“Gov. Murphy made clear to the Appellate Division that he believes he has the power to do literally anything he wants, so long as he unilaterally decides that his executive actions are related to the pandemic and in the public’s interest,” said attorney Jared McClain.
A New Jersey appeals court will consider June 1 whether Gov. Phil Murphy exceeded his authority with an executive order allowing tenants to apply their security deposits toward the rent.
The case pits the governor’s authority to enact COVID-19-related emergency measures against the right of landlords to stick by the terms of their lease contracts.