John Murphy announces his candidacy for Governor of the State of NJ

Today I formally announce my candidacy for Governor of the great State of New Jersey.

I am running to stop the waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars. I will put an end to Trenton’s institutional acceptance of lying, cheating and the outright stealing of taxpayer money.

Reckless borrowing and increased taxes have funded out-of-control spending. There is no accountability to taxpayers and no regard for the future.

I will restore the integrity and fiscal responsibility that is missing in Trenton.

New Jersey faces some of the toughest problems in its history and the Democrats are committed to the status quo. I promise you that I will fight that status quo to change things so you can be proud of New Jersey once again.

I do not take this pledge lightly. I think it is important to note that I make this announcement here in my hometown, where my wife Jennifer and I are raising our three children. I grew up here and my mom and dad still live here. I make this commitment not only to the people of New Jersey, but also to my friends, neighbors and my family.

It’s time that the Trenton politicians stopped living off the people of New Jersey and started working for the people of New Jersey.

Folks -- I know it will not be easy to make all the necessary changes. Let’s face it -- we are talking about overhauling a $28 Billion annual budget and tens-of-Billions more in public money committed to various projects.

After “buying” a U.S. Senate seat for $63 Million, now he’s bored and wants to buy the governorship.

Senator Corzine claims that he is “unbought and unbossed”. Yet he continues to buy political support from the party bosses. I doubt that the recent spate of endorsements received by the Senator have come cheaply.

On homeland security, Senator Corzine says he is outraged over the amount of federal funding for New Jersey. Where was his outrage when Governor McGreevey named Golan Cipel New Jersey’s Homeland Security Adviser?

This past summer, when Governor McGreevey was driving the state toward bankruptcy and Wall Street was downgrading New Jersey’s credit rating -- Senator Corzine put his arm around Governor McGreevey at the Democratic National convention and said he was proud to have McGreevey as his Governor.

Now Senator Corzine asks us to trust him to reform government. I believe he has given us every reason to doubt his judgment.

I should first say that I have met Governor Codey several times. He is a gentleman whom I know cares about New Jersey. But judging from his 31 years in Trenton, Dick Codey would not bring change, but only more of the same.

The truth is, there will be no real change from any Democrat. They are in it together; joined at the hip by the same special interests.

Waste and corruption are a cancer eating away at our faith in state government. That’s why we must enact comprehensive, systemic reforms. Our elected officials must be accountable to the people, not just on Election Day, but every day.

To lead this fight for reform, New Jersey’s next governor must be a Trenton outsider. We need someone who is willing to challenge the entrenched establishment. We need a governor who will restore our faith in government.

We Republicans must nominate an energetic candidate who is best able to provide a stark contrast to Jon Corzine or Dick Codey.

Only then will New Jersey Republicans be able to do something we have not done since 1997 -- and that is WIN a statewide election!

New Jersey Republicans can count on me to be that candidate. Regardless of whom the Democrats nominate, I am the best-positioned Republican to win in November.

I am the oldest of seven children born to Mike and Bridie Murphy. My parents emigrated to this country over 50 years ago to pursue the American dream. They instilled in me and each of my siblings a core set values that center on family, faith, community and hard work.

I am a husband and father of three. Jennifer and I have been married for 8 years. We have been blessed with 3 children, Caitlin, Megan and Jack.

I am the former mayor of Morris Township. I am currently a three-term Morris County freeholder. I have built a record of public service grounded in the basic principles of being forthright, accessible, accountable and fiscally responsible.

I am a successful businessman. I know and respect the value of a dollar. I am also proud to say that for the last 22 years, I have been an active volunteer firefighter – and currently serve right here out of this firehouse.

You see -- mine has been a public service at its most fundamental, grassroots level. Firefighters answer the call. We are here to help our neighbors and protect our community. Being a member of this fire department has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Folks, we stand here just over 50 miles away from Trenton, but in many ways, we’re worlds apart. Too many of our elected leaders have lost their sense of duty to the public.

I feel that any change in state government must be guided by the beliefs of a governor. I believe in public service. I practice it every day.

The people of Morris Township have been able to count on me when that fire alarm sounds. The taxpayers of New Jersey will come to count on me as well.

