN HAVE IGNORED REPEATED CALLS FOR COMMENTS.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES WHERE MR. REED GUSCIORA AND ANYONE ELSE WHO COMES TO A TOWN THEY DIDN' GROW UP IN A DON'T HAVE RELATIVES IN, IT'S HARD TO NAVIGATE .

TRENTON IS IN OLD TOWN AND ALL PREVIOUS MAYORS WERE SONS OF A TRENTONIAN AND H IS NOT .

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE BEFORE THE CITY CAN MAK PROGRESS , NEEDS TO CLEAN UP ITS OWN ACT, LITERALLY .

>> IF THE COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION HAD WORKED BETTE TOGETHER, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE SEEN A LOT OF GOOD THINGS.

>> Reporter: A LIFETIME TRENTONIAN AND ADVISOR TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MOST NOTABLY BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN .

>>> COULD PROVIDE A GOOD MIXTURE BECAUSE THERE IS A PLAC LIKE MILLER HILL WHERE THERE AR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TAKEN PROXIMITY IN NEW YORK .

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL.

>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS ARE BACKING GUSCIORA AS IS THE GOVERNOR .

TRENTON-BASED BLACK LEADERS HAVE ALSO SIGNALED THEIR SUPPORT .

>> I THINK IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THE MESSAGE COMING THROUGH THAT IT'S OKAY TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN .

CAN I SAY HE IS GOING TO WIN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN BOAT OUT RIGHT?

NO , BUT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION, YES I DO.

>> Reporter: ALMOST 2 DOZEN ARE RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL OR MAYOR AND WHEN ASKED WHY THEY EVEN BOTHER , MOST WILL TELL YO THIS IS A CITY WORTH FIGHTING FOR AND THE CITY WERE SAVING.

IF ONLY A MAYORAL ELECTION COUL HAVE THAT IMPACT.

IN TRENTON, AM DAVID CRUZ.

>> YOU CAN HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT.

OREGON CLICK ON THE 2022 TAB FOUR CANDIDATE PROFILES AND DETAILS ON YOUR DISTRICT INCLUDING WHERE AND HO TO VOTE.

>> AND IT IS PULLED FROM THE ASSEMBLY SESSION TODAY AND WILL BE AMENDED AND COULD COME UP FOR A VOTE IN THE NEXT SESSION.

IT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO UNDERGO IN SAFETY TRAINING AND BAN FIREARMS IN SO-CALLED SENSITIVE PLACES .

A LEGISLATIV SOURCE SAYS THE AMENDMENT INCLUDES CLARIFYING WHAT COULD BE A WEAPON .

LAWMAKERS ARGUE THE BILL IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL WITH A RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING MAKING CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS EASIER TO OBTAIN .

THERE IS A CONTROVERSIAL BILL ALLOWING POLLING PLACES AT SCHOOLS AND LAW CENTERS .

SEVERAL REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARGUE THE OFFICER SHOULD BE IN UNIFORM AND NOT IN PLAIN CLOTHING AS OUTLINED IN THE BILL.

SOME JUSTICE ADVOCATES SAY THAT IT COULD SUPPRESS VOTER TURNOUT.

>> THE LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY MET TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT LaunchED TO ADDRESS ONGOING ISSUES WITH WORKPLACE APPLICATIONS AND MORE .

THE MEETING COMES AS THEY BATTLE CRITICISM FROM ACTIVISTS WHO SAY IT IS NOT FULFILLING THE PROMISE ON SOCIAL EQUITY .

MELISSA COOPER HAS THE LATEST .

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN SIX-MONTH SINCE RECREATIONAL SALES WENT INTO EFFECT HERE AND NOT EVERYBODY IS GETTING FAIR ACCESS.

TODAY EVERYBODY GOT A CHANCE TO HIT HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PERSON.

A PACKED ROOM AS SUPPORTERS WAITED FOR THE UPDATES ON THE STATUS OF APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESSES LOOKING TO ENTER THE ADULT USE MARKET .

