Don't mess with Texas?

Don't mess with New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy says.

The Garden State's governor fired back Wednesday at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott after Abbott wrote an opinion column inviting New Jersey residents and businesses to head to his state if they want to flee Murphy's proposed tax increases.

Abbott's column appeared on NJ.com and in The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's largest news companies, ahead of this year's Tax Day, which was Tuesday.

Murphy responded Wednesday with a column of his own published by The Dallas Morning News, Texas' largest newspaper.

Murphy -- a Democrat who succeeded Republican Gov. Chris Christie in January -- writes that New Jersey is "moving in a new direction" and is "working hard to be the state of good value for money and good value for all our people."

That, he says, is why it was "quite a shock" to see Abbott, a Republican, "openly attack my home state."

"I understand Texas pride," Murphy writes. "Heck, I respect that. But let's be clear, as governor of New Jersey, I won't let anyone get away with taking a cheap shot at my state."

Murphy's first state budget proposal is a $37.4 billion plan that is $2.7 billion larger than Christie's last budget and includes more than $1.6 billion in new taxes and moves to close loopholes.

That includes a new tax on millionaire residents, increasing the state's sales tax from 6.62 percent to 7 percent, and instituting new taxes on ride-share services like Uber and home-share services like Airbnb.

Murphy says that will help pay for increases in funding to education, transportation, and public-worker pension.

His plans sparked Abbott's op-ed, in which the Texas governor offers to "throw a lifeline to businesses and families throughout New Jersey who are looking for greater economic opportunity and relief from high taxes."

"Come to Texas and be a part of our economic success story," the Lone Star State governor writes.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (left) and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (right).

But Murphy countered by arguing Texas' economy is not as great as Abbott portrays, citing a slew of statistics.

Murphy follows with a list of pros about New Jersey, including its location, ports, education system, health care system, crime rate, and more.

"It's simple," Murphy writes. "If you'd like to be part of an economic revival in a state that recognizes the value of investments in public education, creates welcoming communities that protect LGBTQ residents and immigrants, defends a woman's right to reproductive health care, then New Jersey is the place for you or your business."

"To those businesses betting on the future of New Jersey, whether that means staying here or relocating from a state like Texas, it will be the best bet you've ever made," Murphy concludes.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.