Phil Murphy buys some rugs, the GOP goes bananas
Nothing pleases me more than watching Republicans slam Democrats, especially when the Democrats would be slamming Republicans for the very same issue.
Case in point: Gov. Phil Murphy recently spent nearly $500,000 on antique furnishings for his offices at the newly-renovated New Jersey Statehouse. This included over $200,000 for a trio of rugs, almost $67,000 for curtains, nearly $25,000 on sofas, and over $40,000 on a pair of desks and chairs. (The numbers are courtesy of NJ Advance Media.)
These are clearly expensive items, and Murphy was on the defensive defending them during his monthly call-in show on News12.
“I’m not walking out of the Statehouse in January of ‘26 with the rugs. They’re there for the next 50 to 100 years,” Murphy said. “We want to do this with some amount of majesty. This is New Jersey, for Christ’s sake. This is the second-oldest inuse Statehouse in America. And you want this thing to reek of pride. We said, ‘Let’s do all of this in a firstclass way.’”
Worth noting: The renovations were approved under Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s watch, and Murphy also pointed out he brought the whole thing in at $283 million, under the $300 million budgeted by Christie.
Nonetheless, the state GOP was furious over the spending spree, even creating a “King Murphy” video.
“This lavish spending shows Governor Murphy is royally out of touch,” said Sen. Kristin Corrado. “He spent more on antique rugs and furniture to decorate his State House office than most people spend buying a house. Your tax dollars at work!”
Not to be outdone, Steve Sweeneykiller Sen. Ed Durr said, “While the governor enjoys his opulent furnishings, teachers are being fired, students are falling further behind, and property tax bills are rising. It may look good in his office, but it’s not a good look for Governor Murphy.”
I mean, sure, I get it. It was a ton of money to spend. But really: What should have Murphy done? Gone to IKEA?
But here’s the thing: I guarantee you if there was a Republican in office, they too would’ve spent a ton on furnishings — again, this is the statehouse, and it should look nice — and I guarantee the Democrats would’ve made their own video complaining about the cost.
Also, let’s flip it: If Murphy did go to IKEA, you think the GOP would’ve let that pass?
As far as political stories go, this one is dumber than most, but it does serve to highlight something that’s so common, we just take it for granted as business as usual, and that’s this: Most everything out of politicians’ mouths — especially at the state level and beyond — is just so much silliness. Did Murphy spend too much? Maybe, maybe not, that’s not really the point.
The point is politicians will take every and all opportunity to snipe at one another and it does nothing to help us poor IKEA-shopping schmucks.
By the way: I’d say 85% of the furnishings in my house come from IKEA. Nothing but wonderful things to say about that company. They make quality stuff. Our kitchen table is like 20 years old and still going strong. Good meatballs as well. Lovely all around