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>>> ♪ FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY, JULY 4th.
TONIGHT, IT'S ALL ABOUT AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
WITH MEMORIALS, PARADES, AND OF COURSE, BACKYARD BARBECUES AND TRIPS TO THE SHORE.
IT'S THE FIRST SUMMER SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC WITHOUT WIDESPREAD COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.
CROWDS ARE SWARMING THE BEACHES THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
A GOOD INDICATOR OF WHAT JERSEY SHORE TOWNS CAN EXPECT FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER.
WITH SUNNY, BLUE SKIES, AND HIGH HOPES, THIS SEASON WILL FEEL LIKE PRE-PANDEMIC DAYS.
TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.
>> Reporter: JULY 4th MEANS A BEVY OF CUSTOMERS FOR NEW JERSEY'S BOARDWALK BUSINESSES.
>> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COOPED UP BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THEY PLAN THEIR ACTIVITIES, WE HAVE TO GET AWAY AS A FAMILY, AS A GROUP, AND THEY ARE GOING TO COME.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TRAVEL A GREAT DISTANCE.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE UNITED STATES COME.
WE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE FROM NORTH JERSEY, SOUTH JERSEY, PHILLY, NEW YORK.
>> MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WAS SUPER PACKED AND JAMMED WITH PEOPLE, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.
EVEN THIS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, THE WEATHER WASN'T SO GREAT BUT IT TURNED GRAY, AND WE HAVE BEEN BUSY.
>> Reporter: FOR ALL THE TALK ABOUT GASPING FIVE DOLLARS PER GALLON AND HIGH INFLATION, A BIGGER FACTOR MIGHT JUST BE THE WEATHER.
ONE BUSINESSMAN AND SEASIDE HEIGHTS TELLS ME SUNNY SKIES MEANS BIG BUSINESS.
>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE -- SPEND THAT MONEY ON GAS TO COME DOWN, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SEMI-PERFECT EXPERIENCE.
SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO, I DON'T THINK WHEN THE WEATHER IS -- WHEN THERE IS MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THE WEATHER.
I COULD SEE THAT BEING A DETERRENT THIS YEAR MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
>> IF WE HAVE WEATHER LIKE YESTERDAY AND TODAY, WE FIND THAT THE SUMMER IS GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD.
ARE BEACH REVENUE, EACH ACTIVITY IS AT A HIGH.
IT IS AT A HIGH.
I ANTICIPATE GOOD WEATHER.
WE WILL HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.
>> Reporter: THIS MAN OWNS FOUR BUSINESSES IN SEASIDE, AND HAS WORKED THERE FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.
HE SAYS A SLOW SPRING HAS GIVEN WAY TO A HOT SUMMER.
>> WE ARE COMING OFF A RECORD- BREAKING DAY AS A TOWN.
YESTERDAY WAS A VERY, VERY WELL ATTENDED DAY.
PEOPLE SPENT MONEY AFTER THEY.
PEOPLE WERE IN REALLY GOOD SPIRITS YESTERDAY.
THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS WE HAD AS A TOWN WERE MINIMAL.
WE DEFINITELY ENTERTAINED AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE.
SO, YESTERDAY WAS A BIG DAY FOR US, AND I THINK THAT KIND OF -- I THINK IF YOU INTERVIEWED ME ON FRIDAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THIS SMILE ON MY FACE THAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT WASN'T A GREAT START TO THE SUMMER SEASON UNTIL THIS PAST WEEKEND.
SO, WHAT HAS CHANGED?
THIS IS THE PRESIDENT FOR THE NEW JERSEY TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, AND SHE SAYS THE STATE IS IN A GREAT POSITION TO HANDLE TRAVELERS WHO WOULD RATHER DRIVE THAN FLY FOR THEIR VACATION.
>> 70% OF CONSUMERS ARE TAKING A VACATION.
THEY ARE BUDGETING FOR TRIPS CLOSER TO HOME DUE TO GAS PRICES AND INFLATION.
NEW JERSEY IS ABSOLUTELY SITUATED TO BENEFIT FROM THAT.
IT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR A DESTINATION TO RETAIN AND GROW NEW AUDIENCES.
>> WE ALWAYS SAID AS AN STREET, WE THINK WE ARE RECESSION PROOF.
