The NJDOL and the Pandemic - The Commissioner Speaks on Policy, Politics, and Positive Change

Stuart Shapiro welcomes New Jersey Department of Labor Commissioner -- and Bloustein policy alumnus -- Robert Asaro-Angelo to EJBTalks this week. Commissioner Asaro-Angelo talks about his start with ESPN, and how he was inspired to change his path because he wanted to work helping people. He also discusses his time working with labor unions and his tenure in the Obama administration. They then move the discussion to NJDOL's response to the COVID pandemic -- how the agency had to quickly protect its employees, find the equipment to help them work remotely, and implement complicated federal DOL programs just as the need for federal assistance exploded. The Commissioner concludes by talking about how the pandemic crisis, which brought a sense of urgency in getting things done in government, has the potential to make a positive lasting change by increasing people's faith in a stronger, more competent government.