Today, the full State Senate is expected to get the ball rolling on a two-pronged attack to increase New Jersey's minimum wage and have it adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
One hundred twenty thousand Garden State residents, currently collecting federal unemployment insurance benefits, could be cut off at the end of next month because the federal U-I extension program is set to expire December 31st.
The State Senate Budget Committee has approved a bill to increase New Jersey's minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 and then have it adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The state announced a slight decrease in New Jersey's unemployment rate on Thursday, but the data was gathered before Superstorm Sandy blasted the state.
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and State Senate President Steve Sweeney have reached an agreement on a two-pronged strategy to increase New Jersey's minimum wage and have it adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The Garden State's Legislature hit the 'pause' button after super-storm Sandy so State Senators and Assembly members could stay in their districts and help their constituents rebuild and recover.
At the beginning of this week, State Senate President Steve Sweeney questioned Governor Christie's job creation record, suggesting he should spend more time in Jersey working on the problem instead of traveling around the country campaigning for Mitt Romney.