Trenton – New Jersey’s Legislative Latino Caucus issued the following statement of support after learning of the Administration’s plans to restore funding for New Jerseyans who had been excluded from previous COVID-related relief efforts. The Latino Caucus has been persistent with the administration about finding a way to restore $34 million in federal CARES Act funding that had been re-appropriated last year.
“We are glad to hear that the administration is moving in the right direction in regard to these sorely needed monies for workers in our state who continue to struggle under financial burdens brought on by the pandemic. We are proud of the strong passion shown by our Caucus members for continuing this fight, and impressing upon the governor and the Department of Human Services the vital importance these funds can play.”
The governor said he would be restoring the money through the federal American Rescue Plan. Under an agreement with the Legislature, the administration has the discretion to dispense ARP money in $10 million increments.
“We welcome the governor’s commitment to extending the program and also the department’s willingness to make the application process less stringent, and more user-friendly. This immediate remedy puts us in a workable position to move forward with dispersing these funds, for at least the next several months.”
Members of the NJ Legislative Latino Caucus include: Senator Nellie Pou, Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia, Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.