Phil Murphy on Government Reform

	Phil Murphy on Government Reform

Easing outdated restrictions can lead to affordable housing

This year, I am calling on the Legislature to reform our state's zoning and permitting laws, with a number of proposals led by Senator Troy Singleton and his colleagues, so we can make it easier to build new housing in the communities where it's needed most. By cutting red tape and easing outdated restrictions, we can build potentially thousands of new, affordable housing units over the next decade. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature , Jan 14, 2025

Time to make same-day voter registration a reality

And just as the people of New Jersey are entitled to a safe, livable planet--they are also entitled to the most fundamental right we have as Americans: the right to vote. Thanks to the leadership of Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way, voting rights in New Jersey are more secure than ever before. But even so, we have more work to do to expand access to the ballot box. It is time to pass legislation that will make same-day voter registration a reality in the Garden State. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature , Jan 14, 2025

I support same-day voter registration in New Jersey

We have implemented automatic voter registration. Instituted early in-person voting. Established online voter registration. And restored voting rights to more than 80,000 of our neighbors on probation or parole. I continue to support passing same-day voter registration in New Jersey. Nobody should ever be denied access to the ballot box because they missed a deadline or forgot to send in paperwork. Same-day voter registration will help prevent that. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the N.J. legislature , Jan 9, 2024

Undertake ethics reform; address pernicious sexism

It's been more than a decade since the executive and legislative branches undertook comprehensive ethics reform. And, nothing--I repeat, nothing--more exemplifies that need to change the longstanding culture than the pernicious sexism and abuse that still creeps across these hallways, at conferences, and in meeting rooms. I am calling for us all to work together to tear down the existing system and replace it with one that treats everyone with equal dignity and respect. Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address , Jan 14, 2020

Easier voter registration; online voting & early voting

Let's work together to allow residents to register to vote online and at the polls on Election Day. Let's enact true early, in-person voting for our residents. Let's allow 17-year-olds to register and vote in our June primaries if they will turn 18 by the November general election. Let's restore voting rights for individuals on probation or parole, so we can further their reentry into society by allowing them to exercise the most sacred right offered by our society--the right to vote. Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Jersey legislature , Jan 15, 2019

Automatic voter registration, online, and same-day

Across the nation, Republicans have systematically tried to disenfranchise voters. Phil Murphy will empower voters and increase participation by:

Automatic voter registration: Five states have automatic voter registration at their Motor Vehicle Commissions (MVC), unless they opt out. Governor Christie vetoed a law that would make NJ the sixth such empowering state.
Online voter registration: There is no reason why our residents should be able to bank and shop online, but not register to vote, like in 38 states.
Same-day voter registration: 16 states have authorized voters to register the day of elections. NJ requires that our residents register 21 days before an election--Phil believes we should eliminate this requirement.
Allowing early voting: 21 states allow residents to vote early at the polls prior to election day.
Allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by election day, which 24 states allow.

Source: 2017 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, Murphy4NJ.com , Jun 6, 2017

I don't owe the political insiders anything

In the two-minute video [announcing his gubernatorial campaign], Murphy tried to set himself apart from the other hopefuls with his resume: "Here's what this campaign is not about: serving the political insiders," he said in the video. "Because I don't owe the insiders anything. I worked hard, got lucky and was able to turn my full-time attention to giving back."

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.

Source: Politico.com on 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial race , May 16, 2016

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*Other governors on Government Reform:*			*Phil Murphy on other issues:*
*NJ Gubernatorial:* Doug Steinhardt Hirsh Singh *NJ Senatorial:* Andy Kim Cory Booker Curtis Bashaw George Helmy Hirsh Singh Rik Mehta Robert Menendez Stuart Meissner Tammy Murphy	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]