>> Major funding for NJ Spotlight, is by NJM Insurance Group, serving insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

>> Pointing fingers of the federal government, but also saying New Jersey is not ready for the next crisis.

>> We failed as a nation and as a state.

>> Lawmakers look to fast-track new legislation reforming the open records act, advocates call it a hit on government transparency.

>> What the legislature is doing is threatening all aspects of our democracy and it is not right.

>> Not guilty, the senior senator and his wife lead not guilty to do obstruction charges as Andy Kim talks up another convention win to unseating him.

Phasing out fossil fuels, protesters keeping lawmakers honest about transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2035.

>> Is one of the most important pieces of legislation we can do to protect the environment and our future.

>> NJ Spotlight News starts right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS studios this is NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Good evening and thank you for joining us, New Jersey was unprepared for the covid-19 pandemic and remains underprepared for the next big health crisis.

That is the assessment from a long-awaited independent review of the state's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 1000 page report commissioned by the governor's office was released today.

More than four years after New Jersey recorded its first positive case of covid-19 and tens of thousands of lives were lost.

The 9 million-dollar dollar assessment from South Jersey law firm zeroed in on actions taken by the governor's office, department of health, and office of emergency management pointing out the state had a number of factors that made it right target for the outbreak.

A Senior correspondent tells us the report makes clear it was not just the garden state, but the nation that failed to adequately respond.

>> There is a quickly founded self in the epicenter of the crisis and was hit with a tsunami of cases.

>> He recounted the early days when Covid ravaged New Jersey when a care center stack 17 bodies in a makeshift morgue.

According to a new report, Covid hot officials off guard, ill-equipped and poorly informed.

The law firm produced the 9000 -- 1000 page report commissioned by Governor Murphy in 2022.

Bottom line?

>> We failed as a nation and as a state to be adequately prepared.

At the beginning of the crisis, our federal government failed to provide critical guidance as to their true nature of the Covid threat which in turn delayed New Jersey's response to the crisis.

>>'s team dug through data and interviewed more than 500 people across local stages and they talk to the governor's officials to folks in the nursing home industries with families and nurses still scarred and grieving from Covid's onslaught.

>> Our meetings were emotional and it was difficult for the state, county, local officials, service providers, and health care workers to relive the trauma that they went through given the death and suffering that they had saw.

>> Through the health officials depended on faulty CDC guidance that failed to recognize how Covid spread through the air.

That gave the virus an insurmountable and deadly head start.

Coupled with New Jersey's dense population and proximity to New York, they lack a protective Duante Wright and bad infection control protocols -- -- >> With a disproportionate impact on a and Hispanics during the course of the stage and bash -- Black and Hispanics over the course of the pandemic.

Menlo Park and Paramus at the beginning had soldiers running those facilities.

They did not have the clinical health care background whatsoever.

>> The report praises the governor's strong leadership especially his support of mass testing and vaccination.

>> It would be irresponsible for me in any way to suggest that any member of the administration was not giving their all are doing the best they could with the resources that they had.

>> The report does not point to any individual person's failure.

It is a playbook for the future for the front office and lawmakers.

>> We have this millions of dollars worth report that is making calls to action that us as members of the legislature have been begging for for four years.

>> Republicans want answers about why New Jersey's health department told nursing homes in the pandemic to accept Covid patients.

The report notes with hospitals overwhelmed, long-term care was supposed to separate clients with Covid.

>> As we spoke to folks in the industry, they thought that was confusing.

One of the things that was also going on in March of 2020 was there was not widespread testing available.

>> The report makes six major recommendations, among them is better Intel, a robust early warning system.

Enhancing and investing in local health department, training state staffers, officials must protect high-risk patients, especially the elderly, the state needs to wait impact of shutdowns on business and education and New Jersey cap and closed for too long.

Officials muust stockpile supplies.

>> Officials were acting on information that they had available at the time.

>> The governor commented the report highlights numerous examples of New Jersey's strong leadership during the crisis and identifies gaps in preparedness and structural deficiencies that must be addressed.

I know New Jersey will be better off because of this review and my administration looks forward to working with the legislature on its recommendations.

Murphy had no influence or input on the report.

New Jersey needs to learn from Covid because another pandemic will come.

Briana: It was a blockbuster day in Trenton, the Covid review report was being unveiled in one part of the State House, two legislative committees or convening in another taking up a controversial bill proposing to overhaul New Jersey's open Public records act.

It allows residents and anyone interested to access public documents.

Critics warn the fast-track bill will got transparency in government in a state known for corruption.

Its backers say the reforms are needed to help towns that get hit with onslaughts of requests.

David reports.

>> It was a packed house on a busy day for the Senate Budget Committee, on Monday morning we saw the committee releasing bills on funding that transportation trust fund and reforming the affordable housing program.

The hot topic was a bill from a chairman that makes big changes to the open Public records act.

>> A good way to start, are we good?

>> The bill which had a social media buzzing all weekend was heard in the assembly committee at the same time and drew rebukes from the New Jersey press Association, ACLU, everyone who testified was singing from the same hymnal.

>> They are going to push it right through.

