Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ
A Unitarian Universalist voice for justice, equity and compassion in NJ
Chuck Collins, author of Born on Third Base: Growing Up Advantaged in a Time of Extreme Inequality, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s annual Plenary to be held Saturday, April 13th from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. Join us at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair located at 67 Church Street, Montclair NJ. 07042. Register HERE!
Here is the schedule for the NJ Assembly as of Jan 9, 2019:
Stand up in support of economic, political, and social justice at The People’s State of the State!
New Jerseyans are still waiting for movement on critical issues like a $15 minimum wage for all workers, drivers licenses for all, marijuana legalization, environmental justice, and a tax code that ensures the wealthiest pay their fair share.
We deserve lawmakers who share our sense of urgency and recognize that now is not the time for politics as usual. Now is the time to create a stronger and more-inclusive state for all residents, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
Together we can create the fairer and more-just New Jersey we all envision. Join us on January 10th outside the State House Annex!
NJ legislative leaders–primarily Democrats–are supporting a horrible amendment to the NJ constitution, a purely political proposal to increase the ability of politicians to choose their voters. The usual term for it is “gerrymandering.” It would also embed the two-party system into the state’s constitution, a blatant attempt to weaken third parties like the Green and Libertarian parties. Every group that testified on the proposed amendment this past week opposed it. UUs and our allies should oppose this most recent attempt to codify gerrymandering too.
Despite the fact that this doesn’t easily fall under one of UU FaithAction’s six issue areas, it flies directly in the face of our 5th Principle: “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.“
For example, the amendment not only gives the sitting Senate president, House speaker, and minority leaders the power to appoint eight members to the redistricting commission. It also requires that four of those appointees must be sitting legislators. This would clearly empower elected officials to have an oversized influence on who votes in their own or their own party’s races.
Furthermore, an analysis by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project demonstrates that in creating districts that the amendment calls “competitive” could actually lead to an overrepresentation of the majority party in the legislature.
While the proposed amendment would mandate respecting “communities of interest”, there are no protections for racial equity and too few public hearings to establish truly representative communities of interest.
Additionally, the explanatory paragraphs that describe the amendment on the required statewide ballot are also misleading: they give no hint of the radical change to representative democracy this amendment entails. What seem like “motherhood and apple pie” goals are more like poisoned apples presented to an innocent public.
Finally, New Jersey would be much better served by a non-partisan redistricting process like California’s, rather than a partisan (even if bipartisan) process designed to protect incumbents, party loyalists, and further entrench the Democratic and Republican parties themselves. Our partners at the League of Women Voters proposes such a non-partisan process in their Fair Districts New Jersey Project.
Please make it a priority! Call or write your senator and assembly members to oppose SCR152 and ACR205 (and earlier SCR43 and ACR60).
What You Can Do:
2. Call your legislator’s district office to voice your opposition to SCR152/ACR205. Review our sample script and talking points here
Thank you for your attention to this very important issue!
A last minute press conference called by NJ Governor Phil Murphy, with State of New Jersey Attorney Generals Office AG Gurbir Grewal to announce a new push on gun violence prevention legislation following the Pittsburgh massacre at Tree of Life Synagogue. Pleased to be in the company of longtime GVP activist, Kathy Allen Roth, UU FaithAction GVP Task Force and Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit member.
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Please call your legislator, the governor, or the responsible agency to make your position known.
Economic Justice Task Force Chair: Jerry Fried (The UU Congregation at Montclair) Email: economic_justice@uufaithaction.org
As advocates for a more just and equitable State, Economic Justice is at the heart of what we do. Without a basic level of security, none of us is able to fully participate in our democracy.
UU FaithAction’s Economic Justice Task Force advocates for State policies that would raise minimum wages and deliver better employment opportunities and housing conditions for low-income workers and their families.
Each year, our members propose and consider the most pressing issues at our Fall Issues Conference and select three for the coming year. UUFA’s Executive Director helps connect us with other NJ advocacy groups so we can attend their meetings, align our efforts, and join their events. By each January, we do our best to join together to select Leaders who will liaise monthly with our statewide coalition partner organizations and sketch out an annual Campaign for each issue. Each year, EJTF will create at least one statewide educational event about one or more of the issues.
Each Campaign is composed of a) engaging and enlisting others to participate in one major statewide rally or other large gathering, b) testifying or enlisting and supporting testimony in advocacy for legislation advancing the issue, c) attending coalition-partner meetings, aligning our efforts with monthly updates at our monthly Zoom videoconference.
Our Legislative Priorities for 2018/2019
The Fight For 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeK29929_9g
Goal: Advocacy for a $15/hour NJ minimum wage for ALL workers
Leaders: Shane Weber shanewebernj@gmail.com, and Nick Lewis ozballnick@gmail.com
Status: The NJ legislature voted on January 31, 2019 to adopt a $15 wage, with a slow implementation schedule and “carve-outs” for tipped and farm workers. We will continue to advocate to eliminate the carve-outs.
