NJ LBC HOLDS ANNUAL RETREAT IN TRENTON TO PRESENT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR LAME-DUCK & NEXT SESSION

(Trenton)- To determine the agenda of legislative issues that remain a priority for the Black community, members of the New Jersey Black Legislative Caucus convened their annual day-long retreat at the Statehouse in Trenton on Thursday.

The meeting included guest presenters who covered a myriad of topics such as the impact of redistricting, the use of force and modernization of police training, and the vital role of minority representation in the courts. Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Speaker Craig Coughlin attended the event, speaking to LBC members about their legislative priorities, their concerns for the remaining $4 billion American Rescue Plan funds, and the path forward past the pandemic.

The chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, issued the following joint statement on the retreat:

“It is customary for the Legislative Black Caucus to host an annual retreat for its members to discuss policy changes that are necessary for communities of color to thrive. Throughout this pandemic, we saw glaring disparities across the board affecting families of color in regards to health, education, housing, and the workforce.

“The devastating impact of COVID-19 on our communities will be an issue we will be dealing with for some time.  We have learned a lot while trying to mitigate the effects of this public health crisis about the needs of communities. Improving access to rental assistance programs, finding ways to increase small business incentives, and addressing mental health and wellness for all are just some of the issues that deserve our attention. Moving forward the conversation on the New Jersey Reparations Taskforce as well as environmental justice concerns, especially in light of the recent destruction of Hurricane Ida on communities throughout New Jersey counties, are also on the table.

 “This meeting was also an opportunity to discuss funding priorities as we look to rebuild our workforce and to develop safe spaces in our communities with infrastructure dollars for urban parks.

“We have made a difference this past year passing legislation that was both transformative and restorative for our communities. We look forward to continuing this trend and working with the Governor, and Assembly and Senate Leadership. “  ###