In partnership with the New Jersey Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, co-chairs Tom Bracken and Michele Siekerka will present ONJ’s efforts to build consensus around policies that will make New Jersey affordable. The dinner-networking event will be held at The Edison Hotel on Woodbridge Avenue.
Local chamber of commerce officials from Middlesex County – including Edison, Woodbridge, and the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce – converged on the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel on April 7 for a presentation by Opportunity NJ (ONJ). Co-chairs Tom Bracken, of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and Michele Siekerka, of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, expressed the need for non-traditional allies to come together to reinvent policy making in the Garden State.
The ONJ co-chairs underscored that state legislators, the Governor’s office, the business community and third party interests need to work together on public policy solutions in order to address affordability issues faced in New Jersey. The topic of affordability was particularly germane in view of the recent property tax study released by RealtyTrac.com and presented in an interactive format (Click here for the property tax map). The study found that the average tax bill to New Jersey families is $8,549, while the state maintains the distinction of having the highest tax rate in the nation at 2.31%.
Tax Reform was cited as an essential part of the solution to affordability concerns in the state. Bracken and Siekerka also noted that three other critical platforms included Infrastructure Investment, Workforce Development and Jobs and Regulation Reform.
ONJ is continuing to present before business and community forums throughout New Jersey – contact us to invite ONJ to an event near you.
On January 9, Opportunity NJ (ONJ) Co-Chairs Tom Bracken and Michele Siekerka will be featured on the LBI Region Report, sponsored by the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce. Tom and Michele discussed Opportunity NJ and promoted the January 12 ONJ Breakfast in Manahawkin hosted by the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, and the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce. The show is hosted by Billy Clanton and Lori Pepenella (CEO of the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce). While the show airs on Monday January 9 on WBNJ, the radio station has posted the interview on its website before the airdate.
Take some time to listen to the interview and join us in Manahawkin for the ONJ Breakfast on Thursday January 12.
Introducing Michael – a corporate executive turned entrepreneur. He brings a unique perspective on managing a business and living in New Jersey. For the past six years, he has been building his client base and maintaining sustainable levels of profitability. His company, Big Green Group (located in Chester, Morris County, NJ), specializes in wireless services, broadband construction services, enterprise & government solutions, and HVAC services. In this case study, we will learn about challenges posed by taxes, the regulatory environment and how those challenges impact his decision-making. Additionally, Michael opens-up regarding the challenges of African-American, women, and minority-owned businesses.
Meet Amy – a woman business owner who took great pride in being engaged in every facet of her restaurant, the Milford Oyster House (located in Milford, Hunterdon County, NJ). Amy and her staff ensured every dish was meticulously and lovingly prepared for each guest. Amy wanted her guests to feel as if they received a “warm culinary hug” after a dining experience in her establishment. In recent years, she recognized the difficulty of complying with onerous regulations and providing an economic engine for her community. After twenty years, Amy decided to reluctantly sell her livelihood to new owners due to the inhospitable business climate in the Garden State. In this series, we will get to know Amy and her challenges, both practical and emotional, as a small business owner. Most importantly, we will address New Jersey’s most pressing public policy issues and generate solutions to make New Jersey affordable.
Earlier this month, a complex, but much needed transportation and infrastructure funding plan was approved and signed into law. We applaud the leadership of Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Prieto, Leaders Bramnick and Greenwald, as well as bill sponsors Senator Sarlo and Senator Oroho for delivering the infrastructure funding and comprehensive tax relief that is much needed to keep our state competitive.
We thank those members of the legislature who voted in favor of these measurers, who in doing so, exhibited courage and a concern for the future of our state.
Opportunity NJ (ONJ) was built on the premise of the need for discussion and collaboration between community, trade, business and public policy interests toward alternative solutions to challenging regulatory and legislative initiatives – coming together to make New Jersey affordable. We thank those for taking up the mantle ONJ was formed upon.
Now, on the ballot this November, voters have the opportunity to ensure that the gas tax revenue only will be used for capital infrastructure improvement, by securing that promise in a constitutional amendment. The successful passage of this question is critical to a long term transportation funding solution and eliminates the potential for future mismanagement.
We encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote on this important initiative.
OpportunityNJ joined Caucus: New Jersey host Steve Adubato to discuss the business climate in the Garden State and how to make New Jersey affordable. In case you missed it this weekend you can watch the discussion here:
While New Jersey has begun taking steps to address the issues of affordability in this state, this recent report underscores why those efforts need to accelerate at a much more rapid pace. Public policy needs to address deficiencies in key, critical areas: Tax Reform, Infrastructure Investment, Workforce Development and Regulatory Reform.
A recent study by the Tax Foundation, one of the nations leading independent tax policy research organizations, reported that New Jersey has the worst business climate in America – this is the third year in a row that the Garden State has been at the top of the list.
Join OpportunityNJ for an event hosted by the MIDJersey and Burlington County Chambers of Commerce to learn how we keep jobs and how we can make new jersey affordable!
Curbing outmigration by reforming our tax structure and encouraging affordable development options will help turn the tide on the state’s outmigration crisis. It is no secret millennials are leaving the state to pursue productive lives centered around urban living and public transportation. Meanwhile, retiring residents and business owners winding down their careers are relocating to southern states to avoid significant tax levies (e.g. estate and inheritance tax and taxes on income from pensions). Even though we have high property taxes, our state’s leaders can address affordability issues one step at a time.
New Jersey is beginning to stem the outmigration of business entities with the retooling of the Garden State’s economic incentive programs. The Hudson Waterfront has benefited from these incentives. Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken have all continued development and is home to a large number of upward mobile millennials.
We must continue this momentum to create an affordable environment for all New Jerseyans. ONJ is committed to abandoning the “politics as usual” approach for a practical and solutions-based discussion. We can begin this discussion with reforming the estate and inheritance taxes, and plant the seeds for creative tax and regulatory reform.