That is the whole plan here.

You put this out, in no time, you push it through the committees at the same day and you schedule it for a few days later and try to show it all through before anybody sees what you are doing.

>> The definition of opra is to open up public records for the public, there is nothing in this bill that makes it easier for the public to access those records.

Everything it does increases incentives to deny records.

It shifts fees so it is more expensive for the public and advocates to access these records.

It eliminates certain kinds of records from the provision at all.

>> This is not just about government transparency, it is about quality public education, the environment, a whole host of other issues that we are able to look into because we have access to public records.

What the legislature is doing here is threatening all aspects of our democracy.

It is not right.

>> The mayor of Wood-Ridge and groups like the league of municipalities says the current law allows for onerous requests that tie up municipal clerks with commercially focused requests.

>> It addresses issues, the bill does not infringe on transparency.

It does not block public records.

It is not in the bill.

As of the bill gets vetted more, people realize that.

>> That in this room is a minority view.

A lot of stuff that was available before will not be available now?

Certain emails, graphs?

>> Well, it is an element of the log, public records -- if they want a copy of a contract, they will get the contract.

>> The present system has the resources, towns are straining trying to respond to many of these entities that make hundreds of requests.

That is a problem.

Those folks at those entities squeeze out legitimate residential requests.

There is room for reform.

I'm not ready to go on this reform right now.

>> The yes vote is not the most emphatic yes I have seen you cast?

>> The process has to continue.

Through this hearing today and through correspondences, there is more work to be done to reach something that everyone is reasonably satisfied with.

>> The bill has been on a fast-track, clearing both committees today and barring any last-minute interventions, could see a vote in both chambers on Thursday.

Briana: It was a critical day for environmental advocates in Trenton who showed up in force at the Statehouse to protest and support the clean energy bill.

The guidelines for how New Jersey will transition to the goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.

Joanna Gagis reports, watchdogs claimed there is a dirty loophole working in legislation and they are bound to remove it.

>> What do we want?

>> Clean energy!

>> A coalition of clean energy groups rallied outside of the Statehouse today ahead of a joint hearing on a bill that would have New Jersey reach 100% clean energy by 2035.

Something these groups say is critical.

>> Enshrining this commitment into law, I believe it is one of the most important pieces of legislation we can do to protect the environment and our future.

>> This is about people's health and lives.

11,000 jobs, energy security, do know the most secure energy?

The sun that falls in New Jersey!

We have laws in New Jersey!

>> Representatives from the utilities and union spoke about what they're already doing to switch to renewable energy sources like solar but when asked whether they endorse the plan they said they need to a plan -- form a plan.

>> We need a multiyear plan.

A 20 year plan with all of the players involved.

We try to figure out the right safe, reliable, most cost-efficient way to get it done.

>> Later on in this decade of supply and demand mismatch.

We are seeing fossil leave the system.

We have to get that fossil replaced by these renewable resources that are trying to find their way onto the system in order for supply and demand to match.

>> Infrastructure investments into the state's energy grid says a Republican who referenced another bill discussed today that addresses that issue.

>> It does not matter how much power you generate if you do not have the distribution system to get that power where it needs to be.

These two bills have a chicken and egg problem.

We cannot talk about revising the state's renewable energy portfolio until we talk about the electric grid modernization plan.

>> How do you get there?

How do you modernize the grid so it is ready to handle energy from renewable sources?

Several speakers but recommendations.

>> Batteries, hot water heaters, energy storage, it all has an enormous amount of flexibility of when they work.

It can substantially reduce the skill of investment and the cost of grid modernization and taking advantage of more carbon free resources.

>> We think about three different types of investment.

First is the expansion of traditional utility infrastructure.

I refer to it as the poles and wires solution.

What do we need in terms of additional infrastructure?

Have the utilities build it.

The second is utility deployment of advanced technologies on the distribution system that may reduce the need for more wires.

>> The third is investments in brand-new infrastructure that incentivizes companies and customers then move away from wires altogether.

After hours of testimony here is what the assembly committee chair walked away with.

>> I hear that we do not generate enough electricity for what we use now currently in the state of New Jersey.

We get some from outside of the state.

What I hear is that on the outside, we want more electric vehicle charging stations.

We need to promote electric vehicle use throughout the state.

>> There was no vote on the bills and the testimony highlighted the work that still needs to be done.

Briana: On the heels of today's big policy debates in Trenton governing Murphy -- Governor Murphy's ratings are holding steady.

The governor's job performance stands at 54% positive with 42% disapproving.

The results are down slightly from the start of Murphy's second term and his support is slipping among registered independent according to the polls.

When it comes to the budget, 45% of residents say they have heard about the governor's spending plan for the fiscal year.

A speech he delivered just weeks ago and the budget process kicked off today in the Statehouse with hearings in the assembly and Senate.

Hearing directly from the public and taking a first crack at how money will be spent on programs like affordable housing, allowing towns to raise property taxes beyond the current cap and raising the gas tax rates to help pay for the state's transportation trust fund.

Bob Menendez and his wife pleaded not guilty today to new obstruction of justice charges in a New York federal court.

