New Jersey Assembly Republicans : DeCroce-Auth discuss issues on tackling poverty

Bergen Record -

A day-long series of legislative hearings Wednesday on how New Jersey can best address persistent levels of poverty raked up some oft-debated issues.

Raising the minimum wage, subsidizing transit fares, fixing the dwindling state transportation fund and extending the time limits for food stamps were among the topics raised during in testimony before four Assembly committees.

Hearings also took place before committees on housing, transportation and women and children.

Testimony at the transportation committee hearing evolved into a familiar debate over the minimum wage when Analilia Mejia, executive director of the Newark-based New Jersey Working Families, suggested raising it above the current level of $8.38 per hour would be one way to deal with what she called 'systematic and structural' problems of poverty.

That prompted some pushback from Republican members of the panel.

BettyLou DeCroce

Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce, R-Morris, told Mejia it also was important to talk about the role of small businesses in the economy.

'When we talk about raising the minimum wage, it's also important that we get to talk about cutting regulations and stopping mandates,' DeCroce said.

Robert Auth

Assemblyman Bob Auth, R-Old Tappan, said a sharp increase to the minimum wage would force small businessmen like him to have to cut his budget for the number of employees he can hire.

Posted by NJ Assembly Republicans in Clips | Tagged: anti-poverty , minimum wage , transportation and independent authorities | No Comments

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