Before EDA Board Meeting, Coalition Gathers to Condemn Corruption Scandal and Call for Reform

Trenton— Activists, advocates, and experts will gather outside New Jersey Economic Development Authority headquarters before the EDA monthly board meeting to protest the culture of corruption around Christie-era tax incentives exposed by multiple whistleblowers, Gov. Murphy’s investigatory task force and an independent audit from the New Jersey Comptroller. Protestors will call for major reforms at the EDA, and accountability for those who oversaw $11 billion in tax cuts to profitable and politically connected corporations.

In January, the New Jersey Comptroller released a scathing audit of the EDA that found lack of transparency, accountability, and oversight around EDA tax incentive programs during the Christie Administration. Weeks later, WNYC reported that Gov. Christie’s Business Action Center pressed staff to approve tax incentives without due diligence and may have turned a blind eye to fraudulent applications. Another whistleblower came forward to tell Gov. Murphy’s special investigatory task force that her employer lied about its plans to leave the state in order to receive a tax incentive. Worse, the EDA awarded the company the tax incentive even knowing the company had failed to comply with the terms of a previous grant.

EDA awards grew in size and scope after the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013, and could cost New Jersey $1 billion in revenue this fiscal year alone.

WHO:

Rob Duffey, Interim Director, New Jersey Working Families

Dena Mottola Jaborska, Associate Director, New Jersey Citizen Action

James Parker, Owner of Riverview Studios, Main Street Alliance Steering Committee

Amy Goldsmith, State Director, Clean Water Action

Saily Avelenda, Executive Director, NJ 11th for Change

Sue Altman, South Jersey Women for Progressive Change

WHAT: Press Conference Calling for Accountability and Comprehensive Reform from EDA

WHERE: 36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ

WHEN: Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 9:30 am

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