NJBIA Statement on Proposed Health Benefits Reforms

NJBIA President and CEO Michele N. Siekerka, Esq. issued the following statement in response to today’s proposal by Senate President Steve Sweeney and NJEA to overhaul health benefits for public school employees.

“NJBIA was pleased by today’s announcement of structural reforms to reduce the cost of our public employees’ health benefits, as we have long called for such reforms for the good of New Jersey’s economy and affordability.
“NJBIA has held firm in our position that there be no new or added taxes as part of the FY2021 budget, due to a current budget surplus built on the backs of business and the added obligations it will bring to our already overburdened residents and businesses. Should the savings announced today come to fruition, it serves as even more justification that there be no new taxes to the FY2021 budget.
“We remain committed to the other structural reforms offered in the Path to Progress report and we look forward to working with the Legislature as we await more details on the reform of New Jersey’s public employee health benefits.”