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The Big Things to Watch for in Murphy’s Inaugural Budget

Gov. Phil Murphy is scheduled to present his first state budget this afternoon in a speech before a joint session of the Legislature in Trenton. Since being sworn in earlier this year, Murphy, a Democrat, has promised to take the state in a new direction after eight years under former Republican Gov. Chris Christie. The budget… Read the rest of this entry »

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Matt Doherty Gets Big Atlantic City Job From Murphy

Governor Phil Murphy and Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty looking like Chris Christie on Super Tuesday

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty has joined the Murphy Administration as the Deputy Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, according to a story posted by NewJerseyGlobe.

Doherty started the job which does not require confirmation by the state Senate on Monday.  His predecessor earned $175,000 per year, according to the NJGlobe report. Read the rest of this entry »

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Murphy nominates Fulton to head MVC

Brenda “Sue” Fulton was nominated to be Governor Phil Murphy’s MVC Chief

Governor Phil Murphy today announced his nomination of B. Sue Fulton of Asbury Park to be the Chair and Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

MMM reported that Fulton was being vetted for the job on February 8, two days after her 2016 Democrat running mate for Monmouth County Freeholder, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty, announced that he had turned down the job because “it was not a good fit.”

“I’m honored — and humbled — to be asked to lead the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and to be part of Governor Murphy’s administration,” Fulton said in a statement released by the governor’s office, “We will make it our aim every day to better serve the people of New Jersey. There is tremendous opportunity to bring about a positive change in New Jersey and I am excited to be a part of that change.”

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Murphy fires Scharfenberger for skipping his press conference

Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger takes the Oath of Office on Feb 3.

Republican Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger was fired from his job in the Murphy administration this afternoon. PoliticsDW broke the story.

“I paid the price for not attending the press conference,” Scharfenberger said when reached by MMM.  The freeholder was referring to Governor Murphy’s event in Marlboro last week to promote his scheme to convert property taxes into charitable donations as workaround to the new federal tax law which caps the deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000.  Murphy claimed bi-partisan support for the scheme, but only five Democrat mayors from Monmouth County showed up to support the governor.

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Murphy claims bi-partisan support for property tax/charity scheme. Republicans disagree, call for NJ reforms

Marlboro, NJ-With Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty looking like Chris Christie standing behind Donald Trump on Super Tuesday — and four other Democrat mayors standing behind him, Governor Phil Murphy today declared he had bi-partisan support for his plan to have the state’s municipalities set up charities to accept donations in lieu of property taxes.  Murphy said that the recent income tax reform passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump is a tax increase on New Jersey’s middle class.   The scheme he is proposing would, if allowed by the IRS, reverse the impact of the tax reform law’s $10,000 cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

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Fulton being vetted for top MVC job

Doherty said to have failed the background check for the job

Brenda “Sue” Fulton is being vetted to be Governor Phil Murphy’s MVC Chief

Brenda “Sue” Fulton of Asbury Park is Governor Murphy’s current choice to become Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, according to a source who told MMM that the West Point graduate has consented to four way background check.

Fulton’s 2016 running mate for Monmouth County Freeholder, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty, said he “respectfully declined” the Governor’s offer to lead MVC at a Borough Council meeting on Monday night.

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Governor Murphy to hold press conference in Marlboro on Friday morning

Gov Phil Murphy and Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik

Governor Phil Murphy will be in Marlboro Township on Friday for a press conference about his scheme to allow property tax payments to be classified as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

The tax reform law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump last December limited the deduction for state and local taxes to $10,000.  All members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, with the exception of Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ3) voted against the measure.

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Watch Phil Murphy’s Inauguration

Phil Murphy of Middletown will be sworn in as the 56th governor of New Jersey on Tuesday.  NJTV coverage starts at 11 a.m.

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Phil Murphy among 10 speakers to appear at the Women’s March on N.J.

New Jersey’s incoming governor and first lady will be among the speakers cheering on thousands of marchers expected to attend next week’s Women’s March on New Jersey in Morristown, organizers said. The Jan. 20 march will be one of the first large events for Gov.-elect Phil Murphy after the Democrat takes office Tuesday. Sheila Oliver, the… Read the rest of this entry »

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