1199SEIU Calls for Swift Passage of A4175, the “New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act”

Today, the Assembly Budget Committee is hearing bill A4175 which would authorize issuance of State bonds totaling $5 billion and borrowing from the federal government in order to offset losses from reduced tax revenue.

Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East:

“Our state and country are in the midst of a health and economic crisis that has challenged all of us beyond anything we’ve experienced in generations.  The pandemic’s crushing impact on millions of New Jersey residents was swift and there is no certainty of when we will round the corner to recovery.

“The state faces a $10 billion shortfall and cuts are being eyed across the board, including to essential services and programs.

“Every day, we hear from nursing home workers on the frontlines about the terrible effects of the COVID-19 crisis on their patients, families, and communities.  They are looking to Trenton for leadership to stave off the worst of this pandemic and keep their families afloat.

“As the threat of a deep and prolonged recession looms, it is vital for lawmakers to take action now to inject much-needed resources into our economy and fill the significant gaps in our state budget.  The state has an obligation to seek any and all avenues to fund relief efforts and essential services, including healthcare, employment and food assistance, public transit and safety.

“1199SEIU calls for swift passage of A4175.  Seeking cuts to public services amid a public health and economic crisis would be the worst possible response to the current crisis.  Instead, we need to raise cash now to move our state towards recovery.

“If we’ve learned anything during this pandemic, it is that our society must invest more, not less, into our public infrastructure and safety net, to reduce the extreme health, racial, and economic disparities that COVID-19 has exposed.”

###

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 450,000 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.