Watch CBS News

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's State of the State address reveals big plans for 2025

Gov. Phil Murphy unveils detailed proposals for New Jersey in 2025
Gov. Phil Murphy unveils detailed proposals for New Jersey in 2025 02:22

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy held his penultimate State of the State address on Tuesday afternoon.

He laid out his set of priorities before he leaves office next year, including initiatives on housing, education and reproductive rights.

Murphy's speech followed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address.

"Our jobs are not done, not by a long shot"

Though the governor's term is winding down, he said his administration is not slowing down and is instead pushing a big agenda in 2025. He highlighted his accomplishments and said he's not kicking back in the home stretch.

"Our jobs are not done, not by a long shot," he said.

Murphy proposed expanding affordable housing and asked the Legislature to reform zoning and permitting laws to build more. He also wants full-day kindergarten in all districts and is calling on schools to adopt policies banning cellphones in grades K-12.

"They are fueling a rise in cyberbullying, and they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids not only to learn but to retain the substance they learn," Murphy said of phones.

He's also pushing to scrap out-of-pocket abortion costs and says the state is stockpiling on mifepristone, a drug that ends pregnancies. He added he'll work with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration, but will stand firm when he has to.

"If you try to attack our people and our values without cause, make no mistake, we will fight back even harder," Murphy said.

Republicans worried about Garden State's affordability  

Republicans say New Jersey's reproductive rights are already strong and that the governor's proposals will make things unaffordable.

"The problem with the stronger affordability narrative is that all it's doing is shifting the burden to even greater population of our middle class," state Sen. Holly Schepisi said. "What it does is it results in even higher property taxes. You're having every couple of months increased toll hikes."

The governor didn't talk about funding NJ Transit and his address came amid tight security at the State House, where reporters had to go through security sweeps and weren't free to roam around.

Murphy said he also wants to combat climate change by having New Jersey run on 100% clean energy by 2035, and is pushing for residents to be able to obtain mobile driver's licenses right from their cellphone.

Candidates for New Jersey's top office in 2025

There's a crowded field of known candidates, particularly on the Democratic side, to replace Murphy in Trenton.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill recently announced she will run, as will Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

Others running include Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, NJEA President Sean Spiller, and former state Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

Republicans vying for the State House include state Sen. Jon Bramnick and Jack Ciattarelli, who came close to beating Murphy in the last election, and radio host Bill Spadea.

View CBS News In
CBS News App
Chrome Safari
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.