>> Reporter: IS THE MAN STAYS STEADY THROUGH THE SUMMER, BEACH COMMUNITIES FACE ANOTHER PROBLEM, FINDING ENOUGH WORKERS TO FILL VACANT JOBS.
>> NO ONE WANTS TO WORK.
THE SALARIES HAVE GONE UP QUITE A BIT TO ENTICE PEOPLE TO COME.
THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO TO ENHANCE AREN'T BEING DONE.
THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING SOME BOARDS OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE, BUT THE MUNDANE THINGS, THE GARBAGE.
THE WATER AND SEWER PROBLEMS.
WE ARE OKAY THAT WAY.
IT'S THE ADDED THINGS THAT WE NEED FOR SUMMER.
>> BUSINESSES LOSE REVENUE AND HAVE TO SHORTEN THEIR OPERATION HOURS.
CLOSE LOCATIONS, AND CONSUMERS EXPERIENCE FRUSTRATION WITH LONGER WAIT TIMES.
WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING ABOUT SEASONAL SUMMER JOBS, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SOLUTION WE ARE LOOKING TO FIND LONG-TERM ANSWERS FOR.
TOURISM SUPPORTED ONE OUT OF 12 NEW JERSEY JOBS IN 2021.
THAT IS OVER 430,000 JOBS.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY SHOULD EXPECT MORE THAN 100 MILLION VISITORS THIS SUMMER.
THE PAST TREND CONTINUE, ABOUT HALF OF THOSE PEOPLE WILL HEAD DOWN THE SHORE.
TED GOLDBERG.
>>> DRIVING TO THE SHORE MIGHT BE A BETTER BET FOR YOUR PLANS THIS HOLIDAY.
THE HEADACHES CONTINUE WITH AIRLINE TRAVEL.
THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS IN AND OUT OF THE REST WERE DELAYED, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF CANCELLATIONS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS.
FOLLOWING A TREND THAT STARTED ON THE WEEKEND OF JUNETEENTH AND FATHER'S DAY, WHERE AIRLINE PASSENGERS WERE GROUNDED AND STRANDED.
IT WAS THE BUSIEST AIR TRAVEL DAY OF THE YEAR UNTIL THIS WEEKEND.
IT APPEARS THE KINKS HAVEN'T YET BEEN WORKED OUT.
>> I'M FROM INDIA.
I'M TRAVELING BACK TO MY COUNTRY.
WHEN WE REACH YOUR WE GOT THE NEWS THAT THE FLIGHT HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR ANOTHER TWO HOURS.
THERE WAS CHAOS ALSO AND A BIG LINE FOR THE COUNTER TO OPEN.
10:00, AND NOW WE ARE WAITING.
>> Reporter: FRUSTRATED TRAVELERS ARRIVING AND TRYING TO LEAVE FROM NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TODAY HAS MORE THAN 20 FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED, AND MORE THAN 50 DELAYED SO FAR.
>> OUR FLIGHT WAS DELAYED.
WE ENDED UP HAVING TO SLEEP THE NIGHT.
WE GOT ON THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT AND TOLD THAT OUR LUGGAGE WOULD BE THERE.
NO LUGGAGE.
>> Reporter: THIS PERSON SAYS WEATHER HAS BEEN A FACTOR WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF CANCELLATIONS WE'VE SEEN ALREADY THIS SUMMER, AND WE ARE ONLY A MONTH INTO HURRICANE SEASON.
>> I'M WORRIED THESE DELAYS COULD BECOME EVEN WORSE AS A RESULT OF WEATHER.
AGGRAVATING THE WEATHER PROBLEMS ARE SHORT STAFFING SITUATIONS AT AIRLINES AND THE FAA.
>> Reporter: THE FAA IS LOOKING TO HIRE MORE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, AND AIRLINES ARE TRYING TO RE-STAFF THEIR PILOTS, MANY OF WHOM RETIRE DURING COVID.
BUT THE SHORTAGES ARE CREATING RIPPLE EFFECTS THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY, THE NATION, AND THE WORLD.
>> WE HAVE SEEN AS A RESULT, MORE THAN 50 CITIES IN THE U.S.
LOSE ALL OF THEIR AIRLINE SERVICE ALL TOGETHER.
THESE ARE SMALLER MARKETS, BUT SOME OF THEM AREN'T SERVED BY UNITED'S COMMUTER AFFILIATES OUT OF THE NEWER CUB.
