02/26/2008
A survey of our membership released to the media helped torpedo the plan to raise tolls across New Jersey! The rapid and overwhelming response of our members -- 90 percent of respondents across the state opposed the proposal -- was a key reason the proposal was left for dead in the governor’s budget address this afternoon.
Your voice was heard loud and clear. While we face significant challenges in the weeks and months ahead on paid family leave and other issues, today was a great example of how important our collective voice can be in Trenton.
New Jersey Small Business Owners Want Reform Before Tax/Toll Hikes
CONTACT: Laurie Ehlbeck, 609-989-8777 or Jason Brewer, 202-406-4435
TRENTON, N.J. -- With an uncertain economic outlook and rising energy and healthcare costs to contend with, small businesses reacted cautiously to a budget plan outlined by Gov. Jon Corzine that makes cuts to government bureaucracy without raising taxes. Prior to the budget address, an NFIB survey of its membership showed more than 90 percent of respondents opposed Corzine's now-defunct plan to hike state tolls.
"The response to last week's proposal to increase tolls 800 percent was heard loud and clear," said NFIB/New Jersey State Director Laurie Ehlbeck. "We're pleased the governor listened to the small business community and took the toll increase off the table -- at least for now."
Ehlbeck offered praise for the governor's plans to reform state government and streamline state spending, but warned that much work needed to be done to make those reforms a reality.
"There is significant support among our members for plans to reduce spending and restrain the growth of state government," Ehlbeck said. "But we've heard these pledges before, and more often than not, promises to cut spending get left behind at the altar if a deal to raise revenue is cut."
Ehlbeck urged lawmakers to tackle legislation to reduce the cost of government in Trenton before asking small business owners and their customers to bail out state government.
"Our economy is already on shaky ground," Ehlbeck explained. "Employers are looking for solutions that make it easier for them to do business in New Jersey, not more expensive. An increase in tolls or taxes will hit employers, their workers and their customers -- a triple whammy for many small business owners."
Ehlbeck warned that small business owners would be watching in the event that the toll proposal or any other tax increase resurfaces as a substitute for real reform.
"We need to be addressing ways to make New Jersey a more robust environment for small business," Ehlbeck said. "Finding solutions to lower healthcare costs, and lowering the tax and regulatory burden on struggling job providers is the best ticket to a strong economy and a stable budget -- and that's what small business owners want to see our elected officials working on."
