VICTORIES!
Here are New Jersey Citizen Action's recent victories.
Each entry is arranged alphabetically by Issue Campaign, and includes a link for more information. (The site map lists all Issue Campaigns.)
Below you will also find details about earlier victories, with links to Annual Reports.
FAMILY LEAVE |
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.
LEAD |
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.
FAIR AND CLEAN ELECTIONS |
Governor Corzine Signs Clean Elections Bill
On Wednesday, March 28, 2007, Governor Jon Corzine signed A100 — the 2007 NJ Fair and Clean Election Pilot Project Act. The law, which reauthorizes, improves and expands the 2005 pilot program, establishes a voluntary full public campaign financing program for candidates seeking election to the State Senate or General Assembly in three districts for the 2007 General Election. Learn more at our Fair And Clean Elections Campaign.
HEALTH CARE |
NJ Prescription Drug Pricing Registry Website Launched
The Rx Drug Registry, for which NJCA successfully lobbied, has officially been launched by the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs. Now consumers are able to easily search for drugs by entering the drug name, dosage, and their zip code.
With drug prices varying by as much as 25% from store to store, the registry will help those without prescription drug coverage, including those stuck in the "donut hole" of the new Part D prescription drug program. NJCA was instrumental in helping draft the legislation and lobbyied on its behalf. See our press release. Search the Rx Drug Registry to find the most affordable prices. Learn more about NJCA's Quality Health Care for All Campaign.
HEALTH CARE |
Medicaid Co-Pays Taken Off the Table of State Budget
Governor Corzine's proposed FY2007 Budget called for a $2 co-pay on prescription drugs in fee-for service and Managed Care plans. While this might not sound like a lot of money, many individuals with developmental and other disabilities in NJ need constant medical supervision and/or need to take 5-10 medications on a daily basis. These co-payments would be extremely burdensome for Medicaid beneficiaries who have a very small monthly allowance for personal expenses.
In addition to testifying before the state budget committees, NJCA met with state legislators and the Governor's office and urged them to not support Medicaid co-pays. Along with our letter writing action on our website, our efforts to fight back this budget item were successful. Co-pays for Medicaid services are now off the table. Thank you to those who wrote letters and called your legislators! Learn more about NJCA's Quality Health Care for All Campaign.
INSURANCE, BANKING & CRA |
PNC Promises NJ $1 Billion
The Record (NorthJersey.com) reported on August 17, 2007: "PNC Financial Services Group, the third-largest deposit holder in New Jersey, plans to invest at least $1 billion over the next three years in the state to help business owners and home buyers in low-income and moderate-income areas. PNC held a press conference Thursday in Newark with representatives of consumer watchdog group New Jersey Citizen Action and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey to announce the pledge, which includes $550 million in business loans....
'PNC has been a leader in creative and innovative ways to provide loans, products and direct services to those who most desperately need assistance in our state,' Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, executive director of New Jersey Citizen Action, said in a statement...." Here is the complete article. Learn more about NJCA's Insurance, Banking and Community Reinvestment Campaign.
INSURANCE, BANKING & CRA |
Wal-Mart Drops Banking Plan
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail corporation, at last admitted defeat on March 16, 2007 and dropped its controversial banking application. It had tried to become a bank – with very little federal regulation. A recently released internal Wal-Mart email exposed that the retailer had misled both elected leaders and the FDIC about its banking intentions.
Citizen Action, its members and affiliates, and its partner, The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), strongly opposed creation of a Wal-Mart Bank. NJCA staff attended the NCRC national convention and joined the NCRC organized rally. We celebrate this victory for hard-working famiies all across America. Learn more about NJCA's Insurance, Banking and Community Reinvestment Campaign.
INSURANCE, BANKING & CRA |
NJ Passes Anti-Predatory Lending Law
Victory achieved by NJCA and the Coalition for Fair Lending!
On February 27, 2003, the first NJ Anti-Predatory Lending Legislation (A.75 NJ Homeownership Security Act) was passed in the NJ State Senate and we are confident this bill will be soon signed into law by Governor McGreevey. This legislation will help protect many New Jersey families from unscrupulous predatory lenders. It will also provide recourse for families who do fall prey to these lenders.
NJCA has worked for over a year now with the Coalition for Fair Lending to introduce and strengthen the momentum on this legislation. Although the lending industry attempted to weaken the bill for consumers, the Coalition was successful in getting the strongest possible bill passed in the Senate. Thanks to everyone who had a part in this success! Learn more about NJCA's Insurance, Banking and Community Reinvestment Campaign.
