FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2018                                                              

CONTACT: Lorenz Isidro, LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724

AFP-NJ Commends Gov. Christie for Signing Occupational Licensing Reform Bill Into Law

TRENTON, NJ – Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey (AFP-NJ) today applauded Governor Christie for signing Senate Bill 1599 into law as one of his final acts in office. This law is intended to bring more transparency to certain occupational license boards by requiring them to report licensure exam passage rates.

Occupational licenses are essentially government permission slips that must be obtained before an individual can work in a certain profession. These licenses often make it more difficult for people to support themselves or their families.

“New Jersey workers and consumers shouldn’t need a government permission slip to pursue the job of their choice. These burdensome occupational licenses simply make it harder for Garden State residents to succeed, which in turn makes it harder for our economy to grow. We applaud Gov. Christie for recognizing the need for more transparency for our occupational licensing laws,” said AFP-NJ State Director Erica Jedynak. “People across the political spectrum recognize that many of our occupational licensing laws do little to nothing to protect the public and instead protect special interests and licensing board bureaucrats. This law is a great first step toward reforming occupational licensing, and we will continue to work with the next governor to eliminate barriers to opportunity.”

Background:

AFP-NJ State Director Erica Jedynak’s letter urging the Senate Commerce Committee to pass Senate Bill 1599 can be viewed here.

A recent study by the Institute for Justice found New Jersey ranks as one of the country’s worse states for occupational licenses. Of 54 occupations that require government permission slips, the average worker pays $224 in fees and loses 422 days to education and experience requirements.

The Institute for Justice study examined both the breadth and burdens of 102 different lower-income occupational licenses. The study can be viewed here.

Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey has long advocated for eliminating burdensome occupational licensing requirements. In June, AFP-NJ hosted a rally with the Institute for Justice in Trenton to call on legislators to eliminate mandates that it illegal to braid hair for profit. To get licensed, aspiring hair braiders have to spend 1,200 hours at an expensive cosmetology school that doesn’t even teach natural braiding techniques. To watch highlights of the rally, click here.

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724. 

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

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