>> Reporter: ON FRIDAY, 29 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED AND MORE THAN 120 DELAYED.
THAT COULD BE WHY 4% MORE PEOPLE TOOK TO THE ROADS THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND THAN IN YEARS PAST.
ACCORDING TO AAA, 42 MILLION PEOPLE TRAVEL BY CAR, BUT HERE TODAY, MANY WERE STILL DEALING WITH FRIDAY ABOUT THE BEST CANCELLATIONS.
>> WE WERE GOING TO ATLANTA AND THEN NASHVILLE, BUT WE HAD TO CANCEL ATLANTA BECAUSE OF THE FLIGHT DELAY.
>> TODAY YOU ARE HEADING TO NASHVILLE?
>> YEAH.
WE HAD TO RESCHEDULE THE FLIGHT BECAUSE OF IT.
>> Reporter: THIS MAN JUST DROPPED OFF A FRIEND WHOSE FLIGHT WAS ALSO CANCELED ON FRIDAY.
>> SHE WAS ACTUALLY FLYING ON FRIDAY ON UNITED.
SHE HAD A FLIGHT TO DELHI, INDIA.
I THINK SHE WAITED FOR THE FLIGHT.
IT KEPT ON GETTING PUSHED OUT AND THEN AT THE NIGHT, AROUND 9:00, 9:30, AROUND A:30 THEY SAID THE FLIGHT WAS CANCELED.
>> Reporter: THEY TRIED TO REBOOK HER, AND FINALLY GOT HER REBOOKED FOR TODAY, BUT -- >> DIFFERENT AIRLINES, A PREMIUM PRICE RIGHT NOW.
HOPEFULLY FINGERS CROSSED.
>> Reporter: IT SEEMS FOR SOME THE HIGH COST OF GAS MIGHT ACTUALLY BE LESS PAINFUL THAN THE CHANCE OF COMPLETELY MISSING YOUR TRIP >> GASOLINE PRICES ARE HIGH, BUT THEY HAVE GONE DOWN ABOUT $0.08 OR $0.09.
IN NEW JERSEY WE ARE NUMBER 40 -- THAT IS DOWN THERE DOLLARS AND NINE CENTS IN THE LAST WEEK.
DESPITE THESE HIGH GASOLINE PRICES, HAS BEEN THE MOTIVATION IS SO STRONG FOR FOLKS TO GO SOMEWHERE.
>> Reporter: WITH INFLATION BEING THE NAME OF THE TRAVEL GAME, IT MIGHT CHANGE HOW PEOPLE VACATION, BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE STOPPING THEM FROM FINALLY TAKING THEIR TRIPS.
>> PERHAPS THEY ARE NOT DOING AS MUCH AS THEY MIGHT AT THEIR DESTINATION.
PERHAPS THEY HAVE CUT BACK ON MEALS.
THEY ARE PROBABLY GOING TO SCALE BACK ON THEIR ACTIVITIES, BUT STILL GO SOMEWHERE AND DO SOMETHING.
>> Reporter: HOWEVER THEY GET THERE AND HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES.
>>> SUMMER MONTHS ARE OFTEN DOTTED BY AN UPTICK OF GUN CRIMES.
IN NEWARK TODAY, OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED ONE ARREST WAS MADE AS AN INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING FROM LATE LAST WEEK.
NINE PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED IN NEWARK'S NEIGHBORHOOD.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, THE MAYOR SAID ALL OF THE VICTIMS WHO RANGE FROM 17 TO 68 YEARS OLD ARE IN STABLE CONDITION.
THAT A 17-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT IS FACING CHARGES RELATED TO THE INCIDENT.
THE MAYOR SAID THE SHOOTING WAS PART OF AN ONGOING DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO GROUPS IN THE CITY KNOWN TO AUTHORITIES.
A SEPARATE SHOOTING THE SAME NIGHT KILLED A 36-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT.
THE MAYOR ADDED THAT NEWARK POLICE WILL BE STEPPING UP PATROLS AND TARGETED INTERVENTIONS DURING THE SUMMER.
THE CITY'S OFFICE FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION WILL BE WORKING TO GET AT RISK YOUTH AND ADULTS OFF THE STREETS AND INTO JOBS OR CLASSROOMS.
