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Phil Murphy is a soccer fan and as such, he is already looking forward to July 19, 2026 – the day the World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium.
By then, he will no longer be governor, so Murphy will need to be content with proclaiming again – and again – why New Jersey was chosen to host the final, beating out, among other locales, Dallas.
A budget address, technically, is about facts and figures. That is important stuff to be sure, but it’s also a bit on the dry side.
The governor began talking about a budget that helps the “middle class” and “working families,” highlighting continuation this year of the Anchor property tax relief program, an increase of nearly a billion dollars in school funding statewide and a record contribution (by recent standards) into the state pension system.
All this is to be expected in a budget address.
But near the end of his remarks Tuesday afternoon, Murphy looked further ahead than fiscal year 2025, which runs from July 1 to June 30 of next year.
He talked about the World Cup final and the other matches to be played in the Meadowlands two years hence.
New Jersey’s selection to host the final has – not surprisingly – produced some snarky comments about New Jersey itself and the location of the stadium – in a swamp.
That may have prompted Murphy to deviate from budget numbers and tell his audience why New Jersey was selected to host the world’s premier sporting event.
He rattled off what he said were “obvious” things about location, a good transportation system and a good work force.
“But great as those things are — there is more to the story,” he said.
“New Jersey was chosen for the World Cup Final not only because of what we have — but because of who we are. We were chosen because of our values. Our inclusivity. Our diversity throughout the entire region.”
He wasn’t done yet.
“New Jersey — along with our partners in New York City — was chosen because of our unflagging belief in fairness and freedom for everyone. No matter who you are, how you identify, where you came from, or who you pray to.”
This was an interesting take. For seven years now, the governor has been talking about making the state “stronger and fairer.”
He did it again throughout his budget address.
But when he got around to soccer, he argued, quite proudly, that the philosophy and goals of his administration are why New Jersey is hosting the World Cup final.
He said it is that spirit that prompts New Jersey to “open our doors to anyone who is willing to step up and contribute to our shared future.”
As he spoke about the World Cup, Murphy couldn’t resist a subtle – or perhaps not so subtle – dig at Texas, the state New Jersey beat out to host the final.
“We were chosen because, here in New Jersey, we do not build walls — we open doors.”
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