A New Jersey For People

Empowering voters is the backbone of representative democracy and Gabe is committed to policy that ensures New Jersey is a state where the voice of its people guides its destiny, rather than entrenched interests or political insiders. As we've seen, maintaining the status quo can often silence the many for the benefit of the few. We need to chart a new course, bolstered by reforms that amplify the collective voice of our people.
 

Ranked choice voting is a practical and necessary solution. By allowing voters to rank candidates by preference, we can ensure that our elected representatives genuinely resonate with a majority of their constituents. This method not only encourages greater voter participation but also motivates candidates to engage with a wider range of voters, fostering inclusive discourse. This has already been implemented in other states to great effect. To learn more about how ranked choice voting, please visit: Ranked Choice Voting | RepresentUs

Introducing automatic voter registration is another straightforward, common-sense move that New Jersey needs. By automatically registering eligible New Jerseyans when they engage with government agencies, we're eliminating needless bureaucracy and opening the doors of democracy wider than ever before. It's about ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard, without the impediments of outdated systems.
 

Just as importantly, the structure of our ballots should be clear, fair, and intuitive. The "county line" practice has long clouded our electoral process, often leading to confusion and unintentional bias. By reforming this system, we can provide New Jersey voters with a straightforward and honest voting experience, ensuring their choices are made with confidence.
 

Moreover, the introduction of term limits is a declaration of our commitment to constant evolution and growth. While we value the dedication of our long-serving representatives, we also recognize the importance of fresh perspectives and ideas and no one should hold an office for life. Term limits promote new voices contributing to our future.
 

Our pledge is to build a state where every vote carries weight, every voice is heard, and the promise of democracy is accessible to all.

A commitment to government transparency is at the core of ensuring that our leaders work for the betterment of all rather than a handful of contributors or special interests with ulterior motives. Unfortunately, legalized corruption has become all too common, with contributors often having business with municipal and other candidates. These legal contributions have the practical effect of influencing legislation and awarding government contracts in ways that can be contrary to public interest, adding significant costs to taxpayers.

​

To combat this, the support for campaign finance reform, stricter lobbying laws, and initiatives to track government spending must be paired with actionable steps that promote real accountability and public trust. This includes supporting legislation that would compel municipalities and counties to post budgets on their websites in searchable formats and also require that budget hearings must take place well after business hours to afford residents the opportunity to attend. Furthermore, capital improvements in excess of $10,000 should be sufficiently explained instead of just being amorphous line-items to prevent graft and excessive spending.

​

Additionally, efforts will be made to meet with constitutional scholars to draft legislation that aligns with Supreme Court mandates, precluding large contributors from participating in government contract bidding. These measures are not only about upholding ethical principles; they are about creating a system that benefits all of us, ensuring that public resources are utilized for the public good and not for the interests of a privileged few. This comprehensive approach to transparency stands as a bulwark against corruption, can lower taxes and build a government that truly serves the people of New Jersey.
 

The alarming rate at which frontline healthcare workers are leaving their professions due to untenable working conditions threatens to bring our healthcare system to the brink of collapse. Driven largely by chronic understaffing, these conditions have led to unbearable levels of stress and burnout among our essential medical personnel. In turn, patient care and safety are compromised, and the entire healthcare system is in a state of crisis. The problem of short-staffing is neither new nor unrecognized, but it has now reached a critical point that cannot be ignored. Every healthcare worker and patient in New Jersey is feeling the pain of this systemic failure, even as healthcare executives continue to profit. Gabe is committed to taking decisive action, addressing the root causes of this crisis, and ensuring that our healthcare workers have the support, staffing levels, and resources they need to provide safe, quality care for every resident of our state. This means standing with our healthcare workers and supporting existing bills such as NJ S304 that prioritize their well-being and the well-being of those they serve. If the pandemic taught us anything in New Jersey, it’s that healthcare workers are indispensable to our communities.

Furthermore, Gabe firmly supports the right of healthcare workers to collectively bargain. This right establishes an equal platform for workers to negotiate with management, ensuring essential protections, fair pay, and comprehensive benefits. Collective bargaining is not just about empowering healthcare workers; it is about enhancing their ability to serve patients effectively and fostering a healthcare system that supports both workers and patients. 

Addressing these issues about healthcare workers' needs isn't just about improving conditions for those in the medical field; it's about enhancing the quality of care and safety for everyone who lives in or visits New Jersey.

In New Jersey, our public workers are the bedrock of our communities. They rush into danger, save lives, and maintain the peace, often under immense pressure and at great personal risk. These dedicated individuals include our firemen, police officers, public EMTs, and volunteers, all of whom deserve unwavering support and acknowledgment.

 

Gabe’s approach to supporting these heroes is diverse, reflecting the complex nature of their roles and the varied challenges they face. We recognize that it's not enough to merely offer praise; we must provide tangible resources, effective training, and compassionate care. This means establishing regular funding, investing in health and wellness, fostering community engagement, and promoting professional development. By doing so, we ensure that our first responders are not only equipped to serve but are also appreciated, protected, and integrated into the fabric of our communities.

 

Police: 

 

Protecting Pension Funds: Ensuring that state pension funds are protected from being borrowed or misappropriated will secure the financial future of our dedicated law enforcement personnel.

​

New Jersey Arrive Program: Making the program permanent will empower law enforcement with alternatives to address mental health crises. By involving social workers and mental health experts in responding to non-criminal emergencies, we can reduce the burden on police officers, ensuring that individuals receive appropriate services and resources.

​

Community Policing Initiatives: Advocating for increased funding for initiatives like the Policeman's Athletic League can enhance community engagement and trust. This promotes positive interactions between law enforcement and residents, fostering relationships that build mutual respect and understanding.

​

Continuous Training and Education: Investing in ongoing training in areas like community engagement, mental health intervention, and de-escalation techniques aligns law enforcement practices with community needs and values.

​

Enhancing Wellness and Mental Health Support: Providing confidential counseling, peer support, and stress management training ensures that our officers have the tools they need to remain resilient and effective in their roles.

 

Firemen:

​

Regular Funding for Volunteer Fire Companies: Volunteer fire companies are integral to our emergency response network, often being the first on the scene in many rural and suburban areas. Ensuring that these essential organizations receive regular, consistent funding will prevent them from having to rely on uncertain grants or temporary funding sources. Such stable financing will enable them to maintain their equipment, train their members, and respond promptly when called upon, enhancing the overall safety of our communities.

​

Health and Wellness Support: The physical and emotional demands of firefighting require comprehensive health and wellness support. We must prioritize programs that include regular medical check-ups, mental health resources, and targeted fitness training. Such support recognizes the unique challenges firefighters face and ensures that they are physically and mentally prepared to carry out their life-saving work. This investment in their well-being is not only beneficial for the firefighters themselves but ensures that our communities are served by healthy, focused, and dedicated professionals.

​

Community Engagement Initiatives: Strengthening the relationship between fire departments and the communities they serve is vital for mutual trust and collaboration. By increasing funding for community policing projects, we can expand initiatives like open houses, school visits, and public fire safety education. These programs foster a sense of unity and cooperation and make our neighborhoods safer and more resilient. They help officers feel part of the community and provide citizens with valuable insights into fire safety and prevention.

​

Note: Gabe is currently meeting with firemen and fire companies across the state to discover firsthand what challenges exist and how the state can provide solutions. We are committed to hearing their voices and working together to make New Jersey a safer place for all. Please check back for updates on these important conversations and the innovative solutions that arise from them.

