James Solomon
@SolomonforJC
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For the people — not the powerful. Professor, Ward E Councilmember, and candidate for Mayor of Jersey City. Dad to Camila, Corinne, & Noelle. Cancer survivor.
Jersey City, NJ
Joined February 2014
Today, my City Council colleagues and I announced that we are co-sponsoring a resolution opposing the plan to expand the NJ Turnpike. The expansion would add lanes through Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel, further clogging our streets and polluting our air.
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Tonight, the voters in downtown Jersey City sent an unambiguous, powerful message: the time when developers planned our community, the time when the machines picked elected officials, and the time when our neighborhood was told to just deal with the status quo is over.
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Jersey City and Hudson County are united against the NJ Turnpike Authority’s plan to widen the Turnpike— and I was proud to speak out alongside them.
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Lol. No one who lives “west of manhattan” is driving into NYC for an inferior diner.
>@GovKathyHochul just said she decided to kill congestion pricing because the owner of this Midtown diner said his New Jersey customers weren't going to. drive into his Midtown diner anymore?
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Here's a misconception I'm happy to clear up: NJ and JC need more public transit, not more pollution and congestion. I'd like to invite Ms. Gutierrez-Scaccetti to sit with me on a stoop at Monmouth and 7th to see the bumper-to-bumper cut-thru traffic she claims is a myth.
The Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension is a vital connection between Hudson County and the mainline of the New Jersey Turnpike. Let’s clear up any misconceptions, New Jersey:
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Introducing. Noelle Slater Solomon! We welcomed our little Noelka last Friday, March 11 at 11:11am! She stole our hearts, and Camilka and Corinne are the best big sisters already! Mom is happy & healthy. We are beyond blessed.
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(1) I stopped by Taqueria Downtown for a meal yesterday to show my support for their restaurant after they endured a senseless act of violence this past Saturday. I spoke with the GM who thankfully informed me the two employees injured during the incident were home & recovering.
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It was an honor to be inaugurated for a second term. I am excited to get back to work for a more progressive Ward E & Jersey City. Thank you to the voters for your trust; to my team, especially Laura, Stu, & Grace, for their hard work; and to my family for their support.
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While still early, tonight’s committee races show progressive challengers winning the vast majority of contested committee seats in Downtown. The message from Downtown voters is clear: we need proudly progressive representatives who are independent from the political machine.
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1) BREAKING: Jersey City just guaranteed tenants facing eviction the right to legal representation, and it ensured that the city's richest developers will pay for the program and replenish our affordable housing trust fund!
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Truly fitting that @realDonaldTrump began his rise to political power with a racist lie about "thousands cheering in the streets" in #jerseycity on 9/11 and it ends with the actual people of #jerseycity cheering in the streets.
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I, for one, do not want the man who incited the riot to address the nation. I’d instead like for the mob leader to be removed from office so the peaceful transition of power can recommence.
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Overjoyed to share the new of Corinne Maria Solomon's birth!. Gaby is just an incredible mother. Camila loves her baby sister, who she greets every morning with a "HELLO CORINNE!" What a blessing to be a family of four!
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Favorite ID for @MikieSherrill tonight. Me: Can Mikie count on your vote?. Voter: Don't know the candidates. Me: Mikie's great. Sensible, tough. Former Navy Pilot. Voter: Oh! The helicopter lady from the TV ads. I'm totally voting for her.
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The development of this city has to benefit the WHOLE city, not just real estate developers. You deserve a councilman who is independent from those developers and the Hudson County Political Machine and who puts OUR community before himself.
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My statement regarding Councilmember DeGise's hit-and-run.
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Gaby and I are overjoyed to welcome a baby girl to our family in March! We know how blessed we are, and are so excited to be a family of 5! As a parent, my greatest joy is seeing Camila & Corinne bond as siblings, and I know they will be the best big sisters for our baby.
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Photos like this (taken this morning in downtown JC) make it clear that New Jersey should adopt the same policies as New York, Boston, and San Francisco to shutdown non-essential construction (and luxury condos are the very definition of non-essential).
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Two years in remission. Last night, Gaby and I celebrated our good fortune: our health, my new career, our continued strength as partners, and our new bundle of joy. We count each day as a blessing and send our strength to everyone in a similar fight.
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Thank you to Ward E. I will work extraordinarily hard for all of you. More to say in the AM, but tonight I want to thank @symesforJC for running a positive, substantive campaign. Her ideas will make this city a better place. .
