$11 An Hour

New Jersey's minimum wage is on the rise!  The minimum wage increased from $10.00 an hour to $11.00, benefiting approximately 460,000 workers and their families on January 1. Of those who received an increase in take home pay, a majority are adults, women, and workers of color. According to an analysis by NJPP Research Director Nicole Rodriguez, the wage increase will add $480 million to the state's economy as minimum wage workers have more money to spend in their communities.

Read more about it at New Jersey Policy Perspective

NJSpotlight: $15 MINIMUM WAGE ON VERGE OF BECOMING LAW IN NEW JERSEY

I know that raising the minimum wage to $15 hr in NJ, is a big topic right now and on the verge of becoming a reality once Governor Murphy signs the bill that is currently sitting on his desk.

There are pros & cons and people for or against the proposal on both sides; I happen to be for it but here's the thing, I don't believe it should be across the board. There should be a two (maybe three) tiered minimum wage based on age and seasonal employment that protect both low income earners and small business.

I feel that those that rely on "Tips" for income should have a standard minimum wage over and above whatever tips are earned, but less than the maximum $15.

Here is more from NJSpotlight:

$15 MINIMUM WAGE ON VERGE OF BECOMING LAW IN NEW JERSEY
JOHN REITMEYER | FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Governor says he’ll sign compromise measure approved in Legislature yesterday elevating wages of low-paid workers nearly 70 percent by 2024

Over the objections of Republican lawmakers, the Democratic-controlled Legislature easily approved a measure yesterday that will raise the state’s minimum wage for most workers to $15 over the next five years. The bill now goes to Gov. Phil Murphy, who’s promising to sign it within days.

There was little suspense heading into yesterday’s votes. The legislation was the result of a closely negotiated compromise involving Murphy, a first-term Democrat who campaigned on the wage increase, and Democratic legislative leaders who had been more qualified in their embrace of the concept.

GOP lawmakers pleaded with Democratic sponsors yesterday to abandon their deal with the governor, suggesting the proposed increase could lead to job losses and other unintended consequences. But the sponsors noted that similar concerns were raised in 2013, the last time the state changed its minimum-wage policies and the bill passed both houses easily, 52-25 in the Assembly, 23-16 in the Senate.

“If we make mistakes, we’ll address mistakes, but raising people out of poverty is not a mistake,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester).

Murphy responded quickly to the votes on social media, promising he would sign the wage increase Monday.

“Working families can’t wait,” the governor said.... 

Continue reading 

President Obama's Weekly Address 9/3/16: Building Upon the Legacy of Labor Day

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, President Obama commemorated Labor Day by highlighting the economic progress we’ve made over the course of his administration. Over the past seven and a half years, we've rescued our economy from another depression, cut our unemployment rate in half, and unleashed the longest string total job growth on record. The President said that although the country has made significant progress, there’s still work to do in the years to come. He emphasized that despite the boisterous political season, we must not lose sight of the policies that will actually help working families get ahead. President Obama said if we are going to restore the sense that hard work is rewarded with a fair shot to get ahead, we must build on the legacy of those who came before us – that means exercising our right to speak up in the workplace, to join a union, and to vote.

Lesniak: Minimum Wage Facts & Fiction

For Immediate Release
September 1, 2016

Governor Christie vetoed our legislation increasing New Jersey's $8.38 minimum wage to $10.10 next year and to $15 by 2020 - saying it would hurt small businesses and our economy. That's the fiction.

In the mid-sixties in a booming economy, the equivalent minimum wage today would be $12.00. That's the fact.

Indeed, in Australia, where the minimum wage is more than $15, a Big Mac is less expensive than in the United States. In New York, its minimum wage is higher than the legislation Governor Christie vetoed.

No one working in New Jersey should have to live below the poverty line. No one.

Christie veto of minimum wage bill sets up push for constitutional amendmentBy Linh Tat

PENNINGTON - In the latest round of what promises to be a "loud" fight, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation Tuesday that would have raised New Jersey's minimum wage to $15 by 2021, and set the stage for Democrats to push for a constitutional amendment next year.

Christie's veto comes as no surprise. Even before this week, Democrats in the state Legislature were looking ahead and discussing plans to place the measure before voters in 2017.

In announcing his vet, the Republican governor called on invited guests assembled at a news conference to “fight publicly, loudly, aggressively” and to educate the public that the proposed wage increase would force businesses to raise prices, cut hours or reduce staff, or possibly shutter their doors.

