In response to the joint legislative committee hearings on the State Comptroller’s to investigate concerns raised in the recent scathing Comptroller report on the Economic Development Authority, and its controversial “invitation only” hearing, New Jersey Working Families executive director and convener of the Better Choices Coalition, Analilia Mejia said:

“Today’s joint committee hearing is a blatant silencing of New Jersey residents and communities by their own representatives. Instead of opening a forum for full participation to gather a comprehensive picture and critique of a multi-billion dollar program, New Jersey legislators chose to limit participation to those with corporate interests and cut out the majority of voices in New Jersey. Sadly, the majority of “invite only” testimonies are skewed towards corporate voices with a vested interest in the continuation of “business as usual” at the Economic Development Authority. Of the approximately 20 “experts” called to testify, only 3 are outside the realm of business interests and only 2 have been critical of the program. Clearly absent are the countless organizations, activists, constituencies and state residents who have been deprived of services and programs that allow corporations who benefit from public coffers and infrastructure to contribute to the tax base that make these possible.”

New Jersey Working Families leads the Better Choices for New Jersey campaign, a decade-long effort by education, environmental, labor, and community advocates to promote common sense investments that make New Jersey work. Better Choices partners have led the fight for transparency, accountability, and fiscal restraint in New Jersey’s tax incentive programs. In 2015 Better Choices called for a moratorium on major EDA programs. Over the years the Better Choices have made multiple calls for legislation to increased transparency around economic incentives. Annually the coalition have held multiple press conferences  and questioning mass incentives announcements.

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