I will be attending HCDO dinner tonight honoring US Senator Bob Menendez with special guest Governor Phil Murphy. I stand with Bob, Phil and other democrats and I stand against the Trump Republican Party.

Tonight I will drive past the protestors and recognize many friends - colleagues, former students, and probably a few former players and parents from soccer teams I have coached in Bayonne.

Immigration Reform has been a wedge issue in this country since our founding. My former political science and public administration students understand how it has been used to insight anger and violence but also how these struggles have lead to incredible progress in our Democracy.

As the son of immigrants, I understand the opportunity America presents to those looking for a better life. The reality is that all my success is tied directly to the decision of my family to come to this country. Of course, it was fortunate that both my grandparents and parents joined unions - seamstress, longshoreman, electrical and teachers - which provided a path to the American Dream and middle class.

The debate on the ICE contract is an important one - but not in regards to immigration reform. I think everyone at Liberty House would agree the 1. There needs to be a pathway to citizenship. 2. Undocumented residents should not be detained for simply being undocumented. 3. Anyone, regardless of immigration status, who commits a violent crime should be prosecuted. 4. There has been no stronger advocate for immigration reform in the United States Senate than Bob Menendez.

I know my progressive friends will hate to hear this, but the debate on the ICE contract is bigger than immigration - it is about the monetization of our public prison system. For years, many of us have been outspoken critics of the privatization of prisons and prison industrial complex. (Should sound familiar to some of my students). Today, that private system has been replaced by a public system that follows a similar market driven philosophy. Quite simply, each cell needs to be filled to maximize profits. That is exactly the wrong approach for public policy leaders. We should want to create a society where prisons are no longer needed; where occupancy rates plummet. In this society, we are providing services to the community which prevents the necessity of large prison complexes.

In New Jersey, bail reform has gone a long way to shrinking prison populations. Now we need to invest in some other core issues to continue this trend. These include job training programs, mental health services, and quality public education systems, among others. NJ also needs to study consolidated state and county prison systems. A major component of this work should include working with correction officers on career development and transition opportunities.

FOR RELEASE                                                                   
6/20/2018

Chiaravalloti Bill for Transportation Services to Aid in School Funding Gains Assembly Panel Approval

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti to establish a 20 cent per ride fee on certain prearranged rides, dedicating revenue to schools, was approved by the Assembly Budget Committee on Tuesday.

This fee would pertain to prearranged rides provided by transportation network companies and would be adjusted annually for inflation. The fee would only be applied if the ride is provided entirely within the state.

"These days, it is difficult to find people who are not taking advantage of prearranged ride services such as Uber and Lyft," said Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson). "Devoting some of the increasing revenue coming from these services to our schools is significantly beneficial to our students as well as our state."

Under the bill (A-4061), transportation network companies would be required to collect the fees and pay them quarterly. The fees are governed by the State Uniform Tax Procedure Law, and the Director of the Division of Taxation would be authorized to immediately issue rules to carry through the purpose of the bill.

The money collected from this fee would be deposited in the Property Tax Relief Fund and would be used as aid to school districts.

Extra time would be given before this measure becomes active to allow transportation network companies and the Division of Taxation to take necessary preparatory action to comply with it.

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On Monday, June 18th, 2018 the Assembly and Senate Transportation Committee held a joint session to discuss  the Paramus School bus accident. An 11 year-old bus crash victim, Peter C, delivered his emotional experience of that day.

"Now, a month after this terrible accident we need to take action and fix the delay in communications between departments," said Chiaravalloti

Assemblyman Chiaravalloti invited Jersey City Transit Planner, Barkha Patel, to testify on a resolution encouraging New Jersey municipalities to adopt "complete streets" program.  "Jersey City has been a leader in fulfilling the complete streets urban planning vision and their commitment to safe streets is a model for the rest of New Jersey.  Mayor Fulop and his administration have a done a great job making sustainable urban planning a reality in one of the state's largest cities," said Chiaravalloti

"Complete streets" is conscientious urban planning that seeks to provide  safe access for pedestrians, bicyclists and public transportation users.

As a member of the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee,  today was a great day for Bayonne! Governor Muprhy joined us in Bayonne to announce the completion of the 14A improvement project. We all know there will still be traffic but this project eases most of the in city backups. 

Governor Murphy Underscores Commitment to Bolster Higher Education Assistance

For Release

4/13/2018

Bill to Lift Fees Related to Security Freezes from Consumer Reports without Charge Passes.

