Murphy isn’t the first governor to tell weary N.J. residents to move

Phil Murphy (left) and his ideological predecessor and fellow Goldman Sachs alum Jon Corzine (right)
By Matt Rooney
_

Governor Phil Murphy made some news last week with a characteristically tone-deaf comment, this time during a chat with business leaders at Rowan University.

“If you’re a one issue voter and tax rate is your issue, either a family or a business, if that’s the only basis upon which you’re going to make a decision, we’re probably not your state,” KYW News Radio reported the Governor saying.

Like it or lump it! Can’t say I’m shocked.

Where have I heard this before, Save Jerseyans?

Hop in your time machine. It was 10 years ago (almost exactly) in September 2009 when then-Governor Jon Corzine quipped, paraphrasing, that anyone who wants low unemployment should move to North Dakota.

Corzine was tossed out of office less than two months later. Unfortunately, New Jerseyans have continued to move away because the fundamental drivers of Garden State taxes (school funding, PILOT programs, COAH, etc.) survived Corzine’s gubernatorial tenure.

The lesson for any voters with an open mind: Democrats and Republicans aren’t just arguing over HOW to make your life more affordable, or how to help your business in 2019. Nope.

Affordability is no longer one of the Democrats’ aims. Hasn’t been for a long time, if ever. Democrats (especially in this state) represent a coalition of public sector unions, lifetime government dependents, and yuppies comfortable enough to consider high property taxes a price-well-paid for a woke status symbol. People who benefit from high taxes or aren’t fussed about paying them.

You don’t need me or someone else to spin that for you. You can trust the words coming directly from the horse’s mouth. THEY’RE NOT ON YOUR TEAM.

_

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8390 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.