What Lily Benavides will do for New Jersey
Below is where Lily Benavides stands on the wide range of issues concerning Jerseyans today. For some of the more complex topics, she has done an even deeper breakdown of here.
There you will also find where she differs from her opponents as well as clarifications on common myths.
Utility rates
Rural Jersey and helping farmers
Food insecurity (with Rural Jersey)
Fighting corruption (within the state)
Taking on an oppressive regime
Repro rights and abortion
Public transportation
Reparations for Black Americans
Indigenous land rights and rematriation
Public Banks
Public safety
The topics on this page:
Affordable housing
Immigration
Education
Trans rights
LGBTQI+ rights (&parental rights)
Healthcare
Minimum wage and workers rights
Palestine
Green New Deal
Pipelines
Affordable Housing
We human beings all have the right to live in a safe and adequate place where we are protected from the elements of the environment and that provides basic needs while respecting our dignity.
Implement a Universal Tenants Bill of Rights.
Create regulations to control rent price increases.
Provide funds and/or shelter for people evicted that are not able to pay rent and allow them to take hold of their belongings.
Create more programs that allow low income, unemployed, seniors, and disabled people to have access to permanent housing.
Use empty buildings to create temporary/permanent housing for homeless people.
Reassess the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) programs to ensure they benefit the community rather than only the investing companies.
Limit corporations or investors from developing high-cost condominiums or buildings that could lead to gentrification.
Ban the outright clearing of forests for development.
Provide funds and grants to encourage and enable new home buyers.
Adjust zoning laws to make it easier for multiple homes to be built on one lot as a way to open up possibilities for people looking to buy property who may be unable to afford it on their own or who may have family members they need to take care of, but wish to be able to allow them to maintain some independence.
Limit private equity, predatory developers, and foreign investors’ ability to buy up property.
Use large unleased and underutilized office buildings for large capacity shelters for unhoused folks so people are not forced to wait in harsh, undignified conditions as they wait on affordable housing to be built. Not only will this ensure folks are protected from the elements, have access to essentials, have more security and privacy, or have stability, but it can also bring down rent prices as the fear of being unsheltered will decline and people won’t have to stay in unsafe or untenable housing conditions. Knowing there will be space at shelters and that these shelters will be safe, offer security, and offer a kind of privacy that current shelters do not means people have options. Not having options is why landlords are able to take such advantage currently.
Restructure Immigration
Immigrants are at the very core of New Jersey. To not stand by immigrants is to not stand by Jersey. 25% of the population was born outside of the U.S. and 41% of children have at least one immigrant parent. Over 30% of the labor force is comprised of immigrants. 150 languages are spoken in the state and New Jersey, not New York, is the actual home of Ellis Island per the Supreme Court. As such, not only is it vital to stand with immigrants because of a moral obligation and because the rich cultural diversity is what makes the state so wonderful, but standing with immigrants is an imperative because the state simply cannot survive, it is no longer New Jersey without a strong, thriving immigrant population
Immigrants do not take away jobs or bring down wages. They do not deplete resources or drive up crime rates. A supported, protected immigrant population leads to a safer, economically stronger state with more jobs and a better quality of life all around.
To migrate should be a basic human right. People should be free to move elsewhere where they can find new opportunities and ways to support their families. Part of the immigration process should be to treat immigrants and refugees with dignity and to value their different cultures. This is more of a federal level approach but we can still make some substantial changes on state level
Sign the Immigrant Trust Act (codify the sanctuary state policy that is currently just an Executive Order called the Immigrant Trust Directive and offers fewer protections than the act would).
Support a permanent status to TPS and DACA holders by creating state and municipalities resolutions for this purpose.
Support DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) by creating state and municipalities resolutions for this purpose.
Provide shelter for asylum seekers and refugees while waiting for their immigration process to be completed (State).
Eliminate costs associated with any immigration process. Instead, create community services as a way to pay back (State).
Prohibit the detention of asylum seekers/refugees and prohibit the separation of families (State).
Abolish ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Employ experts in immigration to expedite and reduce the length of immigration queues (State and federal).
Close the ICE detention centers and stop deportations (State).
Prohibit private prisons companies to do business in NJ.
Prohibit NJ police departments from aiding immigration officers.
Tighten labor laws so undocumented workers have the same rights (State).
Prohibit any type of discrimination against immigrants in any gubernatorial agency, school or health center regardless of their immigration status (State)
Mandate schools, hospitals, and gubernatorial agencies provide translators to non-English speaking citizens (State)
Reenact the 245(i) Adjustment for undocumented immigrants who entered without a visa (Federal, give support).
Hold accountable any Border Patrol or Immigration Officer that commits any human rights violation (Federal, give support).
Create a just program for seasonal workers making sure they are paid under the law and that they have good living conditions (Federal, apply to State workers).
Workers Rights
Strengthen workers’ rights, including for part time workers.
Set in place safeguards for workers in the face of AI and automation.
Prohibit employers from cutting back employee hours to then higher new employees who they can then pay at lower rates.
Support Bergen County’s/Paramus’s lawsuit against American Dream Mall.
Companies must pay employees if there is a state of emergency issued for the region, even if it chooses to remain open. Employers cannot retaliate against employees who do not come in the day following a severe storm that may result in treacherous roads or if the employee was under an evacuation order the day before.
Fines for corporations that instituted layoffs following posting of increased profits. Mandated severance no matter how short the employment and advanced notice.
Fight Corruption
Jerseyans have had to deal with corruption in politics for far too long. They do not have truly free and fair elections and this must be rectified
Teaching civics in the high school level in a way that makes sense with real world applications
Lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections
Same day registration
Make it easier for unhoused folks to vote
Not leaving it up to candidates to alert the public when elections are coming
More transparency in donor reporting
Ranked choice voting to lessen control by the Establishment and make sure people don’t feel they have to settle for a candidate they don’t truly want out of fear
Repro Rights
I support a person’s right to choose what healthcare is best for them and to make sure they have access to it, this includes the right of a pregnant person to get an abortion. I will uphold New Jersey’s laws protecting abortion that are already in place, but I will make sure all people are also able to exercise these rights. This means financial access and investing in more facilities in Central and Southern New Jersey that can provide womens+ healthcare and repro care services, including abortion.
Ensure everyone can get the proper reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of their financial situation or where they’re located in the state, and without fear of their information being shared without their consent, including advancing a package of important bills already brought forth by State Senator Ruiz in her Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package
S-3452: aimed at ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for reproductive health care services, including abortion, for all individuals in the state
S.3492: Creates “Reproductive Health Care Access Fund” to strengthen access to reproductive health care.
S.3493: Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose an individual’s medical information regarding reproductive health care services
S.3494: Requires four-year public institution of higher education to develop and implement reproductive health services plan; requires county college to develop referral network for reproductive health care services.
S.3496: Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services.
Stockpiling abortion medication and contraception.
Push to ensure more financial and physical accessibility to reproductive healthcare for under-served communities, rural areas, and areas predominantly home to people of color.
LGBTQI+ Rights
Absolute support for marriage equality and same sex+ couple adoption.
While it’s important that parents have some say over what they feel is appropriate for their child to be exposed to so the opt out option is a useful way for a parent tailor this exposure without depriving everyone of the lesson, there should be limits on this opt out option. Unfortunately, in recent years certain people with very hateful agendas have increasingly normalized the notion that we should not allow our children to even acknowledge the existence of people who were different from us, as though knowing they exist or getting to see them on a human level would corrupt them and destroy every value we’ve instilled in them. If children don't get exposed to different perspectives, how are they going to confront the world when they grow up? Opting out has been used excessively in a way that’s detrimental in an increasing range of ways, but one of the most notable is the way it’s used to try to stop children from any exposure to representation or inclusive lessons involving the LGBTQI+ community. This doesn’t protect children, though; if anything it deprives them.
Though the topic of trans kids in sports has been woefully exaggerated as a means to demonize one of the most marginalized, at-risk communities, creating controversy where it was virtually nonexistent and tormenting children, regardless of if they were cis or trans, for some grand cruelty crusade, I want to make it clear: I support trans kids in sports. Everyone should have the opportunity to compete, regardless of their gender identity. There is a lot of disinformation out there and the actual likelihood this will even be relevant to most Jerseyans is slim, but far too many legislators have been letting this community down and have been afraid to speak directly on this, trying to fold it into privacy rights, even suggesting we somehow can’t speak firmly about this and work on making sure people have access to healthcare at the same time. Kids being able to participate alongside their friends in after school sports is not a “tier 2 issue” to them or to those trying to use this as a way to generate fear or frustration against trans rights as a whole. So I support trans athletes and I will stand by them, regardless of how few there actually are.
