The Jersey City Free Public Library hosted a forum for all six Democratic Assembly candidates in the 32nd Legislative District, the first of the season as the June 10th primary approaches.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Van Vorst Neighborhood Association 2nd Vice President Rebecca Missel moderated the forum, beginning by noting voters can choose two representatives for the district and allow the candidates to briefly introduce themselves.
“What’s the biggest challenge facing this district?” Missel asked.
“We have an affordability crisis. There’s a transportation crisis … We need to make sure we’re providing money for first-time home buyers,” replied Jersey City Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh.
He also emphasized the need for more housing planning to include transportation options.
Saleh’s running mate, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez – part of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” ticket – said she was supported bills to increase affordable housing, as well as introducing legislation on reproductive rights and banning tourist helicopters.
“Raise your hand if your rent or property taxes skyrocketed,” Katie Brennan, who is bracketed with Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, asked. Expectedly, many hands in the audience then went up.
“Corporate landlords are colluding to fix rent prices. There’s lot of people who feel stuck in the middle. Why is everything around us a luxury building?”
She was referring to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office filing an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage and 10 major landlords in the state, alleging a rent-raising scheme.
“We can’t forget what’s happening in Washington with Trump Everyone’s scared with what’s happening,” responded Bhalla.
He said he has sought to enforce and increase affordable housing laws while serving as the Hoboken rent control board attorney, councilman-at-large, and now mayor, also noting the Mile Square City now has a tenant advocate.
Hoboken Public Library Director Jennie Pu, who is supported by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), noted she advocated for the Jersey City payroll tax in hopes of the public schools being fully funded.
“Too many parts of our district feel unheard … People are frustrated. They feel like their voice doesn’t matter,” added Jersey City Director of Buildings and Street Maintenance Crystal Fonseca, Pu’s running mate.
Pu noted that schools, housing, transportation, and healthcare are serious, long-term issues that require immediate attention.
“It’s not an overnight solution,” she added.
Missel said the state underfunds libraries and wanted to know what the candidates would do if they were elected.
“A lot of the Latino and Black and Brown representatives … we’re dealing with this. We’re safeguarding all the agencies we know,” Ramirez declared.
“Libraries more now than ever are essential resources. We knew this was coming. Where is the defense mechanism? This was not a surprise,” asserted Brennan.
She also noted that the state budget process is often very rushed and opaque.
“Everything she saiid: Trenton is broken. We [Hoboken] were the first book sanctuary in New Jersey. The heat that we took for that … Hoboken set a model in that way,” Bhalla recalled.
“We knew this was coming,” said Pu, who has has worked as a librarian in several different capacities in the past two decades. She also mentioned that she worked with a lobbyist to preserve the Hoboken library’s funding.
“There is no one better to answer this than the library director, There’s not proper oversight on this level,” added Fonseca.
Saleh indicated that libraries should be viewed as town halls or community centers, later stating that many digital media companies are overcharging libraries to upload materials online. Saleh thought the state could better negotiate on their behalf.
Missel also asked about ongoing school funding formula issues, particularly in Jersey City.
“The state screwed Jersey City … We didn’t have drinking water for 20 years. We need some help,” stated Brennan.
Bhalla noted that property taxes are significant statewide, explaining he tried to keep them low throughout his tenure despite challenges due to COVId-19 and federal funding cuts under Trump.
“When that happens in Trenton, your school board has to pick up its part of the levy,” he added.
“Jersey City needs to be at the forefront of this,” Fonseca said.
Saleh promised to bring the fight to legislators and administrators in Trenton.
“New Jersey has its priorities out of whack. It costs more to incarcerate than educate … We need a gladiator in the G** damn golden dome of Trenton. I want to be your gladiator!” he exclaimed.
“I will not be voting for any budget that cuts our funding … We are speaking to the governor,” added Ramirez.
Missel also asked the candidates what they would do to help the quality of life of seniors.
“We just approved the first fully affordable housing for seniors. I’m one of the mayors … that has sued the Trump Administration over Medicare,” Bhalla declared.
“The state is not giving the local government money to fund those things,” Fonseca said about free transportation options for seniors, which Pu suggested.
Saleh noted that he helped build a senior center in the Heights and also called for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to connect the whole county on John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
“Safeguarding against any cuts is a big deal, we see people getting pushed out every day,” Ramirez noted, adding that her office has regularly helped seniors with affordable housing issues.
“Send me to Trenton. Break glass in case of emergency. I am the Swiss Army Knife behind the glass. Send me!” Saleh exclaimed.
During closing remarks Ramirez touted her experience in the Assembly as part of closing remarks.
“Look me up please, I’ve passed bills,” she remarked.
“We have really tough times ahead … I passed laws at the local, state and federal levels…. Theres only one boss and it’s you,” Brennan said.
Bhalla noted that his first act was mayor was declaring Hoboken a safe and welcoming city, as well as that the Mile Square City “has become a national model for climate resilience.”