New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver dies after being hospitalized for medical issue
NEW JERSEY POLITICS
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver dies after being hospitalized for medical issue
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Tuesday, August 1, 2023 11:33PM
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver dies after medical issue
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, died Tuesday. She was 71.
TRENTON, New Jersey – Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who rose to become one of New Jersey's most prominent Black leaders and passionately advocated for revitalizing cities and against gun violence, died Tuesday after a sudden illness. She was 71.
No cause of death was given, according to a statement from her family issued by Gov. Phil Murphy 's office. Oliver was serving as acting governor while Murphy and his family are on vacation in Italy. His office said she had been hospitalized on Monday.
Murphy said he and his family are distraught at the news. Naming Oliver as his lieutenant governor was, he said, "the best decision I ever made."
Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ty6drz7DgY
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 1, 2023
She was the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey, winning the vote alongside Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021. She was a well-known figure in state government, and made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black woman to lead the state Assembly.
In contrast to her predecessor, who rarely appeared alongside Gov. Chris Christie, Oliver regularly stood at Murphy's side and signed several bills into law while serving as acting governor.
She was a compelling public speaker and frequent attendee at Murphy's bill signings and other events, where he typically introduced her as his "rocking" lieutenant governor.
In 2021 while unveiling tighter gun legislation alongside Murphy, Oliver's voice cracked as she lamented the gun violence that disproportionately affected cities in the state and lamented what she suggested was runaway gun violence.
"We are tired of funerals and memorials," Oliver said. "Growing up in Newark, I tell young people I could go to any section of this city by myself or with my friends. Our young people cannot do that today."
Statement from Lieutenant Governor Oliver’s Family. pic.twitter.com/ww2nH7J6F3
— New Jersey (@NJGov) August 1, 2023
In 2021, she signed a bill that established a pilot program to overhaul the state's juvenile justice system in four cities and which aimed to reintegrate young people into their communities. Another measure she signed in 2021 revived a defunct fund for "urban enterprise zones" aimed driving economic development in cities through lower sales tax rates.
In addition to serving as Murphy's top deputy, stepping in while he was out of the state, she also oversaw the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and supervises code enforcement
'This is devastating news'
Her sudden illness and death stunned officials.
(Continued at link)
https://6abc.com/new-jersey-lieutenant-governor-sheila-oliver-dies-nj-lt-gov-passes-away-phil-murphy/13582425/