>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

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

>> I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> TODAY MARKS TWO WEEKS SINCE WE SAW THE HIGHEST POSITIVE TOTAL FOR COVID-19.

SINCE THEN, KEY METRICS HAVE FALLEN.

THE STATE REPORTED 10,700 NEWLY CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES TODAY AND ANOTHER 144 DEATHS.

THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE FOR NEWLY CONFIRMED POSITIVE TESTS HAS DROPPED 53%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE FALLING.

AS NUMBERS IMPROVE, SOME COMMUNITIES ARE LIFTING INDOOR MASK MANDATES WHILE OTHERS ARE KEEPING RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, INCLUDING MONTCLAIR.

IS A WINTER SURGE HAS SHOWN US THAT COVID-19 HAS BEEN TRICKY TO CONTROL AS NEW JERSEY IS STILL OPERATING UNDER A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

SOME LEADING HEALTH EXPERTS ARE SAYING IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE TURNED A CORNER WHEN IT COMES TO THE LATEST WAVE OF CASES.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT THE OPTIMISM AROUND FALLING CASES IS TAMPERED WITH CAUTION.

TRUCK AT MILITARY TROOPS ARE HELPING HOSPITAL STAFF BUT THE SHARPEST OMICRON PEAK HAS PASSED.

NOW THEY FEEL GUARDEDLY OPTIMISTIC >> THE EPIDEMIC IS NOT OVER YET BUT THE SIGNS ARE GOOD.

I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT AT LEAST, FOR A WHILE, WE WILL BE OUT OF IT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE BEGUN TO TURN THE CORNER., GOD WILLING, WE WILL KEEP THE PROGRESS UP.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR EVEN MUSED HE MIGHT LIFT SCHOOL MASK MANDATES BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS IF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES SPREAD CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

EPIDEMIOLOGISTS ALSO NEED TO POINT TO HOW COVID HAS COLLAPSED OVERSEAS.

>> WE COULD TURN A CORNER WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN AFRICA AND BRITAIN.

>> OVERALL, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY SOMEWHERE BE TWEEN COMPLACENCY AND PANIC.

THIS DISEASE IS NOT GOING AWAY AND WE SHOULD BE TAKING REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO LIVE OUR LIVES WITH IT.

>> BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

IT DEPENDS ON A LOT OF ISSUES.

MOORESTOWN DITCHED ITS MANDATE YESTERDAY CITING THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION BELOW IN.

HOBOKEN WILL STAY WITH THAT UNTIL THE POSITIVITY RATE DECLINES TO 5% AND MONTCLAIR EXTENDED THEIRS TO MARCH 31.

NEW BRUNSWICK WILL BE REEVALUATING.

PATTERSON AND NEWARK HAVE NO PLANS TO RESCIND EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT DECISION?

>> JUST BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE ON THE WAY DOWN, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO TAKE AWAY MASK MANDATES.

WE NEED TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE UNTIL NUMBERS COME DOWN FURTHER.

THEY ARE LOWER THAN THEY WERE BUT STILL HIGHER.

>> IT IS LIKE A ROLLER COASTER YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ON.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE UPS AND THE DOWNS WILL BE AND WHEN IT WILL COME TO AN END.

>> Reporter: THE WHOLE WORLD WANTS THE EPIDEMIC TO AND THAT HE APPLAUDS TOUGHER VACCINATION STANDARDS, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE NEW JERSEY DEATH RATE REMAINS HIGH.

THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER ALERTED OFFICIALS THAT THERE IS A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF SPACE WITHIN MORGUES ACROSS THE STATE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

THE STATE HAS CREATED TWO ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY MORGUES AVAILABLE TO ALL AGENCIES REQUIRING TEMPORARY STORAGE SERVICES.

>> IN THE LAST TOO WEEKS, OVER 1200 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE DIED.

PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE AND THAT WOULD BE A REALLY BAD FLU SEASON FOR US.

>> DR. FAUCI ANNOUNCE THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE WILL PROBABLY NEED THREE DOSES OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO GET THE DATA TO THE FDA AND APPROVE.

>> Reporter: AUTHORIZATION COULD BE A MONTH AWAY.

FAMILIES THAT HAVE KIDS IN DAYCARE ARE ANXIOUS FOR THAT.

IN THE MEANTIME KEEP WEARING A HIGH-QUALITY MASK, ESPECIALLY INSIDE, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT OVER.

>> I AM NOT READY TO CELEBRATE JUST YET.

