Topic: Economy

Flexible work is on the chopping block in New Jersey. New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development proposes a restrictive ABC test that will end the independent contractor classification for many of the state’s independent workers, such as self-employed professionals, freelancers, and gig workers. 

This regulation will hit women hard. Independent contracting gives women the flexibility to earn money and focus on their careers while balancing important priorities such as caregiving for kids and aging parents, or managing their health issues. 

New Jersey has not learned from California’s lesson. Garden State labor officials are doubling down on the Golden State’s independent contractor crackdown. Similar legislation led to hundreds of thousands of independent contractors losing contracts, jobs, and livelihoods. 

But public outcry can turn the tide. Tell the Department of Labor that you oppose this proposed rule. Share your story of why flexible work is important to you and your family.

Victory! In a huge win, Governor Dunleavy vetoed SB 39 on June 25, 2025 helping advance financial security and economic mobility in Alaska. Thank you, Alaskans. Your voice mattered!

Many Alaska households face an affordability crisis today due to four years of high inflation and high interest rates. Senate Bill 39 would make it worse by restricting access to lending options for Alaskans when they need it most. 

SB39 would be particularly detrimental to Alaskans who don’t have cash to meet an unforeseen need. They are largely young, female, and racial minorities. They depend on different forms of credit, such as short-term loans from fintech lenders, to cover expenses. When states impose limits on access to credit, consumers turn to costly alternatives that leave them more financially insecure. SB 39 would backfire by erecting barriers to financial products that fulfill pressing needs for households. 

SB39 would be detrimental to women, individuals, and small businesses. 

Urge Governor Dunleavy to veto SB39 today and preserve lending options in Alaska. Stand for Alaskans’ financial security and economic mobility! 

Victory! In a win for Virginians, Governor Youngkin vetoed SB 1252, ensuring financial security, economic mobility, and flexibility. Independent Women has been a leading voice in opposition to SB 1252, driving over 100 letters from concerned Virginian members urging the governor to veto this bill. Independent Women issued a formal letter to Governor Youngkin in opposing SB 1252 and outlining how it would have disproportionately harmed young people, women, and racial minorities with limited credit access.

UPDATE: Victory! The TN General Assembly passed portable benefits legislation with bipartisan support! It is now headed to Gov. Lee’s desk.

The Tennessee General Assembly is considering bills that would meet the needs of independent contractors by unlocking portable benefits.

Independent workers value the ability to work for whom they want, when, where, and how they choose. Nine out of ten female workers who shifted from full-time employment to independent contract work said they did so to prioritize flexibility over stability. But unfortunately, upwards of 40% of independent workers lack access to any workplace benefits. 

Learn more about the stories of those who benefit from economic opportunity HERE. 

Tennessee is trying to solve that problem by creating portable benefits that would be available to independent contractors. Unlike traditional employer-provided benefits, portable benefits are attached to the worker instead of a specific employer. This offers workers the ability to maintain coverage no matter how they choose to work or who pays them. Learn more about portable benefits HERE.

Send a message directly to your members, encouraging them to support portable benefits bills and sharing your story of how flexible work has benefited you.

Did you know your retirement and investment funds are being used to fund left-wing causes?

It’s true! 

In recent years, corporations and investment companies have used Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles to guide investing. ESG principles can be commendable, such as when companies pledge to use products manufactured without using slave labor. Yet many ESG principles are misguided, like companies committing to unrealistic net-zero carbon emissions, or requiring employees to complete “anti-racism” training or diversity quotas on corporate boards.

Mostly, ESG principles are a way for businesses (big and small) to virtue-signal and promote left-wing, socialist, and even communist policies in order to stave off left-wing activists. This is making the world more politicized, dangerous, divisive, and far less free.

The investing public needs to know that their investments could be at stake! In financial terms, ESG investments aren’t as profitable as advertised. Harvard Business Review notes, “…ESG funds certainly perform poorly in financial terms.” And in a recent Journal of Finance paper, University of Chicago researchers found that the high sustainability funds did not outperform the lowest-rated funds.

In other words, this is costing you money and retirement security!

Vanguard, an investment firm founded by the late John Bogle (a Republican) in 1974, is now basing investments on the “E” (Environmental) in ESG, committing nine Vanguard funds that manage roughly $290 billion to companies that say they want to reach the completely make-belive net-zero goal by mid-century. Using hard-earned retirement funds to prop up more expensive and less reliable energy sources like wind and solar is not only harming investment returns, but also undercutting our energy grid and national security. Unfortunately, Vanguard’s CEO and chairman, Tim Buckley, said Vanguard “…will continue to thoughtfully expand our ESG lineup.” 

It is becoming increasingly difficult for investors to protect their money as more and more companies choose to embrace ESG. 

Urge Vanguard and CEO Tim Buckley to stop using ESG guidelines for investments!