Who We Are
As the state's largest citizen watchdog coalition, New Jersey Citizen Action works to protect and expand the rights of individuals and families and to ensure that government officials respond to the needs of people rather than the interests of those with money and power.
Through organizing campaigns that promote economic, social, racial and political justice, NJCA encourages the active involvement of New Jersey residents in challenging the public and private institutions and agencies that impact our lives.
We are now on Facebook as NJ Citizen Action. Here is the Fall 2008 issue of the NJCA Newsletter. Press Statement of Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJCA's Executive Director, on the Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program.
You may be able to participate in the NJ Judiciary Foreclosure Mediation Program. Click here for more information.
NEW! (December 28, 2009) – PRESS RELEASE: Phyllis Salowe-Kaye Named to Federal Reserve Board's Consumer Advisory Council. Representative Rush Holt accepted the Legislator of the Year Award (video address) at the 26th Annual NJCA Awards Dinner, held on May 21, 2009 at the Trenton Marriot International (slideshow). And Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director NJCA, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from (right) Rev. Jesse Jackson and (left) John Taylor, CEO National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), at the 2009 NCRC annual conference in Washington DC.
Tell Congress to Finish Health Reform Right!
CLICK HERE to Email Congress Now!
New Report Shows How Much New Jersey Families Can Afford to Spend on Health Care
A new report by the NJ Consumer Voices for Coverage Leadership Team shows how much money New Jersey families can afford to spend on health care. New Jersey Consumer Voices for Coverage launched Making Health Care Affordable for New Jersey: Real Families, Real Stories to educate New Jersey residents, through community-based organizations, about the health reform debate going on around them, and to take a practical look at what families can, or cannot, afford to pay for their health care.
The aim of this project is to aid policymakers in understanding how much real families living in New Jersey can afford to spend on health care, based on real stories and household budgets of people living across the State. The stories and data presented in this report come from 648 families who attended over 40 community-based workshops throughout New Jersey. Their stories present numerous policy implications on the need to develop a reasonable standard of affordability for New Jersey families if health reform is going to succeed in reducing the number of New Jersey's uninsured.
Key Findings
- A majority of families cannot make ends meet and are operating in the red. 52.9% of respondents reported monthly expenses outpacing monthly income resulting in a negative cash flow by month's end.
- Families are delaying needed health care because of high costs. 46.4% of respondents report forgoing needed medical care due to cost or lack of insurance in the past year.
- Health care costs cause financial hardship for families. 13% of families reported having medical debt, the result of unpaid health care bills.
- Uninsured families report delaying care at high rates. 77.0% of families without health insurance report delaying needed care due to cost or lack of insurance in the last year.
- Many with health insurance also cannot afford needed care. 32.1% of insured respondents report delaying needed care due to cost in the past year.
- Those with chronic health conditions are more likely to delay care. 54.0% of those with chronic health conditions report delaying needed care due to cost or lack of insurance compared with 46.4% of total respondents.
Policy Recommendations
- Develop and implement a sliding scale affordability measure based on income to ensure that New Jersey families are not required to pay more for health care than they can afford.
- The affordability scale should provide full subsidies to cover the entire cost of health care for families up to 200% FPL and sliding scale subsides for families at least up to 399% FPL.
- New Jersey must collect more data to determine how much families above 400% FPL can afford to spend on health care.
Resources
- Full Report.
- Press Release.
- One-Page Report Summary.
- News Coverage: "Advocates: Health Care Will Still Elude Many In N.J." (Star-Ledger — December 2, 2009), "Report: New Jersey Families Struggling With Health Care Costs" (New Jersey Newsroom — December 2, 2009), "New Report Shows Health Care Affordability For NJ Families" (NewsBlaze — December 2, 2009), "Survey Claims New Jersey Health Care Costs Prevent Treatment For Many" (Press of Atlantic City — December 1, 2009), "New Report Shows Health Care Costs Cause Financial Hardship For NJ Families" (Radio News Source — December 1, 2009 — AUDIO NEWS).
Call NJ Senate President Richard Codey and tell him to post S2532 for a vote now!
Call Senator Codey: (973) 731-6770
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield — New Jersey's largest and only non-profit health insurer — wants to become a for-profit company and become even wealthier than they are right now.
NJ regulators are considering Horizon's petition. We need to make sure when it comes to our health, this process is open and transparent and any decision about granting or denying Horizon's petition is made based on the public interest, including our health.
S2532, sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg, requires that state regulators conduct a health impact study to determine if Horizon's bid to go for-profit would hurt our help us when it comes to insurance premiums, access to quality health care and competition among insurance companies. An independent health impact study, the results of which will be available to the public, will also ensure that politicians don't cut a backroom deal with this insurance company to the detriment of our health.
This bill has broad support and has already passed in the State Assembly and in the Senate Commerce Committee. We need Senate President Codey to protect the health care needs of all New Jerseyans, including consumers and post this bill for a vote.
Spread the Word! — Download the Flyer! (click here)
HEALTH CARE REFORM CAN'T WAIT!
Call Your Members of Congress TOLL FREE: 877-264-4226 — Tell Them You Want Reform NOW!
• A Strong Public Health Insurance Option
• Quality & Affordable Health Care for All
• Equal Access to Qualiuty Care
Opponents of reform know delay means killing reform. Those who support the status quo for the insurance industry and opponents of President Obama have made it clear they want to see health reform fail for their own political and economic gain. We can't and won't let this happen. Now is the time for health reform, now is the time to make history and a better life for all. HISTORY CAN'T WAIT!
