Governor Murphy is preparing to take the final lap of his time in office, delivering his state of the state address before a joint session of the legislature in Trenton tomorrow, where he'll lay out his plans and priorities for new Jersey under the last year of his administration.

It comes after a highly contentious presidential election, and as the state gears up for what's expected to be an equally tough gubernatorial race.

Senior political correspondent David Kruse has a preview.

For a few years now, Governor Phil Murphy has used his state of the state speech to enumerate his accomplishments.

So over the previous six state of the state speeches, you've heard about the anchor tax relief program and the birth of the cannabis industry, minimum wage and family leave.

Genuine accomplishments.

But reaction from even fellow Democrats, some of whom want to succeed Murphy is basically mad.

Well, let me say it this way.

Right.

I think the most effective governor's push kind of a bold agenda and most of the most effective executives, whether it's governors, mayors, a bold agenda, and you can clearly define their administration with one clear accomplishment.

And one of the things I say about, the Murphy administration is I still don't know what that thing is that over the last seven years, that is the driving point that they've changed.

New Jersey, state of the state speeches are interesting because they're kind of they're part stump speech, part, policy document, part roadmap.

This one's particularly interesting because, as you said, he will give another one next year.

But next year is really the valedictory.

Right.

It's the it's the goodbye.

So this is kind of the last substantive one.

But even this one, I would look at it as sort of the beginning of the goodbye tour.

But hold on.

Say, folks in the governor's office, this is a chief executive who has promised to run through the finish line.

So while you may hear that laundry list of Murphy victories tomorrow, you're also going to hear new initiatives, including proposals they say, on education, reproductive rights, housing, public safety, and, yes, tax relief among a dozen or so action items.

Well, loaded to the speech mark, give us anything else you want to talk about tomorrow?

We have to show off Republicans again, including those looking to succeed Murphy.

Say that beyond the medley of the hits, the governor should address lingering issues, including crime, despite stats showing a decrease.

It still has to be addressed over development.

These towns don't want a number, but say you have to have 400 new units, regardless of the impact on the local community.

And I have to think, I believe he should address health insurance because over and over again, people one can't get into the doctor and when they do, they can't get the bills paid.

There's all kinds of denials and reductions.

That's going to be a brand new issue.

With just over a year left in the term, Murphy's agenda is subject to the political realities of New Jersey's robust elections schedules.

If you ain't on the ballot, you probably ain't the priority.

Very difficult in the last year for a governor or the Assembly.

You know, they may say, look, you're worried about your legacy.

We're worried about our jobs.

We know you're not going to be here next year.

So that's all that we sort of have to get to.

We're more worried about all of these people who are running for governor.

And maybe less less about you.

So it is difficult in the end, though, most people don't remember these speeches much beyond the 24 hours after they're delivered.

To use the sports metaphor, or as this governor often does, to make his points.

Phil Murphy has hit some doubles and moves some runners over, but he's got one more at bat to hit a home run.

I'm David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.