From Governor Phil Murphy’s 2025 State of the State Address:
“Unfortunately, as I can attest as a parent, in recent years, we have seen a new obstacle emerge when it comes to our children’s education: cell phones.
“Today, our children are inundated with screens.
“And if you ask just about any educator, they will tell you that mobile devices are a distraction in the classroom.
“They are fueling a rise in cyberbullying.
“And they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn.
“Honestly, is it any surprise that the rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis?
“Of course not. And I — for one — am not going to sit back as our kids suffer.
“So today, I am officially announcing my support for a new proposal that will direct school districts across New Jersey to adopt policies that ban cell phones from our K-12 classrooms and help establish phone-free schools.
“And I want to thank Senator Paul Moriarty and Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie for their leadership on
this issue.
“Every parent knows the damage that these devices can cause.
“Enough is enough. It is time for action.”
Murphy in his speech also vowed to work to lower housing costs.
From the speech:
“One of the biggest barriers our families face — when it comes to building wealth — is the skyrocketing costs of housing.
“And that is why, last year, our Administration worked with all of you to pass the most sweeping affordable housing legislation in more than 40 years.
“And now, as we work to convert that landmark law into action, I am ready to work with you, again, to lower housing costs for New Jerseyans.
“This year, I am calling on the Legislature to reform our state’s zoning and permitting laws, with a number of proposals led by Senator Troy Singleton and his colleagues, so we can make it easier to build new housing in the communities where it’s needed most.
“By cutting red tape and easing outdated restrictions, we can build potentially thousands of new, affordable housing units over the next decade.
“This is absolutely essential to helping our families access new opportunities to improve their economic well-being.”
The Governor got especially feisty toward the end of his speech:
“Yes — the budget is bigger. Because that’s what happens when you finally pay your bills and you actually meet your obligations to the people.
“Passing the buck was Trenton’s favorite game for far too long.
“Let me be clear: those days are over. And we are not going back.
“Because you know what happens when you abandon your responsibilities to New Jerseyans?
“People get hurt.
“So, to those of you running around, complaining about our Administration’s spending priorities, why don’t you level with the people of New Jersey?
“Why don’t you turn around and face our teachers, our police officers, our firefighters, and tell all the hardworking people who serve our state that you want to defund their pensions and deny them their hard-earned retirement.
“Or why don’t you tell our state’s parents that you want to defund our schools and deprive our children of the education they deserve, and at the same time, make our families pay more in property taxes.
“Or tell commuters which road you won’t fix. Or the train you won’t upgrade.
“Or tell all the women seeking essential health care — whether it’s a mammogram or an ultrasound — that you’re willing to defund Planned Parenthood, like the last Administration did.
“You need to look the people of New Jersey in the eye and tell it to them straight.
“Because while avoiding hard choices may win an election or two, it always fails New Jersey. It is a short-sighted strategy that costs more and solves nothing.
“In our Administration, we don’t raise tomorrow’s costs by failing to meet today’s challenges.
“We pay our bills. We meet our obligations.
“And we never abandon our families.
“Because the last thing the people of New Jersey need is a deadbeat government.
“And this is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue.
“This is about paying what we promised, supporting our most vulnerable, and lifting up our families.
“And when I talk about lifting up our state’s families — I mean every family.”
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