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND SENATORS TODAY! TOLL FREE: 877-264-4226
For more information and to get involved contact NJCA Organizer James Woodson at 732-246-4772 or james@njcitizenaction.org. Download a flyer and spread the word.
NJCA's Free Tax Preparation Service
1-888-TAXES11 or 1-888-829-3711
STOP paying high fees and interest to tax preparers when you can get the same benefits for FREE!
Call 1-888-TAXES11 for an appointment with a tax specialist. To use this service, you must file a tax return.
Services provided in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and French
Take Action!
Support Marriage Equality!
WE DEMAND EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!
Contact Your State Legislators Today and Tell Them to Vote YES on S1967/A2978 — The Marriage Equality Act!
In 2007, New Jersey's civil union law was enacted to provide same-sex couples the same civil rights and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples without calling it "marriage." However, in a very short period of time it has become clear that the measure, and civil unions, do not provide and protect the civil and constitutional rights of same sex couples. Thousands of employers continue to refuse to recognize civil unions as equal to marriage. Despite the law, many employers fail to provide health benefits to their workers' civil union partners. Many New Jersey hospitals still do not allow same-sex couples to make medical decisions for one another and bar same-sex couples to from even visiting one another in the hospital.
S1967/A2978, sponsored by State Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) will finally grant equal protection under the law to all married couples. Governor Jon Corzine has committed to signing the bill when it gets to his desk. THE LEGISLATURE MUST ACT NOW! It is time to provide all couples equal rights under the law. No one should have to wait for equality.
TAKE ACTION! CALL AND EMAIL YOUR NJ LEGISLATORS TODAY! To find your legislators' phone numbers, click here. And to send your legislators a letter, click here.
February 27 / 27 de Febrero — Women's Housing Initiative / Iniciativa Como Obtener Su Propia Casa
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NJCA: A Home of Her Own: Women's Housing Initiative Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 2:00 – 4:00PM |
NJCA: Iniciativa Como Obtener Su Propia Casa Sábado, 27 de Febrero del 2010 de 2:00 – 4:00PM |
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Make Goldman Sachs Stop Paying Bonuses!
Really Goldman? Enough is Enough!
On November 24 , 2009 NJ Citizen Action sponsored an Informational Picket in Jersey City to urge Goldman Sachs to stop paying out multi-billion dollar bonuses and spending millions of dollars lobbying against real financial reform.
Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs, bailed out by our tax dollars, are back to making record profits and are committed to handing out multi-billion dollar bonuses. Meanwhile, millions of regular folks are suffering from job losses, foreclosures, depleted pensions, and skyrocketing credit card rates and overdraft fees caused by the financial meltdown.
We demand that Goldman Sachs give its $23 billion in bonuses to foreclosure prevention programs, increase its lending for job creation and stop fighting real financial reform.
- Press Release.
- News Coverage: "Talkin' Turkey" (The Jersey Journal – November 30, 2009), "Activist Group Pickets Goldman Sachs JC Headquarters" (The Hudson Reporter – November 29, 2009), "N.J. Citizen Action Plans Picket Of Goldman Sachs" (NJBIZ — November 24, 2009).
NJCA Organizes for Financial Reform — Accountability, Fairness, and Security
For too long, the rules of Wall Street have been written by the bankers themselves. This year, that has to change. New Jersey Citizen Action has joined Americans for Financial Reform.
AFR is a coalition of nearly 200 national, state and local consumer, labor, retiree, investor, community and civil rights organizations campaign for real reform in our banking and financial system. We aim to hold our New Jersey elected leaders accountable, and to insist on a strong role for the public in making crucial decisions about our economic future.
We call for:
- Congress to put in place a real system with the resources and authority to police Wall Street.
- A consumer watchdog who can give the American people the security they expect and deserve when making financial decisions.
- Reforms that keep people in their homes and prompt smart investment in communities and businesses that create good jobs and strong neighborhoods.
Accountability, fairness, and security must be linchpins of financial reform. CLICK HERE to learn more!
NJCA Calls for a Stop to Excessive Overdraft Fees
Bank overdraft fees cost New Jersey approximately $499.8 million over the past year, according to a new report by Americans for Financial Reform.
Nationally, last year banks made $38.5 billion from overdraft fees. "That number is likely to increase without new, clear rules of the road for banks and their customers and a real consumer watchdog in Washington to enforce them", said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye executive director of New Jersey Citizen Action working with the Americans for Financial Reform coalition.
Read the full details here. Press Coverage: "Fed Provides Customers Relief From Bank Overdraft Charges" (Press of Atlantic City – November 13, 2009), "Banks Try Self-Regulation" (The Record / NorthJersey.com – October 25, 2009), "Overdraft Bank Fees Fall Under Scrutiny" (Press of Atlantic City – October 24, 2009), "New Jersey Citizen Action Applauds The Creation Of Consumer Financial Protection" (NewsBlaze – October 22, 2009), "NJ Citizen Action Calls For A Stop To Excessive Overdraft Fees" (NewsBlaze – October 8, 2009).
The Passing of Senator Ted Kennedy
We are deeply saddened by the news of Senator Ted Kennedy's passing after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. Senator Kennedy spent his life championing universal health care and promoting social, racial, and economic justice for all.
