By Matt Rooney
As President Donald Trump delivers his annual State of the Union address, Americans are evaluating what the federal government has accomplished over the past year and what still needs to be done. For New Jersey, the question is simple: are families safer, more financially secure, and better positioned for the future?
Over the past year, many New Jersey residents would say the answer is increasingly yes.
Our economy is growing again, inflation is easing, and federal policy has shifted toward reducing costs for working families. While Washington debates will always be divisive, the real measure of success is what people feel in their daily lives: paychecks that stretch further, safer communities, and a government focused on core responsibilities.
New Jerseyans are seeing signs of progress. As of mid-February, tax refunds are 11% larger on average than they were last year. 41% of New Jersey small businesses will benefit from expanded eligibility for passthrough deductions. 1.6 million Garden State seniors are benefitting
Taken together, these policies have helped protect jobs across New Jersey. Approximately179,000 full-time jobs were protected right here in New Jersey, all which would
Other areas of federal policy are also beginning to affect daily life in the Garden State.
For example, first-time homebuyers stand to benefit from a renewed focus on increasing housing supply and addressing factors that have driven prices upward. Patients struggling with high prescription drug costs are also seeing new efforts aimed at transparency and affordability, including direct-to-consumer pricing options that could reduce out-of-pocket expenses for those with high deductibles or limited coverage. Most importantly, our children are now seen as the future and not today’s latest opportunity for social experimentation
New Jersey’s coastline and tourism economy—a cornerstone of the state’s identity—has also been at the center of major federal decisions. Offshore wind development has become one of the most controversial issues along the Jersey Shore, with residents raising concerns about impacts to fishing, tourism, and marine life. Foreign interests that conspired with corrupt politicians to industrialize our coastal waters, destroy our tourism industry, and slaughter countless marine mammals have been stopped. Federal action to pause or restrict offshore wind expansion reflects those concerns and recognizes the importance of protecting coastal communities.
Our borders are secure,and crime and overdose deaths are dropping to historic lows.
Back on land, our federal immigration enforcement officers have removed countless dangerous criminals from our communities. Some of the illegal aliens apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stand accused of objectively horrid crimes: sexual molestation of minors, armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic violence offenses and even homicide. New Jerseyans have a right to expect that law enforcement will focus resources on the most dangerous threats and ensure that communities are protected.
The bottom line is that New Jersey’s interests are best served when the federal government prioritizes affordability, safety, and opportunity. Critically, America is once again respected by its friends and feared by its enemies across the globe. By every objective measure, our Nation is recovering from the malaise of recent years and rediscovering its calling to greatness.
After the State of the Union, New Jerseyans should continue to expect leaders in Washington to stay focused on what matters most: strengthening the economy, lowering costs, protecting communities, and ensuring that the American Dream remains within reach for families across the Garden State.
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Matt Rooney serves as executive director for the New Jersey state chapter of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), the nation’s leading voice for America First policies. Rooney is also a practicing attorney, radio host, and founder of Save Jersey, the state’s leading conservative media outlet.
