Even as the governor is lifting the school mask mandate next month, later this week he will also extend the statewide public health emergency for another 30 days. Murphy’s emergency powers have become a rallying point among the state GOP, who say that the governor is ruling without the Legislature’s input. Now, members of his own party say they’re ready to consider a change.
“Decisions are made behind closed doors without any sort of public discourse, input or even the ability to have conversations as to the efficacy of some of the mandates that have been put forth,” said Sen. Holly Schepisi. Schepisi, a Republican, is a co-sponsor of a bill put forth by Sen. Declan O’Scanlon that would curb the governor’s ability to declare the states of emergency that have given him carte blanche over major public health and other areas.
