In recent weeks, New Jersey has witnessed alarming ICE raids that have sent shockwaves through immigrant communities. 

One of the most disturbing incidents involved the wrongful detention of a U.S. veteran, a citizen who served this country honorably. Though this individual has since been released, the message is clear: no one is immune to the aggressive enforcement of current immigration policies.

As a nation of immigrants, we must confront this reality and stand together. I, Senator Britnee N. Timberlake, am committed to advocating for humane immigration policies and ensuring our communities have access to the tools and knowledge needed to protect themselves. Knowing your rights is critical now more than ever.

To ensure drivers are not wrongfully charged while passing through automated toll booths, Assembly members Britnee N. Timberlake, Pedro Mejia, and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson sponsor a measure to require the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to check for an existing electronic toll collection system account before sending a violation or charging administrative fees. The legislation cleared the full Assembly on Thursday, 73-0.

“Sending violation notices to drivers with accounts already in the system is a waste of taxpayer dollars in time, paper, postage, and lawyer fees,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic). “The money used to create and send these notices could be spent in many more helpful ways, such as to reduce toll prices.”

The bill (A-823/S-646), authored by Assemblywoman Timberlake, would additionally require account holders to update license plate and vehicle information.

“After hearing resident complaints about unwarranted E-ZPass violation charges, it was clear that more needed to be done to protect New Jersey drivers from paying fines they do not owe,” said Assemblyman Mejia (D-Bergen, Hudson).  “When notices of violation are wrongfully sent to drivers, they are then burdened with contesting the charges, which can be a tedious, costly and time-consuming task.”

“The measure would further guarantee no driver is falsely charged and the NJTA and SJTA are no longer solely relying on third-party companies to verify E-ZPass account information,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Hunterdon, Mercer).  “This improved method would be more fiscally responsible and would save taxpayer dollars.”

(TRENTON) – School buses travel about four billion miles each year, providing the safest transportation to and from school for more than 25 million American children every day. To ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more efficient school transportation system, Assembly Democrats Sterley Stanley (D-Middlesex), Shama Haider (D-Bergen), and Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) sponsor a new law, signed by the Governor on Thursday, to implement a three-year “Electric School Bus Program.

The “Electric School Bus Program”, implemented through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), will help us determine the operational reliability and cost-effectiveness of replacing diesel-powered school buses for the daily transportation of students.

Under the new law (A-1282), the NJDEP will be required to provide grants for the purchase of electric school buses, establish a new charging infrastructure, provide appropriate training for bus maintenance personnel and bus drivers, and manuals and wiring for troubleshooting issues with the infrastructure.

Assembly members Stanley, Haider, and Timberlake issued the following joint statement:

 “The diesel exhaust from buses negatively impacts our overall health and is a major contributor to climate change. Under the Electric School Bus Program, New Jersey would spearhead a healthier, more efficient transportation system for students.  This new program gives our state the ability to explore different approaches for electrifying our bus fleets and would give us a better understanding of how to formulate the most effective processes in the future.”

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Mila Jasey, Annette Quijano, and Britnee Timberlake aims to protect students in New Jersey from acquiring unsustainable levels of student loan debt by creating a performance quality standard for career-oriented programs of study. The bill was recently advanced by the full Assembly, 46-31-1, and Senate, 21-17, sending it to the Governor’s desk.

1.3 million New Jersey residents currently owe approximately $48.8 billion in federal and private student loan debt. This is part of a larger, national issue as total student loan debt in the United States amounts to nearly $1.75 trillion.

Under the bill (A-1695), the Secretary of Higher Education and the Department of Labor would be responsible for setting a performance quality standard for career-oriented programs at all schools, including institutions of higher education, degree-granting proprietary institutions, and private career schools. These standards must consider the tuition and fees charged to students in the program compared to the average earnings of workers employed in the specific occupation for which the program prepares students.

If a program fails to meet the minimum acceptable level of performance, the Secretary of Higher Education and the Department of Labor are required to suspend or revoke the institution’s license or accreditation to offer the program or certificate of approval.

Assemblywomen Jasey (D-Essex, Morris), Quijano (D-Union), and Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) issued the following joint statement:

“Too many students already struggle to pay off their student loan debt and that stands in the way of their financial security well into their adult lives. Institutions must take into consideration the cost of a program as compared with a student’s anticipated earnings in their chosen career or profession.

“Through this legislation, reasonable performance quality standards will be set, preventing career-oriented courses of study from overcharging students for programs and incurring debt for which they will not earn sufficient salaries to repay.”

(TRENTON) – School buses travel about four billion miles each year, providing the safest transportation to and from school for more than 25 million American children every day. To ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more efficient school transportation system, Assembly Democrats Sterley Stanley (D-Middlesex), Shama Haider (D-Bergen), and Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) sponsor a measure to implement a three-year “Electric School Bus Program”.  The measure was approved by the full Assembly on Thursday 46-31-1.

The “Electric School Bus Program”, implemented through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), would help us determine the operational reliability and cost-effectiveness of replacing diesel-powered school buses for the daily transportation of students.

Under the bill (A-1282), the NJDEP would be required to provide grants for the purchase of electric school buses, establish a new charging infrastructure, provide appropriate training for bus maintenance personnel and bus drivers, and manuals and wiring for troubleshooting issues with the infrastructure. The bill would allot up to $15 million for the first year and then $15 million for two subsequent years subject to the availability of funding to the program. Additionally, it would be required that at least half of the participants and funding go towards low-income, urban, or environmental justice communities.

Upon Assembly approval of the measure, Assembly members Stanley, Haider, and Timberlake issued the following joint statement:

 “The diesel exhaust from buses has a negative impact on our overall health and is a major contributor to climate change. Under the Electric School Bus Program, New Jersey would spearhead a healthier, more efficient transportation system for students.  This measure gives our state the ability to explore different approaches for electrifying our bus fleets and would give us a better understanding of how to formulate the most effective processes in the future.”

In an effort to reduce the loss of family wealth brought on by foreclosures and create equity in the purchase process for people who are committed to living in a community rather than flipping foreclosed homes, a bill sponsored by Assembly Democrats Britnee Timberlake, Cleopatra Tucker and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson would establish the “Community Wealth Preservation Program” and make foreclosure sales more fair. The full Assembly on Thursday passed the bill 46-30.

The bill (A-793) would offer homeowners in foreclosure, or their next of kin, the opportunity to purchase back their home at a foreclosure sale and thereby preserve their family wealth. It would also create an avenue for people who want to live in the community instead of just selling the property by establishing a special regulated program that reduces the required deposit amount from 20% to 3.5% and expands the number of days all the purchase price dollars are due from 30 to 90 days.

“New Jersey leads the country in housing foreclosures. Leading New Jersey in this statistic are our urban areas. Black and brown wealth is hemorrhaging through the loss of foreclosed property, and the people who live in the community often do not have deep enough pockets to even participate in the foreclosure process. This bill is a creative opportunity for families to save their wealth at the time of a foreclosure sale,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic). “The legislation also levels the playing field for people who want to purchase an abandoned home to restore and live in for a minimum of 7 years, instead of flipping the home.”

The bill would also require anyone who purchased property with financing to occupy the residence for an 84-month period and subject investors who misuse the program to flip properties to steep fines.

“The current process for buying foreclosed houses favors companies that have the money to purchase property at sheriff sales and resell it for a profit,” said Assemblywoman Tucker (D-Essex). “By enacting the changes detailed in this bill, we can give people vested in the community a better chance of securing a home at these sales.”

“Making housing accessible and affordable is critical and the ‘Community Wealth Preservation Program’ can do that for many New Jerseyans who want to own a home and join a community,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Hunterdon). “We know what barriers stand in the way of a homeowner’s success at sheriff sales and with this legislation we can make a difference.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Assemblywoman Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) has been appointed Chair of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee. She is one of nine members appointed by Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin to serve as chairpersons for the first time.

With plans to address longtime issues, Timberlake brings over eleven years of experience to the committee. She has knowledge, commitment, and a proven track record within the economic development sector. Timberlake has worked to enhance the economy by creating opportunity, prosperity, and improving quality of life for both the community and individual working families.

“With her background helping to foster economic opportunity for both businesses and individuals throughout our state, Assemblywoman Timberlake was an obvious choice to lead the Commerce and Economic Development Committee,” said Assembly Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “I have no doubt she will play an important part as Chair of this committee, working to move New Jersey’s economy forward through pandemic recovery, community stabilization, growth and beyond.”

Timberlake has represented residents of Essex and Passaic Counties in the Assembly since 2018. Last session, she was Vice Chair of the Community Development and Affairs Committee and served as a member of the Housing Committee. Throughout the session, she worked to advance critical legislation on behalf of residents, including a law that provided significant financial relief to tenants and landlords impacted by COVID-19.

In her previous role as President of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Timberlake spearheaded a Clean Jobs Initiative to help provide training and job placement in highly-specialized trades for unemployed residents of the county. She also championed a law to increase economic opportunities for women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses in the county by removing systemic barriers to the government bidding processes. Further, Timberlake introduced legislation to ensure banks were working to reduce foreclosures and lend to small businesses as a part of their Community Reinvestment Act requirements.

Both as a Freeholder and an Assembly member, she advocated for the minimum wage to be raised to $15 an hour. She was one of the prime sponsors of the 2019 law that increased New Jersey’s minimum wage in response to rising cost of living and stagnant wages.

