In an emotional and expansive final State of the State address, Gov. Phil Murphy stood before the 222nd Legislature on Tuesday to deliver a definitive closing argument for his two-term administration. Highlighting a legacy he defined as the “principle of ‘and’—not ‘or’,” Murphy declared that his government successfully paired progressive social reform with record-breaking economic growth.
“Together, we have built a New Jersey that is stronger AND fairer than ever before,” Murphy told a packed Assembly Chamber. “We were who we said we’d be—and we did what we said we’d do.”
Murphy, serving his final days in office, grounded his remarks in his upbringing, describing his journey from “Phil Murphy the dishwasher” to the state’s chief executive. He recalled a childhood where his family was “middle class on a good day,” sleeping in his parents’ bedroom until age nine.
“In my heart of hearts, I am—more than anything—that kid with a goofy grin who grew up in a family that was middle class on a good day,” Murphy said. He cited this background as the “North Star” for his policies, arguing that the struggle of working families today mirrored his own parents’ efforts to stay afloat.
Throughout the address, Murphy took aim at critics who previously warned that his progressive agenda would cripple the state’s economy. He systematically listed achievements where social equity and economic vitality moved in tandem:
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Wages and growth: “When they told us raising the minimum wage would kill jobs… we passed a law nearly doubling the minimum wage AND built the fastest-growing economy in the entire Northeast.”
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Taxation and population: “When they told us that asking the wealthy to pay their fair share would drive them away… we enacted a new millionaire’s tax—AND, by the way, we have more millionaires today in New Jersey than ever before.”
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Education and property taxes: Murphy touted record funding for K-12 schools while simultaneously delivering $18 billion in property tax relief via the ANCHOR program.
The Governor positioned New Jersey as a national leader in defending civil rights and democratic integrity. He specifically praised Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way for expanding voting rights to over 80,000 people on probation or parole and making New Jersey a “safe haven for reproductive freedom” through the codification of abortion rights.
The speech also addressed the tragic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Murphy called the “worst public health crisis of our lifetimes.” He led a moment of silence for the 35,000 New Jerseyans lost to the virus, recalling the day he woke up from cancer surgery in 2020 to the news of the state’s first confirmed case.
Turning to the future, Murphy celebrated the transformation of New Jersey into “Hollywood East.” He cited major studio investments from Netflix at Fort Monmouth, Lionsgate in Newark, and the massive 1888 Studios in Bayonne.
He also doubled down on his “AI Moonshot,” highlighting the New Jersey AI Hub—a partnership with Princeton and Microsoft—and the use of AI to identify 100,000 food-insecure children. However, he balanced this optimism with a call for safety, citing a new “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban in schools to protect youth mental health.
In a poignant conclusion, Murphy thanked his family, specifically First Lady Tammy Murphy, whom he called “the gal of my dreams” and the visionary behind maternal health reforms. He credited his cabinet and “the members of the band” (public servants) for the state’s turnaround.
“New Jersey IS stronger and fairer. That is the legacy,” Murphy concluded. “Our state is brimming with opportunity for all.”
