Economy
As consumers lose millions to gift card scams, lawmakers pressure businesses
In 2023, gift card-related fraud made up $217 million of the record-high $10 billion in money lost from scams nationwide, the Federal Trade Commission says.
Black voters were key to Biden’s 2020 win. Money woes make some question their support in 2024
Black voters overwhelmingly supported President Joe Biden in 2020, but some polls show their support now wavering.
March jobs report shows strong labor market with job gains in health care and government
As the American economy continues to outperform expectations, the March jobs report showed that employers added 303,00 positions for the month with an unemployment rate of 3.8%.
700K New Jersey workers face barriers to unemployment benefits, study finds
New Jersey should do more to meet the needs of a 21st Century workforce, progressive advocacy group the Center For Popular Democracy says.
New Jersey, Lyft at odds over employment status of drivers
The fight comes as the Biden administration has moved to make it harder for companies like Uber and Lyft to classify their workers as independent contractors.
How New Jerseyans want the state to spend a social equity cannabis tax
The fee generated $3.1 million in 2023, and the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission this week is seeking public input on how to spend it.
Gov. Murphy signs gas tax hike, electric vehicle fee into law
The law is a commitment to New Jerseyans and tens of thousands of businesses that the state values transportation, Assembly Speaker Coughlin said.
Board taps New Jersey Farm Bureau vet to be new secretary of agriculture
The State Board of Agriculture tapped a longtime Farm Bureau official to head the department after predecessor's June retirement.
Fed declines to cut interest rates, saying it’s not clear inflation has slowed enough yet
The Fed said it is waiting until it “has gained greater confidence” that inflation is moving toward its 2% goal to begin cutting rates.
Incarcerated people still waiting on pay raises promised over a year ago
The governor allocated $2.6M to boost prison wages. But imprisoned people, whose pay has flatlined for 20 years, haven't gotten a dollar yet.
Republican assemblymen spar over bill to aid LGBTQ businesses
If signed into law, the legislation would codify a certification process for businesses owned by people in the LGBTQ community.
States rethink ambitious projects as tax revenues shrink and pandemic aid ends
State tax revenue fell last year by 4%, according to a Stateline analysis of U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this month.