Upendra on the Issues

Assemblyman Chivukula has a strong record of public service and is a man of true accomplishment. Select the link to view details on some key issues which he sees as vital to our nation’s future.

• Education
• Environment
• Healthcare
• Economic Growth
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Immigration

Education

Upendra believes that education allows us to achieve their goals and reach our full potential. He explains that “we want to make sure that our children are able compete in the global marketplace.” Education has helped Upendra become both an engineer and a legislator, and he is committed to ensuring that all children can experience the American Dream.

Upendra supports strengthening our public schools through smaller class sizes and investing in teacher training. He will continue his fight for K-12 and higher education funding. His experience working closely with community schools and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, allow him to understand the challenging demands of tomorrow.

Environment

Clean air and water are cornerstones of Upendra’s ideals. As husband and father, Upendra understands that our children must grow up in a safe and healthy environment.

As a New Jersey Assemblyman and former Franklin Township Mayor, Upendra has shown his commitment to open space and preservation. Franklin Township alone has preserved over 2,225 acres of open space and is home to part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State park. The Township was recently named the 5th best place to live in America due to its policy of open space.

Upendra also supports The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is a regulatory program in the United States aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and more specifically reducing CO₂ emissions 10% by the year 2018. This bill was passed by ten New England and Mid-Atlantic states, although on May 26, 2011 Governor Christie decided to withdraw New Jersey from the greenhouse pact. A move Assemblymen Chivukula proclaimed to be, "A reckless endangerment to the environment; [and] a regressive and misguided move that impedes decades of progress towards a responsible energy future."

Healthcare

Upendra will continue his fight to ensure that doctors are allowed to exercise their medical judgment free from interference from insurance companies or HMOs. Our health is a top priority for Upendra, who has the experience to back it up. His legislative district includes New Brunswick, NJ, “the Healthcare City”, home of the world headquarters of Johnson & Johnson, a medical school, and two major hospitals.

Economic Growth

Our nation's infrastructure, from the roads we drive on, to the bridge and dams which bring us together, must be safe. Upendra supports creating jobs to ensure that our infrastructure is safe and secure. He believes in providing incentives for businesses to conduct Research and Development (R&D), including renewing the Research and Development Tax Credit, and increasing the federal government's investment in R&D.

He has been a leader in the fight for energy efficiency, and believes in increasing funding to provide for systems which use less energy and money. He supports energy improvements such as Smart Power Grids to save power and money, and renewable energy programs including wind and solar.

Fiscal Responsibility

Upendra is fiscally responsible and will use his status as a Washington outsider to help cut waste and balance our nation’s budget. Upendra believes in honoring the promises made to Americans by ensuring the financial health of Social Security, Medicare, and the Veteran’s health care system. He understands that New Jersey families and small businesses need relief by limiting the estate tax.

Serving as Mayor and a Councilman of Franklin Township, Upendra oversaw years of stable taxation and increased economic prosperity. He will bring his years of experience as a legislator to improve our nation’s financial health.

Immigration

When Upendra immigrated to the United States, he sought a better life. Now, he seeks a better life for all Americans. As Congressman, Chivukula will use his expertise to craft immigration policy which works and push for immigration reform.