Official Site of The State of New Jersey
This Week in NJ - June 27th, 2025
Governor Murphy, NJ TRANSIT, and State Officials Break Ground on Next Phase of New Raritan River Bridge
Governor Phil Murphy, joined by NJ TRANSIT and State officials, celebrated the groundbreaking of the next critical phase of the new Raritan River Bridge on the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL). This kicks off construction and installation of the center span that lifts vertically to allow for marine traffic to pass underneath and will replace the current 117-year-old swing bridge, which rotates open. The bridge connects rail traffic between Perth Amboy and South Amboy across the Raritan River.
"Today, we are coming together in support of our shared mission to build a world-class transportation system, supported by safe, state-of-the-art, and reliable infrastructure," said Governor Phil Murphy. "By breaking ground on the next phase of the Raritan River Bridge, we are one step closer to improving reliability and allowing trains to cross the river at much faster speeds — reducing travel time so commuters can get home in time for dinner or to help their kids with homework after school. Resilient and reliable transportation along the North Jersey Coast Line will keep us on track toward a bright economic future and I am grateful to everyone who helped us reach this milestone."
“Today’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to delivering safe, reliable and resilient infrastructure for the people of New Jersey,” said NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor. “The new Raritan River Bridge will not only strengthen a critical transportation link along the North Jersey Coast Line but also safeguard this essential corridor against future extreme weather events.”
“Breaking ground on the lift span of the new Raritan River Bridge brings us another step closer to a more modern and resilient transportation network,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “This significant investment is a testament to our broader strategy and commitment to modernize all of our aging infrastructure that ensures continued reliability and connectivity for our customers.”
Statement by Governor Murphy on U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Trump v. New Jersey
"I am disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court today made it harder for Americans to rely on the courts to ensure that the federal government follows the law, and I have no doubt that the Trump Administration will see today’s decision as an invitation to continue disregarding the Constitution. At the same time, nothing in today’s decision suggests that the President’s executive order on birthright citizenship is actually constitutional, and when this case returns to the lower courts, I am sure they will again conclude that the President’s order is blatantly illegal and cannot take effect. I am proud of New Jersey’s leading role in this litigation, and I thank Attorney General Matt Platkin and Solicitor General Jeremy Feigenbaum for their leadership in the fight to defend our constitutional rights. That fight will continue until this disgraceful executive order is stopped for good."
New Jersey Distributes Summer EBT Benefits to More Than 693,000 Eligible Children
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the New Jersey Departments of Education and Human Services, announced that more than 693,000 eligible children across the state will be receiving Summer EBT benefits in the coming days. New Jersey is participating in this permanent, nationwide USDA program, now in its second year of operation, to provide food dollars to low-income families with school-aged children over the summer months when school is not in session.
“New Jersey students rely on free school breakfasts and lunches to get the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “With the Summer EBT program, we are bridging the gap to ensure that our students have access to nutritious foods, even when school is not in session. We are proud to have already distributed benefits to more than 693,000 eligible students."
“Through administering federal school nutrition programs, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture will continue engaging in all viable efforts to reduce food insecurity in this state,” Secretary Ed Wengryn said. “The Summer EBT program is a major component of ensuring that children and families who depend upon school meals will continue to have their nutritional needs met when school is not in session. We are highly aware that these are uncertain times for children whose healthiest and most wholesome foods come through school nutrition programs. That is why we will do everything we can to ensure that all eligible students and their families have access to this vital program.”
Governor Murphy, Attorney General Platkin Announce ARRIVE Together Program’s 10,000th Interaction
Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin recognized a milestone in the State’s Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together initiative. Launched in December 2021 to create better outcomes when law enforcement officers respond to calls with a mental health element, ARRIVE Together is now available in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties, currently serves more than 71 percent of the state’s 9.5 million residents, and is continuing to expand. This June, the program marked its 10,000th interaction.
Since ARRIVE’s inception, there have been no serious injuries to officers or those they are assisting.
“When we first launched ARRIVE Together, we recognized not only its potential to save the lives of countless New Jerseyans experiencing mental health crisis, but also the power to strengthen the bonds between our law enforcement officers and the communities they serve,” said Governor Murphy. “Since then, we have made strategic investments to safely and efficiently expand the initiative in communities throughout our state and ensure our officers and mental health professionals are able to continue this critical collaboration. The results have been deeply encouraging, and I look forward to the continued success of this program.”
“In New Jersey, we recognized that law enforcement officers needed new and innovative ways to respond to calls where mental health is a contributing factor. We’re seeing better outcomes for everyone when ARRIVE Together is part of the response,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Our country is experiencing a mental health epidemic, and I’m so proud that ARRIVE is helping to make a difference where it intersects with policing.”