>> Major funding for "NJ Spotlight News" is provided in part by NJM insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

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And by the PSEG foundation.

Briana: Tonight on "NJ Spotlight News," New Jersey's controversial county line may finally be abolished as pending lawsuits get closer to amending the long-standing ballot structure.

Jersey City mayor says he has a plan to build the price you are tender even after the state pull the plug, but who is footing the bill?

>> Our city deserves more than vague assurances and hidden numbers.

We deserve transparency, accountability, and decisions made with long-term interests at heart.

Briana: Civil mayors across the state file a suit to overturn the affordable housing law signed by Governor Murphy this year.

>> We need to find a way to end this dispute.

I think a lot of them feel troubled by the idea that they have to do it with not enough resources, not enough help, nobody helping them navigate this, or giving them reasonable timelines.

Briana: And legendary rock star and it New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi is being celebrated as a hero.

His remarkable act that saved a life.

"NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

>> From NJ PBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Good evening and thanks for joining us this Thursday night.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

We begin with a few key stories where following.

The county line ballot fight may soon be over.

Wellington and Middlesex Counties reached a proposed settlement in the lawsuit brought by Congressman Andy Kim seeking to permanently ban the county line ballot, which research has shown gives an advantage to candidates backed by powerful political machines.

The settlements still need a judge's approval and there are more than a dozen other counties party to the suit, but the agreements would prevent ballots from a grouping candidates in any way other than by the office they are seeking, or from bracketing party-endorsed candidates together who are running for different offices.

Congressman Kim sued most of the County Clerk clerks in February during a primary fight with first lady Tammy Murphy.

In a statement today, he said he was "hopeful this would spark momentum to get other counties on board."

Also tonight, homeowners still trying to recover from flood damage three years after the remnants of hurricane Ida drenched the state will have to wait a little longer for any financial relief.

Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed a bill that would have offered mortgage forbearance on properties that still aren't livable.

The bill was passed unanimously by lawmakers in June and would have also halted foreclosure proceedings.

Those are two items recovery advocates have set are critical in helping people around the state get back on their feet.

But the governor to explain his veto with concerns that the bill was written in a way where it could be easily abused because it required forbearance be given to any eligible homeowner who recently sends a written request to their mortgage lender.

Murphy also asked lawmakers to add a requirement that homeowners looking for relief in role first in a state disaster recovery program and have their application reviewed before the help is granted.

The bill now goes back to state lawmakers to consider Murphy's changes.

Also tonight, the newest U.S.

Senator from New Jersey is hitting the ground running.

After being sworn into office on Monday, Senator George Helm introduced a couple of new bills, including leading the Senate effort to rename the bridge in Overlook Park at Pattison's Great Falls after the late Congressman Bill Pascrell.

Representative Frank Pallone introduced the idea in the house.

Then on Thursday, Helmy teamed up with former boss turned calling Senator Cory Booker, introducing ability provide free cancer screenings for firefighters.

It would fund early detection and preventative tests for professional and volunteer firefighters nationwide.

Helmy is feeling the unexpired term of convicted former Senator Bob Menendez, but he is only expected to be there until late November once the votes are certified for the winner of the general election.

Helmy did it temporarily resigned from his job in the private-sector, but he is not planning on stepping down as the Port Authority Commissioner.

You can read more about that from our Washington, D.C., correspondent on our website.

And workers fighting to ban smoking on Atlantic City's casino floors are taking their argument to the state's highest court.

The union representing casino dealers, slot machine attendants, and other casino workers on Wednesday asked New Jersey's supreme court to consider their request.

It comes about a week after a lower or judge dismissed their lawsuit seeking to end smoking in all nine casinos.

The group of workers who call themselves casino employees against smoking effects said in the filing they believe excluding casino workers from the state wideband -- statewide ban on indoor smoking is "blatant favoritism for a powerful industry."

As the court case moves forward, casino workers are lobbying for a legislative solution which got a boost yesterday after assembly Republicans issued a public statement announcing they would've joined with Democrats to help pass the bill.

Both chambers held hearings on the issue, but the bill never made it for a floor vote.

Now the GOP is calling on the Democratic majority to take action.

Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop isn't giving up on his hopes to bring a controversial French art museum to town.

He's reviving the plan despite the state pulling financial support.

After saying the numbers just didn't add up.

Now to make it happen, he wants to partner with the questioner families real estate group I -- Kushner families real-estate group.

As Ted Goldberg reports, the idea is raising skepticism on the local counsel.

>> We've been waiting around for years for new development and we don't feel that we are part of what is going on.

Ted: Last night's council meeting ran for more than four hours, with much of the time spent debating a new proposal to bring the museum to Jersey City.

>> generational investment for years to come, with one week of notice to deliberate on a couple weeks to decide upon, is the most irresponsible aspect of arts planning I have ever heard of.

>> it just really amazes me when things get rushed through and what things we have to take time to do.

Who things get rushed through for.

Ted: after losing state funding to bring the museum to Jersey City, Mayor Steve Fulop has pitched a new plan involving 30 years of tax abatements, something Jersey City hasn't given out in nearly a decade.

>> The city will make an $11 million more per year because of this cultural institution being there.

From dollars and cents standpoint we will benefit from that.

Ted: the museum would go on his side, where the only argue find it now is graffiti spray-painted on the side of the garage.

Fulop says the city would benefit from a 30-year pilot agreement, or payments in lieu of taxes.

But the city Council does not support it unanimously.

>> You are asking taxpayers to front of the bill for this.

I feel like it is being forced down our throat.

>> We have been having dialogues with the community around this program for five years.

>> which community?

>> Everybody -- Ted: the ordinance to create the museum survived the first reading yesterday, but counsel people like Frank Gilmore and locals asked pointed questions about the plan's financials.

>> How is it that they can have a projected amount of dispersed tax revenue and as an administration we cannot calculate what money is coming in?

>> It's hard to believe that detailed financial projections and comparisons don't exist.

The question is why aren't these being shared with you, our elected representatives, or the public.

>> We have seen promises of development and prosperity, yet time and again these arguments seem to benefit developers more than our community.

Ted: councilman James Solomon voted against the plan.

He says Pompidou in theory is a good idea, but he doesn't think a 30-year tax abatement is the best use of resources.

>> I think the city's better served by saying this didn't work out, we have got to hunker down, make sure we're spending our money on the core things that city residents are asking for from 2022 to 2024, property taxes have gone up 40% on homeowners.

We are in a different place is a budget situation.

>> Our streets are in desperate need of paving, there is severe lack of parking, and the resources that could go towards improving the quality of life for residents are instead being funneled into tax abatements for developers.

Ted: Mayor Fulop spoke for more than an hour at a caucus meeting earlier this week.

But some in Jersey City want to hear more information about the proposal.

>> while the idea of a cultural Artspace and the prospect of new jobs are appealing, these attractive propositions lactate without ironclad guarantees and -- lack teeth without ironclad guarantees and stringent mechanisms in place.

>> my ability to look forward to this has essentially been taken away from me because the city will not share information about what the actual vision is.

Ted: in response to the story, the Centre Pompidou in France tells us there dialogue is continuing with the city.

But it is too early for them to say more.

In Jersey City, I'm Ted Goldberg, "NJ Spotlight News."

Briana: a heads-up for New Jersey's roughly 600 school districts.

You may soon be forced to merge or share services, as lawmakers try to rein in the rising costs of funding schools.

State Senator Vin Gopal is working on legislation that will require school consolidation, and he says and save money by cutting back on administrative and even professional costs.

For example, in the 2022 tax year, more than half of the $32 billion towns and counties collected in property taxes went solely to schools.

Sen. Gopal is planning to introduce the bill as early as next month, but it is going to be a tough sell.

He joins me now with more on how he plans to do it.

Sen. Gopal, it's good to see you.

I don't have to tell you that school mergers is our goal of -- that has been talked about for years, and it has yet to be achieved in a meaningful way that saves the state a lot more money.

What is your proposal look like so far?

Sen. Gopal: sure, good to be with you, Briana.

New Jersey has over 600 school districts.

We have talked about this as a state for a long time.

We have talked a lot as it relates to incentives.

It's just not working.

I think we are at a unique point right now where with over 600 school districts, hundreds of government agencies in between, a lot of bureaucracy, New Jersey having the most segregated school districts in the country, the time now is to mandate it.

As chairman of the Senate education committee, I'm going to do everything I can to mandate consolidation the next two years.

Briana: That's pretty bold, if I do say so.

You are not looking at necessarily a ballot initiative or other incentives, but mandating it you are saying is on the table in order to achieve this.

Sen. Gopal: Yes.

Everybody talks about New Jersey's high cost, affordability crisis.

And when we look again, 600-plus school districts, health care broker, waste management, snow removal, I.T., administrative costs, we have school district are as small as 200 to 300 students, and they have the same academic buildings they have worked 20% of those buildings are filled.

I understand New Jersey's addiction to home rule, but one we are facing the highest property taxes in the country, it's time to mandate consolidation and start moving districts towards mandating, especially when they are district that are less than 500 students, as well as regional icing and sharing these costs at a countywide level when it comes to sharing administrative costs.

Briana: How do you plan on getting your colleagues on board with this unjust local governments on board -- and just local governments on board?

Sen. Gopal: It's the old saying -- everybody loves consolidation, they just don't love it in their backyard.

We will show them the savings, we will show them the efficiencies.

When you have two school district, K to 8 and then the regional high school and the child if they are not even coordinating the curricula with the regional high school and a totally different Board of Education.

There is so much.

New Jersey has great public schools, and we can create just keep the great quality of public education, but we can't make New Jersey more affordable.

When we talk around the country and friends in other states, New Jersey has way too much government.

School districts, parking authorities, 550 municipalities.

To say that this is the most effective way to have school district with 200 to 300 kids, are they getting a thorough and efficient education?

Absolutely not.

Briana: but you feel confidently or at least strongly that by showing them the information you will be able to persuade folks who have pushed back against this for many years?

Sen. Gopal: I think this is going to be a very tough lift.

I'm not at all thinking this is going to be easy.

But I'm going to lobby, I'm going to campaign, and I'm going to do it.

Incentives do not work.

Saying that we are going to give you funds or help from the state has not worked.

We need to mandate this.

I have a school district that has gone from 600 students down to 200 students in the last decade.

How can that be -- how can -- they are losing state funding, they are not provided proper mental health services, they are not provided proper special education services.

They cannot exist as a school district anymore.

We have to look at that across the state.

Briana: We will be checking back with you on that.

Senator Vin Gopal, thank you so much.

Sen. Gopal: thank you.

Briana: in our "Spotlight on Business" report, we are learning about the multi-count effort to push back against the affordable housing law.

It comes after Governor Murphy in March signed a bill mandating counts to plan affordable housing units based on state recommendations.

Several Mayors say the state is stiffing them on the resources needed to make those homes possible bit Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has the story.

Brenda: Montvale is an affluent town with predictably pricey real estate.

On Zillow, homes list to well over a million dollars.

But Montvale officials claim there is no convenient acreage for more affordable housing, and they have gone to court, suing the state over a brand-new lot they say would unfairly make them plan and build units for moderate- and low-income folks.

>> As of now as it is, we are at Max.

Brenda: You're saying there is no more room for anymore people?

>> We would have to -- we have to look at the land, the entire town, the entire region.

Surrounding cams are also building.

Brenda: The mayor says Montvale has built 365 affordable units in the last five years.

His lawsuit argues more affordable housing imposed by the state would burden Montvale's taxpayers, its roads and schools, without providing any resources to pay for it, the so-called unfunded mandate, says attorney Michael Collins.

>> It imposes costs upon municipalities.

In the 1990's the people of New Jersey adopted a constitutional amendment that prohibits the legislature from imposing local mandates on municipalities.

Brenda: So far eight towns -- more are expected -- have joined on fail in the controversial -- have joined a in the controversial lawsuit, which argues the regulateds are fundamentally flawed.

The town wants more time to develop their own plans.

>> We need more affordable housing, but we need to plan it smiley.

Let us be involved.

Brenda: So how much time do you want?

What do you need to get this plan together?

>> at least three years.

Brenda: Critics charge affluent towns are trying to drag out the implementation of this new law, that they are banking on the court challenge taking years to resolve.

>> It's really a smokescreen for them not wanting to provide affordable housing for some and they are admitting that.

They are saying we want a delay.

Brenda: Advocate Adam Gordon knows that Jerzy is phasing in affordable housing crisis.

It needs more units now.

The state is expected to advise towns next month how much affordable housing they are expected to build under the new law, says it's a sponsor, Senator Troy Singleton.

>> Brenda, I tell you, every single day in my office we receive a call from someone, whether it is apparent, recent grad, senior, you name it, someone disabled are struggling to find housing.

What this lawsuit says is let's take this version of the American dream and keep it out of reach for people just because they don't look a certain way or have a certain amount of money in the bank account.

Brenda: The law exempts some urban cities including Newark from affordable housing quotas.

Mayor Ras Baraka disagrees.

He says every cow needs to build to address the housing crisis.

-- town needs to build to address the housing crisis.

>> We need to end this dispute and get some housing in the ground.

I don't think all cities in the state of New Jersey are refusing to build affordable housing.

I just don't see that.

I think a lot of them feel troubled by the idea that they have to do it with not enough resources, not enough help, nobody helping them navigate this or giving them reasonable timelines.