Under the proposal, New Jersey’s $8.38 minimum wage would rise to $10.10 in 2017. It would continue to increase in phases, hitting $15 by 2021 or earlier....

Click Here To Read More

Thanks Liberals

Thank your local Liberals who really did make America great, not just for a few, but for all.

Raising New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Would Boost a Large and Diverse Group of Working Men and Women

People who are working full-time in New Jersey should be able to afford a decent place to live.

They should be able to buy food without having to rely on government safety net programs or private charity. And they should be able to afford clothes for themselves and their family.

But today, with the minimum wage at $8.38 an hour, that's just not the case.

As New Jersey policymakers consider raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour, a new NJPP report details just who would benefit from such a boost - and it's not who you might think.

Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021 would directly boost the pay of about 1 in 4 Garden State workers, or 975,000 men and women.

The wage increase would help a diverse group of workers who currently aren't paid enough to make ends meet, improving their chances of getting by - and, often, providing for their families - in high-cost New Jersey.

The report's top findings:

• Nearly all workers who would benefit are adults: 91% of the affected workers are adults 20 years old or older. Just 9% are teenagers.
• Most workers who would benefit are working full time: 61% of the affected workers work 35 hours a week or more; an additional 27% work between 20 and 34 hours a week. Only 12% are working part time jobs at less than 20 hours a week.
• Many workers who would benefit are parents: 28% of the affected workers are parents, and more than 1 in 5 New Jersey children (21%) have at least one parent who would benefit.

Raising the minimum wage will not only boost these workers, it will help boost New Jersey's economy, since these working men and women will spend the increased wages immediately and locally on pressing needs.

That's why, hand in hand with partners across the state and inside the Statehouse, NJPP is working hard to ensure that more of New Jersey's working men and women can start to make ends meet and begin to climb the ladder into the middle class.

Unions Paved The Way: Have a Happy Labor Day !

On Facebook @unions 4 workers
On Twitter @unions4workers

President Obama's Weekly Address 9/5/15: This Labor Day, Lets Talk About the Budget

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President recognized Labor Day by highlighting the economic progress our country has made, and underlining what needs to be done to continue that growth. Our businesses have created 13.1 million new jobs over the past five and a half years, the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in seven years, and seventeen states across the country have raised the minimum wage. The President stressed that to continue this progress, Congress needs to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt middle-class Americans and pass a responsible budget before the end of September. The President emphasized that Congress should not play games with our economy, and instead pass a budget that invests in our middle-class and helps those who work hard and play by the rules to get ahead.

President Obama's Weekly Address 8/22/15: It’s Time for Congress To Pass a Responsible Budget

In this week's address, the President spoke to the economic progress that our country has made over the past few years, from over 13 million new jobs over the past five and a half years, to 17 states raising the minimum wage.

Martin O'Malley: A Hillary Alternative

There are many Democrats around the country that aren't ready to just hand Hillary Clinton the Democratic nomination next year, many of us feel that she needs to earn it first.  That is why many of us are looking for an alternative. Unfortunately, alternative Democrats are hard to find at the moment. It seems they are afraid of the Clinton juggernaut unless that is, you're the former governor of Maryland and your name happens to be Martin O'Malley.

O'Malley has been quietly going around Iowa and New Hampshire seeking support in advance of his own 2016 campaign announcement.  He hasn't been flashy or made a lot of headlines as of yet but he is a true progressive, isn't afraid to show it and he has a record to stand on. Martin O'Malley is a former a two-term Mayor of the city of Baltimore and a former two-term Governor of Maryland:

"Called “the best manager in government today,” Governor O’Malley has been nationally recognized for his skillful leadership of Maryland through the recession, as well as his success in implementing critical progressive priorities such as raising the minimum wage to $10.10, signing marriage equality into law, abolishing the death penalty and passing the DREAM Act to provide in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. During his two terms, O’Malley recovered 100% of the jobs lost during the recession, first and foremost by investing in education, innovation and infrastructure. Under his leadership, Education Week magazine named Maryland’s public schools #1 in the nation for an unprecedented five years in a row, the College Board listed Maryland as one of the top states in the country for holding down the cost of college, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named Maryland #1 in innovation and entrepreneurship three years in a row. As a leader in sustainability, O’Malley expanded renewable energy, accelerated energy conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and took bold action to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Prior to serving as Governor of Maryland, O’Malley served two terms as Mayor of Baltimore. Governor O’Malley received his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University and his law degree from the University of Maryland..."

