>> Tonight on NJ Spotlight News.

It is deadline date in Trenton with lawmakers scrambling to pass the budget as it heads to the governor's office, will it pass or are we at risk for a government shutdown?

Student loan forgiveness walked.

The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the student debt plan, the ruling denying relief to 40 million are worse.

>> It is a new adventure with the Supreme Court.

>> And murder-for-hire sentencing.

Sean Caddle receives a 24 here sentence after leaving a 2014 Hitman scheme that killed his colleague.

>> Prosecutors asked for a 12 year sentence, the normal sentence would be life in prison.

>> Closed for the summer.

Ongoing lifeguard shortages lead to several counties implementing restrictions and reducing operating hours.

>> There is a lot of physicality to it.

Some people do not want to put in the effort anymore.

They would rather do something or do nothing.

>> NJ Spotlight News starts right now.

>> Funding for NJ Spotlight News provided by the members of the New Jersey Education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas Health, let's be healthy together.

And OØrsted, committed to the creation of a new long-term, sustainable, clean energy future for New Jersey.

♪ >> From NJ PBS, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vanozzi.

>> Go that evening -- good evening and thank you for joining us.

The deadline is looming to get the state budget passed and signed by midnight tonight to prevent a state government shutdown.

Governor Murphy says he will sign the budget deal tonight with hours to go before the start of the new fiscal year.

The weeks leading up to today have been locked -- have been marked by last-minute frustrations as lawmakers rushed to make a deal on a tax property relief deal for seniors.

The plan had ballooned by more than $1 billion added to the spending plan covering her free proposed, including millions in last-minute add-ons.

Our Senior correspondent is at the Statehouse where the legislature has been voting all day as they rush to the end of the session.

Reporter: It is budget day at the Statehouse, it is messy.

New Jersey has to pass a balanced budget by midnight tonight.

Lawmakers are debating a $54.3 billion spending plan.

It is the Democrats budget, they are in the majority, it is expected to pass.

This document is a last-minute production.

>> This is a complete and utter failure of our government process.

It is disgusting.

Reporter: Republicans fumed over the process that produced imperfect documents.

It left a lawmakers a little time to absorb the majority plan , hastily written up by the office of legislative services.

It yielded paperwork with technical mistakes.

>> We are looking at up to almost 60 changes that occurred between the time the budget committee adjourned and we meet today.

Which means this body has not reviewed them.

Reporter: Democrats argued it is a by the book budget.

>> The deliberative process, like in years past, was imperfect in terms of the late stages.

But followed all of the rules, set forth by our house and a our Constitution.

>> The assembly committee budget members have worked hard to review every dollar spent.

Reporter: The spending plan for fiscal year 2024 totals $54.3 billion, one point $2 billion more than Governor Murthy -- Governor Murphy requested.

It increases aid for education.

The new budget doubles the earned income credit to $1000 for each eligible child, and promises more property tax relief.

The anchor programs next round of rebates he gets a 250 dollars boost for homeowners and renters.

>> If you vote against this budget, it has an additional $200 -- $200 for every senior.

>> With revenues dropping, it is incomprehensible to increase spending at the same time.

Coupled with a surplus and that is expected to evaporate in a few years, it is the fiscal timebomb.

Reporter: The assembly passed the budget mostly along party lines.

Today's package of bills includes the Democrats property tax leave plan called StayNJ.

It promises two/tax bills for seniors, money for renters, a compromise brokered with Governor Murphy.

>> We will cut property taxes in half.

Reporter: It does not kick in until 2026, Republicans called foul and complained the money is not there.

>> This bill is probably never going to pay out the money it is reported to do.

Even if it does, it will be a one-time shot.

Reporter: Despite criticism, the assembly approved StayNJ almost unanimously.

>> It is an election year.

That has not -- I think everybody understands why they are pushing this quickly.

Reporter: The budget passed the Senate 25-12, some measures got rerouted to fix issues like missing language.

The governor says he will sign it in a ceremony at the Statehouse.

Raven: Today in Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down resident Bidens student loan forgiveness plan, calling it an overreach.

The majority opinion found the Biden Administration did not have legal authority to cancel debt for millions of Americans without congressional approval.

Some progressive critics say there is still a way for him to cancel student loans through the higher education act.

It would have forgiven up to $20,000 for qualified borrowers.

President Biden weighed in.

>> 16 million people have already been approved.

And then Republican elected officials and special interests stepped in.

They said no.

Snatching from the hands of millions of Americans thousands of dollars of the student debt relief that was about to change their lives.

These Republicans could not bear the thought of providing relief or working-class Americans.

They are attending to block relief, including to millions of their own constituents.

Reporter: This comes months before student loan repayments will be due.

>> It is a terrible day for student borrowers.

Reporter: In a major upset for the Biden administration and 40 million national student loan borrowers, the Supreme Court upended a debt forgiveness plan that would have helped people escape their crushing debt.

>> Saving to move out, that is one thing where the pandemic and student loans cap that longer than planned.

Reporter: He is still living and his family home four years after graduating college.