THEY APPROVE THE FIRST 18 LICENSES AND 227 CONDITIONA LICENSES WERE APPROVED WITH CONDITIONAL PRIORITY .

>> I THINK SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS ARE SMALL BUSINESS BOATS AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS WORKING CLASS PEOPLE AND THEY CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE MSO S. THERE ARE STRIDES TO BE MADE BU WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRST GENERATION OF APPLICANTS ARE TAKING CARE OF AND GIVEN TH TOOLS THEY NEED HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY .

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS IS THE CREATION OF PROGRAM HELPING PEOPLE TRANSITION FROM THE LEGACY TO THE LEGAL MARKET .

>> IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION HELPING THOSE IMPACTED MOST BY THE CANNABIS PROHIBITION .

UNDERSTANDING SOM OF THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN OVER POLICED IN THE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED MOST AND NOW THEY GET IN OPPORTUNITY STAKE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR AND PUT IN PRISON FOR AND THEY ARE STILL BEING ARRESTED AND PU IN PRISON .

NOW THEY COME INTO THE LEGAL SPACE .

>> THEY GREW HEMP ON THE CHESTERFIELD FARM FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

SHE IS HOPING THE CRC WILL ALLOW FARMERS INTO THE INDUSTRY .

>> TO HELP PEOPLE WHO NEED PAIN MANAGEMENT FROM A PLANT VERSUS A PHARMACEUTICAL AND ALSO THE PLANT, ITSELF, HAS GREAT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS .

WE ARE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN GROWING CANNABIS, IN PART , BECAUSE IT HELPS SEQUESTER CARBON .

ALSO AS ORGANIC PRODUCE FARMERS, WE WERE NO LONGER PROFITABLE AND OF COURS CANNABIS HAS A POTENTIAL TO BRING THE FARM BACK INTO THE BLACK INSTEAD OF THE RED.

>> Reporter: THERE WORKING TO FUND THE CANNABIS TRAINING ACADEMY TO PROVIDE FREE EDUCATIONAL COURSES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE LOOKING TO START THEIR CAREER I THE INDUSTRY.

>> IT IS NOT A BOOK EDUCATION BUT A LOT OF US DON'T HAVE BUSINESS LICENSES .

HOW DO WE OPEN A BUSINESS?

DO WE HAVE A LAWYER OR A CPA ?

WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THOSE THINGS AND TO EDUCATE ON THOSE KINDS OF THING ARE NEEDED .

>> Reporter: THERE ARE PLANS FO CANNABIS TRAINING ACADEMY NEXT YEAR AND ENTREPRENEURS BELIEVE IT WILL GIVE THE TOOLS NEEDED T BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE BUSINESS.

IN TRENTON, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FIVE YEARS AFTER THE JUSTIC DEPARTMENT DROPPED ITS CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST HIM , U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS FACING A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION .

THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE INVESTIGATION IS UNCLEAR BUT IT IS CONDUCTED BY FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN MANHATTAN .

AND ADVISOR CONFIRMED THE SENATOR I AWARE OF THE PROBE BUT DOES NOT KNOW THE SCOPE OF IT.

ADDING THE SENATOR WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE REQUESTED OF HIM OR HIS OFFICE.

HE IS THE CHAIR OF THE POWERFUL SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND WAS PREVIOUSLY INDICTED ON FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGES AND 25th TEEN WHEN IT WAS ALLEGED HE TRADED POLITICAL FAVORS WITH A WEALTH FLORIDA EYE DOCTOR FOR LUXURY VACATIONS AND OTHER GIFTS .

THA ENDED WITH A HUNG JURY AND CHARGES WERE LATER DISMISSED.

>>> THE STATE POPE'S LARGEST PUBLIC WORKERS UNION IS ADDED AGAIN TODAY LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE IN PROTEST OF POTENTIAL INCREASES TO HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS WHICH ARE SLATED TO GO UP MORE THAN 20% .

THE ISSUE HAS TRICKLED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO SAY IT WILL HI THEIR BUDGETS HARD AND WILL ULTIMATELY PASS ON TO TAXPAYERS >> [ CROWD CHANTING ].

