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Bill would require language translations for some private contracts
A new bill approved by a Senate committee would require certain contracts to be translated into the language they were negotiated in. The bill, S4238, would extend to some motor vehicle contracts, consumer loans, rental contracts and leases, foreclosures, and contracts for legal services. Under the legislation, if two people negotiated the sale of a […]
Bills would help people with disabilities gain employment
The state could employ more workers with disabilities and create a new program to give those residents more job opportunities under two bills advanced unanimously by the Senate Labor Committee Monday. The first measure, S3418, would create a fast-track authority to help people with disabilities get appointed to jobs with state agencies. The second, S3426, […]
Protesters descend on Trenton to rally support for progressive bills
More than 100 activists converged on the Statehouse in Trenton Thursday to rally for causes that were decades, and even centuries, in the making. Reparations for slavery. Protections to preserve abortion rights. Reforms to hold police accountable for brutality. School curriculum that reflects communities’ diversity. They’ve rallied before, countless times, in a crusade for change […]
Chaotic day in Trenton as Republicans cry ‘tyranny’ over vax rules
Republican lawmakers had a heated standoff with state troopers in the Statehouse Thursday after flouting a new policy requiring them to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test to enter the legislative chambers. The ruckus began when lawmakers were getting ready to take their seats ahead of their 1 p.m. session. Eight troopers […]
Journalism teachers urge lawmakers to pass bill protecting freedom of speech for students
After Gov. Phil Murphy issued a conditional veto on a bill aimed at protecting student journalists, supporters of the law are making another push for it. The measure (S108) unanimously passed both houses of the Legislature before landing on the governor’s desk in June. In his veto, Murphy said while he applauds efforts to protect […]
Groups push for N.J. lawmakers to create reparations task force
As lawmakers prepare to vote on a slew of bills during the first voting sessions since Election Day, several advocacy groups are pushing them to support a bill that would create a task force to explore reparations over slavery. The bill, A711/S322, hasn’t received a vote since it was introduced in January 2020. Activists say reparations […]
N.J. bill would make false public alarms a form of bias intimidation
A bill that would upgrade penalties for creating a false public alarm is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. The measure (A724) would also add creating a false public alarm to the list of bias intimidation crimes, making it a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in jail and […]
‘Another door that doesn’t open:’ Hurdles for applicants to N.J. excluded workers fund
When applications finally launched for the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund in late October, residents and immigrant activists rejoiced and began filing applications immediately. The fund was intended to help undocumented immigrants and other workers who were ineligible for other types of pandemic-related financial aid. But nearly a month after the program started, immigrants say they’re […]
State program to tackle labor shortage has helped 60 N.J. businesses
About 3,700 businesses have reached out to the state about the “Return and Earn” program, which offers subsidies for businesses to train new workers and award them signing bonuses, according to the Department of Labor. Sixty contracts have been signed, committing nearly $500,000 to those businesses, the Labor Department said in a statement. Labor spokeswoman […]
New Jersey jobless rate now second highest in U.S.
New Jersey’s unemployment rate is now the second highest in the nation at 7%, compared to the national rate of 4.6%, according to federal data released Friday. And while 81% of jobs have been recovered nationwide, the Garden State lags at 71%. Yet the pace at which New Jersey is recovering is better when compared to previous […]
Murphy announces $75M funding for schools, with most helping poorest districts
Each of New Jersey’s 686 school districts will receive some funding for building maintenance and construction projects, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday. The state Schools Development Authority (SDA) will distribute $75 million to school districts across the state, with $50 million going to the 31 SDA districts, known as Abbott districts, that are home to […]
As N.J. Dems lick their wounds over 2021, 2022 looms
Last week, 36-year-old Republican and U.S. Marine veteran Nick De Gregorio appeared in Glen Rock delivered what he hopes will be a message that gets him to Congress. That message: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) does not know the struggles of ordinary Americans who are shelling out more for diapers and milk at Kilroy’s, a local […]