NJ will continue to enable folks to change the gender marker on their birth certificate and driver’s license without requiring proof of “gender reassignment surgery.” People will continue to have a third option for their gender marker, “Undesignated/Non-binary” for birth certificates and “X” for drivers licenses and non driver ID cards. (Steps for how to change your gender marker can be found here)
I stand firmly in support of gender-affirming care for transgender youth in New Jersey. It is unacceptable that families are facing disruptions in essential treatments like hormone therapy and puberty blockers due to political pressures. Every child deserves access to comprehensive health care that respects their identity and supports their well-being. I will advocate for policies that protect and expand access to these vital services, ensuring that our youth can live authentically and thrive without fear of losing critical support. New Jersey must lead the way in protecting the rights and health of all its residents, especially our most vulnerable youth.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and Congressman Josh Gottheimer voted in December 2024 to limit healthcare access for transgender minors in military families through the National Defense Authorization Act. Our service members and their families deserve comprehensive care for their children. As governor, I will ensure that every child in New Jersey has access to the healthcare they need, no matter their identity, background or immigration status. Everyone deserves support and care.
Guaranteed Healthcare
Universal healthcare ensures everyone gets needed medical care, improves community health, and can lower costs, making it a crucial policy for a better society.
Free Education from Cradle to College
We need to invest in our new generations by providing the best education for them. We can accomplish that by making some productive changes that will improve education for years to come.
Stop the state funding of charter schools.
No voucher programs.
To avoid bureaucratic delays and misuse, local oversight boards will include teachers, parents, students, and independent auditors, focusing on facility repairs and mental health support.
Fund free public education from daycare to college.
Repair the infrastructure of schools by investing in construction, accessibility, and technology.
Diversify schools in order to fairly represent the communities by hiring more people of different backgrounds.
Ensure every school is accessible for students with disabilities and create mental health programs in every school.
Provide free breakfast and lunch for any student that needs it.
Increase funds for arts, music, and sports.
Implement a curriculum that respects diversity.
Eliminate the partisanship on boards of education and include members that represent the communities.
Increase the salary and benefits for teachers and school personnel.
Provide free continuing education.
Create and encourage multilingual education based on community demographics.
To learn more about Lily’s plan for tackling education, click here
Public Banks
Creating a public bank can provide more affordable loans, support local businesses, and keep money invested in the community.
Taxes
Create a progressive tax system that ensures that the wealthy in NJ pay their fair share.
Re-evaluate property taxes so people are paying a fair rate (homeowners aren’t forced out of homes because they can’t afford the taxes as the property values go up and super wealthy aren’t paying extra low tax rate due to grandfathered in tax rate loopholes).
Penalize predatory private equity firms
Increasing taxes on luxury goods only; still no sales tax on clothes.
Companies have been paying the rate they are currently and they are still here. NYC’s likely new mayor intends to raise their taxes to match NJ’s. This means that the notion that we need to lower taxes on corporations is ludicrous. All it will do is cause a lot of revenue for NJ and devastate small businesses because they are not taxed at the same rate.
No to New Pipelines
No to new fossil fuel pipelines through the state like the NESE Pipeline Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. – Northeast Supply Enhancement Project - a fracking pipeline that would run from Staten Island, under the water, and come up in NJ (it poses high risks, would guarantee use of fossil fuel from this pipeline for a decade, and even with all of that residents will still see a rise in their utility rates). This project was rejected in 2020 because of the environmental risks, but has recently been taken up again, it is believed as part of a deal with Hochul and D.C.. This is unacceptable and these kinds of backroom deal makings for superficial wins will never be accepted. We know climate change is an existential crisis to the younger generations and take combating it very seriously.
Public Safety
Public safety comes in many forms. It is important that it is considered in all its meanings, not merely from political talking points or in a way that implies only certain people deserve to feel safe in their neighborhood.
Passing the Immigrant Trust Act.
Making sure to appoint an AG who continues to build on the police reform policies the current AG has implemented, not someone who will reverse the progress this state has made.
Regulations on Data & Surveillance
(ex: banning Flock system or making it illegal to hand over footage in cases like that Texas situation where they hunted down the person who got an abortion legally in a different state).Low barrier shelters.
Prohibit criminalization of homelessness.
Emphasis on rehabilitation and programs that have been proven to work over punishment that leads to inevitable recidivism.
More resources to tackling hate crimes and discrimination.
End qualified immunity (no one should be above the law). Require that all local and state police disciplinary records of officers be made public.