>> I understand I took the loans, but the getting of the loan and to where it is now is widely different.

Reporter: He is one of many borrowers who would have benefited from the loan forgiveness plan.

Advocates for the program are dismayed.

>> It flies in the face of our tradition in our country of higher education young a pathway to financial security.

Reporter: Rutgers University law professor says it is less about the merits of the program, and more of a move from the sick -- from the conservative Supreme Court to take power from the executive government.

>> They are trying to rein in the ability of the state and run with it in directions that the court thinks Congress did not intend.

Reporter: The case hinged on whether President Biden was authorized to create this program under the heroes act of 20 -- of 2003.

At that time the 9/11 attacks, now a pandemic.

President Biden called the decision unthinkable.

>> At some point, it is called the major questions doctrine, that an executive agency cannot adopt a new program without express congressional authorization.

It is what they had said here, they think Congress did not intend, and giving the secretary of education the power to do a wholesale forgiveness of all this debt given the impact.

Reporter: This U.S.

Senator question it saying, for Supreme Court majority decision is ludicrous.

Their assertion that President Biden's a loan forgiveness program was not in line with congressional intent under the heroes act is plain wrong.

Governor Murphy expressed his dismay saying, I am disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled against the Biden administrations efforts to provide student loan debt relief to individuals who were hit hard financially by the pandemic.

Now is the time for Congress to address the root cause of the problem, the cost of higher education in our state and nation.

>> We need to make sure that the loan system that exists is not making -- leaving people worse off.

The whole point of getting an education is to find stability, away to work at a level where you can really raise a family, start a business, and parses to -- and participate in the economy.

Reporter: Work that requires a Congress that actually works together.

Raven: Today's decision comes one day after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in what was seen as an unsurprising but major decision that bars U.S. colleges from using race as a factor in admissions.

The New Jersey universities say they will work to preserve diversity, while reviewing policies to ensure they are in line with the decision.

The Princeton University president had this to say, the U.S. Supreme Court act away from more than 50 years of established case law.

The Rutgers president said that New Jersey's diversity is its strength.

We value and will continue to build on that strength as the state University of New Jersey.

The state attorney general has found potential violations of New Jersey's law against discrimination.

The division issued findings of probable cause in three cases alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

An investigation found sufficient evidence to support a teacher's allegation of employment termination and unlawful retaliation after they were barred from discussing gender identity.

The other two cases include allegations of a hostile work environment and the alleged denial of service to a non-binary patron who did not follow the businesses dress code for men.

This comes in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling limiting LGBTQ addictions after the court cited with a Christian is this owner who refused to greet websites to celebrate same-sex weddings.

The Attorney General noting the Supreme Court ruling does not impact the work of the state is doing to protect the LGBTQ immunity.

One of the most salacious political scandals in recent New Jersey history came to an end one formal political operative Sean Caddle was sentenced to 24 years in prison for organizing a murder-for-hire scheme that killed his friend Michael Galdieri.

He had been treated with leniency after his cooperation delivered a tax fraud condition -- tax fraud conviction against another individual.

More high-profile cases could be on the way.

Nancy Solomon, who covers New Jersey for WNYC was in the courtroom for the sentencing.

She spoke with Breanna Vannozzi about what went down.

>> What -- did we learn anything more about Sean Caddle's motivation in this case?

A lot of it has been shrouded in mystery.

Guest: Yes we did.

It came out first in the sentencing memo that reporters were getting their hands on, and then it was discussed in court today.

Michael Galdieri, the victim, who had drug issues, had been given money by Sean Caddle.

They were friends and had work together.

Apparently Michael Galdieri told Sean Caddle that he needed more money, and if he didn't give him more money, he would expose criminal activity that we now know about.

Which is that Sean Caddle was its giving money off of campaign funds for him and another political staff person to several politicians.

That is the case that came out later.

Reporter: That was enough to order a hitman to kill his former friend and colleague.

Guest: Yeah, some things just don't make sense.

And the judge was not buying it.

Reporter: What was the judge saying?

Guest: Federal prosecutors asked for a 12 here sentence.

The normal sentence would be life in prison because he had cooperated with prosecutors on political corruption cases, but it turned into a criminal case, they had agreed to a plea deal that was arranged from 12-25 years.

The prosecutors it came in and said, he was very good with us, he told us the truth, he couldn't have made the case against Tony Teixeira without his cooperation.

We are asking for 15 years, but the judge gave him 24.

Reporter: What did that say about this?

Sean Caddle is someone who knew people in high places, he had a lot of political connections, there is an air that his knowledge would ring down some other really big power wielding folks in New Jersey.

So far, it has only resulted in a case against Tony Teixeira, the former Chief of Staff to Nick scutari.

Guest: There is one opinion, that is that more was expected out of Sean Caddle's cooperation.

It was all based on speculation, the idea that he was a guy who put out a hit, and paid to murder a friend of his.

He was not even in jail, he was at home.

Reporter: They were pretty lenient on him.

Guest: The belief was that he is going to bring down big named politicians if he is getting this treatment.

The prosecutor said, this was an important case, they got a man who was very powerful in Tony Teixeira.

