Hosted by the Southern New Jersey Development Council’s Government Affairs Committee, a crowd of business, education, and labor leaders gathered in Careme's Restuarant at Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing to learn more about the policy priorities of the District 1 & 2 Legislators.
Glenn Davila, Chairman of the SNJDC, welcomed the attendees and recognized the event sponsors and elected officials in attendance before turning things over to Dr. Barbara Gaba, President of Atlantic Cape Community College, who welcomed attendees to the Mays Landing campus and its student run restaurant Carême’s. Dr. Gaba noted how Atlantic Cape Community College has partnered with over 20 high schools throughout Atlantic & Cape May Counties resulting in 55 students graduating High School with a diploma as well as an Associates Degree.
Marshall Spevak, Co-chair of the Government Affairs Committee and current CEO of the USS Battleship NJ, served as program moderator and introduced each of the Legislators. The panel of speakers included Assemblywoman Claire Swift and Assemblyman Don Guardian from the LD2, along with Assemblyman Antwan McClellan and Senator Michael Testa from LD 1.
Assemblywoman Swift highlighted her work on the expansion of a childcare tax credit to assist working families. Assemblyman Guardian meanwhile spoke of the high cost to work and do business within NJ and the need to work across the aisle to solve the problem – and made it a point that the CBT is not the answer and glad to see it sunset.
Assemblyman McClellan gave remarks on the various ways he is fighting to improve and represent the “real” South Jersey. Senator Testa discussed how the community college system is crucial for the post-covid economy to fully recover. While mentioning an initiative he and Senator Polistina will be undertaking to connect the workforce of Cumberland County with well-paying jobs in Atlantic City, he paused to touch on how the state is heading towards a “fiscal cliff” now that the COVID funds are no more.
Gina Sullivan, of ELEC 825 and Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, moderated an audience Q&A and closed out the event.
Photography and videography courtesy of Stokes Creative Group!