Briana: Tonight on NJ Spotlight News.

A big blue wave, not the red one, as they moved to see old most of the power in Trenton.

What was it that ultimately drove the people of New Jersey to the polls?

>> While economic issues of the fundamentals, but it is the icing on top that attracts voters in this year it is culture wars.

Briana: A lame duck session with unfinished business from the statehouse.

>> There are too many bills that would make our democracy stronger and prioritize racial and social justice.

Briana: And getting the lead out.

>> I go to bed with a lead on the bring and wake up the same way.

Briana:Briana: Billions of dollars replacing lead lines in 10 towns across the garden state.

NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

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And by the PSEG foundation.

♪ [typewriter typing] ♪ >> From NJPBS, this NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Good evening and thank you for joining us tonight.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

Democrats swept the state with a string of legislative wins and battleground districts across New Jersey, solidifying the party control of power in Trenton under a newly drawn legislative map and expanding their majority by picking up five seats in the assembly.

Including one in the deeply red 30th district.

Two big wins came from South Jersey for now Senators elect and a huge victory at the Jersey shore in District 11 for the incumbent Democrat.

Democrats won by big margins in North and Central Jersey.

The loss was unexpected for Republicans who went into the general election feeling confident with hopes of capitalizing on the momentum of 2021 when the GOP was able to gain seven seats in the legislature.

The party did manage to hold on to a handful of important incumbent seats and make pickups at the county level across New Jersey but it was not a match for Democratic fundraising with early get out the vote efforts and as David Cruz reports, hitting on the issues that mattered the most to those who went to the polls.

>> The biggest thing is the issues we have raised of the once voters want to talk about and we have change the dialogue in the state.

>> The state Republican chairman sounded like the man on the edge of a big night for his party.

Within two hours it was clear state voters were having a totally different conversation.

Instead of a red wave, Tuesday's election results solidified the hold by Democrats on the state legislature.

Republicans seem to have Democrats on the offensive leading into election day.

>> Our polling was showing us the Republicans would win on culture wars and were motivating the base and getting extra voters to come out because of that.

The Democrats needed to counter that.

>> The third District where one candidate had some of the most strident rhetoric, he returned busy to Democrats and said the comments on abortion especially resonated.

>> I think women's issues played a big part in this race.

My opponent said some things that offended women and they rallied to say to him that is not something we accept or we will have.

I think that was the driving issue.

>> How are you feeling tonight?

>> I am feeling great.

I love this guy.

>> Governor Murphy was exuberant as he joined the winter who beat back a torrent of negative advertising and outright false charges to not only become the first to win a third term but to return the assembly seat to Democratic control, adding two Democratic women to the lower chamber, and says Governor Murphy confirming the message of the Democrats had home.

>> It is huge.

It is a huge validation of our collective agenda.

He has been extraordinary.

They are extraordinary.

This is a big night for Democrats and a big night.

Thank you.

>> What about the response, the Republicans latched onto the culture wars this year?

>> They were wrong.

They clearly were wrong.

>> You look around and probably 30 people here are registered Republicans.

They were tired of the Monmouth County and state Republican Party culture wars and trying to tear school districts apart.

They want to talk about the residents here in the overwhelming near 60% that supported our ticket, talk about mental health care funding, teacher shortages, taxes, affordability, civility, bringing people together and not tearing them apart and this should be allowed message for our opposition.

>> For Republicans a period of soul-searching and perhaps some political purging are about to begin.

>> They are not cool with the vibe we put out.

>> He is one a few Republicans to come out smiling last night and said the Trump-inspired messaging of some fellow Republicans was offputting, even if voters agreed with some of the core of the message.

>> We have to be trusted first.

Second when we talk about an issue, you don't do it in a mean-spirited way in soundbites.

You want to talk about the issue of parental rights?

OK. Talk about it.

Don't act as if transgender children should not have rights.

>> Not exactly the tone Republicans have been pushing for the past year, but after last night, he thinks that the take for Republican should be, the room.

I am David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Democrats said they took her-learned lessons from 2021 and two less nights election that prevented a GOP-went from materializing but also low turnout, primarily the party faithful showing up at the polls , so what really made the difference for those who cast a ballot?

Joining me now are appalled Director for Monmouth University Patrick Murray and the director of the Eagleton Institute of politics.

Ashley and Patrick, thank you for coming back on the show after what was a late night for everyone.

Democrats did not just hold on to their majority, they actually picked up seats last night.

How did this happen?

Patrick: Yeah, it is kind of a surprise because turnout was not much bigger overall statewide Bennett had been four years ago with an election turnout of only 27% of registered voters but it was big and Monmouth County in the 11th District, big in Gloucester County where the third and fourth district resulted in a pick up and hold on or the Democrats.

So they turned up voters where they need to turn voters out.

As the polling showed by Ashley and myself that while economic issues are always the fundamentals of the cake that is an election, it is the icing on the top that tracks voters and this year it was about culture wars and Democrats were able to make a big difference in those key races.

Briana: Let's talk about that pulled the truck yesterday just in time for the election which turned on its head what a lot of analysts had been talking about meeting up to the election that these culture were issues were going to play a big role galvanizing the base.

What infected galvanized voters?

Ashley: Well, the voters said it was the economy and taxes.

It has been on the top of their minds parentally in the 50 years we have been polling and especially the cost and affordability.

Those for their top answers and went as how much it would factor into their vote 80% plus New Jersey registered voters said it would play a major factor.

In comparison the majority said the same about abortion and when it came to parental involvement in education.

Patrick: Our motto should be lit and let live.

-- live and let live.

We don't want you getting into our business.

Republicans were successful in the cap that at best kept about at bait that New Jersey Republicans were different Republican focused on core bread-and-butter issues.

That is not the case anymore.

If they're going to get back to winning anything in the state, it has to get rid of that populism, Trumpism culture wars issues that have been driving the party nationwide and now here in New Jersey for the last few years.

Briana: Ashley, I see you nodding your head and take it that you agree, and we talked about whether the abortion issue and estate like -- a state like New Jersey where it is settled law would come into play and wonder if it was one of the culture war topics that drew the Democratic base out?

Ashley: It is the internationalization of politics throughout the country and now pervading into New Jersey as well since 2021.

The reason the 2021 gubernatorial election was so close is because those comments and issues were called at the end.

We have to see how the numbers play out, especially turnout, younger voters, women, the vote.

Those will be the numbers as we dig into them more but this has been a driving force in the 2022 midterms and around the country last night.

Just look at Ohio so more impactful for the Democrats than the Republican's culture wars messaging.

Briana: All right.

Thank you so much.

The wins and losses are in the rearview mirror from lawmakers who are can be -- being confronted by two dozen progressive groups from the state over bills and priorities they want to see legislators get to work on right away.

Our Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis has that story.

>> We have 28 organizations in nearly 100 volunteers across the state who will be hand delivering our peoples lame duck agenda to every single legislative office.

>> In a rare display of solidarity nearly 30 social justice groups gathered for a virtual event to call out Trenton lawmakers, most of whom just won reelection last night, for leading 20 bills installed that would have tremendous impact, in particular working-class families in black and brown communities.

>> It is time to get back in to keep working on behalf of the people of New Jersey.

There are too many bills that would make our democracy stronger and they prioritize racial and social justice that have languished for the better part of two years.

>> Close to 20 bills the group said were written but never given a hearing or pushed through on issues like police reforms.

>> That is the Senate version of 5326 that would establish programs as an alternative to police response for substance abuse and behavioral health calls.

Were asking them to to codify the use directive.

>> That directive came from the previous Attorney General.

>> It police would strengthen protections against police use of force in the state beyond administration.

>> They focus like jury service for the formerly incarcerated.

>>>> Almost a quarter of the population is prevented from serving on a jury.

The jury service bill would ensure that individuals who have served their time and regained their freedom had the opportunity to serve on a jury.

The right to a jury of one's peers is at the core of our justice system and democracy.

>> In creating voter rights and access.

>> Several reports yesterday about voters who miss the registration deadline which is 21 days before the election for one reason or another and they were essentially disenfranchised and forced to sit out and be on the sidelines of our democracy.

It does not need to be that way especially when we have all of the tools we need to implement same-day voter registration.

>> Other bills would address this Governor Torres house appraisal practices.

>> They limit the ability of New Jerseyans of color and black residents to build intergenerational wealth and homeownership.

The appraisals bill seeks to rectify this by protecting against appraisal discrimination.

>> Numerous calls to action for increased emigrant protections.

>> Outsider influence at the bouts -- ballot box demonstrates the promise of immigrants fighting for racial, social and economic justice.

Our community stand ready to demand access and visibility through data and protection from deportation with the values back.

>> And calls for text changes of making the corporate business tax surcharge permitted to fund transit.

>> New Jersey and our partners have been fighting to make sure we do not give a great $1 billion to the most profitable corporations.

At the expense of working New Jerseyans.

Last night New Jersey was clear instead of our legislature looking over our shoulder, we should look forward with the transformational vision for our state.

>> They cite the time to act is now in this lame duck session to push these bills over the finish line like the legislators promised.

Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: In fact it has been more than four months since any legislation has been pasts to New Jersey as lawmakers have not met for committees or vote since the budget passed at the end of June.

When they returned to Trenton later this month it could be one of the most consequential lame-duck sessions in years.

Our finance writer joins us now with a look at is what is on the to do list.

John, good to see you.

The dust has barely settled from the selection but have a lot of work to do.

What is lingering on the agenda they have not gotten to in the last few months?

Win their -- John: There are a host of issues put to the side before the legislature wrote for the summer and then to get ready for this election, so whether we talk about the reforms that have been much discussed when we look at the veterans homes in New Jersey which faced a lot of issues during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the clean energy legislation, that was an issue that percolated a little bit during the election but actually there is policy up for debate when it comes to the climate change response and the governors clean energy agenda still up upper pending in the legislature.

Judicial vacancies.

The court system is still bogged down with openings at the Superior Court level when it comes to filling the ranks of the judges.

Teacher shortage.

We have concerns about NJ transit's long-term financial health to take that on whether in the lame-duck or the next fiscal year remains to be seen, but a, -- a whole host of issues, then lawmakers introduced a whole batch of bills that could also play out.

Briana: As is typical for lame-duck?

This has been a particularly long stretch of inactivity.

John: We have seen it before with lawmakers trying to avoid anything upsetting that could upset voters take these long pauses.

Perhaps this year is different because we have a lot of turnover that will happen not necessarily as a result of the election but we have lawmakers who already announced they were retiring, so we will have a new crop coming in in January, but also lawmakers who will have to cast votes and then not live with the consequences and face voters once again because they are stepping down.

Briana: With that turnover it is a quarter of the entire legislature that retired or running for a different seat.

So, are there any issues that could completely languished because lawmakers will be out of his seat not too long from now?

John: Yep that it's a really good question because on one hand it gives them the flexibility to maybe do something that could be really good public policy debate might -- they might not feel like they have leeway to do when having to run for reelection.

On the other hand there could be policies that are difficult to get to the finish line that are not so much public policy that they feel emboldened to vote for because I don't have to answer to voters anymore.

Briana: So we might expect to see more controversial topics coming up?

John:John: I would not rule it out.

Briana: Thanks.

22 Democrats including Josh Gottheimer broke with the party and that vote late Tuesday night joining House Republicans to censure Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of Congress.

