COVID-19: New Jersey’s education system is imperiled by the pandemic. Here’s how
According to a recent Gallup poll, 42% of parents worry about the impact COVID-19 will have on their children’s education. Despite the fact that New Jersey school districts are adapting and educators have gone above and beyond, altering lesson plans and creating virtual classrooms overnight, students have encountered difficulties learning in this current climate. In response, New Jersey lawmakers have developed a task force to follow the impact of education from COVID-19. There are a number of issues this pandemic has brought to the forefront that the task force should address to ensure all students are receiving an equitable education. New Jersey school districts [...]
New Jersey releases new guidelines for testing for mercury vapors in schools
The New Jersey Department of Health released new guidelines this week for testing for dangerous mercury vapors in the state’s schools. Mercury vapors can’t be seen or smelled. Vapor exposure at any level can be dangerous, potentially causing nervous system and kidney damage. Schools throughout the state could potentially be exposing students to mercury vapors via the schools’ floors. “On lead in water, schools had to do testing and submit it,” says New Jersey Work Environment Council executive director Debra Coyle McFadden. “We would like to see the same thing done with these floors.” Phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) is used to [...]
NJ Releases New Guidance on Mercury-Laced Floors – Will It Help?
Photo Credit: New Jersey Education Association It's uncertain how many school gymnasium floors in New Jersey are emitting a level of mercury vapor that's unsafe for the students and adults who come in contact with them daily. While new guidance from the state aims to get a better idea of the problem's reach and help schools determine whether their rubber-like gym floor is cause for concern and may need to be removed, a coalition of healthy-school advocates believes the update falls short in a number of areas. "Part of our recommendation has been and continues to be [...]
Labor & Environment Coalition Tackle Transit Equity with a Day of Action for a Fully Funded NJ Transit
Early this morning, Jersey Renews advocates and Amalgamated Transit Union workers from across the state staged a Day of Action to celebrate Transit Equity Day. Groups convened at transit hubs in North, Central, and South Jersey to bring attention to the need for a dedicated funding source for NJ Transit. Transit Equity Day, held on Rosa Parks’ birthday each year in honor of her infamous refusal to give up her seat, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, highlights the need for equitable transportation. An equitable transportation policy includes expanded service and hours, affordable access, and clean transportation. For NJ Transit, [...]
Gov. Murphy Signs Historic Legislation for Clean Transportation in NJ: Many Sectors in the State Celebrating
Trenton, NJ (January 17, 2020) – Today Governor Phil Murphy signed an ambitious omnibus electric vehicle bill (S2252/A4819), which was endorsed with bi-partisan support, as urged on by diverse interests, including business and labor leaders, environmentalists, auto dealers, faith-based and grassroots community organizers and utility companies, among others. The law incentivizes use of electric vehicles for private use and sets metrics for public fleets to reduce the greatest single source of harmful greenhouse gas emissions and positions New Jersey as a national leader for this clean technology. Read the full press release here.
Jersey Renews: Bipartisan EV Bill Passes Senate & Assembly
Trenton, NJ – Closing out the New Jersey Legislative session, the Senate and Assembly passed the landmark electric vehicle bill (S2252/A4819) with a bipartisan vote of 27-12 and 65-9 respectively. The legislation sets aggressive goals for electric vehicle sales, provides a rebate for the purchase of an electric vehicle of up to $5,000 by allocating $30 million annually over the next decade, and a state-wide network of high-speed EV charging stations. The bill also sets goals for the electrification of NJ Transit’s bus fleet by incrementally increasing EV bus purchases to 100% through 2032. Read the full press release here.