Troy Talk
The Employment and Benefits Transformation
The coronavirus has forced many changes that we would never have previously imagined. Some are lighthearted with Zoom happy hours, and others are sad, grim affairs, such as not being able to hug a loved one in the hospital who might be fighting for their life.
The coronavirus has sparked a tsunami of change that we are all undergoing. One of its most telling effects is its impact on the issue of unemployment.
Navigating The Unemployment Process
Over the past 6 weeks, our office has received hundreds of phone calls, emails, and social media messages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, the calls were specific to the illness itself – What if I have symptoms? How do I get tested? Then, they progressed into questions about the Governor’s Stay at Home order: Is my business essential? Am I supposed to go to work? However, since then, the vast majority (as in 99%) of the questions we are receiving are from our bosses in the 7th Legislative District and beyond, who need help with their unemployment claims.
A Healthy Dose of Positivity During This Pandemic
The headlines say it all. Case counts. Death tolls. Unemployment numbers skyrocketing. Economic turmoil. With headlines like these, it is easy to become burdened and saddened by the news. Yet, in the midst of all this bad news, there are stories of positivity to lighten the weight of these heavier realities.
In Case You Missed It: Senate Actions This Week To Assist NJ Businesses, Residents
In Case You Missed It: This week, the Legislature met to pass a wide array of initiatives to address the COVID-19 public health emergency. These proposals range from protections for homeowners and renters to relief for businesses. I was proud to sponsor a number of these initiatives (those that I sponsored are in bold below). For more information on these proposals please visit www.njleg.state.nj.us.
Help For Workers Impacted By COVID-19
It is no secret that we’re in the midst of a public health emergency. However, an unintended consequence of this is the economic emergency it has caused in every corner of our state, as well. There isn’t an industry, business, or worker who has not been impacted in some way by COVID-19.
Big Support Needed for Small Businesses
It is no secret that the current public health emergency has taken a toll on our economy and our business community. This is especially true for our small business community. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Jersey profile, New Jersey is home to 861,000 small businesses which employ over 1.8 million people, or nearly half of our total workforce.