Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU, on Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY2020 budget address:

“1199SEIU agrees with Governor Phil Murphy’s vision for a stronger and fairer New Jersey. As the largest union of healthcare workers, we uphold the principle that every person, young and old, is able to access the care they need to remain healthy. It is our collective responsibility to support the most vulnerable among us, and as the Governor pointedly observed, expanding and protecting access to healthcare is also a matter of racial and gender justice.

“A blueprint that includes a true millionaire’s tax and the idea that all employers bear a responsibility to provide adequate health insurance for their employees is important if we truly seek to build a more equitable, prosperous, and fiscally-responsible state.

“In the coming weeks, we look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to ensure that the FY2020 budget makes appropriate investments into the health programs that serve as lifelines for so many New Jerseyans.”

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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.