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First Lady Murphy and Governor Murphy Break Ground on First-of-its-Kind Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center
First Lady Tammy Murphy and Governor Phil Murphy joined representatives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Authority (MIHIA); state and local government officials; and health care, community, and faith leaders to break ground on the first-of-its-kind Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC) in Trenton. The MIHIC will serve as the epicenter for advancing equitable maternal and infant health care across Trenton and the nation. As a beacon of hope and innovation, it will lead efforts to deliver excellence in perinatal and family care, cultivate a diverse and skilled workforce, conduct cutting-edge policy research, provide integrated wraparound supports, and operate a robust data collaborative to better serve families across the state.
"This is a transformational day for every mother and baby who deserves a safe, healthy, and strong start in life," said First Lady Tammy Murphy. "Today, we break ground on the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center – the heartbeat of Nurture NJ. Shaped by the voices of families and rooted in Trenton, this Center will deliver care and collaboration like never before. It will save lives, raise standards, and show what’s possible when equity leads. And with the nation’s first Strategic Innovation Center dedicated to maternal and infant health, we’re not waiting for change – we’re creating it right here.”
“Today’s groundbreaking takes us one step closer to opening the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, which will serve as a unique and pioneering hub dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the maternal health crisis while tackling health care disparities once and for all,” said Governor Murphy. “Additionally, through the newly announced Strategic Innovation Center and the three lead anchor tenants, this center will offer essential maternal and infant health care services to the residents of Trenton and New Jersey, and serve as a research and innovation hub to reshape maternal health locally and statewide, while setting an example for the entire nation. The work of the Center will have a lasting impact beyond our administration, strengthening the health and development of families and communities.”
The maternal and infant health SIC will include 5,000 square feet of space within the MIHIC. In collaboration with public and private stakeholders, the location will provide first-in-class research and development focused on maternal health care, becoming a catalyst for innovation that improves maternal and infant health outcomes through medical technology. The MIHIC incubator will collaborate closely with other components of the state’s 12th SIC, including Plug and Play’s world-class accelerator for early-stage companies.
Governor Murphy Unveils Official Portrait of Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno
Governor Murphy, joined by former Governor Christie and Lieutenant Governor Way, unveiled the official portrait of former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, which will be displayed permanently in the New Jersey State House. The ceremony included former Lieutenant Governor Guadagno, as well as her family, friends, and former staffers.
In August 2023, following the passing of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, Governor Murphy announced the commissioning of official portraits for former Lieutenant Governors for display in the New Jersey State House. By commissioning portraits for both Lieutenant Governor Oliver and Lieutenant Governor Guadagno, Governor Murphy sought to establish a precedent whereby all former Lieutenant Governors are honored with this special recognition.
“Lieutenant Governor Guadagno served our state with distinction for eight years,” said Governor Murphy. "Lieutenant Governors hold a vital and often unsung role in New Jersey state government. Throughout her tenure, Lieutenant Governor Guadagno demonstrated unwavering dedication to New Jersey’s families and a strong commitment to public service, and it is fitting that we recognize her lasting contributions with a portrait that will stand the test of time. “
“I am incredibly humbled to have my portrait for display in the State House,” said former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. “It was a privilege serving the residents of our great state for eight years. I thank Governor Murphy for honoring the Office of the Lieutenant Governor by displaying our portraits in the State House."
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Directing New Jersey State Agencies to Review Impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Following the enactment of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA, P.L. 119-21), Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 393, directing State agencies to immediately evaluate the impacts of the spending law on their budgets, operations, and programs.
The OBBBA slashes funding for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other essential programs — all while providing tax cuts and benefits to the ultra-wealthy. It undermines efforts to deliver an affordable clean energy future for New Jersey by cutting incentives for renewable energy programs and zero-emission vehicles. The OBBBA will add trillions of dollars to the national debt, and it is projected to exacerbate inflation and increase the federal government’s debt servicing costs, meaning the American people will be forced to pay more for less.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a fiscal disaster that fails to deliver for working-class families in New Jersey and across the country,” said Governor Murphy. “This law rips away health care from vulnerable children and families, guts food assistance, and raises costs for everyday Americans. By signing this Executive Order, we are mobilizing to mitigate harm to New Jerseyans and planning to navigate new red tape from Washington, D.C.”
Under the executive order, all State agencies are directed to immediately review the OBBBA and its impacts on their budgets, operations, and programs, including services provided to New Jersey residents.
Governor Murphy Demands More Information from the Department of Defense Over Proposal to Move Jobs out of New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter expressing his concerns to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.S. Secretary for the Army Daniel Driscoll over the United States Army’s proposed Army Transformation Initiative, particularly the restructuring of its acquisition enterprise. As proposed, the restructuring would consolidate the Army’s 12 current Program Executive Offices (PEOs) into seven Capability Executive Offices (CEOs), directly impacting New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal which has supported the Army’s ammunition enterprise for decades.
“As the Army’s primary armament facility, Picatinny possesses decades of unmatched technical expertise, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a highly skilled, mission-driven workforce with vast experience in the development and management of advanced weapons and munitions,” Governor Murphy wrote in the letter. “Removing this critical mission from Picatinny would not only dismantle a uniquely capable and proven center of excellence – it would result in poorer weapons being delivered to our soldiers, compromising their safety and weakening our battlefield effectiveness for generations to come.”
Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Establishing Digital Driver’s Licenses
Governor Murphy signed legislation that requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to create digital driver’s licenses and digital non-driver identification cards. Digital driver’s licenses reinforce New Jersey’s status as a leader in technology and innovation while making day-to-day life easier and more convenient for New Jerseyans.
The bill also outlines protections afforded to a holder of a digital license/non-driver ID when using the digital license/non-driver ID. It prohibits persons and entities from requiring a holder to turn over their electronic device, including to law enforcement, to verify identity. It also provides that displaying the digital license/non-driver ID does not imply consent to a search or access to other phone data, and that information seen while verifying identity cannot be used as probable cause for a search warrant. The new legislation makes participation voluntary, ensuring those without access or interest can continue using physical licenses.
“Digital driver's licenses will make life easier for drivers across New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “Innovation has always been at the core of who we are as a state, and my administration has embraced that spirit to deliver practical solutions that improve everyday life for our people. By bringing government services into the digital age, we’re setting a new standard for how the public interacts with State agencies.”