Governor Murphy Joins U.s. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Congressman Tom Kean Jr. For Tour and Press Conference at I-80 Sinkhole

Governor Murphy joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Congressman Tom Kean Jr. to provide updates on the ongoing road repairs near the I-80 sinkhole. During the visit, Governor Murphy highlighted the collaboration between the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to expedite the reopening of I-80. As part of the response efforts, Governor Murphy announced that NJ TRANSIT will be offering a 50% discount on roundtrip travel for those affected by the ongoing emergency repair work on I-80. 

Ahead of Historic Newark School Board Election, Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Way Join Non-Partisan Voter Registration Drive for 16 and 17-Year-Old Students at Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology

At the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology, Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Way joined a non-partisan voter registration drive to encourage 16- and 17-year-olds to register to vote in their upcoming local school board election on April 15, 2025. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor were joined by award-winning rapper and recording artist A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, First Lady Tammy Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León, and over 150 juniors and seniors from the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology. The deadline to register to vote for the April election for the Newark Board of Education is March 25, 2025.

“Newark has set a national standard for youth voting rights by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in their local school board elections,” said Governor Murphy. “Providing young people a say in issues that directly impact their lives is not only the right thing to do, but also helps make voting into a lifelong habit. At a time when our democracy is threatened, we must do everything we can to empower the next generation by instilling in them the value of civic engagement.”

“Starting civic engagement at a young age fosters a lifelong commitment to democracy,” said Lieutenant Governor Way, who oversees the Division of Elections in her capacity as Secretary of State. “By allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in their school board election, Newark’s young people will have a say in the decisions that directly impact their education.”  

Newark made history as the first city in the state to enact an ordinance lowering the voting age for local school board elections to 16. The Newark City Council unanimously voted to approve the change in January 2024, but implementation was delayed until the April 2025 election due to voter registration issues. As part of this historic occasion, Governor Murphy reinforced his support for S3240/A4369, which would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local school board elections statewide.

“Our youth are our future, and they deserve a voice in electing the leaders who shape their education,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “I commend the city of Newark for establishing voting rights for 16- and 17-year-olds and recognizing their interest in decisions that impact them. Allowing our youth to vote will not only give them a firsthand experience in democracy but also reinforce the power of civic engagement, ensuring they understand the importance of letting their voices be heard come Election Day.”

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New Jersey Jumps to Top 10 in National Rankings for Energy Efficiency

The State of New Jersey is being recognized as a national leader in energy efficiency programming and outcomes in the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) 2025 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which ranks all 50 states and Washington, D.C. New Jersey ranked #8, returning to the top 10 for the first time since 2008 and was listed as one of the most improved states in energy efficiency. 

“We are thrilled to earn this major achievement with our rankings in the 2025 ACEEE State Scorecard,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “This confirms our State’s investments in efficiency programs are among the best in the nation at delivering results by reducing energy demand, delivering energy savings, and securing long-term bill stabilization for New Jersey ratepayers.”

“Today’s announcement underscores the tremendous strides New Jersey has made in the years following the signing of the Clean Energy Act into law by Governor Murphy,” said Eric Miller, Executive Director of the Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. “The BPU staff, in partnership with our utilities, have built nation-leading programs that deliver lower energy costs to all New Jerseyans, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and employing tens of thousands of New Jerseyans in the clean energy economy.”

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Statement by Governor Murphy on President Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

Following President Trump's Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Governor Murphy released the following statement: 

“President Trump’s directive to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is unconscionable and unconstitutional. This Executive Order will have disastrous ramifications — especially for our nation’s students. 

“New Jersey receives approximately $1.2 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the vast majority of which supports low-income students and students with disabilities. By signing this Executive Order, the Trump Administration is endangering vital resources for K-12 students and risking increased costs for those pursuing higher education. 

“Simply put, the Trump Administration is going out of its way to create chaos and raise costs for our nation’s families. I urge New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to protect federal funding and preserve the legally prescribed functions of the U.S. Department of Education. My Administration will take every possible step we can to support their efforts.”

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New Jersey Department of Labor Announces the Availability of $5 Million in Grant Funding for Training and Employment Support Services for Opioid-Impacted New Jerseyans

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) announced an additional $5 million in grant funding for organizations to provide training, employment, and retention services for residents who have been impacted by the opioid crisis. The Pathways to Recovery Initiative provides funding to organizations across the state to enhance workforce readiness and help New Jerseyans make the transition from opioid recovery to employment.  

Since its inception, the program has established over 1,550 employer partnerships and served more than 4,150 participants.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, for-profits, governmental entities, and institutions of higher education in the Garden State that have connections to mental health and opioid use disorder treatment centers. The program is expected to grant selected organizations up to $1 million to provide support over a 24-month period that begins June 1.  

“Pathways to Recovery is helping New Jerseyans impacted by the opioid crisis get back on their feet by supporting local opportunities for job training and support,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “By investing in employment support services for individuals in recovery, we are enhancing the state’s workforce readiness and empowering residents with the dignity and respect that comes from having a job and rebuilding their lives.” 

The Pathways to Recovery program, launched in 2019 as part of Governor Murphy’s whole-of-government strategy to combat New Jersey’s opioid crisis, initially focused on the six hardest-hit counties before expanding statewide last year.

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