December 6, 2007 - 11:33am
New Jersey needs family leave insurance: Ozzie and Harriet are History
By Carla KatzWe often define ourselves by our work but, in truth, our families and the people we love are the real engine and soul of our lives. This past February, my mother had a stroke that took her sight. It was the night before her 71st birthday.
Up until that night, my mom had worked crazy long hours at a Willingboro day care center taking care of others' children. She'd been caring for little kids for more than thirty years at that center and she just loved it. Too suddenly, everything changed. And now we, her children, would now be taking care of her.
Lucky for us, my mom survived and we would all juggle her care. But far too many New Jerseyans are just a moment away from the financial disaster brought on by a partner's cancer diagnosis, a parent's stroke or a child's complicated birth. Many of us are part of the so-called "sandwich generation" delicately balancing our increasing workload with caring simultaneously for our children and our aging parents.
Working families need a safety net but New Jersey doesn't give them one. Far too few employers provide paid time to care for sick family members or for newborns and adopted children and currently the only leave most workers are entitled to is unpaid. And that's why people don't take it.
Family leave insurance legislation (S-2249 and A-3812) currently pending in the legislature would fund leave at two-thirds of weekly salary with a maximum payment of $488 per week. Most notable is that the leave is completely financed by a worker-only contribution and would cost someone about 92 cents a week. Businesses will not pay one more penny.
As a state, we've recognized that workers get injured and need support and have entitled our citizens to Temporary Disability insurance payments for up to six months when that occurs. The family leave legislation simply expands that program by a 0.01 percent increase in worker's TDI. A broad coalition of labor, community, senior and health care groups support it. Governor Corzine and many legislators on both sides of the aisle have openly supported the legislation and are pushing for its enactment.
So, if NJ's family leave insurance is worker paid and people need to take it, why is the business community and its primary lobbyist, the Business and Industry Association (BIA) trying to kill the bill? The business lobby has been fighting the concept of paid family leave for more than a decade. Earlier, BIA asked businesses to send legislators real keys (as in, if you pass paid family leave, you may as well take the keys to our businesses). Now, they are simply fear-mongering and spreading disinformation about what the bill really means in an attempt to bully legislators into voting against it.
The business lobby is fighting hard because they know what we know. That most working people (80%) who need to take family leave don't--because they can't afford to. And they would if they could. The business lobby's opposition to the bill isn't about money, since it won't cost businesses one penny more. It's about control of the workforce and limiting worker flexibility. And it's wrong.
Family leave insurance will give NJ working people the freedom to care for their family and still keep their job...and not go broke. Other states, namely California and Washington, have already passed paid family leave. The utilization rates for leave have been low and businesses there have not felt any negative impact of from the legislation. Governor Spitzer has a paid family leave plan in the works for New York right now, which even covers foster parents and workers who take off to care for grandchildren.
Many of us are haunted by one moment in time that someone dear to us was hurting and we could not be there with them or by memories of the day we left a tiny child with caregivers and went back to work far too soon. We no longer live in the 1950's "Ozzie and Harriet" family. We are all working and we're working longer. Our state's policy on paid family leave needs to catch up to that reality and the time is right to do it now.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Besides giving a shout out to Wally Edge at Wednesday's New Jersey Legislative Correspondents Association Dinner ("As Wally always says, ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everything that I admire and fear about the Democratic Party was on display this week. The compassion for creating affordable housing and the ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
McCain announce his intention to appoint real judges, and both teh Times and the Journal muff the story. >
Debbie Holtz
Let’s get this straight. Does U.S. Attorney Chris Christie think he only has a role to play when there’s a violation of US federal ... >
Steve Lonegan
FOR 190 YEARS, New Jersey had no income tax and no sales tax. As recently as 1966, it had only the third-highest property taxes in the nation.
