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Senators press commissioner on proposed cuts to extended-employment funding for people with disabilities
Summary
Senators asked the Labor Department whether the governor's budget proposal reduces funding for Access New Jersey extended employment programs and transportation; the commissioner said per-participant reimbursements have risen 77% since 2019 and agreed to provide a spreadsheet of recipient amounts.
Senators raised questions about the governor's proposed budget reductions for nonprofit providers that operate extended-employment programs for people with disabilities. Committee members described the providers as important community services and asked the department to clarify whether proposed reductions would cut $2,700,000 for Access New Jersey extended employment and $700,000 for extended-employment transportation.
Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo responded that extended-employment facilities have seen a 77% increase in per-participant reimbursement since February 2019 and said he did not want to dismiss concerns: "Absolutely not" when asked if providers' warnings about cuts were wrong. The commissioner told senators he would provide a spreadsheet showing recipients and amounts for the two line items identified by senators.
Senators framed the proposed reductions as problematic in the face of rising costs and asked the department to supply an accounting through the committee chair. The department agreed to deliver the requested documents and to provide an accounting of enforcement and personnel costs for the Occupational Safety and Health division upon request.
No committee vote occurred; senators asked for follow-up documentation to inform budget deliberations.
