UU FA Office

Action Alerts May 28, 2014: Fracking Waste Ban/June 12 Lobby Day and Support Senator Bob Smith

by UU FA Office

The UULMNJ Environmental Task Force has been involved in shaping New Jersey environmental policy and you can help with that work.  Attached are two letters for members to use. The first is a letter that that can be used as a guide to write personal letters to Senator Bob Smith in support of his efforts to sponsor legislation that promotes sustainable energy use and conservation. The second letter can be adapted to mail to your local legislators regarding the ban on the transportation of fracking wastes in New Jersey. Please use these letters over the next couple of weeks prior to our Lobby Day on June 12th.

View Bob Smith support letter

View fracking waste ban letter

The Fracking Waste Ban Lobby Day is June 12th in Trenton.  Encourage all you know to participate.  Read the flyer with details about the Fracking Waste Ban Lobby Day .

If you have any questions, contact Rohn Hein or UULMNJ Executive Director Craig Hirshberg.

May 2014

by UU FA Office
[hr]

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Liaison Conference Call Minutes

Attending:
Craig Hirshberg (Executive Director), Nick Mellis (Washington Crossing), Lorraine Wearley (Summit), Cecilia Costa (Montclair), Denise (last name/congregation?), Ann Perry (Somerset Hills), Frances Prestianni (Princeton), Peggy Woods (Wayne, Lakeland)

 

Action Alerts current as of May 7: Liaisons are asked to promote these in their Congregations

1. Send letters to legislators to oppose repeal of Realty Transfer Tax.   View Action Alert

2. Liaisons—please send to Craig letters you’ve collected to ask Sweeney and Prieto to support Bail Reform legislation.  View Action Alert

3. Work with municipalities for gun safety features by manufacturers.   View Action Alert

Congregations’ Highlights
  • Washington Crossing: climate scientist will speak on Monday night (May 12) and will video for Princeton public TV; a new minister has been chosen, Rev. Kim Wildszewski
  • Summit: had second of three lectures on gun violence; programs broadcast to Montclair and Morristown UU congregations; full house and very active discussion went on to 3 pm; topics included safety of fire arms and rules of hunting, safety course
  • Princeton: good response to bail reform; 50 letters to each Legislative Leader.
  • Montclair: good response to bail reform 90 to Sweeney and 75 to Speaker Prieto
  • Wayne: Peace, Shalom, Salaam which is designed to promote dialogue on Israel and Palestine conflict; 2 congregation members went to DC to rally against Pipeline
  • Craig was part of a group who spoke with Senator Menendez on immigration.
  • Gave testimony at the first meeting of COAH; new rules have been released; there will be a public meeting in July on these regulations.
  • Participated in news conference on immigration issues-how to control phone rates for telephone calls inside NJ; it can cost $17 to make a simple call inside the state; will submit request to Board of Public Utilities which regulates these rates.
  • Bail reform issue may come up in a legislative committee next Thursday, May 15, 2014; this has been a major issue for UULM through the Criminal Justice Reform Task Force.
Report on Plenary

High attendance, almost 80 people; 19 of 21 NJ congregations were represented which is very good; this was the 5th anniversary celebration; raised almost $4,000 which is a record for fund raising at statewide meetings; Gordon MacInnes gave a wonderful talk on budget issues is NJ; task forces had very active discussion; we will be providing a list of Task Force issues.

Craig’s Activities

New Action Alert-Economic Justice Task Force: Action to ask Legislature not to repeal the realty transfer tax; a portion of that tax goes to affordable housing trust fund used which is used to maintain current housing and build new housing.

New Action Alert on Fracking: A bill which will ban storing fracking waste in NJ will come up at environmental committee on Monday, May 12. Action Alert asking for letters will be sent.

How to add people to our Salsa Lists: the question is how do we get more people on the list. Suggestions: create a flyer on UULM giving information and asking people to give us contact information; put sign-up sheet at Action Table and ask people to sign up; Summit has started doing this; Princeton has used this approach for a number of years.

More visibility for UU ideas: Nick Mellis talked about creating more visibility for UU and UULM ideas; he suggested working through Princeton community TV to create programming; this will create more awareness of our faith within the community; Nick is willing to work on this; Princeton community TV is open to new programming and over the past two years, has scheduled our UULM programs on immigration reform and Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision.