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 15 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA, THE STATE'S LARGEST COMMUNICATIONS UNION RALLIED FOR INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT ARE INCREASING BY 20% COM JANUARY 1st.

THIS IS THE SECOND LUNCHTIME RALLY THE CWA PLANS TO HOLD AS NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE .

>> WE QUESTION HOW THEY CAME ABOUT WITH A 24% INCREASE WHEN IT HASN'T HAPPENED ANYWHERE ELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY .

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW JERSEY AREA WHICH REPRESENTS 70,000 WORKING FAMILIES INCLUDING 40,000 STAT WORKERS AND 15,000 COMMUNITY WORKERS.

ALSO AIRLINES , HEALTHCARE AND DIRECT CARE INDUSTRIES .

IT IS UNFAIR THAT EMPLOYEES PRAISED AS HEROES DURING THE PANDEMIC ARE SLAMMED BY THESE INCREASES.

>> WE ARE ASKING LEGISLATORS TO PUT MONEY -- TO PUT THROUGH A BILL THAT WOULD PASS THROUGH MONEY TO THE TOWNS AND COUNTIE TO GIVE RELIEF AND ALSO PROVID RELIEF TO THE WORKERS .

>> IS THERE A NUMBER YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ?

>> WE ARE TOLD IT IS $330 MILLION .

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SCARY NUMBER BUT RIGHT NOW THE STATE HAS A SIX DOLLARS SURPLUS WITH $100 MILLION LEFT IN THE COVID MONEY AND IF THIS IS COVI RELATED, WE THINK SOME OF THE MONEY COULD BE USED FOR THIS.

>> Reporter: PROGRESS WAS MADE WHEN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION STRUCK A DEAL LAST MONTH TO REDUCE INCREASES FOR WORKERS FROM THIRD 18% DOWN TO 3%.

PREMIUMS REMAIN ON THE TABLE FO COUNTY AND LOCAL WORKERS.

THE REASON FOR THE RATE HIKES ON THE PREEMIE AND STONE JUST IMPACT UNION WORKERS, THEY IMPACT THE LIVELIHOODS OF TOWNS AND COUNTIES .

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHEN IT WENT DOWN BUT I KNOW THAT WE NEED RELIEF.

>> Reporter: TO THEY HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS?

>> YEAH , POSSIBLY THEY WILL CU SPENDING AND PUT IN A HIRING FREEZE AND POSSIBLY LAYOFFS AND POSSIBLY A TAX INCREASE .

>> Reporter: THE INCREASE REFLECTS THE GROWING COST OF CARE AND THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC INCLUDING PEN UP DEMAND FOR CARE AND INFLATION AMONG OTHER FACTORS.

ONE SAID THE MATH DOESN'T ADD UP.

>> IS IN SURPRISE BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE REASONS THEY ARE CITING.

OBVIOUSLY WERE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IN THE RAT OF INFLATION IS SIGNIFICANT.

I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH COUNTERPARTS FROM OTHER STATE LEADS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND WE ARE THE ANOMALY .

THE QUESTIONS GO BEYOND THAT .

WHY ARE WE THE ANOMALY ?

WHAT HAPPENED HERE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOW WILL WE FIX IT ?

>> THE CONSEQUENCE OF INACTION WILL BE FELT BY EVERY PROPERTY TAX PAYER IN THE STATE .

UNIONS SAY THE CLOCK IS TICKING AS THE TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BEFOR THE PREMIUMS GO INTO EFFECT.

FO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA .

>>> THE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT LOOKS AT YET ANOTHER CAL FOR THE STATE TO CUT TIES WITH THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY , A KE FACTOR IN CLIMATE CHANGE .

THIS TIME THE MESSAGE WAS GIVEN TO THE STATE INVESTMENT COUNSEL WHICH CONTROLS INVESTMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUND THIS A WEEK AFTER NEW JERSEY FILED A LETTER AGAINST THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY LOOKING FO COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE IN A STATE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED SOME OF IT WORST EFFECTS.

AND JOHN REITMEYER JOINS ME NOW .

