N.J. Senate president vows to focus on job creation

The leader of the New Jersey Senate says his priority for the rest of the legislative session is pushing through a package of job-creation bills.

The measures include tax exemptions and credits for businesses that invest in emerging technology, wind energy, and vacant hospital buildings.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed many of the economic growth bills the Legislature passed last year.

Senate President Steve Sweeney said Wednesday he’s hoping to work with Christie to get the new proposals approved.

“Whether they’re incentives and tax credits, we need to do these things now,” said Sweeney. “The governor said we couldn’t afford to do it last time. We can’t afford not to do it. We’re back and people are not working.”

Sweeney said lawmakers and the governor worked together to get pension and benefit reforms and reduce the size of government. He said there is a need for job creation in the private sector to absorb public employees who are losing their jobs.