SNAP benefits set to be suspended due to shutdown

This week, New Jersey was notified by the Trump administration that if the shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be available on November 1.

“The Camden County Board of Commissioners is dedicated to supporting our residents throughout this extreme period of uncertainty. In Camden County, approximately 75,000 residents currently receive SNAP benefits, and the loss of these benefits will result in our seniors, children, and other hardworking residents experiencing unprecedented levels of food insecurity.” said Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services. “Our community is fortunate to have a number of food banks available to help support those in need, and we encourage those who are able to, to donate to their local food bank.”

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New Liquor License Bill Opens Revenue Doors for New Jersey’s Performing Arts Venues

BURLINGTON, N.J. – (October 2025) — ArtPride New Jersey applauds the passage of new liquor license legislation, which received strong bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
The bill expands eligibility to include nonprofit and for-profit theaters and small movie theaters across the state. This landmark legislation is a powerful economic driver for New Jersey, especially for arts organizations still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This new law unlocks the ability for eligible performance venues—including independent and nonprofit movie theaters with up to three screens—to apply for and benefit from liquor licenses. The legislation serves as a vital tool for arts organizations to diversify revenue streams, attract new audiences, and offset funding gaps, including potential reductions in federal support from agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts.

“We are incredibly grateful for Governor Murphy and the legislators who supported this bill, extending a lifeline to live performing arts venues in our state,” says Sara Scully, ArtPride New Jersey board member, co-founder, and former Executive Director at Hopewell Theater. “We, at Hopewell Theater (HT), advocated for this legislation because it provides an opportunity for HT and theaters like it to expand the experience they can offer patrons and to remain competitive.” Hopewell Theater closed a year and a half ago due to rising costs and the inability to obtain a liquor license – a key income source for live venues. Scully and associates are now working to re-envision what’s next for HT given the bill’s passage.

“We are thrilled to hear this news, both for HT and for all the other theaters that will benefit from this opportunity.”A Strategic Move for Economic VitalityNew Jersey’s nonprofit arts and culture industry already generates $692.1 million annually, supporting nearly 13,000 jobs and producing over $156.6 million in tax revenue for state and local governments. The addition of this earned income stream through liquor sales further strengthens the sector’s self-sustainability, allowing organizations to reinvest in programming, staff, and community outreach.

This legislation also levels the playing field, recognizing that nonprofit and for-profit venues often serve similar public functions and face the same financial pressures. The change provides a welcome path forward for small businesses and organizations that had been previously priced out of traditional liquor licenses—some of which were valued at over $1.5 million, as in the case of the Hopewell Theater.

Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee, emphasized the importance of the new legislation, stating:
“Nonprofit theaters play a vital role in making our communities vibrant, both culturally and economically. While some theaters previously had access to beverage licenses, the process was narrow and limited in scope. This legislation expands eligibility and removes unnecessary barriers—giving more small theaters the opportunity to enhance the audience experience and support their long-term sustainability. I am proud to have worked with Senators Sarlo and Gopal, Assemblywoman Carter, and our partners in the arts to advance this bill. I look forward to seeing it strengthen neighborhoods, support local jobs, and help the arts thrive throughout the state.”

Community Revitalization with Cultural RootsBeyond internal revenue, the impact will ripple through local economies. More vibrant venue experiences translate into greater foot traffic, extended visitor stays, and increased patronage at nearby restaurants, shops, and hotels.“This legislation recognizes that arts and culture are central to thriving downtowns,” said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey. “When theaters and performance spaces succeed, they don’t just benefit audiences—they energize entire communities, creating opportunities for small businesses, tourism, and long-term economic growth.”Next Steps & Oversight

The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is currently developing implementation procedures. While details about license transferability and insurance remain under review, ArtPride New Jersey will continue to advocate for responsible, equitable rollouts that center the needs of arts organizations.
This legislative win was made possible through a collaborative advocacy effort led by ArtPride New Jersey, local theaters, the New Jersey Independent Venue Association, and government partners. The foundation was laid during the height of the pandemic, when the urgency to help shuttered venues became a rallying point for statewide reform.

Reflecting on the importance of this legislative milestone, State Senator Vin Gopal shared:
“Local theaters and arts organizations have profound impacts on our communities, both culturally and economically. I’m proud to have been a part of this legislation that will help to support and grow New Jersey’s local arts,” said State Senator Vin Gopal.