JOHN, THE TIMING SEEMS DIFFERENT .

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF SUPER STORM SAND WHICH CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE AN FATALITIES .

ALSO, JUST LAST WEEK, THE STATE FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTR .

IT'S TRADE ASSOCIATION BASIC WE ARE DOING FOR DAMAGES IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE .

ON ONE HAND, YOU HAVE A FUND INVESTING IN THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND TRIED TO GET PROFITS FOR WORKER AND RETIREE PENSIONS FROM THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND THEN THE STATE IS SUING THE SAME INDUSTRY AND SEEKING DAMAGES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE .

>> IF THE STATE HAS PENDING LITIGATION , CAN THEY LEGALLY INVEST IN THEM?

>> THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT THAT WOULD BAR THE STATE FROM DOING SO .

THIS ISSUE HAS COME UP BEFORE IN THE STATE.

LAWMAKERS HAVE TIME TO PULL INVESTMENT OUT OF ANY COMPANY THAT IS SHARPENING ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SUPERFUND SITE .

THAT I ONE THING WE HAVE HEARD OF AND NJ SPOTLIGHT HAS LOOKED AT IT.

THERE IS A CONTRADICTION WHERE ON THE ONE HAND YOU HAVE THE STATE SUING THE COMPANY'S AND THEN ON THE OTHER HAND THE STAT IS INVESTING TOWARD THE PENSION FUND .

>> I WAS WONDERING, JOHN , HOW THIS SQUARES WITH THE GOVERNOR' CLEAN ENERGY POLICIES AND WHAT HE HAS BEEN TOUTING REALLY SINCE BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE .

I THE STATE HAS MONIES INVESTED IN COMPANIES THAT GO AGAINST WHAT THE STATE SAYS IT WANTS TO DO.

>> ABSOLUTELY .

WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES THAT IS ANOTHER POINT .

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS PURSUING AGGRESSIVE CLIMATE GOALS INCLUDE LOOKING TOWARD MORE RENEWABLE .

THE PENSION FUND HAS BEEN RAMPING UP ITS INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION.

HOWEVER, THE ADVOCATES WOULD SAY IT IS STIL A CONTRADICTION FOR ADMINISTRATION TO BE FOCUSED ON CLIMATE AND CLIMATE GOALS WHILE ALSO HAVING THE PENSION FUND INVESTING IN COMPANIES THAT AR VIEWED AS CONTRIBUTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND ONGOING BASIS.

>> JOHN, WHERE THE LAWMAKER STAND ON THIS?

>> THERE IS A BILL THAT IS PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE THAT'S BEEN IN TRENTON FOR A WHILE AND WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE COMMITTEE VOTE.

>> ALL RIGHT , JOHN REITMEYER, THANKS AS ALWAYS.

>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WALL STREET AND TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> SUPPORTS FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

AND IN BY THE NJ TIA CONFERENCE ON TOURISM NOVEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT THE CASINO RESORT AND HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY .

>>> MAKE SURE YOU CATCH BUSINES BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SHE LOOKS AT HOW IT INTERTWINE WITH THE ELECTIONS.

CANDIDATES FROM BOTH SIDES LAY OUT THEIR ECONOMIC VISION AND THEN RHONDA ANALYZES WHAT A SWING IN POWER COULD MEET OR NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY .

THAT IS ON NJ SPOTLIGHT .

>>> CREATING A DEDICATED TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT NEW JERSEY'S HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND ITS CONTINUED IMPACT ON BLACK RESIDENCE AND THE NEED FOR REPARATIONS .

THE TOPIC REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL AND POLITICAL SURFERS CIRCLES.

INSTEAD , THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FOCUSED O WEALTH DISPARITY AND HOW RACISM CONTRIBUTES TO ECONOMIC DISPARITIES .

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GAVE REPARATIONS TO JAPANESE-AMERICANS AFTER INCARCERATING THEM DURING WORL WAR II.

