Does anyone feel like they’re getting $22.55 billion more out of their state government than they were eight years ago?
If you do, then please let the rest of us in on the secret!
In 2017, Chris Christie introduced a $35.5 billion budget, Save Jerseyans. A lot of money.
Today, Phil Murphy delivered his final budget addressed and proposed $58.05 billion in spending for Fiscal Year 2026, a budget that includes millions for illegal aliens, goodies for state workers, and $3 million for school cell phone pouches (among other ridiculous crap). There are also new or higher taxes on everything from gambling and drones to alcohol and marijuana.
Consider this: the governor of Pennsylvania’s most recent budget proposal registered at $51.5 billion, less than Murphy’s by several billion despite the fact that our neighbor is bigger in terms of population and square mileage.
Back on our side of the river, state spending is now 63% higher than when Phil Murphy came to Trenton and $1.4 billion higher than even FY 2025. and increases taxes on homes valued over $1 million, gambling, alcohol, drones, marijuana and more.
Pork spending was already up 1,600% before Tuesday’s speech.
So here we are, close to the end of the Murphy fiscal era. The real question for Election 2025 may not be who WILL be governor when the dust finally settles but who WOULD want the job given the mess that Phil Murphy and his enablers in the legislature will hand off to the state’s next chief executive. There are cheaper ways for a state to commit suicide…
“Reckless government spending and tax increases lead to public distrust and financial instability. New Jerseyans deserve leadership that prioritizes fiscal responsibility, not just more government spending that we’ve been held hostage by for eight years,” said Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) of LD-13. “It’s time for a budget that works for the people—not one that continues to grow at their expense.”
