Would Tom Bracken, the CEO of the N.J. State Chamber, like to see business taxes reduced in the state? Of course.
But as the now-selected gubernatorial candidates, Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R), began their push toward their Nov. 4 election day, Bracken has a few more realistic items on his wish list.
Starting with this: Making business issues a major priority for the candidates.
“We need a more balanced approach to issues – and that includes making an economic focus a significant component of their approach for the state,” he told BINJE.
“There’s no balance right now. Business is not even on the table.”
Bracken said he hopes the eventual winner will spend more time with business leaders and owners, getting a better understanding of their needs – needs that do not only mean lowering taxes.
“If taxes could come down, that would be ideal,” he said. “That could be one of the major components of a business focus, but there are other focuses, too.”
Bracken notes an effort to reduce regulation in the state — and making it easier to do business here — should be top priorities.
That starts with talk, he said — again calling for an economic council, which current Gov. Phil Murphy established but did not implement.
“There needs to be ongoing communication with business,” he said. “How do we leverage the assets of our state and what tweaks do we need to make to really embrace the innovation economy and get the 800,000 businesses in this state going.”
Bracken has one other wish for the campaign — one that may be harder to get than a promise to reduce taxes: Staying civil.
“I hope the quality of the individuals translates to a constructive, civilized campaign that promotes our state and the possibilities of our state — and that we come out of the race with a governor who has polished the image of New Jersey and gets us on a path to prosperity,” he said.
