Highlights of Governor Murphy’s Proposed FY2026 Budget which Impacts Children and Families

On February 25, 2025, Governor Murphy delivered his final state budget address, highlighting his "commitment to building a New Jersey that is stronger, fairer, and more prepared for the future.”

Read the State of NJ Budget in Brief

Proposed Investments for Children and Families:

• Preschool expansion: Increase of $34.6 million, of which $10 million will be devoted to expanding preschool into new districts
• High impact tutoring: Increase of $7.5 million in new grants to support districts offering high-impact tutoring to students in need of extra academic support.
• Paid family leave: Increase of $10 million to provide State employees with full pay while they take family leave to care for a newborn, newly adopted, or newly fostered children.
• Universal home visiting: Increase of $12.7 million for the newborn home nurse visitation program.
• Family planning and reproductive health: Increase of $52 million for family planning and reproductive health services, including a new incentive program for OB/GYNs who want to move to New Jersey.
• Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority: $3.2 million for the newly created Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority.

However...

• Food security: A reduction of $9.1 million in state expenditures for food security.
• State income tax credits for children: No increase in the Child Tax Credit or the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.