TRENTON, N.J. — Democrats in New Jersey are pushing for New Jersey taxes to increase across the board and Governor Phil Murphy is leading that effort.
Murphy and Democrats are now criticizing billions of dollars in federal tax cuts being pushed by President Donald J. Trump.
Key Points
- Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio accused Gov. Murphy of hypocrisy following criticism of Trump’s congressional address.
- DiMaio highlighted Murphy’s $1.3 billion in proposed tax increases and a 68% rise in state spending since he took office.
- He contrasted Murphy’s energy and tax policies with Trump’s proposals aimed at cost reduction and middle-class relief.
Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio blasted Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday for criticizing former President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, accusing the governor of hypocrisy and pointing to what he called a record of tax hikes and economic mismanagement in New Jersey.
Murphy, in a statement following Trump’s speech, expressed concern over the nation’s direction, saying Americans are facing high costs and stagnant wages.
DiMaio fired back, claiming the governor’s own fiscal policies have worsened those same problems in the Garden State.
“Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s ‘disappointed’ in the president’s address last night. That’s rich, because we’re pretty disappointed in him,” said DiMaio.
DiMaio cited Murphy’s latest budget proposal, which is 68% larger than the budget in his first year in office, as evidence of what he called excessive spending. He also criticized the governor’s plan to raise taxes by $1.3 billion, contrasting it with Trump’s federal plan to cut trillions in spending.
He further targeted Murphy’s energy policies, claiming they have led to higher electricity costs by limiting energy supply, in contrast to Trump’s pro-drilling stance. “Murphy’s policies are driving up utility bills by restricting our energy supply. Trump wants to ‘Drill, baby drill’ to lower prices,” DiMaio said.
DiMaio noted that Trump has proposed middle-class tax relief, including eliminating taxes on overtime, tips, and Social Security income—initiatives DiMaio says Murphy has ignored.
His closing message was direct: Murphy’s combative political style isn’t helping residents. “Stop ‘fighting like hell’ because it’s not working,” DiMaio said.
DiMaio slams Murphy’s record in scathing response to governor’s swipe at Trump’s congressional address.