Gov. Phil Murphy met Wednesday afternoon with Mayor Frank Gilliam to discuss the state takeover and the city’s relationship with the state.
At a press conference Wednesday morning at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s wastewater treatment facility to sign an executive order on offshore wind energy, Murphy, when asked about the state takeover of the city, said the city “needs a partner” in the state.
“I was never a fan of the over-the-top big footing; I want to think much more in the sense of a partnership, and we will be a partner,” Murphy said.
Gilliam said he looks forward to discussing what that partnership will look like.
“Most folks think that it’s going to be a drastic overhauling in terms of the governor and the state just leaving. I don’t think that’s going to be the case,” Gilliam said.