Gov. Murphy lays out ambitious goals in State of the State address
13
TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) - Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday delivered his State of the State address for the last time with a full year at the helm ahead of him.
"We’re not done yet when it comes to fighting for the working people of our state," said Murphy, a Democrat, to a mostly lively joint legislative session.
The governor laid out a long list of goals on his agenda for his last year in office. One of the first he addressed is providing 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave to state employees.
"Nobody should ever have to sacrifice their economic security in order to be a present and engaged parent," said Murphy.
In education — Murphy said he will look to direct school districts to help establish phone bans in schools to address youth mental health and combat cyberbullying.
"Every parent knows the damage that these devices can cause," said Murphy. "Enough is enough. It is time for action."
The governor also said he wants to scrap out-of-pocket costs for abortion and have the state begin stockpiling a supply of mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill.
Murphy also outlined his goal to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders, in their response, said Murphy painted a rosy picture of the state despite people's economic suffering.
"Stronger and fairer for who?" said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco. "We don't have to go any further than the grocery store and see how much the cost of basic food is for a family today ... that doesn't even touch where property taxes have gone."
The governor will be making one final State of the State address next January before the next governor takes the oath of office.