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. Read the Press Statement of Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJCA's Executive Director, on Governor Corzine's Economic Proposal.
New! Fall 2008 issue of the NJCA Newsletter.
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 (21599/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:
- 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)
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.
January 24 — Small Business Summit — Camden
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| FREE Small Business Forum & Luncheon | Seminario para Negocios Pequeños Totalmente GRATIS | |
Saturday, January 24, 2009 — 9:00am to 12:00pm |
Sábado, 24 de Enero, 2009 — |
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Discuss the Challenges and Opportunities Facing Small Business Owners Learn more about:
Exchange Ideas & Make Connections Distribute the Flyer — Thank you! Register for this FREE Forum by calling 856-966-3091 x 206 or emailing smallbusinessevent @njcitizenaction.org |
Entérese de los Desafíos y Oportunidades que Enfrentan los Dueños de Pequeños Negocios, además información sobre:
Intercambie Idea & Establezca Nueva Relaciones Distribuya la información — Gracias! Regístrese ahora para este almuerzo gratis. Llamando al 856-966-3091 x 206 o
mande un correo electrónico al smallbusinessevent |
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| Partnering Organizations: City of Camden, Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA), Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC), Camden Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), NJ Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA), Rutgers University-Camden Campus, Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation(CBAC), US Small Business Administration, Camden County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cooper's Ferry Development Association, UCEDC, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley, National Association of Minority Contractors- NJ Chapter, Camden Redevelopment Agency. | En colaboración con: City of Camden, Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA), Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC), Camden Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), NJ Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA), Rutgers University-Camden Campus, Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation(CBAC), US Small Business Administration, Camden County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cooper's Ferry Development Association, UCEDC, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley, National Association of Minority Contractors- NJ Chapter, Camden Redevelopment Agency. | |
Train-the-Trainer on Predatory Lending and Foreclosure Awareness — Edison
New Jersey Citizen Action will be hosting Train-the-Trainer sessions on Predatory Lending and Foreclosure Awareness at the offices of Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) in Edison.
The daylong sessions are designed specifically for housing counselors of HUD certified counseling agencies and for those in other agencies and organizations providing assistance and information to homeowners who may be facing foreclosure. Attorney trainers from LSNJ will conduct the session assisted by Citizen Action staff.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 and Wednesday, February 25, 2009 — Daylong Sessions, Start Time TBA
Legal Services of New Jersey
100 Metroplex Drive
Edison, NJ 08817
Map and Directions
To register for this free training program, please contact Roxanne Perez at 732-246-4772 x.25 or by email at roxanne@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.
S1334 is Pro-Consumer Choice, Pro-Safety and Pro-Small Business and Jobs!
In October, the measure passed with bi-partisan support in the Assembly 49–22. It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
Support S1334 and Contact your Senator today!
"Right to Repair" Coalition Partners:
- AAA Clubs of New Jersey
- Alliance of Automotive Service Providers
- Coalition for Auto Repair Equality
- National Federation of Independent Business
- New Jersey Gasoline-C-Store-Association
- New Jersey Citizen Action
- New Jersey Retail Merchants Association
"Right to Repair" In The News: "Support Bill For Equal Footing With Car Dealers" (Bergen News Sun Bulletin – December 31, 2008) and "'Jack The Mechanic' Wins As NJ Assembly Passes Right To Repair Act & Ensures Small Business Competition" (MarketWatch – October 27, 2008)
For more information about Right to Repair visit righttorepair.org. To sign on to the coalition contact Marilyn Carpinteyro at marilyn@njcitizenaction.org.
NEWS! US Congressman Conyers Joins the HCAN Campaign!
As Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) announced on September 17, 2008: "I am proud to join HCAN's broad progressive campaign to raise awareness about the need for true universal health care reform. The HCAN coalition and I are united by our belief that the current non-system of health care run by profit hungry insurance companies is unsustainable and inhumane. It will take a monumental effort to defeat the entrenched special interests that benefit from the status quo. I remain firmly committed to the passage of my single-payer universal health care bill, H.R. 676...." Click here to read the full article.
Find Out Where Your Members of Congress Stand on Health Care!
Ask your member of Congress which side they are on:
Quality affordable health care for all...
-or- being left on your own with the insurance companies.
Click here to make a TOLL-FREE call to your Member of Congress now!
Where does your member of Congress stand on health care? Are they with us for quality affordable health care for all? Or are they with the insurance industry, working to preserve our broken system?
