Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU, on Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY2021 budget address:

“Today Gov. Phil Murphy outlined a bold vision of fiscal and economic responsibility rooted in the idea that New Jersey’s working people are the backbone of our state—not multi-millionaires and large corporations. Importantly, he showed how we can work towards the ever-present goal of property tax relief while simultaneously investing in our communities’ long-term health and wellbeing.

“The caregivers of 1199SEIU applaud Gov. Murphy for his plan to require large companies to pay a Corporate Responsibility Fee when they refuse to provide workers with adequate health benefits, forcing them onto Medicaid or charity care. This is a rampant practice in our state’s nursing home industry and one that has cost NJ taxpayers dearly.

“Investing resources to uplift working families and responsible financial stewardship go hand-in-hand. 1199SEIU is eager to continue its partnership with Gov. Murphy and state legislators to ensure that healthcare funding is used by providers in transparent, responsible ways that improve patient care and outcomes.”

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New Jersey and nationwide. We represent over 16,000 healthcare families in New Jersey and over 400,000 total members throughout New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.   Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.