As many of you know, New Jersey has the most powerful Governor of all the 50 states.

I want to responsibly divest the governor of some of that power to provide the necessary checks and balances in our state government.

As we have seen since the Democrats took over the State House three years ago: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

We should no longer tolerate the fraud and corruption. We must launch an aggressive effort to weed out no-bid contracts, no-show jobs, political payback and outright graft.

Specifically, I propose: an elected auditor general; an elected attorney general; comprehensive campaign finance reform; and full, prompt and discernable disclosure when it comes to spending taxpayer money.

The Auditor General -- to be elected by the people -- will be staffed with an army of hundreds of forensic accountants and tough, no nonsense investigators.

The Auditor General would be limited to a single six-year term and would be prohibited from running for any other state office for at least ten years from the date he or she assumes office.

This Auditor General should be staffed with at least 200 forensic accountants and tough, no nonsense investigators. To pay for this auditor, we will use up to $40 million currently used to fund “Christmas Tree” spending, which is nothing more than political payback for the party in power.

Prior to enacting the necessary amendments to the Constitution to bring about this new office, my first act as Governor will be to sign an Executive Order to create the position in the Department of Treasury to immediately undertake the necessary audits to prepare for the 2006-2007 fiscal budget. On Day One of my administration, I will begin attacking the waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money. The people should also elect the state’s Attorney General. He or she, like an elected Auditor General, will be accountable to the people and not beholden to a Governor.

Until you are able to elect your Attorney General, I make you this promise -- I will appoint a qualified Attorney General, who will be free from political pressure in order to prosecute government corruption.

These two offices, answering directly to you the voters, will reshape New Jersey state government. While these offices will operate independently of one another and the Governor -- they will serve one purpose: to protect the public interest.

Another needed ethics reform is to reconstitute the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards. A majority of these Commission Members, by statute, is comprised of executive branch employees. This arrangement does not allow for a fair assessment of whether a violation occurred.

The Commission must be completely free from political interference and should be comprised of solely public members appointed for fixed terms similar to our Election Law Enforcement Commission. Moreover, the Commission should have clear authority to issue substantial fines, recommend dismissal and, where appropriate, refer to the Attorney General for criminal investigation.

Of course, when we talk about government corruption there is the disturbing link to political fundraising.

The Star-Ledger is right; this campaign shouldn’t be about millionaires trying to buy a governorship. There are some who disagree.

I am the only candidate who has called for meaningful campaign finance reform this year. I suggest that, in this coming general election, we run under a system of complete public finance with no private contributions to the Republican and Democratic candidates. Each candidate would receive $6.4 million in public money that is already allocated under the State’s matching fund program. This proposal is patterned after the Presidential public financing model.

Rather than put gubernatorial nominees on track to raise $3.2 million from mostly special interests, they could accept the $6.4 million available this year and agree to run their campaign within this reasonable limit.

$6.4 million is enough money for the candidates to have a meaningful dialogue on the issues that matter. Moreover, it would force candidates to focus on advancing their own platform rather than engaging in the politics of character assassination through attack ads.

Running for governor of New Jersey should not be a battle among the rich and richer. Nor should it be a race for special interest cash.

Failure to change the process will result in the office of governor either being bought or beholden. We cannot allow that to happen. The Governor’s race must be a contest of competing ideas and a test of character.

Campaign money has corrupted New Jersey’s political process and its government. I respect everyone’s first amendment right to free speech, but I care more about the public’s right to a fair and balanced election.

Our current campaign finance laws allow party bosses and special interests to conceal contributions.

Therefore, I will reduce the outrageous contribution limits to political committees. More importantly, I will make political contributions transparent to the public.

We must end the practice of wheeling which allows powerful county political committees to raise millions of dollars to be used in races beyond their borders to expand political influence.

While we are at it, we must reduce the maximum amount of an individual contribution to the state political party committees (from $25,000 to $7,200) and county political party committees ($37,000 to $7,200) and legislative leadership committees ($25,000 to $7,200).

Finally, the backrooms of Trenton must be open to public scrutiny. Too much of our money is lost to political deals that are brokered behind closed doors.

