TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New members of the New Jersey Legislature were sworn in on Tuesday ahead of Gov. Phil Murphy’s annual State of the State address. In his speech, the governor outlined his goals for the year ahead.
Calling New Jersey one of the best places to raise a family, Murphy said making the state more affordable will continue to be the top priority.
“We need to put the dream of homeownership and affordable housing back into reach for working New Jerseyans,” he said.
He asked legislators to take up new bills focused on expanding access to health care and universal, free pre-K.
Reproductive rights — specifically, access to abortion — will also be a priority this year. Murphy asked legislators to advance a bill that removes the cost barrier for abortions.
He also urged lawmakers to take up the issue of crippling medical debt.
“I'm calling on our Legislature to enact a new package that will help families avoid being caught in a medical debt trap — and, at the same time, require every single medical bill to be clear and transparent,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he wants the state to be a leader in artificial intelligence and to incubate ground-breaking discoveries.
“Together we are going to face our toughest challenges with honesty and optimism. And we’re going to leave our kids a state better than we found it — a state where you could afford to live your working years and your golden years.”