[New Jersey] Advocates for needy urge Corzine to help

from The Star Ledger

Groups fear budget defecit will mean less aid

By Susan K. Livio

Concerned about Gov. Jon Corzine's focus on cutting the state budget this year, anti-poverty leaders yesterday urged him to spare, and even expand, programs that they say a growing number of families need to survive.

Facing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, Corzine's transition advisers recommended that "steps must be taken immediately to prepare to cut operating costs."

But a "singular" focus on saving money is "likely to have a disproportionately negative effect on people living in poverty in New Jersey," said the Rev. Bruce Davidson, director of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry and a member of the Anti-Poverty Network, a coalition of social service advocacy groups.

"It's essential that any serious discussion of the state budget include consideration of the critical needs of New Jersey's most vulnerable citizens," Davidson said.

The group made specific proposals, including spending more on welfare, rental assistance, food banks and health insurance for the working poor. It called for changes to allow more families to receive an earned income tax credit.

Anthony Coley, Corzine's spokesman, would not comment on any of the specific proposals, but said the governor understands that "too many New Jersey families are struggling to make ends meet."

"This report reinforces our sense of urgency," Coley said. "We must get our fiscal house in order now so that we can provide assistance to those most in need."

The groups urged Corzine to more than double the monthly welfare grant over several years. A family of three receives $424 in cash assistance -- an amount that has not changed since 1987. They also said Corzine should double the $50million that the state spends on rental assistance, and spend $10million each year on food banks.

Terry Kiely, a policy analyst at Mercer Street Friends, said working suburbanites and people who haven't relied on public assistance in years are now seeking help to feed their families.

"Food banks in New Jersey do not receive any state funding to cover operating costs," she said.

The groups said that struggling families could be helped if the state allowed more to qualify for the FamilyCare health insurance program for the working poor. They pushed for expanding the requirements for the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which now provides tax credits of up to $880 to families that earn no more than $20,000. The federal government allows credits for parents with two children and family incomes of up to $37,263.

Lidia Bek, a hospital worker earning $17,000, said yesterday that she and her two children live "by doing without -- without all the food we need, without new clothing, without entertainment or vacation and without any provision for emergencies ... I would hope New Jersey will recognize how difficult it is for families like mine to make ends meet."

New Jersey's needy population is growing, according to the most recent Kids Count report, which evaluates family health, wealth and well-being. There were 251,000 children living in poverty in 2004, up 18 percent from 2000.

The poverty network plans to launch a Web site today -- www.mostcriticalneeds.org -- to allow the public to respond.

Some of the proposals offered yesterday don't require extra money. Lawmakers will be asked to pass bills that would better protect consumers hit with high interest rates at rent-to-own stores, or residents at risk of being forced out of a redevelopment zone.