February Legislative Update

This past month I had the opportunity to listen to Governor Murphy’s State of the State Address and was incredibly grateful to have my eldest son, Frank, beside me. In his address, Gov. Murphy outlined key initiatives aimed at enhancing education, public safety, environmental sustainability, and ensuring that New Jersey families can continue to call our state their home.

I am particularly thankful that the Governor emphasized a key issue in our schools that has been negatively impacting not only our students’ mental health but also the learning environment: cellphones. As a superintendent and as a principal, I know that cell phone and social media usage is rampant in our schools, to the detriment of our students’ academic experiences. Hopefully, thanks to Bill A4882/S3695, which Governor Murphy referenced during his State of the State address, students in New Jersey will be able to put down their phones, focus more on the material in the class, and become better learners. I thank Senator Moriarty, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, and the Governor for his commitment to this important issue.  

I look forward to working with my fellow Legislators and the Governor’s Office on legislation that reflects our shared values.

A5122 was signed into law this month. This bill updates the lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding by DEP for the 2025 fiscal year. 

These projects focus on improving water infrastructure such as upgrading drinking water systes, fixing wastewater treatment plans, and addressing environmental concerns to ensure cleaner and safer communities across New Jersey.

This month, Assembly Bill 5076 cleared the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee unanimously. 

This bill reinstates a previously abolished policy to ensure that female troopers receive adequate recovery leave, allowing them to fully heal and safely return to their critical roles within the New Jersey State Police. By restoring this policy, it safeguards a woman’s right to start a family while reaffirming the State’s commitment to supporting law enforcement officers during significant life events, such as childbirth.

This month’s Assembly Session was a day filled with milestones, advocacy, and unity.

We celebrated legislative milestones as Assemblyman Balvir Singh was sworn in, Senator Benjie E. Wimberly was sworn into the senate, and Assemblywoman Melinda Kane and Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz participated in their first voting session.

A historic moment unfolded as we swore in our first woman and Latina as Speaker Pro Tempore, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, and I was deeply honored to second her nomination.

We recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day, reaffirming our dedication to combating antisemitism and standing in solidarity with the Jewish community.

We proudly participated in Muslim Heritage Month, where Assemblyman Al Barlas highlighted how Jews and Muslims can come together in mutual respect to commemorate what is important to our communities.

We also had the honor of presenting a resolution to the New Jersey School Board Association (NJSBA) in recognition of their work, reaffirming our commitment to education and advocacy.

In a moment of solemn reflection, we met the parents of Officer Brian Sicknick, who tragically lost his life following the January 6 attack. We stood with them in condemning the release of their son’s killer, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to justice.

We commemorated Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, standing alongside inspiring advocates and survivors to promote early detection and prevention.

We also celebrated the Lunar New Year, recognizing the rich cultural traditions and contributions of the Asian American community in New Jersey.

From celebrating culture and heritage to standing against injustice and promoting public health, it was a day that showcased the strength of our values and our dedication to the people of New Jersey. Go Jersey!

It was a pleasure to participate on the panel for Progressive Leadership Summit. A special thank you to Marcia Marley from BlueWaveNJ, Montclair Democratic Party, for organizing such a fantastic event. Grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many passionate individuals working toward progress in our communities.

I was excited to attend the grand opening of Sugar Tree Cafe. Congratulations to Liliana and Manny Vega. I am proud of my friend Liliana, a trailblazing small business owner and a shining example of minority entrepreneurship. Let’s support this wonderful new addition to Livingston and LD27!

This month we also celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was moved by the West Orange Human Relations Commission’s phenomenal tribute to Dr. King, and was impressed by the acting and singing talent of the West Orange youth.  It was an honor to hear from our new Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones, whose speech inspired us all. A big thank you to the HRC for shining a light on the remarkable leaders who embody the spirit of justice, equality, and community service.

MLK Day was a special day of service. I began the day with dropping off your incredible Holiday Drive donations to Toni’s Kitchen.

It was great to join Livingston’s Committee for Diversity & Inclusion for a Day of Service kicked off by Livingston Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and remarks from Mayor Ed Meinhardt, Rabbi Simeon Cohen, Lady Trisha Scipio of the NAAC: Orange and Maplewood Branch, and Livingston High School Black Student Union. A special thank you to the League of Women Voters of Livingston for their civic education efforts and to all the volunteers who participated in making the day a success. 

I hope that we all had an opportunity to connect with our respective communities in a way that was meaningful.

Earlier this month I also had the pleasure of joining the West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee at its 2nd Annual Pre-Parade Pipe-Off Fundraiser. It was incredible to see the area’s best bagpipers in action, with amazing performances by South Park & District Pipe Band, Essex Shillelagh Pipes and Drums, Rory O’Moore School of Pipes and Drums, and the Essex County Emerald Society Pipe Band.  I look forward to marching in the parade. 

I also had the pleasure of joining the Morris County Dems Women’s Leadership Workshop! It was amazing to connect with inspiring women and discuss leadership, community building, and empowering others to lead.  A special thank you to Amalia Duarte, and to my fellow panelists, Middlesex County Commissioner Shanti Naara and Chatham Township Mayor Stacey Ewald for their leadership.

I want to thank the Livingston High School Democrats for inviting me to speak at their meeting! Special thanks to advisors Martha Ackerman and Dan Ippolito for supporting this incredible group. It was an honor to discuss my political journey and share internship opportunities with such engaged students.

I was beyond excited to be part of the ribbon cutting celebration of LifeTown’s bowling alley. The bowling alley is officially open and perfectly designed for our special needs community; it’s a game everyone can enjoy. A huge thanks to Zalman and Toba Grossbaum and all the donor for making this possible.

This month I also had the opportunity to connect with the Clifton community to discuss the upcoming New Jersey State Assembly race and the efforts for the upcoming elections. A special thanks to the Clifton Democratic Committee and Chair John Pogorelec, Jr. for hosting the event and to Donna Popowich for bringing together the women of Clifton for meaningful conversations on the issues that matter most to women in Clifton and beyond.

I had the privilege of attending the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey’s Reorganization Breakfast alongside fellow legislators, with Speaker Craig J. Coughlin as the honored guest. 

I want to express my gratitude to STFA President Wayne Blanchard and all association members for their unwavering dedication to protecting and serving the people of New Jersey, and for their advocacy on A5076.

A special thanks to the West Orange Hispanic Foundation for allowing me to join the Immigration & SNAP Information Session. Events like these are vital in ensuring our community has the resources and knowledge to navigate the immigration process and understands its rights.

Similarly, I was grateful to have attended this critical conversation with Governor Phil Murphy on protecting New Jersey’s progress. This dialogue couldn’t be more timely as we face growing threats to civil rights, economic justice, and democracy, it’s crucial to stand firm in protecting New Jersey’s progress. Grateful to Marcia Marley, BlueWaveNJ, Montclair State University and all the sponsors for this important discussion.

At a time when diversity is under attack, and equity is challenged, we must stand firm in honoring the past, empowering the present, and demanding justice for the future. 

Thank you to the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion for a wonderful event where we ushered in Black History Month. 

I would also like to thank the Roseland Free Public Library for putting together a Black History Hall of Fame performance and for allowing to play Eleanor Roosevelt as she reflected during her historic 1941 flight with Chief Anderson at the Tuskegee Institute.