Reporter: Do we expect another shoe to drop?

Guest: The prosecutor says the case is over.

I asked Sean Caddle's defense attorney if that is the case, he said prosecutors can be very wily, they might not want to say they have more coming.

You did not get the impression that there is anything more coming than this conviction.

Reporter: Thank you so much.

Raven: Air travel is still a mess in the tri-state after intense weather conditions and staffing shortages.

Some travelers faced numerous delays and cancellations at Newark Airport.

United airlines canceled over 2300 flights aphis -- flights as of Wednesday.

Other parts of the country are feeling the same.

The Port Authority says 2 million people will use one of its four reports this weekend, and 5 million more to use its trains and buses.

It is news that will concern Americans, as AAA is projecting over 50 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this weekend.

A new record for the holiday.

>> So far we have seen a lot of traffic.

When is there not traffic in the tri-state area?

With so many people shunning public transportation.

Throw in a holiday and a long weekend, and a commute home, it gets busy.

When we get a holiday, we get a free vacation day, American workers get the fewest number of vacation days of any workers in the industrialized world.

Europe takes the entire month of August off.

We make the most off of it.

Raven: Some good news from the stock market heading into the weekend.

Here is where trading ended up.

♪ >> 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 150 years.

Membership and event information online at ChamberSNJ.com.

♪ Raven: As families prepare for holiday weekend, outdoor gatherings, a warning for the Department of environment Luke -- environmental protection about air quality.

With smoke from the Canadian wildfires making its way south, today's air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

You can see the hazy look across the Northeast of New Jersey.

According to the fires fire center, there are currently 499 active fires contributing to the worsening condition.

The smoke is not as bad as what the state experienced earlier this month.

People with respiratory or heart issues, elderly folks or young kids should stay indoors.

Air quality should improve to moderate tomorrow and throughout the weekend.

The upcoming holiday weekend means thousands of New Jerseyans will flock to beaches and pools to cool down.

In some cases, there may be new swimming days and shorter hours.

All because of a growing lifeguard shortage in our state.

Last year New Jersey set up a program to recruit teenagers to become lifeguards.

In its second year, the state is struggling to fill the gaps.

At least one beach has already banned swimming due to a lack of lifeguards.

Reporter: New Jersey's lifeguard shortage has not affected beaches in ball mark -- in Belmont.

Many of them joining the beach patrol years ago.

>> This is the best office there is.

It is relaxing.

It does not feel like work because there is so much entertainment.

>> When I was younger, I was like I can work on the beach?

I was a swimmer, I swim in college and high school, I figured maybe put my skills to work, do something with my abilities.

>> The chief lifeguard says it was not difficult putting the staff together.

Since 90% came back from last year.

He says some of the credit can go to bumping up of pay.

>> With the salaries being more attractive now, we are getting better qualified candidates.

The people who want to put in the effort.

Reporter: He has heard from other people who have not been as fortunate.

A river beach in Ocean City has banned swimming because of a lack of lifeguards.

Some fools are limiting their hours.

>> It takes a lot of effort to become all lifeguard.

You have to be a people person, but there is a lot of physicality to it.

Some people don't want to put in the effort anymore, it is sad to say that, they would rather do something, or do nothing.

>> He trains lifeguards.

He says Covid played a factor in limiting lifeguarding courses.

Eating to fewer certified lifeguards want the pandemic ended.

>> The pandemic goes told on the individual departments and agencies.

There is a challenge getting things going again.

We are finally starting to see that come through.

Reporter: He says it is a shame because people who become lifeguards pickup skills they might not.

>> The lifesaving part, or the leadership role, or the personal responsibility that it teaches you, I believe lifeguarding is separate from any other jobs that young people start in.

It really is a huge stepping stone.

>> More pay has also led to more people wanting to become lifeguards.

>> Recruiting lifeguards is difficult.

Our pay was not the greatest in the past.

This last couple of years it has been great.

>> Lifeguard Pate now starts at $18.50 per hour.

They also introduced a training program for 15-year-olds, who make $16 per hour.

>> They got to train the entire summer, they are not allowed to actively lifeguard, but they learn the tools of the trade.

>> Last year there were 1015-year-olds who signed up.

Now they are all working at -- as lifeguards.

This summer there are nine trainees.

>> The model is similar to athletics, we are grooming our junior varsity to join the varsity.

That model is a great model, it seems to be working.

Reporter: A model that might be replicated by other communities hoping to hire lifeguards.

Raven: That is going to do it for us.

Download the NJ Spotlight news podcast you can listen anytime.

from the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thanks for being with us.

We will see you on Monday.

♪ >> NJM Insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

New Jersey Realtors, the voice for real estate in New Jersey.

More information is online at NJrealtor.com.

And By the PSEG foundation.

>> Our future lies on more than clean energy.

Our future relies on and powered communities, the health and safety of our families and neighbors, our schools and streets.

The PSEG foundation Is committed to sustainability, equity, and economic empowerment.

Investing, helping towns go green, supporting civic centers, scholarships and workforce development that strengthen our community.

♪