Next year’s schedule for Craig preaching: has commitment to speak at every congregations every two years; Next year will be busy next year since Craig spoke at many congregations two years ago; it would be helpful for liaisons to speak to the worship committee or the minister to suggest that Craig speak at the congregation next year (2014-2015); these requests should be submitted quickly since congregations tend to set up this schedule way in advance; there was general agreement that this is a very good way to make UULM more visible and support local UULM congregational activities.

The Next Liaison Conference Call – Wednesday, June 4, 8:00pm. For more liaison information about how to be included in these calls, please contact Executive Director Craig Hirshberg.

Thank you for your participation!

Task Force Current Priorities: May

by UU FA Office

Environmental Justice: The prime focus of the Environmental Task force through June, 2014 is the bill to ban the transportation of fracking wastes in New Jersey. The bill (S-252) was voted out of the Senate Environmental Committee by a 4-1 vote and was passed by the full Senate on May 12 by a vote of 32-5. The bill (A-2108) has yet to be heard in the Assembly Environmental Committee. All of the major environmental groups will be sponsoring a Lobby Day on Monday, June 12th when it is possible that the committee will meet. The full Assembly meets on June 15th when a final vote is also possible.

Criminal Justice Reform: Ending the New Jim Crow: The priority of the Task Force at the present time and foreseeably through June 2014 is activity supporting the passage of two current NJ legislative actions.  These are a real and meaningful Bail Reform Bill and an effective Opportunity to Compete Act.  Both of these are expected to make some measurable improvement in the NJ criminal justice system and its effects.

Economic Justice: Economic Justice continues to monitor the disbursement of Sandy Relief funding and support the Sandy Bill of Rights, with letters to our State Representatives and local newspapers. We will make comments on the new COAH Rules by the deadline of July 2nd. We will advocate for the preservation of the Realty Transfer Tax, which helps to fund affordable housing. At the Federal level, we will consider how best to support a proposed Constitutional Amendment to counteract the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision.

Immigration:The Immigration Task Force priorities over the next several months extend into the fall.  At the state level, we are participating in a coalition’s determination to push legislation that would allow undocumented persons the legal ability to drive, either through drivers licenses or a driving privilege card.  We support other efforts as they arise — especially access to state aid for undocumented students and improved legal options to pursue wage theft.  At the national level, we are re-strengthening efforts to get the House of Representatives to pass some form of comprehensive immigration reform.

Gun Violence Prevention:The gun violence task force’s top priority at this time is working with New Jersey Together to get New Jersey municipalities to use their buying power to get gun manufacturers to stop selling to rogue dealers and invest in smart gun technology.  We are also conducting public education, primarily by showing the documentary Shell-Shocked, and supporting legislation that would limit the size of magazines to 10 rounds.

Reproductive Justice: The Reproductive Justice and Healthcare Task Force is focused on gathering continued support of buffer zones and clinic escorts, as well as planning congregation trainings in reproductive justice. We are also actively seeking support for exploration into New Jersey’s healthcare system and access to health services.

Join Us for Upcoming Coalition Lobbying Days:

June 5: Affordable Housing, 9-4, State House
            contact Lorraine Wearley or Rev. Craig Hirshberg for more information

June 12: Environment and Fracking 9-4 State House
            contact Rohn Hein or Rev. Craig Hirshberg for more information

Action Alert May 11, 2014: Protect the Realty Transfer Tax

by UU FA Office

The UULMNJ and the Economic Justice Task Force need your help to ensure that the Realty Transfer Tax is protected.

As UU’s we believe in the worth and dignity of every human being. That is why the Economic Justice Task Force and the UULMNJ stand with other nonprofits and faith-based groups to advocate for affordable housing, and therefore opposing the repeal of the Realty Transfer Tax.