A PIECE OF OPTIMISTIC ME IS WORN DOWN.

PART OF MY FRUSTRATION IS, WE KEEP THINKING, WE ARE DONE.

AFTER THIS THAT VARIANT WE WILL BE DONE.

WE DID NOT ERADICATE THIS.

IT WILL KEEP GOING.

>> I AM IT BRENDA FLANAGAN FOR NJTV NEWS.

>>> ATLANTIC CITY IS HANDING OUT CHECKS TO PEOPLE THAT WERE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE CITY PLANS TO USE ABOUT $3.5 MILLION OF THE $16.5 MILLION IT HAS RECEIVED SO FAR IN FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDING.

PROPERTY OWNERS, RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY IF THEY ARE CURRENT ON THEIR TAXES.

THEY WILL RECEIVE FORMS IN THE MAIL OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

PREVIOUSLY ATLANTIC CITY DISTRIBUTED FEDERAL FUNDING TO CITY EMPLOYEES.

>>> NEW RAIL WELL TUNNELS ARE CLOSER TO REALITY.

NEW TRAIN TUNNELS AND THE REHABILITATION OF THE 112-YEAR- OLD TUBES HAS GOTTEN AN UPGRADED LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSIT OF ASSOCIATION.

SO THEY CAN NOW MOVE FORWARD TO THE GRANT PROCESS AND EVENTUALLY FEDERAL FUNDING.

THIS IS A MAJOR SHIFT UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

UNDER TRUMP, IT WAS GREETED GRADED MEDIUM-LOW.

BUT LEADERS SUBMITTED A NEW FINANCIAL PLAN THIS SUMMER WITH NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY MAKING A $6 BILLION COMMITMENT AND AM >> Reporter: PLEDGING $1.4 BILLION TO SUPPLEMENT THE MONEY COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE PROJECT STILL HAS REGULATORY HURDLES TO MOVE THROUGH BEFORE IT GETS FULL FUNDING BUT A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GATEWAY PROGRAM SAYS THE TARGET DATE TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IS SUMMER 2023.

>>> CLIMATE CHANGE HAS LED TO INCREASED FLOODING IN NEW JERSEY.

THERE IS RENEWED FOCUS ON PROTECTING VULNERABLE AREAS.

TO FIND OUT MORE OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, MICHAEL ARON, TALKED WITH BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN ABOUT THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING COMING TO THE STATE AS WELL IS IS THE BUILD BACK BETTER DEAL WILL MOVE FORWARD.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU ANNOUNCED A HALF $1 BILLION FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT THIS WEEK.

APPARENTLY YOU THINK THAT THIS IS A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT.

TELL US WHY.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT PARTICULAR PART OF MY DISTRICT HAS BEEN DEVASTATED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION BY TORRENTIAL STORMS AND HURRICANES.

THERE HAS BEEN FLOODING AND DAMAGE.

THERE HAS BEEN REMEDIATION AND THEN THERE IS DAMAGE AGAIN.

WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS, I GUESS, FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES.

WE NEED TO FINISH IT.

WE ACTUALLY ASKED FOR AN OF CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE YEAR.

BUT, THANK GOD BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE OMB AND THE STAFF THAT LOOKED AT THIS AND REALIZE THE HISTORICAL AND CURRENT IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THESE PROPERTIES.

>> THAT MONEY COMES FROM THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

BUT, THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN SEEMS TO BE INSTALL STALLED OUT RIGHT NOW.

IS IT DEAD?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

IT HAS WIDE SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.

EVERYONE KNOWS THE KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED INCLUDES LOWERING MEDICAL BILLS, ENSURING THAT CHILD TAX CREDIT ARE GIVING ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDCARE.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT, PLUS THE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS AND TRAINING OFFERINGS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO PUSHING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR ECONOMY AND OUR COUNTRY ARE HEALTHIER AND THAT THERE IS NO ONE LEFT BEHIND.

>> THERE IS TALK OF DOING THIS IN CHUNKS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE APPROACH?

>> THIS IS PART OF A RECONCILIATION PROCESS.

WE ONLY GET ONE OR TWO SHOTS AT THAT.

AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

I DON'T SEE THIS BEING BROKEN DOWN.

THIS ONLY WORKS IF WE APPROACH IT IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PARADIGM THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED.

AND THAT IS, THIS PLAN.

