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Easing outdated restrictions can lead to affordable housing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 By cutting red tape and easing outdated restrictions, we can build potentially thousands of new, affordable housing units over the next decade.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 races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019) Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021) Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025 Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025 Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	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]