Businesses Eligible For Up To $9,600 In Tax Credits for Hiring Unemployed Veterans

The American Jobs Act provides incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans. Businesses hiring veterans who have been unemployed for specified periods of time will be eligible to receive incentives of $2,400 to $5,600 per veteran hired.

On November 21, 2011, the President signed into law two new tax credits:

• The Returning Heroes Tax Credit is a new hiring tax credit that will provide an incentive for businesses to hire unemployed veterans.
  • Short-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks.
  • Long-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.
• The Wounded Warrior Tax Credit will double the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities.
  • Maintain the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with service-connected disabilities (currently the maximum is $4,800).
  • A new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed longer than 6 months. Read more.

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Obama Flip Flops on ATMs

What A Difference A Week Makes!!!

Last week Barack Obama blamed ATMs and automation for the lack of jobs.

On NBC News he explained that it is not his job killing policies that are causing the economy to linger with little to no job growth, he explained that the reason companies aren’t hiring is automation and technology … “There are some structural issues with our economy where a lot of businesses have learned to become much more efficient with a lot fewer workers. You see it when you go to a bank and you use an ATM, you don’t go to a bank teller, or you go to the airport and you’re using a kiosk instead of checking in at the gate.”

But that was so last week.......In his weekly Saturday morning address Barack Obama said that automation creates jobs. We are so confused.........

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EPA's Train Wreck Threatens To Derail The Economy

During a speech on small business at Cleveland State University , Obama described a goal of “knocking down barriers that stand in the way of your growth.” Unfortunately, his EPA couldn’t be more in the dark about how to implement that practice. The EPA is poised to adopt more than 30 new, major regulations and over 170 major policy rules in the next several months.

Even with 14 million Americans out of work and an economy still searching for light at the end of the tunnel, the EPA is poised to enact a series of back-door mandates that will stifle economic growth. And with the speed that this runaway train is traveling, people in every state should be scared of the “Train Wreck” headed towards a town near you.

Unfortunately, the large majority of Americans won't realize or even understand the impact of the EPA’s “Train Wreck” of new regulations on jobs, the economy and price of essential energy until it’s too late.

The truth is, the EPA itself doesn’t know what these regulations might cost to implement, although various outside analysts seem to agree that, at minimum, the 10 major rules that the EPA issued in 2010 could cost the economy at least $23 billion and nearly one million jobs. Read More

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New Law Bans Exclusion of Unemployed Applicants for Jobs

A New Law Prohibiting the intentional exclusion of unemployed individuals in advertisements for job vacancies was signed by Governor Chris Christie. 

The law, (A3359) which went into effect immediately, prohibits employers from “knowingly or purposefully” publishing, in print or on the Internet, an advertisement for any job vacancy in New Jersey that contains: 1) any provision stating or suggesting that the qualifications for a job include current employment; 2) any provision stating or suggesting that the employer will not consider or review an application for employment submitted by any job applicant currently unemployed; or 3) any provision stating or suggesting that the employer will only consider or review applications for employment submitted by job applicants who are currently employed.

The law does not apply to advertisements requiring that candidates hold current or valid licenses or certifications or hold a current job with that employer. Penalties include $1,000 for a first violation and will increase with subsequent violations. More

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EPA Admits It Doesn’t Care About Jobs

EPA Admits they Do Not Care About Jobs

The Environmental Protection Agency, with its approximat 18,000 full-time employees, and a $10 billion budget, with the power to impose virtually unlimited economy-crippling regulatory power granted to it by the Obama Administration, admitted that to them, jobs just don’t matter.

In a April 14th hearing before the House Environment and Economy Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Co) questioned EPA Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus on the Agency’s economic analyses related to legislation. Specifically, Rep. Gardner asked if the EPA considers the effect its regulations have on jobs, Mr Stanislaus danced around the issue with the most definative answer being "not directly" and he "will get back to you". The overall take away from the testimony is NO they do not directly examine regulations’ impacts on jobs.

