Send page to a Friend JCRC Government Affairs Legislative Agenda Agenda Issues: Immigration Sudan Divestment The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston is the representative voice of the organized Jewish community. Rooted in Jewish values and informed by Jewish history, JCRC's mission also reflects the ideals of American democracy. The advocacy work of MAJF is rooted in Jewish values of "tzedek" (justice) and "tikkun olam" (repair of the world), and our Legislative Agenda includes both issues of universal concern and issues of particular concern to the Jewish community.  The Jewish people's proud tradition of pursuing justice dictates that even in times of fiscal crisis, our commitment to the most vulnerable members of our society must not be compromised.  Therefore, our top priority as a community is to protect the safety net. Immigration "Jewish religious and ethical values provide a firm foundation for Jewish involvement in immigration and refugee policy. Central Jewish teachings emphasize protection of the stranger, as seen in the over 36 references to this principle within the Torah, including: When strangers sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do them wrong. The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jewish tradition also includes principles of Piddyon Shevuyim (redeeming the captive), Chesed (kindness), and Hachnasat Orchim (hospitality) that create a solid framework for a compassionate response to the needs of immigrants and refugees. Based on these core values, and recognizing that other immigrants would also benefit from, and be of benefit to, American society, the Jewish community has over the 350-years history of its presence on American shores been actively engaged in the struggles of new immigrants and in the development of the nation's immigration policy." --Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society  Education Parity Act Even thought they have lived in Massachusetts for most of their lives, undocumented students (usually through no fault of their own), are prohibited from the opportunity to pay college tuition at Massachusetts resident rates. The Education Parity Act is a solution to this barrier to higher education. The Education Parity Act should be included in the Governor's final reccommendations of the Commonwelath Readiness Project. The act ensures that graduates of MA high schools are able to attend state colleges and universities at the same tuition rates as their peers.  All students who have attended MA high schools for at least 3 years should be offered the same in-state tuition rates as their classmates. Students affected by this act are graduating at the top of their classes as a result of the investment in their K-12 education. They are capable, talented, high achieving students who have and will continue to achieve academically. The act would only address eligibility for tuition rates. It would not provide financial aid, scholarships or loans. Students would pay college tuition and fees out of pocket. MA Taxpayers Foundation says act would generate $2.5 million in new revenue.  Massachusetts public colleges will receive $2.5 million dollars in new tuition payments from students who are currently not attending college because of the high cost of out of state rates. In the long term, Massachusetts will derive positive benefits from increased tax revenues and a greater number of educated workers. MA public universities and colleges have said that this act will not cause student displacement.  It is estimated that the bill will affect only 400-600 students annually, less than 1% of the more than 40,000 students who attend college in the state. Human Rights As Jews, living in the shadow of the near annihilation of our people, we know too well the peril and the horror of global indifference, when people turn their backs on those in danger or in need.  Today, this is the case in the Darfur region of Sudan, where genocide is taking place.  Mindful of the clarion call of our prophets to demand social justice and actively oppose injustice and cruelty and with the memories of the Holocaust in our hearts and minds, we look in horror upon the persecution of any group based on race, religion, or ethnicity, or other distinctions that are used to degrade the value of any human life. We should not permit "never again" to be a mere slogan.  Rather it must represent a firm, moral commitment on our part not to stand idly by in the face of unspeakable terror and violence. Legislative Item S2217:  Sudan Divestment Act Over the past four years, the Sudanese government has systemically killed at least 400,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million in Sudan's Darfur region. For the first time in history, the US government has declared ongoing atrocities to be genocide. The U.N. has declared the crisis the "worst humanitarian disaster in the world today." S2217, a bill similar to one passed in California, intends to dissociate the state of Massachusetts, in a financially prudent manner, from the moral and financial concerns linked to investments in those companies doing business in Sudan that significantly support the government of Sudan. While the international community has been strong on rhetoric, it has woefully failed to take the requisite actions to end the atrocities in Darfur. History has repeatedly demonstrated that genocide, from the Holocaust to Rwanda, can only persist in the face of inaction by bystanders. The international community's failure to stop the genocide in Darfur has given states like Massachusetts the impetus to act against the genocide in Darfur. Divesting from targeted companies doing business in Sudan will demonstrate that Massachusetts will not allow its pension funds to facilitate genocide, while simultaneously putting much-needed economic pressure on the government of Sudan. The Sudanese government has a long history of susceptibility to economic pressure. Several major companies operating in Sudan have also altered their business practices or left the country largely in response to the divestment movement. Out of the 400+ companies operating in Sudan, roughly two dozen companies are currently targeted for engagement and divestment. These "scrutinized" companies have a business relationship with the Sudanese government or government-created project, fail to benefit civilians outside of government controlled circles, fail to reasonably address the genocide through corporate action, and have proven unresponsive to repeated attempts at shareholder engagement. Because of longstanding US sanctions on Sudan, S2217 targets no US companies. Additionally, S2217 does not target companies that provide significant humanitarian benefit to the marginalized population of Sudan. S2217 differs significantly from Sudan divestment legislation passed in states like Illinois and New Jersey. Developed in consultation with financial and legal experts, S2217 targets only a vanishingly small portion of Massachusetts's total investment holdings. By targeting a limited number of firms and types of investments, S2217 protects Massachusetts's portfolio returns. This "targeted" model of divestment, recently passed by California, is now being considered in over 20 states, as well as dozens of universities and cities in the US and abroad. In order to protect S2217 from litigation, the legislation was written in close consultation with Cooley Godward Kronish LLP, one of the nation's top law firms.