Partners: The Poor People’s Campaign (through its NJ branch which is the NJ Prophetic Agenda) https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/ , The Time To Care Coalition http://www.njtimetocare.com/ , and Working Families Party http://workingfamilies.org/states/new-jersey/
Campaign for NJ Marijuana Legalization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvK8wAIPoHw
Goal: Legalization WITH “Restoration” and “Reparations” in order to help undo the damage done by the “War on Drugs”.
Leader: Jerry Fried jerryfriedhome@gmail.com
Status: The Murphy Administration’s campaign promise of legalization as a policy to advance social justice is NOT moving forward smoothly and Senator Scutari has proposed a legalization policy that (although it does offer some “justice” language) is not very strong on our primary concerns: easy expungement of the conviction records of low-level offenders, using significant revenues from a marijuana tax to support community groups and families in the low-income areas most affected by the failed “war on drugs”, and assuring that jobs and business opportunities be made available to a full range of individuals and groups (not simply the wealthy predominantly white and male entrepreneurs who have jumped into the fray with investment dollars).
Partners: The Drug Policy Alliance http://www.drugpolicy.org/
Campaign for a NJ State Bank – working with Sally Gellert to bring other UUFA task forces to this effort. Incidentally, the goals of #2 above would be far easier to achieve with a public bank option, since commercial banks that operate across state lines are generally unable to provide services to marijuana businesses. (see https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/03/how-nations-only-state-owned-bank-became-envy-wall-street/ to learn why this is SUCH AN EXCITING POSSIBILITY FOR NJ!)
Goal: Creation of a NJ State Bank modeled on the Bank of Nebraska
Leader: Jerry Fried jerryfriedhome@gmail.com
Status: Nia Gill and Richard Codey, both Essex County Democrats, have introduced legislation (S-885) to create the bank, set up a Board of Directors, spell out the activities that the bank could undertake both in investing funds and lending money, and establish auditing and oversight of the institution. That measure is awaiting a hearing by the Senate Commerce Committee.
Partners: Work Environment Council https://njwec.org/ , UUs For a Just Economic Future (IUUJEC) – Sally Gellert, liaison http://uujec.com/ and Banking on New Jersey https://bankingonnewjersey.org/
Goal: To minimize or eliminate the stigma of those receiving free and reduced price lunches in school
Leader: Jerry Fried jerryfriedhome@gmail.com
Status: A bill proposed by Asw. Shavonda Sumter has virtually the same goals as our own, albeit in a FAR less comprehensive and specific form. Her office likes our specific language but questions some legal issues so the language is now in the hands of the Assembly’s Office of Legislative Services, which is charged with addressing these issues. Will be following up.
Partners: Advocates For Children of New Jersey https://acnj.org/
S1880/A1419 passed both houses of the NJ legislature on June 27. The vote was 57-21 in the Assembly and 35-2 in the Senate. This bill passed both houses in January of this year (S1771/A4576) with votes of 47-22 with 1 abstention in the Assembly and 36-0 in the Senate but was pocket vetoed by the Governor. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reported favorably with amendments on June 6, 2016. The legislation caps interstate and intrastate rates at 11 cents per minute and international calls at 25 cents, and bans commissions, or kickbacks, on calls currently at 50% to 70% in some New Jersey jails. Commissions drive up costs for families with loved ones in jail or prison.
In October, 2015 the FCC voted to drastically lower prison phone rates. Under these rules, a 15-minute prison phone call that used to cost up to $17 will be just $1.65. (View the fact sheet) Some families with loved ones incarcerated at a distance spend $20,000 on phone bills during a prison sentence. A recent study found that more than one in three families with a member in prison go into debt due to the cost of phone calls and visits. For children who know their incarcerated parents only through phone calls the new rates will be life-altering. Studies have shown that regular phone communication drastically reduces a prisoner’s risk of recidivism.
The substitute prohibits a State department, county, or private correctional facility from accepting or receiving a commission or any other payment from the telephone service provider based upon an amount the provider billed for telephone calls made by inmates in the correctional facility. The substitute also requires the Department of Corrections (DOC), the counties, and private correctional facilities to make available a prepaid or collect call system, or a combination of the two, for telephone services. Under a prepaid or “debit” system, funds may be deposited into an inmate account in order to pay for telephone calls, as long as the department, county, or private correctional facility is not required to provide for or administer that prepaid system. The provider of the inmate telephone service, as an additional means of payment, is to permit the recipient of inmate collect calls to establish an account with that provider in order to deposit funds for advance payment of those collect calls.
Now we need Governor Christie to sign the bill. Please write or call the governor’s office, (609)292 6000, today and urge him to sign S1880/A1419.