Require all occupants of a house that has a gun to take safety training course.
Ensure jurists are paid a reasonable rate so people are more likely to receive true due process and thus the right people are truly behind bars.
Strengthen public safety nets.
Work with other states on gun reform policies to mitigate gun violence from guns crossing state lines.
Public safety is measured by more than the absence of crime; it requires individual and community well-being. Investing in life-affirming community needs, including housing, employment, health care and education will improve public safety for all New Jerseyans. Looking at where the government is failing the people and the causes that lead to public safety issues are a far more efficient and meaningful approach.
At a time when elected officials, flawed systems, and predatory corporations are making life impossible for most people without offering any solutions. it’s more important than ever that the next governor of New Jersey is looking at “public safety” through the correct lens and isn’t just going to look for another scapegoat. Public safety refers to many aspects of life and there are many factors that contribute to it, so the solution itself must be multi layered.
Taking on an Oppressive Regime
Must tackle violence and hate crimes and hold power accountable
Expand police reforms
Joining with other forward thinking states that aren’t afraid to stand up in this fight against fascism:
Soft secession (as a top donor state that sends about $70billion more than it gets back, withholding money the state sends to the federal government; continued participation in the new Governors Public Health Alliance; disinvesting pension funds from red-state companies like AT&T, American Airlines, ExxonMobil, and Tesla).
Coordinate legal push-back against unconstitutional executive orders.
Develop trade agreements and economic pacts.
Create protection models that insulate citizens from federal overreach.
Build parallel power structures to weaken Trump’s grip.
Appointing an AG who will fight back, swiftly file lawsuits against illegal Executive Orders.
New Jersey is ranked as the least overall federally dependent state in the country, so the right leadership should be leveraging this power, not cowering to an oppressive federal government.
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-least-dependent-on-the-federal-government/2700Taking swift decisive action with Executive Orders when necessary to protect people who need it, like the Executive Orders that were enacted to protect trans folks and providers when the current governor saw other states start to target people who needed kindness: important issues that can’t wait for a bill to be drafted
Free Palestine
Supporting Palestinian rights means advocating for justice, equality, self-determination for the Palestinian people, humanity and peace.
Reject the adoption of the IHRA’s definition of “Antisemitism” as it conflates criticism of a war criminal, a foreign government, and their carrying out of a genocide with the unacceptable true Antisemitism we have seen on the rise, on the rise in part because of the way our leaders have decided to frame this whole situation, weaponizing the very serious struggle of Antisemitism and thus desensitizing people, then suppressing attempts at and chance for real dialogue (even when it means trampling First Amendment rights).
Here is the A3558 Bill, or IHRA Bill, which it will establish a State definition of antisemitism:
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A3558
Fight Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. One is not more important than the other, but when you prohibit dialogue, you only pave the way to building resentment and tensions.
I would uphold the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant and arrest war criminal Netanyahu if he stepped foot in New Jersey.
Bringing Down Utility Rates
Addressing the rate hikes where they’re at, not using flashy platitudes that are impossible to live up to or just ramping up harmful energy production methods, which has already been proven will do nothing to bring down costs.
New Jersey’s utility rate hikes are the result of the AI data centers in Virginia. These corporations have negotiated a deal with utility companies where they are only paying a small percentage of their utility bill to operate these data centers and the rest gets passed off to consumers as far away as New Jersey.
The only way to bring down utility rate costs is by going at this at the root of the issues: making the utility companies stop charging every day consumers for bills these data centers rack up to operate this tech that is putting millions of people out of business.
It’s time to hold people accountable and the only person who you can trust to do that is the person who isn’t taking funding from the entities causing the problem and who isn’t endorsed by the AI industry.
Reparations for Black Americans
As an active member and candidate representing the Green Party of NJ, I firmly support reparations for Black Americans, emphasizing social justice and equality. I believe it is the responsibility of the U.S. government to address the harm caused by slavery and systemic racism, acknowledging both historical and ongoing injustices. Establishing a trust fund financed through corporate taxes is essential to this effort.
We must tackle systemic inequalities by incorporating land restitution and environmental justice to restore the rights and lands taken from Black Americans during slavery. Our policy recommendations include prioritizing Black American Freedmen's descendants and ensuring they play a key role in determining how reparations are distributed.
Establish a New Jersey Reparations Task Force and Reparations Bureau.
