For Immediate Release

Trenton, New Jersey – After reports of N.J. kids stranded in schools, on buses late into the night and Troopers responding to at least 555 vehicle crashes as of late Thursday along with impassable roads across New Jersey NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt offered the following comment:

“The NJGOP thanks the men and women of NJ’s Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Public Works, & countless service providers who were forced unnecessarily into emergency mode, yesterday, because Governor Phil Murphy was unprepared for what didn’t have to be a crippling storm. Instead of the Governor asking NJ to be patient, we must demand that our leaders are prepared. If the Governor was prepared, everyone would have been home safe and sound, instead of just wishing it were so.

Although Murphy downplayed his failures by suggesting the State was “going through the reps” of snowstorm response for the first time in nine months, he should have appreciated that this is New Jersey, and we have Winter every year. On behalf of the scores of tired, cold, disgusted, angry, and in some cases, still stranded NJ commuters, students, parents and workers, we call on the NJ Legislature to conduct hearings into how this was allowed to happen and what steps the Governor will take to prevent it from happening again.  At the very least, we should expect efficient services from our government. Last night’s response was shameful.”

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