Senator Michael Testa (R-1) has expressed opposition to the proposed measures in bill S-2422, citing potential adverse effects on New Jersey’s agricultural sector and other outdoor industries.
“Creating a safe, healthy work environment is of the utmost importance but establishing arbitrary, untested mandates for businesses will most certainly lead to unintended consequences for agriculture and similar outdoor industries. This will do nothing to address our affordability crisis and will ultimately destroy many of our great New Jersey farms who provide the various livestock and produce we rely on to feed our families,” stated Testa.
Testa criticized the approach taken by Trenton Democrats, saying they have disregarded input from those directly affected. “Unfortunately, the insanity from Trenton Democrats continues as they–once again–ignored the concerns from those who are intimately involved in the process by demanding assimilation with extreme threats of lawsuits and jail time. Instead of pushing through an agenda that only makes sense to someone who has never set foot on a farm, we ought to bring stakeholders to the table to create a policy that works for everyone and keep the Garden State, the Garden State.”
According to Testa, S-2422 grants excessive enforcement powers to the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development while imposing untested duties on employers that could disrupt sectors such as agriculture, road work, and construction. The bill also allows for third-party private-action lawsuits and includes penalties that may involve imprisonment.
