Gov. Phil Murphy today praised the $3 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by the House late Friday, and made another plea for Congress to assist cash-strapped states and local governments. New Jersey, alone, could be facing as much as a $10 billion budget shortfall through the end of the next fiscal year, due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down much of the economy in the Garden State for two months (and counting).
Senate Republicans are not expected to take up the measure passed Friday night, but Governor Murphy has urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to negotiate a bill that includes relief for States, including New Jersey, that can pass both chambers and reach President’s desk.