As part of its Web 2.0 series, Everett Reiss of AST is offering to work with three NJSA member firms between now and June 22nd on just these challenges – one firm per initiative!  And on June 22nd, Everett and his three “collaborators” will present at the final Web 2.0 breakfast meeting a description of the “Before” and the “After” with a list of accomplishments that could be a model for other staffing firms in New Jersey!   You only need to provide a member of your firm to work with Everett for a few hours a week between now and mid June and have that individual be on the panel at our June 22nd breakfast. For your participation, you will receive: 

• A great Facebook Page for your firm!
• An improved and effective LinkedIn page for one of your recruiters!   OR
• A method and strategy to maximize the ability of Twitter togenerate candidates and branding for your firm

AND a $50 coupon off the first attendee fee to the NJSA Annual Conference!   You probably always wanted to do these things but didn’t know how to move on them!  Now you can!   Just click here to take advantage of this offer. We will select the three volunteer firms by this Friday, June 4^th.   Here’s a link to learn more about Everett Reiss: http://everettreiss.com

This award is presented annually to a staffing individual or firm or industry partner that has shown leadership in improving and increasing the value and awareness of the staffing profession in the state of New Jersey, or has provided the industry with outstanding service and dedication toward its growth and prosperity. 

Governor Christie has outlined a detailed plan for economic development in New Jersey.The New Jersey Partnership for Action will be overseen by Lt. Governor Guadagno and will serve as the starting point for all initiatives, policies and efforts related to growing New Jersey’s economy and creating quality, sustainable jobs. Specifics of the Partnership include:

· Attracting New Businesses and Helping Existing Businesses Thrive

· Promoting New Jersey as a Place for Businesses to Choose

· Developing Policy Initiatives that Capitalize on New Jersey’s Strengths

· Putting Customer Service First

· Utilizing Innovation and Technology

The plan will be overseen by a privately-funded, not-for-profit corporation entitled, Choose New Jersey, to be led by a CEO who will both promote New Jersey to existing and new businesses as well as make recommendations directly to the Governor and Lt. Governor that will spur economic growth, job creation and innovation.

In general the credit is available to small employers who pay at least half the cost of the Single coverage for their employees.  They also need to meet certain firm size and wage requirements.  The maximum credit is 35% of 2010 paid premiums by eligible small business employers.  By 2014 the maximum credit will increase to 50% of paid premium.  Eligible small businesses can claim the credit as part of their general business credit starting with the 2010 income tax return they file in 2011.   Give  Two River Benefits a call to determine if you are eligible to receive a Healthcare Tax Credit at 732-517-0220.

Posted by Gordon Frederick, Two River Benefits

The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) projects that fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 revenues will be $249.4 million less than the estimates in the Governor’s proposed fiscal 2011 budget. For fiscal 2010, the OLS revenues are $81.7 million below the Governor’s estimates, and OLS’s fiscal 2011 estimates are $167.7 million below the Governor’s projections. These differences are relatively minor, representing less than 1 percent of the budget. 

The biggest reason for the lower estimate is the underperformance of the sales tax. For fiscal years 2010 and 2011, OLS projects $313 million less than the Governor’s estimates.

For the income tax, OLS anticipates $124 million more than the Governor’s estimate for fiscal 2010 and 2011.

For the Corporate Business Tax, while OLS’ estimate for fiscal 2010 is $44 million below the Governor’s estimate, OLS’ fiscal 2011 estimate is $55 million above that of the Governor.

The Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will begin hearings next week on the impact of the proposed budget on state departments.

Last week, we told you about the affidavit staffing firms need to produce when hiring new employees under the new HIRE Act. This week, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service released Form W-11, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act Employee Affidavit. The HIRE Act is a new law that provides a temporary payroll tax holiday to companies that hire previously unemployed workers during 2010. The IRS form will help employers claim the special payroll tax exemption. The form should be used to confirm that a new hire is a “qualified individual” under the HIRE Act. An employer cannot claim HIRE Act benefits unless the employee completes and signs the affidavit or similar statement. Under the new law, a qualified individual is defined as a person who begins employment after Feb. 3, 2010, and before Jan. 1, 2011; has not been employed for more than 40 hours during the preceding 60-day period before the employee begins employment; is not being employed to replace another employee except one who quit voluntarily or who was fired for cause (including downsizing); and is not “related” to the employer under rules set forth in the U.S. tax code. The IRS does not require employers to submit the affidavits but states that employers should keep them with their payroll and income tax records. The Form W-11 affidavit is available at /irs.gov http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw11.pdf along with answers to frequently asked questions http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=220745,00.html about the payroll tax exemption and the new-hire retention credit.

The new HIRE Act signed by President Obama this month provides a temporary payroll tax exemption to companies, including staffing firms that hire previously unemployed workers. The law requires employees to sign an affidavit certifying that they had not been employed for more than 40 hours total in the 60-day period immediately prior to beginning employment. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has indicated it will issue a form that employers can provide for employees to sign.

At last year’s Executive Leadership Conference, industry partner and associate member, Two River Benefits was recognized as the first winner of NJSA’s Staffing Industry Award. This award is presented annually to a staffing individual or firm or industry partner that has shown leadership in improving and increasing the value and awareness of the staffing profession in the state of New Jersey, or has provided the industry with outstanding service and dedication toward its growth and prosperity. 

Additional criteria for selection includes: a) consistent visibility at NJSA’s activities, b) active participation in promoting both the Alliance and the industry; c) providing a service or product that enhances the growth and prosperity of the staffing industry; or d)developed a program, seminar or educational material that increases the professional development for staffing industry employees. 
 
To nominate your candidate for the Staffing Industry Award, click here for the nomination form and fax to 973-838-7124 by April 15.

President Obama will sign the Health Care Reform Reconciliation Bill on Tuesday, March 30. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on March 25 to approve a “reconciliation” bill containing major amendments to the Senate-passed health care reform bill that was signed by President Obama last week. The Senate approved the bill earlier that day but made minor changes that required that it be sent back to the House for a final vote.
Among other things, the reconciliation bill dramatically increases the excise taxes that will be imposed on large employers (those with more than 50 full-time employees) that do not offer a qualified health insurance plan to their employees and dependents-from an annual maximum of $750 to $2,000 per full-time employee if the employer has even one employee who receives a government tax credit.

The Senate Labor Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:00 AM in Committee Room 6, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ.  The Committee will hear testimony from the public about the fiscal condition of the State Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund and related UI tax issues, the effectiveness of the UI program in mitigating hardships from layoffs, and the scope and future prospects of federal programs for the unemployed, including UI benefit extensions and supplements and health insurance premium assistance. Those individuals presenting written testimony are asked to provide 15 copies on the date of the hearing.

 The public may address comments and questions to Gregory L. Williams, Committee Aide, or make bill status and scheduling inquiries to Cynthia D. Petty, Secretary, at 609-984-0445, fax 609-777-2998, or e-mail: OLSAideSLA@njleg.org. Written and electronic comments, questions and testimony submitted to the committee by the public, as well as recordings and transcripts, if any, of oral testimony, are government records and will be available to the public upon request.