Democrat,

I wanted to start this week with a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Essex County Dems Annual Holiday Toy Drive this year! We were able to collect over 2,000 unwrapped toys and clothing items for children throughout Essex County, ensuring that kids and families in our own neighborhoods will have something exciting to wake up to on Christmas morning. 

Moments like this make me so proud to be part of a community of people that is so eager to give back and support those around them, especially during the holiday season, which can be a financially stressful time for so many families. I hope we all continue to feel the momentum of giving and uplifting our neighbors into the new year.

Find a NJ local Toys for Tots location: www.toysfortots.org

This week Governor Murphy announced more than $24 million in funding to expand access to safe transportation and enhance areas around public transit facilities across the state. With this investment, the Murphy Administration continues to show their  commitment to making sure New Jerseyans have a wide array of options for safe, modernized, and reliable transportation.

“In order to maximize the impact of our considerable public transportation upgrades, we must ensure that our transit facilities are linked not just to economically thriving neighborhoods, but to streets that bring our community members to their destination reliably and efficiently,” said Governor Murphy. “For many New Jerseyans, commutes or daily travels do not begin and end at the train station. That’s why my Administration is doubling down on its efforts to promote active transportation alternatives and ensure that – whether you’re a pedestrian or cyclist – you can safely and affordably access our nation-leading public transportation network.”

Our state has the third largest public transit system in the country and handles nearly 270 million passenger trips a year. That means a lot of New Jerseyans counting on elected officials to keep our public transportation, and access to it, up to date and safe. Investing in expanded access like this is further proof that Governor Murphy and New Jersey Democrats are fighting to make 21st century necessities – like reliable public transportation – safer and more accessible for every single New Jerseyan. 

On Tuesday, despite two New Jersey Republicans in Congress voting against the Respect for Marriage Act, President Joe Biden signed the landmark marriage equality bill into law, enshrining marriage equality protections for Americans.

The two New Jersey Republicans were among the 169 GOP representatives and 36 GOP senators who voted against the Respect for Marriage Act – despite more than 70% of Americans supporting same sex-marriage, including a majority of Republicans.

While President Biden and Democrats are advocating and fighting for Americans’ freedom to marry who they love, the fact that the majority of Republicans in Congress – including Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith from here in New Jersey – refused to support these protections for marriage equality is yet another reminder of just how out of touch and extreme Republicans’ MAGA agenda is.

“The bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage Act into law is the next landmark step in the ongoing and seemingly never-ending march towards equality for LGBTQ people,” said NJDSC LBTQ+ Caucus Chair, Lauren Albrecht. “The bill, while somewhat less-comprehensive than what we had hoped for as advocates, is important as a signal that LGBTQ equality is supported by all sides of the political spectrum, which is simultaneously a victory and a constant reminder that our rights are always up for debate in a way that many others are not. We’re grateful to the coalition of steadfast sponsors of this Bill for their tireless dedication to seeing this signed.”

“Millions of interracial and LGBTQI+ couples will soon be able to enjoy freedom without worry of what the Supreme Court will do next. This is an important step to ensuring a fair, just and equitable America for all,” added Black Caucus Chair T. Missy Balmir and Vice-Chair Eash Haughton.

— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.

P.S. The first day of Hanukkah is this Sunday, December 18th and on behalf of NJDSC, I want to extend our warmest wishes to our New Jersey Jewish community for a happy and healthy holiday season. This holiday is an important reminder for all of us that light will always prevail over darkness.

Paid for by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

New Jersey Democratic State Committee
194-196 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
United States

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