| Trenton, New Jersey—Today the State Senate’s Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies held a closed hearing with respected policy experts concerning the future of New Jersey’s tax incentive program.
Progressive leaders issued the following statement:
Brandon Castro, NJWEC Campaign Organizer:
“Over the past year it has been made apparent that the Economic Opportunity Act wasn’t written with economic opportunity, security, or decency for working people in mind. It was written to expand economic opportunity for an extremely wealthy class of well-connected corporate bosses. We hope that the senate will make meaningful, comprehensive reforms to these programs so that every tax dollar abated is put towards public interest, or openly admit that these policies are being written to help major corporations exploit New Jersey’s workers.”
Kevin Brown, 32BJ Vice President and NJ District Director:
“I urge that the legislators who are involved in these critical conversations ensure that prevailing wage for building service workers makes it through passage and signing of the bill, and to enact the reforms in the Governor’s conditional veto. The Senate needs to do the right thing and prioritize New Jersey’s working families.”
Megan Chambers, Co-Manager of the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, SEIU:
“It’s time to reform the NJEDA so that our tax incentives finally create good, safe jobs for New Jersey residents. For months we have advocated for concrete NJEDA reforms that would ensure only companies who create living wage jobs with affordable healthcare and adequate safety standards receive state tax incentives. We urge the State Legislature to embrace our proposed reforms, invite us and other unions and advocacy groups to participate in future legislative hearings and to work with Governor Murphy to craft new incentive programs based on our proposals that finally benefit our communities.”
Sue Altman, N.J. Working Families Alliance Executive Director:
“Rather than supporting the extension of a program that gave massive giveaways to politically connected corporations, the Legislature needs to work with Governor Murphy on a new tax incentive program that fosters true economic development. Any new tax incentive program must create employment opportunities in low-income communities and communities of color while ensuring strict oversight to protect taxpayers from being further ripped off.” |
