Latino Action Network Critical of Governor Christie’s Choice to Dismantle FamilyCare

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today denounced the latest attack by Governor Chris Christie on New Jersey’s FamilyCare program. This service offers coverage to working families who are above the income levels permitted by Medicaid but whose family income does not allow them to buy health insurance on the open market. 

Latino Action Network Critical of

Governor Christie’s Choice to Dismantle FamilyCare

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2011

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

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

            The Latino Action Network [LAN] today denounced the latest attack by Governor Chris Christie on New Jersey’s FamilyCare program. This service offers coverage to working families who are above the income levels permitted by Medicaid but whose family income does not allow them to buy health insurance on the open market.

            “The corporate coddling, low-income bashing policies of Governor Christie are obvious once again in this year’s proposed budget,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network.  “The latest Christie proposal all but eliminates FamilyCare for working parents. This is more of the same cruel social policy we have come to expect from this governor.”

Governor Christie started dismantling FamilyCare last year when he arbitrarily removed 13,000 adult immigrants from FamilyCare, and then lowered eligibility for a family of four from $36,000 to $25,000 annual income barring about 50,000 more parents.  Earlier this month, the Christie Administration announced that under the latest budget proposal for Medicaid only parents earning about five thousand dollars a year will be eligible thereby eliminating working parents.

“The Governor is following a pattern of refusing to invest state money that the federal government more than matches to extend health services to working people,” said Daniel Santo Pietro, chair of the LAN Public Policy Committee. “Latinos will be disproportionately affected.  In the past Latino social service agencies, whose funding the Governor also has cut dramatically, made a concerted effort to enroll families only to see them eliminated from the program.  Latinos have the highest rates of families living without coverage in New Jersey—about 40%.”

If the budget is not modified, over a hundred thousand parents will likely be cut from the program.  Thousands of children are sure to follow once their parents lose coverage. The result is that New Jersey will lose millions in federal funding, and these working families will likely resort to emergency rooms for healthcare putting greater pressure on local hospitals, who do not have sufficient Charity Care funds to attend to their current population.  The Governor’s moves also undermine the federal healthcare reform law that in 2014 expects to expand Medicaid and create insurance exchanges to provide vehicles for nearly everyone to get health coverage.

Earlier this year, the LAN joined a lawsuit against the Christie Administration challenging last year’s cuts to FamilyCare. The Latino Action Network was founded in 2009 to fight for political empowerment and defend civil rights.

A Plan for New Jersey Supreme Court Without Diversity An Injustice

The “deal” announced yesterday by Governor Chris Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney would turn back the clock and ensure that New Jersey’s Supreme Court lacks racial and ethnic diversity — even as New Jersey’s Latino, African-American, and Asian-American populations continue to grow and make up over 40 percent of the state’s population.

A Plan for New Jersey Supreme Court Without Diversity An Injustice

For Immediate Release: May 3, 2011

Contacts:

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

The “deal” announced yesterday by Governor Chris Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney would turn back the clock and ensure that New Jersey’s Supreme Court lacks racial and ethnic diversity — even as New Jersey’s Latino, African-American, and Asian-American populations continue to grow and make up over 40 percent of the state’s population.

“New Jersey’s Supreme Court should represent all of the people. This so-called deal would create a Supreme Court that makes important decisions impacting communities of color — without any representation from any of those communities,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network. “It erases hard-fought victories by the Latino and African-American communities to ensure representation on the Court.”

New Jersey, according to the 2010 Census, has the twelfth-highest percentage of people of color of any state, with Latinos, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans making up 40.7 percent of the state's population. Latinos are the largest minority group in New Jersey and accounted for the vast majority of population growth in New Jersey over the last decade.

Of the eleven states with higher percentages of people of color than New Jersey, all except Arizona have at least one sitting African-American, Latino, or Asian-American Supreme Court justice, according to a review of judicial websites in those states.  Of the 21 other states that are less than 70 percent white, 17 have at least one sitting African-American, Latino, or Asian-American Supreme Court justice. 

"With this move, New Jersey would go to the bottom of the pack, along with notoriously racially divided states like Arizona, in judicial diversity," Argote-Freyre said. "We urge the Senate to reject this deal that turns back the clock on representation of all New Jerseyans and instead work with Gov. Christie to replace Justice Rivera-Soto with another Latino justice."

