TRENTON, N.J. — On the second day of fall, Acting Gov. Tahesha Way is set Wednesday morning to sign legislation (A5563) passed June 30 that bars utilities from shutting off electric, sewer or water service between June 15 and Aug. 31.

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-Ocean) said Democrats once again left the state’s most vulnerable waiting for help.

“It’s laughable and insulting that Democrats are touting this ‘summer shutoff protection’ as if it’s relief, but they waited until fall to get it done,” Sauickie said. “They chase headlines, but they don’t deliver. While constituents struggle with skyrocketing electric bills, Democrats drag their feet.”

Sauickie abstained on the bill because it failed to provide immediate relief, which he had pressed for before lawmakers left Trenton at the end of June.

“Relief cannot wait for tomorrow,” he said. “People are getting higher bills right now. We needed a plan that starts today, not months from now. If Democrats truly cared, they would have done that.”

Before the summer recess, Sauickie pushed a five-part plan to ease costs for ratepayers, including eliminating the sales tax on energy consumption, repealing the energy conservation penalty and the inclining block rate system, giving consumers stronger access to third-party supplier data, and cutting costs tied to state mandates.

“These are concrete, near-term steps Democrats refused to pursue,” Sauickie said. “Instead of acting when people are hurting, they look only for PR moments.”

“In New Jersey, we hear over and over that ‘help is coming,’ but it’s always too late,” he added. “Democrats control the agenda and the timing, and year after year, it’s our seniors and the most vulnerable who pay the price.”