Accomplishments and Issues
BettyLou DeCroce has achieved a great deal on behalf of the people of New Jersey.
Prior to serving in the New Jersey State Legislature, DeCroce served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in Governor Chris Christie’s Administration, where she authored the Best Practices for Municipalities, which became a statewide model for identifying efficiencies in local government for reducing property taxes. She also served as an elected and appointed official in local government, giving her a unique understanding of how government operations effect individuals.
In her last term in the NJ General Assembly, BettyLou DeCroce was assigned to the following committees:
- Public Schools Committee
- Aging and Senior Services Committee
- Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
- Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
- Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee
While a member of the General Assembly, BettyLou fought for many worthy causes and sponsored important pieces of legislation that are helping State residents today.
Helping Wounded Veterans
As an Assemblywoman, BettyLou DeCroce sponsored the bill that increased annual payments to blind and disabled veterans. The bill was signed into law in 2021.
Under the bill, service members in programs for blind and paralyzed veterans would receive an annual assistance increase to $1,800 from $750.
DeCroce noted that the money paid to disabled veterans had not changed in 40 to 50 years.
To further help the disabled, DeCroce’s official Assembly website was fully accessible to the disabled.
Lowering Prescription Costs
DeCroce tackled prescription prices with legislation signed into law that required pharmacy benefit managers working within the Medicaid program to disclose certain financial information to the NJ Department of Human Services.
DeCroce argued greater financial transparency was needed to lower Medicaid costs for taxpayers and prescription drug prices for beneficiaries.
Pharmacy benefits managers providing services within the Medicaid program must now disclose all sources and amounts of income; payments and financial benefits received on behalf of a managed care organization (also known as a health plan); ingredient costs and dispensing fees or similar payments made to pharmacies; and administrative fees.
BettyLou DeCroce Fighting Sexual Harassment
N.J. Assemblywoman: Murphy must break the silence on sexual misconduct during his campaign | Opinion
Published: Oct. 12, 2018
Read the article: It's time for Murphy to break his silence...
Fighting for Crime Victims
BettyLou sponsored the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights, or Alex DeCroce’s Law, which enhances crime victims’ rights. The law provides protection for victims from harassment and abuse; increases victims’ access to medical assistance; keeps them informed of the progress of court proceedings; and gives victims’ impact statements greater consideration.
Protecting Residents During Natural Disasters
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation, BettyLou introduced “The New Jersey Residents Power Protection Act,” which requires vital facilities such as gas stations, rescue squads and nursing homes to have back-up generators in an emergency. The legislation also provided a tax deduction of up to $10,000 for businesses to obtain natural gas generators.
She also sponsored legislation that allows a retailer to sell a supply of higher grade motor fuel at the same price as the lowest grade during an emergency.
BettyLou DeCroce Fighting for Fair School Funding and Spending Accountability
BettyLou DeCroce has been one of the first and most persistent critics of the way New Jersey school funding is allocated and how districts spend the taxpayers' money. She will continue her fight for fair school funding for suburban school districts when she returns to Trenton.
Murphy’s school aid increases will not help property taxes | Opinion
Published: May 31, 2018
Read the article: Murphy’s school aid increases will not help property taxes
Affordable Housing
The state’s affordable housing mandates are creating a tremendous burden on communities and taxpayers — and not making housing any more affordable in New Jersey. The state’s mandates have resulted in overdevelopment that increases congestion and costs for service — while destroying open space. One of biggest barriers to affordable housing is New Jerseys pernicious property tax burden that puts home ownership out of reach of many people. But State Democrats will not stop spending and raising taxes. With tens of thousands of affordable units already built and some advocates calling for more than 150,000 additional units, you have to question what kind of state will be living in before long.
