Republican-led petition urges Murphy to speed up reopenings

A group of Republicans and business owners in the state launched a petition seeking to force Gov. Phil Murphy to speed up his reopening plan.

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Assemblyman Brian Bergen and House candidate Rosemary Becchi have signed onto the push, as has Morris County Freeholder Stephen Shaw.

They’re joined by a handful of business owners who say a limited reopening that will see non-essential retail businesses allowed to operate through curbside pickup.

“If we wait any longer, there will be nothing left for our communities to reopen,” said Joseph Falco Jr., owner of Rose City Jewelers in Madison.