NJ Senate advances bill to give incoming governor $650,000 for transition expenses
TRENTON, NJ – Mikie Sherrill promised to bring affordability to New Jersey and so far, weeks before being sworn in, she is already delivering…for herself.
If taxes are your number one concern, forget Phil Murphy, it looks like Mikie Sherrill will be taking it to the next level.
Sherrill initially asked for $1,000,000 to fund her transition team, nearly thre times what most past governors have spent. After public backlash, Sherrill and Democrats are going to plan B, $650,000, a $250,000 increase to help Sherill’s transition affordability.
After concerns that New Jersey’s next governor would not have enough funding for transition costs, state lawmakers have advanced a bill adding another $250,000 to the gubernatorial transition budget — bringing the total to $650,000.
The measure, Senate Bill 4906, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D–Bergen), was reported out of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Monday and moved to a second reading in the full Senate.
The supplemental funding would be added to the $400,000 already appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the incoming administration’s transition, ensuring additional resources for staffing, planning, and logistical needs before inauguration.
Transition funding boosted ahead of new administration
The bill is identical to Assembly Bill 6107, which was previously introduced in the lower house. It directs an additional $250,000 from the state’s General Fund to the Office of the Governor-Elect, a temporary entity established to manage the changeover between administrations.
According to the committee statement, “this bill supplements the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act by providing an additional $250,000 in funding for the gubernatorial transition expenses of the Governor-Elect.”
Political context
The move follows discussions within the Democratic majority about ensuring adequate resources for the expected transition of Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D–Montclair), who is widely viewed as the frontrunner for governor after Gov. Phil Murphy leaves office.
Earlier reports indicated that the state had budgeted $400,000 for transition costs — the same amount provided during Murphy’s own transition in 2017 — but insiders argued that the figure fell short of current needs, prompting the push for a $250,000 boost.
Fiscal details
The bill does not require a fiscal note and specifies that the additional funds are to be used solely for expenses related to the gubernatorial transition, including temporary staffing, office setup, security coordination, and policy briefings.
If enacted, the total state allocation for transition activities would stand at $650,000, the highest in New Jersey’s history for a gubernatorial handoff.