Background on the Realty Transfer Tax from The Housing Community Development Network of NJ:

  •  Realty transfer fees were established in 1968 to offset the cost of tracking real estate transactions. With the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1985, use of the transfer fee was broadened to include generating fees to help create housing opportunities in viable neighborhoods for households of low and moderate income.
  • Sellers pay the fee when they transfer the deed of the house to the new owners. The money is then split between the state and the county.
  • 35 other states have similar fees.
  • The fees are the 7th largest source of tax revenue for the State. Officials have projected that they will produce $287 million in the current State budget and $325 million in next year’s spending plan.
  • A portion remains with the county that collects the fee for the County Public Health Priority Fund and pays for the funding of public health services.
  • A portion goes in the General Fund of the State.
  • A portion goes into the NJ Affordable Housing Trust Fund – a non-lapsing revolving fund that, in the past, subsidized the construction & rehabilitation of affordable housing.  Funds are targeted to each region of the State based on that region’s percentage of the State’s low and moderate income need.
  • Funds currently support the Council on Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing Administration, shelter assistance, Prevention of Homelessness Program, State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) & NJ’s share to get federal HOME funds.
  • Last year, NJ Affordable Housing Trust Fund generated $48 million with over $42 million going to SRAP; which helps fund homes for 4,018 families including 812 project based units.
  • $25 million goes toward the state’s dune and beach replenishment program, with the federal government providing another $75 million.

To be sure, New Jerseyans (especially the most economically disadvantaged among us) cannot afford to lose out on the essential services funded, in part, by the revenue generated from the Realty Transfer Tax.

Please click here to send a letter to your State Legislators encouraging them to oppose the repeal of the Realty Transfer Tax.

Thank you for your support!

UULMNJ Administrator – Job Opening

by UU FA Office

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry
of New Jersey

UULMNJ Administrator Job Description

The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ) is seeking a part-time Administrator to begin work as soon as possible and no later than June 1.  Duties of the position include but are not limited to:

  • Administrative support for Executive Director
  • Assist with Board, plenary and issues workshop preparation
  • Organizational data keeping
  • Maintaining organization files
  • Assume responsibility for electronic advocacy postings, data base, membership, communications, event registration, and reporting
  • Development of some electronic communications
  • Some financial responsibilities
  • Social media maintenance (Facebook, Twitter)

Qualifications:  Previous office administration experience; good office organizing skills; knowledge of Facebook and social media; strong computer skills; basic computer graphics is helpful.  Knowledge of Salsa electronic advocacy program helpful. This person needs to be able to work independently.  Required to meet weekly with Executive Director.

Compensation:   $18 – $20 hr.  18-20 hours/wk.

Applications should be submitted to Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Director, director@uulmnj.org   Contact:  609.672.7331.

Application Deadline: Applications may be submitted until May 10, 2014.
The Unitarian Universalist Ministry of New Jersey, A Public Policy Network of New Jersey’s 21 UU congregations, provides a comprehensive structure, network and resources to empower the moral voice and actions of our Unitarian Universalist principles and values in the public arena.  UULMNJ engages in social justice and public policy issues important to our state through Education, Research, Advocacy, Witness, and Service. UULMNJ works to facilitate communications among the NJ UU congregations and aims to be a resource to encourage and strengthen their social justice programs.  UULMNJ is an equal opportunity employer.  www.uulmnj.org.

Supported in part by a grant from the UU Funding Program Social Responsibility Fund.

Please help us publicize this position by downloading the job description (pdf) and posting it and/or forwarding it to people who might be interested. Thank you.

Action Alert: Bail Reform Letter Campaign, May 16 Deadline

by UU FA Office

The Ending Jim Crow task force has asked that we send letters in support of upcoming bail reform legislation expected to come to vote in June.  There are two letters, one to Sen. Sweeney, President of the Senate and one to Assemblyman Prieto, Speaker of the Assembly.  Each person should sign both letters.  We would like to have these all collected and  returned to me at the address below by May 16. Fact sheets about bail reform are available for information and education in the congregations.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email Al Stawsky, Task Force Chair, or me.

You may have noticed that these are not on our letterhead.  This was requested by the campaign coordinator, Drug Policy Alliance.  However, we have adapted the letters to include our UU identity in the body.

Thank you for your help.

Craig

—
Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Director
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of NJ
4 Waldron Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
609.672.7331

Action Alert April 22, 2014: Sandy Bill of Rights

by UU FA Office

The Fair Share Housing Center needs our help to encourage Governor Christie to sign the Sandy Bill of Rights into law.  Please join them in this important step toward ensuring that New Jerseyans affected by Superstorm Sandy do not face unnecessary obstacles on the road to recovery.

