FOLLOWING BUDGET ADDRESS, NJAIJ CALLS FOR DEEP INVESTMENTS IN BLACK, BROWN, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
New Jersey’s statewide immigration coalition calls for investments in racial, social, and economic justice

TRENTON, NJ [February 28, 2023] – Following today’s State Budget Address, NJAIJ calls for the Governor’s Administration and the State legislature to deeply invest in programs and services that protect and empower immigrants and communities of Color in order to deliver a “next” New Jersey for all of us.

Earlier this year, Governor Murphy used the State of the State to lay out his vision for “rebuilding the American Dream” in New Jersey. At that time, racial justice advocates pressed for detail as much-needed social justice reforms that were promised in 2020 were not included in that address. Today’s Budget Address was similar, and fell short of providing concrete details on how to achieve the necessary budget equity that would permanently close racial disparities and divides.

Today’s address emphasized fiscal responsibility and a pledge for “no new taxes.” But New Jersey families need more than tax credits and tax relief to support themselves and their communities. Social programs and services are vital to empowering individuals to access and pursue the opportunities our state provides. Important initial investments were announced today, but quicker pace must be made. Worryingly, after yesterday’s dark money bill that would significantly alter campaign finance laws in New Jersey was ultimately pulled due to overwhelming public pressure, NJAIJ calls on the State to ask more of the mega-corporations and private interests who were least impacted and profited most from the burdens the pandemic placed on the rest of us.

New Jersey already spends too much on leaving communities behind and catering to the wealthy, corporate minority. As one of the most diverse states in the nation, New Jersey’s population is effectively half people of Color. Nearly 1 in 4 New Jerseyans is an immigrant. Missing the opportunity to use these funds toward long-term investments would further entrench the structural inequities communities of Color face.  The Governor again placed emphasis on the ‘next’ New Jersey, but NJAIJ believes the true New Jersey is one where people of all backgrounds — regardless of identity, place of birth, or immigration status — have their fair share of resources. That requires asking those who have an unfair amount of excess to pay more, whether it’s fighting against the sunset of the Corporate Business Surcharge or otherwise closing loopholes that allow mega-corporations to exploit corporate welfare.

NJAIJ applauds the inclusion of additional funds for the landmark Cover All Kids program that now covers undocumented youth. This program was long fought for by immigrant families and advocates. These investments are needed, as are the pre-K, academic recovery, and tuition aid announcements that will benefit the rising generations of New Jersey’s future. But we worry that with “no new taxes,” vital programs, like those named today, will not receive the needed investments and long-term support that carry them forward for years to come.

The urgency to invest is building. The window of opportunity is closing to use important federal dollars through the remaining American Rescue Plan Act. The US Treasury Department’s final ruling on American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars directs state and local governments to use the funds to “provide…governments with the resources needed to respond to the pandemic and its economic efforts.”  In today’s address, Governor Murphy claimed that New Jersey was slow to react to the pandemic and slow to recover. But the remaining federal ARP funds seem to only be directed toward one-time expenses like arts, parks, gardens, and urban infrastructure. While valuable investments, these will not better support the State’s response to future emergencies and are not the intended “low-income workers and communities of Color facing elevated rates of unemployment and economic hardship” that ARP money was designated for. NJAIJ urges the State to invest in Language Access programs that would significantly lower the barriers that Limited English Proficient New Jerseyans face when accessing public programs and prevent future costly emergencies, crises, and racial disparities. Language Access programs are a means to increasing the government’s ability to deliver critical services, including public health and social services, and improve the effectiveness of government services, but in order to create them, New Jersey must act on the opportunity to invest now.

NJAIJ will work with our coalition members and advocacy partners as additional budget documents are released in the hours and days ahead. As the legislative session and committee hearings stretch into the spring, NJAIJ looks forward to working in cross-movement coalition to fund a #NJforALL of us.

New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) is the state’s largest immigration coalition. NJAIJ uses the power and strength of 50+ member organizations to fight for policies that empower and protect immigrants.