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I'm proud to endorse @Oseguera2020 for Congress because, as @AyannaPressley said, “change can’t wait.” Hector will tirelessly champion working people & progressive policies. He will be a Representative who is accessible & accountable to the people, not the political establishment
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Losing the Jersey is a tragedy. Corruption thrives in darkness, and machine bosses will celebrate today's news behind closed doors. Local journalism means local accountability. When needed more than ever, that guardrail is weaker now.
brutal day. After 157 years of keeping Hudson County informed, The Jersey Journal to close in 2025 -
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West of Manhattan ?!?! @terrencemcd.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York. My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.
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(1) We wanted to update you on progress repairing the Coles St underpass. Thanks to our Infrastructure Department, we now have a design for the blocks between 10th and 14th, including new ADA compliant sidewalks, a protected bike lane, new lighting and trees.
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Here we go, Jersey City! In just a few moments, I'll be onstage to share my vision for a Jersey City for the people — not the powerful. But to accomplish that vision, I need all of you by my side. Help kick off my campaign for Mayor of Jersey City at the link in bio!
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Congrats today to @AndyKimNJ and the grassroots leaders of New Jersey! Our mission, of course, remains the same - elect Andy as our next Senator in June & November AND return democracy to the people of our state by Abolishing The Line. Let's go!.
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Thank you @PeacocksMBB. You made JC proud! . Glad you introduced America to our wonderful school at Montgomery and the Boulevard. #jerseycity #StrutUp.
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My comment on Jersey City Board of Trustee Joan Terrell Paige's Facebook remarks. I share them as a letter to Trustee Terrell Paige. The issues raised by this comment and the events of the past week deserve more than social media offers, so I ask you to read the full letter.
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Stares in New Jersey.
Many people are asking: Can Eric Adams really hire his brother?
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If our next little one comes on time, we'll have the perfect blessing to give thanks for on Thanksgiving! Baby #2 due in two months!
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Let's move quickly here in Jersey City and Hudson County. We can be national leaders by the end of the week. CC: @StevenFulop @TomDeGise.
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Today, I am launching an audit of five government entities that tax Jersey City homeowners to determine if they are illegally giving away tens or hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars through illegal “boat payments.”
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1/3) Today, I was proud to join Mayor Fulop, my colleagues on the Jersey City Council, and advocates from all across the state in opposing the state's NJ Turnpike expansion plan.
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NJ's public health guidance encourages residents to exercise outdoors. However, in urban areas, it is difficult to do so while maintaining a 6 ft distance from other. One solution: opening streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles.
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Pro-democracy activists in Hudson County - let's celebrate tonight!
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It is *bonkers* that two people - a Mayor and unelected Party Official - essentially pick the people’s representative instead of the people themselves. And I don’t care which political bosses it upsets to state this truth plainly.
This is what leadership looks like!. Thank you, @SolomonforJC, for standing up for better ballots. Voters, not party insiders, should get to choose who represents them. It’s time to #AbolishTheLine.
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In a small way, we lived the value of Liberty State Park today. As you can tell by Camila’s face, the rally was a bit too noisy for her. So we took off early and enjoyed the natural beauty and playgrounds in the park. 100% of the park must be protected for families in the future.
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I’m calling on the Port Authority to revise its plan for a partial closure of Grove St for 20 weekends in 2024. Weekend ridership is back to pre-covid levels, and residents need accessible transit options.
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Attention Hudson River Ferry Riders: You no longer have an excuse to show up late to anything. Recently, a JC resident & his young son notified us that the Colgate Clock was 12 minutes behind. My office worked with the State to fix this & now the clock is back to normal!
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.@KingJames, are you available to come to my next community meeting on protected bike lanes?.
LeBron James was in Harlem today to announce he be giving out one-year bike memberships to teens. He also spoke to importance of bike lanes:.
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As a cancer survivor, my family and I feel a sense of relief that I was able to receive my vaccine. Our vaccines are safe and effective. I encourage you to get one as soon as you are eligible. If you are having trouble finding an appt., reach out, and my office will assist you.
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Gaby, the girls, and I exercised our right to vote this weekend at the secure drop-box at City Hall. Please make a plan to vote. The earlier the better. Resources below.
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I’m deeply disappointed in Governor Phil Murphy for signing legislation that undermines OPRA, our best tool for transparency in New Jersey. This bill strikes a massive blow to the heart of our democracy.
🚨 Murphy is signing the deeply controversial bill overhauling the Open Public Records Act this afternoon. 🔒
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🧵 1/ Congratulations to our next U.S. Senator, @AndyKimNJ, on his historic victory in tonight's election! His courage brought about the end of the line, and those convictions will make him a powerful champion for us in the Senate. 1/.