Laurice Grae-Hauck is the Outreach Coordinator of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of NJ.
On March 26 we sent an Action Alert out, asking our supporters to write Governor Christie and ask for him to sign bill S992/A2750, the Pay Equity Act. You responded with overwhelming supporting, make this the most successful online advocacy piece UULMNJ has issued!
Unfortunately for the families of New Jersey, a week ago Governor Christie made national headlines (see articles linked below) when he conditionally vetoed the Pay Equity Act which passed with strong support in both houses – with a 28-4 vote in the Senate and 54-14-6 in the Assembly- in March. The Governor called the bill “nonsensical and makes New Jersey very business unfriendly. The former presidential candidate also worries that the Pay Equity Act “would make New Jersey a liberal outlier.”
We are asking you to now write your local legislators to urge them to stand with women and families by pledging their support for an override of Governor Christie’s veto.
Chris Christie Just Vetoed Equal Pay For Women, And You Won’t Believe Why
Governor Chris Christie Vetoes New Jersey Pay Equity Bill
Christie vetoes N.J. equal pay bill
Women leaders press Christie to sign pay equity bill
Laurice Grae-Hauck is the Outreach Coordinator of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of NJ.
In December we asked you to write your legislators to urge their vote in favor of S2806, removing restrictions on general assistance for convicted drug offenders. Thanks to yUUr voices the bill (now S601/A889) has passed both houses! Passage of this bill will repeal this unfair drug war policy that prevents people from making needed changes in their lives.
The bill now heads to Governor Christie’s desk to be signed into law. He has previously shown support for recovery measures, telling an audience in New Hampshire “Everybody in life makes mistakes and we need to give people a second chance.” Tell Governor Christie to sign this bill and provide a second chance to all New Jerseyans.
The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of NJ provided testimony in support of this legislation before the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee in December. You may read the testimony below.
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey In Support of S2806
Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
December 10, 2015
Thank you for the opportunity to address this Committee in support of S2806. My name is Deb Ellis and I am testifying on behalf of Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ), who unfortunately could not be here today. I represent Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout the State of New Jersey. As people of faith, we believe that the exclusion of people with drug convictions from the opportunity to participate in Work First New Jersey General Assistance program is a violation of a just and democratic society. The exclusions conflicts with basic Unitarian Universalist moral values including: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice and equity; and compassion in human relations.
As Unitarian Universalists, the first principle of our faith is our belief that each individual has inherent worth and dignity. “Inherent” means that the worth of an individual does not have to be earned – it is present in each of us. As a consequence, we strongly believe that the General Assistance exclusion should be repealed because individuals who have been convicted of drug offenses have the same worth and dignity as all other people and thus should have the same opportunity to become productive citizens once they have repaid their debt to society. Under current law, people are disqualified from receiving General Assistance if they have been convicted of distributing even small amounts of marijuana. When we make mistakes, each of us deserves a second chance and the opportunity to rebuild our lives through participation in work programs like Work First New Jersey.
Second, we support S2806 because justice and equity are central to our Unitarian Universalist faith. Our belief that the “Beloved Community” must be realized through human effort requires our attention to how we share the wealth of our planet. We believe that there is a societal obligation to ensure that all people are able to obtain for themselves and their families the basic material needs of food, shelter, and safety. This Legislature’s action in 1997 to exclude from General Assistance benefits only those individuals who had drug convictions was part of the now discredited War on Drugs which resulted in mass incarceration and deprivation of civil and human rights for millions of U. S. citizens. Moreover, the War on Drugs extremely disproportionately focused on people of color. As people of faith, we believe that in order to have a just society, every part of the War on Drugs must now be remedied. Enacting S2806 is an important step in dismantling the injustices of the War on Drugs.
Our final reason for supporting S2806 is our Unitarian Universalist faith belief in compassion in human relations. As you know, S2806 would enable individuals with drug convictions to be eligible for the extremely low cash benefit of General Assistance (capped at $140 per month or $210 per month for those unable to work). Even though the amount is low, being able to receive General Assistance can literally be the difference between life and death, being sheltered or homeless. This is because recipients who are homeless or might become homeless can also receive Emergency Assistance, which can be used to pay for shelter stays and rental assistance. Without this help, many excluded individuals are forced to live in tent cities, abandoned buildings, or become institutionalized in hospitals or jails.
When the General Assistance exclusion was adopted in 1997, individuals with drug convictions were also excluded from food stamps and medical care. However, the rules for NJ’s Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program programs have been changed so that individuals with drug convictions have access to the life-saving assistance of food and health care. As the winter cold descends and in celebration of the holiday season, isn’t it time to also give these individuals access to shelter and the chance to rebuild their lives by participating in Work First New Jersey? As Unitarian Universalists, we believe so.
For all these reasons, I urge you to support S2806. Thank you for your attention.
