Rice / Cunningham Measure Looks To Level The Playing Field For Women And Minority Business Owners

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Fred Madden (D-Gloucester, Camden) that would cut the unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates that will be imposed on employers during fiscal years 2012 and 2013 cleared the full Senate today. The reduction will save employers $652.9 million total and an average of $208 per employee over the two year period.

“Given the current economic climate, it is important that we take steps to aid businesses in New Jersey, particularly small businesses,” said Madden, chairman of the Labor Committee. “By cutting taxes on employers we are providing them a much needed break, while also sparing the unemployed from a reduction in benefits.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Ronald L Rice and Sandra Bolden Cunningham to create more government transparency and ensure economic fairness for women and minorities with regards to all federal stimulus money that will be awarded to New Jersey was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“As Assistant Majority Leader, Chairmen of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, I fully understand the struggles that those living in the urban community face,” said Senator Rice, D-Essex. “Although everyone in the country is hurting, those in the cities have had the highest unemployment figures around and face economic blight and chronic poverty on a daily basis. The best thing the State can do to help our communities in need is to ensure fairness in the rewarding of contracts paid for by stimulus funds.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Fred Madden (D-Gloucester, Camden) that would cut the unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates that will be imposed on employers during fiscal years 2012 and 2013 cleared the Senate Labor Committee today. The reduction will save employers $652.9 million total and an average of $208 per employee over the two year period.

“Given the current economic climate, it is important that we take steps to aid businesses in New Jersey, particularly small businesses,” said Madden, chairman of the Labor Committee. “By cutting taxes on employers we are providing them a much needed break, while also sparing the unemployed from a reduction in benefits.”

TRENTON – A new law sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Sandra B. Cunningham was signed recently creating economic parity for women and minorities by ensuring that they benefit from publicly funded construction contracts.

“This is about empowering people to help themselves,” said Sen. Rice (D-Essex). “Although everyone around the country is feeling the effects of the recession, women and minorities are typically more affected by poverty and plummeting unemployment rates. The best thing the state can do to help our communities in need is to increase access to training and job opportunities through a more equitable disbursement of public funds.”