Talking politics in New Jersey: RIPPAC hosts Gov. Phil Murphy
Talking politics in New Jersey: RIPPAC hosts Gov. Phil Murphy
October 23, 2019
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy presented a wide-ranging talk at Rowan, addressing issues including taxes, affordability, jobs, and education, among other topics.
Every vote—in every race—matters.
That was one of the messages from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy during a talk at Rowan University on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Murphy’s appearance, his second this month at Rowan, was sponsored by the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).
“You have to care about the whole ballot,” Murphy told a capacity crowd in the Eynon Ballroom of Rowan’s Chamberlain Student Center. A Democrat, Murphy took office on Jan. 16, 2018, succeeding two-time Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
“The bottom of the ballot is as important as the top of the ballot,” he continued, addressing the
on Nov. 5, in which all 80 seats in the state’s General Assembly are up before voters. “Take the whole ballot seriously. Every vote counts.”
on Nov. 5, in which all 80 seats in the state’s General Assembly are up before voters. “Take the whole ballot seriously.
During a wide-ranging talk that included discussion of New Jersey taxes, affordability, jobs, and education, Murphy said he’s working to make the state No. 1 in the nation in a number of areas. They include: environmental protection; women’s health; gun safety; sensible immigration laws and the treatment of immigrants; and protections for the LGBTQ community.
“Our values are real.
They are American values,” Murphy told the audience, which included former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio.
Since taking office, Murphy has pursued a progressive agenda, including initiatives to raise the minimum wage, combat climate change, protect undocumented immigrants, and endure paid family and medical leave.
On Oct. 1, he marked the one-year anniversary of his economic plan during an appearance at Rowan with Linda Bowden, chair of the board of directors of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
RIPPAC’s mission is to inform, train and engage Rowan students, faculty and the public on issues related to politics, policy and citizen engagement.
Dr. Ben Dworkin, RIPPAC’s founding director, said talks by leaders on both sides of the aisle assist in educating the public about the political process.
“In a time when we see the coarseness of political discourse, this institute, that brings everyone together, is very much needed,” Dworkin said.
Since the institute’s founding in 2018, guest speakers have included, among many others, Christie, Florio, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE), Congressman Donald Norcross, New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, GOP National Committeeman Bill Palatucci, and MSNBC/NBC political analyst Steve Kornacki.