Category: Economic Justice

Anti-Poverty Network Summit

by UU FA Office

The Anti-poverty Network of New Jersey is holding a state-wide summit on December 3rd in Jamesburg. APN has identified four target issues as its focus: hunger and food, housing, health care and economic opportunity. APN is one of UULMNJ’s collaborating organizations and an essential voice for poverty issues in New Jersey. For more information on the summit click here [tt_vector icon=”fa-file-pdf-o”]. If you would like to attend and represent your congregation at this summit, visit APN’s website www.antipovertynetwork.org [tt_vector icon=”fa-external-link”] to register. Below is a letter from APN announcing the summit.

Hello All,

So many exciting changes have occurred for APN in the last year that we’d like to share them with all of you at this year’s Summit on 12-3-13 at the Crowne Plaza in Jamesburg.  And, of course we’ll be outlining the issues in our new white paper and gathering some momentum for making visits to our legislators in early 2014.

Please visit the new website at www.antipovertynetwork.org [tt_vector icon=”fa-external-link”] to get the details on the summit and register to attend.  Become a member – sign up is easy!  And, also let us know if your organization would like to have an exhibit table at the Summit…the exhibit table is free!  Registration is only $25 and covers the cost of breakfast and lunch, materials and the company of great like-minded anti-poverty advocates.

Feel free to contact me with any questions,

Joyce Campbell, APN Vice Chair

Post Sandy Recovery Assistance for Renters

by UU FA Office

The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey, representing members of the Unitarian Universalist communities of New Jersey, urges that the State allocate a fair share of Sandy relief funds to renters. Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. We have been advocates for affordable housing for decades. In many New Jersey shore communities, finding affordable rental apartments has always been difficult. Now, with the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, providing affordable rental housing to fill this need is urgent! Renters comprise 43% of the households impacted by Sandy. Prior to Sandy affordable rental units were difficult to find; this disaster significantly exacerbated the situation. It is urgent that sufficient rental units be restored or constructed to meet the needs of hard-working renters throughout the State.

Read our Policy Brief for Sandy Relief

HUD’s response to the Administration’s Action Plan resulted in more relief for renters/affordable housing, than originally requested; however, not nearly enough.  UULMNJ’s Exeuctive Director, Rev. Craig is signing onto the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ’s joint letter on behalf of UULMNJ.   Letters to the Governor and our US Representatives are also needed.

Morristown: Microloans Change Lives

by UU FA Office

40 Lives Changed by MUF Sponsored KIVA Micro-loans

In May 2011, the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship initiated a series of micro-loans with $1,165 raised through a dedicated collection. This allowed them to provide loans to 14 individuals in 8 countries. Once the first round of loans was repaid, 20 additional people in 17 countries were provided loans in 2012. Then timely repayment of these loans has enabled them to extend loans to six additional individuals in five countries.

Increase the Minimum Wage

by UU FA Office

The Economic Justice Task Force would like people to send letters to our Governor asking him to sign the minimum wage increase bill on his desk.  The New Jersey State Legislature has approved legislation (A2162) raising the state minimum wage and linking it to annual increases in the cost of living (also known as the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA).   The bill calls for an increase to $8.50 per hour from the current $7.25 per hour and an annual adjustment linked to any increase in COL.  Sample letter.

Raise the Minimum Wage in New Jersey

by UU FA Office

The Economic Justice Task Force would like people to send letters to our Governor asking him to sign the minimum wage increase bill on his desk.  The New Jersey State Legislature has approved legislation (A2162) raising the state minimum wage and linking it to annual increases in the cost of living (also known as the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA).   The bill calls for an increase to $8.50 per hour from the current $7.25 per hour and an annual adjustment linked to any increase in COL. Sample letter.

Affordable Housing Action Alert – Nov. 28

by UU FA Office

Fighting Poverty With Faith Building Opportunity Through Affordable Housing for All

Call to action

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

NJ State House Annex, Committee Room 4 
155 West State Street, Trenton NJ

For millions of Americans, safe and decent housing is unaffordable and unavailable. The faith community cannot stand idly by as too many of our neighbors are forced to make impossible choices among necessities such as food, rent, and medicine. We recognize the importance of decent shelter as a core necessity to overcoming poverty and will educate our communities about this issue and work to increase the supply of, and expand access to, housing for low income families and individuals.  We can make a difference by speaking out collectively as representatives of New Jersey’s Multifaith Community

We take up the call of our religious traditions to bring focus and attention to the need for housing that is affordable in our communities.

Conveners: NJ State Assoc. of Jewish Federations, NJ Catholic Conference, Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry NJ.
UULMNJ is a co-sponsor of this call to action.

Post a flyer in your congregation.

Come to Trenton!
Check with your liaison or contact director@uulmnj.org for more info.

ALEC Action Alert

by UU FA Office

UULMNJ’s Economic Justice Task Force as been looking at the corporate influence of ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) in our legislative process.  The laws ALEC promotes stand in stark contrast to several of our Unitarian Universalist principles.  For example, they  have drafted the following legislation:

  • SB 1070 and its anti-immigrant copycats violate the spirit of “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
  • Voter I.D. proposals that disproportionately disenfranchise minorities fly in the face of “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.”

The UUA’s Standing on the Side of Love campaign has created an electronic petition to discourage corporate membership in ALEC.  In the past days alone, McDonald’s, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Kraft, and Wendy’s have all agreed to cut ties with ALEC due to pressure from consumers like you and me. Let’s keep up the pressure.

Please join the leadership of our denomination in asking Amazon, Visa, Federal Express, and UPS to cut their ties with ALEC.  For more information and to sign the petition, just click on the link below:

Petition from the Standing on the Side of Love campaign:
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/join-me-in-standing-for-what-we-believe/

Webinar – March 27

by UU FA Office

The Impact of the Citizens United Decision on the Democratic Process
Featured speaker Greg Nagy

The disparity between the rich and the middle class is greater, and upward mobility lower, in the US than in any other major industrialized country in the world. There are now 45 million Americans living below the poverty line, the most in 50 years.  Undisclosed Super Pac spending is already swaying voters in the primaries. Does this sound like democracy in action to you?

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was a 2010 Supreme Court decision that allowed unlimited corporate and union spending in elections, leading to the creation of so-called super PACs that cannot contribute to candidates but can spend money they raise to support or defeat them.

Recognized expert, published author, lecturer and longtime UU, Greg Nagy was formerly the Legal Director of the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission, where he received its lifetime achievement award.  He also served as Deputy Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety.

Please check back for more details on viewing the webinar with your congregation.