New Jersey appears to have Elected Officials that hold office but really are not in tune with the concerns of the constituents. Elected Officials tend to be open to the community only when it is time to campaign for office. Once in office, the communication is bare to non existent.

In recent times, it appears the average person is suffering silently to live comfortably in society. For this may not be the case for some, but many are challenged with things like affording the cost of living in NJ. Many are faced with the housing crisis like not being able to qualify for affordable housing and not being able to afford to pay market rate rent. Many own their homes, but the increases in local taxes is becoming a hardship with keeping their home.

The cost of food has become a burden. The cost of gas has also become a burden. One would have to look into what really caused the increase in the things that is needed for basic living. Once identified, talks of a remedy would be next.

Housing reforms is top of my list for this is a topic that appears on all levels of government, but is it really being addressed? It is always stated everyone is deserving of living in a habitable residence but is this accurate for all members in the community? Even for those who own a home, are they receiving any relief from property taxes so they can sustain their homes. Housing should never be a concern for an individual to worry about if they will have a roof over their head. Education reform is another priority to me because the way I grew up in the school system is nothing compared to what I am witnessing as a parent today. All of NJ should be afforded the same quality and resources for learning for all students regardless of where they reside. Government reform is another concern. We have individuals who take a position to take an oath to service the community. Are they serving the community or setting an agenda based on their personal needs instead?

There is a real need to find ways to increase the quality of life for individuals in NJ. Once you start identifying this, the next steps can be established.

The need for jobs is needed but also jobs that pay above the minimum wage. The minimum wages need to be looked into some more because many are barely getting by to sustain the basic needs to live.

We need to establish more ways for community to support local businesses in their own community.

We need to look at how some communities are successful with local support while other communities lack the presence of a variety of businesses to support. Also, need to review what do businesses need to help their businesses to grow.

First review what funding has been provided to the schools. Look at how the process determines who receives the money and how the money was used for the schools. A follow up would be needed to be evaluate on how affective the results impacted the school district and their students. Also, talk with the community to see what is needed to improve the conditions. The people we need to talk to many times are overlooked for their input.

I support policies that would help any individual have the best quality of life.

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When our state’s residents are worried about basic living costs, it’s a cause for alarm. We must make NJ more affordable for our struggling and middle-class residents, who form the backbone of our state. I am committed to working on solutions, such as Stay New Jersey, to lower property taxes for middle-class homeowners and make NJ a more affordable state for all our residents.

Climate change is an ever-present, rapidly expanding threat to our state. We need clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels; we must reduce carbon emissions and commit to achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. The Climate Superfund Act, of which I am a primary sponsor, represents a commitment to environmental justice, appropriate fiscal prudence, and ensuring our future by holding polluters financially responsible for the damage they cause. This bill must be passed and enacted; it will ensure the money to address environmental concerns comes from corporations at fault, not residents.

My journey as a public servant has been one dedicated to protecting democracy, and nothing is more important to democracy than the right to vote. Implementing same-day voter registration, making Election Day a state holiday, and expanding vote-by-mail will ensure that all residents can vote in elections. Passing the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act supports voters, ensuring they feel confident and improving political efficacy.

As the Legislature, we must strengthen the economy by investing in our future and expanding education, healthcare, and manufacturing. New Jersey is well-positioned to absorb talented professionals from across the country, offering a high quality of life and growth opportunities. This commitment goes hand-in-hand with strong, unionized labor. 

Public education is a cornerstone of New Jersey’s success, consistently ranked among the best in the nation. With the Legislature’s support, we’ve built a highly effective Pre-K program offering full-day options and wrap-around services, helping young children start school ready to succeed. Our high school graduation rate is among the highest in the country, with pathways to college or apprenticeships through strong union partnerships, preparing students for well-paying, secure careers.

However, we must remain vigilant in supporting our public education system, especially as uncertainty and instability in Washington threaten to impact funding and resources. I support initiatives that will prepare our schools to withstand these challenges and restore any lost funding. We must reaffirm our commitment to delivering a high-quality education, including in civics, history, and social justice education. Investing in these areas is not optional; it is a moral and civic imperative.

The current situation our undocumented residents face is unacceptable, and we must build realistic pathways to citizenship. I was an early co-sponsor of the Immigrant Trust Act, which enhances privacy protections for undocumented residents. Immigrants contribute more than $11.74 billion annually to our state and local economy, often paying more into public benefits than they receive, despite being ineligible for many programs their taxes help fund.

I am grateful to the majority of New Jersey’s medical clinics and health centers that accept patients regardless of their immigration status, many offering low-cost or free care. Additionally, the Let's Drive New Jersey initiative has helped immigrants legally operate automobiles, allowing them to seek work opportunities farther from home. We must support the mental and physical well-being of all New Jerseyans, regardless of their immigration status.

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