'Far-Reaching Consequences'
Three more Democrats in the New Jersey Legislature just urged NJDOL to rethink its stance: "The proposed rule would hurt independent contractors."
Yesterday, three of New Jersey’s Democratic state lawmakers—Senate Majority Whip Vin Gopal and Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul—sent a letter to state Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo urging him to pause the Labor Department’s proposed independent-contractor rule.
Gopal, Donlon and Peterpaul wrote that they are concerned the rule “would hurt independent contractors,” among other things:
Amen and hallelujah!
That makes seven Democrats in Trenton who have now come out publicly on the side of independent contractors, in addition to a standing-room-only public hearing packed with opposition to this proposed rule and my U.S. Senate testimony last week that shined a national light on this freelance-busting madness.
June 4 Letter
Three other Democrats who wrote to New Jersey’s labor commissioner about the proposed independent-contractor rule raised their voices on June 4.
State Senate Labor Committee Chairman Gordon Johnson, Legislative Oversight Committee Chairman Andrew Zwicker and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Lagana sent this letter to Asaro-Angelo, citing “substantial negative impact” the proposed rule may have:
In addition to the six Democratic state senators who signed these two letters, state Senator Joe Cryan, also a Democrat, had an aide read a letter at the public hearing to add his concerns as well. So it’s now seven Democrats in Trenton who have come out publicly trying to help independent contractors.
Congress should take notice of what’s happening in New Jersey. Protecting everyone’s freedom to earn a living should not be a partisan issue.
I’m proud to see an increasing number of my state’s lawmakers standing up for what’s right, no matter which side of the political aisle they’re on. Here’s hoping New Jersey becomes a leader on this policy issue instead of yet another cautionary tale like California.
To file a public comment in opposition to New Jersey’s proposed independent-contractor rule, email david.fish@dol.nj.gov or visit SaveIndependentWork.org/NJ. The deadline for comments is August 6.