After the success of their first Senior Summer Health Q&A on Alzheimer's Disease, Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey have decided to once again partner with the Alzheimer's Association to bring vital information to residents.

On Thursday, Aug. 30, the Assembly Members will host a Senior Health Q&A centered on legal and financial planning for Alzheimer's Disease from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will be held at the Ocean Township Library, located at 701 Deal Road.

To ensure local students have the resources they need for a successful school year, District 11 Legislators Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey are hosting their annual School Supplies Drive.

“Back to school shopping can be a major expense for families who live on a strict budget,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “We want to ensure that every student has the supplies they need to start the year off right. Every child deserves the same chance at a successful school year. We are here to make that happen.”

“No family should have to worry about how they are going to afford the supplies their children need for school,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling. “This initiative provides local students with all of the basics they need for back to school. We are proud to be able to support our local students and we are grateful to everyone who has donated thus far.”

“As children and their parents prepare for the start of the school year, they should be focused on studying, making new friends and making the most out of the new year,” said Assemblywoman Joann Downey. “They should not have to worry about how they are going to be able to get new school supplies. We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with the City of Asbury Park to collect donated school supplies to ensure every child starts the year out right.”

Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey announced at a press conference Wednesday that they will be introducing legislation this coming September designed to alleviate medical debt.

“Medical bills should not consume someone’s life,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “It is only fair that patients are provided with feasible methods to pay off their debt.”

In a continuation of their Senior Summer Series, Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey will host a Free Eye Screening Clinic in August.

The screening will be held Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Freehold Township Senior Center, located at 116 Jackson Mills Road.

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey to designate a school employee as a safety specialist was passed through the Assembly and Senate on Sunday, July 1.

The bill (A3765) would amend current law to allow any employee with safety experience to be designated as a school safety specialist.

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey to help revitalize shuttered military bases in Monmouth County by providing additional liquor licenses was approved Sunday, July 1 by the Senate.

The bill would authorize the issuance of additional alcoholic beverage licenses to a project area in three municipalities where a federally owned or operated military installation is closed and transferred to a government entity for the purpose of conversion, redevelopment, or revitalization.