Dear Coalition for a DSP Living Wage:
Quick Update
While the Coalition still needs a great turn-out at Thursday’s hearing, there are days that schedules will not permit attendance, therefore, another way to show your support is to submit testimony to ONE of the email addresses below and it will be part of the hearing record.
Email: Luke Wolff at LWolff@njleg.org or Andrew J. Ward, Committee Aide at OLSAideSBA@njleg.org
Also, if you are not able to attend and, regardless if you submit testimony, the Coalition can submit a statement that contains your name, organization, and position which is Support for S-1194. However, we need your name, organization and your permission to do so.
If you would like the Coalition to submit a slip to the Senate Budget committee with your position of support please email mshea@njacp.org. We suggest you do this because the Chairperson will read the list of names in support of the bill at the hearing and a long list of support is good for the bill’s chances of approval. If you have any questions at all please contact mshea@njacp.org. Thank you.
Original Email
Good News! This Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 2 pm the Senate Budget Committee will be voting on an FY2020 supplemental appropriation of $16.5 million (plus $16.5 million federal Medicaid match) to increase DSP Wages. Please join us at the State House to show your support!
As background, the coalition requested this additional funding in the current budget to increase DSP wages by 10% to mirror the 10% increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage to $11 per hour that went into effect on January 1, 2020. We all know DSPs are far from minimum wage workers and they cannot be left behind! In FY21, the Coalition is seeking an additional $16.5 million in state funding (plus $16.5 million federal match) to raise DSP salaries to accommodate the next increase to the minimum wage on January 1, 2021, to $12 p/h.
We need Coalition members to join us this Thursday to testify on the supplemental appropriation and/or simply attend the Senate Budget Committee hearing to show support. We’ll have buttons and stickers on hand to show your support. Attached are talking points for your testimony and here’s a link to the bill for full details: S1194.
When: Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 2:00 pm
Where: Senate Budget Committee Room 4 (1st floor) State House Annex, 145 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey (limited parking available at the NJ State House and in front on West State Street; additional parking in paid lots nearby: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp)
What: S1194, which would make an FY2020 supplemental appropriation of $16.5 million to increase DSP wages by approximately 10% is up for a vote!
Why: The community-based, disability service system is in crisis with 44% turnover and nearly 30% vacancy rates because DSP wages are not proportional to the responsibility and skill required to do the job. It’s time New Jersey index DSP wages by raising them every time New Jersey’s minimum wage goes up!
Thank you in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Shea at mshea@njacp.org. We look forward to seeing you Thursday!
Sincerely,
Valerie Sellers, Chairperson
