TRENTON, NJ – The Democrat led New Jersey Senate today decided to not extend Governor Phil Murphy’s emergency pandemic powers, dealing the newly re-elected governor a political blow on his health emergency policy today.
Murphy initially asked for a 90-day extension, but through negotiations, the Senate introduced a conditional 45-day bill. In the end, the Senate, realizing the political ramifications of empowering the governor, even in the blue state of New Jersey could be dire in the next two election cycles decided not to stop Murphy’s pandemic powers from expiring Tuesday night.
Earlier in the day, Murphy made it clear that he will extend the school face mask mandate whether or not the Senate gave him power to do so.
After the Senate rejected the Governor’s request, the Democrat-controlled assembly will follow suit.
One of the options at the Governor’s disposal is to declare a new unilateral executive order declaring a new public health state of emergency.