New Initiative Will Make Camden Preschoolers Kindergarten Ready, Civic Leaders Say

By Janel “Jaycee” Miller

Leaders from a variety of organizations shared details at Kipp Cooper Norcross Academy on Monday of the recently launched Camden Preschool Initiative. “We are here to reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the growth and development of every child in Camden,” Gov. Phil Murphy said at the event. “With every additional dollar we devote today to educating our young learners, we are investing in the workers and leaders of tomorrow who will take our state boldly into the future.” Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors Chair David R. Mayer added that the initiative will “contribute to the intellectual, economic and social development of 3- and 4-year-olds and help them overcome some of the barriers to academic achievement. The better children do in school, the more they reduce the risk of health issues as they grow up.”

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Don’t make federal workers pay the price for the government shutdown

by Rep. Donald Norcross

When the federal government shuts down, the civil servants who keep it running should not pay the price. Yet today, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, including air traffic controllers, firefighters and nurses, are being forced to work without pay. Instead of working to end this shutdown or pass legislation to pay all these hardworking individuals, the Trump administration has chosen to pay only select groups, leaving the rest behind.
On Oct. 15, President Trump signed a memo to pay members of the military during the shutdown by repurposing unspent federal funds. The following day, the Trump administration announced it would extend pay to thousands of law enforcement officers, including those working for the Transportation Security Agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Secret Service. Although paying these individuals is the right thing to do, the problem lies in deciding who deserves a paycheck and who doesn’t. The federal government doesn’t function without its full workforce.
Right now, federal employees across the nation are working without pay to keep America running. Air traffic controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day shifts to manage the safe travel of millions of passengers and tons of cargo every day. Nurses at the Department of Veterans Affairs are providing care to our nation’s veterans.
First responders are keeping our families safe. Every one of these public servants has a family to support, bills to pay, and obligations that don’t disappear simply because Congress and the White House have reached an impasse. The president’s decision to selectively pay certain employees based on political optics is a slap in the face to every federal worker who wakes up in the morning ready to serve their country.

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Schumer’s Shutdown Continues

The Democrats have voted to keep the government shutdown 12 times now. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are holding the government hostage. They own this shutdown, and the government will remain closed as long as they persist in their temper tantrum.

The truth is, they are actively working to undo the guardrails Republicans put in place to ensure that American citizens—not illegal aliens—receive taxpayer-funded healthcare, all at the expense of the American people.

Last Sunday, I was honored to deliver remarks at the 45th Annual Night to Honor Israel.

The word tells us that what man means for evil, God can use for good. Following October 7th, the nation of Israel resolved to eliminate Hamas utterly and completely. Doing so is unambiguously good. It is unambiguously good for Israel, and it is unambiguously good for America. But second, October 7th provided a moment of clarity, absolute, acute clarity. In my view, there is no subjectivity as to what transpired on October 7th. It is a choice between good and evil. It is a choice between civilization and barbarism. And every one of us, every elected official, every pastor, every American, everyone across the globe, has a choice to make. With whom do you stand? That clarity is important; that clarity revealed the bilious antisemitism within our colleges, within our universities, within the radical left of the Democrat Party.

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Vote By Mail & Returning Your Ballot

There is still time to sign up to Vote By Mail! The deadline for the VBM application is Tuesday, October 28th. Vote by Mail allows a voter to vote in any election without going to the polls, avoiding long lines and the hassle of traveling. Returning your VBM ballot is very simple, just return the application by mail at any one of the various dropbox locations throughout Camden County.

For more information, Click Here. To track your ballot, Click Here.

South Jersey Families Can’t Afford Higher Healthcare Costs

Since October 1, the federal government has been shut down, and Speaker Mike Johnson hasn’t called Congress back into session since. That means critical services are disrupted and public servants are working without pay.

Now, families across South Jersey are beginning to receive notices of soaring healthcare premiums. This is because cost-saving healthcare tax credits will expire in December. In our congressional district, 24,000 people will see their healthcare costs rise if Congress does not act now.

Last week, I asked people in our district if they’ve received notices that their premiums are going up. Nearly half said yes. Of those:

63% of families said their monthly costs are increasing by more than $100 per month
25% of families are seeing increases of more than $500 per month
And some are seeing increases of more than $1,000 per month

That’s outrageous. Families shouldn’t have to choose between paying for healthcare and putting food on the table. If Republicans don’t come back to Washington and get to work, working families pay the price.

I’m ready to work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, to reopen the government and lower healthcare costs.

