Are you a member of the media looking to speak to a New Jersey Citizen Action representative for a story? Please contact Jerome Montes, NJCA Communications Director at 732-246-4772, or email him at jerome@njcitizenaction.org
Insider NJ: NJ Citizen Action Announces 2020 Endorsements
October 5, 2020
Insider NJ: Consumer advocates applaud designation of Student Loan Ombudsman for New Jersey
October 4, 2020
NJ Globe: NJ Budget Analysis: What To Know About Spending, Taxes And More (pdf download)
September 3, 2020
NJ Spotlight: NJ Budget Analysis: What To Know About Spending, Taxes And More
August 27, 2020)
Insider NJ: New Jersey Citizen Action Statement On Governor Murphy’s Proposed 2021 Budget
August 25, 2020)
Star-Ledger: Trump Administration Would Allow Predatory Lenders To Trap New Jerseyans In Ruinous Debt: Opinion
August 25, 2020
NJTV News: Government Should Step In on Drug Prices, NJ Residents Say
August 14, 2020
Insider NJ: New Jersey Citizen Action joins legal challenge against Trump administration memorandum excluding undocumented immigrants from census
August 13, 2020
Media Release: NJ Time to Care Coalition Paid Leave Recommendations during COVID-19 and other Public Health Emergencies — NJ Citizen Action is a founding member of the NJ Time to Care Coalition
March 13, 2020
Media Release: NJCA calls on Gottheimer to back HR 5050
January 9, 2020
NJTV News: $15 Minimum Wage Law Could Have Unintended Consequences
February 5, 2019
North Jersey: NJ minimum wage going up to $15 an hour
January 31, 2019
News 12: Texas judge rules ‘Obamacare’ unconstitutional, so now what?
December 17, 2018
Burlington County Times: Gov. Phil Murphy calls for open enrollment extension
December 16, 2018
Washington Post: The Health 202: The Trump administration removed a training guide for Latino outreach from an ACA website
December 10, 2018
Forbes: To Remain A Global Economic Leader, The U.S. Has To Lead On Paid Leave
July 10, 2018
NORTH JERSEY: A Layer of Protection Against Surprise Medical Bills (Editorial)
June 7, 2018
NJ SPOTLIGHT: Governor Signs Nation’s Strongest Law on ‘Surprise’ Medical Bills
June 6, 2018
THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY: N.J. Joins Multi-State Fight against Federal Birth Control Coverage Exemption
May 31, 2018
THE HILL: New Jersey Governor Signs Health-Care Mandate into Law after Federal Repeal
May 31, 2018
NJ SPOTLIGHT: NJ Leaders Scramble to Protect Obamacare Gains Against Federal Threat
May 25, 2018
THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY: N.J. Health Department Offers $4.3M to Reduce Black Infant Mortality
May 9, 2018
GOVERNING: As Other States Have Abandoned Efforts, New Jersey Passes Individual Mandate
May 9, 2018
THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY: N.J. sick leave now guaranteed under new law
May 3, 2018
NJ SPOTLIGHT: Dollar for Dollar – Gender Pay Equity Law Signed by Governor Murphy
April 25, 2018
PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL: New Jersey Enacts Equal Pay Law
April 24, 2018
WHYY: New Jersey Enacts Equal Pay Law
April 24, 2018
THE RECORD: Equal Pay: Closing the gender pay gap in New Jersey
OP ED by Dena Mottola Jaborska, NJCA Associate Director
April 23, 2018
ASBURY PARK PRESS: New Jersey Leads the Way on Equal Pay
OP ED by Dena Mottola Jaborska, NJCA Associate Director
April 20, 2018
THE RECORD: Registering to Vote in New Jersey will Become Automatic by End of Year
April 17, 2018
INSIDERNJ.COM: NJCA Statement in Response to Bob Hugin’s Sanctuary Cities Statement
April 16, 2018
NJTVONLINE.ORG: NJ lawmakers look to implement state-level individual mandate
April 16, 2018
BLUE JERSEY: Protesting the Trump/MacArthur Tax Scam
April 15, 2018
NJTVONLINE.ORG: Dems Push Agenda Through Legislature Amid Some Budget Fears
April 12, 2018
THE RECORD: Surprise Medical Bills Could Become a Thing of the Past in New Jersey
April 12, 2018
INSIDERNJ.COM: NJCA/NJ Statement on the Passage of the Out of Network Consumer Protection Act
April 12, 2018
INSIDERNJ.COM: Workers, Small Business Owners, and Advocates Celebrate the Passage of Earned Sick and Safe Days Legislation for New Jersey
April 12, 2018
U.S. NEWS: Lawmakers send Murphy Some, Not All, Bills in Liberal Agenda
April 12, 2018
NJ SPOTLIGHT: Pain Relief for College Students Overburdened by Loan Debt
April 12, 2018
INSIDERNJ.COM: The New Jersey Time to Care Coalition Members Celebrate, Discuss Significance of Earned Sick Days Bill Poised to Pass Thursday
April 10, 2018
NJ SPOTLIGHT: ‘Surprise’ Medical Bill Advances, with Hospitals on Board
April 8, 2018
NJ211.ORG: Organizations Promoting Free Financial Literacy and Resource Tools
April 2018
NJ SPOTLIGHT: Pleas for Increases in State Aid as Murphy’s Budget gets its First Close-Up
March 29, 2018
THE RECORD: Equal Pay for Women, Sick Time for All Workers on the Way to Becoming Law in New Jersey
March 26, 2018
NEWARK PATCH: Less than One Month Until Tax Day, File Your Taxes for Free
March 26, 2018
TAP INTO: Westfield 20/20 Sponsors Healtchare Forum with NJ Citizen Action
March 24, 2018
NJTVONLINE.ORG: Assembly Committee Advances Equal Pay Legislation
March 19, 2018
NJ101.5.COM: Equal Pay Bill Allowing Six Years’ Back Pay Races Towards Passage
March 19, 2018
WBGO.ORG: NJ Lawmakers Consider Pay Equity Bill
March 16, 2018
THE JERSEY JOURNAL: After Equifax scandal, Menendez bill would guard against hacks
September 22, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER: Menendez bill seeks to protect private data
September 21. 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Overhaul opponents mobilizing against latest GOP bill
September 21, 2017
THE INQUIRER: At MacArthur’s office, a skirmish in the health-care battle
September 20, 2017
NJ.com: Woman joins Peace Corps, Hoboken girl wins pageant
September 19, 2017
LINK NEWS: 9th Annual Back to School Health Fair Seeks Huge Attendance
September 6, 2017
COURIER-POST: Healthcare problem solvers intent on sabotage of ACA
September 4, 2017
THE PATCH: Gottheimer’s problem solvers creating new problems
September 1, 2017
NEWARK PATCH: Newark Labor Day Rally Will Support ‘Fight For $15’
September 2, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: It took a trip to D.C. to learn Smith’s views
September 1, 2017
Hunterdon Review: Progressive Hunterdon Democrats to host resistance meeting in Flemington
August 29, 2017
NJTV NEWS: Changes to ACA open enrollment period this fall
August 25, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: MacArthur seeking support for health care plan
August 17, 2017
THE RECORD: Gottheimer seeks bipartisan fix to ACA
August 16, 2017
NJTV NEWS: New Jersey healthcare advocates rally to preserve ACA
August 1, 2017
WESTPORT NEWS: Governors Urge Bi-partisan Work on Healthcare
July 27, 2017
NEWS 12: Gov. Christie signs 72 bills, surprising some Democrats
July 24, 2017
THE RECORD: Attempt to undercut ACA is mean-spirited
July 24, 2017
NJ.COM: Christie vetoes paid family leave expansion
July 24, 2017
HERALD NEWS: Trump officials end health law help in 18 cities in U.S.
July 21, 2017
THE RECORD: Trump officials end health law help in 18 cities in U.S.