Help boost home ownership and enact regulations to ensure no subprime lending rates or other historically racist policies designed to cause unfair obstacles for Black homebuyers.
Find ways to address barriers to inter-generational wealth building.
Environmental justice and cleanup efforts
Desegregate schools and do a full audit of what resources, programs, opportunities, and services are offered to the different districts; make necessary adjustments to help schools that hadn’t been given adequate resources previously get students to a place of equal footing for college appeal, career prep, and life readiness.
Not only address issues of the past, but also the present, and ensure a more equitable future for Black Jerseyans.
Reissue official public apology for slavery without the existent caveats or attempts at downplaying the state’s role.
Close the Thirteenth Amendment's loophole for involuntary servitude in New Jersey. Eliminate mandate for inmates to engage in labor while incarcerated. Prohibit any form of “convict leasing”.
New Jersey has a lot to contend with regarding its commitment to upholding slavery. This is especially true because this history can be traced right to the incomprehensible disparities we see rampant throughout the state today.
New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the country, yet it also has some of the worst racial disparities, particularly in terms of wealth, education, and incarceration. Despite the many ways New Jersey tries to stand out as a “progressive state” in recent years, the racial wealth gap in particular has grown substantially, the gap itself doubling between the median household wealth of white families and that of Black and Latinx families to approximately $640,000 since the pandemic. That means even before the pandemic there was a $300,000 wealth gap.
The segregation of schools and the disparities in the quality of education a child can receive are further reflections of the way not contending with the state’s history, not seeking to course correct have led to compounding harms actively playing out every day.
The systemic issues regarding NJ’s legal system is unmistakable when you see how aggressively the police unions are fighting for the ability to racially profile and fighting against any form of even basic accountability. Many are reportedly upset at the possibility that Sherrill might not let them cooperate with ICE as much as they’d like, even with her assurance she’d roll back other police reform measures. This hostilely racist culture that is evidently rampant throughout Jersey law enforcement undoubtedly can be traced back to Jersey’s devastating links to the time of slavery that it thought it could get away with never addressing, ultimately just leading to compounding damage that people today try to address one piece at a time as the damage continues to play out, inflicting new harms on more people.
Indigenous Land Rights
The Green Party’s stance on Indigenous land rights is firm: we advocate for a respectful relationship with Native Nations, emphasizing sovereignty and self-determination (tribal sovereignty is intrinsic, of course, but the Green Party is committed to making sure this sovereignty is not violated and reminding others who may suggest it is anything but given). It's crucial to return stolen Indigenous lands and honor treaty rights. We support implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and addressing ongoing issues, such as high incarceration rates and health disparities.
On a personal note I would add that we need to care for the safety of Indigenous women and girls.
I would support the rematriation of lands and compensation for the descendants of the original inhabitants of Las Américas.
Over recent years, there have been a few successful rematriation efforts with tribes being reunited with a piece of their ancestral land, with the Cohanzick people reunited with 63 acres within the Burden Hill Forest in September 2023 (now called the Cohanzick Nature Reserve) and the Ramapo Munsee Lunaape Nation gained control of a 54 acre site in the Ramapo Mountains in March 2023, for example. The problem is that these lands were not rightfully turned over to these people as they should be, but were only rematriated because the land was purchased to then be returned to the rightful stewards. Rematriation should not be conditional in this way. A government that claims it is committed to atone should not demand payment. These rematriation successes proves that it absolutely can be done, contrary to naysayers who may try to fear monger and claim there’s no way to do this without upending the whole state, but the fact that we’ve been telling folks the only way they can get this rematriation is if they come up with the money is unacceptable. The state needs to be spearheading these rematriation efforts.
I would also assist with restorative justice efforts, such as aid in tracking down stolen cultural artifacts and help return them to their rightful place.
The governor of what is now called New Jersey, which is to say the traditional territory of the Lenapehoking (Lenni-Lenape), Nanticoke, Munsee Lenape, and Mohican, may be limited in what they can offer, but that does not mean they are powerless or that they do not have an obligation to seek out ways to do right by the truest Americans who still are forced to fight for respect, acknowledgement, and even just have treaties be honored by the government.
I regret that the speed with which this campaign had to be launched meant that I did not get a chance to reach out to any Indigenous communities, including leaders of the three state-recognized tribes, the Ramapough Lenape, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, and Powhatan Renape nations, in order to discuss in depth what I might be able to do as governor or what they would like to see, but I plan to work closely with these tribes and members of the diaspora before even stepping into office to craft policies that will truly take meaningful steps to address the egregious injustices and depravity the U.S. government will never be able to make up for.
