>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>> COULD EVENING AT THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEW JERSEY'S LONGEST-SERVING SITTING JUSTICE IS STEPPING DOWN TODAY FROM THE STATE'S SUPREME COURT.

THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE, BARRY ALBAN, WILL END A 20 YEAR TERM, HAVING REACHED THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE OF 70, LEAVING THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND EVEN DICIER SITUATION WITH THE HISTORIC NUMBER OF VACANCIES, AND NO INDICATIONS THERE'S A PLAN TO FILL THEM.

62 TRIAL COURTS POSITIONS ARE UNFULFILLED, AND JUST FOUR OUT OF SEVEN JUSTICES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED TO THE HIGHEST COURT.

OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT REPORTS JUSTICE IS TRULY HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

>> THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT REGULARLY GRAPPLES WITH SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT OUR STATE FACES.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF JUSTICE WAS BEING AS DIPLOMATIC AS HE COULD BE AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION THIS SPRING.

HOPING THAT PERHAPS THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE WOULD FIND SOME TIME DURING BUDGET SEASON TO HUDDLE UP ON PICKS FOR THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT.

THAT DID NOT HAPPEN, AND THIS WEEK THE RETIREMENT OF THE JUSTICE, MANDATORY AT AGE 70, LEFT THE SEVEN-MEMBER COURT WITH THREE VACANCIES.

>> THAT'S A HUGE CONCERN.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CROWN JEWEL OF OUR JUDICIARY ARE, OUR SUPREME COURT, IS 43% VACANT.

THAT'S REALLY AN ASTONISHING NUMBER.

IT'S AN ALARMING NUMBER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TODAY.

SAYING THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH REVIEWS CANDIDATES FOR THE STATE'S HIGH COURT HAS BEEN URGING AND COAXING AND CAJOLING THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO GET ON WITH IT.

THE OFTEN BYZANTINE MACHINATIONS OF LEGISLATIVE AND GUBERNATORIAL NEGOTIATIONS CAN MAKE EVEN MINOR PREFERENCE DIFFICULT, LET ALONE APPOINTMENTS TO THE HIGH COURT.

ONE LAW PROFESSOR SAYS WELL THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE PLAY THIS GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE, CRITICAL TIME IS BEING WASTED.

>> THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW JUSTICE ON BOARD, GETTING THEM ACCLIMATED, AND THEN BEING PART OF THE COLLEGIAL PROCESS OF THE SUPREME COURT, THAT TAKES SOME TIME.

THAT TAKES SOME WORK, AND THE WORK OF THE COURT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT EVEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED LAWYER OR JUDGE CAN JUST SIMPLY WALTZ IN, READ SOME PAPERS, AND BE READY.

THIS TAKES A LOT OF PREPARATION.

>> Reporter: BUT TO EXPECT THAT THREE VACANCIES CAN BE FILLED BY THE TIME THE COURT RETURNS FROM SUMMER RECESS IS OPTIMISTIC.

YOU'VE GOT ONE NOMINEE WHO HAS BEEN SITTING IN LIMBO BECAUSE REPUBLICAN SENATORS INVOKED SENATORIAL COURTESIES TO BLOCK OR.

SHE SAYS SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE JUDICIAL POSTURE, BUT INSIDERS ADMIT THAT BEYOND THE OBJECTIONS, THERE IS PLENTY OF DISAGREEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PARTY FOR WHO ELSE SHOULD BE NOMINATED TO FILL VACANCIES.

MEANWHILE -- >> WE ARE AT 62 VACANCIES IN SUPERIOR COURT AS OF TODAY.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANS DELAYS ON EVERYTHING FROM DIVORCE AND CUSTODY HEARINGS, TO BANKRUPTCIES, LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES, AND EVEN CRIMINAL CASES.

IT BEARS REPEATING THAT JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED SAYS A FORMER JUSTICE.

>> WITH ONLY FOUR MEMBERS OF THE COURT, IT LACKS A QUORUM.

AT THE VERY LEAST, UNTIL WE HAVE AT LEAST ONE MORE MEMBER CONFIRMED, THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUALLY CALL UP A MEMBER OF THE APPELLATE IN ORDER FOR THE COURT TO ACHIEVE A QUORUM.

