What New Jersey’s Elections Mean for the Delaware River Watershed
By Drew Tompkins, Policy Manager, NJ Audubon; Rebecca Hilbert, Policy Assistant, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters; Rita Yelda, Outreach & Communications Manager, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
CDRW’s 2018 New Jersey clean water education day at the statehouse in Trenton, NJ
Protecting our water starts with sound legislation and policies that are supported by state and federal legislators. In New Jersey – there’s a lot on the line. Over 1.9 million residents get their drinking water from the Delaware River Watershed, not including the 670,000 people who receive water from the Delaware and Raritan diversion. The Delaware River Watershed provides water to residents, farmers, businesses, and industry; and supports 823,294 jobs in New Jersey, earning $38.1 billion in wages for employees. New Jersey’s November elections for Assembly and Senate has created a shifting political landscape for the state, which could impact policy priorities for the Delaware River Watershed.
Coalition members meet with state legislators in Trenton, NJ in 2018
After Democrats consistently expanded their majorities in both houses during the last decade, the election has ushered a significant win for Republicans. In districts 8, 21, and 25, Democrats looked to continue to expand further into traditional Republican, suburban areas that have become increasingly ‘blue’ since the election of President Trump. But in these districts, the Republicans, including Assembly Minority Leader Bramnick, were able to retain all six assembly seats.
Additionally, Republicans will pick up 2 new Assembly seats in Legislative District 1, which encompasses Cape May and Cumberland Counties. These areas had historically been held by Republicans but have been controlled by Democrats in recent years, while also voting overwhelmingly for President Trump. The Republicans also picked up a Senate seat in district Legislative District 1 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Even with Republicans picking up new seats, Democrats held large majorities in both houses and therefore will continue to control the Assembly by a 52-28 majority and the Senate by a 24-16 majority.
With the change in leadership in Legislative District 1, which covers the Delaware Bay, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and its member organizations will need to build relationships to educate the new Member of Congress and their staff about the importance of our waterways. The newly elected Republican in Burlington County, district 8, Jean Stanfield, has replaced current Assemblyman Joe Howarth. Although not a change in the party representing the district, any new member creates an opportunity for education about key priorities.
The Delaware River and its tributaries in New Jersey--including the Cooper, Musconetcong, and Maurice Rivers-- continue to face over-development, habitat loss, polluted runoff, flooding and stream erosion, and other threats. We need strong leadership from our New Jersey state leaders to combat these threats and secure the future of our state for people, wildlife, and the economy. The time has never been more urgent for state leadership to protect our natural resources and all the benefits they provide.
Coalition members meet with freshman Congressman Delgado in early 2019
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed’s state lead organization, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, is organizing a clean water education day for December 16, 2019 as an opportunity to continue to reach the current legislature before next year’s changes.
During this legislative session, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters accomplished four of their legislative priorities: putting New Jersey on the path to 50% clean, renewable energy by 2030; allowing municipalities to use stormwater utilities to better manage flooding and protect waterways from polluted runoff; securing permanent funding for open space, preserved farmland, and historic preservation; and updating the Global Warming Response Act that requires regulation of economy-wide emissions.
Despite these successes, there's still a lot of work still to be done. With new legislators taking the reigns in 2020, we have a huge opportunity to advocate and educate for the health and future of the Delaware River Watershed.