Six people were appointed to the newly created task force that will put forth recommendations to implement the new Stay NJ property tax relief program, which is designed to cut property tax bills in half for New Jersey’s seniors. Under the law, which was sponsored by Speaker Craig J. Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, and signed by Gov. Phil Murphy as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process, the six-member task force will consist of: The State Treasurer, or the State Treasurer’s designee: Deputy State Treasurer Aaron Binder The Commissioner of Community Affairs, or the commis ..read more

In particular, the enactment of property tax relief programs like Senior Freeze and StayNJ demonstrates the state’s priority to enable senior residents to afford living in the Garden State. But to guarantee that New Jersey is competitive in its attraction to seniors, we must also invest in the infrastructure necessary to care for and support them as they age with grace and dignity. Making New Jersey a promising residential and commercial location is a holistic endeavor, with workforce development being a critical thread. Our state’s workforce situation impacts every aspect of life – from provi ..read more

Gov. Phil Murphy reaffirmed his commitment to sunsetting a temporary Corporation Business Tax surcharge at the end of the year, pleasing the audience at NJBIA’s 2023 Public Policy Forum today in Woodbridge. The temporary 2.5% surcharge is levied on top of the 9% corporate business tax. Murphy, who announced his intent to sunset the surtax at the beginning of the year, has been facing calls from progressive groups to extend the surtax to help fund NJ Transit.  The governor, however, told the crowd of 240 that the state plans to honor its commitment to New Jersey’s largest employers.  ..read more

First Lady Tammy Murphy announced this morning that she will run for the US Senate seat currently held by Senator Bob Menendez, who – facing federal bribery charges – is up for reelection next year. In an online video announcing her candidacy, Murphy discussed two main initiatives she fought for as First Lady: maternity care and climate change. Saying that she did not have to worry about surviving childbirth because the money in the family bank account and the color of her skin would get her the best of care, Murphy said that is not the case for many women. “In New Jersey, women and babies – a ..read more

November ushers in the end of the legislative election season, when the rancorous campaign ads (finally) fade to black and the focus returns to the work of governing. Thanks to redistricting, retirements and maybe some unexpected outcomes at the polls, there will be fresh faces at the Statehouse when members of the 221st Legislature take their oaths in January. NJBIA congratulates all and is ready to work with them on advancing a more competitive business climate that allows companies to grow, create jobs and power our economy. As New Jersey’s largest and most impactful statewide business asso ..read more

As a government shutdown looms, wars rage and chaos reigned as the House selected a new speaker, New Jersey voters are disgusted with Congress, and even Republicans disapprove of how the GOP majority is functioning, according to a Stockton University Poll released today. Only 13% of New Jersey adults approved of the way Congress is doing its job, while almost 80% disapproved. That result has been consistent in recent years of polling, but the new poll by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University shows that Republicans especially have taken a hit from their own base ..read more

New Jersey may be in a “golden age” right now in terms of the state’s fiscal condition and in understanding and working with the business community, said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, at this morning’s Meet the Decision Makers event sponsored by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. At the same time, Coughlin would not give a definitive answer on whether the corporation business tax surcharge would return and be made permanent at some point in the future. Speaking at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Woodbridge, Coughlin said he could not predict what the economy will look like ..read more

Marita Sciarrotta, a 40-year career public servant who has spent the entirety of her working history with the Division of Taxation within the state’s Treasury Department, has been appointed acting director of the division. “Marita’s passion for public service shines in everything she does,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “Her strong work ethic and dedication to her community has guided her four decades at the Division of Taxation. From her days as a call center operator, to assisting Superstorm Sandy victims, to helping administer the landmark ANCHOR program, Marita has made a dif ..read more

Halloween decorations, costumes and candy abound in stores this month, as do scary movies and TV specials, including the family favorite, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” One of the most iconic scenes from this 57-year-old Peanuts Halloween classic is when Lucy offers to hold a football for Charlie Brown to kick, even giving him a signed document promising not to trick him by pulling the ball away as he runs toward it. As we all know, at the last minute, Lucy yanks away the football anyway and Charlie Brown ends up flat on his back (again). The business community is thinking about that ..read more

Gov. Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) today announced the establishment of the first-in-the-nation Office of Climate Change Education within the NJDOE’s Office of Innovation. The office has been established to further climate literacy and environmental awareness among students and educators and to prepare students for the jobs expected to be created by the green economy. In addition, the NJDOE announced the hiring of Sarah Sterling-Laldee as senior climate change education advisor to lead the office. The Office of Climate Change Education ..read more