Assembly Panel to Continue Job Creation & Economic Development Effort

Job Training, Small Biz Expansion, Job Creation & Retention on Agenda

(Trenton) - The Assembly Appropriations Committee will meet Thursday to continue the Assembly's job creation and economic development push by considering bills to promote job training for out-of-work residents, encourage small business expansion and entice businesses to engage in economic development, job creation and the preservation of existing jobs.

Thursday's hearing is slated from 11 a.m. in Committee Room 11 on the 4th Floor of the State House Annex in Trenton.  Audio of the hearing will be streamed live at:  http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp

The following will be considered:

• Renewed legislation Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) sponsored to create the Back to Work NJ program to help out-of-work residents receive on-the-job training from potential employers (A-4332).  The program has proven effective in Georgia and been included in President Obama's jobs plan, but Gov. Christie vetoed a previous version earlier this year.
• Legislation to establish the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program tax credit incentive program for New Jersey-based companies that retain and create new jobs (A-4306).  It's sponsored by Albert Coutinho (D-Essex) and Herb Conaway M.D. (D-Burlington/Camden).
• A bill to create a loan program within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to help small businesses expand (A-4336).  It's sponsored by Daniel R. Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex), Coutinho, and Troy Singleton (D-Burlington/Camden).
• Legislation sponsored by Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen) to phase out over three years the cosmetic medical surgery tax (A-3646).
• A bill (A-4048) to allow for voluntary income tax return contribution to support NJ SHARES, which provides assistance to individuals and families who are in need of temporary help in paying their energy bills.  It's sponsored by Elease Evans (D-Passaic/Bergen), Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset/Middlesex), Charles Mainor (D-Hudson), Jason O'Donnell (D-Hudson), and Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (D-Hudson).