Economic Justice Task Force (EJTF) Plenary Report – April 13, 2019
EJTF has reached a point of stability after a couple of years of floundering. Our monthly videoconference meetings have a consistent group of attendees and we started the year with a workshop/educational event at which about 20 UUs explored income inequality under the guidance of an experienced facilitator. Those of us who participated feel like we gained valuable context for virtually all of social justice aspirations, grounding them in a multi-generational struggle to secure liberties which have been strategically undermined by wealthy and powerful interests which joined to reverse the people-powered wave built in the aftermath of World War II.
Legal Advocacy Signature Legislation
EJTF’s “signature legislation” to minimize or eliminate the stigma of those receiving free and reduced price lunches stalled because of broader legislation making its way through the NJ legislature. After meeting with Assemblywoman Sumter about her own school-lunch bill and speaking with Assemblyman Caputo’s office about his own more-comprehensive education bill which includes anti-stigma protections, we advocated for stronger language to assign responsibility firmly on individual schools to make sure free and reduced lunches got to those entitled fairly and effectively. The process was a bit of advocacy mixed with general coalition-building to expand UUFA’s influence in the legislature and position as faith advocates.
Changes to the Legal Advocacy Project itself call for a new examination of our efforts and better strategic thinking about how to identify potential advocates among our representatives, supporting their efforts while pushing them towards an even more-expansive view of government stewardship of individual opportunity and liberty.
Initiatives and Issues
- 2018 Poor People’s Campaign (through its NJ branch – the NJ Prophetic Agenda) and the Time To Care Coalition – EJTF follows the movement of these groups and UUFA is still on the organizing team. In general, we feel that the overall PPC effort is inconsistently organized nationally, with NJ’s chapter an example of a lightly-staffed effort with a few victories but needing far more engagement by congregations and religious leaders. The two main organizers are Rev. Robin Tanner (Beacon UU) and Rev. Charles Boyer (Bethel AME Woodbury). The primary focus of these groups has been on the “Fight for $15” wage campaign, which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Murphy. Focus has shifted to IMPROVING this legislation by expanding its reach to tipped and younger workers excluded from the original bill.
- NJ Marijuana Legalization ONLY IF “Restoration” and “Reparations” are included. The Murphy administration had a very public failure to pass their legalization, cementing the public perception that the legislature’s key leaders (particularly Senate President Steve Sweeney) are not on the same page as the Governor, particularly as regards the social justice concerns which were a key element in his campaign for office. The legislation WAS indeed crafted in accordance with “the California model”, which we consider a good sign and confirmation of our advocacy efforts, but failure to corral the votes represents a tension likely to continue. Clearly UUFA can play an important role since the primary clergy group associated with legalization is a group of African American ministers in North Jersey who have joined with Assemblyman Ron Rice to oppose legalization because of the disproportionate burden from substance abuse falling historically in their own communities. Effective advocacy may take the form of joining other faith leaders like Rev. Boyer as they advocate for similar justice-seeking solutions.
- NJ State Bank – (Our January event covered this issue as well as income inequality in general) – The national UUs For a Just Economic Future (UUJEC) and our NJ member Sally Gellert continue to work on this issue, complex as it is. Our statewide partner, Banking On New Jersey, has been “laying low” over the past year and the Murphy administration has clearly put the issue on the back burner while it focuses on more popular or publicized political issues. My understanding is that an extensive report conducted by outside experts will be an important element in moving towards actual legislation. Creating such a bank will be very complex and with only the 100+ year-old Bank of North Dakota as a model, it will be important to get legislators the type of comprehensive analysis that such a report can provide. We should find ways to advocate for funding so that a report can lay the foundation for future efforts (not an overly-exciting or inspiring mission but one that can truly help)!
Jerry Fried, Economic Justice Task Force Chair, UU Faith Action NJ
jerryfriedhome@gmail.com