>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, KEEPING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

8 >>> FROM NEW JERSEY PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THIS WEEK MARKS THE PLAN TO CHARGE COMMUTERS A CONGESTION TOLL.

NEW YORK CITY WOULD BE THE FIRST P IN THE NATION TO ADOPT CONGESTION PRICING IF THE PLAN IS APPROVED.

PROPOSED CONGESTION TOLLS FOR NEW JERSEY DRIVERS WOULD RANGE FROM $5 TO $23.

SOME 1,000 PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED TO SPEC AT THE FIRST OF SIX PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE PROPOSAL.

JERSEY COMMUTERS ARE SAYING THEY ALREADY PAY A LOT TO GO INTO THE CITY AND CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER EXPENSE, BUT OTHERS ARGUE CONGESTION PRICING MAKES SENSE.

I SPOKE WITH ZOE BALDWIN, THE NEW JERSEY DIRECTOR FOR THE REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION TO FIND OUT WHY SHE IS A SUPPORTER.

>> ZOE, ONS THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONTENTION OVER THE CONGESTION PRICING PLAN, BUT YOU ACTUALLY THINK THE TIMING IS RIGHT TO ENACT SUCH A PLAN.

WHAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST BENEFIT FOR NEW JERSEYANS, IN YOUR VIEW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE COMMUTING ACROSS THE HUDSON RIVER, FOUR OUT OF FIVE OF THEM ARE ALREADY TAKING TRANSIT.

SO THE VAST MAJORITY ARE GOING TO SEE THE BENEFITS IN THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MTA A INFRASTRUCTURE ONCE THEY GET TO MANHATTAN.

78% OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CROSSING THE RIVER ARE USING MTA SUBWAYS AND BUSES ONCE THEY GET THERE TO GET TO THEIR ULTIMATE DESTINATION.

SO THAT'S GOING TO MAKE BETTER AND MORE RELIABLE SERVICE FOR EVERYONE THAT'S USING THAT SYSTEM.

AND THEN ADDITIONALLY, FOR THOSE THAT HAVE TO DRIVE INTO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE LESS TRAFFIC.

THE WHOLE POINT OF CONGESTION PRICING IS TO NOT ONLY REDUCE --IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, BUT TOLLS REDUCE THE CONGESTION, MEANING THAT THOSE THAT HAVE TO DRIVE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN EASIER TIME GETTING WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

>> YOU MENTION A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE USING MASS TRANSIT ALREADY, BUT YOUR ORGANIZATION RECENTLY REPORTED THAT BRIDGE AND TUNNEL TRAFFIC WILL EXCEED PREPANDEMIC LEVELS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DECADES.

SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IF WE DON'T HAVE SOME SORT OF CURB NOW, CAN THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM REALLY HANDLE IT?

>> WELL, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED TO BE ENSURING THAT PROGRAMS LIKE THIS CAN HELP KEEP OUR SYSTEMS IMPROVING, TO MEET WITH THE INEVITABLE POPULATION GROWTH THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN THE REGION.

>> HOW DO WE MAKE SURE A CONGESTION PLAN IS EQUITABLE?

>> SO FOR NEW JERSEY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OF THAT THERE'S CREDIT GIVEN FOR DRIVERS USING THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE THE SAME WAY THAT THERE WOULD BE CREDIT GIVEN USING THE LINCOLN OR THE HOLLAND TUNNELS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO UNINTENDED TRAFFIC SHIFTS AND THAT PEOPLE AREN'T PAYING TWO SEPARATE TOLLS TO GET INTO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, MEANING THAT SOME OF THE OPTIONS THAT THE MTA IS EXPLORING WOULD GIVE NEW JERSEY DRIVES CREDIT FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY TOLL THAT THEY PAY USING THE EXISTING BRIDGES AND TUNNELS.

>> HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT A PLAN, IF FINALIZED, WILL INDEED TAKE SOME OF THESE POINTS AND FACTOR THEM IN, AND NEW JERSEYANS WILL FEEL LUKE THEY'RE GETTING A GOOD DEAL?

