With job-creation proposals, N.J. Democrats try again

    The Democratic leadership in the New Jersey Assembly is introducing a package of more than 20 bills aimed at job creation and economic development.

     

    Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says a multi-pronged approach is needed to reinvigorate New Jersey’s economy as the state recovers from Hurricane Sandy.

    “We know that everyone wants to dive in headfirst, roll up sleeves, and start rebuilding,” she said. “But a step that has to happen before that is the Legislature and the administration focusing attention on getting New Jerseyans back to work.”

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Oliver, D-Essex, estimates the Democrats’ proposals would cost about $20 million to implement.

    More jobs are needed to get the state’s economy going in the right direction, says Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald.

    “In the last three years, New Jersey’s economy continues to get worse. It is getting more and more difficult to afford to live in New Jersey,” said Greenwald, D-Camden. “Jobs, property taxes, and the state’s debt service all have gone in the wrong direction since the governor set foot into Trenton.”

    Some of the proposals were previously vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie. A vote in the Assembly is planned later this month.

    The Democrats are hoping bipartisan efforts to rebuild from Hurricane Sandy will help get the measures enacted.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal