Democrat,

I want to start this week with a reminder that the deadline to apply for New Jersey’s ANCHOR property tax relief program is coming up fast! You have until February 28 to complete your application.

Under Governor Murphy’s ANCHOR program, both the size of the benefit and the number of eligible applicants has increased substantially, compared to the previous Homestead Benefit (which ANCHOR is replacing), including double the amount of homeowners and nearly a million tenants who had not been eligible for property tax relief in recent years. All payments will begin going out in late spring, regardless of when taxpayers file, will be issued in the form of checks or direct deposits and are not subject to federal or State income tax.

Check your eligibility and apply here!

This week Governor Murphy announced his new Clean Energy Plan that aims for 100% clean energy by 2035 instead of 2050, which is 15 years ahead of the original schedule, and 15 years closer to a greener economy - a major victory for all New Jerseyans!

“These bold targets and carefully crafted initiatives signal our unequivocal commitment to swift and concrete climate action today,” said Governor Murphy. “We’ve turned our vision for a greener tomorrow into a responsible and actionable roadmap to guide us, and it’s through that pragmatic, evidence-based approach that we will ultimately arrive at our destination. Combined with our federal partnerships reinforced through the Inflation Reduction Act, these comprehensive initiatives will better protect and prepare every New Jersey community, including those on the front lines of climate change who have previously been left out and left behind.”

I am grateful that the Murphy Administration is continuing to put New Jersey on the map as a national leader in addressing the climate crisis. Democrats understand that failing to act is no longer an option. While we build up our green economy we also need to be sure that the greener and cleaner options - from what we drive to how we heat and cool our homes - are made accessible, available, and affordable to everyone. Governor Murphy’s plan includes incentives, programs, and services that will help save energy, money, and the environment, and will benefit New Jersey residents, businesses, and educational,  non-profit entities, and government entities throughout the State.

Throughout the month of February, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee continues to celebrate Black History Month with a weekly spotlight of Black leaders throughout the state and nation that are continuing to do the work of making America a more equitable place for ALL. This week we are proud to be spotlighting our NJDSC Emerging Leaders Caucus Chair, Fatima Heyward.  

Fatima is the youngest Commissioner on the New Jersey Amistad Commission, appointed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2022. In addition to being the Chair of the NJDSC Emerging Leaders Caucus, Fatima is also the first African American woman president of the New Jersey Young Democrats. She is also theIssue Advocacy Director for Young Democrats of America, co-founder of the South Jersey Young Democrats Black Caucus, Vice Chair for the Evesham Human Rights Advisory Council, Diversity Chair for New Leaders Council New Jersey, and member of Rider University's Alumni Board of Directors.

Fatima graduated Cum Laude in Communications from Rider University in 2015 and is a proud sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has received multiple awards for her leadership and community service, including the NAACP Visionary Leader Award and SJ Magazine's Woman to Watch Award. She has a strong commitment to social justice, DEIB, racial equity, and public service. Her goal is to equip young leaders and community members with the tools and resources to stand up for their human and civil rights. Fatima is passionate about delivering powerful, impactful messages, igniting a fire in young people to take action, and spreading love and kindness.

Make sure you keep up on what NJDSC’s Emerging Leaders Caucus is doing on Facebook and Instagram.

Additionally, if you are interested in getting involved with the Emerging Leaders or other caucuses, you can sign up here.

On Wednesday, President Biden announced his plan to start building a national network of 500,000 convenient, reliable and Made-in-America electric vehicle (EV) chargers along America’s highways; the latest action taken in his historic efforts to confront the climate crisis.  President Biden’s plan includes having electric vehicles make up at least 50% of new car sales by 2030.

Biden has been working hard to create an American manufacturing boom, with 800,000 manufacturing jobs being created so far in just the last two years, and he is not leaving our growing green energy economy out. These newly announced standards will help ensure that the clean energy transition is powered by American manufacturing and that the historic investments in EV charging create good-paying jobs at home. American transportation is on track to be cleaner, safer, more affordable, and more reliable than ever before and these announcements are a further demonstration of the President’s successful economic strategy.

These efforts from the Biden Administration, partnered with Governor Murphy’s clean energy announcement this week, show American democracy and government working for the people in order to create a stronger, cleaner, economically sound, and equitable future for ALL.

— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.

P.S. Our Black Caucus is hosting an in-person event on February 28th! Black Caucus Chair T. Missy Balmir and Vice-Chair Eash Haughton will be moderating a panel discussion on voting rights with panelists Tim Alexander(civil trial attorney & former congressional district 2 candidate), Reginald Bledsoe (Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs), Athina Fassu (Chair of the Mercer County Young Democrats & Legislative Director to Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo), and Jimmy Small ( President of the Muslim League of Voters of New Jersey).

Panel will begin at 6:30 PM followed by a meet and greet - food and beverages will be provided. RSVP here! 

P.S.S. Reminder that there is a Special Election happening next week in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District!  State Senator Jennifer McLlellan is running to become the FIRST Black woman ever elected from Virginia to Congress.  Learn more about State Senator McClellan here https://www.mobilize.us/jennifermcclellan/.

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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