Newsletter

I hope this note finds you well and that you and your family are in good spirits and healthy as the summer gets underway. It has been an extremely busy few weeks here in the 40^th District. We have been hard at work for the residents, and I am excited to let you know what we have been up to.

Let’s start with the State Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Last week, the Democratic majority passed, and Governor Murphy signed their $56.6 billion dollar budget. This spending plan continues their trend of increasing spending and raising taxes. While at the same time, depleting our surplus to pay for it. This budget is 4% higher than last year, and 63% higher than when Governor Murphy took office. The FY25 budget takes $2.1 billion dollars from surplus in order to meet their “priorities.” Perhaps the most disheartening in that again, they loaded the budget with last-minute spending in the amount of an additional $700 million dollars – paid for by “revising revenue projections” and taking money from the “debt defeasance fund.”

Your legislative delegation proposed budget resolutions to provide real relief to our district – for projects that will have long lasting positive impacts on our communities. All our proposals were paid for by offsetting cuts to the budget – that do NOT impact on the services provided to residents. This includes reimbursement to municipalities for their overtime costs relating to the storms of December 2023 and January 2024. Many of our important initiatives like restoration and stabilization of the Passaic and Peckman Rivers, monies for local town public safety projects, libraries, and water treatment facilities have had funding sources identified. These allocations would better the lives of all those who call District 40 home. As we know, a budget is a declaration of one’s priorities and their fiscal plan to achieve them.

As you can see from the chart, this budget is loaded with earmarks that do nothing but help a select few – and this is only a small sampling of the spending. This budget still cuts school aid to over 140 districts totaling roughly $105 million dollars. Aside from cuts to school aid, raising taxes, taking $2.1B from surplus, increasing spending year-over-year, loading up on earmarks, we are cutting $99,000 (that is not a typo; ninety-nine thousand dollars were cut) from Domestic Violence Services and another $1 million dollars from Adoption Assistance Services was cut. If budgets are about priorities and signal to the residents of our state who we are and what we care about, then this budget sends the wrong message. 

On a positive note, we are pleased to report that Hawthorne Public Schools will not be facing the proposed 18% cut in aid and is eligible to apply for a grant amounting to over $390,000 in the coming year thanks to the tireless work of many. I was proud to support a measure in Budget Committee that would allocate nearly $5,000,000 back to our communities, including over $480,000 for Peckman River rehabilitation. Additionally, over $65,000,000 was made available through the state’s Infrastructure Bank allowing our towns like Essex Fells and Ridgewood to finance critical water infrastructure projects.  

Continuing the trend of positivity, I am pleased to announce three projects that have entered the Capital Program Delivery Process for FY2025. The projects are currently in the development stage where data collection and stakeholder input meetings are happening. Site visits by DOT and contract engineers will begin shortly and research and evidence will be gathered to determine the next best steps going forward. Two of these projects would be major roadway and area improvements, including drainage upgrades and stormwater capacity enhancements along Route 23 and Route 46. One project would focus on nearly six miles of roadway, honing in on Alexander Avenue in Wayne, and the other project would concentrate on the area approaching Willowbrook Mall on Route 46. The third project targets making safety improvements along the Route 208 corridor in Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, and Hawthorne with the installation of guide rails and berms to protect residents and property along the highway.

Lastly, in a prior note I promised to work on legislation that would expand access for families and help cover the costs of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). I am pleased to announce I recently introduced A4305 which would provide an income tax deduction for IVF treatment and expenses. This legislation has significant support and has already picked up several cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas or suggestions on legislation you would like to see, or if there is any issue my office can be of assistance to you with, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or (973) 237-1362.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Al Barlas

40th Legislative District 

Since I last wrote to you, our office has been busy writing more legislation that addresses issues right here in our neighborhoods. This includes allocating money for dredging and restoration of the Peckman and Passaic Rivers, restoration of the Walker’s Home and Park Property in North Caldwell, and a commonsense solution to sober living homes mysteriously popping into our neighborhoods without approval.

My number one goal as your legislator is to deliver stellar, professional, and an unparalleled level of constituent services. In the last two months our office has delivered over $21,000 in unemployment and disability claims owed directly to wallets and bank accounts of constituents. We were also able to secure a permit for a resident in less than a week after they heard nothing for nearly four months from the state agency issuing the permit. We were also able to expedite nearly a dozen licenses for various professions and endorsed countless notary applications from every town in the district. Prompt attention to your needs is what public service is about – not floor speeches designed to only self-promote.

During the last voting session, I introduced legislation standing with individuals who relied upon IVF to start a family. Without IVF, the two biggest accomplishments in my lifetime would not be possible – my children. IVF is what made me a father, the highest title one could have. I am working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on legislation that would expand access and help cover the costs of these treatments. In a state of over nine million residents, where we fund many programs with good intentions, we can certainly find the resources necessary to make it a little easier for people to start a family of their own.

We are currently mid-way through our legislative review of Governor Murphy’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. I was appalled to see Hawthorne Public Schools face a reduction of over $850,000. Fully funding our schools so that we can provide the best education possible to every student is of paramount importance to me. I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to restore aid to Hawthorne and the rest of the over a one hundred districts across the state that saw a reduction. As the budget review process concludes and we finalize the FY2025 budget, I will keep you apprised of what is happening.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas or suggestions on legislation you would like to see, or if there is any issue my office can be of assistance to you with, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or (973) 237-1362.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Al Barlas

40th Legislative District 

We’ve read the stories. We’ve seen the videos. We’ve been notified on our security cameras of cars being stolen from our driveways. We’ve seen home break ins while our kids are asleep upstairs. We are tired of it.

