More than 1,000 New Jersey business and government leaders joined the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Walk to Washington & Congressional Reception last week, marking a triumphant return for the two-day event after a five-year hiatus.
The bottom line: The Walk remains the state’s premier business networking event. And in this pivotal gubernatorial election year, it also served as a powerful rallying call.
From our packed charter train to D.C. to the Congressional Reception and our highly attended gubernatorial forum, one message was clear: New Jersey’s business community is united in its commitment to building a stronger state economy at a much faster pace.
A call for pro-growth leadership
The size and enthusiasm of the crowds at our events in D.C. demonstrated a shared priority among business leaders: The need for the Legislature and the governor, including the next chief executive – regardless of party – to make economic growth and improving New Jersey’s business climate a top priority. A growing economy is the most effective way to address and improve the state’s long-term fiscal challenges. Economic expansion creates jobs, increases incomes, fosters innovation, and enhances the quality of life for individuals and families. It also creates the organic reliable revenue to assist our budgetary challenges. At our gubernatorial candidate’s forum on Friday morning – a standing-room-only event – it was encouraging to see candidates focusing on business issues and outlining their economic vision for New Jersey. Across party lines, there was broad agreement on the need for pro-growth policies and a reduction in regulatory burden. There also was unanimous agreement that regular, constructive dialogue among the administration, the Legislature and the business community is an imperative to sound economic growth.
A promising step: The new economic council
That’s why I’m pleased to report that on Feb. 5 – the day before the Walk to Washington – I participated in the inaugural meeting of the state’s new Economic Council, created by Gov. Murphy. This council, composed of government and business leaders, is focused on developing actionable strategies to make New Jersey a more competitive place to do business. This ongoing dialogue (mandated to meet quarterly) between the business community and state government is a step in the right direction. I’m optimistic that the council’s work will have a lasting impact, transcending administrations and laying the groundwork for New Jersey’s next governor to hit the ground running on economic growth, business retention, and job creation. Its future was also a topic of discussion at our Friday gubernatorial candidates’ forum. The return of the Walk to Washington proved that the state’s business community is energized and looking to the future. The more than 1,000 in attendance believed, as do I, that New Jersey has all the assets needed for companies to succeed. Now, we must capitalize on them and communicate, both domestically and internationally, the strong reasons why New Jersey is a top business destination.
Tom Bracken is the CEO of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce.
