JERSEY CITY – Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise signed an executive order ending its relationship with FedEx over the company's policy on shipping guns.

The order came during DeGise's annual state of the county address on Thursday evening during which he urged county officials to follow a "meat and potatoes" budget to fund a new courthouse and announced the new High Tech High School would be named after retiring superintendent Frank Gargiulo.

DeGise said Hudson County has spent more than $60,000 shipping through FedEx over the last three years and will now use a new carrier because the company allows for guns and ammunition to be shipped "without reasonable restrictions."

"They have continued to refuse even after the horrific school shooting in Parkland, Florida, last month," DeGise said. "When it comes to gun safety, it's time for everyone to pick a side in this fight."

FedEx has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks after a list was leaked of gun manufacturers and businesses who were given a cheaper, less secure shipping option.

DeGise delivered his annual speech the day after Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Union City Mayor Brian Stack announced they would not back DeGise for re-election in 2019. The surprise announcement has led to local elected officials pledging allegiance to the current county executive or saying they support Fulop's and Stack's effort to oust him.

DeGise, first elected in 2002, opened his speech by telling a packed freeholder chambers he wanted to "make a couple of references to the events of yesterday." He then paused and began talking about the nor'easter that slammed the region Wednesday. Jersey City Councilmen Rich Boggiano and Michael Yun -- who have announced their intent to support DeGise's fifth term -- sat in the front row in the chambers between Hudson County Superior Court Judge Peter Bariso and Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari.

DeGise told the freeholders the needs of all 12 municipalities need to be met before "wish list" items can be granted, citing a costly new courthouse (construction is expected to begin by 2021). The property and master planning of the new building alone will cost more than $40 million, but DeGise said the project is overdue.

"Our long-patient judiciary has waited long enough," he said.

The tone of this year's address was significantly lighter than his speech in 2017, when DeGise defended his decision to continue the county's controversial participation with the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) program commonly referred to as 287(g). The county terminated that agreement last week.

DeGise ended his address tonight by stressing the importance of commitment and unity between elected officials within the county, a clear jab at the turf war Fulop and Stack launched 15 months before the 2019 Democratic primary.

"Let's work together, rookies and veterans alike in this government, to make Hudson County stronger in the days ahead," he said.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.