Latino Action Network Decries Christie’s Treatment of Patients to be Removed from FamilyCare

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today criticized the Christie Administration for failing to develop a plan to accommodate chronically ill patients removed from FamilyCare as part of the governor’s budget proposal. 

Latino Action Network Decries Christie’s Treatment of Patients to be Removed from FamilyCare

No formal plans announced for chronically ill; Termination set for July 1

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2010

Christian Estevez, Steering Committee Member – 973-418-7012

Daniel Santo Pietro, Chair of the Public Policy Committee – 732-496-9628

 

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today criticized the Christie Administration for failing to develop a plan to accommodate chronically ill patients removed from FamilyCare as part of the governor’s budget proposal. 

The Christie budget proposes to remove approximately 11,700 legal immigrants from the health care program, including those suffering chronic illnesses, as of July 1.

 

The LAN calls on Governor Christie to reconsider this immoral and inhumane decision and maintain health care for these individuals.

 

“Even at this late date the Christie Administration has failed to indicate what provisions will be made to provide health care for those suffering from chronic illnesses,” said Christian Estevez, a member of the LAN Steering Committee. “Is the state of New Jersey really going to discontinue health care coverage to someone receiving cancer treatments? Is Governor Christie really going to pull the plug on someone receiving dialysis treatment?”

 

“The individuals effected by these unconscionable cuts need to know their status as soon as possible,” Estevez continued. “The public needs to know as well so they can judge the morality of Governor Christie’s actions.”

 

Daniel Santo Pietro, Chair of the LAN Public Policy Committee, called the FamilyCare cuts the cruelest of all. “Those people losing their health coverage are caught up in the budget circus. The Christie administration is playing with their health and their lives.”

 

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.

Latino Action Network Condemns Arizona Immigration Law

Latino Action Network Condemns Arizona Immigration Law

Endorses Economic Boycott of the State;

Calls on Governor Christie to Speak Out Against It

For Immediate Release: May 3, 2010

Frank Argote-Freyre, Interim Chair – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez -- 973-418-7012

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today condemned a recent Arizona law that would allow police to question individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants arguing that the law will lead to racial profiling of Latinos.

The LAN endorsed an economic boycott of Arizona and began exploring strategies to make the boycott effective. It called on its members to avoid recreational travel to Arizona.

The organization called on New Jersey Governor Christie to speak out against the Arizona law and reassure the immigrant communities of the state that no similar action is planned here.

“The Arizona law is the clearest indication yet that the federal immigration system must be fixed and it must be fixed now not in some vague distant future,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, interim chairperson of the Latino Action Network. “The law is an open invitation to racial profiling and will most likely be declared unconstitutional, but in the interim lives will be ruined by its enforcement.”

Christian Estevez, a member of the LAN Steering Committee said: “The LAN will review the different economic boycott strategies being put forth by various organizations across the nation and will advise its membership accordingly. We will issue our recommendations in the next few weeks.”

The Arizona law is not set to take effect until August.

Latino Action Network Releases Policy Paper Critical of Governor Christie’s Budget

Latino Action Network Releases Policy Paper
Critical of Governor Christie’s Budget

Report finds Christie Claim of “Shared Sacrifice” a Myth

For Immediate Release: April 19, 2010

Frank Argote-Freyre, Interim Chair – 908-670-0552
Daniel Santo Pietro, Chair of the Public Policy Committee – 732-496-9628

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today released a policy paper on Governor Christie’s proposed budget for 2010-2011 entitled: The Myth of Shared Sacrifice.

The five-page report outlines the devastating impact the proposed spending cuts will have on the Latino community and in general on the poor, the vulnerable and the middle class.

The following is an excerpt from the report: “This is a spending plan that attempts to balance the budget on the backs and wallets of working families, the vulnerable and the middle class. The wealthy are asked to sacrifice nothing by Governor Christie. In fact, in these difficult economic times the Governor has decided the wealthy need a little more money in their pockets and has repeatedly said he will accept no restoration of a tax on incomes over $400,000, which brought in an estimated $1 billion to state coffers last year.”

