Anti Poverty Network

A BLUEPRINT TO REDUCE POVERTY IN NEW JERSEY

Provide effective support for low-income workers and their families

A. As a step toward achieving a living wage for New Jersey workers, further increase New Jersey’s state minimum wage rate to $8.00 per hour, index yearly increases to inflation, and seek a corresponding federal increase.

B. Enable low wage workers to find and maintain ongoing employment, by providing, through the Department of Human Services, The Department of Labor and Workforce Development One Stop network, and programs under the auspices of other state departments, necessary transportation assistance, child care subsidies, education, training, case management, social services, and healthcare.

C. Expand the state EITC to (a) cover individuals as well as families, (b) track federal

income guidelines, and (c) include additional amounts for families with two, three and four children. Fund the entire state EITC out of general revenues, not federal TANF or maintenance of effort (MOE) dollars, which are needed critically for other programs assisting very low income people.

D. Add coverage for paid family and medical leave, and for seasonal and temporary
workers, under the state unemployment insurance and temporary disability programs.

E. Increase funding for supported employment programs for people with disabilities so that more mental health consumers and people with developmental disabilities can achieve and maintain employment at a living wage.

F. Implement a basic car insurance program affordable by all lower wage workers.