OCEAN — Today, the Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey team is reinforcing their record of taking bold, decisive action to combat the COVID-19 virus and help Monmouth County families and communities recover.

“Senator Vin Gopal, and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey throughout the pandemic have actively connected their communities to navigate this period of uncertainty,” said Theresa Berger of Ocean Health Initiatives. “They have from the very beginning worked with federally qualified health centers (FQHC’s) like OHI, hospitals, and local municipalities with setting up pop up testing sites, community zooms, and have assisted those in need with the online vaccination process. When we have our elected leaders, regardless of party, and health experts working together, it can help clear up a lot of confusion.”

“Senator Gopal, Assemblyman Houghtaling, and Assemblywoman Downey have fought tirelessly day in and day out to help Monmouth County families get access to services that protect the public health, including COVID-19 testing, PPE, and vaccination,” said Healthcare Executive Christopher Rinn. “They have continually worked to make a difference for our communities throughout the pandemic and have been an incredible partner for community health centers and our underserved populations.”

“We took early, decisive action against the pandemic,” said Gopal. “Our state legislature was one of the first legislative bodies in the nation to hold an electronic voting session during the pandemic, and we were one of the few state legislatures to continue operating throughout the pandemic.

“We know that some communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said Houghtaling and Downey. “So we took strong steps to ensure an equitable recovery and make sure careful planning occurs, so the impacts of the next pandemic are not disproportionately shouldered by people of color, seniors, low-income workers, and frontline providers.”

Below are some of the Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey team’s top accomplishments on COVID-19 recovery:

–Assisted over 5,000 constituents in obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine.

–Assisted and resolved over 3,700 constituent issues since the pandemic hit, including assisting over 1,400 constituents with unemployment issues.

–Established the District 11 Economic Recovery Advisory Council with Mayors, Small Business industries, nonprofit leaders and education leaders to tackle COVID-19 challenges that arose in their respective industries and connect them to available resources.

–Sponsored, supported, and passed legislation providing funding to business and industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, including $55 million for hospitality establishments, $25 million for start-ups and nonprofit organizations, $20 million for microbusinesses, and $15 million for arts and cultural organizations.

–Sponsored legislation requiring long-term care facilities to implement isolation prevention plans and have appropriate staff, technology, and other capabilities in place to prevent residents from becoming isolated.

–Sponsored and passed legislation allowing for remote online notarization, making notarization more accessible and convenient.

–Sponsored and passed legislation ​​providing $750 million in aid for tenants behind on their rent or utility bills, and extending the eviction moratorium for individuals earning above 80 percent of the area’s median income, giving small landlords much-needed relief.

–Sponsored legislation that would require NJDOL to assign claims handlers to legislative districts, assisting residents experiencing issues claiming their unemployment benefits and who could not access assistance from the Department.

–Sponsored and supported legislation bolstering the healthcare workforce and protecting essential healthcare workers responding to the pandemic.

–Sponsored and supported legislation preserving and expanding critical services like telemedicine and notarial acts.

Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, and Assemblywoman Joann Downey are running for re-election to serve the 11th Legislative District, which covers 18 municipalities within Monmouth County.

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