[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6210345,"mediaKeyId","3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097","parentId",3720402,"title","Senators press commissioner on proposed cuts to extended-employment funding for people with disabilities","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",3697095,"endMs",3778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097&start=3697&end=3778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097/thumbnail_3697095.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210345/New-Jersey/Senators-press-commissioner-on-proposed-cuts-to-extended-employment-funding-for-people-with-disabilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210345-d2efce89f3f2ebbcd48c76394a198f64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437681&Signature=EwUXSSl2w1bzR~5O-sOq9WtsK9B6KWn-cyHF85P0OU6M2cUpRW~jmLMCpGAe6a1bwhVKKX9kA7~YgdqtulX-7KgC4OraM2UGJd3SAoku7H8iyF4efmSKELnHpn3oZNBbvi-WFBYqbqLBUeJtsOdSMin4nqE9e8JxlzqqLySzNIrMTHLAb8NAh2lionxwKOiZ1U0gr7dgVOZ1TbWaZKvC7kmQXqyvGhui8AMBCSwjl553C15-lkuoTcF1wo0l7CZQM9jHiqz3lrda-Nuv45tXNjYaVNvDsg5PsWGkxWAXhrhMGFPmciVUTwUOQywcHmj0jBpzUjDkodvYwS42IXvuSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Jersey Legislature","date","2025-06-06T00:00:00Z","article","Senators raised questions about the governor's proposed budget reductions for nonprofit providers that operate extended-employment programs for people with disabilities. Committee members described the providers as important community services and asked the department to clarify whether proposed reductions would cut $2,700,000 for Access New Jersey extended employment and $700,000 for extended-employment transportation.

Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo responded that extended-employment facilities have seen a 77% increase in per-participant reimbursement since February 2019 and said he did not want to dismiss concerns: \"Absolutely not\" when asked if providers' warnings about cuts were wrong. The commissioner told senators he would provide a spreadsheet showing recipients and amounts for the two line items identified by senators.

Senators framed the proposed reductions as problematic in the face of rising costs and asked the department to supply an accounting through the committee chair. The department agreed to deliver the requested documents and to provide an accounting of enforcement and personnel costs for the Occupational Safety and Health division upon request.

No committee vote occurred; senators asked for follow-up documentation to inform budget deliberations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on the Public Schools Friday, June 06, 2025 - 10:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Senators asked the Labor Department whether the governor's budget proposal reduces funding for Access New Jersey extended employment programs and transportation; the commissioner said per-participant reimbursements have risen 77% since 2019 and agreed to provide a spreadsheet of recipient amounts.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Sessions, New Jersey","taxId",77696,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210348,"N.J. labor agency cites apprenticeship growth, new career hub and paid-internship rules",2945,249235,3195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097&start=249&end=3195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097/thumbnail_249235.jpg","/articles/6210348/New-Jersey/NJ-labor-agency-cites-apprenticeship-growth-new-career-hub-and-paid-internship-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210348-300ef80c3c12a82ccaf2aa309f784c0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437681&Signature=I8a5FnLAfi7yamyI591eTLtEL1ExEwgyoORSz4eBvm0irFMf9ed8maNr1SL6CoXtUpUln18QtcFwPwspRGpF-N-y7zI1EUp679cDlTGSoqhjqACAXGOjJXNz9pmo~lHRj7TLofCAkD09v-r5XoLc5gXrAl2J0MSw-6VI~f0smZzAJqfQPqeazF6xulCzj2~0hKuz1zV4HYhnH7go4CGBNgQba7qRzzdI4IC~FGO9hX3YSvYnRBDzsN4quaZXqRjs7j~mVHz2NwqluGIs~P4H1Rk6Ynq877WQZxtEme9XBhXdQgXGy9u3EPSqpu-o5EnBb1dMwO95ldo5Z4oLznsUpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department leaders told the Senate Labor Committee that New Jersey has expanded apprenticeships and launched digital tools to connect workers with jobs and training.

Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said registered apprenticeship programs in the state increased by 139% since February 2018 and that workforce teams connected with workers 4,300,000 times through in-person and virtual services. He noted mycareer.nj.gov, a cloud-based career hub launched last March, had recorded 492,000 unique users and provides AI-generated recommendations for career opportunities, job postings and training programs.

Assistant Commissioner Dr. Yolanda Allen described the department's youth and internship supports, noting that the workforce development division funds summer and year-round youth experiences for 16-to-24-year-olds with barriers to work and that those programs have eligibility criteria. On unpaid internships, Assistant Commissioner Joe Petracca of the Wage and Hour Division told senators that unpaid placements may be permitted when they are for school credit and meet certain criteria — specifically, they must be primarily for the benefit of the student, cannot displace paid workers, and cannot take place where a strike or similar labor dispute exists.

The commissioner also described sector-based industry partnerships and grant programs — including nearly $100,000,000 in state-funded grants to expand registered apprenticeship programs — and said teams worked with more than 450 businesses to create apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships and training to prepare for emerging needs such as AI and advanced manufacturing.

