When thousands of students and families across the state marched in support of tougher gun laws this spring, astute legislators paid attention. A few weeks later, New Jersey joined eight other states and Washington DC to pass laws banning large capacity ammunition magazines holding more than ten rounds.

Despite the fact that residents in our congressional district favor having strong gun laws, Jay Webber voted against this reasonable measure.

#34moredays  #votesherrill

New Jersey has the highest foreclosure rate in the country. Following the housing crash, mortgage counseling and mediation services helped to prevent even more homeowners from going underwater.

What did Jay Webber do? He voted against establishing the Mortgage Stabilization Program that assists homeowners and lenders who want to refinance mortgages to make payments affordable.

#35moredays #votesherrill

A 31 percent drop in clinical breast exams in New Jersey from 2009-2012 at Title X health centers was the direct result of former Governor Christie’s drastic cuts to women’s healthcare services. By 2015, rates of sexually transmitted infections increased 35 percent.

A large majority of residents in our 11th congressional district believe Planned Parenthood should be allowed to receive government funding. Mikie Sherrill has pledged to “be a forceful voice against efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, restrict access to birth control, and efforts to limit a woman’s access to safe family planning services.”

#37moredays  #votesherrill

Important Update: New Vote-By-Mail Rules (.pdf)

Click on the .pdf link for a handout explaining new Vote-By-Mail rules in effect for 2018 -- what's involved, what you should do, and where to get more information if you need it. Download and share with your New Jersey friends!

(Cross-posted from NJ 11th for Change's Issues Essentials page.) 

STATEMENT:

NJ 11th for Change Calls On Senate Judiciary Committee To Reject Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court

Sept. 27, 2018 — Since being nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh has been the subject of repeated and credible allegations of sexual assault. Despite the situation crying out for an unbiased, fact-based FBI investigation,  GOP leadership has plowed through the process, dismissively rejecting that approach -- as well as the women requesting it. Today, in Senate confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh himself repeatedly refused to support an objective inquiry. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, on the other hand, has repeatedly requested one. The contrast speaks volumes.

Dr. Ford’s clear, powerful and courageous testimony today stood in telling contrast to Kavanaugh’s angry and often contemptuous responses to questions.

The serious assertions of sexual assault detailed by Dr. Ford only add to Kavanaugh’s already cloudy record, which has been consistently shielded from effective scrutiny by Republican Senators eager to fast-track the process.  

NJ 11th for Change has been deeply concerned about Kavanaugh’s nomination since its announcement 11 weeks ago, due to his troubling record regarding presidential power, women’s choice, and gun safety, among other matters. It has now become abundantly clear that Kavanaugh’s character is as troubling as his record. Bestowing a lifelong seat on the nation’s most powerful Court to Brett Kavanaugh would fail to align with our values of transparency, accountability and responsiveness. We look forward to the day when women who come forward with credible assertions of abuse are not subjected to more abuse, and we will do our part to elect representatives who will stand up for women and help create that world.

A Supreme Court appointment is a lifelong responsibility, not an entitlement.  We strongly urge Senators to vote NO on confirming this manifestly unsuitable candidate.

The American Lung Association says air pollution in New Jersey is so bad that it could be harmful for people with breathing conditions. An estimated 735,000 NJ residents have asthma. Developing renewable sources of energy not only supports a healthier environment, but also creates clean energy jobs.

Earlier this year, legislation passed that should make NJ a leader in this field. Despite bipartisan support, Jay Webber voted “nay.”

#40moredays #votesherrill

New Jersey leads the nation with tough legislation that requires equal pay for women. Recently, our legislators overwhelmingly passed a law that protects women and minorities from workplace discrimination, making it illegal to offer them lower pay and fewer benefits without justification. 

Most would call this a no-brainer, but not Jay Webber. He was one of only two Assembly members who voted against equal pay for equal work.

#41moredays #votesherrill

That sinking feeling: another deadly shooting in our country. Followed by the predictable reaction from legislators: hand-wringing, thoughts and prayers, return to business as usual.

There were almost 500 firearm deaths in New Jersey in 2016, despite our relatively strong gun laws - laws which residents in our district support.

Mikie Sherrill stood shoulder to shoulder with courageous young neighbors in our district at the Morristown March for Our Lives rally. She is firmly committed to a federal assault weapons ban and other common-sense measures and has vowed to work tirelessly “to save lives and help find responsible solutions to America’s gun violence crisis.”  

#42moredays  #votesherrill

A large majority in our district support a woman’s access to abortion. Yet members of Congress have been orchestrating an “all-out assault on women’s healthcare, working to restrict access to reproductive freedom,” says Mikie Sherrill.  

Jay Webber, Sherrill’s opponent, was endorsed by New Jersey Right To Life PAC and wants to deny women their rights. Mikie Sherrill, mother of four, says, “The federal government should have no say on when, how, or with whom women decide to start or grow a family.”

#43moredays  #votesherrill

With 47 days to go till Election Day, here’s a totally-not-fun collection of reasons to steer clear of the GOP nominee for NJ-11, courtesy of our political director Elizabeth Juviler. For more specifics, check out his record at VoteSmart.org. 

Some of Jay Webber’s not-so-greatest hits in the state Assembly:

AGAINST fair Economy for Women and working families

• Voted AGAINST Equal Pay for Equal Work, one of 2 votes against pay equity and workplace discrimination.
• Voted against expanding wind and solar facilities in NJ
• Voted against increasing Earned Income Tax Credit for working families in NJ
• Voted against mortgage counselors and mediators during the mortgage crisis even though NJ had the HIGHEST foreclosure rate in the country
• Voted against paid family leave for people with new or ailing family members

55 years after the Equal Pay Act was signed into law, the gender pay gap is alive and well, especially for women of color. Black women earn $.63 for every dollar earned by their white male counterparts; Native American women $.57; Latina women $.54; and white and Asian women $.79 and $.87, respectively.

Responding to her opponent’s vote against equal pay for equal work, Mikie Sherrill said, “In 2018 it is hard to believe that any legislator would vote against ensuring women get equal pay for equal work...I am deeply disappointed that... Webber chose to vote...against legislation that would give the women of New Jersey a well-deserved raise.”

Sherrill has distinguished herself in traditionally male-dominated fields, as a navy fighter pilot and federal prosecutor.

#57moredays #votesherrill

NJ FamilyCare — our state’s publicly funded health insurance program — provides low-cost health coverage for eligible children so they can get routine check-ups, immunizations and dental treatment to keep them healthy. More than 800,000 New Jersey children are currently served by this program. No thanks to Jay Webber. He voted against the FamilyCare Expansion bill that set the stage for guaranteeing better health care for these vulnerable youngsters. Webber also supports repealing the Affordable Care Act.

#61moredays #votesherrill