“I’m not done yet,” Gov. Phil Murphy stated during his Jan. 14 State of the State Address at the State House in Trenton. “And we’re not done yet.”

The annual address, Murphy’s seventh and next-to-last, comes as he begins his final year as New Jersey’s 56th governor.

Murphy touted his administration’s accomplishments over the last seven years and outlined a series of initiatives for the coming year, stressing that he would run through the tape and finish the job of building a stronger and fairer New Jersey.

“Over the past seven years, we have risen to every challenge that has come our way,” said Murphy. “And we have faced each and every one as a united New Jersey. Together, we have built a state that is stronger, fairer, and more prepared to face the future.”

The 2025 priorities laid out in the speech include:

• Banning cell phones from K-12 classrooms and establishing phone-free schools
• Providing 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave to every state worker
• Stockpiling mifepristone and scrapping out-of-pocket costs for abortion services to protect reproductive freedom as the Trump administration gets set to take office
• Expanding access to public contracting opportunities for historically marginalized businesses, which follows a disparity study and introduction of a bill package to address the issue that Murphy called on the Legislature to pass
• An eye toward increasing the affordable housing supply and lowering costs – reforming outdated zoning and permitting laws
• Introducing mobile driver’s licenses
• Codifying clean energy goals of reaching 100% clean energy by 2035

“With the help of everyone in this chamber, we are going to leave our children a state that is better than we found it,” said Murphy. “And this mission begins where it always should: investing in the economic security of our families. As elected leaders, we must contend with an inescapable truth: there is a fundamental difference between a growing economy – and an economy that helps families grow.

“And today, the reality is that everyday life is too difficult for our nation’s working families,” he continued. “While the stock market is soaring, the cost of living – from groceries to housing – has skyrocketed.”

Economy

He spoke about efforts to ease economic stress – beginning with property taxes – through programs such as ANCHOR, as well as raising the state’s minimum wage to $15.49 an hour; the outlined parental leave initiative; continuing the path to free, universal pre-K; and more.

Murphy also cited data regarding the state’s employment and population trends – saying the numbers highlight his administration’s work to unleash a new generation of economic opportunities in every community.

“As a testament to that fact, as of last year, New Jersey has more workers employed than ever before and more small businesses in operation than ever before,” said Murphy. “And we are growing. Fast! In fact, over the past year New Jersey has emerged as one of the top 10 fastest-growing states in the country. We are one of only two states in the entire Northeast to make the list.”

“Apparently, there are far more moving vans coming into New Jersey than leaving,” he quipped in reference to the annual moving van company surveys that paint a bleak picture here in the state regarding outmigration.

Of course, this final year in office comes against the backdrop of several notable developments – beginning with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and the 2025 gubernatorial race to succeed the term-limited Murphy. All 80 Assembly seats are also up for election this fall – which makes for a different calculus in Trenton in this lame-duck year.

The first glimpses into those realities, especially pertaining to state politics, will be clearer during the budget process – Murphy’s final one – which will get into full swing following his Budget Address next month.

Reactions run the gamut

As one would expect, the reaction to the speech ran the gamut.

Republicans blasted Murphy – challenging his “unrealistic narrative.”

“I think he did what the governor is supposed to do – paint a rosy picture about the state, how it’s stronger and fairer,” said Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District. “But I ask this question – stronger and fairer for who?”

“Gov. Murphy’s attempt to paint a picture of optimism for the great State of New Jersey fell woefully flat and was devoid of facts,” said Assemblyman Robert Auth, R-39th District. “Every New Jerseyan knows we are overtaxed and that it is entirely too expensive to live in our great state.”

“This state has become more unaffordable, and in my opinion, that’s happened because we’ve been under one-party rule,” said Bucco. “These progressive policies that you heard about today are choking our families – and the governor is intent on doubling down.”

