At Rowan University this week, Governor Phil Murphy discussed his economic plan for New Jersey, which prompted former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16) out of his chair.

The following are Ciattarelli’s remarks in response to the governor’s plan:

“The discussion was marked by the usual egregious omissions and embarrassing statements (e.g., “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”[1]).

“Two years on the job, the Governor refuses to address head-on what’s broken in New Jersey – our worst in the nation property taxes, public employees’ pension system and business climate.  All three mean an underperforming economy and higher taxes.

“The Governor can play the ‘stronger and fairer’ card all he wants.  Fact is, with every passing week, citizens are waking up to the reality that all his  progressive policy positions aren’t going to fix New Jersey.  On the contrary, he’s worsening matters by making new fiscal promises when we can’t afford the old ones

“We need a fair state school funding formula to address property taxes.  We need to overhaul public employees’ benefits to reduce our exorbitant unfunded liabilities.  We need to reform our tax code to improve our business climate and encourage job growth. We also need to stop over-development from all the misplaced high-density affordable housing. Then, and only then, will New Jersey be stronger and fairer, for everyone.”

[1] https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/murphy-assesses-new-jersey-economic-plan-one-year?fbclid=IwAR1upVVLCkjbL-JdLAvqShKFcqqakBw-zrLrcjUZ76zpgBoSA29uCDfAj-w