>> I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF THE CONVERSATION AND THAT THIS IS A POINT THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY TRYING TO PUSH HOME.

AND SO I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL BE FAIR DISCUSSIONS GOING FORWARD, AND I KNOW THAT RTA HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THAT TYPE OF CREDIT AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ACTUALLY ON THE NEW YORK SIDE OF THE BRIDGE AS WELL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> AND FINALLY, ZOE, YOU SEE THIS POTENTIALLY AS A CRUCIAL TOOL TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

HOW WILL THIS PLAY OUT IN TERMS OF IMPORTANCE GOING FORWARD?

>> POLICIES LIKE CONGESTION PRICING ARE GOING TO BE NECESSARY, NOT JUST IN NEW YORK, BUT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY AS WELL.

CAR-BASED TRAFFIC CAUSES POLLUTION.

AND EVEN WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SWITCH TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES, CONGESTION COSTS BUSINESSES MONEY AND IS -- NEEDS TO BE REDUCED IN OUR URBAN COURSE WHERE WE DO HAVE THE TRANSIT TO SUPPORT OTHER WAYS TO GET AROUND THAT ARE MORE' EFFICIENT FOR MOVING LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE.

>> ZOE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

IT WAS GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> FOR MORE ON WHAT TO EXPECT AT TENT'S HEARING AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS, CHECK OUT JOHN'S REPORTING AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS AN ESTIMATED 350,000 LEAD SERVICE LINES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THE FEAR IS THAT THE LEAD COULD ONE DAY CONTAMINATE DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES.

THAT'S WHY GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED HE A BILL REQUIRING EVERY LEAD SERVICE LINE IN THE STATE TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITHIN THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

IT'S ALSO WHY THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL INCLUDES BILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO REPLACE THOSE LINES.

BUT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE OUTRAGED AFTER LEARNING THAT NEW JERSEY'S SHARE OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NATION.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IN PLACES LIKE PERTH AMBOY, LEAD SERVICE LIKES COULD BE A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> THEY'RE TICKING TIME BOMBS.

THE WATER CHEMISTRY COULD CHANGE OR SOME FACTORS COULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY, AND SUDDENLY THIS LEAD COULD BE RELEASED INTO THEIR DRINKING WATER.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PROVIDES $15 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP CITIES LIKE PERTH AMBOY GET RID OF SERVICE LINES THAT HAVE LEAD, LIKE THIS ONE.

>> THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE THAT WE WOULD REPLACE.

>> Reporter: LOUIE PEREZ JIMENEZ SAYS THERE ARE MORE THAN 9,000 LEAD SERVICE LINES IN PERTH AMBOY.

AND FOR HALF OF THEM, LEADERS DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE LEAD.

HE SAYS IT'S HARD TO FIND OUT BECAUSE SERVICE LINES AREN'T PUBLIC PROPERTY.

>> THEY DON'T BELONG TO THE CITY.

SERVICE LINES BELONG TO THE PROPERTY OWNER.

>> WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH EACH OF OUR HOMEOWNERS, OUR PROPERTY OWNERS IN TERMS OF THAT.

I THINK IT'S JUST BEING HUMANE ABOUT IT, RIGHT?

IT'S A REALLY BIG EXPENSE.

>> Reporter: UNDER A CITY ORDINANCE, HOMEOWNERS IN PERTH AMBOY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING LEAD SERVICE LINES, WHICH CAN COST $6,000 TO 7,000.

NEW JERSEY'S SHARE OF THE FEDERAL FUNDS AVERAGES OUT TO $138 PER SERVICE LINE, ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL.

THAT'S THE SECOND LOWEST RATE IN THE NATION.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO INCREASE THAT ALLOCATION THROUGH THE MAYOR COORDINATING WITH THE CONGRESSMEN AND OTHER FEDERAL OFFICIALS, OF COURSE, BOTH SENATORS TO SEE IF THERE CAN BE A COST INCREASE TO ERADICATE THE LAND-BASED LEAD SERVICE LINES.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT OUR EARLIER COMMUNITIES THAT HAD SMALLER PROPERTIES, SMALLER BUILDINGS, WE THINK THAT THE BURDEN ON LEAD SERVICE LINES ARE TYPICALLY HIGHER.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY NEW JERSEY GOT SHORT-CHANGED WITH FEDERAL FUNDING BY OUTDATED EPA STANDARDS.

>> WHEN DISTRIBUTING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT AGE OF HOUSING, THAT'S TYPICALLY NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU LOOK AT, BUT WITH LEAD SERVICE LINES, THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH THE PROBABILITY OF A LEAD SERVICE LINE BEING IN A CITY OR A HOUSE, DEPENDING ON HOW OLD IT IS.

AND SO THAT WAS A FACTOR THAT WASN'T CORRECTLY ACCOUNTED FOR.

>> THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WHICH HAS FAR MORE LEAD SERVICE LINES THAN MANY STATES, SHOULD BE GETTING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY ALIGNS WITH HOW MANY LEAD PIPES IT HAS.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE PUSHING FOR, TO CHANGE THE FORMULA FOR HOW THAT MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED.

>> CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE SAYS THE EPA CAN FIX THE PROBLEM BY COMPLETING A NEW NEEDS SURVEY WHICH ESTIMATES THE COST TO REPLACE ALL LEAD LINES IN THE STATE.

THE MOST RECENT SURVEYS WAS DONE SEVEN YEARS AGO.

>> MANY AREAS HAVE THE GREATEST NEED TO REPLACE, SUCH AS NEWARK OR PERTH AM BYE OR NEW JERSEY.

UNLESS THIS IS COMPLETED, THE EPA IS NOT GOING TO --AND THEY INCLUDE IN THAT THE FORMULA, THEN WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: HE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS SURVEY WILL FIX HOW THE FUNDING IS CURRENTLY ALLOCATED.

>> MYSELF AND OTHERS THAT REPRESENT UNDERSERVED AREAS ARE PUSHING THEM TO DO SO, AND THEN WE WILL SEE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE NEXT ROUND.

>> Reporter: IF THERE ISN'T A DIFFERENCE, NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES WILL HAVE TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO REPLACE THE LEAD LURKING IN THEIR SERVICE LINES.

IN PERTH AM BOY, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FACE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED FOR JURY TRIALS IN NEW JERSEY COURTROOMS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1st.

IN ANNOUNCING THE CHANGES, CHIEF JUSTICE STEWART RABNER SAID THE NEW POLICY WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF JURY TRIALS AND HELP WITH THE BACKLOG OF CASES.

THE CHANGES ARE IN RESPONSE TO UPDATED GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC.

THE ORDER MAKES CLEAR THAT FACE MASKS ARE STILL PERMITTED BUT JURORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR THEM.

IT ALSO CONTINUES THE PROCESS FOR ALL A JURORS TO REPORT VIRTUALLY AT FIRST.

IT'S BEEN UP TO THE TRIAL JUDGE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO CONDUCT VOIR DIRE VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON.

THE JUDICIARY IS ENDING ITS REQUIREMENT FOR WEEKLY TEST RESULTS.

>>> MANY MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS ARE ALSO RETURNING TO BUSINESS AS USUAL, AND THAT INCLUDES HOLDING IN-PERSON TOWN COUNCIL AND PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, MEETINGS WERE HELD VIER YOU THE WEACIALG AND RESIDENTS GOT USED TO.

SOME WANT TO SEE A CONTINUATION OF VIRTUAL MEETINGS, OR HYBRID MEETINGS TO ALLOW MORE ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY, BUT TOWNS ARE STRUGGLING TO FOUND A WAY TO MASTER THE TECHNOLOGY.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ EXPLORES HOW COMMUNITIES ARE TRYING TO GUARANTEE ACCESS TO ALL.

