Progressive groups are again calling on Trenton to keep the corporate business tax surcharge in place as you may recall last month Governor Phil Murphy expressed his support for letting the two and a half percent surcharge sunset at the end of this year and business groups want to see that happen but New Jersey policy perspective says if the surcharge goes away New Jersey would lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue the organization releasing a new report today finding that the surcharges only paid by the top two percent of businesses in the state Sheila reinert sent a senior policy analyst and the report's author contends policy makers should make the surcharge permanent saying wealthy corporations don't need a tax break we're talking about corporations like Amazon Wells Fargo Prudential Home Depot these are the corporations that make multi-million dollars in profits every year they are the only ones who are currently paying it and they are the ones who are going to get a nice tax cut should the surcharge be allowed to expire more New Jersey communities are dropping the government health benefits plan for public workers after a big increase in rates NJ Advanced media has learned that at least 31 municipalities are instead opting for private insurers this year the latest tally comes afterwards some of the state's big cities Newark Trenton and Camden have also left the state health benefits plan local and County governments were faced with a premium increase of close to 23 percent after the state health benefits commission voted last year to approve the rate increases the Murphy Administration is taking steps to promote diversity equity and inclusion in the state's Workforce the governor signing an executive order that sets up an advisory Council tasked with developing a Statewide policy to achieve increased Equity within the government Workforce the governor announcing the signing of the order at the annual Black History Month celebration at drum thwacket finally tonight's of Atlantic City casino workers have hit the jackpot the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino this week telling its employees they will share a total of 10 million dollars in worker bonuses now here's a check on today's trading on Wall Street I'm Rhonda Schaffler and those are your top business stories support for the business report provided by IBEW Local 102 proudly serving New Jersey's business Community since 1900 Local 102 lighting the path leading the way and by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announcing its renewed Jersey business Summit and Expo March 14th and 15th at Harrah's in Atlantic City event details online at njchamber.com