Alongside Harold Simon, the former longtime publisher of ShelterForce magazine, Timberlake founded the Essex Community Land Trust (ECLT) nonprofit. The primary mission of the ECLT centers the creation of permanent affordable homeownership, rental, and financial empowerment opportunities for working-class families and individuals throughout the county.

Timberlake is the only woman, and the only African-American woman to chair the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

“As I begin my third term in the General Assembly, I am honored to lead the Commerce and Economic Development Committee,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake. “During a time when businesses and communities are suffering due to the pandemic and other systemic issues, the work of this committee is paramount. I look forward to ensuring New Jersey continues to create opportunities by making long-term investments in our infrastructure as well as rebuilding and growing our businesses, workforce, housing stock and development projects. Together with various stakeholders, leadership, and my colleagues, we will promote legislation that makes smart investments to grow the economy and enhance residents’ prosperity and quality of life. It is my top priority to make sure these goals are achieved sustainably, environmentally safe, and equitably for all New Jersey residents.”

Seeking to elevate student voices, a bill sponsored by Assembly Democrats Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Britnee N. Timberlake and Mila Jasey was signed into law on Tuesday that will require a minimum of one student representative to be included on each board of education for school districts with grades nine through 12 and on each board of trustees for charter schools with grades nine through 12.

Under the law (formerly bill A-3392/S-3392), student representatives will be selected by the student body to serve as nonvoting members for one school year term, and students will serve on a rotational basis in public school districts with multiple high schools.

Assembly sponsors Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Hunterdon), Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) and Jasey (D-Essex, Morris) released the following joint statement:

“There is great power and value to having student voices represented on school boards. Not only does it create an opportunity for civic engagement and leadership, but it also generates greater accountability among the adults for the broader impacts of their decision-making.

“At the end of the day, student feedback is essential when considering policies and issues that will directly impact them, so it is only just and in true democratic-fashion they be afforded a seat at the table.”

(TRENTON) – To increase protections for New Jersey youth during criminal proceedings, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a measure that would extend automatic eligibility for legal representation by the Office of the Public Defender to juveniles under 18 years of age.

The law (formerly bill A-2396) will apply to those under 18 arrested or charged with an indictable offense or act of delinquency. Under previous law, persons under 21 were eligible for representation by a public defender upon the court’s review of the financial resources of parents or guardians.

Sponsors of the law issued the following statements:

Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic):  “These kids need someone to advocate for them, but affordability and the fear of what a lawyer might cost often leads them and their family to forgo legal representation. Eliminating the constraints to appointing counsel would ensure the constitutional right remains intact.”

Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic):  “Black and Brown people are incarcerated at higher rates than any other groups. It often comes down to a lack of proper legal representation and bias in the legal system. This law takes a step to address these increasing rates of incarceration by ensuring all families are able to benefit from legal counsel regardless of affordability. At the end of the day, no matter the charge, this concerns children. Granting access to counsel as quickly and as early as possible is the best chance for fair, equitable outcomes.”

Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D-Burlington): “Individuals under the age of 18 are charged with wrongdoings and face punishments similar to adults, yet they have not had the same access to legal counsel.  It is often very difficult to afford lawyer fees and many youths face the court system without any guidance.  This law is a necessary step toward ensuring that those going through trial have the proper access to legal representation.” 

(TRENTON) – To ensure that the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) receives the funding that it needs to administer housing counseling activities, Assembly Democrats Britnee N. Timberlake, Dan Benson, and Benjie Wimberly sponsored legislation that would establish the “New Jersey Foreclosure Counseling Fund”.  The measure was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday.

“We want to make sure that funding for the NJHMFA is not redirected and that they are able to use all of their allocated money,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic).  “With this law, we will be able to guarantee that housing counseling efforts receive direct support from the State and obtain the essential funding to carry out their services.”

The law (formerly bill A-6251) will establish in the General Fund a separate, non-lapsing, dedicated account administered by the Department of Community Affairs to be known as the ”New Jersey Foreclosure Counseling Fund.”  Under the law, the funds will be paid to the NJHMFA no later than the 15th day of each quarter to reimburse trained foreclosure prevention and default mitigation counselors for pre-foreclosure counseling services.

“Establishing the New Jersey Foreclosure Counseling Fund allows us to help more homeowners throughout the state in need of counseling services,” said Assemblyman Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex).  “Providing this assistance will help homeowners avoid potential foreclosure and ensure that New Jerseyans are not losing their homes because of rules they may not have known about.”

Additionally, the law permits the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to assess up to five percent of the New Jersey Foreclosure Counseling Fund’s annual allocation amounts for administrative costs.

“Addressing the housing crisis in New Jersey must include supporting and educating renters. Renters are mostly left out of housing counseling services but it’s necessary for them to,” said Assemblyman Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic).  “This law will also make counseling more available for renters and allow them to receive guidance prior to discussions with landlords.”