Booker Hosts Roundtable with NJ Parents, Educators to Discuss Rising Costs Under Trump This Back-to-School Season Ahead of Budget Fight

NEWARK, N.J. - This morning, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) hosted a roundtable discussion with New Jersey parents and educators to discuss the rising cost of living under President Trump as back to school season begins, and as the Senate prepares to consider the Republicans' budget proposal.

The event follows Senator Booker's recent discussion about the upcoming budget fight on NBC's Meet The Press, where Senator Booker stated "I'm not giving away my vote for a budget that hurts New Jerseyans or anybody in our nation."

From Senator Booker: "As children go back to school, the teachers and parents I met with made clear how so many are facing higher costs and greater hardships on everything from their school supplies to the groceries they need to pack their kids' lunch. The stories I heard today are an indictment of the Trump administration's failure of leadership and misguided priorities. As Republicans prepare to put forward their budget in the Senate, the challenges I heard about from New Jerseyans only reinforced my belief that this is an urgent moment. My commitment to the people of New Jersey is that I will not give away my vote for a budget that continues hurting our state and fails to address the economic realities facing working families across the country. As we enter this tense negotiation period over the nation's budget in Washington, I will be carrying the stories that I heard today and from so many others in recent months."

"I look forward to working with Sen. Booker and other leaders to build an economy that works for everyone, not just a fortunate few," said NJEA President Steve Beatty. "The federal government's priorities are not the priorities of New Jersey families. Instead of dismantling the Department of Education and cruelly cutting off funds for our schools and communities, we need a budget that makes sure New Jersey students and families have every resource they need and every opportunity they deserve."

"La Casa de Don Pedro would like to thank Senator Booker for returning to his old stomping grounds here in Newark, NJ to discuss the important issues we're facing in our country today. We truly appreciate Senator Booker including us in these difficult conversations surrounding tariffs, budget cuts, and rising costs which are making it more challenging than ever for our communities to properly educate and prepare their children for the future. His solidarity in this matter is critical to those we serve," said Peter T. Rosario, President & CEO, La Casa de Don Pedro.

"In times when public education is under attack-through funding cuts, political agendas, and attempts to silence equity-our advocacy becomes not just about schools, but about defending democracy itself," said Chantal Rivers-Jasey, Educator, Roselle Borough Public Schools.