Want access to post press releases? To sign up, use this form. You must be logged in.
ASSEMBLY APPROVES ‘JOBS TRADE AND DEMOCRACY ACT’
Measure Would Reinforce Legislature’s Role in Decisions to Bind New Jersey To International Trade Agreements
(TRENTON) – The Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Egan that would ensure New Jersey citizens and legislators have access to information on the impact of international trade policy on the state economy.
The bill (A-2754) clearly establishes the role of the Legislature in setting trade policy for the state.
“In today’s global marketplace, international trade agreements have a significant impact on our New Jersey’s economy, business and jobs,” said Egan (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Assembly labor panel. “In these challenging economic times, we must ensure that New Jersey’s voice can be heard loud-and-clear before we bind ourselves to accords that may have a detrimental impact on jobs and the economy in the state.”
The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would:
• Require the Legislature’s consent to bind the state to any provision of a trade agreement, and require the designation of four members of the Legislature to serve as official liaisons with the Governor’s office and the federal government on trade policy.
• Establish a Citizens’ Commission on Jobs, Trade and Democracy appointed by the Governor and the Legislature to monitor trade negotiations and disputes, assess the social, environmental, legal and economic impacts of trade agreements and proposed trade agreements, hold hearings and make recommendations regarding trade policy and related legislation; and
• Require the commission to provide for annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on the impacts of trade on the state, and require the Governor and Legislature to respond to policy recommendations for handling trade’s impacts on the state.
“We must ensure that decisions that will impact New Jersey are, in fact, made in New Jersey,” Egan said.
The bill was approved 61-12-3.
On the Net:
www.youtube.com/user/njassemblydems
New Jersey Assembly Democrats on Facebook
http://www.assemblydems.com/Subscription/SubscriptionSignIn.asp
South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
There has been a lot of talk about putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot in New Jersey. This is something that Assemblywoman ... >
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >