TRENTON, July 1 — Lead-Free NJ Co-Chairs Rashan Prailow and Debbie Mans released the following statement on the FY2023 state budget:

Lead-Free New Jersey and our partners are happy to report that Governor Murphy just signed the FY2023 state budget and allocated $170 million dollars for home lead paint remediation. Thank you to Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature for prioritizing this important need and funding the crucial work of keeping New Jersey’s children safe from lead paint. This budget allocation reaffirms the Administration’s and the Legislature’s commitment to removing the danger of lead paint from New Jersey homes once and for all.

Additionally, the budget allocated $300 million dollars to fund water infrastructure. While we wait to see what specific projects these funds support, we are eager to have this administration and the state legislature fund the existing mandate for lead service line replacement, especially in overburdened communities, which are disproportionately affected by the lead crisis.

With this budget, New Jersey is moving closer to a reality where no child will suffer the toxic effects of lead, whether in the paint in their home, or in the water they drink.