These once rare events are becoming daily occurrences in our communities. The largest contributing factor is the failed bail reform policies and guidance from state agencies that have crippled law enforcement’s ability to keep our towns safe and severely handcuffed our police from being able to prevent these criminals from engaging in the same brazen acts again.

Our legislative delegation has maintained that providing law enforcement with all the necessary tools to effectively keep our communities safe is of paramount importance to us as legislators. Senator Corrado, Assemblyman DePhillips and I believe if we are going to improve the quality of life for our district, we must give the men and women of law enforcement all the tools necessary to do their jobs.

We have supported efforts by towns in our district to obtain license plate readers to help track stolen vehicles a they move through towns and remove any threat of civil liability on police officers for engaging in conduct determined to be appropriate to do their jobs. We recently introduced legislation to make it tougher on criminals who commit certain crimes.

If you want to help deter car thefts and home burglaries, then criminals need to know they will be held accountable for committing these crimes.

Here are two bills recently introduced that do just that:

A2215/S947: Increases degree of crime for unlawful taking of motor vehicle

• UPGRADES to a third-degree crime the unlawful taking, operation, or exercise of control over a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner.
• This would now be punishable by THREE to FIVE YEARS IN PRISON and a fine of up to $15,000 or BOTH
• UPGRADES to a second degree crime for any person to take, operate, or exercise control over a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner that creates a risk of injury to any person or a risk of damage to property.
• This would be punishable by FIVE to TEN YEARS IN PRISON and a fine of up to $150,000 or BOTH.

A3587/S892: Upgrades burglary of residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense

• UPGRADES penalty for unlawfully entering a person’s home, whether anyone is home or not, to a second degree crime.
• This would be punishable by FIVE to TEN YEARS IN PRISON and a fine up to $150,000 or BOTH
• PROHIBITS parole if someone was home during time of burglary – REQUIRES 85% of sentence of imprisonment to be served BEFORE criminal is eligible for parole.

Actions need to have consequences. As we move further into the legislative session, I will advocate for the passage of these bills and support any legislation that makes our communities safer.

I encourage you to visit the recently updated albarlas.com to find all of my press, social media and updates all on one site.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas or suggestions on legislation you would like to see, or if there is any issue my office can be of assistance to you with, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or (973) 237-1362.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Al Barlas

40th Legislative District 

Touring the MVC’s Mobile Unit with Cedar Grove Township Manager, Joe Zichelli.

A productive discussion with mayors and officials from all municipalities across the district.

Taken after speaking at the New Jersey Muslim Law Association’s Muslim Heritage Month event.

Surprising Senator Kristin Corrado with Assemblyman Chris DePhillips with a proclamation for being presented the Mayor Sam Cherba Award from the Borough of Totowa Library Foundation.

Cutting the ribbon on Dervish Turkish Restaurant in Cedar Grove with Senator Corrado, Deputy Mayor Skabich, and Councilman Zazzali.

Touring Red Ribbon Academy, a center for developmentally disabled adults, operated by Community Options in Wayne.

EMS Council of NJ Installation of Officers event in Verona with Senator Corrado and President Paula Weiler.

Taken after touring Verona’s Police Department with Senator Corrado and Assemblyman DePhillips. 

Cutting the ribbon in Totowa at NRESC Second Home Day Habilitation Center with Senator Corrado.

Al Barlas Takes General Assembly Oath of Office

On Tuesday, January 9th all 80 members of the General Assembly were sworn in to begin the 221st Legislative Session – with 27 new members. I swore my oath of office to the General Assembly, on the Quran my grandmother gave my mother 44 years ago when my parents got married, as my wife, kids, mom and sister stood by my side. 

Life presents opportunities that you never expect. My parents brought me to this country when I was 4 years old with nothing but 4 suitcases and $500 to their name for a better life and opportunities that wouldn’t have been otherwise available to me. I believe it is incumbent upon me, given the sacrifices my parents made for me, and my younger sister, that I step forward and do my part to make our state a better place than it is today.

During the 2023 campaign, along with my running mates, Kristin Corrado and Christopher DePhillips, we pledged to the residents of the 40th Legislative District that we would be their voice for issues in Trenton. Championing policies that will restore fiscal stability, reduce spending, cut taxes, ensure every child receives a high-quality education, support efforts to make our communities safer, and help grow our economy to create jobs for our residents. Representing a legislative district with over 230,000 residents that spans three counties and 15 municipalities means that we have our work cut out for us to ensure we are always responsive to the needs of our communities. 

The faith voters placed in me is not something I take for granted. That trust calls for a level of dedication and commitment that I will work every day to fulfill.

In the coming weeks you will hear more about legislative initiatives that I am sponsoring. In the meantime, should my office be able to assist you with any questions or issues, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or (973) 237-1362.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Al Barlas

40th Legislative District

(L-R) Assemblyman Al Barlas, Senator Kristin Corrado, Assemblyman Chris DePhillips.

Assemblyman Al Barlas, Son Kamran, and Daughter Naila at his desk on the floor of the General Assembly.

Assemblyman-elect Barlas signing his oath of office.

Al with his sister.

 Al with his mother.

Al, his wife Sukaina, daughter Naila, and son Kamran.