Check out his website and his Twitter page @GovernorOMalley to start familiarizing yourself with him. I think he makes an attractive alternative for the anti-Hillary crowd.

President Obama's Weekly Address 1/24/15: Middle-Class Economics

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President shared his plan, outlined in his State of the Union address earlier this week, to give hardworking families the support they need to make ends meet by focusing on policies that benefit the middle class and those working to reach the middle class. Through common sense proposals like closing loopholes that benefit the wealthy and providing tax relief to the middle class, making two years of community college free for responsible students, strengthening paid leave policies and access to quality child care for working families, and raising the minimum wage, we can ensure that everyone benefits from, and contributes to, America’s success. Middle-class economics is working, and we have laid a new foundation, but there is still progress to be made, and the President said he is eager to get to work.

President Obama's Weekly Address 12/6/14: Ensuring Americans Feel the Gains of a Growing Economy

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President highlighted the good news in Friday’s jobs report – that American businesses added 314,000 new jobs this past month, making November the tenth month in a row that the private sector has added at least 200,000 new jobs. Even with a full month to go, 2014 has already been the best year of job creation since the 1990s. This number brings total private-sector job creation to 10.9 million over 57 consecutive months – the longest streak on record. But even with this real, tangible evidence of our progress, there is always more that can be done. Congress needs to pass a budget and keep the government from a Christmas shutdown. We have an opportunity to work together to support the continued growth of higher-paying jobs by investing in infrastructure, reforming the business tax code, expanding markets for America’s goods and services, making common sense reforms to the immigration system, and increasing the minimum wage.

President Obama's Weekly Address 11/1/14: It’s Time to Help Women and Working Families

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President highlighted the progress our economy is making, and the commonsense policies that could make it even stronger by ensuring that everyone who works hard has the opportunity to get ahead, especially women and working families. This commitment has been a core part of the President’s Year of Action and a priority since the start of his administration, which is why he has put forth a range of policies that would help women and working families get ahead, from raising the minimum wage, to ensuring equal pay for equal work, to increasing access to high-quality child care and paid family leave. This week’s address follows remarks the President delivered on Friday at Rhode Island College, where he discussed the importance of harnessing our economy’s momentum by making policy choices that will help women and all working parents fully participate in and contribute to our economy.

Tired of Gov. Christie's Contempt For Middle Class New Jersey Families

CHAIRMAN CURRIE: "KNOW WHAT? I'M TIRED OF CHRIS CHRISTIE'S CONTEMPT FOR MIDDLE CLASS NEW JERSEY FAMILIES"

(Trenton) — Today, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chair responded to the latest out-of-touch statement to come out of the mouth of New Jersey's failed, absentee governor, Chris Christie.

Yesterday, the governor -- the fourth highest paid governor in the country -- told a group of lawyers in Washington, DC that he was "tired of hearing about the minimum wage."

"Know what? I'm tired having to explain to Chris Christie that New Jersey's middle class families matter more than the wealthy corporate interests that he caters to," said the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee John Currie. "Parents aren't focused on their kids making a higher minimum wage; they are working two or three minimum wage jobs themselves, just to make ends meet. That's even harder to do in Governor Christie's economy, which has raised taxes on the most vulnerable, neglected the needs of Sandy survivors, and wasted taxpayer dollars. It's not just that he's out of touch, he's contemptuous toward most New Jersey families and his policies are vindictive."

Governor Christie, who spends much of his time neglecting his messes in New Jersey while campaigning out of state, pays his attorney's $350 in taxpayer funds per hour to cover his political tracks, and enjoys an annual family income of about $700,000.

Currie is not the only one tiring of Chris Christie's detachment from the economic reality he created. Recent polling confirms that New Jerseyans are growing tired of Chris Christie's callous indifference to their needs.

In 2013, Christie vetoed a minimum wage increase in New Jersey that would have directly benefited 241,000 of his constituents -- the same people who voted overwhelmingly to effectively override that veto at the ballot box.

What would happen under a Republican Senate?

  The Daily Kos -  The answer is in the video above. As Reich explains:

• Unemployment benefits will not be extended to the long-term unemployed
• No minimum wages—no living wages for that matter
• Continuing education cuts
• Continuing decay of our country's infrastructure

President Obama's Weekly Address 10/11/14 : America Is a Place Where Hard Work Should Be Rewarded

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President made the case for why it’s past time to raise the minimum wage. Increasing the national minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would benefit 28 million Americans, and make our economy stronger. While Republicans in Congress have blocked this commonsense proposal, a large and growing coalition of state and local leaders and owners of businesses large and small have answered the President’s call and raised wages for their residents and employees. This progress is important, but there is more that can be done. No American who works full time should have to raise a family in poverty. That’s why the President will continue to push Congress to take action and give America its well-deserved raise.