                            

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Open Competition Bill Introduced in Senate

Senator David Vitter

As the Republican-led House continues to seek out wasteful Government spending and Regulations, the fight against union only project labor agreements (PLAs) has heated up again.

In the Senate, Senator David Vitter (R-La.) introduced the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (S.119) on Jan. 25, 2011. These bills would prohibit the federal government from requiring PLAs on federal and federally-assisted projects. The legislation essentially codifies into law President Bush’s anti-PLA Executive Orders 13202 and 13208, which were repealed when President Obama’s pro-PLA Executive Order 13502 in February 2009.

Congressman John Sullivan

Congressman John Sullivan (R-Okla.) is expected to introduce the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act later this month.

The Obama Administration published, the Final Rule implementing his Executive Order 13502, encouraging and authorizing the use of union-only PLAs on federal construction projects.

Union-only PLAs restrict competition by requiring that a contract be awarded only to companies who agree to collective bargaining and union hiring. Union-only PLAs discriminates against upwards of 80% of the construction workforce nationwide by effectively banning them from the opportunity to work on federally-funded projects. To read the entire Rule, please Click Here. 

If Jobs are the priority the Democrats in the House and Senate they should be eager to pass this legislation that would even the playing field and Obama should be more than eager to sign it. We do not recomend anyone hold their breath waiting for that.   

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Dems More Interested In Tax Increases Than Jobs

Sen. Bucco to Dems: Stop Talking About Tax Increases If You Are Serious About Job Creation

Senate Republican Budget Officer, Anthony Bucco, challenged NJ Democrats to take all tax increases off the table:

“If the New Jersey Democratic Party is serious about creating jobs then they will stop talking about potential tax increases. Under Governor Christie’s and Senator Tom Kean’s leadership New Jersey has finally begun to turn the corner.

“This state is digging itself out of a hole, more than a decade in the making, which was created by the Democrats and their 115 tax increases. The economy is slowly but surely recovering and the unemployment rate has finally fallen below the national average."  Read More

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Construction Employment Up In 13 States

Thirteen states showed year-over-year growth in construction employment, according to data released by the Labor Department.

"It is encouraging that the number of states adding jobs year-over-year was higher in November than at any time since February 2008," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. He added that the gains were "as spotty as they are tenuous." California, New Jersey and New York were among those that posted increases.

Simonson noted, for example, that California had the largest monthly increase in construction employment – adding 7,800 jobs – but also the largest 12-month drop – 36,900 jobs, or 6.4 percent. New Jersey and New York had the next-highest number of construction job gains in November with 4,500. New Jersey also led the nation in monthly percentage gains (3.7 percent), followed by Vermont (3.4 percent, 400 jobs) and Maine (2.5 percent, 600 jobs).

Read More

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N.J. Democrats Offer Alternate Plan To Spur Job Market

Senate President Stephen Sweeney
& Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver

Its not that the NJ Democrats have put forth their own plan that is amazing. They have shown themselves to be incapable of just voting on the solutions that Republican Lawmakers or the Governor put on the table. They insist on only considering their own inferior ideas or a watered down version of the ideas of others. Hows that working out for everyone so far? 

What should amaze every reader is the notion that all of a sudden New Jersey's Democrat Lawmakers have the jobs issue all figured out. They must have a lot of confidence in their ideas, since they have stated that they will be working the jobs issue through January.

Their self imposed time frame poses some questions. Do they have some magic formula that they expect to implement in two months that will work? If they have that magic and evidently secret formula, why have they waited until now to address it. Where have they been for the last 2 years?  I remember now they were raising taxes and expanding prevailing wage requirements into private sector that has so far resulted in canceled projects and higher unemployment. Way to go!! 

