Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-Essex, Passaic) issued the following statement on today’s advancement of Bill A3735, better known as the “Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act” in the Assembly Appropriations Committee:
“Today’s passage of the Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act through the Assembly Appropriations Committee is an important step toward ensuring that the corporations responsible for environmental damage help cover the costs of climate resilience and recovery, not New Jersey taxpayers.
“I am proud to serve as the prime sponsor of this legislation and grateful to my colleagues for advancing this critical bill. As climate-related costs continue to rise, this legislation will help protect our communities while easing the financial burden on hardworking families across our state.”
As we have seen in a number of recent legislative efforts, historic preservation reviews are increasingly being targeted in the name of accelerating infrastructure projects. The recently introduced Build America 250 Act is the latest example, containing provisions that would exempt a large number of transportation projects from important historic preservation review requirements.
The Sherrill Administration today announced 33 Local Bridges Fund grants totaling $44 million to help counties maintain local bridges in a state of good repair.
“Keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair is critical to the safety, reliability and capability of our transportation system,” NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain said. “The NJDOT’s Local Bridge Fund supports the Department’s state of good repair goal, by providing counties with the resources needed to make critical bridge improvements. These investments are just one example of the Sherrill Administration’s commitment to bolstering our transportation network and its daily users.”
The Sherrill Administration is awarding $16.2 million in annual grants to help community recycling programs improve their waste reduction and recycling practices, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak announced today.
The award amounts are based on the amount of recycling each community reported during 2023, the most recent year for which data is available. Local recycling programs use grant funds to make improvements to recycling centers, set up household hazardous waste collection events, deploy more public recycling receptacles, maintain leaf composting operations and run recycling education programs. The grants are funded through a $3 per-ton surcharge on trash disposed statewide at solid waste facilities, per the state’s Recycling Enhancement Act.
Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement regarding House Democrats’ forum on the conditions at Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey.
“What we saw today was not a serious effort to tell the truth,” said Congressman Van Drew. “It was another attempt to push a political narrative, demonize ICE, and mislead the public. I have seen Delaney Hall with my own eyes, and the people making these claims know better. They know the facility is clean, well-run, and provides medical care, recreation, and other basic services. But those facts do not fit their narrative. All their rhetoric does is create chaos, fuel hostility toward law enforcement, and make an already difficult job even more dangerous for the men and women enforcing our immigration laws. The American people deserve leaders who support law enforcement and put American citizens first.”
As part of the Assembly Democrats’ continued efforts to lower utility costs for ratepayers, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee on Monday advanced A2757, which would close a critical loophole in the Federal Power Act that has resulted in added costs for New Jersey ratepayers. The legislation is sponsored by Assembly members Andrea Katz, Clinton Calabrese, and Ellen Park.
In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Sherrill Administration welcomes residents and visitors to attend the annual reenactment of the pivotal Battle of Monmouth at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Monmouth County. The two-day living history event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 20, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 21.
Family-friendly activities throughout the weekend will include military encampments, cannon and musket-firing demonstrations, children’s musket drills, Colonial-era music, a program about Molly Pitcher and a memorial service hosted by the Sons of the American Revolution. The weekend’s featured event, the Battle of Monmouth reenactment, will take place on both days, recreating one of the largest and longest battles of the Revolutionary War. A full schedule of events is available on the New Jersey State Parks website. “The story of our nation cannot be told without reflecting on the central role our great state played in its formation,” said Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “This year’s reenactment takes on even greater meaning as we celebrate this milestone birthday of America. We encourage the public to come to Monmouth Battlefield this weekend to appreciate the courage and determination of the brave soldiers who fought and died to gain our freedom, as well as the liberty and prosperity that have come to define New Jersey.” “Living history events like the Battle of Monmouth reenactment transform history from words on a page into something people can truly see, hear and experience,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Events like this underscore the importance of preserving New Jersey’s historic sites and passing the stories that unfolded here on to future generations.” A donation of $15 per vehicle is suggested. The annual reenactment is made possible through a partnership with the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield State Park, a New Jersey State Parks Officially Recognized Friends Organization.
Congressman Van Drew released the following statementafter reports that an ICE agent was struck by a vehicle during an enforcement operation in Stafford Township, New Jersey.
“ICE agents put their lives on the line every day to enforce our nation’s laws and protect our communities,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Yet too many politicians and activists continue to demonize them for doing the job they are sworn to do. This incident is a reminder of the dangers these brave men and women face. I am grateful the agent is expected to recover, and I will always stand with ICE and law enforcement.”
The Assembly Education Committee today advanced A3881, sponsored by Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, which would strengthen school funding transparency and provide school districts with greater certainty when crafting their annual budgets. The bill is also sponsored by Assemblymembers Sterley Stanley and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
Under the bill, the Commissioner of the Department of Education (DOE) would be required to provide each school district with a preliminary State aid notice by the first week of December, detailing the minimum amount the district can expect in the upcoming school year. This early notification gives districts more time to plan their budgets.
A major milestone for Camden youth sports and community recreation is happening this Tuesday.
On June 16, KIPP Cooper Norcross High School—alongside Mayor Victor Carstarphen, former Mayor Dana Redd, and Chairman George E. Norcross III—will officially cut the ribbon on a brand-new, state-of-the-art football field and community green space.
The ceremony marks the culmination of a year-long project to deliver top-tier athletic facilities to the city, complete with stadium lighting for night games. Built for a rapidly expanding youth sports program that includes Boys Varsity/JV Football and Girls Flag Football, this home turf gives local student-athletes the resources and high school experience they deserve.