Senators praised the outreach but asked for continued focus on aligning training with employer demand. The department said its Office of Research and Information works with workforce development to target programs to employer-identified needs.","The Department of Labor reported a 139% increase in registered apprenticeship programs since 2018, launched mycareer.nj.gov with nearly 492,000 unique users, and clarified that unpaid internships are permitted only when tied to school credit and meeting legal criteria.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210354,"Committee hears details on governor's proposal to fully supplement state employees' family leave pay",101,1685680,1787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097&start=1685&end=1787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097/thumbnail_1685680.jpg","/articles/6210354/New-Jersey/Committee-hears-details-on-governors-proposal-to-fully-supplement-state-employees-family-leave-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210354-2ae71f773a1eee5b63d4a5fb58eb2ba8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437681&Signature=m0sOHcGzMHhTCGMsUfniChNK6d8qEoEIv9u7rQwXlM7ReiuHcpZpiBFzym567HkXNhHGeqbHjWstyG-NpPihK5PjUDzEZHE8AXP6ddB31v1vyDSnRGkW-AlMa-vCit86XqzAIZ9wj9kmincnqMQie9IoMKKc719cbgOS9qwna6wWqjeGvThIW2XSzFReycfNf3H9qrDLxk5ok39OcHUgraunXnkMxAP~IcByDuLYz~iP1yxK-33vqMM4WjM7LUT5wAVbA0SdvEn8wdjQLNLvTaugAhKS3OIwUZ0DcqU3nxJHplXsI-X3NX6OoKR5PNbN7sN3pK9crT~cBTtUyoeq2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Labor Committee examined a governor's budget proposal that would fund a supplemental payment so state employees on bonding leave receive full salary rather than the current 85% benefit.

Senator (questioning) asked why the budget includes a $10,000,000 appropriation and whether additional appropriations might be necessary. Assistant Commissioner (budget question response) told the committee that the $10 million figure is based on projections that estimate how many state employees take bonding leave and the difference between 85% and full salary; the budget includes standard language authorizing additional appropriations to avoid prematurely exhausting the line item.

The department clarified that the proposed supplemental payment applies only to state employees as an employer-provided supplement for bonding leave. \"It's basically like an incentive for our employees. This isn't a policy to this wise in the budget — it's acting as an employer,\" the commissioner said, describing the program as a finite, targeted benefit for bonding leave rather than a universal change to paid family policy.

Senators raised concerns that moving from 85% to 100% pay could disincentivize return-to-work timing and asked for program cost projections. The department said its projection methodology was developed with the Office of Management and Budget and is based on historic leave-taking patterns; it committed to supplying follow-up materials and analysis through the committee.

No formal action or vote was taken during the hearing; senators asked the department to provide additional cost spreadsheets and to clarify statutory implications before the budget process advances.","Senators questioned the Department of Labor about a $10 million budget appropriation to provide full pay (100%) to state employees on bonding leave; the department said the appropriation is projected and budget language authorizes additional appropriations if needed.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210359,"N.J. unemployment trust fund rebuilt; modernization and fraud units cited for faster service",1395,636905,2032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097&start=636&end=2032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097/thumbnail_636905.jpg","/articles/6210359/New-Jersey/NJ-unemployment-trust-fund-rebuilt-modernization-and-fraud-units-cited-for-faster-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210359-b3d19accaeae833703297ca9d1c2699e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437681&Signature=DaMdmFQ8d0mQsXBhLBeQLIESVQnC17FybFY8SlFIpkZSaELtMA8jHgVJ4TuhPAvpdcaHSdOyJp9vCuBlepAlK~hl-zvr2wDy84JMJBMaCPNR56SJnCSIuH8i-niONobKtL6FzQsbzasioj1MoXqWoxWZHXC-mONL4yaNhkjJCMQliQ9siS5a3dcnTwnQaGKMGYMPCbX9zSyH~7VINcK5OsoXjAPgxlXQLpKBxgjMfxF63q3QH3GQZw5IrABDkcpj1pcfelwzfsf1-oMEjbxH3ONVrLcfEtgWKizSf4MqJOVrrCAe2MqKeXvCaksfqQXcmhtdRFWkSg7tYqCyVRl4wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo told the Senate Labor Committee that New Jersey's unemployment insurance (UI) trust fund is in strong condition and that the department has modernized operations to shorten wait times and reduce fraud.

Asaro-Angelo said the state's federal UI loan balance is $0 and the trust fund balance was about $2,700,000,000 at the most recent reporting. \"Our trust fund is in great shape after being ravaged by the pandemic,\" he said. The commissioner attributed the improvement to collections and to reforms passed since 2018.