The report continues: “With regards to Latinos this represents an attack on the entire community and we urge organizations across the state to mobilize against this spending plan. The Governor and his Administration have been meticulous in cutting or eliminating virtually every program serving the community.”

The policy paper offers four recommendations to Governor Christie to minimize the impact on the poor and middle class. The suggestions include a reform of the income tax system and the maintenance of the tax on those with incomes above $400,000, an increase in the gasoline tax to bring it in line with surrounding states, salary cuts for the governor and the cabinet, and a restoration of the programs of importance to the most vulnerable in society.

The Latino Action Network calls on all segments of society to mobilize against the Christie budget. The report concludes: “The Christie budget plan sacrifices the poor, the vulnerable, and the middle class at the altar of financial responsibility and asks nothing of the wealthy. There is nothing equitable or shared about the Governor’s vision for New Jersey.”

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice. The policy paper is attached to this press release. It will be translated into Spanish in the next few days.

Latino Action Network denuncia recortes presupuestarios del gobernador Christie

Latino Action Network denuncia recortes presupuestarios del gobernador Christie

El sacrificio no es compartido; la carga es sólo para la clase pobre y media

Frank Argote-Freyre, Interim Chair – 908-670-0552

Daniel Santo Pietro, Steering Committee Member – 732-496-9628

La Latino Action Network (LAN) denuncia las decisiones de recortes del presupuesto hechas por el gobernador Chris Christie al preparar su presupuesto 2010-2011, debido a su énfasis en eliminar programas que afectarán a la clase pobre y clase media y por su fracaso en hacer un llamado al sacrificio a los miembros más adinerados de la comunidad de Nueva Jersey.

La LAN ha hecho una disección del presupuesto estatal presentado por el gobernador Christie y planea publicar un breve reporte sobre el mismo en las próximas semanas. Una primera revisión del presupuesto encontró numerosas decisiones políticas censurables por su efecto negativo para las clases pobre y media.

A continuación una lista de algunas de las más lamentables decisiones de recortes del presupuesto:

*La eliminación de 11,700 adultos inmigrantes legales de los programas de FamilyCare. No se han declarado esfuerzos por encontrar planes de tratamiento alternos para aquellos que sufren enfermedades crónicas. Simplemente serán echados por la borda del programa sin ninguna consideración sobre su futuro. Este recorte dará inicio el 1 de abril y continuará durante el siguiente año fiscal. El presupuesto anunciado también congela las inscripciones de todo adulto. El ingreso familiar de aquellos afectados abarca de $18,000 a $36,000.

*La eliminación del Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development. El programa del Gobernador elimina los $3.6 millones en fondos para dicho Centro que ha existido desde 1975. Estos fondos ayudan a mantener agencias de servicio social en todo el estado, varias de las cuales probablemente cerrarán sus puertas como resultado de estos recortes. Además, esta decisión contradice la promesa de campaña del entonces candidato Christie de mantener abierto el Centro. El Centro, junto a la Division of Youth and Family Services, ha cofundado importantes programas de fortalecimiento familiar que anualmente ayudan a 300,000 familias de bajos recursos –en su mayoría hispanas- a resolver problemas antes que éstos amenacen la estabilidad familiar. Otros $3 ó $4 millones de fondos más se perderán como resultado de esta decisión del Gobernador.

*El presupuesto para el Department of Children and Families se recortó por $4.59 millones con los cuales se ayuda a familias en crisis que enfrentan problemas de vivienda, empleo y atención médica. Estos programas ofrecen ayuda bilingüe y bicultural a una población que carece de este tipo de servicios alternativos dentro de sus comunidades.

