In his farewell address before the New Jersey Legislature on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy declared that the Garden State is stronger after his eight years in office.
Murphy, who leaves office next Tuesday, repeatedly argued the state is “stronger and fairer” than it was when he took office in 2018 and said he’s fulfilled his campaign promises. The 64-minute State of the State address touted the increase in the minimum wage, full payments into the pension system, lower crime rates, and increased education funding.
“Together, we have built a New Jersey that is stronger and fairer than ever before,” Murphy said. “We were who we said we’d be — and we did what we said we’d do.”
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, will succeed Murphy, the first Democrat to win two terms in more than four decades.
Murphy largely focused on his own record during the address, some of which he said was needed because of “dangerous” rulings from the Supreme Court of the United States, like Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
“The sad reality is the Dobbs decision is just one example of how this Supreme Court majority has eroded trust in our federal judiciary — and, more broadly, our system of government,” Murphy said. “But every time this Court has issued a dangerous, misguided ruling — on gun safety or the environment, for instance — we, in New Jersey, have illuminated a better path forward.”
He also touted a recently signed bill restricting the use of cell phones in schools, and he suggested the state take further steps in addressing the effects of social media on youth.
“Last month, lawmakers in Australia did something remarkable. They began enforcing a law that bans anyone under the age of 16 from accessing social media. Period,” Murphy said. “Now, of course, a policy like this raises no shortage of questions. Questions about enforcement, or even the limits of government. But, in my view, it’s the kind of big swing we need to take in New Jersey and as a country.”
The governor also gave condolences to those who lost family members and loved ones to COVID-19, which broke out during his first term.
“Ultimately, we lost more than 35,000 New Jerseyans to COVID — a number that, to this day, isimpossible to comprehend. A number that is compounded by the thousands upon thousands offamily members, friends, and loved ones who are still grieving,” Murphy said. “To those same New Jerseyans, I say today: We grieve with you. Though the pandemic may, thankfully, be behind us, the memory of the New Jerseyans we lost will live on forever.”
Former Govs. Donald DiFrancesco, Jim McGreevey, and Jon Corzine attended the address. Murphy began by honoring former Gov. Dick Codey, who died last weekend at 79.
“Whether as an elected leader, a youth basketball coach, or even a funeral director: Dick wasalways there for us,” Murphy said.
Murphy described the governor-elect as a “superhero waiting in the wings” and said the state is in good hands.
“Mikie has done it all. Like a true Naval aviator, she has navigated the chaos in Congress with grit and grace. She has inspired millions of New Jerseyans. And Mikie and Dale are going to be amazing.”
State Sen. Anthony Bucco, the Senate Republican leader, said he believes Murphy tried his best as governor but allowed the budget to balloon, putting the state in a tough spot as Sherrill takes over. Bucco noted the $4 billion structural budget deficit, meaning the state is spending $4 billion more this year than it is taking in.
“She is coming in, make no mistake, at a really difficult time,” Bucco said. “And the real hurdle for her is going to be this first budget. That’s where the rubber is going to meet the road.”
The state’s legislative leaders, Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, both said they’ll miss Murphy after he leaves. Scutari called Murphy “a really great guy,” while Coughlin said he and his wife will miss the governor and the first lady.
“It’s been a terrific eight years,” Coughlin said. “I’ve come to know him personally, professionally, governmentally, and I will indeed miss the governor and the first lady.”
To finish his farewell, Murphy harkened back to his viral clip from the 2024 Democratic National Convention:
“But no matter who you are, how you identify, or the way you pray — if you’re here in New Jersey, if you’re part of this big, boisterous family, you are writing the future of the American story. And if anyone ever tells you otherwise, well, you stand up straight. You get in their face. And you tell ‘em: We’re from Jersey, baby!”
Click here to read coverage of the New Jersey Globe’s exit interview with Murphy.