TAYLOR JUNG LOOKS AT THE EFFORTS TOWARD REPARATIONS AND SHARES PARALLELS IN HER FAMILY'S PERSONAL STORY TO THE MOVEMENT .

TAYLOR JOINS ME NOW .

TAYLOR, YOUR WORK ON THIS WAS IMPECCABLE .

TELL ME ABOUT THE PARALLELS YOU DREW IN YOUR OWN FAMILY'S STORY BETWEEN THE REPARATION WORK GOING ON NOW AND THE JAPANESE AMERICAN REDRESS MOVEMENT THAT YOUR GRANDMOTHER VERY MUCH WENT THROUGH .

>> YEAH , I THINK IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT REPORT ON REPARATIONS WITHOUT ALSO MENTIONING MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE THEM .

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING MORE JAPANESE-AMERICA S ARE TALKING ABOUT.

JUST THE FACT WE WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE THEM BECAUSE ASIAN AMERICANS ARE HARD-WORKING, QUIET , AND RESERVED.

THAT IDEA AND STEREOTYPE IS ACTUALLY BLOWER AND BORN IN ANTI-BLACKNESS.

THEY WERE ABLE TO START THEIR LIVES OVER AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL, WHY COULDN'T BLACK AMERICANS DO THE SAME AFTER SLAVERY.

WE WERE GIVEN THE REPARATIONS BECAUSE OF OUR " GOOD WORK " .

I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE JAPANESE AMERICAN STORY AND REPARATIONS WERE ALS TIED TO ANTI-BLACK SENTIMENT.

>> AT ONE POINT WHERE YOUR GRANDMOTHER WAS IN THE INTERMEN CAMP AND YOU WROTE ABOUT THE CHECK SHE RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT IT FELT LIK A FLIPPANT ATTEMPT AT COMPENSATION FOR A LIFE INTERRUPTED .

WHEN YOU STARTED TALKING WITH ADVOCATES AND EVEN LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN BRAVE ENOUGH TO DIVE INTO THIS , WHAT DID YOU FIND WITH WHERE THE WOR HAS BEEN HALTED?

>> YOU KNOW , IT WAS THE WORD REPARATIONS THAT SEEMED TO BE UNSATISFACTORY OR UNCOMFORTABLE FOR OTHER LAWMAKERS.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE NEW JERSEY SOCIAL JUSTICE MENTIONED IN CONVERSATIONS WITH SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN .

WHILE HE SUPPORTED THE IDEA , IT SEEMED THAT OTHER LAWMAKERS WERE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT GIVING COMPENSATION OF SOME SORT TO BLACK NEW JERSEYANS .

>> NOT JUST COMPENSATION BUT LAWMAKERS PUSH TO HAVE IT CALLED ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THA REPARATIONS AS FAR AS THE TASK FORCE LOOKING INTO THIS.

>> RIGHT .

THE SOLUTION WAS THE WEALTH DISPARITY TASK FORCE WHICH IS LOOKING AT WHY THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP EXISTS FOR NOT JUST BLACK NEW JERSEYANS BUT LATINX AND OTHER NONWHITE NEW JERSEYANS.

ADVOCATES WANT ATTENTION PAID TOWARD THOSE WH ARE BLACK AND WHO HAVE MAYBE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WERE ENSLAVED AT ONE POINT .

IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT BLACK PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LUMPED IN WITH OTHER MOVEMENTS IN TERMS OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND I THINK THEY ARE JUST ASKING FOR, HEY , CAN YOU GIVE US THE TIME OF DAY AND JUST FOCUS ON US AND WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING?

>> TAYLOR JUNG, THANKS FOR YOU GREAT REPORTING AND FOR SHARING WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE IT .

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ .

HE KICKS OFF THE SHOW WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE SUPER STORM SANDY AND THE FACTORS THA WENT INTO THE DECISIONS MADE FO THE STATE .

PLUS THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES FOR THE WEE WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS TOMORROW AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE N SPOTLIGHT YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM .

>>> AND A SPECIAL EDITION WITH SUPER STORM SANDY 10 YEARS LATE .

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI AND FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM , THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU BAC HERE TOMORROW.