Newark - New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) Executive Director Dena Mottola Jaborska released the following statement today after Governor Mikie Sherrill’s inauguration address.
“We congratulate Mikie Sherrill on her historic inauguration as New Jersey’s first woman Democratic Governor and applaud her willingness to take on the many challenges facing New Jersey. It takes enormous strength and commitment to be the Governor of New Jersey in these troubled times. But we’re confident that Governor Sherrill is the leader who will meet this moment, and continue our progress towards a fairer, more affordable, more just state for all our residents.

“We stand ready to work with Governor Sherrill to ensure all New Jerseyans—especially our low-and moderate-income residents—can afford essentials such as housing, childcare, groceries, and healthcare. Massive federal budget cuts and rising costs due to tariffs and other shortsighted policies have pushed too many of our state’s families to the brink. Governor Sherrill must give special attention to ensuring as many New Jerseyans as possible retain their health insurance. Going uninsured is often the first step off a fiscal cliff, especially for our most vulnerable residents.

“Meeting the emergency needs of families impacted by federal cuts will require investment in the expansion of public services and programs. With our state budget facing shortfalls, Governor Sherrill, in partnership with the Legislature, must better target our state’s limited resources to our greatest needs, and consider new revenue raisers that support working-and middle-income families by asking the wealthy and big corporations to pay their fair share.

“We greatly appreciate Governor Sherril’s pledge to make utility costs a Day One priority. We are especially interested in working with the Governor to lower and hold down the cost of utilities in the long-term. Accomplishing this involves comprehensive, statewide planning that identifies the cheapest, cleanest and most readily available options to meet our needs while also ensuring ratepayers are not unjustly burdened by costs associated with expanding our state’s options. Above all, New Jersey requires a transparent process for formulating energy policy, not one dominated by a particular company or consortium of companies.

“In this moment, we also urge Governor Sherrill to take decisive action to protect our immigrant communities from the unrelenting attacks of ICE and the Trump administration. These raids and unlawful incarcerations of our families, our neighbors, and our friends have completely disrupted life throughout our state. We cannot say we’re fighting for a fairer, more affordable New Jersey without fighting for everyone, and especially those targeted by an increasingly authoritarian federal government.

“Finally, we are eager to work with Governor Sherrill on her promise to usher in a new era of greater government accountability, transparency, and public inclusion. New Jerseyans are tired of business as usual in Trenton. We can and must do better. There is no doubt that tackling the many challenges facing New Jersey will require her to not only work with but also stand up to corporate interests that often dominate our state politics and policymaking. Organizations like NJCA, along with the majority of New Jerseyans, stand ready to support strong and fair solutions to our state’s crises.

“New Jersey faces many daunting challenges. But we have a fresh start with a new administration, and look forward to working with Governor Sherrill, our State Legislature, and the people of New Jersey to meet and overcome these challenges.”

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New Jersey Citizen Action is a statewide coalition and grassroots organization that fights for social, racial, and economic justice for all.