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NJGOP Calls On Murphy To Address Violence

Over the weekend, in Washington DC, there were multiple reports of physical assault and harassment of President Trump’s supporters. NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt is calling on Governor Murphy to address the violence:

“Governor Murphy holds a leadership position within the Democrat Party, which is why his silence in the face of recent accounts of Washington DC violence is disappointing and disheartening. No one in our country should be subject to physical or verbal harassment for expressing their political beliefs. As Chairman of the Democrat Governors Association, Governor Murphy, show a little courage, step up and denounce the violence we saw this weekend from ANTIFA and BLM.”

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following statement in response to Governor Murphy’s announced re-election:

“Governor Murphy’s first term resulted in the reckless deaths of more than 7,100 seniors and veterans, the early release of COVID positive, violent prisoners into our neighborhoods and communities, shuttered businesses, shattered dreams, and billions more in debt for our children to repay.

“A second term of the same, far left policies will leave New Jersey weaker and poorer and New Jerseyans paying the price of Phil Murphy’s socialist agenda. His mismanagement of the Covid Crisis cost the lives of seniors and veterans and killed jobs and businesses with cold-hearted commandments, illogical restrictions and carte blanche closures. Worse yet, he’s failed to recognize the opportunity, as our State emerges from this crisis, to fundamentally reform New Jersey government to adapt to the 21st century. The world today is different than it was pre-covid, yet Murphy is sticking with his sad, tired, tax and spend agenda as if nothing happened. His failure to put forward a modern version of State management, with a tax code that doesn’t hold the middle class back and regulation that allows small business to flourish, leaves us mired near the bottom of nearly every meaningful, national ranking.

“New Jerseyans deserve leadership. Phil Murphy is failing. The NJGOP is fighting to give New Jerseyans a government that puts people first, lets them keep more of their hard earned money, spends responsibly, and makes New Jersey a beacon of opportunity for the nation to emulate. It’s not a pipe dream. Come November 2021, let’s end the nightmare that’s Phil Murphy tenure, and make New Jersey right.”

Democrat Legislators Give Up On Oversight

Yesterday, the New Jersey Senate Democrats shut down an attempt by Republicans to limit the lengths of the emergency declaration the Governor can declare.

On a straight party line vote, S2482 was tabled, keeping the state of emergency the Governor can declare at its current length of 30 days, and allowing the Governor to renew it at his sole discretion. A companion bill was tabled earlier this year by Assembly Democrats.

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt issued the following statement:

“We said before that one party rule of Trenton is bad for New Jersey, and so much more is one person rule. Governor Murphy is governing by fiat, issuing executive orders that upend our State and society, while elected Democrat legislators lack the strength or courage to stop him. This timid failure to assert even a modicum of legislative oversight proves that Trenton Democrats are more interested in passing laws that enrich their cronies and themselves rather than allowing the people of New Jersey to have a voice. State Republicans are united against this abuse of power, and will fight to give our State a government that actually embraces our Constitution rather than ignores it.”

Governor Murphy announced that as of November 5, New Jersey workplaces and small businesses must abide by a glut of new regulations.

Murphy’s Veterans Homes Scandal Accelerates

Last night, it was announced that the US Department of Justice opened a formal investigation into Governor Murphy’s mishandling of the Covid crisis and his decision to send nearly 200 of our brave veterans to State run nursing homes to die.

According to the CDC, New Jersey has the highest death rate in America: 182 Covid deaths per 100,000 people, or 16,300 and growing. On March 31, 2020, the Murphy Administration recklessly sent Covid positive patients back into nursing homes ordering that the patients not be Covid tested as a condition of entry. The State run veterans’ homes were particularly hard hit.

As public ire and scrutiny grew over the Governor’s gross mishandling of the nursing home crisis, Murphy fired the State’s veterans’ nursing homes director, rather than admit his personal responsibility. Murphy won’t comment publicly about his personal mismanagement or his Administration’s reckless disregard for the health, safety and welfare of the patients and staff at these facilities. He even ignores repeated requests for details of his knowledge and handling of the Covid outbreaks at these State run veterans’ homes, denying records requests and relaxing OPRA rules. This blood is on Phil Murphy’s hands.

In response to the launch of this investigation, NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt issued the following statement:

“Governor Murphy directly manages these Veterans homes, where so many of our great New Jersey heroes reside and died. His mismanagement of the Covid crisis is monumental and no more acute than in these homes. As more details emerge about the Governor’s reckless disregard for these patients and staff, it’s clear that he didn’t grasp the complexities of the virus, prioritize our most vulnerable population, appreciate the magnitude of his March 31, 2020 “do not test” order or care about its deadly effect. What’s worse, he’s covering up his failures and scapegoating his subordinates. The NJGOP called for the DOJ to investigate, and they are. New Jersey’s veterans gave so much to our nation, the least Governor Murphy can do is pay them the respect of straight answers. His failure to provide timely, accurate, and transparent information to the DOJ is an insult to our vets and their families and confirms that he lacks the courage and character to lead.”

Murphy’s Last In the Nation In Business Tax Climate

Trenton- A new report shows that New Jersey ranks dead last in the nation for our overall Business Tax Climate. Delaware is 13th, Pennsylvania is 27th, and New York is 48th. New Jersey also ranks 46th in property taxes, 48th in corporate taxes, and 50th in individual taxes.

In 2018 Governor Murphy raised the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) to the nation’s highest level. This year the Governor and legislative Democrats hiked the state income tax. Trenton Democrats also cancelled the scheduled sunsetting of part of the CBT and instituted a new tax on healthcare companies. There’s even a new “Rain Tax” under Governor Murphy, who said if taxes are an important issue to you, “we’re probably not your state.”

Chairman Doug Steinhardt issued the following statement:

“Since taking office, Governor Murphy has waged a relentless assault on the State’s job creators. We saw this clearly over the last several months, as his approach to the fiscal challenges posed by the pandemic boiled down to “private sector pain, and public sector gain”. Now, we have further confirmation that New Jersey Democrats are failing New Jersey citizens. In fact, New Jersey is ranked dead last in overall tax climate by the independent tax policy research Tax Foundation. We could be a vibrant hub of innovation, leading the country in job growth, GDP, and opportunity for all, but Governor Murphy’s policies are like cement shoes holding us down, keeping Garden Staters from prosperity, and making it harder to live, work, and raise a family here. We deserve better than another Murphy induced last place ranking, and New Jerseyans deserve a Governor who will deliver real growth and opportunity for all the citizens of our State.”