As we join the nation in mourning the passing of Senator Kennedy, for whom our mission - winning a guarantee of good health care for all - was his life's work, we dedicate ourselves in the next few weeks to realizing the vision, passion, and hopes of this great American, firmly in the knowledge that enacting health care reform will rightly be seen as Ted Kennedy's legacy.
Senator Kennedy's death is a tremendous loss to the progressive movement for social and economic justice. So, we must now re-commit ourselves to the work of achieving the thing that mattered most to him: quality, affordable health care for every single American. As Senator Kennedy said, "...the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
In honor of Senator Kennedy, we offer one of his last written pieces entitled "The Cause of My Life" which highlights his passion for working towards health care for all. Here is a powerful video of Senator Kennedy speaking about the need for quality, affordable health care for all.
NJCA Joins Call for Watchdog to Guard Against Financial Predators
On July 14, 2009, community groups met in Trenton to call for an independent watchdog — a real watchdog with teeth — with a mandate to protect consumers from irresponsible, unethical and faulty financial products. President Obama called for Congress to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that will protect consumers from financial abuse.
New Jersey Citizen Action convened a press conference with a variety of grassroots organizations to urge the New Jersey Congressional delegation to support the President's proposal and to reject the efforts of big money Wall Street lobbyists that are actively opposing such an agency.
NJ Foreclosure Fairness Act (S.2777)
The foreclosure crisis in New Jersey is continuing to worsen. NJ has the second highest percentage of subprime loans in foreclosure in the country, behind Florida. In March 2009 there were 3,868 foreclosure filings in NJ, affecting every county in the state. The NJ Foreclosure Fairness Act (S.2777) provides important protections to tenants and owners of residential properties facing foreclosure in New Jersey, and proposes technical amendments to three sections of the recently enacted Mortgage Stabilization and Relief Act to make that law work more effectively.
UPDATE! On June 11, 2009 the NJ Foreclosure Fairness Act, sponsored by Senator Ron Rice, was released out of the Commerce Committee in Trenton. Oral testimony was given by Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJCA Executive Director, along with representatives and partners from Tenants Rights Organizations, Community Groups and a tenant who is facing eviction. We will be working throughout the summer to get additional support and sign on for this important bill. CLICK HERE for full details.
Help win quality, affordable health care for all!
JOIN! NJ HCAN — online sign-up. And get your family and friends to join the NJ Health Care For America Now Campaign for Health Care Trainings and Mass Mobilization Events.
It's time to GET INVOLVED!
Victory!!
Funding for NJ FamilyCare RESTORED in NJ's FY2010 State Budget!
GREAT NEWS! Governor Corzine announced, on June 29, 2009, that the proposed $9 million cut to NJ FamilyCare (which would have cut back enrollment for parents between 150% — 200% of poverty) has been restored. This news is a direct result of all the amazing work our coalition has done in the last few weeks. Not only did we stop the proposed cutback to FamilyCare, but the program has been improved with the elimination of premiums for all children below 200% of poverty.
Thank you all for your hard work on this critical issue and congratulations to all! A special shout-out to our friends at AARP for their gutsy and out-spoken position, willing to give up their members homestead rebate (for seniors making between $100,000 — $150,000/year) in order to keep FamilyCare open to hard-working families.
We also thank Senator Vitale for his strong and outspoken support, Assemblyman Greenwald, Governor Corzine and Members of the Legislature who helped make this critical restoration possible. Click here for full details.
Take Action!
Tell Congress to Sponsor HR1479
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has been one of the most important laws for building wealth and revitalizing neighborhoods. CRA is an antidote to the foreclosure crisis since this law requires banks to meet the credit needs of all communities consistent with safety and soundness.
Therefore, we believe that Congress should strengthen CRA as it is applied to banks, and expand CRA's reach to non-bank financial institutions. We fully support Congressional efforts to pass the Community Reinvestment Modernization Act of 2009, which has been introduced in the 111th Congress by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson. Here is a PDF with full details about HR1479.
Take Action! CLICK HERE to email your federal representatives: Tell Congress to Sponsor HR1479!
Victory!!
Jobs and Economic Recovery Bill
President Obama signed the final Jobs and Economic Recovery bill into law and thanks to the help of NJCA's members and allies, we were able to weaken an amendment that would have forced states to guarantee utility company profits if a state were to accepted money for energy assistance programs.
In addition to this victory for ratepayers, New Jersey will see billions of dollars coming to our state in the form of direct aid, tax cuts and infrastructure programs that will put people to work. Visit the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities website to see a state by state breakdown of the key provisions in the Jobs and Economic Recovery bill that will impact low and moderate income residents.
This legislation is a good first step, but a full economic recovery will require much more. We need to put an end to the foreclosure crisis, ensure everyone has access to affordable quality health care, a secure retirement and quality education from preschool to college.
NJCA's Economic Security Center Can Help You — And It's Free
Are You Struggling to:
- Buy Groceries for your Family
- Pay your Gas, Electric and/or Oil Bill
- Find Affordable Health Care for Your Kids
- Pay High Cost Tax Preparation Fees
New Jersey Citizen Action's Economic Security Center provides free, confidential benefits counseling to help individuals and families get information on public programs for which they qualify. These include food stamps, health insurance, heating and utility bill assistance and more. We also provide free tax preparation to help individuals and families file their forms and claim tax refunds from the federal and state government.