Please see attached press release 

“I commend Mayor Davis and interim Superintendent Wanko for the rapid response to the perceived threat at Bayonne High school.  As parents of three young boys, Nancy and I are concerned and sensitive to any potential threats.” Said Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson)

“I was proud of how Mayor Davis,  interim Superintendent Wanko and Bayonne Police Department responded to today’s incident.  In the Assembly, I voted in favor of legislation which created a special class of law enforcement officers to undergo specialized training covering security issues that routinely arise in the school setting.  I am encouraged that Bayonne is working to  implement this new law.” Said Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson)

Please see link. Christie signs bill letting armed, retired cops provide security in N.J. schools

Today Assemblyman Chiaravalloti had the honor of hosting a young Bayonne resident, Jaeanna Elizabeth Wilson. Jeanna has been doing fantastic charitable work for the homeless population in our community. She accompanied the Assemblyman down to the New Jersey State house for a legislation designating Feb 14th as "Socks for the Homeless Day".  #BayonnePride#Socksforthehomeless

For Release

2/8/2018

Chiaravalloti asks state comptroller to investigate NJ Reach

(Bayonne)- Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D-31) has requested that the New Jersey State Comptroller investigate all funds that had been appropriated for the NJ Reach project. The NJ Reach project was created under former Governor Chris Christie to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic. Funds were re-appropriated from underfunded programs and directed to a fund
that was solely dedicated to the creation of advertisements for NJ Reach.

Chiaravalloti voiced his concerns: “The opioid epidemic has devastated New Jersey, nearly 2,000 individuals died from overdoses in 2016 alone. The legislature authorized the governor to create NJ Reach in good faith- this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. But the governor took money away from pre-school expansion, school construction and college tuition grants. These are issues that are frequently discussed as being underfunded. It is bothersome that important funds were slashed to benefit the former governor and the consultants that created the advertisements.”

“These advertisements were designed to promote Christie and was not solely created for the victims and families of the opioid epidemic. This is clearly evident by Christie’s prominence in all the ads. These ads were costly, took away from necessary funds and had a limited shelf life. These ads are unusable by any administration. This money could have been spent on treatment
programs to directly assist victims of the epidemic- not wasted on production edits featuring Christie.” Said Chiaravalloti (D-31)

NJ Reach was created in 2017 and received budgeted funds for 2017 and 2018. In the two years, nearly 6 million dollars were redirected from preschool expansion aid and 19 million dollars were redirected from school construction fund. The program also received almost 9 million dollars in 2018 from the Tuition Aid Grant program.

“New Jerseyans have a right to know why these specific funds were chosen to be slashed, what was the process behind hiring consultants and who was involved in the program’s strategy. Why were funds mismanaged on ads that can only be used under one administration?” Stated Chiaravalloti (D-31)

Governor Murphy and Chiaravalloti lead the way on Net Neutrality.

"I have been working on raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving since joining the NJ General Assembly.  The videos and outcomes from multiple studies are both startling and a warning.  This is an issue that needs to be taken seriously."

Please see link for full article 

http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2018/01/doing_this_behind_the_wheel_caused_more_fatal_cras.html

For Release

1/18/2018

Chaparro & Chiaravalloti Bill to Help Domestic Violence Victims Opt-Out of Bundled or Multi-Year Phone and Cable Contracts Signed Into Law

For Release

1/18/2018

Caputo, Jasey, Karabinchak, Mukherji & Chiaravalloti Bill Increasing Eligibility for Tuition Aid Grants Now Law

For Release

1/15/2018

Assemblyman Nicholas A. Chiaravalloti issued the following statement reflecting on diversity
and unity in advance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

For Release

1/11/2018

Joint Press Statement on B.E.O.F Award

For Release

1/9/2018

Jasey & Chiaravalloti Bill to Help Colleges Better Serve LGBT Students Signed into Law

For Release

12/20/2017

Cunningham and Chiaravalloti Expungement Reform Bill Package Designed to Help People Reclaim Their Lives Becomes Law

For Release

12/18/2017

Jasey & Chiaravalloti Bill to Help Colleges Better Serve LGBT Students Heads to Governor’s Desk

For Release

12/8/2017

Benson, Vainieri Huttle, Muoio, Mukherji, Chiaravalloti & Wimberly Bill to Prevent Homelessness among Domestic Violence Victims Goes to Governor

For Release

12/7/2017

Wisniewski, McKnight, Chiaravalloti & Benson Bill to Crack Down on Reckless Driving Clears Assembly 

For Release

12/4/2017

McKeon, Vainieri Huttle & Chiaravalloti Bills on EZ Pass Discounts Clears Assembly Panel