Young Democrats Show Support for A500 at a Press Conference on the Steps of the State House in Trenton

By jcaliendo

Press Release

June 17, 2008

For Immediate Publication

Young Democrats Show Support for A500 at a Press Conference on the Steps of the State House in Trenton

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ) — The Monmouth County Bayshore young Democrats attended a press conference on the steps of the State House in Trenton at 11:30AM on June 16, 2008.

The press conference was held in support of Speaker Joe Roberts Bill A500 which was voted on later that same day.

The bill passed the assembly and is on its way to the senate where it will likely pass and be signed by Governor John Corzine.

The bill eliminates the use of Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs) which allows wealthier communities to pay to get rid of up to half of their affordable housing obligation under the Commission on Affordable Housing (COHA) rules.

“It has been a long debate on whether the practice of using RCAs should be allowed” Matthew Morehead, Chairman of the Monmouth County Bayshore Young Democrats, said, “RCAs were intended to give leeway to communities to fulfill their obligation in a way that was sensitive to the environment of their town”.

“Wealthy Communities have abused the use of RCAs turning it instead into a means of economic segregation,” Morehead said, “It is sad to see that in the year 2008 people like Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger and Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill have made themselves the champions for abolishing COAH altogether”.

“Their idea of survival of the wealthiest will only end up hurting the future of Middletown and push out many young residents that grew up here as well as many seniors that have lived there whole lives here as well,” Morehead concluded.

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JCALIENDO can be reached via email at joe_caliendo@yahoo.com.

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