Latino Action Network Foundation Executive Director Dr. Jesselly De La Cruz issued the following statement in response to Governor Murphy’s State of the State Address:

The Latino Action Network Foundation hails Governor Murphy’s longstanding commitment to lifting up New Jersey’s working families. From historic tax relief programs to investments in expanded health care for all New Jersey children regardless of immigration status, Governor Murphy has amassed a record as a staunch champion of families across our state.

We share Governor Murphy’s vision of a state in which every family, regardless of race or ZIP code, is equipped with the tools to succeed. That’s why we look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature to ensure that key priorities for the Latino community and other families of color are included in the final budget agreement.

This includes increased funding for Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers, which provide critical job training services to close the wage gap, the reversal of Christie administration-era cuts to the Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development to drive more resources to trusted community-based social services providers and increased support to expand health care and mental health access in low-income communities and among immigrant families.

Under the leadership of Governor Murphy and our partners in the Legislature, now is the time to deepen our state’s commitment to racial and socioeconomic justice.