Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, vice-chair of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, issued the following statement on Tuesday regarding the unanimous decision of the New Jersey Supreme Court to direct disputes over Mount Laurel doctrine requirements to the judiciary rather than the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing:
“New Jersey leads the nation in people leaving the state, and our staggering housing costs often play a major role in that decision. Today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the notion that wealth should not be a prerequisite for living in New Jersey,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris).
“What’s disheartening, however, is that this ruling further underscores the Christie administration’s repeated failure to make everyday middle-class families a priority in our state. New Jersey has one of the highest costs of living in the entire nation, making it near impossible for many of our teachers and nurses to make ends meet. That’s why we sent the governor legislation outlining a practical approach to housing, and that’s why it was so disappointing to see it vetoed.
“While it would have been ideal for the governor and the legislature to reach a consensus instead of turning to the courts, any step toward the justice promised in the Mount Laurel doctrine is good for our state. We will continue to evaluate the decision in hopes that it will help deliver the results that New Jersey residents deserve.”