The federal government’s monthly jobs report out Friday shows companies hired 315,000 workers in August. The U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 3.7%, but it’s even higher among Black and Hispanic workers. Friday’s report reflects a slowdown in hiring, a trend shown earlier in the week in New Jersey-based ADP’s jobs report.
The shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted tax issues for workers who are doing jobs from their New Jersey homes but still paying taxes to other states where their companies are based, like New York. That has cost New Jersey billions in lost revenue, so Gov. Phil Murphy is proposing bipartisan legislation for what some call the unjust taxation of Jersey workers. Several proposals are on the table, including one to incentivize companies to assign their workers to locations in New Jersey. Another would tax those who work remotely for New Jersey companies but don’t live in the state. Republican leaders expressed support for the initiatives, saying they’ve been fighting to address this issue for some time.
A progressive group ranks New Jersey as one of the best states to work in. New Jersey comes in eighth in the annual index put out by Oxfam America. And for working women, the state ranks seventh.
Heading into the holiday weekend, gas prices in New Jersey are averaging $3.87 for a gallon of regular; that’s 12 cents cheaper than a week ago, according to AAA.
