The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s nominations of Kevin Jarvis as commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development and Mary Cruz as chair of the Civil Service Commission.
Jarvis, who has served as acting labor commissioner since February, faced questions about New Jersey’s independent contractor regulations, the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, and efforts to expand the state’s skilled workforce.
Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) asked whether complying with independent contractor regulations could discourage businesses from hiring workers.
Jarvis acknowledged that employers must weigh hiring costs against their business needs but said they should consider individual circumstances.
“I would assume that any business, when hiring people, does some sort of cost-benefit analysis to make a determination whether or not the business model they currently have can absorb those costs,” Jarvis said.
Bramnick also asked how businesses could determine whether workers should be classified as employees or independent contractors without risking misclassification penalties.
“The easiest way to do that is to read the regulations,” Jarvis responded, describing them as “a roadmap for employers.”
Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Delran) focused on workforce development, particularly how the state is preparing workers for changes brought by artificial intelligence.
Jarvis said the department is studying AI’s impact on employment, tracking job postings that require AI literacy, and consulting employers about how the technology is changing their operations.
That research is helping shape workforce training programs at community colleges and four-year universities, along with state grants supporting AI training.
Singleton also raised concerns about maintaining a sufficient supply of skilled construction workers to meet New Jersey’s development needs.
Jarvis pointed to the success of apprenticeship programs and said the department would continue expanding that approach.
“The model works so well in so many different industries; it’s something that we in the department are going to continue to lean into as we progress,” Jarvis said.
He also highlighted New Jersey Build, which provides construction trades training for women, minorities, and veterans.
Jarvis, a labor attorney, previously served as chief of staff at the Department of Labor under Gov. Jon Corzine. He began his career in the Assembly Minority Office in 1994, later worked for the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, and has been a partner at O’Brien, Belland & Bushinsky since 2010.
“For the entirety of my professional life, I have been at the intersection of workers’ rights and employers’ responsibility,” Jarvis told the committee.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari praised his performance as acting commissioner.
“You’ve proven yourself to be able to lead that agency in an exemplary fashion,” Scutari said.
Cruz, nominated to chair and serve as chief executive of the Civil Service Commission, pledged to modernize the state’s civil service system while preserving merit-based hiring and constitutional protections.
“We can reduce hiring timelines and improve responsiveness without compromising fairness, transparency, or quality,” Cruz said.
She identified outdated technology as a major obstacle to improving the commission’s operations, noting that its personnel management system is undergoing its first modernization in 50 years.
“That is a big piece of the puzzle in making sure everything else can be modernized,” Cruz said in response to questions from Sen. Renee Burgess (D-Irvington) about her first-year priorities.
Cruz previously served as chief of staff to Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) and held leadership positions in organized labor, including political director of 1199 SEIU and director of the New Jersey Healthcare Workers Alliance for Quality in Long-Term Care.
“I will remain steadfast on stewarding a civil service system that adheres to constitutional protections while supporting our state and local governments to meet the needs of the people it serves,” Cruz said.
She said the commission must be “responsive, effective and worthy of the public’s trust.”
Sens. Joe Lagana (D-Paramus), Kristin Corrado (R-Totowa) and Mike Testa (R-Vineland) expressed support for her nomination.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO welcomed both committee votes, praised Sherrill’s selections, and pledged to work with the nominees.
“Governor Sherrill made two excellent choices in nominating these leaders, and we thank the senators who voted today in favor of them,” the organization said. “We sincerely look forward to working with both of these leaders to continue to advance labor policy in our state.”