The department has invested in technology and staffing, the commissioner said. He told the committee the state has spent roughly $90,000,000 on modernization work, launched a cloud-based claimant intake app in April 2024, and reduced callback times via a cloud phone system from as long as one hour to about 90 seconds. The department also established a cyber fraud investigations unit and expanded ID verification options, saying the U.S. Postal Service will soon participate in in-person identity verification at post offices.

Senators questioned how the UI tax schedule for employers will change. Asaro-Angelo said the state remains at \"Schedule D\" for employer UI tax rates because of statutory choices made during the pandemic to smooth employer costs; he projected the schedule could move to \"C\" around fiscal year 2027 as the effects of those decisions fade.

Committee members asked how the department would respond if federal funding were reduced. The commissioner replied that federal funding is stable through the end of the federal fiscal year (Sept. 30) and that New Jersey's separate administrative and workforce development funds give the state stronger resilience than many counterparts.

No formal committee votes were taken. Senators requested follow-up materials and technical spreadsheets on projections and collections.","Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo told senators New Jersey's unemployment trust fund has a $2.7 billion balance and no federal loan, while department investments in IT and fraud prevention have reduced call wait times and strengthened identity verification.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6210364,"N.J. labor commissioner: stop-work authority, tougher enforcement recovered millions for workers",77,355935,433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097&start=355&end=433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720402-f340e94b92945b476425320c0cab2097/thumbnail_355935.jpg","/articles/6210364/New-Jersey/NJ-labor-commissioner-stop-work-authority-tougher-enforcement-recovered-millions-for-workers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210364-3649cf2dd02c131fa2201f7f283415e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437681&Signature=K5LDMLED52R2y7koVsFA5AVOx2dWq-jfFj91Y2Qwm3NFjN78HO1sw7jj9X21sZMAPxW1Pvx2G5Bc4id~7J9Y8ZcA7DwKLLikPnsa4abLKCh83tB6hAliO1x8x8qN9DD93SA8mf5ts~Zfp-XbkeX8LnRrfliCyvau9dAopa-7asQRDoCVEol2XCDS0HVnstmWkRIYBsLXAyyeCeQ3h6vJVSsyiwaumiaoPbnFkBS~piTuDXDYbtfXtWQamqu5HTP-jot-fP8tUyjANhUEE0ty6RrJYtJOHVHH6Rj9cY2vGyPHCfSsD1l8-PbDeNlcu0wKSI017y~44Lnz1~sFs38HpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo told the New Jersey Senate Labor Committee that the state has stepped up enforcement against employers who violate wage and workplace laws, using stop-work orders and public naming to recover money for workers.

Asaro-Angelo said the department has collected about $84,000,000 in wage assessments and penalties since 2018 and that in 2024 the department recovered roughly $19,000,000 in back wages. \"This year alone, we've already assessed $37,000,000 in back wages for 8,500 workers,\" he said. He added that stop-work posters — red notices placed at worksites — have been used nearly 200 times to halt operations when employers fail to comply.

The commissioner framed the stop-work authority as a deterrent that changes the cost-benefit calculation for bad actors. \"Often immediately prior to issuing a stop work order, employers come into compliance before we have to take the more drastic action of shutting them down,\" Asaro-Angelo said. He said 261 businesses currently appear on the department's workplace accountability list and owe about $25,000,000 in unpaid wages, fines or penalties; those firms remain publicly named and are ineligible to do business with public entities until they comply.

Committee members pressed Asaro-Angelo on how the stop-work tool is deployed and why it is not used more often. The commissioner said the department also issues a range of notices and seven-day letters that encourage compliance before a stop-work order is necessary, and that the authority is reserved for the most egregious cases.

Asaro-Angelo also described staffing and outreach changes: the department expanded its wage-and-hour investigative staff from a small team at the start of the current administration to 67 investigators and bilingual capacity in eight languages. He said the state operates an online New Jersey Wage Hub for public projects and certified payrolls and that recent laws — including a temporary workers bill of rights and a domestic workers bill of rights — have supported enforcement and recovery efforts.

The committee discussion included references to particular cases and to the department's strategy of using public naming and contract debarment as levers to secure compliance. Asaro-Angelo said the goal is stronger compliance without shutting down businesses when possible.

The committee did not take any formal vote or adopt new legal language during the hearing; senators asked for additional operational details and requested follow-up materials.

Ending note: The commissioner said enforcement will continue alongside education and outreach to help compliant employers meet the law and to protect workers who are owed wages.","Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo told a Senate committee the Department of Labor has increased enforcement activity since 2018, issuing nearly 200 stop-work posters, placing 261 businesses on a public accountability list and recovering tens of millions in back wages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators press commissioner on proposed cuts to extended-employment funding for people with disabilities

N.J. labor agency cites apprenticeship growth, new career hub and paid-internship rules

Committee hears details on governor's proposal to fully supplement state employees' family leave pay

N.J. unemployment trust fund rebuilt; modernization and fraud units cited for faster service

N.J. labor commissioner: stop-work authority, tougher enforcement recovered millions for workers