CONTACT: Lorenz Isidro, LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724

AFP-NJ: New Report Highlights Burdensome Occupational Licenses in New Jersey

TRENTON, NJ –  A new study released today by the Institute for Justice ranks New Jersey as having the 16th most burdensome occupational licensing laws in the country. Occupational licenses mandate that workers receive the government’s permission to work in a certain profession, making it more difficult for them to support themselves or their families. Ostensibly required for public safety, many occupational licenses have no public safety component and are designed to raise prices on consumers while restricting competition.

“A job and livelihood should not depend on a permission slip from the government,” said AFP-NJ State Director Erica Jedynak. “New Jersey’s economy is suffering enough and taxpayers are already besieged by high taxes and yet the government insists on these artificially high barriers for New Jersey citizens to succeed. Instead of erecting more barriers to opportunity, lawmakers should begin the process of tearing down these unnecessary requirements and make it easier for thousands of Garden State residents to pursue their dreams.”

Opportunities for the legislature to do this abound. In June, AFP-NJ hosted a rally with the Institute for Justice in Trenton to call on legislators to eliminate mandates that make it illegal to braid hair for profit by passing A-4421/S-3136.

To get licensed, aspiring hair braiders have to spend 1,200 hours at an expensive cosmetology school that doesn’t even teach natural braiding techniques. To watch highlights of the rally, click here.

Background:

The Institute for Justice study examined both the breadth and burdens of 102 different lower-income occupational licenses. The study can be viewed here.

New Jersey ranks as one of the country’s worst states for occupational licenses. Of 54 occupations that require government permission slips, the average worker pays $224 in fees and loses 422 days to education and experience requirements.

Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey has long advocated for eliminating burdensome occupational licensing requirements. In June, AFP-NJ hosted a rally with the Institute for Justice in Trenton to call on legislators to eliminate mandates that it illegal to braid hair for profit. To get licensed, aspiring hair braiders have to spend 1,200 hours at an expensive cosmetology school that doesn’t even teach natural braiding techniques. To watch highlights of the rally, click here.

Learn bout more ways to fix these burdensome requirements by reviewing Generation Opportunity’s agenda for occupational licensing reform in New Jersey. To read the report, click here.

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724. 

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

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