Gov. Phil Murphy (center) enters the Assembly Chamber to deliver the State of the State Address on Jan. 10, 2023. – NJ OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR YOUTUBE
Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his fifth State of the State Address in Trenton Jan. 10, the first held in-person since 2020, featuring a who’s who of lawmakers, leaders and dignitaries.
“With the close of 2022, we ended our fifth year of partnership to make New Jersey the stronger and fairer state we know it must be to support our future ambitions,” Murphy opened his remarks. “And as we start 2023, and embark on Year Six of our journey together, the state of our state is just that. We are stronger and we are fairer. We are moving confidently in the right direction – forward.”
His began with a focus on the administration’s efforts to build a State of Opportunity here in the Garden State.
“Put simply, we are building the next New Jersey. A New Jersey ready to lead the way for our nation. A New Jersey with more possibilities. With more safety and more justice,” said Murphy. “With more freedoms protected. With greater affordability for more families. And with businesses and industries, and jobs and careers, that did not exist in our state a few short years ago. We are shaping this next New Jersey in the service of growing and securing the middle class.”
From there, Murphy touted his administration’s work in a number of areas, including: passing the ANCHOR Property Tax Program, building a modern economy, raising the minimum wage, clean energy, youth mental health, protecting and preserving women’s rights to reproductive freedoms, and more.
“Put simply, we are building the next New Jersey. A New Jersey ready to lead the way for our nation. A New Jersey with more possibilities. With more safety and more justice,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in the State of the State Address on Jan. 10, 2023. – NJ OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR YOUTUBE
“We are rebuilding the American Dream right here – more expansive and inclusive than ever before – for all willing to put in the work,” said Murphy. “So today, every New Jersey family can be proud to live in a state which, in so many ways, is not just a model for our nation, but also leading our nation.”
Murphy highlighted many of the state’s new sectors as his speech went on, such as legal cannabis, offshore wind, film and TV, and the efforts of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which NJBIZ has extensively covered.
“Together, we are working toward a New Jersey where possibility is endless and opportunity is limitless,” said Murphy.
The governor kicked off his speech in the jampacked Assembly Chambers by acknowledging that that the last time there was a large gathering like this in the chamber was just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A number of individuals joined First Lady Tammy Murphy in the Assembly Chambers as her special guest for the address, including leaders from the Ukrainian community as well as service members from the war, the parents of two U.S. Men’s World Cup Soccer team members who hail from New Jersey, and others.
“The special guests at this year’s State of the State Address are representative of the values that continue to guide my Administration we continue to make our state stronger and fairer for every family,” the governor said.
Republican leaders are set to hold a response presser at the conclusion of Murphy’s speech. NJBIZ will have complete coverage online, as well as more on from the speech, including full business community reaction, to come in our next weekly issue on Jan. 16.
