https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/2022/09/26/jim-florio-obituary-former-nj-governor/69518488007/

POLITICS

Former Gov. James Florio, Democrat whose tax decision led to voter revolt, dead at 85

Dustin Racioppi
Trenton Bureau

Former Gov. Jim Florio, a Democrat whose one term leading New Jersey is associated with a massive tax revolt that overshadowed many other consequential policies, died Sunday night. He was 85.

His death was announced Monday morning and confirmed by his law partner Doug Steinhardt.

"Governor Florio passed away last night comforted by family & friends," Steinhardt, a Republican who briefly ran for governor last year, said on Twitter. "Our partnership was a constant reminder to me that ppl can disagree on fundamental tenets of gov’t & politics, but still be civil & still be friends. I will miss him."

Florio maintained a regular presence in New Jersey's political scene long after voters drove him from office in the 1993 election, whether it was serving on the state Pinelands Commission, attending a governor's State of the State speech or mingling with elected officials at a presidential convention. And in 2018 he published a memoir, "Standing on Principle: Lessons Learned in Public Life."

A native of Brooklyn who planted roots in South Jersey, Florio spent 15 years in Congress before becoming governor. As a congressman, he led the passage of the federal Superfund law to clean up toxic sites.

As governor, Florio successfully pushed for a nation-leading assault weapons ban and oversaw sweeping changes to car insurance that lowered rates for drivers.

But facing a $600 million budget deficit after taking office in 1990, he pushed through $2.8 billion in new taxes, including an increase in the sales tax from 6% to 7%.

Former Gov. James Florio answers questions Thursday at an event praising Camden's progress and tax breaks.
His approval plummeted with voters, who slapped “Dump Florio” and “Florio Free in ‘93” bumper stickers on their cars and gave him what was then record-low approval ratings below 20%.

“Not everybody was a fan,” Florio told the USA TODAY Network in 2018.

Mike Kelly:Former NJ Gov. Jim Florio's message to Gov. Phil Murphy on raising taxes: Just do it.

Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, called Florio "the consummate gentleman and statesman."

"Governor Florio was wholly dedicated to public service and the great state of New Jersey, and someone who always worked to bring people together and solve problems," she said in a statement.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated.