BLOOMFIELD – Yes, Mikie Sherrill says, politicians have been talking for years about how unaffordable New Jersey is.
But … “nothing seems to change in New Jersey and I’ve had enough.”
So, on Monday, Sherrill visited a firehouse in this city to announce her “Affordability Agenda.”
Asked how her plan differs from what some of the other gubernatorial candidates have announced, Sherrill said, “I think there’s some real innovation here.”
She referred to investing in solar – “one of the cheapest energy sources to develop,” independent auditing and repurposing old commercial sites to build needed housing,
She said the Mt. Laurel decision, which ended exclusionary zoning and mandated the construction of affordable homes, was 50 years ago and the problem remains.
Sherrill presented comments from individuals impacted by New Jersey’s high costs, including a firefighter and a union laborer who talked about how hard it is to buy a home in New Jersey.
She broke her plan down into a number of areas.
Regarding housing, she wants to streamline the approval process, which is basically controlled by municipalities, expand first-time homebuyer assistance and crack down on “predatory investors.”
On health care, a local pharmacist spoke about Pharmacy Benefit Managers or PBMs, – “middlemen” – who he said inflate prices under the guise of doing the opposite. The congresswoman wants to make PBMs pass discounts onto consumers and to force insurance companies to publicly disclose and to justify premium increases.
She also wants to go after price gouging and monopolies – no matter if the offender is a health insurer or a food provider. She also said the state needs to do more to support farms and farmland preservation.
Property taxes have been a major state problem for decades.
One reason why property taxes are so high is New Jersey’s status as a home rule state with more than 500 municipalities and school districts.
Does the state have too many towns and school districts? Would consolidating some of them lead to savings?
Sherrill didn’t go there.
She spoke of unlocking the “potential of shared services” for towns and school districts.
Candidly speaking, shared services have been spoken about for years. An obstacle often are local officials, who are far too impressed with the power they have over local domains.
More generally, she said costs can be reduced for families by expanding the child tax credit and working with schools and private companies to expand child care opportunities.
Of the six-person Democratic field, Steve Fulop has detailed policy proposals on his webpage.
Josh Gottheimer, one of Sherrill’s fellow House members, previously unveiled an affordability plan, some parts of which are similar to what Sherrill proposed today.
Sherrill was asked about the other end of the fiscal scale. Would she support increasing revenue by, say, raising the millionaires’ tax, which sits at 10.75 percent?
She answered by stressing aspects of her cost reduction plan.
Sherrill Reveals her Plan for Affordability in New Jersey
New Jersey, known for its high cost of living, has long been a concern for residents struggling to make ends meet. In an effort to address this issue, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill recently unveiled her plan for affordability in the state.
Sherrill’s plan focuses on several key areas, including housing, healthcare, and education. One of the main components of her plan is to increase access to affordable housing for low and middle-income families. This includes expanding affordable housing options, increasing funding for affordable housing programs, and working to address the shortage of affordable housing in the state.
In addition to housing, Sherrill is also focusing on healthcare affordability. She has proposed measures to lower prescription drug costs, increase access to mental health services, and improve healthcare outcomes for all residents. Sherrill believes that no one should have to choose between paying for healthcare and other necessities, and is committed to making healthcare more affordable for all New Jerseyans.
Education is another key component of Sherrill’s plan for affordability. She is advocating for increased funding for public schools, making college more affordable for students, and expanding access to vocational and technical training programs. Sherrill believes that a quality education is essential for economic mobility and is committed to ensuring that all residents have access to a high-quality education.
Overall, Sherrill’s plan for affordability in New Jersey is comprehensive and ambitious. By focusing on housing, healthcare, and education, she hopes to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents struggling with the high cost of living in the state. As she continues to advocate for these important issues in Congress, Sherrill is working towards a more affordable and equitable future for all New Jerseyans.
