Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Cite More Evidence Murphy’s Priorities are Backwards

Efforts to Make Violent Predators a Protected Class is an Abuse of Law-Abiding Citizens

The 10th District Legislators reacted vehemently to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights’ advocacy for further eroding the rights of law-abiding New Jersey residents.

Testifying during an Assembly Housing Committee meeting this week, representatives of the civil rights division (DCR) argued that convicted criminals, including violent offenders, should be a protected class under the law.

“The Murphy Administration continues to treat our state citizens with disdain,” said Senator James Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin and Assemblyman John Catalano in a statement. “This is more of the same from the Trenton leadership’s left-leaning playbook and the ongoing effort to force New Jersey down the path to socialism paved by California’s progressive philosophy.

“Murphy and his cronies continue to treat hard-working families and life-long residents like nothing more than ATM machines full of cash to fund radical initiatives. Violent criminals, rapists and murderers have government spokespeople, paid with taxpayer money pleading for their cause, without a word of support for the majority of the residents who live their lives to do the right things,” the lawmakers continued.

DCR pressed the Assembly committee for misguided protections for violent felons that would prevent landlords from refusing to rent to them based on their criminal history.

“Crime victims don’t have the same backing from Trenton. It is time for Murphy and the Democrats to prioritize the needs and interests of those who make New Jersey a great state. People need help mitigating the financial, educational and emotional impacts of the pandemic. That should come before everything else,” the legislators said.