The legislation was introduced on June 14 and sailed through the state Legislature, garnering Gov. Phil Murphy’s approval on July 1, just when Fourth of July weekend business kicks off.

Business groups contend the state can act now to prevent the increases, given a $6.5 billion federal relief package under the American Rescue Plan and $10 billion of surplus money, but it is opting not to.

Data released June 17 by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show the state added 13,600 positions, most in the private sector.

Business owners say they’ve struggled to find an adequate workforce as the nation weans off of pandemic closures meant to keep the virus at bay. Those restrictions have been lifted as more than half of the nation gets fully vaccinated.

The state added just 3,500 private sector jobs last month, compared to the 20,800 jobs added in March, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development. For April, the state unemployment rate was 7.5%, compared to 7.6% in March, 7.8% in February and January, and 7.7% in December.

The worker shortage is a nationwide problem, with business and labor groups at odds over its causes, but it could be particularly acute in New Jersey as the state gears up for the summer tourism season. Economical health here depends on tens of millions of visitors flocking to the beaches, and serving and lodging those people requires a huge workforce.

A trio of bills are in various stages in Trenton, while trade organizations contend employers need some form of financial relief to help overcome the dearth in hiring.

As the state begins to recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn, the industries hit hardest by the pandemic a year ago seem to be rebounding most quickly. Sectors such leisure and hospitality, and construction have boomed in recent months, posting some of the largest job gains this spring.

With the state's jobless rate below 8%, a federal program will continue to provide funds at least through Sept. 4

For the week ending April 10, there were 10,743 people in the state who filed for unemployment; according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 19,875 people filed claims the week prior.

More than 2 million New Jerseyans have sought unemployment assistance since March 2020, when Gov. Phil Murphy ordered sweeping closures and restrictions on businesses like restaurants, retail, salons and barbershops, casinos, malls, gyms and theaters.

For the week ending March 27, 19,475 claims were filed according to data released April 1. The surges were evident “across industry sectors,” and fueled in part by “a bump in claims from the self-employed,” reads a statement from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.