Job services for people with disabilities
received a major boost when the New Jersey
budget was finalized, passed and signed on
July 1, averting the threat of a state shutdown. The
spending plan included $5 million for the
Extended Employment program that was part of
previous budgets but that Governor Murphy had
not included it in the one he proposed to the
Legislature early in the year. Senate President
Stephen Sweeney sponsored a bill reinstating
the money and the Governor agreed to it
during negotiations between the two branches of
government.
Senator Sweeney campaigned vigorously
for the funds, including a visit to our member
organization Abilities Solutions, where he
observed its programs for workers with
disabilities and spoke forcefully about the need
for the $5 million. “These people feel a sense of
purpose and pride,and they want to be
employed,” he said. “They want to be part of the
economy. They don’t want to besittingat home. They
want to be able to do something with their lives.”