>> To classify us as an umbrella of the wealthy town that don't want poor people in, absolutely wrong.

Brenda: Got you.

>> Insulting, actually.

Brenda: The suit was filed in Mercer County Superior Court.

No hearing has been scheduled yet.

In Montvale, I'm Brenda Flanagan, "NJ Spotlight News."

>> Support for the business report is provided by Riverview Jazz, presenting the first annual Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 14, at exchange Place Plaza in Jersey City.

Performance schedule and further details at this event can be found online at Riverviewjazz.

org.

Briana: two New Jersey college students are taking on the next big battle in the effort to keep our water clean.

The Princeton grad students greeted a first of its kind filtration system removing micro plastics from water sources.

Now they are putting it into action for the first time ever, partnering with the Atlantic County utilities Authority to install and test their filter.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis spoke with the students about how it could be a game changer for people living in the state.

>> why are we focusing on micro plastics?

There are two factors that make them very alarming.

One, they are pervasive.

They are in lakes, rivers, oceans, they are everywhere.

And once they are leached into the environment, it is almost impossible to collect them again.

>> There is also no develop system to filter micro plastics out of water, at least until now .

That is the work of the cofounders of POlygon, who met while graduate students at Princeton University.

They developed a prototype that is being piloted at the event account utilities Authority.

>> Ultimately we came up with the idea of how can we simulate or emulate the effects of these synthetic means?

Joanna: BAnks says they studied aquatic plants that attract micro plastics but die in the process so they built this model that has the same effect.

>> We landed on proprietary silicon that we develop in our lab.

You can keep this in the water for around two weeks before it really starts to build up any algae or significant wildlife formation on it.

But it also sticks really strongly to micro plastics, so we consider it an ideal material to go forward with.

Joanna: They reached out to more than 100 organizations with their prototype the only one to get them a chance to move forward was the ACUA, which has a water treatment plant on the side of the state's first commercial wind farm and solar canopy, proof, says the president, that they are consistently forward thinking.

They agreed to a one-year pilot to test the design and gather data.

>> This is the new contaminant we are concerned about.

This is something that when we were worried about getting sick from raw wastewater, that is a thing of the past.

The new thing is these plastics we are ingesting that everybody in this room or in this tent or outside have micro plastics in your blood.

Joanna: In fact, they are found in our hearts, rivers, brain tissue, even breastmilk.

>> Many of the additives are endocrine disruptors or carcinogenic.

Joanna: To make the pilot program possible, Polygon secured $1.9 million through a national seed grant and 370,000 dollars in funding through the New Jersey commission on science, innovation, and technology, CSIT, with funds from the New Jersey Board of Public utilities.

>> the success of this pilot could have far-reaching implications for how we address plastic waste on a global scale.

>> Once you got the micro plastics on it, you can take them off, remove them, reuse the filter.

Joanna: The filters are cleaned once a week using simple dish detergent.

The dual filter system allows one set to be working while the other is being cleaned.

>> It's a very simple, straightforward process.

You need to be shaken around for two to three minutes to extract the vast majority of microplastics.

Joanna: The microplastics are gathered and sent to a company that changes their form from a polymer to carotene that can be used in pharmaceuticals.

What are the ideal spaces that you can set up this system in?

>> That's a very good question.

A lot of treatment facilities do not have open channels, so many of them are inside, and that would not be ideal for this current iteration of the system.

But I do believe that the silicone dish using fibrous silicone can be applied within a pipe system.

Joanna: Polygon plans to use this year at ACUA to refine their materials, the process, and the ways they can implement this system across a number of different water treatment facilities.

In Atlantic City, I'm Joanna Gagis, "NJ Spotlight News."

Briana: And finally tonight, legendary rock star and New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi is getting praise from around the world for helping to prevent the tragedy by talking a woman off the ledge of a bridge yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee.

It happened while the 62-year-old Grammy-winning singer was shooting a music video on a public pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River.

Video footage released shows the musician and a member of his team approaching and talking to the woman.

There is no audio on the video, but a minute later, Bon Jovi can be seen helping her climb to the other side of the barrier and then embracing the woman in a hug after she was safe.

Nashville police hailed his life-saving move, saying in a statement on social media, "it takes all of us to keep each other safe."

It certainly does.

If you or somebody you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide can you can call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis led fine.

That is going to do it for us tonight.

But before you go, a reminder to download the "NJ Spotlight News" podcast so you can this into us anytime.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire team at "NJ Spotlight News," thanks for being with us, have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

>> New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

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More information is online at njrealtor.com.

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