Keep Your Eyes On NJ's Pandemic Investigation, Republican Senator Says

NEW JERSEY — According to Sen. Kristin Corrado, it’s good that an independent review will be doing a deep dive into New Jersey’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The bad part? It took nearly three years to finally get the ball rolling, the Republican state lawmaker said.

On Tuesday, Corrado – who represents the state’s 40th Legislative district (Bergen, Essex, Passaic counties) – gave a metaphorical eye roll to a recent announcement from Gov. Phil Murphy about the upcoming review.

“It’s sad that it took nearly three years, scathing reports of continued mismanagement at our veterans homes, and the loss of federal funds for Governor Murphy to finally realize he can’t avoid some measure of accountability for his pandemic failures,” said Corrado, who has been a consistent critic of the governor’s COVID-19 policies.

“We deserve full transparency on how the firms were hired to conduct the review, what they will review or ignore, and the information used to make any determinations,” Corrado said.

“This shouldn’t preclude an independent legislative investigation that should have access to all of the documents, statements, and testimony that will be considered by the firms hired by the governor, some of which has been denied previously to the public, legislators and the press when requested via OPRA,” she added.

• See related article: Sen. Pennacchio Says NJ Needs To Open The Books On COVID Pandemic

The recently redrawn 40th district includes the following municipalities: Franklin Lakes, Ridgewood and Wyckoff in Bergen County; Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Verona in Essex County; Hawthorne, Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne and Woodland Park in Passaic County.

Murphy’s office said the review will analyze the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the “state of readiness” in early 2020, and how New Jersey officials responded to the challenges that emerged over the last three years.

The review, which will contain recommendations to enhance the state's preparedness for a future public health crisis, will be conducted by management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group and a team at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, will be led by Paul Zoubek, who served as first assistant attorney general during the administrations of Republican governors Christie Whitman and Donald DiFrancesco.

New Jersey is the first state in the nation to commission an “independent and comprehensive review on the COVID-19 pandemic,” the governor’s office said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the biggest challenges our state – and nation – has ever faced,” Murphy said. “Throughout the pandemic, my responsibility as governor demanded that I make every decision based on the available data, facts, and science in order to preserve the health and safety of all 9.3 million residents, regardless of the politics. My responsibility as governor also demands a full and comprehensive review of how the state was prepared for and responded to the pandemic, so that we can take the steps to better prepare future administrations for a public health crisis.”

“While COVID-19 is still present in our state, nation, and world, we have moved from the pandemic to the endemic phase, and now is the right time to undertake such an independent review,” Murphy added.

The results of the probe are expected to be released in late 2023.

• See related article: 'Better Late Than Never,' Sen. Corrado Says As NJ Lifts COVID Mandate
• See related article: GOP Senator Wants To Ban COVID Vaccine Mandates In NJ Schools

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