This is not to say we will not continue the vital work of the New Jersey Commission on American Indian Affairs or that Lt. Governor Lisa Ryan wouldn’t take her responsibilities as Secretary of State and thus as an NJCAIA Commission Member seriously, but I want to make sure we are not waiting until we get into office or accepting a prior administration is doing everything it can for the Indigenous People it’s tasked to serve.
Guaranteeing New Jersey as a Safe Haven State for Trans Folks
Enshrine the protections currently under Executive Orders that protect trans folks and care providers and that deem NJ a sanctuary state. Make sure trans folks, their loved ones, healthcare providers doing right by their patients by administering crucial - even lifesaving - care no longer have to live with this constant fear that their lives could be turned upside down at a moment’s notice because their elected official decided to cut some deal and thus tossed out the Executive Order protections.
As a candidate for governor, I stand firmly in support of gender-affirming care for transgender youth in New Jersey. It is unacceptable that families are facing disruptions in essential treatments like hormone therapy and puberty blockers due to political pressures. Every child deserves access to comprehensive health care that respects their identity and supports their well-being. I will advocate for policies that protect and expand access to these vital services, ensuring that our youth can live authentically and thrive without fear of losing critical support. New Jersey must lead the way in protecting the rights and health of all its residents, especially our most vulnerable youth.
Looking Out for Rural Jerseyans
Our farmers are hurting. New jersey farmers may not be as bad as other states yet but no one will be immune. And even if there are bailouts or the federal government realizes their "mistakes" how long will that take? Will they repair the same amount they broke?
It's not just the money for farm equipment and other subsidies, but when the food can't get out it causes a ripple effect. We must therefore be looking at all the factors that can harm our farmers’ livelihoods and rural communities as well as the various opportunities to address the problems.
starting a farm to need program, where the state will coordinate to get food to places its needed, prioritizing underserved areas and places impacted by the federal government’s cruelty, so SNAP recipients, food banks, schools, and food deserts can be supplied while cutting out the "middle man" of the federal government
work with other states on similar programs for farmed goods we don’t carry and vice versa
sister school programs to help bring resources to different areas and expose children to different places, expand their horizons, teach them different kinds of skills, expose them to different environments they wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to be immersed in
prohibition on use of eminent domain against independent farms
deliberately add affordable housing in rural communities (will help bring in other financing resources that are population based)
bring jobs to these areas/create incentives for businesses looking to come to NJ to build there
revitalize communities by helping folks with relocation for work
set up community composts like we have garbage & recycling that farmers can then have to help offset some fertilizer costs (working with current suppliers to make sure no businesses will be harmed)
guaranteed affordable internet to rural areas & digital literacy courses
Send evacuation shuttles in times of states of emergency
Regulations on price hikes for residents when areas become tourist spots
Invest in community colleges and trade schools in these areas so kids can stay close to home if they need to and still pursue higher education.
$25 Minimum Wage
Raising the minimum wage to $25 lets workers earn a fair pay, helps reduce poverty, and boosts the economy by allowing people to spend more on their needs, and not to depend on government assistance.
Reliable Public Transportation
Reliable transportation is essential for connecting people to jobs, education, and healthcare, promoting economic growth and improving quality of life. It is crucial for people who cannot afford cars and pushing for more use of public transportation is beneficial for the environment.
Fix the unreliable transportation situation that leaves Jerseyans stranded.
Working with Sherrill in Congress to make sure she finishes pushing through the Gateway Tunnel Project as she has taken credit for this and presumably would be the one to finish the job.
Work on expanding use of jitneys in Southern Jersey and parts of the state without any public transit and where other infrastructure projects would be too costly at this time.
Team with NYC’s mayor to hold Amtrak accountable for its failure to deliver on promises to accelerate repairs and push for more efficient commuter options between NJ and the city. Make sure NYC is not part of the problem.
Redirect funds from the turnpike widening project that is said to no longer be necessary with NYC’s congestion pricing and use it to close the massive hole in the transit budget, reconfigure the budget in a way that makes sense, increase the number of service lines as to incentivize more use of public transit over cars and to add more jobs, and use what remains into other crucial investments mentioned on this page.
Green New Deal
The Green New Deal (originally) from the Green Party is a comprehensive plan to fight climate change, create new jobs, and promote social justice for all communities.