The Latino Action Network (LAN)
today announced its endorsement of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for
re-election.
Citing a long list of accomplishments, members
of the Latino Action Network stated that Phil Murphy kept his promises and deserves
another term as Governor of the State of New Jersey.
“The Latino community has accomplished more with
Phil Murphy than we have under any other Governor in the history of New
Jersey”, said Latino Action Network President Christian Estevez. “Governor
Murphy has been a great partner in helping us move forward on a myriad of
policy issues that have languished under previous administrations.”
“The Latino Action Network gives Governor Murphy
special credit for his support for our key priorities including his signing of
bills providing financial aid for DREAMers, driver’s licenses for immigrants,
and the establishment of a fund to assist those that were excluded from relief
during the pandemic,” he added.
LAN policy leaders provided more examples of the
process the Latino community has made in partnership with Governor Murphy.
“We have made great strides under Governor
Murphy in the area of housing equity and tenant protections. Just this summer
he signed sweeping protections for tenants economically devastated by the
pandemic. He also supported and signed legislation that restricts the ability
of landlords to look back into the past criminal records of prospective
tenants. Everyone deserves a chance at redemption. We look forward to another
four years of Governor Murphy’s progressive agenda,” said Frank Argote-Freyre,
President Emeritus and Chair of LAN Housing Committee
“Governor Murphy has signed numerous historic
criminal justice reform and social justice bills into law, like the
legalization of cannabis and the Emergency COVID Bill that humanely released
several thousands of our sisters and brothers from incarceration in 2020. We
look forward to working with the Governor on the implementation of these laws
and continued progress on others,” said Ana “Cuqui” Rivera, Secretary and Chair
of LAN Criminal Justice Reform Committee
“In September 2020, Governor Murphy signed into
law New Jersey’s Environmental Justice law, which is the strongest measure in
the nation to protect overburdened communities from pollutants. The law defines
overburdened communities as those where a high percentage of residents are
low-income, minority, and with limited English proficiency. This welcome law
will make Latino communities stronger, healthier, and more resilient,” said
Cynthia Mellon, Chair of LAN Environmental Justice Committee
“Over the last few years, Governor Murphy’s
leadership has improved the lives of low-wage and poor families in New Jersey
through expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), an increased minimum
wage, improvements in the Temporary Assistance to Need Families (TANF) program,
access to free college, and other interconnected supports for basic
necessities. With these strong policy changes, residents have a greater quality
of life and we have a stronger economy for all,” said Renee Koubiadis, Chair of
LAN Equity Committee
“While we are extremely proud of all we have
accomplished so far with the Governor, we know that we still have much work
left to do,” concluded Estevez. “That is why the Latino Action Network has
endorsed Governor Phil Murphy for another term and will do everything in our
power to help him win re-election.”
LAN is a broad, statewide coalition of Latino
organizations dedicated to political empowerment, social justice, the promotion
of civil rights, and the elimination of disparities in various areas including
education, health, housing, and employment. It was founded in 2009.
