Murphy Signs $58.78 Billion Budget Heavy on Abortion, No Protection for Girls in Sports or Voter ID
The Center for Garden State Families has Five Areas of Focus of which one of those is taxes. In the Garden State taxes are oppressive. These taxes are destroying property rights, family stability, and the present and future security of the individual citizen.
TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy and Democratic leaders in the New Jersey Legislature have passed a record-breaking $58.78 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, increasing taxes and fees by an additional $1.3 billion. The governor insists the new spending will make New Jersey “stronger, fairer, and more prepared for the future.”
However, critics warn the state’s budget is yet another example of fiscal irresponsibility and misplaced priorities. With some of the highest taxes and fees in the nation, New Jersey now rivals or exceeds tax-heavy states like California and Illinois in overall burden to taxpayers.
Meanwhile, key Republican-led initiatives were rejected in rapid succession on Monday, raising alarm among conservatives across the state.
Voter ID and Women’s Sports Protections Rejected
The Democrat-controlled Assembly voted along party lines to table A4248, legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-24) to require voter identification for both in-person and mail-in ballots. The bill, defeated in a 44–28 vote, would have mandated a valid government-issued photo ID for all voters.
On the same day, Democrats also voted down A775, the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” sponsored by Fantasia, Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin (R-10), and Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-10). The bill sought to preserve women’s and girls’ sports by restricting participation based on biological sex.
“Democrats BLOCKED the vote saying this issue of boys playing in women’s sports is really not an issue. I respectfully disagree,” said Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (R-Monmouth). “I am on the sidelines of competitive girl sports and see it is happening. The female athletes in this state demand fairness in sports.”
Budget Funnels Millions to Abortion Industry
In what critics describe as an ongoing obsession with abortion, the new budget includes $50 million in taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood under the guise of “family planning.” According to Marie Tasy, Executive Director of New Jersey Right to Life, this funding continues the governor’s pattern of expanding public subsidies for abortion access.
“This is the last budget Governor Murphy will sign before leaving office,” Tasy said. “His legacy will be defined by prioritizing abortion funding over real issues affecting New Jersey families.”
Abortion Travel Advisory Bill Advances
Also passed on Monday was A4915/S3663, legislation creating a state-sponsored Abortion Travel Advisory website within the Department of State. The bill passed the Assembly 54–25, with three Republicans—Asw. Nancy Munoz (R-21), Asw. Michele Matsikoudis (R-21), and Asm. Donald Guardian (R-2)—voting in favor. Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-30) did not vote.
The bill’s timing drew ire from conservative lawmakers, especially as it came amidst significant travel disruptions across the state. These include severe delays at Newark Airport due to staffing shortages, NJ Transit strike chaos, and massive sinkhole-related traffic backlogs.
“While New Jersey commuters struggle to get to work and our infrastructure crumbles, Democrats are focused on creating an abortion tourism website,” said Assemblyman Paul Kanitra. “Their priorities are completely out of step with reality.”
Abortion Spending Tops $268 Million Under Murphy
According to the Center for Garden State Families, by the end of Gov. Murphy’s second term, New Jersey will have spent an estimated $268 million in taxpayer dollars on abortion-related services.
“When is enough enough?” asked the in a statement. “The people of New Jersey deserve leadership that values life, respects parental rights, and focuses on real issues like education, public safety, and economic relief.”
With rising taxes, spiraling state spending, and repeated rejection of bipartisan proposals, the state continues to drift further from what many New Jersey residents consider common-sense governance.
The information in the above story relied heavily on Matt Rooney of Save New Jersey and Marie Tasy of New Jersey Right to Life.
