The basics:
- Murphy delivers his eighth and final State of the State Address in Trenton
- Governor reflects on his ‘stronger and fairer’ vision, key achievements
- He cites job growth, credit upgrades, innovation & film industry momentum
- Murphy praises public servants, expresses confidence in Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill
For the eighth and final time, and just days before his time in office comes to a close, Gov. Phil Murphy delivered the State of the State Address Jan. 13.
In advance of the speech, Murphy said, “It has been the highest honor of my life to serve as governor of our great Garden State. Together, we have built a New Jersey that is stronger and fairer than ever before. As we approach the end of our journey, this much is clear: our state’s future has never been brighter.”
NJBIZ recently spoke to Murphy for an exit interview, which you can read about here and here. On the message he sought to deliver in his final address before passing the baton to Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, Murphy shared, “I won’t make any news on that. But this is not going to surprise you.
“Given I will only have seven days to go when I deliver the speech, it will largely be reflective,” Murphy told NJBIZ. “It normally would have aspirations for the year ahead. There’s some of that, for sure. But there’s also a fair amount of reflection – largely good, but also some nostalgia and acknowledgement of some of the challenges we’ve had.”
Thank you
Of course, at the top of the list of challenges is the once-in-a-generation COVID-19 pandemic.
In his speech before the 222nd New Jersey Legislature, which began Tuesday, Murphy looked back on his eight years leading the great Garden State. He touted his administration’s efforts on a number of fronts.
At the top of his speech, Murphy gave a nod to former Gov. Dick Codey, the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, who died over the weekend. “We are sending you our deepest condolences and love,” said Murphy to the Codey family, several of whom were on-hand to watch the speech.
Murphy kicked off with a simple message.
“I come before you today with two words: Thank you,” said the governor. “Thank you for entrusting me with the sacred responsibility of serving as governor; thank you for welcoming me into your homes, your workplaces, your schools, and your houses of worship; thank you for always telling me the truth and for being authentic.
“And if I may summon the spirit of my dear friend and other one of my predecessors, Gov. Brendan Byrne, thank you for occasionally waving to me with all five fingers. But thank you, most of all, for joining me in this journey to ensure we leave our children a state that is better than we found it.”
Stronger and fairer
Murphy reflected on laying out the mission of making New Jersey stronger and fairer.
“There is a reason I have been relentless in realizing my vision for a ‘stronger and fairer’ New Jersey since day one – and really, since I launched my first campaign back in 2016, a full decade ago,” said Murphy. “This isn’t simply a slogan. It is my North Star. One that has guided me since my childhood, throughout my career, and at every stage of our journey together.
“It is the same vision that inspired me to step into the arena – as a candidate – for the first time in my entire life.”
There is a reason I have been relentless in realizing my vision for a ‘stronger and fairer’ New Jersey since day one … This isn’t simply a slogan. It is my North Star.
– Gov. Phil Murphy
He said his “why” emerged because he believed New Jersey was a state in dire need of a turnaround.
“We were a state that had been failed by previous generations of leaders,” he said. “We were a state where the people, especially our working families, had lost faith in Trenton. And we were a state whose limitless potential was not being seized.
“In short: When I entered office, the needs of the people were being pushed aside.”
And, not or
The governor reflected on his own childhood where his parents – like many – struggled to stay afloat financially.
“This is all to say: my own life story, as well as the ideals that are deeply rooted in my soul, prove one thing plain and simple: The best governing principle is not this or that,” Murphy explained. “It’s not stronger or fairer. It’s stronger AND fairer. And there is nothing and nobody who could ever convince me otherwise.
“And that is what gave me the courage, as governor, to go against the naysayers, the skeptics, and the status quo. It’s what inspired me, over these past eight years, to be who I said I’d be – and do what I said I’d do.”
He spoke about signature initiatives, such as raising the minimum wage, touting job growth and small business starts, supporting worker’s rights, increasing K-12 school funding to record levels and increasing property tax relief. He also detailed restoring funding for long-neglected priorities, such as pensions, public education, public transit and women’s health care. He said that work led to nine consecutive credit rating upgrades in the last three years “after a generation of downgrades.”
“Building a stronger and fairer state is not only possible. It is absolutely essential,” said Murphy. “And we achieved all of this – together – because we were the administration that governed by the principle of ‘and – not ‘or.’
“We proved that – when we live by our Jersey values – our state government can serve the needs of working people, first and foremost. And it is thanks to everything we have accomplished over these past eight years that, today, we are a state brimming with opportunity for all.”
Unprecedented challenges
He spoke for several minutes about the challenge of the pandemic. Murphy remembered those who lost their lives during the health emergency. He also thanked the first responders and everyone who worked around-the-clock to help save lives.
“Though the pandemic may, thankfully, be behind us – the memory of the New Jerseyans we lost will live on forever,” said Murphy.
The governor noted the losses of key allies and close friends, such as former Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and former New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joe Fiordaliso, while he was in office.
“So, across the board, from the big, global crises to the deep, personal losses, this much is clear: We have emerged from every challenge ever more determined to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey,” said Murphy.
He thanked the thousands of public servants who contributed, highlighting the work that he said is often over-looked and under-appreciated.
“Because, while I may be the front man of the Murphy administration, this afternoon – for one last time – I want us to give a big round of applause to all of the members of the band who have been holding it down these past eight years,” the governor said.
He reserved a special shout-out for one Jersey girl in particular. “Let’s hear it for the fighting First Lady, and the gal of my dreams: Tammy Snyder Murphy!”
Glass half-full
The governor then spoke about the growth of the innovation economy and momentum in the artificial intelligence space, as well as the booming film and television production sector.
“So, Hollywood – you better watch your back: Because the state that gave us Tony Soprano is hot on your heels,” said Murphy. “Over the years, I’ve declared that New Jersey is ready for our close-up. But now? It’s time to shout ‘Action!’ and get the cameras rolling.”
As he winded down the speech, Murphy said he has never been more optimistic about New Jersey’s future than he is today.
“Not just because it is my nature. But because our state is in great hands,” said Murphy. “At a time of great uncertainty, we have a superhero waiting in the wings. Our great governor-elect, and the pride of Montclair: Mikie Sherrill, along with her right-hand man, the outstanding Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell.”
“With the dawn of 2026, we mark the beginning of one of the most iconic chapters in our state’s history,” said Murphy. “A chapter in which our New Jersey pride will be on full display, with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These will be two of the most defining events of the century. Period.
“And each of them will play out right here in the Garden State – in front of the entire world.”
Jersey baby
He closed by stressing an “unequivocal message” as these two events coincide this summer.
“New Jersey is where the American Dream was born – and it is where the American Dream lives on,” said Murphy. “No matter how 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 tell you otherwise, well. You stand up straight. You get in their face. And you tell ‘em: WE’RE FROM JERSEY BABY!!!”
Please stay with NJBIZ for further coverage and reaction from Murphy’s final State of the State Address.
