RICE CALLS ON MURPHY TO ADD LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DIVERSITY OFFICER

TO COVID-19 ECONOMIC RESPONSE TEAM

LET’S EMBRACE A STATUS QUO THAT REPRESENTS US ALL

TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice praised Governor Phil Murphy for his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic and called upon him to appoint the state’s Lieutenant Governor and Diversity Officer as key members of the New Jersey’s COVID-19 Economic Response Team.

In letter sent Tuesday evening, Rice commended Murphy for his governance during this “extremely difficult chapter in New Jersey’s history” and the inspiration derived from his “selfless attention to the desperate scenarios playing out across our state.”

As Chair of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, Rice’s letter described how COVID-19 has pointed “a laser beam on the pre-existing structural and systemic inequities that have diminished access to quality healthcare, employment, housing and economic opportunities for communities of color,” resulting in a disproportionate increase in deaths and economic desperation for Blacks, Latinos and the disadvantaged.

“As the state moves forward in developing an Economic Response Team, it is of critical importance that Black and Latino legislators and equity leaders are embedded into the workgroup to inform and guide policy decisions and programs,” wrote Rice.  “Their inclusion and input from the start will ensure: (1) Direct, immediate access to information about government sponsored programs and resources; and (2) Policies and processes designed to deploy programs and fund allocations equitably.”

Toward that end, paralleling a model even Donald Trump has adopted to position his second-in-command on the national task force, Rice advised Murphy to appoint Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver to the New Jersey response team.  In addition, the Senator recommended that Chief Diversity Officer Hester Agudosi, Esq. be included for her outstanding strengths.

Regarding the professional qualifications and expertise of the two officials, Rice wrote:

As former Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly,  Lieutenant Governor Oliver is singularly qualified to share valuable insight on the intricacies of  the legislative budget and the functions of departments and agencies.  Just as important is her thorough understanding of the mechanics of legislative politics and her intimate knowledge of the needs, concerns and issues that plague residents, small businesses and communities of color.

Likewise, Diversity Officer Agudosi’s vigilance in safeguarding inclusion and equality is vital to our state’s progress in the best of times.  Now, at this crossroads, it is critical.  Her ability to recognize and create business and economic opportunities for women and minorities, and to monitor the performance of our statewide strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan is essential to our recovery from catastrophe.

Rice concluded the letter by framing the challenge of the COVID-19 crisis as a chance to tap the diverse talents and experience of a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multifaceted state, writing, “As we stand before this momentous opportunity to create a new, improved ‘normal’ for New Jersey, a diverse response team demonstrates an intentional effort to embrace a status quo that now represents us all.”