*Una amplia variedad de subsidios serán recortados, incluyendo los fondos para el programa “NJ After 3” el cual provee programas de cuidado infantil en horario extendido en 114 escuelas públicas del estado en muchas de las áreas económicamente más desfavorecidas. Además, el presupuesto del Gobernador recorta $5.3 millones en fondos para ayuda a familias de bajos recursos con el pago de preescolar en horario más allá de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m. El State Department of Human Services planea lograr estos ahorros restringiendo la entrada a padres que den un copago de aproximadamente $35,000. La reducción de este programa será un duro golpe para las familias de los 55,000 niños inscritos en preescolar, de los cuales la mitad son latinos.

*Muchos de estos recortes podrían evitarse manteniendo el impuesto extra a los ingresos mayores a $400,000, el cual ya venció. El año pasado este impuesto produjo casi mil millones en ingresos.

“El sacrificio no es compartido en el presupuesto de Christie”, dijo Frank Argote-Freyre, presidente interino de Latino Action Network. “Reconocemos la difícil situación financiera que Christie heredó al tomar el cargo como gobernador, pero sus decisiones presupuestarias significan una estrategia al estilo Robin Hood pero a la inversa: Christie toma dinero de los pobres para no tener que pedirle nada a los ricos”.

Daniel Santo Pietro, miembro del Comité Directivo de LAN y ex director ejecutivo de la Hispanic Directors Association, hizo los siguientes comentarios: “Un estudio reciente muestra que más del 20% de las familias que trabajan en Nueva Jersey no ganan lo suficiente como para igualar los costo de vida en Nueva Jersey. Los recortes que hemos señalado, aunados a otros como aquellos en el programa de crédito reembolsable State Earned Income Tax Credit Program, son una agresión para las familias trabajadoras. Y los hispanos estarán entre los más afectados”.

Latino Action Network Critical of Governor Christie’s Budget Choices

Latino Action Network Critical of

Governor Christie’s Budget Choices

No Sharing of Sacrifice; Poor and Middle Class

Shoulder the Burden

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2010

Frank Argote-Freyre, Interim Chair – 908-670-0552

Daniel Santo Pietro, Steering Committee Member – 732-496-9628

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today denounced the budget choices made by Governor Chris Christie in developing his 2010-2011 budget because of his emphasis on cutting programs effecting the poor and middle class and his failure to call for any sacrifice from the wealthiest members of the New Jersey community.

The LAN is dissecting the New Jersey budget presented by Governor Christie and plans to issue a short policy paper on the subject in the next few weeks. An initial review of the budget finds numerous objectionable policy decisions that adversely impact the poor and middle class.

Below is a list of some of the most undesirable budget policy decisions:

*** The elimination of 11,700 legal immigrant adults from FamilyCare programs. As far as can be determined there are no efforts to find alternate treatment plans for those suffering from chronic illnesses. They will simply be jettisoned from the program without any concern about their future. This cut will commence as of April 1 and is kept in place in the coming budget year. The Governor’s budget also freezes enrollment for all adults. The family income of those effected ranges between $18,000 and $36,000.

*** The elimination of the Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development. The Governor’s program eliminates the $3.6 million in funding for the Center that has existed since 1975. These funds help maintain social service agencies across New Jersey and several of these agencies will most likely close as a result of these cuts. This is also a reversal of a campaign pledge by Candidate Christie to keep the Center open. The Center co-funded with the Division of Youth and Family Services extensive family strengthening programs that annually assist 300,000 mostly Hispanic low-income families a year resolve problems before they threaten the stability of families. An additional $3 to $4 million in matching funds from a variety of sources will be lost as a result of the governor’s decision.

*** The Department of Children and Families was cut by $4.59 million that go to help families in crisis to resolve housing, employment and health care issues. These programs offer bilingual, bicultural assistance to a population that will not find similar alternative services in their communities.

*** A wide variety of community grants will be cut including funds for the “NJ After 3” program that provides after school programs at 114 public schools across New Jersey in many economically disadvantaged areas. In addition, the governor’s budget cuts $5.3 million in funds to help low-income families pay for preschool beyond the limited hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The State Department of Human Services plans to achieve this savings by lowering the threshold for parents to make a co-payment to around $35,000. A reduction in this program will be a major blow to the families of 55,000 children enrolled in preschools, about half of whom are Latino.