When the McGreevey administration handed out over $600 Million in no- bid contracts, the Governor’s office, with the tacit support of Democrat leadership in the Legislature, stonewalled the public’s right to know. In order to provide for appropriate checks on the Governor’s power, I call on the Legislature to change its rules and grant its committees expanded subpoena power.

Under our state constitution, the Legislature sets its own rules. Now, subpoenas from the Legislature are granted only upon approval from the legislative leadership. Some have said there is not much a governor can do about this. I disagree because something must be done.

For 10 of the past 13 years, the legislative leadership and the Governor have been from the same party. How many subpoenas have been issued? I cannot recall any. This is not an environment conducive to ensuring proper checks and balances between the branches

Members of the Assembly and Senate are our eyes, ears and voice in Trenton. They have an incredible responsibility, particularly where our tax dollars are concerned. I believe the Legislature, on a bipartisan basis, should be a partner in our effort to find waste and abuse, and stop it. That is not happening now.

For example, we do not have a full accounting of what was spent on TV promotions featuring former Governor McGreevey.

By the way, as Governor, I will ban end the practice of shameless self-promotion at taxpayers’ expense. I will not be appearing on TV and radio ads at taxpayers’ expense.

Regardless of what the Legislature does, I will change the policy of the Executive Branch in responding to requests for information. In a Murphy Administration there will be full and prompt disclosure.

Another change I propose is to require that all testimony before legislative Committees be under oath. Failure to swear witnesses, allows for the type of qualification and equivocation that frustrates full disclosure and prevents true accountability.

If the Legislature will not swear witnesses, rest assured any member of the Murphy Administration going before a legislative committee will be sworn. If the Legislature will not do it, I will!

As Governor, I would welcome oversight into every department of state government. An honest and accountable administration should have nothing to hide.

These systemic reforms are vital to charting the right course for our future. Without them, we will not be able to respond to the challenges that lay ahead.

Among such challenges, first and foremost -- property taxes. We must do more to help our seniors and our hard-working families.

The manipulated agenda of the proposed Constitutional Convention offers no hope for meaningful reform.

The Democrat-controlled Legislature refuses to allow the convention to review and make recommendations on state and local spending and distribution of state aid.

The Democrats have structured the convention to ensure one definite outcome – an increase in the income tax or the sales tax.

Through stringent performance and financial audits, we will identify $800 Million in wasteful spending. We will use that money to fund a 50% increase in the Homestead Rebate and NJ SAVER programs starting my first year in office.

Under my plan, senior citizens and disabled residents receiving $1,250 through the Homestead rebate will receive $1,875. A family earning less than $100,000 a year will see an increase from $800 to $1,200. Families earning less than $200,000 will qualify for up to $1,000.

New Jersey cannot afford to ignore the financial pressure on its citizens. The Democrats have asked homeowners to bear this burden alone. The average property tax increase over the last 2 years has been 14%.

At the same time, state spending has increased by 33%. There has been no budget discipline, no fiscal restraint and zero accountability to the taxpayers.

I will fire and not replace the 1,000-plus political appointees that have been hired since Jim McGreevey took office in 2002. This could save up to $50 million. I will cut: $200 million in assorted pork barrel projects that are nothing but pure political payback given under the guise of livable community grants. $24 million in distressed cities aid. Cultural grants, which over in 2003 and 2004 amounted to $28 Million. A recent audit showed that much of the money given in cultural grants is doled out with virtually no oversight. Once again no accountability. Has the money been spent for it intended purpose. We do not know! $2 million - South Jersey Port Corporation grant to pay their property taxes to Camden County. The Governor’s Contingency fund of nearly $2 million, which is used to for grant political reward.

These are just some examples of line items that can be cut. But, I know we can find more. Imagine what we could do with an army of auditors and investigators? We will find the waste and return the money to the taxpayers.

I will also implement responsible budgeting techniques. I will require every department to submit a budget request with a minimum reduction of 3%. In addition, each department will be required to submit a downsizing plan through attrition to reduce the state payroll.

We need to prioritize state spending, cut the waste, end the corruption and put property taxpayers first for a change.

Another issue of great importance to me is public safety. My 22 years as a volunteer firefighter have certainly influenced my feelings on this issue.