>> Reporter: WHEN NEARLY 200 PEOPLE PACKED THE RECENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THE LOCAL CABLE TV CHANNEL WAS THERE TO CAPTURE THE PROCEEDINGS AND LIVE STREAM IT.

INTO THE HALLWAY, JUST OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS.

MANY PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED THAT IN 2022 MUNICIPALITIES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LIVE STREAM THEIR MEETINGS AND THAT EXPERIMENT OF PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS ON ZOOM NOT EVEN CONCEIVED OF WHEN THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT WAS PASSED NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO.

THE RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO BE PRESENT AT ALL MEETINGS OF PUBLIC BODIES AND TO WITNESS IN FULL DETAIL ALL PHASES OF THE DELIBERATION, POLICY FORMULATION, AND DECISION MAKING OF PUBLIC BODIES IS VITAL TO THE ENHANCEMENT AND PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, IT SAYS.

NOTHING IN THERE ABOUT LIVE STREAMS OR VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

>> THE PANDEMIC SHOWED US THAT PUBLIC AGENCIES ARE CAPABLE OF STREAMING THEIR MEETINGS AND USING PLATFORMS SUCH AS ZOOM TO CONDUCT THEIR MEETINGS AND GIVING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THE ABILITY TO COMMENT BY VIDEO OR AUDIO OR TEXT MESSAGE OR EMAIL.

AND NOW THAT WE ARE TRANSITIONING TO A POST- PANDEMIC SETTING, I THINK THE PUBLIC AGENCIES LIKE JERSEY CITY ARE LOSING AND MISSING A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO USE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.

>> A TOUGH FIGHT FOR THAT IS WHAT PAYS FOR THAT.

YOU NEED TECHNICAL EXPERTISE.

IT'S NOT --YOU CAN FIND A 12- YEAR-OLD WHO CAN FIGURE IT OUT, BUT EVE STILL GOT TO PAY HIT.

AND THAT'S TOUGH FOR SOME MUNICIPALITIES.

>> IF WE CAN HAVE THERAPY REMOTELY AND ROUTINE DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS REMOTELY, THEN WE CAN ABSOLUTELY HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

>> I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT WAS A LIFE.

I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT WERE HELD THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.

>> Reporter: COME SEPTEMBER 12th PRINCETON WILL TRY ITS FIRST HYBRID MEETING.

THAT, IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM.

IT'S FRAUGHT WITH POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, ZOOM-BOMBING INCLUDED.

>> WE'VE PUT OUT A DISCLAIMER THAT WE WILL DO OUR BEST NOW TO MAKE THE ACCESS AVAILABLE VIA ZOOM, BUT THAT LEGALLY, WE ARE NOT GUARANTEEING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT VIA ZOOM.

AND SO IF YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY -- YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING, YOU HAVE TO --YOU SHOULD COME IN PERSON.

>> Reporter: THAT'S NOT GOING TO CUT IT IN PLACES LIKE JERSEY CITY WHERE THE CALLS FOR GUARANTEED HYBRID ACCESS ARE GROWING LOUDER EVERY DAY.

SOME SUGGEST THAT IT'S TIME TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT TO PUT SOME TEETH INTO IT AND MAYBE BRING IT INTO THE 21st CENTURY.

>> I AGREE, IT'S TIME TO --WE NEED TO DO.

BUT WE'RE PROBABLY TO THE POINT WHERE SOME LEVEL OF INTERACTIVITY SHOULD BE WITH THE' CAUTION.

>> Reporter: TIME TO HAVE A HEARING OR BRING SOMETHING UP IN A COMMITTEE?

>> IT IS ACTUALLY.

YOU HAVE SPARKED AN INTEREST IN ME.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

>> Reporter: CITIES LUKE HOBOKEN WHO LIVE STREAMED SAY THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR HYBRID OPTIONS.

JERSEY CITY, MEANWHILE, THEY SAY THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR LIVE STREAMING IS AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH.

HYBRID MEETINGS?

THAT'S BEING STUDIED BUT NOT EXPECTED ANYTIME SOON.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> EARLIER THIS YEAR GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A LAW ENSURING THAT DISABLED PEOPLE COULD KEEP THEIR JOBS WITHOUT LOSING NURSING CARE BENEFITS UNDER MEDICAID.

THE LAW UPDATED NEW JERSEY'S WORKABILITY PROGRAM REMOVING BARRIERS TO WORK FOR PEOPLE WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES WHILE ALSO REMOVING AGE AND INCOME THRESHOLDS SO PEOPLE DON'T LOSE THEIR MEDICAID BENEFITS.

BUT SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE NEW LAW STILL HASN'T GONE INTO EFFECT, AND MANY ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE DELAY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT WAS HEARTBREAKING.

I LOVED WORKING.

>> Reporter: AND STEVE DEEPLY REGRETS GIVING UP HIS JOB AS A ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PHONE OPERATOR BUT SAID HE HAD NO CHOICE.

NEW JERSEY MEDICAID RULES THREATENED TO TAKE AWAY VITAL BENEFITS INCLUDING THE DAILY HOME HEALTHCARE AIDS THAT HELPED THE DISABLED 33-YEAR-OLD GET OUT OF BED AND SHOWER IN THE MORNING.

BUT STEVE MADE THAT MUCH MONEY, ACCORDING TO THE RULES, SO NOW, INSTEAD OF EARNING A SALARY -- >> I'M ON SECTION 8, AND EVERY SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM YOU COULD BE ON TO HELP SUPPORT MYSELF.

IT'S BEEN REALLY HARD.

I HAVE HAD TO TURN DOWN SEVERAL JOBS BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN I HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE OF SERVICES OR JOB.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S WORKABILITY PROGRAM ALLOWS DISABLED FOLKS TO HOLD JOBS AND STILL RECEIVE MEDICAID BENEFITS BUTT CAPS ELIGIBLE INCOME AT ABOUT $68,000 AND SETS AN AGE LIMIT OF 64.

FIERCE LOBBYING BY ADVOCATES CONVINCED GOVERNOR MURPHY TO SIGN LEGISLATION ELIMINATING BOTH THOSE CONSTRAINTS BACK IN JANUARY.

BUT THE NEW LAW STUCK IN THE ROLLOUT PROCESS AND A DISABILITY ADVOCATES LIKE NORMAN SMITH ARE WEARY OF WAITING.

HE SPEAKS WITH DIFFICULTY SO WE HELPED CLARIFY HIS COMMENTS.

SMITH HEADS NEW JERSEY'S NONPROFIT INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL.

HE AGED OUT OF JERSEY'S WORKABILITY PROGRAM AND SAYS HE NEEDS A MORE ROBUST SALARY TO PAY COLLEGE TUITION FOR HIS SON, BUT NOT IF IT MEANS LOSING HIS HEALTH ARKS DES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SAYS A WORKING GROUP MET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MID-JULY TO HAMMER OUT PROTOCOLS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE WORK ABILITY PROGRAM.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE A LENGTHY PROCESS.

THE STATE NEEDS FEDERAL APPROVAL ON ANY CHANGES NOTING WE'RE IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO UNDERSTAND STATE OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING PREMIUMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AT HIGHER INCOME LEVELS.

IT IS ALSO STRUGGLING TO ADAPT COMPUTER SYSTEMS THAT PROCESS MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT.

>> THIS BILL WAS SIGNED IN JANUARY.

WE ARE NOW IN AUGUST.

AND WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK.

IT JUST SEEMS TO ME IT SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT BURNER.

THIS SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT BUSHER.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN A SENATOR ANTHONY BUCCO, PRIME SPONSOR OF THE BILL, EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION WITH DELAYS AND CONDEMNED CHARGING PARTICIPANTS PREMIUMS IF THEIR INCOME EXCEED CERTAIN LEVELS.

>> LET'S STOP TALKING ABOUT A PREMIUM TAX ON THIS.