>> WE WILL GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND CRIME RECOVERY TO MAKE SURE THEY DO EVERYTHING ELSE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE LIFESTYLE THEY'VE ENGAGED IN.
IF THEY HAVE NOT, THEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE U.S. ATTORNEY, THE SHERIFF, AND ALL THE FORCES WE HAVE, WE HAVE BROUGHT TO BEAR ON THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR LIVES ARE JUST AS COMFORTABLE AS THEY ARE MAKING EVERYBODY ELSE'S.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES TOOK A VIOLENT TURN IN HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS TODAY.
AN AFFLUENT CHICAGO SUBURB.
AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, AND ANOTHER ROUGHLY 2 DOZEN INDIVIDUALS WERE INJURED AND HOSPITALIZED AFTER A MASS SHOOTING AT A JULY 4th PARADE.
THE MAJORITY OF INJURIES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO GUNSHOT WOUNDS, BUT OTHERS WERE HURT IN THE CHAOS AFTER THE SHOOTING SPREE ACCORDING TO HOSPITAL OFFICIALS.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THE SHOOTING BEGAN ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER THE PARADE STEPPED OFF.
THE SUSPECTED GUNMAN IS A WHITE MALE BETWEEN 18 AND 20 YEARS OLD WHO APPEARED TO BE SHOOTING FROM A ROOF.
POLICE SAY THEY RECOVER THE FIREARM AT THE SCENE AND RESIDENTS REPORTED FEELING LIKE THEY WERE DODGING BULLETS WITH BLOOD, CHAIRS, AND BLANKETS STREWN ACROSS THE STREET.
IT IS JUST THE LATEST IN A STRING OF RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>>> THE NATION'S INDEPENDENCE DAY IS ARRIVING AT A TURBULENT TIME.
MASS SHOOTINGS, CONSEQUENTIAL SUPREME COURT RULINGS ON GUNS, ABORTION RIGHTS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
A POLITICAL POLARIZED COUNTRY WITH A CONTINUED HEARING AT THE HOUSE JANUARY 6th COMMITTEE, AND AN ECONOMY IN DISTRESS.
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ TALKS WITH SENATOR JON BRAMNICK, ONE OF THE TOP REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE STATE ABOUT CIVILITY AND THE STATUS OF OUR POLITICS.
>> Reporter: THANKS FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES WITH US.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO YOU.
TODAY IS THE DAY WHEN WE CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY AND OUR FREEDOM AND ALL OF THAT, BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I HAVE, IN ALL MY LIFE I DON'T THINK, FELT LIKE DEMOCRACY IS IN MORE DANGER, OR MORE VULNERABLE THAN IT IS TODAY.
AM I BEING TOO DRAMATIC?
>> NOT IN MY MIND.
I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED.
WHEN PEOPLE CANNOT LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT, AND NO ONE WILL ACCEPT ANYTHING AS FACT, I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.
I SPOKE TO A FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY LAST NIGHT, FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE DIDN'T SAY NO.
SO, I'M DEEPLY, DEEPLY CONCERNED AND I THINK THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE WHO -- PEOPLE OF GOODWILL, OPEN-MINDED, BASE THEIR OPINIONS ON FACTS, HAVE TO RISE UP.
WE CANNOT LET THE EXTREMES OF EITHER PARTY TAKEOVER.
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
>> Reporter: YOU, WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS, ABOUT CIVILITY IN OUR GOVERNMENT.
BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.
>> WELL, WHEN YOU SEE THAT PEOPLE ONLY GO ON THEIR APP, OR LISTEN TO THEIR CABLE STATION, AND THEY DON'T HEAR THE OTHER SIDE, THEY GET REVVED UP, OR THEY GET ENERGIZED.
THAT'S WHAT SELLS POPCORN SOMETIMES TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WING PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY.
I TELL YOU, I AM SERIOUSLY WORRIED BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN SUCH DIVISIVENESS THAT I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW IT ENDS, UNLESS THE PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL RISE UP.
WE DID START RALLY THE REASONABLE.
I WAS CALLED ALL KINDS OF NAME.
THEY SAID IT IS SOME CODEWORD?
REALLY, REASONABLE IS A CODEWORD?
THAT'S PRETTY SAD.