The vote formally rebukes the Michigan Democrats comments about the Israel-Hamas war in the use of the slogan "from the river to the sea," which critics say is a rallying cry for the destruction of Israel, while others see it as a call for freedom and liberation for the Palestinian people.

She is accused of promoting false narratives around the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel in which more than 1400 people were killed and hundreds taken hostage five the militant group including Americans unaccounted for.

It is a punishment considered one step below expulsion in Congress.

Robert Menendez said the vote unfairly targets our Congress member's right to free speech though called her words objectionable.

The congresswoman emotionally defended her words on the house floor saying her criticism has always been of the Israeli government as she has called for a cease-fire and says diverse voices are being silenced for standing up for human rights.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by the war, most civilians, though the White House has cast doubt on those numbers.

Turning now to Wall Street for our spotlight on business report.

Stock struggled after a week-long rally snapping the longest winning streak in roughly two years.

Analysts say that may have to do with words of caution from some of the more hawkish members of the Federal Reserve about whether interest rates that Pete.

-- Peaked.

Here are today's closing trading numbers.

♪ Briana: Well, every lead and galvanized service line in New Jersey needs to be replaced over the next several years, and now 10 towns are getting help from the Biden administration to speed up the process of replacing those lines.

This week officials from the EPA dropped into the Garden State to announce a new partnership that will remove the old pipes and ensure that residents have access to safe drinking water.

Brenda Flanagan has the story.

>> I go to bed with lead on the brained and I wake up the same way.

Brenda: this Trenton community organizers says like many, she had the drinking water service lines to her dads home checked from that last year amid the effort to maintain quality standards.

It has also been working to replace the lead months with critical work.

>> When I saw the pipes servicing my water like a straw I was disturbed and sick to my stomach.

For years I was drinking and cooking with water that was coming from a corroded service line.

Lead wasn't leaching into the water and coming into our home.

>> We are in the second phase that led service line replacement, and while our money is drying out we hope to get some federal assistance and grant money to finish the job.

Brenda: across New Jersey local water utilities face a state deadline to find and replace lead service lines within the next eight years.

This week the EPA announced that led service line replacement accelerator program that will help 10 New Jersey towns meet their goals.

New Brunswick is about 25% done.

>> It is painstaking.

It is somewhat expensive.

And it is labor-intensive.

Brenda: statewide New Jersey has an estimated 143,000 lead service lines that need to be replaced in one million more of unknown composition.

There is money to fix it in the infrastructure ball set aside $15 billion.

>> We have ended up with $150 million approximate for the last two years for New Jersey and that will continue.

>> It's not just enough to allocate resources, you have to help communities access the dollars.

>> You have dated records from well over 100 years ago that do not completely sure you wear those lines are, so we are investing resources to partner the water systems with the consultant to help them hold their hand throughout the process, and if you are a capacity-stretch community with a tiny budget, the idea of adding this one more task to the long list of things local governments need to do, it might be overwhelming, set that is why we will help get it done for you.

Brenda: tapping into the fund requires towns to collect data.

How many lead service lines do they had to replace?

Where are they?

What is the plan?

>> The plan will help smaller communities that know they have a problem but are not sure on where it is and do not have the funding to be able to fix led service line's.

Brenda: New Jersey is one of four states participating in the EPA accelerator program.

The fast persuading folks to sign up, check their pipes, and upload information towns can use to map out a plan.

>> He can't just>> tell people to do it.

You have to be there with the people going through these things and showing up and educating and letting them why they are doing this.

Brenda: she explains to families that there is no safe lead levels, especially for kids.

In New Brunswick, Brenda Flanagan, Uber.

--Uber -- NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: That will do it for night.

Check us out tomorrow.

Former Governor McGreevy talks about the New Jersey city mayoral run.

That is Thursday 6:00 p.m. on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

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

We will see you back here tomorrow night.

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Our members are our neighbors, friends, and families in here when you need us the most.

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What do you see?

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