Senator Michael Testa (R-1), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, said Governor Phil Murphy’s Budget proposal for FY 2022 fails to address problems with the state’s unemployment system and a looming tax increase on struggling employers:

“It’s clear that Governor Murphy’s budget doesn’t get the job done on fixing major problems with New Jersey’s unemployment system.

“Despite having a multi-billion budget surplus, the governor isn’t dedicating a single penny into shoring up our UI Fund, which incurred debt last year after people were put out of work by his executive orders. Through his failure to act, Governor Murphy is letting a major tax increase on employers take effect on July 1.

“The governor also didn’t explain what resources he will dedicate to fixing an ancient computer system that has made it impossible for unemployed workers to get the benefits they’re owed in a timely fashion. By glossing over this in his speech, it seems likely he’ll propose another band-aid fix rather than the full upgrade that’s needed to support out-of-work New Jerseyans.”