TRENTON – In an effort to incentivize the hiring and continued employment of certain individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, the Senate Economic Growth Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Jean Stanfield that would establish the “Recovery Tax Credit Program” within the Department of Human Services.

“People who have struggled with addiction have sometimes found difficulty in landing or keeping a job, even in good hiring climates,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth). “When someone is in recovery, they need all the support they can receive, from their families, their communities, and their employers.”

TRENTON – The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Jean Stanfield that further supports New Jersey’s military-connected families, specifically by recognizing schools that place emphasis on assisting children of active duty military and helping families to more easily navigate the often difficult educational path for military dependents and spouses.

This bill, S-1800, would create a “Purple Star Schools” Program to annually recognize, as Purple Star Schools, schools that provide for, or have made significant progress to respond to, the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected students encounter during the transition to a new school when the student’s active-duty military parent or guardian is relocated. The bill would also create a working group to develop criteria to be used in the designation of schools as Purple Star Schools.

TRENTON - Senator Vin Gopal’s bill guaranteeing that health insurance providers and Medicaid continue to pay healthcare providers the same amount for virtual healthcare as in-person visits has become law.

TRENTON – In an effort to bring greater awareness to contributions made by Asian Americans, and to better educate students about Asian American culture and thereby attempt to stem anti-Asian racism and violence in society, the Senate Education Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Loretta Weinberg to establish a Commission on Asian Heritage within the Department of Education.

TRENTON – Recognizing the vital role that public libraries continue to play in our democracy and their importance as centers of learning and enrichment in our communities, where anyone and everyone can utilize their services, Senator Vin Gopal today reiterated his strong support for newly introduced legislation that appropriates $37,174,636.71 from the “New Jersey Library Construction Fund” to provide grants for construction, reconstruction, development, extension, improvement, and furnishing of New Jersey's public libraries.

Trenton – In an effort to expand the cultural education of New Jersey students, the Senate advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, which would require school districts to provide instruction on history and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) as part of the implementation of New Jersey student learning standards in social studies.

Gopal, Ruiz Honored as Legislators of the Year at New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Legislative and Business Awards Reception

What is legalization of marijuana if people are not allowed to grow the plant themselves at home?

Back in November of 2020, the people of New Jersey overwhelmingly voted in favor of legalizing the possession and use of marijuana, in addition to allowing the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail marijuana.

In a time when everyone is doing all they can to help in any way, local mom and pop and independent pharmacies are no exception. These pharmacies have been eager to help their communities receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and have taken all of the necessary precautions to help administer the shots to their patients, yet the state has not allotted them the vaccines they need throughout this rollout, and has instead prioritized the big-box stores such as CVS, RiteAid, and Walgreens. Why does New Jersey prioritize corporations over mom-and-pop small-businesses, many in areas nowhere near a vaccine site?

The legislators request Governor Murphy add teachers, support staff and daycare workers to Group 1B for vaccine distribution across the state.

OCEAN TWP - Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey sent letters to Governor Murphy and the Department of Health requesting teachers, school support staff and daycare workers be added to Group 1B for vaccine distribution across the state. Understanding that demand is currently also greater than supply, Gopal, Houghtaling and Downey are also urging the Murphy Administration to begin meeting with school districts to discuss their potential vaccination plans for their employees who wish to receive it between now and this August. Planning now can help get districts ready for full in-person learning and normalcy for September 2021 which will greatly benefit our students, teachers and families.

Indoor restaurant mandates will be clarified following a letter from the 11th Legislative District office regarding concerns from local restaurant owners.

NEPTUNE CITY - After investigating an issue that was reported by a constituent and Councilman David Calhoun, Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey sent a letter through the proper channels regarding concerns and questions from local restaurant owners on certain indoor dining mandates. Governor Murphy has now clarified certain requirements pertaining to restaurants.