2025 Election Guide
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every town in America
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Governor Murphy Joins Local Officials in Newark to Break Ground on Landmark Greenway Project
Governor Phil Murphy joined local, county, and state officials in Newark to break ground on the first phase of the Greenway project - a nine-mile, 100-foot-wide former rail line spanning Essex and Hudson Counties which will be transformed into New Jersey’s newest state park. The groundbreaking took place at the future Newark Central Activity Center, located between Summer Avenue and Broadway.
The Murphy Administration is developing the Greenway to provide outdoor recreation and alternative transportation opportunities in the state’s most densely populated region. Its design elements will reflect the corridor’s historic use, when the former rail line played a vital role in transporting iron ore and blocks of ice from northern New Jersey to the major ports of Jersey City and New York City.
“Spanning two of the most densely populated counties in the country, the Greenway will be a new landmark that reflects who we are and where we’re going,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “When it’s complete, the Greenway will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best urban parks in the country and will create opportunities for economic growth in the surrounding communities. It will belong to the people who live here, ride it, walk it, and raise their kids alongside it.”
Once complete, the Greenway will connect eight communities across Essex and Hudson Counties - Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, and Montclair. The project aims to create a linear, multi-use corridor that supports walking, biking, and active transportation while fostering community connections and enhancing regional environmental quality.
“This groundbreaking ceremony in historic Newark marks a milestone, beginning the long-awaited transformation of an abandoned rail-line into a world-class urban park that will be a significant recreational and economic asset for New Jersey,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our partners across the Murphy Administration, with strong local support, we are forging a legacy that will connect communities, celebrate history, and conserve open space for people from across the state and the region.”
Governor Murphy Signs Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Legislation
Governor Murphy signed A4765/S4146, legislation that strengthens requirements for driver education and testing on safely and responsibly sharing the roads with pedestrians and cyclists. The Governor was joined in Maplewood by vehicular crash victims, advocates, community members, and local and state leaders.
This legislation builds upon the Murphy Administration's efforts to make New Jersey’s roads safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Earlier this year, Governor Murphy established the Target Zero Commission - a 13-member group charged with identifying and implementing strategies to eliminate serious roadway injuries and fatalities in the state by 2040.
“Today’s legislation marks another essential step toward reducing roadside fatalities and making our streets safer,” said Governor Murphy. “By expanding driver’s education and testing to include more safeguards for pedestrians and cyclists, we are fostering a new generation of informed, responsible drivers. This law helps prevent senseless tragedy and furthers our commitment to building a stronger, safer Garden State.”
The law requires that both driver’s education curriculum and the driver’s examination include information about a driver’s responsibilities when approaching a pedestrian operating a bicycle or personal conveyance, as well as the associated penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities.
From 2023 to 2024, traffic fatalities increased by 14%. This overall increase was largely due to a 36% increase in pedestrian fatalities. As of this month, traffic fatalities are down 17% and pedestrian fatalities are down 31% compared to the same time period last year.
New Jersey Named National Leader in AI Innovation in New Report
Nonprofit civic tech leader Code for America released a nationwide report on states’ AI readiness, naming New Jersey as one of only three states achieving the top-level designation of “Advanced” AI readiness. The designation underscores New Jersey’s leadership in AI and reflects sophisticated capabilities, comprehensive frameworks, and innovative approaches across three key areas related to AI adoption and implementation in state government: Leadership and Governance, AI Capacity Building, and Technical Infrastructure and Capabilities.
The report states: “New Jersey is advanced in its strong commitment to AI development through comprehensive policies, ethical frameworks, capacity building, and infrastructure investments. The state's proactive approach positions it as a leader in responsible AI adoption and innovation.”
“Responsibly harnessing the immense potential of AI not only enhances government delivery to our residents but also positions New Jersey as a leader in economic growth in this rapidly evolving field,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “I am pleased that the Garden State is being recognized for our ongoing efforts to effectively and ethically leverage innovation in ways that greatly benefit our residents, businesses, and other New Jersey institutions.”
Bipartisan Group of Governors Issue Joint Letter to Grid Operator PJM Advocating for Increased State Representation Amid Ongoing Leadership Changes and PJM Cost Crisis
Governor Phil Murphy, along with the governors of Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Tennessee, sent a bipartisan letter to PJM Interconnection calling on the grid operator to enact fundamental changes and appoint new leadership to restore confidence in its ability to meet the ongoing energy affordability crisis and resource adequacy demands. The letter reflects the PJM states’ increasing commitment to improving PJM governance and increased representation amid leadership changes at the grid operator.
Following the recent termination of two longstanding Board members and the imminent departure of the CEO, the letter highlights the need for a balanced bipartisan slate of candidates and requests that two Board seats remain dedicated to candidates who are proposed by the states collectively, as PJM decisions directly impact states’ residents. While the Members will ultimately decide who sits on the Board, allowing states to propose candidates would add necessary transparency to the PJM Board’s decision-making process and uplift states’ affordability and reliability priorities.
“I am pleased to continue collaborating with the other states in the PJM region and the growing bipartisan coalition of states demanding long overdue transparency and accountability from PJM Interconnection,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Every decision that is made in Valley Forge drastically impacts us at home. We must ensure that families and business owners have a clean and reliable power grid and don’t have to choose between feeding their families and keeping the lights on.”