In an informal talk to business leaders at Kearny Bank headquarters in Fairfield. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Bracken touted two initiatives designed to boost New Jersey’s economy: funding the state’s Transportation Trust Fund and eliminating or greatly reducing the individual estate tax.
“We need to find a permanent, long-term, dedicated funding solution to our Transportation Trust Fund,” Bracken said. “The money generated would be used solely for investing in the state’s infrastructure, critical to New Jersey’s business community. And the Legislature must address the estate tax that is causing many residents to flee to lower-tax states.”
In addition, Bracken stressed that New Jersey needs to better exploit its strengths. “Our business environment consistently ranks low among states when, in fact, we have much to offer,” he stated. In particular, he cited New Jersey’s proximity to huge markets and, even more important, its highly educated, well-trained workforce.
The program, which included a Q&A segment, was the first in what will be an ongoing series sponsored by Kearny Bank to educate and help its commercial customers maximize their business opportunities.