July 26, 2023

Gov. Phil Murphy sat down with New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Bracken on Wednesday, July 26, at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark to discuss ways to improve and expand the state economy. The governor used the event to announce a trade mission this fall to Japan and South Korea, with the primary goals to be attracting jobs and investments to the Garden State.

May 15, 2023

It’s a Golf Tradition: The 12th Annual N.J. Chamber Challenge Cup Is a Big Hit On and Off The Course

The ping of driver meeting golf ball. The smell of fresh cut grass. The chirping of birds. And a beautiful golf course. This was the setting on May 15 for the 12th annual N.J. Chamber Challenge Cup golf outing, where business leaders plied their skills on 18 holes at the Bedens Brook Club in Skillman.

March 22, 2023

March 21, 2023

N.J. Chamber chief lobbyist Michael Egenton testified today in front of the state Senate Budget Committee. "The state budget's proposed $10 billion surplus should be used judiciously and, if the funds are used, it should be for programs that shore up New Jersey’s economy," Egenton said. "If the banking crisis worsens and financial institutions pull back on lending, which many leading economists predict could happen, our companies will need direct assistance. Some economists put the chance of recession this year at 65%, up significantly from a few weeks ago." Click here for the Michael’s testimony.

December 20, 2022

• Tom Bracken
• 2022-12-20
• ROI-NJ Op-Ed

As we close 2022 and head into a new year, New Jersey’s business community is hearing and reading mixed messages regarding the state of the state’s economy. Some are suggesting the business climate is fine, but that view is not matching the reality that businesses owners are experiencing.

September 14, 2022

• Tom Bracken
• 2022-09-14
• NJBIZ Op-Ed

MTA’s ‘congestion pricing’ proposal to assess steep fees on N.J. drivers heading into NYC is ill-conceived cash grab

New Jersey businesses and residents are currently coping with the severest inflation in a generation — especially in gas and energy prices — and, now, we have the Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposing what it euphemistically calls a “congestion pricing plan” — what is actually a toll increase on New Jersey drivers heading into New York City.

Make no mistake, this proposed MTA toll hike is aimed directly at the wallets of New Jersey’s businesses and commuters.

September 09, 2022

• Tom Bracken
• 2022-09-09
• NJBIZ Op-Ed

It’s good – and it’s bad – for New Jersey

Politicians in New Jersey and around the country are working overtime to sell the benefits of the $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act that President Joseph Biden recently signed. They are calling it a signature achievement for his administration.

Indeed there are benefits: subsidies for many Americans who buy health insurance on the individual market; $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs to Medicare recipients; lower costs of some medications for older adults; and big investments to combat climate change, such as clean energy tax credits for consumers and manufacturers.

But, as we all know, no legislation is perfect and the bad must be evaluated along with the good, especially when it comes to the impact on New Jersey and its residents.

July 28, 2022

• Tom Bracken
• 2022-07-28
• ROI-NJ Op-Ed

States across U.S. are using federal pandemic relief to help strengthen their business climates. N.J. should, too

Before signing the new state budget, Gov. Phil Murphy repeatedly said that he wants New Jersey’s taxpayers to get the biggest bang for their buck.

Taxpayers would have seen the biggest bang had the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget invested adequately in New Jersey’s small businesses — the constituency that creates the jobs and generates the tax revenue to support the governor’s programs.

Unfortunately, the new budget does not do that.

July 27, 2022

• Tom Bergeron
• 2022-07-27
• ROI-NJ

Pa.’s plan to dramatically drop business tax rate has some asking: Why not here?