By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
Click here to read Governor Chris Christie ‘s S-1440 veto message.
Background: the Governor signed a watered-down bill on Monday that prevents an employer from inquiring into a job applicant’s criminal history prior to a first interview. This vetoed legislation would make it illegal for an employer to refuse employment on the grounds that the applicant is unemployed.
He was wrong on Monday but right today, Save Jerseyans.
As Governor Christie explained quite eloquently on Thursday during his Ocean City town hall, we wouldn’t want to live in a society where the government dictates all decisions to the private sector. We’re already drifting strongly in that direction and it’s a big factor contributing to the unemployment crisis in this state and our country writ-large.
The bills referenced above are well-intentioned, fair enough, but no less counter-productive for it. However, on a deeper level, an attempt to “criminalize” employer decision-making on the basis of an applicant’s resume betrays the Democrat Party’s growing hostility to the employer class (i.e. people who actually create the jobs in America). They behave as if employers simply don’t want to grown when, in fact, you and I know that’s how they make $$$. It’s government’s job to create the right conditions for that growth.
Rant over! Here’s a full list of the Governor’s Friday actions on outstanding legislation:
BILL SIGNINGS:
S-582/A-2218 (Smith, Lesniak/Chivukula, Mukherji, Sumter) – Designates New Jersey Big Data Alliance as State’s advanced cyberinfrastructure consortium
SCS for S-942/A-3270 (Smith, Bateman/Cryan, Eustace, Lagana, Sumter, Quijano) – Provides standards for, and requires registration of, home elevation contractors
S-1229/A-1257 (Rice, Connors/Prieto, Benson, Wimberly, Moriarty, Garcia) –Authorizes fine for failure to maintain certain vacant properties; requires out-of-state creditors to designate in-State representative
BILL VETOED:
S-1440/A-2910 – ABSOLUTE – (Barnes, Whelan/Riley, DeAngelo) – Prohibits employment discrimination based on applicant employment status
