Testa: Time to End Murphy’s Perpetual Emergency & Power Grab

Says Legislature Should “Stop Hiding Meekly in the Shadows”

Senator Michael Testa said it’s time for the New Jersey Legislature to stop hiding meekly in the shadows and put an end to Governor Phil Murphy’s perpetual emergency and power grab.

“For the seventh time since March, Governor Murphy has extended the Public Health Emergency that he has used to justify overbearing executive orders that have caused unimaginable disruption to the lives and livelihoods of our friends and neighbors,” said Testa (R-1). “New Jerseyans did exactly what the governor asked back in March. They stayed home and many lost their jobs as employers ordered closed by the governor have shuttered forever. It has to end.”

Governor Murphy has exerted unprecedented executive authority under state laws that were written to address sudden emergencies of limited duration, when response may have been necessary faster than the legislative process would have allowed.

Testa noted that the Legislature has met numerous times since the Public Health Emergency was first declared in March, providing ample opportunity for the Legislature to be consulted and perform oversight as a co-equal branch of government.

“Shame on the Democrats who control Trenton for failing to make the governor justify each and every one of the restrictions he placed on New Jerseyans,” added Testa. “We can’t let him get away with this for another year. It’s time for the Legislature to stop hiding meekly in the shadows to put an end to Gov. Murphy’s perpetual emergency and power grab. We flattened the curve, steamrolled it actually, and now it’s time to help New Jerseyans begin recovering from the damage these incredibly destructive executive orders have caused.”

Testa called for the New Jersey Legislature to advance S-2482 and SCR-117, legislation and a related constitutional amendment that would limit the duration of executive orders to 14 days unless extended by the Legislature.