Democrat,

I was saddened to learn of the passing of a true legend of our state, former State Senator Ron Rice. On behalf of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers to his family, friends and constituents. I have known Senator Rice for many years and had the honor of serving alongside him in the state legislature, where I saw up close his steadfast commitment to the City of Newark and his Senate district. Senator Rice always spoke his mind, fought for the principles he believed in, and refused to back down. But he was also a gentleman who, regardless of whether or not he disagreed on a public policy issue, always maintained friendships and cordial relationships with everyone he encountered. Those values made him one of the most influential elected officials in New Jersey history and someone who will be remembered as a tireless fighter for social justice and progress. The City of Newark, the County of Essex, the State of New Jersey and even the nation are better for Senator Ron Rice's many contributions as an elected official, a veteran, a police officer, a community leader, a family man and a friend. I will miss him very much.

This week Governor Murphy announced the North to Shore Festival, a three-city celebration of arts and technology taking place three weekends in June that will both shine a spotlight on our state’s artistic and technological excellence, and boost our economy at the start of the summer season.

“We are thrilled to announce North to Shore — New Jersey’s first multi-city festival celebrating the very best of music, comedy, film, and technology,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This superstar event, held over three weekends in June, will attract folks from all over, creating another great reason for tourists to visit the Garden State as well as opportunities for local businesses in three of our iconic cities to shine. These festivals will generate economic activity and have a significant impact on our region and we look forward to shining a light on the diversity, creativity, and energy that makes New Jersey unique this summer.”

In addition to musical performances, the festival will include stand-up comedy shows, thought-provoking conversations with leaders in business, technology and clean energy, and film screenings. You might even be able to catch me at the Santana set…

Watch Governor Murphy’s full announcement of the North to Shore summer festival here.

Throughout the month of March, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee will celebrate Women’s History Month with a weekly spotlight of trailblazing women leaders throughout the state. This week we are proud to shine a spotlight on NJDSC’s Jewish Caucus Vice-Chair Casey Haddox.

Casey serves as the Director of Advocacy at Hoboken Strategy Group. Casey’s past and current professional and personal experiences at the 38th Legislative District Office and Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ drive her passion and determination to bring women and minority representation and experiences into public policy and politics. She is committed to offering new ways to improve the systems and structures of government to ensure transparency and equity for all New Jersey residents. Casey volunteers her time as the Executive Director and Board Member of Pam’s List, a women’s political action committee committed to electing and supporting pro choice democratic women, as Secretary for the Young Democrats of America Jewish Caucus and as previous fundraising chair and current Vice President for the South Jersey Young Democrats.

Make sure you keep up on what NJDSC’s Jewish Caucus is doing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

President Biden signed an Executive Order this week meant to curb the nation’s gun violence rates.

The EO will: boost federal support for the “red flag” laws used by states to stop gun sales to people considered dangerous; mandate better reporting of ballistics data from federal law enforcement to a database that allows federal, state and local law enforcement to match shell casings to guns; improves resources and support for communities suffering from gun violence; and looks to increase the number of background checks to as close to universal as possible without requiring additional legislation.

This new Order also requires the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to the President within 60 days describing what actions their respective agencies have taken to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which President Biden signed into law last year. As you will recall, this Act is the most significant bipartisan gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. The Order also asks what additional steps these respective agencies will take to maximize the benefits of, and increase public awareness and use of, resources available because of the Safer Communities Act.

President Biden has also remained determined to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and made a direct call to Congress to take this action alongside requiring background checks for all gun sales, requiring safe storage of firearms, funding the Safer America Plan, and expanding community violence intervention and prevention strategies. I am grateful for the President’s firm leadership and commitment to making our communities safer - whatever it takes. We owe it to our children and our communities.

— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.

P.S. - NJDSC is looking to expand our Coalitions program by introducing an Older Adult Caucus. There will be a virtual meeting on Monday, March 20 from 6 - 7 PM to assess interest, which you can sign up for here. For purposes of this Caucus, “older adults” is defined as those ages 60 and up.

The mission of the Older Adult Caucus is to have a voice within NJDSC to express and address those issues and concerns most important to the older adult population, to engage with the New Jersey older adult Democratic community, and to coordinate with other New Jersey caucuses to advocate for and support Democratic candidates and legislators.

Attendees at the first meeting should be prepared to discuss the following:

As it pertains to Older Adults, what are the top 3 areas that they would like to see the Caucus focus on?
What goals would members like to see the Caucus accomplish in the 1st year?
What suggestions do members have on how to attract new members to the Older Adult Caucus?

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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