Matt Platkin Archives - New Jersey Globe

Murphy took George Helmy’s desk

July 2, 2020 2:43 pmJuly 2, 2020 5:33 pm

Gov. Phil Murphy looked to his top staffer to replace former President Woodrow Wilson’s desk. “The desk is in storage, and I took George Helmy’s desk,” Murphy said Wednesday. “And I’m not sure he’s happy about it.” Murphy gave up...

Murphy won’t say if he’s concerned technical problems will disenfranchise primary voters

July 1, 2020 5:39 pm

Amid election officials’ mounting concerns about technical problems and U.S. Postal Service delays, Gov. Phil Murphy declined to say whether he believed persistent technical problems would disenfranchise some voters ahead of the state’s July primaries. “I would say, on the...

Scanning issues to blame for completed mail-in ballots returned to voters, Platkin says

June 26, 2020 3:01 pm

Some completed mail-in ballots were returned to voters instead of being taken to county election boards because U.S. Postal Service scanners tagged the wrong address, Gov. Phil Murphy’s chief counsel said Friday. “We worked with the U.S. Postal Service to...

No timeline on FY2021 budget, Murphy says

June 9, 2020 2:57 pm

There’s no timeline for when Gov. Phil Murphy will submit next year’s budget to the legislature. “No update on timing, but clearly the ability to bond and the need for federal direct cash assistance are two huge wild cards, and...

Non-essential retail returning to New Jersey

June 4, 2020 2:07 pm

Non-essential retail stores will be allowed to open at reduced capacity on June 15, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday. Until now, such businesses had been limited to operating via curbside pickup. The businesses will operate under the same restrictions imposed...

Murphy won’t discuss Neuwirth firing

June 1, 2020 4:02 pm

Gov. Phil Murphy still won’t acknowledge the termination of Assistant Commissioner of Health Christopher Neuwirth and said he didn’t know if any other senior administration officials have outside employment. “I don’t have a good answer about anyone else who may...

Murphy in talks with top USPS official on primary races

May 15, 2020 3:09 pmMay 15, 2020 7:42 pm

Gov. Phil Murphy has been in contact with a top official at the United States Postal Service to prepare for the state’s primaries, which the governor on Friday announced would be held using mail-in ballots almost exclusively. “A few minutes...