March 17, 2017

• 2017-03-17

As a leader in workforce development throughout the state, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation constantly receives requests from school administrators and directors of community-based organizations for available internship opportunities for young adults. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough internship opportunities to go around, and those that do exist often don’t allow the interns to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in meaningful projects.

That is why the Chamber Foundation created the Remote Internship Experience (RIE), in which teams of young adults serve as “remote interns” for their communities.

March 02, 2017

• 2017-03-02

N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Thomas Bracken's Statement on Gov. Christie's Proposal to Tap Horizon's Reserves

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce continues to applaud Gov. Christie's focus on the opioid crisis in New Jersey, as outlined in his State of the State speech in January and his budget message Tuesday.

As we said after the budget speech, we believe the governor's proposed solutions need to be fully vetted.

After analyzing the governor's proposal to tap Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey's reserves as a funding source, we have concerns that this will impact Horizon and its stakeholders negatively.

The reduction this proposal would cause to Horizon's reserves could make it considerably more challenging for it to meet the needs of policyholders. This in turn could increase the costs to these policyholders.

At a time when we need to do all we can to make New Jersey more affordable for everyone, increases in insurance coverage costs would be a step backward.

Additionally, we appreciate Horizon's status as one of our state's most prominent corporate citizens. We should do all we can to ensure that status continues.

The N.J. Chamber believes it is in the best interest of all New Jerseyans that Horizon maintains its financial health and its commitment of support to our state.

February 28, 2017

• 2017-02-28

N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Thomas Bracken's Statement on Gov. Christie's Budget Address

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce supports the goals of lower taxes and controlled spending as enumerated every year, and this year, by Gov. Christie in his budget addresses.

We applaud the sense of urgency he has brought to the issues of school aid, transportation funding, pension payments and the opioid problem.

These are difficult challenges, though last year leaders from both parties demonstrated with the Transportation Trust Fund and tax reform that they can reach responsible and effective solutions when they put aside partisanship and put New Jersey first.

In his speech, the governor discussed potential solutions to each of these major issues. While some of his proposals are unique, we need to better understand them and make sure they are fair and balanced for all stakeholders.

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce looks forward to learning more about Gov. Christie's ideas, and we are ready to work with the administration and the state Legislature on the fiscal year 2018 budget proposal to find solutions that will sustain a robust economy, and benefit everyone in the state.

February 24, 2017

• 2017-02-24

The N.J. Chamber Train to D.C. carried nearly 1,000 riders, the most in a decade

Guests included Gov. Christie, both U.S. Senators, 10 House Members, 40 Legislators, 40 News Reporters, two candidates for governor and one Cardinal

The 80th Annual Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner, on Feb. 16 and 17, 2017, was the biggest in a decade with nearly 1,000 of New Jersey's business and government leaders on board the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's chartered Amtrak train to D.C.

NJTV News called it, "a gathering of eagles, the state's most powerful business and political leaders riding the rails."

February 21, 2017

• 2017-02-21

N.J. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Thomas Bracken's Statement on the passing of Jamie Fox

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Jamie Fox. We have had the pleasure on many occasions to work with Jamie, and we respected his work ethic, dedication to public service, integrity and knowledge in all of his endeavors. It is unusual to find someone who was so respected and sought after by leaders of both parties, the trade and labor groups and the business community - but Jamie was such a person. Our prayers go out to Jamie's many friends, colleagues and family.

February 06, 2017

• 2017-02-06

NJBIZ's List of Powerful People Includes 11 New Jersey Chamber Board Members

NJBIZ newspaper released its Power 100 list this week - a list of what the newspaper considers the most powerful people in the New Jersey business community. 

February 06, 2017

• 2017-02-06

NJBIZ's List of Powerful People Includes
11 New Jersey Chamber Board Members

NJBIZ newspaper released its Power 100 list this week - a list of what the newspaper considers the most powerful people in the New Jersey business community. Appearing on the list are New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Chair Amy Mansue; Second Vice Chair Linda Bowden; Immediate Past Chair Ralph Izzo, and eight other non-management members of the N.J. Chamber's Board of Directors.

Here's a full list of Board members on the list:

Amy Mansue, president, southern region, RWJBarnabas Health, a health system with a statewide network covering about 5 million residents;

Linda Bowden, regional president-Northern New Jersey at PNC Bank, which boasts more branches in New Jersey than any other bank;

Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and CEO of PSEG, one of the most critical companies in New Jersey;

Robert Barchi, president of Rutgers University, the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey;

Leecia Eve, vice president-state government affairs, NJ, NY & CT, at Verizon New Jersey Inc., has the unique resume of having worked for Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, Joe Biden and Hillary Rodham Clinton;

Jim Fakult, president and CEO of Jersey Central Power & Light, is rebuilding the major utility's reputation and infrastructure.

Jeffrey LeBenger, chairman and CEO of Summit Health Management and Summit Medical Group, the state's biggest physician group;

Richard Maser, the founder, chairman and CEO of Maser Consulting, the Red Bank-based engineering firm with 21 offices nationwide doing public- and private-sector work;

Carlos Medina, chair of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, representing Hispanic-owned business, which contribute more than $12 billion in revenue;

Barry Ostrowsky, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health, the largest health system in the state;

Ted Zangari, who, as chair of the Redevelopment Law and Public Policy Practice Group at Sills, Cummis & Gross, works on many of the state's political and developmental issues and projects.

"The ability of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce to advocate for the business community is greatly enhanced by the quality of our Board of Directors," N.J. Chamber President and CEO Tom Bracken said. "This recognition by NJBIZ demonstrates the strength of our board, for which we are extremely proud."

To see the full list, click here

February 02, 2017

• Charles Stile
• 2017-02-02
• NorthJersey.com

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, the newly installed archbishop of Newark, said he will join the New Jersey of Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Walk to Washington” pilgrimage later this month.

The 80th annual chartered Amtrak train ride on Feb. 16 is a rolling schmooze fest packed with lobbyists, legislators and political operatives.

January 25, 2017

• 2017-01-25

Congressional Delegation to be Honored
at the N.J. Chamber's 80th Trip to D.C.

#chambertrain

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced today that Gov. Chris Christie, and U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory D. Booker; as well as Congressman Christopher Smith, will speak at the 80th annual Congressional Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C.

The dinner is the highlight of the Walk to Washington, the N.J. Chamber's annual train trek to the nation's capital. The event attracts New Jersey business leaders in every industry and political leaders in every level of government, giving guests unprecedented opportunities for conversation, visibility and business networking.

"This is the kind of super-networking that helps businesses grow," said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. "That is why we have been doing it for 80 years. It is New Jersey's biggest and most prestigious business event of the year."

Guests have the opportunity to hear from Gov. Christie and members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation as they discuss efforts to build the economy and generate jobs; and discuss changes in D.C. under the new Congress and the Trump administration.

Gov. Christie has said, "The year does not begin until the Chamber dinner in Washington."

The event also will feature candidates for governor, including Assemblyman Jack Ciatterelli, Sen. Raymond Lesniak, former ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy, and Assemblyman John Wisniewski.

Every winter, Chamber members board a chartered Amtrak train to Washington for the Walk to Washington, a name given to the event because riders on the train walk up and down the aisles discussing issues and generating business contacts.

Last year, the Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner attracted 900 business executives, government officials, and more than 40 members of the news media.

The Train Schedule

The upcoming Walk to Washington begins the morning of Feb. 16 when the Chamber's train picks up passengers at Penn Station in Newark. The train then makes stops in Iselin (Metropark), New Brunswick, Trenton, Philadelphia and Wilmington before heading into Washington.

Participants spend the evening at a grand reception and at the Congressional Dinner at the Marriott Wardman. The networking continues the next morning with a reporters roundtable breakfast followed by the charter train's return trip to New Jersey, bringing guests back to their point of origin.

For more information about the Walk to Washington, go here: njchamber.com/w2w

To follow the Walk to Washington on Twitter and Facebook, use hashtag #chambertrain, or follow the New Jersey Chamber on Twitter - @njchamber.