N.J. and 14 others states form new public health alliance while federal shutdown drags on

Gov. Phil Murphy and 14 other Democratic governors are forming a new public health alliance to facilitate cross-state collaboration, citing an abdication of leadership at the federal level.

The announcement comes amid an ongoing government shutdown that has stretched on for more than two weeks.

The Governors Public Health Alliance includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington State.

The move also follows another round of massive layoffs affecting hundreds of federal employees working in mental health, disease outbreaks, and disaster preparedness, Associated Press reported.

“New Jersey’s approach to public health will always be grounded in collaboration