Eric Scott, host of the New Jersey 101.5 show “Jersey Thing,” really understands the independent-contractor issue. In some of his work, he’s an independent contractor himself, and he’s a longtime fighter for our freedom to remain our own bosses.
We talked on an episode last week about what we are hearing behind the scenes right now in New Jersey. Among other things, he said he’s hearing about contracts failing to be renewed. We’re also both hearing about continued frustration with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who are failing to resolve the problem.
All of which was entirely predictable and avoidable, and continues to be enraging.
Here’s the episode, with links below to source material for everything I said:
Links to Source Material
A few times on this show, I mentioned a recent hearing where members of the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee questioned acting Labor Commissioner Kevin Jarvis. You can read the full transcript of that hearing here.
I also talked on this episode of “Jersey Thing” about how Governor Mikie Sherrill, along with Jarvis, have been in the media saying all the rest of us statewide are just confused about what they’re doing with this ABC Test rule.
You can see Governor Sherrill make this claim on TV here.
You can see acting Commissioner Jarvis’ comments to the written press here.
Kim, the governor and Commissioner Jarvis keep suggesting that everyone else is confused. At what point will they consider that the confusion reflects a failure of their own leadership?
If contracts are not being renewed, as Eric reports hearing, these concerns deserve immediate investigation. People cannot pay their bills with assurances that “nothing changed.” Losing an assignment means losing income, regardless of how officials describe the regulation.
Their response is becoming a bad joke—with independent contractors paying the price. Attorneys, accountants, business owners, and lawmakers have raised questions, yet the administration keeps repeating its talking points. That looks less like confidence and more like being disconnected from the people affected.
Governor Sherrill and Commissioner Jarvis should explain what they are doing to investigate lost contracts, provide usable guidance, and preserve legitimate independent work. If they believe these reports are mistaken, show the evidence. If people are losing opportunities because businesses fear the consequences of hiring them, address it.
And legislators on both sides should stop expressing concern without following through. A sympathetic comment at a hearing accomplishes very little for someone whose contract just disappeared.
New Jersey deserves officials who can recognize a problem and fix it. Calling everyone confused while their livelihoods remain uncertain is an insult, not leadership, professionals call is Gaslighting. Thank you to all of the NJ narcissistic politicians, and please stop drinking the union CoolAid, there’s something in it. LOL