December 2024 Legislative Update

As temperatures drop significantly, many seeking warmth at New Jersey’s Code Blue shelters also need a hearty meal. We have been asked to support by providing soups and other items for care packages to help those in need. You may access the Amazon Wish List here.

As we enter this season of gratitude, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the 27th Legislative District and all of New Jersey. Please join me in the holiday spirit by donating to our holiday food drive or by giving back to our community in a way that is meaningful to you.

Together, we can make a difference. From my family to yours, wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

I was proud to introduce four bills last month addressing a wide range of issues: keeping our military families in New Jersey, supporting our school administrators and nurses, protecting the privacy of individuals covered under Daniel’s Law, and advancing New Jersey’s leadership in clean energy jobs, environmental standards, and community health.

In order to better protect the privacy of individuals covered under Daniel’s Law, Bill A5071 would permit covered individuals to use a post office box or different address on their driver’s license or identification card. This bill will facilitate a uniform application of the privacy protections currently afforded to covered persons under Daniel’s Law across various state government agencies overseeing their sensitive and protected information.

In line with keeping New Jersey at the forefront of clean energy initiatives and sustainability, Bill A5072 would require certain green building initiatives in plans for development or redevelopment of affordable housing planned for construction or substantial renovation. This bill requires the developer of an applicable project to build the project to the EPA’s Energy Star Single-Family New Homes or Multifamily New Construction program standards through participation in the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Residential New Construction Program. The bill further requires certain green building standards in applicable project plans concerning soil testing, lighting, energy, heat island reduction, air quality, sustainability, building envelope, landscaping, building automation, and transportation. Now more than ever – let’s be a leader for clean energy jobs, environmental standards, and community health.

I am honored to introduce Bill A5073 to support New Jersey’s active-duty military members. This bill exempts New Jersey residents who serve in active duty abroad from paying state income tax on their military compensation. Currently, many of our service members are forced to change their residency to states without income tax, effectively leaving New Jersey behind. With this bill, we aim to allow our heroes to maintain New Jersey as their home base, so they can continue to call New Jersey their home after serving our country.

I am pleased to introduce Bill A5074 which permits retired school superintendents, administrators, and nurses to be reemployed by school districts for periods of longer than two years without approval by the Commissioner of Education. This will allow for a smoother transition for our critical school staff without interruption to their Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Funds.

It’s been such an honor and privilege to work with this amazing freshman class of legislators and celebrate our accomplishments at an event at the League of Municipalities! This group of talented, diverse, and passionate legislators has been able to bring their unique perspectives and life experiences to the table, and come together for the shared purpose of making life better for everyone in New Jersey. Thank you to everyone who came out to support and celebrate with us.

Thank you to New Jersey Association for Justice for hosting a wonderful event honoring Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, Assemblyman Dan Hutchinson, and I for our work and dedication. We deeply appreciate your support and commitment to advancing justice together.

Thank you to the Division of Taxation and the libraries of West Orange and Clifton for their support in helping our office host two successful Anchor Program events where we were able to assist constituents in securing the money owed to them through this innovative NJ program.

I attended a wonderful brunch fundraiser for Sazon at Viva Guacamole, thanks to the hard work of Laura Tamayo and the entire committee. A special thank you to Fermin, the owner, for his unwavering support of our community efforts. It was truly a morning filled with community spirit and gratitude.

Congratulations to Shilpa and all the volunteers who supported Shiv’s Third Eye at their Mental Health Fair. Thank Shilpa and family for continuing to raise awareness, bringing out supports and fostering meaningful conversations to benefit our children.

It was a wonderful afternoon standing with Avraham Eisenman to celebrate the launch of his new business, EISMED Urgent Care, in Clifton! Wishing him and his family boundless success and many blessings on this exciting new journey.

It was wonderful to join Rabbi Cohen and Fal Pandya at the Havdallah Diwali Event at Temple Beth Shalom with Namaste Global, an incredible celebration that beautifully blended cultures and faiths together for a shared purpose of good and unity.

A great afternoon was spent with seniors Sharon and Pat at the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey, as they shared how happy they are to live in a safe apartment surrounded by individuals who have become like family and caretakers who thoughtfully meet their needs. It warmed my heart to hear how the $250,000 budget appropriation will continue to support their quality of life and ensure the continued success of this vital program.

We celebrated culture and community at the United Puerto Rican Council’s 18th Annual Caribbean Carnaval Gala, a vibrant evening of music, color, and joy at the Royal Manor in Garfield, NJ.

And, in advance of Thanksgiving, we joined Lt. Governor Tahesha Way to pardon two turkeys, Prosecco and Pinot Noir, at Stew Leonard’s in Clifton.