CNBNews

Gloucester Township, New Jersey) - Amanda Esposito and Gerard “Jerry” McManus, Republican candidates for New Jersey’s 4th Legislative District, issued a joint statement today condemning the New Jersey Democrats’ plan, backed by Assemblymen Dan Hutchison (D-4) and Cody Miller (D-4), to provide a $100 bill credit to ratepayers as a woefully inadequate response to the state’s escalating energy cost crisis. The candidates argue that this one-time relief, announced by Governor Phil Murphy and Democratic leadership, including Hutchison and Miller, fails to address the root causes of skyrocketing electric bills, which they attribute to flawed state energy policies championed by the Democratic incumbents. 

“Families in the 4th District are being crushed by a 17-20% rate hike, and Assemblymen Hutchison and Miller think a $100 credit is enough? It’s a Band-Aid on a crisis they helped create,” said Amanda Esposito. “Their support for aggressive electrification and the closure of reliable power plants has gutted our energy supply, leaving us at the mercy of mismanaged PJM Interconnection, LLC auctions. PJM, the regional grip operator managing electricity transmission across 13 states including New Jersey, has driven up costs through inefficiencies and capacity market failures. This is too little, too late.” 

Gerard “Jerry” McManus echoed the criticism, blasting Hutchison and Miller for prioritizing short-term relief over systemic reform. “The Murphy administration, with the backing of Hutchison and Miller, has driven up costs through clean energy mandates while renewable projects like offshore wind remain stalled. 4th District ratepayers deserve real solutions, like eliminating the sales tax on utilities or expanding natural gas production, not a one-time $100 handout that barely covers a month’s increase,” he stated.

The candidates pointed to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ approval of significant rate increases, effective June 2025, as evidence of policy failures under Democratic leadership, including Hutchison and Miller’s tenure. They cite plant closures, delayed grid connections, and overreliance on volatile regional markets as key drivers of unaffordable bills.

Esposito and McManus called for immediate action, including:

• Tax Relief: Eliminating the 7% sales tax on utility bills to provide ongoing savings.
• Energy Diversification: Expanding in-state natural gas and nuclear capacity to stabilize supply.
• Regulatory Reform: Holding PJM’s accountable & reevaluating state policies that prioritize ideology over affordability.

“As candidates for the 4th Legislative District, we stand with families struggling under these bills,” said McManus.
“Hutchison and Miller have supported policies that caused this crisis, and it’s time they stop deflecting and deliver real relief.”

To learn more about Esposito & McManus for Assembly visit www.itsaboutyouLD4.com.