The ACLU of New Jersey today urged Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature to prioritize equity and justice for all New Jerseyans in the 2026 fiscal year budget. The ACLU-NJ is calling for increased funding in the following priority areas:
- Allocate $19.5 million to provide legal representation to immigrants facing detention and deportation
- Allocate $3 million to support language access implementation.
- Allocate funding to support New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice priorities, including funding for Cover All Kids and funding to provide legal representation for unaccompanied children.
- Allocate $4 million to support the Salvation & Social Justice street team.
- Increase transparency and accountability in the cannabis community reinvestment process and ensure that revenue from cannabis sales tax is reinvested in communities most harmed by the criminalization of marijuana – not law enforcement.
The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-NJ Policy Director Sarah Fajardo:
“A state’s budget reflects its values and most pressing priorities. For our state to move toward a more inclusive future, it is essential that lawmakers put racial and social justice at the core of the budget process. New Jersey can set a national example by building a budget that prioritizes equity and truly invests in our communities.”
