Rice Holds News Conference on NJ Legislative

Black Caucus’ Annual Priorities Agenda

TRENTON – New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Chair Senator Ronald L. Rice led a news conference today with other Caucus members to announce highlights of the body’s Annual Legislative and Budget Priority Agenda Message.

The Legislative and Budget Priority Agenda for 2018-2019 Fiscal Years lists the Caucus’ legislation initiatives, directives and concerns in areas that include public school education, higher education, public safety, affordable housing, employment and economic justice, civil service reform and the 2020 Census.

“I speak for every member of our Caucus when I say we look forward to working hard this year to advocate for blacks, other ethnic minorities and women across the state,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex).

“Our goal is to forge an open, honest dialoge with the governor and both parties in the Legislature to enact laws that will propel New Jersey to the forefront of economic justice, social justice and criminal justice reform.

“These are the issues that, in light of national developments, are more critical now than ever before.  Their persistence is a clear indication that we in New Jersey’s Legislature will continue to face many challenges requiring tough decisions this budget period — tough decisions that will be met with the Caucus’ steadfast resolve to protect and support the poorest, the most vulnerable and the most at risk.”

The Caucus’ legislative focus spans the full spectrum of constituents in its members’ districts, from the wealthiest to the poorest.  It seeks remedies for the unemployed, low-wage earners, working middle class, seniors, disabled residents and at-risk youth. It addresses homelessness and affordable housing. Its education initiatives support making revenues available to fully fund the public school formula and promote early education, after-school programs, full-day preschool and kindergarten, and affordable higher education and career training.

The Caucus’s agenda stresses the urgent need to apply a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to quelch the root causes of the mass shooting epidemic and the persistent blight of urban gun violence and violent crime.  It also includes the need to fully fund bail reform in the state.

The priority agenda calls for an increase in the earned-income tax credit, job creation programs and infrastructure funding.  It seeks increased protections for workers’ rights.  It stresses the importance of

blacks being named as members of the redistricting committee and for minorities to be accurately counted in the 2020 census.

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The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus advocates on behalf of African-American, other ethnic minority citizens and women in the State of New Jersey to protect their civil and human rights; and to ensure equal opportunities and just and fair treatment for minorities and women in general.