In addition, long before 9/11, my Freeholders colleagues and I established a bio-terrorism task force to create a countywide preparedness plan.

Unfortunately, New Jersey is far behind in its homeland security efforts. I will make homeland security a top priority.

Lets remember, New Jersey has been, and remains, a key battleground in the war on terror.

The first World Trade Center bombing was planned in Jersey City. Some of the 9/11 hijackers spent time in Bergen County prior to the attacks. This summer, we learned that terrorists were casing potential targets in Newark.

Senator Corzine and Acting Governor Codey complain about wanting more federal homeland security money. Yet, New Jersey has no coordinated plan to respond to a major attack.

New Jersey has not adequately assessed risks. The state has failed to clearly articulate specific needs. Despite a budget in excess of $600 Million over the last two years, our first responders lack sufficient resources.

Many of our largest counties and cities are without a terrorist response plan. This is unacceptable and it must change.

I will place this important function under a new division within the New Jersey State Police. This division -- with 200 new state Troopers assigned to it -- will have the singular purpose of overseeing New Jersey’s homeland security.

One responsibility of the new Troopers will be to provide a greater law enforcement presence on the roadways leading to and from our ports and around our refining and petro-chemical industry to assure the safety of these key facilities.

New Jersey must have a coordinated state plan that integrates each county and major city.

These are just some of my ideas on how to begin to turn things around. There will more as our campaign moves forward.

When we as firefighters go to a fire, we do not leave until the blaze is extinguished and everyone is safe. We know our neighbors trust us and depend on us. We do not ever -- ever let them down. We know our duty.

It is with this same sense of duty that I will meet each and every responsibility and obligation as your governor.

Good luck Mr. Murphy and God Bless you.

New Jersey desparately needs what you offer.

On the other hand, if Corzine gets elected, New Jersey's loss is America's gain. At least we will have that rascal out of the Senate.

I don't know. I don't live in New Jersey anymore.

The Presidential election WAS close there, and if the State Party Ladership had been more effective, they could have delivered the state. After all, McGreevey was one of the least popular governors in New Jersey history, but Bennett and his buddy - some guy with a Greek name who was the State Party Head blew that one pretty well - loosing both the governorship and both houses to the DemocRats.

But as I recall. the New Jersey Repubs are their own worst enemy. The liberal wing - the RINOs like Tom Kean, Chrissie Whitman, etc, refuse to get behind conservative candidates. And most New Jersey Rank and File are COnservatives.

I don't know anything about this guy other than what I read here, but he appears to a true "moderate" with conservative leanings. If he gets nominated, he will need the support of both the conservative and liberal wings of the party out there.

I traded bonds with Corzine back in the 80s.

He's a real smart guy, real pleasant, and will be president in 2012, after 7 years as governor of the swamp called Jersey.

Here's how I figure it.

Bush's solid policies and performance will ensure a Republican victory in 2008, probably where Giuliani beats the evil hillbilly bitch. That'd be perfect payback for her trashy husband's theft of the '92 election with the help of the big-eared troll from Texas.

At that point, the US will decide to take a break from Republicans, after twelve solid years. When they do, Corzine'll be right there to take the job.

I just wonder if he's got the skills to capture the full eight years. I think he might be a Democrat we can live with, though he still talks the dopey ol' tax and spend lines.

You'd think a bond trader would know better, but maybe it's all a scam to get elected.

Well we will see... Right now John is the only guy standing in the way of Mr. Money Bags and the Governors seat. Codey is going to get wrecked if he takes on the spend it all liberal from Hoboken. (Nothing wrong with Hoboken.. Just our guy we send down to DC to represent us.)

btw. I heard allot of Wallstreet is going to turn their backs on Corzine this year.

Thanks for the news.

I've wondered what the Street will do to Jon.

I was disappointed he chose to run as a Democrat, but remember, when we were kids, the Democrats were the only game in town. If you wanted to get elected, and have real power, you had to be a Democrat. So, maybe he's a stealth Republican.

I'Ll start to take a careful look at his record.

Thanks again for the news, and keep us informed as we go along. Jon is a powerful candidate.

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