Today, the Governor delivered the State of the State address, highlighting change in New Jersey that WEC and many of our close partners have worked to enact over the past year. We were glad to hear the governor hold steady in his commitment to lead remediation in schools and in our homes, creating union jobs in the new clean energy economy with an emphasis on offshore wind, as well as his renewed commitment towards a millionaire’s tax and tax incentive program reform.
We are also pleased to hear the administration will focus on releasing a strategic and capital plan for the future of New Jersey Transit as well as a commitment to examining runaway income inequality and wealth disparity.
These efforts, both from the administration and advocates, have helped to begin transforming New Jersey into a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable environment for workers and working-class families.
However, there is more work to be done. In 2020, the Work Environment Council and our members would like to see the administration, and the New Jersey legislature take action on:
- Improving transparency, accountability and safety related to trains carrying crude oil and other hazardous substances in New Jersey.
- Banning the use of mercury catalysts in rubberized flooring as well as identify, test, and remove these toxic floors from schools.
- Reauthorizing SDA funding so that the NJ Schools Development Authority can meet their obligation to provide equitable school facilities in the 31 SDA districts.
- school staff and students by addressing temperature control issues within schools.
- Transitioning medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to electric with a focus on short-haul trucking and transport.
- Developing a just and equitable supply chain for offshore wind that ensures jobs for local residents and capitalizes on secondary and tertiary industries like manufacturing and transportation.
- Preserving the money in the Clean Energy Fund for clean energy projects.
We look forward to working with the governor to accomplish these goals in 2020.
