OCEAN — With less than one week to go until Election Day, Democrats Vin Gopal, Eric Houghtaling, and Joann Downey are underscoring their record of, and ongoing commitment to, caring for New Jersey’s growing senior population.

“Vin, Eric and Joann believe that our seniors have the right to stay and enjoy the benefits of our State,” said Denise Amitrani, an advocate for Monmouth County seniors. “From reducing their tax burden to making sure they receive quality health care and benefits, they will continue to prioritize the needs of our seniors that make up their district.”

“Ensuring Monmouth County — and all of New Jersey — is prepared to accommodate our aging population is critically important to managing the obligations we place on our taxpayers, helping control families’ expenses, and most importantly, guaranteeing our seniors have the opportunity to lead dignified and fulfilling lives after they retire,” said Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey. “Once re-elected, we will continue to do everything in our power to support our seniors, and their loved ones.”

Some of Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey’s most notable efforts on behalf of seniors are:

— Supported legislation that would provide partial pension and retirement exclusions from income tax calculations for some residents.

— Advocated for the approval of a ballot question that extended the veterans property tax deduction to veterans living in continuing care retirement communities.

— Authored legislation that would give residents who become qualified caregivers to care for a senior family member gross income tax credit.

— Authored a bill that would create grants available to families who renovate their homes to accommodate a senior family member.

— Restored funding for the Senior Freeze and Homestead Rebate programs, which help seniors stay in their homes on fixed incomes.

— Administer the Savings for Our Seniors program — which helps seniors find savings on medical care, transportation, and other essential services — through the LD-11 Legislative Office.

— Successfully sponsored legislation that streamlined the application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for seniors and conducted an outreach effort to assist eligible seniors in LD-11 to enroll in the program.

— Successfully sponsored a bill that reduced appointment and wait times for senior citizens at New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission locations during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

— Contact thousands of seniors within the district each year to ensure participation and awareness of the Senior Freeze Program.

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.

###