New Jersey’s acting governor seizes leadership opportunity by signing bill that benefits himself

Democratic New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari, acting governor of the state while a large part of its executive branch has gone to the Democratic National Convention, signed a bill raising the price cap on attorney fees in workers compensation cases from 20% to 25%.

Scutari is a personal injury attorney who also covers workers compensation cases, meaning the bill directly compensates him further.

The bill had been awaiting Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-NJ) signature for less than two months, and Scutari signed it into law on his first day as acting governor.

“We are committed to protecting New Jersey’s workers and ensuring fair wages,” Scutari said in a press release. “Today’s legislation makes a meaningful adjustment to the contingency attorney fee cap, ensuring fair compensation for attorneys and providing workers with the accessible, quality legal representation they deserve.”

The cap will ensure attorneys are paid more for each workers compensation case they handle.

Scutari also signed three other bills and renamed an interchange in the state. One of the bills signed will increase salaries for many judges and county prosecutors in the state.

The acting governor signed the bill as the third in line to the gubernatorial mantle behind Murphy and Democratic Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way.

Several other Democratic governors, such as Govs. Maura Healey (D-MA) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), are out of state at the DNC as well. Whitmer’s situation is unique because it appears no official has been left behind to take the acting governor position. Whitmer said she is always the governor, and the Michigan state line is an hour away if she is needed.

“I am the governor. I’m always the governor of Michigan. It’s 24/7,” Whitmer told the Detroit News. “Obviously, if there is something official that needs to be done, I can get back over the state line in about an hour.”

The Washington Examiner contacted Murphy’s office and the New Jersey Senate Republicans for comment.

Murphy recently appointed George Helmy, his former chief of staff, to the U.S. Senate vacancy left by former Sen. Bob Menendez, who was recently convicted in his corruption trial.