Backed strongly by labor advocates, Murphy, a Democrat, said the minimum-wage increase will help the state’s lowest-paid workers afford the most basic needs in a high-cost state like New Jersey, including food, transportation and housing.
But business-lobbying groups and other opponents questioned whether the wage increase goes too far, too fast given the current minimum hourly rate is $8.85. They’ve also argued the increases could hurt the very group that the higher wages are supposed to help if businesses resort to staff reductions and benefits cuts to help keep their books balanced.
Meanwhile, there are also concerns about how the new minimum-wage law will impact the broader state economy, although Murphy and other Democrats are predicting it will provide an overall boost.
NJ Spotlight Budget and Public Finance Writer John Reitmeyer recently discussed all these issues and more with Jeff Kaszerman, host of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants’ “Issues Watch” podcast.