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🧵Only last night was most of Jersey City CD-8 election-day vote calculated - and as we crunched the numbers - it showed just how much getting rid of the line led to a strong progressive groundswell in Jersey City. 1/5
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My resolve to work for change in Jersey City is only strengthened by the national election. I am grateful to everyone in Jersey City who fought for our shared values, and didn’t sit on the sidelines. We’ve elected a wonderful new senator in @AndyKimNJ. 1/2.
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1-Every single member of the JC Council & @StevenFulop oppose the proposed expansion - moderates, progressives, independents, born & raised, newcomers. 2-All of us want every cent of the $4.7B spent on blue collar union jobs repairing the Turnpike & expanding transit. Win-win.
This is going to be a tough call for @GovMurphy, who might need to choose between urban progressives and blue collar labor unions.
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.@ValentinaForSOS I can see why you left Jersey City - this pathetic, weird, offensive shit done for a glimpse of relevance doesn't fly here. @EducationalGil1 is an extraordinary public servant, and we are lucky to have him on our council.
@EducationalGil1 @StevenFulop Yes please! Appoint him to more useful boards instead of that gay shit. He’s an American citizen and can do what he wants with his money. Gotta give credit to @StevenFulop who is the only Democrat mayor that has actually done right for the city he leads. Frank, you’re a felon
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The Coles St underpass is a disaster - unsafe and unwalkable. Excited today to take the first steps to redesign it with lighting and actual sidewalks, partnering with Councilperson Saleh and city officials to do so. It is an important step toward tying two neighborhoods together.
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Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise and the Freeholders' decision to break their promise to end their immigrant detention contract with ICE to fill the government's coffers represents the worst of politics. It will not soon be forgotten.
‘What is the point of electing Democrats if you’re going to act like Republicans?’ — County officials in New Jersey renewed a contract with ICE despite overwhelming opposition from the community
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We must achieve our climate goals by taking traffic off our streets, not adding more. The Turnpike Authority - or if they refuse, Governor Murphy and the state legislature - can do that by channeling the billions of dollars they plan to spend on this wasteful boondoggle. .
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If you’ve ever observed New Jersey politics and said “I wish there was more secrecy and backdoor dealing,” then boy does the NJ State Legislature have a bill for you! . If you’ve had the opposite reaction, then we need your help. .
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Attacking the Boss is unimpeachable evidence of mental decline.
Trump: Bruce Springsteen. I am not a huge fan. I have a bad trait. I only like people who like me. Does that make sense?
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1) I am thrilled to endorse my friend, Mayor Ravi Bhalla, for Congress! As mayor, he has made historic investments in climate resiliency programs and delivered on ambitious street safety measures.
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Freeholder O'Dea (roughly paraphrased): "You draw the moral line of enabling an immoral system when you profit off that enablement.". Yes.
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I've never appreciated Liberty State Park more than during quarantine. It is Gaby, Camila, Corinne, and my sanity outlet. The defenders of this priceless green space, The Friends of Liberty State Park are asking us to sign a petition opposing.
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A strong civilian complaint review board will build trust through a transparent, independent and inclusive process to investigate police actions.
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Only a Jersey City developer would have the chutzpah to claim its luxury development is “essential” because an itsy-bitsy portion (3%) of it is a private school. Let’s stop this nonsense. It’s non-essential.
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I am committed to making our streets safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Excited for these improvements to begin shortly on two major downtown streets - Coles & Columbus. Please plan accordingly.
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We should do this ASAP in New Jersey. It is state law. Cc:@GovMurphy.
We must suspend mortgage payments and evictions nationwide.
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1/ I am excited that Jersey City is moving forward to address one of downtown’s most dangerous streets - Columbus Drive - in the near future. The design will include pedestrian safety infrastructure, protected bike lanes, and slower speeds. Link:
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See you in court. My full statement below.
A group of landlords wants to overturn Jersey City’s “right-to-counsel” legislation, which would provide free lawyers to renters facing eviction by 2025.
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. into projects like the underfunded Gateway Tunnel or the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, which would expand our rail capacity and meet our state’s climate goals. @JoyceWatterman .@miramira4 @yousefjsaleh @BoggianoWardC @EducationalGil1.
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We've made great strides on pedestrian safety, but these sticks and paint don’t address our flooding challenges AND they are ugly. Building “rain gardens” at unsafe intersections makes pedestrians safer, reduces flooding, and are quite beautiful.
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1/2) I’m so proud that the JC Council just passed Councilman Gilmore & my trigger ordinance for Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV)! To be clear, the fight for RCV is NOT over. Our next step - push the state legislature to legalize RCV so that JC voters can adopt it via referendum.
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Starting tomorrow, free meal pickup for any Jersey City child at a school nearest them, regardless of where they attend. Click for full list of locations.
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🧐. who doesn't love a Trenton loophole written to benefit one person.
