Governor Phil Murphy

Statement from Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver


"Politico’s report detailing how political manipulation in the writing of the state’s expired tax incentive program left Camden a food desert is beyond disturbing. As a vociferous voice for underserved communities, I know that the residents who spoke with Politico’s reporters are entirely correct – access to healthy food should be a basic right, not a luxury. As Assembly Speaker, I was unaware that a provision of this bill was being tailored to block a proposed grocery store in Camden, and I would absolutely not have supported it had I known. We must do right by enacting a new program of economic incentives that truly has the betterment of entire communities, and not just a few hand-picked folks, as its central focus."