June 21, 2017
TAP INTO MONTCLAIR: Essex County Freeholders Pass Legislation to Support Minority-Owned, Women-Owned and Veteran-Owned Businesses
July 21, 2017
NJ.com: Hobby Lobby’s hypocrisy; let’s get a fair health bill
July 18, 2017
HOME NEWS TRIBUNE: The Daily Rundown
July 13, 2017
IRVINGTON HERALD: Smith honored by Essex County freeholders at Jewish Heritage Month Celebration July 13, 2017
THE TIMES: Support paid leave changes
July 13, 2017
PEOPLE’S WORLD: State budget struggles affect workers: Four now solved
July 10, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER: Support family leave act improvements
July 8, 2017
SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD TIMES: Peyton’s Peek at the Week in Politics
July 6, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Making headway before adjourning
July 6, 2017
NJ.com: You may soon be protected from those surprise out-of-network medical bills
June 28, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER: Senate OKs measure shielding patients from surprise bills
June 28, 2017
NJ SPOTLIGHT: New plan for Horizon could require insurer to turn over funds to NJ
June 27, 2017
HERALD NEWS: Medical bill measure goes to N.J. Senate
June 27, 2017
NorthJersey.com: Senate committee advances measure to protect N.J. patients from surprise medical bills
June 26, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Oscar comes back to N.J. health market
June 22, 2017
NJ SPOTLIGHT: Would reforms to small-business tax, minimum wage, family-leave fix NJ economy? June 13, 2017
NJTV NEWS: Advocates and critics await Christie’s decision on Paid Family Leave reform bill June 12, 2017
NRCC: Lizette Delgado-Polanco Elevated to Political Director at Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters June 12, 2017
SUNDAY STAR LEDGER: NJ reps vote to kill rules on Wall Street
June 11, 2017
THE RECORD: Rally in Wayne protests exit from Paris deal
June 9, 2017
SENTINEL: Focus on Benefits for Family/Medical Care
June 7, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Trump to help raise funds for MacArthur
June 6, 2017
NJ.com: Democrats to hold forum for congressional candidates in 7th District
June 5, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER: Her Surprise Medical Bill
June 4, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Murphy ‘laser-focused’ on primary
June 2, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Lawmakers want broader family leave
May 24, 2017
SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD TIMES: Protests to Continue Outside Lance’s Office
May 25, 2017
THE RECORD: Lawmakers want to expand New Jersey paid family leave
May 24, 2017
NEW JERSEY LAW JOURNAL: Broad Expansion of Paid Family Leave Proposed for NJ
May 23, 2017
COURIER POST: An ‘unhappy birthday’ party for Donald Trump
May 16, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Rape pre-existing condition?
May 14, 2017
COURIER POST: MacArthur faces anger, frustrations at marathon town hall in Willingboro May 12, 2017
COURIER POST: Unfriendly reception for MacArthur
May 12, 2017
THE TRENTONIAN: Republican who helped pass health overhaul meeting voters
May 11, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Hundreds protest healthcare bill
May 11, 2017
CBS PHILLY: Rep. Tom MacArthur’s Health Care Vote Draws Protesters In NJ
May 11, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Protests greet MacArthur at town hall
May 11, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER: Town hall crowd in ill humor for Rep.
May 11, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Protesters plan rally at MacArthur gathering
May 9, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Voters See MacArthur as Savior, Target
May 7, 2017
COURIER POST: MacArthur town hall to be held in Willingboro
May 7, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: House passes health care bill
May 5, 2017
WEST ORANGE CHRONICLE: Remembering Longtime West Orange Activist Ruth Bardach May 4, 2017
SUNDAY STAR LEDGER: Trump’s plan to ax safeguards will be ruinous for New Jersey
April 30, 2017
THE RECORD: Obamacare is still the law of the land, despite repeal efforts
April 29, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Health care bill revision draws mixed reviews
April 27, 2017
DAILY RECORD: Rep. MacArthur takes lead on new GOP bill
April 27, 2017
TAP INTO IT MONTCLAIR: Montclair Fund for Women Awards Grants to Local Area Nonprofits April 26, 2017
eNEWS PARK FOREST: “No Beds, No Boots, No Wall” Demands National Grassroots Network April 25, 2017
NJ SPOTLIGHT: Trump Budget Cuts Could Leave Poor NJ Residents in the Cold
April 21, 2017
INSIDER NJ: New Jersey Citizen Action Buzzes MacArthur’s District
April 17, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Middle Ground: Tom MacArthur responds to attacks about his health care vote from both sides
April 13, 2017
NJTV NEWS: Investment Advisers Could Put Personal Interests Above Clients
April 12, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: GOP moves on without health care overhaul
March 26, 2017
HEALIO GASTROENTEROLOGY: NJHA, AARP voice concern ahead of House vote on American Health Care Act
March 24, 2017
OCEAN STAR: National Organization for Women Forum/Networking
March 24, 2017
PHILLY VOICE: At South Jersey meeting on GOP health plan, news of a vote delay
March 23, 2017
COURIER POST: Democrats cite harm to NJ from Republican health bill
March 23, 2017
