N.J. Democratic leaders plan push for jobs

Democratic leaders in the New Jersey legislature say job creation will be the focus for lawmakers in coming weeks.Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver  said Wednesday they will  be wrapping up action on Gov. Chris Christie’s “tool kit” measures to help local governments control costs.They’re now shifting the agenda to a 30-bill package of legislation that would change the corporate business tax law and help unemployed residents develop new job skills.Sweeney said he hopes the governor will work with lawmakers to advance the measures and create more private sector jobs.”I’m not asking permission to try to make a better economy for the state of New Jersey,” said Sweeney. “I’m not going to ask permission. This is about creating a better New Jersey for the people that actually care, that are looking for jobs, that aren’t looking to leave this state because there’s no hope.”Sweeney said budget committees in both the Senate and Assembly will meet through December to advance the bills for a vote in the full Legislature in January.