Governor Murphy Takes the Oath of Office, Executive Action on Pay Equity
Phil Murphy was sworn in as New Jersey’s 56th Governor on January 16, 2018. Also assuming office was New Jersey’s second Lt. Governor, Sheila Oliver.
In his Inaugural Address, Governor Murphy’s theme was one of inclusiveness and making New Jersey fairer and stronger for all residents. He spoke of restoring confidence in state government, leading through progressive policies based on common sense, and enacting a State Budget that was both fiscally and morally responsible.
He specifically challenged the Legislature to send him legislation to restore funding for women’s healthcare and Planned Parenthood; raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour; provide equal pay for women; require employers to provide earned sick leave; expand voting rights; and enact new gun safety laws. The Governor noted that each of these bills would be met with a signing ceremony upon its passage.
The Governor also took action and signed an Executive Order barring state workers from asking job applicants seeking positions with the state about their previous salaries. At the signing ceremony, the Governor publicly stated he would sign a bill that extended these same provisions to private sector employers.
As Governor Murphy takes office, he has already nominated most of his Cabinet and named his Senior Staff. The Senate is expected to take up the Cabinet nominations quickly for those requiring Senate approval. The full list of individuals is below:
Cabinet and Departmental Nominations:
- Department of Community Affairs: Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver
- Department of Environmental Protection: Catherine McCabe
- Department of Law and Public Safety (Attorney General): Gurbir Grewal
- Department of Treasury: Elizabeth Maher Muoio
- Department of Banking and Insurance: Marlene Caride
- Department of State: Tahesha Way
- Department of Transportation: Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti
- Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness: Jared Maples
- Department of Human Services: Carole Johnson
- Department of Children and Families: Christine Norbut Beyer
- Department of Agriculture: Doug Fisher
- Department of Corrections: Gary Lanigan
- Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Robert Asaro-Angelo
- Department of Health: Dr. Shereef Elnahal
- Department of Education: Dr. Lamont Repollet
- Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs: Col. Jemal J. Beale
- President of the Board of Public Utilities: Joe Fiordaliso
As of this writing, the Governor had not made any announcements related to the following positions:
- Civil Service Commissioner
- Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Authority
- Chief Technology Officer
- Secretary of Higher Education
- State Comptroller
- Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission
- Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police
Senior Staff:
- Chief of Staff: Peter Cammarano
- Chief Counsel: Matt Platkin
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs: Adam Alonso
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs: Justin Braz
- Chief Policy Advisor: Kathleen Frangione
- Deputy Chief Counsel: Parimal Garg
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Cabinet Affairs & Operations: Lynn Haynes
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth: Joe Kelley
- Deputy Chief Counsel for Authorities: Mary K. E. Maples
- Deputy Chief Counsel: Kate McDonnell
- Director of Appointments: Scarlett Rajski
- Chief of Staff to First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy: Stephanie Lagos
- Director of Communications: Mahen Gunaratna
- Press Secretary and Deputy Communications Director: Daniel Bryan