Gov. Phil Murphy laid out what he believes to be his accomplishments in a 37-minute State of the State speech on Tuesday. But he led with the statement that New Jersey “remains on a war footing against a virus that has now taken on a form that is overwhelming our collective psyche as it tests our state.” Acknowledging the frustrations that many are experiencing as we enter year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy re-declared a public health emergency to respond to the pandemic. He also touted that close-to-90% of those eligible in New Jersey have received at least one vaccine dose and 75% have received two shots.
Describing the state as “fairer and stronger,” Murphy said taxes were cut 14 times in his first term and he promised not to raise them in the next budget proposal he presents. He said that he’s moving the state forward with new policies in gun safety, environmental issues, crime reform, a revamping of NJ Transit and a raising of the minimum wage.
