In 2025, New Jersey faces significant challenges: the rising cost of living, the climate crisis, and underfunded public transportation. We must reform zoning laws to expand affordable housing, implement universal school meals, and invest in universal Pre-K. To make healthcare more affordable, I support site-neutral payments, reference-based pricing, and enforceable cost growth benchmarks. As energy costs climb, families receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF should be automatically enrolled in utility assistance, and punitive reconnection fees must end. Addressing climate change requires rejecting dirty energy investments and advancing smart land use reform. Finally, creating a dedicated funding source and expanding public transit infrastructure is essential to meet the needs of our growing and diverse communities.
I proudly cosponsor the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act and legislation for same-day voter registration—key steps to expanding access and protecting every voter’s voice. I also support lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections, empowering young people to shape the future of their schools and communities. Our democracy is strongest when more people participate, not fewer. I believe we should explore civic education partnerships between schools and local election boards to engage new voters early. Additionally, we must increase language access at polling places and expand vote-by-mail statewide. These reforms will make our elections more inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all New Jerseyans.
To strengthen New Jersey’s economy, we must invest in people and policies that promote long-term stability and fairness. That starts with fully funding our school funding formula and meeting our pension obligations—both of which are essential to a strong workforce and fiscal health. I support lowering property taxes through programs like StayNJ, Senior Freeze, and the ANCHOR rebate to help families and seniors stay in their homes. At the same time, we must pursue progressive tax policies that ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share, including increased realty transfer fees on high-end home sales. These strategies ensure we can fund essential services, support working families, and build an economy that works for everyone—not just the few.
I’m committed to ensuring every student in New Jersey has access to a high-quality public education, regardless of zip code. That starts with fully funding our school funding formula and continuing to make responsible pension payments to support the educators who serve our communities. As a legislator, I have consistently advocated for robust public school funding throughout the budget process. We must also address the teacher shortage by encouraging more people—especially those from underrepresented communities—to enter the profession. Representation matters, and students benefit when they see themselves reflected in their educators. Equity in education means investing in our schools, supporting our teachers, and expanding opportunity for every child.
As an immigrant from Pakistan, I know firsthand the value immigrants bring to our communities. New Jersey’s strength lies in its diversity, and in LD-37, our legislators proudly reflect that. I’m a proud cosponsor of the Immigrant Trust Act, which limits collaboration with ICE and protects the rights and safety of immigrant families. I also support maintaining state laws that ensure immigrants can access public benefits and integrate fully into our society. I've backed legislation to expand translation of government documents and believe in inclusive education policies like the Amistad and AAPI curriculum to foster cultural understanding and acceptance. Immigrants are essential to our economy, schools, and neighborhoods. We must ensure they are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
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Campaign phone
2014010144
Campaign Address
PO Box 34 Bogota, NJ 07603
We all must admit, the rising taxes in NJ is hurting all NJ residents regardless of political ideology. Taxes are one of the highest in the country. As a legislator, I will work with our next governor day and night to bring solutions to the state and finally bring taxes back down. We must cap property taxes for the elderly.
I support several key reforms to strengthen New Jersey’s democracy and restore trust in government: Term Limits: I believe public office should be about service, not careerism. Implementing term limits at every level will reduce entrenched power and encourage fresh ideas and accountability. Transparency & Open Government: I support strengthening OPRA (Open Public Records Act) to ensure residents can easily access government information without unnecessary delays or denials. Fair Elections: I would work to protect ballot access, improve voting technology, and ensure every voter has confidence that elections are secure and fair. Ethics & Accountability: Stronger ethics rules, including limits on pay-to-play politics and stricter enforcement of conflict-of-interest laws, are essential to curb corruption. Together, these reforms will make New Jersey’s government more open, accountable, and responsive to the people
I will push to reduce income taxes for all taxpayers, consolidate tax brackets, prohibit tax increases on home improvements, and make student loan interest tax deductible. work to help reduce the Corporation Business Tax by one percent per year for five years, taking it from the highest rate in the nation to one that is competitive nationally. Work with our next govenor to reduce state spending by 30%.
