Responses to Governor Phil Murphy’s State of the State address on January 14, 2025, included cheers and jeers, as well as some mentions about what was missing from the former Wall Street executive’s agenda for his final year in office.
Sarah Fajardo, Policy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), praised Murphy’s efforts to expand civil rights and liberties during his tenure, but said there is still work to be done in the final year of Murphy’s governorship.
Fajardo called Murphy’s proposed changes to the state’s parole system a significant step toward advancing justice, promoting public safety, and recognizing positive behavior in incarcerated individuals.
“For too long, people have been unnecessarily disrupted in their efforts to rebuild their lives due to technical violations,” Fajardo said.
She expressed hope that these changes would contribute to New Jersey’s continued efforts to reduce its prison population and cut the number of people in correctional facilities.
Fajardo also commended the Governor’s commitment to granting more categorical clemency, positioning it as a continuation of the state’s long history of reform in the criminal justice system. She urged the Murphy to further focus on reducing New Jersey’s prison population in his remaining time in office.
On the issue of reproductive rights, Fajardo addressed New Jersey’s commitment to protecting and expanding access to abortion care amid increasing restrictions in other states. She praised the state’s decision to stockpile mifepristone and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for abortion services. Fajardo stressed the importance of these actions in safeguarding reproductive freedom in a climate of national uncertainty, particularly as some states move to restrict access to abortion.
Fajardo also called on state leaders to prioritize legislation that strengthens immigrant rights, particularly in the face of expected federal actions under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Murphy did not mention immigration during his speech but Fajardo urged New Jersey to continue its role as a leader in defending civil rights on multiple fronts, rather than focusing on one issue at the expense of others.
“New Jersey has a powerful history of crafting ambitious public policy to build a better future,” Fajardo said. “As the country braces for Trump’s next term, our state can and must do more to protect all New Jerseyans. We will continue to work with Gov. Murphy and lawmakers at every opportunity to do exactly that.”