“We cannot have a stronger and fairer New Jersey without examining the causes of our wealth gaps and without establishing strategies to combat this long-standing problem. I look forward to working with the Wealth Disparity Task Force and continuing our Administration’s efforts to create an economy that works for every New Jerseyan.” – Governor Phil Murphy. Press Release September 14, 2021.
Fulfilling a key commitment from his 2020 State of the State address, Governor Murphy established the Wealth Disparity Task Force to examine the causes of and remedies for the long-standing wealth disparities that affect Black and Hispanic or Latino New Jerseyans. Executive Order 262.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the formation of the Wealth Disparity Task Force, shed light on long-standing inequities that have plagued our state. Historically underserved communities, particularly communities of color, were among the hardest hit by the health and economic toll of the pandemic. Rebuilding toward a stronger New Jersey includes targeted investments aimed at addressing the underlying inequities which were exacerbated by the pandemic.
To develop actionable solutions in the areas of health, housing, education, criminal justice, and the economy, the Wealth Disparity Task Force aims to ensure that all New Jerseyans are leaving behind more than memories to the next generation.
The Wealth Disparity Task Force is co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, Sheila Y. Oliver, Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride, Rutgers University President Dr. Jonathan Holloway, and Retired Council of New Jersey Grantmakers President and CEO Maria Vizcarrondo.
WEALTH DISPARITY TASKFORCE | ||
---|---|---|
Dr. Jonathan Holloway, President of Rutgers University - Chair | ||
CRIMINAL JUSTICE WORKING GROUP | ||
Name | Organization | Title |
Matt Platkin (Lead) | New Jersey Attorney General’s Office | Attorney General |
Reverend Bolivar Flores | New Jersey Reentry Corporation | Pastoral Outreach Director |
Cuqui Rivera | Latino Action Network Foundation | Policy & Programs Manager |
Alexis Kateron | Rutgers University | Professor |
ECONOMY WORKING GROUP | ||
Name | Organization | Title |
Brandon McKoy (Lead) | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities | President, The Fund for New Jersey |
Robert Asaro-Angelo | New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Commissioner |
Tim Sullivan | New Jersey Economic Development Authority | CEO |
Raymond L. Lamboy | Latin American Economic Development Association, Inc. | President & CEO |
Cid Wilson | Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility | President & CEO |
EDUCATION WORKING GROUP | ||
Name | Organization | Title |
Hon. Jeannine Frisby LaRue (Lead) | Kaufman Zita Group (Moxie Strategies) | Senior Vice President |
Dr. Brian Bridges | Office of the Secretary of Higher Education | Secretary |
Carlos Valentin Jr., | ASPIRA Inc., of New Jersey | Executive Director |
HEALTH WORKING GROUP | ||
Name | Organization | Title |
Michellene Davis, Esq. (Lead) | National Medical Fellowships | President & CEO |
Dr. Diane Hill | Rutgers University-Newark | Assistant Chancellor for University-Community Partnerships |
Dr. Jubril Oyeyemi | Camden Coalition | Medical Director of Care Management Initiatives |
Dr. Kaitlan Baston | New Jersey Department of Health | Commissioner |
HOUSING WORKING GROUP | ||
Name | Organization | Title |
Reverend Eric Dobson (Lead) | Fair Share Housing Center | Deputy Director |
Sundeep Iyer | New Jersey Division on Civil Rights | Director |
Aarin Williams | New Jersey Division on Civil Rights | Chief Advisor to the Director |
Iris Bromberg | New Jersey Division on Civil Rights | Policy Specialist |
04/10/2023
Building on his vision for the Next New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy, joined by New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC) Acting Chair and CEO Allison Chris Myers, signed Executive Order No. 327 expanding job opportunities for New Jerseyans by prioritizing skills and work experience over college degree requirements for certain State employment opportunities.
This executive order will open the door to family-sustaining, high-paying jobs, with salaries that can top $120,000 a year, for the hundreds of applicants who are rejected or dissuaded from applying each year to the State’s open employment opportunities due to educational requirements. The Executive Order will open employment opportunities for a wide breadth of jobs offered by the State.
This order will take effect immediately, starting with a six-month period allowing the CSC to use its regulatory authority to identify the positions for which a college degree is not a necessity and take the steps needed to ensure that relevant job postings are aligned with this Order.
03/05/2023
"How much you’d save under Murphy plan to suspend N.J. fees, including state parks, teachers … part of a broader focus on affordability in New Jersey and is aimed at addressing persistent issues of race-based wealth disparity … " (read more - NJ.com)
03/01/2023
"Employee Ownership Efforts Move Forward in NJ, MO" (read more - National Center for Employee Ownership)
02/28/2023
"Exclusive: Murphy budget allocates money for employee ownership efforts (updated)" (read more - NJBIZ)
"Governor Murphy’s budget plan pitches ending fees for clients of public defenders" (read more - New Jersey Monitor)
02/28/2023
"This budget includes several proposals derived from the work of the Wealth Disparity Task Force, which was established by Executive Order No. 262." These initiatives, as highlighted in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget in Brief, include: