Democrat,

I am profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. Sheriff Berdnik was not only a dedicated public servant but also a revered community leader who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of Passaic County. His loss leaves a void that will be felt across Passaic County and the entire state. Sheriff Berdnik’s legacy of public service and dedication to the principles of justice will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

As we mourn the loss of Sheriff Berdnik, let us also reflect on the urgent need to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our first responders. The NJDSC remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote mental health awareness and resources for those who selflessly devote themselves to the safety and security of others.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Berdnik's family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time, including the Passaic County Democratic delegation that served with him. May his memory be a source of strength, and may we honor his legacy by continuing to work towards a safer and more compassionate New Jersey.

You can read my full statement here.

Gov. Murphy recently signed a bill to strengthen New Jersey’s community solar program, increasing its overall size and expanding access by meaningfully eliminating barriers for low- and moderate- income residents’ participation.

“I am proud to continue expanding our nation-leading Community Solar Energy Program while eliminating barriers for prospective applicants,” said Governor Murphy. “All New Jersey families deserve access to affordable and clean energy, regardless of their zip code. This is another critical step forward in our pursuit of a stronger, fairer, and greener future.”

New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Program allows those who rent, lack control of their roof, live in a multi-family building, do not have property suitable for solar, or cannot afford the cost of a solar installation to benefit from the cost savings and access to clean energy through solar power. This bill allows the sharing of necessary information so that municipalities can identify and subscribe eligible community members to automatically receive energy bill savings. This change ensures that the benefits of clean energy flow to those who need them the most, since at least 80% of municipally collected subscribers will be low and moderate income.

Expanding equitable access to clean energy is particularly important because overburdened communities, especially communities of color, face disproportionately high utility bills and exposure to air pollution from fossil fuels, often with serious impacts on health and wellbeing.

January is Muslim Heritage Month, and NJDSC has been celebrating with a weekly spotlight on members of our Muslim Caucus that are a shining example of what it looks like to be a community leader and advocate for the rights and protections of our New Jersey Muslim community at large.

For the last week of our spotlights, we are proud to be highlighting Dr. Faisal M. Shah, a distinguished radiologist based in Wall, New Jersey, who stands as a prominent figure in the healthcare sector and a proud member of the Pakistani-American community. Affiliated with esteemed institutions such as Ocean University Medical Center at Hackensack Meridian Health, CareWell Health Medical Center, and Atrium Diagnostic Imaging, Perth Amboy Diagnostic, Dr. Shah has not only excelled in his medical profession but has also emerged as a strong leader within the Pakistani-American community. His dedication to healthcare and his role as a community leader make him a shining example of the contributions made by individuals of Muslim heritage in our state.

This week we learned that the U.S. economy grew 3.1 percent over the past year while adding another 2.7 million jobs, and with core inflation moving back down towards the pre-pandemic benchmark. As a result, wages, wealth, and employment are higher now than they were before the pandemic, which is good news for American families and American workers.

President Biden has implemented historic legislation during his tenure to lower prescription drugs costs, health insurance premiums, and clean energy costs, to take on hidden junk fees that companies use to rip off consumers, to calling on large corporations to pass on to consumers the savings they have been seeing for months now. Democrats have also been fervent in not allowing extreme Republicans to hand out massive giveaways to the wealthy and large corporations, while raising costs and cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

In order to maintain the positive trajectory set by President Biden's policies in economic growth, job creation, and social infrastructure, it is going to be crucial for voters to recognize the need for ongoing commitment and leadership. Upholding these policies necessitates a collective commitment to electing leaders who prioritize the well-being of American families, the strengthening of social safety nets, and the pursuit of environmentally sustainable practices. The upcoming elections will play a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of these initiatives, and it is incumbent upon citizens to actively engage in the democratic process to safeguard and build upon the progress achieved thus far.

— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.

P.S. The delegate application for the 2024 Democratic National Convention is now open through March 6th! New Jersey has 146 delegates and 20 districts under the DSP, and we’re committed to our goals of having a diverse and equitable delegation. Interested in being a pledged delegate? Apply now at njdems.org/app-dsp