YOU ARE TAKING JUDGES AWAY FROM THAT COURT, AND THAT COURT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WORK.

THAT COURT HAS AN EXTREMELY CROWDED DOCKET.

SO, THE WHOLE SYSTEM GETS DISTORTED.

WHEN YOU HAVE, EVEN ONE VACANCY ON THE COURT BUT WHEN YOU MULTIPLY THAT, AND YOU HAVE THREE VACANCIES, YOU REALLY ARE ENTERING INTO, IN MY VIEW, UNCHARTERED WATERS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE CALL UP MORE APPELLATE DIVISION JUDGES TO FILL THE OTHER TWO VACANCIES?

THAT IS UNCLEAR AT THE MOMENT, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE UNPRECEDENTED.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SAYS THEY HAVE CALLED A COMMITTEE MEETING OVER THE SUMMER.

RIGHT NOW, WITH THE BUDGET PASSED, THE GOVERNOR IS ON VACATION, AND LAWMAKERS APPEAR READY TO HIT THE BEACH THEMSELVES.

OR, TO GET BACK TO THEIR DAY JOBS.

TALKS ARE ONGOING AS SOME INSIST, BUT IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE MUCH EVIDENCE OF THAT IN TRENTON TODAY.

>>> BETWEEN RISING CRIME RATES AND INCREASED PUBLIC SCRUTINY, LEASED DEPARTMENTS NATIONWIDE ARE LOSING OFFICERS AT RECORD RATES, AND HAVING A TOUGH TIME REPLACING THEM.

FILLING THE VACANCIES IS SO DIFFICULT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE RECRUITING IN WAYS THEY'VE NEVER HAD TO BEFORE, INCLUDING TRAVELING ACROSS STATE LINES, AND ENTICING PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES WITH CASH BONUSES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> I HAVE WANTED TO BE A COP MY ENTIRE LIFE.

MY FATHER IS A DEPUTY CHIEF FOR A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

MY SISTER IS AN EMT AND ER NURSE.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A.

SERVICE JUST RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: NOW MICHAEL CHRISTIANSEN IS HOPING TO PASS HIS PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT INSIDE THE GYM AT THIS HIGH SCHOOL SO HE CAN BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO HIS GOAL OF BEING A POLICE OFFICER, BUT THIS ISN'T A POLICE RECRUITMENT FOR A NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT.

IF SELECTED, CANDIDATES HERE WILL BECOME THE NEXT OFFICERS FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT IN GEORGIA.

>> WE ADVERTISE NATIONALLY, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST PLACE WHERE WE HAVE ACTUALLY COME HERE PHYSICALLY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE ALPHARETTA POLICE CHIEF AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

HE SAYS THE DECISION TO LOOK FOR CANDIDATES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY COMES AS FEWER PEOPLE ARE APPLYING TO BE POLICE OFFICERS.

>> WE ARE SEEING, IN OUR DEPARTMENT, AND I THINK YOU'RE SEEING NATIONALLY, YOU'RE SEEING LESS PEOPLE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO THE PROFESSION.

YOU ARE ALSO SEEING PEOPLE LEAVE TO GET OUT OF THE PROFESSION, TO GO CORPORATE, GO PRIVATE, GO MAKE MORE MONEY.

I CAN WORK A BETTER SCHEDULE AND BE WITH MY FAMILY MORE.

BY THE WAY, A MUCH SAFER JOB AS WELL.

SO, IT'S A CHALLENGE FOR US RIGHT NOW ABSOLUTELY.

>> Reporter: THIS ALPHARETTA POLICE CAPTAIN IS ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES FOR BRINGING THE RECRUITMENT TO THE GARDEN STATE.

A NEW JERSEY NATIVE, HE CHOSE TO TAKE HIS DESIRE TO BE A COP TO ALPHARETTA.

>> I WAS SITTING, DOING THE SAME PROCESS YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS TRYING TO BECOME AN OFFICER IN NEW JERSEY WAS A VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS.

>> JUST LIKE ALL THESE CANDIDATES I'M SURE THEY HAVE APPLIED.

THEY HAVE TAKEN TESTS IN NEW JERSEY, AND I DID.

MY EXPENSE, I'M GOING THROUGH THIS THREE YEARS AGO, BUT YOU'LL HAVE A MUNICIPALITY AND THERE IS ONE OR TWO OPENINGS.

YOU HAVE 200 OR 300 PEOPLE SITTING TO TAKE THE EXAM.

THERE IS A FEE TO TAKE THE EXAM AND YOU GO THROUGH THAT.

YOU JUST DON'T GET THE CALL.

OR YOU SIT ON A CIVIL-SERVICE LIST FOR A LONG TIME WAITING TO GET CALLED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS ALSO SEEING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PEOPLE LEAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND A DECREASE IN PEOPLE WANTING TO JOIN.

THIS POLICE CHIEF AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS ASSOCIATING IT TO A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING COVID BURNOUT AND SOCIAL UNREST OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

>> ONE THING I'VE SEEN THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND TALKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IS THAT MOTHERS AND FATHERS ARE NOW SAYING, I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT, RECOMMEND TO MY SON OR DAUGHTER TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER.

THAT'S, TO ME THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND YOU RECOGNIZE AT THAT POINT YOUR GREATEST FEEDER SYSTEM, YOUR GREATEST RECRUITS ARE THE MOMS AND DADS IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT PEOPLE JUST AREN'T -- SOME PEOPLE AREN'T INTERESTED IN THE FIELD.

ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON'T WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE YOU GUYS JUST NOT POPULAR.

I DON'T WANT TO ENTERTAIN THAT.

SO FOR US, WE UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO STILL SAY I WANT TO SERVE.

I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE CHANGE.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES WHO DIDN'T PREREGISTER FOR THE ALPHARETTA EVENT ARE WELCOME TO WALK IN.

THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PROCESS COULD BE INVITED TO JOIN THE FORCE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

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

>>> FROM THE MOUTH OF THE NEWARK BAY, TO A RESERVOIR 22 MILES OF THE HACKENSACK RIVER ARE LACED WITH TOXIC AND DEADLY CHEMICALS.

IT'S THE REMNANTS OF NEW JERSEY'S INDUSTRIAL PAST.

BUT THE DESIGNATED SUPER FUND SITE HAS AN ADDED LAYER OF RISK , IT IS FLOWN TO FLOODING AND THREATENED BY SEA LEVEL RISE.

MEANING THOSE CANCER-CAUSING CONTAMINANTS AND OTHER POLLUTANTS MAY GET WASHED INTO NEARBY COMMUNITIES.

THE PROBLEM IS ONLY GROWING WORSE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS AS PART OF A NEW MULTIPLATFORM SERIES CALLED HAZARD AND JAY EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE SUPER FUND SITES.

>> IT WAS A VERY, VERY, VERY HARD TIME FOR ME.

VERY HARD.

I LOST EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: IT'S 10 YEARS LATER, BUT THIS WOMAN STILL TREMBLES A LITTLE WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT SUPER STORM SANDY, TERRIFIED FOLKS GETTING EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES BY WATERCRAFT AFTER THE HACKENSACK RIVER SURGED INTO LITTLE FERRY WITH LITTLE WARNING.

>> I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES.

THE WATER WAS FIVE FEET HIGH.

THE REFRIGERATOR WAS FLOATING.

THE DINING ROOM CHAIRS WERE FLOODING.

>> Reporter: AFTERWARDS, SANDY VICTIMS DUMPED DEBRIS CAKED WITH RIVER MUD ALONG HER PROPERTY.

SHE FIGURED THE BROWNFIELD INCLUDED SEWAGE, BUT FEW REALIZED IT HAD COME FROM A RIVER LINED WITH SIX DESIGNATED SUPER FUND SITES.

IN FACT THE LOWER HACKENSACK RIVER ITSELF IS NOW PENDING SUPER FUND STATUS.

THE WOMAN SAYS SHE MOPPED UP BROWN MUCK.

>> IT WAS MUDDY AND VERY DIRTY.

THEY TOLD US WE HAD TO GET RID OF EVERYTHING.

COULD NOT SELL ANYTHING.

NO POTS, NO PANS, NO DISHES.

HAD TO GET RID OF EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: THE STORM SURGE FROM SUPER STORM SANDY ESSENTIALLY DREDGED UP TOXIC SEDIMENTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HACKENSACK RIVER, AND THEN THE FLOODING SPREAD THEM ACROSS PEOPLE'S YARDS AND GARAGES AND HOMES.