>> Reporter: YOU TALK ABOUT BOTH SIDES, AND BOTH SIDES I THINK ARE AS RECALCITRANT AS EVER.
BUT, ON YOUR SIDE, I MEAN, OVER 50% OF REPUBLICANS SAY THEY DON'T ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
DOES YOUR PARTY NEED TO DO SOME SOUL-SEARCHING?
>> I THINK PEOPLE WHO DON'T ACCEPT THE RESULTS NEED TO DO SOME SOUL-SEARCHING.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT 50%.
I ALSO THINK THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE LEFT WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAVE TO AT LEAST UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEBODY LIKE DONALD TRUMP IS POPULAR.
I'M NOT A FAN OF DONALD TRUMP.
I'M NOT A SUPPORTER OF DONALD TRUMP, BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND FRUSTRATION.
WHEN THERE IS FRUSTRATION, BOTH SIDES HAVE TO AT LEAST LOOK, WHY THERE IS SO MUCH FRUSTRATION.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS WILLING TO DO THAT.
>> Reporter: WHAT DO WE DO THEN?
I MEAN, YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE.
RISING UP.
THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE REALLY, I MEAN, BOTH THESE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE HAVING ALMOST CIVIL WARS IN TERMS OF WHICH WING OF THEIR PARTY DOMINATES.
>> WELL, I'D LIKE TO HAVE A DEBATE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REASONABLE ON BOTH SIDES, AND ACTUALLY PUT IT IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.
BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY GET THAT.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, REAL DEBATE, REAL DISCUSSION DOESN'T SELL.
IT'S KIND OF BORING.
BUT, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A WEEKLY DISCUSSION BETWEEN LEADERS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC, DISCUSSING WHY THEY CAN'T AGREE ON CERTAIN THINGS.
WHERE THEY ARE GOING ON CERTAIN ISSUES, AND THERE IS MAJOR ISSUES.
WE'VE GOT EXTREMES ON ALMOST EVERY ISSUE TODAY.
SO, I THINK AN OPEN DEBATE ON THESE ISSUES WITH REASONABLE PEOPLE MIGHT HELP.
>> Reporter: ALL RIGHT.
WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME FOR DEMOCRACY, SENATOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
THANKS FOR TAKING SOME TIME ON THE HOLIDAY.
>> THANKS, DAVE, HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH.
>>> AS WE REPORTED AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW, SURE TOURISM IS IN FULL SWING AND BUSINESS OWNERS ARE HOPING FOR AN INFLUX OF VISITORS A SUMMER, PACKING THE BOARDWALKS, THEIR STORES AND RESTAURANTS, NOW THAT THERE ARE LESS COVID RESTRICTIONS IN PLAY, AND HIGH GAS PRICES ARE KEEPING PEOPLE CLOSER TO HOME.
BUT STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE STILL PLAGUING THE INDUSTRY.
MAKING IT TOUGH FOR SMALL EMPLOYERS TO KEEP UP.
NOW, A NEW LAW ON THE BOOKS MAY HELP THEM FILL KEY JOBS.
RAVENS ANTENNA HAS THE STORY IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT.
>> COLLEGE IS COMING UP SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY FOR THAT PART OF MY LIFE.
>> Reporter: TEENS LIKE THIS ONE, WHO ARE ACCEPTED TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE ARE IN DEMAND THE SUMMER.
JERSEY BUSINESSES STRUGGLE TO RECRUIT AND HIRE MORE TEENS FOR SUMMER JOBS.
BUT, HELP COULD BE ON THE WAY AND IT'S IN THE FORM OF A BILL AND THAT INCREASING WORK HOURS FOR MINORS.
A SENATOR'S PRIME SPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION THAT HE SAYS COULD BE THE KEY TO BOOSTING JERSEY'S ECONOMY.
>> RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS, ALL HAVING TROUBLE FINDING WORK FORCE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HELP BOOST A LOT OF THESE INDUSTRIES.
I WAS TALKING TO THE OWNER OF AN ARCADE FACILITY WHO THIS WILL HELP HIM MAKE SURE HE CAN HIRE KIDS.
>> Reporter: THE BILL WOULD ALLOW TEENS AGES 16 AND 17 TO WORK UP TO 50 HOURS A WEEK, AND ALLOW 14 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS TO WORK UP TO 40 HOURS A WEEK.
THE BILL WOULD ALSO REMOVE PARENTAL CONSENT FOR MINORS TO WORK, AND REMOVES THE AUTHORITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ISSUE WORKING PAPERS FOR MINORS.
THE BILL HAS SUPPORTERS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS SEEN A MAJOR NEED FOR WORKERS, BUT IT ALSO HAD DETRACTORS THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO THE BILL REALLY HELPS.
>> I WORRY ABOUT, AT THE POINT WHERE AN EMPLOYER IS ALLOWED TO WORK THESE KIDS FOR 50 HOURS, IF A 16 OR 17-YEAR-OLD IS NOT AWARE OF WHAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE.
AFTER 40 HOURS, AND TIME AND A HALF AND HOW THAT WORKS.
I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AND I'M NOT SURE THE EMPLOYER IS GOING TO HAVE THE INCENTIVE NECESSARILY TO INFORM THEIR EMPLOYEES.
>> A 16 TO 18-YEAR-OLD WHO IS TAKING A JOB FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A RESTAURANT MIGHT NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURIES.
LEGISLATION ISN'T DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THAT.
>> 50 HOURS A WEEK IS A LOT, REALLY TOO MUCH FOR EVEN ADULTS TO WORK SAFELY.
HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING ADOLESCENTS WORK 15 -- 50 HOURS A WEEK IS REALLY EXCESSIVE WE BELIEVE.
THE OTHER REALITY IS THAT IF YOUTH ARE ALLOWED TO WORK 50 HOURS A WEEK, THEY ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO WORK 50 HOURS.
IF THEY KNOW THAT THEY -- CAN HIRE YOU FOR 50 HOURS A WEEK THEY ARE GOING TO TELL YOU, YOU HAVE TO WORK 50 HOURS A WEEK IN ORDER TO GET THIS JOB.
>> WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING FULL- TIME, PART-TIME, ANYTIME.
I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT TURN AWAY FROM SOMEONE THAT SAID I CAN ONLY GIVE YOU 40 HOURS AND NOT 50.
>> IF SOMEBODY IS WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK, WHICH 16 AND 17- YEAR-OLDS CAN CURRENTLY DO, AND YOU SUDDENLY ADD ON 10 MORE HOURS, I DON'T THINK THAT CHANGES THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO DO THE JOB.
THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED TO WORK 40.
THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED IF THEY ARE WORKING 10 HOURS A WEEK.
THE VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND HUMAN RESOURCES SAYS THE LEGISLATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT HELPING OUT BUSINESS OWNERS WHO TOOK A MAJOR HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT'S ALSO ABOUT GIVING TEENS A TASTE OF THE REAL WORLD AND GETTING PAID FOR IT.
>> I THINK OUR JOBS REALLY PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH TO DEVELOP SKILLS THAT THEY DON'T GET IN THE CLASSROOM.
TALKING TO ADULTS.
TIME MANAGEMENT, WORK ETHIC.
>> Reporter: OPPONENTS OF THE BILL WORRY ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IF EMPLOYERS FORCE A TEEN TO WORK MORE THAN 50 HOURS OR TURN A BLIND EYE TO IT.
RECENTLY, JERSEY MIKE'S WAS HIT WITH A LAWSUIT AFTER BREAKING CHILD LABOR LAWS.
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THEY WERE RECENTLY FORCED TO COUGH UP $24,650 IN CIVIL PENALTIES AFTER THEY LET 14 AND 15-YEAR-OLDS WORK OVER THE THREE HOUR LIMIT ON A SCHOOL DAY IN PAST 9:00 P.M. DURING THE SUMMER.
A SENATOR SAYS THE BILL HAS RECEIVED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND HAS PASSED IN BOTH THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY.
HE SAYS IT IS NOW HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO POTENTIALLY BE SIGNED INTO LAW.
RAVENS ANTENNA.
>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.
WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER S NJ.COM.
>>> SOME KIDS IN SOUTH JERSEY GOT TO USE THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER TO LEARN ABOUT AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR PAST.
ATTENDING A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND CAMP VISITING HISTORICAL SITES AND TRACING THE STEPS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN NEW JERSEY.
LEARNING IMPORTANT LESSONS ABOUT CRUCIAL FIGURES WHO CHANGED THIS NATION'S LANDSCAPE FOREVER.
