Gov. Jim Florio of New Jersey in 1990. (Bettmann/Getty Images) NEW JERSEY - Former New Jersey Gov. James Florio, who enthusiastically backed a plan that substantially raised the state's sales and income taxes — a stance that cost him his job — died Sunday.
He was 85.Florio, a Democrat, was a longtime public servant who held numerous posts on the local, county, state and federal levels, including four years in the state Assembly and 15 years in the U.S.
House of Representatives.In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat, called Florio a "fighter who never backed down.""He was a leader who cared more about the future of New Jersey than his own political fortunes.
And he was also a friend whose kind counsel was invaluable to me and countless others across our state," Murphy said. "Our communities are cleaner today because of the environmental efforts he championed in Congress.