I MEAN, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

AND THESE FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GIVE THEM, YOU KNOW, A WAY TO A BETTER FINANCIAL FUTURE, A WAY FOR THEM TO BUILD CAREERS.

>> Reporter: HE VOLUNTEERS AS AN ADVOCATE AND POSES ANY PREMIUMS.

MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE HE WANTS THE CHANCE TO GET A DECENT JOB, NOTING HE'LL PAY TAXES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

>> IT GAVE ME A FORM OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO MY LIFE.

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR FREE MEAL TICKET.

WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE WITHIN SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, STARBUCKS IS BEING ACCUSED OF VIOLATING U.S. LABOR LAW BY WITHHOLDING PAY RAISES AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR WORKERS WHO HAVE VOTED TO UNIONIZE.

MEDIA REPORTS SAY THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD'S SEATTLE OFFICE MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE COFFEE CHAIN BASED ON CHARGES FILED BY WORKERS UNITED.

THAT'S THE GROUP TRYING TO ORGANIZE STARBUCKS WORKERS.

REPORTS SAY STARBUCKS HANDED OUT PAY RAISES TO WORKERS IN EARLY AUGUST, BUT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE IN THE UNION DID NOT GET AN INCREASE.

THE LABOR BOARD'S COMPLAINT ASKS AN ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE TO REQUIRE STARBUCKS TO RETROACTIVELY PROVIDE UNIONIZED EMPLOYEES WITH THE INCREASED WAGES AND BENEFITS AND ISSUE A LETTER OF APOLOGY.

THE JUDGE WILL CONSIDER THE REQUEST IN LATE OCTOBER.

STARBUCKS IS NOT COMMENTING ON THE MATTER.

>>> AND HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

>>> THE STATE HAS FILED SIX NEW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LAWSUITS OVER CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS THAT HAVE TAINTED SITES IN NORTH AND CENTRAL JERSEY.

THE STATE SAYS THE POLLUTANTS WERE FOUND IN NEWARK, LINDEN, EWING, MIDDLESEX AND ELMWOOD PARK COMMUNITIES.

THOSE SITES ARE CONSIDERED OVERBURDENED BECAUSE THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY POPULATIONS.

THE LAWSUITS ALONG GROUNDWATER AND SOIL CONTAMINATION EXISTS AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL CHEMICAL VAPORS IN SOME CASES.

MEANWHILE THE STATE ALSO FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST A BLUEBERRY FARM IN HAMMONTON ALLEGING THE FARM HAS NOT PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR WORKERS.

>>> A SMELL OF SALT IN THE AIR.

THIS YEAR YOU CAN SMELL A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

THE SCENT OF MARIJUANA IS WAFTING THROUGH THE AIR, EVEN THOUGH POT SMOKING AND A CIGARETTE SMOKING ARE BANNED ON THE BEACH.

NOW THAT RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS LEGAL, THERE HAS BEEN AN UPTICK IN POT SMOKING COMPLAINTS THIS SUMMER, AND SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE FACING CHALLENGES ENFORCING THE BAN.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER WENT DOWN THE SHORE TO INVESTIGATE.

>> WE'RE A FAMILY RESORT.

WE HAVE BOULEVARD ACTIVITIES, BOARDWALK ACTIVITIES, CASINO ACTIVITIES, RIDES, EATERIES.

SO WE DRAW ON A GREAT POPULATION.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE QUALITIES SEA SIDE HEIGHTS MAYOR TONY VAZ SAYS MAKES THE TOWN SO SPECIAL, BUT GROWING COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE SMOKING MARIJUANA ON THE BEACH AND THE BOARDWALK ARE CAUSING CONCERN.

>> I'VE SEEN PEOPLE SMOKE MARIJUANA, SEEN THE SMOKE COMING FROM IT.

IT IS A TOXIC SMELL.

AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE A PARENT IS COMING FROM, PARTICULARLY OF YOUNG KIDS.

THE SMELL, THE INTRODUCTION OF A TITLE OF MARIJUANA, AND AT MY FACILITY I'D HAVE TO HIRE ANOTHER TEN PEOPLE, AND IT'S PROHIBITIVE IN COSTS.

>> Reporter: A BAN WENT INTO EFFECT FOUR YEARS AGO.

IT WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MARIJUANA AND VAPING WHEN RECREATIONAL CANNABIS BECAME LEGAL.

THERE ARE SIGNS LIKE THIS POSTED AROUND SEASIDE HEIGHTS HE REMINDING PEOPLE SMOKING POT ISN'T ALLOWED.

YET VAZ SAYS COMPLAINTS ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT WITH ABOUT 30 TO 40 SUMMONSES ISSUED ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND.

>> Reporter: NORMALLY I WOULD HEAR COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE ABOUT CIGARETTE SMOKE.

I'M HEARING MINIMAL CIGARETTE SMOKE, AND NOW I'M HEARING THE SMELL OF MARIJUANA.

>> Reporter: SEE SIDE HEIGHTS ISN'T THE ONLY AREA DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE RLEAL OF MUNICIPALITIES HAS BEEN GETTING REPORTS OF OTHER TOWNS FACING CHALLENGES.

>> IT IS REALLY THE FIRST SUMMER WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGALIZED.

THERE'S A PERCEPTION, SINCE WENT TO THE BALLOT AND IT'S PART OF THE CONSTITUTION, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PERCEPTION THAT IT'S FREE TO CONSUME OR USE ANYWHERE, AND IT'S NOT THE CASE.

THE SMOKE-FREE AIR ACT STILL GOVERNS.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS OFFICIALS DO THEIR BEST TO ENFORCE THE LAW HERE, BUT GIVEN THE WAY THINGS ARE, THEIR HANDS ARE PRETTY MUCH TIED.

>> AND THE WAY THE LEGISLATION IS DRAWN UP, WITH A MINOR YOU CAN'T DO A LOT OF THINGS.

AND A MINOR IN JERSEY IS CONSIDERED ANYONE LESS THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE.

WE'RE ALLOWED TO ASK THEM TO LEAVE THE BEACH.

IF WE CATCH THEM AGAIN, THE SAME PERSON, BECAUSE WE KEEP A NOTATION, AND IF WE'VE HAD THAT NAME, NOW WE CAN'T ISSUE A SUMMONS.

ALL WE CAN DO IS CALL THEIR MOTHER OR THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN, AND THAT'S THE FURTHEST WE CAN GO.

>> POINT PLEASANT BEACH MAYOR PAUL AGREEING THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN.

>> IT'S EMBOLDENED YOUNGER PEOPLE TO PUBLICLY DRINK AND SMOKE MORE THAN BEFOREHAND.

OVERALL THE INSTANCES ON THE POINT PLEASANT BEACH BOARDWALK WERE NOT REALLY HIGHER THAN THEY WERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO BUT THAT'S BECAUSE WE'RE DOING STRONG ENFORCEMENT OF GENERAL SMOKE ORDINANCES.

>> Reporter: IN TOWNS LIKE BRADLEY BEACH WHERE THEY HAVEN'T SEEN AN INCREASE THIS SUMMER, OFFICIALS CREDIT THEIR EFFORTS TO EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LAW.

>> WE'VE GOT PRETTY GOOD SIGNAGE IN TOWN, NUMBER ONE.

TWO, WE DO A LOT OF PUBLIC CONTACT WITH OUR SPECIAL OFFICERS IN THE SUMMERTIME WHO ARE KIND OF OUR SEASONAL HIRES.

AND PLUS, BRADLEY BEACH IS A FAIRLY FAMILY ORIENTED TOWN, SO I DON'T THINK WE SEE KIND OF THE YOUNGER, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE RAMBUNCTIOUS CROWD.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW SEASIDE HEIGHTS WILL HOPE MORE PEOPLE ABIDE SO FAMILIES CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BOARDWALK AND BEACH SMOKE-FREE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RES HE DENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

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SUPPLY CHAIN.

AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.