IT GOES FROM THE ELDERLY TO THE CHILDREN IT TO THE MOTHERS AND TO THOSE EXPECTING AND THOSE LIVING WITH ILLNESSES.

AND THEN THOSE THAT HAVE NEEDS ON SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.

THIS IS OUR, THIS IS OUR NEW DEAL MOMENT.

THIS IS THE FDR MOMENT.

WITHOUT LEAVING MINORITIES OUT.

WE ARE GOING TO WORK HARD AND STAND BEHIND IT.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENTIAL AGENDA AND WE ARE BEHIND HIM.

HE IS DOING A GREAT JOB COMMUNICATING IT.

WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

AT SOME POINT WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE AND PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHERE WE STAND AND WHO IS STANDING.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN, THANK YOU, FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU, FOR HAVING ME COME MICHAEL.

>>> IT HAS BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE A MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL FIRE TOOK PLACE AT A FACILITY THAT STORES CHEMICAL SUPPLIES.

IT DID NOT REACH A NEIGHBORING WAREHOUSE THAT HOUSES POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

THAT COULD'VE UNLEASHED CHEMICALS INTO THE AIR CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS.

DISASTER WAS AVERTED THIS TIME BUT ADVOCATES WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOT A NEXT TIME.

AS IT MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, THEY WANT TO REVISIT RULES AS TO WHERE DANGEROUS CHEMICALS ARE STORED.

>> I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE I AM SCARED OF THE CHEMICALS.

>> Reporter: LISA LIVES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE SITE OF AN 11 ALARM FIRE.

IT BURNED DOWN A BUILDING THAT HELD CHEMICALS FOR A POOL COMPANY.

THERE ARE CONCERNS THE FIRE COULD HAVE MADE IT INTO A BUILDING NEXT DOOR WHERE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ARE KEPT.

IT COULD'VE CREATED A TOXIC SITUATION.

>> THE CHEMICAL BUILDING WAS NOT HIT SO THAT IS A GOOD THING.

>> THE MATERIAL THINGS AND THE BUILDINGS CAN BE REBUILT AND REPLACED.

THE LIFE THAT WAS PRESERVED IS SACRED.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 200 FIRES FROM PASSAIC AND ESSEX COUNTIES WORKED FOR TWO DAYS TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL.

>> WE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT MASS EVACUATIONS AND THE LOSS OF LIFE.

>> THERE ARE A CONCENTRATIONS ON THE MATERIALS BEING STORED SUCH THAT, THIS WAS NOT A POTENTIAL CHEMICAL CATASTROPHE.

>> SINCE THE CHEMICALS STORED IN THE FACILITY ARE NOT CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS, THE BUILDING IS NOT REGULATED UNDER THE TOXIC CATASTROPHE PREVENTION ACT.

IT WOULD REQUIRE THE COMPANY TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES OUTLINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

THE DEP COMMISSIONER SAYS THEY THINK IT IS TIME TO REVISIT AND REFORM RULES FOR WAREHOUSES AND FACILITIES OF THE COMPANY.

SAFETY ADVOCATES AGREE.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT IF THE RULES ARE SUFFICIENT.

I DO THINK, BEING A VERY DENSELY POPULATED STATE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT CHEMICALS ARE REGULATED.

SHOULD CHEMICALS BE ADDED TO THE LIST TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REGULATED.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE DEP SAYS THAT THE FIRE AT QUALCO WAS NOT OF THREAT TO RESIDENTS, THEY BELIEVE THE LOCATION IS A HAZARD.

>> WHAT HAPPENED IN PASSAIC WAS ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE NAACP.

HE SAYS THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF CHEMICAL FACILITIES BEING PUT IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

>> THEY DON'T THINK IT IS A PROBLEM AND THEY THINK IT IS OKAY FOR THAT FACILITY THAT IS POLLUTING THE AIR TO GO IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> RESIDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED.

BUT WE HAVE HAD THE EPA, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN THE DEP, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HERE IN THE COAST GUARD ASSESSING THE WATER.

THEY HAVE DONE ALL OF THE MEASUREMENTS AND THEY HAVE ASSURED US THAT EVERYTHING IS ACCEPTABLE.

>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS ARE HOPING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE FIRE STARTED.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATES ARE HOPING WHAT HAPPENED WILL PROMPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT HOW CHEMICAL FACILITIES COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT RESIDENCE AND TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO PREVENT ANOTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION FROM HAPPENING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IN SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, THE NEW JERSEY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CONTINUES TO DROP.

