Murphy, a Democrat who took office in January after eight contentious years of Republican Governor Chris Christie, said that he wanted to raise taxes on millionaires, close loopholes for hedge funds and big businesses, legalize recreational marijuana and phase in free community college.
“It’s no secret that we face real challenges,” Murphy told lawmakers in a speech, as he presented the $37.4 billion budget. “But I am more confident than ever that we have what it takes to build a stronger, fairer New Jersey.”
Murphy proposed lifting the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, boosting funding for education and the state’s beleaguered NJ Transit system, and raising tax credits for low-income working families.