Advocates, community leaders, and residents gathered at the New Jersey Institute of Technology on March 30 ahead of the final Senate Budget Committee public hearing to call for a state budget that prioritizes working families over corporate interests.
The event comes as lawmakers consider a budget proposal that includes reductions in tax breaks for wealthy individuals and new revenue measures but still leaves a projected $1.5 billion gap and puts some programs at risk. Organizers say this shortfall highlights ongoing concerns about whether the state is making sufficient investments to improve affordability and equity for its residents.
“There is no shortage of need in New Jersey — only a shortage of political will. Families are struggling with the cost of child care, health care, housing, and underfunded schools, while corporations and the ultra-wealthy continue to benefit from a rigged system,” said Eric Benson, For The Many Coalition Manager. “Asking households earning $2 million, $5 million, or $10 million a year — and corporations big enough to shift profits offshore — to pay their fair share is how we can fund the investments that make New Jersey more affordable and more just.”
Participants also criticized what they described as an opaque budget process with limited opportunities for public input due to hearings scheduled before full details were released. “A budget is a statement of priorities and New Jersey must prioritize real investments in our communities… But just as important is how that budget is made. Right now, the process is opaque, inconsistent, and shuts the public out,” said Erik Cruz Morales from the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.
Other speakers highlighted challenges such as rising living costs, cuts in federal funding for vital programs like Medicaid and SNAP, increases in immigration detention capacity alongside lower funding for immigrant services compared to previous years under federal administration changes, lack of affordable housing investment without raids on trust funds meant for those most in need, persistent economic inequality where less than one percent hold over $740 billion in wealth according to studies cited by Damon King from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice,
and calls for greater accountability regarding healthcare costs impacting working people.
New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) was referenced during discussions about statewide advocacy efforts aimed at addressing racial, social,
and economic disparities through data-driven analysis,according to its official website. NJPP focuses on advancing economic justice,
prosperity,
and well-being across policy research,according to its official website, producing reports on key issues such as budgets,
taxation,
and social policiesaccording to its official website.
The coalition behind Monday’s rally includes more than 40 organizations spanning labor unions,
grassroots groups,
environmental advocates,and policy experts committed
to changing what they describe as an upside-down tax code so budgets serve all residents—not just wealthy interests.
