Steinhardt slams Murphy over health officials’ reported lack of input

Republican State Chairman Doug Steinhardt slammed Gov. Phil Murphy following the publication of a report that said Murphy made some reopening decisions without consulting health officials.

“Governor Murphy is putting politics and perception first and foremost and figuring out the scientific justification for his actions after the fact,” Steinhardt said. “Businesses and the private sector are an afterthought and have been left without any guidance or predictability. His mantra of ‘data determines dates’ turns out to be little more than a campaign slogan from just another Trenton politician. We can do better.”

Citing interviews with multiple administration officials, The (Bergen) Record on Monday reported that some recent reopening decisions — including an indefinite postponement to indoor dining days before it was set to make its return — were made without consulting health officials.

Instead, the report said, the officials were asked to justify the decision after it was made, per the report.