>
Dr. Joseph Marbach
The budget proposed by Gov. Jon Corzine has produced myriad negative reactions, featuring various interests seeking to limit the impact of the cuts ... >
Rob Tornoe
NATIONAL CARTOON: Bush sacrificed golf for the troops >
Michael P. Riccards
With her victory by ten points in Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton has re emerged as a very viable candidate for the Democratic nomination. It is ... >
Carla Katz
A hugely misguided attempt to eliminate the Department of Agriculture is the spark which has lit an angry fire which took over West State street ... >
Poll
PolitickerNJ Partners
Top Tags
Most Active Stories
- Does Lautenberg have an Unanue problem?
- Election Results: Vas defeated in Perth Amboy, Barse loses in Vineland, Orechio upset in Nutley
- Updated: Handicapping the Senate & House primaries
- What's happening in seven key towns
- Upset of the night: Vas loses re-election in Perth Amboy
- Will Bennett replace Puharic?
- The future of Joe Vas
- Alleging retaliatory harassment, Katz sues CWA officials
- Hawkins and Codey celebrate big win
- Menendez picks O'Brien to replace Zapien
- Dr. Bones goes to Washington
- PoliticsNJ.com Power List 2007
- Eleven arrested in bribery scandal
- Lyndhurst GOP, nearly all of them, switching parties
- Lobbyist arrested
- Governor Paralysis
- Who is the best State Party Chairman in New Jersey
- KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
Quote of the Day
May 15, 2008
"As Wally always says, 'Hold Me Accountable.'" -- Gov. Jon Corzine, at the New Jersey Legislative Correspondents Dinner
-05/14/08
Amen!
Carla Katz has been the only CWA state union leader who has been lobbying for this Bill over the past weeks and months.
It is a good bill that should have been suppported by the other CWA Presidents but they were to worried about getting Black Friday off.
This is a Family orientated bill that is needed exactly at a time when we should be supporting anything that would strengthen the Family.
It will not hurt Business in any way.
I hope all workers support this positive, Family First Bill.
Business Paranoia
Business groups would have you believe that the Paid Family Leave Bill will destroy their ability to maintain a workforce.
That is just not true.
As an example:
A business employs 10 people. They work 40 hours a week for 52 weeks. That is 20,800 manhours a year.
Unfortunately, we will say, two of these employees must use the full 10 week Paid family leave benefit during the year. That means that the business will lose 800 manhours of work.
The Paid Family leave benefit for these two employees will take away only 4% of the total yearly manhours for that business.
Now be serious business people. Is a 4% reduction in manhours going to destroy your business?
Of course not!
In the lame duck session there is no more important bill that needs to be passed than the Paid Family Leave Act.
Back to topOzzie and Harriet may be history
But what about Carl and Jon? How about Jon and Rocco? How about Jon and Rocco and Matt Boxer.
Carla, you got the $6 million. Would you please just have the decency to quite acting like Mrs. McGreevy and go away?
DD
Message / Not Messenger
Whether you like her or not she is right on this issue and she has been out front on this issue.
This is a Family Issue and she is sticking up for the workers in this State, union and non-union who will be helped by this Bill.
I could care less who she dates or dated.
Business Leader says BOO!
Not having children work in the sweatshops was going to kill the clothing industry.
The 8 hour day and the 40 hour week were going to ruin this country.
Creating OSHA was going to put undue strain on the free market.
Paying women equal pay was going to take jobs away from men.
WHAT A GREAT COUNTRY THIS WOULD BE IF BUSINESS HAD THEIR WAY ALL THE TIME!
Of course she's for it.
Every one of her members will take off the full ten weeks every year. That means even more union members to do the work we will be paying 19 percent of the workforce not to do.
It Sure Figures
It sure figures that Carla would support this legislation. She has basically been on paid leave from her job as union president for quite some time while she has been attending law school. Getting paid for not being at your job....isn't life in the Garden State grand ! You go, girl !
Need votes from these Assembly Democrats
A3812 the Paid Family Leave Bill has 17 Assembly Democrats as co-sponsers. The bill needs 41 votes to pass. It also needs to get out of the Democratic caucus.
