Affordability

As the cost of living in New Jersey continues to rise, one of my top priorities in Trenton is working to make District 21 a more affordable place to live, work, and learn. We can take steps in the right direction by working across the aisle to pass:

• A2058 - Indexes state income tax brackets for inflation to combat “bracket creep” and prevent your tax rate from being raised simply due to inflation

• A4607 - Incentivizes young people to stay in New Jersey by providing a $1,500 annual tax credit to high-achieving students who remain in-state for high school, college, and their first job

• A823 - Saves drivers money and hassle by requiring highway authorities to check whether a vehicle owner has an existing E-ZPass account before charging an administrative fee … UPDATE: Signed into law!

• AR169 - Stands up for New Jersey by opposing New York’s congestion pricing plan and calling for NJ stakeholders to be included in the decision-making process

Disabilities

One of the most important jobs an elected official has is to be a voice for those who are too often forgotten in our society. In Trenton, I’m advocating for residents with disabilities by introducing legislation including:

• A4479 - Establishes a “Commission on People with Disabilities” to ensure quality representation as we seek to build a more accessible state for all

• A4608 - Ensures that hospital patients with developmental disabilities are always permitted to have a caregiver accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay

• A1701 - Creates a permanent unit in the Office of Emergency Management to address access and functional needs of residents related to disasters and emergencies, so that residents with disabilities are never left behind during their time of need … UPDATE: Passed by the Assembly!

Education

School districts across District 21 are widely renowned for the outstanding education they provide our K-12 students. As a member of the Assembly Education Committee, I’m working to maintain this high-quality education by supporting:

• A4667 - Expands hiring pools for school districts by eliminating the requirement that staff live in-state, helping to address the teacher shortage

• A4843 - Combats learning loss by establishing a matching grant program for school districts to implement high-impact tutoring services

• A677 - Incentivizes more college students to enter the field of education in New Jersey by eliminating the redundant and burdensome EdTPA assessment … UPDATE: Signed into law!

Housing

Unelected judges currently have far too much control over our towns when it comes to affordable housing. It’s time to ensure that the residents impacted by these standards have a say in the planning process once again. Here’s what I’m doing to level the playing field:

• ACR173 - Provides that only the Legislature may determine affordable housing obligations, ensuring that citizens, through their elected representatives, have a voice in this critical planning process

• A4848 - Protects extensively flood-prone towns from builder’s remedy actions aimed at compelling housing construction

Military Veterans

Supporting those who have served our country has always been a top priority for me. Here are a few additional ways our state should help veterans:

• A2722 - Allows veterans to apply their military medical training as credit towards licensure as licensed practical nurses, providing these veterans with a clearer on-ramp into the civilian workforce … UPDATE: Signed into law!

• A357 - Directs the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to create a program to assist veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries with receiving the care they deserve

• A3286 - Prohibits predatory “claim sharks” from collecting excessive fees for assisting with veterans benefit matters … UPDATE: Signed into law!

• A4570 - Combats the veteran homelessness crisis by prioritizing assistance and connecting these veterans with public and private sector resources and services

Women

All across our state, women are breaking barriers, being elected to office in record numbers, and helping to lead their communities toward a brighter future. Unfortunately, too many women are still subjected to harassment and serious acts of violence. I’m working to support these women by passing:

• AJR163 - Directs New Jersey’s courts to admit conversations with close confidants as evidence in civil cases involving sexual assault or workplace discrimination, providing survivors with a key tool in securing justice

• A5061 - Sets the minimum level of domestic violence training for judges and judicial personnel, ensuring that courts will be fully equipped to properly handle these sensitive matters and treat victims with the dignity they deserve