New Jersey’s seven person Supreme Court had an African-American justice from 1994-2010, first Justice James H. Coleman, Jr., and then Justice John E. Wallace, Jr. Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto, who became the first Latino justice in 2004, would be replaced by Anne Patterson in the proposed deal.

The Latino Action Network is a broad, statewide coalition of Latino organizations devoted to civil rights and political empowerment.

LAN Supports Selection of New Legislative Map - Months of Negotiations Preceded the Final Result

The Latino Action Network [LAN], a broad, statewide coalition of Latino organizations, today congratulated the Apportionment Commission for choosing a final redistricting map that significantly increases the opportunity for Latino communities in New Jersey to elect candidates of choice. The Democratic map selected by the Commission, which the LAN favored as a member of the New Jersey Legislative Redistricting Coalition on Saturday, provided far stronger opportunities for the Latino community than the alternative Republican map rejected by the Commission.
 

LAN Supports Selection of New Legislative Map
Months of Negotiations Preceded the Final Result

For Immediate Release: April 5, 2011

Contacts:
Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552
Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

The Latino Action Network [LAN], a broad, statewide coalition of Latino organizations, today congratulated the Apportionment Commission for choosing a final redistricting map that significantly increases the opportunity for Latino communities in New Jersey to elect candidates of choice. The Democratic map selected by the Commission, which the LAN favored as a member of the New Jersey Legislative Redistricting Coalition on Saturday, provided far stronger opportunities for the Latino community than the alternative Republican map rejected by the Commission.

"We congratulate the Commission for choosing the map that better represents the Latino community", said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the LAN. "This map represents a significant step forward for the Latino community, while the alternative would have 'cracked' and 'packed' Latino communities to reduce representation. Now, the burden is on both parties to listen to the Latino community in the upcoming county endorsement process, and ensure that the opportunities presented by the new map are actually realized."

The LAN’s redistricting efforts were led by Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President of the Network.

Estevez highlighted the following areas in which the chosen map follows the recommendations of the Legislative Redistricting Coalition:

*** Adding Elmwood Park and its growing Latino community to the district of Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, chair of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus.

*** Putting the Ironbound and North Ward areas of Newark and the growing Latino population of Belleville together in one district, instead of two as in the current map.

*** Redressing the splitting of the Latino community in Monmouth County in the current map by putting Red Bank, Freehold, Long Branch, and Asbury Park into one district.

*** A fairer division of Bergen County that unites key Latino communities and Asian-American communities, instead of the current map’s separation of those communities.

Estevez noted the LAN’s disappointment that changes recommended in Atlantic and Middlesex Counties — to connect Atlantic City and Vineland and New Brunswick and Perth Amboy — were in neither party’s final proposal. Estevez said that despite these problem areas, overall the map still represented a significant improvement.

In contrast, the Republican proposal rejected by the commission would have:

*** Put Fair Lawn into the district of Assemblywoman Pou, thus pushing sitting State
Senator Bob Gordon into representing a largely Latino district.

*** Split the Ironbound and North Ward areas of Newark and Belleville into three
districts, even more than the two in the current map.

*** Continued the splitting of the Latino community in Monmouth County in the
current map by once again splitting Red Bank, Freehold, Long Branch, and
Asbury Park into two districts.

*** Diluted Latino strength by creating a bizarrely shaped district packing two very
different Latino communities, Passaic and North Bergen, into a single district.

*** Cracked the growing Latino population in Plainfield from other strong Latino
communities in Union County.

"The Republican Commissioners refused to show LAN and other Redistricting Coalition members their final map, and now we see why," Estevez said. "The map would have been a disaster for the Latino community."

The LAN emphasized that maps alone did not guarantee representation, and said it would now turn its efforts to ensuring that both parties ran more candidates of choice of the Latino community.

Argote-Freyre concluded: "Both the Democrats and the Republicans have key opportunities under this map to run more candidates that have a strong base of support in New Jersey’s Latino communities. In order for this map to realize this promise, they need to seize those opportunities — beginning with this year’s legislative elections."

¡DESPIERTA LATINO! INSRIBETE Y VOTA! - Wake Up Latino! Register and Vote!

