5 Big Takeaways From Gov. Murphy’s State Of The State Address

NEW JERSEY - The Garden State will see an increased affordable housing stock, expanded abortion access, clean energy programs, artificial intelligence innovation and more under proposals outlined by Gov. Phil Murphy in his 2024 State of the State address.

The hour-long Tuesday address in Trenton included major promises for New Jerseyans, including plans to make the state 100% reliant on clean energy by 2035; pioneer artificial intelligence breakthroughs over the next decade through a new AI Innovation Hub in partnership with Princeton University; scrap out-of-pocket costs for abortion procedures; expand the state's affordable housing stock and require all medical bills to be "clear and transparent" to help families avoid falling into medical debt.

The governor also said he would announce a clemency initiative in the next few months to reform a “justice system that has failed Black and brown communities for far too long.”

Murphy’s remarks come during an “era of unease and uncertainty,” the governor said, as the world faces “two full-on wars, a surge in hate crimes, inflation, high interest rates, the aftermath of a pandemic and the tail end of supply chain disruptions."

“In the face of these challenges, building a stronger, fairer, more inclusive New Jersey has never been more necessary,” Murphy added.

Here are five big takeaways from Murphy's 2024 State of the State address:

1. Affordability

The governor began his remarks touting his administration's creation of 200,000 jobs since he took office, as well as the 20 new tax cuts for middle-class families and seniors. Murphy specifically pointed to the ANCHOR program, which has put more than $2 billion (up to $1,750 per homeowner) back into the pockets of the middle class and seniors, he said. Read more: ANCHOR Payments Arrive Early In NJ: See When You'll Get Yours

In 2024, minimum wage increased to over $15 per hour, but Murphy said that number could surpass $17 by the time he leaves office.

“We need to recognize that financial security is a challenge in every facet of life,” Murphy said. “When working parents walk through the grocery store or shop for school supplies, it certainly doesn’t feel like things are working in their favor. People are worried on a very fundamental level about their financial stability.”

While addressing New Jersey's population growth by 30,000 new residents in 2023, Murphy added that he intends to sign legislation to make it easier to build more affordable housing.

“We need to put the dream of home ownership and affordable housing back into reach for working New Jerseyans," he said.

The new housing options are slated to be positioned in areas close to jobs, businesses and transit hubs, Murphy said.

2. Medical Debt

One in 10 New Jersey residents have medical debt, but those numbers are higher in communities of color, Murphy said.

In his remarks, Murphy called on the legislature to enact new package to help families avoid falling into medical debt and avoid being hounded by "predatory" debt collectors, as well as require all medical bills to be “clear and transparent.”

Dubbed Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act, the legislation would follow a $10 million medical debt relief program that alleviated medical debt for tens of thousands of residents, Murphy said. The package is named for a member of the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency and a "major force" behind the legislative package who died in a car accident on New Year's Day at the age of 25.

"Louisa was talented. Incredibly thoughtful. And dedicated every day — as a member of our team — to making our health care system more accessible and more affordable for more people," Murphy said. "So with this legislative package, we can carry her mission forward — and help thousands of our neighbors avoid falling into medical debt."

3. Schools

Murphy renewed his commitment to bringing universal pre-K across the state, a program which has already aided 14,000 New Jersey children so far, Murphy said. Read more: NJ Commits To Universal Pre-K For All: Murphy

“We’re just getting started,” Murphy said. “Making New Jersey the best place to raise a family means ensuring every child has the support they need to reach their full potential and every parent has the freedom to go to work, school or take care of other family members.”

Though details were not provided, Murphy added he will be introducing new initiatives to improve literacy, including an emphasis on phonics and reading instruction which he called “essential to the lifelong success of our children.”

4. Voting Access

Murphy touted the state as a leader in voting access, noting New Jersey's early in-person voting, online voter registration and automatic voter registration capabilities, as well as restoration of voting rights to over 80,000 individuals on parole.

The governor also emphasized his support for bills allowing same-day voter registration and permitting 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election. Read more: Zwicker Bill To Allow Some 17-Year-Olds To Vote In Primaries Advances

“Nobody should ever be denied access to the ballot box because they missed a deadline or forgot to send in paperwork,” Murphy said.

During his remarks, Murphy also called on the state legislature to send a voting rights bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections.

5. Abortion

Later this year, birth control will be available without a prescription at New Jersey pharmacies, Murphy said. He also emphasized previous state efforts to protect reproductive rights, from codifying the right to abortion last year, to restoring funding to Planned Parenthood and family planning services "after eight years, before us, of zero funding."

“New Jersey will always be a safe haven for reproductive freedom, period,” the governor added.

Taking it a step further, Murphy called on the legislature to pass a bill to scrap out-of-pocket costs for abortion procedures and to protect patients and providers.

Murphy urged lawmakers to pass the bill before the summer.

“There is no sugarcoating this: women’s health care in America is in a state of crisis,” Murphy said. “So when I talk about making New Jersey the best place to raise a family, that also means ensuring every woman has the freedom to start a family on their own terms.”