TRENTON, NJ - New Jersey Senate Education Chairman Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order directing Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon to dismantle the Department of Education to the fullest extent possible:

By Vin Gopal

The state aid school funding numbers the governor released last week will bring much-needed stability after years of volatility and ensure that districts can better plan their budgets and continue providing quality education for students. They were a step toward making funding more equitable, with nearly 70 percent of New Jersey’s school districts seeing an increase in state aid. 

By Vin Gopal

The state aid school funding numbers the governor released last week were a step toward making funding more equitable, with nearly 70 percent of New Jersey’s school districts seeing an increase in state aid. This shift brings much-needed stability after years of volatility, ensuring that districts can better plan their budgets and continue providing quality education for students.

By Vin Gopal

Two of our bills to protect the right to healthcare insurance for cancer patients and newly hired hospital healthcare professionals advanced in the State Senate last week.

By Vin Gopal

Volunteer firefighters, first-aid and rescue squads and first responders are the backbone of our emergency services, selflessly embracing the responsibility for our safety, security, and wellbeing.

By Vin Gopal

It’s gratifying to report that the Senate Education Committee passed our legislation to change the state’s school funding formula so it provides equitable access to resources for every student.

By Vin Gopal

As the State Legislature begins a new session, the Senate Education Committee is taking up some important bills to address student success and mental health, including a ban on cellphones.

By Vin Gopal

The withdrawal of safeguards against overpricing by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) from the last-minute federal budget bill makes it imperative that we press hard to pass our bill in the state legislature to control PBM’s pricing policies.

By Vin Gopal

As a busy year in the State Legislature winds to a close, our bill to extend coverage for telemedicine and telehealth is nearing final approval.

By Vin Gopal

The state Senate Education Committee plans to begin discussing our bill to revamp the school funding formula at its Dec. 5 meeting as we strive to create a fairer, simpler and more transparent approach to paying for public education. 

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ - Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, M.D., and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, Esq. have issued the following statement regarding the 2025 Primary Election date, currently scheduled for June 3, 2025, which coincides with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot:

Legislative District 11 Team calls for stronger state and federal collaboration to address public safety concerns surrounding the rise in drone sightings around New Jersey

We’ve taken an important step to lessen the chronic shortage of special education teachers as well as to close the gap between student demand and teachers certified in computer science, physics, chemistry, and biology.