Our goal is to increase your economic security by helping you understand how to get public benefits, tax credits and other essential services to which you are entitled. These programs provide a cushion against everyday setbacks — a sick child, car trouble, temporary job loss — that can become catastrophes in your life.
Call Us Today: 1-888-829-3711
23 West Park Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Map and Directions
HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 10am–7pm;
and Saturday from 10am–4pm
The Citizen Action Economic Security Center is an Empowerment Project of New Jersey Citizen Action and the New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund and is supported by the Sovereign Endowment at the Independence Community Foundation and Single Stop USA.
Victory!!
We Did It! — Foreclosure Prevention Legislation Passes!
Thanks to all your help and advocacy efforts, groundbreaking state legislation for struggling homeowners was approved on Monday December 15, 2008!
New Jersey Citizen Action and the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ congratulate and thank the Senators, Assembly Members and legislative staff in both chambers for their dedication and leadership in assisting New Jersey's threatened families and neighborhoods. And without people advocating and willing to make their voices heard, needed reforms like this bill could not be accomplished.
The Mortgage Stabilization and Relief (S1599/A3506) Act cleared the Assembly and Senate and heads to Gov. Jon S. Corzine for a quick signing in early January 2009. Stay posted for the exact time and place.
The measure dedicates $25 million to mortgage stabilization by providing loans to homeowners and lenders willing to refinance a first mortgage in danger of foreclosure. A new $15 million housing recovery program will help nonprofits buy dwellings from homeowners who cannot afford their mortgages, then lease the homes back to homeowners for up to seven years while they recover financially. The legislation puts more onus on creditors in foreclosure proceedings, making them responsible for code violations if borrowers abandon the property and requiring a six-month hold on foreclosures if the borrower seeks more time to work out a refinancing or short sale.
Several key provisions that were in the original version of the bill were omitted from the bill passed. New Jersey Citizen Action and the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ will continue to work with state legislators in the coming year to address elements that were not included; this includes securing the right to rent by former homeowners and establishing a foreclosure impact fee on high-cost, subprime loans to be paid by the lender when they opt to foreclose.
In The News:
- PRESS STATEMENT of Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director, NJCA: Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program — January 8, 2009
- MEDIA RELEASE: Joint Statement on the Passage of Foreclosure Prevention Legislation — From NJCA and The Housing & Community Development Network of NJ
- "N.J. Legislature Approves Mortgage Foreclosure Aid" (Star-Ledger – December 15, 2008)
Update (March 3, 2009): You may be able to participate in the NJ Judiciary Foreclosure Mediation Program. Click here for more information.
Update (February 25, 2009): NJCA is working on new legislation, the NJ Foreclosure Fairness Act, to follow up on the recently passed Mortgage Stabilization and Relief (S1599/A3506) by providing important protections to tenants and owners of residential properties facing foreclosure in New Jersey. Read the full details here.
Tenants Rights During Foreclosure
Through our loan counseling services and community financial education outreach, New Jersey Citizen Action became aware of tenants being illegally forced out of their homes when living in properties facing foreclosure. Along with Legal Services of New Jersey and the New Jersey Tenants Rights Organization, NJCA brought tenant eviction issues to the attention of New Jersey Public Advocate and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
The New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act protects tenants even when the property where they live is in foreclosure or has been foreclosed. The law protects tenants against eviction as long as they pay the rent, respect the peace and quiet of their neighbors, and avoid willful or grossly negligent damage to the property. The Act does not apply to tenants of owner-occupied homes with two or fewer rental units.
In some cases, tenants are offered "cash for keys" agreements, where they are given money to turn in their keys and move out, but the offer does not mention that they are also free to stay. In other cases, they are just told they have to get out.
The Public Advocate wants to hear from any tenants who have received notification that they must vacate their apartments due to a foreclosure. Call 609-826-5070 to learn about your rights and get appropriate referrals. Eligible low-income tenants threatened with illegal evictions can call the LSNJ hotline directly at 888-576-5529.
"As Citizen Action continues to be inundated with homeowners who are facing foreclosure, we are discovering that renters who occupy some of these homes are unaware of their rights as tenants and are being pressured to move out. Public education and strict enforcement of the law is essential to preventing more people from losing their homes," said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of NJ Citizen Action.
For more information, see the Media Release from the New Jersey Public Advocate, Commissioner of Banking and Insurance: "Tenants In Foreclosed Properties Have Rights — Cannot Be Evicted Due To Foreclosure Under NJ Law."
CONSUMER ALERT — Call Your State Senator Today
Oppose S2428 — Formula Based Electric and Gas Rates
PSE&G and its parent company, PSEG, are steamrolling legislation, S2428 (Lesniak), through the legislature in an effort to enact so-called "formula based" electricity and gas prices for all residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Unlike the current practice of establishing electricity and gas rates on the cost of providing the service(s), and the opportunity to earn a fair rate of return, "formula based" pricing guarantees electric and gas companies a set profit regardless of how much gas and electricity they sell (i.e., how much we buy; how much we conserve), how much money they spend and/or how well or poorly they run their business.
Take Action! Contact your legislator today! Tell them to oppose S2428. NJ consumers can not afford higher electric & gas prices and we need public oversight and accountability of energy corporations. Click here to send a letter or call 1-800-865-1219 to be connected to your legislators' office.