LEAD |
Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act
The Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act (S-1348/Rice, A-1947/Weinberg) was signed by Governor McGreevey on January 20, 2004. Thank you to everyone who called, wrote letters and supported us on this campaign! This is a major victory for NJ families, homeowners, and landlords who will now have the means to remove hazardous lead paint from their homes. And it moves us closer to the goal of New Jersey Citizen Action’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Campaign to create a lead-free environment for all New Jersey’s children. Learn more about our Lead Poisoning Prevention Campaign.
MINIMUM WAGE |
NJ Passes Minimum Wage Increase
On April 12, 2005, Gov. Richard Codey signed legislation to increase the state's minimum wage for the first time in six years, taking the rate to $6.15 an hour in October 2005 and $7.15 in October 2006, up from $5.15 an hour.
Learn more at our Fair Minimum Wage Campaign.
SOCIAL SECURITY |
Privatization
Scheme Stopped!
Senate leadership are now saying that Bush's Social Security privatization scheme won't be raised again until 2009, if then!
We have helped to keep Social Security as a promise from one generation to another, guaranteeing the security of stable retirement income. Thanks to all of you who have participated in our Keep the Promise of Social Security Campaign.
TAXES |
NJ Passes Property Tax Relief
On June 21, 2004 the NJ legislature passed the property tax relief plan long supported by NJCA! We work with the Fairness Alliance, bringing together scores of organizations concerned about the impact of the budget deficit. Together, we are building support for a plan to make NJ’s wealthiest residents pay their fair share, while reducing income tax burdens on the working poor.
Our plan prevents drastic cuts to needed services, raises the income tax rates on the wealthiest 2% of NJ taxpayers, and eliminates the income tax for those making under $25,000 a year. Learn more at our Fair Taxes Campaign.
UTILITY RATES |
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.
VOTE |
2003 Victories and Highlights
NJCA passed two new laws that will protect children and families in New Jersey: The NJ Home-ownership Security Act and The Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act.
- We opened the door to first-time homeownership to 775 NJ families, through our Loan Counseling Program, which provides assistance with budgeting, credit, and Community Reinvestment Act mortgages. 4,000 families are actively involved in this and our home improvement counseling program. NJCA expanded our Homeownership Institute, a series of classes for first-time homebuyers, to include Section 8 Homeownership.
- NJCA held two Women's Housing Initiative seminars, in Newark and Asbury Park. Hundreds of people, mostly female heads of households, learned about purchasing a home of their own. Our mentoring program "Been There, Done That" paired 25 women who have purchased homes through us with 50 women who are entering counseling and face long-term credit repair.
- We reached over 300 current and future small business owners through our Small Business Outreach program. We held events in Long Branch, Newark and Yonkers, NY to raise awareness of the opportunities to access capital through CRA.
- Thousands of consumers saved as much as 17% on their annual heating costs through our Oil Group, which pools buying power to negotiate for lower oil prices.
- NJCA trained a record 190 community leaders and agency staff around the state on lead poisoning prevention, in six train the trainer seminars. Also, as part of our efforts in increase abatements, we launched the "Disclosure Project" leveraging federal laws to empower tenants and force compliance by landlords. Consumers for Civil Justice honored NJCA for our lead poisoning prevention work in 2003.
- Full 2003 Year in Review report.
2002 Victories and Highlights
Over 2,000 people attended our "Women's Housing Initiative: A Home of Her Own" events which were held around NJ, including Hackensack, Asbury Park, Camden and twice in Newark. The workshop was presented in both English and Spanish. NJCA helped nearly 1,000 families achieve first time homeownership through our Loan Counseling program.
- We crafted a historic financial workout program for more than 150 families who were victims of a massive predatory property-flipping scheme in Essex County, which we exposed in 2001. NJCA led a network of elected officials, federal and county agencies, and non-profit housing developers to put together this financial remediation solution, the first of its kind in the nation.
- We began a Small Business Outreach program to raise awareness of the opportunities for small business owners to get capital through CRA. Hundreds of potential and current small business entrepreneurs learned about the availability of small-business funding and technical assistance.
- Despite large price hikes in 2002, members saved as much as 17% on their annual heating costs through NJCA Oil Group, which pools buying power to negotiate for lower oil prices.
- NJCA's input shaped the $15 million interim energy Universal Service Fund, adopted by the Board of Public Utilities after four years of planning. A permanent and fully funded USF will create affordable utility bills for low-income customers.
- After a year of raising consumer concerns about the for-profit conversion of Salem County's Memorial Hospital, NJCA won major changes in the proposal. With the NJ Public Interest Law Center, we secured the appointment of an Independent Health Monitor to oversee the hospital for up to 5 years after its sale. NJCA and other consumer groups were given an oversight role over the escrow funds set up for the purchasing hospital to settle Memorial's debt to the community.
- Full 2002 Year in Review report.