The Official Website of Governor Phil Murphy

Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Overhauling New Jersey's Liquor License Laws for the First Time in Nearly a Century

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S-4265/A-5912) into law this week that will substantially boost the number of available liquor licenses statewide and ease a wide range of restrictions that have stifled breweries and distilleries, marking the first substantive overhaul of New Jersey’s antiquated liquor license laws since the aftermath of Prohibition.

These changes will substantially boost accessibility by injecting as many as 1,356 licenses back into the market, a roughly 15% increase over the 8,905 active retail consumption licenses presently being used, according to the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

“For the first time in nearly a century, New Jersey has shown the fortitude to tackle an age-old problem that has stifled economic growth and hampered the dreams of countless small business owners,” said Governor Murphy. “We knew this wasn’t going to be an easy lift – nothing that has been entrenched for nearly a century ever is. Together with our partners in the Legislature, we are laying new ground rules to help our breweries and distilleries flourish at the same time creating new opportunities for smaller and more diverse mom-and-pop establishments to set up shop or expand in New Jersey and help transform our downtowns.”

Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Expanding Access to School Meals for New Jersey Students

Advancing efforts to eliminate food insecurity among New Jersey’s young learners, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation expanding eligibility criteria under the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, A5684/S4055. Under the legislation, public and non-public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or federal School Breakfast Program will provide a free school lunch and/or breakfast to students whose families have an annual household income of up to 224 percent of the federal poverty level, which will make over 60,000 families newly eligible.

“Access to nutritious food is a basic necessity for our kids,” said Governor Murphy. “We have made great strides in our fight against food insecurity, working together with those on the front lines to ensure our most vulnerable community members have access to a warm meal and empowering our schools to meet the needs of their students. Expanding student eligibility under the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act will provide more of New Jersey’s young learners with a free school lunch and breakfast so that they can go to class ready to learn, rather than wondering where their next meal will come from. Thank you, Speaker Coughlin, for your partnership in bridging the gap in food access.”

"I’m grateful to Governor Murphy for continuing to lead New Jersey’s efforts to combat food insecurity at its root causes and position our state as a national leader in food security work. With champions like Speaker Coughlin, Senator Ruiz, and our partners in the Legislature, New Jersey continues to utilize one of our most powerful tools for combatting hunger: policies that ensure more and more of our students are healthy and fed in school," said Mark Dinglasan, Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate. "New Jersey’s food security work is comprehensive, ambitious, and multi-faceted, and we are able to create goals that are larger than the problems we’re tackling. It’s through our leaders like Governor Murphy and Speaker Coughlin that we are able to keep dreaming AND keep working towards a more food-secure New Jersey."

Governor Murphy Announces Filing of Amended Complaint Against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in Congestion Pricing Lawsuit

Governor Phil Murphy announced the State of New Jersey’s request to add constitutional claims against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) and to add two individual plaintiffs to its congestion pricing lawsuit.

The State’s original complaint in the lawsuit, filed in July 2023 against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, alleges that the federal government violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act by approving plans for congestion pricing without adequate environmental review. The claims against the federal government are still pending, and New Jersey filed its most recent brief in support of those claims on Friday.

The proposed amendments to the complaint add the MTA and the TBTA as defendants and allege that their proposed congestion pricing tolling scheme violates the U.S. Constitution’s dormant Commerce Clause and unconstitutionally burdens the right to travel. The complaint also adds co-plaintiffs who live in New Jersey, travel for work in the Central Business District (CBD), have lower incomes, and will not be eligible for the CBD tax credit since they do not live in New York.

“The tolling scheme currently being pursued by the MTA fails to address our greatest concerns,” said Governor Murphy. “Compounding the federal government’s failure to subject the MTA’s proposal to the full environmental review it warranted, it’s now clear that the MTA’s plans will also result in a scheme that unfairly tolls and discriminates against New Jerseyans, especially low-income New Jersey drivers. The federal government and the MTA can no longer be permitted to fast-track a proposal that solely benefits New York’s transportation system at the expense of hardworking New Jerseyans.”

Governor Murphy and Treasurer Muoio Announce Retirement of Nearly $500 Million More in State Debt, Saving New Jersey Taxpayers $160 Million

Governor Phil Murphy and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio announced that the Department of the Treasury has successfully completed the most recent effort to retire outstanding debt, saving taxpayers some $160 million and reducing the State’s total debt by almost $500 million.

Governor Murphy spoke about the debt defeasement (retirement) during an event with the Municipal Analysts Group of New York.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step in our Administration’s commitment to strengthen our state’s finances,” said Governor Murphy. “By deploying almost $500 million to retire outstanding debt, we are continuing our pledge to lessen the burden on New Jersey taxpayers and create a more affordable state. Paying down our debt in a fiscally responsible way not only saves taxpayer money, but it also frees up funding to invest back into making New Jersey a great place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.”

“This latest successful round of defeasance is a testament to the talented and hard-working staff in our Office of Public Finance,” said Treasurer Muoio. “The substantial savings generated continues to further the Governor’s goal of providing for a stronger, fairer and more affordable state.”

First Lady Murphy Celebrates Signing of Doula Access

First Lady Tammy Murphy celebrated Governor Phil Murphy’s signing of S-4119/A-5739, which ensures every mother has the right to a doula in a hospital or birth center. On November 20, 2023, the First Lady held a roundtable discussion at University Hospital in Newark to discuss maternal and infant health progress in New Jersey and announce the introduction of the bill in the Assembly. The bill unanimously passed both houses on January 8, 2024 before reaching the Governor’s desk.

Under the bill, hospitals and birthing centers must develop and maintain policies that allow doulas to accompany patients before, during, and after labor and childbirth. These facilities will also be required to publicly post their policies and designate a contact to maintain communications between their staff, the doula community, and patients.

“Evidence shows that doulas help reduce birth complications, lower rates of C-sections, improve mental health, and provide overall essential support and advocacy during the birthing process, making them an indispensable part of a mother’s health care team,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Today’s bill, which ensures doulas are afforded the respect they deserve as a critical care team member with access to birthing hospitals and centers, prioritizes the health of New Jersey’s mothers and is another significant step toward our goal of becoming the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. I am incredibly grateful to our many partners who have supported the work of Nurture NJ over the years – none of our accomplishments, including today’s bill signing, would be possible without their collaboration.”

Governor Murphy Signs Bipartisan Legislation Promoting Civic Engagement Among Students

Governor Phil Murphy signed S2304/A1271, passed with bipartisan support, permitting each public school student from grades 6 through 12 to have one State-excused absence per school year to be used for a civic event. These State-excused absences can only be applied to an event sponsored by a government entity, a community-based organization, or a nonprofit. The civic event is required to incorporate an element of service learning and address a public issue or concern.

This legislation had bipartisan support and contributes to long standing efforts by the Murphy Administration to expand civic engagement and empower New Jersey’s youth. Earlier this month, the Governor signed the New Voter Empowerment Act, allowing 17-year-old students to vote in a primary election if they will be 18 years of age by the time of the general election.

“Providing students the option to attend civic events throughout their academic careers creates an opportunity for our future leaders to become more engaged in our democracy and society,” said Governor Murphy. “These events will not only educate students outside of the classroom, but they have the potential to spark an interest in public service and community work. The next generations of changemakers are in New Jersey public schools, and it’s crucial that we offer every resource available to help them achieve their dreams.”

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