FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2018                                                              

CONTACT: Lorenz Isidro, LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724

AFP-NJ Urges Senate Committee to Reject Corporate Welfare for Amazon

TRENTON, NJ – Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey (AFP-NJ) today urged the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee to vote against Senate Bill 3631, legislation introduced by Senators Lesniak and Thompson that would provide special tax handouts to Amazon if it chooses to build its second headquarters in Newark. The grassroots organization has long opposed corporate welfare schemes that reduce competition and give unfair advantages to the powerful and well-connected.

“Corporate welfare is a reverse Robin Hood of the worst kind, taking money from everyday New Jersey residents in order to give to the powerful and well-connected. Instead of relying on taxpayer-funded subsidies to lure Amazon, senate leaders should focus on the strengths that already make Newark a prime location, like its access to ports and freight corridors, proximity to population centers of New York City and Philadelphia, and highly educated workforce,” said AFP-NJ State Director Erica Jedynak. “This new year, we should resolve to let go of bad habits and instead level the playing field by fighting for tax and regulatory relief for all businesses, not tax handouts for special interests.”

Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey (AFP-NJ) recently organized a press conference with the New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) to express opposition to New Jersey’s offer of $7 billion in tax incentives to lure Amazon to Newark.

Background:

Fox Business | AFP’s Erica Jedynak on Making Money with Charles Payne

Montclair Patch | Race To The Bottom: NJ’s Quest For Amazon HQ Is ‘Insane,’ Critics Say

New Jersey 101.5 | Right and left ally to bash idea of $7B in tax breaks for Amazon

POLITICO’s New Jersey Playbook | AMAZON offer criticized by liberal and conservative group

New Jersey – The Record | Liberal, conservative groups unite to oppose Amazon tax breaks

NJTV News | Unlikely forces join to denounce NJ tax incentives for Amazon HQ2

New Jersey Spotlight | Unlikely Partners Say $7B Amazon Sweetener Not Worth It To NJ

Burlington County Times | $7B Amazon tax package unites left, right groups

New Jersey Observer | NJ Politics Digest: Witness Casts Doubt on Menendez ‘Threat’ Claim

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724. 

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

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