John Reitmeyer’s piece for NJSpotlight says it all. Gov. Murphy has increased spending by 30% since he entered office, and “much of the big increase in spending is helping fund increases in aid to K-12 schools and record-high public-worker pension contributions …”
In order to do so, Murphy increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations, both of whom continue to flee New Jersey, and by borrowing $4 billion more in expensive debt.
Of course, increasing aid to K-12 schools, record payments into NJ’s broken and unreformed pension system and higher taxes are all perennial policy priorities for the NJEA. So Murphy is three-for-three in enacting the NJEA’s agenda.
This is why NJEA Vice President Steve Beatty recently said: “There is no governor in the nation who has worked as closely and collaboratively with public employee unions than Gov. Murphy.” And this is why, as Sunlight recently reported, the NJEA is all-in for Murphy, spending a cool $15.5 million in support of his re-election.
Quid. Pro. Quo.
Under Gov. Murphy, New Jersey is run by and for the special interests.