On March 27, the New Jersey State Legislature reached bipartisan agreement, and the Sandy Bill of Rights passed unanimously in both houses.  This significant legislation bestows the following rights on New Jerseyans applying for Sandy recovery funds:

  • The right to a plain language explanation of the application process for any recovery funds
  • The right to know why an application is rejected and to appeal that rejection with a specified timeframe
  • The right to know current status of an application and position on any wait list
  • The right to access information in English, Spanish, and any other language spoken by impacted communities
  • The right to a review of racial and ethnic disparities in funding and corrections of any problems
  • The right to have funds distributed by amount of damage and not based on political or other considerations
  • The right to transparent information online about how funds are being distributed

Please click here to send a letter to Governor Christie urging him to sign this important piece of legislation into law.

To read the bill in its entirety, click here.

Annual Meeting Recap; Materials Posted

by UU FA Office

UULMNJ 5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & ANNUAL PLENARY – RECAP

About 80 UUs gathered at the UU Congregation of Princeton to for UULMNJ’s Annual Plenary.  “We are getting good at these meetings” sums up attendees’ feelings about the event.  One participant noted that these meeting allow us to create thoughtful positions on many complex issues, a task which is too large for individual congregations. And it is always important to have an opportunity to connect and energize one another in addition to our usual teleconferences. We even had a cake to celebrate our fifth anniversary.  Thank you for all who helped the day run smoothly.

Meeting business included electing new board members and adopting a 2014 – 2015 budget.  New board members elected to serve on the UULMNJ Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2014:

  • Andrea Lerner (Metro NY District Executive)
  • Rev. Bill Neely (Princeton)
  • Roni Taylor (Plainfield)

Continuing to serve on the board are Nick Lewis (Montclair), Frances Prestianni (Princeton), Missy Staples (Somerset Hills), and Judy Strachan (Montclair).   Gail Marsh Saxer (Ocean County) and Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst (Monmouth County) will be ending their terms on the board. And our youth representative, Adam Green (Ridgewood) has let us know that he has to leave the board.

The past year’s highlights and accomplishments were reviewed, and attendees were treated to an informative and entertaining keynote address, How We Got Here:  New Jersey’s Crawl Out of the Great Recession, by Gordon MacInnes, President of New Jersey Policy Perspective.

At the conclusion of the plenary, there was a liaison and congregation volunteer training covering actions as a moral imperative, congregational resources and Salsa, our advocacy system.

Meeting materials are posted here:

Annual Meeting Recap

Plenary Agenda

Executive Director’s Report

President’s Report

Legal Advocacy Project

Task Forces – Annual Reports

Issue Briefs/Position Papers

UULMNJ Partnerships

Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet

 

 

 

 

April 2014

by UU FA Office
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Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014, Liaison Conference Call was not held as the Plenary meeting was Saturday April 5.

 

Action Alerts current as of April 5: Liaisons are asked to promote these in their Congregations

1. Reinstate NJ membership in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. View Action Alert

2. Prevent Fracking in the Delaware River Basin. View Action Alert

3. Work with municipalities for gun safety features by manufacturers. View Action Alert

4. UULM and UU Service Committee ask for federal minimum wage raise to $10.10. View Action Alert

April 5 Plenary Highlights

1. Business Meeting: Election of Trustees, Thanking outgoing Trustees, Approval of FY 2014-2015 Budget

2. Keynote Speaker: Gordon MacInnes, President, New Jersey Policy Perspective

3. First constituting of Task Force Criminal Justice: End the New Jim Crow, Al Stawsky, Chair alynways@gmail.com

4. First constituting of Task Force Healthcare: Reproductive Justice, Rev. Kathleen Green, Chair uurevkathleen@gmail.com

5. Training for Liaisons and volunteers on the moral imperative and practicalities of managing congregations’ advocacy.

The Next Liaison Conference Call – Wednesday, May 7th 8:00pm. For more liaison information about how to be included in these calls, please contact director@uulmnj.org

Thank you for your participation!

Budget Time: Time for Economic Justice

by UU FA Office

Budget Time is an excellent time to visit your NJ legislators to advocate for Economic Justice.  The Anti-Poverty Network, of which UULMNJ is a member, has an excellent white paper [tt_vector icon=”fa-file-pdf-o”], with talking points about Housing, Hunger and Economic Empowerment.

The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey has organized a Federal Lobby Day for April 30th 12:00 pm to 4:00pm in Washington D.C.  They will make the appropriate appointments for you.  You can register at LobbyDayDC.

Lorraine Wearly
Economic Justice Task Force Chair