The term-limited Democrat faced rare criticism from within his own Cabinet and from longtime allies.
TRENTON, New Jersey — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday night signed his final budget — and faced rare and biting criticisms from within his own administration and longtime allies.
Two members of his own Cabinet called parts of the $58.8 billion spending plan a “terrible idea” and “a great disappointment.” And over the course of Monday, unions Murphy counted among his strongest supporters came out to attack the governor — showing how vulnerable the term-limited Democrat is to criticism as he heads toward lame-duck status.
“He remains a Wall Street banker at heart and has put the interests of the insurance companies and CEO’s above the interests of everyday working people,” Steve Tully, executive director of AFSCME New Jersey Council 63 union, said in a statement related to a disagreement in cuts to health care spending for state workers. “While Governor Murphy heads to his villa in Italy this summer, tens of thousands of workers will be worrying how they are going to be able to afford the astronomical health care increases that are coming.”