Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. called the bill package an “immediately attainable plan to help people find their long lost jobs and provide greater opportunities for families throughout this state.”
APRIL 23, 2015, 2:44 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015, 4:19 PM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD
Senate Republicans on Thursday unveiled a 36-bill package aimed at creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities.
The bills focus on areas that legislators say have stymied job growth and limited economic opportunity, like cutting red tape, offering more work training and overhauling tourism.
None of the proposals would cost a dime to taxpayers, lawmakers said.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. called the bill package an “immediately attainable plan to help people find their long lost jobs and provide greater opportunities for families throughout this state,” adding that it “cannot fall victim to partisan politics.”
Republicans and the Democrats who control the Legislature have differing views on how to spur the state’s lagging economy, but 11 of the bills already have Democratic co-sponsors. Three bills have already passed the full Senate, and more than a dozen others are pending committees. Still, there is tension between the two parties over how the state can pull out of its economic slump.
“It is refreshing to see that the Republicans finally recognize that the governor has failed on the economy. New Jersey’s recovery has lagged far behind the country and our neighboring states because the governor has no plan to create jobs or to stimulate economic growth,” said Richard McGrath, spokesman for the Senate Democrats. “In fact, Democrats have sent the governor numerous job-creating bills but he has vetoed most of them. We will review these proposals to determine if they will help our economy. What’s needed is a far-reaching plan that spurs growth and invests in economic opportunities for everyone.” (editors note : try not to laugh on this one)
At a news conference Thursday morning to announce the package, legislators highlighted some of the problems that they said have stymied the state’s job growth.
For example, the state tourism council has not met in 12 years, said Sen. Robert Singer, R-Ocean. And although tourism generates $40 billion a year, the state has not done enough to promote what it has to offer, he said. A bill sponsored by Singer would overhaul tourism advertising and marketing, and it would create a mobile phone application to feature the state’s attractions.
There is also a skills gap in New Jersey, said Sen. Diane Allen, R-Burlington, who sponsors three of the four workforce development bills in the package. One of them would expand career and technical education, while another would help out-of-work casino employees get training for jobs in industries in South Jersey.
Legislators are also focusing on cutting red tape for businesses. One bill would create a task force whose goal is to digitize state permits, licenses and grants. Another bill would roll back “cumbersome” regulations on small business owners, while another would allow state agencies to offer online permitting “whenever possible” in order to move projects along faster.
The Republicans also defended New Jersey’s sluggish job growth. Although the state unemployment rate is at 6.5 percent, a percentage point higher than the national average of 5.5 percent, they said the state is adding jobs and moving in the proper
https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-senate-republicans-unveil-36-bill-jobs-package-1.1316493
