Exciting Things to Come!
Your Monthly Update From Lead-Free NJ

February 28, 2022
Smiling school children sitting at a lunch table.
Lead-Free NJ logo
A Message from Your Lead-Free NJ Program Manager
In the month of February we honor Black History. Lead-Free NJ recognizes and celebrates Black individuals of all ages who have positively impacted the environment and public health in our communities—people like Mari Copeny, a 14-year-old activist and philanthropist from Flint, Michigan. Read more about Little Miss Flint here.
Photo Source: Mari Copeny website
According to The Nature Conservancy, "The number of Black Americans who have broken barriers to contribute to conservation is far greater" than popular tellings of history suggest. "There are unsung heroes and lesser-known leaders in communities all across the nation who are working to create a future where people and nature thrive."

As we work to #GetTheLeadOut, let’s continue to stay connected and invite new members to join us in this collaborative work. Our monthly newsletter will continue to provide you with insider updates on Lead-Free NJ’s work, information about how you can get involved, details about upcoming events, and more.

Feel free to contact me at info@leadfreenj.org. Thank you!
 
Tasha Humphrey
LFNJ Highlights
Lead-Free NJ members are asking New Jersey leaders to allocate $600 million from American Rescue Plan funds to remove lead from water and paint. Take Action! Sign on the letter here.
Lead-Free NJ Community Hubs are working.

Lead-Free NJ Community Hubs are working to get the lead out of New Jersey. Follow them on Facebook today.
LFNJ Represents in Newark

On Feb. 12 at a roundtable on solving the lead crisis, Mayor Ras Baraka announced that the City of Newark completed more than 23,000 lead service line replacements in less than three years. Newark residents who have been impacted by lead spoke at the event alongside Vice President Harris, Governor Murphy, and Mayor Baraka. Several Lead-Free NJ members were at the roundtable event in Newark. The City is being hailed as a role model for removing lead service lines.
Left to right: Yvette Jordan, LFNJ Advocacy Coordinating Committee co-chair; Joan Matthews, NRDC; Radhika Fox, EPA; and Chris Sturm, LFNJ steering committee member
Here's what Lead-Free NJ members are saying:

“This is just what communities need: to be heard,” said Yvette Jordan, a teacher and the chairwoman of the Newark Education Workers Caucus, one of the plaintiffs who last year agreed to settle a federal lawsuit accusing Newark and state officials of violating safe water laws. “But this is a first step, not a last step.” 
Yvette Jordan, Lead-Free NJ Advocacy Coordinating Committee co-chair quoted in the New York Times article "Harris Says Replacing Lead Pipes Is a Priority, Despite Limited Funding"
LFNJ needs you!
Take the next step and join as a member! It's FREE and easy to sign up.
Lead Legislation
  • A799 - Allows gross income tax deduction of $45k/yr for spending on removal of lead and other contaminants (e.g., asbestos) from taxpayers’ property. The bill was reintroduced for the 2022 session and is presently in the Assembly Community Development Committee.
Job Opportunities
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Share your news with us!
Do you have a lead-free event, opportunity, or highlight you’d like to share? Email us with the details and get it featured in the next newsletter!
Staff Contact Information
Tasha Humphrey
LFNJ Program Manager
New Jersey Future
thumphrey@njfuture.org