Non-Committed Assembly Democrats regarding A3812 Paid Family Leave:
Bodine
Carabello
Chivukula
Cohen
Conaway
Conners
Cruz-Perez
Cryan
Evans
Fisher
Gordon
Green
Greenwald
Gusciora
Jasey
Lampitt
Manzo
Mayer
McKeon
Moriarty
Pou
Prieto
Quigely
Roberts
Stack
Stanley
Truitt
Vega
Voss
Watson-Coleman
Whelan
Wisniewski
A phone call or e-mail to any or all will help get this bill passed.
Are there 24 votes here?
Unions and Socialists would
Unions and Socialists would have you believe that the Paid Family Leave Bill will not cost businesses a single penny.
That is just not true. Are we to assume that the State or a volunteer will step forward to donate time or reimburse the owner for all the bookkeeping, accounting, filing, review, and also training of a temp employee associated with this Act? Will the State also provide in house training so owners follow the letter of the new law?
I have read the bill and it is a beast. I especially love the part that discusses intermittent leave.
“…(2)2 in the case of intermittent leave in a single period of family temporary disability leave taken to provide care for a family member of the individual with a serious health condition, the seven-day waiting period shall 2consist of the first seven days of family temporary disability leave, even if the days are not consecutive, and2 apply only one time during the entire period of leave, provided that no benefits shall in any case be paid 2[for] if the entire number of days of2 family temporary disability leave 2[which] for that single period2 is 2[shorter in duration] less2 than 2[one workweek] seven2 “…”and, if possible, provide the employer, prior to the commencement of intermittent leave, with a regular schedule of the days or days of the week on which the intermittent leave will be taken…”.
The bill is full of stuff like this. Who does the employer send home the intermittent employee or the expensive temp?
There are a number of ambiguous statements in this bill. It also does not cover the exact responsibilities of employer leave review and doctor/nurse/etc validity. The bill does not outline any penalties or fines to a business should they be in error of giving leave. Or could the owner be stuck paying the employee if the state disagrees? If the employer denies leave can they be sued by the employee? etc.
firstamend07,
Your numbers don't compute. In my books if 1 of 10 employees is out for 10 weeks that is 400 hours to make up for in 10 weeks, not 52 weeks. Dividing 400 hours into the 9 remaining employees comes to 44.4444 over 10 weeks. That is 4.4444 hours per week OVERTIME for remaining employees. The other option would be to hire an expensive untrained temp. God forbid 2 are out at one time, as you exampled.
Anti-Family Democratic Party?
Not a single Republican vote is needed in either the Senate or the Assembly ( although I am sure some Family oriented Republican Legislators will vote YES) for Paid Family Leave to pass.
Ths success of this Bill is on the heads of the State Democrats. They are either going to stand with those who want to make the Family the #1 priority or they are going to stand with those who want to force people to choose between a sick family member and losing a job.
The choice is clear.
As the leaders in the Assembly Cryan and Roberts are either pro-Family or anti-Family.
Millions
While Ms. Katz believes that this bill won't be bad for business, what she fails to mention is that her members and all working people will be paying for this. That's right, it is a TAX INCREASE for all of us. If Ms. Katz believes that people will only use their days "if necessary" while they are paying for the entire time, she is really out to lunch.
I think the best way to solve the problems that this bill seeks to solve is by having the Governor give us all $6 million, pay off our loans, put our kids in private school. That way we can take any time we need.
Please check your moral compass at the door.
Another TAX !!!!!!
That's all it is folks, another tax. Sweeney and Katz will look great to the ones taking this "necessary leave, but the people who take care of themselves are sick of more TAXES. People are only going to use this if necessary, "YEA RIGHT"
Taxed into Oblivion
Maybe Ms. Katz should explore the reasons we cannot "afford" to take unpaid family leave. Could it be because the average family pays more in taxes than they do for food, clothing and shelter COMBINED? And, when you're taxed to death, what do you propose? Another TAX, of course! Instead of more and more government, why doesn't Ms. Katzx argue to reduce the size of state government, consolidate entities within the state and reduce the overall tax burden? I wonder how many people that are for this legislation have actually OWNED businesses. My guess is not many, if at all.
People = Business
Do Business owners think that because they own a business they also own the people who work for them ? Good employees will not misuse Paid Family Leave. Bad employees are bad employees no matter what. This is a fantastic , Family orienated Bill and Business owners should stop looking at their employees like a tool or piece of machinery.