Even during this shutdown, my office is open and ready to help you. Please visit the government shutdown resources webpage on my website for more information.

Sen. “Chucky” Schumer October 2025 Porker of the Month

By Citizens Against Government Waste

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) its October 2025 Porker of the Month for terrorizing taxpayers with massive wasteful spending just before Halloween.

On October 1, 2025, “Chucky” Schumer caused the government shutdown by trying to conjure $1.5 trillion in hocus-pocus spending programs. He previously voted to keep the government open 13 times, but this time he wanted to slam it closed. Eight days into the shutdown, “Chucky” Schumer smacked Americans across the face by saying, “every day gets better for us.” Not only is he taunting taxpayers by claiming all is well for him and fellow Democrats, but he is also making the government even scarier by trying to raise dead programs from the wasteful spending graveyard. Sen. Schumer wants to make temporary insurance premium subsidies for families making up to $500,000 last forever. That would cost a shocking $410 billion over 10 years, more than the Departments of Interior and Commerce combined.

CAGW President Tom Schatz said, “‘Chucky’ Schumer should be ashamed of his ghastly antics. He not only caused the government shutdown, but also remains the reason that it is still shutdown. ‘Chucky’ is playing a nasty trick on Americans by saying all is well and getting better by the day. He should stop ghosting taxpayers, agree to open the government, and then sit down to discuss why he thinks super insurance premium subsidies for wealthy taxpayers should continue and profligate spending that was eliminated should be revived. For shutting the government down and trying to increase the gruesome national debt with $1.5 trillion in wasteful spending, Sen. “Chucky” Schumer was an easy choice for October 2025 Porker of the Month.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government. For more than two decades, Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers and government officials who have shown a blatant disregard for the taxpayers.

COMMISSIONER LATOURETTE INVITES FEEDBACK

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection invites the public and the regulated community to provide feedback on its newly launched NJDEP DocMiner online tool, which provides greater access to public records and complements digitized records found through DEP’s existing DataMiner online database.

“The launch of the NJDEP DocMiner tool is an important component of our overall work to modernize information tools, improve transparency and allow our many stakeholders to access information more quickly and reliably,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “We invite the public, regulated community and stakeholders to provide insights as we continue to add documents to our database and look for ways to make this product as user-friendly as possible.”

NJDEP DocMiner organizes DEP’s available electronic documents and automates the records request process through an online, self-service tool that features search capabilities to quickly locate environmental public records by regulated entity (both present and past names), specific DEP identification numbers, or by address. Users will be able to view publicly available documents such as site remediation records and air, water and land use permit records.

The tool complements DEP’s DataMiner online application and, in some cases, may help the public avoid filing Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests, especially in cases where information is needed prior to digitization of records within the NJDEP DataMiner platform. NJDEP DataMiner is a robust tool that has been available for years to provide access to information on facilities and sites regulated by DEP.

The public is encouraged to start using the NJDEP DocMiner tool and provide feedback on ease of use, accuracy of results, and the content provided by the tool at https://dep.nj.gov/docminer/provide-feedback/. The NJDEP DocMiner site also includes training videos and FAQs.

NJDEP DocMiner’s electronic repository is growing daily through a continuous effort to scan older records and process newly submitted records. However, it may not contain all the records that DEP maintains for sites or facilities with a long remedial, permitting, compliance, or enforcement history. Additionally, DEP program areas conduct initial reviews for potentially sensitive information.

The various file types (pdf, Excel, Word, email) a search produces can be displayed within the tool itself. The application also contains extensive export capabilities, as well as the ability for users to easily share links to entire document collection sets or specific individual documents.

Several DEP mapping tools are integrated into the tool, allowing users to search for items of interest and easily toggle between mapping information, such as regulated areas, and the documents stored within NJDEP DocMiner. In addition, NJDEP DataMiner is integrated into the tool, allowing users to switch between environmental data reports and the associated environmental public records stored within NJDEP DocMiner.

Senator Andy Kim Convenes Bipartisan Group to Urge Gateway Project Reinstatement

On October 22, 2025, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) convened a bipartisan group of leaders from across New Jersey to urge the reinstatement of funding for the Gateway Project.

