Governor Murphy Names Secretary of State Tahesha Way as Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy announced Secretary of State Tahesha L. Way as the next Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. In a ceremony in the New Jersey Executive State House, Lieutenant Governor Way was sworn into her new role, which she assumes after the unexpected passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver on August 1, 2023.
“Sheila Oliver was the greatest partner in government I could have ever hoped for, and she leaves incredibly big shoes to fill,” said Governor Murphy. “While no one can truly replace her, I am deeply proud to appoint Secretary of State Tahesha Way to succeed her as Lieutenant Governor. Tahesha has been with our administration from the very beginning, and her work over the past five and a half years leading the Department of State has grown New Jersey’s tourism economy, uplifted small businesses, and strengthened our election system. Tahesha is the perfect candidate to join me in finishing the job that Sheila and I started.”
“I considered Lieutenant Governor Oliver a close friend and mentor – someone I looked to for guidance to better serve the people of New Jersey,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. "To have been selected as her successor as New Jersey’s next Lieutenant Governor is one of the greatest honors of my career. I come to this position as the child of two public servants who molded me into the person I am today. Having experience at different levels of government has showed me the important role that those of us in public office can play in improving the lives of families across our state. I look forward to finishing the work of this Administration with Governor Murphy and continuing to build on the legacy Lieutenant Governor Oliver fostered.”
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Statement from Governor Murphy on the Passing of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joe Fiordaliso
“Joe Fiordaliso was a consummate public servant, a trusted colleague, and a good friend. Above all, he was a devoted husband to his wife Marilyn, father to Dana and Joe, and grandfather to six loving grandchildren.
“As President of the BPU since the beginning of my Administration, Joe skillfully led our work to responsibly transition to a clean energy economy while always putting the needs of consumers first. He also was a key figure in our storm response efforts and in ensuring that all New Jerseyans had access to critical services like clean water, electricity, and broadband. And, as a former three-time Mayor of Livingston and member of the Township Council, he was a dedicated member of his community.”
“Every time you saw Joe he was wearing his signature offshore wind pin or handing one out to anyone and everyone he met. He had an infectious personality and generous spirit. Tammy and I will miss his wise counsel and friendship. May he Rest in Peace.”
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Protecting Interracial Marriage in New Jersey Statutory Law
Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (A-4939/S-3719) affirming the fundamental right of a person to marry or enter into a civil union with a person of any race. This week's signing ensures that interracial marriage in New Jersey is protected even if the United States Supreme Court decides that the federal Constitution no longer protects the right to marry someone of a different race.
In 1967, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that the federal Constitution prohibits state laws that ban interracial marriage, as Virginia did at the time. Over the last several years, however, the new majority on the Supreme Court has overturned numerous precedents protecting liberty and equality. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org., the Justices discussed whether the decision to eliminate the federal constitutional right to an abortion also threatened other well-established precedents like Loving. This legislation addresses such concerns by enshrining the fundamental right of interracial marriage in New Jersey statutory law.
“In New Jersey, we will continue to stand on the right side of history, ensuring that people have the freedom to marry the person they love,” said Governor Murphy. “In June of 2022, the Supreme Court’s right-wing majority erased a woman’s long-held constitutional right to an abortion and made clear that they do not value the rights of women to make their own decisions about their bodies. As our country faces an era of uncertainty regarding the basic principles of equality and personal freedom, it is critical that we protect interracial marriage in New Jersey statutory law.”
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Governor Murphy Announces FHWA Approval of $425 Million in Additional Federal Fiscal Year Funding for NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT Projects
Governor Phil Murphy announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded an additional $425 million in federal transportation dollars to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for transportation projects as part of the Federal August Redistribution process.
Each year, August Redistribution provides an opportunity for the FHWA to increase spending authority to state DOTs based on the availability of unused funds. Use of these funds must be approved by the FHWA no later than September 30, 2023. The FHWA provided $425 million in redistributed spending authority. This is the highest amount New Jersey has ever received, and the fourth-highest award nationwide, only behind California, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Since Governor Murphy took office in 2018, the NJDOT has received $830 million in August Redistribution funds, more than four times the amount in the prior ten years.
The NJDOT was able to program such a significant amount of money thanks to strong collaboration with the FHWA under the leadership of FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt. Ultimately, the additional spending will be split, with $315 million for NJ TRANSIT projects and $110 million for NJDOT projects.
“The support we have garnered from the federal government demonstrates our collective commitment to enhance the vital transportation services upon which our communities depend,” said Governor Murphy. “I thank our congressional delegation for their persistent work in Washington to bring crucial federal dollars to our state, as well as Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti and her team for their continued efforts to provide funding for critical transportation projects. The Long Branch Station Pedestrian Tunnel Project is a quintessential example of how my Administration is working to build a nation-leading transportation network that is not only more modern and efficient, but more accessible for all New Jerseyans.”
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Murphy Administration Approves $450 Million in School Construction Funding
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) announced the approval of nearly $450 million in school construction funds to address critical facilities needs in 261 school districts throughout the state.
Of this $450 million in construction, $350 million will come from the State’s Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund, which was established two years ago to help pay down existing debt and avoid incurring new debt by funding projects outright rather than incurring new borrowing. This move is expected to save the State and taxpayers roughly $350 million in total as opposed to issuing 30-year bonds at current interest rates.
“This funding is part of a state and local partnership that will invest in hundreds of school projects while saving a significant amount of taxpayer dollars. Coupled with an infusion of local funding, this collaboration will generate more than $1 billion in important upgrades to schools throughout New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Ensuring our students receive a world-class education in a first-rate learning environment while relieving the pressure on local taxpayers is a top priority of my Administration.”
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
