January 2025 Update: News from the NJ Assembly Democrats
As we kick off 2025, the Assembly Democrats are ready for a year of impactful legislation and progress. 📰 Stay informed and read our latest newsletter for a recap of the December Voting Session and a look ahead at what's to come.
Final Voting Session of 2024
During the last voting session of 2024, the General Assembly advanced a myriad of bills. A few of the highlights include:
A908, sponsored by Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Asw. Annette Quijano, is designed to reduce the number of untested sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kits, more commonly known as rape kits. READ MORE.
A pair of bills - A4434 and A4664 - sponsored by Asw. Andrea Katz, would help combat the pervasive issue of eating disorders. Specifically, the legislation would create a Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program and restrict social media algorithms from targeting children. Asw. Shanique Speight and Asm. Reginald Atkins also sponsored A4434 and (former) Asm. Herb Conaway and Asm. Benjie E. Wimberly also sponsored A4664. READ MORE.
Bill A4893/S3525, sponsored by Assembly members Tennille McCoy, Shanique Speight and Joe Danielsen, was also advanced. The legislation is designed to help homeowners pay off their mortgages faster by requiring financial institutions to allow homeowners to make biweekly and semi-monthly mortgage payments or pay additional amounts to their loans without any penalty. Read more from when the bill passed the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee earlier in December by clicking here.
After passing through both the General Assembly and Senate, Bill A5152/S3965 was sent to the Governor's desk. On New Year's Eve, the bill was signed into law. Primary Sponsor Asm. Gary S. Schaer said "this law will ensure greater voter participation in our electoral process for the upcoming NJ primary" via social media. The legislation changes the 2025 primary election date from June 3rd to June 10th to accommodate for a period of religious observance, ensuring all New Jersey voters have equal access to voting.
Speaker Craig J. Coughlin delivered the keynote address at the recent Camden County Conference on Food Insecurity, held at the Rutgers-Camden Campus Center. Food security has long been a priority on the Speaker's agenda, and during his speech, he emphasized the importance of addressing food insecurity, outlined ways communities can contribute to the solution, and highlighted the actions New Jersey has taken to combat this pressing issue.
Watch the full speech on the NJ Assembly Democrats' YouTube Page.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Thanks to a law passed by Democrats, more than 350,000 workers in our state have received a pay raise as the minimum wage increases. On January 1, 2025, the minimum wage rose to $15.49, surpassing the goal of a $15 wage floor. We believe every worker deserves dignity, fair pay, and opportunity because when working families have more affordable options, our communities and economy thrive.
Throughout the holiday season, Assembly members dedicated themselves to serving their community by organizing various charitable initiatives. These included clothing and food drives, diaper collections, and toy drives, all aimed at providing support to those in need, embodying the spirit of giving and compassion that defines this special time of year.
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin joined Candace Kelly from Comcast Newsmakers at the 2024 New Jersey League of Municipalities conference at the Atlantic City Convention Center to discuss StayNJ, a program that reduces property taxes for seniors in New Jersey, enabling them to remain in their communities.
Watch the full interview at ComcastNewsmakers.com
SAYING GOODBYE
During its December voting session, the Assembly bid farewell to Asm. Herb Conaway and Asw. Pamela Lampitt, both of whom are transitioning to new roles in government. On January 3, 2025, Representative Conaway joined the U.S. Congress, representing New Jersey's 3rd District. Before joining the House of Representatives, former Assemblyman Conaway spent years championing for the 7th Legislative District and sharing his expertise in healthcare as the Assembly Health Committee Chair.
Former Assemblywoman Lampitt was sworn in earlier this month as the Clerk for Camden County. During her time with the Assembly, she represented the 6th Legislative District, and advocated for education and educators in her role as the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. See what other Assemblymembers had to say to her during her last voting session on the NJ Assembly Democrats YouTube Page.
COMING SOON
HEALTH COVERAGE
With the flu season in full swing, we want to remind everyone that the Open Enrollment Period for Get Covered NJ runs through January 31, 2025.
For more information: GetCovered.nj.gov
STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) waitlist is opening soon! Applications are selected through a lottery process; all applications submitted during the enrollment window will be considered equally.
Enrollment Period: Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. to Friday, January 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
For more information visit the SRAP page.
MOBILE MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION (MVC) POP UP LOCATIONS
Monday, February 3, 2025 to Friday, February 7, 2025
Located at the 4th Legislative District Office - 129 Johnson Road Suite 1, Turnersville NJ 08012
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Asm. Hutchison and Asm. Miller
Our Assembly members continuously host Mobile MVCs across the state. If you are in need of MVC services, keep an eye out for more locations coming soon and click here to make an appointment!
Translations in Spanish available upon request |Traducciones en Español disponibles por solicitud
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