New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy provided the keynote address at the Southern New Jersey Development Council’s (SNJDC) 41st Annual Sound Off for South Jersey Legislative Conference on Friday, September 15th, 2023. More than 175 South Jersey business leaders and elected officials gathered at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ to hear the views and plans from State policy makers on issues that impact the South Jersey region.
Mark Giannantonio, President & CEO of Resorts Casino Hotel welcomed Sound Off attendees to Atlantic City, and SNJDC Vice Chair Lisa Morina, Vice President of Advancement for Corporate Relations at The Cooper Foundation, acknowledged the event’s sponsors and introduced the program and speaker panels.
Legislative Discussion Panel
Panelists: Assemblyman Don Guardian (LD2), Assemblyman William Spearman (LD5), Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (LD7), and Assemblyman Brandon Umba (LD8).
Moderated by Dr. Brigid Harrison of Montclair State University.
On the topic of infrastructure and transportation, the Legislators agreed on the need to equitably distribute the pool of federal funds coming into the state through the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Bill throughout the regions in South Jersey where significant gaps exist. Assemblyman Don Guardian, whose district includes Atlantic City and Atlantic County, shared that “I believe connecting North and South Jersey through infrastructure projects such as high-speed train routes are critical to our future. Projects like these are long term thinking, and so far, South Jersey has been left out of the conversation”.
Similarly, when discussing the opioid crisis and its devastating impact on our communities, ensuring adequate resources are allocated to those municipalities most in need was echoed from all legislators. Speaking on behalf of her district, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy added “While responses like supplying the district with Narcan are a resource, it is not the resolution. We need more education funding to properly address the root of this issue within our district and beyond”.
Assemblyman Umba also brought to attention a bill he plans to introduce in the fall that will address an existing statute that ultimately prevented the family of a fallen police officer in his district from collecting death benefits. The officer tragically passed away in his first month on the job, prior to his enrollment in the state benefits and pension plan being completed.
Assemblyman Spearman highlighted the need to modernize our region’s transmission grid, notably in reference to the development of offshore wind. The Assemblyman also touted the Governor’s ANCHOR program that has benefited numerous homeowners across South Jersey. The panelists also expressed the need to develop and support workforce development and training opportunities leading to good paying jobs.
Keynote Address by Governor Phil Murphy
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the necessity of continuing to pursue the development of Offshore Wind as a key part of his strategy to reduce the impacts of climate change in our region. The Governor remarked that “Our investments in Wind Energy are a win-win-win. We combat climate change, reduce reliance on foreign oil, and bring well-paying union jobs to New Jersey. Our state has the opportunity to be the national center for clean energy”.
The Governor also commented on some of his recent legislative efforts, such as the Boardwalk Preservation Fund, which provides critical investment to improve the boardwalk infrastructure along the Jersey Shore. “With this funding, all provided on the federal level, we’re making New Jersey’s boardwalks more resilient to climate change and promoting tourism throughout the state.”
Point-Counterpoint Debate
Panelists: Democratic strategist Michael Muller, President of Muller Public Strategies, and Republican strategist Mike DuHaime, President and CEO of MAD Global Strategy Group.
Moderated by Dr. Benjamin Dworkin of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship.
The panelists discussed national news and policy affecting the local region, their perspectives on the 2024 Presidential Election and its local impact. “Two key races in districts that could swing in November, sitting here in Atlantic County, part of the Second Legislative District and on the other side, the Third District are both hotly contested seats that could swing in Democrats favor with significant voter turnout.” said Michael Muller. Mike DuHaime added that due to recent redistricting changes, “Republicans are in slightly better shape in some of these districts, but still have a tough fight ahead of them.”
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