Gov. Phil Murphy has not provided a timeline or decision regarding the New Jersey Department of Labor’s (NJDOL) proposed rule that would significantly reduce the number of independent contractors in the state. The proposal has faced widespread opposition, with more than 99% of over 9,000 written comments submitted during the public comment period expressing disapproval.
When asked about the status of the proposal on News 12’s Ask the Governor, Murphy stated, “We’re not quite through this process yet,” and added there was “no news to make.” He acknowledged strong feelings on both sides of the issue: “there’s a lot of passion on all sides of this.”
Kim Kavin, co-founder of Fight for Freelancers, questioned Murphy about the proposal for a second consecutive month via X. In her Freelance Busting Substack, Kavin disputed Murphy’s characterization of balanced debate. She wrote: “There are two sides when it comes to the Labor Department’s proposal. People employed by unions or affiliated with organizations that have strong union ties dominate the side that wants this.
“Pretty much everyone else in the state is opposed, telling the Murphy administration to stop what it’s doing because it would risk undermining access to justice in our courts, jeopardize public safety, threaten children’s safety in youth sports, be potentially catastrophic for serving infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities, and more.”
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has also urged state officials to withdraw NJDOL’s proposal due to concerns about its impact on both independent contractors and businesses.
