Bramnick: Murphy should focus more on state finances

New Jersey Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick says that Gov. Phil Murphy needs to focus more on state finances and less on other issues in the state.
This week, the governor focused on making a strong push to combat gun violence in the state. He appointed a gun safety advisor Monday and released statewide gun crime stats Tuesday.
But Bramnick says that Murphy needs to start thinking more about New Jersey taxpayers as the deadline to approve the state budget approaches.
“No one is leaving the state because they’re pro-gun or anti-gun,” Bramnick says. “They are leaving because they can’t afford to live here, and it is extreme. The problem is extreme and dangerous.
Bramnick says that he opposes the governor’s proposed sales tax increase and the creation of a millionaire’s tax. He says that he also believes that Murphy’s recent contract with the Communication Workers of America union was unfair to taxpayers. The contract has a projected cost of nearly $150 million. About 35,000 state workers received raises and back pay.
“Where’s that money coming from? In my judgment, it’s coming from the pockets of senior citizens and it’s taking the money directly out of the Homestead Rebate. Simple as that,” Bramnick says.
Bramnick says that Murphy should also abandon his “time-consuming” efforts to legalize recreational marijuana.
The Republican says that he predicts there will be a showdown on the budget between Republican lawmakers and the governor.