Katz Clueless in America
Who the hell is going to pay for this ? Katz and her fat cats haveruined the American business spirit. While we work our butts off Katz and her cronies take our moneyand pad their pensions. Enough already. We define ourselves as Americans by defending liberty,yes the liberty to earn a buck without being told otherwise .We also define ourselves by being responsible for our family membersand not expecting our neighbors to foot the bill.Your Union cronies have have driven us ( New Jerseyans) to the brink of financial disaster and the taxpayers are voting with their feet. The Federal Government should not send one RED CENT to NJ until you learn the meaning of living within your means and NOT on the back of the TAXPAYER.
Harriet is overtaxed
Poor Ozzie of NJ cant afford to keep Harriet at home to take after the kids. Why ? because Ms Katz and her SOCIALIST UNION THUGS who have never worked an honest 12 hour day in their live without NO vacation, take more and of Ozzies money. As for Harriet ? she cant just sleep with the Gov and wake up in the morning with a pillow full of money. EARTH TO KARLA..... GET REAL GIRL OR GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND LEARN ECONOMICS 101
Anti-Family Crowd
It is a shame that there are so many anti-family comments . Whether you are Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, we should all agree that our country was built on the strength of the Family Unit. This Bill does nothing more than strengthen the Family Unit in a time of need.
How can any true American be against this Family Bill?
No Businesses=No Jobs
Does the State of NJ think that because someone operates a business that the State owns the business? The State of NJ gets a bigger monthly paycheck from my store than I do. In fact it already gets double what I can draw.
Good employers will not misuse their employees. Bad employers are always open to losing the employee to a better boss. How about the employee find a better boss rather than the State choke the business into conformity or out of NJ?
I await a small business orientated bill. Small businesses are major employers and money generators for the State. The State of NJ should stop looking at businesses like a tool or piece of machinery.
Fact is we are all up to our ears in taxes. We are being double and triple taxed. We pay taxes on taxes.
Frankly, I am tired of being the bad person when the employee looks at their pay. The gross pay is what I pay them, but it is natural for the employee to look at what actually goes into their pocket.
The view from the other side of the counter is not pleasant either. I always show the customer what I charge for the product along with what is the sales tax amount.
This is one business owner tired of the State of NJ treating me like a bottomless source of funds for their political pandering. They give me no compensation for the fiduciary jobs I already perform, and now they want me to administer yet another tax and program. Those of you think that this is all important should find another way to fund this program and stop loading more work and responsibility on the businesses.
I am for families, and treat my employees well at no charge to them. And, provide some family time compensation. If the Act passes they will pay for the benefit, and this does not make them happy either.
Adapt
You sound too intellegent to just be a complainer.
I am completely confident that within a very short period of time you will adapt to the new Bill, as will your employees.
The Bill will not destroy your business. The " kinks" will be worked out and the workers in the State will be better off for this Bill.
Only after one of your employees uses the benefit of this Bill will you see why this Bill is a Family Bill.
Business should not be anti-Family.
Businesses are not anti-family
This is just another thing that makes me sick about the people we call our leaders.
Does anybody think that those in Trenton will really manage all this money they will collect if this bill passes? Maybe it will go towards our 3 billion defecit and disappear like so many other funds have. I can just see it now, the state will have to borrow more money to fund the family leave act because it is broke, and of course we, the taxpayers will foot this bill as always.
Hey firstamend 07 where is your head? business owners aren't against family as you stated..we are against all this load put upon us by a state with a socialist agenda. You must have your head up your ass to make a coment like that. In fact you sound like a socialist yourself with the doublespeak accusing us of being against family to make it seem that is what we have against this bill. I am not surprised you call yourself by that name as it is a typical cover for a social liberal. Why don't you move to Sweeden.
