Are NJ governors too powerful? Democrats seek to strip Phil Murphy of key role

Democrats in the Legislature are attempting to strip a key power from the governor, a rare maneuver in the 71 years since New Jersey rewrote and adopted its modern constitution that intentionally made the state’s executive one of the strongest in the nation.

Lawmakers are pushing a constitutional amendment that would deprive Gov. Phil Murphy and his successors of having the final say over how much money various taxes and programs will raise each year, opting instead to shift that responsibility to a three-member panel consisting of state and outside experts.

Debates over revenue estimates rarely make headlines, but they are crucial in determining how much state policymakers need to hike taxes and fees to support their spending priorities.

Proponents of the amendment say it's a budgetary best practice that will help take the politics out of budget math and increase transparency, but the Murphy administration says the proposal is in "direct conflict" with the balance of powers between the legislative and executive branches.

Read more: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2018/07/23/democrats-launch-bid-strip-gov-phil-murphy-key-power/818613002/