THE RECORD: Dems cite harm to NJ from GOP health bill
March 22, 2017
COURIER NEWS: Dems tell gov: Talk with Trump
March 22, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: MacArthur to vote “yes” on GOP health care overhaul
March 22, 2017
NJ.COM: Hunterdon activists ask Freeholders to support Obamacare
March 21, 2017
NORTHJERSEY.COM: Democrats cite harm to NJ from Republican bill
March 21, 2017
NJ BIZ: GOP’s American Health Care Act: “The end of Medicaid as we know it”
March 20, 2017
THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY: Governor contenders weigh in on U.S. health care bill
March 19. 2017
WESTFIELD PATCH: N.J. Activists Plan Healthcare “Stakeouts” in Wesfield
March 16, 2017
OCEAN CITY PATCH: N.J. Activists Plan Healthcare “Stakeout” Outside Frank LoBiondio’s Office
March 15, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: N.J. Activists Plan Healthcare “Stakeout” Outside Frank LoBiondio’s Office
March 23, 2017
COURIER NEWS: Stay informed, stay engaged
March 12, 2017
NEW JERSEY HILLS: Local grass root groups to protest Lance health care vote Friday morning
March 9, 2017
HUNTERDON REVIEW: New Jersey Citizen Action, locals, will rally Wednesday outside Rep. Lance’s Raritan Township, Westfield offices
March 8, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: MacArthur to hold in-person town hall in Ocean County
March 5, 2017
COURIER POST: “Obamacare” repeal could leave NJ seniors strapped
February 27, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: MacArthur meets with protesters
February 26, 2017
HERALD NEWS: Casualties of an ACA fast repeal
February 23, 2017
COURIER POST: MacArthur critics hold town hall
February 23, 2017
HOME NEWS TRIBUNE: Protesters gather at Lance town hall
February 23, 2017
HOME NEWS TRIBUNE: Lance braves critics in “vigorous” meeting
February 23, 2017
THE COURIER-NEWS: NJ to lose billions if ACA repealed, advocates say
February 23, 2017
THE COURIER-NEWS: Big stakes for Central Jersey in Obamacare repeal effort
February 23, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Angry constituents slam away at Lance at town hall
February 23, 2017
THE RECORD: Casualties of an ACA fast repeal
February 23, 2017
THE RECORD: For lawmakers, angry voters ready to vent
February 23, 2017
CITIZEN: Rep Lance’s chief of staff defends town hall ticketing distribution
February 22, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER NEWARK: Angry voters ready to vent at lawmaker
February 22, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Think tank: ACA repeal would have dire effect
February 22, 2017
THE RECORD: ACA repeal could be costly
February 22, 2017
THE JERSEY JOURNAL: Payne to protesters: “The resistance must build”
February 21, 2017
UNION COUNTY LOCAL SOURCE: Local movements push back against Lance’s position
February 16, 2017
COURIER POST: Officials refusal to hold town halls prompts a visit from protesters
February 16, 2017
THE TIMES: Don’t let consumer watchdog be defanged
February 14, 2017
HERALD NEWS: Judges refuse to reinstate the travel ban
February 10, 2017
WESTFIELD LEADER: Protests to Continue in Front of Lance’s Office
February 9, 2017
THE RECORD: Trump to take aim at Dodd-Frank Act
February 4, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: As Obamacare deadline looms, N.J. wonders what’s next
January 31, 2017
THE COURIER NEWS: Officials criticize immigration orders
January 31, 2017
THE COURIER NEWS: ACA beneficiaries facing uncertainty
January 31, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Protests Arise in NJ Against Trump Order
January 30, 2017- Neptune, NJ
THE RECORD: Protests Erupt Over Refugee Ban
January 29, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Do Tax Anticipation Loans Make Sense?
January 29, 2017
U.S. 1: How to Avoid Out-of-Network Charges
January 27, 2017
ECHOES SENTINEL: Group “VOW”s to hold reps accountable under Trump
January 26, 2017
THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY: Bill Would Require Drug Screening for High School Students
January 25, 2017
COURIER NEWS: NJ Filers May Wait Longer for Refunds
January 24, 2017
HOME NEWS TRIBUNE/ COURIER POST/ ASBURY PARK PRESS: NJ to delay state tax refunds
January 23, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER: Your N.J. tax refund may be delayed this year, state says
January 23, 2017
THE RECORD: Women’s March on Nation’s Capital
January 22, 2017
THE TIMES: Plea to thousands at N.J. women’s march: ‘Don’t let this be your last
January 21, 2017
THE TIMES: Unity, anger and calls to action highlight massive Washington Women’s March
January 21, 2017
COURIER POST: Crowds for Women’s March on Washington exceed expectations
January 21, 2017- WASHINGTON
COURIER NEWS: Central Jersey teens, families go to Washington for inauguration
January 21, 2017
THE TRENTONIAN: Women’s March on D.C. Offers a Chance to Stand United
January 20, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Advocates for Health Law Rally Outside MacArthur’s Office
January 19, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS:Lawmakers Being Urged Not to Kill Obamacare
January 19, 2017
HERALD NEWS: Health cares advocates hold vigils at Republican offices
January 19, 2017
COURIER POST: Marlton vigil draws ACA supporters
January 18, 2017
THE SUNDAY STAR LEDGER: N.J. sending 300 buses to Women’s March on Washington as ticket prices soar
January 18, 2017
THE STAR LEDGER-NEWARK: Buses at Premium for Women’s March in D.C.
