Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) on Wednesday questioned the intention behind the Christie administration’s proposed transfer of the Division of Women from the Department of Community Affairs to the Department of Children and Families after an Assembly Budget Committee hearing on the matter.
“This proposal seems to be part of a continuing pattern with this administration where we are left with more questions than answers and that’s very concerning.
“It’s hard to discern what the true intention behind this transfer is. Is it merely structural or will there be a programmatic shift?
“Will critical women’s issues continue to be addressed, particularly when it comes to domestic violence? Based on the administration’s spending proposals there appears to be little to no emphasis on funding domestic violence programs.
“Given the Governor’s track record on women’s issues, this shift naturally raises some alarms. It’s imperative that the administration be more forthcoming on the nature of this division transfer,” said Watson Coleman.