Murphy Foe Thwarted in Bid to Block N.J. Tax-Incentives Inquiry

A New Jersey Democratic power broker attempting to reshape one of America’s poorest cities lost a legal bid to quash a report by a panel investigating an $11 billion state tax-break program.

Judge Mary Jacobson, ruling in Mercer Superior Court in Trenton, rejected an argument that it would be unfair for the Task Force on the Economic Development Authority’s Tax Incentives to issue preliminary findings. The plaintiffs, who sued Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and the panel seeking to stop the ongoing inquiry, had sought a temporary restraining order on the release while their case continues.

“The public has a right ...