January, 18, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Shore lawmakers told to keep Obamacare
January 18, 2017
THE TIMES RECORD NEWS: So long from White House: Obama aims final messages at Trump
January 18, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Trump’s Health Policy Still Hazy
January 16, 2017
ASBURY PARK SUNDAY PRESS/ COURIER POST: Call to Enforce Existing Laws to Aid Tenants
January 15, 2017
ASBURY PARK PRESS: Officials: Action needed on ‘Renter Hell’
January 14, 2016
COURIER POST: Billions for Squalor: State’s Rental Housing Plagued by Issues
January 6, 2017
THE BERNARDSVILLE NEWS/ FLORHAM PARK EAGLE/ HUNTERDON REVIEW/ CHATAM COURIER/ MADISON EAGLE/ MOUNT OLIVE CHRONICLE/ OBSERVER TRIBUNE: COMMENTARY: Revenge not the way to govern
January 4, 2017
THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY: Surprise Medical Bills Still Targeted
December 27, 2016
SUNDAY STAR LEDGER: How Gov’s Bill Were Torpedoed
December 25, 2016
NEW JERSEY HERALD: Vote on Public Notice Delayed
December 20, 2016
HOME NEWS TRIBUNE: Defeat Signals Major Loss for Christie
December 20, 2016
HERALD NEWS: Christie in retreat after rare rebuke by Legislature
December 19, 2016
THE COURIER NEWS: Analysis: Ad-Bill Savings Not Certain
December 17, 2016
ASBURY PARK PRESS: When will Asbury’s Century Pawnbroker Reopen?
December 16, 2016
COURIER POST: Christie, on Twitter, upbraids Dems over newspaper bill
December 16, 2016
HERALD NEWS: Panels OK Bill to Change Rule on Ad Despite Outcry
December 16, 2017
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Bill Allows Legal Notices to be Posted on Websites
December 16, 2016
NJ.COM:In statement to Trump, N.J. mobilizing for Women’s March on Washington
December 11, 2016
SUNDAY STAR LEDGER: Women’s March to Send a “Bold Message”
December 11, 2016
NEWS RECORD: Slafkes Offers Expertise
December 8, 2016
HERALD NEWS: Women’s March with a Message
December 6, 2016
GAZETTE HAWTHORNE: Women’s March in D.C, to Protest the Inauguration
December 6, 2016
THE STAR LEDGER NEWARK: Doctors Stall Effort to Limit Hospital Bills
December 6, 2016
BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES: Rollback would Cut Tax-funded Insurance
November 28, 2016
DAILY RECORD: What’s Next for Obamacare?
November 10, 2016
SENTINEL: Senate Approves Bill to Prevent Casino “Warehousing”
November 3, 2016
DAILY JOURNAL: Gas Tax Vote Moved Back to Friday
October 26, 2016
THE STAR LEDGER: Higher Tax Credit Urged for Working Poor
October 26, 2016
Press Releases
Today, 25 groups who advocate for low and middle income New Jerseyans sent a letter to the members of the New Jersey Senate opposing Governor Christie’s and the Assembly’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF)/ sales tax deal. These groups, along with New Jersey Citizen Action, remember the painful budget cuts that Christie imposed in 2010. The cuts that this TTF / sales tax deal would necessitate would be similarly painful.
National Consumer and Business Groups Join NJ Advocates To Call on Legislators to Protect Consumers, Reign in Costs of Surprise Medical Bills
(June 16, 2016) Highland Park, NJ – New Jersey Policy Perspective and the NJ for Health Care Coalition, a diverse collection of organizations which represent health care consumers, released a report today that illustrates the huge fiscal impact that surprise out-of-network bills are having on consumers and health care costs in New Jersey.
New Jersey Citizen Action Says Rule Needs Work, Poses Problems for States with Stronger Laws
(June 2, 2016) Newark, NJ – New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) hails the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issuing a proposed national rule, which attempts to eliminate abusive payday and car title lending. NJCA, however, urges the Bureau to issue a final rule without loopholes that do not require an ability-to-repay assessment across the board, which could undermine the strong state usury and other consumer protection laws in place in New Jersey.
