A resolution sponsored by Assembly members Annette Quijano, Wayne DeAngelo and Reed Gusciora urging Congress to establish tax incentives for businesses returning and maintaining jobs in the U.S has received final legislative approval.

Statehouse (NJSenateRepublicans.com)
Statehouse (NJSenateRepublicans.com)
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To deter outsourcing, the resolution also urges the establishment of tax penalties for companies moving jobs overseas.

DeAngelo explains, "This sends a message that the American public is tired of seeing their jobs outsourced, gone away to other countries. We want companies to know, if you have a job here and you want to leave this country and go elsewhere, we're not going to go down without a fight."

Under the current United States Tax code, the cost of moving personnel and company operations to a new location is defined as a business expense that qualifies for a tax deduction. The relocation of company operations include jobs that would normally go to U.S. citizens. Tax breaks, are currently not available to businesses that maintain jobs in the United States or bring jobs back into the country.

"With the unemployment rate fluctuating between 8% and 10% in the nation, we cannot afford to reward U.S. based Companies who give away the one thing this country truly needs right now… more jobs," says Quijano. "For many of these companies, our citizens are the reason their business is successful. By providing tax incentives in exchange for job creation will help us strengthen our workforce."

Gusciora explains, "New Jersey has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. A concerted effort must be made from top down to keep businesses here and create more job opportunities. We hope Congress can come together and do what is right for sake of the struggling unemployed in this country."

The Assembly Concurrent Resolution urges Congress to take action, by amending the tax code, to provide incentives for companies returning outsourced jobs to the U.S. and to provide penalties for companies that move jobs to locations outside of the United States. The resolution was approved 75-0-2.

In the Upper House, Legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Gordon and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg intended to protect jobs for New Jersey's middle class residents today has also been approved by the Senate Labor Committee.

The bill requires that any employer relocating a call center from New Jersey to a foreign country must provide notification and return any financial support given to the employer by the State of New Jersey. It also requires that the Department of Labor and Workforce Development maintain on their website a list of employers that are planning to move their call centers to a different country. Under the bill, fines of $7,500 a day would be levied for failing to notify the Department if a call center is relocated.

"It is inconceivable for the state to provide tax breaks to businesses to operate in New Jersey, only to then see the jobs shipped overseas," says Gordon. "In these tough times, we need to ensure that New Jersey's tax dollars are being spent to support New Jersey workers."

Weinberg says, "By requiring businesses to notify the public in advance, their employees, their consumers and the general public will be made aware of the company's business practices and can make decisions regarding their future involvement with the organization. Not only will this bill protect taxpayer dollars, it will protect New Jersey jobs by holding companies accountable that are outsourcing their workforce."

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