Freiman Introduces Bills to Support New Minimum Wage Law   

Measures Strike Balance for Working Families, Businesses

(TRENON) – As part of a legislative effort to ensure that newly passed minimum wage legislation works as it was intended by providing a means for New Jersey families to earn a livable wage, yet still allowing the state’s businesses community to thrive, Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset) released the following statement Thursday regarding three new measures he recently introduced:

“I fully believe our hard-working residents deserve a living wage that allows them to support their families, and the minimum wage law passed earlier this year does right by the people of New Jersey in helping them to accomplish that. As a next step, I introduced three pieces of legislation to ensure that our employees, along with our small businesses, are thriving under the new law.

“Specifically, the bills I introduced would suspend minimum wage increases during certain decreases in employment or when the state’s revenues fall by at least two percent; establish a Task Force on Wages and Economic Stability; and provide gross income tax credits to help designated small businesses with costs associated with minimum wage increases.

“These bills work to complement small business employers and employees alike as well as add an extra layer of security for those impacted by the new minimum wage law.”

Freiman introduced the measures, (A-5226), (A-5227), and (A-5228), on March 18. They now await further review by the Assembly Speaker.