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today announced its participation in a statewide coalition to register Latino voters and foster political empowerment in a community that has been traditionally underrepresented. The LAN took part in a press conference at the State House in Trenton this afternoon kicking off the campaign.

 ¡DESPIERTA LATINO! INSRIBETE Y VOTA!

Wake Up Latino! Register and Vote!

Latino Action Network (LAN) joins Coalition of Organizations to mobilize Latino Vote

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2011

Contacts:

Jose Perez, Vice President – 919-389-0178

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today announced its participation in a statewide coalition to register Latino voters and foster political empowerment in a community that has been traditionally underrepresented. The LAN took part in a press conference at the State House in Trenton this afternoon kicking off the campaign.

             “Today we are joining this coalition so that we can alert our community that it’s time for us to wake up and vote. LAN has joined this community collaborative so we can do our part, to ensure that Latino voter participation in New Jersey increases” said Jose Perez, LAN Vice President for Central New Jersey.

            New Jersey's Latino population has grown significantly since 2000 – from 13.3 percent, to, according to the recently released US Census data, nearly 18 percent. However, over 39% of Latinos who are eligible to vote have not registered. LAN will work within the coalition to identify and target communities for the voter mobilization campaign.  According to the 2010 US Census data, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Toms River, Trenton, Clifton, Camden, Passaic, Freehold and Union City are New Jersey municipalities with significant Latino populations with Union City having the largest Latino population at 85%.

Additionally, we are calling for a more aggressive implementation by the State of New Jersey of The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) or Motor Voter law that became effective on January 1, 1995.  “An effective implementation of the requirements of the Motor Voter Law by the state would go a long way towards increasing voter registration in our community” Perez concluded.

The Latino Action Network is a broad, statewide coalition of Latino organizations dedicated to political empowerment, the promotion of civil rights, and the elimination of disparities in the areas of education, health, and employment. It was founded in 2009.

Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Get Involved in Redistricting Process

The Latino Action Network today urged Latinos across New Jersey to actively participate in the redistricting process that formally begins tomorrow with two hearings. The New Jersey State Apportionment Commission will hold hearings tomorrow in Camden and Toms River to consider how to redraw state legislative districts in light of demographic changes over the last decade. [Read full Press Release below]

 

Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Get Involved in Redistricting Process

Latino Political Voice at Stake

Leaders to Testify Before Commission

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2011

Contacts:

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

            The Latino Action Network today urged Latinos across New Jersey to actively participate in the redistricting process that formally begins tomorrow with two hearings. The New Jersey State Apportionment Commission will hold hearings tomorrow in Camden and Toms River to consider how to redraw state legislative districts in light of demographic changes over the last decade.

“We want to ensure that the Latino community is fairly represented in whatever legislative map is developed,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network. “Our numbers are growing and we expect that our representation will follow the same upward trajectory. New Jersey's Latino population has grown significantly since 2000 – from 13.3 percent, to, according to the latest available data, 16.7 percent.”

Argote-Freyre continued: “Currently there are only seven Assembly members and one State Senator from the Latino community which is evidence of  under-representation on the state level. We expect the Commission to address those issues in redrawing the state’s  legislative districts.”

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

Latino Action Network Denounces US Senate Defeat of Dream Act

The Latino Action Network [LAN] vowed today to work with other state and national organizations to defeat members of the United States Senate who voted against the Dream Act this weekend.  [Read full Press Release Below]

Latino Action Network Denounces US Senate

Defeat of Dream Act

Calls on Latinos to Remember those who Voted Against It.

For Immediate Release: December 20, 2010

Contact:

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

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

The Latino Action Network [LAN] vowed today to work with other state and national organizations to defeat members of the United States Senate who voted against the Dream Act this weekend. In the aftermath of the vote, the Network stressed the importance of passing in-state tuition in New Jersey to ensure that the children of undocumented immigrants have a chance to receive a university education and called on members of the State Legislature to pass the appropriate legislation in 2011.

The US Senate failed to overcome a filibuster that prevented a vote on the Dream Act by a 55-41 vote on Saturday. The measure was opposed by 36 Republicans and five Democrats.

