Dems offer jobs plan in New Jersey

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a package of 30 bills proposed by Democrats to stimulate job growth.The centerpiece of the measures would allow out-of work residents to receive unemployment insurance benefits while getting up to six weeks of workplace training from a potential employer.Democrat Lou Greenwald, chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, said Wednesday the costs of the program could come from the state’s $300 million budget surplus.”When people earn money, they’ll buy goods and services and they pay a sales tax,” he said. “That ripple effect is what helps stimulate the money to far exceed the $10 million expenditure on this.”Assemblyman Jay Webber, who is also the state Republican chairman, supports the job growth concept but opposes increasing state spending to achieve it.”If we’re going to spend $10 million more, I really think it’s incumbent upon the committee and the Legislature to find $10 million where you’re going to cut,” said Webber.Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver expects the full Legislature will  vote on the jobs bills in early January.