Why this bill is bad for ratepayers:
- S2428 eliminates public oversight and review by the NJ Board of Public Utilities of utility spending and rates.
- S2428 establishes an incentive for utility corporations to overspend and a disincentive to operate efficiently.
- Provides utilities companies with guaranteed profits from their customers.
- S2428 will not create jobs but it might destroy jobs
- S2428 (formula rates) is another new, untested price setting mechanism operating in very few states with little experience to evaluate.
- S2428, while guaranteeing utility corporation profits, does not actually require that utilities modernize their infrastructure or make investments that will benefit consumers, including investing in cost-beneficial energy efficiency projects.
- There is no evidence that our current form of regulation is serving as a barrier to utility operations.
Contact your Legislator Today!
For more information about Formula Rates and to get involved, contact Marilyn Carpinteyro at 732-246-4772 or by email at marilyn@njcitizenaction.org.
CRA Is Not the Problem! Predatory Lending Is!
Repeatedly over the last several weeks — in print, on the airwaves and online — the federal Community Reinvestment Act has become a target of blame both nationally and here in New Jersey. New Jersey Citizen Action and The Housing and Community Development Network of NJ, who have negotiated approximately $18 billion in CRA investments in New Jersey over the next three years will not remain silent while a good law responsible for a great deal of positive development in lower income communities is outrageously vilified. Read the full article, also see the Media Release.
S1334 — Support Right to Repair!
Vehicle models built after 1994 are equipped with computer systems that control the repair information for vital functioning systems such as: air bags, brakes, ignition keys, oil levels, tire pressure, climate controls, transmissions, fuels injection systems and more. However, only dealerships have access to these computer codes, forcing most consumers to return to the car dealership for these types' of repairs.
This unfettered access for auto dealership could create a monopoly that would hurt low and fixed income motorists, and prevent the consumers' ability to shop around and have their car repaired by whom they choose.
S1334 — The Right to Repair Act, would require motor vehicle manufacturers to provide vehicle owners and repair facilities information necessary to diagnose, service or repair a motor vehicle. The information is to include information necessary to integrate replacement equipment into the vehicle and any other information of any kind used to diagnose, service, repair, activate, certify or install any motor vehicle equipment in a motor vehicle. Learn more at our Right to Repair Campaign.
Speaker Roberts Puts Clean Elections on Hold
NJ Citizen Action is deeply disappointed with the decision by Speaker Roberts to put New Jersey's 2009 Clean Elections program on hold. This action will temporarily stall efforts to change New Jersey's current election financing system, which has left us with candidates who are overly dependant on contributions from well-healed donors and special interests.
Roberts' decision to put this legislation on hold comes after a federal judge ruled that parts of Arizona's Clean Elections program are unconstitutional. We strongly disagree with the Speaker's assessment that this court decision should delay the implementation of New Jersey's much-needed Clean Elections program, and believe that the Legislature can and should find a way to move this legislation forward.
NJ Citizen Action and the NJ Clean Elections Coalition stand ready and able to work with the Speaker, members of the legislature and regulators to develop positive policy solutions that will pass constitutional review, expand clean elections and help clean up politics in New Jersey.
Help Keep Clean Elections Moving Forward
Take Action! Call Speaker Roberts at 856-742-7600 and tell him:
- I am deeply disappointed with your decision to put the Clean Elections Program on hold for 2009.
- Clean Elections is a needed reform that will help to eliminate the corrupting influence money has on our legislature.
- Please work with the NJ Legislature and the Coalition for Clean Elections to move this program forward.
Click here to read the letter NJCA sent to Speaker Roberts about Clean Elections.
Take Action Now!
Oppose 'Bush Style' Big Media Bill!
On June 23, 2008 the NJ State Senate and Assembly very quietly passed A-2906 (Chivikula) and S-1886 (Lesniak, Sweeney), a huge corporate give-away that is anti-consumer and anti-worker. The legislation seeks to eliminate public oversight of the financial wheeling and dealings of private equity firms, huge holding corporations and media giants and would prevent the Board of Public Utilities from reviewing these complex transactions to determine if they will undermine the public interest and the provision of affordable and reliable communications services.
A2906/S1886 is on the Governor's desk.
New! Click here to read Citizen Action's letter to Governor Corzine asking him to veto A2906/S1886.
Take Action! Click here to send an email to Governor Corzine and urge him to veto this anti-consumer and anti-worker legislation!
Or call Governor Corzine TODAY at: 1-609-292-6000 and tell him:
Veto A-2906, a huge corporate give-away that is both anti-consumer and anti-worker that will undermine the provision of affordable and reliable communication services in NJ.
The NJ Board of Public Utilities should continue their oversight of the financial wheeling and dealings of cable and telecommunication holding companies to ensure that the public's interests are being protected.
NJ Energy Master Plan
In October 2006, Governor Corzine initiated a process to develop an Energy Master Plan (EMP), with the intention of planning and implementing strategies to maximize the energy efficiency of our residents and infrastructure, as well as ensuring reliable, safe and affordable energy for all of our residents. In April 2008, the State of New Jersey released a Draft EMP and then sought further public input on the draft before a final EMP is formulated and submitted to the Governor.
On July 25, 2008 NJCA submitted comments to the State on the Draft EMP. In our comments, NJCA applauded certain aspects of the Draft EMP, like the creation of Public Power Authority, while cautioning the State against energy efficiency measures that would prove ineffective and costly. In addition, we also called on the State to include additional actions in the final EMP that would immediately lower the cost of electricity for our ratepayers, like ensuring true transparency for the State's annual Basic Generation Service (BGS) Auctions and instructing the NJ Board of Public Utilities to immediately review PSE&G's unwarranted Stranded Costs reward from 1999 and order the company to stop collecting this windfall from their customers and return the $7 billion they have already collected.
Click here to view NJCA's Comments on the State's Draft Energy Master Plan. Learn more about our Fair Utility Rates and Energy Education Campaign.
Invest in America's Future
As our country enters an economic downturn and millions of families face foreclosure, the Bush Administration continues to give tax cuts to millionaires and invest in an endless war in Iraq. In order to change these upside down priorities, we must invest in America's future.
Take Action! Please download and sign on to our letter asking NJ's Congressional Delegation to support an Economic Stimulus Package that provides relief for low to moderate income families and invests in our country's infrastructure to create jobs and economic growth.
The time is now for Americans to come together to push for a progressive moral agenda that provides real security for our country. We can see now more than ever, war is not the answer and spending on the war has made families and communities less secure. Security is more than just being safe from terrorism, as the administration would have us believe. Security is being able to earn a living, have a secure retirement, provide food for your family, live in affordable housing and know that if you get sick you can afford to see a doctor.
On April 15, 2008, NJCA launched our Invest in America's Future campaign by hosting simultaneous Tax Day events in Mt. Holly and Westfield. We called on Congress to support increased investments in Medicaid, food stamps and unemployment benefits without holding them hostage to additional tax breaks for the wealthy or further funding for the war in Iraq. Video! See a broadcast of our Tax Day Protest (from the Home News Tribune). Also visit the Invest in America's Future Campaign.
Victory!
Verizon-NJ and Embarq's Bid to Deregulate All Local Telephone Services
On June 24, 2008 the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) held a public hearing regarding the settlement that was reached with Verizon-NJ and their petition to deregulate all local telephone services in the State.
Throughout this campaign, NJCA was primarily concerned that the deregulation of basic local service and Lifeline service could lead to steep rate increases that would limit access to affordable and reliable telephone service to the millions of New Jerseyans who still rely on this no frills service to stay in touch with their friends, family and literally the rest of the world.
While the settlement will include some increases to the cost of basic local service that will be spread out over three years, NJCA feels that the schedule of rate increases will maintain the affordability of basic local service and are likely much less than the increases consumers would have dealt with if basic local service was deregulated by the Board. In addition to the continued regulation of basic local service, BPU regulation was also maintained over the other essential services (i.e. single-line business, residential Directory Assistance, residential installation) and Verizon's current Telecommunication Lifeline Assistance program (as well as other social service programs for vulnerable populations) would remain as before with no additional rate increases.
NJCA presented testimony in support of the settlement that was reached between the Board, Rate Counsel and Verizon-NJ. Read the June 24, 2008 Statement of Atif Malik, North Jersey Regional Organizer: In the Matter of the NJ Board of Public Utilities Investigation Regarding the Reclassification of Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) Services as Competitive.
Following the June 24 public hearing, the BPU approved the settlement at their monthly meeting in Newark on July 11, 2008. A similar settlement has also been reached with Embarq and the BPU will take comments on at a public hearing on August 7, 2008 at the Clinton Municipal Building at 7pm.
Background:
Read NJCA's report: No Dial Tone: Will the NJ Board of Public Utilities Cut the Last Line of Affordable Basic Local Telephone Service in New Jersey? Click here for the report.
This report shows that there is no competition in New Jersey's basic local phone service market and calls on the BPU to reject Verizon and Embarq's petition to deregulate the industry.
In what could amount to over a half billion dollar a year increase for ratepayers, Verizon-NJ and Embarq have petitioned the NJ Board of Public Utilities to deregulate all local telephone services in New Jersey.
If deregulation of basic local telephone service had occurred, the lack of competition in the local wire-line telephone market could have caused the estimated 1.3 million NJ residents who still rely on basic local service to see steep increases in their telephone bills (as much as $30/mo); making these services unaffordable to many low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities.
The NJ Board of Public Utilities must stop this ratepayer rip-off by rejecting Verizon-NJ and Embarq's petition to deregulate phone services in its entirety!
For more information contact Atif Malik at atif@njcitizenaction.org or 973-643-8800.
More resources:
- Download the campaign fact sheet.
- Read the Statement of Evelyn Liebman, Director of Organizing and Advocacy – In the Matter of the Board Investigation Regarding the Reclassification of Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) Services as Competitive.
- Download the campaign flyer to distribute.
Victory!
Merging Banks Vow $676 Million For Affordable Homes
As reported in the The Star-Ledger on July 3, 2008: "TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank, which are in the process of merging, yesterday committed to providing $676.5 million statewide over the next three years to support affordable housing development and improvements. The banks signed an agreement to provide the financial support with the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey and New Jersey Citizen Action, two nonprofit organizations, at a gathering in Trenton.