(April 5, 2016) Trenton, NJ – Today in a State House Press Conference, Governor Christie announced $10 million in the FY2016 budget for lead containment and abatement programs for low and moderate income New Jerseyans, in a huge victory for the #LeadFreeKidsNJ Campaign.
New Jersey Citizen Action Calls For Christie’s Impeachment
(March 4, 2016) Newark, NJ – Today, New Jersey Citizen Action called on the New Jersey Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Christie. The announcement comes amid mounting calls, including 7 newspapers and members of his own party, for Governor Christie’s resignation.
(January 27, 2016) Trenton, NJ – Today, New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) commended the New Jersey State Investment Council (NJSIC) on its announcement that it has formally divested New Jersey pension fund money from JLL Partners, which used millions of pension funds to purchase the second largest predatory payday lender, ACE Cash Express. ACE was fined $10 million in 2014 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for its predatory lending and illegal debt collection practices.
New Jersey Citizen Action Kicks Off Annual Opening of Free Tax Preparation Center
NJCA has helped over 26,000 New Jerseyans Claim $40M in refunds, $15M in Earned Income Tax Credit, Over Past Decade of Free Tax Prep Service
Newark, NJ – On Wednesday, January 20, Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, Executive Director of New Jersey Citizen Action, Congressman Donald Payne Jr., Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, Assemblyman Jamel Holley, Newark Council President Mildred Crump, Internal Revenue service (IRS), and community partners will mark the Annual Opening of NJCA’s Tax Center located at 165 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07102. The event will kick off with a press conference at 10:30 a.m. There will be photo opportunities with clients receiving free services at the event.
Feds Announce 2 Day Extension For Consumers Seeking Health Coverage Effective January 1
Highland Park, NJ – NJ for Health Care Coalition partners working to educate New Jersey consumers on health options available to them under the Affordable Care Act were pleased with the announcement that consumers will have two additional days to enroll in order to be covered on the first day of the New Year.
Trenton, NJ – Members of the NJ for Health Care Coalition, a diverse collection of organizations which represent health care consumers, applauded the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee for advancing a strong bill to protect consumers from Surprise Medical Bills. The bill passed by a majority vote.
New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) expressed great disappointment over the New Jersey State Investment Council’s (NJSIC) failure to formally divest New Jersey pension funds from JLL Partners, which used $50 million of pension funds to purchase the second largest predatory payday lender in the nation, ACE Cash Express. Back in September, NJSIC indicated that they would complete divesting by its November meeting. ACE was fined $10 million in 2014 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for its predatory lending and illegal debt collection practices.
NJ Consumer Advocates Ramp Up Demand for Divestment from Payday Lender
New Jersey Citizen Action and other state advocacy organizations held a press conference to push their demand that the New Jersey State Investment Council, (NJSIC) divest New Jersey pension fund money from JLL Partners and the nation’s second largest predatory payday lender, ACE Cash Express.
Media Highlights
NJ Received $59M From Pharmaceutical, Medical Device Industry in 2015
August 16, 2016 – Asked by NJTV about a recently released federal report about funds received by hospitals and doctors from pharmaceutical and medical device industry, New Jersey Citizen Action Health Care Organizer India Hayes Larrier said, “Transparency without any action on the back end is useless. What we would like to see the action be is that people who are doing this sort of spending, the people who are recipients of this sort of spending would be held accountable. That you must show where this benefits the consumer and does not increase their costs.”
July 11, 2016 – As New Jersey continues to struggle with a poor economy marked by high rates of unemployment, foreclosures, and an increasing cost of living, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) remains a crucial lifeline for low-income families. By lifting families out of poverty and giving a boost to local economies, the EITC is a vital tax credit for the more than 600,000 working New Jerseyans who rely on it ‘to make ends meet.’ Unfortunately, many families are unaware that the EITC even exists, or that they are eligible for these tax credits. In other instances, they spend hundreds of dollars paying high cost tax preparers for services that are available for free at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. In response to this need, Partners for Health Foundation partnered with New Jersey Citizen Action and United Way of Northern New Jersey to provide free tax preparation services to make it easier for community members to take full advantage of tax credits that are due to them.
New Jersey Braces for Record Spending on Voter Referendums
July 6, 2016 – Dena Mottola Jaborska of New Jersey Citizen Action, a Trenton-based group whose mission is to fight for economic and social justice, said she can’t remember a year when there were this many high-stakes issues on the ballot.