IN THE FIRST BLACK TOWN TO BE INCORPORATED IN THE NORTHEAST, MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.
>> Reporter: SCHOOL MAY BE OUT BUT THE LEARNING IS JUST BEGINNING FOR THIS GROUP OF KIDS WHO ARE NOW PART OF A BRAND-NEW EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER.
FOR ONE WEEK, THEY'LL PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AIMED AT TEACHING THEM ALL ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
>> THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME EVER DOING A CAMP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
SO, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TEACH KIDS MORE ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT, BUT WE WANT TO GO IN A LITTLE DEEPER, AND WE WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS THAT KIDS CAN RESPOND WITH AN ANSWER.
BECAUSE WHEN THEY RESPOND WITH AN ANSWER, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROBE A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEN GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR ANCESTORS.
THAT MY KIDS WILL ME EVERY DAY AT THIS MUSEUM WHICH SERVES AS A STATION ALONG THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
AND SAFE HOUSE FOR SLAVES SEARCHING FOR FREEDOM.
THIS PERSON, BOARD MEMBER OF THE LONG TIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAYS THE LOCATION IS KEY TO HELPING CAMPERS FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS PERIOD OF HISTORY.
>> PETER MOTT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING A PLACE, A STATIONHOUSE FOR ENSLAVED AFRICANS WHEN THEY CAME UP FROM DELAWARE OR MARYLAND, AND HE HELPED THEM AND THEY MOVED ON TO THE NEXT STATION.
THERE ARE STATION HOUSES ALL AROUND, BUT THERE WAS A CONNECTION, AND COMMUNICATION, THAT MADE THAT POSSIBLE.
I THINK SOMETIMES KIDS THINK THINGS JUST HAPPEN, AND THEY DON'T.
THEY HAPPENED BECAUSE PEOPLE CONNECTED AND COMMUNICATED AND THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL.
>> Reporter: EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, THE STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN FREEDOM IS STILL PRESENT TODAY.
FOR HER, IT'S IMPORTANT THESE KIDS KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST, SO THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE.
AND ASPECT PARENTS ARE EXCITED ABOUT SINCE THEY SAY NOT ENOUGH OF THIS PART OF HISTORY IS TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM.
>> I FEEL LIKE THE SCHOOLS HAVE IT A LITTLE TOO GENERAL FOR MY TASTE.
I WOULD LIKE A DEEPER DIVE, A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF IT.
>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN DIDN'T HESITATE TO SIGN UP HER 11-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER.
>> IT WAS INTRODUCED BEST THROUGH HER FRIENDS' PARENTS.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
WE LIVED RIGHT ADJACENT FOR 20 SOMETHING YEARS.
I FELT WHAT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOME OF THE HISTORY, AND A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR HISTORY.
>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BECAUSE MY SCHOOL NEVER TAUGHT US THAT MUCH ABOUT IT.
IT JUST TAUGHT US -- IT JUST TAUGHT US REALLY DUMBED DOWN VERSION.
I WANT TO LEARN JUST MORE ABOUT IT.
>> Reporter: THE KIDS WILL TAKE SEVERAL FIELD TRIPS WITHOUT THE WEEK, EACH STOP PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT PART IN THE HISTORICAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING AND MOST OF THE STUFF ABOUT LIKE BLACK CULTURE.
BLACK HISTORY.
JUST TRYING TO KNOW MORE.
JUST GETTING MORE WISDOM.
>> Reporter: ONCE THE WEEK IS OVER, THE GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD LEAVES WITH NOT ONLY A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY, BUT ALSO A FEELING OF EMPOWERMENT.
>> KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, WE KNOW THAT.
WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, THEY SHOULD TAKE THAT KNOWLEDGE BACK TO THEIR SCHOOLS TO BECOME BETTER CITIZENS.
TO TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT.
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED.
THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE IN BONDAGE BECAUSE OF OUR ANCESTORS.
>> Reporter: A KNOWLEDGE SHE HOPES WILL BE PRESERVED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
MELISSA ROSE COOPER.
>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.COM AND CHECK US OUT ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.
FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.
>>> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION EDUCATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.
ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.
AND, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.
BUT JUST TO OUR NJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?
THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.
BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.
NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.
♪