New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his final State of the State address on Tuesday, highlighting his achievements during his eight years in office. 

Murphy focused on working families, long-term stability and the state's future competitiveness.

He talked about passing a law that nearly doubled the minimum wage, enacting a millionaire's tax and delivering property tax relief. 

"We were who we said we'd be — and we did what we said we'd do. And it is thanks to everything we have accomplished that, today, our state is brimming with opportunity for all," he said. 

Murphy's successor, Mikie Sherrill, will be sworn in as the next governor of New Jersey on Jan. 20. 

"Fixing NJ Transit has yet to kill me" 

The governor pointed to NJ Transit as an example of long-term reform. He said while the system is still imperfect, it has largely improved and is on track for modernization.

"Fixing NJ Transit has yet to kill me," he joked. "But, it is an undertaking that will outlast my time as governor." 

He said outdated bus and rail cars will be replaced by 2031. Murphy also talked about improving reliability at the agency for the nation's third-largest public transit system. 

Growth in Artificial Intelligence 

Murphy touched on growing the state's involvement in artificial intelligence over the past two years. State officials launched an initiative using partnerships with companies like Microsoft to train public workers on AI tools.

AI has also been used to improve government services, such as identifying food-insecure children, according to Murphy. 

He said New Jersey has enacted laws to prevent deepfakes, which are fake images, videos or audio recordings, to protect children and other residents. In addition, he lauded how the state banned cellphones during the school day and called for stronger action regarding social media's impact on minors. 

Finance reforms include full pension payments

The governor highlighted making full pension payments for five consecutive years for the first time in decades. 

"We restored funding for those long-neglected priorities, pensions, public education, public transit, women's health care and secured nine consecutive credit rating upgrades in just three years after a generation of downgrades," he said.

Murphy urged lawmakers to continue to invest in education, health care, mass transit and innovation.

New Jersey Republican Sen. Anthony Bucco said the state isn't looking good financially. 

"We've got a budget that has increased $22 billion, and we've got property taxes on average that are up over $10,000," he said.

Republicans also criticized Murphy's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and said the homelessness rate is up.

Murphy honored Capitol Police officer who died after Jan. 6 riots

Brian Sicknick was a Capitol Police officer and New Jersey native who died the day after the Jan. 6 riots. He died of natural causes, but was previously believed to have died from injuries sustained during the incident.  

Murphy said he recently visited Sicknick's hometown, where the New Jersey State Police Honor Guard laid down a wreath at a plaque dedicated to Sicknick.

The governor said he has honored Sicknick, as well as other heroes, by "protecting the integrity of our democratic process."

He highlighted expanding early in-person voting, establishing automatic voter registration and restoring voter rights to people on probation or parole.