Participants of the conversation included:

· Congressman Robert Menendez (NJ-08)

· Congresswoman Nellie Pou (NJ-09)

· Mayor Jason Cilento, Dunnellen

· Mayor Janice Kovach, Clinton

· Mayor Colleen Mahr, Fanwood

· Mayor Nick Carra, Raritan

· Mayor Kathleen Prunty, Cranford

· Somerset Commissioner and Deputy Director, Melanie Marano

· Mike Hellstrom, International Vice President & Eastern Regional Manager, LiUNA

“This isn’t a Democratic or Republican project, it’s one that helps all New Jerseyans, and it’s why we’ve come together to call for this funding to be reinstated immediately,” said Senator Andy Kim. “The consequences of canceling this project are bigger than partisanship; and we’ll keep fighting together to get people back to work and fix our broken transit systems.”

“We have made real progress on Gateway, with major milestones reached on schedule and on budget,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “Yet the Trump Administration wants to terminate good-paying jobs and turn back the clock on our region’s growth. We won’t let that happen. I’m proud to stand with Senator Kim, Congresswoman Pou, and our local leaders to defend this bipartisan project and deliver the safe, reliable, modern transit our communities deserve.”

“Gateway isn’t just a tunnel, but a lifeline for New Jersey,” said Congresswoman Nellie Pou. “The project will increase safety, it will reduce congestion, and it will solidify the economic backbone of the entire Northeast region. Gateway will also provide good-paying jobs, including for our building trades. We will keep fighting to move this project forward toward completion.”

“The potential termination of the Gateway Tunnel project directly harms Raritan Boro’s economic development efforts. Years of planning have focused on building up the area around our train station and the town has been working to connect the station to our main street to help support our family-owned small businesses,” said Raritan Mayor, Nicolas Carra. “This also harms our ability to attract new young families who look to purchase a home or rent in Raritan and may work across the Hudson River. Lastly, being in my late 20’s I have seen family and friends in my age group who are choosing to live closer to the city and leave their childhood town because of the inconvenience of traveling four hours round trip for work.”

“The Gateway Tunnel is a critical artery for New Jersey, connecting communities like Clinton to opportunity and growth. Delays in this project stifle economic progress, prolong commuter hardships, and hinder job creation, threatening the prosperity and connectivity our region desperately needs,” said Clinton Mayor, Janice Kovach.

“Republican, Democrat, or Independent, mayors have to be pragmatic leaders. We don’t have time for partisan politics when our residents expect us to get the job done,” said Dunellen Mayor, Jason Cilento. “Our communities deserve clarity on the future of the Gateway Tunnel. In Dunellen, a designated Transit Village, more than $270 million has been invested in housing, mixed-use, and commercial projects around our train station because the Raritan Valley Line is one of our greatest assets. That investment represents hope and confidence in the line’s future. Delaying or denying support for Gateway and regional rail threatens not only that progress, but the economic revival of Main Streets across towns like ours, and the property values that so many families have invested their life savings in.”

“We stand united in our opposition to any attempt to defund, delay or terminate the Gateway Program. Gateway is not just a Manhattan project, it’s a New Jersey project, it’s a Raritan Valley Line project and it’s the single most important investment we can make to secure the future of our communities. Our residents are the actual backbone of this region’s workforce who already pay the price with the constant stress of aging, fragile system of rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River. Gateway is not just a construction project it’s a promise of safety, economic stability and basic dignity for millions who rely on this critical corridor to get to work, care for their families and keep our regional economy moving,” said the RVLMA in a joint statement.

“Now is not the time to play around with the 200,000 rail passengers who rely on our Trans-Hudson rail tunnel each day. It is not the time to risk our safety and our economic health by relying on a 114-year old piece of aging infrastructure. And, most certainly, now is not the time to play around with people’s livelihoods and the ability to put food on the table and care for their families,” said Michael E. Hellstrom, International Vice President & Eastern Regional Manager, LiUNA. “The Gateway Program needs neither new funding nor approvals. It is a job in progress and should not be stopped for political gamesmanship. We need to put more Americans to work building the safe, modern, and efficient transportation system that this country needs and deserves.”

This meeting comes after the recent surprise announcement by President Trump officially terminating the $18 billion in funding needed for The Gateway Project, a long-term transit development project that was set to modernize the Tri-State area’s transit infrastructure. Senator Kim lead a joint statement opposing this announcement, as this would cancel all improvements and upgrades, as well as cancel the plans to create a new tunnel that would have added another commuter option into Manhattan for New Jersey commuters and would ease the burden and commute times of those traveling in and out of New Jersey. Senator Kim also put out a joint statement with Senator Cory Booker(D-NJ).