New Jersey

The big election win for N.J. Democrats: Leaders reflect on outcome

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2023

The big election win for N.J. Democrats: Leaders reflect on outcome

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In the weeks leading up to election Tuesday, New Jersey Republicans were floating the idea of winning a majority of seats in the Legislature.

But Democrats prevailed in most of the close races.

They also added more members to the state Senate and Assembly. During a news conference at the statehouse Thursday, state Senate President Nick Scutari said voters liked that Democrats were focusing on real life issues including “affordability, reproductive rights, gun safety, economic opportunity, health care, support of children, and families.”

Legislative accomplishments such as doubling the child tax credit, investing in innovation, job training, and expanded opportunities for home ownership also resonated with voters, Scutari said.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said for the past two years Democrats have worked to lower prescription drug costs, while keeping dangerous weapons out of places such as hospitals and day care centers. Elected representatives also invested in education and business infrastructure, while delivering on property tax relief, which improved the lives of New Jersey residents.

N.J. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and state Senate President Nick Scutari discuss Tuesday’s election results. (David Matthau/WHYY)

Assembly Republican leader John DiMaio rejected the claims from his Democratic colleagues.

He said affordability is still the top issue, and New Jersey is still one of the most expensive states in the nation and has become more expensive under Democratic control.

“A household earning nearly $95,000 is considered low income in New Jersey,” he said. “And for the tax cuts they talk about they’re ignoring taxpayers are paying $16.7 billion more now than they were paying 2018.”

DiMaio said Democrats are famous for raising spending and taxes, “and then they return some token amount of money to make us feel good about it and it really leaves things more expensive than they were before.”

He called on Democrats to fully fund the court-mandated School Funding Formula and cut taxes.

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New Jersey

NJ will commemorate these anniversaries in 2025. Here are some fun facts about our history

Published

8 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Press Room

NJ will commemorate these anniversaries in 2025. Here are some fun facts about our history

1-minute read

New Jersey will mark some significant anniversaries in 2025, as you might expect from one of the original 13 colonies in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

While the anniversaries listed below are centuries old, there are certainly many other days worthy of commemoration in New Jersey in 2025.

The bullet points are a quick and easy way to learn some fun facts about New Jersey’s history.

Enjoy!

1775: First Provincial Congress of New Jersey — The First Provincial Congress of New Jersey convened in Trenton in 1775 to establish Colonial governance amid revolutionary unrest. Delegates replaced the royal governor, authorized the issuance of paper currency to support militia efforts and enforced fines on those refusing military service shortly after the American Revolution kicked off. This assembly marked New Jersey’s initial steps toward independence, shaping its role in the war and laying the groundwork for state governance.

1825: Queen’s College renamed Rutgers College — Rutgers was one of the nation’s first higher-education institutions. Founded in 1766, when the Colonies were on better terms with England, it was originally named for Great Britain’s queen. Now the state university of New Jersey, the school was given a new name in 1825 to honor Revolutionary War hero and benefactor Col. Henry Rutgers. The colonel donated a college bell and $5,000, saving the institution from financial hardship and setting it on a course to become a major public research university.
1875: Prudential Friendly Society founded — In 1875, John Fairfield Dryden founded the Prudential Friendly Society in Newark, pioneering life insurance accessibility for the working class. Dryden’s was the first U.S. company to offer industrial life insurance, which provided small policies with affordable premiums to the working class. The company’s “insurance for the people” philosophy became a cornerstone of its success. Prudential later evolved into a major global financial services provider, but its Newark roots and famed headquarters remain central to its legacy.
1875: State constitution amended — Also in 1875, New Jersey amended its 1844 constitution to reflect post-Civil War changes. The change was made to align with the federal 14th and 15th amendments and ensure equal protection and voting rights. The amendment, however, also mandated the establishment of a “thorough and efficient” system of free public schools, cementing the state’s commitment to universal education, yet leaving much up to interpretation. The adjectives nonetheless stuck when the state constitution was rewritten in 1947.
1925: Mary Teresa Norton takes office — Mary Teresa Norton in March 1925 became the first woman to represent New Jersey or any state in the Northeast in the U.S. House of Representatives. Representing North Jersey’s 13th District, she was a trailblazer in labor rights, social welfare and women’s issues. Norton, who served until 1951, chaired key committees, including the House Labor Committee. She also played a vital role in shaping the Fair Labor Standards Act. Her historic tenure set a precedent for women’s leadership in American politics.

More about 2025 in New Jersey

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New Jersey

Keefe | POST-RAW 12.27.24 | New Jersey Devils

Published

17 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Press Room

Keefe | POST-RAW 12.27.24 | New Jersey Devils

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