What’s coming in Murphy’s second State of the State

The governor is expected to speak about the millionaire’s tax – which has been twice blocked by Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-3rd District, and legislative leadership – and changing the “culture of Trenton” during his second annual State of the State address Tuesday afternoon, according to an administration official.

Gov. Phil Murphy’s constitutionally required speech will delve into “comprehensive ethics reform, and making Trenton a safe place for women,” according to the source, who requested anonymity.

The past year and a half was rocked most recently by a report from The Star-Ledger detailing incidents reported by female campaign staffers, lobbyists and lawmakers working in New Jersey politics, and by the Al Alvarez hiring scandal, wherein then-campaign supporter Katie Brennan alleged Alvarez, a campaign staffer, sexually assaulted her in 2017.

Murphy’s gubernatorial transition team then hired Alvarez, despite several senior officials having knowledge of the allegations against him, according to the alleged victim and a committee the Legislature convened to scrutinize the allegations.

Murphy is also expected to touch on “restoring fiscal responsibility,” according to the administration official. He will reiterate a need to stow away more money in the state’s rainy day fund in the event of an economic recession, which is highly speculated to occur within the next two years.