Pressure is mounting on the Assembly Democratic leadership to bring the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act to a vote before lawmakers approve a new state budget, with 22 Assembly Democrats and a coalition of more than 130 organizations launching a coordinated campaign to move the bill before July 1.
In a letter sent to Speaker Craig Coughlin and Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, lawmakers from both safely Democratic and competitive districts urged the two leaders to post A3735/S2338 for a floor vote next week, arguing that support for the proposal continues to grow.
The legislation now has 43 co-sponsors, more than a majority of the Assembly, effectively assuring passage if the bill reaches the floor.
The measure would establish a Department of Environmental Protection program empowered to collect up to $50 billion from companies deemed responsible for large greenhouse gas emissions. Proceeds would flow into a Climate Adaptation, Resiliency, and Affordability Fund. State agencies would recommend climate resilience projects twice a year, and the trust would submit a list to the Legislature. The funds would ultimately be appropriated through the annual budget process.
Supporters also point to growing local backing, noting that more than 70 municipalities and governing bodies across New Jersey have passed resolutions or otherwise taken formal action in support of the legislation.
At the same time, advocacy groups are increasing pressure on Democratic leadership through a paid media campaign. Food & Water Watch, which has coordinated much of the coalition’s advocacy efforts, confirmed a low-five-figure digital advertising buy targeting Assembly Democratic leaders and lawmakers in competitive legislative districts. The campaign is designed to pressure Trenton to advance the legislation before the June 30 budget deadline.
The ad campaign is being conducted by Make Polluters Pay, a coalition of more than 130 organizations that includes Taxpayers for Fairness, Empower NJ, 32BJ, Clean Water Action, Climate Revolution Action Network, Communications Workers of America, NJ Citizen Action, Environment New Jersey, HPAE, the Latino Action Network, NJEA, New Jersey Working Families, and United Black Agenda.
The 30-second ad, titled “We’re Not Leaving Without This Bill,” features lawmakers and activists framing the legislation as both an affordability measure and a way to shift climate resiliency costs away from taxpayers.
Script: “(Alixon Collazos-Gill) This is an affordability issue. Working families should not have to be forced to pay for a crisis they did not commit. (Mike Venezia) That’s why we need to pass the Polluters Pay Act before the budget. (John McKeon) The need to be resilient is not an option. It just matters who is going to pay for it. The taxpayer? (Crowd) No! (McKeon) Those who have profited billions and billions of dollars each quarter? The fossil fuel industry? (Crowd) Yes! (Collazos-Gill) We need to make sure that it happens before we sign on to this upcoming budget. (McKeon) We’re not leaving here by July 1 unless it’s with this bill.”
The 22 lawmakers who signed the letter are Al Abdelaziz (D-Paterson), Ravi Bhalla (D-Hoboken), Katie Brennan (D-Jersey City), Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-Montclair), Margie Donlon (D-Ocean Township), Shama Haider (D-Tenafly), Ellen Park (D-Englewood), Carmen Morales (D-Belleville), Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel), Tennille McCoy (D-Hamilton), Chigozie Onyema (D-Newark), Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Newark), Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch), Gabe Rodriguez (D-West New York), Ed Rodriguez (D-Elizabeth), William Sampson (D-Bayonne), Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), Marisa Sweeney (D-Morristown), Kenyatta Stewart (D-Paterson), Balvir Singh (D-Burlington Township), Michael Venezia (D-Bloomfield), and Jerry Walker (D-Jersey City).