Scroll Top

Mosquera: Gov. Christie Again Shows Indifference to Low-Income Families with Veto of "Heat & Eat" Bill

(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester) issued the following statement Thursday on Gov. Christie’s veto of legislation she sponsored to ensure low-income New Jersey residents have access to heat and healthy meals.

The bill (A-1210) would have required the state to comply with federal minimum heating assistance contribution requirements in an effort to prevent 160,000 New Jersey households from losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It was part of a comprehensive effort by Assembly Democrats to lift people out of poverty and rebuild New Jersey’s middle-class.


“The governor has once again turned his back on the people who need our help the most.
“This bill would have ensured families in New Jersey struggling to make ends meet had access to the bare essentials – food on the table and safe, warm homes. While it may seem inconceivable for the governor, having to choose between heat and food is a real dilemma for many families in this state.
“While most other states affected by this made the necessary changes to ensure their residents continued to receive the help they needed, our governor has done the opposite.
“The governor often talks a good talk about addressing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable residents. Many of the residents affected by the governor’s veto are children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Either the governor does not understand the meaning of vulnerable, or he simply doesn’t care.”