This Thursday, the Assembly will be voting on their version of S-2573. Here is a sample email you can copy and paste. Go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#6 and email NOT only your assembly persons, but EVERY single Assembly member. SUBJECT LINE: A VERY important vote this week in the NJ Assemble to assist college student loan borrowers Dear _______, I know times are busy, but as a resident of New Jersey, I want to make you aware of a VERY important vote in the New Jersey Assembly this Thursday, October 27th, regarding a bill that will help students who have borrowed money from the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) under their NJ Class Loan program. This bill has had "strong bipartisan" support in the NJ Legislature (please see bottom of email). The fact that the New Jersey Legislature took such quick action in response to some VERY negative press is encouraging to me, and restores my faith in government and the role that "grassroots action" and journalism can play in shedding light on problems in government. NOTE: Below is a summary of the transgressions with HESAA. But, just cut and paste the following (add some wording if you would like) As a resident of New Jersey, I strongly encourage you to vote YES for Senate Bill No. 2573 "as Amended" that recently was approved by the NJ Senate, with strong bipartisan support. Below is a summary of the actions taken on behalf of HESAA NJClass Borrowers: A) A NJ resident, Deborah Carney-Gumpper has been fighting this fight for over four years to get the State of New Jersey to amend their loan program to offer loan rehabilitation similar to what is offered by the Federal Government. B) This Spring, Annie Waldman of ProPublica (an independent, non-profit involved in investigative journalism in the public interest) undertook an investigation regarding the numerous complaints regarding NJ HESAA's loan practices. On July 4th a "highly critical" article was published on the "FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES" (online link below). This article snowballed into numerous articles in the New Jersey press, and the New Jersey Legislature began holding hearings on this issue on August 8. LINK TO NY TIMES ARTICLE: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/nyregion/in-new-jersey-student-loan-program-even-death-may-not-bring-a-reprieve.html?_r=0 C) The NJ Legislature acted quickly to pass a bill to correct the serious concerns regarding "death and disability" that had no protections previously. D) On September 15, the NJ Assembly introduced a a bill (Assembly, No. 4084) that proposed providing loan rehabilitation AND income-based loan repayments in line with what the Federal Government. E) On September 26, the NJ Senate introduced IDENTICAL legislation (Sentate, No 2573). F) On September 29, the Senate Higher Education Committee voted YEA "strongly bipartisan" (4 Yea - 1 "no vote"). G) On October 13, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee also voted YEA "ALSO strongly bipartisan" (10 Yea - 3 "no vote"). NOTE: The bill was "amended" to strengthen the legislation to benefit student borrowers and to cut HESAA off from abusing borrowers during rehab process. F) Last Thursday, the NJ Senate voted "strongly bipartisan" (29-3). G) This week, Thursday, October 27th there is a hearing scheduled for 10 AM with the NJ Assembly Higher Education Committee, and after their review/approval the bill will go to the NJ Assembly for a vote. H) The governor then has 45 days to either sign, veto, or take no action. If he takes no action, the bill automatically becomes law. Thanks for your time and consideration!!! Please feel free to share this information with your fellow NJ residents and have all of your New Jersey friends and family also send in their email. THIS IS THE WEEK WE NEED TO STAND TOGETHER AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD. If you have any questions, please email me at debnbill526@comcast.net