AT THE JOBLESS RATE FELL TO 4.63% AND THAT IS STILL ABOVE THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

JOBS LOST AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC CONTINUE TO BE RECOVERED.

AS OF NOW NEW JERSEY HAS REGAINED ABOUT 78% OF THE TOTAL JOBS LOST IN MARCH AND APRIL 2020.

NEW JERSEY COMPANIES ADDED MORE THAN 10,000 NEW JOBS LAST MONTH.

MARKING THE 12th STRAIGHT MONTH OF EMPLOYMENT GAINS.

MOST OF THE DECEMBER JOB GROWTH CAME IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR THAT WAS HARD-HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK NOW AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET LOOKS TODAY.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU TURN INTO NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH ME.

WE PUT THE NEW JERSEY TRANSPORTATION SECTOR INTO FOCUS.

HIGHLIGHTING VITAL PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR TRAIN AND CAR RIDES.

AND LOOKING AT THE CHALLENGES FACING THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 AM.

>>> IN THE FINAL TWO MONTHS OF THE LAST LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS INTRODUCED 650 NEW BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS AND TOOK ACTION ON MORE THAN 700 MEASURES.

WITH SO MUCH LEGISLATION AND SO LITTLE TIME, ADVOCATES SAY THE PUBLIC IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY MEANINGFUL INPUT AND THEY ARE CRITICAL OF THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

OUR SENIOR WRITER, COLLEEN O'DAY IS TALKING ABOUT THE LAME-DUCK LEGISLATURES AND WHETHER THE PROCESS WILL EVER CHANGE.

IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU CALLING.

HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF BILLS WERE INTRODUCED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

IS THIS TYPICAL?

>> IT IS ONLY TYPICAL IN A LAME- DUCK SESSION.

NORMALLY AS THE NEW LEGISLATURE COMES IN, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF BILLS THAT ARE PREFILED AND THEY DID NOT MAKE IT IN THE LAST SESSION.

SUMMER INTRODUCE THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET SOMETHING THROUGH THE SESSION BEFORE IT ENDS A LOT OF THEM ACTUALLY MOVED AND WERE ENACTED.

SO, I GUESS IT IS A GOOD TIME, MAYBE, FOR LEGISLATORS WHO WANT TO GET THAT LAST MINUTE PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN OR THAT THING THAT HAS REALLY BEEN GNAWING AT THEM.

>> THE PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IS THAT IT IS HARD TO REVIEW 650 BILLS IN SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

THIS RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

>> RIGHT.

THEM IN THE NEW SENATE PRESIDENT SAID THAT COME ON THE LAST DAY, THEY REVIEWED 100 BILLS.

MORE THAN 100 BILLS.

WHO HAS TIME TO READ ALL OF THOSE?

AND EVEN IF YOU COULD READ THEM ALL, COULD YOU UNDERSTAND ALL OF THEM?

AND THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THEM?

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME OF THE LEGISLATION MAY NEED TO BE TWEAKED IN CLEANUP BILLS IN THE NEW SESSION.

>> BUT HOW DOES THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST THEN?

IF WE HAVE ALL OF THESE BILLS AND NO TIME TO READ THEM?

IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROCESS IS BROKEN.

>> THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF ADVOCATES ARE SAYING.

IT IS A BROKEN PROCESS.

NORMALLY DURING THE SESSION, A BILL IS INTRODUCED AND IT IS GIVEN TO A COMMITTEE.

IT HAS ONE OR MORE HEARINGS AND IT MAY GO TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE.

IT GETS A VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

AND THEN THE PROCESS IS REPEATED.

THIS ALL HAS TO HAPPEN IN THE SPAN OF JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THERE WERE ONLY THREE VOTING SESSIONS BY BOTH HOUSES.

SO, THERE REALLY IS NOT A LOT OF TIME FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT AND REVIEW AND GIVE COMMENTS ON WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE LEGISLATION.

>> SO WHY NOT ADD MORE VOTING SESSIONS AT THE END?

>> I GUESS YOU COULD BUT, REMEMBER, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT IS HAPPENING FROM EARLY NOVEMBER THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY.

SO YOU HAVE THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, KWANZAA.

YOU HAVE ALL SORTS OF HOLIDAYS HAPPENING.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT REALLY ARE NOT FOCUSED.

AND LEGISLATORS ALSO WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF VOTING SESSIONS FOR THAT REASON.

>> CALLING, IT IS GOOD TO TALK WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, ARENDO.

>>> NEW NUMBERS ON CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING SO THAT COMMITTEES RAISED $16.9 MILLION DURING THE 2020 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

THAT WAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER RAISED BY THE BIG SIX SINCE 2011 ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS, EDITORIAL ELECTION YEAR, REPUBLICAN COMMITTEES RAISED AND SPENT LESS FUNDING IN 2021 AND HAD LESS CASH ON HAND.

DEMOCRATIC TOTALS WERE UP IN ALL CATEGORIES.

>>> NEW JERSEY, THIS WEEKEND, BECAME THE SECOND STATE AFTER ILLINOIS TO PASS A LAW REQUIRING PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO INCORPORATE ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS INTO THEIR K-12 CURRICULUM BEGINNING IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

WE SPOKE WITH DOCTOR CONNIE WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE GROUP THAT SPEARHEADED THE EFFORT TO GET THIS PAST.

THANK YOU, FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU WHAT YOU SAW AS YOUR WORK AS A PSYCHIATRIST THAT PROMPTED YOU TO FIGHT FOR THIS MEASURE?

>> I SAW THIS BECAUSE PEOPLE DID NOT FEEL THERE WAS A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM.

THEY DID NOT FEEL LIKE THEY BELONGED AND THEY FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THEM.

THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD TO BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN THEY WERE.

THEY HAD NIGHT ERRORS THAT ROBBED THEM OF GOOD SLEEP.

THEY HAD LESS ENERGY AND FELT LESS ENGAGED AND MORE NOW HIM.

IT ROBBED THEM OF THEIR CHILDHOOD.

AND I THINK THAT ALL CHILDREN DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.

ALL CHILDREN DESERVE TO FEEL THAT THEY BELONG.

>> DR. ILANGOVAN, WHAT CURRICULUM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE TAUGHT TO CHILDREN?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW HOW ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS CONTRIBUTED TO THE BUILDING OF THIS COUNTRY.

WE ARE INVISIBLE IN CURRICULUM.

I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE KNOWN THE WAY THAT WE CONTRIBUTED.

WE HAVE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BECAUSE OF A CHINESE-AMERICAN WHO WAS GOING TO BE KICKED OUT OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT.

HE FOUGHT IT ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT AND HE WON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BECAUSE HE WAS BORN HERE.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BECAUSE OF HIM.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT ESL WAS DUE TO THE FIGHT OF ASIAN AMERICANS TO BE INCLUDED IN EDUCATION.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT TITLE VII AND TITLE IX, THE REASON THE GIRLS PLAY SPORTS IN SCHOOL, IS BECAUSE OF THE FIRST FEMALE SENATOR OF COLOR.

MOST DON'T KNOW THAT THE SAME- SEX MARRIAGE ACT, THE FIRST CASE WAS AN ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COUPLE.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HAVE MADE THIS COUNTRY BETTER AND PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT UNTIL THIS YEAR.

I WISH I DID NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY 40s TO LEARN THIS INFORMATION.

CHILDREN PAY ATTENTION TO WHO STORIES ARE TOLD IN SCHOOL AND WHOSE ARE NOT.

IT SHOWS HOW VALUED YOU YOU ARE.

WE WANT OUR KIDS TO KNOW THAT WE ARE VALUED AND WE DO CONTRIBUTE AND WE DO BELONG.

NOT ONLY OUR KIDS BUT WE WANT THEIR CLASSMATES TO KNOW THAT.

AS ASIAN AMERICANS WE ARE SEEN AS FOREVER FOREIGNERS.

ONE WOMAN, HER GRANDFATHER BUILT THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

SHE IS STILL TREATED LIKE A FOREVER FOREIGNER.

HER DAUGHTER HAD A LEARNING DISABILITY AND SHE WANTED TO GET AN IEP FOR HER DAUGHTER.

SHE ASKED FOR IT AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER DAUGHTER DOES NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND THAT SHE IS JUST A TIGER MOM.

THESE KINDS OF STORIES ARE WRONG.

WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR OUR BELONGING.

>> THANK YOU, FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

YOU CAN CATCH UP ON THE TOP POLITICAL STORIES ON REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR REPORTER DAVID CRUZ.

YOU CAN WATCH IT SATURDAYS AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. CAN ALSO CHECK OUT CHAT BOX SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANK YOU, FOR BEING WITH US AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, ORSTED, COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THE CLEAN ENERGY.

IT RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY AND CANONIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOP INTO THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.