The word "tax" wasn't uttered except when it came time for Gov. Phil Murphy to decry New Jersey's "property tax crisis." Other than that, it didn't come up.Instead, Murphy, in his very first town-hall meeting as governor, talked about fully funding New Jersey's schools, improving public transportation, boosting the middle class and making community college free. His audience was a captive one. They applauded and cheered at his vision for the state's future."Music to my ears," one man told the Democratic governor at one point of the hour-long event.It was Murphy's first day on the road. On Tuesday, he unveiled his $37.4 billion state budget proposal.Wednesday marked the start of the pitch.
The budget march to June begins
Murphy's budget includes an ambitious list of progressive campaign promises that calls for more than $1.6 billion in new taxes and maneuvers to close loopholes.Between now and June 30 -- when the state's constitution requires the governor to sign a balanced budget -- Murphy will sell his plan. It's an ambitious one that calls for $2.7 billion more in spending than the current year's budget signed by his predecessor, former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican.
Murphy's proposal calls for an NJ Transit funding boost, so the governor started the day at a board meeting at the agency and declared fare hikes this year are off the table.Later, Murphy played defense on the radio with WNYC's Brian Lehrer. Lehrer kicked off the interview by pressing Murphy on whether the proposed taxes would bog down budget negotiations."We're digging out of an eight-year narrative that was all about gutting government spending," Murphy said in a not-so-veiled swipe Christie.
Now, NJ's @GovMurphy first visit to the show as governor on his new budget. NJ listeners: Tweet or call with your questions about the budget 212-433-9692.
-- Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) March 14, 2018
Kaynak:Nj.com