Jersey's Job Growth Continues to Slide

In a year in which New Jersey has already lost more than 10,000 private sector jobs, Rutgers University has unveiled a study demonstrating our 2007 growth was slower than neighboring states. In 2007, NJ added only 3,700 private sector jobs, or about 0.1% of its workforce. To compare, here is a rundown of growth figures in nearby states:

• New York - 1.2%
• Connecticut - 0.8%
• Massachusetts - 0.7%
• Pennsylvania - 0.6%
• New Jersey - 0.1%

Overall, New Jersey ranked 35th in job creation as a percentage of its overall workforce. If we want to maintain a high quality of life, those numbers have to change - and fast. A good start would be for Governor Corzine to veto the job-killing paid leave mandate that sits on his desk.