The latest allegations are part of a 18 count indictment returned on senior -- on the senator.

They conspired with three businessmen to accept bribes of cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes in exchange for political favors.

One of the three businessmen lead not guilty but the third, Jose Uribe changed his plea to guilty two weeks ago and agreed to testify against the others at a trial set for may 6th.

The new charges stem from gifts prosecutors say they received from Jose Uribe.

The top two Democratic candidates bind to replace the senator knew their tug-of-war in -- continue their tug-of-war.

Kim received his 6th party line endorsement, in an area that he represented in his first four years in office.

He defeated the first lady 13% -- defeated the first lady.

This evening, they are battling it out for two more counties.

The conflict in the Middle East spilled into the streets of Teaneck, this is home to the state's second largest Jewish communities.

Demonstrators protested outside of an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in opposition to a real e state fair, pitching properties in the West Bank to American buyers.

They were chanting free Palestine and announcing the real estate company because Israel's settlements in the West Bank are considered legal under international law -- illegal under national law.

Many of the villas are also only available to jews.

Police had to block off streets after counter protesters showed up at the event.

One of several recently held by the group in the U.S. and Canada, organizers say the war has spurred Jewish Americans interest in buying property in Israel both to support the country and because of a rise of anti-Semitism here.

This weekend also brought more severe rainfall and flash flooding to several North Jersey towns.

In Fair Lawn more than three inches of rain fell on a Saturday alone.

To help communities prevent the damage caused by flooding, a congressman touted federal money being called back to New Jersey.

Three point $7 million that will be divvied up between several towns that deal with flash floods backing up sewer systems and leaving behind what the congressman called danger and damages paid for at the taxpayer's expence.

This will help control stormwater runoff and limit the spread of pollutants.

In another town, this will stop overflows and backups that cause property damage.

Emerson will improve drainage systems and money is slated to help others clear waterways and stop storms from causing damage to homes and businesses.

Climate experts say flooding is the most common natural disaster in New Jersey and nationwide.

The money is part of the federal bill Gottheimer back that was signed into law on Saturday.

In our spotlight on business report a possible fix to New Jersey's affordable housing dilemma.

A new report from the regional plan Association finds transit oriented development, places where housing and retail are built near communal rail stations have been a huge success for the towns that embrace it.

Ted reports, restricted zoning rules are standing in the way of getting more communities to join.

>> This town has prided itself as the brainy borough, leaders say one of the smart policies is using transit oriented development or including mixed use zoning nearest train stations.

>> We have great neighborhoods, we have a more vibrant and engaging and inviting downtown than 25 years ago, it was a dead downtown.

>> He is the former director of economic development.

He says rezoning played a huge role in revitalizing downtown Metuchen.

>> This was a service parking lot and it was more of a park-and-ride kind of facility which was ridiculous for a real downtown.

>> This is what the parking lot looked like 11 years ago.

It was replaced by or nonmetro in 2016, a massive development that includes Apartments, this is, and a parking garage to accommodate the commuters who used to park here.

>> 272 Apartments, 14,000 square feet of retail.

>> I was a former business owner before all of this happened and we were the only store in town.

Now we have many different retailers in town in addition to our vibrant restaurant business.

>> She has the current director of economic development and says more development will happen in the future.

If there is opposition, leaders have heard it before.

Plenty of people have told him Metro would be a mistake and he her concerns about traffic and more apartments.

Metuchen needed more housing downtown.

>> I say to them how do you like downtown?

They say it is great, I said yes, you have to realize none of that is possible without the downtown residential development.

That enabled all of this to happen.

>> And other municipalities replicate what this town has done?

The regional plan Association think so, the nonprofit put out a report identifying 144 New Jersey stations that could rezone and redevelop.

There are plenty of obstacles to mixed-use developments.

>> Property taxes are an issue in New Jersey and those issues are often incorrectly tied to a fear of children.

There will be more housing, more stress put on these existing local infrastructure.

>> Overcrowding and overbuilding.

It is inherent in the conversation.

>> We have become really in love with our cars and we have built an infrastructure and community around cars.

It is difficult to start to move back to the way that we have been doing things for hundreds of years.

>> Peter leads New Jersey future, he says there transit part of transit oriented development might be the most important part of it.

>> It is important to rebuild a community that is walkable, likable, people have access to the transit, transit is an important focal point.

What makes Metuchen work is not just the train station, it is a mix of uses there and people living there.

>> Advocates saying building mixed use could also cut down on traffic, we will see if other communities embrace transit oriented development and embrace the approach used in the touch and.

-- in Metuchen.

Briana: Stocks slid to start the week as investors await crucial inflation data.

Here is how the markets are closed today.

>> Support for the business report provided by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, announcing its business Summit and Expo March 26th and 27th.

Details online at NJ chamber.com.

♪ Briana: That does it for us tonight, do not forget to download the NJ Spotlight news podcast you can listen anytime.

For the entire NJ Spotlight news team, thank you for being with us, have a great evening and we will see you back here tomorrow night.

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

And RWJBarnabas Health, let's be healthy together.

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We are proud to be part of New Jersey.

NJM, we have got New Jersey covered.

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