NJ Working Families: Bold Action is Needed to Protect the State & the Progress Made Over the Last Seven Years

TRENTON, NJ – The state of New Jersey’s economy and democracy are stronger today than they were seven years ago, with the Murphy administration and state lawmakers making historic progress for working people in every corner of the state. But with the state facing a significant budget shortfall and a second Trump administration about to begin, New Jersey faces challenges that will demand bold action to protect those gains and build on them. In anticipation of Governor Murphy’s final State of the State address later today, the New Jersey Working Families Party released the following statement from State Director Antoinette Miles:

“Workers and grassroots activists have fought hard over the last seven years to make life better for working people across New Jersey. We’ve raised wages, expanded access to affordable health care, and pushed for historic investments in our public schools, transit infrastructure, and affordable housing. These wins didn’t come easy or happen overnight. They happened because ordinary people came together to demand something better for their communities. But this work isn’t over.

“The progress made under Governor Murphy is now on the line, and bold action is needed to protect the state of New Jersey and the state of hard-working families. With a state budget shortfall looming and Trump heading back to the White House, we’re all bracing for what comes next—and to see how hard state lawmakers will fight to protect our jobs, our homes, and our future. We’re committed to working with the Murphy Administration to protect progress and go on the offense to win for working people.

“This next year is an opportunity to show the rest of the country what it looks like when a state fights for its people instead of the powerful few, and that will require lawmakers to stand up to threats coming from Washington as well as special interests here at home. For lawmakers who aren’t up to this challenge, it’s time to get with it or get out of the way.

“From Camden County to Bergen County and everywhere in between, insiders and political bosses have called the shots in the state’s halls of power, but those days are coming to an end. This year’s elections will give voters a real say in who represents them for the first time in decades, reminding politicians who they really need to work for: The people.

“New Jersey has a chance to lead the nation, not just in defending what we’ve won, but in building a future where working families can thrive. Let’s make it happen.”