"The banks will provide roughly $160 million for below-market-rate mortgages for low- and moderate- income, first-time homebuyers or those who are refinancing; $130 million for loans and investments for nonprofit community development organizations; $350 million for small business loans; $24 million in low-income tax credits; $1.5 million in grants for nonprofit housing groups, and at least $10 million in unsecured "Helping Hand Improvement Loans" at discount rates for homeowners and renters.... Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, New Jersey Citizen Action director, said, "Both TD Bankorth and Commerce have been leaders in innovative ways to provide loans, products and direct services to those who most desperately need assistance in the state." Read the complete news article.
Take Action Now!
Support Foreclosure Prevention!
The "New Jersey Home Ownership Preservation Act" (A2517/S1599) – legislation aimed at addressing the state's widening foreclosure crisis – is moving quickly through the NJ Legislature. We need your support now to protect NJ residents and communities. Please sign on to the Support Statement now. For more information, contact Crystal Snedden at 973-643-8800 ext. 31, or email crystals@njcitizenaction.org.
What is the Foreclosure Prevention Bill?
On March 11, New Jersey Citizen Action, the Housing and Community Development Network and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, announced the introduction of legislation to address New Jersey's growing foreclosure crisis. The bill, A2517/S1599, introduced by Senator Ronald Rice (D-28) and Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-15) can be viewed here. Here is a quick summary of what the legislation does:
- Provides for a six-month moratorium on certain defaulted loans to allow the borrower time to work towards a more favorable solution.
- Creates a fund to provide foreclosure prevention counseling and "catch-up" loans to help people stay in their homes.
- The fund would be built on a $2,000 impact fee charged to lenders who foreclose on subprime loans, and is projected to raise between $27 million and $33 million for the year.
- Allows former homeowners who lose their homes due to foreclosure to remain in the property as tenants until the property is acquired by someone who plans to occupy it.
- Provides other protections against future lending abuses.
- For a complete bill summary click here.
Learn more about NJCA's Insurance, Banking and Community Reinvestment Campaign, and our Loan Counseling Service.
In 2008, between 13,500 and 16,500 New Jersey homeowners are likely to face foreclosure as a result of high-cost, subprime loans.
New Jersey's homeowners and neighborhoods are at risk. Camden, Newark and Edison were already among the 50 United States metropolitan areas with the highest foreclosure rates in 2006, and conditions are worsening throughout the state. There are 179,873 estimated outstanding subprime mortgages in New Jersey, and 35,117 subprime foreclosures are expected to occur here between the third quarter of 2007 and the end of 2009 – nearly 1 out of every 5 subprime loans. For full details, download the NJ Foreclosure Fact Sheet.
New Jersey has a compelling interest in protecting existing homeowners and their communities from the effects of the current subprime lending crisis to the extent feasible, and in ensuring that going forward, home owners and home buyers – particularly those of lower income – are not victimized by loan practices that place the affordability of their homes at risk.
Links
- Housing and Community Development Network of NJ.
- NJ Institute for Social Justice.
- New! Read: Press Statement of Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of NJ Citizen Action: Save New Jersey Homes Act of 2008 (A2780/S1853) – September 15, 2008
Victory!
Governor Corzine Signs Family Leave Insurance into Law!
WE DID IT!
On Friday, May 2, 2008, after twelve years of advocacy, Citizen Action and the NJ Time to Care Coalition realized a great victory when Governor Jon Corzine signed Family Leave Insurance legislations, A-873, into law and made New Jersey only the third state in the nation to enact one of the most far-reaching and progressive workplace reforms in many, many decades. Given that at least one million NJ workers (and probably more) don't have a single paid day off from their job and 40% of all low-wage workers don't have a single sick day, this legislation will make a significant and real difference in the lives of NJ's working families and their loved ones.
Family Leave Insurance will be 100% worker-funded through a small paycheck contribution (no more than 64 cents/wk) starting January 1, 2009. All NJ workers who contribute to the program will have the opportunity to receive 2/3 of their normal paycheck (capped at $524/wk in 2008) for up to six weeks starting July 1, 2009.
NJCA and the NJ Time to Care Coalition would like to thank the thousands of supporters who helped make this victory happen by sending over 100,000 letters to our elected officials over the last year and a half urging them to create a NJ Family Leave Insurance program.
We would also like to thank Governor Corzine for his continued support, the Senate and Assembly sponsors and all the legislators who stood firmly behind New Jersey's working families and voted Yes on Family Leave Insurance (A873/S786)! Learn more about the Family Leave Insurance Campaign — and why it is so necessary for New Jersey's workers, seniors, families and businesses.
Clean Elections Campaign
Sign-on to the New Jersey Coalition for Clean Elections, a statewide coalition dedicated to reducing the corrupting influence of money in politics and establishing a permanent, state-wide system of full public campaign financing.
In 2007, New Jersey implemented the NJ Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Program to determine the best way to establish a permanent, statewide system of full public financing. The 2007 Pilot overwhelmingly succeeded in meeting the Legislature's thresholds for expansion. Now is the time to move beyond pilot projects and implement a permanent full public financing program for New Jersey.
Take Action! Download and sign-on to the New Jersey Clean Elections Coalition Principles and Join the Coalition today! Please return the completed form to Ladonna Blount, NJCA Organizer by fax 732-214-8385 or email ladonna@njcitizenaction.org. If you have questions, please call Ladonna at 732-246-4772.
The New Jersey Clean Elections Coalition supports a full public financing program that establishes these Five Principles:
- A Clean Elections program that permanently expands to all 40 legislative districts.
