In his state address, Gov. Murphy outlines key initiatives for his last year, focusing on education, housing, and economic security.
Trenton: Governor Phil Murphy just laid out a big plan for his last year in office. During his state of the state speech, he talked about some important changes he wants to make.
He’s pushing for full-day kindergarten in every district and wants to make same-day voter registration a reality. Plus, he’s looking to change local zoning laws to help build more affordable housing.
Murphy also mentioned banning cellphones in K-12 classrooms and revamping the state’s most dangerous intersections. He’s even thinking about letting folks get mobile driver’s licenses.
As he gears up to leave office in January 2026, he emphasized that he’s not done yet. He can’t run for a third term, but he’s determined to make a difference in his remaining time.
“We’re going to fight for every New Jerseyan to have a fair shot at a brighter future,” he said. He’s been focused on economic issues since he took office in 2018, wanting to ensure everyone has opportunities.
Murphy also touched on the incoming Trump administration, saying he’s ready to work together when their goals align. But he made it clear he won’t back down on New Jersey values.
On the topic of abortion, he wants New Jersey to be a safe haven for reproductive rights. He plans to stockpile a specific abortion pill and is urging lawmakers to make abortion procedures cost-free.
However, he didn’t mention immigration at all during his speech. It’s still uncertain how much influence he’ll have over lawmakers with his proposals, especially since some have already met resistance.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari seemed cautious about the same-day voter registration idea, saying they’ll take things one step at a time.
Despite the challenges, Murphy highlighted his administration’s successes, like fully funding the state’s pension system and providing over $14 billion in property tax relief. He also raised the minimum wage to $15.49 an hour, countering critics who said it would hurt workers.
“Rebuilding New Jersey’s economy from the bottom-up is key,” he said. “Helping our neighbors earn a livable wage is just the beginning.”
