As part of his mission to build a stronger, fairer, and more equitable New Jersey, Governor Philip D. Murphy established the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (Office of Equity) which seeks “to advance equity for New Jerseyans who have been left behind for far too long.” Press Release, September 28, 2021
Equity is the extent to which all members of a group experience just and fair treatment, have equal access to opportunity, and are provided a path toward success. The Office of Equity aims to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in state government and across the Garden State by ensuring that equity considerations are embedded in state policy decisions.
Established by Executive Order 265, the office is charged with increasing the presence and participation of historically underrepresented groups in state government; developing equity frameworks to guide state policy decisions; directing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts in the Governor’s Office; guiding and coordinating state agency initiatives to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among those employed by the state; and monitoring implementation of these measures.
The Office of Equity is the Governor’s Office liaison to the Wealth Disparity Task Force. Established by Executive Order 262, the Wealth Disparity Task Force will examine the causes of and remedies for the long-standing wealth disparities that affect Black and Hispanic or Latino New Jerseyans. Developing actionable solutions in the areas of health, housing, education, criminal justice, and the economy broadly, the Wealth Disparity Task Force aims to ensure that all New Jerseyans are leaving behind more than memories to the next generation.
More information on the Wealth Disparity Task Force
Click here to see how the Governor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget hopes to address some of the challenges faced by underserved communities. Traducción Española. Traduction Française.
02/27/2024
Highlights from the FY2025 Budget Proposal:
01/23/2024
Building on his vision for the Next New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy, joined by New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC) Acting Chair and CEO Allison Chris Myers, signed Executive Order No. 327 expanding job opportunities for New Jerseyans by prioritizing skills and work experience over college degree requirements for certain State employment opportunities.
This executive order will open the door to family-sustaining, high-paying jobs, with salaries that can top $120,000 a year, for the hundreds of applicants who are rejected or dissuaded from applying each year to the State’s open employment opportunities due to educational requirements. The Executive Order will open employment opportunities for a wide breadth of jobs offered by the State.
This order will take effect immediately, starting with a six-month period allowing the CSC to use its regulatory authority to identify the positions for which a college degree is not a necessity and take the steps needed to ensure that relevant job postings are aligned with this Order.
02/28/2023
"This budget includes several proposals derived from the work of the Wealth Disparity Task Force, which was established by Executive Order No. 262." These initiatives, as highlighted in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget in Brief, include:
02/21/2023
To expand on this Administration’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in New Jersey’s State workforce, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 319, which establishes an Equity and Sustainability Advisory Council and requires each of the principal Cabinet departments to designate a senior-level employee to perform the functions of Chief Diversity Officer and serve as a liaison to the Council. The Governor announced the signing of the Executive Order at his and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s annual Black History Month Celebration at Drumthwacket surrounded by prominent community and faith leaders, state legislators, and activists.
“I am incredibly grateful to Governor Murphy for strengthening our capacity to create greater equity across state government,” said Jayné Johnson, Director of the Governor’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. “As the principal departments assess their employees’ needs, evaluate their workplace culture, identify opportunity gaps, and measure the impact of programs and services, the Equity and Sustainability Advisory Council will work with the departments to develop a statewide strategic plan that improves outcomes and aligns the equity work across state government.”
09/28/2021
This new internal office, led by Jayné Johnson, aims to dismantle inequity within State government based on race, ethnicity, and other protected characteristics and to expand opportunities for communities of color and other underserved New Jerseyans.
08/10/2023
The Task Force held a series of five listening sessions, focused on a range of topics, including the economy, criminal justice, education, health, and housing. During each session, participants had the opportunity to share personal remarks, concerns, or recommendations for the Task Force to consider. The Task Force also accepted written testimony through this form.