- A Clean Elections program that provides full campaign financing for primary and general elections.
- A Clean Elections program that provides equal funding to all qualified candidates.
- A Clean Elections program that provides adequate resources for program implementation and public education.
- A Clean Elections program that includes proper enforcement to protect public funds.
New! Read the Media Release "Flawed Research and Phony Findings: Desperate Effort by D.C.-Based Right-Wingers to Kill Election Reform in New Jersey" – August 7, 2008. Also see "NJ's Largest Citizen Watchdog Testifies on New State Clean Elections Proposal" — the Statement of Marilyn Carpinteyro, NJCA Legislative/Political Director on A100: The 2009 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act.
Learn more about the Fair And Clean Elections Campaign.
NJCA Oil Group
New Jersey Citizen Action Oil Group is a project of New Jersey Citizen Action. The Oil Group was formed in 1983 to provide consumers with an alternative to the high cost of heating fuel. The Oil Group uses group purchasing power to negotiate discount prices. New! See a 10-minute video interview with NJCA Oil Group Director Wende Nachman, on "Help With High Heating Bills." Also read the extensive news coverage the Oil Group is receiving.
For more information about the NJCA Oil Group, please call 1-800-464-8465, or visit njcaoilgroup.com.
NJCA's Loan Counseling Service
On February 17, 2008, The New York Times's coverage of the mortgage crisis featured NJCA's loan counseling program:
Someone to Speak for Borrowers in Trouble
By Kareem Fahim
NEWARK — As she leafed through her client's mortgage papers, the housing loan counselor just shook her head.
The numbers and interest rates and payment schedules formed such a familiar, dispiriting picture. The 32-year-old man who was sitting across the desk from her said he had been persuaded to take out an adjustable rate mortgage called an option ARM when he bought his home, the first he has owned. The terms of the loan put him in danger of joining millions of people dragged under by the mortgage crisis that has washed through towns and cities across the country....
The loan counselor, Judy Brzuskiewicz of New Jersey Citizen Action, a nonprofit advocacy group in Newark, picked up the phone. She called the lender, Countrywide Financial, and told the representative that her client still had good credit and needed the 9 percent interest rate on his mortgage lowered, maybe to 6 percent. Politely but insistently, she said the adjustable rate needed to be frozen.
"I'm counting on you," she told the representative, who told her that he fielded calls like hers all day long.
Day after day, Ms. Brzuskiewicz and counselors like her across the country keep making the same calls, trying to stand between homeowners who took out loans they say that they did not comprehend, or could not afford, and foreclosure.... Read the complete news article.
Learn more about NJCA's Loan Counseling Service, Free Tax Preparation (y en Español), and our Insurance, Banking and Community Reinvestment Campaign.
Victory!
Law Passed to Expand Lead Inspection Requirements to All NJ Rental Properties
On Friday, January 4, 2008, Governor Corzine signed S2622 — a law that will significantly help protect New Jersey's young children from lead poisoning, a fully preventable but extremely dangerous disease.
The law amends the current Hotel and Multiple Dwellings Code and requires the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to inspect every single-family and two-family rental dwelling for lead-based paint hazards at least once every 5 years. Until now, one and two unit dwellings had been exempt from lead hazard inspections, as the previous Code applied only to rental units in multiple dwellings and left a great number of New Jersey's residents more exposed to the dangers of lead hazards.
This is a major victory for NJCA, as we have long been fighting the battle against childhood lead poisoning and do not believe that children should be used as lead detectors! Learn more at our Lead Poisoning Prevention Campaign.
Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities
In the face of yet another austere federal budget proposal, New Jersey Citizen Action has resumed its work as part of the Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities (ECAP), a coalition of state and national partners urging Congress to pass a federal budget that reflects the priorities of America's working families, seniors, children and citizens with disabilities. Download the report First Things First for New Jersey.
President Bush's budget proposal for fiscal year 2008 falls far short of this mark, imposing cuts to valuable programs on which millions of Americans depend, including cuts of $102 billion to Medicaid and Medicare, $500 million to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program, the WIC nutrition program for poor mothers and children, the Community Services Block Grant program, and many others.
This proposal will especially affect New Jersey by cutting $35 million to NJ FamilyCare, the state's health insurance program for low-income children. These cuts will drop coverage for 30,000 New Jersey children. The budget also proposes to cut $7.0 million for New Jersey's HeadStart program, $21 million from Special Education, $24.4 million from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and $7.7 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. At the same time, the budget proposes to extend tax cuts of $92 BILLION for the wealthiest five percent.
Read about ECAP and NJCA in the News. For more information on the federal budge, download these reportst:
- USAction Education Fund Report: "Getting U.S. Back on Track: Congress needs to reverse the upside-down priorities – from Washington to Iraq – that are shortchanging New Jersey families and communities"
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Report: "President's Budget Calls For Deep Cuts In A Wide Range Of Domestic Programs: Cuts Start in 2008 and Grow Deeper Over Time"
- Center for Law and Social Policy Report: "Families Forgotten: Administration's Priorities Put Child Care Low on the List"
- Coalition on Human Needs Report: "The Bush Budget: Less Help for People in Need; Needless Help for Those with High Incomes"
TAKE ACTION! Write or call your Congress member and Senator now to urge them to oppose any budget with upside-down priorities!