>> THE RIVER IS VERY SHALLOW ONCE YOU GET PAST HACKENSACK.

IT IS MUD, BLACK, AND IF YOU STEP IN IT YOU WILL GO IN UP TO YOUR HIPS.

>> Reporter: ON A WATERCRAFT TO HER, THIS CAPTAIN EXPLAINS HOW THOROUGHLY SANDY RILED UP THAT TOXIC SEDIMENTS.

>> THERE WERE PLACES ON THE RIVER THAT WERE LIKE SAND AGAIN AFTER SANDY LEFT.

THEY WERE SCOURED UP BY THE STORM.

ALL THAT WOUND UP DOWN HERE.

>> Reporter: STUDIES SHOWED LITTLE FERRY SUFFERED WIDESPREAD CATASTROPHIC FLOODING BECAUSE SANDY'S EIGHT FOOT STORM SURGE SWAMPED THE SYSTEM OF RICKETY FIVE FOOT BERMS, BARRIERS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1900s.

THE HACKENSACK RIVER ALSO OVERWHELMED A NETWORK OF CANALS AND DITCHES DESIGNED TO DIVERT RAINWATER.

IN A WARMING WORLD, WITH RISING SEA LEVELS, THIS FLOOD PRONE AREA WILL FLOOD AGAIN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS ACKNOWLEDGE.

>> WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, THE LIKELIHOOD OF MAJOR FLOODS AND STORM SURGES IS CERTAINLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

THAT ADDS URGENCY TO THE IDEA THAT WE NEED TO REMEDIATE AND CLEAN UP THE CONTAMINATED MUD THAT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS RIVER.

UNTIL WE HAVE DONE THAT, WE ARE STILL AT RISK.

>> Reporter: WAS TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?

>> US.

>> Reporter: HOW SOON?

>> ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUPS CAN TAKE A REALLY LONG TIME.

BUT, WE'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE EXPERIENCE THAT OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS IN THE EPA HAVE HAD, BUT THIS IS GOING TO TAKE YEARS.

>> Reporter: LITTLE FERRY SPENT ALMOST A DECADE SINCE SANDY SETTING THE PROBLEM, BUT OFFICIALS SCRAPPED A MASSIVE $3.5 BILLION FLOODWATER PROTECTION PROJECT FOR LACK OF FUNDING.

NOW DOWNSIZED TO $150 MILLION, THE NEW PLANS EMPHASIZE GREEN BUFFER ZONES, RESTORED WETLANDS, AND SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO DRAINAGE CANALS AND PUMPING STATIONS.

THIS RETIRED ENGINEER CONSIDERS IT INSUFFICIENT.

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN A BAN-AID, BUT NOT MUCH.

>> Reporter: HE ADVISED THE MAYOR ABOUT FLOODWATER PROJECTS IN 2014.

HE'S EXASPERATED OVER THE SLOW PROGRESS.

SO, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE SINCE SANDY?

>> JUST HAD MEETINGS.

PRETTY MUCH THAT WAS IT.

MEETINGS.

>> I WISH WE COULD MOVE A LITTLE QUICKER ON THAT.

THEY KNOW MY FRUSTRATION.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS WORK PROBABLY WON'T BEGIN ON ITEMS LIKE THE NEW PUMPING STATION UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR, AS COVID CAUSED DELAYS.

LITTLE FERRY HAS SEEN SOME UTILITY AND DRAINAGE NETWORK UPDATES.

HE KNOWS HIS TOWN REMAINS VULNERABLE.

>> WE ARE BETTER OFF THAN WE WERE 10 YEARS AGO, BUT CERTAINLY IF ANOTHER SANDY COMES, IT WILL BE THE SAME AFFECT.

YOU CANNOT STOP THOSE SORT OF SURGE EVENTS.

THE ENGINEERING EXIST FOR IT, IT IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: THE WOMAN HAS REMODELED HER DOWNSTAIRS.

SHE UNDERSTANDS CLIMATE CHANGE AND FEELS THE URGENCY, AND CRINGES WHEN IT RAINS.

>> AM I SCARED WHAT YES, I AM.

I WOULD NEVER, EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.

>> Reporter: IN LITTLE FERRY, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR MORE ABOUT THE EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE HACKENSACK RIVER, CHECK OUT THE LATEST EPISODE OF OUR PODCAST, HAZARD NJ, AVAILABLE WHEREVER USED IN PODCASTS.

>>> ENVIRONMENTALISTS RALLY LAST NIGHT IN A SO-CALLED DANGER ZONE IN TEANECK A BRIDGE ABOVE RAIL TRACKS WHERE TRAINS PASS THROUGH CARRYING CRUDE OIL AND OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

THE GROUP IS HOPING TO REVIVE A YEARS OLD BILL STRENGTHENING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR RAILROADS, INCLUDING OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANS IN CASE OF DERAILMENT.

THE DEMONSTRATION MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 2013 WILL TRAN EXPLOSION IN QUEBEC WHICH KILLED 47 ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

FORMER STATE SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG TOOK PARK.

SHE FIRST INTRODUCED THE BILL IN 2013.

IT PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE TWO YEARS LATER BUT WAS VETOED BY FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE, WHO SAID SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WERE ALREADY IN PLACE, AND BELIEVED INCREASING TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THE TRAINS COULD CREATE A HOMELAND SECURITY RISK.

THE LATEST VERSION IS SPONSORED BY ASSEMBLYWOMAN ALLEN PARKER JOINED THE RALLY AND JOINED ON THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO END FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, DESPITE LAWS ON THE BOOKS MEANT TO REFORM THE PRACTICE, A LARGE NUMBER OF TOWNS ARE IGNORING, AND EVEN ABUSING, RULES PROHIBITING SICK LEAVE PAYOUTS.

WASTING MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT OUT TODAY BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER, 95% OF THE TOWN'S SURVEYED WERE SIDESTEPPING AND UNDERMINING THE LAW.

THE ACTING STATE COMPTROLLER, KEVIN WALSH, JOINS ME NOW WITH DETAILS ON HIS INVESTIGATION.

FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THE SHOW.

MY FIRST QUESTION OF COURSE IS THIS IS NOT AN UNFAMILIAR PROBLEM IN NEW JERSEY.

HOW EGREGIOUS WERE THE EXAMPLES YOU FOUND IN THE INVESTIGATION?

>> IN 95% OF THE MUNICIPALITIES, 57 OUT OF 60, WE FOUND VIOLATIONS.

WE FOUND INSTANCES IN WHICH POLICIES AND CONTRACTS, IN SOME CASES SIDESTEPPED, IN SOME CASES UNDERMINED, BUT IN MANY CASES, SIMPLY IGNORED STATE LAW ON WHEN MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES CAN RECEIVE SICKLY PAYMENTS.

>> GIVE US AN EXAMPLE.

OF THESE CASES WHERE FOLKS ARE EXCEEDING THE CAP THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE?

THE $15,000 CAP?

ARE THEY GOING FAR BEYOND THAT, CIRCUMVENTING IT?

>> SO, FOR SOME OF THE MUNICIPALITIES, THEY PROVIDE ANNUAL SICKLY PAYMENTS.

THE LAW SAYS THOSE PAYMENTS CAN ONLY HAPPEN AT RETIREMENT.

IN OTHER INSTANCES, THEY WAIT UNTIL RETIREMENT, BUT THERE IS, AND SO WE'VE SEEN THAT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS NOT A CAP, IS THAT A MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE WHO RETIRES, COULD RECEIVE $100,000.

COULD RECEIVE 150,000, $200,000.

IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE, GIVEN THE WAY IT HAS PLAYED OUT HISTORICALLY, AND WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE HAPPEN WHEN THE LAW, CURRENT LAW THAT IS ON THE BOOKS IS IGNORED.

SO THE EXAMPLES THAT ARE THERE ARE BOTH REALLY EXTREME, INVOLVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, BUT THERE ARE ALSO INSTANCES IN WHICH THERE ARE THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, $7000 THAT ARE PAID OUT ANNUALLY, OR PAID OUT TO SOMEBODY THAT ONLY WORKED FOR THE MUNICIPALITY FOR A FEW YEARS, WHEN THAT PERSON WOULD ONLY BE ENTITLED TO THAT UPON RETIREMENT.

THAT PERSON GOT NOWHERE CLOSE TO RETIREMENT.

>> AND THINKING OF 2007, 2010, WHERE THESE LAWS AS YOU MENTIONED, WERE PUT ON THE BOOKS.

WHY HAVE THESE REFORMS NOT BEEN ENOUGH TO DETER THIS PRACTICE?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE SOME MUNICIPALITIES WEREN'T AWARE.

IT SEEMS LIKE OTHERS, AND IT'S HARD TO TELL WHICH MUNICIPALITIES GO INTO WHICH CATEGORY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE OTHERS SIMPLY ELECTED TO DISREGARD IT.

PERHAPS IN SOME INSTANCES BECAUSE OF SELF-INTEREST.

PERHAPS IN OTHER INSTANCES BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS TOO HARD TO DEAL WITH.

WE DIDN'T GET IN ANY DEPTH INTO THAT, BUT WE CAN SAY THAT IT IS SO WIDESPREAD, AND IT IS SEEMINGLY IN SO MANY INSTANCES IS FAIRLY EGREGIOUS, THAT NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE RIGHT TO BE UPSET WITH WHAT WE FOUND.

>> I MEAN, IN YOUR ROLE AS A WATCHDOG FOR THE TAXPAYER, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR TAX DOLLARS?

>> THIS MEANS THAT THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE YEARS PROBABLY, INTO THE FUTURE FAR BEYOND THAT, MONEY THAT WILL BE COLLECTED FROM TAXPAYERS.

UNLESS SOME SERIOUS CHANGE HAPPENS, UNLAWFULLY SPENT ON PAYMENTS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE CAPPED AT $15,000, BUT WILL FAR EXCEED THAT.

IT MEANS THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS WILL BE WASTED.

THEY WILL BE WASTED IN WAYS THAT ARE COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY UNLAWFUL.

>> STATE COMPTROLLER KEVIN WALSH WITH THE OFFICE.

THE LATEST REPORT FOR US.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> SPIRIT AIRLINES JUST LANDED A WIN AT NEWARK AIRPORT EXPANDING OPERATIONS WITH 16 RUNWAY PLOTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY OPERATED BY SOUTHWEST.

THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SAID IT CHOSE SPIRIT AS A WAY TO PROVIDE CHEAPER OPTIONS FOR FLYERS, AND ADD MORE COMPETITION WITH UNITED AIRLINES, WHICH DOMINATES THE AIRPORT.

BUT A CONSUMER WATCHDOG GROUP IS QUESTIONING THE DECISION.

LAST MONTH A FEDERAL REPORT MEANT SPIRIT AS HAVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CANCELED FLIGHTS, AND IS REPEATEDLY AMONG THE WORST FOR DELAYS.

>>> A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN TO BUILD AN AMAZON CARGO HARD AT NEWARK AIRPORT HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN SCRAPPED AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF PROTESTS BY ACTIVISTS WHO ARGUE THE FACILITY WOULD PUT MORE OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL BURDEN ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT ARE ALREADY OVER POLLUTED.

THE ONLINE RETAIL GIANT SIGNED A 20 YEAR LEASE LAST AUGUST TO OPEN TWO 250,000 SQUARE FOOT AIR CARGO FACILITIES NEXT TO THE AIRPORT.

BUT TODAY, THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, WHICH OWNS NEWARK AIRPORT, SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH AMAZON ON FINAL LEASE TERMS.

NEIGHBORHOODS IN NEWARK AND ELIZABETH THAT BORDER THE AIRPORT ALREADY FACE POLLUTION FROM AN INCINERATOR, POWERPLANT, AND DIESEL EXHAUST FROM TRUCK TRAFFIC AT THE PORT ARGUE ACTIVISTS.

IN A STATEMENT, THE PORT AUTHORITY SAID IT WOULD CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE GROWING AIR CARGO IN A WAY THAT QUOTE, BENEFITS THE REGION AS WELL AS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT STOCKS TODAY AS WALL STREET TRIES TO BUILD ON RECENT GAINS.

♪ >>> THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY IS EXPANDING NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

IT IS DUBBED A LEARN AND EARN EXPERIENCE WHERE SOME 3000 KIDS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET PAID WHILE PICKING UP CRITICAL WORK SKILLS THEY MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> A LOT OF THE KIDS ARE LIKE WE DON'T WANT TO BE A PRODUCT OF OUR ENVIRONMENTS.

