NJ Republicans Roast Murphy For ‘Majestic’ Spending On State House

NEW JERSEY — Republican lawmakers from New Jersey are roasting Gov. Phil Murphy for his “lavish” spending on decorations for the governor’s office in a new video released Thursday.

The State House in Trenton recently underwent a six-year, $283 million renovation project to the executive branch that Murphy said was "desperately needed." The total project "came in under budget" and had been initially signed off for construction in 2016 by then-governor Chris Christie for around $300 million, according to NJ.com.

After a recent report revealed close to $500,000 was spent on furnishings for the renovated State House, Gov. Murphy defended the expenditure.

"The furnishings budget is less than 3/10ths of 1 percent of the total cost of this project," Murphy said during News 12's Ask the Governor segment on Monday.

"We want some majesty … this is New Jersey for crying out loud," Murphy said. "This is the second, longest, oldest union statehouse in America and you want this thing to reek of pride."

• See Related: NJ Spends $500K For Rugs, Furniture In Statehouse Renovations: Report

GOP lawmakers in North Jersey and other parts of the state have since picked up on the governor’s “majesty” comment, as seen in a video released Thursday (watch it below).

“[Gov. Murphy] spent more than $500,000 of taxpayer funds on antique rugs and furniture to decorate his office,” the New Jersey Senate Republican Office commented Thursday in a press release.

“His staff says it’s from the Edwardian Period,” the statement continued. “Very regal!”

Sen. Kristin Corrado, who is running for re-election in the state’s 40th Legislative district this year, said the “lavish” spending shows that Murphy is “royally out of touch.”

“He spent more on antique rugs and furniture to decorate his State House office than most people spend to buy a house,” Corrado quipped. “Your tax dollars at work!”

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This article contains reporting by Alexis Tarazzi, Patch staff

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