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Democrat,
Great news! This week our NJDSC Vice-Chair and Somerset County Chair, Peg Schaffer, was unanimously elected to be the Vice Chair of the Eastern Region of the Association of State Democratic Chairs [[link removed]] (ASDC)! On behalf of the entire NJDSC team and our mighty Democratic community throughout New Jersey, I want to give a heartfelt Congratulations to Peg. This is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional leadership and commitment to the Democratic Party both in New Jersey and across the county. We are incredibly fortunate to have her fighting for our values and representing us with unwavering dedication.
More great news! This week the State Senate confirmed the appointment of Allison Chris Myers as Acting Chair/CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, making her the first transgender person to serve as a Cabinet Member in New Jersey state history [[link removed]] . Allison, who began her career with the U.S. Navy, has served the Civil Service Commission for over 20 years. I want to congratulate both Allison, and Governor Murphy, for meeting this historic milestone that not only represents a significant step towards inclusivity and equality but also showcases New Jersey's commitment to recognizing and celebrating the diverse talents and experiences of our community.
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Governor Phil Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Senate President Nicholas Scutari announced an agreement to deliver historic property tax relief for New Jersey seniors this week. Working together, the Governor and legislative leadership have agreed to provide an immediate boost to senior homeowners and renters through the current ANCHOR program while phasing in and targeting Speaker Coughlin’s proposed StayNJ property tax relief plan to seniors who need it most. If enacted, this would be one of the largest tax cuts in state history. [[link removed]]
The revised plan will now include renters and cap income eligibility at $500,000 while containing costs and maintaining the fiscal responsibility that has led to a string of seven credit rating upgrades for New Jersey in the last 16 months. They have also agreed to provide an immediate $250 per year increase in aid through the ANCHOR property tax relief program [[link removed]] to both senior homeowners and tenants over the next two years while StayNJ is implemented.
“No one should have to choose between retiring in the place they’ve long called home and their ability to afford to age here,” said Governor Murphy. [[link removed]] “When coupled with the 18 tax cuts we have already instituted or proposed for lower and middle-income taxpayers, this compromise agreement prioritizes equity and affordability to decisively level the playing field for New Jersey seniors.”
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Throughout the month of June, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee is celebrating Pride Month with a weekly spotlight on leaders throughout the state that are spearheading the efforts to make New Jersey a more equitable and fair place for our LGBTQ+ community to love. This week we are proud to highlight Jason Bergman.
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Jason Bergman is a highly skilled and accomplished political professional with extensive experience in campaign and political strategy. He has a demonstrated history of achievement in formulating and implementing effective plans and a reputation for strategic and imaginative problem-solving in intricate matters. His expertise has been sought after by numerous national, state, and local boards and organizations; including serving as the Chief of Staff to Assemblyman William B. Sampson, IV, in Legislative District 31, where he gained valuable experience in the inner workings of state government and the legislative process.
From 2019-2022, Jason worked as a Legislative Aide for Senator Joe Lagana, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, and Assemblyman Chris Tully in the 38th Legislative District Office. He has been involved in over 20 campaigns across New Jersey, helping elect representatives from school board to Governor, and every office in between.
Jason's passion for public service and civic engagement is reflected in his involvement in leadership positions with the Young Democrats of America, the New Jersey State Young Democrats, and the Bergenfield Democratic Committee. He has also served on both the Planning and Zoning Boards in Bergenfield, where he has helped to shape local policies and initiatives that have a meaningful impact on the community.
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Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision [[link removed].] , which overturned Roe v. Wade and gutted abortion rights for millions across the country. We mark this milestone by reminding everyone of the very real, very consequential threats posed by extremist Republicans at all levels.
Currently, 14 states have enacted extreme and dangerous abortion bans [[link removed]] , affecting more than 23 million people. People throughout the US – in 2023! – are being denied essential reproductive medical care and even dying because extremist Republicans want to impose their religious views on the rest of us. It’s been clear all along that there is a formidable pro-choice majority nationally, with Pew Research Center data [[link removed]] showing about 6 in 10, or 61%, of American adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. The Public Religion Research Institute has also published a 50-state survey [[link removed]] showing that there are pro-choice majorities in all but seven states. The Dobbs decision was a historic setback for all of us and, unfortunately, is just a precursor to what we can expect from the Republican Party. MAGA judges have blocked mifepristone. Cases challenging contraception are making their way through our court system. They started with abortion, but will not end there.
The good news is that Democrats in New Jersey have been leading the charge to codify reproductive rights into our laws and to increase access to safe abortions. New Jersey Democrats recognize and understand that the fight for reproductive rights cannot solely rely on federal protections. We must continue to protect these freedoms at the state level.
We have taken bold and decisive action and we will continue to do so. We will continue to fight for reproductive freedom and continue to call out and push back against Republicans who seek to curb it. And as we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, we must remind ourselves that in the face of rampant extremism, it is crucial to continue to advocate for comprehensive access to reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion services; to empower individuals to make informed choices about their bodies; and to support policies that safeguard their rights. Lastly, we must recognize that the fight for reproductive rights is interconnected with broader struggles for gender equality, social justice, and bodily autonomy that requires intersectional efforts that uplift marginalized communities and address the systemic barriers they face.
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— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.
P.S. Wednesday, June 21, was National Indigenous People’s Day. Typically a Canadian holiday, here at NJDSC we used the opportunity to recognize the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Ramapough Lunaape, and Powhatan Renape Tribal Nations – whose land those of us in New Jersey occupy– as well as celebrate the invaluable contributions indigenous communities have made to our state.
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Paid for by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
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