I object to the state telling me how to run my business, and if they do I expect them to pay all the bills. If I fail they should share in the loss, not bleed me like a leech when I am doing well. You are wrong about employees not being tools...they are one of the tools that make my business run, and I treat my tools well, all of them. I will not be a non-compensated tool of the state though, if they want my participation they must pay, and they won't,---they just want to bleed me by increasing my workload and responsibilities, and thats what I have against this bill. If they bleed me enough I will just have to lay off employees to make ends meet, and they will have all the leave they need while collecting unemployment.
This bill is just another money grab by the state, and all it does is fatten up their wallet.
Sure Carla is for this bill...she must be totally familiar with systems like this as her salary comes from workers dues..she owes them and has been bought, it must be a hard heart that sleeps at night knowing her income comes from the sweat of others...apparently she does not care.
Push that family leave bill Carla...get some more votes!
I for one am tired of doing the states dirty work, especially for free.
It's just another tax
It's just another tax that will become a burden for all taxpayers in New Jersey. This type of program is the very reason that companies are moving out of this state as fast as possible.
This fee will go into a "trust fund" like the highway trust fund, or the unemployment trust fund, were, come the end of June, it will be raided by the very people who we are suppose to "trust" to balance the budget.
If a person takes the full measure of this plan, it will take 60 people to pay the money into the fund to cover that one person. Well, what if those people want to take advantage of this program, who pays for them?
Instead of setting up this program, why doesn't John Corzine have a girlfriend of the day club? He could then give them a few million dollars and that should cover any family leave that they would need.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Why is Business Anti-Family?
Why has the Business community ( most but not all to be fair) picked this Bill to do their most extensive lobbying in years?
Why have they taken this strong Anti-Family stance?
After all the rhetoric common sense tells us that no business is " going under" because of this Bill.
Why has their bitterness over regulation and taxes ( some very well justified) turned into them attacking the Family Unit?
This Bill is Pro-Family, it is not anti-Business. America was built on the strength of the Family Unit. Why is the Business Community trying to destroy the Family Unit?
True Americans ?
First Amendment ... How dare you.
True Americans dont mandate , tax, or tell other TRUE Americans what to do with their money.
Financial liberty is the essence of the True American way of life
Hello
Did you miss your scheduled drug test?
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Family NOT Money!
The true American promotes the Family , not money.
You have it all wrong. Family First, money second.
Wars were fought to protect our personal liberties and that means protecting the Family Unit.
This Bill is Pro-Family. I know what my priorities are, Do You?
I know what family is.
A true American? Of course it is family first, but this bill is not Pro-Family, it is nothing more than a socialistic method of redistributing wealth. It is nothing more than another tax that will drive the real workers in this state out, and create another entitlement. It wil not protect the "Family Unit", but it will create another department of bureaucracy that will allow our "trusted" representatives to place their friends into cushy jobs that will result in lavish benefits paid by all of us.
And don't you ever tell me about true american, wars, and family, since I am well aware and experienced in all of those subjects.
Lastly, I don't hide under an assumed identity. I wonder why you do?
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Carla and family values
Carla is a union local president, a law student of some sort, a mom of school-age children, and a part-time political hack. Yet, she still has time to write these edifying columns!!! Her delicate balance of her workload while managing her children and aging parents -
Oh wait, somebody gave her $6 million and full-time boarding school for her kids (and quite possibly the law school)!!!
Loss of a parent is awful for everyone, one doesn't make it into some maudlin story of struggle when one had enough time and money to handle it. Count your blessings and stop pontificating.
Anti-Family = Anti-American
"Business" is certainly not anti-family, but it seems many business people have put their financial concerns above the concerns of their employees families. This Bill would be a minor inconvenience for a business owner, but it might keep an employees family together during a crisis.
It is time to stick up for the Family, just once, and not the bottom line. Business should not be in the business of breaking up the family unit when it is in trouble.
It is just another revenue source
This bill is nothing more that another revenue source for the money hungry idiots to use to pay for more perks for themselves and their buddies. It will lead to higher taxes and an exodus of my good people from New Jersey. It is time for all True Americans in New Jersey to tell Trenton, enough is enough, quite spending and start cutting expenses.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
This Bill is Anti-Family
Here are the reasons.