EMTs:

​

Stable Funding for Volunteer EMT Organizations: Just like volunteer fire companies, volunteer EMT organizations play a crucial role in responding to emergencies. We must ensure they receive regular, dependable funding rather than having to seek temporary grants or other unreliable sources. Such stability will enable them to maintain necessary equipment, offer quality training, and provide timely life-saving services. This will enhance their readiness to respond, supporting both the volunteers and the communities they serve.

​

Professional Development and Training: The rapidly evolving field of emergency medical services requires continuous professional development and training. By investing in ongoing education, we can ensure that all EMTs, whether public or volunteer, have access to the latest medical practices, technologies, and protocols. This ensures the best possible patient care, enhances the professional fulfillment of EMTs, and maintains a high standard of medical response across the state.

​

Health and Well-being Support: The demanding nature of EMT work necessitates robust health and well-being support, including mental health resources. Providing comprehensive health care packages, stress management programs, and counseling services recognizes the unique challenges faced by EMTs. Supporting their well-being leads to a more effective, focused, and compassionate emergency medical workforce, benefiting everyone in New Jersey.

​

Community Integration and Awareness Programs: Fostering strong connections between EMTs and the communities they serve can lead to improved public awareness and collaboration. Initiatives like community workshops on basic life-saving techniques, public health campaigns, and regular engagement with local communities can build trust and mutual respect. These programs educate the public and enable EMTs to become more integrated within their communities, creating a stronger, more responsive emergency medical system. They can also have the effect of encouraging others to volunteer thus improving service delivery.

Supporting our public and volunteer EMTs goes beyond ensuring prompt and professional medical care; it also builds confidence within our communities. Because by bolstering our emergency medical services, we can remove the fear and hesitation that some New Jersey residents might feel when calling an ambulance. No one should ever have to worry about receiving a surprise bill they can't afford when they are in dire need of medical assistance.
 

Labor unions are vital to the health and well-being of New Jersey's working class. They are the most effective means to ensure fair wages and represent the collective strength, aspirations, and rights of workers across New Jersey. Gabe understands the importance of labor unions in shaping fair workplaces and a healthy economy and is committed to policies that empower and support them.

Fair Wages and Benefits: Labor unions fight for fair compensation and essential benefits. Gabe will stand with them in these efforts in Trenton and on the picket lines, advocating for policies that ensure workers receive wages and benefits that reflect their skills, effort, and the cost of living in our state. He recognizes that unions are the best vehicle for workers to achieve these goals, and he will work to strengthen their ability to negotiate on behalf of their members.

​

The Right to Organize and Collectively Bargain: Gabe will vigorously defend the rights of workers to organize, form unions, and engage in collective bargaining. He recognizes that these rights are fundamental to democracy and a just society, and he will work to strengthen laws that protect them.

​

Safe Working Conditions: Union advocacy plays a crucial role in maintaining safe workplaces. Gabe will support unions in this vital work, ensuring that safety regulations are robust, enforced, and that workers have a voice in shaping safety policies.

Inclusive Dialogue with Union Leaders: Effective policy-making requires the insights and collaboration of those on the front lines. Gabe will promote open dialogues with union leaders, recognizing their unique perspective and expertise in crafting laws that genuinely support workers.

​

Legislation to Prevent Union Busting: The erosion of union rights undermines workers and harms our communities. Even though laws are in place making it illegal to prevent union formation, these are often circumvented. Gabe will oppose any efforts to weaken unions through so-called "right to work" laws or other means designed to dilute the power of collective bargaining. He will also work to fortify legislation that effectively prevents union-busting tactics and penalizes those that try to use them.

By standing with labor unions, Gabe hopes to create a New Jersey where the rights of workers are respected, where their voices are heard, and where their well-being is a shared priority. This support for labor is not just about economic policy; it's about our values, our community, and the kind of state we want to build. In supporting labor, we reinforce a vision of New Jersey that honors work, promotes fairness, and recognizes the dignity of every person who contributes to our great state.
 