In a veiled attempt to move away from their fight with Gov. Chris Christie over property tax reform, Democratic leaders unveiled a set of proposals they say will spark the job market and provide crucial training for unemployed New Jerseyans. The 30-bill package includes overhauling the corporate business tax, providing breaks for small business owners and creating a program in which residents of the receive training for six weeks, up to 24 hours a week. The truth will be in the details.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) promised a "flurry" of committee meetings in December to clear the legislation for votes by the full chambers in January. Many of the bills have already been filed, Sweeney said, and additional pieces will complete the package. "We have to invest money in order to expand business opportunity in this state," Oliver said. Read More 

That's their solution? Throw money at the problem.....that should work !!!

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Obama Urges Congress To Pass Small-Business Legislation

The President, speaking at a sandwich shop in Edison, urged Congress to  pass legislation to help small businesses. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are central to our identity as a nation. They are going to lead this recovery," Obama said.

Democrats and Republicans have been trying to appeal to small-business owners, but the parties have different ideas about how best to serve them.

Read More

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Pelosi: Unemployment Checks Fastest Way to Create Jobs

Every now and then politicians say things that are so totally unbelievable they prompt an automatic second take. A recent statement by Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker and leader of the House of Representatives) is just one of them.

Nancy Policy said last week that "Unemployment benefits are creating jobs faster than practically any other program".

I know.....your shaking your head too.

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Governor Christie Creates "Choose New Jersey" Program

Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon), commended Governor Christie on establishing “Choose New Jersey,” a new privately funded nonprofit corporation that has been created to bring businesses and jobs back to New Jersey.

“Over the past ten years New Jersey has established a reputation for being one of the most anti-business states in the country. Our penchant for raising taxes, increasing debt and enacting unnecessary regulations have forced many businesses to close down or leave the state and cost many people their jobs.

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Making New Jersey A Home For Growth

Making New Jersey A Home For Growth

By Kim Guadagno

New Jersey businesses – both large and small – are facing daunting obstacles during the current economic climate that has slowed down, and in many cases stopped their ability to create jobs and grow.

Today, the reforms the Governor has proposed are taking shape in the New Jersey Partnership for Action. The Partnership is the centerpiece of our Administration’s economic development agenda. It will serve as the starting point for all our initiatives, policies and efforts related to growing New Jersey’s economy and creating quality, sustainable jobs.

New Jersey job creators will now have a partner in Trenton, working to attract new businesses and helping existing businesses thrive.

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No Money For Obama's Jobs Agenda

Obama's Election-Year Jobs Agenda Stalls in Congress

The Election-Year Jobs Program promised by President Barack Obama and the Democrat majority has stalled seven months before voters determine control of Congress.

The Problem, Democrats have no money to pay for the program.

Both the Democrat Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and Republicans object to taking money left over from the TARP fund that bailed out banks, automakers and insurers and using it for the jobs bill.

Using the left over money from the fund would add tens of billions of dollars to the rapidly growing $12.8 trillion national debt.

Read More

Tom Kean Talks About Creating Jobs and Economic Growth in New Jersey

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean appeared on Comcast Local Edition to discuss efforts to create jobs and address New Jersey’s high rate of unemployment, and to talk about ways that we can make the state a competitive destination for new and relocating businesses.

He noted the joint efforts of the Legislature and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, through the newly established Red Tape Review Commission, to identify burdensome and unnecessary state regulations that could quickly be eliminated.

Senator Kean also discussed the importance of lowering New Jersey’s highest in the nation tax burden to make us competitive with other states, and efforts to consolidate the state’s fragmented business support programs to make them easier to locate, navigate, and take advatage of.

Click Here to Watch Video

Bring Businesses Back to New Jersey

Bring Businesses Back to New Jersey: A Vital Part of the Blue Print for Change

By Kim Guadagno

On Tuesday, Governor Christie outlined a strategy to rescue New Jersey from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Like other states, we were not immune to the effects of the national recession; however, our problems have been exacerbated by years of profligate spending, irresponsible borrowing, and failure to implement reforms. The result has been an unfavorable business climate that has driven jobs and growth from New Jersey.

To Read More Click Here