The president is asking the FTC to ban or limit non-compete clauses, which prevent millions of workers from going to work for their employers’ rivals. The move was hailed by labor rights groups who contend the provisions limit opportunities, especially for lower paid employees. But business groups say they are vital to protect company interests, stay competitive in the market and not unfairly lose out to direct industry competitors.
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Government
From the top
The Biden administration is taking aim at mergers among hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other health care institutions, a move that federal officials contend would reign in high medical bills and drug prices.
Read More »New Jersey sees employment decline in its 15 largest counties in Q4 2020
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Chief Regional Economist Martin Kohli noted that Atlantic County, Essex County and Passaic County had the largest over-the-year decreases.
Read More »Booker, others draft federal cannabis legalization bill
“For decades, our federal government has waged a 'War on Drugs' that has unfairly impacted low-income communities and communities of color,” said Sen. Cory Booker.
Read More »23 NJ businesses finish program to steer public contracts to minority-owned firms
The Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program, which aims to help "small business owners compete for city, county, and state contracts and expand their portfolios of projects,” launched in 2018 as a joint venture between the NJEDA and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
Read More »Lobbyist joins NJBIA government affairs team
Alexis Bailey comes on as director of the department, where she will work alongside other known presences in New Jersey politics: Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas and Vice Presidents of Government Affairs Ray Cantor and Christopher Emigholz.
Read More »New poll shows most in NJ want $10K SALT cap lifted
The limit on state and local property tax deductions was passed as part of the 2017 federal tax law signed by then-President Donald Trump, a Republican. According to FDU's survey, however: “In a rare instance of bipartisanship, equal proportions of Democrats and Republicans say the SALT cap should be removed."
Read More »4 new laws aim to bolster NJ’s clean energy agenda
“We are on our way to putting New Jersey firmly back in our rightful place as a world leader of innovation,” the governor said July 9. “This modernization of our energy sector isn’t just going to be good for cleaner air and our longtime fight against climate change - which it will be - it’s going to be good for our economy.”
Read More »Raising the curtain: How NJ theaters, live venues fared with SVOG relief
$3.2 billion was awarded to more than 4,000 venues nationwide by the U.S. Small Business Administration under its Shuttered Venue Operator Grant program, set up to assist theaters, museums, concert halls, performing arts centers and the like that had to close their doors during the pandemic. In New Jersey, 91 entities benefited from the program.
Read More »Voters wary about wagers on NJ collegiate sports, poll finds
Don't place your bets on Rutgers football just yet, a new poll shows just 25% of residents would be in favor of gambling on the Garden State's teams or home games.
Read More »Murphy signs laws cracking down on worker misclassification
At a remotely held event Thursday, the governor said that a 2018 audit of just 1% of employers showed that a combined 12,300 workers were cheated out of $460 million in wages, and the state out of $14 million of taxes because of the practice.
Read More »Camden Special Services District gives workers a raise – and looks to hire more
The “yellow jacket” employees are set to earn up to 25% more beginning this month, while a Second Chance program for new employees is also available.
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