Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari today signed A4360/S3402, also known as the “New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act.” The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to establish a design professional self-certification program.
Congressman Bill Pascrell was the true definition of a New Jerseyan and a great friend of the business community. His door was always open when the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce staff needed counsel and support on issues critical to New Jersey. He was especially an advocate for small businesses and ensuring our transportation and energy infrastructures were best in class. Congressman Pascrell was a regular on our Walk to Washington during his nearly three decades in Congress and while serving as a State Assemblyman and mayor. Our state could not have asked for a better representative. He will be missed and we offer his family our deepest condolences.
Thomas A. Bracken, CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
George Helmy was an excellent choice to fill the U.S. Senate seat. As chief of staff, he was truly exceptional and one of the best. George was responsive, professional, objective, respectful – and he was a true asset to Gov. Murphy and the state. We are fortunate that he will bring all these qualities to the U.S. Senate. We wish him well and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is ready to assist him in any way.
Tom Bracken, president & CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
We understand the benevolent spirit in which Governor Murphy announced the NJ TRANSIT fare holiday. However, coming less than two months after a debate concluded regarding the agency’s dire fiscal health, and the need for the business community to come to its rescue, this begs the question as to which is better – a fare holiday or keeping the money to address the financial woes of NJ TRANSIT? We would have preferred the latter.
Tom Bracken, President & CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
Very sad news. Michael Aron was a New Jersey political broadcast legend, the Dean of the state's press corps, and he will be sorely missed. Michael was a regular on our Walk to Washington (he was our keynote speaker in 2016) and was a special guest at many of our events. It was always great television when he hosted Reporter's Roundtable or On the Record - and when he provided in-depth commentary on political happenings over the many years of his outstanding career. Michael was the GOAT of New Jersey journalists.
Thomas A. Bracken, President, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
These Exceptional Women Will Receive the N.J. Chamber's 'Women of Inspiration’ Awards
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced today that it is honoring 12 exceptional women who have used talent and hard work to create economic opportunities and help make New Jersey a better place to live and work. The women will be recognized at the 2024 Women of Inspiration Awards Reception, on Oct. 24 at The National Conference Center in East Windsor.
This has certainly been a historic summer with many political twists and turns. The most recent being this past Sunday afternoon. And, through it all, polling consistently shows the item that matters most to Americans and employers is the economy.
That’s no surprise given all the uncertainty since the pandemic.
Now more than ever, we need our leaders from both parties to come together to focus on bipartisan economic growth policies that create prosperity for all. It sounds simple but it has been so elusive for so many years. Our country will only succeed if we end the constant disagreements. We can do this by getting back to basics through bipartisanship that involve all key stakeholders working together for the common good of the people.
Last year there was great pride when New Jersey climbed 23 places, earning the distinction as the most improved state for doing business on CNBC’s Top States for Business list. That’s why it is disappointing that New Jersey is moving in the wrong direction, falling from No. 19 to No. 25 in 2024. We placed second to last in business friendliness, we have one of the highest costs of doing business – and we fell in the infrastructure, cost of living, and technology and innovation categories. We realize that there are initiatives in place to improve infrastructure and technology but we need to continue to provide enhanced focus on those two areas. Also of great concern is neighboring New York and Pennsylvania are ahead of us; states that are actively luring companies and jobs away from us. This year’s ranking does not take into account the negative impact of the recent budget, including the Corporate Transit Fee, which gives New Jersey the highest CBT rate for large companies and will certainly impact our future business attraction and retention efforts. All of this reinforces our longstanding plea for the Administration and the legislature to provide more support and attention for the business community.
Tom Bracken, President & CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
The budget battle is over. We now have to live with the consequences. We are hoping that all the constructive dialogue we have had with the Administration and the legislature over the past months will open the door for more productive discussions in regards to our economy and support for the business community.
Tom Bracken, President & CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken issued a stark warning last night to a panel of state legislators who were on the verge of voting on a $56.6 billion state budget. Bracken said the proposed budget, as it stands, is a stopgap measure that will harm New Jersey’s economy and damage its business reputation. The spending plan includes what Bracken labeled an “outrageous and punitive” 2.5% tax on the state’s largest employers – dubbed a Corporate Transit Fee.
“I have been very clear about our opposition to this budget – and the Corporate Transit Fee – and the extreme harm each will be doing to the state,” Bracken said.