According to Christina Serrano Glasner Regional Advocate for the NJ Office of Advocacy; ref Harold News 2/25/07; “… 98.5% of the State’s businesses were small (fewer than 500 employees). They employed 1,806,046 workers…”, “…many policymakers do not understand how their programs, rules and regulations can harm small business.”
Ways that small business will “Adapt” (ref firstamend07 comment on 12/07/07 10:39 pm).
Note who owns small businesses, FAMILIES. These FAMILY owners will have more responsibility and costs piled on them to "Adapt" and uphold the rules of this Act.
Note who small businesses employee, FAMILIES. Employers may use the following methods to “Adopt” to the Act. Close or move, layoff, hold down hiring. Also if one employee is absent for an excessive time the rest of the employees, who also have FAMILIES may be required to work overtime. This will take them away from their FAMILIES. They will intuitively know if the fellow employee is abusing the new system and this will not be a good working environment.
Note who shops at small businesses, FAMILIES. Consumers will be absorbing the business costs of this Act. This fact adds to the cost of the actual Act’s direct employee deduction. Every time a consumer shops they will have a hidden cost added to their purchase. Taking even more dollars out of the mouths of their FAMILIES.
So firstamend07, keep spewing your sack of bull dung. And make sure you continue to not back up your broken record statement.
Asbury Park Press 7/17/07; “The chorus of journalists, union leaders and government officials chanting for more paid vacation time, more paid family leave and the like has become so loud that it is a strong disincentive to starting, or continuing to operate, a business. The issue is whether the government should mandate these additional requirements and, in turn, who pays the cost? The answer is evident from the European experience; such mandates have failed in Europe and the should not be further pursued here.”
The Press of Atlantic City 11/6/07; “New Jersey finished No. 50 for the second year in a row in the Small Business Survival Index.”
I conclude this bill is another union perk, being pushed by unions and a major union leader, Carla Katz, for union members.
Before you know it the State will be mandating even more time for employees to attend PTA meetings and sports events.
American Priorities 101
These are to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies etc.
Paid leave is NOT a constitutional right.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul is NOT a constitutional right.
Driving family business into the poor house is NOT a constitutional right.
Moral of the lesson is read the dam constitution
Not Union, Not Non-Union, BUT FAMILY!
Anyway the anti-family business people who continue to argue against this Family oriented Bill spin it the Bill still comes out as a very inexpensive way to protect the Family Unit.
The small, but very loud , anti-family business sector of the State can't even convince themselves that this is anything but a "control" and " greed" issue for them.
Workers have families and this bill will help the workers with a minimal disruption of business.
To be anti-family is to be anti-American.
NO MORE TAXES!
No more taxes, just like in 1773 when they threw the tea in the harbor! And I bet you would call that anti-american!
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Protecting Families
The tea was thrown overboard not to protest taxation but to protest taxation without representation. The Founding Fathers would have supported a Bill that would strengthen the Family against an imperial despot employer who would have a man choose between his family and his employment.
Do you wear a Redcoat everyday?
Taxation without Representation
First amend, since you brought it up...where is the representation businesses get from the state?
Maybe causing business additional paperwork, logistics, sceduling, temp hiring and everything else associated with this bill, done at no cost to the state, is O.K. by you. I would call that no representation just like collecting sales tax, banking the money, and spending money on resources to collect it for the states benefit....at no risk to them I would add.
This bill is more of the same crap, and if the state passes it there will be more businesses closing or changing their operations to survive in this hostile environment.
We have never been represented without it costing us, and as the majority employers in this state, those in Trenton should be thankful that we exist...not hammer us with socialistic programs that force us to operate in a manner counter productive to ours and the states economy.
I am surprised that you know what the founding fathers would do some 214 years later, those were all self reliant people, mostly business men, and I think that they would see the farce here.
As A business owner I enjoy the flexibility of making my own hours, and if I take time off, I work late or weekends to catch up or make commitments. I treat my employees the same, as long as the work is done its O.K.. I don't need some jamoke from the state telling me what I have to do with those employees especially when I am paying the state a premium to stay in business.
First amend...you are all mixed up on this issue, and are looking through a one dimensional window...you see only what you want to see.
