New Jersey law requires the governor to deliver a budget address on or before the last Tuesday in February, though previous first-term governors have been granted extensions. Sherrill’s office is currently working with legislative leaders to select a date for the speech.

Sens. Paul Sarlo and Declan O’Scanlon introduced legislation on Wednesday that would grant Sherrill an additional two weeks to prepare her fiscal year 2027 budget proposal and deliver the speech on March 10. The bill cites precedent for similar extensions for first budget messages.

The Legislature established the February deadline for the budget message in 2004, but every governor since has given their first speech in March. Former Gov. Phil Murphy gave his first budget message on March 13, 2018, while former Govs. Chris Christie and Jon Corzine similarly delivered their first proposals in mid-March in 2010 and 2006, respectively.

First-timers are not the only ones to request extensions.

In 2022, the Legislature approved Murphy’s request to deliver his budget proposal on March 8 instead of Feb. 22. Murphy cited a desire to see Covid-19 case numbers drop before his speech, allowing him to deliver it in person for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020.

The vote was divisive, with many Republicans arguing that Murphy’s request was politically motivated and would result in a rushed budget process. The pushback was unusual, however, and most requests to change the budget date have passed with broad support.

Sherrill’s office has not yet announced a date for the speech, leaving the timing of her first budget address uncertain. Once she gives the speech, the Legislature begins months of hearings. A budget must be signed by June 30.