THAT'S WHY PROGRAMS LIKE THIS HELP UPLIFT THE YOUTH.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE NEW YORK SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

IT OFFERS TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE PAID EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES IN A FIELD OF INTEREST THAT THEY CHOOSE.

IN ADDITION TO WORK, STUDENTS ARE ALSO OFFERED MENTORS AND WORKFORCE READINESS TRAINING TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.

THE BOY, WHO RECEIVED A FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, CREDITS A PROGRAM FOR PREPARING FOR THE REAL WORLD.

>> WE HAD A COMMUNITY FARM THAT WERE ON HOLSEY AVENUE.

SOMETIMES WE WOULD SELL OUR PRODUCTS THAT WE DREW AT A FARMERS MARKET.

IT TAUGHT US HOW TO DO LIKE FINANCING.

HOW TO SELL A PRODUCT.

HOW TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE SELLING PRODUCTS.

HELPFUL AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, BECAUSE I WANT TO PURSUE SOMETHING IN BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALSO ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.

THE 15-YEAR-OLD SAYS IT HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING.

>> WE MADE OUR OWN CLOTHES.

THEY GAVE US OUR OWN SEWING MACHINES TO CREATE OUR OWN DESIGNS AND CLOTHES.

AT THE END WE HAD OUR OWN FASHION SHOW AND WE WERE ABLE TO MODEL THE CLOTHES WE CREATED.

IT'S A MIXTURE OF THEM TEACHING US HOW TO MAKE CLOTHES, ANOTHER TEACHER TAUGHT US HOW TO DRESS PEOPLE AND STYLE OUR OWN FASHION.

THERE WAS ANOTHER TEACHER, FROM CHICAGO, HE HAD MADE HIS OWN DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY WAS ABLE TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM TO 3000 YOU UNDER A NEARLY $2.5 MILLION GRANT BY A NUMBER OF FUNDERS, AND OVER 100 PROGRAM PARTNERS.

>> WE CAME IN THERE WERE VERY FEW JOBS THAT WERE GIVEN TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

PER CAPITA, OR PROPORTIONATE TO THE SIZE OF THE CITY, WHERE WE ARE NOW, WE ARE ACTUALLY GIVING MORE SUMMER JOBS TO KIDS THEN MANY CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY BASED ON THE CITY'S SIZE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW YORK MAYOR SAYS THE PROGRAM LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD AND GIVES YOU ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY OPPORTUNITIES LIKE VIRTUAL PROGRAMS.

>> THE NEXT LEVEL IS THE VIRTUAL PROGRAMS THAT THEY ARE DOING, WHICH I THINK IS TREMENDOUS.

THE UNIVERSITIES NOW ARE USING THIS TO TEACH CLASSES.

WHICH MEANS THAT A LOT OF FOLKS YOU ARE GOING TO GET A HEAD START BY DOING THIS IN THIS PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: IS GUN VIOLENCE NOTORIOUSLY PLAGUES THE CITY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE PROGRAM IS ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE AND SAY.

>> HAVING A SON, THIS WAY I KNOW HE'S IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.

A CONTROLLED SETTING.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO KEEPING KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE, PARENTS AND STUDENTS I SPOKE WITH SAY IT HELPS HIM OUT FINANCIALLY AS THEY ARE GETTING PAID TO LEARN.

>> IT GETS THE KIDS OUT OF THE STREET AND THAT WAY THEY ARE ABLE TO EARN MONEY TO HELP WITH THEIR PARENTS.

>> EVERY TWO WEEKS I MADE LIKE 300 SOMETHING DOLLARS.

>> WHEN YOU GET A CERTAIN AGE YOU OUTGROW SUMMER CAMP.

I LOVE THAT THEY TEACH SOME FINANCIAL LITERACY.

THEY LET THEM OPEN UP THEIR OWN BANK ACCOUNT.

THEY HAVE DEBIT CARDS AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN MONEY.

NOT THEIR PARENT OR ANYBODY.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY'S GOAL IS TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM TO 5000 KIDS NEXT SUMMER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

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WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEANER ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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