The state has proven time and time again that although they say that they are for small business, and have several programs to promote it, they are not effective and are very costly...we all pay for this.
I think that if you were around for the Boston Tea Party they might have thrown you off the boat with the tea.
You are successful
You do well by this State. You make money in this State . You have chosen to use State residents as your employees and they have done well for you.
The State is not killing you off. This is an affluent State and money is made in this State.
Don't make us sound like Mississippi.
This Bill supports your employees and their families. The same families that make your business successful.
You will not lose your business if you supportthis Bill.
Thisis a Family First Bill and I don't know why you would be agasint the promotion and well Being of the Family Unit.
No one has answered me yet on this Site.
Why are so many business people now anti-family?
Earth to firstamend07
Who the hell are you to make assumptions about me? They go with your assumptions about the Paid Family Leave Bill. Both are wrong.
FA07:You do well by this State.
Answer-Not me. Was a middle income family 2 years ago, not any more.
FA07:You make money in this State .
Answer-Live at poverty level. If I had the money and a homebuyer to get out, I would be gone before you read this post. Want to buy my house? $180,000 and pay the 7 months I am behind in taxes which includes 20% interest my town is charging on the arrears.
FA07:You have chosen to use State residents as your employees and they have done well for you.
Answer-In general, over the past couple of years, most of my employees have NOT done well for me. My employees enjoy a larger income from my business than I do.
FA07:The State is not killing you off. This is an affluent State and money is made in this State.
Answer-The money is not in my pocket. It is in the pockets of those who abuse their power and the State’s greedy self-sustaining hands.
FA07:Don't make us sound like Mississippi.
Answer-If I lived in Mississippi at my income level, I would be doing better than in NJ.
FA07:This Bill supports your employees and their families. The same families that make your business successful.
Answer-This Bill does not support my employees and their families, I do. My business is “successful” (my interpretation=the doors are still opened), because of me. If I were not there, the business would not run.
FA07:You will not lose your business if you support this Bill.
Answer-This may be ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ for many businesses, including mine.
FA07:This is a Family First Bill and I don't know why you would be against the promotion and well Being of the Family Unit.
Answer-Stop accusing me of being against the family. What I am against is Socialistic Programs that masquerade as good for us, and the people who masquerade for them. My business does not have the money to hire a temporary worker (who will be more expensive) or pay overtime. If any one of my employees is out for 10 weeks on a sustained basis, my store hours will need to be cut.
FA07:No one has answered me yet on this Site.
Answer-You have been given the reasons, the quotes, and the reference sites. If you are too dumb to understand or use them it is not our fault.
FA07:Why are so many business people now anti-family?
Answer-You are dumber than a brick, and have no understanding of economics and the push-pull effects this bill would have on employment and businesses. Just attach a cinderblock and throw NJ into the Hudson River, cause this State is sinking fast with all the common good Socialists.
Beware, Socialism is a cloaked thief that lurks in the dark.
This bill is another growth of NJ government. A new department will be needed to administer the Act. Fact is this State needs money to work with because so much has been looted. This too will be looted. History repeats itself.
What is it that your mind cannot comprehend????
firstamend07 and pro-family
I am sure Firstamend07, being so pro-family, fully supports the repeal of the Death Tax and the Transfer Inheritance Tax as it effectively kills a family's ability to pass their business and properties on to the next generation in an attempt to keep their family intact and to keep their business thriving in NJ. I am sure he would also support substantial income tax cuts and the repeal of a half a dozen other taxes imposed on working families in NJ because when a family is able to keep more of its hard earned income it presents opportunities for one parent or the other to stay home and tend to occasional longer term needs of children and elderly parents. Firstamend07 might even be amiable to reviewing the countless specialty healthcare mandates this State has forced on Insurance providers. These also cut into the spendable income of hard working families who probably could save a considerable amount of health care dollars if given the ability to select the specialty coverage their family needs and reject the coverage not needed rather than have them pay for a one-size fits everyone plan which increases in cost everytime the State mandates more coverage.
Not Today
To resurecting reagan: Maybe some other time we can discuss those other issues. The issue at hand today is Paid Family Leave . Those who are against it have taken a stance against the Family Unit and that is dangerous and Anti-American. This Bill will probably be reduced from 12 weeks to 6 weeks yet the Business Community remains against this Family Bill.
The Family Unit in this country has been in trouble for years. This Bill will help strengthen the Family Unit in a time of crisis.
Don't attack this Bill because you are unhappy with other things.Don't be Anti-Family!
what really is pro Family ?
1) Water boarding to protect my family from a Terrorist attack ( after all Ted Kennedys car has killed more people than all of our water boards).2) Allowing my Daddy to keep and bear Arms ( his choice of Arms not Corzines) to protect our Family against all thugs both foreign and domestic.3) allowing Mom and Dad keep their hard earned money so we don't end up in the poor house
Distraction And Distortion Is...
.....all that the opponents of this legislation have to "work with".
The costs of the bill are minimal in comparison to the benefits.
It will help working people to have a better quality of life.
This is all about practicing common human decency. We can afford, in NJ, a little common human decency.
Any legislator, of either party, who sides with the short term greed of a relatively small number of business interests, and opposes the interests of ordinary working and middle class New Jerseyans will deserve to lose thier seats at the next opportunity.
It's all about pay to play folks.
This shouldn't even be an issue, partisan or otherwise.
I predict the bill will be passed in some form and with a few compromises.
From Frederick Douglass
Who represents us in Trenton
Since when is an employer a despot? All they do is create jobs.
Sounds to me that you are on the government dole somewhere (maybe that is why you hide under an assumed name) and we all know that the only thing the government creates in Trenton is taxes and crooks.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Not anti-family, just anti your type
The family unit has been in trouble in this country ever since we had leaders like BJ Clinton setting the example how a family unit should operate. The family unit will not be strengthen by this bill when the parents employers move out of state because of this type of crap.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Great State
New Jersey has always been a Family First State. Now some in the Business community are trying to destroy the Family Unit and have people choose between their job and their Family. These same people probably fly the flag outside of their business and claim to be patriotic. Well anti-Family is NOT PATRIOTIC!
THIS IS A QUALITY OF LIFE BILL THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY IN A TIME OF NEED.
Lower that flag and wave a big $ sign.
Great State for Corruption
The only thing that New Jersey is great for lately is corruption and politicians taking care of themselves and their cronies. This bill is anti-family since it will destroy family business's and drive larger corporations out of the state. Hell, we even lost Lenox, a company that started in this state and was a source of pride, due to over taxation. Maybe you could be the last one here so you can turn out the lights after everyone has left!
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Employee Treatment
I would like to know where the supporters of this bill got their information. As a business owner, I never received any survey asking any employee benefit or treatment questions. Neither did my employees. Just who has provided the negative employee treatment statements? Has anyone received a survey?
Someone please provide me with the sources that condone the belittling comments directed toward businesses. The accusations that the employers of this State treat employees poorly leave me speechless. Sure there are some bad employers, but there are also some bad employees.
This is how they are presenting this.
This is the method that the supporters of this bill are using. And what a time for it, you are Ebenezer Scrooge and your employees are all Bob Cratchits'.
Now because of my feelings on this bill, I am "Anti-American and Anti-Family"! Of course, not one of them would ever have the guts to say that to my face.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
firstamend07
You're an ASS to suggest that any HUMAN BEING is anti family that does not support this SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT LABOR ABORTION BILL called the Family Leave Bill to HELL with you and all it's athletic supporters.
Will Democrats be the Good or Bad Scrooge?
Twelve days before Christmas and the Assembly Democrats have the chance to play the " good" Scrooge or the " bad" Scrooge.
Thye will make thechoice between being Pro-Family or Anti-Family with their caucus decision today.
Will Tiny Tim be able to have his Father with him during his difficult recovery or will his Father be forced to stay on his job because Scrooge Kirschner said so.
The Assembly Democratic Caucus can be the Good Scrooge or the Bad Scrooge today.
You really are stupid
You just don't get it, this is nothing more than another tax that will force good people with their familys out of this state. Thanks for nothing.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--