On behalf of our members and our community the New Jersey LGBTQ Democratic Caucus would like to extend our gratitude and praise to the Assembly and Speaker Coughlin on passing A3162, which would create certain assistance programs for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons, by persons with a disability, and by veterans. With the passage of A3162 the Assembly has sent a clear message that all businesses are welcome and that New Jersey rewards hard work.

Small businesses are the cornerstone of our state’s economy and this bill would allow countless businesses to grow and create jobs. According to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, LGBTQ owned businesses alone contribute $1.7 billion to the US economy every year.

We now call upon Senate President Sweeney and Majority Leader Weinberg to put this bill up for a vote in the next Senate session. With the cost of living and doing business in New Jersey being so high, these small businesses cannot afford to wait any longer.

This bill will put people to work and would foster that entrepreneurial spirit that makes New Jersey great. We look forward to the Senate considering this bill and to Governor Murphy signing it into law.

-Lauren Albrecht, Chair
-David Grant, Vice-Chair