“If the governor would have been more truthful, he would have said, ‘The legacy of my administration will be higher taxes, more spending, increased crime, an influx of illegal aliens and underperforming schools,’” Auth added. “Further, the governor has been aided in creating this disastrous legacy by his Democrat colleagues in the House and Senate who control Trenton.”

Trenton Democrats had a different take.

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made to keep New Jersey an affordable place to live while meeting our obligations and making prudent investments for the future,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District. “From our continued efforts to provide property tax relief and fund programs to help New Jersey families, we have made real strides in improving the quality of life for everyone in New Jersey.”

“I look forward to working with the governor to build upon the progress we have made in making the lives of New Jersey’s residents more affordable and improving the quality of life in communities throughout the state,” said Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22nd District. “I will keep an open mind on the governor’s proposals and work with my legislative colleagues to address the needs and priorities of the people of New Jersey.”

“As we look to the year ahead, we will build on this momentum to create a New Jersey that is fairer, more inclusive, and full of opportunity for anyone who seeks it,” said Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-29th District. “I am eager to continue working alongside Gov. Murphy and my colleagues in the Legislature to make this vision a reality.”

Business leaders’ point of view

Business leaders from around the state also weighed in.

Siekerka

“Today we heard some good positives from Gov. Murphy, including the potential for the construction of more housing, recent full pension payments, and the commitments to address the awful public contracting disparities and to use business taxes for its intended use, NJ Transit,” said Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. “While the governor was quite optimistic on many fronts in today’s address – the New Jersey business outlook isn’t as rosy.”

Bracken

“From his first day in office, Gov. Murphy talked about creating a stronger and fairer economy. Over the last seven years, in our estimation, he has created the fairest economy in the nation,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “However, the stronger side of the equation has had considerably less focus. Today’s speech covered a lot of initiatives to make our economy even more fair by continuing what has already transpired over the last seven years.”

Renna

“As Gov. Murphy enters the final year of his term, the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the administration to enhance the business environment for all New Jersey residents and businesses,” said Christina Renna, president and CEO, CCSNJ. “The CCSNJ shares the governor’s enthusiasm for New Jersey’s growing small business community. However, more must be done to reduce burdensome regulations and lower the cost of doing business, so these small businesses can not only launch – but thrive in the state.”

“In November’s elections, the overwhelming message from the public was that they wanted change and for government to focus on economic growth and a stronger economy,” said Bracken. “Neither of those were addressed in today’s speech. We have been saying for many, many months that our economy, and supporting business, needs to be the main focus of the administration and the Legislature. If that does not happen, the initiatives proposed by the governor will have difficulty being funded.”

“We also know this will be a challenging year for the governor’s final budget, based largely on gaps of unsustainable spending over revenue,” said Siekerka. “We continue to encourage that pro-growth spending for manufacturing, infrastructure, higher education and workforce development does not come up short during fiscal management this year. These are the areas that serve as multipliers for New Jersey’s economy.”

“BioNJ was pleased to see that, in his State of the State Address, Gov. Murphy emphasized the importance of innovation to the health and success of New Jersey’s economy,” the organization said in a statement. “As we have over the course of the governor’s administration, we look forward to working with the governor and other policymakers as well as our members to continue earning reputation as the ‘Medicine Chest of the World’ – and supporting the governor’s priority to ensure that our state is home to a growing number of innovators who are making their mark.”

Final countdown

Murphy acknowledged that the clock is winding down on his time in office.

“I am well aware I have 371 days – to be exact – until I leave office and a new governor takes the baton,” he said. “To some, that may be welcome news. But to all of us who have the privilege of calling the Garden State home, I say this: I will dedicate every minute we have left to working for you.”

As his speech closed, he stressed his opening message once more.

“So again, I say: I’m not done yet. We’re not done yet. And New Jersey is just getting started,” said Murphy.

He said that, together, he wants to show the world what it means to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

“We are going to show the world that New Jersey is THE state where big dreams come true. We’re from Jersey baby! We never slow down,” he declared. “And together, we are going to run through the tape.”