“The names of the Senators that voted against the Dream Act should be emblazoned on the minds of Latinos across the United States every time they step in a voting booth,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the LAN.  “A majority of the Senate was prepared to pass this critical civil rights measure that would have allowed hundreds of thousands of youths brought to this country by their parents without documentation an opportunity to contribute to America’s future by completing their higher education or military service and eventually acquire citizenship.”

  Daniel Santo Pietro, Chair of the Network’s Public Policy Committee stated, “It is a long tradition in Western law not to hold children responsible for the transgressions of their parents.  By denying these youths their basic civil rights, we deny ourselves future leaders, entrepreneurs and scientists that we need just to satisfy an anti-immigrant political agenda.  This is an intolerable situation that Latinos and other Americans of like mind must repudiate.

Both New Jersey Senators, Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, were strong proponents and supporters of the Dream Act, but several New Jersey Representatives opposed it including, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo, and Christopher Smith.

            Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President of the LAN, summarized the current situation, “In the short term the New Jersey State Legislature has to step forward and at least enact the In-State Tuition bill that the State Senate narrowly declined to move forward last December.  All New Jersey college presidents should endorse this bill and other steps to support the youth left in limbo by the US Senate’s debacle. LAN efforts will be focused on organizing New Jersey’s students in support of in-state tuition in New Jersey and comprehensive immigration reform at the national level.

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice. A list of the Senators who opposed the Dream Act will be placed on the LAN’s website and blog to remind its members of their vote.

US Senators Voting Against the Dream Act

Republicans:

Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

John Barrasso of Wyoming
Kit Bond of Missouri
Scott Brown of Massachusetts
Sam Brownback of Kansas
Richard Burr of North Carolina
Saxby Chambliss of Georgia
Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
Thad Cochran of Mississippi
Susan Collins of Maine
Bob Corker of Tennessee
John Cornyn of Texas
Mike Crapo of Idaho
Jim DeMint of South Carolina
John Ensign of Nevada
Michael Enzi of Wyoming
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
James Inhofe of Oklahoma
Johnny Isakson of Georgia
Mike Johanns of Nebraska
Mark Kirk of Illinois
Jon Kyl of Arizona
George LeMieux of Florida
John McCain of Arizona
Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
James Risch of Idaho
Pat Roberts of Kansas
Jeff Sessions of Alabama
Richard Shelby of Alabama
Olympia Snowe of Maine
John Thune of South Dakota
David Vitter of Louisiana

George Voinovich of Ohio
Roger Wicker of Mississippi

Democrats:

 

Max Baucus of Montana

Kay Hagan of North Carolina
Ben Nelson of Nebraska
Mark Pryor of Arkansas
Jon Tester of Montana

Latino Action Network Applauds Latino Voters for Standing Up for Our Community on Election Day

The Latino Action Network applauds Latino voters throughout the United States for not falling for the campaign to suppress the Latino vote. Latinos voters stood up for the entire Latino community by showing up at the polls on Election Day, contributing to the defeat of anti-Latino candidates in states like Nevada. [Read full Press Release below]

Latino Action Network Applauds Latino Voters for Standing Up for Our Community on Election Day      

For Immediate Release: November 3, 2010

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice-President – 973-418-7012

The Latino Action Network applauds Latino voters throughout the United States for not falling for the campaign to suppress the Latino vote. Latinos voters stood up for the entire Latino community by showing up at the polls on Election Day, contributing to the defeat of anti-Latino candidates in states like Nevada.

Latino voters also showed great intelligence in places like Passaic County, New Jersey where they looked beyond the fact that the candidate for sheriff was Latino. The LAN takes note of the fact that Latino voters in Passaic County, New Jersey, rejected a candidate who expressed his support for the anti-immigrant, profiling laws passed earlier this year in Arizona.

The Latino Action Network supports efforts to increase the election of Latinos from all political parties.  However, we cannot support candidates who take positions that run counter to the interests of the Latino community. We are pleased to see that the Latino voters of Passaic County share these values and expressed them on Election Day.

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

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For more information about Latino voting results, please visit the following websites:

Latino Decisions: Latino Election Eve Poll Results, November 2, 2010

http://latinodecisions.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/latino-election-eve-poll-results-november-2-2010/

New York Times: Senate Exit Polls 2010

http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/senate/exit-polls