The ACLU of New Jersey called on Gov. Sherrill and the New Jersey Legislature on Mar. 10 to ensure that the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget prioritizes equity and justice for all residents.
The organization said its recommendations are important because a state’s budget reflects its values and priorities, especially at a time when communities face ongoing challenges related to legal representation, housing, and the effects of past marijuana criminalization.
The ACLU-NJ outlined several funding priorities, including increasing support for the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative (DDDI) to $20 million. The group said this is necessary due to increased demand for legal services as detention capacity has quadrupled in New Jersey, leaving DDDI able to provide full representation to only 18 percent of those seeking help. The organization also called for $2.5 million in funding for the Housing Justice Project, which would allow law schools to continue representing tenants facing eviction and reinstate funding for the Rutgers-Camden program that was denied funds in Fiscal Year 2026. Additionally, it urged continued investment of cannabis revenue into community programs such as social services, education support, harm reduction, housing access, food security, and economic development. The group recommended creating an inclusive process for community input on spending decisions and establishing an online dashboard showing how funds are allocated.
Ami Kachalia, campaign strategist at ACLU-NJ, said: “A state’s budget directly reflects its values and most pressing priorities. Funding cannot change the past, but deliberate investment in repairing harm can build a more equitable future for all.
“New Jerseyans have been clear that they want lawmakers to champion racial and social justice to truly invest in the justice, safety, and well-being of our communities – and create a better New Jersey for everyone who calls our state home. That includes increasing funding for the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative, fully funding the Housing Justice Project, and continuing to reinvest in communities harmed by marijuana criminalization.
“As New Jersey, and the nation, responds to changes in federal policies that increasingly target community members and place them at risk, we hope Gov. Sherrill takes this opportunity to prioritize rights and justice for all in her first budget address. It is time for New Jersey to put its money where its morals are.”
The ACLU of New Jersey promotes equity by centering historically marginalized voices in advocacy efforts according to its official website. The organization works statewide across New Jersey with a focus on protecting rights guaranteed by both state and federal constitutions according to its official website. It has pursued systemic change through legal action on issues such as voting rights and criminal justice reform according to its official website, while also providing resources like Know Your Rights guides covering topics from transgender rights to interactions with immigration officials according to its official website.
As a civil rights organization according to its official website, the ACLU-NJ continues advocacy efforts aimed at shaping policy decisions affecting diverse communities throughout New Jersey.
