As skyrocketing energy costs continue to be a political liability for New Jersey Democrats, Rep. Mikie Sherrill is vowing to declare a state of emergency and freeze utility rates should she become governor.
Sherrill, the Democratic nominee, would be the first New Jersey governor to try the move. But she insists she would have the authority to impose a freeze.
“If we are going to truly address the moment and meet the needs of New Jerseyans, we have got to act quickly to do so, and we’ve got to think of new ways of expanding state power to do just that,” she said.
The announcement — one part of an energy policy plan Sherrill unveiled Wednesday — comes as New Jersey Democrats worry higher electricity rates that took effect earlier this summer will leave a bitter taste in voters’ mouths heading into the November election. Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli has made tying Sherrill to the Murphy administration — which he and other Republicans blame for the increased costs — a central point of his gubernatorial campaign.
