Gov. Phil Murphy delivers State of the State Address
TRENTON, N.J. - Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his sixth State of the State Address Tuesday as a winter storm loomed over New Jersey.
Murphy started his address focusing on the storm, then highlighting his administration's accomplishments, including bringing back the Hudson tunnel rail project, raising the minimum wage to over $15 for most workers, and providing new tax cuts through the state's ANCHOR program.
"That means more money in the hands of people," Murphy said.
Republicans, though, said Democrats who control both the senate and assembly, are simply spending too much money.
"We have an issue where we overspending and our projected revenues are far less than what we are going to need to implement the promised things they put forth," State Senator Holly Schepisi said.
"The state has never been in a better position than it is now. I can't say about next year, but right now we've done a great job keeping it straight," Senate President Nicholas Scutari said.
"You have record high inflation, you have record high interest rates. You have the highest property taxes in the nation," Schepisi said.
The governor said he's protecting residents, including a medical relief legislative package, named after his aide killed in a car accident, that would prevent people from falling into medical debt and stop debt collectors from harassing them.
He's also pushing legislation that would make it easier to build affordable housing.
"We need to put the dream of affordable housing and home ownership back in the hands of New Jersey residents," Murphy said.
Murphy, and Democrats, say there's an $8 billion surplus in the budget, but Republicans say the administration after Murphy's will pay the price.