July 2017 – Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Congress To Block Consumer Protection Rule

A Congressional vote is expected as early as Tuesday, July 25, on a resolution to block a new rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that prohibits class action bans in forced arbitration clauses of consumer contracts.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule “would make it easier for consumers to file or join an existing group lawsuit if they are harmed by a financial service provider, such as a bank or credit card company”, according to a statement appearing on the Board’s website.

Action to prevent this consumer rule from going into effect is supported by Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee. The GOP’s bill, H.J. Resolution 111, sponsored by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the Bureau’s rule.

What can you do to protect consumer rights and support the new protections against mandatory arbitration? You can take the following direct action, today:

Telephone Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who represents New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. His Washington office number is 202-225-4465. We need as many calls as possible.
Ask,”Will the Congressman support ordinary New Jersey people hurt by bad actors and oppose any resolution to take away our day in court?”
Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s force arbitration rule, which restores our 7th Amendment right to our day in court when companies like Wells Fargo engage in widespread wrongdoing.
Ask what is the Congressman’s position on H.J. Resolution 111.

Please let me know if you hear anything back on his position by emailing me at my contact page.

Avoiding Utility Shutoffs in New Jersey

This is the time of year when assistance with energy bills is often needed. Information is available from a number of sources. Visit Avoiding Utility Shutoffs in New Jersey for valuable links.

Need to speak to someone about a pending shutoff? Dial 2-1-1 or call the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities at 800-624-0241.

Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation

This summer free meals for children and teens are available under the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The federally funded program ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites.

Last year, led by such groups as Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) and the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition, New Jersey witnessed a 21% increase in the number of local summer meal sites. This year efforts include working more closely with local sponsors to help them get the word out by distributing flyers, hosting kickoff events and working with school districts. Other organizations can aid program participation by distributing flyers in locations where children and families congregate, sending email alerts to their network and by posting information on social media. See the New Jersey specific toolkit.

Parents can find a local summer meal site for their children by any of the following methods:

Online by typing www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks to access “Find Summer Meals In Your Community”
Text “food” to 877-877 on a smartphone
Visiting the njsummermeals.org website and clicking the “Find Summer Meals” button

Parents, schools, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to download and distribute poster #1 and poster #2.

For more information on child nutrition campaigns visit the New Jersey Food For Thought
Campaign webpage.