Activists & Camden Residents To Gather Before Economic Development Authority Board Meeting

Trenton — Amid the biggest New Jersey corruption scandal since Bridgegate, grassroots activists and advocates, including Camden residents, will hold a press conference outside New Jersey Economic Development Authority headquarters just before its monthly board meeting.

Last month more than sixty community, environmental, labor, student, and faith-based groups called on all non-ex-officio members of the EDA Board to resign in response to a scathing New Jersey Comptroller audit of corporate subisdy programs and testimony of multiple whistleblowers that corporations were gaming the system for tax cuts.

Within days Gov. Murphy and the Star-Ledger editorial board echoed the people’s demands, prompting the resignation of EDA board chair Larry Downes. Other board members, including those selected by Chris Christie and Democratic legislative leaders, have so far refused to resign. Meanwhile, WNYC / Pro Publica, the New York Times, Politico, and others have detailed further allegations of unregistered lobbying, fraudulent subsidy applications, and self-dealing.

Meanwhile, Camden residents have protested attempts to use their distressed community as a justification for corporate fraud and political corruption and have demanded data from the EDA and subsidy recipients on resident hiring.

EDA corporate welfare programs grew in size and scope after the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013, and could cost New Jersey $1 billion in revenue this fiscal year alone.

WHAT: Press Conference Calling for Accountability & Transparency at the NJ EDA

WHERE: 36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ

WHEN: Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 9:30 am

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