U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, center, speaks at a daycare center in West Orange. Asbury Park Mayor John Moor is on the left and West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney is on the right.
WEST ORANGE — Mayor Susan McCartney hosted U.S. Congressman and Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Gottheimer last week at her daycare center where he rolled out his “Lower Costs Plan.”
“We are here at a child care center because, in my opinion, there is nothing more important,” Gottheimer said. “And child care is just too expensive.”
McCartney, who has endorsed Gottheimer, hosted him at First Mountain Preschool, which she operates. Council member Michelle Casalino was also on hand as was former council president Tammy Williams and Asbury Park Mayor John Moor.
“I appreciate that he is trying to help families have affordable child care,” McCartney said.
There are six Democrats seeking the governor’s office: State Senate President Steve Sweeney, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and Gottheimer.
On the Republican side, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former state Sen. Ed Durr, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and former radio host Bill Spadea are seeking the office.
Moor said he supports Gottheimer and has endorsed him in the race for governor. “I talked to him, he impressed me.”
At the First Mountain Preschool event hosted by McCartney, Gottheimer gave a speech to a group of reporters, going into some detail about his “Lower Costs Plan for New Jersey.”
“The cost of living is skyrocketing and families are barely making ends meet,” Gottheimer said. “People are struggling. It’s turning the Garden State into the price gouging state.”
The Lower Costs Plan for New Jersey focuses on five areas that he feels need to be addressed:
1) Lower the cost of childcare by cutting taxes for families caring for children or parents; double the child tax credit; deliver universal pre-K; make school breakfast and lunch universal.
2) Lower Utility bills using an “all of the above” strategy to produce more energy in the state; invest in energy infrastructure.
3) Lower the cost of housing by cutting taxes for homeowners and renters; build more homes, particularly near mass transit and by using abandoned office parks; and make it easier for developers to build.
4) Lower the cost of healthcare through better care, lower drug prices, meeting the needs of seniors, addressing mental health needs. He would also address the opioid epidemic, promote health equity and defend reproductive rights.
5) Lower the price of food by expanding in state production and by “going after meat processor monopolies.”
Gottheimer said the number one issue people talk to him about is taxes and he is the only candidate with a detailed plan to lower taxes.
“My tax cut plan will incentivize people to come to New Jersey and if you look at my plan you’ll see it’s paid for,” he said.
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