TRENTON, NJ — With the budget deadline less than two weeks away, twenty-two Assembly Democrats sent a letter to Speaker Craig Coughlin and Majority Leader Lou Greenwald earlier today urging them to post the Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act for a floor vote before the state budget is adopted. The letter was circulated by prime sponsor Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-27). The legislation would save New Jersey taxpayers and businesses billions of dollars by requiring the world’s largest fossil fuel companies to pay $50 billion over 20 years for the climate damages they caused.

“As you both know, not only as leaders of our caucus but also as prime sponsors and champions of this legislation, we have spent months diligently working to strengthen this bill and ensure that it is practical, effective, and implementable. Throughout this process, we have engaged extensively with legislators across our caucus, listening carefully to concerns and recommendations and incorporating thoughtful changes to improve the legislation,” the letter states.

The landmark legislation would advance Governor Sherrill and Legislative Leaders’ priority to make NJ more affordable.  The letter also cited the broad coalition of support for the legislation, noting that “more than 70 municipalities and local governing bodies throughout the state have passed resolutions and taken formal action in support of this legislation.”

The lawmakers closed by tying the vote to cost relief for residents, writing that advancing the bill now would provide “meaningful relief to New Jersey residents who are increasingly burdened by the costs of climate-related impacts.”

The bill has 44 sponsors and co-sponsors in the Assembly.

Read the full letter here.