Work with our next governor to reform the state school funding formula, set a statewide standard on per-pupil spending and then allow that money to follow the student. Fair Distribution of State Aid: Ensure that school funding formulas are applied consistently and fairly, so that every district, whether urban, suburban, or rural, receives the resources it needs to provide a high-quality education. Accountability for Dollars Spent: Increase oversight to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent in classrooms and on student outcomes, not wasted on bureaucracy or political favoritism. Support for Teachers & Staff: Advocate for competitive pay, classroom resources, and professional development so educators have the tools they need to succeed. Protecting Special Education & Arts Programs: Guarantee that funding reforms do not shortchange vulnerable student populations or strip away programs that are essential to student growth, including arts, vocational training, and special education.
I support immigration policies that are fair, lawful, and compassionate while prioritizing public safety and economic opportunity. Specifically: No Sanctuary for Criminals: I do not support policies that shield individuals who commit serious crimes from law enforcement. Secure Borders & Rule of Law: We must enforce existing immigration laws and ensure our borders are secure to maintain order and protect communities. Legal Pathways: I support streamlining and expanding legal immigration processes for those who want to work, study, and contribute to our economy, while ensuring proper vetting. Workforce & Economic Needs: I believe immigration policy should reflect the needs of New Jersey’s economy, supporting industries like healthcare, construction, and technology, while preventing abuse of the system.
Website
www.ellenpark.com/
Affordability is the number one issue on most people’s minds today, especially with the incoherent and uncomprehensible policies coming from the federal government. My Assembly companion, Shama Haider and I hear it daily from our constituents, the price of everything is going up, from simple ingredients like eggs, to the cost of housing, let alone the cost of a college education. We must prioritize affordability, reducing the financial burdens on families while building up communities.
I am the prime sponsor of A-1920, which extends childcare subsidies to families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty level. New Jersey childcare costs are amongst the highest in the nation, especially in Bergen County, where the demand seems to dwarf the supply. The cost can be so burdensome that it prevents parents – often women – from re-entering the workforce. We will never ensure that women are in the workforce (51.2% of the state population) without affordable childcare.
New Jersey needs to take down barriers to voting not increase them. I support same day voter registration, universal vote-by-mail unless the individual voter opts out, and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. I support the Rule of Law, a norm that is being challenged daily on the federal level; we must protect our judges, prosecutors, and officers from intimidation and interference. The Judicial system is a co-equal branch of government, and this institution should be treated with respect, not twisted to support some political game.
Many of my constituents are small business owners, the backbone of the local economy. Without small businesses, we have no Main Street, and without Main Street, we have no community. I support bills that strengthen the local economy, whether it is improving access to angel investments to start a business, to lowering insurance costs so our small businesses can offer employees good competitive wages and benefits, to supporting the right to unionize.
New Jersey is consistently ranked amongst the most educated states in the nation, and the states with the best public school system. This is due to our educators and the entire support staff schools encompass. We, unlike other states, invest in our students and our educators. I have always supported full pension funding in the state’s budget for our educators. I have also always supported School-Based Youth Services (SYBS) programs; Englewood, Teaneck, and Hackensack have SBYS programs in District 37, which gives students safe places to feel confident discussing mental health issues, family discord, and other intangibles which impact social interaction and academic performance.
I am the proud first prime sponsor of A-4987, the Immigrant Trust Act, which would codify the Immigrant Trust Directive. This bill isn’t just about our immigrant population but about everyone who calls New Jersey home. I’m an immigrant. I came to the US when I was six years old and didn’t speak a word of English. My parents came chasing the American dream. I support the full and sustained funding for the Defense and Deportation Initiative (DDDI). Last year I sponsored the budget resolution for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to provide legal representation and case management to unaccompanied children and similarly situated youth living in New Jersey.