President Obama's Weekly Address 9/6/14: Time to Give the Middle Class a Chance

WASHINGTON, DC —In this week’s address, the Vice President discusses our continued economic recovery, with 10 million private sector jobs created over the past 54 months. Yet even with this good news, too many Americans are still not seeing the effects of our recovery. As the Vice President explains, there’s more that can be done to continue to bolster our economy and ensure that middle class families benefit from the growth they helped create, including closing tax loopholes, expanding education opportunities, and raising the minimum wage.

President Obama's Weekly Address 8/30/14: This Labor Day, Let’s Talk About the Minimum Wage

WASHINGTON, DC —In this week’s address, the President wished Americans a Happy Labor Day weekend, highlighted the important economic progress we’ve made, and reaffirmed his commitment to accelerate our progress and ensure that our growing economy fuels a strong middle class. To do this, the President reiterated that Congress should do right by hardworking Americans across the country and raise the minimum wage and he praised the 13 states and Washington, DC as well as employers large and small who have heeded his call and taken action to provide their citizens and employees a fair wage. The President underscored that America built the world’s greatest middle class by making sure that everyone who’s willing to work hard and play by the rules can get ahead – an economic patriotism worth remembering this Labor Day, and every day.

President Obama's Weekly Address 8/2/14: It's Time for Congress to Help the Middle Class

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President discussed the new monthly jobs report and the fact that our economy created over 200,000 new jobs in July for the sixth straight month – the longest streak since 1997. To ensure this momentum can be sustained, the President is pressing Congress to act to create jobs and expand opportunity from raising the minimum wage, to helping people pay back their student loans, to fair pay and paid leave. These are steps that would continue to make things better for the middle class, which has always been his priority. But Republicans in Congress have repeatedly blocked these important measures. As Congress is about to go on vacation, the President encouraged Americans to reach out to their elected officials and let them know that they must pass these measures when Congress returns to session. And in their absence, the President will continue to do everything he can, working with all stakeholders who are willing, to create jobs, strengthen our economy and expand opportunity for all Americans.

Who Made a Difference to You?

The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:

This is Teacher Appreciation Week. I suspect you know a teacher who would welcome your appreciation.

Recently, I took the time to track down my ninth-grade math teacher. He was a very creative teacher who showed us students some of the many facets that make up that rich subject.

It turns out that my one-time teacher has retired to California. He remembered me as a student, but had no idea what I’ve been up to since my teenage years. He told me my call meant a lot to him. I know it meant a lot to me to express to him my memories of his course and the difference he made.

One of New Jersey’s Most Valuable Natural Resources

Over the last few years, wind has become a major source of energy – not just a curiosity, but a fast-growing part of our energy supply. Nationally, wind delivers more than 4 percent of our power, and over the last five years it has provided nearly a third of new generating capacity.

New Jersey has more wind potential than nearly any other Atlantic U.S. Coastal state. Planned federal lease sales off of New Jersey’s coast could result in up to 3,000 MW of offshore wind power, enough to power 1 million homes.

Earlier this week the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a $6.7 million grant to help us harvest that potential. The money will support the next phase of review and development of the Fishermen’s Energy Atlantic City Wind Farm, a five-turbine, 25 MW demonstration project slated for construction just off the New Jersey coast. Following a review of progress on the project, DOE expects to provide an additional $40 million.

To make this project a reality, we will need support from Governor Christie and the Board of Public Utilities, who have so far stalled progress at every step. I hope that this week’s funding leads the Christie Administration to reconsider its obstruction. The federal government is very literally offering us free money to begin to harvest our winds to create energy and create jobs. We can’t afford to say no.

What’s Your Story About the Minimum Wage?

Last year New Jerseyans voted by a large margin to raise our state’s minimum wage to $8.25 an hour. But we can do more.

Together with nearly 200 other members of Congress, I have cosponsored the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and would increase minimum wages for tipped workers, such as restaurant servers.

My Democratic colleagues on the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce are seeking stories from individuals, organizations, and businesses about how increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would affect working families and local communities.

To share your story, please e-mail me through my website.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress