Governor Phil Murphy

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This Week in New Jersey: June 28, 2019

06/28/2019

 

GOVERNOR MURPHY DISCUSSES VISION FOR STRENGTHENING NEW JERSEY'S INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

Governor Phil Murphy joined with New Jersey leaders in innovation, NJIT officials, and legislators to highlight his vision for the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund (NJIEF). The NJIEF will bring together venture capital firms and the state government in a collaboration to provide funding for startups based in New Jersey.

"New Jersey’s economic future relies on becoming the home of the world’s leading technology, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and life-sciences companies," said Governor Phil Murphy. " The program I put forward nine months ago is fiscally responsible, transparent, and strategic. It shows the potential for creating a true startup culture, and reclaiming our foothold as a global leader in the innovation economy."


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Governor Murphy Discusses Vision for Strengthening New Jersey's Innovation Ecosystem

GOVERNOR MURPHY REITERATES CALL FOR FEE ON OPIOID MANUFACTURERS, ANNOUNCES INTENT TO NOMINATE JUDY PERSICHILLI AS NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMISSIONER

Governor Phil Murphy was joined by the New Jersey Department of Health and New Jersey Department of Human Services to emphasize the importance of including a modest fee on opioid manufacturers and distributors to help offset state costs for crucial programs to fight the opioid epidemic and support recovery.

“Fighting New Jersey’s opioid epidemic will take a comprehensive approach, from the Administration to our health care partners to opioid manufacturers and distributors,” said Governor Murphy. “The Legislature’s budget gives opioid manufacturers and distributors a pass, putting the entire burden of our $100 million strategic investment on anti-opioid efforts solely on the shoulders of New Jersey taxpayers. This epidemic impacts us all and it is time for drug companies to pay their fair share.”

Governor Murphy also announced his intention to nominate Judy Persichilli as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health. Ms. Persichilli takes the helm from Commissioner Shereef Elnahal, who will depart the Administration in July to serve as CEO of University Hospital. Ms. Persichilli is the first registered nurse to hold the position.

“Judy is a true health care professional, with keen insight into managing health systems to enhance the public good,” said Governor Murphy. “As Judy prepares to join my cabinet, I look forward to continuing the relationship we have built during her time as University Hospital Monitor, so she can apply her singular talents for the benefit of all New Jerseyans."

READ MORE: Governor Murphy Reiterates Call for Fee on Opioid Manufacturers

READ MORE: Governor Murphy Announces Intent To Nominate Judy Persichilli as New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner

GOVERNOR MURPHY URGES THE IMPORTANCE OF FULLY FUNDING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPPORTUNITY GRANT

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the need to fully fund the state’s last-dollar college grant program, the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG), in order to expand the opportunity to more students at all of the state’s county colleges next academic year. During the spring 2019 semester, the program enabled thousands of students to work toward a degree without accruing large amounts of debt.

“Making community college free this past semester was a game changer for the students, for their communities, and for the State,” said Governor Murphy. “If we are serious about continuing our investment in our residents, it is critical that we fully fund this grant in order to ensure that every individual has a chance to succeed.”

“This spring I have been participating in roundtables and hearing the stories of students who benefited from the Community College Opportunity Grant Program. I heard from students who had to take on three jobs to pay their expenses. I heard from single parents who supported their children while studying for exams,” said Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis. “The Community College Opportunity Grant enabled these students to stay in college. Those students are more likely to graduate and thereby repay the state’s investment. However, the only way to deliver on this commitment is to adequately fund the program.”

READ MORE: Governor Murphy Urges The Importance of Fully Funding The Community College Opportunity Grant 

GOVERNOR MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS INVESTMENTS AND PROGRESS FOR NJ TRANSIT

Governor Phil Murphy joined with Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti and NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kevin Corbett to highlight historic investments made in the agency after nearly a decade of neglect. Increased funding, engineer recruitment, and a renewed attention to customer experience have already resulted in restoring reliability to the service through a reduction in cancellations and improvement in on-time performance.

“After years of mismanagement, our Administration’s first budget included a historic increase in funding for NJ TRANSIT, enabling the agency to begin a rebuilding process to restore safety and reliability for commuters,” said Governor Murphy. “Over the course of the past eighteen months, NJ TRANSIT has hired its first Customer Advocate and Chief Customer Experience Officer, recruited hundreds of new bus drivers and train engineers, and met federal deadlines to install Positive Train Control, among many other improvements. Now, with the largest investment in NJ TRANSIT in state history, this progress will continue so that NJ TRANSIT will once again be the world-class mass transit agency that New Jersey commuters so richly deserve.”

READ MORE: Governor Murphy Highlights Investments and Progress for NJ Transit

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH STATE-BASED HEALTH EXCHANGE IN NEW JERSEY

Acting to improve health care access for New Jersey residents, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation to establish a State-Based Health Exchange in New Jersey. The law will allow New Jersey greater control over its health insurance market and the ability to establish stronger protections against the Trump Administration’s sabotage of the Affordable Care Act.

“New Jersey has advanced strong policies to protect access to health care for our residents, access which I believe is a human right. With this law, we take another step in securing the access families need to gaining more affordable health coverage. Creating our own exchange will allow us to take actions that protect residents in our state, and will ensure we are in the best position in New Jersey to defend against the Trump Administration’s assault on the Affordable Care Act,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “I want to thank the many tireless advocates that helped get this legislation over the finish line. This bill makes it so that New Jersey can continue its work to ensure that all residents have access to the coverage and care they deserve.”

READ MORE: Governor Murphy Signs Legislation To Establish State-Based Health Exchange in New Jersey