DEAN DAFIS ANNOUNCES TEN BOLD BILLS FOR DAY ONE

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. - Progressive candidate for NJ-11 Dean Dafis has announced his plan to bring bold policies to Washington. Starting from day one, Dean will introduce and fight for passage of bills designed to protect and reinvest in working class families across the district.

“These ten bills are a commitment to providing a better, more equitable district for all who live here,” announced Dean. “This is our first step toward putting power back in the hands of the working class.”

#1 Fully Fund Education - We must make sure that the very foundation of our democracy – a well-educated public – is protected by fully restoring and increasing federal funding, specifically Title I money. This will help narrow the achievement gap in our schools without increasing costs for local taxpayers. We can address the widening gap by evaluating and redistributing aid based on where it has the largest impact.

#2 Garden State Public Option Health Plan - Increase federal funding for Medicaid by taxing corporations who pay employees low wages and fail to offer high-quality benefits. As part of the package, include funding for our NJ Legislature to create a health plan that includes all public employees, Medicaid participants, and a public option for private employers and self-insured residents. This will help everyone access high-quality care at lower costs.

#3 Make the Trains & Buses Work - Tie federal funding for transit projects to a merger of the Port Authority, MTA, and NJ Transit. The new, regional agency will have greater purchasing power and planning authority to improve commutes for working class New Jerseyans. We can use surplus revenue from the airports, bridges and tunnels, and real estate holdings to make commutes faster and safer for everyone.

#4 Meet Affordable Housing Need, Without Overdeveloping - End our reliance on private developers to meet our State’s need for affordable housing. Instead, offer federally-subsidized low- and no-interest loans to public agencies that can build only the needed affordable units without increasing traffic, overcrowding schools, and straining infrastructure.

#5 A Greener New Jersey - Implement an energy plan that restarts the Garden State’s offshore wind program, explores modular nuclear reactors, and ends our reliance on fossil fuels no matter what Big Oil & Coal throw at us. As a member of the Center for Climate Integrity’s Leaders Network, Dean will hold oil and gas corporations accountable for their climate deception and the damage it has caused. New Jersey has the highest number of Superfund sites in the nation, and we must make corporate polluters pick up the tab for cleaning up in our overburdened communities.

#6 Federal Conversion Therapy Ban - As a conversion therapy survivor, Dean understands the feelings of depression, self-loathing, and suicidal ideations that often occur when not given proper support. He will continue advocating for policies that address issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, including the end of cruel and inhumane conversion therapy practices nationwide.

#7 Make Social Security Solvent - We will put an end to the income phase-out on social security tax, ensuring everyone pays their full share and social security provides a retirement for all Americans.

#8 Respect Immigrants, as a Nation of Immigrants - We must end the vilification of immigrants and leverage the power of technology to make our residency and citizen process more efficient. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill has significantly changed federal immigration and benefits law, threatening families. The bill strips many lawfully present immigrants from access to health insurance and nutritional aid, while depriving millions of immigrant families the anti-poverty benefits of the Child Tax Credit.

#9 Take SALT Off the Negotiating Table - We must make SALT Deduction permanent, removing the timed lapse currently scheduled in 2029. New Jerseyans should not have to worry whether we will have this deduction in place for the collective investment we make in education.

#10 Tax the Rich & Corporations -  Repeal the Big Beautiful Bill and start making our wealthiest residents and largest corporations pay their fair share. The federal budget leaves the State of New Jersey with a $400 million gap in funding for housing and social services, directly impacting the most vulnerable members of our community.

“For every $1 invested, $15 in economic activity is generated,” said Dean. “This isn’t just about helping those who need it most. It’s about investing in a better society for all Americans.”

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