Better Choices for New Jersey Coalition Statement on NYC HQ2

NEWARK – Earlier today Amazon announced its plans to pull out of its New York HQ2 deal amidst opposition from grassroots organizations and local politicians. Community members voiced their concerns, including the request for Amazon to forgo billions in corporate subsidies and to invest in public investments, were left unheard. During the nationwide search for HQ2, New Jersey submitted a proposal for Newark and offered Amazon $7 billion in potential tax incentives.

“Amazon’s decision to cancel it’s New York HQ2 plan pulls back the curtain on the corporation’s vested interest to scrape up massive tax subsidies from its locations,” said Analilia Mejia, executive director of NJ Working Families and convener of the Better Choices for New Jersey Coalition. “Billions in corporate tax incentives may be enticing, but foregoing critical public investments is counterproductive in any community. The multi-billion corporation’s refusal to listen to the demands of its community members and pay its fair share into public coffers that help sustain roads, public education, and safety net programs, shows that the decision not to choose Newark is fortunate.”

In October 2017, the Better Choices Coalition sent an open letter to Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, calling on the corporation to choose Newark for the state’s educated workforce, transportation hubs, and “prime” quality of life and to reject New Jersey’s offer for $7 billion in tax subsidies should it choose Newark. Today, advocates highlighted the recent oversight failure of the state’s tax incentives programs and that giveaways to one of the world’s wealthiest corporations is not in the state’s best interest.

“Amazon has turned tax avoidance into an art form and is the last company New Jersey should consider giving future tax payer dollars to,” said Sheila Reynertson, Senior Policy Analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective. “Newark is an incredible city for any business to move to, but not at the expense of displacing its residents and shortchanging future investments in education and transit. Given New Jersey’s track record of overpaying for tax subsidies and failing to provide oversight, it’s safe to say New Jersey dodged a bullet with Amazon’s decision. It’s time for lawmakers to go back to the drawing board and rethink how we can invest $7 billion to spur the state’s economy.”

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Better Choices for New Jersey is a diverse coalition, convened by New Jersey Working Families Alliance, that advocates on issues concerning the state budget and fiscal choices of our state. Our partners represent a broad a diverse set of interests, as our members include faith-based groups, labor organizations, and advocates in areas such as public education, the environment, social justice, poverty alleviation, housing, and much more.