Phil Murphy in 2017 NJ Governor's race

On Technology: Share congestion pricing revenue between NYC and NJ

Under the plan, drivers using the Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel would receive a credit based on what they pay in tolls. However, no break would be offered to motorists taking the George Washington Bridge, as noted by Gov. Phil Murphy in a letter to N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Murphy, in his letter to Cuomo, asked Cuomo to consider sharing some of the revenue with NJ Transit and PATH. According to AAA Northeast, which opposes the plan, 80% of the revenues will go toward the subways. The Long Island and Metro-north railroads each would get 10 percent [while NJ transit would get none]. Cuomo had not publicly responded as of Monday afternoon.

On Drugs: Focus on racial justice with marijuana legalization.

Massachusetts rolled out the first state-wide equity program in the nation last month. Not only do equity applicants get an early start in applying for a license, they also receive help from the state in raising capital and compliance. Meanwhile, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has focused on racial justice in his support for legalization.

On Education: Focus on STEM to make Silicon Valley in New Jersey

Murphy said "reigniting" the state's science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector was his main economic focus. He specifically cited Monmouth County as a "potential hotbed," for such activity.

While the county's suburbs were once home to the biggest names--such as the Bell Labs and Lucent Technologies building in Holmdel--he said the resurgence could come in cities like Asbury Park, "communities where millennials want to live."

"We were Silicon Valley before Silicon Valley was Silicon Valley. There's no reason we can't get that back," he said.

On Education: Reignite NJ science hotbed by focusing on STEM sector

While the county's suburbs were once home to the biggest names he said the resurgence could come in "communities where millennials want to live. We were Silicon Valley before Silicon Valley was Silicon Valley. There's no reason we can't get that back," he said.

On Energy & Oil: Raise gas tax to renew Transportation Trust Fund

Raising the state's 14.5-cent gasoline tax, second-lowest in the country, has been identified by most as the only way to renew the state's Transportation Trust Fund, currently unable to pay for anything other than debt service.

While it's not a "perfect match," he suggested raising the Earned Income Tax Credit--a popular credit among working class families--to 40 percent. Increasing that tax credit has been a part of multiple TTF plans proposed over the last few months. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." But doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

On Energy & Oil: It stinks, but raise the gas tax to fund transportation

A gasoline tax hike has become wildly unpopular in New Jersey, even at Murphy's event: There was only a smattering of applause when he called for the tax to be raised. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." Doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

On Environment: Commit to protecting shores with long-term enviro plan

Murphy is no stranger to Europe, working there both as an ambassador and during his career at Goldman Sachs. When asked what he would do to "protect" the coasts, he suggested "dreaming and taking risks." He specifically lauded the Netherlands for their commitment to protecting their shores. "They don't have the pipeline discussion we have. They didn't have a discussion about the governor pulling us out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative," Murphy said. "They walk the talk and are prepared."

He said the next governor should "put the brakes" on Christie's policies, but needs to be comfortable with long-term environmental policy planning: "They should be comfortable with the fact that many of these effects won't happen for years," he said.

On Environment: Long-term planning via Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

He said the next governor should "put the brakes" on Christie's policies, but needs to be comfortable with long-term environmental policy planning: "They should be comfortable with the fact that many of these effects won't happen for years," he said.

On Foreign Policy: Former U.S. ambassador to Germany, appointed by Obama

Murphy's commercial never mentions [that he was an executive at] Goldman Sachs, instead focusing on his work as a former Democratic National Committee finance chairman under chairman Howard Dean, his years as the President Barack Obama-appointed ambassador to Germany, his leadership of two New Jersey charities and status as a member of the NAACP's national board.

On Government Reform: I don't owe the political insiders anything

Murphy, who grew up outside Boston to a family he frequently says was "middle-class on a good day," made his fortune as an executive at Goldman Sachs in the 1990s and early 2000s. The firm is unpopular among liberals and in New Jersey is associated with unpopular former Gov. Jon Corzine--a past CEO of the firm whose time there coincided with Murphy's. The Democratic hopeful has stressed other aspects of his career.