Very interesting timing on the amendment to this bill. More in NJ Playbook tomorrow. Gotta love Trenton.
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I’m 100% in support of the new protected bike lane network implemented and yet to be implemented this summer and fall.
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Listening to WFAN the morning after a Knicks playoff win is one of the true joys of living in New Jersey. Joey from Verona thinks Brunson is better than MJ at his peak - and really, who are we to disagree?.
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Last night, the Jersey City Council passed a resolution in support of the Liberty State Park Protection Act. The next step to end this decades-long assault on LSP is for Governor Murphy and our state lawmakers to pass the LSP Protection Act.
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Same old Jim McGreevey. He's had twenty years to show voters he's changed and yet here he is sharing the dais with a political boss who is literally under indictment for corruption at the expense of the residents of Camden.
Remarkable photo: That’s all but three of New Jersey’s living and former governors — McGreevey, Corzine, Murphy, Christie, and Kean — appearing at a ribbon-cutting at Cooper Hospital in Camden with George Norcross, the Democratic power broker currently under incitement.
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Tonight is a good night, but tomorrow we recommit ourselves to the work of making downtown and all of Jersey City a better place for all.
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Today is World Cancer Day. It's as good a time as any to send love to those in the fight. As a cancer survivor, I know it's tough. It's not fair. Yet I know you will discover reserves of strength and grace through the ordeal. I pray that you will celebrate.
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Downtown’s JC’s next woman of action is urban planner extraordinaire @AylaSchermer. As President of @bikeJC, she’s been a fierce advocate for safe streets! But that’s not all she does - she’s beaten the Machine to become a Dem. committeewoman AND is a fellow @penguins fan!
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Voted on my first ever fair NJ primary ballot today for @AndyKimNJ and @RaviBhalla! Thank you to everyone who fought for it!
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Absolutely thrilled to welcome @AndyKimNJ back to Jersey City alongside @StevenFulop ! Andy Kim has already changed the face of NJ politics, and I'm so proud to support his historic campaign for U.S. Senate. Let's go, Andy!
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Remember, too, that our police department is already twice as large as departments in similarly sized cities. So I have a modest proposal: instead of hiring these 23 new officers, let's fully fund the Youth Enrichment Division instead? The costs will be roughly the same in '21.
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We will never allow the privatization of Liberty State Park. Not a single blade of grass. #WardEDebate.
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Me: We should hold developers accountable for building affordable housing. My opponent: Let’s give developers whatever they want and let them off the hook for affordable housing requirements.
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Harris - Walz +40 in NJ.
Kamala Harris' VP pick Tim Walz is a Bruce Springsteen fan, calls Boss an 'inspiration'
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Thank you to our Traffic and Engineering team for installing new stop signs at: . 🛑 Barrow St and Mercer St.🛑 2nd St and Coles St.🛑 3rd St and Coles St.🛑 4th St and Coles St.🛑 5th St and Coles St.🛑 3rd St and Monmouth St
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The leaked Supreme Court decision dismantling a woman's right to choice is awful. This ruling won't stop abortions; it will make them unsafe. In NJ, we, and I, must do more to stand up for women's healthcare. One place to start:.
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Accountability matters.
Jersey City Councilwoman DeGise had her vehicle towed in Hoboken in Nov. for parking in an illegal spot and having a registration that expired in 2019, police body cam shows. “I was endorsed by the police in Jersey City, I’m a councilwoman.". FULL STORY:
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1) At tomorrow’s City Council Meeting, I will be co-sponsoring a resolution calling on the NJ Legislature to protect the Open Public Records Act.
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Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Ward E for honoring me with the opportunity to serve as your councilperson. My commitments to you are these. (1/6)
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Holy shit.
BREAKING: Judge Quraishi GRANTS Kim's request for a preliminary injunction. The county line has been overturned. (This is an extremely quick reaction on my part; have not read the decision beyond this yet.)
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Really concerned about the timeline below. Council should bring @SUEZwaterNJ and @JCMUA before us to testify.
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For #InternationalWomensDay, I want to shout out my chief of staff Laura Bustamante. She’s smart, tough, and hysterical. She’s the glue that holds our office together. Jersey City and Ward E are lucky to benefit from your public service Laura!
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1) I am proud to announce new legislation to keep Jersey City families in their homes and provide tens of millions of dollars to the city’s affordable housing trust - at no cost to taxpayers.
New (in non-Trump news):. Jersey City councilmembers are set to introduce a ‘right to counsel’ bill guaranteeing lawyers for low-income tenants who face eviction . The bill is sponsored by @SolomonforJC and backed by Mayor @StevenFulop . For @gothamist
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