*** Many of these cuts could be avoided by maintaining the surcharge on incomes exceeding $400,000 which lapsed. Last year this surcharge produced nearly $1 Billion in revenue.

“There is little sharing of sacrifice in the Christie budget,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, interim chairperson of the Latino Action Network. “We recognize the difficult financial situation the governor found upon taking office, but his budget decisions amount to a reverse Robin Hood strategy. Christie takes from the poor so he doesn’t have to ask anything of the rich.”

Daniel Santo Pietro, a member of the LAN Steering Committee and recently retired as Executive Director of the Hispanic Directors Association, made the following observations: “A recent study shows that over 20% of New Jersey’s working families do not earn enough to match the cost of living in New Jersey. The cuts we point out coupled with others such as those in the State Earned Income Tax Credit Program are an assault on working families. Hispanics will be among the hardest hit.”

Latino Action Network Urges Governor Christie to Maintain Commission on New Americans

Network Urges Governor Christie to Maintain Commission on New Americans

“Voice for Immigrant Community in New Administration”

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2010

Christian Estevez, Steering Committee Member – 973-418-7012

 

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today called on Governor Chris Christie to maintain the Commission on New Americans as a voice for the immigrant community within his administration.

“The Commission provides an opportunity for the Christie Administration to continue the conversation about how to best integrate New Jersey’s growing immigrant community into the economy and culture of New Jersey,” said Christian Estevez, a member the LAN Steering Committee and formerly a member of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy.

“The establishment of the Commission was an important recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Panel and we hope Governor Christie will maintain it,” Estevez continued. “Immigrants are vitally important to the future of New Jersey and they need to be represented in the government.”

The Christie Administration is currently reviewing all existing commissions and government agencies to search for savings to the taxpayers. “All of the members of the Commission are volunteers dedicating their time and resources, so there is little or no cost to the state,” Estevez noted.

 

New Jersey is one of the immigrant gateways to the nation and it has one of the largest foreign-born populations in the country. Immigrants make up 28 percent of New Jersey’s workforce and bring in 23 percent of all earnings.

Latino Action Network Endorses Full Cooperation with Census 2010

Latino Action Network Endorses Full Cooperation with Census 2010

Opposes Census Boycott Plans by Small Minority

For Immediate Release: February 1, 2010

Frank Argote-Freyre, Interim Chair – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Steering Committee Member – 973-418-7012

 

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today urged members of the Latino community to participate fully in Census 2010, including undocumented immigrants, and opposed efforts by a small minority to encourage a boycott. In the coming months, the LAN intends to sponsor several statewide events aimed at fostering an understanding of the importance of the Census. LAN is partnering with the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) as part of their Latino Census Network.

 

“We reject all calls for a boycott by those who argue it will pressure the federal government into enacting comprehensive immigration reform,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, interim Chairperson of the Latino Action Network. “The immigrant community, documented and undocumented, is struggling for acceptance and a boycott sends the message that they do not want to participate in this society.”

 

Argote-Freyre continued: “The vast majority of immigrants have come to build this great nation. They are proud of the United States and want it to reach even greater heights. They want to participate and be recognized for their contributions.”

 

Christian Estevez, a member of the LAN Steering Committee, also noted that the boycott strategy is critically flawed. “A boycott will not pressure the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration reform, because the Census Bureau will respond by developing a statistical model to estimate the immigrant population count. The end result will be an undercount adversely effecting the Latino population and other immigrant populations. It is an act of civil disobedience with little chance of meaningful success.”

 

The stakes are particularly high for New Jersey which could lose a Congressional seat. An immigrant undercount could make the difference between 13 congressional districts or 12 congressional districts. Census information is the way the federal government appropriates funds and political representation to communities.

 

Argote-Freyre concluded: “We support the approach of many immigrant organizations that urge undocumented immigrants to hand in their completed Census forms at churches and other locations where they feel safe.”