Well, the governor's proposed spending plan was also heavy on funding progressive issues, including items related to reproductive rights, climate change and affordability.

Talking points that some argue could be seen through the lens of his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy's US Senate campaign.

Murphy's foes believe she has an advantage with the Democratic Party machine because many of the party brokers have business and political interests tied to the governor's administration, a claim both Murphy's vehemently deny.

For a deeper look, I'm joined by Charlie Stile, columnist for the Bergen Record.

Northjersey.com.

I just think broadly, thematically.

So it was a lot of emphasis on liberal issues that are of major concern on a national level.

But liberal issues are a sort of their priority issues ranging from climate change, voting rights, reproductive rights that frankly have a tangential connection to the budget and I took it to it sounded to me.

And he also played a very heavy on mentioning the unions.

I think he mentioned unions seven times.

It struck me as a sort of Murphy appeal to the liberal base that is right now, you know, somewhat discontent, disillusioned with the whole primary process.

And some are, frankly, and portion of that base and the grass roots are Pitchfork angry at her.

And so I thought this was a way to remind this is Murphy using his platform to remind the activists in this party, hey, where this is our agenda, our agenda aligns with yours.

So keep that in mind before you you know, consider your choices for the U.S. Senate primary.

So almost a thinly veiled appeal to that constituency.

I mean, the governor would probably say, hey, I'm a progressive through and through.

These are issues I've championed, you know, from the jump since I got into office.

Right.

That's true.

But I mean, that that was seen also in the past as a lens through by which he was preparing for his own reelection.

And, you know, to build his own stature here he is now and his lame duck period, this should be.

You would think there'd be more emphasis on sort of fixing the nuts and bolts of government.

And but what we heard primarily was a kind of recitation of that sort of campaign style theme.

And I think the person in the Murphy household who's running this time is his wife.

You're at least from from my reading, the first to sort of mention what could transpire after the June primary.

And that's when we know that the real horse trading begins.

That's when the budget negotiations get down to the wire.

There's the constitutional deadline to balance the budget by July 1st.

What are you seeing happening or what potentially could happen during that month once they get through the primary?

And why does that matter?

Well, I you rightly pointed out the real budget is after is in the final homestretch the last couple of weeks of June, sometimes even the last couple hours of June.

This is all kabuki.

This is all, you know, very little gets done to the governor's proposals or between now and that period.

So we know that as a track record.

Now, there's those that horse trading, the delivery of legislative pork that always comes at the end to secure votes to reward their people.

Now, that's going to be seen through or being closely watched, as are these rewards to party activists and party officials or supporting Tami in exchange for their vote.

It's I mean, it may not happen, but it's a legitimate question that hangs over the process right now, given the history of of really smelly horse trading we've seen in the past.

Fair enough.

Charlie Styles, columnist with The Bergen Record.

Northjersey.com.

Charlie, always good to talk to you.

Thank you so much.

It's my pleasure.