Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-31) is going after Gov. Chris Christie (R) for vetoing a bill she co-sponsored to ensure low-income residents have access to heat and healthy meals, claiming his actions show a “lack of empathy for our most vulnerable residents.” 
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am disheartened by the governor’s lack of empathy for our most vulnerable residents,” McKnight said in a statement.
“This bill would have ensured families in New Jersey struggling to make ends meet had access to the most basic necessities. Despite what the governor might think, food and heat are not luxuries.”
The bill (A-1210) would have required the state to comply with federal minimum heating assistance contribution requirements in an effort to prevent 160,000 New Jersey households from losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
It was part of a comprehensive effort by Assembly Democrats to lift people out of poverty and rebuild New Jersey’s middle-class.
“It speaks volumes that while other states did right by their residents, and made the necessary changes to ensure their residents continued to receive the help they needed, our governor denied low-income residents in New Jersey the same generosity,” McKnight added.
“Many of the residents affected by the governor’s veto are children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. How he justifies this indifference is beyond me.Some of us are lucky enough to not have to worry about how we will feed our families, or keep the heat running in our homes during the winter months. For many others, this is a real struggle.”
McKnight is also the founder of the Jersey-City based non-profit senior center AngelaCARES, Inc., so it should come as no surprise she feels strongly about this particular issue.
Christie’s press office did not return an email seeking comment this afternoon.