The Star Ledger reports some allies complain Governor Phil Murphy is now “shying away from his progressive vision” of making New Jersey “the California of the East Coast.” The two coastal states are each noted for beautiful and popular beaches. We get the sunrise out of the Atlantic, they watch the sun set into the Pacific. The other big difference is that NJ forces beachgoers to pay to sunbathe and swim, while California’s beaches are blissfully free. The article quotes leaders of organizations that have supported Murphy’s policies who now call for “bold ideas that will make lasting changes for generations,” for “progressive values” that would make the state “more welcoming,” and for changing “systems and policies” to prevent “disparities.” Ending the oppressive, inefficient, and economically-discriminatory beach fee system and making our publicly-owned beaches free for everyone would answer this call for social justice. Governor Murphy and the legislature can dedicate a tiny sliver of NJ’s fifty-billion-dollar budget to reimburse beach towns for lifeguards and maintenance. The Jersey Shore without beach badge aggravation will indeed be more welcoming, and the subsequent boost to tourism may well increase related tax revenues enough to offset expenses.