“There is going to be beaucoups money spent on the casino question and the pension question. Those two alone are going to be big bucks,” she said. “It means that it will take away all the energy and resources to work on anything else this fall. It’s going to take money away from the presidential and congressional races.
Op-Ed: SALOWE-KAYE: Shark week warning at the Shore
July 1, 2016 – “Today, we finally have a chance to stop the payday loan shark feeding frenzy in New Jersey and across the country. The CFPB has issued the first national rules to regulate small-dollar lending nationwide. The CFPB rule does address key dangers inherent in predatory payday and auto title loans, but the rule is not as comprehensive as it should be and could appear to sanction the industry enough to undermine existing state protections. The CFPB’s proposed rule needs to be stronger to prevent payday lenders from making any loans without assessing whether the borrower has the ability to repay and from marketing them to our states online.”
Assembly TTF Bill Draws Criticism from Progressives and Business Groups Alike
June 29, 2016 – Weinberg, who joined Lesniak and Wisniewski for that press conference along with a slew of left-leaning advocacy groups including New Jersey Working Families, the New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Policy Perspective, the Anti-Poverty Network, and the New Jersey Citizen Action, told PolitickerNJ on Tuesday that does not believe the state will be able to both pay its pension obligations and accept that cut to the sales tax.
Power company agrees to end contributions to Scott Garrett
June 22, 2016 – First Energy, the company that owns Jersey Central Power and Light, agreed to stop its support ahead of a planned protest organized by Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen), along with New Jersey Citizen Action, Garden State Equality, New Jersey Sierra Club and Health Professionals and Allied Employees.
New Jersey Residents Seek to End Congressman Scott Garrett’s hateful, Anti-LGBT Actions
June 20, 2016 – “Congressman Garrett is openly and belligerently anti-gay. Incredibly, he doesn’t see anything wrong with being that way,” said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, the head of NJCA. “Common decency requires that that JCP&L join the civilized society and stop continuing to enable him in spewing his hate, by financially supporting him.” Salowe-Kaye added.
N.J. lawmakers clamp down on ‘surprise’ medical bills
June 20, 2016 – “Surprise bills are driving up the cost of insurance and unfairly penalizing New Jerseyans who do all the right things — buying insurance and using in-network providers,” said Maura Collinsgru, health policy advocate for N.J. Citizen Action, a consumer and labor group.
New Jersey gas tax plan gets bipartisan rebuke
June 16, 2016 – that the fund for repairing and replacing roads and bridges needs replenishment, Ann Vardeman with New Jersey Citizen Action says the Transportation Trust Fund said eliminating the estate tax is shortsighted.
“What are you going to cut, who are you going to lay off, what bill are you not going to pay with a half billion dollars less in revenue?” she sa
Surprise out-of-network med bills cost NJ $1B
June 16, 2016 – New Jersey consumers pay nearly $1 billion more in health care premiums because patients are unwittingly treated by doctors and hospitals that aren’t in their insurance networks, much to their surprise, according to a study released Thursday by advocacy groups.
The unexpected out-of-network bills contribute to New Jersey’s health care costs that are among the highest in the nation, the study by New Jersey Policy Perspective and NJ for Health Care found.
Revised out-of-network legislation going before Assembly panel on Monday
June 16, 2016 – For 18 months, stakeholders labored over the out-of-network bill, but it has seen no action since last November, according to Maura Collinsgru, health care program director at New Jersey Citizen Action.
An amended version of the bill, however, is set to be discussed Monday at the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance committee.
Report: Out-of-network care drives premiums in N.J. up by nearly $200
June 16, 2016 – The report was released on a “day of action” by NJ For Health Care, a coalition organized by New Jersey Citizen Action, a statewide community action and advocacy group. The coalition urged legislators to pass a law that would protect consumers and contain costs, while making health-care pricing more transparent. Last year, a measure introduced by four Democratic lawmakers after months of discussion with various interest groups failed to make it out of committee.
Gun Control Advocates Rally At Congressman Garrett’s Glen Rock Office
June 15, 2016 – The protestors included Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer and state Assemblyman Tim Eustace, as well as members of “Mom’s Demand Action Against Gun Violence” and New Jersey Citizen Action.
Trump Helps Christie Pay Off His Campaign Debt
May 20, 2016 – Outside the event, protesters panned Christie and Trump, chanting, “No hate in the Garden State.”
One sign branded Trump a “Nazi.” Overhead a plane flew with the message “Make New Jersey Great Again: #DumpChristieTrump” _ the work of the liberal group New Jersey Citizen Action.