Ask your member of Congress to Sign the HCAN Which Side Are You On Support Statement today!
NJ Citizen Action is working with Health Care for America Now (HCAN), a broad-based national coalition consisting of hundreds of organizations across the country, to win quality affordable health care for all hard-working American families.
Right now, our goal is to make 100,000 calls to Congress, making sure every member is asked multiple times which side they are on.
We need your help to get the message across! HCAN has put together an easy-to-use webpage for you to call your member of Congress. Just click here, enter in your information — including your phone number — and click the "Call" button. In a few moments, you'll receive a call to that phone number that will automatically put you in touch with your member of Congress. It couldn't be easier, and it's FREE!
With formal letters, in-person visits, and tens of thousands of phone calls, our message will be impossible to ignore: We want quality, affordable health care for all, and we want every member of Congress on our side!
Or, if you'd prefer, you can be automatically connected to Congress by calling, toll free, 1-888-436-8427.
On Sunday, September 14th thousands of people gathered for House Parties across the country to watch a brand new movie by Robert Greenwald. The documentary is part of Greenwald's "War on Greed" series and focuses on why we can't trust the insurance industry to solve the health care crisis in America. At the parties, friends, neighbors and local activists generated letters and calls to Members of Congress asking them to pick a side.
YOU can host an HCAN House Party in your own home to energize your friends, family and community about the critical importance of health care reform and call on your member of Congress to take a stand.
On October 8, 2008, consumer, health care, labor and faith-based groups in NJ and the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Campaign, released a new report from the Economic Policy Institute during a Tele Press Conference Call. The report finds that as many as 672,782 New Jerseyans would lose employer-sponsored health insurance under the McCain health care plan. The report concludes that because the centerpiece of McCain's plan would impose taxes on health insurance benefits — which are now untaxed — employers would be less likely to offer them. Read the full Media Release.
More information about HCAN, contact NJCA's Health Care Campaign Coordinator, Eve Weissman at 732-246-4772 ext. 22 or eve@njcitizenaction.org.
Join the New Jersey for Health Care Campaign!
The New Jersey for Health Care Campaign is a broad-based alliance of health care, consumer, senior, student, disability, women's, labor, faith-based, civil rights and social justice organizations working to make guaranteed, high quality, affordable health care a reality for all New Jerseyans.
TAKE ACTION! Join the New Jersey for Health Care Campaign. Whether you are an individual, an organization, or a business — JOIN!... at the NJ For Health Care Website or you can download the 2008 Endorsement Form and become an active coalition member now, and sign the Health Care Voter Card to pledge your support for quality, affordable health care for all, without gaps in coverage or access. Learn more about NJCA's Quality Health Care for All Campaign. For more information, please contact NJCA's Health Care Campaign Coordinator Eve Weissman at 856-966-3091 ext.205 or email eve@njcitizenaction.org.
New! The NJ Main Street Alliance brings together hundreds of small business owners who want real health care reform! Small businesses are the heart of New Jersey's economy and the heart of our communities. NJ businesses with fewer than 100 employees employed 1.3 million workers in 2005 — 37 percent of the state's private sector jobs, above the national average. No one knows as well as small business owners do how badly our health care system is broken. Small businesses are routinely left vulnerable to the premium hikes, benefit cuts, coverage denials and administrative nightmares that are commonplace in the health care system today. Join united small business owners across the state coming together to fix the broken health care system. Learn more about the NJ Main Street Alliance.
New! On Friday, October 10, 2008, the NJ For Health Care Campaign launched a new website — njforhealthcare.org — which will provide New Jerseyans with comprehensive information and resources on health care reform efforts at the state and national level, up-to-date news articles and press releases, a story-bank for New Jerseyans to share personal accounts of insurance company horror stories, opportunities to take action and the ability for both individuals and organizations to join the NJ For Health Care Campaign in working to make high quality, affordable health care a reality for all hard-working NJ families. Read the full Media Release — and visit njforhealthcare.org!
Take Action!
Conduct a Health Care Affordability Session in Your Neighborhood!
How much can YOU Afford to Spend on Health Care?
- Do you have the health care security you and your family need?
- What is truly affordable health care for New Jersey families and communities?
- Fill out an Affordability Worksheet and be part of innovative new research that will change the way Trenton looks at health care reform!
- Learn more about health care reform proposals in NJ and nationally... find out how YOU could be impacted!
Host an Affordability Session at your church, synagogue, mosque, senior or community center, or with friends and neighbors.
For more information, contact NJCA Organizer Leo Torrey at 856-966-3091 ext. 205 or leo@njcitizenaction.org.
Women's Housing Initiative — Cherry Hill
New Jersey Citizen Action will be hosting a Home of Her Own: Women's Housing Initiative Program in Cherry Hill. This program is intended to assist low and moderate income women to become homeowners, using discounted, below market rate mortgages.
Saturday, February 21, 2009 — Registration begins promptly at 1:00pm, Program from 2:00–4:00pm
Cherry Hill Public Library
1100 Kings Highway North
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Map and Directions
For more information on this program, please contact Roxanne Perez at 732-246-4772 x.25 or by email at roxanne@njcitizenaction.org.
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, 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.
Take Action Now!
Tell Congress: No Blank Check for Iraq War!
Iraq vote coming soon! Congress will vote to extend funding for the Iraq War until April 2009, giving the President a blank check for endless war in Iraq and no timeline for withdrawal. You must act quickly and urge your representative to VOTE NO BLANK CHECK!
Call Your Representative Now!
Capitol Switchboard (Toll Free):
1-888-460-0813
Ask the Capitol Switchboard operator to connect you to your member of Congress' office. If you don't know your Representative's name, click here.
YOU can make the difference! Here's a suggested script: "I am calling to urge Rep ____ to vote NO to another blank check for the Iraq War. We cannot continue to fund this endless war without a certain date for withdrawal."
After your call, please forward this message to three members of your friends and family. Together we can end the Iraq War and ensure Congress passes a package that provides for a shared recovery. But time is of the essence!
Take Action!
Greater Disclosure of Medical Errors
Nearly 100,000 Americans die each year from Preventable Medical Errors. In recent years, according to the NJ Department of Health, almost 100 died in New Jersey — but we don't know where. You can help!
Take Action! Call the AARP health care quality hotline at 1-800-844-2272 and urge Health Commissioner Heather Howard to make this important medical information public.
Preventable Medical Errors (PMEs) are avoidable mistakes that result in serious injury or even death. All too many New Jerseyans have experienced the terrible effects of preventable medical errors. However, in New Jersey, consumers are being denied the right to know where these errors are occurring.
For more information read the editorial "Don't Conceal Medical Errors" in the July 22 Asbury Park Press and view the AARP Video News Release, which sheds light on the horrors of PMEs and calls for Health Commissioner Heather Howard to release to the public each NJ hospital's safety record. Please take action today.
You have the right to know where Preventable Medical Errors are occurring in New Jersey. Please call 1-800-844-2272 and ask Commissioner Heather Howard to release the numbers by health care facility!
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.
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
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!
More From NJCA
NJ State Budget — Give a Voice to Critical Human Needs
The Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey (APN) needs your help to give critical human needs a voice in the state's budget process. State decision-makers have already begun the process of developing the state budget for 2006-2007, but most of the conversation has been about cuts. We need to get the message out that even in tight budget times, the state government must respond to basic human needs. See APN's mostcriticalneeds.org for areas requiring immediate state investment. And see how the Fairness Alliance graded Governor Corzine's Proposed Budget in the Fairness Alliance 2006 Budget Principles list and the Fairness Alliance on the Budget.
TAKE ACTION! Distribute the Most Critical Needs Flier to your members, service recipients, and anyone else who wants to have a voice in expressing the most important areas for state investment in human needs. Learn more about our Fair Tax Campaign and The Fairness Alliance.
Victory!
Ratepayers Victorious! — Exelon's PSEG Buy-Out Bid Collapses
Citizen Action scored a huge victory on September 14, 2006 when the Chicago-based Exelon Corporation's friendly takeover bid of PSEG collapsed. The merger would have created a giant super monopoly that could have manipulated energy supplies and prices, costing ratepayers up to $2.3 billion a year in additional rate increases. This merger, which had already received approval of the Bush administration in D.C., is the only utility merger ever to fail to be approved by the NJ BPU and only one of a very few around the country to collapse in the current wave of utility mergers around the country.
"This is a clear victory for ratepayers," said NJCA Executive Director Phyllis Salowe-Kaye. "It shows that citizens can win when we're organized and make our voices heard." Learn more at our Fair Utility Rates and Energy Education Campaign.