We all know the saying: “There’s no Republican or Democratic pothole.” Today, the same is true for floods and heat waves — they don’t care about party lines. Every community in New Jersey — from our cities to our shore towns — is paying the price for worsening storms and extreme heat.

Right now, we are footing 100% of the clean-up costs, driving up property taxes, insurance premiums, and utility bills. These growing expenses are making New Jersey increasingly unaffordable for families, retirees, and businesses alike.

This summer, from Plainfield to Lakewood to Atlantic City, police and firefighters rescued drivers from flooded roads as our local streets and highways turned into rivers. Businesses closed, power went out, and beaches eroded. After the water receded, residents, local governments, and utilities were left with the expensive work of clearing debris, repairing infrastructure, and restoring services.

If we’re serious about making New Jersey more affordable, it’s time for a fiscally responsible, common-sense solution that stops forcing taxpayers and ratepayers to shoulder the entire cleanup bill.