New Jersey residents took a hit on June 1 when electric bills increased statewide. But Gov. Phil Murphy announced a plan on Thursday to provide relief.

Murphy’s plan would deduct at least $100 from the bills of everyone who pays an electric bill. Middle- to low-income families would be eligible to get up to $250 reduced.

"This initiative reflects our administration's broader and enduring commitment to making New Jersey more affordable for more families,” Murphy said. “We're taking this step today because the fact is people of New Jersey are being battered by the rising cost of energy."

State Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco responded to Murphy's announcement, saying it's just another Band-Aid and that it doesn't fix the overarching problem. Bucco said that the plan “doesn't go far enough to help the families and small businesses already struggling to afford their utility bills. It simply delays the pain to avoid political fallout in an election year.”

JCP&L – one of New Jersey’s major utility companies – also released a statement.

“We encourage our customers to reach out to us if they are having trouble paying their bill, so that we can connect them with available assistance or payment plans,” the statement read in part.

The New Jersey Utilities Association says that it is looking forward to working with Murphy's office "to expand energy affordability."

"It is also important to underscore that NJUA members offer assistance programs, and are committed to helping customers by expanding payment arrangements so customers have extended time to pay their bills," NJUA president Richard Henning wrote in a statement.