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/
Our “Signature Legislation”
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/