There’s been a lot of doom and gloom over a possible recession or economic slowdown, but Friday’s jobs report has many people questioning that narrative. The U.S. economy added 517,000 new jobs in January. The monthly report from the U.S. Department of Labor came in much stronger than economists had forecast. The biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and health care. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 3.4%, the lowest rate since 1969.
President Joe Biden spoke following the report. He said that, with January’s job gains, 12 million jobs have been created since he’s been in office. “Here’s where we stand: the strongest job growth in history, the lowest unemployment rate in 54 years. Manufacturing rebounding at a faster rate than the last 40 years.” The jobs report also showed worker pay increased in January.
A new state law requires New Jersey’s toll road operators to check whether drivers have E-ZPass accounts before issuing a toll violation notice. Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Thursday that mandates toll road officials check their E-ZPass records first. If a driver is found to have an E-ZPass account, they would only be charged the cost of the toll and not the $50 administrative fee charged to violators. Drivers have some responsibility under the new law — their E-ZPass accounts need to be kept up to date with vehicle and payment information.
State lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that would increase the minimum monthly benefit under New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The benefit amount increases to $95 a month, from $50, for lower-income residents who rely on SNAP to keep food on the table. The bill is now on the governor’s desk.
