From Union Boulevard in Totowa to Main Street in Boonton, and in downtowns across
the 11 th Congressional District, you’ll find family-run, immigrant-owned, and long-
standing local shops that define our communities and help write the history of our
towns. These places are where the American Dream lives. They are the heartbeat of
our towns. They are the dreams people build, the risks they take, and the foundation
they hope to pass down to their children. Opening and running a business should be
possible for anyone willing to work for it. Because the American Dream doesn’t begin in
a boardroom. It begins with the workers and shopkeepers who hold our communities
together.
Having built my own small business from the ground up, I understand firsthand the
challenges people face when getting started — the late nights, the endless paperwork,
the financial strain that keeps you up at night. But too many mom-and-pop businesses
are being squeezed from every direction. We have tax codes written with corporate
giants in mind and layers of unnecessary regulation that make it harder for small
business owners to keep more of what they earn. And at a time when many people
can’t afford college or choose a different path, we should be making it simpler, not
harder, to start and grow a business.
That’s why, in Congress, I’ll fight for policies that cut red tape, prioritize working- and
middle-class entrepreneurs, and cap costs so everyone has a fair shot at success. New
Jersey’s small businesses deserve a partner in Washington who understands their
challenges and is committed to their success.
I pledge to do five key things:
Level the playing field: Right now, large corporations exploit loopholes that allow them
to pay lower tax rates than many small business owners. No bakery in Totowa or a first-
time entrepreneur in Maplewood should ever pay a higher effective tax rate than
Amazon. But today, many do. I’ll fight to close those loopholes and make sure our tax
system rewards innovation and hard work, not corporate accounting tricks.
Expand access to capital: Too many start-ups are rejected for loans simply because
they don’t have the right connections or come from communities historically
underserved by big banks. Time and again, minority-owned, women-owned, immigrant-owned, and first-generation entrepreneurs are prevented from opening or expanding
their businesses.
Increase affordability: I’ll support bipartisan efforts to cap excessive fees and increase competition in the payment-processing market. This will put real money back in the pockets of small business owners. And in Congress, I will work to expand SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, raise microloan caps, speed up the application process and encourage community banks and credit unions to invest in local entrepreneurs.
Communicate effectively: I’ll ensure that business resources are easy to understand and available in multiple languages. I’ll also push to expand federal tax deductions for start-up expenses and accelerate immediate expensing for equipment, technology upgrades, and storefront improvements.
Invest in infrastructure that lets businesses grow: Small businesses can’t thrive
without reliable infrastructure. That’s why I will continue pushing for major federal
investments in NJ TRANSIT modernization, improved port infrastructure, and the
expansion of clean energy systems.
Right now, a messy tax code and outdated regulations are punishing the very people
who power our towns. As more Americans choose new paths after high school including
entrepreneurship, we should be clearing the road, not adding obstacles. Supporting
working and middle-class families means removing the barriers that hold them back.
When we invest in our small towns and not just in our biggest corporations, we create
jobs, strengthen communities, and build a better future for New Jersey families.
Brendan Gill, an Essex County Commissioner and longtime civic leader, is running for
Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District.