NJ Mayors, Fed. Lawmakers Promote Paid Sick Leave Bill (May 20, 2016)
Paid Leave Gathering (May 20,2016)
Trump fundraiser in New Jersey draws hundreds of protestors
May 19, 2016 – Several organizations helped arrange the protest, including the New Jersey Citizen Action, New Jersey Working Families Alliance, New Jersey Sierra Club and the Amalgamated Transit Union. An airplane sponsored by New Jersey Citizen Action flew overhead displaying a banner that read “Make New Jersey Great Again. #DumpChristieTrump.”
New Jersey Lawmakers Advance Minimum Wage Legislation
May 16, 2016 – Phyllis Salowe-Kaye of New Jersey Citizen Action told WCBS 880’s Stephanie Colombini that a wage increase would be a crucial boost for the thousands of full-time workers in the state struggling to make ends meet.
“Not probably all they need, but certainly to level the playing field for them and allow them to have more security in their families,” Salowe-Kaye said.
Shore Mayors, Local Officials Slan NJNG’s Steep Rate Hike
April 13, 2016 – Dena Mottola Jaborska, Associate Director: “This is the kind of rate hike that you don’t see very often. Quite frankly, this is not the time to do that. Utility companies are here to serve the public interest.”
Menedez Bill Seeks Protection for Consumers Overwhelmed by Medical Debt
March 25, 2016 – Beverly Brown Ruggia, CRA Organizer: “One of the leading factors that contributes to foreclosure and bankruptcy is medical debt,” she noted. “The Medical Debt Relief Act will give patients and their families the time to recuperate from the shock of sudden and/or debilitating illness before they have to sort out the financial transactions that result from medical treatment and care.”
New Legislation Would Make NJ’s Lead Reference Level the Same as CDCs
March 14, 2016 – Ann Vardeman, Program Director: “What we’re doing instead of these inspections of single- and two-family rental units for lead, we’re using our children as human lead detectors.”
Add $10M to Budget to Fight Lead Poisoning in NJ’s Kids, Advocates Urge
February 2, 2016 – More children with high blood-lead levels have been found in some of state’s older cities than in Flint, MI.
When Gov. Chris Christie unveils his budget for the next fiscal year on February 15, it ought to include $10 million to fight lead poisoning in New Jersey, community groups urged yesterday.
ACA open enrollment extended due to ‘unprecedented’ demand, traffic on HealthCare.gov
December 17, 2015 – After an “unprecedented” number of last-minute calls and clicks to HealthCare.gov, federal officials are giving people a little more time to sign up for health insurance coverage that begins Jan. 1.
Controversy Arises Over Proposed Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
December 15, 2015 – On December 16th, New Brunswick City Council will hold a public hearing and, perhaps a final vote, on the city’s proposed Paid Sick Leave Ordinance.
Over 80,000 New Jerseyans find insurance plans under Obamacare ahead of deadline
December 9, 2015 – More than 80,000 people in New Jersey have selected insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act since Nov. 1 and local advocates are canvassing North Jersey to encourage people to sign up before Tuesday’s deadline for coverage starting in January.
‘Greed’ helped stall N.J. bill to curb surprise out-of-network medical costs: lawmaker
December 11, 2015 – Legislation that would prevent New Jersey consumers from getting surprise out-of-network medical bills stalled Thursday when the sponsor pulled it from a committee agenda after learning it did not have enough votes to pass.
NJ coalition blasts proposal to exchange estate tax for gas tax hike
December 3, 2015 – The hot topic at the State House in Trenton for well over a year has been increasing the gas tax to replenish the nearly bankrupt Transportation Trust Fund. The talk heated up again Tuesday when a coalition called “Better Choice Choices for New Jersey” held a press conference and blasted a long-rumored proposal to eliminate the state’s inheritance and/or estate tax in exchange for the gas tax hike.
N.J. lawmakers take action on surprise out of network medical costs
November 23, 2015 – A state Assembly committee Monday approved legislation that would prevent consumers in New Jersey from getting surprise out-of-network medical bills that can saddle them with huge bills. The measure would require hospitals and doctors to disclose whether they are part of a person’s insurance network before treatment occurs.
Executive Director Phyllis Salowe-Kaye’s op-ed in the Star Ledger
October 15, 2015 – Essex County sets example for N.J. by backing banks that support low-income neighborhoods.
NJTV on our roundtable with Rep. Pallone on the 5 year anniversary of Dodd Frank financial reform.
July 27, 2015