In a free society, government does not interfere with personal and private medical decisions, including those concerning reproductive rights. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, tragically undermines this principle, abandoning nearly 50 years of precedent and taking away the constitutional right to reproductive freedom. This decision, paved the way for states to ban a woman's right to choose, causing untold harm to human rights and individual autonomy. Many have already done so leading to tragic cases where children who were raped are forced to carry to term and women are forced to deliver nonviable pregnancies, suffering untold emotional trauma.  

In light of this devastating ruling, it's more crucial than ever that New Jersey takes a strong stand to protect reproductive rights. Therefore, I support the following measures:

 

Enshrining Reproductive Rights in the NJ Constitution: By aligning our state constitution with the principles of Roe v. Wade, we can ensure that the right to choose is a guaranteed protection within New Jersey. This is vital to safeguarding reproductive freedom from any future federal erosion and establishing the state as a haven for individual freedom and reproductive rights.

Legislating Insurance Coverage for Reproductive Care: Ensuring that insurance companies cover abortions and reproductive health services is about justice and accessibility. No one should be denied the right to choose based on financial barriers or their insurance status. By mandating coverage, we can create a more equitable healthcare system where everyone, regardless of economic status, has access to necessary reproductive care.

​

Recognizing the Human Right to Choose: The Court's decision, which may force people to travel extensively or carry pregnancies against their will, represents a grave violation of human rights. As such, I am committed to fighting any attempt to limit these rights within New Jersey.
 

In the pursuit of a stronger and more equitable education system in New Jersey, the focus must remain on core principles that empower every student, educator, and community member. Not only is education an obligation to our young people, but it is also among the few paths forward to an affordable New Jersey where graduates are empowered to launch successful careers. The challenges are many, ranging from the physical safety of our schools to the fairness and accessibility of higher education. The following principles outline a commitment to a comprehensive approach, one that seeks collaboration, transparency, and innovation. Through a dedicated, community-centered effort, the goal is to foster an education system where opportunities are abundant, standards are high, and the potential of every individual is fully realized.,

​

Healthy & Safe Schools:
Working with teachers, parents, students, mental health professionals, and community leaders, the focus will be on creating safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environments. This includes improving school infrastructure, enhancing mental health support for students, advocating for comprehensive gun safety legislation, implementing trauma-informed programs, and otherwise ensuring schools are places of growth and understanding.

 

Charter Schools:
All public schools, including charter schools, should be held to the same standards of transparency and accountability. Amending the Charter School law to require detailed budget, financing, and performance reporting, as well as mandating local community representation in charter school boards, will foster an educational system that is fiscally responsible, inclusive and responsive.

 

High Stakes Testing:
The prevailing reliance on Chris Christie era high stakes standardized testing has imposed constraints on educators that hinder their ability to teach effectively. These tests are not only inadequate in assessing teachers but also serve as an impetus for many well-qualified teachers to leave the profession. An approach that acknowledges standardized tests as one aspect of a multifaceted evaluation system is needed. In working with education stakeholders, efforts will be made to advance legislation that revises both student assessments and educator evaluations, fostering a more equitable and comprehensive framework. This includes peer reviews, classroom observations, and student feedback, all aiming to build a nuanced approach to assessment. Education must focus on holistic growth and not just on high test scores. Collaborative efforts with organizations like NJEA will help shape this more balanced, supportive, and effective approach to measuring success.

 

Addressing Staffing Shortages:
Addressing the staffing shortages in our schools is not only essential for an effective education system but a matter of fiscal responsibility. Continuing to invest in inadequate or failing systems amounts to a waste of valuable resources. To tackle this issue, incentives such as loan forgiveness and competitive salaries must be promoted, along with fostering diverse and inclusive work environments, and providing clear, structured career ladders for Education Support Professionals (ESPs). Such an approach ensures that education remains an attractive and fulfilling profession, reflecting a commitment to not only our students but also to the judicious use of taxpayer funds. By investing wisely in our educators, we lay the groundwork for a thriving and affordable educational system in New Jersey.